A/N: I have no idea what I'm doing currently with this, but uh... it shall be what it shall be, right? I ask you not to post here; just so I can sort out everything, and keep it the way that I want it. If you have anything to tell me about this story, PMs are both welcome and greatly appreciated <3
I would also like to give a warning about AToD; though I am making this up as I go, I am fairly certain that this particular text will contain darker and more mature themes (still following Sylestian guidelines, of course), and is not suitable for readers who want simple happy endings.
A Touch Of Darkness
Table of Contents: Background Info, Crynth
Cast
Background Info, The North & Luporan Packs
Prologue
1
2
Edited By Typhlosion on 9/29/2020 at 2:05 PM.
Typhlosion
Level 75
Wondrous Witch
Joined: 2/9/2013
Threads: 333
Posts: 7,133
Posted: 8/16/2020 at 7:38 PM
Post #2
Background Info (Crynthian Edition): The majority of AToD (A Touch of Darkness) takes place in Crynth, the largest city of mixed Sylesties in the lands of Eramor. Eramor refers to every place in this story, and is the land where every event will happen. Eramor is a fictitious land that has nothing to do with the game, and is completely made up.
Crynth: A city of mixed Sylesties where all come to prosper and find peace. In every way possible, it is the most advanced and open-minded civilization in Eramor.
Crynth is ruled by five different houses; each one an advocate for certain species of Sylesti. The job of each House's leading family is to protect their people, and keep equal rights for all.
The House of Opal Moons: The House of Opal Moons, or OM for short, is a house that includes Luffox, Lunemara, Lupora, Nephini, Puffadore, and Zolnixi. Its house colors consist of cream, pale blue, and white, and members will often be found decorated in said colors. OM members are known as those with the strongest magical capabilities, though sometimes they can come off more than a bit fanatical in their practices. OM members are often mystics and shamans, and they worship the moon more than anything else.
Ruling Family: Opal Moons is ruled by the Crescents; three elected officials that usually show the most magical prowess of their time, regardless of age. The current Crescents are a Nephini by the name of Rosalia, a Lupora named Aurus, and a Puffadore named Pixie.
The House of Ruby Swords: The House of Ruby Swords, or RS for short, is a house that includes Aurleon, Griffi, Lighira, Morkko, Ny'vene, and Vulnyx. Its house colors consist of red, gold, and, to a much lesser extent, orange. RS members are known as the most experienced and avid warriors, and almost exclusively makeup the Crynthian Guard. Members of RS value battle and strength above all, and they don't hesitate to let that fact be known.
Ruling Family: In RS, strength is the way to determine a figurehead. Monthly, the strongest RS competitors will participate in a tournament to decide the current ruler (and their family). During the events of AToD, General Armin is the leader of RS.
The House of Sapphire Seas: The House of Sapphire Seas, or SS for short, is a house that includes Kelpari and Sylvorpa. Their colors span a wide variety of blues, as well as silvers, and pale pinks. SS is the most secluded of the kingdoms, and its denizens prefer the comfort of the waters around Crynth, instead of the city itself. SS members rarely surface for anything (except for the ruling family), and the only true exceptions are for trading and special Crynthian occasions.
Ruling Family: The Valora Family, spanning more than several generations and smaller families, is in charge of the SS house. Valoran Sylvorpas will often "pass" the house head title onto their relatives, preferring to be under the waters instead of in Crynth. Due to this, the heads are usually short-lived, unless a poor Vorpa gets stuck in the postion.
The current SS house lead is a younger Sylvorpa named Titus.
The House of Emerald Forests: The House of Emerald Forests, or EF for short, is a house that includes Aeridini, Bulbori, Faelora, and Qitari. Its house colors are greens, browns, and darker greys. EF is known for its talented, hardworking Sylesties, that prefer to pursue paths in farming, cooking, and herbalism. Aside from SS, EF is the most reclusive house in the city; most EF members find the city too confining for their rural lifestyles, and prefer to pursue life outside of Crynth's limits.
Ruling Family: An Aeridini family known as Fullbloom represent the House of Emerald Forests, and the two current leading Aeridini are Lord Cypress and Lady Kerria.
