Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Path winds in Mysterious Ways.
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Saerrael on 23-10-2012, 00:21:10</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Path winds in Mysterious Ways.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>23-10-2012, 00:21:10</strong>
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				<div align="center"><strong><span class="bbc_u">Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</span></strong><br><br>(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/7/75/The_road_to_feria_city_by_ancientsources-d4b2c82.jpg)</div><br><br>A caravan winds its way through an enchanted forest. A mixed guard of Humans, Elves and Dwarves keep one eye on it, one eye on the surroundings, talking amongst themselves.<br>The caravan is as diverse as the guard. More so, even, as it contains more races, more professions, more goals and definitely more secrets than the guards share. Nobles, beggars, tradesmen and women, scholars, wizards and witches of all ilk ride or walk, remaining close to each other on the path.<br><br>The guard keeps arms at the ready, remain armoured at all times. The forest holds mystery and wonder; it’s not called enchanted without reason. Not all enchantments are benign.<br><br>The destiny of the caravan is the city of Feria, but even well guarded caravans have gone missing before. Will the group make it to the city?<br><br>Is the city the end goal of each individual caravan member?<br><br><br>Amongst the members a cloaked and hooded man walks, prayerbeads slipping between fingers. If he’s praying, if he’s a priest or something else, isn’t too clear. He hasn’t talked thus far, nor revealed his features to his travel companions. He’s definitely not a trader; no cart is his. He travels light, only one bag hanging from a shoulder. It’s even debatable if he’s a male, sometimes a strand of long, white hair escapes his hood, falling well over half his torso before he tucks it back. Hair that long could easily belong to a female, too, though she would be slender with hardly definition, and quite tall indeed.<br><br><hr><hr><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">more images</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv304/maerim/enchanted%20forest/efelffemale.jpg)<br>(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv304/maerim/enchanted%20forest/eftown.jpg)</div></div><br>Back to OOC thread. (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=155366.0)<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>23-10-2012, 01:38:12</strong>
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				Mayspeak was a branded thief, caught and convicted of gem thieving thanks to the loose tongue of his fence. The marred skin on his right wrist was half healed, still brightly pink and throbbing dull pain that turned sharp at any touch and around his throat was a talisman to keep him from trying to run away. He was lucky not to be sent to the mines or the fields to break his back in hard labour in a near hopeless bid to buy back his freedom, but had been sold as an indentured servant to a caravan master - <em>this</em> caravan’s master - to do the lesser tasks and help with any task that sprang to mind.<br>&nbsp;<br>The task he was at now was to toil along towards the rear of the caravan itself, chasing the slow moving heard of loam ox the caravan master had bought cheaply. Their bodies were smaller than their north-bred cousins, though still stood a good head height above Mayspeak. They were slow and lazy, needing to be constantly harried along to keep up with the pace of the caravan. For the task, Mayspeak had been given a staff with two dozen bells on its end - the noise of it meant to spook the beasts into quicker step, though this group didn’t seem afraid of it at all.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Castamere</strong> on <strong>23-10-2012, 02:08:35</strong>
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				<em>Somewhere on the way...</em><br><br>The glint in her eyes shone brighter than the aura of the seven that beheld her, but it wasn’t enough to hold them back. Albeit it was night time – and the Lords of the night ffared well on such evenings – theirs was the province of hearth and immortality. <br><br>They floated and wrapped themselves around her, shrouding her in charms and beauty and misery. Like a poet’s remorse she merely stood there and accepted her punishment. It didn’t take long for the shroud to carry her away, and once she was gone… a fool in a priest’s suit walked where the leaves had flustered and mopped it back into the soil. He made his way into the temple where he shall continue his watch till the next breeze brings another of his chosen forth.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Suiko</strong> on <strong>23-10-2012, 03:24:23</strong>
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				<em>Jingle Jingle</em><br><br>He was fond of the tinkling of the bells and had taken up a position a short distance from the branded thief, his dark eyes flicking occasionally to the male then back toward the forest track. Truthfully he wasn't much of a fighter; Artemis was a wandering bard and occasionally caressed the silver flute at his hip as leather boots trod the way. He had accompanied the caravan as a way of safely reaching the great city but his companions gave him pause.<br><br>A thief and a priest that he was aware of... One not to be trusted and the other likely sworn to a life of no violence. Hopefully nothing would go wrong... Still, a spot of conversation wouldn't hurt.<br><br>He smiled and flicked back shoulder-length black hair, clearing his throat and speaking clearly enough for all parties to hear. "Who fancies a bit of a tune? Can make any journey go faster, I'd warrant." He winked charmingly to any who looked his way, tapping his flute gently.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>23-10-2012, 06:11:53</strong>
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				The jingling was a guide to another traveler - one that kept to the shadows of the enchanted trees, for he had lived among them most of his life.&nbsp; The bard's music had drawn him near to one of the overnight camps, although he had been careful not to get too close.&nbsp; Swords and arrows did not make for his type of greeting.<br><br>At first, he kept out of all possible sight, staying low and only occasionally lifting his head above the thickets.&nbsp; Even then, his coloration would have made it difficult to spot him unless torchlight fell directly on his dark skin and awakened its oil-slick sheen of color.&nbsp; He had been following the caravan for a day and a half, now, mostly from curiosity, but with a growing desire to see what lay beyond his sylvan sanctuary.&nbsp; <br><br>If only they were not so different...<br><br>As he drew nearer to the path, he could get a better look at the members of the caravan.&nbsp; Legs like so, claws - no, fingers like so...&nbsp; They shielded their skin from each other - a problem, but one that had a temporary solution until he could think of a better one.&nbsp; Muscles and tendons shifted and realigned as he concentrated, and soon a stranger stepped onto the path near the end of the column.&nbsp; A raven-feathered cloak covered him from shoulder to shin.&nbsp; The breeze caused maybe just a little too much movement in the fine, dark hair that formed a shaggy mop down to his shoulders.&nbsp; His fingernails were a bit too long for most - outside of eccentric royalty - but the one potentially damning factor was the skin that had remained unchanged through the transformation: jet black in the twilight of the forest.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>23-10-2012, 11:12:26</strong>
