| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
They're close to Jessica and she's fond of them. Need to check their blood as soon as possible.
Sarah looks to Grace and nods, "Yes, twins! Some people have a hard time determining that from the fact that I'm taller than he-" She doesn't finish the statement before her brother socks her in the shoulder and causes her to burst into laughter. When the two are done goofing off she responds to Elisai.
"Oh, they are going just wonderful thanks! Though I have to admit not as well as Jessica's did. She is a role model for us and I hope we can prove ourselves as worthy as she has one day. Her many adventures are truly breathtaking!" she responds with a look of admiration shot towards the weary Jessica. The fact that this girl looks up to Jessica as her idol is clearly evident in every aspect of her being.
Samuel adds, "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get our chance one day soon!"
As the group finishes up their breakfast and prepares to depart the twins bid them good luck and Sarah leads them all in a prayer for of guidance.
Samuel pulls Jessica back away from the rest of the group and whispers something for just her.
Delendir leads the group to west through Splitriver Way to one of Magnimar's most heavily industrialized districts, Kyver's Islet. The area is most noticeable because is almost entirely taken up by loud or heavy industry. Kyver's Islet itself sits in the middle of the Yondabakari River where it empties into the vast Varisian Gulf and is surrounded by patches of sandbar and shallow water. The shore of this small island is almost entirely covered in lumber mills and shipyards, all vying for the limited space.
The air is of a much lower quality on Kyver's Islet and doesn't smell particularly nice, but if you can push past that and ignore the loud and obnoxious ambiance of the sawmills you might just find a hidden gem in a shop or two (but probably not, they are most likely here because the rest is lower, it stinks and it's loud). It is to such a location that Delendir lead's the group as the arrive at a rather non-descript two-story brown building.
Jessica gave Samuel a hug and whispered back to him then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before giving Sarah a hug and kiss as well.
When they reached the are where the sawmill could be found Jessica remembered how much particular area stunk. It wasn't the most pleasant place around but it was a part of the city she grew up in, one she always avoided both because she'd been told to and because she found it unpleasant. Truth be told it was in great need of Shelyn's blessings to spruce it up, maybe she'd work on that one day. As they reached the building Jessica said, "Alright, we made it this far, what do we do from here?"
Sunday narrows his eyes, which was starting to become his default expression, as the male twin takes Jessica aside but doesn't interfere with their private conversation. At least not right now.
As they reached the building Jessica said, "Alright, we made it this far, what do we do from here?"
"Knock?"
** spoiler omitted **
Yeah, I'm gonna kill him.
Delendir stops hesitant at the door. When Jessica asks he looks back and says "Well, I hope to find an old friend who may help us to distinguish our blood from the one of shapeshifters without the need of cuts. I think that might be more civilized. Sorry Daud"
The ranger takes a large breath of the smelly air before knocking at the door "Yavenee!? Are you there?" he waits a couple of seconds before adding "An old friend here looking for a bit of that lizard high-proof liquor of yours!"
"Eh, f%!# you and your civilizations." Sunday grumbles out.
”An old friend ………old friends usually know well enough to know it’s a shop up front during the day, and you’re welcome to just walk in.” a voice carrying both the lilt of youth and the authority of age says from behind the door before it seemingly opens itself, presenting a diaphanous curtain of fabric, parted in the middle the bids the group entry.
Delendir opens the curtain and access the shop opening his arms with a smile "Such a long time Yavenee, I hope you have not forgotten."
She receives the woman warmth but a bit on the defensive trying to perceive her reaction "It seems things have not gone bad for you since I left" he adds as he appreciates the shop interiors.
Then looking back at the group "Sorry to bring so many people with me. They are good friends, defenders of Sandpoint I have been adventuring with during the last month"
Upon entering the shop, each member of the group experiences the odd feeling of stepping into a space somehow apart from the outside world. It could be the odd décor, shelves stocked sith books whose titles were in a number of languages, some seeming barely perceivable, random objects of bizarre occult significance displayed openly. On the counter sits what is possibly the shrunken head of a gnoll, pinpricks of light visible in its eyes one moment, absent the next.
