Yes, I mixed that up earlier as I was focusing on who was needing healing and missed different moving around. Your idea of events makes sense Median of how to patch that mix-up up
Nurai head turned sharply at the curator's remark, her shadows hummed in flickering amusement and annoyance. This increased at the Miss question...
"Nurai Ayaulymkyzy -- no titles please. Nurai is fine, though I'd love to hear what gave me away. I'll guess knowing my family since your use young often infers a familiarity with the older." she playfully questioned the curator as she started to cast, the engravings continuing to move around as she worked over Jennifer's wounds. The dim green light flickered three more times...
As the demon left this plane, Nurai and her shadows moved closer to Jennifer - for Nurai, most as a concerned friend, her shadows a bit more curious about the changes such a separation caused.
Median Maxwell wrote:
Uh, guys? There is some kind of metallic liquid slowly covering the ceiling...
... and what kind of freaky museum is this anyway?
Looking up at the ceiling, Nurai chuckled. "A Fever museum, they get the most interesting visitors..." She considered it before considering what remained in the room.
Knowledge Planes:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Ross Kelver wrote:
Ross sees the demon fall and looks over at Nurai, ”Hard to think we did all that.” He crosses his eyebrows, ”Especially the, ah, throat thing.”
Nurai smiled, not sure with how long she was trapped that she had done enough to be included in that, "A lot of surprises come from working together. You did well...
Jennifer Buscema wrote:
It takes a moment for Salim's question to register for Jennifer. She takes a deep breath and shakily stands up. When she speaks, all of her previous bluster and attitude is gone.
"It came from me. We've been connected for a long time. When I tried to grab ahold of the creature in this room, it wasn't invisible, it was incredibly... empty. When I grabbed it, the connection between us was severed."
Nurai struggled for words for a moment, "...I can't imagine. You did great standing up to him. I still need to deal with the rips, but after that, is there anything you'd like to do?
Thank you for botting me GMJon. As GMJon knows, I've had some health issues including dental surgery that did not go so well, resulting in far more of my brain and face being scrambled for far longer than planned. I'm mostly on the mend so will try to be consistent and coherent, but I'm still wobbly with more appointments upcoming so I'm thankful for any patience given.
Nurai lurched back and forth, the different components reacting to the draining in their own way: a angry growl that turned sickly, a glow from her behind her glasses becoming a visible green-yellow hue...
Her eidolon rolled protectively around their summoner. Soothing cool connection left Nurai unsure whether she or the shadows started the casting movement, but soon the old words and ideas come to her mind.
The shadows claws and Nurai's smile through her shadows grew even with the sickly glow remaining. Nurai's voice was joined by an edged, amused hum, "Syar'ammag, you cannot break a bond of shadows - we know the meaning of commitment, but we can have fun with you all a bit longer..."
They moved in, they'd decide whether to attack the Syar'ammag or buff the others when they got there.
Nurai's heart lightens on the ping, though it takes a confused moment when it wasn't the name she suspected.
A thief caught... well, that's nice. And now the entertaining demon seemed to be injured by...something. That's...
Backing up from the grappling mess, she sends a quick reply while her shadows stretches their claws and stood protectively next to their summoner, watching the fight...
Text to Median:
[i]Great catch! Got a mess with a demon and at least 1 invisible beastie here. Does your thief know anything about rips and hopping creatures? ~<3N*A
She left out the interdimensional bits to speed up typing and prevent needing to explain - not all Valda's friends were as well versed in Twilight problems.
I'm throwing in with the museum, if only to see how our GM, trained archaeological scientist with his behind the scenes experience at museums, has in store for our characters. Special museum fun.
Also, special museum things to break. Gonna stick with Nurai for that, give her and her shadows eidolon a chance to welcome the newcomers. Hopefully it won't involve gun again.
Except Nurai, who should never be near a gun unless she's using it as a melee weapon, apparently. Couldn't hit the broad side of a giant turtle. Repeatedly.
Just to let everyone know, the setting website - https://fevereddreams.weebly.com/ - has had a slight update in the story section. It shouldn't affect any applications, it's minor setting additions that have been part of the game but just not added to the site, but for those who might want some last moment inspiration or ways to connect their backgrounds or traits to the setting, I thought I'd give a heads up.
