In an audacious bid for power, the Cult of the Dragon, along with its dragon allies and the Red Wizards of Thay, seek to bring Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells to Faerûn. To this end, they are sweeping from town to town, laying waste to all those who oppose them and gathering a hoard of riches for their dread queen. The threat of annihilation has become so dire that groups as disparate as the Harpers and Zhentarim are banding together in the fight against the cult. Never before has the need for heroes been so desperate.
BY ORDER OF WAR COMMANDER ARCHDUCHESS ZARIEL RULER OF AVERNUS, THE FIRST LAYER
SEQUESTERED INQUISITORIAL DOSSIER AUTHORIZED DEVILS ONLY
CASE FILE: 63334B:344M:Xa83
I, Lieutenant Preceptor Camilla, do hereby give formal notice and declaration of my official defection from the War Against Acheron. I want it to be known that I no longer wish to be regarded as a solider and medical professional to the Armies of Hell, and a citizen of Avernus. I further declare that I am aware of the consequences of this act regarding defection, not limited to but including the removal of my status and rank within the Army. I understand to make this decision known to any next of kin and to ensure that they are aware of these circumstances in the case of my being incapacitated. I acknowledge that I make this declaration under solemn oath, being of sound mind and body, and in the presence of a witness who can testify as to the validity of this document.
I have seen enough death, suffering, and torment to last a lifetime, and I no longer wish to be a part of the survival of our society. Keep in mind that any attempt to find me, or harm me, outside of the layers of Hell will be met with full retaliation and violence.
The First Portal churned. It raged and roiled.
Storms of wrath tore through tattered veils of fate and falsehood, splitting the skin of reality. Hellish abominations howled their hunger to the void, twining their kaleidoscopic tendrils between the planes. The Plane of War met the Layers of Hell along interstitial fault lines, convulsing with a violence that shattered time and set reason ablaze from one end of the multiverse to the other. Somewhere amidst the madness hung two sides: The Legions of Hell, and the Armies of Acheron.
Thus began the Dawn of War, so they say - at least, that's how the Acheronians see it.
I see it a different way. But my way might not match what has been told, or may not coincide with history, or reality.
No. My story is different. My story is about how, once, I was an officer in the Avernian War Machine, but am no longer - having fled to a place called Toril. I just want to get away, escape, not think about it anymore. I find myself on the road again, heading to a place called Baldur's Gate.
I'll introduce her to the group once we all meet up somewhere at the kickoff of the campaign, but here's Astrid Holmes, Inquisitive Rogue Extraordinaire:
Messalina's trek to Greenest had landed her in some unusual company. Which was not something she was a stranger to, her profession had her constantly coming into contact with unusual individuals and sometimes it had her taking the forms of unusual individuals. But this may have taken the cake. An armored Minotaur, an Elven huntress with a weapon that she had never seen before, a Tiefling with skin as white as marble, a Gnome with seemingly limitless reserves of energy, and a Kenku carrying a holy symbol. Messalina had always thought that her people and the Kenku had an odd sort of kinship. Just like how her people lacked a true form and had to forge one of their own by copying bits and pieces from those around them, the Kenku lacked a true voice and had to mimic the words of those around them to express their thoughts. She knelt down to greet the little bird. "Hello there, my name is Messalina, what's yours?"
She waits for the Kenku to name herself using whatever mimicry she had on her before turning to the Gnome girl and the Minotaur man and greeting them in the same way, before moving on to the Elvish woman with the exotic weapon. "I'd hate to be whoever it is that you're hunting down. That's a very interesting weapon you have, where did you get it?" She allows them all to finish before moving on to the white Tiefling. "Hello, my name is Messalina. You look like this is all very new to you, is this your first time in this area?" As Messalina travels, she is willing to converse with her new companions and entertain them with her wide array of stories and songs. I was told that I'd need allies to accomplish my goals and these individuals seem like they'll make fine ones.
Messalina is a changeling who is currently taking the form of a beautiful human with brown hair and lightly tanned skin. She has a rose in her hair and a white dress that shows off much of her back, some cleavage, and her legs. She has a rapier and a lyre on her waist and she is wearing knee-high gladiator sandals.
