NationStates Jolt Archive

Shaklar Helios whipped her machete through the dense foliage. The branches fell to her feet as if in worship to her.

"All the technology I'd ever need. GPS receiver. Radio. Emergency transmitter. Even a bloody laptop! And no fucking batteries!"

She made camp that night, with a tent, that, thankfully, didn't require batteries. She started a fire, with her lighter.

She held up the lighter in contemplation. "They all said cigarettes would kill me, but this habit may have just wound up saving my sorry, pathetic, lost ass."

She slept peacefully, given the circumstances.

She packed up the next day, leaving the useless gadgets behind. She plodded through the forest, with a fatigued arm, from all the branches she was compelled to lacerate. She reached an odd clearing, odd because it seemed to be a perfect circle, viewed from above, had she not hacked her way into it. She stepped into the discolored grass in the middle, and was plunged into blackness. An inky void. Not the blackness of night, the blackness of an area devoid of all matter. It lasts an eternity, and yet, fades as quickly as it came.

She awakens on a cold stone floor, in a building with ancient vaulted ceilings.

"It is good. She stirs."

"I hope you are right."

"When have I ever been wrong?"

She was puzzled at the lack of faces to match with voices, until she sat up.

"Well, hello!"

"Excuse me?" She was puzzled a this. He was an older man, with much age on his face, more so from worry, rather than the aging process.

"Well, where am I?" She looked at the flaming torches on the wall, and the ancient rugs. "And maybe more appropriately, WHEN am I? And, how can I understand you, and you can understand me? Shouldn't we speak different languages?"

"You can understand us, through the magic of, uh, magic. We have brought you here, to the land of Tizeia, to save us. You have much knowledge of the future, yes? You are more skilled then many of us. You can succeed where we have failed."

"And if I don't want to?"

"We will all likely die."

Well, she couldn't refuse this.

"What, exactly, do I need to do?"

"First, you must be trained. Go to the city of Pillar, in the east. Just follow the path. Do you have a weapon?"

"Just this machete."

"Machete?"

"She means that scimitar."

"Scimitar?" She was puzzled.

"Don't worry, you will learn this all in time. Now go. You must hurry."

She got all the way up, dusted herself off, and began to walk outside. The enormous wooden doors were quite the sight. The guard opened it up with surprising ease. She walked out, greeted by an enormous orchard, that seemed to stretch for miles. The fragrance was lovely, and the trees were blooming.

"Well, I guess it isn't so bad to be stuck here."

She began down the path.

-----------------------------Meanwhile, in Imnsvale-----------------------------

"Well, she's got to be around here somewhere."

"The shopkeeper reported her last sighting."

"When was that?"

"Four days ago."

"Does she have water?"

"Yes, she has everything she could ever need. She had no reason to get lost."

"Bears?"

"I certainly hope not."






[[OOC: RP either the search crew (Feel free to take it over.), or the people in this newfound world/alternate dimension/whatever. Please don't take it lightly, but all are welcomed to join.]]

OOC: You aren't "-countryname-" here, you are just a random person, who you (the user) happen to be writing for.


Edit: To clarify and elaborate.
Edit2: Clarify once more.
Edit3: Title Fix.

OOC: Do you have any idea where this is going or are you just going to roll with it?

OOC: Do you have any idea where this is going or are you just going to roll with it?

OOC: In-between. I have an idea of where it is going, but I'd be very willing to change it. It's flexible.

OOC: Do you read Terry Pratchett? For some reason I have the urge to RP the group of wizards as the faculty from Unseen University.

OOC: Do you read Terry Pratchett? For some reason I have the urge to RP the group of wizards as the faculty from Unseen University.

Terry Pratchett? I'm sorry, I've never heard of him. Elaborate on these wizards, if you'd like to RP them. Otherwise, don't sweat it.

TSA Reality Department Mindscape

Quantum calculation froth collapsing across all too many dimensions. Easy to get lost here... one might never find one's way out.

Body patiently ticking along, Liam Veers is quite lost. There is a key to these sorts of things. Unfortunately not disconnection, to a mind accustomed to these more-than-real spaces it would be devastating.

It's learning enough, and surviving the learning. And getting lucky.

He emerges into a simpler space. Imnsvale representation. From there, disengaging is easier.

Woodlands

Veers looks quite the hiker. Short, compact, green pants, big boots a mainly red paisley shirt. Green hat over regular, bronzed (very darkly bronzed) features and blue eyes. Trudging along, map, internals and commercial GPS brought for show agreeing that he is in the right area.

She walked along the path for what seemed like ages.

"Of all the times to be left without a cigarette!"

She ponders the lack of travelers on this road, and wonders if she got lost yet again. She started to miss home. She missed her husband. She missed her son. She was determined to press on. She knew the only way out was through the strange people back at the castle.

"I hope I'm on the correct road," she muses out loud.

Something within said she was.

After walking for about eight hours, or her estimate, twelve hours, she came upon the most enormous tower she had ever seen. She pulled the parchment she was given out of the rucksack she was given. She matched the symbols on the parchment to the symbols above the door.

"I guess this is the place."

She approached the guard. A gruff man, suited in a simple type of armor, just protecting the chest.

"Am I in Pillar?"

"No."

Her heart sank. Eight hours of walking, all in vain. All for nothing. Maybe she'd sleep here for the night.

"Pillar is through those doors, and turn left, go up one flight of stairs. That's Pillar."

She now felt idiotic. But, she did as instructed. She pondered why that guard took her so literally. She walked up the stairs, and into the most grand room she has seen so far. Tomes lined the shelves for yards and yards. She felt lucky to be able to see the far wall.

"I've been expecting you."

Her eyes darted all around the room. She was unable to find the source of the voice.

"Oh, sorry." The voice muttered some incantation, and he appeared, as if by magic. Before her stood the most handsome man she had seen, after her husband, of course. Long, flowing, blonde hair, well groomed, flowing about his shoulders.

"I am to train you. What is your name?"

She was speechless for a moment, then stammered out, "Shaklar".

"Hmmm. That name won't blend in around here. How's about Apos?"

"F-f-fine by me," she stuttered.

"Hmmm. A stammer won't help magic incantations. Are you physically fit?"

"A little." Her voice was clearer this time. She was awestruck by him, but was able to control herself, and stifle her deep desire to throw him on the floor, and rip all his clothes off and...

"Well, that stutter perhaps isn't so bad. Are you intelligent?"

"I think so, but my the standards of where I came from. I don't know what intelligent is here."

"What we mean by intelligent is: Do you learn easily, and remember new things?"

"Oh, why, yes I do."

"Well, let's lose no time, shall we?" He hands her a tome, with a strange drawing on the cover. "Perhaps you should sit down."

No sooner had the "Wh--" of 'Where?' escaped her lips, he flicked his wrist and conjured forth a chair. She sat immediately.

"Now. The basics of magic are simple. However, the basics of magic do even less basic things then you might think. Its all a matter of harnessing energy. Energy from within, energy from others, energy from objects. All you have to do is focus this energy in a useful way." He droned on for hours and hours, and she was so entranced by him, that she hung on every word.

"Do you understand?"

"I think so."

"Don't think so. Know so. Try it. Conjure forth a pebble."

She muttered the incantation she had taught him, and a pebble fell out of the air, above her, and bounced harmlessly off her head.

He laughed. "Looks like we need to work on your aim.... But, the important thing is, you did it." He paused. "Would you like dinner? Its is already a little past dinner time."

Her stomach grumbled to the affirm. He led her down the exquisitely decorated hall, purple rugs, with silver imprints. He opened the door for her and bowed. "What a gentleman!" she thought. However, he opened the door to a rather noisy mess hall.

"The food is good here, even if the rooms a bit noisy," he yelled.

She could barely hear him over the din.

"What would you like to eat?"

"What do they have?"

"Most everything. Bread, wine, cheese, fruit, and, their specialty, grilled wolflizard."

She decided to play it safe, and stick with a sampling of the first four.

They both ate and ate, until they could eat no more. She was sated.

"Are you tired? Or are you eager to learn more?"

She was so tired she almost fell asleep in the chair. Only his wondrous presence kept her awake. "No, I'd like to go to bed, if that's okay."

"Of course it is." He led her down the hall, to a bedroom. It was immaculately kept, with a green four-poster bed, navy blue sheets, and a green top blanket. Draped over an ornate chair was a set of clothes, presumably for her.

"Good night," he said with a smile, before gently closing the door, with a barely audible click. She was out cold in less than three minutes.

She awoke to the light from her window streaming in on her face. She stumbled out of bed, and limped around to her clothed. After dressing, she opened the door, and blundered down the hallway. She was in dire need of a cigarette, and some good coffee. Alas, none were to be found here.

She made her way to the mess hall, and was greeted by various people.

Siana watched the strangely garbed woman stumble into the mess hall, and her curiosity was instantly piqued. She grabbed an extra plate, put some applebread and sharp cheese on it, and as an afterthought grabbed a mug of kava. With a slight feeling of trepidation, she weaved through groups of people and stopped on the left of the new woman.

"Good morning. You must be new here. I'm Siana, daughter of Argentum."

She thrust the platter and the mug into the woman's hands.

"You look like you've had a rough few days. Here's a little bit of food, and some kava to clear your head."

After a slight pause, barely enough for the woman to sniff the kava, Siana's curiosity got the better of her and she couldn't resist asking.

"So...where are you from, and what are you wearing?"

OOC: Hope you don't mind if I play?

OOC: Not in the least! Welcome!
IC:

"Where am I from, eh? You would not believe me if I told you. Suffice it to say, not anywhere around here. That explains the dress. I am plan on blending in better than this."

She munches the food, and sips the kava with some trepidation, before pronouncing it lovely.

231 views but only 9 replies?

STRANGE

231 views but only 9 replies?

STRANGE

OOC: Yeah, that's been puzzling me, too.

Maybe people don't find it interesting. :cry:

Maybe people don't find it interesting. :cry:

OOC: That, or this. It just dawned on me. I've been sitting here, refreshing this page, hoping for replies. Does refresh count as a view?

Maybe people don't find it interesting. :cry:

OOC: That, or this. It just dawned on me. I've been sitting here, refreshing this page, hoping for replies. Does refresh count as a view?

I think :lol:

Maybe people don't find it interesting. :cry:

OOC: That, or this. It just dawned on me. I've been sitting here, refreshing this page, hoping for replies. Does refresh count as a view?

I think :lol:

Oh, then that explains it. :oops:

Anyway, you are all welcome to join! Its an open RP. Please join.

Maybe people don't find it interesting. :cry:

OOC: That, or this. It just dawned on me. I've been sitting here, refreshing this page, hoping for replies. Does refresh count as a view?

I think :lol:

Oh, then that explains it. :oops:

Anyway, you are all welcome to join! Its an open RP. Please join.

I said I think but it does seem like it. :lol: sorry but man that has to suck.

OOC: You didn't use the magic word "war". :wink:

IC: Siana sat and watched the strange woman eat, suddenly realizing that people were beginning to stare, all over the mess hall.

"I agree...blending in would be best. My mom is the head of the household here, I can get you some better clothes soon. I mean, wearing pants is quite vulgar, inside the tower. But you obviously are skilled at woodscraft, so if you change soon, and bathe, no one will care that much."

Siana paused and looked around the room, wondering if she should continue...but, as caution had never been her strong point, she pressed ahead in a hushed voice.

"Did..did HE bring you here? Are you his?"

OOC: edited because...well, I'm an idiot. :?

OOC: You didn't use the magic word "war". :wink:

IC: Siana sat and watched the strange woman eat, suddenly realizing that people were beginning to stare, all over the mess hall.

"I agree...blending in would be best. My mom is the head of the household here, I can get you some better clothes soon. I mean, wearing pants is quite vulgar, inside the tower. But you obviously are skilled at woodscraft, so if you change soon, and bathe, no one will care that much."

Siana paused and looked around the room, wondering if she should continue...but, as caution had never been her strong point, she pressed ahead in a hushed voice.