Not entirely sure, it often depends for me on the scenario or trying to compliment what other players have so I might see what any new recruits come up with it.
Another part of the issue is I've been working a lot in other settings, so my first thought is another kayal, but then I get the idea of a fungi person with mainly area of effect abilities because part of my frustration with Nurai is that she's just not build for distance fighting and we kinda ended up with mostly melee fighters even with the great jumping -- and then it takes a minute for me to realize I'm not sure how to do that within the Pathfinder system and I need something that would fit this setting.
So not decided on it, but will try to either pull back the more lighthearted parts of Nurai as I feel she's gotten a bit more angsty than I had intended or make a more lighthearted character and see if I can stick to it better this time.
We will eventually give Amelia a backstory character named Jennifer that she can deliriously hallucinate to help explain these name mixups.
Jerry's pierced a large part of the mass, though he was caught up in the burning backlash on his skin and damaging his clothes.
The flames of Jessica's sword seared through, the charred portions crumbling away. The nurses too, silently, their feet began to crumble and they fell like smashed statues. The ooze that leaked out of them moved to join the mass as the Plague Master struggled to heal.
More gunk and gross came from every direction as Amelia's magic grew stronger and the Plague Master grew weaker from the Jerry and Jessica's strikes. The heat in the air grew heavy as the plague master started to twist and burn under the force. More dark brown flaked away. Amelia could feel it trying to pull away from her.
Jerry and Jessica notice that the sickly yellow light is dimming and flickering and all the rooms off their corridor have gone dark. The stairwell to the surface looks to have soft moonlight shining down.
The repeated success means that the hunters have currently a partial victory - its nature is to try to escape again. Give a plausible way to fully cleanse it before it does and a more full victory shall be achieved. Either way, we're heading towards wrap-up
Trifoni nodded and quietly drew three cards and laid them carefully one at a time onto the cloth.
He flipped the first one gently "Mountain Man. Neutral, but wild. A path that is painful and with powers outside of your control, but could lead to increased vitality and a stronger home.
The second card. The Paladin. Good, but strict in battle and honor. A path standing against trouble without bending, but at what physical cost?
The final card, The Owl. A harsh judge on a path of mortality and things gone long before and above us. These owls, and some other birds, very rarely entirely alone and are sometimes said to be the eyes of heaven. They are watching you and yours on your paths.
Trifoni's hand returned to the top of the deck as he paused for a moment before he pointed out a needle in the owl's talons to Kaliban, That needle can bind people and life together or tear them apart. I see nothing to suggest being forgotten or barred is the only path for you, Kaliban. I do see likely difficult paths that will be challenging, things beyond you as you are now, that has the potential for building up yourself and those you care for higher and stronger than ever or tearing yourself apart. You might need that aid more than I do, but if you can handle the path without it breaking you, you and yours may soar.
Trifoni watched for Kaliban and the others' reaction though with an eye on the cards.
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Time Skip: Cohort, Armour, and Fluff - oh my:
In early days after returning, Aibek dutifully continued to help with repairs, but otherwise stuck close to the inn. The Councilor dismissed comments of concerns with a tired chuckle and jokes about difficulty sleeping.
One night, without much of a word, Aibek went with Azerna to meet again with the Leshy. The two were not seen for a week. During that time, the Nexus only stated they were aware of the situation, had been in communication with Councillor Aibek, and there was no need for concern at that time. The Leshy would not allow anyone past and any who might have tried to push past would not find either in the tangle of that tower, and were shooed out by the Leshy and growls of others within.
As quietly as they had left, the pair returned - with a sizeable wolf in tow. The almost large dark grey canine had green streaks as if stained by rolling in the grass. Aibek was clearly rather worse for wear walking gingerly and slowly, but would only remark that their sleep was much improved when questioned. It was also noticeable to those who had been around Aibek a lot that their shadows were suddenly and continuously placid, draped long behind them. At times, the wolf would roll around in Aibek's shadow.
The wolf followed either Aibek or Azerna everywhere at first, even when Aibek carried something sizeable wrapped in cloth into blacksmith's. Aibek visited Pelar repeatedly, and the wolf would follow and then go lay across the main doorway, which oddly was a mild deterrent for anyone curious. Aibek was also seen buying another chest, a lot of ink, and gear that would not fit them. Jokes were made about buying the gear for the wolf, to which Aibek would say with a smile things like "I don't think Rinat would like leather on their fur."
