Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 24, 2022 17:00:19 GMT -5
The two children would find Vala within an expansive, ornately decorated tent lit with dozens of candles and oil lamps. Flags and tapestries hung from the canvas walls, each bearing an elaborate coat of arms emblazoned with a golden wasp. In the corner of the tent, some industrious wasps had set up a small nest, its honeycomb shape looking out of place against the fabric. Vala herself sat behind a finely crafted hardwood desk, a glass of golden honey wine clutched delicately between her fingers. As Theophania and Emile made their way inside, she smiled to them, gesturing for the two of them to take their seats on two provided chairs. Their arrival had apparently been anticipated, as a number of cushions had been stacked on each chair in an apparent effort to let them see more easily over the desk. Vala eyed the pair of them, a smile creeping over her lips as Emile bowed and apologized for the delay. Lira had been right, these were no ordinary children. The boy, at least, acted almost like a miniature adult. Strange indeed.
"You're welcome," she said, reaching beneath her desk and retrieving a small ceramic jar. Sliding it across the table and removing the lid, she revealed that it contained a number of small, sticky-looking golden candies. Precocious or not, sweets still seemed the better option than offering wine to children.
"So then," she said, tapping the desk with long, painted nails. "You children were wandering around alone, sent by your mother. Why did she send the two of you, and not an adult? More importantly, where is she now? The woods are a dangerous place, little ones. I see that you've already learned that."
She gestured with her glass towards Emile's bandaged hands. Up above, the wasp nest buzzed dangerously.
"Most children would have run home to their mothers after being stung," she said. "But not you. From what I hear, the hornets turned away from you after just a few stings. How did you manage that, child? Hornets, after all, are especially ferocious creatures. Most won't stop stinging until their victim is little more than a bloated, poisoned slab of flesh."
A large wasp emerged from the nest and buzzed down to the table, landing on Vala's shoulder like a trained bird. She paid it no heed, staring instead at Emile with a cool, curious gaze.
|
|
Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
|
Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 24, 2022 17:40:32 GMT -5
The children were polite enough to take a seat, Theophania needed more assistance from Emile to get seated, but he was just old enough to seat himself on the cushion without any issue. Theo rested her elbows on the table that separated them from the head of House Vespida. Her eyes wandered about, sometimes focusing on Vala directly, but most of the time she was either looking at the odd wasp zipping by or Something else entirely, nothing anyone else could see. Whatever she saw though must have either been funny or beautiful, as the child readily smiled or giggled quietly. Emile on the other hand had a calmer, quieter demeanor, he was a different kind of hard to read. Emile gestured that he didn't want any of the candies, while Theo took one of the sticky candies. She didn't eat it but rather inspected it like a jewel. It looked like a jewel, practically clear enough for light to shine through.
How did you manage that, child?
That however made Emile smile wide. His eyes narrowed slightly and as they did his eye surrounded by the dark scarring that marred his young face glowed dimly, a hint of the arts being used to accomplish his feats. "In fact, Quite easily." He answered plainly, evenly. "There is only Mother and all of her children. My older brother was already occupied, and so we were sent to find out missing sister. We had no intention to find any sign of life beyond that, and thus us stumbling upon this camp was therefore incidental I assure you. As for why us... I think turning your hornets away explains that, don't you think?" He explained vaguely without revealing a thing about his Mother's affairs.
|
|
Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 24, 2022 19:16:17 GMT -5
The faint glow of the boy's ruined eye caught Vala's gaze, the surprise causing her to fall silent for a moment. Magical abilities, and in one so young? That was a strange thing to see indeed. It certainly explained how he was so easily able to defeat her hornets, but the fact that even children were running around with such powers was concerning. Could everyone on this miserable rock simply gaze her pets into submission? She took a sip of her wine, eliciting the wasp on her shoulder to take wing and buzz around her face. Opening her mouth, she allowed the creature to land on her tongue and lap up a droplet of the honey wine before flying back to its little nest.
"Just a mother hen and her children," she repeated, nodding slowly. "Like a queen bee and her hive, hmm? Well, your mother is lucky indeed to have such useful little children. Tell me, how many siblings do you have? Are they all...special in the way that you are? I think that perhaps I'd like to meet your mother one of these days. It makes sense for neighbors to call on one another from time to time, after all. We are neighbors, aren't we? How far away does your family live?"
