Game Thread Part I: Sinister Portends

Weasel Whisperer · #1 Apr 15th, 2014, 05:37 PM

Port of Lathis
The salty wind blows in from the harbor, slicing through the morning fog like a farmer's scythe through wheat. The sun breaks over the horizon, coming up from the ocean, chasing the wind with rays of heat and light. The fishing ships have been loaded and now make their way across the choppy seas, seeking the deep waters where fish and shrimp are plentiful. The imperial navy begin their morning exercises as normal, watching the fishing vessels as they slide past, sails furled up due to the opposing wind and instead finding power from their crystal power engines.

Past the harbor and across the small city of Lathis, shop keepers awaken and get ready to greet their morning customers. The market of the city is second only to the capital of Atlantia, a point of pride for the lesser city.

Down the market road, located in the center of the city, lies the great construction site of the city's first way gate. Other sites outside the city have been scouted, but this site is the first to have any sort of work started. The vast frame of the gate sends shadows across the smaller buildings and the hundreds of workers have already started their tasks for the day. Once the gate is completed, Lathis will be modernized like Altantia, and true prosperity can begin.

Along the great road, pilgrims in crimson make their way into the city, laden with goods and donkey pulled carts covered in red tarps. The cowled pilgrims carry staves of curious design, with a great circle encompassing a red eye with no lids. They wear the same symbol around their necks, and chant in the ancient, bizarre language known as Sharad. Once in the city, the pilgrims make their way into the heart, coming to the construction site where they quietly build a metal platform and scaffolding, much like what a traveling evangelist may use for religious sermons. Along with the platform, three great cauldrons of iron shot with purple veins are set up around a voice box that increases the volume of a speaker. After several hours of work, the crimson clad pilgrims pull down their hoods to reveal pale skin shot with red veins and eyes of an electric blue. The heads of each pilgrim, regardless of race, is shaved down to stubble and their lips are swollen and scarlet. An older man, presumably their leader, steps up to the voice box and speaks to the whole of Lathis.

"We are the disciples of Zagaaroth the All-Seeing and we bring news of calamity. Our Atlantis is doomed and we have brought that doom with us. Our blasphemous construction of these gates and use of the crystals of power will only bring destruction. Our master tells us of the things that lurk beyond the mortal veil, beings that would consume our minds and our souls. There is no stopping the doom that comes, only repentance and acceptance. Repent and your souls will be saved. Ignore our pleas and know torment forever. The destruction of Atlantis is inevitable, but we have found ways to bring the calamity sooner. The sins and darkness of Atlantis must be cleansed, none must survive."

Over and over, for hours, the priest gives the same speech, amplified throughout the city until the mayor of Lathis gives the order to have the disciples removed from the construction site. Quietly and without struggle, the pilgrims pack up and move out of the area, choosing to settle in an old graveyard, older than Lathis itself.

And so mid-day comes with the voices of the priest silenced, bringing normalcy back into the city. The market swells with citizens and visitors as the heat increases to stifling levels. Soon the heat will drive away the customers to cooler environs, while the shop keepers grab lunch and nap before evening trade begins.

DM NotesFeel free to put in a good, elaborate first post of your character's normal day. They have spent a month as "super powered" citizens, so perhaps their lives are still in the midst of great changes. Roleplay this and we will quickly move on to destiny driving events.

KosKallah · #2 Apr 15th, 2014, 06:48 PM

The Sun starting to get back up, where it belongs, usually finds people rising from their beds and moving, in order to start their jobs. Clean and refreshed, the most fortunate are ready for a new day of trade... whatever their trade. Not me.

Here I am, spitting dust, legs sour from walking... there must be a god out there who knows when I started walking... foolish thing for a god to know, but who cares?

Still, I'm happy. Happy not to be this guy in front of me. This guy is walking since the same moment I started to force him to walk... and he is going to jail... Jail? Ah! No... this one has something special waiting for him, I can bet.

This guy here is no gold-seeking bandit, no bandit at all. He just happened not to like those guys who make the rules and started to make a mess. I wouldn't really go after this quarry, if he didn't get too nasty... ruining parties and blowing up gold vaults is one thing, but killing a rich guy's infant son... well, there's a line one shouldn't cross. Now it's done.