Looking over one of her anatomy books, Camilla had purchased a ride to Baldur's Gate, which was currently heading to the town of Greenest. In the carriage with others, she made occasional eye contact with them, especially curious about the bird and the bull - all until the lightly tanned human female spoke to the bird. She smiled lightly, curious at the passengers but more interested in her readings at the moment. She was happy to leave Avernus, and make an effort to..try..and live a normal life among her kind - tieflings. Baldur's Gate seemed like a good place to start, according to her research before she defected.
Camilla had very light blonde hair, white skin, and white horns. Despite wearing a thin robe, she was a feminine woman - curvy, with a nice chest, but was clearly an academic. Her skin was smooth, hairless, and did not show evidence of regular exercise, but was thin nonetheless. Thick dark eyelashes surrounded her pale blue eyes, and she wore thin framed glasses two sizes too big. She appeared well groomed, well mannered, and polite, quietly reading her book as the caravan rumbled along. She appeared to be about 27 or 28.
"Camilla," the tiefling said, smiling slightly, closing her book and pushing her glasses back on the bridge of her nose. "Nice to meet you. Yes, actually, first time."she smiled gently.
Li'riya stays very quiet during the carriage ride. Upon Messalina's question, she merely says softly. "My family." She glances up though, smiling a little at Messalina's friendly demeanor. "And I'm not hunting anyone...at the moment, at least. I'm Li'riya. Most people prefer to shorten it to Lira, though. Fewer strange accents and such. So...if that's what you'd prefer to call me...that's completely fine." She blushes a bit, glancing down. "I'm babbling now, aren't I? Apparently I do that a lot. Anyway...nice to meet you."
"No, no, you're fine Li'riya. I've met a variety of people of all races from all corners of the realm and I've never had any problem with accents. Speech is a matter of getting your mouth to form the right shapes and I've never had an issue with making the right shapes." She smiles at Li'riya, like she's sharing a secret with her.
(For those who can speak Elvish)
And the shapes for your language have always come easily to me.
She turns towards Camilla. "A pleasure to meet you and welcome you. May I ask where you came from?"
Bell hadn't had spoken to the group she found herself travelling with to Greenest. After recuperating for a few days at a camp, the rescue team had suggested she go to Greenest to try and build herself a new life from the ground up, but the thought only made her feel worse. She would pray to Ilmater every day and night, hoping, wishing, waiting for an answer, guidance, where she needed to go, but there had not been a reply. Regardless, her faith never wavered. He will answer you when the time is right, dear child, echoed the words of the priest of the church she called home, and she told herself she would continue to hold onto those words til death.
It didn't take a genius to tell that she was very young and perhaps the runt of the litter in her family considering how small she was, just about reaching some of groups stomachs (not counting the minotaur) but she at least beat the gnome in height. What ever feathers that could be seen poking out of her green cloak were ruffled when approached by the human woman, Bell's eyes scanning her over at first then speaking, "My name is Bell," In an older mans voice. "It is very nice to meet you." It was clear that those words were said to her as a ways for her to properly introduce herself to people when asked. When the woman turned away, the kenku chirped, "Have a nice day!" And fell silent once more unless pulled into conversation again.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Before Messalina turns away from Bell she smiles and gives her a little pat on the head. "That's a very valuable talent you have, little one." As she speaks next, she copies the voice of the old man, which is somewhat weird given Messalina's appearance. "I have it too." She winks as she walks away.
Edward the Minotaur has been very quiet on the journey. Sitting in a corner he takes up a lot of space just because of his size. He spends a lot of time in deep meditation with his Katana laying across his lap.
Wearing a white robe with a phoenix detail on the back it covers up a lot of his armor though many of you can hear it shift as Edward is not the most dexterous individual.
Through observation people have noticed that Edward has rather large hooves that he takes care of as well as shaggy brown fur going up his legs. When he’s not wearing his armor his chest is exposed: a dark tanned brown with hundreds of little white scars. All from his time in the Colosseum. His face isn’t anything super special with a broken nose and an scar on his left cheek in the shape of an X. However, his eyes are a bright piercing blue that seems to take everything in.
When he is spoken too Edward simply responds with “Edward.” Not even bothering to open up his eyes or stop his meditation.
