Winter come to Alexandria
Log Info
- Title: Winter comes to Alexandria
- Emitter: Zeke
- Characters: Aryia, Aya, Seyardu, Cryosanthia, Percy, Merek
- Place: A18: Port Alexandria, The Inmost Sea
- Time: Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 6:19 PM
- Summary: Salina Returns! This is witnessed by Cryosanthia, who has a hard time with it, and Seyardu, Aryia, Aya, Percy and Merek, who are impressed but uncertain why the whitescale is reacting so badly. Salina has a message for Alexandria. Eclavdran walks among the streets, and the demons in the Iron Hells rebel, and there is an old prophesy explaining it all. This is given to Seyardu. Questions are asked of Salina, but before she can answer, Lily, Cryo's kobold daughter, shoots Salina with a foam dart and demands she apologize for hurting Cryo. She doesn't, saying a thousand words cannot undo the past. Cryo counters, "one word can change the future."
- Salina won't say it.
-=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A18: Port Alexandria, The Inmost Sea *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
The Sea Walls of Alexandria have been called a Wonder of the World. So has its port. From here, one can see both--the walls, rising either side of the mighty Tornmawr River where it feeds into the Inner Sea, and the Port. A port of international envy, ships fill its waters in plenty, along with the Alexandrian Navy. To the south and all sides, the Inmost Sea stretches. To the North, the Sea Wall, and a great gate which leads to the shining city.
Overhead, flies the flag of the Phoenix. Atop the wall, massive artifice-lights shine out into the waters.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aryia 4'8" 110 Lb Shadow Elf Female A heavily scarred mul with a tired look about her. Aya 4'7" 105 Lb Shadow Elf Female Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing. Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Percy 5'5" 121 Lb Dawn Elf Female An expressive llyranesi with a big blade. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Salina Fey Female Queen of Endless Winter, Cryo's former mistress. Little Fang 'Lily' Kobold Female A pinkscale youngling in a leather dress, Cryo's daughter. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Zeke 6'8" 239 Lb Sith-Makar Male A blue-scaled sith-makar in white Daeus vestments -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The heat of the day was broken by a sudden chill in the air. The turbulence of sudden cold made the sky boil with dark looming clouds and then... They let loose with a soft hail. It was a completely unnatural weather shift, and it spelled out that something huge was happening... somewhere. It wasn't difficult to follow the cold wind blowing in. One simply had to turn their face toward the breeze and walk into the thickening hail.
Upon reaching the port of Alexandria, it was unsettling to realize that the port itself, that the /ocean/ was freezing. It was so cold in fact that steam was rising off of the ocean in great puffs of heat that made the hail fall even more heavily here. The ships were stuck in the ocean, people standing around in shock and dismay. There would not be much work getting done today if something wasn't done soon about the weather.
Aryia, a scarred mul'neissa, is jogging in from upside Alexandria, the vanguard of a group of others. She squints at the phenomena, confused as hell as to why something like this was going on.
GAME: Percy rolls perception: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (16)+13: 29 GAME: Aya rolls perception: (5)+24: 29 GAME: Aya rolls knowledge/nature: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Aya rolls knowledge/arcana: (20)+3: 23 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (2)+3: 5 GAME: Seyardu rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perception: (17)+8: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/nature: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/arcana: (16)+12: 28
Aya arrives at the docks shortly behind Aryia, having kept pace with her fellow mul'niessa. As much as some might enjoy some respite from the season's heat, herself included, this seems rather ... excessive... She slows to a stop as she looks further out to sea and the halted incoming ships aground on their personal icebergs. Her eyes narrow. "I believe this is just the start, and will get much worse as it blows ashore." Winter is coming?
Seyardu was not far behind Aryia and Aya. Or perhaps she was, as those in front were capable of moving much faster than she was. So the silverscale shows up eventually after them, having stopped to look up at the sky. She had never seen rain like this before. Was this some doing by foul magics? She would have to find out.
"Aryia, Aya, do you know what this might be about?" She asks, looking to the water. "The sea is, unmoving? Is that ice?"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "subbing PfE for the Endure" GAME: Cryosanthia casts Protection From Evil. Caster Level: 11 DC: 15
Cryosanthia left the Quill Repose last, significantly after the others but arrives astonishingly quickly. Escape spells are also useful for arriving on time, and a haste never hurts. She's tearing along the streets and cobblestones, weaving between pedestrians and wagons, only slowing as she approaches the notoriously slippery sections in the harbor.
Riding on her shoulders is Little Fang, Lily, her carnation-scale youngling who is enjoying the speed. She's crouched down, clutching tight to the whitescale's neck, her little head pressed up against the side and under her Ssassa's chin.
