Samen Vloe Firenze |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Samen only slightly unclenches when he realizes who just tore open reality. He makes a mental note that he should learn that trick, given the chance.
He quickly glances back and forth from the preening bird to Abby. They're either going to be the best of friends or this is going to be a problem. I don't think this bar is big enough for two narcistic elementals.
Putting that thought aside for the moment, "That was as stunning an entrance as we've been led to believe is your custom. Well done. We've done our best to prepare the city as a whole. What can you tell us of Moon's plan of attack?"
Niamh Emberheart |
"Well, there was certainly talk of Moon's physical presence somehow coming closer. That could cause flooding of River, and undines falling asleep, and sylph madness," she sees you nodding to most of this, "but Ibinu managed to melt most of the mithril golems and I cut a bunch of celerity wires, I didn't know I could make my sword fly, and Kallik and Sequoya planted some weird seeds that looked like little cubes. Boring trees? I don't know."
She clears her throat. "But I guess we didn't do enough. So let's do some more! Maybe we could visit the Temple first?" You notice her sword hand is bleeding through bandages.
Samen Vloe Firenze |
Samen shakes his head in dissent. "There's no shame in not killing a god-elemental in the first battle. You did well to do what you did and to keep your wits about you. The temple might not be a bad idea. Volcano is bound to be territorial, and if you can channel its blind wrath, we'll be better for it. We should consult with the council as well."
Niamh Emberheart |
"Wait, you're not on the Council? Who exactly are you then?" She seems to really look at you all for a moment: a deeply tattooed magician, ripe with elementalism; a Fey-soaked sweet talker, covered in purple blossoms; and, just out of the corner of her eye, a shadow...
She fights the urge to put her hand closer to her sword, awkwardly putting her hands on her hips instead. "You seem...interesting! And I think my question remains. Who are you?"
Hubristic Efreeti |
I think now would be a wonderful time for everyone to describe their character, since we are 'meeting' for the first time. Whatever format you prefer.
Inam is a sylph surprisingly strong for her stature; she wears obsidian armor that should be bulky, but move with segmented smoothness. She is adorned with a greatsword, a phoenix, and a ruby at the heart of her plate armor.
Samen Vloe Firenze |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Aren't you on the council?? We're with the Happy Swords, mercenaries, who at the moment are focused on destroying Moon for the good of all elenity. And presumably profit; that's not my department." He looks over at Abnaki. "The captain is handling that part, right?"
Upon close inspection, Samen is a dour Oread, covered in mystical tattoos for those with an eye to discern them. Though his body is young, it's covered in scars from fights old and recent. For those with the ability to sense it, he clearly bears just as many emotional scars.
"Anyway, my name is Samen and I'm an elemental specialist. This delightful femme fatale here is a Smoke elemental named Abbigailiwy. Don't get her too curious or she might eat you, just to see what you taste like. Don't try to change her, it won't go well with you."
Gabriel Izalith |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Sitting the furthest away is Gabriel, a lithe Ifrit with skin looking like charred lumber, hair the color of charcoal and eyes as blue as water. His hand inches closer to his blade, uncertain if he should trust these people, he just got used to his current companions, his tone while stubborn, is quiet, I am Gabriel the Dancing flame. I dance, i fight, and more recently help start rebellions against the status quo
Abnaki v'Cardi |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Abnaki v'Cardi, at your service. Storyteller and standard bearer of the Happy Swords." His words ring true; no lie can be found within them, and yet they seem to leave so much unexplained. Turning to Samen he says, "I do believe there is some profit to be found in saving Hearth. Who will pay us if everyone is dead?"
Abnaki was an Oread once. That much is obvious by looking at him. Traces of his ifrit father can be seen too, if one knows what they are looking for. But mistaking him for either of those races at this point would be... difficult. For one thing, he lacks the bulk that most Oreads seem to have. And of course there's the small matter of plants seeming to be growing... within him, and where he walks, the ground seems almost to listen to him. It's hard to describe exactly what that means, but one gets the feeling that the stones themselves want to impress him. On his back is a longspear, a banner with a strange symbol on it flying in the wind. Except the wind is blowing in the opposite direction that the banner is flying. Regardless, looking at it makes one feel... safer for some reason. In fact the bard gives off that sort of amenable aura.
