Category: Creature

#Lore24 – Entry #244 – Fantasy Month III #1 – The Long Journey to Caerlon

As Told by Erilantielle “Eri” Kitami, Champion of Erisaya

“Why did I come to Caerlon?  To rest, relax, and enjoy the local flavor, of course, just like everyone else.  It’s known as one of the best cities in the land for that kind of thing outside of Arcavarlon itself, right?  What?  Not good enough for you?  Well, I guess you could say there’s more to it than that, yeah… You really want the whole story?  You sure about that?  Well, alright, I guess.  I’ve got nothing but time right now anyway…

So, it all started back when I was abandoned by my family, whoever they were, into the arms of the loving sisters at one of Erisaya’s holy whorehouses.  I had only my given name, but that was more than enough for the sisters, given what it is; not every day a redheaded child is delivered to you out of the blue that shares your goddess’s namesake, am I right?  They saw me as good luck, sharing a little bit of the goddess’s own name and all.  Some of them made a real big deal out of that, tried to make it a lot more than what it was, I think.  Anyway, I was adopted by the Erisayans, raised by the church, and eventually took on the name of my adoptive mother, Kitami, one of the few elvish holy whores.

Life was good for a while when I was growing up.  Got to see life outside the elvish kingdoms for what it was, mixed in with so many short-lived races.  Really gives you a different kind of perspective on things, you know?  I was all set to join in on the church as another of the sisters when I was old enough, just seemed the obvious choice, you know? 

Well, some things went down that I don’t like to talk about…suffice to say that happy life came crashing to a halt when someone decided to summon up a demon and use my home as the sacrifice.  There was…a lot of blood…a lot of suffering… I was meant to be the crowning sacrifice, you know.  Meant to be the vessel for that demon… Well, Erisaya wasn’t going to have that, and she got good and angry about the whole affair.  Channeled her holiness right through me once she got wind of what had happened and sent that demon packing, all those in the cult that had come to town along with it. 

Ever hear of the Rose’s Thorns?  Nah, figured you hadn’t; they’re pretty rare, even amongst the Erisayan faith.  We’re usually a pretty easy-going lot, not prone to stirring up trouble, but woe be to you if you get the Lady angry enough to call out a Thorn against you.  I was too green to be a proper Thorn then, but Erisaya saw to that, guiding me towards someone who taught me how to fight, and others who were friendly to the faith, and so it was I got set on a quest to root out every last member of that demon-loving death cult.  Took us damn near fifty years of traveling all over this side of the world, but we saw it through to the end, sent every one of them straight to their master in whatever festering hole it dwelt within.

So, after all that, with most of my friends too old to keep up the adventuring life, we went our own ways.  I decided it was time for a little rest of my own, but had good memories of Caerlon, so that’s why I wound up there again.  Yeah, that’s right.  This is where I was raised, and that story about the whorehouse massacre?  Yeah, that was one of Erisaya’s temples, the one I was raised in.  It’s not there anymore; got burned down by the cult during the chaos when the Lady got angry, and most around here don’t remember it, having been so long ago. 

What?!  Now that’s just stupid.  Why would what happened back then have any bearing on what happened at the Bronze Unicorn?  Hey, you asked me to start at the beginning, and when you ask that to an elf, you better be prepared for a long conversation; I’d rather not have drudged up those memories, just so you know. 

Look here, it wasn’t our fault, alright?  Just ask any of my companions, they’ll tell you the same!  Fine, you do that, then!  Well, go on, I’m tired of looking at you, too!”

#Lore24 – Entry #229 – Helica Month #17 – Water and Earth, Light and Dark

Excerpt from the Journals of Azita Gaji, Explorer of Helica, Seeker of Knowledge, Blessed of Saghirah

I neglected my notes in the following weeks and months, for our journey back to the Highlands and beyond was at once triumphant and somber, for while we had defeated one evil and were hailed as heroes, a greater foe loomed ever-present.  The Transgressor had remained active while we had been diverted, attacking several villages along the coast, never in a predictable fashion, but driving deeper into the mainland each time.  Several summoners had already faced it and lost their lives, not yet strong enough to see the task done.