"I'm from.."Camilla began, but startled as the bird spoke. She looked at it, not with annoyance, but more with casual curiosity for a moment. She definitely didn't have small humanoid imitating birds or talking bulls on the war torn plane of Avernus.
A place she was very happy to leave.
She shook it off, and smiled casually at Messalina again. "I'm from, uh.."she wasn't sure if she should say, and for a moment hesitated. Oh, don't mind me, i'm from Hell. I'm a devil half breed medical officer that defected from an army that's trashing a warrior society that's resisting our attempts to annihilate it. Yes, i'm sure that would go over well. You should say that, Cami.
"I'm from someplace far away, just..looking to start a new life, where I can practice my healing and help people."she said, vaguely. She smiled and observed the others.
Messalina gets the feeling that she asked a personal question. Fair enough, everyone has something to hide and Messalina was not ignorant of that fact. "Don't worry about it. Toril is a big world with lots of people that need help. I'm sure that you'll find a place where you can help." There's one person right here that could use some help.She thinks. "I like your glasses. You look very cute in them." She playfully pokes at the glasses that are too big for Camille's face.
"Thanks,"she smiles and gives Messalina a sly look - not too many people complimented the glasses. "I like the flower in your hair. We don't have much of those things back home."Nope. Just lots of fire, brimstone, and other horrible devilish creatures doing terrible things all while fighting for supremacy. (nervous chuckle).
"Thank you. I'm told that it brings out the color in my complexion."Messalina casts Prestidigitation three times, creating a rose, a camellia,and a daffodil. "They won't last more than a few seconds I'm afraid, but that tends to be how it is with beautiful things. I imagine that it's to prevent us from taking them for granted."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
During the trip, Li'riya is mostly quiet. The elf almost fades into the shadows of the coach, she's so unassuming and silent. Her pale, nearly white hair falls is held back from her face by a pair of simple silver barrettes. Her dark green eyes move over everyone, marking them down into a category almost habitually before she murmurs a frustrated curse in Elvish, shaking her head and closing her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, she's a little more relaxed. However, the elf still occasionally glances out the window of the coach. She wears leather armor under a cloak the color of the surrounding plain. A bow sits across her back, with a quiver of arrows at her belt. Most strikingly, she has a strange, double bladed scimitar hung across her back in what looks like a specially designed sheath, the haft elaborately carved with designs reminiscent of fire and ice. A simple line of Elvish characters runs across the side of the haft pressing into her back, only visible when she turns her body. Several lines in the wood run across it, as if someone tried to scratch the letters out.
For those who read Elvish:
Wyrmwatcher
When Messalina speaks Elvish to Li'riya, the elf looks almost conflicted, trying to decide between beaming and recoiling from the language. In the end, a soft, delighted smile wins out.
As the trip goes on, Messalina pulls out her lyre and begins playing a soft, beautiful melody, her carefully manicured fingers lightly plucking the strings to create the sounds. (Song in Discord because I'm stupid.)
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Camilla looked up from her book and had a face of mild shock and amusement. The sound coming from the instrument was pleasant, and she watched as Messalina’s fingers worked the device over the top of her glasses. Such a nice sound. I think i might enjoy this world. She found herself staring and wondering at the same time how sad that her world had no inclination for such an art.
So she daydreamed about a time not too long ago.
Not long ago, I imagined that I had encountered all possible cruelties. I had understood the worst pain was to be denied that for which we thirsted. The years passed, each hotter than the last, and that knowledge was the sharpest thorn The Ruler of Hell had left in my flesh. But I have been wrong so often before, and so I was again, then. In those days, once Asmodeus had broken the wheel of fate and our boundaries crumbled around us, we learned just how far we still had to go. The greatest cruelty, you see, was not being deprived of what we wanted. The greatest cruelty, as it turned out, was being given it. The Gods hate us. I truly believe this. They need us. We are their fuel. Our thoughts and deeds are what give them life. They ARE us, in the most literal sense. Every nightmare, every wound, every death - it all feeds them, it all fuels them, forms them. And no, they are not individual, reasoning entities as a sentient soul could ever comprehend. They are unreasoning forces, emotion and action given shape, burning forever behind the curtain of corporeality.
