Estylwen

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

@Abstract Proxy It looks great! Feel free to add them to the CS tab when you have a moment.

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The first post is up! If you aren't specifically mentioned in the IC, you have the option to go for the Umbra Corp supply drop that dropped from the sky north of Elhm. Or, you can go for the coded energy signal south of the city. The choice is up to you. :)

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

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Umbra:The Abyssal Connection

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Umbra Corp, Secret Facility

@Qia, @Wayward

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After a hearty meal provided to them in the armory room, the administrator directed the trio to the showers, separated for girls and boys, where they could rinse off the sweat, fear, and residual chills of the surgery room. New clothes were provided for each, a dark skin suit with insulation that cooled in hot heat, and warmed in cool weather. It also provided some protection against the dust storms in the world they were being sent to.

The administrator only smirked when VV highlighted the strange use of words. Instructing the group to grab the rest of their gear, the administrator and her guards brought VV, A and D to a closed door. A single swipe of an ID card, and the door opened to reveal a small emergency eject pod, equipped with a view that told a million stories.

The view in question…

VV stared at the curvature of the world sprawled out on a ball in front of them, before she side-eyed the administrator.

“Always figured we were underground…”

The administrator only smiled. “This is why we were less worried about your ‘dastardly escapades’. Only so far you can get when you're out in space.”

The administrator clapped her hands together once. “Alright. Everyone single-file into the escape pod, please. We will be sending you down there right away.”

Before she held up a finger, and nodded to the guards standing by her. They approached the trio, before restraining them temporarily. When they were done, a titanium-cased anklet was locked around one of each of their ankles, with no obvious way to take off, and far too tight to remove.

“A tracker, just in case you get any funny ideas about heading off-course. Our space station is equipped with abyssal energy cannons that can and will vaporize you if you stray too far from Ehlm’s spectral woods.

“We will be dropping you at the outskirts of the City of Ehlm. Don't mess this up~!” The administrator said as the door slid shut, and she began to walk away.

Soon enough, the small escape pod began a countdown sequence, and detached from the space station. Slowly, steadily, it began careening towards the planet…

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The City of Ehlm, Bears Hideout

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“I'm telling you, these streets are bone-dry. drier than the Ehlm riverbed.”

The boys sat around a fire in a half-collapsed building, sunlight streaming through parts of the room. They were nursing various flasks of Shiners, the alcohol one could make out of blue fruit found in the spectral woods.

All the men had grim looks on their faces. It'd been a week since anyone had wandered into their side of the city. Most of the locals knew enough by now that they were thieves at heart. Even the Wilds didn't dare to bother them solo.

It made making credits a sorrowful job. And they continued to eat from their coin purses, and the credits kept disappearing. They needed a break, and they needed it fast.

“Buck up, boys,” Vin said as he leaned against the nearby wall, armed folded across his chest. “Our luck will turn a corner. Benefactor-willin’.”

It was then one of the watchers standing by the cracked door gripped his gun tighter. “Boss? You're gonna wanna see this.”

Vin frowned, before moving closer to the door. The watcher pointed through the cracks towards the red sky, where a white streak broke up the red.

Indeed, there was a white streak that was incredibly noticeable. Whiteness of fuel, like a comet streaking down the sky, the head of it a small black speck.

Vin's jaw dropped. “Benefactor be! It's a supply drop! I haven't seen one of these for months!”

Vin spun towards the group, clapping his hands together. “Pack it up, men. We move in two minutes. That drop from the space station could be our ticket out of this drought.”

One of the boys raised a shaky hand. “Won't Umbra be pissed ‘bout that?”

“You let me worry about who'll be pissed, boy.” Vin growled, before turning back towards the door, staring at the comet with a hungry gaze.

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Ghost Corp Head Quarters, Three Hours East of the City of Ehlm

@SporkoBug, @illirica

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General Solen stood in the war room, hands leaning on the holo-table as he stared down at a 3D rendition of the City of Ehlm and its surrounding territories.

He pointed to a red dot on the map, south of the city by five hours of driving, or on horseback.

“This is where we've picked up the signal. Our scouts have marked the site as an abandoned Umbra Corp research facility.”

His hardened gaze lifted to the two Ghost Corp members present at his table, Ivy Tenebra and Wren. With a nod, he gestured towards Ivy.

“Miss Tenebra, I want you to scour the facility in search of the research within it. We have reason to belive they were working on next-generation technology that could elevate our own weaponry.”

Then General Solen's gaze shifted to Wren.

