|
|
Post by korakhos on Sept 30, 2018 15:04:06 GMT
 Magic: the Gathering (C) Wizards of the Coast. Korrinayru, Plane of Scavengers logo made with es.cooltext.com"I've returned to fix this broken world"Set Name: Korrinayru, Plane of Scavengers
Set Number: 1 of 2 of the Korrinayru Block
Number of Cards: 297 + 8
Development Codename: "Rise"
Expansion Code: KRN
Design and Development: Korakhos with the help of fluffydeathbringer
Set File: TBR  Wasteland (C) Alexlinde on deviantartMechanics
ReturningOutlast [cost] ([cost], :T:: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Outlast only as a sorcery.)
Scavenge [cost] ([cost], Exile this card from your graveyard: Put a number of +1/+1 counters equal to this card's power on target creature. Scavenge only as a sorcery.)NewWasteland - [effect] if there's a land card in your graveyard/for each land card in your graveyard.Relinquish (When you cast this spell, you may discard a card.)Deity: New enchantment subtype which allows an enchantment to have P/TBeckon <type> [cost] ([cost]: This Deity permanently becomes a <type> creature.)Planeswalker's Guide
Planeswalker's Guide to Korrinayru
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Sept 30, 2018 15:10:27 GMT
let the record state that I didn't really do enough for this thing to deserve a credit
that being said I do look forward to seeing the full thing
|
|
|
|
Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on Sept 30, 2018 17:40:06 GMT
Does this set push KZD out of K-Standard? If not, Unearthed Legion + Dredge is gonna be horrifying.
Very excited to see this set.
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Sept 30, 2018 18:15:36 GMT
fluffydeathbringer: you did more than enough and keep doing it, so give yourself credit ThatDamnPipsqueak: yeah, KZD and AWK are rotating out, so no problem there. Also thanks for the early support 
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 1, 2018 20:12:35 GMT
So I bet you were expecting some sweet new cards... well you're getting none of that! Instead let's first take a look at the masterpiece series for this set. I've decided to focus on the Descent, the event that turned the world of Korrinayru into the post-apocalyptic mess it is right now, so here I bring you the Korrinary Catastrophes! These are cards selected from the first sets to ever make it into MSEM (revealing how long ago I actually started this project) reworked with Korrinary flavor and art and with a planar chaos frames because this plane is in chaos! Next time, we'll see the mechanics! |
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 2, 2018 20:03:11 GMT
It has come to my attention that not everyone has the right templates to see the cards so I'll post them as images as well:
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 3, 2018 15:53:28 GMT
The mechanics of Korrinayru
Today I bring you the mechanics of this set. Korrinayru will feature five mechanics, one new subtype and a pseudo-mechanic. First let's take a look at the returning mechanics:Returning MechanicsOUTLASTOutlast returns from Khans of Tarkir. Korrinayru is a post-apocalyptic world, and those who survived the Titans' Descent were forced to adapt to a new harsh environment, and become stronger and more resilient from doing so. The merchanic will be mainly   , but it will appear in other colors:   SCAVENGEHow could I ever name a world the "Plane of Scavengers" without having scavenge as a mechanic? The idea for Korrinayru first came to me because I wanted to design a set with both dredge and scavenge, I mean... what could possibly go right? Since dredge is so high on the storm scale, I settled for scavenge in the end, which will appear in its usual  colors but will also be added to  . But don't worry, the "things to expect" isn't lying, for there will be a card with dredge.
Scavenge represents the lack of resources left after the Descent, forcing survivors to grab whatever they can find in order to live another day. [img src="![]() i.imgur.com/o7ig53z.jpg" style="max-width:100%;" src="https://i.imgur.com/nKlfd5y.jpg"]New MechanicsDEITIES/BECKONKorrinayru features a new enchantment subtype: Deity, which (like Vehicle artifacts) allows enchantments to have P/T and eventually become creatures. Deities represent envoys of the Titans, unleashed to the world to hunt down possible survivors. The Beckon ability will let you turn your Deities into creatures for the rest of the game:RELINQUISHIn Korrinayru, scavenging is the main way of life, but with Sentinels roaming the world, it is also necessary to develop resource management. Knowing what is worth salvaging and what should be left behind is crucial to survival in Korrinayru, and the relinquish mechanic represents that. Relinquish is a mechanic designed by fluffydeathbringer that allows you to discard a card while casting a spell to get an additional effect from it. It will appear in all colors but will mainly be  :   WASTELANDWhat better to represent a broken world than a mechanic called Wasteland? Wasteland is an ability word that rewards you for having land cards in your graveyard, representing how the Korrinary must adapt to their destroyed environments. It will appear in all colors but it will be mainly : |
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 5, 2018 23:13:30 GMT
Planeswalker's Guide to Korrinayru
Korrinayru is a world that was created by the Titans, five elemental forces, each of who gave the world a different blessing. The Titans live in the Titan Realm, a metaphysical space that surrounds the physical world of Korrinayru (the Mortal Realm) like a bubble.The Titan Realm: An abstract world existing on the verge of Korrinayru’s planar boundaries. Its composition is similar to that of the Blind Eternities and only the Titans can exist within it for indefinite time without being destroyed. The laws of physics and reality don’t apply here.Here's a map of the current situation of the Mortal Realm of Korrinayru, after the Titans destroyed it: Locations
Millika: The location where the war against the Titans took place. It is now completely barren, and no signs of life have appeared in the entire country since the Descent.
Scoritas: Before the Descent, Scoritas’ density in leylines made it a pinnacle of arcane discovery. During the Descent, Corrignos created the Corrignan volcano to interfere with the leylines, negating the capacity to harvest arcane energy from the land itself.
Desarrea: Once a gigantic metropolis occupied the majority of the country. Its proximity to Millika took a toll on it, for now it is a gigantic desert littered with the ruins of the once opulent buildings, the only one sturdy enough to shelter someone being the Desyk Castle, which was the capital.
Mauras: A jungle which is best known for the Maurassi Marsh, a mire in its center which emanates toxic fumes of a gas called Hollon and has all sorts of flora and fauna that are toxic to human beings.
Velk: An island that’s separated from the main continent. Most of its abundant forests remain intact since they’re home to the centaurs, who did not rise against the Titans.
Lasyvria: Formerly a gigantic market, it’s rich in salvageable goods. The Great Harbor still stands, providing Lasyvrian scavengers an easy access to the ocean. FactionsTHE DESTORI: Hiding in the wasteland of Desarrea, the Destori are people of the desert. Roaming every day under a punishing sun, they explore the ruins of ancient civilization scavenging for salvageable goods. They are a nomadic people, who avoid staying in the same location for over a week to avoid Sentinels finding them.
There are three types of Destori workers: salvagers, scouts and settlers.
• Salvagers: the most important Destori, they go out for ten hours each day to find whatever remained from the old Desarrea. Their most sought after resource is drinkable water. Every Destori that is physically able to roam the desert becomes a salvager at the age of fifteen, and they continue until they’re physically unable to do so. They get higher rations that the other Destori.
