- Pronouns
- They/Them
Uh... Academy graduates, mostly.
The Gnashing Furnace was a pretty agressive dungeon and dragon blood and parts are worth a lot, so...
Gravedigger Quest
- Thread starter Renu
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
The Gnashing Furnace was a pretty agressive dungeon and dragon blood and parts are worth a lot, so...
- Location
- Castle Oblivious
...you know If Tanwen is a Dragon it is both Understandable Why She would hide and odd She would join the acedamy that caused her people to be considerd extinct..granted Maybe Tanwen just doesn't care about her people.
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
Is it really? 'If you can't beat'em, join'em' as they say. If the most powerful people you know are hunted and destroyed by others, why not find out what makes them strong and learn it? It certainly fits with her proclaimed dog eat dog worldview. And it's not like any kind of dragon hunter is ever going to look for her here. Really, if she can maintain her disguise this place is perfect. Keep an eye on potential future threats(her fellow classmates), be hidden from those already hunting her, and growing more powerful all the while.
SolipsistSerpent
Endlessly Devouring
Good point. Maybe the correct way to string those words together is "The Dragon left us alone."
Forget it? Let's train a bit!
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Go back to the Academy
-[X] Don't inform the staff (next day free to spend with someone else)
--[X] Furuta will practice her swordsmanship. You're welcome to train with her.
[X][shop] Plan Save Faded
-[X] Shield Mastery (novice) (5 Violent)
-[X] Forge (novice) (10 Wistful)
-[X] Etiquette (basic noble) (5 Lost)
-[X] Etiquette (basic criminal) (5 Lost)
-[X] Barter (basic) (5 Lost)
-[X] Magical Theory (basic) (5 Obsessed)
---------------------------------------
Lirra let out a sigh before her teeth pierced her lips and shook her head in defeat. She didn't know much about dragons, and if Tanwen - who owned dragon blood just a few days ago - told her that they were extinct, she probably was right. She still worried about the beast that could have caused that, but she doubted she could do much if she found it, as her companion had also pointed, and so going back before night fell probably was the best idea.
"Fine. Let's go back quickly, then. We did what we came for already anyway," she said, although the words left a bitter taste on her tongue.
The walk back was silent, and Lirra held her head low. Had she not pulled her hood over her ashen hair, her locks would undoubtedly have covered her face, but as it was, her gloomy expression was well visible. For all the justification that she could give - well thought and true as they were - the point still stood that had she not risked revealing her nature to the faculty, she might have chosen to act otherwise. As it stood, she just couldn't bear the thought of people knowing what she was; it was the first time in her life that she had a chance to befriend people, and she just couldn't throw it away.
The sun had started setting when they reached the gates, and the high pillars were bathed in a warm glow as a steady stream of students came to the mess to eat. Lirra didn't follow them, and instead went back to her room to grab her good clothes. With them secured under her arm, she then walked the empty hallways to the baths. At this hour, no one would be there. She checked to make sure of it, then slipped out of her clothes and cleaned herself quickly, before entering the warm pool, for once with her hair free. Then, she just let herself float, a crown of ashes floating away from her before they faded away after a meter or so.
She could still see, could still feel the anguish of the people she had taken care of during the day, alongside a sliver of their life experience. She remembered her father teaching her how to take care of a sword, how she bowed to her noble masters before she decided to try to get a better life for herself. She remembered the basic flow of coins as she peddled what she could after walking for miles in hope of a better deal, as well as the less honorable ways to make deals. She remembered glimpsing the mysteries of the universe in a dimly lit room alongside her peers, as well as the grumpy old soldier who gave her a few tips on how to stay alive. She remembered three dozen deaths, her life blood seeping from her and the terror at her inevitable end, as she wished she never came here.
But these weren't her memories, just what remained from the bodies in the forest, now ash, that resided within her.
Her mouth opened despite herself and a familiar few notes escaped through her sharp teeth.
She didn't even know the language in which she sang, but after only a few words, she felt a ball forming in her throat and her eyes watered. This was a nostalgic song, the song of a mother who told her child not to worry about the beasts in the forest, for she would protect them.
Except there had been no mother to protect the one who knew this song originally, and the beasts had been two legged and carried steel.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… if only I had been stronger… if I hadn't run away to hide… Illinca..."
Lirra wept, and just like her ash, her tears disappeared in the pool.
She had to get stronger.
