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 Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:35 am
 (Lines by kaname423, colors by Scarlett Arbuckle)
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:34 pm
❦❀❦ Table of Contents ❦❀❦
✿ Table of Contents
✿ Briallen
✿ Relationships
✿ Rps & Adventures
✿ Inventory & Art
✿ Reqs
✿ The Story So Far
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:42 pm
Name: Briallen
Stage: 3 - Warrior
Race: Alkidike
Gender: Female
Base Traits: Energetic || Creative || Resolved
Personality: As a youngling, Briallen was a bright bundle of endless energy. Raised as the daughter of the mystic one would expect the younger Alkidike to be well behaved but life on Chiume gave her much more freedoms than others. Briallen loved to play explorer as a youngling and the urge has only continued to grow as she shares her wanderlust with her sister. Having no limits to her playground gave her plenty of room to grow in creativity as her mothers allowed her to pursue her interests (as long as they weren't too dangerous) and so Briallen was always solving puzzles and creating her own while growing up since she loved the challenge. Now as an adult she is fairly calmer, still a bit spontaneous with a bright smile and an enjoyment of stories, but not nearly as hyperactive as her childhood. She does have that energy and resolve though, especially when it comes to facing challenges and exploring the unknown as she is willing to try anything and push her limits.
History: One of Danika and Vermina's daughters, Briallen only has faint memories of Chibale before her mothers went to visit Chiume. They've been living on the new island helping with the new trees and their cousins, the Vandreas. As the daughter of the mystic she feels a bit of pressure to behave more but on Chiume a sort of wild freedom took over and she found it a lot easier to play with the other younglings. So far she's had a very peaceful and happy childhood full of love and with plenty of play. She has inherited Danika's curiosity and does wonder what the rest of the world is like. As she grew older and started to achieve that independence, Briallen never planned to be away for too long and often brought back gifts and stories to amaze her family while exploring all of the countries in this world.
Now that she's older she has committed to her dreams by traveling all across the world, visiting various earthling countries and even getting involved in a few treasure hunts here and there. Sometimes she may be gone for over a year or longer, but she always sends word when she can along with gifts for her family whether they are currently in Chiume or Chibale.
Some notes:
-Adores chocolate, as a youngling she would go into a sugar rush and crash because of it. No regrets.
-Loves being in the rain, participating in competitions and puzzles.
-Has a variety of scarfs that she loves wearing around her twisted dreads. Her personal favorite is a brown one with golden leaves.
-Calls Danika "Mama" and Vermina "Mima"
-Prefers using a whip instead of traditional Aishan spears or blades. She is skilled with daggers, throwing knives and archery in addition to using the whip.
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:45 pm
❦❀❦ Relationships ❦❀❦
✿ Family ✿
❦ Danika & Vermina - her dear mothers. Briallen deeply respects them both and never questions why Danika left her post, simply accepting that her mothers have lived harsher lives to achieve the current peace and deserve all the happiness in the world.
❦ Faenna - her Alkidike sister and twin bloom.
❦ Odina & Faenna - her younger Vandrea sisters.
✿ Friends / Foes ✿
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:47 pm
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:49 pm
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 4:50 pm
➽ Growth Reqs ➽
2-3 Growth Form Character Name: Briallen
Class Promotion: S3 Warrior (Sacred Heart - Blades)
Current Location: Traveling around Oba
Journal: [X]
Growth Point Links: 50/50 (30 RP points + 6,241 Solo wc total for 20 pnts)
[WE - Treasure Hunter] 5
[WE - Harvest] 5
[WE - Disaster] 5
[Tension between Sisters] - 5 pnts
[Sparring Match] - 5 pnts
[Preparing for a Journey Solo] [5553 wc]
[Dividing Paths] - 5 pnts
[Joining the Crew Solo] [688 wc]
Growth Blurb: Briallen has grown as an adventurer, getting stronger by surviving on her own in the wilderness and even facing some tension with her younger sister before venturing overseas together. She's embracing her own path where she plans to join up with treasure hunters despite previously fearing judgment from others and is set to truly pursue her passion.
Physical Description:[Base outfit Inspiration 1] [Inspiration 2, w leggings] [Hair and earrings] Exact design up to artist, just think wandering Aishan treasure hunter still with the crystal accessories from before incorporated with some new accessories.
Her hair is a bit shorter again this stage, can do the little accessories at the bottom of the twisted locks if wanted but not the headpiece. If anything you could throw in a headband like in previous stages, cc on exact design and pattern though she prefers floral/vines. She uses daggers and a whip, please feel free to show them in the art if you'd like. CC on exact weapon designs. [Blade Inspiration] // [Whip Inspiration]
Body Type: Like before, more toned but not overly bulky with curves. [Idea]
Preferred Artists: Kana or Scar full // collab
WIPs: Sure!
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:05 pm
❦❀❦ The Story So Far... ❦❀❦
Briallen was bloomed with a sister, Feanne, from the Great Mother Tree Aisha on Chibale but when they were both younglings the family moved to Chiume. Along with her new Vandrea sisters she was raised by both mothers while Danika helped with the new tree and their cousins, the Vandrea. Eventually her mother retired from her role, the battle with the Dretch resolved and the treaty between all Aishans securing peace, and Briallen found herself settling into a pattern with her family who lived between Chiume and Chibale throughout the years. Now that she's older she has taken to exploring the world, connecting with her family and sending them presents whenever possible.