If it was just a single family, Vala would have nothing to worry about. However, this child seemed oddly sharp, both in his careful manner of speech and his oddly serious demeanor. Who was to say that he was telling the truth? She'd have to get as much information out of the pair as she could before sending them back. As tempting as it was to simply not let them leave, missing children would be searched for. The failure of her hornets to drive the children away had ensured that the two camps would discover one another sooner or later, and Vala was certain that she wanted it to be on her own terms.
"Even though you turned them away," she said, "it seems that you still ended up being stung. There are creatures far worse than hornets in these woods. My hunters have described monsters that would surely give you nightmares if I were to recount the tales now. It would be terribly irresponsible of me to send two unaccompanied children back into the woods, and so I'll be sending some of my scouts with you when you leave to ensure that you return home safely. For now, though...what do you do, Emile of House Correa? What's your little trick?"
|
|
Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
|
Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 26, 2022 7:57:47 GMT -5
At the question of how many siblings the children had, Theophania seemed to key back into the conversation at hand and then began to count on her fingers as she recalled the names they managed to bring with them to the new world. She then recalled all their brothers and sisters they didn't bring to the new world and looked saddened, her young face not doing a good job of hiding the unpleasantness.
"22 siblings total, and Mother." Emile answered more coolly. That didn't stop him from noticing his little sister's sadness and one hand reached over to rub her back as a gesture of comfort. One of the rare ones he'd give. "If you're worried about them being exactly like me, then no, I'm the only one with my particular set of skills. Others have... different gifts given by mother, while others do not. Theophania here is one such case but.." he gritted his teeth slightly as he uttered the next part, "No less useful."
Hearing him say that brought the brightest smile to Theo's face, an expression that caused Emilius to roll his eyes like an annoyed older sibling. "Considering how long ago it was I set off from home, and how soon after we've stumbled upon you and yours, I'd say we are Neighbors. Mother loves having useful neighbors, and you seem like a kindly, useful neighbor to have." The choice of words was deliberate, the inference most likely not lost on Lady Vala.
The boy looked at his wrapped hands as Vala pointed out he'd still been stung despite being able to turn away the majority of the Hornets. He.. smirked as Lady Vala pointed out there were far worse things than hornets out in the wilds. "If you insist on sending scouts you may, but it won't divert us from our mission to retrieve our sister. We will also only accept two scouts, after all, fair is fair no? I wouldn't want there to be any misunderstandings that this is a show of force rather than goodwill." The siblings looked towards each other. Theo giggled at something she apparently found funny, while Emile placed a finger over his mouth, at first to her and then lady Vala. "If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine." he said and gestured up towards the hornet's nest full of hornets that also didn't sting the head of house Vespida. He'd notice that hornet go *into* her mouth and leave content.
|
|
Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 27, 2022 2:04:19 GMT -5
Vala's gaze swept back and forth between the two children, pausing on Theophania's apparent distress. Unusual as they were, children were still children at heart. Emile's reluctant attempt at comforting his sister brought a smirk to her lips, and she resisted the urge to pat him on the head. He was a sharp one, alright. Sharp enough that she'd cut herself if she wasn't careful, and so she reminded herself to treat the boy with caution. Child though he was, he wasn't to be underestimated.
"A big family is a happy family," she said, drumming her fingertips on the table. "Especially since you all so clearly love your dear mother so much. In any case, it's good that you're so close. I'm sure our two camps will both be the better for having met."
The boy's insistence on only accepting two guards was interesting, and Vala wondered if the two she sent would ever be seen again. Perhaps they'd be seized and interrogated. Still, that was a risk she'd have to take. Her guards would die before they spilled the family's secrets, in any case. Perhaps she ought to send more...but no, devoting too many resources to these children could prove costly.
"Well, I'd hate to impede on your search," she said. "If two are all that you'll accept, then two it shall be. They'll help you find your sister and make sure that you get back home safely. As for my wasps...well now, it's simple enough, isn't it? Pets can be trained, simple as that. You wouldn't expect a dog to bite you when you pet it on the head, would you?"
No sense in telling these children her secrets, after all. Secrets held power, and her family had historically been especially careful about their own.
|
|
Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
|
Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 29, 2022 10:27:22 GMT -5
"It used to be a bigger family." Theophania relayed mournfully before Emile jabbed his elbow in her side. They weren't here to elicit pity out of their host. At least, not just pity.