The House of Ebony Dreams: A denounced house that once was a founding pillar of Crynth, denizens of ED were made up of Ferrikki, Ryori, Nytekrie, and Draeyl. Its house colors consist of black and pale lavender. When ED existed, it was known as the keeper of the legend of The Darkness, but became denounced when Sylesties ceased to believe in what is now known as a fairy tale. When ED was denounced, its denizens either switched to other houses, or became Houseless. Former Ebony Dreams members are rarely treated with respect (given that most still believe in The Darkness), and are treated as skeptics and fools by anyone else living in Crynth.
Ruling Family: The last remaining member of Ebony Dreams is Eva, a widowed, old Ferrikki who resides in the once great Ebony House alone.
The Houseless: This "house" comprises mostly of former Ebony Dreams members, but also includes denounced Sylesties, and criminals. Houseless Crynthians are looked upon as the scum of the earth, and will often not be hired for jobs; leaving most to resort to a life of crime and petty thievery.
Whilst the category of "denounced Sylesties" and the category of "criminals" sound similar, denounced Sylesties have the chance of transferring houses and finding homes in a different house. Criminals, however, have permanent marks on their record, and are only denounced from their houses because of crimes they have comitted. Criminals are rarely set free, and when they are, they usually end up back in the prisons they were freed from.
Edited By Typhlosion on 9/16/2020 at 3:28 PM.
Typhlosion
Level 75
Wondrous Witch
Joined: 2/9/2013
Threads: 333
Posts: 7,133
Posted: 8/16/2020 at 7:42 PM
Post #3
Cast:
Cresseida, our Main Character
-Growing up in the North, Cresseida has been secluded from everyone but her own packmates for most of her life. Proficient in water magic, Cresseida tends to prefer ice and cold weather over anything else, and it makes her demeanor seem cold and closed-off.
Edited By Typhlosion on 8/19/2020 at 5:50 PM.
Typhlosion
Level 75
Wondrous Witch
Joined: 2/9/2013
Threads: 333
Posts: 7,133
Posted: 8/16/2020 at 7:49 PM
Post #4
Prologue
"This world is sinking
Can't you feel it, my dear?
Everything we once loved
It's all going to be gone."
According to legends, The Darkness was released long, long ago. It was left to fester and prosper, growing stronger, waiting for the inevitable to come to pass.
The truth of this legend is that we were born into a godless world; one that doesn't care whether we live or die. When we were born, so was The Darkness, to counter our futile, weak light. And our only truth? That one day, the darkness would come for everything we'd ever built, everything we'd ever known. That we'd be helpless to stop it. Fun, right?
Of course, these are legends, and they won't stop life...not on the basis of dark stories you'd tell your children to keep them in their beds at night. The truth is that Sylesties stopped believing in The Darkness eons before you and I were born- they built their civilizations, they lived, thrived, even, and every idea of The Darkness being anything more than a grim fairy tale was long forgotten. No one bothered to prepare for something that was supposedly going to hit ages in the future.
Big mistake.
Typhlosion
Level 75
Wondrous Witch
Joined: 2/9/2013
Threads: 333
Posts: 7,133
Posted: 8/17/2020 at 12:26 PM
Post #5
Background Info (The North):
The North:
Dominated mostly by Luporas, Morkkos, and Griffis, the North (also known as Sephyr, mainly by its inhabitants) is, essentially, a massive frozen wasteland, spanning almost a quarter of Eramor in its entirety. While the intense weather and sheer harshness of the Sephyr make it a place most Sylesties would never dare to face, the true reason for their animosity towards this tundra is the horrible rumors; spanning everything from missing Sylesties to vicious monsters hidden in the deadened lands.
While it is unsure how true these rumors are, the Sephyr used to be the centre of magic; long, long ago. Some kind of reaction akin to a massive out-of-control magical explosion resulted in only the wasteland remains that exist to this day.
Sephyrian Packs:
TNS (The Northern Star):
TNS is Cresseida's (former) pack, and is known for its prominent water mages, controlling the ice and snow with a firm grip. While TNS is familiar with each other, they are incredibly cold and territorial to outsiders, and will go so far as fatally wounding trespassers and leaving them as examples.
