Welcome to Gaia! ::

Isarelle had just gotten everyone seated in the common room when another knock came to the tall doors of the great entrance hall.

“Oh, and they just keep coming!” she exclaimed glancing at her pocket watch. Two minutes. It would take her that long to get to the door meaning Garren would be the one answering. She cringed and left. Maybe if I run . . .

Adencia eased her aching body into a chair and looked to Kayoe.

“Maybe a proper introduction, this time.” She said tiredly, “My name is Adencia Vi-suxzen, a descendant to the Bowen Elves to the East. I would go on to explain my curse as further introduction, but I would like a name from you first. If you please . . .”

This common room had better be quite large. Aranai muttered to herself. If she had known that she would be here, strutting through the hall of some grand manor to sit with an array of strange people - as a firebird no less! - she would not have believed it. She still couldn't. And what was she thinking anyways? Trusting these, who she had only known for mere hours. Her caution was getting weak. How could she allow that?

Well, whether it was smart or not, she chose to trust them. They all had some aspect in common, atleast. The cursed beings, driven by the thought of living free once again, no longer under the bondage of their past. How poetic.

She followed the rest down the hall, her feathers casting a warm glow across the stone walls. I suppose I should be grateful that I'm never cold... or in the dark. she shuddered at the thought, ruffling her silkly plumage with a twitch of her head. The bird entered the common room, spotted a tall arm chair and headed for it. With a flutter of wings she lighted on the broad top, her tail cascading down to rest slightly on the floor. She looked down on the cushion of the chair, which was now covered in a very fine layer of golden dust. Right, she had forgotten about that. Getting comfortable, she spread out her wings slightly and gave them a shake before resting them against her body. A little more dust settled to the ground, shining as it caught her personal light. She sighed and sat tall and elegant, finally comfortable on a perch, not trudging about on the floor like an animal.

"Well, this is a much better atmosphere. No townspeople, no dark stone walls... except I am a bit claustrophobic..." she clucked to herself, not really paying much attention to the people seated around her.

"Actually," she said "the gods usually call me only when they need a hero of some sort and there are none available in the world where they need a hero in. But you are correct, part of my duties is also to prevent the dissolution of gods. Hieneis," she liked that name, especially applied to Bellaream "consulted with the god of wisdom and made the case that she required the quest of the Cursed Ones to succeed or she would sleep eternally. Thus, why I am here."

"I am pleased to meet you, Khnui Hksan." she continued, pronouncing his name perfectly. "I knew your people in times of old and sorrow for their misfortune. However, I am curious, are not the leaders of this expedition the Cursed Ones known as Garren and Isabella? I suppose Bellaream must have made a mistake again?" she asked wearily and in that final question of hers was the exasperation of one who had had to deal with Bellaream's blunders for time out of mind, had finally gotten a reprieve when Bellaream had gone to sleep, and then found she had to come back and do the whole thing over again and absolutely nothing had changed since the first time.

Gaian Username: HoidToid
Name: Thorn
Age: 27
Curse: When Thorn was 11 he got in an argument with a stranger who locked him in his 11 year old body. His mind continued to grow but his body is still the same as it was when he was cursed. Because he has to stay the same as he was the day of his curse he heals faster than normal and doesn't get sick.
Weapon(s): A giant battle ax that is enchanted so that he is the only one who can lift it and it is really light to him.
Appearance: Even being 11 he is well built from working with his dad in the weapon shop. Standing about 4'10" he has light brown hair and a long angular face. With his battle ax attached to his back he looks like a turtle
History: After he was cursed he kept on living like normal until he realized that all the other kids were getting bigger and he wasn't. After that he asked his father what was wrong with him. His father examined him and realized that he was cursed. His father being a master weapons crafter made him the battle ax that he then enchanted so that his son could defend himself. After training his son to use the ax his father got sick and died. Shortly afterward he set out to fing the stranger that cursed him.
Strengths: Quick thinker, usually underestimated becuase of his size. He is also very agile and an expert fighter. Doesn't get upset that often and is extremly loyal to his friends.
Weaknesses: Being stuck in an 11 year old body he isn't the strongest and doesn't have the greatest stamina. Gets depressed when some one remarks about his size and withdrawls away from others.
Quirks: Is extremly wary of strangers and gets apprehensive and alert when any are near.

((Who are Khonnos and Skheis? I think my character is supposed to know them, but I don't, so please enlighten me?))

Adencia listened to Kayoe and nodded when he was finished.

“I am cursed as a shape shifter.” She began, “I can change into any given creature at any time but usually never when called upon. I have tried for years to find control over my curse but so far the only animals I can change into and control at will are cats, big or small, and snakes. Other than that I have no power. I can suddenly change when angry, sad, distressed . . . almost any emotion that is stronger than normal. I most always can’t decide when I get to change back. Any harm that comes to the animal affects me even after I have changed back.

“My curse is the reason why I was banned from my people. I suddenly changed and killed someone, not able to control the animal instincts. This just goes to show that you can’t trust anyone but those who know what it is like to understand. The only problem is, I can’t trust myself either . . .”

Tanyeera looked Garren over appraisingly. "Yes, I heard about that. So your sister is the one who woke Bellaream up, correct?" she asked. "My name is Tanyeera Mekelentin Canord. And Khonnos amd Skheis were fine the last time I checked," she added, remembering what Khnui had said earlier. "They grieve at their people's misfortune and I think they're working on some sort of prophecy that will come into effect sometime in the future and will involve the reunion of your people."