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 8:09 pm
❦❀❦ Sacred Heart Choice ❦❀❦
Sunlight flickered lazily through the trees. Briallen adored the crisp autumn mornings in Chiume. Even if the island did not get as cold as other earthling countries it was still a far cry from the humid heat of Jahaur and Chibale, but the young Alkidike warrior did not mind. She rather enjoyed how the leaves shifted in colors on some of the trees, green fading into oranges and yellows with some crimson and indigo in between. Many of the leaves had already fallen for the season and crunched beneath her sandals as she walked through the forest bordering the large tree house that she shared with her sisters and mothers. Her mother had a similar one when they had lived in Chibale and it did not surprise Briallen that she had gone for a similar design on Chiume. The large roots of the tree wrapped around the cliffs overlooking the beach and ocean below while the orange and yellow leaves slowly fluttered down from the arching branches that held some of the rope walkways connecting the upper rooms of their home. The main level was built into the base of the hollowed out tree itself with plenty of room for spending time together with her family, the piles of colorful embroidered pillows surrounding a large, oval table of dark engraved wood a testament to the cool autumn nights spent together while sharing a meal and sipping on various hot teas from Belrea. It had been a gift from other Sisters when they first came to Chiume, a set of teas, and somehow collecting new herbs and trying new brews had become a family tradition over the years, even more so lately now that Briallen had started venturing more and more into the earthling territories. Thankfully most trips to Belrea were only for a day since they could easily cross the short stretch of sea and get into the port of a nearby Belrean town that she had first visited with her Mima as a youngling. Such trips had become more common with Briallen even taking her younger sibling with her before coming back home to share treats with everyone else in the main living room. Briallen treasured every moment that they enjoyed together as a family, especially more so now that she realized they were all growing up in their own ways and preparing to face the world. Faenna had already snuck out to Matori with her in the past and Briallen had even travelled all the way to Oba with other Sisters before finally returning home after being gone for almost half a year. At the time she had thought of nothing more than just seeing the world but now there was part of her that missed the lost chance to spend more time with her younger siblings and mothers. “Look at me acting as if I am about to leave and never return.” She chuckled as she reached out to pat a tree almost encouragingly, or rather to seek some form of support for her own emotional turmoil, before moving along the path that trailed down the cliffside and into the forest where the actual settlement of Alkidike and Vandrea awaited her.
It was there that a training ground was set up for other Sisters and Briallen enjoyed coming to practice with weapons of her own. So far she had favored using a whip above everything else but when the spark of magic had touched her fingers the young Alkidike had found that she was more like her mother, a sacred heart. Uilan, an older healer, had offered to train her more in magic and Briallen had accepted. She was not as eager for battle like others, especially not like Odina, but she did appreciate having a bit of an edge to her attacks whenever she did have to fight. If anything Briallen felt more drive towards adventure and seeking out whatever treasures the world had to offer, especially now that the world was more peaceful than ever before. If learning how to wield blades, to wield magic was a way to expand her horizons then Briallen would gladly take as many lessons as possible from the older Alkidike.
Approaching the grounds allowed her to see a group of Vandrea learning their basics, the sight of the younglings and young teens bringing a smile to Briallen’s face. At least they seemed fairly eager this early in the morning and she would not be surprised to see Odina in the middle of them swinging a staff at the various target dummies. Her youngest sibling made her feel like she was slacking most days and the very thought made Briallen chuckle. It seemed she had already found her calling as an amazon while Briallen had too much spark for simply that. Strangely others had expectations of Faenna to pursue sacred heart because of her appearance but her twin had decided on becoming a guardian, a fitting choice that would surely treat her well whenever she found her mount. Obviously it was amusing to Briallen to see the older Alkidikes surprise whenever they heard that she was going to take up the path of Sacred Heart instead of her twin, but Briallen did not think it made them any different. They had just chosen their own version of becoming the best warrior that they could be or rather in Briallen’s case the best adventurer that she could be for the future. Adventuring had gripped her heart tightly and she would not let it go. It was why she took on side lessons so that she could survive in the wild, in the earthling lands by herself one day whenever she finally decided to leave home and chase the wind for new tales. Archey, swords, cooking, herbalism, healing and other magic had filled her past three years while living with her family in Chiume. Her siblings were no longer younglings and even Faenna seemed ready to flee the nest, a realization that made Briallen’s heart ache. Was she truly ready to let go of her childhood like this? What happened to the days of playing tricks around the village and baking with her mothers before drinking warm teas at night to entice her to sleep? A sigh left Briallen’s lips before she found herself twisting around as a shadow caught her attention, the sudden movement making her antenna twitch reflexively.
“Good dodge.” Uilan chuckled as she pulled her spear away and studied Briallen. “You were just staring into space sighing so much that I thought I should surprise you.” The older Alkidike grinned, her age not even showing as she gave Briallen almost a mischievous glance over and Briallen could only hope to still have that much energy at five and a half decades of age.
“Well, I’m glad you decide to keep me on my toes.” Replied Briallen almost sheepishly before glancing around. “Is there some trial by fire waiting on me today?”
“Hmm. What should I throw you into today, young sacred heart to be?” Teased the older Alkidke as she tossed her spear from hand to hand thoughtfully. “I could have you race up the mountains with buckets of water again or see how many rare feathers you can pull from the local fauna without getting maimed by the larger beasts…” Her voice trailed off as she studied Briallen.
