Closed Landfall (Nya Winters)

Pulren lands on Syka and meets someone.

(This is a thread from Mizahar's fantasy role playing forums. Why don't you register today? This message is not shown when you are logged in. Come roleplay with us, it's fun!)

Syka is a new settlement of primarily humans on the east coast of Falyndar opposite of Riverfall on The Suvan Sea. [Syka Codex]

Moderator: Gossamer

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Pulren Marsh on November 12th, 2017, 4:48 am

Image
Pulren Marsh
Your Favorite Uncle

Twenty sixth of Fall, 517 AV

Tenth Bell

Upon awakening, Pulren could literally not believe what his body was telling him. he would have to make sure to stay up for the transition in the future, but the phenomenon described as ' the Syka effect' had surely occurred recently. Stepping out on deck, the warm, tropical breezes caressed his face and body. The blue of Laviku was simply incredible! Pulren could see every individual creature as it moved near the surface, from schools to predators. Sails were being taken in as the dock could be seen at the actual settlement along the coastline.

The whole area seemed undeveloped or only partially so. Some buildings could be seen from the water, though he was doing his best to mind his chores of wrapping rope and sail. The smells were of salt and deep green, the forest looming behind the various encampments and people working. Passing the small island inside the bay itself, Pulren listened to the calls being shouted out to navigate the ship. It was clear that this was a regular happening as once they were in reach of the dock, the arrival went very smoothly.

Pulren fed one of the mooring lines to a sailor that leaped off unceremoniously, clearing the gap by a good margin. He began to tie off the mooring and Pulren looked up and down the side of the ship for any hands or hanging ropes that could be caught in a terrible fashion. Once the ship was finally in port, a new flurry of motion began, as some sailors departed immediately for the common areas of the village area. Others were pulling the nets from the hold. Pulren was advised that he had done his due for his travel to the island and would be welcome to serve again in the future. His chest and wrapped tridents were brought up and placed on the pier itself.

Stepping off in his low boots and cotton trousers and shirt, Pulren took a deep breath in. Looking up and down the beach, it was most likely the most beautiful place he had ever seen! Leaning his tridents against the chest, he was told by the crew that thieves were not known in Syka, so his items would be fine. It was just as well, as there was little chance of his being able to haul the full chest and his weapons around. Taking care to stow his mizas, he headed down into the common area of the settlements to find out more.
Image


Image
User avatar
Pulren Marsh
Your favorite Uncle
 
Posts: 768
Words: 503518
Joined roleplay: March 22nd, 2014, 3:33 am
Location: Syka
Race: Human
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 1
Overlored (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Nya Winters on November 12th, 2017, 5:40 pm



The lofted Syka Commons were often a gathering place for the residents of the new settlement and had a certain draw for those new to the city. The problem was, not all those that were ‘new’ to the city were welcome. Some came from the jungle up beyond the beach looking for fresh water, easy feeding, and a casual place to bask in the sun. The Founders of Syka had long since discovered Nya’s hidden talent and had put her to work ridding The Commons and some of the more open areas of the settlement of these visitors. She had a form that was uniquely suited to dealing with the interlopers and preventing tragedy. For within the jungle, the warmth of the sun never really lingered anywhere a good reptile could nap and warm its inherently cold body in the sun. Plants crowded everything out and when some of the larger Falyndar Pythons grew oversized and fat on the understory food that was so plentiful, they didn’t enjoy climbing into the top canopies to sunbathe.

So instead, they’d taken to using the beach. Sunwarmed boulders called to them and places like The Syka Commons offered thinned out canopy that was perfect for a lazy bloated snake to curl up in the warm sand free of bothersome stifling foliage. Sometimes they stayed on the ground, but other times they boldly climbed the trees to hang out on the more sunny portions of the decking even blocking the stairway itself or clogging the sliding poles. So Nya dropped by once a day or whenever she had free time and often challenged the snakes. Early on the settlers had discovered they were delicious eating with tender flaky meat that grilled up nicely and fed the colony for days if the snake was large enough.

Big claws and bigger teeth in her feline form had left Nya particularly suited to snake cleanup, though anyone with a machete or kukri could dispatch the smaller varieties. The only real issue was that nothing stayed small in Syka. The Falyndar Pythons could easily be twenty feet or sometimes longer and it took a lot of effort to take one down.

Nya loved it.

She was a predator at heart and enjoyed a good fight. The bigger the snake the longer the battle and the better it kept her skills honed. Pythons weren’t poisonous, but they did have a wicked mouthful of backward teeth so keeping one’s body out of such a snake’s mouth was important. Their even more deadly weapon was their constriction. Getting coils around a person wasn’t hard for a snake of larger proportions unless that person was the size of a riding horse in her kelvic form.

And so it was that when Pulren headed towards the Commons he easily spotted a Talderian Forest Cat and a python about fourteen feet long going at it in what appeared to be a death match below the lofted commons area. The odd thing was that The Commons weren’t deserted and there wasn’t seemingly a crowd gathered around to witness the event. Instead, the smattering of people up in The Commons seemed to be ignoring the fact that a giant brindled feline with her jaws locked around the enormous head of a snake was wrestling it while trying to wiggle enough to keep the snake from getting its coils wrapped around her. Blood was everywhere, some of it the snakes, and some of it the felines. The struggle was quiet as the Feline’s jaws were busy and she was concentrating while the snake was in and of itself a silent predator. Thick splayed paws dug into the sand trying to gain traction while the brilliantly colored snake lopped its body up and over and up again thrashing the sand trying to get a hold of the cat. The snakes tail was bitten off and that became the obvious source for most of the blood and the reason the snake was growing to weak to actually wrap around the cat. The cat was just biding time, slowly choking the snake, holding on for dear life, as the thing bled out enough to finally kill. Its waving coils slowly grew limp and its struggles ceased as Pulren grew closer. The green and blue coloration paled slightly as the snake when completely slumped.

