"I shall ask them I can do no more"
"Would you have the belongings taken from the our group. They wish them back, if you could provide them before we enter the gate. Also I thank you for you assistance. My the branch always hold."
dancing lights come into being around the Diminutive fay like tiny Ioun Torch's they move around him, he flys up to the gate looking at it work.
"They will take us up to the gate and no father, after it we are on our own."
The great ape nodded in confirmation to Lord McGibel, and with a quick snort and grunt the two gorillas from behind him brought forward the groups equipment taken from them when they were in chains, neatly folded and wrapped.
The Mother has offered our resources and hospitality. She is a patient, loving mother.
If your group has need of rest or food, our Mother offers it. And-
One more gorilla began to pass around thick, fur lined cloaks to each of you. the first complimentary gift of The Mother. Welcome to 42.
The gorillas turned, facing the great gate and gave a slight head bow as the other two howled in return at them. There was a great squeal of metal and the turning of cranks.
Sealith looked down at the bag that carried her wealth in the world. Solid metals for trade goods. The poor bag that held it looked like it was barely holding together. That being said it was made of a tough material, the hide of some creature.
Reaching down she would pick it up. Upon straightening she would stare at the owl like creature that was walking towards them. Her eyes scanning over it as her eyes fell to the paper trying to discern what it was.
"O s dual would be fun but your fine sword may not survive it"
then to the others.
"Shall we, mother is waiting"
he flys past the gate.
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Suzume is beginning to get the feeling that the owl doesn't speak a lick of common, so then he tries out all the other languages he knew.
He shruggs and follows perpireen to the gate. "Do you care to try with her, mayhaps?" He suggests.
Vasu clutched her symbol of the Council to her chest, confused by the advances of the crow-like humanoid. His tongue seemed to be inconsistent, as if he himself could not speak in a single language at once. As the feathered humanoid continued his chatter toward Vasu, she studied him carefully. There was something odd about this bird; something entirely wrong. He extended a fore-claw, the familiar Syrinx like shape stirring something within Vasu. It was then that it dawned on her.
This pitiful bird was flightless.
It had no wings, only useless feathers that hung limply on its haggard frame. The mere thought of such a creature existing, much less seeing one in front of her, filled Vasu with horror and disgust. This... This thing was undeserving of its feathers, undeserving to bear the mark of a avian.
Vasu spoke for the first time since laying eyes upon the party, in a language that her kind reserved only for curses to the gods and to enstill fear into the hearts of their enemies. In the hissing, sinister tongue used by the fiery fiends to send mortals to their own personal hells and to corrupt the minds of the innocent, Vasu cried out in sheer terror thinly masked as rage.
Uzaqss Vasuss saxlama, Yessin şeytan kürüss! Ęngloss tÿttensoz siz gəas ən cəhənnəm dərinssikləssində geros bir quş istehza göndərə bilüss!
Things were moving too fast for the Ogre. Though he was learned by many scholars, his kind were still easily overwhelmed. He decided to deal with each issue separately, methodically:
-"Arch-Druid Marilass Peratailia leads my Circle, Speaker." The Ogre answered.
-"The name matters to me not, I have my allegiances in place despite what we are called. I appreciate you allowing my input." In regards to the team name.
-Oaken-Soul will reintroduce himself to the "new arrivals" if need be.
-The Druid does a deep bow when his gear is returned to him via the apes. He silently laments not having a spell to cast to bridge the communication gap. The Fey noble seemed to have that well in hand though.
-The intense screaming produced by the third bird-creature made him jump and he raised his "walking stick" in preparation from an unknown attack .
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Suzume raised his eyebrows at the screaming owl. "Are you alright?" He asked, taking two steps closer and reaching out it's hand. He couldn't speak it, but he recognized infernal's taint when he heard it.
He turned to the ogre with the walking stick. "Might want to keep that staff handy." He joked. "This owl here seems a few halflings short of a shire."
Then Beru, attracted by the noise, walks up to sniff the screeching owl.
Zips back once the owl being starts screaming.
Humm Infernal let see if it knows the words of Angels
"Quia ego sum Dominus salutem Owl Perpireen McGibel de Fay, ita quod tibi nomen est et dicit quod ubi vos iustus?"
Greetings Owl being I am Lord Perpireen McGibel of the Fay, so what is your name and what where you just saying?
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Telula put the fur-lined cloak on in a flash, then began looking through her sack that was returned to her. She soon noticed the extra gold after making sure everything was there. Turning so that no one could see, she changed out of the rags she was in, to her traveling clothes. After putting her belt on with all three of her pouches, the Majar through the sack over her shoulder and turned around.
