You feel icy fingers gently brush your cheek as muffled voices whisper in your ear.
You have emoted: Gabriella blinks and looks up, glancing around.
The Mother Moonhart Tree.
The variety of trees that crowd around the Moonhart Mother Tree goes beyond count, elms and alders, beech and cherry, hawthorn and hazel, evergreen and oak, all dwarfed by the magnificence and majesty of the mother tree herself. The grasses and shrubs that grow in the surrounding forest become scarce as they approach the tree, replaced by tiny wildflowers of amethyst-purple and marble-white. The veil to the ethereal plane is particularly thin, and the laughter of pixies and other creatures of the fae tinkle down from the treetops and tickle the ears of those below. The atmosphere itself, although benign and welcoming, also vibrates with a palpable power, sending shivers up the skin. A sedge of galingale is firmly planted in the forest floor. Sprays of chervil cover the forest floor. A marjoram bush flourishes here, spreading its delicate scent. Singing a hauntingly beautiful melody, Miakoda, Maiden of the Moonhart, stands here. Towering high above is the Moonhart Mother Tree, stretching her enormous branches heavenwards. Reaching up as high as the eye can see looms the awesome presence of a living totem. There are 5 kephera nature warders here. There are 2 small screech owls here. Covered in bone armour, watching you warily, a silver-furred vixen sniffs the air. There are 4 fierce timberwolves here. A mature birch tree stands proudly here. Hovering over a raised dais are two silver arrows, their long shafts crossed with the points aimed skywards. On the ground here lies a leaf-bound book. An illustrated canvas hangs in the air here, supported by silvery ribbons. There are 5 frost hags here. There are 15 centaur hunters here. Watching you warily, a silver-furred vixen sniffs the air. There are 5 armoured owls here. A moon maiden floats here, her form swathed in glowing cloth. An elfen guard strolls here, alert and vigilant. In the shape of an open palm, a metallic sigil lies here. Joyfully growing from the soil, a small bluebell with curling petals is here. A grand, spotted brown stag with a fluffy dun tail wanders about here, his head held regally. Avurekhos is down on all fours, baaing like a plaintive little sheep. He wields a viciously serrated, diamond-edged katana of sterling damascus with both hands.
You see exits leading north, south, and through a vined stairway.
Avurekhos blinks.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope smiles somewhat absently at Avurekhos.
Avurekhos tilts his head curiously at you.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout exclaims to you, "Thoughts, thoughts and more thoughts scream across your face!"
Avurekhos smiles softly.
You laughingly say to Avurekhos, "My dear, I would have thought you would be out hunting your way to demigod."
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout laughingly says, "I don't want to burn myself out."
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout says, "Hunting again shortly."
Avurekhos smiles softly.
A swirling of silver frost descends from the canopy and a giggling that whistles between the branches sings across the clearing.
"Oooooooooh!" Avurekhos says, eyes wide with wonder.
"Uhh..." stalls Avurekhos.
You have emoted: Gabriella exhales, a look of relief crossing her face.
Avurekhos blinks.
Softly, you say, "Calythan?"
Avurekhos shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout says to you, "Mother, I think my eyes are fooling around with me again..."
Avurekhos coughs softly.
You have emoted: Gabriella shifts uneasily.
You say, "What did you see?"
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout asks you, "You felt the skeletal hands reaching out for your throat..and saw it?"
Avurekhos shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout asks, "Mother, you should uhm, move?"
Avurekhos peers about himself unscrupulously.
Quietly, you say, "You are not imagining things."
You say, "Or rather, it is not yourself causing you to imagine them."
Exhaling, you say, "Why should I move, dear one?"
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout asks, "Uhm, the hands seem to look like they might...harm you?"
You have emoted: Gabriella shifts, slowly looking behind herself.
A faint chill settles in around your neck as you feel fingers circle around.
Avurekhos peers about himself unscrupulously.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout says, "Like, right now..."
The swirling frosts recede as if startled and disperse, and the giggling becomes a vague gasp of fear that fades into the swishing sounds of swaying branches.
You have emoted: Gabriella closes her eyes, fingers curling into tight fists as she stands rigidly.
"Uhh..." stalls Avurekhos.
You gasp, "Calythan."
