#commanderbragh

[commanderbragh]

Homeward

February Daily Writing Challenge 2025

Day 2: Cage/Power

Banagan followed the main street out of Stormwind, crossing over the bridge and passing through the main gates. He tightly held the reins of the larion that walked next to him. The paladin kept a careful watch as the winged lion glanced from side to side in the crowded city. The larion's tension was palpable, but Banny never felt him pull on the reigns. Indeed, Banny felt it more likely that his companion was keeping a close watch on him, daring anyone to challenge their passage. Banny smiled and reached over with his free hand to give the larion a scratch on the head. The larion’s ear twitched.

“I wonder if this was what it was like when dad brought Valiant home,” Banny said to himself.

The two had only left the gates behind when a voice called out to them.

“Greetings, traveler. That’s an impressive friend you have there.”

Banagan stopped and looked to the side of the road where a lone man was sitting on the ground.

“Yes, sir,” Banny answered and then started walking again.

“Hold on,” the stranger continued as he rose to his feet. “Don’t you have time for a friendly chat?”

“I’m afraid I don’t,” Banny said over his shoulder as he kept moving.

“How much for the beast?”

“He’s not for sale, sir.”

“Sure he is. Everything has a price.”

“Not this time,” Banagan said in a tone he hoped would settle the matter. Unfortunately it didn’t.

“You haven’t heard my offer.”

Banagan could feel the larion’s tension increasing. The larion pulled the reigns tightly as he turned his head and looked back at the human that was following them. A brief rumble echoed in the larion’s throat.

“I don’t need to, sir,” Banagan answered as he stopped andante turned to look directly at the man. “He is not for sale.”

“No need for rudeness,” the man frowned. 

“I haven’t been rude yet.” Banagan’s left hand kept a tight grip on the reigns while his right came to rest on the hilt of his sword. “Leave us be and I won’t have to.”

“Don’t be like that. We were having a peaceful conversation.”

“Would be in your best interest to keep it that way, sir.”

“Or what?” The man’s look darkened.

Banagan glanced around briefly before turning his attentions back to the man. “So where are they?”

“Who?”

“Your friends. I’ll assume you’re not stupid enough to try and do this by yourself. Where are they? Just down the road.”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right. Have you ever seen what a riled up larion is like?”

“Don’t see that it matters. Once you put the beast in a cage, they’re all the same.”

“And there’s the problem with your plan.”

“Problem?”

“Yeah. You don’t have enough to do that.”

“Oh really? Enough what?”

“Men. Weapons. Time. Take your pick.”

“Maybe my men are closer than you think,” the man said, taking a step closer.

“Doubt they’re close enough to save you.” Banagan held his left hand out and opened it, letting the reigns slowly fall from his grasp. The larion took a slow step forward, putting himself between the paladin and the stranger. A growl started to rumble from his throat. The stranger took a quick step back and pulled a knife from behind his back, holding it out towards the lion.

“You’ve never seen a larion when it’s feeling territorial. You wouldn’t have done all this if you had. They have a determined nature. A strength, a power that is impressive. And if he wanted you down, there would be very little to stop it from happening.”

The stranger’s eyes got wide as the larion bared his fangs and growled again. Slowly, Banagan stepped up to the larion’s side. Taking hold of the saddle, the paladin kicked a leg over and slid onto the larion’s back.

“Lucky for you, we both just want to go home and have a good night’s sleep. If I were you, I’d find a new line of work. There’s not much longevity in what you’re doing now.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” the stranger said, taking another step backwards.

“Do that. And I’d make sure that you never cross paths with us again.” The paladin clicked his tongue and nudged the larion’s sides with his heels. There was a moment’s hesitation, then the lion unfurled his wings and leapt into the air. 

@daily-writing-challenge

[darbiebot]

13: Any new friendships? If so, how is the friendship progressing?

Dar: I met a troll named Sabbac, she’s an excellent cook, and an amazing dancer. I have to admit, I never imagined being around people like her, and now i’m quite regretful I haven't up until now. I hope to see her around soon, I think we’d get along.

Pin: I think i’ve been a little too obvious with my crush on @belillinafireseeker but... really I just enjoy spending time with her. We’re getting dinner together soon, and hopefully i’ll get to know her better. I swear, Leon’s a good icebreaker to making new friends.

