The Elf continues to examine you. Looking over every physical aspect.
You are given an ancient elven number branded magically on to the skin of your left hand.
- 1 or less you are banished outside the city and forced to live in the foreign quarter just outside the city gates. You have no income.
- 2 you are allowed to live below the spires amongst the lowest workers, some foreigners(non-elves). You are a physical laborer and the work is very hard. You are given a place to bed down and very meager rations for income.
- 3 You are allowed to live below the spires and are treated just slightly better than a 2, but still forced to work hard. You are given your own residence though, nothing more than a small shack.
- 4 Same as a 3 except you have authority over a small group of 1-3s and are paid based on quotas met.
- 5-9 You live below the spires and are given a shack of your own, but your work is not physical labor. You carry messages to other parts of the city or copy written letters or if you have skill in a trade you are allowed to practice that to a minor degree. You have an income of 5-9 silver a month depending on your number.
- 10-14 You live below the spires with your own shack, but you work as a handmaid or personal assistant to a Sovyrian Native high up the spire. You are well fed and clothed, but are subservient to your masters. Though not often cruel, they can be callous. You are given an income of 1 gold +silver pieces equal to your number a month.
- 15-20 You are also a personal assistant of some kind, but you live amongst your masters on the higher levels of the spire. The masters you serve are high nobles. You are given 5 gold +additional gold per month equal to your number. You are given the opportunity to buy your freedom for 10,000 gold.
- 20+ You are conscripted into the Sovyrian Army. You have limited freedom on the barracks, but are of low rank. You have an assigned quarters in the barracks. Your income is gold equal to your number per month.
...A month goes by in these conditions. Even those of you who were granted a place amongst the Sovyrian Natives find yourselves in the precarious position of not being accepted by the natives, and being outcast by your own kin who are jealous of your perceived position. You all decide to attend a secret meeting held by an old Lashunta that works the lower levels.
Hon-Zon is a Lashunta of considerable years. He is well respected amongst the low level workers. Hon-Zon has many scars from being punished and whipped. You are meeting in a section of the psycrystal mines that has been closed down, and believed to be dangerous, but any fear of collapse is minimal compared to the anger you have at your current living conditions.
"Welcome, please sit down and remain quiet. We do not have long. I have made a discovery that effects us all and it will provide us with an opportunity..." Hon-Zon begins to speak in hushed tones.
Given his living conditions the past month, Vesryn is one of the first to arrive. He regards Hon-Zon, giving the Lashunta a nod before finding a cavern wall to lean against, ensuring that he has easy line of sight to any entrances
Raina, does as her master commands, whether it be gathering texts and tomes, to transcript work. She is happy that she was fortunate enough to be deemed worthy by her judges to live in the spire. She is ostracized by others, whether it be other nobles, or natives of Sovyrian. She may get paid "well"each month, but her freedom would cost wealth beyond her imagination. She overhears talk of a meeting to take place, down in an abandoned mine shaft, a dangerous one at that.
Normally, I wouldn't dare to defy the master, for the ramifications would be unbearable. I just take stand it anymore, how much do I have to do to obtain my freedom. Is the fate bound to being the puppet to another, who has such a negative view of me?.
These thoughts, and many other swirl about in her mind as she heads to the secretive meeting spot. She gives a slight nod to the elf leaning against the wall.
Vesryn regarded the woman that slipped in, taking stock of her appearance. Vesryn himself was decked out in full combat gear. He'd been able to survive by taking odd jobs as a guard, but he was certainly not thriving. The last month had been harder than any military training he'd endured, and at this point, he was so accustomed to wearing his armor that it was almost a part of him. His gear was oiled and in good repair, but none of it was polished. The golden plate covering his maimed left eye had certainly lost some of its shine.
Vesryn stood straight, speaking to the newcomer, his voice a surprisingly pleasant baritone.
"So, tell me. I can't be the only one missing Kyonin, can I?"
Elrindes saunters into the room seeming in fairly good spirits. The work he has had has been light... hasn't had to kill anyone or fight for his survival and his living conditions are pretty good compared to the other arrivals through the gate.
So this is the mines... I've never been down here before. Can't imagine what it must be like living here.
Elrindes walks into the room and examines the people there... gives Raina a nod having seen her once or twice in the upper spires although never having had time to talk to her because of their respective duties. Then looking at Vesryn a look of surprise and recognition comes to Elrindes face.
Do I know you?...Did we go through basic military training together?
Drahzar arrives later than many of the others and looks around suspiciously.
"for being our long lost kin the Sovyrian's aren't very friendly and seem incredibly controlling. I am guessing it would go very badly for all of us if they knew of this meeting."
Vesryn's single visible eyebrow shot up, and despite the hardships of the last month, his mouth quirked into a small smile. He fired off a salute to Elrindes.
