"Perhaps not, but I also know how to not treat a weapon thanks to your example."
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"You pretty much abandoned the poor thing after getting it blessed by a valkyrie!"
Hiya folks. How have ya been? Happy to see the game's still going strong!
Hey all. As you probably noticed, I haven't been on in a little bit. Things have have changed for me personally and professionally. I've been sturggling with some mental issues for a while now that have been affecting things in my life to a fairly severe degree. I have a path forward, and it's going to be hard, but I can do and I'll be okay. That said, I have also found that the enjoyment I got from playing online is not there anymore. I don't know if it's because I have gotten older or if it's because of the afforementioned mental issues, but either way I don't look forward to post like I did. It's been fun, and I have enjoyed the 10 years I've played on these boards. I need to be honest, though. I don't have the motivation for this that I used to have. I know that it's never fun to have someone leave a game, but I need to consider my mental wellbeing here. I wanted to let you all know that I'm okay and doing well, and I wanted to let you know that I'm leaving the boards, perhaps for good, but definitely for a long time. Thank you all for the fun times and I wish you all the best. I pray that God will bless all of you. I hope that we'll meet again, but if not, know that I'm alright and will be grand. I just need to take some time to get myself together. Love y'all
Kalisuel shakes her head as Aterro notices his many wounds. "I fear that I have naught beyond my meager skill in medicines to help heal your wounds."
"Show some respect for the dead, please," Kalisuel tells Scram as the waves of cold shiver through her limbs as the adrenaline of combat leaves her. "Fae curses are subtle and dangerous things. I would like to not have one on my head."
Seeing the dire straights Aterro is in, Kalisuel shoulders her bow and takes up the Thorspear. With the priest's attention on the bear, she decides to go after the lesser foes bleeding him slowly.
Unfortunately, the young bard's brush with oblivion earlier has left an impression and the sight of the awful creatures so close spooks her more than she cares to admit. With little effect on the tide of the battle, she calls out encouragement to Aterro "Split its skull as Thor splits the skies!"
Oh, this is gonna be hard. Personally, I love all of the ones with Yumyum in them. :D
Kalisuel flinches as fire boils out from the bead Luthael launches out into the tunnel again. She tries to blink away the tears, but the dying embers spangle her vision and she misses her shot.
As if Kali didn't have enough haunting her nightmares already. Nice find, though. Really love framing of it.
While lacking in the fire and fury of Luthael and Gunnar, Kalisuel's bow is no less lethal as an arrow streaks into one of the enemies not turned to ash by the arcane lightning and divine fire from just moments earlier. "This trip is not fun anymore," she mutters as she remembers a time not too long ago where she relished the thought of coming out into the wilds to see what lay in the north.
Shaken by the intrusion into her mind and just barely being pulled from the precipice, Kalisuel clings to the Thorspear and focuses on drowning out the incessant siren-song.
Thanks, but it looks like Kali failed even with advantage. :P
I have made my CON save. Sadly, Kali didn't make her WIS save. This should be fun. :D
Hey all, sorry for the radio silence, but I'm planning on catching up over the weekend. Thanks for your patience as I've been dealing with this cold.
Still alive. Cold's kicking my butt. Will post when able.
Sorry all, been busy the past several days and haven't had a chance to sit down and post. I'll try to catch up over the long weekend coming up. Boot as needed until then.
"Damn," is all Kalisuel says before she rushes in to grab those inside.
Also, I think Kali sensed something before we hit the Shadow Road that was about a mile off.
"You are safe, Vee. You are safe. Just relax," Kalisuel says as she comforts the former construct. Once Vee is calm and appears to be feeling better, Kalisuel smiles and wraps her in a tight embrace. "Feeling better?"
1. We most definitely do want to get that sword into the nullbox, possibly before we deal with the evil thing given our decoy is now non-functional. 2. Overland works for me. Gives us some more opportunities to meet new and interesting beings, then kill them. :P 3. I think we might need to look at the loose threads we have while answering this one. ----1. There's the sword with Illarya
I think we should get the sword nulled as soon as we can. I'd like for Vee to come with us, because I do not trust Radovan one bit. What she does is up to her, but she and the godling are likely to be connected somehow, I feel. Once we have the sword, there's a few things we could do. If Illarya could cut some time off the trip, we could visit Nargenstal before coming back to deal with the evil in the woods. I have a feeling that we'll be chased once we leave the area with the sword, so Yumyum and our mystery medicine woman who's likely the hag will follow. Once that's done, I'd like to come back or go to Zobeck, but I'm open to just about anything. :)
Okay. Just checking. And don't worry Aterro, you'll get your fight with Kalisuel soon enough. ;)
The spear in Kalisuel's hand crackles violently before the elf can get a hold on her temper and calm Aerie down. Damned fool. I did not run from him. I ran to make sure Vee was not hurt.
