Tag: elf

#Lore24 – Entry #227 – Helica Month #15 – The Sylvanae Summoner

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

With Esekia’s successful taming of the fire Amaranth Cinza, on his first attempt, though the experience would leave him exhausted, we would set off on a return trip to the mainland and the port of San Granalle, which I we hadn’t seen for nearly two months now.  We would have a fateful encounter aboard the ship bound for the slowly recovering city, which at the time I would not realize would ultimately seal our fate and the fate of Helica.

Though we had heard talk of the presence of a Sylvanae summoner upon Vallalava island, we had not seen them during our time in the jungles and around the temple.  It was only as the ship that would bear us to the mainland arrived in the village’s port that we would see her and her guardians emerge from the path leading to the temple, causing a stir amongst the gathered crowd as they swept through the village toward the ship.  The Sylvanae summoner had half a dozen guardians with her, and all save her bonded Stalker were of Sylvanae blood. 

I had heard of the Sylvanae pridefulness, of how they tended towards a regal bearing that made it seem as if they were always looking down upon those who were not of their kind, and in this, the rumors were proven true, for we mere humans may well have been ants for them to step over, even those who had attained their full status as summoners.  As we would learn after embarking on our voyage, this Sylvanae’s name was Tephysea of House Wynmaer, and for whatever reason, she would take a peculiar interest in Esekia and our party during the voyage.

Like all her kind, she was tall and willowy, taller than even our Stalker, with long, knife-like ears, and her hair was the color of autumn leaves that fell down her back in a thick, wavy cascade that reminded me of moss hanging from tree limbs, and skin a deep brown, like the very earth upon which we strode, delicate veins of green crisscrossing her flesh like the nature of leaves.  Perhaps it was her eyes that were most startling to behold, for they glowed a brilliant green, and to meet them would take one’s breath, so overwhelming was her presence. Supposedly the Sylvanae were born of the legendary Fae realms in ancient times, perhaps cast out by those who were jealous of their beauty and wisdom, as some legends say, likely those spread by the Sylvanae themselves. 

The Sylvanae group would sequester themselves away from the rest of the rabble for most of the trip, though would make daily sojourns to the upper deck to seemingly sun themselves, possibly due to their nature that seemed very plantlike, or simply because they found the use of a vessel that was not their own a burden and needed to be away from its bowels.  Either way, it was during one of these sunning excursions that Esekia made the bold move of approaching Tephysea when she was alone with her Stalker, and for a wonder she wouldn’t send him away, perhaps finding something amusing in his boldness.  Little did I know then that we would be seeing much more of Tephysea in the coming weeks and months.

#Lore24 – Entry #180 – Wild West Month #29 – Those who Face Bullets with Swords

As told by Kumiko Stalks-Amongst-the-Stars, shaman of the Midnight Panther tribe of Kerra-Kerra

Strange are the ways of the Peoples from Beyond the Ocean Which Leads to the Lands of the Setting Sun.  Though very rare within the Bitter Frontier, sometimes you will encounter one of them, and you will know them by the long, curved swords they carry.  They are often of elven blood, though mixed usually with human, but not always, and the swords they carry are said by our ancestors to have once been favored by our own people, though the ways of making them have long since been lost to us. 

It is a unique method Those who Face Bullets with Swords use.  I have seen some of them forsake the use of Thundering Weapons altogether in my travels, while others will use them almost as often.  But more curious about their methods is their ability to use their Curved Swords to deflect the bullets fired by those wielding Thundering Weapons.  It may seem impossible, but I have witnessed this for myself.  It is not a feat undertaken lightly, for the slightest failure in their training will see them dead or dying, for one cannot see the bullet and must rely upon their honed instincts.  Their ways are as mysterious to us as our shamanic ways must seem to the outsiders, but everyone must forge their own path.

If you witness one carrying such a Curved Sword, be wary should you have to engage them in battle.  An arrow will do little good unless you catch them completely unawares, for they are much easier to predict than a bullet.  I have seen one such person split a bullet in twain with their blade, sending the halves of it into enemies on either side of them.  I have seen them deflect a full six shots from one of the revolving Thundering Weapons only to charge forward in the time it takes to blink to cut the gunman down.  I have likewise seen those who have failed in their dangerous way, receiving a lesser wound than they would have, perhaps, only to be taken out by another bullet fired moments later. 

A strange way indeed.

#Lore24 – Entry #166 – Wild West Month #14 – The Elves who Dwell Amongst the Clouds and Seas

As told by Kumiko Stalks-Amongst-the-Stars, shaman of the Midnight Panther tribe of Kerra-Kerra

Rare are the elves who venture beyond the safety of their chosen domains, among the Trees that Reach the Clouds or the Far Islands in the Forever Seas; it is more likely you will encounter one of their half-breed offspring than a true elf.  Though they may live longer than even we Kerra-Kerra, they do not venture out to be amongst the Many Peoples of the Broken Cage that Still Imprisons.  Some believe it is the shame they feel for their relation to the Devil-Wardens, but others believe that elves are not capable of feeling shame and see themselves as superior to all others.

