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Valzis, Prince of the Slain

“Honestly, all crows are not ravens.”

0 · 874 views · located in The Land Of Xetraylia

a character in “The Land Of Xetraylia”, as played by Klockwork0reo

Description

Name: Valzis, (Val), Prince of the Slain

Age: Far too old for a human child.

Appearance:
Human Child: Often appearing as a young human child, Val has a mess of feathery black hair, dark green eyes, and ghostly pale skin. His body is covered with the odd scratch and cut, as well as smudged with dirt. He typically wears a bloody, dirty black ragged tunic, which holds the texture of feathers, and has a vague shape of a crown 'stitched' into the fabric.

ImageRaven Prince: His more 'beastly' of forms, Val grows into a massive raven-like creature with such a size to rival even the largest of horses. His obsidian black body is sleek yet powerful, quick, yet holds a fair amount of strength behind it. With the body structure matching that of a griffon, his wingspan is capable of propelling him from the ground almost effortlessly.

History: Val was born on the single unfortunate day whatever gods watch over the land decided to blink, and rest their eternal gaze.

He was borne of the blood of ravens, left with himself and a double, a small child of a nearby village. By some manner Val has never been fully able to discover, he became the child's duplicate, but in appearance only, as his body was still bound by that of the raven. The child quickly named “Valzis”, using his people’s now long forgotten tongue for ‘double’.

Quickly shortening his newly christened name, Val followed the boy home, only to notice their favor of the original instead of him. His jealousy grew into envy, which sparked wrath. In a moment of pure violence, Val killed the child. He stole his title as well that day, trying to fit into the village. However, his bestial act woke the gods from their brief rest, and he was cursed for his hatred.

In an act to prove that he couldn't be controlled, Val slaughtered the village, calling upon the beasts from which his blood was stolen. Eventually driven back into the forest deeps, he stumbled upon the lands of the beasts, monsters, and fiends.

For a brief moment, Val was accepted. He was a horror, with wretches of birds as his only friends. However, years and millennia went by, and while Val did not physically age, his mind grew weary, and began to shake and shudder u see the combined weight of the years placed upon it. His vaguely human mind broke, and as his body fell into the depths of the abyssal creek, he changed. Mutated into something much more sisniter, to match his deteriorating mind and monstrous blood.

Wearing the skin of a horrifying raven, Val found himself , as he dared claw and stroke back at the humans that had once banished him into the very woods. Eventually, the young nation fell, whether due to Val’s work, or something more hideous is another tale, but having earned himself a title, and a crown off a severed head, he retreated back into his lands, greeted by his old friends.

Val now lies, fully and utterly insane, whatever final strands of sanity he held were broken eons ago, as payment both for his length of life, horrific deeds, and fragile mind.

Abilities: He holds the ability to shift between his childlike form, a young, thin boy, typically clothed in soot-black rags with piercing black eyes and a deathly visage, complete with a sharp grin only a madman could make. His other form, a more powerful, and truthful representation of himself, is a beastly raven, massive in size and structure, yet gruesomely thin, with ghostly pale-blue eyes that shift between the living and dead.

He has limited control over ravens, allowing him to often see through their eyes, or if the distance is too great, simply act like messengers for him to learn an relay information. However, more often than not, they are simply birds who flock nearby.

Weaknesses: While some may call it recklessness, Val calls it a "fearless abandon". Due to his ruined mental condition, he is often horribly reckless, ignorant, and lacks any sense of caution. This would be less of an issue, if he didn't prefer his more 'human' form, which is weaker, slower, and generally easier to kill than his 'raven' form.

Val is also typically nonsensical, often doing things that make no logical sense, which typically ends up causing more issues than it alleviates.

Quirks: Val earned his namesake during several rampages, where he'd devour the hearts of kings. Soon enough, he was christened the Prince of the Slain, and ever since, he's had a horrible habit of calling everyone ‘brother’, ‘cousin’, or even ‘mother’.

So begins...

Valzis, Prince of the Slain's Story

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Val clicked his tongue.

"Never good when the little birdies dare not listen to a bloody old crow like yourself, isn't it?"

Jumping down from his perch in a tree only a few paces away from Rafar's overlook, Val stooped into a bow. His landing stained his lower legs with a sickly mix of mud and ash, clinging to his skin like moss on trees, and his rags like powder in water. Once his childlike feet hit the dirt a chatter erupted within the trees, birds of all types squawking and shrieking, suddenly abuzz in the dark. "Yes. It is indeed I, you can stop gawking and praising now." Then cocking an eyebrow, and flashing a particularly fierce grin. "No really. Stop."

