lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog

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Reblog this post if you ARE okay with other muses commenting on your Asks/ Shenanigans /Posts

As an Roleplayer in the Tumblr community, I’m fine with other muses commenting on posts my muse makes or reblogging asks I’ve been sent with their own take on what was posted about. In fact, I LIKE IT! It’s fun! But I’m not sure who else wants that interaction on their RP blog like this- so if you reblog this I’ll know it’s okay to interact with your character this way.

(Just remember don’t re-blog RolePlay threads that aren’t yours! Usually those are between specific people, and outside people reblogging them makes it difficult to keep track of when their partner has responded. But re-blogging general posts and asks with in-character shenanigans? Do it! Let’s have some fun!!!)

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‘Finally...’

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The lord moved in a strange deathly silence as he scanned all the treasures, a frown prominent if one looked close at his face. This wasn’t good. He had expected perhaps a fourth of this wealth to be here. The second the lord made a successful return, every being with a shred of ambition or power would make a break for the mountain knowing that the traps had been taken down by the dark lord. Stopping in front of the massive piles of evolutionary stones, the darkrai mindlessly raised an arm, a voidly hand moving to lift a few tapestries off of the wall and place them on the ground while the smaller shadows started forming a chain and was sorting the stones into piles, a much more meager pile of shiny stones, leaf stones and the like. While the other was much bigger, filled with all manner of stones, mostly the dusk stones. As his shadows did their work, moving like shadowy centipedes back and forth the lord glanced around to some of the older works. He moved passed the gold and jewels. Such things mattered not in this current world though there would be some who disagreed. No his focus was on a massive wooden carving in the back. A magnificent relief depicting ancient wonders and myths. The legends fighting, conversing, creating. All done in pictures that flowed like a story along the carving till it came to one in particular that struck him.

The carving was focused around what appeared to be a small stained glass window that shimmered in the torch light. The tiny window was sealed into the wood work like the tiles on door before. The window itself held the familiar patterns of the worlds that existed within the dream realm. Above the window sat what could only be described as a dragon encircling it, with magnificent horns and claw like wings. Below the window rested the depiction of a darkrai and a cresselia.

The lord looked down the wall, this was the only piece of it that held a material that wasn’t apart of the wooden relief. Was this it? Gingerly he moved a claw over the carving and pried out the stained glass panel with this claws. Sure enough, behind the panel was a small compartment, lined in fabric. The only contents, a small box.

Lord Darkrai reached in and pulled out the case and popped it open, inside was indeed what he needed. With a rumble of pleasure he snapped the box shut and turned to look over his shoulder. The tapestries were nearly full, he would be done soon.

And then it was time to seal this place for good.

“Myia!” He barked, unsure where the ghost had wandered off to. “Get what you desire and be ready to leave!”

Treasure Seekers

Myia’s mocking comment earned her a glare from the darkrai’s who’s eyes seemed to dim and pupils shrank. The benefit of being able to see in darkness was always coupled with the weakness of being blinded by the light, even torch light.

Lord Darkrai sniffed imperiously before waving a hand at her, “Go on, I’m not your father. If you wish to rush in do not let me stand in your way.”

While his words were harsh it was evident in his voice that he couldn’t manage to muster too much contempt as he too was relieved to be through the labyrinth.

Moving through the door way the lord glanced about, wary of tripping any kind of alarm or trap but saw nothing. It was truly the end, and the reward was in sight. As he was satisfied that nothing would try an spear him for daring to enter the room he was able to turn his attention to the contents of the long chamber.

The rumors didn’t do it justice.

Even the darkrai was stunned a moment as he was able to see just what was inside. All manner of treasures littered the place from ceiling to floor, in piles and chests. There were jewels of gold and silver with precious gems. Heaps of tomes and books all stacked along the walls, seemingly well preserved. Beyond even that were mountains of glittering evolutionary stones. All kinds that shined and hummed with the power within them. 

Thrones, cases, crowns, scepters, as if something from every royal house before the war was stored within this single chamber. The entire room was like a museum, a hidden gateway into the times of old. Ancient tapestries hung on the walls depicting the different gods that they had seen on their journey through the mountain. Delicate carvings from the old families that descended from the world tree, to fossils of those who had come before. This treasure was beyond value. It’s was glorious.

This wasn’t good.

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Myia’s mocking comment earned her a glare from the darkrai’s who’s eyes seemed to dim and pupils shrank. The benefit of being able to see in darkness was always coupled with the weakness of being blinded by the light, even torch light.

Lord Darkrai sniffed imperiously before waving a hand at her, “Go on, I’m not your father. If you wish to rush in do not let me stand in your way.”