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				Scarlet had been sticking to the back of the column out of shyness... she was so out of touch with the world of man that she never knew the right things to say and always ended up sounding odd and out of place. She glanced around, at least here in the company of so many different kinds of people she didn't feel like as much of a freak, and she certainly didn't look the part. She was fairly ordinary looking- a short and slender human with pale skin, small breasts and long, red hair. She was wearing a dirty white, loose fitting, tattered knee length skirt and little more than a cloth wrapped around her chest to cover her nipples.<br><br>No, what was unusual about her was that the girl, herself, was actually just a vessel, a young woman named Katrina, who would speak up from time to time, Scarlet did not hold her body captive or anything, but Katrina was even more shy and less sure of herself, due to a rather tortured past. Scarlet was the rusty looking, red hilted scimitar which hung from the girl's waist, kept fastened by a rather ill fitting leather belt.<br><br>Being near the back of the caravan, she was one of the first to notice the cloaked figure with the oddly colored skin. She held up her hand in greeting, tilting her head as she tried to figure out in her head where he might be from. "Greetings, kind sir," she said with a slight lilting accent, "from whence doth thou hail, to be of such... interesting... pigmentation?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 02:41:27</strong>
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				It didn't seem the hooded figure reacted at all to anything going on around him. Though the world did seem to respond to him. People wandering shifted, automatically, around him, maybe not even noticing he was there, maybe overlooking him. Animals didn't bother him, even mosquitoes buzzed by him to settle on others for their meals.<br>Prayer bead after prayer bead slipped through fingers, head held low as he kept walking, keeping up with the caravan, though seeming to walk slow.<br>Who was this? What was he doing here? Only he, himself, knew. At least, that would be logical. And the world was logical, no?<br><br>One incident placed him in the here and now. At one time his hand had risen when a guard had passed by. A young, female Elf, bow in hand, eyes more on the forest than on the caravan. The hand had landed on her shoulder and she had drawn her attention towards the cloaked and hooded person on mere instinct, visibly shocked for a moment, but pulling her act back to a calm, reserved one quickly. She had given the figure a slight nod of the head, but he hadn't spoken a word. When his hand had moved from her shoulder, she had turned her attention away from the forest and to the caravan, much more alert than she had been before. And searching for something. Or someone. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 03:59:03</strong>
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				The thief sidestepped a fresh, steaming mound left by one of his charges and shook his ridiculous belled staff at the lazy, plodding animals, casting his gaze towards the young musician. He smirked and called, “Aye, know any from Kistr way?” Songs from that port city were always entertaining, filled with deviant sexual escapades. They were sure to lift his spirits. His steel grey eyes were drawn to the silver flute, and frowned, realising only then that the lad would likely not sing the lyrics, only carry the tune. Pity. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Castamere</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 08:29:47</strong>
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				The gatekeeper soon joined the caravan as it passed him, having waited for almost eons it seemed. Kicking the speed of his mount to almost a spur he found himself amongst them and he made his way quietly. On occasion he would find his hand stream through the waves of ashy curls almost down to his belly off his face, and at other moments he would brush the debris on the road aside with his broom, a countenance of sorts the old man considered it to be, one of the only things he had brought with him. <br><br>“The Path Lord smiles upon those who clear his path for others.” His voice boomed as it preached. “So the faithful may not stumble.” He eyes never once left the road.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 16:10:59</strong>
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				The dark-skinned one tilted his head at being addressed.&nbsp; He hadn't expected - well, yes, he <em>had</em> expected to be confronted, but he hadn't realized how soon he would need an answer for his origins.&nbsp; Saying that he had come from this very forest would probably be a mistake, judging from the fact that they felt the need of an armed guard, although it hadn't been a <em>guard</em> that had noticed him first.&nbsp; He cast about for some possibly 'acceptable' response.<br><br>"Greetings," he said, taking that as a proper opening.&nbsp; "I'd be... of a Path,... a bit... not for others to know."&nbsp; For the first time, he chided himself for his impetuousness.&nbsp; He should have watched longer - listened closely - learned more.&nbsp; But, there was no turning back.&nbsp; He grasped at the first place-name that he had heard from the caravan.&nbsp; "Go thou to Kistr?"<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Suiko</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 18:43:54</strong>
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				Artemis cocked his head to one side with a wide smile at the request made of him, whisking his flute from its holder and twirling it elaborately. "Why I know tunes from the far Southern Coast alkyl the way to the Northern Mountains! You enjoy the more... risque, eh?" He chuckled and placed his flute to his lips, fingers finding their place along the silver I instrument before he began to play. It began a bright, lighthearted tune of a couple coming together, something to be heard anywhere... But as the music turned more deep, more sensual it's origins would be clear.<br><br>It positively reeked of sexual mystique and intrigue, and the bard continued to play for several moments as his eyes skimmed across the group, raising a subtle eyebrow at the question posed by the dark-skinned oddity.<br><br>... surely Kistr was in the opposite direction?<br><br>His curiosity was piqued. And a bard's curiosity wasn't easily satisfied...
