Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:47 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul observed attentively, as the sword from her new armored companion had suddenly burst into flames. It seemed that this woman had not been joking around when she mentioned about holy fire, and also that Ha Neul's assumption that this woman might have had an ability to do such a things was true. As she additionally watched the large shield being prepared in it's battle position, a subtle smirk appeared on her lips. It was a different fighting style from Ha Neil for sure. A sword and shield style was the general soldier 'standard' that Ha Neul had often seen most soldiers fight in. Yet she'd always been more fond of fighting with heavier two handed weapons; a style which some may interpret as more 'reckless' or 'risky'. However, Ha Neul much preferred the weightier swing of more heavier weapons, and the weightier damage it inflicted when it hit. She liked to make sure that whatever was hit, was hit hard enough that it wouldn't be getting back up a second time.
As the mist of the graveyard began to gather in the mausoleum door, Ha Neul was well aware that whatever creature would emerge from the mausoleum would most like be something quite formidable; an opponent that may have even required both of them to bring down. Her thoughts reflected back to the previous conversation they had both had; how 'highly skilled' was this individual, truly? Ha Neul had come here looking to find the undead, and sure enough she found what she was looking for. It appears the old drunken man at the tavern knew what he was talking about. So the rumors 'were' true.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Wed Sep 6, 2017 6:06 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon smiles somewhat viciously in turn, drawing her own sword over her back- as soon as the silvery metal left the leather sheathe, the blade burst into red-orange flame. Curling her fingers around the massive blade, she then drew the great white-black shield from her back, driving the pointed end into the dry, cracked earth of the graveyard," You won't be disappointed, I'm afraid," She chortles dryly.
As she spoke, the mist began to begin to be sucked into the cracks of the mausoleum's door- a low howling voice groaned again. Calling out, a considerable amount of power slowly being gathered within.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Wed Sep 6, 2017 10:04 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul's thoughts quickly snapped back to reality at the sudden sound. With a blink, she also suddenly noticed the time, finding herself also surprised by how quickly time seemed to fly. Had she been that deep in thought and conversation to not recognize?
Upon hearing Hakon's words and, acknowledging her gaze, Ha Neul's face switch into a determined demeanor, the look a trained soldier prepared for battle. She stood upon her feet, and slowly drew her sword from it's sheath on her side, gripping two hands tightly around the handle in preparation for what for what would soon come. "I suppose today is the day we'll find out." She finally answered, before turning her attention back to her new companion and smirking, "Let's see what you can do, 'Mi' Armored Lady' "
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Tue Sep 5, 2017 8:48 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon quietly listened, then allowed the woman to stew in her own thoughts for several long, silent moments before extending her hand and placing it upon Ha Neul's shoulders- she parted her lips to speak but alas, an odd sound from within the tomb stopped her. A heavy thud followed by a wavering moan. So loud this sound was that it even seemed to surprise the armored beast who had settled so proudly upon the roof, causing Ansgar to shoot to his feet with a ruffle of his feathers. At least she had received the meaning of her counterpart's name.
Admittedly, Hakon was somewhat taken aback, it was midnight already? Talk about time flying. Squeezing Ha Neul's shoulder gently, she looked her counterpart directly in the eye," So will you be a cutthroat or just claw to another stepping stone of immortality?"
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Sun Sep 3, 2017 4:44 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul again listened very intensively to Hakon's words, her gaze connecting with hers. She pondered on what these sins may have been that Hakon had committed in her past with deep curiosity, for it was a completely different description compared to what Ha Nel had observed of her thus far.
"are you incorruptible, Ha Neul?" Her eyes widened a bit at the last statement, rather surprised by the wisdom behind it.
There was another silence as she deeply contemplated on Hakon's words again. Looking up again for a few seconds, she finally gave an answer. "Sky." The statement seemed completely random and unconnected to the discussion at all, a tone similar to when a small child points out random things to their parents while walking down the street. However, she eventually began to explain the purpose behind this statement. "You asked me what my name means before; 'Ha Neul' means sky." She explained. "You said you saw mist and encroaching darkness. Today that is what I am, tomorrow I shall become something else. Everyday I am changing, altering. Some days I bring beautiful sunlight and pleasant rain, others I bring droughts and thunderstorms. Some days I bring goodness, grace, and delight to others, while other days I bring of grief, misery, and feelings of scorn." Upon finishing this statement, she looked back at Hakon, a somewhat disappointed facial expression as she answered. "I suppose that like you, I am also vulnerable to corruption and change, just like the sky."
Letting the words settle, she later answered the second statement with another story, "Do you know what the difference is between soldiers and mercenaries? Morals. Without morals, a soldier is nothing more than a better trained cutthroat. Yet what shall that soldier become, when it is revealed that the very morals they sacrifice their lives for, turn out to be the very source of that immorality itself?" After a short pause, she admitted, "I suppose I ended up harming my own self, through my own naivety in following such claims." Her gaze slowly shifted to the ground, as memories of the past again resurfaced, "Yet I am the more lucky of the bunch.."