While his words were harsh it was evident in his voice that he couldn’t manage to muster too much contempt as he too was relieved to be through the labyrinth.

Moving through the door way the lord glanced about, wary of tripping any kind of alarm or trap but saw nothing. It was truly the end, and the reward was in sight. As he was satisfied that nothing would try an spear him for daring to enter the room he was able to turn his attention to the contents of the long chamber.

The rumors didn’t do it justice.

Even the darkrai was stunned a moment as he was able to see just what was inside. All manner of treasures littered the place from ceiling to floor, in piles and chests. There were jewels of gold and silver with precious gems. Heaps of tomes and books all stacked along the walls, seemingly well preserved. Beyond even that were mountains of glittering evolutionary stones. All kinds that shined and hummed with the power within them. 

Thrones, cases, crowns, scepters, as if something from every royal house before the war was stored within this single chamber. The entire room was like a museum, a hidden gateway into the times of old. Ancient tapestries hung on the walls depicting the different gods that they had seen on their journey through the mountain. Delicate carvings from the old families that descended from the world tree, to fossils of those who had come before. This treasure was beyond value. It’s was glorious.

This wasn’t good.

Treasure Seekers

As they moved down the increasingly dim corridor the shadows seemed to have backed off. This had the opposite affect on the dark lord however. The shadowy tendrils seemed like they were waiting, watching. Now wary and unwilling to incur any further wrath… for now.

The lord was not one to get paranoid, nor was he one to act out of fear but the agitation of the shadows was getting to him. Rather than back off entirely and leave, or better yet, obey his commands as shadows aught to, they simply hovered on the edge of perception, waiting patiently. The darkrai took a deep breath to calm down, they had to be near the end and he was only riled up because of their defiance. They had to be close to the end, to where the treasure lay and then he could leave this place without a second thought.

Finally the narrow path opened to a small door. It wasn’t carved or decorated like the ones before but a simple double door of stone. The lord gazed around the door, looking for any carved warnings or cryptic riddles he should be wary of.

Nothing.

Looking around the chamber this time, the lord sought for traps or any such other annoyances but again, found nothing. Eyes narrowed he summoned up two void arms and placed them on their side of the door before pushing it open.

The door was heavy, but not like the previous one or even the stone carvings that were in it. The sound of grating rock echoed through the long hall and dust fell from the rarely used door. As it was finally opened there was a small clicking sound but rather than a trap, torches started lighting up on either side of the walls of a rather large and long room.

Suddenly there was a wash of warm orange light that flooded everything and the lord had to shield his eyes from the sudden blinding illumination.

Finally as the final torches were set ablaze the darkrai gingerly lowered his arm to squint into the hall…

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As they moved down the increasingly dim corridor the shadows seemed to have backed off. This had the opposite affect on the dark lord however. The shadowy tendrils seemed like they were waiting, watching. Now wary and unwilling to incur any further wrath... for now.

The lord was not one to get paranoid, nor was he one to act out of fear but the agitation of the shadows was getting to him. Rather than back off entirely and leave, or better yet, obey his commands as shadows aught to, they simply hovered on the edge of perception, waiting patiently. The darkrai took a deep breath to calm down, they had to be near the end and he was only riled up because of their defiance. They had to be close to the end, to where the treasure lay and then he could leave this place without a second thought.

Finally the narrow path opened to a small door. It wasn’t carved or decorated like the ones before but a simple double door of stone. The lord gazed around the door, looking for any carved warnings or cryptic riddles he should be wary of.

Nothing.

Looking around the chamber this time, the lord sought for traps or any such other annoyances but again, found nothing. Eyes narrowed he summoned up two void arms and placed them on their side of the door before pushing it open.

The door was heavy, but not like the previous one or even the stone carvings that were in it. The sound of grating rock echoed through the long hall and dust fell from the rarely used door. As it was finally opened there was a small clicking sound but rather than a trap, torches started lighting up on either side of the walls of a rather large and long room.

Suddenly there was a wash of warm orange light that flooded everything and the lord had to shield his eyes from the sudden blinding illumination.

Finally as the final torches were set ablaze the darkrai gingerly lowered his arm to squint into the hall...

Treasure Seekers

The lord was half way across the chamber before he turned back to see Myia scrambling to retrieve her pages. His eyes narrowed, he hadn’t noticed that his attack had pierced her book. He had been consumed with fending off the shadows that when he released it he had completely forgotten that the ghost was nearby.

He couldn’t feel regret, that was a thing that was far beyond him but she had willingly aided him in this quest and it would be inexcusable to not offer compensation. His reputation and dignity demanded he repay his burst of rage. As she moved to join him in the center of the room, clutching her precious pages, the lord cleared his throat to get her attention. He forced himself to look calm and collected while his insides were still ablaze with emotion. Anything less would come off as hasty or unreliable, he knew that well enough. “ I cannot retrieve what was lost,” The darkrai began bluntly, “but I can offer you compensation if you wish it. When this quest is finished you need but ask.” 