"Did anyone else notice they had more gold than before?" The Arcanist asked.
She accepted the cloak being put around her, her wings folded down her back and hooked onto her shoulders like a cloak.
"Everyone, back off from the owlkin. Give her some space. I think she is overwhelmed by everything. " Her voice was calm as not to startle the owlkin. She wasn't going to dishonor her by speaking the word fear.
She studied her and would open her palms outward in the universal sign of being unarmed. She didn't move but let her know she would wait for her to approach.
She switched to the language of the air.
"Tahuri i, e kore matou e kino ia koutou. Ite ahau .... e ohorere koutou e te tahi mea. Ko toku ingoa Sealith. Amo ahau tonoa ano e koutou i te runanga. Whakapono ahau Suzume, te Tengu i mua o koutou, I whai ngā reo ki te kite, ki te mohio koe i tetahi. Ka ui ahau ki a ratou ki te hoki atu ki te hoatu wāhi a koe. Ko e hoatu e koe te wa ki te kohikohi koe. Tika korerotia e ahau ki a ratou i a koutou ngaro iho."
Calm down, we won't hurt you. I sense .... you are disturbed by something. My name is Sealith. I assume the council sent you also. I believe Suzume, the Tengu in front of you, was trying various languages to see if you understood any. I asked them to back off to give you space. That will give you time to collect yourself. I just told them you were overwhelmed.
Speaking up. "Oaken shield we are honored with your allegiance. Yes, Telula. I noticed it. I would suggest being frugal."
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"This is more gold than I have ever owned wandering through your lands. I don't even know how they fit in so many coins amidst my equipment."
He saw Sealith speaking a language he did not know, Auran, judging by it's whispy quality. He made a mental note to learn said language.
"Beru, you know what I told you about sniffing birds you've never met." He said, calling off his yak. "I swear, one day you're going to wander into a pack of stymphalides just to smell their feathers."
He pet the side of Beru. "Well, off to see the mother, I suppose."
Backed off and headed to Suzume,
"What a good idea, shall we"
Once more flying throw the gate
The group, as one massive part, entered through the great city gate and away from the towering piles of snow and bone chilling winds. The cloaks helped significantly, as if the furs had been lined with some sort of magic or blessing.
The gorillas made a very noticeable step away from you all, with the one adorned in barbed armor leading the march of whoops and cheers from other apes in an almost jubilee celebration- hawks flied in and over the group high in the sky, a few next to Lord McGibel as he too flew
The Mother expects you! Race to the city's center?
The city, upon entrance, was similar to some back home. They were homes made of grey stone and cheaply roofed, if at all. A few obvious taverns and gambling houses lined every other couple of streets as you made your way. The difference, however, was that these homes were covered in spring time overgrowth- tulips, roses, daises, sunflowers, all within the city and not nearly a speck of snow to be seen though the cold was still there.
It was quite obvious to suspect that perhaps this "mother" had something to do with it.
The other almost awkward vision of the city was that despite there being humanoids at the gambling houses and brothels and inns and shops as you passed, the only ones armed and patrolling were animals. It seemed hawks guarded the sky; gorillas guarded the wall and honorable guests, perhaps a mock royal guard; and every once in a while, a saber cat white as snow with grey spots, could be seen skulking across the roofs of homes.
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Suzume's gaze shifts alertly.
Saber cats. A fine specimen of a true predator. Suzume didn't mistake that as a symbol for honor, however. They would attack their prey with their backs turned and feel no remorse. Worse than that were the dark alleys. He expected cut-throats to be waiting for their own version of prey. Suzume welcomed the idea, however. If these thugs were to try and prey on the weak, they might as well be treated to a real fight.
"This place... much different from Tengu villages." He said, mostly to Beru as he reigned her in closer. His eyes hit a brothel. "Then again, certain things present everywhere." He snickered.
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As the Harks come he calls out to them in Hark.
"Well meet brothers and sisters of the wing, I would go faster but some of our number are slow, it would be rude of me to leap ahead of them, we hve been tasked as a group you see. Now tell me who is this mother you talk of"
He seem quit happy to fly along just ahead of the others.
Seeing Cats he looks what is around him more
As Telula walked alongside the others, she wracked her brain for anything she might have read about this place.
You know that the town is known as "42" for some reason, and it lies on the western border of Terra Nix, not more than 100 miles from the Eastern border of Dominorum
You see a few inns, and you see that the town spans quite a significant distance- it is about two days travel at least from what you can see
In regards to nature:
The alignment of plants is beautiful, but unnatural. Weeds wrap around fully bloomed and healthy flowers. The grass amongst the roofs of homes is firm and still with almost no soil to keep it from blowing into the wind, and most of all, there is so much life, yet not a tree in sight within your vision. It is clear it has been magically altered or tampered with.