“Wren, I want you and a few of our men to accompany Miss Tenebra and ensure both of yours safety. Remember, acquiring anything that can help us is imperative to the mission.”

General Solen leaned back from the table, clasping his hands behind his back. “Good luck to you two.”

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It was after many hours of driving in Ghost Corp's armored vehicle that Ivy, Wren, and three other soldiers made it to the abandoned Umbra Corp research facility.

The stone and cement building was ringed by sparse trees and dry grass. A staircase led to the main door, which was locked. There was a console on the left side for an access card.

Ivy, Wren and the men had the opportunity to hack into the console to gain access, or plant explosives and blow the door open. The choice was up to them.

Regardless, the moment they entered the vicinity of the research facility, the facility would begin to emit a unique, coded signal that could be picked up by most radars.

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Outskirts of the City of Ehlm

@Qia, @Wayward

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The reverse thrusters kicked in as the escape pod made its descent. VV, like the rest, had strapped herself in one of the wall seats, staring through the window at the dusty, desert-like expanse unfolding below them.

The escape pod roared in a final hurrah before the engines died down, and they careened into the dust strong enough to shut off the internal lights.

Emergency red lights flickered on as the escape pod's overhead hatch opened up. VV was immediately hit with the suffocating density of dust in the air, and pulled out her rebreather mask from her pack. She attached it to her face, the abyssal energy compartment lighting up.

“Everyone alright?” She asked, eyes glancing to D and A as she carefully unbuckled herself.

Standing upright in an overturned escape pod, VV pulled at the ledge below the escape hatch, and a small rung ladder extended itself. VV gave it a test step before before being the first out of the pod.

D and A would hear the shocked dismay in her voice as VV swore aloud.

A worn jeep rolled up to the escape pod, men in tattered clothes and sun-leathered skin hopped out, holding all manner of rifles and pistols.

A man with spiked dusty blond hair stepped out of the passenger side, holding a different type of rifle. A rifle with pulsing light coming off of it. The same light that powered VV's abyssal mask.

The man whistled, taking a step forward. “Well, well, what have we got here? They sent people, not supplies. Means you must be pretty special, huh? Why don't you tell your friends to hop out, real slow?”

The men had spread out, raising their guns and surrounding the escape pod on all sides.

VV raised her hands placatively, never taking her eyes off the man. She spoke out of the side of her mouth, down the hatch.

“Hey uh, guys? We have a problem…”

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

"That Lord Blackthorne too acceded to the scheme."

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

This i gotta see. xD

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

New post is up!

Also,

Spirit Teardrop of the Clandestine

Spirit Teardrop of the Clandestine

31 | He/him | Human

Description: Spirit is the older brother of Valor, and the Right Hand of the Clandestine. Whenever a little muscle is needed, or a little pressure, he is the one best sent for the job.

Learning magic meant to tremble the soul, his very presence causes the soul to shiver. He is ruthless under his initial decorum, usually going to outrageous lengths to complete his mission.

He is wholly loyal to his younger sister, whom he holds no contempt for as his leader. He is also wholly loyal to the employer of the Clandestine, the Ghost King of Ravenfell.

Magic/Seed: Unknown.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Athroyeaux Castle, Throne Room

@Izurich, @LunarParadox, @ERode

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"Your Majesty King Lamont DuFairre of Ravenfell, I am Melisande of the Tearmoon Coven, here as invited by your subject."

’Mèlisande’

The Ghost King merely watched as the lights sputtered out. In the semi-darkness, there was a chuckle.

“Ah, the Tearmoon coven. Mages with otherworldly charms that sway the mortal man's heart.”

The hooded visage lifted slightly off his gauntlet, a note of seriousness entering his deep tone.

“But we know a bit better, don't we?”

The Ghost King let his statement hang a bit in the air, before, without looking, he beckoned behind him with two fingers. From the shadows, none other than Valor stepped forward, bowing deeply as she stood by her lord.

Straightening, there was an almost purr in her voice as Valor spoke again. “I'm pleased you heeded my salutations, Lady Tearmoon.”

The King made a gesture to his attendants, and one stepped forward, hand glowing as they cast magelight to hover about the room, illuminating the darkness and bathing it in eerie, pale white.

"My Lord. I come at the behest of your gracious invitation."

Eirwen

The Ghost King nodded as Lord Blackthorne approached the throne. ”The Court Mage of the one they call the Wizard Queen, no less. I've heard rumors of your talents, especially with the Seeds.”

