*Prologue*
*All Along the Watchtower*
For some, it came in the form of a blunt courier with a mysterious letter. For others, a series of persistent dreams. Either way, it was a message, telling you where you were to be, and when. Stating all transport fees are covered by the sender, and that the matter is of most dire importance.
It calls you to meet at the Lunaris Tower, in New York City.
Looking up, the tower reached ever on into the sky. While not so far as the Empire State building, it kept a respectable second-spot. What made this building more notable was the light.
Lunaris's unofficial nickname was the Lighthouse, and it lived up to that monicker. It kept the surrounding blocks illuminated with a soft white light. This cool light was existed beyond all cover of shade, it was never blinding, and it only appeared when the moon was in the sky.
Inside, the lobby was bustling. Suits sitting impatiently and visitors elbowing in and out of crowds, the indoor Starbucks filled almost to capacity.
Someone, a black-haired elven woman in a pantsuit and black-framed glasses, seems to recognize you, gracefully weaving through the masses to meet you at the door She also seems to recognize a few other odd characters beside you. Could more than just you have gotten the message?
"Welcome to Lunaris Towers" She said, straight to the point. "Ms. Silver is anxiously awaiting your arrival.
She lead you to the private elevator, no one there but you, the other strange folk, and her. The elevator version of whatever pop hit was topping the charts at the time was playing in the background.
"I don't know all of what Ms. Silver had told you in the messages, but you should all consider it an honor to be called by her." She said, eyes never meeting yours, focused on the door. "Honestly, I didn't think that you would show up. When she told me what she was planning, well, honestly, I thought the stress of her job was getting to her." She glanced down to her feet before her gaze returned to to door. "Sometimes I still do, but she said that when I met all of you, I'd be proven wrong." She laughed a bit to herself. "We'll see about that, won't we?"
After quite some time, the elevator came to a smooth halt. The elven woman stepped to the side and let the group pass first.
I was a spacious circular room with a crystalline floor, a grand dining table, and no less than twenty-five wood doors, the one directly across the room from you standing out due to it's ornate-white scheme and masterwork carving. Every other door had the name of a specific place. Tokyo, Dubai, Seoul, London, Santiago, and so on.
If one were to look down, one would see that the clean, clear floor you were stepping on was encasing one massive clock, ticking under your feet.
"You may wait here until Ms. Silver joins you. I will inform her of your presence right away."
With that, she walked across the room and through the one white door.
I am underdressed. As per typical.
Devic thinks to herself as she follows the elf wearing clothing worth more than she could possibly afford. Looking down to her oversized hoodie bought second hand.
She keeps to herself as she and the other folks who arrived at the same time. She sits in a corner of the large table, tinkering with her phone, a device that does not bear a company symbol.
She stops for a moment after glancing down.
Odd. The mechanisms beneath the floor catch her interest, and she begins to inspect it more closely, looking straight down while still sitting at the table.
This is all so cool
Ammon looks around in awe, a wide smile on his face as he follows.
his tail wagging behind him, ,much like an excited dog.
"Hello everyone,"
This is all so cool
Ammon looks around in awe, a wide smile on his face as he follows.
"Hello everyone,"
Devic briefly looks up at the loud man and nods, before resuming her phone activities.
Etot etazh uzhasno...
Geralt looks up from a book on advance chemistry at Ammon, then Devic where his gaze stays for a second before turning back to Ammon
"hello there...uh, so, you here for the meeting with Ms.Silver too, wait stupid question i...uh..yeah..."
He shrinks behind his book again and stays quiet
Geralt looks up from a book on advance chemistry at Ammon, then Devic where his gaze stays for a second before turning back to Ammon
"hello there...uh, so, you here for the meeting with Ms.Silver too, wait stupid question i...uh..yeah..."
He shrinks behind his book again and stays quiet
Ammon looks at the shy man, smiling he holds out his hand. his hand is covered in odd red scales.
"My name is Ammon, what's yours?"
