Where is Fain...

I haven't seen him in a while. I miss the insults and the love/hate relationship.

You murmur, "Fain.."

You murmur, "Your subjects have failed you."

You say, "Celina is weak and Sthai was careless."

The air stirs as a quiet whisper murmurs, "We will see, Somaria. We will see."

You narrow your eyes to thin slits.

You say, "I thought you'd be listening."

The air stirs as a quiet whisper murmurs, "You are bound to Me, Somaria in adamantine fetters of spirit. For all your dalliance with Elostian, you will return to Me in time."

You say, "Consider this my proposal to you, my Master.."

The air stirs as a quiet whisper murmurs, "Speak on."

You say, "Celina was foolish. She chose her pieces unwisely and shifted them without regard to their unpredictability."

You say, "Once I've made certain the shadow court removes her, my loyalty to the heathens will be fairly undeniable."

You say, "Allow me to continue her work instead."

You have emoted: Somaria places a hand upon her hip, casting an impassionate glance around the courtyard.

Boredly, you say, "Order Sthai to remove the brand and I will continue to work towards Your glory."

Icy malevolence fills you as a flaming eye manifests upon the air.

Coldly, you say, "Celina wouldn't have made it much further anyway."

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "Perhaps not."

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "She slighted you and you have ruined her. You are My child still, in spirit."

You say, "As such, you should be proud at how I've grown."

You say, "I would not have taken Iwiertas from you if I hadn't needed him to cut her down. He is still of use however, in service to me."

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "Is that so."

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "You have made an enemy of Sthai."

You say, "Sthai simply can not respect the fact that her student has fallen to me."

You say, "Celina should use this failure to learn and grow and better serve You."

An icy pain shoots through your consciousness and the eye flares with energy.

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "Your mind is layered with one conceit upon another, Somaria."

You say, "Perhaps."

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "And as you slip from one layer to another, your allegiances shift fluidly."

A floating eyeball of crimson flame says, "Remember that at your centre, there I wait and watch, and no mortal means may dislodge Me. I know your heart and mind, Somaria. And you are Mine."

You say, "And yet until the brand is removed, you will have nothing from me."

The air warms as a blazing eyeball closes its tenebrous lids about itself and vanishes.

From deep within the recesses of your mind a malicious voice whispers, "Your pacts and feuds with Sthai are none of My concern, child. Fight your battles and perhaps I will give you the true victory over Sthai you so earnestly desire."

You say, "My statement stands, Master. Until I may hunt and do as I wish freely without worry of Your followers hunting me down, I will do nothing."

dashfkjahdfadshf

I'm in over my head

Celina is so far in I have no idea what to do with her right now.

Well, you could either try to worm your way out, or go to Terentia, Eventru, or Nocht maybe for protection.

The easiest way to deal with Fain is act like a complete idiot and like you have no talent for subterfuge. Which are both true!

I didn't get to save it, but

You say, "Fain..."

Iwiertas tells you, "Wait... no."

Iwiertas tells you, "Come here."

You get up off a long black leather couch.

Somaria tilts her head curiously at you.

Iwiertas tells you, "Quickly."

You say, "Follow."

You say, "Quickly."

Somaria gets up off a long black leather couch.

Somaria begins to follow you.

Somaria nods her head emphatically.

You shed Shadowcaster faeling form and flow as a spirit through the verdant leaves, embracing the physical once more and arrive at putrefied glen.
Putrefied glen.
The hypnotic scent of roses lingers in the air, permeating the terrain in an array of sweet aromas from a healing shrine of Viravain nearby. Filling the firmament is a lattice of heavy grey clouds. Casting darkness all around, a shadow totem thrusts up from the ground, chilling the air. A blackthorn sapling clings tenaciously to the ground here. Clad in elegant crimson robes, a handsome viscanti smiles warmly from the shadows of his cowl. A starving deer stands here, trembling. Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow is here.
You see exits leading southwest and northwest.
Observing your entrance, Safiyah i'Xiia conceals a sneer behind his hand as he affects a cough.