Avurekhos blinks.
Avurekhos shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.
You have emoted: Gabriella lifts her hands to touch her neck reflexively, a slight tremor running up her spine.
Her voice wavering, you say to Avurekhos, "Pay no mind to the Shadows."
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout blinks a few times before he looks upon you with caution.
You shiver violently.
You say to Avurekhos, "I am - I am fine."
"Eek!" Avurekhos shouts in fright.
Avurekhos clears his throat.
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout asks, "Who is that!?"
Avurekhos shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.
You say, "What do you mean, Avurekhos?"
The feeling around your neck dissipates, quickly followed by a sense of relief.
You have emoted: Gabriella's hands rub at her throat, gasping softly, an expression of relief crossing her face.
You say to Avurekhos, "W-what did you see?"
A shadowy figure rises up behind Avurekhos, looming silently. It reaches forward, skeletal hands drawing nearer and nearer to the child's throat.
Shifting his eyes side to side, Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout says, "Some thing...whispered into my ear..."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope gasps, lunging towards Avurekhos. Sharply, she calls out, "Lord Nocht, leave him be! He has no part in this!"
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope grasps Avurekhos by the hand, jerking him towards herself.
The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Nocht's lips.
Avurekhos blinks.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope protectively stands in front of her son, staring up at Nocht.
Tilting His head, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I do not remember you having a child, dear Gabriella."
Despite a quaver in her tone, you say to Nocht, "Leave my children be. They are innocent."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "There is no such thing in this age, child."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope keeps herself firmly planted between Avurekhos and Nocht, clutching her cudgel in her hand.
You say, "They have no part in Your quarrel with me."
You say, "In that, they are innocent."
Nocht ponders you thoughtfully, looking you up and down.
You say, "But yes, I had no child before. Now I have two of my bloodlines."
The faintest trace of a smile touching His lips, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Two? My my...."
Fiercely, you say to Nocht, "And no matter how insignificant I may be to anyone, Divine or Mortal, I will not allow harm to come to them if I may help it, while I have breath in my body."
A ribbon of silver frost encircles the clearing, clinging to the flora protectively. A whisper from the trees protests, "I won't let you hurt the flowers!"
Nocht, the Silent tilts His head to one side, looking around curiously.
Her gaze flickering about, her voice low, you say, "Stay out of this. You will get hurt."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "What's this? A pet of Hers, perhaps?"
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope takes a step towards Nocht, seeking to engage His attention.
You say, "Nevermind that, my Silent Lord. Your quarrel is with me."
The frost creeps steadily across the clearing toward the Moonhart Mother Tree and the two mortals. As it gains ground, a humanoid figure takes shape in a flurry of snowflakes and frail ice crystals.
Avurekhos opens his eyes wide with shock.
Shaking her head abruptly, fingers reaching out to the hazy figure, you say, "No, Calythan!"
Ignoring Gabriella, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Hello there, little one."
Avurekhos tilts his head curiously at Nocht.
You let loose a long breath from your lungs, exhaling slowly.
At once, the frost coalesces into the timid manifestation of Calythan, the Morning Frost, whose fists are clenched defiantly and whose face is a flushed cerulean.
You have emoted: Gabriella closes her eyes briefly.
His voice a thousand clattering branches, quaking and nervous, Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "Th-the flowers are scared, Mister Shadow Tree. Pl-please leave them alone."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope bites her lower lip, gaze flickering anxiously between Nocht and Calythan.
Holding out His hand, His voice eerily soft and serene, Nocht, the Silent says, "I meant them no harm, child. Here, let Us leave to speak of the flowers."
Sharply, you exclaim, "Calythan!"
Warningly, you say to Calythan, "Do not go with Him!"
His eyes squeezed closed in fear, Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "Pl-please just go, because they're really nice and th-they are frightened. I scared them once an-and I did not mean to, and Yo-You should just say sorry."
You reach out and touch a translucent crystal bindi.
The crystal warms against your forehead, colours tinting the edges of your vision as you call out for the Bloom of Serenity.
(Ays Andeystelis): You say, "MOTHER."
Avurekhos clears his throat.
Drawing closer, His voice soft, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Of course..."
