Fantasy Obscuria

[Coin]

OBSCURIA
O sweet Divinity, wherefore will you not accost us again?​

Prologue: Blossom
I hate this God-scorned city.

I have always hated this city.

They passed me by with flared nostrils, plucked naked of every hair. Their practiced giggles echo off cold cobble. How dare I spit upon the eyes of the pious with my body so vile. I am unsightly. I am disdain.

So, what have I become after the Sorrows? A beast, a monster, an affront to God's sacred mankind? No, I am Moonfallen. And so are they, Moonfallen, just as I.

I say, let them suffer persecution as I have, for God calls unto me to join Him under the Moon's glow.

The corpse of Atoire, the Church Leper was found knelt before the dilapidated altar of the parish church. His hands clutched each other appearing to beg forgiveness, and whereupon his forehead rested. At first glance, it would have appeared that the leper priest was praying, as he oft did. The truth was grisly. Atoire had driven a thin wooden stake through the left eye hole of his bronze mask, skewering his brain by many inches. Tendrils of silver, like thicket vines, had already crept from out of the socket and mask. They curled around his metallic visage and onto his hands and wrists, and even began to reach for the altar below. Not a fleck of blood was anywhere to be found.

At last, Atoire had blossomed -- he had become beautiful in death. The curse of his rancid leprosy had been cured by another curse, he too was Moonfallen. A neatly folded parchment scrawled in black ink lay next to him, and was passed on to those who could read.

Spoiler: GM Notation

The player group consists of a handful of character from varying backgrounds. They have been surviving together for at most a month (unless relations were formed before the Sorrows), and at least a week. After a narrow escape from the city limits, they found refuge in the Parish Church near the farmsteads outside of Yhark-Disan. The rumors of a leper caretaker were true as the party rested as the only guests of the church. The food was stale and hardly edible, the water tasted of iron, and the beds were stacks of tick-laden hay. Still, it was the best comfort they had had in a while. They had lodged there for a few days before Atoire broke.

While they slept, Atoire, took his own life. For a few days, he had offered compassion and salvation from the hunters that sought to destroy the Moonfallen among the group. His kindness, though strange at times, was the first the group had encountered in the many months since the Sorrows. Perhaps it would be appropriate to lay his body to rest.

---

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Obscuria's Discord is now open.

 

[Bang Bang]

MYAH

When the body was discovered, Myah's first thought was - as it always was - of Cyril. Of course she felt some degree of grief and pity for the deceased leper, but what could she do for him now that he was gone? The beauty of his corpse, framed by bracelets and a mask of silver, only served to make the sight of his suicide more affecting. However, it was not herself whom Myah feared for; more and more often as the days went on, she'd caught Cyril lying awake all through the night, or starting from dreams she could not shield him from.

How many more sleepless nights would a tragedy like this induce?

Her concern was not selfless. Though she might be half-mad already, even she knew that protecting Cyril served a purpose for her own sanity's sake. Worrying about him was much easier than paying heed to the sense of breaking nausea in her abdomen.

As she stood with the other refugees who'd taken shelter in the parish, Myah kept one hand on the hilt of her sword, the other resting protectively on Cyril's back. The shadows under his eyes were already so dark... or maybe that was just the effect of the unfavorable lighting cast by the stained glass above the altar, stark and dim all at once. The exhaustion on his face reminded her of Atoire in his last few days, handing out food that could barely be considered safe, cheeks hollowed. It was not a likeness she considered to bode well.

"What does it say?" She asked of the letter Atoire had left, for, if she had ever been able to read, she could do so no longer. Against her best intentions, her eyes returned to the corpse. There was something uncanny about the body, so gruesomely penetrated and yet barren of blood or viscera.She didn't know what to say, when all she could think was 'he looks so peaceful'. All she could do was hope that the tightness in her chest was not the stirrings of envy.


Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif E50M Meredith Xevia Coin
OOC: If there's anything I need to edit Coin, I should be able to this evening (GMT) if the half-way hotel has wifi, so I can fix it before Sunday's official start. Hope it's a sufficient length, blah blah blah, and assuming all is well, see you kids when I've fled to America!

 

[Meredith]

Ascot Barley

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif E50M Bang Bang Xevia Coin
Location: The Parish Church
Mood: Grim
OOC: I'm HYPED. If anything needs to be changed Coin , let me know~

Ascot was grateful, in a way, that the group so often traveled together. It helped in many ways - the most pressing being that nobody had to discover heinous scenes alone. He felt that helped with morale, he felt, at least in his most rational moments.

Now, he felt a pronounced sense of sadness, even of loss. This man was a good man. Had been a good man, even if he was a religious man, in his life. He had offered shelter, protection, a place their group to feel safe and secure for the first time in at least a month. Acscot let his hand reach his brow, massaging it, as he gazed down upon the body.
The priest had deserved so much more than this.

He took in a long, shaky breath, exhaling quickly as his mind started to race. "Myah, Cyril..." A pause. "Erasmus. Don't touch him."

Ascot kneeled next to the corpse. He took the paper into his hand, unfolding it deliberately, his eyes roaming the page slowly. "He believes he has gone to be with God, Myah. Let it be so."
He swapped the paper into his left hand, offering it to Adam, his right hand moving to wrap around Atoire's last prayer.
"Adam.. we can carry him. Out to the graveyard."

His head bowed, for a moment, and he held his pose. The priest's hands were clammy under his own, semi-slack, dirty. A year ago, he never would have conidered touching a leper, but... well. Times change.

