theoldlord

[theoldlord]

[theoldlord]

[theoldlord]

Duskwood

[theoldlord]

Uldum - World Faire Camp

Ramkahen, capital city of the desert wonder that is Uldum. Once upon a time, the city had been locked away from the rest of the world - a single purpose kept it sheltered and unknown but when the ancient protections broke an entire desert and all of its wonders were gifted to the rest of the world. Over a decade later, the once kingdom begrudgingly welcomes to its city the World faire - an event bringing thousands of people daily into the sandstone markets 

“Momma, I was thinking..” Hope skipped through the camp located just outside of the capital’s main buildings. Easily the clump of war tents stood out, stark against the brilliant sky and muted sands. Though positioned near others who could not find lodgings within the desert city, the dark fabrics burdened with house symbols kept the others from creeping too close. By the third day of the faire, the gaggle of Sunshield women had abandoned their kingdom-appropriate attire and donned clothing better suited for the heat and sun.  “Papa wouldn’t say no if we brought home a camel or three. Three would be reeeeeeeeally nice.”

“What a novel idea, Hope. But I suspect the poor things would grow bored in the fields of Westfall, do you not think?”  Rosemarri perched upon a sandstone hunk, and like the others, her stiff clothing and bulky skirts had been abandoned in favor of a different kind of layers to protect her skin and to keep her from overheating. Trinkets from the faire hung from her wrists and clutched her ankles, tinkling merrily with each movement that she made. Before her, Harmony settled in the sand, legs crossed and bare toes buried as her mother carefully parted heavy curls and attempted to twist them into a braid. 

“But.. they could also live outside of the desert. Maybe our plains would be interesting to them and they might like having water.”  As Hope sat she leaned forward to collect a small camel figurine from next to the stone her mother had made her seat. What an odd little forgotten thing! As she turned it over in her hand, the old figure crumbled, turning to dust and sand before spilling through her fingers. 

“What about four camels?” She spoke again after a moment.

“HOPE!” Harmony laughed. “That is more than three!” 

Rosemarri glanced up from her work, surveying the tents and the people within it. Lyric and Varson spoke near the main tent, the mage’s animated hands, and the knight's laugh tattled the conversation a casual one.  Onward, her gaze shifted inside the tent to see two dark heads leading toward each other.  Just near them, Yelena sat, eating a taco and watching the game intently.

“What are Haven and Tristan doing?” She asked, tilting her body a bit so as to get a better look. Since her hands were in her youngest daughter’s hair, the girl leaned as well just in case she needed to spare her own head.

“Oh! They are playing chess, she is explaining to him the use of knights and rogues on the board. I bet he thinks she is a cheater.” Hope laughed, twisting in place to give the pair they were discussing her attention as well. “He is nice, mommy. He will be a good uncle - kinda stuffy like Varsen was when he first came to us… but we have - what is Burrich doing?” She paused, her attention focused on the huntsman who appeared to be talking to a trio of camels on the far side of camp.  “OH! Oh! he is waiting for me.” She scrambled to her feet, sand splattering over the seated pair behind her. “I was just supposed to… COMING BURRICH.” And she was off.

Alone once more the youngest Sunshield twisted about to stare up at her mother. Rosemarri watched Hope rejoin Burrich before darting her attention to Haven and Tristan. A slow exhale was an attempt to relieve some of the pressure that had been building in her chest. The girls were surrounded by strength, titan’s forgive any after their hearts. Her head dipped, her stare darting to the watchful girl and she dropped a loud kiss to her sun-kissed forehead. 

“What is behind your eyes, Harmony?” She whispered, leaning back slightly to peer at the girl’s lovely face. It was her father’s eyes that peered back, and a faint frown tugged to life. Was it? No.. his eyes had not been green.

“You have been here before. You traveled all over Uldum without a guard..” She ventured, noting the frown that hinted.

“I have, I came here with your father..” One hand lifted to dust the dirt away from the girl’s temple.

“Alone?”

“That is what married couples do.”

“But with no guards?” She pressed.

