Riven, Sundered, and Lost.

by **Meriann** on March 3rd, 2018, 11:03 pm

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"Speech"

It seemed though that as she followed the crow, her footsteps carried her down a different, hedged alley to the others and she emerged out into the courtyard where a broken fountain stood forlornly. She stopped still in the entrance, breathing softly through her nose after the brief run to get there. It was deadly quiet, with only the gentle fluttering of her crow's wings as it alighted on the hedge above her. Or at least, the quiet was the first noticeable thing whilst her body adjusted to hear for the niggling sounds that hid in the muffled hedges. Her heart was beating hard and fast, a mixture of fear and excitement, and the sound of it drummed in her ears too. Her fingers grasped a leafy branch and she ignored the rough texture as she listened intently to her surroundings, sure she'd heard a noise somewhere close by. Then she heard voices from behind her, the voices of death and aberration.

"Another one to cast into the pit." The sound was like a black shudder of rottenness to her ears. Meriann had her back to the hedge and its spiky fingers dug sharply into her spine, as if to remind her to stay focussed! She saw a few things all at once. She saw Jinx fall to the ground and heard his gods-awful scream of agony, saw the jagged weapon embedded in his body. Saw the blood. Saw the creatures with their mutilated, twisted bodies and their sick grimaces.

"Stay... Stay awa..-" There was no use talking to them and she no longer had time to bandy words with monstrosities that did not care about one puny human's whining, anyway. Meriann held the sword in front of her to protect herself. She was ashamed to see that her hand trembled, and bit down hard on her lip to stop herself. Her knuckles were white with the strain of her grip on the hilt.

Saved, albeit momentarily, by reinforcements from around the corner. Mat, gleaming with speed, knocked into one of the dark men and with another strike chopped an arm off so that it flung to the ground. Meriann had the smallest window of opportunity whilst the creature's compatriots rallied against the oncoming threat of their party to fall to her knees a way away from Jinx and cry out his name, but she didn't hear the answer even if there was any. Her eyes ran over his face, but he had fallen with his head twisted away from her and she could not see if he was conscious. The weapon lodged in his body had left his life's blood to drip-drip-drip down onto the earth and pavestones. The sight of it being churned under foot did not fill her with anger or courage as it should have, but instead she felt fear. Shame too, because of the fear that she shouldn't be feeling. Didn't she enjoy the unexpected? The excitement of the unknown?

Not this, though.

Everything was confusion and chaos and sickness, the air was full of the sickness of death and undeath. The Svefra woman dared not get nearer to their fallen comrade, not yet, and so she leapt to her feet with her sword still in front of her chest whilst still trying to see if he was going to survive. But although it was awful, he would have to wait, because the creatures were losing their ghostly riders-of-the-soul and there was yet more danger. Now, the one-armed creature that had screamed with a sound as raw and carnal as anything she'd ever heard was rushing towards her, too fast. She wasn't breathing as she pulled her sword up and in front of her, yelling without words, eyes wide and wild. The creature, once-human but now decayed in many senses, pushed towards her and she slashed her sword out across to hit the one-armed man as hard as her muscles would allow, aiming for its chest. She felt the trusty blade hit flesh, but couldn't judge whether the sword had hit true or not, because she had misstepped and stumbled to the side as she swung and got caught by the thicket. She'd tripped with her sword-play, so much that she'd plunged backwards in a flurry, although she still caught a tight grip of her blade. Greenery flew by and scratched over her arms and her face, tough and sharp as nails, and in panic she yelled again as she struggled to right herself but failed as sticks raked over her arms. A skull's crow cawed overhead, deafeningly loud in the confines of the hedge. She felt trapped, as if she was drowning, but adrenaline became her safety rope and she clawed forwards in the dirt until she could somehow pull herself out of the devouring hedgemaze.

Dark fragments of leaves and dirt were smeared through her hair as she looked around. Her heart was pounding heavily but now she breathed freely and her eyes were bright and flicked from side to side with nervous energy. If there was any other threat or danger to accost her, she would do her best to fend it off. Otherwise, she hurried over to Jinx and pressed her dirty fingers to his face.

"Jinx, you still in there?" Her voice sounded much more frightened than she'd hoped, and she coughed roughly. When she next spoke, she heaped as much bravado in as she could. "I'll help carry him to t'dock, if I got a helper. I can't carry all of him. He can't stay here."

