Tackytaff

Darkling: The Night War

Coolbeans. I'm about to get on an airplane though so no more quick replies for a while. Cheers!

Darkling: The Night War

Shidya Ustenko

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Shidya only half listened to the goading from opposite the wards. Idle threats, little more. If he could pass to her side, he would have already. Not that she was ready to count on that. Her greatest fear was in her ability to create the rune properly in such terrible conditions. With her light gone, she was completely blind, the blood was thick and sticky and she constantly needed to re-wet her fingers and attempt to find where she left off. Lastly the rune she needed to make was too large, and the space under her cloak too small, but seeing as it was the one of the two thin defenses she had against something that had already killed multiple of her own people, she wasn’t about to part with it.

The cat bushed against her leg. Shidya cursed it silently, and kicked it less so. It responded with a hiss which she ignored, weighing her options as she groped the assortment of object in her sack. A vampire she could hold back, maybe. She had no prideful illusions on her own skills; a Darkling would kill her outright. Either would smell her out before long.

“I can’t imagine I’d provide much satisfaction after the feast you’ve already provided yourself with.” She stood, careful not to let the cloak fall. Not that it was of much use with the cat continuing to nip and mew at her ankles. She continued moving backwards, searching for the source of blood.

Darkling: The Night War

Shidya Ustenko

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It wasn’t a good night for perimeter checks, but between wasting time drinking and wasting time re-enforcing wards that had been checked well over a hundred times, Shidya opted for the marginally more productive option. The clouds blocked out whatever natural light there was, and without the humans to keep maintenance there was no artificial street lights to lead the walk either. The entire city was in quite a state, the Council would have a hell of a time fixing it, especially if they got their way. There had been losses both sides, and there would be punishments dealt so Shidya’s group, how many magic users did that leave to repair and entire city, clear the wasteland they’d created, and make the humans forget the years spent?

As expected, there were no disturbances along the Lycan’s boarder. That walk alone had been a few miles long, and she’d be tired if there was an attack the next day. A shiver hit her spine; something was wrong. She held out her book, already opened to a glowing rune of light, and looked at the wards on the ground, all appeared perfectly in place. Of course, it could of been the night chill finally getting to her. She grasped for the charm around her neck all the same, trying to determine the source of her unease. A flash followed by rumbling thunder eased her. A storm was easy enough to avoid.

She crouched down to begin tracing a return teleport rune to link with the anchoring rune two blocks from where she lived. ’Never put a rune where you sleep Shidya anyone with a trace of magic will find you then.’ A dark shape skittered across her work, knocking her inkpot over in the process.

“Hey!” Shidya just had time to lift her book away before the dark puddle spread to her feet. Her shoes, already stained black leather, where of little consequence, she stepped to make a barrier between the spill over her half-finished rune and the ever-important wards that marked the barrier. There were prints in the ink, leading away from it. Shidya lowered the book to trace where they went. Four feet away the small dark shape of a cat was licking a paw with a black-stained tongue.

“That’s going to make you sick.” As though heading her words, the cat stopped. Then lowered its body, staring intently at her. Shidya stood in response, retrieving what was left of her inkpot in the process. Wards against spilling. She would have to look them up again when she returned. She wiped the bottle down with her skirt before dropping it back in her sack. That was half of her clothing ruined, but both precious books where safe. The cat was still peering at her, she took a tentative step closer. It raised itself and turned to walk away, casually, not in flight. Likely someone’s pet from before the war. Though, six years seemed a long time for a domestic pet to care for itself. There was I quiet mewing, just past the edge of where the light from Shidya’s glowing rune ended. The wind picked up, and the ring of light shank smaller still as Shidya folded her arms against her chest. Black cats could be good or bad luck depending where you were in the world. Not that that mattered for Shidya; what harm where signs or demons and witchcraft to a witch? She followed the cat, only slightly aware how foolish it was.

They walked just short of a mile before stopping again. Shidya didn’t need prompting from the cat to stop, she’d broken into a cold sweat despite the biting air, now filled with invisibly small droplets. If her hands weren’t trained for steadiness, they’d have been shaking. There was more than a storm to worry about. Her first thought was the wards of course, no one patrolled the north barrier alone specifically because it was so difficult to maintain. There where double the wards compared to anywhere else, and nearly a third where always in some sort of disrepair from magic on the other side. On quite days, in the sunshine, it was almost a game. Each side attempting to outwit the other in their use of runes and materials. In a moonless night, it felt a good deal more sinister. Shidya knelt down to examine the mark on a brick wall, it was paralysis, but changes she didn’t recognize where made with dark red ink. The cat came and sat directly on top of her light rune the moment she laid it down. Not a black cat after all. She went to move muddy turtle shell tabby, only to hear a voice coming from around the corner of the wall. On the other side of the wards.

