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Lacuna Episkiazo

The shadowy woman felt none of the foreboding that her mortal companions seem to pick up. Perhaps because the utter silence of the woods reminded her of home. A longing, a yearning for Groth-Lakkar and its silent shadows because even this place shrouded in death and filled only with the life of Elodin's party were still nosier than the place where shadows lie.

Her eyes shifted up to the falcon and dismissed it as an animal. But then, Lacuna hadn't spent enough time in Prime woods to realize how odd it was to see one animal and no others. Elodin's nervous orders are a bit surprising and she glanced his way to be sure. She saw the ferocity on his face, some of the desperation he'd felt a year ago when he and his people had crossed worlds to come here. Something was missing, a clue, a cue, an indicator of why that falcon needed to die. Something was missing from her ability to see this world the way he did. But in the end, she didn't need to see to obey.

Lacuna already had her bow out, already had an arrow nocked for the next surprise. If a falcon wasn't what she'd anticipated, well, that made it a surprise and it was easily enough dealt with.

Shrouded in her cloak, Lacuna simply raised her bow, sighted down on the fleeing bird and loosed her arrow. She drew another arrow and prepared to fire just in case the first missed, though a year of practice had revealed she had a natural talent for aim.
 
Emem Imamu
' The Silent '



Emem - did not understand the odd 'request' from the man. He did felt something different in the air; it was his element after all. However, as the falcon flew by them, Elodin's request sounded to him as a call for violence and further hostilities. He didn't know the man enough as to fully trust him - why would he cast thunder and lightning over shall small creature? Defenseless even?

The request then came not as such - but as an order. Oh and he didn't like that one bit. His eyes landed on the illusionist as the power of the storm raised from underneath his eyes. The order had a similar respond from his previous captors, masters of one's fate. But then he managed to understand the nature under his misguided command, he registered fear on his voice. This was no order that came from a tyrant - but someone that actually was a afraid... of a bird.

It did not matter at the end, someone else was about to take the command at heath. No one else but the mysterious figure. An arrow aimed to the potential target as the caster folded his hands infront of himself. It changed not to him - Emem wasn't going to bring the fury of thunder of such a feeble animal, unaware of the real danger - or perhaps he did not feel like killing another living being.

 
[div class=LucFlex] [div class=LucImage] [div class=LucTitle]Lucia Fountaine[/div] [div class=LucMentions] Character Sheet
Location:
Woods

Interactions:
Everyone [/div][/div] [div class=LucContent]With the battle over, Lucia moved to help Chum after regaining her breath, but before she could, the goblin revived. No point trying to figure out what happened. I'll focus on securing the bounty and the surroundings.

With seemingly well rehearsed movement, Lucia walked up to each bear, flipped them onto their back with some effort, and stabbed her blade into their rib cage, confirming their deaths. Thankfully, none of them moved, and Lucia finished her task. Her party was adventurous, but they aren't adventurers it would seem. Perhaps it was due to the preceeding battle, or they weren't familiar with the customs of an adventurer, but confirming the bounty is very important to anyone with an occupation in the frontier.

With that out of the way, she turned to securing their surroundings. No doubt the party wanted to rest, but... well it seems such concern of safety isn't needed. Everyone else seems to still be somewhat on edge. And as such, she returned to the bears, and started to strip them of their fur. That much, she could carry in her item box, but the rest had to go. They'll need to be burned or buried... But before she could even sink her hunting knife into the first beast, the screech of a falcon and the yell of Elodin brought her focus back to the group.

Looking at the falcon then at their employer, she started to piece two and two together. Confirming that Lacuna's arrow found its mark, she returned to the bears, put away her knife, and started to find suitable branches and rocks to surround the fire that will be made.

"Godslayer, come here and help me start a fire. We have to burn these beasts quickly. If something is after us, I don't want them to know what we can do. The rest of ya'll, grab what you need, and get as much rest while you can. Our employer seems to have something he should explain to us." [/div][/div] [class=LucFlex] width: 100%; max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; justify-content: center; align-items: stretch; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; box-sizing: border-box; [/class] [class=LucImage] position: relative; width: 300px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 300px; max-height: 800px; background-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/OBC6pGh.jpg'); background-size: 450%; background-position: 17.5% 20%; margin: 5px; [/class] [class=LucTitle] position: absolute; bottom: 10px; left: 10px; right: 10px; height: auto; width: auto; padding: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; text-align: center; font-size: 32px; font-family: 'Cormorant'; color: #dbd0c3; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.8); [/class] [class=LucMentions] position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top:0; padding: 5px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Montserrat'; color: #dbd0c3; opacity: 0; background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.65); transition: opacity .5s; [/class] [class name=LucMentions state=hover] opacity: 1; [/class] [class=LucContent] position: relative; min-width: 200px; flex: 1; height: auto; padding: 0px 15px; margin: 5px; font-family: 'Montserrat'; [/class]
 
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Charon Ashbringer

Charon had kept her gaze focused ahead of her acting as a sentry for the downed Chum acting to protect her as the last of the bears were dealt with prepared for more. Truthfully she wasn't sure what she would do if she would have to defend Chum keeping some distance though if she fully drew her sword, as much practice as she had for it by now the flames were far from being in controlled making even flourishing her blade a bit risky not just for the forest but also for the poor goblin if the flames ended up catching fire on the downed girl. She kept a firm stance her hand on the hilt of her sword purposely showing she was ready.

Relax Charon, I did the little display before, that should deter an attack! Yes yes, no need to worry about needing to draw my blade... in a highly flammable place... with plenty of people nearby that could get burnt that are within the usual safety radius I use when drawing my sword for display to the public.

She had turned her head catching the very end of the strange ghostly figure above Chum blinking as she seemed a bit lost seeming to debate whether she had just been seeing things. It wouldn't be the first time she had accidentally inhaled some hallucinogenics without realizing it and having to do her best to play it off as if she wasn't effected by some strange effect. Fortunately for her it didn't seem to return as the Goblin spoke making her snap back to. She glanced around seeming to pick up the fact the bears had been all taken care of.

"Taken care of... although..." She muttered as the uneasy silence filled the air as the standstill took place the woman kept on guard not really certain what it was nor how to react. She had nearly jumped when Elodin mentioned the Falcon in a panicked tone to shoot it down. She seemed to ease up a little, clearly lacking much as far as weapons to use at a range. While she had her fire magic... her own without her sword wasn't likely going to be good enough to fire at a range and with such great accuracy... and using her sword would likely cause a similiar situation with the bear... though likely worst shooting up into the air where she was likely to set fire to plenty of leaves and who knows where the cinders might fall in the process. It seemed as if Lacuna had it already taken care of as far as her arrows went.

A moment of relief came and went as she suddenly heard a voice glancing over noticing it to be Lucia's voice. So condition to follow orders from serving for the military, she simple acted on instinct to nod in compliance.