Before one of Aibek's usual weekly training session, Azerna arranged "an occasion", as she put it and Pelar, the other councillors including Nexus, and eight of the women who had been training with Aibek longest and trusted most - as difficult as that was for Aibek to think of at times. A small spread including sizeable meats particularly for Pelar and Rinat was out on the table. The click of wolf feet pacing could be heard upstairs for several minutes.
"Rinat seems to be following Aibek around", Azerna chuckled before she called up the stairs, "Do you want a hand? The meat might be getting cold..."
A clatter of claws and blur of green-grey fur as a whimpering Rinat game flying down the stairs brought out fits of laughter. A suitable cheerful distraction Aibek took advantage of and slowly followed. Headscarf in trembling hands, dark hair braided up tightly, Aibek stopped at the bottom step in black-and-violet armour and scanned the room. The inlaid druchite patterns on darkleaf made the witchwolf a bit difficult to focus on in the dim light of stairwell. Stepping cautiously into the light of the inn, a few questions were answered, though others raised.
"You're doing well", Azerna beamed, "Pelar's done an excellent job, almost hard to believe it's from that damaged mess."
"Better than new," Aibek said quietly with a tap to the long breastplate, "And a lot easier to breathe in than the other armour."
"That's what happens when you get something made for you, properly." Pelar said with a nod from over his plate where Rinat was giving him big green wolf-puppy eyes that were being cruelly ignored. "...still not sure why though. Not that that's my business."
Aibek looked to Azerna and with a deep breath, "True, but it's okay - now, I hope. If those who target the women of my clan...that way... come after me, I think there may be a few here who would help me stop them and those who might send them after me..." Rinat jumped up on Aibek, with a chunk of meat between their teeth. "Yes, I'm sure you'd be a big help against the Sworn, but eat that elsewhere..."
When there was not possibly Okeno or Shattered Glass issues to resolve, Aibek kept busy. Some from the training group showed a lot of promise and enjoyment in certain shadow skills and Aibek enjoyed working with them. Between that, working in the inn, and keeping up with other Councillor tasks around the city, Aibek's personal projects - the shadow drops or building up the needed materials to expand Azerna's comfortable range among others - were precious. So much to balance, but life went thankfully on.
Until recently, Rinat remained with Azerna when Aibek would go flying out the door to help deal with the Shattered Glass. Then Rinat would show up as things finished up, somehow tucked away somewhere nearby and stroll out. More recently, Aibek could be found fishing Rinat out of the harbour or trying not to be annoyed when Rinat seemed to already be where the trouble was. It always brought mixed feelings, but the two started to work together well.
Aibek cautiously approached the bridge along the waterway, scouting out what could be seen of the attack. With shadowblade crossbow in one hand and a long sliver meat in the other, the witchwolf said, "Nexus said you were already here. I probably don't want to know - come on, Rinat, we've work to do."
An almost-large dark grey wolf came out of the water, pleased and snapped the snack out of mid-air before shaking off the water and stepping to follow Aibek.
While GMing Way of the Wicked, I assisted two characters to conspire to sacrifice Jon and two others at an NPC's bidding. I quite enjoyed that reveal. It didn't work, the sacrifices survived, but it was good fun.
Shadow magic is my favourite and my usual go-to, but for full arcane power fun here, I think - if Harrow decks and related magic would fit into the setting - a Harrow Bloodline Sorcerer to go into the Harrower Prestige Class has a lot of potential.
Jessica's first attempt at a search didn't really turn up anything she could see was relevant. Nature photos and old stories of when Aboite was first built as it is now. Maybe it was her summoner's behaviour or just being a bit rusty.
The card players' conversation meandered a bit between people confirming work schedules and the next time they could meet and things they had seen online, until an odd whistle came from one of their devices. A young woman's smile beamed and that caught the other players' attention more than the odd whistle, "Looks like my girl found that nightvision stuff - a few pairs of goggles and a high-quality camera. She starts obviously paraphrasing from a message on her screen, "She can't go due to work and common sense, but she'll let ya borrow them - if you can come up with something interesting she can hold onto if you break them." There were a few groans around the table which just makes the young woman shrug. "You're the ones that want to go check out that cursed temple before whoever gets involved. You can try the guys at the tech shop, but they won't be as nice as Rhoda for this kind of equipment. I think she's right and you lot are bonkers, but then - I don't have the looks for horror movie sets." she finishes as she points to her small afro before returning to flicking through her phone while one man shuffles cards and the others debate what could be interesting enough for Rhoda.
