afolderfullofstories

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 3

TW: Child whump, Serious talks about planning to kill a child

Notes: Another character to bring in for you. Yikes. Was just going down the whumptober list to see what I haven't filled. And this idea jumped up immediately. Context cause I realized I didn't explain it, Seraphina is a wild magic sorcerer, meaning she has absolutely no control of her powers. It was fun cause I just wanted to make the most chaotic character i could whose chaos was all accidents. So the wild magic things was all meant to be jokes. Well...you know me. I cannot leave characters happy for long. I get bored (and I also didn't know what to do with her. Like ok chaos...then?) We go the usual route of, oh character learns to control her powers. Then? So I dunno, what came out is easily one of the darker backstories for my characters?

Dear Diary,

Mommy and Daddy locked me in my room. I know I’ve done something bad again. But they won’t tell me what. The house doesn’t smell burnt again. But I know I’ve done something bad. I don’t remember what happened. I usually do. I usually remember causing a fire or summoning monsters or making people sick. But this time I don’t remember. Some of the neighbours had come over for dinner and we were all laughing and having fun. Then one of the girls pulled my hair and called me the village freak then…then… I don’t remember. I woke up in my room and they locked the door. I called out to mommy and daddy but they just asked me to stay in the room for awhile. Did I hurt anyone? Did I do something really bad? I didn’t mean to. I never mean to. It just happens. I hope everyone isn’t angry with me. Maybe they just need to calm down. I’ll stay here and wait for awhile. It’s ok.

Dear Diary,

They still won’t let me out. They won’t even open the door. They send in food to me through a small teleportation circle. They won’t say anything else to me. Why? What did I do wrong? Why can’t I remember? I’m scared. I tried knocking on the door but no one answered me. I think everyone’s very angry at me. I’m trying to learn the scriptures and pray to Lord Torm. But…why won’t anyone at least talk to me? Why won’t anyone say anything? I’m sorry. I really am sorry.

Dear Diary,

I can’t do this anymore. I kept banging on the door and begging them to let me out. But they wouldn’t let me out. They won’t even talk to me. Please talk to me. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to do whatever I did. I’m sorry. I’ll be good. Please just let me out. I don’t want to stay in here alone anymore. Please. I’ll be good. Just let it out.

The next few pages of the diaries are tear-streaked, then blood streaked. Some of the pages have been burned off. The entries are mostly indecipherable.

Dear Diary,

I keep praying to Lord Torm to help me. To take this curse away from me. Why won’t he help me? I don’t want to do this anymore. Please make it stop. It won’t stop. It’s happening more and more. Mommy and Daddy had long removed anything that could catch fire in my room. But it still burns. It still hurts. It hurts. Mommy usually made the pain go away. But she’s not here. No one’s here. Do they hate me? Is that why-

Diary,

It hurts. I’m hiding under my bed. I’m scared to go out. A monster appeared. It was so big and scary. I tried to scream but I couldn’t make a sound. Only bubbles escaped my throat. It hurt me. There’s so much blood. I crawled under the bed and it couldn’t reach me. I kept trying to scream but I couldn’t. And then the monster disappeared. But I’m still scared to go out and see. My stomach hurts.  Everything hurts. I still can’t scream. I can’t make a sound. I…I’m getting sleepy. Maybe when I wake up, it will just be a nightmare.

*

“Seraphina?” There was a sound from outside the door. Did they stop being angry with her? “Seraphina, can you hear me?” Brother? It hurt. She couldn’t move. She felt too tired to move. Something was wrong. “I’m sorry we left you alone for so many days. There was an urgent meeting at the church that we couldn’t get out off. Did you have fun with Selise at least?”

Seraphina still didn’t say anything. They weren’t ignoring her on purpose? But why did they lock the door? And her big sister was here, why didn’t she come in and talk to her? But Selise never hid how much she didn’t like Seraphina.

“I know you’re upset but would you at least answer me?”

Seraphina’s voice was weak. It wasn’t bubbles anymore but she struggled to find her voice. “Hurts.”

“What hurts, little one?”

She blinked, it was so hard to think. “Hurts.” He brother was there. Her brother was talking to her. He didn’t hate her. “Help.”

“Seraphina, what’s wrong?” She heard the doorknob rattle before the door flew open, revealing her brother standing there, still in his armor. His eyes darted to the blood stained ground, before landing on her hiding under the bed. He ran towards her, his armor clanking noisily. “What happened?”

She whimpered then cried out in pain as her brother pulled her from under the bed. She gripped her stomach harder as tears rolled down her face.

“It’s ok. It’s ok.” He repeated soothingly. “We’ll find mother to heal you, alright?” He gathered her tightly in his arms. His eyes darted towards her stomach before his face turned pale, “Did Selise do this?”

“No…. M…Monster… I… did bad a…gain…” Her voice was trembling as she struggled to speak.

“Ok. It’s ok. We’ll find Mother. It won’t hurt anymore.” He left the room, moving quickly but careful enough not to jostle her wound further.

“Sc…scared….”

“I know. It’s ok. There’s nothing to be afraid off.”

She nodded weakly, “You’re…here.” She felt sleepy. She closed her eyes. Her brother was here. She was safe now.

“Seraphina, don’t close your eyes! Just keep talking to me.”

But Seraphina couldn’t keep her eyes open. She was so tired. She just wanted to sleep for a minute.

“Seraphina!” She could hear worry in her brother’s voice. Why was he worried? She was just sleepy. “Mother!”

“She went out for a while. What do you need, brother?” She recognized Selise’s voice.

“We asked you to watch her. Is this how you take care of her?” Her brother was angry. She didn’t want her brother to be angry. She was the one who was bad again.

“I didn’t…” Selise’s voice turned cold. “That brat made me sick the whole week. I couldn’t even get up of bed. She should have been grateful I used what little energy I had to make sure she didn’t starve.”

“You-”

“Sorry….didn’t…mean…hurt…” She couldn’t speak again. Was her magic acting up again? Why couldn’t she speak?

Her brother hushed her. “Can you heal her?”

“I couldn’t replenish my magic. I’ll get Leora.”

She felt herself being lowered closer to the ground, but her brother still clutched her tight. “You’re going to be ok, little one. You’re going to be fine.”

“Slee…py…”

“I know. Just a bit more. Leora will be here soon.”

“Bro…ther…so…rry…”

He sighed. “I know. I know none of this is you. I’ll find a way to end this curse. I swear.”

“Brother, what-” Big sister was here. “Put her on the ground.” Her voice was serious.

She was lowered onto the ground and the movement sent a jostle through her stomach. She cried out in pain and gripped her stomach harder.

“Let me see. Seraphina, move your hands. Let me see.” Leora pulled her hands away from her stomach. She froze and let out a word that Seraphina knew their mother wouldn’t approve. “What happened?”

“M…mon…ster… so…rry…”

Leora sighed but Seraphina could feel her hands over her stomach. “Just relax. It’ll stop hurting in a bit.”

Seraphina could only nod weakly. Her eyes drooped close once more.

“Seraphina, don’t-“

“It’s alright, brother. Let her rest. I’m here. I won’t let her go.”

Seraphina’s head drooped to the side as she closed her eyes, exhaustion filling her. She could feel her brother’s hand around hers, gripping her tight.

*

Leora looked down at the wound again and shut her eyes tight. She took a breath and continued healing her sis… Seraphina.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“Look at her. Her skin is burnt. She was attacked. How did you not hear or notice? Did you not check up on her at all?” There was pure fury in her brother’s eyes.

Selise’s voice was quiet, “No. No I didn’t.”

“I knew you hated her but I should have realized…”

“No brother. I’m not that cruel. Whatever she did to me… Brother, it was bad. If I wasn’t a healer myself, I think it would have killed me. It took everything in me to send food to her room. I couldn’t even lift my head out of bed.”

Leora was silent. She tried to focus on healing Seraphina’s insides. Whatever monster Seraphina summoned…

“How did the meeting go? What did the church say?”

“One year. They’re giving us one year to get Seraphina in control of her powers or to find a way to end the curse. Or…”

“And how many more people will she kill in a year?”

“That’s enough, Selise.”

“Brother, I’m serious. I may not be as trained as mother or sister but… I’ve never met an ailment I couldn’t heal. She’s a child. She summoned a lightning bolt, a spell that required a highly trained wizard to do, and killed that poor boy and his parents.”

“She didn’t mean any of that.”

“That’s the worst part. Because it means she has no control of her powers at all. And she’s only getting stronger. Look at what she’s done to herself. Giant rats we can handle, whatever did this, is dangerous.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re not her real sister.” Her brother hissed.

“How dare you? I treat this whole family like my own. This is the only family I know. How dare you say-”

“How else can you suggest such a thing?”

“Brother, Selise is right.” Leora said quietly, her eyes never leaving Seraphina’s gapping abdomen, her hands diligently working.

“If you really feel that way, then stop healing her. She will die if you do. Go on then.”

Leora removed her hands. Seraphina whimpered as the relief disappeared. Leora could only stare at her chest rising and falling labouredly and she knew it would only be a matter of time before… She couldn’t. Her hands went back to Seraphina’s abdomen, muttering another healing spell as she tried to keep her sister alive. Her sister. Fuck. She didn’t want to…

 Selise sighed, “Keeping her locked up is not going to be an option then.”

“Not locked up. But I’m sure I can convince her to stay inside. We don’t have anymore guests. If we need to meet anyone, we meet them outside.”

“Do you really believe she can control her powers in a year?”

Her brother shook his head. “We just need to make sure she doesn’t kill anyone. Whatever else we can hide.”

“Brother…” Leora looked up at him.

“I won’t fight you if the whole family truly believes killing her is the best option.”

“It’s the right thing to do and you know it.”

“I do. As a Paladin of Torm, I do. But as a brother…”

“You’re getting too attached, brother.”

“Attached? Don’t act like this is some sort of pet that we adopted. This is our sister.”

“I know, brother. But our sister is now a rabid dog that must be put down!”

“Sister…” Came Selise’s quiet voice.

Leora turned and saw Seraphina’s eyes staring up at her in pain, tears trailing down her cheeks. “I didn’t… Seraphina, I didn’t mean…”

“W…would you…be happier…if I was gone?”

From the corner of her eye, Leora could see both Selise and her brother look away. But she couldn’t, she had to fix this. “It’s complicated. It’s not that we… It’s just… you…” And she couldn’t fix it. She couldn’t find the right words to say.

“It…it’s ok, big sis. Y…you don’t have to heal me.” Seraphina’s hand touched hers, trying to push her hands away but too weak to do so.

The betrayal and hurt in Seraphina’s eyes broke her heart and she…she…she couldn’t find the right words. Instead she quickly hummed a lullaby, placing a sleep spell on Seraphina. Seraphina’s eyes drooped close, faster than before. Leora placed a gentle hand on Seraphina’s face, “I’m sorry.” She took a breath and continued healing her. The look of acceptance in her sister’s eyes had shaken her. Her hands started to shake. She knew this was coming. From the day they realized how dangerous Seraphina truly was, they knew what they needed to do. She pushed away all feeling for her sister. She readied herself for that day. She reminded herself that she was a cursed monster, nothing more. But seeing that broken look in her sister’s eyes…

Leora let out a sob.

Selise’s arms were around her sister in an instant. “It’s ok. Sister, it’s ok.”

“No I have to focus on healing her. I have to…” And Leora casted another spell that calmed her emotions immediately. She took a shuddering breath, and focused back towards healing.

She felt her brother’s eyes on her before he finally said, “Is that how you-”

“Yes.” Leora said, calmly. “I knew everyone would be emotional about this. And I thought maybe one of us should make the logical decision. And then…it just got easier to not feel.”

“Thanks for sharing.” Her brother said bitterly.

“I wasn’t wrong, brother. As much as it would have pained me to say it, if we can’t find a cure, she will have to die. Whether by one of our hands, or if the other Paladins of Thorm have the mercy to take this from our hands. You can’t keep doting and being attached to her like this. I know you, brother. It would break you. Even if we can keep her locked away for the next 10 years and we can hide her lack of control, what happens after that? Are we going to lock her away until she’s an old woman? It’s going to happen sooner or later, and you need to accept it and keep away from her. If I have to lose my sister, I don’t want to lose my brother as well.”

Her brother closed his eyes and sighed, “I will try.” He looked down at his sleeping sister, “I don’t even know what to tell her when she wakes up.”   

Leora nodded. “When Mother gets back, she’ll just make her forget again. Seraphina won’t have to remember what we said. Let her live the next year in ignorance. She doesn’t need to know.”

Her brother sighed. “I’ll find a cure. I will do everything in my power to find a cure. I won’t give up like that.”

“Ok brother. However is easier for you to process this.” Leora said as she focused all her energy on saving her little sister.

#whumptober 2023 #whumptober2023 #no.3 #journal #solitary confinement #“Make it stop” #lyric #my fic #dnd 5e #dungeons and dragons 5e #OC #Seraphina #child whump tw #why am i even bothering to tag this properly? XD

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober Day 31

Notes: When the writing mood strikes, I can't stop writing. When I need to complete Whumptober on time, nothing comes. (Shrugs)

Dormaia hugged herself tighter as screams resounded in her ears. She couldn’t breathe. She could see the bodies surrounding her. She could recognize each one of those bodies. Her family, her friends, her… Her breathing became faster. The screams suffocated her. Each cry for help pressed onto her chest, choking her. Her body shook and she gripped herself tighter to stop herself from shaking.

Another scream joined the chorus, this one different, new. And Dormaia could only clench her eyes shut, forcing the voice out. She didn’t want to think about that now. Another one she’s failed. Another one she couldn’t save. Another time she ran.

“Dormaia, are you alright?” The rogue’s voice was gentle but it couldn’t pierce through the screams that resounded through her ears.

“Get out!” She tried to sound harsh, but her voice shook. She didn’t want her to see her like this. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this. She wasn’t weak. But she was. She couldn’t save anyone. She couldn’t save… She ran again. She fucking ran.

She felt a gentle hand on hers. And she wanted to pull away, fight back, but she couldn’t. She could only shake harder. She felt tears streaming down her face but she couldn’t force it back. “It’s ok, Dormaia.”

The screams only grew louder, desperate. “Shut up!”

The rogue’s hand released hers in shock.

The grounding presence disappeared and the screams resounded through her head, growing louder, dragging her deeper and deeper into a void. “Shut up. Please just stop. Stop!”

There was a hesitant hand on her arm. It grounded her for a moment. But the void’s pull was strong and she sunk further. Her body shook harder.

Hands wrapped around her holding her tight, holding her present, keeping her from sinking deeper into the void. The screams resounded in protest and her body shook. But the arms held her tighter refusing to let her fall.

“I’m sorry. I tried. I tried.”

“I know, Dormaia. It wasn’t your fault.”

It was. It was her fault. She let him die. She left him behind to die.

*

Dormaia froze as she saw her little sister lying on the ground before her, arrow sticking out of her chest. “No.” She ran towards her, picking her gently into her arms. “No.”

“Help me. Big sis, help me.”