So it was that we and the Sylvanae party made haste through the Kinarrora Highlands, treading where I was at least mostly familiar, heading first to the temple of the earth Amaranth Kayalik, and upon its successful taming, to the temple of Glacia, the water Amaranth.  I had perhaps wanted to broach the possibility of seeking out Saghirah with Esekia, but by this time, he had been quite taken with Tephysea, enthralled I would daresay.  She seemed to reciprocate his feelings, and there was talk amongst those whom we met along the way that the pair of lovers would certainly overcome the Transgressor and bring the next Tranquility.  I didn’t see the love, personally, only the manipulations of one of the Sylvanae nobility, but my concerns were not headed.  Zubayr was mostly indifferent, more concerned with seeing the Crusade successfully completed, and our Stalker was ever the loyal guardian, hardly willing to oppose its master. 

So, we would not seek Saghirah, but instead would continue to the holy city of Tyraguard, the seat of the Phyresian faith, and to the most powerful of the Amaranths, the final taming before the journey would take us to the ruins of Grad Artanais, the great winged serpent, Nur-Atahk.  After a long vigil in the chambers of the Amaranth, Esekia was ultimately successful in his taming, as was the ever-confident Tephysea.  Thusly armed with the power of the Amaranths, we would make our final journey over the ruin-spotted expanse of the Serene Steppes toward the ruins of Grad Artanais, where the final battle would be held at the place where the Transgressor was first born unto Helica, the only place it could be once again defeated, for that is where the foulness, the sins of the people of Helica are gathered to birth the monster.

When I phrase it like that…I suppose I was rather foolhardy to venture into that place by myself, even during the last Tranquility.  I am also wondering as to why I could not sense the growing vileness of the Transgressor in the city then, for surely there must have been some indication that something so massive was growing nearby. 

I will ponder this as we begin our ascent of the sacred mountain Temismere on the morrow, before our descent into Grad Artanais. 

#Lore24 – Entry #223 – Helica Month #11 – The Many Amaranths of Helica

Excerpt from the Journals of Azita Gaji, Explorer of Helica, Seeker of Knowledge, Blessed of Saghirah

Once I had managed to set up my lantern, I began clearing the accumulated dust and dirt of a few hundred years from the walls of the chamber.  Beneath them lay carved murals, most still with their brilliant paints still visible, though many had suffered cracks and collapsed sections due to the shifting of the earth around them.  I had no way of knowing for sure, but I got the sense that these were perhaps ancient even in the heyday of Grad Artanais.

The chamber was generally circular in shape but was composed of twenty-four walls set at slight angles to one another to form the angled circle.  The murals themselves were each about three-feet wide and as tall as the chamber itself, about twelve feet, and covered twenty-two of the walls, the last two being reserved for the entrance I had used, and another which was collapsed after a half-dozen feet. 

The first of the murals I examined were of fantastic creatures at once familiar and strange, bearing features of the wildlife of Helica, but grander, more exotic, and possessed of an intelligent countenance.  It was when I laid my eyes upon the foxlike figure of the Amaranth Glacia within an otherworldly snow-covered forest that I realized what these murals were.  Sure enough, as I progressed, I discovered images of the great birdlike Makani amongst the clouds, Cinza the fire dragon in his volcanic realm, and Kayalik the equine Amaranth of earth in a rocky valley.  Then there was Saghirah in her winged feline form, imperious upon her throne, above her temple in a great desert, and Nur-Atahk, the majestic, winged serpent guardian of the holy city of Tyraguard.  And yet, that was the entirety of the Amaranths I recognized, a mere six of the twenty-two! 

