Sarij Rahzersyn

Ex-Pirate, Dark Knight, Leader

[sarijrahzersyn]

To Kill Murder

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> "I see you made it no problem, Geofri." Jessie stepped off the airship and onto the dock at Camp Overlook. One hand carried a rather large and clearly marked with wards satchel.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri nodded at Jessie as she arrive. He slid off from the crate he sat on, "Yeh, figured I'd take in the scenery while I waited. That there be it, yeh?" he indicated the bag with a nod of his head.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> "Yes, I was able to examine the knife, so long as you don't cut yourself with the edge you will be unaffected by lingering desires of the Spirit of Murder. The hilt itself is not as old as the blade so it does not have the same... properties." She carefully withdrew the knife from the satchel. It was tucked neatly into a new sheath covered in aetheric wards. "As long as you have it in the sheath, its aether will not be detectable."

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri nodded, he went ahead and took the knife and examined it on his own. He gave a whistle, "Funny seein' it look so mundane, especially after seein' when we first got it." he carefully strapped the blade to a slip behind him.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> "It is the only thing according the the Yuki Clan that can kill her, but with how things are I doubt the Spinner's Shears will allow us to get close to her if we stormed the base."  Jessie took out a second item from the satchel, this one was an amulet. It looked to be crystal carving of a black eagle perched in a field of wildflowers. "Our goal is to kill her, so the Spinner's no longer have a supernatural spirit on their side when the rest of the Agents move to kill the rest of the bastards."

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> Her fist clenched around the amulet for a few moments before relaxing once more.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri nodded, his expression was neutral and the visor hid his eyes but he was getting into a particular mode. "I'll be sure to make this be done. Tis' personal now, yeh?" he remarked, he fidgeted a bit, perhaps he was nervous? None in the least, it was excitement. He looked to the amulet with his head, "And this'n?"

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> "The bastards killed my family, my friends, my free company. I am going to make sure they know how it feel to lose something close to their heart before I make sure every last one of them is dead." The normally reserved woman almost was snarling, but she took a deep breath before holding out the amulet. "This was made by my husband, for me. However, it will be of more use to you for this. It will conceal your aether to a point. That way you only have to worry about being seen rather than sensed.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri could control the smile the crept unto his face. He carefully took the amulet and adorned it. He watcher her actions and felt it, his fire was more controlled at this point. He nodded to Jessie, "Eye fer an eye, blood fer blood and a life fer a life taken. Equivalent exchange at its core." he remarked and looked over his shoulder, "I'm eager to get started."

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> "The plan is simple, you go in the same route we did last time to that hovel. I will take small two person airship around the city of Nym to meet up at the cliffside." She motioned to the dock they were on before continuing. "Sneak in, ram the knife into her hear, her head, or just slit her throat then get jump off the cliffside before the Spinner's Shears can get stop you. I will be there waiting and we will meet up with the rest of the Agents here to eliminate the Spinner's while they ---

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> in disarray or grieving the lost of their 'mother.'"

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri simple nodded, he reached back to check the blade again. There was a twitch in his fingers, "Understood. if there be nothin' else. Let's paint the place red, yeh?" he commented, as he checked his instruments and awaited her response.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> "I wish I could just use one of Eagle's more questionable arrays to wipe out the whole base... but lack of aether and I am sure it would be considered illegal." She frowned before turning to the small airship she arrived on. "I doubt it would be as satisfying, as well. Call me on the pearl if anything goes wrong and I will provide a distraction so you can still eliminate the Spirit of Murder." The woman paused and turned to look back at Geofri or rather the amulet. "Let us finish it."

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri nodded, "We shall." his words were confident and he was playing many scenarios in his head but come hells or flood water, he was going to see this one done. As any job he'd taken, the target had to be eliminated and this one had no ceremony. It was pure revenge.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The hovel where previously the Advent Agents had engaged with Everret Black was not quite as empty this time. Dozens of men and woman of various races wandered about the repurposed hotsprings. Many were armed, some were looking clearly lookouts, and a few would step over to the middle of the springs the occasional plate of food or glass of wine. Sitting in the middle was Satsujin no Seishin in her fine robe and veil concealed face. Despite the attempts her 'children,' mother paid them ---

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> little mind, not even acknowledging the offerings, just staring out into the fog over the cliffside.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri skirted along, close to the cliffside, using the advantage of cover and watched their movements  to time he his way along to the hovel. He carefull scanned where the lookouts were, he formulated a plan to pick off one at a time in attempte to get as close to Satsujin as possible. He carefully crept toward the closest to him. (B)

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The Hyur Geofri approached seemed more focused on the road than the hills and the occasional glance back to 'mother.' As moments went by members of the Spinner's Shears occasionally left the camp as others arrived. It was clear this place had become almost a temple to the Spirit of Murder.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri observed their mannerisms and as soon as they were distracted by looking back toward Mother, he eyed over to the other lookout (A). He would attempted to tranq the Hyur (B) and have him fall into a sitting positon against the hill.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The Hyur slouched as the tranq hit him, almost as if the man was merely taking a break from watching the road to rest his legs. He sat neatly against the hill leaving Geofri with less eyes looking for trouble. The Elezen across the road spotted his comrade slouch and almost shouted at him, but a brief glance to mother stilled his tongue. Oddly the entire camp was quiet. The Spinner’s Shears seemed to only speak in whispers.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> Geofri watched from the bushes as the Elezen was distracted he again watched the traffic and moved amongst it toward the Elezen. He watched and timed his next tranq, he timed it like he did with the Hyur, to have them look like they are taking a brief rest before he got more bold.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The elezen joined the hyur in faux rest, slouching along the rocks. Very few of the Spinner’s even seemed to look that way. Most were murmuring among themselves or attempting to make offerings to Satsujin no seishin.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes>  Geofri watched their movements change again. He figured now was the best time to take the opportunity with the lookouts and most distracted by other things. He reached over to Q-B and took a braided cord out of it, he timed for multiple flash bangs. He was launched into the air along with his Node, the first flash bang would go off. As he lept toward Satsujin, another flash bang would go off and the Highlander would let go off the cord. He tested her reflexes with a couple of>>

