Mystics Apprentice

All this talk of fan-mail makes me think that I should create an entirely new RP thread dedicated to the Overworld Postal Service. I think we'd have a blast!

I'm not so sure about that. You've been pretty fast as of late (even if the Slowking title is impressive. )! I feel like I've been pretty sluggish for the past few months, but I'm trying to make up for it. By the way, I just realized that Maxis is heading toward where the speech took place, though it is actually at the Kilkis Seres campgrounds and not Kilkis Seres the capital. Sorry for the confusion.

--Queen Shiva -- Flashback: The queen's lids closed shut, lashes thick and laced with moisture. It brought her heart much peace to know that Jynn would be well looked after, especially by someone she could trust. "I would very much like that, thank you, Eclaire. Thank you . . . for everything." Her body began to fade in its entirety, leaving in its wake a shower of gold and pale blue sparkles. The scent of her perfume was all that lingered, along with her voice that finally uttered: "And of course I love you, Eclaire. Always." With that, the queen of Kilkis Seres departed from the Overworld, living only within memory and those whose hearts she had touched. --Yevgeni Malachite -- Kilkis Seres Campgrounds-- After stepping off the podium the blond's eyes shifted to the familiar golden mask. The air of superiority, strength, and mystery. He immediately knew who he was before he even beckoned for Yevgeni to make his way over. A frown furrowed his brow, as he excused himself from one of Shiva's ambassadors and strode over to the man. "Greetings, Nergal," he said smoothly, and then, with a slight note of irritation. "I did not expect to see you here." Anything that would raise a brow was something Yev was trying to avoid at all costs, and someone new in court may certainly raise a brow. Especially if they were in any way affiliated. Right now everything was sensitive and crucial; Yevgeni needed to play his cards right if he wanted to ensure the outcome he sought. While he could work with the majority of Shiva's followers, there were a few that concerned him. He would have to be especially careful in the company of Maxis and the queen's late retainer, wherever she went off to. --Elia Cabret -- Kilkis Seres Campgrounds-- The raven-haired fairy was hugging her knees to her chest when Jari arrived. She looked rather battle-worn, and Yevgeni's speech did nothing to lift her spirits. It was indeed good to see the kitsune, especially since she was questioning how he fared the night prior. The foxling had been quite the mess, perhaps more so than herself, and he seemed entirely incoherent when Elia finally helped him in his bedroll and left him for the night. There was no doubt that Jari had been drunk, though she could hardly blame him. The events from the day prior were incredibly painful, having lost a friend and now a queen. The thought of drinking her problems away didn't exactly sound displeasing at that particular moment. "No, you may sit," she responded stiffly, shifting slightly to make more room for him, even though it wasn't particularly necessary to do so. There was more than enough room as it were. "How are you feeling? You look a little better. Did you get any sleep last night after I left?" For some reason it felt that Jari was the only friend that she had left now. Ever since the war started those dear to her had flickered away one by one. Either through death or disappearance; the reasons varied, though at times like these the young fairy felt very much alone. Her gaze darkened as it lowered the ground, refusing to think of the sight of Morana's body. It probably wouldn't take Jari much to guess what was on her mind, though she didn't wish to make him upset again. --King Alderon -- Mystras campgrounds-- Flashback: A smile ignited the weathered man's face as he clapped the younger knight on the shoulder. "Indeed we shall," he urged, before moving from Alex's side to get lost in the cluster of people that moved toward the gathering place that Rabiyu had ordained for Raiden's speech. Somehow Alderon hadn't realized that Raiden had returned until it was whispered among the crowd, though it did bring the king much relief. He had many questions for the man, both pertaining to the rumored death of the queen and what would become of the world below now.

I'm going to try to post either tonight or tomorrow after work. I've been a little preoccupied with life stuff. If you'd like to post for the others first that'd work, or if you'd still like to wait for me you can do that too. Sorry for being slow.