Oh. Understanding dawned and Rosemarri left her seat to squish close to her teenager. Once settled in the sand, the stone at her back she curled her delicate arms around the girl. At 13 and the youngest of the trio - her life had not started off the greatest. Dark and horror-filled had been her existence for the first few years, only to be quickly surrounded by a veil-trapped father and the squish of Sunshield guardians. Harmony’s co-dependence on her father’s strength had loosened as she aged but the need was still solid.

“Of course not..” She let one finger dust at the girl’s hairline as she searched the fog of her memories for something, anything. “I loved to travel and your father honored me. I remember the sand in my toes, the feel of the stones, and the freedom the air gives to you - some mix of ocean and desert that I wish I could bottle up.  At the temples the stones glitter with titan magic, you can touch it with your fingers and he took me to touch it – there is something you should know about your Grandfather - he trusts very few with his loved ones. But your father? Your father is wise and clever, and your grandfather trusted him with his people and me.  There was no monster who could stop him, no darkness that could take him, and no mortal that could best him in fighting OR in cleverness. "

“If I asked, do you think he would bring me to touch titan symbols? J-just me?”

“Yes.” She spoke instantly. “Yes, I think he would and you would be safe.” She knew that, even if she could not recall the color of his eyes, she knew that. Another kiss and she glanced Lyric’s way. Lyric took the girls back and forth between the two houses, perhaps word should be sent that the youngest Sunshield wished to adventure. 

“Are you ready to go see the booths?”

“In a moment, I like it right here.”

“Me too.” 

@sunsandwolves

@theoldlord @swordandsayage @burrichgreer

Mentions^

[theoldlord]

[theoldlord]

“I hope you fall in love with someone who never lets you fall asleep thinking you’re unwanted.”

— Unknown

[theoldlord]

[theoldlord]

Vivian Feb = 6 months

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[theoldlord]

Winter veil gift to their Grandfather, Araian and Evelynn. A tunic and a shawl.

Handmade, hand stitched. @theoldlord

[theoldlord]

OOC - Ethan's pvp day, notice someone sobbing? It is because they forgot their tabard -- the whole time. We screamed "fuck" when we lost, talked about our fav memories of pvping and being with Ethan and even posted some videos. Ethan, you are missed.

Check on your friends.

[theoldlord]

Ethan's day ..

OOC - We are getting together today to celebrate our second annual day of mur-der to honor our departed friend Alandon/Damous/Ethan. This is our second Annual Day of Mur-der(pvp) so slap on your Arathor tabard and get to killin'! Don’t forget to yell FUCK if you lose. (We made it into a sticker for those who cannot yell) - you don't have to join us but if any of you want to slap on the tabard just to throw some good vibes into the universe, that would be awesome. Send pictures! Sticker:

The tabard <- link

On a serious note - Suicide takes our friends and family too often and it is up to our love and support to help protect them. Getting help doesn’t make you weak, you also need to protect yourselves and it takes a strong person to do that. Here are some links to help: Suicide Prevention | Suicide | CDC

Lifeline (988lifeline.org) You don’t even have to call! They have text and chat options also. Depression Test - Free mental health tests from Mental Health America (mhanational.org) Military suicides just hit differently, they see and do so much that the rest of us will never see or do in our lifetimes. There is a thought that suicide is planned, but I don't believe it is. It takes one super low moment - check on your friends. Military Suicide Awareness & Support | Military OneSource

Veteran Suicide Prevention | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

Stop Soldier Suicide - Get Help -

Check on your friends.

[theoldlord]

[theoldlord]

“Grannnnnnndpaaaaaa…”

Snap.

The tip of his quill broke against the parchment while splashing black ink all over the letter beneath his hand. Hope. The guardsmen posted at his door barely even had the chance to register what was happening before they reeled and raised their shields as the door exploded. Hinges tore themselves from stone as splinters of a once-mighty door, now wreathed in golden light, scattered over the hallway and shredded the tapestry that had hung on the wall opposite the entrance to Araian's sanctuary. Warhammer in hand, the patriarch of Sunshield was already surging down the hall towards the stairs when the last bits of wood finally hit the floor.

Normally stone-grey eyes flared a brilliant, molten gold as he stepped into the courtyard of the Sunshield home. Surging towards the direction some fled from, and many others with weapons in hand, ran towards.

The well.