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>24-10-2012, 19:32:53</strong>
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				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=155611.msg7117913#msg7117913">Quote from: Oniya on 24-10-2012, 16:10:59</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Greetings," he said, taking that as a proper opening.&nbsp; "I'd be... of a Path,... a bit... not for others to know."&nbsp; For the first time, he chided himself for his impetuousness.&nbsp; He should have watched longer - listened closely - learned more.&nbsp; But, there was no turning back.&nbsp; He grasped at the first place-name that he had heard from the caravan.&nbsp; "Go thou to Kistr?"<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>Scarlet nodded, "Oh, 'tis something I understand all too well, I'm afraid. I shant pry, I should not have asked, methinks." She thought a moment, "Kistr? Nay, my lord, we move towards Feria. Mayhap thou ist lost?"<br><br><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=155611.msg7118561#msg7118561">Quote from: Angel Eros on 24-10-2012, 18:43:54</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Artemis cocked his head to one side with a wide smile at the request made of him, whisking his flute from its holder and twirling it elaborately. "Why I know tunes from the far Southern Coast alkyl the way to the Northern Mountains! You enjoy the more... risque, eh?" He chuckled and placed his flute to his lips, fingers finding their place along the silver I instrument before he began to play. It began a bright, lighthearted tune of a couple coming together, something to be heard anywhere... But as the music turned more deep, more sensual it's origins would be clear.<br><br>It positively reeked of sexual mystique and intrigue, and the bard continued to play for several moments as his eyes skimmed across the group, raising a subtle eyebrow at the question posed by the dark-skinned oddity.<br><br>... surely Kistr was in the opposite direction?<br><br>His curiosity was piqued. And a bard's curiosity wasn't easily satisfied...<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>The look in her eyes changed, almost like a different person, the music moving Katrina to take over and she began to recite along with the bard's wonderful fluting.<br><br><em>He saw his girl and watched her there<br>Was fair of skin a dark of hair<br>Her lips as sweet as morning dew<br>Her skin so soft, her love so true<br>He took her down onto his bed<br>He hooked her knees and slowly spread<br>His tongue, he dipped into her pot<br>Explored her 'til he found her spot<br>She'd never felt quite this alive<br>His tongue swirled 'round 'til she arrived</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 02:09:24</strong>
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				He stopped walking, quite suddenly, head tilted as if listening to the words that were sang. Maybe he was, indeed, listening, for one, his prayer beads no longer slipped between fingers. The caravan moved around him, splitting so natural to not bother him it was eerie.<br><br>Song was something, music too. Near magic, a world, ideas, concepts, spun in a way both foreign and not to the world around it. It made him think, but not out loud. Not even when he started to walk again, now a lot closer to the end of the caravan, closer to the music and the sang words.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 10:03:14</strong>
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				A grin split Mayspeak's face, gleeful and wicked as not only the bard began the tune but one of the others broke into song. He shook his staff in pace with the tune - could he carry a tune he would have joined in singing but his mongrel's howl of a singing voice was only for the very drunk to appreciate. Still, he did like music, for all it alluded him. When the tune tapered off and there was no more, the thief whistled his approval in his coarse, lower city manner. "That's the stuff. Few more of those and we'll all be prancing along." He looked up the line, hoping the song hadn't caught the attention of the guardsmen or, gods forbid, his 'master'. A few faces had turned back towards the tail end of the caravan, but most were focused on the task of putting one foot before another. Though there was a someone who had stopped still, a tall someone. <br><br>"If you have breath enough, play something else," he asked the youth, smacking a snuffling ox on its rump to hurry it along, the bells clashing discordantly. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Madriv</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 16:34:58</strong>
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				This is what he got for a late start. A spot near the tail end of this dismal venture, with the muck of everyone else's mounts caking up the wheels on a daily basis. Just barely in front of the ox herder and his infernal bells. As if that wasn't all punishment enough, now the rabble was singing. And <em>whistling</em>. In the middle of the day! <br><br>Balenciorge's neat little wagon - as much metal as wood on the outside - shuddered as he tumbled out of his bunk. Hooves clacked loudly on the floorboards as he stalked to the back and threw open the shutters on the little round window next to the door. "By Oberon's overbite, will you all shut up?!" His reasonable request was accompanied by a half dozen well-gnawed apple cores hurled in the general direction of the bells.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Suiko</strong> on <strong>25-10-2012, 20:12:23</strong>
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				Well things seemed to be going swimmingly. It was always pleasant to travel with a group who enjoyed his song and to have the notes lift up weary spirits. There was nothing more wonderful to a bard and his dark eyes littered happily as one of their number recognised the melody and sung the words rather beautifully. They had a good audience as even the lonely figure ahead of them seemed to pause to listen and the thief at his side smirked and whistled once the tune was over.<br><br>A flamboyant bow was the response and Artemis winked towards the woman who regaled them with lyrics. "Such a songstress we have! We're a lucky group..." He tilted his head towards Mayspeak as the man requested another, cleaning his throat with a small huff. "A bard always has breath enough for his activity." He stated with a second, more roguish wink as his fingers played a little too intently over the flute before he again placed it to his lips.<br><br>It was then that something small and smelly struck his forehead and he blinked quickly, turning to the apple-thrower with a cautionary wave of his flute. "Now now, let's not be rude good Sir. Maybe you have a song you'd like to hear? We all have our favourites hmm?"<br><br>He strode towards the caravan to catch up to the apparently music-hater and boldly poked his cheek with the end of the silver instrument. "You can't be as grim as you look, surely?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>26-10-2012, 03:11:42</strong>
