|
|
Post by brandvandet on Jun 29, 2018 18:21:37 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Serora Plot 602: Sacrifice Team Leader: Cardinal Participants: Baram, Crescent, Embryss, Jack, Katarina, Kilorn, Mellie Please keep the following in mind!- Posts must be a minimum of 175 words. There is no maximum!- No strict order is enforced, but there must be at least two posts between your own character's.- No god-moding or reading characters' minds (unless your pony is a literal telepath, anyway)
- Always get consent before harming another character!- Your team is precious. Try to interact with everyone. <3- Have fun! Even if your pony isn't. 8'DPrompt: Enemy forces have pressed toward the ancestral city of Osulas. With great success so far, the Seroran strategy has been to make Sedo as inhospitable as possible. The land yields nothing to the invaders and what little could have been left for them is destroyed by Screamers and Skirmishers before the marchers even arrive. Furies and Windracers raid the long supply lines that stretch from the coasts to the armies struggling with a climate alien to both of them. However, the supply cache at Osulas and the shelter and water sources afforded by it could make all those tactics for naught. The Council and their Warders have a choice: destroy their home or leave it to be ransacked. Location: Osulas Time of Day: Afternoon Current Weather: Cloudy Day Please wait for your leader to post!
|
|
|
|
Post by brandvandet on Jun 29, 2018 18:21:54 GMT -6
The city of Osulas slumbered in an unbroken, silent dream. Its empty streets wound serpentine, paved veins bare of the lifeblood that had sustained it for as long as Cardinal could remember - The emptiness resounded eerily, suspended and waiting. Where merchants had loudly hawked their wares and children had run laughing underfoot, now only a heavy breeze stirred, carrying red dust in from the sprawling desert beyond and tousling their manes with warm breath.
The evacuation had been a triumph of planning, carried out with remarkable efficiency, but the thin smiles of success died on their lips as the last remaining civilians looked over the tomb that remained. The burden of indecision weighed heavily upon the small delegation, who gathered the reserves of their calm and flanked Baram as they walked - A solemn, ceremonial procession through the empty slumbering roads, curling paved paths overlooked by the wide gaping windows of abandoned homes. Everything was as it had been on the final day of the evacuation. With their silent passage the librarian could see remnants of the lives that had been born and thrived here; A vivid rainbow flag fluttering from a clothesline; A stuffed toy propped up, its button eyes bright and polished; Chalk drawings blossoming across limestone and adobe walls; A fine clay mug brimming with undrunk, tepid tea.
If he shut his eyes tightly, Cardinal could feel them still - Serora’s people, his people. The beautiful songs of their daily communions intertwining like a holy orchestra, a colorful and vigorous affair. The children of Alya brought vibrancy and joy to everything they touched. Osulas had been the center of this masterpiece, the glowing heart of Sedo, splendid enough to persuade even the nomadic-at-heart to take respite and be cooled in the shade of a friendly stranger’s roof. It was home.
And they were deciding whether or not to destroy it.
The council and its honored consultants reached an open square and unanimously stopped. Around them were the domiciles of the families that united their nation and gave it strength. There had not been enough time for everyone to take all their treasures with them; Those who had given up the nomadic ways had also forgotten how it was to live lightly and own nothing, and had amassed homely goods, and had lived well. There had been many tears on the day of departure, as much a rain as the desert had ever seen.
Each individual of the assorted group seemed reluctant to break the heavy silence. Many wore the difficult sorrow of indecision on their faces; Cardinal looked, and felt, very tired - More weary than he had ever known it possible to feel, exhausted right down into his soul. He cleared his throat and drew in the composure that his blessing allowed, feeling an immediate relief at the separation of emotion from body, the clarity that Alya’s will granted.
“There isn’t much time left,” They all knew this, of course, yet still it needed saying. The square offered a unique view of the city. Rooftops and streets stretched away from them, an intimately and achingly familiar sight. Soon the red dirt and golden sand would reverberate with the march of many thousands of soldiers on the move. Aodh would not wait for their sentimentality.
Thinking of his library - his lifetime’s work - Cardinal took a deep breath. “There is so much of value here - earthly value, spiritual value. So much history… If we leave Osulas, it falls to the enemy, it feeds and sustains their forces. Fire only knows how to consume. Perhaps when they have scraped every morsel of beauty from it, the city will be left standing, though I would bet against that small mercy. Which leaves us with only one other option,” He couldn’t bear to say it, and instead closed his eyes against the glare of the sun, blinking away the sting of heartache.
In his mind’s eye the librarian envisioned his immense collection, his books, all the stories they held - an irreplaceable, invaluable fortune. And he imagined them burning, burning, burning, the pages curling and blackening to ash, the blue sky overhead full of smoke.
1 | 688
queerly edit: this post physically wounded me.
|
|
|
|
Post by loveboxer123 on Jul 1, 2018 17:28:19 GMT -6
C R E S C E N T
Seroran Warder
... ...
Fury danced in her viens like starlight. The mare was somber, quiet for once in her existence. On the inside, she brimmed and overflowed with righteous anger, coloring her world a shade of rosey red. Milo, ever the faithful companion, released a meow and butted her flank. Crescent shuffled her wings, adjusting the golden collar around her neck.
Her scythe ached for Aodhian blood, to cut into the horses who dared invade her home in their so called war. They would make a mockery of her people, put them in chains and parade them around like toys. Crescent refused that future.
She would kill the world to see her people safe. Let her heart be consumed by darkness, to see them free and wholeheartedly Seroran. Aodh would burn on their own flames, choke on their own blood, and Crescent would laugh, her own veins cloaked with stardust.
She would become the monster they feared, to keep their safety.
Crescent looked over her home, calculating turquoise rolling over the homes sitting still and silent. She frowned, heart being tugged by invisible strings.
“They would see the world burn to sate their own greed.” She said softly, flattening her ears.
