• PM To Join • [Storm's Edge]The Warden's Call

[Vivian Shiryu]

Timestamp: 9th of Vhalar, 722
Location: Storm's Edge

Vivian woke from the dream with a start. She hadn't, that she'd ever remembered, received a dream from Lovalus. She had, however, been given missions in dreams before, as it had been a such a dream with Ilaren that had sent her into Cassion's Gambit. Well, this wasn't exactly a usual mission for her, but she supposed it fell under her role as a Warden of the Lake, rather than as a Lightning Knight of Rharne. The two were often intertwined, but not exactly identical. Standing up, she nodded to Fins as the little shark dog manifested out of the water bucket she kept in the corner of her room. It didn't take her long to get dressed, and she headed down into the courtyard of Storm's Edge to the well, belting on her sword as she did so.

The dream she had received had told her to come to the well, and she suspected she wasn't the only one that had gotten it. After a moment, she closed her eyes and used the ability that Steelblood had gained after adding Vega to House Shiryu. She had named it House Call, in keeping with her usual basic naming style, and it allowed members of House Shiryu to call the rest of the House to their side at any time. While she didn't feel particularly like they were in a life or death situation right now, she knew that Vega thought highly of Lovalus and would likely want to be of assistance in keeping the Stormlakes from receding back to their Faldrun-blasted state.

Once Vega arrived, Vivian nodded at her sister. "Good to see you again, Vega." she said, smiling slightly. The two sisters had been through all manner of trouble together, much of it here in Storm's Edge. The two of them, along with several others had been the leaders of Storm's Edge during the Flameborn siege, and she was sincerely hoping they weren't about to have to clean up a left-over from that whole mess. She nodded when Gennadiya arrived as well, not surprised to see the healer. Vivian had handled Genna's induction into the Wardens personally, and she had been not only the one to handle the forts medical care during the tail end of the siege, Genna had been the one to land the killing blow on Rhaum, the mastermind behind the Siege. She nodded to one other person she didn't really know when he arrived, though she guessed he was a Warden as well, then turned to look at the well. "I guess now we wait for Lovalus's instructions." she said, her tone calm.

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

9th of Vhalar, 722

Genna had retired early that evening. Lilabella had gone to sleep quietly, Pablo had his evening shift, Genna’s father was engrossed in a book he had picked up that trial, Genna didn’t ever remember her father reading stories, reading stuff to learn yes, and to them certainly, but she was glad he had picked up this new hobby. Genna had found her eyes drooping as she tried to read through some of the paperwork she had brought home. The young woman didn’t fight it. Nothing on her desk need attention right then, and if her body was saying get some sleep she was certain to do that.

It was shortly after the trial slipped from the 8th to the 9th that Genna was visited by Lovalus. Genna couldn’t ever really remember the dream, but the instructions remained clear as she opened her eyes. She and the other Wardens were need at Storm’s Edge, at the well. Throwing off her blankets Genna bounded out of bed and rush around getting ready.

Genna was greeted by her father as she stepped out of her room. His eyes opened wide to see Genna dressed in her leather armor, with her bow and arrows, and her fan by her side, and her haired secured in a bun with a scarf bonnet to hold it securely in place. He hadn’t seen her wear any of that since the Siege. She smiled at the man dressed in a pale green dressing gown staring at her open mouthed. She put her hand on his check and said. “Lovalus has called me to the Stormwaste. Please take care of things here, and send word to the order in the Morning.”

Her father nodded his head, but hugged her before allowing her to slip out of the house. Nayeli appearing and resting herself on Genna’s head.

Genna was well aware of how long it would take to arrive by foot or even carriage to the Fortress and wasn’t sure if she had that much time. So instead she went to the Lightning Knights. She wasn’t sure how it was arranged but the Pablo was over the shift guarding the entrance to the Knights complex. He raised both eyebrows in surprise as she approached the gates.

“While I can’t say this isn’t a beautiful surprise, I assume that this visit isn’t a social call.” Pablo said in his humorous way. Genna half smiled as she stepped forward and gave him a quick kiss.