"I agree. Mother will be happy to make your acquaintance. She is only heavy handed if she needs to be. As long as your scouts observe proper decorum there should be no issue." the boy nodded. As Lady Vala described how pets could be trained however, he could tell that wasn't the full truth, just as he did not give the full truth. He simply smiled and replied like a knowing old man. "Indeed, Lady Vala, indeed."
Sharp as he was, he could tell when a bargain was unfair, and an unfair bargain wouldn't do. If she wanted to keep her secrets, the boy would happily do the same. "If that is everything, Lady Vala, We should really be on our way. Mother doesn't like to be kept waiting you see, and such an important matter of finding our sister, well... As you may guess we are a little eager-"
"Sister Desmodus is great! She can swim through any wave that comes at her, and has the prettiest white sails-" Theo began and was promptly silenced by her brother clasping a hand over her mouth, to which she made an indignant sound. "If you'll excuse us," Emile cut in, "Thank you for the warm hospitality." He gave his sister a look at commanded she remain quiet before releasing her mouth. Both children descended from their chairs and bowed their respective greetings to the Matriarch of the Vespida family.
|
|
Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 31, 2022 3:17:11 GMT -5
Only heavy handed if she needs to be. Vala had issued enough veiled threats to know one when she heard it, but hearing such a thing from such a tiny child seemed so incongruous as to be almost ridiculous. Within the context, however, it was simply yet another assurance that these were no ordinary children. Despite his appearance, Vala would have to treat the boy as no less than a full-fledged negotiator of a rival house. The girl seemed a bit more flighty than her brother, moping about her lost family members one moment and chirping on about her sister's sails the next. Her words didn't make a whole lot of sense to Vala, but they were probably just the ramblings of a child. She didn't much understand children, but that was what Matron Helen was for. The speed of which Emile clapped a hand over her mouth made her chuckle, the brief moment of humor flickering across her face for an instant before vanishing. Clearly, Emile understood the importance of silence and secrets.
"Of course," she said, clapping her hands together and rising to her feet. "You'll have no trouble from my people. In fact, you'll barely even notice that they're there. Best of luck in your search for your sister, I do hope that you find her and return her safely to your mother. I'll send my scouts with some gifts for your mother, which I trust will reach her safely. It's been...a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You may leave in just a moment, my scouts don't take long to prepare."
The flap to the tent opened, revealing two guards who had almost certainly been listening in and waiting for just this moment. A brief exchange of sign language between Vala and the guards sent one off to gather supplies for the journey. The other gestured for the children to follow, heading out towards the edge of the camp.
|
|
Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
|
Post by Emilius Correa on Feb 1, 2022 16:45:09 GMT -5
"I'll ensure your gifts, and scouts, are well received." Emile smiled to Vala, and both of the children were politely directed towards the entrance of the tent as the flat was moved where the boy's smile faded with the new strangers in the situation. The silent exchange between the head of house and her worker bees would be uninterrupted. One of the scouts gestured for the children to follow, and both walked forward to follow.
Emile didn't do so much a glance over his shoulder as he turned his back on the intimidating woman, however Theophania was of a different creed. As they were led away she looked back towards the beautiful queen bee, smiled and waved goodbye as the large hive they'd been received in grew smaller and smaller in the distance. She waved to all the worker bees with the clamped mouths, she waved towards the children she saw over a distance. All in all, she seemed pleased with how is went.
"You really think Mother won't be mad?" Theo asked once they reached the edge of the camp. She was tempted to eat another honeycake, however knew it was best to save it for later.
"That all depends on how skillful and useful they are." Emile answered loudly enough for their silent companions to hear, as if it were an indirect warning for the adults to put their best foot forward. "Plenty of things can feast on bees, many of them far smaller than they."
"Has Notcurna found Desmodus?" Theo asked since, first things first was to complete their mission.
"Actually, I think she may just have-" Emile replied and suddenly remembered to grab his sister's hand again as her eye wandered off once more, "Come on."
|
|
Maura Darkbriar
New
Roleplay posts: 7
Age: 36
Appearance: Maura bears herself as befits a lady of the highest necromantic aristocracy, red hair elaborately worked, fine dresses tailored to perfection for her form, cold iron jewelry shaped like blades and decorated with rubies on her neck and ears. She looks bossy but also surprisingly warm and kind, especially for someone usually waited upon by undead footmen.
Equipment: Always accompanied by various tools of the necromancer's craft, some of which cleverly disguised as clasps and jewelry.
