Reikananths smiles.
"I will accept your help to get there, of course. Please give me a moment to get ready."
He drops his night clothes, and then turns towards the wizard, as if he had forgotten she was there, and smiles at her, unashamed, naked as the day he was born.
"How much time do we have before we have to go?"
-- Fade to black --
"Congratulations. I've been ordered to teleport you right to Ornelos hall if you need transport, if you have your own means of getting there then that's fine. "
Curious, I have not heard of this Ornelos fellow, nor been to Korvosa. Seems like a worthwhile opportunity to expand the missions... I will accept your transportation after I gather a few items.
dot
"What kept you? I have been waiting since the signs said the headmaster needs me," says Zeph.
Zeph smiles at the woman in response to her congratulations.
Gathering up his gear, "Very well, take me to the headmaster."
"The Academy? Really? What do those stiff necked priggs want with me? I wasn't good enough for them before." Silas says as he starts to read the message.
"Hmmmph ..." he mumbles as he finishes the note.
"I'll make the trip, but on your dime ... not mine." he says to the messenger.
"Wait here while I get my coat."
With that he closes the door in the messenger's face and heads off inside to gather his gear.
He returns after a few minutes, fully geared up and ready to travel.
He is wearing a long, black leather coat over his traveling clothes, and a glint of silver at his neck shows evidence of the mithril mail he wears under them.
A strange helm rests on his head with a pair of bulbous goggles pushed up onto his forehead, a rapier is belted at his waist, and a well-made quiver is slung on his back.
"Well, lets be off then...." he says to the messenger.
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Erik is sitting at his alchemy lab when the knocking starts. He closes the book he was reading, Swords to Claws: Hunting Feral Beasts. Being careful not to disturb his research notes, he sets the book on a small stack of other material, and rearranges his loose notes next to the books. Opening the door he greets the woman with a courteous smile. He takes the envelope and reads the message. "The Breaching Festival" he thinks to himself. "This is certainly a turn of good fortune. I wonder...Garren and I could garner much support from news of a successful Breaching Festival."
"Thank you ma'am. I'll collect my things and we can be on our way. I should like to see what the headmaster has in store.
Upon arrival at the Academy by means of the teleport spell, Silas turns to the messenger and says "Well, what are we waiting for? Take me to your headmaster."
Tien quirks an eyebrow. This was certainly fascinating! At the least, perhaps the Academy would have some information to help him with his inquiries. Tien nods.
"That spell would be greatly appreciated. I will collect my equipment, and then we will be on our way."
Tien collected his gear, and after he was all set, the spell was cast. Upon arriving he attained directions from the woman, thanked her for her help, and made his way directly to the headmaster.
Amarantha will make her way over to Ornelos hall and wait, still curious about this breaching festival and what it may entail.
Tien moves to where he was directed, taking stock of all the people that arrive.
Reikananths looks at the others, a wide full smile in his face, like a cat that has just, that morning, eaten a canary.
"Good day! My name is Reikananths of the of the Shundar-Quah! I am an ambassador from my people, trying to improve the relations between my people and our neighbors. I am glad to meet you all."
A pleasure to make your acquaintance sir, I am Amarantha of the house Van der Griest, I too am an ambassador of sorts trying to expand the missions of charity further
Description
Slender with a build belying her inner strength, Amarantha possesses an almost ethereal air, projecting an aura of someone at once there and somewhere else. Her supernatural abilities lead her to often be looking at things others are unable to see leaving her gaze slightly unfocused, as if perpetually distracted.
With her stature and build, slight yet still femininely curvy, she would seem not only somewhat delicate but harmless were it not for the slight chill that seems to surround her, pricking the goose flesh of those nearby and the occasional aura of menace that arises from time to time, usually when she is angered, accompanied by objects being knocked over or thrown around seemingly by nothing.
Amarantha favors, filmy robes of light gauzy materials for day to day adorned with red roses on a white background. However should it be needed, Amarantha has no qualms about donning armor and shield.
A beautiful young woman with an unnerving gaze, both ancient and piercing, one cannot help feeling both drawn and uneasy in her presence.
Tien noted Amarantha, and his gaze lingered on her a bit longer than was polite. She was striking, and Tien felt a flush hit his cheeks as he realized that he was ogling her.
