Riven

OOC: Forgive the messed up font, things got wonky. *stabs formatting* It was getting harder to think. Are you alright? And harder to move as well. Feeling as if she was wading through molasses, Riven forced her legs to move. One foot out in front of the other, nice and easy… Hey. No. Your eyes are closing. Keep them open. All Riven could do was manage a nod. Her arm had just become a dull ache, and she was thankful for the cloak hiding it from view. But it did nothing for the smell that had started to develop-pus mixed with blood and only gods knew what else, she hadn’t been able to keep it clean. Feet becoming unsteady, Riven nearly pitched forward, caught only by a pair of armored blue arms. Be care- The voice trailed off. Riven’s eyelids fluttered, and she could faintly hear the clattering of platemail. Suddenly a hand pressed itself against her forehead, a cool pressure that made the tension in her head ease just a blessed bit… Seven hells! You’re burning up! Was she? Riven didn’t know, she was just so very tired. The voice was wonderful to listen to though, a silvery baritone that was soothing to the ears. The arms shifted-pulling her up into a carry-hold, the clinking of platemail again for several minutes and then she was being set down on something soft. Fabric rustled as her blue-helmed savior pulled at the cloak-and then a string of curses as he saw her right arm. Distantly, Riven wondered if any of the gods had even attempted those sexual positions. Hold on, I’ll get you to a healer! To that Riven knew she should respond in some way, but the blackness was growing, it was nibbling at her toes, her feet, her ankles, spreading up her legs...gods, when had she had ever been this tired? With a murmur she let herself be pulled under, away from everything that lingered at the edges of her existence… Riven opened her eyes. The ceiling of Vahn’s bedroom looked down at her, the blankets warm around her small form. Vahn’s side of the bed was still empty, an indicator that he hadn’t returned from his patrol. As her gaze flicked about the now familiar surroundings, Riven felt herself relax by degrees, the tension still lingering from the memory-nightmare. Lifting her right arm, she gazed at it-the moon providing a source of illumination. In the darkness, the scars seemed muted. With a sigh Riven set down her arm, closing her eyes. Suppose that’s what I get for going to Fallgourd yesterday and looking in their archives. Her eyes opened again, weariness in their blue depths. Bad memories...

Yeah they really punched the hell out of them and you did 2.55 and then HW in succession like I did so we got our feels drop kicked. One patch after another... First Moenbryda, then what we thought was Nanamo's... and then Haurchefant... We suspect Ysayle... NOW IT LOOKS LIKE AYMERIC D: I refuse to believe 100% Ysayle is dead. I didn't see no body! I too have my suspicions about that Kage! But yeah I was emotionally drained by time I got to 60 having to do all the MSQ when I came back to get to HW then HW. NO NO NO NO NO. WE WILL NOT SAY THAT. IF WE SAY IT, IT MAY HAPPEN NO. NO. NOT AYMERIC. HAURCHEFANT IS DEAD, IT LOOKS LIKE WE NEED TO KILL ESTINIEN, NO. NO. LEAVE AYMERIC ALONE, SE. edit: Is it also bad I'm rooting for Ravana to win vs the Derplander?

Look, I am getting ready for 3.1, I love the idea of the new PVE content so far...but I'm afraid. The MSQ. That's...that's kinda scaring me a bit, considering I'm still in recovery from the end of HW... *hugs her feels tightly*

*pets the chocobo chick* ...This intrigues me.

You seem quite nice from your posts so far

I'd be interested in RPing a bit with you if you ever got this started!

I'M SORRY, I FELT I HAD TO ASK. I WOULD NOT EAT A CHOCOBO, NOR ANY OF MY CHARACTERS. *pets choco chick like a Bond villian*

I have to ask this. >.> Are they considered to be a source of food as well as transport in lore? <.

