Legend of Ransera

Posted: **Tue Jan 19, 2021 2:01 pm**

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Talon jerked back in surprise as he heard Madeline’s voice reaching out to him through the strange sphere that the monks were channeling their focus into. He had little time to truly delve into the mystery that presented itself as the spirit of the woman announced the arrival of something far more devious. Shadows danced and with a shrill shriek of pain, it made itself known. Talon’s eyes went wide as he beheld it. The memory of the previous winter had the Avialae going rigid. Had he not seen something similar to this? Had he not gone toe-to-toe with a creature just as vile and terrible?

He remembered that night vividly. He could still feel in his bones just how close to death he had been when he had faced down that terrible Archwraith from that bitter winter. So many lives had been lost in the defense of the city from that attack. It had been terrible and terrifying. Talon himself had nearly been killed as he and his companion at the time faced off against the wicked creature. It had been a thing of absolute torment and nightmares, wielding eldritch flames that burned the body and bound the soul to its service. He and Riven had battled it but in the end...they never managed to defeat it. It had vanished following the events of that night, chased back into the Warrens as the forces of Kalzasi turned the tide against foes that crept up from the deep reaches. He shivered, the feathers of his wings fluffing up as his nerves were on edge.

Talon had a decision to make. His instincts were telling him that if they could just find the final dragonshard and activate the monolith, perhaps that would even the odds against this terrible creature. As he looked at the gathered however, he knew that he was among the most able bodied defenders in the group. Lyra was powerful, of all those present he knew that she was among those most capable of dealing with undead threats. But against something so violent? Her work was best applied when given time to prepare. He knew nothing of the Orkhan’s skills and he knew even less about Hyoga’s save for the fact that he seemed a ready fighter. No, there was truly only one course of action. He took a deep breath and gripped his emotions tightly. Reaching out across his bond he mentally threaded his fingers with that of his Companion.

Please, guard me from its dark influence. I need your help, Aoren.

He felt a firm and resounding acknowledgement. The bond between them felt as strong as it could be in that instance. That was all he could ask for. He had to believe it would be enough to throw off any sort of mental assault the creature attacked him with.

“Find the last dragonshard! Lyra, if you are going to try anything with the monolith, I urge you to do it fast! I will hold it off for as long as I can!” With that, Talon gripped his sword tightly. He had perhaps two more hits with it before the anchor woven around the blade dissipated and the necromantic power to attack spirits went with it. Talon sprinted forward spreading his wings and taking flight. He opened himself up to the Aether Flux, setting his sights on the space right before the Wraith of Torment. With a flick of his thoughts he easily brought the flow of his own movements into synchronous flow with that of the flux in that space. The result had him barreling forward through the air, sword raised and ready to strike. He made no ferocious battlecry. He did not try to flag its attention but rather moved swiftly and with a focus attempting to catch the monstrosity off guard. As he moved, Talon set the Aether Flux in motion around his body creating a rippling field of disruption in the flux to ward off things thrown his way.

When he neared he swung mightily, determined to keep this thing’s attention so that the others might figure out a way to purge this area of the dark powers that haunted it.

"First Son of House Novalys"

Posted: **Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:24 pm**

As the Wraith was slane Lyra sighed and stood slowly, brushing off the front of her robes as she turned to inspect the room at large. Something ELSE had appeared and was engaging with Be'melar, and the monk like figures had shifted somehow, playing with forces that Lyra could not quite make out. Glancing over her shoulder Lyra waved both Galius and Finn toward her. From the pocket of her robes Lyra took out her aura glasses once more, following the lines of magic that streamed through the very air.

"That was well done Or-- Galius. I assume the creature dropped something?" She would look to Galius before shifting her eyes to Finn, waiting for him to show her the Greater Aqualyth shard. She would nod before turning to inspect the field once more, "I do not see signs of the other wraiths which had appeared... I believe then it is safe to assume that they dropped similar items like this. That would make three."

Curiously Lyra appeared at the new wraith-like creature, noting its aura was much larger than the other spiritual beings had been. The very air seemed to vibrate with static, and one cast of her eyes over the monument in the center told Lyra all she needed to know.

"The keystones are guarded." Lyra said at last, removing the aura glasses and storing them back in her pocket, "The woman said that we merely needed to charge the keystones, correct?"

