If we are starting up again, I think I should be able to squeeze the game back in... also here.
Search Posts
*Gently nudges the thread with the butt of her spear*
What woman are we wanting to kill? :)
Ooh, are you our mystery guest?? Also, I think Finn left a querry in the Oregon campaign Rizzen if you haven't seen it.
Oh heck yes. I'm in. Also, I may poke around in the old threads if I get some time(a level up is much in order), but it probably won't be until sometime next week.
Yup, still here (and having WoT withdrawals)! ;)
Fia looks up, ashen faced as the dust and debris from the ruined farmhouse settles and then, as a wave of overwhelming fear washes over her, turns. She runs from the monster, attempting to push anyone in her path along with her..
Hope things calm down soon Kodo.
Also, welcome back everyone! ;)
Awesome. Rizzen, I'm assuming that with the reset of the encounter, Fia's second overchanneling (and its effects) never happened, but I am still in the last 'day' of not being able to touch the source from when I did it in the cave on the other world. Am I interpreting things correctly?
Excellent. I have been missing my little Aiel, even if she is a complete mess right now.
Have a good trip and a good 'break' you two! See you when we're back, if not before.
Oh, and Finnegan, as to mechanics of pbp, pretty much everything you need to know can be found in the "How to format your text" hidden tab below where you input your text. You could also check out Guide to PbP It might give you a few ideas too. btw, I liked your background story. :)
Rizzen's call there, but I would think some variation of Craft: Cartography or Profession Cartographer. Speaking of, how do you envision us using the crafts and professions in game Rizzen? In your typical campaign they're for 'downtime' (at least in my experience). However I get the feeling they'll be popping up more often here. Speaking of, I was considering possibly being a surveyor, but I"m not welded to that idea and it might be a good idea if we coordinated a bit so we have a wide range of crafts and experience on the expedition. Thoughts, ideas?
Hmm, think I'll go with a gunslinger then. Mostly because I've never played one. :)
Also curious as to how you're handling firearms. Am torn between a native american character of some sort or a 'Natty Bumppo" type, only roughly 70 or so years later. :)
Completely understandable Rizzen. I imagine handling a group and campaign this large can take its toll after a while. Though I have to say, seeing all those 'subplots' listed out like that just makes me want more and want it now! lol Seriously though, take as long as you need. I'll be ready to come back when you're ready to continue. Also, time has been a bit short lately for me too, but I may also be interested in the other campaign if I can think up a decent character. I've always liked the idea of a pseudo historical campaign, but have never been able to find or put one together. Let us know details / recruitment thread and I'll see if / what I can throw together. :)
Hurting from her wounds, mentally lethargic, and exhausted to the point of near collapsing from her earlier efforts in reclaiming the power, Fia just remains hunkered down beside Litheene behind the barrier. She crouches with knife in hand, ready to defend Litheene if need be, but otherwise can do little but watch in growing dumbstruck horror at the carnage wrought by the beast.
Fia crouches next to Litheene beneath the air shield and watches in impotent fury as the beast goes on a bloody rampage.
Yeah. Haha...or especially not a certain aiel who already shamed herself and fled in panic at a mere trolloc recently and now... Well, at the rate pbps tend to go and the lack of healing in the world, I will have the stats of a npc wetlander commoner until Christmas time. This is bound to be quite a humbling experience for poor Fia. :P Also, with all the panic inducing roaring we've encountered lately, I think investing in some earplugs may be wise. :)
The immensely bright glow of saidar surrounding Fiallain wavered and then winked out, leaving her defenseless before the al'Raken. Even before the beast's attacks ripped into her, the tenuous grip she had on the power slipped and it deserted her as suddenly as it had flared to life moments before. Staggered and bleeding from the powerful blows she had received from the creature, she felt a hand on her shoulder and was suddenly pulled from behind down into a crouch. Despite the obvious pain she had to be in and their circumstances, she watches in amazement as Litheene appears to weave a barrier of air about them, seemingly without the power. Filing the strangeness of it away, she grits her teeth and draws her belt knife. It was all she had left to use.