RPing with Riven and with Reinhardt brought up the rather desperate need for this, heh heh. So just posting it up for anyone who’s been following along and making sure I have all my ducks in a row! Current year: 1578 Reports of bandit and heretic attacks on supply caravans that support the Highland outposts. The attackers have very good information on the routes, even maps that outline guard positioning. Said maps when looked at, are extremely well-drawn and highly detailed. This has brought forth the rumor that a infamous Ishgardian heretic known as the ‘Mapmaker’ has returned… ================ 1545 (33 years prior): A series of maps start making their rounds among accused heretics and their families that are trying to escape Ishgard. These maps show escape routes over the country’s borders and old passages beneath the city. 1548 (30 years prior) A Dravanian attack on Falcon’s Nest that took the life of a notable number of Ishgardian defenders and at least three dragoons thrusts the Mapmaker into the spotlight. A extremely detailed map of Falcon Nest’s defenses is found and credited to the Mapmaker. 1550-1552 In this time period, maps credited to the Mapmaker are found on heretics/among their belongings in several raids/attacks. Given the level of inside information that has been given out, the Holy See begins to suspect the Mapmaker is a traitor inside of Ishgard. 1553-1560 The Mapmaker seemingly disappears. With none of his work showing up, the See believes he/she has been killed among a general raid. 1561 Maps credited to the Mapmaker start to appear once more. 1568 The Holy See names a suspect they believe to be the Mapmaker-an Alberic Draper (formerly Beauregard). Draper is a hyur priest of low rank in the See. The accusation destroys the lives of the Beauregard family-newly risen to Ishgard’s middle class as merchants. However there is no proof to the See’s claim. Draper goes into self-exile into the Coerthas Western Highlands. Maps credited to the Mapmaker continue to be used by the Dravinians. 1570 Alberic Draper mysteriously vanishes. Within several months of his disappearance, maps credited to the Mapmaker disappear as well, and no new ones are ever found. 1573 The Calamity 1575 A master plan of Ishgard’s waterways is found among the personal effects of a dead priest. The artistic style is credited to the Mapmaker. This gives rise to a rumor of a ‘master map’ of Ishgard. 1578 Reinhardt Beauregard, nephew of Alberic Draper, is questioned by the Inquisition due to the resurfacing of the Mapmaker. Reinhardt had just begun dragoon training, and was notably at two of the locations that were featured on the maps. This leads to him nearly being expelled from training, but a dragoon of House Fortemps steps in and takes Reinhardt as his squire. Riven Astralyas arrives in Ishgard.

So basically as long as they are not harming the wood, a criminal could hide out in the Shroud?

I don't know very much on the lore of the Twelveswood, but I've gathered that the Elementals are pretty frickin strict on what goes down in their territory. I've done the quest where the Ala Mhingian couldn't be healed by the local conjuror due to the Elementals telling her 'no', and that gave me a thought. Could a wanted criminal hide out in the Shroud, or would the Elementals be like 'oh hell no'

