<![CDATA[Beqanna - Baltia]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/ Sat, 16 May 2026 05:12:31 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[You see yourself hung on the wall]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=32002 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:02:23 +0000 Fazia]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=32002
FAZIA
Baltia swims in Fazia’s veins despite how she had been born after it had fallen. Or been absorbed by Beqanna. Whichever was the truth. She adored her mother and father’s stories of what it had once been, the kingdom and the oceans of their home and the military strength of their family. Now that she is grown, the stories she and Basiane were told feel like memories. As if they had been there too.

Really, she is a child of both places — Beqanna and Baltia — and feels a draw to both. Baltians feel a little extra like being home, like she’s with family, and though she has no trouble being bold around the Beqannians, there’s a little extra spice for those who share her aquatic features and silver-black eyes. With love, of course.

Fazia is on her way into the water, intending to vent some her energy beneath the waves, when she spots a stranger.

She sees his tentacles and knows what’s going to happen next before she begins to angle towards him.

There’s still some distance between them when she tries reaching out with her mind to possess his, she wants to know what it feels like to move those tentacles. And to see what happens if he hits himself in the head with one.





]]>
FAZIA
Baltia swims in Fazia’s veins despite how she had been born after it had fallen. Or been absorbed by Beqanna. Whichever was the truth. She adored her mother and father’s stories of what it had once been, the kingdom and the oceans of their home and the military strength of their family. Now that she is grown, the stories she and Basiane were told feel like memories. As if they had been there too.

Really, she is a child of both places — Beqanna and Baltia — and feels a draw to both. Baltians feel a little extra like being home, like she’s with family, and though she has no trouble being bold around the Beqannians, there’s a little extra spice for those who share her aquatic features and silver-black eyes. With love, of course.

Fazia is on her way into the water, intending to vent some her energy beneath the waves, when she spots a stranger.

She sees his tentacles and knows what’s going to happen next before she begins to angle towards him.

There’s still some distance between them when she tries reaching out with her mind to possess his, she wants to know what it feels like to move those tentacles. And to see what happens if he hits himself in the head with one.





]]> <![CDATA[a glimmer]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31815 Sun, 03 Nov 2024 00:13:03 +0000 Random Event]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31815
In the dead of winter a light skift of snow reaches the shore in the south of the Ruins, but the Baltian waters are warm, leaving a mist hovering over the gray sea.
An orb materializes in the air, glowing brighter and brighter until splitting. The orbs roll into the water, bobbing just on the surface. Three of them spread across the water, illuminating it underneath, light bouncing off of the glowing coral.


First come, first serve for the first three characters to reply. Must be a “real” post catching an orb but no word minimums.
]]>
In the dead of winter a light skift of snow reaches the shore in the south of the Ruins, but the Baltian waters are warm, leaving a mist hovering over the gray sea.
An orb materializes in the air, glowing brighter and brighter until splitting. The orbs roll into the water, bobbing just on the surface. Three of them spread across the water, illuminating it underneath, light bouncing off of the glowing coral.


First come, first serve for the first three characters to reply. Must be a “real” post catching an orb but no word minimums.
]]> <![CDATA[A God's Creation]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31590 Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:21:28 +0000 Deiti]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31590

Being what I was, I thought myself to be nearly indestructible.  Even as I was starved of air by the gills the fairies bestowed upon me, I managed to survive.  So, it is why caution does not beckon to me now, even if my travel companion had warned of the possibility that Baltia was out of reach.

The faint jade glow intensifies as I near.  My speed was no match for the eight-legged creature that accompanies me here.  Each thrust of my tail drives me closer to my destination.

While swimming I can make out the rocky formations by the illuminating of the glow.  My eyes focused on a dark edging and as I draw closer, I can see it is a cliff ledge.  The light seems to be radiating from below.  With another flick of my tail I am seated at the rim, looking down into a bright bioluminescent world.  My eyes widen as I look down upon the strange place.  My gaze lifts only to see if Eddie has followed me this far...

D
eiti
A God's Creation | Carnage X Dynast


Water thread for quest.
 If he wants to follow her and discover he can't go deeper that's cool(maybe she can save him Wink ).  If he doesn't follow she can continue to explore on her own, no worries.  Just wanted to get another water thread going for her quest and I'll be mia for my event until Monday. She will not have enhanced beauty or sharp teeth during this thread.]]>

Being what I was, I thought myself to be nearly indestructible.  Even as I was starved of air by the gills the fairies bestowed upon me, I managed to survive.  So, it is why caution does not beckon to me now, even if my travel companion had warned of the possibility that Baltia was out of reach.

The faint jade glow intensifies as I near.  My speed was no match for the eight-legged creature that accompanies me here.  Each thrust of my tail drives me closer to my destination.

While swimming I can make out the rocky formations by the illuminating of the glow.  My eyes focused on a dark edging and as I draw closer, I can see it is a cliff ledge.  The light seems to be radiating from below.  With another flick of my tail I am seated at the rim, looking down into a bright bioluminescent world.  My eyes widen as I look down upon the strange place.  My gaze lifts only to see if Eddie has followed me this far...

