It has been a year of tragedy adn triumph for the people of Sanctuary. Early in the year a faction of Telvani intellectuals, magewrights, and craftsman teleported the first Scry Satellite into orbit around the planet and within weeks dozens more joined them. For the first time the Telvani could see their homeworld from high above the clouds and for many it gave them hope. For those in the budding military it gave them something to plan with.
However any celebration was cut short as Ahrimal, the oldest of the sorcerer kings, died inside his sanctity crystal weakening the shield around the city and causing the crystal to go dark. There have been no official reports made on the cause of death, only that no foul play is suspected at this point. The people are on the razor's edge of excitement and terror. Change is coming, for better or worse
You have up until now been living a mostly normal life. Yesterday however you were given a message, sent via a small amgical construct to have lunch with Sorcerer Hyral and Sorceress Queen Amaya in the grove of sanctity surrounding her mana crystal. Such high profile people asking for the company of nobodies like yourselves can only mean oen thing; they're asking you to do something.
Such summons are not unheard of. The ways of sorcerer's are strange and it's not such an odd thing to occasionally hear of one or more asking a small favor or large quest of a person or two.
When you enter the grove, there's nobody around. Well that is to say no one but Sorcerer Hyral, Sorceress Queen Amaya, and a number of what you guess are Unseen Servants doing the catering.
Hyral is but a boy by Telvani standards. Unfortunately such standards can hardly be applied to sorcerers. Hyral, like all sorcerer's, has brightly glowing eyes. A sign of the very real raw power contained in him. Overall you gauge that he's only reached perhaps the 4th or perhaps 5th level of spellcasting. However sorcerers are the only being on this world that can reach the mythical 9th level which is a full 3 beyond what normal Telvani are capable of.
Behind him is the softly blue glowing crystal as large as a castle tower looming over you emitting a column of pearlescent white light into the shield above you. You see the faint shadow of a female Telvani inside the crystal but avoid looking at it for too long. It is rumored that Amaya, the youngest and last of the Sorcerer Queens to voluntarily encase herself in one of the sanctity crystals to power the shields that protect this city, was also the most beautiful. But you avoid it lest your own lusts commit some kind of unknown blasphemy.
The dinner smells good tantalizing your senses with exotic dishes not seen or tasted since the founding of the city. All around you is greenery, and the songs of birds vying for territory and mating rights. It's a serene and peaceful scene that is jarring compared to the crowded chaos of the city proper.
N'Gurai rests one hand on the tyrannosaurus next to him and one hand on the dagger at his side. He stares forcefully ahead, as if daring to shun the laws and rules of his people. His companion, a man-sized thunder lizard, rumbles slightly in his chest, alarmed by the presence of the unseen magic all around him. N'Gurai murmurs a few low sounds and the dinosaur calms.
"Given how rare these summons are and how precious your time and attentions are to the defense of his city, I take it that you wish a service of us, no?"
Thraxital will timidly approach with Kola encouraging him by his side.
" Um, I have come as requisted your Graces, ah, and so has my Eidlon, this is ah Kola and well I um, that is I am pleased to meet you. Your holinesses." Thraxital stutters, then awkwardly bows. Kola covers her Fey-like face with her hand in embarassment.
Jathal enters the Grove, taking in the luxury around him. Hid body encased in crystal, formed much like the"Armor" some are starting to craft. His gauntlet fingers ending in fine claws, all but his lower face hidden behind the crystalline mask. The Large Iron weapon. He knew hanging across his back. He knew the looks he got, the fear his armor and the weapon he bore instilled in his people. He did not care, he took pride in that fear, in knowing he was stronger then they and he would kill the enemy.
He looked at the other two people seeming to be in attendance. His eyes narrow at N'Grai. A kaiju master is he, humm and that one masters the Eidlon. Interesting
Jathal looks at all this wealth, all this and her grew up killing and stealing for scraps. He controls his anger and bows to Hyral. "You have summoned my lord?" he manages without showing his anger.
As Thraxital enters the sanctum Hyral smiles at Thraxital and gestures towards a seat which slides out invitingly from around the table. "I thank you for coming. Please, take a seat. Eat. Drink. There is much to discuss when the other guests arrive. And I'm not holy, thank you, I was born to normal parents like yourself." He says that last sentence almost sadly as if he's had to repeat it a million times.
Turning to N'Gurai he adds. "That is very perceptive of you. But, please, do not trouble yourself with it now. We have two others that need to show before we can begin." As if to demonstrate the point an unseen servant refills N'Gurai's drink.
As Jathal enters a small frown crosses Hyral. "You need not use such titles here. Also, you don't have to wear your...other half here. This is a place of safety, and privacy. Have a seat, please relax."