Cryo stares, looking around, finally focusing out to sea. "It's coming off the ocean. This isn't natural, this is a very powerful weather control spell." She points, "It's out there, it's heading for Alexandria."
She bounces on her feet, clapping, "It's going to get COLD here fast! So fast! Winter /IS/ coming! It's coming right now. We'll get that snowball fight!"
Oh, right, no winter clothes for Lily. She smacks her lips, stares up at the sky, "Right. Right, I remember." Moving both hands she draws them through elegant motions, even dancing a little. Her arms sparkle, her hands glow, and she reaches over her shoulder to blind-embrace her youngling.
Percy stretched to welcome the fact that it's time to wake up, unfortunately doing so she slipped and fell on her face. Percy clearly wasn't amused about falling out of bed and groaned with irritation, slowly Percy stood up and cleaned up the mess she made. Gently Percy placed the blanket down on the bed and pulled her long hair into a ponytail before turning to the window looking at the weather with a most inexpressive face. "I hate wet weather."
Percy picked up her sword and rushed outside the inn she was staying at. Percy's eyes widened as she picked up her satchel by the river. "thank the heavens! I thought I lost you!" Percy hugged the bag with joy. After re-uniting with her things Percy walked alongside the river to the gathering of people. Percy watched the waves on the ocean and the boats stuck in the water, shivering Percy took a few steps back away from the water hoping that way she wouldn't get soaked.
As warned, the hail is getting worse, larger pieces of frozen water falling from the sky. Nothing so large that it would harm anyone, but enough to be more than a mere annoyance. Yet as everyone approaches the port the hail ceases and it gets significantly colder. Cold enough to remind everyone here of the deepest winters. Those with astute vision catch sight of a glimmer of blue across the now-frozen ocean. A flame? The flame dances over the water. Disappearing and reappearing to bob above the ice a few feet away. This flame is quickly joined by a second one nearly the same blue color as the first. It skirts over the ice and comes nearly up to the edge of the port. It bobs not more than thirty feet away from the closest of you. It wiggles enticingly.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/the planes: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Aya rolls knowledge/the planes: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
Aryia hugs herself as the temperature plummets, a visible breath rolling out as she shivers and takes a step closer to Aya. She watches Cryosanthia jump around with joy, an expression of 'how-in-the-hell-do-you-like-this' plastered all over her visage. She nods to Seyardu before glancing to Percy, her brow raising from the antics.
Though, what really got the pugilist's attention was the blue flame dancing about in the air. She points to the flame and raises a questioning brow to everyone, the digit shaking in the air.
It's a Will-o-Wisp. They're capricious fae creatures.
Aya enchanted to footwear to help endure the absurd winters. She never expected such to help during the summer, but she isn't complaining. Noting Aryia's shiver, her lips purse and she looks around to the others she knows, then to any foolish and/or curious enough to remain at the docks. Not to mention any on the ships that are now unmoving. "People should seek shelter or other protection!" she calls out against the hail impacts. turning back seaward, she points at the flames. "Does anyone know what that... those are?!"
Cryosanthia seems to be enjoying the sudden temperature drop. She's stretching, spreading her arms. A brief moment of concentration and the bindings on her partial wings vanish, to be be replaced with a furred hood that covers Lily and hangs off her horns. She spreads her wings, as if she's letting the warmth bleed out of them. She sounds positively gleeful, "It's so bracing! Yes."
The whitescale peers at the flame, flames. "Yes! That's a Will-o-Wisp! It's a capricious fey! Tricky, generally harmless but they'll lead you into traps."
"Oh! Oh of course! They're leading whatever is causing the storm this way."
Someone ought to do something about that.
GAME: Aryia rolls will: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Aya rolls will: (14)+9: 23 GAME: Seyardu rolls will+2: (2)+8+2: 12 GAME: Percy rolls will: (20)+0: 20 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls will+4: (13)+9+4: 26 (+4 Charmed Life) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (3)+-1: 2 (Lily Will)
Fey bullshit? On HER dock? Absolutely not. Aryia stomps after the flames, her hugging herself against the cold weather. They were not messing up her dock today.
Seyardu lingers at the side. She didn't seem quite as bothered by the cold, for certain, but her movements are not nearly as quick as usual. She stretches, and looks around. "It is pleasant, for now. Do you need a cloak or something, Aryia, Aya?" She asks the two. "This is winter, Cryosanthia? It is nice. We could have a snowball fight, perhaps? Or, whatever else it is you do in winter. Though, perhaps we should stop whatever this is from disrupting the port?"