• Scouts: those Destori who are incapable of enduring ten hours of scavenging but can withstand the sun are used as scouts. Scouts hide along Desarrea, attentive to Sentinel appearances. They have special horns that make a sound loud enough to be heard in a three-kilomete radius and echoes around, making it impossible to pinpoint the source. All scouts are either maimed or old.
• Settlers: those Destori that cannot withstand the desert heat for more than a few hours, mainly the elders. They stay at the camp administrating the resources and preparing the children for when their turn to become salvagers comes. When it’s time to move, they’re in charge of storing the tents and displacing them.
The only Destori that are exempt from any work are children under 10 years old or anybody crippled by disease. Children start their training as scavengers when they turn 10, and go scavenging under supervision when they’re 14.
The Destori believe in unity above all else and have a strong sense of family. Every Destori receives exactly the same amount of rations as those in their same category. If a Destori is found hoarding salvaged rations, these are not taken away from him/her, instead he/she is vanished since the Destori know no higher form of betrayal.
THE MAURASSI: Maurassi are those who hid from the Titans in the Maurassi Marsh. The marsh emanates toxic gas that used to be lethal to human beings, but the continuous exposition has immunized those who live in Mauras. In exchange, they have mutated into creatures that can barely be described as human.
The Maurassi live in tribes scattered around the marshland. Each tribe has its own lord, generally the strongest member. The Tribelord decides which members of the tribe are in charge of each activity, and is entitled to a percentage of the scavenged goods. In exchange, they protect the tribe from outside threats and, should the situation come to it, Sentinels.
Maurassi are sterile, so their species dies with them. Even though they try to keep their species from facing extinction, fights for power are common in Mauras. Every now and then a Maurassi challenges their Tribelord, a fight to the death that decides whether or not the title is passed on.
THE SCORCHED: The inhabitants of Scoritas, they endured the creation of the Corrignan Volcano. The survivors were blistered by the radiated heat and are now called the Scorched. They developed a magic spell to protect their fragile skins from the blazing environment.
Throughout the years, the Scorched have become zealously obsessed with the very radiation that made them what they are, and now worship the volcano and its “cleansing fire”. They believe the Titans will descend once more and this time their devotion will spare them.
When a child is born to the Scorched, that baby is baptized within the month. The baptism consists in exposing the infant to the heated volcanic winds until his or her skin burns, and then the child is accepted as one of the Scorched.
Scoritas used to be the height of arcane development, and the Scorched hunt for magic-imbued relics day after day. They can produce their own water and food, and they hide from Sentinels with illusory wards.
The most respected Scorched and the pillars of their society are the priests. Priests channel the energy from the salvaged relics to cast their protective spells.
THE TIZZANIER: The country of Lasyvria used to have a gigantic market that greeted all who wanted to traverse it. Its heart was the Great Harbor.
After the Descent, Lasyvrians found their homes ravaged and swarmed with Sentinels. They allied with the Tizzanier merfolk and were given a way to breathe underwater. Throughout the years, their bodies have developed ways to adapt to living in the seas, and they’ve mutated into creatures that resemble the non-Sentinel creatures of the sea.
The Tizzanier live in underwater caverns but avoid submerging too deeply since Sentinels also plague the seas.
The Tizzanier have differing opinions on Allagras: some think of him a coward who abandoned them in their most dire hour, while others remember his feats slaying a Sentinel and worship him, waiting patiently on his return so he can free the seas.
THE VELKIAN: The only place in Velk that got obliterated were the human settlements.
Not many Velkian humans survived the Descent, and they were forced to live in the woods. Through the years they lost their civilized side and have gone feral. They have evolved to become bigger, stronger and dumber, and they raid the centaur territories.
Velkian survivors have struck a deal with their former enemies: the giants. Giants and centaurs have been fighting for many years, so the former joined forces with the feral humans to increase their chances. This alliance, however, is highly unstable, and infighting is something that can be seen every day.
THE CENTAURS: Led by their chieftain, Steelhoof, centaurs refused to join the other races in the attack on the Titans, thus being spared from the Descent and its aftermath... or at least most of it. Centaurs born post-descent did get horns due to the radiation, but these have proven to be an evolutionary advantage. The centaurs are strong followers of tradition, and worship the Titans to this day. Though their weapons are rustic, they're skilled combatants and more than a match for their nemeses: the giants.
Giants and human survivors in Velk are trying to take their land away from them, and the centaurs can and will fight back!
THE SENTINELS: The Sentinels are creatures born from the Titans. Their only purpose in life is to find survivors and kill them, ensuring the extinction of those who tried to oppose the Creators.
THE AMMBRADU: The Ammbradu are a special race of insects that hunt on the Maurassi Marsh. They're completely immune to Hollon and are powerful parasites, capable of draining the blood of a grown man within minutes.
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 6, 2018 14:38:05 GMT
What kind of creature is a Sentinel? Why are they represented by an enchantment that then becomes a creature?
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 6, 2018 14:52:29 GMT
Sentinels are basically creatures meant to hunt, so they incarnate numerous predatory species that are apt to chase and murder those in different environments. They're represented the way they are because they're extensions of the Titans. Since Korrinayru was created and the laws of physics and reality established, the only way the Titans have to create supercreatures that defy these laws is to first make them in their realm, then release them to the Mortal Realm, so the beckoning represents them becoming manifest as physical creatures.
