Mad Scarlet

Heart of Tarot

Intro

Season: Early autumn.
Current State of Pantheon: Unaware of the Haze's effects on the government.
Current State of the Four Countries: Pantheon is getting on bad trading terms with Solvet (East) and Ordan (North). Folxin (West) is attempting to regain control over riots and a civil war.
Current State of the Tarot: Scattered, but gathering. Distrust beginning to form between Major and Minor Arcana.

---

The sun was burning bright in the autumn sky hanging above the glorious city of Damascus--the largest city in the Four Countries.The streets were filled to the brim with merchants, slaves, and citizens. The crowds would be nearly impossible to pass through without having to push your way through or to be on horseback. Even then there was no guarantee that you'd get to where you would need to go on time. In the midst of these crowds were both the Haze and the Tarot. Though neither of them were aware of the others' presence, it wouldn't be long before war between the two would break out. The tensions were high while the Haze searched high and low throughout the city in hopes of discovering the location of the Tarot themselves. The Tarot had stayed silent and undercover for many years, forming alliances with few other mage guilds that also stood against the Haze--alas, trustworthy guilds were becoming more difficult to find during this time.

The time before the Haze took total control of Damascus was coming soon, and the Tarot were running out of time. They didn't have all of the pieces to the puzzle, so hey lacked the power that was required to keep the Haze from total domination of the Four Countries, and then later--the world.

---

Atina sat upon a stool in the guild building, watching the others around her as they all drank away their troubles and cares as they returned from missions and meetings with their ally guilds. She couldn't help but pity them, because she had been requested to stay at the guild building and wait until she could sense the presence of another Tarot enter the city. Pulling her dark cloak around her shoulders and over her face, she looked like the embodiment of Death, frightening many of the others away from her. For quite some time now, she could sense that many were beginning to mistrust her, especially since she rarely left the guild anymore. She could see why they would think so, her eye patch over her right eye and her mysterious airs were enough to drive even the other higher ranked Arcana away. Many of those that were bonded with the Court Cards attempted to keep their own Suits away from her, because they were afraid that she may try to memorize their magic to benefit only herself. They are fools to think that I would benefit only myself. Then she inwardly sighed at the thought, because this meant that there may be some of the Haze's influence being dragged into the guild.

That was how the Haze always started-through deception and striking distrust among guilds and even the government, which had already fallen, but many were unaware of the changes quite yet. Then the Haze would slowly slip in through the cracks, creating a trench between those were were once like brothers. Distrust was their greatest power, and they definitely knew how to use it to the best of their advantage. As far as Atina was concerned, the Suits and the Courts were slowly being torn apart by deception. She knew that there were several of the Suit Tarot members that were most likely in association with the Haze, but she simply couldn't pinpoint which ones were the black sheep among the flock. They were clever, she'd give them that. And using the mysterious and silent High Priestess to cause distrust between the Major and Minor Arcana was a good crack to deepen and stretch.

She closed her eyes for a moment and subtly removed her eye patch before opening her eyes again. Her right eye, which was believed to be blind, glowed a vibrant ivy green beneath the hood as she saw through walls and people, viewing their auras and seeing the general amount of magic that lay inside of them. Many were mediocre, while others were rather powerful. Then she sent her Searching spell out into the city, hoping to catch the aura of someone who was of the Major Arcana, or who could potentially become one.

Heart of Tarot

Mokeia Mateao said
I would like to join for when this kicks off :) It might be a while before my CS post though, this is interesting. I would like to reserve Death for myself. Ill see if any of my friends would like to get in on it too. So in a way, we're like wizards, but with one or a few different ability's correlating to the individual tarot aspects right?

Correct. If you've ever seen Fairy Tail, it's very similar, but only in the mage guild aspect. Otherwise, the powers are completely dependent upon the card and must correlate with the meaning of the card itself. Now, many of the cards have many meanings, so picking a unique magic shouldn't be terribly difficult.

