Roen

HOW did this turn into... ... I KNEW I should not have posted that log from yesterday. (but really if there was a group with 8 shirtless highlanders... I'd SO go!) (Delial would come with I am sure) (and possibly murder me for my spot)

You'll have to form a queue if you want to Summon Roen. Then you can have the penne alla arrabbiata. #EddieIzzard #misquotes #SummonRoen EDIT: FUCKIN'. NINJA'D. EDDIE IZZARD... I can't even. Do you need a tray...?

DAMMIT.

I had the best dungeon runs ever today. I wonder why.... [8] Gharen is showing off his skin. [8] bam! [8] !!! [8] YOU!!! [8] He KEEPS doing it [8] #Highlanderproblems [8] HAHA YES [8] HAHA [8] though i honestly do not think they are problems....!!! [8] They are not problems [8] He keeps showing off. [8] is he being a bad boy [8] YES [8] 8) [8] Taunting me. [8] -reads log- OH my [8] omg i'm sorry [8] OMG GHAREN [8] YOU DID NOT DO THAT MIDFIGHT [8] what [8] lol [8] STOP TEASING ME WHAT ARE YOU DOING [8] (Roen Deneith) SHOW OFFF [8] SEE GHAREN! MUSCLES CAUSE DEATH! [8] He is SO SHOWING OFF [8] Whoops caps. [8] is he doing it on purpose now lol (Roen Deneith) You see that fist? [8] although i'm guessing it has something to do with highlander bodies [8] (Gharen Wolfsong) I'm trying to make your job easier (Roen Deneith) Suuuure [8] !!! [8] Although he keeps showing off his skin MIDTANKING [8] she's jealous of my stoneskin =P [8] SHRIEKS Then more #highlanderproblems [8] I keep forgetting. [8] I blame Gharen's skin showing off [8] Rather distracting. [8] it has that effect. [8] about that [8] OH [8] VIL TOO Vil Ashdale strikes a pose. [8] You all will not get any healing done [8] YEAH VIL IS BEAUTIFUL ALSO Gharen Wolfsong strikes a pose for you. [8] OMG [8] I am gonna die [8] roen you lucky girl you [8] so yeah, this glamour, hempen undershirt [8] They are all shirtless and posing. [8] *shakes fist* [8] I am not getting any healing done now. [8] lmao [8] Everyone is running around shirtless [8] hey now [8] i have a skimpy harness on [8] it's traditional!!!! [8] *squints* [8] Oh... riiiight there it is [8] ok. so.. to shirt. or not to shirt that is the question [8] That is a good question. [8] it has an obvious answer Vil Ashdale strikes a pose. Gharen Wolfsong strikes a pose for you. (Roen Deneith) AAAH [8] Best dungeon ever [8] lol [8] ROFL [8] nah, that'd be if we rubbed oil on each other [8] [8] did someone say oil [8] You are missing out on all the highlander posing Jara [8] i'm hurting, I promise you [8] Aaaw the dungeon is over. Vil Ashdale strikes a pose for you. Gharen Wolfsong strikes a pose for you. What. I don't have a problem.

Darker plots? Vat is dis? :bouncy: I would love to help out! Brainstorm! Have a cameo! Or just be a sounding board. While Roen is a goody two-shoes, Raelisanne is my outlet to explore darker things. She too is not the flashy type, not looking for any wanton destruction. She has her personal motivations that drives her to do unethical things. Let me know if I can help out.

I write and plot for Jameson along with the player who never checks these forums. He also plays Anden Anduron who is a Captain of the Brass Blades. So I will share some thoughts on them both. Jameson is squarely on the Monetarist side and works closely with Lolorito. He walks the fine line between Lawful neutral and Lawful evil. His actions and decisions are driven by his own motivations, and I don't want to really give away what's going on with him, but he has blackmailed, framed, and possibly been responsible for torturing people. He has also provided his own cure for the poison that was plaguing Ul'Dah. I see him very much doing what is necessary for both himself, but also possibly for Ul'Dah. Same with Anden, who is ambitious and ruthless, and will do anything he can to keep the Brass Blades in line, for the good of Ul'Dah. He is considered an antagonist, but he firmly believes most of his decisions and actions benefit Ul'Dah and look to advance himself in the ranks because he believes he is good for the Jewel. They are not played often though, I usually have to pull the player into plots. So while they can join this LS, I don't think you'd see them often. I like the idea though.