Not waiting for her reply, Lord Darkrai continued on past the chamber and into the far hall. He was correct in his assumption about the levitation. Such traps were useless to creatures akin to the two who now wandered the depths of the mountain.

As he reached the other side he noticed an ominous wind gently gusting from the darkness beyond. He really didn’t want yet another challenge to deal with, it was becoming more apparent that the longer he stayed the worse things were going to get. With a small huff of annoyance he moved strait into the hall without caution, the beast was angry and he would be damned if it something was trying to run him off. He was the powerful demon everyone feared, he was not about to cower like a common mutt.

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The lord was half way across the chamber before he turned back to see Myia scrambling to retrieve her pages. His eyes narrowed, he hadn’t noticed that his attack had pierced her book. He had been consumed with fending off the shadows that when he released it he had completely forgotten that the ghost was nearby.

He couldn’t feel regret, that was a thing that was far beyond him but she had willingly aided him in this quest and it would be inexcusable to not offer compensation. His reputation and dignity demanded he repay his burst of rage. As she moved to join him in the center of the room, clutching her precious pages, the lord cleared his throat to get her attention. He forced himself to look calm and collected while his insides were still ablaze with emotion. Anything less would come off as hasty or unreliable, he knew that well enough. “ I cannot retrieve what was lost,” The darkrai began bluntly, “but I can offer you compensation if you wish it. When this quest is finished you need but ask.” 

Not waiting for her reply, Lord Darkrai continued on past the chamber and into the far hall. He was correct in his assumption about the levitation. Such traps were useless to creatures akin to the two who now wandered the depths of the mountain.

As he reached the other side he noticed an ominous wind gently gusting from the darkness beyond. He really didn’t want yet another challenge to deal with, it was becoming more apparent that the longer he stayed the worse things were going to get. With a small huff of annoyance he moved strait into the hall without caution, the beast was angry and he would be damned if it something was trying to run him off. He was the powerful demon everyone feared, he was not about to cower like a common mutt.

Treasure Seekers

The lord ignored the ghosts inquiry, opting instead to focus on the floor. He was staring hard at the ground, looking from symbol to symbol, to the walls and the roof, and back to the floor. He moved forward to get a closer look at hte puzzle when passed through the gate and he felt something of a jolt zip down his spin. At once his fur bristled and his vision got blurry. A deep growl rumbled in his throat and his hair whipped into a brief hurricane.

His body twitched and trembled as something in his core seemed to scream and want to burst from his chest.

“Hrk!” He let out a small guttural sound as his hand flew to his chest. Something was wrong. His claws dug deep into his flesh and caused him to ooze a dark thick liquid that shimmered like a galaxy of stars was within it. The shadows seemed to be swirling around him, gathering ever more as time wore on.

His eyes flashed feverishly as he struggled to store up power. Whatever this was would not have him. With a small roar he let loose a dark pulse. A wave of dark energy crackled with dark electricity as the wave sliced through the shadows before slinking back into the deep pits that lined the room.

The darkrai breathed heavily, glancing around with barely controlled anger. This trip was proving far more troublesome than it should have been. Then something that by all rights was his to command were attacking him like he was some common darkrai. He forced himself up strait and the shuddering to stop. The black electricity still buzzed around his form as he forced himself to calm down.

He didn’t get all the way down to calm, but good enough that he didn’t feel like bringing the entire mountain down to rubble.

That’s when he thought of it. The lord suddenly turned, looking for a piece of rubble. When he found a good sized chuck of rock he quickly moved to pick it up. Feeling the weight in his hand he tossed it onto the tiled floor. It skipped across a couple of tiles before stopping, each tile that was struck sprung a different trap. Spikes, gas, arrows, effective traps indeed…

For those who touched the tiles.

He glanced at the ghosts lower half, noting her levitation and gave a wry smile, “These traps mean nothing to us.” He said assuredly as he began to cross to the hallway beyond the room.

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The lord ignored the ghosts inquiry, opting instead to focus on the floor. He was staring hard at the ground, looking from symbol to symbol, to the walls and the roof, and back to the floor. He moved forward to get a closer look at hte puzzle when passed through the gate and he felt something of a jolt zip down his spin. At once his fur bristled and his vision got blurry. A deep growl rumbled in his throat and his hair whipped into a brief hurricane.

His body twitched and trembled as something in his core seemed to scream and want to burst from his chest.