The following morning, Lirra got out of bed as the sun rose and made her way to the courtyard. Unlike the previous day, she wore her student uniform proudly. She made her way to one of the weapon racks and took one of the training swords. She hefted it in her gloved hand for a bit before putting it back and took out a spear instead. At least there she knew enough to start training on her own. She guessed she could have tried repeating the strikes that her class was drilled in this week, but with no teachers, she ran the risk of memorising something wrong. She nodded to herself then walked back to the open ground and started stabbing the air again and again, doing her best to follow a perfect form.
She was so concentrated on her every moves that she didn't hear another person approaching.
"You started before I was arriving. That is good dedication, to be honored." Furuta walked until she stood at Lirra's side.
"Ah… hi. Sorry for yesterday."
The exotic girl shook her head, her short ponytail fluttering behind her.
"It is of no importance. You did not pledge anything," she said, nodding to herself before what could be a smile if one looked close enough or was very optimist appeared on her face. "Moreover, you came to train this day, so it is good."
And with that, she took a few steps to give both of them some space and placed her hands on her sword. It wasn't one belonging to the academy, or even one of the same type. Slightly shorter and curved, with a single edge and a comparatively long handle, it looked strange in the eyes of Lirra, but as Furuta unsheathed it and cleaved an imaginary foe in the same movement, there was no doubt that it wasn't just some decorative piece, despite the delicate engraving on its round guard.
"You have never fought in actual battle, yes?" suddenly asked Furuta, as the two had decided to take a short break to eat now that the sun was high in the sky.
"Um, there was the test, it was, uh… definitely a battle," answered Lirra defensively.
"I didn't mean any offense. I wanted to say that your enemies had no skill or tactics, yes? It is seen in your attacks."
Lirra didn't answer at that, waiting to see where Furuta was going.
"Repeating these strikes with no proper vision of a good enemy is wrong. Dangerous."
Lirra still didn't see where she was going and simply tilted her head to the side. There was a moment of silence until Furuta glanced to the side shily, before finally saying, in a less assured voice.
"Do you desire for a spar?"
Lirra looked at her for a moment, as she finished drinking. Why was she acting so bashful all of a sudden? Did she miss something? She quickly reviewed their conversation, and unless she forgot something really important, no, there was no reason. Well, Furuta probably had her reasons, she guessed.
"Ah, if you're ok with me, with pleasure. You, uh… certainly look better than me."
"Excellent!"
And with that, Furuta doubled her eating speed before half dragging Lirra back to the training ground.
They were standing a few meters apart. Lirra had gotten her training spear back and was waiting hesitantly half between a standing and guarding stance. Furuta, for her part, had her hand on her sword, and the other held her sheath, with a large happy smile on her face.
"Are you prepared?" she asked.
Lirra gulped and nodded, and prepared for a probing strike. She got half a step forward, until her eyes met Furuta's. She stopped right in her tracks, a shiver running through her spine. The exotic girl's face was blank, devoid of emotion, and her eyes were an abyss that threatened to swallow her. To take one more step would mean having to face death itself - so Lirra stepped forward. She had already faced death many times, had confronted its cold inevitability as she died over a hundred times. This was nothing compared to actually dying.
Lirra rushed forward and slashed downwards with the tip of her spear. Furuta flowed around the haft pushing it downwards with the shaft of her blade, then in a flash her steel was bared and right under Lirra's neck, the edge almost touching her skin. She stayed like that for a second before stepping back and sheathing it, her face softening back to her usual serious expression, although she was smiling.
"Ah… That's good, that's good. I'm impressed you could move like this; one unaccustomed to battle would usually be intimidated by imminent death," she said. "Courage flows through you. Now, you only need to aim better. Your spear would have hit the ground no matter my dodging."
"Mh… But, it's… I don't actually want to hit you..." Lirra answered lamely.
"I see. This is a known problem in kind ones who started late," Furuta said, nodding. "But see this like so: if there are blows that I cannot avoid, it is best that it comes from a training spear rather than an actual one."
Lirra remained silent at that. Try as she might, she couldn't see herself fight like she did when she was protecting Chloe when she stood against a friend.
"Do not worry, it is something that takes time but you have it. Now, let me show you a few tips for the spear..."
The day passed more calmly, with Furuta overseeing Lirra's spear technique and advising her on a few strikes, alongside a few more spars to put them into practice. Eventually, as they got tired, they simply sat on the grass under a tree not far from where they trained.