“They are monsters of their own making.” She mused, staring into empty windows, spying her own reflection, before deeply sighing.
“We must become their phoenix. Rise from the ashes. Legends, drag them down like commoners do a tyrant king” Crescent turned her head back towards the group, ruffling her wings.
“Drown them in oil and burn them in their own flames”
... ... Word Count:267 Post #1 |
|
|
|
Post by promsong on Jul 1, 2018 17:37:57 GMT -6
mellie
Doing fine all on my own
Cause I know that this was right for me
post 1 | 300 words
War had been on the horizon for a while now and as each day passed, Mellie grew more and more anxious for the future of Serora. But, they were a hardy herd, and if they could survive the harsh conditions of the desert, they could survive whatever Aodh would throw at them. Easier said than done.
The city of Osulas had been bustling with life only days earlier and as the council and warders looked over it, it was a ghost town at best. Remnants of what used to be and what could have been surrounded them. Mellie stared at it all with her mouth tight and her eyes slightly closed. None of this was easy. No decision they made was the perfect one and as they were coming to the next one, Mellie hated to face it.
Cardinal was the first person to bring it up, barely able to utter the words. He didn't even get it out fully, yet they all knew what he meant. Crescent was quick to make remarks about how she wanted to spill the guts of the Aodhians and Mellie could feel her own anger inside of her. They came to their home and were now making them choose between destroying it or letting them have it. It made her blood boil and Mellie prided herself on being quite peaceful.
"The best revenge will be building the city even more grand on their corpses after this is all over," she said quietly, her expression now slightly more troubled. Her words were calm, but they were filled with disdain. Her eyes made their way back to Crescent. Her spirit and fire were admirable and Mellie knew that Serora was filled with many others like her. It was what was going to bring them to victory. |
|
|
|
Post by firebirdfalling on Jul 1, 2018 18:56:48 GMT -6
| Katarina Iron Hoof WC: 301 // Post #1 |
She slowly gazed across the city, etching every detail into her mind as if it was the last time she was going to see it. It may very well be, the way this war is going. Depending on the outcome, she may never see her country again, let alone her home.
Spotting her small abode among the scattered houses was near-impossible, almost every home was close in color, stature, and design, but she still found it. She would not cry for it, as it is only a place, but she will hold it in her heart as long as she lived. Astor stood beside her, a sorrowful look on his feline face. He knew that they would have to leave, and maybe never come back either.
Some of the others around her seemed to have sad looks or were outright distressed. Kat however kept her feelings to herself, a mask of icy indifference plastered to her features. She cared, but when you are defending your people, you must be strong for them and not give in to personal grievances.
We could always build anew, she thought, agreeing with the angered mare. Crescent was her name, a bit too impulsive for Kat to handle, but she had good intentions.
Now however, she was a warrior, speaking of flames and destruction. That was what must be done now, though the black mare did not voice her opinions at this time. Her way of thinking was too analytical for most of the people, and she did not wish to scare them with her words of logic.
Still... She had her own attachments to this place that she grew up in. It will be sad to see it laid low. Better by it's own people than that of others who wish to defile it's history. |
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Jul 2, 2018 14:02:13 GMT -6
Jack We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
  
x | x The silence of the city made shivers dance up Jack’s spine, ears twitching as he caught the sound of the wind echoing through the halls, chimes singing merrily in the distance. He thought to his own home, how he had gathered his most precious of scrolls and hurriedly stuffed them in his saddlebag before leaving, not giving himself the opportunity to stop and reflect. Zaboo rode silently along his back, tiny hands gripping his hair gently as they walked.
It felt like a funeral march, like they were all walking to their deathbeds and in a way maybe they were. But Jack couldn’t stand the silence and as they moved, he began to sing. His voice was low and overused, the words of an old Seroran song floating with the wind. His blessing would not put them to sleep, no his will was far too drained to do that, but he hoped that it would offer an air of calm and clarity.
The past few days had been hectic; he had seen horses after horse, assuring worries and offering blessings, helping those that panicked and sobbed. Each emotion had reflected off of Jack and left him drained, but he had sought their worries and done his best to bring as much peace as he could.
And now he found himself standing beside Embryss, wing gently brushing against her side as they all stopped and waited for someone to speak first, to break the air.
Cardinal's equally and even greater weary voice spoke first and Jack could almost see what the stallion must be thinking. It pained him to think of that library going in flames, a place Jack had visited more times than he could count. Cardinal had always been there to offer his wisdom and a smile. He felt Crescents rage radiate through the air, well deserved but sorrowing at the same time.
Her words made him uneasy; the thought of killing and fire and blood was almost too much. But he would have to fight, they all would.
For now Jack stayed silent, eyes cast towards the ground as he thought.
Post 1 | 375
|
|
|
|
Post by Kytte on Jul 3, 2018 4:43:14 GMT -6
 The life poured out of the city that day – the blood that coursed through the heart of Serora had been drained, but it was better than the alternative. “Protect the people” was always at the crux of everything, the delegation had all agreed. But now, here, at the edge of a warzone, Embryss had to cast her eyes across the now soulless place she had so proudly called home. And it was up to them to decide what to do with the bones of their home. Preserve and nourish the attackers, or burn the remains, let the attackers suffer. “Ashes on the wind” she mumbled quietly to herself. Her weary eyes glanced to the others and to the surroundings behind them.
The nights had been long, and sleepless. Embryss favoured pacing around her home and planning of the evacuation with the other councillors whilst the city slept. The People. Jack returned home night after night, drained, given so much of himself to the others to soother their worries. The People. Embryss felt Jacks wing brush against her side. She looked to him, nuzzling the side of his neck briefly, but could not even bring herself to smile. She was torn. It was here that she forged her home. It was here they would raise a family. And it was here that the naysayers decided they would bleed the Seroran’s for standing by a belief that life was sacred, and not to be shackled.
