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Post by Queerly on Jul 1, 2018 13:01:24 GMT -6
Hello Starborn, and welcome to Aodh Plot 609: Revelations Team Leader: Liri Participants: Aidan, Liri, Asalah, Beyond, Theseus, Margaery, Bates, Icabod 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: You’re doing your duty in this hellscape of a land. All this grit and this heat is enough to make you consider desertion--if you weren’t so loyal to your nation. How the heck do people live here? It’ll almost be a kindness, conquering this nation and bringing them back to the relative comfort of slavery in Eithne. At least they can get fed and not sunburned for once. Supplies and water have been...dodgy during your time here. The Serorans seem to favor “cowardly” tactics like rushing in, trashing your stuff and dashing away. Their windboard things make them hard to catch. You have to check your water supplies for actual, literal shit before you drink nowadays. It’s ok. You’re about to get your own back. Rumor has it they stupidly hid most of their herd in this mystical valley like sitting ducks. Once you’re in there, it’ll be a relative piece of cake to use the Aodhian might against whatever defenses. Then you can get through processing the bulk of this country for shipment back home. You just have to get through these winding tunnels first. This Vagabond you caught seems to think they change. Surely that’s just a silly superstition. |
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Post by firebirdfalling on Jul 1, 2018 17:18:15 GMT -6
The sun beat down on the spotted mare and the sands beneath her hooves reflected its rays like glass, effectively making this gods-damn country a living hell.
How did the Serorans stand this horrible heat? And the wind, and the sand and the sun? Everything was coated with sand grains, everything was always gritty, speaking was a pain when the wind blew and the whole desert ended up in her mouth.
Why did she sign up for this war again? It wasn't supposed to be this horrible but I guess for king and country and all that. She just didn't want her family hurt by foreigners and this was her way to stop them from doing that.
Thankfully, they were traveling these incredibly nifty tunnels, the sun's deadly shine blocked for the time being. Out of the party who were traversing the tunnels, only one or two were familiar, if even only slightly. Some were even those hulking War-Forged, towering above her own small frame.
The group had gotten their hands on a wandering vagabond who they had forcefully made them an impromptu guide, if only for the time being. The Serorans had to be taken into custody and Liri wasn't too keen on staying in this oven country any longer than she needed to.
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Post #1 | WC: 215 | Liri: Chevilar ulla |
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Jul 1, 2018 17:50:57 GMT -6
 Of all the things she had done in her life, this idea was definitely ranked in her top ten stupidest plans of all time.
She hadn’t blatantly asked to come along, Asalah, by all intents and purposes, was not a combat kind of horse, but here she was. Not because she was a fighter, oh, no, she was far from that. Seeing as how terribly her brief excursion with weapon mastery had gone, she had known from that point that she wasn’t really the kind of horse to charge into the middle of battle and attempt to destroy all that were around her.
No, she was meant to protect and heal. Though she had been stupid enough to leave most of her herbal remedies and literally all of her imbued items back home, – some doctor she was. At least it wasn't all lost on her, she had already begun to find other ways to work her knowledge to keep the group safe and, above all else, healthy. The few plants that did grow in Serora were interesting enough, and some of them seemed to have some hardy properties in comparison to their northern counterparts. She was still learning, but at least there was some hope she could hold onto.
The trashed supplies, however, were another issue she had been mulling over, as she had lost what little supplies she had taken along in that last attack. The Serorans were, at the very least, tactical in their attacks. Asalah had to admit, even if everybody hated them for it, driving the morale of the group down was definitely a way to win a war.
Gods, why had she agreed to this? Sure, she had most certainly been given the opportunity to say “I have two kids at home, I most certainly can’t join you on the battle field”, but she had agreed otherwise. Maybe it was stupidity or maybe it was just because she was now concerned for her two little ones at home. Both seemed pretty viable.
A doctor was too valuable on the battle field, they had said. The war could easily be won if the others were kept healthy. They bolstered her ego, and above all else, had made saying no sound like she was sending those that went out into the desert to some kind of death sentence.
Asalah still balked at the thought. She knew she had been manipulated, and just like always, she had let it happen. It seemed to be a trend. One that she wanted to push off and keep from happening.
Though there was always a next time, and she knew that she’d say the exact same thing again, because she was dumb like that.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. She thought, feeling her annoyance rise.
At least she knew some of the horses that had been traveling with her, and at least the group hadn’t started bickering with each other yet. Sure, the sand sucked and the desert was hot and everything seemed to have some kind of investment in your death, but the group was still… well, in relatively good spirits.
Most of them were just tired of the sand.
And honestly, most of this journey had made her realize how lucky she and her sisters had been in not landing in Sedo like they had originally planned. The three fillies attempting travel across this place would have been worse than what they went through. She had been eating sand for days, had been dealing with keeping the supplies clean for days, and above all else, she had been roasting under the sun for days. She and her sisters wouldn't have survived this trip back when they were kids, and now, she wasn't even sure the group of horses that traveled with them were necessarily going to survive.
The sand sucked, the heat sucked, all of it sucked. To make matters worse, Asalah had been forced to give her children over to Ev. Sure, she trusted her sister to look after the house, she ever trusted Airita to keep the casino in one piece, but as far as her children went...