The odd scene seems to fit perfectly with the petite woman who stares at her visitors with an appraising gaze. Standing barely over five feet, the young woman is a contrast of features. Her sun kissed skin and fierce tribal markings indicate a strong Shoanti bloodline, yet she bears none of the imposing size common to both men and women of the plains tribes. Something in her posture suggests the easy languid nature often found in the Varisan people. Her hair, an earthy tone of blondish brown, streaked with red, lays in a series of braids, interwoven with feathers of a great hawk or some other bird of prey, sharp aquiline eyes of a golden yellow peer into each of the visitors, settling on some longer than others, holding eye contact just beyond what most people would consider comfortable.
Accented by the blood red band painted across the upper part of her face, and the tribal tattoos on her forehead, each gains the sensation of momentarily being assessed by a predator whose presence far exceeds her stature.
”The more the merrier.” Yavenee replies with a half laugh- half giggle. ”It’s been a long time Delendir, but no worry, sometimes I am here, othertimes not.” She says reaching behind the counter and drawing out a black bottle. "Still drinking in the middle of the day eh?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Ah! What's life without a bit of spirits?" Delendir delightfully accepts the invitation and gives a long shot "Do you have news from the Quah?"
After a short catch up, the half-elf will return to his straightforward nature "We can talk further later, but I have to be sincere. My visit is not merely to see an old friend " he looks back then at the party "We have been into trouble since we arrived to Magnimar. A group of shapshifters is attacking us and we have problems to tell friend from foe. I remember you were knowledgeable of blood rituals and thought you might have a solution that might help us in these tessiture"
"But let me introduce you the group " the ranger starts pointing as he talks "She is Jessica, our heart and compass which never let us fall. And he is Daud, passion and muscle of the group, his cynicism and trauma only equaled by his might. She is Grace, our voice and inspiration, a diva which will nake you with just words. And her is Elisai, perfect partner for our divas dueto and terror of our enemies " he finishes by looking back at Yavenee "There are two more which I hope you can meet later on"
Though his current level of agitation kept him from appreciating it, there was certainly a familiar and calming feeling about stepping into the dark and musty room of things best left forgotten.
Looking over the room in truthfully half-awareness and half-interest he turns a scowl towards the half-elf once he compares his mindset and life to his "might".
Jessica smiled at Delendir's introduction of the party, he could certainly be eloquent when he wanted to be, and said to Yavenee, "It's nice to meet you Yavenee." She found the interior of the place to be rather strange, especially the shrunken gnoll head with the flickering lights in it's eyes in particular was disturbing to her. Curious about it she moved closer and leaned down so she could get a better look at the eyes in curiosity.
”News from the Quah, ha! As if my face were welcome there again. Word from the occasional traveler speak same as ever.” Yavenee responds, for a moment her expression carries a flicker of sadness, her face momentarily looking as vulnerable as it does vibrant. ”Shaper shifters you say…..skinwalkers…..now the dreams make sense.” she mutters half to herself. ” Yes, I know of such a ritual, teach your spirits to identify each other with just a touch. I warn you though, this ritual, it form a a blood bond between group members, letting you see each other as you are. Prapare to bare yoursleve before those you trust with yor lives.”
”Be welcome, Jessica, “ Yavenee says with a smile turning to the priestess and watching her study the skull with an amused look. "Feel free to look around. The ritual will take me an hour to prepare and a bit of time to perform."
Delendir is of course ready for the ritual, and so he nods as Yavenee speaks. That said he does not say his thoughts, letting the rest of the party to speak up their doubts and fears more freely Perhaps they prefer other solutions after all.
Instead he moves the curtains in one of the windows and looks through to the Sawmill. If they had to wait there, at least he could make a guard and check whom enters and exits the place.
"Trust... right..." Sunday mumbles as he begins to look over the various tomes, curious if one would might look familiar in the same manner as this building did.