Her expression grew thoughtful as she began to rummage in her satchel, pulling out a vial of red-tinted ink and a long writing stylus made of bone. Setting the vial of ink on a tall boulder near the edge of the spring Lyra began to roll up the sleeve of her left arm, revealing that her tattoos did indeed go all the way up past her elbow. As she spoke Lyra dipped her quill in the ink and began to inscribe a series of pictographs starting at her fingers, moving up to past where her sleeve ended at the forearm.

"I cannot see details, but it appears the keystones are guarded by some form of magic. It looks similar to the aether that the specter is giving off. If you touch a keystone it is likely to be your end." Lyra said this with a simple matter-of-factness as she continued to create more and more complex designs on her arm, weaving between the glyphs that were already present. For those who could read such things, the glyphs were designed for grasping, containment, and several entwined impression of ripping and tearing the soul.

"Finn, you go to that one." She pointed the end of her bone stylus toward Hyoga, who had completed dispatching the wraith of despair, "Collect the dragonshard he likely possess and have him guard you on the way to the keystone for the shard you possess. Instruct him that he is to wait at his own keystone for when the protections are removed." Lyra finished up the last few lines of her work and raised her arm, holding it up as the ink quickly dried and sank into her skin like a tattoo, "Galius, follow me to where Be'melar is. The Greater Pyrolyth shard should be with him, or near him. Find it and go to the keystone as well. Await my next instructions."

Lyra gave the orders with all the air of someone who completely expected them to be obeyed. The ink was capped and returned with the bone stylus to her satchel. Artur flicked his tongue at Galius as Lyra rummaged around and took out two more vials of ichor, handing one to both Galius and Finn. She then pulled out two more vials, one filled with simply Ichor, and the other with several gems inside. She pocketed these and closed her bag which magically sealed once more.

She looked between Galius and Finn, and hesitated for a moment before breathing out in a slow breath. Black smoke flowed from her lips, spirling toward and around Galius and Finn. In those tendrils, Lyra wove a mesmer spell, one similar to what she had used with the wraith of Horror. It would bolster their confidence, and push down on feelings of doubt and fear. For added effect Lyra entwined the piece of herself with the ability to speak in soft comforting voices should they require it, urging them on in their task. When they breathed in the smoke would flow into their bodies, and the magic taking effect.

"Do not die." Lyra said simply before turning and striding with quick and sure steps toward Talon, who was fighting with the Wraith of Torment.

As she walked Lyra breathed out, black smoke falling from her mouth in rippling waves to pool around her. It did not dissipate, however, but spread in slowly widening arches at just below knee height. The smoke trailed steadily behind Lyra as she moved, each step sending a ripple in the growing wave. Through that smoke, Lyra imparted a piece of her magic, and those who came into contact with it would find their agitations and worried soothed down as their confidence and courage bolstered. Lyra did this to combat the growing sense of dread she felt in the air while looking at this new wraith. The waves of power it gave off nearly eclypsed the Horror that Galius had dispatched before, and thus would require more... force to overcome.

She stopped several paces from the monolith, eyes watching Talon as he fought. She glanced for a moment toward the monks, eyes narrowing but for the time being she put them from her mind. The black smoke spread out further to encompass the monolith as a whole, and Lyra smiled.

She could hear them, the symphonies of the chamber. With focus she tuned out everything but Talon's rhythms. She could hear it then, even while he was in the air. That trill of fear, anxiety, and nervousness tamped down until it was so high pitched it was almost silent... almost. What Lyra had learned long ago was that bottling fear did nothing but increase its hold upon you, and thus with a dismissive wave of her hand Lyra silenced it completely. Then, like with Galius and Finn, Lyra wove a series of melodies into Talon's Symphony. Strength and tenacity, pressing down and quieting the reservations of battle and hardening resolve. Lyra sang a song that only she could hear, to only one person in the audience.

"Be brave." Lyra whispered to herself as she raised her arms. In one hand Lyra held her last vial of Ichor, and in a louder voice she called out, "Be'melar!" She tugged at his symphonies as she shouted, pulling at his attention as she sent a wave of confounding tones at the Wraith of Torment to distract it. She then threw the vial with all of her might, hoping that Talon would see and react in time to grab it before it fell.

With that done, however, Lyra stepped closer to one of the Keystones, the last one whose dragonshard had yet to be found. Artur on her shoulder hissed as she felt the charged static react to his own lighting shard. She glanced at the wraith, her mind turning over ideas. She needed that thing to come to her... Now, what could she do with a large, empowered ancient structure covered in glyphs?