Well, Asalah did not have a good feeling about any of it. Alas, the worry was constant, but wasn't something she needed to focus on at the moment. There were more things to focus on...
Like these tunnels, which were said to move, but had yet to move. She eyed the walls warily, knowing full well that most myths seemed to, at least in part, come from truth. The lands that Breim had control over were most certainly unsafe, and the swamps did have wisps in them. She had seen both first hoof.
Now, it was only time before this place revealed it's own secrets.
For a mare that didn't want to travel anymore, Asalah most certainly seemed to do a lot of it.
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Post by savannauni on Jul 1, 2018 20:39:46 GMT -6
Theseus | Chevalier | Lightning Manipulator So. Much. Sand. Theseus couldn't wrap his mind around the idea of equine actually liking it, making this arid boring place a home. As he thought about it, the sand and living with it, a gust came through the tunnels, carrying loose grains, and hit him right in the nose. Theseus' head shot up. He shook his head and snorted as he tried to dislodge the grains form his nostrils that had surprised him, and stung. "I hate sand." He growled to no one in particular. The damn stuff had even started to get into his prosthetic outside. He figured at the end of this little spat when he got home and had it tuned up he'd end up bringing half the sedo with him. And the SUN. Oh Ignacio, it was scorching, Thesues had used a scrap of fabric form his blood red cape to tie around his leg where the skin and metal met to keep it from burning his flesh. Now in these tummels he had less to worry about from burns, but he was weary of it still. Theo's eyes scanned the group, his dear Taaj walked next to him silent as ever. The saber tooth kept an ear locked on him and letting the other flick around the group, especially the Raiders who she was cautious around. Thesues looked at them now. He didn't mind them, he actually liked him a bit, though he wondered how Icabod and Bates would hold up in this heat with all that feathering. Though on the flip side Theseus was decked out in his heavy armor as well, minus the helmet and neck guard. He was hot but it wasn't unbearable, he glanced to Beyond, wondering is she was getting a little hot in her armor as well.
{ WC: 288 | Post 1 }
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Post by Superior-Caesar on Jul 2, 2018 1:10:59 GMT -6
Icabod - RaiderIcabod was grumbling under his breath at the trek. He had shaved almost all of his body hair, save for his face, and he was still melting in the sweltering heat. He took a deep breath and held back the urge to drink too much of his water, for fear of wasting it. He was bummed that his cousin had split off much earlier in their trip, it would have been nice to have Rylan by his side. But, at least he had Bates, the big guy may not love him, but he was nicer company than the snobby Aodhians most of the time.
The raider readjusted his waraxe at his side. The strap was uncomfortably hot, sticky with sweat, and caused the grainy sand to rub into his skin. He was still unsure about how he felt about the whole situation, but Hira herself had asked this of him. Icabod would gladly die of heatstroke if it meant he was doing so for his herd. So, he decided to tough it out. The blaring sun hadn't beaten him all those years ago and it wouldn't in this one. Icabod glanced to some of the other members of his travel group. Surely they would get along when things got tough.
He glanced at Liri hopefully. "So, thoughts on this wonderful vacation so far?" The stallion grinned at her, hoping to end the silence.
Word Count: 233
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OOC: Sorry, I haven't been added to the chat yet, but I had time to get caught up so here you go |
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Post by hey-stardust on Jul 2, 2018 9:14:22 GMT -6
 MARGAERY | AODH | CHEVALIER Oh the sun will rise like a flame ignites, we're not done 'til we say it's over, we won't fade away.
Oh the sun will rise, tomorrow never dies.
Faux flowers were woven between the cracks of Margaery's horn and her mane remained pulled back in tight rosettes along her neck but otherwise, she was lapse of the usual finery that adorned her outfit for the streets of Valore.
She was not ironclad like most of her colleagues, opting instead for lightweight, leather armour and her broadsword, comforted by it swaying and bumping against her hip as she walked.
It did not offer the same amount of protection that theirs did, but it made her far less susceptible to heatstroke, and with the constant sabotage to their supply trains, that seemed more likely to kill them than an actual attack at this point.
Margaery had exchanged only a few words with their foreign allies during their travels, often finding herself with a dry mouth when it came to the thought of actually engaging with them socially; as uncomfortably out of her element as the Forged were trading snow for sand.
She eyed her party with fleeting curiosity, taking note of their irritation and subsequent reactions to the elements, aware that any distraction had the potential to become an opening for the enemy to exploit.
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Post by Maelorom on Jul 2, 2018 19:37:32 GMT -6
Beyond// Chevalier
Her teeth ground against each other loudly as she clenched her jaw firmly. While the tunnels were certainly a shade cooler than the desert her armour still burnt her hide with every step. Yet she wouldn't call this place a nightmare. Yes, it was certainly hot, but that was Ignacio's fiery sun up above. This was a land that to this day her god still burnt for its people's crimes.