But they hate us. I am convinced of it.
When I was a member of the Avernian Preceptor Core as a medical officer, my fellow war members did not agree with me in this matter. Torhexian believed they were mindless and without intent, that they could not hate us because they could not hate, nor love, anything. Illyana believed that they are generous - even kind - but one must know one's own desires when dealing with them, and see the strength in even the most cursed gifts that they give. Demetrius sees them as distant, fascinating creatures, preferring his own intimate and secret forms of faith. Shoshanna believed, with all the fanaticism of any Asmodean worshiper, that the Gods grant us what we deserve, not what we desire. She used to insist that it is the purpose of our existance to live up to what the Gods wish us to become. That our infernal blood and sweat must ever be spent in reaching the potential that Lord Asmodeus sees within us.
They laugh at our dreams. They mock our ambitions. They fight us to enslave us, knowing they need us. They crave champions for their causes, elevating us, offering more - always more - to achieve our goals, only to abandon us and destroy us when we act against their whims. This is more than simple malice. Malice is crude and practically instinctive, a thing even beasts can comprehends. No, this is spite, and spite requires consciousness, emotion, and the capacity for bitterness and wrath.
I refused to be a part of it. But, why did Asmodeus not take away my power?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Messalina start to play her little song Edward cannot help but hum along a little bit to the song. The entire time he cannot help but think, I have to find her. I need to save her. Before something bad happens to her.
As people continue to talk Edward opens up his eyes and just takes them in. Observing them and wondering if they'd make good teammates, if he'll need teammates for this mission.
Li'riya listens quietly, the small smile from Messalina's words becoming a little larger, tinged with wonder. This is nothing like the rowdy songs one heard in taverns, and her grandmother never wasted time playing music. She looks at Messalina, saying softly once the song is over, "It's a beautiful song."
***PLACEHOLDER DO NOT POST***
*CRISPYDM PRESENTS*
HOARD OF THE DRAGON QUEEN
In an audacious bid for power, the Cult of the Dragon, along with its dragon allies and the Red Wizards of Thay, seek to bring Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells to Faerûn. To this end, they are sweeping from town to town, laying waste to all those who oppose them and gathering a hoard of riches for their dread queen. The threat of annihilation has become so dire that groups as disparate as the Harpers and Zhentarim are banding together in the fight against the cult. Never before has the need for heroes been so desperate.
COMING SOON!
***PLACEHOLDER DO NOT POST***
PROLOUGE 1 - CAMILLA
BY ORDER OF WAR COMMANDER ARCHDUCHESS ZARIEL
RULER OF AVERNUS, THE FIRST LAYER
SEQUESTERED INQUISITORIAL DOSSIER
AUTHORIZED DEVILS ONLY
CASE FILE: 63334B:344M:Xa83
I, Lieutenant Preceptor Camilla, do hereby give formal notice and declaration of my official defection from the War Against Acheron. I want it to be known that I no longer wish to be regarded as a solider and medical professional to the Armies of Hell, and a citizen of Avernus. I further declare that I am aware of the consequences of this act regarding defection, not limited to but including the removal of my status and rank within the Army. I understand to make this decision known to any next of kin and to ensure that they are aware of these circumstances in the case of my being incapacitated. I acknowledge that I make this declaration under solemn oath, being of sound mind and body, and in the presence of a witness who can testify as to the validity of this document.
I have seen enough death, suffering, and torment to last a lifetime, and I no longer wish to be a part of the survival of our society. Keep in mind that any attempt to find me, or harm me, outside of the layers of Hell will be met with full retaliation and violence.
The First Portal churned. It raged and roiled.
Storms of wrath tore through tattered veils of fate and falsehood, splitting the skin of reality. Hellish abominations howled their hunger to the void, twining their kaleidoscopic tendrils between the planes. The Plane of War met the Layers of Hell along interstitial fault lines, convulsing with a violence that shattered time and set reason ablaze from one end of the multiverse to the other. Somewhere amidst the madness hung two sides: The Legions of Hell, and the Armies of Acheron.
Thus began the Dawn of War, so they say - at least, that's how the Acheronians see it.