Making her way to the back of her shop, the witch touches a fetish hanging the wall before opening the door beside it, and closing it behind her leaving the group to peruse the eclectic shop
"So how do you know Miss Yavenee?" Sunday asks once he hears the door close as he continues to look over the books.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Delendir shivers as the question from Daud arrives to his ears. Turning to the barbarian he explains the story with a timber of sadness in his voice "We both shared the fate of our mothers pertaining to the same Shoanti tribe. My father left me there after the death of my mother, so I was hardly accepted in their society, even by my grandparents. Yavenee was never accepted either. Her father is also a non Shoanti"
"It was difficult not to become friends. I was older than her, but being a human she matured faster, and knew more of their society, so we were protecting each other back then" he looks back through the window, checking the Sawmill "One ill night one tribesman went too far with her, and she used her magic to humiliate him. You would not understand but that is a big offense within a Shoanti tribe. She decided to spare the shame to her family and so she decided to leave"
"When I discovered what had happened I beat down the offender. We are so naive and irrational when we are young... but I could not control myself. I left too that very same night and helped Yavenee find a new home here in Magnimar" the half-elf makes a pause smiling a bit more happy "We shared good memories here in Magnimar. Then my daughter was born and I decided to leave. I established at Sandpoint and well... that is just another story but as you know things went not that good for me there and that connects me with our days here"
Daud was only half-listening as the Half-elf began his story but soon froze, his finger holding a book in place halfway on the shelf and off as the ranger went on. "There's a special place in the Hells for fathers who abandon their children. And for those who hurt woman." he says solemnly.
Without looking up from the odd angled book he adds "I didn't know you had a daughter."
"Well, it is exactly as if I did not had, the stubborn girl left with a Varisian gipsy to 'do her life'" Delendir keeps looking at the Sawmill but visibly distracted "But that's good, she skipped the burning fate of Amira"
His face darken then while talking about his father "You will not like the full story then. I do not blame my father. I deserved it. For much good I do in my life it will never compensate what I did." the half-elf tightens his fists at that point and goes silent absent in his thoughts.
Sunday stares blankly some more before finally returning the book to its shelf. Still without turning around he chuckles mirthlessly. "Humour me, I'm a Daud. Continue the story."
"Aaah! Too much talking!" Delendir takes another swallow from Yavenee's drink. He does not seem so open about this part of the story "Let's just say I was weak and totally screwed up things. My father barely convinced the other elves to let me alive. Exile took me to my mother's Shoanti tribe, and there I met Yavenee"
Aware of Daud's own story, Delendir just adds "I suppose we are just a pack of wayward boys looking to sooth their inner phantoms"
And looking to the door Yavenee took "This woman... how much time will those preparations take...?"
Yavenee takes her time preparing the ritual, going through the preparations with painstaking precision. With ritual magic, even the slightest of errors could have grave effects on the participants, or invite outsiders into the walking world....something she'd witnessed once and hoped never to again.
Once everything is complete she heads back to the storefront, emerging through the previously closed door,now clad in a simple robe, the scent of aromatic herbs and incense following her as she moves to the entrance and shuts it, locking the door as she does.
"All is ready, but you must prepare your minds and souls as well. Follow me." she says opening the scent of herbal smoke intensifying along with the heat as they move further down the hall.
"Born in lust m, turn to dust. Born in sin, come on in." is all he mumbles in response.
Jessica continued looking around the shop until it was time for the ritual to be performed. She admitted to herself she was very nervous, she didn't really know this Yavenee and after all that had happened to her lately she wasn't sure she wanted to put her life in this woman's hands. Still, Delendir trusted her and Jess trusted him so she was willing to give the woman a chance to prove herself and followed along as they went back for the ritual to be performed. "What must we do during this ritual Miss Yavenee?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Strip yourself of all that is not a part of you. A major part of the ritual is trust. You must all see each other as you truly are. Once you have, you will be able to peer through the deception of any who present the false face of one of your companions. Bare yourself mind body and soul....when you are ready I await you inside." she says earnestly, her tone unwavering.
Without another word she sheds her robe, her slender form a canvas of tattoos both Shoanti and Varisian in style, the centerpiece a screaming hawk across her back, as she walks though a heavy curtain into the back chamber.
At first not sure if the witch was speaking figuratively or not once she disrobes he quickly looks away. "Um, no."
Delendir shrughs as the woman explains "If extrictly necessary... I guess it has sense" he starts to nake himself starting from the topmost part. The ranger places his bow and other weapons next to a chair, with his backpack and tabard. On removing the shirt a extremely musculed upper body is revealed, hairy for the standards of a half-elf, and standing out in his left arm an elegant hawk, very much in the same style of that one from Yavenee. Under the chest a 4 inches scar goes over the ranger's skin.