That was when Duke Rhinecliff and his escorts approached, and the Ghost King lifted his hooded visage, gauntlet lowering to his lap.

“King Lamont DuFairre, I have come to answer your summons, and have brought gifts too.”

Duke Rhinecliff

One of the Ghost King's attendants, clothed in a fine robe and gloves, accepted the tome graciously. They then presented it to the King, who looked it over.

“A fine book, I imagine. I have space in my library for a piece such as this. I'll have my attendants see to its placement right away.”

Before he gave a small wave of his hand. The attendant bowed, before retreating, leaving out one of the side doors.

The Ghost King returned his empty gaze to Duke Rhinecliff as they spoke.

“Unfortunately, my changeling companion’s time is far more precious than my own, and as such, I ask for your forgiveness in her absence. As I’m certain you’ll have heard, the province of Arrowfell will soon be missing two of its Dukes, at the hands of one familiar to you.”

Duke Rhinecliff

The Ghost King paused as his head tilted, hung up momentarily. The changeling wouldn't be making it.

A minor set-back.

“Granted. And I am aware of this… turn of events. Men come and go, on her little stage of a chess board. But she'll find it's possible to be bitten by her chess pieces…”

“What do you require in exchange for your assistance?”

Duke Rhinecliff

If the King could smile, he would. He leaned a little forward in his seat. “I want her. The one you call the Wizard Queen. Give her to me, and I'll assist you in overthrowing her.”

He looked at the group gathered in front of him. The ‘feyling’, the master of the arcane, and the head of the rebellion. These were the pieces he would use to further his own goals, and wipe that smirk off her face for the final time.

“I have intel that could greatly help you. She means to become the one force to be reckoned with. If she acquires what she wants, then not even the entire Houses of Arrowfell united will be able to stop her.”

A hard edge crept into his voice. “She must be stopped. You must go to Athius and destroy whatever it is she's trying to unearth, make it so she can't use it.”

He nodded to one of his attendants, who took a step forward and unsheathed a translucent, ghostly blade.

The Ghost King nodded to the blade. “This blade has the ability to put down leviathan-class monsters, which is what you'll be up against. And you must be wary, for once she knows you mean to betray her, she will kill you.”

The blade was held out to the group, and the King asked,

“Do you accept?”

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Hathforth, Plaza Facing the Pier

@Donut Look Now

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“Oh! P-pardon me, my lord and lady.”

Flower Girl

The sudden movement had startled Asteria, and she gripped tight to her brother’s arm. When it was just a girl scattering her flowers, both nobles heaved a sigh. They had been collectively on edge, especially after knowing they'd be facing the Wizard Queen in the flesh this time. They were waiting for the tongue-lashing of a lifetime.

So, it was no surprise they were willing to be tardy, looking down at the girl. Asteria left her brother’s hand to help the girl with picking up the remaining flowers, ignoring the girl's frantic frustration.

“Are you alright? What's your name?” Asteria asked, offering the flowers back to the girl.

Both her guard and Mene disliked seeing Asteria crouched doing ‘commoner tasks’, Mene putting a hand on his hip and rolling his eyes, while her guard coughed in his hand.

“My Lady, we should be going.” The guard said.

Asteria glanced back, before offering an apologetic glance to the girl.

“Sorry.”

Before she turned, and the group began making their way again to the pier.

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Hathforth, Pier, The Battle-Blood Minstrel

@LunarParadox, @Izurich

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The Wizard Queen stood expectantly as the portal opened. “Ah, my faithful mages. What news do you bring? Good, I hope.”

"My Queen. I am delighted to present you the rewards of our long efforts."

Eirwen

Her eyes swept over Mèlisande, before settling on Eirwen, and the box he carried. Her attendant stepped forward and accepted the box from the Court Mage, before passing it to the Queen with a bow.

The Wizard Queen eyed the two mages knowingly, before carefully opening the lid. The light reflecting off the pearl of a gem within cast hues over her face, and her eyes sparkled at the sight.

“Yes… Yes this will do nicely.”

She closed the box and gestured with her hand, and the attendant took it downstairs. Before her gaze returned to her mages.

“I'm very proud of your work, Lord Blackthorne, Lady Tearmoon. You’ve only proven how well of a team you make; I was wise to place you, Lady Tearmoon, in the care of my Court Mage.”

