Best Of
Re: Gurashi Draws: An Autobiography
I spent the first six days of inktober/drawtober/calendar month of unrealistic doodle goals working on Evey's commission but these chibis have been bouncing around in my head for ages so here is a week's worth of chibi Divine 
[edit] Fixed Lady T's box being darker than the rest, idk why that happened >:O
[edit] Fixed Lady T's box being darker than the rest, idk why that happened >:O
Gurashi
7
Re: Gurashi Draws: An Autobiography
Commission for the lovely @Evette of her observing the Glomdoring from above. (and technically my day 1-6 inktober piece :P)
Gurashi
8
A Final Task: Go in Love in All Things
It all started IRL months ago. Some context:
Amidst all the goings on in the Basin with Li-varili's suffering and the world nearly drowning, the Most Beloved @Mysrai was secretly working on an aeons-old project hidden away deep within Their vaults, a project that would see Their Sister Ashtariel reawakened and living again. They kept this secret from everyone except Their Beloved Priest, Aschwar, who knew the odds were VERY MUCH NOT in the Most Beloved's favor. They confided in the Beloved Oracle, @Tonatiuh, of the Most Beloved's plans and they both found themselves at odds with each other on what to do, because to act against Another's Will, let alone the Divine is bad idea, isn't it? Gurashi could tell something was giving Tonatiuh inner turmoil after listening to the poor man's thoughts in passing, but could do little to soothe him being totally clueless as to why, until...
Some (IG) years later, Gurashi took @Calioliahali on an innocent tour of the Most Beloved's Vaults as many had done for others before them. And that's when they saw it (log): the statue, tucked away in a hidden corner of the Vaults, with the Beloved Priest doing something to it. Aschwar quickly escorted them both out and gave Gurashi a golden shiny sunflower gift in parting, but Gurashi could tell something was VERY wrong with how they were acting. They recognized it as the behavior of a guilty bear having been a keeper of terrible secret secrets themselves before!
The sunflower revealed itself to be a secret message a few months later confirming Gurashi's fears that the Priest WAS hiding something. Suddenly all of the Oracle's inner turmoil made sense. So Gurashi reached out to Tonatiuh (same log, skip to 'six days later') to discuss what secrets had been going on behind the scenes, and the two of them came to the conclusion that they would learn more about what Aschwar was so worried would happen. The pair left an origami message for Aschwar in the hopes they could meet up again and learn more about what was making the Beloved Priest so afraid, but that never happened...
It was Gurashi who Aschwar reached out to next. They asked if they could come for a visit (log) to Gurashi's manse to visit them and Cali, which they did, but what was unexpected about the visit was that they were wearing a human racehat Gurashi gave them as a present ages ago! A very wholesome encounter of vulnerability and eventually Aschwar admitting that Mysrai knew they were up to no good even if it was for the sake of goodly things. And so Aschwar had decided to help instead of hinder, and wanted the rest of the Beloved to do the same.
The Most Beloved Mysrai showed Tonatiuh what to do to empower the statue (bring it essence, prayers, offerings, etc!) and so Tonatiuh taught Gurashi (log), and then made an order post calling other Beloved to assist. The next IRL week was a tumultuous one between the rolling over of the new year, Gurashi's 100th birthday, and a surprise elopement, all peppered with frequent visits and offerings (log) and an increasingly aware statue.
Finally. The statue was ready, and the Most Beloved Mysrai summoned the Beloved to come bear witness to its awakening. It was a lot of tension as Gurashi, Tonatiuh, and Naralis waited with Aschwar until they were called to the statue. There, Mysrai bestowed gifts upon Tonatiuh and Gurashi both for their dedication, naming the pair the Oracle in Indigo and the Confidant in Saffron respectfully. After that They AWAKENED the STATUE and ...
It wasn't enough. (log)
(C/W FOR GORE and BODY HORROR and SUFFERING and LOTS OF TEARS)
I will keep the rest of the story secret for those who would choose to read the final log! But at the end of the day Mysrai and Aschwar said Their goodbyes to the Beloved. There were many tears shed. Much IRL screaming. Still many IRL feelies in the wake.
