#lore post!

[askbaldiredux]

Things go bump in the night.

[the-endless-s3a]

TRIVA!

EVERETT: on dorms

Everett wishes to transfer to either pomfiore or heartslabyul. Since he's a cat beastman he's not taken seriously by his dormmates.

MELUS: on family

Melus actually has a good relationship with his parents! Although they don't really understand their kid 80% of the time, as long as she'a happy and not dead they support whatever he does.

FAISAL: on friends.

Growing up Faisal was not allowed to have friends as he could humilate the family name (said to like a seven year old btw). So now as a teen he's been making friends for the first time in his life.

YASIR: on memes

Yasir is considered a 'normie' by his dormmates. By that i mean he listens to generic pop music and sitcoms. He called grandpa by some behind his back.

AMBROSE: On Magic

Ambrose avoids using his magic in public at all costs. Even if it means he has to fall and eat dirt. Whenever he does use magic, its the most basic elementry spells that a mage can use. Some think Ambrose must be cheating.....after all how could a weak mage be doing so well at school?

[e-nygmaofficial]

E. Nygma’s personal log

Day 1:

So alas, it seems that the first of what may be many days has been… uneventful. Little leads. Fret not, however. Good detectives can work with what they’re given. Great ones work with nothing. So far, I’d gotten some of his hobbies and whereabouts. This is good. Will update with further proceedings.

[dr-skazka]

-Stanley awoke in a cold sweat, he didn’t know what he was looking at.. but he knows that it wasn’t anything good-

-Maybe it’s a good idea for him to visit the curator.. what do you say?-

[Also the distorted text in the drawings says “U weren’t supposed to see”]

Previous post 👇

Quinn

Stanley! I think something went wrong with the rending after the last reset- Why are you pushing such panic, Stanley? LORE DROP- in a wa

[webwingalpha]

The Iron-Forged Chronicles: Resurfaced

@griminal-rising @yuushanoah-fr @frxemriss (if you want to be pinged for future lore posts, let me know!)

(note: dragon’s in his gijinka form!)

A splash broke the silence in the snowy clearing as a male Skydancer burst out of the large lake in the area, gasping for air. His feet kicked to keep him afloat while his hands splashed around, desperate for anything they could get a hold of to get him out of the water. The water wasn't that deep where he was, but he wasn't adept at swimming; something that was obvious due to his flailing movements.

As erratic as his motions were, he eventually reached the shore, where he slowly pulled himself out of the water, breathing hard from the exertion. He didn't stop moving until he was completely out of the water, collapsing onto his stomach in the snow. He was spent... exhausted, from all that effort. Swimming was not something he had seriously done before, and thus, it had taken a lot out of him. He did not have the stamina for it.

Maybe he could just rest for a bit in the snow. That sounded good...

Wait.

He sat up on his knees with a start, inhaling sharply as the realization hit him full force. No. He shouldn't be alive. He shouldn't be here, breathing and moving, in the snow like this. He should be dead. He had been pushed into a very cold lake, when he couldn't swim. He had gone completely under. He remembered the blacking out, the horrendous feeling of not being able to breathe as everything went dark.

But yet, somehow. He was here. How?

The Skydancer stumbled to his feet, nearly falling back over as his legs nearly gave out on him, feeling dazed and overwhelmed. This couldn't... it shouldn't be possible. He had drowned. There was no way he should be able to stand and breathe and move around like he was doing now.

His heart was beginning to race at this point and he found himself having to lean against a nearby tree before he ended up falling back down due to his dizziness and his currently shaking legs. What... what even was all this? A second chance? No. He didn't deserve that. Not one bit. So why? Why in all of Sornieth was he still alive?

A wave of cold washed over him and he shivered, pulling his arms close to him as he did so, shifting to lean further against the tree. And why was he so cold? He didn't get cold. He was an ice dragon. This was a downright unnatural feeling and he despised it. Even in soaked clothing he shouldn't be feeling cold like this. It made no sense...

