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Post by Huey and the Thralls on Dec 5, 2021 22:41:04 GMT -5
The Desmodus
The Desmodus, a carrack with black sails embroidered with a flower dripping ichor, belongs to House Correa. Subject to dark experiments at the hand of its matron, the Desmodus has become known as a living ship, steering itself with an uncanny knowledge of the waters below its hull. Below deck, it's pitch black, reinforced with curtains to keep every semblance of sunlight out. |
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Valentine Donnadieu
Established
Roleplay posts: 12
Age: Appears somewhere around his 20's.
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Appearance: Valentine's wavy hair is shoulder length, with the back usually up in a small ponytail. His soft features often cause others to mistake him for a girl, but he has never taken offense to it. His eyes are a piercing red, beautifully complimented by his pale features and dusty pink hair. If the light plays just right, it can even appear white or blonde. He's always seen with red, dangling earrings, but his clothes change often. Expect him to be adorned in something ruffled, corseted, and/or fancy.
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Equipment: Coin purse with a few gold stashed inside, sacrificial knife, poison-tipped dagger strapped to his thigh, 3 vials filled with blood, and a paint supply kit.
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Skills and Abilities: Vampiric senses and speed: While not a blur of motion, Valentine finds that both his speed and senses are bordering on the inhuman. Unfortunately, his physical strength is laughable and he could easily be overpowered by an average person.
Necromancy: A magic he found himself proficient in after his turning. Raising the dead as ghouls or skeletons proves useful, but not when the isles make such a thing nearly impossible. Fortunately, Valentine has one ability that has somehow survived the isles. His "Vampiric Touch" as he likes to call it allows him to suck the life out of another if he grips them skin to skin. The process is painfully slow and requires several minutes to kill a target, but it doesn't take too-too long to weaken his opponent with it. With what he steals, he rejuvenates himself.
Blood Arts: His blood has been specially infused to be of great benefit to any and all vampires around him. There have been even times that he has granted those who take from him a great boon. One that entirely depends on the individual who took it from him.
Simple weapon proficiency: He knows how to wield a dagger and other small weapons, but would not do very well with a longsword. Although he's decent with a rapier but hasn't had the time to master it.
Artistic skills: Valentine is capable of making beautiful works of art with paints, charcoal, clay, etc. But his specialty is realistic portraits and religious renditions. He is also able to create his own paints, charcoal, etc if he finds the right materials.
Wine master: Makes wonderful wines, especially blood wines with his secret ingredient.
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Biography: Valentine is a man who has always shown great artistic talent. Such great talent in fact, that a deal was made between his poor parents and a well-known artist that would take him off their hands when he was only 10 years old. The artist fed him, housed him, and trained him in the arts, but in exchange he had to assist his teacher by making and creating all his paints/supplies for him. To further his own talent, he was allowed to copy his teacher's works on his own time. All was well for a few months, but his teacher quickly noticed that Valentine was not like any other pupil he had. For Valentine was entirely color blind.(Achromatopsia) His world of greys had the artist in a rage, assuming he'd gotten a bad deal since Valentine was "defective". After all, how was he to help him with his religious works for his commissions in the future if he could not see the exact color his teacher had used? But Valentine proved him wrong. He'd excelled, pushed himself hard enough that he lived and breathed art. It was no surprise that he surpassed his teacher by 16 and was given commissions of his own from the church. But he had an entirely different passion he wished to dedicate his skills to. Portraits. His own, others, anyone he deemed beautiful he desperately wished to paint, to sculpt. At 20 years of age, he finally found them. His muse. They were a beautiful man, but an odd one. Meeting in the dead of night for each session called to Valentine. Just painting his client went to painting his muse, to falling in love. A happily ever after...If only. That fantasy shattered when he discovered his muse was a creature of the night. A damned demon that the church had warned him of. A vampire. But Valentine "saw past all that" and saw "the real him". His love, his muse promised him many things. Such beautiful things that he was lulled into him. He fell from grace and was drawn into the life of permanent night. Now with his "muse" casting him aside as just another piece of his collection he finds himself deeply regretting ever meeting him...And now, all he can think about is escaping him.
