&// STILL FEEL.

[lichpaladin]

BAZHUR TETHALTRA - D&D OC!

hey, y’all! it’s garrus with my own oc! this is my boy, bazhur, who is a half-orc paladin turned lich - or arguably an ‘archlich’ since he’s still very much aligned with good! regardless, he’s here and he’s ready to help people! people who don’t run away at first sight of him, anyway.

worships ilmater, the god of suffering and endurance.. ( doesn’t sound too friendly, right? but bazhur would be more than willing to talk about that if you’re willing to hear! )

bazhur looks scarier than he is -  he’s actually very gentle and compassionate, but he isn’t one to back down from fighting for what he feels is right, either...even though he doesn’t have his powers here. overall, he wants to do good in any and every way he can!

still getting used to being a lich - it’s pretty recent for him, actually and he kind of forgets it unless someone brings it up - which i’m sure is going to happen a lot here. it’s a sensitive subject.

is going to have a tough time getting used to more modern-ish things here, he’s from a world where common household plumbing was just starting to be implemented in large cities, y’know? please help him.

will probably make tea and bake and most likely end up making a church group or something, tbh. he’s just that kind of guy. ideal boyfriend material.

[monstersource-blog]

LICH AESTHETIC / AS REQUESTED.

[redlichbluelich]

[Where the Water Tastes Like Wine Starters]

@lichpaladin​ said: “ i’ve been cursed two times; once to live forever, but the second time to die. i’m dead for sure, and certainly alive. ”

“Hah! That’s–That’s a fun way to put it. Huh.” Barry can relate, more or less, on both accounts, though perhaps not in the same way as Bazhur. They are both liches, for being dead, but Barry’s ‘curse’ of eternal life is more to do with time loops.

Oh, but the more thought he gives to this, the more he’s interested in the particulars.

“Sorry, now I have to ask–D’you mean literal curses? Don’t think I’ve ever known anyone to become a lich by anything other than–well, other than their own will.”

“And, being honest, any way I can imagine that happening does not seem like it’d end very pleasantly.”

[lichpaladin]

        suddenly, bazhur felt very silly speaking that way to another lich. barry certainly didn’t leave any holds barred when it came to his curiosity - and he felt slightly alarmed by the question.

        “ well, i suppose i was speaking more...poetically than literally, but there was a very real curse involved. the decision to become what i am now...my hand was forced by it. it wasn’t very much of a choice, i’m afraid. ” bazhur tried to give a sad laugh to lighten the dark nature of the statement, though it drifted into something closer to a sigh as he toyed with the edge of his sleeve. it suddenly felt very awkward to look at barry while he spoke about this; it made their differences as liches all the more apparent. barry was more alive through methods bazhur couldn’t really understand.

      “ there was another lich in my world that...marked me as a boy. my soul was his upon my death. he was called the ‘great devourer’ for this reason...he consumed the souls of the living in order to fuel his own power in undeath. i don’t like to think of how many actually met the fate that was meant for me. ” bazhur’s ears dipped downward again; he knew it must have been a great many people for zorander to nearly step foot in the material plane again. but there was nothing to be done at the time; bazhur had only been a frightened boy. “ i don’t believe he ever expected that i would become like him in order to fight against him. the added...’bonus’, as it were, would be that he would never claim my soul since i obviously lack the ability to truly die. ”  the concept of immortality was not as pleasing to him as it most certainly was to most others, but bazhur forced himself not to dwell on it. ( he felt like he would go mad if he did. )

        “ no offense to you, but...this is not a choice i would have made for myself if circumstances hadn’t pressured me to do so. but it was a choice, regardless. ” bazhur cleared his throat, finally looking back up at barry and giving a slightly forced grin while keeping his tone light. “ so, to answer your question, i was being slightly melodramatic. “ he laughed, but it was hollow and awkward. 

[a-frog-in-a-bog]

[lichpaladin]

@redlichbluelich

[elvenrule]

@lichpaladin​​

     Strolling the unnatural wildlife reserve, Thranduil frequently found himself slowing to admire the odd variations to creatures he knew from the mainland. Many of the animals possessed only minor differences to those found wandering the capital island, but others wore more unsettling appearances. One such creature, a fox with six legs and a knobby tail, soon scurried past the elf in a playful and excited manner. 

