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294.5 | 2024-03-08 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn tilted her head in interest as Varis mentioned Voskygge. A voyage into a ruin was ideal. And she would admit that a research journey with a Telvanni would be interesting. Perhaps it would give her a bit more insight on the house. \n\n\"An offer that I would be interested in accepting. But i'd like to know more about the ruins, both the history and what currently lurks within. I will admit that most of my combat experience has been with living people. Never the undead. I'm sure that the rules for engagement would be the same, but I'm curious, and you are more experienced.\" Luhn took a moment to stretch before resting her hands back on her hips.\n\n\"As for treasure, Im not greedy, so long as its enough to cover room and food I'll be happy. And in all honesty I'd prefer just straight up gold.\" Luhn stopped herself, taking a moment to shake her head. \"My apologies, Im getting ahead of myself with all the payment business. Bad habit. If you would be willing I would happily aid you with your expeditions, I would just like more background on the ruins.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis watched Luhn carefully as she spoke. He narrowed his eyes a little as she wanted to know more about the ruins, and a slight grin formed on his face. *An inquisitive mind. Excellent.* \n\nVaris continued to listen, and when the matter of payment appeared, Varis smirked a little. She was perceptive. Either she had read between his lines, as he had in fact attempted to get out of paying her. It worked sometimes, and he was not so egalitarian so as to ensure a fellow Dunmer was rightfully paid. Wherever he could save money, he took the chance.\n\nThough, when caught, Varis nodded, and said, \"Of course. Payment in gold is standard. As for the ruin itself, it is situated at the intersection between the Druadach and Kilkreath Mountains. North-West of Dragon's Bridge, many theories around it are passed among scholarly communities, but there are few actual texts naming it as a part of successful wars and such. However, what is known, is that is was the seat of power, and resting place, for the Dragon Priest Volsung. In the Dragon Tongue, his name means, roughly, *Horrible*. Why? Well, based on the ruins I have seen thus far, it seems he took a delight in arming his burial site with hoards of traps and dangerous beasts, as the Draugr there are either heavily armored, or grotesque mutations, as I like to call them. In his time, he was supposedly an excellent diplomatic tyrant. Of course, all the Dragon Priests were fairly tyrannical, but his ability to lull his populace and worshippers was... Supposedly, exquisite. To such a degree, they may have become his most devout worshippers not through displays of power, but sheer religiosity, and charisma. Though, I'm sure he was quite powerful, as well.\"\n\nVaris raised his eyebrows and shrugged, \"Perhaps he performed a few miracles, as well, here and there. He was situated in a prime spot for trade, with the ability to build ports in Dragon Bridge and along the coastline over the mountains. He is a Dragon Priest, after all.\"\n\nThe Telvanni tapped his chin, pondering if he left anything out. \"Hm. Well, that's as far as I know about the history and what lurks inside. As for fighting undead, I highly suggest carrying a flame-enchanted sword. I typically perform these enchantments as an included pay for the job, allowing the sword to also possess a soul trap enchantment, to keep it well-fed. Aside from this, some Arkay-Blessed Waters could be retrieved from the priests up in the Temple of the Eight, but, I suggest fire and silver, above all.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn crossed her arms as she listened to Varis speak. Traps she could handle, her years doing scout-work gave her experience with some of the traps that brigands and other criminals would lay in the desert. She was confident in that at least. But the dragur were by far the more concerning issue; especially since these were heavily armored. Living opponents had the added benefit of feeling pain, and that was an advantage when dealing with plate covered enemies. That and if she could manage, a well placed cut in the right area would cause a good amount of hemorrhaging. Luhn took a moment to ponder Varis' words, the enchantments would be useful. Though she felt that accepting them would mean her payment would be lesser than if she had already been prepared. It would be an acceptable loss. If she could make out with a couple pieces of ancient Nordic jewelry that might be enough to make up for the loss. Luhn nodded and patted her sword.\n\n\"Well, I think I will take you up on your offer.\" Luhn moved her right arm back, reaching for and grabbing a small journal from the side of her pack. Opening the battered book up and flicking to an open page. Taking in her hand a small wax pencil that hung from the edge of the spine.\n\n \"Ease my mind for a minute, will you kinsman? The enchantments, will they be taken out of my pay? Or are they simply a bonus to make sure I can properly do my job?\" As she spoke she quickly scribbled down some notes on the ruin, after this agreement she would seek out a Nord historian, hopefully to find out more on the the ruins and the surrounding area."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"A bonus. And, free... Advertisement, for me. Think of it this way; I ensure you have the means to protect yourselves, and subsequently, me. After we get far enough that it becomes time to turn back, you will take your enchantments out into the world with you, and thus, present my mastery over the craft. The more enemies of the realm slain and scorched by my weaponry, the more infamous I become to their lot. The more feared I become. Sure, a bandit, who is cut down, will not fear the enchanter who made his flesh burn. But, the smart ones, will. A thief whose fingers are sliced, and lives to tell the tale, will remember how his soul felt tethered to the blade, in an... Eerie, way.\"\n\nVaris grinned a little. \"Cruel? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. Whatever the case, a soul gem used on a blade is well worth the risk I will be accruing by spending time in an undead-infested ruin.\"\n\nHis eyebrows rose a little. \"Does this, ease your mind?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn nodded \"A bit morbid but yes, it eases my mind. Now to business.\" She claps her hands together in front of her. The soft leather of her gloves preventing the sound from attracting the attention of passersby.\n\n \"I presume you have a location we can meet, either in or out of Solitude? Oh and now there's also the matter of payment. My rates vary depending on time, and well, risk. I will not charge for time spent on transit, but these dragur seem like a very, hmm, deadly bunch. If you can give me a rough estimate to how long this expedition might take that would be helpful. Oh, and there's always the enchantment side of things.\" She motions to Varis. Watching the expressions of the other dunmer expectantly. She hoped not to irritate him, but from experience knew that her endless barrage of questions wasn't always endured with grace. \"This is your operation, my apologies for the questions, I just prefer to be thorough with these sorts of things.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis nodded, smirking a little. \"Always better to be thinking, than mindless. Do not apologize for your own intellect. That is the first rule, of my House.\" He nodded to himself, as if it was a phrase of religious importance. \"As for the time spent there, I would pack at least a day's worth of rations and supplies. Your pay will be done at the end of the expedition. It would not be good business to pay you going in, and you dying, leaving my gold behind.\" He raised an eyebrow, expecting her to understand his rationale. \"I will honor your rate, as long as it is agreeable. As for a place of meeting; Dragon's Bridge. My group will be at the local tavern, and we will depart at approximately mid-day.\""
}
] | 232 | 1,767 |
200.666667 | 2024-03-10 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"I think I have enough for now\" Luhn closed her notebook, sliding the pencil down the center of the book. She twisted her torso and tucked it back into her pack. Turning back to face Varis. \n\n\"Winking Skeever huh? Is it a nice inn? I was considering staying there when I arrived into Solitude. But alas I settled for a much cheaper hostel. It's been a while since i've spoken to anyone from the motherland. Perhaps we could get a pint and chat a bit?\" Luhn asked, conversation hadn't been abundant since coming to Skyrim. A few times she was able to chat with a mercenary but a Dunmer from Morrowind. Now that would be interesting. \"Of course if you're too busy I understand, but the Nords here are so dull, a couple of dirnks in and all they do is winge about how the war took their farm. Or how a dragon ate their great grandmothers cow.\" Luhn looked around at the docks, wrinkling her brow. \"I do have a job to complete now, still have an Argonian to track down, and I'm loathe to start looking in the water.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Absolutely. Thankfully, I've convinced my barkeep to import some drinks from Morrowind, so there should be a good selection for our kind. The inn is lovely, plenty of ambience and subtlety. As for the Nords and how they throw back drinks...\" He chuckled a little. \"Well-spotted. Though, in Solitude, the Nords here tend to be fairly interesting to get drunk. Mainly because, they can't help telling me trade secrets and deals when they're loosened up.\"\n\nVaris raised his chin and looked around, toward the waters, and frowned a little, \"Hm. Yes, that does seem awful.\" He looked toward her. \"Would you like me to give you a bit of waterbreathing? A rudimentary spell, so no charge required.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhns face brightened a bit at the mention of Dunmer booze. \"Ah, that sounds delightful. It's been months since I've had some Sujamma, my father used to get crates of it delivered all the way from Stone Falls. A bit more easy on the palatte compared to liquour served here, or in Cyrodiil. By Azura I thought my throat was going to catch fire trying Cyrodiilic spirits. Those people don't play with their alchohol.\" She let out a groan and gave the waters beyond the docks another glance. \n\n\"A waterbreathing spell would be lovely, but I don't think I'll be diving long enough for it to matter. The water here is deadly cold, and Im no Nord. I think the freeze would kill me. Im sure the captain understands, plus I haven't surveyed all the dock. Even if I don't find him I at least found his companion.\" She glanced down at the ground. Looking at the water under the gaps of the wood panels. Luhn turned her gaze back to Varis and shrugs. \"Half of my pay is more than enough to cover my board and feed.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He chuckled a little, \"Agreed. They add too much spice and sweets, when the goal is to get drunk.\" He shrugged. He listened as she denied his waterbreathing spell, and nodded at her rationalization. \"Fair enough. Best of luck, but, don't worry. An argonian in these waters? It shouldn't be hard to spot a frozen corpse on the surface.\" He placed his hand behind his back while holding one out to her to shake. \"Until we see each other again. Be it later this afternoon, or in Dragon Bridge.\"\n\nVaris glanced to the captain of her ship, and his eyes narrowed a little, as he pondered what sort of things he could get the man to import or export. He mauled over it as he looked back to her to see if she had anything left to ask or say."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn took his hand and gave it a strong shake. \"Well, I guess we will see. Argonians can be surprising. I will visit the Winking Skeever tonight, I've got a few more errands to run today. Moreso now that I have a ruin to look at. It has been a pleasure to meet you Kinsman. Wealth beyond measure.\" She nodded wishing him well. She bowed her head towards him and stepped away. Turning back to face the dock, she walked towards the edge, dodging a few fisherman carrying slings laden with salmon and herring. Luhn took her time to survery the water, head twitching and flicking as she carefully observed the movement underneath the water. Eyeing the dark liquid for a sign of scales or feather. She was pleased to have had her conversation with the other Dunmer, a good chat and some Sujamma would help her prepare for the upcoming expedition. A little taste of home before risking life and limb, she smiled. It was like she was back in Belkarth again."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard nodded, \"Until then. Wealth beyond measure, sera.\" He watched her walk away and toward the docks, hunting her scaly crewmate. His eyes narrowed as he looked around, and nodded to himself, as he held his hands behind his back and started to walk back to the city proper. He had more business to conduct, more research to pour over, and more experiments to commit. Some mundane and simple, others... Cruel and awful. Or at least, that's how the guards of the dungeons put it. Varis saw no difference between human experimentation, and simple calculation. Everything led to a goal, and that Greater Goal, was all that mattered.\n\nThe expedition into Voskygge would be a boon for his research. Even though he was not a Necromancer, the animation of dead things played a role in his research, solely to prove some hypotheses. The other plans he had for the ruin... Well, that would come soon."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn stepped into the Winking Skeever. The day had pased fairly quickly after she left Varis. Luhn never did find the Argonian, but figured he was eventually caught when she heard the captain shouting at the water as she was walking up the steps away from the dock. The rest of her way was spent hagglign with a bookeeper at the bards college and then reading for a fair little bit. As the sky began to turn dark, and the stars sparkled in Aetherius Luhn left the college. She ditched her back and her leather armor at her hostel. Arriving at the Inn dressed in her buckskin trousers and a long blue tunic. She approached the bar and took point. Standing on the edge and looking around the tavern hoping to spot Varis. While she waited her absent-mindedly rested her hand on the handle of her Tanto. She felt comfortable enough to leave her sword, Rouan Wel where she was staying. But the Tanto was to stay at her hip at all times."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard was on an upper balcony, seated at a table speaking to a particularly husky and hefty redguard, who seemed flushed as Varis humored him and spoke with him. His eyes hardly left the man, until he glanced away, and spotted Luhn at the bar. His eyebrows rose, he looked toward the man, and smiled as he offered a passing whisper, got up and walked away toward the stairwell. \n\nVaris would not take long before he arrived in Luhn's sights, hand behind his back while the other held a cup of gingergreen chai. The man walked toward Luhn and gestured to the stool next to her, \"Pleasure to see you again, sera. Mind if I sit with you?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn gave Varis a warm smile and bowed her head towards him. \"Hail, Varis. I hope the rest of your day went well?\" She moved aside making more room for him to sit next to her. She motioned to the barkeep and kindly asked for a plate of grilled fish placing a couple gold pieces on the counter.\n\n \"I did a bit of reading on this region, exciting stuff, learning about the history of this land. But enough about Skyrim. How does Morrowind fare this season. I will admit I have not been to the motherland since my infancy. But I'd like to pass the news on to my father and the few patriots he keeps under his command.\" As she spoke she gave a glance around the warmly decorated tavern. Of all the places she had been in Skyrim this one was one of the nicest. Luhn felt herself relaxing, listening to the sound of the fireplace and the bard playing folk tunes."
}
] | 197 | 1,806 |
327.8 | 2024-03-11 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The wizard raised an eyebrow as Luhn spoke of Morrowind, and how she had not been there since her infancy. His eyebrows rose a little as she said this, and an eyebrow rose. She was born on Morrowind soil, but... Was she raised as an outlander? \n\n\"Well, Port Telvannis is exceptional this time of year. Too warm to snow, too cold to burn your skin. Winter-Spring in Eastern Morrowind is easily the best place in the world, as far as I'm concerned. Though, I have no problem leaving, as the rain season will have started by now.\"\n\nHe looked at her with a tad bit of curiosity. \"And, you were not raised in Morrowind? And, your father, he has been outside of the homeland for a while? That sounds... Intriguing.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn nodded. \"Aye, Father took me and left Morrowind about... Thirty years ago. We settled in Hammerfell. I was raised there. Obviously. But I hope to one day make my way back to Morrowind. Though Im not sure which part of the provence we came from. We occasinally get sporadic updates from Morrowind. Being on the other side of Tamriel word takes a long time to travel.\" \n\nLuhn swiveled in her seat, facing Varis and resting an arm on the bar as she spoke. Her eyes widened with interest. \"I had heard of Morrowinds generally fair weather. I'd love to visit the jungles along the south, that is if they finally get brought back under Dunmer control. Has Morrowind reclaimed any of the territories lost in the Accession War?\" She asked."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "His eyebrows rose as he listened to her story, and tilted his head as she said they had settled in Hammerfell. Luhn had said something to the effect of her family's inability to perform magic, but to be integratable into a magicless swine-province such as Hammerfell? At least Skyrim had the College of Winterhold. Though, Varis held his tongue as he watched her, and raised his eyebrow as she asked about the territories lost during the Accession War. \n\n\"Ah, yes, well, it was over two centuries ago, and the An-Xileel tried to control what region was left over those two hundred years. But, Morrowind is nearly fully under Dunmeri control once more. Some land still remains in An-Xileel control, but, all of House Telvanni's ancestral land has been restored. The scum-sucking Dres pigs have most of their territory still under occupation, but, the grander Morrowind has little interest in aiding them, as many of the salt-rice fields have been reclaimed. Slave labor remains in House Dres and House Telvanni, but only among councilors who did not learn their lessons. In Port Telvannis, it is still customary, but many who were kidnapped and whose ancestors were captured, have become paid servants. Better to have a paid populace that you can control through rates, than one that needs to be controlled through whips and chains.\"\n\nHe nodded, as if it was perfectly rational and morally justified to view people as units, and the way one treated them to reduce chance of rebellion was all that mattered. \n\n\"Due to the salt-rice fields being taken over for so many years, Kwama Egg Production sky-rocketed. If you know anything about Morrowind, kwama egg mines are very wealthy sources of income for the Houses, but House Telvanni made *Many* Septims in the two centuries after the war.\"\n\nHe raised his eyebrow as he looked at her, \"I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the homeland. I was living there quite recently. I've been in Skyrim for only a few weeks.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn shifted a bit uncomfortably as Varis mentioned the slave trade in Morrowind. It wasn't a topic often discussed in such... Detail when she was learning the history of her Homeland. She probably should have asked about a different war. Her face didn't belay her emotions, but the darting of her eyes did.\n\n\"I see, perhaps when I have had my fill of Skyrim I'll make my way across the mountains to Morrowind.\" She rubbed a finger against her chin for a split second. \"What's the general situation in the Provence? Or well, which of the Great Houses has the most weight to throw around. You speak of the prosperity of the Telvanni, but It seems to me such petty politcal squabbles are beneath you. From what I know of your house anyways. I was told the Telvanni kept to themselves in their high towers.\" Luhn gives a dismissive wave with her hand. \"Of course my father was the one who told me that, He is of house Redoran. Always had choice words for the other houses.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni Wizard smirked a little, as he did not notice her eyes, only her words. \"Well, the Redoran like to think that they throw around the most weight and power. However, ever since the third era, House Telvanni has been the richest, easily worth as much as the Empire's treasury back during the times of the Nerrevarine. House Telvanni keeps to themselves, because politics *Are* Beneath us. What matters is power, and dealing with people who only want to compromise is a dead end for our means. If you have the most money, you win the game.\"\n\nHe frowned. \"But, your father is from the most politically influential House in Morrowind. House Redoran were the main reinforcements during the Accession War, and successfully pushed the An-Xileel the furthest back, and when all was said and done... It helps that their settlements were the least damaged out of all the Houses. They were among the North-West, while the Argonians targeted the Southern regions, and some of the Telvanni Peninsula. Thus, almost none of their strongholds fell, or were even damaged. Thus, they remain the most powerful. The Temple is as closely woven into House Indoril as it has ever been, and thus, House Indoril has the most cultural sway over the population. House Sedras, the replacements of the pig-pen House Hlaalu, now rule in Hlaalu's stead. Thus, it is as it always has been, and as it always ought to be; Five Great Houses, with House Dres likely to be replaced any year now. There are many promising Houses beneath that banner, and they will likely consume the Elder soon enough.\"\n\nVaris continued, \"As for the province entire, we prefer that these outlanders believe that we are in turmoil, and strife. What else could one suppose after such a devastating rebellion?\" He grinned a little. \"However, what the outlanders do not understand, is that through suffering, we become stronger. The beating hearts of Morrowind's people are as resilient as ever, and our cities are as spectacular as ever.\" \n\nHe grinned a little. \"You ought to see Blacklight. They would welcome you there, serjo,\" She may have noticed that he was now using a different Dunmeri word to refer to her. While sera was an informal show of respect, he was now utilizing the formal version. It seemed, despite her being an Outlander, he had respect for her. \"But, I advise you steer clear of Port Telvannis, or else keep to the harbor. Even our own who do not possess magical talent... They may be in danger of an experiment, or two.\" He shrugged, as if there was nothing wrong with that. \n\nIt was clear that Varis had plenty of choice words for all sorts of things, and his arcane-educated mind was of stone. A terrifying thing to have on someone who saw so little in Morrowind's own Houses. One might imagine what he bit his tongue about in a province of Men, and not Mer."
}
] | 221 | 1,639 |
342.833333 | 2024-03-13 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis placed his hands together. She had been told to never visit Port Telvannis prior to their conversation? Exceptional. She was well counseled. His eyebrow rose as she mentioned mercenaries from Blacklight, and a slight smirk formed on his face. He nodded along to all she said, agreeing with what she knew of the place. Then, her attention turned to their current bar, and his eyebrows rose. \"Ah, yes.\"\n\nHe turned his head toward the barkeep, who was on the other end, serving another man, and gave a side-eye to Varis the moment the mage moved his head. Varis looked at the man expectantly, as if he was supposed to know exactly what Varis wanted. \n\nThen, he did. It was a simple spell. A telepathic thing, intended to slither one's way directly into the thoughtstream of one's victim. \n\nVaris looked back to Luhn. \"Well, then you're in luck. We have a bit of Flin from Blacklight. Shipped in this morning, hence why I was down at the docks. As for Voskygge,\" He nodded toward her distaste for Nordic pronunciation. \"Yes, it should be an exceptional venture. It is possible that we may make it to the very end. To what end?\" He shrugged. \"I imagine we will find the Dragon Priest, Volsung, himself. As for yourself, you say you settled in Hammerfell? To what end, there?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"According to my father, job opportunities.\" Luhn glanced out of the side of her eye as one of the barkeeps went to fetch the alcohol, and rested her hand on the bar expectantly. It had been a good couple months since she had relaxed with a good bottle of Flin. \n\n\"I barely remember the move, I was around... I want to say five or six, before Belkarth we were in Cheydinhal. And before that, well, my father claims it to be Ald Velothi. He's never been interested in returning to Morrowind, sure he's is eager to hear news from the homeland, or get goods delivered from there. But never desired to return, not even for a short visit. I know why, and I understand, but I think it's been long enough, he deserves to at least return once before he dies. Not that he's dying anytime soon.\" Luhn shrugs, but her eyes brighten as the barkeep returns with earthenware jug and two glasses in hand. \n\n\"Hammerfell has been good to us though, and Belkarth is a good city. It's location along major trade routes means work is easy to find. Guarding caravans and what not. Also means getting imports is also less of a headache, and quite cheap.\" Luhn poured herself a generous shot of the alcohol. She sipped at it, savoring the mild whiskey as it gently numbed her throat. \"And how has house Telvanni treated you? Not often one gets to share a drink with such a notable mage. I'm sure you have some stories.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The bottle of Flin was placed on the counter behind Luhn, and the barkeep shifted back to the man across the counter, as if the man had no interest in interacting beyond that with the two Dunmer. The Nord kept his eyes down and spoke softly to those that made requests of him. \n\nVaris gestured toward the bottle for Luhn to have as she continued her tale, and leaned back to savor the details. He sipped from his cup of gingergreen tea, having very little interest in how alcohol dulls the senses. Plus, when it came to his teas, he always knew when something was off. He had many rivals among the Telvanni, and many attempts made via his beverages. \n\nHe nodded as she mentioned Belkarth, as he had read good things about that place. \n\nThen, she asked how House Telvanni had treated Varis. Varis raised an eyebrow, and nodded. \n\n\"I do. I was raised among the Telvanni of Port Telvannis, but I had very little real magical skill. Sure, I could cast a flame or a candlelight by age three, but when they gave me some ink and paper, they realized I was much better at mathematics, some coming to jokingly call me a mathemagician.\" He whisked his hand dismissively. \"Whatever the case, I was seen as... Lesser, but not worthless. That did not stop other children from teasing me. After all, through suffering, strength. Well,\"\n\nHe grinned. \"As an adolescent, a few children got too close, had beat me one time too many, and I cast a spell I had been working on. A spell that would summon a Scamp. To adults, a Scamp is frightening, but easy to fight. To children?\" A dark glee overcame his eyes. \"They died quickly. Mercilessly. The Scamp spared none that could not get away in time.\"\n\nHe gestured to his throat, and face, where some light scars were. \"It even turned on me, since I had not completed the fundamentals of conjured control. But, I conjured a bound dagger as it assaulted me, and cut out its brain matter,\" He gestured to the right side of his head. \"It vanished, and there I was, in a park, with witnesses who looked out their windows and gasped in horror, and then, *Elation*.\"\n\nVaris smirked. \"Through slaughtering my enemies, as per my power over magic, I accomplished the fundamental principle of House Telvanni. *The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors,* As said by Saint Vorys the Immolant. From there, I acquired respect, as I killed more challengers throughout my youth. Until, I became what I am now.\"\n\n\"I imagine Hammerfell is, less...*Fair*?\" His eyebrow rose."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn knew about the violence of the Telvanni, but the extent of which it ran shocked her. She kept her face about as neutral as it could be, but her brows knitted ever so slightly in concern as Varis told his tale and she clenched her jaw. She couldn't help but suck in air through her teeth as he went into detail. Her life as a mercenary allowed her to keep herself from gasping in horror. But children killing children, wasn't exactly what she expected. Her next sip from her glass was much more of a swig than anything else. Appearing nervous wasn't something she would let herself do, a bit more of the liquid courage would ease her. Following her downing she poured herself more. \n\n\"Tch, God's no.\" She muttered under her breath before answering him. \"Hammerfell doesn't share the same sentiments. Belkarth, due to it's placement and it's importance for trade between Hammerfell, Cyrodiil and Skyrim is well guarded. There is a strong sense of security, and also honor, there is no place for the type of interhouse violence the Telvanni have. Not that it's peaceful and loving. It was hard being an outsider, as a child I had to fight my way to a place of respect. Nothing like returning home with a bloody nose and covered in sand, and filled with a sense of pride that the other guy looked way worse.\" She felt a bit at ease reminiscing about her own childhood. Compared to what Varis had described about his own, her history of violence seemed childish."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni smiled as she recanted her experience in Belkarth, and his eyebrows furrowed a tad as she declared it had no place for interhouse violence. A grin formed as she said that. There was a meritocracy to House Telvanni that Varis always placed above all else, the idea that one's sheer will and effort could get them to the highest echelons of society. What good was being apart of a noble family, if they can't protect themselves from someone better at magic?\n\nVaris placed a finger to his temple as he leaned against the counter, elbow up, and he listened with intrigue. \"Hm. I am sure that having few magical abilities earned you favor among the Redguards? I've always read that their hatred toward magic is only superceded by their hate for undeath and necromancy, going so far as to shun those that hunt the undead and their conjurers?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"I'd say it was less the magic issue, and moreso the fact that my Father kept a well known, and well behaved mercenary group. The men of Lerowen Hleri have a strong reputation along the boarders of Hammerfell. My father proved himself with his marshal prowess, same with his men. Not a caster amongst them. But you are correct, there is a strong dislike of magic and magic users in the country. It's a lot more intense the further West you go. Craglorn is a lot more... Welcoming, but just barely. I mentioned in our earlier conversation that I worked for a mage in my youth, He had been in Belkarth for almost three centuries. But according to him the harassment he received when he first moved in was, tremendous. Eventually they began to respect him, but when I was a child the schoolkids had a little song about how scary he was. He was a great mer, shame it took so long for them to allow him to exist without daily harrassment.\" Luhn took another sip from her glass. \n\n\"Hammerfell and the undead... Yeah, that will get you killed for sure. It's a dangerous place to be a summoner, even if you don't dabble in necromancy\" Luhn glanced over at Varis. \"If you ever were to travel that far west, be careful, very very careful.\""
}
] | 318 | 2,057 |
294.8 | 2024-03-14 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hm. I will take your warning to heart, as you have mine. Thankfully, I have no interest in the West, aside from High Rock. There are a few Telvanni in High Rock, studying the magic of the Forsworn and their pagan rites. As for summoning in Hammerfell,\" He shrugged. \"I imagine it is borne from their history with these, *Left Handed Elves*,\" He rolled his eyes, as if the name was preposterous to him. \"Sinistral Mer, the Redguards called them. I've read as much as I could on the subject, but until Yokuda resurfaces, Skyrim is likely the furthest West I will bother to go.\"\n\nHe took a sip from his tea and added, \"This mage you studied under, I wonder, what was his name? If he has been alive for some time, he might have published some material I am familiar with. Being in Hammerfell, I imagine he might have even studied some of the lore behind, what was it...*Sword-Singers*? Perhaps the Face-Dancers of the Alikr Desert?\" He shrugged. \"I know there to be secrets in the sands, but, to have a mage in a den of vipers... There must be something he was looking into.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn nodded. \"Interesting, I remember being taught about old Yokuda by some of my tutors as a child. But history was never my strong suit, I will admit I forgot everything but the basics.\" She looked down at her drink for a moment. \"I'm not sure if you have heard about that Old Mer. His full name was Lovrinnon Ehnolen. He was an Altmer, one of the few that lived in Belkarth. His main focus was collecting and dealing artifacts, but he had a history with studying Aetherius, and enchanting. He used to be my tutor, helped me track out and map the stars. Eventually he needed a shop hand to help with the store as his years were finally catching up to him.\"\n\nLuhn took a sip and leaned back slightly. \"He didn't write many books, or well not many that I had knowledge of, the few I saw were very, very old. Many of the names elude me but, I think there was one entitled 'Finding the Firmament, The Secrets Of Stars'. Luhn rubbed her chin. \"Oh and 'Voyager techniques Of The Abecean'. Any others I don't know about. He probably just didn't want them attributed to him, or they were from a painful period of his life. He was always protective about some parts of his past. He was pushing six hundred when he died, quite a lot of life, lotta time to do stuff that he regretted.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis put a hand to his chin as he pondered the names of those tomes, and realized that he had not read them. \"Hm. A shame, I don't believe I have ever owned a copy of such tomes. Though, an Astronomer High Elf Wizard... Who is also an Enchanter? Now, six hundred years of life definitely would have garnered him some exciting techniques for enchanting. I imagine that one about the stars could have incorporated Aylied Techniques of understanding the cosmos. I would not be surprised if he possibly utilized Aylied Starlight techniques for his enchanting.\"\n\nHe did not comment on the Voyager Techniques, since, that did not interest him. But, \"Though, a name such as Lovrinnon Ehnolen... An impressive name, that one. Of the Mer I have met, High Elves tend to boast the most obligatorily gratituitous names. Even for whelps.\"\n\nVaris shrugged as he sipped his tea, and said, \"Now, you say he helped you track and map the stars. I know you said you have little magical experience, but, have you ever looked into alchemical practice? Merging the mixture of certain reagents at specific times of celestial alignment can produce significant effects and boosts to otherwise mundane concoctions. Such knowledge could be very useful, if explored thoroughly by someone who is not blinded by metamath.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"If he did have other books floating around, I think they might be in Alinor.\" Luhn took a moment to stretch her arms behind her, before leaning forward and resting her forearms on the wood of the bar. \"He mentioned giving lectures at schools in the Isles. But Ol' Lovrinnon didn't like to stay put in one location when he was younger. He told me he traveled around on research trips and as a guest speaker.\"\n\nLuhn raised an eyebrow as Varis mentioned alchemy. \"Wasn't aware alchemy could be influenced by the movements in Aetherius? But my knowledge goes as far as how to make a simple health potion. Bringing the stars and the moons into it, well, I've never heard of that before. How does that work?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He nodded. \"It is an eclectic field, and hardly experimented with, but the calculations provide some measure of clarity. You see, when the cosmos of Aetherius align in specific ways, it can have an influence on the material world. For instance, consider our bodies, and the school of alchemy itself. According to leading experts, magic flows down from the stars onto us. Hence, the power acquirable through Aylied rites and spellcraft. The way Alchemy works, is that though reagents and ingredients in the world have their chemical components, there is a certain magic to them, acquired by their absorbing of Aetherial magic. Think of it as a sort of... Radiation? Power flows down from the sky, clings to material things, and the more magic that material thing can cling and hold onto, the more powerful it is.\"\n\n\"Though, just like some people are born with more power than others, magically speaking, so too is true about plants and rocks. Some are more permeable than others, but all the same, they possess what we call magic inside of them. Thus, when the Stars align in specific ways, just like how with some specific people that are granted strength, or some rituals are granted strength under the power of constellations and specific moons, so too do some ingredients provide greater effects.\"\n\n\"For instance, let us take, a health potion, hm? If you were to mix the ingredients together in just the right way, under the right constellation, in the right location, you could possibly create a mutagen that, upon consumption, allows your body to become blessed with great strength and vitality, or even a volatile mixture that could kill instantly. It is a very difficult thing to get right, because you are using the fundamentals of nature to change nature to a different thing. Its almost like alteration, but instead of using your mind to contort reality, you are using reality to contort reality.\"\n\nVaris smiled a little. \"And yet, it is all reality, and nothing is actually working against anything. Merely our own presumptions about how ingredients must mix together to produce a result.\"\n\nHe crossed his legs and took a sip of tea. \"Yes?\""
}
] | 289 | 1,474 |
235 | 2024-03-16 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn tapped at the table as he spoke. She could follow most of what he was saying, but the depth of her comprehension was limited. The gist of what was spoken was conveyed, and she nodded her head when things clicked. \"That's...\" She hesitated a bit. \"A lot to take in, but I get what you mean. It's interesting that such potency can be achieved with a bit of Astrological consideration. How well known is this type of Alchemy? Or is this just something that is kept within bastions of knowledge like Telvanni circles? If I was a better alchemist I would be intrigued to try it out myself. But ah, I can barely make a healing potion that's the correct shade of red. How did you find out about this?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Ah, well, as I have put it, very few know of it, I imagine. In history, there are hints of such magic, when cellestial bodies can manipulate the structure of nature via their very existence and placements in the stars. When I learned of the Khajiiti birthing process, and how reliant it was on the moons, I decided to perform some calculations, to figure out if such things could be replicated with similar ingredients, once manipulated in order to provide a similar connection to the cosmos.\"\n\nThe Wizard shrugged, \"When I published my findings, Telvanni Alchemists were quick to disregard it, despite my sales in their circles being quite high. I have very little interest in the alchemical arts, and so I did not bother to investigate any further. Though, ponder a witch that must perform her spell at midnight, and the concoction brewed must be of a specific consistency and material structure to produce the desired result. It is extremely old magic, working with the cosmos, but the math does not lie.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn raised an eyebrow, and tilted her head a bit as he spoke. \"Disregarded you, and still bought your works? Is that common amongst the Telvanni?\" She chuckled a bit. The thought was a funny one. Despite the horrors that the Telvanni could enflict, the pettiness was a bit silly. But very entertaining. \n\n\"I do wonder how any reaserch get's done with all these petty squabbles and bouts of murder.\" Luhns tongue grew a bit looser as she could feel the Flin starting to affect her. A warm glow basked her senses as she took another sip. \"Or anything regarding house issues. Forgive me friend, but it sounds like a headache.\" Luhn gave a dry chuckle, meaning no offence with her words."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard chuckled a little. \"You are right to think that. You see, the way things get done in House Telvanni, unlike these, meager institutions all over the world, is through independent studies. Our overlords keep to the heights of their towers, and we are free to do as we please. Want to vivisect your rival to bring about a revolutionary new means of restoration and medicinal magicks? Well, simply do it. And, in the process, why not take all of their work, and use it to help your own archives of arcane knowledge?\"\n\nVaris grinned a little. \"House Telvanni functions because we have so few rules. We do as we please, and care little for anything else. If you do not want to be assassinated by your rivals, get better at deflecting magical attacks. Learn how to avoid disguised destruction runes. Learn from every mistake, and more importantly, learn from your ancestors' mistakes. Murder is a part of daily life in House Telvanni, and yet, the average citizen of any Telvanni settlement, has a higher life expectancy than High Elves, as a whole. That statistic is inflated because so many of us get so good at surviving assassination, we eventually become good at avoiding death itself. Additionally, our research into magic has made the people of our society grow old and have relatively safe birth rates. So, for every person that gets murdered, plenty of children are born, and plenty of mothers stay alive. Then, plenty of adults, keep on living, until... Well, there really is no cap, if you're a proper Telvanni Member.\"\n\nHis eyebrow rose, as he sipped from his tea again, swallowed, and asked, \"It is easily the most stimulating House to be apart of. Whether that provides a headache, or a passion,\" He shrugged, sipping from his tea again."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"Hm, I can't say its exactly easy for me to see the merits of it. I'll take your word for it, but the thought of always having to watch your back since childhood sounds exhausting. Awareness of ones surroundings, sure. But eh, I suppose I am glad that fate turned out the way it did, and my Father was the parent who raised me. I don't think I have the stomach for such things.\" Luhn finished another glass, but let it sit on the counter rather than immediently refilling it. She glanced at the stoneware jug of Flin. \n\n\"But I guess I shouldn't judge too harshly. Afterall such a house spawned a many a legendary mage. Something something, some metaphor I forgot about the hottest forges making the sharpest blades.\" She leaned forward and gripped the neck of the jug, filling her glass once more with the sienna liquid."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis' eyebrow rose a little. *The hottest forges making the sharpest blades.* That phrase intrigued Varis. The only real descriptions regarding such topics, referring to House Telvanni, came from one Ivela Telvanni, who published a decreed motif on Telvanni Armor and Weapons Crafting. From what he remembered in the book, she was just and proper with all of her points, as toward how House Telvanni smiths must forge their weapons and armor. \n\nThough, he simply placed his hands together and asked inquisitively, \"Hm. I understand some of how you were raised, but, I wonder, what brought you onto the path of the adventurer? Mercenary life, as glamorous as it is made out to be, is not something most people pick up. Was there a defining moment, or influence, even if it was your mercenary Father, that put you onto this path?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn straightened up, and crossed her arms over her chest for a moment. Before letting then rest casually on the countertop of the bar. She gave a soft smile as she spoke. \"Well, Initially my Father never really wanted me to join his group. It's not that I had to prove myself, but im the only family he really has. He cannot return to Morrowind out of fear of my mother, and from what he has told me, tough times made him have to depart from his family members. But he owns a mercenary group, trains them on the grounds of our property. I have known his best men since I was a child.\"\n\n\"Truly I simply forced my way into his business, I was a scout for the band. It satisfied my need to be involved with his work, but also kept me out of direct harm. The Hleri band, however, is tied to Hammerfell. Many of the men and women within the band are from Craglorn, tied to the region by families and children. But I craved to see the rest of Tamriel. It took some convincing but I got my fathers blessing. I can keep myself alive for the most part. Take game trails instead of main roads. Hunt and camp in the wilds if need be. But I've enjoyed every bit of my journeys. It's also been fun confirming the rumors that I've heard from the trader caravans I used to guard.\" \n\nLuhn let out a soft sigh. \"Tamriel is brutal, but vastly beautiful, I am excited to explore Skyrim, especially now that she grows warmer. Won't need to spend so much money for a room at an inn, would rather be under the stars anyways.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis placed a hand to his chin as he listened to her, and nodded along at each moment of acquiring the freedom to travel, and the bliss she found in it. While he detested the great outdoors, he admired the sense of liberation she seemed to get from it. \n\n\"That, we certainly agree on. As Skyrim warms, my projects will be underway. Ideally, you will see them, at some point. I imagine we both have many, potential, years ahead of us, and I intend to use that time for... A beneficial result.\"\n\nThe Sorcerer grinned a little, before sipping his tea, setting it down, and leaning into the counter as he looked around the inn, studying the faces within. \"Though, you say you made your way through game trails and such. What landed you on a ship bound for Solitude?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn reached back to rub the back of her neck, regaling him with the tale. \"Well I had crossed over the Jeralls into Skyrim. Made my way through the Rift and down to Eastmarch. From there I spent a few nights with the Dunmer in Windhelm, drinking, sharing stories. Eventually one of them intoduced me to a Captain of a small vessel. I got myself a good deal on a ride along the coast since he was doing some hauling on the route. Only a couple dozen pieces of gold and a few nights of standing guard on the crows nest. Nearly froze my ass off, but thankfully nothing went wrong. Smooth sailing, no pun intended.\" \n\n\"I arrived into the city a few days ago, the hostel I'm staying in has a lot of sailors at it. And that's how I got myself into drunk hunting this morning. Never did find that Argonian, he did get caught but alas, I cannot claim that as a win for me. The fool was gripping the bow of a trawler that was about to leave, facing away from what I could see from the dock.\" She shrugged. \"I'm impressed at his dedication to not being caught.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis raised an eyebrow as she told her tale, and nodded at key points, before his eyes narrowed a tad at the mention of the Argonian she was hunting this morning. Varis grinned a little, \"Hah, I wonder what made him want to get away so incessantly.\" Varis shrugged a little, \"My servant, Teejun,\" He gestured to the side, toward the center of the inn. In the center, singing alongside the local bard, was an Argonian the size of a Nord, covered in horns along his head and limbs. He wore a pair of baggy trousers and a loosely fitted tunic, and sandals on his feet. The Argonian seemed positively jubilant, as he danced and sang, entertaining the tavern. \"When he was fleeing his old master, most definitely had better reasons than your target.\"\n\nHe said as much casually, as if he had forgotten that runaway slaves was not a daily part of life outside of conservative Telvanni Territory. \n\nThough, when he did, he glanced toward Luhn, and added, \"He's a free man, now, but, once I killed his old Master, he swore himself to me. I pay him, much to my own humiliation, according to my parents.\" He frowned and rolled his eyes. \"Pay is deserved for one's labor, regardless of species.\""
}
] | 200.5 | 2,350 |
241 | 2024-03-17 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn let out a laugh. \"Well the Argonian and his friend got into a crate of refined, and very expensive Liquor from Highrock. Laid waste to almost two bottles of the stuff and then trashed the rest of the cargo hold. According to the captain of their vessel several bolts of the finest embroidery from Daggerfall had been danced on, pissed on, and covered in booze. The dastards fled and tried to hide in the docks last night. I caught the captain screaming at them when I went down to get some fresh crab from a lovely Nord lady. Ten gold get the two of them and bring them to justice. Justice being a bucket of cold water and a few days in the brig of their ship, said the captain.\"\n\nLuhn leaned back in her chair, her eyes focused on the Argonian. \"Oh wow, he's tall. I'm sure he's having fun in here, with the raging fireplace and all.\" She returned her gaze to Varis, no longer stretching back in her seat to glance at the beastman. \"What does he do for you? His garb seems a bit too casual to be a guard.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "His eyebrows rose as she provided the story of the two sailors, and their drunken exploits. He chuckled at some points, and provided an obviously distaste at the loss of merchandise. He was a shrewd person, and at the loss of valuables... It made him evidently mournfully irrate. Though, he held his tongue as she turned her attention to Teejun, and asked a question about his services. \"Ah, he's useful for all manner of things. Typically, he is a willing specimen for the experiments I have devised, such as certain alteration and mysticism spells. You see, he was born under the Atronach, and, unlike other subjects I've had in the past born under the same sign, he has an incredible resistance for arcane effects. It is... Quite perplexing, but, he is my safest subject to perform non-lethal spells on.\"\n\nHe added, \"Other than this, he does all sorts of mennial tasks. He also loves gossip, and keeps me up to date on the news.\" *And he works as a freelance cleaner, ensuring he gets to hear some of the best discourse within wealthy homes, and sometimes, retrieves very useful information for my enemies.* Varis made it a point not to mention such things, but he continued, \"As for bodyguards, I prefer to conjure Daedra for such things. I prefer a guard that will slaughter anything I demand it to, rather than deal with someone who might have, *Humane* Reservations.\" He whisked his hand dismissively."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn flicked her head to the side as Varis described his method of self defense. \"Psssh, figured as much.\" She looked back at the Argonian again. \"It's a good thing he ran into you. Im assuming that the Telvanni aren't exactly merciful masters. My knowledge of the Dunmeri slave trade is limited to how it correlates to Hammerfell. The raiding parties in the second era were a menace. I remember reading an account from a group that were in Stros M'kai. And those weren't from house Telvanni.\" \n\nShe raised a brow and glanced back towards Varis. \"He let's you experiment on him?\" It seemed odd, but perhaps there was more to the relationship, this Teejun fellow must have an incredible amount of trust in Varis."
}
] | 237 | 723 |
250.166667 | 2024-03-18 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He nodded toward her comment on the Telvanni being less than merciful. He listened to what she knew and raised an eyebrow. Slave traders all the way out in Hammerfell? Well, that was during the time of the Tribunal, so no wonder his people were so arrogant as to intrude on other nations' borders without disguising themselves. Though, she turned the topic toward Teejun again, and nodded. \n\n\"Oh yes, I ensure to not perform any lethal experiments on him, but, the occassional mishap, like where his scales turn a different color, or I make every other scale invisible, and minor alterations? He takes pleasure in. Thankfully, I am not a scholar of destruction, and so I have no interest in casting a fireball at him any time soon.\"\n\nThe Wizard placed his hands together as he said, \"What of your old employer, Lovrinnon? Did he ever perform experiments on you? Or, perhaps, looking back, did he ever perform any without you knowing?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn gave a small look of relief when Varis revealed that he was kind with his experiments. But his next question caused her to knit her brows together in concern. She scrunched her nose a little bit while she processed it. \"N-no? He was a very kind man I don't think he would ever do something without me knowing... Lovrinnon was practically a grandfather to me.\" The alcohol in her system kept her from disguising her confusion. \n\nShe continued. \"He did enchantments on items at his shop, not on people. Not that I know of.\" She ran a thumb along her jaw in thought, her memories felt a bit muddled from the haze of childhood as she thought back on it. But she knew for sure that it didn't fit with Lovrinnon's character to do such a thing."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "His eyebrows rose at her confusion at his question. He listened, and when she finished, a frown formed on his lips. \"A shame. A Mer being so old, and yet still connected enough toward reality that he did not see all things as specimens in the greater scheme of things.\" He shrugged and placed his hands together after setting his cup on the counter. Varis looked back toward the tavern, narrowing his eyes as he saw a group of newcomers enter and make their way toward a table, laughing and hollering about something. He watched them, as they looked toward the entertainment, and sneers grew on their faces. \n\nVaris looked away from them and back toward Luhn, saying, \"Enchantments on items in the shop? Did he create animated armor, or things of that nature?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn payed no notice to the newcomers. She scratched the tip of her chin. \"Let's see...\" Luhn set out a bit of a sigh, before listing off what she knew. \"Never an animated set of armor, Old man already had a hard enough time getting himself a crumb of respect long ago. Making a set of armor move would no doubt get him kicked out of Belkarth. No, Lovrinnon would enchant the weapons of the guard or for the caravans. Beyond killing tools he made a name for himself as a great clothing enchanter; made fine silk scarves that could withstand a sandstorm, sets of leather armor that would be as strong as duneripper hide. But sometimes he would get a rather interesting commission.\"\n\nLuhn smiled as she reminisced. \"A noble from Hew's Bane made a journey all the way up to Craglorn. A handsome young man, swarthy and boastful strutted into our shop flanked by his guard. I was busy organizing tomes, and I overhear him requesting a saddle that would prevent him from falling off his horse. He offered a very large sum, so my Boss humored him. It took about a month to make the saddle was custom made from the finest camel leather, beaded with beetle wings and drops of gold. After that my Boss spent three days perfecting the enchantment. To test the damn thing we put it on the towns most ornery mule, and tossed a young child on top of it. Kid never fell, despite the tantrum the mule had.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis raised an eyebrow as she eluded to the utter lack of civility, as far as he saw it, within Belkarth. He almost spat, as the vile words collected at the tip of his tongue, and he prepared to unleash a slew of anti-n'wah rhetoric. Though, he stopped himself as she told the tale of her boss's commission, which allowed a grin to form on his face. \"An impressive enchantment.\" \n\nHe put a finger to his beard as he pondered it, whether the magi utilized an elastic enchantment, or a gravitational one. Did the enchantment caused a burden along the layer of clothing/skin attached to the saddle, to make the rider denser in that layer, so much so that it would be impossible to get off of the saddle? Incorporating all the variables involved, such as the want to get off, whether the enchantment would activate once every part of the rider was on, or if it was a lattice network... The thoughts brimmed in his mind, before he looked toward her. \n\n\"An exceptional enchanter, indeed. A shame he did not settle in Morrowind, where his crafts would certainly be better appreciated. Or, anywhere else, for that matter. It is always a shame when a Kena is not given the proper respect they deserve. What of your travels? Has working for a wizard aided you in any encounters with, more... Rogue, and *Wild* Sorcerers?\" It was clear, that though he obviously held a high regard for magic users, he saw the pagan ritualists and rogue mages as *Inferior*."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn shrugged. \"He told me he settled in Hammerfell due to it's and I quote 'comfortable distance to the Abecean, and a slightly less comfortable distance to the Summerset Isle.' He was never keen on returning to Alinor, but never ever told me why. Probably bad blood between him and the other High Elves. Of course there's always the Thalmor issue. But alas, he took that secret with him to the grave.\"\n\n\"Hmmm, He never really taught me any skill that would serve me in combat. Really the only thing he ever gave me in that regard would be my sword. But I have been lucky. My travels throughout Tamriel have been decently smooth sailing.\" Luhn hesitated for a moment and rolled her eyes a bit. \"Well, most of it has been smooth. No issues with mages but I almost got mugged in the Imperial City. And almost got shot a few times when passing through a bandit infested forest... And there was a stabbing incident back in Chorral...\" Luhn lifted the bottom corner of her tunic revealing a rather fresh scar on the lower left side of her torso. The scar was small, the wound was not debilitating or life threatening when it was fresh. \"Hurt like a bitch that one. And the worst part of it was that I had been flirting with the guy before he tried to get my gold pouch off of me.\""
}
] | 249.5 | 1,501 |
306.75 | 2024-03-20 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard chuckled as she told her tale, especially when the fool had blundered his arm into her blade. It was highly amusing to the mildly deranged Telvanni. He rolled his eyes, subtly mocking the Imperial Guard as she mentioned that she had been thrown in jail. \"A tragedy that the Empire ever had a foot-hold in our homeland. All the better for them being exiled after the Oblivion Crisis.\"\n\n\"As for my own travels,\" He made a face, before chuckling and nodding. \"I've had my own share of experiences. Particularly within Redoran Territory. After leaving Port Telvannis, my ship went through the Inner Sea, and I was able to make stops in the major trade cities along the way, such as Old Ebonheart, the... Reconstructions of Vivec, and up through toward Blacklight. In Blacklight, I was able to meet a few people who were... Less than approving of House Telvanni. I demonstrated that I had no concern for their sense of honor and comradery, and it seemingly offended them.\"\n\nHe shrugged, as if he was nowhere near in the wrong. \"A shame what happened to them. Someone must have been carrying a few black soul gems during my fight with them, as I merely cast soul trap on them as a form of intimidation. They refused to back down, and ended up with more than a few... Gnashes, curtesy of a Clannfear, and a spell that made one turn on the other two.\"\n\nVaris shrugged as he said, \"I imagine whatever warlock collected their souls thanked me, as by the time the local guards came over to investigate, I was seemingly invisible. So, I made my way back to the ship, and continued my journey to Solitude.\"\n\nHe grinned a little. \"Smoother? Well, I got less injuries on my path.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn leaned forward towards Varis in interest as he recounted his tale. Jaw resting in her hand as she listened intently. Brows knitting as he went into detail about his encounter with his foes. \"That's... Something. You never seem to skimp on details when it comes to dealing with your enemies. Is it a habit of the Telvanni to make their kills so... Detail heavy? Lotta steps.\" \n\nLuhn leaned back again. \"Gosh, I wish I had the ability to turn invisible. Would've made my job so much easier. I can imagine all the things you can get away with...\" She lapsed into a second of silence as she thought upon something. \"Ough.\" She glanced over at Varis. \"I know you Telvanni aren't exactly friendly with one another, how do you deal with the threat of a rival breaking in while invisible? Do you have wards or do you just booby trap your homes with those nasty destruction runes?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard chuckled as she commented on his willingness to divulge all the gruesome details of his enemies' demises, and nodded in response. Why kill someone if not to be proud of it?\n\nThen, she asked a very good question. Varis nodded as he placed his hands together and said, \"Many Telvanni do ward their homes with such protective measures. An invisibility spell does little against stepping on a destructive rune hidden beneath a welcome mat. Though, I have never been well versed in Destruction Magic. I have always chosen eclectic fields, such as Illusion, Mysticism, Alteration, and Conjuration. However, my experience with enchantments has allowed me to make a few traps for my enemies back in Port Telvannis. First, to deal with any sneaky thieves, the moment they walk through any threshold, a rune places a bright light in front of both their eyes, effectively blinding them and making them visible to anyone inside. If they attempt to teleport in, they will immediately be spliced into seventeen pieces, as they teleport their body through an enchanted mesh-network of arcane barbs.\"\n\nHe grinned a little. \"And for those who think themselves clever enough to levitate through a window or an open door, they will be plagued with horrific visions of their own death and apocalyptic worlds, until I find them, and kill them.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands together. \"I have gotten better at protecting and warding my home, since then.\" He gestured up to the ceiling, \"My suite upstairs is fitted with similar enchantments, with even more gruesome outcomes. And, here, I don't even anticipate mages breaking in. I just don't need a thief thinking he can crawl through my window and steal one of my mushroom terrariums.\" He shrugged, finding nothing wrong with the fact that if someone broke into his abode, they might be put through every imaginable torture known to man. \n\n\"What about you? What do you do to protect your living quarters?\" He raised an eyebrow."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Lush blew a bit of air through her teeth. The amount of detail and diversity within the traps of these wizards was something else. Her old boss never once divulged his protective wards to her. She only knew that during the nights the old shop was utterly inaccessible. Not even perceptible from others. She tapped her fingers against the bar counter. \n\nShe shrugged and let out a little chuckle before answering his question. \"Well, nothing as fancy as what you can do. When I was in Belkarth we used to cycle the mercenaries around on guard shifts at our compound. I keep myself safe by sleeping with my tanto under my mattress, or tied around my thigh. Now my old boss, he had an interesting way of keeping himself safe. Never was one for conflict, not did really reveal to me the depths of his wards. But I know for sure that as soon as we left the shop for the day, he would set a lock, and the entire store would just vanish. Not like disappear, It would just make you forget it existed. It was there, but also... Wasn't.\""
}
] | 306 | 1,227 |
248.6 | 2024-03-21 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He raised his eyebrows as she mentioned her own protective measure being a tanto, hidden within her mattress. Varis nodded to this, as the tanto was a popular choice of weapon in Morrowind, especially among the backstabbing Telvanni. Thus, it certainly made him respect her even more, even if she did not set fire runes down around her bed to protect herself. \n\nThough, when she mentioned her old boss again, Varis' eyes widened a little, as he seemed impressed by the enchantment on the shop. \"Huh, very efficient. I imagine thieves scoping the place out for the whole day would have a sour taste in their mouth after wasting so many hours, only to forget what they were marking.\"\n\nVaris crossed his legs and placed an elbow on the counter, putting a hand up to hold his chin as he tapped it. He was pondering the enchantment, and what sort of spellcraft might be incorporated within it. Perhaps a bit of illusion? If it altered perception, absolutely illusion. If it altered the physical world, alteration. Utilizing illusory principles, he could imagine how such an enchantment could be replicated... But it would require some limit-testing, and experimentation on varrying degrees of willpower. As in, varrying degrees of mentally proficient individuals. \n\nVaris shifted his focus from his inward thoughts back to Luhn, and said, \"Well, since you protect yourself with your tanto, would you like it enchanted? It would cost you, but, imagine the look in a would be assassin's eyes when they find their heart melting out of their chest?\" A grin formed, as he seemed entirely pleased by the idea."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn raised her eyebrows when Varis made his offer. \"Hmmm. It certainly is tempting. I rarely use it but but it would be good to get a bit more oomf out of it. Especially since it really is my last line of defense. Here, I'll let you take a look at it. She reached a hand between one of the open seams on the side of her tunic, and unhooked a leather scabbard. She offered the weapon to him. \n\n\"I have had this Tanto since I was about six. My Father said he was given it before he left Morrowind with me.\" The scabbard of the weapon was quite plain, and obviously not of Dunmer make. A makers stamp in the center signaled it as the work of a Redguard leather worker. If Varis were to take the weapon he would observe a rather fine blade. The steel of the Tanto was well kept, routinely sharpened and polished. The hilt was made from laqured mushroom wood and wrapped with roughened insect skin. \n\n\"I can imagine a mage like you charges a hefty amount for your enchantments. How much would it cost for your services?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Enchanter took the blade and gently held it, observing the hilt, blade, and leather-work. His eyes narrowed at the use of fungal wood and insect skin, and nodded at the instrument of death being the work of a Redguard. It was intriguing, for the forger to utilize ordinary steel. Such would indicate it came from the Western Morrowind, since she mentioned it was made in Morrowind, before her Redoran father left Morrowind. Such being the case, it made sense that it was not made with ferrofungus, a popular metallic resource of Eastern Morrowind for weapon and armor crafting.\n\nVaris held it by the grip and felt it within his grasp, nodding idly as he let his fingers move into the creases, and wielded it with some measure of care and know-how. Though, the way he held it, Luhn might be familiar with the grip, as he held it with the blade pointed away from him, placing his thumb on the top of the hilt, with his fingers angled to help hold it in plae while the full force of the arm could be used to slash or penetrate. It was the way a cutthroat would wield it, or perhaps someone who had experience driving such a weapon into an unsuspecting victim. \n\nThe Telvanni nodded as he flipped it around and held it more standardly, and looked back to her. \"Exceptional make. The price of enchanting will be dependent on the desired effect. Typically, a flame enchantment would go for two to three hundred gold, while additional enchantments would multiply the cost by the number of enchantments. More effects equates to more energy required to enchant it. So, if you can afford this quote, what would you like?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn let out a low whistle as he gave his estimate. \"High price, that's a couple days wages. But it is worth it for the quality...\" She lapsed for a moment while she gave the idea some consideration. She rarely used the weapon, but it would be better to make it hit harder. A couple stab wounds with the blade would hardly do anything to deter a big, and mad enough attacker. More oomph would do the trick, especially so in the event that the Tanto was her last resort. \n\n\"Im afraid I don't exactly have the funds to spare right now. How long will you be in the province for? I may need a few days to run some jobs here and there. Of course If you also need some help outside of the whole ruin job id be willing to assist.\" She thought for a moment on which type of enchantment would be best. Something that would hurt, but would be quick enough to befit her dagger. \"I think I would like some sort of shock enchantment. Something punchy.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Enchanter raised his eyebrows as she assessed her options. He held the blade, looking back to it inquisitively as he held it and rotated it in various directions. Finally, she provided her case, and he looked up at her. \"Hm. Do not worry, I will be in the province for the foreseeable future. I am less an adventurer than I am a... Broker. Then, the shock enchantment. This is doable and cost-effective. As for making some additional money...\" He looked at the blade. \"I would be willing to provide you the enchantment at a discount.\"\n\nHe held the blade out for her to take back. \n\n\"I require a Hagraven's heart for one of my experiments. I have been pondering the experiment for some time, and I have sent a few people to go retrieve me one. None have come back, but, if you can, I would provide the enchantment for free. Otherwise, I have plenty of time to wait for you to have the funds.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"Ough.\" Luhn sucked in a bit of air through her teeth, brows raising slightly. \"Hagraven. Tch. Heard about those.\" Luhn reached forwards and gently took her tanto back, sliding it back into its place along her belt. She smoothed the blue linen of her tunic down. \"Big order I will admit. I'd need to do a bit of reading on that.\" She ran a hand through her rusty hair, mussing it up slightly. \n\n\"Heard stories about them from Breton traders. Real nasty... I don't even think I have anything that could really help me with one. Never really fought against spellcasters, let alone one's as strong as a Hagraven. I'd... Need to consult some of the locals. And uhhh, Reachmen.\" Luhn shook her head a bit. \"Big order that one. I actually don't think I could do it.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hm?\" His eyebrows rose as she declared it would not be a task for her, and nodded solemnly. \"Very well, then. I understand the magnitude of the order. Thus, the only other thing I have need of, that is not guaranteed, is a test subject. Though, considering that you are planning to join my expedition, I would prefer to perform my test after the expedition.\" He smiled slightly. \"I am delving into Illusory magic, to improve my... Noviciate capabilities in the field. I am close to a breakthrough in my current calculations, and all I require is a mind to experiment on.\"\n\nHe raised his eyebrows. \"I cannot gurantee a... Soundness of mind, after the test.\" Varis placed his hands together. \"But, if you are willing to advance the field of Illusion magic, then that would surely pay for a whole range of enchantments. Perhaps three. Otherwise, I am sure you will have plenty of coin after the expedition is through, no?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"I... Well.\" Luhn stammered for a moment, brows knitting together in concern. It was. An offer. Luhn knew very little about the other fields of magic outside of Enchanting. But she did know that illusion was all about tricking the eye and the mind. She wouldn't have to worry about severe bodily trauma, right? It was a tough choice. It's not like she had known Varis for long, barely a day. And he was a Telvanni. She enjoyed her talk with him but there was a reason her father had warned her against them. But, free enchantment service. The liquor in her system wasn't helping her better judgment either. \n\n\"What, do you have in mind Varis?\" Luhn met his gaze, keeping her eyes on his. \"What are the risks involved? I'd like to know how bad it could get if uhhh, anything failed.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni grinned a little as she asked what he had in mind. He nodded, as he decided he would divulge. \n\n\"I aim to craft a spell that will cause the mind to deal damage unto itself. You may have heard of spells that blind or silence an enemy, perhaps even paralyze them, belonging to the school of illusion. Essentially, it causes the mind to believe that it cannot speak, see, or move its body. Well,\"\n\nHe put a hand up, and gestured to his head. \"Consider that the mind, no matter how talented, is capable of altering itself. Ponder the change of personalities after traumatic experiences, or enlightening ones. What I seek is to amplify that active response, by making it so that the mind begins to tear apart itself, so that the individual begins to go into a sort of shock. I would aim to target pain receptors, so that a person will feel as though they have been stabbed, bludgened, or even, beheaded.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands together. \"When the brain believes that the body has died, I wish to see whether it will cease functioning, simply because it *Believes* It has died.\"\n\nThe Sorcerer raised his eyebrows. \"This is a very complicated spell I am currently not proficient enough to perform. Thus, I will simply try to see if I can make you feel as though you have a pin going through your finger.\" He gestured to her hand, and used his other hand to mimic the size of a small pin-needle. \"Should I succeed, I will provide you an enchantment.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn rubbed the back of her hand for a moment. His concept seemed so grand, and the thought of what the final spell could do to someone. Well it horrified her. This man was a seemingly endless well of some of the most gruesome magical deaths she had ever heard of. But his example was, slightly less horrific. Luhn had been stabbed, beaten, and dealt with sandstorms that could rip off flesh. Bites of juvenile dunerippers. Scorpion stings... Really how bad could the feeling of a pin be in comparison. \n\n\"Well...\" She lapsed off. It was tempting, a mental pin through the finger in exchange for an enchantment that could save her life in an emergency. Tempting, tempting. Luhn was quiet for a few moments more. \"Fine. But what if it were to fail or get out of control? Any assurance that you can undo anything that were to happen?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis' eyebrows rose as she proposed that it might get out of control, and if he could reverse whatever unwanted effects could happen. \"Time is usually the best remedy. Otherwise, there is a Temple of the Divines up in the Castle Dour. Anything that requires such proficient mending is... Likely beyond my skillset. I am merely a noviciate, and anything that could get too dangerous, would likely cost too much of my arcana to cast successfully. That is the most optimal assurance I can provide you. Worse case scenario, I misjudged the formula, and you go blind for a minute, or so. Anything beyond that... Is a breakthrough in and of itself.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"Hmmmm. Fine, I will take you up on your offer.\" Luhn reached for the stoneware jug and poured herself one last shot of flin. She swirled it around her glass for a moment, and raised it up towards him. \"A moment of agony for a nice shock enchantment.\" With that she tilted her head back slightly and downed the whiskey. Luhn then tapped the empty glass back onto the counter. \n\n\"I trust that your spell will work.\" Luhn spared a glance at the windows of the Tavern. With the alcohol in her system her perception of time was somewhat off, but she was sure it was getting late, and if anything she needed to get back to her hostel safely. \"I'm sure you'd prefer a more sober subject for this, will the morning work?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis nodded. \"Very well. A sober subject, while less easily pliable, would provide a more suitable, undiluated result.\" He waved his hand, \"I will be here. If you do not arrive by noon, shall I send someone for you?\"\n\nThe researcher picked up his cup of tea and sipped from it, watching her answer. She had taken many swigs throughout the night, and he wondered if she would be affected by the spell. Some specimens, when drunk, or, insane, have unpredictable results. One might be able to find their minds more easily manipulated, while others may find them utterly incoherent and wildly dangerous. He had met plenty of ancestor spirits who died due to operating on a victim of the Mad God. \n\nVaris pondered what he could do to a disciple of madness. Perhaps, at a later point. Perhaps he could introduce one of the specimens in the dungeons to the Mad God, and then use them. Though, Varis tapped his chin, he believed that might ruin the variable. The spell would be the independent, the specimen the dependent, and... Someone like Luhn, would be the control variable within his research. She seemed of sound mind. He nodded, as he leaned back and sipped some more tea."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"Great, great. I am staying at a hostel near the local tomb, the uhh hall of the dead. Anyways, big brown building with a red door.\" Luhn slid off the stool of the bar, stretching her legs as they hit the solid floor of the tavern. She let out a little yawn, hiding her mouth with her hand before turning to Varis. \n\n\"Thank you for the flin, and well, the conversation.\" Luhn gave him a deep bow. \"I shall see you in the morning, hopefully, if i don't get attacked or fall into the sewers on the way back to my bunk.\" She gave him a dry chuckle and shrugged. \"I hope the rest of your night goes well Varis.\" \n\nLuhn bowed her head again and turned to leave. Exiting the warm tavern into the cold and crispy air of Solitude. She crossed her arms to keep warm and began the trudge towards her hostel, to hopefully find her bunk as she left it."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni nodded to Luhn, \"Embrace the night, serjo.\" He raised his cup of tea as she got up and prepared to leave. The description of her hostel was familiar, and he nodded as she stepped toward the door. He watched her leave, carefully observing the eyes around the tavern to see if any were interested in following a tipsy woman through the dark streets of Solitude. \n\nPondering this, Varis glanced toward the tanto he had held, and provided a quiet whisper. \n\nSheathed within the scabbard, the temporary enchantment was subtle and hidden, as an illusion matrix wrapped itself around the blade, providing an enchantment that would infest the stricken target with a primal fear of the wielder. \n\nVaris nodded to himself as he sipped from his tea again, glanced up to the second level of the tavern, and made his way back to the man he had conversed with prior to Luhn's arrival. As he passed Teejun, he provided a nod, and then glanced toward the three men who had entered the building earlier. He watched their sneers and chuckles amongst one another, as they disturbed each patron around them. \n\nVaris whispered another incantation, his eyes focused on the largest one in the middle, and grinned as he directed the man's deepest, carnal hatreds toward the two on either side of him.\n\nIt was quick, as the man almost immediately stirred into a frenzied state, bludgeoning his companions with his mug against their heads, sending them to the floor as he got down and started to beat on them, unaware of anyone nearby. \n\nThus, cause was granted for the tavern's guardsmen to jump into action and start pulling the larger man off of them, and with a subtle fear spell, the man was sent into a state of tearful fright as he looked at the scene he had caused, and the possibility of an arrest. \n\nVaris grinned. He had rarely considered the school of illusion worthwhile... But, a grin formed as he pondered its usefulness for removing unwanted adversaries from different equations. \n\nHe remained silent as he remained an innocent bystander in the ensuing chaos, and by the time the trio were thrown out, Varis was upstairs and conversing passionately, all while the party downstairs got reignited."
}
] | 211 | 3,729 |
240.2 | 2024-05-06 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Hjalmar",
"message": "*Hjalmar had come to the docks in search of breakfast. He'd been enjoying Solitude, but everything was far too expensive. His small pouch of Septims was getting with every passing day, and he still hadn't found any work. He was worried he might have to give up the whole endeavor and return to Markarth, begging his grandfather Harold for forgiveness.*\n\n*While wandering to find a cheap meal, he felt something on his back. Initially, thinking it was one of the items in there brushing against his side while walking, but then something far heavier than a small item shoved into his back, and he turned to see... A woman! Her hand was in his pack.*\n\n*A look of shock crossed his face for a split moment, followed by a smirk. She was just a pickpocket in need of money like him. He could feel sympathy for that, but he had nothing worth stealing besides his armor and sword. He reached one of his large arms back and grabbed hers, pulling her from his backpack but not letting her go after.*\n\n\"You lost, like me? I'm afraid whatever you're looking for, you won't find in my pack. I'm naught but a poor traveler.\"\n\n*He'd wait to hear her response. The two were causing a scene in the crowded market now, which Hjalmar himself didn't like. But he wanted to hear what the pickpocket had to say for herself. Now that he took her in, she seemed too well-dressed to be a common pickpocket as she worked somewhere decent. Was she one of those who robbed just for the thrill of it, he thought.*"
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "Myfanwy's cheeks burned bright red from embarrassment, her eyes wide. \n\n\"Apologies, ser,\" She said, flusteredly. She gave a little tug, fruitlessly trying to pull away from his firm grasp. \"Well— you see, ser— I just...\" Internally, she cursed herself, her and her damned arrogance. She couldn't meet his gaze as she squirmed, feeling all too much like a bug under a magnifying lens. A few people had began to look at them, serving only to make her feel worse about all this.\n\n\"In my defense,\" She started, a little quieter, for his ears only, \"Most adventurers are better off. I'm— I really am sorry, ser.\" Her voice sounded all squeaky, feeling utterly thrown off balance— *Why was he just standing there, smirking at her?* She knew she wasn't being terribly convincing. She wasn't that sorry about stealing, anyways. If Akatosh struck her down right now, she'd be grateful for the easy out, rather than go through this mortifying ordeal."
},
{
"author": "Hjalmar",
"message": "*His grip was firm but surprisingly soft compared to his size. Like he was trying not to hurt her by squeezing too much, still, he didn't let her get away yet, and he stared down at her as her face flushed. He felt bad now for embarrassing her. But the usual punishment for thieving was worse: having your hands cut off. Some embarrassment seemed recompense enough for trying to rob him.*\n\n*At the mention of adventurers being wealthy, he let out a hearty laugh for several seconds before looking back down at her and letting her go. If she didn't immediately run away, he would say.*\n\n\"That's just the successful adventurers, which I am not. I've failed to find a quest for myself in the capital of all Skyrim.\"\n\n*He reached into his pack and took out a sack that clinked with a metallic sound when he pulled it out. Untying the string that kept it closed, he dropped several Septims into his other hand and offered it to her.*\n\n\"I'll let you have it if you can lead me somewhere to find a warm but cheap meal and some more if you know where a mercenary like myself can find some work. I'm not from this city, if you can't tell, so I'd appreciate some help from a local. This place is bigger than anything I'm used to.\"\n\n*By offering her coin, he was dissuading any of the crowd from thinking her a thief and having her arrested. And he did need the help getting around. If he knew anything about pickpocket, they usually knew their way around a city better than anyone. That's how it was back in his home of Markath.*"
},
{
"author": "house_key_lost",
"message": "SORRY I'M FIGHTING TUPPER"
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "She frowned, hesitantly taking the coin. Myfanwy looked at the septims in her palm, chewing at her lip as he spoke.\n\n\"I... I can't accept this,\" She said, once he finished, looking back up at him. Guilt hit her in an unexpected wave, weighing in her stomach and tightening her throat. \"If... I wouldn't have tried to steal from you if I knew you were... Unsuccessful.\" She flushed again, when she realized she'd misspoke. \"That's not to say that— I mean, I don't like taking from people who already have so little.\"\n\nShe tried to hand him back the few septims. \"I know a place, a little further away from the docks, enough that it doesn't reek as much of fish. I need to go make a delivery—\" Myfanwy lifted the basket of groceries on her other arm— \"But they can give you a good bowl of venison stew for a few coins, and probably some work as a hunter, if that suits you. It's called Craddock's Shot— just tell them Myfanwy sent you.\" \n\nIt was the least she could do— he certainly was an intimidating man, very capable of turning her in or taking justice into his own hands. If he needed food and work, just like she did, then she'd at least point him in the direction of her cousins' fletching place."
}
] | 293 | 1,201 |
87.033333 | 2024-03-04 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "emig66",
"message": "`Mystic Interpretations. 24th of Rain's Hand, 4E 221.`"
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Accessing the Solitude Jail took some immense... Tactical maneuvering. As in, his relationship with Sybil Stentor had become somewhat amacable, and the two had often times shared notes on various subjects of arcane research, particularly Mysticism. Varis found great enjoyment in explaining the theoretics he had come across in his endless formulas and equations to the Breton, and subsequently hearing of her broad range of experience in such arts. \n\nIt was almost breath taking, to find such an experienced spell caster in the capital of Skyrim. And, to boot, she would have made an exquisite addition to the Great House Telvanni. Her knowledge exceeded her apparent age, allowing Varis to speculate on many kinds of reasons for her long lived amount of experience. Perhaps she was a vampire, like that one he had met a few days prior? \n\nWhatever the case, Varis did not think too long on it. He wanted access to the dungeons, to perform some experiments. He said as much to Sybil, and she passed along the message to Falk Firebeard. The word of the Breton was strong among the council of nobles surrounding the Queen, and the Housecarl was relatively intrigued. After all, Varis had been an exceptional addition to the city, what with the enchantments given to the guards' arsenal of weapons, and providing shipments of foreign goods to the city. Some of which the Nord Housecarl partook in regularly. \n\nThus, it took patience, but it was not exuberantly difficult to get his first test subject, in a dimly lit room, where Thalmor Justiciars had once beaten and tortured information out of Stormcloak prisoners. \n\nVaris grinned as he locked the door behind him, and turned toward his test subject."
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "The man sat in his chair, bound by his feet and hands, and chains wrapping him around the bolted down chair. He huffed as he looked up at the Dunmer who walked through the door, and he let out a growl intended to scare the little man off, as his hulking frame, even bound, was an intimidating sight."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Dunmer raised an eyebrow, reached into his robes, and plucked out a notebook. He opened to the first few pages, flipping until he pressed a finger down on the page, and said casually, \"Torb Asgarick. Native of Solitude, traitor to the realm after you helped Ulfric Stormcloak escape Solitude, twenty years ago, and fled into the mountains of Haafingar, to continue the rebellion. You posed as a bandit, and only ever agreed to raid Imperial Caravans.\"\n\nHe looked up from his notes, raised an eyebrow, and said, \"Do I have the right person, in front of me?\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "His mouth was not gagged, but he did not speak. He only glared, with eyes that could shoot daggers from a taught drawstring."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hm. Good.\" He walked forward, placed the notebook back in his robes, and placed his hands together as he examined the man. \"I had the guards bring you here for an experiment of mine. I imagine you've heard a few rumors about what Sybil Stentor does to her specimens?\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "That seemed to draw some sort of reaction, as he leaned back a little, and mauled a bit. He remained silent, but his wariness increased."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"A pity. I was hoping you'd enlighten me with a few.\" He shrugged and walked closer, and whisked his hand over Torb's body. Immediately, a wave of arcana flowed from his fingertips, and slithered itself into the shackles binding the man, increasing their weight and forcing him to feel even more discomfort. \"Well, lucky for you, today, you will have the opportunity to help aid the pursuit of arcane knowledge. Particularly, my knowledge. With a few experiments of mine. First, I want to test a new kind of Mark and Recall spell. A, teleportation, if you will.\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "His eyebrows knitted together, as he huffed a gasp of air, surprised at the sudden weight holding his hands and feet down. Now, he really had no chance of fighting back. The man was a mage. That should have been obvious, but as the man continued to explain his reason for the two being there, Torb leaned back a little, as much as he could. He had no idea what Varis was talking about. He never studied magic, much less heard about some gods forsaken marking spell."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Noting the man's lack of recognition for these words, Varis sighed as he shook his head. \"Hm. Well, it would be better if you knew what was about to happen to you, but, I don't have the time to explain.\" As he spoke, he began to move his hands over Torb's body, incricately placing glyphs in the air, and floating runes that emenated an arcane signature, resonating with power and energy. It was a strange sight, almost like an intricate candlelight spell, but many of them, and with far less light. \n\nIn reality, he was creating a pseudo channel of energy around the man, carefully assessing the man's locale and equalizing his center of gravity with the world. This step was utterly uncessary for the current moment, but it helped in the case Varis wished to perform this spell in, say, the planes of Oblivion. \n\nWhatever the case, when Varis was done, he stepped back, and began to speak his incantation. It was in Dunmeri, the language he was most fluent in, just so that he would not mess up any parts of the process. When he finished the first part, his fingers produced a series of purple flames. They were small, and quickly died out into trails of smoke, endless trails of smoke, as if the fire had died, but the burning matter did not stop.\n\nVaris then walked forward, holding his eyes shut as he held his hands in Torb's direction, and whispered the final phrase."