"I am a modest magician, and I like to think that my stories improve morale. Puts a little bit of kick into our step while fighting. But I'm afraid you'd have to ask Samen to verify that, perhaps the reason they seem so capable is to get me to stop talking." Abnaki chuckles at his own joke. Noticeably absent from his description is his prowess when it comes to mind bending.
Niamh Emberheart |
"A storyteller that can lift the heart of elens. That's no small thing." Inam smiles, but-
Oisin Cauldronslave |
A chill wind blows, bringing with it the memory of ancient times, elens huddled by bonfires to survive. A sylph with pale skin and a distant look comes through the portal. His forehead is graced with obsidian horns, a mark of favor from his Lady. He wears a well-made longcoat with a stitched pattern of the Cauldron over his heart. The cruel black spear that he wields, all one piece of obsidian, exudes volcanic sorcery.
"Tonight is a time for deeds. The stories will come later. I am Ibinu Caldera."
Samen Vloe Firenze |
Samen nods. "It's fine by me, but this bird probably has opinions of its own."
Ibinu Kemish |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ibinu snorts, "Etrah, you've never said no to a pet, why put on airs now?"
The voice comes from a towering sylph at a wiry 7 feet. He holds himself with a regal posture and picks a bit of ash off his gorgeous outfit. Thick black hair cascades down his shoulders and bright golden eyes reflect his opalescent skin. A well made backpack is slung over his shoulders with a small crossbow clipped to the outside... oh yeah, he has large black horns, dark as obsidian. Sorta noticeable...
He rolls his shoulders and sums up matter of factly, "Moon will rule the world soon, unless stopped. If not stopped, there will be no place for anyone but their worshippers. As I am the emissary of the most powerful lady, I expect I shall sacrifice myself for the cause. Hopefully it will be enough. But I will not go down without one hell of an explosion. Maybe it will be enough to knock that bastard out of the sky."
He taps his shiny black spear on the ground, "But food, yes. That would be good. And then a plan. Or at least sleep." Rubbing his temples, "Yes... sleep. Oh I miss that."
Samen Vloe Firenze |
Samen gets up and sniffs around Ibinu, like a bloodhound on the hunt. "You are most fascinating indeed. You smell of Sky and Fire, blended exquisitely. No doubt touched by an elemental in a time of need, to seal a bargain, just like Abnaki."
He hesitates, not sure how offensive his next question is. "Could I perhaps, when times are less pressing, have a sample of your blood? If two of you can be crafted, then surely more are possible. So far, my experiments have been... less than satisfactory. I wouldn't go so far as to call them abominations, but most probably would."
He looks to Kallik with her imposing axe, clearly as alive as Krz, "Should we walk to the temple, or..." He makes a vague slicing motion with his hand, "Or do we take the easy way?"
Gabriel Izalith |
Gabriel was skeptical at first but these newcomers seemed non hostile so far. His hand relaxes and he stands, The Moon will be stopped...and it's followers will be made to pay for their crimes against the innocent. He casts a glance down at his flickering shadow, the back up It seems our goals are aligned...We should share information . We may know some things that you do not and vice versa He pulls out the Moon inquistors ring and the 4 white vials, For example.
Ibinu Kemish |
Ibinu frowns at the request for blood, "Well... no, not now. But I won't put it out of the the question. Are your experiments alchemical? Magical? All of the above?"
He then looks over the vials and ring, "Interesting indeed. Those things seem to pop up everywhere. To be honest though, we aren't experts in anything. We simply stumble into and out of things most of the time. And usually too late to do anything but damage control. Culkin might know more."
"But let us walk and talk on our way to the temple. Even with my enchantments, it is cold."
Gabriel Izalith |
I will be honest, since my scars happened I no longer trust temples, this...is their fault he motions to his obvious blackened veins
Ibinu Kemish |
He reaches out to put his hand on the ifrit's shoulder, but reconsiders quickly. Instead he just shrugs, "They are pretty horrible. It's why my goal is to change much of how this world works. The temple was quite bad when we came and I'm sure there is still evil there. But if you don't wish to go, we can set you up somewhere else, everyone must have the ability to chose their own path, afterall. Even if their path leads them to make choices they don't like."
He thinks for a moment, "Of course, I could be out of a job and have no power over anything here, regime changes to tend to happen quickly."