Posted: **Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:23 pm**

Company: Many People| Thoughts: Lets Go!!!!! | Mood: Excited!!!

㊋ It was somewhat disappointing that this one died so quickly, but he guessed it couldn't be helped at all, he was skilled after all. He watched as the glittering gem fell to the ground, as it seemed to be what the wraith was guarding. Descending to the ground and out of the cloud of the fallen wraith, he stood there and looked at the stone as it shined.

All this fuss over these things, these shards, Hyoga just couldn't wrap his head around it. But what came next turned his confusion into pure excitement. The wail of something coming, watching as lightning and energy surged from the monolith. It didn't take a genius to sense something strong was making an appearance, and if there was one thing that got Hyo's blood pumping, it was the promise of a good fight.

Without saying a word the Kathar took off in the direction. "Just what could be coming to fight us now?" he mused as his wings flapped as fast as they carry him to the location. It didn't matter as long as he could have a worthy challenge. Flying over a pool of water, Hyo decided to call in some extra help, coaxing more flames to engulf his spear as he neared where the commotion was.

To his surprise, it was another of those wraith things, and this one looked strong, unlike the others. With a devilish smirk on his face and a flourish of his spear, he went into battle, seeing Talon already engaged with the monstrosity. Not wanting the warrior to be caught in the crossfire, Hyo circled around to the wraith's blindside behind it, and when Talon attacked, he did as well.

With a thrust of his spear, he sent it forward, hoping to stab the flaming weapon into the back of the wraith. He hoped the force of the attack for sending the thing into Talon's blade. He also was hoping that the flames on his weapon would damage it as well. If it didn't he'd regroup with Talon and figure out the best way to both enjoy this fight and take it out.

Looking to the other Avialae, he had a smile on his face. "Let's kill this thing together!!!" he cheered, a childish glee in his tone. ㊋

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:00 am**

Irrelevant He could have argued. But there was no point. Scooping up the shard that Finn had pointed out to him as it slid towards his feet. He gave the man a nod. Curious as to the potential that was hidden deep within him. Turning his attention back towards Lyra. As the woman had proven herself more then capable and as she continued with her speech like explanation. Galius found himself more and more intrigued by the aura surrounding her. Had he the time, he might try to push beyond his current limits. To expand into the more focused parts of her magics. But that would leave him defenseless. To focused on that which would be before him rather then that around him.

It tore at him to not be able to really study the people around him. There was a plethora of emotions floating within the air around them. There were more pressing matters at hand but he longed to study regardless. The undead that spoke around him. The wraiths and their ethereal forms. An almost growl like tone slipped between his lips. "Shame that I do not have more time to study you wraiths." Though it was a thought more to himself, the others could hear it if they so pleased. Eyes drifting to the snake that watched him. Unblinking as he glanced upon it curiously. Wondering if Lyra had meant to bring her pet to a fight? A breath leaving his lips as he stretched out his awareness. The flickering and subtle glow from the rune on his neck. Hidden just barely by the armor he wore. Giving in to his temptation for just a moment before letting it drop again. The colors and feel of the aura were familiar. Matching to the woman on which the snake rested. It was curious..

Glancing back at Finn and offering him a smile of sorts. "Relax your grip just a bit. We shall make it through this. There is much to experience in these caves." Offering his words as some sort of encouragement before raising his own blade again. Doing as he was instructed. Galius began his search for the other shard. Tucking the one he had gotten away in his pocket for safety. Ready to strike at anything deemed a threat.

Posted: **Thu Mar 04, 2021 4:08 pm**

All of their work and effort revolved around trying to uncover the secret behind this monolith, and now that they had revealed what had hidden away it was time for action. Talon sprung forth issuing for Lyra and the others to work together, making it known that the final piece of the puzzle had to be last Dragonshard. Yet where did it hide? How would it reveal itself within the moments to come, as everybody scrambled to where they needed to go. Within the northern area of the Stone Grove Rabu shifted, finally recollecting himself after the dispatchment of Despair. There he picked up the Greater Earth shard, collecting the Fire one as well when it gravitated toward him. His role was clear in this moment, they needed to be shared among those gathered, so that at just the right time they could all be ready. But ready for what?...