What were the names of these other Amaranths, and why were they not revered to this day?  Why were some of them more human in appearance than others?  Were they perhaps no longer living or unable to exist upon Helica?  Had they been destroyed at some time during the past, perhaps during the first battles with the Transgressor?  Had these Amaranths been forgotten to time?  Or had the church tried to hide their existence like they had attempted with Saghirah?  Had they too had representations in the temple complex in Grad Artanais that had been buried and lost?  So many questions flooded through my mind then.  This had to have been what Saghirah had wanted me to learn on Ukejama!

Though I didn’t have names to go along with most, I hastily began sketching the murals to the best of may abilities, making sure to include as much detail as I could manage, especially the symbols and ancient lettering I was not familiar with, for I would surely be using these as a guide for my future research.  There was so much yet to learn, so much that had been lost of Helica’s history that I may never know, but Saghirah willing, with her blessing, maybe I will uncover those lost truths, or at least, the most important of those truths.

#Lore24 – Entry #220 – Helica Month #8 – Beasts of Battle and Burden

Excerpt from the Journals of Azita Gaji, Explorer of Helica, Seeker of Knowledge, Blessed of Saghirah

This would be my first time traveling closely with one of the Beasts, and would afford me some time to study them closely, for their nature was rather mysterious as of yet, for in spite of their prevalence upon those lands held by the Church of Phyresis, Beasts have only been in existence for perhaps fifty or sixty years.  They are called Beasts as a way to dehumanize them, for they are inherently human, though upon looking at them, one would perhaps not believe it.  The “Beasts” have had their humanity further stripped away by covering them in some kind of magical material akin to thick rubber, the process known only to the Phyresians of high rank.  To make one a Beast is to punish them for the sin of defying the Church, using forbidden machines, or otherwise displeasing those of great standing, and their entire existence becomes devoted to serving the Church and its machinations, no matter how much they may disagree with it.

Perhaps to become a Beast is a fate which awaits me, should my delving into the forbidden lore of Saghirah be revealed?

There are different “breeds” of Beasts, each with unique appearances and purposes, and I suspect that one’s breed is determined by their skills possessed in their previous lives, before they committed some great sin against the Church.  All breeds appear as humanoid animals of some type.  The Stalker breed is commonly seen traveling alongside a summoner with whom they are bonded, leashed via magic, as it were.  They appear as large humanoid wolves with varying features, though I know not how these features are determined, for while they share certain characteristics, each has unique markings and colorations.  In the case of the Stalker breed, they are skilled hunters and combatants, allowed to bear weapons in the defense of their bonded summoner, their senses keen to spotting demons and spawn of the Transgressor. 

Other Breeds include the Warrior breed, reserved for the largest and most powerful of Beasts, and usually reserved as part of the guardian forces accompanying the highest-ranking members of the Church, or for front line duty in battles the Church engages in, and have appearances not unlike that of the mythical dragons.  The Workhorse breed is used as general laborers, for mining, and now propelling larger ships by having teams of them running on large wheels to power the paddlewheels and have the rather unsurprising appearance of large horses.  The Sprinter breed, used to relay messages quickly in or between cities, or sometimes to power smaller ships when speed is required, appear too as some breed of hare, smaller and more delicate in appearance than their brethren, but unnaturally fast when they run, as the name suggests.  Lastly is the Servant breed, and perhaps these are the most common, appearing as felines, and are used as domestic labor, handling food preparation, cleaning, tending to the many temples of Phyresis, and similar such duties.

All Beasts, being the shunned of society, at least in my experience thus far, are never referred to by name, only as their Breed.  Though of different size and form, each is likewise equipped with a stout collar about their necks and matching shackles upon their wrists and ankles, each enchanted in some way to maintain their bestial appearance and mobile prisons, though each set is composed of a metal that may be silver or platinum.  In the case of the Warrior and Stalker breeds, these are much larger and serve as additional armor.  The magical bond with their summoner gives them an uncanny sense of where that summoner is at all times, and alerts them to any dangers the summoner may suddenly find themselves facing, should they, for whatever reason, not be close to them, and also allows the summoner to call them or give them instructions at a distance. 