Geralt looks at the offered hand, puts his book away, and takes it,
"yeah, sorry about that, I find it hard to have conversation with unfamiliar faces and usually makes people think twice about idle chatter with me.." he adjusts his glasses and gives a small smile "my name is Geralt Snacko"
Afterwords he turns back to Devic and with more confidence,asked
"if you don't mind me asking, what language is that?"
Ammon sits down, finally. giving a short breathe, calming down. Afterwards Ammon pulls out a small childrens book, in gold letters reads A tale of a Fearless Hero.
"I wonder why we are here? he says while reading.
Afterwords he turns back to Devic and with more confidence,asked
"if you don't mind me asking, what language is that?"
Mother tongue is Russian. Apologies for impersonality. She finally looks up at Geralt.
My name is Devic Zaitsev. Is please to be meeting you. Do not ehhh, tread heavy on floor if you can, old gears beneath built long ago.
Looking to Ammon she adds, We here to make superhero team.
Ammon looks up from his book, a smile dwarfing his previous crosses his face. He looks Devic in the eye's, Wide eyed and clearly excited.
Really!
Ammon looks up from his book, a smile dwarfing his previous crosses his face. He looks Devic in the eye's, Wide eyed and clearly excited.
Really!
No idea, but thought is amusing, no? She looks back down to her phone, typing something unimportant.
Disappointed, Ammon turns back to his book.
Usually, when Kavak went anywhere, the first reaction to his presence would be a quick double take before screams of "Goblin!" Would fill the air. But in this place, New York? Not so much. Kavak's black eyebrows had been steadily rising towards what would pass for a hairline on his goblin head ever since he arrived in town, and the greeting presented to him upon arrival at this Lunaris tower was far beyond what he had expected. "I, uhm, thank you? I hope we will not disappoint?" Kavak looked to the others in this grouping, a tiefling, a ratfolk, apparently of some russian origin, two humans and... Was that an Aasimar? Interesting...
Much like this nigh ballroom they were now waiting in. The purpose of those doors niggled at Kavak's sense of curiosity but it would likely be rude to pry. Devic, the ratfolk... female, mentioned the floor, a clock, and fragile gears. Pulling down his hood and loosening the clasp of his cloak a little bit, Kavak glanced down before smiling in a... (yeah, let's go with friendly) friendly manner. "I believe my weight would hardly be able to upset such a robust mechanism, but I defer to your insight." Maybe he would be able to fit in here?
Usually, when Kavak went anywhere, the first reaction to his presence would be a quick double take before screams of "Goblin!" Would fill the air. But in this place, New York? Not so much. Kavak's black eyebrows had been steadily rising towards what would pass for a hairline on his goblin head ever since he arrived in town, and the greeting presented to him upon arrival at this Lunaris tower was far beyond what he had expected. "I, uhm, thank you? I hope we will not disappoint?" Kavak looked to the others in this grouping, a tiefling, a ratfolk, apparently of some russian origin, two humans and... Was that an Aasimar? Interesting...
Much like this nigh ballroom they were now waiting in. The purpose of those doors niggled at Kavak's sense of curiosity but it would likely be rude to pry. Devic, the ratfolk... female, mentioned the floor, a clock, and fragile gears. Pulling down his hood and loosening the clasp of his cloak a little bit, Kavak glanced down before smiling in a... (yeah, let's go with friendly) friendly manner. "I believe my weight would hardly be able to upset such a robust mechanism, but I defer to your insight." Maybe he would be able to fit in here?
If the weight of my stuff and i can fit without breaking anything, we should be fine
If the weight of my stuff and i can fit without breaking anything, we should be fineUsually, when Kavak went anywhere, the first reaction to his presence would be a quick double take before screams of "Goblin!" Would fill the air. But in this place, New York? Not so much. Kavak's black eyebrows had been steadily rising towards what would pass for a hairline on his goblin head ever since he arrived in town, and the greeting presented to him upon arrival at this Lunaris tower was far beyond what he had expected. "I, uhm, thank you? I hope we will not disappoint?" Kavak looked to the others in this grouping, a tiefling, a ratfolk, apparently of some russian origin, two humans and... Was that an Aasimar? Interesting...