Several birds of color and monochrome flew from the trees, their light cawing ceasing as soon as the words left Val's mouth. Soon, only the black shadows of ravens remained, who quickly silenced themselves, but made no move to fly away. Standing upright in a pose much more noble than the one carrying it, Val stepped into the moonlight, the pale-blue light highlighting his childlike form, and bringing a faint glossy sheen to his darkened rags.

"Rafar, Val began again, "All your little chicks have fled. Leaving you; the beholder of these lands, bringer of death, and most fearsome of creatures, to sit and observe."

Val fell to his knees, drooping his head loosely. "Oh dear Rafar... How I fear for the poor mortals and immortals you have woefully cursed on this day with your actions." Then a sneer marched across his face. "Or should I say... inaction? How do you dare respond to the hastiness of the others, Father?"

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Rafar allowed Lidia's exit. Simply watching her go without saying a word. Even if his tired nonchalant pose remained, Her words tore at him. It was true, And the only question he could think of was: When did he get this weak? For a moment he pondered to himself before unexpectedly a young child arrived, It was suprisingly as Rafar hadn't sensed him coming.

It didn't take more than a second for Rafar to see trough Val, His apparent control over the nearby birds did not help him. He listened closely to his ramblings not moving from his position. You speak like a priest... He slowly tilted his head observing Val I suppose I understand your words well enough, Yet it seems you know something I do not. You speak like many fates have been sealed by the actions of this evening, and then you ask me what I think of it? A short growl escaped his throat As for the others, I am not one to decide what they do. So please tell me, Dear beast. What are these "Woefull actions" You speak of?

The word Father or the fact he knew his nane did not affect him. Perhaps this young one referred to him as a god? But for now, He wished to find out all the little bits of information Val had.

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Val slowly hobbled to his knees.

"A Priest?" He asked, mulling the thought over a few times.

Finally the thoughts left his vision, and his wild stare returned to him slowly, as he leaned dangerously close to Rafar."Oh Rafar." Val clicked his tongue again. "A beast as old as you..." He trailed off, clearly amazed how the great beast before him stood so far in ignorance. "I'm certain you understand that choosing no action, or allowing others to choose for you, even through the blatant disregard of the threats at hand..."

"Is still an action, with grave consequences." He spoke at just above a whisper, his eyes practically dancing with glee.

Crossing the few paces between himself and the edge of the overlook, Val stood in the pile of still incredibly warm ash and soot, letting it burn his skin as he gazed off into the distance. "I suppose that I can be truly blunt for you, if you so wish."

"The two you have met today are fierce predators, each chasing the same kill. While you may have given your 'blessings' to one, but not the other simply doesn't matter. Not yet, anyway." Val looked back at Rafar before continuing. "Both will eventually make a move at the Hunters, striking one down, or perhaps just leaving one to die. But as all things do, they will begin to fall out of hand.

"Lidia's fate is sealed like a door, shut and boarded. Whether she comes to you or not is of little consequence, succeed or fail, she will be consumed by her own flames of desire and rage. Perhaps the nobler of the two will attempt to seem proud while doing it, asking you for help, and pleading to your call to arms. But you should understand that you have no other choice than to aid them. A beast, no matter how old, wise, or alone, will always return for the kill."


The last of the light in the sky seemed to vanish, swallowed by a great expanse of clouds. They rolled across the landscape before them, stirring up winds and keeping the entire world blanketed in the dark. There, only Ironsguard remained, glistening in it's golden light. While the darkness threatened it, with the lamps and fires in place, the town would not fall to it. And while the fires would falter in the wind of the night, they held steadfast, as everlasting vigils against the treachery of night.

"So... what shall you do next?"

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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A low monotone growl was heard from Rafar, Now he was getting lectured. He lowered his head placing his eyes to the same level as Val. What could be seen in them could only be called something primal. Do not look down upon me young one! The mightiest of birds always falls because they underestimate the wind.

I know very well how this will play out. I know how the beasts will flock to this challenge. I myself was one of the very first to attempt it! When the beasts realise they face something that they can't slaughter they will flee. Some will band together, seeking protection from the strongest ones. Rafars eyes finally diverted from Val's instead looking out over the landscape, Just as previously Some will let their Pride, wrath or perhaps grief get in the way. Wich will only lead to death. You wish to know what role I will play in this? Then please, atleast tell me what role you fill. And do not tell me you are a simple observer, Because those will only end up dying.

These flames. These fanged sheep, Protecting the herd. Their role was set. Some would perhaps deviate, but only slightly. The ones who would shape this story, They would be the ones that realise the story. But who was the ones that truly realised what role they played? This world was after all more treatorous than anyone could possibly imagine

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Val's smile vanished, for once a look of seriousness resting on his face. "Oh, dear Father, you simply mistake my critiques as mockery. I promise I dare not talk down to you."