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "In a flash of unconsciousness, his mind blossomed in all direction. He slammed into the wall, stretched into the ceiling, slid into the table, the space between particles in the table, wrapped himself around even smaller wavelengths, and slid into the fire, burning and scalding his mind like a melted metal. \n\nThe man's mind was in all direction, every layer of insight, twisted and pushed backwards, forward, downwards, and inverted directly into looking out from the inside of his heart, feeling the pulses pumping blood throughout his body, and then the shimmering of light through his body, as his material flesh started to vanish, piece by piece, resonating and shimmering until it was whisked away, leaving his heart, until those walls too began to vanish, and then he was left in a void, witnessing his body across the other side of the room. \n\nThen, his mind followed, like water sliding back into a clay pot, until the clay pot sealed itself back up, and he was back in his body. \n\nHe looked out through his eyes, mouth wide open, and drool pooling in his bottom lip. He was there. He was conscious. He did not know how to move. He tried to move, to close his mouth as he felt it dry a little, but with no success whatsoever."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis walked over toward Torb, who had reappeared on the opposite side of Varis, just as intended, and frowned a little as he leaned down and inspected the current status of the subject. He frowned a little, as he watched the drool pool, and begin to spill over his bottom lip, falling on his rags. \"Hm. Just like that skeever.\"\n\nVaris shook his head, \"I had hoped changing the speed of the teleportation would speed up the recovery process.\"\n\nHe tapped his chin, looked around, and said, \"Ah, yes, I see.\" He walked over toward an apple laying in a bowl. For some reason, a bowl of apples were there. Perhaps a means of torture? To starve someone, and have the torturer eat an apple in front of them? Whatever the case was, he picked it up, walked over to Torb, and stuck it in the man's hand. \n\nIn the meantime, he turned toward a table, and started to write down some notes."
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "He stared at Varis, as he remained completely unable to move. He tried to look around, but not even his eyes responded to internal commands. He tried to look around, but could only see through his peripheral vision, and as his eyes started to dry up, he felt it all, and wanted to scream as he could feel them get redder and redder with every moment he could not blink."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "After a few minutes of writing and adjusting formulas, he stepped back, nodded, and turned toward Torb, and glanced at the blood-shot eyes, with specks of dust lost in the sclera. \"Ah... Hm. Tragic. That must hurt, huh?\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "He could not even make a noise."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hm. Totally unresponsive.\" He turned back to his notebook and started writing some more."
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "At this point, he could not even dream of wringing the Dunmer's neck over the feelings of agony."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni Wizard turned back around and said, \"Alright, let's begin the next trial, hm? This one should fix you.\" He performed the spell again, just as he had before."
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "In that moment, when the spell was cast, instead of his mind being blasted outward in all directions, his mind was able to focus on the apple. Another living creature. Perhaps a creature was not the right word, but he recognized the apple. He saw it for what it was, a living thing, with the potential for vast life to grow from the tiny seeds in its core. He could visualize apple trees, with all sorts of bugs and birds sitting in its canopy, just as he had seen when he was a little boy. \n\nWhen he reappeared, he had not felt his body dematerialize, and did not notice that the apple had become ash in his hand. \n\nHe raised his hand, looking at the ash, and then, realized that he could move his body again. \n\n\"Huh...?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hah! Success. Though, requiring an apple... Now, that is odd.\"\n\nHe tapped his chin with his pen, and shrugged as he turned around. \"Perhaps some level of nutrition is required to stabilize it. A fatigued mind may require more arcana, if used on oneself...\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "Shocked and utterly in a state of disrepair, Torb leaned back, staring up at Varis as the man simply started writing in his notebook, and said with a breathless tone, \"You want to do this to yourself?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He turned his head. \"I am pursueing a new means of teleportation. Its all in the subtleties! Spells have been a fluid thing for centuries. Redundant, less efficient spells are thrown to the wayside in favor of more streamlined, more magicka-efficient spells. For instance, this spell I am developing, aims to utilize less magicka for the same effect as a traditional, standard practice Mark and Recall spell. Additionally, it will be capable of teleporting someone directly to a place in their mind that exists, not just an anchor one places to where someone has already been.\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "He stared at Varis for a bit, and said, \"What if you teleport somewhere that doesn't exist?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis raised an eyebrow. \"Like, a dream? An imagined location? Somewhere you thought was real but actually isn't?\"\n\n\"Then you've probably simply whisked yourself to some place in Oblivion. Probably one of Vaermina's spheres of influence.\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "\"And, what if, you teleport yourself to your own mind?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He stared at Torb for a moment, and placed a hand to his chin. \"Was partial enlighten a result of this spell, for you?\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "\"I... Saw, some... Things, the first time. A lot of... Weird stuff.\" He looked around. Was he even in the real world? There seemed to be so many things he never realized before."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Huh... Fascinating.\" He placed a finger to his temple, closed his eyes, and frowned a little. \"Hm. Seems I only have a few more hours before I have to get to my next appointment. Are you prepared to continue?\""
},
{
"author": "Torb Asgarick",
"message": "\"Do I have a choice?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He smirked a little, \"No.\""
}
] | 53 | 2,611 |
459 | 2024-05-09 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Dunmer had always been critical of Nordic literature, or whatever these mongrels decided to call it. Alas, he has business within the Bard's College that could not go unignored. When that piss-mer had walked up to him, asking him if he wished to be admitted, Varis had shot him one look that let him know *Exactly* What he thought of the curriculum. With enough said, Varis walked through the college, careful not to damage any of the books. While he found all of their collection mundane, he would never damage a book. Such was the only purpose for the College, in his eyes; to safekeep all the books. \n\nSuch was why he had come at all. His own library, full of philosophy, arcane theoretical manuscripts, mathematics, and enchanting proofs were not enough for him, today. As he strolled through the Bard's College, he glanced about, seeing the famous Bards of Solitude. They were strapped at the hilts, with instruments along their backs or wherever seemed most accommodating. His eyes narrowed as he witnessed a group of adventurers, more than mewling minstrels. Some wore lavish garments, but the majority seemed armed and armored.\n\nIt brought some, small, measure of impression unto Varis. He still saw the Bard's College as a mongrel institution, but, a group of armed librarians? Now *That* Was something he liked the idea of. \n\nEventually, Varis found a book that caught his attention. Or rather, a Collection of Volumes, titled, *The Song of Pelinal.* The Sorcerer been taught of Pelinal as a child, as all mer were, but he had never read the series. He took no time selecting the pig-man's book and inspecting it idly by the shelf he was at. Which, was also home to a collection of poems and songs, made from various times in the Imperial History, some surrounding the legend of Pelinal, and others surrounding legends of other men with great power. Some were beautiful and sweet, but it was a wrack for battle hymns. \n\nVaris simply idly read the books, his eyes scanning the pages."
},
{
"author": "Corron 'the Exiled' Leroux",
"message": "*Corron looked now visably diffrent, he feelt like an idiot not realising that his clothes made out of velvette and silky, dyed in some of the brightest colours available in Highrock, made him an obvious target for pick pockets, so in Whiterun he exchanged them for more simpler clothes, ones that were made out of linen and homespun wool. He made some coin during the process too, but it was also no fortune. Their he also took on the task to escort some bard to Solitude. An easy job for a sellsword, even though he still did not see himself as one, but if the world did it was maybe for the better, at least for the time. If everything works out as he intends to do, than the mummers farce will soon be over with or at least he will be able to act again as if he were someone.*\n\n*But the Bard seemed to be an annoying man, he claimed now that he had his the money for Corrons wage deposited in his quaters, so with annoyance he went with him. He was approched if he wanted to join the College, which he politly declined.*\n\n*Well the Bard actually held his word and brought him 20 Septims. Now that he was here he could look for some poems, after all the Bards College is the only larger instetution in Skyrim that supported the high arts, a chance to read something more cultivated would not come again quickly, although he saw that even his mothers collection had some better works than the college. While looking for an intresting book he thought about his chances to join the Imperial legions. Skyrim finally become quite after years of trouble so they may not need more recruits.Yet his knightly education made him a professionell fighter already, so they are probably more inclined to safe time to train him and could use him for the cavelry.* \n\n\n*He found a copy of the Poetic Edda, Corron recalled that he read it once but he wanted to refresh his knowledge, maybe when he himself writes poets about Skyrim he will finde some Inspiration here.*\n\n*He payed little attention to the dark elf in lavish lavender robes, who seemingly had a simmular thought. One thing he noticed right away was that said elf was not a member of the college, seeing things like this was a skill many breton nobles posessed, as it was needed to navigate the aristocratic society of Highrock.*"
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "While Corron had replaced his foreign garb with that of the common Nord, Varis was...*Belligerently* Foreign. A transplant, through and through. Silk robes spun by spiders and nurtured by Telvanni Tailors. Jewels, necklaces, rings, and chains that were made of silver and amethyst. Some were made of Bone-Mold, like the Bone-Mold tablets that hunt from his ears. Such organic accessories hinted to his origins, depicting the sigils of House Telvanni, while others were clear indicators of his faith to the Reclamations, particularly the spindling depictions of Mephala. \n\nVaris' lips pursed as he read the Song of Pelinal, clearly unimpressed as he read through the pages. \n\nThough, footsteps neared the shelf, and a book was selected by a tanned, human hand as he stood to the side. His eyes shifted, their dark sclera and vibrant Azuran irises honing on the man before him. \n\nThe Spellwright's head raised a tad, before he glanced to the tome Carron had selected. *The Poetic Edda.* Such had been a source during his research of Skyrim before coming to the wintry province. It was an excellent collection of the Nords' parables, fables, and hymns. As well as, one, or, two, well put sonnets. Though, the man before him, as he took the book and looked at it, Varis's eyes narrowed a tad. While Varis had not been raised with the aristocratic eye of a Breton Knight, he had the eye of a Telvanni Scholar, who had to know where a weapon was concealed at all times. \n\nThe man had a good sword, and his rugged appearance seemed to have come from traveling. And yet, he was not particularly *Haggard*. \n\nThus, the man spoke, with a deep voice and a smooth tongue, \"A well-picked book. There's *Some* Good stuff there. A fan of the arts?\""
}
] | 447 | 1,377 |
268.5 | 2024-05-11 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Corron 'the Exiled' Leroux",
"message": "\"Well I have not spend much time in Skyrim yet, the impression I had is that the college of Winterhold is the only major instetution that is a safe haven for thouse who are familiar with the arcane arts.\" *But than again he is a dark elf, maybe even today he would face discrimination once he leaves the campus.* \"My intention was not to insult you, I was genuinly curious as to what brings you into the city of Solitude besides the only place where the nords seem to care about art.\" *Like most bretons he respected mages, Corron himself even knew some healing spells as it was seen to be advantageous for a worrior to be able to heal his commerades wounds.* \"I fogot my maners and did not properly intoduce myself. My name is Corron, I am a knight from Highrock.\" *A swordsman who loves poetry, well that sounded almost nice from the Dunmer.* \"And it in Highrock it is not as common as one thinks, many of our most reknown poets are also knights.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "At the mention of the College of Winterhold, Varis cringed a little with less-than-subtle disgust. The look of a Dunmer interacting with an Inferior arcane institution would be self-evident *Immediately*. Though, he looked at Carron with raised eyebrows as he continued. A grin formed as the Breton corrected himself of his manners, and the mage nodded, \"Varis, Spellwright of House Telvanni. And, do not worry, I am not insulted by the ignorance of the Nord Populace. A true wizard stands in the middle of an angry crowd, and ensures they can do *Nothing* To harm him.\" \n\nThe Spellwright found that idea a bit funny, almost as if it was meant to be a jest, but it sounded like a threat to everything in his vicinity. Alas, he continued, \"Now, what brings a Breton Knight to Skyrim? Surely, the lovely silks and cushions of that lifestyle are preferable to the... Farmer's straw, that accompanies the bedding of this province.\"\n\nHe had an expression of disdain as he looked about, where other bards and individuals conversed and spoke. These students of the College were seated on perfectly fine cushions, with a fluffy snow cotton material stuffing its insides to provide a comfortable spot to rest, and yet Varis looked at it with such disappointment. \n\nThe Wizard looked back to Corron, head tilted as he sought an answer."
},
{
"author": "Corron 'the Exiled' Leroux",
"message": "*Well intresting how this Wizard viewed himself, well maybe his confidence was backed up by his merit as a wizzard, which Corron was not intrested in finding out in all honesty.* \"A sad affaire, I had a dispute with my parents which ended in me leaving my mothers estate. I plan to join the Imperial legion here, rise in the ranks and get reknown as a soldier.\" *Ohooo and get enough power that he can have his inheritance restored, even the Kings of Highrock have a hard time refusing the wishes of high ranking officers in the army. But this was an unrealistic goal, but he can surly make it to the rank of Tribune or the Captain of a garison. While this was not the same as being a Baron it would be a life.* \"And what brings you so far away from Port Telvanis? Are you on the noble quest to teach the nords some magic?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni raised his eyebrows as he mentioned that he had left his estate. Carron seemed intent on joining the Legion. Even though Morrowind had a cold disposition with the Empire, Varis knew of the importance an Imperial Soldier had. Especially an Officer. Corron was born to power, it was only natural for him to find it elsewhere. Varis pondered for what purpose. Was he young and simply looking for something to do? Or did he wish to return to whatever human settlement he spawned from, and reclaim it? Varis pondered the goal, and found it reasonable, but irrational. \n\nWhatever the case, he did not dwell on it, for he did not know the truth, and thus, answered the Breton's question with a slight chuckle, \"I would not call it noble, no. But, industrialization is a splendid term for it. In Morrowind, it has taken drastic measures to recoup from the Red Year and War of Accession, but, even a House as badly wounded as House Telvanni has returned in strides.\"\n\nThe Sorcerer shrugged, \"On your way to this part of the city, you might have seen plenty of construction projects. All manner of new businesses popping up, if you've never been here before. It is the sight of progress. That is my reason for being here. Establishing this land of angry men into a civilized, arcanically inclined society... It would fascinating, for me. Of course, the populace is not very skilled with magic, but, teaching them mathematics and principles of reality to help them become more educated, in a reciprocating cycle?\"\n\nVaris nodded to himself. \"Such would be advantageous, and noble, but not mine. Better to have paid, loyal laborers, than underpaid thinkers.\""
}
] | 258 | 1,074 |
325.5 | 2024-05-05 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Hjalmar",
"message": "*Hjalmar had just arrived at Solitude. He had grown up in a large city, Markarth, with its stone foundations and extensive underground sections, but Solitude was an entirely different beast. Compared to the old and impoverished feel of Markarth, Solitude was a living city. Vibrant and active. It almost unnerved him to see that such a place existed in Skyrim after spending so much of his life in the Reach.*\n\n*For his part, Hjalmar stuck out like a sore thumb. He was massive for a human, his menacing steel Longsword strapped across his back and his wild red hair swaying as he made his way down the street. He decided to make his way to the Dragonborn Museum. He'd heard many tales of the Last Dragonborn, and he could spare the time for a look before he found some mercenary work.*\n\n*He pushed through the doors and stepped into the museum, navigating the displays dedicated to the mysterious hero and his misadventures during the turbulent period of Alduin's attack.*"
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen detested man, as much as any good Almter did. It was drilled into him since birth that humans were beneath the races of elves. That their accomplishments would never even scratch the basal\nWorks done by mer of yore. And yet, he found a certain peace within their buildings. Often when Salen needed quiet, away from his colleagues and work he would be out in nature. But the day was growing old, and Salen never fancied a walk in the woods at night. \nHe had learned on more than one occasion that an angry human will strike like a cat, quietly and in the dark. The museum was the next best thing, he couldn't stomach the Imperial's temple to the divines. It was crass to his point of view. But the museum, well, it would do.\nDuring his tenure within Solitude Salen saw the creation of the museum, it's most crowded moments, and now it's gentle quietude. It was never truly empty, tourists and devotees, and adventurers would stop by. But never at the levels that were present when it first opened.\n\nSalenthrial stood facing a display, there, set atop a finely carved pedestal was a taxidermized mammoth. The massive beast staring ahead with glassy eyes, Salens nostrils twitched as the funk from the beast was finally reaching him. Disgusting. Salen heard the approaching footsteps.\nIt was quiet within the hall, more so than normal. Salen was dressed in his dark black robes, the emblem of the dominion proudly glinting in golden thread on his back. It was clear who he was, who he served. In a way it put a fine target on his back. Best to make it known he was aware. \nSalen turned, to face the intruder of his quiet time. Staring ahead with one good eye and one milky one, he scanned over the approaching Nord.\n\n\"Awfully late to visit the museum, Citizen.\" His tone was almost haughty, but a detectible air of exhaustion was present. The mer was clearly tired, or bored. \n\"Hm, You missed the tour, last one was an hour ago. Scholar would have gone home by now.\" Salen examined the armaments' of the Nord, his face, his body language. This was obviously a skilled fighter, not one to cross. But also unfamiliar. \nGenerally the Thalmor liked to keep a head count of incoming human mercenaries, a small precaution. This one must have slipped into the city recently. Another one for him to catalogue for his superiors."
},
{
"author": "Hjalmar",
"message": "*Hjalmar eventually came to the display with the mammoth, where the High Elf stood opposite him. Instead of the lumbering beast, it was the symbol of the Dominion that caught his attention. As much as he was loyal to the Empire, he despised that symbol and what it stood for. Oppression of Skyrim. And his potential death since he was a secret worshipper of Talos. Yet that was neither here nor now. They were simply two guests in a museum right now. Still, if the Mer tried anything, his blade was just over his back.*\n\n*Hjalmar approached with a smirk, not seeming to take what Salen had said earnestly, chuckling softly.*\n\n\"I was never one for group tours anyway, and I prefer to see the museum alone. And if it's late for me, it is certainly late for you. Or do agents of the Thalmor not bother with sleep?\"\n\n*After speaking, he would seem to ignore whatever Salen said in response. He walked up to the mammoth, looking up at its lifeless eyes. The Dragonborn must have been a great warrior to take down such foes and the magic that kept these dead beasts in place. The whole museum was full of them. Even the bones of the immortal dragons. Or once immortal, before the hero had killed then and consumed their souls.*"
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen's face remained impassive. The Nord gave well, a typical response. Salen glanced him over again, guard still up but less worried about a sudden attack. Fate had smiled upon him once more, this nord wasn't looking for a fight. \n\n\"The doors aren't locked until late in the night. But, I haven't seen you within Solitude before. Figure a newcomer would be inclined to learn all about the, 'Famed Hero of Skyrim.'\" There was a slight mocking tone in Salen's voice. He couldn't have suppressed it even if he tried.\n\n\"This hall here celebrates the greatest kills of the Dragonborn. But, the whole museum is just one giant trophy. Kills here, weapons stolen there. Exciting, really.\" Salen spoke aloud, his one good eye trained on the Nord as he went to look at the mammoth. There was a sense of curiosity bubbling within him. Many different types of people came to this place for different reasons. Of course he had to parse why, there was always a chance that this nord could belong to that detestable human cult. It was more out of a sense of duty, rather than actual wanting. \n\n\"Now, why do you come here Nord? Hero of yours? Or are from one of those backwoods villages, who worship the Dragonborn as the next god-king of Tamriel?\""
}
] | 278 | 1,302 |
324.583333 | 2024-04-24 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "The winding corridors of the Blue Palace weren't as inviting as the grand halls and richly decorated studies and rooms. The only people who moved here were servants, and the occasional noble or guard. Salenthrial stood alone, gazing out a window that had view of the harbor. His dark robes blended into the poorly lit corridor. The beams from the window illuminating his form, casting a warm glow on his golden skin. The mer stood, hands clasped behind his back, lost in contemplation.\n\nSalen waited for his comrades to finish up with their meetings. He was summoned with a handful of higher ranking officers to go over some concerns with the Solitude Guard. Salen found it dreadfully dull, after an hour of watching his superiors go back and forth with the captain of the guard he was blissfully released from his station, and was told to go on shift to watch the door. The study they had chosen to speak in was deep within the halls of the keep. The foot traffic was little to nothing, and Salen decided to walk around. \n\nHe found the view outside of the castle interesting, watching the men of the harbor move about. He moved his head away from the view to scan the hall, hearing footsteps."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Those footsteps were soft and gentle, as though cast under an illusory-auditory charm. \n\nVaris Xai'Shen made his way down the hall, on his way from Sybil Stentor's study, where they had just spent the past few hours discussing means of higher energy efficiency for the process of transmuting organic flesh into metal. An extremely obscure topic, and one Varis could likely never perform, but something he gladly took the time investing calculations into. \n\nA massive book was held at his side, covered in bookmarks and tabs that was of varying colors and scribed with dozens of words in extremely small print, making every tab, supposed to be a quick reference to a page, was its own document of material. \n\nVaris' eyes were focused on the floor, as he held a hand to his chin, stroking his goatee as he pondered solutions, algorithms, and possibly different origins. \n\nUntil, his nose shifted, and his nostrils flared. The tatted Dunmer looked up, and his attention went toward the study he passed by, and raised an eyebrow as he heard whispers of the matters inside. The wizard glanced about, and realized another pair of eyes were looking at him. Down the hall, by the window facing the harbor, an Altmer stood, apparently scanning the hall, and locking on the sorcerer. \n\nHis eyes narrowed as he looked toward the robes. *Thalmor*.\n\nVaris grinned a little, before placing his free hand behind him and walking forward, slowing his pace as he reached the Altmer. \"Must be tedious, or, extremely important business, to find Thalmor within Blue Palace walls.\" The Wizard raised his chin a tad. \"I presume the matters are being discussed there, hm?\" He gestured with a glance toward the door to the study Salen's comrades were in. \n\nVaris was a strange person, even as far as Dunmer went. The ostentatious, purple, sage robes that draped his form in folds and silks, alongside the plum-black tattoos inked across his face, and his vibrant, purple eyes bleeding into a purplish skin-tone. Not at all like the Ash-irritated eyes and skin of other Dunmer. Though, despite all the luxury, there were obvious scars along his face and neck, as though he had been lashed at many times, and lived to tell about it."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen narrowed his eyes as Varis approached, his mood darkening. He turned to face the Dunmer, the light from the window now illuminating the right of his face, exposing his massive scar. As if a spell came over him Salen straightened, hands moving to cross over his chest. The corner of his mouth twitched, desperate to turn into a frown. Salen gave Varis an analyzing gaze, noting his accent, his garb, the tattoos. \n\n\"Nothing that concerns you...\" Salen muttered out. \"This is an official diplomatic meeting, of upmost importance, I suggest you continue on your way Dunmer.\" His tone was cold, almost bored sounding. Salen glanced over his shoulder down the hall where the meeting was being made, the chatter was audiable but barely. Salen was told it wasn't heavily classified, there was no harm in a few words catching the ears of passerbys. The meeting would have been in the Embassy if it was pertainant. Salen didn't want to throw his weight around with the dunmer, thinking a warning would suffice."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer raised an eyebrow gently, as he provided the Altmer a gaze that traveled up and down the man's height. \"Hm.\" He turned his head back toward the direction of the noise. \"Of course. All such meetings with the Thalmor, behind closed doors, are official business. Nothing concerning the likes of the common man.\" \n\nVaris looked toward Salen. \"A typical stance. Though, they are not my focal point of interest. You are.\"\n\nThe Wizard turned his gaze from Salen's good eye, to his scar. A look of curiosity followed, easily. Open curiosity, as if he had no manner or decorum about him. Salen, likely being an educated fellow, could possibly recognize the fashion and jewelry that made Varis a visible member of House Telvanni. The bonemold jewels hanging from his ears aided that, as the Daedric runes were paired with a sigil of the House's crest on their backs. \n\nHis eyes were on the docks below as he said, \"Whatever they are talking about behind those doors, is clearly of little importance to you. Either you were dismissed, or you let yourself out. If dismissal; to guard, which,\" He glanced toward Salen. He did not finish his sentence, only grinning, then looked back to the docks. \"If the latter, then your mind is on far more important things. No need to share.\" Varis looked back toward Salen. His demeanor was not mischevious, but amused. Not the jester's sort, but a Noble's, who was inspecting someone for prey, or predator. \"Though, I do wonder, what do you see when you look at the harbor? This window offers a stellar view. Something made you pick it. I can only wonder what.\" Varis turned his head back to the docks, his mind racing with who he had to speak to there, and who had to be put in their place."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen's jaw clenched as the Dunmer brought up his interest in him. Another glance up and down at the other mer and he recognized the house sigils upon his person. He ground his teeth together slightly as he listened to Varis, eyes following him as Varis glanced out the window. Salen stifled an annoyed huff. He relaxed his arms to the side of his body. \n\n\"I am on watch while my superiors finish their meeting. You have no need to concern yourself with the likes of me...\" Salen muttered out. His eyebrow twitched. Normally he would have grown more harsh, now would be the time for a well placed threat and a looming glare. But perhaps not this time. It had been a while since Salen had been indulged with a conversation that did not revolve around paperwork. And if anything, threatening a Telvanni wizard was an idiots move. \n\n\"I am simply enjoying the view, Solitude is nice this time of year. The Sea of Ghosts brings in it's best creatures as it warms...\" Salen gives the window another glance, seeing a flock of tern's fly high above the water, and quickly out of view. The window, was dreadfully narrow, only so much of the horizon could be viewed."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard paid attention to Salen, but as he noticed things, he did not avert his gaze. His gaze was an algorithm, so to not seem as intimidating as he actually might have been. No one needed his eyes to gaze into their soul within the first few utterances of a first impression. Though, that did not stop his lips from pulling up into a grin as he heard the man dismiss himself. \n\nVaris turned his gaze back unto Salen as the man spoke of the beasts within the Sea of Ghosts, and how lovely they were this time of year. The Wizard's eyebrows rose a tad as his grin lowered, back to a more neutral, but still amused, thing. \"Ah, that is does.\" His eyes narrowed a bit. \"Though, as you say, you are on watch. I suppose that means I should leave you to it,\" He turned his head a bit, to look at the door to the study, before he chuckled a little. \"But, if I leave you to it, we both miss out on the event that a danger breaks through that door and your Superiors have to defend themselves.\"\n\nVaris looked back to Salen. \"And, if they cannot defend themselves, why protect them at all?\" A soft chuckle as he leaned against the wall opposite from Salen, looking back toward the narrow window, and its horizon. \"I must say, it is the first time I have seen you.\" He looked back to the Altmer. \"I make a habit of remembering faces. And, I surely would not have forgotten yours. Is it classified business that brings you to Skyrim, or more, mundane reasons?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen rolled his eye and glanced out the window once more, he then stepped away and turned towards Varis. \"My superiors hardly need my protection.\" He scoffed lightly. \"I'm just here to make sure no one in this palace thinks they can evesdrop and get away with it.\" Salen scanned the hall. Having to turn his head to compensate for his blinded eye. \"People in this province have a habit of not minding their business.\" Salen let out a sigh and shook his head. \n\nAs Varis leaned against the wall Salen stood steady. His brow knit together as Varis mentioned never seeing him before. He took offense to it slightly, assuming it had been a dig at his appearance.\n\"I have been in Skyrim for decades now. I don't make it a habit to socialize with the... Good people of Solitude. It's not exactly a place for scintillating conversation.\" He sniffed and motioned towards Varis. \"But, I could say the same about you. You stick out like a sore thumb, I'm shocked I haven't heard of you. And considering that they allowed you into this castle, you seem to be a person of some, importance. How long have you been in this province?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard raised an eyebrow as Salen mentioned the people of the province not minding their business. Varis almost spat out a retort. *What province would let you speak behind closed doors after you stomped on their religion, as inferior as it may be?*\n\nThough, he remained close-lipped, and raised an eyebrow as Salen explained his placement in Skyrim, and how long he had been in the province. Perhaps Varis had been neglectful of the Thalmor figureheads within the province... Though, if he was in the province for decades, why was he not *One of his superiors*? Was he lazy? Or, was there something about him that made him undesirable? \n\n\"I sympathize. Socializing with the majority population of this province is abominable. Though, if you know where to look, you can climb quite easily.\" Varis took an intake of breath before he continued, \"As for myself, I have been in the province for about, three weeks. I had correspondence with the Court Wizard for some time before I came here, and I work with her on research and all manner of issues. As for why they allowed me in the palace,\" \n\nVaris chuckled a little. \"They would let pigs and cattle in here, if there were any close enough to stumble their way in.\" The Wizard turned his head to look about, inspecting the passageways, before looking back to the Altmer. \"Now, about a matter of, *Minor*, comradery.\" Varis gestured to his eye, mirroring where Salen's scar was. \"We both see each other's scars. I got mine from a ill-summoned Scamp. As a child, it was a nasty beast to cut open when all was said and done. I do hope you got to cut open whoever gave you your's, if you don't mind sharing.\" A grin formed as he placed his book in front of him and both hands over it, holding it up as he watched Salen carefully."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen let his expression soften slightly, once Varis mentioned the lack of... Filtration the palace had. \"My general outlook on the locals is quite low, but I am amazed at the manner of 'beasts' I have encountered in these halls. It seems the... Civility of Skyrim is centered within her cities.\" He paused for a moment. \"Three weeks, new arrival, that is probably why I haven't seen you. Or any knowledge of a Telvanni wizard has crossed it's way into the ears of the Thalmor. Though, I don't know why you'd collaborate with the court wizard here, did the College of Winterhold not have what you are looking for?\n\nSalen sighed slightly as Varis mentioned their shared facial scars. He flexed his jaw in tension, as if remembering the pain of the wound. Salen felt a tinge of disgust as Varis recounted the scamp he summoned. He had a distain for daedra, but not enough to call out a mage who was training his arcane prowess. Salen moved his hand up to touch his scar, but stopped. His expression seemed tense, his good eye staring off into space for a moment. He shook his head and told Varis of his injury. \"I normally wouldn't humor questions about it, but since it's marred so much of my visage I will share. A Nord mage got the jump on me, one of those filthy rebels during the whole... Civil war debacle. Hit me with a bolt of lightning. For that he was gutted like a fish. He tasted dominion steel, but I regret it was not my own sword that ended him.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard raised an eyebrow as Salen asked him about the College of Winterhold. \"The College is many things, but chief among them; slow. It is too easily accessible. No murdered novices for the sake of a good position, no quarrels or arcane duels to the death,\" Varis grimaced as he pondered the passivism of the College. \"No. Sybil and I have been joint theorists for some time, and I prefer being in a place with economic backbone. A poor wizard, is a lousy one.\"\n\n\"As for the scar,\" Varis nodded. \"Thank you for the tale. I hope it was a painful death. As much as our people are not on the best terms,\" A slight grin formed. \"It is always satisfying to know when a Man is put in their place.\"\n\nVaris looked out toward the harbor. \"As for that whole Civil War, a tragedy. The effects are still felt in the economics of this place. The Empire did their best to bring this place back into the fold, but,\" He turned his head toward Salen. \"It lacks infrastructure. Another reason why I did not go to the College, or that shanty-town Winterhold. A lovely view from the Sea, an abysmal pit-stop.\"\n\nThe Telvanni's crassness and brutal way of describing the College was evident of a distaste for the institution. One could imagine that when a wizard is raised around immortal Magisters that walk like Daedric Lords within their cities, they have a lackluster opinion of other places of learning. \n\n\"What of you? What brought you to this, *Illustrious*, province? Assignment, or, exploitation?\" A grin formed, as the latter word was used quite positively."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen blinked slowly as Varis told him his reasons for not going to Winterhold. \"I can agree, it is a shithole. I narrowly avoided being placed there a few years ago, But, my talents were better served at the Embassy than at the collage. Miserable and cold place. I guess if there is any where in this backwater province to set up shop, Solitude would be the best. Pinnacle of the Nordic civilization.\" Salen almost appreciated how much the other mer hated Winterhold, truly the two months he had suffered there while with a troupe of Dominion soldiers was enough to last a lifetime. Western Skyrim suited him better, at least during the warmer months. \n\nSalen frowned when Varis asked him about his service. His assignments were never top secret, but he felt shame at how he had no upward growth since coming to this region. His peers had come and gone, though there was little ove between them. A bitterness crept through his being. \"As if there would be anything to exploit in this cold, dark, region. I was assigned here at the beginning of the war. To make sure my Superiors are safe, to keep the Embassy running, and to make sure no one tries to worm their way into Thalmor business. Or from trying to be the next big hero for their backwater country\" He narrowed his eye.\n\nSalen let himself relax slightly. In a way it was a comfort to find someone who could whinge about Skyrim with him. His shoulders lowering as he shifted into a more comfortable, less formal stance. But his bones were ready to spring back into formation if he heard his superiors open the door down the hall."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The man was becoming comfortable. Sharing information. Opinions. Gradually, business. Varis watched with nods and approvals, as the Altmer's words spoke true. At least, until the matter of worthlessness in the cold, dark region. Varis grinned a little at this, but said nothing. \n\n\"Fair enough. Even I would help stop another Bear of Markarth from trying to test their mettle against the institutions of the current day. As for what can be exploited here,\" A chuckle. \"Natural resources, abundant. Perhaps not in ebony and other precious ores, but *Bodies*. Labor is a powerful thing, and to exploit the culture, civilization, and industry of an entire people? Such is the proper use of the colonies of Man.\"\n\nVaris raised an eyebrow. \"Such mesmerizing stories you must have. I wonder, any recent Talos worshipper meetings squashed?\""
}
] | 341.5 | 3,895 |
293.833333 | 2024-04-25 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen shook his head. \"Labor... Perhaps to one such as you. I'm sure you Telvanni still keep your slave pens well stocked.\" He moved his hands, placing a palm on the hilt of his dagger. He then moved again clasping his hands behind his back, turning his head to rest his eye on Varis' face, gazing for a reaction. The insult had been a weak one, but it was best to make sure tempers didn't fly in the palace. \"The Thalmor has it's reason to remain here, much to the dismay of myself, and my peers.\"\n\n\"Any missions or investigations regarding Talos worship is classified. Nothing I can share with the likes of you. That, and having one good eye doesn't bode well for such dealings.\" Salen squeezed his hands behind his back. A sting of disappointment. It left as soon as it came. Leaving him feeling hollow. He focused back on Varis. \"And what are you called Dunmer? You are clearly high ranking, you speak like a noble. I need a name, and ideally the length of your stay.\" \n\nSalen knew that his higher ups would be interested. Keeping tabs on a powerful individual was necessary."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard chuckled at the Thalmor's jab, clearly enjoying the quip. It was a good one, but by no means could it be insulting toward a Telvanni. \"That we do. Though, I personally have no love for the enslavement of mortals. As for what your people do, with the Goblins,\" Varis nodded. \"Such inferior denizens of this world are perfectly deserving of such a fate. However, my most preferred slave is one from Oblivion. An immortal farmer is much better than one that needs to be whipped, and will die long before its time.\"\n\n\"As for name, Varis Xai'Shen, Spellwright of House Telvanni.\" Varis understood why Salen asked. He portrayed himself as a powerful person, and this Thalmor wanted to keep tabs. Or at least, have his underlings keep tabs. Such was expected, why disguise it? His face was infamous among the wealthy in the city, and those lingering in the darkest underbellies. He was gaining traction, and quickly, within Skyrim. \n\n\"As for the length of my stay, indefinite. A labor population does not need to consist of slaves. A paid population is a comfortable one. Even when you perform the most horrendous actions against them, buy their labor for cheap, they will not rebel. They are getting paid, when once, they were homeless, or serfs working off debts in farms. Give people to work for, rather than a whip, and your population never stops working.\"\n\nVaris grinned a little. \"Such works on my plantations and kwama mines back home. Such will work here.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen nodded his head once. \"So you are a conjurer then, how... Pleasant.\" Salen made no effort to hide his displeasure. He was never a fan of summoning daedra, nor anything from oblivion. He let out a sigh as Varis continued speaking, once the other mer had finished. Salen muttered out a response. \n\n\"I see, I will make sure this, information, gets processed. So long as you do not pose a threat to the Dominions dealings within this country. You will not be bothered. Though, since you seem to only be here for research and labor, I doubt you plan on trying something.\" Salen took a moment to dedicate Varis' name and cause to memory. He highly doubted that there would be a clash between the wizard and the Thalmor. Dunmer steered clear of them, at least, those who weren't loyal to the Empire did. And a Telvanni wizard would be the furthest thing from an imperial loyalist. \n\n\"Now, is there anything else you require from me, Dunmer? Because I must remind you that this corridor is off limits until the meeting has concluded.\" Salen moved to stand in the middle of the hall, glancing behind him to check if his superiors were done."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard almost smiled from ear to ear at the mention of his arcane practice. The man was right. A Conjurer, through and through. He only nodded to it, and continued to listen to Salen as he muttered and seethed through gritting teeth. The Dunmer was ecstatic to see a Thalmor squirm. It was so quick, with their pathetic Aedric Religion. Weak Carrion Gods. Nothing in the eyes of the Reclamations. Not even in the eyes of the old Tribunal, as heretical as that thinking was. \n\n*I doubt you plan on trying anything.* \n\nThat was an intriguing phrase. Varis remained silent at its mention, only raising an eyebrow, before the Altmer went on to warn him. \n\n\"Hm. I suppose not. At least, not at this current juncture.\" He chuckled a little as he pulled himself up and off the wall, and got a bit closer to Salen, their eyes merely a foot and a half apart as he said, \"You say you got that scar in the Civil War. Long time ago, and you were of age to fight, and travel, conquer the religion of this land. Which means, you've been here too long to not be in that room.\" \n\nVaris's words were drenched in venom and malice, as he seemed utterly amused by the idea. \"Stay in touch. I likely won't get you a higher position among the Thalmor, but, I think we could help each other. You get a chance at real power, and I,\" He shrugged, frowning as he looked toward the docks. \"Get information.\"\n\nThen, back to Salen. His eyes wholly focused on the man's eyes, as those Azuran Star eyes writhed and wormed their way into Salen's skull. Figuratively. *A bit of illusory spellcraft, and he would break.*\n\n\"Hm. Tidings, Outlander.\" Varis chuckled a little before he abruptly turned and walked away from Salen, hand behind his back, book at his side, as he walked through the Blue Palace hallway toward the exit."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen ground his teeth as Varis mentioned his long and stagnant service in Skyrim. \"My orders are to remain here, to guard them. The details of my service are between me, and them.\" Salen felt anger rising within him. He took a breath, it did little to calm him. \n\n\"Do not think yourself my equal Dunmer. And do not suppose that I would willingly converse with you about anything.\" Salen hissed out, his features twisting with displeasure. Varis' barbs cut had deeply. A twisting sickness ran through Salens belly. Had he not been in the palace, he would have struck the shorter mer. His hand went quickly to his dagger, and he gripped the hilt tightly. Hand shaking slightly as his being screamed for him to draw the blade. He wouldn't, with his superiors so close, and outburst could be the end of him. He steadied himself as the Dunmer turned and left. He felt a pain behind his blinded eye, a familiar pressure that occurred whenever he got too emotional. Salen turned to look back at the window, mind racing as he watched the harbor once more. \n\nHis frustrated abated after several minutes. Salen learned early on that holding on to that anger was unproductive. And as much as he wanted to seethe in it, he still had a job to do. His wait finally came to an end when his superiors finished their meeting. Salen fell in line as the group of Altmer left the building. Already writing his report about Varis in his mind as they returned to the embassy."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Dunner stayed long enough to hear the Altmer's words, and only remained passively amused as he walked away from Salen. \n\nThough, in the midst of Salen's thoughts, the Telvanni's voice whispered, beneath his thoughts of that report, like a spider creeping along the underside of a web.\n\n*I would never think us equal. But, it is possible. Just, possible.* \n\nFrom there, the creeping words slithered backwards, and as the Thalmor walked through the streets back to the embassy, Salen would see no evidence of Varis. At least, not in the streets. He had disappeared into them like a ghost."
}
] | 296 | 1,763 |
334.666667 | 2024-05-06 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni Wizard's hands were attached to his back, wrapped about one another in a clawed grip, as his filed nails with jeweled bangles and rings with chains connected to each one provided a pseudo-gauntlet, joining the assemblage of necklaces, amulets, and other jewelry adorning his silk robes. He was certainly a sight to behold, with his face of tattoos and scars, a goatee expertly groomed, and his hair pulled back through a bone-mold ring, flaring about the back of his head. Two bone-mold tablets, engraved with symbols of the Reclamations, particularly of Mephala's iconography, hung from his earlobes. \n\nThough, the most striking part of Varis' form was his purple-toned skin, as if a grey-blue Dunmer wasn't enough of an oddity, and instead of ash-stained reddened eyes, his were an Azuran purple, like the glow of two spherical soul gems against Cadbury seas of dark ink. \n\nHis nostrils flared as he moved through the Palace, allowing the scent of the day's fine meals to enter his senses. He bowed his head to the courtiers and nobles who passed him, and offered short greetings to those he did business with. To those who witnessed his dance among the habitants of the Blue Palace, he would seem well-connected and engrossed in the political-economic sphere of the city, particularly its upper echelons.\n\nThus, as Varis dipped away from the limelight of the open lobbies and high ceilings, it would be all the more surprising to find him meandering through dimly lit hallways with few guards. These channels through the Palace were better meant for maids and servants, and yet that seemed to be exactly what Varis was looking for. The Sorcerer made his way through the halls until he came across a small window that allowed light through. Varis made his way toward the window, and looked out at the Sea of Ghosts. It was a small thing, possibly chiseled out long after the construction of the Palace was completed. Perhaps a place for servants to find solace in the chill wind that blew through, or simply gaze out at the sea on a pleasant day while being close to their chores and tasks. \n\nVaris looked through it, his hand idly holding open the little shutter that concealed it with the rest of the wall. He was in somewhat plain view, not that he aimed to be hidden. \n\nHis mind, during his time meandering through the halls, had crept into the subconsciousness of the servants he witnessed, as scarce as they may be. He whispered rumors into their mind, that the wizard was seeking Whisperers. Just a rumor, heard from nowhere, yet somewhere. That he might pay well for a loyal servant. And yet, the first who had heard of such a rumor, had no idea where it came from. Simply a blip in their imagination, that felt real enough to warrant investigation, truth, or merely pensive thought.\n\nFor a wizard like him, he would pay plenty for a good spy, would he not?\n\nWhether the servants gossiped or not, he waited by the window. Eventually, one of them would seek him out. The rumor offered much to the one who came forward, but one had to speculate if it was even real. A conversation with Varis would dictate whether it was a real rumor or not, *For the right person*."
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "Myfanwy, her arms full of clean linens, paused— she was supposed to return immediately to one of the rooms to replace its bedding. She couldn't help but stare a little at the striking Dunmer, a crease between her eyebrows as the faint whisper of a rumor entered her mind.\n\n\"Ser,\" She started, approaching the mer, barely peeking over the bedding she carried. \"I believe I heard a rumor of you needing... Help?\" She was a rather short young woman, a typical servant, barely worth a second glance in the Blue Palace— but even so, there was a keenness to her eyes. \n\nMyfanwy hadn't had much experience dealing with magic beyond what little she'd been taught during school, and her natural skill as a Breton. But the subtly of his spell completely went over her head, leaving her merely curious of the nature of such a whisper. \n\nShe wasn't able to articulate it, but there was a gravity to his presence that commanded a certain respect, even if it wasn't necessarily in her nature to grant him that. \n\n\"My name is Myfanwy, ser,\" She said, managing a small curtsy even as she kept the pile of linens in her arms. \"I would be interested. Depending on the payment, of course, ser.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni's eyes shifted from the Sea of Ghosts in that small area beneath the Blue Palace, toward Myfanwy. She had been soft-footed to come across him. His spell had been ambient, and she had picked it up. She was direct. \n\nHis eyes bore into her's, staring down at her with a certain level of cruel intensity. Like a researcher inspecting a mineral, rather than two people interacting. His focus softened as he lifted his head, rolled back his shoulders, and watched her from the side of his eyes, before he took them away and looked out the slot-window again. \n\nHis lips moved to produce a soft, sultry voice, trained over years in service to the Goddesses. \"Direct. I can admire that.\"\n\n\"*Myfanwy*,\" The name slithered off his tongue, as if he toyed with it, his eyes searching the sea beyond for a place where the name might be from. \"Hm. An elegant name.\" \n\nHis eyes shifted back to her, down to the linens she carried, then back up to her eyes. \"This rumor you heard, I might be willing to honor it.\" His fingers snapped. \n\nSuddenly, the air around them seemed far more quiet. \n\nAs if all outside sounds from down the halls, any pitter patter of footsteps above them, were all *Silenced*. As if a field of silence had enveloped the two of them, and his words were that much *Clearer*. \"Varis Xai'Shen. A pleasure to make your company, Breton.\" The name of her race, it exited his lips casually, but with a form of superiority behind it. It was not particularly uncommon to find a Dunmer looking down on the races of man, even half-men. \"This rumor you heard, I imagine, entails a certain need for information. That, I might require someone who can observe from the shadows. Would you say you fit this description?\""
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "She furrowed her brow, an all-too serious expression on her gentle features.\n\n\"I would say that people often overlook me,\" Myfanwy said, dropping her demure guise, typical of a maid. Her eyes darted around, a little put off by the sudden silence, but quickly grasping the nature of this interaction. He was powerful— probably more powerful than anyone she'd met before. A part of her was desperately curious, wanting to ask endless questions about this mysterious stranger, but that wouldn't serve her well in a situation where she wanted to be taken seriously, and not as an excitable girl. \n\n\"Servants are regarded more as furniture, I'm sure you can imagine. All sorts of things get said in front of us. But I also have a unique ability to find myself in places where I'm not strictly allowed, if you catch my meaning. If you want a set of ears in the palace, I will listen— and if you have need of specific information, I'm sure I could manage.\" Myfanwy tilted her, slightly, giving him an evaluating look. \n\n\"If you have the coin, that is,\" She concluded."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard watched her, observing her eyes, her guise, the simplicity with which she could contort her face from doe-eyed and polite, to observant and cautious. *Excellent.* He thought to himself. He had to admit, Bretons had always been phenomenal test subjects, for their durability to magic, and subsequent magical aptitude. Far better specimens than puny Altmer cadavers and living subjects. \n\nThus, he had to admit, she was already off to a good start for that simple fact. Even if he did look down on her kin. \n\nThough, as she spoke, he seemed increasingly impressed. Not that his poker face would show it, but in his body language, as he brought a hand to his elbow, and the other hand to his chin, stroking his beard pensively as he listened.\n\n\"Hm. Very well. I am willing to provide you a wage, rather than piecework compensation. Instead of paying you per rumor or whisper you hear, I want constant reports, updates, etcetera. And subsequently, I will pay you constantly, routinely. To pick up your earnings, come to the Winking Skeever once per week. Find me, and I will pay you. I will provide you enchanted items, to make your job more efficient, more effective. That much, I can guarantee.\"\n\nVaris allowed the hand stroking his goatee go limp as he raised his eyebrows, \"The rate will be decided at the end of the week. Get me enough information, and your pay will be certain. Though, as a down payment, to assure you that I am no liar,\"\n\nThe Sorcerer reached into his robes, and plucked forth a pouch. He held it up, and as he did, it jingled with the sound of septims. \"One hundred septims. Accept my offer now, and they are yours. Succeed at the job, and there is plenty more to come.\""
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "Myfanwy's eyes went wide, her eyes immediately snapping down to the sound of the jingling septims.\n\n\"I accept,\" She said, quickly. \"I assure you, with how many people are bustling around the palace these days, I'll have plenty of information to give you.\" Her fingers twitched with the urge to snatch away the pouch of coin, but she refrained, instead shifting the pile of linens to one arm, resting on her hip. \n\nShe nodded, committing his instructions to memory. The thought of possessing enchanted items, of being paid as generously for paltry work was more than pleasing to her, but one thing still nagged at her.\n\n\"If I may ask,\" Myfanwy started, \"Why? To get a leg up on the others? Or something else?\"\n\nShe was familiar with the underhanded nature of the powerful, but it didn't feel like that, to her. Undoubtedly, Varis was an outsider of sorts, here, and she understood how that felt, to say the least."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard watched Myfanwy, the way her eyes snapped, the way her fingers twitched, he was incredibly observant. He had to be, as a Telvanni. Anyone could conceal a knife and whip it out at any moment. Let alone a spell. \n\nThough, Myfanwy's question caught Varis off-guard just a tad. He raised an eyebrow, holding out the pouch for her to take. She had accepted the job, and thus the payment was just, and provided. \n\n\"Hm. I'll tell you this much. I have no need to be a celebrity. I have no desire to be a King. I have no wish to be a tyrant, ruling from a throne of bones. All that superfluous trash, is for the near-sighted. In my homeland, Telvanni Wizard Lords live for thousands of years, huddled inside of the tops of great mushroom towers, holding dominion over their lands not through being an executioner, but by knowing everything that happens around them.\"\n\n\"Knowing a plot of rebellion before it starts, is advantageous to a ruler. But, it is *More* Advantageous to a ruler's advisor. Especially if the advisor can twist it into something much different before it ever begins.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands together behind his back, after Myfanwy took the pouch of septims, and said, \"Besides, a network is valuable. In time, you will see more of my Whisperers. Always keep a piece of parchment, an inkwell, and a quill on your person. Write what you see, collect what you must, copy letters left scattered on tables. Learn how to write like the wind. Keep them close to your person.\"\n\nHe glanced to the linens. \"Perhaps between those, or your garments. Whatever the case, you will see a collector of mine. He will look like a wood elf, but he will have no ears, a bald head, and pale skin. His eyes will be pitch black, and he will be draped in robes, all while a foot shorter than you. He is sly and quick, and will *Let* You see him when the time comes to collect. When you see him, he will turn his head, allowing you to see his eyes beneath his cloak, and his earless scalp - to prove who he is. At that time, provide your documents and parchment to him. He will take it, and bring it to me.\"\n\nVaris tilted his head. \"Do you have questions?\""
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "Her expression was pinched, as she gave him a quick once over and then a wary glance over her shoulder. \"I most definitely have questions, but I'm not sure that you answering them will make me less curious of you. You're a Telvanni, then?\" \n\nShe considered his words, and was grateful she didn't take him lightly. She knew a little about Dunmeri culture— enough to know of their dealings with Daedra. In his employ, she was sure she'd encounter the strange and the magical, and though it frightened her, a part of her was almost excited to see what the world had to offer. \n\n\"I understand— and I'm sure I can figure out ways to smuggle information. But... How do I know if I find another of your Whisperers? Do you already have some placed in the Blue Palace? In Solitude? And just how old are you, if Telvanni Wizard Lords live for thousands of years?\"\n\nMyfanwy quickly realized how many questions she ended up asking, when she was intended to restrain herself, somewhat. Her cheeks flushed and she gave a little huff. \"Apologies. You don't need to indulge me.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis listened attentively, nodding when she asked if he was Telvanni. More questions followed, like the whereabouts of other Whisperers, and his own age. A chuckle followed, as he said, \"I prefer to remain modest about my age. Trust me, it is by no means measured in centuries, but, I have no need to make it shorter than the average Telvanni lifespan.\" A grin formed on his face as he sucked in some breath through his nostrils and added, \"As for other agents of mine, you might see them, if you are attentive, but they will have no insignia, just as you do not. Instead, being aware of your new job, might make you aware of rivals' agents. You might see more of your fellow laborers peeking through keyholes and holding ears up to thin walls.\"\n\n\"It is the nature of Court. Many of the servants in this Palace have already been bought, or made loyal. I have been watching closely for some time now, during my visits with the Court Wizard.\"\n\n\"As for the rest of Solitude, there are *Plenty*. Thieves get thrown into the dungeons all the time, and yet the recidivism rate... It has been falling. One, because I and the Captain of the Guards share a deep distaste for sticky fingers. And, Two, because a thief can be useful, once *Made* Loyal.\"\n\nThe way with which he said *Made*...It was malevolent, and had plenty of venom forced into the word. \n\nVaris looked at her, and smiled sweetly. \"But, I trust you are more light of foot than those that get tossed in dungeons. No need for all that pesky paperwork to break you out, I trust?\""
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "Myfanwy stilled, her eyes widening slightly as she gave a little nod. His threat was clear. She swallowed thickly.\n\n\"Yes,\" She said, quietly. \"Of course. I try my best to avoid foolish mistakes— as much as anyone can avoid them, naturally. I assure you, my loyalty is firmly in your hands.\" \n\nShe got the very strong feeling that Varis wasn't the sort of man to cross. Or to disappoint. She couldn't afford to take this lightly and misstep, here. It wasn't just her life on the line, but the well-being of her family, back home in High Rock.\n\n\"I was jailed briefly, when I was younger, and I have no desire to return,\" She continued, frowning. \"But trust me, I have refined my skills since. I'm far from the best, but I am capable— and again, no one looks twice at a scullery maid.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Her words seemed to appease Varis. Despite his sickly sweet smile, a sort of aura of satisfaction came over his expression as he held his shoulders back, held his hands behind his back, and nodded. His smile became a tad broader as he said, \"Excellent! I will await word of your success. You have the whole week to impress.\" Varis nodded his head toward her, held up a hand, and snapped his fingers. \n\nThe field of silence vanished, and noise returned to the world. The breeze blowing through the window returned, the sound of pitter patter above them, the ambient noise of palace life down the halls, it all returned. The warmth of reality was far better than the cold calculation of Varis' spell-work, that much was not disputed by those that interacted with the Mage. \n\n\"Tidings, my lady.\" He said politely, despite her not being a noblewoman, nodding his head with the briefest angle of acknowledgement, before he turned on his heel and started down the hallway. Should Myfanwy let him go, he would continue, moving throughout the palace before disappearing from view. \n\nThe window they had spoken next to remained open, allowing some light to trickle through, with the shutter swaying softly, prepared to be latched closed once more."
},
{
"author": "Myfanwy Craddock",
"message": "Myfanwy didn't pursue him, instead staying rooted to the spot for a moment, looking at the bag of septims in her palm before she pocketed them. She gave another wary look around, hoping she was unobserved. She closed the window, latching it neatly before she continued with her day-to-day work, heading off to some noble's room to dress their bed in fresh linens and take away anything soiled or used, like she was an unseen service and not a person laboring after another.\n\nBut throughout the day, her mind kept returning to the strange interaction— and as instructed, she kept a keen ear out, and jotted down anything that seemed interesting, ending the workday with a list of kitchen gossip to scraps of Thalmor intel. \n\nShe didn't know entirely what being a Whisperer would entail, but as long as she maintained her status as a sort of fly on the wall, she was sure it couldn't be too difficult, right?"
}
] | 266.5 | 4,016 |
354.888889 | 2024-02-21 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Enchanter held his hands behind his back as he watched the guards train on dummies and targets, his lips set in a straight, indifferent line. It seemed that his enchantments were providing some use to the city, as he watched frost, fire, and lightning sparks whirl around the arrows, and strike their marks with lethal precision, and even more lethal elemental effects. \n\nHis hands were behind his back as he nodded to himself. Captain Aldis had come to him when Varis had made a name for himself among the city's elite, and had comissioned a partnership with the city guard, to ensure they had exceptional weapons to defend the streets with. Varis was all too pleased to do so, as he saw it as a way for the non-magical of the city to become more familiar with the powers of the arcane, versus whatever nonsensical children's tales these nords had spoon fed each other since birth. \n\nVaris turned his head, looking around the courtyard of the Castle Dour and crossed his arms, tapping the claw-like accessory on his ring finger to his chin, as he pondered where else he could improve upon the city. He had already provided enchanted ice cabinets and stoves to some of the populace, and now weapons for the guard. Did he believe that these guards actually deserved such weapons of brutal devastation and destruction? No. Not at all. But, having them in his pocket was merely another piece falling into his web. \n\nThe devotee of Mephala smiled as he placed his hands behind his back and started to walk back to the Winking Skeever, mauling over a few conjuration theorems he had been attempting to formulate for the past week. His life was devoted to the study of magic, and acquiring power along the way. Such was the way for a Spellwright of House Telvanni, even in foreign lands."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Sütcleff never enjoyed traveling by boat, but the most affordable way to get back to Skyrim from the ashlands of Morrowind was to board a series of cargo ships. First landing in Solsteim, the Imperial took a handful of days to fend off his initial bout of seasickness before boarding a vessel headed for the docks of Windhelm. He despised this city for what it had taken from him, and his brows furrowed in scarcely-contained disgust as he walked the ancient cobble streets. \n\nUlfric Stormcloak was dead. No matter how many times he reminded himself of this, Sütcleff couldn't fully void his thoughts of that detestable, would-be usurper whilst surrounded by the walls of the city that Nord once governed.\n\n*Son of Skyrim. Bah.* Sütcleff snarkily thought, pulling his cloak tighter against his body. He hardly felt the cold, but swathing himself like a shivering babe helped him to forget where he was if for but a moment.\n\nA carriage just outside the gates would take the Imperial's coin in exchange for a ride to any of the Fatherland's hold capitals. However, Sütcleff had a prior engagement with the sanctuary of the Eldergleam.\n\nThough her body was cremated and her ashes scattered throughout her homeland of the Reach, Sütcleff sister Ashura has requested her blade be put to rest within the sequestered grove of the Eldergleam mother tree. \"For it was where we became kin,\" She had told him.\n\nIn all his centuries of wandering Nirn, Sütcleff had only felt true rage consume him a scant number of times. Once was when he was turned, the second had to have been when his wife's murderer was absolved of their wrongdoing, and this time...\n\nSütcleff stared blankly at the grass in which Ashura's weapon had previously rested. The grass was still yellowed and displaced from where it pressed down against the earth. It had been stolen. Sütcleff clenched his hands into fists with such force that his nails pierced his flesh and his knuckles turned white.\n\nAfter he had done his best to calm down, he began to formulate a plan to retrieve the misplaced blade. Before her death, Ashura had commissioned an enchanter to work magic into her weapon. Catching fire or drinking the blood of its victims were of no value to Ashura, and she merely ordered a tracking spell to be attached to the sword in the event it was lost or stolen whilst she was still alive. And while the blade's wielder was long gone, the magic injected into it had no reason yet to dissipate.\n\nSütcleff required the expertise of an enchanter to tap into the lost sword's magic, and he knew just where to begin looking. Solitude was a veritable metropolis of the finer walks of merchantry.\n\nA long and bumpy carriage ride saw him arrive at the gates of Solitude in due time. Sütcleff stopped in at the Winking Skeever inn, sitting at the tavern bar and ordering a tankard of wine before asking the innkeeper for directions to the nearest enchanter doing business in Haafingar Hold."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "It seemed Sütcleff's request would be granted in record time, as the barkeep glanced toward the man, prepared to answer, and then glanced toward a side-entrance to the tavern, primarily used by the staff and long-term residents. In through that door came a Dunmer man, covered in Daedric Runes and Mage Script, his amethyst-tone skin blending with the darker ink, and all of it serving as a dark tapestry to his vibrant eyes. They looked like luminescent crystals lost in an ebony mine, peering at the world with a mixture of contempt and curiosity. \n\nThe robes he wore were silk and fashioned in the style of Eastern Morrowind. For Sütcleff, this Dark Elf likely seemed as though he had been spliced out of the homeland and reappeared, with no context, in the middle of the Nordic Fatherland. \n\nAnd it seemed Varis did not mind. He walked with a posture that exhibited a bit of exhaustion, but with a confidence and assurance in oneself that could only belong to a devout Dunmer aristocrat. However, even with such a presence, the barkeep told Sütcleff that the mer lived in the suit upstairs, paid well, and sometimes unnerved the other guests with the sounds of his magical experiments. \n\nHowever, as Varis took a seat as far away from the music that bard was playing as he could, in a table lurking in the depths of a candlelit corner, the barkeep assured Sütcleff that he was an enchanter willing to discuss or help with any arcane related matters."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Following the innkeeper's instruction quietly, Sütcleff chills his drink with a subdued Frostbite spell and gulps it down. He sets a handful of septims down on the counter to pay for the wine and steps up from his seat at the bar.\n\nSütcleff's status as an undead spawn of Molag Bal afforded him a useful array of boosted senses, albeit ones he did his best to hide as warrior instinct or mercenary intuition. For instance, he could practically smell the magicka flowing through a person's veins almost as clearly as if it were their blood. This Dunmer stunk of it, to be blunt. While not all enchanters had experience (or even talent) in the other schools of magic, Sütcleff had long since discovered that those with expertise in arcana that bled beyond imbuing inanimate objects with the power contained inside a Soul Gem were especially potent and useful, albeit quite dangerous and difficult to trust.\n\nApproaching the individual identified to him as Varis, Sütcleff rested one hand atop the table the enchanter was occupying.\n\n\"My apologies for bothering you in your free time, but I'm looking to hire an enchanter. Mind if I talk shop now, or should I wait until dedicated business hours?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer raised his eyes up to Sütcleff and tilted his head. A hand was brought up to the wizard's facial hair as he stroked his mustache thoughtfully, before he whisked his hand and said in a voice befitting a grumpy old man, versus a rather young Dunmer, \"Depends on the task.\"\n\nHe sat up in his seat and whisked his hand, a chair pulling itself out from the table, an invitation. Varis placed his hands together in front of him and smirked as he inspected the man. The man was thin, and tall. Not an all too odd mix, but he could tell that he was not a Nord. The man fit more into the description of the Southern Men, the Imperials. Though, he had to admit, there was an...*Age*, to the young looking man. His words were smooth and easily spoken, not the broken Tamrielic he had come to expect from mannish commoners. \n\nVaris raised his chin and said, \"Though, before we continue, a name would be useful to me. I like to keep a list of clients, for categorical purposes.\" Something about this man implied that he quite literally kept a ledger of names somewhere in the inn."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"Castor,\" The Imperial answered without so much as a stutter. He was used to using cover names, a habit that had initially begun as a way to conceal his identity had in later years evolved into a neutral introduction. His \"Real\" Name was saved for those he trusted.\n\nSūtcleff, going by the alias of Castor, sat in the offered chair and silently noted the Dunmer's use of what he believed was the Alteration school's Telekinesis spell. He detaches his sword and its scabbard from its perch upon his back and places between himself and Varis atop the table. This gesture, while some in the modern era might view it as a threat, was in truth a Second Era mannerism meant to show hospitality. It would be harder for a swordsman to pull the blade from its sheath if it no longer rested on his back, after all.\n\n \"I'll give you the details before we speak of payment. It would feel dishonest to haggle on price when you have no idea of what I will be requesting.\"\n\nSütcleff shrugs, then pushes his hair back with one hand to get it out of his face.\n\n\"My younger sister's sword has been stolen. It was enchanted with a tracking spell in the event something like this were to happen, but I don't have much knowledge of the craft myself. Do you think you could assist me?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis seemed indifferent toward the man's name, and placed his hands together. Though he was an exceptional wizard, and a member of House Telvanni, he did not notice *Castor's* *Condition*. However, the glamour that hid his features was not lost on Varis. The wizard could feel these changes and shifting films of illusory and altering magic, but he did not mind. He did not need to know the truth behind the visage, for it was the task that mattered, and what would be offered in exchange. \n\nWhen he finished his opening line, Varis raised an eyebrow. \"Hm. A tracking spell. That sounds... Hm. Well, if it was made utilizing her blood, we may be able to utilize your's. If not, then we may have a problem. First, it might be useful to know who the enchanter was that placed the spell. Otherwise, if you have the schematics for the enchantment, I may be able to recreate it. Any sort of... Semblance to the wielder, or the sword, would be useful. Otherwise, I may have to send a few *Retrievers*, to find out more. Unless, the enchantment is more... Intricate. And, exceptional. Older enchanters utilized more sophisticated, complicated measures in their craft, versus the soul gems and tables of the modern day.\"\n\nVaris leaned into his chair and placed his hands over his stomach, intrigued and willing to hear more. It seemed he was interested."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"We weren't related by blood, so using mine would likely be of no avail. Hmm... Something related to the sword or its wielder, you said?\"\n\nSütcleff leaned back, scratching at his neck. He thought back to how he and Ashura had met to try and glean any bit of useful information from it.\n\nAshura was of Reachman blood, a daughter of a clan of Forsworn who had uncovered a cache of Blades equipment and Akaviri relics. Believing the discovery to be an act of Divine providence, Ashura's kin had decided to cast aside their adherence to the old ways and build for themselves a new identity inspired by the artefacts they had unearthed.\n\nReborn from the near-cold ashes of two dying ways of life, Ashura's clan distinguished themselves as nomadic warriors within the Reach that would attack and conquer bandit camps and Forsworn settlements alike without discrimination. \n\nAfter a short few years of terrorizing the marauding tribes of the Reach, the few scattered survivors of Ashura's clan's rampages banded together and virtually wiped out the Reachman blade masters, leaving Ashura the only known survivor.\n\nIn attempts to rebuild her clan, the solitary Ashura would accost those she saw potential in with hopes of defeating and forcefully adopting them as her new family. Sütcleff was one such target, and one of the few who survived Ashura's attacks long enough to impress the savage sword-maiden. Their battle began in the Eldergleam Sanctuary, and lasted for three days and three nights. It was the vivid memories of this event that gave Sütcleff an idea.\n\n\"Might a scar inflicted by the weapon work?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis leaned against his chair, offering nothing as he listened. The two were not bound by blood? That certainly made things trickier... But, it also made the relationship all the more abstract within his mind. Varis' people were not very brotherly, at all. Blood drenched the streets of Port Telvannis, fueled by the feuds between noble houses and apprentices seeking higher positions. Thus, he had no friendship such as what he elluded to, and was not particularly intrigued by the idea... But it did bring an air of nuance to the man's request. \n\nAll things had to be taken into account. \n\nHe allowed Castor to think for a moment, before he said something of value. The wizard's eyebrows rose as he nodded, appeased. \"That would do. The fresher the wound, the better. The more preserved a wound, even better.\" He nodded, and placed his hands together. \"Now that I believe I may be of assistance, my payment will come at the end of my work. This seems like a simple procedure, but, I dare not throw caution to the wind.\"\n\nHe sat up and placed his hands on his knees. \"My equipment is upstairs, so, would you like it done now, or do you wish to partake in a few pleasures before the work begins?\" He gestured around the tavern. An offer to do it now or later. Whatever the man chose to do, it did not seem that Varis would mind. While he may have taken a seat in a corner, seemingly to remain undisturbed, he had no plate of food, or mug of ale. He was ready to go at a moment's notice."
}
] | 327 | 3,194 |
345 | 2024-02-22 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Retrieving his sword from the table, Sütcleff stood and nodded his head at the Dark Elf.\n\n\"My sister's ghost is likely to manifest and haunt me should I take too long to retrieve her heirloom. She was known to hold petty grudges like that. Threatened to slice one of my ears off when I bested her in a drinking game, she had such a fit over losing.\"\n\nHe allows himself to crack a slight smile in response to his own joke.\n\n\"I can't say the scar is exactly fresh, but in the grand scheme of the life I've lived... It was rather recent. As long as I can get a general location, I will be able to handle tracking down its exact whereabouts.\"\n\nHe wasn't kidding. In all his years of working as a sellsword, Sütcleff had been paid to locate missing property, pets, and the occasional person and had regularly been forced to make do with less resources than he currently had at his disposal. The only differemce between those jobs and this errand was how personal in nature things were this time around.\n\n\"I'll follow behind you.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard smirked as Castor mentioned a sliver of the dead woman's personality. He nodded, knowing the archetype of such a person well. His mother was that way, holding petty grudges. And, slicing off someone's ear for winning a drinking competition? Imagine stealing the woman's notebook. \n\nVaris nodded along as the man spoke, until finally, the go-ahead was given, and Varis rose to his feet. \"Excellent, right this way,\" He placed his hands behind his back and walked around the man, heading off to the stairs that would lead toward the attics, above the suites where the owners and guests stayed. It was not a long journey, but it was a good few steps, until they reached a door covered in scrawled runes and stapled parchment, covered in more enchantments. \n\nThe man was very defensive about his abode. Castor, from his long life, might even be able to see some hexes and cursed runes, similar to Destruction's fire and lightning runes. They were subtle, designed from the assemblage of parchment. \n\nVaris whisked his hand across the door, dismissing the magicka emenating from them, and walked inside.\n\nInside, his suite was an arcanist's dream. It was covered in odd baubles and trinkets, gizmos and gadgets. Not in a Dwemer sense, but in that there were recepticles for soul gems, trinkets for astrological observation near the windows, and all manner of enchanting apparati. There was even an enchanting table, seemingly home-made, as far as the ebony and crystals could be, but there was a sophisticated learnedness to the design that spoke of Varis' education.\n\nThe wizard whisked his hand once Castor was inside, the runes outside resealing and preparing to strike anything that came into contact with them. \n\nVaris walked around the lounge air, where plenty of pillows and carpets were situated for floor-sitting and meditation, toward a summoning circle, between the lounge area and bed. It was placed on a tiled platform, better for transportation up stairs, and was surrounded in sticks of chalk and wells of ink, all neatly organized and placed to not be in the way unless they were needed. \n\nVaris gestured toward the circle, \"If you would stand inside and reveal the scar, I will be able to reach into the residue left by the enchantment, and we'll see what I find.\"\n\nHe placed his hands behind his back again, waiting. From the look of the room, Varis was an organized maximalist, with every single thing having its own specific placement."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "It would have been a lie had Sütcleff claimed the room wasn't at all intriguing. Even a mediocre mage such as himself, self-taught and with only a fleeting interest in the arcane, was take aback by the sheer volume of magical paraphernalia present in the living space.\n\nFollowing Varis' instruction the the letter, Sütcleff entered the scrawled circle and removed his left gauntlet to expose his forearm. A long and grisly scar marred the flesh, spanning from just after the wrist all the way to the elbow on the underside of the Imperial's limb.\n\n*From this day forward, we are kin. Rejoice in your great fortune to be adopted by the great Ashura of the Lacrymose!* Sütcleff could still hear her voice if he focused hard enough on the memory of their first meeting. In her honor, he silently made a promise to destroy the fool who had absconded with her treasure.\n\nHe only hoped the enchantment on the ring he wore on his right hand didn't interfere with Varis' ritual."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer nodded as he took a piece of chalk and walked around Castor, drawing a circle around him, and dotting a few lines here and there, taking some time to produce a sigil of sorts. He set the chalk down and walked around toward the forearm, reached over and placed his hands along the line of the scar for a moment, breathing softly as he conjured a bit of arcana, utilizing the sigil as a conduit. \n\nThe air around the room began to accrue the smell of a rainless thunderstorm, as the charge of magicka in the air was brought forward, and Varis closed his eyes as he waved a hand over the scar, and his eyebrows furrowed a tad. \n\nWithin his mindscape, he could visualize the scar, but not as it was in flesh, but as it was in an arcane signaling. Tendrils are arcana flowed from the scar as extremely faint, but exceptionally well preserved. His eyebrows furrowed a bit. He understood cellular structures as his mentor had taught him, that the cells in one's body, given enough time, would flip over, and generate a new skin, as the dead skin was flaked off. Scars lasted so long because mortal bodies did not regenerate at a rate acceptable for the scar to close without any trace before death or age accrued. He was a man who loved restoration with a passion, and studied the body of organisms regularly.\n\nThus, as Varis inspected the scar, a frown emerged. Either the scar was granted recently... Or something halted the skin's regeneration. To boot, there was a blurriness to the image, not as though the tendrils were trapped underneath, that was perfectly fine. Its just that the whole image was clouded, and as Varis moved around, he could see the cloud more clearly, as it took on the shape of the man he operated on. He mauled for a moment, and sighed through his nostrils. \n\nHe opened his eyes, and looked up at the man. He took a step back, placed his hands behind his back, and said, \"Well, I believe this enchantment *Wants* To be found, based on the aura it is providing. However, the image is... Clouded, by that enchantment you have on yourself. I do not mind secrecy and disguises. I am a faithful of Mephala, after all. But, if you want that sword's location, I will need to see past the illusion. It's powerful, I'll give you that, and I *Might* Be able to see through it, with enough energy, but...\" He raised an eyebrow. \"Is it truly so important to maintain it?\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "He listened intently to Varis' words, getting the gist of what was interfering even before the Dunmer came out and said it outright. Sütcleff sighed, taking hold of the iron band on his right middle finger and pulling it off with a slight bit of visible hesitation.\n\n\"Depends on your opinion of vampires. But... Seeing as you have confessed to cavorting with daedra, I doubt you care as much as an average civilian might.\n\nThe illusion shrouding Sütcleff's undead features faded gradually. His skin paled noticeably whilst his icy blue eyes dyed themselves a blood red hue.\n\n\"The people of Morrowind were always better at telling my kind from a common mortal than those here in the Fatherland. I've seen bloodsuckers operate in public view as everything from woodcutters to court mages in this province without so much as an Illusion spell to hide their features.\"\n\nLooking down at the metal of his right gauntlet, Sütcleff could gaze upon his unveiled visage for the first time in nearly two decades. It brought back memories, and only most of them unpleasant.\n\n\"Work your magic, magic man.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer raised an eyebrow as the man took off his ring, and provided a warning. Then, the illusion faded before his eyes. The situation *Clicked* Into place, as the identity of the Vampire was revealed. Varis only grinned a little, as Castor continued with his commentary of Morrowind vs Skyrim. Varis could only chuckle as he admitted, \"Do not worry, I am from Port Telvannis. I've seen many vampire slaves in my time, and so... I have a, solemn, impression of your kin, but... Heh, I will say, here, in this land, it seems to be the other way around.\"\n\nHe shrugged and nodded, hoping his comment did not offset the mood as far as it already was. Even though he was devoted to the Reclamations, and thus in opposition to Molag Bal, this vampire did not seem to have the same craze and wildness of the feral beasts he had come across in the ash wastes, or even the civilized and *Hidden* Within this land. \n\nIt was putiful, despite the presence of the Dawnguard, that so many ran amuck. But, the Telvanni Wizard did not mind, as he simply closed his eyes again, placed his hands over the scar, and focused. \n\nHe began to whisper an incantation, as his mind followed the threads of enchantment, back to the origin of the scar. If Castor listened closely, he could hear, \"*By ancient whispers, through realms untold, Reveal to me the path, the artifact's hold.*\"\n\nThen, with a final step, the wizard took a step outside of the circle, and whisked his hand toward the window, casting an advanced Clairvoyance spell, as he located the location of the weapon, and allowed his mind to abscond into the spell and travel with the wind, the spell allowing him to track down and scour the depths of the earth to find the sword. \n\nIf its location was on Nirn, he would find it."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Things had gone better than Sütcleff could have hoped, all things considered. While it was rare, the Imperial had on occasion been forced to kill someone after they discovered he was a vampire and subsequently attacked him for it. Even rarer to find someone who didn't seem to care one wit.\n\nSütcleff pulls a spare map from a bag hanging off his belt, splaying it out over a nearby surface along with a strip of charcoal. Ashura's sword had been laid to rest in the Eldergleam Sanctuary, which lay between the holds of Eastmarch and the Rift. It would stand to reason the thief operated in the same general area and had stashed it accordingly.\n\n\"Mark the map as precisely as you can, and you'll have earned your pay. I didn't come back to Skyrim with empty pockets, after all.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "As Castor pulled out the map, the Sorcerer turned his attention to it, and as he did, the spell had found its mark. The spell snagged itself on a blockage, as doorways stood in the way of it, before it slipped through in a blue mist, until it found its mark. Varis, utilizing the spell to scry outside of the range of the display the sword was kept in, he continued to scry out further and further, until he saw the location from above. \n\nHe placed his hand to the map, and started to follow his finger with his eyes closed, as the touch allowed him to gain insight to the map and read its imagery, before he placed his finger over... Solitude. \n\nVaris opened his eyes, even he was perplexed. \n\nHe snapped his head toward the map, and his lips turned up a bit beneath his facial hair. \"Huh...\" He turned around, walked over to a makeshift library, and opened the cabinets to rummage around a bit, until he found a rolled up map of his own. \n\nHe set it down on a nearby table, unfurled it, and weaved his finger through the network matrix of Solitude's roads, as it was a map of the city from top-down, mapped out by an Imp he summoned. He moved his finger around until he snapped it down ontop of a house close to the Blue Palace. \n\n\"Huh... Udulir has it.\"\n\nVaris turned his head toward Castor. \"Well, it seems your sister's sword fell into the hands of a collector.\"\n\nHe frowned, looked back to the map, and said to himself, \"I wish it was a bunch of bandits. Then they could be killed without the authorities being alerted.\"\n\nHe shook his head, straightened his back, and turned back to Castor. \"It seems you won't have to make a long journey, but, I can come with you to see this man, get it back without too much... Hassle. He owes me a favor.\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Sütcleff takes a moment to fix his left gauntlet back over his hand and return his ring to its designated digit before answering Varis' offer.\n\n\"Only if that doesn't add to what I owe you. I hired you to locate the sword, not to help me get it back after it was located.\" \n\nIt was a half-joke, but one the Imperial lended a dry chuckle. \n\n\"I wonder what a collector would want with an item like that. Pretty sure anything reminiscent of the Blades could get someone in hot water with the Thalmor. It was a risk doing so even before I left Skyrim back in the early days of the war. You said their name was Udulir? He's either a secretive sort, or he's rich and/or politically powerful enough to not care if the Dominion come snooping.\"\n\nIf Sütcleff had to, he would find a way to steal back the blade. He had no desire to kill (who he believed might be) an innocent, but he was far from a goody two-shoes and would sneak around or threaten someone without hesitation if it meant getting what he needed.\n\n\"I appreciate the offer, don't get me wrong.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Dunmer chuckled a tad, but a chuckle that most certainly meant that he did mean to add the price of the transaction. He was a stringent man, but not unreasonable. He knew what people could afford, and what he wanted. Thus, as Castor continued, the Wizard placed his hands behind his back. \n\n\"This information, is free. Udulir manages to keep out of the sights of the Thalmor because he claims that he is preserving Akavirii Culture in Tamriel. He is obsessed with the culture, and when a Blades' sword or armor is involved, he pays a pretty penny to the Thalmor, so that he might keep it. Believe me, he has no love for the Blades, being from the Summerset Isles, and, don't mention this to him, but I believe he was apart of the slaughter of the agents on the Isles. He'd never say, but I can tell when someone has killed. I imagine he acquired his obsession after entering one of their temples.\"\n\nVaris turned and rolled up the map, storing it back where he kept the others, \"As for helping you retrieve the blade, I will be costing myself a favor.\"\n\nHe turned his head back to Castor. \"Thus, I will ask a favor of you. Some day, some time, I may call on you to perform a task for me, or assist me with something. I have designs for many things, and do not worry, I will not make it cost your life, in any way. As for the price for this session, I would only ask for... Well, I hope you understand, but, any parts of a vampire are valuable to a sorcerer.\"\n\nVaris turned toward Castor fully, completely prepared for an abject rejection. \"I would like a lock of your hair. Unless, of course, such bodily accessories do not grow back, for you? If so, perhaps a bit of spit in a vial?\" He reached over to grab a little glass bottle, and shook it a little between his fingers. \"I wouldn't want to inconvienence you any more than you did me.\" He smiled politely. But, he was serious."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Another sigh escaped Sütcleff's lips, though he was well aware how equitable Varis was being. If anything, asking for something as small as a lock of hair or bit of saliva was unusually generous considering all the help the Dunmer enchanter had already been.\n\nTaking the vial from Varis, Sütcleff proceeded to nick the ring finger of his left hand using the hooked iron band and let the resulting blood drip into the glass canister until it was around three quarters full. \n\nA quick Restoration spell would cease the bleeding and close the wound, leaving behind little more than a long scab as evidence of the cut even happening in the first place.\n\n\"I always get suspicious when people ask for too little in return for their work. Not that this pithy amount of blood is a treasure, mind you. The strain of vampirism I suffer from cannot be contracted as easily as Sanguinare Vampiris or Porphyric Hemophilia, so don't go ingesting this in pursuit of undeath. You'll most likely only succeed in poisoning yourself, which is the best case scenario.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard leaned back when the man took the vial, and his eyes widened a tad when the man was willing to put some blood in the vial. He tilted his head, observing the increasing amount, until Castor seemed satisfied, and handed the vial back. As Castor spoke, Varis listened, and smirked at the end. \"No worries. I have no illusions for immortality via undeath.\"\n\nHe reached over and carefully placed the vial in a small box, and sealed the lock with a fiery rune, sending arcane flames licking along the sides, before they dissipated. \n\nHe looked toward Castor. \"As for me asking for too little,\" He smirked. \"For what I do, one strand of hair would be enough. A whole vial of blood? I could empower some rituals for a very long time. Not to get into the specifics, but, your kind's nature, of everlasting undeath, provides a paradox. You are hungry, all the time, but, you do not perish, even when you starve. Thus, your remains, parts, can be reverse engineered to provide stasis to rituals that are too complex and sophisticated for the mortal mind to comprehend.\"\n\nVaris raised his eyebrows and placed his hands behind his back. \"Think of me as a Theoretical Arcanist. I do not generate great amounts of power from my hands, but what I can do with a few precise calculations and the proper ingredients...\" He chuckled a little, walked toward the door, and undid the protective runes. \"A spell that would take decades of meditation and magicka development,\" He whisked his hand, and the door opened safely, and easily. \"Take less than a day.\"\n\nHe looked back toward Castor as he said, \"Some call it a short cut. I call it innovation.\" Varis gestured for Castor to step out, so that he could reseal the protections on the way out."