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes>  dummy daggers, while her attention was fixated on those he reached back to retrieve the cursed blade from his back and as he landed, used the momentum to try todrive the blade down on the frontal lobe of her skull and follow through downward. The last flash bang would go off, in that moment.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The first flashbang triggered and the entire camp ignited in shouts and commands. After the second the commands were clearly to kill Geofri and several Spinner’s Shears were racing across the pool to try to stop him from attacking Satsuijn no Seishin. Even the spirit turned to look at the man as he struck with the dummy daggers. -

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The woman simply ducked and weaved around them, but her vessel, she did not even sense until the moment it was free from its sheath. The blade drive deep into her skull blood trickled from where it pieces. Geofri, however, was unable to pull it downward and the final flashbang almost was unneeded as all the Spinner’s had stopped in the tracks as the Spirit of Murder bat the Ishgardian’s hand away.-

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> “Ha…” She sourly laughed. Then the laughter became shrill and chaotic as if echoed off the walls of the valley. The woman kept laughing as she stood up and yanked the knife from her head and PLUNGED IT INTO… her own chest over and over. Even as the laughter became choked in blood she did not stop stabbing over and over, staring at Geofri with mad eyes. All of the Spinner’s simply watched in horror as their goddess kept impaling herself repeatedly until she collapsed into a bloody heap.

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes>  Geofri thought that she was unharmed by the blade and was surely taken back by her actions following after. He could only watch and wait as the Spirit continued. As she collapsed, he took the blade once more and to be sure of things, he severed her head in a quick motion and took off to jump off the falls, and dropped the head like discarded trash. One can never be to sure with these things. The node followed soon after to help slow his descent while he spoke into his pearl.>>

[3]<Geofri Steeleyes> His  expression neutral but his the corners of his lips and fingers twitched with adrenaline.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> Jessie was exactly where she promised she would be and caught the man in her small airship as he leapt from the cliff. As their airship rose above the cliffline, the scene at the hot springs was not what was to be expected. Not one member of the cabal even looked up at them.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> A Spinner’s Shears walked up to the corpse of Satsujin no seishin and raise a knife to his neck, called out. “For Mother,”  and slit his throat. Just like so many others, only aether flooded out, but instead of going into the sky it just pooled like fog over the corpse of the Spirit of Murder.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> The first dropped dead, a husk; then another stepped  up. “For Mother.” and slit their own throat. Then another. “For Mother.” Then another. “For Mother.” The entire camp one by one walked up to Satsujin no Seishin and repeated those two words before slitting their throats.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> “Something is wrong, the aether is pooling.” Jessie mumbled as the hot springs became hidden by a red fog. Even through the dense aether a female figure began to rise from where Satsujin no Seishin once stood, but much taller.

[3]<Jessie Wildflower> Jessie looked back at Geofri. “The aether levels… they are going through the roof. We need to get back to Camp Overlook now!” The woman gripped the accelerator and the pair shot off through the sky back to the camp.

@astraladvent

[sarijrahzersyn]

Dragoon’s Lair 

The Agents knew where the Spirit of Murder’s vessel was, they just needed to get it back. Jessie called for another meeting as soon as a scout returned with the information about the location and defenders of the knife. Berrod, Suwan, Cerina, Louma’li, Reks, Eiroch, and Geofri showed up to help bring the threat of the Spinner’s Shears to an end by getting the tools to kill their ‘goddess’

The scout reported that there was only one person at the the Spinner’s Shears base, Everret Black. Jessie Wildflower figured that they would only have a short window of them assassins recovering from losing a number of them to the fight in South Thanalan and got the Agents mobilized swiftly. Once they were near the base in Outer La Noscea, Jessie, the scout, and Suwan remained near the exit of the valley to act as lookouts for any returning Spinner’s Shears.

Berrod lead the group to the small hovel where Everret Black, battered and broken, rested. The Assassin that had helped take down the Golden Dawn and almost spelled the end for the Astral Agents certainly did not look like he was in any shape to fight. The Spirit of Murder’s vessel rested on rock next to him. Erioch charged after the blade, while Cerina aimed for the man himself.

Unfortunately, Everret Black drank a vial of dragonblood, and being a descendant of the first houses of Ishgard, likely an infidelity that crossed a great number of generations, he transformed into a rather large black and red dragon serpent. His levin attacks proved dangerous even with the support of Geofri and Reks’ attempts to shield and cleanse.

What was far more dangerous, was the knife itself. With Everret’s transformation came a choking cloud of aether that blinded Erioch while he tried to grab the knife. The result was him cutting himself on its edge. It was a tiny wound, but even then Erioch found his body lunging toward Berrod intent on killing him. Cerina and Berrod, himself, were able to mitigate any major harm to him, but he was just a slaved to the will of the weapon with the scratch. He seized it and charged after Louma’li.

The Miqo’te, fortunately, was able to disarm Berrod and seize the weapon within warding magicks, just in time for Everret, in dragon form, to cause serious damage to the Agents. Lightning fried Reks, Lou, and Berrod, while Cerina attempted to kill the beast before it could crush Erioch in its jaws.

