BurningCold

Tear the World Down

@Templar Knight Have you ever used etherpad? The text of each writer is colored, so there's no need for confusion and the other fiddly things that sometimes go on with google docs.

Tear the World Down

@Whoami And you too!

Tear the World Down

@Templar Knight@Silver Carrot@dragonmancer

So you all want to do a collaboration? Five days is rather a lot of time, and that aside, even if we somehow don't make the deadline, we can just timestamp that bad boy and post it up anyways.

Tear the World Down

@MegaOscarPwn It’s my experience/opinion that collaborations or timestampimg a post removes most of that worry about lacking a turn order, though I understand the fear of being left behind and swimming in posts.

However, if the group at large operates at a faster pace than a slower minority, its a decision as to whether to slow down, keep going at the same rate, or perhaps find a middle ground.

I’d suggest that barring collaborations that might be inclusive to a large number of players, each player should really only be posting twice before everyone else has posted at least once. Unless, of course, it’s a downtime phase. When there’s no action and it’s all character development, a posting order seems arbitrary.

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@Silver Carrot@Templar Knight@dragonmancer

Are any of you interested in another collab to keep the conversation going?

I'd imagine on the one hand it allows the game to perhaps flow a little more smoothly, organically developing the first impressions that our characters have for one another. And, I think that more writing is more fun, especially with talented creators such as yourselves.

On the other, there is a concern that people might be dissatisfied with being left in the dust? However, there's always time for more posts and more collaborations.

This offer extends to anyone interested, by the by. I'm just tagging the folks that have already reached Silverwick.

EDIt: Lovely posts from Templar and Dragon, you two! Those interactions between spirit and vessel were rather fun to read.

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@Isotope@Drunken Conquistador

Weekly is fine. More arrivals is more fodder for collabs. Bigger and better collabs like the world has never seen.

Tear the World Down

Collaboration - A Conversation by Campfire

Written by Silver Carrot and BurningCold

Katerina huddled close to the fire, a miserable spluttering thing that had been thrown together with what could be salvaged from the dead land surrounding her. Still, there was some degree of solace to be found within its glow. Night had well and truly descended upon the world at this point, the silvery moon hanging high in the darkened sky. Katerina was actually thankful for that. The ebony air made it harder to see too far into the twisted surroundings. It was this darkness that allowed Beoris to sense the presence far before Katerina could. One of the champions approaches, dearest. I sense a toxic presence with their mind. It seems the Green Death is the second among us to arrive.

Craning her neck forward to better peer into the gloom, Katerina's sharp ears picked up on the sound of soft footfalls, and then, the woman stepped into the dim ring of light emanating from the campfire. Where Katerina was a girl, the specimen before her was no doubt a woman. She was tall and thin, although built gracefully. Katerina had never seen a wrelmsman before, though from the descriptions she had been privy to, this new arrival certainly matched what she had come to expect. The sharp features dressing the woman's visage mirrored some of Katerina's own. However, the individual before her was better described as handsome, whereas Katerina was doubtless a fairer specimen. A light smirk rose and fell across her face at the thought. She watched in silence as the woman struggled to find her words, before finally offering a greeting.

"Hello? I'm... I'm Fayvre." The weakness in the stranger's voice did a great deal to boost Katerina's own confidence. She rose to her feet then, and strode leisurely forward towards Fayvre. Standing about three feet from her, Katerina noticed that the top of her head barely came to reach past Fayvre's shoulders. She gave a little bow, and then smiled up at the wrelmswoman.

"I would curtsy, but my current attire makes such an act unadvisable." She gestured to the short gray tunic cinched about her waist by a dark leather belt, her black leather leggings, the dark gray boots that laced up to her knees, and the blackened cashmere cloak with its dull metal brooch. "My name is Katerina, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Her voice was kept light and respectful. "What is it that brings you to this bleak place?"

This one belongs to Quoris, child, of that I am most certain. The Green Death doubtless senses me the same. While there was no love between us, there was a distinct lack of enmity as well. At the very least, we can trust these two not to poison us in our sleep.

Fay could sense something different about this girl almost immediately. Quoris could discern her vessel's curiousity and would address it after introductions were made. Manners were important, after all. So, she implanted the thought that Quoris would explain things soon into Fay's mind, and Fay's mind intergrated it as it's own thought all too easily. Fay, accepting that explanations will come, and that the girl posed no threat, relaxed and smiled down at her. The jovial comment about being unable to curtsy in that outfit even got a chuckle out of the wrelmsman woman.