"Ah... yes, of coarse." She spoke seeming to hesitate a little mostly as to fight back responding with a 'Yes sir' or other traditional response a soldier might make. While she had worked to defend the kingdom and take up tasks similar to an adventurer in some regards, it functions much different then what an adventurer's life entailed. She had been paid for serving rather then paid for the individual task. Survival wasn't so much an issue with others suited for that task as needed though for the most part her squad having plenty of rations and supplies to get by with the word of their superior being considered valid enough to confirm a job was done to the higher ups.

Charon approached the small pile of wood Lucia set up lifting her hand producing a small deal of normal looking flame helping to ignite the wood. Her own powers were enough to do at least that simple task without requiring a good amount of exertion on her part. She let out a deep breath with the flames ignited started up with enough fuel as to not require too much time to build up while making sure the flames would catch. She turned her head up looking to Elodin with Lucia's words spurring on her own curiosity more.

"Yes, it would be good to know what you might know about this." She spoke finding her words a bit rubbish sounding after speaking lacking an air of 'formality' behind it feeling the need to add on. "It is best if we are informed of any information you might have so we can be better prepared for the situation at hand." She spoke giving herself a mental pat on the back for feeling as if she put up a stronger front by tacking on the last bit.

Inheritance Inheritance Graystone713 Graystone713 Alteras Alteras
 
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Eloin Evernight
"I have walked 1000 years across the dark to find you..."
---Hilax, The Unchained--

Lacuna's arrow flew fast and true, striking the odd falcon in the back. It shrieked as it was hit, an unnatural sound that echoed through the once silent forest. Elodin shivered as the creature's body slammed to the ground, making a sickening thud as it plopped on the leaves. It began to twitch and shudder as it tried to get up, but despite its efforts to cling to life it collapsed in a heap. Lacuna's shot had been perfect- a shot through the heart.

Was that it? Just a falcon? Sure it was strange that it was here, but was it that easy? In his panic, he had missed the newcomer stare him down with hatred, and he had missed the rest of the group reacting to his scared words. He didn't like this. He had done research on this place, and he had an idea of what was deep inside the forest, but he expected something entirely different.


Our employer seems to have something he should explain to us.

And there it was. Questioning. He knew it was bound to happen. He had given them way too little information and had thrown them into the unknown too quickly. Questions would start coming, and with that disloyalty. This Lucia didn't seem like too much trouble at first-she actually seemed to be an extreme help. But now...her talents with adventuring were actually superior to this, and it seemed that she knew what she was doing more so than himself. He couldn't make an example of her, not after he had just barked an order out of fear. No, he would need to feed the birds a bit before he could take authority back.

"Of course. A fire is a good idea. Start burning the bodies." He said trying to take a bit of credit for the good idea. "I'll recover the falcon."

He took a running start towards the area of the dead bird before vanishing into the shadows, popping out of Groth-Lakkar next to the falcon. He knelt down next to it, flipping it over and trying to figure out what was so special about this thing. He was certain it was a spy of some sort, reporting back to whatever sent those bears after them. There was no way there was a den or cubs nearby. The attack was too coordinated, too timed. They had all attacked at once, and the strange combination of male and female attackers made it unlikely they were all part of some pack. He didn't know much about dire bears, but he didn't think they lived together in a big happy family.

He stared off deeper into the forest. What the hell was in the center? He had read about the magic there, how it was a strange magic that warped the beings there. It was not normal corruption- he could detect that from Groth-Lakkar. It was something else, something that blocked his ability to travel between worlds. He didn't like it, and he certainly didn't like bringing the group through it; but of course they had to get through this wood to save weeks of travel. He started back to the group as he thought about what he would tell them. How much truth were they ready for?

But more importantly, how much truth could he tell them and still retain order. There wasn't a huge sense of order as it was, and people questioning him or going there own way would get them all killed, and put an end to his investigation. Oh well. Time to put on a show.

Epiphany Epiphany Birdsie Birdsie Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Alteras Alteras
 
Chum Teeth
You're going to WHAT the carcasses?

Chum was devastated for various reasons. First, realizing that someone ELSE could've healed them, and that Kelpie had endangered herself NEEDLESSLY. Secondly, that the Falcon was shot down, even though it was likely a mere messenger. Thirdly, that they were going to BURN THE ANIMALS. There was no moral or spiritual obligation behind Chum's disgust on that one. Just a practical sense that it was a horrendous waste of meat for food, sinew for bowstrings, bones for charms, and fur for cloaks. ONE bear could probably provide meat for about two weeks of rations, even with so many mouths to feed. AND THEY HAD FOUR! Even with their patchy fur, there was easily six cloaks worth! Maybe Eight if Chum wasn't rushed. Chum only really needed one bone or claw from each as a charm, but the rest of the bones could still be carved! Even if they weren't made truly magical, the charms would easily be worth coin to the right fools! And though the few archers present probably didn't need bowstrings, Chum was starting to feel the need for a bow of her own. Speaking of bows, the falcon's many feathers would make excellent fletching for arrows, and they were about to waste them all!

"HOLD THE FLAMES! No wonder the trash is fulla good stuff, you're throwing away your WHOLE HUNT! I weep for the wasted food and fur! I know you tink we've no time, but I oughta least bind their spirits to serve! Mayhap the Falcon could tell what rules these beasties, if ye'd just WAIT A MOMENT! So HOLD. THE. FLAME."


The Goblin shouted, drawing the everything knife as they rounded on the corpses. Chum was sure their words would only hold the humans (and human-likes) briefly, and grit their teeth as they cut a knuckle from each bear's front paw. Left or right didn't matter so much as front. Then, moving to the Falcon, she took a quartet of feathers, singling one out and moving the others to the same bag as the bear knuckles. The knife then cut a circle and marks in the earth around the lone feather, which Chum planted like a seedling in the center. Then she watered it with a single drop of her own blood, drawn by that same knife. The magic words were quiet, but clearly the magic was of a shamanic tradition, like the druids of the world before. Then, eyes aglow, the goblin drew the Falcon's spirit from beyond, and spoke.

"Falcon, Ye who died by the arrow of the Lady Darke, I have questions: What strange magic held sway o'er yer soul in life? What force drove your assault, and why would you throw your life away for it?"

Chum asked in the tongue of man, but the magic did more than merely bind the spirit to answer: It translated between Chum and the Spirit. It would hear her words as those of its own kind, and she would hear it as the tongue of her own people. That wasn't to say Chum's audience got the translated version. They'd likely hear some chirps and coos.
 
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Lacuna Episkiazo

The falcon perished, just as expected.

