#riskbreakers

[autumnslance]

Congrats Riskbreakers!

On another year of lovely stories shared with the community, and another fun RP evening! I was pretty quiet through it (just a bit tired and chat was going fast), but it was a great time and I loved seeing so many familiar names and faces come to hang out.

@onwesterlywinds

[jenesislabariel]

Enter: Alenna Vaius

Alenna Vaius paced the floor of her chamber, lips curled back over her too-perfect white teeth. It was bad enough that the intruders had managed to find their way into the stronghold to begin with - but, they’d nearly escaped with her prized prisoner. Such audacity, she vowed, would not go unpunished.

Her thoughts turned to the boy, and her expression soured further. She had spent considerable time and resources acquiring him, and the fact that she was having to involve herself in the efforts to keep him was very irritating indeed. And now there were even more outsiders aware of his plight...

Ashelia Riot. Alenna’s lips creased into a frown as she finished crossing the span of her room to where she kept the better brandies. She flicked the top of the decanter back with her index finger and sighed, pouring the amber liquid into a glass. She lifted the glass to her lips -- draining its contents, however, did not serve to improve her mood - it was only a matter of time before someone was unfortunate enough to come upon her and interrupt her brooding.

The woman she’d taken, the one who was with child...Upa, they had called her. Alenna’s fist clenched, air whistling out harshly between her grinding teeth. The Miqo’te had shown enormous aetheric potential, and the fact that Alenna was now down another test subject only served to outrage her further. No, those people would pay dearly for setting her back and delaying her progress.

She knew of the Riskbreakers - there weren’t many among her number who didn’t. A constant, growing nuisance, made all the more persistent during their recent run-in. Alenna was unable to suppress a smile as she recalled the look on the Grand Stewardess’ face as she’d brought her husband to his knees... the more pleasant reverie was quickly replaced with the reality that they had escaped and that they were all still alive and whole.

“Excuse me, ma’am! You’re needed in the control room.” And, there it was. Alenna whirled where she stood, eyes glinting angrily in the dim light of her chambers as she fixed her gaze on the soldier framed by her doorway. 

“I decide where I am needed,” she hissed, the now-empty glass rolling from her hand and shattering upon the floor as long strides carried her effortless across the room to place herself directly in front of the intrusion. “If you idiots are incapable of handling our prisoner - who is, need I remind you, just a child - then perhaps you’d like to trade places with him! ...No? Then get out.” 

The soldier staggered  in place, words falling from his lips in haste as he started to try and retreat backwards into the hallway. “I - no, the - the prisoner is fine, my lady! It’s just...you - you have a visitor...!” Alenna paused in her advancement, eyes narrowing as she fixed them to his.

“A visitor?” She asked, her words clipped and precise.  “Who is it?” The soldier hesitated just a fraction too long.

“Who is it?” Her voice rose to a booming crescendo, sending the soldier staggering backwards toward the doorframe to get away. “M - miss Invi --”

“GET OUT!” Alenna roared, grabbing the nearest empty glass and chucking it toward the unfortunate man. He scrambled away and left her, seething; she drew slow, long breaths, mulling over the new information.

So. She’s here. Sighing, Alenna ran a hand threw her hair and walked brusquely to the mirror to check herself. How long has it been? Pushing her thoughts aside, she crossed to the door to her chamber and retrieved her helmet, tucking it beneath her arm. A small smile curled her lips.

This...this could get interesting.

[tovakiin]

#ICONIC

[autumnslance]

One of my random attempts at the ol’ ArrPee thing I am out of practice with. Here is Dark hangin’ with Ashelia Riot, watching the sparring matches at the Riskbreakers’ Fifth anniversary party on Balmung.

@onwesterlywinds

[kukurubean]

Some quick outtakes from the Riskbreakers’ 6th anniversary! I can’t say congratulations enough to such a wonderful and welcoming FC. Thank you for the great night! I uploaded these and some other shots I snuck here.

[dat-paw]

The Riskbreakers - Scary Stories at the Sandsea October 30th, 2016

some assorted shots from the All Saints’ Wake party at the <<RISK>> house last night. lots of familiar faces wearing lots of great costumes! see if you can recognize a few

bonus: the thrilling conclusion to @mokograss‘ tale of terror

[moonlifter-archive]

　　　       𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕜 　　　　　　　　　　  𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝑜𝓃𝑒

The four of us gathered one at a time as the time to depart drew near. First, myself, followed by a Seeker and an armor-clad lancer. Miss Ashelia appeared soon after, with the Elezen emerging from her chambers as the seventh bell struck. I, knowing none of them, remained quiet as Miss Ashelia spoke, explaining our purpose and the perils we faced in the task ahead. The Elezen objected quite adamantly, only to be persuaded by Miss Ashelia -- something of a promise long ago. We departed shortly after the briefing, paths set forward towards Issom-Har.

The walk from Quarrymill was silent, save the sounds of the forest around us and our own footfalls upon the well-worn path. The tension was easy enough to read in everyone, myself as well. It has been.. Nearly seven cycles since I have returned to the marshes and dense wood here. It felt strange, wrong, even. I no longer belong here.

Brief introductions gave me my teammates’ names.

Nathaniel, the Seeker. He is skittish and seemingly quite unsure of himself here. Ashelia has named him leader, and I do believe there be greater purpose in that choice.

Ivaan, the Lancer. He doubts Nathaniel and I’s abilities simply by our status of ‘untested’. He seems to know the Elezen, but her hesitation has him worried. I do not say I blame him, truly.

Azionne, the Elezen. I know not what I think of her, but I fear it may not be the most pleasant of opinions.

Our talk was short, and the Elezen attempted to sway our proceedings once more before we descended into the crater below us.

Never before have I felt so uneasy and unwell. Miss Ashelia warned us of the affects this place had on those who entered it. I felt weak, and as if my entire body was brittle and frail. It is not a feeling I would wish to feel again, and thank the gods above that our aether is returned to us as we defeat the beings that dwell these halls. I have recovered some since our first descent, but I am still nowhere near my prime.

The Elezen revealed to us that she had been here before, for near a moon. It was a darker time in her life, and she confessed to keeping the company of Voidsent for quite a time. She warned us of what was to come, and of her own experiences while wandering the palace. I am wary of her.

We continued through the floors without much difficulty, despite the loss of our better skills. I was impressed, truly, to see that even with only basics, we proved amiable adventurers. My own magic is weakened severely, but I have found it still rather easy to cast and heal.

A great beast awaited us upon the tenth floor, or was it the eleventh? This place.. Makes it easy to lose count. Regardless, it, along with all the other beasts and shadows before it, was a simple victory, and we felled the giant creature with only a minor amount of effort. I do worry that these challenges will continue to appear in segments, and that they will grow stronger and more difficult with each pass. I shall continue to have faith in my comrades until they have proven otherwise.

We at last came to rest inside a smaller chamber, closed off and free of any threats of danger. Any physical ones, anyroads. An aetherial flow sat opposite where we took up for the eve, undoubtedly the path forward and deeper into this place. I am relieved for a moment’s respite, but I cannot shake this.. Feeling that someone, something is.. Lingering some few steps behind me.

The others have reported hearing voices in frequency. They are unclear in their speech, however. Ivaan described it as “someone speaking with a mouthful of mashed potatoes.” It is an accurate description, I’ve found.

These whispers haunt me even now, a consistent nagging at my ears. Sometimes, I think they clarity increases, but when I focus upon it, it only becomes more convoluted. As if they are teasing me. I do not like it.

For now, we shall rest, with watches in shifts to allow the others to sleep. I think I shall refrain, for now, and continue to reflect. I do doubt I would be able to sleep anyway, with this constant whispering in my ears.

[sylvan-rain]

Summer time!