Few people have made me feel as strongly as Mysrai has, and so I will absolutely miss Them. But Gurashi and the rest of the Beloved will continue to carry on Their Will even when They're gone!
Amidst all the goings on in the Basin with Li-varili's suffering and the world nearly drowning, the Most Beloved @Mysrai was secretly working on an aeons-old project hidden away deep within Their vaults, a project that would see Their Sister Ashtariel reawakened and living again. They kept this secret from everyone except Their Beloved Priest, Aschwar, who knew the odds were VERY MUCH NOT in the Most Beloved's favor. They confided in the Beloved Oracle, @Tonatiuh, of the Most Beloved's plans and they both found themselves at odds with each other on what to do, because to act against Another's Will, let alone the Divine is bad idea, isn't it? Gurashi could tell something was giving Tonatiuh inner turmoil after listening to the poor man's thoughts in passing, but could do little to soothe him being totally clueless as to why, until...
Some (IG) years later, Gurashi took @Calioliahali on an innocent tour of the Most Beloved's Vaults as many had done for others before them. And that's when they saw it (log): the statue, tucked away in a hidden corner of the Vaults, with the Beloved Priest doing something to it. Aschwar quickly escorted them both out and gave Gurashi a golden shiny sunflower gift in parting, but Gurashi could tell something was VERY wrong with how they were acting. They recognized it as the behavior of a guilty bear having been a keeper of terrible secret secrets themselves before!
The sunflower revealed itself to be a secret message a few months later confirming Gurashi's fears that the Priest WAS hiding something. Suddenly all of the Oracle's inner turmoil made sense. So Gurashi reached out to Tonatiuh (same log, skip to 'six days later') to discuss what secrets had been going on behind the scenes, and the two of them came to the conclusion that they would learn more about what Aschwar was so worried would happen. The pair left an origami message for Aschwar in the hopes they could meet up again and learn more about what was making the Beloved Priest so afraid, but that never happened...
It was Gurashi who Aschwar reached out to next. They asked if they could come for a visit (log) to Gurashi's manse to visit them and Cali, which they did, but what was unexpected about the visit was that they were wearing a human racehat Gurashi gave them as a present ages ago! A very wholesome encounter of vulnerability and eventually Aschwar admitting that Mysrai knew they were up to no good even if it was for the sake of goodly things. And so Aschwar had decided to help instead of hinder, and wanted the rest of the Beloved to do the same.
The Most Beloved Mysrai showed Tonatiuh what to do to empower the statue (bring it essence, prayers, offerings, etc!) and so Tonatiuh taught Gurashi (log), and then made an order post calling other Beloved to assist. The next IRL week was a tumultuous one between the rolling over of the new year, Gurashi's 100th birthday, and a surprise elopement, all peppered with frequent visits and offerings (log) and an increasingly aware statue.
Finally. The statue was ready, and the Most Beloved Mysrai summoned the Beloved to come bear witness to its awakening. It was a lot of tension as Gurashi, Tonatiuh, and Naralis waited with Aschwar until they were called to the statue. There, Mysrai bestowed gifts upon Tonatiuh and Gurashi both for their dedication, naming the pair the Oracle in Indigo and the Confidant in Saffron respectfully. After that They AWAKENED the STATUE and ...
It wasn't enough. (log)
(C/W FOR GORE and BODY HORROR and SUFFERING and LOTS OF TEARS)
I will keep the rest of the story secret for those who would choose to read the final log! But at the end of the day Mysrai and Aschwar said Their goodbyes to the Beloved. There were many tears shed. Much IRL screaming. Still many IRL feelies in the wake.
Few people have made me feel as strongly as Mysrai has, and so I will absolutely miss Them. But Gurashi and the rest of the Beloved will continue to carry on Their Will even when They're gone!
A burst of energy arises from Mt. Zoaka, soaring higher and higher into the firmament like a bloody star, trailing streaks of ebon energy that discolour even the darkness of night.