As if to emphasize this point, Val let himself fall backwards into the mud, ash, and leaves. Bringing his arms behind him to rest as a pillow, his mischievous grin returned. "But..." He began, closing his eyes. "You tipped your hand. I now realize my fears are to go on down the stream, to slip from my mind. For my true purpose, my only reason from leaving my own roost to alight upon this one, is nothing more than a primal, simple hunger."

Val chuckled. During his mild pause he felt several of his own disheveled ravens slip free from the trees and take to the air. Another dropped from it's perch, only to flutter down to Val's side, eventually landing on his chest. Another soon followed, with another behind it. Within moments, Val held an assortment of ravens in his grasp, each of their small, ragged bodies feeling like an extension of his own.

"I heard of the formation of a formal Hunting guild of sorts, and decided that not only would it be worth a little look-see, but perhaps that a few of those would-be Hunters wouldn't mind parting with a few... things for my appetite. I figure the heart of a great Hunter to be a favorable meal, if not a rather tedious meal to acquire. The closer I got to the city, the more I felt of not only your presence, but that of your associates.

"All of us here at once, chasing after a similar goal... it's almost storybook. However, I would never have been able to live with myself had I not seen you in action. While Lidia might have a knack for carving into and through a town in a single, blazing night... Nothing compares with a unstoppable force slowly, painfully ripping your own kin away from you."


"However." Val stood up, ravens scattering slightly, giving him room to move. "With your words... I am quite convinced that you shall not be sitting out here for too much longer."

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Rafar continued his search across the landscape. Scanning the large, dark forest surrounding Ironsguard. Slowly a small crooked smile appeared on his lips. If you even could call them that. ..Surely I cannot simply sit around. As you said, A beast always returns for the kill.

He gently lowered his head down towards Val. But I must say, I have taken a liking to you young one. You have a certain cunning wich no normal eye can see. A cunning Wich will be mistaken for madness. This makes you by far one of the most terrifying beings here. despite his words and violent presence Rafar displayed a certain warmth Wich could only be seen as strange

I certainly look forward to seeing what role you will have taken in the end.

This beast was so very interesting. He knew much. Perhaps too much, Rafar didn't hesitate about the fact that he might have to one day pluck this bird. Still, For now he seemed like someone valuable, someone who could genuinely hurt both him and his enemies. And that.. Impressed him.

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Val smiled gleefully. Whatever Rafar had been saying slipped his mind, as a Raven landed on his shoulder. For a moment, Val closed his eyes. The world faded away into the background, and soon he was alone. There was no Rafar, no ashen mud, even he ceased to exist.

Then it all came into focus. He was no longer standing beside a beast as old as man itself, but instead he was standing alone, peering through the eyes of another creature. Soaring just overtop Ironsguard, his eyes landed atop a building just ahead and below his viewpoint.

The Band of Hunter’s guild. Light poured out from the inside of the room, spilling over into the dark. Shadows danced between the light of the windows, showing a small scene of people talking, others moving away from the window, presumably into other rooms. At the doorstop, a large creature lay, almost wolfish in appearance. A massive gash and a pool of blood betrayed the cause of its demise.

But another thing caught his eye. Small, frail skeletal structures atop surrounding buildings. Crows, frail and weak, moving unnaturally, controlled by something.

Val chuckled to himself once more, closing the creature’s eyes, allowing himself to return to his own body. He slowly felt the beastly presence by his side, the warm embrace of the ashen mud, and the tranquil quiet instilled by the unlit night return. Before severing his connection with the young raven, Val left a final, barely audible message.

”Kill them.”

Val stepped closer to Rafar. ”Father.” He began, looking up to the sky. Why do we continue to stand here, enveloped by the nightly fog? Is this even nightfall, or a ravenous black abyss? I went down into an abyss once… it was decorated with the corpses of beasts, demons, and mortals so great it could make even Lidia rethink her step.”

He took a breath. ”Now that fool had a knack for decorating. Unfortunately, it took me several long years to claw my way out… and by the time I had, I was a monster. Gone was my soft, fleshy body, replaced by something else, something much more fitting of a horror like myself.”

Finally perking up, he asked. ”Would you like to see?”

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Rafar simply watched Val as his out-of-body experience commenced. Observing every detail of his frail body. Rafar had a pretty good idea of what Val actually was doing since he has several, yet clearly weaker beasts with similar abilities.

Val then spoke in more riddles. Rafar quite enjoyed this. Thinking about the meaning behind most words. He patiently allowed Val to finish. An abyss enough to make Lidia back down... That would change someone, for better or for worse is for you to decide. You ask me questions wich you do not require me to answear. You simply wish for someone to think.