“Well?” Briallen pursed her lips as she waited on an answer. The last couple of weeks had been trial after trial after trial and so she was preparing herself for whatever new challenge Uilan came up with this time. It had been much easier when she was younger and trying to figure out her life. Back then she had trained with the others and just gone through the basics with every weapon, trying to figure out which one matched her fighting style. Strangely enough they had only discovered her magic after she had picked up a whip in Belrea while shopping with some Sisters. It was not the most traditional Alkidike weapon but Briallen had enjoyed the feeling of it in her hand and it matched her fighting style that relied on speed, flexibility more so than pure strength. A pair of dual blades had been picked up shortly after and Uilan had even taught her how to set them on fire for extra damage whenever the battle was tough. Thankfully Briallen didn’t think she would have to worry about such things since the Dretch had been pushed back but one never did know what the future held, right?
“I think a walk will suffice.” Uilan laughed at Briallen’s astonishment. “Yes, yes even I like to take an easy day to just reflect on things. What do you say?”
“I think that’s fine.” Briallen offered a small smile towards Uilan. It was like even the older Alkidike knew Briallen’s thoughts lately. Her training as a Sacred Heart was only truly beginning but there was only so much she could learn at the encampment, only so much she could do with a training dummy and little challenges here and there. Soon she would have to prove herself and venture away with no idea of when she would truly return to Chiume and the very thought both thrilled and saddened Briallen as she walked quietly along with Uilan chatting by her side.
[1559]
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 8:28 pm
❦❀❦ Growth ❦❀❦
Even when one knew that change was coming it did not always make it any easier.
Briallen felt her heart twist as she cleaned up the room that she had shared with Faenna one final time. The Alkidike had packed, unpacked and then repacked everything several times over the span of the last week after her twin had already left Chiume for Oba. At first she had felt sour about Faenna’s departure, a bit upset that her sibling had already left home but then Briallen realized that it was a sign for her to finally move forward as well. “Should I?” Briallen repeated once again for probably the hundredth time that day as she lingered about the living room alone while the rest of the family took care of their own things for the day. Even the younger twins had started training and were old enough that they didn’t need Briallen babysitting them anymore. The very thought made her heart twist again and the Alkidike let out a shuddering breath as she held back tears. When she was younger she had been so excited for adventures that she had pushed away her actual sorrow at leaving home. Now that she was actually at the age to leave? Well things were starting to truly hit her and she was missing her youngling days already. There was a reason that she had delayed her departure for so many months even when her mentor, Uilan, had already told her that she was ready to go and see the world for herself. Every delay had caused more and more tension between her mentor who was ready to toss her from the nest so that she could fly while Briallen clung tightly to the branches and refused to budge.
You cannot get stronger by sitting still, Briallen!
I know but…
But nothing!
Briallen chewed the inside of her cheek as she reflected over her mentor’s words. Who knew that leaving home could be such a tough decision? Maybe it would be easier to just stay at the island and help to take care of younglings, training them so that they could become warriors one day. If not a mentor then she could just be a guard at the island or a healer, a gather or a mother one day to her own Vandrea blooms even….the very thought of just staying close to home with her family was so tempting and she could easily imagine just staying here with Odina and Seiong while waiting for Faenna to return home from her own adventures. Her mothers rarely traveled, but even then they always came home within a couple of months since neither liked leaving home for too long. Briallen knew that she would never be lonely as long as she stayed in Chiume, but was that truly her path? A simple and happy life that was secure with the comfort of family but with no thrills? “No I suppose not.” A wistful sigh left her lips as she allowed the dream to slip away so that she could focus on the true path that her heart, her very soul cried out for. She had always been attracted to stories about the earthlings and their lands, so much that everyone around her had basically accepted that she would leave home one day to travel the world. So why did she struggle so much with it now? “I’m being silly.” Briallen realized as she finally packed her belongings and pulled her satchels together instead of setting them aside for later. She already had her family’s blessing so it was simply time to gather her courage and just leave for her own adventures. Briallen nodded her head as she tried to focus on the excitement of the journey ahead instead of lingering on the past and the attachment to her home in Chiume. Such memories would warm her heart when necessary and she would just have to remember that her family would always be here to welcome her whenever she did return from this long journey. Even if took years….Briallen shook her head to chase away the lingering doubts before finally closing the door to her room and heading towards the docks.
It was finally time to start her own adventures.
Briallen is finally moving forward with her plans to travel for a bit, exploring Belrea instead of staying in Chiume. It’s a tough decision as she truly will miss her family but Faenna’s own departure from Chiume forces Briallen to finally push forward instead of delaying her own journey more as she had been doing for months. She’s now ready to grow and explore this new chapter of her life as an adventurer.
[713]
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 6:59 pm
❦❀❦ Preparing for a Journey ❦❀❦
Fine. I’ll travel to those mountains with you.
