Best Of
The respite of Tore Niskanen
Following the event yesterday, Tore needed to be healed. Maylea asked Serenwilde to call on Seralem to help heal her with a quickly thrown together ritual.
After some speedy brainstorming this happened
https://ada-young.com/pastebin/5Ubylxfy
After some speedy brainstorming this happened
https://ada-young.com/pastebin/5Ubylxfy
Saran
8
Re: Lusternian AMA
1. Divine Problem Child, constantly skittering around and weaving new oddities and pockets of reality into place for fun and giggles.Lantra said:Haven't bumped this in awhile! Forgive any repeats, but below is inspired by recent Discord conversations:
- Poof, Ascension still works like it did for Ayridion! When your character ascends and becomes a proper Vernal Divine, what are they like?
- Who would you cast as a voice actor for your character?
- What would your character's "fall from grace" story arc be? If you're already a nefarious villain, what would your "redemption" arc look like?
- What's your favorite lore "conspiracy theory" you have, or personal headcanon?
- What is your favorite god relationship? (Can be romantic, friendship, rivalry, random ridiculous pairing -- whatever!)
2. Honestly have no clue.
3. Sentient peep chili.
4. Tzaraziko was actually a changeling and could just be lucidian/dracnari (or anything else) as was convenient.
5. The Clangorum/Agnomenon brotherhood. Thax was a good collab, but I want moar!
Jolanthe
5
Re: Lusternian AMA
Lantra said:Haven't bumped this in awhile! Forgive any repeats, but below is inspired by recent Discord conversations:
- Poof, Ascension still works like it did for Ayridion! When your character ascends and becomes a proper Vernal Divine, what are they like?
- Who would you cast as a voice actor for your character?
- What would your character's "fall from grace" story arc be? If you're already a nefarious villain, what would your "redemption" arc look like?
- What's your favorite lore "conspiracy theory" you have, or personal headcanon?
- What is your favorite god relationship? (Can be romantic, friendship, rivalry, random ridiculous pairing -- whatever!)
1. Probably a god of levity or a benevolent trickster with an immortal chicken as his "calling card."
2. Maybe the guy who voices Trevor Belmont in the animated Castlevania or Henry Cavil with less of an edge
3. Lured by the machinations of a charismatic Duum cultist, he leaves Serenwilde to join said cult and works (as a rogue) to bring all to Unity.
4. That Trader Bob is really a Soulless and has his tentacles in everything unbeknownst to the rest of mortalkind
5. I'm a bit biased as a Mayflower, but the tension between Maylea and Nocht is always compelling, and Maylea's relationship with Kaenalye (or her shards) is lovely. I should read more Elder Histories though to broaden my horizons on the subject.
Tyrus
5
Re: Afrit and Nepenthe get mawwied
Aschwar pulls their paw backward, allowing the two to hold the cup as they say, "Now, you will say your vows to each other, and I will tie the silk. This will bind your words to your union, so that you may always remember as you speak it into being." They look towards Afrit, and nod, holding the silk carefully in their paws.
Khnemu adjusts his position on Elysian's shoulder to keep his balance and lean forward.
Lief smiles to herself, her hand reaching quietly for Zitto's to give his own a quick little squeeze.
Afrit tells you, "Shall I go first, dear Nepenthe?"
You tell Aschwar, "Is it okay if I let Afrit hold the cup on his own while I sing? Kinda got lute accompaniment and everything."
Aschwar pauses and looks towards you, nodding and saying, "On second thought, yes. You should probably go first."
Coraline leans into Jolanthe from her perch.
Aschwar flushes lightly, scarlet flesh visible beneath the golden patches of their fur.
Jolanthe gives Coraline a peck on the cheek.
The corners of your mouth turn up as you grin mischievously.
From the audience, Coraline flashes a thumbs-up at you in a sign of encouragement.
Elysian beams broadly at Tonatiuh.
Nepenthe passes the cup to Afrit and helps the dracnari wrap his massive paws around it.
You begin to wield an obsidian rose lute in your left hand.
Eritheyl lays their head gently on Elysian's shoulder, entwining their fingers with Elysian's.
Tantus Stickypaw's ears perk up with a sudden interest.
Afrit turns his full attention towards you, offering a calm smile that only partially hides his great anticipation.
"Sorry in advance if this is a tough act to follow, big guy," Nepenthe says with a grin, taking a second to tune an obsidian rose lute.
Tonatiuh utters a deep, rumbling laugh.
Lief glances wryly at you and hides a grin behind her hand.
Coraline hides a grin behind her hand.