[Right. Sorry about that, my formatting went nuts.] --------------------------------------------------------------- The bells were sounding the third hour of the morning when Riven opened her eyes for the fourth time. Next to her Vahn was a temptation to snuggle into, but the brunette sat up, sliding her legs out of the bed. Pulling her robe tightly around her, Riven tied off the sash and left the bedroom. Maybe some warm night-milk… Rounding the corner, Riven came to a surprised halt. Reinhardt was already at the stove, pouring some milk into a glass. His head turned. “Miss Riven.” “Reinhardt.” Riven greeted, making herself smile. She watched as the teenager turned to face her. Twelve, would it always be this awkward when they met? She supposed she could somewhat blame Vahn for their initial meeting, but then at the same time, she couldn’t. “Had a hard time sleeping?” “Yes. I hope you do not mind, I…wanted some warm milk.” Reinhardt said. “No I don’t mind.” Riven quickly reassured him. “This is your home too. If truth be told, I am the stranger here.” The teenager shook his head. “I don’t think Ser Vahn sees it that way.” He said softly. Riven flushed, twisting her fingers together. Silence hung in the air for several minutes, and then Riven squared her shoulders. Oh for Twelve’s sake woman, get it together! “Reinhardt, you and I need to talk.” She said aloud. “In fact we should have talked days ago.” Exhaling to try and get rid of the nerves that were suddenly twisting in her stomach, she gestured to the kitchen table. “Here, let’s sit down.” “I would prefer standing.” Reinhardt answered. His body had become tense-almost automatically, Riven noted. A wary look had settled on his features, and the older midlander pressed her lips together. Every time an adult speaks to him, he seems as if he’s expecting a fight…or it could just be me. I would be unsettled too-gods, I have been unsettled, knowing there’s somebody with my face and my eyes running about. Riven bowed her head, mentally going though what she could say to start the conversation… “Fat chocobo.” Reinhardt suddenly said. Riven looked up in surprise. “Beg pardon?” “Fat chocobo. In the room.” Reinhardt gestured with his mug. “You. Me. Whatever…we might be. Fat chocobo in the room.” The phrase was accurate, and Riven felt her lips curve up into a smile. “A very fat chocobo.” She agreed. A shy smile tugged at Reinhardt’s features, and he looked down at his mug. “Reinhardt…is the fact that you could be…” Trailing off, Riven exhaled. “Or probably are related to an outsider…does that cause you grief?” Reinhardt pressed his lips together, shaking his head. “Halone knows my family is all swived up.” He said. “Already had the worst happen, what other trouble can come about from having an outsider in the tree?” Lifting his gaze, he glanced over at Riven. “Nay, tis not that. I…” “I what?” Riven gently urged. She watched as the teen bit his lower lip. “It makes you question, miss.” A tremor rippled though Reinhardt’s frame as he spoke, and he lifted his head once again to look at Riven. “Question about your parents, you know? My father loved my mother—they were solid, up until…” It was his turn to trail off, and Riven nodded in understanding. “And I heard you talking to Ser Vahn. Only way I make sense is if your father and my mother went off, or your mother went off with my father, and you’re saying that it might be the first.” “I was stuck with my mother in the slums of Ul’dah for the better part of my life.” Riven replied, crossing her arms. “Trust me; I would have known if she became pregnant.” Like she would have let that happen. Reinhardt’s jaw worked, and he looked down at his now-cold milk. “I used to dream of having someone come and take me away.” He whispered. “Just…someone, anyone, you know? I’d pray to Halone every night.” The admission struck Riven in the heart, and she lowered her arms. “Told Her I’d be good, I’d do everything right when I became a man, I’d make up for my uncle’s sins against Her…” Then he stopped as a pair of small arms reached up to him, pulling him down into a gentle hug. “You poor boy.” Riven whispered. Grief and pity welled up inside her; she could remember those same feelings with her mother. Only she’d been lucky enough to have somebody who had at least cared for her, but Reinhardt, all alone as a ward of the city? Riven tightened her embrace, pouring all the comfort she could into the hug. Reinhardt closed his eyes, letting the unfamiliar emotions wash over him. “I don’t know where I am, Miss Riven.” He admitted. “I’m afraid.” Riven pulled back at that, going up on her toes so she could cup Reinhardt’s face in-between her palms. “Listen to me.” Her voice was gentle, and Reinhardt looked into a mirror-like pair of blue eyes. “You are in a good place now. Vahn is a good man; he’ll keep his word to you.” Reinhardt exhaled, nodding. “You are not your family’s troubles. You must get over that.” Dropping her hands, Riven took the mug of cold milk and moved over to the stove. Reinhardt moved away so the small midlander could work. “I’m not used to having nice things happen to me, Miss Riven.” He said. Riven poured the milk back into the pot. “Then I would suggest you start getting used.” She said, moving to poke at the embers inside the stove. Reinhardt watched her work for a few moments, and then sat down at the kitchen table. A small warm feeling was worming about in his gut, and it felt rather good. “…Thank you, Miss Riven.” “No Miss. Just call me Riven.” Satisfied with the fire, Riven adjusted the pot on the stove-top, and then turned around. “We’ll share the milk, and then go back to bed. You have training tomorrow.” To her relief, Reinhardt muttered something that sounded like profanity-which was normal, considering Vahn’s training regime. Moving over to a cupboard to get another mug, she paused. …I never asked. “Reinhardt?” “Yes?” Riven turned around, holding the mug. “You said your family got in trouble because they were related to someone accused of heresy?” She asked. Noticing the milk was threatening to boil, she hurried to take the pot off the stove. Reinhardt nodded, watching her. “That’s right. My uncle.” He accepted the mug of re-warmed milk. “He was the See’s chief suspect.” Riven turned back around, pouring out the rest of the milk in her mug. “What was it they accused him of?” Reinhardt had a sip of milk, closing his eyes and letting the gentle heat wash over him. “They believed him to be a heretic sympathizer named Mapmaker.” Riven nearly dropped her mug, eyes widening in shock. “They never were able to prove anything but just the accusation was enough.”