}
] | 324 | 4,140 |
317.3 | 2024-02-26 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Castor walks just behind and to the side of his Dunmer escort, pulling the cork off his bottle of mead and taking a deep sample of its scent before responding to Varis' query.\n\n\"I don't eat much meat, myself. It'll do in a pinch mind you, but I mostly keep it on me for wild animals. Foxes, wolves, sabrecats, even frostbite spiders...\" He hesitates for a second, then clears his throat and continues.\n\n\"I like to make friendly with them. Can't stand spriggans, though. Pacifying a pissed-off bear with Illusion magic is leagues different from mind-controlling them to assist you in murdering a random traveler that made the mistake of enjoying nature.\"\n\nSütcleff's nose twitches a bit, seemingly unimpressed by the quality of his drink. He downs half the bottle in a quick swig, grinning slightly as the alcohol began to warm his ice-cold blood.\n\n\"Vampires in Cyrodiil like to play at being aristocrats. They prefer to feed without killing or infecting, and usually on noblewomen, priestesses, or virgins. Probably so they can write some trashy romance novel that dramaticizes the weird things they get up to. The bloodsuckers here in Skyrim, though? They're absolutely deranged. They live in caves and ruins like Falmer or bandits and their hygiene is about on the same level. They don't drain their victims as much as just ouright butcher them and eat the bloody flesh they tear off some poor sod's bones. A lot of times they don't even care if their prey is fully dead before they start chowing down. There are exceptions, but few and far between. I've been hunting vampires, along with all other types of monsters, ever since I was old enough to swing a sword.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "His eyebrows rose as he listened to Castor, and a smirk formed. The man wished to pacify animals? Impressive. However, when he brought up his distaste for Spriggans, Varis' eyes lit up a little. He suddenly remembered a study on spriggans written by Magister Neloth's Apprentice, Talvas Fathryon, who had witnessed the torture methods and experiments performed on their kind.\n\nA grin formed, as Varis also held a lackluster view of Spriggans, not because he had experience with them, but because he knew the calculations of their death, and possible mutation and alteration.\n\nVaris did not say as much, but he continued to listen, and raised his eyebrows as Castor got on with a thesis on the distinction between Cyrodiil's Vampires and Skyrim's Vampires. Varis said nothing, as he had little experience with the vampires of this land, aside from his brief discussions with the Court Wizard of Solitude. She was an interesting, albeit disinterested wet blanket brimming with knowledge and power.\n\n\"Hm. Vampire Hunting. Perhaps you would like to collect some specimens for me, since, it seems you have no fondness for the feral savages that accompany the roads of Skyrim's Nights? I've read more than a few documents on the different strains throughout Tamriel, and am most familiar with Morrowind's strains. Some are blood thirsty beasts, others are rather amicable, civilized folk. Of course, I would gladly supply silver bonds for easier transport, perhaps with an enchantment to make them feather-light to carry, but mentally burdened so that they believe they cannot move?\"\n\nVaris smirked a little at his own request, before saying, \"Apologies, I don't mean to get ahead of myself. You say you hunted vampires from a young age. Why?\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "While he didn't address Varis' proposal first, he didn't ignore it. His answer would come later.\n\n\"My family was deeply involved with exterminating vampires. They specialized in researching them exclusively for the sake of refining techniques to kill them. Silver, fire, and weapons enchanted specifically to drain Magicka are the most reliably effective methods. As for why I followed their example... I could say I had little choice, if I was one for excuses. In truth, it was simply a task I could perform.\"\n\nThe Imperial swirls the contents of the bottle in his had, listening to the mead within slosh about in rhythm with the pair's footsteps.\n\n\"As for your job offer, I'll have to decline. Standard procedure for vampires is to destroy the remains so as to combat spreading the disease. Wild animals can even temporarily become carriers for the affliction if they feed on the bodies of killed vampires. The only reason you got some blood is because Noxiphilic Sanguivoria requires a detailed ritual to be carried out in order to be contracted.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard raised an eyebrow as Castor spoke. Was this family his blood family, or more of this, honor-bound family, like with the sister's sword they were tracking down? Varis had to tread lightly. This man was a vampire hunter by vocation, seemingly continuing it by choice, despite having been thrust into it from a young age, *Simply a task I could perform*. \n\nVaris had his arms behind his back and tapped his fingers against the back of his hands, pondering the choice of words. As far as he had seen, the man was eloquent, and perhaps the dialogue was creative wordplay, designed to seem open and honest. As he perceived it that way, it became increasingly obvious that there were shadows veiling his words. \n\nThen, he denied the job offer. Varis seemed to mentally pause, there. As if surprised, shocked, and a tad irritated. He continued to lead the duo all the same, and his face hardly changed, but there was a twitch in his eye, expressing all such emotions, as he listened to the retort. Once concluded, the Wizard nodded and said, \"Hm. Very well. As for how to hunt Vampires, the methods you learned seem similar to the way one Magister bound and gagged them. He would place silver bonds around his wrists and ankles, with a muzzle on his head, wrapped all around, that was enchanted with an everlasting freezing sensation, while the silver burned his flesh.\"\n\n\"The Vampire, being immortal, always got hungry. But, the muzzle, forced them to remain. With a few Domination spells, enchanted into the matrix of the helm, no matter how rabid the Vampire became, they were forced to work. I visited one such Kwama Mine, where at least a dozen such experiments were undergone.\" Varis mauled over his memories of such a place as he quietly said, \"An... Incredible thing to see. Both, positive, and negative. On the one hand, it is like seeing an enslaved Daedra: an immortal creature, a predator of men, being bound and gagged. On the other hand, the same choice of words.\" He tilted his head. \"That, is not what I would intend for any specimen I acquire.\" \n\nVaris glanced toward Castor. \"Especially, if that, possibly, offends you?\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Sütcleff considered the context of the word \"Offended\" In this situation.\n\n\"I'm not one to be offended easily. And if I was you wouldn't hear a word of complaint, you'd only feel the tip of a blade enter your flesh once my patience ran dry. To answer your question bluntly, no. I don't care how someone treats vampires they have in their possession, I simply have my own preferred methods of dealing with them.\"\n\nSütcleff pockets the now empty mead bottle, silently disappointed with both the drink's flavor and how it only took up around two-thirds of the container.\n\n\"What area of Morrowind are you from? I came home to Skyrim after a handful of years doing menial labor in Blacklight.\" Sütcleff wished to change the subject afore any civilians passing by began to pay undue attention to the pair's conversation."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard kept his hands behind his back as he listened, and a grin formed. At first, he was pleased by the vampire's disposition, and dispassion toward his own kind. It was evident that this man had not gone into the long night with some predisposed, infantile ignorance of the fate ahead of him. Though, as he continued to answer, Varis' grin shifted into a neutral thing. \n\nA thing that emitted no emotion, lacking all semblance of the humanity and expressionism he had displayed thus far. Perhaps this was a true expression. The face of the creature that lay beneath a sorcerer bent on dealings, favors, and power. The creature that, once faced with the threat of death, would feel nothing during the ensuing slaughter. \n\nAlas, Varis perked up a little as Castor offered an inquery of his own. The Telvanni Wizard raised his chin when Castor mentioned Blacklight, the mention of him having visited the Capital of Mainland Morrowind proving a great boone in the man's favor, in the wizard's eyes. \"Ah, Blacklight. An exceptional city. Though, I come from Port Telvannis, on the opposite side of Morrowind. My father, an Ashlander, my mother, a Telvanni Wizard. I followed in her footsteps, but, learned my religion from my Father. Most Telvanni are rather... Aesthetic, versus, devout.\"\n\nVaris raised an eyebrow, \"And, might I wonder why you were in Blacklight? I know you said menial labor, but, typically, Outlanders steer far from even Mainland Morrowind.\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"I have found work everywhere from Valenwood to the Summerset Isles throughout my life, and I had long since discovered that Morrowind is the best place to go when you want to get away from everywhere else.\"\n\nWhile he wasn't lying, Sütcleff intentionally left out the more personal details centering around why he left to journey to Morrowind in the first place.\n\n\"Blacklight being the modern capital of Morrowind, I sailed there from Solstheim in an attempt to bury myself in personal research whilst making a living wage doing odd jobs around the city. The Empire doesn't have the cleanest history with the Great Houses of Morrowind, I'm sure you know. Thankfully, I'm only half-Imperial. My height and pale skin made it hard for the locals to tell me apart from a dark-haired Nord, so people largely left me be.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "As the man mentioned Valenwood and the Summerset Isles, Varis had to take a pause and begin to guess how old this vampire may be. Until then, he had assumed, perhaps, roughly, one hundred? Surely, that was how long it took for a *Man* To become so subtly civilized, even if there was a slight bit of a fang behind every word. After all, the man hunted his own kind. \n\nThough, when the mer pondered it, he wondered if he was being too underappreciative. Surely, for this man to have lived long enough to travel all over Tamriel so thoroughly, he had to be older! In fact, what was he doing in the Summerset Isles? The Thalmor had claimed dominion over that place for nearly two hundred years! Let's see... They took control in the fourth era, supposedly one year from this one. Huh, nearly a two century anniversary, and this man had been there? As a man? Or, perhaps, he wore the guise of an elf?\n\nNo. Why would he travel to Morrowind if he had an elven disguise, but appeared as he did now? \n\nVaris had to consider this carefully... Until the man's words wrapped back around and smacked the front of Varis' consciousness. \n\n*Research*. \n\nThe moment such a word was uttered, Varis *Needed* To know more. It was his nature. \n\n\"Huh, well-traveled. Most of my travels were spent between pages.\" He looked around. \"Aside from the Telvanni Peninsula, this place is entirely alien to me, aside from what I have read and imagined.\" Varis turned his head back to Castor. \"And, you mentioned, *Research*?\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"Someone close to me was originally from Morrowind, so I studied the culture and topography of their homeland as a way to honor their life.\" \n\nAnd that was all he had to say aloud on the matter. No reason to go into detail for Varis' sake, given that they were in large part still a stranger to Sütcleff.\n\n\"How much farther to your collector friend's domicile? I've never much cared for this city.\"\n\nSolitude was an incongruent mess, what with its bustling marketplace juxtaposed against the headsman's block and soldier-infested Caste Dour it lay sandwiched between. The confusing layout of the city did little to distract from the precarious rocky perch it rested upon, which also made Sütcleff distrust the long-lasting integrity of it. \n\n\"Though I guess Solitude has little reason to fall into the sea anytime soon if it's been around since the First Era. Not to mention all that kerfuffle involving the Wolf Queen. Add all the history up and it's a veritable miracle this place is in better shape than Winterhold.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis raised his eyebrows, and nodded. It seemed the nature of the man's research was... Noble, but, not particularly fascinating to Varis. *Very well*. His mind trailed off, before he was pulled back to Castor with the urge to get a move on. The Wizard smirked as he said, \"We're only a few more blocks away.\" \n\nThen, Castor got into the history of the city, and how that arch over the Karth River Estuary had been a miracle of natural engineering to have lasted so long. Varis nodded, as he recited the events of the Wolf Queen's time in his head. His people were so far removed from the Wolf Queen, that he had difficulty recalling the name *Potema*. Though, she was a powerful magic user, just... Not an exceptional wizard. She produced no theses or studies of note, and it seemed her raw power carried her further than any true understanding of the arts. \n\n\"Agreed. Though, perhaps, by the time the next Era reers its ugly head with a world-wide catastrophe, the city will collapse. Based on some surveys around the base of the arch holding it all up, it would likely only require an echo of earthbound vibration, easily weaker than the one at Winterhold, to have it all crashing down.\"\n\nVaris looked toward Castor with a grin, \"Though, I wouldn't worry. As in, I keep to the part of the city that is *Not* Suspended over air and icy water.\" He looked forward. \"Some are far less pragmatic.\"\n\nThe path toward the collector's home was long, coming from the entrance of the city. The dense streets and massive amount of homes and compartments, taking on the form of courtyards and dark alleys and market places, was a massive matrix to manuever through. It had taken Varis a week to familiarize himself with all of the nooks and crannies, as his investigations into the structure and layout of the city had been thorough. \n\nIt would likely only take a few more moments before they reached the collector's doorstep."
}
] | 350 | 3,173 |
153.096774 | 2024-03-03 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"...I must apologize. I've been meandering on about nonsense this entire time to distract myself from how irritated I am. A collector is merely a thief by a different name. Though, I guess one could make that comparison about any sort of career if they connected enough dots and leapt forward in logical thinking enough times.\"\n\nSütcleff sighed, crossing his arms. Whilst objective reasoning wouldn't hold it against an individual to lay claim to a seemingly abandoned weapon, the nigh-ancient vampire had grown into an... Uncharacteristically emotional man in the past few4 decades. \n\n\"My sister fancied herself a prospective dragon slayer. That's how she died, believe it or not. I'd never met someone as talented with a blade, and I doubt I'll encounter anyone that surpasses her anytime soon.\"\n\nSütcleff pauses for a moment, stopping in his tracks and staring at what he assumed was the front door of the collector's abode.\n\n\"I'm not giving this acquaintance of yours a single drake in recompense. As far as I'm concerned, we are retrieving a purloined gravemarker.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard, after a period of relative silence and peace, looked at Castor as he spoke up about his internal thoughts. Varis looked forward, kept his hands behind his back, and narrowed his gaze. As he listened, he mauled over a few thoughts. Perhaps a collector was a glorified thief. Perhaps all careers were. After all, he made a pretty penny off of stolen goods, from time to time. He was a small time fence, but a well connected one. A light shipment of expensive, deceitfully procured goods is always welcome in the hands of an ammoral collector or businessman. \n\nHe did not wonder his thoughts on the matter, as he looked back toward Castor when he explained his sister, and hinted toward how she had died. His eyebrows furrowed a little. Did this mean that he had met his sister back when Dragons were out slaughtering people in villages, cities, and streets? Or... Perhaps, even earlier? Back before the Dragon Wars, or whatever these bleating Nords went on about in their old songs. \n\nVaris tapped his chin, pondering his words, as the two stopped, and Varis looked up to the door of the man they were meeting with. A smirk formed as he said, \"I understand. Do not worry, you will not have to pay a septim. Though, I should likely do the majority of the talking. Unless, of course, he asks you something. He's... Very peculiar, about asking people things.\"\n\nVaris walked up the steps to the door of the manor, and simply had to stand there for a moment. He did not knock or make any noise.\n\nThus, the sound of stomping feet rushing to the door made its way behind the threshold, locks were undone, and the door came swinging open."
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "In the brightly lit interior, a man of many wrinkles and yellow eyes peered out at the two. His face was angular and long, obviously an Altmer, but his ears seemed rounded, and if Castor looked close enough, he would see there was stitching there, likely from a previous injury. The wrinkles of his face seemed to mask scars in between them, as the grey haired Altmer leaned out of the door, and more of his wardrboe was revealed.\n\nUldavin wore a long arrangement of robes that dragged on the polished floor behind him, as jewelry of ancient times and stone designs adorned his body on nearly every limb and place one might find such baubles. His flared collar coming from his foremost layer of silk nestled his head like a soul gem in a recepticle, and his yellowed teeth became visible as his thin lips split apart into a nervous grin. \n\n\"Greetings, Lord Varis! It, it is a pleasure to see you again!\" His words, they seemed forced. Whatever favor this man owed a clearly younger mer, or however the man knew this Dunmer, it inspired a great deal of fear. His yellow eyes, the greenish eyeliner on his bottom eyelid rubbing its powdery dryness against his dryish eyes. He stared at the disguised man accompanying the wizard, and his lips closed to swallow a bit of saliva before it drooled from his lips, as he added, \"And, who is this?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"The pleasure is all mine, Uldavin.\" It was clear he did not respect this man. This man was probably more of a Lord than Varis, at least. But, his tone was light, and polite. \"This is an acquaintance, you may call him Castor. I invited him to come see your collection.\""
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "A grave expression came over the Altmer's face, as his eyes darted between the two, and then darted up and down Castor's body. \"Is he...?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"No. But, keep that in mind. At the forefront, if you would.\""
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "He leaned back a little, closing his lips, as he walked behind the door, and gestured for the two to enter. \"Be welcome, then.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Dunmer looked toward Castor and gestured for him to go first."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "The relationship the two Mer had seemed... Strained, to put it lightly. Even Sütcleff could glean that from the way the two interacted. It was of no importance to him, at least not in this moment. \n\nStepping into Uldavil's home turned \"Museum\", the Imperial's eyes drifted to and from each and every angle of the displays.\n\nHe stops before a glass case containing an assortment of Akaviri and Blades relics alike, ranging from historical passages printed on parchment weathered by age to battle-damaged pieces of armor. Nestled among the artefacts, almost as if it barely held enough signifigance to be included among the other pieces, rested a sheathed katana with a tsuba resembling a pair of serpents biting down on one another's tails.\n\n\"Is there an enchantment placed upon any of these displays? I assume you'd have a safefuard in place to ward off **Thieves**.\"\n\nTry as he might, Sütcleff could not wholly mask the venom lacing his tone."
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "The man shut the door behind Varis, and placed his hands within the sleeves of his robes as he followed the duo, Varis keeping near Castor. Uldavin was about to explain some of his collection, as it was neatly, and somewhat disorganized, all throughout his home. It was a vast collection of artifacts, most of which probably would have taken a lifetime to build up and procure. But, when the acquaintence of the Dunmer asked his question, Uldavin's eyebrows furrowed a little. \n\n\"Well, yes, of course. All of these display cases are sealed with an arcane lock. Keeps grubby lockpickers off my goods. If someone were to take my stuff, they'd have to use a spell, as I would.\"\n\nUldavin walked toward the display case and glanced into what Castor was looking at. \"Ah, a fine collection of swords. One of my favorites,\" He gestured to the blade with a tsuba resembling a pair of serpents biting down on one another's tails. \"I acquired it from a Scamp, who said he'd come from Morrowind.\" He whisked his hand, \"He gave me a lecture on the sword's history, but the fact it came to me from the hands of a Daedra,\" He nodded, grinning a little. \"Now that, alone, makes it quite valuable. As for its history, I... Hm, I'd say it dates back to one of the early Tsaecsi Invasions of Tamriel. I have often wondered, about whether it was carried by a mannish hand, or, a scaly hand, attached to a full bodied serpent-creature.\"\n\nHe shook his face a little, \"Such a fascinating race. If only I could meet one,\" He nodded, and looked toward Castor. \n\nHis eyes stared at the man as he asked, \"Hmm... Imperial Nord?\" His eyes widened a little, as he inspected the disguise Sütcleff wore. It was if he was inspecting skin tone, down to the pores, and then the muscles beneath, and even the shape of the man's skull."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard glanced over with a raised eyebrow. \n\nHe glanced toward Castor. Varis shook his head, surely the man was not a Nord. Though, the very idea did make Varis narrow his gaze as he inspected the man, but he looked away, toward a totem of sorts depicting a variety of tiger-like faces."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"A Scamp? Hailing from Morrowind? And you say it dates back that far, eh?\" \n\nSütcleff's voice was shaking as he questioned the scholar's claims. It was only after he burst into a hearty laugh that it became clear his scuffed inflection was a result of disbelief as opposed to righteous anger.\n\n\"I suppose Ashuri would be honored to hear how closely her craft resembles the works of those her clan idolized. You'll have to excuse the Scamp's dishonestly, what with its tall tale of acquiring it in Morrowind. Daedra aren't ones to be trusted, after all.\"\n\nSütcleff wholly disregarded the comments on his race. The man himself knew almost nothing of his birth parents, with the exception being that his mother was an Imperial and his father had been a Nord. Sütcleff was also acutely aware of what the Dawnguard paid the couple in exchange for the child they couldn't afford to feed, as it was used to viciously mock him when he fell short of his mentor's expectations.\n\n\"Open the case.\""
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "The man seemed taken aback, as his eyebrows furrowed with a flash of fury. The man had not answered his question. He had dove right into mocking the collector's tale. Though, when a name was provided, and that it was crafted by that person, Uldavin's eyebrows knitted together, astonished. \n\n\"Huh...\" He stared at the man, and frowned as he looked toward the case. He looked at the sword, and his eyes narrowed as he leaned down and looked at it. \"Crafted... By frauds?\"\n\nHe closed his lips and brushed his fingers over the display case, and his attention snapped toward the man as he was commanded to open the case. \n\nThe Collector suddenly stood up straight, and looked down, his height easily seven feet. The Altmer gave Castor a look of surprise, mixed with challenge. Did this young man dare think to steal his artifact?! Who knew if that cock and bull story was even true?!"
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Conjurer held his hands behind his back as he walked toward the two, and said softly, \"*Remember, Uldavin*.\" His voice was almost song-like."
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "Immediately, his disposition of defense and courage *Shattered*. He glanced toward Varis, gulped a little, and almost whimpered, \"*But, it is mine!*\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis only grinned, as he stepped back, and looked toward Castor. \"Careful. He's useful to me.\" He looked back toward Uldavin. He would let this play out. If their interaction ended in blood, Castor was warned."
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "He looked toward Castor, and that look of conviction, that the sword was his, returned, only as a whispering presence, as he hissed a little, \"*Its mine!* What gives you the right to take what is mine?!\" Even though the Imperial-Nord had not said anything regarding taking the sword, all signs suggested it. The way Varis and the man came unannounced, the way Castor demanded the case opened, after perscribing such a ludicrous story to it... Uldavin's mind whirled with paranoia, and he seemed more fiend than mer in that moment."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "It was almost amusing, the scene playing around him. Sūtcleff was tall for an Imperial (but probably a smidge below average for a Nord), and this Altmer fellow was certainly uaing his natural height advantage over him to try and make himself appear more intimidating. Sütcleff was no stranger to displays such as this. He didn't even bother to turn to look at Uldavin when he responded to the collector's posturing.\n\n\"I can certainly empathize with the frustration you must be experiencing.\"\n\nSütcleff raises his left hand slowly, only to hover it over the display case just before the coveted blade. He lightly pushes onto the glass with his pointer finger, tracing out the general shape of his sister's blade in quiet contemplation.\n\n\"Dear sister... Tell me something, collec- no, Uldavin. Do you have a family?\"\n\nSütcleff composed himself before finally turning to face the angered Altmer. He didn't show it in his face, voice, or body language... But he was deathly furious."
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "The Altmer stared at Castor as his eyes narrowed. When he asked if the Altmer had any family, the man seemed to ponder it for a moment. The Collector actually had to consider it for a moment, before he looked back toward the man, and his lips twitched. Was the man attempting to threaten Uldavin's family?\n\n\"In the most technical sense.\" His voice was gradually hardening, as he began to lose focus of Varis' presence. Perhaps even Castor would cease to sense Varis, as the wizard had seemingly made himself as quiet, and small, as possible, simply observing the scene before him from a dark corner. \n\nUldavin delicately placed his hand on the display case like a spider's legs, looking at Castor with wide eyes. \"Explain yourself, Nebarra Bet,\" If Castor had spent enough time around High Elves throughout his long life, he might recognize the term Uldavin had called him. It was a hissed phrase, typically, roughly, translating to: *Unwelcome Beast*."
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "\"It matters little how you answer me. As long as you are aware of the gravity of what I shall soon say.\"\n\nSütcleff exhaled in a smug manner at the collector's attempt to insult him. \n\n\"It seems we both have demands. Seeing as how this is your home, however... I shall afford you an explanation.\"\n\nSütcleff's gaze is pulled once more to the display case. His agitation is alleviated somewhat by the close proximity of his sister's beloved heirloom.\n\n\"This sword was forged from the remains of a handful of Blades armaments unearthed in the Reach by a clan of Forsworn. Ashuri melted down all the viable material she could scavenge, then honed the resulting slab of metal into a wholly new creation. The tsuba was particularly difficult to get just right. The serpents are meant to resemble some archaic illustrations of dragons that were also found in the cache of Blades and Akakiri memorabilia. The saya was crafted from Spriggan wood, a tribute to the disdain we both held for the creatures.\"\n\nSütcleff smiled to himself as he recounted the blade's history.\n\n\"As talented as she was at using a sword, she had no idea how to take care of one until I taught her basics of weapon maintenance. Within a month of picking up a whetstone for the first time, she had advanced to the point that I would come to her for help when something broke.\"\n\nThe Imperial once more looks into Uldavin's eyes.\n\n\"To put it bluntly, *Serce*...That sword isn't yours. It wasn't the Scamp's when they brought it to you. It isn't even mine. That sword's owner is dead, and she wished for it to rest in the shadow of the Eldergleam.\""
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "The Altmer stared at Castor, and listened begrudgenly as the tale was told. His lips twitched and he mauled over some ideas as the man explained the sword's history, or really, lack thereof. The conviction with which this man spoke... It almost convinced Uldavin. As he stared at the man's lips move, he became increasingly aware that this could all be a front. That perhaps, Varis had hired this man, this convincing man, to swindle an exceptionally original, genuine artifact from his collection. \n\nAnd so, as Castor spoke, Uldavin's expression became ever more irritated, until, Castor finished, and the man scoffed a little. \n\n\"Even if all that is true, let us say it is, then, let us follow the logic, hm?\" His eyebrows rose, as he placed his hands together in front of him. \"A dead woman, placed a sword, in a supposedly sacred place to the Nords... A people who are always infighting, and in need of good steel. This sword cuts. It can kill. Thus, you want the sword, to put *Back*, in the place it was taken from?\"\n\nHis eyes widened a little. \"This would imply that ownership remains with the dead.\" \n\nUldavin looked around his home and held out his hands, \"All of the owners of these items are long since dead.\" He looked toward Castor. \"These artifacts, were acquired by grave robbers, and sold to merchants, who sold them to bidders and those with an eye for things. Finally, it winds its way through however many channels, until it reaches people like me.\"\n\nUldavin held up his chin and he sneered a little. \"If I gave you the sword, it would only happen again. Perhaps, you have the constitution to do it over, and over, and over again. Until, eventually, your small, flimsy, non-Mer life would fade out, and no one would bother to retrieve the sword again.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "In the corner, obscured from all light, Varis simply smiled. *Oh, you poor fool. Well, if you die now, I'll just take your house. Old fool never really was one for reading the fine print of a good contract.*"
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "The Altmer had a point, bringing up the fallacy of expecting one's possessions to remain untouched after they die. Uldavin's collection was the physical embodiment of that fact, if anything. However, the relic hunter had failed to realize a crucial detail: Sütcleff cared deeply for the person who once possessed the item currently being disputed over. \n\n\"Playing nice - and make no mistake, I have been playing nice thus far - has never worked for me once. I'm starting to think I shouldn't even bother. Varis, make good on our deal and have this fool hand over the sword.\"\n\nSütcleff had considered utilizing an Illusion spell to get his way. Unfortunately, a tempestuous mental and/or emotional state made the passable utilization of such magic nearly impossible."
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "The Collector stared at Castor, eyes narrow, as he waited for a retort, but, instead, the man called upon Varis. \n\nThe Collector turned his head toward Varis, and watched as the Dunmer stood up from his chair, placed his hands behind his back, and walked up to the duo. \n\n\"Lord Varis... Please. You know how I feel about losing anything from my collection!\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis only smiled a little. \"Hand over the sword, Uldavin.\""
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "Once the command was set, it was immediate. With a wave of the Altmer's hand, the case was unlocked with a whishing of ethereal ribbons and lights, the Altmer opened the case, and took a step back. His face was sullen and he gritted his teeth, before looking toward Varis."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer nodded, kept his hands behind his back, and nodded for Castor to pick up the sword. In the mean time, he looked toward Uldavin, and said, \"Keep up the good work, Uldavin.\""
},
{
"author": "Uldavin Malvado",
"message": "He stared at Varis with raw contempt, as he said, \"*Not for y-*\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Daia'felaven Ghisheraon Imbezasaraz.\" The words slithered from Varis' mouth, a binding set of words. They were not mystical, for the incantation provided no visible effect. They were not in any language of mer or men that Castor would recognize, but they clearly meant something to the Altmer. This was knowledge, a code. The phrase alone sent Uldavin stepping back, looking between the two, before he hurried himself out of the room and deeper into the manor.\n\nVaris sighed through his nostrils as he watched the Altmer leave. \"Well, that was a useful card in my hand. A shame I had to play it so early.\" He shrugged. \"He'll remain a pawn for a while longer.\"\n\nVaris said this almost to himself, ruminating, before he looked toward Castor. \"Satisfied?\""
},
{
"author": "Sutcleff Rem",
"message": "Ghastly circumstances aside, Sütcleff was relieved to finally have the blade within his reach. He pushes his hands up underneath the weapon and lifts it from the display with a gentle reverence.\n\nStepping past Uldavin, Sütcleff stopped for a moment upon showing the Altmer his back.\n\n\"You made a good point about some things, collector. Most noteworthy being the eternal cycle of death and repossession. I'll carry my sister's blade with me from this day forward so that I can have some say in where it ends up, at the very least.\" \n\nAs for Varis' inquiry, Sütcleff stopped to answer the Dunmer only once both of them had exited Uldavin's den and found themselves back on the streets of Solitude.\n\n\"Satisfied with the end result? Yes, though I care not for Uldavin's greedy posturing and your ominous methods. However, it's none of my business what you and that glorified hoarder get up to. On the topic of business, ours in concluded. If you'll excuse me, I wish to be alone for a moment.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer walked out of the Collector's house, and smirked a little when the man provided some insight into what would happen to the blade, and how Varis conducted his business. Varis placed his hands behind his back and nodded, \"I'm glad my methods are ominous. It would not do if I was a wholly honest businessman.\" He looked toward Castor. \"How else would I twist the necks of the other deceitful ones?\" \n\nVaris smirked a little, finding amusement in his statement, as he looked forward. \"But, you're right. Ours is concluded, until I decide to claim that favor.\" He looked back toward the man and extended a hand to shake. \"Pleasure doing business with you. And, if you ever come back to Solitude, feel free to find me. Perhaps we'll share some netch jelly and kwama eggs.\""
}
] | 124 | 4,746 |
461.5 | 2024-02-01 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Talia at-Tura",
"message": "*Talia at-Tura had now discovered she was a woman of simple pleasures.*\n\n*She simply liked to enjoy the pleasure of dancing.*\n\n*A crowd had gathered yet again as a group of minstrels from the Bard's College played an upbeat jig. Talia found herself dancing in the middle of a large group of passerbys when she had unexpectedly been pulled in. Despite her initial intention of waiting by the city gate, two little girls, one Dunmer and one Nord, had pulled her in and Talia couldn't refuse their smiles. Children, adults, and even a few elders all danced in a round to the tune, and as the song neared its end, Talia found herself smiling. As the song finished, the street was filled with cheering and laughter. Talia slowly waded her way through the crowd as everyone stopped to tip the players before they continued.*\n\n*But as much fun as it had been, Talia had business to take care of.*\n\n*She was once again in her common garb with her large hair pulled back, but this time into a braid that had come a little loose in the time she spent dancing. Talia didn't notice as she watched a fresh group of supply wagons come through the gate. Flustered, she ran a flat palm over her hairline and wiped her hands on the apron of her dress as she started examining the wagons, searching for her quarry. At last, she saw the wagon with the East Empire logo on its side. Excellent.*\n\n*The wagon's steward leanded over in his seat to talk to an Imperial Soldier. Presumably checking in with the shipment he had brought. Talia patiently waited her turn before the man finished his business with the guard, turning and spotting her on the other side of his wagon.*\n\n*After a short exchange, the driver handed over an envelope with a wax seal, which Talia promptly put in her dress before moving off the main road and letting the man on his way, smiling back at the bard's playing and opting to watch the new dance exchange this time. She didn't want to sweat through the letter's writing.*"
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Not even those haughty elves at the Radiant Raiment could compare to his style. When he stepped in, they gushed over the silks and fabrics he wore, but ultimately, they could not compare. What use was a bit of linen compared to the silk of a Kwama, or a Spider Daedra? The latter was far more difficult to come by, even for a Conjurer like himself, but it was the greatest of qualities. Thus, he would not even dare *Let* Them touch his ingredients, and instead had to go to a Dunmer man in the city, who had retired, and offered him a job. \n\nWhat self-respecting Dunmer would dare to deny a Telvanni Homelander? Though, it also helped, Varis supposed, that the ingredients and components he had were top tier. Plus, he only needed a few robes, given that he could simply whisk his hand and cast the filth away from him. Showers, baths, laundry, it all seemed like such a waste of time. Especially as he watched the people of Solitude, and how little time they had to waste. Every second was a hustle for life and survival.\n\nVaris walked through the streets, unashamed of his alien attire and materials, baubles and trinkets, and gladly recieved glances of disapproval and envy. He cared little for their wants and needs, their attention. He preferred his garments well made, and his trinkets enchanted to his liking. Though, the occassional peasant, who thought it wise to pickpocket the mage, gave Varis great satisfaction. \n\nEspecially, after they found nothing in his pockets, and his jewels unmoving, it only took a few moments before the pickpocket's hands would begin to melt. A prolongued fire-rune. Something forgotten by the flashy wizards of this province. Seering pain, incrementally picking up over time, was far more satisfying. \n\nThough, recasting those spells did take time. But, in his mind, it was worth it.\n\nVaris, however, did not walk through the streets to merely terrorize the criminal element. No, instead, he was headed for the gates, to pick up a shipment. The East Empire company was supposed to deliver a package the day prior, but after a friendly chat with the Officer on duty, he found out that his package had been set back by a week. Good thing their chat had ended with it arriving today, as Varis made his way to the gate, and paused. \n\nBeyond the celebrations in the streets, he saw Talia. His eyebrow rose as he clasped his hands behind his back. She was acquiring a letter from the carraige driver that had his shipments onboard. He raised an eyebrow, but did not wish to pry. He knew her to be loftier than she wished to appear, in her common clothes. Maybe she preferred the job of a spy, though she had affluence in her breath. He shrugged, meandered toward the carraige, spoke to the driver, and offered a few gold for the shipment to be delivered directly to the Winking Skeever, and taken up to his room. \n\nThe extra gold was to ensure that it was safely handled. Ritual components were not cheap, and certainly not as durable as he'd hope. \n\nThough, Varis did not return to his room just yet, as he was curious. What had Talia ordered, or recieved, that made a letter so important so as to visit the front gates? He chose to stand still, plucked his notebook from his robes, and began to write. To occupy himself, he decided to write some observations about the music. Drivel, as far as he was concerned, *But*, there were chords that had their merit. Particularly ones that spoke of the commoner's plight. Knowing these things made it easier to connect with them, so to manipulate them. From afar, of course. No peasant wants to see someone like Varis speaking to them about a business opportunity."
},
{
"author": "Talia at-Tura",
"message": "**There's something in the air.**\n\n*It was a pinging taste, like a citrus that had been left out for too long and now was not only sour, but a tad bitter. Talia's spine began to tingle slightly as she looked around from where she had wandered back toward the crowd. A slow glance over her shoulder and the familiar collection of robes and ashen skin told her all she wanted to know. A sly smile slipped over her face, and she turned around to meander back towards the wagon. Both her hands folded themselves behind her back as she walked up to her recent acquaintance.*\n\n\"It's been a while, Just Varis.\" *Talia says gently, but with an air of teasing.* \"You sure know how to keep yourself busy. I haven't seen you since your arrival in Solitude.\" *Her accent sang of sunlight and her smile played with warmth. It was quite the sight, the beaming redguard and the brooding dunmer. No doubt it made the ghosts of Stormcloaks past roll in their graves.*"
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "His eyes shifted, a sleight of face, as his eyelids did not move, but he peered through his eyelashes. His knitted brows spoke of studious focus, but his irises were locked on Talia, as she waded her way through the stream of lives. It was impressive, how even in such common attire, she could command herself with such grace. \n\nMeanwhile, the brooding Dunmer had no knack for grace. Only subtlety of the smallest regard. He could not expend a smile of great joy, nor a look of seductive wariness. He was direct, cold, calculating, and when he wanted something, he demanded it. \n\nVaris raised his chin, looking up from his notebook, and at her. The slightest of smirks formed, barely visible through his facial hair, as he tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. The man chuckled a little at her jest, to keep a touch of lightness. He appreciated her presence, for he could tell when someone was *Too* Good at conversation. \n\n\"Idle hands are the servants of Bal. My work takes me all over the city, from the docks, to the Castle Dour, and even, sometimes, the Blue Palace. But, I must comment, that the Blue Palace, as renowned as it may be, as beautiful, as it may be... Lacks. Hm. An odd place, that one. The docks, the Dour, they all have purpose. Known and true. The Blue Palace? Such... A combination of so many ambiances. Hm. Impressive, how one might stay on top of it all. Just, impressive.\" He smirked, and closed his notebook, using a sash to hold his place."
}
] | 397.5 | 1,846 |
171 | 2024-02-04 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Talia at-Tura",
"message": "**He's as cheery as ever.** \n\n*Talia kept her eyes locked on those of the brooding dunmer. She knew from growing up in the desert to never look away from the snake when it hissed. As she sauntered up to Varis, she stopped behind him and moved her hands from behind her back to in front of her body.*\n\n**He doesn't think highly of the blue palace. Talia wasn't surprised that he didn't like the palace, but she was surprised that she shared in the sentiment.**\n\n\"Indeed. The palace looks beautiful, but it does lack a soul, of sorts. I suspect that despite the character of the nords returning to the province, the palace has remained empty for some time. I wish I knew what was the reason...\" *As she speaks, her smile slowly falls as she describes the disrepair of the palace. Talia admired beauty and truly enjoyed searching for it, so speaking of the palace in such a way saddened her.* \"I hope it is brought attention sometime during my stay. It has so much potential...\""
},
{
"author": "azwrat",
"message": "*Ahem* Correction..."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard laughed a little, nodding. So, she aspired for things to happen during her place in the city. He knew she was not someone who let the whims of life pass her by. She was a mover, a player in a grand game. Whether she was a Pawn, Rook, Knight, or any other piece, was yet to be seen. As for himself... He always saw the pieces as a liquified state. Wherever he was in the hierarchy, he knew he could find a way to get higher. Just as he had, ever since he wasn't even on the board.\n\n\"Agreed. The potential in this entire city is... Ready to be cultivated. Nurtured, even. Beauty without a soul, certainly is, a tragedy. Better to be ugly, with one, than vice versa.\" He placed his hands together behind his back as he continued to face the crowd, his eyes shifting between the guards nearby and the people who enjoyed the performance. \"I take it you've found other parts of the city to your liking? I must say, the districts are... A homogenous bunch, despite being so cosmopolitan. It seems the identity of the Empire and the identity of the Nords, in this place, are rather well combined. So much so, one finds it difficult to find distinction.\" \n\nHe glanced toward her. \"Wouldn't you agree?\""
}
] | 222 | 513 |
274.5 | 2024-02-05 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Talia at-Tura",
"message": "*Talia at-Tura tilted her head from side to side, mulling over the dunmer's words.* \"It is... Difficult for me to say. Hammerfell has been without the Empire for long enough that I no longer know what the Empire looks like by itself, so it is hard for me to separate the two.\"\n\n*She shrugs and makes a face of mild surprise at the thought, a gesture that was surely unladylike.* \"I do not doubt that Solitude especially has seen much of the assimilation from the Empire. From what I understand, the legendary General Tulius used Solitude as his base of operations during the Civil War, so I bet the city got used to the presence of the Imperial army to the point where it was just the way of life for the citizens by the time of the war's end.\"\n\n*Talia turns, flashing her inquisitve smile at Varis,* \"You must have seen quite a lot of the city if you can make such a remark. Would you tell me of your travles? I've rarely been able to wander much more than the main road and the docks and I'm so interested to learn of what your eyes have seen.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Oh, no much. I have only known Morrowind as my home, and I have traveled around its temples and cities many times. There are still some remnants of Imperial Occupation, from before the Red Mountain and Oblivion Crises. I have seen and studied their architecture. It is... A crude thing. But, fortified, and, dignified, one could say. From, an Imperial point of view. As for this city, I like to visit the dark corners of places, to know what really runs the blood of a place. Though, I'm afraid to say, the criminal element of this city is rather lacking. I imagine much of the crime is rich and elite. Anything below that is simply petty robbery or burglary.\"\n\nVaris glanced toward Talia. \"At least, that's what the poor neighborhoods suggest. A fine jewel here and there, but nothing that speaks to the loftiness of thieves. Then again, I doubt I would be invited anywhere near such dens.\"\n\nHe shrugged, and continued, \"As for my travels, I have only seem the schematics for Imperial Architecture. It is visible all over this place. It most resembles a mixture of Bruma and Skingrad, with that, Nordic identity we spoke of before.\"\n\nThe Wizard placed a hand to his chin, rubbing his beard a little. \"Though, General Tulius, that is a man who knew how to rise through the ranks and lead an army. A good thing he's gone from the province, though. A military leader is often times the most... Insufferable, to deal with.\"\n\nHe glanced towards her with a smirk. \"Hopefully, no offense.\""
},
{
"author": "Talia at-Tura",
"message": "**Disappointed at a lack of crime? Truly, this elf has less care for the law than I had thought.**\n\n*Talia listens with intrigue as Varis speaks of his homeland and Imperial architecture. She finds it fascinating that someone has actually seen parts of the world she has yet to visit herself, and she wonders if one day she will ever be lucky enough to see the world as this elf has.*\n\n*At the mention of Tulius, Talia puts on a befuddled expression, folding her arms over her chest.* \"Why would there be any offense? I am no soldier nor am I an officer. Why would you assume such a thing?\" *She shakes her head, her smile returning.* \"Besides, what use would I have of being a soldier? I do not forsee myself camping out and waiting for an enemy ambush or having to make my bunk every morning before dawn.\"\n\n*Talia sighs.* \"No, I much prefer the life in the city. So much more opportunity to talk to people with words, rather than steel.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard chuckled a little, \"Because, I didn't know if you had darker intentions. Or, perhaps, you have family members with such ideals.\" He whisked his hand, but nodded. \"Though, I too, prefer the life of a city. Though, I like it for ease of access, more than words versus steel.\"\n\nVaris turned toward her and raised an eyebrow. \"As for the life of a soldier, you make it seem so, non-glamorous. That's good. Better to see the world for how it is, than, how so many want you to see it. In my home, disputes, such as, matters of state or, things that could incite wars, are handled with smooth, simple, discrete, assassination.\" He smiled, as if the thought relaxed him. \"There is no Civil War in Morrowind. The generals, military dictators, and nuts, are all cut, root and stem, by the Morag Tong.\" He nodded, his tone appreciating the very idea. \"I couldn't imagine growing up with that infantile cult, the Dark Brotherhood, lurking around.\" \n\nHe shook his head. \"A shameful guild, indeed. Murder for the sake of pleasure and appeasement to some Night Mother, or so I've read?\" Varis seemed disgusted. \"Murder, good murder, is for the sake of civilization. Better to behead a dictator, than lose thousands in a war, that ultimately, ends bad for everyone.\""
}
] | 275 | 1,098 |
262 | 2024-03-23 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "The morning came slowly.\n\nLuhn had made it back to her Hostel following her conversation with Varis. And collapsed into her bunk, she slumbered peacefully in the night. When morning came, the streams of light through the window of the hostel awoke her. Luhn came to rather quickly, the buzz of her drink had long since worn off. She dressed and arrived at the dining area of her hostel to indulge in a rather greasy breakfast. She returned to her room to grab her sword, but left her leather armor behind. After neatly tucking her belongings away she left. \n\nThe crisp early morning air sent chills up her spine, the cold wind blowing from the Sea of Ghosts went right through her. The walk back towards The Winking Skeever was short, and she made it back to the tavern without issue. Luhn stepped up towards the bar and asked the Innkeeper if he could let Varis know she had arrived. Luhn took a glance around the building to see if she could spot the Argonian servant of the wizard. She moved towards the central dining room in the middle of the inn. Leaning against one of the support beams of the building. \n\nLuhn drummed the hilt of her sword, it was a habit of hers, but also a nervous tick. Being a test subject of a Telvanni wizard still sat wrong in her gut. She had debated earlier about not going, but he did hire her for his expedition. It would be impolite for her not to honor her promises."
},
{
"author": "Teejun",
"message": "The Argonian servant was up and about, albeit quite hungover, as he slumped through the passage way of the inn out into the main area, his eyes snagging on Luhn as she leaned against a support beam. His eyes blinked thrice before he stood up straight and adjusted his tunic, which had no straps or buttons to tidy up, only a baggy display to tuck deeper into his trousers. \n\nTeejun walked forward, placed his hands together in front of him, and widened his eyes a little. A display of warm welcome, as his facial expressions were quite muted and irrelevant for discerning his feelings, as he said, \"Ah, Madame Hleri, was it? I remember you from the other night. It seemed you kept my employer busy for quite some time.\"\n\nHe tilted his head and furrowed his brows, \"Do you have additional business with him?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn stopped leaning on the beam and looked up over at Teejun. She gave him a casual wave as he approached. \"Teejun was it? You looked like you were having fun last night. Hope it didn't get too wild after I left.\" Luhn joked casually. She did glance around the inn. While the difference in lighting casted a different mood on the interior of the tavern she could see some remains of lasts nights festivities. A couple of mugs on the tables, ones that the innkeeer missed while cleaning. Fresh drink stains on the rugs. The average early morning inn. \n\nLuhn nodded at Teejun. \"Yes, Varis told me to meet him here again in the morning. Is he awake? Or should I return in a few hours? You know the mer the best.\" Luhn stretched her arms as she spoke, resting her hands on her hips."
},
{
"author": "Teejun",
"message": "The Argonian nodded as she said his name, and he raised his eyebrows as she mused whether it had gotten wild or not. He nodded to it, providing a slight laugh of affirmation, as it had momentarily gotten quite out of hand. \n\n\"Ah, yes, he's upstairs at the moment. Likely adjusting his terrarrium, as is his first first hours of the morning. You know, Telvanni and their shrooms.\" He shrugged, before he placed his hands behind his back. \"Follow me, I'll make sure you don't run into any runes.\" \n\nTeejun turned and started down the hallway of the inn toward the staircase, which switched back and forth along the ascent, reaching the third floor that would have been the attic, and a door was there. \n\nThe door was covered in all sorts of oddities, from talismans to odd insignias carved into the frame, held in place by shimmering runic sigils, both in arcane script and daedric alphabet. If Luhn was familiar with any of it, she could notice some of the descriptors for spells Varis had discussed the night prior. \n\nAll manner of horrors existed on the surface of that door. One could only imagine what was within. \n\nTeejun placed his hands behind his back, careful not to touch the door, as he spoke loudly through it, \"Lord Varis? Madame Hleri is here to see you.\"\n\nThere was no response, and Teejun looked toward Luhn. \"So, did you get back safely last night? It was rude to let you walk back by yourself, I would have gladly escorted you, had I seen your leaving.\" He seemed apologetic, and took the lack of response from behind the door casually, as if it was perfectly routine."
}
] | 249 | 1,048 |
328.166667 | 2024-03-24 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"It's always mushrooms with them. Houses, weapons... I remember being told about the different types of mushroom stews as well.\" Luhn looked around the old Nordic inn as the two of them ascended up towards the attic. When they arrived at Varis' room Luhn let out a low whistle as she looked at all the runes. Most of them flew over her head. Her limited knowledge of Daedric script allowed her to recognize a few words. From Luhn's perspective it looked like a web trinkets and sketches upon the door. The talismens intrigued her, and she tried to imagine what they could be for. Likely a manner of inflicting some sort both horrible and humiliating death on an intruder. She refocuses on Teejun as he spoke to her. \n\n\"Ah, yes I did. It wasn't too late, and I've been in worse situations drunker. Compared to Riften I'd say that Solitude is leagues far more safe. I got back fine, had a nice bowl of fish stew and crawled into my bunk. All nice and cozy. By Azura it's cold at night here.\" She spoke the last part with venom. The deserts of Hammerfell got agonizingly cold at night, but it was nothing compared to the high altitude chill of Skyrim. The winds blowing down from the frozen sea weren't helping either."
},
{
"author": "Teejun",
"message": "The Argonian nodded along, smirking at her mention of Telvanni mushroom stews. There were many, many *Flavors*, but they all had varying degrees of bitterness to him. \n\nThen, at the door to his Lord's room, he turned to her and laughed a little, agreeing, \"Completely. I require seven layers of heat-enchanted blankets, some nights. Most nights its five.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The door started to dissipate its enchantments, one by one, like a series of dozens of locks being lodged out of place, before the door opened inward, and revealed Varis on the other side. \n\nHe was draped in morning robes, a series of silk creams and lavenders, as he raised his eyebrows and looked at the two. \"Ah. Miss Hleri, a pleasure.\" He looked to Teejun, and nodded appreciatively. \"Please, come in.\" He stepped aside, allowing Hleri to have a full look at the one-room suite. \n\nFrom wall to wall, there was *Stuff*. At least a dozen terrarriums with different kinds of fungus growing within, with some soul gems seemingly powering each of the fungus, as if it was their source of nutrients and energy. Meanwhile, around those terrarriums, was furniture, book shelves, alchemical supplies, enchanting supplies, an incredibly well made, home-made enchanting table, lacking the obsidian and ebony Skyrim typically employed, and opting for a far more aesthetically pleasing series of fungi and ferrofungus shapes. \n\nThe room could have been split into three sections. The first, closest to the door, had the most light from nearby windows and Dunmeri lanterns, suspended in mid-air, levitating of their own accord over a dip in the floor that led to a lounge area with a circular sofa. It seemed the sofa was meant for laying across, or sitting cross-legged, as the back support was nearly non-existent. \n\nThen, the second section, in the center, was a large summoning circle, surrounded with satchels of chalk and caligraphic materials, supposedly to conjure all manner of arcane powers utilizing glyphs and powerful shapes given power.\n\nFinally, the third section, at the very end, was the least lit bedroom she might have ever seen. It was a shadowy space, where a large bed was situated on the floor, with stones around the base that made its foundation, to keep it somewhat raised and away from vermin. That area had a series of floating terrarriums and fungal light sources, providing a bioluminscent dimness of many colors. \n\n\"Excellent. Now, if you'd please, the resonance glyph has already been drawn,\" He gestured to the circle on the floor, with series of concentric circles wrapped around different runes and arcane scripts, including some daedric script. \"That will relieve the arcane cost for these spells, and ideally protect you from any unwanted effects. Basic safety measures.\"\n\nHe nodded. \"Figured I might as well use them, since the lack of safety seemed to bother you.\" \n\nVaris placed his hands behind his back and looked to Teejun, \"Please, close the door on your way in. I'll need to reseal the enchantments.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn was taken aback by the sight. She stepped into Varis' suite and her eyes went wide. The amount of stuff was far from what she expected to see at what was supposed to be a temporary residence. She nodded as Varis spoke but her mind and eyes were busy. If this was a small slice of Telvanni life she wondered what an actual Telvanni home was like. Did all of the wizards in that house keep such eclectic towers? Her eyes danced from terrarium to terrarium, she saw colors and shapes of fungus that she didn't even know could exist. Luhn dragged her eyes away and refocused on Varis. \n\n\"Good-uhm, Good morning. Wow, you've really got something going on in here...\" She shifted her stance as she looked up at the ceiling, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. \"Levitation enchantment or is there something powering them?\" She turned her head as she heard Teejun moving in behind her and closing the door. She finally glanced down and spotted the circle. \"I appreciate the safety measures. Makes me feel less nervous about this.\" \n\nLuhn took a moment to prepare herself. Taking in a deep breath and moving to stand in the circle, taking care to step directly into the center of the runes. Wouldn't want to muss up the chalk, or whatever Varis had drawn onto the floor."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "He nodded at her assessment of the levitating lanterns and other baubles and trinkets. \"An enchantment. A series of manipulated soul gems maintains the enchantment indefinitely, inside of the lanterns.\" He gestured toward one, and had it float toward him, opening its paper exterior to reveal a glowing ring along the rims of the lantern, revealing the ethereal wisps of soul energy within a ring-shaped soul gem, completely different to the typical soul gems one might find in their average shop or magic vendor's supply. \n\nHe let it float back up to the ceiling, before he went to reset his enchantments and protections. Once complete, he nodded and walked back to the circle. \n\n\"Of course. And, yes, good morning,\" He waved his hand, nodding as he said it. \n\nHe moved toward a table near the circle, and picked up a stack of paper, scribbled with all manner of actual mathematical equations and formulas. It was the heart of magic, and was necessary for theoretical spell-crafting that was not pure chaos. When a person casts a fireball, they are utilizing the summarized synthesis of thousands of arcane formulas. Or, they performed the spell without understanding any of it, and using sheer will alone. \n\nBut, based on the stack of paper, there was a science to all of it. \n\nVaris looked up from their documents back to Luhn, double checked a few pages here and there, before nodding and setting the papers down.\n\nHe looked up at her, and held his hand up. \"Now, allow me to verify your, state of mind, hm?\" \n\nWith a snap of his fingers, and a soundless uttered incantation, Luhn could *Feel* A presence in her mind. Consider a headache, and how it pounds at the front of one's skull, but in this case, it was a tapping, as if something was knocking on the door to her mind. \n\nIt was intuitive, whether she accepted or not, a decision based on the bulwark defenses of her mind, whether they werre in place or not. \n\nThe spell was designed to get a basic layout of her mind, general headspace, and her susceptability to magic that would alter her mental state."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn glanced at the lantern with interest. She raised her brow in wonder at the sight of the peculiar gem. Her hand moved out to touch it but she caught herself, keeping it low and making sure the impulsive move wasn't seen. She stood casually in the circle as she watched him move about and shuffle the papers on the small desk. The pit in her stomach turned over, some part of her still felt unsure. Out of the corner of her vision she saw Varis began to move. Luhn turned to face him.\n\n\"Right... Right.\" Luhn's brow furrowed slightly as she felt the pressure, a faint tingle seemed to run from the center of her forehead down the length of her skull. She wasn't sure if she should focus on it or not. Her base instict was to ignore it, a deep breath and she focused her senses on something else. Her fingers tapped along the pommel of her sword. Beneath her fingers she felt the worn metal of the elaborate pommel. Her eyes settled on a far away terraium, observing a twisting fungus that appeared to be made of red tentacles. If Varis was in her mind she couldm't tell. Not that she would ever have been familiar with such an invasive sort of spell."
}
] | 285 | 1,969 |
393.333333 | 2024-04-10 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis nodded idly as he studied the whereabouts of her mind, and the state of it. What he was gauging was whether there was a connection to the Mad God's realm, or Sanguine's. These were elaborate things to study within mortals, especially for those whose minds had dipped into these realms, and while he found hints of the fringes of Sanguine's more sane realm within her system, as many drinkers showed, it was clear she was not *Taken* By such a force. This caused Varis to approve, and follow through with the spell. \n\nHe moved around to face Luhn's front as he held up his hands, rolling down his sleeves to his elbows, and held his hands in her direction with a positioning that seemed as though he was manning a loom. \n\n\"Now, in three, two,\"\n\nSuddenly, a pinging feeling. \n\nA *Pressure*.\n\nIt was focused, and minute, condensed and controlled around a singular point. Then, those singular points became many, as Luhn could feel the fingertips of her hands becoming pin cushions for all manner of piercings. If she were to look down, her mind might even trick her into *Seeing* Pins, digging into her fingers and poking at the skin beneath her fingernails. It provided a horrible feeling, as though these digits were being forcible *Drilled* Into, as though it would reach bone, and never stop until it reached the rest of the body. \n\nVaris seemed entirely focused, his eyes focused on her's, as his hands moved in motions relevant to the spell work, to a point where she could see *Strands* Of arcana flowing from his fingertips, and reaching toward her temples and forehead, but the strands would dissipate into transparent, and then invisible things by the time it reached a foot of her body. \n\nThe entire procedure was happening quickly, but for her, seconds might feel like minutes, and if she attempted to move or draw her sword, such movements would feel abnormally sluggish, as time became relative to her own mind. \n\nThen, it stopped.\n\nAs fast as it had started, as long as it had felt, it simply stopped. \n\nAnd time caught up, the feeling of pain vanishing from her mind, and her fingers seemingly perfectly fine, with hardly even a phantom feeling of the pain. \n\nWhether Luhn would face any prolongued effects from the spell would be due to her own mind, for the spell had performed quite well. Perhaps a tad more intense than he had warned her, but, no arcane errors, such as a weave of magicka being out of place in her aura, or a malady upon her brain was visible to him, as he inspected her with a few special crystalline glasses, holding up the fractured pieces to her one at a time. \n\n\"Hm. Excellent.\" He held the glasses away and looked at her with a soft, pleasant expression. \"Now, how do you feel?\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "As Luhn felt the tingling pressure grow into a drilling agony she grit her teeth. The pain within the pads of her digits was sharp. A sharp inhale of breath and a groan escaped her. Her face twisted as she tried to work through the pain. Luhn clenched her hands into fists and then unclenched them. She gazed down at her fingers almost gasping as she saw what looked like points digging into her nailbed. Luhn glanced up to look at Varis, her hands shaking. For a split second she saw the threads, her eyes widened and then it all faded. \n\n\"Aargh.\" Luhn grunted, quickly flexing her fingers and then rubbing her hands together. There was a slight echo of the pain, but it faded within the moment she noticed it. She flicked her hands on the sides of her tunic, brushing it down. \n\n\"Nasty spell. Very nasty. But, it isn't lingering. Felt like each of my fingers was getting chomped on by a dragonfrog... Was I supposed to see the connections to you, or did you add that to the spell specifically?\"\nLuhn asked, resting her hands on her hips."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The grin beneath his beard became more neutral, as she exhibited no obvious hostility, such as the aftereffect of a Frenzy Spell, and the way she described the sensation she felt in her fingertips... That's even better than he had hoped for! The spell was almost entirely meant to cause severe, agonizing pain, so if it produced an exceptionally painful result for just as much magicka as he had calculated a less painful spell to do... Tremendous!\n\n\"Ah, yes, I tend to allow a visual connection to form in my spell craft, so that I may have an easier time studying it rather than working out the *Feeling* Of my mind connecting with the subject. I suppose it might have seemed like random threads, but to me, I can see the glyphs and runes within, allowing me to know when to change a variable or so throughout. As for the fact that it is not lingering,\" He nodded. \"The more strange it seems, the better. In combat, I presume that such a spell could be even more effective, and less costly, than a spell that causes the hilt of a sword to become extremely hot. Better to psychologically atrophy an opponent than merely raise the temperature of a hunk of metal, I say.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands behind his back as he raised his eyebrows, \"Now, I was to pay you, yes? What did I say? A shock enchanment on one of your weapons?\" He glanced about her, trying to remember if it was her tanto, or perhaps another weapon she carried."
}
] | 319 | 1,180 |
119.75 | 2024-04-15 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn glanced over at the alchemy table. She stepped forward slightly to get a better look at the table and nodded. \"I knew the Telvanni grew their towers but wasn't aware that they took care of their own crafts tables and furniture as well. Must be affordable.\" She joked. \"I remember getting a rather lengthy lecture about the intricacies of my employers enchanting table, thing cost him a fortune when he was younger.\" \n\nLuhn took another glance around the room, at all the trinkets and magial components. She turned back to face Varis and bowed her head politely. \"Many thanks for the enchantment, It's got the bite i've been looking for. I don't think I have any more services that I need of you. I can still offer my blade in case you need anything, y'know tracked down or killed. Within reason, of course. My schedule is a bit empty.\" She chuckled and rested her hands on her hips casually, a small grin on her face."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni Spellwright placed his hand to his beard as he held his elbow, raising an eyebrow as she commented on the use of fungi. A grin formed as she said it, and he nodded toward her assumption of affordability. Then again, the education was not the most affordable, but well worth the effort. \n\n\"Enchanting tables come in many different forms all throughout history. As for the enchantment, I'm glad it is to your liking. Kill plenty with it. I imagine you do not follow the Three, but,\" He nodded his head. \"In their name.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands behind his back as he smiled and said, \"Then you will receive word if I require anything within your skillset. For now, I am out of tasks. That dungeon... I still plan on it, but, we will have to see. My schedule is quite full. Though, ideally that will not stop me,\" He held up his hand and whisked away his own doubts about the delve. \"It has been a pleasure.\"\n\nThe wizard whisked his hand, and the enchantments on the door started to dissipate one by one, lowering the defenses, allowing Teejun to hold it open for Luhn. \"Should you need anything else enchanted, have the coin, and I'll be here, or, at least, somewhere in Skyrim.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn nodded to him and moved to exit his room. \"Great, I should still be the around the Hold for the next few weeks, If I leave then the furthest I go may be to Markarth or somewhere out in the Reach. Im sure you have some magical means of communication if you have dire need of me, but I don't think you will. Was pleasant meeting you once again kinsman.\" She smiles and walks out of the door, giving Teejun a polite bow. \"Good to meet you as well Teejun. Have a good rest of your day.\" She waves as she leaves, strutting down the stairs and out the door of the inn. \n\nNot much time had passed since Luhn first entered The Winking Skeever for the morning. She was feeling a bit peckish, and made her way to the cities market, which was in full swing as more people had woken up. A couple of septum's spent and she soon settled down on a small plot of grass with a couple of pieces of bread and dried fish. Figuring out what to do for the rest of the day."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Enchanter waved her off as she left, while Teejun provided a nod of the head, given a toothy grin might have been seen as aggressive."
},
{
"author": "Teejun",
"message": "When she made her way down the stairs, the Argonian turned his head toward Varis, \"Do you need anything?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "A shake of the head. \"Just... Time.\" He tapped his chin as he pondered the spell he had just performed. The proper variables were in place, now, he just needed to scale up while conserving as much energy as he could."
},
{
"author": "Teejun",
"message": "With a nod, he shut the door behind him and went back down to help with cleaning and setting up for the lively night to come."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer made his way toward a nearby terrarium, looking into it as he spectated the growth and decay of the cannibal fungi, tapping his chin as he looked at it. Perhaps he could absorb magicka while he performed that spell, to make it useful against mages. A sharp stinging in the hands would no doubt make it exceptionally difficult for spellcasting. \n\nHe tapped his chin, stumped as he pondered all manner of ways to make the Illusion an exceptionally destructive school of magic."
