Skoll

And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds

Epidemic Non-Mission Task (Riding +1) with @ivorymoonshadow

ivorymoonshadow

"No luck about it, brother dearest~" Hati purred, her eyes sparkling deviously. "Just a well scripted race by my benefactor and I~"

Who needed luck when you could sabotage your opponents after all? But she let that topic fade with her brother starting to talk about his trip to Jugdral. Her eyes widened and ears perked up in interest when he mentioned an odd little dark mage and a dual-toned hair girl, though the excitement turned to sour defensiveness when Skoll brought up Fenris and getting people to make contracts. Fenris wasn't here.....! It was much more interesting seeing people react to other occurrences than just being suddenly offered their deepest darkest desire.... Hati's ears folded down.

"... yeah," she merely agreed. She knew better than to say it out loud though. "Tell me more about these people later, and your adventure too. I'm sure you learned a lot about everyone you went with."

Hearing that the locals were starting to kick up a fuss though... Hati's defensiveness turned to annoyance. She growled slightly.

"People have to go ruin the fun," she muttered. "It will be fine, Skoll! It will blow over and I can keep having my fun here! I'll be fine."

Despite her whine though, she really did know her brother was right. This wasn't an at all legal activity. It was underground, black market and all that jazz. And it borrowed horses from the Academy, even though Hati brought her own horse from home. She sighed and pouted dramatically.

#thread: And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds #ivorymoonshadow #deep brother thoughts

Skoll did not comment any further, as he noticed that his own sister's expression changed several times during the conversation, especially when he saw her expression change a few times for the worse.

He simply can't help it. Did he say anything wrong in those words? It sounded like that most of what he was saying was not sitting well with her, considering that she doesn't look as happy after hearing what he had to say.

He opened his mouth for a moment, as if to offer some comfort for the younger sister, only to close it, as he didn't know what he could say at the moment.

Skoll might be the one who knows how to get into a people's heart, but it's Hati who knows how to truly make people bend to their whims. He was the one who brokered the hard truth, while Hati was the one who persuaded and manipulated others.

Perhaps this disconnect in how they see others is why he is unable to properly connect with his sister. Seriously, just a while apart, and this... this happens?

It brings an ache to his heart, although he tries his best to not let it impact his own thoughts. He genuinely wanted the best for her, but he wasn't ready to just make her throw everything away. So long as she was happy with things as they are, he would be as well.

Even if his sister might eventually come to butt heads with him, he'll still keep caring for her all the same. After all, unlike most of the superficial bonds that they had to deal with, their bond is a solid tie, something that neither of them would shed away, as it was forged by the blood spilt between them, and the hard times they shared.

...Or at least he hopes so. He genuinely doesn't know what he will do, if that blood tie is severed.

...No, it's best not to think much about it. Focus on the current matter, Skoll. Worry about the future later.

"...I trust you, sis." Skoll declared. "...But just know that I'll be close by, in case that you need me at a moment's notice. For now, just try to lay low, so that you don't get tied to this."

He then walked over, and patted Hati's shoulder gently, with a faint smile, with none of his trademark slyness, only a genuine warmth faintly expressed.

"...Who knows, I might find something that I can devote myself to." Skoll stated. "...In fact, I've been getting quite interested in learning the intricacies of other magic schools of the darker nature. Next time we meet in the academy, I might share some of my findings with you."

And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds

Epidemic Non-Mission Task (Riding +1) with @ivorymoonshadow

ivorymoonshadow

Her horse had played her part amazingly, and thus once they were back in the stable, Hati wasted no time giving her horse a carrot in her feed. Securing the mare, Hati's ears perked up when she heard her brother's whistle. She didn't react beyond that though, instead waited for him to come closer.

"Everything was boring while you were gone," Hati sniffed. "Until I heard about this place. Racing is so exhilarating, you know?"

She fussed her horse's mane for a moment before she straightened and turned to her brother. Just the thrill of riding with the intention of going as fast as possible, not worrying about some opponent rushing at her with a weapon...! Just racing fast, feeling her hair trailing behind her, the wind rushing past her ears....! All of these feelings culminated into a wide and wild grin on her face.

"It's also fascinating how people waste time and money on watching these races," she added, letting her voice drop low as she spoke about the second reason why she was here. "I did not understand at first, but I might be starting to." And in understanding that... rigging the races to increase the profits of her sponsor was easy enough. "You should come on a day that I'm supposed to win."

Clearly she had been indulging in her curiosity while being here. No thought towards improving for battle, just... pure, unadulterated curiosity and mayhap a small savage glee at people wasting their money on her and her scripted race outcomes.

#thread: And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds #ivorymoonshadow #big brothers instincts go

"Hah." Skoll uttered, with the same usual good-natured, yet also slightly smug smirk that he usually gave to his own sister. "...As if you need me by your side for luck, from the looks of it. I know that you're well capable of making yourself a good racer. Don't pout like bowing out one little race is going to ruin your career."

He then decided to lean against one of the wooden poles in the stable, making sure not to accidentally lean too close to any of the horses in the stable, since he is well aware of the fact that the horses might not resist the urge to munch on his own fur and hair, as is part of their own natural instincts.

"Looks like you're doing well in getting to know the people of this land, right?" Skoll declared. "Well, considering that I've had a fair bit of time going through it all, what with that illusory arena, and that trip to the other region... Jugdral, if I recall it correctly, as well as meeting a few interesting faces. I even met quite the odd little dark mage, who seems to have quite a... interesting personality." He then flicked a hand out, before waving it about. "...On the other hand, there's also that two-toned woman, with blue-and-red hair. Looks like she's one of those people, the kind that we have been trying to stay away from. Good thing she's a naive and trusting one, so we just need to play nice with her, and she won't be on our cases." After that statement, he then took a moment to sigh. "...You know, I'm starting to understand why our goddess wants to get more people to make contracts with her." Skoll remarked. "...Perhaps she's just the kind of person who wants to make one's true nature shine brightly, and change the world with it. So what if it causes a few messess here and there? Better than what anything these self-righteous hypocrites could do. At least we're staying true to ourselves in a sense, without any regrets." Skoll then walked over towards Hati, before he then pat her back twice with a gentle hand.

