a whisper and a clamor

Tryin' to wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share

The Crimson Cataract floated above, holding within it a statue made of animals and faces, a shrine to Rae and Frey that had always been of interest to Liam. He’d been raised to have a healthy appreciation for the gods - so much so that he’d never tried to speak with them before. He didn’t want to bother them with his mortal requests, not unless it was absolutely necessary.

Unfortunately, it seemed that it had become necessary without his even realizing it.

So Liam knelt beneath the shrine floating in the crimson river, spreading a packet of wildflower seeds on the ground beneath as an offering. ”Frey…” he said softly, knowing that he wasn’t anyone special and not really expecting an answer. ”May I ask for your help?”

—-

Liam would like to ask nature Frey if there’s a way to hide conversations from the Family. If that’s not possible, he’d like to quest for the following item:

Type: Light | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Oakblade | When sheathed, this longsword feels as light as a feather, but upon being unsheathed, it instantly adjusts its weight to the wearer’s intent, allowing for devastatingly heavy strikes.

We can adjust the description if needed. :3 If his roll fails, please use MP. Thank you!

Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt

Liam

Frey

The seeds Liam scatters instantly burst into growth, finding root in the soft ground and stretching leaves and stems up towards the light where they unfurl in pops of fragrant colour. Frey appears behind the Accepted rather than before him, golden skinned and clad only in the red lichen that gives the Crimson Cataract its name.

"It is a lovely place, is it not? Not as well-used as it once was, but beautiful nevertheless." they murmur, stepping on bare feet around to the red river as it floats before them, reaching up a hand to touch their fingers to the bloody water. "What sort of help do you require?"

Tryin' to wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share

Even as an Accepted, Liam had never expected his prayers to be answered. Perhaps it spoke to an underlying lack of self-worth, but as his seeds burst into bloom, the ex-dragoon started, blinking stupidly at the flowers. Maybe Maea had been right, and the gods really would smile on him today.

When a voice spoke from behind him, he was therefore both surprised and not. He turned to find a golden-skinned being, clad only in red lichen, and bowed his head respectfully. ”All of the Greatwood is beautiful,” he responded. ”It’s a shame that people haven’t seen it for its true worth.” And he wasn’t talking about the flowers. The Greatwood had plenty to offer even before becoming a destination in which to hunt for Vi’s Roses.

But that wasn’t the reason for his visit. ”I wondered if there was a way to block the Family from hearing our conversations. I understand that they have some weaknesses; I thought that perhaps that could be utilized against them. I wrote down an idea -“ he said, fumbling around in a pocket for a slip of paper, which he offered to the deity. On the paper was a description of a ring that, when activated, would create a sound barrier from air magic. ”Would such a thing be possible?”

Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt

Liam

Frey

"Luckily, the woods do not seem to mind the opinions of others," Frey says with a small smirk, their fingers continuing to twist and wend through the scarlet water flowing around them. "The Greatwood will continue to offer its beauty and danger in abundance, ever untamed. As nature ought to be, no?" They wink.

Turning and withdrawing their hand from the water, they reach out to grasp the paper Liam produces in damp fingers, though the parchment will remain undamaged. Flicking their gaze over the ring, they nod encouragingly, though there is something softly thoughtful about the gesture that suggests it will not be as effective as the dragoon might like.

"Were this a simple sound barrier, it would be an easy matter," they say. "But what you wish to do is block the presence of a being that can broadcast itself through minds as well as listen in a physical manner. You would need a piece of that being in order to defend against it. Are you willing and able to retrieve such a thing?"

Tryin' to wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share

Frey grasped the paper with damp fingers that left no mark, and Liam watched as the god studied his idea. For a moment, he dared to hope that perhaps such a thing might be possible, but something in Frey’s thoughtful expression hinted that Liam might not like the response he was about to receive.

When Frey spoke again, Liam frowned, considering. ”Willing, yes,” he said, nodding thoughtfully in spite of the crease between his brows. ”But… I have been removed from the world for far too long, and I don’t know if I could succeed at such a task as I am now.” He fought the urge to pace, instead forcing himself to take a breath. Perhaps all was not yet lost; he could share his idea with others, at least, and perhaps it could be useful for those who were prepared to face down the Family directly.

”I’m not strong enough,” he said frankly. ”I… it seems like a lot to ask, but could you help me get stronger? Perhaps… with a weapon that could help me?”

Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt

Liam

Frey

"There is no shame in knowing your limits, sugar," Frey assures Liam despite his misgivings and frustrations, as if able to sense the agitated movement bunching in his body. Handing back the paper - the idea belongs to him, even if it has not yet come to fruition yet, after all - and plopping down to sit in the soft grass, the deity leans back on one hand to regard him. 

"I thought you might ask for something like that," they say with a knowing smile. "Of course. Perhaps in time you will feel strong enough to craft your other item. Until then, though, let us see what we might make for you..."

---

Liam has received a quest! He must:

1. Complete a thread mining ore of his choice from The Climb, where minerals and metals are abundant.
2. Complete a thread collecting the feathers from a Dream Bird.
3. Complete a thread having the sword made from the ore in 1. and with the Dream Bird feathers from 2. as decoration.
4. Complete a training thread focusing on a skill of your choice, but ensuring you are weighed down throughout the thread. (e.g. with ankle weights, weighted armour, holding a bucket of water, your choice!)

Tryin' to wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share

Liam accepted the paper back with a quiet word of thanks, tucking it away into a pocket for safekeeping. He might not be strong enough, but maybe someone would. Now that he knew it was possible, he could pass the idea along.

"Thank you," the soldier rumbled. He bowed his head gratefully to the deity, who had reclined comfortably upon the ground. "I will do as you ask and return as quickly as I can."

It was only when Frey was gone that Liam looked up again, regarding the shrine with determination. Then he went on his way to complete his tasks.

fin

Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt

Liam