Placing the shirt comfortably over the chair, he removes then his boots and finally untiying his belt, Delendir removes his trousers. A thick, abundant dark hair hardly covers his attributes. The half-elf turns himself around and shamelessly walks through the shop disappearing into Yavenee's chamber after moving the curtain.
When she was told she'd have to strip down Jessica stammered in reply,"W-w-w-what?! I...is it really necessary?" Seeing that Yavenee does as she instructed them to do Jess realized that it really was a requirement, especially when Delendir followed suit. She looked at Sunday and blushed a deep red when he refused, and turned absolutely scarlet when Delendir stripped so casually. She turned and began to pray a for a minute or so as she tried to find the courage to do as instructed and finally said, "Sunday, if you're going to be part of this, please go ahead, I don't think I can do this with a man in the room with me while I strip."
"No I'm not going to be a part of this! It's ridiculous!" Sunday angrily states.
Grace sighs as her colleagues and friends prove unusually shy.
"There are other problems, of course. Even if we go through this ritual, Tal and Kylie are not here. We will not be able to prove they haven't been replaced by shapeshifters when they return without blood."
Even as Grace speaks she begins removing her clothing. Her corset is frontlacing but still a corset and, when she removes it, it proves that her figure is not quite as hourglass thin or high busted as one might assume. Also, Grace has freckles across her body that she obviously covers with make-up each morning.
"Still, Sunday, remove your clothing. I already know you can wield your sword. You do not need to fear showing it to me. Jessica, you've done magic in the nude before and you will do so now. You are both brave."
Sunday's countenance turns into a silent snarl once Grace voices the possibility that Kiley could be replaced while they were apart.
Turning towards the diva to a voice a requital he turns again on his heels once he's seen that she's undressing. Though he did see enough to notice the pretty freckles.
"What does swordplay have to do with this?" he asks incredulously while holding up and flailing Nualia's sword for emphasis. "This isn't about being brave, I Just don't want to be naked around any of you. Especially a stranger we just met!"
Like Grace, Elisai remains unperturbed about stripping off, as she slides off her brown leather jacket. "I really don't see what the fuss is all about, in general, its probably nothing people haven't seen before, and it helps us confirm that none of us have been replaced by a more murderous alter ego. Like seriously, if there was one person in particular that really struggled with this, I could create an illusion around someone's body that effectively gives them clothes while being naked for as long as I can concentrate. Obviously, its an illusion so if people choose to, they can pierce it if they try really hard but hey, the option is there if someone is super self conscious."
Including a link as to the general outfit / bodytype Elisai is modeled upon having.
"Do. Not. Use any magic on me." Sunday hisses out at the Skald. "I just don't want to be naked. Why do we have to be naked?!"
Jessica said hesitantly, "Because Yavenee says it's required and Delendir trusts her. I guess that's good enough for me because I don't intend to have to bleed every time we need to confirm who I am." Jessica moved over to Sanday and laid a hand gently on his arm as she said, "Sunday, you've told me of your past, some of it at least, and I know why you don't want magic placed upon you. I don't think this is about the nudity for you so much as the spell itself." She gently stroked his arm as she continued, "Delendir trusts this woman to do what she says she can and will do, think of this as not trusting her but showing Delendir that you believe in him, that you trust him, anything less and it goes to show you don't think that his word is worth anything."
As she had spoken Jessica realized that she had to do this too, she needed to prove to Delendir, and everyone else, that she could trust them with this because if not how could they trust her. She stepped back from Sunday and then reached to her shoulders and slid her dress loose allowing it to slide down her body revealing that she had no undergarments on and kept herself clean shaven everywhere but her head. She smiled at him as she removed her remaining adornments and said, "See? If I can do it so can you." She turned and began to walk into the room with the others and looked back over her shoulder at him, "If I can do this, so can you, I believe in you Sunday." With that she entered the room leaving him alone to make his choice.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As Delendir enters Yavenee smiles in amusement, her expectations confirmed. Having spent time in the Quah, she had expected him to be first, as one who would understand that rituals and ceremonies were no place for the pointless modesty that many softlanders clung to so tightly, as if their clothing held their dignity and strength within it. She would wait. They had come for aid and she could see in each of their eyes the importance of their mission and the degree of their concern.
