|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:10 pm
Broken Hammer - On World Chapter 4 The map had lead them through the desert, aligning nicely to the pull of the gem that Ankou could discern. The trip was long, nearly two weeks by foot though desert, savannah, and desert again… the sands were slowly consuming the world, unchecked by the prairies that had spanned vast regions and unchallenged by the now dead husks of forests. The winds blew strongly for a few days, threatening to unleash another sandstorm upon their group… and forcing them to take shelter more then once. However, with each stop they made a shrine was built of the efforts of the five. Tiny oases, they offered a nugget of life for the precious little that remained…. The hopeful seeds a green trail for the future.
They were headed for the coast, and the closer they got, the moister it became… a relief, especially, for Glyph. Eventually they came upon the rugged, wild cliffs of the shore some four hundred feet tall of barren, cracked rock dark as tar. Caves pitted the bases where the surf thundered into spouts and grottos, sending great sprays high into the air and leaving a heavy taste of salt in the wind. Windswept and abandoned it looked as if a master carver and left partway through his project for the pale tan-brown of the soil faded into the blackness of the rocks without vegetation or ceremony.
The wind was strong the day they arrived, the merciless sun much less where the clouds shielded them somewhat… the clouds had been gathering for days, high up and bright… empty promises of rain. But now… now they were thickening, laden with the water of the ocean and ready to burst upon the land. The scent of power was in the air, the electric quiet before a thunderstorm.
Cresting a rise that afforded a view far down the coast, Glyph blinked and waved the group over, the smile upon his face broad and joyful. There… further down, tucked between two ridges that obscured futher inland, was a patch of green… and a few little trees. It was life, hardy and stunted but enduring and lifted Forest’s spirits high to see evidence of Creation’s touch at last. He had feared Destruction and Gehenna had swept all life from the planet. “Look! See? At last!”
He started towards the fledgling meadow without another word or another glance at the sprawling, endless sea at his back.
((I figure someone else can ‘spot’ the ruins over the next ridge? Goals for the RP: learn more about the people, validate the map, learn of the other city and some of what happened in the final days of the people living there, and dealing with the frustration of finding nothing but death and ruins))
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 10:10 am
After weeks of trekking the desert had lost its appeal. Not that there had been much of that. Days seemed never ending, each step became an endurance test. The change in climate was welcome. Though the land was still barren and the heat intense, a change was a change.
At the sight of the cliffs Cosine paused, the air was tainted with salt that stung her cracked lips and chapped skin. Still, it smelled good and the sound ... she closed her eyes and listened to the waves as they roared and smashed on the rocks. The wind seemed cooler too, blowing off the sea and whipping her hair around her face. Of course it made map reading difficult.
Cosine opened her eyes at Glyph's excitement and tucked the fragile map into her bag. She did not want to lose or damage it.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, finally spotting what Glyph was so excited about. It lifted her spirits too, life that they had not created. That was certainly very promising.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 4:33 pm
Xun Jiang simply had forgone shifting altogether, deciding to simply remain in dragon form for the rest of the journey, unless he required the use of his hands. Having to get clothed after a shift, or to take it off to shift, was bothersome, especially in such an harsh climate.
Scales also made the idea of his pale purple skin ending up torched a non-issue, thankfully. This also had the merit that if anyone else got tired, he could easily just carry them. It was awkward as first - he was not used to be ridden on, having certainly never been a mount like his brother Zhijian, but once he found the proper balance, it was not so bad.
The Dragon King still carried his bag, the strap just big enough to squeeze past his much bigger head to lay flat against his side. Where Glyph first noticed the new growth, what Xun Jiang first noticed was the water - the sound of it, the smell of it, the taste of salt that lingered on his tongue.
The electric feeling in the air, reminding Xun Jiang of a brother he had yet to meet.
But sure enough, Glyph spotted some greenery and was rather notably overjoyed - so much that the dragon had to take flight to catch up with his lover, so entranced by the nearby water and by his own thoughts that he only noticed Forest darting away long after he actually had.
It was the height difference, however, that revealed something to him - and he paused for a moment, more or less still in mid-air, peering in the distance. That was...
Oh !
"There are ruins over there." He called out, flying the rest of the way and landing, carefully avoiding the younger plants. "They look massive... Like a city."
Out of his companions, Ankou was perhaps the one of the least bothered by their current location. The heat was uncomfortable to him, but it was nothing more than bothersome - something he could easily ignore if he put his mind to it. It was not like he was lacking in possible distractions.