The inspection was forgotten. In one quick and practiced movement, she pulled the cloak from her sack and covered herself, the book and cat with it. Too late, she remembered the replaced empty inkbottle, it gently clinked to the pavement and rolled away. The small sounds was loud as thunder in her ears. Very slowly, she began to shift herself backwards and directly into a warm puddle. She raised a wet hand to her face, already knowing what it would be. Blood, but no body that she had seen. The trill of fear that came with the discovery only served to focus her mind further. She pushed the cat from the book and out of the hiding of her cloak. Once the book was safely tucked into her sack, she pressed both palms wrist deep into the puddle of blood, grimacing only slightly. The fact that a disturbingly large collection of blood was on her side of the boarder and an almost jovial voice was on the other was enough to diminish whatever curiosity she had. Barely daring to breath, she began to blindly trace a teleportation rune with an ally’s blood.

Darkling: The Night War

Yeah she's got a light and making some noise so she'd really just be doing her best to bide time to rune her way out. Just editing, will be up in a few.

Darkling: The Night War

@Override I was going to have Shidya spot, or at least hear Jackson. I can write it out if its an issue, she's going to put her cloak and try to get away as quickly as possible so he may not even see her but idk I don't want to intrude.

Darkling: The Night War

Shidya

Name:Rashida ‘Shidya’ Ustenko

Age: 109

Race: Witch

Faction: Rebel

Appearance: Shidya is a severe looking woman with a high forehead and square jaw. Her face doesn’t lend itself to expression well, making her a hard woman to read. She keeps her hair tied back in a tight knot, often covered with a scarf, and face scrubbed clean of any makeup or dirt. The appearance of cleanliness is considerably lessened by her hands; fingers permanently stained black to the second knuckle. Even with her ridged posture, she only just reaches five feet in height. Her style has changed little through the years, odd in the western world with her long skirts and tucked blouses, but largely plain and unassuming. Many find it difficult to pinpoint her age, with the height of one still growing, the wardrobe of a grandmother, and a sternness hard to find outside the USSR.

Personality: Shidya is as dour as she looks, and lacks a as much in humor as she does patience. While she primarily wants to end the Council’s rules for the good of all living beings, she isn’t specific as to what that good is. She wouldn’t opposed to having the Dark Council rule over humans, or even subjugate them; humans have proven too often they cannot be trusted to act without guidance. It is the Council’s permissiveness of human actions, regardless how they effect both kinds of beings, that Shedya is against.

She is extremely traditional and values loyalty and honesty, especially where family is concerned. A great deal of her knowledge was passed down from even more conservative lineage, and a number of Shidya's practices could be viewed as eccentric or superstitious in west.

Background:

In the beginning of the 20th century, there were five Ustenko children, all living happily in Kiev, Ukraine. Rashida was the youngest, all earliest memories are composed of her siblings surrounding her Baba-Misha who told horrifying stories of both the past and future. She warned Shidya’s family to leave the Ukraine, but even then she was too old and her mind too weak to be taken seriously. So she left alone, not to see another of her family for another eighty years.

The initial fighting in Kiev didn’t worry the family much. There was stress, but magic warded raids from their home, and kept them safe. There wasn’t much even magic could do for children when the famines struck. The following years took Rashida’s sister and one brother away; the following war took the two remaining. In the peace that followed, Shidya lost her human father to more natural causes.

It was hard living, and Shidya’s mother never fully recovered from the loss of four of her children and the weight of her husband, human as he had been, weakened her resolve. She began to age rapidly, and it fell to Shidya to care for her. Her days were spent between working jobs, changing every decade or so as not to draw much attention. Largley she worked in various mundane government position, call centers, secretary and reception work. But for 12 years she slowly climbed ranks in the chemistry department at the University of Kiev. Even while her health declined, Shidya's mother passed on what knowledge she had on runes and magic, though she was so lost in paranoia by then half could have been simple superstition for all Shidya knew.

While in her time it had gone threw many names and border changes, Rashida didn’t leave her homeland until the fall of the Berlin wall in 1991. Four years after her mother's death. She went in search of the only family that remained, Baba-Misha, whose mental instability had progressed, but survived in America. They lived together quietly, largely ignored by the Dark Council and doing nothing to provoke it. Shidya received her green-card after it became obvious that Misha would be unable to care for herself, and began work at the University of Maryland.

Initially, Shidya did not join the rebel group. She agreed with their purpose, but the only other person from Darkworld she was close to was her Baba, who was in no condition to go to war. It wasn’t until nearly 3 years after the war began that Misha had another vison, and warned Shidya that there would be war in their homeland again that she began to act. She sent word to the Dark Council who did nothing to intervene. In 2010, both Reshida and her mother left for Meridian to join the rebels.

