Pilgrimage to the Celestial Flow

The characters portrayed above are not created by me and are ©Copyright of their respective owners/creators.
OOC: Around the campfire

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Story
• 3. Rules
• 4. Magic
• 5. Races
• 6. Misc
• 7. Application Form
• 8. List of Players

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my first major RP setting on Menewsha, I am Sinspiration, A.K.A Sin/Sinny. Pilgrimage to the Celestial Flow was an idea I had one night based on various past ideas of mine, along with some new ones and is, as you may suspect, an RP about a religious journey. The RP will base itself around a group of characters whom befriend one another at the beginning of the Journey in the Village of the Azure Forest, they will come from many different backgrounds but this world renowned religion is offered up only to true believers of the world, outsiders are cast away unless they too are willing to take the journey.

This RP is supposed to be a friendly community that travels together and takes care of one another up until the convocation at the final holy place; I may also ask users to participate in the creation of trials and leading the others. If you believe you would like to try, please openly tell me, I won’t smite you too badly x3

But yes, this RP is mostly intended to be fun and if the journey is complete, perhaps we could expand out into a new Sequel RP, it all depends how things develop.

I’m Sinspiration, and this is to be our Pilgrimage to the Celestial Flow.

Story

The world is Derugo, vast and highly uncharted in spite of the advances in magical and technological science, places in he world are coated with layers of magic that, though passable by body, cannot be seen through with clairvoyance, or there are places so dark and clouded that only being there could one experience the truth of such a place and find which rumours are true and which could be deemed false.
But this journey is set within the Holy lands of Neraz, a kingdom once suffering a great war now only disturbed by bandits and monster attacks or sightings of strange phenomena and beasts. With its enemies currently silence, Neraz has prospered quite well, its religion, The Way of the Celestial Light, being shared with those willing to listen, finding ‘The Way’ however is only truly complete once on takes the Pilgrimage to the Celestial Flow also known as Kerrender’s Walk in honour of the Holy Knight whom first took the journey himself along with six companions, aspiring many followers to take up the same act.
It was because of Kerrender and his companions that the wars finally ceased, once he’d found his way to the Celestial Flow he was gifted by The Flow with celestial energy that he used to fight back the dark hordes of the enemy nations.
Many of those nations were pardoned, placed in unsure alliances, but its people still welcomed, to walk as free men and women of the Neraz Allied Kingdom. The people, however, took much time to get used to the idea, racial disputes breaking out, quickly halted by the soon rising force of Judges whom had taken the journey to the Celestial Flow like Kerrender.
Now it has become a tradition for all people of the Neraz Allied Kingdom to travel to the Celestial flow and be gifted once by the blessing of The Flow.

To honor Kerrender and his companions, a shrine was built for the visitation of those on the Pilgrimage, it is deemed necessary to pray thanks to Kerrender and his companions for bringing an end to the wars.

Rules

I’m a pretty fair player when it comes to rules but I’m also a bit strict out of old habits, though I’m trying to lighten up a bit, my four main rules are simple but still important to me, please try to follow them as closely as possible but ‘minor’ occurrences will be ignored to the best of my ability, otherwise my co-creator, Poi, is authorised to give me an earful about lightening up a bit.

First of all:
The Consent rule,
The consent rule is important because it deals with most any contact between characters, consent should either be obtained directly from the other player by asking them, or if the other player personally accepts an event aimed at their own character then consent has been achieved, I usually stress that something like grabbing a persons arm or cutting off a limb or something is written in an attempted form, consent or not. For example;
Bob cuts off Jims arm = bad
Bob attempts to cut off Jims arm= good
The second example gives Jim a chance to either le this arm get cut off, to somehow escape the situation, obviously things like this will be described with greater detail by us, the players. xD

Godmoding, A.K.A “Ignoring the consent rule,”
People who do this are pretty despicable because things ‘have’ to go their way, not only would Bob say he cut off Jims arm but he’d also say Jim flailed around screaming in agony as if finalizing that Jim had no choice in the matter, Godmoders try to control events and other players characters without consent, that’s a big no-no. Consent for this kind of thing is fine, but please inform us and even still you only control your character, whether Jim screams in pain or just freezes from the shock is up to him.

Powerplaying, A.K.A “Trying to surpass the consent rule,”
Powerplayers are people who feel they should have more power than their opponent for one reason or another. Generally power is granted to you depending not only on how well you play but also on how you describe the use of such power. We don’t care if you’re a powerful mage, Bob, you cannot produce ion-cannon-like beams of ultimate power, you were told you can shoot simple beams of energy to destroy small buildings, care to give us a logical explanation where all the rest of that power came from? People like this are generally downsized and forbidden such abilities until not only they apologize but they learn to tone it down to a fair level. Or we’ll simply grant Jim an ultimate shield against Ion-Cannon-like beams of ultimate power, m’kay sweetcheeks? The admins make the laws of physics, not you. x3

Twinking, A.K.A “Abusing the Consent rule,”
Ah-ha, looks like Bob has been learning to play more fairly but I think Jim has been getting a big head because Bob got powered down! Bob is attempting to slash at Jim repeatedly, hoping that chance will give him some damage on Jim, but Jim is avoiding everything! Did he get consent to avoid every single slash? I don’t think so. Face it, if some-one comes at you with a barrage of sword swipes, yer gonna get cut or nicked, sooner or later. Make how you avoid sound logical or give it a close cut feel, and of course get hit, its only fair since Bob was nice enough to learn from his mistakes.
Unless you get consent from the other player to avoid all those attacks, you better get hit or give a reasonable explanation why it didn’t get you. How often does an action hero escape a great battle with bullets flying everywhere without getting hit by a stray bullet or two? Be a little realistic, action heroes are cool when they get wounded, and you know it.

So Bob and Jim have learned their lesson, have you? *smacks whip in hand* xD

And now onto the more simple rules!

Romance
Keep it restrained you romance freaks; we know Bob and Mary are in love, but keep your undies on in the mainstream RP Okay? If you really must get it on, do it over PM, gawd! xD

Violence
Blood and gore is a fun thing to mess with, but to be safer for the younger generation, keep it to a minimal of blood splatter or pools and simply stating dismemberment of body parts, we don’t wanna know each icky detail, we don’t wanna give any kids nightmares, mkay? xP You bloodthirsty hounds you…

Prejudice
The only Racial discrimination I wanna see is going to be IN the actual RP, okay? If racial spats start up OOC, take it elsewhere or just stop altogether.
The same goes for Religious debates; this is an RP, not the start of a new hybrid cult that questions your beliefs as a person. Your character is either with it or not with it (yet?)

Footnote
No Bobs or Jims were hurt in the making of this particular Rules List. x3
And OMG LOOK!! No 'Anti-Munch Project' system! I guess this means im an Elitist.. Yep...

Magic

There are many forms of magic, and some are simply based on research of ancient magic combined with current technology to better understand the diversity of Magic and even The Flow itself.

Natural
Born with magic, 'everyone' has this; no-one is an exception. This is the most typical form of magic and definitely the most variable. You can use it in nearly any way you wish, but it’s very limited to those who have not been gifted by the flow.

Rune
Having runes grafted into your body is a very painful process but with so many to choose from nearly every rune has a use. The runes are cut directly out of your flesh, the wounds are forced to stop bleeding and hot metal is poured into the open wound. It will settle there, the wound is healed over via magic, leaving the metal rune visible. Runes can be anything from letting you use another element of magic to a certain extent or increasing your strength or speed. Mostly people from the lands to the south in Talziel use this painful, but effective kind of magic.

Artifact
Simply having an artifact can be useful if you know how to activate it's power, you can direct your own energy into it and summon the artifacts powers, like the runes they have many uses indeed. The effects of an artifact are often stranger than runes, but the disadvantage is if you lose the artifact you'll be incapable of using its power until you retrieve it again. Artifacts are crafted by Artisan Masters of the Arias region to the west. Thusly so they are the people of Arias’ most prized form of magic.

