PLEROMA | VOICE, ALSO FORWARD DATED TO AROUND THEN

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien still isn't sure how he feels about this method of communication, but now that it seems like something may be on the horizon, he'll sacrifice his mental well-being to get it done. He pushes inexpertly into the psychic realm, reaching out to all of those touched by the Pleroma.

It comes through roughly like his voice, but with a persistent sense of wary anticipation tinging it.]

Hail. This is Estinien Wyrmblood... with any luck, I have been able to reach you.

My dreams have been plagued by queer echoes of the selfsame vision we all had upon our arrival. It feels as if the shrines are once again stirring, and that more lost souls have fallen within their hold. If so, we can be sure that the Regent and their new thralls will one more move to claim the victims as prisoners.

We cannot allow this to happen. This time, I plan to meet the Kenoma's forces head-on, challenging them for the strategic positions around the shrines they took for granted last time. I know that not all of us have the training or abilities required to fight against such odds, but for those that do, I implore you to join me. 'Tis possible that we can spare these new arrivals the same dire fate.

Regardless of whether you join me on the field, I would find great value in knowing everything you can offer concerning the nature of the Kenoma's Aion forces. I fought a handful of them in the caverns, but many more escaped my focus.

For those that will lend their strength, but who have gone to the city... it is now within our power to guide you to our more secure location. There are those we can confer here that will help us plan our best way forward.

[At this point, he will let his message drift. Compiling information and threadjacking are very much welcomed! We are shamelessly ripping off the Kenoma here.]

Comments

KENOMA INFO CONSOLIDATING

[coerthantorment]

"BLUE HAIRED WOMAN"

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien angrily projects thoughts about BLUE HAIRED WOMAN.]

She may have perished from her wounds but I have my doubts... there was life in her still when we left the cavern, and I did not issue a killing blow.

She took Hiccup captive and intended to bind me as well when the opportunity presented itself. She was more eager than most to hand us back to our would-be torturers.

She showed skill with lightning aether and advanced martial arts. She was also wielding one of those damnable whips.

"SWORD MAN WITH INFERNAL ENERGIES"

[coerthantorment]

[This descriptive thought is even less coherent, barely even words, but the mental image is of Binghe.]

This man has a chip on his shoulder and seems to feel great spite for the rest of the world. He came at me in combat as if he hungered for it.

He has some manner of infernal power within him, but I was able to stave it off. He lost his sword and I was able to force his surrender. However, I expect this will not stop him from trying again in the future. The man craves vengeance... I recognize it in his eyes.

BUDDY SYSTEM?

[goldendeceiver]

All things considered, even those who can't fight might help us if they're willing to tag along. If we stick to small groups, then we can always put some distance between us and the others if things get dicey, and eventually teleport ourselves out of there.

"MIQO'TE MAN WITH DAGGERS"

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien is thinking about Eustace here, and apparently he remembers him being a cat boy rather than a wolf boy.]

Nothing exceptional, but dogged in his pursuit. Why he feels such loyalty to the cause I do not know. He was wielding daggers at the time.

[bearshermark]

[Oh no, this is sooner than he'd hoped for.

Eleven's voice comes through tentative, unused to this communication and in honesty, not overfond of removing his shard]

I don't have a good sword yet, but I have magic. If there are new souls, I will help defend them.

[goldendeceiver]

I'd argue with that nothing exceptional. The guy nailed me pretty good when he tossed one of those daggers into me.

Not sure what his deal is, honestly, but he seems to know a pretty good amount about fighting and weaponry. I'm guessing some kind of soldier or mercenary before coming here?

[coerthantorment]

I will fight alone unless otherwise required... we can cover more ground that way. I trust in my abilities.

[goldendeceiver]

I won't argue too much with you if that's what you prefer, but it is pretty risky when we don't know the full extent of what the other side can do.

[coerthantorment]

Aye, he did land a dagger on me as well... I suppose more that, even when pushed, he didn't exhibit any form of aether _{magical energy} manipulation... mayhap he is more reliant on weapons he does not presently have access to.