I see it a different way. But my way might not match what has been told, or may not coincide with history, or reality.
No. My story is different. My story is about how, once, I was an officer in the Avernian War Machine, but am no longer - having fled to a place called Toril. I just want to get away, escape, not think about it anymore. I find myself on the road again, heading to a place called Baldur's Gate.
I'll introduce her to the group once we all meet up somewhere at the kickoff of the campaign, but here's Astrid Holmes, Inquisitive Rogue Extraordinaire:
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Messalina's trek to Greenest had landed her in some unusual company. Which was not something she was a stranger to, her profession had her constantly coming into contact with unusual individuals and sometimes it had her taking the forms of unusual individuals. But this may have taken the cake. An armored Minotaur, an Elven huntress with a weapon that she had never seen before, a Tiefling with skin as white as marble, a Gnome with seemingly limitless reserves of energy, and a Kenku carrying a holy symbol. Messalina had always thought that her people and the Kenku had an odd sort of kinship. Just like how her people lacked a true form and had to forge one of their own by copying bits and pieces from those around them, the Kenku lacked a true voice and had to mimic the words of those around them to express their thoughts. She knelt down to greet the little bird. "Hello there, my name is Messalina, what's yours?"
She waits for the Kenku to name herself using whatever mimicry she had on her before turning to the Gnome girl and the Minotaur man and greeting them in the same way, before moving on to the Elvish woman with the exotic weapon. "I'd hate to be whoever it is that you're hunting down. That's a very interesting weapon you have, where did you get it?" She allows them all to finish before moving on to the white Tiefling. "Hello, my name is Messalina. You look like this is all very new to you, is this your first time in this area?" As Messalina travels, she is willing to converse with her new companions and entertain them with her wide array of stories and songs. I was told that I'd need allies to accomplish my goals and these individuals seem like they'll make fine ones.
Messalina is a changeling who is currently taking the form of a beautiful human with brown hair and lightly tanned skin. She has a rose in her hair and a white dress that shows off much of her back, some cleavage, and her legs. She has a rapier and a lyre on her waist and she is wearing knee-high gladiator sandals.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Baldur's Gate.
Eye on the prize, Camilla. Eye on the prize.
Looking over one of her anatomy books, Camilla had purchased a ride to Baldur's Gate, which was currently heading to the town of Greenest. In the carriage with others, she made occasional eye contact with them, especially curious about the bird and the bull - all until the lightly tanned human female spoke to the bird. She smiled lightly, curious at the passengers but more interested in her readings at the moment. She was happy to leave Avernus, and make an effort to..try..and live a normal life among her kind - tieflings. Baldur's Gate seemed like a good place to start, according to her research before she defected.
Camilla had very light blonde hair, white skin, and white horns. Despite wearing a thin robe, she was a feminine woman - curvy, with a nice chest, but was clearly an academic. Her skin was smooth, hairless, and did not show evidence of regular exercise, but was thin nonetheless. Thick dark eyelashes surrounded her pale blue eyes, and she wore thin framed glasses two sizes too big. She appeared well groomed, well mannered, and polite, quietly reading her book as the caravan rumbled along. She appeared to be about 27 or 28.
"Camilla," the tiefling said, smiling slightly, closing her book and pushing her glasses back on the bridge of her nose. "Nice to meet you. Yes, actually, first time." she smiled gently.
Li'riya stays very quiet during the carriage ride. Upon Messalina's question, she merely says softly. "My family." She glances up though, smiling a little at Messalina's friendly demeanor. "And I'm not hunting anyone...at the moment, at least. I'm Li'riya. Most people prefer to shorten it to Lira, though. Fewer strange accents and such. So...if that's what you'd prefer to call me...that's completely fine." She blushes a bit, glancing down. "I'm babbling now, aren't I? Apparently I do that a lot. Anyway...nice to meet you."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"No, no, you're fine Li'riya. I've met a variety of people of all races from all corners of the realm and I've never had any problem with accents. Speech is a matter of getting your mouth to form the right shapes and I've never had an issue with making the right shapes." She smiles at Li'riya, like she's sharing a secret with her.
(For those who can speak Elvish)
And the shapes for your language have always come easily to me.