TSS (The Southern Star):
The sworn rivals of TNS, TSS is, predictably, completely different from TNS in every way. Comprising of fire mages, TSS survives in Sephyr by constantly keeping watch, and constantly keeping the cold at bay. TSS are the only guides through the wasteland, and the best bet for any wandering explorers. As a pack, they are warm and understanding, but their rage burns bright when crossed.
TWS (The Western Star):
A pack of earth mages that prefer to avoid notice, TWS is neutral in the war between the fire and water packs. TWS survives in the wasteland by making intricate burrows, and living out their days under the earth, where they can make everything a bit more temperate. TWS is even rarer to encounter than TNS, though.
Edited By Typhlosion on 9/16/2020 at 3:31 PM.
Typhlosion
Level 75
Wondrous Witch
Joined: 2/9/2013
Threads: 333
Posts: 7,133
Posted: 8/23/2020 at 1:14 PM
Post #6
1
"Sometimes I hear you calling
From some lost and distant shore
I hear you crying softly for the way it was before."
-Hymn for the Missing, Red
"I've always heard stories about Crynth, the City of Hope, as they called it so fondly. In fact, growing up, it was all my pack could ever talk about- the beauty and unity of Crynth, and the wishes to go there, to live there someday.
It had been my dream. My aspiration.
So, when I finally made it to this amazing city, I was beyond words at how much foolish hope I'd been cheated out of. This place is a dump." I grumble, pawing at the cheap, shoddy stone floor of the inn I'm hoping to call home.
"Oi, love, I asked you how long you were going to stay, not for your entire life story." The innkeeper, a disheveled, mangy looking Nytekrie looked at me, mustering about the same amount of annoyance, maybe even more, for hearing my pathetic life story as I had about living the very same life story.
"I was just getting to that. I'm not sure how long I'm staying, but I know for sure that I'll be here at least a month."
"That'll be 2,000 gold." He said, giving me the once-over. "You do have gold, right?"
"I'm offended that you think I don't." I glare at him halfheartedly. I'm painfully aware of the way I look, probably as dirty and disheveled as the innkeeper himself. But I can't help it- that's what weeks of travel through the Sephyr does; especially travelling alone.
Ignoring the glare he shoots back at me, I rifle through my precious few belongings, and bring out the tattered bag of gold that I've been surviving off of. My provisions aren't going to last me long enough on my own- I know that I'm going to need to get a job to support myself.
Though, I'm not so sure of what jobs I'd be qualified for- nor am I sure of what exactly exists in this "land of opportunity", as they so fortunately call Crynth.
I hand over the gold necessary, tucking my precious bag back where only I can reach. The innkeeper turns over a pale lavender crystal, humming faintly with a kind of magic that I can't place. My face must look incredibly confused, because he huffs in annoyance and begins an explanation.
"This city is built on another plane, love. In all your wonderful stories and dreams, they never explained that part to you?"
"I don't believe they ever did."
"Crystals like the one I gave you, which is your keycard, by the way. Don't lose that. Crystals like that one unlock different rooms and areas of the Crynthian plane. Yours will give you access to your room, and nothing more. Only one copy of the key to your room exists, so don't lose it. Or you lose everything in that room, and that entire section of the plane." He seems almost bored as he explains this, rattling it off like he's memorized the speech. With his place of business, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he does.
"And how do I...um...activate it?" I ask, peering at the small, diamond-shaped crystal.
"You hold it close to you, and think of where you want to go."
"It's really that simple?" I ask, gazing at the crystal's lavender depths in awe.
"You'll need to buy a Crynthian Plane Crystal to get access to the rest of the city." The innkeeper responds in answer, focusing his attentions upon something behind the desk separating us. Perhaps the gold I gave him?
"I suppose you don't sell those, too?"
"I don't have a permit to do so, love. Otherwise I would've already offered." He responds, eyes shifting back to me. He ruffles his drab grey feathers, scanning over me not-so-subtly. "When you're off getting a job, as I assume you will, the Office of Registrations should be able to help you out."
"One more question," I venture, eyeing him back with the same scrutiny. "What does the ED on the door stand for?"