Welcome to Balmung! I hope you have fun! I know there is a good EU population on the server, so hopefully you will find some good RP no matter what hours you play.

Sihaaaaaa! I've been wondering where you went! I miss you!

I DIED. Hornet killed me.

Reading your intro post, I was going to wish you lots of fun and RP on Gilgamesh! ... only to read you also created a character on Balmung! Welcome! (you can play both... I know someone who's maxed out on alts on both servers..) (yes he is a bit nutty) What others have said about the wee hours of the early morning being best is true. I found your intro charming. I hope I get to meet you in character someday!

A Woman In White Part II Hell. Many often invoked it, or cursed it, believing themselves to be suffering even a minute aspect of it when they encountered what they could not comprehend or endure. Some wished others' descent into it, fueled by hatred and vitriol. But what did anyone truly know of hell or any of its seven incarnations? Raelisanne Banurein had often wondered. Was hell a state of physical suffering, or one of the mind? It was likely both. Could it be of one's own making? Could hell exist amongst the living? She believed it so. If hell was something that one suffered, enough suffering could be manifested anywhere to create the worst nightmares. It was not the darkness or the perversity of the concept that drew her attention. She had no interest in causing or watching the torment of others. Far from it. It was what came of such perdition. Some say the journey is the thing, and not the destination, yet do we all not strive toward them regardless? A journey was nothing without some form of destination. The more the better, perhaps. Transformation is both journey and destination. It was one of her core beliefs. What was the product of a broken soul? Was man still man, or was something new made in his place? Or did a broken soul equate to a broken man? These questions she has asked many times and over many corpses. Trying to break someone down to their essence often resulted in insanity or violent death brought on by lunacy. She had yet to find the perfect subject, much less the answers that she sought. "What is a soul?" she had asked Delial Grimsong. "It is... a spark of sorts," the Highlander had responded, trying her best to hide her puzzlement; her hesitation gave her away, however. "It is a flame, that which makes life more than just... life.” "What is a man without a soul?" "A husk. A ghost." "This one..." Raelisanne had turned from Delial even though the taller woman would not see the barest hint of a smile behind the mask. "This one will be a beast." Raelisanne watched through the thick glass window that overlooked the metal cell below, her violet eyes intent upon the single occupant that sat hunched within. Gharen Wolfsong was leaning against the wall, his wrists bound in heavy iron shackles. She could already spot the raw flesh where he had continuously tested the limits of his bindings over the many suns that he had worn them. His bare torso was marred with old and new wounds; the ones that bore freshly dried blood coming at the courtesy of Delial Grimsong. The Highlander woman’s skills in the art of blood sacrifice was impressive, as Raelisanne had previously noted. Delial made circular geometric incisions upon Wolfsong’s flesh, while the man was held immobile, bound bodily to a metal table and heavily drugged. But screams came even in that altered state, as each wound was treated with alchemic powder that made them smoke, bubble and sizzle. As blood magic and alchemy coursed through his veins, Raelisanne added her own augmentations--that of the voidlings, her own specialty. Sanguine fluid turned from a crimson hue to something darker and more unnatural, and Raelisanne watched it snake through him with quiet anticipation. This was the beginning. A part of her wondered if the slight quickening of her pulse was akin to delight, or even the hint of disquiet. She had not felt anything that would approximate true emotion in cycles; she had almost forgotten what that felt like. But there was anticipation. She wanted success. Wolfsong had been a resilient specimen. And with the numerous scars upon his body, along with clear evidence of previously broken bones... the things she had learned of his history… He was perfect. Just what she needed. He had survived the physical augmentations so far, and with Delial’s aid, the infusion process had been more efficient and complete. But the silver-haired woman knew