In the end, the combined effort of the Agents resulted in Everret Black returning to hyur form in two pieces and the vessel of Satsujin no Seishin safely in several layers of wards to be transported. Berrod and the tactical team were forced to retreat back to the Advent Hall when Satsujin no Seishin and the remaining Spinner’s Shears were spotted by Jessie and Suwan.

Once all were safely returned to Advent Hall, Jessie Wildflower took the knife and began to try to figure out how they would murder the very Spirit of Murder.

@astraladvent

[sarijrahzersyn]

The Spinner’s Connection.

It started with a meeting, Jessie Wildflower had been following some mysterious murders that were very similar to the way the Spinner’s Shears had killed people in the past. Then flat out copies began. However, she was no fool she knew she could not handle the Assassin group that had entirely killed her old free company. Now, she was part of the Astral Advent and sought their help.

At first was a meeting where she introduced herself and introduced a good number of the newer members to the threat that was the Spinner’s Shears. While discussing the matter, Ciel mentioned that the spirits that the Yuki Clan had been having the Astral Advent hunt down could possibly be responsible for the murders as well, as the last one was the “Spirit of Murder.” Jessie was unsure about the suggestion, not being involved with the previous jobs. In the end, the present Agents agreed to help Jessie investigate the three locations that Spinner’s Shears’ activity had occurred.

Berrod, Ciel, and Reks join Jessie in going to Aleport to investigate the two murders there. They met on the dock and quickly made their way to the building that both occurred in. Berrod took watch just in case the assassins returned while Ciel and Jessie examined the scene. Reks took it upon himself to aethericly examine the scene. Just as Reks had come to the conclusion that the assassins were no strangers to this place and Ciel and Jessie determined the second murder did not take place in the room, but rather the body was brought there, Berrod was attacked.

A Spinner’s Shear posing as a Yellow Jacket shivved his side and was about to finish him off when Ciel interceded. Jessie and Reks quickly worked to bring Berrod into the room and tend to his wounds while Ciel faced off with the assassin. Quick as he was, he was unable to take out the elezen as easily. He shot her through the shoulder, but her aim was far more precise, his heart. However, before he could perish, the assassin, called out “For Mother” and slit his own throat. Instead of bleeding out, red aether flowed out and disappeared into the sky. The Agents elected to teleport away before any more could arrive and to tend to their wounds.

A few suns later Jessie met up with Akhutai, Aoki, and Louma’li at The Gold Saucer. This time a murder had just occurred a bell before their arrive, the third at the Gold Saucer. Jessie was held up answering questions by the local security while the other three traveled to investigate the fresh murder scene. Akhutai took up the role of bruiser and look out after the first group was attacked on their mission. Louma’li and Aoki examined the body, but it was not very long until they had an unexpected visitor.

The entire room froze in place as a veiled visitor joined them at the body. She called it and offering and art. Naturally, that caused immediate questions about who she was. She introduced herself as Mother Nymeia or as they would more likely know her Satsujin no Seishin, Spirit of Murder. The three were immediately put on edge, but the woman was quite calm and forthcoming. The Spinner’s Shears were really a cult created hundreds of years ago worshiping her and now that she has returned they began to start offering murders once again. Aoki pressed her for a way for her to return to slumber and end all the pointless killing, but the spirit laughed and expressed that she had no desire to slumber until hundreds had been offered to her. However, the Agents could avoid being victims of the random killing if they promised to leave her children alone. Aoki express it was not her place to make that decision, and the spirit left. Jessie believe it was something higher ups would need to decide and told the group to return home.

Finally, in Ishgard, Autgar, Gideon, and Geofri found Jessie in the Forgotten Knight. She was quick to fill them in on what occured in the Gold Saucer. Jessie made it very clear if they continued the investigation likely it would be considered saying no to the deal. All the parties agreed to continue even if it meant risking the company. The death of hundreds was not a weight any of them wanted to have to bear.

Their investigation led them down into the Brume, but unlike the other two groups, thanks to the sharp eyes of Geofri they caught two Spinner’s in the act of attempting to create another offering to their “mother.” It was a short brawl between a child assassin with knives and a monk. Jessie worked with Gideon in stabilizing the victim and Geofri and Autgar engaged the assassins. After a few injuries on both side the Elezen Assassin called to the child that they failed and slit his throat just like the one Berrod, Reks, and Ciel encountered. The child was about to do the same when Autgar and Geofri subdued her and took her captive. An odd tomestone was dropped that later was discovered to be map to the Spinner’s Shears base.

With the three investigations completed Jessie Wildflower decided she would speak to the Yuki Clan when they came by for a update meeting on the job. The Spinner’s Shears and the Satsujin no Seishin were connected so it was time she joined in the investigation. A large number of Agents showed up, but their guests were quite late. She took the time to update the entire group on each groups findings, but still the Yuki Clan was missing.

Berrod received an SOS from Yukino, Norowareta Yuki’s retainer, about how the Yuki Airship was shot down, and they were under attack in Southern Thanalan. The Astral Advent jumped into action assuming it was the Spinner’s Shears. Jessie remained at the company house to serve as guard as Berrod, Aoki, Autgar, Reks, Martin, Suwan, T’dras, Tiergan, Geofri, and Crooked made their way to the dunes of southern Thanalan.

The Yuki airship had crashed, taken down by a Dragoon: Everret Black. The very same Spinner’s Shear who had been hired by Iron Jaw during the fall of Astral Agents. He and several other Spinner’s had already killed a large number of the crew by the time the Astral Advent arrived to provide assistance.

Geofri and Suwan quickly engaged the mages of the Spinner’s, Autgar and T’dras went after two knife wielding assassins, and Tiergan engaged a rather large man with a great sword. Berrod, Reks, Crooked remained as support while Martin tried to shoot the dragoon before he vanished into the sky.