D
eiti
A God's Creation | Carnage X Dynast


Water thread for quest.
 If he wants to follow her and discover he can't go deeper that's cool(maybe she can save him Wink ).  If he doesn't follow she can continue to explore on her own, no worries.  Just wanted to get another water thread going for her quest and I'll be mia for my event until Monday. She will not have enhanced beauty or sharp teeth during this thread.]]> <![CDATA[fellow fiends feed the fire]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31270 Tue, 02 May 2023 21:06:00 +0000 Claudia]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31270 Claudia is at home in the sea  ̶  even under a great storm, she prefers tumultuous seas even, she enjoys racing through the violent waters. By the time she reaches the depths of Baltia, she’s full-kelpie, twirling and speeding into the center of the fallen metropolis. She swims with graceful ease, like she’s weightless, cutting through the water with precision. Her gills flare and her large keen eyes roll to see what she smells, tastes, beneath the water  ̶  a nest of delicious eels. 
Why so many in one spot? Many fish and sea creature populations have boomed since the death of Baltia’s throne, but it was odd to see a concentration of eels. Upon approach she can see that they are very large and pearly white, some have ruby red eyes and others have crystalline blue. They strike out at her as she pushes her nose near the small cavern entrance, one or two bite at her and that is all it takes for her to shred them all in a kick violent burst of chaotic energy. Blood and bits flood in a cloud like chunky smoke, rising toward the surface with all the bubbles she caused from her frenzy. She ate some, ripped some, and took much delight in it all, really. Licking her sharp glowing teeth, grinning to herself as she swims around the area, letting the scene settle  ̶  and when it does settle, she sees something peculiar.

“Hmm.” she hums to herself, blinking at the large oval-ish thing sitting on a soft bed of kelp twirled into a nest. The egg has scales, iridescent, glowing with blues and bright whites. She touches it with her nose, it feels like stone, warm stone. “A dragon egg?” she whispers to herself, and quickly realizes what she’s said out loud…she is a greedy little monster, and such a prize makes her immediately suspicious of being watched.

She speeds away, investigating the surrounding area with bullish force  ̶  busting through barriers and overturning any suspected hiding spots. There’s no one nearby. She swims back to her prize, scooping it between her legs and pulling it from its nest. She rests it on her tail, admiring it, touching it, reveling in her find. The egg starts to crack and wobble, Claudia almost drops it in surprise, but makes a graceful save, watching it push a piece of shell off and peek through with bright aqua eyes. It is a little sea dragon! Claudia is not one for warmth or sweetness, but if ever she felt her heart, it is now. As it emerges, an adorable array of ocean colors with big shiny eyes. It has little horns, wings and four limbs with shiny smooth scales. It’s got gills, webbed feet and beautiful little fins (even at the tip of his long tail!) He’s tiny, but has a mouth full of sharp teeth, they match hers, as they grin happily at each other.

It’s as if she and the little creature have known each other forever  ̶  the moment their eyes locked it was like they recognized one another, the link between their souls illuminating between them; coming to life as if it was sleeping.

The rest of the day, after discovering the little devil, Claudia races all around with him, chasing and practicing all sorts of maneuvers. He was a little shadow, moving so well in tandem with every move she makes  ̶  any slight movement or  swift direction change, he goes with her so perfectly. They spend hours beneath the waves, herding pods of porpoise away just for fun, teasing sharks for the joy of it and finally, linking up with a family of veracious orcas who welcomed the pair's invaluable help in hunting a large whale. It was quite the first day’s adventures, but the sun above was beginning to sink and what dim light there was in the deep blue they played among, it was quickly fading. Of course nighttime is incredibly fun too, but, this was her new…baby..essentially. What if something tries to get him? She suddenly prickles at the thought, nuzzling the little reptilian beast, who coos bubbles at her with a snuggly rub of his snout.

Claudia makes her way to the surface, her shadow close behind, and they make their way toward shore. A golden sunset seemingly afire with oranges, golds, reds and deep magenta, sinking into the sea where waves and sky meet. The storm that was raging when Claudia descended into the sapphire depths has gone now, all is wet and misty, but at peace. As soon as they reach the sandy beach her form melts into something more suitable for land, mostly equid, hooved and generally shaped like a sturdy warmblood mare. In her muzzle she hides razor sharp teeth, and her skin covered with wet scales, her golden hair dripping wet with salty seawater. Mostly horse, but still a kelpie-girl, never not that.

And her new little companion? He too has a land adapted body, losing his fins and gills, his wings spreading and stretching out. He is small, but fierce, attacking and consuming three crabs in just a few minutes. Claudia watches him in awe, snatching a crab for herself, crunching it down happily, shell and all.

Before dark descends, she plans to lead him to some ‘safer’ place, call it motherly instincts, but whatever it was, she wanted somewhere like the River, or the Meadow. Somewhere where normal folks bring their actual children…this was as close as she ever desires to get to motherhood.




this is a companion quest post, but its also open to anyone if they want to say hello
]]> Claudia is at home in the sea  ̶  even under a great storm, she prefers tumultuous seas even, she enjoys racing through the violent waters. By the time she reaches the depths of Baltia, she’s full-kelpie, twirling and speeding into the center of the fallen metropolis. She swims with graceful ease, like she’s weightless, cutting through the water with precision. Her gills flare and her large keen eyes roll to see what she smells, tastes, beneath the water  ̶  a nest of delicious eels. 
Why so many in one spot? Many fish and sea creature populations have boomed since the death of Baltia’s throne, but it was odd to see a concentration of eels. Upon approach she can see that they are very large and pearly white, some have ruby red eyes and others have crystalline blue. They strike out at her as she pushes her nose near the small cavern entrance, one or two bite at her and that is all it takes for her to shred them all in a kick violent burst of chaotic energy. Blood and bits flood in a cloud like chunky smoke, rising toward the surface with all the bubbles she caused from her frenzy. She ate some, ripped some, and took much delight in it all, really. Licking her sharp glowing teeth, grinning to herself as she swims around the area, letting the scene settle  ̶  and when it does settle, she sees something peculiar.