Nepenthe holds an obsidian rose lute lovingly to his chest, drawing blunted claws across its strings to elicit a bright, perfectly tuned arpeggio. He closes his eyes, a soft smile on his muzzle, as he takes up the gamboling cadence of a quiet waltz, its chords prancing along a sunny progression in the instrument's middle register.
Nepenthe hums an uncharacteristically tonal tune above his gentle picking, laying the scaffolding of his melody. At length, his lips part, and he begins to sing in a sweet altotenor.
"Who would have guessed that when we first met our lives would become intertwined?" Nepenthe sings, his bare feet shuffling in three-quarter time. "An ordinary day, a really awful play, but soon enough we found our hearts aligned."
Afrit huffs, his digits wrapped around the cup tightly.
Nepenthe opens his eyes and smiles at Afrit, seemingly oblivious to the assembled guests. His ambling waltz takes him in a broad circle around the dracnari, his eyes locked on Afrit's face with every step.
Nepenthe continues his soft singing, "How could I know how our friendship would grow when you asked me to stay by your side?" He straightens his posture, his shuffling movements taking on a more purposeful air, and his ambling chords becoming crisp and stately. "A steady career as your loyal courtier was the most I could hope to provide."
Nepenthe's chords modulate to a higher key and dip briefly into a cool minor mode, the staccato notes limned with the faintest sound of uncertainty.
"Who could have foreseen that I'd step in between you and all of your well-crafted schemes?" Nepenthe sings, a twinge of a frown tugging at his lips. But it is fleeting, as is the uncertainty in his chords and their doleful minor tonality. The song brightens with his next crooned line, "My unplanned distraction, your welcome reaction, fulfilling my unspoken dreams."
A broad smile bares all of Nepenthe's teeth and brightens his every word. "Who would have thought that I could have caught a man of such warmth and compassion?" The loboshigaru's blunted claws flick at his instrument, dashing off exuberant chords as his voice rises in admiration. "His height and his girth only matched by his worth and impeccable penchant for fashion."
Nepenthe's paws settle over the strings, stilling them for a moment before taking up the same lilting progression in a soft cascade of arpeggios. His boisterous praise softens too, his voice girded with a purring, gentle growl.
Afrit chokes out a laugh, before trying to regain his composure as he watches and listens with great intensity, his eyes staring both at you and at the intricate instrumental technique.
Nepenthe sings softly, his eyes bright with fondness for Afrit as he gazes on the dracnari, "I find myself blessed to present this request for the new life we're ready to start: Hug me and kiss me, embrace me, eclipse me, and share of your beautiful heart."
Nepenthe's rolling arpeggios grow slower and softer, eventually fading to silence as the loboshigaru releases the fingerboard of an obsidian rose lute and reaches out to place a paw over Afrit's heart. He concludes his vow a capella, "And these things I yearn to give you in return for the life that I'm asking you for: Devotion, attraction, unmatched satisfaction. I promise you these and much more."
You cease wielding an obsidian rose lute in your left hand.
Tonatiuh rubs some extra golden powder into his face with vigour, blinking several times, honey-hued sapphire eyes glinting.
Khnemu wipes a happy tear from his eye, beaming at the happy couple and assaulting Elysian with his flailing tail.
Revelrous Afrit, Lazula of the Sands murmurs, "So good."
Nepenthe smiles at Afrit and reaches up to hold the cup with him once more.
Lief cannot keep herself from clapping her hands together, a beaming smile upon her face.
Aschwar reaches up and wipes at their eyes with their forearm, taking a moment to compose themself.
Tantus Stickypaw grins broadly, wiping at his eyes with one large paw.
Zitto seems positively cheerful by the time the song is over, his early anxiety totally absent. In an overabundance of enthusiasm for a staid Hallifaxian, he surreptitiously plants a quick peck on Lief's cheek. He then immediately turns to cheer for the sung vow.
Coraline wipes a stray tear from her cheek.
Chundae wipes at her eyes, sniffling and beaming brightly.
Tikki tried really hard not tear up at just how cute this whole affair was, but found himself still dabbing tears from his eyes.
Vyell's eyes start to look glassy as she holds back tears of compassion.
Elysian can't help but sniffle abit as the song ends, his wings rising up to keep himself from being buffeted too bad by Khnemu's tail.
Nepenthe
5
Re: Afrit and Nepenthe get mawwied
Taking a deep breath that gives them an air of restful serenity, Aschwar raises their face at last and opens eyes that glow with an almost childlike sense of wonder and affection as they gaze between you and Afrit. "Union."
Zitto allows Lief to lead him closer to the gathering, though his anxious expression is not diminished in the slightest.
Lenara tilts her head and listens intently.
Jolanthe waits for the crowd to close in before furtively drawing in along the outer perimeter.