 

[E50M]

With eyes gently closed, Adam sat upon one of the church benches with his body hunched forward. His rough hands pressed themselves, with strength and anger, against his forehead. He had been in the position for several minutes, rarely showing any emotions aside from the occasional tensed jaw muscles. There was conflict within him, a struggle within his mind as he raced to decide whether or not to feel happiness or sadness at the loss of Atoire. The damn leper was a Moonfallen, the man’s sin against the natural order exposed as its tendrils bloomed from within his body.

Reclining back against the church bench, Adam rested naturally with his hands placed quietly on his thighs. Tracing the form of Atoire’s body to his tendrils, sadness along with the mixture of awe took hold of him. Even if the blasted thing was a Moonfallen, Atoire gave birth to a beautiful sight. He couldn’t help, to the protest of his hatred, but compare the sight to a painting that was a gift by his long-gone father. Atoire took a form that was akin to fantasy, a thing that was beyond natural life. Begrudgingly, Adam admitted to himself that mankind had lost a man of virtue and of value.

Even though Adam’s malice was palpable when he met Atoire, the man continued to gift him shelter and food. Even when he vehemently cursed against the Moonfallen, he wasn’t expelled or casted into the wilderness. From that, Adam couldn’t help but feel respect for the leper. Atoire was more human than most Moonfallen and it was from him that allowed Adam to see a small human side of the cursed abominations.

With a small subtle smile, Adam whispered a single small farewell.

Hearing his name being called, Adam turned his attention from the form of Atoire towards Ascot and focused on the piece of paper offered by the man. Frowning, Adam got up from his bench and took small and quiet steps towards Ascot and grasped the letter. Giving a glance at the contents written in the letter, Adam could make out some of the characters but the meaning of the words was lost to him. He wasn’t literate… his family couldn’t afford the lessons—to give him and his siblings a proper education.

Focusing on the corpse of the leper, Adam gave a firm nod at the request. The last thing that he could offer towards the church leper was a proper rest within the welcoming embrace of the world. While Moonfallen, the leper allowed him to express a small fragment of his past self and that was worth more than silver or his bias.

“We will… we will give this,” Adam paused as he furrowed his eyebrows as he contemplated on his choice of words, “Ascot, yes… let us bring Atoire to the graveyard. The last thing we can do for this man is to give him a proper rest.”

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif Meredith Bang Bang Xevia Coin

 

[dwif]

Atoire had truly been blessed, his unwavering faith was the reason for such a gift. God had not only cured his leprosy but replaced it with a most beautiful form, one truly fitting for one such as Atoire. Erasmus couldn't help but admire his new form, not with jealousy but with pure admiration. Tears began to well up in the old man's eyes as he examined the divine silver mask. Is this what was waiting for him upon his death? Would he blossom into a creature of such radiance?

He wiped his eyes and looked to those around him. Each were a special soul, they must be, why else would God have saved them and given them a chance to join him in paradise? Despite being much older than his companions there was still much that he could learn from each of them. Each walked a different path before The Sorrows, yet each of them had displayed enough virtues to survive. In that sense they were one and the same.

His companions began to deliver the body of Atoire to his final resting place. "Myah my dear will you help this old fool outside? My back isn't what it used to be and I want to see this good man off to the next life." How long after The Sorrows did people stop burying their dead? He had lost count of the number of bodies he had discovered during his pilgrimage, unable to bury them he had to make do with offering each one a prayer that would see that they rest peacefully.

He patiently waited for the grave to be dug, fetching water for those doing the digging. It wasn't much in the way of helping but it was all that he could do with his old body. With the grave dug he helped with the lowering of the body. "Atoire was a good man, afflicted with a vile disease. Despite this his faith never wavered. His generosity and self-sacrifice are something that we can all learn from. A true paragon of the faith, and he was rewarded by having having his sickly form replaced with the one that you see before us. There is no doubt that a man such as Atoire is now beside God in paradise, a truly fitting place for him." He bowed his head in a moment of silent respect to the man who had provided each of them shelter. "Are there any of you that wish to say some words?"

Tags: CerpinTaxt Meredith B Bangbang Xevia E50M Coin

 

[CerpinTaxt]

Cyril

He was so horrendously exhausted. Another night of staying awake. Another night of staring at Myah as she was given the sweet comfort of sleep. It wasn't fair..so horrendous unfair. Her hand against his back was oddly comforting in a way. His eyes, as well as the dark rings around them, were all that could be seen. His helmet, as anachronistic as it was, was quite good at hiding his facial features. His tired eyes peered down at the deceased leper. "Such a shame.." His boyish voice was slightly muffled from his attire. Despite his age, he sounded closer to a teen than someone in their mid-teens. His accent was certainly one that could be considered 'posh'. At one point at least. Ever since he was given the curse, his accent had slowly began to crumble. Less posh and more..'unrefined'. It seemed he was having to consciously speak with that accent. "I suppose he will be happy to be free of this blight."

The large men of the group had already began to make their moves to bury the old man. "I..suppose I will check the church for food? I know he had little but..perhaps he was simply rationing it out as long as he could." It made sense, honestly. It was also unlikely. If Cyril had to guess, the old man had killed himself the day he realized there was no food left. It was best to die for your God than starve any longer. "I'll check later. We'll check later." The old priest had already moved to assist the men who went to take the leper to his grave. Cyril didn't feel like it would be right for him to wander off.

So he stayed. Or rather, he wandered off in search of tools to help them dig. A rusty shovel was all he found, laying in a small pile of dirt which contained what looked to be some attempt at a mass grave. The wood old and rotten. Too much pressure would be sure to snap it right off the rusted and dull blade of the shovel. It would seem that..this is all they had. He turned his head back to the others, stumbling back to them with tired and unsure footsteps. He really wanted to sleep.