The battle was push and pull as the knife assassins vanished and Everret kept launching into the air and out of sight. Reks suffered the most as assassin after assassin stabbed him and even Everret took a chance on impaling the Miqo’te. Tiergan kept the hulk occupied even as it came back to life. Martin and Crooked helped as they could while T’dras, Suwan, and Geofri took down the Black Mage.

The second mage worked on retrieving some object the Spinner’s Shears were after, and even as he was railed on by spell, fist, and round succeeded before killing himself. One by one each of the Spinner’s Shears were taken down by the Agents until the second mage retrieved a knife. Once the knife was retrieved Everret Black retreated, leaving the wrecked airship, bodies, and survivors being tended to by Aoki.

Lord Norowareta stepped out of the wreckage and tended to the dead men and women of his crew, eventually asking Suwan to teleport the bodies somewhere where he could get things arranged to take them back to Hingashi. Berrod, Autgar, and Aoki filled the Hingan lord as to why they were attacked and who the Spinner’s Shears were.

In the end, Norowareta charged the Astral Advent to kill Satsujin no Seishin by retrieving the knife, her vessel, from the Spinner’s Shear and stabbing her with it. Rather than sending the Spirit of Murder to slumber…. The Agents would need to murder her.

@astraladvent

[berrodarmstrong]

The Sixth Light.

The Lesson of the Sixth Light: Insight.

The Sixth Light. It is the chakra of observation, insight and thought, feeding what it learns to the Fifth so that it may be declared to all. It is the seat of wisdom, though this wisdom must be honed through experience, learning and meditation. It is  a chakra that has the potential to consume more than it produces, and in no small amount, for the cost of its full potential is great. It is also the chakra most inclined toward sensing.

It rests upon the forehead, slightly above the point between the eyes, in an ideal spot to receive enlightenment from the legendary Seventh. At its most basic level of function, it allows one to see deeper into the ordinary; to read motions, body language, and be attentive to minor details that may usually escape one’s notice – such as a shift in the way leaves blow on a tree in the corner of one’s vision. This sight alone is a great boon to any monk, for insight into an opponent’s moves and motions is an advantage above most others. Be warned, that the ability to see is not coupled with the ability to react, so one must be properly trained in body to make full use of what the Sixth Light has to offer.

At more advanced levels of function, the Sixth may grant one the very image of one’s chakras, and brief glimpses of the energy distributed about them. A monk properly trained in the Sixth may see open chakras like blazing beacons, and ones that have not yet opened as darkened moons. Beware extended use of such sight; for it comes at a great aetheric cost. One must know when and how to use it, lest one consume one’s stores and be reduced to a husk. It is also important to note that the Sixth may not grant extended or indefinite aetheric sight, though brief perception of the flow is possible.

Indigo is its color, with no elemental aspect to its name. This unaspected quality allows it to draw from any and all sources in the body, which is as useful as it is dangerous.

So writes Berrod Armstrong, Fist of Rhalgr, regarding the Sixth Light Chakra.

Keep reading

[berrodarmstrong]

The Sixth Shadow.

The Lesson of the Sixth Shadow: Autocracy.

In a way, the Sixth Shadow serves as preparation for the Seventh. The requirements of the Seventh Shadow are steep. It is a costly power, and mastering the Sixth provides ideal training. It rests in one’s feet, and is a seat entirely oriented around the self. All empathy and consideration toward others are forsaken here. It becomes such that there are no others that matter in the world save the self.

Such may be considered an evil – but it is not so, even if the possibility exists. When in a state of only self consideration, one’s own view is all that matters. If one considers onself good, then it is so. If one considers oneself evil, then it is so. One decides – and the Sixth Shadow grants the power to actualize.

The philosophy of the Sixth Shadow may seem harmful, and it is, if not applied with discretion. It is naught more but the most raw component of resolve, and must be tasted sparingly. Much like the other shadow chakras, such things that draw their power must be acknowledged, related to, and briefly experienced – but not kept in permanence.

Very much like the Sixth Light, the Sixth Shadow has the potential to consume as much, if not more than it produces. Unlike the Sixth Light, however, it may not consume from itself, but from other chakras…even chakras not one’s own. Mastery of this chakra may grant the ability to temporarily disable or disrupt the chakras of another. The word ‘mastery’ is not used lightly here. Such a technique requires much training and control. At a more intermediate level, it is possible for the Sixth Shadow to consume ambient aether to fuel one’s flesh. As a result, the aether that this chakra deals with may be of any aspect, or no aspect.

Extensive attention and consideration to one’s training is absolutely necessary in order to ensure that this seat of power does not become a detriment to all.

So writes Berrod Armstrong, Fist of Rhalgr, regarding the Sixth Shadow Chakra.

Keep reading

[sarijrahzersyn]

Three Missing Tsukumogami: Spirit of Battle

What a battle to let linger as a pleasant dream in my slumber. I am Senso no Seishin, elder brother to Takara no Hako. I am the spirit of war and battle, second of the Boken no Seishin. I was stirred by members of the Ketsueki Clan eager to stoke the fire of war once again between the Yuki and  Ketsueki clans, but I was far from home when I woke.

At first I watched my younger brother parade around as a golden pig eager for treasure and wealth. He took some mortals of a company known as Astral Advent around on several mad jumps throughout Eorzea. Takara no Hako was quite fond of these mortals, giving them loving nicknames and showering them in wealth. The Yuki Clan, those who failed to guard our slumber, had hired the ‘agents’ to help return my brother to slumber, but as I watched they were too kindhearted and let him go mad and turn his lust for treasure into greed.