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Sun Sep 3, 2017 12:19 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon folds her hands in the small of her armored back as she listens- allowing her gaze to travel from Ha Neul's face upward- to the sky. She blinks slowly as she listens empathetically,"… Mortals can be corrupt, that much is true- but laws, order as a philosophy and mindset are impregnable to such forces when created within the protective compass of morality." She pauses, she had not realized she would be having a philosophical discussion," You've been harmed by mortals claiming action in the name of what is righteous. Have you not?" she pauses once more, exhaling a puff of white steam.
" I was one of those blind, corrupted individuals once. The sins of that old world I hope to atone for in this one-" idly, she allows her sharp hazel-grey eyes to fix upon Ha Neul once more,"- are you incorruptible, Ha Neul?"
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Sat Sep 2, 2017 5:02 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul's gaze was still focusing on the sky while Hakon spoke concerning the ideals of good, listening very intently to this explanation. In the midst of her contemplation, her arms folded, as if non-verbally challenging the authenticity of the idea in her head.
"-civilization is that 'Good' we wish to protect," This phase settled in Ha Neul's mind for some time, invoking many thoughts.
After a long silence, Ha Neul finally spoke. "Order." She suddenly responded, with a tone of great surety in her voice, as if she had just discovered the solution to a great problem. "Order is what you wish to maintain; Order creates stability, stability creates peace. Without the maintenance of order, there is chaos. And when there is chaos, there is instability, and when there is instability, evil flourishes."
After this statement, Ha Neul's gaze slowly made it's way back down to Hakon again, with another look of seriousness as she spoke. "Yet. mortals are corruptible; How then, would you prevent both yourself and those who follow your ideals from also following into corruption?" Ha Neul's look of deep observance returned during this question, the one which seemed to have an intention of examining Hakon's very soul during her answer.
Slowly making her way to one of the nearby tombstones, she took a seat ontop of it, before continuing on with her speech. "Those given the power to maintain order, can be the greatest blessing to the civilization. Yet, should they become corrupt, they can also become the greatest curse and regret for them; For power and influence is a double-edged sword."
Raising her arms casually in the air again, she did another nonchalant stretch before finishing her speech, "And I suppose, that is where our story begins."
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Sat Sep 2, 2017 3:24 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon arches a slender eyebrow, tilting her head toward Ha Neul- she had, many times before, observed grizzled veterans reject the ideal of good. So now was as good a time as ever to try and convince another," Each individual has a moral compass- but a functional society often has base rules such as: do not take what is not yours, do not kill in cold blood, so on and so forth. Laws to be enforced for the good of all that sacrifices some freedom-" she answers quietly,"- though Laws are not always the most just- nor fair… They create civilization, which is more then other species of lesser intelligence can hope for… So I suppose- civilization is that 'Good' we wish to protect," Her eyes flicker to the woman, tilting her head to one side.
" My apologies for disappointing you so," She muses dryly, chuckling as she paused," Any story- whatever you may prefer, of course."
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Sat Sep 2, 2017 2:16 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul found herself also entertained by the creatures antics. "Indeed it does fly.." She agreed with a low voice, observing as the beast made it's way to the top of the mausoleum, in it's assertion for dominance.
"Flying…cavalry?" An eyebrow rose at the statement. This woman seemed quite skilled at introducing concepts that were completely foreign to Ha Neul. She'd never heard of such a concept, not even in her old world. She'd heard of and witnessed many cavalries in the past, mainly horsebound ones, but flying ones? Never. "So you're not the only heavily clad war woman flying on strange creatures in this world? I'm disappointed, here I thought you were unique." She jested.
Returning her gaze back to the sky, she became lost in another deep contemplation. 'Good' That word invoked memories and wounds of the past. She'd heard the word repeated numerous times before, mainly from the lips of the young and naive, newly recruited bright eyed warriors who were looking to make a difference in her old world. She remembered buying into such ideals, being naive herself at the time. It put her in the perfect position to witness first hand, the suddenly gruesome ends such aspirations eventually suffered. There would be a short mourning period, before a few years later, some other similarly naive soul would take it upon themselves to refill such ambitions within people once again, only to suffer the same fate as their predecessors. Such experiences had robbed Ha Neul of any more hope in such ideals. Far too much corruption existed. "There is no good in this world…" She eventually repeated back, her tone communicating great seriousness, and also the hint of depression from her past. "Only temporary charity.."
