Best Of
Re: Announce post #3136: Question Thread
What does a work day in the life of Tiur entail? If we have a similar definition of a full-time job (40 hour work week), what does your daily 9-5 look like?
In most jobs I have held, I am required to show tangible results for the time I’ve invested, and then subsequently been paid for. Obviously there is an extreme lack of faith at this point in time, and I see you now trying to remedy that. To that goal, would you be willing to provide weekly updates? Show us what you are doing behind the curtains, where your hours are spent, what code you’ve done - rather than only hearing from you at the start of each month?
To expand, what are YOU doing, not the entire team.
To expand, what are YOU doing, not the entire team.
Naos
5
Re: Announce post #3136: Question Thread
Think of the Count from Sesame Street - he's a vampire but in a way that doesn't frighten the kids.
Gavramel
10
Re: LOVE
November 4th will be my one year return to Aetolia. I only remember the exact date because I remember when I refused a drug test... that said...
I have a long list of everyone that has turned it from popping my head in to see what the game had become after a decade to one that I play again. In no specific order we have:
@Kanivara, @Marin, @Satomi, @Raynia, @Axius, @Amarita, @Mjoll, @Ardent, @Rijetta, @Chakrasul, @Eoros, @Haven, @Lilein, @Galilei, and god so many others. And especially @Skiva who was the first to greet and make friends with Ayastia after such a long slumber, a smiling face that made me want to come back. Whether we get along in game or not, listed or not, love you all!
I have a long list of everyone that has turned it from popping my head in to see what the game had become after a decade to one that I play again. In no specific order we have:
@Kanivara, @Marin, @Satomi, @Raynia, @Axius, @Amarita, @Mjoll, @Ardent, @Rijetta, @Chakrasul, @Eoros, @Haven, @Lilein, @Galilei, and god so many others. And especially @Skiva who was the first to greet and make friends with Ayastia after such a long slumber, a smiling face that made me want to come back. Whether we get along in game or not, listed or not, love you all!
Ayastia
7
Re: LOVE
Much love to everyone who has made the last few weeks enjoyable!
@Haven @Drystin @Ayastia @Valeria @Illidan @Valorie Kales and Khelzya, and Desidora and a shoutout to @Slyphe for the tavern giggles
@Haven @Drystin @Ayastia @Valeria @Illidan @Valorie Kales and Khelzya, and Desidora and a shoutout to @Slyphe for the tavern giggles
Eoros
6
Bashing as Vampire: A Comprehensive Guide to Praenomen PVE
Hello! Those of you who talk to me know I probably get a little too into bashing mechanics in Aet and am on a constant quest to min/max any class I bash in to squeeze out its maximum capabilities. I was always fairly dismissive of the Praenomen class as a viable bashing class because it just seemed to lag behind in every area. DPS was mediocre and they were too squishy. I initially switched the Carnifex because, with zero artifacts, I was outperforming a fully-artied Praenomen.
However, right before I took a break from the game, I discovered a couple mechanics in the Praenomen class that completely flipped the script in my book, and took Prae from a class that I absolutely generally hated into one that, quite honestly, competes with Carnifex for my affection now. After discussing things with veterans of both the game and the class, I also discovered that I wasn’t the only person who was in the dark about the potential of this class, so I’m going to do my best to concisely summarize how to get the most out of PVE with the Praenomen class.
This guide will presume that you already understand the very basics of bashing in general, but I also see folk sleep on a lot of this stuff so I might as well put it here:
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING TO BASH AS VAMP
PRIMARY ATTACK: Frenzy (Corpus, 0 Lessons) - scales with strength, uses balance
DEFENCES
spec into Phreneses to see maximum pve benefit with BLOOD PATH PHRENESES
Under 10%. This will give you +2 strength and reduce your balance and incoming elemental damage dramatically. Grab something sharp, think about the state of America right now, and SLIT WRISTS until you’re under 10% blood. Choose your statpack accordingly (powerful can get a base str of 18 using this + potence.)
EXCEPTION: If you’re going to bashing somewhere you know will have fire damage, might be best to top up, since the fire resistance really tanks at low blood.
ENHANCEMENTS
PVP and PVE vamp enhancements are a bit at odds, but here are my recommendations for PVE Vamp Enhancements:
I don’t actually have suggestions, the most heated arguments I’ve been apart of have all been about augmetic enhancements. The only thing we know for certain is that Crit Strength is absolutely garbage and should be the absolute last ones you get ever.
Okay, now onto the mechanic explanations, and specifically the two skills that are slept on by most people playing the class, and how to best utilize them: ENRAGE and SANGUINE.
ENRAGE is specific to Phreneses, and SANGUINE, kind of hilariously for how overlooked it is, is the very first skill in the SANGUIS tree, and both of them work as follows:
With ENRAGE, as your blood levels (%) drop, your balance and equilibrium time will go down slightly.
With SANGUINE, as your blood levels (%) drop, your strength will increase and your overall resistances will increase. There is a cost, however, in that your resistance to fire will decrease, as will your intelligence.
What does this mean in real terms? It means as your blood levels drop, you’ll hit certain thresholds. At those thresholds, your balance will decrease and your audit resistances will increase. At two thresholds, your stats will also swap around, to a maximum of +2 strength and -2 intelligence.
But What Blood Level is best? Don’t worry! I did the testing so you don’t have to!
You get the most out of your stat bonuses at around 20% blood, but your audit and your balance will continue to improve all the way down to 10% blood, with balance capping out at 2.93 seconds (this is with the endgame balance enhancement), down from 3.16 seconds, a 7% improvement to your balance, which in turn is a 7% improvement to DPS. That may not sound like a lot, but combined with everything else, this is absolutely huge. As far as Audits go, this is what mine looks like (keep in mind that I’m a whale and I have an artie shield with fire resist):
100% BLOOD
10% BLOOD
But what about mending and deluge?
These actually aren’t that big of a deal, especially at endgame. At 5% blood, I still have ~1200 blood points. Deluge only uses 500, so even at really low levels of blood percent, you can afford both mend and deluge. I recommend if you get to about 3-4% that you feed on something (you’re bashing after all) and then slit your wrists back down to under 10% again. Here’s a quick shot for proof:
With all these minor adjustments, Praenomen becomes one of the best bashing classes in the game. Reasonably tanky (not the best), decent health recovery (not the best, but pretty good!), and REALLY good DPS. I can break 900 dps without resorting to caramel chocolates (at 21 str, hunting 3, and knuckles 3), which is a really tough line for a lot of classes to pass over. Here is a spreadsheet to mess with for vamps specifically. You’ll need to make a copy to use the dropdowns (I think), but it illustrates all these points a lot more concisely than this post, but I kinda wanted to make it for people who bash as Praenomen, since it seems like an underutilized class.
Let me know if I missed something and I’ll add it in.
However, right before I took a break from the game, I discovered a couple mechanics in the Praenomen class that completely flipped the script in my book, and took Prae from a class that I absolutely generally hated into one that, quite honestly, competes with Carnifex for my affection now. After discussing things with veterans of both the game and the class, I also discovered that I wasn’t the only person who was in the dark about the potential of this class, so I’m going to do my best to concisely summarize how to get the most out of PVE with the Praenomen class.
This guide will presume that you already understand the very basics of bashing in general, but I also see folk sleep on a lot of this stuff so I might as well put it here:
- Get a ring with all four elemental resists - these will beef up your resistance to really damaging stuff.