Alary leans forward, bracing their large head upon Ankaa, the Incandescent's head so that they can better watch the proceedings.
"When we come together, there can be many reasons," Aschwar says quietly, waving their paws forward towards the sky as they speak, "For some, it is for no other reason than to procreate. To create new life, and offer new fodder to the Hunger That Awaits." Crossing their arms over their chest, they continue as though it were the most normal thing in the world to say, "Others are bound in service to the Empire, and offer children for a debt that must be repaid, protection from the Great Mother, Sated May She Slumber."
Afrit clears his throat, before looking up at Aschwar - something that Afrit seems clearly not used to doing. His brow furrows as Aschwar goes on, but he nods politely.
"Yet there are those," Aschwar says with a soft reverence, holding their paws out to indicate Afrit and you, "Who come together not for duty or for necessity, but for love." They bring their paws to rest over their heart and continue, "These are the unions that have been blessed by the Shofets of all worlds, from the beginning of Creation. For this, we all must pay our respects to those who would choose to bring their love to shine across this world and others and bind themselves in union to each other."
Elysian smiles softly.
Vyell nods her head in agreement.
Gaze softening, Chundae smiles fondly.
Jolanthe suddenly loses focus in her eyes and shudders, then looks curiously refreshed.
Khnemu's confused expression gives way to understanding and an approving nod.
Aschwar gestures towards Tonatiuh, and quietly asks, "May I have the cup?"
Tonatiuh shifts subtly from side to side, smiling with a flash of teeth as his indigo fur radiates warmth and flame-kissed iridescence.
Tonatiuh gives a graceful rhyton cup edged in ivory filigree to Aschwar.
A selcouth sand djinn flexes into a tight curl, using a gold-dipped tail spike like a tooth pick to pluck a morsel from between his fangs.
Aschwar takes a graceful rhyton cup edged in ivory filigree and pulls out a star-shaped fruit from in their pocket, using a claw to carve into its plump and tender flesh before allowing the nectar to trickle down into the awaiting container. "The star fruit is lucky, and tastes very yummy. We put this in the goblet so that way you will always have luck when you are together." Once the last few drops easily flow, they throw the fruit over their shoulder, landing in the bushes behind them.
Aschwar holds out a paw towards you, and quietly asks, "Your fruit?"
Nepenthe passes a large, juicy-looking plum to Aschwar.
Aschwar smiles and raises the plum up for all to see, allowing a moment of quiet observation before they explain, "The plum! It is a many uses fruit, which is very tasty and is full of refreshing energies. It is for cookings, and decoratings, and throwings, and plantings, and so many many uses. Like Mister Nepenthe, it is full of so much energy and goodness, ready to be shown to the world at the very first bite."
A low, contented growl arises within your chest.
Afrit nods solemnly.
Lief's gaze flickers to you with Aschwar's testimonial, and she smiles deeper.
Aschwar takes a large, juicy-looking plum and cuts into it once more with a golden claw, the juice trickling down and joining in the cup. After a few moments, they nod, and throw the fruit behind them as well to land in the same bush.
Aschwar holds out a paw towards Afrit and quietly asks, "Your fruit?"
Tonatiuh shifts balance to the tips of his feet, eager to see.
Afrit nods, confidently placing a similarly ripe peach into Aschwar's paw.
Coraline tries to straighten up her clothes at she watches the ceremony.
Zitto seems to relax somewhat as the ceremony continues. A generous interpreter could take his expression for warm smile.
Lief's eyes follow the exchange of fruit, clearly interested.
A low, contented growl arises within your chest as you sniff at Afrit.
Aschwar holds up the peach in a manner similar to the plum, allowing all gathered a moment to see it before they begin their explanation. "The peach is full of soft and tender flesh, but its very fuzzy and very comfy outside is a lot harder than most people think it will be! It is a fruit that bears many trees, and is a very romance fruit. They say that those who make promises beneath peach blossoms will always see them come true, for it is a fruit of certainty."
Vyell tilts her head and listens intently.
Comprehension flashes across Eritheyl's face.
A look of understanding crossing her features, Coraline nods her head slowly.
Lief nods her antlered head quietly but firmly to this.
Zitto gives Lief a questioning look at the mention of peach blossoms.
Jolanthe tugs her chin thoughtfully.
Aschwar repeats the same gesture, slicing into the juicy looking peach and allowing the liquid to pour into the cup before throwing it behind their shoulder. Swirling the cup gently together, they inhale and nod, pulling a small vial from their coat full of pinkish liquid that they add next. "Cactus juice, so that your union will be able to stand even the driest of seasons, and flower even with the smallest of water."
