Post by Orianna Èirigh on Aug 20, 2024 14:40:52 GMT
OBSERVATIONS & EXCERPTS from the JOURNAL of SECOND ASSISTANT ARCHIVIST ORIANNA ÈIRIGH of ASHKHA
What is stronger? The flesh or the steel?
Neither, for one’s will shall always be the stronger.
I learned that when helping Gerhard two years ago as he was understanding how to navigate up and down the Infinite Staircase. Will. It is what keeps us striving for happiness, for love, for life.
With each member of this peculiar, extended family that comes into my life, I see a new manifestation of Will. It is hard to say who has the “stronger will” because each of them manifests it in very different ways. Calla, for example, exerts her will through subtle machinations, detailed planning, and contingencies. Lucky, on the other hand, has a will of steel, steadfastness, and determination that manifests as courage, not just in battle — though that is where it often comes out the most. These two could not be more different when it comes to how they approach life, and yet are their Will’s that different?
Not part of our merry family — yet, I have my suspicions — are Elarris and Tim. The latter is as young as I was when I first set foot in these lands. Calla, already quite adamant about another young adventurer’s involvement (Mittens) in dangerous ventures, was not keen on Tim joining us in Lucky and Zari’s quest to retrieve Kestrasz’s key. But she softened when I reminded her that, despite my outward appearance, I am but two years older than he. “I suppose I should remember what they say about books and covers.” A wise sentiment we should all try to keep in our minds. As for Elarris, he has been living with my fathers, Gerhard, and I these past few weeks, keeping mostly to himself. I suggested he come with us to Lucky, as Lucky might be able to help him open up a little…
Our journey to the Star Mounts was mostly uneventful. Lucky, Tim, and Elarris were able to bond as I had predicted they would about different battle techniques and fighting styles. Seeing my sister’s face at their enthusiasm around the benefits of different weapons of steel made me laugh. I never accelerated at physical combat, unlike my cousin, Nim, but I could appreciate their excitement all the same. There is something truly invigorating about the physicality of swinging steel through the air in precise strokes.
There was one thing that happened during that part of the journey that left me feeling less confident in my skills. I mentioned that Elarris has been staying at my home for the past few weeks. During that time, I have noticed how he never lets his sword out of his sight. Sometimes he would place it down, move as if to step away, then pick it back up again. Not only that, he is always so ravenous. There have even been times where I have seen him clutch at his side in a painful way.
As we were settling down for the night, I decided I would speak to him. I offered to heal or help remove whatever may be causing him pain but first I asked him to tell me what happened. He did and it reminded me of how twisted the world could be outside of this whole Primordial Incarnate vs. Archwrym conflict could be. Recalling what I could about ancient curses from my time in the Grand Archive, I know there are creatures that can curse a person when a killing blow was meant to end their life and twist it so such a strike causes indefinite harm to the wielder, but nothing right now comes to mind. Perhaps, when I next get a chance to speak to Stellarum, I could find out.
The other thing I tried was imbuing the wound on Elarris’ stomach with the cleansing, healing energy of the Cosmos. It did not go as intended. The magic touched something negative and dark, something that twisted and writhed in such a way that brought to mind those Outer Beings the Seers of the Watch warned us about. Then the magic reverberated back on Elarris and he- He got hurt. All because I tried to help him.
I vowed that I would do everything within my power to see him free of this curse. If I could not do it on my own, I had allies stronger and more ancient than most who we could turn to…
Abrax the First Frost was waiting for us outside of Zari’s lair.
We were quick retrieving his father’s key. Somewhat. We would have been faster had we stayed as the small, gaseous clouds we had been as we ascended the mountains. I am sure Zari would have thought to advise us as such had he not been fighting for his life and watching our backs. Phystal was there too, but Calla encouraged his departure very quickly with her guards and wards.
The key in question can can be used to summon down the Hammer of the Heavens. As Tim put it, “The biggest bonk stick.”