OOC :

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by **Kelski** on March 5th, 2018, 1:11 am

Kelski was right behind Darvin and they were both running. Darvin had a fondness for Neras, whether or not he admitted it. The fondness might have stemmed out of the entertainment bullying the young Sun Birth around might have accrued, or it might have just been because Jinx had a somewhat likable personality. The Kelvic was indifferent. She saw Neras as somewhat soft and prone to getting himself into situations that were hard to get out of. But that didn’t stop her from reacting like Darvin had and taking off to intercept. They came into view just in time to see the youth get completely inundated by the mutilated men. Kelski paused there, not sure how to proceed as her sharp gaze landed on something – a fourth figure – behind the other three.

She swept the rest of the area with her gaze, looking for other dangers, and spotted Meriann by the fountain. Mat and Calidus were already there… weapons drawn. Mat cut one down almost immediately and it shed its skin. Kelski watched as a growing horror filled her. This wasn’t natural and this wasn’t right. It was like the very air was tainted. Mat killed that one and Calidus killed another. One charged at Meriann and another at Erik. Meriann seemed to bring hers down quickly, even though she fell, and to Kelski it seemed more help was needed at the other one still standing.

Kelski glanced at Darvin. He made a swift jerking motion with his head and she followed him to intercept the last …. corpse… on its feet. The Kelvic didn’t know what else to call them. She hung back, letting the meatsack engage Erick and then took a running start at the creature’s back and leaned back, falling into a slide with her dagger tucked neatly beside her. She meant to hamstring him from behind while the thing was occupied with the two-other people. It somehow sensed her intention because it cow-kicked backwards and its heel connected hard into her gut, knocking the wind out of her and sending her light form spinning off across the cobbles. The momentum was strong enough it threw her into the hedge branch wall. Even though the action was fruitless, it did give Darvin an active opening and the big bearded man darted in while the man was still readjusting his balance from the kick and took at the thing with his daggers.

The Kelvic didn’t see what happened at that point. She was too busy breathing intensely and trying to grab breath into her lungs. It hurt and she figured at least one of her ribs was cracked. If not, she would have a heck of a bruise across her torso if she survived the night. Slowly, fighting to get her breath back, the Kelvic slowly untangled herself from the wall of plants, but not before shredding part of her pants and a bit of her cloak. She stood, hands on knees, puffing a moment watching the fight to make sure Erik and Darvin cut the last foe down.

She turned her head when she heard Mariann speak and rose to her full height and moved to join the woman. “The portcullis is closer… not the dock. I’ll help you carry him. Is he still alive?” Kelski asked, joining the other girl, bending down to grab Neras’ feet. Kelski took off the shredded cloak she had on and bundled it up around Neras’ middle where his blood was spilling out. She wasn’t sure it would help, but binding the wound would keep pressure on the area and might buy him a bit more time. She’d help Meriann move him out of the way and carry him to safety, hopefully… he’d live.

by **Avinasai** on March 6th, 2018, 11:15 pm

Once at the courtyard. Avinasai couldn't believe with what she was looking at. As the corpses danced around with their blades in their hands and their bodies rotting. The smell of the dead was heavy, and the memory of her being thrown off the ship earlier made her realize that she was still shaking cold. Her clothes were damp, and as watched Mat and Calidus, and the others dance and battle the corpses. Avinasai couldn't help but to notice Kelski who had offered to help carry Neras.

The sight of his abdomen bleeding... It bothered Avinasai. The conclusion of the battle even gave her the chills. Those things. Whatever they were. They possessed dead bodies. Rotting bodies. What if they just come back? Avinasai felt so creeped out, but the Calidus was up to something. She wanted to find out what it was. Better not to get on his bad side around now. Especially if he was a Priest of Dira. Especially when one of his crows flew over her head which caused her to be thrown into the river.

She was independent. She didn't normally help others, however Neras seemed to be covered. She decided to head towards Erik. Who helped her get out of the water earlier. He seemed like a real Sunberthian. So maybe she would be able to learn more about him, especially when he's a pretty decent fighter too. Avinasai realized she didn't have armor. What if the next encounter they had come across had more in numbers than what their party had?