“Hmm.” she hums to herself, blinking at the large oval-ish thing sitting on a soft bed of kelp twirled into a nest. The egg has scales, iridescent, glowing with blues and bright whites. She touches it with her nose, it feels like stone, warm stone. “A dragon egg?” she whispers to herself, and quickly realizes what she’s said out loud…she is a greedy little monster, and such a prize makes her immediately suspicious of being watched.

She speeds away, investigating the surrounding area with bullish force  ̶  busting through barriers and overturning any suspected hiding spots. There’s no one nearby. She swims back to her prize, scooping it between her legs and pulling it from its nest. She rests it on her tail, admiring it, touching it, reveling in her find. The egg starts to crack and wobble, Claudia almost drops it in surprise, but makes a graceful save, watching it push a piece of shell off and peek through with bright aqua eyes. It is a little sea dragon! Claudia is not one for warmth or sweetness, but if ever she felt her heart, it is now. As it emerges, an adorable array of ocean colors with big shiny eyes. It has little horns, wings and four limbs with shiny smooth scales. It’s got gills, webbed feet and beautiful little fins (even at the tip of his long tail!) He’s tiny, but has a mouth full of sharp teeth, they match hers, as they grin happily at each other.

It’s as if she and the little creature have known each other forever  ̶  the moment their eyes locked it was like they recognized one another, the link between their souls illuminating between them; coming to life as if it was sleeping.

The rest of the day, after discovering the little devil, Claudia races all around with him, chasing and practicing all sorts of maneuvers. He was a little shadow, moving so well in tandem with every move she makes  ̶  any slight movement or  swift direction change, he goes with her so perfectly. They spend hours beneath the waves, herding pods of porpoise away just for fun, teasing sharks for the joy of it and finally, linking up with a family of veracious orcas who welcomed the pair's invaluable help in hunting a large whale. It was quite the first day’s adventures, but the sun above was beginning to sink and what dim light there was in the deep blue they played among, it was quickly fading. Of course nighttime is incredibly fun too, but, this was her new…baby..essentially. What if something tries to get him? She suddenly prickles at the thought, nuzzling the little reptilian beast, who coos bubbles at her with a snuggly rub of his snout.

Claudia makes her way to the surface, her shadow close behind, and they make their way toward shore. A golden sunset seemingly afire with oranges, golds, reds and deep magenta, sinking into the sea where waves and sky meet. The storm that was raging when Claudia descended into the sapphire depths has gone now, all is wet and misty, but at peace. As soon as they reach the sandy beach her form melts into something more suitable for land, mostly equid, hooved and generally shaped like a sturdy warmblood mare. In her muzzle she hides razor sharp teeth, and her skin covered with wet scales, her golden hair dripping wet with salty seawater. Mostly horse, but still a kelpie-girl, never not that.

And her new little companion? He too has a land adapted body, losing his fins and gills, his wings spreading and stretching out. He is small, but fierce, attacking and consuming three crabs in just a few minutes. Claudia watches him in awe, snatching a crab for herself, crunching it down happily, shell and all.

Before dark descends, she plans to lead him to some ‘safer’ place, call it motherly instincts, but whatever it was, she wanted somewhere like the River, or the Meadow. Somewhere where normal folks bring their actual children…this was as close as she ever desires to get to motherhood.




this is a companion quest post, but its also open to anyone if they want to say hello
]]> <![CDATA[even though we are strange and exquisitely scarred]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31256 Thu, 27 Apr 2023 02:13:37 +0000 Moira]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=31256
When at last she sees a familiar red branching coral, its span as large as any above-water oak, the mare slows her swimming. She looks around, but it is not truly her eyes with which she searches. Instead, it is the water itself, and when she finds nothing unexpected, the white nereid turns and dives into the sea-grass, disappearing entirely.

Hidden by the waving greenery and a few boulders is the entrance to a geothermal vent. An ancient shift in the earth far below had caused a cave, which turned the blasting hot water into a weak trickle, diluted by the sea around it to little more than tepid.

In that tepid water, a few dozen feet into a rocky cavern, is the perfect place to leave an egg.

Moira does just that. She’ll return in a few months, just to check in, but she does not have high hopes.]]>
When at last she sees a familiar red branching coral, its span as large as any above-water oak, the mare slows her swimming. She looks around, but it is not truly her eyes with which she searches. Instead, it is the water itself, and when she finds nothing unexpected, the white nereid turns and dives into the sea-grass, disappearing entirely.

Hidden by the waving greenery and a few boulders is the entrance to a geothermal vent. An ancient shift in the earth far below had caused a cave, which turned the blasting hot water into a weak trickle, diluted by the sea around it to little more than tepid.

In that tepid water, a few dozen feet into a rocky cavern, is the perfect place to leave an egg.

Moira does just that. She’ll return in a few months, just to check in, but she does not have high hopes.]]> <![CDATA[don’t you want to hold the gun?]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30951 Tue, 19 Jul 2022 19:34:39 +0000 adrius]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30951
adrius
sometimes i think i am free
until i find i'm back in line again

You shouldn’t be here.

Maybe it had been enlightening, his time in Beqanna. Maybe it made for a cruel joke; but this was enough. He has had enough. Once Stratos feel from the sky like a devastating strike of lightning, Adrius made for the water as if his life depended on it.

Adrius, you shouldn’t be here.

He doesn’t care that he’s not supposed to be here. I don’t care, he snarls back at his father’s voice. His lips curl back in a silent growl as he races through the water, tail undulating rapidly behind him. He had to find his family, or any he might have called a friend, or even a Baltian stranger.

