On Purpose [Solo]

[Lilthis]

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With a cackle and scuffling of feathers he arrived, taking shelter from the rain. The forest’s canopy proved a suitable umbrella for the black crow. Grinning, the obnoxious crow looked down to see the miserable Aleran girl. He cawed down at her, “cryin’ o’er nuttin’."

Devastation had taken its firm hold, she was in no mood to argue. Without even paying the crow her shortest gaze she demanded, “what do you want pest?”

The crow scratched a talon on the branch he was perched on and with a sinister grin replied, “I’ll take yer heart.”

“It’s broken,” she said in defeat.

Undeterred the crow’s pestering continued, “yer soul then.”

“I’ve never needed that,” was her reply.

“I’ll take hope,” the crow answered.

She finally paid the crow a glance, “no one will ever steal that from me.” The dark elf continued on her way. The crow continued to get wet.

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After her conversation with Seshat the group of mystics and one dark elf continued onwards. Their ultimate goal was R’khasa, an elaborate mausoleum in the middle of the Raiaeran forest. Lilthis was intrigued, she had never been to a high elven holy site before.

Prior to reaching their destination the group set up camp roughly two kilometers from R’khasa. Night had befallen them so it would make sense to rest, recuperate, and arrive at the site early in the morning. Around the campfire a bottle of gin was passed around. This was one of those nights. Lilly consumed gin until her feet went numb. Her surroundings began to swirl. Her mind emptied out. That was normally why she drank. To clear her mind. Her thoughts never seemed to cease and alcohol provided her with a chance to catch up.

Beyond that, alcohol was a medicine that took the edge off. She struggled to be ‘fun’ for fear that she’d make a fool of herself. Drinking released the inhibitions. Allowed her to be herself. Lilly wasn’t concerned of what others thought.

Of course, every time she drank the next time would require more of the beverage to get her tipsy enough for the effect to take over. It was a dangerous cycle. Lilly was well aware that addiction could take hold. She was careful not to become too dependent. The occasional alcoholic retreat was nice though. Freeing.

With her tongue a bit loose she posed the question, “what do you want out of life?”

The only mages still awake were the younger group. Most of whom appreciated the dark elf maiden that had joined them. The young tended to be more open minded.

“I want to become like Master Seshat,” one mage answered. Another chimed in with, “I want to start a family, have children.” Finally one answered, “I want to be rich.” One of the magicians passed the bottle of gin to Lilly, asking her, “how ‘bout you dark elf? What do you want?”

Lilthis took a long swig from the bottle. The gin was dry. She couldn’t feel her face. Moving her head upwards she answered, “...I don’t know what I want.”

It was true. She was working towards a goal but would that goal give her life fulfillment? Was she living just for the work to get to that goal? If she accomplished her life’s work tomorrow what would she do? Funny how life can seem so obviously simple whilst intoxicated.


Lilthis’ head was throbbing the next morning. She dealt with it and tried to drink as much water as she could to get through her hangover. Another member of The Vestige gave her a dense biscuit. The bread should help.

As the group arrived to R’khasa the dark elf could tell it was not quite like other areas they had been to. It seemed to be made of sandstone, almost like it belonged in a desert not a forest. The giant cube that stood out from the rest of the lush greenery as it was a yellowish-orange color. The bricks that made up the cube were scratched and cracked up a bit. Lilly was getting excited to go inside when Seshat spoke up, “remember, this site is dangerous. Stick together and be careful.”

With that the group descended downhill as one into the locale. Lilthis began to document everything. The walls were plastered with exotic drawings and scribblings that she did not understand. Seshat explained that it was the ancient language of the high elves. When the group moved past a small opening Lilly stopped. The hole was just big enough to fit her. As the group started to progress onwards the young woman decided it was worth exploration.

Getting on her hands and knees the dark elf pushed forward through the hole. As she crossed into small chamber she could feel her forward hand depressing a stone on the ground.

No good.

Suddenly the elven girl forced herself forward and got the rest of her body through the threshold of the entrance. Immediately after she got through a stone slab slammed shut behind her. Kicking up dust the closure of her chamber forced a cough out of the girl. The sudden movement caused a scurry outside as she heard Seshat’s voice call, “Lillian?! Are you ok?” Activating the luminous stone on her gauntlet she dispelled the darkness surrounding her. Upon assessing her surroundings she yelled back, “I’m ok.”

Seshat informed her, “very well, you know regulation girl. We will examine the site and come back for you.” The group could not pry her out as they had a rule. No using magic until they understood the full effects of the location they were in. Lilly knew that meant it would be hours until they got her out. Lilly began to take a closer look at her stone cage.

The room was small. The ceiling only extended up three feet. Most of the flooring was sandstone but there was a thin coating of dirt and dust calling the floor home. Across from the entrance was a small wall around seven feet away which had some scrawlings on it.

Lilly had to remind herself not to panic. Her companions would get her out. She needed to maintain hope.