"I would keep my other, if you do not mind. It is as much me as the skin I was born with' He says taking a seat and drinking deeply from his cup. The wine is sweet He thinks to himself, drinking deeply. He feels the padding beneath his other as if it was his own skin. And the smells of the roasted meat was inviting indeed.
And the smells of the roasted meat was inviting indeed.
Thraxital diverts his gaze shyly from Hyral "Yes, of course, ah, I appologize it's just I never have meet a Sorceror before, and this place is so strange and empty, OH, I didn't mean strange it is lovely. I have never been so far from a crowd though. Kola rolls her eyes and tugs on Thraxital's sleeve, motioning him to sit down.
"Thank you Lord Hyral, ah, I will sit." Thraxital sits, his eyes still full of wonder and his mouth slightly open in pure amazement. He looks to Kola, she seems very comfortable here. She has always told him of places where there were no crowds. With a shock that almost causes him to jump Thraxital notices Jathal and N'Gurai.
They look so fierce, I wonder why they sent for me with company like them. (with this thought Thraxital sits up straight in his chair) I must make clan Tal_Vo and the Starry Night proud, I AM a summoner and these are dark times
N'Gurai nods, taking his hand off his dagger to drink the eldritch drink poured by unseen hands. He keeps his hand on Longtooth, though, and makes a rumbling sound in his chest that seems to sooth the beast.
He studies the others, the armored one and the summoner with the elfin eidolon. The summoner seems of the usual sort of Telvanni, peaceful and unknown to violence. The armored one, however, seemed more to his taste: blooded and used to the hunt. 'Good. He might survive then.' he thinks.
Bicor stretches his arm from one end of the hall to the other. Shorter than most, he can not quite reach both at the same time. He wanders back and forth running his fingers along one wall then the next. He adds an extra third to the distance in this manner.
And to the time to reach his destination.
Bicor smiles, in no hurry to reach the summons and have to return to the crowded city outside. With a quieting breath he once again stifles the wish once again clambering to the forfront of his thoughts.
Outside. It is too much too hope for: a quest outside. That kind of luck happens only to the rich. Just enjoy the little bit of time you have been given in all this wonderful space.
His smile broadens as he enters the garden. "If I close my eyes it might take minutes to reach from one side to the other." Closing his eyes is not an option though. The beautiful crystal is larger then the building his family shares with seven other families. Space for birds to sing and to "space to fly," he gasps.
Suddenly he realizes the others in the garden. He looks at each when he can take his eyes off the space, and notes particularly the only one with glowing eyes.
"Allo. Ya must be Hyrul. Bicor Capshin thanks ya for the lovely view of yer home sir. He be forever at yer service." Belatedly he adds, "Sir."
Hyral looks surprised at Bicor's comment then embarassed. "No, no, please, this sin't my home. Please take a seat."
After a few awkward minutes of silence and eating Hyral speaks up again. "Good, has everyone eaten? Excellent. Mistress Amaya they are prepared."
There is a brief whine and suddenly the grove fills with a sing-songy angelic voice. It seems to bypass your ears, even your midn and reach into your soul.
The voice is calming like that of a big sister reassurring you after a scraped knee, or a shared laugh with a good friend. You suspect magic at work but from a being as undoubtedly powerful as her whose to say that it simply isn't her presence? She continues.
Well this IS what I have trained for, but I am still afraid. I must not allow it to controll me as master has said Kola seems to sense Thraxital's fear and gently caresses his leg.
" I am ready for your task your majesty, I will do what is nessecary to defend sanctuary in the name of the Tal_Vo and the memory of Ahrimal, my he rest in eternal peace." Thraxital seems almost amazed at himself for being able to say the words without succumbing to his fear. For the first time I have said something I truly believe, and I feel stronger for it. Is it because of her? She is so wonderful and beautiful
Thraxital realizes he is staring at the queen and embaressed he looks away, Kola covers her mouth and giggles.
N'Gurai sits up straighter at the idea of risk. "Risk? I will do it. Anything to escape the tedium of sitting in a city waiting to die."
Dreams of questing outside the shields flow through his head and into his mouth, "of course Ah eccept." Bicor expected a quest from the summons and with all the rumors of doom bantying about the risk seems hardly worth mentioning. Unless they are just rumors. Which she didn't say. Bicor's hazel eyes roll toward a point deep in the garden as he thinks. Come to think of it, there was no mention of the risk. Or the task.
Bicor's eyes widen. Uh Oh. Did I just commit 'much of my life' to working in the city? Or to a sanctity crystal? Or, eww, the sewers? He sputters at the thought.
"Uhmm.... Ha ha." he finishes sheepishly.
