This isn't the first time Caio's confidence has led to him applying too much... pressure on a situation. The second he's materialized, he realizes he'd made a mistake. The intake of breath, the shift of armor, the electric scent of a warrior's adrenaline that so often precedes violent death... Caio rolls his eyes. "Hesitation kills, dear." The ruby affixed to his hilt pulses black and again the shadar-kai rockets through space. This time he is accompanied by a burst of frigid wind and a pained gasp. As he slips past the orcish leader and lands next to Shiva, his blade carves a chasm into her side. Her blade momentarily intervenes, but the warrior's defense is crushed under Caio's momentum. Wet blood slaps against wet grass as he lets the sword complete an arc, sending crimson viscera spraying across the ground. "If you wish to die, so be it. But your deaths won't aid your tribe."
Alaris watches as the others follow their lead, interrogating the orcs. When Ghoul appears with the little doll, the paladin's eyes flare with rage and their knuckles whiten into a painful fist on the haft of Hope's Edge. They walk closer, and the orcs tighten into a defensive circle. Mention of the horror of an ancient ice dragon pulls the paladin up short. What would I do if such an overwhelming horror threatened my loved ones, they ponder as their eyes move from Nikolai to Caio to Shiva. Pity floods the aasimar's heart for a moment.
But only a moment, before the tell-tale thrum of Hope's Edge warns of impending action, and Caio flashes into the midst of the orc formation!
"HOLD! Hold fast, all of you!!"Glimmering wings of angelic radiance burst forth from the aasimar's back, and Celestial symbols glimmer and glow on their exposed skin as their eyes blaze like miniature suns. Snow swirls as one massive wingbeat lifts the paladin into the air above the orcs. Hope's Edge glows in one hand and a blinding javelin of pure lightning crackles in the other. "I serve the Lady of Light and Life, but know that we will slay you where you stand. It was PRIDE that brought you out to hunt the children of men, not dragonfear. Fear alone would have you slink deeper into your mountain caves than an ancient dragon can follow. But pride f#¢?ed with you, and you fed babies to a beast to soothe your warrior's pride. Now drop your weapons and answer us, or your blood will pay for the lives of those children. CHOOSE."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
Caio's assault is as swift as it is deadly, but before the Orcs can retaliate, Alaris takes to the skies above them like a blazing ball of holy light. The leader's weapon clatters to the ground and the others quickly follow suite, although one does hurry to see to the wound in her side. Scowls and snarls line the faces of band, but it is clear that they realise that they are outmatched.
"I do not know," she answers simply, indicating to the orc aiding her that she will manage. She stands straight before Alaris, although it is clear that her side pains her. "Nobody knows. Ours is not to ask. I have acted only to save my kin and kind from annihilation. If you would strike me down for that, then so be it. It is no more than we expect from the men that we encounter."
"I am no Man." Alaris Forien descends and lands gracefully before the wounded orc. Wings furling behind them, they tuck the Javelin of Lightning back onto their back and lay an angelic hand on the wounded being. Warmth and power flows from the paladin into the leader of the band, knitting her wounds even further.
"Do not mistake our mercy for absolution. We understand your desperation - we ourselves have been desperate before. Swallow your pride and take your people deep into your mountains where the dragon cannot threaten. If your tribe returns and threatens another child, there will be no talk."
Alaris stands tall and impassive, the joy and hope of their aasimar aura tinged with sadness at a world that requires such moral complexities.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
Astrid lets out a heavy sigh as the tensions subside. She approaches behind Alaris to attempt to heal the orc, but the paladin's healing hands take care of the remaining wounds.
"Your folks are just as stubborn as mine at times. Don't let yourself be trapped in by your past," she suggests.
Nikolai remains impassive, but resolute where he stands. He has no compassion for those who would use children to further their own goals, no matter the cost. It is quite clear, he feels the orcs should die for the transgressions. He keeps his weapon out in a clear display so that there is no question as to his intent of violence should these orcs cross any line.
Shiva relaxes, lowering her blade to her side as Alaris quells the bitter tension. Once the orc has been healed, Shiva slowly approaches her. "There will come a reckoning for what you all have done to save your people. When we eventually confront this dragon, I think it is only right that you fight alongside us. Would you agree to that, madame?"
"We will do our best to see that none of us meet our end at the claws of this dragon. Your people very likely depend on your leadership, and this will set an important example, I think. What is your name, madame?"