Lacuna slung her bow once more and began to move among the bodies of the bears, retrieving her spent arrows, salvaging what she could. The great massive muscled forms had snapped the shafts of several but at least the arrow heads were retrievable. When the group stopped for the night, she'd doubtlessly have time to manufacture new shafts.

Elodin's instruction to burn the bodies passes without comment from her. After finishing her recovery work, she bent collect wood for fuel before straightening when the small goblin of all people shouted out. The impassioned little creature stalled Elodin's order, even as they ran about to work some kind of peculiar necromantic ritual to communicate with the dead falcon.

Turning to the other adventurers assembled, the shadowy woman shrugged slightly and tilted her head in the direction of the corpses. "Are these creatures worth salvaging for food and fur then? They look rather unnatural to me."

Now that the lumbering beasts weren't in motion, Lacuna's point was obvious. Beyond their greatly oversized teeth, the bodies had protrusions of bone where it looked like ribs and joints had grown outside the flesh, indicating a warped physiology. Their eyes liked the feral energy of life but, just minutes ago, those bear eyes had a peculiar glow to them. It's not much of a stretch of the imagination to conclude whatever these bears were, something had changed them. Perhaps not for edibility.
 
Lucius Hearthaven

"The meat and fur could be infected by whatever fucked this forest," Lucius replied. He sheathed his sword, looking around and listening. He couldn't see any emotions except those of his companions, couldn't hear any distant screams of aggression, or pick up any scents except the residual anger of the monsters they'd killed. "Dark magic or worse; whatever it is that Mr. Evernight practices."

He couldn't shake off the thought that Elodin was the one who drew the monsters, whether by accident or by design. But it didn't matter right now. "Should we keep going, or set up a camp?"

As Lucius asked the question, he used one eye to glance aside at the lightning-throwing mute of a magus, who appeared to have crossed paths with them and was now standing out like a sore thumb. "And what about you? Who are you?"
Epiphany Epiphany Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Alteras Alteras Inheritance Inheritance
 
[div class="Flex LucValues"][div class=Image][/div] [div class=Content][div class=Title]Lucia Fountaine[/div] [div class=InfoBar] [div class=Location]LOCATION Forest[/div] [div class=Mentions]INTERACTIONS Epiphany Epiphany Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Birdsie Birdsie Inheritance Inheritance [/div] [div class=CS]CS[/div][/div] Lucia watched as Chum scrambled to salvage a bit of the loot. She was inclined to agree with her, as her experience dictated, but the manner of the situation implied that something was amiss with these beasts. Watching the godslayer burn the last of them, she turned to the rest of the party. The way Elodin said those commands reminded her of employers she's had far in the past. But she merely shrugged it off. A common occurrence and misunderstanding in the power relation between adventurer and quest giver. Haa... It shouldn't be a problem for now. She had other things to worry about.

"We wait and ask our employer. Though we really should vacate the area, either push on forward or return back to the nearest town. Food isn't a problem for now, though I wouldn't eat from those bears." Lucia patted her pouch, showing she had a small amount of food for a night or two. Likewise, an adventurer is always one who lived off the land, something can be scavenged.

Turning to face the newcomer, she looked him up and down. It wasn't a problem to her that another would join, though Elodin obviously had authority here. The fight ended relatively well with him in battle, so she had no complaints about his strength. Regardless, it wasn't a question for her to answer.

She looked on over to Chum, watching her work her magic. Coos and caws aren't something one just... interprets, so she stayed quiet. Turning back around, she looked for a comfy place to sit, held her blade in her lap, and closed her eyes, hoping to get whatever rest she could while the rest of the party figured out what to do. [/div][/div] [class=LucValues] --char-image: url('https://i.imgur.com/OBC6pGh.jpg'); --char-position: 17.5% 20%; --char-size: 450%; --bg-color: black; --title-font: 'Cormorant'; --title-size: 42px; --title-color: #dbd0c3; --title-bg: rgba(0,0,0,0.8); --text-font: 'Montserrat'; --subtitle-size: .66em; [/class] [class=Flex] width: 100%; max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; justify-content: center; align-items: stretch; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; box-sizing: border-box; [/class] [class=Image] position: relative; width: 300px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 300px; max-height: 800px; background-image: var(--char-image); background-color: var(--bg-color); background-size: var(--char-size); background-position: var(--char-position); background-repeat: no-repeat; margin: 5px; [/class] [class=Title] position: relative; height: auto; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: left; font-size: var(--title-size); font-family: var(--title-font); color: currentColor; line-height: 1.1; [/class] [class=Content] position: relative; min-width: 200px; flex: 1; height: auto; padding: 0px 15px; margin: 5px; font-family: var(--text-font); [/class] [class=InfoBar] position: relative; width: 100%; height: auto; border: 1px solid currentColor; border-left: 0px solid transparent; border-right: 0px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: flex-start; padding: 2px 0; font-size: var(--subtitle-size); margin-bottom: 5px; [/class] [class=Location] position: relative; display: block; margin-right: 5px; [/class] [class=Mentions] position: relative; display: block; [/class] [class=CS] position: relative; display: block; margin-left: auto; [/class]
 
Emem Imamu
' The Silent '



At the sign of a conversation, Emem finally awoke from his silent slumber... or so would appear so as he closed his eyes through the whole 'hunting down a poor falcon'. His attention changed swiftly to the man speaking to him as he walked powerfully towards the being. His expression was numb and plane like a walking painting, without even flinching. His right arm crossed his strange clothes, stroking away the fabric covering his stomach as it reached for something on his belt. He paused as his fingers made connection with the 'thing' he had been searching for. His hand pulled the small bottle and offered it back to its designated owner. His voice came to life. "You dropped it." ( Birdsie Birdsie )

The potion. He did know what it does or why he threw it back at him. Or at least that was what you believed he thought at the time. Even through the fight, Emem's body and emotions remain calm unlike the storm that he had produced to harness the whole measure of his abilities. Did he relay on the storm's maw? Or was he the source of the power itself and the sky above just a manifest? Those questions eluded you. For what you are able to see, this is the projection of a lost child in the wild - a very powerful lost child.

Emem heard the words 'Employee' ( Inheritance Inheritance ) coming from Lucia ( Alteras Alteras ) , but he understood a different one rather quickly, 'Master'. A thought surged through, crawling in from his dead angel. His attention now pursued the one named Eloin. He stared at him down as if trying to compare him with something, solving the puzzle of his mind before taking any action. He saw him as a slaver, owner of lives not of his. He commanded and things happened, damn the thought of everyone else. His eyes turned brighter for a moment, sparks of lightning coming off harmlessly. Yet he did not move.

There was subtle change on the wind as well, not its speed but its direction. There is much this man alone could control, but its true measure and capabilities must be finite. that alone was true - there was a reason he struggled to keep a single bear down with his spells ... it also seemed like he could cast said power with ease and without sure control of its effects. He was no mere wizard - He was a sorcerer. The difference few would recognize them... A Wizard gains its power through study and hard work. Sorcerer are gifted or cursed with the power.
 