I totally understand. Work can be so impeding on extracurricular activities such as roleplaying. Take as much time as you need! I'm sure that it'll be a great read worth the wait.

Welcome to the community! I'm glad that you decided to join us. : ) I hope that you enjoy it here and make lots of friends. We're an exceptional lot here on this site, if I may say so myself, and have found it to be a very friendly and welcoming community. Aqua is a terrific character, and one of my favorites as well. I really appreciated that they broke up the norm for female protagonists with Aqua and inserted her as one of the main roles in Birth by Sleep. In general, though, I thought Birth by Sleep was a terrific title to the series. That's great that you have played the majority of the series! As for 358/2 Days, I think you would be correct in watching the movie that comes with the collection. The gameplay itself wasn't that memorable, in my opinion, and I mostly just played it for the story and cutscenes. I felt that they added some great content into 1.5 for the game as well, so hopefully you find it matching your interests! It was nice meeting you, and I look forward to seeing you around the forums.

--Fiona-- The pink-haired girl merely shrugged, shoving her newspaper aside and jumping up. She wrapped her arms tightly around her older sister, a wide grin on her face as she looked up to meet Val's gaze. "I don't know. I've heard that punching bag comes back with a vengeance, or at least that's what Dad says." When Val sat down Fiona returned to her seat as well, getting ready to resume her read of her newspaper when her sister inquired about it. "Oh, yeah, here ya go," she said, sliding it across the table for her to see. "It's talking about their arrival today and discussing some of the participants who will be coming over. I guess some of the island's most notorious villains are having their kids come over here or something? It's kind of freaky, what with the way they break it up." And it was indeed alarming. A large paragraph discussing the villains' crimes made up the front page, while discussing their children being brought to the island and being uncertain of what to expect from them. While Fiona desired to see the good in people, she could only wonder what good was in a child when their parents--or role models, rather--did all of that. --Nora-- "Oh, so that's why I heard your phone!" Nora said with a slight laugh, entering Dex's room upon his granting entry. She didn't come in very often, and it always seemed to change every time she entered. Whether this was her imagination or not, she didn't know. Nora sat on the edge of the bed, throwing back a lock of silky black hair over her shoulder, hair so very much like her mother's except in length. "I think the entire town is worried about the new kids coming," Nora admitted. "Though to be honest I do not really see why. It's not like we're letting a band of criminals come in, you know? If anything, I would think they are anxious to prove that they are not their parents, or at least that's what I would do." Was she equating herself to these Badlands kids too much? She hoped that Dex hadn't picked up on it, or, if he had, that he wouldn't pry about it.

Yes, I was indeed. I think it was his turn? Perhaps I lost track. I'll go take a peek. And tiredness is so annoying at times! Just been too busy to rest?