"But let's save that faith stuff for later." Skoll declared. "I can see that you're very much enjoying this. However, you should know that this kind of stuff won't last forever. It's gonna have to go into the ground, considering all of the stink that it's generating in the local region. So you should get as much fun out of it while you can. Just don't do anything stupid, alright? I rather not want to have to clean up any messes here, or cause complications that might fray any relations we're building with the people in the academy. But I'd do anything. Anything to make sure that you're safe and sound. Don't you ever forget that, sis."

January Activity Check - Passed

Fanart by Zefiraarts/Aster (Bluesky Profile here)

Total Skill Points: 7 -> 9

Claims: Personal Skill (Opportunistic Hunter), Soul's Lantern, Riding D+

Event: TOA Expedition 2026: Holy War

#activitycheck #toaactivity

A Dark Wolf, A Divine Dragon, and a Cat Beast Walk Into A Bar...

Aphotic Part 2 Non-Mission Task (Riding +1) with @aliberation

Well, Alear certainly wasn't expecting to be snubbed from the get-go, but she can't bring herself to be upset over it in the slightest. There's plenty of people she's met over the years that present themselves as prickly and grumpy at first, yet truly show a kindness underneath that harsh demeanor-- this guy may be no different, so she withholds her judgment while clearing her throat. That doesn't keep it from being a little awkward, however, as she drops her hand. At least they're on a.... name basis? "That's reassuring to know you're used to this kinda thing!" Anything to lighten the mood, more for her sake than the other's. "I'm certainly not a seasoned hunter. I can handle myself well enough on the battlefield, but tracking and whatnot is a bit... different. I've got friends that are exceptional, and I've relied on them a little too much, I guess." A light laugh follows as they walk, adjusting the backpack slung over her shoulder. It's heavier than she thought, but nothing that a Divine Dragon can't handle. "Say, while we go, think you can teach me some tips and tricks? I'm always willing to learn!" Alear's eyes brighten there as she smiles at him, hurrying to fall in step at his side. At least that way he can see the earnest look on her face, emphasis for her genuine interest. "Like, I've seen others examine tracks and stuff. But it's not always that obvious." Fate seems to make her want to eat her words, though, because she screeches to a halt as she tilts her head to the side. In front of them, on a few different trees are large slashes-- it would be ... strange for them to be man-made, but also didn't exactly look like claws. Hand on her chin, Alear steps closer to run her fingers over the splintered bark. "My sense of smell isn't much better than the average human's, either. Sadly." "Have you ever seen anything like this before? It looks like it just... keeps going for a while. Those trees over there, too!"

@academiaskoll

#thread: a dark wolf a divine dragon a cast beast walk into a bar #aliberation #amused Skoll

Skoll raises an eyebrow for a moment, as he finds the fairly outgoing and extroverted attitude of his current companion was something intriguing. He did expect some naivete in her words, and yet... she's not exactly being too forthright, in the worries of crossing some line.

She definitely knows a few things about people like me. Good in some aspects, bad in others. Might as well see what I can do with someone like her.

"The fact that you're willing to admit that you have your own failings, is both a fairly unwise thing to do in some situations..." Skoll declared, before he then crossed his arms. "...But it also means that you know how you want to improve. If it were up to me, I wouldn't put all that stock in others, unless you truly think you can know them to a fault. Let's just say that a snake in the den, is worse than a wolf on a prowl. You might understand why, if you think it through."

Without waiting for an reply, he decided to consider her own question.

"As for teaching you... Well, there are quite a few things I can teach you, and hunting knowledge, lucky for you, is one of my fortes." Skoll declared. "First of all, you're going to need to look more than just tracks itself. You need to be able to sense the movements of your prey, the marks they leave on the environment. Even have to trust your own guty instincts for a bit." And then he looked towards the claw marks, before he then grins, impressed by how Alear made the initative.

"...Just like that." Skoll declared, before he then looked at the bark. "Now, you see here, it seems that the gouging depth indicates that it wasn't just some mis-mannered scratching. No, this is a beast sharpening its claws, hoping to skewer some foolish prey, and cut them open like a knife through steak."

Skoll then decided to take a whiff of the air, as his own lupine senses gave him a direction, as the trail was strong enough that it was a hint by itself for where the feline monster was making its den... or where its latest prey is. Regardless of the situation, a clue is a clue, especially when there's a lot of clawed trees to give a vague direction. "You want my own advice regarding the beast, Alear?" Skoll declared, before facing her. "...Pray it isn't the kind that prowls on two legs, and has a wit beyond a mere hungry beast. Such creatures are quite dangerous... and fortunately for you, it's the kind that I'm most familiar with. So if that happens, just sit back and let me handle the situation."

And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds

Epidemic Non-Mission Task (Riding +1) with @ivorymoonshadow

ivorymoonshadow

Honestly, her brother had been gone FOREVER!! So of course she had gotten bored. Without his nagging, she freely chose to chase her amusement, chase her curiosity. Discovering the races was but one path to satiating that curiosity... people were so fascinating! Perhaps in her boredom, in her entertainment, she had quite lost track of time.

As she raced against the others, Hati smelled a scent she had missed in the last month. Her eyes widened and she scanned the crowd, her horse slowing as she did so. It was alright, she wasn't supposed to win this race, in fact, she had been keeping to the middle this time. It wouldn't matter if she fell behind to search for Skoll. When she spotted him, she gently, surreptitiously, nudged her horse.

Her mount started to limp, a small trick she had taught it. Graciously bowing out of the race, Hati stared at her brother for a moment before nodding slightly towards where the stables were. She would meet him there to talk. Clicking her tongue, she guided her limping horse off the track.

The mare deserved a carrot in her feed later for the act.