breaking him was not about just affecting the body. There was still the mind. And his spirit. The things that made him who he was. He had endured savage beatings, sun after sun after sun. He would then be left to try and rest, but just as his pulse slowed and his eyes began to drift closed, the door to the metal cell hissed open with a high pitched alarm. Uniformed guards would enter brandishing long rods that sparked and spat with electricity or thick blunt wooden batons. Wolfsong had even dislocated his thumb to liberate one hand from his bindings, surprising the first set of guards and killing a few of them with just one hand free. Astounding strength and force of will, she had marveled at the news, lips pursed to hide her delight. But she had more. And he was but one man, drugged and poisoned. His limbs moved slower and more sluggish than before, as if an anchor had been strapped to them. She knew sooner or later the fight would be beaten out of him physically. Each time he pushed past his fatigue and pain to fight back, she knew his strength would fail him faster. His fist would lose its tightness, his legs buckling without warning. She did not bother to count the suns until his body gave in; it happened as she predicted, the Highlander eventually just lay still when guards entered his chamber. Raelisanne watched as he only attempted to mitigate the worst of the blows. Her lips pressed primly. He is ready. When the cell door hissed open again, it was Raelisanne's own shadow that fell over him. The guards parted to make way for her, and she approached the bruised and beaten Highlander. Her white coat was pristine as were her gloves. Her mask was in place--an enchanted article that gave her a constant scrolling reading of his vitals, as well as allowed her to see the aura of void energies that coursed through his body’s aether. She kneeled beside him, her voice low and even behind the mask. “Your strength leaves you, Mister Wolfsong.” He looked at her with one eye now swollen shut. The other seemed to want to shut due to the weight of exhaustion, which was expected. Raelisanne could still see see a flash of defiance behind his hazel gaze, and his bruised jaw tensed with unspoken words. Her hand came to lightly rest against his arm, his skin slick with sweat and blood. "And now your aether turns on you as well." She clucked her tongue and canted her head slowly; she could see the glowing blue eyes of her mask reflected in his one open eye. "Why the defiance, Mister Wolfsong? Why do you hold on to this idea that you should fight? Aren't we all simply creatures seeking survival? If you give yourself to me, this will be easier. And I promise, you will survive this." His breathing remained heavy as he shifted slightly to turn his head fully to her, a low growl rumbling from his chest. He spat out some blood on the floor, murder in his gaze. "Best get on with killin' me then. Cause if'n I get out of here? I'm comin' fer ye." Despite his resistance, his voice was strained and tired. Raelisanne shook her head. "Is this that spark? The thing that makes you more than a mere beast? That thing that makes us think that we are more than just particles of aether, fibers of muscle, and connections of nerves?" Her gloved fingers trace his arm, down to the manacles. Her attention lingered on the streak of crimson that marred her white glove. "What happens when your aether runs black? Your muscles no longer obey you and your thoughts betray you?" She turned her masked gaze back towards Wolfsong. "We are all nothing but beasts within. Beasts with basic instincts that urge us to survive. We will kill our neighbors when threatened. We will eat our young when starved." She felt the muscles in his arms slack a little, and he flashed her an uncharacteristic toothy smile that spread wickedly across his face, "Pretty well certain I've burned yer image inte my brain, an I'll be comin fer ye regardless." First rage. Now malice. He is ready. Raelisanne felt her own pulse quicken just slightly. "Very good then, Mister Wolfsong." She said, her voice never faltering. She lifted her hand, a single fingertip glowing blue. It reflected the cold shimmering hue within the mask’s orbits. She reached out and lightly touched his forehead. “Let us begin.”

I have a sneaky feeling... Zhavi and Xydane will be keeping Ruru's Melodia plenty busy. Just... a guess... <.<

Zhavi should somehow be there. I have no idea how. Because this is silly and fun. And as Hornet said... "weird." And because I have never met Zhavi.