Her eyes glanced up, taking in the sailors loading supplies on her large ship. “There is much to prepare for before we depart this evening. I'll have Lord Urimyar show you to the main deck and your rooms so you can get the lay of the ship. And, of course, I would ask you be present at the execution later this evening, before we leave…”

Her eyes returned to her mages, watching their faces, before turning expectantly to the staircase to the lower deck. As if on cue, the tall Lord Urimyar with his pointed ear gracefully ascended the steps, careful with his elegant robes. He stopped to bow in front of the Queen, before turning to Lord Blackthone and Lady Tearmoon.

“Court Mage Blackthorne, Court Apprentice Tearmoon, it's an honour to see you again. Shall we be off?”

Vulluin would escort the two down to the lower deck, a lavish-looking place that was clearly re-decorated by the Wizard Queen. The wood floors were adorned with carpets, and art hung on the walls. The kitchen nearby had placed a few tables and chairs spread out along the small-windowed walls, and a large buffet table available to any hungry guest. The trio could spot Captain Roderic sitting with a few of his men, enjoying a hearty breakfast of eggs, sweetened bread, and cheese.

Noises could be heard in the lower deck as sailors filed in supplies from the pier. However, the noises were somewhat drowned out by the lute playing near the banquet table.

While the two took in the sights, Vulluin spoke.

“Her Majesty has employed the Aethera's jewelers to craft your seed into wearable pieces. I imagine they should be done by the time we depart.”

He gestured to the ballroom, “Quite magnificent, isn't it? You're welcome to help yourself to the food, or I can show you to your rooms.”

He stopped, before side-eying them.

“Or… you can tell me what you were doing across the border.”

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Tarin, Eagle Inn

@The Otter

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As Callum cross the receptionist desk to reach the doorway to the tavern, the old man at the desk waved him down.

“A fellow had this couriered to you, your eyes only. Wouldn't say much more about it…” He said before passing a folded bit of parchment to Callum.

Within the note, written in hastily scrawled cursive, Raiden had wrote,

“Urgent business needs attending. Won't have time for dinner.

See you in Athius.”

And the note ended there, without further explanation. Regardless, as Callum neared the tarven and its bar, a commotion of noise would soon draw his attention.

Baroness was standing toe to toe against a dark, shadowy figure, mask obscuring his features. Anabel stood in the center of the tavern room, all the patron eyes on the duo, concerned for the girl, but afraid to interfere less incur the wrath of the man standing before the wee girl.

The man stood over her, arms crossed as he glared down at her.

“Don't make me repeat myself, Baroness. Tell me the exact date she's planning to reach Athius. I know you know.”

Anabel somehow stood her ground, staring up at the masked man, her little fists clenched.

“You won't get a word from me. I would never betray Her Majesty. I don't care who you are, you won't get anything out of me. Now leave me alone!”

The masked man merely chuckled, looking around at the room full of patrons pointedly avoiding his gaze, before he stared down at the girl again. He stooped down a bit, leaning into her face, speaking low.

“I know ways of making you talk, Miss. Why don't we take a little walk?”
And he grabbed her wrist in an iron grip, about to drag her from the room.

Anabel struggled in his grip, panick evident in her eyes. “Unhand me, you fiend!”

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

@Lexisheeps Looks great! What happens if you run out cards, though?

Feel free to add them to the CS tab!

Dark Beyond: Voices of the Past

It's a lovely post, Days! Well worth the wait. :)

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1

The House on the Hill

Interactions: Britney (@Shin Ghost Note), Linqian/Luca/Anya (@FernStone), Clancy (@Zombiedude101), Lila/Lynn/Jasper (@NoriWasHere)

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”You're not our Alizee. Alizee Alteri was shot to death by the Wolfpack, then the Hound took what he needed, and the leftover consciousness, psyche, and memories, formed an entirely new being and, well... Became you.”

Britney

Alizée stared at the woman speaking, and just like that, little drops began to fill her well of knowledge. What the woman was saying lined up fairly well with what she remembered, though she had no knowledge of this Hound being, or what they did.

Her gaze dropped, examining her hand briefly, opening and closing the elongated phalanges. She… she had been someone else before this? They knew who she was? Who she had been?

How much of the old self had survived, if what they said was true?

”But what exactly do you remember? Do you remember anyone else other than Voidy? Does the name Britney Williams ring a bell? What about... Jack Hawthorne?”

Britney

Alizée returned her hands to their surrendering position, looking up at Britney, a pensive look in her eyes.

“Those names…” She shook her head. “I'm sorry, they don't ring a bell.”

”Fuck, you seriously considering this shit, Brit? I know exactly what we should do - fucking seal her. Be done with it. Like you said, we got too many fucking problems right now. I don’t give a fuck if she needs to find him. We need to find Father Wolf before he fucking kills more of us.”