Shivering again, his eyes moved around the area he was in, taking in his surroundings for the first time. Something wasn't right. He couldn't place it. He knew this area well, for it was a place he often spent time in, even though he preferred to stay away from the water, and so, it was obvious to him that something was amiss. But what? The clearing looked the same, was it the weather? It was snowing lightly now, and had been since he had crawled out of the cold depths of the lake, unlike the stillness that had fallen over the area not long before the argument...

What was going on? There weren't any footprints in the snow at all, other than the ones he had just left moments before as he had stumbled through the snow. That made no sense. Where were his footprints from before he got pushed in? More importantly, where were her footprints? From when she had rushed up to him furiously, yelling in his face after he had gotten the nerve to finally confront her? Surely it hadn't snowed so much in a short length of time to cover up all signs of that event?

He pressed the fingers of one hand against his forehead as he closed his eyes, sliding to his knees. Surely it hadn't been longer than that. It.. it couldn't be. It had only felt like he had passed out for a little while before coming to again, but as he thought, he became slowly aware of a blank spot in his memory. Like he had just woken up from a dreamless sleep, but a longer black area than for it to be just that. No. It.. surely wasn't possible. How long had he really been out? How was he still alive if it hadn't been only a few minutes?

Again, how was he even alive at all? He couldn't wrap his mind around it. He didn't suddenly gain the ability to breathe underwater, not when he had still needed to breathe when he became aware again. The memories of asphyxiation were still fresh and clear in his mind as well, no matter how long it had really been. It just... it just wasn't possible. He couldn't have died and come back either, surely. No. That wasn't right either.

Bewildered and fearful, the Skydancer shifted off of his knees so he was sitting on a hip, shivering as he leaned against the tree. He had no idea what to do. He needed to figure out what was going on, get back to his home, tell the others he was not dead, that someone had attempted to kill him. That is, if they were still around. No. It couldn't have been that long. They were still around, surely. Maybe even... she was still around. The one who had tried to kill him.

Could it have been even longer than that? He needed to find out soon. Really soon.

It couldn't have been that long, could it?

First and foremost though, he needed to rest. For someone who had apparently been in some sort of strange coma for the past who knows how long, he was exhausted. Not just physically, either; his overwhelming thoughts had left him mentally tired as well. He just wanted to rest. He wasn't up to wandering to look for someone he could talk to just yet. That could wait.

He let his eyelids slip closed, pulling his coat closer to him as he slowly drifted off into an uneasy and cold sleep.

[webwingalpha]

So let’s see... notes on Aquarius.