"The same thing that brought you here, I would imagine," Fay answered, replying to the girl's question. "I was actually about to ask you what brought me to this place. I journeyed here under promises that all would be made clear once I reached here. Do you have the voice of one of the long-dead Shadow Legion in your head also?"

Now that pleasantries have been exchanged, Fayvre, I feel it prudent to provide you with some more information. This location has been chosen to gather the twelve mortal vessels of the souls of the Shadow Legion. All twelve have been instructed to come here, and should arrive soon. This young girl has been chosen, by reason of some kind of spiritual connection, to Beoris, though I cannot imagine what that connection might be. If you are wondering, my connection to you is your love of science, thirst for knowldge, and disdain for those who will try to dissuade you from that path in the name of traditionality. Others may be chosen because they too are evil, or they too seek vengeance against the powerful. It might not be wise to trust every vessel, but this girl seems to bear us no threat.

Katerina sized up Quoris' chosen carefully. Her expression was kept pleasant and respectful, though her mind was hard at work looking to discern Fayvre's intentions. Child, do not be so suspicious of those that you do not know. A healthy dose of caution is good, truly, but all twelve of us have been called here for the same purpose. Go on, love, answer the girl's question. Katerina sighed contentedly, pleased to engage with this stranger, so long as Beoris found no reason to mistrust her.

Folding one hand back into her cloak, while outstretching another arm towards the meager campfire, Katerina spoke. "Surely it isn't much in the way of hospitality, but at the moment, it's all I can offer you." She chuckled softly. "Perhaps further discussion would be more comfortable closer to the light. Come." Turning then, Katerina drew her cloak closely around her, resting gingerly beside the fire. Little embers danced in the still air. Waiting until Favyre had herself situated, she turned towards the wrelmsman woman. "I do have a member of the Shadow Legion resting within me. But, as we both know, they aren't quite dead yet, are they?" A good-natured smile rose to Katerina's lips. "We are here to assemble the Shadow Legion incarnate, and carry out the desires of our lords and ladies."

Fay took her place, seated beside the fire, glad of the warmth and the rest from standing. She sighed, smiling, and held her hands towards the flame. They were sore from the cold, and from the strain of riding. However, Katerina's comment made her pause, and her smile wavered slightly. Were they being gathered to reenact the carnage, death and destruction from centuries prior? Or were they merely to carry out the desires of their own 'lords and ladies'? Fay wasn't sure she was comfortable with either of those arrangements.

Fear not, young Fayvre. I do not wish to force you to act against your own principles. Nor do I seek any authority over you. I cannot speak for the relationships between the rest of the chosen and their choosers, but my goal is simply to aid and assist you. I will grant you knowledge and in exchange I may ask for favours in the future, which you are well within your right to turn down. Besides that, I wish for you to merely do what you love; to learn, and to test the very boundaries of medicine, alchemy, and what they used to call 'witchcraft'.

Soothed and placated by her spiritual advisor's words, Fay's smile ceased wavering, and the doubt had vanished from her face. She looked across the fire to Katerina. "May I ask the story of how you found yourself here. Or is that too personal a tale to share with a stranger?" She asked.

Katerina's eyes turned downcast, and the smile was gone from her face completely. The fire didn't seem so friendly anymore, and the night was growing to be oppressively chill. She pulled the cloak even tighter around her lithe form. "I... I will not say much. But I will say something. There isn't a point in keeping the general truth of the secret from you." Katerina's voice was flat, and a glare was forming on her face as she stared into the flame. She cursed herself for the vulnerability she was unable to mask. The wounds were still fresh in her mind. "My full name is Katerina Valdi." She turned to stare at Fayvre. "I'm sure you have heard the news." Katerina turned away. "I do not wish to discuss this matter further."

A brief moment passed. Then another. Then another. Finally, releasing a shaky breath, Katerina gave Fayvre an uncertain smile. "I am sorry for my grim demeanor. What of you? What lead you to this place?"