“You’re going to be ok. You’re going to be-”

The small Tiefling started choking in her arms as blood trailed down the side of her lips.

“No. No. Please.”

And then a scream. Her mother’s scream filled the air. And she looked around and searched but she couldn’t find her. “Mother!” But only her screams answered her.

And then her father appeared on the ground before her, his body twisted and contorting as he was burned from the inside. And then his screams joined the chorus, the never-ending chorus of screams and pain.

“Stop.” Dormaia tried to clench her eyes shut but she couldn’t move. She could only stare forward and watched the carnage before her.

“Some protector you are.”

“Brother.” She turned to see her brother standing before, skin burnt to an almost unrecognizable level. She whimpered.

“Look at this sister. You failed to protect us. You failed to protect anyone. You ran as we died.”

“I didn’t mean…I was scared. I couldn’t do anything.”

“You failed.” He grabbed her hair roughly and forced her eyes down to her little sister staring up at her with wide, blank eyes. “You failed everyone.” He pulled her hair back and there were more bodies on the ground. Her friends. “You’re going to fail them all too.”

*

“Dormaia, wake up.”

Dormaia jumped up at the hand touching her. She pushed the figure back, fear pounding in her chest. The figure cried out and she looked down at the rogue staring up at her.

“You were screaming in your sleep.”

Dormaia’s eyes darted across the room, the screams from her nightmares still echoing through her head. But there were no bodies. Her eyes darted towards the Rogue. “I told you I didn’t want to share a room.” She hissed, before forcing her legs to stand. She ignored the Rogue on the ground and headed outside, she needed air. She needed to breathe.

She gasped in the cold night air but it wasn���t enough. She couldn’t breathe. Her cheeks were wet and she couldn’t breathe. She clenched her eyes shut forcing herself to breathe, to calm down, something. It’s been so long since she’s woken up screaming like this. She hadn’t realized…

There’s a hand on the small of her back, and Dormaia just froze. Her body tensed and she was ready to attack. Even though she knew… “Leave me alone.”

“Just breathe, Dormaia.”

She forced herself to pull away from the Rogue’s hand. She turned towards her and looked down. She knew the gnome was an adult. But seeing her so small reminded her so much of- And as soon as she thought that, the Rogue turned into a small Tiefling, arrow sticking out of her chest. Dormaia forced her eyes away.

“It’s ok. Just take it easy. Just breathe.”

“I thought I was getting better.” She said in a shaky breath. She closed her eyes in shame. “I thought I was stronger than this.”

Hands wrapped around her waist, “You’re not weak, Dormaia.”

“I can’t save anyone.” Her voice broke. And once more she could see the bodies of everyone she’s lost, everyone she’s failed. “I should have never have begged Lord Levistus to save me. I should have died there with them. But I was a coward. I didn’t want to die. Pathetic.”

“It’s not wrong to survive.”

Dormaia sunk to her knees. The rogue couldn’t hold her up and sunk to the ground with her. Dormaia’s shoulders shook as pain and grief filled her. For years she’s done nothing but focus on her vengeance. But she couldn’t do it anymore. It was all too much.

“We are all here by our own choices. It’s not your job to protect us. Things happen. Shitty things happen. But it’s not your fault.”

“I ran again.”

“You survived. You would have died in that room.”

Dormaia shook her head. “I should have. I should have.”

“Dormaia…”

“He still had magic. Fieron still had magic. He could have healed himself. Instead he saved me. Why?”

“Because he wanted you to live, Dormaia. We all do.” The rogue held her tighter. “Now I need you to want to live too.”

Dormaia clenched her eyes shut. “I don’t have the right.”

“You do. You have every right to live.”

Dormaia couldn’t believe her words no matter how hard she tried. She just wept until she was spent and she just felt empty. Vengeance was the only thing keeping her going and she held on to that. “I want to kill him. I want to kill the wizard who did this. I want to tear him apart.”

The rogue sighed, “I shouldn’t be encouraging you but…I want the same. We all do. Let’s do this together, Dormaia. We’re a team. We’ll find him and kill him, I promise.”

#whumptober 2023 #no.31 #Setbacks #Take it easy #lyric #d&d 5e #dungeons and dragons 5e #OC #fic #Dormaia #PTSD tw #nightmares tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Name: 'Levi'

Race: Reborn (Visually Tiefling)

Class: Swashbuckler Rogue

#Levi #d&d 5e #dungeons and dragons 5e #dnd 5e character

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober Day 7

Notes: Not repo! unfortunately. Seriously have absolutely no inspiration to write for it anymore. I watched Prince of Egypt musical recently hoping I would have some sort of inspiration to continue that storyline but nope, I'm out. (And honestly there's no where else for that story to go). If it's any consolation, Levi is very Pavi inspired in terms of the way he acts and talks to people. (Just not in this story, he hasn't reached that point yet). I tried going around calling everyone Bella and Bello and he literally flirts with anything that has a pulse. They both adopted very similar personas but that's about where the similarities end.

*

He awoke to cold, severe frostbiting cold. He looked around to see himself buried deep in snow, half encased in ice. What the hell? He quickly stood up, trying to get out of the cold. The freezing, biting air didn’t make a lick of difference. He could feel the chill seep straight into his bones. He couldn’t stop his teeth from chattering. He had to get out of the cold.

He looked around. There was nothing but ice for miles on end. There had to be something. He couldn’t do anything but start walking. The snow stretched, one foot after another. He had to get out of the cold. One foot after another. He was beginning to feel numb. One foot after another.

There was a town up ahead. Relief filled him. He could get out of the cold. He was safe. He entered the quiet town, the occupants all probably hiding indoors from the cold. He looked around for anywhere he could take shelter. A door opened. He darted into an alleyway before he could be spotted. He couldn’t be spotted by anyone. If they saw him, they would hurt him or worse. He couldn’t be seen. He had to hide.

But why?

He paused in the alleyway, still out of sight, but frozen. Why was he afraid that someone would see him? There was a deep fear in his gut but he didn’t know why. Did he do something wrong? He… He…

Who was he?

Why couldn’t he remember anything? Who the fuck was he? He had been so focused on getting out of the cold that he hadn’t realized… Did he hit his head? Was that it? He felt against his head but couldn’t find any bumps or pain or injuries. What he did find were a pair of horns sticking out of his head. He expected shock or fear but there was nothing. He looked down at his skin and it was a bright shade of purple. Again he didn’t feel surprised.

He heard music from one of the buildings, it must be a tavern. He hadn’t eaten since he awoke in the ice. Maybe he was just tired and cold. Maybe if he just warmed himself up and had something to eat, his memories would come back. But he couldn’t force himself towards the Tavern. He couldn’t be seen. If he was seen…something bad would happen.

His eyes darted to a nearby house, a winter cloak hanging on the clothes line. He approached it quietly, snatching the cloak and quickly putting it on. He pulled the hood over his head, hiding his horns. He slid his hands under the cloak, hiding his bright purple skin. Cautiously he approached the tavern, ready to run. He opened the Tavern door and went right to the back of the room.

No one was watching him. Good. The warmth of the Tavern hit him at once, relaxing him slightly. A warm meal would do wonders for him. He… His hands darted around his waist, his clothes. He wasn’t carrying any money on him, that much was clear. He sighed. He was looking forward to a hot meal. Not that he was hungry, which surprised him. He was walking for hours. But the cold and adrenaline was probably just distracting him.

“Well, fancy seeing a Tiefling all the way out here.”

His eyes darted upwards, as his hands flew towards his waist where it encircled the hilt of a blade. He hadn’t even realized it was there. A reflex he supposed.

“Relax, sweetie. A bit jumpy, aren’t you?” The female dragonborn said gently.

He furrowed his brow. She knew he was a Tiefling but she wasn’t attacking him. Tiefling… Yes. That was what he was. A Tiefling. He felt a semblance of pride in his chest for a moment. He tried to grab hold to that, any flicker or trace of his memory, but it disappeared.

“Are you alright, honey? What’s your name?”

He looked up at her but he couldn’t answer her. What was his name? He must have a name. “Levi.” The answer came smoothly from his lips. It was wrong. His name wasn’t Levi. But…it felt important. The name felt important. But…why?

“Do you want to order anything?”

“Ye-” And then he remembered he had nothing on him. He shook his head.

“You’re a quiet one.” She gave him a warm, motherly smile. (And he feels something itch at the back of his mind, a kind, warm voice speaking in Infernal). “Let me get you something warm. On the house.” She winks at him.

“Thank you.” He said in Infernal. He quickly shook his head and repeated in Common.

He stared at the Dragonborn walked away. Slowly, he pulled off his hood. No one stared. The Dragonborn hadn’t even reacted when she saw he was a Tiefling. But he didn’t even know why he was afraid she would find out. He sighed and rubbed his head. He had to remember something. Why couldn’t he remember anything?

The Dragonborn smiled at him as she placed a bowl of warm broth in front of him. He thanked her in Infernal once more before correcting himself.

He was a Tiefling. He spoke Infernal. The name ‘Levi’ meant something to him. He…he… He let out a string of curses. He could almost hear a voice chiding him. He tried to grab on to that but it disappeared before he could catch it. He groaned in frustration.

He sighed before turning to the broth before him. He still didn’t feel hungry. He had absolutely no appetite. But he needed to eat. He took a careful spoon. It tasted…like nothing. He sighed. It was free food. There was no reason to be mean. He took another spoon. It didn’t even taste bland. It just tasted like nothing. He decided to just gulp down the broth and get it over with. He placed the spoon down and chugged the broth down.

He placed the bowl back onto the table and made a face. It was just tasteless, why was he having such a visceral reaction to it? Almost in reply, his stomach turned. He didn’t have time to move, as his body regurgitated the food violently. He heaved and hurled until there was nothing more to bring up.

The Dragonborn was at his table almost immediately.

“Sorry.” He managed to mutter weakly.

“Are you ill?” He felt a warm hand on his forehead. “Goodness. You’re freezing. Take one of the rooms upstairs.” He tried to protest he didn’t have any coin but she hushed him. “You’re clearly not well and you need rest. Don’t worry about paying.”

He could only thank her gratefully as he made his way up the stairs. He washed up and plopped himself in bed. He could feel exhaustion seeping into his bones. But he couldn’t sleep. He laid there staring at the ceiling, counting sheep; but sleep refused to come. And then he felt it, he was tired but he wasn’t sleepy. He knew it didn’t make sense. But no matter how much he tossed and turned, sleep refused to fill him.

He heard screams. They sounded so far away and yet right beside his ears. The screams were a cacophony, when one stopped another began, and more. And he tried to listen, tried to recognize a voice, anything.

There’s another scream, louder, not so distant. He sat up as the Dragonborn staggered back, staring at him in fear. And then she took a breath to calm herself down. “My apologies. You sleep like the dead. Could have sworn you weren’t breathing.”

And then he took a breath. Because he realized too he had forgotten to breathe. Why did he need to remember to breathe? Wasn’t it natural?

The Dragonborn placed a hand on his forehead once more and tutted loudly, “I swear your skin is like the dead. Was the room not warm enough?”

He looked down at his hands and the purple skin looked sallow under the lights. He took another breath as he realized he had forgotten to breathe again. He placed a hand on his wrist and pressed harder but he couldn’t feel it, he couldn’t feel a pulse.

“Is something wrong, sweetie?”

“I don’t know.” He forgot to breathe again. “I think I… I think I’m dead.”

*

Levi entered yet another town. It’s been a month since he woke up in the ice. The Dragonborn Tavernkeeper had been kind. She allowed him to stay in the Tavern for free as he tried to figure out who or what he was. He was dead, that much was clear. He couldn’t keep food down, he couldn’t sleep no matter how hard he tried and he had to constantly remind himself to breathe before people started staring.

He still didn’t have his memories and after telling the Dragonborn his name was Levi, it was a bit hard to back down from it. Besides, he liked it. He spent nights trying to claw whatever bits of memories he could hang on to. But he had nothing. Just a small memory of the smell and taste of a warm meal. So he knew he had to be alive at some point.

He went door to door in the town, hoping someone would recognize him and tell him who he was but no one knew him. Then he settled for sitting at the tavern, hoping a passerby would know him but still he had no luck. Then he went town to town. Someone had to recognize him. But each town only tore any hope he had to pieces.

He started once more, knocking each door, asking, begging almost, if any of them recognized him but they all just shook their head and looked at him with pity. One door then the next, then the next, then the next. Nothing.

Levi let out a scream of frustration as the last house’s door closed. No one. Not even a single person knew him. It didn’t even have to be a friend or family. Just someone fucking recognize him. He looked up to the sky and paused. Was he even religious? Would he even know? He refused to enter temples. He didn’t know why, but he hated each and every one of them. So he couldn’t be religious right?

But desperation filled him and he called out, “Can you hear me? Can anyone fucking hear me? I don’t care who the fuck you are. Thor, Hoar, Selune, Venus; just who the fuck ever. I need answers. I need a fucking sign. I need to know who I am.”

But nothing replied him. No voice, no sign, nothing.

“Everyone is convinced this has to be some sort of miracle, some blessing from the Gods. Well if it’s a blessing than at least tell me why. Why me? There has to be a reason for this. You can’t just bring me back half-alive and just dump me here without answers.”

Still there was nothing.

“I was right. Fuck you. Fuck each and everyone of you.” He turned and headed back out of town then paused. “At least tell me who she is. Is she alive? Is she safe? Who is she to me? She’s important. I know she’s important to me. I know she’s everything to me. But I don’t know who she is. How can I keep my vow to protect her if I can’t find her.”

Still silence.

“Damn it.”

*

Notes: Oh god. Way too many characters to get attached to. Like I hate making new characters for one shots because even if I know their backstory, I'm not interested because its just a one-off thing. And then I'm like, hmn...you know what, let's make relations of my other characters so at least I can do backstory building for the others while caring for these characters. And good god did I get way too attached to Levi. And part of me wants to make this canon, but no, unfortunately. Levi being Reborn will never be canon. Dormaia needs to learn to grow on her own and bringing the dead back to life just feels cheap, especially when Dormaia needs to learn to move on. (And I'm trying man, I'm trying to let Dormaia move on and find more things to care about. But when my party isn't giving Dormaia reasons for her to care about them (like leaving her to die twice now), it's a bit hard for her to get through that character development. Honestly, I've half a mind for her to go full dark side. Hahaha maybe i'll just post an update for all my characters tomorrow. Elyndria hasn't seen Ismark in many many sessions and hence hasn't been able to speak to him about what happened to ireena. So... yea... that love story is going down the drain, that much is clear. Mmn no, i've rambled enough. I'll update things tomorrow.

#whumptober 2023 #no.7 #alleyway #can you hear me? #lyric #dnd 5e #dungeons and dragons 5e #fic #OC #vomit tw #Levi

[afolderfullofstories]

So with whumptober 2023 over and me not writing anything since the last post I decided to just call it quits. My anxiety has been seriously acting up and well...yea... So i decided to just share my thoughts about this year's whumptober and my experience. It's different definitely. Like I said, I don't write OCs, never enjoyed writing them, never tried to. Anytime I create an OC, it's usually a knock off of character I like or am used to. So it's different, definitely. (TBH when I first started joining D&D I was so tempted to just create Luigi as a fighter and be done with it but well fighter was taken and I chose a bard and things went differently.)

