Dark Light

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@c3p-0h@SpicyMeatball@The Muse

Aliseth

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Guard Tower

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The wind hit him unexpectedly, that was a surprise, but he was quick to react, softening his knees, leaning into the force and twisting his body to offer less resistance, shuffling his feet as needed to remain balanced. A glance was thrown back at the perpetrator, lady Hightower, but it's meaning and or the thoughts behind his eyes remained a mystery.

Charlottes outburst only earned her the faintest of eye rolls and softest of sighs. Though his movements were little and his words non existent, his eyes and demeanour were filled with heavy condescension, disdain and disappointment. He looked upon her like a lame child or injured livestock.
Before much more could come of it, the very person she was over dramatically defending pushed her aside with magic.

'Fitting', Aliseth thought to himself as already Elio push her to the side with the same disregard Aliseth was sure the mason showed all his conquests. He had squared up, standing tall just as Elio's punch came hurtling towards him. Making no attempts to dodge it, Aliseth only waited and stared, eyes intense, the faintest hint of a curl in the corner of his lips. The impact never came. Instead Elio turned and walked away.

"If someone else dies tonight, I can confidently say my time, efforts and actions were spent actively trying to avoid it." He firmly announced.

"Can you say the same Elio? Were you not in the tavern when the bells rang? When the crown ordered the streets empty so the guards could do their duty, protecting the people. Tell me, how are your self serving impulses and desires ensuring anyone's safety? Once again you are only occupying valuable time to sate your precious ego.
Your actions have consequences Elio, people die and get hurt because people like you can't see beyond themselves."

"And you!" His eye's turned to Charlotte, a fire in them.
"I do not have time to list your subordination. That was a pathetic display regardless of what faction you are from.
He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose between them, feeling a headache coming on. Speaking more softly he carries on.
"Surely you are not deaf so I'm left to conclude you chose to neglect your duties in favour of entertaing your friend.

He let out a sigh and opened his eyes, looking back to Lady Hightower. He gave her a soft almost apologetic nod, a softness in his eyes but also a tired weariness. He was trying so hard, stretching himself thin and carrying much responsibility under his heavy title.

Turning back to Charlotte.
"By next mid moon you are to present at the southern gate with a Full report of all your actions since the last. Until then you are to accompany Lady Hightower and fulfil any request she has. Her safety however is your first priority and comes before any attention from the opposite sex, do you understand!?"

The punishment could have been immediate and harsh but Aliseth needed able hands. He barely waited around for a reply, giving Eris a formal bow, excusing himself, then walking off into the endless dark of a moonless sky. There was greater and more pressing duties to be done than escorting nobles, reprimanding foolish subordinates or punishing egomaniacs.

There was still a killer on the loose and it was clear no one else could be trusted to take care of it.

Anyone familiar with 'Lords of creation'

Is anyone familiar with and/or interested in a 'lords of creation' style game?

It's very much a collab world building, story telling type game.
Players take the role of new deities at the beginning of creation and literally shape existence.

It's done through an AP system which is regained weekly real time.
And follows simple spending rules.

And.... start the discussion!

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Vellion Hurst

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Somewhere in town

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Vellion once again stood amongst the townsfolk. He was as still as the ice that once sought to encapsulate and trap him. Her magic. He could still recall her tight grip on his wrists. He would meet her again. They had unfinished business after all.

On the biting cold breeze the world continued to whirl around him, not waiting for him to catch up. Despite barely feeling the cold he felt frozen in place, in time, in his thoughts, in his purpose.
Distant commotions whispered every which way. Guards were out and about in numbers hindering his every movement.
He did not hide or sneak about though, while they saw him, none had seen what he had done. Vellion did nothing to seem suspicious or give his blight born nature away.

He took each encounter as they came and did what he must to carry on. This commotion was his own fault after all. Lucky for him most guards seemed ill prepared for such a scenario. The two different sides seemingly having not yet trained together. This left holes and uncertainties that Vellion was all to happy to exploit.

As he had been idle, a foolish guard had approached him. The guards blood sung to Vellion. The deep rhythmic pulsing beat. An ever eager call. It didn't matter that Vellion had eaten already this day, it was more than a hunger, it was an addiction.

This idiot guard before him would never understand that despite the armor he wore and the false sense of authority granted to him, he was nothing more than food in Vellions eyes. A twig Vellion could easily snap should his restraint falter for just a moment.

Vellion's restraint held, as did his patience. He would see the princess again, there need be no rush. He dealt amicably with the inconvenient guard, behaving as one might expect of him. Listening to his rant and offering expert lies blended with truths in return.

Vellion did not consider himself a bad man, he had not intended to kill that guard, it was a retaliation, self defence, that's all. But he did find a perverse pleasure in staring this arrogant guard directly in the eyes and knowing he had no idea that killer stood before him. It brought a crooked grin to his lips.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Aliseth

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Guard Tower

---

As Elio approached him through the snow, an unexpected figure since Aliseth left him in the tavern during lockdown, Aliseth's gaze briefly flicked up to the guard who only just now was visible in the tower.