The Forest Cat released its hold on the snakes neck, licked its bloody lips, and then reached down and pounced on the head and lower on its body holding the snake completely still enough for the cat to rip out its throat completely. Then it swallowed, crunching bones and all, and bent down again to pick up the snake in its mouth. Dragging it like a giant cat toy, the kelvic started up the steps to The Commons proper and walked out on the big deck causing the wood to creak ominously. Once she had the entire length of the snake up on the area, the cat shifted (much to the relief of the tree supports) and a very naked and bloody woman sat down beside it. She was breathing hard with a slight smile on her face as she stroked the pretty skin of the dead reptile.

It was then an astute observer would notice a pile of clothing, boots, and a belt containing a long knife left in the shade of a nearby table. The woman reached over to snag the belt with a groan and unsheathed the knife. She then completely beheaded the snake with the Kukri and began to make quick work of skinning and gutting it right there in front of everyone. There was meat aplenty, some of which she’d take over to The Tidepool. Some she would keep, and the rest she’d give to anyone else that wanted a fresh easily acquired meal for the day. The skin, however, she’d keep as her prize. They were, after all, her payments for the snake control duties she carried out for the Settlement.

“This one is a beautiful skin. It should tan out nicely….” She whispered, to no one in particular, as she began to fold the skin together, flesh side to flesh side, then roll it so she could take it home and begin to work on it. When she spotted Pulren, she’d offer him a casual smile and gesture to the meat. “Do you need some fresh meat for today? There’s going to be plenty for everyone here.” She said quietly. The human male wasn’t someone she’d seen before… and perhaps a year ago would have been afraid of. But she’d been living in Syka and it was peaceful... The Founders saw to that.

1113 = 5500/50,000


User avatar
Nya Winters
Let the winds in my heart blow...
 
Posts: 750
Words: 784686
Joined roleplay: June 7th, 2009, 6:53 am
Location: Syka
Race: Kelvic
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 5
Trailblazer (1) Never Say Die (1)
Donor (1) 2017 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)
2017 Top NaNo Word Count (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Pulren Marsh on November 12th, 2017, 7:00 pm

Image
Pulren Marsh
Your Favorite Uncle

As his boots thumped along the planks of the boardwalk, Pulren watched as the people roamed and talked. Everyone seemed friendly and at ease. It was foreign to Pulren but not completely alien. In ways, it reminded him of the old days of Zeltiva and the Wave Guard. Even that was more intense than this, however.

The one thing that caught his attention was a rather large feline fighting with a giant python. The sight itself was one thing, but the total lack of interest by the assembled peoples was something else entirely. Even if it was commonplace for jungle animals to fight to the death in your presence, how could anyone just ignore it? The Zeltivan leaned over the edge of the railing and watched the fight, though it wasn't really much of one. The huge cat clearly was the victor and was already enjoying a victory meal by the time Pulren was engaged. Soon, it began to drag the massive python carcass up and around until it pulled its entire length up on the common deck. He could only grin and nod in approval of such a trophy.

Was it a surprise when the huge feline predator transformed into a beautiful naked woman? Or was it more interesting that Pulren found the blood on her face and body somehow made her more attractive? Fortunately her eyes, magnetic in their translucence and magnitude, commanded his attention. He wanted to run his eyes over her lithe and fit form, but he found himself swimming in those pools of vision instead. When she whispered over her prey, something responded inside Pulren. It was probably Uncle, but still, it responded in kind. He grinned a sly grin, watching her fawn over her kill as much as he could take his eyes off of hers.

Her work with beheading, cleaning and skinning the snake was expert and seamless. Her efficiency was impressive. When she reached over for the knife in the first place, he saw her clothes nearby. He saw no reason to get her dressed, anyway. When offered a piece of the kill, he did not falter. Slipping his hand into his boot, the trusty straight razor came out and was also absentmindedly opened, its gleaming edge easily slipping a small filet free. He took a bite, chewing at it and smiling, his eyes again settling in her own. Folding the blade and returning it to its home, he continued to kneel. "An impressive kill. I am Pulren Marsh. Just came off of the Veronica from Riverfall. Who, may I ask, is this hunter and killer with the eyes?" the words came from his mouth, the charm from his manner and posture, his eyes remained fixed.
A Naia Template

Image


Image
User avatar
Pulren Marsh
Your favorite Uncle
 
Posts: 768
Words: 503518
Joined roleplay: March 22nd, 2014, 3:33 am
Location: Syka
Race: Human
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 1
Overlored (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Nya Winters on November 19th, 2017, 7:26 pm



The Kelvic liked that the newcomer wasn’t shy. He’d taken her offer at face value and had cut himself off a filet of snake without trying to pay her, trade her, or ask again if there was a double meaning behind the gift of the meat. It was a relief to Nya and something she liked about Syka. Nya snorted the scent of dead snake and blood out of her nose and inhaled deeply as a human, wanting to get the man’s scent firmly in her mind now that he was standing so close that he could help himself to some of the food. He smelled male, like the oak and teak of The Veronica, and a little like the ocean and the wind that kissed the sea. The woman blinked her eyes up at him and realized he’d just given her his name.

Pulren Marsh. Nya nodded, offered him a smile, and remembered her manners. “I’m Nya. And I’ll be right back.” She said suddenly, surging to her feet and gathering up the remains of the snake that was not edible. The meat she left in a singular long strip draped over one of the railings, while the skeleton and offal she gathered up in one slightly revolting mess of bloody entrails and delicate snake bones. The kelvic then hit the stairway, dancing down it still dressed in what she was born, and jogged off towards the sea, collecting the snake head as she went. The entire mess got thrown into the waves off Swing Beach while Pulren watched. The Kelvic herself, after releasing her offering to the critters that would feast well on the remains, dived under the water and washed off the blood and mess of the battle. She was gone under the water only moments before she was back up and jogging lightly back up to the beach. The big cat wearing her human skin stopped off at a wide and leafy shrub to pull off some of the big leaves. Then she finished her run back up the beach and rejoined Pulren.