[gloamingdawn]

send 🌼 for a happiness headcanon

There’s something about being around water that instantly lifts her mood. She grew up near enough to the sea and a few rivers that it was never difficult to find time to swim. The whole multi-sensory aspect of being around water is just Good all around.

Thanks @commanderbragh  !

[lilinbee]

♧: do you believe in luck?

My brain is very divided on this. On one hand, I know it’s not really a thing for me to be lucky. On the other hand, I desperately want it to be true. So....I have no idea

[noonmutter]

27. Describe their morning routine.

Sunrise: Some asshole plays a trumpet and some other asshole makes sure everyone on base hears it by means both technological and magical. For the duration of that musical piece, every mind on base hates the same two people at the same time. It is a perfect unity.

Make the bed, tuck it in so tight the bedbugs can’t escape, sweep all the personal shit into the footlocker and close it. Brush teeth, shave till beard is as square and straight as the bedclothes. Think about how much better bedsheets always looked tangled up in Dwyn’s legs.

Six bells: First formation. Resist temptation to tell drill sergeant their hat looks stupid on a head so small. Wonder if they’re the guy that plays reveille every morning based on their lung capacity. Zone out a little because it’s piss-early in the morning, respond to name being called. Thank whatever gods are still alive sarge didn’t notice zoning out. Wonder if Dwyn is awake yet.

Six bells and 15 minutes: Morning PT. This part, at least, isn’t too bad, since it’s what he would be doing if he weren’t on a base anyway. Just preferably after sleeping in for a few more hours, and after eating breakfast. Miss curling up with Dwyn for more sleep.

Eight bells: Back to barracks to smarten up and get in uniform. Reflect that it’s a good thing the Alliance at least makes decent mail, wish they could make a decent rifle. Debate requisitioning a bow instead for the millionth time. Smirk thinking about Dwyn drooling while watching him do target practice.

Eight bells and 30 minutes: March to mess. Shovel down whatever they put on the tray. Stopping to taste it would be a death sentence and there’s no time to savor it anyway. Sorely miss Dwyn’s cooking, summoned or otherwise.

Eight bells and 45 minutes: Form up again. Listen this time because not knowing training assignments was a good way to end up the sarge’s personal assistant until they ran out of things that needed to be scrubbed with a toothbrush. Muse on designs for the countertops in the new bathroom at Dwyn’s house.

Rest of the day devoted to doing whatever work was assigned to him with as little verbal complaint possible while sorely wishing he could just go home.

( @shedwyn )

[lorellaishc]

Those who Help Themselves

((Daily Writing Challenge May 2023, Day 5, Miracle/Tension, @daily-writing-challenge , CW: None))

The fiery explosion rang out amidst the chaos of battle as Lorellai threw her self away from an incoming fireblast, rolling up to her feet just in time to see the Shadowflame elemental unleash a torrent of the cursed flame at her. Even as she tried to move away, a flash of steel appeared before her as Quelatha and Frejas dove in, Quelatha raising a magic-breaking shield from her runeblade to deflect the blast while Frejas hammered her weapon on her shield, getting the the monster's eyes away from the girl.

"Back on yer feet, or else I'm callin' yer ma to take ye home!" the woman yelled, before turning back to the firey beast, bashing her shield against the elemental's armor and forcing it back. Lorellai could only nod as she gathered up her spear and tried to get back in position. The elemental was like nothing she'd faced in the isles before, even when fighting the Primalists in the Vault of the Incarnates. It was all she could do to avoid the blasts of shadowflame that flew around the room, trying to find openings to attack. People were shouting, Fatalion was trying to hit it with a piece of the wall she'd ripped out, Rokishan and Banagann where yelling for everyone to stay close enough for them to protect, the chaos of the fight was making her head swim.

A memory came to mind, unbidden, from back in Ironforge. She'd been asking her parents about their adventures, and how they always managed to triumph.

Darlain had smiled. "Faith, lass. Faith in the Light, but also faith in our friends, and your Father, and myself. Faith that we were fighting for what was right and good, and that we weren't doing it alone. That's where miracles come from."

"Aye, faith is important." her father had agreed. "But there's also bein' clever. Many times we triumphed because someone caught something that could turn th' tide, if acted on quickly. Keepin' yer eyes open, and acting when you see an opening, that's how yeh beat th' baddies!"