He looks around, realizing they are in some sort of food place, "Did you all finish? Could we still get some food? The rations I ate in Light were not... ideal."
Hubristic Efreeti |
Ibinu, by the time you are through the city, you could send a runner to Culkin, and he could examine it before you arrive.
The 4 white potions give the effect Mind Blank, which also grants immunity from Moon madness, for 48 hours.
The ring is a Ring of Golem Control, which allows the user to take control of golems, and also spend standard actions on making them hit harder/faster.
Niamh Emberheart |
"That is adorable!" She turns to Samen. "You said this was a fellow servant of the flame, yes? I can see traces of fire in her, sort of reminds me of my forge at home. Another herald of Volcano no doubt?" There is, amazingly, no irony or sarcasm in her demeanor.
As Etrah glows happily, Inam's hand stops bleeding. She absently takes off her bandage, not seeming to notice, while reaching for a generous plateful of bacon, stuffed mushrooms, and ashbread.
Abnaki v'Cardi |
Abnaki smiles softly, and takes a step back. His throat was dry from spending the whole day singing the praises of the Blessed. But for the time being, he could rest. He had done his part. Although he couldn't help but laugh at Inam's assumption about Samen. If anyone here was a herald of Volcano, it certainly wasn't the Mad Mage. Regardless, it was certainly a nicer conversation than the one he had with her.
==
An idea came to him then. His work was never truly done. "Most honored members of the Blessed, the city needs hope. Destruction from outside, corruption from within, Hearth tears at itself even now. Perhaps a display of abilities, a show of might, could help further quell the fear that lives within their hearts."
He whispers softly then to the Blessed. "Doesn't need to be too fancy, gotta save the real power for tonight. Maybe Inam could heal someone who's wounded, the phoenix could shower some harmless sparks, that sort of thing. If you want, I could probably arrange a combat with some convincing fall guys, but I don't want to assume, or to tire you before the Moon itself comes tumbling down." Sensing an opportunity, he adds, "Would probably do some good too if you were willing to fly some Happy Swords banners while you were here. We've been trying to clean stuff up around Hearth, but public sentiment about us is... well to put it nicely they think we're weird."
Samen Vloe Firenze |
Samen laughs a deep belly laugh at the thought of Abby being a holy harbinger, blessing saints and performing acts of bravery and self sacrifice. "Abby is as beautiful and vivacious as she is powerful and deadly, but she is a servant of no one except herself. She aides us because it amuses her to do so, and she gets to pick amongst the scraps of our fallen foes."
Against his better judgement and all reason, he tries to explain the concept of elemental ethics to Inam. "Elementals, or divine beings, if you will, are not like us. They cannot change their essence or their nature. Give a fire fuel and it will consume. Inhale smoke and it will choke you. There is no choice, only levels of effectiveness. Assigning moral virtue or villainy to their actions is merely bias on our part. For example, we don't fight Moon because it's evil, we fight it because its nature demands domination of elenity."
Nevertheless, Etrah and Abby are getting along, so Samen is content.
Gabriel Izalith |
It's the same for the shadows, if that worries any of you... Gabriel comments off hand
Niamh Emberheart |
Inam listens with ...sadness? in her eyes as Samen explains his theories. "I'm truly sorry you feel that way." Glancing over, she ruffles Etrah's feathers and cheerfully says, "Come on buddy, let's go show them some goodness." Suddenly attentive, Etrah hops on her shoulder.
She winks at Abnaki in a slightly silly way, and continues, "I think we can come up with something 'small' and 'harmless'. Let's go home." Turning on her heel, she marches briskly to the door.
The young sylph paladin leads the way to the Temple.
Samen Vloe Firenze |
As they walk toward the temple, Samen leans over to Gabriel, "I've been thinking about that some, and I'm starting to think the Dark is just another kind of elemental, but its primary essence is 'absence'. This would explain why I can't see it, because there's nothing to see. Your shadow... is it an exact, albeit two dimensional, representation of you, or does it have its own personality? I hypothesize its very structure is made by the wake your modified body and soul leaves behind it. If that's the case, it should be very much... "you" shaped in all senses."
