pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 23, 2009 14:45:01 GMT -5
Orion tripped through the dense, now foggy forest, searching for the body of water he had been told to wait at. He clutched his two swords closely, fearing an attack at any moment. The Ghost Shipyard is well named, Orion thought. The very woods near it are lifeless. Even the trees here seem to be as useful as stone gargoyles guarding the entrance to a cathedral. Yet, even without the faintest hint of life, the place carries a great disturbing sense, as though there are ghosts watching... Orion slipped through the trees, tension building in his chest.
What are you trying to do? one of the voices in Orion's head demanded. You are running from yourself again, aren't you? This school you found will give you nothing.
Another voice agreed. Yes, the teachers and classmates here will be no different from the people you met on Ya'orn. You will run again and this time you will find nowhere to run.
But a third, stronger voice laughed. Orion is running from nothing. He is simply going forward, becoming more powerful. You will see. He will find his future in this school and learn how to be rid of us in the end!
Orion ignored them, like he always had. The third voice spoke his inner plans. He really did want to be rid of them. Hopefully the school could teach him something to do just that. If not, at least he would be a paladin. He chuckled to himself. Paladin, he thought. A paladin without his shield, without his armor. He had left his shield, spear and plate armor in the cathedral in Ya'orn, unable to afford shipping for them. He now carried nothing but his two swords, his tome hanging on his side, and a backpack with few supplies. He wore tough leather and a cloak, knowing he looked more like a mercenary than a paladin of light, but caring little. Finally, he heard the shore. It was a mixture of wind and crashing waves. The Ghost Shipyard. Finally.
Let's see how long it lasts this time, the first voice mocked.
Probably not long, the second chuckled in Orion's mind. They don't even have someone waiting for him yet. They don't care enough.
They will come, the third said dismissively. And he will finally be able to rest here in peace.
Orion wasn't sure if the third voice was being sarcastic or not. He ignored it again though. Same as always. If he had to wait two weeks, he would. Ignoring the chill wind and disturbing silence, Orion stood in wait, still as a statue, willing to remain that way for hours, just to spite his inner demons.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 23, 2009 16:00:13 GMT -5
The ashen wood of the docks seemed fossilized, any soft part of them dissolved by the insistent water long ago. It swirled around the gaunt legs of the walkways and the tired walls of ships, filled the air with mist that numbed the senses. The air was cold, still, and the waves shifted the sand.
A woman was seated on the edge of one of the walks, face raised to the array of skeletal galleons and decayed boats and hands settled neatly on her lap. A long, lightweight tunic of pale lavender covered her torso, and her legs were obscured by a thick woolen skirt. Unstyled hair framed her face, a deep purple against pale skin, and reached her waist smoothly. Two irregular black pieces of some cloth were held over her eyes by binding about her head, to the same purpose as a blindfold.
Whether she could see or not, however, the woman turned her head as Orion drew near. She smiled warmly but said no words, instead raising her hand to wave.
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 23, 2009 18:44:21 GMT -5
Orion didn't reveal any inner thoughts through expression. He simply stared and thought. She's a witch, isn't she? was the first thought that entered his mind. He carefully pulled his hood over his eyes, using the slits in the fabric to go around his tall ivory antlers. The effect of his almost glowing eyes through the dark shadow of the hood was enough to scare a band of bandits back on Ya'orn, but he was using it here to hide his barely-concealed feelings of disgust for this woman who seemed so much like the witches of his home.
Run! called one of the voices How can you wish to stay at a school where there are witches like her? If you suspect her of evil then leave! Unless...you want to learn some witchcraft for yourself? That would be nice...make you closer to us.... Orion could just see the grin on the demon's face, but tried to ignore it. He had come too far. The woman was waving.
Tentatively, Orion waved back, and prepared to meet her. When she came within earshot, he said softly and perhaps with a bit more hostility than he wished, "Are you the one who is to take me to the Twilight Moon Academy, then?"
