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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 16, 2012 18:46:36 GMT -5
((Chronicling the adventures of Reyana Windgrace. While a part of me thinks I should probably stick it in one thread, this is also a new character. Kind of like opening a new book I guess. Writings will come as time allows me to. ))
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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 17, 2012 7:13:57 GMT -5
The moon was full overhead as Reyana Windgrace sat alone on the dimly-lit shores near the kal'dorei settlement of Lor'Danel. Her bare feet scrapped and dug at sand beneath her toes as she rested her head on her knees—her arms hugging her body tightly. With the waves lapping gently against the shore, it was difficult to hear the sounds of her quiet sobbing.
Her fingers had gripped tightly to a piece of tear-stained parchment that carried a faint stench of blood—her sister's death certificate.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this," she sobbed quietly. "You promised me you would be careful, Lys..." Her fingers curled inward, her nails cutting into the paper as they dug into the palms of her hands, droplets of scarlet staining the pristine white beach.
You promised me that you would come home.
===
Reyana was rendered utterly speechless when she received the news of her elder sister—Lauyssa's—death by one of the Sentinels stationed within the Stonetalon Mountains. Along with the letter, the messenger carried a large, wooden box where within contained her sister's belongings as well as a small, clay urn. At first, she couldn't believe it and looked as though she wanted to scream at the messenger for saying something so horrible and cruel. But, when she opened the box and her eyes fell to the large flamberge that rested amongst the contents within the box, she realized she was being told the truth.
It was terrible enough that the Cataclysm had swallowed most of their family in the chaos and destruction of Deathwing's re-awakening. But now, she had to contend with losing the only other person that she could call family. To monsters that only knew of destruction, pain and death.
For several days, all she could do was mourn for her loss. She either kept to herself in her home, or stared out towards the sea. Sometimes she would go through her sister's belongings, finding unfinished letters and scraps of writing. She examine the torn, blood-soaked fabric of her tabard, and wondered about her sister's last moments—what she was thinking and how she felt as life left her.
Then her thoughts drifted onto the Horde. Something began to bubble within her—a voice that began as a something small and diminutive evolved into roaring anger. Her pain and sorrow fell away like an old husk as the seeds of rage took root and began to grow in her heart.
Soon, she was no longer moping around her home anymore. Instead, she began to sharpen her own blades. She donned her old armor—her sister's armaments was far too large, and too heavy for her to use. She was gearing to become a one-many army against the might of the Horde—all for the sake of revenge.
No. I will not be broken. It will not end like this.
I will find your killers, Lys. I will bring them to justice.
Watch over me dear sister, so I may avenge you.
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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 19, 2012 1:39:48 GMT -5
It was a few days ago when she went to investigate the corruption of a nearby furbolg camp in Darkshore. Even trying to piece the events together now, Reyana wasn't sure on how everything happened—only that everything happened too fast. All she knew was that her lack of experience nearly killed her—her shield-arm wasn't quick enough to block the blows, and her clumsy sword swings weren't serving to deter her attackers. She remembered making a run for it, and then she blacked out near the road when the pain became too much. For awhile, she believed herself to be dead—unable to carry out the oath she promised to avenge her sister's memory. It came as a odd surprise to her when she awoke several days later within the Temple of Elune in Darnassus.
A priestesses in the Temple spoke in hushed tones to one of the Sentinels as tilted and gestured towards Reyana's direction. When they both noticed that she had regained consciousness, they came to her side. The priestess rested the palm of her hand against her head at first, before moving over her abdomen. Reyana remembered that there had been a large gash there during her fight, but only a faint scar remained now.
"Thank Elune that you still breathe, sister," the Sentinel remarked with a look of relief. "I wasn't sure if you were going to make it with those wounds when I found you."
Reyana groaned. "Where...?"
"You are within Elune's embrace in her temple in Darnassus," the priestess answered, her voice quiet and soothing as she placed a hand on her forehead. "You must rest and recover your strength, young one."
Yes. Rest. Rest sounds like a good idea. The soft glow coming from the center of the temple brought her a degree of comfort as her eyelids grew heavy.
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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 20, 2012 2:46:14 GMT -5
The sun was setting as Reyana raced along the dirt road that wound its way through through the forests of Ashenvale. The sounds of war and machinery rumbled behind her as the siege on Maestra's Post continued—she only wished she could do more to help her brethren, but the life of a child was in her hands now as she rushed to deliver the much needed medicine to her father in Astranaar.