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				Though he verbalised no remarks, the chain of prayer beads started to move between his fingers once again when the song ended. Of course he was listening to the exchange between the nearby people, but he wasn't interested in mingling. He was interested in the people, themselves, and kept his ears tweaked to follow their words. He would follow their actions and study them, too, if that didn't mean turning around and lowering his hood to be able to do this. For now, this would have to do, even if it was somewhat frustrating to not be able to sate his curiosity better.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>26-10-2012, 05:39:49</strong>
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				The sudden shift in the girl's attention was puzzling, but it gave him time to think about his situation.&nbsp; She'd given him a bit more of the world outside his home - a bit more that he could work with.&nbsp; As she sang, he thought about when he had first heard the caravan.&nbsp; He hadn't been close enough to hear them talking, but the flute's voice had carried through the forest.&nbsp; He had curled outside the fire- and torch-lights and listened to a human make noises like a bird, only far more varied.<br><br>A disturbance from just in front of them revealed that not <em>all</em> the humans had such a fondness for those sounds - but then the music-maker had asked for more requests.&nbsp; Naturally, he did not know the vast repertoire of songs that bards could draw on, but he couldn't believe that the angry man liked none of them!<br><br>"Surely, Oberon's Path can enjoy song, aye?" he queried, directing his attention to the man in the metal wagon.&nbsp; "Tunes the fair will hear and understand?"<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>26-10-2012, 16:18:20</strong>
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				Katrina, still exerting control, was much less diplomatic about the other one's complaining and apple core throwing. A harsh scowl marred her otherwise innocent beauty, and she bent down to pick up one of the rotting pieces of fruit. Glancing once at the strange black-skinned man, she wound up and tossed the apple core right towards the wagon, really trying to get it right through the window and right at the naysayer.<br><br>Then she blinked and her demeanor changed back to the way it had been previously, and she regarded the strangely foreign man and any other who were congregating in that general part of the caravan. "Please forgiveth her temper... she hath naught but a smidgen of patience, and even less sense, sometimes."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Castamere</strong> on <strong>26-10-2012, 22:35:12</strong>
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				The Gatekeeper held his peace, to spread the Path Lord’s word he would have to be patient. Patient as the seasons and strong as the mountain, much like the Path Lord himself. He brushed with his broom constantly wherever debris greeted their path and allowed his hands to brush his own ashy beard, and that was when he heard the <em>song</em>. <br><br>Who better than a bard to sing of the Path Lord’s praise? He decided he will hold his peace till he has a moment alone with him, and then he’ll advise – nay, he’ll implore – for his services to lead the shepherd’s flock from the astray rivulets. The Gatekeeper – oft known as Darin the Gatekeeper – couldn’t stifle his roar of a laugh.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Madriv</strong> on <strong>27-10-2012, 05:22:53</strong>
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				Bal snorted indignantly at the nearby roar of laughter. He couldn't quite see the culprit - he couldn't see much of anything, truth be told, squinting as he was against the light of day - but that was suddenly the least of his concerns. In rapid succession he was poked in the cheek by a shiny stick and struck in the left horn by one of his own apple cores. Other voices chimed in about Oberon's Path and patience but he didn't catch the rest as he was busy slamming the shutters and fumbling for his shaded glasses.<br><br>With all the dignity he could muster, the satyr opened the door and stepped out onto the little platform on the back of his wagon, where he leaned on the iron railing and had a good look around. "Puck's Prick," he groaned, "how many of you are there, anyway?"<br><br>The curly hair on his head was a shocking shade of copper; his pointed beard, sideburns, and broad mustache were the same color, though very neatly oiled and smoothed.&nbsp; Two sturdy horns swept back from his forehead. Hiding his eyes, a pair of bronze spectacles held burgundy-tinted lenses that matched the trim on his emerald velvet smoking jacket. The regions below were covered with shaggy, silken fur of a slightly darker auburn shade. Thick cloven hooves were black and highly polished. His fingers were rather graceful as they drummed on the wagon's rail.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>27-10-2012, 05:58:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The dark man tilted his head quizzically as the satyr emerged.&nbsp; He'd heard stories about them, but this was the first he'd actually seen.&nbsp; It also seemed very strange that a being traveling <em>with</em> a caravan wouldn't expect a lot of people around.<br><br>"The group ist many," he began hesitantly.&nbsp; "Enough to be - watched 'til - arrived and Feria - explored."&nbsp; He smiled as he had seen the ox-driver do, but it was with a feeling of secret triumph at actually conversing with the travelers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>27-10-2012, 10:44:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The oxen lowed and snorted at the rain of apple cores among them, but didn't cause as much fuss as the people who also suffered the indignity. Mayspeak lifted his arm to shield himself from any of the projectiles, but didn't voice retaliation as the others did. He could not walk forwards to demand respect as the flute-player did, not throw one of the scraps back the way it had come or shout the snarl of words that twisted in his throat least his owner learn of it and see him punished. Mayspeak didn't fear the man who had bought his labour, but he did value his comfort. The healing burn on the back of his wrist was enough pain for him to want to carry along the road, a flogging would make the whole journey miserable. <br><br>He still felt the need to vent the bright thorn-riddled twist of anger that lodged in his chest, his ribs becoming a cage. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>28-10-2012, 03:30:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He started to wonder if he should remain passive or not. A question here or there wouldn't be that bad, would it? Not that he felt alone, of course, that was ridiculous. No, he was curious, he told himself, just curious about this seemingly random collection of individuals that were now, more or less, starting to behave as a group. Dynamic, and not so much friendly, but there seemed to be connections forming. Perhaps he should wait a little longer, see where this would lead, before engaging. He did, however, draw somewhat closer to the ox herder, feeling a tension grow there. He'd always been drawn to change, and this man might just bring it. Or the woman-girl. Or maybe the dark skinned.. something.<br>If nothing came from them, though, he'd start to interact. Simply to see what would happen.<br><br>The slightests of smiles formed on the shadowed face while he tucked his chain of beads away. Hands now free to do whatever he had in store, he started to quietly hum to himself; the first sound he had made
