Dr Acula

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

The willow tree provided scant shade, but it was enough for Emmeline to get out of the sun, and to provide some relief from the warmth of the day. She continued to watch the mounted guards warily. It still didn’t make sense to her, if the caravan was already guarded then why in Light’s cadence did they need two sellswords as well? She also continued to scan the road for her companion, but they must be coming from the other direction.

Continuing to watch the caravan in front of her, the more it seemed odd. They were only 2 days out from Viscerium, why stop and wait for two merc’s on foot? She tried to put it from her mind, she wasn’t paid to think why, but to follow orders and get the job done. Even so. She’d just started to list out all the heraldry she could think of with sunbursts, which shouldn’t be as long of a list as it was but between church officials and royals both official and not so official it was longer than she’d like for how dusty her memory felt recalling the lessons. Thelana would be disappointed. She may have kept up with physical training, but “a Knights mind is just as important of a weapon as her blade and should be kept as sharp.” She recited the old lesson under her breath, just as she spied movement in the ranks.

One of the mounted guards started moving towards the covered caravan, disappearing inside and she got the first glance of her travelling companion. He looked to be a similar age to her, perhaps slightly older, and walked like a man used to the road and the sword at his hip. His hair was bound back in a warriors queue, and his chestnut skin was going to fair a lot better on the journey than her fairness. Noting his worn clothing and warrior stance she quickly categorized him as being either having been a mercenary for some time (although clearly not a good one, her thoughts added measly as he came closer and she noted his worn clothes) or an ex guard come to try and earn better paying work.

Not that the ex-Knight could talk, she mocked herself. She felt particularly shabby herself next to the mounted personal guard, and especially after being hard on the road the last couple of days. She fought the urge to smooth back her braid as he approached her shady patch, resting her hand lightly on the hilt of her sword. The jerks in her squadron of squires had decided to start up with calling her the Maiden Knight due to being both A) female, B) compassionate, and C) stopping to appreciate a flower stall one time. The title had stung, until a newly appointed Knight who was helping Thelena with her mentoring duties helped her to own the title, and had the sword made as a gift for her knighting ceremony as a reminder. Being a gift made it her own blade, and thus she was able to keep it when she quit her Order, and it had become her most priced possession – and on her darkest days her most hated reminder.

Speaking of blades, the one at the hip of the gentleman coming towards her was exceptional. It definitely wasn’t the blade of a mercenary or Guard. He had just become quite the enigma. The fellow stopped just shy of her, calling a greeting. Taking a strode or two closer she smiled at him. “Better than rain, aye. Wouldn’t mind a breeze though.” She countered, keeping her tone friendly and light. “Bet camp set up is going to be a nightmare though,” she continued nodding her head at the caravan, indicating the rich (and probably pompous) patron they were to guard. From her experience they are never happy with sleeping on the road, and are very good at demanding things for their comfort but never willing to actually help make it happen.

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

You're welcome, I'm so glad you liked it!

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

Sweet.

I did start on a post, then got side tracked thinking about the ghurch amd came up with some lore below, would love your thoughts.

The other thing i wanted to run by you was if you had an idea of who you wanted the person in the carriage to be?

The Church

The Church of Light is the primary religion of Sashain, and a temple or church can be found in most hamlets and towns, whilst the bigger cities tend to have multiple churches or even a cathedral. They are required to be in the town layout for any new town charter, and are the first buildings erected when construction begins.

The doctrine is centred around the Light Bringer Astarel. In the beginning there was only darkness. The world and all of its creations struggled in the cold dark, when all things could happen for no one could see to stop them. Beast and man preyed on each other with impunity, and greater Evils watched on in pleasure. In the darkness was struggle, chaos, and sin.