What is it that I think?  Our ancestors have said that the elves have long been the enemies of many peoples in the times before the Devil-Wardens brought us here, that they scheme and manipulate to control all that goes on around them.  Perhaps it was once true, but upon the Broken Cage that Still Imprisons, this is not so.  The Elves who Dwell Amongst the Clouds and Seas do so because they are too few to control events as they once used to, for they are a frail people who have lost their way, a broken people who no longer understand how to commune with the Many Spirits though they live within nature.  Some dare to join with those who are not elves for a time, but inevitably they are called to return to their homes hidden amongst the clouds and far islands, for their spirits continue to fade and they are no longer able to live in harmony with the Many Spirits of the World as in times more ancient than our time upon this world.

One should feel pity for the Elves who Dwell Amongst the Clouds and Seas, for ultimately it is they who must find their path to reclaim a purpose upon the Broken Cage that Still Imprisons.  It is unlikely you will ever encounter a true elf, let alone more than one at a time, but if you do encounter several at once, it should be seen as an ill-fated sign from the Many Spirits and the Gods that dark times are coming. 

Do not think these elves a completely defenseless people.  Though they no longer commune with the Many Spirits, they know of magics that we do not, and of the dark sorcery once used by the Devil-Wardens.  The toll such sorcery takes upon their forms is great, but so to is the danger for those the elves target with those magics.  Such sorcery can enslave the very mind and soul, can turn even a Howling Steel Chariot to ashes on the wind, or call fiery stones from the very stars. 

Pity the elves, for they are a broken people, but fear them for they command the darkest of sorcery.

#Lore 24 – Entry #97 – Sci-Fi Month II #6 – UEF Defense Squadron 04-1, “White Tigers”

 

From the Personal Journal of Sorisana Kelvaris, starfighter pilot, assigned UEF-04 Maharani Morgiana, translated from Elvish script.

I wouldn’t be hasty enough to say that I’m in the clear just yet, and I might’ve gotten a little more attention than I’d wanted today, but still, it’s been better than ten years now, so maybe I pulled off the vanishing act successfully.  Another week or so and I should be in the clear, on the way into the deep black, a distant star system we call Marchosias, and dangers we couldn’t possibly imagine just waiting for us to stumble upon them.  Still, whatever horrors may lay out there has to be better than facing the queen bitch of DSM again…

Our final trial flights were held today at the request of Captain Silvercask, but it was mostly for the squadron commanders to try to weed out anyone else who didn’t belong on this trip.  No more washouts, so I guess that means we’re the best of the leftovers; all the other good pilots were shipped out on the first three UEF motherships months ago.  Maybe I’m being a little cynical?  I didn’t see any signs of trouble in the other pilots myself, just the typical hotdogging and bluster I’d expect from starfighter jockeys.  Of course, if all those years drudging in the corpo salt mines taught me anything, it’s that you’ll never see someone’s true nature until they’re under pressure and pushed to their limits. 

I’ve been assigned to the Morgiana’s first squadron, designated the “White Tigers”, with the callsign “Tiger 3”.  The squad’s mostly composed of elves and kerryn, with a couple humans, one male ferakatian, and a couple kobolds in the mix; makes sense, quicker reflexes and all.  The higher ups told us these were randomly assigned, but most of the pilots assume that it’s a ranking system, so going by that and what I could glean from my brief interactions with the squadmates, I’ve got at least a dozen laser designators aimed right at me.  It’s bullshit, but that’s just how it is; they’re competitive by nature, after all.  The Tigers’ primary responsibility will be defense of the Morgiana and her support ships of course, but I imagine we’ll be handling a majority of the scouting operations as well, at least for initial system entry and planetary approach.  My primary assigned ship is a Stellar Drake III-class fighter, good all-round specs, average firepower and defense in its current configuration, above average speed, with capability of being specialized for various roles depending on need thanks to the modular design.  Veylani may make impressive transports with that philosophy, but Star Dragon Shipyards is where you go to for starfighters, no matter what the dwarves or elves say to the contrary; that rivalry with the kobolds will never end, I think.  I’m not proud enough to deny that.  DSM could learn a thing or two from either, but profits over everything else and all that.

As to the standouts in the squadron, “Tiger Leader” is a kobold, goes by Chirzed Flametongue.  Don’t know much about him personally, but the name’s familiar at least, has a decent enough reputation, gained some fame during the border conflict a decade or so ago.  Seems like a solid choice for a commander, even has his own customized fighter.  I could see the disdain on Erlareo Enmaris’s face immediately when he found out who was in charge, and he’s got a couple other elves who also made the squadron playing the role of his lackeys, so that’ll be trouble down the line.  I’m sure he’ll approach me eventually and try to weave me into his machinations too out some misplaced notion that we elves should stick together.  The kerryn are as easygoing as ever outside the cockpit, even if the lot of them have that predatory gleam in their eyes while they’re flying.  Can’t really get a read on the ferakatian yet; I’ve always had trouble discerning ferian body language.  Can’t even remember his name either; did he even tell us?  Curious…will have to look into him further, I think.