The old man spoke up, asking the others to say a few words for Atoire. "I.." Cyril began to speak, his voice faintly trailing off. What did he have to say? He appreciated everything the leper had done for him. He was appreciative that he never seemed to judge them. For all the classes his family paid for, for all the eulogy's of dying relative's he heard..it wasn't enough to prepare him to say something about the dead. "Atoire was a wonderful man. His heart was unaffected by the judgement that so many would have give us. He was, in the true sense of the word, a..savior." Cyril stuck the old shovel in the dirt, allowing whoever wished to dig first to grab it.

Bang Bang dwif E50M Meredith Coin

 

[Bang Bang]

MYAH

Erasmus did not need to ask twice; once Myah had watched Cyril depart, her eyes following him to the door, she was quick to smile and come to the older man's aid. She likely wouldn't refuse such a request from anyone, but for the holy man, she was especially willing to go out of her way. She liked his eyes and how kind they felt. Taking a careful hold of the man, she followed behind the others and the corpse. "You are no fool, Father," she murmured, voice soft, before a small smirk crept in. "Though I won't deny you're old."

Myah dug with the others, aided in the lowering, and as always, returned to Cyril's side when she was done. "Steady," she said under her breath, using a hand to catch him as he stumbled. She'd been right: he hadn't slept. It was all she could do to provide herself for him to lean against as she stood silent, listening to his words which, to her at least, seemed eloquent. She didn't realise it until she felt moisture dripping from her chin, but the priest's words alone had brought her eyes to watering– or maybe the tears were brought on by the acute sense of worry twisting in her gut.

It wasn't just Cyril who she had to think of now. Looking about at the group, even Ascot seemed numbed out, having taken a hold of a leper without so much as wincing at the consequences. Something felt off, even more so than usual.

"He was kind," Myah said, not one for words but nonetheless, she'd felt strongly about the deceased and that seemed enough to animate her tongue. "That's none too easy, nowadays."

When everyone had said their dues, she took up Cyril's discarded spade and threw the first spat of dirt over the body. The shovel groaned and wobbled, but held until the corpse was covered. Recalling Cyril's previous suggestion, she returned to him with the clipped question of, "Food?" Before crouching, giving him the silent offer of a piggyback without thinking much of it. It would be easier to carry him than watch him stumble about, each misstep a reminder of what was happening to all of them.



Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif E50M Meredith Xevia Coin
OOC: something tells me shit's only gonna get worse for the gang from here on out

 

[Coin]

OBSCURIA
Church Courtyard​

Dawn.

Since the Sorrows, daytime had been terribly skewed. Though dim light would scatter across the horizon, the sun was nowhere to be seen for the whole day. Worse yet, the nights that followed seemed unending as the hours turned to dozens of hours of unrelenting darkness. Dawn would always come eventually to grant a momentary reprieve, a reprieve that lasted not long enough. It was as if the sun was struggling to break the abyssal nights with each day, and only getting weaker with each rise.

Before the Sorrows, dawn was a simple, beautiful thing. It was the mother of another new day, the beacon of opportunity that draped its warm rays across the country. It was now no more than a single match struck in the devastating blackness of Yhark-Disan's grim scape. Dawn was the single, fleeting reward that one had survived yet another midnight of bloodshed and chaos.

Today was no exception. As the first dull glimmers of light pierced the remnants of night, the surviving gathered the dead and returned them to the earth. The place where the church-dwellers chose to bury Atoire was once a serene garden, sprouting with mulberries and chrysanthemums, now only decrepit and rotted vines remained. As they gathered to pay their respects and bury their temporary host, a rustling could be heard to keen ears a few yards beyond the garden's low fence. If anybody had been listening carefully, it would sound like the snapping of dry twigs and perhaps even a pained gasp, quickly shadowed by a small flock of fleeing ravens nearby.

 

[E50M]

Adam

With eyes casted downwards upon the corpse of Atoire, Adam watched in fascination as the burial proceeded. With each particle of dirt falling downwards, the leper’s body was slowly covered by the earth itself. The entire situation intrigued the normally apathetic man, having been used to seeing decaying corpses. He had to, considering he was responsible for the deaths of several people at the height of his madness. The only burials he would grant to people were the occasional bonfires that he himself would ignite.

As the last finishing touches of the pitiful grave took place, Adam focused on the rising promise of peace and tranquility. The last heavenly body left with the will to grant light and truth to the survivors of the world. To Adam, the sun had taken a hold of his soul as it became a symbol of holiness and perhaps even a god to him. Even if the heavenly being no longer possessed the vitality that he once remembered, it was still there in the overwhelming abyss.

Does the sun still rise in the hopes of finding the moon? Just as humanity waits for the light in the dark?

Ridiculous thoughts. Turning his attention back towards the grave of Atoire, Adam whispered a small good bye. It seemed that whenever he finds a good soul, they would depart much sooner than desired. Perhaps it was a message to him. Perhaps the death of Atoire was a punishment for the transgressions he himself performed. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Adam discretely began focusing on the environment around him. The last thing he wanted was to really consider what he had done before he met Ascot, before he met Atoire, and before he met the others around him.

It was a stroke of luck that Adam managed to hear the faintest of noises that perturbed the general atmosphere. The snapping of dry wood instantly alerted Adam, raising his attentiveness of his surroundings. If he hadn’t snapped out of his small internal monologue, it was likely he would had missed the sounds. With the sudden departure of ravens, as they retreated to the skies above, suspicion took hold of Adam. Whatever it was, it was enough to disturb ravens.

Grasping the handle of his trusty blade, Adam turned his attention towards where he believed the noise originated from. Slightly off from the true direction, Adam took a few steps forward towards the source. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good news. Perhaps it could had been a small rodent, but that wouldn’t disturb ravens. Even if Adam had little formal education, he knew one thing: ravens were intelligent. His days as a guardsman allowed him to observe some birds that hung around the marketplaces and buildings and he rarely found crows or ravens lacking.