Without her coating of blood, Nya’s bronzed skin clearly revealed a multitude of pale scars criss-crossing her body. There were old nasty wounds, some looked inflicted by whips, while others looked inflicted by battle. Her abdomen was horribly scarred and there was a puckered old tangle of scars above her heart that made one breast appear slightly larger than the scarred one. Nya was fit and corded with muscle, though still too thin in places. And an observer could tell she liked roaming without clothing way too much because there were no tell-tale lines of where clothing blocked Syna’s light.

“I usually don’t greet people covered in blood after having been pest controlling The Commons.” The Kelvic said, offering him a slight smile as she laid the leaves down and turned towards her gear. She picked up her belt and her discarded knife and replaced it in its sheath then wrapped a bright fabric that served as her clothing around her waist, securing it with the same belt, and bringing the loose ends of the fabric up to cover her breasts and tie behind her neck. In terms of clothing, it wasn’t much because it was virtually see-through and only added a splash of green color to her otherwise bronzed form. From a backpack she always carried with her, Nya began to pull the end from what appeared to be a spool of twine secured somewhere within the pack.

“What brings you to Syka, Pulren?” The Kelvic asked as she once again pulled her knife and began to section off the meat. She placed the cut slices In the center of the leaves then wrapped the meat up, securing it with lengths of the twine. The big snake made a dozen leaf packets, mostly big bundles, and left a huge pile of bundles that one person couldn’t carry.

Nya smiled that Pulren was chewing on his portion of the meat raw. “You know it’s really good cooked. You can just spear it with twigs and hang it by the fire and it will roast nicely. Snake is always tender and sort of tastes like bird…. as weird as that sounds. I think they both have scales so that kind of makes sense in a way.” She added, shoving the entire snakeskin into her backpack, then hoisting it up on her shoulders, securing the straps around her arms, and attempting to pick up all the packets of wrapped meat she made.

“Do you want to carry a few of these meat bundles and walk with me? I’m going to deliver them around.” She said, gesturing to the bundles. “When we have more than we can eat here, we always share.” She said gently, meeting his gaze and curious of he understood the implications of what she was saying. “And I could give you a tour of the settlement while we are out.” Nya offered, not really waiting for him to reply.

If he decided to join her, she’d question him along the way. “So what do you do for a living, Pulren? So you like the jungle so far? You smell like the ocean so I suspect you spend time by it. Sailor on leave? You look like you are in good shape so you might survive here well. Did you bring a mate and offspring? We need more children here. There is a new child, a girl named Dina, but she’s pretty much the only one besides the little girl that you can see all the way through.” Nya added, glancing at Pulren then growing quiet for him to answer if he choose too

“I came here to heal. I was sickly and needed time away from people and cold and bad memories. Syka is good for that. I spent time at my parents home, but they weren’t there. I think they perished during the Djed Storm in 512, but I don’t know for sure since I wasn’t there I was in Ravok being held. Here there are no chains and bars. You should enjoy it.” Nya said, nodding her head slightly as she walked, starting to head north on her delivery tour of the settlement.

1044 = 7064/50000



User avatar
Nya Winters
Let the winds in my heart blow...
 
Posts: 750
Words: 784686
Joined roleplay: June 7th, 2009, 6:53 am
Location: Syka
Race: Kelvic
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 5
Trailblazer (1) Never Say Die (1)
Donor (1) 2017 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)
2017 Top NaNo Word Count (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Pulren Marsh on November 20th, 2017, 3:05 am

Image
Pulren Marsh
Your Favorite Uncle



The eyes blinked and then the lips spoke. "I'm Nya. And I'll be right back." Pulren slowly rose as he stood, his eyes still watching her as she stepped away, a kind of bounce in her step. Yes, it was her step. He gave himself a little shake, closing his eyes briefly and rubbing the beauty out. His tactical mind was trying to remind him that she had just gathered up an armful of bones and guts, leaving the long meat of the snake hanging over the railing. He had to get over his preoccupation of the female form, especially when it was tanned and in exquisite shape and bouncing along the sand.

He was especially pleased when he watched her throw the remains into the ocean for the children of the Sea Father. He bowed his head in reverence and blessed her in His name. He could feel the ocean washing over his own flesh as she disappeared beneath the waves. Slipping off his shirt, he tied it around his waist by the sleeves, his own chest bared. He wasn't completely tight and carved like the Akalak men, but he was no slouch. Regular exercise and swimming gave him a lean look without being skinny. Across his upper right quadrant, shoulder and coursing over to the middle of his right shoulder blade, was the deeper sea. The light of Syna was a memory in the place represented across his body. Dark kelp beds, the shadows of great predators and alien submerged landscapes moved over the Zeltivan's flesh like a low tide. The golden compass of the Antiquities Society hung around his neck on a leather cord, triple knotted at the back of his neck.

To further exacerbate the issue of Pulren's attention, Nya returned to his side, wet from the ocean, the smell of salt an aroma that the man appreciated. She carried with her some leaves that she must have gathered between the ocean and his presence. At least when his eyes traversed the length of her body on this pass, it was to study the plethora of scars that covered her body. Many were those of abuse, as Kelvic were unfortunately prime targets for slavers. Others were of battle, but considering her natural form, it made sense. Pulren's own scars were on display, though they were fewer in number. His large and angry scar of forced initiation into Reimancy was prominent from one collarbone to another. Another on his shoulder as well as a slew of them on his forearm from the invisible Sahovan predators.