Curious... a month ago I would be skipping this one out of wisdom. This guy is a fighter of some name. Strange feeling to be on the right side of a rope that carries us both back to the city. Not that I fought him, of course... but there's a horizon even to wits. Mine seems to have moved a little further.

Me? I'm a damn bounty hunter, not the type of man fathers like their daughters to keep looking at. I trade on people, yes, Sir... but just the worst type. Sometimes, people take us for the scum we hunt... and sometimes, just sometimes, I wander if they are wrong.

The two cross the city's gate and people start to watch as the walking show of dust, blood and shame cross the street. Guideon pays no attention to them and even lowers the brim of his hat a little with his fingers, as if saying "day Ma'am" to some people he knows.

Not that he calls more attention than the preaching of the red priests at the square... "Blast..." the annoyed Guideon exclaims almost in silence as he hears the doomsaying. His religious tendencies went for a walk a long, long time ago, just after his patience for preaching took a gate out of town... and those guys seem to be of the worst type.

Despite the annoyance, he heads to the guardhouse, where his bounty awaits. From there, he takes to the market, where some creditors are waiting... business are great now, but there are things to adjust from worst times, before... whatever made him the way he presently is.

He leaves the market with nothing but a few coins in his purse, a taste of apple in his mouth and a toothpick kept between the sides of his lips... Damn merchants! He adjusts his hat above his head and starts to walk. Time to find another quarry.

...sometimes....

Spazztick · #3 Apr 15th, 2014, 07:43 PM

Rood: The Hobgoblin's Destiny."Ya' got my word Rood.. The Broken Legs will watch over your families place. Best of luck to your venture my friend." The salty old pirate spoke, actual sounds of compassion in his voice. A strangely dark skinned hobgoblin for his race, bowed his head, stood back up straight and replied.

"'hank you Jeno. I won't forget 'iis." Rood tightened his red and black bandanna, and walked out of the mans house, making his way to the docks. Rood donned attire similar to that of the pirates, in which he lived with. Loosely cut shorts, a finely made piece of stained studded leather armor and low-cut dark leather boots. Rood only had one large dagger on his hip, the rest of his weapons were tucked away within his belongings. Rood's dark-red eyes, had only one place to look, ahead. It had only been a week, since the crazy night that caused Rood's life to be completely changed. He hadn't told anybody the specifics, but had elaborated a small deal about it towards Jeno, one of the few pirates in town that he was able to hold good conversation with. He knew that with such a prominent destiny, that he wouldn't be able to follow his visions or his dreams in which his heart was pulling him to, not if he stayed here in the pirate isles. Rood said a few goodbyes on his way, mostly to the shopkeepers, in which he had done business with in the past. The trip to Lathis, would take between two and three weeks. The ship was a mighty vessel, and he had paid the captain in advance for this trip, running his life savings almost completely dry. None of that mattered, as Rood knew he had something much more important to do. He said a silent prayer and thank you to Gozreh, and made his way up onto the ship. "A new world waits for me, and I shall not let it down."

Spending three weeks spent on on a boat, with only a few brief breaks at a number of port cities on the way, was one of the best experiences of Rood's life. He had got to help around the boat, everything from mucking the deck, to dropping the sails. He had proven so useful, that he'd earned a good portion of the money he spent on the trip and securing things back at home, back by the end of it. As early morning sun felt warm on the hobgoblin's dark skin, he looked out over the sea and saw the distant city of Lathis. There it is... Rood felt excited, not completely sure why he had come to this place, just that he knew he was meant to be here. As the ship approached the dock, Rood made his way to say his goodbyes to the sailors and pirates, the ones he had grown fond of on his first step of this journey. There were many stories told, over several long nights of drinking. The fair wells were not that extended, as Rood was not much of an emotional one, and then the ship docked.