--Everyth Castanova -- with Aura, Henry, and Helios-- A frown furrowed Everyth's brow as Aura smiled at her. Not because the girl's smiles were rare, but rather the pearly whites that she flashed in her direction. She was getting ready to say something to her regarding the matter, but was unable to when Mariel approached. Everyth wasn't about to make a big production when all could witness, especially since she didn't particularly know the archangel that well. "I see," was her response once Mariel conveyed her message, nodding toward the woman. "I will be there." Clasping her hands around her elbows, she turned to the party, violet eyes hesitating on Henry briefly before focusing back on Aura. "Well, I'm going to see what his Lordship has to say about all of this. I am also interested in King Alderon's viewpoint on the matter, if he decides to give a word." Now that they were in the Overworld it seemed that Raiden was fully in charge, and little had Everyth heard directly from their king. It seemed a little curious to her that this was so, but it was also partially understandable. This wasn't their world, nor was this wholly their war. And, if Raiden really did kill the queen as others had suggested . . . . She couldn't even imagine what sort of mess they were about to get themselves into. --King Alderon -- Mystras Camp-- Flashback: Alderon looked almost disturbed by the fact that Alex bowed to him so deeply in his wounded state. He rose a hand, as though to stop him, though he didn't get the hand far due to the injuries in that shoulder. "Do not injure yourself to pay your respects. I am in a similar position; I understand." It was quite the wonder that any humans walked away from yesterday's battle alive, given that they fought against magic and enchanted weaponry that day. And yet, here their army stood, with far fewer casualties faced than that of their enemy. Perhaps the humans were doing something right in their training after all. "And please, boy, there is no guarding anyone when in the middle of war. You fought and did what you needed to do, as did I. If I wanted protection I wouldn't have ventured out yesterday. We both received what we did, but the important thing is that we both are here today having this conversation, yes?" Something tugged at Alderon as he spoke to Alex, thinking back on the days when he was first crowned and during his first assignments away from home. It was difficult, especially when his dear wife Elicia was back home and he had no means of communication. The king rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "You know," he started slowly. "There might just be a way. Let us ask Lord Raiden upon this matter. This world is filled with all kinds of magic, after all; surely we must be able to get in contact with them somehow." And that would've meant the world to Alderon, particularly right then, to ensure that Visco was alright and knew that he loved her. ~Queen Shiva's Farewell ~ Kilkis Seres Palace~ A soft smile played on Shiva's lips as she tilted her head slightly, listening to Eclaire's warm confession. Perhaps these were things that she had already suspected, but it meant something to actually here her say them. "Why, Eclaire, I have never left you, nor will I ever. After all, a part of my essence still lives within you, does it not?" She placed her hands over Eclaire's shoulders, though they couldn't be felt by the retainer. "I have always believed in you, my dear, from the very day that we met, and you have my word that I shall never stop. You have proven yourself time and again, Eclaire. I have seen your strength, determination, and sincerity." She bowed her head, removing a hand from Eclaire's shoulder to place over the young woman's hands. She went to grasp them, only her fingers slipped right through. "You were there for me when I needed a shoulder to lean on," she admitted softly. "I haven't known what it felt like to be loved for quite some time, nor what it was like to love. You were--no, always--will be very dear to my heart. Though our time together was brief, it was enough. Our paths were meant to cross that day in Ambrosia Forest. Of that I have no doubt. "Now please, lift your chin and smile. I want you to be proud of who you are, Eclaire, just as I am proud of you. Please see my legacy through." Shiva started to move away, though didn't get more than a foot away before pausing. "Oh, yes, and would you do me a favor? Please tell Jynn that I love him, and please guide him as he emerges to the throne. This time will be very difficult for him, and he will need a mother figure more than ever. May I trust that you will be that mother for him, where I cannot, please?" She was not sure how much Jynn would accept Eclaire, nor how willing Eclaire would be to accept this errand, but she couldn't part from this world without knowing that her dear son would be well looked after, as well as loved and cared for.

Sure! That sounds like a great idea. I'm sure that Yev would be cautious about having Nergal too close in public, however, as he is in the public eye and he fears being the subject of suspicion. The alliance between the two most certainly isn't over yet, and I think they're going to have many more interesting events going down very soon. Oh, man, I'm sorry to hear it, Scrap. : ( It's really rough when life throws curveballs, and I'm sure that you've got a lot going on at the present. If you ever need anything, even a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on, please PM me at any time, okay? I've encountered a rough patch or two in life, and if I can help anyone else get through a rough time I would be glad to. : )

It will indeed be great to see our friendly neighborhood witcher return. And I hope that you feel better soon! These nasty viruses are spreading like crazy lately.