"Did..did Pillar bring you here? Are you his?"

OOC: Er, what? Pillar is the name of the town.

"Am I in Pillar?"

"No."

Her heart sank. Eight hours of walking, all in vain. All for nothing. Maybe she'd sleep here for the night.

"Pillar is through those doors, and turn left, go up one flight of stairs. That's Pillar."

She now felt idiotic. But, she did as instructed. She pondered why that guard took her so literally. She walked up the stairs, and into the most grand room she has seen so far. Tomes lined the shelves for yards and yards. She felt lucky to be able to see the far wall.

"I've been expecting you."



OOC: :oops: Sorry! It sounded like you were referring to the person.

Well, I'm flexible, just checking. I meant there, that the lowermost floor is empty, and the town proper starts on the second floor.

Okay, give me a second to line everything up.

OOC: Alright, I modified it to the more general "He", so you can fill in his name when you feel ready to reveal.

Pillar - Name of town she's in, no ground floor, its empty. The whole town in compacted into a giant tower or, er, pillar.

Two gentlemen at beginning - No names. (Yet.)

Magic teacher (And crush! Woowoo!) - No name (Yet.)

What other clarifications are needed?

OOC: No, that seems clear. Sorry I'm so slow. :oops:
Ready to proceed whenever you are.

OOC: You didn't use the magic word "war". :wink:

IC: Siana sat and watched the strange woman eat, suddenly realizing that people were beginning to stare, all over the mess hall.

"I agree...blending in would be best. My mom is the head of the household here, I can get you some better clothes soon. I mean, wearing pants is quite vulgar, inside the tower. But you obviously are skilled at woodscraft, so if you change soon, and bathe, no one will care that much."

Siana paused and looked around the room, wondering if she should continue...but, as caution had never been her strong point, she pressed ahead in a hushed voice.

"Did..did HE bring you here? Are you his?"

OOC: edited because...well, I'm an idiot. :?


OOC: Magic word "war". Far too true. And you aren't an idiot. I wasn't clear.
IC:

"Well, if by HE, you mean the men who live in the castle about twelve hours away. then yes. I suppose."

She glanced around the room. The stares were making her nervous out of her mind.

"May I go change? These stares are creeping me out."

OOC: Finally! A decent RP. Mind if I join in?

OOC: Finally! A decent RP. Mind if I join in?

Absolutely!

*Goes off to put open RP in the title to make it more clear. I seem to be about as clear as a whirlpool in a mud puddle tonight.*

OOC: It is not a problem. I have waited a long time to test my RPing skills in a decent arena.

Siana's eyes went wide. "You really did...Listen, if someone asks, tell them you're from a distant province, Forist will do, and my relatives sent you here. Don't tell them you were in that castle." She looked around, evaluating the people sitting nearest them. "I can explain later, when there are fewer people around."

"Oh! Gracious, I'm sorry, you need new clothes! Follow me, I'll show you to the bathing rooms."

She headed to the stairs and climbed up one flight, and across a long balcony, pointing out key features off to the side. "You found the mess hall, that was good. The kitchens are on the same floor. If you need a midnight snack or something, just go to the kitchen, through those doors, and talk to whoever's on duty. We don't brew kava at night, though, it makes people jumpy."

They stopped at two identical large oaken doors, and Siana pointed at the one to the left. "That's the men's room. Don't go in there." A mischevious glint lit her eye. "Well, don't go in there right now." She pointed to the one on the right. "That's the women's room. I'll go get you some clothes from my mother. I'm good at judging sizes, so don't worry about it."

As she turned to dash off back across the balcony, she remembered one last thing. "Towels are on the far left shelves, and put your old clothes on the far right!!"

Siana raced across the balcony, and headed up three flights of stairs. She burst in upon her mother, who was calmly ordering the head kitchen maid to take care of a small mice problem. "Ma!! I need to talk to you!" Siana's mother regarded Siana curiously, and then sent the kitchen maid on her way with a firm gesture.

"Ma, there's a new lady in town. She..." Siana dropped her voice to a whisper. "She's from the castle. She's from HIM. And...she feels like magic, Ma. Strong magic."

Siana's mother sighed gazed at her daughter. "And you've gone and made yourself her friend. You rash, impetuous girl."

"I'm twenty, Ma. If you wanted me to be less rash, you should have let me marry. I'm going crazy here, and this is the first visitor we've had from there in years. Of course I'm involved....but I came here to get some clothes for her. She's average sized...but really pretty."

Sighing, Siana's mother pointed to a stack of clean dresses. "Those should be fine, they fit most everyone. And child...if she feels like magic, you musn't let the town guard get too near her. They'll ask questions."

Siana grabbed the dress and dashed out the door. "Thanks, Ma!" she shouted, over her shoulder.

She mused. "Don't go in there right now." She would like this girl. She would like her a lot.

She did as she was told, but didn't think it out the whole way, and put her clothes up before the new ones arrived. She grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around herself.

"Mmmm, soft. Surprising."


OOC: Is Siana going to join Apos on her journey? I sure hope so. But, She isn't leaving for a while. She has to finis training. Oh, and yes another issue of clarification, this is the magic training ground, so to speak, so the guards wouldn't be nervous. BUT, it doesn't matter. Don't fix it, because maybe the guards can be afraid of strong magic. Or, particular guards could hold a prejudice. Sorry to be so obtuse.

The Hunt
Dramatis Persone

Whiptail (Dark Argonian Male, Warrior)
Ashclaw (Argonian Male, Hunter)
Rekel Kath (Argonian Male, Kath Family Noble)

The tale begins.....

Whiptail shouldered his spear and turned to face his companions, shouting as he did so. "Hurry up! We aren't getting paid by the hour."
"Really, o great and wise Scoutmaster?" Rekel Kath muttered sarcastically. Whiptail rolled his eyes at the remark. He hated having an elder family brat in his pack.
"Another remark like that and I'll...."
"You'll what?"
"I'll make you the newest notch in my spear."
The third member of the pack, Ashclaw, stumbled out of the thick bushes and into a prickly bramble bush.
"I miss the waters of the Marsh, this land is too dry." He muttered as he tried to free himself from the annoying plant. "It is green, though. It beats the hell out of the Badlands." Whiptail said as he slashed a few branches off of the bramble bush, allowing Ashclaw to go free. "Thank you, marshbrother." Ashclaw muttered in thanks as he sat down on a nearby stump. Rekel sat down on the ground next to him. "Why did Cheif Redscale send us out here anyway?" He said in his usual whiny tone. "He mentioned something about the Seer wanting the head of something called a bear. I'll be damned if I know what it is, or what it's for, though." Whiptail replied, leaning on his spear. He was not ready for a break, but Rekel had complained about them never stopping to rest in the past if they didn't break often enough. "What was the name of this land again?"
Ashclaw asked as he adjusted his spear. "I think it's Imnsvale. The scouts said there was good hunting in these forests, they returned with tales of a large hairy beast called a "Bear". It is feared by the local softskins." Rekel answered as he fiddled with a branch from the bramble bush. "Ashclaw, at what point is the sun in its daily journy?" Whiptail inquired. He was unsure if he should make camp or not. Ashclaw scaled a nearby tree. "The sun's journy ends in an hour or two." He shouted down from the upper branches. Whiptail's fin-like ears pricked up, he detected the scent of burnt wood. "Stay quiet." He said "I smell a campfire over to the north." The trio quietly crept up to the seemingly deserted campsite. "It seems to have been abandoned for some time." Ashclaw observed, nodding towards the gray ashes near the ragged tent.
"I guess we'll camp here for the night then, there's already a place for a fire." Whiptail said as he set his spear down near the tent. He moved his clawed hands in a peculiar motion, drawing energy from within himself. A blast of fire lept forth from his hands, igniting the ashes in the pit. "Rekel, you've got first watch." He said as he retrieved his spear and went into the small tent.

Edit: The latest edit had me completely redoing the story. It should make a lot more sense now. Sorry for any trouble caused.

OOC: Who are they searching for? Are they an evil mercinary-for-hire group, trying to stop Apos?

OOC: I was going for the rescue party thing, though I might want to add a bit more detail to the first part, to explain why they are searching.

OOC: I was going for the rescue party thing, though I might want to add a bit more detail to the first part, to explain why they are searching.

OOC: Er, so they are back in Imnsvale? In modern day?

I don't mean to seem inflexible, but, man, I am totally not clear to others on what has happened. Oh well. I'm flexible. So, they are in Imnsvale? If so, they don't have a chance in hell of finding her. :P

OOC: Siana would love to get out of the city, so she'd definitely join Apos. And if she doesn't leave for awhile, I'm sure she can create havoc in the city somehow, or I can expand on her backstory. As for the magic...is it gender-neutral, or could they be afraid of strong female magicians?

IC: On her way back to the bathing rooms, Siana turned to watch someone trip and fall down the stairs. Giggling mercilessly, she managed to walk right into someone else, which caused her to drop the bundle of clothes.

"Oh gracious, I am so sorry!" She bent over quickly to pick up the clothes, only to smack into someone's head as he was bending over to help. "Ow!!" She got her hands on the clothes and straightened up, completely flustered. Then she made eye contact with the person she had bumped into.

"Uhm, oh my, ah, hello, er, Jareth. Ah, sorry, so sorry. Didn't mean to intrude."

Jareth smiled softly. "Well, I was not paying attention either. Where are you headed, in such a hurry?"

"Aaah..." Siana considered her options, then decided that lying was best.
"Oh, Kina forgot to bring a dress into the bathing room again. I'm bringing one to her."

"But you don't like Kina."

Thinking quickly, she retored with a snappy, "I didn't say the dress was in good condition."

Jareth chuckled, amused. "I see, then. Well, continue, but please don't be too hard on poor Kina. You are getting quite the reputation."

"Yes, Jareth. Uhm...ah, do have a nice day." Siana bounded past him and escaped into the safety of the women's bathing room, glad to be free of his gaze. "Too perceptive, that one."

She walked over to Apos and smiled. "New clothes!" she said cheerfully, offering up the dress. "They don't really suit your coloring, but you need to keep a low profile anyway."

OOC: Sure, why not? Misogynist guards are good.
IC:

"Don't suit my coloring? I'd just rather not be stared at, thank you very much..."

She flung off the towel, obviously a little too conformable with her surroundings, but it obviously didn't bother her.

"Fits like a dream. Now, Master Theos says I have to go train more, I am sure he'd welcome you. Come along!"


OOC: Theos = Magic teacher and crush.

OOC: I hope you enjoy my updated beginning. I was under the impression that she was lost in some sort of forest in Imsvale, and somehow got transport to an alternate dimension of wizards and such.

Siana's eyes widened. "You mean...meet Him?!" This would be a fantastic opportunity. No one but the strongest magicians from Pillar had, in her lifetime, been allowed to meet the Master. "If, if you don't think he'd mind too much. I would be honored."

As they headed up the stairs, Siana smiled. She couldn't believe her luck. Not only did she now get to meet the great Master, but she was going to be introduced by someone who felt familiar enough with him to use his name. Maybe, maybe this was the chance she had been waiting for...

OOC: I hope you enjoy my updated beginning. I was under the impression that she was lost in some sort of forest in Imsvale.

Well, she is, but nobody knows she not in the forest anymore. She got teleported to this mystical land.

Yet another update. It might clear it up for you, it might not. I'm having a little trouble updating my stuff tonight.

I thought a trader or someone saw her. They were talking about the fact that a bear might have gotten her.

Siana's eyes widened. "You mean...meet Him?!" This would be a fantastic opportunity. No one but the strongest magicians from Pillar had, in her lifetime, been allowed to meet the Master. "If, if you don't think he'd mind too much. I would be honored."

As they headed up the stairs, Siana smiled. She couldn't believe her luck. Not only did she now get to meet the great Master, but she was going to be introduced by someone who felt familiar enough with him to use his name. Maybe, maybe this was the chance she had been waiting for...

"Few have met him? That surprises me. He seems like a very personable fellow, a speaker to all. But, no, I don't think he'd mind in the least."