She covered her breasts with something and it helped him to regain his mind somewhat. bringing his attention back to her eyes, he was once again listening. Looking back at the snake as she moved to cut it, he looked thoughtfully at it. "That's a pest here. Okay." She got to work cutting the snake into pieces and bundling the meat up. Fortunately, she asked him a question. The only thing Pulren liked more than looking at women was talking about himself. "Well, I traveled here from Riverfall. I heard that there were many archaeological and cultural discoveries to be made here. I belong to the Antiquities Society of Riverfall. Before that, I am a mercenary. I have traveled all over Mizahar and seen wondrous and terrifying sights, all in the name of money. Now, I'd like to enjoy life more and pursue the educational pursuits I am interested in and becoming closer to Laviku."

Listening and watching as she finished gathering and bundling, he picked up the rest of the bundles without question, nodding and ready to follow. A tour of Syka and a firsthand meeting with the important players there? With a gorgeous half naked feline Kelvic? Even if Pulren was dreaming, he had no desire to wake up. As they walked, a breeze blew in off of the sea, the salty wind making the Zeltivan smile. He wanted to take off his boots and feel the sand beneath his toes, but until he knew he would only be on the beach, it would be a bad move. "Well, as I said, I was a mercenary. I am not a sailor, but a worshiper of Laviku and I spend much of my free time in the water. No mate or children. My profession never really gave me time to settle with anyone. I'm open, though I have demons to kill and scars to heal as well. I will say that I have always found myself drawn to feline Kelvic, for one reason or anther. They always seem to cross my path, so I thank Laviku. Present company included."

He increased his pace so that he was walking beside her. That way his attention remained on her words instead of her gait. he listened to her own tale. "I'm sorry to hear you suffered so greatly. Of all of the places I have been, I can safely say I am proud not to count Ravok among them." Syka was getting better and better with every sunny step.
A Naia Template
Image


Image
User avatar
Pulren Marsh
Your favorite Uncle
 
Posts: 768
Words: 503518
Joined roleplay: March 22nd, 2014, 3:33 am
Location: Syka
Race: Human
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 1
Overlored (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Nya Winters on November 21st, 2017, 4:49 am






When she returned, the man was without his shirt. Nya didn’t think anything of it. The day was warm and clothing was optional in and around the settlement. During the evening, when the mosquitos got thicker, they’d put on more layers or put on something to deter the bugs, but until then Syna’s warmth was a welcome addition to the day. Rain wouldn’t come again until sometime in the night and by then it would be really welcome.

Nya took a moment to note the image on his torso’s right clavicle. It was beautiful and foreign, something she’d never seen before having been all her life a creature of the land. His necklace was something she didn’t recognize either, but something she’d definitely ask him about later. The Forest Cat was the curious sort, but not the kind of curious that would blurt out questions at the wrong time and the wrong place. She would ask quietly, in a pause of the moment, when he would seem open to questions. Nya liked that he was fit and wondered if he liked to run. She enjoyed the beach and running along it and had found of late company was often not unwelcome. He was an attractive sort, though she didn’t at first see him physically so. It was his expression, his unapologetic tendency to face the new with polite interest that drew her.

He had scars too, and that comforted her on a certain level. It meant he’d lived his life and the history of his journey was etched in his flesh. She trusted that far more than pale untried men who tended to sit on the sidelines of life and watched rather than acted. Nya wondered at the big scar across his collarbone, but said nothing. Again, it wasn’t the time.

Pulren commented enough on what she said that Nya could tell he actually was listening. “Yes, they are pests. They come in to sun themselves on the beaches and clearings here the humans have made. But they can have wicked bites and will hunt the chickens and goats that the settlement needs to survive. We find them good eating though and numerous so they supplement our food.” Nya offered, then smiled. “We actually don’t need to worry much about food here. The Sea gifts us with a lot of fish and the jungle grows lush with fruit.” The Kelvic added.

Nya walked with Pulren, heading first to the southwest of The Syka Commons, delivering the packets as they went. Northeast was mostly bungalows and ranchos and a few scattering of businesses that didn’t offer food, so the remains would be passed out there later if there were leftovers. First, she would offer to those that kept her and her fellow settlers safer.

The man shared something of himself as he paced alongside Nya. The woman was barefoot and seemingly unconcerned about the sandy footing as they traversed a trail that lazily wove in and out of the palms along the shoreline. So he was a mercenary… a sell sword. She’d known a few, but they had felt rougher, more dangerous, than this man before her. Nya had no doubt Pulren could be dangerous, but here he seemed more relaxed and somewhat scholarly rather than coiled and tense like the men she were used too. “That explains your scent. You smell like the salt of the sea and leather and certain woods they use on ships…. oak and teak.” Nya offered unapologetically. She found herself remaining relaxed around him which wasn’t always the case with strange males. The Talderian Forest Cat nodded, accepting his words about having no mate or children. She wondered what he meant about being open, and she had no idea what demons were. Scars to heal made sense. They all did. Several questions flittered across the Kelvic’s mind, but she didn’t voice them… not yet.

“I am the same, in some regards. I have no husband, bondmate, or children. I miss having people to be close to though. There is a certain intimacy in that which I miss sometimes. We are all here – everyone in this settlement - to heal and I think in some ways to …. define ourselves more clearly. I’m glad you don’t mind I am Kelvic. Some people are wary of us though I do not understand their reasoning. I think my kind are in many ways far more honest humans can be. We ask for little in exchange for what we give. Far too often we are treated as pets when we are just as much people as others are. We might think differently than humans, but it doesn’t invalidate what we feel less.” Nya responded, respectful of what Pulren was saying.

“I brought what I suffered upon myself. Angering a God is never a good idea. I helped tear down a newly built temple to Rhysol outside of Syliras and he was not pleased. They put a price on my head and I was later cursed and captured. My time in Ravok taught me a great deal about… many things. I never understood how many types of power abound in the world until I was locked in a Blacksun prison and later sold to The Kelvic Institute to be experimented on. They even tried breeding me because of my size. Evidently Talderian Kelvics are coveted for fighting in the north. Here it’s better. You have choices and freedoms and the power to be had is the type you win by being strong and clever, not by which God you claim or which family you were born too… or even how much coin is in your pocket.” She added, knowing he’d perhaps understand if he’d been around any sort of older city anywhere where families and money meant power.