She turns towards Camilla. "A pleasure to meet you and welcome you. May I ask where you came from?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Bell hadn't had spoken to the group she found herself travelling with to Greenest. After recuperating for a few days at a camp, the rescue team had suggested she go to Greenest to try and build herself a new life from the ground up, but the thought only made her feel worse. She would pray to Ilmater every day and night, hoping, wishing, waiting for an answer, guidance, where she needed to go, but there had not been a reply. Regardless, her faith never wavered. He will answer you when the time is right, dear child, echoed the words of the priest of the church she called home, and she told herself she would continue to hold onto those words til death.
It didn't take a genius to tell that she was very young and perhaps the runt of the litter in her family considering how small she was, just about reaching some of groups stomachs (not counting the minotaur) but she at least beat the gnome in height. What ever feathers that could be seen poking out of her green cloak were ruffled when approached by the human woman, Bell's eyes scanning her over at first then speaking, "My name is Bell," In an older mans voice. "It is very nice to meet you." It was clear that those words were said to her as a ways for her to properly introduce herself to people when asked. When the woman turned away, the kenku chirped, "Have a nice day!" And fell silent once more unless pulled into conversation again.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Before Messalina turns away from Bell she smiles and gives her a little pat on the head. "That's a very valuable talent you have, little one." As she speaks next, she copies the voice of the old man, which is somewhat weird given Messalina's appearance. "I have it too." She winks as she walks away.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Edward the Minotaur has been very quiet on the journey. Sitting in a corner he takes up a lot of space just because of his size. He spends a lot of time in deep meditation with his Katana laying across his lap.
Wearing a white robe with a phoenix detail on the back it covers up a lot of his armor though many of you can hear it shift as Edward is not the most dexterous individual.
Through observation people have noticed that Edward has rather large hooves that he takes care of as well as shaggy brown fur going up his legs. When he’s not wearing his armor his chest is exposed: a dark tanned brown with hundreds of little white scars. All from his time in the Colosseum. His face isn’t anything super special with a broken nose and an scar on his left cheek in the shape of an X. However, his eyes are a bright piercing blue that seems to take everything in.
When he is spoken too Edward simply responds with “Edward.” Not even bothering to open up his eyes or stop his meditation.
"I'm from.." Camilla began, but startled as the bird spoke. She looked at it, not with annoyance, but more with casual curiosity for a moment. She definitely didn't have small humanoid imitating birds or talking bulls on the war torn plane of Avernus.
A place she was very happy to leave.
She shook it off, and smiled casually at Messalina again. "I'm from, uh.." she wasn't sure if she should say, and for a moment hesitated. Oh, don't mind me, i'm from Hell. I'm a devil half breed medical officer that defected from an army that's trashing a warrior society that's resisting our attempts to annihilate it. Yes, i'm sure that would go over well. You should say that, Cami.
"I'm from someplace far away, just..looking to start a new life, where I can practice my healing and help people." she said, vaguely. She smiled and observed the others.
Messalina gets the feeling that she asked a personal question. Fair enough, everyone has something to hide and Messalina was not ignorant of that fact. "Don't worry about it. Toril is a big world with lots of people that need help. I'm sure that you'll find a place where you can help." There's one person right here that could use some help. She thinks. "I like your glasses. You look very cute in them." She playfully pokes at the glasses that are too big for Camille's face.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"Thanks," she smiles and gives Messalina a sly look - not too many people complimented the glasses. "I like the flower in your hair. We don't have much of those things back home." Nope. Just lots of fire, brimstone, and other horrible devilish creatures doing terrible things all while fighting for supremacy. (nervous chuckle).