"Hey love." She said as she walked up to Erik. Still damp and pretty cold, but she's doing her best to manage her heat. "Thanks for helping me to get out of the water. Really." She blushed, or it could've been the cold numbing her cheeks. She felt fine. Mostly. Just cold. "What is it that you're hoping to find here at the manor? Hope it's not more of those corpse things lyin' 'round ere."

by **Regime** on March 18th, 2018, 3:17 am

The risk of failure was always there in a life or death situation. It was a weight that when measured found many people wanting, however Meriann was not one of them as her blade carved through her grotesque assailants chest, leaving its carcass slain on the ground. But unlike her, there were many people in life were not up for the risk. That was why Erik Murphy turned tail to abandon the others to escape the hedge maze to return to the Daggerhand outpost; the man not even helping the others carry their fallen ally to safety. Darvin had no time to insult the cowardly Mercenary because the last creature needed to be dealt with.

The ex-Sunberth Chevalier moved with lethal intent, taking advantage of the Kelvic slave's kick by flipping the dagger to catch it by the tip of the blade between two of his fingers to aim his throw. The beast was recoiling backwards, so he used his own personal combat instinct to throw the dagger a foot to the side as the creature was in the process of taking a step. The dagger spun end over end, only stopping once it impacted blade first into the monsters skull after it had stepped right into the trajectory of the daggers path. Darvin smirked to himself as he watched its body drop like a fly.

For Kelski and Mariann, the trip back to the portcullis only too but a few chimes. But by that time, all of their known enemies were defeated. Mat proved himself to be a kind soul as he caught up to both of the women to aid them in carrying Neras across the threshold to the Daggerhands waiting on the other side. If the women expected to find Raynor or any of the other Daggerhands who escorted them to the gateway, they would be thoroughly disappointing to only find a single figure looking up at the heraldry decorating the archway.

The person stood there dressed only in a blackened cowl that served as a decorative covering for an iron helm. The rest of their entire body seemed covered in a set of heavy banded mail armor that remained half covered by the cloak the man wore over it. Its only defining feature being the persons left arm lacked any coverings or armor.

The person stood there talking to themselves in a tone hardly above a whisper. They seemed to be was recalling a story, “Dragged by the wind, there was only madness until their skulls met the rocks below.” Their voice was one absent of masculinity, but above the definition of being feminine. It was an odd paradox only achieved by the best of actors and impersonators to confuse those who which the guest the speakers gender.

The masked person shifted their attention back to his guest, letting his gaze set onto the raven haired Kelvic slave. Stiletto, the Boss of the Daggerhands, had been informed by his underling of each person allowed past the gate. Stiletto gauged the slave against what he was informed, and already knew her name. It was rumored that Stiletto was a figure not to be trifled with, and that statement proved correct as his very being presence filled the area with a unique tension all on its on.

"Tonight, my dear Kelski, would you feel the rush of fall into Dira's embrace were you to never touch the sky again? That last irony of only falling to feel the false rush of flight?" Stiletto's eyes zoomed in onto the slave as he looked deep into her very being to witness the woman's greatest fear with the abilities offered to them by Ssena. "I wonder what would push you towards taking that path? Or would you join me to avoid it?"

Mat stepped in front of Stiletto, simply holding Neras all on his own. "He is dying, will you help him get to a doctor?" Stiletto nodded their head in agreement, however when Mat tried to hand Neras over, Stiletto just stepped back to let the injured mans body fall to the ground. He then reached down to grab one of Neras's ankles to hold it like the leash of a dog. That was when Calidus and Darvin exited from the hedge maze to gather with the rest of the party.

"As we agreed, Calidus. The Daggerhands will take all injured parties to seek medical attention." Calidus gave the person a nod of recognition before speaking up. "Thank you Boss Stiletto." The name caused Darvin's eyes to widen as he had never seen or the newest Boss of the Daggerhands since the fall of Dalagnar the Rotter. It was the first time in a long while that Darvin felt a need to be meek, shifting to the back of the crowd to let the Slave remain in the forefront of Boss Daggerhands ire.

"Unless any of you have anything you wish to ask me... I shall be on my way?" The masked person said while turning to take five steps away form them while dragging Neras's unconscious body along the ground. That was when Mat chimed in to question Stiletto.

