Get the Ch'ack outta here!

In what?

Frost the Ancient wrote:

Mrdarknlight wrote:

Frost the Ancient wrote:

Mrdarknlight wrote:

Another of my questions who is Frost the Ancient?

A great wyrm white dragon mage from a roleplay a few of us used to play in. His game involved a bunch of gods and suchwhat, so his presence wasn't too bad. In this game, however, it'd be a bit much.

So you thought it was a good idea to bring in a god level dragon on top of demons,devils, and Micheal going nuts? Sad part at this point I do not think it would be a bad idea.

"This school contains many loose cannons...best put a stop to that. Where is the leader, that I may kill him?"

Do you really want me to call my parents? ;P

*cracks knuckles*

I got a post

Any last words, Blue Man?

Confuse-Us say, 'Look not into what your avatars can do for you, but what you can do for your avatars.'

What's an avatar?

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"I believe some Champions do surrender to the Power and are extinguished by it. That is the battle that wages inside of each one. The battle to preserve that part of you that existed before the change. It is easier to suurender to its end rather than live like a shell. ...So much easier."

"The Power is surrendered but it can be touched again. I've seen it. Felt it. Struggled against its seduction."

"If one has something else to fill the gap, survival, nay flourishing, is possible again."

"I don't think he was listening. And I'm not sure he can understand. I'm not sure anyone can who hasn't experienced it."

"Not a matter of listening. It is one of not understanding. He was born to power. He cannot comprehend the change we experience."

"Nor does he truly comprehend that the Servants crave the power as strongly as he craves gold for his horde."

*Cries*

I know, I know, it's just IC, but it drives me nuts that these characters are so thick skulled! :O
;)

LMAO!

["It's like a drug," she agreed with a grimace. "And no matter how good your intentions are at first, power wields you not the other way around. I'm not sure if the Servants themselves crave power or if they're just blindly following those that do. But it comes out to the same thing in the end."

"Well, if no one else had power those few left that do would be..."

"That may be the endgame."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"I believe some Champions do surrender to the Power and are extinguished by it. That is the battle that wages inside of each one. The battle to preserve that part of you that existed before the change. It is easier to suurender to its end rather than live like a shell. ...So much easier."

"The Power is surrendered but it can be touched again. I've seen it. Felt it. Struggled against its seduction."

"If one has something else to fill the gap, survival, nay flourishing, is possible again."

"I don't think he was listening. And I'm not sure he can understand. I'm not sure anyone can who hasn't experienced it."

"Not a matter of listening. It is one of not understanding. He was born to power. He cannot comprehend the change we experience."

"Nor does he truly comprehend that the Servants crave the power as strongly as he craves gold for his horde."

"I believe some Champions do surrender to the Power and are extinguished by it. That is the battle that wages inside of each one. The battle to preserve that part of you that existed before the change. It is easier to suurender to its end rather than live like a shell. ...So much easier."

"The Power is surrendered but it can be touched again. I've seen it. Felt it. Struggled against its seduction."

"If one has something else to fill the gap, survival, nay flourishing, is possible again."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"What do you mean? As spirits?"

"I used a sword to cut a hole in fire. I moved so fast I couldn't see myself. I made a sword out light... and now I'm so tired."

"That I do not know. You called upon something deep within yourself."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

CH runs forward to catch Aidan before he falls.

"It's always rough when the power leaves you."

"It was never mine, not really. How could... fight like that?"

"It never is. Power uses people. It never truly submits to them."

"What do you mean? As spirits?"

Aidan looks at his hands, now empty.

"The Seed is gone. So is the Fire."

His eyes droop slightly as he struggles to stand.

CH runs forward to catch Aidan before he falls.

"It's always rough when the power leaves you."

Unable to assist with more positive energy attacks, CH waits. The spirit blade in his hand glows red with each hit upon the flame.

"How can we help Aidan's spirit then?"

Her body began to glow, transforming into pure light as she kept herself between Arielle and danger.

Staring in disbelief at the world they now find themselves in, CH is dismayed by the total lack of life. His gaze sweeps over the Bard, LJ, Arielle,and E7.

"It's so empty. We are the first souls to lay our feet upon it. Why did she send us all here?" he looks pointedly at Arielle

"We must separate the souls. But it might kill Aidan in the process."

not sure if I'm throwing too many curve balls at you. ignore as you need to.

"Something you will allow? You fool. I wi-"

Suddenly, Aidan lurches foward, cluctching his head.

"Stop it! You gave in, you let the Fire take over! Give it UP!"