Rood made his way off the ship, seeing the various people running around their business, some merchants selling fish and other services. There were folks buying and trading, but none of that was a matter of concern. This city wasn't the largest of the ports, in which he had visited on his trip, but it would be the first one he actually left the docks, and got to see the bulk of the city... Well, it was the first time he would openly admit to it anyways. How he spent his nights, was not known by many. Rood ignored the strange looks he got, knowing that his race was often looked down upon. All that stuck in his mind was.. "I will prove you all wrong." His progress was slow, as he often stopped to admire the sites, a well constructed building here, a unique race conversing over there. It was a different experience, but quite worth it. Eventually he made it to the market district, found his way to a place in which he could purchase some food. He paid for a cup of mead, extra so he could have the mug as well and two bundles of meat and vegetables, with a stick stuck through the center of them. He then found a place to sit down, a bench in the shade somewhere and enjoyed his food and drink.

2nd Chance · #4 Apr 15th, 2014, 10:29 PM

SquiglyThe shadows within the Lathisian Theatre were broken by a few stray beams of sunlight. Abandoned since the horrific massacre which occurred just over a month ago, a noticeable layer of dust had already accumulated on the empty seats and wooden stage. The bloodstains from the massacre had been removed and the damaged furniture had been repaired, but the stigma of the structure and still-fresh memories of the events within kept the fearful aristocracy at bay. No one had performed there since that fateful day, but the mournful silence within the once proud theater was about to end.

Vaerdis · #5 Apr 15th, 2014, 10:53 PM

Arteas: Among the DoomsayersOnce, weeks ago Arteas was the lone soul that haunted the graveyards of Lathis, his dark skin always shaded by a leather cowl while his falchion was strapped to his back. His strange speak and dark soul scared off a few daring kids that entered his quiet sanctity where he was slowly driven to a maddening descent into acts of evil.

He was nearly caught once trying to dig up the grave of an old warrior to test the strength of his bones, but has since given up the pursuit of testing the dead until such a time when people would leave him to his madness. One day the dead will rise and replace the weak living, The disembodied voice of a long dead monarchthe Skull tells me I must be it's harbinger, to bring strength to a doomed country.

Another day he was roaming far outside his dreary home among the headstones to avoid guards looking to imprison him for awhile and came upon bare walls of an alley. The disembodied voice of the Dark TapestryThe Black told me the truths, truths I must share. We are all doomed in the face of its coming, one doom or another we will all die in the dark, flesh eaten and minds doomed to imprisonment into it's gullet, to wage war on all things that stand to laws and reason. So I write these truths in hopes of someone understanding...but in my haste I write in the He draws graffiti in Aklo with his blooddark tongue of fae and those from between the stars.

The talks hurt his head, the angered king demanding obedience and the voice of chaos feeding on his fears, Why won't it stop, why won't it stop...

By the work of fate, or by fools he returns to his stalking grounds one day to commit to his silent penance and he sees pilgrims and their red robes, the quiet in the city was peace to the people but a sharp pain in the head for Arteas, two voices in his head was enough. I care not for the extra doom, I care not for the speakers and bringers to come to my home after preaching of the sins and the darkness. Them and their All-Seeing god brought nothing good to his home, more bodies, more heat, less darkness for me to live in to distract me.

What say you The Black? And you The Skull? Will you keep laughing at my ailing mind? Will you tell me to murder those that speak poorly of your destined kingdom? The voices being quiet in his head, Arteas is driven to spit curses in Aklothe dark tongue until he is calmed, he lingered at the edges of his once sacred home and wondered if it would be better to find a new dark place to calm his senses.

kaylara · #6 Apr 16th, 2014, 01:07 AM

Elara: Abandoned Wizard TowerFather: ELARA!

Elara began to move slightly as the bright morning sunlight filled the room, waking her and forcing her to squint as she reached over to her corner table for her sun glasses. Elara replied, Coming! Dang late again. as she quickly grabbed her belt pouch and headed downstairs where she could smell the aroma of freshly baked bread.

Father: You're late, you get to clean the kitchen.
Elara: But father, if I am late, why make me stay longer to clean things?
Her father just held up his hand and said nothing while Elara's shoulders sank slightly, Ok... she said broodingly.

As soon as her father left the kitchen, I'll show him. she snapped her fingers as the kitchen began to clean it's self while she enjoyed breakfast. Shortly after she finished, Elara headed to the study chambers.

Most of her day was always spent studying, and just last month she had begun developing divine abilities as well.