Blarg. Not sure why this is only
Pain coursed through her, but she embraced it. Dizzy and disheveled, Fia picked herself back up off the ground and snarled back at the looming beast. Her hair stood out every which way, frizzed from the lightning that had nearly struck her directly, and would have, had she not somehow sensed it coming and thrown herself to the side. The effect gave the aiel woman a rather fearsome appearance. Yet, despite the lightning, she held still to the power as it blazed within her. But for how long? Already her weakened body trembles with the effort of holding so much of the power. Slowly, as if time had slowed, she lifts her arms and thrust them forward, fingers stretching towards the beast. Then, she channeled. Threads of air shot from her outstretched fingertips, hurtling towards the beast. Dozens of paces from the creature, those strands split in all directions, looping and interlacing with each other, and expanding outward in ever widening arcs. They rose higher and higher over the head and body of the beast and began to descend and close in, all of this happening every bit as quickly as the flash of lightning the beast had flung at her moments before. Even as the weave contracts on itself, Fia adds strand after strand of air, hundreds of them, each following the ones before. Each grouping laced to form a similar lattice net to the first. They followed the one before, rising above and to the sides of the beast and descending in layers, reaching for it, clawing at it, pressing it down to the earth. The first net reached her attacker and became hard as bands of steel and iron. It drove down upon it, trying to force its head and neck down to the earth. Faster and faster she spun, quicker than the eye could follow. Net after net came, adding its weight to those before. Fiallain wove as she had never woven before. She did not consciously know what it was she was doing – there was no plan or reasoned purpose behind each thing that she did. She worked solely now by instinct, much the way she had learned on her own to use the power in the deserts of the three-fold-land, but on a much grander scale, with much higher stakes. Before she even realized what it was she was doing, threads of earth and water added to the mix and the ground beneath the beast grew slick and thick with mud, the very weight of the creature making it sink into the earth. Bolts of fire followed, baking that mud around the creature until it was hard as rock. More air, water, earth, fire, even spirit followed on and on in a silent onslaught as she threw everything she could summon up in that moment upon their enemy and she was drenched head to toe in sweat and gasping for breath…
Fiallain’s look turned grim as she plopped back down amongst the rubble of their former shelter and took stock of the others. Of those visible from where she sat, none seemed unaffected by the beast’s antics in some way. Litheene seemed dazed, as did Kodokura, though Alathea was pulling him away, following Ryvin as she fled. From her position, she could not see Ryland… or the other Ryland, nor Rhoekk or the other men. She had been spared most of the carnage, likely do to her having just barely entered the building when the blast hit. Her companions were dazed, scattered, and shaken – and that thing was still out there! Fia gritted her teeth, flexed the fingers of her left hand into a fist. ”If that thing comes at us before we recover, we’re dead! She thought. Light, we may awaken anyway. But what can I do??” She peered through a gap in the wreckage, glared back at the strange, massive beast. There was only one thing she could try, one thing that could hopefully make a difference. That one thing was not her bare fists. Those few times she had tried to touch the source since that day in the cave, she had been unable to even brush against it before her body revolted on her. She was not recovered. But now what choice was there? Grimly, she closed her eyes, fed the fear, stress, anxiety, the anger of the moment away, searched for, and found the calm. Then, she reached down, deep within. Immediately, the familiar nausea and bile rose to the surface as her body rebelled and protested what it knew she was doing. She groaned pitifully, and swallowed and spat the bile away as she forced herself onward, reaching and grasping. Yet again, as before, it eluded her. She fought back the panic and frustration. ” this isn’t right, not how… Slowly, she strained and forced her rebelling body and mind to relax… to surrender. Her body trembled with the effort of that surrender, screaming in protest at what it knew would come. But then at last, grimacing, Fiallain opened herself. It was just a crack in her mind’s resistance at first, but beyond that resistance, she saw it there, waiting, begging, welling up, and just on the other side: Saidar. With a low moan, she opened that crack further, surrendered and letting go of herself completely. It came to her then in an overwhelming flood. It filled her and she bathed in it, hugged it to herself as she wept. ”Oh light… it is clean!! So blessedly clean!!” She nearly forgot where she was then, in her relief and delight in finding this, but then she remembered. Tears streaming down her face, she stood on wobbly legs and faced the monstrosity. The light of Saidar surrounding her then was blinding to those who could see it; its intensity many times stronger and brighter than what should be possible....
Splintered wood, shingles, and heavy beams came crashing down all about, but somehow, miraculously, Fiallain manages to throw herself out of the path of most of the falling debris. As the dust settles on the collapsed building, she emerges from the rubble, coughing a little as she crouches behind one of the larger of the fallen beams and looks out at the monstrosity that stands a little distance away, bellowing ferociously. The sound of its roar washed over her, deafening in its intensity. Fia felt it down to her bones, felt the fear start to rise up within her, but then the anger rising to meet it. She rises to her feet, and spat a curse back at the thing, though her voice was lost in the cacophony. Her eyes quickly sweep the field, and the creature itself before she disappears back down among the rubble.
Protect us from ourselves?!? What nonsense is he talki... The thunder rumbles and the strange cloud gathers. Lightning flashes unnaturally. Fia looks up and growls. Do as he says! She yells at Ryvin and turns her back to the man with the sword as she dives for cover.
Fiallain gives a shake of her head, torn. She didn't trust this Ryland farther than she could stab a spear, but she also didn't exactly like their chances in their current state against a possible encounter with hardened Seanchan troops likely supported by collared women. After a brief moment she spoke. "If these truly are the Seanchan coming, then from what little I know of them, they will try to enslave those with me who can channel and likely kill the rest for resisting. Against that possibility, I cannot ask my companions to surrender their means of defending themselves and place their lives in the hands of - you say you like bluntness - a stranger who has repeatedly tried to use this distraction to sneak his men into position to ambush us. For all I know, it is you who are working for the Seanchan and your plan to sell us over to them. She reaches down and retrieves the dagger. "No. If...IF we accompany you, it will be as we are now - ready and able to defend ourselves - and yours - should the Seanchan overtake us. If you know maiden's kiss then you must have known some other of the aiel. You would know the value we place on Ji, on our honor. I give you my word that we will not betray or harm you or your men, so long as you and they are true to us. I will even swear water oath on this, if you wish. If your intentions towards us are honorable, then this should be enough for you. If it is not so, then be gone, and know that whatever ill fate descends upon us, it will be your doing."