"Two spirits still reside in the body."

Night has fallen by the time Aidan stands up and looks around at those gathered in the Grove.

"I've made my choice."

His eyes blaze a vile blue, smoke billows around him as his body erupts in fire, and the armor returns. Two bright spheres of fire fly around the Grove, and land in his outstretched hands, the starknives have returned.

"The Aidan you know is no longer here."

Ch'ack Hammer dons his death mask, and his body transforms to that of a Jack. He pulls out his hammer, considers it, then places it back on his belt. He draws the spirit blade, taking up position near LJ and Arielle.

He doesn't look her in the eyes, instead opting to look somewhere else.

her boobs? Oh wait, that's the OTD threads. ;)

"No worries, I don't smoke. I tend to spend my time near or in water, so cigars wouldn't stay lit. Smoking would also hurt my lungs, which could make my songs weaker."

"I had bubblegum and chocolate cigars too but I think LJ ate the leftovers."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

The Bard wrote:

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

Ch'ack Hammer. Honoring both of my families.

"A good choice for a good person. Remind me to get you a re-birthday present later."

"Speaking of births, have you been introduced to our daughter, Arielle? She's sitting next to Yggdrasil."

"I assumed that was who LJ was talking about earlier. Congratulations Ch'ack Hammer, on a beautiful daughter."

"Thank you. Sorry I don't have a cigar to give you."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

Ch'ack Hammer. Honoring both of my families.

"A good choice for a good person. Remind me to get you a re-birthday present later."

"Speaking of births, have you been introduced to our daughter, Arielle? She's sitting next to Yggdrasil."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

The Bard wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

"Kaelar!" she says with a smile. "It has been a long time. It's been...eventful. I'm not even sure where to start."

"Considering the fire in this forest alone? I'd say so. You don't have to start is you don't want to. Did you know Nymora and Mirathan are together now? A wedding is being planned right now I believe."

"Hail, Kaelar! Finally some good news for a change."

"Oops, you may not recognize me. I've found something. A bit of the past, and my old body."

"The body may change, but the spirit stays the same. I am a bard, you'd be surprised by the amount of knowledge I have. Or not, seeing as I can't tell the future and thus have no way of determining your reaction. What name are you going by now?"

Ch'ack Hammer. Honoring both of my families.

lynora-Jill wrote:

"Kaelar!" she says with a smile. "It has been a long time. It's been...eventful. I'm not even sure where to start."

"Considering the fire in this forest alone? I'd say so. You don't have to start is you don't want to. Did you know Nymora and Mirathan are together now? A wedding is being planned right now I believe."

"Hail, Kaelar! Finally some good news for a change."

"Oops, you may not recognize me. I've found something. A bit of the past, and my old body."

.... wrote:

He speaks a word and the orb glows to life.

"Sir! I--there's--it--she's at the Grove!"
Giving you a second to respond to this roleplaying opprotuni--I mean, uh, danger.

She looks up, startled. Her shoulders droop a little as she realizes that she's been spotted. So much for breathing room.

"Hon, I think we have some unexpected company," she calls out to CH.

CH looks up at the sound of LJ's call and spots the man. He walks over to LJ's side.

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

CH heads to the pool for a drink of water. The squirrel hangs back. As he approaches, the water swirls and the small head of an aquatic dragon-type creature arises. It hisses in challenge.

"Well, what do we have here?"

"May I drink from the pool, Guardian?"

The creature hisses again, and CH backs off.

"Now, Tempest. This is a friend. I've told you that all creatures are welcome to drink from this pool."

The creature looks defiant, but backs off pretending to ignore the intrusion.

CH approaches and opts to fill a waterskin. He does so quickly.

"Interesting creature."

CH heads to the pool for a drink of water. The squirrel hangs back. As he approaches, the water swirls and the small head of an aquatic dragon-type creature arises. It hisses in challenge.

"Well, what do we have here?"

"May I drink from the pool, Guardian?"

The creature hisses again, and CH backs off.

"Then we need to find him. Yes, you can help look Arielle. But stay within sight of Yggdrasil. And don't hesitate to scream for help."

She smiled as she saw the squirrel scolding JH. She laid a hand on Yggdrasil's bark and lost herself in the Song for a moment, closing her eyes as she listened. Her eyes snapped open as she realized something.

"I can still hear it. I can still hear Yggdrasil's Song."

CH turns and stares at her like she just said the silliest thing. The squirrel stops chattering and does likewise.

"Of course. Once you learned how to listen it's a thing not easily forgotten. You are part of her, and she part of you."