*SCREAMING* Which one is Dragoon and Summoner?!:bouncy::bouncy::bouncy: If I had to guess, from right to left... BRD/MCH, MNK/NIN, BLM/SMN, PLD/WAR, DRG, WHM/SCH/AST, BLK? @oli ill bet you a stack of wind shards it's the healer set. Wait what? I do not want to be in that purple-looking Mad Hatter outfit for SMN. >.> GIVE ME SMALL CAPE OR WHAT THE LALA WEARS (or at least let me dye it). And the Dragoon one could be what? Fourth from the left? That's not too bad, was hoping it was the first one on the right. EDIT: Unfortunately as a BLM, I TOO WANT WHAT THE LALAFELL IS WEARING. FIGHT ME FOR IT VYCE. I WILL FIGHT BOTH OF YOU FOR WHAT THE LALA IS WEARING.

*SCREAMING* Which one is Dragoon and Summoner?!:bouncy::bouncy::bouncy:

That look when your sister pulls the 'I'm the oldest one' on you.

Could use a hug.

Point. That could probably be countered by inscribing the spell on a paper pinned inside the clothes? Or if the spell is simple enough-beginner even that it's forgiving of such mistakes? Or maybe special spell-fabric?

... Ye gods man O_O :bouncy::bouncy: I had already had the idea of Riven having a small book on her person as a backup, but the robe idea is FRICKING BRILLIANT.

Specifically when it comes...I guess to the major magical classes of FFXIV. Riven I play as IC Arcanist, but I've had the understanding that basically should she lose her grimoire in combat or if it's knocked away from her, she's down a significant amount of raw power to fuel her spells. Is that legitimate lore, and if so, does it apply to the other magical classes? If it is lore, is it possible to say that an Arcanist can have a few 'cantrips' on their person that doesn't require power from the grimiore? Or have enough training to be able to have a surplus of aether power to use some spells until they can get their book back? So far I had the thought to counter that, Riven carries a smaller spellbook on her person with just the basics needed. And she certainly does have the training and skill to be able to use cantrips/have a surplus of aether.

Rahab would probably find her intresting and would eagerly become friends with her He's a nice guy. although a bit snobbish. I'm game! ^^

THAT CAME OUT?! DAMNIT IT'S NOT ON ITUNES As far as I know it was physical audio bd only which is why I went and bought it. Just bought my copy. *grabby hands* >.> I needed this in my life.

If he doesn't mind making an outsider friend, Riven often hangs out in Foundation. ^^ She's a midlander hyur working as a part time alchemist's clerk, and generally is seen toting books and a sketchboard about.

THAT CAME OUT?! DAMNIT IT'S NOT ON ITUNES

What is everyone going to do today/tonight? :lol:

Correcting. Ink Long Dry is the Great Gubal Library's theme (I got in there over the weekend).