Life of a Raven

Life of a Raven
by the Raven

Unnatural darkness that obscures even heat, Father and brothers leaping from their seat, An unexpected and overwhelming attack, Many dead before they can even react.

Sister and I were young enough for them to mold, And smart enough to listen to what we were told, Settling into our new life of slavery, Sister calling it some weird kind of bravery.

Sold now to the great House D██████, Whom we're all expected to revere. Learning many secrets that should be hidden, And doing so much that's strictly forbidden.

Yet still we somehow manage to impress, Sister released to train as a priestess, While I'm instructed to study the arcane, Striving to drive my mentor insane.

With the future looking so much better, I figured, why not be a trend setter? And so the quest began for Bardic glory, Though sister, I'm sure, hoped it was a story.

While up on the surface to begin my quest, Another attack laid House D██████ to rest. Many were slain, among them my sibling, That personal blow so nearly crippling.

Lost and drifting and down on my luck, Then out of nowhere a savior: d'V██████. Strong, beautiful, one of the royalty, to her I swore unwavering loyalty.

At long last a bardic trainer was found, And again it was to the surface I'm bound. Then it seems "Raven" is to be my name, As I ventured forth to seek my own fame.

So many things on the surface I've learned, But for the utter darkness I have yearned. From En'Thromii to fae, and from human to Satyr, There are so many songs and stories to hear

But tragedy again came to pass,  And my matron was no more a lass, For me, the third time's a charm, how to keep another matron from harm?

Never is it mine to question the Goddess, Merely should I do my best to impress, For She cares, in her way, with clarity, and so now I swear to A██████

Right about now the story should end, But so much more is just around the bend. Be it more of the good or more of the strife, All of it together amounts to my life.

The Dream

[22:26]  Human Ranger: bites her bottom lip, the curiosity just killing her, and his nearness making her own thoughts fuzzy. "why are you in celume, (Raven)?"

[22:27]  The Raven: opens his mouth, then closes it. Finally he takes a deep breath... "promise not to laugh?"

[22:28]  Human Ranger: glances back up at him, a puzzled look washing over her face "I won't laugh"

[22:30]  The Raven: shifts from foot to foot and seems uncomfortable. Finally he speaks quietly, "I had a dream... it was very vivid. One of those dreams where you're not sure you're asleep or awake. I was in the Underdark and, if you've never seen the beauty of the Underdark this might be hard to grasp... but my heart ached at the gloriousness. I knew at that moment just how homesick I've become since coming to the surface..."

[22:31] Human Ranger: nods listening

[22:31]  The Raven: In the dream I was on my knees and chanting, I knew I chanted to my goddess because I could feel the agony of her wrath pulsing through my body. But I sang on. And on. And then I doubled over, the pain had shifted, become a force of change, not just a means to torment me.

[22:32]  Human Ranger: frowns a little

[22:33]  The Raven: I literally felt my bones... shift. My flesh warp. I sort of.. turned in on myself. And then, of all things, I sprouted... feathers. Black as my skin and glistening. After a moment I realized that I had become a Raven.

[22:34]  Human Ranger: blinks "like your name...but what does all that mean and what does it have to do with Celume?"

[22:35]  The Raven: Ah, well in my dream I tried to fly... and I couldn't. I was a raven in appearance only. Larger than the natural bird, and awkward. I asked around and the shapeshifters I spoke to all said they had to learn about the element relating to their chosen form before they could act freely as that animal. So, here I am... seeking to learn about air.


I Dreams of Flight

I lie awake at night,
the darkness of eternity
surrounds to block my sight
She calls me to come to Her

To my knees I fall
calling out Her glorious name
at the pain I find I stall
She calls me to pray to Her

Screaming as my bones shift
my body doubled over in agony
fighting so my mind does not drift
she calls me to bleed for Her

my flesh tears asunder
bursting into a cloud of feathers
I lay there and wonder
what She calls me to do for Her

Through beady new eyes I sight
With a protruding beak I sing
Ruffling feathers as dark as night
She calls me to fly for Her

I lie awake in darkness
reliving the vision granted me
surely I'm consumed by madness
She calls me to come to Her

Hops Scrapbook!

The Raven & The Human Ranger

The Raven!

Hops, The Raven & The Human Ranger

Hops!

