R A I Y A
G E A R H A R T
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|| Elven {possible hybrid~?} || Immortal ||
T H E N
|||- Nomad, Fugitive, Warlord, Dragon Rider -|||
__________
The begining is hazy
Much like how one never recalls the start of a D R E A M
||| N O M A D
She grew up astride the back of her guardian, Obsidian. The elf and the dire wolf led a nomadic life, traveling the planet at their leasure for as long as Raiya could remember.
Dangers of such a life were inevitable, for they occasionally found themselves in the crossfire of multiple wars, territory disputes between opposing civilizations, and tracked by hunters who so desperately desired the ancient wolf's hide. It was still a quiet, peaceful life for the majority of it, and it was a life that they were both content with. As Raiya grew older, her desire for knowledge and new experiences grew. Obsidian eventually allowed her to go off and visit populated areas when they stopped to rest, and he stayed out of sight with a watchful eye. Raiya socialized and learned from those she encountered, picking up various skills such as different languages, cultures, self-defense methods, healing, and much more. Raiya found that each place provided a different skill, and she could not get enough. Obsidian would always appear again after a few weeks, and he and Raiya would continue on their way.
They had no home of their own, and they never stayed in one place for too long. Raiya was fully content with this lifestyle.
Until, that is, She met Maigra Lainé.
||| F U G I T I V E
It was a chance happening, and one that would alter the course of life as she knew it. Raiya and Obsidian ran into Maigra Lainé, an ex-member of the infamous Warlord Army, and Leer, her black-feathered dragon companion, while ambushing a slaver's squadron as they transported their newest haul of prisoners. The four of them quickly subdued the slavers and freed those imprisoned. The squadron leader used his final breaths to mock Raiya and Mai, stating that they have done nothing but brush dust away from the surface, and had saved no one in the long run. The women soon found leads to the potential headquarters and, filled with determination to sever the head from the snake, began to plan their attack. Leer and Obsidian warned them to leave it be, but did they listen? Absolutely not. Alas, the pair were inevitably captured and faced horrors untold within a gargantuan underground slaver's prison.
Yet their spirits remained unbroken, and their treatment only fuled their motivation. The two ultimately broke free, and their escape and aquisition of the prison's database ultimately led to the violent self-destruction of the entire facility.
Raiya was absolutely devastated at the loss of so many innocent lives. Mai argued that that the lives sacrificed are miniscule in number compared to the lives saved in the future. Thus was the mentality of a Warlord, and it was a mentality that Raiya had yet to accept.
The four of them had to flee due to the following investigations. Raiya and Obsidian found a home with Mai and Leer, and they all lived together for a bit over a year. During this time, Raiya helped Mai study the lands and the creatures in it, and Mai taught Raiya various forms of advanced skills. Obsidian still had the heart of a Nomad, and soon became restless. He wished that he and Raiya move on, yet the elf protested. She enjoyed what she was doing with Mai, and felt like she had much still to learn. Mai found a solution; she would reach out to a colligue for a due favor;
And thus, Raiya and Obsidian traveled to the Warlord territory, and Raiya was taken under General Creed's wing.
||| W A R L O R D
Their initial arrival to the Warlord territory was met with quiet hostility from all of the high-ranking generals. General Creed himself seemed quite disgruntled that he had to take the young elf under his wing, yet he kept true to his promise to Mai, and took on the roll of Raiya's mentor.
Raiya was no stranger to magic and its many uses, yet Creed mentored her on exactly how magic worked. The physics, the theories, he overall taught her to better grasp exactly what magic was, how it interacted with the planet's many elements, and how it can be paired with more "artificial" components to enhance desired powers. Raiya gained a much deeper understanding of how to use magic, and thus, her abilities and strength increased tenfold.
Magic was not the only skillset that Raiya sharpened. She partook in weapons training and routine sparring matches with the other soldiers, hence honing her combat techniques both with and without weaponry.
Her time as a soldier did not come without qualms. The Warlords were a brutal bunch, and they relied on the strength of their teams and the strength of the army as a whole to survive. Any form of weakness in a soldier was seen as a threat to the rest of the squad, and hence, weakness was not tolerated.
