Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Aug 5, 2015 23:35:05 GMT
OPEN TO BOR AND EIRAL and DANNY's 'TEAM' (tagging Ikuze StormFaolan SkyeDanny Ravensdale) Today was the day... Caitlin was so nervous her palms kept sweating and her breath would catch every time she thought she heard a noise. It was so late that it was early, and the sun had hours yet before it rose. She was waiting for Ikuze Storm to show up, with her nifty little lock picking device that they'd spoke of at Amon's shop back when every word they said had a double meaning. She hoped she'd interpreted its second meaning correctly. She stared up at the lightless sky. The storm had been brewing since midday and only now did it seem ready to break. The rumble of thunder and the threat of rain teased high above.
"C'mon... we wont get a better shot," Caitlin quietly urged her companions to make haste. The rain broke overhead and poured down in buckets. Her hair and clothes were instantly soaked and she licked the rain droplets from her lips. This would be the best cover they could hope for when it came to sneaking in. It had to be tonight. Now or never. They were going to do this, even if she had to go alone.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
The darkness. It engulfed his every waking moment, and there were plenty of waking moments. Sleep did not come easily upon the slick stone ground of the cell Alistair had fashioned for him. There was no comfort, only cold, bone chilling cold. The kind that seeped into every pore and ate at his bones until he had no concept of warmth or that he had once ever been warm. There were no coverings he could hide underneath and Alistair had seen that only tatters of clothing remained to him. He was all but naked in this new hell. Robbed of any dignity he might have once fostered.
None of that, however, compared to the darkness. It cloaked him like an evil fog and robbed him of all sense of time and space. There were no days or weeks in the dark. For all his senses could tell him it could have been mere hours since he arrived in this hole, or it could have been a year. How long had he been subject to laying in filth, to the cold and the ache. He could feel his faculties slipping away from him. There was no need for reason or sanity here. He could hear things moving around him, but groping proved in-effective. Scurrying and scratching become the norm. Creatures waiting for him to pass on so they might gorge themselves on what remained of his withering body.
It was evident, though, that Alistair wished him alive. For what reason he could not fathom. Food arrived daily, or was it weekly? Through a hole under the door, but light never shone through. there was only a screech of metal against the stone of the floor to signal its arrival. The first few days he refused the meals, but with starvation came the realization that it benefited no one. There was nothing to gain by dying and everything to gain by keeping up his strength, and it was hardly a meal to begin with.
And so the routine continued. Listen for the scrape, find the food, huddle in the corner rocking back and forth. He tried to busy himself, count the time between the scrape of the meal tray, but they never came at the same time. It was always varied. Designed specifically to rob him of any sense of time, like the darkness. With the task of counting robbed from him, he would explore the cell with his hands, but it only confirmed that he was utterly trapped. Then would come the soul shattering memory of what Alistair had revealed. His family had not been killed by magic, it had been the EIRAL. The memory had once brought forth violence. Screaming, he would bash his hands upon the door, but that was gone as well, only the memory remained.
Everything he'd known was a lie, and so finally, robbed of his sense of time, his anger, and his comfort, his mind settled on the one good memory he still retained. Caitlin Cockfoster. The fact that she was still alive and still out there kept him in check. She was the rock he needed and despite the truth of her being an Ander, it only made him want to see her all the more; if only for a moment.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Aug 6, 2015 4:58:10 GMT
After her deal with the Queen of Rogues, Danny'd barely thought about freeing Skye. There were other things on her mind, but she was prepared. She'd sent out her missive to those she wanted on the mission. Those she thought would be best suited to the task she expected. Hopefully they'd show up before things got underway. Danny was the first of her mages to arrive at the Queen's rallying point. Danny quickly descended the rooftops she had been flying over, a blackened leather jumpsuit with a tattered cloak complimenting her multi-eyed demon mask perfectly. Tonight she was a monster. Tonight she was what Caitlin would need.
In as harsh and guttural a voice as she could manage, Danny spoke up when she drew near to where Caitlin's team was to gather. "Queen... I am here." A gust of wind blew rain across the hidden lenses on her mask and swept up her tattered cloak like it was a living shadow before settling back down around the girl's shoulders.
Hands were short, and it was early. Early enough that Andronikos had almost forgotten that the accused commander had not eaten the day before. His grumbles echoed the snores from the soldiers in their dorms as they spent their night in dreamland. Such bliss had evaded Andronikos for the night; Insomnia was no stranger to him. Thick fingers fumbled with the clasps on his uniform as he stormed into the old barracks, where danger lurked and criminals stood still, a plate of cold gruel in his free hand. It had never been his duty to attend to - but he'd to it this dreary morning. If sleep wouldn't come, answers would, answers from the lips of the infamous Faolan Skye. The hinges of the cage screeched against the stains of prisoners past, and with a clatter, the metal dish slammed onto the infested concrete, blowing dust into the meal, if it could even be called that. The sound echoed in the falls of heavy footsteps, as Androniko's lurking shadow grew closer to the man who seemed anxious, huddled in a corner. "Skye."