Enchantment
Almost like the Artifact magic, only the Enchantments are usually done by the user of the enchanted item. So long as that item is in the user’s posession it is enchanted, otherwise it is quite normal. The longer the user holds up the enchantment, the more energy is drained from them; otherwise this is a very useful kind of magic. The people of the frozen northern lands, Hirren, find this magic most effective.

Scroll
Enscribing spells into tablets or making patterns conforming to the desired spell on the ground allows one to use this magic through your own energy. Often burning up the scroll or putting the pattern alight is what casts the spell. The disadvantage to this is carrying many scrolls can weigh you down unless you are trained in making your own spells also known as Spellcrafting. Most skilled mages can burn the necessary signs directly into the air and fire them off. People from the fiery lands of Galgoa to the east are the most common users of this magic.

The Flow
The holy magic gifted upon the believers, once obtaining this power the user is envisioned with their own unique abilities in their mind; the flow extends itself over the strengths of the receiver and allows them to expand on their abilities to a far greater state than they could have ever managed without it in their lifetime. The flexibility of The Flow is what makes it a truly unique power because it can be infused into all previously stated magic types.

Races

Neraz - Nerazians
Neh-Raz - Neh-Ra-Zee-Ans
The most common people of Neraz, obviously, they're typically multicultural now, but mostly white-skinned with a variety of bright hair colors and eyes. Nerazians have the joy of trying many different climates since they are in the middle kingdom and dress accordingly to any culture they'd generally go to, but tend to wear an average amount of clothes depending on how the climate affects them personally.
Recent Events: Preparations for a new Journey have been completed and the king has called for the new entrants from all kingdoms to come and begin whenever they so felt ready.

Talziel - Talzielans
Tahl-Zee-El - Tahl-Zee-Ell-Ans
The southerners of the Neraz Allied Kingdom and are, infact, often referred to as Southerners, mostly dark skinned types with dark hair and eyes. Talzielans are used to hotter weather so tend to wear more clothes while in Neraz until they're used to the climate, much like those from Galgoa.
Recent Events: A recent tournament between the tribes strongest fighters reveals Balthielz of the desert Moon tribe to be the strongest, this was followed by a by a friendly banquet among the warriors of all the tribes

Arias - Ariasans
Ar-Ree-Us - Ah-Ree-Us-Ans
Coming from the far west, Arians are usually referred to as westerners, the people from the west have somewhat tanned skin and bright hair along with a wide selection of eye colours. The climate of Neraz is similar to Arias so the Ariasans are quite comfortable in Neraz.
Recent Events: Nothing of major interest seems to be happening in Arias though it is believed that there is some strange experiments being held on the far side of Arias, probably just folk tales.

Hirren - Hirrenians
He-ren - He-Ren-E-Ens
Hailing from the northlands among snow and ice, Hirren are respectively called Northerners, they are mostly pale-skinned with thick, dark hair of various hues aswell as all having chilling blue eyes. Neraz, in comparison to their home, is an extremely warm climate for them and they tend to wear less than regular folk while in Neraz.
Recent Events: The dispute between the two major tribes of Hirren was settled by marrying a child from eachothers tribe and naming the newly weds the leaders of the now connected tribes however some trouble still arises because one of the tribes offered up a non Hirrenian, however they believe it fair since he was still born in Hirren and that he holds the same rights.

Galgoa - Galgoans
Gal-Go-Ah - Gal-Go-Ans
Journeying from the east, Golgoans are thus called Easterners, they sport a variety of skin colors depending on their tendancy to stay in or outside, their hair is usually a mixture of dark colours aswell as being born with brown or red eyes of varying brightness. Galgoans, like Talzielans arent used to the colder weather of Neraz and tend to wear more clothes than most people.
Recent Events: A volcano erupted a few days ago, once the dust settles and the lava is cooled the people will begin to nurture the new soil.

Miscellaneous

Code of Ethics
There may be many cultures but there are some shared ethics amongst them, especially when on the Pilgrimage.

Women must always go first, it is essential for a male to act like a gentleman, mostly because it is polite.

You must not disrespect one another without good reason, pointless fighting can lead to being arrested by the Judges.

Giving a person a gift is a sign of friendship or otherwise respect, this should be reciprocated. However giving gifts as a form of earning favor or bribery is commonplace too, this type of behaviour is frowned upon and if a Judge discovers such bribery the accused shall be arrested.

One must not attack an un-armed man or woman, nor must one attack while their back is turned, it is considered uncivilised and very dishonorable. Such an act can lead to the death penalty depending on the severity of the attack.

People below the age of 15 are not reccommended to take the journey, there is often danger of beasts, monsters or bandits interrupting and causing trouble, people have been known to die on the journey because of this. It is also viewed upon as questionable as to either the intent of the childs parents or the child themself.

Nobles may not have an escort of any kind on the Pilgrimage, especially one that has aleady been to the Convocation and recieved their blessing.

Merchants are allowed to set up store along the path of the Pilgrimage but they are not allowed near the Convocation nor any of the Trials along the path.

If a person is to become sick or get injured it is an obligation of the company they are in to take care of them. If the injury is far too great to be handled by basic medical or magical attention the nearest judge must be called as soon as possible.

If death occurs a Judge must investigate all the happenings that lead to the death of the person. If the killer is discovered they are to suffer an immediate death penalty and their corpse disposed of before the Judge takes on the duty of taking the body back to its family. In the case of people without families the body is buried at their hometown or homeland.

Application Form

Please send your applications to me or Poi personally, do not post them here or in the OOC Area, thank you.

Paragraphs should be atleast 3-4 lines.

Mene Name: Your name on Menewsha so other players can identify who's playing what character.

Name: Your characters name (Birthname, Surname format preferable)

Age: How old is your character?

Race: Where does your character come from?

Rank: What is your characters rank in their society?

Appearance: What does your character look like? (Minimum 2 Paragraphs description and a picture 'if possible')

Personality: What is your characters personality like? (Minimum 1 paragraph)

Magic: What magic types is your character capable of/educated in? Have they developed any unique abilities in their Natural Magic field at all?

History: What is your characters history like? (Minimum 2 paragraphs) Try to make it sensible and not something widely off the RP's general detail and plot.

IYOW: In Your Own Words, describe a small summary of the Consent Rule, Godmoding, Powerplaying and Twinking, just show me you have a good understanding of stated rules, I dont mind it being fairly small so long as you show me you understand.

Character List

The list of players and their characters will be displayed here, if anyone has to go away for a while I will note so above the character list. Peoples IYOW's will be hidden from other players, just the fact that they're on the character list should be enough proof that I trust them.

Away List

Character List

--------------------Lazel Cross--------------------

Mene Name: Sinspiration

Name: Lazel Cross
Age: 19
Race: Ariasan
Rank: Ebony Lord of Hirren
The newly instated Rank in Hirren for the male leader of all the tribes

Picture: [Link]

Appearance
An Ariasan born lad with a firm yet simplistic structure, toned well by constant training and skin naturally tanned from his travels as a boy, his eyes are grey, limpid pools that, when looked upon, can cause discomfort to a dishonest viewer. His hair is a creamy white as is natural in his family, the style wild but well kept.
His clothes consist of white materials mostly, aired for comfort in the warmer climate of Neraz, a body vest, coat, trousers and sandals however the hemming is black along with buttons up the shirt, on the gloves and two loose belts at the neck area, complimented by a mass of small chains.
From his ear hangs a chained earring that leads to the top of his ear, accompanied by a hanging ‘lantern’ with a garnet jewel set within it and a loop just behind the lower connection of the chain.
Lazels nails are painted cream-white to match his hair, strange markings inscribed upon them. There also lays a secret rune on the Ariasan lads back, a rune built specifically to help him, located directly below the nape of his neck, hidden by his clothes.

Personality
Lazel is quite a calm person in all honesty, things are taken with little worry or fear of what they may be and he displays a constant need for peace simply in his actions. However if the time must come to fight the calmer young man is replaced by a far more fierce warrior, perhaps even a little merciless at times but only when it comes down to specific situations.
Lazel likes to read almost anything, but mostly magic-related books and articles, and the legends of Kerrender with his faithful companions. The boy within him admires Kerrender with a passion and the man respects him for stopping the wars.
Lazel likes most fruits and vegetables over meats, and tends not to drink alcohol due to a certain episode when he was younger. Mostly one can find Lazel at rest, meditating, or reading.
Lazels feelings for Alethina, his new wife, are somewhat unsure, being married to some-one from the opposite clan wasn’t something he’d ever intended to do but if it would stop the fighting he supposed it was the only way to get it solved.
Whatever happens he knows it’s his duty to protect her now, and take care of her whatever happens, honour and chivalry before pride.