Registered: Dec 2, 2021 19:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by Valentine Donnadieu on Dec 6, 2021 3:53:34 GMT -5
"...Ke...-p." A twitch, a small stir of consciousness, but then it's gone. Swallowed up by nothingness. "...Wa...ke...up..." Another stir threatens to take hold. But the oddest comfort keeps him under. Something holding him, surrounding him, making him feel weightless. No worries, no fears, only the threat of unconsciousness tugging away at his mind. He should let it. "Wake up!"Finally, his eyes begin to crack open, but the world is so dark, filled with only an abyss of black. Until he spots movement above him from a humanoid figure. Its face is blocked by the small semblance of white light that shines from it. Valentine's lips move, a question of "who" escaping with the bubbles of air that squirm around and through the figure's face. Hands tightly grip his shoulders, shaking him jerkily, but it hardly affects the bone-deep tiredness in him. The claws dig deeper into his shoulders, almost becoming painful as memories storm to the surface of his thoughts. That's right...He'd thrown himself into the sea. All to escape him. Unfocused eyes stare at the glow of light above him, only to realize that it came from the near-empty sockets of the skeleton above him. It flickers on and off, the movements of the skeleton unbalanced and strained. It must be the sea...Not a strong enough connection...He can't...reach it.A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he watches the skeleton struggle. It's kicking its legs, shaking him, attempting to keep him from sinking deeper into the sea. As he watches, a thought comes to him. Ever so slowly, the skeleton's struggles become more and more difficult. The light dims more and more until it finally extinguishes and leaves Valentine in the black of the sea to sink lower and lower. His eyes shut once again, satisfaction coursing through him at having won over the man who had sought to control him. Have you had enough?
Confusion knits his brow at the voice in his head. Enough of what? Have you lived enough?
A gasp escapes him, water filling his lungs uncomfortably as his own hands clasp at his throat. His lungs burn and though he knows he does not need air to live, the panic begins to claw at him. Logic begs him to understand that he is not truly drowning, but his fear and confusion have taken too deep a hold. He needed to breathe, needed to breach the waves, but where was up and where was down? He couldn't see, he couldn't tell. Just go up a voice whispers. Valentine struggles, clawing upwards to no avail. The darkness was pulling him down, sapping his meager strength into nothing. What was he thinking? He should have had the skeleton help him when he had the chance. But it's then that he feels it. The current of the sea moved as if something were pushing the waves away from itself. Hope blossoms inside of his panic, but it is fleeting as the deep cold of the sea envelopes him once more and he loses consciousness all over again. |
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Post by Huey and the Thralls on Dec 6, 2021 19:28:31 GMT -5
Like a dog to its master, the Desmodus waited for Alvaro to return. The storm passed, and the waters were calm, so there was no reason for him to linger on the land when the ship could carry him anywhere he needed. Though not the favorite of its usual pickings, only Alvaro was left. It was he who decided they would travel together if Mother and the rest were going to take an extended trip; he was the only pickings, and so he'd suffice.
Alas, when a whole night passed, and dawn approached, the Desmodus found itself restless. Far in the distance, a figure clad in black and another in silver had a form of congress, then began to walk off. As though disgruntled, the ship turned west and sailed.
As it neared the foothills, two figures peaked over the cliff, one pointing to it, the other discussing something briefly before pointing to the smoke in the distance. Ah, that had to be Alvaro. Is that where they were going? It seemed the man didn't abandon the Desmodus after all. Noting this, the ship continued west, exploring the waters in that direction to try and find a canal or a sea it could squeeze through, though giant mountains loomed ahead.