#thread: And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds #ivorymoonshadow #Hati is a racer? *intrigued*

As Skoll managed to watch her sister, yes, he couldn't mistake that flowing teal hair of hers, as well as her ears, concealed as they might be, as he managed to sneak right into the stables, making sure that he is not considered suspicious.

It took a few minutes of actually making his way through the various stalls in the stable, but he was able to get to where Hati was, just in time to see that she was securing her own horse, something that surprised Skoll. Looks like sister is learning some riding skills. Makes me wonder if she's trying to become like me in a sense. Eh, not like it really matters. I bet that she's learning it for the fun of racing, rather than practical use for combat. Or maybe so. Just have to see about that.

With his own thoughts on the matter concluded, he decided to get close enough, before letting a whistle low enough in volume that it didn't get enough attention from other parties, but just high enough for Hati's ears to pick up hopefully.

"So, sis. How's everything been going on your end?" Skoll addressed her. "Looks like you've got some interest in what's coming with all of this racing and betting. Never took you for a racer, rather than a better, or even a fixer."

Skoll then took a look towards the horse, before he then gave a fairly approving nod, considering that the horse seem to be fairly in tune with her sister for a racing equine.

"Good horse you have right there." Skoll praised her. "...I imagine that you definitely had some effort put into getting this one on the track. Might be good if you're pursuing... further studies regarding equestrian matters."

And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds

Epidemic Non-Mission Task (Riding +1) with @ivorymoonshadow

#thread: And It's Off to the Races with the Hounds #ivorymoonshadow #bro is coming

Skoll found it odd that Hati seemed to be fairly absent within the Academy's walls, ever since he had returned from that... eventful trip to Jugdral. And considering that Skoll know that his sister wouldn't be gone without a good reason, he decided that he might as well go and see if he could gather some clues.

And considering that he found a request that seems suspiciously within their own fortes, it was likely that she could be present for it. From what Skoll could tell... rumours of unsanctional horse racing, which has resulted from horse-napping from the Academy's stables? If her sister didn't have anything to do with this, even if only as a minor supporting role that is not related to the kidnapping itself, he might as well shave his own tail bald.

That said, he wouldn't dare to throw his precious sister under the carriage like some goody-two-shoes. But that does make him wonder what might be involved. While he has no doubt that her sister is both wily and strong enough to get herself out of certain troubles, there is still a limit that even a disciple of Fenris could do. Especially considering that there's danger on both sides, even if the Academy wouldn't resort to torture or murder like the underworld of society would.

And so, he decides to do some investigating himself, although only to find his own sister, and starting by managing to get some seedy crook that looked like that he was easy to buck with some well-veiled threats, which gave him the direction to go, as he headed for the location where the races were being held, while keeping his own affiliation with the Academy under tight wraps for now.

rigainrokkr

Murder? Isn't that like, Illegal?

Expedition: Holy War; Green Team Week 3 Subteam 3; Isaach

with academiaskoll, rafent, heavensook

rafent

Blink once, blink twice, and the conclusion reached by all senses remained. At the behest of a sight not once seen across the whole of Rafal's centuries, true absurdity slotted confidently into view. Was that woman eating bread? In the middle of battle?

"What was it that you said earlier? That it would be I who needed guidance? You had best turn a mirror on yourself to see who is truly without direction." What incredible line of thought. Guidance was not what Rafal required, and it was clearly not what this hungry(?) ally necessitated, either. Humility would serve her well and that came from the dragon who acquitted himself with exceeding levels of confidence. At least his form of it did not border on conceit.

Knitted and remedied of his own wounds by their guide, said dragon shook his head. A collective confusion, and not only due to one woman's part.

"Had I known little better, I would say this feels as the work of a dream."

The mutterings of an isolated creature. With the abrupt arrival of Micaiah—another familiar shade—there were two Emblems on the scene now. Emblems everywhere; a dog-eared man; a woman who saw fit to stuff her face after toeing the line of near-death. What a mire of unprecedented circumstances. It took much to unseat Rafal from his unperturbed demeanor and that much had seemingly arrived with his only claim to normalcy being their enemies. Ironic that the greatest comforts at hand manifested in the few who meant to kill him.

Well - at least in that regard, he was in his element.

One of two long-ranged archers stood within his deadly reach. Rafal fell upon the nearest with relish, swinging out with his axe without a smack of sympathy and eliciting a sharp savor of iron to flavor the air. Ever sweet to his Fell Dragon senses. In their attempt to impose distance, the injured marksman batted at him with the brittle length of their bow. Easily, with a mere swipe of his hand, he snapped it in half.

@academiaskoll

#thread: Murder? Isn't that like illegal?#toaexpedition2026 #ehwgreen2026 #rafent #rigainrokkr #heavensook

Skoll takes a gander at the situation around him, and ignoring the arrow tip sticking in him, he notices that the odds are shifting.

On one hand, the enemy is actually proving to be dangerous, especially when they almost plugged Baldr once more with a arrow that went deeper than the one in him, this was looking to be a repeat of what happened in the desert. And he did not like it one bit.

On the other, it looks like that they got some unexpected reinforcements, in the form of a white-haired maiden, that actually helped to get Baldr back on his feet.

Skoll had a sneaking suspicion that there was going to be a lot more aid coming to this battle. For ally and foe alike.

Skoll wished that he could just simply forgo this nonsense, and use Forblaze to fry these bandits for their audacity in thinking that he'll go down the same way he did the last week. But somehow, he can't help but want to prove that damned holier-than-thou looking guide wrong.

He could have sworn that he saw a twitch on their face, but in the end, he still had nothing solid to accuse the guide on.

This is getting real tedious here. Come on, show your true face, coward. I promise you that I'll kill you nicely if you confess to your attempt to make us your prey.

rigainrokkr

Murder? Isn't that like, Illegal?

Expedition: Holy War; Green Team Week 3 Subteam 3; Isaach

with academiaskoll, rafent, heavensook

heavensook

Baldr is sick to death of the land of Jugdral.