Magic
Lazel is quite a gifted youngster, well trained in the ways of magic by private tutoring as well as visiting the other lands to learn more of their magic, he’s not obsessive for magic but more enjoys the many various forms while trying to settle upon his favourite.
He has no singular magic style to tide him over; rather he combines the use of three in what he likes to call the “Three Way Mystic,” style.
The rune inscribed into his back is used to control a special enchanted orb that he carries with him, levitating it and moving it freely as he pleases with not to much drain on his magic. The orb itself can be split into four components known as Pierce, Beam, Slash and Shield, when they are assembled in a specific pattern for each they become energy like weapons that can be controlled near or far. The energy they use is based on Lazel’s natural magic, giving the orbs the energy to activate their special abilities.

History
Lazels childhood was most curious indeed, he was born in Hirren, but accepted into their traditions, though the others never saw much of him he was always present for the main traditions like feasts or festivals that his people held.
The arias an however had more difficult things in life to undertake as his parents tutored him personally along with the help of old friends, he was taught the ways of magic and taught to wield a weapon by an old master. This kind of thing became commonplace for the boy as he was also taken to the various countries now under the Neraz flag. In Galgoa he was taught the basics of how to scribe spells with magic, in Arias he was gifted with a special orb from his remaining family there, and far to the South in Talziel at the age of sixteen he requested to have the rune placed in his back, it was a painful process and with it so close to the nerves in his spinal column it was torturous, but he stuck through it. The pain would never fully subside but they helped it as much as they could. Upon returning to Hirren they found the two sides of the Ebony and Ivory clans to be in an uproar and they had to make a critical choice. It was then called that one member of the Ebony clan and one of the Ivory were to marry and unite the clans for good or there would have been civil war.
Lazel was chosen amongst the boys whom volunteered, accepted only because he was part of the Ebony tribe, though the Ivory tribe disliked it all the same, they couldn’t deny it as they put forth the young lady Alethina to marry to Lazel.
Once the wedding was done they were sent away to start their pilgrimage to the Celestial Light.

IYOW: [APPROVED!] *stamps self* ow...

--------------------Alethina Cross--------------------

Mene Name: Poi

Name: Alethina Cross
Age: 19
Race: Hirrenian
Rank: Ivory Lady of Hirren
The newly instated rank in Hirren for the female leader of all the tribes.

Picture: [Link]

Appearance
One glance at Alethina and it would already be obvious she's Hirrenian. Her raven black hair is almost always pulled up into a ponytail, bangs sweeping off the the right, enough so it doesn't cover her right eyes. When it's actually down it reaches right past her shoulders. Her eyes are a blue-grey usually with a fire of determination. Like the saying goes, her eyes are the window to her soul. If her face doesn't show how she feels, her eyes most certainly do.

Her skin is very pale and smooth, though a tough fighter she is. She has a scar or two to prove it, though the one that would stick out the most is the one coming down from her right shoulder to her mid-back. It isn't horribly scarred but the mark is there. For height, she's average for most females, perhaps a bit shorter, standing at 5'6". Her body is slim at the waist but curvy in the chest area. She has muscle but nothing that sticks out horribly, just well fit and obviously fit to be a fighter.

For clothing, the Herrenian female doesn't mind showing off her body whatsoever when in warmer climates. Her outfit for the Pilgrimage is a simple pair of navy-blue pants with a white, large trim up top that goes around mostly, but leaving a navy space in the middle of her front. On the bottom there is also the same white trim but going completely around. There are two slits, one in the front of each thigh. For her top, probably the most revealing, it's simply a white piece of material covering most of the middle and sides of her breasts, the middle isn't covered though. The top is held at the bottom by two black buckle-straps and then simply goes around her neck with a navy collar. For some cases, when it's windy, cool, stormy, etc. she has a nice navy jacket to match her outfit and cover herself up with.

Personality
Alethina is... Quite the arrogant, if slightly loud girl. She is blunt and to the point, stating how she feels to whomever she wants. Her temper is one hard to match, if you anger her then it's best to just run. She never backs down from a challenge and would give her life for anyone she cares for. She isn't afraid of dying, and most know it too. She's very impulsive, following whatever first impulse she has and never thinking of the consequences. Because of this she gets in trouble a lot, but so far has managed to get out of every tight spot without too much of a problem.

When in battle, Alethina gets quite cocky and fiery, not afraid to kill an enemy if she must. She doesn't rely on Magic as much as her own physical strength, enjoying the feel of a weapon or two in her hands. Some may call her sadistic in battle because she claims to enjoy feeling her enemies on the end of her weapons. She tends to strike fear in those weaker than her quite a bit.

Alethina is also quite the daredevil, not afraid to try anything new or put her life at risk. She drinks alcohol quite a bit, whenever given the chance actually and, surprisingly, she becomes more calm and perhaps even a more enjoyable person when drunk. Though she also becomes a bit clingy as well, it's not too bad. Still, it wouldn't be hard to rise her temper, even in a drunken state.

Then, finally, there's her feelings about her husband, Lazel. Honestly, she finds herself confused and trying to figure him out, though she claims he's terribly boring and too quiet. She doesn't like the whole marriage that much, hating how she, out of all the other females in the tribe, was forced to marry someone. This makes her spite him somewhat, and she purposely tries to anger him though doesn't seem to succeed very much. In the end, she knows there's no way out of the marriage but is still somewhat reluctant to accept it.
OOC - As a little side-note, she knows Lazel's secret weakness and tends to use it to her advantage at times. The rune on his back, that tends to always hurt, hurts more when touched and/or hit. It's quite cruel of her really, but she doesn't really give a damn. [Approved by Lazel]

Magic
Being more of a physical fighter, Alethina was never really magically-inclined per se. Trained in the enchanting arts, she knows enough to use it as an advantage for herself in the midst of battle. It used to be she would enchant her shoes for agility, but now, after recieving her wedding ring, she actually finds use for it by enchanting it to make a barrier against magic for herself.

Though she doesn't use it much, unless in a really tight spot, Alethina was born with the power of darkness in a sense. More specifically, to manipulate and control shadows. She can makes them dance about on surfaces, form them into a shape, or, if focused enough, she can make them come out from a surface and be a solid darkness that could very well grab someone or even attack them. Surprisingly, though she doesn't use the power very much, she trains a lot with it. No one really understands her motives for doing so though.

History
Alethina's history is nothing too out of the ordinary. She was born and raised within the Ivory Tribe, trained to be a fighter from the time she was seven. People somewhat frowned upon her accepting the offer from her father to train in something other than magic, but didn't say anything against it. She had always been a stubborn, headstrong girl anyway. Her mother was still persistent in making her train in the enchanting magics anyway, and made sure to have time set aside for her daughter to practice. Once finding her natural magic was within the reaches of darkness, her parents grew somewhat distant of their daughter. Out of fear or disgust, she would never really know. Alethina just knew her parents must've really frowned upon those with anything close to darkness for their natural magic.

As time went on, her father soon passed away when she was 13 due to an illness that was unknown to the tribe. Her mother fell into a deep sadness that Alethina knew would never go away, and from then on she knew she had to take care of herself. Training daily, the girl didn't have many friends at first. After the years went on, she gained more guy friends rather than girls and adapted a tomboyish nature. She was the tough girl not many wanted to mess with.

Then that day came. The Ivory Tribe was looking for a female willing to marry, but none would volunteer. Alethina was definitely the last girl that wanted anything to do with being married, yet the leaders came to a decision and all agreed on her, in hopes that maybe she'd grow more calm and be a well-mannered girl. She was absolutely furious and tried everything she could to get out of it, but to no avail. She was married to Lazel and then they were soon sent to start their pilgrimage to the Celestial Flow.