- Trans your miniskills - PVE damage used to be tied to how much you’d learned in the specific skill tree, but it’s now tied to how far you’ve advanced in HUNTING, so once you have all the skills you need in order to def up properly, if you’re primarily interested in PVE, you’re going to want to dump all extra lessons into your miniskills to further increase your audit tankiness (and reduce your endurance/willpower drain). For PVE Praenomen, I would say the order of importance would be roughly as follows: Fitness, Thermology, Galvanism, Frost, and then all the rest are kinda equal.
- Avoidance - this skill is incredibly helpful for reducing your average damage taken over time. DIVERT and DODGE (and later you can do both at the same time) make a huge difference. DIVERT decreases incoming damage, DODGE completely negates it. Almost all PVE attacks are MELEE, so DODGE/DIVERT MELEE should be part of your defup This skill is very worth transing out.
- Vigor - vigor is a fairly expensive elixir you can drink that will give you a small boost to your health whenever you achieve a critical. It’s useless pretty much below level 80, and Praenomen see minimal returns from it, being a single-hit class, but it can still be that tiny bit of an edge you need, especially if you use the vigor-boosting orbs and/or artifacts.
- Amulets and Orbs - both amulets and orbs are fairly expensive gold-and-effort-wise, and are a bit too much to get into comprehensively here, but both red orbs and red amulets stack with each other AND artifacts, so they’re a great way to boost your DPS. Personally I think all the orbs are worth using while bashing, but I only use a couple of the amulets, but if you’re not an artiwhale like me, they’re definitely worth looking into, and bashing gold can actually start to cover your costs if you do it fast enough.
- Chocolates - chocolates good, chocolates expensive. That’s all I have to say about that.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING TO BASH AS VAMP
PRIMARY ATTACK: Frenzy (Corpus, 0 Lessons) - scales with strength, uses balance
DEFENCES
- Shield (buy a shield, and don’t forget to WIELD it)
- Scale Armor (buy it, wear it)
- Fortify (Corpus, 215 lessons)
- Ward (Corpus, 600 lessons)
- Potence [strength, unless str is 21, then Constitution. If both are 21 somehow, do Dexterity. If all three are 21, I’m issuing you for hacking] (Corpus, 1289 lessons)
- Elusion On (Corpus, 16 lessons)
- Celerity (Corpus, 289 Lessons)
- Lifevision (Mentis, 0 Lessons) - not technically necessary but nice to have.
- Mend (corpus, 481 lessons) - heals you for a decent amount at a pretty heavy balance recovery cost
- BLOOD DELUGE (Sanguis, 1625 lessons) - will prevent you from dying for a short period of time. I’m not adept at using it yet, but it can really save your donkey if you utilize it properly.
- PATH (Sanguis, 1289 lessons) - necessary for maximum blood level bonuses mentioned below, you must path into Phreneses with BLOOD PATH PHRENESES
spec into Phreneses to see maximum pve benefit with BLOOD PATH PHRENESES
Under 10%. This will give you +2 strength and reduce your balance and incoming elemental damage dramatically. Grab something sharp, think about the state of America right now, and SLIT WRISTS until you’re under 10% blood. Choose your statpack accordingly (powerful can get a base str of 18 using this + potence.)
EXCEPTION: If you’re going to bashing somewhere you know will have fire damage, might be best to top up, since the fire resistance really tanks at low blood.
ENHANCEMENTS
PVP and PVE vamp enhancements are a bit at odds, but here are my recommendations for PVE Vamp Enhancements:
- ENHANCE STATS 2: 1 strength, 1 constitution
- ENHANCE SPEED: Balance
- ENHANCE RESISTANCE: statpack dependent. I choose cutting with Athletic, blunt with powerful
- ENHANCE RESISTANCE: FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE
I don’t actually have suggestions, the most heated arguments I’ve been apart of have all been about augmetic enhancements. The only thing we know for certain is that Crit Strength is absolutely garbage and should be the absolute last ones you get ever.
Okay, now onto the mechanic explanations, and specifically the two skills that are slept on by most people playing the class, and how to best utilize them: ENRAGE and SANGUINE.
ENRAGE is specific to Phreneses, and SANGUINE, kind of hilariously for how overlooked it is, is the very first skill in the SANGUIS tree, and both of them work as follows:
With ENRAGE, as your blood levels (%) drop, your balance and equilibrium time will go down slightly.
With SANGUINE, as your blood levels (%) drop, your strength will increase and your overall resistances will increase. There is a cost, however, in that your resistance to fire will decrease, as will your intelligence.
What does this mean in real terms? It means as your blood levels drop, you’ll hit certain thresholds. At those thresholds, your balance will decrease and your audit resistances will increase. At two thresholds, your stats will also swap around, to a maximum of +2 strength and -2 intelligence.
But What Blood Level is best? Don’t worry! I did the testing so you don’t have to!
You get the most out of your stat bonuses at around 20% blood, but your audit and your balance will continue to improve all the way down to 10% blood, with balance capping out at 2.93 seconds (this is with the endgame balance enhancement), down from 3.16 seconds, a 7% improvement to your balance, which in turn is a 7% improvement to DPS. That may not sound like a lot, but combined with everything else, this is absolutely huge. As far as Audits go, this is what mine looks like (keep in mind that I’m a whale and I have an artie shield with fire resist):
100% BLOOD
Cutting | 61%
Blunt | 54%
Magic | 58%
Fire | 51%
Cold | 47%
Electric | 39%
Poison | 39%
Psychic | 32%
Asphyxiation | 32%
Spirit | 10%
Shadow | 20%
10% BLOOD
Cutting | 61%
Blunt | 54%
Magic | 58%
Fire | 20%
Cold | 62%
Electric | 54%
Poison | 54%
Psychic | 32%
Asphyxiation | 47%
Spirit | 10%
Shadow | 20%
As you can see, overall across the board there’s a huge increase in your tankiness, with the exception of fire damage (which is, frankly, a pretty rare damage source in PVE save for a few zones). Vampires are exempt from the low-blood penalties of other classes like reduced healing, making this prospect a no-brainer, imo. Low blood, all the time while PVEing. I used to top up when I was bashing during daytime, but honestly the sun doesn’t hurt that much and hasn’t made a significant difference in my experience.But what about mending and deluge?
These actually aren’t that big of a deal, especially at endgame. At 5% blood, I still have ~1200 blood points. Deluge only uses 500, so even at really low levels of blood percent, you can afford both mend and deluge. I recommend if you get to about 3-4% that you feed on something (you’re bashing after all) and then slit your wrists back down to under 10% again. Here’s a quick shot for proof:
H:7700 M:3706 E:100% W:102% B:4% [b eb]blood deluge You grow pale as the last of your life force flows from your body. As you unleash your sanguine reserves, blood surges through you in a wild deluge and its boundless power renders you temporarily among the ranks of the immortal. You have gained the deluge defence. H:7700 M:3505 E:100% W:101% B:3% [b eb] As the lifeblood is consumed, you start to feel rather cold. Your deluge defence has been stripped. H:7700 M:3706 E:100% W:101% B:3% [b eb]feed nazetu With a lustful grin you drive your fangs into a vein of the corpse of a Nazetu crossbowman and, slurping greedily, draw out its still-warm blood from the wound in long, deep, sucking pulls. The fluid replenishes and invigorates you. Satisfied, you casually discard the corpse. Balance Used: 4.28 seconds H:7700 M:3706 E:100% W:93% B:35% [b e-] You have recovered balance on all limbs.CONCLUSION
With all these minor adjustments, Praenomen becomes one of the best bashing classes in the game. Reasonably tanky (not the best), decent health recovery (not the best, but pretty good!), and REALLY good DPS. I can break 900 dps without resorting to caramel chocolates (at 21 str, hunting 3, and knuckles 3), which is a really tough line for a lot of classes to pass over. Here is a spreadsheet to mess with for vamps specifically. You’ll need to make a copy to use the dropdowns (I think), but it illustrates all these points a lot more concisely than this post, but I kinda wanted to make it for people who bash as Praenomen, since it seems like an underutilized class.