That statement had surprised Briallen but when both sisters had to deflect their mother’s concern over those injuries from last time the pair had panicked with a training trip coming out as their excuse. How could they admit to the fact that they had gotten into a nasty fight because of an argument? The last person they wanted to worry about them was their mother, not when she had so much already on her shoulders. This was a spat between siblings that they would have to resolve on their own. And once the trip was mentioned to Danika, neither could find it in themselves to back away from the idea even though there was still a bit of tension lingering after their duel. Odina was still upset that she had lost to Briallen after mocking her for traveling, the Vandrea considered leaving to be a sign of weakness and not a sign of strength in her sister while Briallen still felt conflicted about making Odina doubt her own skills. Needless to say things were a mess as they packed their belongings, Briallen gathering what she could for the upcoming journey. So far she had packed some healing ointments, the Alkidike having the feeling that they would definitely be needing some of those especially with her sister’s more reckless attitude, bandages and even a small case with thread and needles in the rare chance that they needed emergency stitches. While she was no expert healer like others, Briallen had taken care of similar injuries herself while adventuring on her own with the few faded scars along her body serving as proof that she had taken a hit or two over the years. One of her favorite stories was how a typhoon had forced her to take emergency shelter within the mountains, the Alkidike finding a series of connected caverns in the area where some folmara had also taken shelter. The wild Belrean beasts were not quite so fond of her sudden appearance and it had led to a nasty fight where Briallen kept the creatures at bay while they snapped at her with their ferocious fangs gleaming in the flickering light of her torch. Unlike the taller Aishan the bulkier creatures with their compact bodies could easily get through the passages that she had to crawl through in the end, claws and fangs both trying to tear into her body while only one actually made impact on the back of her calf where the four marks still lingered as jagged scars that mingled with her markings. She was fortunate she had escaped with just that scar and still had all of her limbs, the Alkidike making the story as dramatic as possible as she emphasized the dangerous weather and how large and vicious the folmara pack was that night. It also didn’t help that she had very limited space where she was fighting within that cavern for her very life against the beasts with a torch giving her limited light. Thankfully the flame had helped keep them away as well, the beasts darting in and out as they tried to avoid the flame and attack Briallen at the same time. All she had to defend herself with then was the whip, her blades tucked away where she couldn’t reach them at the moment since she had been chased inside by the storm that had appeared without warning. At least she had managed to find another cavern to take shelter in for the rest of the night, taking the chance to wash out her wounds, apply medical herbs and stitch them up so that the flesh could stay together until she started on her way towards the nearest village the next day once the storm calmed down. Even that was dangerous considering the mess she woke up to the next morning, the light of dawn showing how much of the mountainside had been damaged by the raging winds and pouring rain. It was a slow journey back down from the mountains, Briallen having to take a couple of days to actually get back to the main road where some Geian traders picked the limping Alkidike up and helped her to the next town.
She had tried telling that story to Odina, the Vandrea huffing about the fact that such lowly creatures could force her sister to crawl away to safety instead of defeating them all and bringing back their pelts to celebrate her victory. The very comment had only brought a sigh to Briallen’s lips as she looked around at the others who were with them for dinner that night, her mama at least expressing worry and thankfulness that her daughter had safely returned home in the end. “I’ll try to bring back more next time, I suppose.” What was she supposed to do at that moment? She reflected on the memory even now as she sat on her bed and looked at the prize from that night which had been tucked in her bags, twisting a fang in her fingers from one of the folmar that she had managed to fell that night on her own. While Briallen couldn’t drag the body after her it had been enough to distract the other beasts while she did crawl away to safety, emerging back out into the whipping winds and stinging rains on the other side of the cliffs where the dangerous storm that she had originally sought to escape greeted her exhausted body. The rain had battered against her, washing both grime and blood from her skin and nearly pushing her down the cliffs with the rushing water. At least she had managed to survive, that was enough for her since she didn’t want to greed at the cost of her own life.
I found a few precious gemstones, nothing else until later when I was recovering. Those mountains had been a bust, Briallen was hoping to find something like artifacts or super rare materials there. Thankfully though she lucked out while staying at the village to recover from those injuries. One night Briallen had been sitting by the window, the Alkidike resting up in her tavern room that she rented with those gemstones, and a shooting star blazed across the night sky which caught the attention of many. Various earthlings had talked to her in town about that shooting star crashing into a nearby valley, Briallen feeling well enough to go there so that she could check out things. To her surprise the ground was smoldering, smoke was still rising from the crash site and it was there that she found some shimmering stone fragments which she gathered for herself. After speaking with others in town, Brilalen was directed to the blacksmith who begged her to let him work with the material. It was so rare that he was just delighted at the chance to even touch the material and if she could spare some remaining pieces for him he would work on whatever she wanted! So the Alkidike had asked him to make it into a few hunting knives, the remaining material smelted into a sharp metal tip for her whip so that the next time she ran into folmara she was better prepared to fight against them. The blacksmith was true to his word and the resulting weapons were beautiful pieces that were stronger than most metals and always felt cold to the touch, the gleaming blades almost reminding her of the night sky that the star had fallen from. That was the real point of her story, Briallen hoping to get to that part so that she could show the hunting knives to her family as gifts for them. Instead Odina had simply ruined the mood with her attitude once again, preventing Briallen from sharing the hunting knives with the others that night. “I suppose I’ll try again later.” Maybe on the journey with Odina she could at least bring out the one that she had commissioned for her? Everyone had a hunting knife from the stone, Briallen thinking of all of her sisters and her mothers with the gifts. If there had been enough material from that star then she would have potentially even commissioned a battleaxe for Odina but she knew that anything from the material wouldn’t have been enough for the large weapon that her Vandrea sister preferred. Still, the knives themselves were still gorgeous and useful since the metal would not wear down easily and could be used in most hunts even if it was to simply skin prey. Briallen smiled as she removed one from the cloth that she had covered them in, the weapons having been tucked away into a leather satchel until the reveal, but now she pulled them out one by one so that they lay across her bed. “I really do hope that they like these.” For now though she would have to tuck them into her chest of items, Briallen needing the satchel for the upcoming trip with Odina. It hopefully wouldn’t be a horribly long one, just long enough to give them some time away from Chiume to maybe talk or at least allow their family the impression that they had indeed been focused on training together. Until then she would just keep the two knives with her, the one that she planned on keeping herself and the one for Odina. During the trip surely there would be a chance to try to speak with Odina again, the wilderness forcing them to work together and giving Briallen the perfect reason for gifting her Vandrea sister a hunting knife. They would need something like that, if they were planning on hunting down some prey to bring home with them. After all Odina had mentioned that she should have brought some pelts home, right? So they might as well hunt down a creature or two while they trained in the mountains together.