So... I was diagnosed with ADHD early this year and am finally on meds. Weeeee. It's helped so much with life. Definitely not as exhausted as I used to be. Concentrated better. Didn't drive as recklessly. Wasn't writing but I figured I just didn't have inspiration and left it at that. But I stopped reading what I wrote too. I used to do that alot, read/listen to what I wrote for the hell of it. Figured it was no big deal. Maybe I was just bored of rereading it so much. Then whumptober came and I still didn't have inspiration. Then I was like why not just do character work. It made sense. But...it wasn't hard like there wasn't any burnout or anything. But there wasn't the high I usually got from writing. I figured maybe I'm not into these characters as much as Repo so I'm not getting the high. But it went on. And it just felt like a task I had to do. I was more stressed with whumptober the previous years sure but it was the good kind of stress. And a high when I finished (and a high when people liked/commented etc). But I felt absolutely nothing. And it took me so long to realize I wasn't daydreaming as I usually did. That's where I usually get inspiration for stories but it's not there, it's all gone.

Most of the medication side effects I can accept but this is...this is hard. The positive part was even though I wasn't getting readers into the stories it didn't discourage me but it should have. If it's anything like before, I would have given up by day 2/3. But it just feels like work and I don't know...I never contemplated stopping meds before this but I never expected this. I just...I don't know...I know it's dopamine chasing...i don't deny that. And it's not like the emotional numbness I had with anti-depressants that just made me nope. But I remember how happy writing made me and it feels like I've lost something. Am I exaggerating? I don't know... And part of me feels like I can't access the place I used to go to write. It doesn't feel the same anymore. The writing feels hollow now. Maybe its because its not Repo. I'm still holding out for that. But I...I don't know...

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 29

Note 1: Sorry about that weird post. Just had a bad anxiety attack. (though i did cut down on alot of dormaia's ptsd for reasons) Haven't had one in so long that I kinda forgot how bad they get. I think I'm still gonna try. I don't know if I can catch up all 31 days by Nov 5th but I still really wanna try. I think whumptober this year is harder cause I don't get the usual dopamine rush I get when I write Repo! Not sure if its the meds or if this feels more like work than actual fun. I don't know. Haven't really written Repo! properly since I started the meds so I can't say either way. Nevermind I'll probably just post something after whumptober is complete about my thoughts on completing whumptober this year. It's definitely different than previous years, thats all I can say.

Note 2: So...what happens when your D&D game has lovely things happen but Dormaia is still pre-character development and hence doesn't react to things? Well we set it post character development and make it fun.

A roar echoed from the other room. Dormaia’s head shot up as she recognized the Druid’s warning. And then a howl of pain that sent fear into Dormaia. She saw a dozen bandits gather outside the room staring menacingly at them. Dormaia’s eyes darted around the room. There was a back door. She could buy them time. She dashed towards the door, shoving the wizard out of her way.

“Hey!”

She headed straight into the room the bandits were in and closed the door behind her. She looked at the bandits surrounding her and took a breath. Fear pricked at her gut but she pushed it down. This was fine, she could do this. Her eyes darted to see the druid injured on the ground and rage flared. She attacked the one closest to her.

“What a fierce spirit.”

She turned to see a mage smirking at her. “Your friends are not your friends. They are lying to you. Kill them”

Dormaia’s brows furrowed, what was he- Her head felt heavy, she couldn’t think. They’re lying to you. Kill them. Kill them. Kill them. She tried to shake off the voice but it kept repeating the same words over and over.

 The bandits pushed pass her but she couldn’t stop them. They opened the door and she saw the wizard standing behind the door. Her mind could only focus on one word, kill.

*

Dormaia blinked, senses coming back to her. What happened?

The wizard lay on the ground, in a pool of his blood. What happened? Why couldn’t she remember? Then she looked down at the blood dripping from her rapier. Wait. Did she…did she do this? Kill. She… No she didn’t do this.

“Dormaia.”

She could only stare at the wizard’s injured form on the ground. “What happened?” Her eyes darted to her rapier. “What happened to me?”

“You were charmed, Dormaia. This wasn’t your fault.”

Dormaia’s eyes darted to Fieron who just smiled gently at her before he sent a healing spell towards the wizard.

The wizard stirred and stood, fear in his eyes as he stared at her. “Monster.” He whispered.

Something in Dormaia’s chest clenched. She didn’t mean to hurt anyone. She heard noise from behind her as she saw bugbears heading towards them. She quickly shut the door, the only thing she could do. The bandits were in the room, surrounding her companions. She…she was trying to keep them out. How…

She took a breath. She couldn’t lose her focus now. She kept her back against the door and attacked the bandit closest to her. “I can’t keep the others out. Run out the back door.”

She couldn’t focus on the blood dripping from her rapier. She needed to focus on the others. Half the party was already outside. She just needed to buy time for the ones left in the room to get out. Then she would run. They were outnumbered and cornered.

Vines sprung from the ground. Dormaia cut down the ones coming for her. She turned to see Fieron tangled in the vines. Fuck.

Dormaia pressed her back harder against the door. She just had to buy time. They could take out the bandits in the room, then focus on the bugbears outside.

There was a smash from behind her as something heavy slammed into her back. She doubled over in pain, gasping. That fucking hurt. She forced herself to straighten and looked back. There was a hole in the door, and she could see a huge bugbear standing there, wielding a giant Morningstar. Fuck. “Are you out the vines, cleric? We have company.”

 She heard the cleric struggle, “Still a little tied up.”

Dormaia grabbed the body of a red band and slammed the shortsword through him, forcing it to barricade the door and close the hole. “Hurry up.” She heard the tinge of fear in her voice and she forced it down.

There was a slam against the door as the hinges creaked.

“Dormaia, you have to go.”

Her eyes darted towards Fieron, still struggling with the vines. “You have exactly one minute to get out of the vines.”

The Morningstar slammed against the door once more, blowing open another hole. She saw the bugbear glaring at her; she would not be able to take him.

“Dormaia, go.”

Dormaia couldn’t look at him. She heard screams, familiar screams; screams that haunted her nightmares. No. No. No. Stop. Screams filled with fear, pain, all echoed in her head. And she ran. She just ran. She left her people to die. She left her family to die. She couldn’t save anyone. Her hands trembled and the rapier shook violently.

“Dormaia, it’s ok.”

She turned towards Fieron smiling gently at her. “You have 30 seconds to get out of those vines.” But her voice shook as she said it. She couldn’t run again. She couldn’t run.

She braced herself, muttering as she casted a protection spell around herself. The bugbear slammed open the door and headed right for her. The Morningstar slammed into her, the blow dissipated slightly by the spell, but she still took the full brunt of it. She stumbled backwards.

“Dormaia, there’s no point we both die here.”

Her hands shook, the hex she placed on the bandit dropped. She blinked, visions blurring. Screams. Running. She ran. She couldn’t save anyone. She just ran.

“Dormaia, if we both die, they will march straight for the party and they all will die too. You can protect them.”

Dormaia took a shuddering breath. She couldn’t protect anyone. She couldn’t save anyone. She let them die. She ran and left them to die.

The Fieron muttered his last healing spell, hand gripped tight around his Holy Symbol.

Dormaia felt her vision stabilize but she still couldn’t stop shaking. She couldn’t just run again. She couldn’t. Blood, screams, pain. She didn’t want to see any of it anymore.

“Dormaia.”

She closed her eyes. Fieron was right. She had to protect the party. She had to keep the others safe. She had to keep the bugbears in this room. “Cleric, I hope your God is as merciful to you as mine was to me.”

Fieron gave her a genuine smile, “Let’s both hope so.”

Dormaia dodged out of the bugbears grasp but she stopped before Fieron. “I really am sorry, Fieron.”

“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. You tried.”

Dormaia ran out of the room and once again she was there. Running and running and running. Screams, fear, death. She left it all behind. She ran like a coward. She’s always been a coward. She didn’t want to die. She never wanted to die.

She slammed the door behind her, pressing her back against it.

“Where’s Fieron?”

She sees the wizard’s accusing eyes. She looked away.

“You can’t leave him behind!”

“You’re free to go in there and save him.” She spat, even as guilt clawed in her heart. She could feel something pushing and hacking at the door. “I can’t hold them off for long. RUN!”

The others ran. She could hear fighting outside. She didn’t know what to do. She wanted to run and help them. But she knew once the mob inside went out, her party was doomed.

The only sound from inside the room was the mob hacking and pushing at the door. She couldn’t hear Fieron’s voice. She didn’t hear him scream. Maybe…maybe he was still alive. Maybe his God truly took pity on him. Maybe…

There’s a heavy slam against her back once more. She staggered forward as the door was blown open. She stared down the bugbear. She could hear the party still fighting outside. She had to keep them here. She couldn’t run again. She would lose everything again. She didn’t want to lose anyone else. “Come on then. I’ll send your soul right to Lord Levistus.” She had to hold out. She would buy her party time. That was all she could do. But she won’t run, not again.

#Whumptober 2023 #whumptober2023 #no.29 #what happened to me? #troubled past resurfacing #d&d 5e #DND 5e #OC #Dormaia #fic #PTSD tw #trauma tw

[afolderfullofstories]

I'm sorry. I think this year's whumptober is going to end here. (maybe one more cause i've almost finished writing it, it's just a bit hard to finish). i don't know if its a seasonal mood drop, my meds not working like they're supposed to, or just the mistake of hyperfixating on something that involved other people, with me as socially anxious and awkward as I am. But right now my mood is low and unfortunately I've associated it with D&D/DD&D caused it. I don't think it is actually about D&D, it just feels that way. I was planning to write about a session of D&D we had for Dormaia, + me incorporating about her PTSD and then realizing I probably had some unresolved (unrelated) PTSD that I've been sweeping to a far corner of my mind... so yea... unfortunately i've linked that to D&D as well even though its totally unrelated. So right now, i think i need to back away from this for a bit. because i've been enjoying D&D and committed so much time and effort to it. I don't want this drop in mood to be the reason I decide to abandon another hobby/thing i love. (and I get this is a typical ADHD hyperfixation cycle but i don't want it to be. I've loved Repo! for over 10 years, I think I can continue to love this stupid game for a few more months.) I just need to get my RSD in check.

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 11

Note: Urgh, I've reached the point of whumptober when I've lost the high of writing and it's just me second guessing myself and losing interest. And this happens every year once I finish writing the prompts I'm interested in. (And I realize its always the kidnapped/captive prompts that i don't like. But then I use other non-captive prompts to write kidnapped situations. I don't know. I don't get it either. I don't know. I'm kinda stuck, I've written the character arcs I've been planning to write. So now, I don't know what else to write anymore. But it's so closed to the end. But I'm 5 days late... Argh.... I don't know).

Elyndria awoke to a sharp shooting pain in her ankle. She cried out as she quickly sat up. Her heart sank when she realized she was sitting in a cage. Her eyes darted down to the bear trap around her ankle. She cried out again, she wasn’t sure in pain or horror. The bear trap bit through her leg and she could see bone sticking out. She bit her lips as her hands glowed purple. She tried to heal the wound, but she could only heal around the bear trap.

She tried to pull the bear trap open but it wouldn’t budge. The trap dug further into her leg and she bit back another cry. Tears pricked at her eyes but she forced it back. She had to get out of here, she had to find a way to escape. She tried to force the trap open once more but it remained firmly around her leg.

Elyndria slumped on the ground, frustrated. How did she get here? Why didn’t she remember anything? She fell asleep in the tavern…then? Did someone kidnap her? Why trap her like this? She tried to force herself to remember but nothing. She had a flash of running in the woods but nothing else. She leant against the cage bars. Her friends would find her right? They had to.

*

Bright light pierced Elyndria’s eyes. She forced her eyes open to see the silhouette man standing in front of the door of her cage.

“Good morning, little werewolf.”

Elyndria’s brows furrowed at his words. She forced herself to sit upright, pain flared through her leg. She sent a quick healing spell towards it.

“So the werewolf knows magic.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not a werewolf.”

The man smiled widely, “Really? Because I’m very sure I caught a werewolf in my little trap.”

Elyndria looked down at her leg and backed to him. “You made a mistake. I’m not-” Another flash as she saw herself running through the forest on all fours. “No. It’s a mistake.”

“There’s no mistake, little werewolf. I dragged a werewolf here once it felt unconscious. And now, you’re here.”

“I…” Another flash as she saw herself swiping a claw at the fighter. “Did I hurt anyone?”

“I don’t know little werewolf. But you were covered in blood.”

No. She couldn’t have. She was bitten, she knew that. But…she couldn’t be a werewolf. And where were her friends? Did she hurt them? Did she hurt anyone?

The man stood, “I’ll leave you be, little werewolf.”

“No. Let me go. I need to find my friends.” She needed to know if she hurt them.

“Sorry, little werewolf. But werewolves don’t change in Barovia by the moon. There’s something in the air that keeps them werewolves for a long time.”

Fear filled Elyndria, “Then what are you going to do to me?”

“You can just stay here.”

“No. You can’t leave me like this.”

“And if I let you go and you hurt more people?”

Something settled in Elyndria’s gut. She didn’t know if she hurt anyone, let alone her friends. Another flash as she saw herself bite the warlock. “Then kill me.” She said in a small voice.

“I will. But not like this. I will kill you when you change.”

“How long will that be?”

“I don’t know. Like I said, werewolves in Barovia are fickle.”

“You can’t leave me like this!”

“I won’t kill you while you look human.” The man made his way to the door, the only light source in the whole room.

“My friends will come for me.”

“No one will find you, little werewolf. No one will bother looking.” He slammed the door shut, plunging Elyndria back to total darkness.

Panic began to fill her. No. Someone will find her. They won’t leave her trapped like this. Another flash and she saw herself attacking the artificer. No. She didn’t hurt anyone. She didn’t hurt her friends. She couldn’t have. But what if she did? What if she killed them? No. She couldn’t have. She wouldn’t have. Elyndria laid back down on the cage floor. Someone will come for her. They had to.

*

Elyndria’s head shot up as the door opened once more. She didn’t know how long she’s been lying there; hours, days weeks. She’s lost all track of time.

“Oh. You still haven’t turned.”

“I told you, you made a mistake.” Elyndria reached out a hand through the cage and placed it on the man’s wrist, giving him the piteous expression she could muster. “Please. My leg hurts. I’m scared. Please let me go.”

For a moment, the man’s expression faltered and he sat next to the cage once more. “I’m sorry. I know you are. But I can’t risk you going out and hurting anyone.”

“I’m not going to hurt anyone. See? I haven’t turned. Maybe you made a mistake? Maybe I can control it. Please.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t take that risk.” He stood once more.

“Then kill me already. Don’t leave me like this!”

The man turned and looked at her sadly. “No.”