Let me know if I missed something and I’ll add it in.
Tetchta
8
"I don't like you, a lot of the time, did you know?"
Trying to spruce up the congregation with a little conversation, Taiyang decided to throw a party in the Seer's Wood in an attempt to get to know everyone else and have a chance to introduce himself. Unfortunately, because of my own messing ups with the date conversion command, I accidentally posed the date of THURSDAY's Howling instead of the desired Friday. So, when less people arrived than hoped, Tai was delighted when one person showed up. It was a delight to be able to sit down and talk about beliefs and backstory, and @Aisling is a doll who consistently pumps out five-star material. I hope you all enjoy the read!
---Descriptions---
Aisling:
He is a powerful Azudim of Atavian heritage, one of monstrous height, built like an Orgyuk, from the broad shoulders and thick limbs to the dense white fur that covers nearly all of him. His large hands bear scars both earned in battle and carved intentionally, the latter like spiraling suns along his palms, the matching constellations sprawled over his forearms. His features are stern to say the least, a strong jawline, a sharp nose, long, pointed ears - though one is torn, a chunk of the tip lost in combat. The Azudim's left eye has been removed, his one remaining eye an uncommon white in color, bearing only the black outline of his iris and the simple point at the center. His skin is a deep, near-violet color, contrasting sharply with white hair, the latter soft and kept as clean and tamed as he can manage, starting at the top of his head, and trailing down, thinning to a thick line over his stomach and spine as it descends. The lower half of his face and part of his nose are shrouded under a mask of solid white nashka, muffling him when he speaks. Eyes piercing with an ethereal shimmer, he has been touched by the Underking's blessing. The clean scent of a refreshing sea breeze lingers around him - the aroma marking the blessing of the Maelstrom.
(hanging from a leather cord) : an entwined band carved from a wintry icecrystal
(securely buckled) : a soldier's knee-length black boots
(neatly fitted) : black buckled leather gloves
(covering the left eye) : a white-corded eyepatch
(tucked into his boots) : a pair of black, fitted hide breeches
(securely tied around his waist) : a knotted, carmine silk belt
(hung about his belt) : a black belt-hung pouch
(firmly strapped to their jaw) : a half mask of solid white nashka
(shielding the throat) : a quilted, white high-collared shirt
Taiyang:
endearing, tangle on his head; coloured in ash blonde roots that brighten tremendously towards a golden yellow at their tips. Brilliantly green eyes gaze around with an air somewhere between mischief and excitement from above a slightly upturned nose. Thin lips seem pressed easily into a grin or a kind smile, with no hint of facial hair to be found anywhere near them. Only the lightest of tans, his skin is defined and sculpted with a layer of muscle that can be seen pressed into easy definition along his bare torso, from pectorals to his abdomen and especially along his thin arms, while a pair of forest-green trouseres that are cut off at the knee cover his legs. Setting him apart from the crowd is a long tail poking out of the seat of his pants from a small hole inexpertly cut into them just above his rear, the prehensile yellow-gold appendage often flicking around in his excitement or wrapping around a leg to avoid any unfortunate accidents. His bare feet drum against the ground in a restless, happy, and somewhat hyper tic, the rhythmic scuffling just at home for someone of his diminutive four feet and ten inches of height. The clean scent of a refreshing sea breeze lingers around him - the aroma marking the blessing of the Maelstrom.
(coiled around the forearm) : a silver star tattoo
(cut off at the knee) : a pair of forest-green trousers
---Log---
A wall lined with pillows.
--- Area 678: Seer's Wood -------- v62774 ---
/ \
/ \ [ ]-
/ \ |
/ \ |
/ \ |
[ ] [ ] [ ]
| | \
| [ ] [L] [ ] |
| \ / |
| [^]-[ ]-[^] |
| | / \ | |
| [ ] [+] |
| | \ / | | /
[ ] [^]-[ ]-[^] [ ] [ ]
| / | \ | \
| [ ] [ ] [ ] |
| | |
| [ ] | [ ]-[ ]-
| / \ | \
| [ ]- - -[ ] \ | \
| \ \ | \
[ ] [ ] [^]- - -[ ]
\ /
--- A wall lined with pillows --- -31:1:1 ---
On this smooth sandstone wall is a frieze of the forest outside that is lifelike in its detail. Creatures both large and small prowl through the bushes and ferns that seem to almost glow in the dim light. Against the wall on the floor are a plethora of pillows in all sizes and shapes in a variety of royal colors creating a nice space to sit or lie upon. The scent of incense is strong on the air, wisps of smoke occasionally trailing by from the braziers that are far off, deeper in the temple.
You see exits leading north, south, southwest, and northwest.
You have added yourself to the roleplay list.
You have emoted: Taiyang shrugs and says, "Well, there are not so many people who are awake right now, so maybe we will be reading lots of letters!" He looks up towards Caihong, orange light blazing like fire around his eyes as he beams with determination. "It'll be lots of fun, I am sure." Turning once more, he perks his tail before sitting on one of the smaller pillows and crossing his legs.
Your pose is now set as:
Sitting on a smaller pillow, Taiyang is sitting in a circle of pillows.
You have emoted: As the appointed time draws closer and closer, Taiyang bounces slightly in his seat, looking expectantly towards the southwest as though hoping to spot the first arrival.
Aisling has entered the area.
You perk up visibly.
A biting cold hangs in the air, heralding the arrival of Aisling.
You have emoted: Brilliant sparks of azure and yellow pop up around Taiyang as he rises slightly in his seat, pushing himself up from the ground and raising a hand in greeting towards Aisling. "Hello, mister Aisling!"
You have emoted: Taiyang settles back down, his legs bouncing in a motion akin to butterfly wings as he sits on the smallest of the pillows he has dragged away from the wall.
Aisling's brow furrows at the sparks of color as he approaches, the fur about his neck bristling a hint. He keeps a few paces from the other man, "How are you?"
A distant keening howl seizes your attention, and you stop to listen. It is the sound of some creature, somewhere, experiencing inutterable sorrow. A chill ripples down your spine as the sound trails off, but you remember...
You have emoted: "Well, I feel a little silly after finding out I put the wrong day in the news," Taiyang admits, smiling somewhat sheepishly as a blush colours his cheeks. "I am very goodly, otherwise!"
"Happens. We're all aware of the howling, either way." Aisling says, his voice ever carrying that chest-deep rumble, though muffled by the mask he wears. He glances over the pillows and moves to take a seat himself, bulky form and unpleasant temperature making the man keep distance yet as he lowers. He settles, hands on his lap, "Not many of us about, sadly."
You have emoted: Taiyang nods his head, looking down towards his crossed ankles as he says, "Yeah, I was hoping that I would get to meet lots of people, but I suppose that even two people are better than no people." He looks up and says, "Or even just one!"
(THINK)
"Mis Omei said She would be here, but maybe I missed Her by messing up the date..."
"You seem to be getting along well." Aisling says, gaze drifting as he looks upon the rest of the room, the statues nearby. "I know I see you about the city often."
You have emoted: Taiyang shakes his head as if pushing away an unpleasant thought, brightening considerably as he nods and leans forward slightly in his enthusiasm to say, "Yes, yes! There's lots of kids around who are a lot of fun to play with, and I've been able to find plenty of cool things that I'd never seen before. There's a huge number of trees in the temple with a lot of good fruits, and I'm slowly meeting more and more people around the city."