Lyra's melodies overtook Torment's own menacing aura as she bolstered the ranks, instilling courage and passion within her comrades while at the same time, weighing down the Wraith with principles of fear just as she did with Horror. It bought Talon and Hyoga just the right opportunity, for when they closed in one right after another, Talon soared past with a wicked cleave at the front of the entity. Having been cut by his blade, still infused with the ichor he'd applied, the Wraith screeched at a pitch so loud static cackled within the ears. Yet the combination wasn't over, for Hyoga's thrust of the burning spear inflicted more damage, the burning pain the Wraith felt unleashed into a burst of lightning that surged out as both Avialae retreated away. Sparks grazed both Talon and Hyoga in their evasion, while at the center of the blast shadow coalesced and enveloped the wraith's form, before the black cloud it became swirled and dove straight down into the monolith.

The very ground shook. From the southern keystone lightning struck upward, blasting some of the Undead that had drawn close to it. Screams of terror and awe filled the portion of the warrens, as charred and mangled parts of undead were thrown chaotically. Another crackling sound started near the western keystone, more lightning rising out of it like a pillar as the undead near it were blasted as well. Rabu who met with Lyra, Finn, and Galius at the Northern Keystone shifted, the cackling starting to take place as Lyra seemed to prepare for something. But what? Her arm had been covered in pictography that was meant to ensare, to trap the creature but in such close proximity to the keystone, she was at a risk of being jolted alive by the pillar.

At the sound of the whirring beneath her feet the air cracked as before, purple bolts of electricity threatening her as they rouse all around the keystone, dancing there for a minute before they faded just as the other pillars of lightning had, leading up to the final keystone on the eastern side displaying the same reaction as the rest. Another menacingly low growl vibrated beneath their feet, as though the Wraith itself were living within the Monolith somehow. And then just as the ensuing chaos died for a moment, the curtain of hope they needed wavered, bringing about the finality necessary to ending this once and for all.

Please! She pleaded to them. You must let me go back! It's their only chance! The monks did not move at all from their positions, however, one of them did look up to the spiritual ball of energy that was Madeline. There looked to be a deeply sad thought in his eye sockets, as though the choice itself was final. I understand that, but there's no choice! No time! Please!! Gradually easing his eyes back down to the center of their circle, the monk let out the softest of a groan, as though dirt and sand scratched at the very edges of his breath. With the eyelids to his sockets then closed he focused, as did his three fellow monks, the circle between them shifting as the runes rotated. They were dancing over one another now, as though the magics were being manipulated by the aether on their dragonshards. One by one each monk started to dissolve into dust, their aether feeding into the glyph until finally that last monk remained. Thank you!...

Madeline's voice was a sweet whisper to the monk, his body fading too as he gently grinned to the ball of light. As his body dissolved away the dragonshards that resided within him fell to the ground, several of them lesser and minor, as were the other shards left behind from the monk's bodies. However... From the center of that last monk did the Greater Aerolyth clink and bounced across the stone floor; at least half a foot in the direction of the southern keystone of the monolith. Madeline's very soul became enveloped with the glyphs and runes as they danced, her spirit darting about uncontrollably as her temporary prison broke down. The wards released themselves and in a blink of an eye, Madeline's soul shot forth back within the ground, the glyph's of the circle closing behind her before the circle itself faded away. Another tremor. Then another low growl. Only this time it sounded more drawn out, eventually becoming a crescendo of annoyed screeches as the Monolith's center started to glow. The lines of aether glowing down it's structure cycled between the eerie purple glow, to a brighter white glow, and then continued this cycle without end as more tremors ensued.

"Now's yer chance!!" The top half remains of an Undead called out to those near the northern keystone, which would be Lyra with Finn, Gaius, and Rabu. "Power the keystones!!"

"Speech"

!

Message from: Chronicle

Here we go! I had to play as Rabu a bit to help progress the first part of the thread. So here's the low-down;

Lyra, Gaius, Finn
You are all currently at the Northern Keystone of the Stone Grove, you have all three Greater Shards at your disposal now, so all that remains is getting into a keystone position of your choice. Lyra, you personally have one shot, to do the trick you would like to with the Wraith of Torment! Bear in mind when she approached the keystone in her previous post, she became at risk of being hit by the lightning pillar unleashed there, having only a few seconds to get away from it before the attack unleashed.

Talon and Hyoga
You're both on opposite sides of the Monolith's foundation, Hyo is near the Western keystone and Talon the Eastern, and you are both still flying in the air.

Overview
The Wraith of Torment has taken shelter temporarily within the Monolith, attempting to blast Talon and Hyo with lightning. The bolts were easy to dodge since they were both determined to pull away the moment they attacked, but if they were near one of the keystones when the lightning pillars struck, they would've needed to avoid that as well.

