<![CDATA[The First Age - Suburbs & Countryside]]>

<![CDATA[The First Age - Suburbs & Countryside]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/ Sat, 26 Sep 2026 23:55:45 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Red Blood, White Snow, Green Cloak]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1985.html Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:42:22 +0000 Olivier de Volthström]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1985.html
The hunt had been unsuccessful and that in itself was a disappointment. But the situation had Olivier on edge. He had seen nothing. That was odd. A storm was expected and Olivier had planned for it - but the fact the game had already disappeared meant something. Animals had an almost preternatural instinct for when to go to ground. Olivier had a feeling this one would be bad. And that meant it was time to go home.

Olivier pulled out his bow case and began to pack it up. This wasn’t his performance bow. The one he used in competition. His competition bow as made of carbon fiber and fiberglass composites with aluminum risers and pulleys. It had stabilizers and the works - whatever his sponsors wanted on it. It had a sixty pound pull. His hunting bow was much more simple. Even if it had a 60 pound pull, it was nothing more than yew wood and a polyethylene string. But the bow felt right. He couldn’t explain it, but it felt right in his hands.

He packed his equipment, pulled down the hood of his green coat, and got in the truck. He should be able to make it back to the Radiance in time. He pulled out and hit the road. The way was quiet and lonely. Few houses dotted the landscape. Some sort of castle was in the distance. He passed a solitary house and did a double take. The house was severely damaged, and Olivier was sure that it hadn’t been that way as he had passed it coming out here. He checked the time. He didn’t have much. He couldn’t afford to stop. He sighed. He also couldn’t in good conscience leave without checking.

Olivier pulled his truck to the side. Something large had taken out a corner of the house. It still stood, but was definitely not habitable. someone could be hurt. He began to move to the building and paused, looking back at his truck. After a moment he returned and grabbed his longbow and quiver. He approached the building and entered through the large hole, making sure to touch as little as possible. Hearing movement, Olivier instinctively ducked, and the sound of wind and a crack against the wall gave him some relief. He had barely missed it.

Olivier turned to see a young man, around 16 or 17 holding a Bo staff. The kid stepped back and his stance showed he had some training. Olivier saw the hesitation in the kid’s eyes, but there was something else - fear. The kid was afraid. ”Here to help kid - not going to hurt you.” The kid stood firm.

Shit]]>
The hunt had been unsuccessful and that in itself was a disappointment. But the situation had Olivier on edge. He had seen nothing. That was odd. A storm was expected and Olivier had planned for it - but the fact the game had already disappeared meant something. Animals had an almost preternatural instinct for when to go to ground. Olivier had a feeling this one would be bad. And that meant it was time to go home.

Olivier pulled out his bow case and began to pack it up. This wasn’t his performance bow. The one he used in competition. His competition bow as made of carbon fiber and fiberglass composites with aluminum risers and pulleys. It had stabilizers and the works - whatever his sponsors wanted on it. It had a sixty pound pull. His hunting bow was much more simple. Even if it had a 60 pound pull, it was nothing more than yew wood and a polyethylene string. But the bow felt right. He couldn’t explain it, but it felt right in his hands.

He packed his equipment, pulled down the hood of his green coat, and got in the truck. He should be able to make it back to the Radiance in time. He pulled out and hit the road. The way was quiet and lonely. Few houses dotted the landscape. Some sort of castle was in the distance. He passed a solitary house and did a double take. The house was severely damaged, and Olivier was sure that it hadn’t been that way as he had passed it coming out here. He checked the time. He didn’t have much. He couldn’t afford to stop. He sighed. He also couldn’t in good conscience leave without checking.

Olivier pulled his truck to the side. Something large had taken out a corner of the house. It still stood, but was definitely not habitable. someone could be hurt. He began to move to the building and paused, looking back at his truck. After a moment he returned and grabbed his longbow and quiver. He approached the building and entered through the large hole, making sure to touch as little as possible. Hearing movement, Olivier instinctively ducked, and the sound of wind and a crack against the wall gave him some relief. He had barely missed it.

Olivier turned to see a young man, around 16 or 17 holding a Bo staff. The kid stepped back and his stance showed he had some training. Olivier saw the hesitation in the kid’s eyes, but there was something else - fear. The kid was afraid. ”Here to help kid - not going to hurt you.” The kid stood firm.

