Reaching out to summon her sword, its form emerges from the usual manifestation of roiling shadows. But as she tightens her grasp, her fingers sink into the handle as it remains in a semi-corporeal state. She lifts it and strikes a nearby tree, only to watch it pass harmlessly through the wood. "Oh no." She searches for a solution, coming to the idea of attempting what she had been unable to do last night. "z̶̦̜͕̲̊̚d̶̡̢̟͙̮̖̿̄ͅí̴̲̒͂̓͗̂ͅy̵͔̐̌̈́́̑̐͐k̵̥̹̹̊̑̏̍́́͐̉ͅr̴͗͆͗̄̀͘-" The white hot pain sears her throat once more and leaves her choking and gasping for air.
Alaris rushes over and slips an arm around Shiva to support her. "Shiva, love, this is scaring me."
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...
This recitation halts all other thoughts in her mind. Shiva had only ever spoken of those words to Ling and Nikolai, and that was quite a long time ago. Perhaps this truly was the entity that reached out to her, maybe... "No, whatever reached out to me wouldn't repeat those words so arrogantly. They were the only ones they've ever spoke to me."
"I don't trust you. Fine, keep the damned sword, at least give me the spurs in return."
Alaris's words snap her back to the campsite, their arm helping her to stand upright. "I'm alright, Ari. I keep choking on the name of my sword, it burns horribly every time I try to say it. The Collector told it to me, it's his blade apparently. He's the one I was talking to just now, seems he wants it back."
Shiva's eyes darken as she looks away from Alaris to stare into the distance "No. If you want it, keep it. I'd like the spurs to help me get to the runestone. Nothing more."
"Foolish girl," the Collector scoffs, "to turn your back on such power, all in the name of pride. There will come a day, in your darkest hour, when you know true despair and regret. In that moment, I will be waiting and the price will be all the higher for it."
As the whisper in Shiva's mind fades to silence, she notices a soft clink and a new weight inside her pack. The sword in her hand dissolves into shadow and is gone.
As she releases her grip on the blade, she smirks to herself. "I refuse to be a puppet in the name of power. Have fun waiting, jackass." She reaches into her pack and feels the cool metal of the spurs on her palm. "Was that a good idea?" "Probably not. But I don't want to be indebted to that thing for any reason."
She then turns back to Alaris with an optimistic smile. "All good. Seems like my claws will be my main weapon from now on."
Alaris wraps Shiva in a warm hug. "I won't pretend to understand where your power comes from, but I trust you." Releasing her, they continue, "I will help if the burden becomes too much. And if I must stand between your power and the light and life of innocents... You can trust me to do that for you."
Turning back to morning preparations, they ask, "Astrid, what news from your kin?"
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...
"Come here and let me take a look at that, hun," Astrid says to Shiva once Alaris has released her. The dwarf steps up on her tiptoes and cranes her neck trying to examine before finally pulling her down to her level. "That does look painful." She prods the blackened tongue of the tiefling a couple of times. "Let's get this taken care of, hrmm," she says placing her hands along her patient's jaw. "Brightmantle, take this evil curse from the dark planes away from my friend." With the words spoken, her hands begin to glow with a cool radiance. As the cooling sensation fades so does Shiva's affliction. "There we go. All better,"she says with a confident smile.
The dwarf turns to regard Alaris and their question. "Oh, that... Yes. We may need to go a bit out of our way once we get to Mingol Bar. They asked me to travel to Kazad Grimm to make sure they know what's heading that way... I know you are trying to get your clergy here to Littlewood, so I can catch up if you all want to continue..?"
"Thanks, Ari. Things have been weird lately, and I appreciate the help." She wraps her arms around the aasimar's waist and returns the hug as Astrid approaches.
It takes her a moment, once the dwarven healer is examining her, to realize that it would be much easier for the woman if she merely knelt. But that moment passes as she is brought down to Astrid's height and proper healing is administered. The harsh burning sensation that ran from her tongue to the depths of her throat is soothed in a matter of moments, allowing Shiva to breathe and speak without pain. "Thank you, Astrid. That's twice that I owe you, now." She then looks over to the pilgrims and the clergy as the dwarf provides info on her planned detour. "I'm sure that these folk wouldn't mind a minor interruption if it means preserving the life and light of a great many others?" She speaks with an exaggerated imitation of Brother Ludomir's cadence.
Caio looks on with suspicion plain on his face as Shiva consorts with whatever entity is assailing her now, but he is grateful for the tender care of Alaris and Astrid. “Is there no way we can send word to Kazad Grimm without taking a detour?”
"Yes, I guess we could send a message somehow."Astrid replies. "I just worry that there is some plot between the Kazad Grimm and the Sarameians. Also, if the Grimmi are going to turn their back on Khazak Ankor, I don't think walking into a nest full of traitors will be a good idea," she add reconsidering her earlier sentiment. "Do you think sending an anonymous letter letting them know that their plot with the Empire is known and should reconsider allowing them to cross our lands...?"