Elementals: Void Assault

While Aerilyn had been curled up behind the rock during the girl's outburst, she hadn't realized that had been shivering in fear. Just then Shida was above her and asking if she was alright and then proceeded to tell her that it was okay to be scared. This annoyed her slightly. "I fear nothing." She ignored his offered hand and stood up herself. What does he think I am? A child? She thought as she felt heat of a blush prickling at the back of her neck. Her porcelain white skin presented the blush of anger and embarrassment like a badge. She crossed her arms over her rather flat chest and that's when she felt a slight breeze rise up around her. She glanced around, wondering if it was just her who felt the breeze, but then she began to wonder if she had accidentally caused it. This gave her a tinge of hope for her powers. Maybe I won't be miserably useless. With an icy look sent at Shida, she spoke, "I don't know why you suddenly care about me, but I can handle most things on my own."

She then looked at the others before she said her own addition to the strategy, "So we've all come to an agreement over splitting up and splitting their forces. Now we are presented with the problem of bystanders and families. Alas, we can't protect everyone, but there may be a way to wheedle out which of them are which.". She shrugged. "The Vygorns are bound to have meetings. We'll just need a reason for them to meet up. One or two of us are going to have to be bait. If they cause enough trouble, the Vygorns are bound to have to gather and discuss it. That's where the rest of us would come in. If we split up around the two cities, using our spirit friends as well, we can perhaps find their meeting place and take them out in one spot."

"It's messy, but it will limit innocent casualties and get rid of the Vygorns that are actually up for the fighting. The others, whom are not fighting or strategizing, are not worth our time at the moment. We can make them our last sweep."

Elementals: Void Assault

Aerilyn watched as Will and Shida began to fight before completely ignoring their presence, blocking it off with her own willpower. She was tempted to try and steal the air away from both of them, but decided that she honestly had no idea how to even begin an act like that. She didn't even know she had powers until the night before. I haven't felt any signs of my powers... it's like they aren't there... She thought to herself as she looked down at her hands and clenched them, trying to conjure up even the slightest breeze-- to no avail. Why can they do it so easily? She was beginning to feel a tinge of jealousy towards those that had been able to conjure up their powers as if they had been practicing for their entire lives with them. Swallowing her anger, she became a mask of indifference once again, mostly because she didn't want to snap or lose her temper with any of the others. That would be the worst possible thing to happen at such an early time. Let them think that she was inhuman and emotionless. That would be the best for everyone.

Just then, Cora suggested that splitting the forces may be slightly more difficult than they had anticipated, and she knew that the girl was right. There were families and innocent people that lived with their overpowered Vygorn rulers. We'll have to figure out a way to separate the innocent with the guilty... which is easier said than done. Then the girl suggested something about what Air and Ice could do. She looked over at the girl and saw her mischievous grin. She did her best to return a smirk, but it was slightly lackluster. "We could definitely make powerful allies in this fight. I'm all in."

Then everything went to shit when Luce, a girl that she'd hardly seen the night before, burst into the cavern and started screaming bloody murder. She could sense the energy pouring out of the young woman, and her own inner power seemed to want to add onto it, but she held it back. Then they were warned to take shelter, and she tucked and rolled behind a large rock, curling into the smallest form that she could possibly manage, before the light burst and silence deadened the atmosphere. After blinking several times, she slowly stood up and stared in horror at the spot where the girl had initially stood. Our powers are our greatest weaknesses? She thought with a horrified expression on her face. Taking steady, deep breaths, she composed herself once again. "So this is the burden that we must bare along with the fate of our world?"

The Awakening

Anwen slowly dropped her backpack on the floor and then gazed about at her friends. She couldn't help but grin when she saw everyone trying to act cool about playing a game of hide-and-seek. Some of them are trying to act so much older and mature... hopefully that won't take away from the fun of tonight. She thought this to herself before she chuckled quietly. She stood up and stretched her hands in the air before she started walking casually towards the middle of the room, acting as if she were stretching and nothing more. Then suddenly, she spun around and put a finger on her nose, "Nose goes that I'm not the seeker~!" She then darted from the room and inwardly thought that she had just acted extremely childish, but that was alright by her. Her feet moved swiftly as she dashed up the stairs. I'm going to hide in the attic... if there is one, of course... She didn't dare think of what creepy crawlies lay in store, mostly because she wanted to have the best hiding place. They'll never find me in the creepiest place in the house!