Madeline has been released back within the Monolith once again, and is currently fighting for control over it with the Wraith. This has caused heavy power fluctuations within the Monolith, buying everyone enough time to activate the Monolith by charging a keystone. Good luck!

Posted: **Sun Apr 25, 2021 4:16 pm**

Night of the Dead Living

65 Ash 120

Talon braced himself against the onslaught of lightning that surged forth from the wraith as he faced it. He brought up his sword it tightly in his grasp and angled the blade to accept the brunt of the blast. He reinforced the strength of the kinetic barrier that coated his body, using it to help keep him from being fried to a crisp under the barrage of lightning. Still, he felt the power cascade over him. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that had he not prepared himself for such an assault, he would have been deeply injured by the attack. As he watched the wraith disperse into a cloud, Talon gathered his wits and pushed forth slashing out with his blade. He had one last swing before what little was left of the ichor infused anchor on his blade was completely useless.

Talon swung, his blade cutting through the mists to catch against nothing. The wraith was gone, funneling itself back into the monolith. For what purpose? He did not know, nor was he learned enough in the ways of Scrivening to truly decipher the meaning of everything. What he could see however was the swelling of power within the space. His grey eyes darted down to those who were exposed to the bulk of the energies that were beginning to soar out of control.

“Damn.” Talon folded in his wings, diving down until he was placing himself firmly in the path of the jagged lightning that was surging forth out of the monolith. He sheathed his sword, pulling every ounce of aether that he could manage. Reaching out across the ripples of the aether flux, Talon grasped them with his will, exerting his influence over the weft and weave of power that existed in this place. He reached for the power of his Negation. Bundling together the aether he dropped an anchor directly in front of his body expanding the wall of shielding power and infusing it with the singular task of blocking aetheric discharge directed in their way. More and more he fed into the barrier, working diligently to protect himself, Lyra, Galius and Finn from the raging magic pouring out of the monolith.

“GET BEHIND ME!” Talon concentrated on keeping the barrier firmly in place. He interspersed his Negation barrier with what he could reinforce using his kinetics. The combination was shoddy but he hoped it would provide them enough cover to at least buy some time. Out of the corner of his eye he saw one of the last dragonshard fall from the dissolving monks. Again he shouted.

“The dragonshard! There!” Talon felt another barrage of power assault his barrier. He redoubled his efforts to block the magic that seemed intent on destroying them.

“Hurry! I cannot hold this in place forever!”

"First Son of House Novalys"

Posted: **Fri Mar 11, 2022 9:25 pm**

Talon's barrier held through as the might of the lightning began to cease, the keystones vibrating obnoxiously as power thrummed through them in one course. Yet the Wraith of Torment came back out of hiding, the energy of the Monolith now spent as the soul of Madeline returned to it's inner workings. Quite loudly, the power surge the structure experienced died out, as all the glowing runes and symbols lost their luster once the lightning cloaked wraith soared above the rest.

With a vicious cackle into the shadows above, the static pressure that had built within the area lessened, and within moments after the initial chaos waned the entity was gone without a trace. Slowly but steadily as the last of the glowing runes around the Monolith died out, the skeletons that walked the grounds around it started to perish as well. One by one, group by group, they all began to fall like dominos across the ground. Their decayed forms slowly dissolved into dust, as they began to leave behind a vast field of gemstones throughout the surrounding area.

Until finally the Monolith lost what little power was left, and shut down completely.

Name: Everyone!

Knowledge: 14 Skill Knowledges + the following Special Knowledge:

Wraiths: Wraith of Torment
Location: Macabre Monolith

Points: 18 XP for everyone who participated
Magic: These points can be used for magic!

Injuries: Given the length of time that has passed, nothing that everybody hasn't healed from.
Loot: Each participant gets a shared pool of Dragonshards! Please feel free to add these to your inventories:

+4 Minor Aetherite
+4 Minor Aerolyth
+4 Minor Aqualyth
+4 Minor Pyrolyth
+4 Minor Terrasyte

Comment: Well, this event had it's highlights while it was going. Was a good trial run, thank you all participants that partook in this event! Apologies for the long overdo review for this thread as well.

Welp, that's everything I'm sure! If you have any questions, or feel that something actually was missed; please do pm me so we can talk!

Legend of Ransera

[First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living

Re: [First Deep, Event] Night of the Dead Living