Rafar slowly shook his head, before leaning in, enough for Val to simply lift his arm and touch him. Spare that "Horrific" form of yours. Spare it until you face something you truly require to face. Perhaps the one you wish to face would be me... Still this is not the time for such, "Leisure" we have prey to hunt, right? Rafar's eyes shifted slightly, looking out across the forest connecting to Ironsguard. His small crooked smile remaining

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Character Portrait: Rafar The Red Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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"Perhaps we should get on with the hunt. Can't let our friends have all the fun..." He trailed off for a moment. Then, a smile came to his face and a giggle burbled up and out of his throat. "Or, I could simply have a little more fun. That'd be the thing wouldn't it? Walking right on up to that vicious Hunter and giving him a great, big hug."

He broke into laughter again. "Only imagine the surprise when I sink a claw into his chest."

Then, finally looking back over at Rafar, he simply smiled. "Perhaps I'll take you up on your offer. Though... it wouldn't quite be fair, now would it? You've got at least several hundred years over me, and what sort of, monster would dare hurt their own Father? Certainly not I... Not, yet anyway."

He stepped onto the very edge of the overlook. "Perhaps we shall meet again once inside the city, I'll be sure to deliver you something nice. Farewell!"

And with that, he stepped over the edge of the cliff. Only a single black feather remained.

The darkness swallowed him immediately, soon after the trees consumed him as well, and in the cover of darkness, nobody was able to see his skin peel away, and have his humanity taken, replaced by a covering of black feathers. Before he hit the ground, two powerful, ragged black wings pushed him back from it. He redirected his course, now moving through the forest, dipping in between the trees as the rest of his raven-like form pushed through.

A sharp, pointed beak jutted from his head, forming through a covering, almost like bone, that traced his skull perfectly. Beneath it, darkened feathers poked through, rippling across his body like smoke, and weaving with the wind like dust in a cloud. No longer was he bound to the ground, now he was free, able to twist and careen through the air at his wish. He dodged between the trees, flying violently fast, with no concern for safety. In this way, he hurtled towards the outer walls of Ironsguard, with complete reckless abandon, thinly veiled by the cover of the moonless night.

Soaring up and beyond the wall, Val easily landed within the city's borders. He kept low, tracing his frame over rooftops and just missing chimneys. Finding a single, lone tower, he spiraled up around the sides, coming to perch upon the eastern edge. Below him, a great clock hummed and ticked slowly, vibrations pulsing through the walls as the hands slowly recounted the time, the powerful gears hidden just below the surface. Just above the clock, the tower twisted up into a pointed roof, warped and battered from weather and time. From there, sat Val; a great monstrous raven, surveying the city of which he would begin his game. Thousands upon thousands of little lights sprawled out beneath him. Each and every light held a home, which in turn held families, noblemen, prostitutes, and somewhere among them all... a clan of Hunters.

If Val had possessed lips, they would have been twisted up into a wicked smile.

'So many delightful little treats.'

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Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain
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Val swooped down from his perch. Diving in a mad freefall towards the ground, he increased his speed just before the last critical moment, pulling his body to fly just above the rooftops, his underbelly nearly scraping the tiling beneath him. In a city as large as this one, he would have to fly around for ages hoping to get lucky enough to find the Hunters hidden within the city. But while Val did have the time, he lacked the patience, and kept rocketing straight towards one of the only places that would.



The Church of Ironsgaurd had always been an outstandingly beautiful and opulent affair, with it's towering stone-gray spires, larger-than-life architecture, perfectly showcasing the pride and joy of the city's best builders and designers. The church almost acted as a city within itself, standing behind thick walls, acting as a formidable fortress easily dependable in the case of invasion. The current group in ruling had been much more lenient than the last, allowing more funds and men to be taken from the ranks of the town guard. This left the unfortunate night watchmen up upon the wall standing quite alone, their nearest neighbor being a small silhouette much further than what felt comfortable.

This is the situation that Constable L.W. Bristow found himself that night, staring out into the empty darkness. The air was cool, yet not horribly so, leaving his senses only tingling, slightly numbed from the exposure. Occasionally his posture would break, sending a small shiver down his spine. The wall forced the winds to break, forcing them up and overtop the wall to clash over his head. For the most part, he was left in complete stillness, only experiencing the nightly winds on particularly fierce nights.

Tonight was still as always, even though he could see the torches in the distance flicker and sway, he was left in the quiet of the night. For hours he stood, every several hours he checked behind him, looking for the signal light, then back towards the array of houses arranged before him. For a moment, his eyes unfocused, looking up to the moon. The stars were hidden, missing behind the marching of the clouds. Then, for a brief moment, as he lowered his eyes to the horizon, he saw something. Something swiftly moving through the night, cutting through the air like a knife.

He barely had enough time to light the signal pyre before the creature had him.