He looked at the ground for a moment, centering himself. It had been...probably years since he had enjoyed the company of a woman. Tien had no idea if his wife was even still alive, or if she had moved on. His searches in these past few months had been in vain. He had been dedicated to it, but, well, he was still a man, and Amarantha was probably the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
He shook his head, clearing his mind before speaking.
"My given name is Tien. During my life, I came to be known as Sagacious Tien of the Even Flow, though I don't think that means anything anymore. I have come here to make new allies and seek out information that is valuable to me, though it is private. I am pleased to meet you all."
Zeph silently compares his memories of Ornelos Hall with its present appearance, noting any changes. He smiles at the secretary. "Hello. The headmaster is expecting me. Tell him it is Zeph."
Zeph extends his greetings to Tien, Amarantha and Reikananths.
Reikananths, broad shouldered and dresses in a very fancy shoanti traditional garb, let all his body muscles show. You can almost smell the cinderlands from his skin. Bald and heavily tatooed, exudes an air of ease and confidence.
He greets Tien, and Zeph, but quickly goes next to Amarantha.
"Another embassador! My! My! Today is my lucky day! Maybe we can share some refreshments later, if you like, and you can tell me about your lands and adventures. It would be my privilege."
Erik moves down the hall to investigate the oddity.
Zeph, a slight tattooed man of mixed Chelaxian and Varisian parentage wearing gray robes, looks at the secretary, "While waiting for the headmaster, I'd like to know something: Is the Acadamae still the premier source of spell components in Varisia?"
Amarantha will make her way over to Tien and smile warmly in an attempt to put him at ease.
It is a pleasure to meet you Tien She says attempting to emulate his accent and doing a pretty decent job.
Pardon my pronunciation, I find different lands and languages fascinating and would love to hear more about this place you hail from
"Another ambassador! My! My! Today is my lucky day! Maybe we can share some refreshments later, if you like, and you can tell me about your lands and adventures. It would be my privilege."
Perhaps I misspoke, I am not an official ambassador but one representing a charity benefitting the people who cannot afford proper care. I would love to hear of your lands and cultures. As for my homeland of Ustalav...Well things are a bit bleak but I have hope for better days
Silas is slender and stands a little under six feet tall. He wears a long black coat over his traveling clothes and carries a quiver of arrows slung across his back. The oddest feature of his garb is the pair of bulbous goggles pushed onto the top of his helmet.
"It's been forty years since I've been here, and they're still as stuffy and full of themselves as they ever were." Silas says to the group.
"I'm Silas Kaine" he says as an introduction "former student student of this Academy, professional wanderer for most of my life, and semi-retired now."
"Surprised they asked any outsiders to participate in any of their matters here, let alone me..."
To Amarantha:
"I have been to ustalav once or twice, but I must say I never find such a lovely woman as yourself in my visits. If I had, I would have stayed longer. It is a date, then, for my to hear about your charities and you to hear about the Cinderlands."
To Silas.
"My pleasure. But wait, is it not normal for them to invite people like us? Foreigners, non wizards?"
to Reikananths: "It's not normally the Academy's way to involve anyone in their business."
Tien smiled back.
"My home is quite similar to my name. I hail from Tian Xia, far to the east. The Even Flow is not from whence I came, it is the name of my style of fighting. It has to do with the philosophy of water, you see."
"I'm Silas Kaine" he says as an introduction "former student of this Academy, professional wanderer for most of my life, and semi-retired now."
A pleasure to meet you Silas, you know something of this breaching festival?
I have been to Ustalav once or twice, but I must say I never find such a lovely woman as yourself in my visits. If I had, I would have stayed longer. It is a date, then, for me to hear about your charities and you to hear about the Cinderlands."