"That same song flies thru the winds with every seed pod, pours from the sky with every drop of rain, and skitters thru the earth with every bug that walks across it. It breathes life into all things."

CH reaches down and picks up a rosewood box from the base of Yggdrasil. He opens it to find the item and the note have never been claimed. He stows it in his pack.

"Three lives, three times. I forgot there for a while. Past, present, and future are not meant to be lived at the same time. Remembered, dreamed, but not lived."

He places his hand upon the One Tree and is comforted.

Arriving at the Grove, CH gasps aloud.

"Oh no..."

While the Grove itself is basically healthy signs of the damage in the outer areas have intruded.

"As you wish, Starsong. Know that you are always welcome here."

Winds swirl around LJ, CH, and Arielle, transporting the three of them to the Grove of the Ancients.

"Ooh, that tickles."

Moving to the Grove

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

*sigh* "The Oasis? A little vacation? Coconuts and a grass hut? The Grove? SunnyG's resort? Maybe all 3?"

"I'm sure someone would help us travel, avoiding omniportals. E7 could transport via plants or earth, SunnyG, Djuhah? It'd be nice to slip out quietly."

"We should probably keep moving for the most part. So I guess all three. Hopefully that will make it harder for trouble to find us. I guess the question is which one would you like to go to first?"

"How 'bout the Grove? We haven't checked on them since Aidan's 'problem'. Being busy would be good."

"Besides, I have an old squirrelfriend there." ;)

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"Hopefully."

"I don't see much grey in your hair." *ducks*

Swats him playfully.

"And you never will. Although that would be closer to my original hair color than this is."

"Enough goofing around. We need a plan. And in spite of what we told the dragon I'm not sure we should stay here. It's not always a good idea to stay exactly where all your enemies know where you are. What do you think?"

*sigh* "The Oasis? A little vacation? Coconuts and a grass hut? The Grove? SunnyG's resort? Maybe all 3?"

"I'm sure someone would help us travel, avoiding omniportals. E7 could transport via plants or earth, SunnyG, Djuhah? It'd be nice to slip out quietly."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

Smiling back, "Normal feelings, not normal situations."

"Physically Arielle is already older than Aiselle got to..." he swallows

"So we're in uncharted territory."

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories," she said softly.

"It's OK. Two people is bad enough. Two times is worse. It's like part of my mind has been reset to days gone by."

"That I can understand. You missed this morning's freakout when I looked in the mirror. My mind took a little bit to catch up to the idea that no, my hair was not the wrong color. Sometimes it seems like things that happened thousands of years ago are more real than things that happened only a few years ago. I wonder if that will fade?"

"Hopefully."

"I don't see much grey in your hair." *ducks*

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

Smiling back, "Normal feelings, not normal situations."

"Physically Arielle is already older than Aiselle got to..." he swallows

"So we're in uncharted territory."

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories," she said softly.

"It's OK. Two people is bad enough. Two times is worse. It's like part of my mind has been reset to days gone by."

FYI, CH won't stay cooped up in the Eyrie indefinitely.

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"WE were barely there. And she's growing up too fast. Literally."

"We can't keep her locked up, even if we wanted to, and we can't control what people think. Influence maybe, but not control. A friend has been helping those hurt in the bazaar, but that's been anonymous."

"The servants are into manipulation. We aren't."

"As for Frost, I'm not sure if he can be trusted. After all, it was he that killed the first attacker with Joek's permission. Not that I have much problem with that. Not necessarily a friendly exchange but an exchange nonetheless."

"I know," she said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "He got me at a weak point. I'm still new at this whole parenting thing. I just feel so totally inadequate." She looked up at him. "So is this the part where you tell me that's totally normal? Since, compared to me, you're an expert at this," she added with a small smile.

Smiling back, "Normal feelings, not normal situations."

"Physically Arielle is already older than Aiselle got to..." he swallows

"So we're in uncharted territory."

LJ pinches the bridge of her nose, trying to massage away a growing headache.

"Okay, I am not going to let myself be influenced by a dragon's perceptions of our public image, no matter how helpful the dragon. I've learned enough about human nature by now to know not to expect accolades. Some things you do because they're the right thing, no matter what people think of you because of them. But I do feel bad about Arielle. It's not like she ever had any choice about controlling weather. She's technically speaking not even a year old yet. She's never had a chance to learn anything the normal way. And he's right, there are plenty of people who will forget all about the earth elemental attacking the children and blame everything on Arielle's storm. I just wish I could spare her that. And I wonder if I had paid better attention instead of getting distracted by the whole being a goddess thing if I could have spared her that. She needed me and I was barely there."

