LadyAnnaLee

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin wasn’t sure what to tell Ridahne. It wouldn’t be fair to her to expect her to reveal her secret when Darin was averse to revealing hers. Besides what good would it really do? Even though it meant people would avoid them attention would still be on them. Besides who knew? They might be asked to leave Lihaelen. That would not be good. Darin didn’t want to even think about what the trees would do if she left before staying for at least a little bit. She didn’t think that they would be happy with that. They might not let her leave. She didn’t want that to happen. She couldn’t let that happen.

She whispered back hoarsely, “They are alive Ridahne. They think, not like us, not like animals, but they do feel. They have lives. Astra is their home too.”

Darin had not been surprised that the trees had spoken to her. Then again, she had always known that plants were living things. She had known that long before she had taking over the work at her farm. As small children all of her peers had been taking out into the fields to sit and watch and listen at various times of the year. They had been taught to respect all things that grew in Astra. She was willing to bet that Ridahne and the people of Lihaelen had similar understandings even if they were slightly different. All the living things in Astra, people, animals, plants, lived in a sort of balance. Good people knew that. She wasn’t sure bad people did.

Before she could answer Ridahne in regard to telling the Azurei’s story to the people another voice rang out, “Warrior Torenzi,” Darin’s head flipped around to see Mr. Armin, “If you wouldn’t mind the Council of the Seven Winds has asked that every outsider that has entered Lihaelen in the last day or so attend to them immediately. So, if you and your apprentice would come with me.” He eyed the blades warily, “I’m sure that this could be settled peaceably.”

Darin wasn’t so sure about that, but the man that had been advancing stopped dead in his tracks as the aide appeared. There were no bows. It was clear that this Council had reacted pretty much instantly to either the trees moving or the message that was carried on the wind. Darin looked around the room and realized that the instant reaction provided some level of calm. People weren’t so wary. They relaxed as they realized that their government had things under control. Going with Mr. Armin might prove that they were willing to cooperate if people were advancing with scowls on their faces. Darin knew they couldn’t stay her without a fight. They couldn’t get back inside without a fight. The only way to get out of this without a fight was to go with Mr. Armin. She just wasn’t sure what Ridahne would think of that.

Darin hissed lightly, “Ridahne. We should go.” She switched to Eluri, “We don’t want trouble, do we?”

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin found herself pressing close to Ridahne with wide eyes. People were looking at them with stunned expressions. They knew that they didn’t belong. She and Ridahne were outsiders, and Ridahne wasn’t helping with her defensive position and her knifes out ready for an attack. They were drawing more attention to themselves then Darin wanted to. A burly looking man narrowed his eyes shrewdly as he took half a step towards them. Darin instinctively pressed closer to the warrior. She wasn’t sure what she should do. Maybe they could play this off. Maybe there was a way to hold on to the lie. Should she even try to hold on to the lie. There might not be any point.

Darin’s whisper was tense as she spoke in an obscure dialect of Azurei that she could only hope Ridahne knew, “The trees. They know who I am the same way the animals do. They were trying to make me feel at home. I got them to stop. I think they are excited that I’m here. I don’t think they understand subterfuge. Even if they did, they are just glad I’m here to visit.” Her accent was terrible, “Please put the knifes away. I don’t think they are helping.”

The burly man called out in Eluri, “I saw you yesterday human, learning the bows, and being polite. Who are you?”

Darin swallowed as she shakily replied, “Martin. Martin Lively.”

The burly man advanced as Darin let out a squeak and hid between Ridahne and Mitaja, “You know it’s rude to lie don’t you human? Why are you here in Lihaelen?”

Darin was terrified and didn’t know why. Everyone in this strange city had been perfectly polite. They had given no indication that they would treat her badly if they found out she was The Seed-Bearer. That might even honor her the way the Workers at The Farm had. She just wasn’t sure it would be worth losing her anonymity. One person could keep a secret. Two might could keep a secret. When more people knew the secret there were more chances for it to come out. Darin wasn’t sure all of Astra needed to know who she was just yet. She had just started her journey after all. She was hoping to get to Azurei before her identity became widely known.

^_^

The emergency council meeting was the fastest the Council of the Seven Winds had gathered. Most were still in their night clothes. All were in disarray. Not a single one of them had been aware that the trees of the forest were aware enough to know what was going on, much less speak to the people of Lihaelen like they had just done. There were so many questions that this event alone raised. Almost none of these questions had answers. Why had the trees done this? What would The Seed-Bearer think of this? Would it be possible to keep The Seed-Bearer’s identity under wraps? Should they seek The Seed-Bearer to honor her? Had The Seed-Bearer caused this? What had even happened? What was the best course of action for the Elves of Eluri? Was damage control possible? What even was damage control at this point?