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 7, 2018 21:12:06 GMT
Wasn't planning on any uploads today but I'm gonna do a tiny teaser because I can: KORRINAYRU, PLANE OF SCAVENGERS PROLOGUE At the beginning, Korrinayru was nothing but a small void in the thread of the Multiverse, too empty to exist, but too real not to. Then the Titans came. Five primal forces made themselves manifest within the void plane's reality, each with its own purpose for this potential world, each of whom imparted their Blessings. "Let there be Light" said Krodyos, and the plane saw itself illuminated by a glorious Sun, dawning on a virgin sky for the first time. "Let there be Land" spoke Corrignos, and continents of all shapes and sizes erupted to existence, bathed in the light of the First Blessing. "Let there be Water" demanded Mythrodas, and huge portions of Corrignos' creation were immediately drowned by voluminous seas and rivers. "Let there be Life" were Leuthil's words. Vegetation burst immediately, and all sorts of creatures emerged to populate both land and sea. "Let there be Death" said Mnetridos imparting a Blessing of his own. All of Leuthil's creations were then imbued with mortality. The five Titans saw their creation and basked in the glory of that first day. They delighted themselves with the beauty of what they had just done, feeling pride in the knowledge that Korrinayru would be a plane meant to prosper and grow for years to come. |
|
|
|
Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on Oct 8, 2018 5:58:02 GMT
I love the arts and the feel of the Titans. Do any of them have FT? If so, care to share? |
|
|
|
Post by voltaic-qui on Oct 8, 2018 17:01:12 GMT
I'm guessing that Corrignos is a Furnace of Rath effectb/c a  4/8 is kind of awkward otherwise? |
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 8, 2018 18:28:03 GMT
ThatDamnPipsqueak : Nope, the Titans will be pretty wordy, I will share a sentence that they all share: ~ can be your commander. @voltaic-qui: You can read me like a book  CHAPTER 1 Year 30 PD The barren wasteland extended in every single direction. As the man run among piles of ruins and corpses the sun began scorching him. His bare chest was blistering under its unrelenting heat, his head was covered in rags to find some protection from it, small as it could be. He finally came across a torn wall, remnant of a glorious past, and he hid under its shadow. He removed his rags and breathed in the dusty air. His dark long hair fell gracelessly over his shoulders and part of his weather-beaten face. His eyes were clear and wrinkled, and made him look much older than he actually was. His name was Darios, and he was twenty-nine years old. That meant he had been born year 1 PD, year 1 post-Descent... He started digging in the heap of rubbish that lay at his feet, struggling to find anything salvageable from the garbage that surrounded him. Food, clothes, resistant metals, any of those would do. But most important of all: water. He was a Destori, a survivor from Desarrea, formerly the most prominent Korrinary metropolis, now an unending dessert polluted by the wastes of its former glory. But Darios had never known the true Desarrea, he had never known his own homeplane in its glorious years. He had been born to a destroyed world, forced to survive day after day to pay the price for someone else's sins... As he finished packing some salvaged goods, he heard a sound he had hoped he'd avoid. It was a steady, high pitch note that sounded weakly yet could be heard for kilometers without issues. It was the greatest creation PD Korrinary had come up with, since it helped them know the coming of a... "Sentinel" whispered Darios desperately to himself. He immediately buried himself in a pile of rubble and held his breath. He lay there, concealed in the ruins for about half an hour. His body was cramping and the shade was going away, the Sun mercilessly starting to sear his body again, but he dared not move. Maybe the Sentinel had already gone by and he hadn’t seen it. Maybe it had gone another way, but if he was to survive, he could not rely on a maybe. He waited for a few more minutes, and then he saw it. It was a dragon this time, one of Corrignos’ creations. Darios saw the beast gliding above him, its thick, broad wings blowing dust off as it passed. The shadow it cast over him as it flew was a small blessing, but would mean nothing should the creature realize he was right below it. Cursing how loud his heart was beating, counting exactly how many breaths he was taking and trying to reduce them each time to a lower amount, he saw the Sentinel fly away and leave him lying there. He waited at least ten more minutes before starting to move again, and a few more before pushing the rubble on top of him and emerging from his hideout. Darios wasn’t sure anybody had ever killed a Sentinel. Even during the Descent, when the Korrinary army was at its strongest, the emissaries of the Titans had been formidable foes. Now the Sentinels were invulnerable creatures nobody would ever want to cross. The only way to survive them was by hiding. Darios had always thought that, as invincible as they were, they had been created by the Titans themselves, meaning the Titans must be truly omnipotent. He kept on searching the Desarrean desert for a few more hours, and managed to scavenge a few decent goods before he decided to return to the camp. Fortunately no other Sentinels appeared during the day, and about an hour after the sunset he was back in the relative safety of his establishment. He reached his tent, which he shared with his mother, after leaving most of his reclaimed treasure with the tribe elders, who would distribute it evenly among the rest of the clan. He removed the rags that covered his head and hugged his mother dearly, glad they’d both endured another day. But deep inside him resentment filled his soul. This was not living, this was merely surviving, and it was not fair. He had to pay for someone else’s sins by risking his life day after day for a meager existence, barely having enough to have energy for another day’s recollection. Most of the culprits, if not all, were dead, so why were the Titans still bitter, why were they still murderous? He knew the story by heart by now. For years after its creation, Korrinayru was a prominent plane, full of wealth and wellbeing. The Titans had not only imparted the Five Blessings to them, but they also aided them in time of need. With the aid of the Titans, nothing seemed impossible to the Korrinary. But eventually they started growing greedy. Discontent with owing their success to their creators and wanting even more from them, they began getting reckless, openly insulting the Titans, until they decided to overthrow them. Most of the Korrinary nations made an alliance and raised the greatest army ever to be seen, heading to the Gateway in order to confront the Titans. But the Titans were not happy with this, they entered the mortal realm and confronted their former devoted, unleashing all sorts of curses and monstrosities and obliterating them completely… and Korrinayru in the process. The event was known as the Titan’s Descent, and it was the darkest day in all of Korrinary history. Unwilling to leave any potential threats that could rise against them in the future, the Titans left behind the Sentinels before returning to their own realm, and now Korrinayru was a torn world, with only a few survivors remaining in each region, constantly haunted by death itself. Erkred, Salagol and Multhratos, those were the names of the three who began the mobilization that eventually ended in the Descent. They were the three most hated characters in Korrinary history. Darios had to repress a scream of rage when he recalled it. He decided to go to bed early, for he would only get a few hours of sleep before having to go on another scavenging hunt. As he emptied his mind, the last thought he had was whether or not things would ever change. Maybe if the Titans saw the Korrinary redeemed, humbled by the harsh reality they had to face, they’d be willing to show some mercy. But of course there was no way to contact the Titans, not unless he went to the Gateway, which was swarmed with Sentinels all day long. He would never be able to make it there, at least not unless he got someone else’s help.