Switching her attention back to the question at hand, "Stories of many I have. Yet of regale, I cannot be sure." She finished with a playful smirk.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 4:49 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
" Ah- we fly-" she murmurs, gazing at the proud beast affectionately as he took it upon himself to perch atop a large stone coffin- clearly enjoying being the tallest thing in the graveyard… But for the mausoleum. It was only a matter of time until he decided to scale the stony home of the Necromancer to assert his dominance once more, Hakon knew this- and it only made her affection for the beast grow,"- Flying cavalry was lacking in this world- so I have begun to introduce it slowly. Our community is small yet-" she chuckles gently, closing her eyes,"- I believe it is the first time adventurers in this world have an organization of good to fall back upon." Opening her sharp eyes again, Hakon turned to gaze at Ha Neul.
She caught the flash, the briefest glimpse of another side of her companion- in turn, she offered a small, warm half-smile," Perhaps, though I doubt this entity is one of them. We shall see- but again…" She winks," Only if you decide to stay." Resting her hands upon her heavily armored hips, Hakon relaxed considerable, closing her eyes against a tell-tale gale of wind and heavy thud as Ansgar stood atop the mausoleum, looking quite pleased with himself being the tallest thing in the graveyard. With a small smirk, the blonde woman slowly clapped for the beast," Bravo, dear one,, bravo." mocking the creature despite the fact he seemed to still be puffing his feathers quite vainly.
After a moment, Hakon focused back upon Ha Neul, arching a slender eyebrow," I don't suppose you have any stories to regale me with, do you?"
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 12:12 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul found herself rather disappointed by Hakon's answer. It may have been a story, however one Ha Neul had a curiosity of hearing. Reflecting upon herself, however, she'd realized that she'd done the same thing as well on multiple occasions. Perhaps it was karma of the sort. Ha Neul had been caught off guard by the grasp, however as there was no aggression to it, she found herself compliantly following along in agreement. At the touch of the beast, the feathers felt rather soft and comforting to her, completely contrary from the outside demeanor of the beast on first impression. At the clacking of the beak, her eyes somewhat widened with caution. She wanted to ensure the thing didn't go wild and suddenly bite her hand right off her arm or something, similar to how seemingly docile dogs do before suddenly turning aggressive on people without reason. She was used to fighting such beast, not petting and peacefully interacting with them. The whole thing was rather new for her. Perhaps there were a few worthwhile things to experience in this barbaric land after all.
As she watched the beast stride off, she gently smirked. It was a humorously odd behaving creature at times, to her. Some moments, it appeared to wait with unwavering loyalty, until a command from it's owner, while other times like these, it seemed to also have a kind of mind and freedom of it's own will. Folding her arms, and continuing to observe the beast as it strode off, in a casual tone she inquired, "Those wings, are they just for show, or do they actually fly?" She switched her attention, now taking a careful observation of the sky. "And do 'you' actually fly? In all that heavy clad plate armor? I'd be surprised if the creature didn't go crashing to the ground like a chicken with all that weight."
She took mental note of Hakon's additional remarks concerning further tactics for the fighting against the undead. So she 'also' seemed to know a thing or two about fighting against the unliving. Ha Neul was also rather surprised by the simplicity of Hakon's answer. Assuming Hakon would make no such remark, unless she actually had an ability to do such things herself, she teased " So you 'are' able to do more than just swing a sword, eh? That will be interesting to watch." Her mind however, was now settled on the phrase concerning, 'Holy Risen'. She had heard rumors of evil and ill-intended entities coming back to life, but not of holy or good things coming to life, as well. It was quite new information for her, and an odd enough phenomenon to even make even Ha Neul ponder the reason for. "I haven't heard anything concerning 'Holy Risen'.." She finally admitted, "However, I suppose I will tonight, won't I?" At her final statement, she turned her attention down from the sky, back to her new armored companion. Her head was slightly tilted, as she turned to look at Hakon, which revealed something quite unusual and greatly unexpected. Her facial expression revealed an actually sincere hearted smile, wide enough that it caused her eyes to squint in the midst of this smile. It lasted for a few seconds, before Ha Neul eventually returned back to her usual less expressive demenor. It was as if, Ha Neul had leaked her heart out for moment, revealing a glowing beauty inside for few seconds, before shortly after sealing it back shut. Her statement and reaction alone made clear Ha Neul's decision concerning whether or not she'd join her new companion in her endeavor, even though she had not direct answered it.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 10:01 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
" Now that is a story-" Hakon muses softly as she takes the woman's hand- shaking it firmly before grasping her by the wrist between her thumb and index finger. TH=he grip was not aggressive not trapping, merely gently urging the woman closer as Ansgar angled his massive head about to press his beak to this new palm. The feathers upon his neck briefly bristled before flattening calmly once more- sticking haphazardly this way and that beneath the heavy armor nonetheless. He shifted upon inhaling Ha Neul's send, lifting his beak a moment before clacking it several times at her- this at least seeming a sign of begrudging acceptance before he turned away slightly, striding off toward the tombstones to investigate them with those large, yellow eyes.
