ph_logs | [OPEN] Just when I think I'm gonna get away

[OPEN] Just when I think I'm gonna get away

Who: Sorceress (

bedknobsandbroomsticks) & anyone
What: Sorceress familiarizes herself with Pumpkin Hollow
When: May Catch-All
Where: Around town
Warning(s): Shippy feelings between Sorc/Wiz

[Around the Town - OTA]

[Dealing with death was one thing. She'd died a few times during her adventures back in Hydeland. Waking up revived in the chapel was sort of the norm. Waking up somewhere else and to someone other than the Priest was... a bit shocking, to say the least. Sorceress, of course, listened to the explanation, holding on to every word about her current situation.

It sounds similar to what she had just been through in Hydeland. Perhaps... it was what the Goddesses wanted of her now? But where was this place?

Honestly, the biggest disappointment was she didn't have her outfit and staff. The latter would make for channeling magic a tad difficult. Something she'd worry about later. In the mean time, the necromancer spends her time (after getting an outfit or two) studying the town of Pumpkin Hollow. Its history, what she can learn about the townfolks, the mythology of the Goddesses, (what an interesting little coincidence~), the various organizations.

She generally keeps to herself though, lurking around the different Temples, the Greymare Library, and the Oak and Iron.

Or, alternatively, Sorceress can be found near the outskirts of town, near the Fall's Promise Cemetery, inspecting various large sticks to try and craft herself a new staff.]

[I hear those words that you always say - Locked to substitutiarylocomotion]

[It was strange to be without the rest of the Company. Fighter, Elf, Amazon, Dwarf... why, even Wizard. The stupid, pig-headed, overly confident, handsome... Er, that was beside the point.

One evening at the Oak and Iron, after a day spent mostly at the library, the magic caster grabbed herself some food with a tired sigh and sat down...

Only to find herself staring at a very familiar face across a few of the tables. All she can do is gawk in disbelief. There's... There's no way. It can't be. Were they still in Hydeland somehow? Or was all of the rest of the company sent here as well? Gods, this only created more questions rather than answering any of the hundreds of ones she still hasn't been able to figure out. Maybe it wasn't who she thought it was.

There was only one way to find out.]

... Sylus?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A very large wolf, one that rivals the size of the largest horses, but it is indeed the wolf that speaks to her now.

River, she is also a necromancer. Tends to raise skeletons to help with tasks. Also a friend. She does not use a staff though.

Oh. Oh my. That is... far larger than she realized. A warg, perhaps?

"River..." she repeats, committing the name to memory. "Seems she and I use similar practices then. I do appreciate knowing there are more spellcasters such as myself."

A pause.

"The staff helps me channel my powers more easily. It gives me a focus point. That's how we Sorcerers work in my world," the witch says with a smile. "My colleague would tell you it's barbaric by his standards but he does everything the hard way."

Valdis stops, sitting a respectful distance away. Though the woman doesn't seem to be afraid of her, she knows her size can be intimidating.

Like a talisman? You are the third necromancer I have met. The first called it thanergy, the energy of death. He could also use his power to heal. It seems there are many variations of your power...Mortanne certainly likes to collect beings of death.

Some like herself, others like River.

Do you have a name?

The redhead might not fear the creature but she knows not to lower her guard, especially since she isn't familiar with the bestiary of this world yet.

"I suppose," she answers to the first question. "There's no individual name for my school of magic."

Mortanne. That's one of the goddesses here. It's only fitting she'd gravitate towards her even if it was unintentional.

"I'm called Sorceress," The witch offers a bow.

I am finding that magic has many forms, even within a single named practice.

Valdis tips her head again as the woman states what she is called, curious over the specificity of the wording.

Is that what your name is, or is that what you go by?

"Indeed it does." She's already spoken to a few people with different types of magic. How many more would she get to meet?

Upon being asked about her name, Sorceress gives a coy smile. "A bit of both. In my world, adventurers are generally called by what our class is. So... I go by Sorceress."

Strange, and difficult to believe that someone would leave behind their named in such a way. Valdis cannot count her own decisions, Meira was long dead and there was no going back to the days when she was alive, so Valdis was all that remained.

My name is Valdis, and I too was called here by Mortanne. I feel closer to her here, and in this form, though I am not always a Hound.

There's only one person in this place that knows of her true name — and she plans to keep it that way, unless the others of her adventuring party arrive as well.

"Valdis," she repeats. "Whether I was brought here by Mortanne or not, this is a lovely place." The witch would prefer to remain loyal to the Goddesses of her world. While they might share similarities, they aren't the same, nor has she interacted with them yet... but Sorceress isn't one to judge harshly upon or before first meetings.

"How long have you been in Pumpkin Hollow, if you don't mind me asking?"

Edited 2025-05-10 22:08 (UTC)

Valdis snorts lightly, a wolfish laugh.