For all her trudging about the place, going from Thracia to Aed and now to Silesse, she does not think she’s seen or been anywhere of worth. The caves were full of murderous chittering things, the deserts were full of murderous chanting cultists, and now it seems Baldr has stumbled upon a winter wonderland full of murderous bandits. Heaven, even the sun and sand in Aed had been trying to kill her.

The bandits struck first; Baldr, curse her non-vigilance, is swept up in the ensuing chaos. An arrow whistles through the air and finds a target in her side, between her ribs and somewhere under her heart. She shrieks as pain explodes through her like a sunburst, spreading from the arrow throughout her body. Her free hand scrabbles for the arrow buried in her side as she heaves for breaths. She can feel the give of skin where the steel has sunk into it and it takes all she has not to retch. With a grunt, she rips the arrow out and tosses aside—and immediately regrets it as the rush of blood that spills forth makes her head spin.

She grits her teeth, hand pressed hard to the bleeding wound. Oh, by heaven…

“I can handle more than just that,” Baldr spits, hoping that the man will not have noticed… any of what had transpired. “I hardly need my hand held. Perhaps you will be the one who needs such guidance—I’d take a lesson in humility before then.”

But she turns her attention to the thief slipping away, sliding down into her arm’s reach. Despite the pain, she is still light on her feet and deadly with a blade, which flashes like lightning as she intercepts the pickpocket. He's dead before he hits the ground.

There's no time to gloat, though she'd really like to. She can feel blood dripping through her fingers.

"A healer?" she barks. "Anyone?!"

@academiaskoll , @rigainrokkr

#thread: Murder? Isn't that like illegal?#toaexpedition2026 #ehwgreen2026 #rafent #rigainrokkr #heavensook

Skoll decided to take a gander at the current situation.

...Yeah, that's the second time that he had to deal with thieves, lowlives and brigands on the road. At least this time, he doesn't have to deal with the blasted sand of the desert this time around, so it should be easier to handle their foes.

Should be the keyword here.

Somehow, Skoll feels like that these brigands aren't so weak compared to the ones that he had to deal with in the deserts of Aed. Despite lacking a Quake spell, or even the life-threatening Hel spell, the fact that they use physical weapons that are fairly customzed to their likings, proves that they're definitely more than the usual highwayman.

And Skoll can't help but find it intruiging that he's thrown into a game of deduction. It was clear that someone among the group tipped these lowlives off about their own route. And it's definitley one of the guides.

Baldr and Celica were out, because not only they stuck with Skoll for a good part of the time, but it's completely out of character for the two of them. There's not a single scheming bone between the two of them, for good or wose.

And that addition... hm, somehow, he does recall seeing him in the arena last winter, as a illusion that he thought. While he looks fairly confrontational, he's also blunt as hell, and can't possibly be the traitor.

So that leaves the guides. They offer such great aid, in an attempt to be saved, and yet the brigands refuse to attack them. Smart move, even if it only narrows the traitor between the three guides with them.

Skoll decides to give a good look towards the guide that looked quite suave. He knows better than to trust a pretty face and a sweet tongue. If only he could pinpoint any tick of betrayal on his face...

...Nope, no dice. And Skoll wasn't going to hamper his own trust by throwing a baseless accusation.

Hopefully, he'll be able to handle the chaos, as he keeps his Forblaze tome at the ready, intent on using it to scorch any fools challenging him from the face of the earth, with the immense (but temporary) power of the tome at his fingertips.

bathed in blood, sealed in stone

toaexpedition2026: Green Team Subteam 2, Week 2

heavensook

The Hand of God closes around her; His thumb presses down on the candlewick and snuffs out her flame.

Baldr fights. She fights bravely, and relentlessly, and unflinchingly. She fights because it is what she was made to do. She fights because it is all she has ever known. She fights to live, through the pain, through the humiliation, through the sandstorm and the impossible odds and it is all for naught anyway.

Defeat rips through her like a wolf through a fawn, tearing and clawing and ripping her in two. She staggers before she falls, legs refusing to give ‘til her knees buckle. Her hands scrabble in the sand but there is nothing to hold. She cannot even crawl.

The pain is unbearable now. Searing and stinging and burning every limb. Baldr heaves a shuddering breath, and another, and another, before her eyes flutter shut and her breathing evens out to shallow puffs ghosting over the sand.

#thread: bathed in blood sealed in stone #toaexpedition2026 #ehwgreen #deliverred #aliberation #heavensook #rip wolfo

Skoll could see that the situation has turned quite ugly in a quick manner. Considering that his own allies were dropping like flies, after what had happened with that hooded sorcerer at the back.

One moment, the odds were in their favour... And the next...

...Hell descends on them.

Somehow, that sorceror must have burned their lifeforce for some damn reason, as if trying to desperately call on their fallen god. And against all odds, the plea actually succeeded, as the dark sorcerer was engulfed with massive power.

Their attacks were ineffective if they landed, and that's already a challenge with how agile the sorcerer became, and what was already a dangerous spell became a death sentence. It was as if they were facing a demigod.

But despite this, Skoll refused to let fear overwhelm him. He was not some prey to be toyed around with. Power or no power, he was going to strike that damned sorcerer down, or die trying. Especially considering that they already took down one of their group already.

Skoll readies up his spell, as the pale image of the full moon forms behind him, as it began to summon crescent blades of light that shot towards their target.

However... it was a futile effort, as the sorcerer sensed the incoming attack, as they dodged away from the incoming attack with little effort.

And then retribution came, in the form of snaking serpents of dark magic, as they lashed towards him.

The first struck his own arm, as the pain was so strong that he could swear that his own arm was being torn off by the magical force of the dark spell.

And then the second one struck his chest...

...And all he could see was a sea of red, as he lost sensation all over his body.

A Dark Wolf, A Divine Dragon, and a Cat Beast Walk Into A Bar...