Hakon released Ha Naul's wrist, pausing a moment before murmuring," Holy light and fire seem to do the trick against the undead as well, both burn their flesh with equal proficiency- so one has to wonder in the case of the Holy Risen, who raised them and why in the name of all that is good?" she pauses before looking back to Ha Neul, seeming to note this sadistic expression before humming," Perhaps you could join me in this particular endeavor against the undead, hm?"
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 6:47 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
"I could." Ha Nuel continued on, her amused smirk still in sight. She continued to stare at Hakon for a bit, before finally taking a hand, and motioning it across her throat in a 'cut-throat' gesture. "The head." She revealed. "The head is the most efficient way. For it is the seat of the soul. Cut off their arms, and they will simply continue to walk unbalanced, cut off their legs and they will crawl to you. Cut off their head however….and you will find that they stop moving fairly quickly." "The undead feel no pain, and they do not bleed to death, therefore wounds are useless. Most are already missing limbs and organs to begin with, fresh out of their graves." "However…" She said with a slight pause, revealing that there was more to permantly putting the undead to rest than just a simple beheading, "Certain persistent souls have the pesky habit of reconnecting these things in ressurection processes. Therefore buriel is also required, buriel and separation; 'far' separation." She looked at the sky again, as if reminiscing of now far long gone memories of the past. "Ancestors of the past used to cut off the head, and bury it far from the body. Yet it only took a few centuries before ambitious enough souls eventually searched and found the whearabouts of the buriel places in their pursuit of ressurection, making the past works seem futile. Therefore, the most efficient way, is to not only cut off and separate the head from the body, before buriel, but everything else as well." "Complete dismemberment" she summerized on with a sadistic looking smirk.A hand was reached out to her in open invitation, an invitation to greet an aggressive looking adquintance. She delayed accept the offer a moment, staring and examing the creature further. "Hippo..gryph?" She mumbled back, the word proving itself to be completely foreign on her lips, and her previous world accent distinguishing itself quite clearly with this pronunciation. What did that name even mean? If there had ever been a random combination of symbols, this word seemed like the prime example for her. She eventually stuck out her hand in return to accept the offer, still staring at the creature while doing so. Such a fierce looking creature could be tamed? How was it even possible? "Where did you find such an abnormality?" She eventually questioned.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 2:02 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
" I would answer, yet I have the feeling you already have the answer, dear Jester Ha Neul," Hakon answers quietly, not quite feeling quite up to the task of revealing all that she was to this woman right now. Though- Ha Neul was quite right. She did not come here
simply to ensure a pesky necromancer stayed dead, as it were. In fact, one could say her intentions were numerous to the point of being quite stressful. Yet what was a better stress reliever then sowing decomposed flesh in twain a thousand times over?
Not much.
Offering a wry smile she tilts her head to one side," Have you not encountered a hippogryph?" quirking a slender eyebrow, she extended her hand to Ansgar, the massive beast snorting through its slitted nostrils for a moment before slowly rising to his feet. He towered nearly his companion's height at the shoulder, and the only the Gods could tell you the exact size of the monster's wingspan and yet… Though its forebody boasted the elegant form of an elegant eagle- its hindquarters boasted the powerful form of a roan warhorse. It was quite clear the beast was just as proud of itself as its owner was- at least from the way he arched his neck. Proud little thing.
Hakon then idly extended her hand to Ha Neul, palm upturned and nigh inviting," Come greet him, Ha Neul- Ansgar has only so much patience for conversation he cannot understand." she muses dryly.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Fri Sep 1, 2017 1:17 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul observed Hakon's stature as she rose. Indeed, she seemed like one capable on the battlefield, for she was able to see the armor and Hakon's stature on full display now.
Her eyebrow gave a slight rise of curiosity upon hearing Hakon's answer. "A highly skilled individual, you say? 'How' skilled must he be, to excite the interest of a fully armored war woman and intimidatingly large winged…'thing' of some sort."
In response to Hakon's final statement, a noticeable smirk of amusement could be found once again upon Ha Neul's lips. "I suppose.." She began, turning her attention towards the nearby tombstones for a bit, and finally resting it upon the great mausoleum Hakon had previously set her focus upon, before their meeting. "I could tell them enough bad jokes to run them back to their graves on their own free will." She jested again. "Or perhaps I would lead them to you and this winged creature, in order to scare them off before they even bothered to carry out their intentions."
While raising both her arms above her in the air, in a nonchalant manner, for a stretch, she turned her attention back to the heavily armored woman. Her eyes communicated that she was in the midst of examining Hakon again. "You certainly seem like one capable with a weapon if necessary. However, steel and iron alone do not bring the dead to rest." With a pause, she switched her gaze to the winged creature, as if to be speaking to it directly, "Neither does devastating physical brutality alone."