The glaring shadow flickers a small reaction but whatever they are annoyed at isn't Jerry and doesn't care about what Jerry is doing. Some of the others do react more - curiosity or fear are the most obvious.
The girl laying a few trees over seems to just be watching.
Jerry:
From what Jerry can see and his experience, these look like some kind of human shades - like ghosts or imprints - and suspects Zeke would see similar. This was only previously answered under Zeke's spoiler .
Hurting them is difficult by most physical means, they're not entirely physically there - it'd be like pushing or shooting a shadow, but at the same time ones like these are unlikely to be able to do more physically than a light tap or push on their own. Jerry knows that whether they're good, neutral, or malicious can depend on individual shades or what is holding them there. All these types have a tendency to watch and lead people, the difference tends to be where they lead.
Concept:
Military or ex-military, people assume by her attitude but aren't entirely sure. Which nation she is/was military or not of, also something people debate. When Captain's not around, of course. She wouldn't be having with such deplorable and annoying behaviour as idle gossip.
Captain is very loyal to her higher-ups. After years of training teams under her command, Captain has an attitude that everyone - other than her higher-ups - are subordinates. She is very big on reminding and keeping others to the rules and objectives. Ruthlessly so. If the rules say the punishment is death, she'll argue for death without any wavers in whatever is left in her heart no matter the circumstances. Captain holds others and herself to a very high appearing standard though how much she keeps the rules herself is her little secret.
Severe, cold and analytical, but gets the job done is how most who work alongside her would describe the Captain. There are a few stories floating around of shocking displays of humanity, but most don't believe them. She is full of far more surprises than most give her credit, but keeping others on edge of how far she will go to fulfill her job is a carefully kept image the Captain keeps.
She wears meticulous formalwear and her favourite weapon has a gilded rose engraved on it.
Possible Playbook: Crooked or Professional
Creative Examples:
Criminal Agency:
Blighters' Karma - Their code might not be more of 'normal' society, but it works for them. Their members would say it is fueled by how much normal society occasionally needs a kick in the pants - or a baseball bat to the face. They don't bother dealing with the corruption through legal means - most of the time - they just fit through the cracks and get the job done so people can get by when society kicks them while they're down. At least, that's what you'll hear if you talk to most of them about it. Getting any firmer details about them is a bit difficult.
Strictly hierarchal, information on an absolute need to know basis, members work in teams on specific tasks. Some are the face, working normal jobs, some get what needs gotten, get people where they're supposed to be, some get rid of people needing gone.
Few people see any of the higher-ups. Most teams go through training and then are held in control by a lead who has the only contact with anyone higher. The rumour is that the members all have a dark burn etched somewhere on their skin. Lower rank members will have one or two on the lower part of their bodies - easy to cover but easy to show too - while higher ranked members will have several going up their bodies.
It is said around town that if you really need something and don't mind where it's coming from, to look for a merchant's cart with a large black awning and no matter what they're selling, ask if the lusterless beads can be delivered and don't be persuaded to buy or leave until given an offering.
Professional Agency:
Adalets - named for the founding family that is still in charge after hundreds of years, their public face is a logistics corporation. Their headquarters is a tall skyscraper, blending in among a bunch of other skyscrapers of dark metal and dark glass.
Like many corporations, they have their fingers in a lot of pies, publically and behind the scenes. International aid NGOs, healthcare, food, education, tech, legal, mercenary bands, fashion, criminal networks...Adalets has been connected to all of them though getting anything nefarious to stick is difficult. They have an astounding and large legal and PR departments for a logistics company.
A rumour currently going around that they've been quick to laugh off has to do with their trucks and cargo containers being seen in the hands of various military-level equipped groups and criminal gangs. Which ones and the purpose depends on the telling - from syphoning off water to control to planning a destructive coup to smuggling people to just having had some of their equipment knicked by disgruntled ex-employee gone rogue. The corporation is dismissive, photos and videos can be edited, but new stories seem to show up every few weeks...