She felt at peace with the knowledge that Ignacio still punished the Seroran's for their actions. It was only right that the descendants of those who condoned and supported the murder of not just soldiers but families, elderly and children should live out their sentence like this. Surely the Aodhian soldiers were saving them. Ignacio was showing them forgiveness by opening their cell and allowing them a place among his own people. And she could not feel afraid, nor even the slightest bit worried, while the Lord's beaming gaze watched over them so closely.
Although she could feel irritated by the small blisters that had formed beneath her armour and now chafed painfully. Being a true soldier she did not even wince, enduring the pain in somber silence. She was thankful she'd brought her cloak, it's Crimson folds protected the rest of her against both the beating sun and the sting of the wind-whipped sand. She sneered, this land could not beat her down no matter how hard it tried, and she certainly wasn't going to be beaten by some tunnels. She was itching to use her pain manip on some Serorans already.
WC: 263Post: #1
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jul 7, 2018 7:53:02 GMT -6
Aidan | Chevalier (Squire)
It was hot. Whether in the sun or the shadows, it seemed like heat beat down on them constantly and Aidan had to wonder why Ignacio didn't go a little easier on them as his people. His fins felt off, backfin sticking to his sweaty skin. He craved water at this point, mouth eternally dry. At least the tunnels were slightly less suffocating that the desert sun. Why did horses make a home here? It was beyond Aidan. He loved the sun but this was ridiculous.
War was not what he had expected. The stories didn’t mention the endless marching. They didn’t mention the thirst and hunger. Didn’t talk about the less than thrilling battles. They didn’t describe how awful it was to be far from home. He missed his family. His bed. Goofing off in the afternoon. Grabbing something to bit.
Aidan was miserable.
He huffed, using his teke to uselesly try and remove some sweat from his forehead. The only thing to look foward too was the idea of epic victory ahead. That he’d welcomed back a hero and receive the tittle of full chevalier rather than squire. With that thought in mind he trudged on towards what was hopefully the end of these tunnels.
Post 1 | 207 words
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Jul 10, 2018 20:43:01 GMT -6
It was quiet as they all continued. The air had grown still and the heat was still getting on Asalah's nerves, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the quiet plodding they all were doing through the tunnel.
"So, do we have any idea how far it is through these tunnels?" She asked in hushed tones, barely above a whisper as she shifted her hooves, continuing the plod through without hesitation. That was, until she heard words from up ahead.
"Yeah... Vacation. If I ever see sand again, it'll be too soon." She grumbled.
It was important to continue, even if her nerves were beginning to fray. She was worried about making it through this trip. Sure, she had force fields, and knew how to heal others, but that didn't keep her safe for eternity. She was armorless, an easy target for any attacking group. It was one of the reasons she wasn't angry with the serorans for their flighty tactics. It had kept her alive.
She stopped, glancing around the group before continuing. She had a question she wanted to ask, but hoped that the regular conversation would keep things a little less... tense. She was sure that the chevaliers and the War Forged troops had discussed everything, but that hadn't meant that she had been clued into their plan. She wasn't worried about that, though, as she didn't really need to know what they were going to do.
She didn't want to think about death. So instead she would converse, talking would help pass the time at the very least.
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Post by brandvandet on Jul 11, 2018 10:29:43 GMT -6
The tunnels are long and winding. Even your Vagabond guide seems nervous within them and keeps trying to defer and explain that they’ve never actually gone through to see the Oasis. “Just met some people outside, promise. It’s how I know it’s here but these tunnels, they just...they just keep twisting, don’t they? Damn. Uh, sorry, sorry, I’m...I’m sure it’s just this way.”
As the trek gets longer and more winding, they get even more apologetic, as if fearing that every wrong turn or seemingly endless tunnel is a step closer to losing their neck. “It seriously, it has to be through here, it has to.” They keep talking, their low murmur of desperation just a panicked note short of outright babbling. It’s near constant that sound.
It’s kept you from hearing another for dangerously too long.
Perhaps you can pick up bits and pieces. A whisper that seems like a lone wind whistling through some warped hole in the stone. Perhaps you imagine you can hear words underneath their chattering, voices repeating themselves in the dark. Perhaps you’re just imagining things.
Perhaps not.
The Vagabond finally lapses into a scared silence but the whispers continue. They’re still very quiet, hard to catch full sentences of the words wrapping themselves in circles. Bits and pieces come through.
Land.
Heart.
Here.
Send.
And a different voice saying “No.”
Is it just your imagination, or are the shadows deepening?