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 12, 2018 13:30:33 GMT
CHAPTER 2 An unexpected ally Help arrived in the form of chaos. A few weeks later, in the middle of the day, the desert shook, and the sand began twisting into exotic shapes as a planeswalker arrived on Korrinayru. Her name was Aylin. She was young, she was smart, she was beautiful, and she had her whole future ahead of her. And that was all she had actually, for her past was buried deep within her soul, and she'd never let it get to her. She stared at her surroundings with her beautiful blue eyes. As her purplish hair floated swiftly in the light breeze and the Sun punished her pale skin, she studied exactly the place where she was. It was clearly a desert, nothing but a colossal sea of sands in which huge ruins and heaps of shrapnel sunk to be forgotten for all eternity. It was boring, and she didn't do boring. She was about to leave when she heard a scream. It wasn't just any scream, it was one of despair, a cry for help. She could work with that, so she immediately ran in the direction the screech was coming from.  Somewhere just a few meters from her, Darios was in the need of help. He'd heard the signal for the Sentinel as he explored a mysterious metal plate, the material was unlike anything he'd seen before, it had a weird symbol on it (a perfect circle with a line across it) and it seemed to be imbued with a mysterious type of oil. When he heard the alarm, he hid under it, but it cut him, and the oil seeped into his blood, burning him and forcing him to grunt. The noises he was trying to repress and the smell of his blood polluting the air had guided the Sentinel straight to him, and now he was in trouble. Aylin saw a man chased by a strange humanoid creature mounting a winged beast. In Korrinayru these were known as archons, but she had no way of knowing that, what she knew was that she had to make a choice. Ganging up on the little guy was way too easy, and consequently boring... so she decided she'd instead take on the monster chasing him. She ran towards them at full speed, Darios saw her and stopped, dumbfounded by the actions of that woman that was most definitely not a Destori. She saw him standing there and motioned at him. "Move out of the way, now!" she ordered, and the man instinctively obeyed her. Just a few seconds before she collided with the Sentinel, she stopped abruptly and kicked the floor violently, raising a huge boulder she punched in her opponent's direction. The archon was caught off guard and took the blow directly, losing its stability and plummeting to the ground. But before it collapsed against it, it regained control of its mount and charged straight towards the girl, its lance ready to tear her in half. Aylin smiled and raised her hands. Immediately, the earth at her feet started rising, gathering in a rocky shield that softened the impact. But the planeswalker had underestimated her enemy, and the shield broke. She managed to react quickly enough to step aside right on time, but a part of the archon’s spear did get to cut the right side of her abdomen.  She screamed in agony and rage, but didn't let this minor setback mess with her fighting. As the archon turned around and charged at her again, she began twisting her wrists, forming a huge sandstorm that concealed her. The Sentinel entered the sandstorm and, as it did, she ducked and began splintering the earth in chunks of stone she used as projectiles that impacted on her assailant. The creature took the hits with minimal damage, then swiftly turned around and hurled its spear in her direction. Knowing the strike would be stronger than it seemed, she raised a huge wall of earth that stopped the projectile completely, but when it dissolved the archon appeared out of the blue and punched her in the face, making her fall flat on her back as it returned for its weapon. Aylin spat some blood, her head ringing from the violence of the blow. As the archon approached, ready to impale her on the ground, she created some new stone chunks, only this time she aimed them at its mount, puncturing its wings and making it crash gracelessly on the floor. She took that moment of opportunity to stand up, then shaped the sands around her fallen enemy to swallow it, shackling it to the ground. "Time to end this" she whispered confidently as she pointed her right fist at the ground. As she walked, small pieces of soil started floating towards her clenched fist and forming a huge glove around it. When she reached her enemy, she punched it repeatedly in the face with violent glee, until, before she could react, it broke free of it earthy tomb and raised a hand that grabbed her by the hand and crushed her enhanced fist. It then punched her in the abdomen and proceeded to grab her head and squash it when she focused her energy in animating two huge walls of earth that compressed it, rendering it unable to move anything other than its head. She then once more pointed her fist at the ground, only this time a stalactite formed around it. She pressed it right against the archon's face, piercing it mercilessly and killing it in the act, a blackish sort of blood emanating from the wound. Aylin detached her hand from the weapon and turned around, spitting some more blood and breathing heavily. "Now that was a challenge" she said in pure excitement. Darios, who had witnessed the whole scene, approached her, marveled at her might. "How... how did you do that?" he asked bewildered "I've never seen anybody kill a Sentinel before!" "Oh, then I must be some kind of god to you, that feels nice" she said mockingly as she turned around and walked away. "Wait, where are you going?" asked Darios as he chased her. "I've done my civic duty here, now I'm out!" she replied coldly. "You don't understand, we need help, and you seem to be the only one that can give it to us!" He was about to grab her to get her attention, but she sensed this, turned around, and raised a menacing finger in his direction as the sand at their feet began swirling ominously. "Don't ever touch me, is that understood?" she asked severely, being serious for the first time since she arrived. "I understand" replied Darios meekly as the sand stopped moving and rested at his feet once more. "Great then… so tell me, what's your name?" "I'm Darios." "And tell me, Darios, are there more of these 'Sentinels' in this plane?" she asked, her eyes glowing ambitiously. "More than I could count, and of all different kinds dispersed around the rest of Korrinayru..." "Then it's your lucky day, Darios. I'm Aylin, and it looks like you've got yourself a new friend" she said impishly as she continued her walk, expectant to find another Sentinel to fight.  Since I missed the Wednesday update since I didn't have access to my PC, here's a little compensation: the Aylin planeswalker deck cards: |
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 15, 2018 15:53:07 GMT
CHAPTER 3 Home If he’d expected a warmer welcome he’d been disappointed, but he knew this world would greet him with nothing more than a stormy ocean and desolation all around. His name was Allagras, and after all these years he was finally home…
He’d ascended as a planeswalker when he was sixteen, and he’d stayed home for a few months before realizing how futile all his efforts for survival were. When he saw the corpses of his family and friends after returning from scavenging, he just couldn’t take it and fled. But now he was back home.
He was not the merfolk he’d been when he left, he’d grown considerably: his skin was a brighter color of blue, his muscles were much stronger and he’d grown a seafoam colored beard. He’d also crafted a trident with jewels that enhanced his tide-controlling powers. But his physical changes weren’t the most important, his mind had grown too.
He’d been to a world known as Khaliz-Dorahn, he’d seen it on the verge of extinction and yet at the very end, when all hope seemed lost, a man named Gallord had saved the entire world. Allagras had learned a valuable lesson from that man’s sacrifice: no battle was ever truly lost. Yes, he’d suffered from countless pains in Korrinayru, and it seemed that the Sentinels had already taken over and the Korrinary were meant to die to them, but now he knew he still had a fighting chance, and he was going to take it! He’d returned with a single idea in mind.
“Krodyos, Corrignos, Mythrodas, Leuthil, Mnetridos, I will kill all of you and I will save Korrinayru” he promised as his words got lost in the howling winds.
He’d arrived at the ruins of the Great Harbor. He’d been to that place exactly once before the Descent, and he could still remember how magical that day had been. The country of Lasyvria had been known for its countless markets; people from all around the world would come in search of wonders. Allagras was ten when he visited it. His mentor had seen potential in him and had taken him to the market in search of a charm he could use to channel his power. He’d been amazed at all the things people had to offer and the vitality he’d witnessed.
Now all was reduced to ash, and the Harbor was the only place that still stood. It had a direct connection to the Tizzanier Isles, where Allagras had been born, and it had been crucial to ensure the escape of humans into the sea. Unfortunately, when the merfolk agreed to shelter them, Mythrodas plagued the seas with krakens and other Sentinels.
Allagras had helped fight those horrors; he’d even been the first Korrinary to ever kill a Sentinel, with the help of his friend Aritior. Unfortunately, while he was busy slaying the beast, his whole family was in another location, getting killed by a different monster. When the merfolk found out, something broke inside of him. Yes, he could fight and kill a million Sentinels, but what was the point? What good was living a life where your only purpose was to survive? That was when he fled, swearing never to return… a promise he eventually broke.
He realized he’d been standing still for a few minutes and stopped reminiscing. He had to be completely focused to achieve his next task: he knew his people wouldn’t be too grateful to see him after he turned his back on them, so he had to bring a peace offering.
He jumped into the ocean, feeling refreshed when the salty water he’d traversed for so many years soaked him, and began swimming all around. What he was doing was complete folly, for he was in plain sight and a Sentinel could find him any second. Fortunately for him, that was his plan: his mission would start with him as bait.