--Queen Shiva -- Flashback Meanwhile . . . . In the darkness of Shiva's room, where the succubus clutched her pillow and sobbed, the curtains fluttered as though ruffled by the wind. None of the windows were open, so this was not a very plausible explanation. If Eclaire's sinuses were cleared, she would recognize the scent of Shiva's perfume that she always wore: light, flowery, and elegant. "Do not cry, child." At the foot of the bed stood, indeed, the queen, dressed in a sleeveless gown of aqua-blue, complimenting her hair that fell in waves down her back. A soft smile played on her pale lips as a curious glow enveloped her. She was semi-transparent, and eventually Eclaire would probably realize that the woman was not fully present. Shiva touched nothing, perhaps because she couldn't. "You may recall that a small piece of me lives within you," Shiva explained, taking a step closer. "That very piece is what made me able to cross barriers between realms and come visit you, and I am very much glad that it did. Thank you, Eclaire. How I wanted to see you again." She clasped her hands together. "My time, however, is brief. As more time surges past from my death I feel myself slipping away from this world entirely." "Before I leave, I must ask you one question: do you still, after all of this time, believe that you are a mistake?" --Yevgeni Malachite -- The Meeting The remaining band of troops gathered together along the Kilkis Seres campgrounds. The men and women were shoulder to shoulder, many holding their helmets in front of them in mourning. Not a face looked cheerful in the gathering, nor should they. They lost their queen, but more than that, potentially the war. What would happen to them next, their homes, their families? They were plagued with sorrow, but most prominently, fear. What happened next was unknown to them, but one thing was for certain: things were about to change. The blond elf stood atop a pedestal--which in reality was a wooden crate--before the gathering, trading out his traditionally colored garb with a suit of solid black. Before he even spoke it conveyed the message that the rumors were true: Shiva was indeed gone. "Greetings, my friends. How I wish I could meet with you under different circumstances, but alas I must bring you grave news. Last night, Queen Shiva met with Lord Raiden of Mystras for a peace treaty. This morning, her body was delivered to us by the same man, only it was not as alive as it was when it departed to meet with him. That is correct: Queen Shiva is no more, which has left our hearts empty with a weight that no amount of time will ever be able to fully heal. Yev remained silent for a moment, allowing this news to sink in, before continuing. "Her departure was abrupt, and at a massively inopportune moment. We are currently at war between the two worlds, something that has not occurred in over two millennia, and now we are left powerless and without a ruler. Further, Prince Jynn, heir to the Kilkis Seres throne, is nowhere to be found. He was gravely wounded during yesterday's battle, and it is uncertain whether he will even live to see Kilkis Seres through. As such, it has been decreed that I will serve our nation as regent until Prince Jynn is able to accept appointment as king--if he attains such a state. "I assure you that I will not allow us to suffer. I will not let us be crippled and cast aside. We will avenge our fallen queen, and Kilkis Seres will not be reduced to ash. There is something that I feel you all should know, and that is there was a reason Her Majesty fell to the hands of our enemy this morning. Her death meant the release of an age-old barrier, a barrier which severed our world from that of the human world below. With her gone our worlds are now connected once more, and, as such, a magical strain has occurred. Has anyone noticed the stillness in the air, the disappearance of living beings besides ourselves? Our magic is being depleted to nourish the dying world below. As a result, tragically, we may lose our very own world." Murmurs escaped through the crowd, some escalating to shouts of protest. One woman began to cry, while others swore to themselves. Yevgeni raised a hand to silence them. "I promise on my very life that I will not allow this loss to happen. Our world will not perish, nor will the humans get their way. We will find a way to sever our worlds for good, and I have a good idea of where we will begin. First, I have initiated contact with our friends in the North. They will want to know of this new threat that faces our world, and I am fairly confident that they will stand alongside us. Second, we will plan to find and capture a druid by the name of Reginald Heathertoes. As some may recall, he guised himself as a healer and served under our banner, but in reality he is playing both sides, wherever he can profit the most. He aided King Alexander in placing this first barrier, and I have no doubts that he can aid us in our time of need. "I will not further initiate combat with Mystras. They have stepped out of line in taking our queen, and they expect us to fight back so that they can take us out even further and seize the throne. We will not play into their hands. It is time for us to fall back to Kilkis Seres and map out our next course of action. Goodness knows enough blood has been spilt." With that the elf bowed. "Thank you."

