Ilvati
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 51
Appearance: A blue lizardfolk with a feathered plumage, her face cold and stoic, her body lean and muscular.
Equipment: Ilvati carries a magical Kama and Kusarigama that she can store in an extradimensional pocket. Additionally, she leads a band of 200 lizardfolk.
Skills and Abilities: In addition to being a ruthlessly efficient and intelligent leader, Ilvati has heightened durability and physical strength, and expertise with Kama and Kusarigama.
Allegiances: The Lizardfolk
Place of Residence: Mountains to the East of Port Argentium
Registered: Jan 18, 2023 22:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by Ilvati on Aug 21, 2023 1:28:27 GMT -5
Ilvati savored the rush of the smelling salts. She felt alert, alive. In the perfect mindset to pretend she had just regained consciousness. She shot her head up, opened her eyes and assessed the group. She assumed the woman without cat ears called her a “beast of sin,” making the second woman the employer of multiple bodyguards. She must be important. Within moments of the assessment, Ilvati pounced backward, distancing herself from the group and entered a weak defensive stance. She assumed the body language of a scared, starving animal, unsure of their safety at this moment, struggling not to collapse from exhaustion.
“Who are you people? What do you want from me?” The words barely came out. That part required no deception, she really hadn’t had water for quite some time.
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Lady Naoki
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 345
Appearance: Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed.
Allegiances: New Isra
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Lady Naoki on Aug 24, 2023 16:52:18 GMT -5
Lady Naoki remains where she is as the scaled woman leaps to her feet. She moves quick. Spooked, understandably.
“I am Lady Naoki, leader of the settlement over there.” She gestures over to it. “Port Argentium.”
“This is Daimyo Yuzu. She washed ashore on that vessel not long ago.” Naoki again gestures, this time over to where Yuzu’s crew are being helped off their ship by a handful more pageboys and guards.
“There’s food here -- for you.” At a gesture from Naoki, the pageboy with the basket steps forward a touch, places the basket on the ground nearish to the scaled lady, and steps back, away, behind Naoki. The basket contains however many sandwiches Yuzu left in it. Dull, flat bread, with slices of some meat. Maybe some nuts, or a rouge fruit.
“We mean you no harm,” Naoki continues, raising her empty hands for the scaled woman to see. “People wash ashore here all the time.”
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Honoka Yuzu
Established
Roleplay posts: 17
Age: late 20s.
Appearance: Honoka is a woman of short stature. Her short dark hair is shielded by a large straw hat. Brown, blue, black, no one seems to know the color of her inquisitive eyes. She does only have one eye. The other covered by and eyepatch hiding years of history. Winters are long in the region she hails from, her pale skin reflects the lack of sunlight. She is definitely one to burn rather than tan. Her clothes are what some may consider traditional, but is common for fighters of her rank. She often wears loose fitting robes to easier move during combat. For those lucky enough to see her back, a large vibrant serpent is inked into her skin.
Equipment: Her most important equipment is her weaponry. A odachi thrust through her obi belt, a tanto hidden underneath her robes for anyone who tests her personal space. In her traveling bag is a wakizashi and katana sword that she easily switches for duel handed wielding. The other contents of her bag include an animal skin water pouch, medicinal herbs and bandages, and a few days of food rations was all she was able to grab before the calamity engulfed her world.
Skills and Abilities: Not only is Honoka skilled with the blade, she has years after years of leading her fellow swordsmen. She has experience in camouflage and tracking. Much like a blood hound, once she gets a hit she can always track them down.
Biography: Honoka trained hard to hone the sword from a young age. She came from a long line of warriors. She quickly excelled and gained recognition and rose up until she too had her own fighters to train. She commanded her own army leading them to victory. Honoka recieved many injuries through the years, but the worst is the one she hides behind her eyepatch. Only few know what truly happened that fight. Everyone else can only speculate about what Honoka hides behind that piece of cloth.
Registered: May 9, 2023 20:48:47 GMT -5
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Post by Honoka Yuzu on Aug 25, 2023 15:14:37 GMT -5
"Yes as the good lady said, I am Daimyo Yuzu, though my title of Daimyo holds little meaning anymore so call me Yuzu. Formalities are only formalities if the title is still recognized." Honoka will reluctantly help the lizardfolk up. There is an aura of hostility surrounding the swordswoman, like a dog ready to bite at the slightest signal. She does not know who this stranger is and if they're someone they can trust. For now, she will follow Lady Naoki's lead.