He mused on the reason for such mutations evident on this peninsula, eyes following the red furred critter until it came to a stop less than a foot from a tall, shadowy figure. The animal’s tail wagged in seeming delight, causing the elf intrigue. Curious, he raised his chin and surveyed the individual, his hackles instantly raised once recognition of the fiendish appearance took hold.

❝Halt, foul wraith! Not a step more.❞ he commanded with a hand raised before him—the other resting on the hilt of his sword—and a tight-lipped frown on his face. Although he did not draw his weapon, Thranduil’s steps forward frightened the fox into hiding behind the stranger. ❝Tell me, are you to fault for the anomalous life abound?❞

[lichpaladin]

        bazhur’s ears perked up at the elf’s injunction, giving off the impression of surprise and alarm. briefly, he glanced behind himself to make certain that - yes, there was nothing else there. the stranger was certainly speaking to him.

        while he always understood why people reacted in that manner ( he absolutely had the first time he had met rhaugilath ), it didn’t do much to remove the sting from the misunderstanding. cautiously, he  lifted his skeletal hands, palms outstretched, to show that he had no weapons and was -more or less- surrendering. had he been in his own world and not under the limits of spirale, that would have meant very little for a spellcasting lich - but it was hopefully a universal gesture of meaning no harm.

        “ no, i am not. ” he answered slowly, remaining unnaturally still as to not provoke the other. the half-orc cleared his throat, glancing down at the fox currently weaving between his feet with a faint smile - or the closest expression that his face would allow. “ i’m not sure what makes the creatures here so bizarre - it’s not solely reserved for the - well, wildlife reserve. i’ve seen other unusual creatures in other sections of the city, though there are certainly more here. ” then again, he had to wonder if what seemed unusual and alien to him was simply the default for spirale. stranger things had definitely taken place since his arrival.

        “ if i may, i believe you may be a bit confused? hm. no, that - that may have sounded a bit rude... ” bazhur frowned, trying to figure out how to politely inform the man that he was not some necromantic villain. “ whatever i may resemble in your realm, i believe the resemblances are only superficial. i still have my wits about me, i am not a necromancer’s puppet, nor do i desire to inflict harm on anyone. ” not that he expected the other to believe him on his word alone. “ i don’t know what manner of world you come from, but i hope that you may be able to set any previous experiences aside here? ” even bazhur had to do so upon meeting another lich here who was far outside his own expectations. 

       “ my name is bazhur tethaltra. ” he fixed his posture - proud, but not arrogant - as he introduced himself with a brief, but formal bow. never let it be said that his manners lacked for anything.

[inksplit]

[lichpaladin]

taalko​:

[txt] -> zatso???

Gods this man is adorbz. It should prob’ly be illegal.

[txt] -> well howd you like this one ;D [txt] -> no worrie at all my man,you dont gotta CHOOSE to b tomy liking [txt] -> if you catcch mydrift

Bazhur sure is trying hard, isn’t he. Thankfully, it’s cute and not totally lame and desperate; it only causes more of those stupid giddy giggles to come out of his mouth. The only trouble with the blanket fort now is that it’s too soft, too relaxing, and Taako’s not into resting at the mo’ so he reluctantly climbs out, deciding to keep himself busy.

[txt] -> im mak a cake. or pie? pie. s better

He’s about to ramble on about the merits of pie, but Bazhur’s next texts stop him in his tracks, and he’s way redder than he’d be without the booze, prob’ly. Still, he composes himself–part of him can’t believe it, doesn’t believe it, not with a face like this–but he plays it cool, natch.

Taako’s still got it, always.

[txt] -> ov couse i am, im gorgeous tbh [txt] -> and you too. good face [txt] -> we might b the hottest folks in thi splace [txt] -> amirite?

He clears his throat. Time for another emoji.

[txt] -> ℹ️

…Eh, whatever. That’s… …that is one, at least.