Skills/Equipment:

Rashida is specialized in warding and ritualized runic magic. This leaves her rather ill-equipped for an unexpected fight, but lessens her need for one in the first place. Her spells are all powerful, and often undetectable to those not gifted with magic, but take time and materials to create.

Wards: Possibly the most basic form of rune magic, Shidya learned basic deterrent symbols as a child; a large contributing factor to her survival as a child. She has since learned a wide variations, wards that can lock and unlock, or have various other effects on trespassers.

• Rune of Paralysis
• Rune of Repulsion
• Rune of Deterrence
• Rune of Teleportation

Charms/Enchantment: Runes and physical trinkets that can be given to a person, forcing honesty, or warning for poisons. Their uses are wide, but un-discriminate, and a good deal weaker than fully enchanted items.

• Honesty Charm
• Awareness Charm
• Soothing Charm

Rituals: The most unique power in Shidya’s arsenal, is the teachings from her Baba-Misha. It is also the most skeptically viewed form of magic, due to its effects on the user and temperamental outcomes. But with time and materials, Shidya can trace anyone in the world by only knowing their true name. The power is furthered the stronger link she has to a person (hair, blood, or prized possession). She has tried to look into the future only once, and nearly went mad from it.

• Location Rituals
• Hypnosis/Mid-altering Rituals
• Prophetic Rituals

Equipment:

Ink: Shidya prefers to use ink to write her runes, with a brush if one is available, a stick, or sometimes even with her own hands.

Books: She almost always keeps two books form her vast collection on hand, containing less-frequently used runes for reference when she's in a pinch.

Awareness Charm: A charm worn around the neck that grants Shidya a greater perception of her surroundings, it gives her feelings of unease whenever there is danger is near, though it is hard to differentiate between the charm and her own paranoia.

Sulfuric Acid: A sample of a highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution, used for a variety of purposes including strengthening her own wards against interference from enchanted steel, and breaking others. Can be either damaging or enhancing to steel weapons, depending on the concentration used.

Healing Kit: Mostly a long wrap of bandages, covered with runes of healing and a antiseptic.

Knife: A short, non-enchanted knife. More of a tool than weapon in her untrained hands.

Ring of Repulsion: A ring worn on the middle finger of her left hand that casts a repelling force outwards to whatever direction the rune in facing.

1 Sphere of Mystery

Cloak of Invisibility

Other Information: While her English is near perfect in both vocabulary and grammar, she retains a strong accent, and any magic casting she needs is always done in either Latin, Ukrainian, or Russian.

She is very close with her grandmother, or Baba-Misha; an ancient woman even by witch standards who is widely seen as a mad-woman. Shidya however has complete faith in her, and when she can understand the old woman’s prophecies, takes them to heart.

Darkling: The Night War

Let me know if she has too many powers/items. It's hard to be specific with such a broad definition of magic. But honestly I kind of wanted to claim the invisibility cloak for her if its not too much/is still up for grabs? Also I have a mini-sheet to make Baba-Misha an NPC, but I'm not sure what your criteria are for those or if there's a different submission process entirely.

Shidya

Name:Rashida ‘Shidya’ Ustenko

Age: 109

Race: Witch

Faction: Rebel

Appearance: Shidya is a severe looking woman with a high forehead and square jaw. Her face doesn’t lend itself to expression well, making her a hard woman to read. She keeps her hair tied back in a tight knot, often covered with a scarf, and face scrubbed clean of any makeup or dirt. The appearance of cleanliness is considerably lessened by her hands; fingers permanently stained black to the second knuckle. Even with her ridged posture, she only just reaches five feet in height. Her style has changed little through the years, odd in the western world with her long skirts and tucked blouses, but largely plain and unassuming. Many find it difficult to pinpoint her age, with the height of one still growing, the wardrobe of a grandmother, and a sternness hard to find outside the USSR.

Personality: Shidya is as dour as she looks, and lacks a as much in humor as she does patience. While she primarily wants to end the Council’s rules for the good of all living beings, she isn’t specific as to what that good is. She wouldn’t opposed to having the Dark Council rule over humans, or even subjugate them; humans have proven too often they cannot be trusted to act without guidance. It is the Council’s permissiveness of human actions, regardless how they effect both kinds of beings, that Shedya is against.

She is extremely traditional and values loyalty and honesty, especially where family is concerned. A great deal of her knowledge was passed down from even more conservative lineage, and a number of Shidya's practices could be viewed as eccentric or superstitious in west.

Background:

In the beginning of the 20th century, there were five Ustenko children, all living happily in Kiev, Ukraine. Rashida was the youngest, all earliest memories are composed of her siblings surrounding her Baba-Misha who told horrifying stories of both the past and future. She warned Shidya’s family to leave the Ukraine, but even then she was too old and her mind too weak to be taken seriously. So she left alone, not to see another of her family for another eighty years.