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Aug 6, 2015 5:26:49 GMT
The guild leader had business to take care of, and that business required help. So from the lovely building that was the MI HQ emerged Lasair, the golden fox mask over his face and hair. Just before departing for HQ he had taken one dose of that potion Vieka had given him, the one laced with magical protection. This was a night were it was better to be safe, in case of the off chance the foe was anything but human. He traveled through the city swiftly, arriving at the point of rendezvous. Danny, wearing her signature demonic mask, was already present along with someone Lasair had yet to meet. She must be the “Queen” Danny had described.
As he came into view, light bouncing off the golden paint, Lasair smiled and took a bow to the lady. “At your service,” was all he said to her before walking over to Danny and standing beside her. The rain came down hard and harsh, but it was nothing that bothered him. A mask on his face, gloves on his hands, and a cloak covering the rest of him. The rain wasn’t even slightly a disturbance.
Ikuze strode up towards Caitlin, a dainty umbrella in her hands as she came up to the Queen of Rogues. "Sorry I'm late," she said, patting at her dress as if something had ruffled it, "had to try and get rid of my shadow. Grandfather's been a grump lately." she said before looking towards the masked pair. "No doubt something to do with you. He always seems to be grumpier after your lots meetings." the blue haired thief said non-chalantly before she regarded Caitlin. "We all set to go then? I've got my bag of tricks ready." she said, tapping her boot heel against the cobblestone pavement.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Aug 6, 2015 19:35:37 GMT
Caitlin nodded to Danny, recognizing her by her voice and size. The second masked figure to approach was an unknown to her, but he clung to Danny's side and that read as loyalty to Caitlin's eyes. Quickly on his heels was a well dressed Ikuze, delicate parasol taking a beating from the rain. She tapped her boot on the ground and a gust of wind reared up and inverted her umbrella inside out. Caitlins hair went flying foward and twist itself around her like tentacles. She squinted her eyes against the golden whips and reached up her hands to tame it into a messy braid. Even the cloaked figures had to fight not to be pulled back by the storm.
"Let's move. We're not going to get better cover than this," She had to shout over the howling noise and the drumming rains. Lightning cracked in the sky above, lighting up what the moon and stars couldn't, if only briefly. She saw their masks and a strange fear struck in her chest. Hopefully it would have the same effect on any guards should they cross paths. She herself was dressed in all black. It reminded her of when she was in mourning for her mothers death. Skye had been there with her the night she'd found out. It made her insides feel hallow. She checked her sword in her sheath though she wasn't sure why, then she pushed her stray bangs out of her face and nodded to the team. "I have one more ally joining the fight, but we'll see her when we get there," Caitlin informed them. It was a last minute adjustment. A safety net she'd established that day when Ikuze couldn't meet her for scheming and she'd run into Edelweiss Fjäril instead.
The plan was to cross the fence into the railroad station first. It would be empty at this time of night, no trains running - no riders coming and going. They would use the connecting cooridor that was off limits to anyone but EIRAL an that led to the EIRAL base. The door at the end wouldn't open, so they'd have to leave out the janitorial path where rubbish was carried off the premises. That would mean jumping another fence to get back in, and that is where the real danger lay. That is where they would be most vulnerable and out in the open.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Aug 6, 2015 20:32:00 GMT
"This is perhaps the strangest group ever, but I guess that's a good thing." Edelweiss said, approaching them at the agreed place. From the voices and height, the masked ones were Lasair and Danny. And herself was stuck on a dark suit and boots, black gloves and overcoat, and the equally black cap covering half her face from view made it so only the strands of soft red hair delated who she was. It sure was an odd team they made up - a pirate in black, a blue-haired noble lady, a golden critter, a monster... and now a shadow. "Sorry to come last, I had some last adjustments of my own to make, so someone will be making the entrance slightly easier for us. Do you know where within the building we should head to?" She had entrusted Jade with a basic task to distract a percent of the guards, but only a percent. Should be enough to sneak in if they're careful, although finding Skye and getting out should be a whole different matter.
Post by Jovena Barbados on Aug 6, 2015 20:32:12 GMT
Of course it would be storming on the night she had watch. Jovena turned her back to the wind to protect her rifle from the onslaught of rain. Some of the lanterns along the fence had blown out, so she'd sent a clockwork messenger to retrieve Gladys Hayden and have her help relight them. Jovena continued to walk the length of her post, humming a traditional tune to herself and trying to stay alert and peppy. I've stood out in worse, she told herself, there had been tropical storms and hurricanes that hit the island harder than this. But still it wasn't exactly enjoyable. She hugged the rifle to her chest, barrel pointed down to avoid it collecting water. If all else failed, she still had her throwing knives on her belt, but the standard issue night-watch weapon was always a gun. Since she wasn't proficient with a gun, they allowed her to use a rifle. Footfall caught her ears, and she turned to see if Gladys had finally roused to relight the lanterns.