Fay had heard that name, from hearsay and rumors told in several of the free cities she had visited on her journey. She had paid the story little mind then, but she knew enough of the tale to know why a Valdi would ally with a member of the Shadow Legion, and why they didn't want to go into great detail about their past. "I'm sorry..." Fay answered, her own smile also now gone and replaced with a grim sorrow. "As for me, I'm not a part of any family you would have heard about. I'm a commoner. My mother was a healing lady, and my father was a hunter. We lived in Wood's Edge, in Rialzi. My mom's now dead, and my father's...crippled. There's nothing left for me there now." Fay explained, hanging on the word 'crippled' for suspiciously long.

"I briefly worked as a surgeon in the center of Rialzi, but I didn't enjoy it. All I would ever get called upon to do was to sew the wounds of mercenaries, guards and infantry. That's when I had a dream which...looking back, was Quoris talking to me, telling me to stop doing what I didn't enjoy and travel to here, to a 'higher calling' as she put it."

"This is a higher calling." A tremulous merriment had crept back into Katerina's voice. "Commoner or noble, who you were then has no bearing on who you are now." No, it didn't. None of them had Beoris. That alone set Katerina apart from all the others. She smiled gently. "We have been given the opportunity of a lifetime here. No one else may boast of the unique potential that we bear. I think that in this moment, our new lives have truly begun."

Well said, well said indeed. I see that time in isolation has not blunted your charm. Katerina giggled aloud, before catching herself. Her cheeks flushed.

Fayvre nodded, and couldn't help but chuckling too. She hadn't felt this happy and content in months, nay, years! It really did feel good to have a purpose again. Quoris' assurances had put to rest any misgiving about what her destiny might entail under the guidance of the Shadow Legion. What she felt she was really being offered was the freedom and choice to go where she wished, and do what she wished, and while her wishes may not be malicious, she knew that Quoris shared her dreams. Despite being such a notorious evil figure from the past, Quoris had a lot in common with Fay.

Another laugh escaped from between Katerina's lips, one that she was not ashamed to share aloud. They were free. "I suspect the others will not be long now..."

Tear the World Down

@Sierra Have you considered creating a discord server for the roleplay? I find that it's always a nice to way to keep the flow of communication going and build up a sense of camaraderie between all of us.

Tear the World Down

Huzzah! My first post has arrived. Time to sleep. 'Tis 1 AM.

Tear the World Down

First Chapter, First Part - Revelations

Deep in the Southern Plainslands, Yesterday

Child, love, what is it that you desire?

“I want to destroy Denaris. I want to tear him to shreds.” She spat the words out, Denaris curling off her tongue as if she had tasted something foul.

Why stop there?

“What do you mean?”

I said, why stop at Denaris?

“What else is there?”

The entire world, child.

Katerina smiled.

“What do you propose we do, Beoris?” Her interest was piqued. The campfire crackled softly before her, and some of the bitter edge drained from Katerina’s gaze. The smooth chocolate of Beoris’ voice often had that effect on her. Something to steady her dismal mind no matter the circumstances.

There has been a shift, my dearest. The dark prophecy that I, along with my brethren had foretold, has at last come to pass. The chosen are being assembled even as I speak.

Katerina shifted into a comfortable position upon the soft grass of the plains, wrapped snugly in her cloak. Stars twinkled down at her. They seemed friendly on this night. Katerina gazed up at them, her lips upturned into a soft smile. This one was not a life worth casting aside. She and Beoris, alone on the open road, wandering from place to place, masters of their own destiny. But her lord had plans, and after all he had given her, who was she to deny him? She, and she alone, was his champion. Katerina was special. She giggled at the thought. Beoris was all hers, and she was all his. “Okay, love, tell me,” Her voice had a lightly musical quality, brushing the space before her in fine strokes. “I am yours to command. Always yours.”

Deep in her mind, she heard Beoris chuckle softly, his lovely tones cascading over her mind. Tomorrow we make for Silverwick. Since our flight from Kalaknos, that is where we have been heading. Now that you have steadied yourself sufficiently, it is high time I relay to you the clear details of my plan, and the entire truth of the events leading to our current circumstances. Beoris paused, for a single, brief moment. It was centuries ago that I was called upon by my fellowship to craft the curse that would ensure our return. Through me, our joint powers were channeled into this last, vicious prophecy. The process left me shattered. I was left a miserable husk of my former self, and just like my allies, I was destroyed. What I haven’t told you is that the other eleven have also stirred from their slumbers. It was agreed upon, before the utterance of that terrible curse, that when the day came that our worthy vessels made themselves apparent, we would convene at the site of our greatest triumph.