- He’s a lot older than he looks. This kinda happens when you’re... let’s say preserved, for a long time. - Bipedal/gijinka form wise, he looks as if he’s 18-19 years old. He’s also... short, standing at 5′6″. - The main hint to this is his voice accent. The way it sounds, and the way he speaks sometimes as well, does not match any that exist now, even in the Southern Icefield, where he came from and lived a lot of his life. - There’s also the fact that he obviously wasn’t/isn’t “up to date” on Common Draconic. Due to this, he can get words confused and wrong, and sometimes he has to pause and think to make sure he’s going to say the right word. - Royalty of some kind, though he hasn’t really talked about it much. It seems to be a sensitive part of his past. He wouldn’t have even mentioned it if Tassay, one of the oldest dragons in the clan and an Ice Dragon as well, had recognized him as royalty, having seen portraits done of his family (and of course at least one image of Aquarius himself. Imagine the shock when Tassay first gazed upon the dragon himself.). - He should have died. Really. He was pushed into a frozen over lake by someone angry at him (he doesn’t... talk about who) and he didn’t know how to swim and so, wasn’t able to make it back to shore before he drowned. He didn’t know how to swim because he didn’t think it was a useful skill to learn. Oops. - But somehow he didn’t. This was due to the Shade. It had been drawn to him, especially due to his major negativity in the few months or so before the event happened, and it “saved him”, preserving him, keeping him alive even though he was unconscious the entire time, pulling his body down somewhere hidden so no one was able to find it. It’s unknown why it held him for so long, and also unknown why he was released years and years and years later. He still occasionally wishes that he had died. Would have probably been better that way. - Also due to him feeling like he just went unconscious briefly and woke up, until he ran into other dragons, he did not know how long he had truly been out. - He’s not undead, due to the fact he didn’t actually die. - This does mean that he is indeed Shade-tainted, though he tries not to let that show. But anyone who can detect Shade can tell, and if he’s not hiding that part of the appearance of his eyes by magic, his sclera is black. If he has access to Shade magic, it isn’t known, for he doesn’t talk about it and he certainly wouldn’t use it if he did. It’s also likely he’s immortal now due to this. - His skin is cold to the touch, and even though he’s an Ice dragon, he does occasionally actually feel cold. It’s an unnerving feeling he will never get used to. - Adding onto this, no matter where he is, there are always obvious puffs of air that come out of his mouth/nose as he breathes, as though he’s always somewhere cold. - He mainly came to the Wastes because of a combination of bad memories and the fact the Wastes are warm. Finding the Empire and a place to live in it was an added benefit. He likes the place. - His eyes were not always the “Primal” type. He had normal Ice eyes before, and he doesn’t know why they changed. - The Icy markings gracing his body are also new. They glow on occasion as well, and he’s very self-conscious about them as a whole and keeps them hidden for the most part. Sometimes, if he’s sure he’s alone, he’ll strip parts of his clothes, like gloves or boots, and trace his fingers along the markings visible repeatedly. - He’s hesitant on getting close to others or getting to know them. He’s not trusting and the last event he remembers before being “brought back” doesn’t help. He doesn’t want to get close to someone or feel for them if they end up not treating him well in the end. - He just doesn’t smile, and he tries not to show much emotion, trying to look cold and distant, though it doesn’t always work.

@majestyrising Yeah look what you inspired me to do xD

[webwingalpha]

The Iron-Forged Chronicles: Devastating News

@frxemriss @yuushanoah-fr (if you want to be pinged for future lore posts let me know!)

(dragons are in their gijinka forms!)

Kalas, just like he had done the past couple of days, squinted in his bathroom mirror as he brushed his hair, looking over himself. His eyes hadn't darkened any further since the day they had first changed from pale yellow to a gold, but he could tell that bits of his hair were still shifting to black. He didn't know whether all his hair would end up black, since there were still areas completely untouched, or if some of his pale red hair would remain. He wished he knew what was going on, if it was what he had been scared of actually happening, and oh gods he wished he could get ahold of Xycyvy. He'd know.

But the Shaded dragon had left on an impromptu trip a few days ago and Kalas had no idea when he'd be back. By then, who knows how far this thing would have progressed. But maybe, just maybe, it was no big deal. Maybe he wasn't about to deal with a certain thing inside awakening. He wasn't the only one who had his eye colour change, so maybe it was just something else? Maybe he was worrying about nothing. Hopefully. Ugh.

He grunted, shaking out his hair and pushing it back behind his shoulders after he finished brushing it, putting the brush down on the counter. He gazed back into the mirror afterwards, pleased that the bags under his eyes weren't so obvious today. His dreams hadn't affected his sleep as much last night, and maybe that was a good sign too. He definitely felt more perky and awake today, in a decent mood as opposed to “grouchy”, like someone else had called him. Tch.

Kalas adjusted the mantle around his neck and shoulders, and was about to move and get his socks and boots on when there was a knock at his room door. He frowned. That didn't usually happen. He couldn't remember the last time someone knocked on his door. Was it Xy? Perhaps, he did occasionally knock instead of coming right in.

