The Gates of Eldoria
Chapter 3 - Travelling to Verdantia
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“What do you mean?” Daniel asked, sinking into the deep leather upholstery. The carriage was surprisingly comfortable for a piece of technology that was straight out of the 18th century. He expected a rough ride, but the suspension was remarkably smooth.
“My father knows more than I,” Seraphina said. “But all know of the Darkness that descended on Eldoria. The ground became cursed causing the dead to rise from their graves, shadows gave birth to horrors that feasted on the flesh of men, and perhaps worst of all were the Demons who wore the skin of men, doing unspeakable acts until they were discovered. The seven most holy gods gave instructions to their priests on how to build portals to another world where the darkness couldn’t follow.
“All of Eldoria battled against the darkness for years, decades, pushing back against the darkness, until the Night of Betrayal. Until that night, it appeared that we had the creatures of darkness held firmly at bay by magic and steel. But unscrupulous men, tempted by demons who wore human skin, betrayed Eldoria. They sabotaged the stelae, the pillars of magic which weaken the Dark-kin and empowers our enchanted items. The losses that night were unimaginable.”
Sera paused, gathering herself. “That’s when the gods made a pact to sacrifice themselves and transport the people to a new world, one where the darkness couldn’t reach. New stelae were built according to holy instruction and set into place. Many gave their lives to make that happen, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, even those races which are normally unfriendly to the Seven followed the stricture of their gods and cooperated.”
“But something went wrong,” She continued. “When the portals were activated, a great earthquake shook the land, and then another, and when it was over, we discovered that the land had changed. Instead of opening gates for us to escape through, it brought pieces of Eldoria to your world.”
“That’s a lot to take in,” Daniel said, shifting in his seat. “What can be done about it?”
Sera let out a small sigh. “I do not know. My father was involved with the clergy while the new stelae were crafted and put into place. He will know more about what happened.”
“And what about us?” Daniel asked, looking at Magribella then Seraphina. “Do you think he can explain what happened between us? This…psychic link where we share thoughts and emotions? Not that I mind it,” he said quickly. “But I honestly thought I was going crazy for a while there.”
Seraphina shrugged. “It’s the first time I’ve heard of such a thing,” She admitted. “And this magic is unusual too. I can sense where you are, how you’re feeling, and there are two strange powers residing inside me.”
Daniel could sense a strange mixture of emotions from Magribella, a desire to cling to him, and a fear of Seraphina.
“Why do you feel like that?” He asked, shifting to meet her brown eyes with his. Reaching out, he stroked the whispy sideburns that stretched along her jaw to her chin. He never before thought that facial hair on a woman would be attractive, but here he was, thinking that her sideburns were the cutest thing in the world.
Magribella blushed deeply, crimson staining her face and neck. “You’re cute when you blush,” Daniel laughed. “So why are you so full of conflicting emotions?”
The dwarf squirmed in the seat, uncomfortable with the attention. “Because of Lady Everhart,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Daniel said, confused.
“She’s the daughter of the Duke!” Magribella hissed. “I’m just an innkeeps third daughter. There’s nothing special about me.”
Daniel wrapped an arm around her stout frame, pulling this stranger close against him. It felt right, this familiarity, as if they were old friends or comfortable lovers. “I can feel you holding back the hunger inside me,” he said, burying his face in her coppery hair. “I’d say that makes you one of the most special people in the world.”
Magribella leaned into him for a moment, relaxing against side. “Sorry,” she said, pulling away. “You’re a bit ripe.”
Now it was Daniel’s turn to blush. Sniffing his pits, he was surprised at how smelly he’d gotten since this morning. “I’ve been fighting zombies and demons the last few hours,” He said by means of apology. “I could use a good bath.”
“Demons?” Sera gasped. “How did you manage?”
“With that,” Daniel said, pointing at the baseball bat lodged in the straps of his backpack that was in the middle of the carriage floor. He had refused to be parted from it - It’d been a bad day so far. “And a lot of luck. I got really lucky, stupid lucky, to survive.”
“What happened?” Magribella asked, her voice eager for a story.
“Well,” Daniel started, a bit self conscious but feeling their interest through the bond. “I was driving home for my off-time, listening to the radio when the sky exploded…”
He covered all the high points, backtracking to explain how certain technology worked, or to help them understand a concept. “…and just as I decided that we would shelter in the next village, you ladies came into my life.” He finished up, reaching out to squeeze their knees.
“You were indeed lucky,” Sera said, patting placing her thin fingers over his. “Demons are unusually strong with strange magic, able to breathe fire, or create intense cold that causes frostbite instantly. And they’re very hard to kill.”