That sounds positively wonderful, I look forward to it
Erik joins the group shortly after they converge in the office. "Sorry for the delay friends. I know the headmaster was waiting for all of us but I had to deal with a small issue. I should be pleased to meet all of you. I am Erik Draden. Professional monster hunter at your service. Am I correct in assuming we've all been summoned here to attend the Breaching Festival? I quite like the look of you all should that be the case. More fodder for my survival in that case." Erik allows for a small pause and laughs heartily. "A jest. Hunters like myself don't usually have long standing friends. They tend to die. But I believe you all to be as capable as myself if you're here. I think I'll enjoy our companionship." Erik is a tall muscular man wielding an imposing sword over his shoulder, and a bandolier of potions over his chest. He appears covered in scars. Three claw marks cover his face across his left eye. Just under his armor a large bite scar can be seen on his right shoulder. His hands and arms also appear to be covered in scars and wounds from past battles. On his neck, you see two puncture wounds close to his vein. He has long black and grey hair and bright green eyes.
Reikananths smile is wide and warm as you imagine the cinderlands to be.
Tien quirked a brow at the new arrival.
"Death has been a temporary inconvenience, at best, for me, so I look forward to what will apparently be a lasting friendship."
The secretary gets a proud look on her face and smiles up at Zeph "Yes we are, very good for you knowing that, not many do."
** spoiler omitted **
"I would not be a very loyal graduate if I forgot that fact," Zeph tells the secretary. "Would it be possible to purchase some things I need?
Turning to the others, Zeph says, "I am pleased to make all of your acquaintance. For those of you that I have not had the pleasure of going on a delve, I am Zeph, a graduate of this school."
Zeph waits for Silas to answer the question about the Breaching Festival before adding, "The Breaching Festival is a once a year event in this school where contestants attempt to breach warded halls of the school. As you may gather from that and this school's reputation, the event is quite serious and lethal. And I don't recall any recent winners."
Zeph notices Erik, "Ah, Erik, great to see you. The Headmaster roped you in too in this little event. Last I saw you, you were on the trail of some dragon or another."
Tien purses his mouth, thinking.
"If it is so dangerous then perhaps it would behoove use to attempt such a challenge together rather than as individuals?"
Erik makes his greetings with all the members here, but upon hearing Zephs voice, slides past Reikananths and picks Zephs up in a strong hug. "My word you glorious bastard. Zeph I still owe you for that hunt. The young blue would have had me in a pile of bones had you not passed along that spell scroll. Where did you get it from anyways?"
In response to Tien, Erik offers his support. "That would seem the wisest yes. But if I may ask, what is it that you think will happen. Nobody really knows what goes on inside, just that there haven't been any winners in far too long."
"I don't think the losers ever come back .... so there's that."
Tien shrugged.
"Likely all sorts of challenges. Traps, mundane and magical. Powerful enemies, most likely summoned undead or outsiders. At least, that's what I'd imagine."
"So it is a contest? Like a fighting match? Is it allowed to make teams?"
"I'm unsure. Perhaps you know, Zeph?"
"I suspect traps... magical ones."
Zeph scratches his chin, "We'll know more I suppose after meeting with the Headmaster."
Erik loosely shakes a finger at Reikananths. "You seem like you would enjoy that a little too much friend. No, I suspect we'll have to work together to manage success."
The big Shoanti warrior laughs warmly.
"I would be delighted to help the group beat the test, if that is allowed. If it is a test between us, I hope the best of us wins."
"Likely all sorts of challenges. Traps, mundane and magical. Powerful enemies, most likely summoned undead or outsiders. At least, that's what I'd imagine."
Amarantha mood swiftly changes, she becomes quite cold.
I was curious why a simple missionary like myself would be invited to such an event...But now I know. A team sounds like a fine idea the quicker we wipe these abominations out the better
I must say Master Ornelos your idea of a festival differs greatly from what I am accustomed to
Amarantha quips.
You say there has been one winner. who was this extraordinary person and what skillset did he or she possess?
"I would know the nature of the challenges we face, the prize we compete for, and if there are other competitors."
Erik will sit back in quiet contemplation, listening to all that there is to be said before he decides to thank the headmaster for the opportunity. "But I must ask, why do you seem so earnest to have a winner? Surely it would bode well for the security of your school that there have been no winners in such a time, yes?"
Reikananths smiles and waits for the questions to be answered.
"Greetings, Headmaster. It is Zeph. Graduated several years ago. With honors."
Zeph then looks Toff straightly.
"Why the urgency to produce a winner now that you'd bend the rules, Headmaster?"