+40 Learn something from a Master of your trade ( x2 exp ) (0/2)
+20 Cast a curse or blessing on a character/group ( x2 exp ) (0/2)
+10 Sacrifice an NPC creature ( x2 exp ) (1/2)
They were facing war once more and no matter how hopeful Morrigan wished she could be about the future, she knew that Aquila was right. These lands would be stained with red by the time all was said and done. If it ever ended there. Even if every Rike and Sigrun alike died, the latter of which would now include her own future grandchildren, it would not stop the bloodshed in the valley. The seal was broken as it were. Ambition was a powerful drug and as the population grew so too did the desire to rule the populace.

Morrigan was content to let her children take their places amongst such glory now and would always support their aspirations, but first she had to see them safely past this first war. The one she knew that her and Talisa's oldest two would be expected to participate in. She called for @Talisa now, holding down a young gerenuk by its windpipe to keep it from squalling. If her wife did not wish to participate in a blood sacrifice they could simply add it to the food pile.

But considering all they had lost and the realities the Valour had been brutally forced to face... Morrigan wasn't so sure her wife was the same gentle creature she had first met.

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A n unfortunate yet fortunate state of events that it was true. Talisa was not that same gentle creature that she had been two years ago. Towards her children she would always be that gentle mother who looked after them and soothed their deepest pains, but on the outside she had hardened. A woman that was prepared to do whatever it took to keep her family safe and that family had extended to their allies a very long time ago.

The Sovereign didn't waste any time in gathering herself to go towards @Morrigan's call. Almost eager to press her body against her wife's in desperation for a moment of strength and solidarity. Desiring to continue to embrace their close proximity and make it known that she stood by the Greyflood without a doubt. Giving a blood sacrifice was an extreme measure of spiritual connection but time had changed her and she saw no reason not to pull all the stops now. After everything that Maua had allowed to transpire, no sacrifice was too great.

Except maybe a lion...
that might be her limit

but even then...
she might allow it if it were the right lion.

With that thought she aimed to do was she needed, attempting to brush herself against the dark fur of her mate without a care in the world. Declaring her fierce connection to the warrior and reminding anyone around that they were strong and she was not afraid.

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+40 Learn something from a Master of your trade ( x2 exp ) (1/2)
+20 Cast a curse or blessing on a character/group ( x2 exp ) (0/2)
+10 Sacrifice an NPC creature ( x2 exp ) (1/2)
Morrigan did not think she would get over the feeling of being able to call for Talisa and her be there with her so quickly. She kicked herself every time, thinking how foolish she had been to wait so long to have this. When the Valour cleric arrived and observed what the Greyflood had assembled, she did not seem to disapprove. In fact with her warm greeting Morrigan assumed she was not the only parent reaching levels of desperation then. The sacrifice seemed to have passed out and lay quietly now, though it still lived, its life still pulsing weakly, "I want to bless us and our allies for the wars to come. How would you do it?" she asked her wife, leaning into her expertise in the area before continuing. She leaned physically into her touch and support eagerly as well. Away from the prying eyes of their children they were allowed for the moment to be two parents at the edge of desperation to keep their children and kin safe.

Art by munk | Table code by Zodiac

T here was a long moment of pause as she considered her wife's words. Carefully looking down upon the passed out -- yet still alive -- creature that would be taking part in a sacrifice. Probably the same thing I would do in our pride hunts, she issued quietly as she observed the sacrifice and then changed to looking at @Morrigan. I would place a paw upon the animal and pray that Maua would watch over us. Though, obviously you would add in that you wish for this sacrifice provide us and our allies with the strength to overcome what is inevitable. That they look over us and protect us, give us clarity and assuredness. At least, that was how she would phrase it. Being at war with anyone was not wanted but it was what he had to be. In order to safeguard their future, this war was inevitable and she did not think that it was one they could ignore even if they wanted to.

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+40 Learn something from a Master of your trade ( x2 exp ) (2/2)
+20 Cast a curse or blessing on a character/group ( x2 exp ) (1/2)
+10 Sacrifice an NPC creature ( x2 exp ) (2/2)
Morrigan listened intently as @Talisa shared her process. It was something she had not often had the chance to witness, especially since they'd lived apart for much of their relationship until recently. But something about it sounded graceful and almost beautiful even though it was blood and death they dealt with. She would nod as her paramour finished her teaching before taking a moment to choose her words carefully.

Instead of bowing her head the warrior would look up to the skies above, making her appeal directly to their faces, "I give this lifeblood to the gods and guardians who watch over us all. Whom we have dedicated our lives and love to. Grace us and all those we call friend or ally with protection and strength for the wars to come. Grant us victory over our enemies and courage in the hearts of those who will have no choice but to shed blood for the first time," her eyes shifted ever so slightly to Talisa for a moment, a trace of worry in their bicolored lenses.