Letting her words settle, she began to walk to a nearby tombstone, and squatted down in order to read it's description better. "Have you ever fought the undead before?" She eventually continued. "If seems that when you overcome them in combat one night, they simply raise right back up the next night, as if nothing ever happened, like persistent cockroaches, creating an endless cycle of extermination." "The most efficient way to lay such creatures to rest, 'permanently', is not through physical means but magical means. However for that, one would require something of the Necromancer or powerful mage of the sort. Yet, you haven't the look of a Necromancer to me."
Letting her words settle once again, she began to maneuver her finger in the dirt next to the tombstone, drawing random circle motions in the ground. "Yet for those who are more efficient in the brutish side of combat, there still remain certain 'unconventional' methods to get the job done…."
Lifting her gaze from her artwork on the ground, and towards the direction of Hakon, she gave another slight smirk and finished with, "If you know them of course…"
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 9:29 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon tilts her head, she usually had little care for cryptic games and half-assed riddles- but then again… Gods knew how many hours until midnight was upon them? Sighing gently, she slowly lifted the Hippogriff's head by hooking one arm beneath his sharp chin, the beast squalling briefly as it arched its large neck, still staring Ha Neul down with those sharp bird-eyes. Grasping her knees, the woman pushed herself up with a sigh, a lock of severe straight blonde hair falling loose of the bun. With a heavily armored hand, she tucked said lock behind her ear.
" The most dangerous thing in any world is not an army, but a single-" she raised one index finger wrapped in orichalum-steel,"- highly skilled individual. That is my reason for being here." She allowed her sharp eyes to flicker over the woman, pausing thoughtfully. No- her skills for reading individuals were not as keenly honed as some- her daughter could tell her an entire's individual's lifestyle and trade just by peering at their fingernails but she… Simply read what her gut allowed her to read.
" So you are here to lay to rest the unsettled dead, then- how do you believe a comedian such as yourself can do so?" she offers a wry smile, warm though it was.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 2:39 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul continued her glare for a little while longer, before her eyes eventually softened, communicating that she had again went back in her own world of deep thought, in response to the question. "Why am I here?" She repeated back in a low mumble, while looking up at the sky. "I suppose for a multitude of reasons. For too many than you have time for."
Her gaze traveled back down to Hakon again, before continued with her answer. "However, one could say, i'm here for the stories of the man, whose seen far too many years, and drank far too much ale at the tavern."
She allowed the words to settle for a bit, before eventually returning her own question. "And why are you here? If you were looking to battle against the entire army of Adeluna, I regret to inform you, that you've taken a wrong turn. Everything here is already pretty much dead, and there's nothing left for you to swing your sword at, Mi' Lady." The final set of words, 'Mi' Lady' bled with obvious sarcasm, while Ha Neul additionally performed a jesting royal-like bow.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 1:54 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon blinked slowly. She had seen this gaze a hundred times before in politicians, leaders and the occasional literal judge. She simply returned it with own unwavering stare- that of a veteran who had little time and care for such trivial calculations, the direct and unmoved gaze of one who had seen enough to know that in a singular life there was far too much to crack the mind like an egg to focus too intensely on minor matters. Hakon's fingers continued to massage small circles into the hippogryph's head, even through this staring contest of sorts," So tell me. Ha neul, why are you here so late into the night?" She hums faintly, arching a severe eyebrow.
again, she looked back to the mausoleum- Midnight was some time off yet, yes… But it never hurt to be vigilant. Though she couldn't help but note the newcomers dress seemed exotic, even to this world.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 12:34 AM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
"Mist and encroaching darkness…" Ha Nuel repeated back, with a voice that seemed lost in deep contemplation upon Hakon's answer. After another pause of contemplation, she continued into another statement. "Yes…for today, that is what I am for you; the voice shrouded in mist and darkness, in mystery. And yet…tomorrow I will be something else." It was certainly an unusual answer, an obviously intentional obscuring of words. After speaking her parable, her attention briefly went back to the massive creature again. From what she'd observed so far, it seemed not to be completely wild, yet also not completely tamed either. Indeed it seemed to have free will of it's own if allowed. A will that could be quite aggressive, if given the proper opportunity to do so. Taking notice of it's eyes, the creature itself seemed as observant of Ha Neul, as she seemed observant of it and it's companion, if not even morso than her. It was something of an amusing irony for her. Perhaps it meant that Ha Neul herself also had traits of a creature sometimes, and not a human being.
As Ha Neul eased slightly closer, her face finally began to show visibility past the darkness of the strong mist. Her two dark brown eyes intensely starting at Hakon, gave off an odd aura that would give most a feeling of extreme discomfort and paranoia. It seemed to be an aura of intense observation, as if she were observing more than simply Hakon's outer appearance, but also looking to observe her very inner soul. It was a sharp and unrestrained stare, better described as a glare. This look was akin to a judge of great authority, in the midst of the process of deciding the fate of a convict, whether they were to be guilty of innocent. It was intensely focused.