Embryss listened to Cardinal, who always seemed to see reason. He was one of the longest standing council members, and both he and Embryss had served under the previous Sultan. Perhaps one day the pair would work together for more positive reasons, but for now, it was what it was. Crescent and Mellie both spoke strongly for rebirth, and Embryss, in her heart could feel the quicksilver spark her soul. Katarina seemed to have a mask of indifference, although Embryss thought that no doubt, deep down, her heart was aching and flaring all the same.
“Ashes on the wind” she uttered the words again, this time slightly louder so it could be heard. Embryss looked up to the towering pines and aspen trees that littered the cliffsides of their home, the roots clung desperately to the rock. Some of them fell, their old logs now used for decorations or around the town. “The rains always come and go and life springs anew. The seeds are in the depths of the earth” Her sunken, sleepless eyes may have suggested a slight delirium. “We lie in wait, in hiding, for those spring rains again. As long as we survive long enough for the rains to reach us, nothing will have been in vain.” She looked down, to the others now, trying to make sense of her thoughts “Let them come, let them be disappointed with what they find, let them starve. Let it be for nothing. Our wealth was never in our home or our possessions, it was with us.” She sighed, defeated at the thought of rendering this ancient city to dust “Growing back and surviving on new grounds and histories is the most triumphant act we could follow.”
1 | 531
|
|
|
|
Post by Bootless-Box on Jul 4, 2018 10:23:23 GMT -6
◇ KILORN ◇
warder | stallion | he/him
- The door hinges creaked as Kilorn’s green teke pulled the door open. This would be the last time he saw his home in Osulas. He knew that no matter what happened at the meeting he would soon attend, this was it. He’d never imagined that it would come to this. It made his chest clench a bit, he’d made something of this place. His trinkets and unfinished sea glass mural lay in front of him on his table that was never level and leaned a bit to one side. When everyone evacuated he’d gathered all the important things: the little trinkets that reminded him of his parents, his little idol of Alya, and of course Meeku, his pesky meerkat. Truth be told, Kilorn wasn’t sure why he came back. He had known he’d only be sorrowful. He’d already visited the home that his parents once lived in when he was recovering from his burns. A new family had since moved in, and now their things: a foal’s plush, succulents, books, and messy beds, were all left behind. That was grim too, all he could picture was his family, his father planting and his mother coming in from her job, only to fuss over Ki’s bandages. At least here, walking around his own home, it was only his own ghost that he saw. He’d left the sheets a mess, and the drawing on the wall was crooked. It must have been run into on his way out.
- Meeku sensed his mood and stirred from his saddlebag. She made little noises as though she was asking what was wrong and Ki just used his teke to pet her. The tall stallion took one last look before leaving and didn’t bother to shut the door. There was no point. Kilorn made his way to the meeting point, his anger returning to him as he walked. What pompous idiots the Aodhians were. Did they really believe that fighting this war would prove something other than their own crookedness? He snorted and shook his mane out. Fools. As he made it to the meeting, he recognized several others. Most of them actually. He let them all speak. He could identify with Crescent’s rage and Cardinal’s sadness. While he agreed they could begin anew, his brain worked to come up with a much more sinister plan. To hit them where it hurts the most. To surprise the Aodhians. He spoke in turn, anger and grief for his nation, his family, fueled his voice. “We could set it ablaze, and we should. We can’t let them have this, the heart of Serora, to squander and pillage,” he paused a moment of doubt surged through him, but he needed to put the idea out there, “and yet, I know of a way to strike back as well. This may sound... savage, but hear it none the less,” Kilorn looked to them each, his kind-hearted leader, the sad councilors, and the other warders, and spoke gravely, “We could arm the city. Plant bombs at the center, let them believe they have Osulas before taking it all at once.”
wc: 519 words
post #1
|
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Jul 10, 2018 5:04:37 GMT -6
Cardinal it will try to change; it will clamor for clarity word count: 506 | reference | post 2
There was so much anger in the warders and the council. If he focused particularly hard, Cardinal fancied he that could almost see it - Like a red thread that wound through all of them, stringing them along its anguish and fury like brittle glass beads. It felt like a lifetime ago when the previous Sultan's disagreement had heralded this war. He had been angry, then; Angry for his people, angry for the foe that would soon encroach upon their golden sands. Fury was a scalding thing, burning the flesh of those who held it for too long. After Alya's vision, the anger had gone quiet, and something else had risen to take its place. It sat oily and slick in his stomach, the ooze of malcontent, a contamination of the spirit. Cardinal was beyond anger. Even so, talk of blood and flame and a city built on corpses sickened him. "We face a foe who knows no morality, no mercy, no kindness," He attempted to caution Crescent and Mellie, "Our greatest challenge will be to remember our own, when this war is over." They sounded like hollow words. There was an uneasy look on Jack's face that the Councillor reflected in kind. He found in the winged prophet a familiarity that offered some level of compassion, of comfort. His iridescent blue wing brushed against Embryss, drawing Cardinal's attention as she began to speak - his fellow Councillor looked like a celestial being even here, with the dust swirling about their hocks. There had always been something otherworldly about the blonde-maned mare, but with weariness shadowing her eyes she seemed almost ethereal. Her words were poetic, if somewhat disjointed, as though spoken by the parched lips of the desert itself. Her sentiment was almost enough to leave a resilient warmth in his chest. It was quickly diverted by scarred Kilorn, who stood near the grave and reserved figure of Katarina. Something in the warder's suggestion fed into the slippery, slimy darkness that was settled in Cardinal's guts - as if it, too, had been thinking thoughts of destruction. In spite of this, the Councillor's lips twisted, and his red eyes narrowed in discomfort. "A war must be fought, and I am no stranger to loss, but underhanded sabotage? You would blow up their scouts and those who run before the army proper, little more; And baptize the ruins of this place with blood in doing so. If it must be destroyed, I feel that Osulas and its ghosts should fall and slumber in peace, untouched by the greater violence that is coming for us." It was one thing to reduce the heart of Sedo to rubble, and another thing entirely to decorate it in gore; Though perhaps he was being too sensitive -A strange memory of fire raining down from above and the scent of charred flesh singing his nostrils stirred in the thick silt of his mind, like the echo of a child's scream, or the shape of antlers carving through smoke. Cardinal fell silent and looked away. |
|
|
|
Post by promsong on Jul 10, 2018 13:43:26 GMT -6
mellie
Doing fine all on my own
Cause I know that this was right for me
post 2 | 188 words
The words of the warders and councillors were not of much comfort, nothing could be at this time. It was when Cardinal spoke up again that she found herself nodding along, sighing softly after he finished. "You're right," she mumbled gently, turning her head slightly to gaze out at the city. This place had been a safe haven for many and as the Aodhians invaded, it became the opposite. Would things ever return back to normal? It certainly didn't feel like it.