They opened the door to the same room Apos had been in yesterday.

"Hello, Apos." He froze. "...and who is this?"

"Her name is Siana! She's my new friend!"

"Siana. Hmmm. I've heard of you. You are the practical joker. I remember when you magically turned all the cucumbers purple. People wouldn't eat them even after they were turned back."

Apos froze. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea.

"I laughed my head off. Welcome, and what can I do for either of you?"

"Er, I'm b-b-back for my training."

"We must crush that stutter. Anyway, yes, that is true. What can I do for you, Siana?"

I thought a trader or someone saw her. They were talking about the fact that a bear might have gotten her.

Yup. Went like this.

1- Trader saw her.

2- She gets teleported.

3- Police question trader, says she came in here four days ago, they think a bear got her.

They can be in Imnsvale, that's fine. Two thinks though.

1. Why do they have spears?
2. They have zero possibility of finding her. She was purposefully transported.

Other than that, I'd say you are fine.

....Unless the teleporter man has an exceptional reason for teleporting the group.

Siana flushed a bright red as she curtsied. Oh, of all things for the Master to have remembered...of course, he did think it was funny, but still... to be caught out like that, at her age! It was disgraceful.

"Ah, well, Master, I just wanted to accompany my friend up here. You see...her magic is quite strong, and people are starting to feel it. And you know how your guards feel about that, especially in a female. You know, one would think that as Master you would screen the guard....ah...better..." Siana's voice trailed off, as she suddenly realized she was attempting to dictate city policy to the Master himself. "I mean, ah, I didn't mean any disrepect, sir, but people were eyeing her. So I didn't think I should let her go alone. Sir. I can leave now that she's here, if you'll just tell me when she'll be done so I can escort her back, sir."

He chuckled. "I noticed her gift, and had made all the necessary 'adjustments'. Thank you for your concern, though. If you don't have anywhere to be, I'd like you to stay. Apos seems to have a fondness for you, and it could put her more at ease. And, perhaps you could help. You do seem to be rather talented, especially after the 'Tapestry Incident".

He smiles his usual warm smile at Apos and Siana.

Apos had flashbacks of her fantasies of Theos, her, and a large bowl of strawberries and cream.

Siana flushed again at the mention of the Tapestry incident. Jareth had been walking by, and he'd been talking to Kina. She'd been able to conjure a basic charm, which caused the tapestry to fall down and conveniently wrap itself around Kina, ending the conversation rather quickly.

She had always been quick to make up charms of her own, but they were typically only useful in limited situations. She didn't have the ability to affect anything animate, and she had to be able to see what she was trying to affect. Of course, this had just made her life as the city prankster that much more interesting.

She smiled and curtsied a thank you to the Master for letting her stay, then seated herself off to the side, where she would not interefere with the lesson. Besides, now she had a hankering for a bowl of strawberries. Odd...and she was allergic to them, too.

OOC: To clear up a few points

1: Argonians are semi-primitive bipedal reptillian beings. They don't trust guns. The Dark Argonians do, but the Argonians do not. Long story. I'll telegram you the history of their race if you like.

2: I redid the story in my previous posting. Any advice on where I go from there?

3: It's 4:23 AM here, and my mind doesn't work right at this hour, I may have misread several of the postings.

This looks like a good RP, but I can see I'm kinda late in gettin here, so could I please get an update or something? What would complement the storyline?

OOC: :D
IC:

"Now, lets begin, shall we? Okay, you have most of the basics, and, rather quickly, I might add. Now we move on to basic elements. Water is a good start." He smiles wistfully. "I remember my first students. I had the bright idea to start them on fire." The smile dropped. "After that, lets just keep it at the fact that I had less students after that." A tear almost fell from is cheek, but he stifled it before it began.

Apos almost cried, too.

"Now, we must learn to control the elements before we can harness them to their full potential, and after that, we can create them. See that glass?"

She nodded to the affirm.

"You must realize the glass is only the container. I has no bond with the water in any form. Learn to think that water 'chooses' to be shaped by the container. It doesn't have to. And that's what you take advantage of." He hands her a scrap of parchment.

"Add that onto incantation number seven."

She did as she was told, and spoke the full incantation. immediately after she finished, the water tipped over.

"Grand! See? That wasn't so hard."

He continues to lecture for about an hour or three, and by the end, she is able to summon the water up out of the glass. Apos, ever one to take advantage of the situation, notices Siana looking in a direction not of hers, and summons the water to drop on Siana. Apos find this quite funny, and Theos smiled at it.

You'll be happy to know I completely redid my previous story on pg2, but I believe I've fallen too far behind to catch up. I shall leave you to your RPing. Feel free to include any of my characters in any future plots etc.
Have fun!

This looks like a good RP, but I can see I'm kinda late in gettin here, so could I please get an update or something? What would complement the storyline?

Well, you could be one of the perplexed patrons in the restaurant.

You'll be happy to know I completely redid my previous story on pg2, but I believe I've fallen too far behind to catch up.

No, you haven't. These events are all unrelated to you, so to speak. Just press on.

Siana jumped when the water landed on her. She'd been staring out the window, thinking about gracious knows what. Turning to the laughing pair, she was about to say something indignant...and then realized that she probably deserved to have the tables turned on her for once. She smiled ruefully and conjured up a little bit of air and blew her hair dry quickly. Air was one of the few things she could do in fair quantites - after all, air was everywhere you looked!

"So...what next?"

OOC: It's 4:30 here, I kinda need to go to bed.

Siana jumped when the water landed on her. She'd been staring out the window, thinking about gracious knows what. Turning to the laughing pair, she was about to say something indignant...and then realized that she probably deserved to have the tables turned on her for once. She smiled ruefully and conjured up a little bit of air and blew her hair dry quickly. Air was one of the few things she could do in fair quantites - after all, air was everywhere you looked!

"So...what next?"

OOC: It's 4:30 here, I kinda need to go to bed.

Theos looked thoughtfully. "Hmm, well, it is lunch time. Shall we?" He, ever the gentleman held the door open for them.


OOC: Phew! Its only 1:30am here, but just the same, I needed to go to bed too. :)

Siana curtsied and headed through the door. "Lunch sounds great, and I left everything the proper color this time. I think my mother was going to have them make a fennel salad today."

OOC: So can we continue this tomorrow? This was fun! :D

Theos chortled at her comment. "That sounds fantastic." Apos nodded in agreement.

OOC: Of course! I was planning on this taking over a week or so, depending on the pace. But, last post o' the night, so I'll see you tomorrow. You don't have to stick around for the whole thing, if you don't want to, however.

OOC: I appreciate you catching me up, and for encourging my buddy Wandering Argonians, he doesn't sleep much. He's a little scatterbrained at times, so I appreciate you bearing with him.

IC: Dekker Bray sat at a loney corner table in the back of a strange resturant. Dekker was an imposing figure, standing around 6'1" and weighing in at around 230lbs, so he was not surprised that no one had spoken to him yet. Dekker was a soldier in every sense of the word: He was an expert bladesman, marksman, and martial artist. As such, few things worried him. He had no idea how he had gotten to this strange land, or why he was here. Dekker was no stranger to changing circumstances, though, he had found this quaint cafe and a quiet table where he could throw back a glass of ale and sort things out. He had with him his trusty AMT .45, a few clips, a $100 in cash, and his survival knife. Juding by his surroundings, the cash was worthless, and ammo was going to be scarce. This didn't worry him though, he was as skilled with a blade as he was with a gun. During his first few minutes, he'd witnessed some people using magic. Dekker had seen magic before, he'd spent some time training with some Argonian hunters in the Black Marsh. He'd seen them throw fireballs and make themselves invisible, but he never thought he'd see a human do such things. The prescence of magic concerned him only because he'd seen that magic and technology don't mix very well. He was worried about how his .45 was going to hold up. He finished his ale and got up to leave. Dekker knew if he was going to survive in this town, he'd need money. Maybe he could find work as a mercenary....

OOC: Sound good so far?

No offense, but no. With a .45? He'd scare the bejesus out of everyone in the bar. Think 1300 RL Europe, if it helps. Only with magic. if its cool, just be a regular patron. An important patron is okay. Maybe he/she follows them. Maybe he/she will join them. But blend in a little, please.

Okay, THAT was the last post for the night. I mean it this time. Really. I'm going. Right now!

:)

OOC: Alright, I'll have it malfunction or something. Like I said earlier: Magic + tech = bad stuff. I thought you'd signed off for the night. Wandering Argonians is going to come back, I believe I've talked him out of going to bed (again).

IC: As Dekker got up to leave, he passed by a man in a hooded dark blue robe. His pistol glowed with an odd inner light, before melting in the holster. Dismayed, Dekker tossed the weapon and the holster into a nearby waste barrel. He kept the clips, maybe he could pawn them or something. He could use the gold.

OOC: Okay, the gun's gone. How am I doing now?

OOC: Alright, I'll have it malfunction or something. Like I said earlier: Magic + tech = bad stuff. I thought you'd signed off for the night. Wandering Argonians is going to come back, I believe I've talked him out of going to bed (again).

IC: As Dekker got up to leave, he passed by a man in a hooded dark blue robe. His pistol glowed with an odd inner light, before melting in the holster. Dismayed, Dekker tossed the weapon and the holster into a nearby waste barrel. He kept the clips, maybe he could pawn them or something. He could use the gold.

OOC: Okay, the gun's gone. How am I doing now?

OOC: Better, but two things still stick out.

1. How did he get there? He must be from the future, or he wouldn't have a gun.

2. What would these people need bullets for? Even if they had guns, they likely wouldn't fit properly.

OOC: I figured he could pawn em off as magic trinkets or something. You know, you poke one end with a needle and it goes off, like a magic trick. I'm still trying to figure it out. I'm not sure how he got there. I guess I'll have to RP him trying to find out.

OOC: Hrm, okay, why not? Besides, 6'1"? He'd be a tree :P That's fine, though. Easier to spot him in a crowd. But, I guess its fine. Keep going. And, he'd need some new clothes, too.

The trio of them walk yet again through the ornate halls of Pillar.

Apos, still amazed by it walks down the hall. "Wow, I just can't get over these halls!" She narrowly misses walking into a suit of armor, used for decoration.

They walks past a peculiarly dressed man, who seems awfully tall. She pays it no heed, but Theos seemed somewhat interested.

"What? What's wrong, Theos?"

"Oh, nothing. Something doesn't seem right about him, though."

They walk past him and sit down.

The waitress came over to their table.

"Oh! Master! What can I do for you?"

Theos, as gentlemanly as ever, said, "What can you do for me? What can you do for them?" He pointed to Apos and Siana.

Siana barely kept a smug grin off her face as she turned to Kina. "Oh, I'd just like a cup of kava and the salad." She almost added a bowl of strawberries to her order, but she stopped just in time. After all, there was no sense in getting all red and puffy...

Oooh, this was lovely. Maybe now Kina would stop making fun of her perennially single status. Of course, Siana preferred that to the way Kina went through men. It was amazing she hadn't gotten with child yet, she thought as Kina left to fill the order.

Then again, it probably wasn't very adult to feel this way...especially with the Master right there. She took a breath and grinned. "So, Apos...where exactly are you from?"

"Well, you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but perhaps Theos can vouch for the accuracy of this story."

She took a deep breath, and tried to calm her nervousness.

"I am from the future, but not the future of this world. I never learned about a "Tizeia" in my history classes, back when I was in school. By future, I mean more advanced, technologically speaking. But, we didn't have this "magic" there. I was summoned by the men in the castle where I departed from."

She attempts to look stoic, hoping Siana wouldn't laugh in her face.

Theos nodded a silent nod of approval.

OOC: Can I join? Perhaps as a company of mercenaries or soldiers from this weirdo dimension?

OOC: Sure. All those people? Isn't a company about 70 people? And, what are they doing? Are they just regular army guys? Do they have a mission?

OOC: Sure. All those people? Isn't a company about 70 people? And, what are they doing? Are they just regular army guys? Do they have a mission?