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Charon Ashbringer

Charon couldn't help but feel a little awkward as the little goblin argued about the value of the bears and salvaging it even as others spoke up against it as she worked to burn the bodies. She personally was completely for the idea of just ridding of the bodies. You took no chances... it was something she learned doing her job before... and even more so after the great war. Her flames quickly worked to consume the bodies as she let out a soft sigh of relief finishing up her job standing up and brushing her hands off. A simple task for one such as her right? Right! Her head turned to the group and particularly the new comer as she seemed a little bit uncertain, feeling a bit awkward after the conversation afterwards and the general silence of the man.

"So... um... stranger... what brings you to these here parts?" She spoke attempting to take charge and perhaps coax the man to say more. Perhaps her choice of words wasn't the most... optimal... though it wasn't really that surprising for her. She was never the best when it came to starting conversations with others to coax them to speak. She was much more the type to rattle on about her own stories when it came to trying to break the ice. She looked at him with a warm smile attempting to be welcoming and confident despite not really knowing the full extent of what was going on. It seemed reasonable to coax him to figure out what he was here for.

"I am Charon the Godslayer... though really Charon works just fine, don't be intimidated by the title." She spoke giving her title more so as a symbol of strength before just as quickly dropping it as to be more welcoming. His silent nature made her wonder if he was just the shy type. She wasn't exactly the best at reading people after all. She stepped forward showing no fear holding out her hand.

"We appreciate your help with dispatching these wild bears! It takes a great deal of bravery to jump into a battle you weren't initially involved with! So what might your name be brave sir?" She spoke with her hand kept held outstretch for a handshake attempting to be thankful and welcoming.



Inheritance Inheritance Graystone713 Graystone713 Alteras Alteras ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Epiphany Epiphany
 
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Elodin Evernight

There was no time to address the newcomer. He didn't seem dangerous and had even helped them get out of a pinch. The party seemed to adapt to him without a problem and until it became necessary Elodin felt no need to address him. Elodin needed to figure out a way to get this group really working together, and wasn't sure how to do it. Elodin had walked a very lonely path for most of his life and his shadowy path did not do much to make him a good leader. He was charismatic enough to get by and had never had a problem with people, but he had never lead a group before. He was almost always alone, even when he joined the group of magi that would free them from the old world he was distant from the group. He knew that this group wasn't united and knew that he needed to fix it...he just didn't know how.

"The fire is a good idea. Eat the bear at your own risk, though I would advise against it." He shot a glare at Lucius. "Me and my dark practices. Anyone who isn't building a fire should work on a perimeter. There's no telling what a great blaze will attract."


The night already dark forest began to grow darker as the group made the fire. Elodin wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do, as the fire might just attract more of the things that dwelt deep within the woods. What was at the very center? What caused these bears to become overgrown and mutated? What was commanding them to attack in such a form?

He watched the group build a fire from the shadows while he thought about what was ahead, never stepping into the light. If you looked at him head on you would see a sharply dressed man that stood just at the edge of the light. If you saw him out of the corner of your eye, or caught a quick glance while turning, you might see something else entirely. And if your mind was the type that actually saw what it was looking at you would see something much, much different; though it would take an even more attuned mind to understand what you were looking at.

In the rapidly approaching darkness Elodin stood outside the firelight, his form flickering softly just as the fire would make a shadow. His face was outside of the light, but his eyes seemed to be even darker than the blackness outside the light- a void where light went to die. He didn't seem solid, though if you touched him you would find a solid form underneath his black clothing. He was still there watching over the group, but there was something off about him. It was as though he was half in and half out of the material plane, not quite belonging to either side. Of course, if anyone stared at him long enough to realize this, they would be rewarded with a sharp glare from Elodin that would really allow you to see the black void of his eyes.

The forest returned to its silent state, and as the fire began to roar, Elodin finally decided on what he had to do. These people were strangers. Nobody knew each other, and there was no chance anyone trusted anyone else-aside from Lacuna and himself. He would let them know what he knew about the forest, and let them know the plan slightly after that. Too much truth and it sounds like a lie, and too much lying is just insulting. Without stepping into the light he spoke, his voice breaking any conversations the group might be having.

"You all want answers. I know you do. You all essentially blindly joined me on a hunch that I had and now have had your lives threatened by something other than Ygrasmundhil. I owe you guys some truth, so here it is." He took a deep breath before starting. "I have been planning this expedition for months, a little longer than I have let on. I knew from the start that there was something within these woods, and while I don't know exactly what that is, I have my theories."

He stopped for a moment to catch everyone's gaze before speaking again.

"When we entered this new world we did something to fuck it up. I know this because of what I saw in Groth-Lakkar. Moving worlds is not something that happens every day and I'm sure none of you have magics that come close to that of time travel or space manipulation. Just as the Shadow World was almost ripped apart by our crossing, this world took some damage as well. It is not a very well known fact because we haven't civilized much of the world, but it is obvious to me that within this forest is a patch of the world that was mutated by our travels here- an example being these bears." He stopped to gesture towards the fire before pulling his hand out of the light like he had just stuck it into an oven. "I believe that time-space has been broken at the core of this wood, and that whatever is there is causing animals to mutate and to pervert nature. These bears are one example, and that falcon is another. It was reporting back to someone, something. I don't know what it is, but it knows we are here, and doesn't want us disturbing what it thinks is right. Whatever strange magics has been done to this being, it believes that anything other than the strange creatures that live in this forest are perversions of nature and must be destroyed, us included."

He was silent again, and the forest seemed to swallow up the party despite the small perimeter and the large fire.

"We need to decide now if we want to face it or try to go around it. Chum here has proven to be an excellent woodsman, something I didn't anticipate to have. With her guidance we could probably make it around the center of the woods without facing whatever is there. However, I would imagine we would be under constant assault of more and more creatures just like these bears, and eventually it could wear us down. If we go right through the center, we could kill this thing and end it before it grows big enough to threaten the rest of our world." His black eyes danced over the rest of the group. "Thoughts?"

Epiphany Epiphany Birdsie Birdsie Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Alteras Alteras
 
Emem Imamu
' The Silent '



This one, titled as god-slayer, what is... what is a god? Emem stared at her in oblivious state as she talked to him as a stranger. His lightning essence dimming down at the recent display. She had this air of authority through the title; yet also some sort of attempt to guide him through. He remember how his only friend gave him a guiding hand through the customs of social behavior. Instead of thinking over the reason for her recent questioning, he attempted to gather everything she had said until this very moment. He looked at her hand and grabbed her fingers with his palm, he didn't move from that as he answered. "Emem" he responded dryly as he kept on grabbing her hand, unsure of what to do next. Then looked at the rest whom actually did pay attention to the new comer and answered. "I am exploring the green." he attempted to explain on his interest about the forest without knowing how to call it exactly. Jungle, swamp, hills, plains - many a thing had green in them. Then, Emem attempted to respond with a more eloquent way, the words stuck between his throat and his tongue, trying to rolled it off. "Lady - Charon. Ma'am?"