Away with the Ranger

[2012/07/08 23:54]  The Raven climbs up on the table, almost face planting in the process and strikes a pose

 [2012/07/08 23:55]  The Raven:
Roadkilled Pig he called it
 turned out Bunny liked it too
 the Roadkilled Pig Tavern wit
 was too much for me or you

 I stand here on a table
 reciting a poem (at least trying)
 I'm surprised I'm even able
 It sure as hell beats spying!

[2012/07/08 23:56]  The Pretty Elf looks at the drunk standing atop the table and wonders what hes going to do next.... "Oooohh more tavern acrobatics! ".. she can't help but laugh.

[2012/07/08 23:57]  The Human Ranger snickers as Raven begins to recite and then claps excitedly "bravo!" she leans over to Hops and nods enthusiastically "he is very very good!"

 [2012/07/08 23:58]  Hops claps for  The Raven too, bracing his weight as The Human Ranger lean over, watching her with a critical eye. He chuckles, brining the excitement back into his tone, " Yes! Very talented. The Raven is a great bard! "

[2012/07/08 23:58]  The Raven: a JOURNEYMAN Bard!! Let's not forget my promotion!!

 [2012/07/08 23:59]  The Strange Girl makes for the entrance now that it is no longer 'blocked' by revelers yet to settle.

[2012/07/08 23:59]  The Pretty Elf worried about her safety...keeps an eye on The Strange Girl...

[2012/07/08 23:59]  The Strange Girl comes to an abrupt stop when she sees him out by the fountain.

[2012/07/08 23:59]  The Strange Girl "H... him."

[2012/07/09 00:00]  The Human Ranger of course begins to fall into Hops as she leans but jerks herself back and knocks into the bar on the other side. This brings another round of laughter and clapping at Raven's promotion "congratulations! I think....this calls for anudder drink"

[2012/07/09 00:00]  The Raven:  Who? Point me at him ussta Jallil, I shall smite him asunder for causing you such a fright!

[2012/07/09 00:00]  The Raven clumsily tries to draw his sword, only getting it part way out of the scabbard

[2012/07/09 00:01]  The Strange Girl is barely aware of the man next to her, but responds when his words at last make it through her growing anger and pain. "My Lord... no... I'm... my business requires him alive."

[2012/07/09 00:02]  The Raven: ah-HAH! This is good, I'm not so good at killing right now. I will go and capture him for you. Wait here.

[2012/07/09 00:03] Hops watches The Human Ranger tilt from one side to the other, drawing his hands up in an attempt to rest them on her shoulders, wanting to help steady her on her feet, " Human Ranger! I think you've had enough... "

[2012/07/09 00:03]  The Strange Girl trembles and seeths. She opens her right hand then, half prying it open with the fingers of her left, tears on her face as she does.

[2012/07/09 00:04]  The Human Ranger  feels Hop's hands come down on her shoulders and stops just before trying to order again "oh yes...and I'm all out of *hiccup* money" she turns and pouts at him like a chubby cheeked child "where did Raven go?"

[2012/07/09 00:06]  Hops lifts his hands away, though he watches her still, tilting his head as if that would help The Human Ranger with her balance, " He went outside. "

[2012/07/09 00:07]  The Human Ranger: "lets go then!" speaking a bit too loudly. She would try to grab up one of his hands and pull him towards the door and outside. Somehow she would manage to get out there without falling on her face again.

[2012/07/09 00:09] The Raven  is too drunk to understand that so just crosses his arms and stares at the other male, his mask hiding two thirds of his expression

[2012/07/09 00:11]  The Human Ranger stops at the top of the stairs and sits down, scooting from one step to the next on her ass till she is all the way down then stands back up wavering "I wonder what they're all doin over there" she would continue to get closer her eyes finally settling on The Demon "hey i know that guy...he's the one that like to sneak into ladies' windows!"

[2012/07/09 00:13]  Hops  follows Bunny across the way to stop behind her again, gasping at her words, " Sneaking into ladies windows?! Does he steal their clothes? "

[2012/07/09 00:14]  The Demon Dude glanced to The Human Ranger. "In all fairness...I thought it was a man's room."