* * * * *
Deep inside the Korrinary ocean, hidden under the Second Tizzanier Isle, was the merfolk-human hideout. Thirty years ago the Titans had descended and obliterated the land, so some humans had fled to the sea. When the seas became swarmed with Sentinels as well, both merfolk and human had to hide from them, but this location had remained hidden for almost ten years.
The merfolk, once the sovereigns of the sea were now hiding like cowards, but they had no choice. They’d chosen the wrong side during the war and now they were paying the price. Tizzanier survivors did not have it easy, though. They had mutated beyond any recognition.
Originally, the merfolk had taught them numerous incantations to allow them an underwater lifestyle, but after years of living under the spell’s influence they’d mutated and their bodies had merged with those of the aquatic life, giving way to human-fish hybrids that barely resembled the people they once were. While the merfolk’s amphibious qualities were subtle, these former humans were constantly reminded of their life choices by seeing what they’d become.
This was the realm of Aritior, and he wasn’t pleased about it. Even though he would’ve had no chance of becoming a ruler had the Descent never happened (the Tizzanier merfolk used to be ruled by a monarch), he wasn’t grateful about this being his time to rule. Ever since Allagras had abandoned him in his most dire hour he’d fought twice as hard to keep everyone safe, and eventually he founded this haven, earning his kin a seemingly perfect protection from the Sentinels.
From that point onwards, all that was left was to rebuild, and he was getting on to it.
“Sir, we’ve spotted a creature swimming in our direction. It has some kraken-like qualities although it does not seem big enough to be a Sentinel” said a merfolk approaching Aritior.
“Ready your weapons, men, our location may be compromised” he said, trying to keep his tone as neutral as possible.
In his head, he was cursing. He’d kept that place perfectly safe for ten years and now everything was going to crumble to dust. He grabbed a trident with his muscular arm and started swimming towards the entrance of the hideout. He’d developed a strong body over the years, his every muscle marked on his blue skin, and he’d been able to take down five Sentinels with the help of a few other men.
When he’d assembled a merfolk-human phalanx he exited the cavern and floated perfectly still, his dark eyes piercing the depths of the ocean. He suddenly saw it.
Its head was that of a kraken, that was obvious, but the body’s proportion was completely off: an elongated and thin mass, and it seemed to be swimming backwards, since the head was behind it… No, it wasn’t a kraken! It was a merfolk dragging a kraken’s head. Who had been the idiot? Who had left safety and faced a kraken on their own…
Aritior almost dropped his trident when he distinguished who it was. Yes, many years had gone by and they both had changed, but he knew exactly who was coming, and he was shocked.
“Allagras?” he bellowed in a state of bewilderment and rage.
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 15, 2018 16:01:07 GMT
allagras is a cool guy, he kills 10/10's without having abilities that could do that and doesn't afraid of anything
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 15, 2018 16:35:55 GMT
fluffydeathbringer: he used his ultimate and gained control of the Sentinel's head when it became tapped!
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 15, 2018 16:51:29 GMT
the absolute lad
serious comment: three-walkers with incidental non-planeswalker-like abilities are cool and allagras' plays on his +1 and -2 well to make for a curiously aggro-friendly first turn |
|
|
|
Post by ThatDamnPipsqueak on Oct 16, 2018 0:28:40 GMT
The central plot of this set is metal as fuck! "Time to go home and kill the gods".
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 17, 2018 14:16:41 GMT
CHAPTER 4 Redemption
Allagras entered the underwater palace dragging the kraken head behind him. Every single face he could see was glaring murderously at him, and the denizens were pointing their weapons at him. He simply followed his escort as they took him to his former friend.
Aritior was sitting in his improvised throne, his face impassive as the tentacles he had for hair squirmed around it. The second he’d identified Allagras he’d headed back to his chamber and ordered the planeswalker be escorted to him. Maybe he just wanted to appear more confident and powerful than he felt; he still missed his friend, but he couldn’t forgive his betrayal.
The escort stopped, and Allagras did as well. He stood there for a few silent minutes staring at his friend right into his eyes.
“Aritior, long time no-”
“Silence!” replied the merfolk “You come in here after almost thirty years, after abandoning us to the Sentinels and the aftermath of the Descent and you dare address me as a friend?! Allagras, you do not get the chance to pretend nothing’s happened. I trusted you, we trusted you, and you left us behind! And you pretend to compensate all the deaths you could’ve avoided by bringing me a mere trophy?”
“I’m sorry, I truly am” began the planeswalker “I was young and insecure, and the reality I was living in was so hard to endure I took the coward’s way out. What I did, I did it for selfish reasons, and I don’t expect to be forgiven for that. You’re right, it has been almost thirty years, but I have not remained idle. I’ve visited other worlds, I’ve faced losses as well and, most importantly, I’ve grown. I now understand that I gave up too early, and if I could turn back time and stay, I definitely would, and I would build this empire alongside you.
“But I have not only grown mentally, my physical capabilities are also greater. This is not a trophy or a peace offering” he said, throwing the Sentinel’s head at Aritior’s feet “This is a message, a message for the Titans. I’ve faced all-mighty creatures in a world called Khaliz-Dorahn, and I’ve helped bring them down. I have not come to ask for your forgiveness. I’ve come to slay the Titans!”
Aritior cackled loudly when he heard this. His laughter was the only thing echoing in the palace, the rest of the Tizzanier were dead silent.
“We now live in a destroyed world, and even though our society is much better than we expected immediately after the Descent, it is still a tiny fraction of what it once was, all because thirty years ago three fools tried to do the exact same thing you’re trying to do now! Do you even care about your home, Allagras, or do you just want the Titans to finish what they started and obliterate all of us while you flee and watch us suffer from afar?” replied the leader of the Tizzanier.
“I slayed that kraken in less than thirty seconds, and it didn’t leave a single scratch on me” was the planeswalker’s simple response.
Everyone present gasped at almost exactly the same time, creating a weird cacophony that resonated along the hall. What Allagras had said was impossible, it had to be!
“As I said, I’ve grown quite powerful in these last years” he said when he realized he was the one who had to break the silence “And I believe I am up to the task of reaching the Gateway to the Titans and fight them in their own realm. But of course, it will be hard to do it alone, and I want you to help me build a new, brighter future for your people, our people…”
Aritior stared at him silently.
“I need to think it through” he muttered “And don’t think for one second you have the right to call us your people.”
“I undertand” replied the planeswalker “I will be waiting for your response at the ruins of the Great Harbor, but not for long. Three days from now I’ll head to Millikas, regardless of whether or not you come with me.”
He turned around and, as the escort followed him, he left the hideout.
* * * * * Two days had passed since his ultimatum. Allagras was in the structure that had once been known as the Great Harbor, and he was slowly sinking into desperation.
Just like Aritior, he’d tried to look more confident than he felt. He thought his feat in defeating the Sentinel and the experience he’d gained with the years would be enough to immediately convince his friend, but he’d been wrong.