Oh, right. The address.

It takes some digging, but Taako finally figures out where to send him, babbling something vague and then just trying to copy ‘n’ paste it into a message. Looks good, but not cas enough, not until he adds a sly “b three or b square” that he’s pretty sure is spelled correctly.

Wait, there’s something else: the pie.

Maybe strawberry…

(He forgets, in the end, about the pie. Does wind up remembering his mimosa, though. Maybe he can at least hook Bazhur up with one of those.)

Man, he’s doing great, that’s for sure.

[txt] To be honest, I don't. [txt] I'm sorry, I must seem terribly dim to you. [txt] Texting isn't my forte.

he's led to believe its more than a lack of familiarity that makes this method of communication odd and alien to him; there's universes and cultures between them that likely made him fall short. hopefully, taako would be understanding of that fact instead of writing him off - though he supposed taako would have already if he were inclined to do so.

bazhur had already started putting on his coat (and making sure it wasn't too wrinkled or otherwise inappropriate ) and was getting ready to leave. perhaps he was being a bit too overeager, but how often was he invited over - anywhere, really - for a 'party’? it was a special occasion to him, at least. glancing at the phone again, he found it rather endearing and sweet that taako considered making a baked good. he had to stifle a laugh from taako's good-natured lack of modesty that followed.

[txt] I'm not so certain about myself but I appreciate you including me in that category, too. [txt] I was probably far better looking before [txt] Well. [txt] 💀

it felt like it added levity to use the icon instead of writing it out; he didn't want to bring the other down or make him think about the...unpleasantness associated with his death. with only minor difficulty he was able to enter the address provided as he left. navigating to taako's home wasn't altogether challenging, either - but the aisles of a small market were more so ( so many options ! ). nevertheless, he was able to decide on a lime-accented wine that wasn't too pricey, though he was still learning how to compare dust to currencies in his own world.

when he finally arrived, he sent a quick note to taako informing him, and then gently rapped on the door - clearing his throat awkwardly and doing one last glance down to his clothes, straightening them out.

[lichpaladin]

taalko​:

God, lookit this joker. Usin’ a li’l smiley face.

Taako’s not all that surprised to feel this warm and fuzzy–that’s how you know all that booze is workin’ its magic–but he’s still surprised by the giggle that comes out and the beginnings of a huge, genuine, dopey grin on his face.

TO: Bazhur FROM: Taako from TV

[txt] -> nice smile [txt] -> i bet good teeth [txt] -> pretty … pretty good [txt] -> wow thaf so cohernfor me [txt] -> doin greach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im REAL good [txt] ->dnt mater me, sailor [txt] -> tall taste smame. all limes [txt] -> limes? limes gorurt. limes gogra. limes. yoga. lim… limes? [txt] -> taste

Okay, what was he even saying?

[txt] -> whatev byob. bring oyur own bazhur [txt] -> wil b off the CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [txt] -> i love you. face [txt] -> bye

He hunts for a suitable emoji.

[txt] -> 👞

…Uh, not what he meant, but.

[txt] -> itsa a pun

Good save.

        that feeling that he’s missing something grows even larger as he continues to read; taako seemed very proficient with the devices here that were futuristic to himself, why were there so many errors in the way he wrote? and his way of speaking seemed even more eccentric and unusual than when they had first met. but, for the benefit of the doubt, he decided to chalk it up to things getting lost in translation - for now. 

        [txt] Thank you, I’m still learning how to use ‘emojis’. The ones made of text are simpler and easier for me to understand.         [txt] :D

         for a moment, bazhur’s hand drifted up to his face to brush over the exposed tusks and teeth; he wondered if he was still capable of smiling. it felt like he was, but he had to question if that was a phantom sensation. he put that question aside for now as taako’s texts grew even more confusing. did...he want something that tasted like limes? that sounded expensive - or it would have been in his world, anyway. more expensive than some tavern and inn rooms he’d slept in, most likely.