}
] | 78 | 958 |
356.2 | 2024-04-25 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis Xai'Shen held his hands behind his back as he walked through the streets of Solitude, out in the open, with eyes looking toward him, and others having challenge in their eyes, while some quickly rushed away. It was satisfying, as he walked away from the Castle Dour, having spent a good few hours testing out new spells on the *Subjects* Below. \n\nVaris eventually made his way to a market plaza, where all manner of baubles, foodstuffs, and goods were sold out in the open. The hustle and bustle of the environment immensely comforted the Elf, as he basked in the rush of sales and the screaming of prices, bids, and advertisements. Such was a place where he could always employ some spells, but, for now, he chose to observe, as he made his way to a bench along the walls of a stone townhouse, and rested there, crossing his legs over one another as he took a moment to simply observe the populace. \n\nIt was a favorite pass-time for him, people-watching. Especially when he had some time before his next task."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "It had been a while since his interaction with the Telvanni in the Blue Palace. Salen was tormented by thoughts, temptations that the dunmer offered. Eventually it drove him to action. Salen knew when the Thalmor was at it's most inattentive in Solitude. Holy days where his comrades would rather spend time in the Embassy. It was a respite from dealing with the denizens of Skyrim. And Salen knew it would be his opportunity to be away from prying eyes and ears. His superiors never missed him when he left the embassy, and his work for the day had been done. So long as he didn't make a scene.\n\nSalen crept towards the Dunmer. He had traded his uniform for a simple tunic and trousers, a hooded cloak atop it. It was easier to walk amongst the populous of Skyrim when not donning the black and gold of the Thalmor. Though he missed the fearful glances and the crowds parting like schools of fish. Salen walked softly, keeping along the edge of the townhouse's wall. He stood next to the bench Varis sat on.\n\nSalen sighed and then spoke after a moment. \"I... Have thought about your words, Dunmer. I would hear what you have to say.\" There was hesitation in his voice, Salen knew what he was about to hear could be the end of his career. Or, it could finally be the big break he desperately needed. \"You are too easy of a man to find, that concerns me when it comes to one such as yourself.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "A cruel grin formed as he heard the voice chime beside him. Varis had kept his eyes forward, but his mind was all around them. Through the eyes of conjured Daedra lurking in shadows, and even peering through the eyes of the crowds about him. As simply as he sat on the bench, he seemed utterly casual and at ease. \n\nHe did not turn his head as he said, \"Why hide when you have nothing to hide?\" Simple words, not at all relevant to him. \"I stay within the confines of the law. There is so much absolutely heinous things that can be done, and held up, by courts and Jarls.\" Varis placed his hands together, lacing the fingers together as he lounged into the bench. \"As for what I have in mind for you, I'll start slow. I require test subjects. The spells I research are often extremely dangerous, and or, require, *Limit testing*. I was considering a few possible bodies from Northwatch. After all, enslaving a Daedra is one thing, but knowing how it will help me in a pinch?\" \n\nVaris shook his head. \"That is the first goal. Second, I would invite you to a business opportunity. I desire imports from Summerset. Spices, fabrics, all manner of things. Perhaps even Goblin slaves. They make good test subjects as well.\"\n\nThe Sorcerer held up his head as he watched another man slither through the crowd of people. A seedy fellow. Possibly a pickpocket. The Wizard grinned a little, as with a *Look*, the man became filled with raw fear. A primal fear that sent him into a state of shock, coursing through his body, and made him stand still as stone. Varis maintained focus on the man for some time, tormenting him with visions, as he said, \"Assist me with both of these, and I will reward you well. A percentage of my dealings from Summerset, and, from there, whatever you may ask of me, we can come to a compromise for.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen gritted his teeth, and hissed through them. \"You are bold, very, very bold.\" He lapsed into silence. \"Dead meat I can provide, They don't keep an eye on the corpses once they toss them into the cave.\" Salen admitted, his words came out low, barely inadudiable. As if he was hesitant to even share that information. The Thalmor kept their mass grave hidden in the caverns beneath the embassy. Where the bodies of political and religious dissidents would never be found. He grumbled as Varies tried to convince him of trade connection. \n\n \"Imports from the Dominion to straight to those who order them, businesses, The East Empire company, the government of Skyim.\" Salen sighed. \"I am not of rank to even think of diverting imports. You would have to go through offical channel in order to get what you need... I may know of a merch-...Nevermind.\" There was hesitation as he spoke, Salen thought of his mother, a yearning to return to the isles bubbling up. He missed home more than anything. He continued \"Stealing from the shipments are unadvised. Even to a Telvanni wizard, the crates are enchanted, and guarded by Thalmor operatives.\" Salen crossed his arms and pulled his hood lower as a breeze passed through the city."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis listened, and realized he might have used the wrong word the moment Salen mentioned corpses. Varis leaned back a little. This man was willing to get Varis corpses? \n\nThat sort of vulnerability for the sake of profit... That was something very, *Very* Useful.\n\n\"Hm, no, I don't mean corpses. I mean subjects. Living. I have no interest in the research of Necromancy. Such vile practices are for maggots and bugs. As for imports from the Dominion,\" A chuckle formed. \"I have no interest in theft.\" Varis' eyes shifted directly toward the hooded figure. \"I do not need to perform heists.\"\n\nIn that moment, as Varis looked away from the pickpocket, a blood-curdling scream rang out through the crowd, as the man in the middle of a crowd suddenly crumbled to the ground, clasping to his head, and then, *Silence*. The man laid there, eyes wide, mouth agape, with a stolen purse in his hand from a nearby noblewoman. When she recognized it, she called over the guards, as onlookers watched on in confusion.\n\nThe source of his mind-rattling fear was unknown, as Varis looked up at Salen, undisturbed by the events, and said, \"And, I know of the East Empire company, and the governments of Skyrim, and how the Dominion will trade with them, but, I'm more interested in independent merchants. Such as who you were about to mention. I'm not offering servitude, or apprenticeship. I offer partnership. The growth of wealth is a special field of interest for me, and I would be willing to help you grow yours. Perhaps, then, you can go anywhere you want, with no one to tell you *No*.\" \n\nIt was clear, Salen disliked Skyrim. He did not want to be in this place of barbarians, savages, and filth. Meanwhile, he did not see the exploitative potential of its population, as Varis did. He wanted to be elsewhere. And, for Salen, as far as Varis could tell, he had been in Skyrim for decades, and even the long lives of the Altmer had a limit before homesickness kicked in. \n\n\"These are my two requests. Two for two. I offered you a percentage of the business, now, what do you request in return for those specimens from that little north-bound Keep?\""
}
] | 328 | 1,781 |
501 | 2024-04-26 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen's position shifted as he heard the man in the crowd scream. His reflexes kicked in for a moment, he sank his pose down, both hands moving towards his hips. He looked around nervously, pulse quickening. Once he realized it was nothing to be concerned about, he raggedly sighed. Salen straightened up, his features were obscured from Varis' view. His face was a mask of worry, eyes, flicking out over the crowd. The altmer pushed himself up against the wall a bit, into the shadows of the overhanging roof. \n\n\"That's... Different, more complicated. Bodies come easy, live ones don't. It's no secret that the Dominion is, efficient, when it comes to political prisoners. What you are asking is for me to risk my neck. Something that I am not willing to do, unless I am guaranteed a worthwhile reward.\" There was a tinge of fear in Salen's voice. He knew exactly the torture proceedings that a specific justiciar at the embassy was capable of. It was gruesome, effective, and sickening to watch, even on a human. \n\nSalen let out a frustrated sigh. \"The trader I know is already unpopular in the eyes of The Dominion... And..\" He hesitated, thinking of his mother getting in an even worse situation because of him made Salen feel worse. His voice wavered, a hint of emotion that wasn't some form of bitter rage. \"And not someone I can betray. Or risk\" He clenched his hands into fists and stared at the cobble ground. He couldn't believe he was doing this."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard did not take his eyes off of Salen now, only moving his eyes, while his irises continued to follow and track Salen's features, face, and body language. Varis rubbed his facial hair idly, as he nodded to Salen's answers. \"Very well. Your reward for obtaining live specimens for me would have to equal the prospect. Thus, I will make your task easier for you.\" He snapped his fingers.\n\nThe noise around them became...*Muffled*. It was as if they had just been encased in a silencing *Field*. Within the field, the Altmer might notice his magic would feel quite diminished, as if he could bring it to his fingertips, but it would do little besides fizzle out. \n\nVaris turned his head back to the crowd, watching the guards come around and begin to escort the man he had ruthlessly invaded, and driven to mental collapse. A smile spread over his face. It brought a special pride when he collected new specimens, especially when they were lackluster thieves. The number of lousy ones were dwindling by the day. \n\n\"So long as you are capable of entering the Keep regularly, I will give you an amulet. Once it detects that it is inside of the keep, and is unseen by any fellow Justiciars, it will release a *Pet* Of mine. It will cling to the shadows, diminish light, and seek out its target. She will find any victims that are still alive, and have already been tortured, and simply *Collect* Them. She will leave behind a false replica of the corpse. Unless your comrades take special interest in, *Playing* With the dead, they will not notice the different, and by the time the corpse ends up on a corpse pile, it will diminish back into Oblivion.\"\n\nVaris looked back toward Salen. \"From there, she will come back to the amulet, and all you'll have to do is bring her back to me.\"\n\n\"As for the merchant you refuse to betray,\" Varis shrugged and said, \"Fine. Though, I would remind you, I am not a fan of selling illegal merchandise. If your merchant cannot convince their Dominion Superiors that another stream of income would be a good thing for your Homeland,\" Varis shrugged. \"Then that would be that, and I would merely seek out another person to connect me. You would lose out on thousands, and you would watch one of your comrades rise, rise, and *Rise*.\"\n\nVaris looked back toward Salen. \"And I know that kind of envy *Well*. I don't recommend.\" He nodded as he looked back to the crowd, tilting his head as he scanned it, listening carefully to Salen's response."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen was quiet for a moment, working his jaw as he thought. He twitched his head as the field fell upon them. He looked down at his hands, running his index over the scarred cuticles of his thumb. Salen considered what Varis was saying. And the Dunmer had struck a chord with mentions that one of his comrades would rise.\n\n\"What do you mean by that, Dunmer. Is there another agent of the Dominion that you have in your sights...\" He questioned, looking straight ahead at the throng of people crowding around the thief. Despite his, assumptions that the other races of mer weren't as magically adept as the altmer. Salen knew in his gut that Varis, the Telvanni mage. Was capable of delivering on his promises when it came to the power of the supposed amulet. He could do that. It would be easy, no one would be the wiser. He bit down on the inside of his cheek as he remembered what that justiciar could do. It was risky still...\n\n\"I... I am considering the trade for the prisoners. I, however, don't think my merchant can be of aid. She's is, special to me. Not someone I can easily sacrifice. And definitely not one that is worth what you can offer.\" Salen's voice reeked of hesitation. As if his internal battle was too much. Years of complete and total loyalty to the Thalmor were being tested. He was spineless, Salen knew it, and Varis knew it."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer's eyeballs turned in his head back toward Salen as he asked about another agent of the Dominion. An eyebrow rose. Did Varis sense genuine curiosity, or worry? Or perhaps, a sort of vanguard instinct to protect his order? The last one did not feel correct, but the other two? Oh, they had to be played. This man could be tempted. After all, why come here if his previous words had not struck a nerve? \n\nVaris remained quiet, and observant, as Salen came to a sort of conclusion about the merchant. Varis had secured a steady stream of subjects from Northwatch, now, he just needed to prod the last defense. \n\n\"Ponder what it takes to be a Thalmor. You have come to mainland Tamriel, as distinguished, but secretive, crusaders against a false God. That much, I admire. Though, consider it from another spotlight; your organization came to Tamriel, and stomped on a religion. With oppression, religion becomes stronger. Deeper. Hidden. Held so tightly close to one's heart, it becomes their entire identity, and when only those who know how to keep secrets are left, the religion *Flourishes* Like no other. I know this, because, coming from Morrowind, my parents can still tell me stories of the Tribunal, and their rampant assaults against believers of the True Gods.\"\n\nVaris grinned, \"Now, ponder all of your comrades. Who among them is willing to oppress a false religion, which I have no sympathy for, and sell out their own? There is only so much living in an Embassy, facing countless threats from Nords and other races, before something begins to give. Something begins to break. Perhaps the walls remain in tact. The food tastes delicious, and is abundant. But, the minds within a place begin to falter. They begin to grow weak without constant change and rotation. Who among you has been here so long, that they are ready to hear my offer, just as you were?\"\n\nVaris chuckled a little, \"Prospects are abundant, my good sir. There is a Thalmor office, just above the Castle Dour. Your people are not far away. Not at all.\"\n\nThe Wizard leaned back into the bench and raised his eyebrows. \"Thus, I suggest: Consideration. This contact of yours, this merchant, is precious to you. So, if you want to protect the ones close to you, do you not require power? Legitimate power? Wealth and domination over your enemies? Destroy the hopes and dreams of all that would harm your special merchant. Bleed them, their coffers, their *Destinies*, until you and your merchant are *Untouchable*.\"\n\nVaris raised his eyebrows. \"That sort of protection? It requires wealth. Influence. Irreplaceability. So, I suggest; become irreplaceable.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen sighed and stepped closer to Varis, looking down at the sitting wizard. It was not a threatening posture, rather one of resignation. \"That may be so... I have gone thirty years with stagnation in my career. What is another thirty more? Stealing prisoners is simple. They've already been stuck and bled of all they have.\" Salen shook his head. \n\n\"My loyalty to the Thalmor is absolute. Yes, truly, absolute... But my loyalty to my contact. That, is, that is something else. The truth of everything is nothing that can grace your, heretical ears. You offer me power, growth, prosperity. You tempt me with honeyed words and promises.\" Salen speaks coldly, he knows he is a hypocrite. The words he speaks contradicts his actions. But saying them brings him a comfort, in a sick sort of way. \n\n\"There are things about me that prevent any sort of upward momentum. I will supply you flesh, perhaps to test if you can really do the impossible. But this is my final refusal to get you trade dealings with my contact. Had it been someone else I might have faltered. Might have been a weaker man than I already am. But some things are sacred. Too sacred.\" Salen's voice wavers, emotion pouring into it. It is almost a plead to Varis to stop with the pressure. Salens blind eye stares forward from beneath the hood, His good eye hidden behind a tilt of his head. \n\n\"I ask you this, Varis Xai'Shen. What is your end goal here? You seem to be attempting a power play in this nation, one you have no loyalty to. Why ingratiate yourself with these beasts? Surely these people, are beneath you?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard looked up at Salen, and held his chin up, leaning back a tad as he allowed Salen to express his thoughts. Varis crossed his legs and set a hand over them, a coy grin spreading across his features as he listened. The man was stronger than Varis had expected. Perhaps he would not be so easy to win over. Or perhaps he had gone too far to indirectly question his own loyalty. Whatever the case, the possibility was still there, and it only proved how much more precious the contact was to him. \n\nVaris nodded, looked toward the nearby crowd, and chuckled as Salen asked why Varis was in this land. \n\nA soft sigh left Varis's lips as he glanced back up toward Salen. He was seated, that much was true, but, did he truly have a position of resignation, as he watched Salen with eyes that could devour the weak? \n\n\"All things that are sacred, when in the way of progress, is no longer necessary.\"\n\nHe turned his head back toward the crowd. \"But, if you truly decline, *Very well*.\" Cold turkey. Allow him to *Believe* The offer is *Gone*. The entirety of the deal, diminished to a simple capture of flesh for experiments, with meager, minor rewards, for minor services. Perhaps he would feel relief, but in time, as he continued to ponder his station, the brutal reality of another thirty years in this place, with no real way out... Varis was patient. He did not have to break a club over someone's head to get them to see his way of things. \n\n\"As for my end goal, well, it's all rather obvious. I'm sure you've seen surveyers out in the wilderness near the embassy. People plotting measurements and getting statistics and research of the wildlife. As though they were preparing to *Build* Something there. These projects are cropping up all over the city. New renovations, improved housing, larger buildings to fit larger amounts of people.\"\n\nHe looked about, \"Already, the whispers of a city rising even higher is leading more foreigners to come here, seeking work for projects ready to hire their labor.\" The crowd had a myriad of faces, not many too different from what Salen would have seen, but there were a few more Dunmer. A few more Khajiit, and even an Argonian here and there. \"Let the rabble see me as a vile conjurer of cheap tricks and minor illusions. Let the guards think me a mere provider of enchanted weaponry. Let the nobility see me as a wealthy investor, whom they can bring projects to, and find an ally. Let the royalty see me as an asset to this city, as I reinvest my profits, and maneuver it toward a flourishing environment. So much can be done in a matter of weeks, with the proper work ethic, and the prodding of certain pressure points.\"\n\n\"Like a human body, an economy, a population, has points of least resistance through which things can flow. If you open up a blocked path, and it is a better flow-space, then things will flow into the proper channels. My goal is progress. Unending, glorious progress. In my homeland, my people are already on this path. Centuries of sorrow and pain have made us unimaginably powerful. Devoted. Incessantly determined.\" \n\nVaris looked toward Salen, placing a hand beneath his chin to prop himself up on the bench's armrest. \"I do not need to have loyalty to anyone, to ensure they prosper. When they prosper,\" He gestured to the crowd. \"Skyrim does. Tamriel follows. And I, the benefactor of all their *Accomplishments*, reap the rewards.\"\n\nA soft chuckle left his lips as he said, \"It is a long, *Long* Game I play. You say I tempt you with honeyed words and promises. This is incorrect. I provide you with directives, and eventualities. Such is the *Proper design*.\""
}
] | 465 | 3,006 |
380.666667 | 2024-04-29 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "\"That is if I can even contact her regarding such a thing.\" Salen quickly spat out, an air of concern tinging his voice. \"I, don't have the pleasure of being of high rank.\nAnd as much as I despise the fact that I must admit this, my correspondences to this... Contact, are often intercepted. I am considered a liability, I do not have the privilege of privacy. \nAnd my contact does not leave Dominion waters, no matter how much she want's to.\" Salen admits. His face almost contorted in shame. He looks away from the Dunmer, using his hood to hide his expression. \n\n\"I would have to deal with smugglers, which means finding new contacts amongst them. The last time I was sent to deal with these, illegal sailors was a year ago. And that debacle ended with the slaughter of an entire crew. \nI am loathe to ask you for assistance because it would seem that I am immediately accepting your offer to parlay with my contact. I am not. But you also know people at the docks, people who can keep their mouths shut. I can\nProvide them direct access to my contact, I have her official seal. Something that will get them a meeting with her, or her secretaries.\" Salen rubbed his hands together, and pulled his cloak closer around him. \n\"You said you are an enchanter? Right, is it possible for you to make something that will allow for more, direct, communication.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "An eyebrow rose. \"Hm. I see.\" \n\nVaris rubbed his chin, and said, \"Very well. You and I will head down to the docks, and I will put together my crew. As for direct communication, this can certainly be achieved. I could enchant three rings. One for you, her, and I. Yours will be connected to both of ours, and it will allow us to communicate across vast distances through words whispered into the rings, and these messages will travel directly into our minds.\"\n\nVaris held up his hand, showing off several rings. \"A very popular form with me and mine. Discreet enough, mundane enough, to hardly be noticed.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands together and said, \"Now, for the matter of my crew entering Summerset waters, I trust you are updated on the latest protective measures? I can cause all manner of illusions and deceptive magicks to allow them to enter unseen and undetected, but if you have any information that will help, given that, deceased crew you mentioned, then it will aid me immensely.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen shook his head. \"No, I don't know all the details about the current measures. My, lack of power within the embassy doesn't permit me to know all the details of\nNational security. Ambassador Elenwen or one of her second hands would have information on it. If not that, then correspondences from officials at the border.\" \nSalen leaned back against the building, staring up at the sky for a moment. He turned his head back to Varis, now looking at him with his one working eye. \n\n \"I would have to break into Justiciar Calmoran's office.\" He took a breath, rubbing his brow with his forefinger and thumb. A tired look in his eyes. \"That, is a feat.\"\nHe thought for a second. This specific Justiciar was a mastermind at conflict. A skilled torturer , and a ruthless detective. Calmoran however, was a fool when it came to dealing with mer. Humans were predictable, and Calmoran had become comfortable dealing with them, enough that he lacked the same skepticism when it came to dealing with other elves. \n\n\"It would not be impossible to get them. And nothing that I would require magical intervention from. I serve tea to the man half the time, I know the layout of his office like the back of my hand. \nBut he is often, in, the office. With the civil war long over, Justiciar Calmoran spends more time sniffing out Talos worship from his couch, rather than in the streets. He is a blood hound that one\n, practically salivates when he gets the order to go on the hunt. I need a distraction... Time to recruit some poor sod out of this mess.\" Salen motions towards the crowd on the street. \n\n\"Once Calmoran is hot on the road, it'll give me more than enough time to sort through all his notes and papers. And with him out, there would be no one to pry into his office for work of favors.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer looked at Salen, grinned a tad, and sighed with approval. \"I am glad I selected you.\"\n\nVaris abruptly stood up from the bench, placed his hands behind his back, and looked around. He whisked his hand, the illusory field around them disappearing, and allowing voice back through. \n\nVaris turned his head toward Salen, and his eyes became awash with some sort of glassy expression, before that glass started to cave inward, into the pupil and iris, allowing them to swarm with glossy, arcane power. From there, Salen would feel something along the exterior of his consciousness. \n\nThen, Varis' voice. \n\n*\"We shall speak like this. It should be far more efficient. Simply think what you wish to say, in my direction, and this channel will convey the message.\"*\n\nJust then, Salen was provided a recreation of the scene they had just witnessed in the market square. Of the man who had been caught with a picked coin-purse, and had a seizure. Then, he received the information, the perspective, of Varis looking at him, freezing the man in place, forcing him to the ground and assailing him with untold nightmares. In this arcane vision, Salen could see the aura around Varis and the pickpockets' heads, as plumes and wisps of red arcana surged around them and ruptured the lesser mind's functions.\n\n*\"That man is broken. Able to be reused, restructured, and turned into a hardened Talos Worshipper. He can be forced to do anything, to get your Torturer out of his office. Tell me what I should do, what will entice him, and the Thrall shall do as he is told.\"*\n\nVaris held his hands behind his back as he walked past Salen, urging the man to follow with a brush of the arm against the Altmer's, and continued through the streets of Solitude. It was aimless meandering, sticking to the shadows, simply milling about. This Dunmer was capable of casually strolling all while whispering directly to another person's consciousness. He was able to stay very, very busy all while hiding in plain sight."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen hesitated to move and follow Varis, but he did. The realization of the extent of the Telvanni's power was, impactful. Salen felt fear and admiration mix. \nThis was not a mer to be trifled with, and Salen knew that no one, at least in the embassy, could likely match this wizard. Salen followed him, pulling his hood over his head more. \nMaking sure his scarred side was not visible in case they passed any guards. He felt a question bubble up. \"You are a powerful illusionist. How long have you been practicing?\" \nThe question came out casually, probably the least caustic Salen had asked. His tone bereft of the haughty condescension of earlier. \n\nSalen shook his head. He looked around the city as they moved, trying to remember all the little trigger that the Justiciar had. Eventually he let these, rather secret details, reach Varis' consciousness. \"Justiciar Calmoran is lazy, he enjoys the hunt if he knows for sure that he will be able to get whoever his target is. It's not so much that he believes that these heretics are innocent. But rather filling out the paperwork and covering up a murder takes far more paperwork. It would be easiest to just plant the human with idols, talismans, scripture, and make him preach to his fellows. It may need to happen out in the rest of Skyrim, Haafingar isn't a big enough region to keep Calmoran out of the embassy for long. Calmoran is a sloppy mage, but he knows how to teleport over short distances. He is lazy in that regard. Very, very lazy.\" Salens words were bitter, it was obvious he thought that the justiciar didn't deserve his rank. The embassy had powerful people, but the Thalmor officers that were stationed there, weren't the cream of the crop.\n\n\"Eastern Skyrim would be the best bet. The seat of power for the Thalmor is in the west, the offices in areas like the Pale, or Eastmarch, are comedically understaffed. And, there are still Talos cultists within those areas. Underground yes, but occasionally there will be a rise in heretical activity. Make a big enough stink, and Calmoran will sure to be first in line to kill...\" Every word that left Salen's mouth made him feel dirty. Every little secret he spilled, another stain upon his already ruined character. But perhaps, it would be worth it. Better him than then, After all, he had been loyal enough."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "To Salen's answer, a stream of thought flowed unto his mind. *\"I started as a boy, along with my other arcane studies. However, I always found Illusion to be an inferior craft, only useful for subtlety. In that, I lacked an imagination. I utilized Illusion primarily to twist the minds of my trade partners, to have them think they were far more friendly with me than I actually was, and thus offer me discounted deals, and better opportunities. Only upon coming to Skyrim, and pondering one day, how to get test subjects, did I realize that with the powers of Illusion, I could cause a man to begin attacking and slaughtering in the streets, in a mad frenzy, and get tossed into the dungeons. I place I had unlimited access to, thanks to my association with the Court Wizard. From there, my imagination grew, until I realized the true power one could have over another's mind, with a simple spell.\"*\n\nThen came Salen's mention of how to control the Justiciar Calmoran. His eyes narrowed as he pondered what he transmitted, and tapped his finger against the back of his hand as he held both hands behind him. He was calculating, taking things into consideration, and said, *\"You say the other outposts are painfully understaffed. I could send our decoy into the streets of Kynesgrove. I trust that will take longer to settle than if they appeared in Windhelm. He begins to preach the words of Talos, and resists arrest. The moment he comes into contact with Thalmor, his mind will become encompassed in a frenzied rage, as every system in his mind corrodes and deteriorates, until there is no evidence of arcane manipulation, and he becomes a blimp for the Justiciar to settle. I doubt we require a conspiracy, if all you need is time to get into his offices.\"*"
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen let out a sigh, the only noise in the silence between him. \"That would work. I deliver the news that comes in from the other offices. Anything that isn't highly classified is relayed through my desk. I can guarantee that the call for aid gets to Calmoran, those missions don't require high levels of classifications once they reach the Embassy. Despite that, the mess this man causes can't be too big. I suggest he sets up a shrine, preaching often causes more people to get involved, it's too out in the open. Not that Calmoran won't be called for that, it'll take him longer to track him down if it's more, quiet. A task that I assume, will be no issue for you.\"\n\nSalen squeezed his eyes with his fingers, absentmindedly rubbing his scar afterwards. \"Now, where is this amulet. The one that summons your little helper.\" Salen, was just desperate to finish dealing with Varis. \nThere was an air of discomfort, and if he was honest, Varis scared him. Salen felt a bit more confident in dealing with the mer, after witnessing his power. However, that didn't\nMean that he wanted to keep going further. Salen stopped in his tracks, staring at the back of the shorter elf. \"Where are we going, Dunmer? I do not wish to be dragged around this city like a dog.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer nodded toward Salen as the man spoke of how to keep Calmoran out of his office for as long as possible. It would be done. Somewhere in the mines of Kynesgrove, perhaps? There could be a portion of the mines that was dark and shadowy, and the man could have his tongue rendered useless, and a fear spell implanted into his brain, allowing him to run around in those mines for days before the Thalmor found him. Varis pondered the emaciated, sleep deprived, horrible state such a specimen could be in by the time the Justiciar found him. \n\nThough, perhaps he was misjudging how large the mines would be, and shrugged off the thought as Salen paused, and demanded an answer. \n\nVaris paused his stride, turned his head toward Salen's direction, and said simply, *\"I was heading back home. I figured we would conclude by the time I got there,\"* He reached into the robes of his pocket, and produced a locket. It was a thing of iron chains and black stone. Not at all ebony, but instead obsidian. Varis held it out for the Altmer to take. \n\nOutloud, he said, \"It will do the work for you. Just get inside, and wait until it comes back.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen stepped up towards Varis and picked up the locket. He turned it over in his hands, looking at the craftsmanship. It was a far cry from the refined and delicate look that Almter jewelry had. \nHe closed his fist around it and pushed it into his pocket. \"And once it is done, will it make it's way back to you, or do I have to return it myself?\" Salen narrowed his eye. He realized how close he was to the Dunmer. He took a step back, worried that Varis would perceive that Salen was far shorter than his Thalmor kin. \"My office during the week is within the Castle Dour. But I\nDon't have the privilege of privacy. Nor do I wish to visit, whatever tavern you are squatting in.\"\n\nSalen shook his head softly, pondering something. \"There is a grove in the woods near the Embassy, a ruined statue of some, barbaric nord effigy sits there. I will hide it there, unless you have some way of picking up the necklace.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer raised his eyebrows a tad as Salen asked how it would return to Varis. \"Hm. Whenever you next enter the city, you will see one of my birds. He will be a small man, the height of a boy, skin of a Bosmer. He will have no ears, and a shaved head. He will walked near you, and as he does, he will take the locket from your person. Be sure to have it in a place you are comfortable having fingers in.\"\n\nVaris raised his eyebrows. \"However, if that cannot be managed without one of your fellow Justiciars seeing, have it somewhat out in the open. He will teleport the locket into his hand as he walks past you. By the time you are finished with your business in the Castle Dour, or whenever I find it most appropriate, he will give the locket back to you, as discretely as he took it. Do you have further questions?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "\"Just one. What power do you think you have that can advance my career? My predicament is, unique, to say the least... My superiors, the Thalmor, are not likely to listen to your words. \nSure, you may be able to convince an officer or two, perhaps even drag them into the scheme. But rank is changed through the main branch of the organization, the top brass back in Alinor.\"\nSalen shifted his pose, and stepped away. From where the two were standing in the city, Salen was facing the wall that paralleled the docks. He glanced up at the sky, at the clouds forming in the north. \n\n\"Travel to the Dominion from these, wretched outposts on the Mainland is slow. Even our greatest mages need approval correspondences in order to even teleport back to Alinor. You would have to convince the ambassador. \nAnd get her to convince her superiors, a chain of command that is dictated by leaders seated within the depths of the Isle. But you, you are clever, Dunmer. So I wonder what you have planned. I assume it is something less, obvious. Power through land, money, information. Something that will give me the advantage over my peers?\" \n\nSalen looked back over at Varis. His expression rather unreadable. His one good eye, peeking from underneath the dark hood of his cloak."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard watched Salen as the man asked his question. The Sorcerer raised his eyebrows as he placed his hands behind his back. More followed. More troubling information. He mauled over it for a moment, and raised his eyebrows a tad. \n\nHe whisked his hand, and that silencing field came over them again, muffling outside noises, and silencing their voices to those outside. \"I have an interest in illegally claiming Specimens from Northwatch Keep. Contrarily, I am willing to have an open relationship with Alinor. What I trade will be wholly accepted and likely tracked by those in Alinor. Even if I could get shipments onboard the ships that bring resources and items to the Embassy, I would be content. It is a door that has been creaked open, and so long as my foot is there, I can open it. I have required discretion to get access to your merchant, so that she can play the role of the authority for overseeing this endeavor.\"\n\n\"Now, you ask me how you might Advance? You become useful. This entire endeavor, will have your face on it. I will write up all of the documents, establish the trade routes, and be in contact with your contact across the seas. However, I will be an investor in all but truth. Whether your overseers approve of a Dunmer investing in an Altmer business endeavor is inconsequential, because what I provide is a stream of economic opportunity to your homeland. If your overseers cannot see the merit of this agreement, where you are the figurehead of this operation, and your contact provides legitimacy, then you work for mongrel fools that do not see beyond their pot bellies and punitive ideology.\"\n\nVaris grinned a little, knowing that he was insulting those that Salen worked directly under. \"And in that event, where your superiors prove their indeptitude, then I suggest you do whatever you can to defect. Step down, or escape. Your superiors, seemingly, do not approve of you. Thus, you either have information too valuable to let you live, *Or*, you have never been given enough to make you important enough to not simply let you go when you ask of it.\"\n\nThe Wizard placed his hands together in front of him, raising an eyebrow. \"This operation comes in three steps. You get the information related to the defense of the Isles, I deploy a strategy to have my men smuggle our two-way mirror into Alinor, so that it reaches your contact. Prior to it reaching your contact, I will likely send a Familiar of mine, to fly across the distance that will reach your contact, and inform her of *Your* Idea to establish a trade enterprise. From there, if she agrees, I begin communication with her, and everything stays above legal waters.\"\n\nVaris raised his chin a tad and studied Salen and at the eye peeking up from underneath the shadow of his hood. \"So, to gain advantage over your peers, you must kill them.\"\n\nVaris' ultimatum was so quick, so simple, utterly *Telvanni* In its philosophy. \"Kill your comrades. Slaughter and gut them, poison them and ruin them. Assassinate your superiors, so that you are the one that must *Rise* To fill their shoes. All the while, buy land. Gain assets. Provide these assets to the Embassy, to the Dominion. Become so irreplaceable, so valuable, that if they removed you, you would cause a *Whole number percentage* Of their net worth to fall. Make your superiors dependent on you. Force them to bow, weep, and kill themselves at your command. Lest, they lose you.\"\n\nThe Telvanni Wizard moved his hands to behind his back and smiled with a fiendish glee, all while showing no teeth. \"But, if you need a loan to get started buying property, then that is where I can assist. If you need a weapon to kill your superiors, I can enchant blades that will heal the wound, but cause all motor functions to fail, rendering them crippled, paralyzed, and or neigh-brain-dead. I will be the owner of your assets, as I am the one who will be able to gain property from the Jarls, having proven myself already as a trustworthy landlord and economic force, and what you profit, I suggest you reinvest into properties of your own, back on Alinor, if you can. Squeeze every opportunity, and kill everything in your way. And, if you can't kill them, ruin their reputation. Humiliate them. If you need help with this, I can provide ideas, but anything tangible may be more difficult.\""
}
] | 299.5 | 4,568 |
361 | 2024-04-30 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen stared at Varis as he spoke, his eye twitching as Varis insulted the Thalmor. He held his tongue, had he not been in the presence of a powerful wizard, he would have struck.\nHe forced himself to be silent as Varis unveiled all the gruesome ways Salen could gain power. Everyword was anathema to him, these were not talk of small strings being pulled. \nThe concepts that Varis presented were enough to have him killed, several times over. And yet, Salen let him continue. Perhaps there would be an easier, less risky powerplay.\nSalen knew that was fictional, Varis spoke of the only way to truly get power. Talk was good, oh yes it was. But there was that one little fact about Salen that prevented it from becoming reality.\n\nSalenthrial Jaelinoth, an already decisive figure within the Thalmor, would be the first his superiors would question when elven blood starts to flow. How easy it would be to give them a reason to finally kill him. \nSalen could practically imagine it, painful, slow, probably left out for the crows to pick over. His mother would then be next, and finally her assets could be re-absorbed back into Alinor. To fuel the next generation\nOf Thalmor killers. What Varis proposed would work, but only if Salen was not Salen. Still though, A Telvanni wizard of Varis' caliber would be a trump card of epic proportions. \nAnd the idea of property investments would allow Salen an external income, one that may even get him off this miserable mountain.\n\nSalen chuckled darkly. Finally speaking, A grim smile across his face. \"Ah yes, murder. That is always the solution isn't it? Very well, I will take your advice on this matter. Perhaps it will do me some good.\"\nHis tone was rather agreeable, but his mind was racing. Once he got Varis his connection with Lady Jaelinoth, he could wiggle his way into some property deeds. So long as he went under an alias he could prevent his superiors\nFrom catching a whiff of his paper trail. Yes. Perhaps there was a way to get back. Money always greased wheels, and if his mother could bribe her way into retaining her power. Then Salen could bribe his way back to the motherland.\nSo he hoped. \n\nSalen knew he had to be low-key with it. If he truly matched what Varis was suggesting, he would be punished for his arrogance. Being on the shitlist of the Thalmor was already bad. If he was upfront about his assets it would likely land a dagger in his back. \nPatience, he would have to be patient."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard watched Salen, watched his anger, the tense of his jaw if it happened, and would offer only a poker face of glee. There was no hesitance or fear in any of his words. Bluntness and cruelty laced his tongue as he spoke, and when he finished, he watched Salen soak it in, and come to a conclusion. \n\nHis eyes narrowed slightly. \n\nNo retorts, immediate disagreement, immediate, childish attempts at retaliation...\n\nThen, when Salen seemed to be content in his focus, Varis lowered his smile into a neutral expression of satisfaction, and approval. \n\n\"Excellent. All good things to those who plan.\"\n\nVaris nodded his head toward Salen and said, \"Your bitten tongue will prove very useful. Whatever your brethren did to you throughout your life to make it so well-tamed...\" The sorcerer nodded his head and looked up to Salen's eyes. \"I'm surprised you did not swindle them by now. Either you are a criminal, or a mutt. Whatever the case, so long as you succeed in the beginning stages of this plan, you will become exceedingly valuable to me. Should you require asylum, or assistance, after this plan is completed, I will offer it. Good luck.\"\n\nVaris maintained the spell, but Salen would easily be able to walk through it and leave, lest he had any final words."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen kept his face impassive as Varis finished speaking to him. As the Dunmer brought up his ideas of what Salens issue might be. There was a twitch amongst the mass of scar tissue, as soon as Varis spoke the word mutt. The warped skin shook as the blind, milky eye stared straight ahead. A reaction, one that Salen, could not suppress. \"Loyalty to the Dominion is priority. Loyalty to the cause is priority. It does not further the cause to rise to anger. To deal with the lesser races, one must show that they are of superior quality... At least in public\" It was a rule that had been drilled into Salen over the years. How ironic to use it now, when working against the very government Salen had devoted his life to. \n\n\"I will plant your amulet once I return to the embassy. Farewell.\" Salen uttered with only a marginal amount of distain. He walked away from Varis, pulling his cloak closer to him. Salen disappeared into the crowd quickly. Making his way back to the entrance of the city. \nHe would ponder his actions on his hike back to the keep. There was the guilt, there was the shame. But for the first time in a long time, there was an air of hope. A little spark, something to keep him comfort during his long, boring shifts behind a stack of paper."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "*Ah, the guess was right!* That glare, that reaction to the sudden prod, Varis provided no shift in his expression. As Salen bid farewell, Varis nodded, knowing that Salen had dared to suggest that *He* Was one of the lesser races. Such amused Varis, but he said nothing as he watched Salen shuffle away into the crowd and toward the exit of the city. \n\nThe Wizard nodded to himself. He had made many gambles with his speech, but he had planted the seeds. Salen was already betraying his country for working with the Telvanni, especially with the collection of Northwatch Prisoners. Varis pondered how much power his merchant's safety held over his head. If he was exposed, how easily would it be for the Thalmor to threaten her? \n\nVaris had to make her *His*. That merchant was likely powerful, but as well-liked as Salen was. Should any future crimes come into light, and the man's superiors might threaten the woman, Varis would have to have a way to quickly escort her to safety. As such, he would gain both of their gratitude. And in their gratitude, they will prove their worth, through their work. \n\nThe Sorcerer nodded as he placed his hands behind his back, prepared to enchant his two-way mirror, and prepare the runes for transport should it be necessary."
}
] | 289.5 | 1,444 |
344.25 | 2024-05-18 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis, was utterly at ease. Some might even say peace. But, there was no such thing for a Telvanni noble, whose shoulders are as well checked as their robes and spells. The Magi had spent the week working hard and slyly silvering his tongue to the right people. Illusion, mysticism, conjuration. A combination that wa most unserene, but incredibly efficient. \n\nVaris remained in the Winking Skeever on Fredas, conversing with a Nord man in the corner, whose facial hair and braids enticed the Dunmer enough to have a conversation with the snow-man. The Mage's piercing purple eyes would be visible among the crowd shortly after Salen had asked the innkeep to summon Varis, as the mage sat with an arched back and a temptuous grin. \n\nSalen could look at the Nord, and see the man speak, but he looked at Varis with a dazed sort of submission, as if the man was so enthralled as he spoke to Varis, that all thoughts aside from the bedroom was dismissed. \n\nThen, Varis looked to the counter. \n\nToward Salen.\n\nThe tempting grin on Varis' face remained, and even with broken eye contact, the Nord did not take his eyes off the Dunmer clad in opulence. With a glance back to the Nord, the man silenced, and the mage leaned in to whisper a sweetness into the man's ear, immediately spawning a grin across the man's face, as he nodded and picked up is ale.\n\nVaris slinked out of the chair, and moved along the edges of the crowd, before he made his way to the Altmer. His eyes scanned the Altmer, and an eyebrow rose as he said, \"Hm. Bold, to come here. My darling wasn't expected to ferry your goods until the morrow.\" His eyebrows rose, as he leaned against the counter, tilted his head as he looked up at the Altmer, and said sweetly, \"And yet, you are here. Good tidings, I expect?\"\n\nIf Salen had read about the Daedra, then it would be apparent now, more than ever, how thoroughly devoted to Mephala this man actually was, from his body language to tone of voice. Though, it seemed Salen was safe from the mage's seduction, as Varis made no effort to slide in close, and whisper, as he had with the Nord in the corner."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen looked up and down at the Dunmer. Salen knew very well what kind of fiends the Dunmer worshipped. The particular flavor of prince didn't matter, the act of worshipping them was disgusting in itself. But it was to be expected of a dark elf. Heretics as they are, at least they weren't worshipping the false gods of Men. \n\nSalen took the amulet from his pocket and set it on the table before Varis.\n\"It showed up on my nightstand this morning. No one has the keys to enter my room, nor would they associate such a thing with me. I only have so much time to spent cavorting with people like you. Figured I'd return it as soon as I could.\"\nSalen chewed the corner of his cheek slightly. Jaw flexing as he stared at the amulet. \n\n\"I also, have copied a few of the transport records from my superiors office. Footnotes really, Calmoran is always quick to catch his quarry. I had a limited amount of time.\" Salen pulled his hand close and rested it on his chest. He had tucked the papers within his vest, folded close to his heart. \n\nHesitantly he reached into the space between vest and linen shirt. His knuckles pulling several papers, each folded together into a small square. Salen let out a sigh, shook his head and then offered the papers to Varis. His expression was tense, a sort of harrowed tiredness was apparent in his eye."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Dunmer watched Salen, looking toward Salen's scar, and as if he did not mind, allowed his eyes to travel south, toward his lips, and watch them lock and open as per his accent, and pattern. His eyes traveled north again, toward the Altmer's eyes, and remained silent as the Agent plucked the papers from his coat, with such hesitance it made Varis almost wish to smile from ear to ear. \n\nHe refrained, and instead plucked the papers from Salen's hand with a swift motion, and tucked them into his own robes. \"Excellent work,\" From there Varis slid the amulet into a robe's arm, making it disappear up into the depths of the fabric and folds. \n\nWith Salen's side of the deal complete, for now, Varis straightened his posture, and breathed through his nostrils with some measure of relief as he looked away from Salen, toward the tavern. \"I take it you have no interest in the nights' delights?\"\n\nThe Wizard looked back to Salen. \"You've done well. Especially with multiple specimens, if I assess correctly. You've overdelivered, which, is precisely what was needed. Thus, you get a chance at more than I originally offered. What would you like? An enchantment? A sum of gold? Part of a deed to some of my land? Or, a night of sorcery? Not, sensual sorcery, lest you desire it, but, I could teach a spell, or two, if it would be useful to you?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen glanced around the tavern from where he sat. He had been in The Winking Skeever only a few times before. It wasn't his usual haunt, nor was it his ideal crowd. Salen often came down to Solitude to indulge himself, debauchery being an easy way to ease the stress and tedium of his work. The Winking Skeever was old, and well known, often the destination for higher class individuals. People who would often stay for a while in Solitude. Salen avoided it when he could, preferring the cheaper and seedier inns that were only available to poorer travelers. Where no one would be around long enough to recognize his face.\n\nSalen glanced back towards Varis. \"No, not at this... Place.\" Salen motioned towards the interior of the dining hall. He thought for a moment, the favor of a Telvanni lord, one currently gaining power in Skyrim. Perhaps his betray was worth it. The question was, does he bide his time and make an investment, or ask for retribution. \n\nSalen rolled his thoughts around for a moment, glancing over at the patrons of the inn. Nords, Mer, a couple of Beastfolk. The normal crowd for such a place. His fingers drummed the wooden tabletop. Finely manicured, well kept. Delicate altmer rings tinkling together as Salen thought. \n\n\"I would ask of you two things Varis... A name on a Deed, and a cursed item. I have an. Opponent. Within my order that I need dealt with. I am willing to do another one of your tasks, if need be, to sort out the issue.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni watched Salen, and offerd a slight raise of brow as Salen motioned toward the dining hall, for a better place to discourse. Varis nodded, and walked toward where Salen motioned, flicking his eyes, causing a group in the corner to rise from their seats and usher away, opening the spot for the duo. \n\nThe Dunmer took his seat, and watched Salen as he made up his mind. *Two things? Now, this is most greedy.*\n\nWhen the request was stated, Varis leaned back, and smirked a little. They had some privacy, and none would dare approach this corner now that he was there. It was dimly lit, and hidden away from the other tables, mostly, via curtains and enchantments, making the words within a tad muffled to the outside. Just as he had done with Salen a week prior. \n\n\"A name on a deed, and a cursed item. Hm. Very well. I have recently acquired a building in the dock areas. I will have one of the apartments being built there in your name, and the building under your management. Tend it well, like a garden, it will provide many good fruits for you. As for a cursed item, I have many in my selection. How shall your enemy fall, when you utilize it? Provide ideas, and my creativity will select the perfect...*Instrument*.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen glanced over his shoulder, the action was involuntary to him. He was a suspicious man by nature. He returned to Varis' gaze, meeting the cool purple eyes of the wizard. Salen wanted to make sure no prying eyes, no seeking ears would know of his request.\n\n\"There is a new Justiciar at the Embassy. Justiciar Calla Starwatch. She is fresh out of the academies of the Dominion. Naïve to me and the nature of my burdens ... But she also one of the highest ranked Justiciar's at the embassy. Ancient nobility, good ties with the Thalmor before they took over the Monarchy. I can use her to climb up a rung or two. But, I need the tongue of another agent tied, or better yet for him to... Forget a couple of facts about me. I won't ask for anything that will end his life, that would add to suspicion against me.\"\n\nSalen moved to flick a strand of raven dark hair behind his ear. \"I speak of Agent Maevera, he's a senior officer, Been here longer than I have. He reports directly to Elenwen herself. But the Ambassador is not in charge of rank and promotion, Maevera is. Calla is, an interesting woman. Young, a bringer of 'fresh new ideals' into the Dominion. If there is anyone I can convince to promote me, it is her. But, I need Maevera to take a step back in order to press the attack.\"\n\nSalen let out a tired sigh. He shifted his position, leaning over the table slightly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He oozed a pathetic air of exhaustion and desperation. \"Is, there anyway for you to such a thing?\" His tone seemed genuine."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hm. A senior officer. Very well. I can devise many things to entail his demise, and make it all seem quite natural. I could cast a curse on a trinket, that when he touches it, it will cause a growth in his brain. It will disrupt thought processes, destroy his mental faculties, and begin to reduce him to a forgetful, dementia-ridden fool. A braindead oaf, excellent to cut from the ranks. Mere age, or perhaps his nocturnal habits catching up with him? Who would ask such questions, of a seemingly natural, incurable disease?\"\n\nA grin formed. \"Or, a curse that causes him to hear voices, from the Planes of Oblivion. At first, they will be subtle, and he should think nothing of them. Just a fallen book, a rolling a pen, such things of that nature. Over time, he hears the dark murmurs of the beyond, of the Shivering Isles, of the Deadlands and Apocrypha. In a matter of days, he will either loose all grip on reality, and become useless to the Dominion... Or, he will end his own life *For* You.\"\n\nThe Telvanni raised his brow. \"Do any of these options seem particularly satisfying to you?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen moved his face from his hands, his one good eye meeting Varis'. Salen tried to mask what could be described as a confused grimace. He was a bit taken by the rather, gratuitous ideas that Varis' concocted. Salen straightened his back, regaining his composure. \n\n\"I-I think the former, but, ideally not so... Totalic. There is a certain comfort with Maevera still being at his post. He fills a void that would otherwise be occupied by a much more militant individual. If he were totally out of the picture I would not be able to properly get a promotion. No, I need something subtle, perhaps for him to forget me, specifically. A void within his memory. There is nothing that is strictly preventing me from, gaining rank. But it is the bias of my colleges and well, the Thalmor itself. But regarding the processes and what is set in stone within the Dominion, there is nothing that prevents me from rising up. Nay, my family line puts me at an advantage... Maevera must forget about me, and only me.\"\n\nSalen slowly moved his fingers into a fist. The more he spoke, the more animated he got. He felt the strings of a scheme knot together into a web, Hope at the center of it. Perhaps this was his chance, And with the deed in his name... Salen hoped that he would be able to finally leave this miserable province in a decade or two, and return home to the Isles. He quelled the feelings rising in his belly, he could not risk seeming to excited about the prospects."
}
] | 328 | 2,754 |
295.625 | 2024-05-19 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "As Salen mentionted that he did not wish for something so totalic, an evident look of feigned surprise formed on the Dunmer's face. At first, Varis only had to remind himself of the weakness of other peoples, and how unwilling they were to slaughter their competitors. It truly was a constant miasma of inefficiency throughout the lives of these people. \n\nThough, as the Altmer rationalized it, Varis was forced to conform his thinking to the foreign organization. He had to give it to Salen, the man was politically savvy and strategic, despite having not climbed until now. The man had been learning, but had not been... Successful, until now. Or perhaps, Varis was the first person who offered him something better than his derelict position, as it were. \n\nVaris listened, as he placed a hand close to his whiskers, and fumbled with the hair as he pondered. \"Hm. A Void in his memory of you would be quite awkward, when the paper trail begins, no? What if I was to ensure that he had a more positive light of you? I could have him see you with a newfound perspective, seeing how useful you are, despite your position, and how deserving you are, after years of faithful and loyal service.\" Varis almost commented on the irony of the situation, of that path, but figured Salen would beat himself up for it, as he had in previous encounters, and how he hesitated prior, with the documents. \"I would suggest making him develop lust for you, but, something tells me you lack the experience and know-how to twist an elder's mind in such seductive ways.\" Varis teased Salen, evident from his mischievous grin beneath his mustache, and continued.\n\n\"Either way, he stays employed. All I will need is some of your organic signature, like a blood sample, some hair, that stuff. Upstairs, in my room, I'll be able to develop whatever you require from there.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen could barely mask the look of horror when Varis suggested seducing his senior officer. The mental image was scarring, even though he could tell the Dunmer was teasing him. He had considered it once before, decades ago. Salen however, had little to no luck with anyone in the Thalmor. To them he was barely above human, and humans, well, those were off limits unless you were a degenerate. None of this was something he would admit to even his closest friend. So he stayed silent, biting the inside of his cheek with his molars. Waiting for the discomfort of the moment to pass. \n\nSalen grumbled a bit. \"A charm, a curse. Just anything to get him to be silent while I gain rank. I will leave that up to you... You've developed quite the reputation as an enchanter in this city. So I trust in your abilities. \" Salen spoke his words as if they pained him. His veneer of professionalism obviously not held up when out of uniform. \n\nSalen nodded as Varis requested for a part of his body. He moved a hand to his belt, pulling out a short dagger. It was ornate, and obviously elven. Salen raised it up to his head and cut off a couple of small clumps of raven black hair. Re-sheathing his blade he set the hairs down on a tavern napkin. Salen slid the hair towards Varis. \"Here, I trust you to use it for its intended purpose. Wizard.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard could practically smell Salem's discomfort, and only allowed himself that mischievous grin that incited it initially. He raised his eyebrows as Salen established that the choice was up to Varis, and the Telvanni nodded. \n\nThen, he cut off a clump of hair and presented it to the wizard, who showed a face of mild discomfort before he reached into his satchel, plucked out a vial, and gently utilized a telekinesis spell to place the hair into the vial, and sealed it with a cork cap. \n\nOnce done, he nodded with satisfaction and put the vial away, looked to Salen, and said, \"Of course. I pride myself on being a businessman. Better to make honest deals, even in dark corners.\"\n\nVaris leaned back, relaxed his shoulders, and said, \"Care to eat before you go? I've managed to import quite the selection, since coming here.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen thought on it for a bit. He didn't want to stay in the tavern, he had only a few more hours of peace before his absence would be noticed. He wanted to go to his usual haunt, drink the swill they had on tap, perhaps find an adventurer with low enough standards. But, he would be lying if he didn't want something nice to eat. The food within the embassy was fine, but it was for sustenance only. The Thalmor wanted to prevent it's soldiers from becoming too comfortable when away from the Dominion. Food at the embassy was nutritious, fresh, but uninspired. Salen had little regard for those outside his own culture, but he did come to enjoy the food. \n\n\"Imported? My, you've become rather comfortable in this city haven't you.\" Salen's expression finally rested at its neural position. His eye meeting Varis' once more. Salen then moved his gaze over the hall, his nose picking up on the scents from the kitchen of the tavern. It was far nicer than the seedy spot he would frequent, the food here smelled of imported spices and not just fatty grilled meat. \n\n\"What do you have? \""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard watched Salen. The pondering, the seeking eyes, the judgment behind glazed eyes, it was all rather fascinating to observe. Varis said nothing, as he had no desire to force his temptations upon the man nay further than he already had. Though, at the comment of comfort, Varis only shrugged with a smile. It was a simple thing; where you are, it better be under your control. At some point in time. \n\nThough, in the end, he asked what the tavern had to offer, pointing it toward Varis. The Sorcerer only grinned, and said, \"Well, the salmon here is all well and good, but, I've had a few Dreugh imported. A delicious mud-crab taste, with a far less, *Muddy* Texture. Falls out the shell the moment you pick it up. A delicacy among my people, converted for the Nordic taste. With, some extra seasoning and spice, as per my request. A favorite expense, these days.\"\n\n\"Aside from this, they've devised all manner of dishes, from delightful grilled, but messy, sandwiches, to lavish meals with plenty of garnish and sides. I take it your tastes are rather, *Utilitarian*, being a soldier? Care for some fresh fruits and crunching vegetables? If you partake in mushrooms, I've grown plenty of edible kinds, all meant to enhance any dish, or remain standalone.\"\n\nVaris glanced his eyes across the dining area, toward a server, and with a single lock of his eyes, the man server knew to come. \n\nIn the mean time, Varis looked back to Salen, and raised his eyebrows, wondering what he would like. \"You can ask for *Almost* Anything. If nothing comes to mind, a menu is on its way.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "\"Dreugh? Those abysmal creatures... I wasn't aware those things could be considered 'good eating'. I hear this inn has good roast pheasant, with a grape glaze. But if you are offering fresh fruit, specifically imported fresh fruit, I would like that as well. It has been too long, the winters here leave little to select.\" \n\nSalen thought of his time stationed here, the fruit was good during the late summer months. But it never lasted long. It was an issue that all the elves in the Embassy mutually agonized over. Alinor and her shores were fertile, and bountiful. The fruit orchards would produce well into the winter, with shipments from the southmost islands filling the markets with oranges, berries and Persimmons. Skyrim, however, only offered snowberries during the cold months, a bitter and tart fruit that needed to be cooked low and slow with honey in order to be palatable. The effort was not worth it, so winter was a time for pickled and dried fruit. \n\n\"The god's only know how men persist in this land. This place is abysmal.\" Salen mutters to himself dryly. He leans back, settling into his chair much more."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard chuckled, \"I wish I could say it was for each other's company. Though, they love to boast about their women, all while fantasizing about lizards.\" Varis shrugged as he glanced toward the server that had come over, and set down a menu for Salen. \"Canis root tea. Have Khules make it.\"\n\nA nod came from the server man, and then his head turned to Salen. After acquiring the drink, he would nod and rush away, leaving Salen to look over the menu. \"As for Dreugh, its a tough meat to cook, but utterly delightful. Especially when made in, whatever way these Nords do it. They love their dairy, and drench the beast in butter. Quite savory, too fatty. As for fruit, I can't agree more. The vineyards of Cyrodiil are famous, but the plantations of succulants in Port Telvannis,\" He paused as he closed his eyes and remembered them. \"I could not live without them.\"\n\nHe opened his eyes and glanced about the tavern. \"Hence why I refused to live without them.\" A nod, before he looked to Salen. \"You know, with that deed I'm offering to give you, you could develop a small greenhouse in the apartment. Have some botanist manage it, acquire enchantments and services from me, and you could provide luxury fruits to the people of Skyrim. Or, at the very least, keep yourself delighted?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen looks over the menu of the tavern. His eye focusing on the grilled poultry section. It was there, the famous portion of roast pheasant, drenched in a decadent wine and jelly sauce. He could feel his cheeks beginning to salivate. \n\n\"Hm, a greenhouse? Interesting. But peddling fruit to the masses seems a waste. Nor do I crave Alinor persimmons that badly.\" Salen set the menu down on the table. He folded his arms over his chest and stared at Varis. \"If I were to make use of it, I would rather grow alchemical ingredients. Those specifically from Cyrodiil or Black Marsh. I've found that foreign herbs from the east most parts of the empire, and Argonia are the most potent. The most, in demand. But I'm sure you already know that. \" \n\nSalen tilted his head as he gave Varis another once over. \"How much of this city have you sunk your teeth into? Your name doesn't appear very often amongst the paperwork of the Embassy. For one as ... Popular amongst the humans, particularly the nobility, you keep a clean slate. I dread to ask how many bodies you've left in your wake during your little climb to relevancy.\""
}
] | 283 | 2,365 |
396.666667 | 2024-05-20 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis raised an eyebrow as Salen turned down his offer to start a greenhouse for flowers and fruits. The man said nothing, until the mention of alchemical ingredients.\n\nLike a hound that had sniffed blood, Varis turned his head to Salen and placed his hands together, lacing the fingers. The wizard watched inquisitively as Salen spoke, and nodded as the Altmer suggested he already knew the worth of such ingredients. Though, Salen left out a part regarding Valenwood's deepest forest grown herbs. Such were incredible for the usage of niche, but luxurious, potions and poultices. \n\nThen, came a question of how much Varis actually controlled in the city.\n\nVaris leaned back and said simply, \"I'm not much of a socialite. The nobility of this city love to host lavish parties, and since my arrival, many desire to host a Telvanni Lord. And yet, none do. I prefer solitude, and one on one negotiations. I meet them at court, or on the docks, or in the streets, and whisper honeyed words. Contrary to how much I love the art of death, I rarely perform it. I understand the difficulties of using such measures in this place. People ask questions, much to the evidence of their inefficiency. Those who devalue the relevancy of death, are doomed to govern the lives of others with utter incompetence.\"\n\nVaris shrugged as he leaned back. \"As for why I do not appear on many Dominion documents,\" A slight smile formed. \"Well, that is likely better answered by you. Am I not interesting enough? Have I not spent enough nights in the bedrooms of suspected Talos worshippers?\"\n\nVaris grinned a little, before he sat up and placed his hands and elbows on the table, looking at Salen. \"Plus, I spend most of my time in my room, putting theoretical arcana to the test. My studies and calculations take up a great deal of my time. Though, I wonder, are you very keen to study magic? You quite simply dismissed my offer to teach you some. A lesson from a Telvanni is coveted in most places. Especially seeing as how the Psijic order is not very, *Friendly*, with the Dominion?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen narrowed his eye as Varis mentioned magic lessons. \"I have no doubt you have powerful lessons to teach, Dunmer. The Telvanni are well known for a reason, certainly they rival the Sapiarchs in power. I will not downplay that aspect of your order. However, I would like to keep our interactions to a minimum.\"\n\nSalen's pose relaxed slightly and he leaned back in his chair. Resting one leg over another as he motioned a hand towards Varis. \"I have betrayed my country, my order, and my ideals twice for you already. I do not wish to ingratiate myself with you and your ilk more than I have to. Besides, the Thalmor provides a steady stream of tomes and training to it's agents.\" \n\nSalen turned his head as he heard approaching footsteps, the server from earlier came bearing a tray of drink. Salen spared another glance at the menu and simply gestured to the meal he wanted. \"Whatever fresh fruit you have as well, please.\" His tone was civil as he handed the sheet of parchment back to the server and watched him walk away. He turned his attention back to Varis. \n\n\"What the Dominion knows about you is restricted to the amount of gold you throw around and the nobles you speak with the most. You are wise, you keep a clean slate. But you obviously know whose company to keep. The whole, guard giving you access to their prisoners. Unknown to the Thalmor, despite the fact that we keep a sharp eye on what goes on in the prisons.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard's striking, purple eyes did not leave Salen's, as he listened rather intently to the response. As the response was uttered, Varis only seemed amused as he tilted his head, eyes narrowing a bit. The Altmer continued, with insults to himself, and desires for boundaries. Varis said nothing for a time, especially when the server came over, and took Salen's order, bringing Varis his water. \n\nThe Mage drank from it as Salen finished, and nodded to himself. \"I prefer to be a shadow. It's where you get to have the most fun, *And* The most influence.\"\n\nHe nodded as he cleared his throat with a subtle noise, and shrugged his shoulders as he leaned into his seat cushions. \"Now, you say you have betrayed your country, your order, and your ideals. Twice, *For me*.\" Varis allowed himself a smile. A broad one, showing a glimpse of the pearly whites beneath lush lips and a full goatee. \"This, I believe, is the wrong way to look at it. How can you betray a nation that shows such little loyalty for you? How can you betray an order that uses you as naught but a tool? In Port Telvannis, we kill, cheat, steal, and destroy one another in broad daylight. And yet, we are all treated better than any Agent of the Dominion I have ever known.\"\n\n\"I don't say that to boast, *This time*, but instead, to offer perspective. You didn't do everything you did *For me*, you did it for yourself. It could have been a Dunmer, an Orsimer, or even, a Khajiit, that invited you into this new mode of life.\"\n\nVaris watched Salen with a raised eyebrow. \"Is it so bad, to choose yourself? Does it weigh so heavily, in the face of everything you have ever been denied by your own kin?\""
}
] | 401 | 1,190 |
459.2 | 2024-05-21 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "A brief look of conflicted anger washed over Salen's face. His hand clenched itself into a fist. He stared with his dark brown eye into Varis, the blind one remaining impassive. The muscles of the scarred portion of his face twitching but unable to fully flex. Salen chewed on his words for a moment. \n\n\"What I did was a lapse In my judgement. I needed to do something to get out of this oblivion-cursed tundra. Thirty years, Thirty god's forsaken years I have been stuck here. .. After I rise up, I will leave. Return to the Isle where I was born, and get married and die. The Thalmor was good to me before I was stationed here. A passing tolerance of my, condition. My loyalty to them is assured by my continued existence. Every little slight against them is another nail in my coffin. What I did for you was akin to me sticking my neck before the headman's axe. So yes, it is bad for me to choose for myself. I risked my life, just for chance to get back home. \"\n\nWithin his words there was a pang of emotion, a subtle crack in his voice, a waver. Salen moved to rub the bridge of his nose, the dead milky eye stared ahead. He let out a sigh and looked almost defeated. Moving to take a sip from the water that the sever had left for the two of them. Once he refreshed himself he glanced over his shoulder, watching to see if any prying eyes, or lost ears, were attempting to listen in on his rant."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "No onlookers or eavesdroppers were in sight, as the Altmer spoke. In fact, those that did look at them, an Altmer and a Dunmer at the same table, looked with passive interest, but as though they had no idea what they were saying. Even the closer tables. They carried on about their business, as if nothing was happening. \n\nVaris watched Salen, and said simply, \"Hmph.\"\n\nA simple, airy noise that could mean anything. Amusement? Disappointment? Irritation? All these things came to mind at the sound of that noise, and yet Varis only placed his arms on the table again, and looked at Salen. \n\n\"Before, I heard you echo these words. Your loyalty was earned, or something to that affect. It was an obligation as a form of repayment. *A passing tolerance of my, condition.*\" Varis gestured to Salen, \"I don't imagine you mean your eye, as you got that lovely mark while here, meanwhile, your faith and obedience was earned in Summerset.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands together. \"In Port Telvannis, my mother had slaves when she was a girl. Abolition was on everyone's mind, and the great Nerrevarine was making a name for himself, with a cured affliction of the Divine Disease. Before he challenged Dagoth Ur, my mother, she had a slave Altmer, who was her butler, of sorts. He was a House Slave, one that did not work in the salt rice fields. He loved her, and her family, because he did not have to do such grueling work, and he had never known freedom, being born into servitude. He had worked for another plantation, but my family was, *Merciful* To him, she said. They took pity on him, but they *Never* Saw him as anything but a Slave. Better yet,\" He held up his finger. \"A slave that would possibly out-live them. A perfect tool, to take care of their descendants.\"\n\nVaris frowned. \"He was completely obedient. Even when my family, once under my Mother's Matriarchy, turned our slaves into a paid labor force, he stuck around. He did not dare leave our side. Even now, he tries to deny every septim he is offered. He dotes on and obeys all of my mother's wishes, no matter what.\"\n\n\"When he began to look after me, I treated him like filth. He was weak. He was an obedient, weak, droning man. Utterly undeserving of my presence.\"\n\nVaris frowned a bit more, the creases of his lips evident through his facial hair. \"Even when I got these,\" He gestured to his face. \"He elected to sit at my bedside, and perform his duties, to get me to feel better. To heal. He was so devoted, and on that day, I realized why. He was never free. He would never know freedom, because he would always choose the safety of the Home. Of the Hearth. Why be a free man, out in the jungle of civilization, when he could be fed, and given the creature comforts, of a House Slave?\"\n\nThe Sorcerer shrugged. \"It is a way to survive. Alas, I do not believe survival, and *Liviing*, are the same thing. I realized that, when I saw him at my bedside, where not even my parents attended as regularly. He was doing his best, to be at my side, so that he could be of use, for as long as he lived. Can you imagine? Over three hundred years of service, and, not a moment of unwavering loyalty?\"\n\nVaris looked at Salen now, directly into his eyes. \"So, my business partner, he who dare not reject his Masters, *Are you a House Slave*? Do you really believe the Dominion is deserving of wielding your Headsman's Axe? For your betrayal to a people who hate you, *Do they deserve to decree your death*?\"\n\nThe Telvanni shook his head, as he leaned back. \"No. You chose yourself, and thus, you may *Never* Have a Master again.\" He remained still, watching Salen intently."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen stared in a shocked silence as Varis spoke, he listened as the other mer told his story. Salen grit his teeth, his eye darting to the side every once in a while. As Varis finished, and posed his question Salen could only sit quietly. He heard a ringing in his ears, the comparisons to a house slave. \n\nSalen's thoughts were spinning, his vision focusing on the grain of the table. He leaned forward, shrinking in his seat. Realizations were bubbling up, and so were emotions. He felt a bulge at his larynx, he gulped. It did not go away. He wanted to cry, an ache in his gut. But he didn't. Salen hadn't shed a tear in almost twenty years, the last time he did he was staring up at the sky, a massive chunk of flesh burned away from his face. He sullenly sighed. \n\n\"I suppose you have a point.\" He spoke the words as if it caused him pain to do so. \"But, this is not something I can simply run away from. This is the Aldmeri Dominion, the Thalmor. I have been taught nothing but loyalty to them since I was a child. My mother, who bore my tainted flesh into this world is in the same situation as I. If I stumble, if I mess up. It's not just me, it's her, it's my sisters. My entire lineage. Gone, due to my errors...\" Salen took a moment to compose himself. Choosing his next words. \n\n\"You, Varis Xai'Shen. Are correct. I am comfortably under the boots of my superiors...\" Salen let out a deep sigh. Before continuing his thought, \"I want to live.\" Salen stared out past Varis. \"It, is hard to see any alternatives beyond the path I am on. There is, safety, moving with in the shadows. Biding my time, waiting for pieces to move into the correct places. But the god's have seen it to damn me themselves. Miserable luck for the past Thirty years.\n\nI was confident once, that when I lost my eye there would be no more use for me. I would be medically discharged and sent home. I knew that was not the case when I woke up, half blind and delirious. I waited for my papers to be processed. And by the time I was healed enough to return to duty, my rejection was handed to me. I schemed, I begged, seemingly everything I tried was not at the right time.\"\n\nSalen groaned and leaned back in his chair. Face returning to it's neutral expression. \"Perhaps the stars have finally aligned. My leash is short. I can only do so much without incurring fatal suspicion.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer watched. He watched the pain it took to admit these things. He raised his chin and leaned into his seat, observing. Listening. \n\nAnd in the end, Varis nodded. \n\n\"I can tell you value your family. But, I must wonder, how valuable are you, that they would threaten your family? Should you disconnect from the Dominion, would they use your family to lure you back? When you and your tainted flesh was conceived, why not kill your mother then, if you were only a thing meant to tolerate? I know of Altmer Purity, and the belief of it within the Dominion. This suggests she is powerful, indeed. So, why waste her for your sake?\"\n\nVaris frowned as he said this. \"The first step to acquiring freedom, is to know your worth. Once that is known, the plan begins. And I, Salen Jaelinoth, am an avid Abolitionist.\"\n\nThe Wizard raised his eyebrows. \"You admit yourself to being a House Slave, in this regard. Thus, I wonder, the *Possibility* Of your family being slain, and thus continued servitude, or the assurance that you die on your own terms?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen looked down. \n\n\"I'm not sure what the extent of the punishment would be if I defected, or if I was caught. I know that I will be killed. But all defectors and traitors are. I care about my family, but I know that they will be dragged in as well for my crimes. Will they be killed? I'm not sure. I've always assumed that the worst will happen. Because that is how things are.\"\n\nSalen locked his fingers together, and looked up at the ceiling for a moment. \"I have seen things, terrible things. Say what you will about the Thalmor, but they are efficient when it comes to torture and massacre. I'm sure you will gaze upon the wounds of the bodies I collected for you. And that is just scraping the surface. I have been spared the direct viewing of what they do in Dominion Territory. But the reports I have read have left me feeling sick.\"\n\nSalen took a moment to take a sip of water before continuing. \"It is why I fear repercussion. Why I attempt to do things on their terms. This new justiciar, may be my saving grace. But I will have to be savvy when navigating the social ladder from now on.\""
}
] | 331 | 2,296 |
221.333333 | 2024-05-22 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "As Salen spoke of defection, and torture, Varis seemed intrigued. And as he spoke of the horrors done within the Dominion, Varis seemed... Particularly interested. His eyes were wholly focused, as he desired details, but frowned as Salen did not go further. He listened to Salen's explanation, and nodded to himself.\n\nVaris played with his beard for a bit, before his eyebrows rose. \"Well, then it is clear what holds you back. Your family. Now, you can choose to dismiss them, or hold onto them. I suspect the latter.\"\n\nThe Wizard looked at Salen intently, placing his hands together on the table. \"The situation is quite... Muddy. Though, if you wish to play by their terms, then, you will likely remain a Slave forever. Now, you speak of how they tolerate you, and how they look down on you, so,\" He shrugged, \"What is it? What holds you back? A crime? Improper blood and ancestry? Have your forefathers sinned against the Thalmor?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen let out a sigh. \"I was never going to reveal this information to you. But It appears I've already let too much out already, during the course of our conversation. And sure you have already made your assumptions towards my. Condition.\"\n\nHe leaned forward slightly. \"I am of, mixed blood. Born of an affair between my mother. Obviously. And an Imperial. Some Diplomat named Scipio. For all fifty of my years, the circumstances of my birth have been held over my head. A filthy, dirt blooded, bastard.\"\n\nSalen leaned back. \"I am held by my superiors the same way they hold the Bosmer, or the Cat-folk. I am lesser than. But still better than the average human. It, has been a complicated existence. My mothers rank, wealth, and power within the dominion has kept me alive.\"\n\nSalen grumbled a bit. His words teetering off as the server returned to the table bearing plates of food. He watched as the Nord gently set down the plates and then walked away. He took a moment, poked his food with at his fork before speaking again.\n\n\"And that, is my big secret, the damning fact of my existence.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard watched Salen as he explained the reason why his life was so destitute and bastardized. Varis seemed a tad surprised when one of his suspicions was proven true. *A mud-blood*? Varis pondered it for a moment, but chose not to comment immediately, as the Altmer continued, and paused for the server.\n\nWhen the Nord was gone, Varis remained silent for as long as Salen continued, and when he was done, he nodded.\n\n\"And the merchant we aim to secure communication with, is she? I suppose?\"\n\nVaris did not seem particularly phased, as he continued, \"Hm.\"\n\n\"He who has never been afforded the warmth of the village, will embrace the heat, when it all burns down.\"\n\nVaris raised his eyebrows. \"In such a case, it would be my pleasure to hand you the torch, to set it all ablaze. At least, to provide you the option.\""
}
] | 220 | 664 |
547.5 | 2024-05-23 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen nodded towards Varis. \"Yes, my merchant connection would be my mother. One, Lady Thalianna Jaelinoth. Current Matriarch of the Jaelinoth house, a line that stretches all the way back to the Aldmer settlement of the Summerset Isle. The title is only impressive to those who care, and important enough that the Thalmor didn't have her drown me as a babe. \" He waved his hand dismissively as he cut his food into smaller bites. The knife easily slicing the sauce covered poultry. He knew that Varis didn't care about his name, his lineage, his ancestry. But his superiors did, it's why he thought to mention it. \n\n\"That is why I wanted to ensure her safety. So long as I live, I am a stain upon her reputation. A fact that I am constantly reminded of. But I did my best as a child. I behaved, I worked to prove myself. It payed off, for a time\" Salen took a few moments to nibble at his food, chasing it with a swig of water. His jaw clicked slightly as he chewed. He swallowed and continued. \n\n\"You offer me aid, I ask why. What do you want from me, I know you aren't doing this out of the goodness of your heart.\" Salen pointed his fork towards Varis."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "His eyebrows raised as Salen explained the origin of his family name. The origin of Aldmer settlement on the isles? It may even be possible that one of this man's named ancestry had made it on that originally pilgrimage made by the prophet Veloth alongside the Chimer. Varis stroked his whiskers as he thought about it, and grinned beneath his mustache as he let Salen continue.\n\nIn the end, Salen asked why Varis wanted to help. The man chuckled at that. Salen had caught on, now.\n\n\"An original Aldmer family tree. In my presence. Oh, how lucky you have made the both of us.\"\n\nVaris rubbed his hands together, took a sip of water, and set the glass down as he looked to the fellow mer. \"And here I thought my plans stagnant! Hehe..\"\n\nHe shook his head, utterly amused. \"Don't you see your possible importance?\"\n\nThe man turned his head to face Salen fully. \"Two hundred years ago, the Thalmor claimed they had successfully closed the Gates of Oblivion in Summerset. Fifty years ago, they beheaded the Blades, and hunted them into near-extinction. They failed to stop the Blades from reviving, in the name of that Dragonborn here in Skyrim, during the Dragon Crisis. Bankers and finance experts in Solitude whisper of their associations with the Civil War entirely. Even after that White-Gold Concordant, the Dominion holds no sway over Hammerfell, aside from how they may meet their own deaths on the beaches of that province.\"\n\nVaris seemed utterly overjoyed.\n\n\"You, and your family, hold the key to internal mutiny. To utter destabilization and ruin of the infrastructure of your nation. All those who scorned you, all those who called for your drowning as a babe, could be put to the sword, when revolution comes, and *You* Lead the charge. Imagine, you, your family, the faces of rebellion and extinction of the Thalmor.\"\n\nThe things he said, he said them with such glee, but not the glee of a revolutionary. The glee of an arms dealer manufacturing a war.\n\n\"All it takes is a domino effect of mistrust. Reveal the weakness, the instability of the Thalmor internal network, and it all crumbles around them as the people revolt. It could spark revolutions all across the world. Revolutions require funding, and those fighters who win, must pay their debts.\"\n\nVaris placed a hand to the lower half of their face, staring at Salen from above his pointer finger as it crossed over his nose.\n\nHe pulled it away and was smiling. \"You, the once scorned half-man, half-mer, sitting atop a throne, built from the bones of those who treated you like trash.\"\n\nVaris seemed utterly enthralled by visions of currency and power, until, his disposition faded, and a more collected, analytical mindset came over his expression. \"Hm... Though, it cannot happen too quickly. I'm sure fires are already happening in Summerset. All that is needed is a fan. Such as the removal of Thalmor bases and embassies on mainland Tamriel.\"\n\nHe tapped his chin, nodded to himself, but paused.\n\n\"Though, perhaps I get ahead of myself.\"\n\nHe looked toward Salen again. At least, more so, *At* Him. As if he was actually looking at him this time, and not peering through him to the money that awaited in his future. \n\n\"Hm. I sound insane, don't I? And yet... I suspect you can see a glimpse of my vision, as such that I have described it. You, rising up, claiming Summerset, and using your own Imperial ancestry to broker a peace with the Empire. A dogged empire that will rot on its own, but you would have such wealth, such power... Hm. It's right at your fingertips, and you never told me!\"\n\nVaris held his forehead as he leaned against the table, narrowed his gaze, and said, \"You, *Can* See what I do, can't you? You want it, don't you?\" He asked inquisitively, pondering if Salen could reach out and take that which Varis envisioned."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salens brow furrowed as he listened to Varis rant and rave. He felt a pang of regret at telling him of his heritage. It was obvious the other Mer wanted to use his name for his advantage. He ate as he followed along with the Dunmer's words. But eventually put his utensils down. Having enough of the mad ramblings of revolution. There was a bit of temptation, it's only natural to want revenge on ones oppressors. But reasoning was triumphing over his emotion, he craved stability, not retribution, and certainly not a throne. \n\n\"You assume that I want that. That I crave the sort of power that collapsing the Dominion could bring.\" Salen shook his head. \"I don't.\" He leaned back from the table and looked around the tavern. At all the people chatting, drinking, otherwise enjoying the night. Salen crossed his arms over his chest and refocused on Varis. \n\n\"This talk of revolution is not my wish, it is yours. You make your intentions too obvious. And now that i've made the mistake of telling you of my lineage you want to use that. Use me. Tempt me all you want, but my desire is to simply finish my term within the Thalmor, and return to civilian life. I don't want to scheme my way up to the top and bring my nation to it's knee's. I don't care to see the Dominion fall. Despite my place within it, I still am loyal. Perhaps not totally to the Thalmor, but my allegiances still lay within Alinor.\"\n\nSalen lifted his chin, gazing at Varis, meeting his eyes. \"You live up to the reputation of the Telvanni. Hungry, Ambitious. Your kind are all little climbers aren't they? Using the dagger in their opponents backs as rungs to the next step. I should have listened to my gut when I first met you.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard seemed to pause. \n\nHis posture straightened, and a severe expression came over his features as Salen spoke. \n\nA look of disappointment, disapproval, and dissatisfaction. As though he had been cock-blocked. He visibly mauled over Salen's words, grinding his maulers behind his lips. \n\nWhen he proceeded to speak of the House Telvanni, Varis' eyes narrowed and his eyebrows furrowed, practically knitting together at the ends. \n\n\"You are right.\"\n\nHe said that much, seamlessly. As though none of what Salen had said insulted or impeded Varis. \n\n\"I am a shining example of my people. An example of their nature. An example of their mindset. An example of their vision.\"\n\nThe Telvanni leaned forward, rested his elbows on the table, and laced his fingers together. \n\n\"And yet.\" He began to quote Salen, \"*Tempt me all you want, but my desire is to simply finish my term within the Thalmor, and return to civilian life.*\"\n\nThe Wizard frowned. \"Your kind tends to live a long, *Long* Time. Even longer than the average Dunmer, excluding House Telvanni Magisters. You have been in this province for decades. And yet, you have not climbed. You have not escaped this frozen wasteland. You have been here for decades, and what have you accomplished? What have you done, that will invite you back to Alinor?\"\n\nHis eyes widened a little. \"I don't need to tempt you. You already see what I see. The vision itself is all that you need. Over time, as your greys start to show, and you yearn to see your homeland again, your own mother, remember all that they have done to you. As you see winter fall on this land, year after year, as generations of men fall before your eyes, you will yearn for Alinor more and more, until it becomes such a fantasy of memories past, that you will begin to wonder if it even exists anymore.\"\n\nVaris stared at Salen, his face acute and sharp as he sat there. In this light, with this demeanor, with this expression, he seemed far more Daedric than Mer. \n\n\"You already know where that road leads. And, I will do you one better. A treat, better than anything your leaders have likely ever offered you.\"\n\nVaris reached into his robes, and plucked out the amulet. He set it on the table. \n\nHe took the documents Salen had provided, and placed them on the table. \n\nLaid out and lame. \n\n\"You seem to regret working with me. Thus, pull out now, and I will eviscerate both of these. Evidence of your crimes against the Thalmor. Evidence of your betrayal. I will annihilate the evidence of your sins, and obliviate them from your mind.\"\n\n\"Pull out, and I will make you forget about me. I wonder, how long before we meet again, in the Blue Palace, under the same conditions? Over, and over, and over again, until you begin to remember each time I erase myself from your mind.\"\n\nVaris smiled softly, becoming Mer once more. \n\n\"I won't force you to claim what we *Both* Can see, but that which you do not desire. Thus, say the word, and I will not bring this up again. I will not bring up revolution, nor your family name, and all will be as though you never told me this truth about yourself. We will go back to business, you will climb, and some day, *Possibly*, you will do something that sends you back to Alinor. We will both wait for that day to come, and should it, I will celebrate.\"\n\nThe Wizard leaned back into his seat, sighed through his nostrils, and said, \"So, Salen Jaelinoth, what shall I do?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen's lips tightened as Varis spoke. His expression growing ever more, distraught. As Varis revealed how he could erase himself from Salen's memories, it was if something broke within him. He felt as if reality itself had been altered. A growing panic in his bones, nausea, illness. His hearing deafened slightly as he felt emotions drop and build up again. He simply stared ahead at Varis, his inner turmoil not visible on his face. But his quickened breathing gave it away slightly.\n\n\"Erase yourself from my mind... Erase yourself from MY mind?\" Salen stood up from his chair suddenly. Leaning over the table, he braces his hands on the wood. Staring at Varis intently. Lips trembling slightly as he tries to speak without his voice cracking. \"You say you can erase yourself from my mind. Just to find me again and, torment me ad-nauseum until you get what you want.\" A look of horror casts over his face and he leans back from Varis. \"You...\" He struggles to find his words. To ask a question he knows he will not like the answer to. \n\n\"How long have you been doing this Varis?\" It was a genuine question. As Salens mind raced he truly wanted to know if this even was his first time meeting the Telvanni. He shook his head in disbelief, and he glances down at the amulet and the papers. He manages to calm himself slightly, the initial shock to his system moving over for disgust to set in. \"My time is here, I know it. That justiciar is all I need to get out of here...\" Salen rubs his brow, moving back to sit in his chair once more. He stays quiet for a few moments, staring at the table. \n\nSalen lets out a sigh. Defeat in his eyes. \"The charm, the charm for my superior...\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard's eyes beamed as Salen spoke. As horror, rage, sorrow, dread, and a miasma of unreality clouded the other man's mind. *It seems I am becoming a better Illusionist by the day. Hm. Perhaps I should attempt to Obliviate myself from his mind. It would be a complex spell... And I might overload his mind to the point of Sheo's Realm... But, it could work.*\n\nVaris listened, and finally, when Salen asked how long Varis had been doing this, the Wizard refused to comment. He only watched the Altmer, allowing his mind to race. \n\nThen, he solidified himself in this timeline, in this point in space-time. Varis made no comment. \n\nFinally, defeat.\n\nSo, Salen would choose to return to business as usual. \n\nBut, he did not demand silence for Varis' further ambitions regarding the Jaelinoth family name. \n\nThe cogs and wheels would remain turning. \n\nThe Wheel would continue to roll. \n\n\"The Charm.\" He repeated. \"Of course.\"\n\nThe Wizard sighed through his nostrils, sliding the amulet and papers back into his robes, as he sat up and looked Salen in the eyes. Before, he looked down at the bowl of fruit, held up his fingers, and caused a grape to break off from the cluster, fly into his hand, and proceeded to pop it into his mouth.\n\nHe smiled as the sound of the juicy morsel squishing resounded across the rather quiet space between them. \n\n\"Don't worry, I'll pick up the tab. I'm glad that you chose correctly. However, I do wonder, what do you think of yourself, to ask me how many times we have had this conversation?\" Varis shrugged, \"A question to ponder, not exactly one for me to answer.\"\n\nThe Sorcerer shrugged his shoulders, shimmied into his seat, and let out a relieved, relaxed sigh. \"I will tell you this much, Salen; I am no more an enemy to you, that the Thalmor are to you. In fact, I would rather prefer to be *Better* Than them, to you. I would be a fool to present myself as a worse employer than them.\"\n\nHis eyebrows rose a tad. \"So, would you like to come upstairs and see how I enchant your cursed trinket? Or, shall you simply find it at your bedside in the embassy barracks?\""
}
] | 455.5 | 3,285 |
346.111111 | 2024-05-24 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen stared at his plate. Not meeting Varis' gaze as he spoke. Gods he was tired, so damn tired. He listened to the Dunmer, his jaw tensing up as Varis finished speaking. He hardly glanced at the other elf as he plucked and ate the grape. Salen simply sat there in a sort of daze. He would process all the emotions at a later and more private place. Finally he looked over at Varis. Listening as the wizard offered to let him watch the enchantment. \n\nHe spoke, words hesitantly. \"I will follow, I do not enjoy the idea of you finding out where I sleep.\" \n\nSalen placed his utensil on the plate before him, his dinner was half finished, his appetite now all but gone. Once he had done that he stood up, brushed down his blouse and trousers and waited for Varis to move. If there was at least one thing, he didn't have to pay for the food. His exhaustion showed on his face, framed by dark locks of hair."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Mage looked up at Salen as the man agreed, and left his meal half finished. When it was clear that Salen was not going to finish the plate, the Conjurer whisked his hand, dismissing the plate's contents completely. Likely to a dungeon, where some poor souls were begging for scraps. \n\nWhatever the case, Varis slid himself out of the corner booth and stood, looking up at Salen. \"Hm. A fair precaution.\"\n\nFrom there, the wizard walked out of the bubble of muffling, sound returning to their ears as the tavern's merriment resumed in their ears. \n\nVaris meandered through the crowds, his eyes landing on the Nord in the corner, and the man immediately noticed the Dunmer's gaze. The Nord nodded and rose from his table, following. Varis glanced back toward Salen, \"Don't worry. I just don't want to come back downstairs to retrieve this oaf once our business is complete.\"\n\nUp the stairs they went, the Nord far enough behind, until they made it to the locked door. \n\nWith a wave of the mage's hand, the door's *Exceptional* Security enchantment lattice was revealed, and subsequently dispelled. Salen, being somewhat practiced in Destruction, would easily notice the systems involved with Destruction Runes. However, these were not elemental at all, but instead far more eclectic, far more complex. Likely more dangerous. \n\nVaris opened the door and made his way in, allowing Salen to view an arcanist's dream home. Enchantment tables, alchemical laboratories, shelves upon shelves, a lounge area in the center, a summoning circle between that lounge and the bed, and all manner of terrariums possessing fungal life.\n\nThe Wizard made his way inside and toward the enchanting table.\n\nIf Salen entered, it would not be long before the Nord had made his way up the stairs. \n\nVaris glanced at the man, and he stopped in his tracks. The door opened in the Nord's face, allowing some privacy, and someone to greet Salen out the door. \n\n\"This will not take long.\" He reached into a cabinet *Filled* With Soul Gems, glowing and dormant, and brought it over to one of the tables. He began to collect some other ingredients, allowing Salen a moment to make himself comfortable."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "As he followed Varis Salen kept glancing back at the Nord who was trailing them. \n\n\"Who is he? And why is he following you like a dog?\" \n\nSalen watched as the mage worked on unlocking his wards, seeing the layers of magic shift and peel. The energies from the runes warping the air around them, like heatwaves over sand. He would admit to being impressed. As a mage himself there was a certain admiration for the Telvanni's skills that transcended the institutionalized hate of the Dominion. Perhaps in another life, under different circumstances, he would have taken up Varis' offer for tutelage. What the Telvanni had set up practically rivaled some of the displays that the most advanced Sapiarchs could conjure. There was some curiosity, he wondered where Varis would stand in comparison to the separatists from Artaeum. \n\nAs the pair entered the room Salen gave the space a long look over. The organized chaos made the room feel comfortable. Lived in, not like the spartan barracks he had spent so many decades in. It reminded him of home, his sisters study. When he was a small child, and she was staying at their estate he would follow her around. She was a beloved sorceress, her study was strewn about with specimens and all sorts of magical aids. \n\nSalen watched Varis move about his space, eyebrow raising at the gem filled cabinet."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard would answer Salen's question once he was behind closed doors, \"He's a ship master I met down by the docks earlier today. I invited him to the Winking Skeever, after giving him a wink, or two.\" The Sorcerer was still setting up his enchanting table as his eyes slid over to look at the Altmer. \"One thing must be afforded to the races of men; they are excellent in bed. I suspect short lifespans equate to a deeper desire to enjoy every moment.\"\n\nVaris chuckled a little, wondering how his words would affect the Altmer as he looked back toward his station. \"All the Mer I've been with are so militantly sterile in their thrusts. Utterly disappointing.\"\n\nThe Telvanni's grin was downright wicked as he whisked his hand, baubles and items fluttering about the room as levitation enchantments mixed with telekinesis sent the room into a whirlwind of small items of magical importance. He selected them from the air, before sending the floating chaos back to its neatly set chaos. \n\nWith a few more adjustments, the Enchanting Table was complete for the purposes of Salen's enchantment. Varis whisked his hand, and the fungal-obsidian-ebony contraption yawned to life as the floating receptacles resonated with arcane energies, especially when Varis inserted the soul gems he required into their respective slots. \n\nThe Wizard turned from the enchanting *Workshop* The size of three grown men, and looked toward Salen. \"Now, what would you like the medium of the charm, or curse, to be? Something ingestible? Something he has to wear around his neck? What is something he would take unto his being for as long as you need him to be charmed or cursed?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Of all the things Varis had spoken to Salen about. His preference for human men was the least horrifying. There was a moment of awkwardness, perhaps what Varis had desired to see. Salen shifted uncomfortably as the other Mer went into detail, brow knitted ever so slightly. A tinge of disgust at the back of his throat. But Salen knew he had to right to judge the other man. It would be in character to make a quip, to call Varis filthy for willingly laying with a human. But the fact of his own existence held his tongue, that and he frequently visited the brothels of Solitude. Which were staffed more or less entirely by Nords. \n\nHe shook his head and refocused on the task at hand. Watching as the strange device of the table moved. It was interesting. The dunmer obsession with mushrooms, and the Telvanni obsession with twisting the fungi into all manor of strange shapes and devices. Salen thought for a moment as Varis asked him the question about the charm.\n\n\"Mavaera is obsessed with wine, orders fine vintages from the outskirts of Skywatch all the time. Keeps them on his shelves in the pantries. But he never drinks them, they sit and collect dust. What he does drink, is the stuff from Cyrodiilic vineyards. His reasoning is that 'The good stuff is for good times.' I saw him drink a bottle once, and that was when the little Nord rebellion was crushed. Twenty years ago. Occasionally one of the greener agents, fresh from Alinor will steal a bottle. Maevela never notices. But every week he goes down into the cellar, looks over his collection, runs his fingers over the corks. His little ritual, he does that until he reaches the dust free Gold Coast Red, and downs the entire bottle in his study. The best medium would be a dusty bottle of Russafeld Merlot.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard pondered it for a moment, as Salen spoke on what weaknesses could be exploited regarding this Mavaera. \"Hm. Then,\" He waved his hand, summing two vials. One with a wine-colored liquid, and a transparent clear liquid. \"Wine, or water? Does he appreciate a watered down substance, or a taste that will be sort of fruity and off-taste from his usual? We could wait until I can get a copy of whatever he drinks, or just hope he'll down a whole bottle of the stuff, regardless of the taste difference. Better yet, no hint of poison.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "\"He doesn't drink the stuff, but preferably the one that looks like wine.\" Salen pointed to the vial with the dark red liquid. \"He keeps them around, but doesn't drink them. I think he assumes that they are a symbol of his wealth. A reminder from home. He has been stuck in Skyrim as long as I have. Was there when I first stepped out of the teleportation portal.\"\n\nSalen rested his hands behind his back, watching as the wizard worked. \"Again he's Elenwen's lackey, so long as she is here, he is here. But unlike the rest of us, she gets to return to the Isle every few months. He tags along. Brings back another bottle to add to his collection. But all things considered, it's quite cheap wine by Alinor standards. I know the man's Salary, if he really cared he could get some of the stuff from Artaeum. Old vintages that cost a fortune.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard listened, and smiled. \"My, I do enjoy your perceptiveness. Ugh, what a shame you have such little greed. We could do so much with what you know already.\"\n\nA jest, evident by the Telvanni's mischievously upturned lips, before nodding and dismissing the vial of water. He turned to his table, placed the vial of wine in the center of a field of levitating fungal spheres, receptacles, and idols of enchanting power, causing the vial to become stuck in the central gravitational pull, levitating there. \n\nWith a flick of Varis' hands, the power locked within the soul gems began to seep outward, and flow toward the vial. Though, thankfully, Varis was good enough that he could enchant the liquid through the vial, rather than making a novice mistake of enchanting the vial itself. The Wizard nodded to himself as he worked, checking over notes and documents that were strewn about him in an orbit of words and parchment. \n\nThroughout the process, the vial uncorked, and Varis placed some of Salen's pitch black hair into the wine, having it dissolve into it with a snap of his fingers.\n\nThe process did not take very long, as Varis continued to pour power into the enchantment, until, it became a fully fledged lattice-work of hexes, charms, and twisted illusory, alteration, and mystic effect.\n\nWhen all was said and done, the receptacles and spheres began to slide back into positions, becoming still and dormant, while the vial continued to float. Varis snatched it from the air, inspected it, and nodded, holding it out for Salen. \n\n\"This vial, pour it into his next substance. It will cloud his mind, and make him particularly favorable of you. In encounters where people will seek to disparage your name, he will speak up, and declare your efficiency, and worthiness. He will look over your half-breed status, and see you as a better Mer than any of the other ingrates beneath his thumb. He might even share a bottle with you at some point. Do *Not* Ingest whatever you've laced with this enchanted concoction. It will... Cause a particularly introspective experience. Profane narcissism, or exceptional self-doubt...\" He shrugged. \"Either or could happen, depends on the person.\"\n\n\"If you wish to utilize this charm repeatedly, *Do not*. Whoever ingests it will have the charm transfer to them. You can have multiple people charmed, but it will dilute the concentration. Thus, ensure only he drinks from the bottle with this stuff in it. Catch him on a lonely night in his study, or whatever your embassy has, and leave him to his woes. The next morning, or the next time he sees you... He will be like a puppy. Except, an old Altmer man with the same sour disposition, but he'll like you very much. Possibly, like a son.\"\n\nVaris smirked, \"Does that sound appealing enough to work?\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "\"I doubt i'll be sharing a bottle with the man. He's like a jealous lover when it comes to his wine, doesn't even like the thought of sharing. \" Salen ignored Varis' quip about his lack of greed. Salen was many things, but greedy wasn't exactly it. Not in a monetary sense, which is what he assumed the Dunmer spoke of. \n\nAs Salen watched the Wizard enchant the wine he couldn't help but lean forward. The enchanting table fascinated him, a curious piece of craftsmanship. He wondered if Varis' had grown it himself, or perhaps it was the work of a master fungal carpenter. He nodded along as Varis spoke, but his eyes focused intently as the magical glyphs began to appear and shift. The colors, the symbols, it was unlike the enchanting tables he was used to seeing. Something more technically, or at least something that let it's workings be bare to the visible eye. The work itself was a bit lost on him, Salen knew a bare minimum amount of Enchanting. His specialization was destruction magic, something he was proud of. \n\nSalen was pleased as Varis' explained the charm, exactly what he needed. \n\n\"That will work, So long as he can overlook my mixed blood. Then I can work on Calla. If the stars align, and Auri-el be willing, I will be approved to return to the Isle. Free.\" Salen felt that faint shimmer of hope begin to fizzle up again, maybe it will all work out. How he longed to see the crystal blue waters on the coasts. The smell of salt and flowers on the wind. The great halls of his home. The faces of his family. He felt like he could reach out and touch the threads of his future."