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow asks, "I'm sorry, sir?"
3479h, 4396m, 5244e, 10p exk-look safiyah

Lean and athletic despite the enveloping crimson vestments that hang about him, this young viscanti male stands with an effortless excellence of deportment. Framed by the red of his cowl, his features are noble. High cheek bones lend his visage an unconscious arrogance, and large violet-irised eyes gaze evenly from either side above an aristocratic nose. His skin is dark and unblemished, with a natural sheen. His hair is fashionably cut, and his mouth is curved in a pleasant smile. His robes, though of simple priestly cut, are of costly manufacture, with golden thread tracing complex patterns upon silky cloth dyed a bright and lustrous crimson. An expensive scent hangs about him, and he wears a single, unostentatious ring bearing the i'Xiia coat of arms.
Safiyah i'Xiia has an air of extreme strength.

Somaria tells you, "Damn.."

{Edited out bits of me running around like a headless chicken. No idea why I did that}

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Lord Emar d'Murani, what a pleasure."
Safiyah i'Xiia flashes a charming smile.

Iwiertas jerks slightly as the air fills with sparkling motes of bright light.

Iwiertas raises an eyebrow questioningly.

You blink.

Spreading his arms wide, Iwiertas spins clockwise and a shimmering white orb springs up around him.

You ask Safiyah i'Xiia, "What do you want, visitor?"

Safiyah i'Xiia laughs pleasantly.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Why! To take the air amid this pleasantly pungent forest."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Are you exercising, noble Emar? You seem to be running around."

Safiyah i'Xiia examines his finger nails absently.

You suddenly notice Somaria casually standing in the location.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "One might almost say.. panicked."

You smile softly.

Somaria Makiare` crosses her arms under her chest, narrowing her eyes gently as she regards the Viscanti.

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow frowns and says, "Quite."

Turning his eyes upwards, Safiyah i'Xiia composes his face into a semblance of piety and murmurs a prayer.

Safiyah i'Xiia chuckles melodiously to himself.

Your eyes sparkle with amusement.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Quite the conundrum."

You say to Safiyah i'Xiia, "I assure you that it was nothing of the kind, though I am sure you have not made the trek from your home to exchange mere pleasantries."

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.

Somaria's eyes repeatedly shut as she tries to stay awake.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "I cannot begin to imagine why you chose to live in this ghastly, dank wood."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "The society here is simply disgraceful."

Iwiertas gives a pained sigh.

Plainly, you say, "I would say the same of that city of yours."

With an insincere laugh, Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Quite, quite."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "It has certainly gone down hill. There is nothing but scandal and gossip."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "But I do wonder what could possibly have possessed you to move out to this cultural backwater."

You raise an eyebrow questioningly.

Iwiertas tilts his head and listens intently.

Somaria's eyes repeatedly shut as she tries to stay awake.

Safiyah i'Xiia sniffs the air in an over-exaggerated fashion.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "So damp."

You say, "I do prefer it to the noxious air of taint that pertains yours, but I suppose it is each to their own, no?"

The cloud cover clears, revealing the sparkling night sky.

Iwiertas's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

The screeching of a crow echoes through the dark woods, sounding almost like harsh laughter.

Somaria smiles softly at Iwiertas.

With a twinkle in his eye, Safiyah i'Xiia says, "This is a curious failing in a curious faeling."

You beat your wings furiously, hovering in the air.

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow smiles with a wink and says, "I'm certain the fact that it's alive might bear some attraction. I seem to remember the last -life- I saw in Magnagora was some wildflowers."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "After all, your family, somewhat vulgar though it may be, was born in the womb of taint and rose to semi-greatness out of its rich and fertile earth."

Somaria's eyes repeatedly shut as she tries to stay awake.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "For the temple of My Master is the world."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "All, even these dreadful, backwood woods."

You chuckle long and heartily.

Iwiertas peers at you unscrupulously.

Iwiertas reaches out and touches Somaria.

Shaking his head, you say, "It seems we are still exchanging pleasantries. Well, if so, then you must allow me to indulge more... I care little for d'Murani business, but I assure you whatever scandal that apparently flocks here is nothing compared to the incestuous scandal that breeds within the city of taint."

You smile and say, "And I think you shall find, that your Master has no influence in the Dark Forest."

Safiyah i'Xiia exclaims, "So I have heard!"

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "You d'Murani must try to curb your enthusiasms."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Pleasantries."

With a wicked smile, Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow says, "I must say, the last report I had on your city labeled them as the reason for a lot of your culture."