Aisling finally turns his single-eyed gaze back to you, lingering, "So I hear." He rumbles, mask shifting somewhat with the words, "I am glad. Enorian suits you, a friendly, peaceful place."
You have emoted: "Right! Though, it's because of people like you, I believe, that it is able to be friendly and peaceful." With a curious tilt of his head, Taiyang looks up towards you as though considering your frame, slowly nodding to himself as he comes to some inner conclusion. "I think all the people who are like you, who are strong and fight for us, make it a good place for people like me to live."
"I would like to think so." Aisling says, not quite in agreement, one hand rising to idly scratch at his stomach. "Do you know much of soldiers, sir?" He asks, staring yet, bordering on impolite in the way he doesn't avert.
You have emoted: Taiyang shakes his head twice and admits, "Even when I lived in Bloodloch and the Primus told me that it would help her if I fought alongside everyone else, I did not enjoy it. There were lots of people who would want to fight, and spar, and train, and...I am not sure if they are soldiers or fighters, or if there is a difference." He purses his lips, thinking on it for a second before asking, "Is there?"
Aisling hums, "A fighter is someone who fights. Simply that." He explains, a brief pause following, "A soldier is someone who marches, who follows orders, and ultimately, who serves something." The man's gaze remains, hard and steady, and sharp, reminiscent more of warhounds of the Carnifex than men, "I don't like you, a lot of the time, did you know?"
You have emoted: Taiyang blinks, a rare gesture, and his shock is evident for a few moments before his shoulders slack and he quietly says, "N-no. I thought that...well, I did not think that we were very good friends, but I did not..." He trails off quietly, and then just as quietly leads back in, "Did I do something wrong?"
"The soldier's paradox." Aisling says, seeming unmoved by the man's shift in mood. His tone isn't rude, it doesn't even touch anger - it is polite, "Soldiers fight so that people can play, and enjoy themselves, and have peaceful lives, and in doing so, the soldiers lose their own ability to... Relate, to peaceful, calm living."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "You avoid the horrors of the world, and I am fighting so that you can do so, but I cannot relate, and the ignorance makes me frustrated."
You have emoted: Taiyang listens on quietly, eventually lowering his head and shaking it. "I...I am not ignorant of it, mister Aisling. I know there are truly, terribly awful things out there. People who would take another's life as property, and people who do terrible, awful acts that would make even the Gods turn Their eyes away." He grips the legs of his trousers and says, "I...I can't face it. For my own reasons."
(THINK)
"I would become just like them. A monster." Flashes of dark crimson and bitter, angry orange. "Those monsters, they deserve the worst of things. They deserve punishment, and every badness that someone can dream up, and I do not WANT to dream up those things." Fear, hot and poignant stabs like a knife in his gut, "I do not WANT to become a monster like them, I do not want to have to face those bad, awful things."
You have emoted: Taiyang loosesns his grip on his trousers and reaches over to grab at his side.
Aisling leans forward slightly, forearms resting on his lap as he stares, trying to catch your expression. His head tilts slightly at something unseen, "You're afraid of being hateful?"
You have emoted: Taiyang's shoulders stiffen, and then release, and he nods his head, raising his face to show it is drawn and sad, eyes half-lidded as he quietly says, "I do not want to become something bad, when there is so much good that I could do instead. There needs to be kindness, and love, and joy, and...it is hard!" He laughs, lightly and smiles up towards you, though the smile is wan. "Sometimes, I think very bad, awful thoughts and I have to try very hard to stop and think of good things instead. Try to make better ways, and not be...bad."
Aisling doesn't smile, something visible despite his mask, by the way his eyes don't pinch at the edges, or his mask doesn't shift. "Do you think me bad?" He asks, sincere, no accusation.
You have emoted: Taiyang thinks about it, perhaps for a bit too long, and then he says, "No. I think you are a person who can think of what is right, and what is wrong, and make judgements very quickly. I think you can do things that can hurt other people, but I do not think you are the type of person who would do a truly, very bad thing."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "What is truly, very bad?"
Simply, you say, "Wicked things that are hurtful for the sake of being hurtful. To torture, or...or...enslave. Worse things."
"... I think we disagree on righteous anger." Aisling says, quietly, hands coming to join on his lap, as he tugs at the edges of his gloves, as to adjust them. "Though I am not angry when I fight. It may just be you feel things very strongly."
Colour fades from a striking, brilliantly coloured qilin's coat as the light of day begins to permeate your surroundings, leaving him streaked with shadows that flow hungrily.
You have emoted: "...sometimes, my feelings are a lot bigger than what it feels like my body can hold. Good ones make for very good things, but bad ones make me feel like I am going to explode." Taiyang's eyes fall to the side, looking at nothing in particular.
"What are the Illuminai teaching you?" Aisling asks, "Some training may help steadying you."
You have emoted: Taiyang reaches up and rubs at the back of his neck, "Well...nothing yet. There is still a lot that I am re-learning in how to be alive, and mister Tenshyo says that I can start my training when I am ready. But I do not know when I will be ready, because I am still just now learning again how to dream."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "Have those come back, at least?"
You have emoted: Taiyang nods his head, or at least begins to, biting at his lip in a thoughtful manner before saying, "Well, a little. They are mostly colours and feelings right now, and sometimes I see...a face? I think. And other times a hand, and a fireplace, and sometimes there is...something like darkness, but it is not all black, because there are little bits of light! Like a very, very dark blue, with lots of sounds."
Aisling stares, on and on, "Tell me of sounds." He requests.
You have emoted: Taiyang closes his eyes, and his excess energy seems to drain out of him and turn him into a little statue as he puts all his energy towards remembering, "There is...a sound like...wind. And there are steps, very hard. I think they are on stone?" He pauses, listening, a frown furrowing his face. "Someone is saying...something, but I do not know what. And then someone starts crying, and I do not know who. It makes me sad. They go away, and then there are steps again, and something very...screechy. Rusty metal? There are too many steps for one person. And then I wake up, and my tail is normally sore."
You say, "At least, in that weird dark dream."
"Probably from moving." Aisling comments, taking a small breath. "Do you remember much of your past?"
You have emoted: Taiyang shakes his head twice, and then a third time after a moment of thought. "I remember escaping from the slavers with a broken tail and a lot of head bleeding. I like to think that sometimes, when I am dreaming of the fireplace, I am trying to remember my old home."
Aisling's head bobs in a faint nod, agreement. "That might be it." He murmurs, "Focus helps, if you seek to remember, I suppose."
With a little bit of hope in his voice, you say, "Miss Omei's land is the land of Dreaming, so I am hopeful that as I learn and grow and discover new things about Her and help more of Her people, that my dreams will be clearer and I'll get to find out who I was."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "If anyone can do so, I suppose it is Her."
(Tells): Wafting, as if on the air, Rihrin's velvety voice reaches your ear: "Been settling into the guild and city well?"
You ask, "...what made you want to come to Her, mister Aisling?"
Aisling stares, no response forthcoming, at least for a few moments. He considers, and the words come slow, firm, "I wished to be softened. That I feel too distant to folk like you. That said, I told Her I cannot offer Her loyalty, not with the current matters of Albedos." He explains, "So, I just sit as a congregant."
You have emoted: Taiyang places one hand over a silver star tattoo, rubbing it thoughtfully with a thumb as he considers your words. "Then...is the congregation not all of Her people?"
"There is the congregation, and then, there is Her Order." Aisling answers, reaching up as to adjust his mask idly, taking care to keep the lower half of his face shrouded as he tugs on the straps, "Her Chosen and closest."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "Privy to certain things congregants are not."
(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rihrin, "Oh, I am sorry! Yes, I am settling in very well! I am just at a talk with my congregation right now, I did not mean to ignore you."