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As night began to arrive - he felt that, if dangers such as this would still come to get him, might as well stay in company and learn their intentions as well. He didn't do much of his own as he kept on checking his items that hanged off him. The man kept on looking around but he had a special look out for the man called Elodin - ( Inheritance Inheritance ) he didn't like him one bit, nothing of him. He looked more and more like the one he hoped to avoid or to end up killing. Though the thought of killing poisoned his mind. Emem attempted to stick with Charon for now ( Hanarei Hanarei ) - after all she acted 'welcoming' for all that matter, as well with the 'clumsy-one' that dropped his stuff everywhere... Lucius, was it? Emem wouldn't know... ( Birdsie Birdsie ) Then a small one, creature that was in a severe state last time he looked at her. There was also the 'proficient-one', someone that seemed to follow a handbook of rules at each every step. Last but not least - the dark one, something that caught his eye for the nature of the entity. But that was all.

When the moment came to sit down around the fire, Emem couldn't help himself but to play with the fire using his control of the wind while kneeling down as if meditating, making it dance harmlessly at the bonfire. He kept on listening the 'Slaver' as he talked about time and space, reality being in danger and what not mambo jambo. Emem couldn't possibly know how much was at stake and how much was all but absolute speculations. However there was a choice in the making. Go around danger, or go through danger. Emem didn't care to what path they chose, he was the back-seat passenger. He couldn't care which path they took, he would rip apart everything there was on his way with his own power if need be... well, at least he thought he could. He haven't seen anyone as powerful beside his own tutor.

Instead of staying silent though, he brought some wisdom from his own tutor "Wise Edlar, Tutor of I said:" the man spoke, pressing a hand on his chest, "Don't be too impatient to put yourself in danger, apprentice." He considered his insight as valuable and then went back into silence.

 
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Lacuna Episkiazo

Lucius' suggestion that some build a fire while others guard the perimeter was a good one. To show her approval, Lacuna placed her hand on Elodin's arm, just firm enough to get his attention while light enough not to restrain him in any way. She made a point of smiling at him then and saying "We'll be on our way soon enough."

Why did she need to reassure him? Obviously to keep him pliant and useful to her, of course. She couldn't think of another reason anyway to explain her behavior.

So Lacuna slowly paced a circle around the growing fire, putting distance between her and the binding flame. When shadowed by trees, branches and the natural gloom of this forest, she grew stronger. Her senses felt more spread out, more aware of the way the wind stirred leaves on branches sheltered from the sun by their tree trunks. Lacuna felt Elodin's presence grow stronger as well, as his nature became more like her own.

When he spoke at last of his observations, his plans and the situation with the forest, Lacuna watched Elodin throughout his speech. Then she added her thoughts to his.

"The impatient fall prey to easy dangers," she said with a nod to Emem. "And this is no easy danger. If there's worse ahead, it could be risky. But what's ahead today could be here tomorrow...and it might have left the forest entirely in another few weeks or months. All of you are strangers to this world, brought by mighty ritual to a land you don't know. That passage caused shockwaves throughout the greater spiritual cosmos. It may have caused change here as well."

"Going around is certainly safer. It might also be fatal. Not for us but for the people who live nearby who might be overtaken as the corruption here grows and spreads. We've faced battle together today, all of us. I have seen a measure of your skills and powers, as you've seen mine. Together, we are the best chance your people have to survive. And we might learn more about what arriving to this world did to it, which could be valuable as we press on to our ultimate destination."
 
Chum Teeth
Tactical decisions in darken wood

Chum heard the Falcon. Its cries were words in the goblin’s ears, words that formed a story, that though incomplete, made the situation clear. Chum felt the burden of masters and cursed magic upon the soul that their spell had inadvertently lifted, and the spirit of freedom was lifting.


“Thank you. May you find peace and freedom.”

Chum said, ending the spell and letting the spirit go free. The feathers intended to bind the Falcon to serve were tossed to the divine flames, and the goblin stood, hearing the others talk about plans. They needed to know what Chum did before they made any hasty decisions.

“Hold up! The Falcon told me things you oughta know! First, the center’a’crazy is a warped tree or somethin’. Second, some supah powahful human’s there, he’s making the animals all weird, and he’s giving out orders! So it won’t just be ‘coincidence’ when we get attacked. He’ll be coordi... Co-order... He’ll be plannin’ the hits! I’m not the boss, and I’ll lead you where you wanna go, but if we don’t hit this guy first, we’ll be ambushed again an again till we’re out or we’re dead. But if we DO hit him, it’ll be a hard one, and we might face erry critter at once. ‘Specially since the guy’s gotta be magic as heck. So afore y’all make a choice, think about how much fight ya want, and if you want it to be a surprise or not. You got that, people? The beasties gots a boss! The thinkin’ type! Wif magic!”

Chum said, raising her little goblin voice to be heard and hopefully not ignored, because the humans (and shadow) needed to listen up, and Chum needed them to think hard about what she said before they made any stupid decisions.
 
Lucius Hearthaven

Lucius gave Elodin and Lacuna the look of a dog that ate something vile. "All I can say is that I find the idea of a dark mage and his spiritual companion on the path towards damnation, being the saviors of our world, rather funny."

He looked down and snorted. Then, nodding to himself and looping determined thoughts through his mind, Lucius stood up, facing the group as a whole.

"I left my home against the wishes of my father, in the search of adventure, and to challenge the domain of fate that declared me immortal. If I am not to die, as fate proclaimed, I will live through this. If I am to die, and it is to be with the quest that Evernight proposes, then it will be a fine death." His heart skipped a beat, at the thought, but he didn't let it show. Those were courageous words that he spoke not to embolden them, but himself.

With that, Lucius nodded to Elodin reverentially - or as much as he'd allow himself, with the constant aura of concentrated sewage that reeked from the shadow mage - which was still pretty deep. It was hard to convince himself that Elodin and Lacuna meant well, but Lucius had seen his performance earlier today - and it was hard to believe they wouldn't have left them to die if they wanted to.

"You have my blade, my prowess, and my mystical insight. I will travel with you to the center of this wood, harken your word and deed, and face the abominations that dare encroach upon our path."

Hopefully, it'd at least spur the others into joining. Lucius, befitting someone who could see, hear, smell, feel, and taste emotion, understood them better than most people. The group around the campfire wasn't abundant of cowards, but even brave men and women could be muted or bullied into cowardice through the fear of consequences. The one with the most doubts was probably, ironically, the mightiest among them - but he didn't glance at Charon, or even indicate he knew about her doubts. If she kept going this long, she'd manage, and if she started to crack, he'd try to help her however possible.