Deciding putting on his boots could wait, he made his way to the door leading out of his room quickly, adjusting his mantle again as he moved. He paused briefly before opening the door halfway and looking out to see who had knocked on the door. His eyebrows raised in surprise upon seeing the visitor. It was Kestrel, someone unexpected. And not only was it someone he was surprised to see this afternoon, he could tell that she was unhappy, a mix of anger and sadness was present on her face and in the energy he could feel.

His crest lowered slightly and automatically as soon as he saw her expression, any words he was going to speak dying in his throat. The fact that Kestrel was both displaying sadness, an emotion he had never seen her show, and had specifically come to talk to him caused Kalas's stomach to lurch. He had the dreadful feeling that she had come to deliver bad news, very bad news. What had happened?

Kestrel let out a slow sigh, obviously working herself up to speaking whatever she was sent to tell him. “Kalas.” she finally managed to speak after another minute, while he watched her intently. “I... hate to have to tell you this, but... we received upsetting news earlier today..” she paused, watching him back, licking her lips before continuing. “..A-about the Kingdom of A. A couple weeks ago, it fell. According to the letter we got, many were killed in the Fall, by the Shade god I heard about. I-I'm sorry, Kalas, but, the thing is... the royal family was among those murdered. I'm.. I'm sorry.” she trailed off, still watching him.

Kalas had no idea what to say to that, still unable to speak completely, but he nodded, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. He had just... he didn't know what to feel. It was as if he felt numb, shocked. He couldn't do anything for a moment or two, other than stare at the other dragon, his crest still lowered. What... how... why had it...

Kestrel flinched slightly, an action that was nearly unnoticeable. “If there's anything I can...”

Kalas shook his head, enough of the shock wearing off to allow him to finally reply. “No. I... don't... don't worry about it...” it was his turn to trail off, and he stepped back once, a bolt of cold briefly running down his back. “Just... don't...” he shook his head again, unable to get anymore words out. Kestrel just nodded at him, pulling away and moving off, allowing the Skydancer to close the door. He leaned heavily against it, his head pressed against it as he listened to the other dragon move away, his legs beginning to fail him.

He closed his eyes, trying to keep his breathing steady, digging his nails into his palms. A weight had settled in his stomach and chest, and it felt as if he couldn't breathe, or even move for a couple of minutes. His head felt light and dizzy, and he was starting to feel sick to the stomach as well. He had been hit hard by Kestrel's words, by the news, and for a bit, the numbness going through his body made it seem as if he was not all there.

He finally stumbled back from the door, barely managing to not fall over. Kalas ran a hand over his face as he moved away, having to concentrate to keep his legs from buckling under him. His eyes stung, though he wasn't crying.

The royal family was among those murdered. Kestrel's voice echoed in his mind.

The royal family was murdered..

Royal family... murdered...

He stopped and his gaze moved to one of his bookcases, the one in the middle of the far wall. It had a shelf dedicated to things he had received from his family and things having to do with them as well. Letters, pictures, little gifts he had gotten over time, including a picture his younger sister had drawn him when she was really young. Things from his family, things involving his family, that were now-

Kalas let out a high-pitched scream. He whirled around the room, staring at everything else in it, from his bed, to his katana lying against the wall near the door to the outside, to his dresser, the small thick table by his bed by the , and other bookcases and cabinets. Continuing to scream, he lashed out, black flickering around his fingers and hands as he grabbed things with his magic, throwing things over, knocking things down, sending some things flying, while not touching the bookcase he had originally looked at. It felt like he was and wasn't in control simultaneously; like he was aware of what was going on, but as if he wasn't completely making his own movements. That something else was doing it for him. In this state of mind, it didn't come across as weird.

And then he stumbled back, his head spinning, breathing heavily. His gaze went over everything, from the knocked over dresser and bookcases, to his now messed up bed, to the one bookcase that was still intact. The only thing that hadn't been affected by his outburst. He felt more in control now, and he was distraught, unhappy, with a full feeling of loss and pain in his gut and mind. He took another step back before wailing, covering his face with his hands as his knees buckled, now sobbing loudly into his palms.