Aphotic Part 2 Non-Mission Task (Riding +1) with @aliberation

Alear holds no love for battle, whether it's against humans or animals alike-- but when there's a disturbance that's causing panic, things need to be handled one way or another. The hum of chaos that surrounded this old tale seemed a bit exaggerated more than anything, but it wouldn't be impossible for something like this to be true; Elyos had its fair share of wives' tales, and she supposed that Fodlan would be no different. Hand resting on the hilt of Liberation, she glances over to the companion she's bringing along for this mission, smile already gracing her features. He wasn't too talkative, she noticed. Looked a little grumpy. Not that that's ever stopped her before, and on their trek, she eventually comes to a halt and offers her hand to him. "I guess I should introduce myself, huh? I'm Alear, one of the Knights. It's nice to be working with you!" Regardless of whether he returns the greeting or not, she's at least done her part-- and maybe, if he's the icy type, he'll warm up over time. She hopes. "So... There's not really been any signs of a larger animal prowling around these parts," She begins her briefing as they move, stepping over brush and winding around trees that line the perimeter of the nearby village. "I haven't seen any tracks, and I haven't seen any signs of prey being left behind. There's a real possibility that this is just some sort of legend and something else is taking advantage of that. Humans, rather." Either option is fair game, and she knows that bandits will jump at the chance to conceal their movements while still getting away with their actions. "Granted, we're also pretty far on the forest's outskirts. I think for any real investigation progress, we'll have to head far in. I've already got my supplies." She motions to the backpack slung over her shoulder, giving a thumbs up after. "I also packed extra for you, just in case. We've got plenty of daylight left, we can probably cover a good amount of ground. What do you think?" @academiaskoll

#thread: a dark wolf a divine dragon a cast beast walk into a bar #aliberation #skoll: dragon? human? entity?

Skoll took a moment to look at the offered hand for a few moments, before he then decided to turn his attention back towards the person from which the hand was raised from.

It took him a few moments to formulate a response. And that's because of the innate fact that Skoll felt like the person before him wasn't exactly human. Not in the general sense, at the very least.

He could swear that he had sensed something like the ambient sensation emanting from this red-and-blue 'knight', but he can't exactly point out where. And it definitely didn't rub him the right way. Although that was overshadowed by his curiosity of the lack of human traits from the individual before him.

"Well, I'd say that it would be a pleasure to meet you, Alear, but I rather not tell a fib, since I'm not one for first impressions. I might warm up later." Skoll bluntly remarked. "You can call me Skoll. Ask me what you like about myself, but don't expect me to be forthright with certain matters."

During the walk, Skoll looked around as well, as he seemed to be mostly listening to Alear's own theories and suggestions, as he tried to use his own senses to see if he could find what Alear couldn't find, although there was no clear results for now.

Seems like this little cat knows how to hide its tracks. How interesting. Maybe it isn't some mindless beast. I wonder what it will think of me. Or maybe not. Not like it can distinguish between me and the other humans here.

As thatline of thought reached its end, he decided to speak his mind, before Alear would think him too impolite for ignoring her by not giving her a proper response.

"If I had my part to say, I would say that we should be trying to predict where the beast is going." Skoll suggested. "Seeking out dens, natural abodes, and all that. Might as well catch that feline by the toe, if you get what I mean. As for supplies, you don't need to give me any. I might not have overprepared with supplies, but I don't need to. You'll see soon enough. I'm good with the wilderness, unlike most students here. So let's try to get to canvasing most of the nearby areas before sundown, okay?"

bathed in blood, sealed in stone

toaexpedition2026: Green Team Subteam 2, Week 2

deliverred

The winds seem to die just a little, and while it doesn't remove the issue of the sand and poor visibility, it isn't quite as terrible as it had been. Now, Lukas can hear the sounds of combat -- and something else, oddly melodic, that fades into the howl of the storm almost as soon as he catches it -- and adjusts his course to try and reconnect with comrades.

There are muted flashes of light off to one side, and the sound of warping magic -- a sound Lukas is far too familiar with.

Witches as well as dark mages?

As he plods through the dunes in search of allies, he instead comes across another foe. This one, however, was far more aware of his ever-shifting surroundings than the last, as with a flourish and a flicker of light, the mage was gone before Lukas could even mount an attack. Eyes narrowing at the display, the knight continues onward until he finally makes out someone from his own group.

"Skoll, beware that some of these foes can warp themselves. They may strike from anywhere in this storm," he calls out, raising his voice to be heard over the whirling sands.

@academiaskoll

#thread: bathed in blood sealed in stone #ehwgreen #toaexpedition2026 #aliberation #heavensook #deliverred #begonethot

Skoll could already see the chaos unfolding, as spells were being traded, as he was even nailed by a nasty hex from that hooded crone that casted a localized earthquake on them. one that he and the others were lucky to avoid getting nailed by.

That said though, it seems that the 'Divine Dragon' was bothered by something. But due to the distance between him and her, he can't exactly figure out what was going on. But she definitely sounded like she was consumed with a mix of grief and rage, something that seemed to surprise Skoll, as he saw her being a lot more temperate than most of his acquaintances so far.

That said, it seemed that the sandstorm abated, if only the slightest. But even the slighest was enough, as he could actually get a good aim, as he swapped to a much more pinpoint spell, swapping the Wind-element tome in his hand for the much more powerful Thunder Tome that he managed to acquire from a deal among the seas between Thracia and Aed.

However, he did pay attention to one of his companions, who seemed to be fighting close enough to him that they were supporting each other, and close enough for them to trade words without the sandstorm muffling them.

"Your concern is noted." Skoll answered back. "However, if you think that I'd be giving my enemies a chance to flee with a spell, you're sorely mistaken. I intend to annihilate them in a single strike, before they can even finish that chant."

And Skoll was intent on proving them, as he began to raise his tome up, channeling his magic power into it, as a massive gathering of storm-clouds formed above the desert for a single moment, as they began to sparkle with artificial lightning.

And with a cry from Skoll, multiple thunderbolts rained from the skies, before they began to merge together mid-air, turning into a massive spear of light from the cloud themselves, like the wrath of nature itself, before the thunderbolt struck the crone that cursed them with the sluggishness they had, as all was light for a few moments...