Shit]]> <![CDATA[Amputation [Belizna]]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1981.html Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:12:25 +0000 Jay Carpenter]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1981.html
He doubted she noticed his withdrawal. Especially when distance was his middle name. At first, he’d hovered around Belizna, offering to help wherever he could, though his right hand remained locked in the ER's cast. When physical labor was out of the question, he leaned into the wizardry of his power. Tearing down scaffolding with his mind went much swifter than a team of laborers with power tools, and it gave him an excuse to sweat, strain, and stay miles away from Natalie’s hip.

He had no head for corporate architecture or the politics. A few stray moments of nostalgia flickered to life when she walked through financials with her lawyers, but they died quickly under the weight of his own uselessness. He had nothing to offer those conversations except a quiet, vacant nod and an inkling to give more.

The more physical tasks he volunteered to do, the wider the chasms grew. It worked decently until Adrian Kane showed up.

Jay had no idea he and Natalie shared a history, nor how deep the roots of it went. But once their business partnership was spelled out, the alignment of it all became blindingly obvious. Adrian didn't just fit into Natalie’s world; he elevated it. He seemed to draw her out in a way Jay couldn't. Even if he recognized Natalie's sarcasm and dry humor for what it was, at least it was better than the depressing pity he saw when she looked his way

Looking at them together, Jay was slow to accept. that Adrian was a better match for her in every conceivable way.]]>
He doubted she noticed his withdrawal. Especially when distance was his middle name. At first, he’d hovered around Belizna, offering to help wherever he could, though his right hand remained locked in the ER's cast. When physical labor was out of the question, he leaned into the wizardry of his power. Tearing down scaffolding with his mind went much swifter than a team of laborers with power tools, and it gave him an excuse to sweat, strain, and stay miles away from Natalie’s hip.

He had no head for corporate architecture or the politics. A few stray moments of nostalgia flickered to life when she walked through financials with her lawyers, but they died quickly under the weight of his own uselessness. He had nothing to offer those conversations except a quiet, vacant nod and an inkling to give more.

The more physical tasks he volunteered to do, the wider the chasms grew. It worked decently until Adrian Kane showed up.

Jay had no idea he and Natalie shared a history, nor how deep the roots of it went. But once their business partnership was spelled out, the alignment of it all became blindingly obvious. Adrian didn't just fit into Natalie’s world; he elevated it. He seemed to draw her out in a way Jay couldn't. Even if he recognized Natalie's sarcasm and dry humor for what it was, at least it was better than the depressing pity he saw when she looked his way

Looking at them together, Jay was slow to accept. that Adrian was a better match for her in every conceivable way.]]> <![CDATA[Checking Out Belizna]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1913.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:07:16 +0000 Rachel Shale]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1913.html Shale House

Rachel headed downstairs and made herself a quick breakfast. She was both excited and nervous about today. It was exciting to be heading to Belizna to get a feel for the place she was going to call home as well as learn more about our channeling the power. She was feeling pretty excited about the whole thing. Unfortunately, Natalie was busy, so Rachel wouldn’t be spending the day with her. She should have actually felt less nervous because she was going with someone she had met - albeit briefly. Emily had forged a friendship with Zhenya Disir over their business acumen. Rachel had the pleasure of meeting her at Emily’s wedding along with her adorable little girl.

Emily came down and gave one look at Rachel’s breakfast. Rachel could swear she saw her sister’s face turn green. Baby Vanders did not approve. Rachel smiled. ”Morning, Em!”

Emily gave a smile in return, even if forced through the nausea Rachel knew she was feeling. ”Good morning. How are you feeling about today?” Emily knew what was happening.

”Nervous - but the good nervous.”

Emily nodded. ”Hows his voice today?”

Rachel frowned a bit. ”Quiet - but I have my ear buds in case he decides to speak up.” Her psyche had chosen the voice of the late Lucio Pirrozi to speak towards all her insecurities. Hayden had suggested having a voice of someone who was strong and gave her hope counter it. Emily and Jared had been all too happy to provide.

”Good! You can always text if you need something too. Zhenya is good people as well and she knows her stuff. I told her about the circumstances of you coming into your power. I’m sure she’d be willing to help. She’s good at it too. Listen to her.”

Rachel nodded and the two passed the time before Rachel had to leave.

Artskaf

Rachel hadn’t been sure about coming to Artskaf, but decide it would be okay. They weren’t going to be here long. They were mostly picking up to go orders for the ride to Belizna, and Rachel was getting better. The artwork and colors weren’t so overwhelming now. She ordered a mocha latte and waited for Zhenya to arrive.

Her wallet buzzed and she couldn’t help but smile as she saw a message from Elyse especially since Elyse was usually sleeping at this time.