OOC: Check your telegrams 5 mins after I post this.

Siana gasped. "The future? Wow...fascinating! You don't know about us, at all, in the future? Men from the castle brought you here? Why did they bring you? You don't practice magic in the future?! And what sort of technology do you have?" Siana paused for a moment to breathe, and then resumed right where she had left off, thrilled at this chance for some new knowledge. "Is it a lot like here? I mean, except for the magic thing?"

Suddenly she realized she was pestering Apos. "Ah..sorry. I get in trouble for my questions sometimes. But...well, why are you here? I mean...they tell stories, of a prophecy, but I just assumed it was simply superstition." She looked sharply up at the Master. "Is it true?"

Siana gasped. "The future? Wow...fascinating! You don't know about us, at all, in the future? Men from the castle brought you here? Why did they bring you? You don't practice magic in the future?! And what sort of technology do you have?" Siana paused for a moment to breathe, and then resumed right where she had left off, thrilled at this chance for some new knowledge. "Is it a lot like here? I mean, except for the magic thing?"

Suddenly she realized she was pestering Apos. "Ah..sorry. I get in trouble for my questions sometimes. But...well, why are you here? I mean...they tell stories, of a prophecy, but I just assumed it was simply superstition." She looked sharply up at the Master. "Is it true?"

Apos smiled. "I would like to tell you of the future, but it isn't your future, and I was instructed not to, for fear of the consequences.

Theos smiled. "Perhaps just a little."

"The men in the castle brought me, for a reason they have not fully explained. They just said I need to save you all, or--"

Theos cut her off mid-sentence. "Too much."

Apos immediately closed her mouth. "In the future, we don't walk. Or, we do, but most don't. We have vehicles powered by exploding chemicals, vehicles that fly like birds, and food is plentiful. So plentiful, that many are overweight. And no magic."

The Master smiled back. "This is indeed true. Now about the prophecy. I don't know if it is true or not, but one of the many pieces needed is here already, and number two is falling in to place."

Vern unstoppered the canteen of water and poured the contents over his head. It almost steamed. He turned to Follet, "Any idea what that place is?" he said, indicating the town.

Follet studied the map a moment, occasionaly looking up and checking the horizon, "Pillar, the map says."

Vern sighed and hung his head in exasperated exhaustion, "I know its a pillar. I can see it's a pillar. But what is it?"

Follet folded away the map and slipped it into the leather pouch at his belt. "No, you don't understand. It is Pillar. A town called Pillar."

Vern turned back to the monolithic structure, "Oh, I see. Very... fitting." He sighed again, "Well I don't see anything else nearby so Pillar it is. Round up the lads and let's get the wagons moving again." Vern stood up and brushed the dust off of his trousers.

"Oh, and Follet!" he called to his lieutenant, "Keep an eye on Gracus this time. I don't want a repeat of last time."

OOC: Imnsvale, RP the gate guards.

OOC: Er, okay. By the way, the guard should do this to everyone. Apos got a pass because the guards were told to look for her.
IC:

"Halt! What is your business here?"

Guard 2, whispered to Guard 1, "They appear to be armed. Should we be alarmed?"

"No, I wouldn't be. That is the purpose of the empty first floor. We get advance warning if someone tries to break in."

"I meant US, you and me."

"Oh, yes. WE should be worried."

Siana sighed when the Master refused to let Apos expound on her reasons for being here. Maybe she could find Jareth later, Jareth was one of the prophecy-believers. Perhaps he would explain it to her.

However, she nearly forgot about that, listening to Apos' description of her world. Flying machines, no shortages of food....and no magic. While it sounded kind of nice, to be able to fly, Siana wasn't sure she'd enjoy living without magic. It was a part of her, after all. "Do you think they really don't have magic, or has it just been forgotten? Because if they really don't have it...then they're not our descendants. Magic's in our blood."

Then it occured to her. The Master had just said something about a second piece. "Wait, second piece? What second piece?"

Vern waved the wagons to a halt and walked forwards to meet the guards. He was about 6ft tall with short black hair, broad shoulders and a collection of scars you could play knots-and-crosses on. He walked with the energy saving I-can-do-this-all-day walk generated by fifteen years of forced marches and had a tendency to absent mindedly finger the hilt of his sword when tired, such as now.

"Business?" he looked puzzled for a moment, "Oh right! Fortified town, check everyone who comes in, I see." He grinned, "Out on the plains the only question they ask is 'Do you have money?'. But I see we're more protective here." He rubbed his eyes in thought, "Right, business. Um... we're mercenaries and we need food and supplies. Does that cut it?" he looked hopefully between the two men, "If you like my men can wait out here whilst I go in."

OOC: Second piece? Beats me, YOU had the idea for the prophecy. Oh well. Here goes...
IC:

"The second piece you ask? Er, the second piece..."

Apos wondered why he hesitated, but, knowing nothing of this prophecy, waited for this answer.

"Well, the first piece is that a mysterious figure will save us all, and lead us into a new age of peace and prosperity."

Apos was unsatisfied by this. "And the second?"

"He or she will fall in love, rather quickly."

Apos then pondered that.

He turned to her. "Yes, I know what people are thinking. My, you do have some good ideas."

Apos immediately flushed a pretty crimson color, and sunk a little in her seat.

"Now, nothing to be embarrassed about."

Vern waved the wagons to a halt and walked forwards to meet the guards. He was about 6ft tall with short black hair, broad shoulders and a collection of scars you could play knots-and-crosses on. He walked with the energy saving I-can-do-this-all-day walk generated by fifteen years of forced marches and had a tendency to absent mindedly finger the hilt of his sword when tired, such as now.

"Business?" he looked puzzled for a moment, "Oh right! Fortified town, check everyone who comes in, I see." He grinned, "Out on the plains the only question they ask is 'Do you have money?'. But I see we're more protective here." He rubbed his eyes in thought, "Right, business. Um... we're mercenaries and we need food and supplies. Does that cut it?" he looked hopefully between the two men, "If you like my men can wait out here whilst I go in."

"Yes, it would put us more at ease if your men waited outside, and I escorted you in. We have some rather important people in this tower at the moment, and you can never be to careful. Please leave your weapon with your men. That would help the situation even more."

"Yes, it would put us more at ease if your men waited outside, and I escorted you in. We have some rather important people in this tower at the moment, and you can never be to careful. Please leave your weapon with your men. That would help the situation even more."

Vern cursed, "All right. Wait here a second will you?" he walked back to Follet, unhooking the scabbard from his belt. He gave a few curt orders to begin setting up camp before handing over the blade and returning to the guards. "So where can I get supplies is this town?"

OOC: Yeah, but I figured you'd want control over what the prophecy said. I don't want to run off on some tangent if you've got an idea of where you want to go! :D

IC: Something clicked into place. "The strawberries! That was you!! You're leaking!" Siana exclamed. "Well that explains it." Suddenly she smiled mischeviously. "You know, there are better foods for that sort of thing than strawberries. Like grapes. Which we have plenty of. Care for some?"

"Supplies. Fourth floor, third door on the right, labeled 'Supplies, and Sundries Market'. I can show you, if you like."

OOC: Yeah, but I figured you'd want control over what the prophecy said. I don't want to run off on some tangent if you've got an idea of where you want to go! :D

IC: Something clicked into place. "The strawberries! That was you!! You're leaking!" Siana exclamed. "Well that explains it." Suddenly she smiled mischeviously. "You know, there are better foods for that sort of thing than strawberries. Like grapes. Which we have plenty of. Care for some?"

OOC: Okay, thanks. :)
IC:

If possible, she turned an even deeper shade of red, and slunk a little lower in her chair.

Theos smiled. "My, you are bad... Actually, some grapes would be lovely." He winked.

Apos' face almost exploded, but a smile crept over it, if slowly.

Vern shook his head, "No, I can find it." He snapped his fingers as a memory hit him, "I need to see a wizard as well, do you have one?"

"Well, yes. We have one of the best wizards in the land. He doesn't usually even see members of the town, much less strangers. We have a variety of lesser wizards, this being a main magic training ground, though. What do you need?"

"Well, yes. We have one of the best wizards in the land. He doesn't usually even see members of the town, much less strangers. We have a variety of lesser wizards, this being a main magic training ground, though. What do you need?"

"Well, I don't know exactly." Vern grimaced, "One of the battlemages on the front paid me to deliver a message to the wizards once I reached the heartland. I thought about just taking the money and dumping the message but you don't mess with wizards y'know."

"I see. You realize you aren't quite in the Heartland, yet, correct? You are welcome to stay the night..."

Siana shrugged. "I can't help it. And everyone wonders why I'm not married. Few can tolerate me for more than a few minutes."
She smiled and jumped up from the table. "I offered you grapes, I'd best go get them, and give you a moment to talk without my...interference."

She walked into the kitchen, and was mildly suprised to see a group of five women hanging out the window, whispering and giggling to each other. Squeezing her way in, she peered down to look. A man, a very handsome man, was attempting to get into the town. Curious, she conjured a bit of wind to carry the conversation to her ears.

"looking for a wizard.." drifted up into her ears. "Hmm," Siana muttered, "I wonder what this is about exactly..."

She grabbed a branch of grapes and headed back to the table in the mess hall. "Master, there's someone looking for you outside."

"I see. You realize you aren't quite in the Heartland, yet, correct? You are welcome to stay the night..."

"Well, this is about as far as I can get. Anyway, I'd better get going. It's gonna take several trips to get all the supplies down here. Fourth floor, third door on the right?" he walked on into the tower.

"This is strange." He grabs a small fistful of grapes, and dashes off.

Apos is puzzled. "What was that about?"

Theos walks down the hall, and unknowingly passed the man he was to meet. He asked the guard, "Someone here to see me?"

The guard was startled. "Why, yes! Er, maybe. He just wanted to see a wizard, and refused to say why. He dashed off to the store on the fourth floor."

"Right. Thanks." He dashed off, and met up with him in the store.

--Back at the table--

Apos was puzzled, and, perhaps more importantly, all the red had not drained from her face.

She repeated herself, "What was that all about?"

Siana shrugged. "I don't know why that man was here, but..hey, look, he took some grapes." She gave Apos a teasing smile.

"Anyway, we don't often get people who come looking for just 'a wizard'. Typically they want a battlemage, or someone who's particularly good at reading thoughts or conjuring water charms or some specific skill." A flash of movement in the stairwell caught her eye, and she smiled knowingly. "But, well, I just saw the Master run up to the fourth floor. Ma's up there, so she'll probably get to hear whatever they say, and then she'll tell us later."

Siana sat back down on the bench. "I'm sorry I teased you like that. But, well, the Master hasn't treated anyone the way he's treating you. It's really kind of cute. Besides, you seem to have a good sense of humor. Most people around here are entirely too serious."

Vern had just finished organizing for the supplies to be transported down to his men camped outside when Theos stopped him. "What do you want?"

--Table--

"Yes, I had noticed the lack of humor in these walls. You really haven't seen Theos act like this? It seems second nature."

She mused in her head. If he likes me, and I obviously like him, and he knows I like him, then maybe I can see under that shirt of his, and...

--Store--

"Perhaps I should be the one asking you that. You asked for a wizard. I am the best one around for several hundred miles. I hope this is good."

Vern stood to attention, "I apoligise, your grace. I didn't recognize you as a wizard." he saluted for good measure, "Battlemage Ravensburg had me carry this package out of the front lines just before the battle at Jackhart, your grace." It was all Vern could do not to spit the word battle. There had been no battle at Jackhart, it had been a slaughter.

Perhaps if he's stayed... rallied the defenders...

No it would've ended the same way. Never look back.

Vern returned to the present and held the package up for inspection.

He scanned the note. He seemed his usual calm self, then his eyes grew wide. He felt for his pouch of gold.

"Whinthrop, I need three good, stout quarterstaves, two empty spell books, two quills, with four bottles of ink. And an extra rucksack."

Whinthrop had been traned not to ask questions. "27 gold pieces, m'lord."