Adrius.

Please shut up, he whimpers in his head. Danger from Stratos isn’t imminent. That isn’t why his heart is racing. If the wrong Baltian caught him here, he could be dragged back to the shores, bloodied and degraded—or even dead. There was once a time that his chest ached from a good-natured race through the algae and undergrowth, but even those memories are tarnished as he plows and plummets through Baltia.

ADRIUS.

The glowing nereid comes to a seething halt, chest heaving with the weight of his effort. Eyes wild, he casts a glare around his dark surroundings, certain this time he had heard someone actually calling his name.



 uh oh >:-)]]>
adrius
sometimes i think i am free
until i find i'm back in line again

You shouldn’t be here.

Maybe it had been enlightening, his time in Beqanna. Maybe it made for a cruel joke; but this was enough. He has had enough. Once Stratos feel from the sky like a devastating strike of lightning, Adrius made for the water as if his life depended on it.

Adrius, you shouldn’t be here.

He doesn’t care that he’s not supposed to be here. I don’t care, he snarls back at his father’s voice. His lips curl back in a silent growl as he races through the water, tail undulating rapidly behind him. He had to find his family, or any he might have called a friend, or even a Baltian stranger.

Adrius.

Please shut up, he whimpers in his head. Danger from Stratos isn’t imminent. That isn’t why his heart is racing. If the wrong Baltian caught him here, he could be dragged back to the shores, bloodied and degraded—or even dead. There was once a time that his chest ached from a good-natured race through the algae and undergrowth, but even those memories are tarnished as he plows and plummets through Baltia.

ADRIUS.

The glowing nereid comes to a seething halt, chest heaving with the weight of his effort. Eyes wild, he casts a glare around his dark surroundings, certain this time he had heard someone actually calling his name.



 uh oh >:-)]]> <![CDATA[I get scared for reasons I don't know (feast)]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30884 Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:10:26 +0000 Valkyrie]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30884
VALKYRIE
Though her inability to shift still bothered Valkyrie, she did her best not to let it show. Perhaps she was more like her family who couldn’t - it made her feel a little bit better to discover that there was both a grandfather and a grandmother who couldn’t, and there was nothing wrong with them. And she was never made to feel like she was less because of it - but she still wouldn’t have minded. There was a little flutter in her heart every time she watched an eagle take flight from one of Hyaline’s pines, or when she imagined the minuscule world that a frog might live in. Even if it was just one single shift, just the chance to see something a little different.

And she tried not to be jealous, she really did. She kept that sour feeling locked up tight with the flutter, fretting over how it made her seem ungrateful for the happy life she had.

The promise of a feast thrown by the Baltians was a welcome excitement, and the plants provided by the strange little frogs ensured that she wouldn’t even need to shift in order to join in. Myrna did not complain about having to travel by land, though Valkyrie felt guilty about it anyway, and she had just about worked herself into being in a sour mood because of the imagined bitterness that, once they finally arrived on the shore, she almost didn’t want to go at all.

But it is hard to be in a bad mood around her sisters, and when she looks to Myrna for guidance before entering the water she can feel the grip of jealousy ease a little.

“Are you ready?” She asks her older sister, though really the question is more directed at herself.



(and if anyone cares to join!)]]>
VALKYRIE
Though her inability to shift still bothered Valkyrie, she did her best not to let it show. Perhaps she was more like her family who couldn’t - it made her feel a little bit better to discover that there was both a grandfather and a grandmother who couldn’t, and there was nothing wrong with them. And she was never made to feel like she was less because of it - but she still wouldn’t have minded. There was a little flutter in her heart every time she watched an eagle take flight from one of Hyaline’s pines, or when she imagined the minuscule world that a frog might live in. Even if it was just one single shift, just the chance to see something a little different.

And she tried not to be jealous, she really did. She kept that sour feeling locked up tight with the flutter, fretting over how it made her seem ungrateful for the happy life she had.

The promise of a feast thrown by the Baltians was a welcome excitement, and the plants provided by the strange little frogs ensured that she wouldn’t even need to shift in order to join in. Myrna did not complain about having to travel by land, though Valkyrie felt guilty about it anyway, and she had just about worked herself into being in a sour mood because of the imagined bitterness that, once they finally arrived on the shore, she almost didn’t want to go at all.

But it is hard to be in a bad mood around her sisters, and when she looks to Myrna for guidance before entering the water she can feel the grip of jealousy ease a little.

“Are you ready?” She asks her older sister, though really the question is more directed at herself.



(and if anyone cares to join!)]]> <![CDATA[something has changed within me [feast]]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30882 Sun, 24 Apr 2022 20:35:27 +0000 Moira]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30882
Remembering her trip to the Icicle Isle to celebrate the return of the sun, the nereid is wearing a bright smile as she enters the underwater kingdom. The light of the dying sun soon fades entirely, but the glowing coral of Baltia soon appears to guide her the rest of the way. The nereid had not needed the aid of the frogs’ plants to attend; the aquatic tail and gold-and-violet fins that adore her limbs, neck, and sides, are part of her natural shape.

Her curious green gaze is friendly as she meets those of the Baltian guards. They are rather somber, she thinks, but is pleased to find that as she ventures toward the feast there are Baltians that are far friendlier.

A few hours later, she extricates herself from a conversation and makes her way toward the glowing gardens she’d heard talk of. They are nothing like she’s ever seen before, each coral a marvel, and she loses track of where she is going and swims into something. No, someone, and she stammers an apology as she backs away, her front forehooves settling lightly on the sandy sea floor.