Val looked about the interior of the ministry. The dull red carpets flowed down endless immaculate halls, each holding windows that let the faint light stream into the darkened corridor, tainted with bright colors. The main room of worship, was left in complete darkness, save for a single unlit candle, somehow left unscathed during the slaughter. The great massive curtains and banners, some depicting religious symbols and figures, were drenched in copious amounts of blood, spilled from the number of worshipers and guardsmen in the area.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Tutac Sarani Character Portrait: Beau Geste Bellatroix Character Portrait: Baleful Moon
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#, as written by Adler
Baleful heard the door click shut as he stood there pondering momentarily. He slipped into the arena as it happened he hastily hid himself with his powers and masked his presence in doing so. He slipped out a dagger in a wooden sheath that sat within the back of his belt. This specific dagger was laced with a heavy paralytic. This poison wouldn't kill but it would shut down movement leaving the mind awake and the nerve endings working. Baleful carefully took this weapon in a reverse grip around the handle. His footsteps silent and light along with his presence and himself invisible to the others.

Baleful slipped past Tutac nicking her on the arm with the dagger leaving a small quarter inch cut deep cut approximately one inch long. The paralytic would take about 10 minutes to fully work but the effects would role out with her body becoming more and more sluggish until she collapsed. Baleful did it without no second thought this was life after all, the weak died the strong survived and everything kept on moving. He swiftly sheathed the dagger replacing it on his belt within the special wooden core sheath. He moved passed Tutac keeping towards the wall as he watched for any sign of the creature that was now in the room. This was a hunt and he planned on being the more patient killer.

The spot he chose along the wall was masked in shadows by the torches. He would still be able to hide his presence from the creature once his invisibility ran it's course. He drew the sword from his sheath keeping it low to his side but at the ready to attack if the creature targeted him instead of the bait he had created.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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Elyn sighed. The great steel-wrought suit she wore clanked heavily through the streets as she walked at a light jog to her destination. No sword was in hand, nor a shield in tow. Her only saving grace was the light cackling magic that sparked within her veins, each step driving forth and churning the power sleeping within. Adrenaline had already begun to pour into her system, as both the light's from the churches, and an old friend's word drove her on, and further towards the burning spires.

Had it not been only hours ago when she had settled upon retiring to bed? She dared to put her defenses aside, and rest, and within that single span of hours, lives were lost. More blood shed by the beasts that every single day, dared to daunt their skills, and aptitude for destruction, quenching their appetite for blood, while also driving away just a few more lives, to flee to the roads, seeking salvation, but find nothing. Now, even her own friend, Landon Worthal Bristow had come to her with grave news; The church, the sacred ground, the citadel, and her salvation, had been attacked. A beast as black as night and as quick as the wind had descended, and the screams heard that night had been horrific.

The dark was eating the light. Devouring it in large, gruesome bites. But it was finally time for the light to make a concieted effort to push back the encroaching darkness.

As Elyn picked her pace up, stretching the sleep and ache from her once relaxed body, she crossed over into a small plaza. The cobble steps glistened lightly with a sheen of blood, and a carcass of a beast lie off just past her vision. A figure, clad in armor not at all unlike her own walked brazenly to the door without hesitation. The man held an aged and experienced bravery that could only come from the heat of battle.

She slowed her pace to address him. "Prithee fair knight, may you aid me in defense of our most sacred of establishments? Our citadel is under siege from a beastly scourge, and if acted upon soon, we may yet slay him and save the lives of those left within."

Picking her pace back up, she resumed her hurried jog. "Please Sir Knight! Hurry!"



A truly pitiful display.

Val looked around the church. Bodies were strewn across pews, many dismembered in horrific ways that only made Val happier.

Though to be fair, they were only human... Then again, so am I.

Am I?

Looking down over his body, he saw that he was blanketed in a thick layer of black feathers, and blood that was both his own, and not his own. He felt so different than those that he killed, and took such joy from it. Did other humans have such a vicious nature, lurking just beneath their skin? Or were they truly what they seemed, young sheep standing alone in the night, just waiting for the slaughter?

While the questions alone were enough to keep him rooted there, he had come for other purposes. Fluttering over towards the window, he saw what he had been waiting for. The small trickle of survivors left and ran, each of them heading off to warn the others. Whether those others were the Hunters, or just more town's guardsmen, it was unclear. So, with the uncertainty of mind keeping him rooted there, Val decided to stay within the church's sprawling walls.

He wasn't alone yet. No, he could still hear the worried, panicked heartbeats beneath the smooth stone floors. A smile came to his twisted mind. He would have quite a lot to entertain him as he waited for the fun to arrive.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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Rushing through the night, dashing across streets and alleyways, Elyn ran towards the small blaze of the pyre, only stopping when it loomed directly overhead. The large walls of the church held ancient scars, from battles older than the city itself. The signal fire now burned into a dull orange, embers and ashes falling down into the courtyard before the main doors. Following the steps, they came to push against the doors. Locked.