"It has been a long time since I could train not alone," said Furuta, breaking the silence. She was still smiling, but a shadow had fallen over her face as she looked to the sun setting over one of the Academy's walls. "I… am grateful that you stayed all day. A few would have abandoned sooner."
"Ah, no… uh, thank you," answered Lirra, flustered. "You took the time to teach me even though I'm nowhere near your level." She also looked away to the fortifications, as the sun shone a last time before disappearing behind them. "It… it was nice to spend a day with a friend."
"Friendship is precious to you if you work so hard for it. You are a boon to your companions."
At that simple comment, Lirra felt a pang of guilt.
"A boon..." She grabbed a few strands of grass and tightened her fist, ripping them off before letting them float in the wind. "I… am not so sure about that. I wish I could be as strong and true as you are."
They sat like this as the sky turned dark, and Lirra almost heard Furuta echoing her words.
"I am not so sure about that..."
-------------------------------
The following day, classes started again, once more putting the students through a harsh training. As this was the second week, Lirra had somehow acclimated and didn't simply go to bed as soon as possible.
Her objective for this week was
[] To further her relation with one of her classmates. It was the reason she came here after all.
- [] Tanwen
- [] Furuta
- [] Alvi
- [] Pupa
- [] the Elf
[] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
[] To ask her teachers some questions.
-[] Aida
--[] Spear
--[] Fitness
--[] Adventurer life in general
--[] Ah, by the way, I'm a gravedigger, what do I do?
-[] The old man
--[] Sword
--[] Shield
--[] Adventurer life in general
[] To Pyre some more bodies in the graveyard
[] To find more about her heritage
- [] Through meditation. If she could get more out of the Echoes of her mentor…
- [] There must be something in the library. This is a big Academy after all.
[] Write-in
-[X] Don't inform the staff (next day free to spend with someone else)
--[X] Furuta will practice her swordsmanship. You're welcome to train with her.
[X][shop] Plan Save Faded
-[X] Shield Mastery (novice) (5 Violent)
-[X] Forge (novice) (10 Wistful)
-[X] Etiquette (basic noble) (5 Lost)
-[X] Etiquette (basic criminal) (5 Lost)
-[X] Barter (basic) (5 Lost)
-[X] Magical Theory (basic) (5 Obsessed)
---------------------------------------
Lirra let out a sigh before her teeth pierced her lips and shook her head in defeat. She didn't know much about dragons, and if Tanwen - who owned dragon blood just a few days ago - told her that they were extinct, she probably was right. She still worried about the beast that could have caused that, but she doubted she could do much if she found it, as her companion had also pointed, and so going back before night fell probably was the best idea.
"Fine. Let's go back quickly, then. We did what we came for already anyway," she said, although the words left a bitter taste on her tongue.
The walk back was silent, and Lirra held her head low. Had she not pulled her hood over her ashen hair, her locks would undoubtedly have covered her face, but as it was, her gloomy expression was well visible. For all the justification that she could give - well thought and true as they were - the point still stood that had she not risked revealing her nature to the faculty, she might have chosen to act otherwise. As it stood, she just couldn't bear the thought of people knowing what she was; it was the first time in her life that she had a chance to befriend people, and she just couldn't throw it away.
The sun had started setting when they reached the gates, and the high pillars were bathed in a warm glow as a steady stream of students came to the mess to eat. Lirra didn't follow them, and instead went back to her room to grab her good clothes. With them secured under her arm, she then walked the empty hallways to the baths. At this hour, no one would be there. She checked to make sure of it, then slipped out of her clothes and cleaned herself quickly, before entering the warm pool, for once with her hair free. Then, she just let herself float, a crown of ashes floating away from her before they faded away after a meter or so.
She could still see, could still feel the anguish of the people she had taken care of during the day, alongside a sliver of their life experience. She remembered her father teaching her how to take care of a sword, how she bowed to her noble masters before she decided to try to get a better life for herself. She remembered the basic flow of coins as she peddled what she could after walking for miles in hope of a better deal, as well as the less honorable ways to make deals. She remembered glimpsing the mysteries of the universe in a dimly lit room alongside her peers, as well as the grumpy old soldier who gave her a few tips on how to stay alive. She remembered three dozen deaths, her life blood seeping from her and the terror at her inevitable end, as she wished she never came here.
But these weren't her memories, just what remained from the bodies in the forest, now ash, that resided within her.
Her mouth opened despite herself and a familiar few notes escaped through her sharp teeth.