By now they’d reached The Mercantile and Nya bounded up the steps to introduce Pulren to Juli Chaliva, Jame’s Chaliva’s daughter. Nya assumed Pulren knew James because he’d come in off the Veronica. The Kelvic bounded up the steps, dropped off four of the meat packets on the counter, and then gestured to the bubbly woman who was cleaning some new glassware that she was unpacking and stocking. “Juli, this is Pulren. Your father brought him in on this run.” Nya said, then gestured to the meat. “Python, fresh killed. Can I get store credit? I need more rivets and things for my leatherwork.” The Kelvic said, nodding.

Juli smiled at Pulren. “Welcome to Syka, Pulren. If you need anything or have any special requests, let me know. We run on coin here and barter. We even do labor trade since that seems to be the best commodity people have to spend these days.” Juli said. Nya nodded, crossing her arms and leaning back against one of the long low counters that contained items. She gave Pulren a chance to look around and visited quietly with Juli until he was ready to move on.

1163=10,111/50,000



User avatar
Nya Winters
Let the winds in my heart blow...
 
Posts: 750
Words: 784686
Joined roleplay: June 7th, 2009, 6:53 am
Location: Syka
Race: Kelvic
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 5
Trailblazer (1) Never Say Die (1)
Donor (1) 2017 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)
2017 Top NaNo Word Count (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Pulren Marsh on November 23rd, 2017, 5:10 am

Image
Pulren Marsh
Your Favorite Uncle

It was evident that Syka was bountiful. Food, water, sun, fish, women. Pulren almost felt like this was a gift from the Gods for all of the suffering that he had dealt with for the years. Maybe he died in the Aperture and everything afterward was some kind of afterlife. That would be fine. This moss eyed angel could lead him around these happy hunting grounds and he would be a happy spirit. The pair moved down the beach to the southwest, Pulren's attention on his bundles and the lay of the land now.

When she commented on his scent, he nodded and listened. Of course, her feline senses were much sharper and deeper than his dulled human ones, but it was still amazing to take in the knowledge. "I am glad I smell of the sea, I am a worshiper and son of Father Laviku and I hail from Zeltiva, the greatest port in all of Mizahar. Leather, I wear it a good deal. When I dress for work, it's usually a suit of it, studded, with a helmet that has a leather strap. Also, I normally wear leather pants. To be honest, I bought these cotton clothes for this journey, expecting a stifling kind of heat". The Kelvic way of accepting honesty and truth without the complex web of deceit and vulnerability that came with humans was refreshing. They could just speak their minds and hearts freely.

She soon did just that with her declaration of also being free of bonds, mates or kids. She became more attractive at that very moment. " I understand. Having someone who means something to you means a lot. It's just hard to trust people. I am sure you know that very well." The thought of any Kelvic, especially a magnificent one such as this, being thought of as a pet, was revolting to Pulren. "I would never think of you as a pet. You are my equal. More so, currently, as I am literally in your care at the moment." Some land loving idiot could follow her eyes and her body right into the jungle and be torn apart like that snake Easier, actually. But Pulren didn't live in fear. Not anymore. He had seen its face, tasted its blood and his own. Life to the fullest or die today. He listened to her tale, of being captured, experimented on, used for breeding. The whole matter brought him physical pain in his heart. he felt for her, whether he knew her or not. He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but he also knew that was a human motive. It would be lost on Kelvic and could easily be taken as a form of aggression.

"Zeltiva had its West Side, with people who grew up believing they were better than people like me, from the docks. Of course, when I was a Wave Guard and protected their homes and lives from danger, they forgot all about that. I was a useful tool. I just chose to sharpen myself and sell myself out. It was as much to travel Mizahar and see all of the things I studied on maps and in books. Believe me, I have seen much and learned plenty. I hope that Syka will be the last place I go. I hope it can be home. I know I will protect this jewel from any who might try to tarnish or ravage it. Laviku is always at my back here, just like He is in my heart." Before they got to their destination, he did offer, "I'm sorry for all of the suffering you have had." He was in no position to make any promises.

Up the stairs, more bouncing, memories of death and coin disappearing with each shiny bounce. He realized this was the mercantile, the place that Captain Chaliva had mentioned when he heard the mizas rattling in Pulren's chest. It was no surprise that it was his business, a mighty ship like the Veronica being the perfect ally for such a business. Of course, like everyone else, his daughter was lovely, pert and young. Pulren kept his eyes on the goods for sale, however. Mostly because he was already smitten with his new companion and he knew that he could easily project some scents that he would regret if he started looking everywhere.

Hearing his name in introduction, he made a gesture as if he would shake her hand, but of course, bundles. He put them in a nice stack on the counter and wiped his hands on his pants. "A pleasure, Juli. Your father is a fine Captain and the Veronica a fine vessel. She would be as proud as any Zeltivan schooner." He nodded and made her acquaintance, his eyes traveling the shelves for things of an exotic nature. "Barter and labor I can do, though I have plenty of coin." He knelt down, looking at various tools that he could use to do some clearing around the bungalow. From his hidden perspective, his voice appeared, "I am sure your father may have let you know already that I am a mercenary. Well, that's mostly true. I hope to do some exploring around here in the waters of Syka for the Antiquities Society of Riverfall. If I am lucky, it will replace my mercenary money and I can return to intellectual pursuits."

Standing and fingering some interesting fishing lures, he walked back up to the desk and leaned on the counter with his elbows. He couldn't sparkle his greens like Nya, but he did his best. "Don't get me wrong, though, I do love weapons. I doubt you have anything, with this being a mercantile, but might you have some interesting rarities that may have come in with the Veronica or discovered around Syka? I can certainly pay for them." He looked back over to Nya and smiled. Looking back at Juli, he tried to clarify his intentions. " I have every intention of staying here, not to just loot your coffers and be off. I just learned in my line of work that honesty is the best policy."