He handed over thirty, and told him to keep the difference. "Deliver it to my quarters as soon as possible."

"As you wish."

Theos turned to the armored figure. "Thank you so much for stumbling on this place. You have done more than you may ever realize."

Suddenly, Siana felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, then turned around to face...Jareth. "Jareth?! You scared me!"

Jareth smiled his sweet, mysterious smile and sat down across from her, and next to Apos. "Sorry. I noticed you and your friend just sitting here, and thought I would say hello."

"Oh, I should introduce you. Jareth, this is Apos. Apos, this is Jareth. He's an old friend of my family. His father fought alongside mine in the Wars." She paused, considering how best to introduce Apos. "Apos is a...cousin, of mine, from outLand."

"Pleasure to meet you, Apos." Jareth said warmly.

Siana saw her chance. "So, Apos and I were talking...since she's from outLand, she's never heard of the prophecy. And I'm not a big believer in such things, so I was just wondering...could you explain it to her? You'd explain it better than I might."

OOC: Feel free to put words in Jareth's mouth!

"As you say, your Grace." Vern stood in position to ensure that no further orders would be forthcoming.

Theos dismissed him, and dashed off.

Jareth began. "Well, the prophecy states, specifically, that--"

He was cut off mid-sentence by Theos bursting through the door. Not wishing to attract more attention then he already had, he briskly walked to the table and whispered, "Both of you. Meet me in my quarters. Now."

His tone told Apos this was not a laughing matter. They did as they were told.

Theos, not ever one to stop being a gentleman, held the door open for them. He quickly shut it.

"Good, Whinthrop delivered my supplies. We must leave here at once. We are in danger here. Someone wishes me, and Apos, grave harm. All three of us shall leave. I will speak to your mother, Siana. You have nothing to worry about but the road. Unless you don't wish to leave..."

"Master, I would be honored to travel with you...and I think my father would have urged me to. Besides, I've always wanted to travel! This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the outside."

She picked up a staff and headed for the door. "So, where to?"

OOC: Dinner time, be out for about 20 minutes :)
IC:

"Where to? I don't know, but anywhere is safer than here. We can't leave quite just yet, we need to tie up why we are leaving, and instruct nobody to tell anyone where we went."

Vern waited until Theos was well away before he relaxed and shook himself, "Wizards make my skin crawl." He finalized the arrangements with the store clerk and began heading back down throught the levels to the camp outside. He wouldn't have minded sleeping indoors for a change but the men tended to get agitated when he dissapeared with all the money for more than an hour or two. Besides, something about Theos' urgency had made Vern feel the absence of his sword.

OOC: Cool. I'll just...think of something to do in the meantime.
Ah, here we go.

IC: "Anywhere but here, eh?" Siana pondered that. "Well, I'm going to go say goodbye to my mother, so come grab me in the stores when you need me."

OOC: Got roped into cleaning pool, too. :P Sorry 'bout that.
IC:

"Okay. I can talk to her, if you wish, but I won't stop you. Which store? The same one?"

OOC: Alright, a huge effing thunderstorm has parked itself right overhead. I have to get offline. Feel free to take Siana wherever you like, and I'll catch up with you later this evening!

OOC: Alright, a huge effing thunderstorm has parked itself right overhead. I have to get offline. Feel free to take Siana wherever you like, and I'll catch up with you later this evening!

OOC: Wow, thanks. Okay, I'll see to her safety, and where they go!

Siana returned. "Hrm. It was easier to convincer her than I thought it would be. I don't know if I should be glad or sad."

"No time for either, sadly. We must depart, without letting many people see. Everybody packed?"

Apos looked through her rucksack. Spellbooks, ink, quills, and her trusty staff in hand. Siana was outfitted in much the same way, with some of her personal effects, too.

Theos hadn't seen many of the inhabitants of the tower, they just assumed he was there. He wanted to keep it that way, at least for awhile.

"Okay, everybody ready?"

They both nodded.

"Hold on tight to your things, we wouldn't want to leave them here!"

He chanted for a solid minute, then, the next think they knew, the were about twenty feet from the tower.

Apos thought she saw a tear fall from Siana's eye.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"Was that a tear?"

She felt her face. "I suppose it was." She sighed. "I don't know. I've wanted to get away all my life, but now that I actually am, I'm not so sure."

Theos looked up. "Do you want to go back?"

"No, lets just press on."

The dusk shadows transformed every shadow into a figure. An attacking harpy, it didn't matter. Theos then chanted a little something, and the whole area lit up for 15 feet or so.

"Wow." Apos was amazed.

"We must get moving," he said, very matter-of-factly.

Siana sighed, and stole another look back at Pillar. Her home. Then, taking a deep breath, she looked forward and smiled. Her father would be so proud...

"So. I'd be interested in hearing about where we're off to. Apos probably wants to know, too. I mean, this is her quest we're on, after all."

OOC: Ooo, good job, you treated her well! Sorry about the thunderstorm - I've already lost one modem to nature this summer, and I can't afford to lose another!

OOC: Ouch. At least you just lost your modem...
IC:

"Well, our first task is to get away. Maybe make some friends. Then we'll see about figuring our destination out."

OOC: I don't know if SW is still around, but we'll pretend...

IC: Siana pointed to a group of men milling about off to the west. "You mean, friends like those martial looking fellows over there? I think I can see the guy that came in to speak to you, Master. They seem very capable. Maybe they could come and guard us?"

"Perhaps they could. however, they look quite beat up, and war-torn. Maybe not the best choice."

OOC: Someone should be coming, if she'll wake up...

OOC: That's cool, I can hang around for a bit.

OOC: It doesn't look like she is coming. :( We'll meet her later on the path, or something. I think its your turn, by the way.

OOC: Well, I'm not entirely sure where you want to go with this at this juncture. Shall we just move into the forest, then?
Actually, I'm going to have to leave again, the thunderstorm is back. Feel free to RP Siana, and I'll get back to this tomorrow morning. Have a good night! :)

OOC: Whee, an Imnsvale topic. This should be good. Mind if I chuck one of the Carandaequendi (Blood Elves) in? You can glean more stuff about the Carandaequendi here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=57878).

OOC: Whee, an Imnsvale topic. This should be good. Mind if I chuck one of the Carandaequendi (Blood Elves) in? You can glean more stuff about the Carandaequendi here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=57878).

OOC: I'm flattered. I feel so special.

I remember reading about that, earlier, around July. Is that what you meant by "ate it"?

And sure, chuck one in, but I would just use the characteristics of it, no history, nor a special Carandaequendi.

And, would they be friend or foe?

OOC: "Ate it"? The Carandaequendi are a recent development. Alignment pretty much depends on individual or tribe, but in days of yore they were more friendly to the Etanili.

OOC: Thanks. *blushes* NS ate the post the first time I tried to write this :evil: .

Elven Henge, Imperial Reserve, Viscounty of Grünberg, Kalenharn

Rain had begun to fall, a sullen, heavy downpour typical of the Wildlands. It seeped through the...

<snip>

I just remember reading about it back in July. Maybe a false memory?

Still OOC: Lets see if I understand. Basically, the Carandaequendi are tribal elves, with cat-like eyes, for seeing in the dark, and a mild thirst for blood? Am I missing anything?

OOC: July, hmm. I may have started posting that topic in late July... no, 1st of August. But I was talking about them earlier on IRC, I think ... maybe you saw it there? No matter. Here's a post.

Forest, Outside Pillar

Taenrih Farwalker, of the High Lake tribe of the Carandaequendi, wrapped her ngaldeo'daeil tighter around her body, the enchanted cloth blending easily into the trees. Silently, she approached the Etanili road, marcildeo'feail in hand. Einih Mordai the blade was named, in elegant rune-glyphs down the blade; the dark one, for it was forged from black star-iron.
There were Etanili coming down the road now, away from the filth and stink of the Etanili town. Many Etanin, a few Etanih; an odd party, all in all. Worth approaching? Taenrih loosed a feail from the tatoo-glyph which held it, and sent the captured soul out to investigate.

OOC: Probably Theos will be able to sense the feail; it's the soul of some poor schmuck who's gotten himself killed, anchored to this world by a ritual sign, in this case a tatoo. The Carandaequendi power all their magic stuff with souls, except the ngaldeo'daeil (shadowcloaks), which draw their power from the wearer.
(edit) eep, didn't see your post. Basically; their magic system is outlined above. But the blood thing is actually how they reproduce.
(edit2) and I have to go cook food now.

OOC: Hmmmm. Foe, I think. With "Filth and stench", I think foe. Theos would probably sense it, yes, be he could probably wipe the floor with them if attacked, unless I am missing something.

Am I?

Theos sensed something wrong. He muttered an incantation, and a faint blue-green glow encompassed him. The spell offered protection from most physical attacks.

"Wait here, don't move an inch."

They nodded their approval.

OOC: But these guys have special weapons, so I dunno if her would be affected.

Lets see if I nailed the vocabulary.

ngaldeo'daeil - cloak of stealthy coolness

Etanin - fighter, warrior

Etanih - mage, wizard

Etanili - human

marcildeo'feail - sword

I read your thread, but I'm not sure I fully understand everything. I hope I am.

By the way, nice writing. You are good.

OOC: erm, actually the base word is "etan", meaning "human"; "-in" is the nominative case male suffix, "-ih" is the nominative case female suffix, and "-il" is the nominative case neuter suffix. "-i" is the plural suffix. So "etanin" means "human male", "etanih" means "human female", and "etanili" means "humans".
But yes, "ngaldeo'daeil" is literally "cloak-of shadow-the"; cloak of shadows. Stealthy coolness, yes. And "marcildeo'feail" is "sword-of soul-the"; soulsword.
And yes, Theos' spell should shield him against Taenrih's feaili.
Soo, after that very long linguistic OOC thingy...

Forest, Nearby Pillar

Taenrih froze, fading into the trees. One of the etanini was coming this way; to one of the Carandaequendi he was loud as a bear crashing through the woods, but he must think he was reasonably good. Her feail returned to it's tatoo-glyph, leaking failure; the guldé'etanin had some kind of etanili spell around him.
She sighed, and readied Einih Mordai.
"Come no closer!" Taenrih called quietly, in accented etanil. "I mean no harm."

OOC: Er, okay. Makes more sense than my thought. :)
IC:

Theos froze. "What do you wish of me, then? I only seek safe passage through these woods. I do not wish conflict."

Meanwhile, Apos and Siana were unaware of the transaction taking place below.

"I hope Theos is okay."

"I'm sure the Master is quite capable of handling himself, don't you think?"

"Yes, that is true. I just feel nervous."

Meanwhile, on the road approaching Pillar from its other side, over the plains, two Elves of a different sort rode. They were on horses, fine black elven-steeds, approaching Pillar at a gallop. They rode side by side. One, it seemed, was a female, piercingly vibrant forest-green eyes, delicately pointed ears, with long auburn hair flowing out behind her in the wind. She wore the fine, shimmering robes of a noblewoman of her people, and there was a gilded longbow strung across her back. The other rider was male, in full armor, also with a bow, and with a longsword at his hip. As he rode, he carried a spear aloft, and from the spear hung a banner, in the fashion of the standard of a Roman legion; this banner carried the intricate sigil of his Lady's House.

"Pillar is near, milady," the male - bodyguard and aide to the other - stated.

"I can see that," she replied with a smile. "It has been long since I have seen Master Theos, Gwindor. It will be good to do so again."

Gwindor nodded. "Might I ask the reason for the speed of our travel, milady Míriel?" he asked. "It is fortunate Pillar is not more distant, lest the horses tire."

Míriel shrugged. "There is something... new... in Pillar," she replied. "I have sensed it. I can't quite tell what, but Theos will be at the center of something important. We will need to find Theos if we wish more details, I think; I have divined all I can. As for why I want to involve myself - all I can say is that it simply interests me."

The pair by now have reached the gates of Pillar - the horses are quite fast.

"Halt! What is your business here?"

Guard 2 whispered to Guard 1.

"Damn, too many travelers as of late. I hope it doesn't have anything to do with that girl..."