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Post by savannauni on Jul 11, 2018 11:00:16 GMT -6
Theseus followed the guide through the tunnels with quite a level top line. But as time seemed to drag on and on his head kept getting higher and higher. Theseus bit his tongue to keep from calling the Vagabond out as they promised they were close. He did not trust them the more time passed. Now listening to the Vagabond's disbelief and worry Theseus was slowly getting more and more irritated. Theseus was a pretty level guy, he didn't just get mad when something went wrong it took awhile for him to get pissed/to loose his cool. His irritation begun to show as small sparks rippled across his body, even causing his prosthetic to take a higher step than usual form the sudden surge of electricity. Finally as the guide began to apologize and rattle on Thesues shot him a look that could kill before snarling, "If you're going to be useless, get in the fucking back." He walked a few more steps before hearing the whispers. His ears flicked around as he looked back at the group, seeing that none were talking Theseus slowed his steps, taking his time to be as silent as he could with on 3 real legs. "no?" He mouthed and furrowed his brows. His teke was already grasping the hilt of his golden jain sword, just in case. His ears felt strained as he tried to listen for more. He risked another look back, they would not be the most silent group to try and sneak up on who ever else was in the tunnels. His eyes shifted to Liri now as he waited for her to choose their next course of action. { WC: 285 || Post 2 }
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Post by Superior-Caesar on Jul 11, 2018 16:14:11 GMT -6
Icabod | RaiderIcabod was a bit disappointed that he only got one measly response out of anyone. He was starting to get tense. His muscles tightened every few steps. As they kept on traveling, Icabod noticed the darkness was getting stronger. After his last encounter with a dark cave about six months ago, the raider no longer enjoyed such places.
Then it hit him that they were lost. Icabod was starting to freak out. His heart was beating rapidly. Then the voices hit his ears. Someone was whispering. He glanced around, trying to figure out who was saying what. But, nobody's lips were moving. No one was really speaking. Icabod gripped his waraxe tightly with his silver teke. He kept close to the other horses, not wanting to lag behind the group.
The vagabond leading them was only making his fears grow. They were lost in a dark cave with mysterious voices all around them. Icabod squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. In that very moment the word no rang clearly through the air. Icabod pulled his axe from the strap on his side into the air. Whoever, or whatever, it was that spoke scared the shit out of him and he wasn't about to get murdered by it. "Uh... Anyone know who that was?" The raider managed to force out a whisper.
Word Count: 222
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Post by Maelorom on Jul 11, 2018 21:23:41 GMT -6
Beyond// Chevalier
These tunnels were nauseatingly long and twisted. Beyond blew from her nostrils loudly, while she had little issue with the desert itself this place was starting to get in her nerves. The wretched vagabond guide they were dragging along was not helping. Their befuddled mumbling made her ears itch. She was becoming more and more aware that they may be thoroughly lost.
The mare groaned in annoyance. This place was too dark, she needed the sun, or something to kill. Either way she would feel a lot better than she did now. Glancing around she noted her comrades weren't taking it well either. Someone mumbled something and she bared her teeth at the vagabond, only to find their mouth firmly shut. Swinging her gaze around she found the rest of the group was also silent. So who on earth was whispering? She glowered into the tunnel ahead, it seemed almost to be getting darker. There must have been somewhere there for she could here the whispering still.
At first she dismissed it as the wind in the tunnels. She knew from experience that wind moving through tunnels, trees, etc made odd noises, she'd encounter termed it on many a patrol. But the longer she listened the more it sounded like a voice. She scowled, the blasted Seroran's were probably trying to scare them off. Well, she'd show them what incandescent steel tasted like. Whipping out her long sword and bearing it in front of her she hollered to the tunnel "Who on earth is hiding down there?!". She bared her blood-stained teeth "Get your cowardly, flea-bitten ass out here so I can shut you up once and for all!!". She wasn't interested in a stealth attack on anyone in these tunnels, she wanted to gut them face-to-face.
WC: 299
Post: #2
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jul 12, 2018 15:27:47 GMT -6
Aidan | Chevalier (Squire)
Now Aidan wouldn’t call himself frail of hard. He was a -be it self-acclaimed- dazzling chevalier-to-be with all courage and valor to go with it. As voices -he wasn’t going crazy, right?- picked up around him, he started to shiver, more than a little creeped out. Where those shadows always moving like that?
He gulped, starting to hum of tune to try and calm himself. As an avid reader he’d of course come across ghost stories. Most none of the good kind, ghosts who lingered because they had so much anger within them, ghosts who clung to the world of the living to terrorize the living. But did Aidan believe in such stories? Yes, yes, he did. Was he afraid of them? Very much so. You couldn’t stick swords into gosts.
He let out a squeek when someone’s hoof clicked a little louder than usual and he sped up to press closer to Asalah, the only one out here that he could remotely link to an older family member.
“D-did you hear t-that? That’s nothing right? J-just the wind. Y-yes, it must be the wind,” he babbled, eyeing the tunnel around and the guide in front of them. “Are we close yet?”
Post 2 | 213 words
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Post by hey-stardust on Jul 16, 2018 5:29:44 GMT -6
MARGAERY | AODH | CHEVALIER Oh the sun will rise like a flame ignites, we're not done 'til we say it's over, we won't fade away.
Oh the sun will rise, tomorrow never dies.
Margaery took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. One heavy ear flicked back, listening intently - and tuning out the gentle clink of armour - to what at first, seemed like the ramblings of someone on the verge of collapsing from heat stroke.
But, the longer it went on, the more people seemed to feed into the delirium. Soon, the glow of multi-coloured teke grasps lit up the tunnel, the light reflecting off meticulously honed blades like an uneasy rave.
Instinctually, she brushed a hesitant flicker of pink teke over her sword, as though checking it was still there, but did not draw it.
After all, you couldn't cut down ghosts.