Linqian

Alizée, if her eyes could go saucer-like wide, like an innocent puppy, they would have in that moment. She had learned from the whispers of voidlings older than her of the ways a voidling suffers, and ‘dies.’ One of those ways was through sealing. Just mentioning the word made Alizée feel uncomfortable, and she shifted a bit as she kneeled.

But who's this Father Wolf?

Alizée's eyes returned to ‘Brit’, alarm in the redness, the threat of sealing very much over her head.

”Why should we trust you enough to give you a second chance? Void Heart was a parasite. I understand better than most here what it’s like to have something like that attached to you… By helping you, we let more people get hurt. Maybe people deserve second chances, but…

”You’re not a person.”

Luca

Alizée gave a closer look to this person. Immediately, she could smell it coming off him. The scent of another within him, a voidling with a peculiar scent of rotting meat.

She blinked at his accusation. Of course she was a person. Well, a voidling. An apparition. A ghost. Perhaps not technically a person, those were left to describe humans, after all. But she could feel. She could think. That made her at least worthy of the title of ‘person’, did it not?

“I don't know about Void Heart being a parasite. He was kind to me, from what I remember.”

Alizée's gaze dropped, seriously thinking hard about Luca's question. Sealing scared her. It seemed to be a preferred method of this group. What would happen to her if they decided to do what they would with her…?

“I… I don't have any way for you to trust me except for my word. But it's a part of my power, my core: connections. I'll do almost anything to form a new connection, and earn a way into a person's secret world.

“You have to trust me that it's a completely self-serving interest that I cooperate with you.” Alizée said softly.

"We should allow her to answer Britney’s questions - and anyone else’s - before we decide.”

Anya

Alizée couldn't help but feel a bit of discomfort at this woman's sentence. The calm before passing judgment. It felt like she was being sized up, scrutinized. It reminded her of battles where the opposite voidling would stare hard for a long time, before striking.

She hoped this wasn't the same thing…

Alizée thought a bit more, returning back to ‘Brit's question, before she spoke again. “I remember how I died. It was by a gunshot. I remember I was trying to save Void. I remember who shot me, the little group; Leather-wearers, with roaring motorbikes. I remember waking up in darkness. It took… a long time before I learned how to move. A longer time before I learned how to fight.”

Before a boy, no- an apparition, a voidling like her, spoke up.

"Trust me. You don't want this, whatever you're looking for in that parasite isn't worth it. You'll never stop wanting and you'll hate every moment you continue existing. You want purpose? Don't make this harder. Put the chains away. You don't have time for this."

Clancy

Alizée watched with pained eyes, before her chains receded further, and sank to the floor, unmoving.

“Brother, he is my source, my strength. I have to maintain my good word. Surely he isn't the villain you make him out to be?” She said, hopeful.

But her head perked up as he mentioned purpose.“I will admit I've been… blindly following this. I don't have another purpose besides seeking out the Void Heart. What other purpose could there be, for someone like me?”

“What do we know about the void heart? Was it something that made her do those evil actions, or were those actions truly her own? I also understand what it’s like, which is why I’ll at least humor…. Whatever this is.”

Lila

Alizée's red eyes blinked a couple times as the woman with the glorious wings spoke. She could smell a sweet scent off her; she too had a voidling, an apparition.

But her confusion only compounded. Since when has the Void Heart done evil? And I was a part of it?

Alizée felt the concern in her chest growing, but remained quiet. The question wasn't directed at her, after all.

“You could fuck off for all I care, and if you don’t I know someone who could turn you into the most perfect fucking pet.”

Aryin

Alizée's eyes became wide like saucers again, but not in shock or horror. No, this time was in sadness. She couldn't bring herself to speak.

“If you are what I think you are, you must be the perfect age for that Void Heart, I heard he liked them young,”

Lynn

Alizée's red eyes bugged out for what was the third time. “It's not like that! At least, I don't think so. It's entirely different!”

If a voidling could become flustered, this was her, right at that moment.

”We weren’t there for her before, when she truly needed us to be, why not give her a moment now while we can. I'm tired of fighting ourselves when there are mother fuckers out there who deserve our collective rage more.”

Jasper

Immediately, Alizée felt a bit of kinship with Jasper. The words came out on their own, “Who torments you? You knew me before, when I don't know myself. Tell me who torments you, and I will fight them.”

Backrooms: The Thing that Breathes

I will aim to have a post up tomorrow or the day after!