At first, it was subtle, and hardly noticeable, but as time went on Ankou actually seemed to grow more and more relaxed with the whole thing. Making soul path definitively affected him, but he seemed to recover rather quickly. At the same time, his 'episodes' of blanking out were growing more and more spaced apart, reserved mostly for when there was a sudden influx of agitated souls.
In fact, he seemed to be getting the hang of splitting his awareness in between both worlds - tangible and spiritual - more or less evenly.
He still seemed in no particular rush to catch up with Glyph, however, sticking close to his lover and taking in the surroundings. He had not expected to find sea here... But he had to admit that the moisure in the air was refreshing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 5:27 pm
 Tien headed toward the cliff's edge once they got close, leaning over to get a better look at the cliffs and the water below not to mention enjoying the change in atmosphere. Trickery did not turn her back on the cliffs until she heard the footsteps of the others moving away behind her, some quicker than others.
"Ruins?" What could have been a city at that. Well, what they followed was a trader's map so it made sense.
Still, ruins could not be what had Glyph so excited. Forest did not seem the type to enjoy being in a 'concrete jungle' for too long. Then she saw the patch of green living things and it made more sense. Something alive on this world that did not come from their influence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 11:12 pm
Glyph was so glad to see life enduring that he all but ignored his companions' calls as he jogged down into the low bushes and stepped among the saplings. They were rugged, weary things worn down the salt spray and wind but they lived, and they seemed healthy from the sense he got as he walked among the plantlife, looking very much at home.
Plunking down and sitting cross-legged before one of the bigger saplings, he stared at it hard, head cocked to the side as if listening. To an outsider it might have seemed odd, though he was merely letting his awareness wander through the little stand, following the roots, the blooming life... and he smiled as he found the source of their fortune. "There's a spring, fresh water, in the recesses towards the center." He murmured, knowing Xun would sense it immediately.
Looking to the dragon, he leaned far enough back to lie in the grasses, luxuriating in the feel of it against his skin, "Did you say ruins?" Tilting his head to look back the way he came without actually moving from the spot, he called to Cosine, "Are there any cities near here on your map? It might be worth it to investigate..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 4:11 am
When the group began to move Cosine followed down to the lush settlement. It was teaming with life, such a difference from the world they had been trekking accross for weeks.
It was less windy now they were below the level of the cliffs, what was left of buildings provided more shelter and had likely aided the growth of the plantlife. Cosine sank down to sit on the soft grass and dug around in her pack for the map, she opened it and traced her fingers along the route they had walked to the sea.
"This must be ..." She paused as she concentrated on the script next to a dot by the cliffs "Birnam." the route moved on from the cliffs, followed them a way then inland to what looked to be a valley of some kind.
"There is a place here, Fehlari. It appears to be a major stop on the trade route." Cosine looked up to the sky and only had to send out a thought before Infinity swooped down and landed in a nearby tree.
"Can you find this place?" the goddess stood and showed her companion the map. "We need to know how far it is."
The crow gave a caw and shifted from foot to foot after a moment she cawed again and took to the skies.
"She said that there are insects in the air here." Cosine smirked a little. "Very delicious aparently."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 2:55 pm
Glyph's initial lack of response did not surprise Xun Jiang any, and he simply waited for Forest to have examined the new life to the level he wished to do so. He understood the joy of this well, of course, felt it. That at least some of the places in this world had once again started to grow life and some resemblance of an ecosystem did bring hope that this world would one day recover completely, especially with their aid.
"Yes, I do feel it." A maw did not make expression easy, but his tone of voice did made his happiness clear. He could have easily reached it... So easily, even, that he might as well save his mana and simply dig part of it to the surface, allowing it to spread a little bit.
"Yes, ruins, through... Part of them seem to be missing..." It looked awfully small for a town the scale the map was telling it to be, at least.
When ruins had been mentioned, Ankou had actually started to look for them - and sure enough, there they were, in the distance, as he had stepped away from his companions to make it further up the hill.
Even as he looked upon it, the ghosts surrounding him spoke to him - seemingly endless voices echoing back and forth to his ears only, with some more distant echoes carrying to him from the ruins itself.
The fate of Birnam had, indeed, been grim. Most of the population had drowned, finding their end as nearly half of the city collapsed, the supporting bluffs having caved in. Decay's influence ? Perhaps. He had no way to be sure, with the souls' knowledge so limited.
A few clicks, words in the souls' language, sent them all dispersing, and pushed his influence toward what was left of the town, hoping to settle the high density of souls he was feeling there before they could make it into Birnam proper. He finally turned back just in time to hear the dragon's comment, and he nodded.