"Elrindes, right? Good to see you in one piece! Wouldn't have done for a fine soldier like yourself towns up on some savage's spear."
Vesryn then glanced at the elf he did not recognize. At Drazhar's words, he grimaced.
"I think you all might have more to lose than I do. The bastards didn't even allow me in the city. I've lost a damn eye serving my people, and I must dwell in the Foreign Quarter!"
It didn't take long for Ayodhan's excitement over the arrival to turn to horror. As someone who values freedom and individuality, the totalitarian state in Sovyrian makes him feel sick. He probably could have handled it better if he had been subjugated like most of the others who made the journey but, for no reason he can tell, the Elves of Sovyrian had set him apart.
It makes him feel alone. He has a small room, he has some money but he has nothing with which to combat the constant feeling of oppression. The natives treat him far better than most, but that's not saying much. He's definitely an outsider to them. Worse, he feels like he's lost his connection with his true kin. As an effort to reconnect with them, and show them that he doesn't think he's better than they are, and an effort to try to do something about the fascist state in which he finds himself, he's been keeping his ear to the ground. With this much oppression, there's bound to be those who seek to liberate, and with how badly the newcomers have been treated, they're surely going to be courted by any existing movement.
It would only be a matter of time.
Finally, after about a month of listening and watching, he heard something. Taking caution to not be obvious, Ayodhan makes his way to the meeting place. He holds his holy symbol of Desna out in the open as he enters, meant to be a sign that he's not here to spy or usurp, but is, in fact, interested in the proceedings despite the faux station he'd been afforded. As he suspected, there are many of his kin from Golarion here.
When Vesryn mentions Kyonin, Raina cannot help but smile. She thinks about home, and her mother and father. Despite the pressure put upon her by her parents, it still would be she were free compared to her current conditions.
I too miss home, my few friends I had accumulated through the years
She gives Elrinides a nod as she enters. She looks familiar, perhaps she was one of the lucky few that the Sovyrian's deemed worthy of life in the spire. She may have been seen in the recent past, but her duties of scribe and transcriber have taken up so much time that formal talk had not yet happened.
Raina heads over to Elrinides, and in a hushed voice, [smaller]Hello, Elrinides correct? We have been fortunate, depending on one's view, to not at least have to try and survive below the spire. I cannot begin to wonder how others could or have survived down here? What is the last thing you have done to help your "master"?[smaller]
"Elrindes, right? Good to see you in one piece! Wouldn't have done for a fine soldier like yourself towns up on some savage's spear."
To Vesryn... I have to admit that the view from up there is pretty nice and there are no barbarians up there trying to kill you all the time. Although I'm sure there will be plenty of issues unique to Sovyrian. I'm guessing that's what our Lashunta friend here has called us together for..."
As Drahazr enters and addresses the room.. Elrindes finds a large outcropping of rock to sit down. He finishes settling down as Raina makes her way over.
Hello, Elrinides correct? We have been fortunate, depending on one's view, to not at least have to try and survive below the spire. I cannot begin to wonder how others could or have survived down here? What is the last thing you have done to help your "master"?
Elrindes smiles and lowers his voice. The conditions down here do seem rough, but under the circumstances one has to wonder what we would have done in Kyonin if a million elven refugees had come through the gates in the other direction. At least they're making some effort to include us in their society, even if the roles assigned to us are unflattering... The Noble I have been helping is responsible for maintaining the supplies for the tower guards. Grain, meat, and the such. Officially I'm clerk although I'm not skilled at it. Unofficially I serve him as a bodyguard and advise him on how to interact with the more military types around the governing class. He's got a bit of a temper, but for the most part it's been a good fit for me.
Vesryn nearly drew his sword when he spied something glinting coming into the cavern, but relaxed when he saw it as a holy symbol. The sigil of Desna was easily recognizable, and none of the Soyvrian natives seemed to worship any of the gods from Golarion. He nodded to the recently arrived cleric.
Vesryn shifted his head from side to side, neck cracking audibly as he did so. At Elrindes' words, Vesryn remembered why they were here, and felt a bit silly, having ignored the Lashunta completely by accident.
"Sorry, sir," Vesryn said, speaking to Hon-Zon, "I was just a tad excited to see Elves I recognized from home. But you called us here for a reason. You say you've made a discovery. I, for one, am tired of subsisting on scraps and would like to know what you have found."
Ayodhan gives a nod, and smile, in return to the Elf with the missing eye. He looks like the last month has put him through the wringer, making Ayodhan feel a little guilty about the comparative fortune he'd been dealt. But that's why he's here, to try to find a way to make up for it.
The fact that the person who seems to be in leading this particular meeting is a Lashunta comes as a bit of surprise, though. Not because they don't have as much reason to chafe under the Sovyrian caste system, they certainly do, but simply because he hasn't had very much exposure to them with his place among the spires. He finds a spot in the gathering group where he'll be out of the way of more potential arrivals and where he can also hear well as Hon-Zon tries to bring the meeting to its purpose.