Whatever the beast was, it didn’t step across this threshold. Turning from the door, she shook her head at the few that had arrived alongside her. Scanning her surroundings she looked for any other entrances. The closest was atop the wall, but without finding some way to scale the steep stone slope, it was hopeless.

Elyn’s brow furrowed, and her eyes darted around, looking for any other possible solution. Finding nothing, she sighed, slowly and reservedly drawing her only weapon. Channeling a small amount of her power through the blade, she turned to face the door, as sparks of heat and flame danced off the sword.

“Gods forgive me.” She whispered.

She thrust the blade forwards, driving it through the wooden handle of the door, and melting past the lock. The sound of splintering wood, and sizzling iron screeched into the dark.

Pulling the blade back, it quickly cooled in the night air, as the door slowly pushed open. Sheathing her weapon, she pushed the door open, allowing entry to the others. Once inside herself, she let go of the door, it quickly slamming closed once more. Following the door’s path, she almost cried out in horror.

The corpse of an old priest lay mutilated against the door, blood no longer falling from his agape mouth. Calming herself, she felt the magic course through her system. Whatever they found here, she’d have to be ready.




Val smiled to himself. Actually, he smiled inwardly, letting his eyes do the smiling for now. No longer did black feathers cover his skin. No longer did the beautiful form of the raven take him. Now, he was left as he normally was, a child as small as the rest, wearing the dirty garb only children could stand to be in.

He was currently crouched beneath an overthrown pew in the main area. He heard the crack and hiss of someone breaching the main door, and he couldn’t help but let his smile show. But all too soon he heard the sounds of footsteps. The footsteps of brave heroes, looking to save and salvage the lives that he had spared.

Val knew many things about himself. He knew that he was very well removed from the current organization of humans that was called ‘society’, and he knew that perhaps even among other beasts, he was perhaps more brutal and vicious than most. But he also knew that even now, covered in wounds dealt by those that tried to stop him, and drenched in the blood of those that didn’t, he was completely and perfectly human.

And he knew he could use that to his advantage.

Humans were silly little creatures, relying far too often on the stories their eyes tell them, instead of plainly seeing the horror that sleeps right beneath their noses. And now, while the small remaining few hid in the basement, some crying for help, Val waited to be found. Everything was planned, and while little was unaccounted for, he could only hope his genius would take him through to the end.

So, even as he heard the small group of prey walk into the main gathering room, he kicked the corner of the pew, and watched as it fell atop him, quickly slamming into his small, childlike body in a dusty crash.

Even as the pain racked his system, he smiled inwardly, only letting the agony, pain, and emotional torment slip onto his face.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard Character Portrait: Apan Sudrosi
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As The Hunter along with his new recruit Mahina ran down the streets of Ironguard, they would soon see two figures gathered near the front entrance of the church prepared to break down the door it seemed. As he neared the group, the female figure cut though the lock of the door with a flaming sword. He was not sure who they were but four people who seemed skilled would be useful for taking out the monster that now resided in this once holy place.

Drawing his blade and pulling out one of his pistols, he carefully entered the church, the smell of blood and the grizzly sight of people dead was the first to meet him. The only thing he was hoping for at least was that some people were still alive. However almost like something heard his hope he spotted a child crouched beneath a shattered pew. At first she almost smiled however a chilling thought crossed his mind. Why leave the child alive? This monster was smart, it had managed to get in almost undetected and massacre the people inside the church so why would it leave one person alive? Was it for game? Or was it what he was thinking and that child could be...Nothing but a child that got crushed by the pew he was crouching under.

The Hunter watched this scene unfold, trick or not that child was just crushed and there was no use in saving someone whose ribs must be broken. "A sad sight, but lets go look for any other survivors. And be careful, this monster must still be around. Don't do anything reckless, we don't wanna be caught in a trap." He spoke as he slowly marched into the darkness, sword and pistol in hand and all senses on high alert.



Meanwhile in the arena, as the creature heard something aimed at it it quickly cut its attack short and quickly attached itself to the nearby wall and turned invisible. Unfortunately for the two hunters it appeared that their third ally had abandoned them and seemed to be hiding in a safe place. However there were now two problems, Bale left Tutac parylized and there were now two hunters to battle a class A. Of course as Apan leapt for Tutac he would notice a glint in some pile of rumble.