President Lilain asked, “As anyone meet her yet? Or even seen her?”

Goran was quick to answer, “I have.”

Hosh quickly asked, “What was she like?”

Goran shrugged, “She looked like farmboy in over her head. She had no knowledge of our customs because she clumsily matched my bow of noble to farmer.”

Mayling jumped in, “Are you sure she didn’t know?”

Goran pointed to Isaac, “Mr. Armin reported that she was eager to learn the bows and was a passable student. She’s going by the name Martin Lively.”

Juliana commented, “So she’s not looking to be known.”

Goran shook his head, “I don’t think so. I think she wants to learn and know; not be honored and praised. She’s young, even for a human.”

There was silence for a moment before the president spoke again, “Mr. Armin. Go see if you can fetch her. Other aides will go fetch any other visitors to Lihaelen that arrived yesterday. Let’s see what we can discover.”

Estermere Academy - Military School RP

Thank you! As for their power it's suppose to be more of a hindrance than a help. They aren't going to have visions every post and even when they do the odds of it being helpful are low. I will let you know for sure when I would like Pax to receive a vision.

Estermere Academy - Military School RP

Pax Triston

Name

Pax Triston

Nickames

Bookworm, Bastard, Wimp, etc. No friendly nicknames that's for sure.

Age

17

Gender

Pax is biologically male. They don't feel male but they don't feel female either. They prefear gender neutral pronouns but will answer to he/him. They also had grown use to male culture roles.

How did they get onto the Officer Programme?

Pax got in via their noble father making a sizable donation to the academy just to get rid of his illegitimate child

Prefered Weapon

As the child of a noble Pax was trained in all manner of weapons from a young age. They do not have a preference as they are just about as equally bad at all of them. They can hold their own with a sword as well as a spear, but still tend to lose. It's a good thing they have never had to actually fight for their life. Long range weapons shouldn't even be mentioned. Their aim is dismal. Pax is surprisingly good at hand to hand combat and learned how to fight dirty. They don't advertise that fact.

Appearance Details

Pax is tall (5"11') and slender (more like gangly) with hair so blond it is almost white and eyes a grey color light enough that people mistake them for having no color. Given the fact that they have pale skin Pax seems almost completely colorless. They tend to dress in clothes that completely hide their slight frame. They don’t sleep enough and is plainly evident by the bags under their eyes. Their hands always have some sort of ink stains on their hands. Their hair is in a constant state of disarray and the length depends on how recently their mother had forced them to get a haircut. It ranges from chin length to shoulder length. They have been described as “stereotypically scholarly.” They have no tattoos, but their right earlobe is pierced with a small hanging grey pearl with silver accents. This marks them as a member of the Noble Family of Coastal Cliffs of the Kingdom of Rockveil. They have always been interested in makeup but only dares to apply a thin line of kohl eyeliner on their waterline when they dare to wear it.

Personality Traits

Pax is quiet and non-confrontational. They tend to disappear into the background as they are overshadowed by their more vibrant siblings. They are easily bullied and avoid social interactions as a result. They do their best to appear small then they are by hunching their shoulders in order to disappear into their clothes. They are often passed over by people and that’s the way they prefer it. They rarely show any emotion outside of near silence. The only time this is different is when they are in their study or in the library. Pax tends become loud and passionate when talking about their passion for history and languages. When they have found something new to study, they pour themselves into the work and studies; so much so that they tend to forget to eat and sleep. They are the black sheep of their social butterfly family for more than one reason.

Biography

Pax is the third Child of Lord Markus Triston of the Coastal Cliffs’ four children. Pax is also the second male child and the only child not born to Anna, the Lady of Coastal Cliffs. The scandal shook the both the royal court and the estate of Coastal Cliffs. By order of King Peter of the kingdom Rockveil, Markus took the child into his household. To her credit Lady Anna did her best to raise the child as the noble their heritage dictated, they were. However, Pax was living proof of her husband’s infidelity. She formed no emotional connection to the child, and in order to regain his wife’s affection Lord Markus did not either. Pax was smaller than his older brother, Erick, and that made them an easy target for bullying. It did not help that Pax showed no interesting in swordsmanship, horse riding, hunting, or other traditionally athletic activities connected to males. They showed a similar disinterest to traditional female activities. Pax only ever cared about their studies. Given the fact that the noble of Coastal Cliffs consisted mainly of people interested in the welfare of the estate and the intricates of court Pax is very much an oddity; not only in his family but the entirety of Coastal Cliffs, and Rockveil. Finally, in a desperate attempt to do something with his illegitimate child, Lord Markus sent Pax to Estermere Academy. King Peter has his own reasons for approving this.