Calythan, the Morning Frost holds his hands nervously at his sides and shrinks away from Nocht involuntarily.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope darts over to Calythan, arms reaching out to him.
Nocht, the Silent makes a dismissive gesture towards Gabriella.
A centaur hunter taps his forehead with his spear as you leave.
Noble oaks.
The area is bathed with argent light as a thrumming power in the ground resonates from a war shrine of Lisaera nearby. A light cover of clouds hides the sky in a sheet of white. Sprays of chervil cover the forest floor. A hornbeam sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Reaching up as high as the eye can see looms the awesome presence of a living totem.
You see exits leading northeast, east, and northwest.
You are transported by the power of the Divine.
You shed high elfen form and flow as a spirit through the verdant leaves, embracing the physical once more and arrive at the Mother Moonhart Tree.
You say, "You will not get rid of me so easily!"
Avurekhos peers about himself unscrupulously.
You say to Nocht, "Leave him be!"
Calythan, the Morning Frost squeaks in protest and jumps between Nocht and you.
(Ays Andeystelis): You say, "Mother, I need You!"
You exclaim, "Calythan, get away!"
Nocht, the Silent grasps the ephemeral's hand roughly, twisting it as several tendrils of shadow lash out, striking deeply into his back, leaving deep wounds.
You exclaim, "NO!"
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope throws herself at Nocht, trying to tear Calythan away from Him.
Still holding tight to the wounded ephemeral, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Maylea will be next, little one."
Filled with disgust, you spit directly in Nocht's face.
Nocht, the Silent shoves Calythan to the ground, turning to leave.
Nocht raises an eyebrow questioningly.
You say to Nocht, "I will NEVER allow that to happen."
With the smallest flick of His finger, Nocht sends you flying headlong into the depths of the Astral Plane.
A kephera nature warder touches his headdress in salute toward you as you leave.
A floating river of blood in a blue sky.
Waving in the astral winds, a sparkleberry bush drinks up the power laden atmosphere here.
You hold the Flame of dae'Seren aloft and an emerald light shines forth, revealing a hazy hallway of ancient trees. You walk through the hallway, feeling the ancestral spirits welcome you.
Halls of the Spirits.
The Mother Moonhart Tree.
You spit on the ground in disgust.
You say, "EVER."
Calythan, the Morning Frost opens his enormous, sprite-like eyes wide and gasps. Immediately, he begins to unravel into a dense cloud of frost, which then fades into the air.
You gaze around in awe-struck horror, your eyes wide.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "You have no say in the matter."
Nocht inclines His head politely to those around Him.
Avurekhos creases his brow in a frown.
You say to Nocht, "I will."
The surrounding shadows wane, falling back in despondent melancholy as the form of Nocht, the Silent dissolves into wisps of shadow.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout says, "No..."
You have emoted: Gabriella falls to her knees.
You whisper, "Calythan."
Comments
(Cut out: Much running about and frantic attempts to contact Lady Maylea, through either friendly Divine, or searching for her, and Calythan. Failed attempts lead me to this place.)
Beneath glimmering veins of amethyst.
The shadowy outline of a twisted forest casts a dark gloom here. Billowing like a cloth in a gentle breeze, a veil of shadows covers a wall of the cavern here.
You see exits leading north, northeast, east, and through a delicate veil of shadows.
You give a delicate veil of shadows the once-over, eyeing it suspiciously.
You whisper, "This is so foolish."
You pace back and forth nervously.
You quake in fear.
You reach out and gently brush your hand against a delicate veil of shadows. Your senses suddenly dull as you feel yourself pulled into the entrancing darkness. As your senses return, you find yourself beneath a beautiful night sky.
The Fulcrux of Nocht.
A complex series of stones orbit around a stygian orb here. A rippling image of a beautiful night sky has been magically wrapped around the fulcrux here. A wooden spike is planted here, proudly displaying the shrunken head of Synkarin.
You see a single exit leading through an image of the night sky.
The spiked head's eyes suddenly flutter open, glancing at you, "Well! This is bold, child."
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
Addressing the head slowly, a faint tremor in her voice, you say, "This is not the first time I have entered Your fulcrux, my Lord Nocht."
You say, "I have wandered here, many times, in physical form, in dream form, trying to understand."