[Reboot]The Witch Hunt

Anwen had been lurking in the shadows, her hood pulled over her face in order to prevent anyone from recognizing her--except as the Raven. She wouldn't mind if they noticed her as that, except for the Paladins, of course. She had been sitting on a window ledge in an alleyway, slowly prying at a window in hopes of making it into the lowly jeweler's shop. The man had been scamming his customers for too long, and she intended to put an end to his nasty way of selling his goods. He simply needed a little hubris check and a sign to show that even the Raven knew that he was doing wrong to the people of the middle-class district of Lidia. With a quiet thud, the window finally propped open and she put her hand underneath it and into the small storage room that she assumed was the wife's second closet. She gazed through the dirty window and felt the shadows on the other side become tangible, but only to her. Her body slowly shifted and became flat, becoming a shadow herself. She slid through the crack as one and entered the room before returning to her human form. She shuddered as a small wave of dizziness washed over her, pushing it back as she quietly made her way down the stairs and to the room where she had assumed his safe would be.

She'd made sure to do her research on the man, oftentimes hiding as his shadow and following him around the building, so then she knew the layout by heart. She slipped into the room, knowing that the jeweler's family was having a gathering of merchants in this area of the building; mostly to set up his putrid, stout daughter with the tailor's scrawny son. Just the thought of the two becoming engaged and married made Anwen's lips curl into something that may be considered a smile. But then again, who was she to judge when they had a life so different than her own? Hush... now is not the time to joke and enjoy mocking the plump bitch. She thought to herself as she gazed about the room. Whenever he'd entered it, she had noticed that he had often looked at the self-portrait that hung on the far wall. Of course, a wall safe behind your own portrait wouldn't be THAT obvious. She then tip-toed over and began to run her fingers along the frame and wall. After finding the switch, she flicked open the painting and found the safe. With a small groan, she'd forgotten to check his drawers for anything useful to give her even the slightest clue to the code. Her hand then turned to shadow and she slipped it beneath the door of the safe, sweat beginning to form at the back of her neck and on her brow, as she began to pick it from the inside. Once that was done, she cracked open the door and took out all of the money that lay within--which was a miniature fortune in itself. Probably the girl's dowry, because she's going to need as much help as she can get...

Just then, there was a throbbing pain in her head and she heard a voice shouting at her; demanding her to go to the Black Forest. She tried to ignore the pain as she returned everything back to its natural state and dashed up to the storage room window. Slipping out again and into the night, she merely dropped the fortune off at a tavern, stating that it was for a John Black, a good friend of hers who would take care of returning it to the people, before heading towards the gates. She couldn't stop her feet from following a small group that appeared to be scholars. What am I doing? She asked herself as she trudged alongside them, joining their ranks and blending in with her own cloak and hood. Why must I go to the Black Forest?

Elementals: Void Assault

Mokeia Mateao said

Aerilyn was about to make a break for the entrance when she heard Shida talk about having a girlfriend for the rest of the trip. She didn't know why, but she felt a blush burning at the back of her neck when he looked over at her and winked. She tried to keep her face composed, but it immediately looked rather confused and startled, which was a rather funny expression coming from the usually emotionless girl. Her green eyes were wide and she had to swallow before she could even begin to recompose herself. Then one of the other boys, Will, as she remembered him introducing himself, dumped a ball of water over his head. She felt a smile, something that she hadn't done for ages, pull at her lips. She had to cover her mouth with a hand before pretending to cough. She didn't want them to see that she was just as easily entertained as a child. She was a stormy individual, and had to keep up that act if she wanted any respect from the others; or so she believed. "Looks like you need to cool off, dude." She said with a small smirk before returning to her natural state of boredom.