It is said that in the darkness Astarel heard a song, its melody telling of colour, and safety, and freedom. By listening to it Astarel discovered fire, and brought light into being. In doing so the creations of earth could truly see for the first time, but evil lurked always at the edge of the light. Again Astarel heard the song and it urged him to create a rapier, forged of metal that had come from a place other than this world (ie a meteroite) and its blade rippled and glowed with light. Following the directions of the song he journeyed to the highest mountain top and from there pierced the heavens with the rapiers tip, creating stars. In the constellations Astarel gave a warning about the evils of the dark, and the promise of Light through the Song.

The Song then drove Astarel to his third and final act. From the same metal as his rapier he made a chariot and in the back built the biggest inferno that he could. Hitching it to a tram of palimon horses he then began to Sing alongside the Song and it transformed the bonfire into a perpetual, everburning flame, and the horses gained wings for flight and their very hooves sparked embers. He knew in his heart that this was his final Good he would do for the world, and so as he sang he embraced his family, passing his sword Skypiercer to his son. He then flew of into the sky and his chariot is what gives us the day, and Astarel flies across the sky.

In her grief his wife, who had a gift for prophecy, went to a pool in a cavern that she would often use for divination. With the new sun’s light reflecting from the sky into the pool she did her best to imitate her husband’s Song. She sang all day and as the sun began to set she waded out and, still singing her imitation of the Song, floated on her back gazing at the sky from its reflection. As the last light faded, along with her hope, she found herself looking down instead on the earth, reflecting the light of her husband. For her love of Him she is able to give light to the darkness, but for her hubris of trying to use the Song for selfish purposes she can only imitate and reflect forever. The phases of the moon reflect the cyclical nature of women, and its said that you can see her silhouette in the full moon.

There are two major holidays associated with the Church of Light. Summer solstice, or All Light, is a joyful day, and the day on which official events take place – royal weddings, coronation, knight ingredients... etc. Festivals light up the night so it seems that he sun never sets. The other is the winter solstice or the Long Night whereby from the time the sun sets there is to be no light. It is time for people to remember the darkness and confront it, confront their own evils and sins. Then with the dawn the churches kindle a bonfire from a sacred flame that they kept burning through the Long Night, and from that bonfire all folk relight their hearth flames, rejoicing in the freedom given by the sacrifice of Astarel.

It’s also said that Anders Hallow, and by extension the Royal Family, are descendants of that son of Astarel, and the rapier that comes with the office of king is that same ancient blade Skypiercer. True or not the sunburst symbol has become synonymous with the church, the Royal family, and those who have favour with one or both factions. The church is led by The Singer, who is in charge of scripture, ordaining ministers etc. The leaders of the church are known as the Fathers, and between then am the Singer is the Father’s Council and the Choir. The fathers council is in charge of the mundane actually keeping the churches running while the Choir look after whole areas – similar to Cardinals or Arch-bishops.

Knights of the Skies

Sorry I've been sitting on the fence about this rp, and then came down really ill the last couple of days.

I think I've intimidated myself put of this one a bit. The mecha one I'd feel more comfortable panting my way through, hut I just don't have the knowledge of real world military stuff, and feel like I'd hold everyone back. I'd be more comfortable doing so in a Sci-fi mecha setting...

Honest word, if I'm the player that decides if this gets off the ground then I'll do my best, but otherwise I think I might bow out and focus on other projects.

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

Hey sorry for the silence. I've been so sick the last couple.of days. Finally starting to feel better.

I'm happy either way, although I feel like seeing as it's just the two of us collab posting seems pointless? I think the latter is the better option to go forward with, I'd you're happy to.

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

That's ok. This is a good week for no pressure here as my housemate just tested positive for covid so ii expect we all here are going to feel poorly for the next week...

No pressure either, if you get it done before you go fantastic, but make sure you get all your irl stuff sorted first!

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

Sorry that was late. I woke up with a killer migraine and them slept through to lunchtime.

But it's up, and better late than never I guess.