Misc.

Their color code is #6a6a7c

Pax has the ability to See things they shouldn't be able to know. Most of the times it is something about the present such as the weather half a continent away or some bit of knowledge about a person that person wishes to keep hidden. Occasionally they see truths about the past such as what has happened in a room they just entered a hundred years ago or who murdered someone. So rare it has only happened once or twice they see the future. It was how they were in the right place to warn of the pirates attack that one summer and the barn fire five winters later. They have no control over this and desperately tries to keep it a secret thought they have a few reasons to think that their mother had a similar gift and that King Peter knows.

Coastal Cliffs is the land on the southeastern coast of the kingdom of Rockveil. Its economy is mostly based on fishing and sea-based merchants. They have the traditional charge of keeping Rockveil safe form pirates. It is not the easiest place to land and it is mostly sheer cliffs. Triston Keep is at the center of Marvel, the port city in the one natural harbor that was transformed into a bustling center of trade.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin followed Ridahne back to the inn and had to admit that the warrior was right. If the ex-Eija had the money there would be no point in not using it. Darin silently made a promise to themselves to not over do in any regard. There was no point in wasting all of the money on useless things. That didn’t change the fact that if Darin could avoid playing the fiddle to afford fixing her boots she would leap at the chance. The human would o her level best to not look to purchase things that were not needed. It wouldn’t do to take advantage of her companion’s kindness after all.

Darin couldn’t think much more in the way of organized thought. She had followed Ridahne to bed quickly and she was exhausted from being on the road for so long. The Elf was right. The bed was incredibly. It wasn’t quite as nice as her bed at home, but that wasn’t because of a difference in comfort. Both were overstuffed feather beds. Rather it was a difference of experience. This bed smelled clean and like the forest that surround the entire city. Her bed at home smelt like, well, it smelt like home. Though Darin didn’t have much time to be home sick yet again. She was comfortable and sleep soon overtook her.

Seed-Bearer. Seed-Bearer. Seed-Bearer!

Darin sat straight up in bed. There was a voice calling to her. No, that wasn’t right. It sounded like thousands upon thousands of voices calling to her. They didn’t sound … normal. She clung to her head with her eyes clenched shut as she tried desperately to think. The voices just got louder and louder as Darin struggled to know what was going on and who was calling her. She looked around desperately to see if she could spot something or someone speaking. She spotted Ridahne still asleep in her bed and the voices seemed to come from every direction. The volume increased. How had the warrior not heard the voices?

Another voice called out in desperation, “The trees! Something’s wrong with the trees!”

That voice was … Different. Darin didn’t know how. She just practically jumped out of bed to run to that voice’s source. It led her outside to where multiple inn guests and citizens of Litaelen were gathered. They were all looking up in practical horror while some pointed. One woman had dropped to the ground and was clutching a child close to her chest. Darin looked around the crowd in confusion for a moment before letting her gaze follow the pointed fingers. Slowly her head raised to see that the trees were bent in the oddest way. They bent in a circular pattern, leaning away from a central point. The result was that the night sky and its millions of stars were plainly visible from the ground. That wasn’t right.

See! SeeSeeSeeSee! See! For you! For you! For you! To feel like home! Home. Home. Home! Seed-Bearer. For you!

The voices that were coming from all around, that hadn’t stopped once, that only she could hear, that didn’t sound like people. Slowly Darin dropped her gaze from the sky to look around her as realization dawned on her. It was the trees of the forest of Lihaelen. They were speaking to her. They knew that she was The Seed-Bearer. With that knowledge it didn’t take Darin to realize that the inn that she had been sleeping in was the central point. They hadn’t moved at all. With wide eyes Darin reached up to tug at her hair. Why were they doing this for her? To make what feel like home? Did they not realize the undue stress they were causing their people? If the trees were truly trying to welcome her it was a nice gesture, but they were going about it all wrong. Darin wasn’t sure what to do. Acting mainly on instinct she stumbled over to the trees with her inn in it. She placed a hand on the trunk and closed her eyes to focus on the voices of the forest rather then the growing alarm of the crowd behind her.

Remember what little manners she knew Darin did her best to speak back in an almost inaudible whisper, “Thank you. Thank you so much. Truly this is a gift. But you can stop now. It has to hurt, and you are worrying your people. You can stop.”

Welcome? Stay? Honored guest! Seed-Bearer! Stay!