Lorellai blinked, and looked around. Faith in her friends, keeping her eyes open, but what could she- Her inner monologue was cut off by a battle cry as Fatalion was backhanded by the elemental, flying into the chamber's stone roof, before the massive dracthyr planted herself in the stone and hurled herself straight back at the beast, leaving behind a large crack in the roof. "Wait, that's it! FATE! FASTBALL" she yelled, grabbing a detpack off her belt and pointing at the roof Fate had just damaged. For all her battlerage, Fatalion was an incredible soldier, and instantly picked up what Lorellai wanted, swooping around the elemental to grab the dwarf. With a full double spin, Fate hurled Lorellai up towards the roof. Lorellai fired her chainhook, impaling the stone near the damaged section to pull herself in, and hit hard. Shaking her head clear, she hit the big red button with her nose and slapped the pack onto the cracking roof, adhering it with the glue pack. She let her chain extend, swinging down, and landing just outside the kill zone. "Get it over here!" she hollered, and felt wind blow past her as two of the other evokers swept forward, scooping up Quelatha and Frejas, dragging them back towards Lorellai, incurring the fury of the enraged shadowflame. It surged towards them as the detpack blew, shattering the roof and bringing tons of stone down on the creature. It roared in rage as the worked stone smashed down on it, damaging its armor and smothering part of its flame. Thus weakened, the team dove in, mages shifting the flow of time to speed everyone's attacks and put the monster down for good.

Well and truly spent, Lorellai flopped down on her butt, unable to contain her smile even as Stroganoff bounded over to give her happy hornswog licks and others patted her on the back for her quick thinking.

Faith, and open eyes. It was just like they'd said.

((Big thanks to @commanderbragh, @mremaknu, @rastiladelnore, @dwyndel, @darbiebot and @itsadile, and the whole raid gang for inspiring this piece, and helping with their dialogue where appropriate))

[unabashedrebel]

✿ :  Fondest role-play memory, between muns?

I’onno, there was this one RP I did forever ago with another really talented writer and I basically swapped the lyrics to Scenes from an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel for a bit my character was playing to impress a classy dame.

I can’t do the actual scene justice but my favorite was definitely ‘a bottle of red- a bottle of white- how the fuck are you still aliiiiiiive’.

@sanguinesorceress (idk if you still linger round here) for mentions

Thanks @commanderbragh !

[emblyn-ruane]

Describe Your OC

Tagged by: @theparkhurstalchemists (I’m sorry this took 500 years!)

Tagging: @mereldri-starmoon @commanderbragh @zeehva @emily-barker @wildname @thalsianiii @anierous-sunblade @olivia-lovecraft @spellthieve @sonofhousebelmont @saidelia-draconis @foxglovethings @fenril @caspar-stamp @vincerphub-wra @niviene-larethian @newsnerd-ooc (any!) @kinguponthesea (any!) @lahthesubtle @lightsong-legacy (any!) @leora-strauss @tinembra​ @alexandria-morrowgrove​ @maerynblackwood​

(I’m not sure who has already done it so if you have, ignore!)

Template: Click!

[josiehastings]

A Wanderer’s Enchant

Tagged by: @theparkhurstalchemists​ & @commanderbragh​

Tagging: I think everyone has done this!

Create a playlist of ten songs that your muse might listen to. (Or that are suited to your muse.)

 I. An Irish Party in Third Class

II. Touch the Sky by Brave

III. Feast of Starlight by Howard Shore

IV. Never Enough by The Greatest Showman

V. Through the Darkness by Audiomachine

VI. I see Fire by Ed Sheeran

VII. Run Free by Hans Zimmer

VIII. Reborn by ??

IX. The Trap by James Newton Howard

X. Indiana Jones Theme (HOW COULD YOU NOT EXPECT THIS?” by John Wiliams

[belillinafireseeker]

8. Do complex puzzles intrigue or frustrate them?

She loves puzzles.  At least, when she has time to go and sit down to do them.  

@commanderbragh

[commanderbragh]

Meet and Greet

February Daily Writing Challenge 2025

Day 3: Salutation

Banagan gently pulled on the reigns, guiding the larion through the afternoon sky. Here and there he could make out the road below through the opening in the trees. Banagan knew he was getting close when the trees started to grow thicker and closer together. The paladin gently coaxed the larion to gain a little altitude and veered him towards the left. Finally, an opening appeared and Banny directed the larion down. They gently landed at the flight path and Banny slid from his saddle. 

