Legend of Ransera

Posted: **Fri Nov 01, 2024 10:34 pm**

A Hunt Gone Wrong
Ash 78th, 124th Year, A.o.S.

The first day of the annual Wild Hunt went off without so much as a hitch when it had concluded, hunters had brought in their game whether it had been a dire beast or a simply large creature such as elk or caribou. When the new day had started off those who had actively participated in The Hunt had resumed it in earnest, the earliest hunters having already combed the foggy boreal forests outside of Kalzasi.

What came unexpectedly, however, was the moment the bells of Kalzasi tolled ever so loudly, sounding out the alarm so that nearby settlements could also repeat the same behavior. A warning. One that issued the threat of an impending storm that had started brewing from the west, with the ominous clouds rolling in to signify what exactly had settled in on the fringes of Kalzasi proper.

A Dread Mist storm.

Though subtle in the initial wake of the storm, its presence slowly converted the fog into an eerie aetherial mist, causing random lights akin to lightning bugs to glow within the iridescent vapors pervading the reaches of the Wildking's Forge. Those who heard the tolls were keen enough to travel to their nearest township or a foothold within the city, someplace that would at least offer protection against the coming storm that threatened to saturate the hunting grounds with ambient aether.

What they did not expect, however, was that while the magic pylons often distributed from Kalzasi among the towns activated, was how dense the overwhelming fog quickly became once the illumite defenses warded off the impending threat. A Category Two Dread Mist storm loomed within the Northlands, threatening those who simply weren't apt to retreat to safety right away; or simply were too far out to make it back to where safety remained in store for them.

An hour into the lingering Dread Mist storm, and the fog itself did not seem to relent in the slightest. Rather, ranks of the Sky Guard were soon seen flying out into the storm with their own Illumite protections at the ready, for a new threat somehow lurked within the coverage of the Mists. Undead. In both creature and mortal form, ghoulish forms of animal and hunter alike stalked the aetheric miasma that saturated the Wildking's Forge. Not just in dismal numbers either, as slowly and steadily...

An entire horde marched it's way to either Dawnhold, and even Kalzasi, in a slow stride toward the glimmering defenses that stood as a bulwark against the Dread Mist.

The Wild Hunt had taken an abysmally unexpected turn for the worst.

!

Message from: Chronicle

Welcome to the prompted event for The Wild Hunt this Ash! The following prompt is the source of this moderated event:

► Show Spoiler

This event is open to any who may participate, but will only remain open up to three participants! If you wish run separate threads in correlation with this event, that is also an option, but this thread will serve as the main bulk of the event! You may post your entrances in whatever way that fits your PC's, whether they were participating in the hunt or have joined the Sky Guard's efforts in trying to rescue stragglers. I will post a response swiftly once the thread has garnered 3 participants.

Be sure to include a list of items in your PC's inventories if they intend to aid in the search and rescue, or against the skirmish against the Undead that are marching toward Dawnhold. Good luck, and happy late Halloween!

Posted: **Fri Nov 08, 2024 2:50 am**

T A L O N

A few days ago…

Fear. Panic. Helplessness. These feelings washed across the Bond rousing Talon from his sleep. As the bleariness of deep slumber still gripped him, his first instinct was to reach for the steady warmth of the body that was always next to him. His fingers were gently grasped only moments after reaching for Aoren. Warm lips pressed against the palm of his hand and again he felt that trill of fear. Talon realized that these were not feelings coming from him but from Aoren. He opened his eyes more fully, blinking away the sleep. He opened himself up to more of Aoren's thoughts. From his husband he could feel distress, uneasiness, and a brief flash of horror. Before he could probe deeper, a hazy veil fell between them.

No, love. I will not burden you with my nightmares.

Warmth like the kiss of summer's breeze brushed across Talon's mind. Again, Aoren kissed his hand. Talon looked up at his bondmate, his lover, his husband. Aoren's handsome features were slightly paler than normal. There was a thin sheen of sweat on his brow and he could see from the tense set of the muscles in his shoulders that whatever had been in this dream, had disturbed him greatly. Gently, Talon tugged Aoren toward him. His partner did not resist as he climbed more fully back into the coziness of their bed.