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 23, 2009 19:36:31 GMT -5
The woman's smile faltered somewhat at his tone, and she tilted her head as if trying to understand. His question, however, she understood completely. Gently the 'Witch', as he had labeled her, shook her head. Small smile returning, she pointed to him, then herself, and finally over the gray waters. The school was hidden by distance and the gray air, but over the lake it waited for its new student.
She retrieved a note from her sleeve and held it out in his general direction. On it read the words: 'Welcome to Twilight Moon Academy. At the school, you will be guided. Here, you must be the guide. Consider this an assessment test. Get her there safely.'
It was possible to walk around the lake to get to the school, but it was a long detour without a definite path. All manner of boats lined the docks, from rowboats to great ships, but the water held its own dangers. It was not called the Ghost Shipyards without reason.
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 23, 2009 20:27:01 GMT -5
Orion peered at the strange woman from behind his hood. He read the note and almost gave a look of disdain. He caught himself though, and with a pang of regret, wondered if he had misjudged this woman. Just because she was blind and mute didn't mean she was a witch. He knew that, but there was no reason to relinquish his caution. With a measure of etiquette, he inclined his head and asked politely, "Is there a boat of some sort we can use? Surely you didn't walk here?"
Orion glanced around at the Ghost Shipyard, not expecting a reply. He thought to himself, There must be a reason so many ships were wrecked.... Uneasily, to cover his apprehension, Orion grinned at the woman. "Anyway, my name is Orion, not that you can say anything, can you? I wish I knew your name. Some people are less frightening with a name to tag on them." He almost felt bad for calling her "frightening", but when he saw the blindfold, the dark hair and her general appearance he couldn't help but think she intended it that way.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 23, 2009 23:18:03 GMT -5
'Frightening', she mouthed quizically, somewhere between amused and incredulous. Pausing for a moment, she thought about his questions. Then, using her hands, the young woman dragged herself away from the dock until she was on the sand. Her legs followed limp and useless behind, and probably would have been scraped raw if not for her skirt. Using the sand as her paper, she first wrote 'carried'. Her script was a bit messy, but legible. Underneath that, her finger traced out the word 'Ixchelle'.
Whoever had brought her here, she was obviously at the mercy of Orion now. His teacher was nowhere to be seen.
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 24, 2009 11:43:10 GMT -5
Okay... Orion thought uncomfortably. Carried...by what? He didn't bother asking, though. He was a little shocked when he realized the woman also could not walk. What else was wrong with her? She could hardly write, couldn't speak, couldn't see, and couldn't walk. Orion's heart sank. He felt bad for her, and angry at himself for thinking of her as a witch.
Luckily, amidst the flotsam and jetsam in the shipyard, there were still some sail-worthy boats. Orion picked up a pair of oars and smiled until one snapped in half in his hand. Rolling his eyes, he thought, Well one is better than none, and threw it against the dock to make sure it was sturdy. When it didn't break, he looked for something--anything--that floated. He found what looked like an overturned lifeboat, and flipped it over with a grunt. After shoving it into the water and convincing himself of its structural integrity, he took the oar and placed it inside. Then he took the boat and rested it on the beach. Again he rolled his eyes as he bent over and picked a flattened worm off his hoof. He didn't like being wet, but at that moment he had to concentrate on getting to the school. Finally ready, he went back to Ixchelle.
"Will you let me carry you? We will go to the school by boat." Orion held his arms out to Ixchelle.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 24, 2009 14:23:04 GMT -5
Trustingly Ixchelle found his arms and allowed him to pick her up. She was not really a heavy person. The woman's mouth opened slightly in surprise at the fur upon his arms, but she did not seem to mind. Instead, she seemed more intrigued than ever, and not at all afraid. Attempting to make it so that he could see her face, though it was an imprecise try at best, she mouthed 'Who are you' in an exaggerrated motion. Ixchelle hoped that he had seen it, but she could accept disappointment as well.
The way across the water might be the safest for them, and she thought that he had made a well-though choice.
In her long years, many arms had supported her when she could not support herself. She had learned to accept the helplessness and find trust in the hearts of others. Who was this young heart, then, whose every action and aspect was unexpected? Encased in darkness, she would just have to wait patiently, but her soul sensed demons within him.