Zelani's found the Lord more and more foolish as she wondered how long did it take for him to figure out he was played by these Brothers, but her eyes slid to Shalluk at his remarks, "Are you remembering the heroes... or the rats?" she said softly with a small knowing smile. Zelani's natural warmth was peeking out from under all the gloom...
AC: 18 Human, 20 Hybrid & Wolf | T: 11, FF: 12 Human/13 | Fort: +7, Ref: +4, Will +6 | CMB: +4; CMD: +15 (19 vs trip as wolf) | Init +2, Perc: +6. Personas may differ.
Aibek hugged their sibling tightly. "Take care Arman. And thank you..." The dream faded briefly into the black of Aibek's usual dreams - vague shapes, lines, sounds that were hard to focus on - before the witchwolf quickly woke up.
Aibek slowly opened their eyes, and pulled themself up to sitting on the bed. Leaning against the wall, feeling it cool against their bare back, the shadow archon stared blankly at the window for what felt like a long time. How long Aibek couldn't tell. Eventually, tears began falling. At first, they came slowly and quietly, easily ignored or wiped away. But the cracks in their mask slowly widened and a harsh flood of tears in shaking sobs erupted out of the witchwolf.
After a while that Aibek hadn't noticed in their crying, there was a knock at the locked door. Foggy headed, Aibek stood up, yanking one of the already loosened sheets with them and wrapping it around themselves that the robe they had worn in the fading dream. Wiping their face a moment, their hands fumbling for a minute at the lock before pulling open.
"Azerna? Is everything okay?"
The dryad in the hall raised her eyebrows as she surveyed Aibek for a long moment, "I was going to ask you that. I heard..."
"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't disturb your sleep. I've..." Aibek sighed, looking away, glowy grey eyes still foggy as they shifted where they stood inside the doorframe.
"You didn't, I've already been up for a bit and just happen to hear as I was walking past. Do... you want to talk about it?"
A thousand excuses came to Aibek's mind. They didn't want to bother...it isn't important...just a bit homesick...a rough dream...need more rest...another time maybe...one well-worn phrase after the other came, but none louder than Arman's words that rang in their ears, the memory of the last few evening's dinners steadying Aibek's nerves.
The silent moment between them extended, awkwardly to Aibek, before they looked back to Azerna, "Please, I...would appreciate your insight...if you want to... if it isn't too much..." Aibek shifted nervously, glancing away shyly.
Azerna smiled warmly, causing Aibek's breath to catch in their throat for a moment. "I'll go get us some water and things while you get dressed."
Aibek nodded as they watched her walk away, before turning around and closing the door. They opened their bag, the sheet falling down around them. Looking at their usual clothes and bindings, Aibek sighed, their eyes catching the old battered armor for a wistful moment before it landed on a familiar robe. Pulling some of the warm weather gear, their vest, and then the robe, Aibek was brushing their hair when they heard a knock again.
Aibek tossed the sheet back onto the bed that more resembled a nest of fabrics before opening the door. The last of the tiredness starting to leave the witchwolf as they saw Azerna carrying a tray. "I was just about to head down, you didn't need to..."
"It's fine, I've seen how you value your privacy...and thought you might want to talk here. You certainly look comfortable..."
A small smile pulled at Aibek's mouth as they helped Azerna put the tray on the small old table. Aibek had purposefully chosen the smallest room with the little window when they had first arrived - bed, table, chair, lantern, and rug seemed more than enough for someone used to sleeping in barracks, tents, and the occasional tree. Aibek kept most of their things constantly packed in their bag out of habit, the bag resting on the floor near the door, so the room looked tidy if a bit bare...other than the bed which was chaotically covered in a ball of light blankets and sheets. Still, Aibek felt embarrassed in from Azerna - it was her room to Aibek.
"Sorry for the mess, I haven't been sleeping well." Aibek said nervously as they sat on the bed, pulling themselves back so their back was resting against the wall again, their legs pulled up.
Azerna chuckled and shook her head at the witchwolf before picking up her drink and sat on the edge of bed. "Why do you think that is?" the dryad gently enquired.
Aibek gave a small shrug, "I haven't slept well in months. When I left the Shadow Planes...I was severely hurt, still surprised I survived. Haven't slept or dreamed the way I did before since then. Aibek explained, glancing over at Azerna's encouraging smile.