"Now. Can we address the mandrake in the room?" Lucius asked, turning to look at Emem. "Our coincidental co-traveler, Emem. It is with great honor that I thank you for the aid you've given us when we faced the beasts of this forest. May I ask why you abstained from drinking the mana potion I gave you? From what I know, it should be helpful with a deprivation of magical energies."


Epiphany Epiphany Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Alteras Alteras Inheritance Inheritance
 
Emem Imamu
' The Silent '



Emem heard their stories as he mustered the will to remember his own. Each lash on his back hidden under the cover of his clothes were marking each hour of every day within the slaver's ship. He stared at the fire in awe still, his hands making them dance with his control of the wind. Then - the one whom he thought clumsy, now asked him a question - an inquiry he couldn't possibly attempt to form an answer without creating far more questions. His hand dropped away from the flame, letting it rest as he needed his full attention to the new matter at hand.

The Sorcerer did not stop by all means to ask the needed question. "Magical energies? Deprivation?" He tilted his head to a side as he stared at the man in numbing curiosity "What is it?" he asked again as the items began to swarm his mind. "What is Mana?" the more words that came from Lucius's mouth, the less sense Emem made of it all. He flicked his hand swiftly as sparks came from his fingertips, harmless sparks of energy. "This?" It was often people question about his powers and origins, so he thought perhaps that was what he was talking about. "The storm. Not I. I am source not." he struggled to answer him, he sighed as he rolled his eyes around. Mumbling words as he shook his head over how much it took for him to explain.
 
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Charon Ashbringer

Charon felt him take her hand a little... awkwardly? But none the less he took it giving his name. She nodded smiling warmly as he gave a more... formal response? it did come off a little awkward though she only let out a light chuckle in response. She had done well... I mean at least to her it seemed she did so! All the better considering the situation at hand was settled... at least partially with the greetings out of the way. They could perhaps finally get some answers and move on to getting what it is they had to do and get it finished.

Elodin's words didn't sit very well with Charon. It wasn't as much that he hadn't told them but the fact it sounded like trouble if what he said was true. She was far from the most knowledgeable of magic or anything of the sorts to have a clue just what the cost of teleporting to another world might be at such a large scale. As far as she knew the only real limit tended to be the energy required in certain spells cases the reagents required to use such magic. The latter wasn't something she was that familiar with but at least her study of magic back in the day helped her to know it was a thing. Her gaze shifted looking towards Emem then shifting to Lacuna before having to tilting her head all the way down to look upon the little goblin. She had to admit she was proving to be far more useful then she imagined. Perhaps it was a bit wrong for expecting so little from a goblin but it wasn't exactly very typical of goblins from the little experience she had on top of all the stories about them.

Her gaze to Lucius was only brief. She still wasn't really all that sure what to make of him. He seemed a little weird she had to admit perhaps in some ways more so then even the goblin. As he blabbed about his potion she shifted her attention back focusing on Elodin. An air of bravado seemed to illuminate from her as she stood tall and proud raising her hand up to her chest glasping her fingers into a fist. She lightly touched the top of her fist against her armor causing a light muffled clang of metal. It seemed as if to some extent they were willing to go which made it easier for her.

"Such corruption can't be allowed to prosper here. The threat to others and even to the very woods and wildlife itself is far to great to simply avoid a problem that can't be allowed to fester any longer. As a knight, the only acceptable answer is to go straight into the center of the belly of the beast and rid whoever this person or cause of this problem is and but an end to it once and for all. It is a duty I Charon Ashrbinger can not allow to go on unpunished, so even if I were to go alone it is a task I must do before I am able to help complete your quest sir." Her words were filled with righteousness and strength. A true sign of what sparked so much belief in the godslayer. Her air of confidence even if built on a bed of lies and self delusions as temporary as they might be before reality might once again sweep through like a gust of wind and blow it all away.


Inheritance Inheritance Graystone713 Graystone713 Alteras Alteras ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Epiphany Epiphany
 
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Elodin Evernight
"No mortal could ever wield the power of Groth-Lakkar without consequences. You will either fall by the corruption or fall by your own hand; so I ask you-would you live as a monster, or die a good man? "
---Unknown---

After everyone had given their opinion on the issue, Elodin spoke. "Well it seems we are all in agreement. For one reason or another we need to cut through this forest-as I originally planned. We have our goblin friend to keep us on the right track, and we have our Godslayer over here to protect us." With a wave of his hand a shadow slapped Chum on the back (not enough to really hurt, but enough to shove the small creature forward), then beckoned to Charon at the mention of Godslayer. "And of course we have our critic here to tell us how we're doing it wrong." He said flatly while sending a dark gaze at Lucius.

He was a bit surprised that the open communication had worked so well. In the past few minutes he had felt the party grow a bit closer together or at least arrive on the same page. They were a few chapters behind him of course, but there was a reason he was leading this and they weren't. He was glad the party was talking with each other. He wanted them to be happy and he wanted them to all trust each other; it made for a more effective unit after all. But above all, he wanted to talk to Lacuna privately. Throughout the past few years he had grown accustomed to talking to her whenever he pleased, having long conversations where they fenced words and tried to outwit each other. Long hours where they would watch the moon silently, but somehow got the satisfaction of a full conversation. He missed it, but feared trying to open a portal to Groth-Lakkar in an already damaged piece of the world. He sighed, shoving down his illogical attachments to talking with a shadow.

"We should stay here tonight. We will need to make good speed tomorrow if we are to get through this wood, and we need to assume that everything in this forest is trying to kill us. The sooner we can get to the center of this forest the less attacks we'll have to deal with along the way. Those bears weren't terrible, but I'm sure the next time we are attacked it will be with a force meant to do more than test our metal." He stepped into the firelight for the first time, putting up a hand to shield his eyes as the great blaze nearly blinded him. As the light took hold of him his blurry form hardened and his eyes returned to their natural state, and he seemed normal again...almost.

For those who noticed detail, they would see a normal man standing next to the fire...except his shadow was facing the wrong way. Instead of being cast away from the fire behind him, his shadow faced toward the fire. It was a very small thing to notice, but once one did notice his shadow it was impossible to forget how unnatural it looked. It was a constant reminder that the sharply dressed man addressing them all might be something else entirely, something that was not a fan of the light. But if Elodin noticed his strangely oriented shadow or the looks he got he didn't show it, and continued on.

"We will need watches, I prefer pairs. Who will join me for the first watch?