“Hrk!” He let out a small guttural sound as his hand flew to his chest. Something was wrong. His claws dug deep into his flesh and caused him to ooze a dark thick liquid that shimmered like a galaxy of stars was within it. The shadows seemed to be swirling around him, gathering ever more as time wore on.

His eyes flashed feverishly as he struggled to store up power. Whatever this was would not have him. With a small roar he let loose a dark pulse. A wave of dark energy crackled with dark electricity as the wave sliced through the shadows before slinking back into the deep pits that lined the room.

The darkrai breathed heavily, glancing around with barely controlled anger. This trip was proving far more troublesome than it should have been. Then something that by all rights was his to command were attacking him like he was some common darkrai. He forced himself up strait and the shuddering to stop. The black electricity still buzzed around his form as he forced himself to calm down.

He didn’t get all the way down to calm, but good enough that he didn’t feel like bringing the entire mountain down to rubble.

That’s when he thought of it. The lord suddenly turned, looking for a piece of rubble. When he found a good sized chuck of rock he quickly moved to pick it up. Feeling the weight in his hand he tossed it onto the tiled floor. It skipped across a couple of tiles before stopping, each tile that was struck sprung a different trap. Spikes, gas, arrows, effective traps indeed...

For those who touched the tiles.

He glanced at the ghosts lower half, noting her levitation and gave a wry smile, “These traps mean nothing to us.” He said assuredly as he began to cross to the hallway beyond the room.

Treasure Seekers

The lord raised a brow. He had not missed the unsure tone in her words. She may have known the tales but not in depth by any means, especially if the third dragon was not easily recognizable. Thankfully the three were to be placed lower to the ground so it would not tax him much farther.

With a breath he picked up the stones, the shadows springing to life at his call. The darkrai organized them, white, black, then grey and pulled back, waiting. 

Nothing happened.

Brow furrowing lord darkrai moved closer and tried to push on the door way. It didn’t budge and inch. His eye twitched in annoyance as he glanced at the ghost bitterly before returning his attention to the wall. There had to be a pattern her, and it took him but a moment to figure it out.

Every single trio from the legends had a third that balanced out the other two above. With a sigh he moved back again and with a strained sound he produced the void arms once more, re-organizing the bottom stones so that the grey dragon was on top followed by the white and then the black.

The second the final name plate was pushed into place the whole cavern started to rumble. It growled and shook as the massive gate started to slide apart. The sound of grating stone filled the dark underground as the symbols on the stone tablets seem to glow. Instead of opening inwards, the sides of the doors pulled back into the walls.

As they finally slotted into place, the way was open into a massive cavern. Deep pits rimmed the edges and in the center was a large circular platform that had a multitude of squares upon it. Upon each square was a symbol and the lord let out an exasperated huff. He had been expecting another puzzle sometime soon but not this quickly.

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The lord raised a brow. He had not missed the unsure tone in her words. She may have known the tales but not in depth by any means, especially if the third dragon was not easily recognizable. Thankfully the three were to be placed lower to the ground so it would not tax him much farther.

With a breath he picked up the stones, the shadows springing to life at his call. The darkrai organized them, white, black, then grey and pulled back, waiting. 

Nothing happened.

Brow furrowing lord darkrai moved closer and tried to push on the door way. It didn’t budge and inch. His eye twitched in annoyance as he glanced at the ghost bitterly before returning his attention to the wall. There had to be a pattern her, and it took him but a moment to figure it out.

Every single trio from the legends had a third that balanced out the other two above. With a sigh he moved back again and with a strained sound he produced the void arms once more, re-organizing the bottom stones so that the grey dragon was on top followed by the white and then the black.

The second the final name plate was pushed into place the whole cavern started to rumble. It growled and shook as the massive gate started to slide apart. The sound of grating stone filled the dark underground as the symbols on the stone tablets seem to glow. Instead of opening inwards, the sides of the doors pulled back into the walls.

As they finally slotted into place, the way was open into a massive cavern. Deep pits rimmed the edges and in the center was a large circular platform that had a multitude of squares upon it. Upon each square was a symbol and the lord let out an exasperated huff. He had been expecting another puzzle sometime soon but not this quickly.

Treasure Seekers

The lord barely registered her final question as he was yanking out the serpent he assumed to be giratina with swift motion and hoisted it into the air. The wrenching of stone sounded as it scrapped across the indent and slid into another, the shadows crushing it into place below the relief of arceus.

The tablet below it was then trust out of it’s socket and moved to the ground before another tablet from the lower section of the gate took it’s place. Thankfully with the dim light there were plenty of shadows, the master of which took full reign of. There were at least a dozen hands working, taking out the tablets and re arranging them. Below the portrait of the serpent came the diamond dragon, then the pearl dragon. The entire left side of the gate was empty save for those three slots. It took a moment of thought before Lord Darkrai hoisted up the spiraling dragon and shoved it into place below palkia.

Next he put in groudon for the earth and koygre for the sea’s, it was only after that he stopped, looking at the 3 dragons that were left that he did not know of.

With the brief pause to consider them, he turned his attention to the right side of the gate and began plucking names from their spots and reorganizing them till they were all matched up save for the three dragons names which he placed near the gate.

The entire affair was quick but draining. As the shadows receded and the hands melted back into the flood the lord released a shudder, sweat beading his brow. His breathing was deeper and it took him a moment to regain himself. The damned stones were heavy.

“You know the tales from the land beyond the sea. I trust you to know which order they need be put.” He breathed softly, looking towards her, his blue eye burning bright in the dim light.

[lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog]

The lord barely registered her final question as he was yanking out the serpent he assumed to be giratina with swift motion and hoisted it into the air. The wrenching of stone sounded as it scrapped across the indent and slid into another, the shadows crushing it into place below the relief of arceus.

The tablet below it was then trust out of it’s socket and moved to the ground before another tablet from the lower section of the gate took it’s place. Thankfully with the dim light there were plenty of shadows, the master of which took full reign of. There were at least a dozen hands working, taking out the tablets and re arranging them. Below the portrait of the serpent came the diamond dragon, then the pearl dragon. The entire left side of the gate was empty save for those three slots. It took a moment of thought before Lord Darkrai hoisted up the spiraling dragon and shoved it into place below palkia.

Next he put in groudon for the earth and koygre for the sea’s, it was only after that he stopped, looking at the 3 dragons that were left that he did not know of.

With the brief pause to consider them, he turned his attention to the right side of the gate and began plucking names from their spots and reorganizing them till they were all matched up save for the three dragons names which he placed near the gate.

The entire affair was quick but draining. As the shadows receded and the hands melted back into the flood the lord released a shudder, sweat beading his brow. His breathing was deeper and it took him a moment to regain himself. The damned stones were heavy.

“You know the tales from the land beyond the sea. I trust you to know which order they need be put.” He breathed softly, looking towards her, his blue eye burning bright in the dim light.

Treasure Seekers

“I doubt we have been told lies by those who came before us.” The lord said with indignation. Some of the lore of the legends he knew had been in his family for generations. They had no reason to lie, nor to make up tales. Besides, he couldn’t see the six legged beast being confused for this serpent.

“It is more likely that the gods have a few tricks up their sleeves. Yet I cannot see what would be gained by switching forms.” He admitted, a hand raised to his face thoughtfully for a moment before returning to the issue at hand.

“Indeed the names and pictures have been deciphered,” He remarked after her. “But is it simply enough to match them? With Arceus, presiding I cannot imagine that it would be so simple. Why would some of the beasts not be near their kin?”

The question was partially to himself, partially to the ghost nearby. Gazing quizzically up towards the door he raised a hand and the shadows about the gate obeyed. Morphing into a claw that mimicked the lords own limb and stretched high. As second soon joined it as they grasped at the highest tablet on the door that held the picture of the great fish Kyogre.

The tablet didn’t want to give easily and took a moment to pry loose, the shadows seeping underneath and pushing from behind the stone. It popped out and plummeted towards the ground before the shadow limbs dove and curled around it, halting it’s decent before it hit the ground.

It was indeed heavy and far more dense than the lord had anticipated. His arm muscles strained slightly as if he was lifting it with his own body. Gently he set the slab down against a nearby wall and looked up towards the open depression in the stone. On the inner surface was a strange marking that held no significance or relevance to the darkrai and he tossed a gaze towards Myia. A wordless question.

[lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog]

“I doubt we have been told lies by those who came before us.” The lord said with indignation. Some of the lore of the legends he knew had been in his family for generations. They had no reason to lie, nor to make up tales. Besides, he couldn’t see the six legged beast being confused for this serpent.

“It is more likely that the gods have a few tricks up their sleeves. Yet I cannot see what would be gained by switching forms.” He admitted, a hand raised to his face thoughtfully for a moment before returning to the issue at hand.

“Indeed the names and pictures have been deciphered,” He remarked after her. “But is it simply enough to match them? With Arceus, presiding I cannot imagine that it would be so simple. Why would some of the beasts not be near their kin?”

The question was partially to himself, partially to the ghost nearby. Gazing quizzically up towards the door he raised a hand and the shadows about the gate obeyed. Morphing into a claw that mimicked the lords own limb and stretched high. As second soon joined it as they grasped at the highest tablet on the door that held the picture of the great fish Kyogre.

The tablet didn’t want to give easily and took a moment to pry loose, the shadows seeping underneath and pushing from behind the stone. It popped out and plummeted towards the ground before the shadow limbs dove and curled around it, halting it’s decent before it hit the ground.

It was indeed heavy and far more dense than the lord had anticipated. His arm muscles strained slightly as if he was lifting it with his own body. Gently he set the slab down against a nearby wall and looked up towards the open depression in the stone. On the inner surface was a strange marking that held no significance or relevance to the darkrai and he tossed a gaze towards Myia. A wordless question.

Treasure Seekers

“The third dragon must have the name Kyurem because it does not match the other name,” Lord Darkrai spoke with assurance. She had indeed impressed him with her knowledge of lore, quiet a memory she had indeed to hold all the tales and facts. Even from other lands. He had heard of the continent called unova but had never ventured there. It was far across the sea and isolated from many of the other lands. Even kalos was closer and more accessible.

When the little ghost looked to seek out visual confirmation of his appreciation there was none to be found. Such was his way, as physically distant as possible from his emotions.

“The final name is that of Giratina, the dragon that rules the lands between time and space. Which means it must belong to the great serpent.” The lord said in an authoritative yet jovial tone, getting back to the puzzle at hand.

Even as he finished speaking, his voice dropped to a more quiet tone, “I do not recognize the serpent as such however. I have only see giratina depicted as a six legged dragon.”

The darkrai moved closer to the slab with the serpent and traced his claws along it’s form. “There are similarities between the two…” The lord stopped a moment and recalled something while looking at the etching.

Suddenly he asked, “Does this serpent not look like the one on the mural from before?”

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“The third dragon must have the name Kyurem because it does not match the other name,” Lord Darkrai spoke with assurance. She had indeed impressed him with her knowledge of lore, quiet a memory she had indeed to hold all the tales and facts. Even from other lands. He had heard of the continent called unova but had never ventured there. It was far across the sea and isolated from many of the other lands. Even kalos was closer and more accessible.

When the little ghost looked to seek out visual confirmation of his appreciation there was none to be found. Such was his way, as physically distant as possible from his emotions.

“The final name is that of Giratina, the dragon that rules the lands between time and space. Which means it must belong to the great serpent.” The lord said in an authoritative yet jovial tone, getting back to the puzzle at hand.

Even as he finished speaking, his voice dropped to a more quiet tone, “I do not recognize the serpent as such however. I have only see giratina depicted as a six legged dragon.”

The darkrai moved closer to the slab with the serpent and traced his claws along it’s form. “There are similarities between the two...” The lord stopped a moment and recalled something while looking at the etching.

Suddenly he asked, “Does this serpent not look like the one on the mural from before?”

Treasure Seekers

It took a bit of time but the lord wanted all the names translated first before sorting them into order. While stronger than the average pokemon his ranged attacks were what made him deadly. He was going to have to rely on his void and the shadows to move the slabs but by their size they looked quiet hefty. He was likely to get winded if he had to prolong the endeavor so he tried to make it as simple as possible.

There were multiple names and depictions he did recognized, Dialga the time dragon, Palkia the space dragon. The creator of the seas and oceans Kyogre, and the maker of mountains Groudon. The long snake like dragon of Rayquaza that encircled the earth and so on. He even recognized Giratina’s name but was surprised that he couldn’t match what he recalled of the ghostly dragon to any of the etchings they had.

There were 3 names he didn’t recognize at all and 4 legends he couldn’t place. With an annoyed huff he crossed his arms, “These last four beasts are foreign to me.” Lord Darkrai stated folding his arms over his chest.

“They must be legends from another continent. Have you seen them before?” He asked, motioning to the 3 dragons and serpent. “I will move them when we are certain what they go to, while I am mighty, heavy stones can take a toll on my abilities.”

Admitting such a weakness chaffed him but he doubted this froslass was fool enough to babble about their little escapade. Besides, he was certain even a fully grown machamp would have a time or it, assembling all these into their proper order.

[lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog]

A Monarchs Panic

(Plot rp done with @timeless-phantom over skype, cut and edited for ease)

The Queen was kneeling in her little patch of sunlight in the clearing, praying that the cold would dissipate but it kept swirling in air is if it nearly alive. She watched in morbid, fearful fascination at the Lord Darkrai's retreating back. What had she been thinking? It seemed like such a good idea at the time, just summon him to her, on her terms, on her playing field and she would be able to get him to do anything. In fact at first she thought she had.

He had bent, knelt before her in front of her entire court in a greeting in the raw power of the sun! Perhaps that was the problem. He had bent, made her feel over confident. Now she wasn't so certain that the sun affected him at all. She wondered as she finally stripped her gaze from the shadows where the lord had left many moments ago to the star above. Were his shadows so strong and his rage so mighty that he could block out the sun if he so chose?

Nah.

Before her musings could take another turn she was interrupted by a small voice from outside the clearing, it was an innocent and curious sound. “Is this a bad time for me to be here?”

The Queen lept, startled from the small swordsmans words. She didn't realize till that moment that she wasn't entirely sure the lord had left her. Concerned that he had lingered to see what she would do, but at the sight of the small plant, Leilanie relaxed and smoothed down the petals that made up her body and dress.

"Oh, of course not -... uhm..." She paused trying to remember the young ones name. She had seen the young roselia wandering about with her other  knights, of course he was so small and weak she really aught to downgrade him to squire. Suddenly a name came and she returned to her seemingly chipper self with a small, aha! “Fawkes” She smiled as the little plant pokemon wandered into the clearing only to stop as the sudden hill hit him.

~~~

As the flower came into the clearing, he could not help but feel the lingering chill that plagued the atmosphere. There many grass-types who could foretell the weather, yet never has the roselia felt a coldness as distinct as this. Fawke's crimson roses closed upon feeling the chance in atmosphere, a reaction that any sensible pokemon would have.If the unknowing Roselia had to put a finger on anything, he'd likely say it was the work of an articuno's winds lingering a month too late. 

“I-I...” The roselia's words fell on a flat note, as they instinctively held their arms towards themselves in a pitiful effort to ward off their relentless shivering.

“W-Was...just... thinking a-about the... r-recent exchanges of uh...of the stones...” It breathed in weighted breath, drawing in what remaining heat lingered in the air. “I-I was told, b-being one of y-your Thorned Knights t-that I'd have priority w-when it comes to t-those hand-outs.. b-but I w-was never g-given one nor any c-compensation.”

At his words the queen looked at him a long moment, not a warm gaze in her eyes but a calculating one. It made little sense to the young knight but before he could mention it he found himself being ushered out of the clearing by the queen who had a firm hand on his back. As they left he felt the warmth return to his roots and gradually the violent shivering stopped.

Looking up to question the queen cut off anything he had to say with her own words, "My dear, yes indeed my knights have the priority of the stones but we have precious few to give out. The land is not rich and producing them like before. At the last exchange I had to give them to the most powerful knights we had." She explained sounding sorrowful, perhaps a bit too much.

"Surly you understand why I had to pass over you darling?" She asked, and the plant looked up to meet her gaze. All the queen's words told him that he was nobody's favorite, a mere errand boy he'll remain because those of higher power only relied on brutish strength.

“What makes me the exception then?” He answered, his higher tone secluding his inner bitterness. “I was born here, and I've always served here. Is faithfulness not worth the price of brute strength? Am I missing something those people have?”

The Queen took a moment giving him that look again, “Well,” She began. “You see darling...” And at that moment the plant could tell he was going to get some half hearted excuse. Just another way to pass him over. Of course the queen would just ignore his pleas, he wasn’t the kind of pokemon she liked. But then she surprised him with her next words. While he was in his brood he hadn’t noticed the mixture of emotions that flashed across her face.

"I could give you all kinds of excuses, but in truth," she paused, her voice lowering so that prying ears couldn't over hear.

"I needed the stronger of my knights to evolve first. Before all others. We need them, as a nation. If we do not have strong warriors to defend our boarders while we try and scrounge around for defenses I fear we would be onset by countless kingdoms. They seek our wealth, our beauty but it is our right. We need the strong to help us, at least until we have enough stones to support ourselves."

She then raised a hand to her face so that her words appeared to blocked. "Between you and me darling, our guest that just left is going to solve that problem. He is going to return with many stones in a weeks time and I will host another ceremony. I promise you that I will bestow upon you a stone then as long as you can keep it a secret from everyone else."

It seemed it was enough to quell the roselia's wrath, his heavy glare slowly changed to an expression of  curiosity. A promise was enough to catch the loyal flower's attention and retain it. If any idea was deemed worthwhile, he'd latch onto it, especially if that particular idea came from the queen herself. He listened to her, his eyes growing wider with each promising word, until it eventually his sudden hatred vanished as if it never were. Promises were promises, and he knew the queen would have to live up to her words.

But it raised something he hadn't quite brought into question yet – who was this guest of “great significance” her men spoke of? Where was he headed, and most importantly, was he to be trusted? This was his sole opportunity to get his hands on a stone and he wouldn't want it to be jeopardize by faltering devotion.

“Who's the guest?” He asked with a stern tone, as if a pouty roselia was meant to be taken seriously. “I know you have connections with a lot of people – every leader is bound to have them. So who's the guest?”

“I'm not saying this guest is going to try something.” He corrected his sudden implications as his eyes trailed away from the queen's sincere gaze. “Just.. some people are not exactly as trusty as they seem. The knights always told me to watch my back.”

She then startled him again when she let out a bitter laugh, “Of course he isn’t trustworthy! However in this I am certain he will do what I asked of him. He is a man of his word, the lore of such goes all the way back through all records we have on him. Once his favor to me is complete...“

The Queen cut out suddenly and stared into the far distance over the top of the young plants head. A mixture of realization on terror fighting a battle on her face. He didn't know what sort of demon lurked beyond the queen's curtained words nor the expressions that now warred upon her features. Fawkes could only guess whom this person was, and judging by the cold air they left in their wake, he assumed that his monstrosity was that of an ice-type. What Ice-type? He wasn't sure. But the roselia knew for certain that an ice-type's frigid aura was enough to instill dread in the most powerful of grass-types, and the lovely queen was of no exception.

“Once his favor is complete, he'd go on his way, right?” He hastily feigned a smile of prideful confidence. “Nobody would think of attacking your sanctuary, would they? This place is one of few wonders of this world... nobody I know of would ever think of burning down such a beautiful heaven-on-earth.”

Of course, he could always be wrong, he was too optimistic for his own good. The world was brutal outside the forest, he'd had to be awfully brainless as to be blind to that fact.

“Do you even trust him to begin with?”

The Queen started to laugh once more but now it bordered on hysteria, an edge of fear lacing the sound. "Do not concern yourself with such matters darling," She finally managed, calming her laughing fit. "Just look forward to your knighting ceremony in a week, it will be a big day for you."

With oblivious eyes, he observed the queen's inner struggle, heard the edge in her voice, saw the madness that threatened just under the surface of her eyes, it was enough to tell the astute squire that something was off. Something wasn't quite what it seemed, something horrible enough to make a queen react in a manner he had never seen. Sheltered like the adolescent body he was trapped in, the truth behind the mysterious guest was hidden away from him.

So he listened to the Queen's word, nodding his head in silence like an obedient little mutt. Not once raising his voice to oppose her word, he was getting what he wanted, both knighthood and a means to escape his wretched body.

Standing absolutely still, he watched the queen march her way to the court. A sense of dread growing within his chest with each step the queen made.

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🙋 For Carrow and his little birb/souls on what special traits they may or may not have

Carrows crows have silvery beaks and tails. They also look horribly emaciated and lack all but the longest of feathers on their wings. They somehow fly, most likely because of some soul magic or by force of will. They also have little fangs and can devour flesh. If they do however, the transformation is permanent. Carrow merely corrupts their appearance, surrounding them in a veil of his darkness that draws out the raw negatively of their souls. If they perform or act on their vile urges they will be stuck in those forms for all eternity.

As for powers and usefulness… well they don’t have any really. Unless you want to annoy someone. They can cause damage with their beaks but they are pretty weak and useless.

[lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog]

@poke-vania

[lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog]

🙋 for both Carrow and LD: Friendship and Sleep?

LD: He doesn’t understand the concept of friendship most likely because he has never had an honest to god friend before. He has had mutual alliances between people but those often come around to him either being stabbed in the back or an all out war. It’s a foreign concept to him and one that would earn you a very mocking look if asked about it.

As for sleep, he will avoid it if at all possible. Often times his insomnia will last for months at a time but will also lead to deep crashes. The strength of the nightmares he produces often sends himself into deep dream induced coma’s for weeks at a wack.

Carrow: Much like LD, Carrow has never had an actual friend before. Most desire him for their own selfish purposes, be them superficial or deeper. Being the lords son many treated him differently but it was something he thought would change when LD put him in charge of a little dream pocket. Sadly it was not to be. Even the denizens of the dream world looked at him only as a fun time or a means to an end. He wouldn’t be opposed to a genuine friend and someone to party with.

As for sleep, being a created darkrai he only needs about 4 hours of rest every couple of days. However if he doesn’t get that rest he often depletes in energy quickly. Most times though he has too much boundless energy for his own good courtesy of LD’s energy, and the strange feathers that were used to make him. As such he often needs some, company, to help wear him down whenever it’s time for bed.

[lord-of-the-ashen-lands-blog]

(mobile restriction ;w;) hobby headcanon for LD and Carrow

LD: He enjoys gardening, playing the organ, reading, splicing apart pokemon into monstrous abominations for his own amusement and purposes, brutal torture of his enemies and the disobedient, and playing strategy games/ puzzles.

Carrow: Partying, hitting on women, seducing women, doing other things with women, bothering the staff, keeping up to date with new inventions, and trying to live up to his fathers name.