[2012/07/09 00:14]  The Human Ranger's nose twitches "I don't know, maybe he wears them! < Some Blue Chick > wouldn't have liked some man in her panties I think" she turns to look back at The Demon strangely "you like to wear other men's panties?"

[2012/07/09 00:21] The Human Ranger was clearly drunk by her slurred speech and the way she waved back and forth from toe to heel and side to side. she turns around to hops and simply says "whatever it is he likes to do he shouldnt be sneaking into people's bedrooms" then whirls back around nearly

[2012/07/09 00:25]  The Raven backs up almost right into The Human Ranger, utterly lost while listening to the two ( The Strange Girl & The Demon )

[2012/07/09 00:31] The Human Ranger  starts laughing and squeezes his butt "squishy" she comments

[2012/07/09 00:31]  The Raven gasps indignantly, "I've buns of steel!"

[2012/07/09 00:31]  The Demon "...Molten steel it appears."

[2012/07/09 00:32]  The Human Ranger shakes her head "nay, they're quite soft really, nice and smackable!" leaning up on her toes to emphasize the last word near his ear

[2012/07/09 00:32]  The Raven: Oh... oh... okay... I'm neutral in the war or any conflicts between the lands... but that shit just ain't cool. Draw your weapon, sir, we fight for the honor of my ass.

[2012/07/09 00:33]  The Raven tries to sound impressive even while The Human Ranger makes sultry whisper noises in his ear

 [2012/07/09 00:33]  The Demon laughs quietly before pointing at The Human Ranger. "I will not fight, but I elect her as my Champion to fight in my stead."

 [2012/07/09 00:34]  The Human Ranger looks around Raven at The Demon then asks "did he insult your ass?"

[2012/07/09 00:35]  The Raven hollars, "the honor of my ass must be satisfied!" He then rounds on The Human Ranger, wrapping his arms around her, "but the rest of me is appeased with a Human Ranger-champion. Come, Hops, let us away with her and do naughty things."

[2012/07/09 00:36]  The Human Ranger was about ready to draw her bow and arrest The Demon for ass insulting and panty raiding...but then was caught up in Raven's embrace

[2012/07/09 00:37]  Hops loses the silent composure, grinning at Seth, as he clasps his hands together, "Oh, lets! What a grand idea , Raven. "

[2012/07/09 00:37]  The Raven bends at the waist and attempts to sling Bunny over his shoulder, staggering and quiet easy to unbalance

[2012/07/09 00:38]  The Human Ranger lands with an 'ooomph' over his shoulder, eyes a bit wide before she bursts into giggles "you better not drop me!"

 [2012/07/09 00:39]  The Raven: I may just yet drop you, but I promise to be really sad if I do. Where to, Hops!? We need not a soft bed to do naughty things to The Human Ranger... perhaps a quiet place though, so no one rescues her

Hops Scrapbook!

The Wayward Raven

The Tavern!

The Raven falls down!

The Wayward Raven

[23:16]  The Raven slams a fist to the table and loudly orders another ale, following the order with a belch. "Hops! I like this place. I think I shall write poem about it. What's it called again?"

[23:21]  Hops blinks slowly, then jumps as if startled, in a delayed fashion. He stares up at the ceiling, then sharply to the side, " Who said that? Did you say that? " He asks, eyes wide behind the blindfold, " Oh! It's called... The Wayward Raven Roadhouse. "

[23:21]  The Raven gets up on the table and strikes a majestic pose, weaving slightly from all the drink he's consumed. With a hand dramatically extended, fingers poised as if gripping a ball of flame, or a skull, he begins to recite a rythmic poem:

[23:21]  The Raven:

 Down by the Wayward Raven

while sitting by the sea

I think I've found a haven

but that could just be me

The Wayward Raven Roadhouse

it's like it was made for me

but surely not for such a louse

That could just never be.

[23:23]  The Raven takes a clumsy bow and goes to step off the table a moment later opening his eyes to stare up at the ceiling, "Hops!? Why are those shelves empty?"

[23:27]  The Raven glares over his shoulder at the Wayward Raven Roadhouse, "they didn't have to throw us out! I was jes fine... an how was I suppose to know that wadn't no bathroom?"

Hops Scrapbook!

The Human Ranger! ( Who had cookies...)

The Human Ranger again! 

Hops, The Human Ranger, Nightmare & The Raven!