They have baths!!! I haven't had a serious bath since back at..
Her voice trails off.
Upon realizing the opportunity to rest in such a comfortable place, Scarlet goes to take a bath in one of the houses. She will then head to the Mage's study in order to learn whatever she can.
Sits down at ant available table.
Takes out one of his journals and starts to write down notes about this current adventure.
Afterwards hell compare his notes to Adels book and see if he can come up with anything
Brand half hears Scarlet's words but it registers somehow, "You mean like a hot tub." Brand heads toward the baths still looking around at all the wonders. Brand is sort of lost with all the studying working better in discussion than contemplation. He regularly checks on the others half fishing for company.
Maria looks about the area, awed on the inside to a degree. She's seen forestry, but this looked more like something Nirman would have had scribbled into his notes. The absence of any guards makes sense. They know no-ones planning on leaving.
So, no-one is even slightly concerned about that wizard then? No plans? It seems obvious to me whatever page he got away with is going to bite us.
The "spellcaster" spends some time sorting through the various items and books in the Mages corner. She starts moving with less energy over the course of a few minutes, looking out in thought.
Aria is, but there's nothing really she can do about it right now. Besides it's their problem now isn't it? Narine answer's to a wandering Maria
You find the bath house, Water stream's into both halves of a large pool of steamy water. one side denotes male the other female. The water is sparkling and beautiful, the stone pool clean. water trails off from the pool, into a grate in the corner.
You find yourself in a large room filled with shelves of books many written by other mages. you find book's written by a man named Archae more than once, many of his works seem to teach more Alchemy than magic. None of the book seem to teach magic directly though would provide the tools needed to research your own spells and magic, do some alchemical work, or just read.
Looking in more obscure sections of the study you find books on the history of Ancient Idris, the Chosen by Aria (the rest of the name is is illegible, the rest of it scratched out in a rage), the last book partial scorched though you can still make out the title The Foundling.
They are a tricky bunch, prone to emotional outburst, well some of them anyway. Though i doubt i will need it,i have found that cold iron is like a poison to them and those that spend too much time around them, one of my students or well Aria's a young boy named Kryas Azrin finds that it hurt's him though he is only human. their magic is powerful indeed, though there wording is key.
it seems that they are almost as torn apart as we are at the moment, the three court's fighting amongst each other. The words begin to trail off into odd doodles and designs around the page. the pages themselves worn and old
Looks at Maria
I feel as you do Tremor but we just don't have the information to come up with any sound strategy. All we can do now is prepare as best we can with what we know.
Maria takes a trip to the bath house before the nights over.
*sigh* I don't know why I bothered going in there. I've always been a terrible apprentice. Master Nirman should have gotten better than me. She seems more like her thoughts are leaking out loud rather than speaking to anyone in particular.
Uh, sorry. Since back where? Maria attempts a conversation with Scarlet.
A few hour's later you all feel at least somewhat rested. You here a knock at the mansion door. one of you goes to answer it, two guards stand at the ready, one however looks incredibly bored the other overly enthusiastic.
I've come to fetch you for dinner with milady Aria please follow He say's rather loudly and with an odd happiness in his voice. The other guards shrugs and sighs simply following along. Walking through the garden like front yard. walking over the bridge glancing briefly at the water you see Narine at the bottom staring up, looking off into the distance. she does not seem to be accompanying you.
Waling through the literal city of tree's, people seem to be going about their business's, shops running, bakery's everything seems rather normal. with the exception that you really don't see any just human's around, every other race but no humans.
You can handle this right Nazaire? i'm gonna go tend to some business
Of course i can!I am the greatest Guardsman! The Guardsman shout's still happy and clearly not paying much attention to what his partner went off to do. You see him slump over against a nearby tree, sleeping.
You arrive at a the town center, several important building surround a large fountain sewing water. Just to name a few: A barrack's, a general good's store (A rather large one at that), and The house the guard has taken you too Aria's personal home.
This is your stop! have Fun! And Thank you For All your help recovering the book!The Guard dashes off without a second though. you can still hear his shout's in the distance.
You walk up to the front door, knocking. The door opens suddenly, nothing on the other side. Come on in! Things are just finishing! Aria Shout's from another room.
Responding to Maria,
Well... Since back when I lived with my parents...
While reading, Scarlet will attempt to look into The Foundling.
Moving on to the scene with Aria, Scarlet will walk in completely unsurprised with the magically opened doors, heading directly toward the voice.
