Koreriverwood - Korellan The Centurion

The Black Stuff, April 2015.

© Stephanie Hunter

The Surprise.

There were not many times in his life that Korellan could be truly sneaky, not anymore. Not when you towered over everyone by a least a foot and had enough… noticeable traits for most to take a second look. But as he rolled over, careful not wake the sleeping bat hanging above him, Kore silently congratulated himself for a job well done. The giant gently closed his door, making his way through the Hold down to the old cells. Thankfully his bat slept like the dead during the day. Jari’s Birthday was approaching and Kore wasn’t exactly sure what to buy his little bat for it. In the years they spent in the Temple, celebrations were nonexistent. That had been for other souls not fighting on desolate wastelands. Their years in the Temple had been hard, especially on the flamboyant bat who never quite had been accepted by his peers. It’s true Jari may not have been much of a soldier but what he did give them was something far more valuable to those that were, they just… didn’t see it at the time. But the war was over, they could start building something new, have lives where they were more than tools and Kore wanted to give that to Jari. Ajarik deserved to be celebrated. Most  of the old cells had been converted into storage, but one held months of secretive work and craftsmanship. During the day while Jari slept Kore would work down at the docks in exchange for materials, namely good wood. He’d taken a few days off to start his little project, born of listening to the bat tsk and sigh in the gloaming hours.

The Centurion turned dockworker had left his work under a tarp behind some broken crates and refuse that had been shoved in there for the meantime. He let his claws reach out, feeling for the knee-busting non-magical clutter that he was blind to and worked his way back. Breathing a sigh of relief his hands found the tarp and his work still safe under it. Not much Kore could do in this life, with this body, but he found he could still work wood. Some parts where harder than others, but he found if he ran his hands over something enough he could get a good sense of it. His father’s endless repeated lessons on technique and trade apparently had sunk into his thick skull. Kore ran his hands along the larger project, the cabinet nearly as tall as he was when it was finished. Each shelf set inside tiled just a few degrees with a wooden dowel set across the face, to keep the items that would placed inside from slipping. He’d made it so tall because he knew the bat’s predilection of collecting heels. HOPEFULLY this cabinet would be big enough to house the current mass of sets that littered the bat’s room. Well one good thing his transformation was for…manual labor. Lifting the wooden case he shimmied and edged his way out of the maze before hoisting it over a shoulder with a grunt of effort. He took it up first, stopping to rest occasionally when his injuries protested. He’d been in Ajarik’s room enough times to know of the various pitfalls and hazards, like kicked off shoes usually to the left of- He still stumbled, catching himself on a patch of wall that thankfully only had a low dresser up against it. Well that was close… His hand brushed the empty space and his head tilted. Hmm, maybe that would be a good place for his second gift. The smaller had been tucked right along with the shoe rack, more intricate with carefully planned compartments and drawers, the make up holder was a true labor of love. Several prototypes ended up in the burn pile as he had experimented on what would and wouldn’t work, keeping in mind the bat-bound’s usual sight. Maybe he could hang it here….. But setting up the pieces was not the end. Time was relative to Kore but he knew damn well if he didn’t jump the portal before midday he’d never make it back to the Island to finish before Jari woke. Fancy Cakes, was perhaps the most nerve wracking and easiest part of the experience. It didn’t help he’d smacked a horn right into the door frame, making quite the first impression. But the woman who worked the counter was infinitely patient while he described what he needed. She even offered suggestion on pairing that did and did not work well, adding a few bits that she assured would go over well. A layered cake filled with fresh fruit compote. A simple icing of light buttercream topped with chocolate and artfully arranged assortment of fruits and berries. The woman even added in a few raspberry macaroons, whatever those were, and edible candied flowers. Kore had been so thankful for the care and patience he’d tipped her well enough to probably buy another. Remembering to duck on the way OUT, lest he risk a cake disaster Kore quickly made his way back to the Arcane Chamber where the Magister’s worked. Good thing about his size, most just got out of his way, and a show of his fangs with the word ‘Please’ got him a direct ticket to Tol Barad thanks to a kind, if nervous mageling. That left one more thing after he carefully set the cake box in the room. The most important, and the one he needed the most help with. Cay was supposed to get another pair of Jari’s favorite shoes, the others being unfortunately sacrificed down the gullet of a Felstalker, and the thing most distressing the bat since. Jari had loved those shoes. But seeing as Kore never ‘saw’ them…he had no way of knowing what he needed or Sun above, what color… Even if he still had his eyes he doubted he could pull it off. So he went to the one person he knew was likely to succeed. Ajarik’s Best Friend Caythaes. The priest had been a nervous ball the whole night and Kore asking to speak to him alone, away from the tavern hadn’t done those nerves any favors. But he seemed to perk once he realized what Kore was after. He’d given the pouch of gold over without a second thought, not knowing exactly something like those would cost, with a request that any left over be used to purchase some of the gregarious Illidari’s favorite make up. How Jari managed to put the stuff on while having NEVER seen himself was a Gods-damned miracle…. But one he pulled off every single day. That meant alot of make up used. Adjusting the cake on the little side table for the fourth time Kore finally pulled himself away, with the intent of hunting the bright ball of Sunshine down and see what he came up with when his claws hit something and he froze. On the low dresser which now sat under the makeup display was a box. One that wasn’t there before… Large hands felt ever detail, his head tilting this way and that as he riddled it out. It seemed to be wrapped but in two pieces. He was as careful as the claws would allow lifting the lid to feel the contents, leather…some type of hardwood, cordage and a-OH! It was the shoes! When did the little priest…? No matter. Kore put the lid back on, hands feeling around the dresser top till they clicked against a case. The make up probably. Alright. It’s all done. Nerves gnawed at his belly, more fierce and ravenous then any he had before a hunt. He… wanted to do good for Jari. Really show the smaller how much he and his friends cared. This was, after all, the first time he’d ever had a birthday celebrated. Releasing a sharp breath, and hopefully nerves, Kore left the room, closing the door firmly before making his way down the row to his to wait. Wait for the twitch and unfurling of large wings. The yawning chirp and chorus of bells. “Happy Birthday Jari.” @jinxandjingles Mentions: @kharrisdawndancer (Braedyn - Fancy Cakes) @mekandawn​

Momoa Magic 😍

It wasn’t hard to track the Ren’dorei, not for a hunter who could see through walls. He just looked for small slip of the night sky, the closest he’d ever get to seeing again, and made his way round the Tavern. At the Kitchen’s loading door he stalked the prim and proper gentleman, who was no doubt on break and sneaking a smoke. The wrapped package in hand wasn’t anything particular to look at. The butcher paper the best he could find that wouldn’t rip, even then it was still comically haphazard, not fully covering the wood in some places and held closed with twine that looked more bondage then present. Well that’s what you get when a blind Illidari tries to give gifts ok! “Aurora!” He called not wanting to startle the poor man by sneaking up behind. “Glad I caught you before my shift. Jari said you were usually up early, guess he wasn’t kidding.” The brown paper rectangle was offered without fanfare or fuss. “For you, to go with Jari’s gift. Figured you could use it considering your insistence on being proper.” His tone was light as the grin tugged at his lips, exposing the sharpened fangs as he teased the other. Between the pair of Illidari, they WOULD get him to loosen up...a bit...eventually. Maybe talk him into going out “casual” and leave the cravat at home. “You can open it when you get off work. I’d hate to ruin your good boy reputation and someone see you taking a moment away from work for something personal.” @tiernen-morningwild​

Avatar 250x400 - Jason Mamoa

With the debut of Rustberg Market we have a wide array of vendors to be featured! This is only a handful of menus, as more are to be revealed in the coming days! Rustberg Market will be open on Sunday, April 25th, so keep an eye out for more announcements leading up, with a word from our organizers, along with a map for easy navigation!

1. Riverwood Hearth Wares

2. Valebright Floristry

3. Bloom & Blossom

4. Medical Tinctures & More

5. Fyre’s Desires

6. Spider’s Bounty

Most prized possession?

“We hunters didn’t always have the luxury of things like, keepsakes and treasures. We were always on the move and things like, nostalgia were sacrificed to practically just like everything else.  But there was one thing I kept from before.... My Spellbreaker’s Blade. It very similar to our glaives in a way so in a bind I could always use it, but I can no longer use the binding runes or the spell reflections stored within. I don’t know why I kept it really, maybe to remind myself of the man I used to be? It was in my room at the barracks the day the Temple fell. It’s probably long gone to some idiots bedroom wall or sold to a vendor for beans. But part of me... desperately wants to return just to see if I can find it...”

Major Arcana Inspired Character Asks

Leave a card in my inbox! 

The Fool: When has your character been excited to start a new journey? The Magician: How does your character unleash their creativity or resourcefulness? The High Priestess: When has trusting their instincts paid off for your character? The Empress: Who has been a positive female figure in your character’s life? The Emperor: Who has been a positive male figure in your character’s life? The Hierophant: Who has served as a mentor to your character? The Lovers: Which of your character’s relationships has been the most positive? (Romantic or otherwise) The Chariot: What goal is your character determined to reach? Strength: On what issue is your character persistent? The Hermit: Write about a time your character did some soul searching. What did they find? The Wheel of Fortune: What are your character’s proudest successes? Justice: When has your character felt satisfied with the conclusion to a major dispute or concern? The Hanged Man: When has your character needed to step back and look at things from a different perspective? Death: When has your character had to let go of something in their life? Temperance: How does your character balance their life? The Devil: Does your character ever neglect their wild side? The Tower: When has your character lost an ideal or relationship? The Star: When has your character been most hopeful? The Moon: When has your character’s path been unclear? The Sun: When does your character sit back and enjoy themselves? Judgment: Has your character ever been given a second chance? The World: When has one of your character’s dreams come true?

Bonus: Major Arcana in Reverse!

The Fool in Reverse: When has your character acted recklessly? The Magician in Reverse: When was your character manipulated? The High Priestess in Reverse: When has your character felt betrayed emotionally? The Empress in Reverse: When has your character felt dependent on another? The Emperor in Reverse: When is your character inflexible or stubborn? The Hierophant in Reverse: When has your character’s personal beliefs been challenged? The Lovers in Reverse:  When has your character experienced heartbreak? The Chariot in Reverse: When has your character’s pride or arrogance been their downfall? Strength in Reverse: What are your character’s doubts or insecurities? The Hermit in Reverse: When has your character felt the most alone? The Wheel of Fortune in Reverse: When has your character felt their life was no longer under their control? Justice in Reverse: When has your character been treated unfairly or cruelly? The Hanged Man in Reverse: When has your character tried to avoid making a major decision? Death in Reverse: When has your character tried to fight change? Temperance in Reverse: When has your character felt overwhelmed? The Devil in Reverse: When has your character suffered from refusing to break off an unhealthy relationship? The Tower in Reverse: When has your character’s actions led to disaster? The Star in Reverse: When has your character lost faith? The Moon in Reverse: When does your character mistrust their feelings or intuition? The Sun in Reverse: When does your character’s goal seem just out of reach? Judgment in Reverse: When has your character found it difficult to forgive themselves? The World in Reverse: What is your character holding back?