Softly, you say, "Even now."
The head lolls from side to side, "It is the first time you've done so after spitting on Me."
You have emoted: Gabriella flinches perceptively, her gaze skittering aside.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "What is it you seek to understand?"
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope looks up at Nocht, clutching at her sari skirts tightly.
You whisper to Nocht, "Why are You like this, my Lord? Why do you hate my Lady Mother so? Aside from the more recent past. She has told me, of You, what You were once like - and I seek to understand that which frightens me."
You say, "Why do You... You d-destroy things that I love?"
You reach out and touch a frost-touched white rose.
The boughs of the large blackthorn moan loudly as they shake, sending a new shower of petals cascading across the fulcrux.
Gently, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "To teach you little one. Perhaps one day you shall learn the lesson."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Why are you here, child? You did not come to discuss My past?"
You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "It is beyond your understanding. Even Maylea has dark secrets that you could not fathom."
Tilting His head, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Is it the ephemeral? You wish him back?"
Quietly, you say, "She has shared some of Her past. She shares ever more. If She is likely to share them with anyone, it would be with me."
Even softer, you say, "I wish for You to not harm the innocent. For there truly are those that are not tarnished, my Lord, and You have cast down one that is dear to me."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "You are like an infant, My little one. You will learn in time."
Leaning in close, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "I will restore him if that is your wish."
Tipping her head to look up at Him, you say to Nocht, "I wish for him to be restored, whole, and unharmed, as he was, if such a thing were possible."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "It certainly is, dear one."
Her eyes filled with sadness, you say to Nocht, "Then please, my Lord, do so."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "But all things have a price. Are you willing to pay?"
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
You say, "What is Your price?"
The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Nocht's lips.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Kneel before Me and curse the name of the Bloom of Serenity."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Denounce all that she stands for."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope regards Nocht mutely for a long moment.
You say to Nocht, "You would have me forsake Her utterly."
Glancing upwards, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Such pride. Only a few words and your friend is safe and restored."
Softly, you say to Nocht, "Why do You so desire that I curse my Lady? She who raised me - bore me to whom I am -."
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
Softly, you say, "But... Calythan..."
You have emoted: Gabriella trembles softly.
Nocht, the Silent waits, regarding you with a blank expression.
You open your mouth to say something, but speech fails you.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "It is not an indefinite offer, child."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope shivers once, and slowly starts to kneel on the ground before Nocht.
The image above wavers and ripples gently as a cold breeze howls through the fulcrux.
You drop to one knee, demonstrating your humility and respect.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope rests upon her knees, gazing up at Nocht numbly.
Quietly, you say to Nocht, "You would swear to restore him as he was, without any trickery, or differences in how he once was? You can do this, in exchange for Your price?”
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "He will be restored as he was before I harmed him, yes."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "All you have to do is speak."
You have emoted: Gabriella trembles, planting her hands flat upon the ground.
You whisper, "I..."
You whisper, "In exchange for Calythan's safety, I renounce the Lady Maylea. I curse Her, all She is and what S-She stands for."
You have emoted: Gabriella closes her eyes, her trembling increasing.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Was that so hard, little one?"
You whisper, "I sense that You will not merely be satisfied with words, though, my Lord."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Words are all I need."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope looks up at Nocht in disbelief.
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "You and I will both remember what you've said here."
At His feet, you say to Nocht, "I will remember it, for the reasons behind it... my Lord Nocht."
Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Whatever helps you cope, My dear."
You whisper to Nocht, "You gave me Your word, my Lord. Now please, give me back my Calythan."
Nocht, the Silent holds out his arms and begins to speak in a tongue that defies comprehension, swirls of aether gathering in his upturned palms.
From Nocht's hands a figure begins to take shape, as the swirls of aether begin to coalesce into crystals of ice. With a final gesture, the body takes shape as the form of the ephemeral Calythan.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope lets out a quavering gasp, still kneeling as she holds her arms out to the figure of Calythan.
Breathlessly, you whisper, "Calythan."
Calythan, the Morning Frost coughs twice and hiccups, his sprite-like eyes wide.
With a wave of His hand, Nocht, the Silent whispers, "Be gone from this place. Both of you."