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>28-10-2012, 06:09:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Since there had been no answer to either his question, or the bard's requests, the dark man merely shrugged his shoulders, resettling the feather cloak around himself.&nbsp; He began to look at how his new companions were dressed.&nbsp; Boots - he had seen them before, but they were not something he had found a use for.&nbsp; For now, the soles of his feet were not protesting the hard-pack of the road.&nbsp; Clothing seemed to vary as much as the shapes of those around him, and he briefly considered the usefulness of a hood - before discarding it as too much of a hassle to deal with.&nbsp; For now, he would be content to let the open air have free reign.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>28-10-2012, 12:35:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was arguably a good thing that the most of the lagging group had moved forwards to harass the fawn in his wagon, as his 'master' wouldn't like to see him in idle chatter or such with his paying clients, though that did mean he was going to get intensely bored before long. "Lift your fucking feet, you hairy mules," he growled at the herd that plodded along. He didn't expect any reaction - and he didn't get one, but several whisks of tails and a toss of horned head. He twirled the staff on his hand, unable to keep himself from doing something. The staff was a longer, heavier weapon than he'd ever toyed with, but it was well balanced and his hands were deft. He could spin it before himself with a careful twist without dropping it, but the length of it and the added weight of the bells gave him something to think about. <br><br>His eyes flicked to the tall man who had drifted back along the caravan - Mayspeak himself wasn't tall, and couldn't see much beyond the first few carts and wagons, but the man's height caught his attention. He assumed 'man' because he didn't dream any woman could be so large. He glanced as well at the other odd man - perhaps, more accurately, the odd male. He wondered about them both in the same idle twist of thought that he toyed with his staff. Were he at home, in the city they were walking away from, he would not have bothered with either staff nor men, but here he had nothing more to do. It was wonder about them, nudge and poke at the puzzles they poised, or else let his mind turn to cheese. <br><br>The tall one might be an elf. The dark one, too. He'd heard of elves with skin black as midnight that sucked marrow from bones under the forest-thick hills, but they were turned to ashes in sunlight - or so the wild fireside stories told. He spoke oddly, smiled like a wild thing, so he might be... or so might be the tall, silent one, cloaked heavily so that nothing but his hands could be seen. His hands twisted the staff over and over, the bells mostly silent but for a softer sound, a slight whistling where the air caught at the small openings in their sides. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>29-10-2012, 01:31:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Scarlet, and Katrina as well, for that matter, started to feel a little more nervous as more people started to congregate near the back of the caravan. She had chosen that position because it had been mostly just pack animals and the like, without having to deal with the complications of dealing with other people. She didn't shy away completely or retreat like Katrina really wanted to do, instead Scarlet urged them to remain, but to remain silent for the moment, as well. Katrina, whose only utterance thus far had been her song, was perfectly alright with that, but she did have a smile to spare for anyone who might happen to look her way.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Castamere</strong> on <strong>29-10-2012, 04:08:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Gatekeeper Darin spotted two of the lasses in the back who appeared sheepish amongst company. He rode closer to where they were and whispered. “May the blessings of the Path Lord be upon you, children.” His hand ever busy with the stroking of his beard, whilst the pale blue ardor of his eyes almost seemed to emanate a glare of their own, never leaving them as he beheld them for all they were. <br><br>“Do you know of the one true Lord of them all, the Path Lord, absolute sovereign to all those who walk on his path, under his ever watchful eye?” His broom hand ever so dutiful as it swished and brushed all in their path.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>29-10-2012, 04:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Now?<br>No, not yet.<br>He didn't know exactly what he was waiting for, but he felt like something was still missing. Perhaps it was the bard who he felt odd about. Maybe someone else. Was <em>someone</em> still missing? He couldn't tell and it was frustrating him, because he felt like he should know. But he didn't.<br>Quietly flexing and relaxing his hands at his side, he nearly missed the bearded, human male's words. Was he being addressed? And, if so, should he respond? It was nerve wrecking, timing was everything. And it wasn't time. Not yet.<br>At least he didn't think it was time...<br>Great, now he was doubting himself.<br>Perhaps he should just get the show on the road. The more figurative road, of course, not this winding path through an endearing enchanted forest that was dangerous with its own kinds of mischief, yes, but nothing like what was in store.<br><br>He decided to but shake his head somewhat at the bearded human male, careful to not have his hood slide and reveal his features. The less people knew of him, the easier this would be. And not just for himself. If he did knew of any deity, he'd not explain to the human.<br><br>The swishing of the herder's staff caught his attention and his head turned to quietly study the male manipulating it. A weapon, he saw. Good. At least not all of them were helpless. This would be fun. So annoying to have participants expire at the first bump in the road.<br>Though, the satyr might be out of his element. And, perhaps, the dark skinned.. what ever that being was.