Christina's Remorse
If one lacks discipline, then one is naught but prey for the forces of chaos.
Spanning the trench the Bluevein River has dug into the ground, right before it casts off the edge and into the ocean, is Christina's Remorse. The bridge is one of the oldest in Riverfall, being the original method of transit across the river while the city was under construction. Its function is twofold in modern Riverfall, as both a crossing and a place for executions.
The bridge itself is of the suspended rope variety, anchored in place by four stone pillars. Tightly knotted rope and hardwood planks create the actual bridge, which sways slightly when walked upon. Various trees and bushes have sprouted on the edge of the cliff wherever purchase can be found, sparsely decorating the area. This gives the structure a rather pleasant demeanor in the spring and summer, despite its use. While not overly large, Christina's Remorse is wide enough for three Akalak men standing broad wise. While it is not recommended, primarily to the narrowness and age of the structure, Riverfall's engineers have noted that it theoretically is still sturdy enough for a small wagon to traverse.
Because of the three thousand foot drop, Christina's Remorse used to be a place where children would congregate and dare each other to do various stunts- sometimes much to their elders' chagrin. Often times children would do "closet forms" while standing on the sun bleached pillars, where they would do a form taken from their training in the small space available (the term was coined because it is reminiscent of doing a martial arts form in a broom closet). Or sometimes teams of children would rock the bridge until the other team yielded. This practice continued until the Council of Elders deemed the impromptu playground too dangerous for Akalak young to utilize. As such, it is considered the duty of any adult Akalak to monitor and prevent horseplay where possible.
Sixty three years ago, the first documented abortion of an Akalak child occurred. Although the council went into immediate session to determine a course of action, there were other plans set into motion by a trio of unstable Akalak. So enraged by the murder, these three deemed it necessary to lift the Nakivak from holding, and hurl her off the bridge. The Council immediately branded the trio as Cerulean for a number of crimes against the city, yet the council had inadvertently found an answer. They witnessed the horror the act had spread throughout the remaining Nakivak, and not a single attempt was documented amongst their ranks for nearly twenty five years.
Yet it had happened once, and time would see it occur again. A young human woman named Christina Alvelis induced an abortion, and was summarily seized by the council. Though rather than give the woman the right to fight for her honor in the Arena, the council voted to immediately execute the woman- no leeway was given for those who murdered children. Using the original act that inspired such obedience amongst the indebted as a template, the council assembled every Nakivak to the bridge and demanded Christina throw herself from it. A pair of Cerulean were summoned when the woman refused the mandate, and they proceeded to hideously maim her. A number of broken limbs and bruises later, she was hurled over the edge.
Christina Alvelis
Name: Christina Alvelis
Race: Ghost
DoB: 460 AV (60YO)
PoB: Syliras
Skills: 26 Materialization, 26 Possession, 26 Soulmist Projection
Gnosis:
Christina clung to life in a powerful way which was evidenced by the desperate measure she took against her unborn child. When this resulted in her brutal death, it should have been no surprised that she would have clung to life still. Only in place of love, there was hate. A deep hatred for the Akalaks that had chosen to make an example of her instead of giving her a clean death in the arena. So she haunted the bridge that was the set as the stage for her death, usually preying on hapless drunks or unattended children until she was dusted by a spiritist on the Spring of 490. [/tab] |
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