Raiya got into frequent verbal spats with one of the Grandmasters, Mitchel Blade, most commonly known as “Wrath." Accurately titled, the inflammatory personality of the Grandmaster did not mesh well with Raiya's unsubmissive temperament, and those verbal spats quickly escalated into a physical altercations. The altercations proved to be a source of both amusement and annoyance to the colleges that had to pull them apart.
As time wore on, she began to gain a better understanding of the complicated world they lived in. The more she learned about the world, the more she learned about herself and the history of those she lived with. One could say that she learned a little too much. The familiar feeling of restlessness grew. One final and brutal battle with Wrath left them both with severe injuries; That was the final straw in the elf's mind. Raiya was no Warlord. She never could be; the difference between her nature and theirs was far too stark.
Raiya gained Creed's permission and forgiveness, and she withdrew from the Warlord army.
||| D R A G O N . R I D E R
The Empire of the Night-Winged, or more commonly known as "Nightwing." It was one of the two segments of the whole planet that was entirely untouched by the modern world, and it was completely and viciously free from the influence of outside forces. The gargantuan territory and all who dwelled in it were ruled under the fierce and watchful eye of Kaida and her trusted Draconian council. The territory was as great and feral as the beasts that called it home, and it was there that Raiya found her own true home for many, many years.
After Obsidian's departure, she found herself bonding with a dire Dragoness by the name of Atheria. Atheria was the mate of Chanook, the Dragon who ruled the lower crescent of the Empire.
Raiya and Atheria collaborated with their many companions to help build and defend the Empire. Raiya flew with the kings and queens of the sky, she fought wars side by side with friends, she helped nurture the young dragons and new life that blossomed during times of peace.
She learned, she loved, she thrived,
;---- and she l o s t,
The Empire of the Night-Winged met its premature and devastating end.
N O W
| | | - Drifter, Redemption, Keeper -| | |
__________
" --- You must live o n "
||| D R I F T E R
Raiya experienced death on that fateful day. The mental bond between Dragon and Rider allows the pair to share feelings, sensations, thoughts and notions even from afar. Raiya felt everything when Atheria fell to her violent and abrupt end, and with the loss of her partner, a part of Raiya died too.
Once she scrounged up enough strength to travel again, Raiya searched the ravaged territory for any signs of life. Any hope she had of finding those she cherished was quick to dissolve ;; with every death confirmed and every life unaccounted for, it became all too real that the life she knew was over.
Raiya began to withdraw deeper and deeper into herself. For the first time in her long life, she was truly, completely, and terribly alone.
||| R E D E M P T I O N
Light has an odd way of reaching even the darkest corners;; A gleam of hope was birthed by the unexpected meeting of Naomi Shimura.
Raiya's adaptation to life in the bigger city was a smooth transition thanks to Naomi's help. Rehabilitation came with time, and soon enough, Raiya found purpose once more.
||| K E E P E R
Omnia Oddities is Raiya's current "project." This two-story shop features a library on the top, and a general oddities shop below. It appears fairly normal to the untrained eye, yet Omnia provides necessary items and valuable tools for magic users. Some of these commodities include ritual tools, healing supplies, various herbs, stones and a plethora of other things both on display and hidden away. Ask nicely, and she may have it.
One best mind their step and keep ill intents at the door: Omnia is guarded by an array enchanted beings that are hidden in sight. These creatures become self-activated upon the detection of a thief or a patron with sinister intents both towards the shop or its keeper.
Comments
That's it I'm calling the irs
A glance back toward the artifact near the door brought an odd smile back to the ghost’s face. He could almost imagine the stone figure coming to life, just as he knew the gargoyles at the shop had. Maybe it was a tinge of nostalgia. They weren’t at his cottage or Omnia anymore. “Truth be told I felt safer than I have, getting here. Marius would take it for insanity if he finds a way to follow.”
Less structure, less damage, less innocents to get in the way. Hopefully less thinking about it at all.
When it was offered, he would make his way toward the cot to drop down and take a seat. Spencer swung his legs over and lay back, staring up at the ceiling. Rest was a thing, after all. He had promised his newfound friend back in Melbourne that he would remember to leave time for it.
“Hmm. Maybe,” Spencer murmured, eyes half-lidded. “I don’t know. Every time we have crossed paths, I’ve gotten a chill.”
“In our last meeting, he was out to kill. It felt like it didn’t matter if the book was in the room or not,” Spencer tipped his head to look toward her, letting his hair fall out of his face for once. “I would swear to you or anyone else, before all of this, I don’t think we’ve met before. All the more reason to find out what the book says, or… maybe all the more reason to not. I’m running a little low on options to not try, in the least.”