You can also see that the animals are acting unusual, arrythmic, not in their usual pattern even for such an unusual region. If you had to guess, something of some sort was coming this way, or, perhaps, already did. The hawks, especially, are somewhat disturbed in their flight patterns.
Finally- it is more than particullarly cold for this time of year, based on what you can tell from this region.
Vasu shook her head and calmed down at the familiarity of the Celestial and Auran languages. After shooting the tengu one last uncomfortable glance, she turned to the two winged creatures, glorious winged creatures. Since her capture about a month ago, these two odd looking creatures were the first fliers she'd seen, discounting the birds and bugs, of course. While Vasu was careful not to let her excitement show, she internally heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of intelligent, speaking creatures with wings; it instilled a feeling of home inside of her gizzard, a feeling that she had all but forgotten in the month prior.
Speaking initially in Celestial, she turned to the tiny fairy buzzing at her side. "Nomen...? Ita vero, nomine. Recte. Et vocabitis hunc ventionem Vasu. Vocabis Vasu universus populus cum luce vitae suae. Et hoc faciunt." She paused thoughtfully for a moment, internally translating her next statement from her native tongue to Celestial in her head. "Vasu esse expedit. Dic ergo illi quid faciam adiuvet."
Turning next to the dragon creature, she nodded her head.
She completed the statement with an air of nonchalantness, as if mistrust was normal. Bowing her head with a twinge of reluctance, she backed away silently. The amount of exposure to races that she had never met before that day was overwhelming, and a sense of discomfort overcame her as she retreated into her thoughts, realizing that she would be forced to work with the lowly creatures of the earth and featherless flyers until the day that the quest ended presumably with her death.
A curious, awful thought then overcame Vasu.
If she died upon the mission, her body would be buried among the bones of the land-bound.
She would, in the end, be no better than the filthy beasts that had forced her to go on the suicide mission in the first place, much less be buried amongst the immaculate spirits of the Tytos.
"Follow us, we are off to meet some one who knows what we need to do next."
"She says here name is syrinx Vasu but likes to be called Vasu, and she is here to help us, we need only ask"
He says back to the others.
The group follows the jubilee in a straight line, further and further towards the assumed center of the vast city.
As they near the center they see more and more patrols of hawks in groups of five arcing through out the sky, falling and fluttering in excitement. The hawks in Dominorum were surely not this patterned or artistic.
Then, after only a few hours of the jubilee, you reached a vast range of specialized gardens of plants never quite seen before arranged in a speerated, but evenly spaced, sections of a great wide circle. At the center was a great, giant, Angel-Oak tree that was, hopefully, hallowed out- an almost completely camouflaged door right at the front of it. The Angel-Oak spanned at least one hundred feet or so wide at the trunk and extended high into the sky- unnaturally so.
Surrounding the fresh Angel-Oak was a series of beautiful and subtle purple leafed jacarandas all wrapping and reaching around the Angel-Oak only a few feet above its door.
A few humans adorned in white cloth and white blindfolds decorated the trees, sitting peacefully with a gentle hum about them.
The Apes all bowed at the edge of the gardens- it was clear that they were not to enter the area.
The one in barbed armor waved over Lord McGibel with a silent, respectful grunt
Go- the Mother is inside. Do not disturb the Sons of Terrak. Straight inside.
Looks in wounder at the magnificent city and its wonderful Gardens.
He takes out a small note book and silver pen, making notes as he gos, he seems to buzz around flowers and plants alike. Fascinated by the plants.
Says in Ape, Celestial and Common
"I must say I very much aprove of this city and its parks, wonderful flowers, when I have time I would love to walk the gardens."
Then as they get to the great Oak, as the Ape talks so he translates for the others.
He hows Deeply to the Ape commander then heads to the Oak door.
"I agree, very beautiful." The Majar commented as she looked at one of the more unique flowers. Hmm, that would make an absolutely beautiful pendant design. She thought.
It is clear that a very high grade botanist grew these gardens in some sort of artificial way, most likely with magic or, from what you can tell, perhaps they aid in growing the gardens with the teamwork of the animals.
There are twelve separate gardens, each to their own element and with slight modifications to the plant itself; one garden of passion flowers, one of gazanias, one plumeria, one chrysanthemum, one dahlia, one orchid, one tulip, one water lily, one magnolia, one daisy, one bird of paradise, and one bed of deep blue roses.
As they go he tells the group.