Yet all she could do was hope and try her best to lead her people, it was her duty along with all of the others'. She took this job on to help others and despite the fact that she may not agree with the war, she was going to do that to the best of her abilities.
"Would you rather we set it ablaze or let the Aodhians do so?" she asked, posing the question to the others, having a feeling of what Cardinal was going to say to it. The sky was cloudy and Mellie saw it as a reflection of what was to come. |
|
|
|
Post by loveboxer123 on Jul 10, 2018 13:59:35 GMT -6
C R E S C E N T
Seroran Warder
......
Crescent was quiet. Simmering. Anger broiled under her skin, making her draw a breath. Trying to force it down made it leap higher, pressurized for an explosive burst.
Slowly, the warder shook her head. Her mind spun in circles. This was her home. Kilorn’s suggestion made her spin, nostrils flared, but she fell silent once again. Slowly, she looked around her. Taking in what could be the last glimpse she ever got of her home. Milo chirped at her, the cheetah brushing against her side. Crescent bent her head, nuzzling into Milo’s fur to breath for a moment.
Slowly, she raised her wings, twisting towards Cardinal. Turquoise blazed as the red feathers curled around her neck rattled in displeasure. This situation was one Crescent never wanted, but here she was. It set her teeth on edge, but she looked at the Councilor. With a flick of her teke, she unsheathed her scythe, drawing it above her head, like a scorpion’s tail. Her wings stretched high, the blessing of her collar activating to make her outline blurry and unfocused. She was a perfect enemy, and the Aodhians had earned her ire. She was a blazing silhouette, looking almost ready to take off.
Then, softly.
“What would you have me do.”
... ... Word Count:211 Post #2 |
|
|
|
Post by brandvandet on Jul 10, 2018 22:14:39 GMT -6
baram when the sun lights up your face
don't give me time don't give me space Baram stayed silent for a long while, walking with their council, their warders and their Prophet. It seemed every place they passed hid some bit of familiarity. Osulas was a huge city, surely they hadn’t walked down every street before?
Still, it seemed like every place they had visited had held ghosts for the Sultan.
They could hear the chimes of the Alya’s shrine--the one with the spire at the top. The bits of metal and wood and what-have-you that were hung from every bit a devotee could hang them from jangled in the wind. They had spent long, long nights there, praying underneath the gaze of Alya’s eyes in the midst of the wind-music. It seemed a betrayal of their soul to condemn it.
It had to be done.
They took another couple of steps in silence. The dust swirled around their hooves, settling only when they stopped to gaze at a curve of rock arching above the entrance to a home, someone’s home, with belongings trailing out the door as if they’d been dropped on the way out. Osulas was ancient. Not only was this their home but it had been Serorans' home since Alya had shaped them out of the air itself. She herself had walked these streets, flown these skies. It seemed blasphemy to destroy a place that had been a home to Her as well.
It had to be done.
It was home.
It had to be done.
It had to be done.
They listened to the other’s comments, nodding silently. Ever since the beginning Baram had advocated to make sure others were heard. That started with them.
“It has to be done,” they finally forced the words out through their mouth. “Cardinal, I appreciate the sentiment--though I fear we’ll condone far more heinous things by the end of this hell. However, I don’t think we should delay the destruction.”
Baram met Kilorn’s eyes with appreciation for the plan. “I understand the want to make them pay for our hurt. But fire is their own element. They could find some way of undoing our work if we try to trap them. Also, we’d have to leave people behind to make sure the timing was right. If they were caught and killed before they could destroy the cache we will have gambled lives for nothing.”
post 1 | 390 words |
|
|
|
Post by Bootless-Box on Jul 10, 2018 23:35:37 GMT -6
◇ KILORN ◇
warder | stallion | he/him
- Although Kilorn had known his suggestion was rather cold-hearted, he could not let it go unspoken. He remembered the visions of kirins slaughtering the equines in front of them. The child screaming. If Aodh won, he knew they would slaughter and enslave all of Serora. Then, they would burn all of Sedo. Cardinal spoke with familiar words to Crescent and Mellie and yet Kilorn could understand the gesture. His response to Kilorn's words, however, irritated Ki. Of all things, Kilorn's number one priority was to save every soul he could. Their city was going to be gone one way or another, so why not? Yet he pushed aside his impulse to snap back, as that would only make things worse in a tense situation. So instead he quietly, and firmly said, "I know it's an unsightly suggestion, and I would never suggest sacrificing our own, I'd be willing to find and alert them all myself if needed." Kilorn sighs, "I know the weight of my words, and I wish I'd have an idea that wasn't so destructive. Like you said Cardinal, we are up against a nation of ruthless individuals. I've seen it first hand, and Alya has shown some of you and me, just how destructive Ignacio's children can be... My scars are only one of the ways fire can harm," He paused and shifted his neck to move his hair out of the way, and the entirety of his scars on his right side were revealed. He continued, "and I only suggest this plan because I cannot bear the thought of the Aodhians winning this war in any sense. Because if that happens, they'll torch us all, and they'll do plenty more damage than any wildfire." He shifted back to a normal stance and nodded almost apologetically to Cardinal. There would be no peace for any of them, ghost or not. His voice was as calm and still as a breezeless day, but his heart was heavy and sore at the idea of losing their home. They were not the only ones who wished for a better plan, a better way. He couldn't make himself voice that feeling though, he couldn't find the words to.