When threats began to spew forth, she frowned at the tactic and simply shook her great head. It would get them nowhere, and feasibly push an unstable captive that much closer over the edge.
Part of her wanted to speak, to question whether the path they tread upon was true, just as the others had, but there were no answers to be given, only the ability to raise more questions.
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Jul 16, 2018 17:08:07 GMT -6
The focus on talking shifted at once when the sounds of whispers began to come into play. In the back of her mind, the hybrid mare took notice of the Squire that was now pushed up against her. Instinctively, she gently pushed back against him in a reassuring way. Don't worry, I'm here. She thought, her motherly nature tickling at the thought of putting herself in harms way to protect Aidan. Call it as you will, the mare had admittedly felt a fire in her belly to ensure her children were safe ever since they were born. Since her boys weren't around, she had pretty much transferred that feeling over.
"Everything's fine." She mare said in soft and gentle tones, turning towards Evalynn's adopted son with as warm a gaze as she could muster. "Whatever it may be..." She couldn't help but cut herself off. She was just as scared as the squire, though this was far from the most terrifying experience she had dealt with. It was more puzzling, if she was to be honest. What, or more aptly, who, would be in the tunnels other than maybe some of the dreaded Serorans? She pursed her lips in thought. "One of them doesn't agree with something..."
She wasn't exactly convinced it was ghosts, though the feeling of the shadows darkening most certainly didn't make her feel good about whatever it was.
No, she definitely didn't feel good.
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Post by brandvandet on Jul 23, 2018 19:27:07 GMT -6
The shadows creep closer to the spots of light you've brought into the tunnels with you. They gobbled the light up, greedily consuming them until you can barely see the glare off your neighbor's eyes. You could look around, reassure yourself that there are still plenty of torches along this long column of Aodhians and allies that are giving light but that glance is somehow more unsettling. Pinpricks of light are all that can be seen from the once-bright lanterns and torches and you could swear there are fewer than there were. Did that one just go out?
The whispers, both from you and the ones repeating against the walls are louder in the dark. They're overlapping now, hard to catch the actual phrases being ricocheted at you like volleys of sound. You can catch enough to know they are not friendly. Whoever is having this discussion does not want you here.
Then, before you, at the junction of these tunnels, a zesla, patterned in the night sky steps out of a shadow--light emanating from the stars on its skin. Its eyes are moons, cold, pale and luminous as it holds you in its glare.
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.
It turns its head to regard each of you in turn.
YOU HAVE BEEN FORSAKEN.
The echoes coalesce around it.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
DID YOU SEND THEM?
NO.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
DID YOU SEND THEM?
NO.
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Post by Superior-Caesar on Jul 24, 2018 0:11:32 GMT -6
IcabodIcabod was slowly tightening his teke's grip on his waraxe. His muscles began to twitch from fear. Icabod was not excited to be within another dark and spooky tunnel. This tunnel didn't end and then there were voice. His head began to hurt from the worry that rushed through him.
Then everything started getting darker. The whispers seemed louder. Icabod's thoughts flashed images from his past. He was growing more scared.
Finally something moved into their path. Icabod jumped in his skin, knocking himself to the ground as he tripped over his hind legs. His axe fell to the ground with a clatter, but he quickly regained his grasp. Icabod slipped back even further as his eyes adjusted to see the figure was a zesla. He scrambled to his hooves once again. "Why is it talking? Sh-shut up..." he whispered into the air, hoping no one would hear his words. He just wanted to get through the horrid tunnel and get things done. But no. They had to be caught up in something supernatural. Icabod glanced around at the others, hoping someone might do something.
Word Count: 185
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Post by moonlightwalk on Jul 25, 2018 15:34:17 GMT -6
Aidan | Chevalier (Squire)
Any soothing effects Asalah’s words may have had were short lived as the whispering escalated and Aidan had to reconsider ghosts being fiction. “These tunnels are haunted. Totally cool. Yup. Nothing to see here,” he muttered to himself, eyes shifting everywhere.
Oh gosh, what did he read about them again? Pay attention to- Oh, gosh, he was way too attractive. Demons and the like always went for the pretty ones in those stories. He was doomed.
The appearance of what he assumed was a corporal ghost before them had him stopping in his tracks and managed to wrench a shriek out of him, freaking even more out as the words became understandable but no less confusing. Was it speaking like someone suggested? Who cared! Aidan did the only reasonable thing. Acting on his vast ghost tale logic he thightened his grip on his most effective weapons against spirit apparitions and charged. “Ghooost!”
He flung his torch at it, yelling some garbled up version of an exorcist spell before backing up again. “By the fire of Ignacio, be gone!” He yelled wide eyed and heart beating wildly, expecting and hoping for the ghost to be consumed by the power of Ignacio’s fire.
Be gone, be gone, be gone.
Post 3 | 207 words
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Post by hey-stardust on Jul 26, 2018 14:32:00 GMT -6
MARGAERY | AODH | CHEVALIER Oh the sun will rise like a flame ignites, we're not done 'til we say it's over, we won't fade away.
Oh the sun will rise, tomorrow never dies.
As the lights that led their way ebbed and dimmed, Margaery paused.