Epiphany Epiphany Birdsie Birdsie Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Alteras Alteras
 
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Charon Ashbringer

Charon had kept up her bravado even after finishing saying what she had to say. As much as her accomplishment might of carried her it was her ability to often come off strong and sincere in her words that mostly sold her as a hero to the people who seen her. As her captain said, its not just about saying you will do something, its about believing in yourself that you can! It was a trait that Charon was unusually pretty good at on a whole being the tale-spinner as she was since she was young in the orphanage. If she hadn't dedicated herself to being a knight she would of been a rather adapt scam artist or a salesman. A wandering bard possibly though when it came to her and singing... it was probably much more of a stretch. She nodded lightly at Elodin's beckoning still ripe with determination.

It was as Elodin spoke that her ind started to wander a bit really starting to think about just what might lay in store for them in the center of the forest. The bears were quite fierce as they were, as a group they could dispatch them though individually it was hard to say. Attempting to take care of one bare even focusing as hard as she could to control her flame she managed to singe the trees and cause damage despite her best efforts on controlling the flame from her sword. Despite all her training she was still so incredibly far from being able to use the blade remotely close to its full power without losing control. She still had to put some much effort in controlling the flames even just fully drawing her blade. Whoever was responsible for corrupting the bears and the forest wasn't likely to be a foe that was much more intelligent that brute force could likely be the answer... even if somehow the issue of accidentally burning down the forest wasn't a problem she had to worry about. Just how would she even handle that problem if she hadn't lucked out and her companions seemed to share the same opinion on taking care of the threat?

The Godslayer suddenly shifted back to reality shaking her head letting out a soft sigh. Stop thinking so much about it Charon. No reason to worry about it now. She berated herself verbally in her own mind as she glanced up towards Elodin mentioning first watch. If they were staying there it was only smart to keep watch to ensure they weren't ambushed in the middle of the night. Naturally as a knight they would do the same thing when away from civilization or even in some places were there was a risk of an attack they would ensure someone was kept on watch even as unlikely as it may be an attack might occur. All it took was one moment of being unprepared for everything to quickly fall apart. Charon lifted her arm up in gesture like a salute to her chest once more.

"I'll join you for first watch. Keeping watch in pairs is a much safer protocol both to make sure no one nods off while on duty as well as minimizing the risk of an enemy catching them off guard and stopping them from warning their comrades i arms." She spoke adding in a little bit as if to further back up Elodin in the idea of taking watch in pairs. It was perhaps not needed but she felt it was good to just give a 2nd opinion on the matter with the experience she had on hand. She took a moment to pause though tilting her head realizing a moment after he had asked for someone else to keep watch with him first.

"...although I am a bit surprised you wouldn't want to take watch with Lacuna, aren't you two an... um..." She spoke lifting her hand up scratching her temple realizing as she was talking she was being quite direct with what she was about to imply them being an 'item'. She too a moment to rethink her wording to make it sound less accusatory though perhaps not quite able to hide what she was implying.

"I mean you two enjoy each other's company.... wouldn't you want to take watch for her or is it more worried you will be distracted by each..." She stopped again cringing a little bit as she caught herself again.

"...eh nevermind that... just I thought you would of wanted to do first watch with her." She spoke scratching the back of her head with an awkward smile and light laugh. Not quite the 'save' she wanted but hopefully she managed to step back a little bit at her implication as poorly as her attempt might of been.


Mentioned: Inheritance Inheritance Epiphany Epiphany
 
Chum Teeth
Night watch assignment

Chum watched the bickering continue between the humans and though Chum was glad that they all sort of agreed on going to the heart of the woods, she was less sure about sharing a watch with the majority of these people. Especially that uptight rich kid who was bickering with the new guy. He was the worst.


“I’m takin’ a spot on second watch, and I don’t want to share it with Lucy-boy. Anyone else want to watch with me? Lady dark, maybe?”

She said, starting to work at the bear claws she’d taken, stripping away the flesh from the bone and claw with her knife. She would probably finish two of them during her watch, but she could at least clean them up before she slept. The Goblin wasn’t sure who’d agree to watch with her, but she’d take anyone over Lucy-boy.
 
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Elodin Evernight
"Love is not weakness, contrary to popular belief. It is the passion that drives so many to great things, and it is the heart fuel that powers most magic in the universe. But your path is one without love, without light. You will gain power here, but you will never find Love in Groth-Lakkar..."
---Hilax's Teachings---
For perhaps the first time on this trip, Elodin stood shocked. If he really thought about it, the source of his shock wasn't too hard to trace if you thought about it. If anyone looked at the situation, Elodin's shocked outrage came from the fact that he couldn't admit to caring about Lacuna and someone called them out on it-pretty simple. But for someone who was so far in denial about having any feelings for Lacuna that he almost believed them, Charon's words struck a chord that Elodin was not ready for. After Charon volunteered for the first watch, Elodin nodded her way and was about to speak again only to be stopped short when she continued. He stood there gaping at her, shadow facing the wrong way and his mind desperately trying to fight his the urge to look at Lacuna. In the end he lost and shot a glance at Lacuna before turning to give a scathing look at Charon.

"I-I'm sure I have NO idea what you mean MISS CHARON." He began speaking through his teeth, "But this is HIGHLY inappropriate. Lacuna and I are nothing more than partners." He finished angrily. He blinked with understanding and began to fumble more words out to defend himself.

"Not partners like...I mean like we're together! I uh.. Like- we work together! We're nothing! She would not distract me because we are nothing to each other! She's a damn shadow and I am a man!" He finally spit out, but no sooner had the words left his mouth did he regret it. Lacuna probably wouldn't show much hurt, but Elodin couldn't look at her. With an angry growl, he backed out of the firelight. "I'm going to get more firewood."

He spun around and almost melted into the shadows of the forest as he left the firelight leaving the large pile of untouched firewood sitting in the ring of light. He couldn't believe how he had acted and what he had said. His normally calm self had spun out of control and said things that he didn't mean and that made him look terrible. That damn girl had brought out a part of him that he kept buried for a reason. He didn't like losing his head and the group watching him made it even worse. He needed respect within the group and he wanted an image of a man who wasn't taken aback or surprised by anything. He wanted to be calm and collected, but Charon had fucked that up. And worse yet he had insulted Lacuna! What was wrong with him? How could he insult his best friend. His only friend. His...

What was she to him? He had buried his feelings for her for so long he no longer knew what feelings were true and what his excuses his mind had made up. She was his best friend, no doubt about that, but she was also much more. But how could he have feelings for a being of Groth-Lakkar? A being that was made of the same essence as Hilax? How could he have any true feelings other than contempt for her? So many thoughts swirled around his mind as he floated within the shadows of the trees, staying in the material plane but melting into the shadows.

Even if he could solidify his thoughts, put them into one form, it would be folly. Even if he did find Lacuna...more than a friend, it wouldn't matter. She would never think of him that way. She was a great being from another realm, and he was just some man that was a stranger to all.

