RP:The Maiden & The Herald

From HollowWiki

Part of the Snow Maiden Arc



OOC Note

This is part of an on-going group of planned RPs aimed to further develop Frostmaw, and as such is going to be categorized as one of the "Planned Arcs".


Deep Snow
The snow here dramatically deepens and those of human size find that they have become half submerged. Each movement is difficult and tiresome as you struggle to continue, the snow itself finds ways to drift into the cracks of your clothes or armor, giving that extra little surprise of ice to skin. You may travel to the east, south, or to the west.

Characters

  • Cerinii is here with a cat named Fyiero.
    • Ancient avian, engineer.
  • Satoshi is here.
    • Vampiric feline, ice magus.

Chapter 4

Cerinii should have been half submerged in the snow. But the light bones of Avian-kind allowed her to be less than submerged. She sighs softly, as the snow lands upon her obsidian hair and wings. She slowly walks along. Gazing skyward and all around, for the sake of looking. But a few more care free steps, caused the metallic avian to land in deeper snow. She sinks almost instantly, the snow coming up to her hips. "Snow.." She grumbles, gazing around and letting her mind slowly whir into action.


Satoshi is one of those creatures light enough to find it an easy task strolling atop the snow, even without her cryomancy aiding her. And it's during this stroll--or dance, really, with the way the feline moves in a drifting pattern--that she happens upon the half-buried avian, a sight that brings her to a sudden halt and leaves her blinking with surprise. "Well. That's not a sight I see everyday, vraiment." Circling around Cerinii to face her and offer a grin, the feline appends, "It seems we're destined to cross paths out here repeatedly, hm? So... Do you need to be dug out, dove?"


Cerinii 's pointed ears twitched, at the approach of Satoshi. She watched, as the vampiric feline circled her. She grinned up to the female, "Ah, Snow Maiden - you have come to rescue me, nein?" She chuckles softly, "Oh nein, I'll be out in ein jiffy." She winked in that oh so playful way. She inhaled sharply, closing her eyes. Something.. clear and gooey seemed to be crawling over her face and throat and down her fleshy arm. Through her hair, in her ear and squirming its way into her eyes. Within moments, the goo became solid and formed steel around her. Metallic eyes opened, to reveal grey orbs for eyes. She smiled stiffly, spreading her arms out forcefully to break the prison of snow. She clambers on up, looking to Satoshi. Her voice an echo, peculiar and magical all the same. "See? Out in ein jiffy!"


Satoshi misses most of Cerinii's display, her attention torn away by a rustling noise and a sharply whispered 'The Snow Maiden!' that follows shortly after the avian's greeting. With narrowed, amber-flecked eyes scanning the treeline, Satoshi's large, vulpine ears listen to the sound of a heavy form making a hasty--and surprisingly stealthy for size--departure. But within seconds the noises are gone, taking the feline's alarm with it. Huffing, Satoshi turns back to Cerinii. And nearly jumps out of her skin at the metallic creature standing before her, free of the snow. "Hellfire et blizzards!" the mage hisses out from between clenched teeth as she stumbles back, eyes wide and tails gone bottlebrush with her surprise. But surprise quickly loses out to curiosity as the feline recognizes Cerinii, and can't resist reaching out a tentative finger to poke at her shoulder. "What -is- that...?"


Cerinii 's pointed ears twitched, giving a very quiet screech of metal moving. She grinned, murmuring softly - well.. as softly as one can with that voice. "It is mein latest gift. From an old friend, passed down through the grave. He thought it would just let me heal quicker, but oh, he was so very wrong. Mein torso is now solid armour. /Living/ armour, that chooses where to be thicker in accordance to where danger strikes." She chuckles, "Shall we walk ein little? I have not seen you in some time."