Elara has spent quite a bit of time since then on learning the intricacies and devotion needed to control divine magic. Although she is naturally blessed and attuned to the will of Calistria, she is still a novice.

Elara would study all day till night would come, that's when she would travel around town.

Going to go pray, see you later! Elara yelled out to her father as she grabbed her hooded cloak and gloves than exited the tower.

Under the blanket of the night's sky, Elara headed to the haunted the graveyards of Lathis.

Elara made her way to the stone of Calistria to offer prayer.

Upon completion of her prayer, she looked up to see a familiar dark cloaked figure. Heya Arteas, how's your eve? No restless undead tonight? I could practice channeling again while you fight them off. she grinned and looked around. Hmm, where's Squigly?

Nomadic druid · #7 Apr 16th, 2014, 02:54 AM

Phelix: Mid morning'I need a hat. A fancy one. Maybe one with a feather, too. Don't you think so, Shadow?' The tattoo on his exposed chest shifted ever so slightly. 'I thought you'd agree.' Patting the tattoo, he realized he probably looked the fool rubbing his belly in public. His chagrined demeanor and casual strut more than covered the seemingly foolish behavior.

Phelix's internal monologue almost never ceased since the day of his alteration. He never was quite completely full of himself, he'd decided. So, what is one to do when they aren't quite full? They must feed. One has never quite found an ego as hungry as one's own, so it seems. The slight breeze coming in off the harbor tantalized his senses. 'A fish for me, and a fish for you. That sounds like a fair reward my feline companion. And I really must find that hat. I might even pay for it!'

Stopping when he caught wind of the voices coming from the square, Phelix drifted through the crowds not unlike a shadow. The perpetual grin returning to his face, he considered the change he'd grown accustomed to over the past month. 'Shadow? At noon and in this bright sun and heat? Bah, I'm a veritable walking shadow where ever I go!' A soft chuckle escaped his lips drawing a glance or two from the crowds standing at attention to the doomsayers atop their platform. With a quick wink to a young lady, he quickly moved away and circled around to get a better view of who these priests were.

'Ugh, so ugly! And those colors... did they really have to shave themselves in such a ragged manner? Surely they should have paid more respect to themselves first. A good image goes a long way in swaying this lot of people...' Now, his grin was much more forced as he restrained himself from sneering at the people gathered much like cattle around the podium.

Relieving a few of the more attentive spectators of their financial means, he set off in search of a hat. 'Can't have mindless people granting money to such negative doomsayers. Surely, the money would have been ill spent had they their way. It really was kind of me to do the right and just thing.' Assured that he'd done the best, he couldn't resist stopping by a fish stand shortly after finding his way to the market district. Buying up a few sardines, he snacked on one and left the rest in a bag. 'Mmmmm, delicious. Nothing quite like fresh fish. Don't give me that! If you want to have some, you're going to have to come out and play first.'

A quick flash of grumpy emotions spark through Phelix's mind shortly before the tattoo on his chest shifted again. Quickly, the tail twitched, then an eye blinked. In a motion that appeared like a patch of Phelix's fur melting off his chest, a small black cat took form cradled in his crooked arm. The tattoo had disappeared. Shadow purred and nuzzled his chest. Blinking her eyes at Phelix, she shifted and fixed her attention on the bag of sardines. Kneading the fur of his arm and purring up a storm, he finally gave in. "You're awfully persuasive and loving when there's something you want, you know that?"

Snacking on the sardine, Shadow turned to glare at him with a fish tail hanging out of her mouth. A quick flash between their minds, and he understood. "Yeah, yeah. So am I...it's okay though. As the phrase goes, "the cauldron calling the kettle black"... so you have a point. Shut up, and quit being right all the time, will ya?" Turning, with her tail held high, Shadow wandered off in between the stalls of Market street. "Women..." Shaking his head and grinning with affection for the love he shared he made his way through the crowds. The skip to his step was truly inspired by high spirits.