Darin lips did curl upward slightly at their enthusiasm, “For a little while. I think I like it here the way it’s meant to be.”

Not forever! Guest! Seed-Bearer.

Darin agreed, “There are other places to visit. But for now, I would like to see Lihaelen the way it is meant to be. And I need to be able to think.”

Slowly the voices grew quieter as the trees unbent themselves to obscure the sky again. Darin opened her eyes as sighs of relief were heard across the forest. People were still tense and continued to remain tense until the trees were back to where they were supposed to be. Even them relaxing seemed to take a long time. Darin slowly dropped her hand back to her side. She didn’t think she had been seen. Everyone was too distracted by the trees to notice her. Ridahne might had though, but that was only because Ridahne might have some idea what was going on. The young human was wrong. Oliva Blackoak, aide to Councilperson Maylin Jerkins, had seen what had happened. Without hesitating she hurried to her employer’s residence. The councilperson would want to know about this in great detail.

Then the forest spoke to everyone in Lihaelen using a magic Darin didn’t know or understand. “WELCOME! WELCOME TO DARIN! THE SEED-BEARER OF ASTRA!”

Darin quickly stumbled away form the tree she had been standing by as she scanned the crowd for Ridahne. That was not good at all. She was willing to bet that trees had no ideas whatsoever about lying or subterfuge. The only hope Darin had was that she and Ridahne had not been the only ones to enter the city yesterday. That would be the conclusion that most everyone would come to; that The Seed-Bearer had come to the city yesterday and that the trees’ strange actions tonight were a way to welcome them. IF Darin and Ridhane were to only one to come to the city yesterday all suspicion would be on them. Who knew if anyone with the Red Hand or Mark’s crew, if they were two different groups, were here? Who know if there was anyone else here that wanted nothing but bad wished upon The Seed-Bearer or The Seed? Darin needed to find Ridahne. Her companion would know what to do.

Estermere Academy - Military School RP

I am surprised at how excited I am for this! Let me know what you think and what you would like me to change.

Pax Triston

Name

Pax Triston

Nickames

Bookworm, Bastard, Wimp, etc. No friendly nicknames that's for sure.

Age

17

Gender

Pax is biologically male. They don't feel male but they don't feel female either. They prefear gender neutral pronouns but will answer to he/him. They also had grown use to male culture roles.

How did they get onto the Officer Programme?

Pax got in via their noble father making a sizable donation to the academy just to get rid of his illegitimate child

Prefered Weapon

As the child of a noble Pax was trained in all manner of weapons from a young age. They do not have a preference as they are just about as equally bad at all of them. They can hold their own with a sword as well as a spear, but still tend to lose. It's a good thing they have never had to actually fight for their life. Long range weapons shouldn't even be mentioned. Their aim is dismal. Pax is surprisingly good at hand to hand combat and learned how to fight dirty. They don't advertise that fact.

Appearance Details

Pax is tall (5"11') and slender (more like gangly) with hair so blond it is almost white and eyes a grey color light enough that people mistake them for having no color. Given the fact that they have pale skin Pax seems almost completely colorless. They tend to dress in clothes that completely hide their slight frame. They don’t sleep enough and is plainly evident by the bags under their eyes. Their hands always have some sort of ink stains on their hands. Their hair is in a constant state of disarray and the length depends on how recently their mother had forced them to get a haircut. It ranges from chin length to shoulder length. They have been described as “stereotypically scholarly.” They have no tattoos, but their right earlobe is pierced with a small hanging grey pearl with silver accents. This marks them as a member of the Noble Family of Coastal Cliffs of the Kingdom of Rockveil. They have always been interested in makeup but only dares to apply a thin line of kohl eyeliner on their waterline when they dare to wear it.

Personality Traits

Pax is quiet and non-confrontational. They tend to disappear into the background as they are overshadowed by their more vibrant siblings. They are easily bullied and avoid social interactions as a result. They do their best to appear small then they are by hunching their shoulders in order to disappear into their clothes. They are often passed over by people and that’s the way they prefer it. They rarely show any emotion outside of near silence. The only time this is different is when they are in their study or in the library. Pax tends become loud and passionate when talking about their passion for history and languages. When they have found something new to study, they pour themselves into the work and studies; so much so that they tend to forget to eat and sleep. They are the black sheep of their social butterfly family for more than one reason.