She squinted to let her eyes adjust to the sudden darkness, unease cloaking her as easily as the shadows did. She heard Icabod stumble and fall, his weapon clattering to the ground and making her flinch.
That was enough to make her finally pull her sword from its scabbard, though not with haste; wary of hitting her companions on accident.
The voices were growing louder, more insistent.
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.
Was this another trick? A last-ditch effort from desperate Serorans to ward them away from this place?
YOU HAVE BEEN FORSAKEN.
There was a flicker of movement, and a creature slunk into view; its form seemed almost grotesque from this distance, the neck hideously out of proportion to its body.
With what little light remained, Margaery watched as it swept its cold gaze over each of them in turn, seeming to curse their very presence.
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART.
THEY ARE HERE.
DID YOU SEND THEM?
NO.
She mulled over the words that were repeated, over and over, trying to comprehend their meaning-
Only to be taken completely off guard when one of their own took matters into his own hands. Her ears flung forward at the sound of his haphazardous sprint, mind racing at the thought of the danger he was potentially throwing himself into.
The squire broke Margaery's prolonged silence, her voice cracking at the sudden and unexpected use. "Aiden! Halt you damned fool!"
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Post by Maelorom on Jul 27, 2018 22:59:15 GMT -6
Beyond// Chevalier
The lights seemed dimmer, Beyond glowered in frustration down the tunnel. There had been no reply to her demands, yet the whispers still remained. By Ignacio's scales she was getting grumpy. She turned to the party as if expecting them to back her up. Of course they didn't, they all seemed to be completely unnerved by the voices. Beyond wasn't so easily unnerved, she'd seen to many horrors to be scared of whatever might be down this god-damned hole. Unless Ignacio himself appeared to tell her to turn back she would drive onward to victory in his name. Ghosts were harmless anyway weren't they? They could even touch you as far as she was concerned. She'd met a medium before and she'd never even seen the ghosts they were talking to until they summoned one, and it still could do anything useful.
Although she had to admit she felt her stomach lurch a little when the Zesla appeared. She growled at it as it spoke, swinging her gilded blade to point at where she would assume it's heart was. Only looking away to check that Ignatius, her familiar, was still beside her. She was almost startled for a moment when the squire hurled his torch at the creature, her ears flicked back in surprise. What in Hireath was he trying to achieve with that? She didn't think that a torch would be much help, but at least he was brace enough to try. Turning her gaze back onto the Zesla she only vaguely heard one of the other chevaliers as they reprimanded the squire for his actions. Unconcerned by the squire's actions she stepped threateningly toward the Zesla, her golden blade poised to carve out its heart if need be.
"Wretched creature!" She snarled at it, its appearance causing her to pause momentarily. Why did it look so odd? Apon closer inspection it appeared to have glowing speckles and oddly large, blank eyes. Were the voices getting louder too? She quickly disposed of any doubts and continued "We are anything but forsaken! We are blessed by our God, and you will remove yourself from our path before we teach you the taste of Ignacio's incandescent steel!!". Baring her teeth once more she let the tip of her blade brush threateningly against it's chest, daring it to move against her. She wouldn't mind wearing a pelt that pretty and unlike the rest of the group she wasn't going to be stopped by some disembodied voices. If anything the voices were probably a trick being played by the Seroran's to scare them off. But the Seroran's were fools if they thought this would scare off a group of mighty Aodhian chevaliers.
WC: 449
Post: #3
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Jul 28, 2018 7:14:54 GMT -6
Originally, Asalah had assumed that the creature was speaking only to her. After being a familiar whisperer for two years, she got used to understanding animals when others did not. She had also seen a Zesla before, remembering the features of the creature that Jupiter had kept with him in the sanctuary.
This creature wasn't exactly unfamiliar to her, though the way it spoke was... peculiar. The mare felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Was she forsaken? Maybe,Ignacio had only become her god because of her travels, and she had left Cascade's lands to join Aodh with her sister...
Those thoughts were quickly shattered as the others started responding to the Zesla though. She flicked her ears forward for a moment, confused. "Wait... you guys... can hear them talki--"
That's when Aiden rushed forward from her side, causing her voice to trail off as he threw his torch at the creature. Margaery yelled out, but it was a little too late. Asalah sucked in a slow breath and took a step forward, and then another. Animals didn't scare her, but she was worried about the squire. Because of this, she kept moving until she was in front of him again, a physical barrier between him and the zesla.
They are in my land. They are in my heart. Did you send them?
NO.
"I am only here to protect." She said slowly. "If that causes me to be forsaken, then so be it, but I do want to know who else is speaking? Who is being interrogated so heavily? Can't you tell that they're not the cause of what is happening?"
Post 4 | 277
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Post by savannauni on Jul 29, 2018 21:39:30 GMT -6
Hearing Icabod's question the aodhnian stallion shook his head, he didn't know who, or what that was. Theseus wanted to scream at Beyond for blindly charging into yet another fight. He remembered the first time him and this mare were paired on an assignment and she did the same thing. Instead of screaming he hissed "Beyond! Get back!" But it was no use, the mare had her mind set. "Sweet mother Cascade." He grumbled.