The book seems to be written as if it was some kind of diary or personal journal. in a similar manner to Abel's Journal, in entries, bit's and pieces. The books pages are old , flipping inside the author's page has been clearly ripped out. oddly enough it's written in Aquan.
I've recently acquired a new slave...A child, his parents were worried about some curse. His mother gave birth to him while cursed with Lycanthropy, worried they brought him to me. It is an easy thing to remove, though i told them it would take time. Many year's he would be an adult before being seen by them again. They accepted the term's. I never told them but i was worried he would become a Foundling, an odd term denoting one who has spent time among the Fey, enough to begin warping them and my experience with one...with mine.
I try to get through to the brat, to explain to him his position, i'm not trying to be mean or anything but it's how thing's are. i new taking into our realm was dangerous but it's only been 3 day's at most, almost as so as we came back into his realm, the mortal realm he got sick, he refused to eat...
Today was his 16th birthday, he fell in love again, not with a Nymph this time...Though i would rather that he had that. This time that annoying warrior Aria, she keeps filling his head with hopes and dreams of heroism. Telling him he's the child of prophecy, he would end the silent war among the Courts.
Something happened, he ran away. His favorite mask shattered in two... I lost him forever because of her, whatever she did ruined everything. if he was the child to end the war, then he is lost as are we. The book begins trailing off continuing on to days when the author was simply searching. Until eventually the end of the book describes more specific thing's about Foundling's and the fey
I found Foundling are something akin to half-fey, an odd term to be certain.
They possess our weakness to cold iron, though not nearly as deadly only sickening. There fortitude are much weaker, they get sick easily. For some reason, there healing magic is stronger.
the process can take anywhere from 3 day's to a week for one to turn foundling. The initial turning process, can cause serious sickness.
There life span's are much longer, most likely due to fey magic warping the body.
Brand pops in looking for company. "This place is amazing treehouses um so cool." He looks up at the studious ones, "Did you find anything interesting?"
Brand follows the happy guardsman but goes on and on asking a barrage of questions about the city the tress how its done, is it magic and so on.
Recently I found a book called "The Foundling" while reading in the library, I may have uncovered something that sounds strikingly familiar to the man we are hunting.
It seems that there was a young man who was born from a lycanthrope, it also says he knew Aria, perhaps we will ask her about it...
After arriving at Aria's home Scarlet will ask:
What is the Foundling?
Nirman's estate came with baths. I must have been lucky. Maria states with a quiet tone.
You suppose the lycanthrope in the book that knows Aria and the lycanthrope Aria said she knows are the same? I'm impressed.
She has no words to add on the way to Aria Manor, but an intense desire for the spunky guard to stop talking.
The room your in seems to be a trophy room of sorts filled with mounted heads of monsters, various blades. A long table sit's in the center with several chairs around it. The table is filled with foods of all kinds, various meat's and foods both exotic and normal.
Aria cringes, putting one of many platters of food on a long table surrounded by several chairs. The book, the species, or the person? Either way it's a name and thing i haven't heard in quite a long time...i've been trying to avoid it truth be told. Why do you ask ?
This foundling seems oddly similar to the one we are looking for... Tristan. Is he the same person?
Aria looks almost as if she breathes a sigh of relief Not at all, i've never actually seen Tristan in person myself. Please sit down and eat, we can discuss this over dinner She motions for you all to sit down around the table as she herself sit's, plates and utensils are in front of you. I'm surprised honestly that Abel never told you anything, he always did have that habit though so i guess i'm not. she says scooping food onto her plate. I've only taken over the ageless court rather recently, and as you know Abel has had prior students, 3 are of import. Each with there own past and problem's, much like yourselves. Ashling, Illia, and Kryas, his three student's prior. Much like yourselves they also had a prophecy. A story predicting a future they would decide. They were supposed to put an end to your mortal war, however as you can tell they failed. And i think i am partial to blame Her eye's drift downward a sad look That young man who is known as the Foundling, who was supposed to save the fey was Kryas. Due to my actions, instead of staying among our people he left chasing after that dull assassin. Since the court's have been broken up unable to cooperate, meaning the whole of the nation of Idris is unable to leave it's borders. Your people have continued to blame each other for it as such continue fighting. And i have no clue how to fix it... She quickly put's away the sad look, though you can see it clearly still bothers her Your teacher had a habit of training student's and bringing out their Fatal Flaw's but never teaching them how to go about defeating it. hopefully you four don't fall in the same way.