"Do not pretend to care about our tribe," the Orc tells Shiva quietly, her voice hard as stone. "You did not come here to make peace, but with threats of death and destruction. You are no better than the dragon."
She pauses for a moment before continuing.
"You may call me Zalika. The name will matter not when we are statues in Shizani's lair."
Nikolai smirks. "I like you, Zalika. You are not afraid to call others on their false empathy." He eyes the other orcs. "Know this, Zalika, if you or your tribe area ever seen in these lands again, we will bring just as much destruction down upon you as that dragon will. I have powers at my behest far more terrifying than that of Shizani. She will take you lives to be sure, but me..." He draws his hand over the top of the large, cracked onyx ring upon his finger and seems to draw a wispy, dark smoke-like substance from the stone. "I will take your souls." He watches the smoky darkness crawl and twirl around his fingers and hand as he turns to lock eyes with Zalika. "Never underestimate the things a mortal will do to obtain power."
Shiva looks to Zalika, then to Nikolai as he threatens her, and her face falls in sadness. "I....I hadn't understood why your tribe was doing what it has done. You've made an unspeakable choice for the safety of your people, and I'm sure that it will haunt all in your tribe who know of it. We're not here to be another monster to you in your time of desperation. Like my friends have said, please stop what you're doing, and no harm will come to you. We will end this dragon. Your people will know peace again. I swear this to you, Zalika."
"Why has your tribe decided to live under the threat of this dragon?! How long has this been going on?"Astrid shakes her head in disbelief. "I've encountered some of your kind near my hold and they aren't afraid of a fight for what they want, or to protect themselves. I think that there are better choices than resulting to this!"
Nikolai turns his gaze to Shivala and narrows his eyes slightly. 'I will discuss this weakness later. We are the Trio Infernale. We do not grovel and plead with cowards.' He shakes his head as he turns his gaze back towards the orcs, waiting for them to be dismissed or dispatched.
"What a pretty name," Ling replies with a polite smile. "You are?" Me? This puts her on guard, although she does not let it show. "They're just upstairs, we've had a bit of a late night." She laughs conspiratorially as the lie easily rolls off her tongue. "Maybe you know what I mean. I am Ling, the one and only." Extending her arms, she underlines her last statement, as if to say "tada!". "Do you have a monster you need taken care of? Something else we can do for you? Or me?" Ling smiles wide and inclines her head, leaning forward just a little. She hasn't touched her cup.
"All too well. I was up late myself," Elodia says with an enigmatic smile, crossing one leg over the other beneath her skirt. "A monster is actually exactly what I'm here to discuss, though it may not be the kind you're imagining."
She takes a drink, setting it gently on the table where her fingers lace back around it. "It's a terrible thing, for a child to be afraid of their father, don't you think? Especially for someone like an elf. Or even a half-elf." Her head tilts and she considers Ling. "They live with it so much longer than we do."
“No, we won’t be dispatching you today. If you wish to be free of the dragon’s yoke, you will aid us when we hunt her down. Otherwise, I think we’ve made ourselves clear. Shall we?” Caio says, turning to his friends.
"There are many monsters between heaven and hell..." Ling muses as she stretches her arm across the table, tracing her outlines of Elodia's rings. "I like your rings," she says matter of factly, but she doesn't withdraw her fingers again. Gently, she taps her nail against a few of them, as if appreciating them, to test if the gems are real. Solid; if she drinks a little more... "Aren't most children afraid of their parents? Or is it different for your kind? Rich people have different worries, don't they." Ling smiles, more curious than antagonistic about their differences. "So if a half-elf were afraid of his father, what's it to you, my lady?"With her free hand, she brushes a strand of hair behind Elodia's ear, her touch as light as a feather's. "You're human."
Alaris watches the interplay between Zalika and the Trio Infernale. Their feelings roil within them, but the aasimar keeps quiet even through Nikolai's posturing. One of these days, he and I are going to have a serious disagreement, Alaris muses. And they call ME the judgmental one...
“No, we won’t be dispatching you today. If you wish to be free of the dragon’s yoke, you will aid us when we hunt her down. Otherwise, I think we’ve made ourselves clear. Shall we?” Caio says, turning to his friends.