Nergal really has quite the band of haters, doesn't he? For some reason I can't get the vision out of my head of Soren, Raiden, Maxis, Eclaire, and Jynn all coming out with torches and pitchforks in the dead of night to give him what is due!

--Everyth Castanova -- Mystran Camp-- The raven-haired woman trudged back toward the campsite, boots in one hand and cloak in the other, her feet still wet and her trousers rolled up to her knees. The moment she left the peacefulness of the stream she was greeted with the murmurs of fey and men, discussing the atrocities of the night prior. Even though it was quite the big deal to lose a monarch, she couldn't help but feel that the situation was getting out of hand very fast. Some threatened to march out of the camp right then and there, whereas others threatened to tie Raiden down. Some suggested that it served the queen right; it was becoming too much for her to follow. As she reached camp she saw Aura, the young human woman that had been trained alongside her brother by Rabiyu. Her heart fell as her violet eyes fell upon her, recalling the loss of her brother only the day prior. She seemed to be taking it incredibly well, but Everyth couldn't imagine the toll that it must've been taking on her young heart. Everyth stopped by the trio and dropped her boots, as if in announcement of her arrival. "My my, these are some of the longest faces that I have ever once seen." She placed a hand on her hip and moved closer. "Let me guess: you have heard about the queen?" --King Alderon -- Flashback: "It looks like you have something weighing on your mind, boy," said a deep voice from behind Alex. If Alex turned around he would see King Alderon there, wrapped in bandages and pale, but present and standing nonetheless. "Worried about friends or family back at home, are you?" he further inquired, folding his arms across his chest. "I do not speak to many of the matter, but you would not be alone. My ever waking thought is of my dear daughter, Visco. I have entrusted her to an entire kingdom, a weight far heavier than she should have to bear. I have no news of how things are going down there, and her life was already endangered once, from what you and Miss Castanova shared with me. There is no shame in thinking of those you have left behind, but sometimes you have to speak about it or it will affect you greatly. That is something you wouldn't want, especially on the battlefield." (I'll post a short skit for Shiva after Raiden, and I'll try to prep a post for Yevgeni and the Kilkis Seres meeting shortly.)

Hey there, long time no see! It is great to see that you are interested. : ) Unfortunately, however, we are nearing the end of the RP and I have closed the sign-ups to any new characters a few months ago (I apologize; I really should've edited the title). I feel that it is a bit too late in the game to be able to get any new characters immersed and properly integrated into the story. However, upon Overworld's closure there's the possibility that I might try to start up an epilogue, prequel, or potentially another original RP, likely within a few months. Thanks again, and I apologize for the trouble. I would've loved to RP with you again otherwise.

I really like gray heroes, or antagonists that you can relate to and feel sorry for. I like most blue-haired characters (do they purposely do that . . . ?), and then characters that are sarcastically humorous and/or lazy but have a good heart. What I greatly dislike are tsunderes, helpless damsels in distress, and, most especially, empty invincible male heroes that are there for the sake of the plot alone.