Hanging for but a moment, the overwhelming scent of anise is briefly visible as the presence of the Shofet of Abyssal Scales is briefly felt. Then, shooting into the heavens, it abruptly vanishes and leaves nothing in its passing but the memory of the scent and a warm wind in its passing.
Gurashi
8
Re: Lusternian AMA
1. Lavinya sent me a Luciphage doll at a time when they were -impossible- to find, pretty sure they weren't showing up in doll packages so only old ones were around.Lantra said:Back with more AMA questions!
- What is the best gift your character has received, and why?
- What makes your character the villain in someone else's story?
- If your character was listed on TV Tropes, which entries would they be listed under?
2. Let's see. Uzriel is a Magnagoran, Necromancer, mad scientist, Drocillian, Bloodtide Coven member, etc. Nope, I can't think of any reason. If anybody considers him a villain it's them not me.
3. I don't really want to spend an afternoon diving into TV Tropes, so I will just say plenty I'm sure.
Uzriel
5
Warnings - Terentia
Terentia answers Avaris' prayers, and, well. See for yourself! It will be an absolute treat to read, due to Terentia's writing and being on top form, so please enjoy.
Avaris
5
Re: How do we deal with event participation?
I have a lot of thoughts on this topic, all colored by personal experience. tl;dr - my boyfriend chose violence and opted to ollie out when I made life hard for him in return, and I regret only some of it.
As a player I'm not afraid to push my character into contentious territory, even when it makes me the bad guy among my circle, which was something that came naturally from this event. Rekath, someone I've played alongside for basically my entire history in Lusternia, sided with Li-varili and the Coven, whereas Eritheyl was and still is staunchly opposed.
As an elected representative, and as the brother of another representative elected at the same level, my character was put in a position to rally behind the ideals of his city or the love for his brother. It's not an easy choice to make, but the damage control had to be pretty immediate regardless of which I opted for - quiet, assumed neutrality wasn't going to be an option for long. On the flip side, from the player's perspective, it was a lose-lose situation. To make things a little more complicated, Rekath and I are RL partners, so there was always going to be some friction if we weren't on the same team, or worse if I raised the stakes in a way that didn't favor him.
The latter is exactly what I did, motioning for the Council to charge Rekath with treason and strip him of his title. It wasn't anything against Rekath, the player, but it was a necessary measure (all in my opinion) of Gaudiguch staking a claim firmly against the Coven and anyone who aided their plots. It was an IC action, driven by IC circumstances, and not without IC internal struggle all along the way. It's unfortunate that it ended the way it did, with Rekath believing there was no course except to retire his character rather than exploring avenues of reparation and redemption. I blindsided him with my countermeasures, assuming consent because he had made the choice to play a role that logically would be condemned. It wasn't pretty, and I've come to terms with how I contributed to his decision and how badly I feel about it. But even after that I will say that I loved this event and how it forced me to question what was right and good for me as a player versus what was right and good for Eritheyl as a character.
This arc was a huge success in my opinion, as unlike with plots past that just had everyone holding hands and using the power of begrudging friendship to save the world, our interconnections were put to the test. It forced some of us to make those tough choices, and brought change and consequence to the game that otherwise we would sidestep in the interest of preserving our personal status quo. That is how you develop characters, and that is how you set a world to evolve based on conscious decisions and bias rather than making one obvious bad guy and one obvious good guy to do battle over and over on a loop. Watering that down and saying "Well it's all IC so no one should have to pay for their actions" is a huge disservice to the work it took to build such a polarizing plot in the first place, imo. Freedom from choice is not freedom from consequence, if you light a fire you should expect to feel the heat.
As a player I'm not afraid to push my character into contentious territory, even when it makes me the bad guy among my circle, which was something that came naturally from this event. Rekath, someone I've played alongside for basically my entire history in Lusternia, sided with Li-varili and the Coven, whereas Eritheyl was and still is staunchly opposed.