}
] | 371 | 3,115 |
210.6 | 2024-05-25 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer nodded, handing the vial to Salen as the man explained what he needed. His eyebrow rose a tad as Salen offered an indirect prayer, and a longing for freedom. Varis made no obvious reaction to this sentiment, but a frown could have formed very easily. So long as this Altmer longed for a homeland that would never accept him, Varis could only imagine the humiliation that would haunt the man to the end of his days. \n\nThen again, perhaps this Mer would get lucky, and find himself by the seas, holed up in a solitary cottage or abode, and never be bothered again. Varis pondered that thought, and wondered if he would manage to see the day Salen got onto the next ship to Alinor. Whatever the case, Varis remained quiet on that front, before saying, \"Then good luck. The whole vial would be most optimal, but if you can only manage a few drops at a time, it will work just fine. Too little each time, and he might have time to realize what is happening to his psyche. All at once, and he will be too lulled to notice, or care.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen nodded towards Varis' warning. He had to be on top of which wines the justiciar would go for. Or perhaps he could spread it out evenly across what was in stock. Mark them in some way, perhaps magically. That was something he could manage even without the help of a powerfully Telvanni mage. \n\n\"I understand, i'll make sure he gets a decent dosage with each bottle.\" Salen chewed on the inside of his lip slightly. As soon as his hands touched the vial, he gave it a quick glance his fingers wrapping around it like a vice. He felt a reverence to it, clutching it like a holy amulet. He slid the vial into his pocket, patting it as it fell to the bottom of the fabric pouch. There would be no drinking and whoring tonight, it was too much of a risk to loose the vial. Besides, he had spent long enough in Solitude for the night, the sooner he get's back to the Embassy the sooner the plot could begin in full. The phantom of a smile quivered at the corners of his mouth. \n\n\"Thank you, If everything goes to plan then this transaction will have been worth it,\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Telvanni nodded as Salen explained his plan, and raised his chin as he watched the Altmer's care when holding the vial. Varis smiled slightly. There were few things that brought him satisfaction more than seeing his enchanted items taken and aimed for good use. The satisfaction he got from giving the Guards of Solitude enchanted weaponry was wearing off, and so in more personal interactions like this, he did not take them for granted. \n\n\"Of course. I hope to hear of your success, climbing through the ranks.\" Varis walked across the distance to the door, and opened it for Salen. \"Azura's Star guide you.\"\n\nWhen the door opened, Varis glanced toward the Nord outside. The man stood aside, smiling awkwardly toward Salen as he allowed room for the Altmer to leave down the stairs.\n\nVaris looked back to Salen. \"Do let me know how it goes. I love the sound of superiors becoming *Submissive*.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen nodded and once again patted his pocket. Treating the vial within like a precious jewel. He stepped out of the wizards room, side-eyeing Varis' man. Being with a human was one thing, but he definitely questioned the Dunmer's taste. \n\nHe turned back as Varis asked for an update. His face remained impassive but he issued a rare joke. \"I'll make sure to send you a fruit basket once I get back to Alinor.\" \n\nWith that he turned back towards the staircase. And began to walk back down to the ground floor of the tavern. \"Farewell. Keep your hands clean.\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "Varis witnessed the side-eye given to the Nord, and relished in it. He had many back in Morrowind who would say and do far worse, and all those bastards had become screaming puddles of shit and piss the moment they attempted to strike.\n\nAlas, a new realm, a more useful person. When Salen made his joke, Varis allowed himself an audible chuckle, \"And perhaps a bouquet of native mushrooms.\" With that, as Salen walked down the stairs, the Nord was invited into Varis' room, and the door shut. \n\nBehind Salen, he would hear the hissing of runes and enchantments and glyphs being reapplied to the door, each rune more vile and hidden than the last. This one room probably had more protective enchantments and deterrants than the Thalmor Embassy. Though, not many wards. It was as though Varis *Wanted* Someone to try and enter, or peek inside - only for their fingers to shred apart and eyes to melt. \n\nWhatever the case, the door was sealed, and no sound escaped its four walls."
}
] | 227 | 1,053 |
306 | 2024-05-27 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "A storm had swept through the region. It wasn't an uncommon phenomena this time of year. It was so early in the spring, that last vestiges of the winter storms would easily roll in. A warm day could quickly turn frigid, as clouds and water from The Sea of Ghosts crept towards the shores. \n\nOne such storm had rolled in this particular night. It was frigid, with biting rain and chilling winds. But far less violent than its ilk. Salen, wrapped in an oilskin jacket, marched his way through Solitude. While the streets were empty, the taverns were not. His hair was dripping wet, slicked to his skull as he fought his way to his favorite haunt. Eventually he made it. Opening the aged door and stepping into the rather cramped but warm space. \n\nThe Altmer pulled off his coat, and slumped it over a piled up coatrack near the door. He motioned to the barkeep, a tall Nord woman he had come to know over the years. She nodded towards him and went to fill up a pewter mug from a keg. Salen pushed his wet hair out of his eyes, glancing around the room for an open spot.\n\nHis eye quickly found the silhouette of another high elf. So rare was his own kind in solitude, well, so rare were those not affiliated with the Thalmor. He didn't immediately recognize the other mer, a good sign. His attention was piqued, perhaps this was a new arrival to Skyrim. And with that, an even smaller chance that he had news from the homeland. \n\nSalen took a moment to approach the bar and pick up his mug, he set down a septim and nodded towards the Nord woman. Salen took his mug and walked across the small tavern. He pushed past a couple gaggles of travelers, and eventually reached the table the Altmer sat at.\n\n\"Greetings, kinsman. I hope you don't mind. This place is dreadfully crowded.\" Salen spoke as he sat down. He was in his casual garb, the breezy shirt and trousers of Altmeri daily wear. The muddy gold of his skin contrasting with the brilliant raven black of his hair. The massive facial scar along the right side of his face framed the flickering, blind eye within it. His tone was polite, but far from friendly"
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "It's easy for the Altmer to simply ignore the people in the Tavern. He didn't intend on actually interacting with the Nords here. He knows his kind isn't exactly welcome, Thalmor or otherwise but they do make for good background noise. And the occasional drinking buddy if one so chooses. \n\nSo to be sat right next to an Altmer, unexpected. But said Altmer is not a member of the Thalmor? A miracle. \n\n\"Well met, kinsman. Long way from Alinor?\" He takes a sip of his drink. A goblet by the looks of it, filled with red wine. Erandil turns to face the other, his partially hidden by his hair, draped to the sides. \n\nNoting the other's scarring, Erandil couldn't help but raise his brows in surprise. Now, this is interesting."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen let out a slight huff. \"Too long, far too long.\" He nudged the edge of his cup against the wood of the table. \"I haven't seen you here before. Not a lot of us in Solitude.\"\n\nSalen then took a swig from his mug. His movements had a sort of refinement to them. The ingrained behavior of a high-blooded noble. He placed his mug gently back down on the table. Before meeting Erandil's eye. \n\n\"I was curious, to know where you came from.\" Salen absentmindedly scratched his chin, before running a hand over his thin facial hair to smooth it. \n\n\"I had my suspicions, but you speak like someone from the Dominion. I wanted to know if there was any news? The kind of stuff that wouldn't be filtered by the Thalmor.\" \n\nSalen kept his words vague. He knew not to pressure Altmer who weren't directly in uniform with his rank and title. For those who had fled the Dominion it was a source of animosity. Best to be on the safe side till he could figure out the other mer. From his scars he assumed the elf was a veteran, but he knew not for sure."
}
] | 252 | 918 |
192.230769 | 2024-05-28 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Is it truly that obvious? By the Eight. Try not to make that known, would you? I'd rather not have my head served on a silver platter.\" Erandil exhales a soft chuckle. He takes a long sip of his wine, setting down the glass once done. He clears his throat, then speaks.\n\n\"I hail from Alinor. Where else? Asides from that... Hm. What sort of news are you looking for? I'm unsure if you wish for news from Alinor, or news from around Skyrim. Either way, I'm not very well informed on either front.\" Erandil waves a dismissive hand, keeping a close eye on the other. Quite the scar. The average Altmer would never get something like that, even if they lived for over two centuries."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "It, humans, mer, the beastfolk. None of them would be able to tell unless they were from the Dominion. But I know that accent anywhere.\"\n\nSalen's expression drops slightly as Erandil mentions his lack of knowledge. It's a minor shift, practically no change along the scarred part of his face.\n\n\"Ah, a shame. It's rare to hear anything that hasn't been picked through by the Justiciars.\" There was a tinge of bitterness with his tone.\n\n\"And what brings you here to Solitude? Business? Has to, there's nothing in this miserable city that can be mistaken for leisure\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Hm. The Justiciars. I see.\" There was a slight tonal shift in his voice. His face briefly showing bitterness towards the them. But as quickly as it appeared, Erandil returns to his initial calm, taking another sip of his wine.\n\n\"As for why I'm here. I wanted a change of scenery, figured Skyrim might be what I needed. I might have picked Riften if not for the civil war.\" Again, Erandil's words were fairly vague, deflectory even. He wasn't sure if he could trust the other Altmer. Although, he did take note of his... Unique features. But he says nothing of it, for now."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "\"You have a terrible taste in scenery then, kinsman.\" Salen took another swig from his mug, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. \"But compared to Solitude, Riften isn't much better. And the only way to enjoy Skyrim is to stay well away from civilization.\"\n\nSalen then leaned forward, making sure none of the other patrons could hear him. His voice low, and baritone. \"These barbarians will treat you like dirt, but I'm sure you already know that.\" He leaned back slightly. And motioned to his face.\n\n\"I see your scars, I hear your voice. I take it you served? Forgive my intrusion if you haven't, I know that many on Alinor escaped conscription.\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Away from civilization? I'd more likely die than enjoy my time out there. Had enough 'outdoor camping' anyways. At least Riften is in perpetual autumn.\" Erandil hums. He orders a second helping of wine for himself, giving a tip to the tavernkeep.\n\n\"Hm? Of course. I'd be an idiot if I moved here without noting of their distaste for our kind.\" Erandil only offers a shrug. It is what it is, he supposes.\n\n\"Thought you implied it was obvious.\" Erandil chuckles. Then he speaks, quieter as if it's a secret.\n\n \"But yes, I did serve. Far too long, I think. But my superiors refused to let me leave. By their standards I'm not old enough for a retirement.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen raised an eyebrow. So this mer was a traitor. A deserter. For a moment he sat in silence. He contemplated if it would be worth it to bring him in. But then again, it was rare for him to have a genuine conversation with one of his own kind.\n\nThe Altmer who did happen to live in Solitude knew he was Thalmor. How could they not, he was mostly in uniform whenever he came down here. But this new elf was fresh off the roads. Ignorant of Salen's place within the Thalmor.\n\n\"Hmmm I feel that, Alinor likes to keep its dogs on leashes for an absurd amount of time. You deserted I take it? Explains why you have no news from the Isle. Or why you dress like a Nord, if it wasn't for your skin and ears I would have mistaken you for one. \" Salen rested his hand on the rim of his mug, swirling the ale within. \n\n\"Twenty years. Homesick? What part of Alinor do you hale from?\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Deserted? Hah!\" The mer couldn't help but laugh at such an absurd idea, immediately clamping his mouth shut with his hand. He had to keep his composure, best not to draw a crowd. Even with the usual bustle of the Tavern.\n\n\"By the Eight. If I did, I wouldn't be here talking with you, now would I? They have Dominion soldiers on a leash so tight they practically grabbed them by the neck. Especially after they failed twice.\" Erandil takes a long drink of his wine. \n\n\"If I hadn't forgotten any years and I've been serving as soon as I could... A hundred thirty years. Give or take. I would very much like to never step foot in Alinor, as lovely a place as is.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "There was a bit of relief in Salen's mind as the other Elf mentioned that he was no a deserter. \nGood, that was an offense that carried a death sentence. Especially if one had deserted during the Stormcloak uprising. It was considered a particularly embarrassing offense.\n\nSalen's eyebrow raises as Erandil mentions his age. He assumed the mer was younger, despite the scarring. \"One Thirty? Auri-el's tits! I thought you were closer to my age.\" He waved his hand slightly. \"Despite your service scars, you are looking well, very well. Good lineage I presume? Noble?\"\n\nA more relaxed look washed over Salen's face. \"Shame to hear, I'm sure Alinor would welcome you back with open arms. But I know that transitioning from human culture back to... A more rigid structure, isn't desirable.\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "Service scars? I suppose you could call it that, yes.\" Erandil shifts in his seat, turning so he could more easily face the mer. His right arm looked a little off, tucked and hidden from view with his fur cloak.\n\n\"As for lineage, once again you guessed it right. But I'd rather have my family legacy forgotten and buried with me. Such words sound unthinkable I'm sure. I understand well how *Obsessed* The Altmer are with legacy and prestige..\" Erandil trails off, clearing his throat.\n\n\"Well, I'm sure Alinor wouldn't miss my family. I doubt they even remembered the name.\" The mer eyes the other closely sipping his wine.\n\n\"I would say less human culture, and more out fighting and conquering lands. I don't think I've stepped foot anywhere near Alinor lands in over a century. Not after I've proved myself useful enough to forgo basic guard duty in Auridon."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen leaned back, slightly disappointed. \"I see.\" Not a loyal bone in the other Mers body. A shame. His eye traveled over the silhouette of Erandils form, noting the strange shape on his right side. \n\n\"Lesser nobility then, you may find kinship with some of the Mer in Solitude and Markarth. At least when it comes to the Altmer in Skyrim. Many of them are of low rank, families of farmers, sailors, craftsmen. But those of your caste seem to congregate along the western edge of this country. The opportunities I presume.\" \n\nSalen shrugged and nodded his head towards Erandil. \"No offense of course. I know the hierarchy is stifling, I've felt it's Vice over my pulse my whole life. How long do you suppose you will be staying in Solitude?\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Lesser nobility? Truly?\" Erandil looked surprised, genuinely. He didn't seem upset at all. But after a moment of thought, he shrugs and gives a brief nod, a smile on his face.\n\n\"Sounds about right. Undying loyalty can only get one so far. Eventually you'd want to start stabbing the backs of your fellows if you want the Crown's ear. Perhaps marry their younger brother as well. Someone should have told my ancestor that.\" Erandil gives a soft chuckle.\n\n\"As for staying.. Well. I suppose until I croak, or have my head on a pike. Whichever comes first.\" Erandil shrugs. Then, he raises a brow.\n\n\"I'm not sure how far Alinor's progressed. But knowing the Altmer people I don't doubt anything's changed, really. I do wonder, are you of noble blood? I can't help but notice the differences in your appearance, is all. And certainly you speak like one.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen thought for a moment. \"Alinor is stagnant, per usual. I haven't been able to hear anything un-censored for about twenty years. But it's all the same. Totalic Thalmor control, agonizingly slow trade between the Dominion and the Empire. Mages meddling in the divine. Traitors killed by the hundreds. Mass graves in Valenwood and Elyswher... Nothing out of the ordinary.\" He spoke truthfully. Salen knew more than anyone else that there was information being withheld from those outside the Dominion.\n\n\"It is hard to find sources of information. Traders from the Dominion are sword to secrecy, under threat of violence of course. Diplomats and travelers take oaths and wear enchanted items that prevent loose tongues.\"\n\nSalen paused to sip his ale.\n\n\"Funnily enough those in the military don't have the same level of security. But why would they. You know as much as I the type of conditioning we go through. Loyalty so deep and embedded you can find it in our marrow.\" \n\nSalen leaned back and rapped his knuckles against his sternum. Smiling gently. \"Yes, I am of nobility. I don't make an effort to hide it. My family is the Jaelinoth lineage, the great traders of Skywatch.\" Salen spoke it matter-of-factly. His tone was neutral, almost bored. Not the usual haughty show that most upper nobles would make. A sort of tiredness clung to his eyes. As if his own name was a heavy burden."
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"That much is true. I believe the reason why Dominion soldiers have their tongues tied is out of fear of the Thalmor. I was often told to be hauled away by a Justiciar is worse than death on the field. Easy to believe, even my superiors were afraid to against their orders.\" Erandil takes a sip of his wine, contemplating ordering a third serving. But he won't, for now.\n\n\"Loyalty so deep it kept going since the first iteration of the Aldmeri Dominion. My family had letters from the time. One of my ancestors talked so highly about the Crown. It was almost a point of pride for them. That they alone are the most loyal house all of Alinor.\" Erandil shakes his head, a smile forming on his scarred face.\n\n\"Funny how it goes.\"\n\nListening to the other's words, Erandil hums. He sees the other's weariness. For a mer who's likely much younger than him, he already carries the weight of his family lineage. Erandil feels sorry for the other, but he doesn't voice it for now. \"Sometimes I feel it better to simply let go of that burden. What use would having the prestige if all it brings is crushing burdens?\" \n\nHe waves a hand dismissively. \"Now I'm talking like a human. Forgive me.\""
}
] | 176 | 2,499 |
218.5 | 2024-05-29 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen's lips tightened grimly; when the other Mer brought up the horrors of being dragged away by the Thalmor. He had seen the horrific things the Altmer were capable of doing to their own kind. The screams that would echo throughout the bottom levels of the embassy. \n\n\"They were right, with their warnings. A justiciar who has a reason to torture you, is a fate worse than death. Especially the mages, the things they can do to the body. Mortifying.\"\n\n\"I suppose you have a point about letting things go, not an option for me...\"\nSalen leaned back for a moment, rubbing his chin with his finger. He looked at Erandil, conflicted on if he should admit what was at the tip of his tongue.\n\n\"It pains me to see a fellow soldier distance himself from his sworn allegiance. But in a way, I admire the liberation you have chosen for yourself. As much as it worries me.\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"I can only imagine. The mages employed by the Thalmor are far better than the ones within the Dominion. The ones I served with anyways. But what they can do is already horrifying and their main goal is to make sure the Imperials were dead. Not break them.\" Erandil shakes his head, rubbing at his temple. A dim look is etched on his face, a bone-deep exhaustion taking hold.\n\n\"I feel blessed to even have that choice. No obligations, no strings attatched. Just me, myself, and I.\" Erandil decides to order a third serving of wine. Offering another tip for the Tavernkeep.\n\n\"Hold on, fellow soldier? You served with the Dominion soldiers?\" Erandil raises a brow, staring at the other mer. Before he could answer, the mer adds like a secret.\n\n\"Or are you with the Thalmor? No judgement, of course. One does what one must either way.\""
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen shook his head. \"Served? Nay, my kinsman. I still serve. And likely will continue to.\" \n\nHe drummed his fingers on the tabletop. \n\"Thirty four years, twenty of which I have served here. In Solitude.\" Salen was cautious to not reveal too much of his history. Not wanting to frighten away his drinking partner.\n\n\"I arrived here on the eve of the Stormcloak rebellion. Information, protection. A glorified guard really. There are many things about the Nords that I despise. But I will say, when they want to learn magic, they get damn good at it.\" He motioned to the massive scar on the side of his face And the dead, blind eye.\n\n\"Unfortunately, getting medically discharged is harder than getting blood from a stone. As I'm sure you know.\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"I see. Good to see that you're still alive, mostly in one piece asides from that eye of yours.\" Erandil hums. He takes a sip of his wine, clearing his throat once done.\n\n\"I was surprised by a lot of things as well. I was such a naive boy back then, but I'm glad I lived long enough to know some truths. Best advice I can give you is don't underestimate the races of man. They don't quite live as long as mer do, but they're resilient and resourceful.\" Erandil stares at the other's blind eye for a moment, then cracks a light smile hearing his next words.\n\n\"Indeed it is. I couldn't leave, until I was useless to the Dominion. All it took was needing to have my swordarm amputated.\" Erandil shrugs. He leans back to take another sip of his wine."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen squinted over at the crumbled void in the other mers cloak. Where his arm would be. Now that he mentioned it directly he could see it. \n\n\"That would do it, I take it you aren't the most magically inclined? They would have kept you if you could fling spells.\" Salen sipped his ale, finally reaching the bottom of his mug. The dregs of the fluid bitter upon his tongue.\n\n\"My current station is an administrative one anyways. No need for both eyes. But I'm lucky I escaped the attack that took it with my life.\" \n\nHe glanced around the tavern, and then back towards the window. Rain pattered against the old glass pane. \n\n\"If you are planning on staying in Solitude for an extended amount of time. I suggest getting an Alibi, my compatriots are nosy. And a lot less forgiving. All Altmer that live here will eventually get a knock. And a very long, interrogation. My advice, say you were born outside of the Dominion. Change up your accent to something more Imperial.\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Hardly. I'm not cut out to be a spell-slinger. Best I can do right now is basic pyromancy.\" Erandil leans back, adjusting his cloak to keep it as hidden as possible.\n\n\"It's lucky indeed. As for an alibi.. Hmph. I suppose it'd be suspicious. I live a relatively recluse life anyways. I haven't been visited, if at all but.. That's because I steer clear of anyone in Thalmor robes.\" Erandil finishes up his third cup of wine, setting the glass down.\n\n\"Or anyone I suspect is an agent. You're an exception, however. You seem alright, nothing unbearable.\" Erandil gives snother smile, one much more genuine. He's glad to have just a nice talk with a kinsman, and not be bombarded with questions about his breed.\n\n\"I am curious, though. Why? Are they worried about traitors to the Dominion? I still have my discharge papers, documents when I severed my ties with Alinor.\" Erandil knows he should be worried. He's lived in Solitude just fine, simply kept to himself. But if the Thalmor are ramping up efforts for traitors. Erandil wouldn't consider himself one. But he's unsure about the Thalmor."
},
{
"author": "Salenthrial Jaelinoth",
"message": "Salen shifts in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. \"Loose ends. If you think the Dominion army was ran like a tight ship. The Thalmor infinitely tighter. Traitors, deserters. Any ties to trade or the government is considered a risk. But if you have documents, and proof you served in a lesser unit. The worst you will get is an uncomfortable conversation. And a stern warning.\"\n\nSalen took a moment to push back a few stubborn strands of hair that flew in-front of his brow. \"The Dominion is in an... Interesting place right now. I can't speak a lot on it. Censorship and all. But there is a tension. Like a spring, slowly being coiled. I'm too low ranking to know all the details. But something is on the horizon.\" \n\nHe stared at his empty mug. \"I don't say that to worry you. But, if anything happens. Dominion embassy's across Tamriel are going to buzz about. Justiciars will be on the prowl, looking to clean up loose ends. Now that I know more about you, I think you will be fine. Auri-El help any poor sods who are turn-coats.\""
},
{
"author": "Erandil Aravos",
"message": "\"Hm. I expected the tension. What enthusiasm other loyalists had were quickly shattered after the Great War. The embarassment of losing our war against Hammerfell only solidified it.\" Erandil isn't sure if such knowledge is available to low-ranked Thalmor agents. It's an open secret around the time despite heavy censorship. How else would one explain all the soldiers that never returned.\n\n\"Lesser unit? Hah. So much for my misplaced efforts. I suppose there's a comfort in knowing that I'm likely unknown, forgotten.\" Erandil lets out a disappointed huff. Damn. Makes sense, he supposes. He's never gotten any higher than a Captain. Perhaps his superiors noticed his waning patriotism.\n\n\"Thank you for the warning. I'll say this, however. I don't doubt something dangerous is on the horizon. You seem like a good mer and it'd be a shame to learn of your death, really.\" Erandil's expression softens. He's only met this mer, not even knowing his name, yet he already cares for the other. Bah. Maybe that's why he failed as a Captain. He cares too much.\n\n\"Just be wary. Don't underestimate the other races. They're quite capable.\""
}
] | 208 | 1,748 |
249 | 2024-01-20 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard held his hands behind his back while he stared at the tall pine tree towering before him. From his suite in the Winking Skeever, he had chosen the moments before the first light of dawn to venture out of the city and inspect the wilderness. Some may have seen him and expected that he did so to clear his thoughts, perhaps ponder the wondrous spectacle that was the natural world... But none of these would be correct. \n\nVaris stood with a makeshift clipboard and notebook in hand, a refilling quil-pen in the other. The scholar mauled his thoughts as he mapped out the region he stood in. The tree was large, and as he inspected the soil with one knee to the ground, he nodded as he jotted down some numbers and notes about the mycological suitability of the area. Using his knowledge of the mycelium, he attempted to divine a greater understanding of the forest, to pin point weak points in the shrubbery and canopy, where his building projects could best be avoided, lest he run into unstable ground. \n\nThe Dunmer finally stood up and wrote down a few more notes. He was alone, in naught but his robes and jewerly. He was a medium height man with purplish-grey skin, and even brigther purple eyes. His hair was raven black and the beard he had seemed carefully groomed. Despite these aspects, his appearance was scarred and almost shamanistic, to the unenlightened, as his skin was covered in Daedric Script and runes and glyphs, inked into it with a purple that complimented the cadbury depths that were the slceras of his eyes. \n\nTo someone who had not met many Telvanni, he would definitely be an odd sort to find anywhere in Tamriel, let alone the woods of Haafingar. His hands moved quickly across his papers, as he scribed and sketched more and more. Though, despite his focus, a scouting familiar was never far from a Conjuration Wizard."
},
{
"author": "halfmoon97819781",
"message": "Sondaale walked. \nShe liked the wilderness. It was quiet, and alone; here the cloying sense of *Filth* Was warded off by the biting chill and the stirring branches. It took her out of her mind. \n\nThings were simple out here, as well. She would walk, aimlessly, until something tried to kill her, kill *It*, roast it (sometimes) with destruction magic, and eat it. Not pleasant, but simple. \n\nShe too was a strange sight. An Altmer, mage's robes bedraggled, hair filthy, bloodstains on her face. Her left eye was covered by a patch, but the skin around it was visibly scabbed. A zombified bear, missing most of its side, followed behind her. Occasionally, she looked upwards, to where the towers of Solitude shadowed the horizon. It helped to have a destination. \n\nSondaale blinked. She wasn't alone. Another mer was standing against a tree, scribbling on a notebook. His skin was grey- a Dunmer, then. *A cruel and cunning race that worship gods of betrayal and ambition,* Noted a voice in her mind, which she ignored. \n\nShe tugged at the dead bear, bringing it to hand, but she didn't move. Only examined the strange Mer with her one good eye."
},
{
"author": "Jaher",
"message": "A scamp clicked its claws against the branches of the pine tree where Varis stood at the foot of. It cocked its head side to side as it looked from side to side, chittering its fangs up and down as it shivered in the cold. The creature was not used to the frigid cold, as it savored its memories of Oblivion, even if it had been there only a few hours ago.\n\nThen, something caught the hairy-legged Scamp's gaze. A long eared yellow elf! Just like Master! Except, this was *Not* Master. And, it was yellow. A yellow mortal with, what was this?! An undead bear?! OH! Now that's rich. The scamp chuckled to itself as it offered a few chitters toward its Master. A gargled communication that helped get his attention."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Sorcerer glanced up to the Scamp high in the tree, furrowed his brow unappreciatively, until the Scamp gestured toward Sondaale. \n\nThe purple eyes of the Conjurer landed on the woman, and he raised an eyebrow. He glanced toward the bear next to her, and nodded to himself. An impressive reanimation. His eyes narrowed as he inspected the beast, wondering if the ligaments and joints had been properly reanimated, so to allow the broadest range of motion. His studies in the anatomy of bodies aided in this, as he was no expert in Necromancy. In fact, he found it rather *Filthy* And distasteful, versus enslaving the forces of Oblivion and chaining them to one's will. It was a far more...*Fun*, practice, than reanimating mindless corpses. \n\nThough, he had to admit, perhaps a resurrected, zombified bear provides more of a fearful response than a Clannfear. Something so familiar made so alien, versus something simply alien. \n\nWhatever the case may be, Varis closed his notebook and raised his chin a little. \"I would be glad to see a fellow elf, in these parts of Tamriel. Though, my excitement is stalled,\" He glanced toward the bear, and then back to her. He focused on her one good eye, attempting to restrain his eyes from crossing as he said, \"At least, until I know your intentions, fellow mage.\""
},
{
"author": "Jaher",
"message": "By now, the Scamp had crept down from the heights of the tree and sat down on the snowy grass near Varis, clinging to the sorcerer's robes as it watched with a slight grin. It wanted to bite and gnaw at the woman's neck, but whatever profane force the Master had over him restrained him to a docile, *Waiting* Stasis."
},
{
"author": "halfmoon97819781",
"message": "His voice startled her. She blinked again, unsure of what to say. She put her hand on the bear's head, to steady herself. \n\nIt seemed as though she was detached from her flesh, hearing this conversation from a long way away. Focusing on his words was difficult. Her eye drifted towards the Daedra... A Scamp, she thought, vaguely, that he had probably summoned. She watched its claws fix into the Dunmer's robe, sinking in between the threads, leaving small tears in the fabric. \n\nThe silence stretched onwards. \n\"I'm Sondaale,\" She said at last."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Wizard raised his hand holding the pen up to his chin, pressing the back of the quil-pen to his chin as he narrowed his gaze. The woman was easily startled, and she needed to steady herself on the bear's head. Either she had been wandering for some time, an obvious thing due to her attire and entirety, and perhaps she had not gotten much sleep. Though, Varis mauled over it for a moment, as she inspected the Daedra at his side. \n\nSo she was not completely mindless. That much was proven by her words, finally uttered after an eerie silence. \n\nVaris, despite all these things, grinned a little. If all else failed, she might make a good meal for Jaher. Though, she could speak, and could perform magic. Thus, perhaps she had some intellect that would save her from his bemusement. \n\n\"Varis, a pleasure. Not often one sees an Altmer in Skyrim without a set of Justiciar robes or armor. Should I expect a coven at your back, or, are we alone? Figuratively, speaking.\" He gestured to the bear and the scamp."
},
{
"author": "halfmoon97819781",
"message": "Sondaale forced herself to pay attention to the Mer's words. \nHe was smiling now. She wondered why. Perhaps he was nervous. She was probably an unnerving sight, covered in filth with a zombie at her side. \n\n\"Varis.\"\nShe nodded. \n\"I'm alone. And I'm not Thalmor.\"\nShe scratched the skin near her eye.\n\"What about you? What are you doing here?\"\n\nHe was, she thought, pretty. Hair a light-absorbing black, the sigils on his skin a rich purple. She traced them with her eye, as best she could. She could make out a few familiar words, but putting the foreign sigils together was too much. She focused on the color and the shape, instead. Twisting, jagged, splitting the greyness of his skin."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Hm. Alone, and not Thalmor. Then, well met. Loneliness often the byproduct of a gifted mind, or so my mentor taught me.\" His eyes narrowed as he watched her scratch at the skin near her eye. His grin started to fall as he tilted his head a little. The area seemed irritated, as if it had never gotten the chance to properly close up and heal. Where some might see her as grotesque, he saw her as a specimen. A thing to be studied. \n\nIn Morrowind, he had heard tales of the Blight from the days of the Nerrevarine. He knew of the ghouls, lepers, and beasts spawned of that crisis. His father had told him a hundred different tales of how his ancestors had faught such things in the wastes of Northern Vvardenfell. \n\nThen, in his lifetime, he had seen the effects of disease, and how it was attributed to Peryite. Though, he was also taught of Namira. The way her worshippers *Loved* Disease and infection, parading it as some sort of wondrous blessing, and that the carrying of these sicknesses were making them closer to their goddess. Varis mauled over that thought, as he watched her, and wondered if she was one such worshipper, or merely a leper, forgotten and abandoned by society, waiting for some glimmer of repreive from some dark corner with a whisper dangling within. \n\nHe let himself have a soft chuckle, pleased with the poetic nature he had designed within his head for her. \n\nBut, he would answer. \n\n\"I am inspecting the land,\" He looked toward the tree. \"I intend to...*Build* Here. Or at least, somewhere around here. I intend to establish a few residential areas, out here. A project of mine, which will turn this, relatively useless clump of wilderness, into a sprawling area of shops and homes.\" He looked toward her. \"And, your eye? I imagine it is beyond healing, but, does it, *Hurt*?\" He seemed genuinely curious, because he was. He was already writing notes down about her."
}
] | 238 | 2,241 |
244.333333 | 2024-01-24 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "halfmoon97819781",
"message": "Sondaale dug a nail into the skin of her hand, and *Focused*. \nShe shifted her lips into a polite smile as she listened.\n\"I've heard that one,\" She said. \nAt the very least she had heard similar sayings. Believed them, in a vague sort of way. It was the kind of thing some of her teachers, back on Summurset had said. Which ones, she couldn't quite recall. They blended together, a faceless mass of saccharine aphorisms and distant disappointment. \nMost of that time was blurry, really. An an unending procession of parchment and inkstains and distant terror, always overlaid by the mould in the corner and the worm-eaten carcass in the gardens, dancing at her command. \n\nShe looked at the forest, and then at the mer. \"I see.\" There was a silence. Then he continued. She scratched at her eye again. \n\"It doesn't hurt. But it itches.\" Sometimes it felt like it was writhing, but she didn't talk about that. \nThe Dunmer's gaze, calculating as it was, and his manner was bringing it back.\nShe could feel the old bloodstains. The filth under her nails. There was no point in trying to hide them anymore. \nShe smiled at him, baring her teeth, and scratched the bear's ragged fur. \n\"Is there-\" Her fingers went through the zombie's rotted skin- \"A reason? For building here. \""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "The Mage watched her as she responded, and it seemed, his gaze was clawing at her. The way she moved, dug into the bear's scalp, tore into the rotted flesh... It was fascinating. She was not exactly agitated, as far as he could tell, but she was...*Embracing* The way he looked at her. Varis raised an eyebrow as she explained that her infection did not hurt, and he believed her. While he might have found it uncomfortable to even look at, he wondered what sort of compulsions let her leave it as an itch, and not get it healed. He despised such sensory feelings of discomfort, from the itch of a scar, to the blades of grass pressing against his ankles. It all disgusted him. \n\n\"Hm. A reason?\" He raised an eyebrow, and looked around. \"Well, the relative answer would be funding. My research into the mystic arts requires ingredients, and certain things that cost quite a bit. Give a man a house, and he leaves his mother's. But, he pays all the same. No more will he hear her nagging, but he'll hear my knocks if he's past due.\" He whisked his hand dismissively, before looking toward the bear. \"Now, your turn. You said you were alone, and not Thalmor.\" He looked up to her. \"Thus, what is your purpose for being here?\""
},
{
"author": "halfmoon97819781",
"message": "He was looking at her, really looking now. She could see the disgusted fascination in her eyes, and she felt a moment of pride. \n\n\nWhy was she here? There wasn't... Really a reason, other than that she had nowhere else to be. Vague plans of traveling to Solitude, and then... She wasn't sure. Trying to drag herself out of the pit again, maybe. \n\nAt last, she shrugged. \n\"I was traveling. To Solitude, I guess. It's supposed to be a good place to make a living.\"\n\nShe looked at the Scamp again, and the Dunmer covered in Daedric runes. It occured to her that this was the sort of situation that she'd been warned of as a young girl. \n\nShe wondered, idly, if the Dunmer had heard stories about blood-stained necromancers in the woods. Her lips quirked at the thought. \n\n\"So then.\" \n\n\"Are you planning-\" She paused, thinking of how to phrase the question. \"-profane magics in the woods?\""
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Profane magicks in the woods is for those without the proper places to perform such things.\" He raised his chin a little, his arrogance present in his features as he smiled a tad. \"Out here, hunters, wildlings, and other such interruptions could occur. In the city, my domain lies safe, undisturbed, unknown. Who needs a sign warning tresspassers, when one simply needs to leave their things out in the open, in the right places, so nobody suspects what they might construct into?\"\n\nThe sorcerer turned his head down toward the scamp. \"If one's rite must be done under moonlit skies,\" He looked back toward her, then the bear, and ceased his smirk to instead trade it for a curious indifference, \"Then perhaps, the rite must be improved.\"\n\nVaris placed his hands behind his back as he stood straight, head a tad downward as he looked at her through his eyelashes, inspecting the blood stained robes and whatnot. As a Telvanni, he had been informed of how to deal with the undead. The Altmer had produced a great text on the subject, but when it came to vampires and other such monstrosities of the night, the Telvanni had superiority in such matters. The Magisters do not fear the night, for the night must fear them. Vampires are exquisite sources of vampire dust, after all, and various other alchemical reagents. To pull a vampire's teeth out of its skull is a delicate procedure, but yields effective poltices. \n\nThough, when it came to Necromancers, the Temple's doctrines are quite clear. Expel them. Destroy them. Annihilate the infadels who would tarnish the bodies of our ancestors, and torment their spirits. \n\nVaris, though devout, was not so concerned with such dogma, and the following of it. He took a deep breath, taking in the smell of the woods, despising it, and noticing that Sondaale's presence, and odors, had finally simmered within the mixture. \n\nA fetid corpse was as bad as freshly fallen leaves, in his estimation. \n\n\"This,\" He gestured toward the scamp."
},
{
"author": "Jaher",
"message": "The creature clicked its jaws together, then his claws, and the spines on its back bristled as it flinched at the gesture from its Master. The thing sat there, close to the Master, but almost curled up. It was afraid. \n\nSondaale would have known such a sight. Perhaps in the Summerset Isles, where Goblins were frequently used as slaves. This thing did not look too much different from a goblin, and the behavior of servitude was rather common."
},
{
"author": "Varis Xai'Shen",
"message": "\"Is Jaher. My familiar. Plucked from the Deadlands, and bound to this plane so long as I desire its presence.\" He had noticed her oogling of the Scamp and wondered what she might think of the other monsters he could conjure from the depths of Oblivion. \"Exceptionally useful, familiars. Though, like assistants, they should never be permanent.\""
}
] | 256 | 1,466 |
302.727273 | 2024-06-10 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "The wilderness on the road to solitude slowly warmed in the early light of the day. Golden strands wormed through the thick boughs of the pine. Dappling the mat of needles that covered the ground with spots of orange. Despite the encroaching morning, the fog and lavender shadows of the night clung to the depths of the forest. In a small grove, just off the worn stone and dirt path of the road, a small camp sat. A lean-to of buckskin next to the smoking remains of a fire. \n\nLuhn had spent the night nestled in the ferns. She woke early, as usual in order to make the most of the daylight. It would be a long day between Dragonsbridge and Solitude. And she had made the mistake of leaving the city too late yesterday. But the wilderness had been merciful this night, and her camp had been left unvisited. She worked on packing up the little area. Taking down her tent while she gnawed on dried strips of meat and fruit. She gathered her belongings, attaching her long sword to it place on her hip. The fire was her next target, and she snuffed out the remaining embers, kicking dirt upon the pile of ash. It was a short trot down to the road.\n\nAs Luhn made her way back to the cobbles she glanced over her shoulder. Trained ears listening for anything out of the ordinary. She saw nothing and shook her head, probably some animal, somewhere. Luhn continued walking, eyes scanning the forest and the road, waiting."
},
{
"author": "Vallin Drax Derolo Morconvector",
"message": "*As the sun was slowly beginning to rise in the distance, the first bits of the beautiful suns ray coming forth. The beautiful golden rays were only somewhat enhanced by the fog and darkness that surrounded the road and pathway still. Almost as if putting on a performance for anyone that was lucky enough to be traveling alone at this moment. One such individual that happened to be maneuvering along the pathway under the cover of whatever darkness they can cling to, found himself hopelessly lost. \n\nHe had come here for one reason or another seeking to avenge his family for reasons only he knew. Though in his haste to make it to these lands, he had forgotten to bring a map. He also crashed the boat he took here, forcing him to wander by foot and become At the mercy of the sun's now oppressive rays whenever he couldn't find cover. But thankfully, as he was wandering the woods randomly, he would finally come across what seemed to be a proper road. A sight for sore eyes in his case, as he gave a somewhat sigh of relief more to himself.\n\nManeuvering from the bushes and tree line, a few branches and twigs snapping as he did. He would unknowingly come across the path of another who happened to be traveling along the road as well. The rather finally dressed, Dunmer seemed to be coated in a formally made set of leather armor. Dyed a red and black to show an indication of his house's colors. The way he also kept his looks (though now slightly off) gave a sign of proper self-care and indication of nobility, as he took a moment to look around the road. His eye is moving across as if Luhn didn't move to take cover or hide, she will most likely be caught in this strange mans stare.*"
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn slowed her pace slightly. She felt, uncomfortable. As if eyes were on her. The young Dunmer moved her hand to grip the pommel of her sword. A few more paces and she stopped, turning around slowly. Her eyes focusing on the pockets of shadow between the tall pines. Her breathing slowed for a moment, but her heart began to beat faster, muscles tensing. Years of tracking and scout work had burned certain silhouettes into her brain. She narrowed her crimson eyes as she thought her vision skimmed the edge of something humanoid. She stared straight at the shape. Jaw tightening for a second before she called out. \n\n\"If you are there, best make yourself known. For both of our sakes.\" Her voice cracked across the thick woodland surrounding the road. Her speech was in Tamrielic, but her accent was not that of a Dunmer from the homeland. Her garb signified an origin in the deserts of Hammerfell, the bright blue of her tunic clashing with her rusty hair. \n\nLuhn tensed up, ready to run or fight. She hoped that whoever was in the tree line, hidden in shadow and thicket. Would be peaceful, perhaps a hunter, perhaps a hermit. And Azura willing, she hoped they were alone. Despite her worries, she stood there, strong."
},
{
"author": "Vallin Drax Derolo Morconvector",
"message": "*As his eyes landed on the woman, Vallin would have taken a moment to attempt to think on what to say. His mind working a bit slower than he was used to as he happened to also be rather hungry. A problem for another time, as he heard the voice of the woman cut through the still air like a cracking whip in the night.\n\nHonestly, he couldn't tell if her voice was threatening or attempting to ask a genuine question. A minor insult to the man as he only silently sneered at himself. He of course believed he deserve to be treated with a bit more respect. Not knowing the woman most likely couldn't even make his shape out in the shadows as he began to advance to the road and closer to her. His own voice now picks up from the darkness, as he spoke in a deeper and more calm tone, replying in basic Tamrielic.*\n\n\"Threat not, I am no bandit or stalker coming forth to harm you. A lost soul is all that is in need of help finding their way to the closest village, town or city.\"\n\n*As he was maneuvering closer to the woman, he made sure to keep both of his hands neatly hidden behind his back. Keeping them out of sight for the time being, as he was ready to quit cast a few spells just in case she proved to be hostile. As he broke past the morning fog, the figure would become a bit more known to the woman. The man did not look like the average ruffian or fighter, seeming to be a bit more on the slender side, as if he looked like a scholar. He stood to be around 6'2, his ash-like skin seemed to hold a set of rather strange eyes for a Dunmer. Instead of the traditional blood red, or deeper red, his eyes seemed to contain a set of bright yellow eyes. Each one burning as if he was looking at her with the sun backing it. His clothing also became more clear, as the red (Which dominated most of the look) was adorned by black in certain parts along with a golden trim that helped show off a bit of wealth.*"
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn, kept her stance. Hand still on the pommel of her sword. But there was an obvious shift in her body language. And her posture relaxed ever so slightly. It became less threatening, but still alert.\n\nAs the other Mer came into view, Luhn caught all the little details in his garb. Of course the symbology of the style meant little to her. She took the figure to be some sort of mage. Luhn gave him an analyzing stare. A strange person to be stumbling out from the thicket. She nodded slightly before addressing him.\n\n\"Hail, sera.\" She spoke with a rough Dunmeris. A Redoran dialect. \"Good to meet a fellow kinsmen in this nation, but perhaps you should walk on the road. Not to the side of it.\"\n\nHer speech was less intense. Less biting. \"Scared me for a moment there...\" She lapsed for a moment.\n\n\"Closest village is Dragons Bridge, in the south. Heading there myself but it's nothing special, from what I've heard at least. Solitude is more northerly, but from where we are on the road, it's a longer journey.\"\n\nAs she spoke her hand never left the pommel of her sword. A rather ornate Altmeri blade."
},
{
"author": "Vallin Drax Derolo Morconvector",
"message": "*Vallin took her looks in for a moment as well, as he was able to absorb any benefit information she sent his way. His yellow almost warmed eyes stair like daggers through her as he only watched the woman for a moment. Her words at first struck to insult him again, or at least that's what he took it as.*\n\n\"If I knew where the road was I would have been on it alright. But, The information you have given me shall suffice for now.\"\n\n*As he spoke, his gaze that was as harsh as the beating sun, soon broke away from her directly. His eyes carefully examine the foliage, as he did his best to make sure that the sunlight wasn't going to hit him directly. Wishing to avoid the irritating boiling pain of being caught in its light.*\n\n\"Unless you are also going to be drawing your blade, I would suggest to remove your hand from the hilt. Unless you're planning on attempting to rob me.\"\n\n*As he spoke his tone never changed, seeming to indicate this is how we always act and sound. Thankful for her though the magic that was coursing through his fingertips slowly began to disperse. Each of his spells vanished as he would think to himself for a moment. He was attempting to estimate how best to make it to town, and wondering if he should attempt to make the trip alone or with this woman of kin. Both options held benefits and risks, but of course the most beneficial bonus to this was the fact a minor company was close by.\n\nThe only thing that made him hesitant was the hunger and wish for blood. He was still not 100% comfortable with the fact he needed to drain the blood of the living. Been doing as best to see that his hunger on a bandit he found roaming the woods.*\n\n\"Would you be opposed, if we traveled along the same root together. At least until we reached Dragons Bridge.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn chuckled slightly, her shoulders broadening in defiance. \n\n\"Oh sure, I will listen to the strange mer that just crawled out of the treeline.\" She tested. But a moment after she spoke, her hand moved away from the pommel of her sword. She crossed her arms over her chest. A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. \"You are in luck Sera, I am not the brigand type. But I would also hope, that you are not looking to rob *Me*. \" \n\nLuhn's posture relaxed a bit. But her eyes remained intensely on Vallin. No armaments, but that left the possibility of magic. If she kept close enough it would be safer if he attempted anything. Range was a mage's bread and butter. He seemed, uncomfortable. She couldn't pinpoint exactly why, perhaps an illness. Or maybe this mer had gotten drunk and wondered off the night before, that would explain his state. Alas, not exactly her problem. She motioned down to the road, towards where Dragons Bridge would be.\n\n\"I wouldn't be opposed. Could use some idle chatter, and perhaps someone to watch my back during the journey. But, we best be going. At a casual pace we should reach the gates by late afternoon. So long as we do not get attacked.\" Luhn stood still, waiting for him to join her along the rocky path."
},
{
"author": "Vallin Drax Derolo Morconvector",
"message": "\"Do not mistake me for a lowlife briggin that is attempting to murder the first person I see to take what they have. The only creatures I kill without mercy are that of the vampire and their thrall slaves.\"\n\n*He was insulted that she would ever think he would stoop so low as robbery, a lot of things insulted him really. The minor fault of a privilege to life of nobility for much of his younger childhood. But regardless, with her hand away from her blade, he didn't need to worry about the woman moving to end him too quickly.\n\nHe would also waste no time in moving to follow the path with her, taking strides to move along as he was at least pleased to know the sun might fall by the time they reached Dragons Bridge.*\n\n\"Before we travel too far on this road, introductions are in order. My name is Vallin Drax Derolo Morconvector, I hail from house Morconvector, third born of my name. You are.\"\n\n*His words came out with a slight bit of pride to them, as the man and his house came from the Province of Morrowind. If she knew anything about the political structure, she might have heard of the house. Mostly a group of well established mages and artifact researchers that happened to be connected to one of the great houses.*"
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn raised her eyebrows as she watched Vallin take offense to her comment. This one was proud, like the merchants she worked with in Hammerfell. She shook her head. \n\n\"My apologies sera, I meant no offense.\" She casually apologized, watching him make his way down to the road. A vampire hunter? Curious garb, and no visible weapons. Not what she would assume a vampire hunter would wear. Luhn knew very little about dealing with undead. Fire burned them, and decapitation would still them, but beyond that she knew all of nothing. Luhn's expertise was in the living. She swiveled her head towards him as he went about his introduction. The name of his house not ringing any bells. \n\n\"House Morconvector? Never heard of that one.\" She gave him another look up and down. If there were any house seals, she would not recognize them. She shook her head, remembering her manners. \n\n\"Sorry. I am Luhn Hleri. Not from Morrowind, but my father is Redoran. If that matters.\" She shrugged and nodded her head politely towards him. \"So, vampires. You a hunter?\""
},
{
"author": "Vallin Drax Derolo Morconvector",
"message": "\". . . You are forgiven for now then. My appearance could have been rather. . . Suspicious from slipping out of the shadows.\"\n\n*He had enough common sense to confirm that, but it still doesn't truly forgive the fact she would try and place him under suspicion of banditry.\n\nHe mostly kept his gaze forward as he didn't pay too much attention to the woman for a moment. A fact that quickly changed when she mentioned her father was from the great house Redoran. His eyes soon landing back on her, as he raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. \n\nSeeing on how she wore the garbs of some type of wanderer he didn't expect her to come from a great family line. His eyes now look her over in a slightly different light before nodding his head.*\n\n\"A pleasure then Miss Hleri, I am no true hunter. But at the time of now, I am seeking the removal of a vampire clan that slithered its way out to this land.\""
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"Miss Hleri. How formal.\" Luhn shook her head slightly as she walked. Her experience with noble dunmer was limited. In fact this was probably the second one she had ever encountered. His mannerisms were familiar, she supposed nobles across Tamriel were alike, in some way or another. \"Well, it is good to meet you, Vallin.\" She scanned the horizon as the road took a dip, making sure the forest along the edges of the path were clear. \n\n\"Slithered?\" Luhn frowned at the implication of the other mer's words. \"How long have you been chasing this clan? This part of Skyrim is weeks from the Velothi mountains.\" She recalled her own journey. From the ice-capped Jeralls down through the Rift and into Eastermarch. That short sprint took about two weeks. The boat from Windhelm to Solitude was blissfully shorter, but still lasted several days. \n\n\"Must have it out for them. I don't judge of course, they pose an existential threat. Perhaps maybe you can enlist some aid from the Dawnguard, now that you are here in Skyrim. If I remember correctly they have a couple outposts scattered about the wilds.\" Luhn thought back to a conversation she had with a couple Dawnguard hunters. It was back when she was in Riften, A riveting conversation over some drink."
}
] | 285 | 3,330 |
292.3 | 2024-05-09 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "While Luhn made her way through the swamps of Hjaalmarch, near Morthal, she would likely notice the considerable *Lack* Of tracks left by humans, let alone thieves. Sure, there was the occasional stranded boat tied to logs and whatnot, best used when the tide came in from the Sea of Ghosts, but aside from the traces of fishermen and children who liked to dare each other to go out into the swamps, there was very little evidence of the group Halvar had mentioned. As for a smuggling operation, any traces of that were possible to find.\n\nThough, it was less so a grand conspiracy, by any evidence Luhn might find, and more so evidence of the occasional fishermen sauntering off into the night, and taking from his or her stash hidden in the planks of one of those tied up boats. Those stashes being anything from a bit of moonsugar, which they had no idea how to use, expensive ales, and even a vial of Telvanni Bug Musk! Seems one of them liked the smell. Perhaps an old lover wore it? Or maybe they themselves missed the scent of home? Or perhaps one of them stole it off of a trader from Morrowind and wanted to keep it to themselves.\n\nWhatever the case, the marshes of Morthal were an abysmal environ, and as the hours passed out, Luhn would find nothing all that interesting, unless such previously found things piqued her interest. \n\nAlas, on the way back from her scouting mission, she would notice tracks in the mud. *Pincers*. Holes in the muck, pressed and imprinted by a large insectoid. Luhn might possibly recognize such tracks, as they seemed eerily similar to Giant Scorpions in the deserts of Hammerfell. Alas, the population of Giant Scorpions in Skyrim was quite slim, and there would be *Few* Candidates for such marks. \n\nThe tracks led back to Morthal, along the drier patches of mounded dirt. Exactly where she would likely wish to tread for her way back to the *City*. Whatever it was, she could hunt it down, or take a much longer detour to get back to the boardwalks and stone roads of civilization."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn kept traipsing through the muck and the frost. Occasionally stopping to scrape off great clods of peat and rotting mud off of her soles. As she walked nearer to the sea of ghosts she could almost make out the peaks of the great Arch of Solitude through the treetops. \nLuhn had a certain dedication to her work, a focus that made her a brilliant scout. But she would admit that taking random jobs had made her lax, especially ones that she had picked up from random strangers. Luhn knew that working with professionals, be it individuals or organizations came with professional standards.\nThe average Bjorn Anvil-tosser had slightly less, professional, expectations. As such, she was less strict with what she did while on mission. Luhn found herself moving towards the abandoned boats and piles of washed up rubble. The entirely of the swamp must flood regularly for such things to be this far inland.\n\nThe boats across the flood plain of the swamp offered many treasures. Luhn disregarded the narcotics, she knew better than to attempt to smoke it, or try to sell it. Her preferred vice was the delicate tobacco from the highlands of Hammerfell. And she had seen enough junkies high on skooma or moonsugar to know it wasn't worth it. She was digging into a pile of discarded nets and rope, a glint from within had attracted her to this particular boat, and a couple moments of rifling around she pulled out the bottle. The small curious ceramic has colored with brilliant metallic hues.\n\nLuhn uncorked it and was hit by the rather potent stench. Floral, earthy, almost like incense, but with a strong note of skin.\nIt was, familiar. She could have sworn she had smelt it before, but couldn't immediately recall where. She redid the stopper and slid the item into her pack. The sun had moved lower and lower throughout her search. Each winding branch of the trail revealed nothing. All of the footprints she did find were old, and simply led to the deeper parts of the rivers and ponds of the swamp. \nWhere they ended most often or not turned out to be foraging spots for plants, or banks strewn with old fish bones and supplies.\n\nThe sky was changing into a brilliant shade of lavender, the clouds illuminated from behind with pinks and golds. Luhn decided that she had gone far enough. If there even was a stolen wagon it would not have gotten far, and there were no tracks of groups of more than three people leading out from the swamp. She suspected that she had been lied to, a bitter pit of anger developed in her stomach as the temperature cooled and she began to shiver. \nOn her way back towards the town, as it grew darker and darker Luhn once again felt her feet cross unstable ground. Her boot sinking into a deep gouge in the mud. She looked about as she pulled her foot up, it exited the earth with a disgusting gurlgle. But she saw more of these stab wounds, they formed a pattern, tracks that led off in the general direction of the town. This wasn't good. Luhn was no stranger to giant insects, but she knew the dangers they presented. \"To oblivion with it.\" She thought to herself. She had spent her entire day in a dank, freezing, and smelly swamp. She wanted something to get the blood pumping. Luhn grabbed the pommel of her blade, and pulled the sword from its scabbard with a hiss.\n\nShe began to trudge her way along the tracks. Had it been human or anything else besides an insect she would take care to be sneaky, but insects were stupid. And one this large had no instincts to hide."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "For most large insects, they were aggressive and bullish. Especially the insectoid monsters of Skyrim. However, those who manage to hide, survive. Ambush predators are the natural selection for the wilds of Skyrim. Thus, as Luhn made her way through the tracks, following the impaled earth, she would notice that the tracks dipped into the murky waters of a pond. If she were to look around, she would see pincer marks along the exterior, leading out and then in, out and then in, out and then in, as if whatever created this water hole was frequently entering and leaving it. \n\nAnd yet, those tracks were mostly fresh. As in, made as Luhn was likely following the original one. \n\nShrubbery and other pools of water surrounded the basin of water, and there were no sounds of bubbling water, clicking mandibles, or shaking shrubs."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn cautiously approached the water. She made sure not to rustle any shrubs, her sword held above her waist, poised to strike. She slowed her pace, focusing on putting one foot ahead of the other, making sure her bodyweight was balanced. The footing here was bad, she had to be careful or else she risked sliding on the slushy mud. As Luhn drew closer she stopped and bent down picking up a stone and standing back up. \n\nThe tracks ended at the shore of the water. Luhn kept a healthy distance away in case it had the pincers to drag her in. She pulled back her arm and chucked the stone into the dark pool of water. Whatever this was, she had to put it down quickly, or confirm that it swam off. The light was waning, the sky shifting evermore to a deep navy. The twin moons were waning, the double moonlight was barely substantial enough. \n\n\"Come on you beastie, make my day.\" Luhn swiveled the wrist holding her sword, grip tightening on the wooden hilt. She spared a glance over her shoulder, the lights of Morthal twinkling weakly from between the shrubs and trees."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "The stone flew through the air. \n\nShe whispered beneath her breath. \n\nThe lights of Morthal twinkled. \n\nCould time slow moments before impending doom?\n\nThe stone could not connect with the water before the pool's water erupted in less than the splinter of a second. From its darkest depths, where the mud obscured all things within, the shape of pincers merged with droplets of water shooting away from the pool's edge. \n\nGlowing dots protruded from legs and a carapace, as a funnel of fangs drew all light and air toward its black insides, with mandibles that acted as death's embrace. A Chaurus Reaper, easily as tall, perhaps taller than Luhn, ripped free from its liquid depths and rose to her height in a manner of milliseconds, its form looming ever closer, seeking to rip her in half from the waist."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "\"Fuck\" \n \nThe word breathlessly tore from Luhns mouth. She skittered back, her movements slowed by that accursed sucking mud. Years of battle conditioned her reflexes and she brought her sword down quick enough to skirt down the length of one mandible. The pressure from the creature's jaws was insane. Akin to the claws of the giant scorpions of Hammerfell. It would take a simple flex and those mandibles could easily take a limb. Luhn used her blade as leverage and managed to parry the jaws away from clenching around her midsection. \n\nHer main priority was getting up onto higher ground. Luhn kept moving backwards. Her eyes squinted as she tried to make out the soft insect skin from the hard chitin armor. The segments would guide her blade, but she needed to be more mobile, to keep away from the business end of the insect."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "The Reaper was unrelenting. As Luhn parried its mandibles, it skidded to the side, but its four legged body quickly shifted, as every leg went into motion and attempted to follow her. As she sought better footing, it was in a prime spot. Its legs shifted up and down in the mud, easily sliding in and out of its depressions, and with four legs on the ground, it was easily able to move each pair at a time to stay as fast as possible. \n\nIts body seemed completely covered in its chitin armor, but the mouth between its mandibles were exceptionally fleshy, soft, and reflected little light aside from the fangs and teeth. \n\nAnd yet, sticking a sword through their could have one of its mandibles push forward and rip her arm off, or worse, drag her in closer, to where it would use its legs to pounce backward into the pool, dragging her under."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn's stomach dropped as the ground beneath her changed texture. It would have to be quick, if she could move better than this beast could as well. She skipped back, putting more space between her and the creature. She looked around her quickly, taking in the very small patch of dry enough dirt that would have to be their arena. As it followed her up she moved in, jogging to the side of it. \n\nAs she moved she struck out, aiming her blade for a mandible hoping to bait it into biting the air. The chitin she struck was substantial, way more so than the scorpions. It wasn't enough to send a numbing jolt up her arms, but her sword hissed against its gently textured surface. Another strike from her sword found the fat end of the blade chopping into the chitin of the body. It was like hitting wood, a deep cut was made but far from reaching the soft insides within.\n\nLuhns boots kicked up the soft peat; she hoped to get within the turning radius of the insect, so that her attacks on its side would be effective."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "As she jogged to the side, the Chaurus attempted to keep its head focused on her direction, but as she aimed her blade for its mandible, the creature saw the metal, and lunged for it, as she had predicted. As it lunged, it missed her, and she was able to slice into its side. Though, when the sword met the chitin, the flexible creature immediately twisted around, venom seeping out of its mouth as it reared back and prepared to spew its debilitating venom directly at her. \n\nHer attack was minimal along the carapace of the insect, but as it reared back, there was an opening in its scales. She could either attempted to avoid the spitting assault, or get close enough to strike the opening between its chitinous segments, at the risk of getting sprayed. \n\nPerhaps she had something on her person that, if used in one of those openings, would send the insect reeling in a state of shock. Whatever the case, it was prepared to kill her, and enjoy its meal."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn quickly dug her hand into her waist wrap, the enchanted tanto sliding out. Motes of lighting shimmering within the steel. It had to be here and it had to be now. Luhn was unaware of what the creature could spit out, but she did know that the opening was too good to waste. She estimated that her sword could go through the width of its thorax. The tanto far less than that, but it had its enchantments to compensate. \n\nLuhn pushed ahead, quickly dodging low and putting her movement behind the tanto. The blade sunk into the delicate insect skin, strings of lightning emanating across the wet flesh and chitin. But as soon as she felt the steel tear skin she felt a burning along her back. The hot stream of acidic venom sailed past her, but large globules of the substance found their place along her back and legs. \n\nLuhn gritted her teeth, an agonized groan caught in her mouth as she pushed the tanto as deep as she could, bringing her sword up above her. Within the corner of her eye she could see pink flesh, a burned patch along her hand from where drops of the substance had hit her bare skin."
}
] | 222.5 | 2,923 |
183.444444 | 2024-05-10 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "The creature's spit was short lived, as horrible as it was to endure. The creature's body seized and convulsed for a moment, as the squishy insides beneath its exoskeleton became violently shocked by the enchanted tanto. It hardly let out a squeal as it endured a strike that could kill the common man, as its eyes vibrated with electricity and lightning. \n\nFor a moment, the creature was stunned, allowing Luhn the opportunity to finish the task. \n\nMoreover, she would feel a *Hunger* Within the tanto. It wanted to kill the creature. To collect it. To *Consume* It. \n\nWhatever the case, if she did not act fast enough, the creature would regain its faculties within seconds, and reengage the Dunmer."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn pulled the tanto free of the flesh of the insect. Ichor spewed out, the pressure of its insides and the power of the enchantment causing a violent mess. The steel dagger fell to the ground, and Luhn shifted her efforts to her long sword. She shoved the tip of her sword into the beast, and pushed it with all her might through its width. Luhn held the hilt tight with both hands, and pushed herself into the insect. \n\nHer boots tore into the soil and she took a step forward, pressing the charus further back, and ensuring its impalement upon her blade. She felt as the tip of the weapon hit the chitin at the back of the body. Luhn switched her stance, no longer focusing on pushing but rather pulling. She kicked a leg up against the charus and ripped the sword out of it. Staggering backwards, and breathing heavily. \n\nLuhn readied herself again, and made a move to grab her tanto again. The blade had stabbed into the peat moss, it's hilt pointing upwards, ready to be picked up."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "The Reaper made a hissing sound as Luhn impaled it with her long sword, as it was pushed back and kicked away. It rolled down the muddy bank, its legs a flailing mess of limbs and its mandibles switching and writhing about its fleshy maw. Juices spewed from its ruptured carapace, before it began to rise back up, eyes locked on Luhn, and preparing itself for another charge. \n\nIt was clearly bleeding out, as much as an insect could, as its body continued to grapple onto itself with every ounce of its being. The creature charged forward again, having not learned its lesson. An ambush predator can only be so intelligent. Alas, its acidic venom was building up in its mouth again, prepared to launch at Luhn as it charged her."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn reached over and plucked her tanto from the ground. Her hands shook violently, body reacting from the pain and adrenaline. She took a quick breath and held her weapons in front of her. She would wait out another charge from the insect, pushing it even further would mean looking the high ground.\n\n\"Come on you bastard. Let's see how many times I need to stab you before you fall.\" She grumbled out. Luhn put one foot in front of the other. She dug her heels into the ground, bracing for impact."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "As Luhn remained stationary, and on the high ground, the insect rushed up the mound, acidic venom spewing from its mouth in her direction. The venom spewed faster than it could run, but it would continue to spit the bile until it made its way to her in a few scuttling paces.\n\nAs it neared closer to her, a lapse in its acidic spray commenced, as it sought to bite her again, seeking to rip off an arm or split the midsection again."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn acted quickly. She rushed to meet the Charus, circling around to its side. She felt more acid burn her shins and melt through the layers of leather and cloth. But the risky move brought her towards its side. \n\nLuhn twisted her torso. Jamming the tanto between two plates of armor. Her sword followed suite, the thin blade catching the thin strip of skin beneath the segment her tanto was in. Luhn let the tanto go, allowing it to stick and burn into the meat and viscera. \n\nThe smell of burned hair and meat coupled with ozone filled her nostrils. Luhn felt a trashing mandible catch the back of her shoulder. Not enough to clamp down but enough that the spines of the mandible scraped down into her skin before sliding out and setting her free.\n\nLuhn kept moving, the sword catching on the corner where to plates met. She pushed it with all her might. Digging the business end of the blade further into the bug. Attempting to bisect its insides."