Stopping at one vendor of soft fabrics, he inquired about a silk vest, then a few other odds and ends. "Say, you wouldn't happen to have a fine hat, would you? I've been in search of something...unique. It has to have flair and match my personality though." Looking down at his own loose fitting and flowing garb, he figured he'd need something that moved with his slightest gestures and he could toy with. "Oh, and it needs a feather! Something I can use to play with my cat." The merchant froze mid motion and appeared to be attempting to blush with embarrassment and burst with laughter at the same time. Had Phelix not produced a few gold coins and twirled them around his fingers during their conversation over the silk shirt, the merchant might have given up all manner of professionalism.

A while later, Phelix strutted around, doing a few twirls for good measure, with a wide brimmed, pure black velvet hat with a brim that came out nearly 8 inches. The feather he'd had to take from another, much less satisfactory hat, he was told was a peacock's feather. Phelix fancied that the different eyes along the length of it were merely keeping a look out for potential competitors to his new turf. The thought of being concerned with guards never even crossed his mind.

'I wonder what she's up to...' His concern over not having heard from Shadow for over an hour was more of irritation that she was leaving him out of some shenanigans than it was for her safety. He knew her as well as she knew him. She could stay out of trouble with ease. Cats really were the superior race, after all. Pulling out another sardine, he froze with it halfway to his mouth. Off in the distance, just through a gap in the crowd, he thought he saw a familiar face. Quickly chewing and finishing snack, he slipped through the throng of people who moved in between him and his one, new and strange friend.

"Rood!! That explains where she's been hiding!" His enthusiasm over seeing a familiar face, even if it was slightly uglier than his own, was overwhelming. Rushing over to his friend he caught Rood up in a hug, tilting his head slightly to protect his new hat. Stepping back, he reached down to scoop up Shadow who had been sniffing around Rood and apparently keeping him company for some time. "I catch you petting my cat without my permission and I might have to cut your hand off. A man has to guard his woman carefully with folks about...never know when one might have theft in mind..." Phelix's wink and grin belied the seriousness of his threat. "I'm glad you finally showed. I think I beat you here by a full week this time. It was harder to stay ahead of you before, but, well, I have my ways. Soon, we'll get down to business. But for now, we strut!" With Shadow tucked in the crook of his arm, and his new silk shirt and hat, one of the two of which he'd actually paid for, he stepped with excessive confidence back towards the markets and vendors with their flashy wares and grins full of almost as much deceit as his own.

Vaerdis · #8 Apr 16th, 2014, 04:38 AM

Arteas to Elara

Moridain · #9 Apr 16th, 2014, 03:30 PM

Ruby was not at the mines on that day, which is no surprise to anyone at all. She had been effectively banished from the place three days ago when Bigmouth ate through a wall of a storage area to get to the stored lunches within. It had been a brick wall, and she was still unsure how she managed it.

Since her own strength had been reduced since the 'change' she was now useless as a miner, and her difficulty dealing with any kind of metal with her strange new instincts made her useless at sorting. Management was working out okay but since she was unwilling, or perhaps even unable, to be rid of Bigmouth she was more of a liability than a benefit to the operation.

Being the owners daughter only extends so far and so she is exiled till she figures out what she is going to do about Bigmouth and her new... 'gifts'.

Sitting in the square she saw the strange people set up and begin preaching, looking curious for a time until the repeats got to her. Somehow these people did not strike her as the usual crazies, driven by little more than paranoia and herd mentality.

She spends their time in the yard watching those who listen, people watching in a way she had never really bothered with before. It was kind of funny actually that she finally became interested in people only after her body became this craggy form that seems to disquiet so many.

It wasn't as lonely as it might have been not with Bigmouth beside her eating a small sheep that she was actively ignoring the origin of; he was a delicate eater, picking at small scraps of meat in a way that gives the impression of a fine diner cutting tiny portions with silver implements. He was still being clingy after she ignored him for a few days, staying underground where she was reluctant to follow; his side touches hers even now, and whenever she shifts too much his head cuts to her to make sure she isn't going to run.

About ten minutes after the strange men left, she stood up and looked after them. She was curious enough to ask questions and so, after scratching Bigmouth under the chin in reassurance, she left the courtyard and destroyed bones of a sheep behind to head for the graveyard.