His ears still locked on Aschwar, Nepenthe smiles and nods eagerly.
Aschwar then produces a much smaller vial full of sparkling honey, which they carefully add, continuing, "Honey is a sweetener, and it is one that comes from friendly bees. We add this so that way you can surround yourself with friendly people in your union who will help make your life and your happiness all the sweeter."
A soft smile spreads across Tonatiuh's features as he listens, lengths of flame-kissed silk threading through his golden claws.
Afrit glances over at you, before nodding happily and turning his attention back to Aschwar.
Aschwar finally produces a poppy from nowhere, the flower trailing granules of golden sand that dissipate into the air from whence it appeared before they can get anywhere near the ground. "And finally, the milk of the poppy." They tilt the bright red bloom to the side, and a single, milky white drop of liquid gathers at the edge of the petal before falling into the cup. "So when you are in pain, and when you are troubled, you may find peace and comfort in each other forever."
Aschwar steps forward with the cup, now full to the brim, and says, "Please. Come together and hold the cup." They nod towards Tonatiuh and quietly offer a stage whisper, "The silk!"
Nepenthe blinks and looks with rapt interest from Aschwar to Tonatiuh and back.
Revelrous Afrit, Lazula of the Sands says, "Oh!"
Tonatiuh places a long length of luxuriously soft and incredibly smooth silk into Aschwar's paws, the fabric rippling with opulent flame-kissed opalescence.
Afrit nods and holds his hands out to support the cup, looking to you.
Following Aschwar's instructions and Afrit's lead, Nepenthe steps forward and lightly grips the cup as well.
Nepenthe
5
Re: QUOTES 8: THE QUOTING
You tell Rootweir Daisee, "Well done, it seems your studies are progressing rapidly."
Daisee tells you, "Bapping stuff with an athame isn't a study!"
You tell Rootweir Daisee, "Oh, but it is, you study the creature's movements, their weaknesses, and grow stronger for it!"
Rootweir Daisee says, "Noo.. I think I just aim for whatever part I'm not trying to let hit me."
You ask, "So in the case of a mountain lion you would attack the...?"
Rootweir Daisee says, "The lion part."
Rootweir Daisee says, "You can't hit mountains."
Tyrus
10
Re: Lusternian AMA
1. Think this came up before, answer is still mostly unchanged. A god of industry that was very pollution heavy.Lantra said:Haven't bumped this in awhile! Forgive any repeats, but below is inspired by recent Discord conversations:
- Poof, Ascension still works like it did for Ayridion! When your character ascends and becomes a proper Vernal Divine, what are they like?
- Who would you cast as a voice actor for your character?
- What would your character's "fall from grace" story arc be? If you're already a nefarious villain, what would your "redemption" arc look like?
- What's your favorite lore "conspiracy theory" you have, or personal headcanon?
- What is your favorite god relationship? (Can be romantic, friendship, rivalry, random ridiculous pairing -- whatever!)
2. Tom Hardy.
3. Not really sure, can I just say I'm pro seeing the Lantra fall from grace arc too?
4. Two part answer here.
Conspiracy theory: That Tzaraziko was actually a changeling is also one that I have.
Personal headcanon: Ever since last year's ascension and the time scar event, Uzriel has secretly been collaborating with alternate time-line variants of himself. He never swapped out of Geomancy until after that event, perhaps learned or swapped places with an alternate Uzriel that learned only Necromancy and not Geomancy. Hmmmm! (This was something oocly plotted on for awhile but never really did anything IG about it, I still like the headcanon)
5. At the moment, I really want to see more of the Dro/Li relationship. Including what it was like during the Elder Wars and before. All of the Dro interactions with other Elders during that time really.
Edit: I forgot to include my imp headcanon! Which is that the Mag families pass down imps like they are mischievous and less competent versions of house elves from harry potter.
Uzriel
8
Re: Lusternian AMA
Uzriel said:3. Not really sure, can I just say I'm pro seeing the Lantra fall from grace arc too?
Ahem.
Lantra
7
Re: QUOTES 8: THE QUOTING
(IronHart Conflagration): Ruiku (from the Aetherways) says, "I have to say the influx of bards is rather nice."
(IronHart Conflagration): Tyrus says, "But can they sing in tune?"
(IronHart Conflagration): Sulwh (from the Astral Plane) says, "If we aren't in tune enough, that means you haven't drank enough."
(IronHart Conflagration): Tyrus says, "But can they sing in tune?"
(IronHart Conflagration): Sulwh (from the Astral Plane) says, "If we aren't in tune enough, that means you haven't drank enough."
Xiran
5
(c) Iron Realms Entertainment 2012.