"We should go after it. Find out what we can." Seyardu suggests, walking and slipping on the ground. This was dangerous, there was nothing to see on the ground, yet the entirety of it was an obstacle.
Percy shivered at the cold, rubbing her arms vividly as she quietly cursed a word under her shivering breath. Looking through the crowd Percy sighed annoyed and looked up at the sky and back down at the ground. Percy quickly rushed past the people and glanced at the weird flame and back at her feet and began to think to herself, holding a stern face that didn't suit her well. From afar, Aya has the sudden suspicion that this could go very badly very quickly.
The pretty blue lights dance away from the group, leading away from the docks and out onto the ocean. The first few steps are treacherous indeed. The few after that, you quickly realize that the ice has firmed up underneath the water and that it's quite solid. Though the ground is slippery.
"Ssassa, wantss." Lily points out across the ice, "Catch lightsss. For fisssh tank."
"This one isn't sure we can catch them, but yesss. We should check them out." Cryo answers her youngling, stepping after Seyardu, then passing her, "Yes. It iss winter Seyardu. Dig your claws in, pretend it's hard mud, with each step."
She calls out loudly, "Everyone! Winter is Coming! Get inside! Get away from the water. It's all going to freeze right now!"
With that said she starts across the ice, when sudden thought strikes. Which way is the wind? Could she sail?
GAME: Aya rolls reflex: (20)+17: 37 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls reflex: (10)+12: 22 GAME: Aryia rolls reflex: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Seyardu rolls reflex: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
"I am fine," Aya answers Seyardu, "But Aryia should..." She motions to the other mul, only to find that she's tromping out onto the ice, "..probably -not- do that..." She scowls, and starts after, which proves just as well given that most everyone else is likewise headed onto the ice.
Aryia hops out onto the ice, upset that something would cause so much issues for later. But just as soon as she hits it, her feet slip. However her boots right themselves as she falls. It makes her stand up abruptly, slide further the other way, then fall face into a painful slide across the ice.
Seyardu continues to walk, and she hops off onto the frozen ocean. She takes the advice to heart, extending the claws on her feet more as she steps. She was going to figure out was going on. Another step, digging in. Only to find the foot raking through the ice, throwing the already clumsy Makari off balance. And despite that, her other foot was firmly stuck into the ice, levering her straight face first into the ground. Their face breaks through the sheet of ice, burying their face into the ice cold water. Just how could the ice act so differently in three different spots in the same place she was standing? The Makari sputters as she rolls onto her back, shaking the water off of her face.
Percy got off her train of thought and looked back at the flame; this time she saw a person on the ice near the blue fire. " Why are they standing on the ice? Do they have a death wish??
Aya seems to have no troubles navigating the slick ice for the moment. Perhaps it is sildanyari grace. Perhaps it is the winter enchantments on her footwear. Perhaps Aryia and Seyardu helpfully identified the locations least conducive to locomotion. "Are you alright? What are you trying to do?" she asks both as she catches up. "If these wisps are not causing this, then what is?" The last question is inclusive of everyone and anyone with an opinion. 'Cold and magical' are the limits of her understanding regarding the situation. Now that she's further out, she looks ahead, pasts the wisps, deeper into the storm.
The wisps bob up and down in a distinctly amused fashion. Yet they continue to lead you out onto the ocean. All of you that are willing to go. Dancing just a bit away. Luring you further and further out into the wintery waters. It gets colder as if that even seems possible. The chill sinks in and it feels like you might freeze in place. Yet just when you're sure that you can't bear it to get any colder you see a massive form in the water. It looks like an iceberg. Though those don't usually have huge eyes and maws. It's surrounded on all sides by much smaller icebergs that move and shift and certainly notice you. They spread out and begin to move toward you.
GAME: Cryosanthia casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 11 DC: 14" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perception: (14)+8: 22
She catches little glimpses of something VERY magically powerful in the center of all those icebergs, but only glimpses. They're doing a good job hiding it. If not for the spell it wouldn't have been visible.
Seyardu digs a foot back into the ice to give a stable spot to pull back to her feet. She dusts herself off, looking back to the others. "Be careful, it is quite slippery." She warns to the others, but she is already back to following the wisps. Though the figures make her look back into the water. Just what were these things? The sith-makar squints, trying to make out what was moving closer, while she back pedals on the ice.
"Careful now, more pad too." Cryosanthia suggests, looking back to see Seyardu and Aryia standing. Aya seems to be doing ok, as well as the stranger. She takes a quick glance around to check how far out on the ice and away from the harbour she's gotten.