- Mellie's words were blatant but honest. Crecent was ready to move. Baram spoke wisely and as they met Kilorn's gaze, he could see the pain in their expression. It resonated with him. Kilorn nodded in reply, understanding the risks of his idea. Kilorn had revealed the proverbial "Ace up his sleeve", and so he wondered what Baram had in mind. Kilorn looked around and questioned if any of his companions had other solutions. Suddenly, he could feel the exhaustion from each of his muscles, and from his eyes, which no longer went a day without bags. He was willing to sacrifice it all for them, for his nation. He'd sacrifice himself if it meant saving another, or winning this war. Whatever it takes. Though his mind was usually whirring to come up with new plans, strategies, and even backup plans, he had nothing. Not a single plan, and usually that would anger him, but he felt nothing but grief. No matter his weary eyes and pained heart, he was still determined enough to do whatever was needed of him. "I understand. What do you have in mind?" He finally replied, moving away from his thoughts. His eyes moved back to Baram, and then to the others, He'd wanted to ask them as well. Yet, he did not, unsure if that was his place. Since he was out of ideas, Kilorn was ready to move, to get this over with. Much like Crescent. Kilorn would long for Osulas but he would trade his home for Serora now, and he'd do it again if he had to. It wasn't easy, but it never is. This was war.
wc: 642 words
post #2
|
|
|
|
Post by promsong on Jul 18, 2018 13:40:25 GMT -6
mellie
Doing fine all on my own
Cause I know that this was right for me
post 3 | 178 words
She listened attentively in silence, unsure of what to say. Fire was destructive, it spread and burned everything in its way. But after the fire, there was always regrowth.
Baram brought up reasonable concern about using their own element against the Aodhians and she agreed. Her golden eyes then found Embryss, the almost ethereal being in their presence.
"Crush them," she mumbled, her brows furrowing for a moment in thought. "Confuse them with your clouds and then crush them."
Her gaze eventually left Embryss and went to the others, wondering if they thought the idea had some merit. They would only need to send the woman without anyone else and she could keep a safe distance from the actual warfare. They wouldn't have time to react before meteors were raining down onto them. It was a gruesome thought and she wasn't sure what would be left of the city afterwards, but it was her only one.
She herself did not possess any blessings and it felt fitting to utilize the powers that Alya had given to this woman.
|
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Jul 20, 2018 14:59:49 GMT -6
Jack We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
x | x Jack relished in the soft fur of Embryss’ embrace, pushing back ever so slightly before she pulled away, his wing still residing close to her side. He listened to her words, his heartbreaking even more as she spoke. She seemed so distant from the earth, lost in the stars and her own mind. Both knew what the other had been going through, and many nights were spent close to each other as incense slowly filled the room, both content with the silence and quiet words shared. But they weren’t the only ones hurting, and Jack lifted his head as others called out.
His eyes drifted from horse to horse, his stomach twisting with each suggestion. It hurt him to hear the anger and anguish in his family, to see the fire and sadness that danced behind their eyes. But their words rung true and Jack knew that he would rather see their home destroyed by their own hands rather than tarnished by those brutes.
"Crush them,"
Jack’s eyes instantly shifted to Embryss’ face, reading her expression. She was such a strong person but Jack wondered if it would be too much for her, to use her blessing to bring such destruction when he had only ever seen it craft masterpieces. His eyes turned back to the others
“It is true, our home is where our people are. But we have such deep roots in these halls.”He exhaled a shaky breath “But we cannot let them take this from us, use it as a tool against us." His words faltered, turning his eyes to Embyrss before looking at the Mellie "B-but this is too much to ask! to ask her to destroy her home- our home" he turned to look into Embryss' eyes "would you even be willing to do this?..."
Post 2 | 323
|
|
|
|
Post by Kytte on Jul 21, 2018 19:20:50 GMT -6
They all spoke, the sounds drifting in and out of Embryss’s ears. She heard some but did not always listen. Grief seemed to register itself in various ways – Crescent and Mellie were seething and Killorn spoke of plots to leave bombs and traps and see the invaders. Cardinal and Baram spoke with heavy, yet dignified hearts and it made Embryss feel calm and hopeful. Jacks presence helped her escape the reality for just a moment and visions of fire and destruction curled and entwined with the gentle clinking of glass charms in the wind and a room filled with sweet incense and the two lovers side by side; it made her eyes glass over with regret for moments lost and fear of the end. Was Embryss willing to let that happen?
They had come so far, Embryss had come so far. She looked around to her follow councillors, family and love – time seemed to fluctuate briefly, just for a moment, it was as if cascades grace was awash ‘round her. The visions in her mind passed quickly – Embryss recalled the icy peaks of the Barrier mountains where she and her brothers wandered to the War-Forged for diplomacy, the tumultuous lovers past and Nafisa, the currents of the Talorian coast lapping at her feet and the echoes of political intrigue and disgrace within their halls. Her heart seemed to quicken and quicksilver began to spark in her veins as she thought of the violent winds that near tore flesh from bone, how Embryss bellowed Alya’s name and her mortal form was ripped from the ground and poured into space. Blessed. Alya's grace and majesty closer to her than ever before.