The mage crossed his arms, bending a leg as he exhaled. “You know, for all that bookbinding and categorizing in the library… Skya could have left instructions.”
Keep my mom outta this and I'll keep this outta your mom 🍆
“I am the serpent that threatens the shadows. I am the wolf that stalks the woods. I am the flame that roars after thunder. I am that which you can never control.”
The Giant of the Woods
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As the Elf studied the situation, eyes falling upon the rugged beasts that now began to circle her, the larger wolf took a single step forward. Its eyes seemed to scan her every move, from head to toe, a low snarl painting its crooked maw, distorting its face as if it was the very Picture of Dorian Gray as she spoke. It let out a threatening rumble that seemed to cause a bit of a stir among the other creatures. They bared their teeth, snarled and growled - every move revealing their readiness to strike.
“Thessi skogr… eru orr! ... Thu… eru… vit litill… til hethan… koma.”
Strange runes appeared upon the beast’s age-worn snout, sparking into existence like just-stoked embers. Their fiery glow, pulsating or surging like waves upon the Baltic Sea. Within a split second of their appearance, a thick fog seemed to materialise around the Elf though it could not be felt, whiffed, or sensed. The fog seemed to warp time, making split seconds feel like an eternity, and an eternity feel like split seconds. Before she’d gotten the time to process the odd phenomenon, the beast’s words seemed to repeat themselves - this time their meaning seemed more comprehensible despite sounding the same as before.
“These woods… are ours! … You… are of… witless mind… to hence… come.” the beast had spoken, illwill lining its raspy voice - or perhaps it was… protectiveness? Regardless, its message was clear and unmistakable; it did not want the Elf in these parts.
“Few… that creep… these… wooded parts…” there was a small pause as its expression changed to something that vaguely resembled a smile. A smile attended by an undeniable stench of wickedness. “Ever… leave.” it continued, shaking its head as his gnarly snarl again bared its mawfull of crooked teeth and tusks. Strands of steaming saliva dripping from its nasty mouth as it began to move closer to the trespasser, snorting and lashing out with short snaps of its jaws.
As the illusion of the fog began to dissipate, the very forest itself seemed to come alive. The trees swaying violently in wind that could not be felt, the very lights in the sky seemingly vanishing as if devoured by the wretched wolves themselves. The trunks of the trees were creaking like old floorboards, the wind howling as if blown by a flautist through a colossal syrinx. The howling of wolves echoed through the forest although none of the wolves present were howling. There were more of them. From the right, one of the beasts lunged forward, gnashing at the Elf while still keeping at a relatively safe distance. They didn’t know what she would be capable of and even though they had greater numbers, they’d never quite encountered something like her before. Caution was imperative. Or, at least that’s what most of them felt were the case…
From slightly behind the Elf, one of the Companions leaped forward into the air, intending to catch her off guard and pin her to the ground, maw wide open.
Whatever Queer
Gay
“Oh! Okay!” Seeing that there was nowhere else to sit, the goof of a sea drake decided to step around the counter and park his rear on a chair right behind her cash register, /if/ she had one in her shop. His mind drifted off while waiting, gazing at the various oddities found throughout the first room, one of these days his best friend ought to check it out at some point.
Once the elven woman had approached to inquire about whether or not permission was taken to bring it there, the corners of his lip rose into a grin. “What the boss man doesn’t know won’t hurt him. He was too busy for me to ask anyway.” Of course he didn’t, sometimes her reptilian friend was nothing but trouble.
“But he is thinking of outright exploring the inside. Gleeon found out most of it is flooded when he fell into water upon goin’ in. HOWEVER~ There’s fishies inside, and if they replenish themselves, that’s an unlimited source of food right there, so we’re looking at a big money-saver.
Because my best mate is a wind dragon and not an aquamancer like me, I think I’d rather bring /you/ along since you have way more experience with harsh environments. Guess what I’m asking is~ Could you go with me into the cube if I help you prepare? There’s no large predators or anything inside, as far as I know.”
There was a potential reward for this if his hunch was correct, and Tempest was more than eager to see what secrets awaited them in this alleged pocket dimension. It could also be an opportunity for other discoveries if the Nautilis Cube had more than just the oversized Aquarium her friend was describing. Having an aquatic being take point in its depths would certainly help.