"Life is risk" Jathal says blackly "Tell of what you would ask Lady' He says, eager at the chance for real battle, the chance to put himself to the test. The chance to maybe kill the enemy.
She continues, a touch of sadness in the voice.
Hyral waves is hands and mutters archaic formulae. As he finishes a shimmering sphere solidifies above the table spinning slowly. At first it seems incrompehensible splotches of blue, brown, green, and white. That is until you look closer and see two smaller spheres orbitting around the spehere proper. There features are as unmistakable as to you as the night sky. They are Aya and Saya, the dancing sisters, the twin moons that hang above the sky.
As you lok on with a mix of wonder and curiosity Hyral explains. "This is what our world looks like many thousands of miles in the sky. We, sit on top of the world at the north pole. As you can see our world is mostly ocean as we long suspected. However what caught our attention are these black adn green splotches in the southern hemisphere." Hyral points out irregular vomit green blos near the south pole. They are large and from this distance you can iamgine they cover entire nations. "They cover a full 30% of the planet now and they're growing. The demons are killing this world one inch at a time, and they're saving us for last."
Hyral stops and sighs as the voice fills your souls again.
Amaya pauses to give you time to absorb this information adn to react.
Outside? Outside!
"Do yah mean we will be taking hunnerds with us?"
Demons and wild Kaiju! Even Kola gasps when demons are mentioned, she often has spoken of simular beings that attacked her home.
" What are we to do once we reach the south, your Majesty?"
Jathal's blood sings at the thought of battle with the demons. Yes his hearts desire is to cover his blade in blood and test himself with a real foe.
"Will we have a target?" He says his interest now fully engrossed in the topic at hand.
"I will go. This soft life is no good for Longtooth and I. We crave the blood, the heat of battle, the song of the dead and dying. We will go." N'Gurai looks almost enraptured with the thought of it all.
Hyral looks at N'Gurai and Jathal with a mix of strangeness and awkwardness. "Um, right, that will likely happen given the danger." He turns to Bicor. "Not at first no. For now you will go alone to our southernmost outpost at the edge of the ice cap."
He waves his hands over the illusion revealing an image of the region. A small blue star on the northwestern most corner of the map indicates the outpost.
"You will go to this point here with a wagon of supplies for the outpost. You will be operating under the cover of merchants looking to make a profit by bringing goods from the region to the city. With this cover few will question what you will be doing or the funding and equipment you may receive.
You will have three objectives.
First, you will determine the viability of establishing a colony within this region.
Second, evaluate any potential threats to colonization and eliminate them if possible. Third, there was...a group of independant colonists who set out two years ago. We have not heard from them for quite sometime. Discover there fate and prevent it from happening to our efforts."
Wow, I never would have guessed this! Establish a colony OUTSIDE of sanctuary!
" Other then demons and kaiju, is there any other threats that are common in that region?" Thraxital asks this question with a fear that is hard to mask. Kola moves in closer to Thraxital to comfort him. " Once we have completed this mission, will we return here or will we be communicating remotly?" Thraxital adds hoping his last remark will mask his fear from the other summoners present.
hmmm.... a violent bunch to be with. But to be in the space outside the shields...
Bicor smiles with the thought of space and begins to wonder just how much there is. His eyes fix an a distant point as he thinks. Staring at the image his head tilts first this way, then that way. He finally gives up and just asks.
"How far is this? One day's journey? two?"
Jathal loved the prospect of battle, but did not care much for the idea of playing merchant. Still it would get him into the fight. "What supplies would we have? And do you know where these people planned to set up camp?"
Hyral looks through some notes in front of him before answering "They've reported walking dead and dangerous fey in the area. You won't be returning here, simply send us a message. One other thing, your mission won't be considered compeltel until you've explored the region thoroughly. The journey itself will take more than a week. As to the wherabouts of the former colonists we cannot say. There are ruins on this map in several places but we cannot tell if they are merely pre-war citiy's or all too recent settlements.
You will be granted 200 gold scrip from the start in order to take what supplies you may need. Use them wisely because no more funding can be spared until you've made progress in making the area suitable for settlement."
Undead! Kola has a disgusted look on her child-like face at the mention of the Undead.
"By your leave then your Majesty. I would like to inform my clan that I will be gone for some time if that is permitted."
Undead! Kola has a disgusted look on her child-like face at the mention of the Undead."By your leave then your Majesty. I would like to inform my clan that I will be gone for some time if that is permitted."
"I'm ready to go anytime. My family will be glad to be rid of the dishonor of having me."
The singing voice of Amaya enters your souls again.