Safiyah i'Xiia pauses and gazes at you in mock befuddlement.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "I have quite forgotten why I was here."

Safiyah i'Xiia exclaims, "Ah yes!"

You smile and say, "I still do not know why you are here."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "The prodigal druid."

Somaria narrows her eyes to thin slits.

Iwiertas's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.


Somaria's exhausted mind can stay awake no longer, and she falls into a deep sleep.

A large shadow flits across the edge of your vision for a bare instant, vanishing between the trees.

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow asks, "And you wish?"

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "My dear Somaria, you glower far too much. You should be careful lest it leave lines on the skin."

Iwiertas narrows his eyes to thin slits.

Somaria opens her eyes and yawns mightily.

Somaria stands up and stretches her arms out wide.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Was it a pleasant sleep, Somaria?"

Somaria Makiare` says to Safiyah i'Xiia, "Speak not to me."

Somaria glances askance.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "You have quite the reputation, or so I've heard."

Iwiertas winces in pain.

Somaria narrows her eyes to thin slits.

Somaria Makiare` asks, "Reputation?"

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow says, "Look at me, Viscanti."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "They say you over-charged."

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow says, "Now."

Safiyah i'Xiia examines his fingernails critically.

Somaria steps up to Safiyah i'Xiia and, in one smooth motion, backhands him viciously across the face.

Iwiertas gives a pained sigh.

Safiyah i'Xiia shakes his hands free of his sleeves and flicks his wrists, unleashing twin coruscating bolts of crimson lightning at Somaria.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Now now, we cannot have that."

Safiyah i'Xiia shakes his hands free of his sleeves and flicks his wrists, unleashing twin coruscating bolts of crimson lightning at Somaria.

Safiyah i'Xiia begins to chant in a deep and baleful voice, and an iron cross rises up from the ground before Somaria. Vicious spikes slam into her flesh and nail her to the cross. She screams in pain and agony as blood is spattered in all directions.
Somaria has been slain by Safiyah i'Xiia.
Somaria drops a carton of eggs.
Somaria drops a bunch of pennyroyal.
Somaria drops a sparkleberry.
Somaria drops a bunch of pennyroyal.
Somaria drops a sprig of chervil.
Somaria drops a sprig of chervil.
Somaria drops a sprig of chervil.
Somaria drops a stalk of faeleaf.
Somaria drops a stalk of faeleaf.
Somaria drops a sprig of chervil.
Somaria drops a sprig of chervil.
3479h, 4396m, 5244e, 10p exk-wield cudgel

You begin to wield a mystic cudgel in your left hand.

Iwiertas begins to wield a kite shield in his left hand.

You begin to wield a magic tome in your right hand.

Iwiertas begins to wield a golden sickle in his right hand.

The soul of Somaria swirls in the air like a sparkling whirlwind, then vanishes in a flash of chromatic colours.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "I am most disappointed that it has come to this."

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow says, "I see."

Somaria arrives from the northwest.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "But a gentleman cannot allow a whore to slap him."

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow says, "Would you kindly..."

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow hisses, "Explain yourself."

Arilyon arrives following Ashai d'Murani.
Ashai arrives from the northwest.

With widening eyes, Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Explain myself? Why! Explanations are so dull."

Iwiertas smiles softly.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "It is a pity our interview has been cut short, dear Iwiertas."

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "Regretably it seems I have some... urgent business to attend to."

Arilyon gives Safiyah i'Xiia the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

Somaria begins to follow you.

Safiyah i'Xiia smiles pleasantly at the growing party of angry forest-dwellers.

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow smiles broadly and says, "Shame, tell Fain I send him my best wishes."

Safiyah i'Xiia smiles with a tinge of malice.

Safiyah i'Xiia says, "I will do just that."

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow asks, "Perhaps Maylea can cheer him up with a bunch of wildflowers?"

You say, "Enough, Iwiertas."

Druid Iwiertas, the Midnight Crow gives a vicious smile.

Somaria tells you, "Apologies.."

A crimson robed viscanti dissolves into the mist.

You look thoughtful and say, "This is problematic."

I did!

It works for me.

I offer corpses, He ignores me, I don't get anything out of the order, but hey, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

:sigh: me too and a pretty good prayer for Him.... Gotta think of a cunning plan to practice the principles of His order to get His Attention i hear.