She shakes her left hand, settling her armour and then curls her fingers and traces symbols as she's walking. There are sparkles of light on her chest scales, they trace out to her left arm and swirl down it, leaving winking flashes in their wake. Finally it centres on her hand. Fingers glowing, she touches beside her eyes. Her nictating membranes snap forward as her eyescales light up. Slowly she scans the area.
"Oh... this is beautiful. I can see the magic currents swirling through the weather. The icebergs are magic too! Something's making them. Hmmmm..." She puts her hand on Lily, checking her temperature and making sure she isn't about to spring free and charge the lights.
Cryo points, "There! Um... there! It's moving. I can barely see it. There's something in the center of all those icebergs there. It's powerful, it's REALLY magically powerful. The icebergs are hiding it."
"I said very powerful, right? It's bright!"
Aryia pulls herself to her feet, groaning silently. Though her feet slog forward, one after the other, following the wisps. She squints at the icebergs, her face etched with confusion. And the warning gives her pause. Aryia did not like magic things, doubly so if they had eyes and teeth. She shivers heavily, finding Aya nearby and latching onto her for an iota of warmth.
"These are, not icebergs." Seyardu says, looking back and waving to Cryosanthia, easing her steps a bit. "They are coming closer! I do not know if it is safe, I would not assume so. I will see what I can from here, however."
She peers between the... things, and tries to make sense of what she was looking at.
Percy watched as the strange icebergs rose. Percy ran on to the ice breaking into a cold sweat. She couldn't help but worry about what's going to happen next all she knew was she was born to help people in need, and now the chance to help those people has risen from the ice and those people on the ice will need back-up to make sure they stay as safe as possible.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls knowledge/the planes: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Aya rolls knowledge/the planes: (2)+4: 6
The icebergs, whatever they are, seem sentient. They draw closer. The small ones at least. As many of them as there are of you. They stop about ten feet out and stare at you. This continues for a long moment, and when there's no aggressive actions they move closer. Closer. Close enough to make low grinding noises at you. Finally one of them, the largest grinds out in the common tongue. "NO WEAPONS." Its voice is a low base rumble that sings through your veins. "NO WEAPONS."
GAME: Aya rolls perception: (19)+24: 43 GAME: Aryia rolls perception: (15)+13: 28 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls perception: (17)+8: 25 GAME: Seyardu rolls Perception: (14)+3: 17 GAME: Percy rolls Perception: (9)+4: 13
A woman's voice could be heard between the two comments about 'no weapons'. It says in a gentle exasperated tone, "Issac."
The largest one is about the size of a real iceberg, and its the one that talked.
The small ones are talking in the language of water.
Icebergs... are a thing for Cryosanthia. The whitescale has experienced a lot of turmoil and how she has attempted to manage it was to crush all her feelings down and freeze them into giant icebergs that grind away at the edges of her mental landscape.
A landscape that is a frozen arctic tundra, with a great ice covered sea, and a white tower she has claimed for herself. A landscape inspired by someplace otherworldly, where winter is endless.
Not that anyone is really aware of all this. Lily might have an inkling. Cryosanthia stands, staring at talking icebergs and feeling her reality slip away. Did she step into a dream somehow? It's... too close, to too much. Immobilized, she blinks.
She faces the largest iceberg, the one that speaks. Have her emotions finally caught up with her, demanding to be addressed? "This one... has no weapons."
Was that a woman's voice?
Aya accepts her attaching Aryian accessory. She can, for the moment, spare body heat for her kin. "We should not stay out on the ice. It is coming towards land, anyhow..." Her head tilts, ear cocking more towards the incoming floes. ".. and speaking..."
She follows suit with Cryosanthing, calling towards the iceberg, "We are unarmed. What is your intent?" It is easy enough to speak for herself and Aryia in that regard.
Seyardu had no weapons out, but she did have some on her, she did not go most places without them these days. But regarding the scene, they were still stowed. "We do not have weapons out." She adds herself to those present. You will not attack now, yourselves?" She asks, before catching a different sound. Looking around, the only reasonable source for the voice was the nearby sith-makar. "Is everything alright?" They ask out of concern.
Aya's attachment shivers heavily and nods at the idea. Though she holds her hands up for a brief moment to show that she had no weapons. And looking BEYOND confused.
Percy finally arrived at the group ready for anything or so she thought until she saw the icebergs sitting there with the blue flame in the middle . Percy followed Aya's movement as she put her hands up. Percy whispered. " If by any chance you understand what's going on please fill me in."