He wasn’t afraid of going to Millikas alone, he knew he could defeat any number of Sentinels by himself, but he was actually hurt that his people still gave him the cold shoulder. When he’d ensured the proliferation of merfolk in Khaliz-Dorahn he thought he’d be able to restore that feeling of home, but he hadn’t been able to. And now that he was back home ready to atone for his sins, his people were turning their back on him.
“Granted, I did turn my back on them first…” he said bitterly to himself.
He cursed that day. It was true, he’d seen his own family’s dead bodies and held his mother’s corpse with his own hands, and being a sixteen-year-old merfolk living in a post-apocalyptic world, that had been too much to handle. But Aritior had also lost his parents that day, and so had many others, and unlike Allagras they did not have the chance to escape like he did. He felt awful about his actions, but hopefully this one would finally redeem him.
“I’m so sorry” he said out loud, and he heard his own voice echo in the hollow structure. It was amazing how despite all the havoc wreaked during the Descent, the Great Harbor still stood, even if there was nobody to actually use it anymore.
“And you will not be forgiven, at least not until you carry out this new plan of yours…” replied a voice emerging from the waves.
Allagras turned excitedly and saw his friend standing there, a huge army of merfolk and humanoid fish standing at his back. He gave them a satisfied smile that slightly showed all his gratefulness.
“I understand that, but believe me when I say I will get Korrinayru back to its former glory.”
And so the army marched towards their new destiny: Millikas. With his power and the aid of his people, Allagras knew that nothing would stop him from getting to the Titans.
 And now that we're looking at what that little rascal Allagras is up to, why not check out the cards from his planeswalker deck? |
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 17, 2018 14:31:14 GMT
- - tfw your sorrow is so strong it kills all creatures around you with toughness 2 or less - I like the development here of Aritior going with "okay, he's still a fuck, but I'll give him this one chance"
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 17, 2018 16:46:58 GMT
fluffy, I'm glad you're invested on the story enough to notice those details, but I can't go back to consistency jail!!!! First of all, the weapon pointing was mandatory since Aritior ordered he be kept under control and, whether or not you revere someone, you obey your king. Second of all, the chapter is told from Allagras's perspective, so his subjective reality overcomes objective facts: there are those who respect him, but he has no way of knowing it because most of the Tizzanier hate him. Regarding Forsaker's Sorrow, since Drown in Sorrow gives the -2/-2, I'm assuming sorrow can do that Also, I'm glad you like Aritior's development, truth is he remembers Allagras abandoning him and spent thirty years feeding that grudge, but they were childhood friends and they were so close that a small part of him still wants to believe Allagras has returned to help. He is wary though because he's been disappointed before and he has to think about the safety of his people. |
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 19, 2018 15:17:08 GMT
CHAPTER 5 A scavenger’s ambition   
(Ammbradu Hive Cluster was inspired by a card designed by grishnax and only slightly changed to fit the set's themes)
His home was the Maurassi Marsh, a place his race had been forced to live in ever since the Descent, and the environment had erased the humanity out of them. The marsh constantly secreted a poisonous gas called Hollon. During the Descent, the damage caused to the world’s atmosphere dispersed most of it and, rather than face their imminent death, some survivors hid in the marsh and took their chances. The small doses of exposition did have dire consequences but not fatal ones. With the years the Maurassi adapted to the gas in any concentration, but at the expense of their own biology.
Maurassi were now mutant creatures, fused with branches and swamp creatures, their skin slippery and their facial aspect completely distorted. They were also sterile, which meant their kin would die with them, but at least it was better than dying to a Sentinel. Yes, they’d given much up, but at least they were alive, and after what they’d seen during the Descent, they couldn’t be more grateful.
But Ragantiar was second guessing his decision to stay alive, for it meant living under tyranny. Every day he’d scout the marsh for salvageable goods and food that wasn’t poisonous (or at least too poisonous). After an entire day’s work, he’d return to his tribe with everything he’d found, but he wouldn’t be able to keep it, for there were the taxes.
Maurassi tribes were scattered all throughout the marsh, and each was under the rule of a Tribelord, who was in charge of organizing said tribe and protecting it from monsters of the marsh and, if needed be, Sentinels. Of course, that job was not something they’d do for free. Each day, Maurassi scavengers would have to take their salvaged goods to their Tribelord, who would then choose a percentage of it for themselves. How much exactly? It depended entirely on their mood and on the quality of the plunder.
But Lahrotar (Ragantiar’s Tribelord) was particularly greedy, and each of his protégées was left with less than half the rations they gathered each day. To add insult to injury, their tribe was so well concealed inside the marsh that barely any threat ever approached them, and they’d never even seen a Sentinel since the Descent. Ragantiar had heard tales of other Tribelords tearing Sentinels apart while Lahrotar remained idle. He didn’t know those were merely rumors and the other tribes believed the same about his own leader, but even if he did he’d find a way to hate on him.
There was a way to get rid of his Tribelord, but that was definitely not happening. Any Maurassi could challenge their Tribelord to a fight to the death. Whoever won would either keep or win the title. That was exactly how Lahrotar had earned his current state, but he’d done so thanks to his brute strength. The current Tribelord had murdered his predecessor with his bare hands, even though his opponent had come at him with two swords, which he shattered, barely earning any scratch.
Lahrotar was extremely powerful, and Ragantiar was weak, and he hated being weak. His mutations had actually made him sicklier than back when he was human, while most of his kin had developed physical enhancements, and that disgusted him. He was forever stuck in this position unless he found an extraordinary way not only to defeat his Tribelord and assume the position himself, but also to keep said title until he died…
He was immersed in his hateful thoughts when he saw the man.
The stranger seemed to appear out of nowhere, and he stood in the middle of the swamp with no particular purpose. He seemed to be the opposite of Ragantiar: tall and muscular while the Maurassi was short and almost looked like a skeleton. The stranger’s tanned skin was visible even though there seemed to be a transparency to him, some sort of ethereal glow as though it were a ghost. That skin tone contrasted with the pale skin Ragantiar hated so much. The scavenger wore a robe to protect his skin from the marsh’s hostile environment, while the stranger used all sorts of adorned clothes, complete with a headpiece that revealed a higher status, at least in another world.
But the greatest difference was the aura of uncertainty the stranger seemed to emanate. He looked hollow, at least in spirit. He didn’t seem to understand where he was and what he was doing there. The one thing Ragantiar could say in his own favor was that, even though he hated everything about his life, at least he knew it, and he was certain about that. Hatred drove him every day. This stranger clearly had no purpose in life whatsoever.
He stared at this man with curiosity from a distance, knowing his perfect blend with the environment would conceal him, but he then saw a creature approach the man.
“Watch out!” he screamed, immediately regretting it. He’d been stupid and given away his position.
The man stared in his direction and then turned around to find a gigantic insect crawling towards him. It was almost as tall as him and it had long needle-like legs. Those creatures were called Ammbradu, a parasitic insect life abundant in Mauras, who could suck the life out of creatures three times their size in minutes. The Ammbradu weren’t Sentinels, but they were almost as deadly if they caught you by surprise.