Oddly enough, there was something of immediate importance right in front. The hull knocked it ever so gently. It wasn't some sea monster, nor was it a whale or debris. Expanding its consciousness, the Desmodus saw a body... and it wasn't quite dead.
Ropes snaked down from the deck and flicked into the water, slithering until they found the fleshy heap. As though by invisible hands, they looped over its torso and tied knots before slopping the body onto the deck, water straining from its clothes and hair. The ropes peeled away from it, retreating to the riggings and leaving one behind. Curiously, it poked the body, once, twice, then three times before skittering back like a frightened creature.
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Valentine Donnadieu
Established
Roleplay posts: 12
Age: Appears somewhere around his 20's.
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Appearance: Valentine's wavy hair is shoulder length, with the back usually up in a small ponytail. His soft features often cause others to mistake him for a girl, but he has never taken offense to it. His eyes are a piercing red, beautifully complimented by his pale features and dusty pink hair. If the light plays just right, it can even appear white or blonde. He's always seen with red, dangling earrings, but his clothes change often. Expect him to be adorned in something ruffled, corseted, and/or fancy.
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Equipment: Coin purse with a few gold stashed inside, sacrificial knife, poison-tipped dagger strapped to his thigh, 3 vials filled with blood, and a paint supply kit.
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Skills and Abilities: Vampiric senses and speed: While not a blur of motion, Valentine finds that both his speed and senses are bordering on the inhuman. Unfortunately, his physical strength is laughable and he could easily be overpowered by an average person.
Necromancy: A magic he found himself proficient in after his turning. Raising the dead as ghouls or skeletons proves useful, but not when the isles make such a thing nearly impossible. Fortunately, Valentine has one ability that has somehow survived the isles. His "Vampiric Touch" as he likes to call it allows him to suck the life out of another if he grips them skin to skin. The process is painfully slow and requires several minutes to kill a target, but it doesn't take too-too long to weaken his opponent with it. With what he steals, he rejuvenates himself.
Blood Arts: His blood has been specially infused to be of great benefit to any and all vampires around him. There have been even times that he has granted those who take from him a great boon. One that entirely depends on the individual who took it from him.
Simple weapon proficiency: He knows how to wield a dagger and other small weapons, but would not do very well with a longsword. Although he's decent with a rapier but hasn't had the time to master it.
Artistic skills: Valentine is capable of making beautiful works of art with paints, charcoal, clay, etc. But his specialty is realistic portraits and religious renditions. He is also able to create his own paints, charcoal, etc if he finds the right materials.
Wine master: Makes wonderful wines, especially blood wines with his secret ingredient.
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Biography: Valentine is a man who has always shown great artistic talent. Such great talent in fact, that a deal was made between his poor parents and a well-known artist that would take him off their hands when he was only 10 years old. The artist fed him, housed him, and trained him in the arts, but in exchange he had to assist his teacher by making and creating all his paints/supplies for him. To further his own talent, he was allowed to copy his teacher's works on his own time. All was well for a few months, but his teacher quickly noticed that Valentine was not like any other pupil he had. For Valentine was entirely color blind.(Achromatopsia) His world of greys had the artist in a rage, assuming he'd gotten a bad deal since Valentine was "defective". After all, how was he to help him with his religious works for his commissions in the future if he could not see the exact color his teacher had used? But Valentine proved him wrong. He'd excelled, pushed himself hard enough that he lived and breathed art. It was no surprise that he surpassed his teacher by 16 and was given commissions of his own from the church. But he had an entirely different passion he wished to dedicate his skills to. Portraits. His own, others, anyone he deemed beautiful he desperately wished to paint, to sculpt. At 20 years of age, he finally found them. His muse. They were a beautiful man, but an odd one. Meeting in the dead of night for each session called to Valentine. Just painting his client went to painting his muse, to falling in love. A happily ever after...If only. That fantasy shattered when he discovered his muse was a creature of the night. A damned demon that the church had warned him of. A vampire. But Valentine "saw past all that" and saw "the real him". His love, his muse promised him many things. Such beautiful things that he was lulled into him. He fell from grace and was drawn into the life of permanent night. Now with his "muse" casting him aside as just another piece of his collection he finds himself deeply regretting ever meeting him...And now, all he can think about is escaping him.