Your lack of apparent weapons seems to calm the icebergs and they pull back. Withdrawing. They keep an eye on Seyardu however. And Percy. Because that's a big weapon and they are intelligent enough to recognize the danger it represents. However there is a slender figure moving through the icebergs. Suddenly it breaks through, a slender woman revealing herself at last. She has long white hair and pale blue eyes like those of a husky but far colder. She wears a blue dress that falls to her feet, almost covering the fact that she's barefoot in this weather.
It.
Is.
Her.
Cryosanthia is frozen. Immobile, unmoving, every part of her.
There's a flurry of motion as she casts, autonomic-ally. Her gloves glow, she makes a wiping down motion towards herself. All scents are stripped. She straightens. Tall. As tall she can be, matching the other woman's posture. Her tail presses tight down the back of her legs.
One word escapes her lips.
"Mistress."
Cryosanthia can't move. She can't think. The shock has paralyzed her. Beat heart, oh beat. It. Is.
HER.
Aya rubs a hand on Aryia's back, somewhat reflexively, in attempt to generate heat, or perhaps help circulation. There is more than a little concern of freezing solid... which is helped not at all as she glances over to see Cryosanthia all but become a stoic statue. That can't be from the chill? She was enjoying the brisk just a few moments ago?
Her eyes flit further to Seyardu and the sword-endowed sildanyari before moving back ahead. They now track the emerging woman. "Who are you? What are your intentions?" She is concerned that the answers may not be pleasant, but knowledge is power... or so she did just espouse not fifteen minutes past.
Seyardu did not need any scents to know something was up. And the words only confirmed it while she was already confused by the presence of the strange woman. She steps in front of Cryosanthia and forward, but it wasn't enough for her to block the much taller sith's gaze. She was concerned, and scared, for certain.
"Peace." She says to the woman. "What brings you to this place? I would like to know why the water and land has been frozen, here."
Percy eyebrows rose at the sight of the thin woman without shoes. Percy couldn't help but stare at her. It was odd a woman would appear at a time like this and it's concerning the posture the dragonkin was using, but none other than that but call her
'Mistress' This woman must be of great importance. Percy straightened her back and did her best to put on a calm face. Sweat ran down her back as well as she was still shivering in the cold, she was both intimidated and confused but most of all frozen.
Aryia frowns at hearing what Cryosanthia said. She heard some of the story herself, and she leans further into Aya's hold. Basically hugging her at this point.
The woman stands simply, offering no sign that she might be dangerous. Even for a human she's short. Five feet at most really. Yet she has a commanding presence. As if she is used to be listened to. She looks at Cryosanthia first, her face devoid of expression, and eventually she nods. Acknowledgement. "I am Salina. Also known as Endless Winter. I have come to offer a warning as... courtesy." Her hesitation seems unusual. As if she's not used to that word.
"That is what has brought me here. I do not come any closer to your city because the Winter follows me and I do not wish to harm any of those that might not be able to bear the weight of that cold." She looks at Cryosanthia. "I am learning."
Aya's arm around Aryia assists the hold/hug as she makes note to aid the shivering mul'niessa in acquiring proper protection prior to the seasonal winter. Assuming that Aryia isn't inspired to raid every vendor stall for furs tonight.
What she knows of Salina is mostly anecdotal and entirely second- or third-hand. Then again, most of what she knows of other, similar, concerning beings is from similar sources, if not the same. Another glance to the others before she speaks again to Endless Winter.
"What warning do you offer?"
"Thank you Mistress." Cryosanthia says automatically, as if she's said it hundreds of times before, thousands. Every day, over and over. For years. For decades. For almost a century.
Her clothes shimmer. They match Salina's in cut and style, in as much what lies pleasantly on a slim human might on a much larger lizard person. Hers are white, to match her scales, with pale blue piping and decorative embroidery of snowflakes and dragon eyes.
The hood that covers Lily remains. She won't leave her youngling unprotected.
Her voice is neutral, a good ear would hear her already duplicating the woman's accents and phrasing. Returning to a voice the whitescale hasn't used in a while. "Mistress, these are my friends. Friends. This is the Queen of Endless Winter."
"Her warnings must be heeded. Her presence respected."
It's not every day one encounters a god.
Cryosanthia has barely moved at all. She has no scents, as if she's not even there. She's absolutely terrified. "I'm ready to hear."
Seyardu was still in front of the the other sith-makar, listening. seeing what the responses were. Upon seeing hearing Cryosanthia, she turns, takes one of her hands for a moment, gives it a squeeze with an accompanying nod before she turns away, back to Salina. "It is alright." She attempts to reassure before she takes another step forward. "We will listen, and thank you for taking those here into consideration. You will offer us a warning? Then, please continue." She replies.