        [txt] Very well, I hope I’ll choose something to your liking.          [txt] I’m afraid I’ve never been a connoisseur by any means.         [txt] 😅

        that one was labeled ‘nervous smile’ and seemed appropriate in context, he decided. the half-orc knew he would have been blushing had he still been capable of it when he read the comment on his face - or what he interpreted it to be. as flattered and taken-aback by it as he was, he couldn’t help but feel an uncharacteristic surge of confidence due to it.

         [txt] Thank you. I like yours as well.           [txt] You are very handsome.

              okay, that confidence was gone! that sounded completely dumb and much too strong; now his face would have been red from sheer embarrassment. he hurried to change the subject.

         [txt] I feel the pun may have gotten lost in translation, but I’m sure it was a good one.          [txt] 🥂          [txt] Would you attach the address, please?           [txt] I am confident that I’ve mastered using the navigation system by now.

[taalko]

@lichpaladin​

Taako’s pretty sure he hasn’t stopped drinking since shit hit the fan. If he’s going to have trouble with his memory, he’s gonna bring it on himself; as it’s daylight now, he stumbles into the kitchen and makes himself a mimosa.

The floor of his room is littered with bottles by this point.

He’s yet to see anything of Lup or Barry; he recalls Lucretia’s plea to take care of them with an acidic tang in his mouth. Good brothers help you through frightening memory lapses; great brothers get tanked, apparently. He’s already hideously clumsy with the hobbled leg, carting around a makeshift cane as he makes his way back to the room.

(There’s a blanket fort set up; childish or no, it helps him feel better.)

He crawls in, feelin’ loosey goosey.

TO: Bazhur FROM: Taako from TV

[txt] -> hey hoy stuff [txt] -> howzit hangin [txt] -> were u rather it hangin [txt] -> somwhe r else. like w me mayhpas [txt] -> im having a party. theres a fort and evrything do youwant. to come??? [txt] -> please respond. ddsexy [txt] -> love taako [txt] -> ps if u have any good boze you should bring [txt] -> i makee drikd very profsional.

This is the perfect plan.

No one’s ever flipping shit at a party. He’s a genius.

[lichpaladin]

        it took a bit of deciphering at first; taako’s way of speaking was so different from his own that he’d had to take the effort to look up alternate meanings for some terms. that in itself wasn’t unusual - he spoke several languages and there were still similar misunderstandings - but it was the misspellings that gave him pause. after a moment or two he was able to get the gist of taako’s message, and he had no doubt that if he were still alive, he’d have a slight blush on his face.

         he wasn’t misreading between the lines, was he? it... sounded very much like taako was flirting with him and inviting him over for a drink. and he wasn’t sure how else to read that other than expressing an interest in him. hesitating for a moment ( something felt off and he couldn’t quite place what or why ), bazhur finally answered. 

To: Taako from TV From: Bazhur Tethaltra

[txt] Hello, Taako, I’m happy to hear from you again. [txt] I would be delighted to visit you and ‘hang out’. [txt] :)  [txt] I can bring a drink, is there anything in particular you would prefer?

[spiderstaff]

@lichpaladin​

“Oh, it’s you!” Kay’s relieved to finally run into this guy– the first time she met him it had been a little awkward. There was some crying involved, and she was worried she hurt his feelings. And although she’s a little curious about his appearance, she decides it wouldn’t be very polite to ask, especially not after the way she’d acted before.

“Um, I wanted to say sorry for last time, and…” her apology trails off, because she’s watching him mess around with the phone in his hands. Is he still figuring out how to use it, maybe? She knows how that is, it was hard for her to figure it out, too.

“…do you need any help with that? It’s a weird kinda magic and it’s all confusing, but it’s not too hard once you get the hang of it.”

