MASKTOURN

Eremurus wakes in a dark, square room. The floor is dirt, but they’re sitting on a woven rug. The walls are stone brick, and enclose him on every side. There’s no way in, and no way out. The room is suffocatingly warm, dark and dry. Eremurus would soon begin to feel thirst clawing at their throat. He'd wake on his side, and soon realize he's been restrained- ankle chains tether him to the ground and prevent him from moving too much or walking around. Before Eremurus, sat a small, low table, covered by a rug similar to the one they sat upon. Two oil lamps flicker at either ends of the table, their small lights the only in the room. The only other objects on the table are three small wooden bowls, all filled with an unidentifiable liquid. The first is white, opaque and creamy. The second is glassy and clear, with a slight cloudy, brownish color to it. The third is just as opaque as the first, but is a deep, muddy red in color. Across from the table is the only other person in the room. A young adult. They’re incredibly pale, with skin so light it’s almost translucent in the low light. Their straight, white hair is cut choppily over its brow and shoulders, and it wears a black-and-white tunic draped haphazardly over a shoulder. Their gaze is brilliant-gold and haunting, piercing through the barriers of Eremurus's mind. It scrutinizes him with the air of something that recognizes what it's looking at The person smiles widely, and finally speaks. Its voice is that of the flaming apparition. “Welcome to the Halcyon Citadel.” @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Waking up in a dark room was the last thing he wanted. Eremurus sat up with a small groan and rubbed his eyes, blinking a few times. "What...?" He whispered. He looked around the area, narrowing his gaze before his ears perked up at the sound of speaking. He looks towards the figure, blinking once then twice. "Ah...? What...?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I have invited you, child of Chensevia, to my Citadel," The figure explained in a cold, measured tone, "To compete." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus' eyes widened slightly. "You know-" He choked on his words, before clearing his throat. "Compete? Compete in what? Who are you?" He asked with a small frown. "Why do you need me to compete...? If you..know..her you would know I am a pacifist." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Compete in a tournament, of course. A competition to the death." The person explained. "I do know that you are a pacifist. That is why I've brought you here. Having people like you around will make this all more... interesting." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus frown grew and he stared at the person. "What-? Why-" He asked softly. "Why would you do such a thing, for entertainment? You..." He turned away. "I decline your invitation, my apologies." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Not simply for entertainment. But why not make it interesting while I'm at it?" Their smile doesn't falter for a second. "You can't. You've already accepted. And I can't send you back now, not when you're already here." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus let out a disgruntled huff of air. They crossed their arms and stared at the ground in return. "And why not?" They asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Because I will not put you back when I have brought you here to fight." It said simply. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

"If you know my mother....she will not be pleased." Eremurus turned to look at them. "Are you prepared to invoke her wrath? I do not wish that upon you, but it seems as if you are asking for it." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I am the Lifebringer." They said. "I know whose wrath I am invoking, and I do not fear the pettiness of other deities. If they know what's good for them, they'll stay out of my way." They tilted their head slightly to the side. "And a servant can always be sacrificed." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus scowled at the thought and crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. Under his breath he mumbled something about Chensevia, but it was hard to catch. "I see how it is then." He grunted. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good. It is better you're aware. I would hate for you to suffer any... false delusions while you're here." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus scoffed and narrowed his eyes once more. "Well, now what do you want me to do, lifebringer." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That depends," they tilted their head slightly, "On what you choose to do next." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

They looked down at the bowls. "I assume you want me to drink something, then?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you wish to leave my presence so early," It hummed, "then, yes." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

"I do." Eremurus grunted as they looked at the drinks. They're ears flicked for a brief moment as they debated on which one to drink. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Then, by all means." Naiyta gestured to the bowls. "Make your choice." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus reached for the first one, sniffing it curiously. "..." They shifted slightly and took a sip. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It was goat's milk! Slightly warm from being in the hot room, but otherwise neutral and inoffensive. Naiyta watched Eremurus drink with stiff, silent interest. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