It is never a burden. I am yours. Seek shelter in me when you have need of it.

Talon adjusted his wings, lifting one to drape across their bodies just as he folded the other. Aoren adjusted his wings and tugged Talon so that Talon was resting comfortably atop his body, head laying on his broad chest. The depth of their Bond was such that neither of them could truly hide their thoughts from the other if either of them really wanted to look deeper. But just as Aoren would never force his way into the privacy of Talon's inner thoughts, so too would Talon respect his husband's desire for such privacy. He offered comfort and support, remaining a gentle presence that soothed the raw edges of the tattered emotions snapping in Aoren's mind with his own sense of peace. Talon was rewarded with a kiss atop his head and feeling Aoren's tense body ease beneath him. Slowly, Talon began to feel his eyes droop, lulled back into sleep by the comfort of Aoren's arms around him and the lullaby of his steady heartbeat in his ear.

Talon?

Eyes closed, he quirked a brow only slightly and turned his drifting thoughts to his husband's mind to let him know that he was listening. Again he felt Aoren's lips upon his scalp.

Stay close to me in the days ahead. Just…just stay close.

It was a strange request. They were seldom far from one another. He let out a soft hum of acknowledgement as Thiovan ushered him back into the realm of dreams.

----
78 Ash 124

“How many are unaccounted for?” Talon had his palms flat on the war table within the Citadel of Light. He was looking at a real time projection of the lands around Dawnhold. Using a manipulation of his dominion over Light combined with a carefully inscribed lorestone network, they were able to discern a few locations around the area. The aether drenched fog was heavily obscuring what they could see but the citadel, Light's Reach and a few outposts were still visible.

And encroaching on them, the hordes of undead.

“Too many, my prince. I am not certain that we have enough knights to combat all of them.” Talon took in a deep breath as he listened.

“The presence of the mists makes it difficult to navigate. Many of the Spellforged are trained in Negation. If we leave a garrison in Light's Reach and Dawnhold, we can send detachments into the mists to search for survivors.” Talon considered the plan. He concentrated, extending his senses across the expanse of the landscape peering through the Light to all that he could see. It was sparse. The presence of the aether saturated mists impeded most of his sight. He was blind in a way that he had not been for quite some time but it was nothing he could not overcome.

“No. The bulk of civilians are within the citadel and in Light's Reach. We are well fortified here but the defenses of Dawnhold and the town are untested.” He looked up at the knights in the room. “Those we find will need a safe haven to fall back to. Bolster the protections of the citadel, send a full detachment of knights to protect Light's Reach.”

Talon began issuing orders to the knights, knowing that they would be followed to the best of their ability. As the conference concluded, he ran a hand through his hair, exhaling softly before turning to head to his quarters to don his armor. He had turned his heel only to see Aoren standing there, fully geared and holding his equipment. His expression was serious, his thoughts hooded. Talon's initial thought was to have his husband bolster the protections of Light's Reach but by the set of Aoren's jaw, he could already tell that the dragon would not hear any such idea. They stared at each other for a moment before Talon sighed, shaking his head. He retrieved a leather strap from his wrist and tied back his hair. In short order, Aoren was helping him don his armor. When Talon was fully dressed, he stood up straight, rolled his shoulders and flexed his wings.

Aoren stepped up to him, hands coming up to rest on his hips. The red dragon pressed a kiss to his brow before pressing their foreheads together. The fire in his eyes burned more strongly.

“Stay close to me.”

Before he could question Aoren, he felt the fold of the Slipspace open and the two of them were teleported outside the gates of Dawnhold, beyond Light's Reach and to the edge of the ward's protections. The dense fog was waiting for them, a wall of opalescent terror within which an entire horde of shambling undead awaited them…somewhere.

Off Topic

Will fill in my gear list shortly!