When the first part of the prayer was done Morrigan would wait and allow Talisa to add anything she might wish before she would place ivory toes delicately across the sacrifice's throat before making a clean slice in the soft flesh, letting the warm blood flow into the November chilled earth. Steam rose from the ruby red, looking almost as if the offering were dissipating up into the skies where Morrigan had left her prayers.

Art by munk | Table code by Zodiac

E ven though @Morrigan had chosen to do the ritual slightly different, it made no difference to the Sovereign cleric. Everyone had their own way of handling their prayers and their way of life so it was only fair that her wife have her own way to do things. It didn't have to be just one way and could be anyway you wanted. So while the Lead Fighter led with looking to the sky, Talisa closed her eyes and bowed her head. Ears twisting as she listed intently to the words spoken and feeling an airy quality inside of her lungs and heart. Feeling the prayer sweep through her and provide her with a sense of elevation. And peace and patience to those who may not participate. To know that their loved ones come home to them safely. For she knew what it felt like to be uncertain when your loved ones fought. How detrimental the waiting could be to your health and she wanted anyone who stood out of the fight to know that they were just as appreciated, just as loved. They were as important as the fighters, for they were the supporters.

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+40 Learn something from a Master of your trade ( x2 exp ) (2/2)
+20 Cast a curse or blessing on a character/group ( x2 exp ) (2/2)
+10 Sacrifice an NPC creature ( x2 exp ) (2/2)
As Morrigan listened to Talisa's words, a reminder for the gentler folk forced to wait at home for the wounded and tired. It was not something Morrigan had ever had to do but she knew she'd left Talisa to feel such a way more than once. For the end of the prayer Morrigan would bow her head alongside @Talisa, "We ask this of you in all our devotion." The last of the creatures life had quickly become a dark stain on the earth, but Morrigan prayed that it would be the only such stain she would see in the wars to come.

"Thank you for helping me, my love." She would move to try and rub her head affectionate against her wife's now that their ritual was completed, eager to savor this bit of time they had on their own. "Did you happen to notice the Rainforest seems to be abandoned? At least momentarily," because truthfully Morrigan suspected someone was already fighting over the emptied territory, but given their close proximity to Firnen, this would be relevant. Especially if an enemy were to claim it.

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N o matter what @Morrigan could ever ask her, she would always be there to help. Their lives had intertwined since the moment that they had met in that Grotto and she knew that they were forever. Through every up and down in this crazy stupid life the two of them were going to savor every moment that they could. Not everything was easy and she certainly did not expect it to be but in the very least she knew that their love for each other was strong and limitless.

So as she bowed her head and let it sink in, she gave a small hum of gratitude before returning the affectionate gesture back. Relishing the intimacy in its simplest form before hearing her wife speak of the Rainforest. Oh?she asked with brows furrowed as she thought long and hard. Her immediate instinct wanting to go wander through its dense foliage and sing among the trees. I wish... that no one had ever claimed that as a pride. As a home. That was my favorite place growing up, y'know? Can't really walk through its earthy embrace anymore. Vermeda had always had a special place in her heart but the forest had always called to her. As though the wind and the leaves that tossed and turned called out to her in unbelievable whispers.

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Morrigan would never be certain why Maua had blessed herself to be with Talisa Valour, a most cherished of Their clerics and children, but she would never stop being grateful for the gift that was their love and everything that had come from it. Both the good and the bad, she had to remind herself, for triumph was never as sweet as after a great defeat. Dark-rimmed ears swiveled to attention at Talisa's words about the rainforest, though. A small fire lighting behind mismatched eyes. Can't really walk through its earthy embrace anymore. Morrigan nearly laughed. All this time that she had wished to give @Talisa the moon, there was something she had wanted that had nearly always been within her wife's powers to give. "You could if I took it for you," she said very matter-of-factly. Should the opportunity present itself... well, the Greyflood would have considered it good fun to try anyway.

Art by munk | Table code by Zodiac

I magine the wind simply knocking the poor woman over with the words that were spoken. A clear image of being shocked by the words as though she hadn't expected some form of it for how gracious her wife had always been. Of course, she had never even begun to think about the fact that someone could take it for her. The idea of stripping it away from someone didn't sound very nice or fair for she wouldn't want someone doing it to her but she couldn't deny her dying need to be in the Rainforest. A part of her yearned to ask you would do that for me? But she already knew the answer. They were forever and they would do anything for each other so instead she asked Is that possible? Can that... be done? Talisa was horrible at asking others for things that she selfishly desired but she was trying to branch out. To explore more now that she felt nearly certain that she had had all the children that she could possibly want (though who knows... really).

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