I see the shift in his demeanor immediately- where he'd only been slightly wary and evidently bored of me before, he becomes cold and closed off. From the way I'd lived with my pack for the entirety of my life, I can determine that the shutter in his expression means one thing; I struck a nerve.
"My inn is closing for the night." He responds instead, his frigid gaze burning a hole in my conscience. I have no idea what I'd just asked, but it really seemed like the worst thing I could've said. "Either you go to your room, or somewhere else in this city. Anywhere but here." He gestures at the door aggressively, turning from me after a moment.
Nodding almost meekly, I turn from him and rest my attentions on the crystal- my room key. The idea seems so bizarre to me, but I do as the innkeeper said; I hold it close and think.
Keeping my eyes closed, I think as hard as I can, about this nameless shapeless room that I supposedly am renting, but nothing happens. I've been scammed, haven't I?
Turning around to express my anger and demand my gold back, I stumble in shock when I behold the scene in front of me: a full room, albeit slightly shoddy, is the only thing that meets my eye. There are no doors or windows, but the room is packed with commodities and storage areas. The walls are painted the same pale lavender as the crystal I'm still holding, something about the color calling to me in the oddest of ways.
Exploring leads me to find an entire chest packed with nesting material, dried food provisions, and a couple pails of clean, fresh water.
A wardrobe on the opposite wall allows me to store any garments or armor I may have brought with me, and I find myself grateful for the notion, though I have no apparel of my own.
The cleaned-out area in the middle of the room seems fit for a nest- and given the nesting material in the chest, it seems that I have the ability to create a nest to my very own specifications.
The luxury of it all has me almost drooling- this may be the cheapest inn I could find in this city, but compared to the cold bed of snow I'd had as a makeshift nest in my travel through the Sephyr, this is like me coming across a chest full of plentiful gold to spend.
Sighing in relief, I focus on preparing for what I believe is a well-deserved rest.
Edited By Typhlosion on 9/29/2020 at 1:41 PM.
Typhlosion
Level 75
Wondrous Witch
Joined: 2/9/2013
Threads: 333
Posts: 7,133
Posted: 9/29/2020 at 2:04 PM
Post #7
2 "It is always easier to destroy than create."
-Wildcard, Marie Lu
When I wake, it takes me a moment to remember where I am; the pale lavender of the walls shaking me back into reality. I then proceed to force myself to get up, wanting nothing more than to curl into the nest I've made and sleep there forever. If only I could..
Almost grumbling, I get to my paws and stretch, once again taking in the surroundings of the room, of my room.
Back in my pack, I hadn't had anything to call mine; I always shared dens with my parents, or my sister, or the mate that they'd tried to set me up with.
But I wasn't there anymore, in the unforgiving Sephyr, or the pack of Luporas almost as cold. I was here, in the magnificent, blooming city of Crynth (granted, those still aren't the words I'd use for it), and I was starting a new life. My very own life.
I fish out my key crystal, which I had placed for safekeeping in my gold pouch; my most valuable possessions all in one place, and I peer at it.
After a second, I close my eyes and think of the inn- shoddy and shabby, and yet more of a home than anything I've ever known.
When I open my eyes, I'm in the same room I'd been in last night; dirty stone floor, walls that had once shone an elegant grey, and bored innkeeper all in the same place.
He seems to have forgotten the thing I'd asked him last night- and I wasn't about to remind him, either.
"Morning," I nod to him, noting the disinterest in his eyes as he turns back to whatever book is in front of him. He doesn't bother to respond, and I turn away. Another thing I'm used to.
When I leave the inn, I once again pass the ED carved on the door, surrounded by intricate whorls and swirls. I try not to stare too long, but it's almost as if the letters themselves are calling to me; in fact, the door had been the reason I'd checked into this inn, and not any other one nearby.
The streets are as drab and grey as I remember them; the loss of hope deflating my chest as I realized Crynth would not be making any of my dreams come true.
Except that, according to the innkeeper, this wasn't all that Crynth had to offer. I sorely hoped every word he spoke was true.
(Will finish later.)
Silverscale576
Level 75
Fabled Ice Carver
Joined: 2/26/2019
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Posts: 9,221
Posted: 10/31/2020 at 7:01 PM
Post #8
Can u add one of my sylestis in?
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