Posted: **Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:19 pm**

B A U D R I C

78 Ash 124 AoS

It had been some time since Baudric had been in these dream familiar lands. It had taken him two years for most of his memories of Kalzasi to return to him. And even then most of them were barely a fog coated remembrance. But he remembered light. The light of five souls in the greyscape that was his Imperium caged mind. That greyscape was gone now. Removed along with the collar that held him under the oppressive rule of his Kathar birth. In that collar's place now rested a thick Leather choker, likely a dog collar of sorts. He had found it randomly in his travels and took comfort in having the item hug his neck. Why he continued to keep to a symbol of oppression still eluded him. But it felt safe. He felt safe with it on. The thoughts of his time here with his broken collar meeting those five souls would become his driving force in recent months. He had a new goal and a new purpose. And today, this day, he would finally return to the Capitol.

As he drew closer and the day passed on. The cool crisp air turned more harsh. A mist began to set in. At first it looked like any mist, but with the passing hour something about it gave him chills. He did not like the air. It spoke of death and terror. Urgency of haste began to settle into his bones. Without a second thought he took to the sky, keeping a close eye on the forest below him. Any thing that caught his attention out of the ordinary would be his targets. The mist grew into a fog. Vision was more obscured, to the point he now longer knew in what direction he flew. If it wasn't for his close eyes on the surroundings he would not have caught the tree he flew towards in time. Quickly, he dive rolled away from the trunk and swooped beneath some branches. Landing, he tucked his wings up and took stock of the air about him. It was thick with Aether. Unsettled he unlatched his tower shield and pulled Xuè yá from its sheath. For the past two and half years it had remained at his side. Even after the Imperium had tried to confiscate it, he managed to steal it back. Though at the time he had no idea it was his. Only felt that it belonged in his grasp. It was four months ago that the memory of Talon bequeathing it to him for their first mission with Aoren to end an Ice demon and its undead thralls. It felt like it had always been a part of him, almost as having a shield in his hand felt natural.

His feet carried him swiftly through the dense Ather. Seeking some form of land marker to help him determine where he was going. Stopping near bodies of water to look for trees covered in moss. With the proximity to water and the path of the sun the majority of mosses should grow on a particular side. Using that and a vague memory of a map studied to find Dawnhold, he knew he was close.

A scream of terror rang out into the air, turning to track in which direction it came. Sprinting harder, faster, in desperation towards it. Finding the form of a young boy gripped in his fathers arms as they fled from something.

"To me!" Calling out to the pair as the man stumbled, Baudric rushed to meet him "From what do you flee sir?!"

"M-mm-monsters! They came out of the mist! man and beast! We need to leave sir! Please! We cannot stay!
"Are their more back there? Or are you the only one?" The man did not answer further only scrambled to continue running. Baudric had no choice but to follow. Without knowing there were more to be saved he had to take care of the ones here now! A crack of wood splitting behind him sounded the call, behind him a familiar sight of undead shambled from the trees. Behind them a large bear missing its lower jaw, crushed a rotted log beneath it's weight. Now understanding the full weight of what was happening he knew he needed to see the two to the nearest fortification. But the man was running the wrong way. There was nothing but more woods in that direction.

"No! Veer to your left! Kalzasi is that direction! I will protect you just keep moving in that direction!"
The man did as he was instructed. The child he carried was unconscious, dressed in very fine clothing. A nobleborn most like. The man however, looked more like a servant, with a more discerning eye. Suddenly the man stopped looking back to Baudric with terror as he now stood at the top of a cliff that seemed to stretch for a while. Baudric quickly sheathed the jet and crimson sword, grabbed hold of them both. Grateful for once of his size to carry a slender man and child. His wings shot out to the sides, Baudric leapt from the cliff. Still terrified the servant man took notice of the wings in that moment. Though they did not register in his mind as he was soon tumbling from the cliff. His scream, rang in Baudric's ear, causing it to dull for a moment. Then silence.

Looking down to see the man had passed out like the child. "Scheiße!!" Landing down at the bottom he needed to shift the two of them over his shoulder fast, needed to resume running for sanctuary before the undead caught up.

...He needed to protect them...

Gear

► Show Spoiler

Posted: **Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:53 pm**

While Hilana hunted regularly in her desert homeland, and she was quite certain of her capabilities here in these forests, she wasn't partaking in the event. She and Athalia were on the hunt for something far more valuable, though whether or not they would be able to find it was a different thing altogether. The Vastiana sisters were hunting for Verdantite, and what better place to do it than the Wildking's Forge? With the change in the weather, and considering the number of people out, they had forewent their usual colourful attire for something more protective and more muted.