Did I miss something? I thought Vee was sobbing while trying to get away from the fire. Was I wrong?
Well, you may have to hold off on the scotch. Duel's been interrupted by sisterly instincts.
Kalisuel begins to answer Aterro when she hears Vee's cry. Her head whips to where the former construct lays on the ground crying. She takes a step, then two, towards her, but hesitates as she looks back at Gunnar and Aterro. Her hesitation only lasts until she hears another of Vee's sobs. Taking up the spear in both her hands, she charges the edge of the ring, consequences for her contest with Aterro be damned.
Just before she reaches the flames, she lowers the but of the spear to vault her over the licking tongues of fire. Her graceful arc ends in a roll that barely slows her. A few, scant heartbeats later, she is on her knees and skidding to a stop beside Vee as she turns the mask to the side of her head. "Vee! Are you hurt? What is wrong," she begs as she ignores Scramsax. The spear crackles beside her as she puts her hands on Vee's shoulders. It only takes a breath more for her to realize it was the flames she was trying to get away from. "Hold to me, Vee. Hold tight," Kalisuel tells her as she rolls the taller woman onto her back. She almost falls as she grabs the spear, but thankfully, she's stronger than she looks and manages to keep her feet. With Vee on her back, she staggers as quickly as she can to a cluster of trees away from the circle.
Outside with Gunnar:
Kalisuel listens to Gunnar as he speaks wisdom. She wipes at her eyes before the tears in them can fall and when the dwarf has finishes, she smiles and chuckles more naturally. "It would seem I have been lied to about dwarves. If they love to hoard treasures as much as others say, then they would never have let you leave the Cantons," she tells him before standing and giving him a hug. "Thank you, Gunnar. You are kind, and your words have given me much to ponder." She lets go and looks to the sky as the sun's rim hides behind the western horizon and the first stars flicker to life in the deep indigo sky to the east. "I hope you will be willing to talk with more about this, later. Call them and let us be be done with this. The fae wanderer warned of old dangers waking in the woods, and I do not think we should tempt the Nornir into weaving interesting fates for us this evening." She goes to put on the mask again, but stops when she sees Gunnar looking at her out of the corner of her eye. An appreciative smile curls the corners of her mouth. The mask is only a mask now, nothing more. The maelstrom of anxiety is quiet for the moment. "A little mystery will be good for Aterro, I think. Give him to many surprises and he will likely lose his mind through his ears."
As she sees Scramsax speaking to Vee about gambling, she hides a chuckle in a sigh. It is likely Vee knows more than Scramsax thinks, but perhaps she and Gunnar can help steer her from a larcenous path. As for the curious halfling, better to take things as they come at the moment. "Gunnar, can you light the circle, please? If by some miracle I do win, I would like Aterro to not blame his failure on an unfair advantage."
Outside with Gunnar: Kalisuel stares at the mask just a few feet from her for a moment before picking it up and curling up against the stone. Her silver hair flutters in the faint breeze and covers part of her face. "I truly must be half-mad," she says as she looks at the mask that has been the only face she remembers showing the world for so long. "Come, sit and I shall tell you the tale of Kalisuel, elf-marked of no place she can recall." Once Gunnar has found some place comfortable, Kalisuel looks up at him, and, for a moment, she resembles the child Aterro accused her of being that first night they camped together. "My first memory is waking beneath the boughs of an ash, an oak, and a thorn. I wore the clothing I wear now and the mask covered my face. In the pack beside me was a letter written in the tongue of the fae. It told me to always wear the mask, that it would protect me. I could remember nothing save how to walk, to speak, and to sing. What skills I have came to me as if I have always known them, though I know not how I learned to master them." "I did not know this land. I had to be cautious, but a slender maiden with a honey-sweet voice can always get something for a song. I spent some months wandering from town to city before I met Rook Bentknee and he had a quest for me. Eager to see more of this realm, I agreed and shortly after met you, Aterro, and Vrindel." Her eyes fall to the mask in her hands. Her eyes are dark and a melancholy that the dwarf has not heard from her before colors her voice. "I do not truly know myself. I can see fleeting glimpses of my past, as if I were trying to recall a dream. Many of those fading memories are of nightmares brought by silver eyes. I can only wear a mask, so I wore this one. And now, when a fae calls me sister and says my memory has been stolen or given a way, it is no longer a comfort. My head felt as if it would burst, like a sore too full of rot and puss to be contained by mere flesh anymore. I thought it would crush my skull, so I tore it off." Kalisuel sighs as her gaze falls to her knees. "I do not know if I am well, Gunnar. I wish I could repay your kindness with certainty, but I cannot. Lies are not easy for me." She laughs, a broken sound more like a sob than anything of mirth. "Of course, with Aterro and I to fight soon, it will hardly matter. He is sure to kill me and I will have accomplished little more than giving a hollow promise to a mage madder than I!"