Much like this nigh ballroom they were now waiting in. The purpose of those doors niggled at Kavak's sense of curiosity but it would likely be rude to pry. Devic, the ratfolk... female, mentioned the floor, a clock, and fragile gears. Pulling down his hood and loosening the clasp of his cloak a little bit, Kavak glanced down before smiling in a... (yeah, let's go with friendly) friendly manner. "I believe my weight would hardly be able to upset such a robust mechanism, but I defer to your insight." Maybe he would be able to fit in here?
Fine. But if you trip, do it over there.
Eh? Mestnyy ot Chernobylya?
Geralt stiffened at the mention of a super hero team and looked like he was about to bolt, but noticeably calms down when Devic claims it was a joke
"that would be intresting no doubt, but arn't two vigilantes in New York enough?"
Ramiel fairly twitched at being in such a high class building. This was weird. Somehow a letter had been left at where he'd been thinking about staying the night before and that seemed like a dangerous person to just disregard. So he had came prepared and ready for anything.
Being part of a group of people led to a room in order to talk to some lady though? That wasn't what he'd expected.
"Any of you got an idea why we're here?" The short teen asks, looking around. Strange that it was the other human that stood out, but perhaps it wasn't considering the other three. What a weird variety to pick...
I recieved my orders to come here via letter, I assumed they needed something from my order, with other people being here however I don't know anymore
Ammon shuts his book, looking around the room. starting to get curious he starts walking around the room
Geralt stiffened at the mention of a super hero team and looked like he was about to bolt, but noticeably calms down when Devic claims it was a joke
"that would be intresting no doubt, but arn't two vigilantes in New York enough?"
Devic briefly looks up. Oh, ya. We have that time fellow, and the other guy. A shame those two don't come by the Bronx more often. She looks back down. Still, doesn't a team work better ehh, for most part?
To answer question, I come because I receive mail letter in english. I never receive english mail. Not since spammers learn I know where they hide.
And I have day off. She adds.
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Skjor looked over the building before entering, his eyes straining to see the pinnacle. Truely, it was a great feat of architecture, but it was utterly lost on him. Ignoring the eyes and whispers, checking to make sure that Aegis was properly secured and ready to see use - regardless of what kind - he stepped inside.
The inside bored him a little, resembling one of countless other businesses across the world. Suits were bustling to and fro, while visitors stopped to gawk at everything. Including him, when he was noticed. Studiously ignoring his fans, he waited for his guide to greet him as was said in the letter - appropriately written on parchment - that he found in his hotel room.
As an elven woman walked up, he realized the small group around him were also being greeted. Seemed like he wasn't the only one invited to Meet this 'Ms. Silver'.
The elevator ride was torture to his ears. 'How can anybody endure this most vile sound?,' he thought to himself.
Finally, after quickly checking that his ears were not bleeding, the group stepped off and onto a giant clock. That grabbed his attention for a moment, before he used it's reflective surface to make sure his appearance was what he wanted. His chain shirt, crafted by his hometown blacksmith, worn under his black leather coat. Suitably ripped in places, of course. Thigh high combat boots laced all the way up. Black denim means finished his ensemble. Yes, he was dressed perfectly.
Taking a seat near the small ratfolk, he drew out Aegis and made sure she was properly tuned and sharpened for whatever may come.
"I received a letter in my hotel room last night written on parchment," he said quietly, voice rough in tone. "How could I ignore one who can follow the old ways?"
A follower of the old ways! Ammon looks over at the newcomer,How do you do? i am Ammon The demon child offers his hand
Noticing a uncomfortable silence setting upon the group, Geralt turns to kavak and tries to start some conversation
"so, uh, your a goblin that's cool-I'm Geralt..." he winces when he stops, knowing that he not good at this.