Registered: Dec 2, 2021 19:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by Valentine Donnadieu on Dec 10, 2021 2:08:47 GMT -5
Poke...
Poke...
Poke-- "GAH--" At the third poke from the lone rope, Valentine had sat up in a rush, red eyes snapping open just in time to watch himself sputter and violently cough out the seawater in his lungs. In his confusion, he took deep, fitful breaths of unnecessary air as he clutched his sopping wet shirt, "Where--" His words died in his throat as he swore he saw the rope move back on its own. He stared at it, eyes wide with a little shock before narrowing in suspicion. He took a quick glance around the seemingly empty, unfamiliar ship before snapping his attention back to the rope. Almost as if he believed it would have moved the second he looked away. Valentine almost laughed at his own antics as he brushed his wet bangs out of his face and took a hold of his long hair, twisting it as he stood up on shaky legs. "The rope didn't move that was just...the lack of air playing tricks. Yes...of course." Taking a few unsteady steps over to the railing, he rang his hair out to let the excess seawater splash back where it belonged. So...he was saved from the sea...and considering he didn't see any sort of sea life clinging to him, he'd been saved rather quickly. But by who? His eyes betrayed his thoughts as he glanced back to the rope he swore had moved away. "Uhm...Hello? Is...anyone here? I'd truly like to thank the person who fished me from the sea." He paused as he continued to look around for any people or at least the sound of their movement! His lips twitched into an almost uneasy smile as he moved to wring out his shirt best he could over the railings, "If no one comes to claim my thanks I'll have to give it to the ship!" Feeling ridiculous, his eyes slowly found the strange rope again. A seemingly silly feeling of almost dread filling him, "You didn't save me... Did you?" |
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Post by Huey and the Thralls on Dec 27, 2021 15:03:31 GMT -5
Just at the corner of his eye, before he could focus on the rope, he would see something duck down behind the mast. The silence that followed should have been telling, though the circumstances were so bizarre. Well, all up until the rope peeked out from behind the mast a second time, in full view.
There was no voice, but the ship creaked in such a way that wasn't just normal ship sounds. There was a human element about it... a sigh. Or was it a hum? And with it, the turn of the bow as they headed west, parallel to the mountains.
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Valentine Donnadieu
Established
Roleplay posts: 12
Age: Appears somewhere around his 20's.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Appearance: Valentine's wavy hair is shoulder length, with the back usually up in a small ponytail. His soft features often cause others to mistake him for a girl, but he has never taken offense to it. His eyes are a piercing red, beautifully complimented by his pale features and dusty pink hair. If the light plays just right, it can even appear white or blonde. He's always seen with red, dangling earrings, but his clothes change often. Expect him to be adorned in something ruffled, corseted, and/or fancy.
------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment: Coin purse with a few gold stashed inside, sacrificial knife, poison-tipped dagger strapped to his thigh, 3 vials filled with blood, and a paint supply kit.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Skills and Abilities: Vampiric senses and speed: While not a blur of motion, Valentine finds that both his speed and senses are bordering on the inhuman. Unfortunately, his physical strength is laughable and he could easily be overpowered by an average person.
Necromancy: A magic he found himself proficient in after his turning. Raising the dead as ghouls or skeletons proves useful, but not when the isles make such a thing nearly impossible. Fortunately, Valentine has one ability that has somehow survived the isles. His "Vampiric Touch" as he likes to call it allows him to suck the life out of another if he grips them skin to skin. The process is painfully slow and requires several minutes to kill a target, but it doesn't take too-too long to weaken his opponent with it. With what he steals, he rejuvenates himself.