After moving the item around with his digits for a short duration, his jade hues glanced up at Raiya. “Up for it?”
The scent of searing flesh and charred fur is left behind the shadowy figure as it traverses through the woods in a strangely graceful manner. Like an intricate dance, fluid and quick. A jump, a skip, a turn. And yet, despite its graceful nature, the stench of burning skin and the mangy and worn appearance revealed its unnatural origins. Surely no such hideous creature could be of this world? Black fur, rugged and weathered as if stained by tar, covered its emaciated form. Limbs, too long for comfort, and a snout so gnarly its face looked like death itself. And the eyes. An unnatural shine, as if a mirrored reflection of the full moon stared straight into your very soul. What had once stood on two legs, now looked more like a wolf. Or… something vaguely resembling a wolf. Something not quite… right.
The creature stopped for just a short moment to look behind itself, sensing something nearby. Torn ears poking forward, before swivelling back as it lowered its head. Hideous teeth like tusks were exposed by its grimace. Before you knew it, the creature had vanished back into the now wilted undergrowth, leaving behind it only a faint trail of blackened smoke and an undeniable sense of dread.
.
As soon as the creature had disappeared, it was replaced by the rustling from another direction. And then another. And another. There were definitely more than one…”thing” around. But were they the same as the creature before? Or were they something else? Something worse? Something better? Uncertainty has a way of breaking the minds of even the most seasoned characters. Uncertainty, the father of fear. That force which brought entire kingdoms to ruin. Uncertainty, the enemy of hope. Uncertainty, whose enemy is only one; bravery.
Despite having the power to ruin entire civilisations, the power to breed hate and genocide, uncertainty is short lived. Fleeting like the lifespan of a moth. Brought to end by the unravelling power of time.
First, a low growl from the west, followed by the shimmer of demonic eyes. Then the snapping of a twig north by northwest. From the south, a low snort. From the East, the sudden thump of a creature having launched itself from behind the dry shrubbery. One would not be blamed if one would expect a bark, a rabid howl, or a collective growling, and yet. “Eru thu… ekki… hraeddr?” a lowly whispered voice raspily spoke, followed by a gurgling growl. The words seemed to emerge from a slightly larger beast, standing just slightly taller than its brethren. Its fur, though as mangy as the rest of them, seemed to grow thicker around the neck than on the other ones. In total, there were 7 of them, slowly inching closer and closer to their Elven visitor. “Eru thu ekki einn Faar...? Thu er... ein út-lenningr... Hvi eru thu... kommin?”
The quiet in the room for the moment while they processed was heavier than most. Where would they go from this point, what steps might be safest in the face of what they planned to encounter? Would the ghost’s natural abilities be of use in the magical barriers? The cruelest irony of the Rider was also present. He might be so close as to reach out to Chanook and receive an answer if only he could. He had to think of the repercussions, and what was at stake should they not act carefully.
Mercury hues studied the sphere of energy as it manifested, with the same wonder that Raiya might have seen when it had first been shown to him. The half-elf to this day still wrestled with such things. Harnessing magic was his greatest struggle, and at times, some of his greatest success. Often magical objects held an aura, a story of their wielder, their past.
Some magic, in its purest form, simply was its own entity.
The further the mist traveled, the further a smile settled across the ghost’s face. The expression sobered into something of calmness when it dissipated. Spencer rested a hand on his chair and once more sank into the seat. His eyes fell longingly back toward the peak of the mountain that the display had been left on. It all felt so close if only he didn’t think about it too hard.
The simple question the elf posed drew a fine line across Spencer’s lips as they pursed. The man had gone quiet like a child might when it came to disclosing the answer. His jaw tightened. With a sweep back of his hair, at long last, the mage drew in a breath and exhaled. He looked at Raiya. “I cleaned out my bag,” Spencer admitted tiredly. “I… cleaned out my bag and I found a bug that had been hiding for who-knows-how long. Months. He had been tracking me all along, not that I’m safe now.”
A gentle smile shook the tiredness away and he shrugged. “I’ve traveled far enough now, I suspect that I’ve bought a considerable amount of time. I still don’t know what Skya saw in that old book, maybe of all things, Chanook might. I certainly don’t know what Marius wants with it. Nothing good.”
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