“I will keep that in mind.” She said still half smiling, then continued. “No.” She then explained why. The request was simple she needed to get to Storm’s Edge and was wondering if there was any Storm rocs being sent in that general direction. It took a few breaks but by dawn Genna had arrangements made to go as a passenger one of the messenger rocs heading to the fortress.

Genna clung to the rider as they flew south, and once again she had it confirmed to herself that she loved to fly. Which was odd, she wasn’t a fan of horses, but this was the second trip she had made by air, and found the wind blowing around her and the world far below her to be exhilarating. It was hours later when they landed at the Fortress, and a knight came to help her down. There was some surprise that she was there, but a note from the Knights in Rharne, and a good memory of the Knights allowed her through. Genna wasn’t worried though as she felt sure that Vivian had the same dream and so would be expecting her.

Genna marched to the well, and found both Vivian and Vega there already waiting. “Morning Ladies.” Genna said as she came to hug Vega, and Vivian if she was open for one, but at least shake hands.

[Vega]

9th Vhalar, 722

Vega woke up, suddenly, and she was acutely aware that the dream she'd had was more than that. It meant that she had to get to Rharne and so, she got herself into action. First, she made sure that her father was awake, and she sat down with the children and explained. "I've got to go an' help Lovalus for a few trials, a'right? I'll be home soon an' in the meantime, Bampa is in charge, ok?" Wren, Joy and Ru all nodded ~ they all had the same name for her father, who treated them all like his grandchildren. There were a few questions, which she answered but after just a moment or two, they were settled. Vega smiled and kissed foreheads, then she went and grabbed up what equipment she might need.

Then, right on time, Vivian called her and Vega grinned slightly. This whole Steelblood thing was good, as far as she was concerned and especially so in moments like this. So, with one last glance around and a grin to her father ~ who watched his only child with an expression of deep fondness and more than a little concern ~ Vega was gone from their camp in Sweetsong.

"Wotcha," Vega said to Vivian as she appeared. Vega was equipped with her sword on her hip and her fiddle on the other hip. She wore her leather armour and her wild red hair was pulled back in a pony tail and kept away from her face. "What's the situation, then? Any further news from Lovalus?"

When Genna arrived, Vega was quick to hug the platinum haired healer and she grinned. "How're you doin' Genna-bun?" Vega was inordinately fond of Gennadiya, she'd been a help to her time and again after all. Also, the two of them had been in the thick of it here in Storm's Edge during the siege.

"So, off to the Stormwastes, girls," Vega said, nodding slightly. "An' lets hope there's no dweebs what need a severe talkin' to." Come to that, Vega thought, let them hope that there were no tunnels, cave systems, pumpernickels or wells or walls which needed rebuilding. But she knew, truth told, that she was highly unlikely to spend a quiet afternoon. Still, it was a chance to help out Lovalus and, for that, Vega was happy.

[Pig Boy]

Lovalus
9th of Vhalar

Thus were they all assembled, around the well of Storm's Edge on the cusp of the wastes that lay beyond. Wastes that had begun to take a turn for the better. New life had begun to grow in those formerly inhospitable places. Even settlements were popping up here or there, with Rosebay being among the more prominent ones closer to Storm's Edge. The dream that had been sent warned of a dark seed planted deep within the earth of the Stormwastes, a fragment of a power that could spread veins throughout the life growing in the Stormlakes, and turn it from a barren desert scrubland, into a jungle full of horrors. The dream was a warning.

Once the three Wardens assembled there, they felt the pull, as if by a dousing rod, to the southwest. What Lovalus bid them to seek was at the edge of the Mire. Far to the southwest. The direction came with a warning. There were lawless types residing there, and great beasts that had settled on its edges. Jacadons and such had made the Mire their own in recent trials. And there were already factions seeking to plunder them, to utilize them for their own ends.

But that was beside the point of their visit. They were here to expose the dark seed to the waters of Lovalus, and wash away its taint once and for all.

Off Topic

Okay guys, this is going to be done slightly differently. I'm going to set a few tasks for you to do in the coming posts, and when you feel you've accomplished them here, give me another ping and I'll take a look.