]]>
Remembering her trip to the Icicle Isle to celebrate the return of the sun, the nereid is wearing a bright smile as she enters the underwater kingdom. The light of the dying sun soon fades entirely, but the glowing coral of Baltia soon appears to guide her the rest of the way. The nereid had not needed the aid of the frogs’ plants to attend; the aquatic tail and gold-and-violet fins that adore her limbs, neck, and sides, are part of her natural shape.

Her curious green gaze is friendly as she meets those of the Baltian guards. They are rather somber, she thinks, but is pleased to find that as she ventures toward the feast there are Baltians that are far friendlier.

A few hours later, she extricates herself from a conversation and makes her way toward the glowing gardens she’d heard talk of. They are nothing like she’s ever seen before, each coral a marvel, and she loses track of where she is going and swims into something. No, someone, and she stammers an apology as she backs away, her front forehooves settling lightly on the sandy sea floor.

]]> <![CDATA[Welcome to Baltia [main feast thread]]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30862 Sun, 03 Apr 2022 16:38:56 +0000 Mesarez]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30862
Mesarez
This was probably a horrible idea, but it was certainly too late now to stop it. The invitations had gone out, along with a plant that Mesarez hadn’t even known existed. A relic from another time, surely a few millenia ago when Helice was just middle-aged and they had neighbours on land they were actually interested in inviting down to Baltia.

He had tried to eat one of those round plants and only suffered some indigestion as a result. Hopefully their assumptions about it helping land-dwellers breathe underwater were right or they might have a corpse problem on their hands.

The plan was for him to be further into Baltia, presiding over the collection of underwater delicacies and fascinating things that they had collected in order to entertain whoever was curious enough to dive down deep. But instead Mesarez is waiting in the shallows - his black and silver eyes focused on the glimmer of sunlight on the surface of the water - waiting for the sound of splashing or the silhouette of a swimmer approaching. He wants to be the first to greet them. Wants to drown out his thoughts and worries with the sound of conversation as quickly as possible. There are a few other Baltians nearby, discretely flanking him.

Guards, just like the ones that are patrolling the kingdom below. Guests are welcome, within reason. This is the Baltians' home, after all.

Any of those who are brave enough to try their hand at swimming underwater, any who decide to try those strange little plants that the strange little frogs had given them, are greeted warmly by the crown prince as he glows in the dim light and flashes them a brilliant smile.

“Welcome to Baltia.” 



It’s time for a feast!

Everyone is welcome to explore Baltia through the month of April. There are Baltians patrolling the grounds and you may be politely redirected if you’re caught snooping.

There are gardens of glowing underwater plants to explore, an edible collection gathered in an open area along with what appears to be fish caught in skeleton cages (Baltians wanting to welcome both their herbivorous and carnivorous neighbours). Bizarre statue-like formations have also been collected and placed around to be viewed by the curious.

There are caves on the outskirts of the kingdom but it is not recommended to explore them - you never know what might be lurking. Baltia is waived of all responsibility should any guests become dismembered or killed while poking their heads into dark places.


You're welcome to reply to this thread or start your own!]]>
Mesarez
This was probably a horrible idea, but it was certainly too late now to stop it. The invitations had gone out, along with a plant that Mesarez hadn’t even known existed. A relic from another time, surely a few millenia ago when Helice was just middle-aged and they had neighbours on land they were actually interested in inviting down to Baltia.

He had tried to eat one of those round plants and only suffered some indigestion as a result. Hopefully their assumptions about it helping land-dwellers breathe underwater were right or they might have a corpse problem on their hands.

The plan was for him to be further into Baltia, presiding over the collection of underwater delicacies and fascinating things that they had collected in order to entertain whoever was curious enough to dive down deep. But instead Mesarez is waiting in the shallows - his black and silver eyes focused on the glimmer of sunlight on the surface of the water - waiting for the sound of splashing or the silhouette of a swimmer approaching. He wants to be the first to greet them. Wants to drown out his thoughts and worries with the sound of conversation as quickly as possible. There are a few other Baltians nearby, discretely flanking him.

Guards, just like the ones that are patrolling the kingdom below. Guests are welcome, within reason. This is the Baltians' home, after all.

Any of those who are brave enough to try their hand at swimming underwater, any who decide to try those strange little plants that the strange little frogs had given them, are greeted warmly by the crown prince as he glows in the dim light and flashes them a brilliant smile.

“Welcome to Baltia.” 



It’s time for a feast!

Everyone is welcome to explore Baltia through the month of April. There are Baltians patrolling the grounds and you may be politely redirected if you’re caught snooping.

There are gardens of glowing underwater plants to explore, an edible collection gathered in an open area along with what appears to be fish caught in skeleton cages (Baltians wanting to welcome both their herbivorous and carnivorous neighbours). Bizarre statue-like formations have also been collected and placed around to be viewed by the curious.

There are caves on the outskirts of the kingdom but it is not recommended to explore them - you never know what might be lurking. Baltia is waived of all responsibility should any guests become dismembered or killed while poking their heads into dark places.


You're welcome to reply to this thread or start your own!]]> <![CDATA[too late to leave these walls]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30697 Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:37:32 +0000 Tsilutsuli]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30697
They had stayed much the same for some time now, but I still grow weary easily, and keep to the heart of Baltia

I had told the Baltians not to venture too deep into Beqanna, but even that had not been enough. Some things are inevitable, the healers say, and new lands mean new illnesses. Why I was the most susceptible has still not been explained, but at least the Seers have confirmed it was not an attack. The possibility of a parasite is only slightly less disturbing than the chance that it’s a lost spell by one of the local witches.