Ghosts might attack them, but at the very least the demons would seek refuge in non-violent assaults.
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 24, 2009 21:54:37 GMT -5
Orion saw Ixchelle's reaction to his fur and could only wonder at what she guessed. When she opened her mouth to speak he almost thought she might say something. Instead she tried to convey a message he could barely understand. He had to lipread, something he found difficult. In the end, he took her words in context with the situation, and interpreted it as "Who are you?"
Orion carried the woman to the boat and set her gently inside. She was light and seemed delicate to him. Again he couldn't help but feel sorry for her as he had to shift her legs into a more natural position for her. He didn't answer her question, hoping to postpone the explanation until he knew exactly what to say. Before long, though, the boat had taken off and the only sound was the sploshing of the oar through the water as Orion brought them further out to the lake, dodging debris from other destroyed ships as he went. He knew he couldn't wait any longer.
"My people are rare even in my world, you should know," he began. If for no other reason than to pass the time. "We were created by a very powerful forest spirit, and resemble a merge between the races of humans and deer. I myself was cast out from the forest I was born in, because I was...different." Orion refrained from mentioning the stone embedded in his chest, afraid of what this woman might think. "I was the first of my race to be born naturally, in fact, and also the first silver stag of my race. My parents thought it meant I would be lucky, but I could beg to differ."
Orion paddled for a while longer, drew his attention to a flashing light in the distance that appeared to be a buoy, or perhaps a distant lighthouse, and set his bearing to that direction. He remained thoughtful for a second, then continued.
"The fairy who led me out of the forest of my home said she had a vision of where to take me, and brought me to the religious capitol of the largest human country in my world. There she introduced me to a priest at the grand cathedral there who had offered to take me in, and I stayed, befriended him, and decided to become a paladin. Of course, that came as a shock to most of those whom we talked to. None were willing to train me, being what I am, and this school, an entire world away from my home, was the first to accept me. I have since left an entire existence behind to live here. Other than some good friends I made in Ya'orn, at the cathedral and in Leandro, I regret leaving behind nothing but my shield, my spear and my armor." Orion thought of the beautiful items longingly. With his swords he could protect himself well, but he needed his shield to protect others, and wasn't that what being a paladin was all about?
Slowly, the boat approached what was now apparent as a lighthouse. A distant high-pitched screech sounded almost as a woman's scream, then dissipated. Orion ignored it as he ignored the demons in his mind, of whom would not stop laughing at his tale, pointing at him figuratively and saying over and over,
Murderer! Murderer! Murderer!
The cackles of a ghostly creature faded just as the cackles of the demons did. Orion didn't even hear the apparitions next to the noise in his head.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 24, 2009 23:07:57 GMT -5
Ixchelle tried to help him as best as she could, not wanting to be even a fraction more of the burden she had to be. Orion was kind, she discerned. Not spoiled nor cruel, at the very least, and empathetic. Being on the lake was very disconcerting. The woman's sense of space and orientation was tossed to the wind by shifting waves, and her world became a dark box consisting of herself and Orion's general area. His story seemed sincere, and it interested her greatly.
It was very unusual to get students fixed so solidly between human and animal. Shapeshifters rarely paused between two forms, and those who did share traits usually wore them in a decorative manner, such as animal ears or maybe a tail. He was exiled because he was ... different. Was that a reference to something as simple as racism, from his color? Or... the demons inside him? He seemed too young and honest to be pretending, but that could mark him truthful or just a very skilled liar. She did not believe him evil, though, whatever incidents might have occurred.
At his wistful of the items and people he left behind, Ixchelle reached out and put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly, having to touch his arm once to find out where his shoulder was. She gave a small smile and nodded to him. 'Young man, your situation will improve,' she swore in the only place where she had a voice: her mind.
A person was approaching them quickly, apparently walking across the water as if it were solid ground. He was robed in shining silver, and seemed to be made of the mist that surrounded him. Long colorless hair was caught at the nape, and his empty eyes glared at the two in the boats.