“No. You don’t get to do this and try to keep your conscience clean. You keep me here and torture me so you can pretend you’re a good person. You don’t get to do that.” The man approached her.

Elyndria backed away, fear in her eyes.

The man sighed, “I truly am sorry.” He headed to the door and left her in darkness once more.

*

Elyndria laid on the ground. She hasn’t healed her leg in days, she could feel the pain worsen but she didn’t bother. At least, if her captor won’t kill her, maybe the leg would. No. She shook it off and reached towards her leg and healed what she could. She couldn’t die here. She had a mission. They needed to stop Strahd. Her friends would find her. They had to. She couldn’t give up yet.

And then she sees the rogue’s face standing clearly before her, sword in hand. “We should kill her before she comes back for us. She’s already turned into a monster.” And Elyndria finally remembered. She remembered the pain from the silvered sword and she turned to run. That was how she ended up in the forest. Her friends tried to kill her.

Elyndria laid back on the ground. No one was going to find her. Her friends thought she was a monster. They were not going to look for her. No one was looking for her.

*

The door opened once more but Elyndria didn’t move, didn’t react. She heard the man sit beside the cage but she didn’t say anything.

“I truly am sorry, little werewolf.”

“Elyndria. My name is Elyndria.”

The man was silent. “I didn’t want to know your name.”

“I know.” She said cruelly but she still didn’t turn to him. “So if I don’t turn into a werewolf again, are you going to starve me to death? Or are you hoping my shattered leg will kill me?”

“Please don’t make me sound like a monster.”

“You are a monster.”

“No, you are. Do you know how many people are killed by werewolves in Barovia in a month? And those that survive the attacks become monsters, increasing the death count.”

“No. I understand that. If you weren’t a monster, you would have killed me from the start. Not torture me like this.”

“This is not torture.”

“Is that what you keep telling yourself to assuage your guilt?”

The man was silent. He placed a glass of water beside her.

Elyndria hesitated before gulping down the water greedily. “Why are you prolonging things?”

“No one has stayed human this long. I don’t know what to do.” He admitted quietly.

“Let me go. If I turn, you can kill me. But please, not this torture anymore.”

The man sighed, “I can’t risk it.” He left.

*

Elyndria heard noise coming from upstairs but she couldn’t move anymore. She didn’t have the strength to heal her leg anymore. She could only just lie there and wait for death.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be much help. I am only just a simple hunter, I do not know how to deal with vampires.” She heard the man’s voice but not who he was talking to. The room was brighter than usual, maybe he forgot to close the door. She couldn’t lift her head to see.

“Yes, I do hunt werewolves. They are simple creatures. Just hunt them like animals, smart animals, but animals nonetheless.”

Elyndria blinked, she was nothing more than an animal. A wounded, starving animal; nothing more.

“Yes. It works. I have one trapped in the basement. Half-dead. Only a matter of time. Would you like to see?”

No. She didn’t want anyone to gawk at her like some animal in a cage. But maybe…maybe these ones would be braver. Maybe these ones would put her out of her misery.

The footsteps were loud and heavy. She felt light engulf the room as the door was pushed open.

“We have guests, little werewolf.”

Turn. Move. Something. Her fingers twitched. That was all she could do.

There was a sharp intake of breath, “Lady Elyndria.”

She recognized that voice. No. She was just imagining things. She was left in the dark for too long. She was just hearing things.

“Let her go.” The voice was feminine, fierce. She knew that voice. She knew… She had to turn, had to see, had to be sure.

“She’s a monster.”

Something in Elyndria’s chest clenched as she remembered attacking her friends. He was right. She couldn’t be free. She deserved to be in a cage.

“Let her go.” The voice repeated dangerously.

The bear trap tight around her leg finally loosened, sending shooting pain through her leg. She wanted to cry out but all her body could muster was a whimper. Then something warm around her leg as the pain started dissipating.

“Just hold on alright? It’ll be right back to normal.” The sorcerer’s high pitched squeak was unmistakable. Did her friends find her? Was she truly safe?

She heard the cage door open. And then hands touching her.

“Lady Elyndria, can you hear me?”

And then she started to panic. She was wounded, starved on the ground, dirty, soiled. She didn’t want him to see her like this. She didn’t want any of them to see her like this.

“Calm down, my lady. It’s going to be alright.”

Hands pulling her closer, out of the cage.

No. She could turn into a werewolf at any time. She could hurt them again. She didn’t want to hurt anyone again. “M…monster…” Was all her weak lips could choke out.

“We’ll figure something out, okay Elyndria?” The sorcerer said, trying to sound hopeful.

She tried to protest, tried to say something. But her mouth stopped obeying her. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t keep her eyes open. She was so tired.

“Hey, Elyndria, keep your eyes open.” She heard the fighter’s voice but it felt so far away.

There was something pressed against her lips, and then the soothing taste of water met her lips. She couldn’t move but her tongue lapped at the water desperately.

“Let’s get back to the Tavern. We can get Elyndria something to eat.” The sorcerer said, “I don’t like the look of her leg. We might need a cleric.”

Elyndria felt someone lift her. She leant into the warm body. “S…sorry…”

“There’s nothing to apologize for.”

Elyndria leant deeper and let her eyes drift closed as exhaustion overtook her.

#whumptober 2023 #whumptober2023 #no.11 #captivity #No one will find you #lyric #DND 5e #d&d 5e #OC #Elyndria #fic #torture tw #starvation tw #kidnapping tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 15

Aric could only stare at Elyndria, still and cold in his arms. He hadn't moved since she stopped breathing. He couldn't. He kept telling himself if he was there with Julian he could have saved him. But he couldn't do anything now. He couldn't protect his sister. He couldn't save her.

"Hey are you guys alright down there?" The voice resounded in his head.

Aric wanted to stay silent. He couldn't bring it in himself to speak.

Static then the sorcerer tried again. "Can you guys hear me? We're trying to find a way to scale down the mountain. Just hold on."

Aric finally answered, "There's a path. The mountain is too treacherous to climb."

"Oh thank god somebody replied me. OK we'll try to find a path down. Just hold tight." The message ended.

Then Aric felt the familiar crackling in his head again, the voice continued but softer, a whisper. "Elyndria has not been replying me. Is she…"

"Dead." Was all Aric could force out.

"I see… I'm sorry, Aric."

Aric just grunted. Why was he apologising to him? Her party was kinder to Elyndria than Aric ever was.

He knelt there waiting. He couldn't stand, couldn't shift into a more comfortable position. He could only kneel there, cradling his sister to him.

He heard footsteps coming down the path. Four pairs. Elyndria would have been relieved. He looked down at his sister's face, calm, serene. Why? How could she look so at peace when she died so violently?

The footsteps slowed as they approached them. They just stood before him, silent. He could not pick up his head, could not look at them.

Slowly the sorcerer approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. There's something warm as Aric felt the healing magic radiate from his hands. "Don't!"

The magic faded. The sorcerer listened, of course he did. Just like the clerics always listened when he refused healing. But not his stubborn sister who would force her healing magic on him whether he wanted it or not. His chest twisted.

The fighter bent before Aric. “Let me take her. You’re injured.”

“I’m fine.” He said, voice hollow. But he couldn’t stand, couldn’t move.

The fighter took Elyndria from his arms. He wanted to fight, protest, but he just remained on the ground. He stared at the blood that stained his arms. His sister’s blood.

“Listen. I don’t want to stay here when that mad wizard comes back out. Can we go?”

Finally, Aric reacted. “The mage is alive?” He hissed.

The artificer nodded, “He’s hidden out on a different plane. We can’t get to him.”

Aric recognized the spell. “He has to come out. By tomorrow he has to come out.”

“Exactly. So we need to leave.”

And Aric remembered how the Order kept his grief at bay. Mission after mission, destroying bandits, ruffians, anyone who would harm the innocents. It kept him distracted from the pain. He had to do it again. He forced himself to his feet, ignoring how his knees shook. He unsheathed his sword, even as his arms cried in protest at the weight. “I will kill him.”

“You can’t fight him. He’s too powerful.” The sorcerer said.

“I don’t care.” It was the least he could do for his sister. If nothing else, then he would take vengeance for her.

The fighter’s eyes were fierce as she stared him down, “We should bury Elyndria first.”

Aric’s chest clenched and he just wanted to scream. He never wanted to care for his sister. He knew he couldn’t bear losing anyone else. Aric took in a shaky breath. He’d finally admitted it. He’d finally admitted why he chose to hate his sister all these years. And he did, he hated her, was cruel to her, did everything; so why was his heart tearing itself apart? He did everything he was supposed to, so why did it still hurt? He should have never come here. He should never have looked for his sister. He should have never gotten to know her, to see her grow, to see her shine. She would have never shined with him dulling her light.

The sorcerer placed a careful hand on his arm and squeezed. He didn’t say anything but a warm healing spell escaped his hands once more and this time, Aric didn’t fight him.

“No.” Aric finally said. “I need to bring her back to our father.”

“I don’t think we can leave Barovia before she…”

Before she started to rot. Nothing more than a decomposing corpse. Aric shut his eyes. He needed to bring back his father something. This would break his heart. His father adored Elyndria. This would hurt him. “Her lyre. Where is…”

The warlock didn’t look at him as he held out Elyndria’s lyre, as broken and shattered as she was.

“Let’s go back to Vallaki and we can plan on what to do next. We can’t stay up here in the freezing mountains.” The sorcerer said, but his hand was still on aric’s shoulder, sending healing spell after healing spell.

They slowly trekked down the mountain and past the lake. The journey was silent. They made their way slowly towards the tavern. Aric couldn’t think, couldn’t focus on anything. He just took one step, then another, then another. He didn’t want to think. If he started to think, he would break. He had to do what he did before. Focus on vengeance, focus on a purpose, not let himself grieve. It’s the only way.

The artificer pushed open the Tavern doors.

“Welcome back, my-”

Silence fell over the Tavern; first at their grim faces, then at noticing the body in the fighter’s arms.

“What happened?” Aric saw the pain and sorrow in Ismark’s eyes, in his whispered words.

“I want to stay in Barovia with…”

“The Mad Mage was alive. He…he used his magic and pushed her off the cliff.”

“He loves me.”

Aric just silently watched the man approach the fighter slowly. He watched the gentleness as he took Elyndria from the fighter. He placed a gentle hand on Elyndria’s face. “Did she suffer?”

“We don’t know. She…”

Aric felt the eyes of the party on him. Yes. She suffered as she felt every broken bone in her body, as she choked and gasped for air as blood filled her lungs. And all the while she begged him to help her friends. “No. She died on impact.”

“Who could ever love you, half-breed?”

Aric watched as Ismark wept over Elyndria, as the party stood solemnly around them. They could. He was the one broken. He couldn’t…he couldn’t…

He numbly watched Ireena comfort her brother and Ismark so easily accepted it.

“You know, I see them and I realize that not all siblings are like us. We’re the ones that are fucked up.”

Aric headed towards the stairs. He couldn’t stay here and watch this.

The rogue’s voice rang out, “He’s an asshole to his sister and he couldn’t even be bothered to grieve her.”

The sorcerer hissed her name in warning.

Aric just stood at the stairs, staring forward. He felt all eyes on him once more. “I don’t care about that half-breed.”

Aric didn’t even flinch when an arrow flew past his ear and embedded into the Tavern wall. He didn’t even bother to turn. “You missed.”

“Fucking asshole.”

“Enough.” The fighter said firmly.

But the warlock spoke up this time, “Do you know how worried she gets everytime you’re hurt and won’t let her heal you?”

Aric closed his eyes. He knew. He pretended he didn’t but he knew. He could hear her pace outside his room the whole night but he could never bring it in him to let her in. “Is grieving going to change anything? Is grieving going to bring her back?” Is grieving going to fix this hole in his chest?

There was only silence behind him.

“No? Then leave me be.” Aric marched up the stairs and threw the door closed. He sunk to the ground. Grief and pain threatened to overwhelm him and he didn’t have an outlet, he didn’t have a channel. He needed the Order, he needed another mission, he needed a distraction.

“I won’t die here. Souls that die in Barovia are trapped here. I will never see Mother again.”

His hands clenched into tight fists, digging into his palm, drawing blood. She didn’t want to die here. She didn’t want to die. His eyes burned and he forced it all back. He wanted to push away everything, the sight of his sister’s broken body, gasping for air. The hope and happiness in her eyes when she realized…

He wanted to try. After they defeated Strahd, he wanted to try to know his sister, to really know her. To try again. To release all the hate that built in him. It was too late. He realized too fucking late.

He had to remind himself, he didn’t care if his sister died. He would be happy with the half-breed out of his life. He didn’t care. He didn’t care. He-

He could see his little sister as a child, searching for her Mother after she had a nightmare. He forced her back to bed and tucked her in and asked her if she was still scared. “You’re scarier than my nightmares.”

He remembered walking into the Tavern when he first came to Barovia and when Elyndria saw him…he could see the fear, the actual genuine fear in her eyes. She fought vampires, werewolves, ghosts. But the thing she was most afraid of was him.

“Brother, do you think you will ever stop hating me?”

“Fuck!” He finally cried out in pain. He didn’t hate her. He didn’t…

There was a knock on the door, “Sir, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?”

“I’m fine.” He had to be fine. He would force himself to be fine, just like before. He would be stronger and he would tear apart the Mad mage. He swore it on his sister, he would destroy him.

#whumptober2023 #whumptober 2023 #no.15 #suppressed suffering #i'm fine #dnd 5e #d&d 5e #OC #Aric #fic

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 14

Dormaia hung back as they headed towards the cave. They were trying to stealth approach again. She hated it, but she figured with the druid up front, he would be able to protect the others at least. She held her rapier before her, ready to attack if she needed to.

“INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS!”

Fuck. Dormaia stood ready.

The ranger notched an arrow and shot it into the goblin’s neck. The goblin fell down dead.

There was a rumbling sound that rang through the cavern.

“Watch out!” The rogue shouted from the front.

Dormaia didn’t have time to register what was happening. The rushing water shot down the cavern, slamming into the party. She tried to dodge out of the way but she was too slow. The raging water slammed into her pushing her back.

The force nearly knocked her out. It sent her hurtling down the cavern. She saw the bright sun. Was she outside? Her body took the brunt of the attack, she felt bruised. But the force didn’t let up, she was falling? Flying? She doesn’t know. But she can’t fight it.

And then the force disappeared and she’s falling and falling into the raging river. She tried to pull herself to the surface. But her armor weighed her down, pulling and pulling. She struggled and fought against the tides, but she’s sinking and sinking.

The surface seemed to inch further and further away. She fought and struggled but she didn’t know how to swim. She just tried to aim for the surface. Just move, just fight. But the weight of the armor dragged her further downwards. The river wasn’t that deep but she couldn’t go upwards.

The air in her lungs was running out. She couldn’t take a breath. She began to panic. She struggled harder, fighting, kicking. She’s survived so much, so many battles, survived a massacre; she couldn’t die like this. The surface was so far out of reach.