A god standing in front of Percy, it was exciting and terrifying the feelings swirled around in her head and a switch was flipped on, Percy didn't need to act like she was calm anymore her face was stone of a calm. Percy was calm and ready to listen; she noted she was ready with a nod.
A scroll appears in the woman's hand and she offers it to one of the icebergs conglomerating around her. They fawn around her like loyal hounds, eagerly taking the scroll and bringing it to Seyardu. It is clear that it would have been offered to Cryosanthia instead, but they are respecting the fact that Seyardu is being protective. "The demon who tried to assassinate me, whom is the reason my people were dead, walks the streets of Alexandria again. I can feel him even now within your walls. This scroll contains a prophesy which the demons of his realm even now chant; deifying him. I know not its true meaning, but I do know that it may refer to an ancient story." Her voice is calm and placid. As smooth as ice.
She moves her hands so that they are clasped before her. "The story is older than I. It says that demons and devils are forged not in the hells from the mixing of the demons that reside there, but rather are made from the screaming tormented human souls that reside within. That they were once men. The story may be truth, or it may be another obfuscation of their type."
She looks across those arrayed before her and lands on each for a brief moment. "He will gain power as he is worshiped, for he is a Duke of the Hells and that is how they gain their abilities. Fear, horror, terror. The more of this he can bring to the world, the more it will feed his power base."
Merek walks along and to the port, and eventually makes his way along the ice. It's nice walk, the man is comfortable n the winter boots that he wears. Solid, warm boots. Secure. Providing a sense of peace. All the same, it takes a while for him to reach where the people are, out on the ocean on the ice and where the icebergs are. A nod to the people he knows, although he will listen to the conversation. No need to talk, really. He's unarmed, not that he generally ever really carries weapon.
Seyardu was not sure of what to make of the encounter, but she knew how it made Cryosanthia feel, and she wanted to worry Lilly as little as possible. So she reaches to accept the scroll with a nod, and she listens to what is shared. "Your warning is appreciated, thank you." She says to Salina. "Whether truth or not may not be seen, but we will take it into account. Is there anything else you would share? Or is this the main reason you are here?"
While very recent events did provide some slight hints concerning the reappearance of a certain demon duke, Aya does not discount the offered warning. First (and perhaps foremost), is the matter of the reputation and prior events. God, Queen, Endless... whatever the title, it seems decidedly unwise to rebuff or insult Salina. It seems that entire civilizations may have vanished for less.
Second, what she shares is far more informative than anything Aya had previously heard on this particular topic. Last, and not least, half of those present are frozen or nearly so, whether in mind, body, or some combination thereof. Aya may fall somewhat into one of those categories as she considers questions. "Would a lack of fear thus weaken him?" She inquires, then looks to Seyardu and the scroll she holds; which, in itself, may hold vital answers.
Aryia did not like the warning in the slightest, a frown pulling her face as she held onto Aya. It was a good warning to have, but not want she wanted to hear. She watches Seyardu diplomacy this out, trusting that her friend would be able to make sure this goes smoothly. She does offer a small gesture with a bluing hand of "Thanks." <Handspeech>
Percy turned her gaze to the newcomer and taking note they were there, Percy put herself into deep thought and quickly got out of it. Percy put a wide optimistic smile on her face and turned back to the god. "Whether we find this person in this town I will make sure when I leave to keep an eye out!
Cryosanthia is aware of everything around her, her friends, her mistress, the ice, the movement of the water beneath it and the open water. Her senses are strained, she will remember this. Her voice is calm, smooth, undisturbed. "Thank you mistress."
A heartbeat. "Take care of that Seyardu."
Another heartbeat. "Salina, I won't be coming with you."
She is a tall, unyielding white tower. Her control is absolute.
Little Fang has been here before. Hiding. Watching her parents stolen away. She's seen Cryosanthia, her new mother, fall into strange moments of despair and anguish. She recognizes this as another one of those, so much stronger, and puts together all the stories she's half heard. This is the cause.
Under the cloak, she digs in the haversack. She pulls out a weapon. A hand crossbow, one she's used on Auntie-Nemesis before. A weapon with a strange providence and a story for another time.
She leans out of the hood, aims and fires.
>twiing<
A bolt flies and strikes Salina. A foam dart, that bounces and falls to the ice. That might have been real if Cryo carried ammo.