The rocker looks over the auspicious dwelling of the fey queen for short while before responding. I'd be happy to cease war. I would need to see my people no longer enslaved first. Until then I'd like to crush the skulls of everyone involved. Maria doesn't make look up to say this, instead choosing to place food onto her plate. A lot of vegetables and grain for some reason.
Do you know where we can find Tristan?
Brand rankles at negative words aimed at Abel, he blurts out,"Fath . . . I mean um Abel is a good man and um a great teacher." He catches himself. Very politely he says, "Dinner looks um lovely I ah thank you for the ah invitation." Brand digs into the food heartily.
No clue. All i know is he is hiding near the capital. Aria responds to Maria's question eating slowly. Abel is flawed like anyone, he is a good teacher though naive at times. Though that might just be me remembering his youth. It is no problem, it get's boring being alone day in and day out. she gives Brand a smile
Scarlet looks over the food carefully. She carefully selects only the finest specimen from each dish to add to her plate and begins to eat with napkin on her lap, fork in the right hand, and knife in the left.
By the "dull assassin" do you mean Tristan or someone else? Also, it seems as if Kryas was being raised by some cruel fey or something of the like, how did he escape?
You're close, the "dull assassin" is Ashling he fell in love with her, just like myself, and the 5 Nymph's before that. The fey that raised him was Narine, she wasn't cruel. she just had no clue how to care for a mortal child, She never enforced rules or taught him ...he just left, the escape wasn't special. other than him wanting to leave being mostly my fault. After that form my understanding Those two met Abel and became his students. Aria explains eating a leg of mutton.
Brand eats quietly until looking up from dinner, "So um with the book returned, err we ah were hoping that you can grant permission for Narine to break the curse on Tristan."
The book has been returned, it is in the repair process as we speak. permission is granted...I wonder if she will come back, it will be interesting to see for certain
With permission granted, time passes as Maria, Brand, and Narine head back to the capital city. Passing through the forests and back on the road, thing's actually end up being much quieter than how thing's were on the way in.
you pass through the familiar mountain pass that lead you to the chaotic valley of the fey. You camp out, once you reach the Mountain pass, well outside of Fey territory...outside of the dangers and back into safer lands. The night passes without any odd events, unlike last time.
Continuing on down the road you reach the fork in the road that leads to your new Island in the sky home : Cloud-Vale. Finally you come to the city lift, it's seems pretty busy today. Many people trader's, traveler, soldiers all taking it up to the city. You three all manage to find a spot in the corner.
The three of you make your way to the Tiny Roc Inn, A small wooden sign is hung on the door handle reading : Closed for the day. You head in regardless, Narine tries hiding behind the much taller Maria as you enter.
Your two slightly older mentor's sit near the bar, Kryas the bar tender polishing glasses doesn't seem to notice any of you enter.
Ashling once again with a bucket of water, slowly turning red as she washes blood off her blade. She looks up but doesn't say anything, only smiles or at least attempts to; it only comes off as unnerving.
"We made it um back err permission to reverse the curse and all."
Yes, we should find Tristan soon.
That mission will start Tomorrow, Ash found out where he is hiding. Before we do that however news of your mission has reached the queen. Don't worry that a good thing, she approves and want's to reward you. You should head up to the palace He looks up from his work, noticing the small fey hiding behind Maria. a look of happiness on his face Narine... it's be a while
The small fey responds shifting into view, Yeah i guess it has,
Ashling get's up walking over to the group, Narine walks past her over to Kryas. Ashling says briefly I'll go with you, i need to see the queen anyway
Do we go to the Palace or do something else?
"See the um Queen. . .they know I'm a goblin right."
Maria nods. Maybe not. Doesn't matter, does it? If anyone has a problem with it, I have an answer.
You can relax Brand, she knows...She's not picky. She might not be what you expect Ashling shuts's the door behind as your group travels upwards through the city's tunnels to the surface of the floating island. She doesn't care much about race, reputation, who you are or what you do...She value's actions. All i ask is you keep an open mind as well, she is good for this nation. You travel further up eventually reaching the top layer.
Large buildings and many people of all races walking up and down the roads. bard troupes along the roadsides performing, market stalls selling various foods. The city above is much bigger than any you'v ever seen, buildings packed alongside each other.
Following alongside the quiet assassin, further through the city. in the distance above the city a smaller island standing on it a massive Palace of white stone. You step on another small guarded lift.