She didn't even know the language in which she sang, but after only a few words, she felt a ball forming in her throat and her eyes watered. This was a nostalgic song, the song of a mother who told her child not to worry about the beasts in the forest, for she would protect them.
Except there had been no mother to protect the one who knew this song originally, and the beasts had been two legged and carried steel.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… if only I had been stronger… if I hadn't run away to hide… Illinca..."
Lirra wept, and just like her ash, her tears disappeared in the pool.
She had to get stronger.
The following morning, Lirra got out of bed as the sun rose and made her way to the courtyard. Unlike the previous day, she wore her student uniform proudly. She made her way to one of the weapon racks and took one of the training swords. She hefted it in her gloved hand for a bit before putting it back and took out a spear instead. At least there she knew enough to start training on her own. She guessed she could have tried repeating the strikes that her class was drilled in this week, but with no teachers, she ran the risk of memorising something wrong. She nodded to herself then walked back to the open ground and started stabbing the air again and again, doing her best to follow a perfect form.
She was so concentrated on her every moves that she didn't hear another person approaching.
"You started before I was arriving. That is good dedication, to be honored." Furuta walked until she stood at Lirra's side.
"Ah… hi. Sorry for yesterday."
The exotic girl shook her head, her short ponytail fluttering behind her.
"It is of no importance. You did not pledge anything," she said, nodding to herself before what could be a smile if one looked close enough or was very optimist appeared on her face. "Moreover, you came to train this day, so it is good."
And with that, she took a few steps to give both of them some space and placed her hands on her sword. It wasn't one belonging to the academy, or even one of the same type. Slightly shorter and curved, with a single edge and a comparatively long handle, it looked strange in the eyes of Lirra, but as Furuta unsheathed it and cleaved an imaginary foe in the same movement, there was no doubt that it wasn't just some decorative piece, despite the delicate engraving on its round guard.
"You have never fought in actual battle, yes?" suddenly asked Furuta, as the two had decided to take a short break to eat now that the sun was high in the sky.
"Um, there was the test, it was, uh… definitely a battle," answered Lirra defensively.
"I didn't mean any offense. I wanted to say that your enemies had no skill or tactics, yes? It is seen in your attacks."
Lirra didn't answer at that, waiting to see where Furuta was going.
"Repeating these strikes with no proper vision of a good enemy is wrong. Dangerous."
Lirra still didn't see where she was going and simply tilted her head to the side. There was a moment of silence until Furuta glanced to the side shily, before finally saying, in a less assured voice.
"Do you desire for a spar?"
Lirra looked at her for a moment, as she finished drinking. Why was she acting so bashful all of a sudden? Did she miss something? She quickly reviewed their conversation, and unless she forgot something really important, no, there was no reason. Well, Furuta probably had her reasons, she guessed.
"Ah, if you're ok with me, with pleasure. You, uh… certainly look better than me."
"Excellent!"
And with that, Furuta doubled her eating speed before half dragging Lirra back to the training ground.
They were standing a few meters apart. Lirra had gotten her training spear back and was waiting hesitantly half between a standing and guarding stance. Furuta, for her part, had her hand on her sword, and the other held her sheath, with a large happy smile on her face.
"Are you prepared?" she asked.
Lirra gulped and nodded, and prepared for a probing strike. She got half a step forward, until her eyes met Furuta's. She stopped right in her tracks, a shiver running through her spine. The exotic girl's face was blank, devoid of emotion, and her eyes were an abyss that threatened to swallow her. To take one more step would mean having to face death itself - so Lirra stepped forward. She had already faced death many times, had confronted its cold inevitability as she died over a hundred times. This was nothing compared to actually dying.
Lirra rushed forward and slashed downwards with the tip of her spear. Furuta flowed around the haft pushing it downwards with the shaft of her blade, then in a flash her steel was bared and right under Lirra's neck, the edge almost touching her skin. She stayed like that for a second before stepping back and sheathing it, her face softening back to her usual serious expression, although she was smiling.
"Ah… That's good, that's good. I'm impressed you could move like this; one unaccustomed to battle would usually be intimidated by imminent death," she said. "Courage flows through you. Now, you only need to aim better. Your spear would have hit the ground no matter my dodging."
"Mh… But, it's… I don't actually want to hit you..." Lirra answered lamely.
"I see. This is a known problem in kind ones who started late," Furuta said, nodding. "But see this like so: if there are blows that I cannot avoid, it is best that it comes from a training spear rather than an actual one."