"Seven of them?" Araian said aloud as he picked the girl up and away from the multitude of spiders spewing forth from the darkened well. "Stronger with each and every day." A nod offered to Lyric and then Sir Melek, all three of his grandchildren accounted for and safe.

The elder paladin's attention was soon set on the darkness that threatened to overwhelm his home and with one hand he'd let that mighty warhammer fall until it struck the cobbled street beneath their feet. Stone cracked with the impact, the sound akin to a thunderstorm directly overhead as waves of pure white flame reverberated from the blessed weapon to eradicate the monstrosities in an instant.

Sir Varsen was there moments later, quickly plucking the girl from Araian's arm and ferrying her away to a safer distance. "You didn't save any for me!" He teased at her as priests from the small chapel rushed past them to add their Light to Araian's defense of Southwatch. A defense the Lord swiftly turned into an attack as he stepped forwards, warhammer stretched out before him. A torrent of white flame coming from the weapon as spider-like creatures, stone, and anything else directly in his path to the well melted into nothingness under the onslaught.

“But isn’t that a waste of a coin?”

“It is only a copper, Hope.”

“Yeah, but a copper could buy a bread hunk in Westfall, we can’t be –”

“Can not.”

“What?”

“Proper ladies do not squish their words like that, Hope. We say, can not. Not can’t.”

“Oh shut up, Haven.” Copper in hand, she listened to her sisters squabble about wastefulness and manners as she peered into the well. It was a deep but clean stone creation, with a neat little bucket that hung in the center waiting to be used. Tucked neatly between the inn and the storage house, there were few passersby from the market near the keep’s entrance to hear the girls or witness their heated words.

“I doOooonnnn’t ccarreee” Hope waved one hand, the copper pinched between her fingers.

“You should, you are setting an example not only to the other children here but to the people, our people, as a Sunshield.” Haven’s chin lifted arrogantly and both girls paused to stare at her. She was right, of course, she was always right. Haven’s place in the Sunshield line was absolute and when their mother died it would be her firstborn to step up and keep the people protected. 

“I wonder how many people have thrown coppers into the well.” Harmony pulled her stare from them, attempting to bring their attention back to the well and away from Haven’s scolding.  It worked, the girls turned back and each leaned in. “I wonder if their wishes come true..”

“Who grants well wishes? A fairy?” Hope held her copper out, head tipping a bit but instead of dropping it she paused and sank her chin to the stone frame. “Do you hear that? What is in there? Do you think it is the well fairy? Helllooooo..”

She didn’t hear it, but she felt it. A throbbing darkness that pulsed just beyond where the light reached inside, a darkness that crawled up the inside of the well. Harmony’s skin crawled, a painful shiver that skittered up her arms and across her upper back. “H–haven… - “ Her voice caught in her throat, only able to croak some semblance of words. “.. it is bad.”

It happened fast, too fast. Haven’s arms shot out, gripping Hope’s dress on the front but as she reached for Harmony the darkness spewed from well, knocking two sisters away from the third. The darkness spilled into the air only a few feet before it curtained the well in full and spider-like creatures formed. The creatures were not spiders, but misshapen human-like heads perched on top of treeroot-like legs. They spilled from the well, leaping to the ground before skittering toward the nearest life forms and buildings.

Someone screamed. 

Hope scrambled to her feet, and with a shove from Haven she twisted about to race toward the keep. “Grannnnnnndpaaaaaa…” 

Harmony shoved herself backward along the ground, her boot’s heel catching on her skirt to hinder that progress and when she twisted about to attempt to get on her feet, her knee gave at once as a heavy weight landed on her back, its pointed leg tips digging into the back of her dress and skin. 

“Harmony ..” Haven was there, her shadows curling about her delicate form to bring her to where she wished to go and that was to her downed sibling. Thin-bladed daggers lodged into the deformed eye sockets of the spider before she pulled at the body to dislodge it. “Cap it, dome it Harmony -do it now.”

“I cannot.” Harmony, felt the spider fall off her back, and with the yanking on her arm, she crawled to her feet. 

“Liar – GUARDS.” She let go of her sister and used the same hand to grip her skirt - yanking it high. The other held another of her needle daggers as she turned to face the well and the spiders were still spilling out. It was too many.  “Now, buy time for Grandpa - protect our people.” Eyes the color of talasite gems darted back to meet a matching set before she was off, her needle dagger pinning another spider creature to the ground as it skittered toward the market and the people that fled. 