"That would be right. Half of the city caved in during Gehenna. The sea reclaimed it." Yes, he was aware this might very well kill the good mood that had manifested itself - after all, even if he did not say it, it would be obvious that this caving in had been what had more or less done in the city's population, but he found it better to be prepared. The Spirit Guide had no intention of having a situation similar to the near-disaster of their arrival happen once more. "The other half has since then stayed put, but we might wish to be careful, nonetheless."
He, Cosine and Xun Jiang could fly if something did happen. Tien he was uncertain about, as his own wings had certainly been unable of flight when he had been in the state she was not in. Glyph... well, not so much. Really, he would rather avoid a free-fall, if it was possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 3:41 pm
Tien frowned at the Spirit Guide's words. Half a city swallowed by the ocean? With the other half still standing after this long it was probably safe to venture into it, but he was right they should be careful. Even with the healing beginning here what was left of the city might be caught in a fragile balance and who knew what would be enough to send it tumbling into the water below.
At least Ankou would not have to worry about her if something did happen. Trickery could fly, just not with her own wings- they were too small still to be of real use. Scales were easy enough to reach for now and she could fly well enough in that shape to least get herself to safety. She had practiced since her first lesson with Xun a while back and improved considerably since then. Crashing less and steadily managing longer flights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 19, 2012 11:21 pm
"Birnam? Fehlari?" Glyph echoed the names given and sat up once more, the grass longer and more lush where he'd been laying and pursed his lips, "If it's along the trade route... maybe Forge's host followed the people in hopes of finding something? I only know she came here... not really why she did."
He rather hoped the goddess' route had taken her into the city... though once Ankou spoke of the city's demise, Forest's hopes sank a little bit. What were they supposed to do if the reason Forge vanished is because cliff fell on top of her and the ocean swallowed the body? Their only hope, then, would be if Xun could suss out the gem...
Still, it was worth a try. They couldn't not look as they went along. The trail of the map and the mirror had lead them this far. "Maybe we should split up? Cover more ground? The land's dead, no people remain, so there's no danger but that underfoot... and the thunderstorm that's gathering above. Be careful if it starts to rain, hey?"
He rose, finally, and stretched hugely, his joints creaking and popping like a branch twisting in the wind. "Which way is it?" Glyph started towards the ridge that overlooked the depression where the city had stood in all its glory.
Now, however, the white marble buildings and the golden domes lay cracked and broken, slumped inward to a near semi circle of space that had taken houses, palaces, garrisons, markets, and more into the sea below. Nothing but piled up rubble could be seen fanning out into the ocean below, bubbles boiling from the ruins from air still trapped beneath.
From this distance, little could be made out of the architecture beyond grand arches and broad, cobbled streets and what looked like massive, broken statues... though whether they were of gods or mortals was unclear. Cracks in the earth radiated out in concentric circles, indicating a continued weakness of the rock beneath the city... and reason to tread careful.
"Oh dear...." Glyph murmured as he surveyed the devastation, glancing to Ankou to see if they need worry about the spirits... such calamity could not have left many spirits in peace, if any.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 5:14 pm
"Right..." That was worrisome in itself, and really, he had two choices here - either he would be more or less flight bound while down there, if only out of carefulness, or he would need to shift again. He was a great deal more heavy in this shape, he knew this... And yet if something did happen, he was not certain the smaller wings of his human guise could carry him.
Better to be prepared than to risk it, he decided. "I will fly... just to make sure." The cracks did not look like a good sign, indeed.
The city was in quite a sorry state, but... It must have been quite beautiful in it's prime, Xun Jiang could not help but think. There was something in the broken statues and shattered domes that was... fascinating, in spike of the massive destruction that had taken place here.
That glance was not lost on Ankou, and he nodded. "They are... rather active." A bit of an understatement, really. It would likely be hard to tell for the others, but part of his awareness was already down there, using the souls he had sent on as his eyes, and expending his power to try to calm them.
When he had tried to do this before, he had blanked out completely. This was definitively an improvement, but it quickly became obvious that he was struggling, mostly by the sudden power spikes. When Cosine came forward, he had no other choice but to take her offered hand to help him keep his balance. Those spirits were angry, angry enough to try to resist him, and given that he was not used to doing it like this... It certainly made applying his power on them harder.
His frustration was apparent, even if he did not say anything. He had gotten the hang of this, had he not ? So why was it so difficult once more ?!