...Until the light faded to reveal that the thunderbolt left a sizeable field of glass shards, likely from the heat of the thunder smelting the nearby sand into glass, as what remained of the witch... was only tattered and burned fabric from their own robes, and the lingering smell of burnt flesh.

"...Heh. I think I like this spell already." Skoll smirked, admiring the results of his devestating attack.

bathed in blood, sealed in stone

toaexpedition2026: Green Team Subteam 2, Week 2

heavensook

For the first time in her life, Baldr cannot stand the sun.

This is not the warm, gentle rays of the sun in Ásgarðr—no, this is some hot, devilish thing. A concentrated ray of flame pointed directly at Baldr’s face, scalding her features off. Not even the fires of Muspell are so hot.

And then there is the sand. The awful, terrible, horrible sand that gets everywhere and into everything—it kicks up as they walk, stings her eyes as it blows by, makes her mouth feel terribly gritty and dry.

And just as she thinks it cannot possibly get any worse, they are ambushed. Her hand flies to the hilt of her sword as her head whips around wildly; the storm had worsened considerably, and Baldr finds her world engulfed in a haze of gritty, stinging orange. The wind howls in her ear, the distant shouting of her teammates barely managing to break through the cacophony. She’s surrounded, she knows, by her allies—and her enemies, neither of which she can see. A sickening dread pools low in her stomach; she feels alone. She knows she is not. She does not know which of the feelings is the worse one.

“Don’t go far!” she shouts, panic edged in her tone. Some ridiculous part of her is worried they’ll forge on through the sandstorm without her.

Through the haze of sand, Baldr can see the vague outline of… someone. She trudges forward, squinting, sword raised warily. She can make out the shape of a hood, the robes of a mage, and she swings before she can think any further—only for another to dart out and take the blow for the mage.

Fire from the Sun Sword races across his arm as he counters, but his swing goes wide and Baldr easily side steps it before they vanish into the sandstorm once more.

“Damn… sand…” she mutters darkly, blinking hard. “Be wary, there are more of them unseen!”

@academiaskoll

#thread: bathed in blood sealed in stone #ehwgreen #toaexpedition2026 #aliberation #heavensook #deliverred

Skoll hates the desert. There is sand everywhere, and it doesn't suit well with his own furred features. With how the sand irritates them, he wishes that he can be done with this place as soon as possible.

That said, complications aside, he is interested in seeing the Loptrian Church remnants for himself. Of course, he will never be swayed from Fenris by any other faith, and that Loptr must be a fool, if he belives that he could succeed where many have failed. A foolish god who cannot properly understand the desires of its followers, is doomed to an early end, no matter the means.

And lo and behold, he gets to see them for himself... Too bad, that there is a goddamn monster of a sandstorm raging, and he can only barely see the outlines of their figures amongst the raging sands.

In fact, he could barely protect his own eyes from the flowing sands, to avoid accidentally causing a magical accident. He knows that these disciples had a hand with this sandstorm, and it'll make slicing them to pieces with his magic, or goring them in any other way much more satisfying.

They should have never messed with someone so close to a opposing dark god. A mistake they'll regret.

Skoll began to scan the surroundings, before he then heard a choking cry of despair nearby, from a familiar voice, although he can't exactly see her in the scene. He can definitely hear the fighting around him through his keen senses, but nothing more.

However, he does have enough of a direction, to be able to prepare a spell, as he fired a wind blade through the raging sands, intent on trying to land a crippling blow on one of the Loptrian mages, at least as far as he could see from the outlines in the moving sands.

we are fuckign under attack

expedition holy war 🗡week 1 🗡thracia subteam 2

rigainrokkr

Her attempted spell only draws the attention of the pursuing wyverns, and they break formation, scattering as they bank towards the top of the castle. Two lock eyes with her, and she watches as they swivel past each other in a steep dive, spiraling in a helix as she frantically tries to see a way out. The smaller wyvern strikes first, catching her in the left arm with yet another soporific-coated sword, but she scarcely has time to fight the drug a second time when a jolt of pain lances through her shoulder, and adrenaline fights off the sleepiness in an instant as a lance pierces soft flesh to fracture bone, driven by the full momentum of the dive. Switching hands, she aims a spell at the offending dracoknight, but yet again her spell yet again misses its mark, barely grazing the beast's tail.

Her healing magic-infused ring pulses, and Celica can feel her wounds slowly stitching together, but time wasn't on her side. Yet another wyvern sat hurtling towards her, and—

"Hilda!?" Seeing the face astride, she pulls her spell, sending it into the ground at her feet, but the momentum of the wyvern is not so easily stopped, and it is the full force of an axe blade that buries itself beneath her ribs.

The ring on her finger glows weakly, a sign that its power is spent. She coughs weakly, and blood spatters the stones. Still, she can stand, if barely, and with trembling arms she makes to intercept yet another wyvern swooping towards her, its rider decidedly less pink. She boldly tries to face it down, incanting a prayer to the Mother, one to provide just a fraction of the dead god's power of vitality. A radiant green suffuses her blade, and she raises her blade again, aiming to drive it into the gap at the side of his breastplate. But as she raises the dagger, the wound in her side opens, and she loses all conscious thought as pain lances through her, weapon tumbling from unresponsive fingers. Vision swimming, she knows that her fate is certain. It was far too late to dodge the incoming blow, especially in her current state.

The sword cuts almost delicately into her flesh, and Celica can barely even feel it as she collapses again to the ground. This time, there is no fighting the powerful wave of sleepiness as she falls.

"Oh... Alm..."

#toaexpedition2026 #ehwgreen #thread: we are fuckign under attack #delicatevalentine #rigainrokkr #forgottenbelle #haha we're in danger #how the f**k did this happen?

Skoll takes a look at the situation around, as he can see that it is deterioating rapidly. One of their own team is bleeding out on the ground, alive but only barely, while the other woman is literally having a panic attack after seeing the odds go against them. At the very least the revolutionaries decided to collectively ignore her, as if they find her too pitable to be worth killing, despite her earlier efforts.