"I understand master elf, we have all been away from our loved ones for some time. As to my discovery, I have found an ancient formian tunnel not far from this section of mine we are in now. It is currently collapsed, but I think I can use my influence to redirect mining procedures in the area so long as I keep my quota. I have been secretly hoarding some psycrystals to ensure we can cover any loss. It is unknown to the elves, but the lashunta people drove the formians from this area recently and should we clear the area of debris, we could use it to escape." There is sound of movement ahead and everyone hushes, then expel a sigh of relief as the lookout gives the all clear. Probably a mine shrew, common in this area.
"My people would welcome us, but life outside the city is not easy. Castrovel, or Sovyrian as you call it, is not like your Kyonin. It is very wild and unforgiving, but at least you will have your dignity. Should you agree we will begin immediately. It will take most of a month to complete. One more month of scraping, kneeling, and begging. Do you agree?"
Raina has heard and read about Formians in a book back home. Too bad she can't recall anything about such creatures.
A torn look crosses Elrinides face...
The life I have here is easy... maybe a little too easy... The work has very little danger and I do not find my tasks particularly undignified.
Elrinides takes a casual look at the Elves around him.
However it has been a long time since I have had a worthy dance partner for my blade. If this is the path that you all would choose I would support you. In the end I have no compelling reason to go... but at the same time I have no compelling reason to stay. If freedom is what you all wish and seek... I am willing to aid you in this.
Elrinides sits back waiting to see if any of the other elves have a stronger opinion on the matter than his own.
-10 to DC for my trait.
"Eh, Formians. Fiercely territorial and normally where there is one, there are many. Do we know that the tunnels are indeed abandoned? Because I don't want to fight a swarm of angry Formians spilling into the city."
Vesryn nodded at Drazhar's words, seeing the tactical sense in them. Vesryn voiced his own opinion.
"The Soyvrians have treated me as though I'm less than a person. I will not be sad to quit this place. I will join you."
"I have it on good authority the queen of the hive was killed and the rest dispersed soon after. We may have some run ins with a few stragglers, maybe some that got stuck without direction when the queen died, but I do not believe the city will be at danger, if anything we will do them a service by riding the tunnels of this menace." Hon-Zon says in response to Drahzar's question.
He looks at Elrindes, Raina and Ayodhan. "I know you have much more to lose than to gain it seems compared to the others, but I do not think we can succeed without your help. I will need you to guide eyes away from us from your connections in the spires. It will not be easy and you risk much, but I believe the fate of your people depend on this. I have heard the minds of the Native elves. They are planning something big, and plan on using your people to achieve it. I am only able to glean surface information, the natives are good at hiding their minds from my people, but I believe that if you do not do something soon you will be caught up in it and it will not be to your benefit."
Vesryn glanced at the others, before fixing his eye on Elrindes.
"Both this man and myself have bled for the elves of Kyonin before. If what you say is true, and our people are in some danger here in Soyvrian, I hope I speak for the both of us when I say we would not allow that to come to pass."
"While I don't have it nearly as bad as many of you," Ayodhan answers, "Desna's heart, and my heart as well, breaks on behalf of the downtrodden, regardless of their planet of origin. My own prison may be gilt, and well disguised, but I recognize it for what it is. I would consider myself a terrible person, and a terrible Desnan, if I stood by and did nothing. I am at your disposal for whatever aid I can provide."
Elrinides takes a long look at Hon-Zon T'olpy trying to size up the Lashunta.
In a half assured voice... Well if this is what you all want and you trust Hon-Zon, then I will support you in this. But we have still not really heard on the matter from neither Raina or Drahzar.
"the Sovyrians have dishonored themselves with their treatment of many of our people as little better than slaves and forcibly confining people to the city.a few formians running amok through the city probably serves them right. I say we do this."
"It is settled then. We shall begin preparations. Just go about your days as normal. Vesryn I will get permission to allow you a work pass for the day. I will say it is to test the new worker's brew. You will be forced to take it, it will make you stronger, but weaker in the mind. The Sovyrians often test new worker potions on outcasts so it will not raise suspicion."
The crowd disperses. Elves, Lahsunta, Half-Orcs, Halflings, and Humans make up most of the people at the gathering, though there are some races that are not as easily identifiable.
The next day there is an announcement for a Sky Fall festival. There is a cosmic incident about to happen in a few days and they are going to celebrate and watch the event. A little bit of investigation reveals that this is the very incident that drove you from your homes, the fall of the starstone. If you needed any more motivation for rebellion the joyous celebration of such an event seems to put most of the Kyonin elves on edge.
Drahzar nods in agreement.