Once my brother had fallen to his fault, it was my responsibility to intercede on his behalf. I took the Astral Advent to battle and judged their merit. These mortals proved to be acceptable fighters and embodied the drive for battle. When my brother came to his senses to return to his slumber I saw in them as chance for a glorious battle to carry on in my own. However, the Pauper’s Lode in Gyr Abania was far from a good site. It was one of failure… not glory in combat. I gave the Astral Advent my challenge and headed east, back toward my birthplace.

In my travel over the Ruby Sea the howling of a soul desperate for battle caught my ears. Beneath the waves I found the soul of a Garlean soldier deprived of her desire to die gloriously in war. Vanas Kir Titus perished along with the rest of a garlean vessel’s crew on their way to reinforce their comrades in Doma. Their airship was shot down and all aboard and all their magitek found early graves upon the sandy ocean floor.

Unlike her fellow soldiers, her spirit clung to this world unwilling to accept a death were she did not have a chance to fight. A heart such as that cannot be denied and I granted her the means to seek that fight. I bound her soul to the rusted remains of a large magitek reaper and granted her power to carry out her longing. It did not take long for her to begin sinking ship after ship crossing the Ruby Sea. It was a challenge. It was a battle-cry. I knew it was only a matter of time before the sullen soul would find battle once more.

I had not expected it would be the Astral Advent by chance to be the ones who were sent to answer her challenge. Joy for the reunion filled me, and it took patience only normally reserved for my brother to not jump into the fray of men and women. However, the Ruby Sea did not possess the spirit of war I needed to find that battle to offer me pleasant dreams in my slumber. Still, I could not resist testing these mortals. I sent four to battle Vanas Kir Titus’s soul directly while the rest fought her weapon. It was a glorious fight of blood and bone. Many of the Agents nearly fell to the uncompromising will of the Garlean, but in the end in a brilliant explosion of violence and fire, both spirit and body fell silent. Vanas Kir Titus accomplished her desire to fall in battle. Once again, I issued my challenge to the Astral Advent and returned to my journey.

The Azim Steppe…. My birthplace. Here battle and violence was born in this world and here words are second to feats of strength. Here the blood of warriors watered the earth for grass and beasts, which fed each new generation. Here is where I could find a battle worthy enough to slumber once more. The Au Ra, sadly proved far too weak for that. I had hoped to challenge the Sun but the man refused as he did not recognize me as a warrior of the Steppe. The arrogance of such a child was almost amusing, but I remembered how a warrior is born and made my way to Bardam’s Mettle.

Regardless of their failures, the Yuki Clan has ever been shrewd. They could not meet me in battle due to their failure, but since they had discovered the Astral Advent had become entangled with my brother and sister, they once again sought their aid. According to Takara no Hako the Yuki Clan’s blade himself, brother of the head of the family, traveled to the Advent Hall to ask them to meet me in battle and offer them what aid he could. My vessel… my old armor…  He offered it to them as a tool to help bring me down. Those terrible drums… those drums that beat the rhythm of the death of war he gave as weapons against me. Though, I suppose without them the mortals would not have had a chance. 

Finally, the Astral Advent’s answer to my challenge would be answered.

I forgot… mortals cannot travel so quickly. While I waited, I defeated Bardam’s challenge a hundred times and eventually even the gates would no longer open for me. The Sun would be nothing more than a dying ember if I challenged him, and so I waited. I waited. I waited.

The moment the Astral Advent stepped foot upon the blood fed soil of the Azim Steppe, I could feel my heart beat again. Soon I would have a new vivid dream to keep my slumber steady. I could not help but call out to them and let the very mountains know blood would feed the land once more on that night.

Mortals take a while to get places though.

FINALLY they arrived, with their weapons, their anger, and their lust for battle. I could taste it. I could feel it. I COULD HEAR IT. Their hearts beating in readiness to have steel meet steel, bone break bone, and blood mix with blood as it fed the land. The fire was so tempting I ignored the drummers and the fool with my vessel.

In a ball of fury and feathers my steed and I crashed into the Agents and scattered them like birds. One was defeated on the spot, but the rest quickly took to striking my steed down. Clever mortals, but it did not save them. My fist and my club sang the bloody song of war… until those damn drums.

Their songs were poison to me. The death of war. The death of me. I even tried to kill the drummers, but the damnable Ticklestrong sang his own homeland’s song of battle to strengthen his allies and they stopped my rage. Despite the coward’s song they fought hard and bled me just as I bled them. Lightning, ice, water, fire, blade, fist, ax, fang, and bullet rang against my armour and soul. No doubt they believed the battle was in their favor, but only a fool believes you fight for an end of battle. Their foolishness led to their fall, as one by one I brought them to their knees and crushed their bones. Even an accursed drum fell to my spirit. Then there I stood, victor over all. It was not enough.

I would take my vessel and seek out another battle. The Astral Advent had their chance and now they could wallow in their defeat and blood just as the Yuki Clan. A fool believes a battle is over with their foes fallen. I was a fool.

Mortals are a curious type. Stupid enough to seek peace so they can ‘relax,’ but stubborn enough to continue fighting when they have lost the battle. In what could only be called an child’s desperate flailing, wind, ax, fist, and blade tried to stop me from taking my vessel. I lost an arm and much of my armor… but it was the fangs that stopped me,

No mortal weapon brought me down, but the fangs of an war dog. An animal. It is no surprise. Animals understand the instinctual need for conflict that mortals fight so hard to prevent. I claimed the animal as my own. Though I cannot rob him of his battles in this life… so I shall wait. When his body gives out, he shall join me in my slumber and dreams.