I have perhaps gone on too long about the Beasts for now, but to be so close to one now, I find them at once fascinating and disturbing.  Surely so many people could not be unfaithful to the Church or have wronged it so grievously as to be made into Beasts as this?  Perhaps they are composed of conquered people from outside the Phyresisian faith, from those “barbarians” who live in the dangerous lands beyond those protected by the Church?  They do exist, as much as the Church perhaps does not wish to admit it, but that is something for another time.

#Lore24 – Entry #216 – Helica Month #4 – The First Scroll

Excerpt from the Journals of Azita Gaji, Explorer of Helica

I approached the scroll case reverently, for Saghirah’s gaze still weighed heavy above me, and I could not help but wonder if the reasons the Church had disavowed the existence of the Amaranth were in fact true, for their doctrine is absolute, and all are raised following it.  Still, I willed myself forward and gently opened the case, finding the rolled parchment inside to still be intact, and for a wonder, not as brittle as I feared; something of the Amaranth’s influence had preserved it well over the centuries. 

Always eager to absorb new knowledge, I suppressed my eagerness and carefully unrolled the scroll upon the altar, translating the ancient text easily enough through my many years of study of the world before the Wicked One’s arrival.  I committed the words of the Amaranth to memory, reading and rereading the scroll several times until I was certain not a word was out of place in my mind.  Normally I would have transcribed the words of Saghirah to my journals, but I knew instinctively that was not her wish, and with good reason.  The full contents of her scrolls will be revealed when the time is right.

What I will say of the first of the scrolls of forbidden knowledge is that the contents shook me to my very core.  Any remaining faith I’d once had in Phyresis, the One True God, fled me as I read and reread the ancient words.  At the time the scroll was created, faith in beings beyond our mere mortal existence was at an all-time low amongst all the peoples of Helica, with the Amaranths, the ancient guardian spirits of our world, becoming relegated to myth and legend by most. 

Faith, more specifically, the lack of faith by the people of Helica, would lead to the Downfall.  This was how the Transgressor had prepared our world for its arrival, by patiently seeding distractions and false beliefs amongst the people.  And when the Wicked One did come, that fateful night so many centuries ago when Grad Artanais fell, the world was simply not prepared to mount a defense, so scattered and divided was its people. 

The true nature of the Transgressor is positively vile, but no more can I say here.

#Lore24 – Entry #212 – Supers Month II #31 – A Troublesome Kitsune, and a Hunter Called

Musings of Demon Lord Kurae

Oh, my sly little Kitsune!  Such a naughty girl! 

Still, I have to give her credit for learning her lessons exceptionally well…that was quite masterfully done in all honesty.  Worthy of a demon, really.  And she was perfectly willing to let the plan fall through there at the end, probably had a backup plan already plotted out, but for the chance arrival of our little Gun Bunny and her timely pull of the trigger.  And here I thought I’d broken Kitsune completely!  Well, that’ll teach me, won’t it?  That sly girl has more spirit left than I gave her credit for.  She’s been avoiding me in her kennel since she returned from Earth, but I figured she was just pouting after experiencing freedom for so long.

Oh, I could’ve read her mind, absolutely, but why let her know that I know?  It’s much more fun to spring a trap on someone like her who is used to springing them on others, you see.  Let her run a little more, get that leash good and loose about her neck, then pull it back HARD.

Yes, I’ll be keeping a closer eye on her from here on out…or rather, another of my minions will be.  When one such as I has a hobby of collecting dangerous game and keeping them as pets, it is prudent to have a game warden on the payroll, a big game hunter at hand, wouldn’t you agree?  If the game is as wily as Kitsune, then there must be one who can, at the very least, match her cunning.  My hunter will keep Kitsune in check, of that you can rest assured.

Don’t feel bad, my pet.  You’re proving quite capable of serving me, and your performance thus far has been exemplary, but you have a long way to go before you’ve proven yourself able to be trusted to the level I once did Kitsune.  As short-lived and short-sighted as your kind are, I must admit, you still find ways to surprise even me.  It’s a credit to your race, pet. 