Caio considers this for a moment, one black nailed finger tapping against his chin. “That could prove a tad inflammatory, particularly if this plot is not as developed as you fear. A letter would do, but perhaps make it more an insinuation than a damnation. You’re ‘concerned rumors may be true’ and you ‘implore loyal dwarves to stand up and resist the Sarameians’ or something like that.” he offers with a shrug. As much as he loved strategy and intrigue, politics and war were not exactly his forte.
While the others talk of treachery and tact, Shiva thinks of what she was given in return for her blade. Walking a few meters away, she retrieves the spurs from her bag and brings them together with a clink.
A cloud of roiling smoke billows out from the point where the spurs touch, immediately engulfing Shiva and masking her from sight. It's thick and acrid and tastes of brimstone and when it finally clears, an enormous black horse can be seen stood facing her. Its mane, tail and hooves are wreathed in flame and its fiery red eyes betray a malevolent intelligence. The beast snorts and glares down at Shiva, as though waiting for something.
Shiva's eyes sting as the smoke envelops her, and she almost comes to believe that the Collector had crossed her and poisoned her when she hears the huff of a horse. In the light of day, she draws in a breath of astonishment at the beauty of the horse and its fiery features. But she's quickly drawn to the malign intent behind its eyes. "Right, first impressions." Manifesting the jagged teeth of the demon, she gives the horse a big toothy smile. "Hello Énbarr. Your boss and I aren't seeing eye-to-eye right now, but that shouldn't mean that we can't be great friends." She steps forward and gently pets her new mount.
Énbarr tosses her head imperiously and stamps at the ground in front of Shiva, leaving blackened scorch marks on the forest floor. Her eyes meet Shiva's and a deep, empty hunger pits the Tiefling's stomach.
Shiva takes a step back as Énbarr seems to disregard her olive branch, but the sudden gnawing sensation that twists in her stomach is a familiar one that suggests that she isn't being completely stonewalled. "Are you hungry, then? Can you tell me what you normally eat?"
"Blood and flesh, if I had to guess," Alaris growls, staring at the fiendish apparition. Zadkiel whinnies and snorts from where she stands by the carriage, as well. The stench of brimstone and sulfur sears the aasimar's nostrils and their eyes run with tears from the smoke. Alaris strides over to Zadkiel to calm her before she disturbs the priors.
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 turns to find Shiva has suddenly become a conjurer. He rolls his eyes at this latest development and walks over to inspect the infernal steed. “It’s a nightmare.” he says flatly. “They hunt in small packs across the Shadowfell. Alaris you guessed right.”
"Because you are strong, Shiva," the Collector tells her smugly. "You have passion and I. See. You."
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
Alaris rushes over and slips an arm around Shiva to support her. "Shiva, love, this is scaring me."
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...
This recitation halts all other thoughts in her mind. Shiva had only ever spoken of those words to Ling and Nikolai, and that was quite a long time ago. Perhaps this truly was the entity that reached out to her, maybe... "No, whatever reached out to me wouldn't repeat those words so arrogantly. They were the only ones they've ever spoke to me."
"I don't trust you. Fine, keep the damned sword, at least give me the spurs in return."
Alaris's words snap her back to the campsite, their arm helping her to stand upright. "I'm alright, Ari. I keep choking on the name of my sword, it burns horribly every time I try to say it. The Collector told it to me, it's his blade apparently. He's the one I was talking to just now, seems he wants it back."
A dark chuckle echoes through Shiva's mind.
"If you wish to avail yourself of my gifts, Shiva, you need only ask... I'm sure that we can come to some kind of arrangement."
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
Shiva's eyes darken as she looks away from Alaris to stare into the distance "No. If you want it, keep it. I'd like the spurs to help me get to the runestone. Nothing more."
"Foolish girl," the Collector scoffs, "to turn your back on such power, all in the name of pride. There will come a day, in your darkest hour, when you know true despair and regret. In that moment, I will be waiting and the price will be all the higher for it."
As the whisper in Shiva's mind fades to silence, she notices a soft clink and a new weight inside her pack. The sword in her hand dissolves into shadow and is gone.
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
As she releases her grip on the blade, she smirks to herself. "I refuse to be a puppet in the name of power. Have fun waiting, jackass." She reaches into her pack and feels the cool metal of the spurs on her palm. "Was that a good idea?" "Probably not. But I don't want to be indebted to that thing for any reason."
She then turns back to Alaris with an optimistic smile. "All good. Seems like my claws will be my main weapon from now on."
Alaris wraps Shiva in a warm hug. "I won't pretend to understand where your power comes from, but I trust you." Releasing her, they continue, "I will help if the burden becomes too much. And if I must stand between your power and the light and life of innocents... You can trust me to do that for you."
Turning back to morning preparations, they ask, "Astrid, what news from your kin?"