It was a quiet end. But the battle the Astral Advent gave me shall be a vivid dream that shall keep me dreaming until it fades and I stir to find a new battle. Though all who met me in the field of blood fed grass shall long since passed… by time or by my sister.

@astraladvent

[astraladvent]

Shirogane Shenanigans!

[astraladvent]

The Agents of the Advent arrive in Kugane. 

[astraladvent]

Members of the Astral Advent take their newly refurbished submarine on a trip across the seas.

[sarijrahzersyn]

They’re Taking the Agents to Is-Kugane

The Company Submarine has been fully retrofitted for speedy underwater travel. This opened up the company to some new jobs along side some goods transport between the west and east. Capitalizing on this, Astral Advent has taken on a couple jobs that can be done on the way.  Company members might be taking on a resurgence of ghosts or Garlean underwater forces, while escorting cargo.

Friday April 12, 8pm EST

Zones: Astral Advent Hall, The Sirensong Sea, Ruby Sea and swimming, Kugane and optional Doman Enclave

@astraladvent 

[sarijrahzersyn]

“HEY FOLKS! GOLDEN PIG… oh I am shouting. Hey folks, Golden Pig here. I’m getting ready to go back to my nap. My treasure chest never has looked so shiny or so very soft. I am getting tired just looking at it. Maybe just a quick snooze before… No, I gotta do this cause once you go nap you never go back.”

“So what happened since last you heard from me. I think last report was when all the Astral Advent found me in the Golden Saucer and I took them on a great adventure looking for treasure. However, the Mighty Protector was not too happy to do that adventure and I have never seen her since.”

“Then I started making friends in a snowy land called Ishgard! Did you know Hyur can be tall, have long necks, have pointy ears, and go by the name ‘Elezen?’ I didn’t! Each time they threw me out of the The Forgotten Knight and into some creepy dungeon they kept claiming they weren’t hyur. I don’t believe them. But after the fifth or so time they tried to make me stop cheering about treasure by throwing me in jail, wouldn’t you know it Astral Advent showed up!”

“This fluffy white haired Miqo’te became the MIGHTY PROTECTOR and one of the men from the gold saucer became the GREAT CARETAKER. I had to come up with other names for the rest. Capt’n Stabbers thought of a great one for this dainty green axe wielding Au Ra: Axe Body Spray! I think she loved it. The blond lady smiled when I named her Flaming Taco. I sent the Mighty Protector, Great Caretaker, Axe Body Spray, and Flaming Taco to get me a book from this really big library in the Dravrian Hinterlands. Mister Hoot was keeping it safe for me, but I broke some of his tea cups last time I visited so he only had enough for four others.”

“While the four of them were having very aggressive tea with Mister Hoot, I took Capt’n Stabbers and Lance Corporal Boom around the cliffs near the library and exploded different buildings so we could loot. Capt’n Stabbers made it clear we shouldn’t tell the rest what we were doing, but we still got SO MUCH LOOT. Professor Explosive even shook the entire shelf when he exploded the entire side of some Local Marble Buildings!”

“Eventually, we all met up in Idyllshire and the tea party-goers gave me my book with the location of the PAUPER’S PRIZE in exchange I gave them some of my special magic maps that lead to treasure. Axe Body Spray did not believe me when I said they could give them sooooo-oooo-ooo much treasure, but thankfully Capt’n Stabbers and Great Caretaker backed me up on it. After that I sat down and dove into the book! I had to learn everything about the Pauper’s Prize before I went after it!”

“It took me almost seven suns to read the book! Did you know some words have more than seven letters? Anyways, it said that if I was looking for the Pauper’s Prize in the Lochs I would have to go to the Paupers Lode and only people not wanting it could find it! That meant I had to go hire the Astral Advent again, but I waited a bit longer so I could surprise them! I also needed to be able to fly, but pigs can’t so I had to borrow a Namazu mask and one of their magic floats. It was gonna be worth it, even if I was never gonna be allowed back at their festival.”

“OH WAS IT WORTH IT! I arrived at the Advent Hall to choirs and music and the ADORING FACES OF THE ASTRAL ADVENT MEMBERS! I even met a new one. Berrod Ticklestrong, TIcklestrong for short. There was also this other highlander with the SOFTEST Black and red hair. I wish I could have made my bed out of it. I named him Fluffy.”

“This time we were going to The Pauper’s Lode in the Lochs to dig for treasure so some of them needed to have some pickaxes. Mighty White Eared Protector and Fluffy decided to guard everyone, while Axe Body Spray, Ticklestrong, and Flaming Taco were going to be the major and minor miners! I ran out of women’s pickaxes so Flaming Taco had to use a man’s pickaxe but MINING KNOWS NO GENDER, and I think she made the pink and floral pickaxe work!”

“After some friendly banter and only a few threats to my life we were on our way to The Pauper’s Lode to find the Pauper’s Prize. Ticklestrong told me there was nothing worth anything here, but I assured him everyone before us didn’t know the the secret. (Spoiler.. Ticklestrong was right). The Great and Mighty Protectors thwarted the beasts that were in our way while the minor and major miners dug for the amazing treasure in three different spots.”

“I… may have gotten a bit crazy when they didn’t find anything. I may have broken a few boulders with my hooves. I may have cried a little when we couldn’t find anything, but that is when my big bro Senso no seishin showed up and shook the whole cavern. He always knows when playtime is over, and reminded me that I sleep so much because thirst for treasure can often lead to greed. Greed can be reaaaaally bad.”