Whatever created the noises frightened the ravens enough to flee. Whatever it was beyond the fences was dangerous. Whatever it was needed to be killed. Murdered. Dismembered. Butchered. He needed to kill whatever it was outside. With each passing thought, Adam’s grip upon the handle of his blade tightened. Yet, before he could take a single step forward, he felt a strange calmness wash through his violent mind. While it wasn’t enough to convince Adam to change his course of actions, it was enough for him to warn the others before he began.

“There’s… something coming from this direction,” Adam began suddenly with a moderate and controlled voice, pointing with his left hand at where he thought the source of the noises originated from. “Snapping of twigs. I will be checking it. I will find out what it is. If it turns out be to a threat, I will kill it.”

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif Meredith Bang Bang Xevia Coin

 

[Coin]

OBSCURIA
Hear you not, the baying of wolves?​

There was a more audible gasping and additional rustling from the dry foliage beyond the fence as Adam declared his intent of violence, if necessary. Many twigs snapped and scraped against one another as the culprit moved about. A moment later, a figure revealed itself, stepping out from the concealment of the thicket. A becloaked woman came forth, one hand pressed to her lower abdomen and the other raised in a disarming fashion to show that she was not armed. She walked with a slight gait, staggering slightly on her left foot. With each measured step, fresh blood flowed from several small teeth-like punctures that wrapped viciously across her exposed left ankle.

"H-hold it!" The woman called out, eyes wide in fright. Her voice was ragged and hoarse. "I swear I'm no threat, I promise, I promise! I'm injured -- not gravely, but I'm looking for sanctuary. I knew of this old church from hearsay, they told me I would find mercy here!"

As the woman slowly approached the garden fence, her features became clearer in the dawnlight. It was clear she had not been an adult for long, but deep bags under her eyes and frayed oaken hairs that escaped the confines of her filthy cloak betrayed her juvenile age. She was dressed in a simple blouse and a pair of trousers that were too large and too long for her shorter legs, both covered in burrs and twigs. Her left shoe was nowhere to be seen, and the remnants of its twin were not in great shape either with all that remained being a sole and leather straps. The midsection of her blouse was stained in sweat and both dry and fresh blood. Her hand that clutched her gut was brown with blood that must have been her own.

The most striking of her features was perhaps her golden irises that seemed to almost glow like a pair of gems. Her eyes were slitted like that of a serpent's.

"T'was the hunters. Blood thirsty and savage, the whole lot. I managed to escape Yhark-Disan, only barely." She let out a wet cough into her shoulder as she explained herself. "I thank God that I found His house."

 

[Meredith]

Ascot Barley

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif E50M Bang Bang Xevia Coin
Location: The Parish Church
Mood: Well, Why Not?
OOC: Ascot is being the friendly boy he is

"He was a kind man," Ascot reaffirmed, a fact, not cold but detached from the darkness of the situation. "He was a leper, an outcast before the Sorrows, but was not bitter. Not in life." The barkeep helped bury the leper, taking a sort of solace in it, letting himself stand almost completely still with his thoughts. The others' words were... well, beautiful, weren't they?

He watched Adam move, taking a few steps behind the other man, reminding himself that there wasn't much he was sure how to do in the fight. His hands shook, gently, barely noticeable to the naked eye. He watched as the woman came out of the foliage. He watched as she spoke. His eyes scanned her, kindly, with a preset of sadness twinkling in his eyes.
"Please. Sit down."

Ascot took a few steps towards the woman, showing her clearly he was not armed, his head dropping for a moment. It came back up, and near-tears shone in his eyes, though none fell. He took a deep breath. "The caretaker of this place is not with the world any longer. We had no way to know he was going to..." His voice lapsed, but only for a second. "Nothing to do, now."

The bartender turned his head towards the others, swallowing, pulling himself together. "Do any of you know how to tend wounds?"

 

[CerpinTaxt]

Cyril

Myah was so kind, graciously offering the tired Cyril a ride so the boy wouldn't risk hurting himself with his stumbling footsteps. The others spoke their piece about Atoire as he was buried, but Cryil seemed to be more focused on resting his eyes. It was long until the sudden sounds of fleeing raven's startled him and ruining his attempts at rest. Adam was moving towards the source of the fleeing ravens and rustling brush.

The girl that came into view a few moments later was certainly Moonfallen. Her eye's practically gave it away. "I'm..sorry to say this but..you arrived here too late. As Ascot said, the caretaker recently passed." Good thing he could still form complete sentences, or this would have been awful. Cyril's tired eyes watched the young girl, observing her various wounds. The wound on her leg peaked her interest. "Did they unleash dogs on you?" She really did seem like quite a mess. He had no medical experience to speak of, and he doubted Myah did. Oh- yes, he almost forgot about her offer.

Carefully Cyril hoisted himself up on Myah's back, his tired frame pressing against her as his arms wrapped around her body. He couldn't say if she felt warm or cold; his armor preventing so. "Let me go if there's danger..I could probably hold my own." He whispered in her ear before letting out yet another yawn. "I'm sorry to say this to you stranger but..I doubt we could do much for you. Those wounds look grievous, at least from where I stand. Is there other rumored sanctuaries? We could..perhaps lead you to them? If you don't succumb to your wounds."

He really wished he could do more for the girl.

Bang Bang Coin dwif Meredith E50M [/color]

 

[dwif]

Erasmus was never a fighter in his younger years, never once throwing a punch at another person. But now that time had become to take its toll on his body, any use that he may have had in a fight was gone. His bones were weak, his muscles had began to waste away, and his reactions were slow. So he hid behind the others when the movement in the bushes began to move closer, hoping not to get in their way if worse came to worst.