With another piece of the puzzle in our grasp, we get closer to the time when all pieces are assembled…
Continued in ‘Here there be dragons’ 💫
What is stronger? The flesh or the steel?
Neither, for one’s will shall always be the stronger.
I learned that when helping Gerhard two years ago as he was understanding how to navigate up and down the Infinite Staircase. Will. It is what keeps us striving for happiness, for love, for life.
With each member of this peculiar, extended family that comes into my life, I see a new manifestation of Will. It is hard to say who has the “stronger will” because each of them manifests it in very different ways. Calla, for example, exerts her will through subtle machinations, detailed planning, and contingencies. Lucky, on the other hand, has a will of steel, steadfastness, and determination that manifests as courage, not just in battle — though that is where it often comes out the most. These two could not be more different when it comes to how they approach life, and yet are their Will’s that different?
Not part of our merry family — yet, I have my suspicions — are Elarris and Tim. The latter is as young as I was when I first set foot in these lands. Calla, already quite adamant about another young adventurer’s involvement (Mittens) in dangerous ventures, was not keen on Tim joining us in Lucky and Zari’s quest to retrieve Kestrasz’s key. But she softened when I reminded her that, despite my outward appearance, I am but two years older than he. “I suppose I should remember what they say about books and covers.” A wise sentiment we should all try to keep in our minds. As for Elarris, he has been living with my fathers, Gerhard, and I these past few weeks, keeping mostly to himself. I suggested he come with us to Lucky, as Lucky might be able to help him open up a little…
Our journey to the Star Mounts was mostly uneventful. Lucky, Tim, and Elarris were able to bond as I had predicted they would about different battle techniques and fighting styles. Seeing my sister’s face at their enthusiasm around the benefits of different weapons of steel made me laugh. I never accelerated at physical combat, unlike my cousin, Nim, but I could appreciate their excitement all the same. There is something truly invigorating about the physicality of swinging steel through the air in precise strokes.
There was one thing that happened during that part of the journey that left me feeling less confident in my skills. I mentioned that Elarris has been staying at my home for the past few weeks. During that time, I have noticed how he never lets his sword out of his sight. Sometimes he would place it down, move as if to step away, then pick it back up again. Not only that, he is always so ravenous. There have even been times where I have seen him clutch at his side in a painful way.
As we were settling down for the night, I decided I would speak to him. I offered to heal or help remove whatever may be causing him pain but first I asked him to tell me what happened. He did and it reminded me of how twisted the world could be outside of this whole Primordial Incarnate vs. Archwrym conflict could be. Recalling what I could about ancient curses from my time in the Grand Archive, I know there are creatures that can curse a person when a killing blow was meant to end their life and twist it so such a strike causes indefinite harm to the wielder, but nothing right now comes to mind. Perhaps, when I next get a chance to speak to Stellarum, I could find out.
The other thing I tried was imbuing the wound on Elarris’ stomach with the cleansing, healing energy of the Cosmos. It did not go as intended. The magic touched something negative and dark, something that twisted and writhed in such a way that brought to mind those Outer Beings the Seers of the Watch warned us about. Then the magic reverberated back on Elarris and he- He got hurt. All because I tried to help him.
I vowed that I would do everything within my power to see him free of this curse. If I could not do it on my own, I had allies stronger and more ancient than most who we could turn to…
Abrax the First Frost was waiting for us outside of Zari’s lair.
We were quick retrieving his father’s key. Somewhat. We would have been faster had we stayed as the small, gaseous clouds we had been as we ascended the mountains. I am sure Zari would have thought to advise us as such had he not been fighting for his life and watching our backs. Phystal was there too, but Calla encouraged his departure very quickly with her guards and wards.
The key in question can can be used to summon down the Hammer of the Heavens. As Tim put it, “The biggest bonk stick.”
With another piece of the puzzle in our grasp, we get closer to the time when all pieces are assembled…
Continued in ‘Here there be dragons’ 💫