Maybe we all just like a bloody disembodied arm... Yes. That's it.

You know. This has happened to me as well. Even though many others have told me that I should still be able to find people when they are on duty. Oh! And.. Inessa! Welcome!

Another update! A vial of the antidote has been forwarded by Jenlyns to the Alchemist guild!

My Highlander will happily let her burgers get cold while watching the Highlander men eat theirs. As long as they are shirtless. (she will throw the match as long as she has great scenery)

Hmm. Yeah my highlander watches her figure. I'd say 3.

Awesome... time for me to shatter all preconceived notions of who Crofte actually is... I might have a clue...! (and I can totally get drunk for this PVP) (...may not be a little too goofy then though on VOIP) (.... maybe not a good idea)

YES! I do this too!!

RAR! Me too! Go underdogs!

((This post follows events from here and here.)) I'll never see the end of this, Roen thought darkly. Or worse, they will truly be the end of me. She cursed the day she'd ever heard of the documents. The papers contained the testimony of a confessed Garlean spy, The Rose, who had fingered Roen as his accomplice. He had admitted to using Roen's knowledge of the Resistance to find the stolen ceruleum core, as well as her association with the Sultansworns to set up a conflict that then served as a distraction for the ceruleum theft. He even knew the name and the details of her Garlean father, a high ranking military officer. That was in there too. Roen knew that the evidence was damning. It was because it was so damning that it had forced Natalie’s hand to do what she did to secure it: having Roen kidnapped and out of the way, and to lure out and capture her brother by blood, Gharen Wolfsong, to turn over to the Syndicate. And now Roen had entrusted this cursed evidence to Hornet, who was to turn it over to Ser Crofte, a Sultansworn who seemed determined to use the evidence that had caused so much suffering to try and right some of the wrongs it had caused. Ser Crofte had said that it could save more than just her. Did she also mean Natalie and Kage who were still trapped in their service to the Syndicate? Roen had dared to hope, dared to believe in this new Sultansworn who had shown her nothing but her devotion to her Oath and also compassion to Roen’s plight. That perhaps, out of all this misery, something good could still be salvaged. For not just herself, but Kage and Natalie. But when Hornet returned earlier today with her grim tidings, Roen was reminded yet again that she continued to make the same mistakes that had led to so much hardship: she had been too trusting. Hornet was convinced that the Sworn were just another cog in the corrupted system that was Ul’Dah. Even though they both held genuine hope for Crofte’s success, the fact that her commander told her to arrest the suspected spy did not sit well with Hornet, Roen, or Gharen. But there was a part of Roen that did not want to surrender the small thread of hope that she had been given by the Sultansworn. So as dark rainy clouds gathered above, Hornet, Gharen and Roen approached the Lighthouse south of Moraby Bay, to hear what Ser Crofte had to say. As they walked up the hill approaching the meeting place, Roen stole glances at Gharen’s shining armor, white and blue and glimmering even beneath the cloudy sky; it signified him as a Free Paladin. She hid her own pang of remorse at the sight of it, for she herself felt that she was unworthy of it; dismissed from the Sultana’s service as she had been, then branded deserter by the Brass Blades. Roen was a lost paladin without a purpose. “Ser Deneith.” Ser Crofte greeted her, always with that title. It was meant as an honor, yet only brought shadows of regret; reminders of mistakes made. “Good to see you about once more," Crofte continued. She nodded in greeting to Hornet and Gharen. "Aye, Ser Crofte, 'tis good to have a name te go with th' face," Gharen said. He stood between the Sultansworn and Roen, with Hornet in her dark armor and an enormous lance standing off to the side. "I trust Madam Hornet has delivered my message. Unless she has brought you here for me to relay it myself." "She has, but I'd nae mind hearin' it from yer lips." Gharen narrowed his eyes at the Sultansworn. "Very well." Crofte nodded respectfully and cleared her throat. “I have taken the file given by you into mine own custody. It is safely locked away. Using its contents, I have assumed full responsibility for