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

--------------------Adraline Huury--------------------

Mene Name: Mad Hatter

Name: Adraline Huury
Age: 14
Race: Talziel Mother/Arias Father
Rank: Middle Class Family

Appearance
Adraline looks mature for her age. She has very sturdy features and a thick body to match. Her original hair color is a very pale sand color, but she constantly dyes it to fit in the with the Talzielans around her. She never decides on the same color twice, so her hair fades from black to grey to dark brown at the roots. It is against her Mother and Father's religion to cut their hair, so Adraline's is very very long. She prefers her hair in two thick braids decorated with large hollow beads and colorful cloth. Her eyes are light blue like her father's and her skin is dark tan like her mother's.

In the way of clothing she loves to wear greens creams and browns. She gets chilled very easily so her clothing is almost always long sleeves with long pants. Layers are her friends and she never has less than two. Adraline prefers to wear sandles or go barefoot when traveling.

Personality
Adraline is very gentle and sweet. On the outside atleast. Her core personality is very strong willed and brave, but it is often overshadowed by her docile nature. She wont yell and scream to win an arguement instead she will sit quietly unmoving till the arguement is settled. She abhors violence in humans, and will not raise a hand to hurt another. She's an enchanted pacifist so she must be clever to defend herself. The rune on her chest prevents her from willfully hurting another physically. Adraline is also a strict vegetarian, and cannot stand the smell of cooking meat.

Magic
She has five Runes carved in her body. One for shielding, One for healing of the body, One for Healing of the mind, and another for Enhancing the body. The fifth rune is on her chest and simply makes it impossible for her to hurt another person while under the influence of a negative emotion. (So she can set a bone which would hurt the person, but she cant break the bone in the first place =p) She has been following around the villiage healer since she was six years old, but she hadnt been given serious instruction until she was 12.

History
Adraline was raised in a different religion than that of the way of Celestial light. Her parents followed the Goddess of the twelve stars, a religion based upon matriarchal supremecy. The religion was harsh and some of its practices violent. This upset gentle Adraline. So, when the healer of her village taught her about the way of Celestial Light, Adraline took to it like a fish to water. Her parents were not pleased.

From that day on there was constant fighting in the house. Her mother wanted her to covert back to the goddess and fufill her duties as first daughter. This meant Adraline would be forced to marry or become a lady of the Goddess. Neither sounded promising to Adraline. Her father wanted what was best for her, but he thought she should follow her own faith where ever it might take her. He did insist that she atleast marry before she turned 15. He hoped this would make her stay home from the journey to the flow.

Adraline couldnt take the stress in her house any longer so she ranaway from home to go on her pilgrimage. She plans to lie about her age so that there are no raised eyebrows or suspicious people.

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

--------------------Lawrence Flux--------------------

Mene Name: Tet Anon

Name: Lawrence Flux
Age: 17
Race: Galgoa - Galgoans
Rank: Mid-high class. His father is an official of Galoa, but he doesn't speak much to his father other than in respect.

Appearance
Lawr's hair is of waist-lenth strands. The strands of Lawr's hair are shades of dark red, black, and dark shades of a burnt orange color. The style of his hair is somewhat simple. His bangs are cut so that they hang their choppy strands over his eyes just at the edge of his lower lids. His hair is also relatively straight. His eyes slender, appearing quit deviant, and two shades of red. One darker than the other.

Lawrences skin is a brown color, as though he was deeply tanned, and seeming to be one that spends most time outdoors. Lawrence being one of the few of races beyond the Talziel to have runes placed on his body has two runes upon him. One upon his lower back and one upon the back of his neck. Lawr's body is slender shaped, lacking any real sharp defined muscle, though there is visible toning. His skin is smooth and silken soft and he stands no more than five foot eight inches tall.

Personality
Lawrence's personality changes on a whim sometimes. One moment he is calm and collected, the next he can be humorous and carefree, and other times he can be a troublemaker with his taunting. However, one thing that remains a constant with his personality is that he does not let anyone bad mouth his mother and he is quite the flirt. Though he is much more respectful to women than he is to men. He dislikes his hair to be bothered too much as well and will often get 'huffy' with people who bother it to much.

Magic
Lawrence is skilled in fire, earth, and transformation magics. His two runes allow him added abilities. One rune hightens his speed and the second rune allows him a special ability that he can use when he combines two of his magic skills. Lawrence developed a natural ability to have a high tolerance for fire and fire magics. He also developed a natural magic that he still works on perfecting in which he can alter his physical appearance for a short period of time. He struggles still to develop the length of time further. This ability's length of time that it lasts has been anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on his level of stress and concentration.

History
Lawrence was born to the homeland of his people, but loved to learn of other places and people form the start. Though he was raised in the proper manner, with the proper teachings, he was not the perfect example of what a young man should be. Lawrence learned to have a high tolerance for pain at a young age. Being bullied by the other children of his race, but he did not often fight back. He studied to get better and trained to develop more powerful magics. he read and trained for years.

He finally got up the courage to travel the lands to one point in particular. It was in this new place that he experienced the most painful of rituals he ever knew. Though he was in agonizing pain, did not make a sound as the runes where placed upon his body, and he kept quiet by biting into the of the clothing he wore. When lawrence returned home. It was the first time he'd really seen respect directed at him. He'd endured the pain to get not just one, but two, runes within his flesh. Though he slept for days until the pain had completely gone.

After that he did not get bullied as much, though from time to time, he would endure challenges. Some of the other kids his age challenging him to fights. Some he lost, some he one, but it was all in fun and to help them develop their powers better. At least that's what they said.

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

--------------------Audra Gailynn--------------------

Mene Name: Bippy

Name: Audra Gailynn
Age: 20
Race: Hirren
Rank: Middle Class Military Family

Appearance
Audra is pale skinned as is normal of her Hirrenian heritage. Her hair is quite long and deep black, causing her skin to appear almost white. She normally keeps her hair in a tight braid but when occasion calls for it, or she is traveling in warmer climates she will pin it up to keep cool. Her eyes round and piercing blue shine out of her face, though her left eye is cloudy, obviously blinded. It is unknown if this deformity occurred naturally, as an accident, or the result of extended magic usage, Audra keeps mum on the subject.
Being from the north she is rather well built, broad shoulders are the frame of an otherwise well built body. Her hands are scarred and calloused from years of military training, and on her forearms are black tattooed symbols of her tribe and social standing; though in most situations she keeps those covered up.

Personality
Audra is outwardly a cold, machine who keeps words to a minimum and if slighted, (which happens often) is not unwilling to use force to solve the problem. Internally though, Audra is a soft, spiritual person who is on a search to find balance between her spirituality and violent urges. She truly cares for others, and for friends will do almost anything. She also has a great sense of humor and will laugh at even the stupidest jokes.

Magic
Audra was gifted at an early age with the natural ability to manipulate wind, though her control is severely limited she is learning and can cast personal shields as well as make light wind change its course. She is also a gifted Enchantress, having trained for years to place her energies into objects. On her possession currently are a bag of river stones she can use for minor healing and Scrying. She also has a spear enchanted to be near unbreakable.

History
Audra belongs to a small, but well known military family in the heart of Hirren. Her father has been a guard to the head of her tribe for years and now is off serving the newly wed leaders of the country. Being the eldest child of her family she was trained to take over her father’s position in the event he was killed. However she has a brother a few years younger than her that had pretty well taken over the position of replacement, leaving Audra to her own devices. This had quickly led to disasterous results involving street fights and an attack on an upper class merchant’s son.
Her mother is a deep devotee in the way of Celestial Light and Audra gained much of her spirituality from her. It was her mother that suggested that Audra go to on this pilgrimage to hopefully find her station in life. Audra bored and internally struggling at home agrees and soon is off.

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

--------------------Keenah Yorim--------------------

Mene Name: L L A M A N O ! S E

Name: Keenah Yorim
Age: 24
Race: Galgoan
Rank: Middle-class.