Satoshi takes one last glance at the section of trees where the noises had been before accepting Cerinii's offer with a nod. "A walk es good. And has it been a while?" The feline's perplexed expression is hint enough that she keeps little track on time. Her tendency to greet someone the same, whether she's seen them a day ago or an entire year, only solidifies the fact. "Have you been well? It's at least been interesting for you though, it seems. Living armor... fancy that. Does it weigh much?" While she talks, the feline idly begins stroking her tails, trying to smooth the fur that's been set on end.


Cerinii chuckles, nodding. "Ja, it has been some time.. How does little Aurelia fare? Und you?" She grins, whilst walking. Shaking her head, to only make more screeches. "It weighs nothing to me. It just constricts movement, really." She sighs softly, "It's not too interesting. Just fun." She chuckles softly, raising her voice, "Though, I do say danke, Snow Maiden."


Satoshi flashes Cerinii a baffled smile, a solitary ear flicking. "'Snow Maiden', eh? Interessant name. And I am a collector of interesting names... I'll have to keep that one~." Chuckling quietly in amusement at the acquisition of another--unwittingly important- alias, the magus goes about answering the questions given to her. "Aurelia fares well. I found the mage you suggested, Basil, and he was kind enough to enchant multiple crystals with heat, so she's safe from the cold of myself and home now. She grows swiftly, like a good kitten. Won't be long until she's under foot, I'm sure. As for myself... all goes as well as one can wish for when they live a life of chaos~. Which, like yours, makes for a fun life."


Cerinii chuckles softly, "Indeed, Snow Maiden..." She grinned wryly, before she froze in her place. The steel quivering and returning to a goo like state. It clung to her skin before slithering back to her titanium forearm. She had a thin layer of perspiration about her flesh, but it was pleasant smelling. As were all Avians. She grins, voice returning to normal. "I'm pleased to hear she is growing well. If she needs another.. jab, send her mein way, ja?" She smiles softly, continuing her walk before a soft sigh escaped her. "So.. You like the name Snow Maiden, hm?"


Satoshi nods in reply and agreeance, her smile light and pleasant as she strolled alongside the avian. "Indeed~. There's a ring to it I'm fond of." Her voice lowers to a playfully conspiratorial tone, "Even if I'm no maiden," the mage's smile becomes a great deal more roguish then with fangs bared in an almost malicious nature before, just as quickly as it appeared, the expression returns to a softer state. But even that is fleeting as the feline's ears suddenly fold back and her eyes narrow, making a darting glance for the trees again. "I get the feeling we're being watched, lady scientist..."


Cerinii chuckles softly, "Ah, but who is these days?" She grins, laughing softly. She simply nodded, "I know." She murmurs with a calm tone. "You see, the name 'Snow Maiden' is catching attention." She smiles, looking to Satoshi, "Would you like to see what I mean or would you rather be left alone?"


Satoshi throws a questioning, almost suspicious, look Cerinii's way between the cautious glances toward the trees. She takes along moment to answer, but finally the feline nods as a wry grin appears on her face. "I'm a cat. I've a penchant for sating curiosity, even if it leads openly into danger." Tossing another look toward the snowladen pines, Satoshi adds, "Do enlighten me, hm~?"


Cerinii grinned, nodding her head. "Mein utmost pleasure, Snow Maiden." She pauses, allowing Satoshi to be a few steps ahead. She flares her wings out, shuddering them for a quick warm up. She bends her knees, giving a wink to Satoshi before pushing off and soaring into the sky. She doesn't go too high, just somewhat high. She circles around the immediate area, calling with a sharp voice - heralding news of some sorts. "The Snow Maiden stands! She stands, she stands for all to see! Come gather!" She circles a few more times, before descending and landing in the snow once more. She dusts off her robe and pats her hair free of snow. She smiles to Satoshi, "Now.. If the Giants gather, you have your answer."