Epiphany Epiphany Hanarei Hanarei
 
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Emem Imamu
' The Silent '



The conversation turned from a planning course of action to a selection of watchmen - to an even greater awkwardly display of emotions. As the Slaver and The Godslayer kept on talking about a private matter on which Emem watched attentively, for it was the only ongoing conversation of note at the time; from behind the fire like a lost child in the middle of nowhere his eyes darted back and forward between the two. He saw no possible way to understand, not even grasp as his off-hand reached behind his head to attempt to scratch off the obstacles within his mind that blinded him from the situation itself.

However, rather than let his curiosity kick in, he simply settled by answering back the goblin. ( Graystone713 Graystone713 ) Emem raised his hand as this small green one asked for a partner. "I." -then lowered his hand, nodding to the creature's direction. The Sorcerer stood up as the dirt on his clothes were dashed away by a careful swipe of his hands over the fabric, twice he stroke before he looked around the camp to acknowledge its position and the equipment around him (If any)

There was no further interaction that the sorcerer could accomplish at the time, there was no purpose in doing so either. He was a pass-by traveler that happened to end up in a quest of sorts. He unequipped the rusty saber off his back and lay on the ground in silence. He thought he would be call upon duty once the situation raised itself to it.

The idea of drowning himself back into slumber was a frightening one. The storm was waiting for him at his dead angle, a crawling and sometimes lashing thunder that grew stronger only on his mind. The call of tempest that controlled the wind, taking his defeated body off-ground within his dream state. The abyss that rested beyond the long sea, the depths on which profound should be found and remained still. The end of it all - the last cry of war that came from his lungs as he struck his enemy out of need... out of desire. Freedom awaiting him behind another blow - and then another, and another. Each scar on his back burning as the thought of being dead became nothing but a comforting bed, silken bed-sheets that took him off the thought, the water washed away his hate.

Yet the storm's maw brought him back off the ocean, once more up and ready for more...
 
Lucius Hearthaven

The smell of rot, yeast, body odor, and hopelessness caressed Lucius' skin and violated his pores, curling around his calves and settling in place like a contented pet. He locked down his magic to get rid of the smell and instinctively turned his eyes to track Elodin, concealing his sudden, violated shock with the adroitness of a poker player.

As someone who defined the world by emotion, due to the way his very soul was programmed to read them, Lucius learned to control them better than most people - he was probably in the upper ninetieth percentile of people in terms of facial and bodily control, but he somehow didn't doubt that Elodin Evernight could read him like an open book despite that. It did nothing to set him at ease, and made him want to vomit. How could someone be so corroded?

Lucius hid a deep frown, gritting his teeth, and blinking away his attention from Evernight. This adventure would be spiritually taxing.

The rest of the evening proceeded at a calmer, sedate pace.

Evernight decided a night watch was going to be required, and Lucius agreed wholeheartedly - the man and the Godslayer ended up as the first pair. Lucius briefly harbored the suspicion they'd wake up the next morning only to find Charon's dead body lying face-down in the mud, but he didn't entertain that thought for longer than a second: she could take care of herself, despite the shame and fear locked away deep in her heart.

He did break into a fit of sudden, uncontrolled laughter when Evernight began to defend himself at the assertion he and the she-shadow were more than friends. Lucius' measured apprehension at the idea of standing next to Elodin went down a step, because no one capable of being that bumbling when their crush is mentioned can be that bad.

Lucius wouldn't blame Elodin if he'd had decided to go for the booty call, inviting the penumbral woman to a remote part of the forest, away from the party to have a night of passionate shadow theater. Lucius snorted again, to himself, and shook his head.

In the deep humor of the night, and the third watch he'd shared with the woman from the guild, he forgot to explain how mana worked to Emem. Then again - Lucius could hardly be faulted. The foreign traveler didn't bring it up again after their distraction had passed; a fact which Lucius only realized the following morning.

He glanced at Emem's sleeping form.

... Not the loquacious sort, was he?


Epiphany Epiphany Graystone713 Graystone713 Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Alteras Alteras Inheritance Inheritance
 
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Lacuna Episkiazo

The shadowy woman watched the mortal proceedings and plannings with the amused eye of indifference. One unaffected and unconcerned with such trivalities, yet able to find something interesting in watching others engage in the subtle jostling of personalities.

Where she came from, shadows vied for power through sheer force of will. A larger-than-life personality was how one’s life gained in power. Lacuna found her year among mortals was somewhat similar. In any group, each individual strove to define themselves by what they brought, by their unique talents and abilities, by what made them individuals.

Hanarei Hanarei
Then the Godslayer ruined a perfectly enjoyable contemplation with her unwelcome observation.

It took a moment for the girl’s rambling statements to finally make her meaning plain. It took a moment more to experience the shock that radiated through her, seemingly starting at her heart and spreading through her ribcage, up her shoulders and down her arms as well as sinking deep into her bowels until unpleasant tangles of anxiety tugged their way down her legs. Lacuna found it the most extraodinary sensation and the only thing more extraodinary was how utterly alien it was. How unique. Singular.

Inheritance Inheritance
Elodin’s reaction didn’t help. Exactly the opposite. She saw the rise of mortal emotion on his handsome face, saw the anger and the tightness of his teeth as he bit off each word.

She’s a damn shadow.

Defensive words, surely. Intelletually, Lacuna knew full well how much Elodin loved Groth-Lakkar and revealed in its power. She’d heard him utter other words, placating words when wheedling secrets and bargains from the other denizens of her realm. Lacuna had his words to her, said to her personally, said in private.

Yet the rejection woke another alien sensation within herself. Something Lucius might recognize as pain, even heartache, yet nothing a shadow from Groth-Lakkar could name or would admit to even if she’d known what it was.

Lacuna watched her mortal man be swallowed up by shadows as he went in search of firewood. And she remained silent for a time afterwards, lost within herself, unsure what to do, what to say or how she should even feel.

Birdsie Birdsie Hanarei Hanarei ShadowBroker ShadowBroker Graystone713 Graystone713 Alteras Alteras
At last, the dark-eyed woman lifted her head and noticed Elodins’ departure left at least a few still looking in her direction.

Anger. Yes, she knew that emotion. “Sleep, you lovely mortal fools,” she said, straightening before unslinging her bow once more. “I’ll keep watch over your camp and ensure your safety. There’s no reason for any of you to tire yourselves out for the sake of that man’s wish you stand watch.”

I don’t get tired, after all.”

I’m only a damn shadow.”

With those words, Lacuna withdrew from obvious sight by stepping back beneath the shadowy boughs of a nearby tree. At night, in shadow, she could finally be what she really was. Something greater than mortal frailities. Something beyond mortal emotions.

Something that still didn’t understand why her cheeks were wet.
 

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