Then she turned her attention to Beau and listened to his tactics. She couldn't help but find his idea somewhat appealing to their situation. Splitting up into two groups would definitely cause enough of a distraction and threat to the Vygorns, perhaps enough so that they could gain the upper hand in this early war. "I agree with Beau. We're going to need to split up if we want to do the most damage this early in the game."

Elementals: Void Assault

Aerilyn had slept in the wasteland above that evening, not trusting any of the other Elementals worth a damn. She still didn't know half of their names and they were to be partners in such a mission. We're still pretty much screwed over. Then the old man told them of Riverdale and what the purpose of its defeat was to him. She sighed a little before she leaned back, nibbling on a few berries that she had managed to find worth her while to snack on while the man had told them the plan. I feel sorry for this poor guy... He's been forced to wait for us for hundreds of years, only to have a bunch of pissy teenagers to come to save the day. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a little disappointed. Then she popped the berries in her mouth to prevent herself from chuckling. She had to keep her face emotionless in order to give the others no reason to think that she had any weaknesses besides physical ones. Even those she intended to keep to herself.

The man then revealed the Zans, which she found to be rather amusing. They were morphing and changing in the presence of the Elementals, making sure that they could comply and enhance their powers as much as they could. She looked around at the others, especially Cora, as the girl picked out a belt with dual blades. Thats not bad, but... I think I'd prefer something smaller. She then saw one of the items at the end reveal itself, glowing slightly to gain her attention. She slowly moved toward it and picked it up from the heap. It formed into a dagger at her touch and she couldn't help but find a small smile grace her pale lips. "Hello, Demise." She muttered this mostly to herself before she looked to Skyff, who was perched at the back of the tunnel. He gave an encouraging screech and flew down, perching on her bloodied shoulder yet again.

She grimaced and slowly dug around the heap to find a should to wrist padding made out of soft leather. She tied it onto her right arm and patted it for Skyff, who shifted his perch. She let out a quiet sigh of relief when his talons were no longer digging into her flesh. Then she stepped back from the pile of weapons in order to make room for the others. She made her way to the back if the group and looked towards the hidden entrance.

The Awakening

Pathfinder said

Anwen was muttering under her breath in Irish, trying to comprehend what the cards were telling her. Suddenly she felt a spring pop out and stab her in the buttocks. She yelped a little and then looked over to see what had caused the chair to do so, seeing that it was Chris. She gave him a smile, one that would melt anyone's heart, and said, "Oh, I'm not really sure what the cards have to tell me this time..." She giggled a little and said, "If my mother were here, then she would know, but I'm not her and that's okay." I'll just have to keep trying if I'm going to be as good as her." She then pointed down at the Wheel of Fortune card and then the Fool. "These two are part of the Major Arcana, meaning that they are of higher importance, like the corner pieces of a puzzle." She shuffled them close to one another and then she said, "The Fool means that journey is about to begin, but it will be one that you have never ventured down before, like learning to play a new instrument or moving to a new town for the first time." Then she held up the Wheel of Fortune card, a smile ever present on her lips. "This one refers to a change that may improve your luck, or show that you're going to have bad luck soon."

She then sighed a little, her frustration showing her voice ever-so-slightly, when she said, "By all means, it seems like the cards are telling me that there will be a dramatic change soon, for all of us, and that will we begin a new journey that will make us stronger and smarter." She then giggled, "I'm hoping to become smarter, so then I can get better grades than Dennis and Kane." By this, she was referring to her brothers, whom none of her friends had met. If only they were here to help us... they're much braver than I am... Despite the sad thoughts, she simply smiled as she reshuffled her cards and put them in the specially sewn pocket that she had made for them in her backpack. She looked up at Devon and Luke and couldn't help but chuckle slightly. They're totally opposites, but... they're still really good friends.

The Awakening

Oi! XD I'm doing my best to play a bubbly character, which is a new one for me. XD holy smokes, I just want everyone to start posting so we can get this shit on the road!