--Fiona-- The morning was unusually quiet with Dad out of the house. Fiona tiptoed down the hall in stocking feet and pajamas, the only faint sounds being water running in the kitchen and music blasting from the other room. Probably Val, Fiona thought to herself as she entered the kitchen. She thought that she was silent, but apparently not silent enough to not be detected by her mom's ears. "Why, good morning, sunshine," Serah, her mom, piped, rinsing dishes under the sink as something sizzled in the waffle maker--most presumably waffles. "G'morning," Fiona mumbled, strolling over to the waffle iron to inspect it. "Are they blueberry?" "Hmm?" Curiously Serah turned her head, as though confused by Fiona's question. Her eyes then shifted to the waffle maker and caused her to laugh. "Oh, no, no. Danny is allergic and I don't like keeping things he can't eat in the house. They're just plain." "Oh." Fiona sat at the kitchen table, studying the pile of mail that sat atop it. On the top was a newspaper. Normally these wouldn't catch Fiona's interest, but the headline news was about the children arriving from the Badlands that day. She scooped it up and began studying it. She was doing this until Val entered the kitchen, to which she turned her head and offered her a wide smile and big wave. "Did you beat 'em up?" she asked enthusiastically. --Nora-- It was Sunday, and any normal person would still be sleeping at this hour. Not Nora, however. Her mind was far too preoccupied to sleep. She lied on her stomach, fully dressed, trying to read a novel when in truth her mind was on other things. Chiefly the children from the Badlands. She thought it was indeed a good decision to give them a second chance. After all, what had the done wrong, been born? It didn't seem fair at all to judge children based off the wrongdoings of their parents whatsoever. In fact, she was slightly appalled that they had been doing so until the new law that had been passed. What would it have been like if she were one of them? The thought ate at her a lot, especially since both her parents didn't have the most clean of pasts. They were not always heroes, whether by choice or not, and had things gone differently she could've been the child desperate for a second chance and not live in the shadow of her parents' ill actions. This thought plagued her, perhaps more than it should've. She heard the sound of Dex's phone coming from the neighboring room, which caused her to frown and glance at the clock. It was way to early for him to be up; what in the world was he doing? Nora rolled off the bed and strolled down the hall to rap her knuckles softly on Dex's door, in case their parents were still sleeping. "Hey, Dex?" she said softly through the crack. "You're up, right?"

To be honest I'm pretty bummed that Shiva had to die as well. She has been a lot of fun to write, and perhaps one of my more interesting characters. Her and Ren were two of my favorites, so figures that they both had to die! I'm very glad to hear that you liked her, though. It was difficult and yet rewarding to write a character with such an inner struggle and conflict of interests. Oh, very nice indeed! I especially like the design of the top. How did you draw those flower-looking things? They look so symmetrical and precise!