Other than that, what did she bring? Briallen tucked the other hunting knives into her chest, taking care to wrap each blade so that they didn’t cut anyone who may reach into the chest blindly. The other two she placed back into the leather satchel, staring at it as she tried to consider what else could be packed once she put the sewing kit and medical supplies inside. Some dried meat and bread for the road? That would probably be best for days when they didn’t have time to hunt. Though she did like getting those types of supplies in the town by the docks, the ship from Chiume into Belrea taking them to a good trading area upon arrival. Briallen had gotten friendly with some of the merchants there after going back and forth so many times over the last few years. After helping with some ruffians in town as well she had found it surprisingly easier to get discounts and better trades, the appreciation from the merchants not lacking as they warmed up to the helpful Alkidike who brought in rare things to trade and entertained them with her stories while doing so. Strangely enough she felt more at ease trading in an earthling town than she did in her own settlement, Briallen slightly dreading looking for any additional supplies out in Chiume even though she planned on walking around there later today. She did need some fresh ointment, the one jar that she just tucked away into the satchel had felt a bit too light for her comfort. And she knew that Odina wouldn’t be as fond of relying upon earthling medicines, the very thought bringing a sigh to Briallen’s lips. “Alright, time to venture outside then.” She placed the satchel on the bed, picked up a lighter one for the simple trip that had some gemstones and rare herbs she had gathered earlier for trading, and after checking out her attire to make certain she looked proper with her locks in place and everything the Alkidike headed out of her room. The house was empty again, everyone busy with their daily errands, and it made Briallen somewhat sad to see the space so quiet. When she was barely a teen there would have been chaos in that main family room with any of her siblings playing around, the Alkidike sisters only a few years older than their Vandrea ones thanks to the decision for this settlement being made when Briallen was a young child. Their Vandrea sisters came shortly after, Azehra blessing their mothers with some of the first blooms which meant that for the longest time they all trained together before branching out into their own paths. Now it was just quiet, Briallen wondering if this was partly why Odina felt so frustrated. She had their mothers of course, but even they didn’t stay in Chiume forever and traveled on occasion while the Vandrea had decided to stay behind here ever since becoming a warrior. “I would be lonely.” Briallen murmured, shaking her head as she walked past the tidied pile of sitting pillows and tried not to compare the neat house to the messy place where the siblings had rampaged and kept things scattered about years ago.
Unlike her home the center of Chiume was bustling with noise, Sisters walking around and working together on various projects with even a few boiling poultices and such in front of their homes to try and entice trades. Well, if that was the case because some of what Briallen smelled would be horrible to have stuck inside of a home without much ventilation. Her nose crinkled at the sour smell of one thing, a pair of Vandrea trying to make some sort of healing lotion to help with dry skin from the colder weather. “What do you mean you added those roots? That’s too much! No wonder this smells like a duruf’s rear end! How do we fix this now?!” Briallen shook her head, amusement dancing across her expression as she listened to the bickering and continued on her way. It was only when she was at a familiar place, an elderly Alkidike having a reputation for reliable healing ointments and the like, that Briaillen stopped walking. The larger tree was the same as she remembered, the knobby surface of the ancient wood almost reminding her of the older Aishan that waited for her inside. Even the markings that were along her cheeks were like long ovals that the tree had, cracks branching off from them to spread down her neck and along her arms. Silver locks mingled in with the dark ones, her skin wrinkled but her dark gaze still bright despite the presence of so many decades lived showing in her features. “Briallen? It’s been a while since you stopped in to visit.” The elderly Alkidike mused, not bothering to stand as she sat behind a table that was littered with various herbs and colored liquids in glass bottles. A small mixing bowl was in front of her, a pestle and mortar to the side where recently crushed herbs made the air smell somewhat musky inside of the tree home. “Have you seen Uilan yet?”