The creature jumped towards the stranger, ready to suck him dry, but the man simply raised a hand that came into contact with the insect’s chest. The beast immediately began writhing in pain, and Ragantiar could see a black glimmer in the stranger’s middle finger. The creature fell to the floor and skittered away in fear. The man turned towards the Maurassi.
“Thank you” he said with a deep, hollow voice “You helped me.”
“Who are you?” demanded Ragantiar raising his sword “Are you friend or foe?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to any of those questions. Who am I? What am I? Where am I from? I just don’t know. I know it’s somewhere in here” he said pointing towards his temple “But it apparently doesn’t want to return to me just yet. I am, and that is the only thing I can be certain of. That, and the fact you helped me…”
He removed a black ring (the source of the black glimmer) from his middle finger and handed it to Ragantiar. The mutant could see the stranger had a blue ring in his ring finger, and the tan lines in his index suggested there had been a third ring there some time ago.
“The second jewel is Consumption. Whatever living creature you touch with it will yield you its powers for a short period of time. Use it wisely, and nobody will be able to defeat you” said the man dropping the object in Ragantiar’s hand. The mutant immediately clutched it as the most sacred thing he’d ever encountered.
“Where did you get this from?” he asked intrigued.
“I stole it.”
“From whom?”
“Friend, enemy… maybe neither but probably both. I can’t remember” replied the stranger as he turned around and disappeared into thin air.
Ragantiar stared at the gift with immense joy and placed it on his finger. He felt a strange rush that slowly faded away, probably the residual strength stolen from the Ammbradu.
The Maurassi smiled malevolently. Things were about to change, and he was in charge of bringing that change to his tribe.
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 19, 2018 15:26:11 GMT
oh hey it's that one legendary in msem that never gets play
I'm rooting for Ragantiar and this The Erased chap seems intriguing
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 22, 2018 13:05:37 GMT
CHAPTER 6 The Purifying Fire Of all the countries that had suffered during the Descent, Scoritas was among those who’d had it rougher. During his stay in the Mortal Realm, Corrignos ignited the very soil Scoritans stood on, creating a gigantic volcano that burned all structures to ashes. The heat radiation also took a toll on those few who survived the onslaught, for their skin burned and blistered, and they were permanently disfigured. They decided to call themselves the Scorched.
Throughout the years they developed a way to protect their fragile skins from the emanations of the Corrignan Volcano, and they reformed a society, but the more they learned about the fire that turned them into what they’d become, the more they became obsessed with it.
Thanks to the magic relics they’d been able to scavenge from Scoritas (before the Descent, the country was at the apex of arcane development), the Scorched had been able to devise an aura that prevented them from exposure to the heat. They’d also developed wards to fend off Sentinels, allowing them to stay in the same place and proliferate without the need of relocating constantly. Now they were growing in numbers and, in doing so, they were adding adepts to their cause.
Now, the Scorched were fixated on one thing: the Purifying Fire. Corrignos had ignited the very earth in Scoritas, and his dragon Sentinels had created firestorms that constantly radiated the land. Any mortal would have succumbed to the heat and died a painful death, but not the Scorched. They were special, they were better than the rest; they’d been chosen by the Titans themselves to take over the world!
The Scorched had been exposed to the Purifying Fire and had survived. Not only that, they also baptized their newborn by exposing them to the radiation unprotected and having them be Scorched as well, proving their devotion. Once the Titans realized they were still loyal to them, they would have the Sentinels retreat, and hand Korrinayru to those who were actually worthy of it.
That was Khierassa’s most sacred belief, and as one of the leaders of the Scorched, she was going to do everything in her power to make that wish come true for her people.
Khierassa was a peculiar woman. Before the Descent, she’d been an arcane researcher in Scoritas, which proved crucial for rebuilding her society after the catastrophe. A woman of science, she’d been skeptical of the Titans’ existence, and actually supported the three who raised an army to confront them if they did exist. After the Descent and the toll it took on her body, she realized her folly and, instead, turned to faith.
She saw the devastation that surrounded her and at how others had been affected in the same way she had but all she could think of was that she’d survived, and at the end of the day that was all that really mattered. Her zeal became contagious, and soon Scoritans joined her in her beliefs, even changing their name to the Scorched to show how proud they were of what they had become. Nobody could’ve survived the Descent, and yet they had! They wore their scars and blisters with dignity, rejoicing in their true meaning: endurance!
Even though the heat had made her bald and permanently damaged her face, something that would’ve devastated her previous self, Khierassa was proud of her burnt look. As the one that established the Scorched faith, she was one of the pillars of their society, and her purple clothes represented her status of High Priestess. Not only that, she hadn’t completely abandoned her arcane knowledge, and she was the one who suggested the scavenging of as many relics as possible for harvesting. Without her, the Scorched wouldn’t be where they were now.
And yet, despite all the work and progress she’d made in the past thirty years, she still knew it wasn’t enough…
At first it had been rumors and paranoid delusions of people whose heat injuries had actually taken a toll on their mental sanity, so the priests had discredited the idea. Apparently there were other survivors in the rest of the countries. But how was that possible? They had not been exposed to the heat, they had not been baptized in the Purifying Fire, they were not worthy!
Unfortunately, the rumors turned out to be true, and Khierassa found out by her own means. After developing the wards that kept the Sentinels at bay, she’d also crafted a spell that allowed her to see through the eyes of a Sentinel. Seeing one of the creatures scour the entirety of Korrinayru showed her that, indeed, people existed outside of Scoritas, and they were not worthy of the Titans’ grace.
How would the Scorched ever rise again if those undeserving of life still polluted the world? The Titans would never free Korrinayru of the Sentinels until those blights were purged, but maybe they could be redeemed…
That was why Khierassa had prepared a new plan: she would baptize the unworthy and kill those who refused. Perfection would reach Korrinayru, all would be cleansed. All would know the blessing of the Purifying Fire, and once every Korrinary creature was either Scorched or dead, only then would they reach utopia!
Khierassa smiled as she imagined her perfect world. She called for her people to bring her what she’d been working on for weeks and rejoiced when she saw the chest filled with their greatest achievement: ember grails.
Through hours and hours of trial and error, the Scorched priests had managed to develop these arcane wonders. They looked like ordinary chalices, but they were capable of storing the heat from the Corrignan Volcano in a perennial flame that, once release, would turn anybody exposed to it into one of the Scorched. Now they could carry their glory wherever they went! Their crusade started now, and Korrinayru would be united under one banner!
She ordered the grails to be put away and exited her tent. Her army was ready to follow her throughout the world. It was a risky mission, for the wards settled around their camp were stronger than the ones they’d carry, and Sentinels could potentially attack them along the way, but it would all be worth it. All of them had faith, and that was all they needed to rise victorious.
Khierassa was a high priestess, but now she’d be the war priestess; and if –no, when –she succeeded, she’d be the greatest Korrinary to ever live.
Her crusade had yet to begin, but she was so confident in her triumph that she could already taste victory.