Skjor looked over the building before entering, his eyes straining to see the pinnacle. Truely, it was a great feat of architecture, but it was utterly lost on him. Ignoring the eyes and whispers, checking to make sure that Aegis was properly secured and ready to see use - regardless of what kind - he stepped inside.
The inside bored him a little, resembling one of countless other businesses across the world. Suits were bustling to and fro, while visitors stopped to gawk at everything. Including him, when he was noticed. Studiously ignoring his fans, he waited for his guide to greet him as was said in the letter - appropriately written on parchment - that he found in his hotel room.
As an elven woman walked up, he realized the small group around him were also being greeted. Seemed like he wasn't the only one invited to Meet this 'Ms. Silver'.
The elevator ride was torture to his ears. 'How can anybody endure this most vile sound?,' he thought to himself.
Finally, after quickly checking that his ears were not bleeding, the group stepped off and onto a giant clock. That grabbed his attention for a moment, before he used it's reflective surface to make sure his appearance was what he wanted. His chain shirt, crafted by his hometown blacksmith, worn under his black leather coat. Suitably ripped in places, of course. Thigh high combat boots laced all the way up. Black denim means finished his ensemble. Yes, he was dressed perfectly.
Taking a seat near the small ratfolk, he drew out Aegis and made sure she was properly tuned and sharpened for whatever may come.
"I received a letter in my hotel room last night written on parchment," he said quietly, voice rough in tone. "How could I ignore one who can follow the old ways?"
Devic gives him a quick look as he sits, stopping momentarily on the Ax of multiple kinds. It's certainly not something that she'd seen before.
Hello. I like guitar. She says briefly before returning her attention to her own business.
"So we all got letters then." He mutters, looking at his letter, which had a thin burn mark through it. He was fine being Sparky to people, but he didn't want them knowing his real name, just in case.
"So we all got letters then." He mutters, looking at his letter, which had a thin burn mark through it. He was fine being Sparky to people, but he didn't want them knowing his real name, just in case.
Seems that way...I'm curious, why us?this person must have picked us for some specific reason.
He begins studying the doors. muttering some kind of prayer under his breathe, an odd glowing comes from his hands.
Vigilante? That was usually a word that spelled trouble for Kavak since many of those tended to fight first and ask questions later when it came to goblins, no matter how dapper clothes the goblin was wearing. The question about more of them being needed was not something he would get into, he was not a native of this land. That he was born in a goblin enclave on the northern Iran-Irak border wasn't something he advertised.
Speculation about their purpose here, that was more up his alley. Even though he had a few topics he sincerely hoped they were not going to talk about. "Ahh, yes. And I see that you are a human? I am Kavak Murch the Third, humble scholar and traveler. I believe the saying is; a pleasure to meet you?"
"So we all got letters then." He mutters, looking at his letter, which had a thin burn mark through it. He was fine being Sparky to people, but he didn't want them knowing his real name, just in case.Seems that way...I'm curious, why us?this person must have picked us for some specific reason. He begins studying the doors.
I hang onto superhero idea.
I hang onto superhero idea."So we all got letters then." He mutters, looking at his letter, which had a thin burn mark through it. He was fine being Sparky to people, but he didn't want them knowing his real name, just in case.Seems that way...I'm curious, why us?this person must have picked us for some specific reason. He begins studying the doors.
i'm thinking we were looked into before this, although that question will probably be answered when our host arrives Ammon turns back to studying the doors
i'm thinking we were looked into before this, although that question will probably be answered when our host arrives Ammon turns back to studying the doorsI hang onto superhero idea."So we all got letters then." He mutters, looking at his letter, which had a thin burn mark through it. He was fine being Sparky to people, but he didn't want them knowing his real name, just in case.Seems that way...I'm curious, why us?this person must have picked us for some specific reason. He begins studying the doors.
Nadeyus' net...
Being looked into was exactly what Devic wanted the least while here in America.
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so anyone wanna take bets on what kind of reality breaking super being our host will be?