Good luck today. Have fun!

Thanks! Now get back to bed! :-p

Rachel put her wallet down and took a long sip of her latte and smiled as she waited. It was going to be a good day.]]> Shale House

Rachel headed downstairs and made herself a quick breakfast. She was both excited and nervous about today. It was exciting to be heading to Belizna to get a feel for the place she was going to call home as well as learn more about our channeling the power. She was feeling pretty excited about the whole thing. Unfortunately, Natalie was busy, so Rachel wouldn’t be spending the day with her. She should have actually felt less nervous because she was going with someone she had met - albeit briefly. Emily had forged a friendship with Zhenya Disir over their business acumen. Rachel had the pleasure of meeting her at Emily’s wedding along with her adorable little girl.

Emily came down and gave one look at Rachel’s breakfast. Rachel could swear she saw her sister’s face turn green. Baby Vanders did not approve. Rachel smiled. ”Morning, Em!”

Emily gave a smile in return, even if forced through the nausea Rachel knew she was feeling. ”Good morning. How are you feeling about today?” Emily knew what was happening.

”Nervous - but the good nervous.”

Emily nodded. ”Hows his voice today?”

Rachel frowned a bit. ”Quiet - but I have my ear buds in case he decides to speak up.” Her psyche had chosen the voice of the late Lucio Pirrozi to speak towards all her insecurities. Hayden had suggested having a voice of someone who was strong and gave her hope counter it. Emily and Jared had been all too happy to provide.

”Good! You can always text if you need something too. Zhenya is good people as well and she knows her stuff. I told her about the circumstances of you coming into your power. I’m sure she’d be willing to help. She’s good at it too. Listen to her.”

Rachel nodded and the two passed the time before Rachel had to leave.

Quote:This cave? What can you tell me about it? Thinking about taking a trip out there.

]]>
There were a lot of details in this database. And even a few unknowns, Jacob liked the unknown the potential for danger. He reached out through the system to the hunter who catalogued the report.

It took Jacob a few minutes to get the message sent out through their encrypted system but he did figure it out without any help at all.

Quote:This cave? What can you tell me about it? Thinking about taking a trip out there.

]]> <![CDATA[The Cave from The Dream]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1805.html Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:04:53 +0000 Enrique]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1805.html
Marta hadn't gone in, and Ricky was grateful for that. But whatever was there, Marta thought wasn't actually in the dream. She felt the evil there was in the real world and the dream affected it. She said it was a reflection in the real world. Honestly, some monster had probably holed up there.

Ricky knew that he probably shouldn't come alone, but he wasn't sure who he could really trust in the Atharim - especially since he was Marta's guardian. He probably could have asked Marisol, but he didn't want to bother her with this. Especially if it was something from his end. She'd been brought in pretty quickly, and even if she seemed to be handling it well, he didn't want her to be in danger. That was a strange thought. He knew she could handle herself. He had resolved that today was just to investigate and find out if their was a threat. Then he'd work out a plan to neutralize it if there was anything there. When it came to the dream, Ricky trusted Marta, but she could also embellish a bit. Marta had been able to figure out approximately where the cave would be in the real world, by once again entering the dream, finding it and then coming back out. So Ricky moved through the forest alone in the Moscow winter, because the girl he took care of thought there was something dangerous out here. One thing he missed about Mexico was the heat. This place was cold, and he wasn't used to it. An investigation. That would be it.]]>
Marta hadn't gone in, and Ricky was grateful for that. But whatever was there, Marta thought wasn't actually in the dream. She felt the evil there was in the real world and the dream affected it. She said it was a reflection in the real world. Honestly, some monster had probably holed up there.

Ricky knew that he probably shouldn't come alone, but he wasn't sure who he could really trust in the Atharim - especially since he was Marta's guardian. He probably could have asked Marisol, but he didn't want to bother her with this. Especially if it was something from his end. She'd been brought in pretty quickly, and even if she seemed to be handling it well, he didn't want her to be in danger. That was a strange thought. He knew she could handle herself. He had resolved that today was just to investigate and find out if their was a threat. Then he'd work out a plan to neutralize it if there was anything there. When it came to the dream, Ricky trusted Marta, but she could also embellish a bit. Marta had been able to figure out approximately where the cave would be in the real world, by once again entering the dream, finding it and then coming back out. So Ricky moved through the forest alone in the Moscow winter, because the girl he took care of thought there was something dangerous out here. One thing he missed about Mexico was the heat. This place was cold, and he wasn't used to it. An investigation. That would be it.]]>