--King Alderon -- Mystran campsite-- (flashback) That morning the king awoke with a severe headache and throbbing pain in his shoulder. He tried to get up, grunted, and fell back upon the sheets, white as a ghost. A healer must've noticed his struggle, for in less than a second she was already at his side and hovering her hands over his wounded shoulder. "You mustn't move," she told him, hands still intertwined. A pale green aura emitted from them, orbiting around his wound before engulfing his entire shoulder. He let out a sigh of relief as the pain ebbed away. "I don't know how we have managed to live in a world without magic for this long," Alderon said jokingly toward the medic once she was finished. She didn't comment, but instead merely shook her head. "I have eased the pain and prevented infection, but you must not overdo it. You have lost a lot of blood and therefore your strength. Even magic has its limits." Alderon flexed his arm, testing his shoulder. He was able to move without pain, though his muscles felt stiff and he had less sensation in his fingertips. "Very well. You have my thanks, milady." Without a word the healer walked away to tend to another wounded soldier. Praise from a human apparently meant little to her, regardless of nobility. Alderon swung his legs over the cot and managed to step outside, where he drew in a breath of fresh cool air to fill his lungs. Somehow he managed to live to see another dawn. --Everyth Castanova -- Mystran campsite-- Sleep had been elusive to the mage; the only real sleep that she had acquired had been when a healer had given her some concoction that left her groggy and feeling feverish. Everyth spent the morning alongside the stream, splashing her face with cool water in hopes to snap some life back into her. Ever since the battle she just hadn't felt the same. Her very bones felt weakened, her joints ached, and the silver lock of hair entwined with her dark strands served as a painful reminder that her magic came with a steep price. Who knew how many years she had taken off of her lifespan the other day. She carefully bent over and unlaced her boots, which were caked with mud, blood, and who knew what else. She then walked barefoot into the shallow portion of the stream; the rocks scratching the soles of her feet if she didn't tread carefully. Everyth was far enough away that the voices from camp couldn't be heard where she was, though on her way out that morning people had already been discussing the death of the queen. This came as both a surprise and inconvenience to Everyth. For starters, it would've been very bad if Raiden had murdered her during what was meant to be a peaceful meeting between the two, and second it meant that Kilkis Seres would be vengeful. Any hope of a peaceful reconciliation was slim to none now. --Elia Cabret -- Kilkis Seres campsite-- New robes had been brought to the young time fairy, which she gratefully accepted and wrapped herself in. The entire campsite was in a state of mourning, for they lost their beloved queen and monarch that had peacefully ruled their land for two millennium. Elia didn't know the queen personally, but was still saddened and slightly shocked to hear of her death. She thoughts instantly traced to Jynn. How was the prince taking her death? Did he know? Would he rise as king? For now, Elia sat by a fire, warming her hands and cup of honey milk. She saw many people come and go, some of which she recognized and others she didn't. It enraged her that Mystras would be so dishonorable as to take Shiva's life; who did they think they were? She drew in a sip of her milk, watching as Yevgeni Malachite emerged from a tent with a tall sentry guard in tow. Her eyes narrowed. His face was grave as he spoke with the man, making hand gestures toward the campsite and glancing at the sun. She felt that it was his fault somehow, though she knew that it was an irrational thought. Her hatred for him ran deep because of her sister, and now she had lost her queen, too. He didn't seem to notice her watching, and strode off in another direction. A meeting was going to be held by the elf, though Elia had no interest in what he was going to say. --Curvis Sourati -- Kilkis Seres camp-- The death of the queen struck Curvis hard, and immediately he felt his hopes crush under him like childish dreams. He didn't even get the chance to speak with Shiva. Curvis said and did little, barely acknowledging Aqua when spoken to. That morning there was a meeting to be held, though Curvis didn't know where his place stood. Now did not seem like a good time to introduce himself as a human who strayed from the Mystran campgrounds. Chances were they would try to pin Shiva's death on him somehow, and no good could possibly come of that. That morning he walked up to Aqua, in the robes that she had graciously given him so that he didn't stand out like a sore thumb. "Milady Aqua," he said, offering her a respectful bow of the head. "It has been a pleasure knowing you, and I thank you for putting yourself at risk for bringing me here, but I feel that I must go with these current change of events. My presence will not be welcomed here, and I will be putting you in jeopardy as well as myself. I hope that you understand." --Yevgeni Malachite -- Kilkis Seres campgrounds-- The elf left one tent and entered another, his heart weighing mightily on him. Speaking of Shiva's death was one thing, but the reality of it was entirely another matter. Everything he did was for a just cause, he told himself over and over, but it was growing old to hear, and little did he find himself believing in it. He approached one of the generals and accepted a scroll. "It has been decreed, milord," the general informed him. Yevgeni nodded briefly, giving the campsite a quick glance. "And His Majesty?" "Is nowhere to be found." "Very well. Perhaps he will grace us with his presence once he comes to terms with our current predicament. Things have grown much more serious, Eldowin. I would like an audience with the rulers from the North." The general choked as though having been stabbed in the gut. "Th--the north, milord? But, we have not been in contact with them for over a millennia; the queen broke all contact with them. Besides, they have sided with Lord Raiden." "That was before his Lordship decided to assassinate the queen," Yevgeni interjected shortly. "I know Leviathan to a certain degree. She would not approve of murdering an unarmed queen, even if to save the worlds. I would like for you to send for Rabiyu. To my knowledge she currently resides with the Mystran establishment." There was obvious hesitancy written on the general's face, but he instead nodded than voice his objections. "Yes, milord. It shall be done."

I would be happy to! I'm working on a post now. I actually do not know where Raiden is. I wasn't sure if Raiden returned to the campsite, his villa, his home with Shiva in Ambrosia Forest, or somewhere else. I don't think he is at the lake any longer by this point. As such, I will have to turn that question to Vaude.