Honoka takes a deep breath. We all bear the battles of the raging water that brings us here, best to make friends instead of enemies, kindness sometimes leads to better answers than any torture could bring. Honoka also makes a show of good faith by keeping her hands away from the swords tucked in her waist sash.
"I washed up on shore not long before you. I have not even gotten off this beach. I was quite hungry and ate a few sandwiches but I left a few in there." By few, Honoka refers to the 4 sandwiches that still remain in the basket.
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Ilvati
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 51
Appearance: A blue lizardfolk with a feathered plumage, her face cold and stoic, her body lean and muscular.
Equipment: Ilvati carries a magical Kama and Kusarigama that she can store in an extradimensional pocket. Additionally, she leads a band of 200 lizardfolk.
Skills and Abilities: In addition to being a ruthlessly efficient and intelligent leader, Ilvati has heightened durability and physical strength, and expertise with Kama and Kusarigama.
Allegiances: The Lizardfolk
Place of Residence: Mountains to the East of Port Argentium
Registered: Jan 18, 2023 22:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by Ilvati on Aug 25, 2023 16:38:17 GMT -5
Ilvati hesitates for a moment, then lowers her guard and takes the Daimyo’s hand. As she is helped up, she makes firm eye contact and mirrors the Daimyo’s hostility, sharing a look only a true warrior would recognize. That very likely, one of these women would kill the other. The aura lasts only a moment, and before the Daimyo can react, Ilvati has already reverted back to her original facade as a scared, starving animal, turning to Lady Naoki and meekly saying:
“Well thank you, and I’m sorry for the defensiveness, I haven't had much good luck in the last ten years, but you all seem-” she pauses, “unexpectedly kind.”
Ilvatis voice remains shaky, and she's clearly dehydrated. “I would happily eat your food, and drink any water you have to offer, though I’d like to know what expectations you may have of me if I accept your aid.” Ilvati is dying to eat everything in that basket, and her body language makes that clear, but desires knowledge of this governor’s character even more.
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Lady Naoki
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 345
Appearance: Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed.
Allegiances: New Isra
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Lady Naoki on Aug 25, 2023 17:30:53 GMT -5
Lady Naoki shakes her head, dismissive. It’s no trouble at all. She’s dealt with far worse than a bit of attitude scraping people off this beach.
At the scaled woman’s inquiry, Lady Naoki shrugs. “If you would eat and leave, that’s fine. I would prefer to keep the basket, but there is enough food. Eat it and go — return the favor in time, or not. A few sandwiches are not of any great concern, and there’s no reason I would be uncharitable about it.”
“But,” Naoki continues, moving a half-step closer now that the scaled woman seems a bit more personable, “If you would like to — and I would invite you to — join my settlement, all I ask is that you work. Use whatever skills you have to make life here possible for the community, and you receive the benefits of the community in turn. Square meals, security, and a roof over your head. Everyone here has washed ashore from somewhere else, and we’re making the best of it. We’ve made excellent progress in the months we’ve been here, and continue to grow rather quickly thanks to folks like yourself who wash ashore.”
After beckoning over the guard, who has been dutifully standing by, Naoki reaches out to take the waterskin from his belt. Extending her arm toward the scaled woman, she offers this, too.
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Ilvati
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 51
Appearance: A blue lizardfolk with a feathered plumage, her face cold and stoic, her body lean and muscular.
Equipment: Ilvati carries a magical Kama and Kusarigama that she can store in an extradimensional pocket. Additionally, she leads a band of 200 lizardfolk.
Skills and Abilities: In addition to being a ruthlessly efficient and intelligent leader, Ilvati has heightened durability and physical strength, and expertise with Kama and Kusarigama.
Allegiances: The Lizardfolk
Place of Residence: Mountains to the East of Port Argentium
Registered: Jan 18, 2023 22:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by Ilvati on Aug 25, 2023 18:21:51 GMT -5
Ilvati nods at Naoki, accepts the waterskin and takes a long drink. She stands in thought for a moment, then makes a resolute face that implies she has made a decision. With water in her and her fears dissuaded, her body language and tone become more relaxed.