"Halt," he called, holding one hand out in the air with an authority that expected immediate obedience. "Whoa re you that attempts the passage of our city?" Another of his kind joined him, this one in a finely embroidered coat and what was perhaps leather breeches, though it was hard to tell with the dead. He wore an ornate hat with a ghostly feather poking out.
"Can you not see that he is a holy knight, Rahel?" the one with the hat asked, seeming irritated at his companion's irreverence.
"I have seen many things," Rahel replied darkly, his eyes never leaving Orion. "Here is not a place for strangers! Turn back, unless you would become as I am."
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 25, 2009 10:28:25 GMT -5
Orion had learned in his years at the cathedral and the holy city of Leandro that ghosts were people that refused to embrace death, who found a way to live in suffering instead of dying in peace. This was not a characteristic Orion particularly honored. He turned to the ghosts and addressed them both.
"Yes, I am a paladin," Orion confirmed to them. "A fact you should remember, as we have certain powers to destroy beings that dwell between life and death. I do not fear your kind any more than you fear a corporeal weapon. I also believe you will find me to be not a stranger, since the academy we are trying to reach is now my home. Allow us to pass through and I will spare your undeaths." Orion glared almost as well as the ghosts did with their pupil-less eyes.
The lighthouse was ever-nearer, and Orion thought he could make out the fogged forms of a building next to it. He hoped the school was better than what he had seen so far, or he may have made the worst mistake of his life coming to it.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 25, 2009 12:44:29 GMT -5
A red aura started to form around the first ghost, and the air around filled with a sickening scent of blood and rot. His face contorted in anger.
"You fool, I am no mere haunt! Even death fears me!" he bellowed, rushing toward them. A transparent sword appeared in his hand, one that might not pierce the flesh but perhaps shred the soul.
"Rahel! Stop," the other one cried, seeming distressed. "He is just a boy! He has a Lady with him!" His pleas went ignored, and the ghost bit his lip anxiously.
Ixchelle stayed low, trying to be as out of the way as possible. If Orion needed to defend himself, she did not want to block his path of attack or distract him. Her mouth was a tight frown, but she was not fearing for herself.
The academy was nearly visible ahead of them, a grand structure of soaring buttresses and arched windows. Every one was like a peek of flame from a warm lantern, glowing in the misty air. Old stone had made high towers, and though castle-like it lacked any solid wall of defense. Near, but if Orion was not careful he would not even set foot on its grounds.
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 25, 2009 18:01:39 GMT -5
Orion rolled his eyes again in frustration to himself. The ghost hadn't fallen for his bluff.
Standing on the boat, careful not to let it tip, Orion dodged the slowly oncoming spectre easily. "Don't make me exorcise you!" he shouted threateningly.
"Exorcise yourself!" Rahel retorted, making Orion freeze.
Hehehe... his demons chuckled. Never could get that simple spell right, could you? I wonder who's to blame for that...
"Shut up!" Orion screamed. The ghost thought he had succeeded in irritating the young stag and attempted to keep him going.
"Oh yes, you don't think I can't sense it? The demons in your heart?" The ghost grinned so wide Orion wondered how the top of his head was connected to the bottom. The comment caught him off guard, and he glanced over to Ixchelle to determine whether she had heard or not.
"So think," Orion shot back at the malevolent being, "just how easily I can handle you when I have learned to carry this burden myself all these years!"
The angry ghost swooped in again, aiming its sword carefully at Orion, who dodged again, away from Ixchelle, to keep the balance of the boat. It hardly worked that way, though. The boat swayed, for his weight was much greater than hers. Orion leaned back toward the center of the boat again, reestablishing its balance.
"Go ahead and get in!" Rahel laughed so hard his ethereal chest shook. "Wouldn't want to be a party pooper, now, would we?"
Orion took a side-long glance into the water, not wanting to get distracted from his attacker. In the water were thousands of gleaming eyes attached to macabre depictions of human bodies, all drowned and mutilated souls grasping at him but unable to break the surface. It was an entire city of the dead right beneath him. Some of the souls seemed to be holding the others back, but the sheer number of ghastly figures still overwhelmed Orion. He couldn't hold them all off. Finally, he brandished his swords, Verity and Valeska. The malicious spectre grinned. Finally, things were getting somewhere!