(Tells): Wafting, as if on the air, Rihrin's velvety voice reaches your ear: "Oh! You are fine. I'm just..eh..trying to be social. I'm not too good at it yet, so practicing."
You have emoted: Taiyang's eyes widen in understanding and he frowns in confusion before shaking the same emotion away. "So...if you are hoping She will help soften you, then what do you imagine you will be like, after? How do you think you will be different, other than being able to be closer to people like me?"
Aisling keeps a hand against his mask. He continues to stare at you, sharp as ever, stern, and unpleasant even in a polite, neutral expression. "I do not know. I do not think it possible, but I owe it to some folk to try." He rumbles.
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "I am a soldier yet. I need to be harsh, yet."
You have emoted: Taiyang's smile, as it comes, is soft as he looks up towards Aisling, "But...you do not want to have to be all the time?" He closes his eyes and exhales very lightly, his smile growing just a touch. "I think...that if it were not possible, you would not even think of trying. You would just be harsh, and think it was silly or not worth your effort. But I believe that you will be able to, mister Aisling, because of the fact that you want to. And I may not know much about chaos, or dreams, but I do know that if you want to do something, then choosing to do it is the most important part of it."
"I can't be soft, and do what I do." Aisling says, easily, "I am harsh, even to those closest to me. I love in the way soldiers do, in violence and duty." Then, he reaches for you, brushing cold, gloved fingers on the man's arm, "Just as you feel like blowing up with anger, or how easily you smile. You would lose it in short order."
You have emoted: Taiyang's flesh visibly rises in the tell-tale bumps of goose-pimples, but he ignores it as he looks up at Aisling with conviction. "I think, then, mister Aisling, that just like a mask that you must wear, you will one day be able to slip into your harshness." He brushes his fingers against the belt sash of his trousers, where the hard edge of a bone mask can barely be seen, "And when you take it off, you will be able to be...maybe not as soft as someone who is like me, but a softer you. Someone who can have true, good smiles that come easy around the people you love."
"I hope so, for my beloved's sake." Aisling says, and then, adds, withdrawing his touch, "And I hope you will remember yourself, and perhaps get a handle on your own feelings."
You have emoted: Taiyang nods, and slowly rises. "I am sorry that..." He looks around and the other pillows he had arranged nearby in their neat circle, wincing slightly as he says, "Well, I wish we had had more people here, to be able to learn more and become good friends. But I am glad that you came. It means a very lot to me, even if you do not like me sometimes."
You return to a normal position, relaxing the pose.
"I do not like very many people, sir." Aisling comments, and likewise, he rises, towering and bulky and unpleasant in most ways. "I am sure you are not very fond of me, either, in your own way."
You have emoted: Taiyang grins and rubs the back of his neck, "I think that maybe there is some part of me deep down that feels that way, but I do not listen to that Taiyang anyway, so I will continue to like you." He turns and begins gathering pillows, returning them back to the wall as he comments, "And I am sure one day, even if we are not the bestest of friends, we will be close in our own way."
Aisling nods once, and turns to help, large grip easing the pillows back up against the wall. "You'll be going home, then?"
You have emoted: "I think I will...rest, for a while. I am a little disappointed, but I think seeing my squirrel friends and napping in my old favourite tree here in the Wood will help me feel less." Taiyang turns and moves to get more pillows, but stops as he sees you have taken the ones that were remaining. "If you are, though, be sure to walk safely."
"I must go back to my patrols, yes." Aisling says, patting his hands on his trousers. With that, he turns and walks off, his stride an even march, "Be well."
Aisling leaves to the south, the bone-chilling air slowly dissipating.
---Descriptions---
Aisling:
He is a powerful Azudim of Atavian heritage, one of monstrous height, built like an Orgyuk, from the broad shoulders and thick limbs to the dense white fur that covers nearly all of him. His large hands bear scars both earned in battle and carved intentionally, the latter like spiraling suns along his palms, the matching constellations sprawled over his forearms. His features are stern to say the least, a strong jawline, a sharp nose, long, pointed ears - though one is torn, a chunk of the tip lost in combat. The Azudim's left eye has been removed, his one remaining eye an uncommon white in color, bearing only the black outline of his iris and the simple point at the center. His skin is a deep, near-violet color, contrasting sharply with white hair, the latter soft and kept as clean and tamed as he can manage, starting at the top of his head, and trailing down, thinning to a thick line over his stomach and spine as it descends. The lower half of his face and part of his nose are shrouded under a mask of solid white nashka, muffling him when he speaks. Eyes piercing with an ethereal shimmer, he has been touched by the Underking's blessing. The clean scent of a refreshing sea breeze lingers around him - the aroma marking the blessing of the Maelstrom.
(hanging from a leather cord) : an entwined band carved from a wintry icecrystal
(securely buckled) : a soldier's knee-length black boots
(neatly fitted) : black buckled leather gloves
(covering the left eye) : a white-corded eyepatch
(tucked into his boots) : a pair of black, fitted hide breeches
(securely tied around his waist) : a knotted, carmine silk belt
(hung about his belt) : a black belt-hung pouch
(firmly strapped to their jaw) : a half mask of solid white nashka
(shielding the throat) : a quilted, white high-collared shirt
Taiyang:
endearing, tangle on his head; coloured in ash blonde roots that brighten tremendously towards a golden yellow at their tips. Brilliantly green eyes gaze around with an air somewhere between mischief and excitement from above a slightly upturned nose. Thin lips seem pressed easily into a grin or a kind smile, with no hint of facial hair to be found anywhere near them. Only the lightest of tans, his skin is defined and sculpted with a layer of muscle that can be seen pressed into easy definition along his bare torso, from pectorals to his abdomen and especially along his thin arms, while a pair of forest-green trouseres that are cut off at the knee cover his legs. Setting him apart from the crowd is a long tail poking out of the seat of his pants from a small hole inexpertly cut into them just above his rear, the prehensile yellow-gold appendage often flicking around in his excitement or wrapping around a leg to avoid any unfortunate accidents. His bare feet drum against the ground in a restless, happy, and somewhat hyper tic, the rhythmic scuffling just at home for someone of his diminutive four feet and ten inches of height. The clean scent of a refreshing sea breeze lingers around him - the aroma marking the blessing of the Maelstrom.
(coiled around the forearm) : a silver star tattoo
(cut off at the knee) : a pair of forest-green trousers
---Log---
A wall lined with pillows.
--- Area 678: Seer's Wood -------- v62774 ---
/ \
/ \ [ ]-
/ \ |
/ \ |
/ \ |
[ ] [ ] [ ]
| | \
| [ ] [L] [ ] |
| \ / |
| [^]-[ ]-[^] |
| | / \ | |
| [ ] [+] |
| | \ / | | /
[ ] [^]-[ ]-[^] [ ] [ ]
| / | \ | \
| [ ] [ ] [ ] |
| | |
| [ ] | [ ]-[ ]-
| / \ | \
| [ ]- - -[ ] \ | \
| \ \ | \
[ ] [ ] [^]- - -[ ]
\ /
--- A wall lined with pillows --- -31:1:1 ---
On this smooth sandstone wall is a frieze of the forest outside that is lifelike in its detail. Creatures both large and small prowl through the bushes and ferns that seem to almost glow in the dim light. Against the wall on the floor are a plethora of pillows in all sizes and shapes in a variety of royal colors creating a nice space to sit or lie upon. The scent of incense is strong on the air, wisps of smoke occasionally trailing by from the braziers that are far off, deeper in the temple.
You see exits leading north, south, southwest, and northwest.
You have added yourself to the roleplay list.