"There." Eremurus placed the bowl down. "I drank what you wanted. What else do you want from me?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Nothing right now." Naiyta stood, and stepped over the table. It stood over Eremurus, and considered them for a moment. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus scooted back slightly. "Leave me alone...don't- don't touch me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta did not acknowledge his request, rather, it did the exact opposite, resting a hand on Eremurus's head. They seemed to savor the movement, small as it was, in its transgression against Eremurus's wishes. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus backed up and ducked away from their hand. "I mean it. Don't...don't touch me." He frowned. "I will- I will use my vines if you get too close to me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta persisted, planting their hand firm over Eremurus's head. "There is nothing you can do to harm me." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus let out a low snarl, bearing their fangs. "Who are you anyway." They seethed as they started at Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You should've asked that before you partook of my offering." Naiyta hummed, slightly tousling Eremurus's hair while keeping their hand firmly planted on his head. "But I think we've both had enough of this." @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

"What?" Eremurus asked, their eyes wide as they were trying to process everything going on. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 18
Details:[d20+7 (11)]

@Cap | Eremurus + Valerie def

Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

used /r

# 22
Details:[d20+3 (19)]

(DAMN)

The deerboy moments of staring fear in the face like stare

Naiyta said nothing. And for a moment, nothing happened. Their brow furrowed, and a low grow built in the back of their throat. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Attack

Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

used /r

# 11
Details:[d20-2 (13)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 12
Details:[d20+7 (5)]

(so close)

10:21 PM

@Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus squeezed their eyes shut and bucked their legs forward. "Stop touching me-!" They shouted desperately. "I said stop it- I don't-" They backed up against the wall. "I don't want to be touched." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Fine." Naiyta spat. "Since you're so desperate to do this the hard way." They snapped their fingers, and out from Eremurus's blind spot stepped... someone else. A tall, lithe, androgynous figure, with jetty black hair and warm brown skin. They wore a long, white dress and had a long, serpentine tail. Though half their face was covered by a white porcelain mask, they looked upon Eremusus with a blank resignation. Naiyta didn't seem surprised at the presence of the newcomer- evidently, it had brought them here. "Take care of him." It waved vaguely in Eremurus's direction. "And do it fast." In a calm, sweet voice, the newcomer answered, "Of course." They crouched down infront of Eremurus, and looked straight into his eyes... @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus buried their head into their knees. "I said to stop touching me- I said I didn't want to be touched- why didn't you listen- I-I-I didn't mean it-" They whined. "Don't touch me- don't hit me-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 13
Details:[d20+3 (10)]

@Cap | Eremurus + Valerie def

Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

used /r

Warning: Unexpected character at 3 - end of command was ignored "×3"

# 12
Details:[d20×3 (12)]

Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

used /r

# 8
Details:[d20+3 (5)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 2
Details:[d4 (2)]

(that isnt damage btw)

11:20 PM

Neither Naiyta nor the newcomer said anything. While Naiyta sulked in the corner, still watching, the newcomer didn't break eye contact with Eremurus. As they peered into his eyes, a cold stiffness spread from the back of his mind, inching ever forward til it encompassed him whole. He'd be overwhelmed with the desire to stay still, to not move a muscle. To not resist whatever next happened to him. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

Eremurus made a small choked sound as the wave washed over him and he froze up, gripping the ground beneath him. "Hrk-" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Though the control didn't cease, the newcomer stepped out of the way to let Naiyta back near Eremurus. "Look at what you made me do. I had to bring them into this." It scowled down at Eremurus, and placed their hand over Eremurus's forehead again. Eremurus wouldn't be able to resist. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 20
Details:[d20+5 (15)]

@Cap | Eremurus + Valerie def again

Cap | Eremurus + Valerie

used /r

# 4
Details:[d20+3 (1)]

OOF

(no damage)

11:30 PM

(if u wanna write out a final post now is the time)

Eremurus made another choked sound, but made no effort to respond as they couldn't. They couldn't respond. All they could do was sit there helplessly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta scoffed again, and forced Eremurus into a deep, dreamless sleep. The wash of control faded as he fell into unconciousness, but at that point, there'd be nothing he could do to fight it. @Cap | Eremurus + Valerie