“Fire is their own element” Baram’s voice echoed, their reason rang strong. “Confuse them with your clouds and then crush them”, Mellie's voice rang with determination. Her eyes looked to Jack, his melodic voice airing his concerns. Her concerns. Was Embryss even capable do such a thing? She was a diplomat, not a fury or skirmisher. Her heart thumped in her ears – the thought of Embryss floating in space and Alya's blessing pouring into her. It had to be for something – surely? To be blessed with such things and to not use them to protect the people felt like a mockery. Her eyes looked to Jack, his teal and amber eyes filled with concern. Embryss’s gaze softened for a moment, her nose and brow against his and she breathed deep for a moment and whispered under her breath, for his ears only “I would do it for us, for our future.” Embryss lingered for a moment before finally pulling away to face reality and the others. Her gaze looked over all that were gathered, before her eyes met Baram’s, and began to address them.
“Fire may be their element – but for our family, I could use Alya’s veil, send them clambering in confusion, scattered. Rein fury upon them. Destroy our home with them. Send them a message. We’ve come this far….I have come this far. Surely this blessing is for something?”
The star-like halo glinted above her head and she breathed deep. For the People.
2 | 524
|
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Jul 23, 2018 6:39:34 GMT -6
Cardinal it will try to change; it will clamor for clarity word count: 558 | reference | post 3
Mellie's reasonable tones were hushed in agreement; Cardinal flicked one ear toward her respectfully, but did not fully turn his head until the sound of Crescent's scythe unsheathing rang dully through the buttery air. She looked as deadly as many of their number felt - Once this gathering had been soft, and gentle, unknowing of the bitter taste of war that rose like bile in their throats. The Aodhian threat had changed them. Some would never return to a childhood too abruptly ended. Others would forget what it was like to sit at peace on a mild afternoon, ears not straining for the sound of marching hooves. It left him to wondering what scars would be permanent - how such a catalytic event might change them all forever, and if so for better, or for worse. Before he could answer the young Warder, Baram spoke. Each of the party listened intently. They had elected this leader for their diplomatic, political and empathetic talents; Baram was well respected by every member present. It was the first time they had spoken since making the weary pilgrimage to the heart of Osulas, and Cardinal tried to mirror the Sultan's stoic disposition, offering his old friend a sorrowful smile. To his surprise, Baram's words offered general agreement with the steely heart of Kilorn's plan. The Councillor's sanguine gaze moved again to the scarred Warder, whose defiant words were nonetheless pragmatic and respectful. Here, in this place, and with this heavy decision weighing upon them all, they were as equals. Cardinal lowered his head in acquiescence, accepting that the group had decided. Embryss' volunteering offer stirred the bleakness in his guts. He imagined her, the last Seroran in Osulas, pulling on the web of Alya's heavens to bring great galactic mayhem down onto the heart of Sedo and the approaching Aodhian army. It would be a mighty show of force, something memorable, something that would be written about and recorded in libraries just like his in all the ages to come. Perhaps they would mark her as a martyr, or perhaps as a messenger of the Skymother. But for the moment she was simply Embryss, a colleague and a warm familiar face. She was still a mortal, no deity, not even a marked or blooded soldier. What would causing so much death and destruction do to her? "It is noble of you to offer yourself to this dark duty, Councillor, and your Blessing would deliver an appropriate final blow to our home," He leaned forward toward the group, concern writ in every line of his face as he spoke to the blonde mare, "But I fear there are too many variables. When precisely will the Aodhian army arrive? Tonight... Tomorrow? A day from now? And though I don't doubt your power, do we even know it's limits? What if the whole of Osulas is not destroyed, only its center, and you within it?"
Addressing the rest at large, Cardinal continued, "Is the boon of crushing or scaring our enemy's frontline worth the risk of potentially handing them a cache of unblemished supplies, and Embryss - and any other volunteers who would undoubtedly stand by her, as I feel some of you already wish to do - should a single detail go wrong? My heart says we must let Osulas go, and my mind begs that we do it now, and not wait to lay traps that may not work." |
|
|
|
Post by brandvandet on Jul 25, 2018 20:27:20 GMT -6
baram when the sun lights up your face
don't give me time don't give me space They stayed silent as the suggestions kept coming. Baram knew and felt that the others realized the weight of the order they'd be giving to their city--their home. It was the only order they could give. Several council members tried to find other ways to make the Aodhians pay for the destruction they needed to perform before their arrival. They understood the impetus to want to have their enemies pay in blood for their home. The sultan understood the need to make a statement with the destruction.
They just didn't agree.
"We will trap them elsewhere," Baram said, reiterating their earlier position on the risks of delaying the demolition. "Besides, Osulas deserves better than to have Aodhians buried in her heart."
They did understand the want to make this hurt into a spectacle and Embryss could certainly oblige. A rain of meteors and stars to crater the city to help the crew level it would be fitting to honor their ancestral home. They nodded gratefully at the Council member. "However, your aid and blessing would be greatly appreciated, Embryss." Motioning towards a path down from the mesa, they took a step toward the stairs. "Is there anything else that should be said? Any further goodbyes to be given?"
post 2 | 205 words |
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Jul 25, 2018 23:07:17 GMT -6
Jack We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
x | x With his eyes still gazing at Embryss, Jack waited for her words, watching as she processed what had been suggested, just what she may have to do in the very near future. Her touch against his was a welcome comfort, letting out a soft sigh as she spoke, his heart thumping almost painfully. He knew her words rang true and though worry coursed through him, he nodded and looked to the others, to their Sultan expectantly.
Cardinal’s words were stringed with truth as well and Jack felt that fear nuzzling into his heart once more. Embryss had been more to him than almost anyone else had ever been, had opened his eyes and shown him love. It was her life in her own grasp but it still terrified him, the thought of what may happen.
Inhaling, Jack opened his eyes to meet the Sultan’s “Yes... though we are desperate for time, I would like us to… to stand here together in one last prayer, one last stand of solidarity in Osulas. Though we are our own home, Osulas has provided us for a very long time, sheltered and cared for our family. One last prayer, for us and our family. For the future.”