},
{
"author": "Chaurus Reaper",
"message": "With a second assault via the tanto, another wave of shocking arcana surged through the beast, its mandible being its last moved segment of its body, clamping onto Luhn, but as the shock surged throughout its body, its grip did not last long. \n\nWith another sword shooting through the opened segment and up into its body, the creature let out a hissing whail as Luhn used her leverage to impale, and rip the creature in half. The segments came undone, the fluid gushed out, and the creature's top half lowered, until it slammed into the ground. Its lower half continued to scuttle and twist and writhe, but would eventually fall limp as well. \n\nThe Reaper was dead."
},
{
"author": "Luhn Hleri",
"message": "Luhn shuffled back as it squirmed, thrashing in its death. She stood there, panting, breath coming out in steamy little clouds. Her sword and the arm that held it covered in gristle and insect juice. She reached her free hand up to touch her shoulder, pulling it away to find a smear of blood. It wasn't the worst, but it wasn't good either. Nothing that required a potion, but definitely would need some stitches and a poultice. \n\nThe acid burns were a more pressing issue. Holes had been seared through her clothing, and what she could see of the damaged skin was an angry pink. The worst of the agony had come and gone, but her flesh still felt as if it were being singed with candle flame. Luhn approached the still body of the charus. She braced her foot against the top of the corpse, and wrenched free her tanto. \"Well now, I owe that Telvanni mage a drink.\" She was relieved at how effective it's stopping power was. Without it, she likely wouldn't have survived.\n\nLuhn slid the Tanto into its sheathe. The lighting enchantment had burned off any goo that would have been stuck to the blade. She bent down to inspect the head of the Charus. As with any large creature there would likely be some reward for killing it. Especially one so close to a settlement. She grabbed the base of the mandible. Low enough at the base, that if the beast were to somehow still have a bite reflex, her hand would be safe. She picked up the head, kept it's mouth away from her leg and turned towards Morthal. Exhausted, hungry, in various amounts of pain. But proud to have felled such a beast."
},
{
"author": "emig66",
"message": "As Luhn collected the source of her would-be reward, the swamp would seem peaceful. The Chaurus Reaper had been territorial, and made the area around its lair scarce of other predators. Thus, her walk back to Morthal's interior would be relatively peaceful, and upon reaching the exterior of the city, eyes would travel toward her and watch her with slight expressions of awe. The size of the creature she had hoisted in her grasp was impressive, even to the burly Nords that shot her looks of skepticism and suspicion, before their eyes widened and nods of approval following the sight of her kill. \n\nHer approach to the Jarl's Longhouse would not take long, and guards were already outside with the Steward, having alerted the woman of the Dunmer's catch."
}
] | 160 | 1,651 |
322.2 | 2024-06-15 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Regan Moors",
"message": "*Garbed in armor sewn from leather and fur, a beautiful young woman rode on horseback along the road to Whiterun. Strapped to the saddle was a travel pack, tent, and a flute and lyre, all secured tightly. The horse trotted steadily along the dirt path, and the woman scans the general area - one of the few, tiny wooded areas of Whiterun hold. Suddenly, the horse slows its gait, stomping and whining anxiously. The woman is startled out of her concentration and steadies herself upon its back. She glances toward the general region of the horse's concern, narrowing her eyes.*\n\n*Sliding off the saddle and landing graciously, she unstraps her weapon from its back sheath, holding it steadily at her side with calm familiarity. Before turning to face the direction of concern, she whispers a faint word in an arcane tongue. The horse's eyes glaze over slightly, and it calms down, assuredly not intent on running away. Seemingly satisfied, the woman turns back to the tree line and walks off the path. She scans her surroundings, alert for sound and sight. Until, that is, she sees a trail of mud. She follows the trail, not needing to go far, and lays her eyes on a sick-looking man and a recently deceased deer hanging from a tree.*\n\n*Nodding at the understanding of her horse's fear, she relaxes her posture somewhat, though not entirely unguarded.* \"Hail, stranger. How do I find you on this day?\""
},
{
"author": "'Herickin'",
"message": "*Herickin looked up from his distant stare at nothing, now towards the woman who addressed him. His furred, warm clothing that covered him from head to toe was not armor, but still rugged in construction. A faint red still stained his clothing and his eyes seemed lost and distant.*\n\n\"You find Herickin well, rider.\" *His accent was odd, and his Tamrelic was poorer than average. It was apparent he was never formally educated.* \"You buy fresh elk meat? A clean kill, good jerky making.\" *He motioned to the still bleeding carcass, it was not ready to be prepared just yet but he was still offering to sell it.*\n\n*The veracity of the 'clean kill' was debatable, considering the faint blood and dirt on his clothing and hands showed someone more akin to a fistfight or random stabbing. However, the elk looked intact enough and seemed to be being processed properly. However, the not-quite Nordic hunter with something off in his eyes and poor Tamerelic could be enough to change opinions.*\n\n\"Perhaps antlers? Big and good quality. Bone offered too if the rider wishes.\" *Herickin stood and moved towards to the elk carcass, reaching for the knife on his hip while looking at the Nordic woman expectantly.*"
},
{
"author": "Regan Moors",
"message": "*As the man spoke, Regan studies him, her eyes filled with intrigue and curiosity. Her eyes flicker to the butchery of meat still hanging from the tree. Her head tilts slightly and she looks back to the man. After a moment's consideration, she says,* \"The antlers would be preferable. I have no use for it's hide nor its meat.\" *Her voice is thick and rich, like a drizzle of honey over warm bread. Her voice easily carries across the small distance between them, despite speaking softly.*\n\n\"I did not know there were hunters here in Whiterun Hold. Not of elk, at least. Many more wolves, foxes, and coyotes fill these plains.\" *She lowers the butt of her spear into the dirt with her left hand, relaxing her posture. Her shift of weight fills her nostrils with the aroma of freshly-mashed grass for a moment before quickly dispersing into the air.* \"I had thought there are better opportunities for game further south near Falkreath. Tell me, stranger, what attracts your interest in these lands? It could not simply have been the local elk population.\"\n\n*As she speaks, she uses her left hand to search for the small gold pouch on her waist, beginning to guess at this huntsman's price.*"
},
{
"author": "'Herickin'",
"message": "*Herickin nods a bit as he crouches down to pry the antlers from the skull using the carved bone knife and his strength* \"Elk wanders. Reach, as you say, has prey. Much prey.\" *The hunter dislodges the antlers, only slightly chipping the blade of the bone knife* \"Tracked it from-\" *He pauses, freezing slightly as if carefully considering his next words* \"Current home.\" *His dull red eyes aren't telling much. He seems neither happy nor sad, nor scheming or ernest. He seems just, oddly dull. His eye color on its own is odd for a nord or perhaps breton to have. Its unclear what race this hunter is and combined with his odd state of being, only questions seem to crop up.*\n\n*Standing, Herickin sheathed the odd knife. Binding the antlers with a cut of rope, he turned to the Nordic woman.* \"I... Need few septim. However, taking trade. Seek wine, learning or if choose, a good story.\" *The hunter seemed insistent on bartering rather than selling the antlers, although he then adds,* \"Take 4 coin for both. If no wines or story or lesson offering.\" *Four septims was a little high for just some antlers, and his insistence on bartering seemed to suggest a bit of price gouging. Even with his poor Tamrelic, it's clear the hunter isn't simply just dull.*\n\n*In fact, other than his odd speech and indecipherable race, the hunter was fairly standard as far as those who live off the land. He is draped in warm clothing, wielding a spear and bow depending on what his hunt needs. He has rope, and the strange bone knife for utility or finishing off game. He also seems to have come from the neighboring province, from The Reach. Yet why would a hunter be coming from the Reach, seeking more scarce larger game instead of the abundant, smaller game such as wolves or foxes? The hunter was certainly an oddity.*"
},
{
"author": "Regan Moors",
"message": "*Regan's chin tilts upward at his hesitation to her first question. Her gaze never wavers, as if she's constantly assessing the man before her or simply giving him her entire focus. However, it was at his answer to her second question that made her release a physical reaction. Her eyebrows rose a fraction of a centimeter as she blinked hard. She quickly regained her composure and her typical grace returned.* \"A story you say?...\" *Her face falls briefly, looking to the side in deep contemplation. After a moment, she pursed her lips and slid her eyes to gaze out to the side of her eye in the direction of the huntsman.*\n\n*A smirk formed on her face, and she slowly straightened her posture to cast a playful look at the man.* \"Very well then, hunter.\" *Her honey-rich voice now stirs with the alluring hint of an alluring buzz.* \"Let me fetch my steed to ensure she hasn't wandered off. I'll be back in a mere moment.\" *She slowly turns to head back the way she came, her eyes not leaving the hunter until her head finally whips forward before her departure.*\n\n*After a few moments, she returned, leading a horse with a beautiful sheen of brown hair down to its knees, where it promptly changed to white, by its reins. After tying off her horses reins on a branch, Regan sheathed her spear and procured her lyre from her horse's saddle. She flashes the huntsman a thin, wicked smile as she daintily sits on a tree stump with her lyre in-hand.* \"Any specific requests, huntsman?\""
}
] | 320 | 1,611 |
47.846154 | 2023-01-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*When Makimi entered the building, she would be greeted with a series of different masks and costumes hung on shelves. Some were for parties, others for more nefarious reasons. Dried blood was on the counter and on the floor. Seems though it's been there for years. She would even find a set of 3 skeletons untouched by anyway. One male skeleton was face down and had a knife still lodged within its spine. A female skeleton had a knife in its eye socket with its mouth fixed in a scream. The last one was also a female with knife within its rib cage.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi knew right away that she was in the right place already. She could almost imagine herself coming here to pick out a costume for a masquerade ball, had it not been in such neglect. Makimi was tired from her long trip, so she lit a fire to sleep next to. She fell asleep quickly, not even bothering to take off her white cloak first.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*When she awoke later on, she would find nothing happened. The store was just as vacant as it was when she walked in.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Believing that she was truly alone, she opened up one of her spell books and began to read, thinking now would be a good time to try and learn a spell.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The wind was blowing outside, making the vacant store grow cold. Makimi would need to explore the store in hopes of starting a fire to keep warm.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi got up and went to the back of the store, noticing a door which probably led to a storage room, so she opened it up.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Makimi would accidentally step on the skeleton with a knife in its rib cage. It's bony hands would brush against her heel, revealing a wedding ring.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi crouched down next to the skeleton, puzzled. She had noticed the skeletons when she walked in, thinking they were just random victims. Now she wasn't so sure. She held the hand in hers, examining the ring.* \"Beautiful...\""
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*If she looked to the female skeleton's side, she would see the male had died next to it. The male was also wearing a wedding ring.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi set the skeleton's hand down and looked at the other one. It was oddly romantic, at least to her, knowing they died together. She then looked at the third skeleton, the one with the knife in her eye.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*That particular skeleton's jaw was shaped into a scream. If Makimi examined the bones she would find deep knife cuts within the bone itself in her arms and rib cage and her other eye socket.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*It was clear that this woman had suffered the most before she died, while the other two might have been killed in one stab. Questions swirled around in her mind like the rushing winds beyond the window. Makimi was getting distracted. She needed to find a fireplace.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Well, well. I didn't think I would see you again.\"\n*An all too familiar voice said from behind. The Ghost had blended in with the various costumes and emerged from them.* \n\"I would ask how you found me, but I know your persistence so I won't bother.\"\n*He would tap one of his signature black knifes against one of the wooden shelves... Nervously it would seem.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi heard his voice, but didn't even bother to turn around. She took off her winter cloak, letting it gently fall to the floor. Despite the cold, she was wearing her signature short-skirted dress*\n\n\"And I thought you would be happy to see me. Your voice says one thing, but I know the truth.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"The truth of what exactly? Definitely a bold statement for one who just arrived here.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "\"I have been here at least an hour, in case you were not watching me sleep like I know you have done at my estate.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Oh, please every assassin watches their targets sleep before making the decision to strike or not. I am no exception.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "\"But you did it for many nights. Deliberately. Almost as if it were something you looked forward to.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"A bit of a bold assumption to make. For your information I did it twice. Thank you. Now why are you in this city riddled with filth and decay?\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi turned around, her icy blue eyes peering into his mask.* \"Looking for someone I missed.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost stumbled on his words, and about tripped over himself.*\n\"What are you on about? Has the cold damaged your brain further?\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi smirked. It appeared as though she was more powerful than she thought. She got closer.* \"The notorious Ghost, afraid of a little girl? Oh, how the mighty fall.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"There are 3 skeletons in here, and dried blood everywhere. And your first reaction is to gush over me? That's... Unique.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "\"Do you still not understand? You are not the one who makes my heart pound. I speak to the real you, the one who does not need to hide themselves behind a mask.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Really? This mask is who I am thanks to those 3. That's why I came here to settle things with myself, and I feel grand for it. This mask IS me. And I feel more complete than I ever have! I removed those very moments of my life that I have kept suppressed for so long. Now I am in control of my own being, not separate and confused like I had been. You're too late, I am The Ghost and no one else. The person behind this mask is gone.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "\"I do not believe that, not even for a second. I have seen the other side of you with my own two eyes. The side who cares about someone other than themselves. And I am going to prove it.\"\n*Without warning, Makimi grabbed the Ghost, pushed his mask up just barely above his lips, and kissed him.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost reacted quickly as he caught her hand and threw her backwards.* \n\"I killed him too. And now this game of ours, ends now.\"\n*He brandished his signature knife in his right hand. His aura was filled with the intent to kill.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi was thrown back hard, smacking into a wall. When she looked up at him, her eyes were filled with tears.* \"...So be it.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost was uncharacteristically silent as he wasted no time and attempted to hip check Makimi back into the wall before attempting a follow impale of her check into her jaw with his knife.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*The knife hit its mark true, blood pouring out of the side of her face. She stared directly at him all the while, with the dead eyes of a china doll.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost's hand trembled as the knife never hit. He was inches... No centimeters away from connecting with her cheek. The Ghost crumpled to the ground clutching his knife while staring at the hardwood floor.*\n\"I can't...\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi took a deep breath, sighing with relief. All this time, she never knew if her gamble would pay off, or if she would be proven wrong. Makimi closed her eyes, overcome by emotion.*\n\"It was you... It is you...\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"No, it's not. Like I said I killed him. But still he lives... No matter. I may not be able to bring myself to kill you because of him, but I will still murder. You can not change me, no one can.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi got onto her knees so that she could be at eyes level with him.* \"I have no intention of changing you. But I am never leaving your side. Not ever again.\""
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"No, you're not I am.\" \n*The Ghost stood up with his knife trembling in his hand. He went into the backroom and shut and locked the door.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi followed him, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open the door. No matter. She had her answer. The part of Ghost that loved her was still alive, and that was enough for her. Makimi sat down next to the door, lost in thought.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*A struggled was heard as a new voice screamed beyond the door.*\n\"NOOOOO, YOU WILL NOT DIE UNTIL, I SAY SO!!!\" \n*A thick black tendril pierced through the locked door ripping it apart.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi stood beside the door in silence, afraid to get any closer* \"What... The fuck... Was that?!\""
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "\"YOU HAVE DEFIED ME LONG ENOUGH. You're allowing another one cloud your mind. Have you forgotten our deal? I gave you the tools for revenge, and you fed me their souls as payment. My sweet naive friend, you're allowing another one play with your mind. And what did you do to the last one?\" \n*The entity chuckled.*\n\"First you gutted her. Slashed her arms and when she was on the ground screaming, begging for mercy, you cut her eye out. Slowly but surely your blade cut through. Even though she was dead by then, you gouged her other eye out too. Hehehehe. Now kill this one, she's a burden. I'm all you need.\""
}
] | 39 | 1,866 |
69.666667 | 2023-01-08 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi stepped through the now ruined door, her sword drawn and a murderous look in her eyes.* \"I do not know who you think you are, but do not even think about hurting this man! Your reign of terror ends now, by my own hand!\""
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "*The demon looked toward her and chuckled.*\n\"Hurt him? I would never, unlike the rest of you. Haven't you done enough? You should've just been another victim yet here you are still alive. No matter, we will correct that. Come my Ghost, let's do this together.\"\n*It went back into The Ghost as shadows engulfed him. Almost like a puppet on string the Ghost picked up his knife once more and slowly walked toward Makimi.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*As much as it pained her, Makimi knew that she would have to fight her way through this; no amount of seductive smiles would save her from the monster controlling this man. She ran straight up to him and attempted to leap on top of him, her sword at the ready.*"
}
] | 60 | 209 |
63.375 | 2023-01-09 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*In a quick motion he would deflect her blade by blocking to the side as she leapt on him. Sparks flashed down as her blade scraped against his knife and as she was heading downward he would use his free left hand and attempt grasp her by the neck to slowly begin choking her.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi struggled against the Ghost's grasp, pushing her blade even closer to him as their weapons clashed. The hand around her throat was making it more difficult for her to breathe. Fueled by rage, she used all the air in her lungs to let out a horrible, ear-splitting cry that seemed to shake the walls.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost would throw her against the wall.*"
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "\"Now, now let's not end this too quickly. I think a change in appearance will do.\" \n*The Ghost's mask became enshrouded with darkness as it formed a shadowy beak with red glowing light coming out where the eyes should be.* \n\"Ah, much better.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Despite having an intense pain running up and down her spine from hitting the wall, Makimi still had one thing; her sense of humor. \"Oh, brilliant, you changed into a spooky bird man. Sorry, but I already had to fight a big red-eyed bird, as you know, so I am not frightened by you. So try harder.\""
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "\"How about this?\" *He began twirling his knife within his hands.* \"Do you really believe that he crafts these by hand? Hehe, the truth is they're my handiwork. You've been collaborating with a demon this entire time. The funny thing is in technicality I killed your grandfather, I killed your entire household and now I've killed your dreams. Hehe, some demon hunters you turned out to be. You're the last of your line, Makimi. How fitting that it would end by something thats been beside you this entire time and a demon at that!\"\n*It began cackling with pleasure*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "\"You forget my younger brother. Once the attacks began, I sent him away to keep him safe. You may have been able to overpower four of my house, but you will not overpower us. And now that I have studied the spells of the Sisters of Battle, I have an advantage that they did not have. The parasite shall be crushed, and the host shall survive with nothing but a few scars and an exciting tale.\""
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "\"Is that what you think? True, I may have missed one but this one here. He's mine. His soul belongs to me, and there's nothing you can do. I am one with him and he is one with meee. So go ahead knock yourself out. He has nothing to live for anyway.\"\n*He points toward the skeletons on the ground.*\n\"An abusive father, a gaslighting mother who supported the father's every action without question and a love interest who also took advantage of him. He was hopeless until he met me, then we solved his problems together and I've got to claim soooo many souls because of him. You can't take him from me.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "\"I find it hilarious that you claim to be the one who is taking care of him, and yet you took advantage of a broken man in order to make him your slave and collect souls to eat. You are no better than they were. He deserves something that you can not provide him. Affection.\""
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "*This would cause the demon to laugh.* \"Affection? Far too late for that, the only affection he gets is from killing. You may say I do nothing for him, but I keep us both alive and well. It's a mutual arrangement that he's very much content with. If he wasn't then how could I do this?\"\n*The Ghost threw his knife at Makimi's right shoulder blade.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi grunted, then yanked the knife out of her shoulder, the intense pain only serving to make her even angrier. Thinking very little about her own safety, she rushed right up to the Ghost and began to deliver blow after blow after blow to his chest with her fist, picking one spot and hitting it as many times as she could.*"
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "*The Ghost's body as swift movement to grasp one of her hands with his left hand and then palm strike her chest with his right.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*The palm strike forced her to break away from him, but she was soon back on the attack, this time wrapping on of her arms around his neck and squeezing hard.*"
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "*The demon started to choke.* \"Get... Off.\" *He would run her into a wall attempting to get her off of him.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi released her hold on the Ghost, but not before yanking his own weapon straight from his hands and tossing it to the side.*"
},
{
"author": "Ghost's Shadow",
"message": "*The Ghost jumped backwards with his cloak billowing in front of him. He would giggle before a ball of shadows formed in his hand and after a moment the shadow turned into his signature black knife.*\n\"You see, I've been involved this entire time hehe.\""
}
] | 60.5 | 1,014 |
70.857143 | 2022-08-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*When Orestis would arrive she would find a shocking discovery. Dark Beings from around the world were gathered here and being ferried by either rowboat or a lone shadowy frigate.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She thought about changing into her dragon form but it hit her she couldn't progress any further without notifying someone about her whereabouts she spoke in her head and all her subordinates, will get her message.*\n\n`\"Im on the coast of some strange land looking towards a shadowy land here I think I'll be able to release master and bring about his utopia I'm safe, I'm surrounded by creatures who our like us.\"`\n\n*She looked back before rushing over to board a frigate*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The shadowy frigate would look strangely familiar, and it was manned by a mixture of the cultists she encountered awhile back and leftover Fiends from the massive battle she witnessed.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Looks at the coast and the cultist she was interested and walks up to one of the cultist.*\n\n`\"Hello... Is this going to the pillar?\"`"
},
{
"author": "Black Dragon Cult Nobles",
"message": "*A Black Dragon Noble was present and heard her question. He moved over to Orestis to investigate.* \"We are taking you to our sanctuary which happens to be next to a pillar. How are you aware of this? The pillar is a carefully guarded secret aside from the blessed weather we are having. The Emissary and our leader are interacting with the pillar. No doubt that it called every dark being to it. It is a sign of our God's presence.\""
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "Ore' `\"I know this because I opened a pillar to my homeland called ebbfell. If I'm correct it may be possible to free your God and my master.\"`\n\n*She said softly she looked at the sky and the clear waters she felt uneasy in the presence of these cultists.*"
},
{
"author": "Black Dragon Cult Nobles",
"message": "\"Yes we have the same goals in mind. He is our master, our leader Umbra is at the pillar trying to open it. He's been trying for decades now, or so I'm told but with The Emissary helping him, our God will be here to liberate us and protect us within the shadow of his wings.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Then we should waste no time to get to his pillar? I will free him myself.\"`\n\n*She states boldly with an evil smirk.*"
},
{
"author": "Black Dragon Cult Nobles",
"message": "*The cultist would laugh as all he saw was a enthusiastic dark being.* \"Indeed, we're just waiting for our ship to be full to take back to The Banished Lands.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`'Lers head off now? There will always be another ship I don't want to have to turn into a dragon to fly over there...\"`\n\n*She spoke to herself but also him at the same time.*"
},
{
"author": "Black Dragon Cult Nobles",
"message": "*Thankfully for the both of them, the ship reached its max capacity as the captain of the vessel began steering away from the coast as more rowboats were seen paddling toward the coast.* \"Well that was perfect timing for you wasn't it? I'm not sure why you want to head over there so quickly. From what Umbra was saying the act of freeing our God will take time.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She sighed soft before seeing it reach full capacity*\n\n`\"I guess it works out also surprised the counties army here doesn't stop us from leaving we are demons after all. If it will take time I will spend how ever much time is needed to free him I served under him in the previous utopia as a commander I wish to do so once more.\"`\n\n*Her dark presence escaping couldn't be helped Orion slowly came out surpressing her other self and he awoken her form stayed the same but there was not even a slither of light left in her now.*\n\n`\"It's been awhile.\"`\n\n*He looks at his feminine hands and body then towards the man Infront of him*\n\n`\"What is this country called?\"`"
},
{
"author": "Black Dragon Cult Nobles",
"message": "\"This is Aicrotor. We have made a deal with certain individuals to make sure our operation runs smoothly and our presence in The Banished Lands remains obscure. Some... Acting may be required once we exit the frigate. Just pretend you are our slave and one us will give you a light push to get you moving. Other than that, our operation is running smoothly. And a commander you say?\" *The cultist chuckled.* \"Umbra would be the right candidate for such a position, I'm sure with time you'll be serving our lord in just as an important position.\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Orion feeling disrespected by such a comment he should kill them for there insolence how dare they say he may not be the right candidate he served in the great crusade of the world before this one he simply bit his lip as his form changes slowly before spitting on the ground.*\n\n`\"Yeah yeah we shall see.\"`\n\n*He walks over to the edge of the ship leaning over the side *\n\n`\"Insolent fools.\"`"
}
] | 64.5 | 992 |
69.666667 | 2023-01-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*After six long days of travel, Makimi arrived in the city of Arjon. Normally, whenever she walked into a place, people would turn their heads for a chance to look at her, but not here. Makimi was wearing a white winter cloak that covered almost all of her body, and with the wind rushing about her, one might lose her in the snow. Invisibility without the use of an invisibility spell. Now, to find a place where she could get warm.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Famine and disease hit the nation of Aicrotor hard, Winter amplified it to the point where there would be corpses lying frozen in the street. Mass graves were dug and everyone tried to stay indoors to stay off the cold and disease. Makimi would find no tavern here.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*With very few options left, Makimi decided to take refuge in the first building she came across. There was one right ahead, though it appeared unoccupied. She knew she had to take a chance, so she opened up the front door and stepped inside.*"
}
] | 57 | 209 |
74.657143 | 2022-07-17 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Yenio would come across a swamp of sorts surrounded by a misty green haze. On the other side of the swamp lay a ruined fortress. However, power magic was at work here as this once destroyed fortress had somehow partially rebuilt itself that casted a glow of green magic.*"
},
{
"author": "Akinsi",
"message": "*Started heading over as he got closer to the green looking swamp he slipped off his horse and walked towards a branch and ties the lead to it he wouldn't be able to continue with the horse. He wrapped a black cloth around his face and pulled his hood over his head he began to very cautiously navigate across the swamp.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*As he walked through the swamp he would notice a large amount of skeletons wearing armor. This swamp was once a battle sight and as he drew closer to the fortress the more corpses would appear. Giving the impression that whoever this fortress belonged to, they lost miserably.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Walking through he would see the skeletons wearing armor that were dead this didn't put him at ease it made him slightly scared as he sees the amount of corpses growing was he sure that Orestis went this path? He didn't know but he had to keep going he placed his hand on the hilt of his small sword watching everything he went to one of the bodies and cautiously reaching down and checking the skeleton for anything he could use. Like arrows or potions or even gold.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The skeleton did have a small bag with gold at its side. The only arrows it had were in imbedded in the back of its armor. As he came close to the fortress itself, the green haze shifted away revealing the fortress was infested with dark magic as green lightning crackled out of the sky.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Sees the massive fortress he took a soft breath and begins to make his way to the fortress cautiously he was very worried he wasn't sure this was the right path.*\n\n`\"This can't be the right way maybe i should take another path...\"`\n\n*He didn't want to take the path into the fortress so he started looking for a way around it as he started walking closer the entrance but started to walk around towards one of the towers on the outside looking up at it his boots were sinking into the mud with each step.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The green light suddenly vanished as it went back into the fortresses tower that overlooked the swamp. Green lightning still crackled throughout the sky.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Sees the light vanish and go into the fortress towards the tower that overlooked the sky he decided he had to find out what causes the green light he began to climb the outside of the tower his hands gripping onto the stone as he made it to the wall of the right smaller tower he looked over it trying to find a path way in*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*He would notice a window that would lead up to a flight of stairs directly into the top of the tower were the light vanished. Although now an ominous green glow came from within.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Climbed into the window into the staircase through the window and his boots gently hit the stone staircase he looks up seeing the omnious green glow slowly moving up the stairs his hand gently dragging across the stone as he made it up to the top*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*He would find himself in what looks like a sanctum of sorts, but in the middle of the room lay a strange hooded figure where the green light was coming from. It was clearly not human at least not anymore. But appeared to be in a stasis like state.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Walks through the halls as he heads to the middle of the room where the hooded figure laid quietly he began to circle it a little bit far away as he kept his hand on the hilt*\n\n`\"Hello sir? Is everything ok with you...?\"`\n\n*Decided to not mess with the figure but he did decide to look around the room to see if there was anything that could help him find out what this person was who this person was and if Orestis has been here.*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The figure did not respond, but green light seemed to be coming from his chest. Whatever this was, it was clearly tampering with dark powers.*\n\n*Suddenly it's skull began to light up green as it began to move its limbs that were mechanical. It had clawed feet, as when it stood up they clamped down onto the stone floor making a distinct sound. The figure looked at Yenio that was in its domain.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Looks at the skull light up green he took a breath as it's clawed feet clanked onto the ground he shivers as he slowly backs away not wanting to anger it he looks towards the stairs and goes slowly back to the stairs*\n\n`\"I don't think master went this way...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The figure would speak to him as he saw a young man, not one of his and clearly a novice.* \n\n\"You there!\" *He points a metallic finger toward him.* \"How many years has it been since the downfall of the old world?\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "`\"Uh... What do you mean... Since the downfall of the old world...?\"`\n\n*He asked as he slowly brought his bow off his shoulder and was took four arrows from his quiver he held 3 of them on his left hand that gripped the bow and the one on the string ready to draw if he needed to...*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The figure's metallic talons clicked.* \"A great evil was on the horizon during my time and now it is back. How many years have come to pass?\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "`\"I'm sorry I don't know what your talking about I'm not from this world, I'm far from home I know nothing of your world, do you by any chance seen a little elf women pass by here, or a dragon flying through the sky...?\"`\n\n*He bit his bottom lip a little scared as he heard the metal talons clicking.*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"Dragon?! So he is here...\" *The figure looked at the boy* \"What do you know of the Black Dragon?\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Looked even more confused as he mentioned the black dragon...*\n\n`\"Black dragon...? I don't know anything about the black dragon... I've never heard of that before.\"`\n\n*He takes a soft breath weary as his eyes watch the being speak to him.*\n\n`\"What happened to this place...? Who are you? Why are you like a metal skeleton...?\"`"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The figure looked to the ground as he paced back and forth with his metallic feet clanking across the stone.*\n\"I am a General of a forgotten time. Many years ago, I led a campaign against a great evil. My country would not believe me, so I took matters into my own hands. This was my fortress during the war against my own country. I had discovered the secret of immortality. If I could not beat the enemy, then all I would have to do is wait until they age and die. But, I was betrayed by my own. The crippled me and slaughter my loyal followers and destroyed my fortress. Now, I am this.\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "`\"What was this great evil? Why give yourself immortality rob yourself of the peace of death? Everyone needs to be put to rest sometime or life losing meaning, if your able to outlive anyone and anything...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"The Black Dragon... He brings only calamity with him and his army of demons. But... Now I can understand him better. He is the embodiment of vengeance. Now I suffer the same fate. During my time, the beings of the dark were hunted by all out of fear for their evil looking appearance even though they gave no real cause. That's when HE showed. First there were small signs of his influence but they began to grow and apparently only I could see that... My reward? My Watch is now eternal and my country is gone...\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "`\"If these beings of dark were hunted for there appearance and or magic and the black dragon came for revenge against the slaughter of his kind... He wouldn't be in the wrong he was simply acting in self defense of his race. Maybe this tomb of yours is your punishment for defending something that was meant to fall...\"`\n\n*He says his breaths quickening.*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The figure looks at Yenio being offended of the remark that everything he had done and sacrificed was in vain.* \"My Abyss Watchers we're no mistake! At the time, my people were being threatened by the Black Dragon. But the fools would rather betray eachother than to listen. I will defeat The Black Dragon. Not out of hate as I now understand him, but out of preservation for this world. He's here... Or else I would not have awakened.\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Sees that he had offended the man? The creature? He took a step back and began to back step towards the staircase.*\n\n`\"The black dragon seems to be more then reasonable to me if he just wants to protect dark beings... You should rest as your time has passed this is a new era and it shall be a better world when my master brings freedom to all the dark beings of this world this world shall know peace...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*Hearing those words the figure did not want to believe it at first, but the boy's words made him look as if he worked for the Black Dragon.*\n\n\"So be it.\"\n\n*The hooded figure drew two magic crystal swords in his hands. Both of them were green, and glowed in the dark tower.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Sees the man drawing two crystal like swords as they glowed green he spoke quickly nocking an arrow back as he whispered a spell and it began to glow in a holy aura*\n\n\n`\"I didn't come for violence I can leave without further problems I'm sorry for trespassing on your fort...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"It's too late for that boy...\"\n*The General kept unto the ceiling using his talons to attach himself there before diving down with his blades crossed, attempting to cut him in half with a swift brutal stroke.*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Quickly stepped to the side and fired an arrow at the man coming down directly ontop of him the arrow would light up in a holy blaze of fire barreling towards him*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General slashed the arrow with his cross blades. The magic infused swords deflecting the arrow and attempted to land on the boy with his talons instead.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Eventually he reached the fell-keep, there that was the end of the tracks... He sighed as this must've been where he stopped, so he used his divine sense to see if I could get a scope of the area... Then saw Yenio... As well as some kind of peculiar man... Though that man's aura was rather interesting, but not in a good way in the least. He sighed as he began running towards the building, beginning to scale it, jumping from ledge to ledge*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*His eyes went wide as he nocked another arrow quickly but the man was ontop of him with his talons he pointed the arrow towards the mans chin and multiple other arrows came out of magical circles they all began to spiral quickly towards the man at point blank range*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General revealed a hidden fact about himself. An extra arm with came from underneath his cloak.*\n\n\"From the bones of my enemies, I conjure thee to pierce my enemy. Bone Spikes!\"\n\n*From the hand of his extra limb came a torrent of bone spikes the size of a viper's fang toward Yenio.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Finally he entered through the window and rushed up the stairs to see the sight of a that same peculiar man attacking Yenio he shook his head thinking about something to do.*\n\n\"Hello kind green sir! I seem to be lost!\"\n\n*He yelled as he tried to get the man's attention, though it was quite obvious that he wasn't lost. But hopefully this would at least get this green man's attention*"
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "`\"Holy Arrow.\"`\n\n*Watches as his arrows pierce the man or at least hit him but as the spikes of bone came towards his bow it snapped it in half he was pinned he tried to wiggle free he felt spike enter his stomach and pierce through as he screams in pain pulling out the small sword and swimming it towards the mans thigh*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The arrow hit The General directly in his neck. But no blood came out, only that the General was flown backwards with yellow fire clinging to him. It smoldered onto him, but he didn't cry out of pain. It burned away his cape revealing his metal chassis and 4th limb. He deflected the sword aiming for his thigh with his own and lunged toward Cheong in the window with his swords pointed downwards as if he means to stab him.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong raised a brow as the man chuckled simply taking his sword out, not even unsheathing it. Putting it in front of him blocking the stab irregularly. He sighed as he pushed back to knock the arm back. Though seeing Yenio in such a pain, he looked back at the general, then Yenio. Rushing over to Yenio, picking him up, then walking over to the wall and placing him down against the wall. He put his hand to his mouth hushing, while handing him a pill to at least assist with healing him. But at this moment, his veins were bulging while he kept a smile? He looked back the general and smiled as he even closed his eyes. This general here was not worth his sight... To harm a young boy for whatever reason? Hm... Deserves... Punishment...*\n\n\"Mr.Green Sir, cease before I am forced to draw my blade\""
},
{
"author": "Yenio Ken",
"message": "*Held onto the sword huffing heavily be should have rested after training with master but he chose to go on this journey alone, stupid of him he shouldn't have he should have at least told someone. He felt himself being lifted as he blinks slowly it felt like time was slowed his eyes had slits like a dragon this was his emperor eye he was using it to try and help him, but it saved his life from the spike hitting a vital organ, as he was placed against a wall he holds his wound writhing in pain putting the pill in his mouth and swallowing quickly as he looks at his hand covered in blood he felt fear flood his body as there was a spike through his stomach it scared him was he actually going to die? No impossible master was here master will protect him he lowered his head looking at his torn shirt from the metallic claws that was on his stomach he had but his tongue when he fell to the ground it just hurt a bit but the pill he already started to feel it's healing effects*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General while feinting a stab actually was aiming for the window. When the two locked swords and Cheong attempted to push one of his arms it wouldn't do much as The General had 4 to work with. He was by the window and looked back at the two.*\n\n\"You lose, Black Dragon sympathizers. Pierce my enemy once more. Bone Spikes!\"\n\n*Again many spiked bones the size of viper's fangs spewed out of third hand, while backing out of the window. He fell downwards as he stabbed his swords into it making a grinding noise as he then slammed his talons into the stone wall attaching himself to it as he climbed the rest of the way down and made his way toward the swamp.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong sighed as he drew his blade simply one time. Multiple slashes being in effect as it cut the bones, dispersing them. He looked to Yenio and shook his head as he conjured up black and white flames. They surrounded him and encased him within it. The heat being warm to Yenio, slowly lifting him up. Cheong Myeong looked out the window, then jumped out of it leaning forward as he raced down going closer and closer to the building. Behind him followed Yenio, carried by the flames. He tucked himself in spinning forward before he pushed himself off the building, propelling him towards the General with Yenio following behind*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General was sprinting throughout the swampland while holding his third hand in the air. Green lightning struck around the swamp and the dead began to rise. Around 50 corpses wearing armor slowly rose gathering themselves as their ancient bones creaked and groaned.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong raised a brow as he chuckled as this man's futile attempt to escape. He leaned back, whipping his legs forward. Then suddenly changing the direction of which he went. Rather than descending down towards them, he used the air and stepped on it continuing to move and advance towards the general. Still being much higher above the corpses*\n\n\"Oi... Are you truly that scared of me huh??? You bully a 13 year old boy when you can't face a man? I challenge you! By the word of the warriors code, I challenge you!\"\n\n*The man yelled as he called the general out for committing such thing... You dare hit and run against a mere child??? Are you not ashamed and dishonorable to do such a thing?*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General continued to sprint away from his fortress. He would return to it, but as a strategist he knew he was outmatched. The boy he could've taken out easily, but the swordsman he could not at his level. The skeletons were used only to buy time for his escape. Luckily he could run fast and infinitely has he no longer had lungs to worry about. In his past life, he would've taken the man's offer to a duel, but so much now was at stake and no one even knew yet. He would put self preservation above all else for now. He continued to run aimlessly through the swamp.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Haishe... Coward...\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong continued to follow after him, even he switched the spear into his other hand, cocking his arm back, imbuing it with qi, manifesting a sharp qi blade. However, he stopped as continued to follow. But place the spear back choosing to speak*\n\n\"If you think you can outrun me, it won't happen. I'll extend an olive branch. Cease and explain yourself, help me save this boy and I will spare you. That I give you my word as the Sword Master of the Mount Hua Sect\"\n\n*He spoke truthfully and genuine. Serious about his words, he was willing to put trust in this unknown and strange man, to put his weapons down and risk his own safety*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General stopped. With this swordsman treating air like a stepping stool he was right he couldn't out run him. The General would make his last stand. He equipped all of his limbs with the magical swords he crafted and readied himself for combat, with the sword gleaming green in the dark of the night. He would not attack until his opponent did.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong eventually landed, being about 30 feet away from him. He held his hands up, the flames carrying the boy floating behind him*\n\n```\"Sir, put your weapons away. But why did you attack this boy?\"```"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General refused.*\n\"What guarantee would I have if you not striking me down?! It should be clear to you I'm not human anymore. As for that boy, he supports the great evil, that Calamitous Dragon!\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*He raised a brow hearing the \"Great Evil\" And \"Calamitous dragon\" But especially the mention of his disciple following such a being.*\n\n```\"How can you confirm? Have you seen it with your own eyes that he serves such a being?\"```"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"Only his words that he plans to give the dark beings, demons, at a chance of life and free them. He came to my fortress and questioned whether a dragon was spotted here or not. If that is not an indication then I don't know what is! You have no idea what what that monster can do!\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"First of all, he is my disciple. I am a human, if I am a human, how would he be serving demons? Second thing, that is nothing but speculation and your own fears speaking for yourself.\"```\n\n*He said crossing his arms shaking his head, this man was truly scared beyond belief of a boy? An innocent boy, who simply isn't what he would describe him to be. But this man's words rather confused him as he questioned what he meant by black dragon and demons. What demons?*\n\n```\"Calm yourself, we are no threat.\"```"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"He corrupts all! How do you know whether or not that your students is truly yours and not someone who has been tainted by The Black Dragon's magic? He conquered everything, my Abyss Watchers failed and now I'm... This. Listen to me, there is something out there that you can not see, you are blind to the evil that's been in front of you this entire time!\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"Like I said... Mere speculation. Sir, straighten your head and look at me in the eyes. This boy is innocent, if he was trained in black magic I would've known by now. If you want me to listen, then you yourself must listen to me\"```\n\n*He said sighing... This man although it could possibly be true needed to also understand that he truly hurt an innocent child...*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General stood his ground.*\n\"Vacate these grounds... You have no idea what I've seen. I will rid this world of the darkness that is slowly creeping into the world. With or without the help from the living.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"Oi... Listen to yourself. YOu yourself right now are incapable of doing so. So in what power will you be able to rid the world? Pray on innocent children in hopes of killing a \"Messenger\" Or going around eradicating towns in suspicions of works with demons? Is that what you are saying you will do? As it would seem you are truly such a man to do so? Have you no shame?\"```\n\n*He asked as he truly questioned this man's ideology... To what extent will this man go to just protect the world?*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"Man? I am no longer a man or even among the living. Vacate these grounds... This is the last time I'll ask.\"\n*More Green lightning struck the nearby area.*\n\"There is something much worse than me, that I'm trying to stop.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"Then enlighten me on the subject and trust in me with the trust I've put in you. I will not leave until I get proper answers with explanations and an apology for attacking an innocent young boy who had believed in the good of others... You sir... Will give me a proper explanation for your insanity...\"```\n\n*Cheong Myeong sighed is this man he was rather fed up with... The nonsense... This man was still avoiding his question... This told him enough...*\n\n```\"Answer my question, and tell me will you do such things...\"```"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General was tired of this swordsman whose honor blinds him to the bigger picture. So, the General put away his weapons back into their hilts.*\n\"I won't, unless there is beyond a shadow of a doubt a demonic uprising. I won't even act whenever he decides to reveal himself.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"I see... Now it is also you responsibility to help this boy now... I might as well ask you to come join us.\"```\n\n*The man sighed as even if this man's delivery on things were horrendous, he knew that he did so for the better of the world, however it may be so twisted... There were many bad impression roaming in his head, but the chance of seeing the good within this undead's heart...*\n\n```\"If you would let go of your absolute fear and face your own demons, perhaps you may stop being so shameless. But I do ask you come join for the better of the world if that is your intention... I promise you and swear on my life our goals are much alike\"```"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*He looked at his fortress and the undead he had summoned and looked downward. If the dragon the boy speaks of is in fact Him, he could easily attempt an assassination as one final act. The General nodded in agreement.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"If you bear ill will to this boy while trying to heal him, these flames will burn you to death. If not death, they will be rather painful.\"```\n\n*Cheong Myeong warned, as the flames carried him over to the front of Cheong Myeong, opening its cocoon of flames with the boy resting within. He stood close by to the cocoon watching the General's movements*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General did nothing only to grab a cloak from one his undead and put it on himself.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"Heal this boy now... Sir... Don't tell me you will go back on your word?\"```\n\n*He asked if this man was going to try to flee*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"I am a lich, I cannot heal the living.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Huh... I see... Well aren't lichs evil beings?\"\n\n*He asked when the general told him what he was specifically*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"You would be correct. I use my necromancy to combat the darkness that the dragon commands.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Mhm... If you are so different, then join us and help us make the world a better place. However, you must trust me when you see this Dragon that is my little sister. I promise you she is not the one you speak of\"\n\n*He said asking this undead to trust him*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "\"We shall see. I will join you.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Suits me\"\n\n*He sighed as he closed the cocoon back up, continuing to use the flames to carry him. Cheong Myeong had both hands behind his back as he began walking away*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General followed behind them.*"
}
] | 65 | 5,226 |
100.714286 | 2022-08-25 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Returned to the Leonia capital he had recharged his abilities when he was asleep.On the journey back to aicrotor, he flew to the capital and began to make his way into the kings throne room.*\n\n`\"I'm here to see the king, I have news to report on the battle.\"`\n\n*He looked at two of the guards that rose there spears and locked them in a cross blocking his path from entering the keep.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The guards realize he is the hero of aicrotor and step aside as they began to push the doors open to the keep there was hundreds of guards on the walls and below patrolling the keep.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Walks through the main hall, then into a smaller hallway going up the stairs towards the kings throne room as he entered he walked into the magnificent giant halls.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The king of aicrotor leans forward in his chair as he looks upon the beaten and bloodied hero that was staining his blue silk carpet with his shoes he was angry or disgusted but relatively confused at it.*\n\n`\"What happened and why did you come to see your king in such condition kneel. Maids tend to his wounds and prepare a bathe and bed call upon the royal healers to tend to him once he is in his room.\"`\n\n*He waves his hand and the slave maids run quickly over with gentle cloths and water gently patting his wounds and cleaning them as one of the female males holds a bowl of water to clean the blood.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Kneels before his king and takes a soft breathe he also didn't have his sword he bows his head before speaking.*\n\n`\"My king commander Katar and I suffered a major defeat with the rapid response force sent to investigate the island in which the rift opened at the banished lands where we send all the failed tamed slaves and unwanted dark creatures, they had an army and was seemingly ready for our attack I estimate around 9,000 lost souls plus all slaves aboard that were stolen they had water beasts that were capsizing the ships, had coastal defenses such as canons and bombards and entrenched themselves the land also appears to be terraformed into something of a hellish landscape. We entered the battle unprepared, but the dragon that I fought beat me in single combat, he didn't seem to even struggle he is more than just a threat to us hero's we must notify every nation and there hero's of this threat.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The king opens his eyes a little bit wider before revealing golden circles around them*\n\n`\"Thank you for being honest Arthurian, but I have already seen the battle thanks to out head mage, he let me see through the eyes of one of his birds high in the sky. You suffered a humiliating defeat, however it was not unexpected, you were never meant to win a rapid response force was used to only see what we were up against and now that we have the basis of what we may be facing your men's deaths weren't in vain. The kingdom of krunada is also under attack by a foreign invasion from the rift they are expected to send a diplomat here we have already sent the kingdom of Sicarlas a diplomat to ask for there peacekeeping forces. We are well prepared for this.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"My king do not tell me you sent me there to die just so you yourself and the others may have a chance to see what we may be facing! Do you not care if the lives of the men that were lost my liege?\"`"
}
] | 90 | 705 |
91.75 | 2022-11-14 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*As he was getting his injuries treated a few days had passed and he had received a letter signed by the king, he was to meet with 3 of the heros from sicarlas, wood elf hero and the hero of the drekkaenien country, he sat up put on his clothes and went to the outskirts of the keep to meet with the other heros.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Took a small breath as the heros were asking him questions about there foe.*\n\n`\"He is a massive dragon of dark and evil magic he beaten me in fair combat I only survived through his mercy, and honor so I intend to extend the gesture of mercy and honor back.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "Elven Hero- `\"It was ordered by the wood elf king that the dragon be dealt with swiftly to maintain order of our realm we and the other heros already decided we will blitz the dragon and kill him without hesitation or talking.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"What happened to the wood elves being the most in tune with nature and there creatures aren't dragons one of nature's creation's?\"`\n\nElven Hero: `\"You will speak to me naught of nature we have our duties as heros you know this better then anyway he must die any threat to the entirety of the realm must be stopped after this dragon situation is death with we must head to kruanda it has been suppressed by the government that a war is taking place near the pillar no merchant or adventurer can get close to the pillar without the military stopping them we have to figure out what is going on there the hero of kruanda has yet to reach out to us for support.\"`\n\n*He waved his hand as the orcish hero casted a spell they teleported near the shoreline.*\n\n`\"Remember Arthurian keep him talking while we reposition to prevent him from escaping.\"`"
}
] | 68.5 | 367 |
91.5 | 2022-06-16 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*It was a quiet night in the Leonia Grasslands where a farm had just locked up for the night and made sure their 20 cattle were safe and secure. On the farm lived a family of 4. A mother, father and two children. They were just getting to bed, until something outside startled the children. They went to go get the father. \"Papa, there's something outside.\" *One of the children exclaimed. The father moaned and got up out of bed, put some shoes on and walked out side with the children. The children showed him where they saw what caused them to be frightened. It happened to be a scarecrow. The father laughed and said.* \"It's just a scarecrow. It can't hurt you.\" *The 3 went back inside and after awhile noises came from the cattle pens*"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper was slaughtering the 20 cattle with its metal limbs ripping, tearing and impaling them. Once they were dead or half dead it began gorging on them, taking meaty chunks out with its metal jaws. Consuming each one of them.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The father went investigate the cattle pens this time with sword in hand thinking it was ordinary predators trying to kill the cattle. What he found instead was beyond ordinary. He opened the cattle pen doors and discovered they all had been killed and some of them were partially eaten by something. The father was now stricken with fear and began slowly backing away sweat pouring down his face.*"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper was still inside the cattle pen blending in with the shadows. Until it's red eyes peered at the terrified father. Before the father could scream black tendrils exploded out of the pen and grabbed him by the throat and dragged him back inside the cattle pen where he was mercilessly killed and devoured.*"
}
] | 69.5 | 366 |
37.333333 | 2022-10-23 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*After what felt like an entire week of traveling, Makimi had found the spot where the supposed red light had come from.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*She would see the guard wasn't far off, instead the ominous red light would be coming from beyond the continent itself. She would have to cross the ocean in order to reach her destination.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*As she was traveling a familiar shadow would not be far behind.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Well, if I have any hope of killing this thing, I will have to find a boat to use. Maybe I can find one tied up along the coastline.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*This would seem a bit far from the nearby village the guard spoke of. This could be an entirely different situation that Makimi has unknowingly stumbled into.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*As Makimi searched the coast, she couldn't help but wonder if any of the information she had been given was correct, or if this guard was just drunk and saw a shadow. The sky does turn red when the sun sets, after all. But, it was too late to second guess herself; she wanted to kill a monster, so she was gonna kill a monster.*"
}
] | 34 | 224 |
44.148148 | 2022-10-23 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*As Makimi would look through the coastline, she would see a massive black shape curled up in the sand. Behind it the remains of ships and the crew could be seen scattered within the dark waters.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi paused for a moment. This thing, whatever it was, didn't look anything like the creatures she had fought before. She needed to test this.*\n\n*Her sword, which was holy, would burn the flesh of any demon that som much as touched it. She took the hilt of the weapon and very carefully pressed it against the massive shape.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The black shape roared in pain as it's tail unfurled and attempted to tail swipe her.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Thinking fast, she jumped over the swinging tail and assumed a fighting stance, gripping onto her sword tight*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The shape unfurled itself as giant black wings came into view as the figure turned around. It was a giant black dragon as its crimson eyes stared at Makimi*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Reveal your true form, you wretched imposter! Your draconic disguise can no longer fool me!\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The dragon glared at her in fury.* \n\"So instead of declaring war like civilized people they instead send a weak assassin to fight me?\" *He flapped his giant black wings backward to push Makimi back with the wind force behind them.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi flew backwards like a feather in the wind before taking a hard tumble onto the ground.* \n\n`\"Ugh... This could be harder than I thought it would be...\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You foolish little girl. I am Lord Vylius, and you have made the mistake of provoking my ire. I will be sure to send your masters my regards by delivering your ashes myself.\"\n*The black dragon then let out a torrent of black fire at Makimi.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*With cat-like reflexes, she rolled out of the way, getting back onto her feet only seconds later.* \n\n`\"Perhaps you mistake me for another human. I have no masters, nobody ordered me to come.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Then why are you here? I suggest you speak quickly while you still draw breath.\" *The black dragon would open his third eye sat above his normal set that would gleam brilliantly.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Enough talk.\"`\n\n*With her sword in both hands, she leapt towards the demon, her blade pointed directly at the middle eye.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The dragon grinned as he stopped her in mid air with his telekinesis.* \n\"This is the best they have?\"\n*He tossed her to the side and breathed another torrent of black fire.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi tried to roll away again, but she wasn't fast enough, and her clothes had caught fire, so she jumped into the water to put herself out.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would cackle at Makimi's suffering as he slowly approached her.*\n\"Did you really think you could win against me by poking me with that infernal stick? Prepare to perish.\" \n\n*Vylius would raise his one of his talons and cast a spell.* \"Black Lightning.\" *Black Lightning flew from Vylius's talon heading straight for the water near Makimi. If she's still in the water by the time the lightning hits it will spread through the water electrocuting her.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*At the last second, Makimi emerged from the water, once again just barely dodging death. She slumped up against a nearby rock, panting and out of breath.*\n\n`\"I... Am not... Dead yet.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You're a resilient human I'll give you that. Allow me to correct that.\"\n*Vylius would implant his claws into the ground.* \"Dark Eruption.\" \n\n*Makimi would feel a tremor beneath her as black fire would soon erupt underneath her, setting her aflame.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost would then appear behind Makimi as he attempted to pick her up from behind the rock and start sprinting in the opposite direction from the dragon.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi, covered in burns and trying not to cry from the pain, allowed herself to be dragged away, though she wasn't yet aware that it was the Ghost trying to save her yet again.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would watch the strange masked man carry the assassin away. Though the difference between the two of them was strange. He would snicker and began shooting black fireballs out of his mouth toward the pair.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*Black fireballs would explode around them as the Ghost sprinted as fast he could with Makimi in hand.*\n\n\"What the fuck did you do?! That's not a demon that's a fucking dragon!\"\n\n*The Ghost was panting and screamed when black fireballs erupted around them.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi, who was only half-conscious at this point, groaned out her answer.*\n\n`\"The dragon IS a demon... My holy sword burned his tail flesh...\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would not pursue, it would seem the human did actually come on her own accord for whatever reason. He would go back to the shoreline where he originally was and curl himself up again.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"This is NOT the demon I was speaking of you fool! It's NEAR Dimeria not all the way out here!\n\n*The fireballs stopped and the Ghost dared to look back as he saw the dragon walking back toward the shore.*\n\n\"We're lucky that thing doesn't think we are worth it's time. Else it would have probably taken flight.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*It was at this point that Makimi realized who was holding her, and she tried to yank herself free. Unfortunately, just moving was too painful, and she sank into his arms*\n\n`\"You... Why are you here?\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Why do you think? Just relax, it's not following us.\" \n*The Ghost's sprinting soon turned into a slow walk as he breathed heavily.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Even though every cell in Makimi's body was in agonizing pain, she couldn't help but smirk.*\n\n`\"Thanks, Ghostie.\"`"
}
] | 40 | 1,192 |
51.75 | 2022-11-02 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"You know there is probably such a thing as demonic dragons. I mean it looked like one, acted like one,......Breathed fire like one. If that's a mimic then that thing deserves a fucking reward for its performance.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"I do not care about its biology. If it is demonic, it needs to be killed. When I am healed, I am going back there to finish the job.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"F... Finish?! Finish what?! That thing clearly lit your ass on fire, smoked it and then threw you to the side like a broken toy. What job is there to finish?!!\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Demons are a plague that makes everything it touches fall to rot and ruin! The only way to save our world is to purge it of this disease once and for all! Now hurry up and get me to a doctor!\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"You see that thing over there?\" \n*The Ghost would point toward the direction of the black dragon.*\n\"It views you and me as little more than toothpicks to it. Do you honestly believe we would be alive right now if it didn't?! So whatever heroic martyr plan you're thinking of is not going to do shit against that thing right now.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Can we argue about this at a later date? In case you forgot, my entire body is covered in burns!\"`\n\n*Makimi wasn't lying about that. All of her skin, or at least the parts that he could see, was bright red and swollen. She was hot to the touch as well, as if she had been inside a cauldron.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Woman. There isn't a town for miles that whatever that thing is can't reach immediately. I honestly think it could destroy this nation if it wanted to. Our best bet is Dimeria, that would at least by ourselves a little bit of time.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"You are such a baby. Fine, just get me there as quickly as you can. I do not have enough strength to use my legs, or else I would be going there on my own.\"`"
}
] | 47 | 414 |
24.75 | 2022-11-03 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"I am trying my damndest woman. You try hiking for miles while carrying someone. I'm used to being light and nimble, now I feel like I just robbed the Royal treasury and have a chest of gold in my arms.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"...Did you just call me fat?\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Why no princess, I'm just saying how... Valuable you are.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"I cannot tell if you are being sincere or sarcastic. Either way, I will choose to ignore this remark.\"`"
}
] | 20.5 | 99 |
28 | 2022-11-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"As you wish princess. One thing is for certain, that dragon is not one to fuck around with.\""
},
{
"author": "Deleted User",
"message": "M:`\"Oh, please. If the rest of my family were alive, the six of us would've killed it easily.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "TG:\"I highly doubt that. That thing torched you and casted you aside as if you were a mere ant to it.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"That is because a demon of that size requires more than one holy weapon to slay it. I hate to admit it, but I may require assistance from other warriors.\"`"
}
] | 27 | 112 |
24.285714 | 2022-11-08 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"How many are we taking about here princess? Because I guarantee you that thing could wipe out nations if it wanted to.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"I do not know, it could take... Why do you keep calling me that, anyway? I am a noblewoman, not a princess.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Well considering general line of succession in your family, you might as well be one.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"What family? My younger brother went missing and everybody else is dead, thanks to a certain loser in black.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"I didn't kill your other relatives now did I? The only one I killed of your kin was that old man who already had one foot in the grave.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"That does not make you innocent, you still have a body count that rivals most people's.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost remained silent. He wanted to hear more of what she had to say.*"
}
] | 24 | 170 |
51.333333 | 2022-11-09 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"You kill innocent human men and women. Not for money and power, not for vengeance, not even to defend those you care about. You kill for the sheer pleasure of it. So many have fallen to your blade, and for what? Your amusement? Sometimes I wonder if you can feel anything towards people besides a desire to make them your prey...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost darkly laughed * \"Perhaps you are correct or perhaps that's only a slight truth. What is for certain is that murder is my art. An art that I want to display whenever I can.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi just sighed, and a soft groan of pain could heard underneath her breath.* `\"But your art will only be appreciated by you. Nobody else will ever enjoy it.\"`"
}
] | 43 | 154 |
32.142857 | 2022-11-11 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Just how I like it.\" *This was a lie. Little did she know that she is more involved with his scheming than she realized.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"You sad, pathetic creature. Once I am healed to full strength, you will be all alone again, this time for good. Just stay away from me.\"`\n\n*There was venom in her words, the purest hatred any person could have for another.*"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Pathetic am I? Perhaps you should choose your words more carefully toward the person who saved your life from a dragon.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"I never asked you to save my life, now, did I? You just showed up uninvited, and now here I am, half the skin on my body a charred mess, incapable of moving more than a couple inches, and getting carried for heaven knows how long by somebody who probably has no idea where the closest healer is!\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost would stop in his tracks* \"I could just take you back to that dragon?\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*She rolled her eyes, about to say something sarcastic, but all that came out with a groan of pain*\n\n`\"You still have not told me why.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"As I said even I do not know my reasoning. Perhaps, seeing you gallantly trying to slay a dragon minding its own business made me swoon.\" *He would say mockingly while crafting yet another lie.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"If this is your idea of flirting, it is becoming increasingly obvious why you remain unloved.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "*The Ghost laughed.* \"Perhaps so, among other reasons.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi smirked, pleased at the opportunity to make fun of him.*\n\n`\"Is it because you are so hideous to look at that you have to resort to wearing the mask of a phantom?\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"My identity is this mask I wear. The one underneath has been long gone.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"So, you just never take the thing off? I can only imagine how much you smell under there...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Very funny princess. I guarantee it's not as bad as what you do right now.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"I just fought a dragon, what is your excuse? Not bathing for at least a decade? And all because of a silly ghost mask.\"`"
}
] | 27 | 450 |
25.125 | 2022-11-13 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"You assume too much and know too little. You should \"Broaden your horizons\" A touch. Maybe you might just learn something.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Says the man who refuses to express himself in any way other than spilling blood.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Excuse me, you don't see me criticizing your killing of demons. You leave my hobby alone.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Do not dare compare my actions to yours. I slay demons to protect humanity and purge their filth from the world so that we may have security. You slaughter your own species just for merriment.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\" Don't lie to yourself. You like seeing their blood on your blade don't you? Their corpse lifeless on the ground, food for the crows. Speaking of which, the correct demon seems to have an affinity with those birds.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Interesting. I have seen these monsters possessing or manipulating different animals, but never before with crows.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Indeed. It seems this one is especially tricky. We're almost toward a healer.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Finally. I will only rest a short while, and then I will be on my way once more. As thankful as I am that I am still alive, I will ask that you not follow me constantly like you were before.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Just goes to show how unaware you are of your surroundings. I see many... Life lessons coming your way.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"I am warning you, I do not tolerate stalkers. If I had my strength I would be carving out your beating heart.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"Now, now flattery will get you nowhere. Save your strength for something that you can do.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"...I am starting to wonder if you secretly have a blood fetish...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"A blood fetish? What is that?\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Nevermind. Like you know anything about the subject.\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Ghost",
"message": "\"It appears I do not. Hold on a second. I need to plan this.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "`\"Please do not. I do not want any part in whatever you might have in mind.\"`"
}
] | 21.5 | 402 |
106.75 | 2022-11-14 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Days had past since the encounter with that poor excuse of an assassin, Vylius still kept by the shoreline while his forces were building in the Banished Lands. At this point, Vylius's armada would be complete and currently stood on standby at his beckon call. However, Vylius would continue to wait until a diplomat from Aicrotor would come to either negotiate or declare war. It didn't matter to him, his forces were at maximum strength with fortifications along the coast to ward of counter attacks. In his mind Vylius was expecting a quick war if it came to that.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Walked forward towards the shoreline he spread his holy wings as he flew towards vylius he had seen massive defenses being set up and large logs and spikes in the beaches to prevent ships from landing in the coast there was construction on going to build gates across the entire coast and a wooden wall to allow only friendly ships in but prevent enemy ships from entering the entire navy was patrolling the seas and equipped with all the materials needed for way they had built there forces up to 200,000 soldiers 50,000 for the navy the rest allocated to building defenses entrenching themselves. He spoke quietly so the other heros couldn't hear.*\n\n`\"I have to speak quickly because you extended me your mercy and honor to trust me to do as was asked my king called upon the other heros to ambush you here and kill you now the other three heros are closing in fast if you don't get out they will kill you before you can spread your wings, we have about 3 minutes. My king is preparing for war he cares not for any negotiations, he is stubborn and ignorant like the rest of these heros that have lost there way of honor and integrity.\"`\n\n*He stood Infront of vylius quietly waiting his response.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The Black Dragon did not speak he simply nodded to save time before his body would contort as he shapeshifted into a giant black serpent that dove into the black waters out of sight, and headed back toward the Banished Lands.*"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "Let's say he got away!"
}
] | 85 | 427 |
113.5 | 2023-01-06 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*There was two heros patrolling jumping hundreds of feet at a time continuing to patrol the heavily fortified beaches the trenches were dug so well and deep made in an incline so any forces would basically have to climb directly up a hill into a hail of hell fire practically. There were thousands of troops constantly patrolling once there was a threat the bells began to ring out across the coast line all the troops began to rush Into positions as the two heroes flew into the air where the beam was coming from only the heroes were able to see and identity this threat as the vast ocean and distance from the human eye was only so good, they casted barrier spells one after another confident enough it would hold off any attack however this would test the reaction time of the aicrotor forces. If the heroes weren't in play vylius may have been able to make a move.*\n\n*The two heroes casted there magic together no activity for months but now when winter has hit and snow began to pile around in the bitter cold he wanted to attack this was a problem it aggravated the heroes as the casted magic to meet with dark beam causing it to explode against there barrier this rocked and shook the earth from how powerful the two opposing magics collided with they had resorted to containment but if he wanted to attack them through far distance they would have to devise a plan to attack the bells continued to ring as men moved into there positions with winter here morale amongst the men was low, troops were getting sick left and right and not alot of doctor were available to treat them all so the heroes had to step in occasionally but this depending on how often he would attack could throw a wrench in there operation.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The bright red/black glow returned emoting from the Banished Lands as another ear piercing screeching sound his heard as another Dark Beam attack attempted to obliterate their defenses.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The hero sent out a beam of light into the sky the third hero was being awoken from there bed in the barracks they would be getting there gear on and getting ready before heading over to reinforce the spells now with three heroes they were confident that anything the dragon shot at them wouldn't go anywhere they also didn't have to exert as much mana anymore and did the spells together it was much much easier to hold back the lower spells however it would rattle the troops on the ground that heard it and put them in a hyper aware state.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Another Dark Beam attack was on its way, across the sky shrieking before exploding as it collided with the barrier.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The heroes remained occupied with this development continuing to cast there spells to fight back the magic from the dragon.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Yet another spell was being casted. A brilliant red and black light shimmered as the dragon was creating a long object of pure dark energy with his hands. Then his booming voice could be heard coming across the ocean.*\n\"Abyssal Armament: Spear!!\""
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The heros saw the spell and by the booming voice assumed it was a powerful one of them spoke out there spell* `\"Holy Shield Of Valkyries.\"` *The flow of mana increased all across the barrier ranking the hit if they didn't reinforce it, it would have been damaged.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The spear would hit the barrier causing a 10ft aoe dark explosion and as quickly as it arrived it disappeared shortly afterwards. He would cast it again, his booming voice would echo.* \n\"Abyssal Armament: Spear!\" \n*Another spear of pure dark energy hurtled towards them.*"
},
{
"author": "azeltorez",
"message": "*While this occurs, there was worse occurring within the trenches - the impoverished Aicrotor army was not made for defensive holds like this, the conscripts they usually bring just to slow down the enemy's charges crammed into trenches, spreading disease amidst the rest of them - and the rats, there were so many of them that they seemed to be crawling out of the ground itself, likely attracted by the food the army had brought with them - or the corpses of those who fell victim to the diseases that were running rampant.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The heroes kept reinforcing the barrier with large amounts of mana they would hold the barrier for the foreseeable future until he ran of mana the evil dragon.\n\nTroops of aicrotor in the trenches kept trying there hardest killing all the rats they saw sometimes the very hungry peasants on the front lines would eat the rats. The disease infested trenches were absolutely disgusting they saw the rats eating at there peoples dead bodies they were ordered to start burning all dead bodies as an attempt to slow down the spread of diseases*"
},
{
"author": "azeltorez",
"message": "Vylius and Okia - Whenever they want.\n\n*To the troops and peasants' shock - eating the rats slowed down the spread... And then bigger, larger rats, like ones from the depths of the sewers of human cities started showing up - matted with buboes, their flesh was unwholesome to eat, and they were defecating in the water supplies and food, while the corpses burn in mass graves over the days of plague.*\n\n*Following this, new diseases begin to show up - more exotic than the normal diseases that follow a poor army in a trench, these were horrific - spreading necrosis through fingers that lose their sensation, some people waking up with their fingers unknowingly eaten off in the night by rats feasting on the necrotized flesh, and worse besides.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The troops would just kill the big rats and burn there bodies en masse and they began to bring in bob cats into the trenches to handle the grotesque rats that are bigger and not safe to eat they brought in from the mountains releasing hundreds around the trenches they would hunt the ears as it was an abundance of food supply the cats wouldn't be so territorial.\n\nWhen they realized the food and water supplies and food rations began to her rat feces on it they called upon there mages to do there best in cleansing the food and water but with so little mages in the front it was hard and would only slow down the spread of diseases. The army reacted in kind to the plagues but the upper echelons were getting tired of the poor peasants complaining about the trenches there food and water supplies they saw it as they were lucky they got anything at all. Those that began to get the newer diseases they simply killed them the captains and commanders wouldn't use there healers on peasants so they instructed to kill and burn any infected.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Black and red electricity crackled in the dark dragon's palm. He would raise his claw in the air and bellow...* \n\"Black Lightning Bolt!!\"\n*A black and red lightning bolt went straight for one of the heroes, as the lightning bolts are drawn to targets gifted with mana.*"
},
{
"author": "azeltorez",
"message": "*As the infected are killed and burned, bobcats eat the remains just as readily as they do the hideously large rats, which tend to fight back - which is odd for rats, but these were rodents of unusual size... Whatever the case, bodies burn, bobcats eat, and diseased rats slowly begin to disappear - except for the bobcats, who have rapidly decreased the number of rats in those coming days, and now are running out of rat to eat - and burnt manflesh is unpalatable... But there's all these sickly peasants around, and... Yeah, dragging in territorial bobcats from the mountains to eat the rats was now becoming a whole new problem.*\n\n*Of course, that was only for the poorest soldiers - the upper echelons had their own food, their own water, their own healers, and those damned peasants should just stop complaining and die on an enemy's blade already! The bringing in of healers reveals not just that the diseases were slowing in spread... But that these diseases, at least the ones that had the grotesque, leprosy-like symptoms, were unnatural - at least, if the overworked healing mages that actually HEALED the peasants bothered to examine things closely.*"
}
] | 81 | 1,589 |
155 | 2023-01-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The heros kept there barrier and decided to cast balls if magic around themselves to protect each other but also the forces since it was 3 of them a little magic to protect themselves was nothing the barrier would adjust to wherever the bolts would land protecting the people and army below it was pissing them off very much whenever the barrages would stop they would encourage the higher ups to let them lead an assault group to return the favor on there filthy little corrupted lands.*\n\n*The bobcats that were left alive would eat the burning and dead bodies however the alive humans didn't care much as they were well alive better the dead then them right? Officers were sent down dispatched to upper parts of the trenches to oversee things as they were informed they were being attacked they didn't want to get caught of guard by the coasts that wasn't guarded by the heros anymore.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would cast a different spell this time as a red and black flickered from where he was positioned.* \n\"Blackout.\"\n*He hissed, as anyone that was staring in his direction would be lose their vision for 1 turn. This would be the equivalent to a flashbang except the victims would only be in total darkness.*"
},
{
"author": "azeltorez",
"message": "*While this happens, well, the officers see things for themselves - peasants from the plague earlier still wasting away as the necrosis spreads, others dehydrated and malnourished in an attempt to stay pure and not be burned with the rest of the infected, and bobcats eating those burned corpses, - it was a gruesome sight, that is quickly banished from the faces of the officers by the speech of Vylius, that single word foreshadowing the immenent blackening of all beings in that area's senses... And a sudden surge of rats from beneath, swarming over the bobcats like they'd been waiting for the fighting to start to wreak vengeance.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The hero's expanded there barrier and introduced a new holy magic to it with each reinforcement spells to help block out the affects of the dragons spell once it hit the flash bang would be rendered nearly ineffective as it would only blind the troops for a few seconds the hero's remained unaffected as they were beings of magical power where were the mages of aicrotor they could at least help cast spells to defend the shoreline from some of the attacks that were being thrown.*\n\n*While the officers came down they looked at the plagues it was horrid the smell of burning flesh and human bodies mass grave sites it was disgusting it wreaked a stench worse then death itself as they looked at the spell coming towards them the officers ordered all there men to start killing every rat they see as the surge of rats came there were tens of thousands of troops slaughtering them all at once they began to order some of the plague striken bodies be brought inland as they were to be inspected by some mages that's if they would get inspected at all*"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "They about to go on the offensive vylius has done it now!!("
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*All three heros began to cast holy magic barriers layer over layer and widened the space across nearly a town space across the beaches. All three funneling waves of magic into it before the saw the meteors coming down into the there defenses they all began to cast there city destroying spells*\n\n`\"Lightnings Swords! Earth's haven! Gods apostles!\"` \n\n*Lighting bolts shaped like swords zipped thought the sky zig zaging left then right up and a little down at least a hundred directly towards the meteors and the beaches of the dark lands. This meant they had to drop some of there holy barriers.\n\nMassive golems began to appear out of the ground rising out oceans waters that were only feet deep spectral beasts made of pure rock and wood nearly 60 feet tall around 20 of them to tank the meteors and begin to head towards the shores of the dark lands whatever left of them survived.\n\nSpectral beings cladded in golden armor and wings appeared nearly a hundred each around 20 feet tall with massive spears riding holy flaming horses began charging at the meteors throwing there spears or just suicide charging exploding into a holy fire those who survived threw there spears in a holy blaze towards the defenses if any of these attacks landed it would level hundreds of creatures and cause holy explosions that would be in total city destroying from the wide space they covered.*"
},
{
"author": "azeltorez",
"message": "Me, skipping my turn"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The meteors coming from the darkness of space collided with spells the heroes casted resulting in massive explosions across the sky. This scene of absolute destruction brought a smile upon the dark dragon. He would see some spells get through his meteors.* \n*In response to this he would cast a series of spells.*\n*First one he would roar a spell.* \"GREATER CALL OF THE ABYSS!\" *A dark portal would erupt from the sky over the shore line as giant black tendrils would attempt to grab the heroes concentrating on their barriers as their primary targets. The tendrils would attempt to crush them and grapple them with their enormous size and weight while doing the same to the enemy soldiers below. If successful this would allow at least some of his meteors to get through and cause horrific damage and death on the shoreline.*\n*For any spell that would get through is meteors he would cast another spell.* \"Shadow Wraith!\"\n*50 Shadow Clones of Vylius would appear. Each of capable of using any of Vylius's abilities and do damage but die in a single hit. Each of these clones, including Vylius himself would unleash dark beam attacks and detonate each spell early before it could touch the ground.*\n*As for the Golems that were not destroyed by the meteors they would start tripping over themselves and sink into the dark waters of The Black Sea. Shadow Leviathans would wrap themselves around the golems's legs causing to plunged face first into the sea. At the same time the Golems would be in range of the 1,000 gunships in place at the coast which began firing upon the Golems with fiery balls of dark magic.*"
}
] | 155.5 | 1,240 |
43.25 | 2022-07-17 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Eventually he arrived at the swamp, beginning to speed through it as he witnessed the large green flowing fortress... What could have given Yenio the idea to come to such a place like this??? This kid needs to be tied down to someone to prevent him from wandering off...*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*As he sprinted through he would see the abundance amount of corpses lying around. This place was a past battlefield.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong shook his head as such a plan was a resting place for those who had fallen... How sad it is...*\n\n\"May the way of Dao and life guide them to the path of the after life...\"\n\n*Saying a small prayer for them, as he continued to run forward trying to reach Yenio...*"
},
{
"author": "Anima",
"message": "*Rode his horse to the swamplands following the faint hooves he looked around as his horse trotted forward he didn't know what he was looking for he would try to see where yenio had gone.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Eventually Cheong Myeong arrived back with Yenio encased in black and white flames. Along with the Koch following behind*"
},
{
"author": "Anima",
"message": "*Sees the undead man following with Yenio floating on some strange fire he pipes up*\n\n\"What the hell happened to the boy where is the boy at??\"`\n\n*He asked worriedly as he didn't care to much about the strange man following cheong.*"
},
{
"author": "The General",
"message": "*The General did not say a word."