Her pace had slowed into a jog as she reached the top of the hill, but she didn't have time to enjoy the view. In the distance, she could make out the silhouettes of buildings that outlined the elven village. She also saw tendrils of black smoke curling and rising into the air. Her stomach twisted into a knot as large figures resting on the backs of windriders circled overhead.
The Horde were sacking the town.
Reyana forced her feet to move as she started to run towards the direction of the village. As she turned the corner, the path split—one continued towards Astranaar, while another turned southeast into the forest. Her pace slowed to a light jog as she went up to the direction post to read their destination signs:
Darkshore Astranaar
The Shrine of Aessina House of Edune Fi-e -c--- ---ine
Reyana found it difficult to decipher the final signpost pointing south—much of the wording seems to have faded away with the passage of time. Leaning in for a closer look, the wind began to pick up as fallen leaves blew past her, drifting down the hill from where she came from. As the great trees rustled and shook high above her head, Reyana swore she heard a voice—one that she thought she never would've heard from again.
"Sister..."
The warrior quickly turned her head, expecting—or perhaps hoping—that the source of the voice would be behind her. But, there was nothing.
Perhaps the work is getting to me, she thought as she leaned her back against the stone base that held the signpost in place. Am I going crazy? I must be hearing things. With all the fighting I've been doing, and now this important delivery, perhaps I'm just...
"Sister, where are you...?"
Reyana nearly jumped out of her skin as she heard the disembodied voice again. It was fainter this time—as if it were coming from the path leading away from the road. But that was twice now—she couldn't be mistakened!
"Lauyssa?!" she cried out as her feet began to lead her away from the road and into the forest. "Where are you?! Speak to me, please!"
"The Red Shrine," she heard her sister's voice plead. "Hurry... I can't..."
"Wait for me!" she cried out, barreling through the thicket and brush without a care. She felt as if she had become the wind itself by how fast she moved. Her legs ached—muscles begging for mercy. Her obligations to Astranaar and the dying child had all been forgotten. All that matter was her sister and that she had to save her.
Reyana followed the path east, and then turned south towards the a small clearing. Pristine white pillars stood proudly around a small shrine to Elune, but Reyana ignored it and continued south until she saw two, large stone structures that stood out like a sore thumb amongst the rocks and dead-looking trees—stained with the color of blood.
"Please! Quickly!" Her sister's voice urged her on and she followed, despite the uneasy feeling she began to feel in her gut.
The dirt pathway was clear as Reyana walked it cautiously. Life was disturbingly absent considering she was surrounded by it only a few minutes ago. Lush forests were replaced with corpses of trees—whose roots oozed with a sickly green sap—and dead grass. Even the air was silent—not a single bird sung and even the wind did not dare blow through here. There were no creatures to speak of, but every so often she would find piles of bones that were strewn carelessly off to the side. Such scenes only made her feel all the more uneasy as her thoughts drifted to Lauyssa. Was she too late? Was this to be her sister's fate?
The path soon opened up to a clearing. And in the center, she saw a figure of a night elven woman knelt over on the ground, bound to the earth in rusty chains.
"Help me..." her voice was so weak, so pathetic, that Reyana could not help but rush in without a second thought with her sword raises high as she swung at the chains, breaking the woman free of her restraints. "You're safe now Lys," she spoke with reassurance as she placed her hands on her sister's shoulders. "I'll get you out of this horrible place..."
"Safe?" Her voice was still soft, but there was something acidic and mocking about her tone as Reyana felt the elf grip onto her shoulders with strength that betrayed her frail form. "I don't think you realize the danger you're in, child."
"Lys? What are you--"
"Lauyssa" looked up at Reyana, and the warrior felt the blood drain from her face. The face that stared back at her was not her sister's—it wasn't even elven at all, or of any creature she had seen in Azeroth. Her skin had taken to a pallid green hue as her eyes burned with green felfire. Her cheeks had become sunken and hollow marred with crisscrossing scars on both sides of her face. Her black lips were curled into a cruel grin, baring a row of yellow-stained fangs. The creature's nails dug into Reyana's skin as they became sharpened claws, holding her down to the ground as she grew in size.
"No, foolish child. The moment you walked away from the path, safety was forfeit. You became my tool; my pawn to play with." Her screeching laughter caused Reyana to wince in pain, unable to cover her own ears. "However, playtime is over now, and we're all very hungry..."
Reyana turned her head slightly and her eyes widened as she realized they were not alone. Demons of all shapes and sizes came out from the hidden nooks and crannies—from the muscular physique of the felguards, to the grotesque felhounds—and they stared at her hungrily. The demon that held her in place grinned wickedly—her eyes glowing with a fierce intensity as her hands became engulfed in a sickly green fire which caused Reyana to howl in pain. "Now be good little meal and and scream for us as you die..."