<br>He decided to move again, this time to maneuver until he was next to the being he couldn't quite put his finger on, then made a small gesture at it as if he was trying to get its attention, but then failed to speak, this time pondering what he'd say.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>29-10-2012, 06:38:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Children.&nbsp; For a moment, he bristled - he was old enough to be out on his own!&nbsp; Full twenty winters had passed in his memory, and he no longer sought the shelter of his sire's territory.&nbsp; The observant might notice that the shaggy mop of hair fluffed up just a bit before the dark one realized that this human was referring to the woman next to him as well - and possibly the hooded figure nearby.&nbsp; Another form of address, from an elder to a younger.&nbsp; Customs.<br><br>He relaxed a little and paid more attention.&nbsp; "This Lord - ist he from - whence you are from?"&nbsp; He was indeed interested in learning more, although the talk of Paths was still little more than an abstraction to him.&nbsp; A Path was a way to go, as he grasped the concept, but the idea of deity was unfamiliar.&nbsp; His instinct was to assume that this 'Path Lord' was another, more powerful human.&nbsp; "Ist he a&nbsp; - sovereign of Feria as well?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>29-10-2012, 10:50:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Further up the caravan, away from the stink and the noise of the herd beasts, a traveller rode a long legged creature, its hooves shod in fresh iron and its fangs sharpened to razor points though it was hard to see them through the muzzle fixed over its long slender snout. Its eyes gleamed, lively and wicked, and the herbivores who drew the carts snorted and huffed anxiously was it prowled passed. <br><br>The man astride it had forge-fire hair, tied at the nape with a band of black leather. His eyes were dark blue, and as keen and aggressive as his mount’s, and his clothing was fitted leather. He was an elf, his pointed ears clear to see, pierced all up their rim with gold loops that caught the light, several sapphires caught within them. The long lance strapped to his mount’s side and the slender, curved sword on his hip – and the beast he rode – told all he was a warrior.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>29-10-2012, 16:20:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Katrina felt herself shiver a little when she noticed the elf astride his ferocious looking mount. It wasn't her own reaction, but Scarlet's, she realized. Seeing the elf triggered some kind of memory from Scarlet that kept on intruding on whatever else it was that Katrina was trying to think about.<br><br><em>Really?!?</em> she thought to herself, <em>you have to distract me with your memories, too?</em><br><br>Scarlet just nodded and continued to stare at the elf, slitting her eyes and licking her lips, dangerously close to making some kind of scene before Katrina yanked her back to the conversation between the holy man and the apparently naive tall fellow.<br><br>"Pray forgiveth mine... distractions..." Scarlet pleaded to them. "And nay, strange one, the Path Lord ist one of the deities of the world. Thou knowest naught of the world's religions?" Even Scarlet, who felt positively like a relic in the modern world (mostly because that's exactly what she was) couldn't fathom the possibilty of someone not having heard of the Path Lord.<br><br>Katrina, for her part, used a moment of influence over her own body to glare at the Gatekeeper with what could only be taken as a look of disdain.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>30-10-2012, 07:32:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His eyes flicked from the woman beside him to the rider with the broom and back again.&nbsp; In a complete reversal from his earlier triumph, he now felt completely unprepared again. "Religions?"&nbsp; He drew out the word carefully, sensing its importance from the way she had spoken it - she was shocked that someone could <em>not</em> know it.&nbsp; "Nay, my - the others of my - We do not - have this."&nbsp; He felt his face warm, but his skin was not pale enough to display that sign of his inner struggle.&nbsp; "'Tis strange to - to my tongue," he finished, with an attempt to match the apologetic look he had seen from the often-distracted woman.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>31-10-2012, 01:10:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He didn't want to be blatant, and thus recoiled more when his gesture was overlooked. Of course it was, he wasn't exactly waving his hand before the dark skinned individual and there were distractions. One of those he saw further ahead; a warrior elf he started to stare at and wasn't able to look away from. Was this warrior practical to include? He wondered, and wondered, too, if 'his' group wasn't becoming too big for his skills.<br><br>The conversation on deities had him turn his attention back to the small gathering closer to himself. Wasn't he clothed as a priest? He was, indeed. Maybe he should say something, now. Draw them in in one or the other manner.<br><br>"You do not believe in anything?" he asked the dark skinned being, as he'd been last to speak, the voice of the hooded, cloaked being so much between a male's and a female's voice, it was still impossible to make out his gender. "I would have thought everyone had some sort of belief. If anything, the belief in themselves and the world around them."<br><br>He shouldn't have worded that last bit, he thought. It was dangerously close to his own thoughts and views.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Castamere</strong> on <strong>31-10-2012, 05:24:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He listened quietly to the words that passed their lips, each nuance augmented by their interest, their curiosity and even their acknowledgement, Darin believed. For the Path Lord decreed anyone who walks a step towards Him on this path, the Path Lord walk three towards them. <br><br>One of the youths asked him if the Path Lord hailed from where <em>he</em> hailed from. The Gatekeeper thrust his staff on the road twice, both in disappointment and excitement. “The Path Lord is everywhere, child. Each walk o’ life, every direction, towards every semblance of society a road leads the Path Lord nurtures and protects. Feria, DrakenCourt, NilfBark and NilfDaarn, HoisinInn, Tamark, Golander, ForkFalls, Seneschal… he’s everywhere.” <br><br>He stroked his curls at the girl and eyed her. “What folly, one shan’t deny the Path Lord especially when one travels on His Path. These roads are riddled with all manner of beast, yet it be the Path Lord that keep thou safe!” He pointed his broom at her. “Men lie, demons lie… even blades lie but the path remains the same...”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>31-10-2012, 06:00:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At the mention of beasts, the dark one glanced nervously beyond the caravan.