Post 3 | 225
|
|
|
|
Post by Bootless-Box on Jul 26, 2018 0:20:30 GMT -6
◇ KILORN ◇
warder | stallion | he/him
- The suggestions were all similar, wanting to cause the Aodhians pain. As he listened he glanced around at the abandoned city. Their city. It was dead, and that thought made his heart clench and his throat tighten. It was gone before this meeting, the life and the air were gone. No foals ran through the streets, no folk moved about. No laughter, no musicians and crafters. No visitors. It would never be the same, even if somehow the enemy left Osulas alone, no one would return from this war the same. They could never simply go back. It made Kilorn want to pummel Aodh and cry all at once. This was what fire did, it would rip through the land and change Sedo forever. A fresh surge of pain and sorrow rushed through him. As Embyrss agreed to the plan, Kilorn looked up from his thoughts. He, too, would stay and fight with her if she wanted. Cardinal was honest, and Kilorn appreciated that. Cardinal was right, Kilorn himself had already mentally volunteered to stay. Embyrss shouldn't have to risk that for them to possibly destroy the supplies. Baram's words surprised Kilorn, he hadn't thought of it that way. Their home was not fit for the fire monsters to be buried under, Osulas should be remembered as theirs. As the home for Alya's children. Not Ignacio's. What surprised Kilorn more, was that Baram was ready to leave, but he was glad that they'd decided. There had been plenty of back and forth. Plus this wasn't getting any easier. As Jack suggested they pray, Kilorn bobbed his head in solemn agreement. Alya should hear one last prayer from here, the wind mother should get to say goodbye too. One last time, in his home, in his family's home. "Yes, Let us pray." Ki prayed every night, and he wondered if it surprised others to see how devoted he was. He hoped not, he tried to show his loyalty and his devotion outwardly. Surprised or not, they all could use Alya's embrace now, their family would lose its heart, its lifeline. But Serora's hear would beat once more, just not for now.
wc: 356 words
post #3
|
|
|
|
Post by loveboxer123 on Jul 27, 2018 11:24:18 GMT -6
C R E S C E N T
Seroran Warder
......
Prayer. The last thing they could offer. Crescent raised her head over the home she would never see again. She looked away after a moment.
She didn't want to look for the home that wouldn't be hers, if she followed through with her plan.
Slowly, she turned back around, lowering her wings. Her scythe flashed under the sun as she slid it back into its sheath, turning off the effects of her collar. She came back into focus, her ears flattening to her neck. She folded her wings, softly bobbing her head in agreement. As she closed her eyes, she could feel it. A burn in her eyes and a knot in her throat. She swallowed thickly.
Alya. Keep our people safe. She thought, stomping a hoof against the stone under her. She hadn't grown up here, but this was her home. The place she had grown as a person. She rolled her weight back onto her hind legs.
This was her home. Soon, her home would be away, in dense jungles, showing the animals of Talori that Alya’s children weren't lesser.
She didn't speak it aloud. She knew nobody would agree.
... ... Word Count:194 Post #3 |
|
|
|
Post by Elphora on Jul 28, 2018 3:18:26 GMT -6
Cardinal it will try to change; it will clamor for clarity word count: 475 | reference | post 4
Baram's soft-spoken judgement sealed Osulas' fate as firmly as the day it had been carved into the harsh desertland. A wave of resignation seemed to pass through the assorted group, each dealing with the brevity of this decision in their own way. Jack broke the unsteady silence with a single request, one that seemed appropriate given the graveness of the hour; A holy prayer, the only proper eulogy to be given in Alya's grace on the cusp of the destruction of Sedo's heart. The motley delegation shuffled around the pegasus, obliging and pious - Even Crescent, who had seemed moments before on the verge of a glorious fury, sheathed her scythe and lowered her proud wings. Cardinal offered the young Warder a gentle smile; They would all shoulder the burden of what came to pass here today, but it was for the generations to come the true loss. No more foals would grow and learn in the safety and splendor of Osulan streets. No new families would settle here. After Embryss called the heavens down, what would remain of the city would be a crater in the earth, a tombstone marred by spacerock and ash. But no Aodhian soldiers would sin on her sands, nor spoil her treasures, nor wet her golden dust with their fickle, cruel blood. Each individual was spared a moment in which to offer their prayer to the Skymother. Someone stomped a hoof with finality against the earth. Another whispered under their breath, the words snatched away by a gentle, curious wind. When it was done, Cardinal turned aside to a stout hippocampus who had arrived to accept Baram's instruction. He relayed the group's decision to Guiseppe in low, muted tones, and the jovial earthshaper was uncharacteristically solemn as they left to prepare the leveling team that waited on the outskirts of the city. There was no going back. Their decision was final. Osulas was doomed. "Councillor," Turning back to the group, Cardinal addressed Embryss with genuine reverence, bowing his horned head below her spectral halo of stars. "Please give Guiseppe's crew a few moments to get into position, as they will assist you in your task. If you've enough control, I would suggest beginning with the upper districts. We will escort you to the lower streets, and from there, convene with the others in the desert."It was impossible to mistake the ache in his voice for anything other than loss. Cardinal's red gaze swam over Baram and looked east, over the rooftops, to where his library slumbered eternal. It was a marked end of all that had come before, something unspeakably tragic to a practiced historian. But it would also be a new beginning, if they had the courage to take it. With heavy steps, the Councillor followed the path Baram had indicated would lead them down from the Mesa. |
|
|
|
Post by Kytte on Jul 28, 2018 5:50:26 GMT -6
"We will trap them elsewhere. Besides, Osulas deserves better than to have Aodhians buried in her heart."