===
Her eyes flew open wide as she sat up straight in a cold sweat. Her hands immediately went to her shoulders, but found nothing holding her down. It took some time for Reyana to realize that she was still in the Temple of the Moon in Darnassus and that she had not gone to Ashenvale—that she did not hear her sister's voice.
However, even with such comforting thoughts, she found it difficult to go back sleep.
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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 22, 2012 2:11:58 GMT -5
It's been a week since I've been brought to the temple. The priestess have finally let me walk around some. It still hurts to bend over—stupid scar. But, it feels nice to stretch my legs again. Reyana made a face as she briefly scanned over her handwriting. The temple gardens were empty at the moment, and she found it a good place to gather her thoughts. Though she felt her grasp on writing somewhat lacking, she left the words as they were and continued to write. I'm not really a writer, but maybe this is the best way to vent out my thoughts—all my worries and fears. If I told the priestesses, they'd think I'm crazy. The dream I had some days ago haunts me still. It was just a dream, but it felt so real... I could feel everything and smell the wind and the earth. Maybe it's a premonition? I don't know. I don't believe in things like prophecies, but I haven't been able to sleep well since then. The slightest noise will wake me up.
Maybe I'm afraid of seeing that again. I don't want that.
Tomorrow, they will let me leave the temple. I need to go through Lys's belongings. Wielding a sword and shield doesn't feel right for me—I feel unbalanced. She kept a number of weapons back home. Maybe there's something there I can use.
After letting the ink dry, she closed the leather book shut. The evening bell was ringing and she didn't want the priestesses to come looking for her as she stood up and strode out the gardens. Tomorrow, she would be a free.
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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 26, 2012 22:24:03 GMT -5
Some selected reading from the journal of Reyana Windgrace---- ...I've decided to walk the route of an axe wielder. As odd as it may sound, the weight feels "right" to me. An axe can be wielded with just as much speed, grace and control as a fine blade.
Lys's notes and letters will serve as my guide as I follow the route she took. I will mete out justice in her steed. Tonight, I leave Lor'Danel behind and follow the road south into Ashenvale, towards Stonetalon.
I hope that tonight will not be the last time I see my home.
---- Lauyssa's letters have lead me into Stonetalon Peeks. The Horde are numerous here—much moreso than in Ashenvale.
On the cliffs just leading out from Stardust Spire, there are a number of cannons facing out into the valley below. The Horde are actively patrolling the skies here.
I was asked to bring down as many as I could. How could I say no?
For every orc and troll I bring down, I feel as though I'm doing Lys some justice. ---- I'll be heading into the Barrens soon now that the route through Stonetalon has been established. The Grimtotems have something of a... reputation that makes me weary of trusting them. However, with the Horde being aggresive as they are, we're in no position to be picky with alliances. Hopefully, this will help to strengthen our defenses in Ashenvale.
Lys's final letters spoke of vast jungles, but the Barrens has never been known for verdant wildlife. It's a harsh dryland with few oasises scatterted here and there. But, with the Cataclysm, I suppose it's best to expect the unexpected. ---- The Barrens has become a warzone. The Horde have been relentless in cutting off trade routes, and the wildlife hasn't helped matters either. Many of the Alliance settlements here are either under attack, or have been burned. The humans have attempted to create a settlement here at least three times without any success.
The dwarves have been burned out of theirs—a tale I didn't think I would live to tell. The goblins had set off fires and explosives within, but there were still so many people trapped inside. I risked my own to save them.
The fires were almost unbearable as I could feel the heat searing my skin, and some of the valves to release the water were stuck as I traveled to the deepest reaches of the fortress. But, I could not leave them to their fate. I made sure they all made it out alive.
Only monsters would do such a thing. The bombing of the druid school in Stonetalon was not enough for them.
I have spoken to them about my sister here. All of them have had something to say, but all of them spoke with pity in their eyes. Only the dwarven commander understood the pain and desire for revenge that I felt, and told me where I would find those responsible for everything. ---- I've stared into the eyes of those that dropped the bomb in Stonetalon. They that were responsible for the fire and death in Bael Modan.
The ones that took Lys from me.
I saw their fear in their final moments.
And I made sure that feeling was shared throughout their entire encampment.
It won't be enough—it'll never be enough. But, perhaps it's enough for her to rest in peace now.