The paladin nods at Caio and bangs Hope's Edge against the flat of Caio's blade in friendly camaraderie. "We have other work to do, for sure."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
This isn't the first time Caio's confidence has led to him applying too much... pressure on a situation. The second he's materialized, he realizes he'd made a mistake. The intake of breath, the shift of armor, the electric scent of a warrior's adrenaline that so often precedes violent death... Caio rolls his eyes. "Hesitation kills, dear." The ruby affixed to his hilt pulses black and again the shadar-kai rockets through space. This time he is accompanied by a burst of frigid wind and a pained gasp. As he slips past the orcish leader and lands next to Shiva, his blade carves a chasm into her side. Her blade momentarily intervenes, but the warrior's defense is crushed under Caio's momentum. Wet blood slaps against wet grass as he lets the sword complete an arc, sending crimson viscera spraying across the ground. "If you wish to die, so be it. But your deaths won't aid your tribe."
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Alaris watches as the others follow their lead, interrogating the orcs. When Ghoul appears with the little doll, the paladin's eyes flare with rage and their knuckles whiten into a painful fist on the haft of Hope's Edge. They walk closer, and the orcs tighten into a defensive circle. Mention of the horror of an ancient ice dragon pulls the paladin up short. What would I do if such an overwhelming horror threatened my loved ones, they ponder as their eyes move from Nikolai to Caio to Shiva. Pity floods the aasimar's heart for a moment.
But only a moment, before the tell-tale thrum of Hope's Edge warns of impending action, and Caio flashes into the midst of the orc formation!
"HOLD! Hold fast, all of you!!" Glimmering wings of angelic radiance burst forth from the aasimar's back, and Celestial symbols glimmer and glow on their exposed skin as their eyes blaze like miniature suns. Snow swirls as one massive wingbeat lifts the paladin into the air above the orcs. Hope's Edge glows in one hand and a blinding javelin of pure lightning crackles in the other. "I serve the Lady of Light and Life, but know that we will slay you where you stand. It was PRIDE that brought you out to hunt the children of men, not dragonfear. Fear alone would have you slink deeper into your mountain caves than an ancient dragon can follow. But pride f#¢?ed with you, and you fed babies to a beast to soothe your warrior's pride. Now drop your weapons and answer us, or your blood will pay for the lives of those children. CHOOSE."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
Caio's assault is as swift as it is deadly, but before the Orcs can retaliate, Alaris takes to the skies above them like a blazing ball of holy light. The leader's weapon clatters to the ground and the others quickly follow suite, although one does hurry to see to the wound in her side. Scowls and snarls line the faces of band, but it is clear that they realise that they are outmatched.
"I do not know," she answers simply, indicating to the orc aiding her that she will manage. She stands straight before Alaris, although it is clear that her side pains her. "Nobody knows. Ours is not to ask. I have acted only to save my kin and kind from annihilation. If you would strike me down for that, then so be it. It is no more than we expect from the men that we encounter."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
"I am no Man." Alaris Forien descends and lands gracefully before the wounded orc. Wings furling behind them, they tuck the Javelin of Lightning back onto their back and lay an angelic hand on the wounded being. Warmth and power flows from the paladin into the leader of the band, knitting her wounds even further.
"Do not mistake our mercy for absolution. We understand your desperation - we ourselves have been desperate before. Swallow your pride and take your people deep into your mountains where the dragon cannot threaten. If your tribe returns and threatens another child, there will be no talk."
Alaris stands tall and impassive, the joy and hope of their aasimar aura tinged with sadness at a world that requires such moral complexities.
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
Astrid lets out a heavy sigh as the tensions subside. She approaches behind Alaris to attempt to heal the orc, but the paladin's healing hands take care of the remaining wounds.
"Your folks are just as stubborn as mine at times. Don't let yourself be trapped in by your past," she suggests.
Nikolai remains impassive, but resolute where he stands. He has no compassion for those who would use children to further their own goals, no matter the cost. It is quite clear, he feels the orcs should die for the transgressions. He keeps his weapon out in a clear display so that there is no question as to his intent of violence should these orcs cross any line.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Shiva relaxes, lowering her blade to her side as Alaris quells the bitter tension. Once the orc has been healed, Shiva slowly approaches her. "There will come a reckoning for what you all have done to save your people. When we eventually confront this dragon, I think it is only right that you fight alongside us. Would you agree to that, madame?"
The Orcish woman stares at Shiva with cold eyes.
"You got to your deaths, but for my people I will go to mine."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
"We will do our best to see that none of us meet our end at the claws of this dragon. Your people very likely depend on your leadership, and this will set an important example, I think. What is your name, madame?"