"Last night was different. Arman, one of my siblings - the dreamer, they brought me into the Dream last night for the first time in a while. We talked a lot. Then Ayreth showed up - she's fine, just something weird happened in Katapesh so she ended up there for a while. Arman's dream is...very relaxing. I...shared more of my memories than I intended, and between that and the talking...it brought up a lot, things I'm still unsure about, worried about, scared about. I... I've seen a lot of things, you probably have too, there are some things I just can't shake...ummm...Can I ask you a personal question, you don't..don't have to answer..." Aibek began, nervously stumbling over their question.
Azerna nodded with a curious smile.
"Before you got your tree back, you were...hiding some of your features. Elie mentioned that she had no idea. I won't ask why, but...how have you felt since then? how have people treated you? Mine is obviously not as well done - the wolf blood gives me a lower voice and I've been careful with the clothes, but I've had comments. It's just felt easier and safer to...I've just so many times seen so-called good people do horrible things to those... I tried talking to Arman but...they're a guy who lives in dreams, I don't think they understand. Like, they know how some people we thought were safe turned on us because we're just...monsterous to them...but what they do specifically to..." Aibek's voice had started to shake, slowly curled up their body as tears began to well up and burn in the corners of their eyes.
Azerna carefully moved closer, resting a hand on the witchwolf's shoulder, causing Aibek to look up at her. "Duval insisted I look as human as possible, to attract customers and make them feel comfortable. I used a glamour to look more human. It was such a relief...I haven't really thought about what others' think. No one's bothered me so I guess they don't care...though they might be scared of you lot..." Azerna gently teased.
"Or they're even more intimidated by your beauty now..." Aibek replied, wiping their eyes as they heard the dryad chuckle. Aibek's studied the dryad for quiet moments as their loud mind roared around them. The memory shared in the dream rose to mind, a soothing feeling began going down Aibek's right arm. Lifting it up to look at, 3 shadow lines - each a different shade - coming from higher up their arm crossed the shadow archon's palm. A small smile came to Aibek, they gently pulled each one, one at a time, wrapping the dark red line around their middle finger, the dark blue line around their fourth finger, and the dark grey purple around their smallest finger on their right hand.
Aibek stared at them as they spoke, "I pledged to my family and clan that I would not risk myself to fulfill the pledge I made to Archon Adilet. I did it to save the life of another who had saved me...who I love. My pledge meant I allowed my body to be changed, my loyalty proven by becoming...by giving up... Aibek sighed as they rubbed their hand.
Later, as part of my pledge, I bound...part of myself to the woman who saved me, Inkar..." Aibek pointed to the red line, "...and Sezim..." pointing to the blue line, "..and Ayaulym." pointing to the purple one before closing their hand, looking at the lines going up their wrist and under their robe. "I've never thought love was some finite...thing. I've...a long history of jumping in both feet & full heart into...particularly with people. I love my boundmates, I miss them...so much. When I first returned to the Material, after I could walk properly again, all I could think of was returning - I checked where the thinning was so many times...it's why my family asked me to pledge - they worried I would do something...reckless. After a while, I tried to focus on the Vakana. When I got here, I was still trying to keep them in my mind as my home, as me. It caused...a few outbursts. After facing that shadow collector abomination...everything kinda broke and I couldn't... My body changed again, shadows dancing around my feet and hands beyond my control, my sense of my boundmates became... unreliable. I...I..." tears were starting to come back again, "I've been so worried, that the...that our bond was breaking. I left to save them, Archon Adilet ordered...it was only way...but what if it wasn't, what if she...or they...just wanted rid of me? I was so...what if it's breaking, what if this is the last of it? what if they're doing this because I...? What if I've caused this by leaving, by not getting rid of the shadow collector's victims - I couldn't, they're so..., but... what if it's breaking because I've...because I...I li..." Aibek looked over to Azerna, the torn feelings breaking the witchwolf's usual mask.