When the glow of the coral is replaced by the light of the sun, I finally abandon sleep and move toward the seagrass meadows.]]>
They had stayed much the same for some time now, but I still grow weary easily, and keep to the heart of Baltia

I had told the Baltians not to venture too deep into Beqanna, but even that had not been enough. Some things are inevitable, the healers say, and new lands mean new illnesses. Why I was the most susceptible has still not been explained, but at least the Seers have confirmed it was not an attack. The possibility of a parasite is only slightly less disturbing than the chance that it’s a lost spell by one of the local witches.

When the glow of the coral is replaced by the light of the sun, I finally abandon sleep and move toward the seagrass meadows.]]> <![CDATA[love me while your wrists are bound; any]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30659 Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:47:10 +0000 Waverly]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30659

your heart, it's like a drum
the chase has just begun

It’s not often she is stirred to care about the happenings of the world. Truthfully, she would not even have stirred now had she not accidentally stumbled upon the new and strange. Life beneath the waves has long existed as a world apart from the one above. Waverly is only aware of this because she has had the unique opportunity to experience both in equal measure. An opportunity that had convinced her long ago that life in the sea is vastly preferable to one on the land.

Most days, at least. When hunting is plentiful and trials are few.

Today however, she is uncertain. She had not noticed when the sea claimed the south and an underwater kingdom had risen from obscurity. Of course, that isn’t terribly surprising when one knows the scope of underwater existence. What causes disaster in one place may bring barely more than a ripple to another.

So, to find a kingdom beneath the waves is something of a surprise to her. She does not care for surprises at all. Not even ones that shouldn’t come as a surprise. But then, Waverly has not always been the most logical of creatures. She prefers instinct. Instinct has never failed her.

Until now.

With cautious flicks of her finned limbs, she slips through the beds of coral, golden eyes roving warily over gently swaying plants too structured to be natural. She has seen enough of the ocean by now to know the difference. Predator she may be, but she has not survived the deep by being a foolish one. She is not the most dangerous creature that exists in these waters. Even her wide jaw and jagged teeth are no match for a behemoth shark or giant squid.

But this is no cephalopod’s lair, of that she is certain. No, something else built this. And Waverly, despite her many misgivings, is determined to discover what it is.

Waverly

]]>

your heart, it's like a drum
the chase has just begun

It’s not often she is stirred to care about the happenings of the world. Truthfully, she would not even have stirred now had she not accidentally stumbled upon the new and strange. Life beneath the waves has long existed as a world apart from the one above. Waverly is only aware of this because she has had the unique opportunity to experience both in equal measure. An opportunity that had convinced her long ago that life in the sea is vastly preferable to one on the land.

Most days, at least. When hunting is plentiful and trials are few.

Today however, she is uncertain. She had not noticed when the sea claimed the south and an underwater kingdom had risen from obscurity. Of course, that isn’t terribly surprising when one knows the scope of underwater existence. What causes disaster in one place may bring barely more than a ripple to another.

So, to find a kingdom beneath the waves is something of a surprise to her. She does not care for surprises at all. Not even ones that shouldn’t come as a surprise. But then, Waverly has not always been the most logical of creatures. She prefers instinct. Instinct has never failed her.

Until now.

With cautious flicks of her finned limbs, she slips through the beds of coral, golden eyes roving warily over gently swaying plants too structured to be natural. She has seen enough of the ocean by now to know the difference. Predator she may be, but she has not survived the deep by being a foolish one. She is not the most dangerous creature that exists in these waters. Even her wide jaw and jagged teeth are no match for a behemoth shark or giant squid.

But this is no cephalopod’s lair, of that she is certain. No, something else built this. And Waverly, despite her many misgivings, is determined to discover what it is.

Waverly

]]> <![CDATA[Nothing less than strong]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30624 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:51:59 +0000 Rezza]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30624

appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

Kingdom before family. As important as family is in Baltia, the kingdom is even moreso. She has grown up with this, and yet, she still struggles with it. It is hard to leave her daughter second to the kingdom when the kingdom takes up the vast majority of her time. It has not been that long since the earthquake, and while she has of course taken the time to make sure Poseida was alright, they have not actually gotten to spend time together. It makes her feel like a failure of a mother, though she would never admit that out loud.

No, Rezza finds that she can be nothing less than strong and capable. Anything less and Tsilutsuli might eat her, and if not Tsilutsuli, then Helice. After more than a century with those two, Rezza has forgotten entirely what it might be like to actually admit to her own shortcomings and failures.

Finally, as the meetings subside and Rezza doubts there is much more scouting she can do on her own, she finds the time to seek her daughter. Rezza makes her way to their favorite spot in one of the coral gardens. It is not far from where Tsilutsuli can usually be found, but then again, Rezza is rarely far from where the Queen is. Still, it is far enough that Rezza doesn’t worry Tsilutsuli is particularly likely to interrupt them.

It is here she waits, figuring it likely that Poseida would make her way past the coral garden at some point in the day, and for the moment, Rezza is thankful for the peace and a moment with her thoughts.

REZZA

Photo by Alice Alinari


]]>

appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

Kingdom before family. As important as family is in Baltia, the kingdom is even moreso. She has grown up with this, and yet, she still struggles with it. It is hard to leave her daughter second to the kingdom when the kingdom takes up the vast majority of her time. It has not been that long since the earthquake, and while she has of course taken the time to make sure Poseida was alright, they have not actually gotten to spend time together. It makes her feel like a failure of a mother, though she would never admit that out loud.