The initial fighting in Kiev didn’t worry the family much. There was stress, but magic warded raids from their home, and kept them safe. There wasn’t much even magic could do for children when the famines struck. The following years took Rashida’s sister and one brother away; the following war took the two remaining. In the peace that followed, Shidya lost her human father to more natural causes.

It was hard living, and Shidya’s mother never fully recovered from the loss of four of her children and the weight of her husband, human as he had been, weakened her resolve. She began to age rapidly, and it fell to Shidya to care for her. Her days were spent between working jobs, changing every decade or so as not to draw much attention. Largley she worked in various mundane government position, call centers, secretary and reception work. But for 12 years she slowly climbed ranks in the chemistry department at the University of Kiev. Even while her health declined, Shidya's mother passed on what knowledge she had on runes and magic, though she was so lost in paranoia by then half could have been simple superstition for all Shidya knew.

While in her time it had gone threw many names and border changes, Rashida didn’t leave her homeland until the fall of the Berlin wall in 1991. Four years after her mother's death. She went in search of the only family that remained, Baba-Misha, whose mental instability had progressed, but survived in America. They lived together quietly, largely ignored by the Dark Council and doing nothing to provoke it. Shidya received her green-card after it became obvious that Misha would be unable to care for herself, and began work at the University of Maryland.

Initially, Shidya did not join the rebel group. She agreed with their purpose, but the only other person from Darkworld she was close to was her Baba, who was in no condition to go to war. It wasn’t until nearly 3 years after the war began that Misha had another vison, and warned Shidya that there would be war in their homeland again that she began to act. She sent word to the Dark Council who did nothing to intervene. In 2010, both Reshida and her mother left for Meridian to join the rebels.

Skills/Equipment:

Rashida is specialized in warding and ritualized runic magic. This leaves her rather ill-equipped for an unexpected fight, but lessens her need for one in the first place. Her spells are all powerful, and often undetectable to those they effect, but take time and materials to create.

Wards: Possibly the most basic form of rune magic, Shidya learned basic deterrent symbols as a child; a large contributing factor to her survival as a child. She has since learned a wide variations, wards that can lock and unlock, or have various other effects on trespassers.

• Rune of Paralysis
• Rune of Repulsion
• Rune of Deterrence
• Rune of Teleportation

Charms/Enchantment: Runes and physical trinkets that can be given to a person, forcing honesty, or warning for poisons. Their uses are wide, but un-discriminate, and a good deal weaker than fully enchanted items.

• Honesty Charm
• Awareness Charm
• Soothing Charm

Rituals: The most unique power in Shidya’s arsenal, is the teachings from her Baba-Misha. It is also the most skeptically viewed form of magic, due to its effects on the user and temperamental outcomes. But with time and materials, Shidya can trace anyone in the world by only knowing their true name. The power is furthered the stronger link she has to a person (hair, blood, or prized possession). She has tried to look into the future only once, and nearly went mad from it.

• Location Rituals
• Hypnosis/Mid-altering Rituals
• Prophetic Rituals

Equipment:

Ink: Shidya prefers to use ink to write her runes, with a brush if one is available, a stick, or sometimes even with her own hands.

Books: She almost always keeps two books form her vast collection on hand, containing less-frequently used runes for reference when she's in a pinch.

Awareness Charm: A charm worn around the neck that grants Shidya a greater perception of her surroundings, it gives her feelings of unease whenever there is danger is near, though it is hard to differentiate between the charm and her own paranoia.

Sulfuric Acid: A sample of a highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution, used for a variety of purposes including strengthening her own wards against interference from enchanted steel, and breaking others. Can be either damaging or enhancing to steel weapons, depending on the concentration used.

Healing Kit: Mostly a long wrap of bandages, covered with runes of healing and a antiseptic.

Knife: A short, non-enchanted knife. More of a tool than weapon in her untrained hands.

Ring of Repulsion: A ring worn on the middle finger of her left hand that casts a repelling force outwards to whatever direction the rune in facing.

1 Sphere of Mystery

Other Information: While her English is near perfect in both vocabulary and grammar, she retains a strong accent, and any magic casting she needs is always done in either Latin, Ukrainian, or Russian.

Few people know her full name, as she typically uses her childhood quick-name of Shidya instead.

She is very close with her grandmother, or Baba-Misha; an ancient woman even by witch standards who is widely seen as a mad-woman. Shidya however has complete faith in her, and when she can understand the old woman’s prophecies, takes them to heart.

Darkling: The Night War

Forgot to ask this, how does aging work for species other than darklings/vampires?

Darkling: The Night War

Potentially interested in making a rebel witch/warlock.

Are the enchanted objects listed to be assigned/chosen? Or just possible to find in the wasteland?

The Destined (Soulmate RP)

@BlueAjah@Knight of Doom
Any idea when first GM post will be up? It seems like some people may be waiting for the main plot to get started before posting themselves?