Unti Family/Nerta/A1S5

Wolf's Howl
Report from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Flashback - Escape from Mhed Branches claw and drag at the rough wool tunic, tearing fabric and leaving gashes. The dark cackle of the old woman seems to stalk from the shadows driving me forward, away from the old woman and her ink. Stomach settled, my head no longer spins, but something much worse shadows me. Rounding on the snarling shape amidst a break in the trees I brace, hands fumbling for a club, a rock, anything. But it's not enough. The weight of the beast slams me against a trunk, my stomach lurching as I lash with fists. One blow connects with spongy tissue with a wet thump, even as another scrapes along chitin plates. My vision swims and heart races as some searing oozes drips down one arm. With a clicking hiss at the back of my mouth I roll to the side, slamming the beast through the thin scrub. It gave me time enough to rub my arm in the snow to clear the slime, and let the familiar pain of a Graft blossoms across my jaw. The beast wobbles upright a moment later but mid lunge becomes aware that something is wrong. It's too late however and I strike, chelicerae biting into the unprotected eye stalk. A burbling wail pierces the air as ichor drips from my grotesque expression. Staggering away from the writhing thing I inhale sharply and shudder as the Graft fades. I needed a real weapon, shelter.. time. The old woman had stolen everything. Pushing through the next corps of trees I tumble in the gloom to trip on a root but manage to catch myself before I sprawl into a… a camp? The stranger wipes his mouth on the back of his sleeve as his wineskin slips to the stump seat. The curling stench of stale drink rolls toward me along with the swaying silhouette, even as my breath steams with still cooling ichor dripping down my jaw. My hand twitches, fingers clenching as the figure stops only a short distance away leaving me nowhere to hide. So we stand in cold silence until he slurs, “Whersh your clothesh?” Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Nerta, Wren, and Vedens find Mulki happily bouncing on her heels. While they'd been having such a grand adventure in the old catacombs, the excitable chatterbox had successfully purchased not one, nor two, but three separate wharfs. Next to their harrowing time in the dark all Nerta could do was smile and lead the motley crew down the winding streets until they stand in the shadow of the Odeon Cruor. Built out of stone from the foothills of Qual during the height of the Republic and shaped by the finest artisans, even now the towering statues peer down at the thronging crowds of the merchant square. The Old Man had been amused to see the arena still standing back when they’d first made it to the city. Apparently the Plebeian District had been cleared away to construct the massive structure all to give the newly minted adventurers a place to meet. Of course that meant homes and shops which had stood for generations had been demolished, all so the Patricians could enjoy a spot of leisure and blood sport. Even today, with the might of the Republic long since faded, the arena floor was rarely dry. Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr As the group pushed through the crowd Jacinda was pacing back and forth before the great arena pausing only to buy a flatbread wrap from a street vendor. She knew this was where she was supposed to be, or close to it, but she still didn't know why, and her aching feet told her this whole thing was a fool's errand. "Blasted misbegotten feelings are no reason to run across a continent..." The woman muttered between bites of the warm food looking fierce in her heavy armour. So like a guard captain, with blades, mail, rope and more hanging from her heavy pack or travel cloak. "But I can feel ​​​​​​​this is the right place...!" Then she turned at one edge of the street, spun around, and saw them. An odd assortment, surely at least some of them on the same path as she, and that feeling that guided her here tightened. Opening her mouth she raised an arm to hail them. Wren’s sharp gaze spied the quick movement, leaving her to straighten abruptly and point out the heavily armed woman to the hunched figure in front of the small group. As they all began to pivot the new voice called, "I...Are you..." Jacinda chews on her lip. How did you tell someone that you had a feeling you needed to meet them? "I...I need to be...Here, I think, but I don't know why, and can you...Do any of you...?" The new woman’s hand tightened around her sword hilt, "Why am I here?​​​​​​​" Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Report from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Flashback - Escape from Mhed After that he gave me a cloak. It smells, but it’s better than half torn sackcloth. He also… didn’t panic, stare, or try to ward me away. He just swayed over to his bag, pulled out the cloak and tossed it before nearly collapsing on his stump. His indifferent kindness was almost endearing after so many weeks away from home. The chilly specter of the Old Man shares a few choice words, but I ignore him and move over to join the drunk even as I use the edge of the cloak to clean my chin. We sit in silence for a time, save the crackling of the fire, but eventually I mutter, “Thanks. I'm Nerta.” “Vhedensh,” he slurs and smiles before taking another pull of the wine. Based on his burp the sour drink seems to please him. “F-F-F-Foederati, right?” For some reason the old word doesn’t make me wince. “Ya,” I glance away in the dark, “From the Roof of the World uh... the mountains west of here. ” “Knew it! Ha. Thsss cool. ‘m from Agyr,” one