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 23, 2018 14:16:04 GMT
why do the scorched hide from sentinels if they believe the sentinels are actually their buddies
khierassa's weird but a good weird, the enchantment anthem ability is what sells her for me
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 23, 2018 14:28:06 GMT
Even though mechanically the only way I had to give Deities support was giving the Scorched faction those cards, in the story they believe they're worthy, but the Sentinels will still hunt them down until they see all of Korrinayru embrace the fire. As long as there are unbaptized Korrinary, they believe the Titans will eradicate all survivors regardless of their devotion (in the case of non-Scorched, because they haven't embraced the Fire, in the case of the Scorched, because they haven't done their duty of bringing the Fire to all).
|
|
|
|
Post by korakhos on Oct 24, 2018 15:09:12 GMT
CHAPTER 7 A journey begins As the sun set, cooling the desert air considerably, Darios and Aylin returned to the Destori encampment. The planeswalker had slightly regretted joining forces with this man, since she was forced to escort him while he ended the day’s scavenge and, even though she stayed alert for a minimum signal of a Sentinel, she couldn’t find one. That fight had been so thrilling, but the rest of the day had been a letdown. The only reason she didn’t leave right then and there was that he’d actually admitted there were thousands of Sentinels roaming the plane, and if she managed to fight at least a dozen more she’d be satisfied. A wasted day was a small price to pay for what she could potentially achieve.
The planeswalker, on the other hand, wasn’t too fond of having to wait to depart, let alone having to introduce herself to an entire tribe who had strong familiar bonds. She’d lost her parents forever the day of her ascension, ever since then she’d been a lone wolf, and social gatherings of any kind were mental torture to her. Darios had warned her that his people were extremely friendly, and they would welcome her immediately. If she became a Destori she’d be guaranteed a loving family ready to welcome her with a big hug. She declined the offer and bluntly claimed that she would murder anyone who dared put a finger on her. Darios couldn’t help but believe her threat.
“Dearest friends and family, we have endured another day, and for that we’re grateful. Before we begin this gathering, you may have noticed that Darios has brought a young lady with him. I’ve spoken to them and she is a walker of worlds. She’s come here willing to aid us in the fight against the Sentinels, and for that we’re grateful” said one of the elders when the Destori were finally gathered around the campfire “Her name is Aylin, and I believe she and Darios have something to say.”
People applauded them both. They didn’t know her yet but rumors of her feat had traveled quickly among the tribe. She had to admit she didn’t entirely hate the attention.
“My brothers and sisters” said Darios “As you may have known, today I saw this woman do what we thought impossible for thirty years. Not only did she defeat a Sentinel, she did so single-handed, and sustaining little to no injuries. If anybody had told me yesterday this would happen I would’ve never believed them. Maybe this means that things we know to be impossible may not be, and so I would like to propose an idea.”
The Destori stared at them both in expectation. Having that many eyes fixed on her, Aylin began feeling uneasy. She felt slightly vulnerable and naked, and her vision began blurring, but she fought to stay strong.
“Thirty years ago, Erkred, Salagol and Multhratos decided they were better than the Titans. Their greed and ambition got to them, and they decided to speak for all of us, openly confronting them and dooming us all! Up to this day we have to pay the price for someone else’s folly, and that’s not fair!
“But maybe there is hope. I believe that with those who opposed the Titans gone, the only Korrinary left in this world can truly say they’ve learned their lesson. I believe we have a shot at redemption, and that if the Titans see that, they’ll give us a second chance! I would like to gather people for a journey, a journey to the Gateway. With Aylin’s help we can face any Sentinel we find in the way and finally let the Titans see what we’re truly made of. Who’s with me?”
The crowd was dead silent. Not a single whisper, not even a cough or whistle, could be heard. One of the elders approached Darios and began speaking.
“Darios, I’m sorry… I do appreciate your goodwill, but we cannot just leave everything behind and start on a quest of this caliber, it’s just complete madness! We need to stay safe, we need to think of something that guarantees our survival, and this can lead us to extinction!” he said as softly as possible.
Darios was dumbfounded at this reaction.
“So you’re telling me I’m alone on my quest?” he asked.
“I’m telling you to leave this quest thing behind and stay here, with us, where you belong.”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot do that. I can’t stand idle while we have a shot to make things right!”
“Then I have no choice but to banish you…” replied the elder grimly.
Darios opened his eyes wide. Banishment was a Destori’s worst fear, and it was saved for those who hoarded rations for themselves, thus betraying their people. The Destori community was so focused on unity that being left alone in the desert was the equivalent to a death sentence, either to the elements or to the Sentinels. The elder’s message was clear: if Darios went to the Gateway and ever decided to come back, he’d never find them again. The Destori were nomadic, their tents blended perfectly with the sands to avoid being noticed by the Sentinels, and Desarrea was so vast he’d probably die before he came across their new location…
“Then I guess I’ll have to pay the price. Hopefully you’ll see me again, and if you do, hopefully it will be on better conditions” he replied with tears in his eyes as he headed for his tent, with Aylin following him silently.
 (cardname by fluffydeathbringer)* * * * * Darios already had his rations prepared. It wasn’t much but it was all he had, and he’d have to make it last. He was about to leave when his mother entered the tent.
“Son, I brought you something” she whispered, unsuccessfully trying not to let her voice crack.
She revealed a rather large pouch filled with at least five times his daily rations of food and water.
“Mother, where did you get this?” he asked astonished. Had she stolen it for him? If she had she’d be banished as well, and Darios would never let that happen.
“Even though the elders don’t approve of your choice, most of the tribe does, and we’ve collectively gathered something to help you in your quest. I know it’s not much but-”
Before she could finish Darios was hugging her profoundly. They both stayed in that pose crying for several minutes. When they broke the hug, Darios’ mother approached Aylin but the man stopped her and shook his head ominously. His mother stared at the planeswalker, noticing the rejection in her eyes and knowing there were deeply-rooted troubles in her, so she let it slide.
“I wish both of you the best of luck. I know you can do this, Darios” said his mother proudly.
The man left the tent with a sad smile. Aylin was about to do the same when the other woman signaled her to stop.
“Take good care of my son, make sure he doesn’t get harmed” she said sternly “I know you’re not fond of people, I can see it in your eyes, but he’s doing this not only for us but for you. Don’t use him only to leave him when things get out of hand.”
Aylin nodded annoyed. She wasn’t threatened by this woman, and the only reason this quest was happening was thanks to her, so she could do as she pleased. Darios was doing this by his own will, and if it was between him and her, she would always prioritize herself, even if it meant he'd die in the process. |
|
|
|
Post by fluffydeathbringer on Oct 24, 2018 15:30:26 GMT
"darios, for wanting to save our entire world and being so determined to do that that you'd do it alone, we the elders declare you megasatan, in accordance with the ancient nomad tradition of bizarro man" "darios, even though basically the entire tribe sans elders is all on board with this quest, we cannot overcome the strength of a handful of withered old folks to join you on it. have fun getting your shit kicked in by titans I guess"
non-shitpost comments: pouch is neat and I like aylin getting some character depth
|
|