"You know it's clear to me, with my simple skills that a very high grade botanist grew these gardens in some sort of artificial way, most likely with magic or, from what I can tell, perhaps with the aid of the animals. I can detect twelve separate gardens, made up of a slight element modifications to the plant set in each Garden. Each then has its own themed flower, one garden of passion flowers, one of gazanias, one plumeria, one chrysanthemum, one dahlia, one orchid, one tulip, one water lily, one magnolia, one daisy, one bird of paradise, and one bed of deep blue roses, Must have taken years and considerable work. I think this could be one of the finest set of gardens I have even seen"
Sealith would nod to Vasu.
'Ka rave ahau rite to koutou translator. Ko te ara e mohio ana koe ki ta te iwi e mea, a kua kore i mahue i roto i roto i te whakahaere. E kore e hiahia ana koe ki te falala ahau engari kia matau ki ahau i te reira."
Turning to Suzume as she was asked she listened to Lord McGibel's reply first. Nodding. "Indeed, her name is Vasu and she was expressing that she does not trust us yet but it is possible she could come to trust me. I think with time that can grow to more."
Looking to Vasu.
"Ka ui Suzume aha mea koe, a ka korerotia e ahau ki a ia e kore e ano whakawhirinaki koe ki a matou, engari ka taea e tupu ki whakawhirinaki ahau, me te pea te ētahi atu. Ki te hiahia koe, ka taea e tīmata ahau whakaako koutou te arero noa. Aita e titauhia ia koe te korero reira, engari kia matau ki ka hoatu ki a koutou he mata"
Walking slowly and steadily after the group she took note of the strangeness of the animals. How they acted and looked. Also, the plants, and the fact they grew here against their nature to do so.
Looking for anything that would stick out she often found herself having for move forward to catch up since a lot of things did.
Once at the gardens she would kneel and stare, without touching, at the plants hearing what McGibel said.
"I would say if they are putting things in a decorative manner, then most likely a horticulturist. Possibly holding both professions. But these designs are what you would see in a horticulturist."
Looking at Vasu she would translate.
"McGible te mea tupu i te huaota kōeke tiketike rawa enei kari i roto i te tahi ahua o te ara horihori, te nuinga pea ki te makutu ranei, i ia te mea e taea te korero, pea ki te āwhina o te kararehe. Ka taea e ia te kite kotahi tekau ma rua māra motuhake, i hanga ki runga o te iti akatuke'anga huānga ki te tipu i whakaturia i roto i ia Garden. Ia na kua ona ake puawai waiata, kotahi kari o te puawai weriweri, tetahi o gazanias, kotahi plumeria, kotahi chrysanthemum, kotahi Dahlia, kotahi orchid, kotahi tulip, kotahi rengarenga wai, kotahi magnolia, kotahi daisy, kotahi manu o te kari, me te kotahi moenga o rōhi puru hohonu, kuo Pau kua tangohia tau, me te nui mahi. Mahara ia tenei i taea e tetahi o te huinga pai o nga kari, kua kite ake ia. Whakahuatia e ahau i te reira te nuinga pea ko te Horticulturist. He tohunga i roto i te mahi i taua mea i roto i te taua tauira e ratou"
'McGible is saying a very high grade botanist grew these gardens in some sort of artificial way, most likely with magic or, from what he can tell, perhaps with the aid of the animals. He can detect twelve separate gardens, made up of a slight element modifications to the plant set in each Garden. Each then has its own themed flower, one garden of passion flowers, one of gazanias, one plumeria, one chrysanthemum, one dahlia, one orchid, one tulip, one water lily, one magnolia, one daisy, one bird of paradise, and one bed of deep blue roses, Must have taken years and considerable work. He thinks this could be one of the finest set of gardens he has ever seen. I mentioned it most likely was a Horticulturist. They are specialists in doing such things in such patterns.'
The little fay vanishes, as he has a look around the plants.
Oaken-Soul looks around entranced by his surroundings not joining in any particular conversation.
One of the men dressed in white and adorned in a white blindfold gave a gentle sniff of the air as a breeze blew through. With a sightless look to the others among the Jacarandas, he leapt clear of the trees and landed gracefully on his feet in front of the joyous and appreciative Fey with a smirk and bow
So, you enjoy our gardens? The Mother will enjoy this group sent to us, then. Come! Allow this Son of Terrak to open the Door of the Angel-Oak for you all.
He leaped over and before the gorilla that still had its head bowed in the direction of the door. With a hand upon the gorilla's that was extended forward in exaltence of the oak, the Son of Terrak placed his hand in the gorilla's. Thank you, Kerjak. You are dismissed. Go to the East Border and see what can be done.
Of course. We will go immediately.