"WE were barely there. And she's growing up too fast. Literally."

"We can't keep her locked up, even if we wanted to, and we can't control what people think. Influence maybe, but not control. A friend has been helping those hurt in the bazaar, but that's been anonymous."

"The servants are into manipulation. We aren't."

"As for Frost, I'm not sure if he can be trusted. After all, it was he that killed the first attacker with Joek's permission. Not that I have much problem with that. Not necessarily a friendly exchange but an exchange nonetheless."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

Frost the Ancient wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

"So, when Kobold Cleaver helped me, he wasn't doing it out of the goodness of his heart. He was trying to clean up his own mess." She sighed. "Well, it makes sense. It makes sense of a lot of things."

"So now that we've disproved the public explanation for their actions, what is it Joek is really after? He went after Arielle. He went after me. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone was trying to become a god."

"No." Frost speaks quickly. "No, he is not." He hesitates. "What I mean is, I am quiet certain he does not wish to be a god. If he wanted to, it would be a simple thing. But gods may not directly intervene. No, he does not wish to be a god. He is attacking for other reasons, reasons not even Kobold Cleaver knows.

"Power? Revenge? Envy? Perhaps there is something about this place? I don't know...perhaps if we move he'll follow and leave these people be. Unless he is after someone else here, and Arielle and LJ are just a means to that end. Too many possibilities..."

"They wish to see the Eyrie destroyed now, I am quite certain. Leaving would only endanger yourselves." He seems slightly hopeful.

"Then they'll have to deal with the new management."

"As for leaving, we will at some point. We're used to danger, and were long before we ever became powerful. And we will leave in a manner of our choosing. The question will be who will try to stop or follow us; Joek, KC, or minions? But why bother now? We may be needed here."

lynora-Jill wrote:

"So, when Kobold Cleaver helped me, he wasn't doing it out of the goodness of his heart. He was trying to clean up his own mess." She sighed. "Well, it makes sense. It makes sense of a lot of things."

"So now that we've disproved the public explanation for their actions, what is it Joek is really after? He went after Arielle. He went after me. If I didn't know better, I'd say someone was trying to become a god."

"No." Frost speaks quickly. "No, he is not." He hesitates. "What I mean is, I am quiet certain he does not wish to be a god. If he wanted to, it would be a simple thing. But gods may not directly intervene. No, he does not wish to be a god. He is attacking for other reasons, reasons not even Kobold Cleaver knows.

"Power? Revenge? Envy? Perhaps there is something about this place? I don't know...perhaps if we move he'll follow and leave these people be. Unless he is after someone else here, and Arielle and LJ are just a means to that end. Too many possibilities..."

"You underestimate Joek's power." Frost flies down to them. "There is only one in the entire order who currently equals his power, and he is afraid for different reasons entirely."

"Is Joek a dragon? Why else would they fear him so?"

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

She smiled. "I have absolutely no idea. The servants are still camped outside, but they don't seem to be moving. At least as far as I could see from the balcony. I'm kind of enjoying not knowing everything," she confessed. "I hadn't realized how much of a burden it had become."

"And tell your ancestors thank you from me. For the help they give you. And for you too for that matter," she added with a grin.

"There are not as many servants out there as they would like us to believe. Nor do they have as much power as they themselves believe."

"And don't forget that my ancestors are Arielle's. She's a Ch'ack by blood. You're a Ch'ack by spirit." his eyes speak to the power of those words

"And I am grateful to have been adopted by such a proud people. I've never really belonged anywhere before. It means a lot to me."

"While I'm glad the servants are not as powerful as they believe, we'll still have to keep a wary eye on them. So far they've gone after Arielle and me. It sounds to me like they're looking for divine energy to power something."

"Yes, they're still dangerous. Maybe desperate. A bad combination."

She smiled. "I have absolutely no idea. The servants are still camped outside, but they don't seem to be moving. At least as far as I could see from the balcony. I'm kind of enjoying not knowing everything," she confessed. "I hadn't realized how much of a burden it had become."

"And tell your ancestors thank you from me. For the help they give you. And for you too for that matter," she added with a grin.

"There are not as many servants out there as they would like us to believe. Nor do they have as much power as they themselves believe."

"And don't forget that my ancestors are Arielle's. She's a Ch'ack by blood. You're a Ch'ack by spirit." his eyes speak to the power of those words

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

She leaned against the doorframe, staying as quiet as she could, not wanting to interrupt.