In love, in war. When asking a merchant for their off the shelf items or letting a man know that you came for their blood. Secrets were for assassins.
A Naia Template

Image


Image
User avatar
Pulren Marsh
Your favorite Uncle
 
Posts: 768
Words: 503518
Joined roleplay: March 22nd, 2014, 3:33 am
Location: Syka
Race: Human
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 1
Overlored (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Nya Winters on November 23rd, 2017, 11:51 pm



Pulren had an ease about him that made the man a good listener and an engaged audience. HE responded well to her comments and seemed to pay attention. Nya found herself not only enjoying his company, but not minding showing him around. She wasn’t by nature a very people friendly person. But he wasn’t exactly like the average person she’d met. First, he didn’t bulk at blood or the butchering of obvious food. And he seemed open about himself and his life. Both things were important to the kelvic in the people she considered friends. Nya wondered if she could actually befriend him. One of the pitfalls of Syka was the actual lack of people. And with fewer people there were fewer potentials for friendships which is what Nya needed right now.

The Talderian Kelvic nodded at his comment about having a hard time trusting people. That was certainly the truth in her world. She also appreciated him calling her an equal. Nya responded quietly to that thought. “I do not think we were originally created as equal and sometimes I think humans have never forgotten that. We were slaves and servants originally or so I’ve been told. It is up to us Kelvics to prove ourselves otherwise. We try. Sometimes its even enough.” The feline responded, shrugging her shoulders and smiling slightly.

Nya listened to what he had to say about Zeltiva and nodded. Many cities had poorer sides were people were not treated as even people but more like animals. She noted that The Docks in Zeltiva equated to lesser people in the eyes of some Zeltivans. Nya raised her eyebrows when he had said he was a Wave Guard, which she took to be some sort of city protectorate by what he described his job duties being. It made her look at him a second time, only this time more critically. He’d called himself a mercenary, and usually the ones she’d met were of dubious values. Was it possible that there were honorable mercenaries? Or was the pay just good enough to lure him to protect? The Kelvic knew it was none of her business, but it was still a question she was interested in learning the answer too.

The fact that he followed The Sea was not something that shed more light on things for Nya in regards to his personality and values. Like her own Lord, Laviku was neither considered good nor bad. Both himself and Zulrav just _were_. They existed and people had to deal with them. Sometimes those dealings were good and sometimes they were bad. Nya decided, then and here, she’d send a couple of breezes to watch him for a few days until he settled into the colony. They were great pranksters and could spy on him to make sure he wasn’t as rough around the edges as normal mercs could be.

Nya thought of the child that Jade had brought to Syka with her. No one here so far would harm the child, but despite the Kelvic telling the woman that Dina wouldn’t last a season in the settlement… the kelvic was determined to keep the child safe. So she’d watch and make sure the male wasn’t aggressive.

The Mercantile seemed to enthrall Pulren. There were a multitude of things for sale, some from local artisans like her own belts and backpacks hanging on one section to the pottery that Jade was slowly starting to produce. Nya watched how Pulren reacted to Juli, lurking close and protective without realizing she was doing it. The Kelvic appreciated that the man complimented James, because she too liked the man and thought he had the same qualities Pulren listed in the man. Relaxing the more the young woman and the newcomer spoke, Nya wandered off to see if any of her leatherwork had sold and if there was anything new in the Merchantile she wanted.

Juli smiled at Pulren, not above flirting a bit. The man, after all, was handsome and someone new to the colony. “I’d rather have labor than coin. We can’t eat coin and honestly, getting things done is far more valuable than metal I store in a box to send off with my Father anyhow. So…. Where are you from? Rarities? Hrm….. I already packed up most of the valuables with Father because hes reloading already for another run, but there is something….” She said, tapping her chin a moment then turning to rummage around behind the counter. She pulled out a chest and opened it, reaching inside. She withdrew a long slender item and sat it on the counter. It looked exactly like a long sleek silver fish.

Nya pretended not to be curious, busying herself looking at a new shipment of cooking items… but stills he watched, drinking in the scent of the metal from across the Mercantile. She inhaled Pulren’s excitement and chuckled to herself as she watched him animate at the promise of something unusual.

“I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I thought it was art. It came from Stair Step Falls. But its not really art. I think it’s a toy or something maybe a tinker made… but its broken.” She flipped the long slender salmon looking fish over and showed him a small hidden clasp. It unlocked something that looked like a hidden compartment. Inside, there were gears and pulleys and little chains. And then, fiddling further she showed him a little dial that was much like some of the most precious and rare pocket watches that some of the very elite rich owned in some of the major cities crafted by gadgeteers. She twisted the dial and he could hear a winding sound. Then she released the dial, snapped the slot closed and flipped the fish right side up. It started to smoothly undulate on the table as if it were a real fish but…. It only moved one way, locking and making an odd off noise as it tried to undulate the other way.

Nya moved closer, fascinated. To her it looked like a broken toy, like maybe something was jammed up inside of it or rusted that prevented it from moving both ways smoothly. She could see that cleaned up the fish would be lovely, something truly gorgeous that would really look like a real fish and mimic life in a way that was rarely seen in these days.

A memory reared its head in her mind as they sometimes did. Automaton. The word left her lips unexpectedly in a breathless wondering. “It’s an Automaton.” It was a child’s toy from before Ivak’s Madness… a thing of such quality that hadn’t been seen in five hundred years or longer.

“That is old.” She said suddenly. There was no way she could vocalize how she knew that.