"Oh, I'm sure it does."

"Greaaaaat."

"Oh, hush. Remember when the Kraiet family decided to stay here?"

He shuddered at this. "Stop that! I'm still trying to forget."

Somewhat annoyed, Míriel brought her horse to a halt, as did Gwindor.

"I am Lady Míriel nos Culúrien; this is Gwindor my man-at-arms." She fixed the guard with a regal, imperious gaze... her eyes seemed almost to flash and shine... "I have business with Master Theos. That is, presumably, all you need to know."

...trifle not in the affairs of wizards... for they are subtle, and quick to anger...

"Yes, it will suffice. Would you like me to take your horses?"

Guard 2, with the fondness of whispering it seems, whispered, "I don't like her."

"Do you like anyone?"

"True, true. Something about her isn't right. She seems to eager and pushy to get in."

Míriel glances to the other guard, her Elven ears hearing all. "If you like me not," she snaps, "at least have the common decency to tell me to my face." She looks back to the first, her face visibly softening. "Yes, that will do nicely. Come, Gwindor." She dismounted gracefully, as did her companion - who managed it despite his armor. Must be an Elf thing.

She dropped three gold pieces into the first guard's hand. "See that our mounts receive the absolute finest care. This should cover any expenses."

The guard in question slunk back a bit, and closed the visor on his helmet, to cover his scarlet face.

The guard slipped the coinage down the front of his armor, through the face opening, causing an enormous racket. "Absolute finest care. Yes, m'lady." He led the horses off to the stables, and roped off the area her horses were to be in.

OOC: Bedtime. See you all tomorrow!

Forest North of Pillar (OOC: Geography is arranging itself, it seems. Plains south of Pillar, forest north of it...)

"You found me." Taenrih pointed out sensibly. "As for why I'm here ... why are you here?" she smiled invisibly behind her scarves. "Tell me that, and maybe I'll tell you why I'm here, guldé'etanin Theos. Yes, I can tell who you are."

OOC: She? She? Slutbum Wallah is not a feminine name! She indeed.

IC:

It was morning now, and the group was ready to go. Vern packed away the last of his things and slung them onto the wagon. Follet approached, frowing, "Whats wrong with you?" Vern called.

"The sentries report strange happenings. Midnight travellers, flashes of light in the darkness. Also, two elven riders passed this way not half an hour ago."

"Friendly?" Vern moved around to the front of the wagon and began checking the horses.

"You know elves, I'm suprised they didn't spit on us on their way past. I suppose it would've required too much effort."

Vern grinned, "Still sore about that girl back in Casad?"

"Shut up!"

Vern raised his eyebrows and caught Follet's eye, "I am the superior officer here, Lieutenant."

"Shut up, sir!"

Vern returned to examining the horses' hooves, "Thats better. We should probably get out of here, all these comings and goings smell like trouble."

"We're mercenaries, we like trouble."

Vern straightened and turned back to Follet, "Not wizard trouble, not elf trouble. Tell the men to finish packing, we're leaving."

"Where to?"

"Where did those 'midnight travellers' go?"

"You want to follow them?"

"Maybe. People travelling in darkness are either outlaws or policemen, and you don't get many policemen this far from the Heartland."

"What do you want with outlaws?"

"Maybe rob them, maybe collect the bounty, maybe recruit them. Who knows? Lets go."

Forest North of Pillar (OOC: Geography is arranging itself, it seems. Plains south of Pillar, forest north of it...)

"You found me." Taenrih pointed out sensibly. "As for why I'm here ... why are you here?" she smiled invisibly behind her scarves. "Tell me that, and maybe I'll tell you why I'm here, guldé'etanin Theos. Yes, I can tell who you are."

OOC: Uh-oh. I hope he isn't Lucifer, or something like that... :)
IC:

"I suppose I did find you. Why am I here? I simply wish passage through these woods, to no particular destination. It is our origin we are escaping from. We have yet to escape to somewhere..."

He paused, the creature's last statement not having take full effect.

"Tell me who I am?!"

OOC: You know, I can't do anymore 'till you guys show up.

*Taps foot*

OOC: I'm still here.

OOC: Okay, but your characters are by themselves, aren't they?

OOC: Want any gnolls in this RP?
Or should I make my own?

OOC: Sure, just make sure they are run-of-the-mill Gnolls, and not with any particular history, because this isn't related to the NS world in any way.

OOC: Okay, but your characters are by themselves, aren't they?

OOC: 'Fraid so.

OOC: Are you waiting for someone?

OOC: Okay, but I'll use my leader's normal name, as I like it.

IC: Aethnorl moved cat-like through the trees, his massive paws hardly even making a rustle.
His sergeant, Djuri glared at him through his single, bloodshot eye.
'You sure we ain't lost them elves, sir?'
'If we have, it's comin' out of your flea-bitten hide, Djuri. Your scouts, your problem. Besides, these parts probably have good loot.'
To emphasise his point, he unslung his now very empty loot bag.
'The boys haven't had their fill for a couple of weeks, Djuri. We need to keep them motivated. Bored armies crumble.'
'Right you are, sir.'
Djuri took a drag from his 'booze skin'.
'We needs the morale to be tip top if we're to get rid of good old Njarl next winter.'

OOC: Are you waiting for someone?

OOC: I'm kinda waiting for an opening. I thought you'd left for the night yesterday and when I looked in this morning I'd lost my chance.

Aethnorl leapt to the side and unslung his Vermgruber Heavy.
The unfornutate gnollish scout was knocked off his feet by the butt of the heavy machine gun.
Djuri helped him to his feet.
'That's a good way to get yerself killed, soldier.'
'V...Very S...S...Sorry, sir!'
Aethnorl glared down at the cowering gnoll.
'Well?'
'There's a town just south from here! We're heading right for it!'
Aethnorl and Djuri exchanged a grin.
'Well done, soldier! You've just earned yerself a promotion!'
'I have, sir?'
'Yep!'
The machine gun rounds hit the scout in the chest and stomach.
The unfortunate scout was ripped in half.
'You're going to be tonight's roast!'

OOC: Are you waiting for someone?

OOC: I'm kinda waiting for an opening. I thought you'd left for the night yesterday and when I looked in this morning I'd lost my chance.

OOC: Oh, bummer. Maybe you and Menelmacar can run into each other.

OOC: Gnollheim: Methinks those elves, if they are the elves played by Menelmacar, will squish you. Just a warning... If they are those "blood-elves", then, I dunno.

Woah, machine gun? This is tech of around 1300 Europe. No guns.

OOC: Is it just me, or did somebody kill the thread?
Get it going again, or I'm off!

And, no, I'm not looking for Menelmacar elves. Do you think I'm crazy enough to attack elves with 5,000 7-foot tall slavering gnolls?

Woah, machine gun? This is tech of around 1300 Europe. No guns.
Fine then.
Repeating crossbow. Happy?

Quite. Thanks.

Actually, I'll leave.
I'm going to create my own thread.
One where I can actually use guns.

Okay, cool. I'll look for it.

Rasko strode down the darkened woody path, the stars struggling to shine between leaves, hiding the path with the darkness of shadows.
Ahhh, It's a beautiful night out.
Rasko inhaled deeply, letting the smells of the trees and the leaves permeiate through his body.
He reached up, touching the rough marble attached to the top of his staff, and for a moment, he concentrated, the runes on his body glowing a dull blue, revealing his bare arms, and runing across his body.
The small marble began to emit light, and the path was no longer hidden from sight.

Ahead of him lay Pillar, his chance to start anew.
Behind him lay his past, something he hoped to escape.

OOC: I wish there was something to do. If there's no characters left nearby then there's not much point in me hanging around.

OOC: I wish there was something to do. If there's no characters left nearby then there's not much point in me hanging around.

Maybe you could wander off in a direction, and make up someone to meet, or go to a big city, and maybe Apos, Theos, and Siana will meet you there, unknowingly.

OOC: Fair enough. If you look back at my last in character post I'm already following you, but am about 6 hours behind.

###Overview, so far.###

Locations.

Rasko (Priest) - On Path, to Pillar.
Theos (Archmage) - Off Path, Away from Pillar, In forest, conversing with blood elves.
Siana (Mage), Apos (Mage-in-training) - On Path, Away from Pillar.
Gwindor (Fighter/Bodyguard/Warrior), Míriel (Archmage) - In Pillar, with horses.
Blood elves - In forest, conversing with Theos
Vern n' crew (Fighters/Warriors) - Just outside Pillar, On Path, Away from Pillar, Not near anyone.


Carandaequendi grammar.

etan = human root word
-in = male suffix
-ih = female suffix
-il = neuter suffix
-l = plural suffix


Seems like I'm missing something. What is it?

Woodlands

Liam Veers looks quite the hiker. Short, compact, green pants. Big boots and a mainly red paisley shirt. Green hat over regular, bronzed (very darkly bronzed) features and blue eyes. Trudging along, map, internals and commercial GPS brought for show agreeing that he is in the right area. Now it's a matter of... not excactly smelling. Sensing. Understanding. And not falling in like an idiot if he can help it.

When he finds it, the distortion is sharply limited in space and probably in time. A lot like a homeline pre-Gate Activation spontaneous pickup. He tosses a comms relay off, sets up a camera. Starts working the prescribed word-strings and figures, comms suite feeding to the relay.

Darkness engulfs him. Much the same darkness that Shaklar encountered, before she became Apos. Only there was something more sinister about this darkness. Something, well, darker. Harsher.

He awakens on a cold stone floor of black slate. The room is awfully dark, even by the standards of this age.

"Good. Our puny weakling stirs."

"Do you really think he'll be up to it?"

"Not really. Pathetic humanoid."

Seeing the look on Liam's face, he added, "Hello, wretched one. Took you long enough to wake up. Get up."

Liam works his joints and muscles... then gets up. Controlled, moving like a human.

"Tuck your damn shirt in. Wait, we need to get you brand new clothes, or you'll be killed even faster than usual. Go with my assistant."

Liam takes the room in and follows the... assistant is it. Smells the air, moves rather like a human warrior. Keeps his mouth shut.

Let the other people talk.

"Let's see. You look tougher than you are smart, and that doesn't say much about either of those traits."

He tosses over some mildly ill-fitting clothes.

"Wear these. Your new name is Melager, and you are a wandering mercenary from the Land of the Seven Vales. Learn to use this."

He tossed over a long sword, with a single rune in it.

"You have a simple mission. Find a lady names Apos. Kill her. It shouldn't be hard, even for a being of your intelligence. And if you don't try, and wander off, your body will waste away. So don't. Now, get out."

The Shadow paused for a bit, and sighed.

"I suppose for a being of your intelligence I will have to clarify. Very well. You have no specific timeframe, but do it soon, or we will not be pleased. If anyone gets in your way, kill them, unless they are important. We don't want to attract attention. We will know when you kill her, just as we know of you wander off your mission. You will know her when you see her."

Liam looks briefly at the Shadow. Considers options. Pulls on the jacket over his shirt, rolls up the pants neatly. Checks for any surviving tools.

Seems like there's nothing to be gained from conversation.

"Get me a sheath and over the shoulder tack for the sword, and point me in the right direction."

The Shadow heaves yet another sigh. "I hate humans, I really do."

He grabs the shoulder harness and hands it over.

"Now I will make these directions as simple as possible. Door. Open door. Through door. Close door. Path. Follow path. In twelve hours you should come upon the human city of Ortamarcan. Stay the night there. Path out of city. Follow path. Find large tower. Ask guards where she went. Follow guards directions. I hope that wasn't too hard, human."

Easily vexed, eh. Well, no need to demonstrate my intellectual superiority to these rubes. Especially since it looks like I'm screwed.

He pulls the rig on and leaves.

I'll just see if I can solve this.

You know, we can read your mind. Now, get out before I use your blood to paint my walls and your nostrils as quill holders.

Liam strides out.

He then proceeds to think about fractal geometries. Abstruse mathematics. The odd geometries of the Earth. The sorts of mathematics that eventually crack any mind.