Skills and Abilities: A capable necromancer in her own right, specializing in exerting control over mindless undead. Her magical skills are secondary to her abilities in organization, stewardship and courtly diplomacy.
Biography: A noble scion of the prestigious Darkbriar family of the realm of Castigare, Maura was raised by her necromantic parents as well as multiple generations of long-undead forebears, trained to join their ranks once she was ready. A death and unlife carefully prepared for were rudely interrupted by apocalyptic storms while she'd been at sea on her way to visit her vampiric bethrothed but she's not about to let such a little thing as the probable end of the world get in the way of claiming her due place in society.
Registered: Feb 15, 2022 11:49:09 GMT -5
|
Post by Maura Darkbriar on Feb 16, 2022 13:03:36 GMT -5
Sort your problems by how fast they're going to kill you, then solve them one at a time, in that order. It was a good, sensible way to go about things, and Maura supposed that there was some comfort in having a clear list to work through. It kept the mind focused on the here and now, rather than on the pure existential horror lingering just beyond that.
Hence, one of the earlier problems to solve was water. Her sloop thankfully had a shallow enough draft that she could hazard anchoring it close to shore, close enough for her skeletons to form a pyramid from the sandbank below up to the water's surface and carry her to shore. She wasn't about to bear the indignity of getting soaked in saltwater simply because the world had up and died.
The dripping Bones escorted her up the shore, a fine lady cloaked in black cloth, surrounded by hooded figures who moved with unnatural, construct-like steadiness and precision, and lingered in complete stillness whenever not needed. The region was wooded, which meant water. It was a simple matter to scour around until she could find a spring, creek or other water source, and if none turned up, she'd just have to get creative about how to capture some.
The trouble is, she didn't really have a clue how to go about surviving in nature, at least not any more than a person might learn from impersonal book learning. For a while she'd wandered around close to shore, winding up in the same cul de sac twice before realizing she'd been going in a circle. When that realization hit, she solved the problem by the most crude, most brutish means possible: her undead servants started hacking into the forest, leaving a line of devastation that would point convincingly inland, and couldn't fail to be followed back to the shore. She thought it was an elegant solution, and even had a little smile on her lips as she hummed a song to herself, to the tune of animate skeletons hacking away at the overgrowth.
The constant hacking masked most other sounds, and for that reason Maura didn't hear anything until it was firmly too late. By the time the buzzing sound was loud enough to be audible over her skeleton's clamor, the swarm was almost already on her. "Oh, bugger." She muttered numbly under her breath. The undead things were made to keep swinging their arms, soon not hitting anything anymore, so as to draw as much attention onto themselves as possible, and Maura was off dashing back the way she came along the impromptu trail, despite knowing full well that she'd never make ground fast enough to escape the swarm.
|
|
Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Feb 16, 2022 15:48:22 GMT -5
The hacking and chopping of wood attracted the attention of a pair of hooded scouts, who watched from the trees as the newcomers cut an unceremonious path straight through the forest. It was a few moments before they realized that the woodcutters were little more than bones, causing one scout to nearly fall out of the tree with shock. They stared at the thin white creatures for a while as they chopped their way through the woods, wondering what they ought to do about it. Two archers against so many skeletons wouldn't be much good, nor would Lady Vala's wasps. However, it wasn't long before they spotted the woman behind them, unmistakably alive and whistling a jaunty tune. Chuckling quietly to themselves, the archers watched and waited as the undead woodcutters mindlessly chopped their way towards one of the hidden hives. They'd see how long the woman would keep whistling after Lady Vala's little pets were upon her.
The swarm of wasps came in fast, their wings singing a symphony of pain as they darted in towards the intruders. Most went for the frantically-waving skeletons and found their stingers utterly useless against the smooth, hard bone. A handful, however, found their way towards the fleeing necromancer. They were merciless in their assault on the invader, delivering painful stings into any exposed flesh that they could find. As she ran, an arrow whistled past Maura's head and thudded into a tree, a short note tied to its shaft.
Send away the skeletons, it read, and we'll call off the wasps.