"Thank you. I'm told that it brings out the color in my complexion." Messalina casts Prestidigitation three times, creating a rose, a camellia,and a daffodil. "They won't last more than a few seconds I'm afraid, but that tends to be how it is with beautiful things. I imagine that it's to prevent us from taking them for granted."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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During the trip, Li'riya is mostly quiet. The elf almost fades into the shadows of the coach, she's so unassuming and silent. Her pale, nearly white hair falls is held back from her face by a pair of simple silver barrettes. Her dark green eyes move over everyone, marking them down into a category almost habitually before she murmurs a frustrated curse in Elvish, shaking her head and closing her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, she's a little more relaxed. However, the elf still occasionally glances out the window of the coach. She wears leather armor under a cloak the color of the surrounding plain. A bow sits across her back, with a quiver of arrows at her belt. Most strikingly, she has a strange, double bladed scimitar hung across her back in what looks like a specially designed sheath, the haft elaborately carved with designs reminiscent of fire and ice. A simple line of Elvish characters runs across the side of the haft pressing into her back, only visible when she turns her body. Several lines in the wood run across it, as if someone tried to scratch the letters out.
For those who read Elvish:
Wyrmwatcher
When Messalina speaks Elvish to Li'riya, the elf looks almost conflicted, trying to decide between beaming and recoiling from the language. In the end, a soft, delighted smile wins out.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
As the trip goes on, Messalina pulls out her lyre and begins playing a soft, beautiful melody, her carefully manicured fingers lightly plucking the strings to create the sounds. (Song in Discord because I'm stupid.)
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Camilla looked up from her book and had a face of mild shock and amusement. The sound coming from the instrument was pleasant, and she watched as Messalina’s fingers worked the device over the top of her glasses. Such a nice sound. I think i might enjoy this world. She found herself staring and wondering at the same time how sad that her world had no inclination for such an art.
So she daydreamed about a time not too long ago.
Not long ago, I imagined that I had encountered all possible cruelties. I had understood the worst pain was to be denied that for which we thirsted. The years passed, each hotter than the last, and that knowledge was the sharpest thorn The Ruler of Hell had left in my flesh. But I have been wrong so often before, and so I was again, then. In those days, once Asmodeus had broken the wheel of fate and our boundaries crumbled around us, we learned just how far we still had to go. The greatest cruelty, you see, was not being deprived of what we wanted. The greatest cruelty, as it turned out, was being given it. The Gods hate us. I truly believe this. They need us. We are their fuel. Our thoughts and deeds are what give them life. They ARE us, in the most literal sense. Every nightmare, every wound, every death - it all feeds them, it all fuels them, forms them. And no, they are not individual, reasoning entities as a sentient soul could ever comprehend. They are unreasoning forces, emotion and action given shape, burning forever behind the curtain of corporeality.
But they hate us. I am convinced of it.
When I was a member of the Avernian Preceptor Core as a medical officer, my fellow war members did not agree with me in this matter. Torhexian believed they were mindless and without intent, that they could not hate us because they could not hate, nor love, anything. Illyana believed that they are generous - even kind - but one must know one's own desires when dealing with them, and see the strength in even the most cursed gifts that they give. Demetrius sees them as distant, fascinating creatures, preferring his own intimate and secret forms of faith. Shoshanna believed, with all the fanaticism of any Asmodean worshiper, that the Gods grant us what we deserve, not what we desire. She used to insist that it is the purpose of our existance to live up to what the Gods wish us to become. That our infernal blood and sweat must ever be spent in reaching the potential that Lord Asmodeus sees within us.
They laugh at our dreams. They mock our ambitions. They fight us to enslave us, knowing they need us. They crave champions for their causes, elevating us, offering more - always more - to achieve our goals, only to abandon us and destroy us when we act against their whims. This is more than simple malice. Malice is crude and practically instinctive, a thing even beasts can comprehends. No, this is spite, and spite requires consciousness, emotion, and the capacity for bitterness and wrath.
I refused to be a part of it. But, why did Asmodeus not take away my power?
As Messalina start to play her little song Edward cannot help but hum along a little bit to the song. The entire time he cannot help but think, I have to find her. I need to save her. Before something bad happens to her.
As people continue to talk Edward opens up his eyes and just takes them in. Observing them and wondering if they'd make good teammates, if he'll need teammates for this mission.
Performance: 21
Li'riya listens quietly, the small smile from Messalina's words becoming a little larger, tinged with wonder. This is nothing like the rowdy songs one heard in taverns, and her grandmother never wasted time playing music. She looks at Messalina, saying softly once the song is over, "It's a beautiful song."
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"Thank you. Most people do, it's a rather calming melody. And Edward even found it good enough to him along to."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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