"You hurt Ssassa so much!" The little pinkscale hisses, leaning over the whitescale's shoulder. Her draconic a hissy, emotional mess of anger and challenge. She's not going to lose another mother, and even though she has no idea what she's asking for, she wants something to help Cryosanthia heal, "Say you're sorry!" <draconic>
Seyardu nods. "I will keep it safe, I promise. It will be shared with others that are trusted." Though, the moment the hand crossbow is fired, she freezes. She doesn't see the source, but there is only one place that it could have come from. There is panic, and worry from the silver sith-makar, unnoticed by the others there. She lets out a long sigh.
"Salina, Endless Winter." She continues, her voice as neutral as almost always. "You say you are trying to change. If you are trying to learn, truly. Then please, apologize for your actions. The warnings are appreciated, but acknowledgement of the past is just as important." She says. She is panicking, clearly, but hopefully, it would direct any ire at her, instead of the pink kobold.
Salina seems about to say something. Perhaps something important, perhaps not. When a tiny bolt strikes true to her chest. It bounces off and falls to the ground but the woman stares at it. Not surprised, but more... curious. One of her minions gathers it up and brings it to her. She holds it in her hands as she looks up. Takes in the seething anger of the child and her expression is... nothing. Only her eyes show anything. As if a memory dances before her eyes. Something unknowable. Something that doesn't touch any part of her. "I would not ask that of you Cryosanthia." She says. "I am not what I once was. You freed me from that life."
She opens her hand and snowflakes drift out. Drift out and away. "A thousand words can not undo the past." They are words she has said before, perhaps not in this way, but in a way similar. She turns, walking away from you all. Toward the empty ocean. She offers no more answers. No more explanations, the icebergs talk in their own language though, warning Aya that the ice will melt now that the Endless Winter is leaving. Leaving. Gone.
She had once said something similar to Seldan, many times. That one can not unmake the past by word or action.
"One word can change the future." Cryosanthia calls back.
Somewhere between *twing* and *plunk*, Aya's cognizance catches up to the sounds she senses and the blur of motion. One plus one comes out to ...Lily. Somewhere, she wants to stand firm at the truth of that, smirk at the audacity, beam at the caring, cover her face at the naivete... There are many more, but even Aya cannot do all of these simultaneously; she does not bend that way. Moreso with Aryia under her arm. In the end, she manages ... her mouth dropping open.
Merek looks at Lily, between all the words and actions that he observes, there's amusement.
Aryia blinks at boldness of Lily, her eyes darting between Seyardu, the winter maiden, Cryosanthia, Lily, and back through the cycle again. She had nothing to say, nothing to add, nothing to mention. The scarred mul'neissa just shivers, gobsmacked.
Seyardu is glued to the spot, her feet dug into the ice. It was helping her keep balance at that point. When they turn, she watches, and it's not till she is far off that Seyardu hangs her head with another long sigh.
"It seems we were of the same mind, Lily, but you beat me to it." She finally speaks again, chuckling slightly. Despite everything, the danger, she cannot help a swish of her tail. <Draconic>
Aya closes her mouth when no retaliation comes. No reaction at all, really, or very little. That is something she expects is perhaps not much less than if there were, to some. The warning of the ice, for the ice, about the ice, however, spurs her to physical action. "We must return to the docks. Quickly."
She turns, attempting and aiding Aryia to move with her as she makes no effort to release her. To the others, she notes, "The ice will soon melt, and there is much to do." Her focus lingers briefly on Seyardu and the scroll before she looks ahead towards the docks.
"Go Seyardu. I'll be along shortly." Cryosanthia says, sounding just like Salina, a voice impassive and devoid of emotion. She stands, the tall white tower, staring after the vanishing fey, listening to the grind and groan of the icebergs, comprehending nothing at all.
She reaches back, stroking along Lily's neck and back, holding her, a gentle squeeze on her younglings's arm. "Thanks."
One word to build on. One word denied. Perhaps her acknowledgement will be enough, that life is past. Cryosanthia is one of the ones that freed her from it. She no longer has to be held by her own, entwined with the Fey Queen's. It is frozen, unchanging, like objects trapped in ice.
She stands on the floes as they melt, as the ice grows thin, unconcerned. Lily is protected and the water will only become warmer. She can swim. She has enough magic to make it back on her own.
She is... no. She _was_ the beloved pet of Endless Winter. She is a woman of power in her own right. She is Joyous Winter.
She stands in her spot until the ice has melted almost completely away, then turns. Casting frost cantrips she builds herself a bridge back to shore and walks the entire way there.