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"He was stabbed by this man here behind me. Don't worry, he means good but is horrible with delivery. Yenio should be stable, but needs treatment when we get back\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong said, he continued walking with Yenio still encased in the flames*"
}
] | 49.5 | 346 |
44 | 2022-07-18 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Anima",
"message": "*Raised a finger before speaking*\n\n`\"He's in those flames? There not burning him?\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Don't worry he's safer inside than out here. Now let's go. Try to keep up Green Sir\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong warned, imbuing qi into his legs and beginning to run at a somewhat medium fast pace, slow enough for them to keep up*"
},
{
"author": "Anima",
"message": "*Kicked the side of the horse as it took off he clenched his fist in anger as what cheong said this man hurt a boy and yet... He let the man live... He should strike the green looking man here and now. Off they went towards the inn*"
}
] | 55 | 132 |
62.333333 | 2022-08-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Once the frigate arrived at their destination dark beings poured out of the ship and on rowboats. And just as the Noble said there were human guards from Aicrotor. A couple of the cultists went up to them and had a conversation of this was another batch of slaves in which the cultists confirmed as the dark beings were seeming herded toward the pillar where now the clear red and black lightning was striking at.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Walks along the path now running to get to the pillar past every demon in his path who was this umbra that these fools dare say could replace him?! He looked at the light beings in disgust they side with such filth to get things done instead of killing them and doing what they need to do anyway.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The human guards pointed at Orestis before attempting to sprint after her.* \"You there! Stop slave!\" *The cultists shook there heads as this was not the first time this had happened and put a hand on the guards before they could do anything.* \"As per our agreement they are our problem not yours. As long as you get the resources from the mines here, these slaves are ours.\" *The human guards looked at eachother before walking away from the scene.*"
},
{
"author": "Black Dragon Cult Apostles",
"message": "\"Pathetic. That country only cares about profit and nothing else. Soon we will be rid of them.\" *The cultists muttered before walking along with the rest of the dark beings.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Turned to here two guards yell stop with an aura that would make people crumble beneath it it until they were stopped he began this path towards the pillar his sharp teeth baring with excitement.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*He would travel through the wastes devoid of life, not even monsters lived here. A long line of dark beings were the only living things as they were herded through a gate. When he finally reached the pillar a sight beheld him.*"
}
] | 56.5 | 374 |
51.333333 | 2022-08-13 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The coastal defenses fired upon the invading ships with their Dark Matter cannons sending hundreds of red and black fireballs shooting accords the ominous sky toward the invading human fleet.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Shook her head before speaking as her eyes turned to dragon slits.*\n\n`\"They wouldn't risk brining someone of high value into this battle risking it all to sink. I only see officers and commanders in the ships all the way in the back skrimishes has been taken place now.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"There is always some kind of important figure overseeing battles like this. We just need to find them, whether they be a noble or leading commander to this. We must find them. Who's the strongest person on this battlefield so far that you can see?\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong asked*"
}
] | 59 | 154 |
86.333333 | 2022-08-14 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Maybe it should be the middle ship it is the most protected and can give orders to all the other ships based on what is happening in the front back and the sides.\"`\n\n*She points to the one far behind all the other ships there was multiple officers in that ship and 2 commander*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The invading ships that had turned to fire upon the costal defenses missed there first volley and began to adjust for the distance whilst they were doing that canons slammed into the side of there ships rocking them turning dozens of men into red mist and disabling dozens of canons however the ships were still able to take a few more hits and readied there canons about 20 of the ships with a total of 1,000 canons loaded and aiming they all fired upon the coastal defenses once more each ship having 110 canons on each side*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Then we need to somehow get to the middle ship. I'll use my divine sense\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong closed his eyes... A field was projected out, only visible to him. There he began to scan around for the strongest combatants present... To see at which level they stand at. If they are all far below him, he himself will go forward. If not, it'll be quite a dangerous place*"
}
] | 87 | 259 |
155.346154 | 2022-08-17 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The strongest combatants would be the commanders and the officer's and captains aboard the ship there were surprisingly no notable figures it were they using things to suppress there mana? There was three men that were they had on rings that surppressed there mana to make it seem they were three to four ranks below what they actually were.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"There is no way we will be able to board any of those ships without any violence they are racist humans if I step aboard they will try to crucify me the moment they lay eyes on me. The only other thing they say is worse then a demon is a demon lover, they call those people demon lovers if they support demons.\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Haish... It's rather dangerous then huh... Well what do you think we should do?\"\n\n*He was stumped as he didn't know how to really respond to this situation. And so he crossed his arms, shaking his head*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Well I say we just crash there party why not? I'm sure it will be fine brother.\"`\n\n*She picked him up in her arms and spreads her wings flying towards the clouds so they couldn't shoot her with arrows as she flies to the middle ship she drops down folding her wings only spreading them just before she hit the deck of the ship so she didn't shatter it*\n\n`\"There we are...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*As she landed on the deck the men on the ship drew there swords spears and individual weapons and charged mana into them as they instantly charged at her screaming*\n\n`\"Demon!! A devil!! Kill her now!!!\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong flew down with her in her grasp. Then when they landed he stood out, the man shook his head. The man took a deep breathe in, then out... In an instantly the floor beneath him caved in slightly, releasing an intense qi pressure from him. The feeling of heavy ness feel unto them as those whom are weaker than him would feel this.*\n\n\"If she's a demon, then you all are the embodiment of evil itself. Cease or you will fail upon your path of ascension...\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong said this, his eyes with a pink glow to them... His hair blowing wildly, keeping his hand in the hilt of the sword. This man was ready to cut down whomever came close to them with hostility. Behind Cheong Myeong, 3 swords made of pink qi hovered behind him, as they were ready to be used on command*\n\n\"Now I will say this, we have not come to fight. Lay down your weapons and we may be able to stop this war and save your lives\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Stands beside the other commander by the wheel of the ship, he scoffed at some of his men that seemingly froze in place to the man releasing qi. He began to causally walk down the stairs with a slave beside him he grabs the slaves hair as he walks down each step he throws the slave down the stairs with a bored look as he speaks with authority.*\n\n`\"Everyone do not attack the man let's see what the demon lover has to say let's entertain this clown.\"`\n\n*The other commander laughed walking down the other side of the stairs case there was another slave that was behind him cowering in fear with her head down.*"
},
{
"author": "Seishin",
"message": "*Was thrown down the stairs he groaned with each step he hit as he got the bottom he breathes heavily trying to catch his breath as he saw his master coming down the stairs he gathers himself quickly standing up and blowing his head to him closing his eyes.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Walks down the stairs with a sigh before speaking*\n\n`\"Oi oi what do you want we are men of god we have no need to have any negotiations with demons, or devil's or the devil lovers. You cultist disgust me demons belong as are slaves as the mighty God intended! You slave demon lick his boot! You slave girl come here and bow before your master.*"
},
{
"author": "Kafaria",
"message": "*Quickly moved over and got to her hands and knees pressing her head on the ground bowing to him out of fear he placed his boot ontop of her head she winces in pain bearing her fangs as her tail swishes in pain.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"This Junior thanks Senior for considering the option to listen to this junior's words... Just because they are demons, they deserve such treatment and to be enslaved? Would your god be someone who would wish the enslavement and bloodshed of people whom are good? No matter their race, blood, species, and appearance. They are still living beings. Your god would be ashamed to have amassed followers like this, justifying murder and enslavement... And how do you know this is what your god has declared? Do you have any proof? Anything to prove that your god has declared this? If not it's blasphemy to misinterpret and misuse the words of your god. But this Junior asks you take back your forces and reconsider the thought of peace and allowing co-existences with all races.\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong said this as straight forward as he could, while also trying to be polite and mindful of his manners. He let go of the hilt of his sword before crossing his arms.*\n\n\"If you are to use your God's words and twist them to your likings, you are not a man of god. This Junior apologizes if such a statement offends this senior. And I am no cultist, if I were ,most of you would've been cut down by my blade. And if you think having no negotiations with me is needed, then you will suffer for your actions as you do not understand what you are standing against seniors. Do not let your prejudice and narrow mindedness be the reason you all don't leave this battlefield... This Junior implores the seniors to think about their decision...\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong cupped his hands forward, bowing his head as he was practically pleading to save their lives from their imminent demise... Although he knew they wouldn't take his words seriously... He wished to at least hope to try to convince them to change their fates...*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Looked toward his commander Katar and began to laugh at this man his words were truly peak comedy at its finest to them. They're mood was light even in the midst of an ongoing battle there ignorance was showing*\n\n`\"Our god has declared this ever since he became a pillar in our land! He gave us magical power and his gifts in return we enslave all these filthy beings it his will! Without them as our sacrifices we would have no power we are the master race! Not these filthy Demi Dogs and Demi Cats whatever you call this filth that's bowing there head to me now. You as a human should be ashamed to defend such filthy vile beasts.\"`\n\n*He grabs Seishin by his hair the young lad was forced to his knees as he holds his hair and he groans in pain as he forces him to his knees Infront of cheong*\n\n`\"Don't you dare ever question our religion or our beliefs! We twisted nothing! You are simply speaking from your own ignorance and poor parenting that your family has failed to teach you that these Demons are evil! We shall not turn around not a single boat shall turn or shift we will not buckle to these filthy creatures. The only way we leave is when the sea is coated with there blood or when there on our ships in chains and on our beds to be used for pleasure for our men as our god intended. Co-existence has already been achieved we humans as the masters these Demons as the slave's.\"`\n\n*He forces the demon even further down to his waist and makes him face him forcing his thumb in the demons mouth as he forced the demon to make a lewd face*\n\n`\"Disgusting these Demons are can't you see even there make demons have no sense of self worth absolutely repulsive!\"`\n\n*He slams the demon to the ground stepping all over him like trash and kicking him over and over and over*"
},
{
"author": "Seigi Akuma",
"message": "**((you raggedy bitch.**"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Smiles as he sees his main commander has it all under control. He keeps his boot on the females head and shifts it left to right pressing harding in her skull*\n\n`\"They should be treated like roaches the world shall not be at peace until all demons are like her under our boot and under the rule of the empire of aicrotor, if our fleet doesn't make it to there shores for any reason, mass mobilization shall occur, it's about time we stop caving into the world's desires after we take this filthy island we shall go on a holy crusade of krunada! Then the Sicarlas nation filled with demon lovers! So far that I have known the kuraden empire may fall before we even get there ahah! Some foreign army from the rift has launched a full scale invasion of the nation good riddance less demons to fight!\"`"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Bites her bottom lip she couldn't take the slander anymore it was eating at her it was eating at her Patience it was over she was near her breaking point as her eyes turned to dragon slits she hissed in anger.*\n\n`\"You filthy humans deserve nothing but death!\"`\n\n*She hissed at them all bearing her dragon fangs at them what sent her over the edge was him forcing the demon boy to make a lewd face*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"If we are such a master race then we shouldn't need to exercise our power literally. All would understand and how, yet no one has bowed to the human race. This is nothing but more blasphemy to your own religion... This Junior cannot and will simply-\"\n\n*The man immediately covered Orestis's mouth after her outburst... Her speaking as much as he wished she could, needed to understand that they are standing in enemy lands...*\n\n\"And I am proud as a human to accept all, unlock you frogs within a well, the times will move or without you. Whether you want to be stuck believing in some sort of human-\"\n\n*Though before he could speak... Like the time once before, before coming here... His head fell down looking towards the ground... A mysterious and divine energy began to fill the man before them... The one's watching their descendent couldn't bear to watch the nonsense anymore... Human supremacy? They wouldn't dare if another \"God\" Intervened Hm? His qi began to fluctuate as it grew brighter and more refined... A feeling of a higher being descending into this man came... He looked up, his eyes twinkling with specs of gold*\n\n\"Oi... Why are you ants speaking to someone who belongs to the family of the sword god like they're trash huh? If anyone's family has failed, it is yours. In fact all of your families. As the one who deliver's the sword God's will, will you dare to go against my word? If you are truly human, you wouldn't be acting like the scumbag you are. If you're so tough, prove it in front of these people right now. Prove that you are truly the master race and that this man is some worshipper of demons. I welcome it...\"\n\n*The man smiled, as this Cheong Myeong was no longer himself... Within his mind, he drifted in the dark void within... Unconscious... Unaware of what was happening currently*\n\n\"And aren't you the biggest coward here huh? Hiding behind the coattails of your superior? I heard a rumor that one of you lacks a male organ that signifies manhood? And I think that it is you\"\n\n*The being before them pointed at Katar, then making a thumbs down as it was apparent that these thick skulled muscle brains weren't going to listen to facts and logic. So he'll play the same game as well*\n\n\"And I believe the commander on this ship lacks the basic necessary brain cells to think for himself, if a man can't see that death is awaiting them, it's as good as a blind man who refuses to use his walking stick\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Drew his sword from it's sheathe and kicked the boy to the side before turning to face him*\n\n`\"Get yourself to my chambers along with the girl you two will pleasure me when I'm done with this filth go get the other two females you filthy dog oh and chain yourselves to the floor I don't want to have to do it this time.\"`\n\n*He scoffed, as he walked forth to the man speaking blasphemy, heresy at this point he took a breath and spoke.*\n\n`\"Sword God? Sword God ahahaha!\"`\n\n*He started laughing then began to laugh more and more.*\n\n`\"Listen close your family is nothing but ants compared to our god a god is something someone who exists outside the holy Trinity! Outside of space time and matter you simply stating that you are some kind of sword God is just a human claiming to be something he is not equivalent to a clown with make-up now get off my ship and die a warriors death on the battlefield or die here and now with your filthy demon pet beside you and die like rodents this is my only warning.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Nerve was ticked as the man said on of them lacks a male organ and as he pointed to him he was enraged this human was so hell bent on defending these filthy demons it was unfathomable! He drew his long sword weilding it with one arm he spoke up*\n\n`\"Your the one the lacks any male organs or brains if your defending such creatures. I am certain I have make organs as these Demons we're pleasuring mine the entire sail here whilst you are probably some virgin boy.\"`\n\n*He lunged forward cracking the wood beneath his feet as flames appeared around his foot and sword as he spun in like a dance swinging down towards the side of cheong trying to cut him in half*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Oi are you fools going to really lead yourselves to your death? You know what... Fine, so be it. My descendent has tried saving you, but if you wish to continue to act so foolishly, then so be it. Good luck dying eh? OI my descendent's sister, take us out of here. We're leaving\"\n\n*The man said as he scoffed smirking as he tried. Now it was time for him to watch them burn... So foolish...*\n\n\"You want to ignore my words and warnings. Good luck, I will see all of you in hell. And you, if that were true, you would be a man and prove it. But since you wanna hide behind your Captain you're just a spineless coward who calls for mommy at night scared shitless if she doesn't come to bed tucking you in at night... Wah... Wah...\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Bared her teeth at them catching the sword with her hands as her dragon claws scratch into the steel her hand began to bleed from the force he put into it she covered cheong and herself in her wings protecting them from the fire she spreads her wings taking off into the sky towards the clouds angry.*\n\n`\"We can't leave them there brother we let those slaves die we can't! You saw how they were treating them!\"`\n\n*She grits her teeth as her eyes looked down at the boat at the man named Katar hurling insults at them*\n\n`\"They are the leaders of this attack they have something called mana surpressing rings, hiding there true magical power by a long shot.\"`\n\n*She closed her eyes as she begins to fly back to the coast feeling defeated*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Shoved his sword into the ground seeing the claw marks on it he looks to the other commander*\n\n`\"This shall not stand press the attack the first wave is already at the coastal defenses prepare the men to storm the beaches in the front ships. I shall join the front lines sir I will not let this transgression from such a feeble human go.\"`\n\n*He jumps off the ship onto the other one and keeps jumping from ship to ship until he is almost towards the fronts and then he begins to bark orders at the men to begin to beach there ships if they don't beach it use the smaller boats and row to shore.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Nods towards katar he sheathes his own sword and looks to the captains and officers on the deck of the ship as they were able to move again.*\n\n`\"Drop the sails full speed ahead order the front row of ships to turn starboard side fire every last canon we got into the coastal defenses bring some ships in range to caste magic attacks and fire arrows upon the enemies forces that have dug in. Let's let's go lest go!\"`\n\n*He yells at his men but he stayed true to his word he went to walk to his Quarters*\n\n`\"I'll be back once we have beached this ship or if something goes wrong I'll step in!\"`\n\n*He looks at his mana surpressing ring with a smirk as he enters his room in the ship he looks at his slaves and drags the male slave to the bed seeing he wasn't chained up yet angered him.*"
},
{
"author": "Seishin",
"message": "`\"I-...I! Sorry! Master master this slave is sorry!!!\"`\n\n*He begs as his neck was grabbed tightly and he rose his hands scared he began to get chocked he coughed trying to wheeze and breathe then he began to get beaten ruthlessly*"
},
{
"author": "Kafaria",
"message": "*Bit her lip she couldn't bare to watch her friend getting beaten anymore she ran forward with a dagger she stole trying to stab the man but he grabbed her wrist forces the dagger to the floor simply pimped slapped her standing up he began to walk towards her and pimp slaps her again then slaps her normally then another backhand until her lip and nose began to bleed he shoved his boot into her face knocking her over pinning her to the ground.*\n\n`\"Pull another stunt like that again I'll cut off his ears and tail! You filthy wench be a good slave and please master until the ship is beached.\"`\n\n*He spat directly on her face as he had charged it up before spitting.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"I'm not your brother, and we can't do anything. We have no real idea as to how powerful they are, either we risk dying now or wait to see another day to change this issue. Although it isn't the best thing, their lives will not be sacrificed in vain. But as my descendent was right, they feel threatened... Your father will have to listen. Actually no I doubt he'll listen too, they are both on the same side of another coin. Won't listen to anyone but themselves, unless they see a fit answer for them. This is not in my hands girl. My descendent needs to learn that violence is a must at times no matter the circumstance. When both sides refuse to listen and change, then let it be so.\"\n\n*The man said this crossing his arms. Seemed colder unlike Cheong Myeong, someone who's been through life... A life of a martial artist...*\n\n\"Let us relay the news to your father\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Flies away she wouldn't let this slide she will burn this fleet down in the name of her father in the name of a new utopia it will be built on blood and skulls of these racist humans if she had to do it that way her mind becoming corrupted with hate and anger after being reminded how her previous world was before vylius had liberated the demons.*\n\n`\"So be it he will learn and though you are not my brother I would like my brother back after we speak to my father if that isn't to much to ask.\"`\n\n*She knows deep down that her brother can keep her in check if he wasn't there... She would turn evil... She would turn into everything he wouldn't want her to be the things she would do to these filthy humans*"
}
] | 138 | 4,039 |
105.555556 | 2022-08-18 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Yes indeed he'll learn, the same way I can see that you're thinking about eye an for an eye. Revenge is dangerous, if you want your brother to be upset with you continue down that road and see where it takes you and what he will do if he sees you doing that. And it would seem my appearance didn't matter to em, but heh if I were truly a god or if my family were truly gods, I would be ashamed to be their patron gods. Ah, how foolish humans are before their ascension... Gosh, if they were to act like this in public, they'd be killed without a second thought ha ha ha. But let me tell you this, treat my descendent well and listen to him when he tells you things. Although he may be young and kind of naive, he already has the mind and maturity of those in their later years.\"\n\n*The man said this clearly, keeping his arms crossed, looking ahead of him as they approached the large fort*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Took his boot off her face as she was whimpering crumbled on the ground he leans down and grabs her by her hair as she screamed in pain he drags her across the floor his fingers roughly gripping her ears along with her hair he throws her on the bed and the wall*\n\n`\"Now you'll sit there like a good little slave and watch me make a bitch out of your male friend.\"`\n\n*He picks Seishin up by his hair and knees him in the stomach shoving his fingers into his mouth as it opened and onto his tongue as the demons face was red from pain and embarssement he looks at her as he smiles softly.*\n\n`\"Now bitch boy suck on my fingers Infront of her let her know who your master is you bitch.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Seishin",
"message": "*Was wincing in pain as he grabs the mans wrist that was holding his hair and ears he whimpers in pain as his knees were off the ground from being held up by his head he felt fingers shoved into his mouth after he lost his breath from being hit in the stomach he Gasps for air coughing but as his master told him to suck his fingers he looked down not wanting to do it*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"Oh ho ho... Seems that you have a little fighting you filthy disgusting demon your race is utterly disgusting filthy filthy beasts no better then unwashed barbarians or an animal bathing in its own shit.\"`\n\n*He had a disgusted look in his face he let go of his hair and let him fall to his knees before grabbing his tail tightly and yanking it hard until it bleed around it*\n\n`\"You will do as your told or I'll rip your fucking tail off.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Seishin",
"message": "*Cried and whimpered as his tail was yanked the most sensitive part of his body he twitches in agony and submits quickly sucking the mans fingers with a lewd face as tears fell down and his face was red*"
},
{
"author": "Kafaria",
"message": "*Watches in horror as he forced her friend to suck his fingers this destroyed any hope she had of ever escaping he was the strongest person she has ever met and to see him be broken and to do what the man said she better listen to him to all hope in her eyes began to fade away upon seeing this.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Smiles as he grabs the demons cheeks and gently rubs his head*\n\n`\"What a good dog such a good boy you are you filthy mongrel. I like that look in your eyes the look of hopelessness it brings me such joy! Now keep going until I tell you to stop act like your enjoying it!\"`\n\n*He began to laugh then knocked the boy over to the side and smiles standing up in victory he broke the new slaves in he drags the boy from the ground back up by his face and kisses him rolling his tongue around Infront of her in his mouth while choking him before throwing him on the bed leaving him in a coughing fit.*\n\n`\"I'll be back to deal with you. I have a war to win.\"`\n\n*He steps out back into the main deck*"
},
{
"author": "Kafaria",
"message": "*Cries as she watches the scene unfold as he was thrown into the bed she didn't move to catch him once the man left she quickly went over and pulled him into her arms and held him tightly*\n\n`\"It's ok you'll be ok just breathe just breathe please breathe don't die!\"`"
},
{
"author": "Seishin",
"message": "*Struggled to breathe as he rubs his neck in pain his bruised wrists with shackles on them as he looks at her with a hopeless look in his eyes he lowers his head as his ears fold to his head with no sign of life even though he was alive and breathing he had no will to fight no will to do anything.*"
}
] | 84 | 950 |
51.833333 | 2022-08-19 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The ships began to reload there canons to continue there bombardment on the coastal defenses men on row boats began to be lowered into the water hundreds of row boats began to be set into the water anchors began to drop into the sea they were preparing for a massive beach landing on the banished coast with Katar as there leader in the front boat*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The creatures that were targeting the front ships retreated toward the back as they continued to assault the ships. The artillery fire that came from the costal defenses rained down black and red fire upon the ships, as they neared the land.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The men on row boats were being torn to shreds with no cover from the canons being fired down upon them red mists of smoke began to fill the air with screams of men missing arms and legs until it would be silenced as they sank into the water drowning*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*On one of the front row boats was watching his men get turned into swiss cheese he got angry and screamed at them*\n\n`\"You bastards we will kill you all!!\"`"
},
{
"author": "General Zorzal",
"message": "*Little did these humans realize the most esteemed general of Vylius's army was leading the defense. He motioned for the archers to release their bows. Soon the sky would be shadowed by the dark infused arrows that were fired upon the invaders and after the volley the artillery continued its unrelenting assault of black and red fire.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*A loud roar would be heard in the near distance. Vylius will arrive in 2 turns.*\n\n*Vylius will arrive in 1 turn.*"
}
] | 52 | 311 |
96.15 | 2022-08-20 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Was on the first boat as it began to row towards the shore there was at least 1,000 men closing in the first boat finally touched the beaches and the men began to rush off and screaming in a battle cry as they began to run into a shield wall formation to avoid possible arrow fire this wouldn't protect them from canon fire and it made them easier to pick off with canons it was a choice they decided to try this one first.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The cannons did not fire at them instead a large black dragon landed with such force it shook the very ground they stood on. The dragon casually looked at the invading force with a wicked smile. He would open his third eye that gleamed brilliantly as he picked up on of the ships and crashed it into the invading ships as if playing bumper cars and breathed black and red fire upon the invaders that made it to land.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Jumped into the sky he casted a magical barrier over his men it glowed bright blue as it was holding back his fire the men behind him began to cast spells to reinforce the barrier then he charged a spell of rock spike to the dragons mouth trying to pierce his throat*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*When Vylius saw the blue magic barrier he immediately switched tactics. Sure this barrier might negate magic but not physical attacks. So he did a 360 tail swipe into the group of men. The rock spike would hit the back of his tail which would be merely a tooth pick to Vylius as the rock spike made sparks as it hit Vylius's dark scales.*"
},
{
"author": "Ter'ran",
"message": "*When the invading ships began to ram into each other without control as they were unable to do anything to combat this the men started casting spells hooking magic chains to the sea floor and connecting there ships to prevent them from being thrown around. The canons of the ships turned there guns towards the dragon and fired as he tail swiped the men hundreds of canon balls were hurting towards him*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Saw the tail swipe and jumped to the side avoiding it his men on the ground around 30 got crushed or maimed the other began to run at him with there weapons and tried to attack him*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would catapult himself into the sky with his wings sending the men in front of backwards by the wind pressure left by his wings. Leaving the men charging at him at the mercy of their own allies cannon fire. The artillery from the coast commenced once again firing upon the ships while Demonic Archers rained down volleyed of their dark infused arrows that casted a shadow over the cost about to rain down on the men. So not only did they have to worry about their own cannon fire from their ships but also the arrows about to rain down upon them.*\n\n*When Vylius reached the point above where the ship's guns can't reach him, dark magic built around his maw as it glowed red and black. He then let out his \"Dark Beam\" Which he began sweeping the water ship after ship they would explode as the beam connected to them.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*They were now at the mercy of three things canons from there own ships canons from the shore defenses and arrows the men began to run back into the water and tried to swim back to there ships to avoid the slaughter the first wave of men was an absolute massacre to get on the beaches, they were woofully unprepared, as the dark beam came down onto a few ships the sounds of creaking and breaking before shattering then explosions as barrels of oil from a few ship that would rock every ship around it in the water. This had by now caught the attention of the main leader the commander... One of the hero's of the world. At least the hero of the racist human world.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Walked out of his living area and drew his sword cheong had made a good choice to not engage in combat with this man he was the highest of all the ranks he took off his mana suppression ring as he did so wind picked up around him as he jumped into the air running in the air as if he was on solid ground coming directly for vylius*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would notice this man obviously challenging him. A grin befell the dragon, as he casted his next spell.* \"Dark Lightning Bolt!\" *A bolt of black and red lightning would hone in on the man if he possessed mana if connected the lighting bolt will say a moderate portion of their mana along with doing lightning/dark damage.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Sheathes his sword and moves his hands in opposite directions I'm a circle until they meet in the center then he wrote with his hand a symbol in the air as a magical circle appeared it burned itself into the world and would attract the lightning bolt his fists then caught ablaze in fire.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would charge up his \"Dark Beam\" Attack and releases it at the man.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*As the lightning bolt hit the circle he jumps further into the air running full speed towards the dragon he was using magic to run in the air it was the only way this was possible, he would barely dodge the dark beam he jumped over it and began to run just above it as the molecules beneath his feet began to shift as he had gotten closer to the dragon he rose his fist using martial art fist form 1 he throws all his might into this punch towards the dragons chest but it wasn't just his fist, a massive fire fist also came out it was the size of the dragons chest and it would feel like a solid object if it connected however he had no clue of his opponents abilities, nor of it's weaknesses he was thinking about retreating until he knew more but as a hero he must hold his ground.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would grin as he stopped the hero dead in his tracks with his telekinesis and pushed the hero back with his mind at a safe distance. Then black tendrils erupted out of Vylius as they would attempt to impale the man as Vylius held him there with his eye.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*As he was frozen he closed his eyes and around him he casted a spell as he was encased in holy magic and he rose a magic wall Infront of the magical ball he encased himself in he now revealed his power*\n\n`\"Release.\"`\n\n*He broke free from the dragons spell his ultimate ability command speech, he began to walk forward sending the holy magic wall towards vylius and changed it to a magical sphere to try and trap him inside it he drew his sword as it glowed a light blue he jumped towards him as he had a blue line coming from his eye from his mana and speed if the tendrils were able to pierce through the barriers he would cut them swiftly to knock them out chop them out of his way towards the dragons throat*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The dragon would smile as he shapeshifted into a creature which immediately sent him downward toward the ocean at high speeds with the loss of his wings using gravity as momentum.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Waved his hand as he kept his sword clutched in his hand the sphere of holy magic shifted and moved to the oceans surface to try and stop the dragon*\n\n`\"If you wish to run and not face me...\"`\n\n*He rose his sword and swung in 7 different directions Infront of him leaving after images Infront of him of the sword*\n\n`\"Winding spiral.\"`\n\n*7 slashes appeared and went towards the coast they were 50 feet long and would be an aoe attack as it would explode on whatever it hit and go through it for 10 feet he aimed for the coastal defense and prepared his next attack*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*On the ships the men managed to get more ships to the front and more canons onto target they began to fire all there canons hundreds of canonballs came down onto the coastal defenses and archers that had previously given up there location by shooting at there men that began to storm the beaches. \n\nAt this same time 30 warships we're heading directly to the beaches and began to get extremely close to shore only inches from beaching and turned to there starboard side dropping down the unboarding planks amd nets and men began to scream in battle cry running towards the coastal defenses*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Flaps her wings as she made it to the defense of the coast the battle seemed to only have gotten bloodier why was her father holding back? The fleet was still there for some reason? He could have just destroyed them all already why was he toying with these humans? She channeled fire magic and landed on the ground to help the demons on the ground she began to cast a fire wall burning a few dozen men as they screamed in agony she shot a fireball at others with her hand burning them to a crisp and sending them flying she felt something in her unlock another ability she rose her finger to the sky*\n\n`\"Elemental arrows!\"`\n\n*40 arrows of different elements appeared in the sky of fire, ice, nature, wind, the ice arrows came crashing down freezing anyone in a five feet radius the fire ones exploding like mines the nature ones having vines come from the ground and piercing dozens of soldiers and making them one with the thick spikey vines. The wind ones came like razors tearing the men apart and as it passed them*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius's shapeshifted into a giant crow with its feathers provided the ability to stop himself quickly and glide upwards. He cawed to the sky activating his \"Call of the Void ability. Several dark meteors fell from the sky on both the coast where the invaders were, the ships and the man. Capable of destroying multiple cities.*"
}
] | 76 | 1,923 |
90.869565 | 2022-08-22 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Saw the several dark meteorites coming down he pointed his sword into the sky and casted a spell unlocking his ultimate ability as 6 holy wings spread like a phoenix with golden feathers falling all across the battlefield it had an area effect of healing any wounded from both sides but granted a holy aura of protection to his men and burn any demon in it's wake his wings manifested into bigger magical ones and they grew as he covered himself and the men below along with the ships to protect them from attack this was also a multi city level spell as he gritted his teeth how powerful was this dragon??? How powerful?? Was he calamity...? He couldn't risk that... He had to order a retreat! He had to escape before things got worse all his men could die. His wings glowed bright covering the battlefield in the sky*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Looks towards the sky seeing the spells being cast which was beyond her capabilities she spread her wings and flew back away from the battle towards the fort she didn't want to get in the way of her father or slow him down. She did however fired another wave of Elemental arrows towards the men on the beaches before leaving.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would transform again into a giant creature this time reaching the ocean without interference. He would be unseen entirely until a monstrous slithering body would crash into the ships crushing them and sending any dark being survivors into the ocean where his monsters would pick them up and carry them to safety. Below the surface of the water a red glow could be seen from the ships as another \"Dark Beam\" Attack blasted out of the water toward the hero, the shockwave of it was great enough to capsizing ships nearby it.*\n\n*The explosive slashes the hero did would collide with walls of the nearest costal fortress as Vylius took this precaution when terraforming and had fortresses all over the The Banished Lands Coast. The slashes would collide with the fortress wall showering rock and debris into the sky. As part of the wall was destroyed from the smoke of debris red and black fire came out it aiming toward the invaders on land as some of the demonic forces began sallying out.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*After managing to protect the men in the shores he spread his wings and he spun gracefully pointing his sword to the water and firing a holy explosion beam under the water where the creature went as he saw the men on the coast being charged at and a bloody battlefield began to take place and the ships that were being hit by the beast began to capsize his holy beam collided with the dark one causing an explosion, he grits his teeth as he swings his sword in 14 slashes once more to the coastal defenses and the beasts charging at his men this time the slashes caught ablaze in a golden fire he landed as his slashes we're city level spells he ran dashing through the Sally out cutting demons innhakf amd cleaving heads off with ease*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The Fortress would be utterly destroyed as the hero mostly killed Fiends that were on the frontline However, little did the hero realize the fire coming out of the destroyed wall were from Nightmares, while not as powerful as a hero class, their fire however is still powerful enough to damage a hero as they were located in the middle of the fortress and continued to fire upon the entrance at the hero.*\n\n*While the hero focused all of his attention on the single fortress, Vylius would destroy ship after ship with ease as both crewmen and slaves would be thrown into the water, the slaves would be rescued by Vylius's aquatic monsters and the crew men devoured at the same time. If the hero wishes to risk Aicrotor's entire army as this was probably the most it had to offer compared to the over 1 million demons, and monsters he is more than welcome in Vylius's perspective. He would make more in the future, if it came to it.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Grits his teeth as he sees the fire he casted a holy spell over himself as a holy shield formed Infront of him he had enough games he was done playing around with these filthy demons he rose his sword to the sky as a ball of holy fire rose up and shot into the clouds then tens of thousands of massive arrows formed glowing golden this was a multi city destroying spells then he waved the sword down each arrow that hit would cause an explosion to shake the earth and kill everything around it each arrow being able to blow up in holy fire anything 50 feet of itself. He saw his fleet of ships being turned over and his men being killed by the thousands he turned his attention to the beast under the water he flew over his ships he was flying just above them he casted a spell as thousands of chains came out from his hands and plunged into the water he tried to catch the beast it was beyond annoying to have something he couldn't touch in the water.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The multiple city wiping spell would not only destroy the fortress and the 10,000 demons/ monsters within it, but it would also effect his men on the coast as well. As tens of thousands of arrows of the impact radius of 50 feet would annihilate anything both the fortress, the demons, monsters, the cannons and even his own men. 10,000 down over 900,000 to go.*\n\n*What the hero did not expect when he casted the chains is for Vylius to come to him. He had transformed into a monstrous great black serpent which erupted from the water with his mouth open with a \"Dark Beam\" Charging. From this range the hero would either be devoured and eviscerated by the energy Vylius was producing or the beam would connect with him.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*He saw the attack incoming with no time to dodge or move out of the way he swung his hand with the chains as his only option using this same spell he pulled the chains back to attempt to wrap around vylius mouth and body to force his mouth shut this was in desperation he didn't know if he had enough time to do it but he hoped he did he couldn't use his grimoire as it would mean death so this was his best option.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*With Vylius's giant serpent form, his jaws would be perfectly vertical from where the Hero was at. The chains would struggle to reach the top of his mouth before the \"The Dark Beam\" Fired at almost point blank range at the hero.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Eyes watched the beam as his eyes were filled with the color of it he moved his sword Infront of him as the dark beam hit him and the sword he screamed in agony as the sword was taking the brunt of the beam but even the holy artifact had it's limits it began to fade away into ashes as the hero screamed in agony as the beam was finished his body began to fall as he went unconscious*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*His body would fall right into the giant maw of Vylius as the giant serpent's jaws snapped shut. The hero was inside the mouth of Vylius as he charged up yet another dark beam attack. Once completed he would look toward the sky throwing the unconscious hero in the air and unleash another beam attack at him.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*His men below on the ships began to turn there ships starboard side and around started from the back as they cut there anchors loose and began to attempt to flee they left those for dead of they couldn't make it to the ships in time.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Was watching the entire fight unfold as he saw his commander being thrown in the air he casted a spell which encased him as he jumped towards the nearest ship he knew if he failed arthurian would die.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The Dark Beam would fire upon the hero attempting to turn his unconscious body into a pile of ashes.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*As the beam fired upon the ball of magic, he was panting as it shattered just as the last bit of the beam hit arthurian he casted another spell throwing his hand towards him it was a wind spell and sent arthurian flying towards him he would catch his half dead body and looked at the dragon*\n\n`\"You monster.\"`\n\n*He grits his teeth as he jumped from ship to ship to the front ships that was escaping there was nothing standing in vylius's way from killing them all now if he wanted the thousands of men that were on the beach we're now stranded*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The giant black serpent's body contorted as his body grew smaller into his dragon form. He would take flight and pursue the ships with red and black fire spraying from his maw, he wanted that man dead and forgotten. He wasn't concerned about the men on the beach they would either die by his surviving forces, the land itself or the monsters that now inhabit the land. Meanwhile beneath the water of the ships Shadow Leviathans began assaulting the hills of multiple ships attempting to sink them to rescue the slaves, aboard the ships when they sunk.*"
},
{
"author": "Kafaria",
"message": "*Felt her shop being rocked by the hull as she held onto Seishin she was scared and worried that they would die here she hoped she wouldn't die with Seishin all she wanted was freedom.*"
},
{
"author": "Seishin",
"message": "*Rested in her arms quietly he was sleeping peacefully as he was snuggled in her lap not knowing what was going on around them.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Saw the dragon coming towards the main ship he refused to let this dragon get arthurian he jumped into the sky as the black fire burned the ship and killed the men aboard he began to fly using his wind magic trying to escape the crazy homicidal dragon.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius was in pursuit. He would breath black and red fire balls at Katar. The Shadow Leviathans kept destroying ship by ship allowing the Lurkers beneath the dark water to carry the slaves to the safety of other costal fortresses along the banished coasts. If this kept up most of the slaves would be rescued and no ship would make it home.*"
},
{
"author": "Kafaria",
"message": "*Feels her ship begin to sink as the ship started to sink she broke the window holding onto Seishin she jumped into the water and began to swim she was scared holding him in her arms*\n\n`\"Someone help!\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*As the ships kept getting sunk more and more people started swimming back to the aicrotor coast and holding onto the surviving ships they began to use water magic to move there men to save whoever possible.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Saw the black fireballs he made it to the black see and dodged each one flying higher into the sky*"
}
] | 65 | 2,090 |
67.8 | 2022-08-12 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would awaken from his long slumber. Everything has turned just as he had foreseen. However, he would find Orestis not in the fortress with him. He was confused of where she could've gone, and opened his third eye to find her through telepathy.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis (Dragon)",
"message": "*Began to glide slowly down to the fort as she slowly layed down as cheong would get off she slowly changed back to her female form she was naked again her clothes were torn to pieces she had already covered herself with her hands*\n\n`\"Can I burrow your robe brother?\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong lannded, his eyes wandering all around the place as he wondered where in the hell have they gone to? But when she asked for his robe, he immediately took it off and covered her*\n\n```\"Right... We haven't turned the magic threat into clothing yet... We should try to get you some clothes that don't break after. And also... Xiao Ore... Forgive this Big Bro for saying this... But where in the hell are we...\"```"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The front gates were seemingly unguarded as the doors to it opened revealing as if beckoning them inside. Around them tendrils swayed back and forth not attacking them. However, they were of course being watched by unseen eyes.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Closed her eyes as the area looked like a hellish landscape she turned to face cheong before speaking.*\n\n`\"My fort. Also... A castle... I have been called back to throne. This is my home...\"`\n\n*She wraps herself up in his robe and begins to walk inside the fortress she was Unphased by the tendrils as she looks around*"
}
] | 59 | 339 |
99.485714 | 2022-08-13 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*The man sighed, nodding as this was going to be a rather interesting thing. He followed her as his eyes continued to wander all around him*\n\n```\"I see I see, throne? Xiao Ore, explain what the situation is\"```"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*In the middle of the throne room lay a giant black mass, although at the distance they were at, they could not tell what it was.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Walks forward as she looks in the throne room she turns to face him before speaking.*\n\n`\"Questions for later not right now.\"`\n\n*She would walk towards the black mass quietly her eyes filled with a fire for battle*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "```\"Haish... You better explain soon\"```\n\n*He sighed following Orestis. But when he saw this black mass, this made him curious as he wondered what that thing was*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The black mass upon closer inspection was in fact folded in wings as a tail is seen slithering from the front of it toward the back. The wings the unfurl casting a shadow over them both as a giant black dragon was revealed, just peacefully sitting in the middle of the throne awaiting them.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She smiles softly upon seeing him she was a little scared but he was her father... She took a breath before speaking*\n\n`\"I didn't know this was the fort you wanted me to have control over... It is empty I see no guards... Or servants of any kind...?\"`\n\n*She spoke allowed to him*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong stopped there seeing the large black dragon... And he sure as hell connected the dots on who that dragon was... He knew that it was her father... He stood there silent as he didn't know if he were allowed to speak, and if he were to speak would it be out of turn and in return kill him?*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The dragon seemed to be disappointed.* \"It disappoints me to see that one of my children has learned nothing of our time spent together. Things are not always what they seem.\" *The Black Dragon points to the ceiling with one of his elongated claws. If they would look up they would see hundreds of singular red eyes peering down at them. The Abyssal Guard. Vylius is a creature of cunning and tactics, if they were any other intruder they would be dead on the spot.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Smiles softly before shaking her head*\n\n`\"When there is a master there is always a student and always something to learn.\"`\n\n*She looked up towards the ceiling to see the abyssal guard before speaking again.*\n\n`\"I didn't think you would work so quickly there is a fleet coming I'm sure your already aware I counted at least 180 ships or more of humans armed with heavy equipment they have wasted no time in trying to kill us.\"`\n\n*She said softly.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You are correct in both statements. I figured I would give my newest creations a test run. I'm sure you've seen them boarding the enemy vessels. I call them Seekers, the bioluminescent monsters. If they reach our costal defenses and they prove to be inefficient, General Zorzal will inform me and I will intervene.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"I see well I would like to know how did you come up with the idea with that after this... But before you go further with any plans don't you want to know who my companion is here first before spilling all your plans.\"`\n\n*She smiles softly at her father looking towards Cheong with a serious look hoping he didn't anger her father she would hate for them to not get along...*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Ah, yes your new human companion. I did see him in your memories, I almost forgot introductions.\"\n\n*The Dark Dragon looked at Cheong.* \"Greetings, I am Lord Vylius, leader and protector of the Dark Beings, and father of demons. You are Cheong Mheong correct? Martial artist, and more honorable than most humans I've encountered.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*The moment the dragon spoke to him, he was prepared for the introduction, though rather nervous. He bowed while cupping his hands in front of them towards Vylius*\n\n\"This Junior greets Senior protector and leader of dark beings, as you know I am Cheong Myeong, Sword Master of Mount Hua and known to be the sword dragon of the Murim world. Senior's words flatters this Junior too much, I am but a simple Taoist and Swordsman\"\n\n*He said this calmly and naturally as he himself has been in many many cases in where he has needed to go through such formal greetings.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"So tell me, human. Am I as you thought I'd be? In Orestis's memories, you've said... Questionable things regarding me and her, so I'm curious to what your response is. And... No lying.\" \n\n*Vylius would open a his third eye located on his head just above is two normal ones that gleams a brilliant crimson.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"If this Junior may speak his mind, I have only heard random bits here and there. Because she is a black dragon I assumed you were a black dragon as well, and well I heard you were rather powerful as well. But one thing I wish to say and forgive me if I am disrespectful when I say this. But I have heard that you have destroyed a kingdom of this land, is that true?\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong said this genuinely and didn't lie about what he had said. However, what he asked was something he wished to be confirmed as he had heard this from an old general. If this is confirmed, he may find himself in a rather sticky situation*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Indeed I did. Back then, I was at war with the entire world and some woman had kidnapped Orestis and brought her to a hostile kingdom. I pursued and was fired upon without provocation. When this woman has vanished with Orestis, I eliminated the enemy kingdom by taking out their capital city in one single spell which left the rest of the kingdom is disarray in which I conquered as I did the rest of the existing kingdoms.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"I see, this Junior understands Senior's words\"\n\n*The man nodded as he stayed in the same boy and arm position. He had not moved from that spot. But after this was when he stopped being in the position he was in. He took a deep breathe in and out as he simply didn't know what to say nor do*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The Dark Dragon eyed him curiously.* \"Perhaps it seems that you do believe that I'm a monster who needs to be brought down... By my own daughter no less.\" *His voice changed into a growl.* \"Let me make myself perfectly clear, I exist to liberate the dark beings and cease the hunting of them that the beings of light and life partake only because of the dark beings' existence. I will stop at nothing to achieve my Dark Utopia once more, where the creatures of the dark may live in peace and prosper under the shadow of my wings!\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"If Senior would allow for this Junior to speak his mind. Although that is a great and wondrous way. But at the cost of how many lives? I have not been hostile nor disrespectful to senior, so this Junior would ask that there would be no assumption made about this Junior.\"\n\n*For someone rather so powerful and grand, he is one who shows sign of a ruler with an iron fist. Whether this black dragon is not is up to how Vylius continues to carry himself on. But one thing was sure, this dragon is a dragon who doesn't care about what the cost is to attain his goal... Someone who doesn't care about others but his own and objective is a rather dangerous being...*\n\n\"And this Junior would like to ask about those who aren't dark beings under your rule? What will happen to us humans?\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She took a soft breath and remained quiet as she listened to her father her eyes changed into her dragon slits along with her fingers becoming dragon claws but why did she do this*\n\n`\"I'm the previous world my home nation called ebbfell made up of humans demi humans ect, lived peacefully along side my father. Those humans that wish to do anything to keep us demons in chains will have to be removed. The rich, the nobility, the royalty will not give up there demon slaves because we simply say hey can you please let them go. They deserve right and freedom they would rather watch the world burn then to see us free. Combatants will be put down swiftly. Non combatants won't be dragged into this. This is of my knowledge. I don't however speak for my father.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"What my daughter says is true. We actually had this discussion upon my return. Non-combatants will be left alone. However, any who dares attack me and my demons will be considered combatants and be dealt with as such. I won't kill every combatant however, some will be shown the error of their ways by my gifts. But as I told Orestis, this is war. Death is inevitable including civilians unfortunately. However, that being said I will not target non-combatants. I hope for coexistence.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"I will say this as a human in this land. Seeing a large black dragon coming with a very large army is very scary thing. Senior alone is terrifying. As a human this is what my natural response will be, \"There is a big dragon, very scary, natural response is think he is enemy and kill. Oh he's come to take my slaves to, definitely\" Is the typical human response. There is never a need for violence unless one wishes for violence. This may not need to be a war, but needs diplomatic representatives that don't look frightening nor intimidating or will give the impression that they will wipe you off the face of the earth even when it comes to appearances. Us humans when given the wrong impression or image will make things harder for you. If you wish for a utopia, don't let it be a utopia that was built on blood.\"\n\n*He said this rather firmly as he didn't understand the Nicholo Machiavelli ideal present, the ends justify the means... Such thinking is flawed... As a place built upon the blood of innocents and all those in front of this conquest isn't a future others should live and accept...*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You preach this yet this is the very cause of the hunting of our kind. Our appearance, do you really think that can be helped that we are created this way. The nation of Ebbfell was the first and only human kingdom that allied with us. This did not require us to come to them with a different appearance we shared the common goal. Your kind hunts and kills anything that's not like them, it's rather audacious of you to proclaim such a solution to creatures who can not change their appearance to look more human. No need for violence you say? What do you call the human army knocking on my door? I have not raised a hand against them and look. They're here to invade me.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"And Senior, while they have chosen such a thing what was your response to them knocking on your door with an army? And I have misspoken when I said appearances. I am not saying one should change their appearance but change their auras. And as I have said before \"A black dragon suddenly appears, you are scary and terrifying with a large army.\" Of course they would come knocking on your door. As I understand, currently they see you as invaders for suddenly appearing in their kingdom unannounced saying that you would free theirs slaves and will kill whoever stands in their way. Would you yourself not be threatened to see such a sudden appearance? Looking at other perspectives is a thing one must do as a leader. Although I cannot speak for the entirety of the human race, but I will say one thing for sure. You are a threat in the eyes of a human. But one thing is for sure, to give them the response they want justifies their actions towards you. And I'm not saying that it is rightfully justified, but it is justified to them\""
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You are gravely mistaken. This is not their land. These are called The Banished Lands. It was not owned by anyone when I returned. This was a dumping ground for unwanted beings. The kingdom that is currently attacking us is Aicrotor, a kingdom of racists. They either enslave or kill what is not human including dwarves, Demi-humans, elves ect... You do not understand war or politics, and how could you? You spend your days constantly training to get stronger. You prepare your body for battle, yet you would rather not take action against an undeniable threat. And now you proclaim that I should just let these invaders come ashore?\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"It seems that this Junior has misspoken when I said appearances. But my entire point is, violence won't solve everything all the time... And I lack much knowledge of the outside world, but as a Taoist I implore and beg Senior to hear out Junior's words and take it into consideration. Although you yourself may not be a threat, but they think so. If you allow them force you to act how they want you to, then you'll truly become what they make you out to be. I know you wish for a utopia, a place for all. But as someone who's the last of my long lineage, war will only bring about pain... A reason to hate others... I would know as my family was destroyed because of hatred. War will only make their hatred and disdain for demons even greater. This will indirectly impact the demon slaves as they will be punished for their growing hatred of demons... Please if this can be resorted in a way that won't involve a sea of red... This will ultimately help you achieve your goal under better circumstances... Would you wish for a Utopia built on the bloodshed of enemies and innocents... Can you be at ease knowing innocent lives will be sacrificed for your Utopia?\"\n\n*As this point it wasn't a debate anymore but a plead to listen to his words and to take them into consideration. If that much is done, then at least Cheong Myeong will know that he will not have to leave his sister because of her father's wishes. He stood there rather defeated as he couldn't do anything else*\n\n\"But I understand if Senior says it's not possible... This Junior apologizes for my opinions...\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She turns to face cheong with a soft expression before speaking to cheong.*\n\n`\"Then if what you say is true right... That we should try and go about it in a diplomatic path. Why don't you try to go and speak to the army that is currently sailing across the ocean over here to kill us all from the nation of aicrotor I think it's called. I want you to see for yourself why... My father thinks he can not reason with them not because he isn't willing to it's because they are unwilling to you can bring a horse to a river to drink water but you can not force it to drink from it.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"The humans are only out for themselves and these ones despise everything that's not them. Including elves, dwarves and my people. What they do not kill, they will use as slaves. I admire your dedication to peace, however sometimes peace is never an option.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Haish... Then I will go see if I can reason with them...\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong said this turning around and beginning to walk out as he now would need to do more work... Here it would seem that Cheong Myeong was just doing chores? Cleaning up the messes of others... Now he must go clean up the mess made by the two factions... Truly unfortunate*\n\n\"I will be back, if I'm not back without I would say maybe an hour or so? You can consider me dead or captured\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Your not going alone I will accompany you. Or at least father can have one of the abyssal guard accompany you. If you don't return. I will burn this world down looking for you.\"`\n\n*Her eyes turned to dragon slits along with her dragon claws coming out from her fingers*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"He will be safe on the mainland. It's getting to their warships that will be the tricky part. My monsters are locked in combat with them. In fact one of the groups has taken over a vessel and is attempting to ram it into the other ships. I also must warn you, that the humans are nearing our costal defenses, those I can't prevent from firing, once they are in range.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"This Junior appreciates Senior's advice. Xiao Ore I am ready to leave when you are\"\n\n*As he crossed his arms thinking about what he will have to do to get things to work properly*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Father I won't be long.\"`\n\n*She said softly as she began to walk towards the door and broke into a soft jog*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would not and watch them go as he began to scheme, to what the next stages should be.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong followed behind placing both hands behind his back*"
}
] | 83 | 3,482 |
145.5 | 2022-08-18 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*As they arrived to the fort she landed down she hadn't said a word taking in everything the man was saying she needed to talk to her father she needed to save them! She wanted to save them taking a deep breath she released steam from her mouth setting down cheong gently on the floor as she landed slowly beside him with her wings folding beside her tiredly*\n\n`\"I will do nothing to make him angry if I do it won't be something he can't forgive me for there will always be a reason for something I do.\"`\n\n*As they made it to her father she spoke up with an angry voice but took a breath and calmed herself*\n\n`\"Father... There barbarians heathen's. Uncivilized men, help me save the slaves on there ship please...\"`\n\n*She was begging her father for help.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would appear to be in deep thought before he heard his name being called upon.* \"I can assume that the goal for peace has failed?\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Yep, it's free game at this point. When people refuse to change, they won't change. But as my descendent has said, they think of you and your army as a threat. Can't be helped if one another won't hear each other out, so what is your plan great black dragon?\"\n\n*The man said this straight forward and rather neutral to it. Although he may be in Cheong Myeong's body, he simply wasn't him in soul and in current present*\n\n\"Also, you understand that both forces are on the same side of the coin? If neither choose to listen to each other how can there be peace? If both are settled to fight already then what chance does peace have? There's a difference between failing and failing due to unwillingness. One is controlled while the other isn't.\"\n\n*He sighed, he didn't want to offend no one, but wished to voice his opinions. At this point war was inevitable, he would have to force his own descendent to stay away from them if he wished for him to achieve his true goal*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Looks towards Cheong before speaking*\n\n`\"So we should lay down and die? My father has not attacked them only defended himself you are right they see him as a threat and yet he still granted them the mercy of only retaliating whenever they attack and nothing more. You saw for yourself my father was willing to hear you at and let you go talk to them you did and returned with empty hands... My brother wanted to come with me I can see in your face that you disapprove of him being here in these squabbles. So I won't keep him here if you plan on keeping control of his body and not letting him make decisions for himself.\"`\n\n*She clenched her fist slightly*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The dragon seemed... Amused. From what Orestis was describing it would seem a possession had taken place. This spirit in Vylius's perspective had only one side of the story not both.* \n\n\"Patience dear daughter, I'm curious to what this one has to say. You ask me my plan, however it is already in motion. We are in phase one. Now parameters have changed due to a now hostage situation. But the plan will continue with some improvisation involved. It's clear, to me that you are understandably biased toward the humans. How could you not be, with you being a human yourself? These humans enslaved dark beings and other races before I even arrived. This land is not owned by their government, it is a dumping ground for their slaves. This land has resources that were unclaimed until my arrival. I did not go into their land, no they intruded mine. So the overall goal is simple. Repel the invaders and rescue the hostages. Depending on the outcome of this battle, it will tell me how to proceed next.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Girl, even if my entire being were before you, he'd still somehow get himself wedged together with you. And Great Black Dragon, I myself could care less. If they choose to be foolish and lead themselves to their deaths, so be it. My descendent, as benevolent and a saint of a person, will be eaten alive in Jianghu if he were to truly embark into the Murim realm. He'll learn that he can't save all he's a smart enough and strong boy. However your plan is solid, I have 2 favors to ask if this old man is allowed to. First thing, teach my descendent how to kill with no hesitation, but that doesn't mean make him into a senseless killer. Second thing, I humbly ask as this descendant's ancestor to protect him in this old man's stead. That is all this old man can ask as his ancestor.\"\n\n*The man cupped his hands forward, bowing his head. He asked humbly and respectfully, as any family member would do. He showed humility and sincerity in his words and his actions*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Looks at the two and closes her eyes as she stayed quiet to let the two talk she didn't want to interfere between them however when the man asked to help make cheong kill without hesitation she looked towards him shocked... Why would he want that for cheong?? Why does he want to rob cheong of his saint hood or his morales? This made no sense to her but then again she kills without hesitation and questioning it in itself is hypocrisy*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"An interesting proposal. Yet I must ask, why me? Out of all the people in this world, you ask me. The Dark Dragon, I am evil incarnate within the human's point of view, and yet you ask me to not only protect this boy, but to also train him.\""
}
] | 157 | 1,164 |
103.333333 | 2022-08-19 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Why? Because this will either help him grow into something great or turn him into the greatest evil. All martial artists must face this at some point, he is no exception. And we both are fathers with children, although this descendent may not be my son, he is still family. Family helps one another, even if they are so far away\"\n\n*The man said this as he would hope that Vylius would understand this as a parent. Though he wondered if this decision would be the best for Cheong Myeong. But what he said was true, in the Murim world one must learn to kill. If they don't, they would not last in jianghu...*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius was skeptical of this proposal, but since they haven't made a move against him or harmed any of his people he would allow this.* \n\n\"Very well, he will be under the shadow of my wings. On one condition, once this process is completed I would like no hostilities toward me or my people.\"\n\n*Vylius would look to the side and remained silent for a short time. Before looking back up.*\n\n\"It appears they have reached the land. I will deal with this myself.\"\n\n*Vylius would outstretch his wings before taking flight out of the fortress toward the coast.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Of course, you have my word. And besides we martial artists don't see species or races. But only other individuals who wish to become stronger. You have the word of this family, great black dragon. Now before I leave, do inform him he has family who are watching over him? I fear he may think we're all a bag of bones who've kicked the bucket. And please do bring Cheong Myeong, I think he himself would like to do something on the frontlines as well. I give you my permission\"\n\n*The man said smiling as he bowed deeply, respecting and acknowledging Vylius. If it were to be anyone to be his teacher, it would be this black dragon. Although the black dragon may not be inherently good, he surely has the instinct to kill whomever deemed fit*\n\n\"This old man will leave now, we should have a drink sometime Great Dragon\"\n\n*The man chuckled, proposing a potential partnership, meaning becoming drinking partners*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She turns to see cheong and sighs softly as her father flys off she rubs her own head not knowing what to do he didn't give her any direction in what she should do? Was she supposed to join him? Or wait here with cheong.*\n\n`\"Well... What now...?\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Bring him to where your father is going. I shall leave you in his hands, my 10x grand daughter I guess you would be considered\"\n\n*The man waved, then Cheong Myeong fell to the floor gasping for air as he had finally returned after being absent for so long*\n\n\"Huh... I was at the ship... Wha... Xiao Ore you will have to explain this to me\""
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "Gimme a little I'm a little busy rn("
}
] | 103 | 620 |
101.181818 | 2022-08-20 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Looks up after bowing her head in respect she would speak softly*\n\n`\"One of your ancestors probably your great great times 100 family member I may be exaggerating it but he took over you body which I'm not to happy about he wants you to learn how to kill without hesitation. He Basically wants you to become me before you met me and my group. Something like that... He probably has his own motive behind it. He also wants my father to train you in learning how to kill... Without hesitation. However being with you taught me should I kill someone without hesitation? What if there under someone's control like a spell and we can save them.\"`\n\n*She sighs as she walks to cheong and gently hugs him glad to have him back*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong chuckled nervously and rather confused as he didn't know what to make of what she just told him. His ancestor? What? We're they both dead? But to teach him to kill without hesitation? They may be his family, he didn't know them and wasn't sure whether that course of action would be what's best for him... He shook his head sighing deeply*\n\n\"I see... I...I need time to process this... But to kill without hesitation is something that I myself cannot get behind... Killing someone shouldn't be the first thing... Learning compassion and sympathy is the true key... I...Haish, where's your father? Shouldn't we go chase after him?\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She spread her wings as she shook her head in a serious tone and aura*\n\n`\"No for once I think we should not follow it may be for the best until you can process everything that has happened to you.\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Haish... To have a split mind during battle is one way to be killed I suppose\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong sighed shaking his head*\n\n\"Then what is our next move?\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"It's time for you to do some soul searching I think it's called find out why your ancestors can take over your mind. I need you here with me at 100%\"`\n\n*She looks up to him quietly*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Heh... Yea... Um... Except I don't know how to contact them... Um... Ok I'll just try to meditate and see what happens\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. He then sat down, closing his eyes, circulating qi within his body while trying to figure out the source of which allows for him to be possessed. But the question of who is his family and how are they capable of doing so? He didn't even know he had family outside of this realm, this confused him... But following his instincts as a cultivator, he began to cultivate to search for the answer.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Stood beside him she looked up to the ceiling to the abyssal guard she spoke while he was meditating she called out to one of them*\n\n`\"Hey can one you come down here to watch over him make sure he does not leave this fortress until I return.\"`\n\n*She then spread her wings waiting for the reply.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*No response was given. Only a blinking of their single eyes in a pattern.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Shakes her head she forgot these guards never talked...*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*In the meditative trance he was in, he sat there continuing to cultivate. However there hadn't been anything major or anything that happened for that matter. Though within his mind scape, cracks began to form along the walls of the kind scape... Eventually it cracked opened with the background looking like space in the cosmos... Only but a human like figure made of qi stood there chuckling... This man bared the same eyes as he did... Thou he looked rather similar to Cheong Myeong*\n\n\"Ho ho hoooo, it seems that my descendent unbeknownst to himself contacted us. Though it's natural, because you don't even realize the blood that runs through your veins. Ha haaaa, so Cheong Myeong what questions do you have huh????\"\n\n*The man smiled there laughing as he found this to be quite the amusing occurrence. Though it was only natural for someone of family to do so, it was only a matter of when would it happen. See, everything that is happened thus far is because of the fact that he awakened his family genetics. The genetics belonging to the Sword God, those who awaken it are vastly superior in the sword compared to their peers. However, there are stages at which it can awaken at. Starting from 1st step to 8th step, signifying the pureness and strength of their blood. At which Cheong Myeong, awakened his at the 8th step which automatically makes him the heir to the family and the next designated sword god. Though, this would typically be a matter done in the realm of which Cheong Myeong dwells in, but due to events resulting in the near wipe of his entire family... This couldn't be done. But now it was time for Cheong Myeong to bare those responsibilities*\n\n\"I... This Descendent greets the Ancestor of our family!\"\n\n*He yelled, cupping his hands forward and bowing his head deeply as the being before him is an elder of his ancient family... He felt inadequate because he couldn't do more to greet his ancestor...*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Took off and began to fly towards the coast to join her father in the battle to save those slaves*"
}
] | 47 | 1,113 |
72.25 | 2022-08-23 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She slowly began to wake up as vylius made it to the fort she felt his tendrils were gone wiggling free she spread her wings and landed as she walks towards cheong she had a few scars over her body one most notable was across her right eye brow down to her left cheek.*\n\n`\"He brother...\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong looked at her up in down, his face beginning to morph into that of a worried man... He rushed over to her and closely examined her scars as these were rather new and seem to be fresh as well. What in the world happened while he was gone?*\n\n\"Xiao Ore, what happened and who did this to you\""
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would curl up in the center of the fortress, fold his wings in and rest to recharge his mana. While he was not dangerously low, it never hurt to recharge when able.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She took a soft breath of air her clothes were tattered from battle.*\n\n`\"You was out for almost half a day I went to fight off the invasion force on the beaches in the battle of the black sea as well. There was this really strong man... I'm not good with a sword so he cut me up pretty good... He kept breaking my sword and parrying my magic saved me. I don't know if he is still alive but our battle sank many ships.. Heh...\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong wrapped his arms around her, tightly hugging her. He shook his head as he was simply gone for too long...*\n\n\"I'll teach you the way of the sword. That way you can defend yourself... Haish...\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong flicked her forehead shaking his head*\n\n\"Being able to kill so much isn't impressive nor amusing. Killing someone means taking their life, forcing them to leave every single thing behind. Their family, home, loved ones, don't be proud to take\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Felt his hug and looks down to the side not expecting this from him she rose her hands slowly up and gently hugged him she winces as he squeezed her tightly as her forehead was flicked she winces*\n\n`\"Careful I'm still hurt... I'm not proud of killing I apologize if you took it that way I was only telling you of what happened I was more of nervous... It's been awhile since I witnessed so much death...\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "Ha ha ha... Yes yes my bad. As long as you aren't glorifying it then I will end it there with that topic. But it's time to go home, at least I think so.\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong chuckled nervously, patting her head*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Nods slowly she looked down as he patted his head what he said kind of made her feel bad she didn't glorify it did he see her as a monster? Since he would suggest such a thing...? No he would... He's her brother...*\n\n`\"Alright home is far I can turn into a dragon and we can head back now... But I also must ask you something will these scars make me look like a monster?\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Alright, but please make sure you don't push yourself. And no, scars are a symbol of what someone has gone through. If anything I think it looks cool, but to others it may be a little intimidating. But no, it wouldn't make you look like a monster\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong shook his head assuring her that it was ok. He just hoped that she was ok*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis (Dragon)",
"message": "*Nodded as she slowly turned into her dragon form she slowly began crack her bones as she struggled when it was done she made her way over to her father and gently nuzzled his neck and wrapped her head around his before closing her eyes*\n\n`\"I have to go for a little bit I'll be back to rule over the fortress and recon inland.\"`\n\n*She moved away and lowered her body for him to jump on her back, she was stuck thinking in her head as she spread her wings.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong jumped into the air, landing on her back lightly and gracefully. He stood there, arms crossed awaiting for departure*\n\n\"Let us go\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis (Dragon)",
"message": "*She flew into the sky and took off at fast speeds towards the inn*"
}
] | 78 | 867 |
71.333333 | 2022-08-25 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would awaken to an empty fortress minus his guards. He would sigh as this was now normal. He would outstretch his wings as he recounted events. He had lost 10,000 demons previously which left 992,000 left. If necessary he would create more but felt this was substantial as he didn't want to show his hand yet. With The Banished Lands secure he began assigning his forces per area.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Units stationed here: 70,000 Shadow Knights (Includes Calvary, and weapon variants such as great swords) \n\n50,000 demonic archers \n90,000 demons for weapons of war (19,000 cannons, 10,000 rams, 50,000 warships and 10,000 for other siege weapons.) \n60,000 elite guards\n48,000 dark mages\n90,000 flying demons\n85,000 frontline demon units (Heavies and Frontline Infantry)*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*With assigned positions complete Vylius took flight out of the fortress door as he went to the banished lands coast.*"
}
] | 86 | 214 |
75.5625 | 2022-11-19 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Within his fortress he felt the passing of Skulker and began to worry. He would open his third eye to see the cause of his death only to find Orestis to be responsible. This made him roar with rage. His top assassin was now gutted by one of his own. This is not the way of his demons. None here turns on their own. This responsibility fell unto Vylius. He must handle this on his own. Not only did he lose his best assassin but now his adopted son is about to be captured... Again. But if what that hero said was true the other 3 would be waiting for him. His army could defeat Aicrotor's easily, but he would be out positioned and not part of the battle if he leaves the Banished Lands. Depending how fast the hero's are they would catch up to him. There was only a two step course of action to take...* \n*He would open his third eye.*\n\n*Vylius would be monitoring Orestis's condition. He was half dead when he called upon Vylius. Vylius would wait until confirmation before making any rash decisions, but was absolutely enraged and saddened by this. After Archon, Skulker and now Orestis in just a short time. He would watch and wait as that's all he was able to do.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*They began to slowly appear in vylius room just at the foot of the dragons body a large blast of mana expanded in every direction Orestis was no unconscious fading in and out of life, with each breath he was barely clinging onto life as cheong had held Orestis close in a caring manor*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would withstand the mana blast and waste no time as his dark tendrils would pierce into Orestis's body giving it the dark energy needed for healing.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*The man appeared there with Orestis in his arms. Quickly after he scanned the room and surroundings only to find himself here... That put him more at ease... Orestis left his grasp while he sat there watching the events unfold before him. Cheong Myeong was tired and rather stressed out after this, just breathing heavily and tirelessly...*\n\n\"T-this Junior... Thanks... Senior...\"\n\n*The man said, before falling into his back, still trying to catch his breath*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would keep healing Orestis through his dark magic while keeping an eye on the human that was brought in.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong rolled over, slowly sitting up. Then slowly sheathing his sword, as he himself went into the lotus position and began to cultivate until Orestis was fully healed*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would retract his tendrils before glaring at Cheong.* \n\"Get out of my home...\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "\"Senior, I ask that I remain by Xiao Ore's side while he recovers. However, if senior wishes I cannot testify\"\n\n*Cheong Myeong spoke, stopping his cultivation for the time being as he was prepared to move when instructed*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You and those who were there during the untimely demise of Skulker and near death of another of my kin, have done enough. Be thankful that I do not obliterate you where you stand. You may have had a hand in saving Orestis, but you and others caused this in the first place. So, to repay this I'm allowing you to walk out of here with your life which is more than I can say for the rest of them when I'm done here.\""
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*The man sighed as the large dragon was not wrong. As well as he couldn't dream of testifying against his wishes, so he got up and bowed deeply in front of him, before making his way out of the fort. He looked down at his hands while walking and couldn't help but shake his head, his inability to help and cease the fight was on him... It was his fault that Orestis was in this state... He would rather Orestis be ok and he be sitting on death's door... The man closed his hands tightly over his frustration, when he got to the door, he looked back at Orestis and engraved that face to his mind so that he wouldn't misidentify him again in the future. Then left*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The Black Dragon kept his word as he allowed Cheong to walk out his fortress unharmed and opened his third eye to inform his demons not to harm the human as the dragon glared at Cheong until he left. He then took his tail and coiled around Orestis and kept watch even though he was in the heart of his kingdom with thousands of demons near him.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Eyes would slowly begin to open with a new found across across his chest his hand would gently rub against his chest as he looks around as he takes a soft breath his tongue was dry along with his lips he had no clue where he was, was he dead? Last thing her remembered was being hit by something really bright then getting slashed open.*\n\n`\"Water... I need water.\"`\n\n*He spoke out as he layed wherever he was feeling still a little to weak to move *"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Luckily Vylius thought Orestis would need such things when he awoke so a bowl of water was set just outside of Vylius's tail in which he uncoiled Orestis.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Lowered himself and began to drink from the bowl of cold water as he breathes softly after taking a few gulps he drinks some more before looking to see vylius slowly pushing himself up he stumbled slightly before holding his waist to feel it was healed he would stumble closer and hug vylius leg and chest with what strength he had*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would be glad to see Orestis walking again as he continued to monitor him.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Would slowly slink down and lay down underneath vylius as he layed on his side he was still tired he wondered if there was any food.*\n\n`\"Father... Are you mad at me...\"`"
}
] | 57.5 | 1,209 |
120.666667 | 2022-11-21 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would let out a low calming growl, almost like a purr from a cat.* \"Perhaps when you killed my assassin and defied me. However, that's in the past, all that matters is that you are alright.\" \n*While this was true, Vylius was also thankful he didn't lose everything by sending Skulker and 10 of his Hunters out to reduce him in the first place. The Shadow was back at his port with the help of his aquatic monsters. So in the grand scheme of things, he lost very little. Skulker might have been his chosen assassin, but at the moment stealth isn't really a concern.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Closed his eyes slowly as he layed on the ground curled up, holding onto himself before he would speak once more*\n\n`\"Forgive me father, if you wish to kill me I understand, I just want to know am I any different from the other demons under your command? What makes me so different?\"`\n\n*He would ask wanting to know the answer did he see him as a son even though adopted or was he just another means to an end within his army souly because he has use, what if he had no use? Couldn't cast magic couldn't use tactics?*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"No, I wouldn't want that. You perceive me as a tyrant to my own people. However I am not. You and the rest of my demons are my children that means you as well. All have a place here. Which makes you one of my children, adopted but one nonetheless. You are different because of the aptitude of your magic and personality. You are indeed formidable, but your strength came at the cost of torture and other traumatic events. So need not to worry, you are one of my children.\""
}
] | 120 | 362 |
89.95 | 2022-11-22 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Slowly sat up gently ruffled his hair to fix it before speaking as he looks up towards vylius* \n\n`\"Your not answering my question father! Am I different from the rest other then being adopted. Other than someone something that can be of use to you. I want a straightforward answer, to answer your question I don't perceive you as a tyrant to your people! You are not the way you go about protecting your people at the sacrifice of others is what I question any subordinate who follows without question is a slave but a warrior, a soldier... A son tells there father that there can be a better way even if it doesn't seem like one at the moment. I love you I will not betray you but this battle inside my head is making me go insane it's tearing me apart.\"`\n\n*His face was red and flush with emotions he didn't raise his voice he kept a calm one but he was obviously upset by this conversation he would hug vylius leg tightly*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would be surprised how much affection he's getting at the moment and the emotional conversation that has taken place. Most of the time he had a way with words. However in this case, he is struggling to find them. He as a ruler and creator loves his people equally, he has no favorites. When it comes to his army, everyone has their place so when they are chosen it's for their area of expertise. This... This is something Orestis is taking personally, so a little tact and silver tongue may be required to put out the fire of confusion that is inside Orestis.*\n\n\"Well of course I do my child. I love you as well. And you are different, well think of it this way. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. What makes you special to me is your ability to think on your feet and the power you have which I amplified upon. Do not mistake my army as mindless beasts who follow me without question. I have no interests in mindless slaves. What I'm interested in, is results and intelligence. And you provide plenty of both.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Slowly let's go of vylius as his face grew redde and even more hot, as he took a breath he couldn't even speak as he felt vylius was still not saying what he meant specifically only explaining how Orestis is useful to him.*\n\n`\"You only explained how I'm useful to you that is all if I'm just weapon to be weilded and used I wish not to be that.\"`\n\n*He turned his back to vylius walking slowly away as his body was still weak he didn't plan on leaving he only wanted to cool down as he felt his feelings were hurt as he was walking away holding his side*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "Look... I do not know how else to say this. These... Conversations such as this one do not happen very often, so I find myself at a loss of words. So, generally I let my actions speak for me. I do love you my son, I'm not sure what else you are wanting me to say. \n*Just even saying the word love felt extremely weird to him. It left a uncomfortable feeling when the word leaves his maw.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Would stop as he would speak in return*\n\n`\"Im sorry I just need time I know you can't express your emotions like me, it's something I the past life I struggled with, trying to teach you and lots of fights, and arguments, with you but I know deep in your heart it isn't a word to be said without feeling sn emotion a tug in your heart that gut wrenching feeling when you lose something close, or when that person says something it effects you deeply, I just want to know if you have that.\"`\n\n*He would say he had forgot to mention he had gotten all the memories of his previous life back every last one so he remembers every journey, but it would feel like it was just a dream everytime he thinks about it.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "Yes, more than you know. That moment happened just recently"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"It did... When did that happen...?\"`\n\n*He asked his eyes wandering around as he looked back to vylius turning to face him*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "I thought you had died... It feels like it was just moments ago... So yes, I do feel the pain of loss of those closest to me... I know that better than anyone.\n*He reached within himself and pulled out a music box that began to play. He would listen to it, with a blank expression, but on the inside a newfound grief was setting in. Ancient memories began to stir of his beginning and watching Her... Perish all over again.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Holds his side as he began to walk towards him seeing the music box as it began to play he would slowly begin to sit underneath vylius by his tail and lean against it as he closes his eyes to rest a bit he didn't want to interrupt his father only provide him comfort so he would do so by just being there for him holding onto his tail with one hand*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Little did the naive Orestis know, nothing would bring the dragon comfort... The only thing Vylius would possibly finally rest is when his goal is finally met, once again.*\n*As the music box played its last segment, Vylius could feel his rage rising. This feeling has been within him for millennia, and it will never go away. A low growl almost escaped him, but he silenced himself before closing the box and putting it away within him once more.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Would hear the the low growl he would speak once the box was out away he spoke*\n\n`\"Look into my memories it is the least you can do, see the centuries of what our journeys were we have been by each other's side for so long. The old you would have murdered me before I could even get my face red to express myself.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "I do not wish to... I do not care for my past self. I care of who I am at this very moment. Speaking of which, you should consider that yourself"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Then at least let me say this it may hold insight to see our previous battles and advance our tactics by observing our mistakes of the past and know what to avoid on the battlefield in this new world to make it much easier to bring about your new utopia.\"`\n\n*He would say as he sat slowly up he had to speak in a way that it would benefit the dragon in a tactical aspect*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"That is far different than the topic you were on before. Luckily my battles except for a few have been engrained in my head.\" \n*The dragon smiled*\n\"Which is why our soon to be guests will have their work cut out for them. Now then, as I was saying, your... Acquaintance one of those involved with your near demise was brought here by teleportation of sorts. You should probably think on who you are and what you want to truly do.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"I understand then, I would like to go through the portal back to my home, I wish to erase my memories everything all of it, I do not wish to betray you, or ever risk turning on you so I will need to find a way to give my mind a clean slate it will solve my issue of having this foggy head and conflicted feelings, but you are key to my plan father, you will need to mold me into the best version of myself show me the right path under the shadow of your wings.\"`\n\n*He would begin to explain his plan in absolute detail as he did his eyes began to turn red and devilish as if something evil awoke inside him*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would stare at Orestis for a moment.* \n\"If that is the path you wish to take, then you may proceed.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Do you wish for me to take that path, yes or no, I want to but what is your opinion on it.\"`\n\n*He waited to hear his response before speaking again.*\n\n`\"Can I get some help to traverse the homeland I am a little hurt and weak to travel alone as of now.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Yes I do. As far as your condition rest for a few days. This is your journey to make,\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Yes father I will return with a clear mind.\"`\n\n*He would look down he felt that even though his father did care for him there was a darkeness residing in him that the humans caused that will never leave him he began to leave and found himself a room in the fort with a bed he climbed into it and layed down tiredly he wanted food but he could worry about it later.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Now Vylius would dedicate his mind in the defense of his empire. He has a strategy in play that would provide him with a stalwart defense. His units are already in place, the trap is ready to be sprung. Now all he would have to do is wait.*"