Foolish mortal. You really thought that would affect me?

The Shadow proceeded to light his pantaloons on fire, the sort of magical fire that is hot, but doesn't consume anything.

Now. I won't tell you again. GET OUT!

Liam walks off.

Making, over the hours, quite sore that the Shadows become quite aware that in the Great Cosmic scheme of things, they are less than a fart.

The Shadow Apprentice wanders back over to the First Shadow.

"Why did we ever hire a human?"

"They are fun to watch, that's why."

"Yes, but is that fun counter-balanced by their moronic, deluded visions of grandeur?"

"Perhaps."

Atheon sang ballads to himself as he meandered down the path. He was at peace with the world, and thus, was in no hurry whatsoever. He had such a buttery complexion that you half-expected his face to drip. He just moseyed along, sometimes whistling the ballads, sometimes humming, sometimes just belting the whole thing out, as if he was on stage, in front of hundreds. But he wasn't on stage. He was just alone in the forest path. Heading from Koasha, to run from his troubles. Not anything large, just general, everyday troubles. He was bored with life. And he kept being bothered by everybody who said he was crazy. But he wasn't crazy. Those vegetables really asked him to punch out Father Orion's window with a lump of coal.

Rasko heard it before he saw it, noise coming up the path towards him.
He twirled the staff, touching the marble once again, diming its glow.
He pulled his black cloak over him, blending with the shadows and darkness that filled the night. And he strode forward as silently as possible, holding the staff tight, incase he needed it.

Atheon encountered the priest gripping his staff, as if he was strangling it. Perhaps he was, and the staff was a snake.

"Mother?! What in the eleven hells are you doing out here! Its unsafe! Go home! I can manage by myself! Stop worrying! Go! Get!"

Atheon encountered the priest gripping his staff, as if he was strangling it. Perhaps he was, and the staff was a snake.

"Mother?! What in the eleven hells are you doing out here! Its unsafe! Go home! I can manage by myself! Stop worrying! Go! Get!"
Rasko pulls the hood of his head, careful to keep his runes hidden.
They criss-crossed his entire body, save his face, which was a light tan featuring grey eyes and framed by white hair terminating with black tips.
This man don't seem like a threat
"I can handle myself thank you." He says, stepping back and deftly spinning his staff.
"The question is not why am I here, the question is, why are YOU here?"

"My. Mother, you have gotten angry. What did Father do to you this time? You know why I'm here. I had to run away. Now, get back home before the town guard associates you with me. Shoo!"

"My. Mother, you have gotten angry. What did Father do to you this time? You know why I'm here. I had to run away. Now, get back home before the town guard associates you with me. Shoo!"
Rasko stops spinning his staff and scratches his head.
Okay, this guy's not right in the head
"I'm not your mother pal."

"What do you mean? Of course you are. Have you gone mad?"

He paused for a second.

"Are you lost? Do you need help finding your mother? What does she look like?"

OOC: Okay, I drew a really bad map of where everything is. Maybe I'll make a better one later.

(Warning, its kinda large.)

http://homepage.mac.com/ambrosia512/LostNS.jpg

OOC: Roight, back!

Forest North-West of Pillar

"Who are you?" Taenrih was suprised; Etanili were stupid, yes, but she'd expected a mage like the famous Theos to be right in the head, at least.
"You are the guldé'etanin Theos, of course." she told him. "Everyone knows that. Should you be out of your stone trees in this state?"
"No, what does that word mean ... guldé'etanin?" the mage asked.
More suprises. "Theos is said to talk to the birds and know all tongues. I'm suprised you don't know what it means; the mage of men." (OOC: Literally "mage-of human(male)-the"; a male human mage)

"If I just leave, will I be able to pass through these woods safely? What can I do to assure my safety? I am in a bit of a rush, at the moment."

Forest North-West of Pillar

"If you just leave you're likely to run afoul of a gnoll or something worse at the rate you're going, mage." Taenrih said. "So thankfully, I will be travelling with you out of the goodness of my heart to stop that. Which answers the second of your questions, no?"
And I'm sure you taste good, mage of men.

"As you wish. I thank you for your company."

They walked back up on the path, to meet Apos and Siana.

Theos shook his head silently to indicate to them to stay quite and to keep walking.

The foursome walked foe about an hour, coming upon the crazed butter-faced bard, and the stern priest.


"My. Mother, you have gotten angry. What did Father do to you this time? You know why I'm here. I had to run away. Now, get back home before the town guard associates you with me. Shoo!"

"I'm not your mother pal."

"What do you mean? Of course you are. Have you gone mad?"

He paused for a second.

"Are you lost? Do you need help finding your mother? What does she look like?"


They obviously decided to stay back, due to the nature of the conversation.

Luckily or unluckily, the bard turn around to meet them.

"Greetings, playthings. Thou hast found me. I alone cannot."

He fell to the ground and writhed, apparently in pain, but he made no noise. He then fell limp.

"Is he dead?!" Apos seemed oddly worred.

Theos replied, "No, he's just, uh, asleep."

"Asleep."

"Yes."

The guard in question slunk back a bit, and closed the visor on his helmet, to cover his scarlet face.

The guard slipped the coinage down the front of his armor, through the face opening, causing an enormous racket. "Absolute finest care. Yes, m'lady." He led the horses off to the stables, and roped off the area her horses were to be in.
They wandered into the town... which is really just a big tower, big enough to have a town inside it. The pair of Elves made their way to the top, to where Theos' lodgings were, and Míriel knocked upon the door.

"Master Theos? Are you home?"

They have stumbled onto an empty room. Everything covered in a rather thick layer of dust. The room is arranged almost like a picture. Everything seems placed. This room has not been used in years, it seemed.

"You shouldn't peek in windows, Gwindor, it's rude."

Gwindor looked up from where he was peeking inside. "It's like nobody's ever lived there, milady."

"What do you mean, it's like nobody's ever lived there?" Míriel stepped away from the door, went over to the window, and peeked in herself. "What in Eru's name... no, wait. This isn't right. It's magic, it has to be."

She knocked on the door again. "Theos, it's me, Míriel! Surely you wish to see your old friend?"

"I don't think he's home, milady. And we have company."

"Who?" Míriel asked as she turned around.

"And just what are you doing, HMMMMM?!"

A stern guard, in armor, finely adorned in crests and heralds. A long sword was at his belt, but his hand inched towards it all the same.

"We're here to see Theos," Míriel stated simply. "The gate-guards were informed. I am Lady Míriel nos Culúrien, and this is my man-at-arms, Gwindor. I'm an old friend of Theos."

"OH! The gate guards were informed! And I'd know that through my telepathy! How convenient. He obviously doesn't want to see you, or he would have opened the door, now wouldn't he?"

"Or perhaps he isn't home?" Gwindor volunteered.

Míriel shrugged. "I think what we have here is a breakdown in communications. It says rather little for the efficacy of the guards in this town if one doesn't inform the others that someone is here to see the guy who runs the place. You might want to work on that."

"Madam, if those gate guards had constant contact with me, I'd go insane. Are we supposed to have a messenger who runs up thirty floors just for a simple message? And, it is irrelevant if he is home or not. If he is, he obviously doesn't want to see you. If he isn't, you have no further reason to be here. Please leave."

Míriel arched an eyebrow. "You wouldn't treat a human noblewoman this way, I'm sure. I suggest you switch to a tone involving a little more respect." She gestured in the guard's direction, and a lightning bolt seared forth from her fingertips... too bad the poor jerk was decked head to toe in armor. The bolt was strong enough to give him a decent but not too painful jolt, and certainly not kill him. All that nice conductive metal around him, however, turned things up rather a distance, and the shot probably hurt quite a bit.

"Now, are you going to tell my friend the Master that I am here, or not?"

His hair was melted into a second helmet, under the first one. He had no other hair on his body after all that. A wisp of smoke rose from the open face of his helmet, and up through the slots in his visor.

He managed to grunt out, "Yeees, ma'ammm," before falling over.

Míriel blinked. "Wow. I don't think I meant to do that." She peered at her hand with a bit of wonder. "I guess I don't know my own strength..."

"Is he dead, milady?"

"I certainly hope not." She knelt down and carefully pulled the man's helmet off, gently shaking him a bit. "Are you okay? Wake up already. I need to find Theos." She stopped and looked at the man carefully, then glanced up at Gwindor. "He's not dead. He's breathing, he's just unconscious."

"What are you going to do then, milady?" Gwindor asked.

"Wake him up, of course." She leaned in close again. "WAKE UP!" She followed up the shout with a slight burst of healing magic, designed to harmlessly jolt him back to consciousness.

"Hmmm? Mmmmm. Harumph. Go away, I don't have to be on duty of another four hours. Leave me be."

He turns away from her, as if he was in bed.

Míriel shook him again, even slapped him just a little. "Dammit, you're on duty now, and you're going to find the Master and tell him I'm here!"

"On duty now? You were always the joker, Johansen. Well, maybe not the joker, but at least the idiot. Now, go away before I impale you."

Luckily or unluckily, the bard turn around to meet them.

"Greetings, playthings. Thou hast found me. I alone cannot."

He fell to the ground and writhed, apparently in pain, but he made no noise. He then fell limp.

"Is he dead?!" Apos seemed oddly worred.

Theos replied, "No, he's just, uh, asleep."

"Asleep."

"Yes."
Rasko poked the bard with his staff then looked up at the small group.
"Umm, Hi." He pokes the bard on the ground again.
"I have no idea who this guy is. He just comes up to me and starts talking about his mother. Or was it his father. Something like that."

"Well, he obviously seemed off his rocker. Shall we attempt to get him treatment?" Theos was always the one to take the good way out, and he hoisted the sleeping bard on his shoulders."

Apos eyed the priest. "Are you going anywhere in particular? Would you like to join us? We can help you, if you need something done."

This damned long walk to nowhere is rather boring, and lonely
"Sure, why not."
He extends his hand to Theos.
"The names Rasko. Bit of a wanderer."
He then turns to the lady(ladies?).
"And who might you be?" He says with a swift bow.

OOC: Ladies. So far, we are a big group. Its Theos, Apos, Siana, Rasko, and the sleeping Atheon.
IC:

Theos grasps his hand, and gives it a nice, firm shake.

Apos grinned. "I am Apos, from--"

She hesitated, not remembering where it was that she was supposed to have come from.

Siana cut in. "Forist. My relatives sent her here to be trained. But we just had to, uh, take a vacation. Pillar is so stuffy sometimes."

Rasko nods.
"So you're on a vacation eh?"
He looks up, into the night.
"Kinda late to be leaving on vacation."

OOC: And the blood elf. I forgot the blood elf in our little group.
IC:

Theos paused for a second.

"We, er, wanted to get there before sunrise. Watch the sunrise over the city walls of Cadmenia."

Road West(?) of Pillar

Taenrih laughed inwardly. The great mage's reputation was clearly overblown, at least in worldly matters. For all his bumbling manners, she wouldn't want to tangle with him magically.
"Yes," she said, "The sunrise." That sounded sarcastic, I guess. No matter.

Theos shot Taenrih a quick nasty glance.

"Well, we better get moving, if we want to get there before sunrise."

Theos pondered to himself. What made him choose Cadmenia? Did he hope to hide amongst people? Or was it because the near lack of human contact being mayor of a rock tower for twelve years needed to be made up in three hours in Cadmenia? It was so dense, and so huge, at the same time. It was big enough to have two concentric city walls, with two straight ones connecting the two internally, akin to spokes on a chariot wheel. It took hours to get most places, and this was not because of the layout. It was laid near perfect. The sheer size, and throngs of people was what made it difficult.

Road, Outside Cadmenia

The Etanili city rose from the surrounding muddy fields, a feverish pustule in the flesh of the earth. Taenrih shuddered, seeing the cold stone of the human construction. So ugly!

Theos, Apos, and Siana, almost in unison, thought, Wow, this is where it is.

It was a sense of destiny. Like they were meant to come here. Maybe they were. Maybe they weren't. Maybe danger would lie in wait. Ready to consume them, unnoticed. Forgotten. Lost to time. Just a footnote in the annals of the history books.