Cardinal and Baram addressed Embryss’s offer and the councillor dipped her head in acknowledgement. They were both right – it would be unfit to have enemy corpses litter their ancestral home and build on their bones; that was never the Seroran way. Cardinal also feared if the trap failed, Embryss would be at far greater risk – and he was right. The thoughts swirled in her mind – it could have been quite a blow, but perhaps a very foolish one. After all, under the care of Adonis, her son Moe and all of her extended family resided. Waiting for them. For her. To offer ones life so willingly was foolish. She looked around to the people that surrounded her and she smiled, dipping her head. “I will grant Osulas a fitting end.” Embryss bit her lip and held back the tears.
Jack stepped forward and addressed the group, suggesting to lead in a prayer. Embryss nodded. This would be a good idea – and perhaps with the collection of voices pleading to Alya, it would offer Embryss the strength to make a stronger connection to her holy power, a divine beacon? Cardinal spoke once more, the others that surrounded them including Guiseppe who left with a heavy heart. It was time. Cardinal bowed and addressed Embryss – she could hear the pain in his voice and she gazed at her colleague and friend with a glint of hope. “There will be more books to write again, and you will be the one to record our history, friend”, Embryss thought. He gave sound instruction and Embryss dipped her head in acknowledgement of the plan. Her golden eyes glanced back at Jack and the others who had joined in prayer and she looked to the sky, breathing deep for a moment. She then spoke, stronger this time, a glint of courage shone from her heart.
“Let the warband march forward.
Let them see our home on the horizon.
May the furies and warders rain hell on the naysayers.
Let everyone see the wrath and might of Alya and Serora.
Let them see space torn asunder, crashing, falling, mighty.
Galaxies, meteors, craters and crumble…
This is our home. This was our home. This will be our home again.”
Embryss calmed her mind to focus, the gift of Astral projection proved useful for those few brief moments as she focused her concentration. Beside a few words of prayer, Osulas was silent – truly silent. A faint breeze tugged at her mane and weaved around her legs. Embryss gave a moments silence and tried to focus on the feeling – the feeling of the day she was blessed, stardust entering her veins – and then all at once it came.
Her eyes, now open were glowing, a similar golden colour to her own eyes. From her back sprouted the two cosmic wings and Embryss turned her eyes to the sky, focusing all the energy, more than she had ever done before. A nebulae cloud surrounded high above the area of focus – the upper districts. From afar – the sight would be peculiar and unnerving. What followed was the shower of meteors – they were by no means earth crushingly large, but they were endless, and chipped away at their mighty city. The clamor of rocks crashing and pelting Osulas rang through the canyons, no doubt echoing far beyond Osulas and hopefully toward the ears of the invaders.
The comets streamed from the heavens hard and fast – splintering mighty columns, smashing pots and sculptures, causing some home dwellings to cave in. Embryss, with intense focus, slowly swept the destruction into the lower parts of the city as the band moved, following cardinal. In her wake, the mighty earth movers did their part to ensure nothing remained. In a few hours, there would be nothing left of their home. Embryss would continue this onslaught to their home until there was nothing more to be done, and almost collapsed from exhaustion.
By last light – all that would remain would be craters carved from cosmic fury, rubble from the mighty earth movers and dust rising from the valley.
3 | 697
|
|
|
|
Post by PaganStars on Aug 5, 2018 13:53:46 GMT -6
Jack We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
x | x Looking around at the others, Jack waited for them to ponder his request. His eyes met each and everyone of their own for a fleeting moment, silent prayers for them specifically resounding in his heart. He worried for all of them, for his family hiding in the Oasis and the brave souls that snapped and struck at anyone who dared to harm their home. He worried for the ones who had only just joined them, hiding away from a land of war and great sadness. He did not fret over the future, of the could haves and should have beens. No, for now they must all worry about the now, where they stood and where they would plant their feet.
Bowing his head next to Embryss’, Jack let them all silently pray, would never interrupt the ones that spoke their words aloud. Embryss’ words rang true and clear and Jack couldn’t help but smile softly, solemnly. “In the end, Serora will still stand, even at our weakest points. Our mother will be with us, be our shield and hold her children in the dark.” He lifted his head, eyes slowly opening. It hadn’t been much, but Jack believed that their wind mother would listen, would aid her children even from the heavens.
Ruffling the chill out of his feathers, Jack followed the others out of their makeshift meeting spot, his heart heavy.
Post 4 | 253 |
|
|
|
Post by brandvandet on Aug 6, 2018 15:03:49 GMT -6
baram when the sun lights up your face
don't give me time don't give me space It was a largely silent procession that made its way down and away from their beloved city. A mourner's procession they proceeded respectfully, sometimes stopping ever so briefly at a beloved site or a mural that they wanted to remember. Alya willing, they would rebuild and the sorrow would turn to a celebration of joy. Creators would spin songs of this time with interludes of sad, sweet notes sweeping upwards into their triumph. It was the Seroran way--to continue, to endure, to survive.
Over the years, over the famines and the droughts they had learned to lose, learned to move on and live in remembrance. A place was worth less than a life and they'd all learned to grieve tragedy and celebrate the lived life for countless persons over the years.
This was but a momentary heartbreak. They would mend.
They bowed their head in solidarity with Jack's request, baring their heart before their sky mother. Baram watched as Embryss called meteors and stars to bury Osulas to the ground. The city crumbled under the onslaught, parts of it sloughing off and crashing to the ground. Tomorrow, once the smoke cleared and the heat dissipated from the destruction, they'd instruct the earth workers to make sure no useful pocket remained to be desecrated by Aodhians.
[/i][/div] post 3 | 213 words [/div] |
|
|
|
Post by brandvandet on Aug 29, 2018 18:51:56 GMT -6
Your plot is complete!20 AP and 20 CS to Cardinal, Baram, Crescent, Embryss, Jack, Katarina, Kilorn, Mellie!
10 AP and 10 CS to Katarina!
th. |
|