Her lungs burned. Not like this. She had a mission, an oath to fulfill. She couldn’t die like this. She hasn’t gotten her vengeance. She hasn’t slayed the Order of the Gauntlet. Not like this. Her body grew tired. She couldn’t fight the tides, the heavy weight pulling her deeper and deeper into the abyss. Not like this.

Her lungs burned and begged for relief. She reached for the surface, for relief. She didn’t want to die. Her lungs screamed and cried. She took a deep gasping breath.

Her body twisted and convulsed as she coughed and tried to expel the water. But every gasping cough sent more water into her lungs. Her legs stopped their struggling as the abyss grew darker and darker. Another deep gasping breath, then darkness.

*

The rogue pressed herself against the cavern fall, dry. She managed to dodge the raging water in time. She spotted the ranger pressed up on the opposite wall. He gave her a thumbs up. She remained pressed against the wall, listening, making sure there was not another wave. She gave the ranger an all clear sign and stepped away from the wall. Half the party had been swept down by the current.

“Is everyone good behind there?” The drow called out.

There was a cacophony of agreement from the mouth of the cave where they had been swept out. The dire wolf walked back in the cave towards them, before he shook his body, raining water on her and the ranger. “Hey!” She cried at the druid.

They waited for the rest of the party to catch up.

“Let’s not do that again.” The cleric said, wincing in pain.

The rogue turned and her eyes darted between them, “Where’s Dormaia?”

“Wait. There’s no one else outside. We figured she was still inside.”

There’s a pit in her gut. She ran outside as fast as her small legs could take her. But there was no one outside the cave mouth. Her eyes darted around. Maybe she slammed her head against a rock and fell unconscious? But there was no one there. Did she climb up the tunnel and escape to the alcove? But why hasn’t she come down yet? Her eyes still darted around, trying to find a sign or a clue.

“The water might have taken her down the river. The current isn’t strong. She’ll catch up with us.”

There’s a pit in her gut and she knew why. “Dormaia can’t swim.”

The dire wolf leapt into the river, turning into an octopus mid-jump. There’s a splash then silence.

Her gut churned as the silence grew. He couldn’t find her. Maybe the cleric was wrong. Maybe Dormaia wasn’t in the river. Maybe she was in the cave going on ahead without them.

Tentacles burst out of the river. She sees a red octopus dragging along a limp tiefling in its tentacles. “Dormaia!” She ran towards the edge of the river as the octopus pushed Dormaia onto the ground before turning back into his humanoid form.

Dormaia was still and limp on the ground.

“She’s not breathing.” Her voice was soft as the pit in her gut grew.

The rest of the party just stared at Dormaia.

“Help her!” She cried at the cleric.

“There’s nothing to heal.” The cleric’s voice soft and sorrowful.

No. “She’s not breathing. Someone help her.”

But everyone just stared in silence at Dormaia’s still form.

“Please.”

The ranger pushed past the party and towards Dormaia. He placed her flat on her back and tore off her armor. He placed his hands at the centre of her chest and started pressing.

She didn’t know what the ranger was doing but she trusted him. And no one else seemed to be trying anything.

Water poured from Dormaia’s mouth with every press but she was still limp and silent. But the ranger did not stop. He continued pressing quietly.

And then a gasp.

Dormaia began to cough and gasp desperately.

The ranger pulled her onto her side where she began coughing out water. “She needs rest.”

She could only stare as Dormaia began gasping desperately, relief in her chest.

*

Dormaia’s lungs fought against her as it greedily tried to gasp for air while coughing out the water in her lungs. She lay on her side for a minute while her lungs struggled to function normally. “Wh…what happened?” she gasped out before another coughing fit escaped her lips.

“You nearly drowned.” The cleric said softly.

And she remembered the pressure of the water pressing down on her, smothering her, dragging her down in the abyss. “How…?” How did she get out of the water? She was sure she was going to die. She was sure…

“The Druid turned into an Octopus and dragged you out of the river. Quiet heroic if I do say so myself.” The cleric continued gently.

Dormaia’s eyes darted to the druid, “You saved me?”

“Of course.”

Her brows furrowed, why would he save her? Before she could even continue the thought, something barreled into her, nearly knocking the wind out of her. She looked down to see the rogue, holding her tightly, her face buried against her chest. She stiffened, her arms frozen in place. What was she doing?

“You weren’t breathing.” The rogue said in a muffled voice.

“Then how…”

The cleric gestured at the ranger, “He has strange healing magic that even I don’t know about.”

“It’s not magic.” Was all the ranger said.

Dormaia could only just stare at the ranger, not comprehending their words. “Wh-”

The arms around her just wrapped her tighter, “I thought you were dead.”

Dead? Yes. She was sure she was going to die. She could feel the darkness take her. She was sure…

A choked sound came from the small rogue. Dormaia looked down at the rogue’s shaking form. “I’m soaked. You’re going to get wet.” Was all she could say. She didn’t understand why the rogue was shaking.

The arms just held her tighter, “Idiot.”

Dormaia could hear the quiet, muffled, sobs. Her brows furrowed in confusion. But slowly, she wrapped her arms around the rogue, hesistant. Then tighter, she gripped her small form so tightly. There was a certain desperation in her actions as she realized just how much she longed for some form of contact.

“Come now. We can start a fire and get you warm.”

“I’m fine. I just need to catch my breath, then we can continue.”

“What you need is rest.” The cleric said firmly. “And to get you out of those wet clothes. I don’t think anyone brought spares?”

“Oh wait. I know.” The wizard said suddenly. He muttered an incantation under his breath.

Dormaia felt her clothes dry and she felt warm.

The drow turned to him, “I was wondering why your clothes were dry. Didn’t think to dry the rest of our clothes too?”

“You didn’t ask.”

“Come, Dormaia. Can you stand?”

The rogue released her, rubbing her eyes.

Before Dormaia could even try to stand, the druid approached her and picked her up. “Are you alright?” He said softly in infernal.

The words were soft, in a language that reminded her of home, a place where she was safe, happy. She felt warm, “I’m fine.” She replied, and she couldn’t help but think about how gentle she sounded in Infernal as opposed to how harsh she sounded in Common.

The druid placed her gently by the fire the wizard had casted.

“Give me a minute.” The drow said, as he was standing over a huge pot. He handed her a bowl of stew, “It’ll keep you warm.”

Dormaia just stared at the bowl. A tear fell from her eye. She hurried to wipe it before anyone saw. A second tear fell, and she hurried to wipe it again. “Thank you.” She said in a small voice, unable to look at any of them.

“There’s nothing to thank, Dormaia.” The Cleric said firmly, “You’re one of us. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

After losing everyone she’s ever known… Her chest twisted and she couldn’t stop the tears any longer. After so many years on her own... Her shoulders shook as she tried to silent her sobs. She wasn’t alone anymore. She felt safe and protected and…she wasn’t alone.

#whumptober2023 #whumptober 2023 #no.14 #water inhalation #d&d 5e #dnd 5e #OC #Dormaia #fic #drowning tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 28

Elyndria could only stand back and watch numbly as Ismark ran up to the Abbot, Ireena cradled in his arms.

“Please. If there is a way, you have to save my sister. I beg of you.”

Guilt grew in Elyndria’s gut and she could only stay silent and pray the Abbot could do something.

The Abbot looked at Ireena and there’s something in his eyes that Elyndria didn’t like. But she didn’t care. If he could help Ireena, it wouldn’t matter.

“This is…” The Abbot stopped himself, sending all sorts of red flags to Elyndria but she kept silent. “I can bring her back to life.” The Abbot seemed to be thinking to himself, plotting something, but Elyndria didn’t care. Hope began to fill her at the Abbot’s words. He could fix her mistake. He could save Ireena.

Ismark’s eyes widened at his words. “Thank you. Please, save my sister.”

The Abbot held up his hand before him, eyes still calculating. “However, you have to understand something. Life cannot be returned like that, not in Barovia. Something has to be paid in turn.”

“I will pay. Whatever it is, I will pay the price.” Ismark said desperately, still cradling his sister to him.

“The price,” The Abbot said with an air of sorrow, “Has to be equivalent. A life for a life.”

Elyndria’s heart dropped.

“I will do it. I will pay whatever price that is needed. Just save my sister.”

“No Ismark, you can’t.” Elyndria cried out before she could stop herself.

Ismark barely glanced at her, “My sister is everything to me. Do not stop me from saving her.”

“There…there has to be another way. We will find another way.” Elyndria grabbed his arm, begging him. She couldn’t lose him. She didn’t want to lose him.

Ismark pulled his arm away from hers, a dark look in his eyes. “You have already done enough harm, Lady Elyndria, please do not cause any more.”

Elyndria felt her heart shatter at his words. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I was trying to help. I-”

Ismark glared at her, his gestured towards his sister in his arms. “You call this help? You were supposed to keep her safe.”

Elyndria couldn’t breathe. Tears burned her eyes. She never wanted this.

Ismark turned away from her, “Please. Do whatever it takes to save my sister, even if it means taking my life, I will gladly give it.”

Elyndria couldn’t breathe. She was going to lose him. Because of her mistake, she was going to lose him. “Wait.”

“Please, Lady Elyndria, do not stop me.” Ismark’s voice was cold. “Do not try to take away my chance of saving Ireena.”

“No. Wait. Take me.” Elyndria looked at the Abbot, desperation in her eyes. “Take my life.”

Silence descended over the party.

“Elyndria, think about this.” The fighter said slowly.

“You just need a life, right? Take mine.” Elyndria cried out.

Ismark’s eyes bored into her but she could not meet his gaze. “Lady Elyndria, what are you doing?”

She pushed past him and approached the Abbot. She saw how the Abbot seemed displeased by what was happening but she ignored the signs. “Take my life. My life for Ireena’s.”

“Lady Elyndria, you don’t have to do this.”

A hand grabbed her arm but she pulled away, still unable to look at him. She didn’t want to see the hate in his eyes. “You blame me right, for what happened? Then let me fix this. Use my life to fix this.”

“I…I hadn’t meant… It was wrong of me to…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Elyndria said coldly, her heart long shattered by Ismark’s words. “You need a life. I’m giving it willingly.”

“Let’s everyone calm down. We have time to talk this through. Let’s not make any rash decisions.” The sorcerer said.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” She couldn’t look at anyone. “I’ve made my decision.”

“Lady Elyndria, I’m not asking you to-”

“I’m not asking your permission!” Her eyes fixed on the Abbot’s, who still seemed to be pondering, calculating.

“Please, help me.” Ismark asked. She heard the fighter’s clanging armor behind her but she said nothing.

“Is this really what you want?” The fighter asked.

Elyndria gave a sideway glance to see the fighter now had Ireena in her arms. The sight of Ireena sent a pang of guilt in her gut. “Yes.”

“Lady Elyndria,” She felt a strong hand on her arm and she pulled away. “In my grief, I have clearly said the wrong thing and misplaced my anger. I did not mean to blame you.”

“Enough, Ismark. Let me do this. You’ll get your sister back. And we’ll all get what we want.”

“Lady Elyndria, I will die for my sister but I cannot ask you to do the same.”

“You don’t have to ask.” Her voice cracked. There’s so much she wanted to say but all she could see were Ismark’s cold eyes so similar to Aric’s, that it crushed her and kept her silent. He hated her. He clearly hated her. Why was he stopping her now?

“Please, Lady Elyndria, forgive me. I have clearly hurt your feelings. I don’t want you to do this.”

Finally, Elyndria built up her courage to look at Ismark and the dark look is gone, only pain and guilt. And she realized she couldn’t leave him with the guilt thinking he forced her to do this. “You misunderstand. I want to do this. I can’t… I can’t bear the guilt of what happened. Please let me fix my mistake. Let me fix this.”

“You tried to stop her. You did what you thought was right.”

“It doesn’t matter. It still killed her.” Elyndria choked out as tears streamed down her face. “Please Ismark. Let me assuage my guilt. Let me do this. I can’t live with the guilt.”

“You don’t have to. I will save my sister. She will be alright. She-”

“I can’t lose you!” Elyndria cried out. “I can’t… I can’t…” She loved him. She wanted to cry out, wanted to tell him. But she couldn’t. It would just put more guilt, more pain on him. She didn’t want that. She needed to reason with him, she needed him to accept her decision. “Think of Ireena. If you do this, she will never forgive herself. She will be burdened with that guilt for the rest of her life. But if I do it, it wouldn’t matter. I’m no one.”

Ismark approached her and when she didn’t pull away, he placed a gentle hand on her cheek. “You’re not no one, my lady. I can’t lose you either.”

Elyndria froze, she looked into Ismark’s eyes and found no lies in them. She asked in a quiet voice, childish almost, “You don’t hate me?”

“No. I don’t.”

Elyndria let out a sob. She embraced Ismark tightly, not wanting to let him go. He was everything she wanted and needed. She couldn’t lose him. She would not lose him. She held him tighter. She wished they could stay like this forever.

Finally she released Ismark and shoved him back gently towards her party. She took out her Lyre and played a soft lullaby.

“Lady Elyndria, what are you doing?”

Elyndria just smiled at him. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

“Stop.”

She shook her head as the lullaby continued. “When you wake up, you’ll have your sister back. Everything will be alright again. Just forget about me. I am but a distant dream, nothing more.”

Ismark took a step towards her and stopped. His eyelids began to droop as the magic began to take hold of him.

“I love you.” Elyndria whispered.

The sorcerer caught Ismark as he collapsed into a deep slumber.

Elyndria turned towards the Abbot.

“Elyndria, are you sure about this?” The fighter called out once more.

Elyndria just smiled sadly at them and nodded. There was no way around this. She won’t let Ismark die. She can’t. She approached the Abbot. “I’m ready.”

#whumptober2023 #whumptober 2023 #no.28 #sacrifice #lyric #dnd 5e #d&d 5e #OC #elyndria #ismark #ismark kolyanovich #fic

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 30

Aric couldn't move. He watched the Mad Mage walk towards them, helpless. Coming here was the wrong call. He couldn't sense anything evil coming from the mage but the spell stopping time, freezing them in place, was more powerful than anything he has encountered. They were unprepared.

Aric could only watch the mage approach them, lining them up in a perfect line. His heart dropped as he realized what he was planning. He wants to scream, to yell at the party to brace themselves. But he can only stand there motionless.

Lightning shot out of the mage's hand. Time moved. Aric tried to dodge but he was too slow, he took the full blast of the lightning. He couldn't bite back a scream. His body twisted and contorted. He heard a cacophony of screams around him.

Elyndria. He tried to turn, to see if she was alright.

She was on her feet. She quickly shot off healing spells to whoever who was down.

"Spread out." Arif choked out, trying to catch his breath.

Elyndria sent a healing spell towards him, while she struggled to catch her breath.

"Heal yourself first."

Elyndria's eyes met his for a moment. And there was both pain and hope there.

She was distracted.

The mage aimed another spell at her. The movement was familiar. He recognized the spell.

Arics eyes widened as he realized that Elyndria was too close to the edge. He ran towards her. He couldn't stop the spell. But maybe he could keep her from falling.