"I see…" She finally responded, "Experience, strength, will, and…unusuality." Her arms folded after her answer. "Perhaps even..similarity.." She finished, the last sentence trailing off, sounding more like a outward mumble of inner thought, than an actual statement.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:03 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon tilts her head back down to the woman, fixing upon her with a rather unmoving and harsh gaze. One of a soldier who had seen far too much for far too long. Nonetheless, a small, thin smile curled her lips ever so slightly," Mist and encroaching darkness." She states simply, chuckling softly at the woman's comments- she could make out the femininity of her counterpart's voice for certain- yet she felt an odd familiarity. Perhaps clad in similiar vestments this woman could, too, be mistaken for a man. In fact- Ha Neul's comments made her chuckle once more. It was quite often when she took her helm off, that those she spoke to started in shock or stared. She felt safe in her heavy shell- and even more comfortable upon her great companion's back- riding upon the winds of the World like nothing. She recalled her first meeting with Ansgar, a Hippogryph battling for its souls in the bowels of hell against a swarm of harpies. Who knew what the beast had done to end up in such a place?
Shaking her head gently, she runs her her armored fingers over Ansgar's head, one intensely yellow eye focused harshly upon Ha Neul. With a soft hissing sound, he flicked his tail, warding off the stray gnat who decided to wander too close to his haunches. He briefly seemed to click his beak at her, as if ensuring she knew he was watching her
very closely. This drew another soft chuckle from Hakon," And what do you see, mm?" She did not mind that Ha Neul had lithely ducked past her question- in the end, if the meaning of this woman's name somehow would be vital to the mission. Perhaps she would find a way to extract its meaning.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 10:51 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
"High Son?" Ha Nuel repeated back, in a seemingly rather intrigued tone. The next response was again delayed, until Ha Neul had finally approached closer. Only the sound of her footsteps seemed heard in the dead silence of the graveyard. Her feet were the first thing to appear in visible sight, before the rest of her body slowly began to eventually make a more clearer appearance through the fog as she slowly approached closer, yet her face still maintained a dark covering of mist and mystery around it. Through the dark mist covering of her face, however, an amused smirk could be seen from her lips. "You've certainly the traits of a boy about you." Ha Neul finally remarked after she finished her approach, in reference to heavy cavalry styled armor this person was wearing, that many females, and even males themselves, would deem incapable for even walking decently in without collapsing on the ground. "Yet, it seems to me, you also carry other traits as well….other less 'masculine' traits."
Ha Nuel's attention shifted to the massive creature behind this newly found figure. What was more unexpected, than a woman fully dressed in heavily plated armor, as if she were about to fight the greatest war her country had ever known, was the intimidatingly large creature behind her. Strange creatures and entities were things Ha Neul was quite familiar with. Yet, this creature here, was something quite of a new marvel for her. A beast? A bird? Wild or docile? Moreover, this creature did not seem to be something from the realms of the undead or the supernatural, yet something quite living and breathing, much like it's accompanying friend. Indeed both this figure and her accompanying friend were both, 'quite alive.'
Returning her thoughts back to the question at hand from her contemplative pause, Ha Neul continued on, "Look up." She eventually casually stated. "What do you see?" It could have been interpreted as a rather strange request in other's eyes, and seemed completely unrelated to the question, as if she were either ignoring or completely avoiding the question itself. Yet, this was how Ha Neul typically communicated with others, whether she had the intention of answering her new company's question of not.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:31 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Hakon leaned back against the powerful wings and flank of her companion- allowing her gaze to shift to the darkening mist curling into the starry sky overhead. Her sharp eyes search the growing shadows quietly, she had never really thought about the meaning of her name, perhaps in this world they would think it strange- as they seemed to have no questionable social constucts. Again, a Utopia in some eyes, though danger always lurked in one degree or another. Her mind slowly trundled back to the task at hand, the question.
" My name? It means 'High Son'," she muses softly, running a hand through her hair. After all, in that old world, if one had an in-born ability to suppress magic- they were drafted into the military regardless of gender, of age. Alas, her family would have taught her such skills even if she did not have such innate abilities- and that mad brother of hers… Perhaps by now he had devoured that world.
" Ha Neul, what does that name- or construct of sounds mean then?" she returns to her new companion lurking in the mist.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:44 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
'Philosopher of the tombs?' Ha Neul, repeated the statement back in her head. Hah! She rather liked that one. A slight smirk of amusement also came upon her lips.
"Hakon.." She repeated back, after her signature pause, in what seemed to be a tone of examination; an examination of the name itself. "It's a lot less..'barbaric' than the names i've come across in these lands thus far."
"I prefer, 'The philosopher of the tombs'. It has a rather nice ring to it. " She sarcastically jested, before providing a more 'clear' answer to the unseen voice's question. "I have been called many names in the past, yet by birthright, my parents somehow deemed it fit to officially name me, 'Ha Neul.' "
After another delay between statements, she continued on, "Tell me, Hakon, O' 'mystery' of the tombs. Has your name any meaning to it, or is it also simply a random combination of syllables as well?" In the midst of this statement, a faint crushing of dirt and crackling of grass could be heard. They were the sound of Ha Neul's slow and steady footsteps, as she began to approach closer towards the direction of the entity of the unseen voice, closer through the strong mist.