He need do nothing to express his disappointment or frustration, it made clear in the tone of his short sharp call
"Soldier!" He beckoned the guard to him while eyeing the out-of-place mason.

As Elio approached and started taunting him, Aliseth only offered a growl as the man start to poke him."Don't touch me!" He hiss softly in an ignored warning.

As he took the berating his face was statuesque, stoic, an unresponsive mask. Except for the calm, cold anger that seemed to always be burning in his eyes. Jaw clenched, he listened to Elio's words, letting him speak, he listened to his breaths, watching his eyes.

There it was, a shifting in glance over his shoulder. Aliseth followed his gaze adding a slight natural twist to his form. Quicker than his lips could form a satisfied smile, from the other side of his body Aliseth drove a fist up at Elio's strong jaw. A short sharp hook. Despite not leaning into the attack or even pulling back for momentum, doing nothing that would give away his intentions, the guard still mustered a surprising amount of force and speed, striking like a viper.

"Your antics were cute before but now you're just being rude and intolerable." He kept his eyes on the mason but flicks his head towards the tower, gesturing in the direction of the other guard. "I wonder, was it rejection or an inability to perform that has you so worked up." He taunts, knowing Elio has not been here much longer than himself.

Standing tall, Aliseth was not in a fighting stance but his weight had shifted and he slightly angled himself towards Elio. "I'm on official business and if you hinder me any further I'll be forced to have you arrested." He informs him loudly, that sharp authoritive confidence echoing in his voice along with perhaps just a hint of arrogance.
"As if you even could." He whisper with a sly taunting smirk to Elio and Elio alone.

---

_{Interactions: Aliseth Kain @Dark Light, Charlotte Hawthorne @SpicyMeatball, Eris Hightower @The Muse Elio @c3p-0h}

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@The Muse

Aliseth

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Town

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He raised a calming hand and offered a soft smile. "Lady Hightower, a pleasure to serve you." He said, before giving a quick sharp bow. "I ask you take a deep breath and slow yourself down. You are safe." He assures her, voice confident and soothing. His eyes remain locked on hers. There was a subtle intensity to his gaze as he search for secrets in those deep blue pools.
At mention of the princess his heart wanted to skip a beat, his muscles wanted to tense with anticipation, his face wanted to show his concern... but none of these things happened. He was a master of nothing if not himself. He would get an update in due time.

"To the temple and back." He muses aloud. "That is some distance. It will take a time, a time not on my path. I'm sure if the priestess is there, she will be safe." he commented. A steady pause filled the space between them as he seemingly continued to asses her, noting the desperation. "Hmm." He murmur as he further contemplated the request. His will to aid weighing up against his duties.

"For what reason does the prince and princess require the priestess so urgently? What cannot wait until after lock down?" He enquire. His head ever so slightly tilted to the side as thoughts weighed by the curiosities within it and his voice soften just a little along with his features. "Why ever would they put such a beautiful, intelligent and important creature in harms way.." The question seemingly more to himself. "Do you carry any proof of this royal errand?"

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@The Muse

Aliseth

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Town

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" "

Soft gentle flakes of snow drifted down from the dark heavens above. Aliseth could feel them melting against the bare skin of his up-turned face.
The sky was extra dark this hour, while he knew it likely due to the clouds he could not see, it felt more as though it was because the doors and windows of heaven had been closed off to them. The gods and their messengers were not watching, no help was coming. They were all alone.

Aliseth was not an overly religious man and put little faith in the divine, but the feeling was real and the loneliness hit him hard like a physical force. It took the air from his lungs as it seeped through his body like a poison. Multi-layered, it sunk to his core. He was not unacquainted with this feeling but familiarity did little to dull its bite.

Blaming it on the ale, he took a deep breath and swallowed it all down. It had been a day and fatigue was undoubtedly setting in. He smirk at the sky, condescendingly mocking himself for his moment of weakness, and just as he turns his head down a single bright star births to life in the sea of darkness above.

Turning his mind to duty he look down the road. It had mostly been cleared as the other guards ushered off any remaining stragglers. Flittering through distant torch light Aliseth noted a figure hastily drawing near. Moving to meet the suspicious female he noted she wore a fine dress under her coat and by all accounts had the appearance of nobility.

"Halt." He spoke with a measured balance of authority and respect, calling for her attention as he drew near. He offered her a kind smile. Her blue eyes an easy point of focus.
"Sorry m'lady. I must ask you return to your lodging. There has been an incident and a short curfew enacted as a precaution for everyone's safety."
After a moment allowing that to sink in he followed up with a question, mentioning nothing of the bells she surely heard or the rush she was in but leaving that curiosity unsaid yet clear in his gaze.
"May I enquire as to your destination and the matter of business that takes you there?" While still standing tall, his voice was softer now as if in casual conversation.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@c3p-0h@enmuni

Aliseth

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Tavern

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Aliseth was striding towards the exit of the tavern. A slight sway to his rigid careful steps. His path following that of a large barbarian who conveniently cleared the way. Aliseth had seemingly misjudged this Elio. Where he thought he saw concern, worry and a need to know of his friends fate, those indicators quickly dissolved into nothingness as he instead sat and talked to that monstrous looking blighted. She was more monster than human and had the nerve to hold herself with a sense of aristocracy. He recalled the way it had spoken down to him, taunted him. Aliseth had seen street rats beaten to near death for less. He knew he could have, should have, and probably would have punished her if it wasn't for Zeph. And where was Zeph anyway? Yet another of this creatures victims?

