Post by Lilith Nevermore on Jan 31, 2020 2:03:41 GMT -8
Name: Lilith Nevermore
Starting Land: Southern Islands
New Land: Pilaf Land
Steps Required: 1 step - 1000 words
Thread Type: Personal Saga
Thread Link: -
Mode of Travel: Normal ("Home is where the Heart Is" bonus thingy)
Somewhere in the deep depths of a murky forest, within the shadow of a mighty tree, sat a small hut. Barely big enough to be called a cottage, it vaguely resembled a violet mushroom. However, a very, very close look revealed the walls were actually made of... gingerbread? As was the roof. Violet coloration came from frosting. Even the lone window was sugar glass. Questions like how and why would best be forgotten around here. After all, people of the nearest village claimed that a witch lived here. She was described as a nasty, old hag who cast curses upon those who dared to wander close. No doubt this confectionery too was some evil ploy. The cruelest rumors whispered that it was meant to entrap children...
...While in reality the reason was something much more embarrassing. Aaand a story for a different time anyway.
Inside the cottage, two shadows moved about. One was small and lithe, feminine in her silhouette. The other was smaller still, with a lanky, frame painting the shadow. A huge, arcane symbol had been painted on the floor with crimson liquid. The slightly taller shadow stepped into the center. Red eyes closed. A deep breath of focus passed the pale lips. Quietly, an incantation was spoken to the symbol. “Through time and space in a single step... Teleport to Temple of Shadows!” The symbol started glowing with power. Magic sparked in the air. It swirled around the figure, swallowed her...
Aaaand nothing happened.
A candle flickered to life. Lilith’s shoulder’s slumped with a frustrated sigh. “Tch, another failure... Must be the distance...” Meanwhile, a small imp sat on her bed and scratched his behind with a disinterested stare. His voice was far deeper and smoother than the tiny frame suggested. “Well duh~ It’s a Teleport spell, not Instant Transmission. There’s a difference, you know.” The witch shot the mouthy demon a venomous glare. “...I do not recall asking you anything.” She grabbed her wand and pointed at the lazy creature. “You promised to tell me how to reach the Temple of Shadows, yet this is the third time the method fails.” The imp hopped onto the floor and shrugged lazily. “I did tell you. Ain’t my fault you’re too weak to actually do it.” Lilith’s eye twitched and grip tightened. This little... “Tch.... Back to the inferno with you.” Even as a fiery portal opened beneath the demon, he seemed entirely unfazed. “Yeah, whatever.” With a flash of flames, he returned back where he came from.
Unfortunately, this setback meant the witch was back in square one. The word had reached her of a mystical temple that had simply... appeared from the waves near the coast of Pilaf Land. If her research was correct, and it always was, this was the Temple of Shadows, a mysterious place that housed incredible arcane power. She absolutely had to research it in person. But... The problem was actually getting there. Ever since her family’s final fate, she had lost all methods of transportation. No more horse carriages, magical gates or even broom flight. To reach this island in the first place, she had been forced to buy a ticket to a ship. Like a peasant! Ugh, the humiliation...
However, the desire to experience something so rare burned even hotter than the embarrassment. The young noble silently swore to reach that island even if she had to swim the distance! ...Well, maybe not swim. Perhaps she could cast charm on some sea creatures instead. Sharks were preferable company to those bloated, intoxicated tourists in garish shirts who slurred vulgar things at her... Muttering unsavory things about tourists beneath her breath, she went to gather the essentials. Naturally, a witch needed no backpack or suitcase. Any ingredients and spell components shrank down and fit snugly into pouches at her belt or pockets within her robes. Only the ancient tome of Nevermore was carried, though she didn’t mind. It doubled as a social shield when she clutched it against her chest. With everything important accounted for, she set off into the murky jungle.
Few hours later...
Lilith emerged from the jungle irritated and exhausted. Seeing the lively harbor wasn’t really a relief, as it meant the hardest part of the journey was still ahead... Dealing with peasants. She briefly considered commandeering a smaller vessel, but... Admittedly she didn’t quite have the same talent in charm spells as her mother. And the last time she had failed at intimidation, a mindless brute had beaten her to the brink of death. Not to mention the waves looked rather violent today... Drowning was an awful way to go, she silently surmised. With triple the reasons, she reluctantly turned her stare onto the large tourist ship scheduled to depart shortly. A deep breath filled her chest with determination. Magic called her name and she intended to answer, no matter what it would take.
As if queueing for a ticket wasn’t challenge enough, the witch was utterly shocked to find out that she couldn’t afford the most luxurious VIP cabins. But how? She had just recently secured a source of money! Slowly the grim realization sank in, echoing through the depths of her mind. She... had to travel... among the peasants...? A hint of green painted her cheeks. She covered her mouth and fought against the wave of nausea. Luckily, her determination still burned bright. Swallowing her pride, she settled for the cheapest tourist class tickets her last coins could buy. Perhaps she could count herself fortunate that no one here recognized her... At the very least, the name of Nevermore would not be sullied any further.
After an arduous journey of being constantly bothered by belligerent drunks and lecherous con artists, the young noble finally reached Pilaf Land. Looking into the distance, she could feel the ominous power emanating from the sea. Her goal was so close... She closed her eyes, muttered an incantation... “Through time and space in a single step... Teleport to Temple of Shadows.” ...And poof, vanished in a glimmer of magic.