With a grunt at the others and a fist against his chest, the gorilla Kerjak lead their unit away in haste and without the jubilee that had led them there.
The Son of Terrak then walked down the rich, black soil dirt path to the Door of the Angel-Oak and welcomed the others inside of its trunk.
The Son of Terrak did not follow you inside, but simply stood by the door as the rest of you entered.
Inside it was dark, shaded, with a circle of candles at the center of the trunk holding the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla. In the center was a woman sitting on her knees in some form of meditation. Around her circled two saber cats that were clearly larger than any of the others the group had ever seen.
She had pale, almost sickly white skin that matched the snow lion's fur. Adorned all around her was what appeared to be hide armor, only, instead of hide it was some sort of plant and wood substance woven together with shreds of other plants and their veins. Leaves of fall colors adorned her luscious and full head of light green hair.
The saber cats snarled, baring their fangs at the group as they appeared to move in. Just as they got close enough to make the swordsmen wrap their hands around their hilts of their weapons, the woman who could only then be presumed to be this "Mother" rose a hand, and the two saber cats stopped Chelya. Binsk. There is no need, my loves. These people are friends. Or so I hope.
The saber cats calmed down, their tails whipping like cobras back and forth as they returned to the Mother's side with rhythmic and appeased purring.
Welcome to my home, travelers. Who are you?
With a polite bow, the Majar answered, "Telula, crafter of fine jewelry."
The Mother stood, opening her eyes to reveal them to be a golden flecked yellow and orange- as if fire surrounded her pupils. She gave a humble smile and returned the bow Pleased to meet you, Telula.
Sealith would step through the door and would nod to the mother after staring down the two sabers.
"I am Sealith, and my companion here is Vasu. She does not speak the common language but, she does speak the language of the air. I am currently acting as her translator or the common tongue."
Turning to Vasu.
"Ahau faaite tatou, ka korero ki a ia e korero koe i te reo o Air, a kihai te arero noa. Ano ka korerotia e ahau ki a ia ahau mahi ahau i rite ki to koutou translator."
Aue . Kite ahau he koe te wairua aroha , aroha Sealith .
Vasu- reira ko te pai ki te whakatau ia koe.
Ah. I see you are a charitable soul, dear Sealith.
Vasu- It is a pleasure to meet you.
The Mother's eyes lit up even more than thought possible at the sight of Suzume and Baru
You have a companion as well??? Yes! Let me see....
The Mother stared intently into Baru's eyes
My my, you two have been through quite a bit together- it would seem the Council even let you keep it and your blade. How intriguing. You are as close as I am with my Chelya and Binsk. Well done!
The Mother bowed deeply to Sealith, Vasu, and Suzume all in a row, then giving a wink and bow towards Beru.
Dark?
The Mother looked confused for a moment before shaking her head at herself-
Oh my, yes, you'll have to forgive me. It is not always like this, but, well. Maintaining an entire city of animals can take quite a great amount of effort. I and the Sons of Terrak, the ones who let you inside here, meditate together around the "Angel of the 42" for the first six hours of the day. I decided to put in a little extra time for the health of the city itself, and, of course- She continued petting the two purring saber cats My friends as well.
In a moment lights emitted from The Mother's hands, almost as if from somewhere in the tree pure sunlight had found a way to poke through, yet there was no where for the Sun to have done so.
The Mother bent down with a slight sigh as she put out each of her twelve candles quickly with a licked finger. Whisking the smoke away she bowed
Aaaaah, that should be much better.
You mentioned a... previous host? Oh, yes. The rune.
The Mother did not seem keen on discussing what had happened at the rune, but almost said it as if it were the proper end of a proper sentence.
Lord McGibel waits as the others talk,
Then going before mother Bows to her with his hat off.
"I am Lord Perpireen McGibel, a vassal of The King Under the Hill regent of the Fay lands. Currently his representative to The Voice. Pleased to meet you Mother of the city. My I congratulate you on your realm, it is a wounder to behold. We came into it because we where told buy the Voice you would know of a test that we as a group must pass."
Get bows back up, placing his hat on his head once more.
The Mother returns the bow King Under the Hill? How intriguing! I am happy you enjoy my gardens and forestation. It took many many years and generations of the Sons of Terrak to build this and then maintain it.
A test? Yes, well... We will have things to discuss at dinner in that regard! You will learn that the people of 42, really, all Terra Nix, are a bargaining and secretive people.
We do not bow to the power of this Voice, or even the Empire at our door step. After all there is a reason they have not ever attempted to invade Terra Nix.
The Mother seemed quite sassy about the Dominorum Empire, but familiar with the Voice Lord McGibel had brought up.