Before he reached the door, the bards made an announcement and began entertaining the tavern. Aliseth's thoughts were too dark, heart to cold, feelings too numb, to embrace or enjoy it. Sadly, there was a time not too long ago where he would revel in such things, a time not in uniform, when princesses weren't missing and a hunt wasn't out for a murderous blightborn. He watched a nearby table dissolve into drunken merriment as they were caught up in the tune on the air.

Aliseth let out a sigh and carried on to the door, never looking back. Before leaving, his hand balled into a fist as he clearly yet softly articulated a sentence no normal hearing could pick out amongst all the noise. Despite its discreet softness it was filled with venom. "Nesna, the slightest slip up or hint of trouble and your head will end up a trophy my wall. I promise you that."
With that said, Aliseth threw open the tavern door, the rush of icy wind that hit him a welcomed awakening to his senses as he walked out into the soft snowfall.

The echoes of a bell toil in his ears and the remains of a dispersing crowd linger, chatting with heavy concern. He straightened his back, lift his chin, and for most part deliberately went out his way to be found by questioning eyes, sure to inform any curious, worried citizens that a blight-born was eating people.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@c3p-0h

Aliseth

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Tavern

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Aliseth crumpled back onto his seat, the momentary shock turning into a flash of anger as realisation set in. It took a bit slower than usual due to the alcohol but it was definitely there, along with the faint hint of a promise 'You will be sorry for that'.
The anger however never manifested, instead transforming into a cold amusement as he gaze at Elio with a subtle smile. Intrigued eyes studied the masons face as silence stretched out. He took it to the cusps of Elio's tolerance before making a show of looking about and leaning forward to cautiously whisper.

"I.. I can't say any more. But maybe... Yes. I can help you find out for yourself. Go to the temple. Tell them I sent you to help identify the body. If you are quick, that should do it."

He nod solemnly as he let out a sad sigh, acting as if he had just done Elio some great big favour. "Wait, could you identify him based on his body alone?" he add in earnestly. "Oh never mind. You must get there quickly if you want to know." The sense of urgency real on his whispered words.

Again, he went to stand, watching the placement of his stool this time.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@Theyra

Valgo

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Tavern

---

Once again the barbarian was slow to reply, his sharp eyes remained trained on Desmond but his focus was seemingly elsewhere. There was a slight shake to his head as if he was disagreeing with something unsaid.
"Aye." He suddenly reply on a deep breath. A presence in his eyes once again.
"Some 'blight born'-." he mimicked the way Desmond said it as he looked down at the plate. "well they can eat food just like you 'en' I."

Looking over his shoulder his gaze flittered across some of the obviously blighted patrons. "It won't... it won't." He look back to Desmond with a puzzle look on his face, fingers twirling in the air as he flicks through words in his mind.
"Keep them going and alive." he eventually blurt out, opting to use a sentence in place of a word he didn't know.

"Not all need food either." He says knowingly, dropping his knotted muscular arms on the table as he gets comfortable and ready to school his new business acquaintance.
"Sure some eat blood or flesh. Others, they'll drink your 'veska' soul. And...." He raises an eyebrow and gives a little grin. "You find a hungry hakdeesha, well, then you a lucky man." He chuckles softly to himself before pushing off the table and coming to stand to the sound of his chair grinding across the floor.

With a soft genuine grin he looks down and says.
"Good to meet you. I will see you again soon. Yes?"

A new guild

Balenof’s scowl deepened as his gaze locked onto Gabs, her words hanging in the air like a gauntlet thrown. The room seemed to hold its collective breath, the tension palpable.

"Fair ladies?" he barked with a derisive snort. "I see one with a sword drawn and another with a mouth sharper than any blade. If you're looking for courtesy, lass, perhaps don't start by swinging steel in my tavern!"

He jabbed a finger toward Galen, his voice rising. "And you, golden boy, flappin’ your lips like you’re untouchable, stirring these louts up with your prissy insults. You think your words won't get you hurt? A man can only take so much before he forgets who’s who in a brawl."

His attention snapped back to Gabs, his tone harsh but not without a hint of begrudging respect. "As for thugs, these fools don't speak for me or this tavern. But if you're looking for trouble, you're bound to find it with words like those. Now, sheath that blade and settle this with fists, or I’ll settle it myself—and trust me, you won’t like my way."

The towering man in the background crossed his arms, a faint grin playing at his lips as the crowd shifted uncomfortably. Balenof’s presence alone seemed to temper some of the chaos, but the threat of violence still lingered in the air.