Appearance
Keenah, being a Galgoan with a tendency to travel, has dark hair, skin, and eyes. Atop her head, her hair is a dark, raven black color and falls to just below her ears. Her bangs are a little longer, but are usually tucked behind her ears, which each have several pieces of gaudy and decorative jewelry currently hanging from their lobes. Her eyes are orbs of a dark reddish brown, the color of dried blood. An even tan covers her skin, and seems to glow in the right kind of light. Her stature is not an intimidating one—she’s only about 5’5” and is thin. Despite this, though, she is well-toned and has a definitely feminine figure. When at work, she wears clothes that best assist her to blend in to her environment, depending on time and location. Currently, though, she is working under the guise of a travelling musician, and carries with her a harp-like string instrument in the stead of her usual armory of swords.

Replacing her specially camouflaging outfits, she wears a gaudy red and gold sleeveless dress with high slits on either side and swirling patterns of gold thread across the front and corset-style strings criss-crossing the back and tightening the dress around her waist. A gold headdress with rubies embedded in it wraps around her forehead with a single gem dangling between her eyes, red armbands with gold thread stitches and golden chains dangling from it rest on her forearms and wrap around her thumbs, covering her palms. Tan, wooden sandals with bright red fabric protect her feet from the hot ground, and a red sash wraps around her body like a scarf/shawl/jacket combination, and can cover her head in the case of rain as well.

Personality
Keenah is an excellent actress, able to pretend to be anyone she needs to to get to her target. As her musician self, she is friendly and cheerful, upbeat and enjoys randomly bursting into song. Truly, though, she feels guilty for all the lives she’s ended, and just wants to repent. She’s a lonely individual, wanting to be happy more than anything else. But she runs away from her feelings so that she doesn’t get hurt when she has to hurt that person, and always feels guilty after every kill, even if it’s an animal for survival. She’s deeply religious and hopes to someday just die as a happy old woman, even better if she’s married and with children.

Magic
Hidden under the glove-part of her arm bands is a small rune on her palms on both hands, designed to give her amazing control over metal objects that she touches with them. For example, her swords almost move on their own, but by her will as she holds them in her hands, gracefully slicing through the air with elegant swirls and spins and other intricate moves. This works regardless of whether the rune is actually touching the metal, as long as her hands are in contact with it. Otherwise, she uses basic healing spells to ease the pain of her runes or to speed up the healing of her more minor injuries.

History
Keenah grew up in a small family that lived in a small village, on the side of a large, volatile volcano. Despite frequent eruptions and the noxious fumes that it supplied, the lava never reached their humble place of living. They farmed the fertile land that the ash from the volcano supplied and lived happily and peacefully. She was a happy girl, the youngest of 3 children. Her two older brothers were each pre-teens—9 and 12 years old—when she was born, and took good care of her, raising her to be strong and secretly teaching her how to fight with swords even when she was a small girl. Their mother was a very pacifistic individual, hating conflict and fighting and fainting at the sight of blood, so obviously disapproved of this practice when she discovered it. Soon after, the elder of the two was sent away on the Pilgrimage, as was the village’s custom. At the age of 17, a new adult would complete his or her journey, then would be married away and given their own land upon their return. When she was 8, she was the only child left, sent to take care of most of the chores as her parents aged and became increasingly weaker. Her only time to herself was when she would sneak away to train with her eldest brother’s swords that he’d left behind for her. After their marriages, her brothers never even returned to visit, and she grew increasingly distant from her parents as time went on.

One day, when Keenah was 16 and only a week away from beginning her journey on her birthday, the volcano erupted violently. The upper end of their side of the volcano seemed to practically explode, and the tremendous rockslide resulting from it killed both of her parents along with a great deal of the other villagers. On her birthday, she was grieving at her parents’ funeral and was given the ceremonial right to set fire to their funeral pyres. The next day, she left.

She started towards the road to the Flow, but became lost and simply traveled around the land instead, wandering aimlessly and putting her swordsmanship to work, becoming a hired blade and committing assassinations for money. She gained her runes after travelling once to Talziel, and soon after headed back to Galgoa and to her volcanic home to see if she could find her brothers. When she arrived, she found the village to be deserted and abandoned and set forth sadly, wishing only to have been able to see her brothers before she planned to kill herself. She had been unable to wrack up the courage to, though, and tried to push her sadness out of her own heart by turning it to stone and focussing entirely on the next adrenaline rush given to her by each kill.

Several years of this have left her a lonely woman, simply looking for a way to become happy again, especially if she can see her brothers again. But what she wants most, whether or not she would be willing to admit it to anyone, is to find love.

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

--------------------Sers--------------------

Mene Name: clevernamepending

Name: Sers
Age: 20-ish
Race: Talziel
Rank: Priestess

Appearance
Sers stands at a rather average height, but, that’s about the only thing about her you could call average. Her waist is tiny, made to look even smaller by her hour glass figure. Her skin is bronzed dark from years in the desert, and her hair bleached to a honey brown as to the nearly black it would be if she hadn’t been in the sun all of those years. Her eyes are large and gold, her cheeks arched, her lips full.

She doesn’t wear much for two reasons. One being she’s from the desert, and it’s hot there, so a barely there white linen halter type shirt and long slit white linen skirt seem like plenty there, and the other being that she is covered in runes. I don’t mean just a few, I mean her entire body is covered. The only places that are mostly bare are her feet, her hands, and her face. She has one rune on her right wrist, and one on her cheek which edges up just below her eye. The lack of runes on those parts of her body is she says it would limit her mobility, and they would probably crack. The one on her cheek was one of the ones forced upon her.

Personality
Sers is usually the picture of tranquility. Calm, quiet, reserved, always polite and usually kind. Well, she’s a healer, why wouldn’t she be kind? She’s also highly religious, and rarely judgmental. Or so seems the case. Having that many runes will do things to you. Being willing to get that many runes in the first place should say something. She’s magic hungry. Not necessarily power hungry, but using the runes is like taking a shot of heroin to her. She’s a little mentally unbalanced, and rather fanatical in her beliefs, although she really doesn’t push them on others. Not offensively, anyway. Yet she seems like the picture of tranquility and kindness.

Magic
Sers is covered in runes. I mean, covered. They have a pretty wide range, too. However, she did not willingly take on the first few. They were forced upon her. She did learn how to use them, or, tried. The church ended up putting some bindings on her to control the runes, which impairs her usage of them. While the runes range from blowing things up to healing, she seems to be primarily a healer.

History
Sers came from simple beginnings. Her parents were merchants, who did well enough. She was the youngest of four children, which meant her chances of marrying were slim. Which was fine by her, and at a very young age she chose to become a priestess. A healer, to be exact. She joined the church when she was 9, which was an odd age to join at. Girls either joined when they were first starting to talk and walk around, or when they started puberty. She was put in with the older girls, who were always indifferent to her. As a result, she became very reserved. Not anti-social or jaded, just reserved.

When she was fifteen, she was doing things that other girls her age were forbidden to. She made friends and enemies that way. Some girls respected her more, while others thought she was just a show off. Those who respected her more and asked she helped in their studies, those who didn’t, she left be. She was sent on healing missions and things of the like. One such mission took her to the less civilized part of the country where there was an ongoing battle between two clans within the area. She had been staying with one, healing the wounded, and was kidnapped by the other. They carved her first runes into her, knowing full well she wouldn’t be able to control them, or any of her other magic. She went back to the temple to try to learn how to use this magic, but it was too much for her all at once. The high priestess wasn’t willing to write the girl off, as she was a very talented healer, and put bands on her that she herself can not remove. They stopped her from using almost any magic, which was probably a worse fate for the priestess in training.

Time went on, and she eventually got more runes so she could get back to what her abilities used to be, and eventually it escalated into an obsession. She was determined to be able to use all of her magic perfectly so she could remove the bands and not feel them choking her back. She’s going on the pilgrimage as part of a holy experience, and partly so she can use “real” magic again.