As an elected representative, and as the brother of another representative elected at the same level, my character was put in a position to rally behind the ideals of his city or the love for his brother. It's not an easy choice to make, but the damage control had to be pretty immediate regardless of which I opted for - quiet, assumed neutrality wasn't going to be an option for long. On the flip side, from the player's perspective, it was a lose-lose situation. To make things a little more complicated, Rekath and I are RL partners, so there was always going to be some friction if we weren't on the same team, or worse if I raised the stakes in a way that didn't favor him.
The latter is exactly what I did, motioning for the Council to charge Rekath with treason and strip him of his title. It wasn't anything against Rekath, the player, but it was a necessary measure (all in my opinion) of Gaudiguch staking a claim firmly against the Coven and anyone who aided their plots. It was an IC action, driven by IC circumstances, and not without IC internal struggle all along the way. It's unfortunate that it ended the way it did, with Rekath believing there was no course except to retire his character rather than exploring avenues of reparation and redemption. I blindsided him with my countermeasures, assuming consent because he had made the choice to play a role that logically would be condemned. It wasn't pretty, and I've come to terms with how I contributed to his decision and how badly I feel about it. But even after that I will say that I loved this event and how it forced me to question what was right and good for me as a player versus what was right and good for Eritheyl as a character.
This arc was a huge success in my opinion, as unlike with plots past that just had everyone holding hands and using the power of begrudging friendship to save the world, our interconnections were put to the test. It forced some of us to make those tough choices, and brought change and consequence to the game that otherwise we would sidestep in the interest of preserving our personal status quo. That is how you develop characters, and that is how you set a world to evolve based on conscious decisions and bias rather than making one obvious bad guy and one obvious good guy to do battle over and over on a loop. Watering that down and saying "Well it's all IC so no one should have to pay for their actions" is a huge disservice to the work it took to build such a polarizing plot in the first place, imo. Freedom from choice is not freedom from consequence, if you light a fire you should expect to feel the heat.
Eritheyl
5
Re: Absence Thread
A lot of unfortunate events are coming together that will likely continue to keep me away until, at a minimum, next week. Sorry! 
Nocht
5
Re: Announce Post #3169: Year 600 Celebration
First one was pretty good! Definitely looking forward to the rest now.
Jolanthe
5
Re: Absence Thread
Well, in the process of starting the semester, my laptop broke. So I am out of commission a bit more than I had planned.Terentia said:I am not entirely gone, but the end of the semester means grading, last minute administrative work, and other things! Hopefully things will settle soon!
Terentia
7
Re: Announce Post #3168: Seal of Beauty 2021
Appearance:
a coruscating ring of the Eye awakened
Dropped:
Broken sandstone and scintillating gems compose this fighting ring, depicting battle between the
Enigmatic and Kethuru Almighty.
Examined:
Sustained upon a base of lacquered palm wood, this artfully-sundered
display takes shape from jagged chunks of sandstone and clouded quartz,
culminating in a circular arena nearing three feet in height. As the
warring of miniatures is carried out within, another war is perpetually
fought amongst the broken peaks that form this boundary. Fused onyx shot
through with polluting veins of viridian and carmine rises as though
questing to utterly consume the dioramic scene, claiming three-quarters
of the mountainous circle in a salvo of tentacular grotesquery. Where
the dozen and more mirror-slick appendages meet stone, angry fissures
blossom, the web of splinters inlaid with pallid citrine that radiates
from within a haunting portent of corrupting power. Only one figure is
shown in defiance of this onslaught, held aloft on a rod of glass that
elevates them from the crags and aims them straight toward the epicenter
of destruction: enshrouded in tattered wisps of silk, the valiant and
enigmatic being soars among a shower of prismatic bicone beads speckled
along nigh invisible wires. This veiled one could only be the Vernal
Tzaraziko, her identity made all too clear by the blackened, skeletal
arm she raises to threaten the hungering extensions of Kethuru, that
wretched orb that is the Eye of Illith itself reproduced as well in its
grasp. For long spans of moments the Eye alights with amethystine hues,
and the quartz that breaks the mountains' facade responds in kind, at
once illustrating the fleeting turn of the tides as the Enigmatic makes
war against the Almighty over the barren desert.
Great job all around, everybody
Eritheyl
6
(c) Iron Realms Entertainment 2012.