She was dressed strangely for her kind in thick unadorned robes rather than the metal adorned clothing that the rest of her kind prefers. They do not fit very well suggesting they are second hand and she has a billowing hood covering her features from the casual viewer; Those who look within see a face lined with crags like a desert plain that has been rent with earthquakes. Her eyes almost make up for this with their startling rainbow color that stare right through the soul of those who see them in the moments before she notices and looks down self consciously.

There is only a simple dagger on her person weaponwise, suggesting either a merchant unused to battle or some other skill in combat. She wears a new seeming pack filled with fresh supplies intended for travel, though even she does not know where yet.

Beside her driving many off the streets to avoid the pair is a Roc. Since the massive creatures usually reach a hundred or more feet wingtip to wingtip and this one stands barely the size of a grown man it is obviously young, perhaps little more than newborn, though you could also tell that from the curious way it looks around it. It is clearly bonded to the girl from the way it stays within a few feet of her, often actually bumping into her side and throwing off her balance.

Battlechaser · #10 Apr 16th, 2014, 04:22 PM

After lying awake for most of the night - as was his habit ever since Euridyce was killed by a vampire - Orpheus sighed and got out of his bed. His cold, lonely bed. The bard's head hurt like hell and the worst part was that all that wine did nothing to dull the anguish, nothing to close the gaping hole in his chest. I really should stop drinking. He thought as he plunged his head into a waterbasin. The cold water jolted him enough to get him moving.

His hair still a bit wet and dressed in black velvet Orpheus headed to the graveyard. His route took the Aasimar past the future waygate and a bunch of weirdos talking about Atlantis' doom. Can't come soon enough. Orpheus' thoughts tended to be very gloomy lately which was reflected in his songs.

And on he went, like an automaton, to her grave. Orpheus walked past the strange trio he'd seen several times at the graveyard and ignored them - as usual. The bard just stood there brooding, his mantle flapping against the wind - nothing could disturb him, not even the cultists' procession passing him. He could still feel the wood splintering in his hand as he drove the stake through Euridyces' heart.

Kaji · #11 Apr 17th, 2014, 04:35 AM

Dharma-Maitri, the Half-Elven Monk
Dharma-Maitri slowly opened his eyes from a half-closed state and made a long, deep breath, coming out of his morning meditation. Seated under the tree not far off the road where he spent the night, the half-elf stood up and gazed for a brief moment at the horizon, barely visible at this time of the day. He started his martial arts practice with some warm-up and stretching exercises, followed by the repeated performance of the basic empty-hand form that is the staple training tool of his temple.

Only upon seeing the risen sun did the young monk realised the passage of time. Early in Maitri's training had he learned that training of the body is hardly different to the meditative practice of the mind. Not only in solo training, but even in sparring matches Maitri's best performances had always been those where his sense of self merged together into his surroundings and the current moment, all as one and as if notions of time and space were no longer existent. Back in his temple his fellow monks would let him know the end of practice, of course. Here, alone, he had to be more aware of his environment so as to not spend the whole morning training.

Having packed up his gear, Maitri turned around to the tree and, placing his palms together in front of his chest, expressed thanks to the tree. He walked back onto the main road and headed to the port city Lathis. In search for the answer regarding his newly-gained talents, the monk began his travel a few days ago. He decided that Lathis, being the major city closest to his home temple, would be the best place to start.

It was near midday when Maitri arrived at the city centre, attracted by the strange priest's loud speech. Whether their prediction of a disaster is true or not, spreading fear amongst people is not a good way to save them, thought the half-elven monk. After the red-clothed pilgrim left, while pondering the possibility of Atlantis's destruction and the suffering it would bring to the people Maitri noticed a hooded humanoid figure accompanied by a large bird-like creature. Seeing them heading off in the direction where the priests went, he followed and, while keeping a polite distance, asked as he placed his palms together for a greeting, "Excuse me, you seem to have taken an interest in those priests in red, as have I. Their words I find rather troubling. Would you kindly shed me some light on what you know about them?"

Moridain · #12 Apr 17th, 2014, 10:43 AM

Ruby turns to look at the one speaking to her, one hand unconsciously going to the hood to keep him from seeing much of her face, "Not much." she says in the gravelly voice of an Oread, "Only what I heard them say in the square."

"I am about to go ask them questions though." she says with a small shrug. She looks at him curiously though, something about him calling upon her instinct as well. "If you want to come with me? Perhaps we can discover more together?"