High above, the scouts nodded to themselves, pleased with their handiwork. Lady Vala would certainly be interested in a newcomer that had skeletons at her beck and call. Slaves were all well and good, but even they wouldn't have been able to carve through the forest with such mechanical efficiency. The skeletons even looked happy while doing it, without the dull-eyed listlessness that the drugged slaves often effected. Perhaps she'd be a useful sort of person to have around. If not...she'd have to be put down.
|
|
Maura Darkbriar
New
Roleplay posts: 7
Age: 36
Appearance: Maura bears herself as befits a lady of the highest necromantic aristocracy, red hair elaborately worked, fine dresses tailored to perfection for her form, cold iron jewelry shaped like blades and decorated with rubies on her neck and ears. She looks bossy but also surprisingly warm and kind, especially for someone usually waited upon by undead footmen.
Equipment: Always accompanied by various tools of the necromancer's craft, some of which cleverly disguised as clasps and jewelry.
Skills and Abilities: A capable necromancer in her own right, specializing in exerting control over mindless undead. Her magical skills are secondary to her abilities in organization, stewardship and courtly diplomacy.
Biography: A noble scion of the prestigious Darkbriar family of the realm of Castigare, Maura was raised by her necromantic parents as well as multiple generations of long-undead forebears, trained to join their ranks once she was ready. A death and unlife carefully prepared for were rudely interrupted by apocalyptic storms while she'd been at sea on her way to visit her vampiric bethrothed but she's not about to let such a little thing as the probable end of the world get in the way of claiming her due place in society.
Registered: Feb 15, 2022 11:49:09 GMT -5
|
Post by Maura Darkbriar on Feb 16, 2022 20:54:35 GMT -5
Maura's screams and insults as she ran through the improvised trail would surely have horrified the high society she hailed from, hearing that sort of curse word from her daughter's lips would have surely stopped mother's heart still in an instant, if a carefully balanced measure of poison hadn't already done that years ago. Thankfully her only living companion was back with the boat off the coast and hence not privy to the noblewoman's humiliation and verbal indiscretions.
There was little point in swatting and the only thing she could think of was to keep on the move, perhaps the things would lose interest once she was far enough away, or she'd get to water to jump into or - the frantic thoughts were interrupted with a sharp thunk against the nearest tree, clear enough to draw her attention despite the horror of the insects scrambling over her and stinging through her dress.
The scouts saw her grab the note, yet still keep on running, trying to read while she stayed on the move. It was a few moments later that the skeleton's arms stopped swinging blindly at the air, slapping lifelessly to their sides instead. A moment later the things shuffled around to face back the way they'd come and started their strange, muscle-less march to back away.
It had taken a bit of work. This sort of distance and complexity of an order had once been a trivial thing, but now it took time and effort before she felt it in her bones, the strange sort of resonance that came from the controlled undead when they were linked together, receptive to her will. Maura hadn't stopped running, but she knew the skeletons were coming after her now, and hopefully that would sate whatever arthropomancer she'd run into - is that even a word!?
It was now.
|
|
Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Feb 17, 2022 1:34:12 GMT -5
The scouts watched their quarry flee, noting with no small interest as she sent the skeletons off without so much as a word. That was important, suggesting that gagging her would not be enough to stop her from doing whatever it was that she did. Such tidbits would have to go in their report, along with the number and description of the skeleton servants themselves. Before they could write up such a report, however, it seemed that they had a princess to save.
True to their word, the scouts moved fast. Moments after the skeletons began filing away, the two scouts appeared, faces protected by dark cloth wrapping. They tossed burning bundles of oil-soaked herbs, which sailed through the air and landed at Maura's feet with a soft thump. The smoke that emanated from them was acrid and sour, but its effect on the wasps was immediate. They calmed in an instant, ceasing their attack and flying back to their nests. Within seconds, the swarm was gone, leaving Maura with nothing but her welts and stings to remember them by. The scouts approached, unwrapping their scarves to reveal a woman with a scar across her cheek and a thin-faced, bald-headed man. As the man nocked an arrow to his bow and scanned the treeline, the woman stepped close, eyes flicking up and down Maura's body in search of weapons.
"Don't make any fast moves," she said, speaking in a dry, raspy voice that sounded like it hadn't been used in days. "We wouldn't want anyone to get spooked now, would we? Who are you and what are you doing here? More to the point, what were those? How did you order them around like that? Where I'm from, skeletons stay dead."
She jabbed a finger down the newly-cut path through the woods, pointing towards where the skeletons had gone. Realizing that she may have been a bit rude, she took a deep breath and shook her head, stomping the smoldering bundles out with a sturdy leather boot.
"I'm Lira," she said. "What's your name? I think you ought to come with us. If those stings go untreated, you might die a painful death."