Everyone not of this world was snatched from the jaws of Death by Mortanne, myself included, though I am perhaps a unique circumstance in some ways.

She falls silent as she considers the second question, wondering how much she should say. So far, Sorceress has given her no reason for mistrust, and it's not like any of it is a secret.

Well over a year, but this is not the first world I have been to since leaving my own. The other was Hell in the form of a ship and many of us here don't like to speak much of those days.

The necromancer hums in thought. Valdis is correct considering the circumstances. However, the mention of the wolf's arrival has piqued her interest but she decides against prying. There are strangers, after all.

She blinks, tilting his head slightly as she listens to Valdis' explanation.

Not the first time...

"Was Hell another realm of your own world though or completely disconnected like this one?" Or so she assumes.

I was stolen from my world by a Djinn trying to hide from those who would exploit him. His realm was built upon and powered by the suffering of its inhabitants. For all intents and purposes he was the God of that place.

Valdis had hoped that being over a year removed from the trauma of the Eterna that the memories would hurt less, but she supposed that was too hopeful, even if she states it all without a hint of emotion.

A Djinn with that much power is a terrifying thought. Sorceress frowns. "I see. I am sorry you went through that." She pauses for a moment. "I've been to one other realm, very briefly... Thankfully I did not need to remain there for long."

She shifts her weight slightly. "I've spoken with one other that's been here for a few months... I wonder... how long it will take us to break the curse?"

Valdis shakes her head, but doesn't reply to the sympathy. It is not needed or wanted.

The barrier was created by an alliance between the demons and a God of Chaos named Nyarlathotep. It is an uneasy alliance. The demons can choose to break it, but they fear doing so will upset the chaos God. and he apparently has the power to destroy Marrow Isle and everyone on it.

Her head turns to lay her emerald gaze on the well.

I don't know how long it will take to break it, but I do know that we don't have forever. If this elder God grows bored he may decide to flip the board and kill all of us to entertain himself.

Ohho. So that's the reason for it. She'd done some minor reading in the library but hadn't fully dug into the history of the place just yet. The witch found it far more interesting going about getting information by speaking with people.

Although hearing that the purpose of being brought here almost seems pointless to do either option has her frowning again.

"I see... The elder God is different from the chaos God, I assume?"

No, they are the same.

"Oh."

A break.

"Then... why even bring us here? Simply to kill us all in the end regardless of what we do?"

Another wolfish laugh.

Nyarly didn't bring us here. The goddesses did. They want us to save Morrow Isle, and I plan to do just that.

Sorceress's cheeks color slightly at her mistake. The mayor had explained the "mothers" brought them here to save the island but she can't help but wonder which of the gods is more powerful from the way Valdis described things.

What if all of this was the elder God's idea?

The witch shakes her head at the thought. She needs to keep the story straight before she begins any detective work.

"My apologies. I'm still trying to learn everything. But I plan to do the same. I would like to return home."

Oh. But something the wolf mentioned earlier pops into her head.

"You mentioned your friend can also summon skeletons... I don't suppose you know where I can stumble upon unused ones that aren't in the cemetery?"

She may be a necromancer but even she has standards.

I do not, but Linette might. She's a ghost so hard to find, but she may have some ideas.

Valdis turns her head to point to the well with her nose.

Her body was found at the bottom of the well, it seems her death was the catalyst for the barrier. As for anyone else, well, death doesn't seem to stick for anyone except the demons, and I doubt you want to raise them.

Who better to ask for skeletons than from the woman who started the barrier herself then? She'll need to keep an eye out for the spirit.

"Of course but I'm certain there are remains from those before the barrier was placed."

She wrinkles her nose. "I can't say I've ever raised a demon's bones before... I'm not about to find out what happens either."

I may be a wolf at this moment, but I don't go looking for bones like a dog. If there are other bodies hidden on this island, I am not the one to speak to.

There is no anger in her tone, but there is a hint of annoyance that vanishes quickly.

The demons like to make deals, I'm sure a dead one would try to do the same. You seem intelligent enough to know to not accept an exchange that might hurt others here.

"I wasn't insinuating you dug up bones," the redhead waves her hand in an apologetic manner.

"I'm not at all surprised they try to strike up deals. Nothing good ever comes from a demon... I appreciate you informing me though. I can pass that on to my partner." And likely get a do you take me for an idiot in exchange.

This is the second time you have mentioned a partner. It's fortunate that you already know someone here. It can be difficult for those who don't.

When she first arrived she had only Erik, who at the time had been considered an enemy.

Tsk. There she goes volunteering too much information. "Ah, yes. I was very fortunate to discover I wasn't the only one here from my world..."

Of all of the people though. Sigh.

"... But I digress. Is this your usual haunt? My staff hunting won't disturb you, will it?"

Valdis doesn't comment on the shift in subject, merely fixed Sorceress with an amused emerald gaze.

I spend time here when I need to thing, but usually I can be found at the Enforcer's office or at my home with my partner.

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