Outside: Kalisuel flinches at the thought of having her memories stolen away. The words of warning echo in her head, but she cannot fathom their meaning, not yet. There was more, something missing that lay just out of reach. If only her mind could grasp and hold the elusive images. "W-wait! Who are you? Why do you call me sister," she begs as she chases the sprite and his twin around the stone, only to find them gone. The echoing words build and build. The ribbon holding her mask in place threatens to cut her skull in twain as her head feels as if its swelling with each echo. She clutches her head and falls to her knees as her head makes to explode if something else doesn't give. With a cry of frustration and anguish mingled like the scents of smoke and roasting meat over a fire, she tears the mask from her head and flings it away from her. Blessed relief floods through her, and she turns to fall against the standing stone. As she gulps air as a fish, she spies Gunnar through tear-spangled eyes. A part of her is ashamed to have the dwarf witness this moment, but more of her is glad to not be alone right now. "Hullo, Gunnar. You must think me a half-mad half-blood at the moment," she says with a wan smile. "I cannot say I blame you for it." The smile withers as she looks away. "Have you come to lecture me on my impulsiveness, or perhaps my lack of manners?"
Outside: Kalisuel grips the Thorspear tight. Something in the back of her mind screamed for her to run, but she could barely think and move. "M-mother? I fear I do not know of whom you speak," she says, hoping to glean more about this situation as she stalls and prays for her legs to start working again.
Outside: "I am not stripping naked no matter how much he insists," Kalisuel says before letting out an embarrassed chuckle. "And what magic I do have knits wounds and--" Kalisuel's throat tightens around the knot of fear choking her before Aerie mentions the magic. Formless dread presses in from all sides as she remembers the letter she found in her things when first waking under ash, oak, and thorn. Never take off the mask, it had told her, and she hadn't until it had been knocked off her face. She closes her eyes her breathing hard and sharp as she tries to ignore the sadistic cackle and biting sarcasm that echoed in her head. The voice she cannot place, but she knows it and finds it frightening familiar. Silver eyes leer at her as she curses herself for a fool. Then, the fae presence is gone. Her breathing slows. The pounding of her heart lessens as she clutches at her chest. When she closes her eyes again, the silver eyes are gone. "What shall the fool do next? Summon the hells," she asks as her temper flares again. "That was no ordinary fae creature he summoned to do his bidding."
Outside: "I understand, Aerie," the half-elf bard replies. "Is there anything else I should be aware of? Would using magic be out of the question?"
Outside: "I guess you have the right of it," Kalisuel says. "As for Aterro, you do know that he is likely to beat me into a bloody pulp in this contest. Would you have anything up you sleeves that might even the odds?"
Lemme get the popcorn. :D Also, I think I ninja'd you Gunnar right after Aterro ninja'd me.
"Let us do this at sunset, when the first stars flare to life," Kalisuel says, glaring at Aterro. She turns to Gunnar, her eyes glinting with a wild light. "I gladly accept your offer, Gunnar." She walks out, pausing only long enough to grab her gear and give Vee a look of mingled worry and shame. Outside:
Kalisuel makes her way down and out. She looks for and finds an oak tree to climb up into and rest in for a little while. After a little while clearing her head and calming down by singing a soft elven song from some long lost memory, she picks up the Thorspear and focuses on it. "Aerie, am I a fool," she asks. "Am I a fool for staying when what I have been tasked to do is done? Am I wrong to worry for Aterro and that dark mace of his?"
Yeaaaaah, I don't play tree-huggin' elves. :)
No worries. I'm sure that Aterro and I can keep the others entertained. And I just want to make is clear. This is Kali losing it. I actually like Atlas and his characters are always enjoyable.
At first, Kalisuel cannot believe that Aterro would call her foolish after witnessing Radovan's folly for himself and hearing the wizard intended to try again. Even worse, he accused her of treating Vee as a slave. Flashes of pain, cackling, and bitter despair flit through her mind before her anger roars to life and she finds her tongue again. "Foolish?! You dare call me of being as empty-headed as this one and accuse me of treating Vee as a slave? Have you gone deaf, or do you just hear what you wish, Aterro?" The air turns uncomfortably hot around Kali as her voice rises to a shout. Her limbs shake from the fury coursing through her veins. "Fine, since you seem to only understand violence, find a spot for the circle. Bring that dark mace you love so much that you abandoned a weapon wielded by your god to use it. I will not stand and be insulted by a braggart who has not the wits to discern a trick and a blessing from his god."