Gladys really didn’t like storms. They didn’t let her sleep; it was almost a relief when the message came that she was being summoned to do something. Another simple task; a chore even, but she didn’t mind that. She never minded. Hopping out of bed she quickly changed from her sleeping garments into the guards’ uniform, and then threw a jacket over it to help protect from the rain some.
Retrieving a box of matches, and then some flint in case the wind wouldn’t let the latter work, she hurried outside, passing Jovena as she went. Gladys hardly waved to the guard, knowing that she had to get to work in a hurry to relight the lanterns. She started with the one at the far light, trying the matches first before resorting to the flint. Slowly a fire came to life, and after closing it within the glass cage, she moved on to the next one.
The sooner the lanterns were lit, the sooner she could go back inside.
“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ―William Faulkner
Post by Alistair Malak on Aug 6, 2015 22:38:38 GMT
Alistair loved the storms, they helped him sleep and tonight was no exception. He was quite comfortable in the lavish quarters he'd picked out for himself. Far from the quaint room which Faolan had once used. That man had never known how to live and so he'd gotten another plain room in which to sleep. Tonight he dreamed the same dream he always did. The MI was crushed under his boot. After all, once they killed the Queen he would be given free quarter to burn the city and the forest down around them. Then, with Lodan leaderless, he would ascend to the throne himself. After that it would be time to turn his attention to conquering the other kingdoms and annihilating all magicals. The treaty was but a cease fire to him, and soon he would deliver the killing blow. It was a good dream.
At first, he could scarcely believe that there was someone standing before him. There had been many specters here in the past, but none of them real. It was only the light blinding his senses that convinced him, forcing him to throw his arm over his face. It burned into the back of his mind so much that he had little chance of recognizing the figure in the doorway. Even had he the keep sight of one not imprisoned in the darkness, he still would not have recognized the man. Much of the outside world was forgotten. All but Alistair, for the fire of hatred was enough to consume this entire kingdom. If not for the memory of Caitlin, he might have exploded long ago.
"How long?" were the first words uttered. In how long, he did not know, but they came out as a growl of a voice long disused. Even Skye himself did not recognize it. There were no other questions or responses, however. Just the one question he longed to know. How long had he rotted in this god forsaken pit? He did not expect an answer from his jailer, but he asked just the same.
A stormy night. Perfect... Vladov watched the rain spattering against the walls of HQ from inside his room. The man was polishing his rifle after having disassembled and cleaned it. If someone asked, the man's rifle was probably cleaner than a surgeon's scalpel with the care he put into it. It'd be time for him to take his shift on guard later, and he needed to be ready. His uniform's jacket was waiting on his bunk, his boots were polished, and his brass was shined. It was always in these moments that the man found comfort in his new life. No family, no friends, but this? This reminded him of home.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Aug 7, 2015 2:50:13 GMT
Queens.. did they double the sentry? Caitlin thought... The small cluster of them were huddled under the brick archway that cojoined the RR station and the EIRAL base. The door leading into base at the end of the brick walkway was -of course- locked and they were going to have to take the janitorial path as predicted. The rain was coming in so heavy that she couldn't see at first where the exterior guard was. It wasn't until after Edel asked, that Caitlin spotted the floating light source.
"Wait a second," She whispered, and leaned out for a better look. The light struck again and another lantern lit. "We're losing the cover of darkness..." She whispered, mostly to herself but the others could still hear. "They've got an extra sentry, lighting the fenceline. We have to go, is everyone ready? The goal is to get passed the fence and around the side of the HQ without getting caught. If you're seen... Run. Run like hell and away from the others.. Don't draw attention to the whole group. We need the majority of us to get inside. We dont know where they're keeping him. We need to keep our numbers high if we're going to seek him out and free him."
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Post by Lorraine Blackmoore on Aug 7, 2015 3:25:47 GMT
The past year had been a difficult one that truly tested her. Everything she had seen had gone against all she believed in and she was near her breaking point though could not speak out. No, she had to wait until something could be done. She'd made a promise to Skye and it was one she intended to keep. As the day permitted, despite the rain, she went about her daily routines then returned to her room to dress in uniform before heading to the mess hall to gather the commander's meal. At her feet as she made her way down the corridor to the prison, Felix followed as silent as ever. As she reached the last steps a voice caught her attention and she paused. Andronikos... Drawing in a breath through her nostrils, she straightened her posture and lifted her chin before taking the last step with an audible click of her boots.
"Pardon, I usually bring his meals and no one notified me that another was sent to do so today," she spoke up. Perhaps there was potential for harm here but seeing the man loom over Skye was unsettling. The conversation between him and Alastair had never left her mind not once in the whole year. As she strode closer, she did so with purpose then entered the cell. At her hips she carried her twin swords and Felix still lingered behind her. She would not be afraid and she would not let harm come to Skye.
Shoutbox
Welcome to the Shoutbox - If You Have Discord, Ask to Join the Discord Server