“NOW Harmony!” She commanded, her tone biting and wild. 

Harmony’s arms flung out, untamed and untried magic ebbing to life as she recalled all of her teaching and knowledge to summon a constricting dome over the well. “I did it –” As soon as the words were spoken, the dome shattered. More monsters.

The guards were there, stabbing and stepping on what they could but she watched them backstep against the titlewave. 

Again. Runes, crude etchings into her skin from another life, illuminated in thin rows down her arms and she begged her magic to behave and hold. Again, the dome formed and again it shattered against the ancient magic.  She sobbed, feeling the failure in her chest each time the dome failed. 

“Close.” A whisper sounded in her ear and soon strong hands curled about her arms, thumbs pressing into the runes there. “Together, now..” Lyric straightened as she spoke, calm and patient in an almost lazy kind of tone. Her chin rested on the top of Harmony’s head as she aided in the next attempt to contain the spiders. At their feet it was not only arcane that sparked like lightning over the ground but holy light as well.

Grandpa was coming.  

“Sir Melek..” Haven’s voice had the audacity to be sing-song.

From somewhere to the left, Haven laughed as she called for the knight and irritation bubbled to life to mingle with the frustration in her chest…only she would be enjoying this— “Focus Harmony.” Lyric encouraged, breaking through her thoughts, though she could feel the mage’s head move as she noted the other Sunshield child and the arrival of Sir Melek from the shadows to help peel the monsters from the girl’s wake.

“Sir Melek - I defeated seven of them,” Haven called out as she moved to stomp on another, only to find her feet did not land. A thick arm curled about her middle and up she went, toes hanging.

Grandpa had arrived. 

[theoldlord]

"Better?" "Yes."

[theoldlord]

"Why are you crying, what has happened?" Araian stood in the hallway, concern etched onto his features as he spied Evelynn in the nursery doorway. A lavish room, dedicated to the safety and comfort of the Household's children in their first precious years. The nursery had everything from magic trees, to self-rocking beds and windows that told stories via moving stained glass. It had nursemaids dedicated to the wellbeing of the children who were on call at all times but by the look of the woman that watched her child getting settled - it was hell. It was the maw itself. "She is too small to be in there." She sucked in a shuddered breath before turning her stare to him, as blue as the bastion skies only now they shimmered with more unshed tears.

"Then she is too small. Where would you rather have her sleep?" "In our room." "So be it.." Before the words were all the way out, she vanished into the room, stepping over children coloring on the floor and skirting another who rocked a stuffed bear until she was able to 'rescue' her infant from the sleeping basket near the magic tree. "Byyyyye Vivian..." Gale called out as they fled the maw nursery.

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[theoldlord]

“Oh.. its time.. Its time..”  Mildred Coppertout shuffled as fast as her skirts would allow her, one arm curled before her chest to stop the unseemly bounce of her overlarge bosom while the other frantically patted at her hips, belly and - there it was. A knobby wand slid from the depths of her sleeve and she gave it a good flick or two. Perfect! 

She shuffled down the keep’s long halfway, earning odd looks from posted houseguard and it wasn’t until she reached the main hall that her hustling caught the attention of others.

“Is it?”

“It is, it is..” Mildred huffed, shoulders thrown back and chin held up high as she hustled toward the keep’s doors.

Haven jerked to a stand, her eyes wide. “I will get the other’s, wait for us Miss Mildred!” Shadows curled about her form, stealing her from view. Though up the stairs to the private wing everyone could hear her shouting. “ITS TIME.”

“This is exciting! I bet ten gold it is a boy..”

“A boy, are you daft? Lord Sunshield has two boys already and one girl, next one has to be a girl that is just the way of the universe. Balance!”

A small crowd gathered. Windows were thrown open and everyone turned their stares upward to the banners that flew from each tower top. Mildred raised her want and pointed. “Libipur Herque Viialkus”

Motes twisted about the first of the banners, the Sunshield colors swiftly bleeding from the fabric until all that was left was.. pink. A girl. The newest Sunshield was a girl.

[theoldlord]