The Creature seemed to be preparing its next plan of attack, it went silent and began to slither a few yards away from them. Looking for a right moment to strike.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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#, as written by glmstr
Hodrick's head snapped towards the sudden noise as he entered, that of a pew falling down. He slowly approached the source of the noise, a collapsed pew, and inspected the child under it. Their foot was trapped under one of the corners in a particularly suspect way, which prompted him to drop to one knee to look closer. The child at least looked real to the naked eye, but something gnawed at his mind, a lurking doubt that felt more and more possible by the second.

Just to be sure, he refrained from moving the pew or pulling the 'child' from beneath it and instead took several steps away to take a knee again. He produced his talisman and clutched it in his hand, a low, thrumming, rhythmic chant escaped from his lips. Beneath his armor the knight's flesh slowly began to stitch its cuts together and mend wounds from the previous encounter. More notably, however, nearby monsters and animals would begin to discern a new quality. While the man himself never changed his tone, to those nonhuman ears it began to crescendo. Slowly at first, but after a few moments it picked up the pace, becoming louder at increasing rates, within a minute reaching almost deafening levels in and around the cathedral, and with every second the hellish bombardment of sound grew all the more maddening.

All the while, humans could only hear the pagan knight softly humming a prayer.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Beau Geste Bellatroix Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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Stopping her rush, Bellatroix reaches near her destination. She stands to her feet, eyes of green and violet witness a disaster that was once a safe haven for those mortal beings. This one was unfamiliar, it did not fit within the style of Rafar, too bold and reckless, or Lidia, not enough flames. As she scanned the situation, the presence of the knight, the hunter and his apprentice, the crusader. Something else approached. She looked out across the city, seeing that Rafar had started to move. Had he resolved himself? Was he lured by the presence of the hunter?

"Have the planets aligned themselves, I wonder," she mutters.

She slipped swiftly down the walls of the building in hopes to evacuate anything young. A wiff of something assaulted her nostrils, blood, and fresh death, the air is full of it, and from one end appealing, the other repulsed. The latter feeling wins. She glances over at a nun, face frozen in terror, who had, perhaps, crawled out before succumbing to her wounds based on her nails broken and dug into the ground.

"I pray your soul forgives this desecration, sister, but I need this more than you do now," she says softly as she slips out her tail, grabbing the corpse and dragging it towards her quietly into the dark with her and then melding into her. Bellatroix's body, briefly deforms, a horrific amalgamation of flesh, eyes, teeth, and hair, shifting about until assembling to resemble the fallen nun, hood and all. This was less for the hunter and apprentice, and more for those more pious soldiers, much less likely for them to question a lady of the faith, after all.

She crossed the threshold into the bloody hell that awaited her deep within the cathedral. She was stopped suddenly by a crescendo that assaults her ears. She held her head with one hand and looked about for its source. What an infernal sound! She sees where it is coming from, kneeling down in a strange prayer, that knight is doing it. Her facade of a body quivers, but she couldn't allow something so simple to overtake her, composing herself as something greater took her attention. Hearing was impaired, but scent was still strong, and through the blood and death she sensed living bodies below her.

"The basement," she cries out falling onto her knees, her tone convincingly distressed thanks to the agony brought upon her ears. As she touched the floor she finds a peculiar large black feather then lifted her head to see a child... what seems to be a child, trapped beneath a pew. She tilts her head slowly, analyzing this situation. She never sensed anything leave, and she ponders why her maternal senses were not overcoming her, and why the creature would spare one when it had been so thorough otherwise. The answer was clear, and had she been a hunter herself she would have this over already... but she is now, so so she simply watches and waits, it is all she can do unless provoked otherwise.

What do you intend to achieve in this subterfuge?

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Beau Geste Bellatroix Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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#, as written by Sambea
Image


Mahina took the star pendant necklace that was around her neck and tied it to the middle of Shadow Moon before going in with The Hunter. The smell of iron filled her nostrils and she didn't have to see to know what happened. Just like The Hunter she saw the boy, who seemed to be suffering. A big stocky knight looking fellow came from no where and next to the boy. "Prayers won't work, only keeps the suffering suffering. She twirled Shadow Moon in her hand, about to end the boy's suffering when she heard screaming. Slipping into the shadows she went to find out where the scream was coming from, but stopped. "That wasn't a prayer..." She whispered before running to the scream. There a nun was, on her knees. "Sister..." She said nonchalantly.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Beau Geste Bellatroix Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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Val stared at the knights and Hunters, screaming with his eyes to let him out. He had planned this well, but he knew he was weak, fragile, and brittle in his current state. If he waited much longer, his bones would snap, and he would be completely crushed.

One of the knights standing before him stepped back, he must not have been listening to Val’s eyes. He took a stance on his knee, and began humming an odd tune. At first, the noise was simply unsettling. Then the pitch shifted, and grew louder, and louder. The slow, rhythmic prayer drummed into his ears, his very blood boiling.