• Collect information from the soldiers and other residence of Storm's Edge. They will have also experienced disturbing dreams lately. Dreams about the same one that you all had. The dreams also sometimes involve being chased by large demonic hounds.
• Reinforce Lovalus' protection over Storm's Edge. however you see fit to do so.
• There are odd strangers passing through Storm's Edge more of late. Ask the soldiers about them.
• Make it to the edge of the Mire.[/offtopic
  

[Vivian Shiryu]

Vivian hugged her sister when Vega stepped through the portal, as well as Genna when she arrived. She was wearing her plate armor, though she didn't have her shield with her at the moment, nor did she have her helmet on. Those were both waiting for her at the stables. She did, as always, have the Shiryu sword with her though. When Vega asked if there'd been any more word from Lovalus, she shook her head. "Not as of yet, barring that pull to the southwest." she said, looking in that direction as she spoke. "There's a mire out there, could be what we're looking for." she said, her tone calm. "We aren't heading out quite yet, though. I wasn't sure if I could pull that Dragonling of yours through as well, so I wasn't sure if I'd need to get a horse set up for you." she said, before shaking her head. "That pull has a warning. Jacadons, maybe. Those will be a pain to deal with, they breath out a really hot steam." she said, her tone thoughtful.

"I'll get a horse set up for you both, unless Vega can call out something that'll carry us all. In the meantime, though, we may want to take a look around the fort before we head out. There's been activity from Syroa's followers in Rharne lately, and I want to make sure we're not being watched by them as best I can. Might also be a good idea to reinforce any of Lovalus's protections here that we can. Brightgleam Oasis and such." she said, her tone thoughtful. "Let's take a break or so, talk to people around the fort, shore up Lovalus's defenses, things of that nature. We can meet up at the stables when we're done." she said, her tone calm. Once the other two agreed, and Vega said whether or not they'd need more horses, the trio split up to see to the tasks they had to perform before setting out.

Vivian, owing to practically living at the fort as often as not, knew the place very well, but she also knew that there were places that Vega and Genna knew well from the Siege. So she instead focused on the command locations, starting with the general headquarters of the fort. She spoke with her officers and got some surprising news. The three Wardens weren't the only ones that had been getting dreams. Several of her officers had dreamt the same dreams she herself had, but had just dismissed them as bad dreams. A few of them had also dreamt of monstrous demonic hounds chasing them, which got Vivian's attention. She'd had dreams like that, but not from Lovalus. She'd, instead, been having nightmares about the flight through the forest with Zvezdana's sessfiend on her tail. She hadn't dreamt of that in a few seasons, however, but it did give her pause.

There were also reports of strangers passing through the fort recently. They'd only gotten the watch reports at headquarters, but there had been no legal reason to detain them, though several of them had been worried about Syroan spies and the like, and thus were glad when the strangers had not stayed in the fort. All this got an irritated growl out of Vivian. "Next time there's a lot of weird strangers passing through, make sure I'm informed of it." she said, her tone direct. Her officers, who were mostly capable soldiers that occasionally backslid into old, bad habits from the prior commander, nodded and apologized for the mistake. Vivian thought for a moment, then nodded herself.

"Give the order to resume anti-Flameborn measures. There's been no sign of them, but Lovalus has me and two other Wardens heading into the old Wastes. It's possible we'll find someone trying to bring those things back, and I don't want us caught off-guard again. You're also going to conduct an emergency briefing on how to use the Brightgleam Oasis and how to fight against both Flameborn and Sessfiends. A lot of the anti-flameborn measures will help against Sessfiends, but drive home the point that Sessfiends are basically rage monsters. They can't think clearly when their ire is sufficiently roused. Use that to bait them into traps. If you can, expose them to their reflections. Syroa's demons well and truly hate to see themselves." she said, her tone calm.