[1022 words]
Starting Land: Southern Islands
New Land: Pilaf Land
Steps Required: 1 step - 1000 words
Thread Type: Personal Saga
Thread Link: -
Mode of Travel: Normal ("Home is where the Heart Is" bonus thingy)
Somewhere in the deep depths of a murky forest, within the shadow of a mighty tree, sat a small hut. Barely big enough to be called a cottage, it vaguely resembled a violet mushroom. However, a very, very close look revealed the walls were actually made of... gingerbread? As was the roof. Violet coloration came from frosting. Even the lone window was sugar glass. Questions like how and why would best be forgotten around here. After all, people of the nearest village claimed that a witch lived here. She was described as a nasty, old hag who cast curses upon those who dared to wander close. No doubt this confectionery too was some evil ploy. The cruelest rumors whispered that it was meant to entrap children...
...While in reality the reason was something much more embarrassing. Aaand a story for a different time anyway.
Inside the cottage, two shadows moved about. One was small and lithe, feminine in her silhouette. The other was smaller still, with a lanky, frame painting the shadow. A huge, arcane symbol had been painted on the floor with crimson liquid. The slightly taller shadow stepped into the center. Red eyes closed. A deep breath of focus passed the pale lips. Quietly, an incantation was spoken to the symbol. “Through time and space in a single step... Teleport to Temple of Shadows!” The symbol started glowing with power. Magic sparked in the air. It swirled around the figure, swallowed her...
Aaaand nothing happened.
A candle flickered to life. Lilith’s shoulder’s slumped with a frustrated sigh. “Tch, another failure... Must be the distance...” Meanwhile, a small imp sat on her bed and scratched his behind with a disinterested stare. His voice was far deeper and smoother than the tiny frame suggested. “Well duh~ It’s a Teleport spell, not Instant Transmission. There’s a difference, you know.” The witch shot the mouthy demon a venomous glare. “...I do not recall asking you anything.” She grabbed her wand and pointed at the lazy creature. “You promised to tell me how to reach the Temple of Shadows, yet this is the third time the method fails.” The imp hopped onto the floor and shrugged lazily. “I did tell you. Ain’t my fault you’re too weak to actually do it.” Lilith’s eye twitched and grip tightened. This little... “Tch.... Back to the inferno with you.” Even as a fiery portal opened beneath the demon, he seemed entirely unfazed. “Yeah, whatever.” With a flash of flames, he returned back where he came from.
Unfortunately, this setback meant the witch was back in square one. The word had reached her of a mystical temple that had simply... appeared from the waves near the coast of Pilaf Land. If her research was correct, and it always was, this was the Temple of Shadows, a mysterious place that housed incredible arcane power. She absolutely had to research it in person. But... The problem was actually getting there. Ever since her family’s final fate, she had lost all methods of transportation. No more horse carriages, magical gates or even broom flight. To reach this island in the first place, she had been forced to buy a ticket to a ship. Like a peasant! Ugh, the humiliation...
However, the desire to experience something so rare burned even hotter than the embarrassment. The young noble silently swore to reach that island even if she had to swim the distance! ...Well, maybe not swim. Perhaps she could cast charm on some sea creatures instead. Sharks were preferable company to those bloated, intoxicated tourists in garish shirts who slurred vulgar things at her... Muttering unsavory things about tourists beneath her breath, she went to gather the essentials. Naturally, a witch needed no backpack or suitcase. Any ingredients and spell components shrank down and fit snugly into pouches at her belt or pockets within her robes. Only the ancient tome of Nevermore was carried, though she didn’t mind. It doubled as a social shield when she clutched it against her chest. With everything important accounted for, she set off into the murky jungle.
Few hours later...
Lilith emerged from the jungle irritated and exhausted. Seeing the lively harbor wasn’t really a relief, as it meant the hardest part of the journey was still ahead... Dealing with peasants. She briefly considered commandeering a smaller vessel, but... Admittedly she didn’t quite have the same talent in charm spells as her mother. And the last time she had failed at intimidation, a mindless brute had beaten her to the brink of death. Not to mention the waves looked rather violent today... Drowning was an awful way to go, she silently surmised. With triple the reasons, she reluctantly turned her stare onto the large tourist ship scheduled to depart shortly. A deep breath filled her chest with determination. Magic called her name and she intended to answer, no matter what it would take.
As if queueing for a ticket wasn’t challenge enough, the witch was utterly shocked to find out that she couldn’t afford the most luxurious VIP cabins. But how? She had just recently secured a source of money! Slowly the grim realization sank in, echoing through the depths of her mind. She... had to travel... among the peasants...? A hint of green painted her cheeks. She covered her mouth and fought against the wave of nausea. Luckily, her determination still burned bright. Swallowing her pride, she settled for the cheapest tourist class tickets her last coins could buy. Perhaps she could count herself fortunate that no one here recognized her... At the very least, the name of Nevermore would not be sullied any further.
After an arduous journey of being constantly bothered by belligerent drunks and lecherous con artists, the young noble finally reached Pilaf Land. Looking into the distance, she could feel the ominous power emanating from the sea. Her goal was so close... She closed her eyes, muttered an incantation... “Through time and space in a single step... Teleport to Temple of Shadows.” ...And poof, vanished in a glimmer of magic.
[1022 words]