“Not yet, Ebba. I’ve been traveling and just came home a few days ago.” Briallen replied, walking forward into the darker room and trying not to flinch as the wooden door closed behind her. She knew Uilan well, but Ebba was almost like a mythical entity herself with the stories about her and the strange concoctions that she created. Being in an enclosed space like this with so many unknown plants and herbs climbing the walls, potions lining the shelves in the front room and a few strangely marked boxes nearby, kept Briallen on edge. Was any of this safe to be around? Ebba had a history of coming from a family line that dabbled in darker things, making potions out of toxins, and while she was helpful as a healer there was still so much unknown about her especially after her family split into separate factions during the Extremist war with several going to Yael. If not for Uilan being her mentor for so many years even Briallen would be wary of coming into this home directly instead of leaving a note asking for help as so many others did. Honestly, if not for Uilan’s influence even on Ebba the strange Alkidike probably would have disappeared into Jahaur long ago instead of agreeing to venture into Chiume for a fresh start. They had a daughter named Harlow, a younger Vandrea, but she was often with the others training and didn’t mention much about her mother’s strange habits save for when she admitted that she knew she would have to try and study soon since no one else was left to take over the knowledge. Briallen remembered that once, when she was training her as a fresh warrior and the other girl was barely a teen, but she hadn’t pressed for more information since the girl seemed reluctant to even talk about the herbal knowledge her mother wanted to pass along. It simply wasn’t her place to question things even if the strangeness of the whole situation made her wary of whatever concoctions were brewing in the room at the moment. At least Ebba had proven that if others needed any help she was good at creating ointments and the like to heal up any injuries quickly, better than what most could do.
“I see.” Ebba started mixing her potion, only looking over at Briallen for a brief second before continuing on as if nothing was different and that her visitor’s presence was simply another decoration in the room. “I am assuming that you want my help, not Uilan since you came here instead of to the training grounds.” That was where her partner frequented, the older mentor still helping out the newer generation of warriors with her valuable expertise.
“Ah, yes.” Briallen nodded with a sheepish smile crossing her features. “I was hoping you had some basic healing ointments, I’m traveling again with my sister starting tomorrow.” She watched as Ebba kept working, thinking about what exactly they may need for the trip. “I was thinking of something to help with any scratches, cuts and the like. We could also use some burn ointment in case one of us somehow gets burned? I’m mostly worried about beasts attacking, not fire but you never know.”
“Hmm.” Ebba finished with her mixture, tilting the bowl so that the murky liquid slowly dripped into an open jar that she sealed with wax. The whole time Briallen just watched the process knowing that she had to let Ebba work before even attempting to press for what she wanted. This was probably why others simply left notes and hoped for the best, the mysterious Alkidike could be a bit unnerving when she was focused on a project and no one knew exactly what it was that was being made at the time since her potions always varied with some never making it outside of her home to be used by others. “I do have some basic ointments left, I tend to keep them in stock in case some wild adventurers come through without wanting to give me the courtesy of a warning to prepare for their sudden requests.”
A light flush decorated Briallen’s cheeks. “Is that so? I suppose those adventurers are grateful then. I truly didn’t mean to try and rush anything, I didn’t realize I needed more ointment until I was packing for this unexpected trip. I promise my next request will come with plenty of time for the delivery, not a next day request.” This trip was indeed sudden, something she had not been expecting at all. The very thought made her smile fade, Briallen suppressing a sigh. After trying to convince Odina into a small trip and failing to do so she had given up any hope of it. Then she had to let her pride bother her enough to ask for a duel, their fight being a bit more vicious than a simple sparring match that resulted in some noticeable injuries when they returned home. Now that they were actually going to travel together again, the very thought made her stomach twist. Still, she was determined to see it through since she truly hoped Odina could loosen up a bit outside of Chiume like she had before. If only it hadn’t been for that natural disaster! She was so close to getting through to her that time, but then nature just tossed all of her efforts away within the blink of an eye. That determination made her gaze brighten, Briallen moving forward so that she could place a few wrapped pieces on the table. “Don’t worry. I came with something to hopefully help you forgive my rudeness.” She expressed, leaving the rare herbs that she had gathered while in Belrea for Ebba to glance over. After so many years of wandering in and out, Briallen had gotten more accustomed with what would intrigue Ebba and hoped that the strange plants would work especially since some earthlings had acknowledged them as healing herbs when Briallen asked for help before.
And she was correct. Ebba was intrigued by the herbs, twisting a few leaves of one particular plant in the air to study it. “This is a fairly acceptable payment. I’ll take it in trade.” She mused after a few more moments, placing the herbs down neatly on her workshop table so that she could organize them later into her collection. “Let me grab those ointments for you. Do you want to linger around and wait for Uilan? She should be returning from the training grounds shortly.” Ebba offered as she moved around to dig out the requested supplies, the Alkidike shifting through objects in the wooden drawers that were built into the back wall there. It didn’t take long for her to find the ointments, Ebba handing them over to Briallen without hesitation. She had more respect for the younger Alkidike who didn’t shy away from her home, coming inside like this instead of leaving a note and darting away as soon as the exchange was made. Despite her teasing about the short notices and such, Ebba was truly fond of Briallen especially since Uilan had mentored her. If her partner liked the younger Alkidike enough to train her then that spoke a lot about her character, something Ebba took to heart.