“I think I will stay, and help, for some time at least. I need to know I can trust everyone here before fully committing. When it comes to my skills-” She hesitates. “I do know how to fight, so if it ever comes down to protecting people, I will absolutely help, but I’d like that to be a last resort.” There’s sadness here. “I’ve just done too much fighting, you know? I wanna do something kinder.”
Ilvati approaches the basket of sandwiches and takes one. She becomes cheerful and energetic as she brainstorms ideas to help the community. “Otherwise, I’m pretty fast, I could serve as a messenger, or just be a runner for people who need to get things from one place to another. I don’t know how many old people you have here but I could run them food and medicine.”
“And once I have some food in me-” She slaps her diminished muscles. “I could do something a little more practical, like chop firewood or help build houses. I used to be pretty strong, it just might take a second to build the muscle back up.” She takes a bite of the sandwich, savors it, and exclaims as she has another idea.
“Ooh!” she swallows her food. “Do you guys have a fire brigade? That’d be a good job for me, even if it was just on the side.”
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Honoka Yuzu
Established
Roleplay posts: 17
Age: late 20s.
Appearance: Honoka is a woman of short stature. Her short dark hair is shielded by a large straw hat. Brown, blue, black, no one seems to know the color of her inquisitive eyes. She does only have one eye. The other covered by and eyepatch hiding years of history. Winters are long in the region she hails from, her pale skin reflects the lack of sunlight. She is definitely one to burn rather than tan. Her clothes are what some may consider traditional, but is common for fighters of her rank. She often wears loose fitting robes to easier move during combat. For those lucky enough to see her back, a large vibrant serpent is inked into her skin.
Equipment: Her most important equipment is her weaponry. A odachi thrust through her obi belt, a tanto hidden underneath her robes for anyone who tests her personal space. In her traveling bag is a wakizashi and katana sword that she easily switches for duel handed wielding. The other contents of her bag include an animal skin water pouch, medicinal herbs and bandages, and a few days of food rations was all she was able to grab before the calamity engulfed her world.
Skills and Abilities: Not only is Honoka skilled with the blade, she has years after years of leading her fellow swordsmen. She has experience in camouflage and tracking. Much like a blood hound, once she gets a hit she can always track them down.
Biography: Honoka trained hard to hone the sword from a young age. She came from a long line of warriors. She quickly excelled and gained recognition and rose up until she too had her own fighters to train. She commanded her own army leading them to victory. Honoka recieved many injuries through the years, but the worst is the one she hides behind her eyepatch. Only few know what truly happened that fight. Everyone else can only speculate about what Honoka hides behind that piece of cloth.
Registered: May 9, 2023 20:48:47 GMT -5
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Post by Honoka Yuzu on Aug 25, 2023 18:32:51 GMT -5
"That is a good state of mind to have." Wanting to do something kinder, fighting is in Honoka's blood. She never thought of what other path she could take. "I too do not wish to engage in reckless violence, but I will eliminate any threats that may come upon this settlement and its leader." From the lands she was from, the nation had undying loyalty to the great emperor. Anyone who waivered would be an enemy to the state. Why have doubt in your leader when the nation is prospering?
"Your name, what do they call you?" Honoka asks. "It seems we may be working together at times. It is best to be acquainted with each other."
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Ilvati
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 51
Appearance: A blue lizardfolk with a feathered plumage, her face cold and stoic, her body lean and muscular.
Equipment: Ilvati carries a magical Kama and Kusarigama that she can store in an extradimensional pocket. Additionally, she leads a band of 200 lizardfolk.
Skills and Abilities: In addition to being a ruthlessly efficient and intelligent leader, Ilvati has heightened durability and physical strength, and expertise with Kama and Kusarigama.
Allegiances: The Lizardfolk
Place of Residence: Mountains to the East of Port Argentium
Registered: Jan 18, 2023 22:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by Ilvati on Aug 25, 2023 18:41:45 GMT -5
“Of course, I had forgotten.” By now Ilvati had finished her sandwich. “I’m Ilvati, a pleasure to formally meet you all.” Offering her hand to shake anyone who would take it. "And its good to know we both want to avoid a fight when we can."
Ilvati smiled at the Daimyo and turned back to Naoki, waiting for answers to her questions about the state of a fire brigade and the amount of elderly in the settlement. These were important things to know, though Ilvati did her best to portray that she only needed the information to see how she could help.