Nothing comes in the wake of Cryosanthia's words. Perhaps they came too late. Perhaps the Endless Winter does not know how to change the future. Either way the ice is melting quickly to the heat of the summer returning and you'll have to run to get back to the port before it melts and sends you into the drink. Thankfully, if you do hoof it, you'll make it in plenty of time to watch the storm clouds fade and the sun set on the horizon in a dozen splendid colors. As if to make up for that inclement weather.
Dramatis Personae
Aryia
This mul is built lithe and quick, body honed to be its own weapon. She doesn't stand too terribly tall, yet her stature doesn't help with how she squirrels herself away.
Heavy scarring lines every inch of exposed dark colored flesh, that almost a dim grey. Her face shows youth, yet her milky eyes betray a hard life were her self not evidence enough. Moon colored hair comes down to just past her shoulders, it a damaged mess, yet straightened out. The entire front of her throat is a mass of scarring, deep wounds from long past.
Attire wise, she doesn't wear anything complicated. A simple, white cotton long sleeved and brown pants, coupled with some nice looking dark blue boots. Underneath the sleeves are leather cords that press against muscled arms. Small, cold iron plates adorn the back of her hands and knuckles, the palms and fingers exposed.
Aya
This Mul'niessa stands proudly upright, regardless of how tall her four and one-half foot stature fares compared to those around her. Her flesh is a median medium grey, with a hint of blue, though may appear darker in contrast to alabaster hair. Though lengthy, her mane is firmly kept against her scalp, between her dagger-like ears, and down her back in rows of small braids that themselves weave into a large tail hanging down her spine. Interwoven into the braid of braids is a length of silver ribbon that adds shimmer and intermittent reflection.
She is dressed simply in a triangular, tapered wrap of white cloth that forms an angled hemline between left knee and right thigh, crosses at the small of her back, again across her chest, and completes around her neck with an off-center knot. Additional wraps of fur cover arms and legs when the climate demands it, and a subdued gray cloak keeps wind and rain away as needed. Around her neck is a small mithrail chain that weaves together in a pattern to form a pendant at her throat out of its own length. Pinned to the fabric at her left shoulder is a platinum floral broach (+view).
Percy
Percy has long light blond hair that is always down, it reaches past her shoulders and is pushed back out of her face though strands often escape to drift over her eyes. A moderately tall sildanyar, she is about five and a half feet tall. Her build is a delicate one, and she is somewhat athletic. Her ears are decorated with silver stud earrings and small black hoops. Her silver eyes shine with joy almost as much as the smile that's always on her face. Her torso bears a light tan colored tunic with a chain shirt underneath. She carries her satchel over her right shoulder, and wears short black trousers for easier travel, as well as a pair of black ankle boots.
Contrary to her innocuous clothing, she wears a huge blade on her back, and she moves as though she is used to its presence. Whenever she is headed out on some adventure or another, she straps a dagger to her thigh for good measure.
Seyardu
While not as physically imposing as many others of her kind, Seyardu still towers over most regardless. The sith-makar is covered in bright silver scales, with almost metallic, silvery eyes that are usually found in what looks like an appraising squint. Two long, ridged horns curve forward on their face, and a long tail trails slightly on the ground, keeping them balanced. Usually they are seen in town with simple, plain clothes, a simple vest and accompanying gray skirt. A large rucksack is usually slung over her back with most of her worldly posessions, with a large wooden shield, well used but completely bare, save for a rough dark black painting of a dragon's head.
Cryosanthia
Speaker of the Sith'makar
Cryosanthia is an elegant sith-makar woman in the first year of her second century. She radiates confidence, a deep power from within. Her scales are a brilliant white, highlighted by ones which are the palest of glacial blues. These pale scales trace out the scars she used to bear, her hide is restored. She bears two fantastic patterns of these, one on her chest, the other completely covering her back from crest to tailtip. When the light hits right, one sees the dragon within. Her bearing is intense, her motions minimal grace. Two horns sweep back from her brow. Her eyes are like glittering saphhire gems, and when she blinks her eyelids have the glacial blue to them as well. She carries no weapons, and still keeps a tiny bag close to her heart.
Her clothing is various ensembles. At times she wears a layered robe, a mithril swashbuckling outfit, kilted leather, a loincloth, or nothing. The colours inevitably mirror her own. Brilliant white with shimmering blue highlights, piping and whorls. Snowflakes and dragon-eyes are a common motif.
Cryo has been changed, physically and fundamentally by her experiences. She grew into herself under the Queen of Endless Winter, and struggles to reconnect with herself, her body, and friends she hasn't seen in decades. Alien at times even to the sith-makar, her heritage is written on her scales, along with her spells.