#s:eir

[lalamines]

to win back springtime that we lost; edge of eden final battle

It had been years already. Mercedes had given up all hope of ever returning to life in Fodlan. A distant world, a lifetime forever out of reach. She had settled down into her life by General Malo’s side, aiding the woman in every mission that was thrown their way. It’s on one of those missions that Mercedes wakes up somewhere that is very clearly not a military base.

At first there’s a stage. Taunting. Then there isn’t a stage at all. It’s difficult to wrap her head around but she finds herself amongst familiar faces. Allies from Rhedrise. Other faces too, on the opposing side.

Now united against a common enemy. Even the glint in Melanthios’ eyes feels like a challenge. Makes her blood scream out. 

She takes the Ichor scroll in her hands, and the screaming is replaced by a chorus of muses. Mercedes knows what must be done.

Roll d20:12! Hit! 3 damage to Melanthios. Reduced to 1.5 by Agarthan Technology. Roll d20-4: 15! Hit. 2.5 damage to Mercedes. Melanthios recovers 1 HP. Deals 1HP out of Combat to Mercedes Melanthios has 13.5/14 HP remaining Mercedes has 6.5/10 HP remaining

Roll d2: 1! Crest of Lamine activates. Roll d20: 10! Mercedes uses Recover to heal Lyn. Lyn and Mercedes both recover 4 HP Lyn has 9/10 HP remaining. Mercedes has 10/10 HP remaining

It’s frustrating enough that her spells are weakened by something dark and ancient. Even worse when the Dark Bishop saps her own strength too. Thankfully, Mercedes feels the power of her Crest and takes the opportunity to do something useful. Lyn already looks exhausted and the battle has barely started. Slipping over to her side, Mercedes casts Recover, restoring her own health and vitality as well.

“Feeling better? Let me know if you’re injured again, okay?” Mercedes says to Lyn, giving the woman’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. This wasn’t going to be an easy battle but if they could rely on one another’s strengths, she was sure they’d prevail.

They had to, after all.

[delicatevalentine]

culinary genius » eir & hilda

It’s your turn on cooking duty, and you know exactly what you want to make: delicious pizzas! The kitchens are well stocked today; too well-stocked, in fact, because there are way too many choices for toppings, with everything you can imagine from meat to veggies to more unorthodox choices like chocolate or mapo tofu. Will you and your cooking partner come up with a brilliant new recipe, or spend the entire time arguing over whether or not that pineapple belongs on the pizza? [Grants Authority +1]

Cooking duty was definitely Hilda’s favourite chore, if you could have a favourite chore. It was at least a little fun, and she directly benefitted from it afterwards -- score! It was even better when the other person knew what they were doing; she could feign ignorance and contribute as little as possible. But, when she was partnered with a novice cook, well, she didn’t mind teaching them a thing or two. 

Swinging open the kitchen door, barely even five minutes late, she was met by the sight of long, silvery hair cascading out of a slicked back ponytail. Her partner had already arrived! Hilda admired her hair and clothes for a second before announcing her presence. 

“Hey!” she greeted cheerfully, choosing not to acknowledge her own tardiness. “Have you already decided what we’re making? If not, can I make a suggestion?” She continued immediately without waiting for a response. “Pizzas! They’re delicious, easy, and fun!” 

Pizza was something that she’d only recently been introduced to; in fact, it was soon after she joined the Academy. Dinner at home was always several courses, cooked for her and eaten with silverware. So, when presented with a slice of dough covered with cheese, tomato and an abundance of other unfamiliar ingredients, she’d been a little apprehensive at first. That soon disappeared with a single bite. Now, she was hooked and on the hunt for the best pizza topping.

“What do you think?”

@asphuxia

[delicatevalentine]

[ BURN ] — Burn different plants as offerings to the Goddess. Herbs and powders are sold by local vendors to change the scent and color of the smoke.

“… Ah. This seems well-suited to you,” Eir murmurs, voice lilting. Upon her gloved hands comfortably sits a quaint white packet, velvet in texture, tied neatly together with a pink ribbon. Though offerings to the goddess were with the intent to be burned, it seemed as though her followers had found a means to transform even the act of destruction into a beautiful thing. A strong aroma drifts from the offering, a mixture of sweetness inlaid with spice. The Helian can only imagine what manner of display it would show them, when set upon the flame. She turns to face the other student fully.

“I know not if you are devout as other students are, but…” Eir trails off, searching for her words. Hilda did not seem the type to be of overt faith, as other students and heroes were wont to be; yet it is a tradition of the people of her realm, nevertheless. Surely it was of some import, no matter how insignificant? With a halted breath, death’s daughter continues. “… I thought it would be nice to offer something to the goddess in honor of the festival, as well.”

With a warm, albeit hesitant half-smile, she offers the vendor the coin demanded of her, and extends the gift towards the young noble. Eir’s wishes are expressed through an inquisitive tilt of her head, gesturing towards the gathering where others appeared to be burning their offerings in a similar fashion. “What do you think…? Shall we?”

midsommar 2022  — accepting!

Traditions such as those at Midsommar were enjoyable, but if she was being honest with herself, Hilda wasn't the most devout follower of the church. It wasn't that she didn't believe, per se; more so that she found it difficult to suppose that an all-powerful goddess was spending her time listening to her frivolous problems or checking whether she was carrying out specific rites. Still, she made sure to pay her respects from time to time.

So, when Eir offered her a neat parcel to honour the tradition, Hilda accepted it graciously. "Sure!" she said enthusiastically. It came as a slight surprise that the other student had read her lack of faith so easily, but she was touched that she'd chosen to ask her to accompany her regardless. It was a rare show of tenderness from the otherwise reserved girl.

Hilda held the herb up to her nose briefly, inhaling a sweet cinnamon-like scent from the package. When a space cleared by the fire, she exchanged a smile with her companion and the pair moved closer.

Eir went first, her own silvery parcel catching fire immediately. The flames turned various metallic shades where they licked the fabric, and the smell that was emitted resembled a bay tree. Then, Hilda held out her own offering. The fire glowed a warm pink as the spiced scent she'd noted beforehand grew more pronounced.

As the material fell away into ashes, Hilda muttered a quick prayer under her breath. The goddess probably wasn't listening, but...

Just in case.

[lalamines]

poison ivy

Scouts returning from afield have been returning with reports equally conflicting and strange: some say there’s a beast of a man running about with an axe for an arm, and that he is seen only by day, and only from a distance, as though he knows to evade pursuers. Others say that no, the large bipedal beast appears only at night and wields a stick, alongside all manner of crude tools that seem to suggest the intelligence to set small traps. In the name of research, authorities want the beast captured, preferably alive, but if it starts to become a nuisance… [ Grants Lance +1 ]

Mercedes hands the young gentleman a cup of steaming, chamomile tea. Good for soothing frayed nerves. The tale he tells her is wild and fantastical but he is not the first with such a story. The details vary but the core is the same, beastly men roaming the forests near the village. Various weapons replacing body parts, seen from afar during daylight hours. Evasive but clever, using tools and traps alike. Sending villagers into terrible fits of shock.

Usually Mercedes revels in such tall tales but the furrow of this man’s brow pulls at her heartstrings. He is not alone, either. Her sympathies stirred, she accepts the mission offered by the church.

Rising from her seat, she promises him that they will do whatever they can to deal with the situation. That his testimony would prove useful and showed great bravery. There is much to be done, supplies to be gathered and people to brief before setting out. Once dealt with, she takes a basic lance in hand, the weight of which still feels so foreign to her. Sorcery and spellcraft have always been her expertise, especially faith magic. Wielding a weapon feel strange. As though it goes against everything she is as a person and stands for. Regardless, she understands the necessity. She cannot protect her allies without first being able to protect herself.

Speaking of allies, it’s Eir who greets her at the edge of camp. Mercedes smiles, somewhat bashfully, as she approaches the Helian. Her performance at Gronder Field had left much to be desired. Facing off against Eir had shaken Mercedes resolve, taken her back to their time in Enbarr, when she hadn’t been able to protect everyone. Today though, she feels brighter and walks with a spring in her step.

“Good morning, Eir! It’s a pleasure to see you again. I hope we can rely on each other during today’s mission.” It wouldn’t be right though to ignore Eir’s important role in raising her morale. A fierce competitor on the battlefield, it was her words that had really gotten through to Mercedes. The future is unwritten, whatever she makes it. To stay tied down by past mistakes was to refuse to blossom and grow. “You were right, by the way. I must thank you for talking sense into me. Whilst I prefer not to fight, I must be prepared to do what I must to protect my friends.”

“Thank you, for everything Eir. Now, shall we set forth?”

@asphuxia