Come, we have a resurrection ritual to begin, and you must make final preparations to the site to insure we aren’t disturbed.

#Lore24 – Entry #211 – Supers Month II #30 – Broken Dolls, and Those Who Need Punishment

Musings of Demon Lord Kurae

Well…yes, that whole affair could have certainly gone better.  I may enjoy my work, and I certainly take great joy from messing with my enemies, but…but that last little bit of the recovery operation on those relics was quite messy. 

Was I particularly enamored with the princess of dolls?  No, not really.  It’s an amusing idea, mind-control masks and whatnot, but if you want true loyalty, you need to instill it through more long-term means, like breaking the spirit and enslaving the soul.  I’ve done this for ages, and it works so very well.  And it’s much more therapeutic!  As a way to mess with humanity, it was amusing, but unfortunately, very shortly lived. 

And that, my pet, is where my concern truly lies.  These heroes have proven themselves worthy of my attention.  I daresay they would’ve been wonderful additions to the minion pool but for that sniper…although I have my suspicions that not all is as it seems about that.  We’ll have to do a little divination later, discern what exactly happened there at the end that allowed the entire control system to be destroyed.

I see that we must deal quickly and harshly with our heroines, for we cannot allow them to continue growing in power.  Most concerning is the one calling herself Black Cat.  I very much would have enjoyed a new kitty for my lap, but the fact that she’s managed to slip free of the trap Kitsune set, and with a set of items that can be modified into magical amplifiers…yes, this is quite troublesome indeed.  The one called Cyber Seer…I think I see potential there for controlling that one; her soul is positively filled to the brim with perversion, and that is absolutely something I can leverage.  The loss of the Pink Pussy is but a minor inconvenience, really; she was ultimately going to become another plaything in the end anyway, so this will be a delay only; she too is a beast born of sexual desires, and that I will use against her.  This armored knight, Mecha Musume?  Her technology is impressive, but she’s perhaps the most fragile of them all, and I already know of at least one who may be useful in bringing her to heel, if properly motivated.  The sniper, Gun Bunny, she must be studied more closely, though given her ties to Pink Pussy, I imagine she’ll be no trouble; in fact, I think another of my loyal servants may have already found a suitable foil!

Oh, Shadow Lynx?  No, she’ll be no trouble at all.  She doesn’t realize it, but she’s already working for me.  Her manager gets her marching orders from DOMME, after all.

We have work to do, pet; let us begin final preparations for the resurrection ritual and set up our next play as we plot our vengeance!

#Lore24 – Entry #210 – Supers Month II #29 – An Immaculate Obsession

Musings of Demon Lord Kurae

You know what I absolutely LOVE to mess with more than culture and governments?  Religions!  Twisting the minds of the faithful is so very delightful, pet!  Why, do you know how many mortal souls I’ve converted to my cause through religion?  I’ve literally lost count.  Oh, it’s much fun corrupting them!

Now, take this soul that my minions have discovered.  She’s feeling rather desperate to find purpose in her life, praying to a god that may or may not exist, but one that isn’t answering any prayers from her regardless.  Now, that makes an absolutely perfect entryway for someone, say, myself, to take on the role of the god in question and guide this hapless sheep to the purpose she seeks.  Oh, yes, I’ve done this so many times, it’s practically like facing a newborn human child in battle.

I do have an advantage that others don’t when it comes to this kind of thing.  I can see every “sin” that a soul has committed, every bit of guilt, every little morsel of depravity it contains.  So, with a little nudge here, a bit of divine inspiration there, and a trickle of power to seal the bargain, just like that, I have a most loyal and blind follower. 

Just to spice things up a little, I’ve decided that this new church will be a most chaste one, a place for all the wayward souls to flock to where they’ll fine purpose in divine chastity, always completely and utterly sealed away from sexual pleasures, but always craving them, and always willing to do anything I could ask of them in the hopes of reaching that wondrous denied climax.  You humans really are that simple; you’re barely above animals where your sexual behaviors are concerned. 