Satoshi stands rooted to the ground as if her boots have frozen to the snow as she watches the avian play herald in the skies. "What in the name of hellfire...?" is all the mage manages to ask before the first giants arrive, two of the trio of watchers that had been following them--the third long since sent to carry the news to the village. "Are you truly the Snow Maiden..?" the oldest of the pair asks in disbelieving awe, his companion staring unbashed at the feline. Satoshi blinks, glancing once in question to Cerinii before her expression abruptly goes blank. No sign of confusion or hint of hesitance lingers on the cat then, now that she's in her element. It's a flawless adoption and interpretation of the mysterious role, and a display of the mage's truest skill, as she lifts her chin slightly, putting on a regal air with the simple gesture. "I am. Did the winged-one not say as much?" The giant who spoke flinches at the answer as if he's been scolded for asking silly questions. But before further words can be exchanged, they're cut off by the sounds of more frost giants swiftly approaching. Satoshi uses the brief span of time to raise a brow at Cerinii, as if to ask, 'What exactly is going on here?'


Cerinii grins as the question is posed and Satoshi answers flawlessly. She chuckles quietly, lofting a thin obsidian brow at the giants. Her wings flare slightly at the mention of 'winged-one'. She whispers quietly to Satoshi, "It is ein local legend, held long ago amongst the older giants. The Snow Maiden is the Lady of Frostmaw, so to speak. She protects the people und the land. Like ein.. miniature deity." She chuckles, "Und you, are her." She stands straight, clearing her voice. "You see the Snow Maiden before you! She has returned to the land! Rejoice!" She grinned, winking at Satoshi.


Satoshi murmurs, words nearly inaudible, to herself after hearing the avian's words. "And I am her..." Well, there's no backing out now, not with a quickly expanding crowd of frost giants--most ranging in from middle-aged to elderly--filling the small clearing and all clamouring to see and speak with the reborn legend. Satoshi closes her eyes, letting herself sink into the role before she opens them again. "Silence." The word comes in a soft voice, yet the commanding tone leaves no room for argument and instantly an awed hush fills the area. Nodding once, the little 'avatar' allows a wisp of a smile to grace her lips. "The herald speaks the truth. Your Snow Maiden has returned." Immediately the silence is shattered by a barrage of questions for Satoshi and Cerinii: "Do you return to punish us?", "Where have you been for so long?", "Winged one, are you truly a snow gryphon?", "What of the Jarl?" Satoshi nearly falters under the assault of voices, but a look toward Cerinii and her metallic-appendages bolsters the feline's resolve as she takes firm stance. "Silence!" Again the command is given, and again it is heeded, although slower this time. Only once a soundless state is restored does Satoshi speak again, answering in a way to deftly avoid the legend's specifics she's clueless about. "You will know why I have returned, in time. Your Jarl will as well. Soon." Another look goes to Cerinii, seeming to ask if now is a wise time to depart and gather themselves.


Cerinii fell silent, except for a little gasp at the 'gryphon' comment. How dare they. She wasn't /that/ bad looking. Sheesh. She allowed Satoshi to hold her own, for some time. But the Ancient felt that she should step in, after 'soon'. She stepped forward, crying out. "The Snow Maiden shall go for now! She will return to the faithful who have shown. She must attend to her own business. Have faith, chosen giants! For your Snow Maiden is here." She grins, looking to Satoshi with another wink. It seemed the Herald and the Snow Maiden were making progress. She mutters to Satoshi, "I suggest you wave or something, und go..."


Satoshi eagerly accepts Cerinii's cue, albeit with her own twist. The feline cuts an elegant bow before she and the avian are suddenly enveloped by a fluffy of thick snow--a simple trick for an ice mage to conjure up. Without waiting, Satoshi's quick to usher Cerinii and herself away from the area as her spell masks their retreating footprints, so that once the brief shield of frost returns to earth, no sign of Maiden or Herald can be found. The crowd is left in wonder, some leaving to bring the strange news back home, while others linger to discuss the sighting. And a short distance away, Satoshi finds a hollow among the trees and snow where she can sit. Heaving a wondering sigh, the feline seeks out the avian and merely says, "Well, that was interesting. Did you plan that..?"