The wave of thunder shot out of the mage. It slammed into Elyndria pushing her back. Aric tried to grab her but the wave slammed into him. He flew backwards, his sister out of his reach. And then he was falling.

He slammed against the ground and everything turned black.

*

Aric opened his eyes blearily. His whole body screamed in protest. He looked up to see the ledge almost 50ft above them. Fuck. His armor managed to cushion the fall. He groaned. But everything still ached. He forced himself to sit up, his head spun.

Fucking mage. Trying to get him out of the fight? He should have made sure he killed him then. He would get up that mountain once he got his breath.

Aric froze. Not him. The mage wasn't trying to get him out of the fight. He got to his feet, his body protested, but he forced it back.

Then he saw it. Elyndria's broken, bloodstained body lying on the ground.

"No." He ran towards her. Her limbs were twisted in unnatural angles, she was bleeding everywhere. "No."

Then he heard it. The quiet wheezes of air.

He crumpled to his knees by her side even as his body screamed in pain. "Elyndria, open your eyes."

Her wheezes were desperate, noisy.

He prayed to Tyr for the power to heal her. His hand glowed with a divine light as he placed his hands on her. But his healing was different. Not like hers. She could heal injuries, wounds; all he could do was keep her alive. It didn't matter. He just needed to keep her alive. Then she could heal herself. She would be able to heal herself.

“Elyndria please.” Her breathing was still noisy. “Open your eyes.”

Slowly, Elyndria’s eyes opened. Her gasping became fasting, more desperate. Her features contorted in pain.

“Elyndria, can you hear me?”

Her eyes darted towards him. “Aric?” Her voice was noisy, weak. Her brows furrowed, “You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine.” He growled out. “Listen to me. You need to heal yourself.”

Her eyes darted around in panic.

“You’re going to be fine, Elyndria. Just heal yourself.”

“Can’t. Can’t move.” She coughed and blood spilled from her lips.

“It’s going to be fine. Just heal yourself.”

Her eyes darted towards him, fear and panic in them. “I…I can’t.”

Panic began to settle in his gut. “What do you mean you can’t?”

Her breathing became faster, more panicked. “I can’t.”

“Shit.” His eyes darted upwards, towards the ledge looming over them. “The sorcerer can heal you.”

Her eyes followed his, “They’re still fighting…”

“He can heal you.” He wanted to reach out to her, grab her. But he didn’t want to injure her further.

“Aric please, you have to help them. They won’t survive. I can’t help them.” Her breathing became more desperate as she began to panic, more blood spilled from her lips.

“Stop it! Stop moving, half-breed.”

And she fell still, obeying him instantly. There was a cold pit in his gut. No. He had to push that aside. He looked around for a path, a way up. The sorcerer could save her.

“Aric, please. I’m begging you. They’re my friends. Please.”

“Would you think about yourself for once?” Aric growled in frustration.

“I c…can’t move, Aric. I can’t breathe. It won’t be long more. Please. They can still be saved.”

Aric grabbed her face roughly, “You’re not allowed to die until I give you permission to die. You hear me, half-breed?” His voice cracked and he forced it back. He couldn’t let the panic take him. He would think of something. He could still save her.

“Please Aric. You don’t care if I die. You don’t have to save me for Father. He’ll understand. Please just help my friends. I’m begging you.”

“Shut up, half breed!” Aric choked out. Why did he never bother with learning how to heal? He focused all his energy on fighting. Why?

“Sorry.” Elyndria choked out as she began struggling to breathe.

Panic filled Aric and a pain in his chest he couldn’t force down. “No. No. Stay. Stay with me.”

He eyed the way her back twisted. He had no choice. He had to get her out of here. He had to risk hurting her. She would die here. He lifted her into his arms.

Elyndria choked out a gurgled scream.

“I know. I know. Just hold on. The sorcerer can heal you. Or I can get you back to town, find a cleric. You just need to hold on.” His arms cried out in protest. He was more injured than he thought. But he couldn’t focus on that. He needed to save her.

“Aric, p…please.”

“Shut up.” Aric looked up the steep ledge.

“You can’t c…climb that h…holding me.”

No. No he couldn’t. There had to be a way, a path. And then he spotted it. Steep and treacherous, but it was all he had. His legs shook as he tried to push himself forward, but he forced them to move. He had to save his sister.

“Aric… It’s…okay…” Her breathing was growing shallow.

“No. Just stay awake and keep breathing, half-breed.”

“Aric, please. My friends-”

“I don’t fucking care about your friends!” Desperation filled Aric as he forced himself to move faster, even as his body fought him every step of the way.

“Aric…” Her voice trailed off as another coughing fit wrecked her.

Aric could feel blood soak his arms. “Fight this, Elyndria. Just fight.”

“I…I can’t… Not much longer…”

“Stay with me! I can’t…I can’t…lose… I can’t fail another one.”

Elyndria was silent. Aric’s eyes darted downwards to make sure she was still breathing. She stared at him, her eyes full of pain and sadness. Her voice was so small, “Julian’s de…death wasn’t your f…fault, Aric.”

Aric’s lips trembled but he forced his face blank. He couldn’t think about this now. He couldn’t think about Julian. He couldn’t save him and now Elyndria was dying in his arms and he couldn’t do anything. A choked sound escaped his lips as he realized he was not going to get her help in time.

“He w…wouldn’t want you blaming y…yourself.”

No. No he wouldn’t have. He wouldn’t have wanted Aric to have blamed Elyndria either but he had. Because it was easier. It was easier to blame her than deal with his guilt, his grief. Another choked sound escaped his lips.

“Br…brother, it…it’s going t…to be okay.”

He couldn’t look at her but he could still hear her desperate wheezes. He couldn’t save her. He wouldn’t make it up the mountain in time. He couldn’t do anything.

“F…father w…won’t blame you…”

He couldn’t look at her. She didn’t realize. Why would she? After every cruel thing he’s said to her. Why would she? He saw the flash of hope in his sister’s eyes on the mountain, before it all went wrong. “You don’t…You don’t understand. You’re all I have. I can’t lose another sibling. I can’t lose you.’

“It’s okay, br…brother. Y…you don’t have to c…comfort me.”

Aric stopped walking. His chest twisted painfully and he couldn’t breathe. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t believe… “I’m so sorry.”

“It…it wa…wasn’t y…your fault, Aric. H…he was too p…powerful.”

Aric shook his head but he couldn’t form words, couldn’t explain what he meant. How did he apologize for 20 years of cruelty and hate for no reason, no good, discernible reason other than he was in pain? His shoulders shook violently.

“Ar…aric you’re hurt. You n…need to p…put m…me down…”

Aric collapsed to his knees, arms firmly around his sister, clutching her closer to him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” His shoulders shook harder as he sobbed, “I’m sorry.”

"N…not y…your f…fault."

Aric shook his head desperately, trying to get her to understand. "You didn't deserve… I should never have blamed you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Elyndria’s voice was barely a whisper. “I…I for…give you…, bro…ther…”

Aric looked down at her in disbelief only to see Elyndria’s eyes closing. He placed a desperate hand on her cheek, begging. “No. No. Stay. Stay with me. Stay with me. Sister, please, I beg you. Let me fix this. Let me earn your forgiveness. Please. Please.”

Elyndria’s eyes met his and Aric could see the fear in her eyes. “S..s.tay… s…stay…wi…me…”

“Shhhhh…” Aric said, cradling her closer to him. She was terrified and in pain, she needed him. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere, sister.”

There’s a smile on Elyndria’s lips, even as she struggled to breathe.

“I wish I had time to try again. I would have been better. I would have been the brother you deserved. I’m sorry.”

“B…bro…er…do..t c..r…y…’m…ha…ppy…”

Aric couldn’t do anything but watch as his sister’s gasps grew weaker and weaker until she finally fell silent. “Elyndria?” But his sister was still. A choked sob escaped his lips. “No.” He buried his head on his sister’s broken body and wept.

#whumptober 2023 #whumptober2023 #no.30 #bridal carry #not much longer.... #lyric #d&d 5e #dnd 5e #OC #Aric #Elyndria #fic #death tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 16

Note: I decided every character would have a story focus. For Elyndria it was always going to be romance. I hate writing romance. I don’t write romance. I like character studies, sibling relationships. I can’t write romance. URGH!!!!

Elyndria strummed a soft tune on her lyre, humming quietly in elvish. It was an old song that her mother used to sing to her. Her heart ached at the thought of her mother. She missed her. She missed her gentle smile, her kind eyes, the way she always knew how to soothe her when Aric and Julian were being particularly cruel.

“Lady Elyndria?”

Elyndria jumped. “Ismark.” She hadn’t heard him come in. She forced a wide smile.

“Forgive me for startling you, my lady.”

“No. I was distracted.” She put down her lyre as Ismark sat next to her.

“Are you alright? You have been quiet today.”

Elyndria remained silent. She didn’t know if she should tell him. It would just ruin the mood but… “It’s the anniversary of my mother’s death. It’s been years but I still miss her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m being silly. It’s been so many years.”

Ismark took her hands, “I lost my mother when I was but a boy. I still think of her sometimes. It is not silly to miss her, my lady.”

Elyndria smiled sadly but more genuine this time. “It’s selfish. I don’t miss her. I miss what she was to me. A mother, a confidante, the one I could always talk to, the one who always cared about me.”

“That’s not selfish, my lady.” Ismark reached out and wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

“Sorry. I’m being silly.” She hurried to wipe her eyes.

Ismark placed a strong hand on her cheek, “You don’t have to apologize, my lady.”

Elyndria closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

“I find myself at an unfair disadvantage. You know so much about me but I feel like I know nothing about you, my lady.”

Elyndria froze then gave a nervous smile. “That’s because my life is not half as interesting as yours.”

Ismark seemed hurt by her secrecy.

“I’m not hiding anything. There’s really nothing to tell. I grew up in Amphail, mother, father, two brothers. I could have anything money could buy.”

Ismark remained silent as if waiting for her to continue.

“My brother…half-brother, Julian was accompanying Mother to Waterdeep when bandits attacked them. They were both killed.”

Ismark held her hand and rubbed it soothingly.

“My half brother Aric, he blamed Mother for Julian’s death and by extension, me. If he was cold before…after Julian, he just became cruel. He blamed me for everything that’s gone wrong in his life. And one day, I couldn’t take it. I ran. I visited Silvery Moon once when I was young, and the town was small enough to be ignored by the nobles who would know me but big enough to remain invisible. Music was my only escape in that home. So I believed that music would be my escape then. I remembered how the Bards would perform during the parties and celebrations, the way they dressed, the way they could command the whole room, admired by everyone. I wanted to be like them if for no other reason than at least so I can sing.” She shook her head, “Like I said, there’s no tragic backstory, nothing interesting at all.”

“You must have been very lonely.”

Elyndria froze. “I… Of course not. There were dozens of servants, I had my father, my brother, we were always surrounded by people.”

“You must have been very lonely.”

She nodded slowly, unable to look at him. “I thought things would have changed when I left but…I didn’t know how to open up. I was still lonely and I had no one around me. And then I wasn’t only a bard onstage, it was easier to get people to speak to me, to help me, to even look at me.” Her eyes darted at Ismark then downwards, “I would have never approached you in that Tavern. But Elyndria the Bard, she is brave, confident, she can convince anyone to pay for her meal.” She clasped her hands nervously, “I never meant to let you see me like this.”

Ismark was silent for a moment. Then he placed a hand on her cheek, forcing her to look at him. “Tell me, was it Elyndria the bard, who has done everything she can to keep my sister safe? Was it the bard who tried to save Father Donovich’s son and cried when she couldn’t? I see you, Lady Elyndria. I see your kindness and compassion. And that is the Elyndria I have come to care for.”

Tears burned Elyndria’s eyes. She pulled away from him not wanting to let him see. “Please Ismark. I can’t…” She swallowed. “I care for you a lot. I lov-” She cut herself off. She couldn’t say it. She couldn’t admit it. “It’s easy to pretend as Elyndria the Bard that this is nothing more than something physical.”

“Do you truly feel that way, my lady?”

“No.” She admitted quietly. “But I don’t deserve to be loved.”

“Lady Elyndria-”

“No. Let me say this or I’ll lose my nerve. For years I believed every cruel thing my brother has drilled into me. And then I saw you with Ireena and I realized that maybe it wasn’t me, it was him. But it’s hard to push that back, push that aside. If…if we do this, if I admit this is something more, and one day down the line, I do something that makes you hate me… I can’t… it would be too much. And it’s not fair to put all that on you.”

Ismark pulled her back to face him, “What do you want, Lady Elyndria?”

“I…” She couldn’t look at him. She admit couldn’t that she stayed up at night thinking about him. She couldn’t admit that she never used to care if she died during battle but now she did, now she wanted to come back to him. She couldn’t admit that she’s already imagining staying in Barovia with him. She was acting like she was having her first crush, she was being childish.

“Perhaps I’ve been pushing too hard. I will take my leave, my lady.”

Fear shot through her as she grabbed his hand, “No. Please stay.” She was being too clingy, too insecure. She would scare him off. “I think I love you. And if its truly me you see, then I will try to be more…me. Not the bard. But I don’t know if you’ll like what you see.”

He kissed her gently on the lips and the voice in her head repeating her brother’s words go silent.

She buried her head into his neck, “Promise me. Promise me you will never leave.”

“I swear, my lady.”

*

The party decided to take a break for the day and go for the festival of the Black Sun in Vallacki. It was strange to attend a festival after so long in these cursed lands but they welcomed the shift. Elyndria leaned her head on Ismark’s shoulder. She did as she said she was going to, to stop pretending to be the bard. But she didn’t feel different. She felt like she wasn’t putting on a show everytime she spoke but she still acted the same and…did she trick herself into confidence? She didn’t understand it but she didn’t care. For the moment she was happy.

She was distracted for only a moment. She wandered off on her own to examine the stall selling ribbons to braid in her hair. There was a chill that descended around them. The Barovian fog already chilled the air but this was different. This chill settled into her bones, making them ache.

Then a voice echoed through the air, “Ireena.” She has never heard the voice before, but the chill in the air and the voice seemed to resound in her head rather than her ears tipped her off right away. She turned and couldn’t find Ismark or the rest of her party. She ran.

“Ireena, come to me my love.”

One of the others must be watching Ireena right? They wouldn’t have left her on her own.

She reached the town square and her stomach dropped. Standing in the middle of the square was Strahd, holding his sword to Ismark’s throat.

“Ireena, if you do not come to me, I will kill your brother.”

Her legs moved before her mind could register what was going on. She tried to aim a spell to interrupt them, to save Ismark but they were too far.

“Ireena, do you believe I won’t do it?”

“Sister, please, stay hidden.”

And then Elyndria saw it, the fighter holding Ireena, who was viciously fighting her, back with the sorcerer covering Ireena’s mouth. Good, they had Ireena. She just had to focus on Ismark. She had to save him. She readied a spell, as soon as she got closer she would cast it.

“Do not think me cruel, my dear bride. I warned you.”

Elyndria released the spell.