the continuation of the investigation. It is no longer the Brass Blade’s responsibility to track her down." Both Gharen and Hornet shifted in their stance just slightly, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "In addition, I have been ordered by mine own superior to apprehend Ser Deneith and detain her." Crofte's even tone never wavered. “She would be detained, not in the common gaols, but with the Sultansworn. A proper cell, better accommodations. And I will be her personal guard throughout. In the meantime, I will continue to conduct my investigation into these false charges with the ultimate goal of acquittal." She paused, her green eyes looking to each of them in turn. “I have been given a limited number of suns for a preliminary investigation before I am forced to attempt apprehension." Obsidian Hornet crossed her arms and looked to Gharen and Roen, her scowl displayed prominently. Crofte fixed her gaze to that of Gharen’s. "I had told Ser Deneith before, I would not proceed without her own blessing on the matter. It is that same reason I decided to relay these goings on first, before acting." Her gaze then shifted to Roen, expectant. “And if I do not wish to go?" Roen could not hide the disappointment from her voice. "I shall stall for as long as I am able, you have my word. If you should choose not to go, then hide. Stay hidden and pray I do not catch wind of your location." The woman crossed her arms, her expression intent. "Otherwise... when the Captain forces my hand, I shall have no choice. You do understand, Ser Deneith?" Roen blinked. She understood Crofte fully. As raindrops began to fall, she bowed her head. "Well I'm sorry," Gharen muttered. "Nae happen'n. I'll lay this out fer ye. First, th' sworn have no jurisdiction in La Noscea. So ye can tell yer superior te go pound sand. Second, ye have two outcomes if'n ye come after my sister. Neither end well fer ye." "For me, no, it most likely shall not end well, Master Wolfsong.” Crofte seemed resigned. “However I will not be alone if it comes to it. Which is why I give the warning now... I am loath to shed blood, Ser. Any blood." "All the more reason to ignore that order.” Hornet rumbled. “Lead them on a wild goose chase if you must." Crofte gave Hornet a sidelong glance. "I said I would stall, Madam, and I shall. As long as you stay out of my reach, it will not be a lie." She shook her head slightly. "You don't want to do this, so don't. It is not that difficult." Hornet responded dismissively. "Perhaps for you." Crofte answered simply, then turned her gaze back to Roen. Roen peered back up at Crofte, and understood. She too could not lie to her superiors. And looking upon the woman, a part of her was not surprised by this outcome. “The evidence says I am a spy. Of course Captain Jenlyns would want me brought in. It would be the same for anyone." "I'm not the one determined to get people killed hunting an innocent woman..." Hornet growled. "You think I am looking for this?" Crofte swiveled her head back to the Roegadyn. "I swore to save her, and I shall." "I think you're an idiot who can't see past her own nose.” Hornet did not relent, her words unforgiving. “Whatever code you're following is leading to this, and look what it's got you." “She is doing it for the safety for the Sultana,” Roen acknowledged, her voice lowered with a hint of resignation. “The Sultana is not in danger.” Hornet snorted. "You are both correct." Crofte replied cooly. "Madam Hornet, unlike some persons, I do not break my oaths so easily." Roen stiffened. "I do wonder what that woman is worth to be all this damned trouble." Hornet shrugged and frowned up at the dark skies that continued to spray a light drizzle on them. "Miss Crofte, I am no 'sworn, I am a Free Paladin sworn te protect any in need,” Gharen interjected after a long pause, his voice calm and expression determined. “Ul'dah has shown my family no kindness, myself branded a terrorist by a 'sworn no less, and my sister taken captive by tha' same individual. So I will be protectin' my sister from Ul'dah." "Aye, as you say. But what does your sister want, Ser Wolfsong?" Crofte took a long exhale, the rain tossing the chocobo feather on her beret this way and that. Roen’s eyes fixed on it as the Sultansworn continued. “She gave me the evidence. She agreed for me to aid in this matter. I did not act on my own behalf." "You don't owe them anything, Roen." Hornet uncrossed her arms, stepping closer to Roen. Her voice was soft but held