While not strictly a lie, it wasn't exactly likely that anyone would die from a couple dozen wasp stings. Lira counted on the fact that the newcomer didn't know that, however. She looked soft, and Lira knew from experience that the pain of so many stings often felt far more deadly than they really were.
|
|
Maura Darkbriar
New
Roleplay posts: 7
Age: 36
Appearance: Maura bears herself as befits a lady of the highest necromantic aristocracy, red hair elaborately worked, fine dresses tailored to perfection for her form, cold iron jewelry shaped like blades and decorated with rubies on her neck and ears. She looks bossy but also surprisingly warm and kind, especially for someone usually waited upon by undead footmen.
Equipment: Always accompanied by various tools of the necromancer's craft, some of which cleverly disguised as clasps and jewelry.
Skills and Abilities: A capable necromancer in her own right, specializing in exerting control over mindless undead. Her magical skills are secondary to her abilities in organization, stewardship and courtly diplomacy.
Biography: A noble scion of the prestigious Darkbriar family of the realm of Castigare, Maura was raised by her necromantic parents as well as multiple generations of long-undead forebears, trained to join their ranks once she was ready. A death and unlife carefully prepared for were rudely interrupted by apocalyptic storms while she'd been at sea on her way to visit her vampiric bethrothed but she's not about to let such a little thing as the probable end of the world get in the way of claiming her due place in society.
Registered: Feb 15, 2022 11:49:09 GMT -5
|
Post by Maura Darkbriar on Feb 17, 2022 8:52:52 GMT -5
With no idea what it was that had just landed next to her, Maura at first shied away from it. By that point she'd been keeping her eyes closed and covered most of the time, no doubt a nervous reaction to the swarm enveloping her, and her progress was messy and disorientated, only at all sticking to the 'right' direction because her first passage had left such a clear path.
When that potent and acrid smell calmed and repelled the wasps, she just collapsed down to her knees, hugging herself and shuddering as she ran her fingers over the many, many welts. The trembling breaths were deep enough that one might worry she was allergic, if the cause wasn't so transparently for no reason more than her being thoroughly unused to these sensations of pain and exertion.
She stayed that way, hugging herself with hands slowly roaming, in some approximation of a foetal position and it was only when she was spoken to that the mind finally snapped out of it. Sudden clarity washed over her mind, eyes finally blinking open and scanning around. Though growing more alert, it seemed apparent that this person shouldn't be a very great threat. There was no strength or even really fitness to her form, and no visible weapons carried. The macabre black iron jewelry she wore had plenty of sharp edges, but none of those were much larger than a letter opener.
To the first demands she just nodded silent acceptance of the circumstances, not about to cause any trouble. When the questions were given she slowly craned her head, face coming free of the hood with several angry red welts on it to eye the person. She furrowed her brow at the mention of skeletons staying dead where they're from, "that's -" a pause, a search for a word, and a poor choice made later, "- barbaric!"
She was in no position to be cheeky, though, so quickly answered the questions. "I'm Maura, and those are my Bones. We're bound." Though as likely to confound as to actually clarify, there was no sense of deliberate obfuscation about the answer. She eyed it curiously when the bundle was snuffed out, "clever. And not what I expected." And she'd invented such a good word for what she had expected, no less!
Maura pulled herself up to her feet, nodding earnestly to the 'invitation', "wouldn't want that, in light of what I just heard." She still hugged herself, but wisely restrained herself from scratching, and even kept the fingers wandering over the welts to a minimum. There was a note of unsteadiness about her gait that made it plenty clear that the clarity and focus of her mind was paper-thin, undoubtedly riding the high right at the edge of shock, but she seemed well enough to walk and happy to follow, just raising her chin to get a first thorough look at both of them and ask quietly, "can I bring a couple helpers?" It was easy to presume she didn't mean helpers of the breathing variety.
|
|
Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
|
Post by Vala Vespida on Feb 17, 2022 23:47:20 GMT -5
Lira raised an eyebrow at the woman's outburst about the barbarism of death, wondering what sort of place she hailed from. Did they all rise from their graves when they passed? It was an interesting note, but such matters would be for Lady Vala to deal with. For now, they needed to bring the "guest" to the camp safely and securely.