No, Rezza finds that she can be nothing less than strong and capable. Anything less and Tsilutsuli might eat her, and if not Tsilutsuli, then Helice. After more than a century with those two, Rezza has forgotten entirely what it might be like to actually admit to her own shortcomings and failures.

Finally, as the meetings subside and Rezza doubts there is much more scouting she can do on her own, she finds the time to seek her daughter. Rezza makes her way to their favorite spot in one of the coral gardens. It is not far from where Tsilutsuli can usually be found, but then again, Rezza is rarely far from where the Queen is. Still, it is far enough that Rezza doesn’t worry Tsilutsuli is particularly likely to interrupt them.

It is here she waits, figuring it likely that Poseida would make her way past the coral garden at some point in the day, and for the moment, Rezza is thankful for the peace and a moment with her thoughts.

REZZA

Photo by Alice Alinari


]]> <![CDATA[howl at the walls;]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30597 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 01:23:38 +0000 helice]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30597
helice

She has lived many lifetimes, and still she has seen nothing like this.
Of course there had been more land, long ago — before this queen, before the queen’s father, before his father, even. Lands crumbled and sank, the price to pay for war. Destruction was inevitable, but reformation? Only in myths and legends.
Before the dust settles, Helice is face-to-face with an outsider. She is almost never alone, nor on the frontline of uncharted territory, but she remains unrattled. They don’t speak long; Helice prefers to do her own fact finding, to not rely on strange others.
When she leaves the girl, she is quick to return to her soldiers, sending a small group of them to land as she wades in shallow Baltian waters with another group. She watches them, muscles tense as they reach the shores of the land surrounding the Ruins, though her gut tells her that her soldiers aren’t in trouble.
They return with information. She thanks them with a nod.

Helice slips back into the deep water, dismissing the soldiers with her silence, and sets off to the higher ups’ meeting spot: a large cave, hidden behind a small but dense brush of kelp. As she swims, she emits a red glow around her — her own way to call for a meeting, though she lets out an audible call as well. She stops when she reaches the mouth of the cave, still glowing until the rest reach her.
She dips her head in greeting as they catch up with her: the Queen, Rezza, Mesarez. Although she is otherwise friendly with Mesarez and knows she’s likely to outlast all of them and their power, she also knows enough to show formality and respect. The Baltian way runs deep within her.
“Your Highness,” she begins once they’ve settled, “I’ve come to you all with news of the land. An earthquake, not an attack as I’d originally feared. No one knows where they came from yet, but the residents call it Beqanna.”
She pauses for a moment, looking between them before turning back to the queen and continuing: “Not a place I’ve heard of before, either in my time or my studies. There is still so much land for our scouts to search, but they seem to be peaceful.”
Helice nods at the Queen to finish. She has questions — of course she does — but she is brief, waiting for the others’ thoughts first.


]]>
helice

She has lived many lifetimes, and still she has seen nothing like this.
Of course there had been more land, long ago — before this queen, before the queen’s father, before his father, even. Lands crumbled and sank, the price to pay for war. Destruction was inevitable, but reformation? Only in myths and legends.
Before the dust settles, Helice is face-to-face with an outsider. She is almost never alone, nor on the frontline of uncharted territory, but she remains unrattled. They don’t speak long; Helice prefers to do her own fact finding, to not rely on strange others.
When she leaves the girl, she is quick to return to her soldiers, sending a small group of them to land as she wades in shallow Baltian waters with another group. She watches them, muscles tense as they reach the shores of the land surrounding the Ruins, though her gut tells her that her soldiers aren’t in trouble.
They return with information. She thanks them with a nod.

Helice slips back into the deep water, dismissing the soldiers with her silence, and sets off to the higher ups’ meeting spot: a large cave, hidden behind a small but dense brush of kelp. As she swims, she emits a red glow around her — her own way to call for a meeting, though she lets out an audible call as well. She stops when she reaches the mouth of the cave, still glowing until the rest reach her.
She dips her head in greeting as they catch up with her: the Queen, Rezza, Mesarez. Although she is otherwise friendly with Mesarez and knows she’s likely to outlast all of them and their power, she also knows enough to show formality and respect. The Baltian way runs deep within her.
“Your Highness,” she begins once they’ve settled, “I’ve come to you all with news of the land. An earthquake, not an attack as I’d originally feared. No one knows where they came from yet, but the residents call it Beqanna.”
She pauses for a moment, looking between them before turning back to the queen and continuing: “Not a place I’ve heard of before, either in my time or my studies. There is still so much land for our scouts to search, but they seem to be peaceful.”
Helice nods at the Queen to finish. She has questions — of course she does — but she is brief, waiting for the others’ thoughts first.


]]> <![CDATA[deep sea; any]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30596 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:07:52 +0000 Elizaveta]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30596 The world outside their liquid depths tore itself apart time and time again. They waged wars and ripped each other to tatters for the sake of ruling the dry lands. They squabbled over such miniscule plots of soil when the ocean expanded so much more far and wide. On the occasion, one of the Beqannians with sacred abilities would dare steal a glance at the thick depths beneath but even those blessed with gills could not withstand the choking pressure. Elizaveta sometimes amused herself with their struggles to reach just beyond their grasp but she did so just beyond the kelp beds and rock formations.