Theseus did not expect this next. Stopping in his tracks he looked at the great thing that stood before them. A Zesla. That was a sedo specific creature. But this.. This was not of this mortal world. Words were lost on his tongue, he didn't know what actions to take.
Taahj's fur was bristling as the saber tooth seemed less fazed by the creature before them. The cat let out a roar as she stood in an attack stance, ready to defend the group going down swinging if needed.
Hearing Aiden holler and try to charge the damn twisted owl thing Theseus left his mechanical leg lurch first, ready to stop the child, body slamming if necessary. But as Asalah placed herself in front of the squire Theseus stopped. Thank god for that brave mare. As she confronted the great beast of the night sky, Theseus held his golden sword out, brows knit in concentration. Hearing Beyond antagonize the beast Theseus was quick to jump in. "Beast of the deserts, your anger is noted. But it is not enough to stop us from pressing on to carry out of mission." His voice was remarkably stead for how unsteady he felt at the moment.
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Post by brandvandet on Aug 6, 2018 22:12:53 GMT -6
The torch sails through the air, colliding against the chest of the Zesla before clattering to the ground. Improbably, the flames caught on the unreal pelt of the zesla, crackling frames ringing its long neck like a horrifying mane. The creature did not seem to be in any pain despite the inferno ringing its starry neck. Smoothly it lifted a heavy paw and placed it over the lit end of the torch, snuffing it out. It shook its head and shed the flames, shadows cloaking its shoulders now. As so many invoked Ignacio in front of it, it began to laugh--the sound crackling out from the cruelly hooked beak.
I SAID. YOU ARE FORSAKEN. YOUR PRAYERS WILL DO NOTHING. HE WILL NOT HEAR THEM.
The shadows pressed forward toward your hooves and the Zesla took a step nearer. It laughed again as Asalah asked who was speaking.
HAVE YOU NOT BEEN LISTENING? DO YOU NOT HEAR HIM?
The voices come again, the same script.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?
There's a tinge of gleeful cruelty and satisfaction in the creature's tone as it allows the air to brighten and you see the Seroran's god, Alya, in a fury. Her wings churn against the starscape, showing meteors and supernovas across the canvas of the sky. She bellows the first lines:
THEY ARE IN MY LAND. THEY ARE IN MY HEART. THEY ARE HERE. DID YOU SEND THEM?
Until now you cannot see who she is speaking to but suddenly you know that face. It's the face of your patron, his antlers branching across galaxies with small blue stars resting in his prongs. He stares at the angry goddess, rage twisting his divine face. For a moment, perhaps you believe that anger is directed at the wind goddess that your entire religion derides. Instead, he turns his face to you and his rage deepens.
NO.
He intones and his face crests the zesla's whose laughter has silenced.
NO. I DID NOT SEND THEM. THEY DO NOT COME WITH MY BLESSING.
With that the Zesla's laughter returns once--a sharp bark of joy as the vision fades into the shadows once more. It steps forward, the cold moon eyes regarding each of you. It fades slowly, until just its last word remains.
LEAVE.
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Post by Superior-Caesar on Aug 8, 2018 0:22:09 GMT -6
Icabod
Icabod reeled backwards even further as the zesla shifted into something else. This was something a thousand times worse than he ever could have expected. His heart felt ready to explode from the sights he'd seen, the voices he'd heard. There were literal gods speaking to them. Angry gods. The anger of a god is not something one should toy with. Ever. Icabod quickly strapped his waraxe back to his side.
"I- I didn't sign up for this shit, guys. We have to go. Like now," the raider was on the verge of tears. He had only agreed to join the Aodhians because his leader had asked him directly. He was there for his herd and his herd alone. Icabod wanted to scream his apologies. "We seriously have to go. There's enough of us hearing this that they'll believe us, right? Your king is smart enough to listen to his god?" He'd made his decision. If he got out of that cave without a god smiting him and made it home, he would never fight in a war again. He didn't care about the bullshit reasoning anyone gave. The gods did not approve of the one war he'd ever joined and he was a god-respecting, god-fearing stallion.
With that, he'd finally worked up the willpower to leave. He didn't care if no one followed. Icabod was done with the charade. The stallion turned tail and started walking as calmly, yet quickly as he could manage. Icabod figured he could find his way out well enough. Between his tremor sense blessing and his memory of where they came from, he'd be fine. "I suggest the rest of you come back with me. Better than to stay in a cave you can't find the exit to," he called back to them, his voice only trembling a bit.
Word Count: 305
Post: 4 |
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Post by hey-stardust on Aug 9, 2018 1:03:01 GMT -6
MARGAERY | AODH | CHEVALIER Oh the sun will rise like a flame ignites, we're not done 'til we say it's over, we won't fade away.
Oh the sun will rise, tomorrow never dies.
She regretted coming here, watching as the other members of her party threw themselves into battle with an air of reckless abandon, blinded by either stupidity or a sense of moral superiority, she couldn't tell.
War was about strategy, not bravery.
Flames engulfed the creature as Aiden's torch struck them, though they seemed unphased while it engulfed their features, creating a burning noose around their neck.