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Lady Naoki
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 345
Appearance: Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed.
Allegiances: New Isra
Place of Residence: Port Argentium
Registered: Mar 16, 2021 22:31:18 GMT -5
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Post by Lady Naoki on Aug 25, 2023 21:39:36 GMT -5
The scaled woman is quick to suggest several things she could do, but Lady Naoki waves all these away. “Your enthusiasm is noted — but let’s start with getting back, getting food in you both, and then I’ll have a look at my ledger and find jobs for you to start tomorrow if you feel up for it.” Everyone’s got ideas about what they would like to do, but only Naoki knows what’s needed. There’s usually overlap, but this sand isn’t the place for that discussion.
“Ilvati,” Naoki repeats the name before taking the scaled woman’s hand in her own and shaking it. Ilvati may notice Naoki’s hand is oddly warm, more so than it ought to be, though not at all uncomfortable to touch.
“Come now, I don’t need any more sand in my boots.” Beckoning, Lady Naoki starts back toward the settlement, and the guard and page fall in behind her.
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Honoka Yuzu
Established
Roleplay posts: 17
Age: late 20s.
Appearance: Honoka is a woman of short stature. Her short dark hair is shielded by a large straw hat. Brown, blue, black, no one seems to know the color of her inquisitive eyes. She does only have one eye. The other covered by and eyepatch hiding years of history. Winters are long in the region she hails from, her pale skin reflects the lack of sunlight. She is definitely one to burn rather than tan. Her clothes are what some may consider traditional, but is common for fighters of her rank. She often wears loose fitting robes to easier move during combat. For those lucky enough to see her back, a large vibrant serpent is inked into her skin.
Equipment: Her most important equipment is her weaponry. A odachi thrust through her obi belt, a tanto hidden underneath her robes for anyone who tests her personal space. In her traveling bag is a wakizashi and katana sword that she easily switches for duel handed wielding. The other contents of her bag include an animal skin water pouch, medicinal herbs and bandages, and a few days of food rations was all she was able to grab before the calamity engulfed her world.
Skills and Abilities: Not only is Honoka skilled with the blade, she has years after years of leading her fellow swordsmen. She has experience in camouflage and tracking. Much like a blood hound, once she gets a hit she can always track them down.
Biography: Honoka trained hard to hone the sword from a young age. She came from a long line of warriors. She quickly excelled and gained recognition and rose up until she too had her own fighters to train. She commanded her own army leading them to victory. Honoka recieved many injuries through the years, but the worst is the one she hides behind her eyepatch. Only few know what truly happened that fight. Everyone else can only speculate about what Honoka hides behind that piece of cloth.
Registered: May 9, 2023 20:48:47 GMT -5
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Post by Honoka Yuzu on Aug 26, 2023 21:35:41 GMT -5
"That is a nice-sounding name. Does it carry any meaning?" Honoka asks her new acquaintance. She will reach for Ilvati's hand after Naoki finishes shaking it. Her grip on the scaly hand is strong, but not overpowering. The shaking of hands is a foreign concept to her but it seems to be the greetings of westerners. Honoka seems to be a little more willing to interact with the lizard folk, but she's more interested in sparing with her.
She begins to follow Naoki back to the settlement, making small talk as the group walks. "Tell me more about where you two have come from."
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Ilvati
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Age: 51
Appearance: A blue lizardfolk with a feathered plumage, her face cold and stoic, her body lean and muscular.
Equipment: Ilvati carries a magical Kama and Kusarigama that she can store in an extradimensional pocket. Additionally, she leads a band of 200 lizardfolk.
Skills and Abilities: In addition to being a ruthlessly efficient and intelligent leader, Ilvati has heightened durability and physical strength, and expertise with Kama and Kusarigama.
Allegiances: The Lizardfolk
Place of Residence: Mountains to the East of Port Argentium
Registered: Jan 18, 2023 22:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by Ilvati on Aug 27, 2023 20:14:03 GMT -5
“As far as I'm aware, no. It's just a name.” Ilvati matches the pressure of the Daimyo’s hand as she shakes it. “My people lived on a small island, we had to work hard year round just to get by. I don't think they were especially conscientious in their naming conventions, my mother just gave me something to answer to and got back to work."