I will have no problem shedding this violent path, but I know it must be done Thraxital reflects quietly to himself, and looks over his companions I am not so sure about these others though, they seem very accustom to violence
Kola smiles up at Thraxital from her small-fey like body with a gesture of joy. She has been waiting for this since she met me, She seems a very kind soul, but she came to me for retribution.
"Very well, thank you your Majesty for your hospitality" Thraxital respectfully bows.
"Let us depart then. I tire of the smell of this place. And Longtooth's getting hungry..." N'Gurai smiles unpleasantly like his kaiju.
Oi think we need a tent, and enough rations for a month. Bicor throws a glance at Longtooth. ...err a couple o' months. Still eyeing the creature he thinks, how much trouble would I be in for suggesting a sled? nah, too much.
Bowing to the nobility he says, Thanky Sirs, Thanky Ma'ams.
You leave the the sanctuary with the funds in hand and excitement pounding in your heart.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Thraxital Tal_Vo of the Starry Night. This is my companion Kola of the Starry Night. We are both schooled in the arcane." Thraxital bows, and Kola smiles and nods.
" I will agree to purchess a tent and some rations"
"I am N'Gurai. This is Longtooth. He will find his own food. You cannot carry enough 'rations' to feed him. I have gear for myself, as well as a small tent and wayfinder. Longtooth can carry some gear. I do not have suggestions for purchase, though more ammunition for my rifle and bandages for our inevitable wounds may be wise."
"Please te meet ye, Thrackitall Talvo and Kola o' Starry Night.
Please te meet ye, Engoori and Longtooth."
Bicor bows with a hand at his waist. Long blonde hair falls into his face and he moves it back with a swipe of his hand as he straitens. Of average height, Bicor's very lean frame has a lanky appearance. An inverted arrow-point with a curving slash through it glows on his cheek and neck. "Bicor Capshin at yer service. Breacher be me eidi-mate, but as he tends to break things I rarely bring him out when company's 'round, if ye know what I mean?"
"I am Jathal, tents, extra winter clothing, rations and bandages sounds like good ideas." He says simply
[occ]hmm last post by GM wed, this is sunday, yeah too slow for my tasts im out good luck[/ooc]
You leave the the sanctuary with the funds in hand and excitement pounding in your heart.
After gathering his gear Bicor heads to the merchant's to purchase a tent, four sets of snowshoes, two extra blankets, bandages and the spends the remaining money on rations. Happily surprised the rest of the group has assembled before he is finished, he distributes the items. The happy colonists head south to begin the journey.
"Happy Colonists," he chuckles. "I like it"
"Keep the column moving. Longtooth and I will scout ahead, keeping eyes out for trouble." N'Gurai pulls out a shiny silver whistle he purchased for this purpose. "If you hear this, come running."
I'll get a proper post up later tonight as you set out. I'll see about getting some mroe people here it looks like we lost Thraxital.
The group loads up their respective gear and heads towards the southern tunnel. Pressing your way through the crowds is long and difficult work. By the time you reach the mouth of the tunnel you welcome the yawning darkness within for if nothing else there is at least space. Though it has taken you msot of the day to get here you dive into it hoping that the quiet within will calm your wracked nerves and racing minds long enough for you to catch your breath and think on all that has been asked of you.
To your surprise or perhaps greatest hope the darkness and silence are more than you could have hoped for. But the darkness doesn't last forever. Even before you get the need to bring out torches the tunnel begins to light up. First with one glow, then another, and then many tiny globes of light start to skitter and squeak across and around the tunnel lighting the way for you.
These things are Fungal Rats. A bizarre creature created by accident. Originally the fungus that protrudes from their backs was meant to be a parasite that would kill them and use their bodies to spawn more spores that would infect more rats and continue the cycle. It was even designed so that the fungus would compel the rats to seek more rats. Even better the fungus was luminescent so the rats bodies could be removed before the carcasses would rot and spread disease. Unfortunately instead of being the parasites the magewrights hoped for the fungus became symbiotic and actually found that it survived better with the rats alive. The bright side was that the chemicals of the fungus made the rats highly toxic making them immune to most attempts at predation. The result was instead of eliminating the rat problem in Sanctuary was that the ppopulation tripled in less than a year. Now the Telvani have been forced to let masses of rat killing constructs loose in the city's tunnels to help control the population. This has limited success.
Before lon you begin to grow tired and the light of the city dims to a single starpoint in the distance, a final farewell to your home.
Bicor stretches from tunnel side to tunnel side with arms too short. He breathes in the darkness, happy to the point of giddy.
2 1 yeah this things died before it ever took flight. Deepest apologies. I might reattempt this in a couple of months wiht fewer wait times. But there doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for this from many so thank you for trying and keep your character I'll likely revisit this in the not too distant future.