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope stumbles to her feet, rushing forward and gathering Calythan into her arms.
The ice and snow that comprise Calythan's form flexes and shifts as he takes in his surroundings.
Calythan squeaks in fright.
Calythan beckons you to him.
You begin to follow Calythan.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope spares a last glance over her shoulder at Nocht.
Calythan, the Morning Frost spares Nocht a frightful backwards glance as he begins to travel through the ether.
You follow Calythan, the Morning Frost to the Mother Moonhart Tree. (sp) (931) (The Serenwilde Forest)
Avurekhos blinks.
Lodge Keeper Avurekhos Myeras, Jaguar Scout exclaims to Calythan, "CALYTHAN, You're alright!"
Avurekhos flails about helplessly.
Avurekhos shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope trembles, and then slowly falls to her knees at the feet of Calythan.
His voice trembling and confused, Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "Why were in the scary Shadow Tree's garden, little Gabyflower?"
Xeria opens her eyes and yawns mightily.
Xeria bows respectfully to Calythan.
Xeria peers at Calythan unscrupulously.
Calythan, the Morning Frost folds you in a tight hug, wrapping his silver wings into the embrace.
Quietly, you say to Calythan, "He harmed you, Calythan. You.. I was afraid you were melted away forever. He gave you back to me."
Avurekhos creases his brow in a frown.
Avurekhos shakes his head.
Calythan, the Morning Frost ponders your words thoughtfully and shakes his head.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope embraces Calythan tightly, unable to stop her trembling as she hugs her friend.
His voice a thousand clattering branches, Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "That's just silly, Gabyflower. I can't melt with my Moonhart leaf. Hoom Tree said so, 'member?"
You say to Calythan, "He hurt you, did He not?"
Calythan, the Morning Frost blinks twice and then looks down at his body curiously.
You have emoted: Hierophant Gabriella Myeras, Blossoming Hope gingerly touches Calythan's back, between the wing joints.
Peering into his robes, Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "Ummm, I think He might have sneezed on me, 'cause it's awful dark down there."
Avurekhos blinks incredulously at Calythan.
Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "But no, I don't think He did? Are you feeling ok, little Gabyflower?"
Her voice quavering, you say, "He had harmed you. But when I requested it of Him, He restored you - or he should have."
Avurekhos gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.
You say, "Calythan, is there something on your back?"
A voice whispers in your ear, "Hm... Was he ever harmed to begin with, I wonder..."
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
Calythan, the Morning Frost clambers to his feet and turns around and around, attempting to catch a glimpse of his own back.
In resignation, you whisper, "Of course."
Her jaw tightening, you whisper, "This changes nothing."
Finally slowing after several spins, Calythan, the Morning Frost says, "I don't think so. Everything flaps around the same."
Avurekhos peers at you unscrupulously.
You close your eyes and inhale deeply, absorbing the scent of your surroundings.
I hope you continue to paste out this storyline because it's very interesting to read. Also every Divine needs a head in their fulcrux, the fact I'd only just put that there and the mental image of Sidd's head being used like a puppet had me burst out laughing.
The divine voice of Avechna, the Avenger reverberates powerfully, "Congratulations, Morkarion, you are the Bringer of Death indeed."
You see Estarra the Eternal shout, "Morkarion is no more! Mourn the mortal! But welcome True Ascendant Karlach, of the Realm of Death!
Also yeah, seeing the head being puppeteer-ed was brilliant too, deliciously creepy.
Also, Gabriella is insane to spit on a Divine. I have no idea where she gets her audacity at times, certainly not from me. ._.
Gods help us all if Gabby ever becomes a combatant.
The divine voice of Avechna, the Avenger reverberates powerfully, "Congratulations, Morkarion, you are the Bringer of Death indeed."
You see Estarra the Eternal shout, "Morkarion is no more! Mourn the mortal! But welcome True Ascendant Karlach, of the Realm of Death!
Yeah, I was pretty surprised too. >.>
Seriously though, such fun.
Ha. Hey, not Gabby's fault she has a bad relationship with Sarrasri. >.> But you forget - Gabriella calls Maylea 'mother' because she IS her mother, for all intents and purposes.
Nnnneeveerr! *flail*