With a swift strike, Strahd sliced Ismark’s throat open.

“NO!” Elyndria screamed.

The spell flew towards Strahd but he disappeared in a swarm of bats.

Ismark gurgled and collapsed to the ground.

“No!” Elyndria ran towards Ismark, her hands already glowing a faint purple. She cradled Ismark towards her as she pressed her hands to his neck. It wasn’t healing. Why wasn’t it healing?

Ismark gurgled and choked in her arms. His eyes darted, searching. He tried to speak but only gurgles escaped his throat.

“She’s alright. Ireena’s alright.” She whispered as she tried another healing spell but the wound refused to close. Why wasn’t it working? “Help. Help me!” Maybe she wasn’t a good enough healer. Maybe they needed a cleric. “Help!”

Ismark’s eyes settled on her. He lifted a shaking hand and wiped away her tears.

“No. No you can’t leave me. You can’t.” Why wasn’t her magic working? Why wasn’t anything working? “Someone please! Help me!”

Ismark’s gurgles became worse, desperate.

“No. You promised. You promised.” Elyndria placed a hand to Ismark’s cheek. “Please. I love you. I love you.”

Ismark’s eyes slid shut.

“No. No. Don’t go where I can’t follow. Don’t go.”

Ismark was still in her arms.

“No.”

The blood beneath her hands had stopped flowing.

“No.”

His chest wasn’t rising.

“No.”

She cradled Ismark towards her as a howl of pain escaped her lips.  

#whumptober 2023 #whumptober2023 #no.16 #flatline #don't go where i can't follow #lyric #song #chasing cars #snow patrol #fic #d&d 5e #dnd 5e #OC #elyndria #Ismark #ismark kolyanovich #death tw #mentions of emotional abuse tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 20

Note: Hmn...after writing this I realized that there should have probably been one more story in between. Dormaia became way too nice too fast.

Dormaia approached the wizard with a scowl. The wizard’s eyes widened as she approached him. “You pocketed some nice loot from the last fight.”

“Yes, well I found it. So it’s mine.”

Dormaia placed a hand on her rapier, “Well, that’s not how it works here. We split whatever we find.”

The wizard squeaked, “It’s…it’s mine.”

“Hand it over, right now.”

The wizard’s hand flew to the pouch at his belt before stopping halfway. Bingo. “I have magic and I’m not afraid to use it.”

Dormaia just sneered, “I wonder if you can cast a spell faster or I can draw my blade and cut off your head faster.”

The gnome rogue had snuck behind the wizard. Her hand went for the pouch on his belt. The wizard was too distracted to notice. “Someone help.”

“Come on, Dormaia. Leave him alone.” The druid said firmly.

“I just want him to learn to share.” Dormaia said, her eyes still on the wizard’s frightened face. But from the corner of her eye, she could see the rogue slink off, pouch in hand.

“It’s mine.”

“Leave him.”

Dormaia sighed and raised her hands before her, “Fine.” She pushed past the wizard who just squeaked a ‘hey!’ and headed towards the room where the rogue had disappeared into.

The rogue grinned at her, pouch held in her hand. She took out a healing potion and gave it to Dormaia, “As promised.”

“Please. Seeing that scared look on his face was payment enough.” Dormaia said as she pocketed the healing potion.

“He looked like he was going to piss himself.”

“No one asked him to be a greedy little shit.”

The rogue laughed and placed her fist before her.

“You going to punch me?” Dormaia asked, confused.

“No, gods.” She picked up Dormaia’s hand and balled it into a fist. Then she bumped her fist against hers.

“O…kay?”

“It’s like a good job.”

Dormaia just stared at her fist in confusion.

“Forget it.” The rogue said, hiding the pouch with her things. “You’re lucky you said yes to the plan. The next pouch I would be snatching would have been yours. Why are you hoarding so much gold for?”

Dormaia just shrugged. “Better armor?” She paused then continued, “I’ve done the whole starving and sleeping on the ground thing. I don’t want to do it again.”

“Listen. Just stick with me. I know how to find gold and food. I promise you will never starve.”

Dormaia’s brows furrowed, there’s a warm feeling in her chest that she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Listen. I think the drow is hoarding gold too. Want to shake him for it?”

Dormaia let out a laugh. The rogue startled at the sound and so did she. She hasn’t laughed like this since… Her expression fell. “Sorry. I’m not in the mood.” What was she doing? She had one goal, one task. How had she gotten so distracted? How long has she been in this town? She was supposed to be searching for the Order. How did she let herself get distracted?

*

Dormaia sat to the side as they stopped to camp. They would reach the castle by midday. One more mission, then she would take her leave. Maybe head back towards Neverwinter and find out if the Order had a base there. If not, she would have to move up the Sword Coast, to Baldur’s Gates perhaps.

“Dormaia, join us.”

Dormaia startled out of her thoughts. The druid beckoned her to join them. Dormaia’s eyes darted across the party, they didn’t seem upset. Maybe they just wanted to make plans on how to siege the castle. She joined them by the fire.

“The wizard has something to ask you.” The druid said.

“There’s nothing to ask. She threatened me for my pouch and then it goes missing.”

“So what? You think I stole it off you?” Dormaia moved left and right and the armor she wore clanked noisily.

“She could have done it while we were sleeping.”

Dormaia shook around more to prove her point.

The druid raised his hand, “Ok. You’ve made your point.” He turned to the wizard, “See? If she wanted to take it, she would have grabbed it off you that day. It’s not her style.”

“Someone took it.”

“Or you dropped it.” Fieron supplied.

“I didn’t drop it.”

The rogues passed her a plate of food, a cheeky half-smile on her face, hidden by her hood.

“That’s what happens when you don’t share.” Dormaia said, focusing on the food.

“I know you did it.” The wizard said, knocking the bowl out of her hands, spilling it over Dormaia.

The party fell silent, eyes watching Dormaia seeing what she would do.

“I suggest you run.” The drow whispered to the wizard.

Dormaia stood silently, pushing down the hurt in her chest.

“Calm down, Dormaia.” The druid whispered in Infernal.

She replied in Infernal, “I wasn’t planning on doing anything!” They always assumed the worst of her. She has never been violent with them but they assumed she would attack them. Well, she did try to kill Fieron when she first met him but that was a long time ago. She turned and headed towards the river. She needed to clean herself up before the food stained the clothes.

She kneeled by the river when a voice cried out, “Hey.”

Dormaia jumped and turned to see the rogue. “Levistus.” She closed her eyes and took deep breaths, “you need to stop sneaking up on people. Especially people with pointy things.” She said holding up her blade.

“He’s a kid. He’s just being a brat.”

Dormaia sighed. “You don’t have to tell me. My sister was even more of a brat.” She fell silent. She saw flashes of her sister, arrow sticking out of her chest, staring at her.

“You don’t talk about your family.”

“There’s nothing to say. They’re dead.” She said harshly, she tried to focus on cleaning the food off the armor.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? You didn’t kill them.”

The rogue didn’t say anything. She sat on the riverbank beside her.

“I want to be alone.”

“No you don’t.”

“Well I need to wash my clothes so they’ll be dry by tomorrow. So unless you want to see me nude.” She jumped at the way the rogue was staring at her.

“I won’t say no to that.”

Dormaia opened her mouth and closed it. Then opened it again.

The rogue laughed. “I’m kidding. You should see your face.”

Dormaia opened her mouth again but still didn’t know how to reply that.

“Go for a swim with your clothes on.”

“What?”

“It’s a trick we used to do on the road. We have a swim; wash up and wash our clothes at the same time, then dry ourselves by the fire. Especially as a girl in a group of men, it’s the easiest way.”

Dormaia stared at the rogue for a moment, wondering if she was trying to trick her or anything. Slowly she stepped into the water and then sat down, letting the water flow around her.

“That’s not swimming.”

“I can’t swim.” Dormaia leant back a little, feeling herself relax. “After this job, I’m leaving.”

The rogue was silent, “Why?”

“I’ve lost sight of my goals. I just wanted to make enough money to get to the next big city. I’ve been stuck here too long.”

The rogue was silent for a long while. “Armor.” She finally said.

“What?”

“You wanted to buy better armor before you left. Can’t defeat a hoard of paladins with that piece of junk you’re wearing.”

“This job should pay enough to buy it.”

Dormaia heard a clinking sound. She turned to see the rogue holding up her pouch of gold. “Not anymore.”

“Don’t you dare.” She growled. “I knew you sent me in here for a reason.”

“Vengeance isn’t everything, Dormaia.”

“I know. But it’s all I have left.”

*

Dormaia hung back. She hated when the party did this. Get the quiet people to scout ahead and the rest of them, the ones who could actually fight were left behind. She understood why but she hated it. She tried to listen down the hall for noise, for a clue on what’s going on, but it was silent.

“NO!” The scream chilled Dormaia to the core. It was the ranger’s voice.

“Move.” The druid said as it turned into a dire wolf.

Dormaia ran down the hall, towards the voice. She froze. The drow and ranger were surrounded by a dozen goblins, wounded but standing. And on the ground was the rogue, arrows sticking out of her like a pincushion. No.

Dormaia let out an angry scream as she ran forward and swung her rapier, killing the goblin nearest to the door. “You will regret touching them.” She swung her blade wildly, killing anything in her path. She should have never agreed to the plan. She should have been in front. She was tough. She had armor. She would have been able to take the hits.

Dormaia breathed heavily as the goblins lay still and silent. She could feel her blade sing with pleasure. Her eyes darted towards the rogue.

The ranger cradled the small gnome in his hands, looking at the cleric, begging him for help.

“I’m out of magic.” Fieron said quietly.

The ranger started searching his bags for bandages but Dormaia could see the rogue’s skin turn paler by the second.

She felt cold. She couldn’t do anything again. She failed again. She was losing-

She was so stupid. Dormaia grabbed the healing potion from her pouch. She ran towards the rogue and pressed the potion against her lips.

“I told you she stole it!” The wizard shouted out.

Color returned to the rogue’s cheeks as she began breathing evenly. Slowly she opened her eyes.

“You owe me another healing potion, rogue.” Dormaia said gruffly, but she couldn’t keep the relief out of her voice.

The gnome just smiled cheekily. “Sure. I’ve got this new pouch full of gold.”

Dormaia snatched back her pouch, “Hands off.” She moved to stand but a hand grabbed hers.

“Don’t leave.”

Dormaia looked at the rogues hand then at her. “I…”

“Just think about it.”

“Ok.” She realized she didn’t want to leave. After so many years alone, she’s finally found a place that she felt at home. She would not give up her oath. But she would not abandon them, not yet.  

#whumptober2023 #whumptober 2023 #no.20 #found family #you will regret touching them #song #dnd 5e character #d&d 5e #dnd 5e #fic #OC #dormaia #blood tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 27

Aric heard the sound of a branch break. He held up his hand to the party, halting them. The berserkers exited the trees one by one, surrounding them. The party drew their weapons warily. Elyndria lifted her lyre and Aric sneered, what did she think she could do with that. “Stay back and out of my way.” He growled before charging forward.

It was an exhausting fight but Aric has faced worse. Elyndria casted a spell that slowed the berserkers reactions. When had she learned magic like this? She kept the berserkers back, allowing the ranged fighters to keep out of reach. Her healed wounds as soon as the party was struck. There was a strange feeling in Aric’s gut. Pride? Fuck. It wasn’t. It was just the adrenaline, nothing more.

And then one of the berserker realized who casted the spell and went for Elyndria. She dodged the attack but Aric had been distracted. He didn’t see the berserker coming for him from behind. He turned a second too late.

The sword rammed deep into his back.

“Aric!”

There was blinding hot pain but he pushed it back. He swung his blade in retaliation, decapitating the berserker who attacked him. Aric staggered back, the wound bled heavily. Fuck. He was careless.

Something warm and soothing washed over him. The wound didn’t close, but the bleeding seemed to slow down. He turned to see Elyndria looking at him, worry on her features. Fucking half-breed. He didn’t need her concern.

The fighter took down the last berserker. Elyndria ran up towards him. She reached for the wound.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Let me see.” Elyndria said, fear and desperation in her voice.

“Leave it!”

Elyndria lifted his armor when the blade had gone through. “It’s bad. I’m out of magic.”

“It’s stopped bleeding. I’m fine-” Aric let out a curse as something was shoved roughly against his wound.

“We need to get back to the tavern. Bandage the wound. Once I replenish my magic I can heal it.”

“I don’t need your help, half-breed.”

She didn’t falter at his words, not this time. “Can you walk or do I need to get the fighter to drag you?”

“I can walk.” Aric hissed, as the cloth was dug tighter against his back. They headed back to the tavern. But Aric refused to let Elyndria help him. He insisted on getting his own room. He bit his tongue as he struggled to remove his armor. He wrapped the bandage tight around the wound. It wasn’t the worst injury he’s gotten. He didn’t need anyone’s help. He could see to it himself.

*

Aric was awoken by noise. The pain in his back flared and he had to bite back a groan. He forced himself silent, his breathing even, his eyes closed. He heard the door close silently. Someone was sneaking about in his room. Did some idiot think he was injured and hence, an easy target? He quietly placed his hand on his sword, making as little movement as he could. He could hear the figure approaching him stealthily.

As soon as the figure was close to him, he lifted his sword and rammed it straight into the figure.

The cry of pain sent a chill through him as his eyes met Elyndria’s looking at him in shock and pain.

“No.”

Elyndria looked down at the sword sticking through her chest, breaths heavy.

What had he done? Why was she sneaking around his room? What had he...

Elyndria raised a hand towards her chest, her dress rapidly stained with blood. “Aric, listen to me.” Her voice was weak. She coughed and blood trailed the side of her mouth.

Aric’s hands shook, he hadn’t meant. What had he done? He didn’t…

“Aric, pull the sword out slowly. Very slowly.”

Aric looked up at his sister who had just looked at her chest with a concentrated gaze. Her hand glowed with a soft purple light.

“Now. Slowly.”

Aric pulled the sword out, slowly and gently, not wanting to hurt her anymore than he already had.

Elyndria slowly healed the wound, grunting in pain as Aric removed the sword.

Aric released the sword as soon as he got it free. He stared at the purple glow around his sister’s chest faded. The wound had stopped bleeding but there was still a gaping wound in his sister’s chest. “Why the fuck were you sneaking around?”

“I didn’t want to wake you. Wanted to avoid a fight. I knew you wouldn’t let me heal you.” Her voice was pained, breaths still heavy. She closed her eyes and took steadying breaths. She lit the torch by the wall and the room was filled with light.

The light illuminated Elyndria’s bloodstained dress and blood splatters on the wall, the floor. He knew if Elyndria couldn’t heal herself, he would have killed her. There was a pain in his chest that he couldn’t push back. He would be happy if the half-breed was out of his life right?

“Let me see the wound.”

“Heal yourself first.”

“It’s healed.”

Aric stared at the gaping wound in her chest. “If you call that healed, then I doubt your abilities as a healer.”

Elyndria sighed, “I don’t have much magic left.”

Aric watched her hands shake as she reached for his bandages. “I don’t need your help.”