Cerinii grinned, at the trick the Ice Magus performed. She clapped very quietly, "Bravo, bravo." She whispers, with a chuckle. She followed the feline without hesitation, sitting down upon the snow with a heaved sigh of relief. She grins, shrugging her shoulder. "Somewhat." That being the only answer she gave, Cerinii glanced around for signs of any who may have managed to follow them.


Satoshi slumps back against a dead tree trunk and idly scoops a pile of snow into her palm. Absently, the mage shifts the handful of snow about, slowly shaping it as her thoughts work themselves out. "I am her... The Lady of Frostmaw..? The Snow Maiden? Moi?" Without paying it heed, Satoshi gives the snow in her hands the beginning forms of a tiny bird while she thinks aloud. "What... was your reason for that, exactly..?" Claws blindly etch a delicate feather pattern on the snowbird, palms glowing pale blue as they bleed magic into the frost. "Am I some sort of puppet in a game, or do you think me really this 'local legend' returned? An avatar of this 'Snow Maiden'?" With a chirp, the once-snowball takes flight from Satoshi's gloved hands, a perfect living ice-sculpture of a chickadee eagerly winging its way off into the trees.


Cerinii watches the absent-minded feline toy with the snow, quietly. She sighs softly, considering those questions. "Satoshi.. I am old. Very, very old. You like the cold. You have ein cold aura, but warm heart at times.. Here, where the frost lies und the snow falls - you are the Almighty. The Alpha und Omega." She chuckles, "You create life." She gestures to the snowbird. She sighs softly, "Mein reason was, I am old!" She laughs gently, "I am tired of seeing men firm in their ways; tradition und war leading the way. I want to see cunning und wit, not who has the most soldiers." She grins wryly, "This is nein game of chess. I do not move anyone about. I simply.. point you in the right direction. Whether you go or not, is your choice. It seems you have gone though, eh? Either by knowing choice or your heart." She pauses, thinking carefully. "You.. You are immortal. Und that is what ein legend is, nein? To be immortal, whether it be in song or tale. But you, are really immortal. You are stronger; faster; better. The people see you as this legendary figure." She scratches her head idly, "Whether or not you play along is up to you."


Satoshi listens to the words, really listens to them rather than her typical feigned attention, and it's a long span of time before she's willing to speak. The feline has put thought into her response, carefully musing over Cerinii's words before making her own. "If that is how they see me, then that is how I will be. I've played many roles in my life. I'll take up this role of a legend, and give life to this land." Rising from her spot slowly, Satoshi comes to a firm stand, straight and regal amidst the forest of snow and pine. "I'm tied to this frozen land, as strongly and inexplicably as I'm tied to Ashen. It's a part of me, and I can feel the life that lives hidden beneath its surface. Cerinii, ancient one," Satoshi turns thoughtful eyes upon the avian and offers up a deep bow, "I'll heed your guidance. When a kitten is given a nudge by an elder, it is wise to accept the directive. Not blindly, but in a way to learn from it. I'll do that. And I'll be the Snow Maiden." Suddenly the feline extends a frigid hand to Cerinii, feeling compelled to do so, as if she's sealing an important deal.


Cerinii chuckles softly, nodding in agreement with those words. "But, do not apply such logic to everything. Otherwise, you are trapped." With that, she rises as if to meet Satoshi's stance. She grins, "I am pleased that you will heed mein words." She extends her right, fleshy, hand. Grasping Satoshi's for a firm shake. She grins, "Be careful, Snow Maiden. This land of snow will not remain frozen in its peaceful state. You must be ready. Gather your friends now, long before such time approaches. Let none sense weakness. You must first speak with Herr Gunnar."


Satoshi's serious mood can only last so long, as is a habit of the feline, and swiftly she winks at Cerinii's warning. "I'm rarely logical. Instinct serves me best. But, I imagine this endeavor will require a careful balance of both. But, as I'm already on a bird-heeding, logical streak... I'll agree with your words again. Time to gather allies, and speak with Frostmaw's Champion." Sighing, Satoshi can't keep a hopeful look off her face, "Master Gunnar as an ally is a highly desirous thing. It will be no easy task without his aid and knowledge. But, with or without it... The Jarl will be unthroned, and the Lady of Frostmaw will walk again."