You have emoted: Taiyang shrugs and says, "Well, there are not so many people who are awake right now, so maybe we will be reading lots of letters!" He looks up towards Caihong, orange light blazing like fire around his eyes as he beams with determination. "It'll be lots of fun, I am sure." Turning once more, he perks his tail before sitting on one of the smaller pillows and crossing his legs.
Your pose is now set as:
Sitting on a smaller pillow, Taiyang is sitting in a circle of pillows.
You have emoted: As the appointed time draws closer and closer, Taiyang bounces slightly in his seat, looking expectantly towards the southwest as though hoping to spot the first arrival.
Aisling has entered the area.
You perk up visibly.
A biting cold hangs in the air, heralding the arrival of Aisling.
You have emoted: Brilliant sparks of azure and yellow pop up around Taiyang as he rises slightly in his seat, pushing himself up from the ground and raising a hand in greeting towards Aisling. "Hello, mister Aisling!"
You have emoted: Taiyang settles back down, his legs bouncing in a motion akin to butterfly wings as he sits on the smallest of the pillows he has dragged away from the wall.
Aisling's brow furrows at the sparks of color as he approaches, the fur about his neck bristling a hint. He keeps a few paces from the other man, "How are you?"
A distant keening howl seizes your attention, and you stop to listen. It is the sound of some creature, somewhere, experiencing inutterable sorrow. A chill ripples down your spine as the sound trails off, but you remember...
You have emoted: "Well, I feel a little silly after finding out I put the wrong day in the news," Taiyang admits, smiling somewhat sheepishly as a blush colours his cheeks. "I am very goodly, otherwise!"
"Happens. We're all aware of the howling, either way." Aisling says, his voice ever carrying that chest-deep rumble, though muffled by the mask he wears. He glances over the pillows and moves to take a seat himself, bulky form and unpleasant temperature making the man keep distance yet as he lowers. He settles, hands on his lap, "Not many of us about, sadly."
You have emoted: Taiyang nods his head, looking down towards his crossed ankles as he says, "Yeah, I was hoping that I would get to meet lots of people, but I suppose that even two people are better than no people." He looks up and says, "Or even just one!"
(THINK)
"Mis Omei said She would be here, but maybe I missed Her by messing up the date..."
"You seem to be getting along well." Aisling says, gaze drifting as he looks upon the rest of the room, the statues nearby. "I know I see you about the city often."
You have emoted: Taiyang shakes his head as if pushing away an unpleasant thought, brightening considerably as he nods and leans forward slightly in his enthusiasm to say, "Yes, yes! There's lots of kids around who are a lot of fun to play with, and I've been able to find plenty of cool things that I'd never seen before. There's a huge number of trees in the temple with a lot of good fruits, and I'm slowly meeting more and more people around the city."
Aisling finally turns his single-eyed gaze back to you, lingering, "So I hear." He rumbles, mask shifting somewhat with the words, "I am glad. Enorian suits you, a friendly, peaceful place."
You have emoted: "Right! Though, it's because of people like you, I believe, that it is able to be friendly and peaceful." With a curious tilt of his head, Taiyang looks up towards you as though considering your frame, slowly nodding to himself as he comes to some inner conclusion. "I think all the people who are like you, who are strong and fight for us, make it a good place for people like me to live."
"I would like to think so." Aisling says, not quite in agreement, one hand rising to idly scratch at his stomach. "Do you know much of soldiers, sir?" He asks, staring yet, bordering on impolite in the way he doesn't avert.
You have emoted: Taiyang shakes his head twice and admits, "Even when I lived in Bloodloch and the Primus told me that it would help her if I fought alongside everyone else, I did not enjoy it. There were lots of people who would want to fight, and spar, and train, and...I am not sure if they are soldiers or fighters, or if there is a difference." He purses his lips, thinking on it for a second before asking, "Is there?"
Aisling hums, "A fighter is someone who fights. Simply that." He explains, a brief pause following, "A soldier is someone who marches, who follows orders, and ultimately, who serves something." The man's gaze remains, hard and steady, and sharp, reminiscent more of warhounds of the Carnifex than men, "I don't like you, a lot of the time, did you know?"
You have emoted: Taiyang blinks, a rare gesture, and his shock is evident for a few moments before his shoulders slack and he quietly says, "N-no. I thought that...well, I did not think that we were very good friends, but I did not..." He trails off quietly, and then just as quietly leads back in, "Did I do something wrong?"
"The soldier's paradox." Aisling says, seeming unmoved by the man's shift in mood. His tone isn't rude, it doesn't even touch anger - it is polite, "Soldiers fight so that people can play, and enjoy themselves, and have peaceful lives, and in doing so, the soldiers lose their own ability to... Relate, to peaceful, calm living."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "You avoid the horrors of the world, and I am fighting so that you can do so, but I cannot relate, and the ignorance makes me frustrated."
You have emoted: Taiyang listens on quietly, eventually lowering his head and shaking it. "I...I am not ignorant of it, mister Aisling. I know there are truly, terribly awful things out there. People who would take another's life as property, and people who do terrible, awful acts that would make even the Gods turn Their eyes away." He grips the legs of his trousers and says, "I...I can't face it. For my own reasons."
(THINK)
"I would become just like them. A monster." Flashes of dark crimson and bitter, angry orange. "Those monsters, they deserve the worst of things. They deserve punishment, and every badness that someone can dream up, and I do not WANT to dream up those things." Fear, hot and poignant stabs like a knife in his gut, "I do not WANT to become a monster like them, I do not want to have to face those bad, awful things."
You have emoted: Taiyang loosesns his grip on his trousers and reaches over to grab at his side.
Aisling leans forward slightly, forearms resting on his lap as he stares, trying to catch your expression. His head tilts slightly at something unseen, "You're afraid of being hateful?"
You have emoted: Taiyang's shoulders stiffen, and then release, and he nods his head, raising his face to show it is drawn and sad, eyes half-lidded as he quietly says, "I do not want to become something bad, when there is so much good that I could do instead. There needs to be kindness, and love, and joy, and...it is hard!" He laughs, lightly and smiles up towards you, though the smile is wan. "Sometimes, I think very bad, awful thoughts and I have to try very hard to stop and think of good things instead. Try to make better ways, and not be...bad."
Aisling doesn't smile, something visible despite his mask, by the way his eyes don't pinch at the edges, or his mask doesn't shift. "Do you think me bad?" He asks, sincere, no accusation.
You have emoted: Taiyang thinks about it, perhaps for a bit too long, and then he says, "No. I think you are a person who can think of what is right, and what is wrong, and make judgements very quickly. I think you can do things that can hurt other people, but I do not think you are the type of person who would do a truly, very bad thing."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "What is truly, very bad?"
Simply, you say, "Wicked things that are hurtful for the sake of being hurtful. To torture, or...or...enslave. Worse things."
"... I think we disagree on righteous anger." Aisling says, quietly, hands coming to join on his lap, as he tugs at the edges of his gloves, as to adjust them. "Though I am not angry when I fight. It may just be you feel things very strongly."
Colour fades from a striking, brilliantly coloured qilin's coat as the light of day begins to permeate your surroundings, leaving him streaked with shadows that flow hungrily.
You have emoted: "...sometimes, my feelings are a lot bigger than what it feels like my body can hold. Good ones make for very good things, but bad ones make me feel like I am going to explode." Taiyang's eyes fall to the side, looking at nothing in particular.
"What are the Illuminai teaching you?" Aisling asks, "Some training may help steadying you."