Ammon sets his man sized blade aside and removes his gaunlets as he continues working.
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Im thinking we were looked into before this, although that question will probably be answered when our host arrives Ammon turns back to studying the doors
"well whatever she needs us for, I hope she speeds this up..." Geralt sighs out, once again taking his book out "I have a shift at the Starbucks in this place at 8pm"
"My name is Skjor," he said shortly before turning to the little ratkin. "Aegis is no mere guitar, she is a medium through which the old gods can channel their rage and instincts. Mayhaps I shall have a chance to demonstrate her powers before the day is done, for good or ill."
Geralt looks confused and asked
"old gods? sorry never heard of them, don't think I've gotten that class at NYU yet...
So your a student then?
And the human, Geralt, turned before Kavak could get his reply. Neat. But on the topic of powered beings he would rather not delve into the possibilities of what their employer was, he had been in close contact with celestial beings before and that was enough to last him the next ten years thank you very much. At least! On the other hand, if he was a betting goblin...
"To be completely honest I hope that it is just a very well connected mortal. Becoming involved in the various agendaes of outsiders can spell quick ends in horrible ways..."
personally i'm hoping she's a dragon, I've always wanted to meet a dragon
Outsider aren't so bad, humans are worse
Kavak would rather not delve into the possibilities of what their employer was, he had been in close contact with celestial beings before and that was enough for him for the next ten years, thank you very much. On the other hand, if he was a betting goblin...
"To be completely honest I hope that it is just a very well connected mortal. Becoming involved in the various agendaes of outsiders can spell quick ends in horrible ways..."
You say zhat as if mortal kind are ehh, saner. Ve've risked destroying this planet on our own often enough. Ve develop our weaponry our own way, yes? Devic was getting interested in this now that it had been brought up. Where was Ms. Silver anyway?
Looking at the various people in the room, she began to notice the weird one was not her this time.
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"The old gods, the primordial gods worshipped by sentient life before fire was discovered, before the wheel had been invented," Skjor explained, pleased to find someone interested. "They are the beings responsible for much of the world's ways before being usurped by their children. But they are not all forgotten, and they have not left."
Amidst the conversation between these seven, the white door opened. Out of it stepped the Black-haired elf, her expression cold and still, barely making eye contact with any of you, just walking in and taking her own seat.
Then a new face appeared, a beautiful woman with delicate features and tired eyes. Dressed in a waistcoat, long grey coat, and black pants, her hair platinum white, and her irises striking silver. She smiled at the group before taking her place at the head of the table.
"Hello, I'm Silver." She said with an awkward wave of the hand. "As you might have guessed by now, I'm the one who called you all here."
"Also, I imagine that you all have questions to ask. You've met Ms. Frida already, yes/ I trust she's been hospitable. Food and drink will be served shortly." She wiped away a stray hair off of her face and smiled wider. "Really, I am rather excited to have you all here, I didn't expect all of you to show up."
Ramiel takes a seat, wondering why someone like this would call together such a ragtag group of people. Especially when some of them weren't exactly law-abiding citizens.
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Is no trouble. Have little pressing matters today. Your clock is very nice.
Devic puts her phone away after remembering it is important to make eye contact with mysterious strangers inviting you into their workplace.
Ammon moves over to the table joining the others, grabbing his blade and gauntlets as he moves.
Not to be rude or anything, but did you look for us specifically or did we just fit some set of qualifications. Mysterious people don't just invite people to meetings unless they need something.
He takes a seat at the table staring at the new arrival. Remembering What his Adopted father Duncan would've told him.Only a fool trusts those he does not know Ammon...
Before heading up, the group was joined by a handsome human man in a sharp suit, accompanied by a wolf padding along silently, an air of fierce power kept under careful control about it. The man walked quietly and with a purpose, not speaking and keeping his gaze ahead except for a cursory glance at the others.