No. No no no no no. This couldn't be happening.

Why was this happening? Why couldn't it be just a dream? Why was this reality? Why?

He had... just lost so much of his family. Father, mother... other father... a couple of his siblings...

They were all gone. Gone. He would never see any of them again.

--

(a couple of hours later)

Xycyvy, his heart heavy, headed down the hall at a quick pace. He had gotten terrible news as soon as he had reached the Empire, and he was on his way to visit someone he knew was hurt badly by the news. Worse than anyone else. He was still reeling himself from the news, from the fact that some he had made decent friends with were gone, but he was forcing those feelings to the side as best as he could, for he had something he needed to do. He needed to get to Kalas. To comfort him, to be by his side while he had to deal with the pain of what had happened.

He paused at Kalas's door briefly before testing the doorknob and opening the door a crack when he found it not locked. “Kalas?”

He received a sniffle in reply, nothing more, and Xycyvy took it as a sign that he could come in, and he slowly slipped into the room, shutting the door behind him. He frowned as he turned to face it. The whole place was a mess. Bookcases and the dresser were knocked over, as was the small table by the bed. The bed itself was still standing, though its covers and blanket and all had been thrown off and were strewn across the room in different places. And oddly enough, one bookcase was still standing. It wasn't strange to him once he realized what exactly was on the bookcase.

And there, leaning against the wall, close to the far wall with the bookcase, with his hands on his thighs, crest lowered, head turned away, was Kalas. His hair, which strangely had a lot of black streaks running through it now, was just as much of a mess as the room, all over the place and tangled.

“Kalas?”

The Skydancer slowly turned his head to face Xycyvy in response, though he said nothing. Fresh tear stains streaked his face, and he was sniffling every once in a while. Occasionally, as the Pearlcatcher regarded the sitting dragon, another tear ran down a cheek.

“Kalas...” Xycyvy moved to sit by him, moving an arm behind him to wrap around his shoulders and pull him close against him. Kalas didn't object, didn't even twitch upon being touched, just letting out a slow sigh as he sniffled again, staring ahead at the wall across from them.

Xycyvy decided it was better not to talk, and he lifted his hand slightly, beginning to stroke Kalas's hair gently. The other dragon whimpered in reply, hiccuping as he buried his face into Xycyvy's shoulder, his crest twitching slightly as the Pearlcatcher's fingers kept running through his hair. What a horrible day. Xycyvy had been looking forward to coming home, to spending time in the Empire again, to work with Kalas more. He certainly hadn't been expecting this, bad news that resulted in him feeling pained, that resulted in his student being empty and upset, in need of comfort like this. Awful, just awful.

And just.... what had caused the Shade god to lash out against A like that in the first place? Certainly if he hadn't approved of the move they did, wouldn't he have done something earlier? And killing nearly everyone high-ranked there, including a family? Horrible. It wasn't right, and he wished he could do something about it. But, unfortunately, he knew that they couldn't be brought back, and Sithis would likely not be able to see reason when it came to this event and how bad of a thing it was to do.

Speaking of... Xycyvy could feel something stir within Kalas, something bubbling underneath the surface. It was too early to tell for sure, but was his Shade beginning to Awaken? That would explain the streaks in Kalas's hair, and the fact Kalas's eyes were also a darker shade of gold now. Talk about terrible timing. Before this, he had definitely had a small fear that it would either Awaken during an emotional outburst, or during a bad event... and it looked like the second one was coming true. With how Shade and Shade Entities worked, it was likely going to draw on the negative emotions from this. The loss, the heartbreak, the emptiness. Hopefully, he'd be able to help Kalas keep in control, though he knew the younger dragon wasn't going to be the same after this, no matter what.

The loss was going to leave a mark, on likely both Kalas and the Shade within. Hopefully... hopefully it wasn't too late to help, especially since the Shade wasn't fully Awake yet. That he could sense, at the very least.