It was a few more minutes before he finally let go of his beloved's hand and steadied himself once more. "Right... They've calmed now. We should be fine."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 12:08 am
Ankou's annoyance did not go unnoticed, but Tien knew better than to comment on it. Whatever his frustration was it was none of her business. However once the Spirit Guide said it was safe she started heading toward the ruins. If nothing else exploring might be fun, even if the other half of the city was threatening to crumble into the water. In her mind it was all the more reason to see it, just in case it did sink beneath the sea. Then at least someone alive would remember it.
When the others did not immediately follow she paused and turned back. "You all coming or are you just planning on looking at it from up there?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 1:43 pm
Glyph nodded as Xun decided to fly so that he might maintain his shape - an aerial scout would likely be useful.... it was also comforting to know if he fell, Lifewater would (hopefully!) catch him.
Remaining in place a moment as he looked the city over, trying to commit to memory the main street and the arrangement of side streets but Tien surged forward and only stopped when the rest didn't immediately follow, calling back to goad them into action.
Glyph shrugged, calling back, "Taking in the sights!"
 With one last glance he started down the slope and caught up with the much more agile Tien. Laughing, he gestured at the fair distance yet before they were at the city proper, "Eager for a stroll? At least it's not as barren as the desert..." Indeed, patches of short grass grew here and there, mostly browned out but the blue-green swathes showed life was making a valiant attempt to return.
It was the better part of the afternoon to reach the city proper and by that time the clouds had lowered, grown dark and angry, pregnant with the rains they would unleash on the world. The gate they came upon was likely a side gate, from the lack of embellishment, but twin guard towers looked over three passages, their domes of gold recessed partially for a viewing area that crumbled, the entire wall showing signs of warfare... the gates themselves had long been torn away by hand or by nature and only the flimsy secondary gates within still stood, barely.
The city's emblem was prominent above the main entrance way and Glyph wondered if the statues in the recesses to either side were Gods or Heroes... "Let's see if we can get in..." Glyph murmured, gesturing to someone to help him as he wandered up to the main door and put his shoulder to it.
... and just about toppled over as it moved, falling like a tree to crush the rotted wood reinforcing barrier on the other side to reveal a cobbled street lined with what appeared to abandoned shop fronts, tattered, sun-bleached wares still in the windows of some.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 9:26 pm
Ankou's uneasiness made Cosine a little nervous. If he wass troubled by the spirits then there was every chance they could have a repeat of what happened when they arrived. Still, they would be semi prepared this time and Ankou seemed to be growing stronger, keeping more control.
She squeezed his hand as he took hers and waited until his worry subsided.
"It must have a been a beautiful city once." She said, watching as Glyph pushed the door and it came crashing down. "Do any of you feel anything? Any hint of whet might be forge?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:26 pm
Xun Jiang was actually hot on Tien's heels, figuratively as he simply chose to fly over the path in order not to crowd it too much. Aerial reconnaissance was certainly his job right now.
When the city was finally in sight, however, the dragon let out a playful roar and angled his flight for speed. The meaning of this was quite clear, and aimed right at Tien, really.
Race you !
Nonetheless of who would win, the Dragon King descended closer to the ground, though by the time he did get there, the disaster was already in motion.
"I can just-"
Yeah, too late for that. Had he had actual hands, he might have facepalmed. "You guys..."
Ankou took the descent slowly - and very carefully at that. It was obvious that his awareness was still there in some fashion, but it was also very obvious that his awareness was not all there, either. Perhaps he should have waited to extend the mana to keep the ghosts under his control... He had underestimated the distance, really, and they were trying to struggle. More than once, his lips started moving, speaking barely-audible words, applying his voice on them to help keep them calm and subdued.
When the secondary door turned out to be closed, through, Ankou came forward to help open it - and ended in much the same situation than Glyph. That is, face-planting, and for a moment looking downright confused about the sudden tumble.
"...I think you are strong enough to handle that alone, next time." That sounded more amused than annoyed, however, as Ankou brushed off the dust off his robes as he got back up. At Cosine's question he shook his head. "I do not feel her anymore clearly than I did before..."
And if he tried to focus sorely of Forge's faint signal, well, he would lose the spirits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:46 pm
So you want to play, Xun? She grinned and sped up her pace. Tien was tempted to reach for her own scales and try and see if she could beat him on more even terms before she thought better of it. It would be wiser to conserve what energy she had in case it was actually needed. Even still it was a decent race, though Xun managed to make it to the gates just ahead of her. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, heading over to the others at the sound of a rather loud crash.
"Couldn't just knock?" She giggled, grinning widely. "No one hurt at least, aside from pride anyway?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