“Silverwick,” Katerina whispered in awe.

Indeed. You are young yet, though no less capable to carry out my grand designs. None of the other eleven deserve your fear. You have my backing, and that is something that sets you apart. Even from the other Legionnaires, you are unique. You are mine.

First Interlude - Resurrection

The Plainslands South of Kalaknos, Some Number of Weeks Ago

The cart trundled along the filthy road, more mud than dirt at this point. The sickening schlop, schlop of hooves struggling their way through the grime punctuated the air. Darkness loomed all around the driver, barely kept at bay by the meager lantern affixed to the wagon. The night was unforgiving in its crusade against the light; no moon hung in the sky, and it appeared as if each and every star had blinked itself from existence. Musty and humid as the air was, a fouler stench invaded the nostrils of Denaris Valdi. Piled high in the wain behind him was a stack of corpses. Buzzards circled in lazy arcs overhead. Ever hungry, and ever patient.

Something stirred from within the mound of remains. The shallow rise and fall of a man’s breast betrayed the heavy presence of death around the corpse cart. Breath seeped in and out through the man’s mouth, whip thin and strained. The carrion birds cawed, as if laughing at the miserable creature beneath them that clung so desperately to life. Bruises covered the man’s half naked form. His face suffered far worse abuse. One eye was completely pulverised, with the other blackish purple and swollen nearly shut. An ugly wound, still red and angry, leaked pus from his neck. Yet despite the abuse his body was burdened with, a wavering ember of life stubbornly remained within the man’s core. And, as that last swollen eye slowly cracked itself open, no more than a thin slit, the fierce cobalt blue peeking out from within was unmistakable.

The cart shuddered over a gaggle of loose stones, disturbing the balance of the corpses held aloft. The man found himself sliding free, until his leg caught, trapped within the dead heap that had nearly suffocated him. The buzzards cawed once more. Grunting with exertion, the man pulled on his leg, shaky hands grasping around the thigh, yanking with all the severity of a wild animal that would not- could not, allow itself to become another’s meal. He yanked, and yanked, the corners of his vision starting to blacken. Then there was a momentary rush of weightlessness, and the man collapsed face down into the mud. The corpse cart did not stop.

The buzzards, however, drew closer and closer to the ground, lazily descending. Their cawing was vicious laughter in the man’s mind, as his trembling muscles fought desperately to lift himself from the suffocating pull of the mire. He could not see, could not breathe, and all he heard was the flapping wings of carrion birds come to pick his bones clean. Panicking suddenly, he jerked himself upwards with all his might, freeing himself from breathlessness. Heaving, he greedily sucked in air even as mud and grime spilled from his lips and was scraped from his face in slow, painful motions.

Knees partially sunk into the mud, arms dangling uselessly at his sides, the man craned his neck upwards, seeing little from the swollen gaze of his left eye. Still, a faint glimmer of hope ensnared itself around his heart. He watched as the buzzards retreated up and away, into the darkness. Slop dripped slowly from between his fingers.

Struggling to his feet, Mikhal Valdi wandered off the road, and blindly into the shadows. Covered from head to toe in bruises, mud, and blood, Mikhal Valdi wept sour tears from the last eye he had. Desolate, miserable, and alone, Mikhal Valdi was alive.

First Chapter, Second Part - Ode to the Sun

Approaching Silverwick, Hours Ago

The odd duo had been walking for the better part of a day, the sun now beginning its descent below the horizon, like a drop of honey slowly dripping its way back into the jar. Brilliant shades of orange and purple surrounded the yellow orb as it dipped lower and lower, casting golden light over the plains. The grass waved listlessly in the breeze that carried from the distant sea. If it was Beoris that kept Katerina going day to day, the natural beauty enveloping them played at least a small part in making it all worth it. She outstretched her hands to the sun then, and spun around in cheer that had been absent for so very long. “Goodnight sun! I will see you again on the morrow, don’t doubt this! And what a day it shall be!” Laughter bubbled up from her throat then, clear and mirthful into the warm evening air.

Good, child, good! That’s the bright hearted girl I watched grow up for all those years. Mayhaps she is here to stay?