Ilvati walks with the group toward the settlement. She wished Naoki had answered her questions, but bringing them up again would only highlight their importance. For now, she would need to be patient and blend in with the crowd.
"I assume your people put a little more significance to their names, Daimyo? What does yours mean?"
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Honoka Yuzu
Established
Roleplay posts: 17
Age: late 20s.
Appearance: Honoka is a woman of short stature. Her short dark hair is shielded by a large straw hat. Brown, blue, black, no one seems to know the color of her inquisitive eyes. She does only have one eye. The other covered by and eyepatch hiding years of history. Winters are long in the region she hails from, her pale skin reflects the lack of sunlight. She is definitely one to burn rather than tan. Her clothes are what some may consider traditional, but is common for fighters of her rank. She often wears loose fitting robes to easier move during combat. For those lucky enough to see her back, a large vibrant serpent is inked into her skin.
Equipment: Her most important equipment is her weaponry. A odachi thrust through her obi belt, a tanto hidden underneath her robes for anyone who tests her personal space. In her traveling bag is a wakizashi and katana sword that she easily switches for duel handed wielding. The other contents of her bag include an animal skin water pouch, medicinal herbs and bandages, and a few days of food rations was all she was able to grab before the calamity engulfed her world.
Skills and Abilities: Not only is Honoka skilled with the blade, she has years after years of leading her fellow swordsmen. She has experience in camouflage and tracking. Much like a blood hound, once she gets a hit she can always track them down.
Biography: Honoka trained hard to hone the sword from a young age. She came from a long line of warriors. She quickly excelled and gained recognition and rose up until she too had her own fighters to train. She commanded her own army leading them to victory. Honoka recieved many injuries through the years, but the worst is the one she hides behind her eyepatch. Only few know what truly happened that fight. Everyone else can only speculate about what Honoka hides behind that piece of cloth.
Registered: May 9, 2023 20:48:47 GMT -5
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Post by Honoka Yuzu on Sept 2, 2023 17:34:40 GMT -5
"Daimyo is a title. It is similar to a top general in western terms. My title holds little meaning now but maybe one day it will regain its privilege. My family name Yuzu means haven" she quickly responds to her question.
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Nels Óvættrson
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Skills and Abilities: Ritualistic Magic
Alchemy
Biography: The masses shifted as they looked towards Her, awaiting Her decision as she played with the broken pieces of Her horns in scarred and muscled hands. "Take no comfort." Her voice was quiet as it washed over the docks. None spoke, not even Nels as he watched Her faded gold eyes. "There is pain coming. I have tested you all, and I have found your strength wanting." There were no cheers of agreement nor rejections of this assessment. They had been broken on the shore, shattered upon rocks time and time again. They knew they were not enough for what was coming. She raised Her hands as the fog rolled in from the great barren sea. "I will scatter you to a million worlds. You will suffer. You will struggle. You will die." They would die anyways, the distant drums echoing for miles from those who hunted what they labeled hellspawn.
"But some of you may survive. Some of you may yet live." They boarded their vessels, things of blackwood and ashen rope. Familiar symbols and insignia's marked their passage. "So sail my children." They pushed off from shore in waves, black ships upon darkened seas. On the docks, watching their people leave stood Her alone. Her voice reached them even then. Nels heard sobs. "Sail, my children. Sail and never look back."
Registered: Sept 23, 2023 15:00:11 GMT -5
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Post by Nels Óvættrson on Sept 23, 2023 23:21:14 GMT -5
Something was wrong.
The thought had become an anchor in Nels mind, no matter what thought patterns failed and where he found himself in the small tender ship. There were others. There was a full longship. There was a whole fleet. Where were they? Why was he in a tender? Something placed him there, or someone did, or he did, but he didn't remember it. He didn't remember waking up here, he simply was. Time had passed, he had been in this gray eternity for long enough to make it feel looming and forever in all directions. He was hyperventilating again, the fact that he knew it had happened before a worry all of its own. He took deep breaths, straightening his back and staring down at the black wood of the tender. The wood was strange and warped, pulled from trees that followed the songs of whispered magics as they grew. It was attached to a longship of which he stood on... He did not know how long ago. Something happened. Something was wrong.