[lichpaladin]

       “ oh! hello again, dear. ” bazhur tried to give her a smile, though it ended up nervous and awkward; his ears dipping downward, flat against his head in something resembling an apologetic gesture. it wasn’t so much that his pride had been wounded, but that he’d worried that he’d upset her. given the fact that it tended to happen to full-grown adults back in his own realm when approached by him, he wasn’t particularly hopeful that he hadn’t been the reason she’d been upset when they first encountered each other.

         her apology, however caught him off guard, and he hurried to correct her. “ oh, no, no, no -  it’s - you don’t have to apologize at all. i know it’s a bit - startling at best. ” bazhur glanced down to the phone in his hands for a moment, fingertips idly tapping at the screen with no real goal other than giving himself something else to momentarily focus on. “ i assume we’re from similar realms, yes? " she certainly looked to be a drow, and by his conversation with barry, it seemed like there were others from similar, parallels worlds to his own. “ i can’t imagine that the undead have a positive reputation in your world, either... unless you happen to be acquainted with mr. bluejeans. ” bazhur was thankful when she changed the subject.

          “ ah- yes, thank you. i understand the function of some of the features it can provide, but navigating it can still be a bit challenging for me. ” 

[lichpaladin]

whohassummonedme​:

I am the Nightmare Knight, if you are looking for a name.

May I ask yours, skeleton man? I don’t usually meet individuals like you. There was a short round fellow who judged me for my sins once. Otherwise, most skeletons around here are quiet.

       the nightmare knight wasn’t exactly an inviting name, though bazhur had known others with more foreboding names, who proved to be allies. “ my name is bazhur tethaltra, sir ‘knightmare knight’. ” regardless of whether the name was misleading, it felt impolite and rude to address him without any type of honorific. especially when he towered so far above him. ” i would hope most skeletons here are silent. and while i may be a man of faith, i usually leave the judging of sins for other powers. ” 

[whohassummonedme]

They won’t let me reply to replies anymore so, thank you, skeleton man.

[lichpaladin]

       “ ah, you’re welcome, sir...giant....? ” it’s a question, since he can’t really fathom what he is.

[lichpaladin]

         “ please don’t try to die. it wasn’t - well, it wasn’t like what i imagined it would be, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant. ” then again, he had been impaled.

[errantkatana]

“I wonder if it’s really true that you see your whole life flash before your eyes when you come close to death. Maybe if I die enough times in this place, I’ll remember what memories I lost before my head injury.” 

[lichpaladin]

       “ speaking from experience...i wouldn’t recommend that, my friend. regardless if death is impermanent, here. ”

[acoolguy]

y’all mind if i unearth ancient secrets?

[garrusprompts]

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a Narrative-Adventure game about traveling, sharing stories, and surviving manifest destiny. Some quotes have been edited or paraphrased for RP purposes. Feel free to change it up to fit your muse. 2/?

“ i wasn’t one to accept death. to live beside it - that wasn’t my way. ”

“ i threw him away. i thought i loved him, but he was nothing to me. ”

“ i did not think that death could, or would touch me. before i met the devil, i was too worthless even for death. ”

“ i never feared the devil, no. he took something from me, but he gave me back something i lost, too. ”

“ when they died, it sucked the love right out of me. ”

“ i thought it would last forever. it should have. ”

“ joy? well, i think there’s more of it in the world than there was. ain’t mine to have, but it’s there. people dance more now. they smile more, i think.  ”

“ you ever wake up, already silently screaming in your head? ”

“ heaven don’t last. ”

“ do you need a soul to love? i don’t think i’m capable of it anymore. ”

“ what’s freedom to me? some say that when we end, that’s freedom. ”

“ i wish i could find comfort in the notion of death, but i know what waits for me beyond the veil. ”

“ don’t bother wishing me any luck. luck’s not in my stars. love ain’t in there, either. ”

“ sit with me - let’s talk. i don’t want to sleep tonight. ”

“ this life is a prison and sometimes i laugh because i made it. i made this whole world and now i’m trapped in it. ”

“ we were all cursed. right from the beginning. ”

“ i think i was born cursed. there was never a happy ending for me; i die alone no matter what path i took at that crossroads. ”

“ the devil doesn’t give even deals. ”

“ the devil gave me everything - but he took everything, too. ”

“ it was me. it was me who made this world. that’s all i have now, and i need you to know this; i made the world that ruined me. ”

“ there’s no running left in me. don’t weep for me. i will die here. ”

“ are we done here? i laid myself bare for you - that’s all there is to me now. ”