Azerna pulled Aibek close and the witchwolf broke into a sob. The cracks open and raw, it was several minutes before Aibek could stop, and many more before they moved from the comfortable position to look Azerna in the eye, "It's been months and I haven't found a way to send them a message. By my pledge, I should return - I swore my life so Inkar wouldn't be...she was meant to be executed for saving me. I couldn't let... I loved my life there, because of them. I don't regret...but...I was talking about to Arman about trying to find a thinning here in Khalharum, establish it like the Vakana did - trade could be great and...maybe...I could find a way to get messages through. But...I think...whether I found out they no longer...or if the Archon tried to summon me back...I don't think I...what if...shadows, I wish I could bring them here, talk to them, find out what happened, give...give them the chance to not live constantly fighting. Once, Sezim and I went on a trade run to the Material and she spent half the time petting the trees. Almost all of the ones in the Shadow Plane are contaminated, she's been trying to work on a way to help them since...I was worried your tree would be contaminated by that...undead...yeah. I've found it difficult to be back on the Material, my senses...my body feels...my feelings are all...and with so many unknown people here I'm scared of...and worried that...does...does it make me...to not want...to be unsure about...." Aibek wordless motioned to their body, "or to not know if or how to continue my pledge to Archon Adilet?...to be..." Aibek tried to continue before their eyes tightly closed as they felt the tears and pain rising up against them again. The witchwolf tried to avoid sniffling as they felt the dryad rubbing their back before Aibek rested their head against her.
"I was a bit worried about my tree too...and any and all of that doesn't make you anything but a person with feelings and needs that change according to how life changes. You traveled a long way to get here, distance and time have ways of changing people, and Khalharum has it's own ways I've found. Neither of us can know all the rhymes or reasons for how things happen, I'm not sure I'd want to...just. Just know doubts happen to all of us, we're all in an uncertain place, and move with what is in front of you now. You'll figure things out and find a way eventually..."
Aibek smiled faintly at Azerna. The pair sat quietly with each other for the while. Azerna eventually pulled back with a sigh, "I have a few things I need to do... I think you do too. Try the twins and other stores, they have a lot of contacts which could help. And if you need me, I'm here...you don't need to cry and carry it all by yourself...even my tree gets help, Aibek, as big and strong as it is." Azerna said, wiping away one of Aibek's tears gently before standing up.
Aibek nodded, face flushed. After a moment, Aibek reached out their hand, "Thank you Azerna. Just a moment, one favour...one more favour...could...as I've said before, Aibek is my family name. I went to Zhen Halfblood as a representative of...of my family, which is how I came here. I would...like...if you would, when we're...like this...if you could...call me Aiday?" nervously stumbling over the request.
Azerna took the hand for a gently squeeze, "Of course Aiday, it's a beautiful name..." she replied warmly with a broad smile before letting go. Aibek blushed brighter with a nod, breath tight in their throat again while watching Azerna leave, closing Aibek's door behind herself. Aibek glanced over to the tray and smiled. Maybe breathing as themself here wouldn't be so hard or risky...
The British Home Office keeps track of rape allegations that are later proven to be false - thereby tracking false-rape charges. They are the ones defining rape and defining false rape charges for the UK, not me, so 2 doesn't make sense.
Research the case - cause seriously, this was international news - One got one year for the gangrape, one got two for gangrape and sending the video of a minor being raped among his friends and online. The video was already in the public space and used to ruin the victim's life - the tweets, instagrams, facebook messages, videos, and pictures were all in the public domain already, they were put there by the rapists themselves while they were doing. They video'ed themselves doing it - she was obviously unconsciously in the video's and the messages they sent say she was drugged so they could do this - I'm not sure how we get clearer than that. The hackers are accused of released the rapists' names. That's it - they could get 10 years if convicted for releasing their names after they were already in protective custody (so no mob justice).
And punishments in society are meant to fit our perspective of the crime. So if we give 1 year for one crime and ten years for another, which crime do we think is the most severe?
Holy victim-blaming hell fire, negate my bad decisions?
Most women who are raped, are raped by their significant others. Stranger rape, even when drunk, is very rare. Those rapes have nothing to do with drugs or alcohol or horniness, everything to do men wanting to dominate another person and a society that backs them up.
I don't get drunk, I don't even drink, I've seen enough drunk people and don't get the pleasure and it isn't worth the risk with creeps like you around. Your morality function is scewed. If a woman wants to go to a wild drunk party, you don't ever have the right to her regardless if you view her actions are immoral. No matter what your opinion on her morality, you do not have the right to harm her and if you do, she has every right to make you pay for your bad, horrible choice.