The dark one, draped in angry spirits would probably be the last, having to be dragged or cajoled in, probably unaware that the malevolent spirits that rode with him feared the power in this room, triggering his most irrational fears and prejudices. Power recognized power, and those that sought free reign feared the control of those who understood the world beyond.
Sunday tenses as the Priestess reaches for him before narrowing his eyes at her. "I do not trust this witch I've just met and I do not trust Delendir."
Before she stepped in Jessica heard Sunday's words and tears came to her eyes as she said, "Then you don't trust me either, after what we've all been through and that huts Sunday, that hurts a lot." She turned away from him and stepped inside the Quah.
"... I did trust you. You, Kiley, and Shalelu are the only people I do trust... did trust." Sunday lets out, defeated.
Realizing that he was alone and everyone else had disrobed and entered into the room he growled to himself as he looked down at the ring on his finger. Fidgeting and turning from side to side while gripping his hair while letting out something inbetween growls and whimpers he ends with a sigh before finally starting to take off his clothes.
Fully naked, and painfully aware of it, he rubs the ring on his finger again while tightly gripping Nualia's sword he starts to walk into the room, shooting a worried look over his shoulder every other pace as he did so.
"I will be sad when an orgy doesn't break out." Grace says with a faint smile. Then her expression grows more serious.
"I would not want to do such a ritual with anyone else."
"I'm perfectly fine with that not occurring."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
The room is dark dimly lit with braziers in each corner of the room, filling the air with a smoke laced with incense and herbs, arcane sigils etched into the floor, all set about a ritual circle, a soft pulsing glow filling the room. At equally spaced points about the circle mats of woven soft reeds sit, providing a vague modicum of comfort. The fires and lack of any windows keep the room far warmer that normal for the time of year.
As everyone eventually enters, Yavenee nods, her eyes jumping from one member of the group to the other. Already, there was a strong bond among these people, far stronger than some of them might acknowledge, and she could almost see the strands of destiny entangling them.
'Good.' she thinks, 'The binding will take.'
As the last of them settles down she begins to chant, a rising and falling chant in Shoanti, calling to her patron, the ancient spirit of the land itself, the force that guided the first plainsmen, long before the ancient cities and monuments were built.
Each of those in the room can feel the air moving, feel the smoke swirling around them, joining them as part of a whole, almost feeling each other's physical presence as she continues. Time becomes irrelevant, the rising heat bringing a sheen of cleansing sweat to each of the group, plastering hair to skin.
With a shout Yevenee ceases her chanting, opening her eyes, eyes that now glow with a flickering green light. From the mat she picks up a bowl of black stone and a dagger, a blade of pure obsidian gleaming in the flickering firelight.
"Each of you draw but a single drop of blood, drop it in the bowl to mingle with that of the others." she says standing and walking over to Delendir, handing him both. "When you have done so pass it to the next."
Her voice carries an ancient weight of unspeakable knowledge. A confidence far beyond anything one of her apparent age should be capable of.
Once the ceremony called upon them to finally act upon it with bloodletting Sunday just rolls his eyes, his agitation growing.
Delendir seems a bit gone, perhaps the warmth and the incense, or maybe the unconscious recognition of the event's weight and the strong repercussion it will have for the group from now on.
When Yavenee ceases chanting and her eyes start glowing the ranger becomes very serious, half-frozen. "You have grown both in knowledge and power since we last saw each other" he mumbles as he picks up the dagger and the bowl.
He seems then to fall on a similar trance to that one of the witch while he takes the dagger and unemotionally performs a small cut on his left hand, letting just a drop of his blood to fill the bowl. The dark red liquid slides on the bowl's walls before stopping in the middle.
Finished his part, he passes the bowl and the obsidian dagger to the next one and returns to his position in the room without adding a word or changing his facial expression.
Without saying anything in annoyance Sunday will take the knife, first wiping off the Half-Elf's blood from the blade, and make a similar cut upon his palm. Holding it over the bowl the dark red fluid slowly collects at a point, flowing much more slower than Delendir's lifeblood and finally breaks and falls into the container.
He'll then nonchalantly hold the implements out for whoever else to tell their turn.
Jessica followed suit, making a similar cup to the others and wincing as she did and added her blood to the growing mixture before passing it on to the next person.
Elisai cleans the knife with her prestidigitation spell before slitting open a wound in her hand, inspecting it for a moment and then adding it into the bowl.