Blood Arts: His blood has been specially infused to be of great benefit to any and all vampires around him. There have been even times that he has granted those who take from him a great boon. One that entirely depends on the individual who took it from him.
Simple weapon proficiency: He knows how to wield a dagger and other small weapons, but would not do very well with a longsword. Although he's decent with a rapier but hasn't had the time to master it.
Artistic skills: Valentine is capable of making beautiful works of art with paints, charcoal, clay, etc. But his specialty is realistic portraits and religious renditions. He is also able to create his own paints, charcoal, etc if he finds the right materials.
Wine master: Makes wonderful wines, especially blood wines with his secret ingredient.
------------------------------------------------------------
Biography: Valentine is a man who has always shown great artistic talent. Such great talent in fact, that a deal was made between his poor parents and a well-known artist that would take him off their hands when he was only 10 years old. The artist fed him, housed him, and trained him in the arts, but in exchange he had to assist his teacher by making and creating all his paints/supplies for him. To further his own talent, he was allowed to copy his teacher's works on his own time. All was well for a few months, but his teacher quickly noticed that Valentine was not like any other pupil he had. For Valentine was entirely color blind.(Achromatopsia) His world of greys had the artist in a rage, assuming he'd gotten a bad deal since Valentine was "defective". After all, how was he to help him with his religious works for his commissions in the future if he could not see the exact color his teacher had used? But Valentine proved him wrong. He'd excelled, pushed himself hard enough that he lived and breathed art. It was no surprise that he surpassed his teacher by 16 and was given commissions of his own from the church. But he had an entirely different passion he wished to dedicate his skills to. Portraits. His own, others, anyone he deemed beautiful he desperately wished to paint, to sculpt. At 20 years of age, he finally found them. His muse. They were a beautiful man, but an odd one. Meeting in the dead of night for each session called to Valentine. Just painting his client went to painting his muse, to falling in love. A happily ever after...If only. That fantasy shattered when he discovered his muse was a creature of the night. A damned demon that the church had warned him of. A vampire. But Valentine "saw past all that" and saw "the real him". His love, his muse promised him many things. Such beautiful things that he was lulled into him. He fell from grace and was drawn into the life of permanent night. Now with his "muse" casting him aside as just another piece of his collection he finds himself deeply regretting ever meeting him...And now, all he can think about is escaping him.
Registered: Dec 2, 2021 19:36:55 GMT -5
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Post by Valentine Donnadieu on Dec 27, 2021 16:12:21 GMT -5
Ah, of course. The ship saved him. All by itself. With its probably rope appendages. Ah, yes. Mhm...Valentine's face had gone painfully blank as he tried to figure out what was going on with this strange situation. The ship probably couldn't...talk, and it was obviously headed somewhere. To an owner? Did it have an owner? Was it rude to think it did since it had some semblance of sentience? If said owner was a thing, why were they not on the boat? Was this a ghost ship? Though that would give him some comfort given the literal skeletal crew he had before--Getting off-track, focus on the ship Valentine and not the answers the ship obviously cannot give you.
So, he shakily put a hand on the railing and gave it an awkward pat, pat. As he spoke up again, his voice had lost all previous confidence it had mustered when he first awoke, "W-well...I...Thank you...? It was very...kind of you to fish me out of the water."
Not expecting a reply, he looked towards where the ship was heading. Eyes flicking about in search for any sign of anyone the ship was going to pick up next, "I'm just going to assume you're looking for someone since you're moving with purpose. Can't wait to...meet them if that's what you're up to."
Another awkward pause before he continued, "My name is Valentine. Valentine Donnadieu. I am assuming you cannot give me your name in return so...It is also nice to meet you, given the strange circumstances."
With that, Valentine continued to wring out any loose wet fabric he could over the side of the ship as he waited to see who the hell decided to pop up next.
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