pause later he adds, “You should gets clothesh ‘nd stuff. Dangerous out here.” I snort, lips pursed. “Had stuff, was robbed in Mhed.” “Wash he cute at leasht?” taking a pull at the wine he seems to catch my puzzled look, “No? ssss not fair. It’sh only fun when they shteal your clothesh and they’re cute.” “It was a robbery, not some…” I snort and wave a hand, “game.” Though the crone certainly had something in mind, the ink marks... “Pssssssh you need better friendsh.” “I don’t have friends.” My words bite like winter. He didn’t deserve that… but he hardly seems to notice. “Okay fine! You twisted my arm. Heh, arms. I’ll be your friend,’ he points, “But the wine ish mine. Friendsh don’t shteal friendsh wine.” Furrowing my brow, I can’t help a short bark of a laugh, “You… you’re a drunken fool.” In response he just spreads his hands, and gives me a lopsided stare of incredulity while I rub my temple and wonder when was the last time I’d laughed... Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Wren the Watcher Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Wren blink-blinked at the woman, who seemed nervous despite being equipped and armored to handle anything. Curiosity drew her to question in that peculiar soprano, “What told you come? Always travel has a reason.” She took two small bouncing steps away from the group and cocked her head to one side. “You come from far away, yes?” Wren the Watcher (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda blinked. Had she just… Chirped? “Aye, quite a ways, the south-western coast. I just felt I had to. Normally I just chase the next full bounty pot, but this…” Jacinda shook her head. “I don’t know what this was. I’m from the north, though. On the Bay of Calm, of all the blasted ironic names.” Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr As Wren chirps Nerta lets out a long shuddering breath at the stranger’s question. Everything about her, the tone, the posture, the haunted look, it was all too familiar. Nerta didn’t know this woman, armed and armoured to the nines, but it didn’t matter. She was a plaything of the Gods. Just like her. Gritting her teeth Nerta can just feel everything swirl around her, a storm of lost emotions that threatened to spill out. But she, she wasn’t going to, Abyss, cry. “I don’t know why, but I do know who. The Gods sent you…” Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda froze. “You...You know…” She leaned against a nearby tying post, before wincing and withdrawing as she ended up with a splinter in her hand. “Which gods?” Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Nerta’s chest felt hollow, her heart thunder. This woman, she didn’t even know… How cruel are the Gods to ruin lives even in ignorance… Taking a few calming breaths Nerta swallows, “The only ones that matter. They are the Old Gods of Beluaterra. The masters of the land and everything upon it.” Pausing Nerta sighs and nods, “Not everyone can hear them all the time, and they rarely bother to speak with humans but…” Nerta adopts a rictus of a grin, “I guess you’re just lucky.” Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda laughed, hollowly. “Lucky. That is one thing that has been missing in my life. My village was turned into a necromancer’s playground, everyone I’d ever known killed, and no matter how much I learn, how much I fight, I still can’t deal with the champions that guard them. And you say this is…” She breathed, deeply, tugging in agitation on her black braid, before focusing again. “Can they help me kill necromancers? Because if so, then where do I sign up?” Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr “Help you?” Kevan's blood still stains her cloak. The absurdity of it all... Nerta can't help the laugh that bubbles up, a sound none of her new companions had heard in all their travels. It is bitter and full of vitriol. “The Gods do not help you. Why, most of them want us dead and gone for humans are seen as weak!” Gesturing to specter that none could see, Nerta presses. “The Old Man tried for years to earn the love of the Gods and what has it given him? He is but a haunting shade, shackled to me and his people languish alone.” The fury of those glittering eyes seems near absolute. Such pointless death and suffering all because of capricious Gods and hideous beasts. “You hunt a necromancer? A weak man seduced by the Crystal Maiden and the power of the Abyss. Yet the other Gods do not grant us a boon in hunting them. We are expected to endure despite the odds. To prove our 'worth'.” Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Report from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Flashback - Escape from Mhed And so I left. Slipping into the cold dawn while the drunk still dozed, the edges of his cloak snap in the fierce wind while the start of a new spear rests across my shoulder. He had been generous enough but I couldn’t even guess what he’d do after sobering up. The sun continues to climb as I crunch out of the woods to find the edge of a field sweeping up to a walled village. Perched atop a hill this place was no doubt ringed by ordered farms allowing the plebeians to flee back to the safety of the palisade should the creatures of the wild attack. Exhaling slowly, my breath steams as I shiver in the scant fragments of gear. No doubt there will be work a plenty, but can I survive? Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda stared, momentarily defeated. She had no idea who this “old man” was, but the rest seemed clear. No help, no aid, nothing that would avenge her people or prevent it from happening again. Her eyes closed as she slumped. “Then this was a fool’s errand. Just like the dream of that six eyed wolf, damn and blast it…” There was too much weariness in her voice for much vehemence. “My apologies, then, I will take my leave.” She turned, stretching a little, and moved to go. Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Nerta mirrored the other woman's slump, her breath heavy, "Then I wish you the best of luck. If you're getting visions from the Wolf Lord you're worse off than I, and they… won't leave me alone." Nerta's voice grows softer with each word, her eyes closing by the end as she pinches the bridge of her nose and fights back weary tears. Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda’s head whipped around. “Wolf Lord? Is that...One of these gods? Was that from them too?” Her face, golden under the weather-beaten tan, went pale. “How long have I been walking down this road?” Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Nerta can’t respond right away, even as the poor woman feels the creeping dread close around her heart. Why Gods… why must you do this? Is it all just to see if we can survive? “Y-Yes. Yes,” swallowing hard Nerta clears her throat and eventually looks up, “Yes the Wolf Lord is one name for one of the Gods. It’s a common name in the north, Wren might know what they call him in the south…” Vaguely waving at the one in the dappled cloak Nerta sighs, “I’ve no idea how Abyss long you’ve been cursed, but I’m sorry either way.” Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr You didn’t survive long in the wilds without being able to feel tension. And Jacinda could cut the tension here with her blade. “And...What is this Wolf Lord known for? The dream was...A challenge, it felt like. And after my village…” She looked at both of them, eyes darting back and forth, searching their faces while her own was strained. “What is this curse you keep referring to?” Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Nerta glances around the square, seemingly disinterested in answering. Yet as she spies a shop across from the small group she grabs Jacinda to drag her along. The place sells an assortment of knick knacks around the games. How such a shop can exist is a mystery in itself but they had a glass display window, which meant standing amidst the banners and horns for the arena crowd is the trimmed and ethereal presence of the Old Man. “Hello my dear. Do not be alarmed by my appearance,” comes the echoing apparition shimmering in the window, “ and please forgive my companion as she is somewhat, high strung, these days. You would like to know some things about the Gods? I can certainly help with that.” Jacinda recoiled from the glass, hand dropping to the hilt of her blade. Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Report from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Flashback - Escape from Mhed The village elder met me in the small inn with offers of good coin for simple work: Save some sheep stolen by a beast and bring back a little boy that had wandered too far from home. They knew as well as I that he was no doubt dead, but they wished to burn him least he return with the rising of the full moon. So here I am trudging back through the woods my feet crunching in snow armed with only a staff and all on the promise of a few silvers. The father with sunken eyes had given me some pants; they’d been his wife’s. A woman lost some years ago to some nameless horror that had slipped over the walls and stole her away. Even the Old Man had been brooding quietly then, questioning what had happened to the Legions. We’d not known then, but the Legion had been gone for a long time. No one was protecting these people. Save me. Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr “Who...What are you? And…” Jacinda’s curiosity got the better of her, “What is this ‘Wolf Lord’ and curse business?” Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr The man in the window pursed his lips, the neatly trimmed beard contrasting, “Ah. I rather thought you were a bit more seasoned than the rest of these companions... I’m a ghost my dear, an Ancestor made manifest and all that. Really you should at least try to listen to the old folktales, they have some wisdom to them…” “Seeing as someone must continue your education, the Wolf Lord is the god of nature, broadly speaking. He’s a vicious fellow though because well…” the ghost chuckles, “As you’ve probably noticed nature is vicious. But you say he gave you a challenge? Sounds like him. He likes to test people, see if they’re worthy of his gifts. Harsh but fair sort of chap,” the specter pauses, “usually.” “As for the curse business,” Walking along in the pane the ghost takes a moment to consider Nerta with those luminescent violet eyes before shrugging, “The girl is rather keen to part with my company, the Gods have other plans but she does like to wriggle.” Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda traced a finger along the glass in wonder, should it feel different? “Ancestor spirits came to my people in unusual sea creatures, visions like this are beyond my ken. This Wolf Lord, though, seems like something I can understand. If he is the God of nature, he can’t support the undead, can he?” Jacinda leaned forward to inspect the ghost as she spoke. Truly the Old Man had retained his commanding presence, sharp eye and melodic voice, yet death had robbed him of much. Grave dust clung to his once fine clothes leaving him indistinct and his dark beard was streaked with grey while wrinkles lined his ghostly corpus. Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr If the inspection bothered the shade he gave no sign, “Be mindful of things from the deep my dear. The Abyss spawns many of the undead creatures you despise so… But yes, the Wolf Lord would be an ally to any who would strike down the dead things.” Jacinda starts, her expression pensive, “And what plans are these? What do these Gods want?” The question saw the specter of the old Consul pause, his expression enigmatic, “No one knows the will of the Gods my dear but… I would say they want it done. They are tired of humanity’s slow, agonizing failure. They want us done and gone or triumphant and champions of all.” Jacinda the Driven (Foederati)