As soon as the door to the elevator closed, the man seemed to relax, yet somehow standing up straighter in the process. Or rather, growing taller. In a matter of moments, the human man with a stern expression had been replaced by a kitsune with an affable grin, the neat suit now a motley woolen poncho. The wolf, taking the transformation as a cue, perked up, sticking out her tongue and wagging her tail.
"Yelis Silvanus, pleasure to make your acquaintances!" he said, taking time to shake the hands of anybody who'd do so as they went up.
~~~
Yelis sat up straighter as their hostess arrived, although from his relaxed sprawl there wasn't much to go but up. He sat up even straighter at the mention of food, smiling warmly. "Well, what can I say. I'm willing to try anything once, and you were quite persuasive." Persuasive and specific about what she knew, but that was beside the point.
~~~
Yelis sat up straighter as their hostess arrived, although from his relaxed sprawl there wasn't much to go but up. He sat up even straighter at the mention of food, smiling warmly. "Well, what can I say. I'm willing to try anything once, and you were quite persuasive." Persuasive and specific about what she knew, but that was beside the point.
Devic sees the apparent were-creature perk up at the mention of food. Well, our hostess seems to have used the magic Abracadabra word. This is becoming quite ehh, interesting now. What do you want to say Ms. Sliver?
Devic ignores her own hunger pang at the moment.
Devic sees the apparent were-creature perk up at the mention of food. Well, our hostess seems to have used the magic Abracadabra word. This is becoming quite ehh, interesting now. What do you want to say Ms. Sliver?
Devic ignores her own hunger pang at the moment.
Yelis smiled and shrugged helplessly at the rat-person. "What can I say? I'm a man of simple tastes- that is to say, things I can taste." He reached over, scratching Waya between the ears.
"But yes, Ms. Silver, I was curious as to a few minor details, insofar as one can call 'all of it' a detail."
She smiled at Devic. "Spasibo vam bol'shoye, ya rad, chto vam nravitsya."
"Food should be ready in a moment, Yellis." She said. "I hope you like regional cuisine... and Doctor Pepper."
She turns to answer Ammon's question. "Um... both" She said. "I was looking for a group of people who I thought could make a difference, and you seven... You seven, I noticed. Each for different reasons. I'm, uh... I'm forming a team."
Then the elevator door behind the group opened, two humans and a halfling, each pushing carts began placing food on the table, in addition to two bottles of wine, and two bottles of the afforementioned soft drink.
Silver began filling her plate, continuing to talk.
"I don't know about you people, but when I look out the window sometimes, I don't like what I see. The strong taking from the weak, monsters hiding in the shadows waiting for prey." She sighed. "II have a feeling you know what I'm talking about, and I also have a feeling you'd all be willing to cooperate with me on a group venture. The team would be a task-force, funded by me, to fight the most advanced threats given to us by this world."
She sipped from her glass.
"So, any questions?"
** spoiler omitted **
She smiled at Devic. "Spasibo vam bol'shoye, ya rad, chto vam nravitsya."
"Food should be ready in a moment, Yellis." She said. "I hope you like regional cuisine... and Doctor Pepper."
She turns to answer Ammon's question. "Um... both" She said. "I was looking for a group of people who I thought could make a difference, and you seven... You seven, I noticed. Each for different reasons. I'm, uh... I'm forming a team."
Then the elevator door behind the group opened, two humans and a halfling, each pushing carts began placing food on the table, in addition to two bottles of wine, and two bottles of the afforementioned soft drink.
Silver began filling her plate, continuing to talk.
"I don't know about you people, but when I look out the window sometimes, I don't like what I see. The strong taking from the weak, monsters hiding in the shadows waiting for prey." She sighed. "II have a feeling you know what I'm talking about, and I also have a feeling you'd all be willing to cooperate with me on a group venture. The team would be a task-force, funded by me, to fight the most advanced threats given to us by this world."
She sipped from her glass.
"So, any questions?"
Devic's eyes widen at the womans Russian speech. They do so again when she spots the wine being carted out, picking off the one closer to her.
I do have one. Can you pick up zaht phone?