I haven't made a Sora cosplay before, but I have made several cosplays over the years. What I would recommend is making Sora's outfit into three separate pieces: shirt, jacket, and pants. Try to find patterns that bear similarities to Sora's costume that you can alter, as that is considerably easier than working with solely your measurements and a piece of paper to sketch a pattern onto. To save you a lot of time and possibly money, you could probably find a cheap v-neck t-shirt to serve as the undershirt so that you could just make the jacket and pants. Sweatshirt fleece might be a good material for the pants, as it will have a slight stretch without being obnoxiously stretchy and shouldn't be too expensive. You could probably patch on denim portions to replicate the look of Sora's pockets. For the gloves, I'd recommend tracing your hand and arm on a piece of paper, widen it so that it fits looser like Sora's, and then just sew around the edges. For this you may want to have a stretch fabric, or at least for the part around the hand (ideally a 4-stretch spandex). Don't worry about doing any stitching around the finger area, as spandex doesn't fray and it will save you a lot of stress to avoid sewing the fabric down. Good luck, and please do share pictures when you have it completed!

I'm envisioning heads flying and chickens everywhere (don't ask why--too much Zelda perhaps. )

Okay, time for a true update! Thanks to Kunivas and Vaude (and myself, har har har), I have published the completed meeting by Lake Kresnik. I will not go into details, as that will spoil things prematurely and we don't want that. : P More will follow in regards to that scene, but it will be written in flashbacks within our RP posts, so as not to hold up everyone else and the progression of the RP. Thank you all for your patience as you waited for me to get my act together and get all of this situated. I hope that the break was refreshing and that everyone is ready to dive into the rest of what is to come! You will find below the scene and spoiler tabs that I gave a quick summarization of where we, the players and characters, stand currently. You're welcome to finish up anything that you had going on previously in flashbacks. I apologize for the little to no notice for the six-hour timeskip, though I think it will be effective in kickstarting the RP again. If anyone has any problems, though, just let me know and we can try to figure out something. I think that pretty much sums up everything. Thanks again, guys! I'm excited to see where we take things for the grand finale.

The sun rose what seemed a different color that day. Its vibrance dulled, its color deeper, illuminating not quite as brightly as it once had. The air went still, and the animals of the Overworld went into hiding. Flowers upon the ground shriveled and died within seconds. Something was amiss, though very few knew what that precisely was. The Overworld had lost a monarch that day, a figure who sought peace and order throughout the nation. Word spread rapidly over the course of the morning, though the cause of her death was still shrouded in mystery. It appeared that Queen Shiva had been murdered, though by whom would depend on whom you spoke to. Some claim that Lord Raiden broke his promise and killed the woman upon their meeting, whereas others claim that it was the sentinel Soren, who had already once betrayed Shiva and was potentially still in league with Mystras. Others claim that a mysterious man clad in the shadows murdered their beloved queen. What story you believe is up to you, though your choice may heavily impact your future in the changing world you live in. That morning Yevgeni Malachite, former retainer to King Alexander and current general, called forth a meeting with what remained of Kilkis Seres' encampment, to formally break the news of Queen Shiva's death. In addition, he appoints himself regent of Kilkis Seres until Jynn's health improves and he assumes his role as the heir to the throne . . . should he assume it. If you are within Kilkis Seres you are likely congregating for the meeting, or perhaps you have other plans to attend to. Meanwhile back at the Mystran establishment, the rebellion force is regrouping and planning their next course of action. With accusations on Raiden being Shiva's murderer during a parlay, some of his followers have been made uneasy. Is Raiden still trustworthy, or are the stories of his deception true? Will he really fulfill the promises that he made, should he win this war? These are but some of the questions that may be running through your mind, though your next actions are your own, and whether you choose to stay or leave is entirely up to you. Regardless, the world is now silent, but it won't last that way for long. This is but the beginning of a chapter of chaos, and it is truly a mystery whether anyone is prepared for it. If you are with Mystras you will have likely learned of the events from the previous night and Shiva's death, along with hearing the abundance of rumors that are spreading like wildfire. Welcome, survivors, to the fourth and final arc of the RP!