Satoshi nods hastily as she glances over her shoulder. "I'm thinking we've lingering here long enough, with curious frost giants so nearby. It'd be wise to take our leave of this place and each other, no?"


Cerinii nodded, in agreement. "Herr Gunnar already holds an alliance with the Republic. I shall promote the idea of this Maiden." She grins, before nodding and spreading her wings once more. "Indeed. I shall fly back to Kelay. Take care, Snow Maiden." With that, she flies away, yadda yadda - as bird people do.


Death of a Rumor

Segment 4 of the Snow Maiden Arc




~From the journal of Cliff Edge, adventurer extraordinaire, adopted bloodbrother of the yeti tribe, Howling Winds, and lead investigator of the Snow Maiden rumors.~


Chaos. Pure, unadulterated chaos. That is the best way to summarize Frostmaw's current condition. The Snow Maiden has been seen, and not merely by one or two and from a distance. She's been truly witnessed, and has spoken to a crowd of Frost Giants. And further still does the rift grow between the Snow Maiden believers and Aramoth-loyals, without any interference made by the authorities (for they seem just as divided, and without order as the Jarl remains mute on the subject).


But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's backtrack, shall we? From what I've gathered (which is no mean feat, with the excited, convoluted talk springing up everywhere and spreading like wildfire), a small hunting party first reported seeing the Snow Maiden walking through the forest with a supposed Avian at her side. Shortly after one of the giants ran back to Frostmaw to tell of what he saw, the Snow Maiden's companion took to the skies and began calling, "The Snow Maiden stands! She stands for all to see! Come gather!"


I am told I'm lucky I was not in town at the time, as my sources say there was a veritable stampede to reach where the call originated from. It's no surprise those supporting the ways of Aramoth remained behind, although a small number of them went along in hopes of disproving the rumors finally. Now, from here I will tell what happened through the words of my most reliable source, an elderly giant called Heshtak.


-When I arrived to the clearing there she stood, plain as the nose on yer tiny face, waitin' for us. Pretty as the stories say too, white as snow and frail-lookin' as an ice-crystal. But ya could see underneath that little surface was power, a lot of it, like an avalanche just waitin' to crash down 'pon yer head. She had these ears like the snow-foxes too, and tails. Aye! Two tails, not one like is natural. That was mah biggest clue that she was no simple mortal. And standin' next to her was this winged thing, the one that had called us. Looked like an Avian, but something about that one was different too. Was one of the Maiden's griffins in disguise, I 'spose. The Snow Maiden called her the 'Herald', if mah ears still work. An' they do!


The thing that captured me most about the Snow Maiden was, tho', the way she spoke. She had a voice of command that ya wouldn't think somethin' so small could muster, but she could! She patiently listened to our questions, 'cause all of us had a lot of 'em, and she told us to wait, to be patient. She said she'd tell us soon why she's returned and what she's here for 'xactly. Gave a warning for the Jarl too! And then, before ya could blink, she and her Herald disappeared! Gone with a snow-filled breeze. Was amazing! This is the Snow Maiden. I can feel it. The rumors are true, I tell ya!-


Straight from the horse's mouth! Well, giant's, but you get the idea. Seems our little mystery has become both clearer and more mysterious. There still hasn't been a reaction from the Jarl Ezezil, however, and one begins to wonder what goes through his mind, and if he knows the tales that forbade the Snow Maiden returning to take the crown from a corrupt lord. Does he think he's corrupt? Or does he have nothing to fear of this legend reborn? I can only wait and see, and wait and see what becomes of Frostmaw, for this event has caused upheaval throughout the city. Who will reign supreme, the Maiden or the Warrior-God?


~Cliff Edge