Her officers, knowing that it was better to be watchful of a potential enemy after the ambush that had started the Siege of Storm's Edge, nodded and set about carrying out her orders. Vivian took a moment to set up a Brightgleam Oasis outside the command building, so that the command staff and associated guards could easily make use of it. She also took a moment to grab the anti-Sessfiend mirror shield that she had been given. She rarely used it, but it could well come in handy in this situation. Then, she headed to the stables to meet up with the others. Once Vega and Genna arrived, Vivian handed the shield to Gennadiya before picking up her own and her helmet. "Sessfiend's hate their own reflection. You don't have the mobility in combat that Vega and I do, so that will help protect you from any of Syroa's demons that we might encounter, at least until I can anger them enough to keep their attention on me." she said, her tone calm. Then she told them what she'd learned from her officers and the orders she'd given, then waited to hear what they'd done.

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

9th of Vhalar, 722

Genna hugged both Vivian and Vega as they all gathered together. She smiled at the two women and responded to Vega’s question. Her eyes twinkling. “I have been doing okay. Life has kept me busy Vega. I actually stopped working long enough to find a suiter.” Genna said with a grin, “I hope that you have been well.” She said back to her friend. “We will need to catch up.” She said. “But lets get see what Lovalus needs from us first. We will have more time when we head out.” Genna like the others felt the pull, but unlike Vivian who needed to know the geography around them, Genna was more vague on specific areas, especially since the recent changes. She nodded though. Genna tilted her head and Vivian statement about agents of Syroa’s. “I can’t say for sure but I have begun to have suspicions of something working behind the scenes. So I will see what I can find if anything.”

Genna went into the fortress remembering the halls she had wandered down during the siege. She stopped first at the medical wing since it was an area she was familiar with. She stood their smiling and looked around but at the same time she was using her healer’s sight and her own training at detecting changes to study the people who were there, see if any of them appeared altered in any ways. Genna was aware that many things could cause such changes, but it was the way she could look. She also watched for any odd behaviors. The Favored of Ymiden didn’t just stick to the medical wing, she also made sure that they had Oasis water to use in healing and would shore it up if needed. She also would take the time to chat with anyone who she had worked with before, or even just in general in the ward. She would present a clinical curiosity and see if anyone had recently seen interesting injuries or conditions of people passing through.

She then took her time to wander other parts of the fortress. Genna accepted that it might be possible that they could try and corrupt or possible replace a high ranking person, but based on hints she had seen, they seemed to go for more subtle positions. Janitors, simple workers, people who could overhear things, or could spread rumors among the regular troops. Forgettable people. So that was areas she wandered and searched with her abilities. Areas where forgettable could works.

Eventually when the predetermined time came she joined the other women. Vivian handed Genna a shield and explained to her why, and about Sessfiends hating their own reflections. She tilted her head and said. “That is an interesting fact. You are right though. I will try and stay back as well unless needed, but I will remember to use this shield.” She said and experimented with it, nothing silly, but testing its weight and adjusting it to find the most effective way to hold the thing. While not a warrior, she had learned enough about weapons and armor to learn about your tools and test them to see how they worked. Genna made mental notes about its weight and moving it quickly. Last thing she wanted was to be completely un prepared which if she just put it on her saddle she would be.

[Vega]

9th Vhalar, 722

Vega hugged and spoke and was happy to see the other two, but she was also equally happy to split up. Vivian immediately started in with the giving orders and Vega looked at her and gave a slight smile. "We're on Warden business, here," she said. "At ease, soldier, before you strain somethin'. I didn't bring my dragonling, so yeah, horses would be good." Vivian's tendency to be bossy notwithstanding, they were good ideas, though Vega knew that they weren't the only ones that would make sense. "Alright, I'm happy to take a little while, but if Lovalus is wantin' us that way, then I want to get our butts in gear swifly,"{/b] she said, firmly. Two breaks, yes, but any longer than that and she'd go without them.

One of the things that Vega found difficult about this place was the lack of collaboration. This place was filled with Lightning Knights. "Snuffle," she said to her

Warden Diri

, "I want you to stay here, please, an' if you can get a message to some of the local Wardens, do so. There should be some Wardens here, ready to move out in case." Snuffle nodded eagerly. "I do that rawr!" Vega smiled at the eager little creature and said, quite seriously. "I reckon it'll be necessary. So, come on, lets make some oasises... oasisisisisis... let do that." Bloody stupid thing, language, she decided.