“ does being out here free that part of you? ”

“ i’ve met a lot of people like you on this road. there’s something you want from it, isn’t there? ”

“ i’ve been a wandering ghost for a while now, and i’ll be that way for some time to come. ”

“ it’s a fate i should have known i was in for. ”

“ sometimes i start to think: well, the world isn’t made for being happy in. not for someone like me. ”

“ i’ve seen a lot of change. everything - everyone - i thought i had is gone. ”

“ when i’m alone out here, i spend too much time inside my own head. ”

“ you know the hardest person for anyone to have faith in? it’s themselves. ”

“ what do you want from this life? do you think there’s a chance you’ll get it? ”

“ i still love him. ”

“ it takes a special kind of fool to become a poet. ”

“ writing poetry won’t make your sadness go away, nor will your problems be solved. but at least you’ll be able to look back and know how you felt. ”

“ maybe the traps i’ve fallen into are ones i made myself. ”

“ maybe what i think happened didn’t happen at all, and i’m the one who’s been a monster. ”

“ i don’t trust myself to see them and act like a decent human being. ”

“ i suppose after a while i’ll start to realize how little i can change and accept myself as seething with anger and pain. ”

“ a pity, isn’t it? to be stuck with ourselves like this. ”

“ i don’t want to be the way i am now. ”

“ looks like i’m still me and you’re still you. ”

“ it’s enough for something to exist in the past and for that to have been good. ”

“ i wanted to find what it meant to be alive. ”

“ most people go through life doing a lot of work to avoid the truth. ”

“ the past doesn’t even feel like it happened - it feels like it’s happening in every moment. in every slumber. ”

“ when your memories come back to you, do they clutch at you? at your heart? ”

“ do you know any happy stories? hopeful ones? ”

“ there’s some hope left for you, too, you know. don’t give it away too quickly. ”

“ faith? well, god and i haven’t been on speaking terms. i gave the fucker so many chances to make things right and he hasn’t followed through. ”

“ the days come and go and the terrors return. ”

“ they’ll never be able to pay back what they owe me, but i’ll always keep at ‘em. ”

“ what about you - is there something somebody owes you? ”

“ the journey - if you look at it all at once, it’ll overwhelm you. it’ll hurt your mind. if you take it day by day, then…then it won’t hurt quite so much. ”

“ they wanted someone to be proud of, and i did as they asked. ”

“ the sadness didn’t come immediately. when they died, it left me feeling like half of me was missing. ”

“ the emptiness didn’t last - it filled itself with sadness not long after. ”

“ for a moment there - just a moment - i felt better about it all, too. ”

“ the time for faith has long passed, friend. ”

“ love comes in so many forms. i love more dearly now than ever.”

“ i love more deeply than the sun and the earth. ”

“ loyalty to him is the only loyalty i don’t regret. ”

“ when everything has left you, all that remains is a peculiar peace. ”

“ the way people look at me…that’s when i miss being whole the most. ”

“ i wish i could talk about what happened the way you do. ”

“ wishes? if i had my way, i’d go back to a time before the war…but now, i have no wishes. ”

“ the stars cross the sky and they mean nothing. ”

[lichpaladin]

@journalskeeper​ // event sc!

         “ it’s not quite as relaxing as the usual ‘deserted island’ fantasy, is it? ” the skeletal orc laughed - though it was flat, and the anxiety underlying his chuckle was easy to discern. it was a nice island, he supposed - but the city itself was unpredictable enough, let alone a mysterious island. he thought there would be...more to it than this, and that expectation was -perhaps ironically- what was making him restless. he gave a small sigh, moving to tie his hair back for the third time since arriving here. ( how did it always manage to fall into his face? maybe he should consider cutting it once he was back in the city. )

           “ it’s almost nightfall, though. i imagine the moon over the water will be nice, at the very least. ” it was strange, he’d never really appreciated the ocean when he’d spent most of his life along the sword coast; but here in this odd realm it felt like a duty that he should be mindful of it. “ ah, i apologize. i tend to ramble when i’m...uncertain. ”