They had been granted some dragonshard mining equipment from Novalys Mining Co., and some suggestions about where to go on a map. She didn't think they were going to send her on a wild goose hunt, her friendship with Talon was known there, and the sisters had helped in the mines twice to rescue workers and force back the monsters that rose from the Warrens. With good equipment and recommendations for searching, Hilana was more than prepared to spend their day off out here. It had just coincided with the Wild Hunt. Lia was less enthused about doing this when she could have been at home with Kalor, talking with her little palarae companion, and enjoying tea, the sand, and some reading. There were all kinds of stories the little one might like to hear, and games could be made and enjoyed.

They would find the best possible ways to teach him, but beyond that, Athalia just thoroughly his presence. The little spirit in the golem was friendly, and made for a fun companion. She wasn't as high energy as her sister with the need for as much going on as Hilana did, and just having a friend to keep her company that wouldn't get hair all over her sewing projects, and wasn't cold-blooded and scaly with fangs and venom. Sure, not all of Hilana's snakes were venomous, but the broad majority of them were and she didn't mind not holding them. She only rarely held one of Hilana's pythons. No, Sivan Sunrunner's creation was much more suitable for her. But still, she didn't want Hilana out here on her own without a way to contact her, because otherwise she would be out here in the depths of the forest all day and all night searching for Verdantite, only to come home and get changed for work.

Navigating through this terrain was a new experience for Hilana. She was used to her endless sands, and when one was navigating that sea, it was knowing where you were by knowing where you had been. In this forest, there was much more to go by - to some people, one tree might be the same as another, but for someone like her who had the botanical knowledge to distinguish, and the little help from Semblance as she was using it, she was making her own markers to keep track of their progress. She could tell directions by the temperature and colour of the bark on the trees, as it told her where the light rose and fell. Her own internal sense, carefully honed and practiced endlessly over nearly the entirety of her life, told her the right of it, and if she was ever in doubt, she had her Volumen. That, however, she would try not to rely on until she had completely familiarized this great forest.

Both sisters had been under the cover of the Mask of Midnight's Mother since they had left the boundaries and protections of the city. This way, they could hunt in peace, and likely nothing would bother them - person or fauna. Lia was wearing her auralyth glasses to help her search, while Hilana was utilizing her Cardinal Rune of Semblance as well as Elementalism, trying to see if the plants might direct them towards something like the Both of them were looking for any particular aetheric traces that suggested something different than what met the eye, something that might be worth investigating. Surely in this great, wild wilderness, they could find some little shard. If they could find a bigger one, so much the better. Wildstone was valuable in any size or quantity, and they weren't interested in selling it.

When they heard the tolls, both of them paused. Hilana had been gathering some water hemlock while she was looking at it, carefully filling a sack with the highly poisonous plant. It would be quite useful later - it wasn't commonly seen in Solunarium, and that made it that much more valuable for a poisoncrafter's arsenal. "Hilana," Lia looked on, frowning, and catching up to her determined sister. "We need to go. We need to get out of here, go home, or get back to Kalzasi at the very minimum. It's not safe, and others will be in danger." The hairs on her arms pricked underneath her shirt, and Hilana knew that Athalia was correct. She remembered the feeling of chaos magic, and how the Dread Mists had felt when they had descended on their capital city two years prior.

Lia was right. They needed to get moving. "Dread Mists. Let's head back in. We'll see if we can spot anyone on the way, in case they need a lift, and if we can't, then we'll take the ring. We'll make it quick," Hilana promised her. Lia sighed, and began to focus on the Rune of Negation that she had received from Lykos. It wouldn't be enough, surely, but it might help... She could see the strange magic, and she would just need to ward the two of them in order to prevent the effects of the Mists from breaching what Rickter had placed on them before. With the Mask active, it was highly unlikely others would spot them before the Vastian women saw them, but stranger things had happened...

► Show Spoiler

Legend of Ransera

A Hunt Gone Wrong

A Hunt Gone Wrong

Re: A Hunt Gone Wrong

Re: A Hunt Gone Wrong

Re: A Hunt Gone Wrong