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...
"Come here and let me take a look at that, hun," Astrid says to Shiva once Alaris has released her. The dwarf steps up on her tiptoes and cranes her neck trying to examine before finally pulling her down to her level. "That does look painful." She prods the blackened tongue of the tiefling a couple of times. "Let's get this taken care of, hrmm," she says placing her hands along her patient's jaw. "Brightmantle, take this evil curse from the dark planes away from my friend." With the words spoken, her hands begin to glow with a cool radiance. As the cooling sensation fades so does Shiva's affliction. "There we go. All better," she says with a confident smile.
The dwarf turns to regard Alaris and their question. "Oh, that... Yes. We may need to go a bit out of our way once we get to Mingol Bar. They asked me to travel to Kazad Grimm to make sure they know what's heading that way... I know you are trying to get your clergy here to Littlewood, so I can catch up if you all want to continue..?"
"Thanks, Ari. Things have been weird lately, and I appreciate the help." She wraps her arms around the aasimar's waist and returns the hug as Astrid approaches.
It takes her a moment, once the dwarven healer is examining her, to realize that it would be much easier for the woman if she merely knelt. But that moment passes as she is brought down to Astrid's height and proper healing is administered. The harsh burning sensation that ran from her tongue to the depths of her throat is soothed in a matter of moments, allowing Shiva to breathe and speak without pain. "Thank you, Astrid. That's twice that I owe you, now." She then looks over to the pilgrims and the clergy as the dwarf provides info on her planned detour. "I'm sure that these folk wouldn't mind a minor interruption if it means preserving the life and light of a great many others?" She speaks with an exaggerated imitation of Brother Ludomir's cadence.
Caio looks on with suspicion plain on his face as Shiva consorts with whatever entity is assailing her now, but he is grateful for the tender care of Alaris and Astrid. “Is there no way we can send word to Kazad Grimm without taking a detour?”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
"Yes, I guess we could send a message somehow." Astrid replies. "I just worry that there is some plot between the Kazad Grimm and the Sarameians. Also, if the Grimmi are going to turn their back on Khazak Ankor, I don't think walking into a nest full of traitors will be a good idea," she add reconsidering her earlier sentiment. "Do you think sending an anonymous letter letting them know that their plot with the Empire is known and should reconsider allowing them to cross our lands...?"
Caio considers this for a moment, one black nailed finger tapping against his chin. “That could prove a tad inflammatory, particularly if this plot is not as developed as you fear. A letter would do, but perhaps make it more an insinuation than a damnation. You’re ‘concerned rumors may be true’ and you ‘implore loyal dwarves to stand up and resist the Sarameians’ or something like that.” he offers with a shrug. As much as he loved strategy and intrigue, politics and war were not exactly his forte.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
While the others talk of treachery and tact, Shiva thinks of what she was given in return for her blade. Walking a few meters away, she retrieves the spurs from her bag and brings them together with a clink.
A cloud of roiling smoke billows out from the point where the spurs touch, immediately engulfing Shiva and masking her from sight. It's thick and acrid and tastes of brimstone and when it finally clears, an enormous black horse can be seen stood facing her. Its mane, tail and hooves are wreathed in flame and its fiery red eyes betray a malevolent intelligence. The beast snorts and glares down at Shiva, as though waiting for something.
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
Shiva's eyes sting as the smoke envelops her, and she almost comes to believe that the Collector had crossed her and poisoned her when she hears the huff of a horse. In the light of day, she draws in a breath of astonishment at the beauty of the horse and its fiery features. But she's quickly drawn to the malign intent behind its eyes. "Right, first impressions." Manifesting the jagged teeth of the demon, she gives the horse a big toothy smile. "Hello Énbarr. Your boss and I aren't seeing eye-to-eye right now, but that shouldn't mean that we can't be great friends." She steps forward and gently pets her new mount.
Énbarr tosses her head imperiously and stamps at the ground in front of Shiva, leaving blackened scorch marks on the forest floor. Her eyes meet Shiva's and a deep, empty hunger pits the Tiefling's stomach.
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
Shiva takes a step back as Énbarr seems to disregard her olive branch, but the sudden gnawing sensation that twists in her stomach is a familiar one that suggests that she isn't being completely stonewalled. "Are you hungry, then? Can you tell me what you normally eat?"
"Blood and flesh, if I had to guess," Alaris growls, staring at the fiendish apparition. Zadkiel whinnies and snorts from where she stands by the carriage, as well. The stench of brimstone and sulfur sears the aasimar's nostrils and their eyes run with tears from the smoke. Alaris strides over to Zadkiel to calm her before she disturbs the priors.
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 turns to find Shiva has suddenly become a conjurer. He rolls his eyes at this latest development and walks over to inspect the infernal steed. “It’s a nightmare.” he says flatly. “They hunt in small packs across the Shadowfell. Alaris you guessed right.”
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger