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Post by rathfen on Mar 17, 2023 14:01:48 GMT -5
Virox slowly lumbered under a tree, having felt like he'd been walking for miles, deciding to take a moment to rest. The forest he found himself in seemed peaceful enough, a far cry from the Zeinav Desert he'd known for so much of his life, and not the better parts either if travelers he'd seen from a distance were anything to go by. Virox quietly pondered to himself aloud what to do. "Virox wonder how far Virox is from home. Virox must make new home, find place in pretty forest? Thinking with empty stomach make Virox head hurt, maybe Virox find food, then think."
After taking a few moments, Virox sniffs at the air, a gleam of excitement fills his eyes as he catches the sent of wild animals, or rather to his mind, food to be hunted. Pushing himself up onto his feet, he lumbered as quietly as he could muster, trying to not step on branches or hit any low hanging ones on trees around him as he stalked, before finally seeing something, a deer, while it wasn't quite several, even one was better than nothing, given he'd not eaten much if at all yet today. As he crept closer, he hears the snap of his foot crushing a fallen branch, the deers head lifting, looking at him, before beginning to run. With the element of surprise lost, Virox gives chase. The lumbering gnoll gives no heed to quiet anymore, as he smashes through branches and steps on many a bush and fallen branch, all while fixated on his prize, or meal as the case was in his eyes.
Whether smart enough to realize it or not, his actions would likely be making a bit of a stir, or at least a very loud commotion.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 17, 2023 17:28:21 GMT -5
The forest stirred - and it was a different kind of chaos, one that she haven’t seen before around these parts of the woods. And she knew these woods very well.
Two ravens [1] soared through the skies, their croaks merging to the background of noises a forest would normally have. They looked rather similar at the distance, but while of them had black eyes, the other had unusual dark blue eyes - a difference that was barely noticed, but spoke volumes to a good observer. Her black wings were quick and her small eyes saw far - not that she needed much to find the source of such chaos! The beast was anything but discrete, and for a moment she thought there was another monster, or even another quimera on the loose on her patch of woods.
As the two ravens land on a nearby branch, side by side, she wonders she's never seen anything like him before and....
...and he talks!
A rush of excitement filled her, as the monstrous figure gave chase to the deer that was likely to become his dinner. He did mention he was hungry... maybe she could try to use it to grab his attention? A quick plan formed in her head, and she whispered something to the other raven before them both taking wing in different directions.
Feeling the wind, she landed on a clearing nearby, knowing the wind would take her smell to the beast. Once on the ground, the figure of the raven quickly grew to the size of a woman, even if still wrapped in a cloak of black feathers. The Witch shot an approving glance to the clearing, before raising her arms and making a few complicated gestures with her clawed hands. Magic obeyed, and she had much to spare, so much that it didn’t came with effort. The clearing, previously empty, was suddenly filled with all kinds of delicious treats and meals, from roasted lamb to pies and stews and breads and sides [2]. Soon enough, the wind would do her the favor of getting the smell to the beast, and while she knew him to possibly not understand how wonderful of a feast that was, food was still food. She was known for being a patient woman, and she spared her time - and curiosity - to anything that crossed her territory.
All the while, the other raven was actually doing the hard work, trying to peck at the beast to grab his attention and out of the pursuit, while still trying to not be hit by the giant and infinitely stronger creature.
"CAWWW! CAW CAW CAW! STOP STOP STOP! CAW! FOLLOW!"
[1]Shapeshifters plate [2]The Grand Feast
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Post by rathfen on Mar 17, 2023 18:23:44 GMT -5
The massive gnoll quickly recognized the pecking, a bird, not only that, but he could swear it was speaking, or perhaps his hunger was making him hallucinate. Whether the prior or latter was true, the scent he could smell on the wind brought him to a near crashing halt, as a tree nearly suffers the full brunt of his weight as he uses it to slow himself and stop, putting large gashes from his claws into it and nearly toppling it. As he takes a moment to let the scent fully hit him, he fails to notice the moment he starts to drool a bit, before shaking it offer and barreling full speed in the direction of the scent of food.
As he comes crashing into the clearing, he digs his claws into the ground, slowing himself to a halt this time, looking at the spread before him, then, noticing the strange woman nearby, at least he thought it was, the feathers made him think it was some sort of bird creature, while the desert lacked for anything other than the occasional vulture maybe, he wasn't utterly certain what sort of bird it could be if that was the case. Finally, his words find him, to speak, granted it wasn't his best talent, but he could speak nonetheless.
"Virox not know what bird thing want. Virox follow scent, Bird thing share food?" He looked to be weary of any potential threat, if he had to fight to even snag some food and run, he would, violence wasn't a strange thing to him, it was a matter of survival, and right now, food was the central goal of survival at this moment and time. As he stands, he seems to take a lowered position, clearly protecting his throat, in case she had sharp talons and could lunge for him, it was one if the few places he knew wasn't the densest skinned and muscle covered, at least for now, he had noticed over time his skin grew denser, but thus far his neck had been slow on that process.
His voice comes again, this time, a tone clearly more ready and steady with the thoughts in mind of potential danger. "If Bird thing not nasty to Virox, Virox not attack bird thing." He doesn't move from where he stands yet, as he awaits to see what will come of his attempts to speak peacefully.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 19, 2023 9:21:23 GMT -5
The creature's rampage through the forest was heard a mile away, and even so she couldn’t help but be in awe when he finally reached her. And that's because she had already seen him before as a raven!
In the back of her mind, she still worried that the creature was some kind of chimera, something created to a purpose by someone - possibly without any good intentions. She was ready to accept that.
She's never seen anything like it... His name was Virox then? He looked rather intelligent... But still, she wondered how much he knew about the place? She chose to use a new tittle of hers, that few people have heard before, just in case.
"I'm Mother Raven, and I gathered this here for Virox. Virox can eat, as long as Virox can talk."
It was a fair trade, right? Some food for a story?
As she was used to do, she lowered her feathery hood, as she knew people to get less unsettled when she showed her face - though she couldn’t be certain the beast would be the same. Mother Raven was an elven beauty for sure - half elf, technically - but her most striking feature were her eyes. Dark blue nebulas swirled inside, a silent testament to the powers of a mage. Though powerful, her gaze was warm and gentle, carrying the pull of the tide and the weight of the world.
"Where does Virox come from?"
Mother Raven even stepped back to allow Virox to eat, sitting on a nearby log to keep talking to him.
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Post by rathfen on Mar 19, 2023 9:59:39 GMT -5
Virox, for lack of finding the right words, seems to visibly relax as she speaks, carefully taking some food, eating a bit, just to at least make his stomach stop grumbling incessantly before speaking. As he gazes at the woman, he recognizes she somewhat resembles in her face how some of the travelers would look, at least with the ears and face being how they are, instead of a beak or something like he was expecting.
"Virox is Virox. Is Mother Raven a primal-thing? Mother of all ravens? Virox not know what Raven are, but Virox hope they are like Mother Raven."
He takes a moment to think of how to answer her question, seeming to tilt his head a moment, words were not his strong suit at times, and some words were hard to remember still, but he was getting better at it. He looks at her once more to answer.
"Virox come from White Sea place, Virox born there. Old home in desert place gone, Virox all that's left, so Virox decide to leave old home."
Viron wasn't sure if he recalled the right words, he'd only heard these things from the people that traveled the desert from time to time. Truth be told, he was visibly excited, his tail shifting a bit, his pack had only told him stories and legends of the primal things, those that created life in the world, or at least that's what the pack believed. The fact he was potentially meeting on in his mind was a very big thing, an honor in his pack that was to be akin to meeting one's own primal thing, thus, he carefully ate in as calm and appreciative a manner, showing great respect to what he assumed was the progenitor of ravens, which he could only assume is what the strange talking bird from before was. He wondered now if all birds could talk, if maybe the vultures were just very shy or very rude.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 19, 2023 10:59:11 GMT -5
She was.... pleasantly surprised at the beasts willingness to speak and cordiality up until now. Virox could be reasoned with, and that got her excited. Still, Virox didn’t seem to know much about his own origins yet, but for all she could understand, he came from Zeinav. The White desert. And his last home was destroyed? Interesting...
"Oh, dear, not mother to all of ravens, no....... Just a few. I took a few ravens and crows and sparrows under my wings, and they call me their Mother."
While she doubted he understood the figure of speech, she found it curious the way he thought. Really, she's never see anything like him.....
"And what Virox intend of doing now that his old home is gone?"
She could assume, but would want him to answer for himself. Her eyes sparkled like the night sky, her curiosity not unlike that of a raven she claimed to be the mother of. And speaking of the birds, an actual raven soon landed on her shoulder. Perhaps Virox could understand it to be the same one trying to grab his attention earlier.
"CAWW! Hello!"
She chuckled, indicating the raven perched up on her shoulder.
"Virox, this is Mischief. He is a raven, one of mine. I would very much appreciate it if you don’t try to hurt him."
Unlike most people that would certainly have crossed Virox's path, the woman felt very much at ease talking to the monstrous newcommer. Not only that, but the emotion that really shined through was actually just an immense curiosity.
After all, she always had a special place in her heart for monsters.
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Post by rathfen on Mar 19, 2023 12:27:33 GMT -5
Virox's posture changes as she explains that she is not a primal thing, it's clear there's a little disappointment, but it is ultimately brief, as he seems to still be excited that she is a mother to creatures that are not nessicarily her own kind, a thing that wasn't common to his pack, they'd tried taking in desert creatures, but pack temperament wasn't the best for attempting to domesticate or live in co existence with other creatures of The White Sea.
"Virox not have children, pretty gnolls think Virox too scary, too big, scared Virox eat them out of hunger. Virox not sure Virox can have children, Virox called Halfbreed, Devil pup, Son of Old Darkwalker. Virox not know much about father, only name given by pack. Primal things and Virox father not friendly to one another, so Virox treated different by pack. Packleader not like Virox, others scared, but not bother Virox when he eat or sleep."
Virox tilts his head, listening to her question, pondering how to answer. The truth was he wasn't certain if he was looking for a home or just surviving while wandering from place to place, situation to situation.
"Virox looking for new place to call home, Virox not having luck with this. Desert too hostile, this place smell nice, but Virox large, Virox make lots of noise if he not careful with his steps."
Virox lifts a claw, gently waving at the Raven, remembering it as the one that pecked him, he tilts his head at it, before outting food in his mouth and eating a bit more, still being respectful in his manner of eating, Primal or not, the woman clearly lived here in this forest, he thought it best to not agitate someone that is not hostile to him at first sight.
"Virox not hurt Mischief, Virox like Mischief, desert vultures never mind Virox size, share meals with Virox sometimes."
Virox's tail shifts a bit again, a small gesture of joy as he eats more, getting full after awhile, having eaten quite a bit as they conversed. He sits a moment, pondering something, before speaking again.
"Why Mother Raven nice to Virox? Small people things usually mean and attack Virox normally, or try to capture Virox."
He gestures with his arm to show the shackles and bits of chain still attached. He wasn't certain of her intent, but he felt she was trustworthy enough given her hospitality and kindness.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 19, 2023 22:09:04 GMT -5
Mother Raven looked interested in everything Virox had to say, but also had to notice how he seemed to behave less beastly in front of her... Was that his normal? Or was he holding back because of her? A gentle smile curved her rosy lips as she thought how rewarding it was to put a bit of faith in creatures like that.
Wait, what?
Virox's father was a devil of sorts? Yeah, she would put a pin on that. Probably was of no use to press the matter at the moment - if she learned anything with Kalaf was that the beasts had their own time, and she would rather respect that. From what he was telling her, Virox was some kind of half-breed between... gnolls? And this devil? No wonder she hadn't seen anything like him! She wasn't still entirely convinced he might not be the result of some forbidden alchemy experiment, but still...
Mischief eyed the being before him, apparently too cautious to approach. Mischief was many things but not straight up an idiot - most of the times - and knew to respect those much larger and much more aggressive than himself.
The remark about searching for a new home seemed to bring Mother Raven back to the subject. Not only that, but she eyed with interest the chains that still hang from him. It was no wonder he knew little empathy from other people, and because of that, it really hit her how understanding he could actually be when approached with a hint of kindness.
"You see... This is my home, Virox. I live in a small cabin in these woods. So... I also protect this forest, and the people who live nearby. While I will deal with threats, I would also rather give everyone a chance to prove themselves to be... not a threat?"
She hoped she was making sense to Virox. She really did have a soft spot for the monstrous, and that was how she saw them in a different light - but of course, she wouldn't put it in those words to him. She stood up, and despite her feathery cloak giving her a bit more of volume, it was clear the figure beneath it was quite lithe.
"If you want to stay here, for as long as you're not hurting other people and hunting the creatures just for your own sustenance, I won't bother. I can even ask the people to avoid you. On those terms, you can stay as much as you need. Do you want help with those chains? I can remove them with my magic."
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Post by rathfen on Mar 20, 2023 6:29:20 GMT -5
Virox notes her interest in his words, his explanation and story of his origins, even as mundane in his eyesas they are, though perhaps that was simply because it was normal in his eyes, with rare exceptions such as this, even still, he seems relaxed now, especially with a full stomach, looking at Mother Raven and Mischief, pondering her words. Finally after some deliberation, he seems to look at his shackles, then to her.
"Virox fine with chains. Virox think of them like reminder of where Virox come from, of where Virox left and why. Virox sought new home, and now Mother Raven offers Virox place in forest. Virox happy to live here, Virox only hunt for food, more likely to just wander forest at times when not doing that, maybe visit Mother Raven from time to time."
Virox gives what can only be described as a smile, a very devilish looking one, but it was his smile nonetheless. Despite past incidents, he wanted to trust Mother Raven, and if he could, help protect the forest from things that would do it and the people here harm. He hoped that perhaps with time, maybe the small people things might not be afraid of him, simply treating him as just a part of the forest that minds itself and wanders parts of it from time to time.
"Virox hopes that forest end up being final home, Virox like new smells and gentle breeze here, it not hot and empty looking like old home. Birox help Mother Raven protect forest if Mother Raven fine with it."
He'd made his mind up, staying here was a blessing, one he could repay, and more than that, he wanted to see if maybe with his help, perhaps the forest would be kept safer with less pressure on Mother Raven's shoulders, he wasn't unaware that a single person protecting a whole forest on their own would be a tough job, but he was big, strong, he could help, even if his sheer Suze might spook animals and people from time to time.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 21, 2023 9:15:17 GMT -5
Virox was extremely interesting for Mother Raven - she had no idea how the gnoll society worked, but Virox himself was clearly smart enough to be reasoned with. Maybe an alliance was worth a shot...?
His decision to keep his chains was an interesting one - and maybe one that she wouldn’t make for herself, desperately trying to bury certain aspects of her past. Which was funny and even unwise, given how many times her past has come to bother her. Looks like she could learn a thing or two with Virox still... The thought brought a small smile to her lips.
"Virox can also call me Kamille, if he wants. That’s the name my father gave me. And if you happen to see a house between two hills, hanging above a river, that's my house. Approach slowly. My house reacts to... bad intentions. And sudden movement."
It was hard to explain, but she hoped that would be enough to preserve both her house and Virox. Her wards had been acting up recently, and she was yet to get those under control.
It was easy for another to get terrified upon the mere sight of Virox, but Kamille had come to the conclusion that to speak to him was a good decision. Even better if she could come to trust him more... She seemed delighted by his decision of staying and helping her take care of those woods.
"I would very much appreciate that, Virox.... Say... Can you keep secrets, Virox? There is something that I need to do that, if Virox is willing, I would want some help with....... But Virox would have to keep it a secret."
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Post by rathfen on Mar 21, 2023 10:04:59 GMT -5
Virox nods as he listens, taking in what she has to say. Despite the lack of intellect one might think based on his speech, he seemed able to comprehend her warning as well as her appreciation and request that followed.
"Virox will help Kamille, Virox good at keeping secrets. Kamille and bird children Virox friends, Virox always help friends if able. Virox promise to be careful when approaching Kamille home, only walk with good intent, no run."
His enthusiasm to help and be useful immediately is shadowed only by the fact he was curious about his new friend, sure, the pack all had secrets, but they were simple, Kamille seemed very different to any of the pack, and so he wondered if her secret might be more deep or mysterious as she was to him. He sniffs to air a moment as a scent hits him, his eyes narrow, as he let's out a sort of small gag, looking towards the direction he had originally entered the forest from, his eyes looking for the source of what he smells before looking to Kamille.
"Does rotting smell often happen in forest? Virox only smell this few times, usually left in sun too long in old home, make very sick if eaten."
Virox hoped his new friend might have an idea, and if not, they could possibly investigate before they take care of what Kamille wished his help with.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 23, 2023 9:46:52 GMT -5
Of course all she did was laden with deeper meaning and intentions, but when it came to Moonglade and monsters, it was often as simple as that: she wanted to keep the people safe, and she had a weakness for the monstrous. It could be a dangerous combination, but so far she was only rewarded with good things, specially power and love.
Power beyond compare, power beyond control. And the love of the monstrous.
Mother Raven looked happy as Virox seemed to understand everything she was saying. A small raise of the eyebrow and frown told him the information he just gave her was new. She didn’t have his sense of smell, but could assume his was much better. Rotting carcasses? That was.... not very common around there. There were wolves, vultures and crows that would make quick job of anything that died in the woods. Kamille stood up.
"Can you show me where it is, Virox? Can you take me there?"
She was happy to have another ally in the forest, and would possibly make sure to visit Virox with a certain frequency, at least at the beginning. Kamille would want to delve deeper into his story, but right now it was not time for that. Maybe she could assess Virox's reliability right now? If this thing he smelled wasn’t....... natural?
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Post by rathfen on Mar 23, 2023 10:53:50 GMT -5
Virox without skipping a beat, drops to all fours to avoid knocking down tree branches and begins to run in the direction, the pungent scent directing him as he rushes forward, zigzagging around trees as he ran, before finally coming to a halt at the edge of the forest. Virox stabds there, confused by what it is he is looking at, once Kamille arrived, he'd look to her.
"Virox not know what this is, Virox not seen thing like this before."
Before them would stand what is clearly a person, or was, as the rags ot wore did little to hide the obvious lack of flesh and organs, a skeleton, glowing a lavender color within it's eyes sockets, and a brighter glow like one had put an orb of pyre magic inside the ribcage barely observed by the rags it wore. It gazes at the two of them, unmoving as though studying them for some detail, before lifting a bony hand and placing it on something on the inside of it's rags, as though in anticipation of something.
Virox seems slightly on edge, something about this thing was unsettling, in ways he couldn't describe, he'd seem skulls and skeletal remains before, he'd lived in the desert for some time, yet this thing, the glow, it felt utterly dreadful just looking at it.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Mar 28, 2023 4:29:23 GMT -5
Virox was fast, and she wouldn't be able to follow him if she hadn't turned back into a raven, flying right behind him. The more she knew of Virox, the more curious she got. And, what was a good change, was that he seemed benevolent enough for wanting to help her protect the woods. She would have to speak to the druids and the commonfolk to avoid him at the woods, least someone got hurt or scared.
When they arrived at the place Virox felt the smell, Kamille turned back into a woman to watch this........ undead? She should've known when Virox said something about rotting smell. Kamille didn't look particularly fearful, but worried, explaining it to Virox in a hushed tone.
"Some people, Virox, can make things that were once alive rise up and walk again. Those are called Necromancers."
Kamille wasn't sure if that was the time to say she had a thing for the Lord of Ghouls, a particularly powerful necromancer back at Zeinav. The thought brought a bit of color to her cheeks. But Kamille knew the Lord of Ghouls minions, and that was not one of them, as far as she knew.
"Who is your Master?"
She tried to direct the question to the corpse, not sure if it had the capacity to speak up. Just in case it was aggressive, she remained back with Virox. If it wasn't one of Bellighul's minions... Well, that was worrying. She would have to know who's minion that was, and who's this new necromancer into her woods.
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Post by rathfen on Mar 28, 2023 8:23:04 GMT -5
Virox tilts his head a moment, not entirely sure what to make of Kamille's words, nor the flush he saw upon her cheeks, but he understood one thing very clearly: this thing didn't belong to anyone his new friend knew, and that put him more on edge as he watched the creature carefully.
The skeleton in kind looks to Kamille specifically, examining her very carefully, then Virox again, doing the same, before a raspy voice came from it, though it would be more accurate to say something was speaking through it.
"I am Zerrux, once, child of one that once lived in these woods, but I can see from the fact you greet my servant with Xer'vasz's child i presume, and not him that I have been gone longer than I thought. Do not mind Edgar, he was the only thing I could call on to send out from my tomb, to look upon the world that I can plainly see has forgotten me and likely everything I built. Not surprising, but utterly disappointing if I'm being honest. You look partially like one of my father's people, though not quite the same, are you by chance elven? I admit, seeing and speaking through Edger is a tad...difficult at times, I had hoped my father, but maybe if his people yet live, there is still hope for me to be free of this prison I'm in."
Virox looks very confused, no longer on edge, but hopelessly lost on what the skeleton was talking about, especially the name it had spoken, of which it said he was the child of.
"Virox not know what Xer'vasz is...or who."
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