Yeah, sorry. The combo of ignoring Vee's distress and wanting to reprise the brain frying would have pushed Kali a bit too far. That said, I think Kali's flaw needs to change to Hot Tempered. :P
Already thinned by the events of the past two days, Kalisuel's patience snaps and her temper flies off the leash. The air crackles and grows cold as she steps up to the wizard, placing herself between Radovan and Vee. She ignores Scramsax as she puts one hand on the old man's chest and pushes him back until his back hits the wall. "Listen well, old man. I shall not repeat myself, but I will speak slowly so your foolish ears have time to listen. She is to be asked before you do so much as cast the smallest spell on her. She is a person like you or I," she says, her voice clipped and harsh like the winter winds of the north lands. "As for what we shall and shall not be doing, You will not be remaking that thing in the lower chambers. It nearly killed us all when it let in a creature from beyond reality; then again, when it tore open a hole in the air that nearly ripped us from Midgard to be swallowed by ravening void. You do not know what those ley lines are, nor are you half-so-clever as you think yourself. If you wish to still try again after all that has happened, I shall be more than glad to kill you in a less painful and complicated manner. Am I clear, old man?" Kalisuel's eyes glower from behind the mask she wears as they hold Radovan's own. The fingers of her free hand twitch as small sparks of lightning arc around her fingers, and she finds herself longing for the comfort of the Thorspear in her hand. Perhaps it is a good thing her weapons lay across the room, she thinks in a distant corner of her mind. After all, she might have just killed Radovan instead of laying into him with her cold, wickedly sharp tongue had her sword or the spear been close at hand. GM: Hey, just figured I'd put this here. The way that I see it, ley lines are the streams of power and life that flow through Yggdrasil and connect the planes of Midgard together. If not, I think it'd be a reasonable interpretation of things from the fey's point of view, and Kalisuel holds that same view. If that's the case, then trying to control one would be the same as trying to control a tempest by blowing at it. So, yeah, maybe I should be asking, what would Kali know about Ley lines anyway?
Kali groans and covers her mask with her hand as Gunnar interjects. "Well, obviously, Gunnar. I was hoping to make a point," she grumbles.
"Scramsax, please tell me that is not the name we shall be calling ourselves," Kalisuel says as she helps Vee stand and walk over to where Aterro tends to Radovan. "Well met, Radovan. I am Kalisuel, and this is Vee," she says with a small bow. "And we have all used up more than our fair share of good fortune these past few days. Tell me, how long and how thoroughly did you study the ley lines before trying to tap into them?"
"I am sorry then. I was... I did not mean to give insult. I was more worried about how Vee would react."
Seeing Vee shivering, Kalisuel finds her pack and wraps the poor girl up in a thick blanket. "I think sister might be more accurate, Vee. We should find you some clothes soon, but first you should eat." she says as she finishes covering Vee up. Hearing Radovan begin to stir, she looks over to the wizard. She wonders how much he remembers, and how he'll react to Vee's new form.
Kalisuel listens and after a moment sighs. It has been a strange week to be sure. Twigjacks, ghouls, shadow fey, monsters from beyond reality itself, and now she was apparently a parent, or at least midwife. "Let me get enough for all three of us. I'd rather not try Aterro's stew again," Kalisuel says as she helps Scramsax get enough for the two of them and Vee to eat their fill. After following Scramsax and finding Vee again, She sits and quietly eats the food and drinks the juice. As much as she would like to, she cannot ignore the look Scramsax gave her, the one that seemed to distrust her. "Scramsax, how much do you not trust me," she asks, finding a refuge from hesitation in bluntness. She looks out at the halfling from under the mask now sitting on top of her head.
"Well...why would you not? It was us, all of us, that brought her from a repeated string of mechanus into a breathing feeling thing. I've already travelled inside...the landscape of her soul is now no different than yours. Not as it used to be when Vee was merely Radovan's animated form. Together we have brought true life into the world...you know, I'm really starting to rethink some stuff. Also could you carry me closer to yonder Sumpberry juice...or, oh, carrying time is over? You know, Paws would've really liked this...natural transition and whatnot. Where the hell is old blister-pits anyways?" "He should be about, somewhere" Kalisuel says, trying not to get distracted again. "As for Vee, I do not have the connect to her that you possess. Perhaps it is because of my blood or the hole in my mind."
Kalisuel hauls Scramsax off to a guest room, just as eager to get away from the overly spiced stew as she is get halfling rake from Vee. Once the door is closed and she lets Scramsax down, she sits with her back to the door and tilts her head as she looks at him. "Care to tell me why you called Vee your daughter," she asks, too tired to care how rude she sounds.
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