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

--------------------Noah Rowatt--------------------

mene name: Flaming-Scorpion

Name: Noah Rowatt
Age: 17
Race: Hirren
Rank: Scholar/fighter in training

Picture: [Link]

Appearance
Noah has a very small, stiff build that is well muscled, however he is often mistaken for someone younger than his true age. Being that he is an albino, Noah has a very pale, almost bleached complexion with white hair and almost disturbing red eyes. His countenance often carries a bored, tired, or dull expression while he is in deep thought, reading, or dazing (which he can be found doing nearly all the time). Noah's clothing does not change often, even during weather changes. Because of his albinism, his skin is sensitive to sunlight. So, to protect himself, he often wears a long, white, hooded trenchcoat (which is usually made of thin material) that buttons across the chest and torso with many straps. Beneath his, he wears a sleeveless, white turtleneck that is tucked loosely into his thin, white slacks that are tucked into his (also white) steel toed boots (that reach mid calf of his leg). His hair style is simple, but mildly long and his bangs usually shield his face to some degree not to mention that the ends are uneven because he cuts his own hair). Also, Noah has dark circles under his eyes because of his restless sleeping and insomnia and scar burns

Personality
Noah can be seen as a dull, almost boring person in the views of a stranger. Noah is usually blunt and tells things exactly how they are without beating around the bush. When threatened, he doesn't truly understand when to be intimidated or when he is in over his head. Surprisingly, he is easy to embarrass and make blush and when he is around people he knows well he has a very sarcastic, pessimistic side. He loves to keep to himself and isn't very competitive or argumentative. However, when he does get into an argument he talks in a calm manner (which can often cause the other person to become irritated). He is hard to threaten or scare but easy to trust. For Noah, it takes awhile for a person to earn his trust but when they do he is very loyal to them.

Magic
Noah is gifted with natural magic but most of his talents lay within his mental abilities. His abilities range from pyrokinesis to photographic memory. He has a minor sixth sense that is his empathy but he cannot read minds (despite what many people think). His most controlled magic is healing but he still needs practice. In order to further his control of his pyrokinesis Noah has had runes carved into his flesh. He has also studied the human body and knows several healing magics.

History
Noah was born into an Aristocrat family and was a very sickly child with a weak immune system. He was often kept inside because of his albinism and he avoided most of the other children his age. At the age of five peculiar things started happening around the boy. For example, chairs being knocked over, heavy objects suddenly falling from the pedestals and tables, and the curtains being set on fire. The strange thing was was that he was no where near the objects when it happened. Finally, his parents became frustrated and took him to a 'specialist' when they had no other choice but to believe it was their son. To their horror, they discovered Noah's strange gifts but did not accept them as such. Bindings were placed on him to prevent him from using the abilities but over the course of three years the bindings became weak and broke. Noah did not alert his parents of this, instead he trained relentlessly in order to control his abilities. It was when he began receiving severe burns from his own fire that he studied the magic of healing along with the human body and many other ailments. Noah became extremely independent by the time he was eight and spent most of his time locked in his room reading. His parents became worried and finally investigated their son's strange behavior. What they found did not please them. Their son's arms and torso was covered in healing scars and his bedroom floor scattered with 'dangerous' books. They threatened to do the binding again but their son refused and pleaded with them for it not to be done. Then, with his books, Noah left his home at the age of thirteen, seeing himself no longer accepted by his family. He hoped to find a proper teacher but never did. Instead, he had the runes implanted into his flesh and at 15 he tried his hand at being an assassin (and failed miserably).

IYOW: [APPROVED!]

"People! People! Please settle down!" The chief of the small village called out, rallying the people whom had come from far away to take their journey, people were being sent in select groups because a large rush would cause too much fuss and the fact that people could take the journey any time they wished meant there wasn’t too many people to go anyway.

Lazel from Hirren was sat with his back against a tree, it was a pain really because that was where his rune had been placed and it caused him pain to press against it, even after four years. He seemed relaxed though, sitting cross-legged and comfortable. He was one of the next to go on the Pilgrimage and was listening patiently to the chiefs words.

"Now, first of all, in the name of the villagers let me welcome you all to the Village of the Azure forest. last night when you arrived I saw many distinctively different people and I want you all to be aware that we welcome your presence here for wanting to take the Pilgrimage and be one with the flow. We hope that last nights feast was to your liking and that you rested well for today you take your journey down that path to the east, between the mountains and through many trials. May The Flow bless you with luck, a swift journey and a safe passage there and back. The ones who will be going this morning have all been chosen and may begin now as soon as you please." The chief stepped down from his pedestal, shaking the hands of a few of the new hopefuls, wishing them their ‘good lucks’ and smiling calmly. He was a sweet old man, not too into the religion but still faithful, guys like him were hard to come by. Oh well.

Lazel opened his eyes, looking at his right hand where a gold ring shimmered, he wondered how his apparent wife was doing, and part of him was curious to hear what her thoughts on him were, even though she voiced her opinion loudly he wondered if she really did hate him all that much. No matter, it was for Hirren, and all he desired was a little peace. The book in his lap was closed as he stood, looking tot he east where a path had been worn through the forest, wide and pleasant looking.
May the flow wish me luck in finding a way to make this marriage work he smiled lazily at the thought. A flashing image jarring his mind a moment, how would they make heirs if she hated him? What a drag, this would be difficult indeed.

Alethina had wandered off into the crowd of people, looking around to perhaps find a loaded person she could pickpocket from. Why exactly was she? Well, simply put, she was bored. Lazel was of no interest at the moment and who knows, they might have a need for a little extra cash on the way. Acting innocent, she found someone who looked quite plentiful in the currency area of life. Slipping past them and expertly sneaking out some gold coins, she smirked with victory and stuffed it in a bag hanging at her side. Hearing a loud "HEY!" she snickered and quickly ran off before she was caught.

"Simpletons, I swear. They need sharper eyes~" she said in a sing-song voice, skipping to where her husband sat in his boring manner. She really didn't notice he was actually there until he stood, causing her to stop about five feet away from him and frowning. What he didn't know is that she was, yet again, frowning in confusion. He was so damn hard to figure out!

"What the hell are you looking at? You're wasting time just staring at the path, you know," she huffed, narrowing her eyes at him. What was running through that pretty head of his?

Audra stood on the edges of the crowd, managing to mask her deep discomfort at the size of the crowd under a mask of mild annoyance. Though only mid-morning the heat had become trying and even with her braid pinned around her head and dressed in the light traveling clothes she had aquired she still felt hot. If this is a sign of things to come perhaps I should have stayed home she thought to herself. no...this is important, just put up with it. A sudden movement within the crowd caught her eye and she glimpsed a woman who looked to be Hirrenian,
(she couldn't be sure) making her way out of the mass of people. she's heading towards the gate...perhaps she's looking for her traveling companions, either way that's
"...odd."

A black-haired woman stood in the shade of a tree, watching the old chief of the village where she was stuck waiting talk for a while, then wish those who were leaving already good luck and whatnot. Sighing, she shook her bangs out of her face and tucked them back behind her ears, revealing her red-brown eyes that looked almost like the color of dried blood. Sighing quietly to herself, she pulled a small string instrument from her pack. It looked much like a harp, aside from it's reduced size, and was golden with white strings with silver thread weaved into them. Situating herself comfortably against the tree, she held it in her semi-gloved hands and plucked delicately at the strings, barely moving it by herself and instead using the runes obscured by her arm-sleeves to manipulate the silver threads of the instrument to make the beautiful music that it emitted into the dusty air. She had never been much of a musician, but at least she had the runes to help her.

The woman smiled delicately as the song transitioned gently into a different melody, one she remembered her mother singing to her as a child, and that her grandmother had sang to her mother, and so on. Soon, she even found herself quietly singing along with the words.

"Sleep, baby, sleep
Your father tends the sheep
Your mother shakes the dreamland tree
And from it fall sweet dreams for thee
Sleep, baby, sleep
Sleep, baby, sleep

Sleep, baby, sleep
Our cottage vale is deep
The little lamb is on the green
With snowy fleece so soft and clean
Sleep, baby, sleep
Sleep, baby, sleep"

Reopening her eyes that she hadn't even noticed herself closing, she blinked and shook herself. 'Idiot!' she lectured herself, lifting her arm to wipe the tears that had formed in her eyes away. The golden chains on the armband jingled softly. Sighing again, she lowered her arm and returned the instrument to its rightful pouch in the simple pack that rested on her shoulders and back, then gazed around. A woman with dark hair and pale skin-- probably a Hirrenian-- lectured a man with white hair and tan skin, who's race she couldn't put a finger on. Not that it mattered, she reminded herself. She just had to get some last minute supplies. Reaching down, she fingered the small, modest brown pouch that carried her funds. The coins inside clinked together with the movement, a satisfying sound to her ears.