Katerina’s cheeks flushed, and then she sighed contentedly. A small smile flickered across her face. “I shouldn’t think so. The sun is just... such a lovely sight.” She sighed again, the smile fading from her face. “We still have more ground to cover. I was hoping to reach Silverwick before nightfall. Tell me a story?”

A chuckle. Very well. There was once a boy, made entirely of wood, that desired more than anything to become a real human of flesh and blood. To this end, the boy struck a pact with a dark sorceress...

Second Interlude - The Empire’s Finest

A Missive Sent to the Imperial Court, Received Several Days Ago

My Lord Inquisitor,

As I have detailed in previous reports, I harbored suspicions regarding the younger Valdi girl, suspicions that extended to the family as a whole. What terrible circumstances lead to the demise of Lord and Lady Castris? And what truth lay within the rumors surrounding Katerina Valdi’s birth? I can say now with absolute certainty that Katerina is a fellchild, with the rest of the family guilty of knowingly harboring such a creature. At worst, they too are practitioners of dark aethercraft.

Gloriana Valdi had spent the most time with her younger sister, frequently interacting with the creature. My visits to the household revealed the two enjoyed each other’s company on a largely frequent basis. Be it lessons or play, the two were undeniably close. If Katerina confided her secret to anyone within the household, her sister would be the most likely suspect. Unfortunately, upon storming the Valdi household, Gloriana and her sister vanished without a trace. Subsequent search parties revealed no clues as to the whereabouts of either Valdi sister. I assume the two are traveling together, on the run, even as I write this. There is also a chance that the two have separated as well. I advise extreme caution when engaging Gloriana, for the fear that she too may be fell in nature.

Mikhal Valdi is perhaps even more suspicious than Gloriana. When I confided in him my intents on how to deal with Katerina, Mikhal was quick to anger. He fervently denied my accusations, and was gripped by a terrible rage when I remained unmoved by his protests. Additionally, I have more troubling news to add. I took it upon myself to take the deceased servants and members of the manor far away from Kalaknos, so that I could dispose of them without incident. While casting the corpses into the fire, there was no mistaking Mikhal’s absence from the cart. Either he is an extremely lucky man, or, as terrifying as it may sound, a gravewalker. I pray that my fears here are unfounded.

Katerina Valdi herself I have certain proof of her shadowy nature. The truth is simple enough. While storming the manor, Katerina revealed herself to me, just long enough to cast a very tangible curse upon my person. She said: “Uncle, this day you may have won, but I swear to all Gods beneath me and above, I will return to burn you and yours, as is my behove!” I still hear her dark work crying out at me in my sleep. If she is truly a fellchild, myself and all that I hold dear is in grave danger.

With this knowledge now at your capable disposal, I humbly request for an official bounty to be placed upon all three Valdi siblings. Additionally, I suggest that the empire’s finest enforcers be sent out to search for these threats.

I smell a storm coming on the horizon.

Ever your faithful servant,

Court Inquisitor Denaris Valdi

First Chapter, Third Part - The First Step

Silverwick, Present

Thick, gnarled trees curled out from the tightly packed ground like crooked, reaching fingers. The moonlight shining down from above was absorbed in its entirety into the terrible, black bark coating the miserably twisted claws. Clumps of dead or dying grass lay scattered about the stark landscape. The ground, black and gray like soot and ash, was a largely flat expanse, pockmarked by thin, jagged boulders. In the distance, the fallen city loomed. This was a grim place, dark and corrupt in its nature. Katerina swallowed nervously, teeth working away at her lower lip. “Home… sweet… home?”

The darkness that swallowed this place was a glorious sight to behold. ‘Tis good to see that time has left my- the triumph of myself and my brethren, unchanged. You have nothing to fear here, child. Silverwick is a dead place.

Katerina swallowed again, and slowly released her lip from between her sharp incisors. “And, the others? Are they… present?”

I do not sense them yet, though I must expect they are to arrive soon. Within hours at the least, a few days at the most. We will not have to wait long. Take heart, love. At long last, the mutual destinies of we twelve Legionnaires and our twelve chosen champions begin to intertwine. You and I have a great role to play in the events to come. Of this, I am certain.

That remark, at least, had steadied Katerina’s nerves. “I’ll set up a camp, then. It’s no sun, but a fire is sure to offer some degree of comfort.”