Report from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Flashback - Escape from Mhed Blood on my hands. I’d found the sheep soon enough. Torn to pieces. But what I hadn’t known was that they’d been bait. Bait for me. The Hunter nearly struck me down on the first blow, great claws slicing through the air as it pounced from the trees. Only the Old Man’s warning and a lucky roll saw the cloak torn and not me. Squaring off, staff in hand, the beast hissed and gibbered, moving like smoke across the deep snow drift even as I plunged within on each step. Grip tightening I curse quietly as the beast circles in. A Hunter was bad news, very bad: A Child of the Gods who could think and plan. Maybe the ambush yesterday had been one of the thing’s hounds… The broad feet crunch as the beast leaps again, talons extended and maw distending like a lamprey. Letting out a sharp breath I lunge, trying to keep the staff aimed at the thing's chest, but only sink into the drift with a curse. The weight presses down, talon sinking into a hand and splashing hot blood across the entombing snow. Struggling to fend off the beast I hiss through the pain of a Graft but the thing seems quite aware of what I was attempting and with a wicked grin slams my chin back even as I try to lunge for a bite. Oh yes, this thing saw me yesterday….This… might be it… Suddenly the beast roars and slithers about like a serpent to glare toward the treeline, leaving me to lash out with a fist. The creature is more surprised than hurt, but bounds back letting me sit up with a groan of my grotesque grimace. Before I can do anything else the Hunter scampers off, no doubt to warn its band that the ambush had been foiled. Holding my hand as blood oozes into the snow I can see two figures by the edge of the trees, a horrified little boy in the arms of Vedens. The man's haggard expression is far less jovial than last night, but not disgusted. “Friend, don’t wander off next time. It’s dangerous out here, even for you,” wincing he adjusts the lad in his arms who in turn buried his face to wail, “And maybe clean your mouth, it’s scaring the boy and I have a wicked headache.” The Graft is already fading in the usual swell of pain but I refused to turn away from the man. Maybe, maybe he is a friend, but if so: This is what I am. Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Jacinda the Driven Message sent to Everyone by the Odeon Cruor of Agyr Jacinda the Driven (Adventurer)
Report from Nerta the Weaver Message sent to Flashback - Escape from Mhed Everyone was happy. The father was happy for the miracle. The boy was happy to be home. I was happy to be paid. And Vedens was happy to have more wine. The pop of a cork pulls my gaze from the bandaged hand, "Why are you trying to get drunk again?" Vedens responds after wiping his mouth with the back of one hand, "Better question, why aren't you? You've had a bad day after all," he frowns, "or wait, do your kind even have wine?" Glancing around the small celebration of our return I wrinkle my nose, "No." "Well that's unfortunate…" Taking another pull from the skin he pointedly doesn't offer a taste, not that I'd take one. "Or wait do you guys drink that fermented ichor stuff?" Turning back I snort, "Oh yes, so we can gain the strength of our enemies, obviously." "Alright, alright. No need to be so prickly," hopping up to join me on my table seat he continues to drink in silence leaving me to fidget under the cloak. "Thank you, for the cloak, by the way." "And saving your life?" My gaze flickers away, "I…" "...had it under control?" Laughing he takes another drink, "Listen friend, I get you're tough, and your little boogeyman routine keeps the others away but you don't have to be the lone wolf if you don't want." Lips compress in a thin line, "I liked you better drunk." "I like me better drunk too," he grins around the mouth of the wineskin even as I snort. “Despite you being an ass about it; I needed the help, so thank you.” The rest of the plebs swirl around us in their frivolity, only occasionally stopping by to offer thanks, but never lingering. He spends the time drinking only to eventually pause and rub the back of his neck, “Sorry, for cutting you off there. I just… guessed, what with the running off in the morning and such, that you were one of those ‘strong silent types’.” Pushing back a few stray hairs I smirk, he probably meant ‘frigid bitch’. Look at the two of us trying to be civil… “Let’s just say the last person who showed me any kindness stole everything I had and had other… plans for my body.” His brows shoot up in shock and I give him a shove, “Not like that, honestly you lowlanders are so uptight. No, I got injured and woke with ink marks all over my arms, preparation for dissection, or so I was told by an Old Man.” Vedens makes quite the face, and I’d seen him last night, “Well that’s disgusting. I had heard that the old Factorium did experiments on your kind but I thought it was closed long ago.” Factorium? That was news…. Though maybe not for the Old Man given his expression. Looks like there was more dangers in this land than monsters. Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)