With reigns in hand, Banny stepped away from the flight path and looked down the road leading towards Darkshire. The larion padded next to the paladin, keeping watch as they traveled. Banny reached over and gave the larion a gentle pat on his side.

“It’s okay, this is home.” They continued walking, eventually turning off the road and taking a path that led to a familiar house. Banagan came to a stop about five meters away from the door. The larion halted and looked curiously at the paladin before scanning the area. “We need to wait here for a moment,” Banny explained though he wasn’t sure if the larion was paying attention. 

A deep growl could be heard from behind the house. Banny held onto the reigns and waited. After a few moments, a large winged lion came walking around. Flames danced around the lion’s wings and mane as it moved into view and stopped. It let out another growl, but this one was not as threatening. In response, the larion stared directly at the winged lion as a deep rumble started in his chest.

“It’s okay. That’s Valiant,” Banny said in a calm voice. “He’s a friend. You hear that, Valiant? Friend,” he added towards the flaming lion.

“What’s going on out here?” A voice called out as the door to the house opened and an older man holding a warhammer stepped out.

“Hi, dad.”

“Hi, son,” Bragh said as a big grin appeared on his face. Shouldering his hammer he strode forward with his right hand out. As he got closer, the rumble in the larion’s chest grew. Bragh stopped, his grin replaced with a look of curiosity. Hearing another growl, the elder paladin turned to see Valiant stepping to his side. “Behave, Valiant.”

“Sorry for dropping by unannounced, dad. Just thought it would be a good time to introduce everyone.”

“You know you’re always welcomed. So who is this?”

“This is Sentinel.” Banny gave the larion another reassuring pat. The larion still seemed unsure, but had stopped rumbling at least.

“Sentinel, eh? Nice name.” Bragh laid his warhammer on the ground and slowly stepped forward. “Greetings and salutations, noble Sentinel.” 

The larion looked from Braghaman to Banagan and then back to Bragh. The elder paladin stood in front of the larion with his hand outstretched. Sentinel sniffed and then thought for a moment before sitting down. Valiant moved forward to stand next to the elder paladin. The two great felines stared at each other, neither moving or making a sound. Finally, as if by some unspoken agreement, the two cats both laid down on the ground next to their respective paladins. 

Banny and Bragh looked at the two cats before looking at each other.

“He ever do that before?” Banny asked.

“Never. Probably the best outcome for a first meeting.”

“I’ll take it.”

“Well these two look comfy. Be a shame to move them.”

“Agreed. Are the chairs still out back?” Banny asked.

“They are. You want to grab them while I get us some drinks?”

“Yes, sir. Think we can trust these two alone for a minute?”

“Guess we’ll find out,” Bragh answered with a shrug before turning and heading back towards the front door. 

@daily-writing-challenge

[darbiebot]

🍀 regale a time when luck was on their side

“Oh geez, my entire life ‘as been a good deal o’ luck. I suppose though, the chief amongst them all was the day that Nicholai sat for a fortune reading, I ‘ad been dabbling with Tarot at the time. ‘e ended up taking my cards and giving me a reading, and... some’ow convinced me to join an adventuring band. My life completely change from tha’ moment. Though i’m nae so sure it was jus’ chance.

[gloamingdawn]

5:A song that needs to be played LOUD

Running Up That Hill - Meg Myers

It’s a cover, but this version has a lot of extra instrumentals in the background that just sound so good when cranked in the car or in your headphones. There’s a lushness to it that feels good in my ears. 

Thanks @commanderbragh! 

[lilinbee]

6. What’s your lucky number? (And is there a reason for it?)

Seven (Lucky sevens, baybeeee)

(I really don’t know why)

[kharrisdawndancer]

😍

(Heath Ledger as William Thatcher) “THIS is what a paladin looks like. I wonder if he’s really one?”

@commanderbragh

[noonmutter]

For Leon: 33. If your character wanted to be alone, where would they go?

He has a couple retreats that spring to mind--the Cookbook kitchen is actually one of them--but when he’s specifically needing to be alone, he goes to see his parents. Their graves are out of the way by design, and the flowers he and Vember set down need tending to make sure they don’t die, or grow out of control.

It’s something to keep him moderately busy while he’s there, for as long as he needs to be there.