---- Everything south of the Barrens appears to be ruled by goblins. It seems as though I can't escape the smell of money and greed as they attempt to dry out every last resource they can get their greedy, green hands on.
I can't stand this place. The goblins and gnomes on this floating barge here seem to be doing just fine and I doubt they would miss my assistance.
I long for home, and I long to fight FOR my home—not for profits.
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Post by Lauyssa on Feb 27, 2012 16:09:15 GMT -5
She could hear the cannons and the gunfire. The sounds of gnomes and goblins and their dying screams as they were blasted by fire, shrapnel and glass. This damned sandstorm isn't helping matters either, Reyana thought to herself as she hid behind one of the unused cannons for shelter, her nose and mouth covered with a piece of mageweave cloth that she had tied around her head.
She received a letter early in the morning that her aid was required up north in the region of Felwood. She was elated that she would be able to fight for her home as Felwood's corruptive influence had been felt in neighboring Ashenvale and Darkshore. However, she had promised she would at least help the gnomes in establishing a foothold in Tanaris for the Alliance before her departure.
However, it was soon apparent to her that some things are easier said than done. The Southsea pirates had walled themselves up well in their pirate ships—their much more battle-experienced crew members making sure to protect their final sanctuary from those that managed to make it past the cannon fire. Reyana found that she could deal with one, but trying to fight two in these conditions would likely prove to be too much.
She was lucky that the weather was also working in her favor as well—the whistle of the cannons, as well as the smoke and dust hindered visibility, making it difficult for the unruly pirates to know when to assist one another. She had taken down the guards on the docks with relative ease, and now that she had gathered her strength again, it was time to board the ship and stop the cannon-fire for good.
Climbing out from her shelter, she shielded her eyes with one hand, the other gripping tightly to her trusted battle-axe as she made way for the wooden ramp that led up to the ships. There on the decks, there were two, but both patrolled on opposite ends of the ship. The clanking of her armor caused the one closest to her to turn, but he could do little else to defend himself as the axe was already upon him. His screams were quickly silence with another cleave, and Reyana waited. She could hear the shuffling of feet below deck, and murmurs that eventually died down—an unfortunate sod that got caught up in the cannon-fire, they must've thought.
Keeping her back to the wall, she took a deep breath before turning the corner and peered inside the stairway that led down below. She was surprised to see two of them waiting for her, blades ready to deal with the intruder.
"You 'eard th' Taskmaster. No 'eros," one of them grinned through yellow teeth.
They pressed their attack, taking advantage that while the night elf wielded a formidable weapon, it was neither quick, nor did it defend well against their quick swordplay. Reyana was forced to give back ground as she retreated from the ship. She could feel the ferocity and strength in their blows, even with her armor on. Worse still, they were finding the places where the plates separated. Blood ran down her arms, and she felt a sharp pain at her side as she reached the water, and found that she had no where left to run.
"End of th' road, missy," one of the swashbucklers smiled a crooked smile, his cutlass stained in her blood. "We'll make it quick, even leave ye for th' nice Alliance people if y'don't put up a fight."
No, she thought to herself. I will not die here! Not in this place! She still had one last trick up her sleeve. With wide eyes, she lunged her body forward screaming with primal rage and fury. She managed to startle them both, and one of them even fled back to the ship in fear screaming, "A MONSTER! A MONSTER!" She took this time to make a break for the shoreline, though her strength was quickly leaving her as drops of blood trailed her footsteps.
The other pirate held his ground as he shook himself out of his daze. The folks back on the ship would never let him live it down if they heard that he was scarred shitless by a woman—a well-armored woman with a giant axe, but a woman nonetheless. With his sword in hand he stalked after her screaming, "YE HAD YER CHANCE, LASS! TH' SEA CLAIMS YE NOW!"
Reyana wasn't sure what had happened next. She heard his footsteps, but she could not move any faster. She felt something sharp pierce her lower back and twist inside before coming out her side. A rush of warmth was beginning to leave her as her body hit the sand. Her mind was confused at it screamed for her to hide somewhere, to escape. But there was no escape now—only resignation. The pirate gave her body a swift, hard kick as she rolled into the surf.
The sea enveloped her body like a mother embracing a child as the waves washed over her body. The sounds of gunfire and cannons sounded so muffled and far-away now as she laid there on the shoreline, streams of red being pulled into the sea. This wasn't the end, she told herself as her eyelid grew heavy. I just need... to rest a little. To get my strength back. And then, I'll come home.
Home.
As she closed her eyes, she could almost imagine herself lying on the shores near Lor'Danel, and wondered if her sister would be home to greet her.
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