A young woman stumbled from the bushes moments later. She was clearly shaken and injured, and seemed to pose no threat to the group. Even if this was a ruse she was outnumbered by his companions. He approached her, supporting himself on his walking stick. He lowered himself to the ground to be able to meet her eye "Would to allow me to look at your wounds? I may be able to help treat them." It was important to make her feel at ease before treating her wounds, he'd seen it before those who are panicked and jumpy make it difficult to tend to their wounds. He carefully pulled up what remained of her trouser leg to inspect the wounds more closely. It was a bad wound but not one that seemed to be particularly fatal. He lifted himself to his feet and entered the church to collect items to treat the woman.

The search took several minutes but he eventually returned with fresh water and the cleanest cloth that he could find. He returned to the ground next to the woman "This may be painful and I apologize for that, but it should help stop the blood flow and aid in recovery." He gently washed the wounds with the water before applying bundled cloth to each of the puncture wounds and binding it all tightly. "It will be difficult to walk for sometime and it'll be important to keep your weight off of it when possible. You should also know that if the rot begins to set in you might have to remove the foot." He allowed her a moment for that to sink in. He had seen many amputations take place in the past, they were quick and brutal, and those requiring it were lucky to survive much long after it. "I'll do all I can to prevent that from happening but my knowledge is limited. You could do with some new shoes to keep the dirt from the wounds." He gently removed what remained of her single shoe and exchanged it for his set of leather shoes. "You may also take my stick to keep weight off of the leg, don't worry I can still move without it." He helped her to her feet and place the stick into her hands and started to lead her towards the church. "Come, you must be tired and hungry. You needn't fear now, this is a safe place.

Tags: CerpinTaxt Meredith B Bangbang Xevia E50M Coin

 

[Coin]

OBSCURIA
Church Courtyard​

"Ahh..," the stranger woman bowed her head to Ascot in respect for the late caretaker, whose name she did not even know. "That's a terrible shame. I regret that I will not have the chance to meet him. Some still trapped in the city cling to the hope that he and his kindness still live, myself included."

At the exile's mention of her wounds, she glanced down to inspect the injuries that riddled her body, as if she had somehow forgotten them, "Aye, the maddened hunters and their dogs gave chase to me. Two hunters and a whole pack of hounds. A dog had caught me good, and one of the hunters grazed me with his pistol. They's killin' everyone in sight, Moonfallen 'er not. I... think I will live, even without treatment, but I know not of any other sanctuaries, sir. Even if I survive my wounds now, I'll not last much longer on my own, I fear."

As she spoke, she hobbled around the fence and into the courtyard. She hissed in pain every time she put weight on her injured foot, and her hand did not leave the wound on her abdomen. Through the limping and pain, she perked up when the elderly man of the cloth offered to inspect her wounds, "Oh! I am blessed, truly blessed. I bid you kind souls one thousand gratitudes for your benevolence -- I assure you, I shan't burden you for long."

The woman's disheveled features became much clearer to the survivors as she limped closer. Her complexion was pale and gaunt from blood loss. Through her cracked lips, one might have even caught a glimpse of an elongated fang where a canine once was. While she might have been an attractive lass prior to that night, her current state could only evoke pity. After carefully resting herself onto the nearest stone bench in the garden, Erasmus was free to inspect and treat her maladies. The first rush of lukewarm water against her gashes and cuts earned a wince and a groan of pain, but the woman was quick to recover, "A-ah.., I've forgotten my manners. My name is... Cezelia." It seemed like she had to pause for a moment to remember the name.

"I hail from a family of jewelers from the city, well, before the Sorrows," she turned about to study the others that surrounded her. "Might I perhaps know the rest of your names? S-so that I may know the identities of my saviors, that is."

(( Myah ( Bang Bang ), Cyril ( CerpinTaxt ), Erasmus ( dwif ), Adam ( E50M ), Ascot ( Meredith ) ))

 

[Meredith]

Ascot Barley

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif E50M Bang Bang Xevia Coin
Location: The Parish Church
Mood: Close Enough.
OOC: Slightly calmer friendly boi is slightly calmer 10/10

Thank God for Erasmus.
Ascot snorted at his own thoughts, his head jerking briefly, looking back up at the woman. It wasn't often he thanked Erasmus for anything, was it? Oh well..

As the preist worked, he sidled over towards Cyril and Myah, letting his hand rise to touch the young noble's back. His voice low, he watched the woman, preoccupied as she was. "Are you alright?" His eyes scanned the pair, Myah carrying Cyril, Cyril exhausted-looking and weak. It was worrying, he thought, to see a young man in such shape.
There wasn't much more to do but wait. Wait for a response, wait for Erasmus to finish, wait.

The priest finished faster than Ascot had expected. The woman asked for names, and Ascot smiled. "My name is Ascot. And these are.. well, they'll tell you, I suppose."

 

[E50M]

Adam

Adam’s lips barely moved as he watched the Moonfallen carefully. When his companions offered the beast compassion, Adam remained passive. There was a small feeling of rage, but it was countered by the pitiful state of the young woman. Even if she were to turn on them, he was confident they could cut her down with ease. There was an urge within him, wanting to offer his service in tending to her wounds. Yet he didn’t lift his hand, his prejudice stronger than his nature and there was feeling of thankfulness when Erasmus offered to tend to the wounds.