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 4:54 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
As the unseen intruder spoke, Hakon couldn't help but feel her eyebrows slowly rise higher and higher with surprise and amusement. Her thin lips curling into a gentle smile as she ducks her head ever so slightly, Ansgar churred quietly but was silenced by her hand gently stroking his sharp beak," I assure you I am quite alive-" she pauses, allowing her words to dissipate into the fog. Quite the philosophical intruder, this one, that was certain.
" My description varies- I suppose upon coming within eyesight, you may make your own assumptions-" Her hand idly slid from her Greatsword's hilt, muscles uncoiling as she relaxed, resting one arm over the great Hippogryph's neck, the other upon her armored knee," My name though- is Hakon. And yours', O philosopher of the tombs?" she answers with a low, rumbling chuckle- her voice was hoarse, so she cleared her throat. Since when had she sounded so old? Time certainly flew…
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 4:24 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Ha Neul was in a deep contemplation during this time, still in front of this seemingly foreign named tomed stone. Foreign to her at least. For everything in this realm was completely foreign to her. So many deaths, so many fates of the same end. Despite the massively diverse differences of backgrounds and circumstances, the end was all the same; death. Some ends were peaceful deaths in slumber, however others were more..unfortunate..morbid even. What fate had this one suffered? For only his name had been recorded here, while his cause of death was not. There was not even background information recorded on this person's tombstone. Had those who buried this unfortunate soul knew nothing of him other than his name, or had they deemed it better not to have written anything about him at all? What kind of life had he lived before? That was yet another unfortunate factor about death. Without record, without lips of another to speak of your past achievements, one was lost in time, eventually faded from the memory of the living, if they had even been important enough to have been remembered at all in their lifetime. What a cruel fate. It was as if one had never even existed in the first place.Suddenly, there was an interruption, a breaking of thought,
"…Who goes there."Ha Neul had found herself rather startled, not so much by the fact that there was another voice, but rather by the actual tone of the voice. For the tone did not seem welcoming at all. Yet, despite her attempts to squint her eyes in the direction of the voice, for a clearer view, it was admittingly difficult for her to see much of anything clearly in this area, for the mist was quite intense here. Was this entity friend or foe? More importantly, was this entity dead or alive? She slowly looked up to examine the sky, pausing in thought for quite some time before finally returning an answer. It was such a pause, that it could have even been assumed that the question itself was to be completely ignored. There was another voice in this area already, yet it was still daylight. How curious indeed. "That all depends…" Ha Neul finally returned, in what sounded like a snarky and sarcastic tone, which seemed quite lacking in seriousness, despite the unwelcoming tone of the other voice. "That which speaks to me, is it alive or dead?"There was another window of silence again. As if those were to be her last words. Yet, Ha Neul was always one of deep thought before speaking much of anything. Which were the source of the majority of these pauses. The second source perhaps being a jestering with the patience and emotions of others. One could never be too sure. She was quite a difficult person to read the intentions of. "How shall a person be described?" She finally continued, in what sounded to be more of a tone of sincere curiously this time, rather than playful jesting. "Shall a name communicate enough about a person, to truly describe all that they are?; A combination of seemingly random syllables until it eventually forms a sound?"
Author: AevumEternity, Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2017 3:19 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
Mortality was such an unusual and fragile yet utterly horrifying concept. Perhaps humans could take so much- forget the rather void-like monster that loomed just beyond the horizon, out of reach of light and touch as they knew it. Perhaps… Think about this in a graveyard was not the most ideal of things to do. Nonetheless, Hakon Kilandre-Alveron quietly sat before the great mausoleum, allowing her gaze to quietly follow the intricate patterns of the architecture it offered rather grimly. Sweeping pillars crawling with cracks and blackened vines of both stone and moss clung to the damp rock. The sweeping roof protected by grotesque little creatures of varying viciousness and size- it all seemed a bit too extravagant for her… But who was she to judge a dead necromancer? Or… Supposedly dead. Who knew in this world? Everything circulated around magic, a harsh mirror image of her own 'old world'. In that world, she had been at the head of the crusade to destroy magic as she knew it- all in the name of a dead God.
This drew a rather dry chuckle from her thin lips, who knew magic would save her life and bring her to this nigh Utopian world? Nigh… It was not perfect, but that was why she was here, to recreate the Hand in a better image, for a better world. For the future. She closed her sharp eyes, shifting only as the massive beast at her back shifts. The massive hippogriff, Ansgar- idly wrapped his thickly feathered neck about her waist, clacking his beak as she rested one heavily armored hand over his head," Hush my friend- we don't want to scare him before he's awoken."