Raina will look around, in utter shock of what is being proposed of her. She pulls out a deck. It is ornate, and made of lacquered wood. She carefully shuffles the deck, and reveals the top card, The Hand of Fate.
Hmm, it seems that my fate is intertwined with this plan, even if I have my reservations about such a feat. I promise I will not divulge any information about such acts, for the fates have not revealed their ultimate plan for me and this newfound life.
Raina gives all a nod, and heads back to her room before anyone get suspicious. As she hears of the festival, she pays it no attention. As she learns the exact nature of the celebration, she tries to process it all.
Why would they celebrate such a sorrowful time for us? Why would the "fall of the starstone", be such a joyous thing. It seems the fates have brought me here to join an uprising, and make things better. I should know better than the questions the spirits that walk with me
When she goes back to her room, she does the same things again, shuffles her intricate deck, and draws the top card. It was once again The Hand of Fate
Interesting, it is not like for me to draw the same card twice in a row
She heads to sleep, and prepares to continue her tasks set before her by her "master".
Averadlon
Handle animal
Drahzar is distracted by what he learned at the meeting.
Ayodhan does his best to contain his surprise at the sudden mental contact.
I'll try? he tries thinking back, without any idea whether the link is two-way. Quickly changing into some traveling clothes, just in case, he waits for the signal and then strolls nonchalantly to the lift that heads for the lower levels.
"So how about that apocalypse, eh? he says to the stationed guard. "Should be quite the show. I've heard there's a pool getting started on just how many days it will take for everything to give up and go extinct. You, uh, wouldn't happen to know where a fine upstanding Elf might go to get in on that action, would you?"
Averadlon stands tall, his quarterstaff at his side, showing no shame nor fear as he is inspected. On his shoulder, his toothy familiar, Elladyr, issues a soft hiss. The wizard bows low with a sweep of his cape, murmuring in Ancient Sylvan. “My thanks.” Over the next month, he does everything he can to learn about his new home.
(Sorry if I'm clunky at first, this is my first play by post game.)
Ayodhan pauses a moment for thought, a bit taken aback by the response. So far his experience has shown devotion to Desna to be a rare thing on this side of the portal.
"Stars and travel, yes," he continues, settling a bit more into his normal self to continue what has quickly become a true philosophical discussion for him beyond just the needs of providing a distraction. "That's why I, for one, was initially excited to make this trip. The thought of a whole new world to explore is mind-boggling in its possibilities.
"But Desna is also a patron of Good and Freedom. If the Elves of this place were so eager for this regained connection, I don't understand why so many of us have been treated with disdain, at best, or cast out at worst. I think therein lies the heart of why we from Kyonin have difficulty viewing the event in a favorable light. In many ways the celebration of it feels to many like taunting; an insult added to the injury of so great a personal loss."
Drahzar is unhappy with this situation and wonders if his people made the right choice to return here simply to become slaves.
Vesryn learns all he can from Hon-Zo and prepares for what is to come.
Elrinides looks at the young elf and smiles at the lad. You did well... You need to keep your left elbow a little higher on the pivot, but you show a lot of potential. Remember the sword is not a tool to be swung and cast about. It is a partner... dancing with you... it's moves should compliment yours... its actions flow from you... but also your movements flow from it. Now again from the top... step, step, pivot, block, thrust! Good much better. Ah your father is here it looks like our time is up.
Bowing to the buy Elrinides turns to the Noble Elf who has had shown up just as his son began the last drill. In fact Elrinides chose to finish with this one because the boy had shown a natural affinity to that particular training routine.
Master T'ilanria Nor, I ,must congratulate you on having a son who shows so much potential and skill at such an early stage... Silas has much potential as a swordsman.
Vesryn nods, considering Hon-Zon's words. His ability to accept the chemicals, as well as the possibility that that is the reason for his dismissal from Soyvrian, gives Vesryn much to ponder.
"That's really quite helpful," says Ayodhan, thoughtfully. "Understanding the root puts the boughs into clearer context." Though I'm not sure it excuses the extent of the injustice, he adds silently in his mind. "I hadn't heard about this blight before, and I'd be keen to learn more, if you could spare the time. What sort of disease was it? What sort of measures were put into place? I don't mean to overstep, but you've been much more pleasant to converse with than most I've encountered. I apologize for approaching you sarcastically. I should be more patient than that, and not allow frustration to make me less kind."
Raina looks at the note within the book, and eyes it suspiciously. She wonder who could have left it, and once she gets confirmation that the note is legitimate.
Hmm, I can try, but I am unsure if or how they will respond. What would I need to do
Could it have been left by a spirit then surrounds me? But, how?
Silas it is important that you do train hard. Familiarity and comfort with the weapons of our people is something every elf should learn. Every skill that we develop as elves comes out of the traditions of our people that flows through our blood.
Elrinides believes this and will work hard to teach the basics that every elf child should know.