Th waters were especially chilly with the press of deep currents. The pale mare finds herself prickled by the cold but she does not allow it to cross her expression. Some others had gathered lately and Elizaveta felt a slow crawl of curiosity to see Queen Tsilutsuli. She wonders how the monarchy was dealing with the rupture in their lands (if any at all). At least in these depths, the vibration of scaled bodies were easy to trace. The tattooed mare decides to part the waters to gather with her fellow citizens and partake in the chatter. It would be nice to socialize a bit and to see familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. Elizaveta allows a smirk to slide over her pale lips as she pushed a little faster as shadows loomed ahead that silhouetted other Baltians.


(this is so bad but im happy to get back in the swing of things)]]> The world outside their liquid depths tore itself apart time and time again. They waged wars and ripped each other to tatters for the sake of ruling the dry lands. They squabbled over such miniscule plots of soil when the ocean expanded so much more far and wide. On the occasion, one of the Beqannians with sacred abilities would dare steal a glance at the thick depths beneath but even those blessed with gills could not withstand the choking pressure. Elizaveta sometimes amused herself with their struggles to reach just beyond their grasp but she did so just beyond the kelp beds and rock formations.

Th waters were especially chilly with the press of deep currents. The pale mare finds herself prickled by the cold but she does not allow it to cross her expression. Some others had gathered lately and Elizaveta felt a slow crawl of curiosity to see Queen Tsilutsuli. She wonders how the monarchy was dealing with the rupture in their lands (if any at all). At least in these depths, the vibration of scaled bodies were easy to trace. The tattooed mare decides to part the waters to gather with her fellow citizens and partake in the chatter. It would be nice to socialize a bit and to see familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. Elizaveta allows a smirk to slide over her pale lips as she pushed a little faster as shadows loomed ahead that silhouetted other Baltians.


(this is so bad but im happy to get back in the swing of things)]]> <![CDATA[You are not one wave; any!]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30585 Thu, 16 Dec 2021 09:27:15 +0000 Ahti]]> https://beqanna.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30585

"All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn’t it terrible?"

The trembling takes many more heartbeats than it should, and all of Beqanna is shaking. The violence is much louder, more ruthless, of a grander scale than any of the shakes that Tephra is used to. Trees wail their foliage and crash into one another, rocks tumble and crash, possibly trapping anyone located in caves, opening up other routes. The volcano seems to be bubbling, and the aquatic sorcerer knows to move away from any lava streams.

Into the water.

But the violence is not over yet. The land is reforming, and Tephra's southern neighbors - Sylva, Loess, and even that peninsula meadow attached to it - it's all drowning. Emerald orbs find the sinking lands as he walks the ocean floor like he has a million times, and notes a small rocky landbridge where once the highest peaks of Loess had stood. Notes the sunken grass and the few daring crustaceans and reef fish that come to explore this new territory. Notes the small animals that didn't quite make it in time; some swimming, some drifting lifelessly. Nature always finds a way; sharks and other water hunters take them and clean the area.


Into the water...

The water elemental continues and finds that something new has risen, too. Fields of sea-grass and kelp, too well-kept to be natural, come into view as he strolls on, occasionally swims a part over reefs. He has no fishtail to guide him, so he is not a quick swimmer, but his hidden gills and otherwise-flat-laying fins now keep him steady in the water. His oily fur will rid itself of the water as soon as he surfaces again, but so far, he has far too many interesting lands to explore.

As he nears what seems to be more of a settlement, he stops. The single-horned male does not wish to cross boundaries he may never come back from, but the bland curiosity is there. Tephra is an island now - best be polite with whomever the new neighbors are. The stoic male has lived too long to push buttons by being impatient. Instead, he calls out to the nearest creature he can find - provided that someone would be near, perhaps investigating their new borders.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

--ahti

"You are not one wave, you are part of the ocean."

Photo by Rayofliight. Coding by Kyra
]]>

"All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn’t it terrible?"

The trembling takes many more heartbeats than it should, and all of Beqanna is shaking. The violence is much louder, more ruthless, of a grander scale than any of the shakes that Tephra is used to. Trees wail their foliage and crash into one another, rocks tumble and crash, possibly trapping anyone located in caves, opening up other routes. The volcano seems to be bubbling, and the aquatic sorcerer knows to move away from any lava streams.

Into the water.

But the violence is not over yet. The land is reforming, and Tephra's southern neighbors - Sylva, Loess, and even that peninsula meadow attached to it - it's all drowning. Emerald orbs find the sinking lands as he walks the ocean floor like he has a million times, and notes a small rocky landbridge where once the highest peaks of Loess had stood. Notes the sunken grass and the few daring crustaceans and reef fish that come to explore this new territory. Notes the small animals that didn't quite make it in time; some swimming, some drifting lifelessly. Nature always finds a way; sharks and other water hunters take them and clean the area.


Into the water...

The water elemental continues and finds that something new has risen, too. Fields of sea-grass and kelp, too well-kept to be natural, come into view as he strolls on, occasionally swims a part over reefs. He has no fishtail to guide him, so he is not a quick swimmer, but his hidden gills and otherwise-flat-laying fins now keep him steady in the water. His oily fur will rid itself of the water as soon as he surfaces again, but so far, he has far too many interesting lands to explore.

As he nears what seems to be more of a settlement, he stops. The single-horned male does not wish to cross boundaries he may never come back from, but the bland curiosity is there. Tephra is an island now - best be polite with whomever the new neighbors are. The stoic male has lived too long to push buttons by being impatient. Instead, he calls out to the nearest creature he can find - provided that someone would be near, perhaps investigating their new borders.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

--ahti

"You are not one wave, you are part of the ocean."

Photo by Rayofliight. Coding by Kyra
]]>