a note of fear. "If I did not care for what she wanted, I would not have come alone." “I... I believed you." Roen frowned, raindrops starting to gather at the tip of her lashes. "I think... I think I still believe you." She almost did not believe her own words as she uttered them. Crofte blinked. "Ser Deneith... I... I am not giving up. I have only started." She inhaled and folded her arms behind her. “I must locate this Flame who is mentioned, then track down the ... Rose. Even if you were detained, nothing would happen to you until my investigation was completed." Roen stared at the woman, her own thoughts a storm of emotions and doubts. "Again, there is time before my hand is forced... do not make this choice hastily." Her voice lowered. "I am already risking much by being here. If the Captain knew I was in your presence again and did not act..." she trailed off. Roen nodded slowly. "I will think on your words, Ser Crofte.” "Thank you." "I've been told yer trustworthy, but I don' really care if'n ye put her up with th' Sultana herself.” Gharen's eyes were narrowed. “People with good intentions have done enough damage as o' late. Pass this to yer superior. He sends ye after us, we disappear, an ye'll ne'er find us, or he'll have a larger incident te clean up." “I will remember that,” Crofte said, shifting her gaze to Gharen. "Understand this, Ser Crofte. I do not wish for any bloodshed." Roen stepped around her brother, approaching the Sultansworn. "I feel that is something we all agree upon." Crofte nodded to her. She then glanced to Hornet and Gharen. "I have said my peace. If there is nothing further..." She nodded to each of them. "Should Ser Deneith choose to willingly surrender, you may send word directly to me. Otherwise, I shall stall as long as I am able, then send warning to Madam Hornet." After giving a courteous bow to both Hornet and Gharen, Crofte turned to Roen with a crisp salute. There was a moment’s hesitation before Roen returned it. She felt compelled to, and her eyes lingered on Crofte for two breaths after. "Then I bid ye best o' luck, an' a good day, Miss Crofte." Gharen nodded back to the Sultansworn and led Roen away from the Lighthouse. When they were earshot away, Hornet turned to the siblings, her voice low. “Move the camp. And tell no one, not even me.” Roen furrowed her brows in alarm as she looked to Hornet. The Roegadyn woman only answered her with a slight smile. "Don't worry about me." She placed a hand on Roen’s shoulder for a brief moment with a squeeze. "This just may be the first time that I'm really fighting on the right side of things." Gharen and Hornet exchanged a look and a smile before they both turned, returning to the road leading away. Roen hesitated a moment, her eyes going back to the figure still standing by the Lighthouse and the darkening skies behind her, before she finally turned to join her brother and Hornet.

Hm... tempted to join this with my bard alt. Highlanders abound! Maybe cause some trouble. (I will have to see what day this lands on though) It sounds fun.

I think you already got some really great advice Ruru. When I RPed Sultansworn and then subsequently Brass Blades, I made sure I looked the part, then walked around in that mindset doing my patrols or standing guard. I think writing posts on the forum helped...? I am not sure about that. (but I do that because I enjoy it) As Sultansworn, there were times where Roen was not wearing the Paladin Regalia but was still on duty. I saw random RP between four people where it looked like violence was about to break out. I emoted watching them, getting tense, then consciously having her make the decision to stop it, even though I had no idea who the RPers were! But when I did get involved she did announce that she was on duty and violence was not going to happen on the Market Strip. And they played along! RP doesn't change, you still have to be conscious of how you RP with others, being respectful and courteous. But emoting tons about what you are doing as a law officer definitely helps, and also provides a hook for others if they want to RP with you! Having a law enforcement LS helps also, since you can respond to IC situations when other law enforcement calls for help.

I'm glad you came. Thank you everyone involved last night in the mini event. It was, well honestly it was almost entrily improvised at the last minute due to several reasons but it turned out swimmingly. Improvised eh? Couldn't tell! It was fun! Thanks for running it!