You have emoted: Taiyang reaches up and rubs at the back of his neck, "Well...nothing yet. There is still a lot that I am re-learning in how to be alive, and mister Tenshyo says that I can start my training when I am ready. But I do not know when I will be ready, because I am still just now learning again how to dream."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "Have those come back, at least?"
You have emoted: Taiyang nods his head, or at least begins to, biting at his lip in a thoughtful manner before saying, "Well, a little. They are mostly colours and feelings right now, and sometimes I see...a face? I think. And other times a hand, and a fireplace, and sometimes there is...something like darkness, but it is not all black, because there are little bits of light! Like a very, very dark blue, with lots of sounds."
Aisling stares, on and on, "Tell me of sounds." He requests.
You have emoted: Taiyang closes his eyes, and his excess energy seems to drain out of him and turn him into a little statue as he puts all his energy towards remembering, "There is...a sound like...wind. And there are steps, very hard. I think they are on stone?" He pauses, listening, a frown furrowing his face. "Someone is saying...something, but I do not know what. And then someone starts crying, and I do not know who. It makes me sad. They go away, and then there are steps again, and something very...screechy. Rusty metal? There are too many steps for one person. And then I wake up, and my tail is normally sore."
You say, "At least, in that weird dark dream."
"Probably from moving." Aisling comments, taking a small breath. "Do you remember much of your past?"
You have emoted: Taiyang shakes his head twice, and then a third time after a moment of thought. "I remember escaping from the slavers with a broken tail and a lot of head bleeding. I like to think that sometimes, when I am dreaming of the fireplace, I am trying to remember my old home."
Aisling's head bobs in a faint nod, agreement. "That might be it." He murmurs, "Focus helps, if you seek to remember, I suppose."
With a little bit of hope in his voice, you say, "Miss Omei's land is the land of Dreaming, so I am hopeful that as I learn and grow and discover new things about Her and help more of Her people, that my dreams will be clearer and I'll get to find out who I was."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "If anyone can do so, I suppose it is Her."
(Tells): Wafting, as if on the air, Rihrin's velvety voice reaches your ear: "Been settling into the guild and city well?"
You ask, "...what made you want to come to Her, mister Aisling?"
Aisling stares, no response forthcoming, at least for a few moments. He considers, and the words come slow, firm, "I wished to be softened. That I feel too distant to folk like you. That said, I told Her I cannot offer Her loyalty, not with the current matters of Albedos." He explains, "So, I just sit as a congregant."
You have emoted: Taiyang places one hand over a silver star tattoo, rubbing it thoughtfully with a thumb as he considers your words. "Then...is the congregation not all of Her people?"
"There is the congregation, and then, there is Her Order." Aisling answers, reaching up as to adjust his mask idly, taking care to keep the lower half of his face shrouded as he tugs on the straps, "Her Chosen and closest."
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "Privy to certain things congregants are not."
(Tells): Your voice like the wind itself, you tell Rihrin, "Oh, I am sorry! Yes, I am settling in very well! I am just at a talk with my congregation right now, I did not mean to ignore you."
(Tells): Wafting, as if on the air, Rihrin's velvety voice reaches your ear: "Oh! You are fine. I'm just..eh..trying to be social. I'm not too good at it yet, so practicing."
You have emoted: Taiyang's eyes widen in understanding and he frowns in confusion before shaking the same emotion away. "So...if you are hoping She will help soften you, then what do you imagine you will be like, after? How do you think you will be different, other than being able to be closer to people like me?"
Aisling keeps a hand against his mask. He continues to stare at you, sharp as ever, stern, and unpleasant even in a polite, neutral expression. "I do not know. I do not think it possible, but I owe it to some folk to try." He rumbles.
Knight Aisling dur Naya says, "I am a soldier yet. I need to be harsh, yet."
You have emoted: Taiyang's smile, as it comes, is soft as he looks up towards Aisling, "But...you do not want to have to be all the time?" He closes his eyes and exhales very lightly, his smile growing just a touch. "I think...that if it were not possible, you would not even think of trying. You would just be harsh, and think it was silly or not worth your effort. But I believe that you will be able to, mister Aisling, because of the fact that you want to. And I may not know much about chaos, or dreams, but I do know that if you want to do something, then choosing to do it is the most important part of it."
"I can't be soft, and do what I do." Aisling says, easily, "I am harsh, even to those closest to me. I love in the way soldiers do, in violence and duty." Then, he reaches for you, brushing cold, gloved fingers on the man's arm, "Just as you feel like blowing up with anger, or how easily you smile. You would lose it in short order."
You have emoted: Taiyang's flesh visibly rises in the tell-tale bumps of goose-pimples, but he ignores it as he looks up at Aisling with conviction. "I think, then, mister Aisling, that just like a mask that you must wear, you will one day be able to slip into your harshness." He brushes his fingers against the belt sash of his trousers, where the hard edge of a bone mask can barely be seen, "And when you take it off, you will be able to be...maybe not as soft as someone who is like me, but a softer you. Someone who can have true, good smiles that come easy around the people you love."
"I hope so, for my beloved's sake." Aisling says, and then, adds, withdrawing his touch, "And I hope you will remember yourself, and perhaps get a handle on your own feelings."
You have emoted: Taiyang nods, and slowly rises. "I am sorry that..." He looks around and the other pillows he had arranged nearby in their neat circle, wincing slightly as he says, "Well, I wish we had had more people here, to be able to learn more and become good friends. But I am glad that you came. It means a very lot to me, even if you do not like me sometimes."
You return to a normal position, relaxing the pose.
"I do not like very many people, sir." Aisling comments, and likewise, he rises, towering and bulky and unpleasant in most ways. "I am sure you are not very fond of me, either, in your own way."
You have emoted: Taiyang grins and rubs the back of his neck, "I think that maybe there is some part of me deep down that feels that way, but I do not listen to that Taiyang anyway, so I will continue to like you." He turns and begins gathering pillows, returning them back to the wall as he comments, "And I am sure one day, even if we are not the bestest of friends, we will be close in our own way."
Aisling nods once, and turns to help, large grip easing the pillows back up against the wall. "You'll be going home, then?"
You have emoted: "I think I will...rest, for a while. I am a little disappointed, but I think seeing my squirrel friends and napping in my old favourite tree here in the Wood will help me feel less." Taiyang turns and moves to get more pillows, but stops as he sees you have taken the ones that were remaining. "If you are, though, be sure to walk safely."
"I must go back to my patrols, yes." Aisling says, patting his hands on his trousers. With that, he turns and walks off, his stride an even march, "Be well."
Aisling leaves to the south, the bone-chilling air slowly dissipating.
Taiyang
5
Re: Mildly Irritating: Aetolia's Pet Peeves
I tend to longform roleplay if given the option. I enjoy writing immersive posts that can hit the character limit. But I also know who or when to save those for with the person I roleplay with. I understand the adaptation to the different people.
I can say, though, I never considered it a peeve in how people RP. Just like people play for different reasons and have different styles of play, I see it the same way. I do agree that interacting with tone deaf people in general can be irritating, but that goes beyond RP. That is interaction in general (combat, roleplay, etcetera). That said, if I find a tone deaf person, I will excuse myself quickly from a scene if I find it is not to my taste, time, or mood.
I can say, though, I never considered it a peeve in how people RP. Just like people play for different reasons and have different styles of play, I see it the same way. I do agree that interacting with tone deaf people in general can be irritating, but that goes beyond RP. That is interaction in general (combat, roleplay, etcetera). That said, if I find a tone deaf person, I will excuse myself quickly from a scene if I find it is not to my taste, time, or mood.