“Unfortunately, my big bro kinda likes fighting and wanted to test the Advent agents helping me. He animated some rocks and had them try to squash them all. I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE LET THE MINERS ALONE THE MIGHTY PROTECTORS WERE THE FIGHTERS. I guess the Advent folks are pretty used to things going sour, cause they got right to fighting. One of the rocky beasts was smashed by Ticklestrong, Axe Body Spray, and Flam-Icy Taco. The other one got scared by the GREAT AND MIGHTY protectors but then tried to belly flop on everyone. He crushed Ticklestrong! However, the ‘strong’ part of his name is no joke, cause with the help of everyone else he was able to kill the beast and wasn’t just a bloody pancake.”

“Senso no Seshin was really happy and invited the Astral Advent agents to come play some more is some place where the soil is fed the blood tribes of the land of sun and moon. I wonder where that it is. Then he left.”

“Axe Body Spray politely and meekly asked for answers so I told her about my brother. She wanted to know about my sister too, but I AIN’T TALKING ABOUT HER SHE IS MEAN. LIKE SUPER SUPER MEAN. Anyways, I took them back to their home and gave them all hugs before saying goodbye. I left …. *yawn* lots of treasure for them for all their help. It was really a fun little break from sleeping, but I think I need to go back to bed now. I hope my brother and sister join me soon. It is kinda lonely sleeping by myself.”

@astraladvent​

[sarijrahzersyn]

Pauper’s Prize

The golden pig has finally found its desire... after sending the Astral Advent into an ancient library to retrieve the book it needed to find it. (Those not going into the Library got to literally explode and loot buildings left by the Sharlayan when they left the Dravanian Hinterlands.)

However, it warned them that they would be summoned ONE LAST TIME so it could see the AMAZING PAUPER’S PRIZE.

(Event on Saturday, March 30th 7pm EST Advent Hall and the Lochs)

@astraladvent

[berrodarmstrong]

The Fifth Light.

The Lesson of the Fifth Light: Expression.

The Fifth Light. It is the gateway of one’s expression, the outlet through which one’s heart and soul may relate one’s intent. Through it, one can declare what the Sixth Light has seen. It will answer to the will and desire to express oneself, but  not lightly. Desire, Will, and Passion all feed into its control. Unlike the Fourth below it, it does not specialize in raw power.

The Fifth Light is seated in middle of the throat. Once Desire, Will, Passion or Wisdom have been gathered to it, the Fifth takes them and transforms them into expression. As the mouth speaks, so does the Fifth Light release aether to affect the hearts and souls of those around it. This is usually best achieved using studied and practiced mantras; chants that can rouse a man’s spirit or open a group to swifter recovery.  

Blue is its color, deeply steeped in the voice’s Wind. As a potential centre of wind-aspected aether in the body, the Fifth Light can also be harnessed in movement.With proper control of the flow, one may utilize this aether to move swiftly, and at levels of mastery, in bursts that defy following with the eyes. The training to master the Fourth Light is invaluable at this point.  

The expression of the Fifth is not always outward; one may use it in meditation to communicate one’s will within; especially to the other chakras, and even to one’s very physical form.  

A monk who has mastered the Fifth Light is a monk who is well on the way to mastering the self.

So writes Berrod Armstrong, Fist of Rhalgr, regarding the Fifth Light Chakra.

Keep reading

[berrodarmstrong]

The Fifth Shadow.

The Lesson of the Fifth Shadow: Abandon.

It takes a keen spirit to sense the distinction of the Fifth Shadow. It is a potent mixing pot for the previous four. Keep in mind; as the shadow seeks to climb, so does it also fall. Their energies leak down and mingle. For reasons unfathomable outside of meditation and introspection, the Fifth is a basin for all the fear, anger, insecurity and deceit that one must steep oneself in for the sake of this power. As a chakra however, it also possesses the potential of its own unique spiritual state. Or in this instance, a state where the spirit is forfeit.

The Fifth Shadow opens up our animal nature in its fullest, through the promotion and indulgence in the shadows just above it. It is a powerful wellspring of endurance, though it is born of fear. It demands that we place ourselves above all men; let anger fuel the effort. Covet their place. Take it from them. Deceive them if needs be. Ware that this very animal nature is at the brink of a loss of one’s discretion and faculties. A careful balance and awareness must be maintained to avoid losing oneself. Killing will come across as an easy necessity. Every other being one sees will be a challenger to one’s existence. One will relish in suffering and become drunk on it if one is unable to remember that these things must be allowed to wash through, but not linger. 

The Fifth Shadow is beholden to no element, and is located in the ankles.  It is one of the most difficult to master, and the one to which many have fallen. Much like the Fifth Light above, to master this chakra is an important trial in mastering the self.

So writes Berrod Armstrong, Fist of Rhalgr, regarding the Fifth Shadow Chakra.

Keep reading

[sarijrahzersyn]

Murder in the Kingdom of Games?

by

Nani Naninani of the Mythril Eye

Last night the Lord of Vermillion game room in the Gold Saucer was shutdown due to an apparent murder-suicide of Lady Laura Louise and Lord Leo Louise of Ishgard. While the Golden Saucer has been tight lipped on details, a Brass Blade officer was slightly more willing to speak about the grisly scene.

He said both were clearly killed by the knife due to the depth of the stabs but no murder weapon was found on the scene even though the injuries on Lord Leo were clearly that he was attacked and the injures on Lady Laura appeared to be self inflicted. For now the Brass Blades are considering this a murder-suicide until Ishgard can provide more details on the relationship of these newly wed nobles.

The Brass Blade officer was less willing to speak about the rumors about the symbol of Nymeia being carved into Lord Leo’s chest or into the wall behind him where he was found. This is the famed symbol of the Spinner’s Shears, an assassin group that was active around Ul’dah a few moons ago. Is this a return of the murderous group, or merely a copycat trying to throw off investigators?