Taking in a deep breath, Adam focused his attention towards the direction the woman stumbled from. There wasn’t a single sound that he could hear, but he cautioned himself nevertheless. He wasn’t sure if the others caught on, but the woman was pursued by hunters… people that shared several beliefs with himself. Regardless of what he thought of them, it was a clear case they were on a rampage and they had hounds with them. How long was it before the hunters found them? Would they had stopped chasing her for fresher pastures? Or really, they are stalking the prey in hopes to find a larger group of people? In a fight, Adam felt their success, as a group, as modest in terms of surviving against a group of attackers.

They’ll find out in the coming hours if the hunters are on their way or not. They will probably be cocky and confident and that should give hints of their presence. When they arrive, if they do, he will be prepared for them.

Turning his attention towards the young Moofallen, Adam gave a brief introduction of his name with a cold and neutral tone, “Adam.”

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif Meredith Bang Bang Xevia Coin

 

[Bang Bang]

MYAH

It was a rare occasion when Myah was the one to withhold trust. She was glad to have Cyril so close to her at the approach of the unknown, the warmth of his hands against her a small but appreciated comfort as the rest of her body grew chilled with unsubstantiated unease. Even when Erasmus, a man she considered a kind of spiritual guide, offered his aid to the woman, Myah still did not speak up and offer words of comfort. No matter how she tried to coax herself into experiencing the proper reactions, still she felt the hairs on the back of her neck raising. Instinct warned her to lead Cyril to safety, or to put herself between the rest of those she called companions and this stranger, but logic grappled and prevailed; she had no reason to fear a woman clearly injured, unusual in no way save for her eyes.

And yet, what moon-fallen curse had ever been limited to a discoloration of the irises?

Myah and Adam had found themselves at odds often, she being of the breed he hated, yet here they were unified in their apparent caution around the new comer. With a curt nod to the woman, Myah guided her hand to her sword and stayed it there, thumbing the fraying leather that bound the handle. "It is good to see a fresh face," she said, only half disingenuous, for their previous stay at the church had felt like a kind of limbo, a calm before the storm. If this woman was indeed the sign of that metaphorical weather breaking, then so be it. Although... Myah could not help wishing Cyril were better rested for it. And Erasmus, that he had not given up his walking aid... but what could she say to protest his kindness? He was in the right, and she merely devolving into paranoia.

She did not want to worry them with signs that she too was cracking.

"Myah. If you do not mind me asking, your eyes— are you moonfallen?" No matter her inner knowing that she ought to be polite, the gnawing of fear drove her to being blunt regardless. Perhaps she could disguise it as being so that they might know how best to tend to her. Either way, she was not going to dally if it would risk the others, least of all Cyril, who was not even remotely fit to tarry with a monster at the moment.



Tags: CerpinTaxt Coin E50M Meredith dwif
OOC: Apologies for the delay, I did not want to inflict my jetlagged-soaked writing on you all.

 

[CerpinTaxt]

Cyril

Cyri's attention went to Ascot as he approached him and Myah; voicing his concern to the boy. "Ah..I'm alright. Mostly. I haven't been able to sleep for the past few days.." His voice trailed off into a yawn, making his exhaustion all too clear; though it wasn't as if he'd been hiding it. "I'm Cyril." His attention went from Ascot to the newcomer who had introduced themselves. Erasmus had been quick to over them aid as well; though he could tell by the body language of Myah that she wasn't quite a fan of this kindness.

That wasn't to say her distrust of Cezelia wasn't to be expected. Cyril would have been surprised if she hadn't acted the way she had. Adam was..Adam. It seemed the group was rather split on how they felt about the girl. Cyril certainly had mixed feelings about the matter, what if she accidentally lead these hunters this way? He doubted the girl was some sort of 'scout' for them, simply by looking at her wounds.

"Miss Cezelia..are you sure they didn't follow you somehow? What if they followed your trail with those dogs and you accidentally lead them right towards us?" One of his hands moved to gently rest on Myah's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze; an attempt to comfort the woman. Cyril didn't want to think about a potential attack, let alone having to eventually leave the safety of this sanctuary. He was far too tired for it. His head gently rested against Myah's shoulder, his breathing slowing as he closed his eyes.

He had to try and get some rest.

He really hoped it would come.
Bang Bang Coin dwif Meredith E50M

 

[Coin]

OBSCURIA
Church Courtyard​

With Cezelia's immediate wounds tended to, she was much more aware to the eyes of scrutiny that surrounded her. As much as she could, she postured defensively with her arms crossed loosely in front of her chest. As much as she wanted to avoid the gazes of those around her, she was polite enough to make eye contact with her saviors.

"Oh, so they are very clear to see, then," Cezelia sighed as she bowed her head in shame. "Yes, Myah, I am Moonfallen. I began to show signs of the curse not long ago, though I am embarrassed to say that I do not know how long ago that is. I feel as if I have been running from Yhark'n for weeks, though this is the first dawn I have seen, I swear. It began while I was still in the city. I awoke in agony when the silver amulet on my neck burned like a hot iron on my skin. Everything happened too quickly, after that."

As if to prove herself not to be a liar, she moved the collar of her cloak aside to expose her neck and collarbone. Sure enough, a series of angry red lashes contrasted her pale skin in the outline of where a necklace might have once been worn. The scars looked like painful burns, and even blistered as such. Other Moonfallen exhibited similar scarification when directly in contact with silver. After Cezilia was certain the others had long enough to briefly glance at her burns, she shifted uncomfortably and tugged the shredded remains of her cloak around herself to protect her dignity -- or perhaps, something else.

Cezelia was quiet for several moments after Cyril raised his concerns for the danger that might have rode her coattails. Her visage was twisted in annoyance, as if struggling to remember, rather than an attempt to form an alibi. Finally, she cast her gaze aside and muttered an answer, "You will have to search your heart to believe a stranger as I, Cyril. The hunters' hounds will be of no issue anymore."