"Well, we can't wait here too long."

The guards were less strict here.

"What is your business here?"

"We simply seek a place to rest before our next adventure."

The guard smiled. "'The Crooked Crane' is the closest inn to here. And they serve a mighty fine drink, too. Welcome to Cadmenia."

Cadmenia

Cadmenia, Taenrih thought, as the smells and noise of the Etanili city assaulted her nose. This area was clustered by the outer wall of the city, and was a mire of ramshackle houses of cold stone and dead wood. Humans thronged around them, all speaking at the tops of their voices, words lost in the general roar of the crowds. Instinctively, Taenrih's hand went to her sword, and the crowds drew back a little.
Her Etanili companions, however, seemed enthralled with it all, looking around at the garish colours and barbarian sights. Life in the stone trees of the Etanili must have accustomed them to this horror.

OOC: Note that Taenrih sees all this through Elven eyes. They dislike humans in general, and human cities in particular.

Míriel grabbed the guard by the collar and heaved him to a half-seated position. "Ihateyou." Is all she said before dropping him again in disgust. She looked up at Gwindor. "You're right. I don't think Theos is here... dammit." She stood up and sulked.

"Milady, last week you expressed interest in going into Cadmenia for some more spellbooks," Gwindor said.

"So?" Míriel pouted.

"Well, at least the trip wouldn't be a complete waste if we went into the city. It's only four hours' ride from here, north through the forest." Gwindor smiled sympathetically. He really was trying to be helpful.

Míriel sighed, still immensely disappointed at having missed her friend. "All right." She shrugged, an almost defeated look on her face. "All right, let's go to Cadmenia."

Theos just admired the city in all its wonder and glory as they walked to The Crooked Crane.

They walk through the front door in to a den on near-madness. Flying bottles, and just for a second, a flying person. Perhaps not the best place to stay.

"'Ello, mates! Welcome to tee Crooked Crane. What can I do for ye?"

"We'd like a room if you have a quiet one."

"'Course we do! We sep'rate the rooms from tee bar for taht reason. Follow me down tis hall."

He showed them to a somewhat thread-bare room, but the bed did look comfortable. Especially after all that walking.

"A room per mate? Or would ye like one with one of ye ladies?"

He elbowed Theos, and winked.

"Erm. I should think not!"

Apos looked at him, with such a look in her eye. You could almost call it disappointment.

Apos thought quickly. "You know, it would be cheaper if we shared a room..."

Theos caught her drift. "Well, then. We will share a room, then a room per 'mate', if you could do so."

He winked again. "That'll be twenty-two gold pieces, but I like you mates, so I'll make it nineteen."

"Well met!" Theos presses the gold pieces into his hand.

After a brief stop at a tavern for a drink and a meal - it was late afternoon to early evening by now - the two Elves retrieved their horses and were off again at full speed. The horses were fast, very fast, and so the pair had Cadmenia in sight half an hour earlier than Gwindor had estimated, just as the sun was about to set.

Gwindor glanced over at Míriel as they rode. "Does Cadmenia close their gates at sundown?"

Míriel looked grim. "Let's bloody hope not. For their sakes."

They approached the gate.

The night security was even more lenient, if you catch my drift.

"Well, what can I do for you ladies? Help you find an Inn? A Bar? Something else, maybe?"

He winked, half expecting to get some. Hey, it worked last time he tried.

Crooked Crane Inn, Cadmenia

Taenrih examined the room the Etanili had given her with scarcely hidden disgust. Smelly, small, dead ... I wouldn't be suprised if it had rats. Possibly they eat the vermin around here.
Her goods, as usual, were few; unlike Etanili, the Carandaequendi travelled light, with nothing more than they could carry in a day.
So far, this seems like a bad idea. The chance of finding anyone in the Etanili lands is slim, let alone a Blood Sister who doesn't want to be found.

Rasko sat at the bar in the Crooked Crane, nursing his second stein of ale.
Now what in bloody hell are Theos and Apos doing up in that room.
He took another swig, not realizing the tatoos an his arms were showing.
As he kept drinking more and more patrons began to stare his way, looking at his arm, and then at him. Wether it was fear or loathing in their eyes was unclear.

Rasko continued to chug the stein until it was empty, then slapped it down on the bar.
Ahhh...
Only then did he notice the stares and his tatoo's showing.
"What?" He grumbled to the nearest patron.

The patron just stared at the runes, unable to speak.


Theos and Apos had locked the door.

Theos moaned, "Ooooh, perfect!"

"Mmmmmm."

"Okay, now do the one on the left."

"Oooh! That's one's even better!"

Rasko glares at the gathering crowd and the now mute patron.
"Never seen a tatoo before?"

Beserker: what's the nature of Rasko's tatoos? Illustrative, or are we talking runespells here?

Crooked Crane Inn, Cadmenia

Taenrih left the stinking Etanili room for the somewhat lesser stench but greater noise of the inn's common room. The Etanin Rasko was sitting at the bar, drinking one of the many noxious substances the Etanili imbibed.
She sat down next to him, scowling a little at the smell of his drink.
"Bartender," she called, "Get me a lemon."
"Uh lemon, miss? Y'do know whut they cost 'round here, don'ya?"
Taenrih slammed a coin down onto the table, square, with holes in the center; the currency of distant Klrst, far to the South. Foreign, certainly, but they were the only coins she had, and they were solid gold. Etanili prized the sun-metal beyond reason, despite it's lack of use. The Carandaequendi, more sensible, used barter.
"A lemon." Taenrih repeated. "And a glass of water. Clean water."
The bartender bit the coin doubtfully, but broke into a sunny grin as he realised the thing was solid gold.
"So, "Wanderer"," Taenrih said to Rasko, "Whence do you wander? And why? Gulde'etanin Theos is scarcely all he's named, you know."

Rasko glares at the gathering crowd and the now mute patron.
"Never seen a tatoo before?"

"Uh, erpth, fthh, tsh."

Either this man was not right in the head, or was severely tongue tied, and startled.

Beserker: what's the nature of Rasko's tatoos? Illustrative, or are we talking runespells here?
OOC: Rune spells...OF DOOM!!!!AGE
jk, but they are rune spells.

IC: Rasko turns away from the patron.
"I wander where my feet may take me."
He looks at his drink.
"Why, why is for me to know."

(OOC can someoen explain breifly what is happening here? I might join in if possible, I am always late for rps because of the time difference.)

OOC: Lots of stuff. Someone-or-other's modern woman got transported into a fantasy world to do something or other, and met a variety of people, including the (very powerful) mage Theos, a somewhat hyperkinetic young woman named Siana, a mysterious "wanderer" named Rasko, and my very own Blood Elf Taenrih Farwalker. They're now in Cadmenia, doing something or other I forget what. My memory is poor. Two of Menelmacar's elves are currently heading to Cadmenia, as they're looking for Theos.

Mmm, Runespells... I guess they work different to Taenrih's soul-anchor tatoos, though.

IC:
Crooked Crane Inn, Cadmenia

"Point taken, etanin." Taenrih said. "I have done much the same myself, in the past."
The bartender arrived with her lemon and water; she peeled it easily with her sharp nails, and squeezed the thick, acidic juices into the water. The drink tasted somewhat of decay, as did everything in the accursed Etanili cities, but it was acceptable. The citric flavour gave her a mild buzz; nothing more could be expected from such inferior materials, though.

OOC: Working on a sketch of Rasko.

IC:
Rasko grins a little, and then goes back to finising his drink.
His long staff leans against the bar. He looks back to Taenrih, away from his staff.
As he starts to speak up, he notices the shadow of the staff begin to move, and automatically reaches behind himself with blinding speed, grasping what he finds.

Crooked Crane Inn, Cadmenia

The Etanin was fast, his hand striking out behind him to clutch at ...what? Taenrih's hand instantly went to her own marcildeo'feail, mind focusing reflexively to loose a feail from the anchor-tatoos across her shoulders and arms...

Suddenly, a child threw his apple at Rasko. It was a throw appropriate for his age, and, thus it simply rolled on the floor to him.

Rasko ignored the small child for a moment and looks the somewhat suprised thief in the face.
"Let go of my staff."
The man stands unmoving, somewhat shocked and somewhat unwilling to relinquish his grip.
"I said, LET GO!" Rasko grabs the staff and concentrates for a moment, his runes flare blue, and the matching runes on the staff do the same.
Unfortunately for the poor thief, this does not bode well, as a good jolt of electricity throws him a few feet backwards.
Rasko glares at the man, and points his staff at him.
"Don't try that again."

The other patrons in the bar gasped, but then realized it was best not to draw attention to themselves, and they resumed their previous activities, including the yelling that was going on.

The child walked up, grasped the apple, and placed it in Rasko's pocket, before walking off.

Rasko notes the apple now in his pocket.
What the frell?

A drunk staggers into the bar.

"People...coming..."

He collapsed on the floor, in a smelly heap, covered in simple rags.

A patron walked up to the door, and peeked out. He looked too and fro, and saw nothing. He shrugged, and sat back down. He promptly collapsed on the floor, as if struck by an unseen assailant. Blood dripped from his mouth, and he appeared dead. Some of the other patrons started to panic, before collapsing themselves. Some were cut, some were bloodied, some were bruised. All who panicked were dead. Several other patrons remained sitting. Stunned, but alive.

Liam Veers would be annoyedor scared, except his brain is busy doing mathematics and his body is busy moving. After a bit, he speeds up.

There are a few things any Territorial posthuman can do. Scent-tracking a deer and killing it with a knife are on that list.

It's a rather more pleased Liam Veers who walks into Ortamarcan some hours after leaving the shadows.

OOC: WTF? When did this start up again?

Yesterday. Date-stamps on posts are wonderful. The things that tell you when a post was made. :)

OOC: ooh, this thing again. :)

Crooked Crane Inn, Cadmenia

Taenrih felt the roar of angry souls departing, masking whatever force had done this. Her hand returned to her marcildeo'feail, and she hurriedly loosed several feaili to investigate.
I must be careful not to lose them in this turmoil.
Though the etanili were panicking, Taenrih was calm; a Carandaequendi would never be scared of a little blood. The scent was somewhat distracting, though, reminding her of other times and places.
Concentrate. Discover.
The feaili spread outwards, searching for whatever had caused this.
While they searched, Taenrih stood up and stepped over to the collapsed beggar, resisting an urge to cover her nose. This creature stunk worse than most etanili.
Carefully, she crouched down beside him, rolling the creature over.

(OOC: Imnsvale, you decide if he's alive or dead)

The beggar rolled over to reveal eyes that just rolled back. A drop of blood fell from his nose, and splashed to the floor. His teeth were in poor shape, but that was unrelated to death. Moreso a problem of life.

An insect crawled out of his hair, across the floor, before resting, about in the middle of the room.

Crooked Crane Inn, Cadmenia

Taenrih supressed a shudder, not at the man's death, but at his life; the etanili were truly disgusting, to descend to such a level.
What was that?
She stood up to see Rasko standing across the room, and a few others still living; most of the patrons, however, were dead. She could feel the absence of their souls in their cooling bodies, and their blood did not entice.
Methodically Taenrih recalled her feaili to their anchor-tatoos, feeling them settle back into their familiar patterns.
"Do you know what that was, etanin?" she asked Rasko.

Rasko stood, looking down at the insect that crossed the floor.
"No..." He picks up his foot, and brings it down with a satifying crunch on the bug. "...but I don't think its friendly"

Rasko extends a palm towards the door, his runes flaring up in intesity, staff grasped in his other hand.
"Show yourself foulest deamon!"

The door bursts open, as if by magic, slamming into the wall it was mounted on. But nothing was there. It was empty. A breeze blew by.

OOC: Hello again.

OOC: What was that for? Was there a purpose to that at all?

OOC: Just letting you know I'm still alive and watching. The same effect would have been produced by saying *tag* but I find that so impersonal.

OOC: Oh, okay. Understandable.