"Why are Diverse being tortured within the Manor? And who is pulling them from Zaiden to free them here on Mizahar? I've fought them countless times before to know one when I see one, no matter how mutilated. How many summoners are here?" Stiletto only kept walking as the questions were none that they could answer. "If you find that out, let me know. I'd be happy to hear all about it... enjoy the rest of your night." The man slowly kept walking away, using Neras's body like a mop that left a bloody trail along the ground as Stiletto dragged him along.

Calidus turned to glance over the people were left Kelski, Meriann, Avinasai, Mat, and Darvin. He spoke out Sincerely as he walked back across the portcullis into the hedge maze. "If you wish to leave, you are free to do so now. However, I will continue onward to the manor." The priest let the rest of the group think over their next moves as he walked all the way through the hedge maze up to the front door of the manor itself.

The might double doors of Leywellin Manor were left ajar from the Diverse who were released like attack dogs. Calidus was ready to venture inwards when a sound from within halted him in his tracks. A series of ambient musical tones began to echo out from beyond the large doors with a chaotic fervor. They were the sounds of copious laughter, screams of pain, and the brief shimmers of pleasure filled moans coming from deep within the building.

Calidus was the first person to enter the manor to stand within its grand foyer. Red velvet drapes covered all of the well crafted wooden furnishings to keep them from gathering dust. An exquisite mahogany desk stood to the far right of the entrance was one such covered item. There was an alcove in the wall between a set of double staircases that both lead up to the second floor which faced the entrance. There was a statue standing tall within the alcove that appeared to be completely covered in a Red velvet drapery, covered in a need to keep it clear, or in shame.

Calidus walked along the marble floor to stand in front of the near seven foot tall covered statue as he keeps his senses open as he searched for ghosts within the area. His head then turned towards the door to the right of the statue. "There are undead things that way... but there is music up there. It is curious."

The sounds of music appeared to be coming from the second floor.

To the right and left of the statue were doors leading into further areas on the first floor.

But as soon as all members of the party stepped into the manor, the manors double doors would slam shut all on their own.

OOC :

by **Meriann** on April 26th, 2018, 2:14 pm

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"Speech"

Meriann gazed at the black-cowled figure with a puzzled expression on her face. It wasn't until the Calidus arrived and Mat asked his question that the woman keyed into the air of subdued tension in the air. It was a different flavour to the sheer panic and adrenaline of the fight with the cruel and evil creatures in the maze. This was the presence of an important person of Sunberth. Meriann wasn't entirely educated when it came to the various mobs and thugs of the city's gangs, but this person in black reeked of importance. She shuddered, and tried not to stare at the black, iron mask over their face, or the pale arm that remained uncovered by the silky black cloak. It was disconcerting, especially when combined with the callous way Boss Stiletto treated Neras' corpse.. No, not corpse, yet.

She tried not to get angry with the inhuman way he was dragged from the scene, but her hand still could not help but clench into a tense fist. She dared not say anything, even whilst the others spoke of 'Diverse' and 'Zaiden', words she failed to understand. What kind of questions could she ask, when it was clear she was unprepared for the mission she found herself on?

Meriann bit the inside of her mouth and cursed herself for her own stupidity. She was still shaking imperceptibly, the previous anxiety and worry still very present in her body. Gods, she was ashamed of herself. What a blathering fool she was! To think she could somehow fit in with these grizzled people and their warrior-like ways. Hai, even the most elderly (and thus experienced in her eyes) volunteer had left without a backwards glance.

Heat flushed her cheeks as she raised her head to gaze into Calidus' eyes. Instinctively she felt that the strange, mysterious man did not care for her answer, but she said it anyway, only just managing to keep her voice level as she fought to stop the embarassment from spreading to her face. "I will not follow. Good luck," she added as an aside.

It was not the right decision. Meriann would undoubtedly regret the opportunity to seek answers and death inside the mansion, but she was struggling to keep afloat above her fragile emotions, and really, wouldn't she just be a burden to the party?

Without looking back, and without sparing a glance for the other two women, Meriann turned on her heel and walked away with her head held high, following Neras' bloody trail. Perhaps she could just forget about the mansion, filled with awful, terrible secrets. Perhaps she could forget about the priest, and her own failures. Yet each step away from the mansion and the brave people venturing inside felt like a nail driving into the coffin of her own making, locking her in a box of mediocrity and idiocy.

OOC :

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Quest Riven, Sundered, and Lost.