This could not continue. He did not have the faculties to continue this panic endlessly. He reached to the floor, untouched by water but drowned in mist, and grabbed his staff. It was a warped and twisted thing, binding around a flawed orb. It was not much, holding no cantrips nor granting passage through this endless oblivion, but it was an anchor. Something to hold and find memory within, delicate fingers sliding over the bumps and cuts into the gnarled wood.
And then, in all its horrific mystery, oblivion ended. The world had changed quite suddenly as he hugged the gnarled staff like it was the only thing in the world he still had. Perhaps it was.In wonder, or perhaps simple disbelief, his little tender had come to rest on the sand of a beach. He sat there, waiting for the illusion to fade, for this strange and impossible place to vanish back into the fog of which it belonged. Sand of yellow instead of black, steady shores rather than shearing bluffs. A paradise.
He sat there for a long time.
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New Isra
New
Roleplay posts: 6
Biography: This account represents the NPCs and locations associated with New Isra.
Registered: Sept 18, 2023 21:36:50 GMT -5
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Post by New Isra on Sept 24, 2023 0:41:37 GMT -5
There was something about this place, decided Guardsman Third Class Percy Buffle, that just wasn't right. He wasn't sure what it was, but the shores on this new island seemed oddly hostile. There'd been a time once when he'd been quite fond of beaches. He'd spent many an evening strolling across the shorline back home, content to do little more than enjoy the sand under his feet and the gentle sound of the waves in his ears. His husband Barry had shared his love of long walks on the beach, and the Buffles had watched more waterfront sunsets together than he could count. They had not been together for an especially long time, but math had never been Percy's strong suit. Barry was gone, though. He'd vanished beneath the waves that they'd loved so much, as had nearly everyone that Percy had ever known. The sea had taken everything from him, leaving behind nothing but a bitter, lonely shell of a man.
Patrolling the beach now, all Percy could think about was how much he hated it. The sand, once so soft and pleasant beneath bare feet, made for treacherous terrain in boots. His feet sank into the sand, making the patrol an exhausting endeavor. The very same sand, he knew, was also filling his boots with every step. He'd have to empty them out later, but he'd never be able to remove every grain. They'd have sand in them for the rest of their service lives, covering his feet in coarse, irritating particles every single time he laced them on. The sea smelled different as well. Everyone he'd mentioned it to had told him that he was imagining things, but he was sure that the ocean bore a foul, sickening stench. It was all the rotting corpses, he told himself. All the bodies of the drowned were festering and decaying beneath the waves, replacing the fresh ocean scent that he knew and loved with the stomach-turning odor of death. Even the wildlife was worse here. The crabs were a nuisance, pinching every bit of exposed flesh they could find whenever he sat down to rest. The seagulls flying overhead seemed to mock him with their calls, laughing at the pitiful little human who was forced to walk across the sand instead of fly. One time he'd even been attacked by an enormous octopus-like creature, which had grabbed him and tried to drag him down into the depths when he'd strayed too close to the water. He'd reported the incident and had been surprised to see a small contingent of Naoki's personal staff go to the beach and capture the creature (presumably for some sort of stew).
Percy's reverie was broken by the sight of a strange purple figure sitting upon an odd sort of vessel, a pair of horns sprouting from its head. He paused, his grip tightening on the haft of his spear as he tried to remember his training. Finding people washed up on the beach was a semi-regular occurrence and was the primary reason why the settlement had even established a beach patrol. Demons, however, were something different entirely. He knew that there were demons in the town already, but those were almost certainly bound by some sort of contract. This one seemed new, and he worried that it might be dangerous. He considered running for help, as he was supposed to do upon encountering any serious threats on his patrol. The fact that it was only a single demon, however, kept his feet planted right where they were. What if it didn't turn out to be a threat after all? He'd be a laughingstock, a frightened little canary that ran away at the mere hint of danger. No, that wouldn't do at all. He'd have to determine whether this demon was dangerous, lest he risk the mockery of his peers. Stepping forward, he called out to the interloper, wishing that his voice was a little bit deeper and slightly less shrill.
"Identify yourself, demon!" he called out, standing up straighter and trying to look as imposing as he could. "You are on the territory of Port Argentium of New Isra. State your name and business. Are you alone?"