Briallen accepted the jars, tucking them carefully into her satchel. “Thank you, Ebba.” Briallen nodded her head in appreciation before pausing at the offer. Not many lingered within this house, its placement within the community surprising considering the rumors about Ebba and her poisonous plants. Of course Briallen had learned that the older Aishan nursed her most dangerous plants on the outskirts in a separate place so that no one accidentally came across them and got sick, Uilan hadn’t wanted to live outside of Chiume and so they had compromised that way. Briallen had even helped once or twice when she was training under Uilan, taking trips to help carry ceramic pots and fresh soil into the hidden greenhouse. Not that she supposed it was much of a secret considering she had been there before now, but many didn’t know where it truly was. Realizing that she was focusing on the plants around them, reflecting on her surroundings more so than the Alkidike that was addressing her, Briallen flushed with embarrassment and quickly shook her head. “Sorry, Ebba. I’m a bit distracted today. Since I’m leaving tomorrow I should head out soon. I’ll try to catch Uilan on her way back or at the training grounds. I truly appreciate your help once more!” She gushed, waving her hand and backing away towards the door. She nearly bumped into a potted plant in her haste, the Alkidike flushing even more as she continued waving and finally emerged outside into fresh air. Ointments secured. Now she could pick up some dried meat and other travel food on her way towards Uilan, but other than that Briallen wasn’t certain what else she could grab for the trip. At least she knew what she did want for the food, Briallen swapping some Belrean cloth that she had picked up in town for a few packages of dried meat and fruits. A few pieces of flatbread, the pieces easy to tuck together in a cloth to keep them fresh a bit longer, and even a wedge of cheese were added to her supplies by the time she was done trading with others. That way in case Odina didn’t want earthling fare they would be okay for a few days, hunting and gathering as necessary once they hit the mountains in Belrea.
“Briallen.” The familiar voice had Briallen pausing at the edge of the path, the Alkidike having started towards the training area once her trading was finished. It looked like she didn’t need to walk the entire way though because her mentor was already walking in her direction, the older Alkidike covered in sweat and dirt from another rough training session with the younger warriors. Her blades were still strapped against her hip, her short hair bobbing with each stop as she preferred keeping her locks short ever since the war. It was rumored that during battle she had nearly lost her life because one of the Extremists had gotten hold of her longer locks, the Aishan feeling shame that she had allowed someone to hurt her like that in the first place and so she never grew her locks out ever since. Briallen was just thankful Uilan hadn’t allowed that shame to force her into retirement, her mentor’s experiences and skills valuable to teaching the younger generations. Most of her own fighting style had come from the older Alkidike, after all.
“Uilan! I was hoping to see you.” Briallen smiled as she approached her mentor. “How was training? I saw Ebba already, she gave me ointments since I’m traveling again soon but I was hoping you could spare a few moments for me before heading home?”
“Ah, visiting because you need advice from me.” Uilan teased lightly, opting to nod her head in greeting instead of hugging Briallen since she was a mess after training. “Do you ever decide to visit simply because you wish to say your greetings and to check in on me? As it is I suppose I could spare a few moments, I was heading towards the stream to rinse off after training. Would you mind accompanying me there?”
“You know that’s not completely true.” Protested Briallen, puffing out her cheeks in some sort of pout as she continued listening to her mentor’s words. At least she could spare a few minutes, even if it was just for while she was washing up. “Certainly, let’s go.” Briallen nodded as she followed after her mentor, the Alkidike realizing that it was best to talk while Uilan freshened up. Based on what she knew it would be about time for Ebba to have some sort of meal prepared for their family, their evening meals the only time they could truly spend time together as a family in between all of their training and Ebba’s herbal work. The last thing she wanted to do was to delay Uilan from her evening since she knew her mentor valued that time. Briallen had attended a few dinners herself when she was younger, her mentor inviting her to dine with them after training sessions. It was strange how at home she could feel with Uilan and Ebba, their attitudes towards Briallen’s opinions a lot more lax than what others would expect from the tough warrior and her partner. Though it was to be expected, Uilan had already suffered enough loss after the war with the Extremists and simply wanted a peaceful life while Ebba already knew she was considered strange when she went away for moonlit rituals to continue her family’s work with the more nocturnal and dangerous of plants. Seeing Ebba awake before noon was a rarity, Uilan’s presence as a respected warrior within the community was the only reason that many stopped spreading the strangest of rumors about Ebba and her family’s traditions. Maybe that was part of the reason they also never questioned Briallen and her tendency to wander away for months at a time? Either way, Briallen appreciated her mentor’s training regardless of how others perceived her in the community.
And so she sat along the stream’s edge, Briallen taking her boots off so that she could allow the cool water to run over her feet. It was nice and refreshing, especially after an afternoon of wandering around trading with other Aishans for supplies. “I saw your sister during training today. She seemed a bit more tense than usual and mentioned traveling. Did you two have another spat?” Uilan asked, the Alkidike splashing water over her arms and rubbing off the dirt there with some cleaning herbs.
Direct to the point as usual. “Well you do know that we have different opinions about life.” Admitted Briallen with a soft sigh. “I may have lost my temper with her and challenged her to a duel after having enough of her commentary about traveling making me weaker. We agreed to go on a training trip together to avoid our family worrying over us after they spotted the injuries.” All this fighting was solely for training, not because they continued spatting with their different views on things. That wasn’t a lie at all, not. The truth left a bitter taste in her mouth, Briallen finding it easier to open up to her mentor than to anyone else. Uilan was the one who had originally encouraged her to travel in the first place, expressing that many experiences out there would be more beneficial than simply training on the isle. So surely she was on Briallen’s side in this whole situation. “I just don’t know if a trip into Belrea will be enough. I want her to be comfortable leaving Chiume agaIn, but she’s so stubborn. Ever since that disaster she’s just shut herself off from me, thinking it was her fault or something for being away when some sisters got hurt…”
“I see.” Uilan replied after a moment, the Aishan continuing to rinse her body off as she listened to Briallen. “That would explain her burning resolve to work harder in the training sessions again, I felt sorry for those who paired off against her.” Everyone knew that Odina could be a brute when it came to fighting, her pure strength always smashing and breaking other weapons and the like. It was fine and dandy save for when she was fighting someone faster and more experienced like Briallen, a warrior who relied upon agility more than just powerful attacks. That was how she had defeated Odina, after all. “Why not take her to Chibale? Go speak to your ancestors and visit Aisha there together.” She offered quietly. “It’s a longer journey and perhaps she can be enticed to linger there for some training, it’ll give her a break from Chiume and teach her that the isle won’t erupt into disaster just because she left again. Your sister needs to trust in others more and realize that they can protect their home just as much as she can. Once she starts having faith in others again then perhaps she can open her heart up to more of the world.”