The Roc is more open in his curiousity of this new person, one who is clearly not scared of him. It approaches and puts its head right up into your face, pulling air into its air holes in a massive gust as it takes in your scent. It then moves around behind you, sniffing at your pack at the area where the food is located, "Bigmouth, stop it. You just ate..." she says, tiredly. The Roc looks at her, hurt, but moves away from your bag.

"Sorry, he is still a child. He eats like... well, like a growing child."

Hound · #13 Apr 17th, 2014, 05:54 PM

"Big mouth! Big mouth!" Ruby and Dharma could hear echoing Ruby's, followed by a bird's cawing laughter. The source was not hard to find, a Raven, perched upon a man's shoulders was doing the mocking. The raven's words were eerily well pounced.

The man, acting as the bird’s roost, was watching the Red Priests as if they were a queer sight, yet he himself was an oddity. He was tall with little to no fat on him, his hair, which matched the Raven’s fathers, was as long as most women’s hair. His skin was as pale as moon light, and his eyes were as yellow as gold. He wore a coat of black leather, though it was not nearly thick enough to provide any real protection. Lastly, he smelt strongly of chemicals like an alchemy shop.

Finally the man grew tired of the cawing, "Archimedes, silence." The bird instantly fell quite, though it still looked at Ruby and the Roc with a mocking expression. The man pulled his gaze from the Red Priests and turned his attention to it's targets. The man eyed the small woman, whom stood more than a full foot shorter than he, then he eyed the half-elf, whom by contrast was a little taller and much leaner. "My apologies for the rudeness of my companion. I am Thomas Sparrowhawke." The bird made a scoffing sound and turned away from the group. The man ignored the bird and kept talking, "I see you too have an avian friend. What is his name?"

The man outstretched a closed hand to allow the Roc to give him a sniff, if it desire, but to keep it from nipping any fingers. After a pause to hear names, Sparrowhawke continued, he gaze falling back upon the shouting priests. "These Red Priests sound like bloody madmen." He paused, "Though... genius is often misunderstood as madness..."

Moridain · #14 Apr 17th, 2014, 06:27 PM

She looks at him strangely, then at the other man who had approached her, "Um..." she manages at the strangeness of two seperate people attaching themselves to her for a task she had taken on mostly out of curiosity.

"I haven't given him a proper name yet, but I call him Bigmouth. He eats so much that it kind of fits and he doesn't know its an insult. I will give him a proper name when he grows a bit more and I learn what he likes, or at least when all he likes stops being eating and trying to keep me within a couple feet of him..." she says with a half smile that is quickly hidden.

At your madmen comment she looks less than convinced, "Madmen object more when their holy mission is interupted by city guards." She says quietly. "But I doubt the gods much care about the Gates, it is just magic which is their own. Why beg forgiveness for something they allowed us to harness in the first place? It isn't like Necromancy or Demon summoning after all..."

"What worries me is their desire to 'bring it sooner'. It smells of self-fulfilling prophesy, where the end of Atlantis will come therefore we must make it come, therefor it will come."

Catching herself she sighs, annoyed at her turn of phrase. A month ago she would have scoffed at the idiots then gone back to drinking, or slapped someone talking like herself on the back of the head. Now she finds herself musing on things that were unimportant...

"Best to speak to them, just in case."

Kaji · #15 Apr 17th, 2014, 07:51 PM

"Hello, Thomas and Archimedes," said the half-elven monk as he turned to the newly-joined man and raven, greeting them by placing his palms together, then faced the centre of the circle of people and creature to include Bigmouth and his master, "I am Dharma-Maitri, martial monk. You may call me Maitri.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Bigmouth and you are...?

"I agree how the words of those priests are worrying. Instilling fear and panic in people is not a good thing. All things will eventually perish, even those we cherish, but to deliberately destroy them before their time is up... one must be certain the reason is ultimately for the greater good, and not for some selfish motive. Yes, let us go and ask them a few questions."

Turning to Thomas and Archimedes, Maitri asked, "Would you like to come too?"

Are you confused and wondering what is going on here? Check out this YouTube video to get the scoop.