A Guard stands at the ready, he bows stepping aside.
You ride up the lift to the small palace island. Go on in through the front door, She should be in the throne room, just give her your names. I'll join when i finish some work i have to do
Maria enters silently.
I'm starting to get used to the flying rocks I suppose. I wonder if maybe... Her thoughts trail off as she goes through the door, preferring her stony demeanor.
You both enter, the castle is empty and silent. White halls crafted out of marble, three path's:
one ahead leading to a large wooden door Throne room is marked on a metal plaque next to the door.
one to the right leading a similar plaque denoting Armory, Laboratory
the left hallway and plaque marking Kitchen, bedroom, dungeons
Brand walks proudly and seems stiff offering extremely polite responses and greetings to any who cross their path.
You walk into the Throne room, it's dim lit and the room seems mostly empty. Basket's of burning fires, set in metal cages hanging from stone columns being the only light source.
A long red carpet leads up to the throne placed in back of the room atop a small set of stairs. You see an odd sight, a young human man sprawled out on the throne, sleeping.
Maria waits patiently for him to wake up, a respectable distance from him. She takes a seat if one's available.
Brand looks up at Maria and says quietly, "Aren't we ah looking for um a Queen."
Yes. I imagined we should be able to find her here soon enough. The queen wanted to meet with us, where else should she expect to do so than her throne room? Lets go.
First Maria tries the right hallway with the Armory and Laboratory, if no-one queen-esque is there, then the left.
You leave the throne room, going down the right hallway passing what you can only surmise is the Armory. There's a set of stairs at the end, you head down into a open dimly lit room.
several table filled with glass tubes and cup all filled with some odd blue liquid. Among the smoke, glass and flickering lights a young woman with pale skin and long dark green hair, wearing long white robes and golden armlet's with a single large emerald embedded in each. She turn's.
Oh, hello. Maria and Brand Right? I'm Cera Blackthorne how do you do? She moves away from the equipment rather gracefully, she motioning for you two to follow her. We can discuss this somewhere less gloomy. She lead's you back to the throne room and through a door off to the side onto a Large balcony sitting down at a small table. Please sit, i would like to talk about you receiving a mercenary license and operating in the city. Also Would you like some tea?
Maria eyes the liquid in the containers warily for a moment, before shifting her gaze to the expensively decorated queen.
...No. Am I correct in assuming this license is a legal requirement?
Brand looks stunned for a minute, "My ah lady queen, your grace um . . . its an honor." He bows deeply.
Once at the table he is careful to move with deference to the queen and very meekly, "Tea would be er lovely your graceness."
Cera smiles, from the other room you hear a loud noise, the subtle sound of complaining and whining . The young man sleeping on the throne walks through the door carrying a pot of tea with two cup's and a small bowl of sugar and milk.
He walks in half awake, yawning. getting a closer look: his hair is well kept and a pale blonde, a dark green tunic, you a small silver necklace around his neck a small pendant bearing Cera's personal royal crest.
He places the Tea set down on the table without saying much of anything, though he still looks tired. He stands over to the side, looking over the balcony to the lands below. He seems to be avoiding eye contact with you Maria.
Cera pours the cups of tea herself before she continues, Yes it is, though mostly it's to keep order, keep track of weapons, mages, thing's like that. it helps keep banditry to a minimum. It's simple really, sign a few document's and you will be all squared away and ready to go about your business. I need a few key pieces of information: place of residence and the name of your guild. Beyond that i will need to know your level of weapon's training, magical abilities, other notable skills. Do you have any questions?
Maria doesn't make a big deal out of being ignored. After all, she's used to being on the sideline.
Place of residence... We've been staying at the Tiny Roc Inn since we got here. How long will we be here anyway? A couple of days at most I hope.
Alright then, one more minor thing. Before i can allow you to pursue this serial killer, i would like you to have two more people; To have a more complete team. If you have no objection's i know a few people in the city who are without a guild at the moment
Certainly. With due respect, my Queen, if we are required to have more people, I'd prefer if we could pick them out ourselves. I would look at the folks you suggest first of course, but I think we know best how to find people who work well with us. As it turns out, speaking with the high-class isn't something Maria learned at poor-people school.
Yes with all, your contact's and connections in the city. You certainly do know people. The queen responds sarcastically, She suddenly claps her hands together smiling, I have an idea! I know people and you wish to be there to judge yes? We hold a talent show, The three of us will be judges, i'll announce it to the city formally. Does that work?