Juli nodded and replied. “Yes, very old, but useless to us. It should belong to someone who loves fish or the sea. I would gladly trade it for some labor to someone interested in cleaning off the rust, polishing it inside and out, and maybe repairing it. It would look very beautiful on an alter even, maybe to someone like Laviku. I held it back from the shipment to Riverfall’s Antiquity Society. I’m not sure why.” Juli added, looking Pulren over and then offering a smile to Nya.

The Kelvic shook her head, breaking the spell, and moved to a selection of sturdy snake boots and bush knives. “Don’t let him leave without good jungle boots and a Machete or Kukri for the jungle, Juli.” Nya added, not sure Pulren would listen. He seemed to be staring at the toy which was about a foot long with interest.

1287= 11833/50000

User avatar
Nya Winters
Let the winds in my heart blow...
 
Posts: 750
Words: 784686
Joined roleplay: June 7th, 2009, 6:53 am
Location: Syka
Race: Kelvic
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 5
Trailblazer (1) Never Say Die (1)
Donor (1) 2017 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)
2017 Top NaNo Word Count (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Pulren Marsh on November 25th, 2017, 4:56 am

Image
Pulren Marsh
Your Favorite Uncle

Juli was correct. You definitely couldn't eat coin. Pulren kept his attention focused on the Captain's daughter as she spoke, scratching at his chin as he thought about what he could do. He inhaled and held it for amoment as a chest was revealed at his mention of exotic rarities. His excitement was like when he was waiting to see how big the fish was on the end of his line. Anticipation was framed on his face.

From the chest came a smell of ancient dust, the kind of smell that the books in the Old Quarter carried. It was unmistakable and Pulren felt his palms begin to tingle. A small, silver, metallic fish was presented. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. He let Juli do the touching, holding and presenting. At first, it looked like a toy, or as Juli said, art. It seemed so simple, but when shown the intricate innards of the fish, it was clear that it was anything but. Considering its apparent age, the fact that it still worked at all was a testament to its craftsmanship. He watched with intense precision as she showed him the clasp, the compartment, the miniature wheels and pulleys.

As if that was all not amazing enough, when she activated it, it swam across the counter, though it was clear that something inside prevented it from continuing its circuit. Either way, he was in awe and completely mystified. Nya returned and stood beside Pulren, also rapt with interest. A word came from her mouth. A word that brought a real amazement to Pulren, almost as much as this , well, automaton. For a Kelvic, who very well may not be able to read and write, she just spoke a word describing an ancient device. Pulren closed his mouth with an audible snap as it hung open from both incredulous events.

When Juli began to speak again, Pulren had a very crystalline feeling. It was as if he was supposed to be in that very spot with these women. As if Laviku had placed him on that shore, in that shop at that very moment to hear her words. "I am a man of the sea and a worshiper of Laviku. I will gladly trade my skills for that item and do my fumbling best to make that thing work or look pretty while not working." Scratching at his chin again, he looked around the store as Nya continued to advise him of what he needed. He agreed, though he could think of other things he needed as well.

"I've got a kukri already, though I haven't used it much. have boots as well, but I am not sure if they qualify as 'jungle boots'. High boots, fitted, buckled. Yes, fancy. But I have worn them just about everywhere so far. I made it out of the Aperture in them, so surely I can do a jungle." It made him chuckle a little too much, since he was sure these ladies had no idea what the Aperture was. "As far as what I can offer, I can surely do labor. I am also an excellent swimmer and have taught many people how to swim, so if anyone here can't, I can surely make sure they can."

He walked up and down the aisle, his eyes scanning tools and gear as he continued to ramble. "Everything else I can do makes me an excellent squad leader, but that is pretty useless here. I am a good leader, an excellent tactician and planner. I can fight well, swim, run, scare people...None of this is much help, but I offer what I can to you." Shrugging a little, he looked back at the bundled meats on the counter.

Stepping back over and slowly gathering them, he looked to Nya, an easy task. "We should probably get this meat delivered so it can be eaten or prepared by people for now, but I will definitely return to shop soon, Juli." He smiled. He didn't want to be odd or off putting. Pulren was just used to being needed specifically for his skillset and now he was in a place where he was nearly useless and his money couldn't be eaten so it was almost useless. It was a new world he was learning about and living in and he had much more to learn and live.
A Naia Template

Image


Image
User avatar
Pulren Marsh
Your favorite Uncle
 
Posts: 768
Words: 503518
Joined roleplay: March 22nd, 2014, 3:33 am
Location: Syka
Race: Human
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 1
Overlored (1)

Landfall (Nya Winters)

Postby Nya Winters on November 25th, 2017, 4:36 pm



While Nya browsed quietly, Juli and Pulren spoke. The Kelvic was too polite to eavesdrop so she moved further away to let the other two humans do business. Disturbing pictures filled her mind – memories that weren’t from this lifetime – and it caused her to rub her brow and begin to fuss about things she couldn’t control. She thought of the Pearl again, buried deep beneath the water in this area. And although the burning urge to retrieve and destroy it gripped her, Nya wondered once more if it wasn’t safer left hidden where it had been for almost a thousand years. So the kelvic roamed restlessly, touching things she had no need of and prowling from one end of the mercantile to the other.

Juli packed up the little fish for Pulren and nodded, handing it to him wrapped in canvas. “I’ll take two days labor from you for it sometime soon. We want to put another little offshoot off this lofted Rancho to the trees next door. That will take some muscle and it won’t matter if you know how to build or not. Randal will be here for it. You can take the fish with you in the meantime. It is just taking up space here. You come back if you want the chest. That will cost you another day.” Juli added. By that time Nya had drawn closer and nodded, thinking the trade fair if not weighted a bit in Juli’s favor.

Pulren mentioned the Aperture, but Nya indeed had no idea what it was. She made a mental note to ask him about it later if he was in a talkative mood. When Pulren went to gather the meat packets, Nya made a face and took about a third of them back from him, leaving them on the counter for Juli. She grinned at the woman and then at the settlement’s newest denizen and beckoned for him to come with her.