He needed a ruse.

In his desperation, he reached out to the many birds around him. He called, and he awaited an answer.

And an answer did come, in the beautiful sounds of screaming.




Elyn was shaken. She was in a place so revered to her, yet it was in a state of chaos casted by a hate unknown to her. Worse yet, the attacker dared not to show himself. It was a dishonorable act, though Elyn hoped that anyone with even a shred of honor wouldn’t dare attack a place of worship. It was hard enough looking at the bodies, the numerous bodies, and recognizing them. Or worse yet, looking at a disfigured and mangled corpse and being completely unable to tell whose body lie before.

The knight she had pleaded to follow bent down and held up an arm. He didn’t want her nearing the child. Not yet. She could feel him calm, and he began mumbling series of ancient words she didn’t recognize. It wasn’t clear what he was doing, but the intended effect was. As a hand of the Healing Church, she had convened with those of other religions, and had seen them do similar things when confronted with fear, anger, or something as unnatural than this.

Then Elyn looked down at the child. He couldn’t possibly have been a sole survivor of an attack this vicious, especially if none of the armed city watchmen were able to resist the onslaught. Almost as if reacting to her thoughts, she heard a cry escape from several side corridors.

First it was a soft, babble of crying. Elyn would’ve sworn it was from the child before her if she hadn’t been looking at him struggle and wiggle beneath the heavy wooden slab. Then like a chorus, the crying broke out into desperate screams of pain and horror.

“There’s more children here!” She turned to face the corridor where the pained voices eminated from.

She raced past the bodies in her way and followed the voices down to a door stuck with rubble from a nearby statue.

She didn’t hesitate burning the door off.

She saw a room full of children, some dressed in the garb of apprentice clergy, others dressed in the rags similar to the boy trapped above.

There in the room, a swarm of ravens tore through the room, lashing out with talons and caw’ing like maniacs.

She yelled for the others as she held out her hand, feeling it drip with sparks.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Tutac Sarani Character Portrait: Beau Geste Bellatroix
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The Hunter listen as the knight began reciting some sort of prayer, the prayer was soothing however he felt that the tune held some sort of power behind it. Of course he would soon hear the guards outside screaming of another monster, what the hell was going on? This was probably a siege organised by the monsters. He picked the worse day to train the new recruits, but right now they had to work extra hard to eliminate the monster threat. "Everyone we need to work fast, there is another monster in the city. I can safely say this town is under siege, although it would appear that a small group of powerful monsters are responsible for this instead of a big group led by one."

As The Hunter searched around, he would hear Elyn call out that she found some children. Of course it was followed by an immediate call for help. He rushed over to where he heard her call out and saw a bunch of Ravens swarming the room. The monster had to be nearby, but that would mean when the new monster arrived there would be two monsters, both had to be class A at the very least he thought to himself before drawing his sword to help dispatch the flock of ravens. Of course his guard was still up in case the monster ambushed them or the new one charged inside.



Meanwhile in the arena, as Apan searched the rubble he would find some sort of device with gears and metal rods sticking out of it along with a note not surprisingly by The Hunter. "In case of emergencies, twist this device. This will produce a sound at a certain pitch to cause the creature to retreat. As if you have already found out, it uses sound. And since it uses sound as its strength it is also it's greatest weakness." And that was all the note said.

The monster heard as the slime slowly began moving outwards, and in response it would slowly moved backwards. It knew something was coming for it but it could not tell what it was or how dangerous it was. It was waiting just a bit longer, it knew the mans location and it knew it could finish him off. It's tail hit the ground twice waking up the muscles then with all its might leapt into the air directly where Apan was at. All Apan had to do was crank the device before the creature landed on him. No pressure was on him besides that his life was hanging on the device in his hands.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: The Hunter Character Portrait: Sir Hodrick of Ironsguard Character Portrait: Valzis, Prince of the Slain Character Portrait: Mahina Grosvenor Character Portrait: Beau Geste Bellatroix Character Portrait: Constable Elyn Collard
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#, as written by glmstr
The knight's unholy chant continued its feverish rise, even the dead writhing in their graves to hide from its piercing timbres. Hodrick looked down at the child below him from the corner of his eye, noting their sudden discomfort when he began his infernal tune. The nun also seemed to show distress, making Adalhard strongly suspicious of both. Yet, he refused to act harshly in the chance that he might be wrong. Instead, he would wait to see if either of them gave him better proof.

Mid-word, he fell quiet, the vocal assault on the beasts' minds cut short to leave an almost uncomfortable silence to fall on their ears.

Rising to his feet the knight replaced the talisman in one of his several pockets. He drew his sword with his free hand, but remained still, to be on guard and ready in case the one beneath the pew truly was of a more foul persuasion.