Well, this is just fucking great. Might as well do everything to fix this issue.

At the very least, the female wyvern rider is still mostly unscathed from the retailiation, and the revolutionaries, despite the fact that he beheaded one of their numbers, are still putting him aside.

Their loss, as Skoll intends to thin their numbers some more. At least the swordswoman took one of them with her, but damn, they must really want her down, with how they all collectively went for her, as if they wanted her head so bady.

Skoll immediately prepared another wind blade, before firing it ahead, as he tried to aim it right at the remaining rookie revolutionary on the field, as the blade skimmed above the rider.

With a flick of his hand, the wind blade began to bound backwards, bending to try and hit its target, although this time, the rebelling dracoknight weaved to the side to dodge it.

Not pleased with the fact that his attack is getting dodged, Skoll returned the blade back towards the initial target, but also decided to add a sudden speed boost to the projectle just as the wyvern was about to turn, managing to shear a large part of its wing off, compromising a good part of its flight ability, and even rattling the rider from the resulting turbulence, but not exactly enough to leave a finishing blow chance for his only active ally on the field.

we are fuckign under attack

expedition holy war 🗡week 1 🗡thracia subteam 2

For the second time that hour, Hilda woke up in a confused haze. She was not in her bed, as she had been expecting to find herself, but napping unceremoniously behind a stack of crates. It took a moment for the memories to come back to her. Ah... Being woken for battle, getting stabbed by the vagabond, some enchanted sleep overcoming her...

Wait, where was Astrid?

She leapt up to see her wyvern soaring towards her, her blue-haired teammate clinging on for dear life.

"Hey! Haven't you ever been told not to touch another girl's wyvern?" she remarked as she reverted to her rightful place.

But the switch in positions, combined with her slow reaction times -- the grogginess of sleep still impacting her speed -- saw her surrounded by enemies before she even had the chance to draw her axe. She fumbled with it helplessly as blades fell upon her. It felt like a thousand cuts, and she could do little but swat them away with her arms.

Finally, she grabbed hold of her axe handle and screamed in defiance, striking out with a vengeance at the target in front of her. She hadn't even noticed it was the commander. His cruel smile melted into shock as she cleaved him with enough strength to send him flying from his wyvern, painting an arc across the sky before he landed on the ground below with a sickening crunch. He did not move again.

Every movement pained her, but with a few groans and whimpers of pain, she managed to switch her axe with the other she carried, strapped to her back. As she grasped the handle tightly, healing warmth spread through her body. She felt the blood flow stemming and the cuts stitching themselves up. Her hazy mind cleared.

But the efforts had left her exhausted. "Anyone else going to take these guys? I could use another nap..."

#toaexpedition2026 #ehwgreen2026 #thread: we are fuckign under attack #rigainrokkr #forgottenbelle #delicatevalentine

Skoll awakens in pain, although it is not severe enough to warrant much concern. At the very least, the fact he can move despite the pain is a good sign that there's still a lot of fight in him.

The same, however, cannot be said for his own allies, as that blue-haired woman is already in dire straits during when he was under sleep, and that pink-haired wyvern rider had to resort to using some sort of power in order to recover from the grievous wounds that she had suffered.

On the bright side, that loud-mouth commander of the revolutionaries is dead on the ground, with a telling gaping cut across their body, and there was one of the revolutionary rookies that were barely holding on.

Well, not for long, if Skoll had anything to say about that. Taking down one of the warriors holding those sleep-inflicting blades would help their odds considerably.

"Looks like you're done." Skoll declared, before he then readied the spell once more, as he fired another cutting wind blade, this time aiming for the revolutionary's head, and managing to hit, as head rolled off the body in a spurt of blood, until the body itself slumped to the ground. "Now then, who wants to go next? I still got someone to pay back for that little unintented napping session."

we are fuckign under attack

expedition holy war 🗡week 1 🗡thracia subteam 2

forgottenbelle

Rinea’s initial flame of overconfident anger does not subside as much as it burns less erratically.

She watches as Skoll commands the elements with practiced knowledge. She watches as Celica takes charge and men follow her without a second thought. She watches as Hilda —though Rinea had initially judged her as disinterested — leads the aerial assault only to be put to sleep by vile sword arts.

What chance does she stand, a trembling bear cub baring its teeth and claws waiting for its mother to be the true mauler? A bumbling sword novice could not justify bringing her blade on this trip; the dagger accompanied her instead, serving the same purpose it has from the minute it got placed in her hands.

Self defense. Survival. Protecting others. Her thoughts turn to Hilda and so does her body when Hilda’s wyvern lands before her. The unconscious girl slumps sideways against Rinea’s chest and into her arms — the wyvern smacks its tail against the stone rampart in disgruntled acceptance.

It will defend Hilda with its life.

Will you, Rinea? Are you a coward, who looks after self preservation rather than justice? It is not too late to run. It is not too late to fight.

She holds Hilda tighter and finds a blind spot behind some crates to offer her a poor makeshift cover with the wyvern in tow. Above their heads, another assailant circles, ready to dive down and finish the job against Hilda any moment now. Rinea is scared.

A memory of agonizing pain begs her to be let out and she shoves it back inside the cracks it wants to seep out of with urgency; now is not the time, not when she is guarding a life, not when she knows dying is painful and so are weapons and so is war in all its wretched forms, starting at the first blood spilled until long after it's over.

Rigel and Zofia both died by the blade the day Valentia was born. She had avoided reading about Jugdral upon initiating her journey in hopes to not learn that the rest of the world was much the same.

War is not only battles. All battles, however, are a war — Rinea is on its frontlines and time has no intention of waiting for a dispossessed noble to process her stance on committing violence. She either does it, or dies.

A gamble is made. The adrenaline guides her to hop on Astrid’s back with lackluster form, but she holds tight into the beast's reins with her left hand and its sides with her legs. They soar towards the sky to intercept the vagabond who had taken them for easy targets to pelt with javelins. Rinea gets hit in the right shoulder, but the pain only has her holding onto the beast with increased desperation.