[sarijrahzersyn]

Three Missing Tsukumogami

Takara no Hako’s Mighty Hunt… (for treasure)

The Astral Advent was still recovering from their skirmishes on the edge of Ala Mhigian lands. A good number of them remained unfit for new work, but work comes regardless. This time it was in the form of a job looking for a ghost of sorts.

Fuyuno Kashin of the Yuki Clan, sent by his Lord Norowareta, arrived at the Advent Hall after meeting with Sarij Rahzersyn and securing a time to present a job to interested members of the company. Rosalinde, Aoki, Sergei, Balthius, Koh’li, Barabaen, and Suwan attended the meeting with the Hingan Roegadyn.

Their guest explained that he was there to hire the Advent to locate and encourage a divine spirit to return to its vessel, a treasure chest. The Yuki Clan guarded a great number of tsukumogami, but a rival to the clan had stolen and important trio, Soul of Adventure, and separated the divine spirits from their vessels. Fuyuno came to the Astral Advent to seek their aid in sating the desire of Takara no Hako to return to its vessel.

Unfortunately, while it was no challenge to locate the spirit, the spirit refused to return to slumber because the Hingan was “boring and no fun.” So, after explaining the situation and acquiring the aid of the present members of the company, Fuyuno sent them off to the Golden Saucer to find the “Box of Treasure” spending its time playing games.

Rosalinde took partial leadership to get the members passage to the Golden Saucer to hunt down a spirit with the only description of ‘out of place’ and ‘having fun.’ The Agents quickly separated and searched the various floors and rooms of the Golden Saucer for the divine spirit. Often, they could hear an odd voice shouting in glee about rewards or annoyance about something being quite ‘boring’ or ‘no fun.’

Eventually, Sergei was able to corner a large armored man who seemed exceedingly interested in games, but before he could get the man to speak the man ran off to an open Gate. Fortunately, that Gate had a queue and the man could not jump into the game immediately. There was enough time for the company members to assemble and make an educated guess that this man was Takara no Hako. To keep the spirit occupied, Balthius challenged it to a game of Triple Triad.

Which he lost. The spirit cleverly picked rules that shifted favor to the spirit despite Balthius’s superior deck. In frustration, the highlander blurted out how he knew the armored man was a ghost. Takara no Hako took great offense and threated the group with a frightening katana. The Astral Advent members immediately tried to calm the spirit down, though for no need as it swiftly became clear it was all an act, and the spirit was merely playing a game.

Shortly after the brief chance of conflict, it was revealed the man in armor was merely a giant golden pig. It took quite a while for Barabaen to cease his laughter. Once matters were settled, the Golden Pig declared they would help it with a mighty hunt for a mighty treasure, but they were not ready for the MIGHTIEST OF MIGHTY treasures so they could do other things first.

The Golden Pig appointed Aoki to be the GREAT PROTECTOR of the group, even offering her his katana, which was more of a great sword for the small Raen woman. Then he appointed Suwan to be the GREAT CARETAKER with a Ring with Rings in it so he could make sure no one was harmed. The Advent members could barely voice approval or disapproval before the Golden Pig “booped” a nose and the whole group were teleported far from the Golden Saucer.

There was little time for them to take in the Azim Steppe when they arrived, there was treasure to be found. Aoki did not enjoy the matter in the slightest when as soon as they began the hunt creatures seemed fixated on her and her sword, but little harm seemed to come to the woman as the Agents dispatched the beasts guarding a great chest. Unfortunately, the rewards did not please the Golden Pig and he repeated the process twice more, once back to the Lochs and then finally to the Peaks where what the Pig was looking for appeared.

A portal to what the Golden Pig described as a world of mighty treasure floated above the treasure found in The Peaks. It did not take long for the Advent members to be pulled into another world.  It appeared as if they were on a roulette wheel of sorts that. Each time they spun it they fought horrible beasts, voidsent, and giant… walking turnips? Every successful spin filled the room with more and more treasure, much to the happiness of the Golden Pig.

Eventually, they completed the strange game and were rewarded with pocket and bags full of coin. A few even found strange vases for flowers. Very few wished to linger, Aoki exited the odd treasure world and the horror of battle caught up to her and it did not settle well in her stomach.

 Suwan asked the Golden Pig to return them to the Golden Saucer. The spirit relented but asserted that he would not return to his slumber until he had seen the legendary treasure: Pauper’s Prize. In an instant after, the Advent members found themselves back in the yard of Advent Hal with Yukuno inside waiting.

Most of the Agents had some fiery words of the Hingan, between ruined dresses, lack of warning of what the spirit could do, and how they never wanted to be made to do something like that again. Koh’li informed Fuyuno of the spirit’s demand before he would rest again, and Suwan offered any help to help locate the other two and what Takara no Hako wished. Eventually, the Agents said their farewells to the Hingan and collected their pay on top of all the treasure they had gained with the Golden Pig. Though for now, what the Pauper’s Prize was or where it was remained unclear.

@astraladvent 

((Thanks to Suwan Berrod and Viktor for Screenshots!))

[berrodarmstrong]

The Wages of War.

Sarij Rahzersyn: “Ya been popular…”

Berrod Armstrong snickered. “Today, yeah. It’s been nice to see folks an’ know that they’re awright,” He chuckled. Bruises littered him, but the wrap around his midsection was tight and clean, “Speakin’ of which…how’re you holdin’ up?”

Sarij Rahzersyn glanced at the blisters on his hands from digging graves. “Holdin up is about all I can do.”

Berrod Armstrong exhaled and beckoned the Roegadyn slowly and carefully. “Dunno why yer standin’ all the way over there, this is -your- bed.”

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