Vega went and spoke to some people, but it wasn't that which she spent most of her time on. Vivian and Gennadiya would do that, she had no doubt, and they'd do it well. No, Vega went through the place and she looked at it with critical eyes. "If I were a crazed Syroa demon or a flameborn, what would I do?" she muttered to herself and she set about finding out. She'd scour the place for places that she would use, if she was attacking.

In those places, Vega would take a little time to talk to the people there. She made sure, though, to look for tracks, for things that were moved. She effectively hunted for bad guys or signs of people doing things they shouldn't.

When they got back together, Viv handed out a shield to Gennadiya. Vega told the others what she had done, what she had found, and what she thought the weaknesses were. She told them about Snuffle staying behind and the prospect of a few more Wardens coming here. "It's righ' disappointin'," she said. "This place should be for everyone an' if there were Wardens here all the time, your people wouldn't need to be reminded about how to tap into an Oasis. Also, how do you say there's more than one of them? Is it 'oasisis' or what?"

She raised an eyebrow at Vivian's assertion about angering things to keep them on her, but then she added with a chipper grin at Gennadiya, "An' if that works, then we're golden, cos they're idiots. If they're attackin' Vivian then we know that they haven't even got the sense to go after the better warrior, so we're all good." That was accompanied by a companionable thump on the arm for her sister. "Stop bein' such a dweeb an' come on. An' while we're goin' maybe we can all share any information or abilities or items we've picked up what might be useful in the situation ahead." She looked at them both and grinned.

"An' quit lollygaggin'." Vega said, a broad grin on her face.

[Vivian Shiryu]

Vivian gave Vega an amused look when her sister told her to relax. "At once, Ranger Creede." she said, giving her sister a mock salute. Granted, Vega didn't actually hold any rank with the Lightning Knights anymore, so as Vivian knew, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to use her sisters old rank to pick on her. "Congratulations on the upcoming wedding, Genna. It's been the talk of the Fort for...a while now. We don't get much to gossip about out here, after all." she said, grinning slightly. Then the trio split up and went about inspecting the fort to see if there was any shoring up needed or shenanigans detected.

When Vega pointed out the lack of Wardens, as well as the emergency reminder order that Vivian had given, Vivian gave her sister a somewhat bemused look. "The Wardens aren't part of the military. Unless there's an emergency and Lovalus says something, I have no authority over what they do. It's also been quiet here since Rhaum died. Add the two together, and the Warden presence in Rharne has largely moved to where its more needed. The new Stormlakes, for instance, have likely drawn a lot of Warden attention. New life and all that. As for whether or not people need to be retrained on using the Oasi...Oasie...Oasises?" she paused, before shrugging at Vega. "I dunno what the multiple is either." she said, grinning slightly.

"Anyway. We've got new knights here, either new recruits or people that got rotated out here while veterans of the siege got rotated out. I've got the Oasis on the regular training menu for the place, yes, but you recall what i said about folks getting complacent when it's quiet too long?" she said, calling back to that time she'd had to give Vega lessons in military etiquette. "So I've ordered an immediate refresher on the Oasis, anti-flameborn tactics, and admittedly a new bit on how to deal with Sessfiends, if those become an issue." she said, before spreading her arms and shrugging slightly. "Hopefully, none of it is necessary, but if we fail out there, I'll not have them get flat-footed again if I can help it." she said, her tone calm.

Vega joked about the Sessfiends and their comparative combat ability and Vivian laughed slightly. Vivian had no problem admitting that, between them, Vega was the better fighter. Vivian was the better soldier, true, but that wasn't the same thing, and meant for little if it came to a one on one fight between the two. "All right, everyone on the horse and let's be about it." she said, swinging herself up into Raio's saddle. She always rode the Zephyrus these days and the big cat let out a little trill that wasn't quite a meow when she settled into the saddle. "Come on, you vain animal, and don't scare the horses." she said, though there was hopefully a small chance of that. The horses of Storms Edge had been around Raio for arcs at this point, after all.