The unicorn's ears flattened to her neck as they laughed, the sound cruel and echoing off the walls. Her gaze rushed from figure to figure, seeking the enemy...
Only to suddenly be thrown into the starscape.
She watched as meteors and stars rained from the heavens, guided by Alya's furious wingbeats. Margaery's confusion remained as the god screamed at an unknown entity, then the world shifted again, and she was brought face to face with her patron deity.
Ignacio's eyes seemed to burn into her very soul, and this time she believed every word he spoke, almost able to taste his bitter fury.
"We... We need to regroup." She mumbled, sheathing her blade with haste and turning to leave; she wanted to get out of these godforsaken tunnels before they were brought down upon them all.
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Post by Maelorom on Aug 9, 2018 15:51:50 GMT -6
Beyond// Chevalier
When the creature lit itself on fire Beyond did find herself, if just for a moment, questioning the true nature of the situation. But unfortunately while Beyond was a smart and strong soldier, she was also incredibly stubborn. She scoffed at the creature, it was all a load of bullshit in her opinion. Even as the vision of the starscape took over, her eyes widening in awe, she couldn't help but sneer. She had seen better trickery done with an illusion blessing. Although she had to admit that she found herself slightly shaken by Ignacio's glower. Angering a God was not something she particularly wanted to do, unless it was Alya of course. The Serorans clearly knew how to get to the chevaliers, but Beyond was just so stubborn.
"Trickery" she hissed "It's all an illusion, don't let yourselves be fooled" she whipped her head to glare at her companions fiercely. The Serorans were playing dirty with tricks and mind-games, but that was war for you. She scowled with disgust as Icabod and Margaery started away. And these equine called themselves soldiers? "If Ignacio wanted to speak to us, the least he would have done is sent one of his own creations. Not some Seroran Zesla. And this effect is too easily achieved with a blessing, or even just chemicals and light". Her scowl deepened, Ignacio surely would not turn them back. He would not allow his people to be stolen from like that. They had helped the Serorans who had then broken the deal, effectively failing to pay for all that they had been given. That food could have fed Aodhian children, instead it was stolen by ungrateful Seroran filth.
She turned to where the Zesla had stood "We must go on" she demanded. She took a few steps forward before pausing "At least if you honour your God and King you will continue for their sake, my herd was betrayed, I will have vengeance even if it kills me". She held her torch in front of her, even if she lost herself in these God-forsaken tunnels, her daughter at least would know her mother died with honour, and not as a coward.
WC: 355
Post: #4
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 11, 2018 15:51:04 GMT -6
Adian | Chevalier (Squire)
Aidan was fully prepared for ghostly apparition to go up in flames like the books had described to him, instead it seemed that he was watching a horror story unfold as the cruel creature merely shook the flames from its coat. Aidan back further up, trembling. An enemy of flesh and blood he would face, had faced, but this? This was beyond him.
Cruel face, cruel words. Aidan wondered why it had not attacked yet, but then Alya was revealed. He did not favor her, so he paid no mind to her words, tricks to get them to back down. Was she fear inspiring? Yes. And Aidan would quiver at the thought of her if not for the knowledge of Ignacio and his protection of his people.
Knowledge wasn’t always flawless however. When Ignacio appeared, Aidan inwardly cheered. Yes. Let the winged godness see what they were dealing with. But Ignacio didn’t turn his anger towards her, no, he turned it towards them. His blessing wasn’t theirs, they were not marching in his name.
Aidan felt as if the world around him started falling apart in that instance. He wanted to be the hero, he wanted to fight for good. Did this mean he hurt those people for nothing? He had thought the king’s will was Ignacio’s will. Why hadn’t the flamines said this? Why hadn’t Ignacio reached out to them? Why hadn’t he halted them before marching in this horrible horrible country. Before all the blood, the sweat, the tears?
On one hand he felt betrayed, betrayed by those above him, betrayed by the lack of guidance of his god. On the other hand he felt at fault. A broken boy wanting nothing more than to please who he liked and having failed miserably at it. And with the scornful look of a god upon him, he cried. Because perhaps he should have known somehow and he was at fault. He had failed and now he was rejected. That feeling ran deep, a reminder of days spent in the streets when nobody would care for him. “I’m sorry,” he said tearfully as Ignacio disappeared. Heartfelt and true. “If I had know, I could-“
There was no changing the past however, even if he wanted to. Margaery told them to regroup and he found himself absently nodding, moving again closer to Asalah, the only comfort in this disturbing situation. “Does he hate us now?” He asked quietly, tears now carefully hidden, but voice tired and hollow.
His ears snapped back as one of the chevalier called trickery. “Don’t.” He shook his head aggresivilly. “You saw him. You felt him. You heard him. I will not defy his will further.” He wanted out like Icabod but looked at Margaery, recognized as a more familiar superior and Asalah for guidance.
Post 4 | 473 words
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Post by Queerly on Sept 12, 2018 0:38:08 GMT -6
 Thank you for participating in Aodh 609!
Rewards to: Aidan, Asalah, Beyond, Margaery, Icabod, Theseus
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