"Your bones?" she asked, eyeing Maura curiously. She didn't look especially boneless, and so she probably just meant that she owned them all. That was an odd thought. Were they still slaves if they were dead? The slaves that House Vespida kept died occasionally, and being able to revive them and have them keep working would be a useful thing indeed. She also noted Maura's restraint in not scratching and nodded approvingly. It spoke well to the woman's upbringing and self-control, not wanting to scratch at herself like a common peasant. When she asked to retain a few of her "helpers," however, Maura smirked. She turned to her companion for a brief, silent exchange in some sort of sign language, mocking the princess for being afraid to go anywhere without her help. She almost refused outright, but paused. Bringing some of the skeletons in obviously posed some risk, but Lady Vala would likely want a demonstration of the newcomer's abilities. After a moment, she nodded, reaching into her backpack and pulling out a lightweight black rain cloak.
"You can bring two," she said, signing to her companion to bring his coat as well. "Know that if they do anything even slightly suspicious, they will be destroyed and burned. Also, put these on them. The sight of skeletons walking through the camp could upset people, and we've children about."
The hooded cloaks were long enough to conceal the skeletons head to toe, but did nothing for the clattering of bones and joints. Still, it was better than nothing. Once her companions were properly disguised, the scouts began to lead Maura back towards the camp, taking a purposely convoluted path that would be difficult to follow again.
"Where did you come from, anyways?" she asked, making sure to stay within grabbing distance of Maura in case she tried to run. "Are you alone? Besides those...things, I mean. What possessed you to chop through the forest instead of just walking through like a normal person?"
The chopping of the forest would be a problem. Anyone who landed would immediately see the path and try to follow it, leading them uncomfortably close to Thornwood. They'd have to post more guards, human ones. Lira sighed, already able to see her name popping up more often on the guard rotations. This woman had barely even arrived and had already caused her nothing but trouble. The other scout remained silent, staying back behind the group and watching the skeletons with a suspicious eye. His bow remained ready, although what he planned to shoot at had yet to be seen.
|
|
Maura Darkbriar
New
Roleplay posts: 7
Age: 36
Appearance: Maura bears herself as befits a lady of the highest necromantic aristocracy, red hair elaborately worked, fine dresses tailored to perfection for her form, cold iron jewelry shaped like blades and decorated with rubies on her neck and ears. She looks bossy but also surprisingly warm and kind, especially for someone usually waited upon by undead footmen.
Equipment: Always accompanied by various tools of the necromancer's craft, some of which cleverly disguised as clasps and jewelry.
Skills and Abilities: A capable necromancer in her own right, specializing in exerting control over mindless undead. Her magical skills are secondary to her abilities in organization, stewardship and courtly diplomacy.
Biography: A noble scion of the prestigious Darkbriar family of the realm of Castigare, Maura was raised by her necromantic parents as well as multiple generations of long-undead forebears, trained to join their ranks once she was ready. A death and unlife carefully prepared for were rudely interrupted by apocalyptic storms while she'd been at sea on her way to visit her vampiric bethrothed but she's not about to let such a little thing as the probable end of the world get in the way of claiming her due place in society.
Registered: Feb 15, 2022 11:49:09 GMT -5
|
Post by Maura Darkbriar on Feb 18, 2022 8:52:34 GMT -5
She bore up the scrutiny with the most dignity she could manage, keeping her chin up even if that meant the welts on her face stood out more starkly. Despite the circumstances, there was a hint of a polite smile on her lips, though it was clearly kept in place only with some effort. It's harder to smile when in pain.
"My Bones, yes." She furrowed her brow a moment, considering the question in light of what context she'd been given thus far, suddenly coming to a much-belated realization. Her eyes widen for a moment, but she soon schools her expression and explains further, "they're servants, named after what they're mostly made of. They're mostly harmless."
With Lisa's instructions given, two of the skeletons stepped forward and even moved as to help put the cloaks onto themselves. The remainder loitered nearby, but as the group set out further inland the remaining skeletons also began their slow, shuffling walk back towards the coast. They were eventually lost to sight.
"I come from Most Serene Castigare." She kept up closely as they walked, and scrutinized both faces as she said the name, seeking any sign of recognition but already expecting not to find it, "I have my valet looking after a boat, and-" she paused for a moment, brow furrowing at the later question, "I was getting turned around a lot, so I decided leaving a clear trail was a good way not to get lost."
It wouldn't take the most perceptive person in the world to realize this might have been Maura's first real walk through the woods. "That was very clever, with the wasps. You are from here? Oh, uh - where is here, anyway?" Apparently as shock began to fade, this one was fated to get increasingly more chatty and inquisitive.
|
|