“Maybe they were weakened?” Magribella offered. “The gods were supposed to send us to someplace their evil couldn’t reach.”
Sera nodded, her brown curls bobbing in agreement. “That makes sense. And it’s good news too, since the stelae are damaged once more.”
“What are these ’stelae’ you keep mentioning?” Daniel asked. “I can gather through context that they are magic somehow, but since Earth doesn’t have magic, the concept is strange.”
“Not as strange as a world without magic,” Magribella said. “When the first stelae broke, it was like the end of the world. Nothing worked, not even simple cantrips.”
“Stelae are special-made monuments filled with divine power,” Sera explained. “They are the foundation of our civilisation, powering everything from tea kettles, to mage spells. They concentrate the divine power that leaks from the gods and transform it into energy that can be used for work. By inscribing things with with the Celestial language, you can draw on that power to enchant items, and by speaking the proper words, you can create wondrous magics. But their range is limited, and you must apply for a license to use the power, so even though enchanted items are commonplace, mages are not.”
“It sounds like cellphone towers,” Daniel said, listening to the explanation. “They broadcast in a certain range and you have to subscribe to use them.”
“They do sound similar,” Sera agreed. “A mage must be licensed by the Kingdom before they are granted access to the Stelae, although cantrips and other minor magics are available to commoners who pay for the privilege.”
“The ability to use a cantrip and clean an entire room is a blessing from the gods themselves,” Magribella sighed. Cupping her hands together, she touched her thumbs and said, “Imynderi huc lucu”
Golden light burst from her fingers, filling the carriage interior with sparkles that popped and burst into nothingness. When the display was over, everything inside was spotlessly clean and a rather nasty ball of filth was left in her palms. “Oh!” She said, startled. “I didn’t expect it to work!”
Sera smiled in delight. “That’s okay, Maggie.” She said. ”A nearby stelae is working, that’s excellent news!”
Tossing the ball of filth from the carriage window, Maggie dusted her hands on her skirt. Sniffing at Daniel, she snuggled back next to him. “You smell better,” she said.
Across from the trio sat two ladies-in-waiting, frowning at him in disapproval. He gave them a wink before turning his gaze outside the carriage window. It was growing dark, to the point that he would have stopped for the night already. The scenery was passing by at an accelerated pace, fast as an automobile. He wondered how far they had come since Sera had picked them up.”
“This carriage is incredibly comfortable and fast,” He said.
“It’s as fast as a racing carriage,” Sera said with pride. “Almost 60 miles an hour.”
Daniel lifted an eyebrow at that. He knew that most horses could only run about 30 miles per hour in short gallops. “Magic?” He guessed.
“Summoned beasts and various spells to quell the wind and assist with rough terrain,” She said. “I don’t know much about magic, other than a few cantrips.”
“It’s nearly as fast as a car,” Daniel remarked, “And just about as comfortable. I think I like magic.”
“We can register you with the Greater Stelae and I could teach you a few cantrips,” Sera offered.
He felt a stab of jealousy from Magribella. “What about Maggie?” He asked. “Can you register her as well?”
“Of course,” Sera said, waving her hand as if it were already done. “She and I are like sisters now. We all share a mind now.”
A bolt of emotions ran through Daniel, the girls working out something between them telepathically. Apology, embarrassment, guilt, shame, understanding. It all flashed by in a moment before Sera stood and stepped over to Maggie, wrapping her thin arms around the dwarf. “We are like sisters,” she declared. “Please never doubt that.”
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Maggie hugged her back, and the two forced Daniel move against the window as they claimed his spot to sit beside one another. Now Maggie was in the middle, with Daniel and Sera on each side.
“So is magic common or rare?” Daniel asked, “And how are the carriages working if the stelae were not functioning before?”
“It’s common, mostly I think, if you can afford it,” Maggie offered.
“Portable stelae are used to power the carriages and equipment of the soldiers,” Sera said. “They should last 24 hours before needing a recharge. Less if the soldiers need to battle.”
Daniel shook his head at the strange blend of broadcast magic and battery. “Do you have any information on the area across Lake Ponchartrain?” He asked. “My mum is over there and I’m worried about her.”
“I do not know the name of the lake, but the city of Verdantia is now surrounded by a large body of water and it is only by the grace of the gods there was a bridge already built. Had we needed to build boats before I could reach this shore, I fear I would have been driven mad waiting.”
“I know what you mean,” Daniel said. “The only thing I could think of was reaching you two. I would have swum across that lake without hesitation.”
Next to him, Maggie shuddered. “Dwarfs don’t swim so well,” she said. “We tend to sink.”
Daniel recalled how dense the dwarf zombies that he dragged earlier were and thought to himself that they would indeed sink like rocks.
“We’ll send out a party to search for your mother as soon as we arrive back in Verdantia.” Sera said. “Do not worry, you shall be reunited with your family.”
A sudden thump rattled the carriage, and then the familiar ‘thadum-thunk’ of tyres on a concrete highway filled his ears. Looking outside the window, he could see modern buildings in the dying light. The suburbs of Avondale passed by swiftly as the carriage raced down the road. He could see where cars had been pushed violently to the side, the burned wreckage littering the breakdown lanes.
“I’m surprised the roads are clear,” He remarked.
“Anti-collision magic,” Sera explained. “Everything in front of the carriage is pushed aside.
“That’s convenient,” Daniel nodded. “I could use some of that during rush hour.”
“It can be disruptive and dangerous,” Sera admitted. “So it is only allowed on civil vehicles.”
“That’s a shame,” Daniel said, his attention focused on the scenery outside. It almost appeared normal, except there was a lack of electric lights. Here and there was the glow of a fire, people gathering to huddle despite the spring heat. It would be chilly enough tonight, and of course, being Louisiana, there could be a week-long freezing cold snap the day after tomorrow.
“I’m not sure how bad things are,” He remarked offhand, “but it’s spring here and people will run out of food soon. You’ll need to start planting if you want to keep everyone fed for the winter.”
“I’ll mention it to my father,” Sera said. “I know our grain houses are full, but after the earthquakes there was some minor damage to the city.”
“Can we stop to let my parents know I’m alright?” Maggie asked. “I ran out without saying anything when I bonded with Sir Daniel.”
“I’m not nobility,” Daniel said, chuckling. “In fact, this country tends to have a problem with noble titles. They romanticise them on one hand, and spit on them with the other. Other something like that. Bad metaphor.”
“Well, you’ll be knighted at the least and placed in charge of a squad of the best soldiers,” Sera said, her voice filled with something akin to pride.
“No, I won’t,” Daniel said, stomaching clenching at the thought of leading men into battle. “United States citizens are forbidden from holding titles of nobility. Unless I renounce my citizenship.”
He could feel strange emotions along the bond. “You would not marry me?” Sera asked.
“Marry?” Daniel sputtered, the bond pulling his thoughts in strange directions. “We barely know one another!”
“As the fourth daughter of Duke Everhart, I can marry as I please, mostly,” Sera said. “But I cannot marry a commoner, so you would need to be knighted at the least.”
“But…” Daniel trailed off. The empathic bond between the three was like glue. He felt what they felt, they felt what he felt, and they held the strange amplification of his anger and hunger at bay. Did he want to marry two strangers?
When did it become two? Was he going to marry Magribella as well? Emotions flowed back and forth between him and the dwarf. She was utterly enamoured with him, but desired something official to seal the bond.
“Fine,” pouted, arranging his words so no flags triggered. “We’ll burn that bridge after we cross it. When all this is over, we’ll sit down and discuss a date for us to get married.”
That should hold the jealous forces of karma at bay, a vague promise of a future polyamorous wedding date that may or may not ever occur. He heaved a heavy sigh, not sure if he dodged a bullet or just prolonged the agony.
The carriage fell silent, the five of them lost in their own thoughts as it crossed over the Huey P. Long bridge, steel-rimmed wheels clattering against the concrete as the horses hooves echoed off the superstructure.
“I assume you help out Seraphina?” Daniel asked the two ladies-in-waiting that sat across from them. Startled, they looked at one another before answering.
“I serve Lady Everhart,” the one on the left answered, “And Brandy serves Mistress Ironbeard until instructed otherwise.”
Daniel didn’t know that Maggie’s surname was Ironbeard. It was fitting for a dwarf. A pulse of happiness thrilled through the emotional bond as Maggie learned he was happy with her surname.
Such a strange thing, this sharing of emotions and half-formed thoughts.
“And you are?” Daniel asked.
“Evelin Albright, Lady Everhart’s maid,” Evelin said, pride filling her voice.
“I’m Daniel Carter. I’ll be around for awhile, so please stop throwing shade at me.”
“Throwing…shade?”
“Cutting your eyes, frowning, pursing your lips, stuff like that. It’s annoying and frankly, it pisses me off.” Daniel said. “Normally I’d ignore it, but if you’re going to be a part of my life from now on, I’m not going to tolerate the disrespect.”
Evelin and Brandy blushed and stuttered out an apology. “I’m sorry, Sir Daniel. We meant no disrespect.”
“Yes, you did,” Daniel said, the embers of his anger stirring. “But it’s okay. You’re protective of Sera and Maggie, so I’ll let it go. And call me Daniel, just Daniel. I’m not a sir. Yet.”
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IGNORE THIS. IT MEANS NOTHING TO YOU
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Name: Seraphina Everhart
Age: 17
Race: Human (Eldorian)
Location: New Oreans - Verdantia
Virtue: Patience
Strength: 12
Agility: 10
Stamina: 14
Intellect: 15 (+1)
Wisdom: 18 (+3)
Charisma: 14 (+2)
[Description:]
Seraphina Everhart, the fourth daughter of Duke Everhart, possesses a slender figure that borders on being skinny, accentuating her angular features. Standing at around 5'6" tall, her slight frame lends an ethereal quality to her presence. Seraphina's chestnut brown hair falls in soft waves, framing her face and drawing attention to her delicate features. Across her nose, a scattering of freckles adds a touch of whimsy to her appearance. Despite her fragile physicality, Seraphina exudes an inner strength and resilience that is as captivating as her gentle demeanor.
Notable Personality Traits and Quirks:
Seraphina embodies the virtues of patience and serenity. She possesses exceptional focus and mental resilience, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor even in the face of adversity. Seraphina has a gentle and compassionate nature, always seeking diplomatic solutions and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. She is a careful listener and observer, taking the time to understand others before offering her insights. Seraphina's presence brings a soothing and comforting aura, inspiring trust and harmony among those around her.
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Power Name: Serene Fortitude
Type: Virtue
Source: Patience
Bonus: +2 to Wisdom, +1 to Charisma
Damage Type: N/A (Supportive Ability)
Duration: Sustained
Effect: The user embodies the virtue of patience, exuding an aura of calm and resilience. This power grants enhanced mental fortitude and emotional stability. It allows the user to endure challenging situations with grace and serenity, providing a calming influence on themselves and their allies. This power helps in resisting mental and emotional disturbances, maintaining focus, and boosting overall resilience.
Compulsion Type: Prayer
Compulsion: After using this power, the user is compelled to recite a prayer or mantra centered around patience and inner peace, seeking guidance in maintaining a composed and patient demeanor.
Power Name: Time's Embrace
Type: Virtue
Source: Patience
Bonus: +1 to Wisdom, +1 to Charisma, +1 to Intellect
Damage Type: N/A (Supportive Ability)
Duration: Sustained
Effect: The user harnesses the power of patience to manipulate the flow of time in a limited capacity. They can temporarily slow down or speed up time within a localized area, granting themselves and their allies heightened reflexes, increased decision-making capabilities, and a greater sense of awareness. This power helps in precise timing, evading attacks, and seizing opportunities.
Compulsion Type: Prayer
Compulsion: After using this power, the user is compelled to offer a prayer or reflection on the value of patience, expressing gratitude for the passage of time and seeking wisdom in making patient and thoughtful choices.
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Character Sheet: Magribella Ironbeard
Gender: Female
Species: Dwarf (Eldorian)
Age: 22
Occupation: Tavern Worker
Location: New Orleans - Verdantia
Virtue: Temperance
Stats:
Strength: 12
Stamina: 9
Agility: 11
Intellect: 8
Wisdom: 15 (+2)
Charisma: 11 (+1)
[Description]
Magribella Ironbeard, the spirited third daughter of an innkeeper, embodies the beauty and resilience of a dwarf. Her stout stature is complemented by generous curves that celebrate her womanhood. With vibrant coppery hair cascading down her back, Magribella stands out in a crowd. Unique to her dwarf heritage, wispy sideburns frame her face, adding a touch of character to her features. Despite her jovial and approachable nature, Magribella possesses a fiery spirit that matches the fiery hue of her locks, making her a force to be reckoned with in both charm and determination.
[Quirks/Personality Traits:]
Methodical and disciplined in her work.
Balanced and measured in her actions and decisions.
Demonstrates self-control and moderation in all aspects of life.
Holy Virtue Power:
Power Name: Tranquil Respite
Type: Virtue
Source: Temperance
Bonus: +2 to Wisdom, +1 to Charisma
Damage Type: N/A (Supportive Ability)
Duration: Sustained
Effect: The user embodies the virtue of temperance, providing a calming influence and creating a sanctuary of tranquility. This power allows them to offer respite and restoration to themselves and their allies. By channeling their temperance, they can soothe wounds, alleviate stress, and provide a temporary boost to the mental and emotional well-being of those around them. This power can restore vitality, enhance focus, and increase resistance to negative effects.
Compulsion Type: Prayer
Compulsion: After using this power, the user is compelled to offer a prayer or meditation, expressing gratitude for the virtues of temperance and seeking guidance in maintaining a balanced and harmonious existence.
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