Though I’ve not used my arcanist talents for some time, now that I’ve been officially assigned a ship, I’m not going to take any chances.  I was able to weave a subtle enough ward upon it, so I’ll know if anyone tampers with it.  Until I get to know the support techs better this might be an annoyance, but I think it’s worth it; at least I’ll know what they touched.  There are several elves among the ground crews, and any one of them could be a DSM plant, and though the magic I used to change my appearance has long since settled into my bones (so no need to worry about anyone spotting the lingering spell aura there), there’s always a chance someone will figure out who I am.  I worked for that department long enough to know never to underestimate them.  If one of the onboard arcanists finds out, then it’s simple enough to explain that I know a few tricks that I don’t exactly advertise; I guarantee there are plenty of others who are part of this mission who do the same.

The squadron has been given leave until our official departure, barring an emergency, so I’m going to spend some time practicing my marksmanship outside the cockpit.  I’ve still not mastered the revolver I’ve taken to carrying, not like Shi, anyway.  I’m a pretty good shot, but nothing like her.  True, I might be a little silly trying to emulate a gunslinger like her, but she left an impression on me back then.  I’ve still got the scars on my chest and back to prove it, little reminders of what I owe her.  I’ll probably never see her again, but who knows?  We’ve both got a few hundred years at least left in us, gods willing, so maybe I’ll have my chance to pay her back for that mess…

 

LORE24 ENTRY #30 – Saida Entoris

Category – Person

Saida Entoris is an elven arcanist and specialist in draconic lore who finds herself in the center of a very delicate situation, torn between competing loyalties with no easy way out.  Having worked for DSM for over a century, she has worked her way through the ranks and ascended to a position as a Tier-2 member of the Arcane Research and Development branch of the company through a combination of her arcane abilities and mastery of ancient draconic language and history.  Young and ambitious, she once dreamed of reaching the very top of the company, the legendary Tier 5 of the AR&D branch, perhaps one day even unseating the seemingly eternal Rivalle Volcari herself.

Such ambitions are often the purview of the young and foolish, however, and it only took a chance meeting with one Reina Pridewing, a human pilot whom Saida had hired to handle her personal travel needs (unusual in itself as Reina had no prior ties to DSM), for her carefully plotted life to spiral into chaos.  Saida would never have expected that she’d be so taken with the human woman, nor that they would develop a close, passionate relationship as Saida performed her various research duties, the long hours traveling between systems giving them plenty of time to explore their budding love for one another.  It came as an even greater surprise when Reina was discovered to know the draconic language as well, and was perhaps even more fluent in it than Saida herself, easily translating passages in the much more difficult High Draconic form of the language.  It was only with some reluctance that Reina revealed how this was to Saida, knowing that this particular event would put her directly in the sights of Rivalle Volcari should she find out.  

And find out Rivalle would, when, after retrieving an ancient dragon scroll, highly sought after by the head of DSM, something went awry when Reina and Saida were studying the scroll, some ancient magic laid within the document triggering upon a touch from Reina, the scroll somehow transferring its power into Reina, marking her with a distinct tattoo of a copper-colored dragon upon her back.  In a near panicked state, Reina fled, leaving Saida with her greatly split loyalties, unable to make herself simply tear herself away from the path she had chosen to walk, no matter her feelings for Reina.  instead, she would do what she could to protect Reina from within DSM, leaving out many details in her official report (which is reflected above) on the incident to Rivalle, while putting on a halfhearted show of tracking the missing pilot down.

Perhaps growing suspicious of Saida’s loyalties, Rivalle Volcari decided that she wanted the issue resolved immediately.  As such, Saida was given a simple command, to the effect of:  “Retrieve Reina Pridewing, intact, no matter the cost, before I lose my patience.”  Saida, feeling no small amount of terror under the gaze of her superior, would turn her full attention to finding Reina.  Rivalle, however, untrusting of Saida to do as commanded, sent along a security measure in the form of Murissa, the Crimson Blade, a ferakatian mercenary whom had been captured during a failed assassination attempt on Rivalle, and who possessed a unique psychic “scent” that made her a most effective tracker.  The fact that Murissa was likewise placed inside a newly developed cybernetic armor, developed by the Tier 5 group, and with the ability to be controlled directly by Rivalle if needed, sent a very clear signal to Saida.  

So, with her love for Reina on one side, and the might of Rivalle Volcari pressing down on her from the other, Saida set off towards the Demon Sector, specifically Aphelion Station, the last known location of Reina, her mind working furiously to figure a way out of the dire situation she found herself in.