Fia doesn't flinch as the knife sticks in the ground scant inches from her toes. She raises one eyebrow at the man. Knows about that game, does he? To Ryvin she hisses softly, He is goading you... "Oh I doubt you could play kiss the maiden with me very long, wetlander. I can be quit...vigorous when I put my mind to it. She pitches her voice a little louder, loud enough to where she thinks Ryland -the real Ryland - and Keelix at the very least would be able to hear her with their acute senses. So this isn't all to give those men to either side of me time to sneak up on the house?
If she isn't riddled with arrows after the stunt with a knife, Fia may need some pointers in diplomacy as part of her apprentice training. lol Between Whitecloaks and now this It is turning out to not be a skill she is naturally gifted at. :P
Hardly words to endear trust, Ryland of Fal Dara. Fia responds with all the considerable dryness of tone she can conjure up. Her eyes slide in the direction 'Ryland' seemed to have been searching moments earlier. Her attention casually returns to him and she slowly draws her knife. "Or are you just stalling for time? I warned you this was pointless... Her wrist flicks, quicker than the eye can follow, and in a heartbeat the dagger stands quivering point down in the ground a foot in front of his feet. I only do this because I think there are worse threats to us both and blood spilled here only serves the enemy. If any harm comes to those with me, you
"The last time someone demanded we lay down our spears, despite our willing compliance, we ended up with slit throats and being chased across an entire continent. Why should I do this again? Why should I trust you?"
She pauses, looks back at him before continuing on. "I do not know what tbis 'Manathra' is, nor do I much care. Keep it."
Fia's eyes narrow dangerously and it was with a visible effort that she calmed herself. Nevertheless, despite the words that followed, her voice was calm, sure and collected, and yet she spoke with a quiet intensity. "Do I look like a bloody local to you, Ryland of Fal Dara? Do I appear of this.. Seanchan people? Open your eyes and use that brain of yours! Are the Seanchan in the habit of letting women who channel roam about uncollared? Have they been sending women heavy with child to spy out your defenses? If my 'crackbrained' companion so vehemently denies allegience with them, perhaps she finds the idea abhorent. Perhaps... just perhaps it is because she was harmed by them? I came out here to meet you because I thought you might be a man of sense. I came hoping to find an ally in this strange place. I came to offer you peace, Ryland of Fal Dara. Was I wrong to do so? Have I found instead a fool? Will you push us needlessly into a dance? I will dance with you if need be, damned fool thing that would be... for both of us. She studied him a long moment. I still offer you peace and friendship - despite your insults, Ryland of Fal Dara. When you have made up your mind whether you are a fool or not, call out again and I will hear. She turns on her heel and begins making her way back to the house.
Fia nods slightly. Yes, that sounds much like what a Ryland might do... She smiles and holds her palms outward, showing him her empty hands. "We too wish only to be left in peace, Ryland of Fal Dara. I have and hold no loyalty to any in these lands , save only to my companions. We did not come and have no wish to bind or force you or yours from this place. In truth, I can honestly say that I do not even know for certain where 'this place' is. We came only to rest and recover our strength before moving on."
Fia crosses her arms and watches this new Ryland intently, waiting to hear his response.
Fia shoots a quick glance at her companion that could have meant anything and then looked back to this Ryland. "I am Fiallain Bo'airr, of the Cosaida sept of the Chareen Aiel. How many men do you have in those fields, Ryland of Fal Dara? And to whom is their allegience? You should train them better. They show themselves too easily."
"Alright then." If no one voices objection or alternate plan, Fiallain opens the door, steps a few paces from the house, and calls out. "I see you...wetlander."
Fia felt a short ripple of relief after glancing at the others. No, they saw him too. I suppose I can. It probably shouldn't be an Aes Sedai, and it probably shouldn't be Ryland... Fia says with a shake of her head. "I would say either myself or Keelix perhaps." She squints out through a crack in the wooden boards, looking for something..
"Yes, Even if we could withstand them at first, if they come in numbers they will simply pin us down here while they get reinforcements. We have no food and little water and will quickly tire in any sort of siege. Ryland has the right of it. If we fear an attack, then we need to move." "Do either of you know how far those things typically roam when scouting? If we knew that, we could have a general sense of how much time we have, assuming it saw us.
"I could not tell if it carried anyone Litheene Sedai. It moved too quickly back into the clouds. Fia remained silent through most of the following exchange. Her experience with Seanchen was limited to only what had been encountered at Jareen's estate, and in that encounter it had been the Aielman working with Jareen that had been most difficult to deal with... though such was only to be expected of course. Well, him and the black sister, she amended to herself. She did nod however at Ryvin's suggestion to leave. If this beast was a scout, then it would be best to not be where a potential enemy expects you to be. |