"Hello dear. No need to hang back. Your aura announced your presence as soon as you entered the room."

"It's very bright you know."

"Somehow after the whole glowing thing yesterday, I don't find that at all surprising. I just didn't want to interrupt your conversation."

She walked over to him and hugged him.

"It sounded important."

"Nah. Just tactics."

"Ancestors can be just as protective as the living." he can't help but smile at the line

"So, what's the latest?"

She leaned against the doorframe, staying as quiet as she could, not wanting to interrupt.

"Hello dear. No need to hang back. Your aura announced your presence as soon as you entered the room."

"It's very bright you know."

LJ hears voices in the sitting room and walks in. CH seems to be having a discussion with himself, at least until she shifts her perception slightly and it seems to be with someone else.

"Yes, you're right. Without your help we would have not been able to keep them at bay."

..........

"No, I will not become as they. I will not ask for your help to attack unless provoked."

..........

"Yes, it is in my power, but I am not a necromancer. I know most of you, and would not force it."

..........

"Thank you for your protection."

..........

"You're welcome. You know I had no choice in the matter. You raised me that way."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"Well, maybe we'll both have a chance to find out. We deserve it."

His somber face brightens a bit, "Besides a lady never reveals her age, does she?"

That got a laugh, albeit a slightly forced one. "No, I guess not. Vanity. Huh. I've never really bothered with it, but I guess it makes as good of an excuse as any."

She sat down in his lap and kissed him. "I think I still owe you an in-depth description of how much I love you," she said teasingly.

"I can't think of a better way to spend getting old", in between kisses. "So how long do you think she'll be asleep?"

Fade to Black

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

He'd been drinking while she read. He looks up at the sound of her voice, "I've never had the chance to grow old. See my child grow old. Centuries of aimless wandering are but a blink of an eye, when you're not truly alive."

"Probably why I listened when I heard the call to come back."

"I see," she said, turning away to wipe the tears from her face. "I think I can understand that. I don't even know how old I am now. Time stopped for me after...well, after. I don't know what it's like either."

"Well, maybe we'll both have a chance to find out. We deserve it."

His somber face brightens a bit, "Besides a lady never reveals her age, does she?"

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"Sure. I scribed it in woad, so an old teacher would always have a copy. Thankfully, E7 retrieved it from where I 'dropped it'." he shivers slightly. "That beast that started this was pure evil."

"Trapping souls? Yes, it must have been," she said, with a shudder, remembering and wishing she didn't.

Once he hands her the journal she will settle down to read it through.

"I'll warn you; it'll be like reading a nightmare. I'm not even sure how much was real." he hands it over, as if he were handling a snake

"I know nightmares. I've lived them. But I appreciate the warning."

She begins reading through the pages. He can tell where she is in the narrative when tears start running down her cheeks. It's slow reading after that, since she often has to stop to wipe the tears from her eyes before she can continue reading. Eventually she reaches the end and closes the book, handing it back to him.

"I'm glad you chose to come back," she said softly.

He'd been drinking while she read. He looks up at the sound of her voice, "I've never had the chance to grow old. See my child grow old. Centuries of aimless wandering are but a blink of an eye when you're not truly alive."

"Probably why I listened when I heard the call to come back."

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

"Sure. I scribed it in woad, so an old teacher would always have a copy. Thankfully, E7 retrieved it from where I 'dropped it'." he shivers slightly. "That beast that started this was pure evil."

"Trapping souls? Yes, it must have been," she said, with a shudder, remembering and wishing she didn't.

Once he hands her the journal she will settle down to read it through.

"I'll warn you; it'll be like reading a nightmare. I'm not even sure how much was real." he hands it over, as if he were handling a snake

Ch'ack Hammer wrote:

lynora-Jill wrote:

Once the door is closed she turns to CH.

"In all the excitement I haven't even had the chance yet to ask you what happened on your quest. Did you find them?"

"Them, and more. The Ch'acks weren't the only target of that beast. I made lots of new friends on the trip."

"I kept a journal, but it was a rough trip. You'll likely be angry with me."

"Well, you're here and alive now, so that does a lot to mitigate whatever you did that I'm likely to be angry about," she said with a smile, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I'd like to read your journal if you don't mind. I'd like to know what happened."

"Sure. I scribed it in woad, so an old teacher would always have a copy. Thankfully, E7 retrieved it from where I 'dropped it'." he shivers slightly. "That beast that started this was pure evil. The trip itself a nightmare."