Lirra remained silent at that. Try as she might, she couldn't see herself fight like she did when she was protecting Chloe when she stood against a friend.
"Do not worry, it is something that takes time but you have it. Now, let me show you a few tips for the spear..."
The day passed more calmly, with Furuta overseeing Lirra's spear technique and advising her on a few strikes, alongside a few more spars to put them into practice. Eventually, as they got tired, they simply sat on the grass under a tree not far from where they trained.
"It has been a long time since I could train not alone," said Furuta, breaking the silence. She was still smiling, but a shadow had fallen over her face as she looked to the sun setting over one of the Academy's walls. "I… am grateful that you stayed all day. A few would have abandoned sooner."
"Ah, no… uh, thank you," answered Lirra, flustered. "You took the time to teach me even though I'm nowhere near your level." She also looked away to the fortifications, as the sun shone a last time before disappearing behind them. "It… it was nice to spend a day with a friend."
"Friendship is precious to you if you work so hard for it. You are a boon to your companions."
At that simple comment, Lirra felt a pang of guilt.
"A boon..." She grabbed a few strands of grass and tightened her fist, ripping them off before letting them float in the wind. "I… am not so sure about that. I wish I could be as strong and true as you are."
They sat like this as the sky turned dark, and Lirra almost heard Furuta echoing her words.
"I am not so sure about that..."
-------------------------------
The following day, classes started again, once more putting the students through a harsh training. As this was the second week, Lirra had somehow acclimated and didn't simply go to bed as soon as possible.
Her objective for this week was
[] To further her relation with one of her classmates. It was the reason she came here after all.
- [] Tanwen
- [] Furuta
- [] Alvi
- [] Pupa
- [] the Elf
[] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
[] To ask her teachers some questions.
-[] Aida
--[] Spear
--[] Fitness
--[] Adventurer life in general
--[] Ah, by the way, I'm a gravedigger, what do I do?
-[] The old man
--[] Sword
--[] Shield
--[] Adventurer life in general
[] To Pyre some more bodies in the graveyard
[] To find more about her heritage
- [] Through meditation. If she could get more out of the Echoes of her mentor…
- [] There must be something in the library. This is a big Academy after all.
[] Write-in
Last edited:
Burning Baron
This position needs more entrenching.
- Location
- In here, not out there.
Yes, Lirra. You are special.
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
If it's a lot of potential life or death, good weaponry is a good investment in the ''life" part.
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
If it's a lot of potential life or death, good weaponry is a good investment in the ''life" part.
Jhin Lemon
Lawful Cute
- Location
- Trapped in the interwebs, please send help
[X] To find more about her heritage
- [X] Through meditation. If she could get more out of the Echoes of her mentor…
- [X] Through meditation. If she could get more out of the Echoes of her mentor…
NaanContributor
Provider of delicious flatbread, and nothing else.
- Location
- Hawaii
Behind every face
In the Academy halls
New tragedies lurk
Ahh, too many important options to choose, not nearly enough time to explore them at this pace one by one. Further friendships as per Lirra's primary motivation? Study and train to fulfill her oath to become strong and reliable and uphold her responsibility as an Academy trainee? Prepare proper equipment for herself to be ready for real danger, despite the unlikely possibility? Or probe the Gravedigger mystery box?
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
Fingers crossed that this also includes some interaction with Staff students like Melkorka.
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
I just wanted to say how beautiful and painful this is. A glimpse at the lives of the people she's laid to rest, their own circumstances and the random encounters that helped shaped them, as they now help to shape her. Their sudden and violent ends out in the forest, lived by Lirra each and every time. For all their impact, how they're now just dim memories for a Gravedigger. And the song, god what a punch in the gut. And it all ends with Lirra resolving once again to get stronger. I love every little bit of this.
[X] To find more about her heritage
- [X] Through meditation. If she could get more out of the Echoes of her mentor…
Basically this and gaining information on grave digger's as a whole.
- Location
- singapore
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
- Location
- United States of America
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
SolipsistSerpent
Endlessly Devouring
Hm... Looks like we were practicing with just a spear. We need to get used to Shield and Spear style now that we've got basic shield use down. Do we have a shield or do we need to acquire one? There isn't an equipment list on the character sheet.
Last edited:
- Location
- va
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
KnownParadox
Not a sphere
- Location
- Canada
[X] To get the weapons she had recovered from the forest in a good enough shape to be reliable in battle.