Turning, she walked back away from the crowd and into the village to buy a little bit more food and water, her gold and red earrings and the gold chains on her gloves jingling with each step. Her red and gold dress flapped with each stride of her tanned legs, and she raised a hand to block the sun from her eyes. As she entered the main village, she set about finding a shop with some cheap wares. A soft breeze blew through, fluttering her hair, chiming her earrings, and fluttering her dress against her legs. A throb from her palms suddenly caused her to stop and wince, shutting one eye against the pain. "Maybe I should grab some ointments while I'm here........"

This may have been a bad idea Adraline thought to herself as she dodged another person before they stepped on her. People pressed against her at all sides, jostling and shoving her out of their way. One bumped into her so hard she fell to the ground scraping her hands as she landed. "Please be careful." she said to the one who bumped her, though she doubt he heard her. Her stomach had been in knots since she snuck out of her home village four nights ago. She had barely eaten at the feast the night before and this morning her body was paying the price.

Im scared, I want to go home Her thoughts chased each other around her mind. Her soul was in turmoil, she wanted to throw everything down and return to the safe haven of her room. That would be giving up. Adraline had sacrificed too much to turn tail at the first sign of loneliness. Firming her resolve she threaded her way through the crowd. A sudden push sent her tumbling into the back of a dark haired Hirrenian and her fair haired companion. Her feather-weight had barely moved the woman but Adraline felt she had wronged her anyway. "I'm so sorry!" She apologized casting her eyes to the ground and clasping her hands behind her. She looked like she had been caught red-handed in the cookie jar. Her cheeks were dusted with the blush of embarrassment.

Sers was one of the previously mentioned hopefuls who had been wished luck. This was the third time she had asked to go on the pilgrimage, but first she had been allowed. She had been to this city enough times to see those going off on the pilgrimage off, however, to know it, and for it to know her. "So they finally let you out of their sight at the church, eh my dear?"

The priestess smiled, "Yes. They were worried about me for some silly reason," the mayor looked Sers over, trying not to think sexually, as, well, she was a woman of God. Perhaps the fact that almost every inch of her was covered in runes was why the church had been apprehensive about allowing her to go? Maybe. He moved onto the next hopeful, and she looked around. She wasn't sure who else was going on the pilgrimage. Who here fellow companions were.

The healer pulled her cloak tighter to her body. She wasn't wearing much, as was the custom in the south, but, it was also a lot warmer there. She had been given some heavier clothes for when they got to colder places, but, she was saving them for when she really needed it. After the mayor departed, she decided it would be best to find her fellow travelers, but, there were so many people milling about, and none of them seemed to be doing anything... Or so was about the case until one girl started to sing, a very pretty little song, but she wandered off. Hm. She gently pulled her hair that hung down to her ankles back, and wound it upon it's self, so it hung a little higher. She didn't like having such long hair, it made her look like some sort of Goddess, she hated to be thought of such a thing, it was disrespectful to the gods. But, it was also disrespectful for her to cut her hair, so, she kept it wound on it's self most of the time to avoid getting trapped in it.

She glanced around again, hoping to be able to pick out a fellow traveler. She was eager to be on her way. She had waited so long for this...

[As a quick note, Clever, this is a village, not a city, or did ya forget? xD And its a chief, not a mayor xD. And Bippy, Alethina was going east, Lazel is at the exit leading to the valleys where the Pilgrimage take place, so she's going the right way :p]

The white haired young man didnt respond much to Alethina other than looking over his shoulder to her and smiling politely. Perhaps on the journey to the Celestial Flow the spirits of those who passed before would touch her in a way that would make her understand the meaning of being on this journey.
He watched as a girl bumped into his wife, smirking and standing between Alethina and the girl before the ever-so impulsive Ivory Lady got a bit mad for such a little mistake.
He kindly offered the girl his hand, she looked pretty young, it wasnt hard to tell, and the smarter, but more ignorant people were giving her odd looks, she probably was very tense, but he wouldnt ask why she was here or why she seemed so lacking in strength att he moment. he remembered seeing many people last night and if memory called rightly she wasnt doing too well with her food.
"Here, it's okay, friend." He commented, "Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, but I doubt that was anything gravely serious." The tan-skinned young man nodded to her, hopefully she'd take his hand without fear,
"You dont look so well, you'd better eat something before we go, it'll be harder later and you need to keep up your strength. Stay with us and you'll be okay though, alright?"

Lawrence had traveled for some time to take part in the journey. He'd been told of it long ago, but it was the first time he'd felt ready to go through with it. His hair draped over the baggy sleves of his oversized coat. his hands gripping at his arms. the black strands blending with burnt-orange and deep-red colors to make an odd sort of an appearance. he looked through the strands of his bangs upon different people within the crowd. It seemed some of them where used to this sort of weather. Lawrence, however, was not. And his over dressed appearance hinted such.

Lawrence listened to the man as he spoke, he'd actually enjoyed the feast himsef, though he hardly ate anything. This was normal for him however, especially in like this, when he was nervous of seeing what was to await him and the others who chose to join on the pilgrimage. Lawrence's mismatched red eyes would come into view briefly as he turned his chin upward and looked up at the leaves above curious of this place but at the same time he didn't let his mind wander to much. Once more turning his attention to the man who welcomed them.

Lawrence smiled as the man wished those selected luck and he swallowed hard. he picked his feet up and he moved along. His hands at his side and his eyes focused upon the path ahead of him, unsure of what awaited, but at least he had the courage to step forward. Lawrence's boots made soft sounds against the ground he walked. looking to the others that headed towards it themselves. He became increasingly nervous and thus turned his eyes and his focus upon the path. It was a wonder he could see through those bangs let alone that he seemed aware of all around him despite his focused gaze and step.

His journey was beginning soon and not knowing what laid in store made him seem a bit more reserved than normal. However he stopped in his steps at the start of the path and he seemed to be waiting for the others for a few moments as he took in the sight of the village that would soon be behind him as quickly as he'd arrived. His hand slipped to a pouch that hung from the blet under his coat. taking a small flat biscuit looking food from inside it. bringing to his lips and watching the scene across the way. It seemed there was a clumsy girl, some strange man with pale hair , and a woman that seemed less than pleased with the events that had previously passed.

He didn't make a movement, but his lips curled to a faint smirk as he more or less 'examined' each of them with those mis-matched eyes.

[*owns this page* >3 WHAT NOW , Yeah that's right *breaks out the slave collars to attach as people post* ]

Relief washed over Adraline as the fair-haired Ariasan reached out his hand for her. She shyly took his hand, keeping her other hand behind her back so she could wring one of her long braids nervously. "T-thank you for your k-kindness." She stuttered trying so very hard to make a good impression, but she was out of her element so good impressions were not forthcoming.

"You dont look so well, you'd better eat something before we go, it'll be harder later and you need to keep up your strength. Stay with us and you'll be okay though, alright?"

Adraline's stomach was still clenched in knots. She didn't think she could squeeze a single crumb of food into her tight belly. She knew she would be weak if she didn't eat, however, she knew she would be even weaker if she was sick during the journey. This pilgrimage was important. If she failed there would be no second tries, only a lifetime of bondage to some sack of potatoes her parents would pick for her.

"Thank you for allowing me to stay with you. This is my first journey alone and I'm more than a little nervous." She told him truthfully. "I dont want to be ill on the journey, so I dont think I should eat right now. I'll calm down by mid-day I think." She hoped she would or else she would have to force those blasted tencho leaves down her throat. They would ease her worry and aid her appetite, but they tasted absolutely rotten.

((Ha ha ha! Collar me and I'll shank you with a sharpened troll doll))

A slight "Oof" left Alethina as a light force impacted with her, but only made her stumble forward slightly. Scowling, she whipped around to yell at the person, only to see Lazel made it between her and the person. Attempting to poke his back, where the rune that caused him pain was, she growled slightly and stomped away a few feet. Like she was going to waste her time helping some young, wussy stranger. Younger or not, they shouldn't be so pathetically weak like that!