The ghost soared in at Orion, slashing mid-flight at his torso. Orion used his nine years of practice well. Without disturbing Verity's white tassel, he bent over and dodged well enough to avoid the sword almost completely, with it only just grazing his shoulder, and still had enough momentum and time to come back and slash through the ectoplasm with Valeska. Both swords had not pierced anything, though a sharp feeling of inexplicable pain coursed through Orion's arm.
The ghost roared with laughter. His companion frowned. "That's enough, Rahel. It's time we let them through."
Rahel did not listen. He swooped back toward Orion, and hovered beside him, pleased at the sight of Orion clutching his shoulder to stop an illusion of bleeding. "Some paladin..." he said, suddenly serious as he lifted his sword for the final strike that would cut Orion's soul in two.
But Orion had him right where he wanted him. One quick upper slash with Verity sent Rahel reeling in pain. Had he been corporeal, he'd have been missing a hand, but where there should have been no hand there was only acute pain.
"That's what pain really feels like," Orion felt the need to explain. "Verity is the truth-bringer. You are not truly alive, so your hand now, at least, is truly dead."
Rahel glared at Orion, but didn't feel inclined to push him any further. He blew away as if there was wind, and left Orion, Ixchelle and the other ghost in silence. The pain in Orion's arm was gone, as were the drowned spectres. Ignoring the hovering one, Orion retrieved his oar and continued rowing to the silhouetted castle in the not-too-distant land ahead.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on May 25, 2009 18:57:08 GMT -5
(Pern, you are an awesome writer, just as I hoped when inviting you here. However, it was very clear in that last post that you were a writer, and not a roleplayer. You made a simple mistake that a lot of people make when first coming into this field. As it says in the rules-
In your post you took control of both Rahel and the other ghost, who were brought in under my control.
Another but equally important part of godmoding, one that takes a while to get the hang of, is the attacking system. I intentionally brought a battle in this board so that you could see how it works. In a story you would say 'Orion cut off the ghost's hand' (which is great, since in a story everyone belongs to you). In a roleplay, when attacking another character, you would say 'Orion swung at the ghost's hand' or maybe 'Orion tried to sever the ghost's hand from his arm'. In a roleplay, it is considered godmoding to injure a character or something you did not introduce, so your post should write the intent rather than the action itself. Then the other player decides whether the attack hit or not, and to what degree.
So if anyone tries to attack Orion, it will be up to you to say how badly he will be hurt. I know it sounds complicated at first, but it was created to keep things fair in a roleplay, and you get used to it. Most people use the system very responsibly and allow a reasonable number of attacks to hit.
Wow, that was a lot of writing, wasn't it? xD Anyway, it was a completely understandable mistake, so I'll allow that last post to stand as it is. Even if it was illegal, it was a nice read. ;D)
Ixchelle straightened up lightly, sensing that the danger was over. There was no way to express to Orion that she already knew of his problem, nor a way to say that it did not affect her opinion of him. He was valiant in that fight, allowing his enemies to flee even after they had swarmed him unprovoked.
"You will have to forgive him," the remaining ghost said sheepishly. 'It can be stressful, death, and the people of this lake have been dead for a very long time. I think I will escort you the rest of the way, just in case."
The shore waited just out of sight, not very far now at all.
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pern
Freshman
If I howled at the moon every night, would you think I'm weird?
Posts: 46
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Post by pern on May 25, 2009 20:27:38 GMT -5
yikes! i'm so sorry! i would never have done that except that i didn't realize the ghost was off-limits T.T So when you introduce any character I'm not allowed to do anything with them is that right? I thought it only applied to Ixchelle and not every other character >.< Also, I need to learn about this school so i don't accidentally say something wrong about it.
Well whatever, I'll see you tomorrow and then I'll ask you ^^
Orion was truly scared...not of the ghosts, but rather of his dark secret being revealed. He turned to Ixchelle, but decided not to say anything. Somehow, he knew she would never betray him and his secret. Finally, the boat hit sand and stopped. They had reached the shore of the Twilight Moon Academy.
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