The rape conviction rate is 4%, FOUR, and there are less false allegation for rape than any other felony. Look it up real stats - like how one in 20 university age kids will admit to forcing themselves on someone who didn't want it but don't think that constitutes rape.
Seriously, you have no idea what you are talking about and just trying to excuse your own creepiness. Thank you for making it so blatant so others can avoid.
Why do you care so much about the legalities? Surely the moral issue is, why risk hurting someone just to get your end away? Why wouldn't you want a partner to enthusiastically agree and enjoy what is going on?
Seriously, some of you guys are coming off as really creepy and making me really glad I don't drink.
Interesting that this conversation seems to devolved with very little understanding on women in a society that raises women to be sex objects, compliant, submissive, and people pleasers, a society that blames women for getting raped, calls us sluts for saying yes, calling us frigid for saying no, and calling us all sorts of things if we call the double standards as they are. A society where a little boy hurts little girl and she's told it means he likes her, and no one ever tells them different. A society where dating site surveys show men's greatest fear is that his date will be ugly or laugh at him and a woman's greatest fear is that her date will kill her (and statistically the person most likely to rape and kill a woman is the man she's in a relationship with, by a long shot). A lot of women are told that if a man tries to force himself on us, we should just lie back and let it happen so as to not make him angry and kill us. This is what we are taught from an early age. We have to deal with all these messages and complications to love you guys, and I don't think many of you have ever thought about that.
You might be able to ignore this reality in this conversation, but I can't. The reason this book is problematic is because we live in that society where I'm suppose to put my wants and body autonomy aside to please someone and I need be careful in case he wants to hurt me, and this book takes advantage of that and contributes to that violence. No, the guy who wrote the book nor the people interested with think it's sexual assault or rape; however, about 1 in 20 young men will as long you don't mention rape . What they have in common is that they believe everyone does it, that everony treats women like that, some are just better at hiding it . This book promotes that as the best way to treat women. Both need to be challenged.
I'm seeing a lot on the topic about women saying no, an assertive no in many places. Just because someone hasn't said no, doesn't mean someone has said yes. Resistance means no. I don't care if you've been in a relationship for fifty years, why would you want to sleep with someone you've coerced and badgered and intimidated to get there? why would you not want an enthusiastic yes? There are many ways to communicate it, especially in a long-term relationship Why would you want to risk hurting someone you're suppose to love? Is getting your end away that important?
And actually, having sex with someone blackout drunk or otherwise equally too inebriated to give consent is rape and illegal even within a marriage in most places. It's not just being drunk, I'm pretty sure most people see the line between being tipsy and blackout drunk.
I've been with my partner for over ten years, had four kids with him, and nights of double-digit Os for me and have a box of toys for us and still we ensure enthusiastic yes for anything we do. I don't get wanting less than an enthusiasm when it comes to sex.
It's not just "these days". People were "offended"/hurt by others words and actions before - it's just that complaining tended to lead to assault, rape, and death, not just for yourself but often other people that those in power thought were in the same group as retribution for not keeping one of theirs in their place.
As groups have gotten better protection from that (though it still happens), people are able to express how they want to be treated and possibly more important, how they do NOT want to be treated. There has been a lot written about this and most of it connects to history of words or actions, and these give a general framework. Obviously, it varies a lot from individual to individual and part of dealing with individuals is respecting how a person wants to be treated and recognizing the validity in a different worldview that is often affected by how the world treats people differently depending on they pass to its expectations. Calling people 'easily offended', 'oversensitive', or 'PC-defenders' is invalidating and continues the unequal structures and systems built into our society that are slowly being rebuilt. If people listened rather than blaming those at the bottom, it would get rebuilt a lot quicker.
We can say we're all human as much as we want but the reality is that society has been systematically built with unequal power at the basis of its structures and while it is slowly being rebuilt, people are treated differently by the world depending on what group they appear to belong to. 96% of people in America who are raped state that their rapist was White, but 80% of those in jail for rape are black, Native American woman are 3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than White women, White people were less than 20% of stop and searches in NYC in 2010 yet had over 65% of the contraband, and the response the next year was to stop fewer White people. Our experiences and treatment by the world is affected by who we pass as, we can't make it better until we acknowledge it.