Watching Lazel, she felt a sharp stab in her pride as he offered her his hand and spoke so kindly to her. She frowned deeply, not willing to admit she was feeling jealousy. Hell, it was just a kid.. and why should she be jealous? It didn't matter if he was he husband or not, it's not like she loved him.

Stupid ass Lazel. So stupid! Alethina thought angrily, turning away from them. Without another word, she quickly went passed the entrance, starting on the path. She didn't need them to survive, let them catch up. She could handle this Pilgrimage easily on her own...

Audra had left the group and moved towards the exit, weaving her way through the throng she thanked the flow for her height, and seeing a clearing near the gate she pushed herself toward the oasis. "So many people." She mumbled. Many of whom looked lost or confused. She frowned with sympathy at one particular woman, obviously a member of the clergy who, clinging to her cloak looked utterly lost. I should go up to her...but, i'd hate to inconvience her or anything, I'm sure a woman of such standing would have companions... She turned to watch what looked to be a potential scene where a poor younger woman had been pushed into the woman Audra had seen earlier. Is that? No, there is no way.. It was only when the woman huffed off and her white haired companion could be seen that Audra got that sinking feeling in her stomach. You're kidding me.

((Sin, thanks for the heads up on directions, I got a little disoriented))

Lazel didnt react to the touch on his back this time, helping Audraline to his feet before turning to follow his wife, stowing away the book he'd brought in his jacket pocket, looked like it was beginning now, those chosen for the first trip had best be setting out too. He looked behind him, stopping a moment for Adraline, motioning her to come along,
"Hurry up, even I wont wait forever." Lazel called back, a friendly grin in place before he looked further in the distance, Well, blow me down,
"Hey, Audra! You going to stand around all day or get moving?" The Ebony Lord smirked, turning away again, brushing his sleeves off while upping the pace a little to catch up with his fiery wife.

Probably the only thing the two could agree on was that the marriege just to save the clans was stupid, there could've been another way to sign a peace treaty. Tradition, what an irritaiton it could be sometimes. It seemed they were chosen for this mainly because they were highly regarded in their own clan att he time, Lazel for his wisdom and patience, as for Alethina, he wondered what exactly made them choose her. Sure she was a hard nut to crack on the outside but he had a feeling that inside she had what it took to be a truly noble person, not just some fancy hot-tempered woman with a title.

It was this thought that made it bareable he supposed, he didnt know how well she was coping with it though, but he could tell she definitely wasnt pleased atleast.

"Hurry up, even I wont wait forever."

"Ah! Oh! Right! Coming!" She sputtered putting a skip into her step to catch up. His legs were much longer than hers so she had to take two steps for every one of his. "Uhm..." She waved her hand a little in his line of vision to get his attention. The people around here were chattering so loud she was worried her little voice would be lost to his ears if she didnt let him know he should listen. "My name is Adraline. What's yours?" She called to him, trying to be heard above the loud hum of the crowd.

"Hey, Audra! You going to stand around all day or get moving?" Her new friend had upped his pace again. She couldnt hold her own against the crowd, they carried her away like a leaf in a stream. "Why are there so many people here?" She asked no one in particular as she found a tree to perch in. She scaled its trunk like an overgrown squirrel. She perched in the branches trying to find the one who helped her.

This journey is supposed to make you more independant and all you're doing is depending on other people. Adraline chided herself with a light bop on the head. If she couldnt do things on her own how could she ever stand up to her parents when she got home. She sighed hoping the crowd would thin enough to let her get to the beginning of her journey.

The black-haired woman in the elaborate garb sprinted back to the crowd. Her pack was heavier, her coin purse was lighter, and her hands had ceased their throbbing for the time being. Her sandals made a loud 'thack thack thack!' sound, each step echoing in the enclosed space. The contents of her pack rattled around, and she worried for a split second that her harp may get broken.

She didn't have time to worry for much longer as she connected with the crowd, still running at the top speed she could muster within the hoard of people milling around. People yelled after her for pushing, but she tuned them out as she headed for the exit. She was feet away, and stopped to receive the blessing of the chief, even if it was only a short 'good luck!' that he uttered as she nodded and bounced on her heels, then took off at a short jog to catch up with the others as they walked away.

The tan man with the white hair and garb, the small girl, and the Hirrenian woman walked together, and it seemed as though the man had called out for another companion. A little ways ahead was a woman in a cloak, one who, judging by her garb, was a Priestess, and a man with strange hair. The presumably-Priestess seemed to be alone, as was the musician woman who picked up her pace, but not unusually so, towards her to hopefully introduce herself to. She decided that it wouldn't be a bad plan to introduce herself to the lady of Flow first, then attempt with befriending the young man, or the other group that was now behind her. Approaching her from behind and slowing her pace more, she had begun to reach out and tap her on the shoulder. At the last second, she retracted her hand and moved over so that she would walk next to the presumably-Priestess. More often than not-- and this was true in the musician's case as well-- people severely disliked being snuck up on, and would sometimes lash out in a self-defense reflex.

"Hello," she greeted smoothly, keeping her eyes on the road ahead of her as she walked calmly along the holy path. This was what she had been waiting for. This was going to cleanse her, heart and soul, of her wrongdoings. After this, she would find a way to make an honest living. Yes, she'd become a farmer, or a housewife or something. She'd return to Galgoa, and.... she didn't know what. She only hoped that she would be able to find what she wanted most on this journey.

Love.

Audra had to fight from keeping her jaw from dropping as the white haired gentleman called out to her.
"Hey, Audra! You going to stand around all day or get moving?"
What is HE doing here?! She internally balked, trying to remember when the elders had said after the wedding. I knew they were going on the pilgrimage but now? Hiking a slender covered spear up higher on her shoulder she trotted towards Lazel. "Lord Lazel." she slightly bowed. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
Audra then looked over to the younger woman next to him. She bowed her head softly to her and then turned back to Lazel. "Who is your traveling companion?" She then paused and looked around the nearby area. "And...where is your wife?"

"Do not call me Lord, Audra, you never had to before and you shouldn't start now." He waved off the alien sounding title, sure back home he'd have to be respected but out here they were free to simply be travellers on their Pilgrimage.
"This girl is called Adraline, and...” Lazel looked ahead to where his wife was, "Alethina's striding ahead for now." He folded his arms, smiling calmly as he walked; he'd always seemed a little laid back about things, though he had his reasons.
This was pretty exciting in all honesty, he'd always been a believer because he was subject to believing what he saw over what he heard and obviously if something like The Flow could send back powerful new guards of Hirren with extraordinary abilities, he could only begin to imagine what other truths lay hidden out there in the world.
Not every Myth or Legend would stay with such status for long. There would one day be truth behind things he wished to know, or things he wanted to seek. But for now, he had to take life in stride, even if it meant something as uncomfortable as this arrangement with Alethina.

Lawrence hadn't really been paying attention when a girl suddenly stormed past him towards the path. He made a sound then looked over his shoulder to her. He finished his cracker before licking his lips and pulling his sleeves over his quivering hands once more before he started down the path shortly after her. Not wanting to be left to walk the path alone completely at least. He ran to catch up with the others that had shortly passed after the woman had "Hey ! wait up! " he shouted to the people he knew nothing about.

At least if something popped out and tried to eat them or something he could push the other guy in the way and continue on or something. Not truly, but it was an amusing thought while it lasted. He breathed softly despite his sprint to catch up with them. he rubbed his hands together as he slowed to a walk along side of the group though he didn't much speak to any of them just yet. His hands rubbing together , creating friction, making a heat to warm them. This place wasn't as warm as his home. he still had much to get used to about it. his hand raised to rub the back of his neck. Making a soft hiss as he was reminded of the still sore rune there.

It was then that a glimpse of white caught his eyes and those mis-matched red orbs turned their attention towards the man that seemed surrounded by women at the moment. Pity. clear your thoughts lawrence you're not here for that. he chuckled to himself in a mild amusement.