Once they were underway, Vivian spoke up again. "My own abilities are much the same as when we fought Rhaum, I'm just better at using them. Lots of lightning, lots of water, Lucis Hone magic if you all want it, all that good stuff." she said, kind of breezing through her powers. Vivian's approach to combat didn't change very often these days. "However, since I don't think either of you have fought Sessfiends before, a quick primer." she said, before nodding at Vega. "You're right, actually, they're stupid. Get them riled up, which is really easy to do, and they just don't think. All they'll do is charge blindly at the thing making them mad, which is actually why I said to let me rile them up. I've got heavier armor than you, with or without the Brightgleam Armor, so I can take a hit better if they catch me, and Palenon makes it really hard for them to do that. That'll keep them from being able to react to you, and you are better with a sword than I am, so you should have an easy time killing them while they're distracted." she said.

Then she looked back at Genna. "Another thing is, they're afraid of their reflection. For whatever reason, they don't like to see themselves. Reminds them that they're demons, I guess. That shield will keep them off you until Vega or I can take them off you. But if memory serves, you got them sleepy arrows, yeah? That might actually be able to disable them as well, so don't be shy about those things if you can use them with any frequency." she said, before grinning at them both. "So what new tricks have you all picked up?"

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

9th of Vhalar, 722

Genna listened as the two talked. She though for a moment as the talked about the plural of an Oasis. Finally she said. “I also don’t know what the plural for Oasis is either.” The conversation moved on. The healer nodded her head as the talked about things changing since the Siege. It didn’t surprise her though about the changes. “I have also noticed the change since the war. Though it makes sense that things are less alert. People struggle to stay alert when there isn’t a clear crises in front of people.” Her expression grew thoughtful. “It is good to reinvigorate people in such case.”

“Most wardens aren’t part of this knights it is true, and I think it is right that they are separate. Though I do think that it might be a good idea for the wardens to be contact better.” Genna said thoughtfully as the talked about the Wardens and where the others were. “Given the nature of Lovalus I don’t see her supporting a structure like the knights but I think having some way to reach out to each other and keep track and connected with each other would help.” She observed.

Genna held the shield and was thinking of how to carry it while riding. It mostly likely would have to be attached to the saddle. She looked over as Vega and Vivian talked about her not getting into the fight. She looked with surprise at the statement that they didn’t like their reflection. “That is an interesting piece of information.” She said with a raised eyebrow. She smiled at the banter between the two sisters as they talked about who was the better fighter and who had more armor. Genna nodded as each piece of information about their abilities.

When asked about her own Genna said. “You are right Vivian I have calming arrows, one of the effects is can be sleep, but could also just be calming effects and an aversion to fighting, but I can certainly put that to uses. I also can levitate to help keep out of combat in necessary. I actually have a few calming effects from a couple different sources to various effect.” She shrugged. “I will stay back as much as humanly possible.” She assured the two of them. “I also can manipulate light to help disguises people and objects if we want to use that.”

Genna looked at the horse and mounted up and smiled at the two women. “I am ready and see what is waiting for us.”

[Pig Boy]

Lovalus




Vivian Shiryu

Rewards

• Points Bank: +10 - Participate in, and Complete, a City Event (Seasonal Events run by mods)
• XP: 15

Gennadiya Lyosha

Rewards

• Points Bank: +10 - Participate in, and Complete, a City Event (Seasonal Events run by mods)
• XP: 15

Vega

Rewards

• Points Bank: +10 - Participate in, and Complete, a City Event (Seasonal Events run by mods)
• XP: 15

Knowledges

• Caregiving: Keep children informed about changes to ensure that they aren't overly worried
• Tactics T2: To plan a defence, think like an attacker
• Hunting: Hunting can be used to gain a tactical advantage

Notes: So sorry that this fell off my radar, but as it's touching on things that might impact other events that have subsequently been graded, I'm afraid I'm going to have to wrap it here. I feel really bad. However, your interactions here were fun and interesting, as brief as they were. I'm very very sorry. It feels especially bad as your writing was stellar here, and I would've loved to have made something more of this.

Thanks for the writing you did!