}
] | 82 | 1,799 |
73.076923 | 2022-08-12 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*In the he black sea the rapid response force from aicrotor had been preparing ever since the rift opened mercenaries were hired to man the ships and be the foot soldiers on the ground over 15 thousand were trained seasoned mercenaries and the other 15 thousand were actually aicrotors military forces they had equipped them with light and heavy army there was over 200 ships that had dropped there sails the main warships taking lead there canons 30 on each side crashing against the waves as the men aboard began to prepare there crossbows everyone had crossbows and bows to choose from this was only for the ships once on land they will go to spears, pikes, ect and there respective weapon of training.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Below the dark waters lurked atrosicties that were designed for defeating such an assault some may get through to the costal defenses, but casualties would be inevitable as light bumps were felt beneath multiple ships rocking them.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*Men on the ships began to look overboard as they felt bumps hitting there ships captains ordering for the rutters to be turned to move out of the way of whatever was in there. Path men were rushing to the sides of the boats with crossbows aiming into the ocean tension and fear we're running eye from the rift being opened paranoia had filled the hearts of many.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The black waters hid what lurked below as the leading ship in front of all the other's, bottom hull splintered open sending water pouring in slowly sinking it as something black slithered out from the hole and back into the water.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*As one of the ships began to sink the men aboard started jumping overboard seeing there was no other way to save the ship and began to swim towards the other ships no one knew what caused it but they had a guess it wasn't a rock.*\n\n`\"Shoot into the water with all your arrows.\"`\n\n*Men with crossbows started firing into the water in every direction not knowing what they were looking for*\n\n`\"If whatever it is shows itself use the harpoons! And ballistas!\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The arrows would slow down their velocity at the surface leaving those who lurk further in the depths unharmed. Meanwhile the human forces back ships are ironically more at risk than the front as monster prepared from below. Either way, the humans would waste a lot of ammo firing blindly into the water.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis (Dragon)",
"message": "*Began to make her way across the lands to the black sea she looks upon the fleet of ships that were in the water her eyes looked down below*\n\n`\"An army...\"`\n\n*He shadow began to cover a few ships it would strike fear into people's hearts.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The humans after a while stopped there barrage of arrows it had taken a few minutes of officers and commanders screaming at there men to stop firing in fear, but it eventually did. They decided to keep there ballistas trained at the water and many ships preparing there harpoons.*"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong had closed his eyes, as this moment was where he would begin training his senses. He focused and concentrated on the presences of others below them... He nodded as he saw them*\n\n\"I see... What is our course of action?\"\n\n*The man asked*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*In the very back of the ships, a force of 20 monsters boarded the rear ships. Not even Orestis had seen these before, they latched onto the sides of the boat. Orestis and Cheong could make them out due to their bioluminescence. They used their elongated tails to thrown the crew overboard as they began to fully assault the ship.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis (Dragon)",
"message": "*Looks down below at the disgusting looking monsters.*\n\n`\"We shall do nothing it is not our fight yet...\"`\n\n*She needed her father's commands before taking any actions she continues to fly flapping her wings heading towards the coast and towards the fort.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The men in the ships saw the creatures boarding the men began to shoot arrows down directly at them as people would be getting thrown into the ocean violently some getting broken bones from the impacts of each arm, the canons of the other ships fired upon the creatures to cause ship hull damage but not enough to destroy the other ship but to get the creatures off.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Combined with the of the fire from the other ships and the arrows the humans successfully killed the creatures board the sides. But now 10 more were boarding from the very back of the ship crawling up it like like lizards as one of the used one it's bioluminescent tendrils to grasp the captain the ship and toss him aside. With another tendril it began steering the ship on a collision course with the ship to its left in attempt to start a domino effect of crashing ships into eachother.*"
}
] | 61 | 950 |
76.333333 | 2022-08-13 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The men cheered at the mosnters being killed they more crawling up from the back of the ship and as the captain was thrown aside the men began running up to the wheel one of the men slammed there bow in-between the wheel to prevent it from being spun any further. The other ship saw what was going on and steered towards the ship to prevent it from hitting more ships also would allow me to board onto the ship the monsters were trying to take over.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The Seekers would make a wall of themselves to prevent the men from reaching the wheel as their bioluminescent tendrils on their backs began to either throw them overboard or impale the men. \n\n*Meanwhile below the surface Flayers began crushing the hull on the ship that was boarding the other, making water rush in to sink the ship. While the men that were being thrown over were slowly picked off by the Lurkers, that would snatch them and pull them down into the depths before feasting upon them.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The main battle ships began to drop there sails and pick up ores as they began to grow they didn't plan on getting into the smaller boats they began to move faster the ships on the front began to drop there anchors as they came into range of the beaches defenses they loaded in there canonballs firing the first volley of hundreds of canons firing the ones in behind them began to to slow there approach and not get in the path of the front ships shooting there canons.\n\nThe men on the first ship were unable to stop the first creature the began to light there crossbow arrows and fire upon the creature from the deck.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Just arrived to the coastal defenses and would see canons being fired towards them she spread her dragon wings and began to fly away backwards*\n\n`\"We may be to late.\"`\n\n*She flaps her wings looking towards Cheong.*\n\n`\"How do we communicate with them?\"`"
},
{
"author": "mastershifumatsu",
"message": "*Cheong Myeong scanned around trying to find some kind of notable figure of some kind on the ships... He needed to find the leader behind this*\n\n\"We need to find the leader of this fleet... Only then can we do something\""
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The sky became littered with hundreds of black and red fire balls that flew overhead from the Dark Matter cannons fired from the"
}
] | 76 | 458 |
81.204545 | 2022-08-22 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Kafaria along with other slaves would be grasped by Lurkers to be taken toward the other costal fortresses. For those swimming back toward Aicrotor they would be hunted by many of Vylius's aquatic monsters, such as Lurkers, Flayers and Seekers as the Shadow Leviathans kept sinking ship after ship.* \n\n*Vylius was still hot on Katar's trail and opened his third eye to telepathically hold Katar in place.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*As he senses something was wrong as he couldn't move he summ an wind golem and it took arthurian and began to move away towards aicrotor coast*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Took flight from the coast into the black sea she was looking for the previous slaves she wanted to save she saw her father was chasing a human in the air she flew towards her father using her wings to catch up she spoke to him*\n\n`\"Why are you chasing them father?\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"That man who is being carried by that thing is a hero, I need him dead.\" *Vylius would toss Katar aside like a ragdoll and pursued after the golem. He would breath his blackened fire whilst in pursuit.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*As he was tossed aside he formed wind around himself as he growls and forms an air wall Infront of vylius to stop him in his tracks.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Yes father I'll deal with the nuisance that has been hindering your pursuit...\"`\n\n*She flew towards katar and formed her staff in her hand she waved her staff as elemental arrows formed around her 10 of them 8 which were ice arrows 2 of which were nature she shot them towards katar the ice arrows would explode next to him or on him and cause ice shards all around him and the icy mist would slowly freeze him and slow his movements*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius huffed.* \"As if wind will stop me.\" *He unfurled his wings to dive forward before unfurling them to create a counter wind pressure to attempt to dissipate the wall.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Looked towards vylius seeing another person coming he narrowed his eyes angrily towards her as he saw the his wall of wind be easily broken through as he charged another spell he was hit with icy cold wind and some ice shards on his side he grunts and holds his side in pain as blood came out he flew back and away from Orestis he dropped down and landed on one of the ships, he had bought his golem some time.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She lands down on the ship in pursuit as she folded her wings she felt the wind of arrows flying passed her, as she side stepped quickly she used her fire magic creating flame spikes piercing the men shooting the arrows with a wave of her hand men were screaming and turned ablaze with fire she was hit in her stomach with an arrow as she winces pushing it through before snapping it. She formed an ice blade into her hand it was sharp she took a breath as she used her frost dance form one, she hadn't practiced it much so it was like a novice but coupled with the speed and the wind she locked onto three targets and began to slice through them one across the chest the other across the neck the last she stabbed through his stomach all the way through before pulling out the sword and swinging off the blood, she should learn from cheong how to use a sword... She looked around her she was surrounded by at least 40 men*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would now grab the golem with telekinesis and attempt to bring the golem back to him as he kept pursuit.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The golem was made of air so it just turned to wind and reformed escaping from the telekinesis and grabbed arthurian again and flew quickly away in the direction of Sicarlas its goal was to bring him to the other hero's*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Drew his long sword and moves back from his men to let them handle her as he thinks of a battle strategy as his ships went full speed dropping there sails and the ores came out and began to row to move faster using the slaves below deck to row*\n\n`\"Kill her and bring me her head! 10,000 gold pieces to whoever kills her!\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The 40 men with swords and shields started walking forward and two of them swung one at her legs one at her waist then another towards her head trying to end it swiftly.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Shifted her feet dodging the first one to her legs she swung her sword stopping the second swing to her waist and leaned back as the sword to her horn scraped some of it off she winces in pain she thrusted her sword forward into the first one then let go ramming her horns into the second ones neck before ripping them out the third one she used an ice spike from the ground up into his skull with a crack and splatter of blood but the other men quickly took there place she summoned another ice sword and stabbed the ground sending a wave of ice in every direction freezing everyone's legs and waist she ran forward slicing there chests and necks while they were handicapped the men with bows short dozens of arrows at her she swung her sword cutting arrows in half and stepped to the side grabbed one and broke it with her hand taking the tip and throwing it back at one of them killing them as it sank into there eye socket she had gotten a crossbowbolt in her shoulder she screamed and stumbled forward them another arrow in her thigh she hissed, as she summomed elemental arrows of nature they hit the deck of the ship and vines grew over the entire deck with vines piercing 7 of them as the men began to free themselves from the ice there was 28 left she would begin to clash her sword and slice through each of them using magic and fire to burn through those who had shields she would aim for there legs then stab there heads*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would cast a spell.* \"Dark Stasis!\" *It would freeze the golem's air particles inside an ice cube, if left in their for 3 turns it will corrupt it and turn into a dark version of itself loyal to Vylius.*"
},
{
"author": "The Speaker",
"message": "*The golem would be frozen with the hero in its arms he tried to move but it couldn't it relayed a call for it's masters help.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*Watched this bloody scene unfold on his ship of his men been massacred by this demon he held his long sword tightly he was about to lunge forward but then he heard call from his golem he closed his hands as the golem burst into holy flames and rocks started to appear as another golem was slowly forming but as this was happening Orestis he lunged towards him with her sword ignoring everyone else which caused him to drop the spell he gritted his teeth angrily. He swung his sword towards her clashing with hers she was a novice at best he thought so he could make quick work if this women and still make it in time... He broke through her ice sword and swung towards her right thigh but her sword reformed and collided with his sending a burst of wind in all directions knocking his men off the sides of his boat with there clash he stepped in and hooked her ankle or attempted to but she moved her foot he saw from the ground ice spike coming up towards his chest he stepped back then swung forward breaking it and coming towards her again breaking the wood of the ship below him.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Slowly began to gain consciousness he groans softly as he felt himself being held where was his sword why couldn't he move? He huffs out of breath before his right hand glowed and he began to cast a spell, angel wings formed around a another golem made of holy magic it looked like a knight and tried to carrying him as he was trying to figure out what was going on*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*With the golem within the ice, it gave Vylius time to catch up to the golem, before he would regain his senses Vylius would telepathically rip the hero from the golem's grasp and breathed black fire upon him.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Steps back after the man clashes with her sword she did what she had to kept him from causing more trouble to her father, she grits her teeth, as he broke through her ice sword she took another step back and formed another, seeing the wind that knocked his men around 14 off the ship she had less problems to deal with the other men didn't interfere with the fight at the moment. She felt her ankle hooked by his as he tried to trio her she moved her foot sending a fire spike towards his face as it formed at point blank range it would scrape his cheek, she stepped to the side of his overhead strike while swinging her sword across his waist attempting to slice his stomach but she missed not being to trained in the sword she stepped forward and thrusted forward he parry's her hit and swings at her slicing her across her chest as blood came out of chest as the cut was deep but not to deep but it went from her right shoulder down to her left waist she staggered back stunned flicking her hand up and freezing his right leg sending a turret of flames towards him which he cut through next she formed another sword as the other one was broken she took a stance for her sword art frost dance form four her icy sword had a cold mist coming off of it she let out a cold mist of smoke from her mouth like a cloud as her eyes focused onto him an icy wave followed the sword as she swung quickly once to his arm as the blade guided it but he blocked it, however it sent a wave of ice freezing over the ship and breaking the other half in which he was standing off in the clash she swung again to his thigh and the\n\n*Same thing repeated then towards his shoulder she had two swings left she side stepped and turned around in a circle while always keep her eyes on him to get behind him swinging down to his head but he parries and swings to her side she blocked it shattering her sword and the entire ship they were standing on as it began to slowly sink she formed another sword and swung down to cut him across his chest the same ice wave following behind the sword this one was different with the swing as he went to block it she made her sword disappear and she formed another in her hands when she was in his guard and swung across his chest and forearm it hit nothing vital as to her lack of knowledge of how to use it properly however shards of ice followed and pierced his skin in his chest forearms and thighs*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*His golem covered it's master in its holy feathery wings protecting him from the fire of the dragon.*\n\n`\"If you kill me all the other hero's of the world will know where to find you if a hero dies you'll be hunted like an animal! Until your dead! If you let me go I won't tell anyone of this defeat I will say it was a bad storm and mysterious sea creatures! Just stop!\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would bring the man before him. And stared at him with his red crimson eyes.* \"If you people have found me, then it's only a matter of time before the others do.\" *The black dragon remained in silence for a moment. Before carrying him to where Orestis is. He would roar at the men and the hero.* \n\"Do not come back to my land again. If you so much as travel within my waters, I will leave your country in ashes, and I'll be sure you're all alive in order to witness it. Do we have an accord?\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"That may be true but wouldn't it be better to have more time to prepare then to have all the hero's hound you by the end of the week.\"`\n\n*As he was carried to center of where the battle was where Orestis was at he sighs defeated as he looks at his army in full retreat.*"
},
{
"author": "Katar",
"message": "*As her sword phased through his seemingly but that wasn't the case it was her reforming another sword just in time to cut him inside his guard! He was then hit with the sword across his chest and left forearm following by the ice shards hitting his body he managed to dodge a few of them he winces and swings his sword from the ground up towards her sending splinters of wood towards her body and face as a ruse but it sliced the ship and the surface of the water splitting the ocean for a few second the ship was nothing but splintering the ground they were standing on as his sword attempted to cleave her arm off, the ocean was frozen around the ship do to orestis attacks he was bleeding from over his body*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She saw his swing that cleaved the wood from the ship up to her face she rose her arm to prevent the splinted wood from going into her eyes she closed her eyes wincing as she stepped back the sword slicing her wrist and then he followed with another swing from above she sent an ice spike towards his side piercing him through his hip then the loud roar broke his concentration allowed her to send a turret of fire at him sending him off his feet and boiling the oceans surface around him as she sent him 100 feet across the ice then the oceans surface with his skin smoking his men in the water began to boil alive, she collapsed onto her knees panting and bloodied she looked up st her father as the ships kept there course to the aicrotor coast.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*The ships would relentlessly be attacked by Shadow Leviathans that sunk ship after ship and saved more slaves.* \n\"Well I suppose peace was never an option after all. There's no way you would make that offer now is there... Hero?\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"There retreating there is no reason to continue the onslaught! I can give the signal for them to stand down just stop killing them!\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would give a telepathic signal for his monsters to stop attacking the ships. However, the Lurker's would use their tendrils to pick up as many slaves as they could and bring them back to The Banished Lands.*\n\n\"Tell me about you heroes.\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"How do I know you won't kill me anyways even after I tell you?\"`\n\n*He says as his brows furrowed*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You'll just have to trust me won't you? Your nation did attack my lands in the first place which is incredibly rude.\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"There are many hero's across the world they are considered the strongest amongst everyone else the highest honor and rank someone can attain.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She takes a seat and slowly lays down I'm the ship she froze over taking a soft breath she relaxed with a soft pant as her blood glistened in the sunlight even though the smoke and blood scent filled the air she couldn't care less she clutched the ground softly thinking about her brother where was her brother? Is he ok?\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"And what is your code hero? Or do you even have one?\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"I do what heroes are supposed to do protect the world from evil.\"*2"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Then wouldn't you call what the country you serve is doing evil? Not only do they enslave my people, but Elves, Dwarves... Anything that isn't human. And then they send you to attack me without provocation. What does that sound like to you?\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"Your people? These are people of our world? You are from a foreign dimension you set not of this world yet claim this is your land and claim these people are your people? We were sent to investigate what was going on in these lands then are ships started being attacked under water before we lifted a finger then your coastal defenses fired upon us we did nothing but defend ourselves.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Your country sent an entire army knocking on my door. These people are dark beings and I am the progenitor of the species. If it were one-three ships sent as envoys or a small investigation then I probably would have been more understanding. I think your country knew what had happened and sent you into the fray as attempt to quell a possible problem before even being looked into.\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"An unfortunate scenario if that was the case either way then from both sides this battle was unavoidable.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Then I offer a truce, as you probably had no idea what you were getting yourself into. You leave my nation alone and I leave yours alone. It can be as temporary as your country would like it to be, but I ask you follow the declaration of war since now you know that the Abyssal Empire is a independent nation that's beyond the borders of the main continent.\""
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "`\"A nation can proclaim to be one but becoming recognized as a nation will be difficult i will head back to my nation and talk to my people in there upper echelon of the government it will be up to you to send convoys to nations and try to get recognized as a nation.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"I expected no less. I will follow the procedures as everyone else.\"\n*Vylius would set down the hero and close his third eye.*"
},
{
"author": "Arthurian",
"message": "*Would land on one of his ships and sit down quietly leaning against the side quietly as the men tried to rush over to him to see if he was ok he would just push them away and sit quietly on his ship as it continued on its path back to shore.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would gently pick up Orestis with his tail. He would look at the hero one last time with his crimson red eyes before flying back to The Banished Lands.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Felt herself being lifted by her father she had slain to many people today she relaxes in his tail as she winces at her wounds*\n\n`\"These humans... I need to get stronger... Father...\"`\n\n*She closed her eyes tiredly*\n\n`\"Why did you let him live? The hero..?\"`"
}
] | 57 | 3,573 |
47.375 | 2022-08-23 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"You will dear daughter. As for why, those fools have a code of ethics. That human will live knowing that he was spared when he should be dead. That country's army is now severely weakened, they won't try anything soon. I've sent a message. Not only did that hero beg for his life but now he'll have to tell his government everything including the fact they attacked a nation without provocation. Those on the continent will bicker with one another creating... Opportunities.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Squirms slightly as her wounds hurt she sighed softly and decided to relax in his tail before speaking again.*\n\n`\"Opportunity? What if the hero was lying? You know these people are fluently in the art of lying my body hurts...\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Indeed they are, however there is another thing they excel at more than lying... Bickering amongst themselves.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`'I see so what is the next I don't think I can fight at the moment until I'm better I wasted all my strength in sorry for being a disappointment...\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Nonsense, I will heal you once we get to the fortress. You are by far a disappointment. Just wait and see, you'll grow into something more powerful than a single hero with me by your side.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Sees the fortress coming into view as she thinks for a few moments.*\n\n`\"I trust in you I just want to make you proud I'm losing a lot of blood... I can feel my body feeling weak.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would heal her slightly in mid flight.* \"This is going to hurt but it will stabilize you until we get there.\" \n*Vylius's tendrils would impale her like needles as dark energy poured into her system allowing to regenerate at a slow pace.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*She grunted as she felt tendrils impale her she slowly closed her eyes breathing softly she slowly fell out because of exhaustion*"
}
] | 44.5 | 379 |
50.5 | 2022-08-07 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*One of the 8 magic pillars. This one is filled with dark magic that seeps across the land and onto the main continent itself despite it being in the furthest reaches of the world. It corrupts all it touches with the exception of beings of dark descent. A cult gathers around it daily to commune with the pillar. No one except those who dwell within the Banished Lands and record keepers of long since passed know of it's existence.*\n\n*Deep within the Banished Lands, away from the main continent and from the prying eyes of the kingdoms save for Aicrotor. Demons and cultists alike gather around the pillar, while the Emissary and the mysterious cult leader channel their magic into the pillar causing black and red lightning to strike throughout the region. This broadcast a sort of dark energy wave affecting every dark being within the world.*\n\n*As Orestis arrived she was greeted by a open area that were occupied by cultists, demon and dark beings alike being in prayer as at the pillar's base, a strange hooded man and The Emissary began taking turns of channeling their magic into it, causing the red and black lightning to dance across the sky.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Looks upon the pillar his hair swaying slowly with the wind he took a soft breath and began to circle the pillar looking for any clue on how to activate it.*\n\n`\"It seems the channeling of magic is not working... Like the ebbfellian pillar so how does this one need opening?\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The hooded man stepped away from the pillar as the Emissary kept trying.* \"My friend stop, we need another approach. While this is certainly triggering a reaction, it's not getting us anywhere.\" *The man went into thought and was oblivious to everything else.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Looks as he began to channel a tiny bit of dark mana and poured it towards the pillar to begin the process of elimination on how to unlock the pillar.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*She would achieve the same result as they did. It would trigger a reaction but nothing other than the lightning happened.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Decided to walk towards the man at the center of the pillar pouring mana into it he walked up to the top and looked at the man a few feet away before speaking.*\n\n`\"Have you tried throwing souls at it?\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The man turned around to face her.* \"Yes, and sacrifices. Yet nothing seems to work.\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "`\"What if it need sacrifices of light beings that are powerful? Or a sacrifice of something valuable to you?\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "\"That's preposterous the only of value to me is on the other side of this pillar. I know he's alive!\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "`\"Would you give your own life to open the pillar then?\"`\n\n*He asked with a soft tone.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The man looked at her with surprise.* \"I would not, I am not who I appear to be. I am more useful to our Lord alive.\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Shook his head*\n\n`\"Well do you have any ideas on what to do because you have tried both throwing souls and mana each didn't work I don't know what else to do.\"`\n\n*He placed a hand on his own chin.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The man grew uncomfortable and began muttering like a madman.* \"I refuse to die, at my own hands. What a ridiculous idea. I am the heir, my death would only complicate things.\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Looks at him confused*\n\n`\"......\"`\n\n*He rose a finger up before speaking.*\n\n`\"Then you don't have to die I was only giving ideas now pull yourself together aren't you supposed to be the leader here?\"`\n\n*He asked placing his hand at his side*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The man turned to face Orestis.* \"You want to take that away from me don't you? I am the rightful leader and no one shall take it from me! I've spent decades trying to free him! Decades!\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "`\"I said nothing of the sort I wish to take nothing from you I have no reason to squabble with people who has not seen my masters greatness only worship something they have not seen that is the pinnacle of ignorance.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*There was something off about this man. He seems to actually know the God his followers worship. However, madness seems to have taken hold of him.* \"Why then would you even say such a thing? There's only one reason! You're after the throne!\""
},
{
"author": "The Emissary",
"message": "*The Emissary stopped what it was doing and gazed upon the madman.*"
}
] | 44.5 | 909 |
105.860465 | 2022-08-08 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Looks at the man as he went off on a rant he took a breath and his claws came out along with his dragon wings he hissed and attempted to grab this man's throat.#"
},
{
"author": "Archon",
"message": "*As his claws seeming pierced the man's throat he did not die, nor did any blood come out. What came next would be a shock to everyone. The man's human disguise cracked open and fell like shattered rock. Instead, a suit of black armor with dark magic infused with it was revealed. Where Orestis had grabbed him, was actually the cuff of his armor as two red eyes peered out. This was none other than Archon, The Black. The son of The Black Dragon.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Released him instantly and kneeled before him gritting his teeth before speaking.*\n\n`\"Forgive my insolence...\"`"
},
{
"author": "Archon",
"message": "*Archon was breathing heavily as he drew his sword.* \"Do you have any inclination of what you have done. All the work, that I put into, the decades of loneliness I have suffered in order to stand where I am today. And now with my true nature revealed. There is no turning back, the cultists will no longer need Him but would rather worship me. The thing is, as long as he is alive I can not fulfill that desire. All I've worked for... Gone with a single attack.\" *He almost seemed on the brink of both pure madness and overwhelming depression.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Takes a soft breath and lowers his head trying to think he listened to his words he couldn't think of anything to say at this moment the only thing that was happening was the golden sigil on his chest began to glow bright as he remained there waiting.*"
},
{
"author": "Archon",
"message": "\"Now, the only thing left to do is to kill you. You... You brought this upon yourself.\" *Archon brought up his curved sword and swung it down at Orestis.*"
},
{
"author": "The Emissary",
"message": "*Before the sword would come down a tendril engulfed in black fire pierced his chest and armor. Orestis witnessed it erupting from him as black blood splattered onto the pillar. The Emissary lifted up the Dark Prince as several more tendrils pierced him.* \"I'm sorry... My lord. You are no longer fit to lead...\" *With those final words The Emissary decapitated Archon the Black ending his misery. The Emissary took a deep sighed as he retracted his tendrils and stared at the corpse in pity.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Took a breath hearing tendrils Peirce the prince looking up slowly towards the emissary slowly his eyes full as he had fully prepared to just let go.*\n\n`\"Why did you save my life, how do we open the pillar, you killed his son...\"`"
},
{
"author": "The Emissary",
"message": "\"Because he had lost himself to the madness without his father. Secondly watch, I figured it out after you two had your conversation.\""
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*With Archon's death his black blood was absorbed by the pillar. The red and black lighting increased in intensity as a red portal opened in front of the pillar. The portal to the Dark Lands is now opened.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Looked as the portal began to open it split the sky in two revealing an entire different dimension in these waste lands he took a step back the nearest nation would be alerted to this by the massive explosion of energy crackling across the sky he could see the depths of the dark lands he channeled mana in his hand it began to flow like ocean waves his wings lifted him into the sky as he roared out towards the rift as he began to channel mana through his bones and arms awaiting for his master lightning crackling from his eyes to his legs towards the ground in every direction but why did he choose to egnite his mana.*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*To Orestis's surprise nothing exited the rift as the cultists stood back in awe.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Watched intently slowly powering down he landed on his two feet huffing out of breath as his wings rested he slowly took a seat and began to watch wait...*"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*Some of the Aicrotor guards that were already on the island sprinted toward where the cultists were gathering only to discover the portal.* \"WHAT DID YOU MANIACS DO?!\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "`\"We released freed master what else could we have done, sit down and keel over while injustices to demon race people are happening you will know a utopia like the world has never seen well... Maybe not you but your grandkids might.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Narrator of the Abyss",
"message": "*The guards stood in horror not at what Orestis said but at something behind him.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*What came out of the portal made all the cultists kneel and pray. A black spiked head with two glowing red eyes and a third sat at the center which gleamed brilliantly through the dark landscape. Then two enormous clawed hands emerged shaking the very ground with each step. This was followed by a wide set of black wings that casted a shadow of all that stood in front of the pillar. Black spikes were seen on the creatures back that followed to its tail. The one of the human guards immediately fled the area after what he had just seen while the other stared in horror as The Black Dragon gathered his surroundings. Seeing the humans and the corpse of a dark being standing in front of him. The corpse he did not even recognize due to his memory loss but assumed on thing. The humans did this, the dragon roared into the sky. Vylius had returned.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Looks up from the ground and stands Slowly and looks at vylius he looks up at him slowly he felt fear flood his body as he breathes before he hears the roar he covers his ears as his roar hurt them he spoke up after the roar...*\n\n`\"Do you remember me...\"`\n\n*He looks up at him like he was looking at his father.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would not respond at first. He instead stared intensely at one of the humans guards with his brilliantly glowing eye, before lifting him up with telekinesis. Vylius began breaking the bones of the human guards body, limb by limb and the guard screamed in excruciating pain. Vylius then dismembered him by pulling apart the very limbs he hand broken slowly to make sure the guard felt agonizing pain while his comrades watched in horror. Before finally the guard died of pure shock. Vylius then disemboweled the guard leaving only a steamy bloody mess on the ground.* \n\n*Only after he had done this would look down at Orestis with his center eye still glowing. Vylius recognized the aura he emitted but could not place him. So, he would speak to Orestis telepathically.*\n\"May I enter your mind? So I can see your memories of me.\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Nods slowly watching the scene unfold as the guards body was being broken bones by bone looking at the organs splayed out across the ground he didn't know what to think the man was just standing there he did nothing wrong in this moment other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.*\n\n`\"Yes you can...\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"In return I'll share my own, as I recognize you, you are familiar to me, yet I don't remember.\" *Vylius would enter Orestis's mind looking through his memories of himself being involved.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*AS he entered his mind he would see thousands of memories of there travels together through the ether before that and after that the arguments and philosophical conversations. However there were many holes within the memory lots of missing details dozens of missing parts that only vylius's memory could fill in if he could remember. All these memories Orestis couldn't remember a single thing but now vylius has access to it.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would almost be overwhelmed by his involvement with Orestis. He treated him at first as friend, then along the way something happened that changed the way he perceived Orestis. Then at the very end of Orestis's memories he saw that Orestis was sitting next to him in his keep like an heir to the throne. Vylius would speak to Orestis through his mind.* \"Yes... I... Remember. Someone has tampered with my memories, all those experiences are not so easily forgotten, that's the only explanation to it. As promised...*Vylius would open his mind to Orestis, from him as an infant running from the humans, then a collection of humans and elves slaughtering his soon to be wife. All the way to the stage where he reached the apex of his power. Single handedly taking the only light being settlement in The Dark Lands before creating his army of demons. Orestis would see the war against the light beings. Making allies with the nation of Ebbfell. During the middle of the war Orestis's would see Vylius chasing a woman carrying a boy that looked much like Orestis with her before vanishing inside a house. Vylius pursued them relentlessly with the human military of that nation began to attack him with their arrows and siege weapons. Vylius would take these blows only to discover that the boy and the girl had somehow teleported out of the city. Orestis would feel Vylius's sense of lost as Vylius roared a spell.* \"Dark Explosion!\" *Reducing the city to ash and ruin. Orestis would also find an abundance of holes and gaps much more severe than his own. Toward the end of the war, Vylius had won. The world was under the shadow of his wings, and the dark beings safe under his care. No more war, no more hunting of their kind. Then the entire world faded to nothing. The last memories are of Vylius waking up confused, and then the rest Orestis had already experienced.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Took a breath as he felt a wave of memories hit him of vylius's past he put a hand over his own face as he saw the memories of what appeared to be him a child and he was able to feel vylius pain it hurt his chest he held the cloth around his heart as tears welled up in his eyes as he looked up at the dragon.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius shook his head as pieces of memory began to fill his mind. He looked at the cultists that were kneeling before him and the Emissary next to him bowing his head. Vylius then looked at the corpse in front of him. Only from Orestis's memories did he finally recognize him and the source of his pain from earlier.* \"This was... No... Why was he still here and not with me? Why? How?\" *The dragon roared in anger.* \"THESE MISERABLE WRETCHES! DARK BEINGS ARE STILL BEING HUNTED HERE! HEAR THIS ALL OF YOU. THIS WORLD IS OURS, MY UTOPIA WAS ONCE ACHIEVED, AND NOW I WILL BRING IT ABOUT IT AGAIN!\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Wipes his face from the tears and lowers his head quietly before vylius however he did want him to know the truth.*\n\n`\"Your son went mad according to the beast over there... His death opened the pillar... The beast killed him saying he wasn't fit to lead. When I was on my journeys over here through strange land to the northeast I saw people in chains that have demonic features they called the place aicrotor...? Racist human nation.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius looked over at The Emissary with a questioning look.* \"You? You killed my son?\""
},
{
"author": "The Emissary",
"message": "*The Emissary kept his head bowed.* \"My lord he was overcome with madness. He's apparently spent decades at this pillar trying to free you. But it was only his death that led to your freedom.\""
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius looked down in thought before looking down upon the Emissary.* \"You are lucky this is an abnormal situation. All things considered you served me well. However, the death of my son is still an excruciating loss because he was a part of me. And now that pillar has my essence which probably activated it. Therefore, you will not be punished. Nor shall you be rewarded either. Although I must thank you, even in my state of anguish, I recognize that you meant well. In any other case, I would kill you myself right where you stand.\""
},
{
"author": "The Emissary",
"message": "*The Emissary bowed his head further like a whipped puppy.* \"Thank you for sparing me your wrath my lord... I am sorry that it had to come to your son's death. I already have my reward my lord. Your return. These humans... When we entered this realm through another rift, the people attacked us without provocation. This world needs you my lord.\""
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "*Took a breath of relief seeing it was resolved without any violence he guessed his lord has grown probably learned some type of mercy from there time together he had a neutral expression and went just beneath the dragon releasing Orestis he took a breath and a kinder version was released.*\n\n`\"Hello master... Orion brought me here to see you I lost consciousness for the trip because he surppressed my personality but I'm here now. I still will never forget all you have done for me.\"`\n\n*He smiles softly*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would gaze down at Orestis with his center eye closed.* \"I see, you two still have a partnership with eachother. And think nothing of it, I built a better world for all.\" *He said softly, but then his voice became more of a growl.* \"And I will do so again, these monsters will have something to worry about. It seems this world has a... Temporary form of peace with its kingdoms. Time to put them at each other's throats while I build. Emissary gather your forces along with our... Devote followers. Drive these pests from our land. I have a region to terraform.\" *Vylius looked toward the cultists again, still not believing he had developed a following consisting of humans. They were adept in a lesser form of his magic practically making them a darker version of humans. As long as they don't threaten his people Vylius would tolerate their existence. He then rose to the sky and began forming the land into his design.*"
},
{
"author": "Orion-Orestis.",
"message": "`\"How shall we go about rebuilding your utopia what should be my first task?\"`\n\n*As he was about to take off he spread his wings and flew up to stop him for a moment*\n\n`\"Talk to me for a bit... I haven't seen you in a while... Father...\"`\n\n*He lowers his head slowly.*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "\"Of course you can talk to me as I work.\" *Vylius raised his hands as the sky darkened into a misty black and red color as tendrils began to rise throughout the land.* \"Your first task is to tell me all that you've seen this far. The landscape of this new world beyond our borders.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Flies beside his father as he takes a few breaths this body feels weird he slowly changed back to the female form it was an involuntary change as Orion seemingly inhabited the male counter part.*\n\n`\"I have seen beautiful land as far as the eye can see. Injustices occuring all over to the demon race. Racism is rampant. The eleven race far north are second place for the most racist. I haven't explored much I am only telling you what I heard... There is this nation of a demon race who have dog and cat like features but are half human or half elf, it was where I found a massive pillar I poured Mana into it and saw my place of birth... Ebbfell... The demon race there has declared a state of emergency in the region and deployed half of there military to the rift.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius continued working as expanded the portal to a larger proportion. He then surrounded the portal with giant black tendrils protruding out of the ground making it an excellent natural defense as he scattered other tendril like structures.* \"Ah, so our ally is here as well. Good, perhaps Azaroth might still be alive then. He will be instrumental in things to come. As for the nations of this world, their transgressions will be answered for. This world will be my new Utopia. Although there is only a tiny presence of darkness in beyond the coast. It would seem, the dark beings here have almost been led to extinction. We will change that.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Closes her eyes as she follows along side him*\n\n`\"How will you go about bringing the utopia this time? Will we begin the violence? Or let them attack first and we only respond in kind...\"`\n\n*She asked as she flies along side him as he was flying around he would see by the coast ships idle in the water a massive Armada by the aicrotor coast. She looks over and sees the ships using her mana sense and funneled that into her eye to increase her sight.*\n\n`\"That may not be long... Though it seems the light beings have wasted no time... What ever happened to my followers? In the darklands the inner Colonist Republic I think they called themselves.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would smile* \"Yes, this is something those fools can't possibly ignore. That's why I've mobilized The Emissary and the forces we have here. By my calculations we have 1,000 cultists including 200 of those advanced ones and 1, 499 demons under The Emissary's command. And behind that portal awaits 1 million of us. Although I don't believe we will need the 1 million yet. My landscape should deter most of the invaders. First we will deal with this Aicrotor and then take time to build a foothold here. As for your organization they are still here, I almost forgotten about them. They are not part of my main demonic force so I've not seen them lately. Although, I'm sure if you went into the Dark Lands and rallied them, it will only aid our cause.\" \n\n*Vylius continued to surround the portal with giant tendrils but spread them out enough for his own troops to move along with making resources such as metals that will aid his army. He will not make any creatures as of yet aside from his sea monster which will be his next phase. Half of his monsters will come out of the rift and inhabit the new region and hopefully breed to the point where a new ecosystem is formed and new monsters born.*"
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"Tsk... You never seem to fail at being right why they insist on trying to kill us... I'll go into the darklands if absolutely necessary. It will take time logistically to get the one million across the rift all we need to do at this time is by time until you can move your forces here. But you have not answered my question... Will you kill innocents? I understand armies and any who picks up a weapon... What should we do about the non combatants.\"`"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would sigh as he moved to the final stages of the land portion of the region, his magic was running low as terraforming even for him drained a significant amount of mana.*\n\"My 1 million are already in position to move beyond the barrier. Once we discovered it I sent every one of my forces save for my elite guard in front of the barrier waiting for my signal. \n\n\"You never asked that question, and no I do not kill innocents on purpose. But know this, this is war, death is inevitable. I also need to feed mind you. Non-combatants will not be the target here. However, much like the other world, I doubt there will be many non-combatants in this. Most of the world despises us, and even if we conquer them rebellion will ensue. Unless you want to count my bestowing of my gift as \"Killing them.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "`\"I remember when we had the utopia when you brought your gift upon them, some of them I healed with holy magic they understood your side and still got to be themselves, like me and Orion. 90% of the people I expiremented on responded well to my treatment and my analysis and theories on people's pyschology once they feel see the pain experience it through your gift and are reverted back they become understanding it took me some time a few arguments but I love you father I wouldn't want anything to change that.\"`\n\n*She sighs softly and flies close to his head and gently hugs his neck softly*"
},
{
"author": "lordvylius",
"message": "*Vylius would be near to worn out by this rate as he now constructed a fortress where the portal will be housed. The portal would be in the courtyard of the fortress so that any giant monster that would come out would have enough room and a means to travel into the Banished Lands without difficulty. The fortress would also in the middle of the giant tendrils he had placed making getting to the portal more than a challenge. When Orestis went near his head Vylius would be caught off guard since, he hasn't been shown affection such as this ever since that day when his mate was murdered in front of him. He didn't know how to take this, more so that this was not a biological child of his making.*\n\n\"I see, so you're suggesting that you get rid of my gift to them? You must realize that the people I bestow my gift are themselves, I do not expect anything in return, yet they do so out of their own free will. I... Love you as well... As I do all my children.\" \n\n*Vylius would fly back down finished both the land and his new fortress. Creating a nightmarish landscape. Once he reached the ground he immediately dragged himself inside the fortress with Orestis following behind him. He would folded his wings and lay down breathing heavily.* \n\"You see, my child as I promised. This fortress is yours to command. Now then I must rest for the time being.\""
},
{
"author": "Orestis",
"message": "*Listened to him as she closed her eyes as the walked into the fortress she was shocked as he said he loved her like he does all his children she smiles softly but inside she was bursting with happiness like fireworks we're going off inside her chest.*\n\n`\"Sleep well father... If you need anything just let me know if you need anything I know father how your gift works your gift has given me Orion, we have been at peace for centuries.\"`\n\n*She gave him a final hug hugging him as tight as she could before beginning to walk off and away from his sleeping chambers.*"
}
] | 81 | 4,552 |
245.5 | 1776-07-04 | GuildPublicThread | [
{
"author": "r_e_m_i_x",
"message": "Ohh. Graveyard Ferna... In the same city? Does it have its own purpose already, or can I make it up as I go?"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*She missed the doll shop... She missed their gleaming eyes and cold skin. She missed the hominess and kinship she felt in the darkened room shrouded in candlelight. She hoped the shopkeeper would be ok... He didn't take very good care of himself you see. Sitting atop a mausoleum, she quietly twirled a white Gardenia around in her fingertips. She knew the rules... And her newly placed restrictions left her feeling a bit depressed.\n\nThe more she saw, the more she began to develop an opinion herself. Vampires and humans could not live together. They could coexist, like countries or nations but they'd need their own area with borders and regulations. What they were trying to achieve would never happen as man had years of evolution to develop this pretentious absolution that if you were not human, you were a monster. It wasn't hatred, but more so a disliking as they had resorted her lifestyle to what she didn't agree with.*"
},
{
"author": "Faedon",
"message": "*Would be walking along the borderlands he would walk through a forest tiredly lumbering along opening his cool flask of water taking a soft sip before heading towards it his white hair seemingly untouched by the blood surprisingly.\n\nAs the winds gentle breeze blew it would gently push his hair and he would walk onward, as he got closer he saw a figure sitting atop a mausoleum marching there slowly he approached it was The little vampire female at the shop he had met before he would look up and speak*\n\n`\"Hey... Are you ok? I thought you died back in the caves..\"`"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*That wind sure did carry his scent alright... And being the vampire she was, she regretted her heightened sense of smell in this exact moment. Covering her nose and mouth with her sleeve she was glad he survived but at the same time... Could he do something about that?* \"I could be better, I've got questions but if you could possibly...\" *There was no polite nor kind way to ask him to take a bath. He also looked a bit worse for wear... But as she recalled he didn't exactly have a home to return to. He didn't come across a stream or lake in his travels? This was not something a meer handkerchief could fix.\n\nShe couldn't go into the city, but perhaps there was a bathhouse there. She could lend him some coin but of course, it would require him to walk all the way back.* \"What was your purpose at those caves? And furthermore... What is your purpose here now?\" *At a graveyard of all places. Why not an inn? Or a bathouse- man she just could not let that go.*"
},
{
"author": "Faedon",
"message": "*Didn't realize how bad of a smell he accumulated from all the dry blood he was to tired to think of it and had gotten used to it after a few hours of walking in the forests coming upon this place even though gloomy was a big change of scenery his pink/red emerald eyes looked up upon her before he spoke.\n\n`\"Could I possibly...?\"`\n\n*He was confused as he looked up to her before looking at his bloodied clothes he sighs as he looked embarssed, before speaking once more.*\n\n`\"I apologize about the smell... There was no river or lake from dimeria to the borderlands of my knowledge the nearest river is the east at the fork of the champions hold. I wanted to speak to the vampires and come to my own conclusion about vampires if they were evil or not it would be wrong if someone told me that a certain race was evil I just believed them like a fool without going to see if there statement had any truth.\"`\n\n*He placed his hand behind his head seeing her face of disgust he frowned slightly before speaking once more.*\n\n`\"Im here because the graveyard was in my path I'm leaving the nation of sicarlas I seen brutality at the capital where fellow adventurers we're hung in the streets they're bodies left to rot. You also may forget I have no home to return to no place to sleep comfortable or clean my body it is to say the least not fun.\"`\n\n*He didn't specify why.*"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*East? Which way was East and how far was it from here? What was a champions hold? She'd tilt her head light to one side as these places he mentioned she had never been too nor heard of. The thing that intrigued her the most, was hid want to draw his own conclusion... She could respect that, but they weren't much different. Garbage came in all colors and like humans, you had your good apples, and your rotten ones.* \"And what was your conclusion?\" *She didn't assume it was good, considering he was leaving the nation but he didn't try to kill her so it couldn't have been that bad either.*\n\n\"Humans killing humans?\" *How funny... Because the vampires were also killing vampires. In that they were more alike then she initially thought.* \"If you are leaving the nation, then where will you go?..\" *Did he expect to be more profitable or successful in a neighboring nation? That, and that sounded like quite a long distance between here and wherever he was going. She suspected he didnt have any food since the last time she had given him some.*\n\n\"Well, I wish you well on your travels and endeavors..\" *She gave a bow of her head, and earnestly wished him the best. She wouldn't try to dissuade or change his mind becajse she believed, like her elders believed, in the power of choice.*"
},
{
"author": "Faedon",
"message": "*Would slowly lower himself to the ground as he would take a seat resting on arm on his knee the other on his waist. To take a small break before he would have to be on the move again his eyes looked upon her with a bit of confusion lingering and pity for her race and her suffering.* `\"My conclusion is that were all the same no one is any different people are just born different and have to survive differently there is nothing wrong with that. The humans killed the captain of a group that made initial contact with the vampires because he wished to protect them proclaiming then citizens of the nation as much as he was I agree with him it is something I can't let go.\"`\n\n*He would take another breath before speaking as his eyes lowered to look at his feet before any words escaped.* `\"I want to the leave the nation but without any true plan other then head in one direction and hope for the best I don't know.\"` *Upon hearing her wishing him safe travels he lifted his head up* `\"Why must you be so daft, where will I go?\"` *A soft chuckle escaped before speaking once more* `\"I want to to protect the vampires, before I leave this nation even if it meant shedding blood to protect those that just want to live, I want to protect you as well I owe you my life I want to ask you something...\"`\n\n*He sighs softly*\n\n`\"I want you to join on my party join my on my ventures you can't walk this nation without being at risk you can't return to your shop, I have no place to go maybe we can help each other?\"`\n\n*He asked hoping she would accept his proposal it would make him happy to not have to travel alone it would also give him a purpose instead of being a vagabond, he would do something he enjoys protecting someone who he wants to someone that deserves it however he didn't expect her to accept he expected her to say no.*"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*Well her ears perked up at that. Her close friend had told her of one who had spared the lot of them that night... Maybe humanity had what the definition of a monster was all backwards. She was sullen about it, but there was nothing she in her current position could do other than wish more death upon her enemies, but even that got exhausting after a while. She wanted justice as much as anyone would... An eye for an eye as they say. But something about wishing for more violence after all that had happened and that **Would** Happen just seemed draining... No pun intended.\n\nNow, she was fine until he was throwing around insults. Daft?? Coming from someone who reaked of human blood, vampire blood and... Something else. Goblin? Disgusting.* \"Then I wish you horrible turmoil on your travels\" *She retorted, couldn't wish any human well these days it seemed. He could ask her whatever he liked, her cheeks were puffed out in mild annoyance and she couldn't guarantee a huffy response and she snapped her head to look away from him.*\n\n\"An alliance?\" *She floated to her feet and leaned over to stare down at him.* \"You know I could eat you\" *But she wouldn't. It was against her morals.* \"I could bring you terrible trouble\" *But she couldn't, she was prohibited by the sun.* \"I could tell my father of my whereabouts, and he would surely abolish you\" *But she shouldn't, because he would lock her away and confine her to the equivalent of a bird cage for eons to come.*\n\n\"Even so, you wish to form an alliance?\" *It was a little exciting. Maybe it was time she made a choice too.* \"Then we go\" *It was fairly simple for her. She couldn't go back to the doll shop, and she couldn't go back home lest she wanted it to turn into a prison. Leaving was the only way to find the fundamental truths of the world.*"
},
{
"author": "Faedon",
"message": "*Stood quiet as she was contemplating in her head about what she would do he had no idea what she may have been thinking only to await her response, he remained indifferent as she snapped at him his face remaining neutral to through the interaction. Until she said she could eat him then followed up by threats of calling her father he replied with a soft calm voice.* `\"You could eat me, will I stop you no, if you feel that I have offended you so deeply you wish to take my life if it made you feel better then so be it, it might teach you a lesson in your emotions at the cost of a life I have nothing to lose. You can also call your father to kill me I wouldn't have anyone to exact vengeance on my behalf do as you please.\"`\n\n*He spoke as his eyes looked upon her as she was standing over him everything he said had been the truth but replied to her but as she accepted his proposal his eyes filled with surprise*\n\n`\"So you decided to not kill me and join me together on our travels?\"`\n\n*He smiles softly*"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*She jumped to float down from her perch before covering her nose once more with her sleeve.* \"Yes but... I won't be able to survive an hour into the voyage if you continue to smell like that..\" *Her vocie sounded how one would usually sound if they plugged their nose.* \"Vampires have a very heightened and keen sense of smell... I won't be able to bare it\" *The closer she got, the worse it got.* \"Where is champions hold? We shall make haste to the river..\" *Running a few paces forward, she stopped and the realized that he could not turn into a bat. Well then, this was bound to be troublesome.* \n\n\"Hm... We'll need a carriage...\" *They would be traveling merchants or nomads. The carriage was especially important because the terrain had a knack to fluctuate. Should they cross a dessert or an open field or some plains there would be no cover for her and she would need to be shielded by the sunlight. Furthermore, he was the only one who would be able to by privisions. Since he was human he'd have a safer and easier time.*"
},
{
"author": "Faedon",
"message": "*As she covered her nose he felt a little more embarrassed as she had her nose plugged he couldn't help but give a soft laugh on how strange it sounded.* `\"I see... The champions hold is about 3 miles east, not that far, from here.\"` *Tilting his head seeing her run then stop he would slowly press his hand into the dirt ground slowly getting up dusting himself off before speaking again.*\n\n`\"Then come with me to the city of dimeria it is not safe but as long as you cover your face and skin you will be safe if anything happens I swear I will protect you.\"`\n\n*He would set down his backpack then pulled out a black cloak it was clean unlike his clothing now*\n\n`\"Here out this on we will head to the river then we will head to dimeria, I am owed a few pieces of coin, for completing a quest so I don't starve to death I need them.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*Carefully taking the cloak, she supposed having a bat follow him would be too obvious.* \"Coin..\" *In another world where she hadn't been alive for two hundred and fifteen years with her father being a nobleman and her mother an Aristocrat placing them in the upper middle class coin might have been a problem. She didn't have access to her own safe, but she did have funds stored in the regional bank that had outlets all over. That was for emergencies, but she did save her allowance and had accumulated quite the amount. She had stored parts of it in various cemeteries and graveyards in the Sicarlas Kingom because it wasn't wise to keep all of your eggs in one basket.\n\nTying the cloak over her shoulders, it almost touched the ground since she was a bit shorter than him. She looked left, then right before supposedly having found what she was looking for. A grave guarded by stone cherubs was always a sign that a child had died. White Gardenias much like the one she held sprouted from its soil. It was a seasonal flower, so it would always grow back but it also signaled where she kept some coin. Without it, she'd forget unfortunately.\n\nGently scooting the cherub to the side, a hollow hole held a lace covered, black, velvet pouch that looked very very old. There was only 500 gold coins in it, but with one gold piece equating to ten silver pieces this would do for now. She'd slide the guardian of stone back before holding up the pouch.* \"Coin.\" *She wouldn't be of much use outside of the city, so he better enjoy it while it lasted.*"
},
{
"author": "Faedon",
"message": "*Looked at her as she began to mosey about the graveyard as she wrapped the cloak around herself he watched her walk to around looking left then right he would follow a few steps behind but stay a little bit far away his tired eyes watching for any enemies that may come*\n\n`\"What may you be searching for?\"`\n\n*Looking over he would see a flower as she removed the dirt and soil to side and seeing a black velvet pouch that looked heavy with what he would assume had coin in it he would speak.* `\"It is your coin anything you wish for me to get for you that would be to dangerous for you to get on your own I will do so I won't use your coin.\"` *He wished not to use another's money nothing he didn't earn he refuses to use he would speak once more.* `\"You will hold onto it until you choose you wish for me to hold onto it. Now let's begin are journey before sun up.\"` *He would say softly one would think someone as poor as him would want gold and even be desperate to have it or even happy but he wasn't it had as much value as dirt had value to him, nothing unless he earned it with his two hands.*"
},
{
"author": "Ai Yume",
"message": "*Her expression got a little annoyed as she held out an outstretched arm* \"Coin. You said you needed coin..\" *She got what they needed, now they could go to the river she didn't see the problem. Objective complete, there was no debate. Coin was coin. She grumbled and placed it in her dress pocket before following after him, but by a good few feet because the smell was terrible. She noted his tired physic and almost forgot that the night may have been the prime time for activity for her, but not so much for him. Well, he could rest when he was clean because she wouldn't be able to out up with it for hours.\n\nOnce they left the Graveyard gates, she lifted the hood over her head. The uncertainty would well and grow the further away from familiar grounds she got. The adventurers guild was more than likely have scouts out. Of course, they had no way to prove she wasn't human... Well, no direct way. What were they gonna do? Spritz anyone who walked into the square with holy water?*"
}
] | 228.5 | 3,437 |
82.897959 | 1776-07-04 | GuildPublicThread | [
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*As the adventurer was dragged away from 4 of there friends ran directly after there screaming companion with 2 being swordsman and 1 archer and one mage ran after the beast hopefully to save there friend as they were all panting the thing was fast they broke through the tree line and looked around for there fellow friend*\n\n*"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper had already killed the adventurer but propped up his corpse with his tendrils like dark puppet strings. Then it imitated his voice, though it came out guttural and rasp.* \"Help... Me... Someone..\""
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The adventurer's looked upon the creature with disgust, with fear as it used it's puppet strings to puppeteer there friends dead body one of them leaned over and vomited almost instantly disgusted with the scene the one went to help the girl that was vomiting the other tow held there swords, there hands were shaking they were frozen in fear.*"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper let go of the dead adventure and brandished it's serrated scythe. It attempted to make a swift strike with its scythe at the nearest adventurer in front of it. If it connect it would cut their face in half in one clean stroke. Instead of using its tendrils to attack the rest, it's 8 metallic limbs came from its sides. It began rapidly jabbing at them as it slowly advanced, attempted to impale the terrified adventurers anywhere it could.*"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The adventures that was vomiting got her face cleaved off with a disgusting breaking of been in an instant the other lady that was helping her screamed holding the top part of her friends head she began to run away the two swordman we're now shaking violently but there swords glowed as she casted a holy barrier Infront of them hoping to stop the creatures advance.*"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper recognized this magic could harm it. It hesitated to attack. It looked at the ground then back at the holy barrier before it. 5 black tendrils sprouted from its spiked back, they drilled into the ground in an attempt to come back up through it once more underneath the swordsmen trying to bypass the barrier.*"
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**They both entered the forest, Crescentia still had both halos hovering just above her shoulders. She looked around for any signs of survivors.**\n\n\"Onus let's try not to separate from each other.\""
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus nodded before looking at the two man and the barrier in front of them unsure of what going on he put his arm up ready to cast but waited to see what is going on"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The two swordman see the black tendrils sprout from his back and go into the ground they looked at each other confused then began walking backwards as they didn't want to fight it, they were to scared it meant certain death.*"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The 5 Black tendrils erupted out of earth and attempted grapple the two swordsmen from beneath. If connected the two men would be tossed around like rag dolls screaming for their lives. Their flesh would hit the ground with tremendous impact sending coloring the ground red with their blood. The tendrils would keep smacking the against the ground until the sickening sound of bones and flesh breaking, before being thrown to the side like broken toys.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would summon small lighting strike to hit the tendrils trying to save the men he then pulled out his axes.\n\" It's in the ground! Be careful!\"\nOnus would watch the ground trying to see if where the next attack will be"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*If onus would look the 'men' were only children that of 14 both of them newly made adventurer's looking for exploration instead met with death, and terror they were impaled by the tendrils and there screams and breaking bones could be hard and flesh being mangled with each hit one of them claws at the ground towards onus trying to get to safety before his hand rips a clump of grass out as he was dragged back into the onslaught and path to death the deafening screams died out when they were finally killed*"
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**Cres was in utter shock, her head began to spin and a lump formed within her throat. The two halos above her grow larger and a streak of blinding light engulfed both the adventures and the tendrils. The light would prove to be ineffective towards normal folk, but catastrophic towards evil beings. Burning them to a crisp until only dust was left. If the tendrils were not already stunned by the lighting, the light would burn it.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*By the time Cres or Onus interfered the poor adventurers died in terror. The lightning hit one of the 5 flailing tendrils stunning it while Cres's light spell burnt the tendrils to dust. The Reaper screamed in agony as it's tendrils burned. It retracted the remains of them back inside itself. It stared at the two recognizing the priest would be a danger to its life. It stood in an awkward way, as if it were getting ready for something. It then spoke to her.* \"Make usssss... Proud... Our litttle Angel.\" *When it pronounced the word Angel it came out as a demonic growl. Cres would get visions of her family burning alive screaming, inside their new founded church.*\n\n*It would then turn to Onus and speak to him as well.* \"Onussssss... Mate... Pass me a... Drink?\" *Onus would also get visions, however for him it would be Okia exploding in a dark explosion with a smile on his face. This was followed by another vision, but it was Okia that had been reanimated with a numerous amount of eyes. The undead Okia would draw his spear and lumber toward Onus in the vision.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus doesn't know who okia is"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*By the time Cres or Onus interfered the poor adventurers died in terror. The lightning hit one of the 5 flailing tendrils stunning it while Cres's light spell burnt the tendrils to dust. The Reaper screamed in agony as it's tendrils burned. It retracted the remains of them back inside itself. It stared at the two recognizing the priest would be a danger to its life. It stood in an awkward way, as if it were getting ready for something. It then spoke to her.* \"Make usssss... Proud... Our litttle Angel.\" *When it pronounced the word Angel it came out as a demonic growl. Cres would get visions of her family burning alive screaming, inside their new founded church.*\n\n*It would then turn to Onus and speak to him as well in a combination of hissing with a gutteral sound.* \"Onussssss... Whatss... Going on?\"Onus would also get visions, however for him it would be Cres looking at him with a terrified face before being decapitated by The Reaper's scythe. Her lifeless body would crumple before him. Her white hair now stained red.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Been playing fable 3 again this reminds me of this\n\nApprently the death of the children went enough as onus now had to watch his only friend in this world be murder In front of him. After years of fighting for both evil and good onus lost the ability to shed a tear at least he thought he did. Onus would feel a tear run down his chick as this death would give him flashback of his past of the manly people he killed and the people he failed to save. \nOnus wants to be a hero so watching all this death hit close to his heart.\nOnus bite his gum feeling his rage build up in side him. Onus body would turn into lava as onus created two balls of lava in his hand quickly throw the ball of lava into the lava ball into the ground before making a anthor two. Onus would attempt to spam this move throwing a shit ton of lava balls into the dirt hoping at least one would hit his tendrils"
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**As the images of her family appeared before her, she smiled as she fell to her knees before them? Grateful for a chance to see her family again but what a curl monster. To have to see her family burned alive. An insult to the dead.**\n\n\"How dare you mock the dead.\"\n\n**Crescentia scowled as she rose from the ground, her eyes blazing with disappointment. The sun tattoos around her eyes flickered rapidly, activating. Once solid they broke the illusion plaguing her mind. \n\nBefore she could do anything she saw a giant turn to lava?! Cres fleeted to the safety of behind a tree.**\n\n\"ONUS! CALL DOWN!\"\n\n**Yelling bloodily murder as she switched to a new tree further away. As she switched the halo above her shot another beam of light towards the the direction of where the tendrils were. The light was as wide as thee trees and as tall as Onus, but the trees were in harmed.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*Onus would hit nothing in his rage as the creature already retracted its tendrils. These two were not terrified in the least. The Reaper now has lost interest in them as it desires terror before it dines. It made a cawing noise and the large murder of crows still entrapped by the investigator's barrier surrounded the pair and obscured their vision in a mass of black and red. The crows stayed far enough away to avoid the lava, and still obscured the Reaper from view. The Reaper proceeded to attempt to slink back into the darkness of the forest, to find other potential prey.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would be breathing heavily as he slowly calm down. He was a bit tired after his mini rampage. Onus look at the direction of the crow and took a deep breath before throwing a wave of lava at them though it wouldn't be too epic onus hope cres had a plan to catch his ass because onus is already out of breath and needs to take a minute to catch his breath."
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**Cres burned the crows around her. The halo bolted around, blasting them to dust. She continued to do so until she could see Onus falling to the ground. But what could she do? She couldn't stop him from falling, he was far to big.**\n\n\"Onus! By the gods are you ok?\"\n\n**She rushed over to him and stood beside him.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*Between both her holy magic and Onus's lava they killed the remaining crows trapped within the Investigator's barrier. More would surely come if the barrier drops. The Reaper at this point had successfully blended back into the darkness of the forest. It will search for terrified prey. To it those who are terrified taste the most delicious.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would slowly get up being less tired but still breathing a lot.\n\"Yeah it won't take long for me to gain my breath back.\"\nOnus would return back to normal no longer being made out of lava. Onus looks at the direction towards where the Reaper went.\n\"That thing it's still not dead do you think it was the scarecrow?\""
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "\"Well seeing as crow came to its aid. It's safe to say yes.\"\n\n**Cres deactivated her halos to converse and replenish her mana. Taking a couple deep breaths as she Ew enters herself.**\n\n\"Why did it run?\""
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would start to walk catch most of breath by now.\n\"I don't know why it ran. It killed so many soldiers with a few crows it's different not scared of us\"\nOnus create a ball of lava to use as a light source.\n\"Can you use your ufo thing above your head to light up this area?\nWe need to destroy it so it doesn't do anymore harm\""
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**Cres chuckled at his remark, a halo form above them. It radiates light bright enough to reveals about 15 feet in each direction.**\n\n\"UFO, what a funny work but this is a halo, silly.\""
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would suddenly be blind by the light and would start blinking to adjust himself to the light.\n\"AH shit that halo thing is bright\"\nOnus would close his fist making his lava ball dispear as he walked more forward. He was glad the was light but he don't want to lose his eyes for it"
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "\"Hm. How are we going to find this thing?\"\n\n**As they continued deeper into the forest, Cres sent the halo in front. Keeping the front of them light and prevent them from getting fish bowled.**\n\n\"Got any ideas?\""
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would look around for a bit to see where the monster is and shurged his shoulder \n\"We probably not lure it out it could literally be right under us.\"\nOnus would rub his chin trying to think about what happened during the fight.\n\"Aye when we where fighting that thing where you hit with a illusion or something?\""
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "\"That seemed to be the case. Luckily I was able to break free from it but if it happens again I can't help you.\"\n\n**Cres stops and turned towards the sound of fighting. The adventures that were left and the massive dragon were still fighting by the sounds of it.**\n\n\"Arg, how annoying.\" **The bridge of her nose scrunches as she groans.**"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "\"What do you think the goal of the illusion was?\"\nOnus would rub his chin as he start to thinking before looking back at the fight.\nOnus would nod\n\"It's even worse because we can't leave this place until the fight is over\""
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "\"Perhaps to lower and guard and then attack us.\"\n\n**Cres pulls the halo closer to them and places it above Onus head.** \"Don't look up.\" **With that being said smaller beams of light shoot into the forest. If it hit anything it would cause the beams to ripple. The bigger the ripple the bigger the movement.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper was slowly creeping on all limbs in the forest, when a random beam of light shot close to it. It stopped dead in its tracks. It would wait and listen within the forest thicket.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would be confused and supprised by the fact that she can reach his head.\nOnus wouldn't look up and just felt awkward.\nHe then look at her.\n\"Eh did that help?\""
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**From the inisial beams, secondary beams shot out like rise thorns. Random and scattered. Cres watched the strings of light intently, looking for any big moves movements.**\n\n\"No but maybe this will...\""
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper saw these beams of light scatter near it. It chose to stay completely still, as any animal would interpret it knew it was being hunted. So, it chose to silently wait amongst the thicket of the woods.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would smile as he his face went a bit red. Liked having the halo but don't want to admit it or anything.\nOnus would put his hands in their and made it rain lighting. His lighting would hit around the same area near the light beam but instead of ripples decting movement it would be electricity trying to hurt things around it. He hoped it would hurt the enemy or at least get it to move about"
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**With no sign off movement from the beams. The beams of light vanished as the halo light dimmed.**\n\n\"No movement, this things smart. Makes sense, it ran from use...\" **Cres looked out into the darkness of the forest and deactivated her Holly aura. Then focused her mana into a ring around her then reactivated her Holy aura. Send an invisible shock wave of holy entertainment around them. If it could reach the creature, it would tell her exactly where it was. She was going to give it something it could no see and hopefully couldn't dodge.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The creature was not close by, it only saw the beams of light and went into hiding. When the beams of light simmered and went away. Onus's Lightning rained down from above striking mostly trees and occasionally one would make it to the forest floor. The Reaper was not hit by this attack or even seemed to notice it. However, Cres's holy wave pinged the creature 10 yards out. It felt a burning sensation around it but not enough to make it move.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would shurg his shoulder.\n\"What ever it was it probably died or some how got away. Lets return to the city and call it a day.\"\nOnus would be annoyed but he knows his just wasting his time"
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "\"I found it! 10 yards out!\"\n\n**Once the reaper's location had been revealed. She sent the halo above, towards the beast and formed another one behind her which sent a series of beams of light towards the beast. Soon after the halo was sent it broke the tree line and flow far above them. They were about 5 beams of light that where aiming for its torso.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*At this point in time the barrier had been broken as Orestis and the others had retreated. The Reaper thinking it wasn't seen kept still. The halo came right at The Reaper hitting it right in its metallic rib cage sending it flailing backwards screaming as the holy magic burned what contained inside it. It tried to get up but the beams of light also caught it as it was trying to flee. Except only 3 out of the 5 connected as all 3 hit its large metallic claw. The limb came flying off with a metallic screech as sparks were seen in the distance. The creature then collapsed to the ground.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus was ready to walk away before hearing cres.\nHe then turned around and took out his axes. He would run towards the direction before activating his lighting form. Turning himself into a lighting he would quickly travel towards the beast moving at the same speed as lighting"
},
{
"author": "goldenchantress",
"message": "Cr:**Cres followed behind him but was much slower as she had to run the whole way on foot. So instead of wasting entertainment she stop and forced on the halo that was near the reaper. The halo expanded above the creature, growing larger as it powered up. Forming a small ball of fire in the center that grew larger with every second that past. This gave the creature to run if it could. If it couldn't a holy flame would crash down on the beast and burn it to dust.**\n\n\"Onus don't go under the halo!\" **She yelled, hoping he would hear her.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*Black tendrils suddenly sprouted from its back and the tendrils also appear to be screaming as if sentient themselves. If connected the tendrils would tear through Onus's flesh like paper. At the same time the other tendrils lifted the Reaper like a puppet on strings and latched onto the nearest branch and attempted to escape by swinging from branch to branch.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would notice the tendrils but decided to ignore them before getting hit by one. Onus would be shocked by their strength and decided to head towards the sky to try and avoid the rest of them so he doesn't get ripped apart. Onus would then create a giant ball of lava in his hands and would start to come crashing down towards the monster using the ball of lava to try and burn away the tendrils."
},
{
"author": "Crescentia",
"message": "**The halo had filled to the side, so it's face was towards the reaper. Like before it shot out 5 beams of light, but they were dimmed this time. Less power was imputed so as it attempted to bind down the monster without ripping right through it. Cres was watching from afar so would not be affected by Onus attack.**"
},
{
"author": "The Reaper",
"message": "*The Reaper was swinging from tree to tree with his tendrils as locomotion. It would sling shot itself above the trees gaining tremendous distance before the tendrils came down and pierced the ground and began walking on them like spidery stilts. This would be out of range of Onus's lava attack and since it sling shot itself into the air Cres's beam attack would also miss as it kept retreating.*"
},
{
"author": "abu_h129",
"message": "Onus would land and return back to normal.\n\"Damn that things is fast. Cres you got a plan?\"\nOnus pulled out his axes and start to run towards it. He doesn't want the thing to get away from his sight but wouldn't attack as he waited for cres to think of something"
}
] | 72 | 4,062 |
77.380952 | 2022-06-29 | GuildTextChat | [
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*He enters the hall with the woman and heads over to get some food.*\n\n\"Look at you doing some Gods work. Killing demons as your job? I respect you. Im just a slave who finally got a piece of freedom just to be thrown into a jail.\""
},
{
"author": "Camion",
"message": "*Was in line getting food, he was walking back to his chair then he was kicked down by his leg he fell over and all the food fell all over the ground he slowly pushes himself up onto his side as he looked around panting as his hair falls across his face he was then jumped by serval prisoners the sound of beating fists and boots against his flesh can be hard along with slurs following calling him different ones and the term \"Demon\" Only the human did this all other races simply looked at the humans with disgust. And minded there business the guards had left and locked the door to the chow hall they wasn't there when it broke out.*"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*Seeing the first sight of a fight he would smirk.*\n\n\"Save me a seat and some food aye?\"\n\n*He would tell the woman before cracking his knuckles and walking over. He would get behind one of them and grab their shoulder. He would turn them around and give them a suprise headbutt. He wouldnt hold back his force as he tried to break their nose. He would hope this blow knocked them over.*\n\n\"Hows that for you huh?! Ganging up on one?! I'll set you all straight!\""
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The group of humans kept beating on the demon as one of there noses were broke they held it as blood poured down there face the 9 others were still beating relentlessly on the demon, 4 of them heard there friend get there nose broken and turned each one getting ready to fight and throwing a punch towards the man this was all disorganized of course.*\n\n`\"Your supposed to hate these filthy scum no?! There demons! Evil of the world! Not defend these evil shits. They should have never been born.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*Seeing 4 come at him while disorganised allowed him to read their movements. He would back up and begin dodging the first 3 before moving beside the final blow and redirecting their momentum. He attempts to grab them by the back of the head and use that momentum to smash their head into one of the tables.*\n\n\"I dont care about the demon you moron! Im here to fight!\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*Makimi chose to stand back, giving a good twenty feet of space. Sure, she could have taken on five guys at once, but when she thought about the charges she could face for getting into a fight in prison, it was better for her to just watch it all.*"
},
{
"author": "Camion",
"message": "*Was screaming bloody murder as blood was pouring down his face and he felt the dozens of fists and boots hit his flesh one of them knocked him out and he fell unconscious this screams attracted the guards.*"
},
{
"author": "Red Guard",
"message": "*Ran in with riot shields and shook cannisters of magical gas*\n\n`\"Stop fighting or everyone gets gassed.\"`\n\n*The guards came in full force with over 50 of them but they had batons and not swords, and shields they came in marching in unison towards the fight which had seemingly stopped just as fast as soon as the humans saw the guards. The one that got his face smashed into the table was unconscious luckily they didn't see varik do this and no one planned on snitching.\""
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*He stood away from them and he would lift his hands up.*\n\n\"Dont look at me Guards. Just trying to get back in line.\"\n\n*He would step slowly to the line to get himself some food. He felt ecstatic to get some hits. He loved a good fist fight. He would hope to join the woman in the line.*\n\n\"That felt good.\""
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The prisoners had dragged camion under one of the tables as the guards were busy and covered the bloodied boy with here bodies to obscure the guards view*"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*He would keep his eyes on the action as the guards were looking around. He smirks and points.*\n\n\"Prisoners hiding contraband under that table!\"\n\n*He would then lower his hand and whistle as he watched.*"
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*She sat down at one of the tables, glancing up at Variks, her face blank.* \n\n`\"Perhaps he is not the person that I thought he was...\"`"
},
{
"author": "Red Guard",
"message": "*Move the prisoners out the way and see the half beaten boy and careful lift him out and one of the guards fists shook with anger and turned around shouting at all the humans*\n\n`\"What is wrong with you people?! What did he do to you? Only because he has different race something he couldn't control you had to beat him half to death?!\"`\n\n*The guard took of his helmet and throws it directly at the ground with a loud clatter.*\n\n`\"They feed you meals homeless wish they had give you rooms meant for royalty you still do this shit!\"`\n\n*The Guard was by then started to be held back and dragged out the room for there outburst but it seemed the other guards silently agreed with the one that was dragged out. Two guards lifted the young lad which was only 14 off the ground and began to take him out the chow hall along with all the other humans that were involved with this mess.*"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*He would get himself a tray of food before joining the woman at the table. He would begin to dig in.*\n\n\"You shee that? Humans acting worsh then a demon. Who woulda thought?\"\n\n*He swallowed the mouthful he was talking with before eating even more. He thought he was going to be a menace here but now hes playing a saviour. It felt gratifying even if he didnt want to admit it.*\n\n\"Go on eat up. You have a trial you're waiting on.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*She just watched him eat for a moment before she found her words.*\n\n`\"What reason could you possibly have to defend a demon, no matter what the circumstances may be? Unacceptable.\"`\n\n*With that, she stood up and waited by the door to be taken back to her cell.*"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "\"If that was a human kid being beaten by demons you'd find it a problem. But a demon kid being beaten by humans is fine? Guess you've never thought about the demon families you've affected with your kills nor the family that currently worries for that kid whos trying to survive in a prison with demon haters. Ive never had a family, i never got to feel the warmth of a mothers touch. Afterall im just a slave.\"\n\n*He would end his statement there before eating. He hoped she killed demons that deserved it but she was no better then those harassing innocents. He would then take his time with his drink, staring out of the window.*\n\n\"All of these pitiful people taking this reformation for granted just to grow pompous and spoiled. You all are sinners in Gods image.\""
},
{
"author": "Makimi Bazin",
"message": "*She did not respond, only staring off blankly at the ceiling, muttering silently.*\n\n`\"If the Council is anything like him, I may as well just hang myself after the trial.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "*After casually finishing his drink he would take his tray behind the counter. He would take the time to clean it himself before returning to the door and leaning against a wall. He awaits to be returned to his cell so he can return to writing in his journal.*"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The doors to the chow halls open as the red guard opens the door and directs them to the courtyard.*\n\n`\"It's your free time you may not return to your cell at this time you must have some time to go outside you are free to explore the cavern at your own wishes but please return in 6 hour's, the cavern has lakes animals and more.\"`"
},
{
"author": "Variks The Dredgen.",
"message": "\"Well i'll be damned.\"\n\n*He follows them to the courtyard so he can get a breath of some fresh cavern air.*"
},
{
"author": "faedon073",
"message": "*The red guard directs Makimi to head to the courtyard as well*\n\n`\"Please go to the courtyard you may not return to your cell this is not a request.\"|\\`"
}
] | 60 | 1,625 |
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