“You did have some family there, right?” Briallen replied as she pondered the option. “I know your niece is a notoriously strong warrior as well. If she could be introduced as a mentor it would keep Odina in Jahaur for a time, especially if she thinks it’ll help her to beat me next time.” There was a competitiveness to Odina’s fighting spirit and Briallen knew she had injured her pride by winning their last fight. It would be the perfect bait to offer her a chance to learn new fighting techniques to defeat a speedier opponent then.
“I do. I can send a letter with you for an introduction to Anoud.” Uilan nodded. “Tell Odina that I’m recommending her as a teacher, an enticement for traveling to Chibale. Hopefully that journey will give you a chance to fix your bond as sisters, as well.”
“I hope so.” Briallen looked towards the sky, thinking about how to bring everything up to Odina. “Thank you, Uilan. I can always rely upon your insight.” She expressed her appreciation with a small smile towards her mentor as the Aishan finished wiping her leathers free of dirt. “Can you meet us at the docks in the morning? We’ll be leaving early tomorrow as long as Odina agrees.”
“I’ll be there.” Uilan stretched her arms above her head, rolling her shoulders to release some of the tension and looked back to Briallen. “Just don’t be late, I have students to train with in the afternoon.”
“Don’t worry.” Briallen stood, preparing for the walk back to the main path where they would go their separate ways for the evening. “I’ll see you then, Uilan.” She promised, already looking forward to tomorrow and the journey that she would hopefully share with her younger sister.
[5553 wc]
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2024 7:11 pm
❦❀❦ Joining the Crew ❦❀❦
“I forgot how large of a city Sulburi is.” Breathed Briallen, the Alkidike hopping off of the caravan wagon that she had hitched a ride on. It had been years since she had been this far out, the Alkidike being only a young teen when she had traveled with some Sisters for a time. She had met a boy back then who had taught her some about the culture here, Briallen’s interest in the earthling races growing ever since that moment. Their beliefs, the type of food they enjoyed, their clothing styles and even their city walls continued to catch her interest as the curious Aishan wanted to learn all that she could about the world. And now she was back to where it all began. How ironic. Sulburi definitely was not a place she had expected to visit when crossing the ocean with Odina earlier that month, but after a week spent with Anoud and the others the Alkidike had taken the offer of a letter and went in search of Sasi’s brother who would acquaint her with the sponsor of these digs. Apparently there was an active group of treasure hunters who got artifacts for a school that was within the city, the school offering classes on the arts like dancing and even things like cooking now. At least that was what Sasi had told her while they spent the last few days together, the Shifter sharing stories and listening to Briallen’s own adventures with interest while Odina trained with Anoud.
“I do remember something vaguely about an academy…” Briallen mused, frowning as she shook away the faded memory. It had been so long and surely not. That academy had only been for dancers, not for history and so much more. So how could it be the same place that boy mentioned so long ago? Still, as she got directions from others in the market the Alkidike had to pause at the gates of the school where two banners waved in the faint breeze. One was a silhouette of a dancer with the other holding a symbol of a flower blooming in the desert, the symbol also feeling familiar from something she had seen so many years ago. This was the place, right? And as if right on cue, a Shifter appeared from behind her. “Oh!” Briallen nearly jumped, her hand hovering above her whip as she took a step back and forced herself to relax. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see anyone behind me….Betza?” The name slipped out before she could help herself because those crystals along his forehead looked awfully similar to Sasi’s own as did those high cheekbones and pale hair. It had to be him, it just had to be!
The Shifter frowned as he studied the Alkidike. “I’m sorry but I don’t know you?” He tilted his head, his frown only growing as he tried to make a connection. “I haven’t had any Aishan students yet nor do you appear to be a dancer.”
“Ah, that’s because I’m not.” Briallen flushed lightly as she started to dig around in her belongings. “I know Sasi and she sent me with a letter for you. I’m interested in treasure hunting and she thought you could help me.” The Alkidike shifted nervously, her confidence suddenly dimmed in the presence of the mature Shifter who seemed unbothered by the Alkidike even as she stood a good foot taller than him. What an intimidating aura! It was like he could see into her soul or something! Who knew earthlings could hold such a presence?
“I see.” Betza let out a soft sigh at the explanation, ignoring Briallen’s nervous movements as she dug out the letter. “My sister does tend to ask for ridiculous things. All I can do is introduce you to the one who would make that decision, is that acceptable?” He took the letter from Briallen who nodded, his silver gaze skimming over the note thoughtfully. “Alright then. Follow me inside.” And just like that Briallen found herself following along, eager to see what her future held now that she was back in Sulburi.
[688 wc]
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