Saidenn
5
Re: Character Breakdown
THE ESSENTIALS
Name: Ardent Riahl
Titles/Nicknames: Conservator, Warden, Advisor, Enforcer(Order title)
Race: Azudim, Kobold Heritage (Kobold if I remember to use gem)
Gender: Male
Guild: Sciomancers
City: Spinesreach
Order: Iosyne
THE LOOK
Hair: Extra long fur in a mohawk.
Eyes: Golden.
Height: 5'7"
Build: Lithe muscle
Defining Features: He's covered in fur...
Clothing: Generally, pants, shirt, vest and pocketwatch in some configuration. Also has glasses.
Tattoos: Crossed fists on the back of his neck
Piercings: None of note.
Scars: Left shoulder to neck, series of puncture scars left to heal on their own.
PERSONALITY
Strengths: -redacted-
Weaknesses: -redacted-
Attitude: It depends on the moment. he can go from caring and kind to people to attempting to rip their spine out through their ribcage over the strangest things.
Pet Peeves: Idiocy for the sake of it. Arguments just to have something to do.
Best way to piss him off: Screw with his family.
Best way to get on him good side: Unknown. Everyone gets the same chance, no one has come back from his bad side to have a base point.
Hobbies: A wide range of musical talents. Can dance.
Voice: I've never put thought into it, given the canine nature. Not sure how to process this.
Quirks: When highly agitated he reverts to using Kobold to snap things off.
FAVOURITES
Colour: Grey-blue, sea-green, silver and midnight blue.
Location(s): Loaded question. It tends to be wherever @Galilei ends up.
God/Goddess: @Iosyne. Hands down. @Chakrasul and he had a few issues that were resolved and he finds her amusing now, in very odd and twisted ways.
Guild Master/House Head (all time): He's only been in one guild and never been in a house.
Artifact (don't have to own): A simple iron ring. (if you don't get the joke I'm sorry)
Commodity: Twilight's tears, kagamine.
Animal: Tengu.
Item owned: His wedding band, with a close second being the gloves his wife made him.
Village/forest/region: If he's not actively doing something he finds reasons to hide on Tcanna.
Memory: -redacted-
Song: The first song he and Gali sung in the Savvy Serpent(free advertising) in Spinesreach.
Drink: Honey whiskey he found in Loch.
Food: Seafood, basically of any kind.
Flower: Roses (seems to be a family trend) Black and Midnight Blue
MINDSET
Goals: -redacted-
Ambitions: -redacted-
Nemesis: Doesn't honestly care about anyone enough to give them that spot.
Rival: Currently none.
Best Friends: @Galilei @Ayuna @Ayastia @Eoros @Kalena @Lilein (Pretty close with his family.)
Idol: Tie for this. @Ayuna and @Aros
Best personal achievement: Getting married.
Worst personal achievement: -redacted-
Proudest moment: Being adopted by @Raynia and @Aros
Most shameful moment: -redacted-
Secret dream: Maybe one day having kids. Maybe...-maybe-
If he could make one wish: Get him drunk and find out.
Name: Ardent Riahl
Titles/Nicknames: Conservator, Warden, Advisor, Enforcer(Order title)
Race: Azudim, Kobold Heritage (Kobold if I remember to use gem)
Gender: Male
Guild: Sciomancers
City: Spinesreach
Order: Iosyne
THE LOOK
Hair: Extra long fur in a mohawk.
Eyes: Golden.
Height: 5'7"
Build: Lithe muscle
Defining Features: He's covered in fur...
Clothing: Generally, pants, shirt, vest and pocketwatch in some configuration. Also has glasses.
Tattoos: Crossed fists on the back of his neck
Piercings: None of note.
Scars: Left shoulder to neck, series of puncture scars left to heal on their own.
PERSONALITY
Strengths: -redacted-
Weaknesses: -redacted-
Attitude: It depends on the moment. he can go from caring and kind to people to attempting to rip their spine out through their ribcage over the strangest things.
Pet Peeves: Idiocy for the sake of it. Arguments just to have something to do.
Best way to piss him off: Screw with his family.
Best way to get on him good side: Unknown. Everyone gets the same chance, no one has come back from his bad side to have a base point.
Hobbies: A wide range of musical talents. Can dance.
Voice: I've never put thought into it, given the canine nature. Not sure how to process this.
Quirks: When highly agitated he reverts to using Kobold to snap things off.
FAVOURITES
Colour: Grey-blue, sea-green, silver and midnight blue.
Location(s): Loaded question. It tends to be wherever @Galilei ends up.
God/Goddess: @Iosyne. Hands down. @Chakrasul and he had a few issues that were resolved and he finds her amusing now, in very odd and twisted ways.
Guild Master/House Head (all time): He's only been in one guild and never been in a house.
Artifact (don't have to own): A simple iron ring. (if you don't get the joke I'm sorry)
Commodity: Twilight's tears, kagamine.
Animal: Tengu.
Item owned: His wedding band, with a close second being the gloves his wife made him.
Village/forest/region: If he's not actively doing something he finds reasons to hide on Tcanna.
Memory: -redacted-
Song: The first song he and Gali sung in the Savvy Serpent(free advertising) in Spinesreach.
Drink: Honey whiskey he found in Loch.
Food: Seafood, basically of any kind.
Flower: Roses (seems to be a family trend) Black and Midnight Blue
MINDSET
Goals: -redacted-
Ambitions: -redacted-
Nemesis: Doesn't honestly care about anyone enough to give them that spot.
Rival: Currently none.
Best Friends: @Galilei @Ayuna @Ayastia @Eoros @Kalena @Lilein (Pretty close with his family.)
Idol: Tie for this. @Ayuna and @Aros
Best personal achievement: Getting married.
Worst personal achievement: -redacted-
Proudest moment: Being adopted by @Raynia and @Aros
Most shameful moment: -redacted-
Secret dream: Maybe one day having kids. Maybe...-maybe-
If he could make one wish: Get him drunk and find out.
Ardent
5
Re: Announce post #3136: Question Thread
I have two takes on Tiur's answer to story events, re: being unable to do fires, racial tension, etc. etc.
1) It seems short-sighted, letting a few especially contentious examples paint the playerbase as a bunch of softies. Two spring to mind: the race riots in Enorian, while not the most exciting subject, weren't reviled because of the premise, but because they were one of the worst examples of railroading Enorian's attempt to do the right thing, producing a shitty outcome no matter what they did. Then there's Bamathis. I'm not as stridently against him as some of my peers, but I have to concede they have a point. He was several elements that, in isolation, aren't too bad (no one minds Abhorash being a straight-up Hitler Youth posterboy because he's evil in an interesting and unique way), but put all together made for a very unfortunate juxtaposition. These are two extreme examples and i think letting things like this limit your creativity is a mistake.
2) You connected contentious real world events with gothic fantasy. What's up with that? Give us some nasty Cthulhus to fight. Surely there's more in Aetolia's future than a fantasy analogue of BLM or something?
1) It seems short-sighted, letting a few especially contentious examples paint the playerbase as a bunch of softies. Two spring to mind: the race riots in Enorian, while not the most exciting subject, weren't reviled because of the premise, but because they were one of the worst examples of railroading Enorian's attempt to do the right thing, producing a shitty outcome no matter what they did. Then there's Bamathis. I'm not as stridently against him as some of my peers, but I have to concede they have a point. He was several elements that, in isolation, aren't too bad (no one minds Abhorash being a straight-up Hitler Youth posterboy because he's evil in an interesting and unique way), but put all together made for a very unfortunate juxtaposition. These are two extreme examples and i think letting things like this limit your creativity is a mistake.
2) You connected contentious real world events with gothic fantasy. What's up with that? Give us some nasty Cthulhus to fight. Surely there's more in Aetolia's future than a fantasy analogue of BLM or something?
Lin
6