Her reply was flat, and the way she spoke seemed weighted by the shackles of shame. To those of sharper wit, it would become clearer that the many blood splattered upon her clothing would not be entirely her own. How convenient it was for all blood to harmonize as terrible crimson.

"I know that we tread in toiling times, and you all must be wary of someone like myself," Cezelia raised her head in hope. "But, will you accept me into your numbers? I- I can't bear to travel this dreaded road alone for much longer. I can be of help to you, of course! I can sew, and I can cook, I can even hold a sword like my brother used to. This may be a stretch, but I might even know of some place where the water has not been tainted!"

(( Myah ( Bang Bang ), Cyril ( CerpinTaxt ), Erasmus ( dwif ), Adam ( E50M ), Ascot ( Meredith ) ))

 

[Meredith]

Ascot Barley

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif E50M Bang Bang Xevia Coin
Location: The Parish Church
Mood: Calm
OOC: sorry that this is late

"Of course we're wary of strangers. You understand, of course, but..." Ascot hesitated. "If the others don't mind, I am willing to extend trust, always."
Ascot let his eyes wander across the group, finally settling on Adam. He knew the boy - man - has not been fond of Myah, when they had met, but it was all over now. It was fine, wasn't it?

He contemplated the hunters, a bit wary of her saying they wouldn't be a problem, but put his fears aside. Of course she was legitimate - she was injured.
Still, he couldn't quite clear his head. His body language closed, and remained a bit guarded, though he kept his head held high. "How far did you have to come to reach us?"

 

[E50M]

Adam

Barely a hint of movement graced Adam’s posture, aside from the rhythmic and controlled breathing, as he observed Cezelia’s form. There wasn’t a trace of interest and more of an analytical observation of a patient. The effects of silver on the Moonfallen were familiar to Adam and it aided in proving her background as a Moonfallen, not that that needed any validation.

It would be so easy to dispose of her, with her frail pale body. There were so many things that irked Adam and it would just be so easy to silence her. It’ll be better for the group to eliminate an unknown variable. The Moonfallen couldn’t be trusted and Cezelia wasn’t making it easier for them. Just pull out the blade and a nice thrust should do. It’ll even be a merciful kill, Adam reasoned to himself, the girl wouldn’t survive too long without their aid.

For the first time since the encounter with Cezelia, Adam’s grip slowly relaxed on the handle of his blade. Perhaps this was another test by the Gods? To test him of his path to recovery? Cezelia’s story certainly had no flaws that he could detect. Shouldn’t be too hasty. Moonfallen can be human. She could be human. Do not kill.

The group seemed to share his sentiment of being wary of Cezelia, however, and doesn’t that speak volume? It appears even that beast pretending to be a knight agrees. Ascot, a good man that Adam respected, seemed to have some suspicion. Naturally, the woman claims that there’s fresh water and somehow the hunter’s pets won’t bother them. To win their favor? Does the monster think they would fall for such tricks?

“What happened to the dogs?” Adam interjected into the conversation without notice, his voice still cold and laced heavily with suspicion, “I doubt they lost track of your scent. Don’t even entertain us with the idea of ‘fresh’ water Cezelia. I have little trust in you, but we’ll consider your usefulness.”

The words Adam spoke were far more than he had originally intended. It was probably the most words he stringed together since the Sorrows, yet he felt the need to. Even if the words he spoke weren’t the best in terms of flow, they were enough to communicate his point. Yet, even if he verbally disregarded the idea of fresh water, he mentally entertained the idea. Gods above, the water they had probably weren’t the best for his health.

Tags: CerpinTaxt dwif Meredith Bang Bang Xevia Coin

 

[Bang Bang]

MYAH

As Myah felt the shift in attitude among the rest alter course, she too lost hesitation in indulging in suspicion. Though Ascot seemed predisposed to offer trust, even he retained a wary undertone when he spoke. Cyril's hand, squeezing her shoulder tight, was enough to give her resolve in her protectiveness; he wasn't in a fit state to undergo betrayal if they left themselves vulnerable to it. His voice was soft in her ear, mirroring her attempt at good-willed civility, but he too clearly harbored reticence.

Whilst Myah struggled between the options of welcome and rejection, she realized something else; regardless of their choice, if the dogs were real, they'd find this place soon enough on the search for the scent. All their scents would be plain about this area for it to find, and who knew it it was only Cezelia they were tracking; what if it were all Moonfallen? Could a dog tell the scent of one? And what if it decided to change course and pursue them instead?

She didn't have the words to express all this aloud, fear seizing up her muscles as she gripped onto Cyril's thighs too tight, regretting it in an instance for she knew he's sense it. She didn't want to spook him; she just wanted him to sleep for once. "We need to get out of here," she said in a low voice, staring at the newcomer's feet. She felt a twitching in her jaw, an aching in her skull. God. Not now, please, not whilst Cyril was trying to rest upon her. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head, breathing in and out slowly as she counted down from ten, then began the process again. When the pain had subsided, she glanced up at the others, trying to show them she was fine, that she was safe to be around. "The church. They'll search it." It was too valuable a resource for them to do otherwise, every location now a potential resource for the few remaining scraps of food and tools in the world.

Panic mounted again in her chest. How would they flee the dogs? If they could track scent... They'd have to cross water to throw them off, or find a way to mask it. Regaining her hold upon Cyril, she took two steps back from the group. "The water— Is it a river? A lake, a well? What?" Myah asked Cezelia, voice short, not exactly rude but clearly pressed by a sense of urgency.