“I don’t have the energy to fight you right now. We can both be stubborn and argue until morning. Or you’ll let me heal you and go back to bed to replenish my magic.”

Aric fell silent. He saw the determination in his sister’s eyes and he knew he was not fighting her on this. He undid his bandages slowly.

Elyndria sighed once more, “I’m no cleric, but I’m sure that’s not how you bandage a wound like that.” She reached out with shaky hands and helped him. “Lie on your side and face the wall. I need to see what I’m doing.”

Aric looked at his sister’s pale face, breaths pained and heavy. “This can wait until morning.”

“Am I the healer or are you?” Elyndria pushed him towards his side, forcing his eyes away from her and towards the wall.

“Exactly. Your hands are shaking so much, you’re going to end up healing my intestines to my liver.”

Elyndria was silent. Then a strange noise. Panic filled Aric until he realized his sister was laughing. “I hadn’t realized you were a comedian.” 

“It wasn’t a joke.”

 “It was still funny.”

He felt hands touch his back and he doesn’t know why he’s relieved to find his sister’s hands were not cold. There’s warmth and a strange feeling in his stomach. “What are you doing?”

“I told you the wound was bad. The sword went all the way through.” Elyndria’s voice wavers for a moment. “I only had enough magic to stop the bleeding earlier. But there’s a lot of damage.” Her voice cracked once more.

Aric rolled his eyes. “You’re exaggerating.” He felt fine. Sure it hurt but it was to be expected with a wound as deep as this.

“I’m not. If I didn’t have enough magic to spare when he stabbed you, I-” Her voice broke again. “I keep forgetting I’m the healer. I need to save my magic. I’m so stupid.”

“There would have been more injuries if you hadn’t slowed them down. You prevented the injuries.”

Elyndria was silent. The hands left his back and he felt a hand on his forehead.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“Checking for an infection. You’re being…nice.”

Aric rolled his eyes, “I’m not being nice, half-breed.” He just forgot he had to be an asshole.

“You’re not burning up. You need to tell me if you feel off. We would need to find a proper healer. I can’t heal an infection.”

“Relax, half-breed. I can.”

Elyndria’s hands went back to his back, “You can?”

Aric grunted.

“We really don’t know anything about each other, huh?” She said sadly.

“It’s not important. Stop being so dramatic.”

Elyndria fell silent and concentrated on healing him once more.

Aric felt himself getting stronger. Elyndria was right, it wasn’t just blood loss and pain, she was healing something seriously damaged inside him and he could feel it. “I feel better already, half-breed. Heal yourself.”

“I’m fine, Aric.”

“I just stabbed you in the chest. How the fuck is that fine?” Aric spat out and he realized he was talking about more than just the gaping wound.

Elyndria was silent for a moment. “Speaking to you already feels like a stab in the chest. This is nothing new.” There’s pain and bitterness in her words.

“Then leave me be, half-breed.”

“I don’t understand you, Aric.” The pain in Elyndria’s voice was stronger now. He tried to turn to face her, to ensure she was alright but she held him still as her hands continued their work. “Since I was born you have called me half-breed, an abomination, all the cruel things you usually said. And for the longest time, I truly believed it was because I was half-elf. And true, the nobles in Amphail were all human but after leaving home, travelling. Half-elves are everywhere. Your Order is full of half-elves. Hell, even half my party are half-elves and you never said a word about them. Is it just me you have a problem with then?”

“Yes.” Escaped Aric’s lips before he could stop it. “I don’t have a problem with half elves. I have a problem with your mother invading our family and diluting our noble blood.”

“So you’re a quiet racist, then?”

“I’m not a racist!”

“It’s just me you hate.”

There’s a resignation in Elyndria’s tone that Aric hated. His sister was different here, not the quiet little mouse he was used to. She held her own in a verbal argument and didn’t let anyone else push her around…only him.

Elyndria was silent as she healed his wounds. “Brother, can I ask you something? Do you think you will ever stop hating me? Sometimes you would do or say something and there’s a bit of hope that maybe somewhere deep down you do care. And I need to know. So I would know not to hope.”

The cruel words escaped Aric’s lips before he could stop it. “I will always hate you for what you’ve done.”

Her voice was small, “What have I done brother? You blame me for everything but what have I done to you to make you hate me so much? Was I annoying as child? Did I talk too much?”

Her words caused an ache in Aric’s chest. And he couldn’t tell her, he couldn’t tell her that he hated her for being born. That he blamed her for choices his father made in marrying her mother, choices made before she was born.

“Julian never hated me you know?”

Aric’s back stiffened. “Don’t fucking talk about him.” He tried to turn towards her but she held him firmly still.

“He was always so kind to me when you weren’t home. He was afraid you’d think he was betraying you too.”

“Don’t try to soil his memory. He was cruel to you too.”

“Yes. His words were cruel too. He’d act even crueler so you wouldn’t suspect him. And he would apologize and bring me gifts after.” Elyndria fell silent for a moment. “And I understand it now. But it was so confusing as a child. You have no idea how hard it was growing up like that. I never believed I deserved to be loved. Ever since mother died, I never felt…” She cut herself off.

“What are you talking about? Father loves you. You’re his fucking favourite.”

“Maybe. But it’s like being loved by a brick wall.”

“Ungrateful child.”

“I suppose I am.” Elyndria was quiet once more. “He changed after Mother and Julian died. He didn’t smile anymore, closed himself off. He was in pain but I think he was trying to be strong for us.”

Aric was silent. He hadn’t noticed. He was consumed by his own grief at that time. And he joined the Order of the Gauntlet and threw himself to their cause, anything to push away the pain. “Why are we talking about all this now?”

Elyndria’s hands stopped for a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe I had just hoped…”

“What? That you heal me once and I’d be so grateful, I would stop hating you?”

“Maybe.” Elyndria’s hands had left his back and she didn’t stop him when he turned towards her. Her gaze was on her hands. “I thought...” She swallowed. “I thought that if you died I would feel relieved. I would never have to hear a cruel word from you again. But when the berserker stabbed you…” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, “I don’t want to lose you, brother.”

Aric saw her pained features and he looked away. He didn’t have anything to say to her. He couldn’t. He hated her. He knew he hated her with every fiber of his being. So why did he feel like his heart would break when he nearly killed his sister? Why did he care?

Elyndria took a heavy breath and Aric didn’t miss her hiss of pain. “Lie back down, brother. I’m not done yet.”

Aric’s eyes darted to the gaping hole in her chest, oozing blood. “Heal yourself first.”

“STOP IT!”

Aric was startled at her sudden outburst.

“This. This is what I meant. You say you hate me but you would say something that makes me believe… Please brother, stop it. I can’t bear the hope. Please if you hate then just be cruel. Don’t give me false hope.”

Aric couldn’t look at her. “It’s strategic. It’s suicide to go into battle with the party healer out of commission.”

Elyndria let out a pained laugh. “Of course.” And finally, fucking finally, she pressed a glowing hand to her chest and closed the wound. Her pained breathing subsided and evened out.

“It was foolish forcing yourself to work in pain like that.”

Elyndria just stared at her hands. “That was the last of my magic.”

“Then go and rest.”

Elyndria didn’t say anything, didn’t move.

“You’ve seen the wound, am I still in danger?”

“No.” She said softly.

“Then go and rest.”

Elyndria stood and swayed.

Aric caught hold of her before she fell. “Half breed, open your eyes. Sister.”

Elyndria shook her head. “Sorry. Stood up too fast, that’s all.” She steadied herself and reached for the bandages.

“I can see to it myself.”

But Elyndria stubbornly bound the wound close. “I’ll be back in the morning, brother, once my magic is replenished.”

Aric’s eyes darted to the wound on Elyndria’s chest. It was closed and small but not fully healed. “Heal yourself first or it will scar.”

Elyndria’s eyes darted to his back where a myriad of scars decorated his skin. She didn’t say anything about them. But she would have known as a healer, healed wounds don’t scar. And with the number of Clerics in the Order, there was no reason that no one healed his wounds. Unless he refused to let them heal him. And he never let them touch him. He never knew why, punishment? Perhaps. It seemed right, poetic. “Let it scar. It’s a reminder.”

“A reminder of what?” He said bitterly, “That I nearly killed you?”

Elyndria smiled at him and there’s a glow in her eyes that he’s never seen, hope. “That you care.”

“Care? Don’t fucking kid yourself, half-breed.”

“You called me sister. In over 20 years, you’ve never called me sister once.”

“You heard wrongly.”

“I’m not expecting a miracle, Aric. There’s a lot of history we have to work through. But…I don’t know how many times I’ve nearly died in the last few weeks. You nearly died today. We can do this same dance we’ve done for too many years. But I’m exhausted, brother. Aren’t you?”

#whumptober2023 #whumptober 2023 #no.27 #let me see #scars #dnd 5e #d&d 5e #Aric #OC #fic #blood tw

[afolderfullofstories]

Whumptober 2023: Day 10

The party was silent as they sat in the Tavern. They were still reeling from what happened. No one said a word. Elyndria just stared at her hands; she could still feel Ireena’s hand heavy in hers.

“What do we do now?” The sorcerer said, his eyes also unable to meet any of theirs.

What do they do? Everything they’ve done was for nothing. They had one simple job and they fucked it up. She fucked it up. This was her. They had nothing to do with this. This was her. Her stupid decision. Her mistake.

“We still need to find a cure for the werewolf bite.” The Rogue said, showing the healing mark on her forearm.

Elyndria’s own bite burned. But she didn’t care about that now. She couldn’t think about anything else. Just the dead body lying upstairs in one of the rooms. Her gut turned, she was going to be sick. “Don’t want to think about that right now.”

“Well, sister, if you’ve forgotten, the full moon is in a couple of days. If you want to turn into a werewolf, be my guest.”

Elyndria looked down at her bite. It would be what she deserved, wouldn’t it? What right did she have to be saved when she couldn’t save anyone? When she murdered… A sob escaped her lips.

“Ms Elyndria, I can’t say I wouldn’t have grabbed her if you hadn’t. You mustn’t blame yourself.” The artificer said kindly.

Elyndria shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. She’s still dead and it’s still my fault.”

“No it isn’t.” The fighter said firmly.

“I want to go to bed. Can we have this conversation in the morning?”

“You joining us tonight?” The rogue teased.

The fighter elbowed the rogue hard in the ribs.

“What?”  

Elyndria didn’t say anything and just headed up the stairs.

“You’re a real bitch sometimes.” She overheard the fighter said.

Elyndria approached the room Ismark took. She placed a hand on the handle but she couldn’t open it. She heard muffled sobs behind the door. She wanted to call out to him, to comfort him. But her voice caught in her throat.

Her hand pressed onto the door, desperately wanting to comfort him, to touch him, to hold him. But she couldn’t do anything. She slid to the ground, pressing her back against the door, hugging her knees towards her chest. “I’m here for you.” She tries to say but her voice is barely a whisper.

She couldn’t imagine how Ismark was feeling. If she had died, her brother wouldn’t care. He would probably feel happy. And if Aric died… she would feel relieved. And that thought made her hate herself even more. She wondered numbly if anyone would grieve her like this if she was gone. No. No one would. Not her. Not a murderer. She didn’t deserve it.

*

The rogue smirked at her when she came down for breakfast, “Well someone didn’t come to bed.”

Elyndria didn’t say anything. She just stared at the food, sick at the sight of it.

“Did you sleep at all last night?” The fighter asked in concern.

“I’ve replenished my magic. That’s all that matters, right?” She said harshly. She hadn’t meant to sound cruel but she was spent.

Silence fell over them when Ismark came down the stairs and joined them. He didn’t touch the food either, Elyndria noted numbly, nor did he meet her gaze.

“Thank you, my friends, for all you’ve done. I will take my leave of you now. I will bring Ireena back to Barovia to bury.”

There’s pain in Elyndria’s chest as she realized Ismark was leaving them. But he was going to bury his sister, it would be expected. “Maybe we should escort you back to Barovia.”

“No.” Ismark’s voice was strained. “No.” He repeated, calmer, again refusing to meet here gaze. “This is something I must do myself. And Strahd has no reason to come for us…me anymore.”

“Will you be joining us after?” Elyndria asked quietly, her gaze fixed on him, begging him to meet her gaze.

“No.”

It sounded so final and Elyndria understood what it meant but she couldn’t accept it. Selfish as it was, she couldn’t lose him. “You said you’d never leave.”

“Things change.”

She could feel her heart shatter. Why did she expect any different? After what she did, after failing to protect his sister, after killing his sister. But she still had to ask. She needed an answer, even though she knew the answer would break her heart. “Do you…do you think you could ever forgive me?”

“No.” The answer was so final, so sure.

Elyndria couldn’t breathe, her heart twisted and cried out in protest. But she kept calm, she held it in. She didn’t want Ismark to see the pain he caused her. He didn’t deserve it. “I understand.” She doesn’t understand, she wants to scream. She didn’t do this on purpose, this wasn’t her intention. She was just trying to help. “Take care of yourself.”

Ismark doesn’t say anything, still refuses to look at her.

Elyndria stood, “We should take our leave.”

Ismark doesn’t stand, doesn’t say anything. And she wants to scream, beg him to look at her just one more time. She can’t lose him, not like this. She needs him.

Elyndria removed her Cloak of Protection and gently draped it over Ismark. She carefully ensured she didn’t touch him. She didn’t think she could bear him recoiling from her touch. “Please be careful.”

Ismark looked down at the cloak. And finally, finally, he looked at her. “You will need this.”

“No I don’t.” Not anymore.

Elyndria watched Ismark’s eyes dart to the uneaten food before her and he looked like he was going to say something. Hope filled her for a second, that maybe they could still salvage this. Instead Ismark stood and gave them a half bow, “Then I wish you and your companions a safe journey as well.”

Elyndria returned the half bow. “Farewell.” Her voice cracked at the finality of the word. She watched as Ismark walked back upstairs, never once turning back.

“Right. Back to the matter at hand, werewolf bite cure?”

Elyndria just stared at the wound on her hand. She numbly wondered if this pain in her chest would disappear if she turned into a werewolf.

“Elyndria? Hello?”

“Yes.” She said, her eyes still focused on the bite. She would help her friends find the cure but… She looked at her hand and she could once more see Ireena’s charred hand in hers. She didn’t deserve to be cured. Why does she get to live when she’s caused Ireena’s death? She saw Ismark’s eyes full of hate and she realized she doesn’t want to be cured.

#whumptober2023 #whumptober 2023 #no.10 #you said you'd never leave #altprompt #aftermath of failure #d&d 5e #dnd 5e #OC #Elyndria #ismark #ismark kolyanovich #suicidal thoughts tw #fic

[afolderfullofstories]

Patience my dears. The House of Usher series is giving me ideas and inspiration for Repo! We'll see how the series plays out. But maybe after Whumptober I might have something for you. But honestly I don't really wanna write a Rotti-centric story. But we'll see how things go. I promised myself I'll get Whumptober done this year and I'm trying to stick to it even if its not what everyone wants to read. Sorry.