Her tears are all that reach the ground upon which Hilda rests. The vagabond is rammed into at full speed, and though her weak constitution lacks power, the wyvern more than makes up for it when Rinea’s dagger meets his body.

She tastes his blood in her mouth when it splatters. The man spits profanities at her and grabs hold of the javelin in her shoulder, the two of them locked in the air by steel lodged in the other's body, and their crimson stained hands refusing to let go.

#thread: we are fuckign under attack #toaexpedition2026 #ehwgreen2026 #delicatevalentine #rigainrokkr #forgottenbelle #loredump #the wolf dreams #in pain that is

Skoll noticed that the situation was not faring well for his group. At least for now that is. Considering that their pink-haired wyvern rider is completely out of it, looking like that she has been placed under a deep slumber, and that the same blue-haired woman that roused them all up, was deep in the enemy formation. It was not a good look at all.

He then decided to look down, before he then saw that there was another dracoknight rushing for the red-haired swordswoman, as he saw that the blow struck her, as she began to show her drowsiness, before she then slumped to the ground, completely asleep.

"Oh, so that's how they managed to get this far. Gotta hand it to them, they really are willing to go to such lengths for their revolution-" Skoll declared, although he never got to finish his sentence.

"DIE, BEAST!" Another one of the fresher dracoknights roared, as they rushed through the exposed lines to reach towards Skoll, before he could get the chance to even react.

And with a slash of their blade, Skoll felt the wound form on him, as he began to feel a massive wave of fatigue consume him, as his own concentration and vision began to waver.

"You've got to... be... kidding..." Skoll uttered, before he then fell unconscious.

-----------

"Envision the spark between your fingers." Was the order that Skoll was given.

Skoll did his best to do so, as he raised his own young hands, although he couldn't do anything to make it work, as there were only sparks from his fingers.

"Sorry." Skoll sighed, as the young wolf-eared boy looked fairly disappointed.

"It's fine, my child." The man who gave the order, who was dressed in a hood that hid most of his head and face, although Skoll could see the elderly beard underneath it, and the understanding smile underneath, stated, as he placed a gentle hand on Skoll's head, stroking it softly. "It is too much to expect of you to cast a spell immediately, even though you show great talent."

"...Will the Goddess welcome all those under it? Even those who have no place in it?" Skoll asked back, looking up to his mentor with hopeful eyes.

"That is silly to say. The Goddess does not see races as castes to be compared. They are merely different facets of the same sentience that we all share. Even some monsters, that are reviled, have the same understanding and culture as we do, even if their ethics differ greatly from most others." The man responded back.

"...I see." Skoll hummed back. "...Regardless, I want to try again. I... I don't want to be weak. I don't want to be pushed around."

"And as long as you're determined, that will never come to be. Now then, once more, little one." The mentor declared, satisfied by Skoll's response.

-------------------------

Pain. Skoll was in immense pain.

But nothing compared to the pain that he would feel, if he did not hold Hati close to him, using his own body to protect her from the blows, the stones, and even the blades coming their way.

"Monster! Shadow worshipper!"

"Crawl back to the shadows where you belong!"

"Your deceit has no place in this kingdom of virtue!"

Oh, how Skoll detested their hypocrisy.

What makes them so special, compared to them? Fenris never told any lies, and her deals were fair: Servitude for having your greatest desire fulfilled.

They were people who would do much worse than that, as they could renege on their end of the deal, while Fenris keeps her promise, no matter what is done against her.

And the fact that they would strike anyone who they believe that would be worshippers of Fenris. Just because they have wolf-like features, as the Goddess herself is a wolf of shadows.

It's disguisting, absolutely disgusting. Just in the same way that those with dragon features are worshipping as living saints, no matter how immoral or how cruel they might be, behind the curtains.

The nature of all beings contains deceit, so why avert their gazes from it?

Sooner or later...

The people of this world will understand that they are not so different to the beasts they so love to persecute

forgottenbelle

we are fuckign under attack

expedition holy war 🗡week 1 🗡thracia subteam 2

Rinea steers clear of negative emotions whenever she is able; when she disembarked the ship, it was all confusion and distress clawing at the already raw redness of her throat. When they were separated into teams, then smaller teams, all confidence was subdued into apprehension.

She remained quiet other than a few pleasantries with lady Alear and the ladies sharing the dormitory wing with her. Jumbled thoughts rattled the crevices of Rinea’s brain with such intensity that all she could do was squirm when spoken to and eventually ask for an early night.

Opposing sides of a war. A soldier that knows of her. Had she been a monster to many, for her name to resound so violently against the knight's armor? No, no, no, no, no no no no, my lord, you mustn't—

Nightmares wake Rinea later into the night, when the others are slumbering quietly in the vicinity. She is drenched in cold sweat. She cannot go back to sleep. While there is no memory of the contents of her dreams, bile gathers in her mouth together with frustration.

There is no running away from the worst her heart has to offer. It would be smart to go for some fresh air, so she sneaks out towards the ramparts for a middle of the night promenade; fresh air and stargazing without bothering anyone will quell the fire before it starts.

She spots the assailants around the same time the sentry does. They rush past her, drag her back inside — for safety — then leave her in the middle of a staircase to rouse the rest of the castle. Seconds pass, then time halts. When the spark ignites, Rinea is past the point of wanting to suffocate it.

Righteous rage gets her moving back to the dormitory the sentry is yet to reach; incertitude has no leg against her fury, and neither does the social construct of noble blood supposedly powering her system. She opens the door, thumps her way to her bedside, and grabs whatever clothing and weapon will ensure their survival.

“Wake up! Enemies are coming! Please, we should… we must fight!” One by one, Rinea shakes her companions. Those vagabonds will curse the day in which they prevented a maiden from brooding and fizzling her thoughts in peace.

@delicatevalentine 🗡@rigainrokkr 🗡 @academiaskoll