What do you think, pet?  I’m thinking…yes, I like this aesthetic here, the look of these nuns, and…yes, heavy metal beneath their regalia, sealing away their naughty bits.  With the divine inspiration I’ve just given my newest devotee, she’ll be creating all kinds of devious devices in the name of her new lord.  We’ll call it the Sisterhood of the Immaculate Chastity…yes, that sounds quite delightful, doesn’t it?  Oh, we won’t discriminate, we’ll allow the boys in to, but they’ll have to conform to the standards of the church, mind you, and that could mean a bit of alteration, but I have people that can handle those details.

I really do enjoy my work too much sometimes, I think.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I’m a demon lord; excessive indulgence is part of the job.

#Lore24 – Entry #209 – Supers Month II #28 – A DOMME-inating Presence

Musings of Demon Lord Kurae

You know, I think we’re going to mess with the humans a bit more.  They seem to be going all in on this idea of “superheroes”, so why not join the fun, hmm? 

All these little upstarts playing the role of the villains…they need some order in their lives.  Yes, I’m quite aware of the irony of a demon lord such as myself suggesting that order be imposed.  I have learned from ages of experience that a bit of order in the chaos I dwell within goes a long way.  Not too much mind you, and if it’s in service of the greater chaos, then all the better.  But never contrary to the chaos, mind you.

Now, as I was saying, pet, let us begin working a little order into things, get all of my chaotic little schemes working toward the ultimate goal.  What’s needed here, to play into the game, is a villainous organization to oppose our budding heroes!  We’ll call it…DOMME!  What does it mean?  Oh, don’t worry about the details, that’s not what’s important here! 

What’s important is what they do, you see.  We’ve already found hundreds of souls who will make excellent minions down the line, so let’s start them into their work right away.  Use this media machine the humans have developed in this world to our advantage.  Cause more chaos, divide and conquer!  Slander the upstart heroes for what they do, frame their actions in the most harmful ways possible, make it look like what they do goes against the very grain of modern society.  Control all these “online” spaces, silence any voices that dare speak against us!  Utterly dominate the narrative!

What do you mean there’s already groups doing this?  Really?  Hmm…very well, bring them into the fold.  They sound just as evil and vile and despicable as me, so I’m sure they’ll fit just fine into my new regime.  We’ll DOMME-inate the media, then the world!

Why thank you, pet; I do try to absorb myself in the culture I wish to foster, after all.  Do you think my evil, villainous laugh sounded okay, or do I need to put a bit more into it?

#Lore24 – Entry #208 – Supers Month II #27 – A Call for UNITY

Musings of Demon Lord Kurae

You know, I don’t particularly care for politics; I have far too many politicians in my stable of souls than I care to admit.  Lawyers too.  BUT!  But they do still have a purpose; they’re so easy to manipulate, so very useful when playing with humanity.  They can get away with so many lies and terrible things, and the masses will simply smile and cheer and continue to vote for them, no matter what they do. 

Humanity truly is a stupid species.

Anyway, I’ve noticed that the politicians are calling for restrictions on those with “superpowers” now that they’ve started showing themselves openly, or sanctioned powers of their own they can use should any of those naughty superpowered individuals go out of control.  I say we give them exactly what they want.  Shall we share with them the secret you’ve uncovered, my pet?  Yes, let’s show them how they can create their own warriors.  Completely loyal to their masters, fighting for what is “good and honest and pure” and all that drivel.  I’m sure we can find the right-minded types to get the ball rolling easily enough, for what is a politician if not ambitious? 

We’ll create their “superheroes” for them, starting with the United States I think.  They’re supposedly big on liberty and freedom, and I can already think up several “patriotic” heroes for them to parade around and pander to the masses as examples of properly reigned in heroes.  Then we’ll expand out from there, one nation to another, gifting them with their own powerful heroes.  Why, I daresay this plan will be quite unifying for the humans of Earth.

And then, just when they need them most, we’ll reveal their true allegiances, their true owner and master…me.