If the local's rumors were true, the man who- as rumor had it (which was all anyone truly had to ride upon these days), the Necromancer rose from his grave each night at midnight. How truly dramatic. At least he had an eye for flare. Pursing her thin lips, the Paladin idly massaged the armored beast's scalp. Her mind wandered, she knew if she sent Elenoir, the girl would likely just cause the necromancer to fall to eternal sleep- not death but simply sleep. Some loopholes had to be permanently closed- perhaps someday her dear daughter would learn that.
Ansgar suddenly raised his massive head, blowing plumes of steam from his slitted nostrils- sharp yellow eyes scanning the misty area. Hakon followed his gaze in silence,
idly reaching over her back to wrap her fingers about the blade on her back,"… Who goes there." she calls out, voice low, akin to a lion's rumble.
Author: Ha Neul, Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:05 PM, Post Subject: Rumor Investigation
"Reminds me of home already.."
The eerie fog, the countless rows of tombstone heads, the dead silence. Indeed, these images brought nostalgia of the past. Yet not a nostalgia invoking pleasure, but one re-invoking old feelings of paranoia. The feeling of constantly needing to be on guard, the feeling that ones life was constantly in jeopardy, ready to end at any moments notice at the slightest distraction. Yet in this world, danger seemed far less, 'sudden' and unexpected than in her's. Based on her short discoveries of this world thus far, this world was not a place where supernatural and undead had reached a point where they commonly strolled along the open roads and plains, whether day or night, as if they themselves were the village citizens, the natural inhabitants of the world. No, the abuse of magic had not reached that point yet in this world. At least, not 'yet', anyways. No, this world seemed a lot more peaceful, a lot of docile, a lot more….human. Yet she was quite aware, that humans weren't the only creatures in these parts. However, elves, dwarfs, or whatever other creatures aboded in this realm, had proven to be a lot more reasonable than the creatures of her old world. However…
"Why am I here again?"
Right. As far as she could see, other than an eerie atmosphere, which is quite usual for the place of the dead, nothing seemed quite out of place…'yet'. One could argue, that the aura felt quite unnatural here. However, it was a graveyard. What graveyard 'ever' felt natural?
She had not come here based on what was yet considered authentic truth. She risked her venture here based off rumors, based off stories. Stories from the old drunken man at the tavern. Stories from the over-gossiping wives seating at the tables together. Stories from the barmaid, stories from the drunken peasant locals. These were her guides. How reliable were they? However, if there's anything she'd learned about stories, especially those based off the unnatural, it's that every legend or story had some sort of truth to it. Even if 90% of it were a complete twisting of the truth, or a utter and complete lie itself, that small 10% was always something worth investigating for, especially when the sources came from more than just one person.
But the abnormalities they described were not here to be seen. Not yet, at least. There was not even the screaming of panic and hopelessness, or the screaming of insane madmen they had described. No, only silence. Dead silence.
However, here the world was different. The dead are said to commonly roam in the night here, they say. For all those incidents, all those stories, all those gossips she'd heard had one common factor; they all taken place at night. However, now was the middle of the day. Therefore, it would be quite a few hours before the sun fell. Yet, it was not like she had anything else better to do, or anywhere else better to be. No, this place was her purpose; at least, if the rumors were true. This place could be the key to understanding the source; how it all began.
It was not the controlled magic that ever seemed to provide deadly repercussions. It was the case of uncontrolled magic, which was what she was here for. What causes the uncontrollably of magic? Furthermore, what causes something as…well, 'dead' and inanimate, as the dead, to raise on it's own will, against the controllers will? Where did it all go wrong? And the most important question of all was; how could one prevent it?
While this world was obviously not in the same state as her world was, this world still seemed to have the same risk of falling into the same fate as hers. Yet, fortunately, the progress of magic in this world, from what she'd observed thus far, seemed to be in a baby-like development stage, compared to what magic in her world was like. However, whether it is was due mainly to the intellectual development of her people, or due to the massive distortion of the world, she could not be so sure exactly.
"Very well, then.."
What better way to pass the time, than to stroll?; Than to do what she did best; observe her surroundings. Again, she had quite a few hours before nighttime. If the dead were raising, she'd better acquaint herself with who'd be rising to greet her, at least.
"Ray..su…lon Mey..won?"
What the heck does that even mean? It seemed to her, that oftentimes the names in this world were just a random combination of symbols until it made some sort of sound. There seemed to be no class to it, no touch, no eloquence like in her language. The rough barbaric tongued languages of this world, the inconsistency of climate (one moment it was hot, the next it is cold?), the drunken tavern gatherings that seemingly had to take place every single night as if it were some kind of deity worshiping ritual of the inhabitants here; People here seemed so much less…civilized? So much less, mentally developed? So much less, worried. What was it like to be carefree and completely oblivious to the future? She supposed it must be nice. But the future and neither the past was not something she could easily rid from her mind.