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

Emmeline walked. It felt great, to be stretching her legs, out on the open road again with the sun in the sky and the promise of adventure ahead. For the fest hour or two anyway. Then she realized just how out of condition she was. Not to say she was unfit, after all she’d kept up a physical regime even while nursing her sick mother and the empty months that followed it. But endurance isn’t something you can keep up inside city limits, not really. The sun baked down, and the dust from the road made her throat drier than a desert. Her feet ached, her calves cramped, and her pack weighed her down and backward, her centre of weight off balance from usual. She was sore, and bored, and the boredom only served to aid her in focusing on how tired and sore she felt.

She pushed through though, and it did become easier, her body starting to remember after all this time what being on the march felt like. She also remembered the ways she used to pass time whilst a Knight. Admittedly most of that time was also mounted, and she definitely preferred riding to walking. It was also mostly passed in conversations with her fellow Knights, sometimes story telling, sometimes banter, sometimes someone would start singing a song and they’d all join in. She did try singing but all that did was remind her how unconditioned she was, and how dry her throat was – even with frequent sips from her water pouch. She settled instead from recalling the stories her mother used to tell them as children, remaining their endings into something more fantastical. She made up some time walking into the evening, knowing that she only had to settle down for herself, with a small dinner of dried foods. Sleep and repeat.

The sign for the crossroads came into view just about on time. The first say had been the worst for sure, but she’d since found a rhythm. Taking a moment before continuing ip on the caravan she brushed down her navy tunic, and polished her black boots on the backs of her legs. She touched the hilt of her sword, it’s scabbard of brown suede banded in brass, holding its shining silvery blade. The cross guard was solid and brass coloured with engraved flowers, a brown suede grip, and rounded pommel again in the same brass colour and shaped to look like a flower also. She tucked some of her black hair that had come loose from her braid behind her ear and heated her pack higher on her shoulders.

As she got closer she scanned the caravan she was approaching, and scowled. Red cloth embroidered in gold meant two things. First she was in for a good payday at the end, and secondly she was going to hate every moment of getting there. This wasn’t a happy merchant looking for protection but some upper class twit that thought nothing about the lives of those who kept them in luxury. The warriors were also... odd. Why hire two sells words when you travel with a militia that looks as impressive as that? Whatever the reason it was a job, it was a paycheck, and it was he first step towards freedom. What she didn’t see yet as she scanned around was someone else who didn’t fit, this mysterious partner. Regardless she strode up to the rider at the beginning of the column, assuming that the lead warrior would be the best person to talk to.
“Hello there, I’m Emmeline. I’m lead to believe you are expecting me and one other to, um, assist in guarding this caravan?”
The warrior looked down from his chestnut mount, the sunlight glinting off his chain mail and helmet, and she saw the red cloak he was wearing had a sunburst embroidered on it. The insignia tickled her brain, but heraldry had never been her strongest suit. The guys face was impassive, but at least he wasn’t openly derisive of her. “Aye, we are expecting two sellswords.” His face might not have shown derision but his tone certainly did, with the way he twisted the word sellswords. Clearly he didn’t think much of them being hired either. “Wait here for the other one. I only want to disturb m’lord once on your account.” He gestured off to the side slightly and turned away, dismissing her as a nuisance had no longer had to deal with. She moved away slightly, clamping down on a childish desire to stick her tongue out at him, or flip him off, and found a spot in a shadow to stand in while she waited for her counterpart. She didn’t figure they’d be far off.

Beware all ye who enter here!

Hi @Gareth thank you for the welcome. Not usually one for history, though I've read an interesting romanticized history on Vlad the Impaler, and one set kn the coal mining Era of New Zealand which was interesting. Maybe a smattering of others, but I can't say it's a strong suit of mine. I do have an interest in reading more steampunk (and adjacent) stories though. Fantasy though is where my heart has always been.

A Sun-Kissed Blade [Concept x Dr Acula]

No worries.

I've made a start on my post. It should be up early tomorrow my time. Thank you for letting me know about next week.