Tags: CerpinTaxt E50M Meredith Coin dwif

 

[Coin]

OBSCURIA
Church Courtyard​

"I'm afraid I'm not sure, Ascot," Cezelia responded, biting her lower lip as she replayed the memories in her head. Regret stained her expression. "The hunters gave chase to me around Quarnery Street, then I ran all the way to the Southern Maw to get out of the city. From there, I fled all the way here. I ran the whole night through trees and thicket, but I think the edge of Yhark'n ought to still be in view past the bramble yonder."

With a lazy wave of her hand, Cezelia gestured vaguely the direction she had initially approached from. Though she was still recovering from near-shock and a restless night of being on the run while seriously injured, she was correct in her directions. Eastward, the way she had come from, did indeed eventually lead to Yhark-Disan. Many paved paths lead back to the city, though none were more or less safer than hiking through the lowlands with bandits and monsters on the prowl. That much was evident when the survivors had made their initial trek to the Parish Church.

Whatever comfort that the others had given Cezilia shriveled away like ash in the wind as soon as Adam began to vocalize his suspicions of her. At any moment, the poor lass's heart seemed it might split in two. Somehow she kept it together, and mustered enough courage to choke a reply out, "I-I... you have to trust me, please, Adam. The hounds that chased me did not survive. The hunters may certainly have recalled more dogs, but the ones that hunted me are no more. They wouldn't possibly pursue me this far, not when the city is crawling with prey."

Cezelia brushed the tears that began to form in her eyes away. "T-this place of clean water I spake of, it's an overgrown grotto in the Sword Wood that my brother and I found when we were young. Water rushes through the underground cave there. It may be that it still runs clear. I truly have nothing to hide, you do believe me, don't you Myah?" She pleaded with her eyes as well, begging for the other woman to take her side at least.

Spoiler: GM Notation

The Church, if searched thoroughly by one or several of the survivors, would yield unsurprisingly little supplies. There is the mite-infested straw bedding that they had slept on, a single ceramic pot filled with spoiling salted beef, a half empty jug of consecrated wine, and some brass chimes. Of course, the altar, pews and parts of the church itself could be dismantled for workable wood and cloth as well. However, the Church itself contains only a handful of simple gardening tools and but a single dull wood hatchet. Additional items that would obviously be found in the church and its surrounding courtyard are assumed to be easily acquired.

In the shadow of disparity, every morsel and bauble is a fleck of hopeful light.

(( Myah ( Bang Bang ), Cyril ( CerpinTaxt ), Erasmus ( dwif ), Adam ( E50M ), Ascot ( Meredith ) ))

 

[Bang Bang]

MYAH + CYRIL

co-written with CerpinTaxt

Stiffening at being addressed directly and exclusively, Myah glanced about the group for an indication of their thoughts on the matter. Everything felt jumbled, happening too quickly, and yet they were all being too slow given what might be coming. “I think…” She began, voice dying in her throat. She bowed her head, squeezing against Cyril as he curled against her back to try and steel her nerves, before looking up and speaking as clearly as fear allowed her, “I think there’s nothing for us here. We’ve been here two weeks and know this church well enough to say it’s barren. I don’t know if I believe you, but I don’t think we have any alternatives.”

There were more of them than there were of her. If it came to conflict, at least they had the advantage in numbers. If where they were led turned out to be a trap where others lay in wait… What would they gain, save bloodshed?

It was tentative logic at best, Myah knew that all too well; she’d participated firsthand in the way the vanishing of the moon could drive people to crave carnage as strong as the depleting water and food. All she knew for certain though was that the longer they delayed, the less easily she could breathe. Instinct told her to run. This was as best as she could do.

Cyril meanwhile, had his sleep interrupted by the abrupt feeling of something squeezing his legs. Just barely conscious enough to remember that Myah was still carrying him, he began to rouse from his attempts at sleep unwillingly. He heard the conversation, but had processed little of it. Something about water? Something about them having to trust the stranger too. He rose his head up slightly, looking down at Myah; unable to see her face.

“Wherever you go is where I go Myah..” He let out a weak yawn, deciding to rest his chin back on her shoulder. “I don’t think there’s much food for us here so we should..just leave. Yeah. If this girl had been told that there was shelter or something here, then it’s likely others have too.” For someone so sleepy, he seemed able to come up with rational conclusions. “So we either risk going with her and have the chance at getting clean water...or we just wait here and just hope no one finds us? There’s no..right solution I guess.”

“Thank you, Cyril,” Myah murmured, smiling unconsciously at the reassurance before remembering the danger they were in. Smile vanishing, she looked about to the others, then to Cezilia. “Please, take us there.” Over her shoulder, she added more quietly. “And you— rest. I’ll wake you when we’re there.”

tags: CerpinTaxt E50M Meredith Coin dwif
notes: let's rock and roll mofos

 

[dwif]

The old man shuffled over to a pew and gently lowered himself onto it, letting out a soft groan as he relaxed for a moment. He watched the group talk back and forth, whilst reminiscing the days of his youth when he was filled with such vigor. In his younger days he would have been more than eager to find somewhere that was safe for others, but age wasn't kind. He would be a burden to the group slowing their progress and being unable to defend himself. It would be unfair to place this burned upon them.

He let out a short cough to get the attention of the others "If there is a safe haven I believe that you should seek it out. There is no denying that what little supplies were here when we were graciously welcomed had almost run dry, there is little here for you now. I must emphasise the you in my statement. Whilst I would be most grateful if you would allow me to accompany you, I am aware of my abilities. There would be little I could provide to the group, so if you choose to leave me behind do not feel any guilt in the choice. I may be able to keep this church as an area of rest just as Artoire once did."

With his part spoken he sank back into the pew, shutting his eyes to get some rest and leaving the decision to the youth.

CerpinTaxt E50M Meredith Coin Bang Bang