Down the stairway she lead him, across the sand and back on the slightly cobbled pathway. She paused to point out the community pool. “We bathe here. Sometimes multiple times a day because the heat makes you sweat. A blind man with magic made it… fresh water so it cleans the salt out of our hair so it doesn’t get crusted. Sometimes I like to just lounge here when Syna is very hot.” The Kelvic said, noting no one was around, though she did leave a packet of meat at what looked like a carved cave-like structure at the base of the pools. “Duncan lives here. He’s a very nice person, but his eyes are milky. He keeps it clean and the water fresh. Sometimes he will even swim with you and tell you stories. He sees with his hands, so if he touches you do not mind it. He means nothing by it.” Nya added, pulling a vine that hung down the side of the cave out and stretching it across the entrance. It was obvious someone blind moving in or out of the cave would feel the vine and know that someone left something and to look for it.

Next they continued roughly west and came across a stream that had cut a ravine into the landscape. Across the ravine a home was built. It had a very wide open floorplan and what looked like an herbalist’s lab. Unique to the place was a platform that hung like a swing over the ravine. It was filled with pillows and was obviously a gathering and social place for the area. “This is Uta’s Place. She’s knows a lot about Botany and looks to Bala. She’s the person to talk to about plants and what they do. She often goes into the jungle to get new plants, names them, identifies their properties, and then catalogs them. She thinks new kinds of medicines could be found here. And she’s willing to share knowledge any time….” Nya added, not bothering to knock as she mounted a few steps and walked into the woman’s home.

Uta was at her desk, frantically writing notes as she studied what appeared to be a branch complete with flowers that Nya had never seen before. When she heard the kelvic and her human companion, Uta put her branch down, rose, and graciously accepted a package of wrapped meat from Nya. The woman was striking with two-toned hair. She too was wearing a sort of colorful loincloth that was almost camouflaged in mottled greens, barefoot, and bare chested. Unlike Nya who normally wore her hair loose down her shoulders, Uta had her hair cropped at just below her chin. She wore a machete at her waist and two long daggers strapped to her forearms.

“Uta this is Pulren. He is a sailor settling here fresh from Riverfall. Pulren, Uta our healer. We brought you meat from pest control.” Nya said with a grin. Uta offered Pulren a smile, tossed the package of meat up and down in her hands, and thanked them both. “I’ve been too busy to hunt lately. This is very welcome. Another snake in The Commons huh? Nice. Thank you for the meat and very nice to meet you Pulren.” The woman said, glancing back at her desk for a moment as if the interruption was welcome as long as it wasn’t too lengthy.

Nya gave the two new people a moment to make small talk then she slipped her hand in Pulren’s gently and tugged at him. “We need to be off. Tony hasn’t had meat in a while and I think I’m going to leave him some.” Nya said to which Uta nodded. “Be safe, little Kitty.” Uta said, taking a moment to run her hand into Nya’s hair and scratch. The Kelvic dropped her head and rumbled a moment, the deep very feline pur from her human throat evident. Then she pulled away, taking Pulren with her, as they crossed Uta’s Place – using it as a bridge to cross the small ravine – and head suddenly straight into the jungle.

When she was back on the cobbled path, Nya explained Tony to Pulren, dropping his hand to gesture. “Tony Swiftwater came here because he worked in a place in Riverfall called The Antiquities Society. He likes old things but he specializes in cloth from before Ivak’s fury. He said Syka had something that was famous pre-Valterrian … a miracle fabric. Most of our loin cloths are made from it. It’s like cotton but called Isuas. It’s lighter, stronger, and makes dyes take very … brightly. He said they used to farm it here a long time ago and hes been restoring the grove. I’m not sure if he will be here or not, but you should meet him.

They walked up a small hill and suddenly an expanse of vines all flowering with what appeared to be fluffy material stretched out before them. Rows of muddy pathways crisscrossed the area and a small bungalow rested off to the side of what was obviously once a plantation in the midst of being restored.

Nya called out for Tony, but there was no answer. She didn’t seem surprised. “He’s old… and his hearing isn’t so good. He has dogs with him that hear for him in the jungle.” Nya wrinkled her nose with distaste. She dropped two packets of meat on his porch in the shade and turned back the way they’d come to head down the hill.

“Ready to meet Mathias Okavis? Syka has three founders. You’ve met one… Captain James Chaliva. But Mathias is the one you really want to talk to. He will give you land if you stay here… five acres of it from the beach up to the jungle if you want. We call them ‘claims’. And Randal Zor, the other Founder, will help you build a place to live on it as well. My claim is south of here, the direction we are going. I have an overlook that you can see all of Syka from as well as part of a beach that is kind of famous because things wash up on it from time to time.” She added, heading back down the now-familiar trial and turning west again following the coastline. Soon enough they were at another Bungalow by the water’s edge… a big rambling thing with a huge front porch that went over the water. A gray haired man was sitting on the porch in a rocking chair writing in a journal that was open on his lap. He was barefoot and wore only a colorful pair of shorts that looked a lot like what Nya had described growing in the plantation they’d just came from.

“Snake…. Want some?” Nya said, jumping up on the porch uninvited and setting two packets from her own stash on Mathias’ side table. The man grinned, greeted them both, and turned to look at Pulren.

“Who do we have here? A newcomer?” Nya nodded. “Mathias this is Pulren. He’s a mercenary but he comes from Zeltiva and something called The Wave Guard.” Nya said, as if that countered the mercenary title or at least gentrified it.

1532 = 15319/50000


User avatar
Nya Winters
Let the winds in my heart blow...
 
Posts: 750
Words: 784686
Joined roleplay: June 7th, 2009, 6:53 am
Location: Syka
Race: Kelvic
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 5
Trailblazer (1) Never Say Die (1)
Donor (1) 2017 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)
2017 Top NaNo Word Count (1)

Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests