OOC
Minecraft Username: FerventSummer.
Are you at least 18 years old?: Yes.
Have you read the rules?: Yes.
How did you hear about Avalore?: I've done roleplay on other platforms (discord, roblox) but wanted to branch out and find a fantasy roleplay with the interactivity I've been craving without the restrictions Roblox can have, which is when I found the Avalore page.
I was referred by no-one.
IC
Prompt:
The rhythmic lull of hoofbeats are a marching drum to the small group of pioneers and variety of folk you have found yourself amongst, packed into a wobbling wagon. The rolling plains of the Southern Reach and a clear sky stretch out all around you, the buzz of excited chatter a dull wash in your ears as your mind strays to your former life and what has led you here to new lands.
“Nervous?"
You blink, returning to the present moment. A kindly older woman sat near you is smiling warmly with a crinkle to her eyes.
“I can tell it’s your first time. Still remember mine,” she flashes a grin and leans in"
“Tell me my dear, why have you come to the Reach?”
"..." Arthur had been staring at the distant horizon, even the rhythmic bumping of the wagon that carried him failing to break his concentration until the elderly woman called him out directly. His solid-colored eyes made it hard to tell if he was staring at her or through her until he spoke.
"...Oh! Sorry, ma'am, I didn't think you were... ah, nevermind. You asked why I've come to the Southern Reach? Well..."
He thought for a moment, placing a finger under his chin. There wasn't any good way to explain his motivations to a complete stranger. Saying he was a Valk looking for new trade opportunities would be an easy lie. She said she'd come here many times, right? She could probably tell he was half-human just at a glance. Or maybe he was a tourist who'd come to admire The Wall, a great monument to his culture. In the end, he chose combine these lies.
"I'm a travelling swordsman, you see. When you spend enough time in the Midlands, you tend to see everything. But the Reach? I hear it's vast with cultures from all over. Interesting stories to hear, interesting jobs to take. It's the best a Valkian like me could ask for.
The woman seemed to buy his story, giving him a cheery smile and a nod.
"Oh-ho, you've surprised me, dear! I took you for a Falstoner at first, travelling far with those solid-color eyes, but that scar of yours speaks of battle. Trust me, if it's a good story you want, the Reach is the place to find one. It doesn't hinder you in battle, does it?"
Arthur continued to play along, laughing at the woman's comment. After all, it wasn't entirely a lie. Arthur had been trained by his father in the way of a warrior. He'd tell Arthur tales of his younger years when he swore an oath to the Lady of the Lake, how he took an Oath of Bravery and battled against mythical creatures and nefarious beasts. Arthur would never forget those moments...
"I'm still getting used to it, but I'm lucky enough to have a good companion with me who always has my back."
It was a touchy subject for him, his eye. It'd been months now since that incident. It was supposed to be a day of joy and celebration, like every other autumn harvest had been for his village. It looked like it was going to rain that day, so they held it in the town hall. And god, had he wished it had rained. Maybe then the fire wouldn't have burned so bright and tall that day. Arthur had seen plenty of Valkian burnings in his lifetime... but none made him feel like... that. He could still feel the heat of that raging inferno. There were so, so many bodies... too many to burn individually... he could still feel their blood on his hands... he could still-
"Young man...?"
Arthur blinked, coming back to reality. This time, he really had been staring straight through the woman. Once he realized, he quickly sat up straight, accidentally kicking someone's bag on the ground in front of him, for which he got a dirty look.
"Young man, I asked where your companion is now?"
The elderly woman tilted her head at him now, as though worried. She could sense something was disturbing him.
"...We had to take different wagons."
He looked away now, back to the distant horizon as The Wall came into view. On the other side of that wall was a new purpose. A new life. Finally, he could begin to move on.
Character Name: Arthur Fallenfire.
Character Race: Half-Human, Half Fey-Touched.
Character Age: 23.
Physical Description: Arthur stands at six feet tall and has one solid red eye from his Fae-Touched mother. His other eye has been scarred and whited out, making him partially blind. He also inherited his medium-length red hair from his Fae-Touched mother, making him stand out next to other humans. Underneath his clothes you can find arms and legs partially covered in white feathers. His skin is pale, and his ears rounded, reflecting his northern birth and heritage as a half-human.