Biography

Pax is the third Child of Lord Markus Triston of the Coastal Cliffs’ four children. Pax is also the second male child and the only child not born to Anna, the Lady of Coastal Cliffs. The scandal shook the both the royal court and the estate of Coastal Cliffs. By order of King Peter of the kingdom Rockveil, Markus took the child into his household. To her credit Lady Anna did her best to raise the child as the noble their heritage dictated, they were. However, Pax was living proof of her husband’s infidelity. She formed no emotional connection to the child, and in order to regain his wife’s affection Lord Markus did not either. Pax was smaller than his older brother, Erick, and that made them an easy target for bullying. It did not help that Pax showed no interesting in swordsmanship, horse riding, hunting, or other traditionally athletic activities connected to males. They showed a similar disinterest to traditional female activities. Pax only ever cared about their studies. Given the fact that the noble of Coastal Cliffs consisted mainly of people interested in the welfare of the estate and the intricates of court Pax is very much an oddity; not only in his family but the entirety of Coastal Cliffs, and Rockveil. Finally, in a desperate attempt to do something with his illegitimate child, Lord Markus sent Pax to Estermere Academy. King Peter has his own reasons for approving this.

Misc.

Their color code is #6a6a7c

Pax has the ability to See things they shouldn't be able to know. Most of the times it is something about the present such as the weather half a continent away or some bit of knowledge about a person that person wishes to keep hidden. Occasionally they see truths about the past such as what has happened in a room they just entered a hundred years ago or who murdered someone. So rare it has only happened once or twice they see the future. It was how they were in the right place to warn of the pirates attack that one summer and the barn fire five winters later. They have no control over this and desperately tries to keep it a secret thought they have a few reasons to think that their mother had a similar gift and that King Peter knows.

Coastal Cliffs is the land on the southeastern coast of the kingdom of Rockveil. Its economy is mostly based on fishing and sea-based merchants. They have the traditional charge of keeping Rockveil safe form pirates. It is not the easiest place to land and it is mostly sheer cliffs. Triston Keep is at the center of Marvel, the port city in the one natural harbor that was transformed into a bustling center of trade.

@Hedgehawk

Estermere Academy - Military School RP

@Hedgehawk

Thank you!

Estermere Academy - Military School RP

@Hedgehawk

Here it is. I want your honest opinion.

Hider

Estermere Academy - Military School RP

I have a picture that I would like to use, but want to make sure it would be okay to use. Would you like me to post it here or would you rather I PM you?

@Hedgehawk

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin looked up at Ridahne through the fringe of her bangs that desperately needed a trim. The warrior was right. She did know things, or rather, The Seed told her things. Well, The Seed told her important things like with Mark and Ravi. It would alert her to present dangers and things that could be trusted. It was entirely possible that The Seed would know when The Tree had reached It’s truly final days. Even if The Seed didn’t know The Tree and Ravi would both know, and Darin felt almost positive that they would find some way of letting her know. She wouldn’t be left in the dark. Darin supposed that meant all she could continue to do was the best that she could which right now was to continue to protect The Seed and to make as many friends as possible.

Darin smiled weakly, “I suppose that all make sense.” She straightened out slowly, “Yeah. Let’s go to the Archives tomorrow. Who knows what they’ll have recorded there?”

It was probably the best plan that had for the moment. She certainly couldn’t think of a better one. Darin wasn’t sure what information that she would find, but she didn’t think there was be much about the past Gardeners. The Gardener was the only Gardener that Astra had every known. He would be the only Gardener that Astra would ever know. That was a depressing thought. Hopefully, it was the only hope that The Seed-Bearer really had, he would not be the only Gardener that the Children of Astra would know. Hopefully they would know Darin as she became the Gardener. She didn’t know. She could only live life and hope that she found out.

Darin pointed out, “I would like to get an early start tomorrow. If I’m understanding what you had said about the Archives, they are huge. I imagine that it will take more than a couple of days to even begin to understand a percentage of what is recorded there, and we can’t spend forever here in Lihaelen. And we can’t spend all of our time here in the Archives.” She held up her boot as an example, “I need to find a way to afford to repair these. We keep walking and riding the way we are my soles will pop clean off and I haven’t got the coin to repair them.”

Thought she supposed she could play her fiddle to get some coin. There was a performer that came to Lively with the rest of the traders that didn’t actually sell anything. He would just play his lute with the case open at his feet. People from Lively would occasionally throw some coins into the case, but no one from her little village ever did. There just wasn’t money enough to waste on music that they could make just as well on their own. It was a well know secret of the people of Darin’s tiny home that no one really thought he was very good anyways. In fact, the halfhearted whisper of, “Even Todd is better,” was a common description. That was saying something. Todd had no sense of tone or pitch whatsoever. Darin knew she much better than him, so she might get a few coins. She just wasn’t sure she wanted to play her fiddle to get it.