&nbsp; He was grateful for the question from the hooded one, if only to pull him away from directly conversing with the man who proclaimed this 'Path Lord'.<br><br>"Believe?" he repeated, liking the sound of that word better.&nbsp; "Aye, we believe but - not the same..."&nbsp; He wasn't even sure he could quite convey how different the idea of ever-present watchers was from the traditions of his kind.&nbsp; <br><br>Still eyeing the questioner, he ventured his own question.&nbsp; "This - Path Lord.&nbsp; He protects the roads, but what of -" he gestured broadly at the forest around them.&nbsp; "Is there one that is watchful there?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Madriv</strong> on <strong>31-10-2012, 16:52:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Well, well. They'd stopped singing. Even the oxherd had ceased his infernal jingling. That was more like it.<br><br>Bal smoothed his waistcoat and plucked a timepiece out of his pocket by its gold chain. Holding it up, he pretended to ponder it while studying the stragglers nearby. The preachers were out and about attempting to convert the unwary, no doubt. The nervous one had dark skin. The girl had an intriguing sword; or was it the other way around? He followed their eyes and glanced around the corner of his wagon, where a nasty piece of elvish work was gadding about. <br><br>"More than one," he interjected, catching the dark skin's question. "I'll wager any number of things have their eyes on you." He returned his watch to his pocket and turned towards the oxherd's twirling staff. Was that a thief's brand on his wrist? Behind his burgundy lenses the satyr's eyes narrowed suspiciously. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>31-10-2012, 17:11:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Scarlet regarded the Gatekeeper with a slightly... guilty... expression when he mentioned the bit about blades being able to lie. Was he speaking to her, directly, or had it just been a coincidental turn of phrase.<br><br>"Thy words... thou speaketh..." she bit her lip and shook her head, and instead just let the strange black-skinned fellow speak, instead. Then the satyr, whom Katrina still held in disdain, except she just grinned at him and even stuck out her tongue.<br><br>And that would have been the end of it, were it not for something for which she held even more disdain than song-hating satyrs, and she began to recite...<br><br>The one who spends his days<br>Obsessed with the beyond<br>He'll preach and tout his ways<br>The peace and safety found<br><br>He'll swear his god is right<br>His path is just and true<br>For you to see the light<br>Just follow what they do<br><br>He'll tell you it is faith, not proof<br>To fulfill the promise made<br>The only god who speaks the truth<br>Is a god who has betrayed
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Castamere</strong> on <strong>01-11-2012, 00:10:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“He protects all on his Path, child… the Path Lord does not prejudice.” He raised his staff in the air, pushing it towards the hooded lad. “You may hide thy face, but the Lord ponders the deep and the recluse alike. He knows.”<br><br>He fell silent as the girl recited her thoughts; whilst the Gatekeeper was respectful he found the colour draining from his face, his hands clutching the staff… but still Darin waited until she was done. He pointed his staff towards her. <br><br>“What folly!” The preacher exclaimed. His voice began to boom once more.<br><br>Did God betrayeth thou to kingdom come? <br>Abandoned Lord and knave alike to the sum?<br>The Path it led hither and thither...<br>Didn't he rein it well, till thy path was done?<br><br>When water floweth, it doth not smear<br>Thou hear the trickle, not the shear<br>How dare thee walk the path He summoned?<br>Did God betrayeth thou to kingdom come?<br><br>The cobble, the stone, the dusk, the play<br>His followers broom, his preachers pray<br>Believe and thou may still be blessed by the one<br>Did God betrayeth thou to kingdom come?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>01-11-2012, 03:27:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He tilted his head somewhat, this debate was growing stronger. He'd seen theological debates before, but never on a road in the middle of nowhere. They could get explosive and a group travelling often had more pressing matters, as the environment itself. Personally, he preferred the singing over the reciting.<br><br>Men lie. Blades lie.<br>Well, of course they do. Truth only got you so far, lies got you the rest of the way.<br><br>The question of the dark skinned one if something would be watchful in the forest as it was on the path made him chuckle.<br><br>"None watching could not be slid past," he said quietly, sliding hands into opposite sleeves "It would be the ones that do not watch one needs to worry about."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Madriv</strong> on <strong>01-11-2012, 16:52:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bal rolled his eyes. Preachers were made of riddles and bones. He turned sharply and stalked back into his wagon, slammed a few things about, and returned to the little landing armed with a padded chair and a bottle. With his goat-like tail flicking, he set the chair below the window and fell into it, putting his hooves up on the railing. He uncorked the bottle with his teeth and raised it towards the cheeky girl in salute.<br><br>"If you're all going to keep jawing, I might as well doze in the sunshine," he sighed and took a very long drink. "I trust that if anyone is mauled by things watching or not watching, your screams will make a fine alarm clock."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Teo Torriatte</strong> on <strong>01-11-2012, 17:10:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Scarlet, once again in control, gazed at everyone, looking a little sheepish. She wished she had a better reign on her host, who, she had to admit, even she thought was a little strange, only speaking in verses and songs. It didn't help that the Gatekeep had replied in kind, which she had to think was just encouraging to the troubled girl.<br><br>But if Katrina had voiced her disdain for the preacher, it was Scarlet's turn to get a little incensed at the behavior of the satyr. "Forsooth," she called up to him, "Thou wouldst sleepeth, whilst thine... companions..." and she realized she was using that term fairly loosely as far as the satyr probably couldn't care less about any of them, "are getting bludgeoned and/or skewered and/or dismembered by the foulest creatures, seen or unseen, that mayhap lurketh in the darkest of shadow in yonder these woods?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Madriv</strong> on <strong>01-11-2012, 17:33:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bal lowered his glasses and peered at the girl over the dark lenses. <br><br>"Better you than me, darling," he smiled.