[goldendeceiver]

Yeah, it didn't seem like he was a caster to me either. Still, you give a guy the right weapons, and he can be just as dangerous as one.

I'm kind of hoping not to cross paths with him again, to be honest. I imagine whatever their situation is, they're probably going to be much better armed than they were last time we saw them.

[coerthantorment]

A wise consideration... and even with what support we've found, we are woefully underprepared in comparison. If they have soldiers on their sides as well...

Hmph.

All the same, we cannot simply forsake those arriving.

[Through his transmission, it can be felt how deeply concerned Estinien is about all of this. He cannot bear the idea of letting the Regent claim more victims.]

[inutilis]

[ there are some quiet, general feelings of unease and something akin to a tangible sense of sorrow before Abel manages to get something coherent out and into their shared dreamscape. his voice is hesitant at first, but he eventually manages to find some equilibrium once he begins "talking," ]

Please remember that those who left us to return with the Regent have done so under duress. I know some of them have been-- ah. Disturbingly... enthusiastic in their efforts, to put it diplomatically. But none of them asked for their minds and hearts to be turned against them, and we all know what it felt like to relive that dream of losing everything-- never mind what came after.

[ the black sludge, and a ritual none of them want to see any others repeat. they were able to resist, but how many of them had come close to succumbing...? an uncomfortably high number, he's willing to wager. ]

...I know confrontation might not be avoidable, but please remember they are not our enemies. The Regent - or whoever is truly behind our arrival here - is. We aren't just working to save those waking from the shrines, but our wayward friends, too.

That being said...

[ can you hear the 'but,' here, ]

If it is to stop them from misguiding others, I'm with you. All I ask is you please do what you can to restrain and stall rather than drawing blood. --And please... come back safely, alright?

[coerthantorment]

I expected as much. You can create warding, can you not?

[salvageable]

His name is Eustace. He's not much of a talker and stubborn about it, too. The annoying lone wolf-type.

He's an expert marksman. I've seen him hit a small target from a formidable distance. He's also told me himself that he's skilled with most weapons, with a preference for firearms. I'd say maintain your distance but it wouldn't help.

[ Get absolutely read, Eustace. ]

[bearshermark]

..Yes. It takes concentration, however.

[goldendeceiver]

[ What a genuinely admirable guy. Ernesto does respect the hell out of that. ]

No, we can't. I agree with you there. If we're in need of supplies, I think those of us in the city are in a better position to grab weapons and items as needed before we regroup though.

Think you could get us a list of requests? We'll see what we can do with the funds we have.

[goldendeceiver]

Eustace, huh? Good to know...

[coerthantorment]

Father Abel...

[There's something pained and frustrated in his mental tone, like he recognizes what Abel is talking about but can't simply accept it.]

This is a war of extermination, and we are presently on the losing side. I would sooner see those taken by the Kenoma brought over to our side than harmed as well... but we cannot put our own comrades at undue risk for their benefit.

We have no advantages to our name. We are scattered and unorganized. We do not have the luxury of such indulgence.

[inutilis]

[ because his bleeding heart diatribe didn't endear Estinien to him enough, now he's going to talk about CielElesia!! ]

...It may be wishful thinking, but-- I don't think that woman was truly trying to prevent us from leaving. If she was--

[ well. frankly, Abel doesn't think they would have made it out of there - not without permanently putting her down, first. ]

[salvageable]

She's incredibly strong and inhumanly fast. I'd warn against close combat. In fact, I'd advise you just run away if you see her.

And the whip... She knows how to use it like our captors to put you under her influence.

[ ... No? Nobody else? Just him? ]

[inutilis]

It's good to hear your voice, my friend...! Are you doing well?

[ ah, it's reassuring to hear those that had gone into the woods had found good fortune. it had been a bit worrisome, parting as they did - but it seemed to have borne fruit. ]

Mm, how long does it take you to put up your warding? Um-- like the sort you managed in the cavern? Is it very taxing?

[salvageable]

You didn't know the name of the bastard who stabbed you until now?

[goldendeceiver]

He refused to tell me when we were on better terms.

[salvageable]

That cagey idiot...