He cast nervous glances from side to side, suddenly worried about the possibility of others. If a whole horde of demons suddenly popped up from behind the dunes, what was he going to do? He certainly couldn't outrun them over the sand, not in these boots. Perhaps he ought to have called for help after all, out of an abundance of caution. Wasn't it better to be safe than to be devoured alive by man-eating demons? That's what Barry had always said, in any case. He'd always been strangely concerned about that.
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Nels Óvættrson
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Skills and Abilities: Ritualistic Magic
Alchemy
Biography: The masses shifted as they looked towards Her, awaiting Her decision as she played with the broken pieces of Her horns in scarred and muscled hands. "Take no comfort." Her voice was quiet as it washed over the docks. None spoke, not even Nels as he watched Her faded gold eyes. "There is pain coming. I have tested you all, and I have found your strength wanting." There were no cheers of agreement nor rejections of this assessment. They had been broken on the shore, shattered upon rocks time and time again. They knew they were not enough for what was coming. She raised Her hands as the fog rolled in from the great barren sea. "I will scatter you to a million worlds. You will suffer. You will struggle. You will die." They would die anyways, the distant drums echoing for miles from those who hunted what they labeled hellspawn.
"But some of you may survive. Some of you may yet live." They boarded their vessels, things of blackwood and ashen rope. Familiar symbols and insignia's marked their passage. "So sail my children." They pushed off from shore in waves, black ships upon darkened seas. On the docks, watching their people leave stood Her alone. Her voice reached them even then. Nels heard sobs. "Sail, my children. Sail and never look back."
Registered: Sept 23, 2023 15:00:11 GMT -5
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Post by Nels Óvættrson on Sept 24, 2023 1:13:10 GMT -5
The sight before Guardsman Third Class Percy Buffle was a strange one, and while his peers may have laughed at him for running, there was something very true about the strange forlorn air of the whole ordeal. The beach seemed to pulse a fog that kept his sightlines short, leading to him wandering unfortunately close to the figure before it was even apparent. Quite far from where the water met shore sat a short, sturdy boat made of black wood and carved with endless patterns and curves. Larger pieces of the tender, such as the front even included odd and twisting forms and faces. If there was a style of craft fit for the hellish and pariah, it was this, enraptured in its own excepting nature. Even the figurehead was the terrible shape of a horned woman, clad in more scars than flesh as her arms spread wide to become the rim. This alone would have caught the nerves of a few, but the small tender was still occupied.
The purple figure that caught his attention was a feminine shape, wrapped in lean furs for warmth save for delicate hands that turned to pitch at the knuckles. Faded makeup lingered around multicolored eyes, messy hair scattered over his head. The only thing that seemed kept in any form of shape were the horns, two sets that roughly matched their pair save for small and easily missed asymmetries. The inner pair, the more simple of the two, were delicately carved with numerous symbols and markings, the engravings filled with the dustings of white paint. Clutched to the figures chest, more of a hug than a grasp, was a gnarled staff with a faded large gem at its head.
At a glance, perhaps this was a frightening sight. Enough imagery and lingering suspicions to mark it as evil or demonic. The closer Buffle looked however, the more sad it seemed. The small boat, barely big enough for two occupants, had washed up on shore. From the lack of sand on his person it's clear he had not tread out, and the sea had simply pulled back with its enigmatic tide. He had been sitting here for hours with distant eyes and wind-sheared cheeks, waiting for the sea to melt it all away, purely so he could avoid being tricked by some mirage of hope.
The shout seemed to stir the horned man, regardless.
Nels blinked as if waking from a dream, the word 'demon' sending a chill of fear down his spine before the words that followed filled him with confusion. Port Argentium? New Isra? Nels was no geographical navigator, but such names were completely foreign in a way he couldn't grasp. Not even the inkling of a culture came to mind with those words. He turned his strange gaze to the guard, still sitting as he was suddenly uncertain in his capacity to stand. He still did not know how long he had been sitting in this boat, though the creeping stiffness he was feeling in his joints told him it had to have been days. Days? His mouth suddenly felt dry, his fingers shaking, though he simply clutched his staff harder to hide it.
"I'm not a demon." Was his response, though he meant to say more. His voice felt frail, weak, frayed. Normally he could speak with a flowery essence that led well to song. His tongue threatened to disintegrate under its own dehydration. "I'm Nels Óvættrson. And I... I don't know."
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