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>02-11-2012, 04:21:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The girl-with-the-blade and satyr kept at it. Brilliant. That meant the satyr certainly had to come with... ...unless he was too deeply rooted in the here and now, obviously.<br>Nodding, he chuckled quietly: the satyr was most definitely not amused. The to and fro was interesting to himself, though, and he gave it his full attention for moments on end.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>02-11-2012, 15:57:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A soft chuckle escaped the figure in the feathered cloak.&nbsp; Despite the exotic appearances of his new associates, he could see very familiar behaviors in them - in this case, the posturing and squabbling of two younglings over a prized tidbit.&nbsp; The fact that he - or at least his 'belief' - was the prize in question might have been disturbing, but none had threatened him so far.&nbsp; The satyr's comment about 'things' watching could have been taken as such, but only a fool would think that the forest was free of predators.<br><br>And he would know.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Beginning of a journey starts with a Single Step.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Madriv</strong> on <strong>06-11-2012, 01:00:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Of course," Bal continued, if any of you lot are talented enough to eliminate problems before anyone else - specifically, me - gets mauled, I might be interested in making a deal. A bit of gold now, for a sharp pair of eyes and a quick blade at my service, with quite a bit more gold in store when we reach our destination."&nbsp; He pulled a small bag from another pocket and shook it for a satisfying jingle. "What do you say, sword-girl? Feather-cloak?"<br><br>He tapped his hoof on the wagon's rail and grinned.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Path winds in Mysterious Ways.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saerrael</strong> on <strong>06-11-2012, 03:35:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div align="center">(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/133/2/0/city_of_secrets_by_kaicarpenter-d3g9ps0.png)</div><br><div align="center"><strong><span class="bbc_u">Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Path winds in Mysterious Ways.</span></strong></div><br><br>When it happened, even he was surprised, even if he had known it had been coming. He had thought to be the one in control, though, not to be just a random part of... it.<br>There were no words to describe what happened. All he knew for certain was that the forest faded and a city of some kind came in its place. But if that had been all, he could have lived with it, wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. So insignificant.<br><br>Not just the world -and his place in that world- changed, but also his body. It hurt, shifting, realigning, reprogrammed. Bioware. His magic dwindled until it was a whisper in the back of his mind. In return, though, implants formed on and inside, granting him access to a secondary world that seemed to be floating information. It was everywhere. And it knew everything.<br><br>As he hadn't watched the others he had thought to be his group, he didn't notice who was or was not effected by something his implants called a teleportation. Alternative reality? Time travel? All this new input made his head spin. He hadn't forgotten anything, but he had also just received understanding of a world he hadn't been born in.<br><br>Had he screamed? Or had his anguish gone unnoticed?<br><br>Around him, he found, the city kept buzzing, moving as if nothing had happened. So many different races. Gods only knew what he would find here.<br><hr><hr><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Setting Change</div><div class="spoiler_body">The path winds and any and all find themselves in a city, though this certainly is not Feria.<br><br>The new setting is Science Fiction (City).<br>New characters have been born (or manufactured!) in this setting. Androids, robots, etc, are welcome.<br>Alien races can be played and encountered.<br>High magic users can't have been born here. Psionics are perfectly fine.<br><br>Old characters are welcome, as are new, of course.<br>Old and new players are welcome, as well.</div></div>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Path winds in Mysterious Ways.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Oniya</strong> on <strong>09-11-2012, 06:18:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was about to point out to the satyr that he didn't have a blade - not that he was defenseless, of course, but if that changed the terms, it was something to know - when something about the world went end-over-end.&nbsp; It wasn't something he could quite explain, although it was vaguely like the sensations he'd gone through when choosing how to best blend in with the caravan.<br><br>When it was over, he found himself gawping at the bizarre surroundings, and then hurriedly looking around to see how much of the caravan had been affected.&nbsp; The hooded figure was still there - that was something, at least.<br><br>"Methinks our destination is - not what it was," he ventured slowly.&nbsp; "This road - These <em>things</em> - are beyond even song!"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Dead Muse Society - IC 1 : The Path winds in Mysterious Ways.</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Nadir</strong> on <strong>11-11-2012, 22:08:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mayspeak staggered, tripping on air or a shadow or a mote of dust kicked from the road by his shuffling herd – and the world changed.<br><br>It was a twist, and flash, and thunderclap, a bored god’s whim and the earth turning itself inside out. All of that and more, but none of it as well. He blinked and looked around himself, and knew the rapid language of circles and lines that flickered behind his eyelids better than the language of tongue. Memories sloughed from his mind as swiftly as new ones were exposed, as if they had always been there – as if they were all he had known. Fear squirmed for a moment as he realised he was forgetting – but the change came one too quick for the fear to grip too tight, and after a moment he had forgotten what it was that he had been so frightened of. <br><br>The city was beautiful, bright and filled with life, and his implants lanced their sly feelers out to those in range, probing the implants of those around him, feeding him back information in highly illegal, highly rewarding data harvesting. Anyone with a chip unguarded he could explore, an invasion more intimate than rape some would say. <br><br>It made his breath catch in his throat and his grin was wide and exultant. This was freedom. <br>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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