"Do not pretend to care about our tribe," the Orc tells Shiva quietly, her voice hard as stone. "You did not come here to make peace, but with threats of death and destruction. You are no better than the dragon."
She pauses for a moment before continuing.
"You may call me Zalika. The name will matter not when we are statues in Shizani's lair."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Nikolai smirks. "I like you, Zalika. You are not afraid to call others on their false empathy." He eyes the other orcs. "Know this, Zalika, if you or your tribe area ever seen in these lands again, we will bring just as much destruction down upon you as that dragon will. I have powers at my behest far more terrifying than that of Shizani. She will take you lives to be sure, but me..." He draws his hand over the top of the large, cracked onyx ring upon his finger and seems to draw a wispy, dark smoke-like substance from the stone. "I will take your souls." He watches the smoky darkness crawl and twirl around his fingers and hand as he turns to lock eyes with Zalika. "Never underestimate the things a mortal will do to obtain power."
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Shiva looks to Zalika, then to Nikolai as he threatens her, and her face falls in sadness. "I....I hadn't understood why your tribe was doing what it has done. You've made an unspeakable choice for the safety of your people, and I'm sure that it will haunt all in your tribe who know of it. We're not here to be another monster to you in your time of desperation. Like my friends have said, please stop what you're doing, and no harm will come to you. We will end this dragon. Your people will know peace again. I swear this to you, Zalika."
"Why has your tribe decided to live under the threat of this dragon?! How long has this been going on?" Astrid shakes her head in disbelief. "I've encountered some of your kind near my hold and they aren't afraid of a fight for what they want, or to protect themselves. I think that there are better choices than resulting to this!"
Nikolai turns his gaze to Shivala and narrows his eyes slightly. 'I will discuss this weakness later. We are the Trio Infernale. We do not grovel and plead with cowards.' He shakes his head as he turns his gaze back towards the orcs, waiting for them to be dismissed or dispatched.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
"What a pretty name," Ling replies with a polite smile. "You are?" Me? This puts her on guard, although she does not let it show. "They're just upstairs, we've had a bit of a late night." She laughs conspiratorially as the lie easily rolls off her tongue. "Maybe you know what I mean. I am Ling, the one and only." Extending her arms, she underlines her last statement, as if to say "tada!". "Do you have a monster you need taken care of? Something else we can do for you? Or me?" Ling smiles wide and inclines her head, leaning forward just a little. She hasn't touched her cup.
Zalika scoffs at the interplay between Nikolai and Shiva.
"You threaten with one hand and offer peace with the other. Enough words. You can think what you like. Will we fight now, or will you leave us be?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
"All too well. I was up late myself," Elodia says with an enigmatic smile, crossing one leg over the other beneath her skirt. "A monster is actually exactly what I'm here to discuss, though it may not be the kind you're imagining."
She takes a drink, setting it gently on the table where her fingers lace back around it. "It's a terrible thing, for a child to be afraid of their father, don't you think? Especially for someone like an elf. Or even a half-elf." Her head tilts and she considers Ling. "They live with it so much longer than we do."
“No, we won’t be dispatching you today. If you wish to be free of the dragon’s yoke, you will aid us when we hunt her down. Otherwise, I think we’ve made ourselves clear. Shall we?” Caio says, turning to his friends.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"There are many monsters between heaven and hell..." Ling muses as she stretches her arm across the table, tracing her outlines of Elodia's rings. "I like your rings," she says matter of factly, but she doesn't withdraw her fingers again. Gently, she taps her nail against a few of them, as if appreciating them, to test if the gems are real. Solid; if she drinks a little more... "Aren't most children afraid of their parents? Or is it different for your kind? Rich people have different worries, don't they." Ling smiles, more curious than antagonistic about their differences. "So if a half-elf were afraid of his father, what's it to you, my lady?"With her free hand, she brushes a strand of hair behind Elodia's ear, her touch as light as a feather's. "You're human."
Alaris watches the interplay between Zalika and the Trio Infernale. Their feelings roil within them, but the aasimar keeps quiet even through Nikolai's posturing. One of these days, he and I are going to have a serious disagreement, Alaris muses. And they call ME the judgmental one...
The paladin nods at Caio and bangs Hope's Edge against the flat of Caio's blade in friendly camaraderie. "We have other work to do, for sure."
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...