Ibinu Kemish |
"I can't say that the darkness isn't all evil, it is possible. But the darkness we have encountered so far has all been definitely evil. But perhaps it could be negotiated with. Or brought to some sort of balance. But it, like moon, appears to only want complete dominance."
He shares the account they had with the practitioner of dark magic.
That would be a really deep dig to find for me to give more specific details, maybe the GM knows where it is? The one in the cave in Volcano's plane?
Hubristic Efreeti |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
here is LINK to the dark cave in the plane of Igniscoeli!
Samen Vloe Firenze |
Samen is deeply jealous of the trip to the elemental plane, but attempts to not show it. "Sounds like your problems were more elen in nature, than elemental. If we survive the night, I would hear more of your travels."
He takes a few more steps along the way. "They say you are 'light blessed' against the Dark, resistant or immune to its corruption. Of course, 'they' say lots of things. Have you considered what force gave you this blessing? Because the only new player on the scene that has demonstrated extreme effectiveness against the Dark... is Moon. If this was in Volcano's power all along, why wait so long to grant it?"
Gabriel Izalith |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Those who are "Blessed" Cannot comment on things such as balance, or good and evil...They'll take looks at certain beings and make assumptions and act without considering.
There's a bit of disdain in Gabriel's tone, All too often the Darkness is blamed for the light's corruption, like cities nobility for example...innocent men were killed, because the city allowed the upper class to grow lazy and selfish. The problem...Is the Moon and the Light. Gabriel takes a breathe and calm slightly.
My powers, and kind were created by the Inquistor's, before they collapsed, through some odd ritual... most of us were rounded up but not all...The Shadows don't control us, not if we don't let it, we move through it, take it's power because it can't stop us, it owes us, pays us so it can see and survive...I...Can tell it... That shadows, are connected to the Volcano somehow. My Shadow, is different, connected to me perhaps it is an elemental of some kind, but one unstudied due to how darkness is often treated by heroes.
Gabriel draws his hood up and follows behind in the shadows, avoiding the crowds and people in general as he is want to do, Heroes are nothing more than glorified killers, drawing innocent people to war. Stories and legends have their place...But without it's opposite, innocents will die pointlessly.
stealthing to stealth because gabriel: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Ibinu Kemish |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
As the ifrit disappears expertly into the gloom Ibinu replies, anger rising, "You have a lot of hate, young elen, for one who knows nothing of us. None of us chose to be 'blessed' either. We simply did the best we could in the situation we were placed. Including overthrowing multiple levels of corruption in this very town. You need to learn that not all of a certain group is the same."
He taps his chin in thought as his anger dissipates, "And perhaps I was hasty earlier. There may be good in the darkness. There may be good in moon. Or they could simply be nothing except what each elen brings to them in their own heart..."
"Though if I had to bet, I think both the Darkness and Moon have a will. And that will is not 'good'. And maybe I have thrown my lot in with a force that is also not good, but I will fight tooth and nail to use my power for good. Unless it overcomes me. And if that is the case, Inam knows what to do."
Niamh Emberheart |
Inam nods and smiles sadly at Ibinu's final comment, but says nothing.
You arrive at the Temple, the massive stepped pyramid of obsidian at the heart of Volcano's power. The crowds are thick here, many looking frightened and lost.
"Warrior! Give us a sign! Your followers and Your soldiers and Your weak and vulnerable alike all have need of Your mercy, and Your presence! Heed us, please!"
Inam unsheathes her greatsword with a single muscular arm, and suddenly the roar of flames surround you, shockingly loud. From Inam's sword has emerged a huge, flaming silhouette of a phoenix, tall enough to rival the Temple itself.
The crowd cheers, and weeps. Etrah glows, and the elens, young and old, find the strength to get to the shelters of Temple and Tree.
Kallik Sisa |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kallik has been as silent as the stones it looks like she was carved from. Her movements measured and smooth. The green dreadlock decorated with wooden flowers are not a strange thing for an oread. The green swirls that peak out of her armor are an odd color. All and all she seems a fairly standard oread in well used armor.
Krz why here? Seemingly completely content to let the other two do the talking and simply listen. At least until she is lumped into the idea of being a hero. Green lips twist into a smirk, "Spent a lot of time in the temple. You certainly sound like some of them. Of course shadows are connected. Shadows only exist with light."
Looking to the other two, wrath dancing in her green eyes, "Is your companion a coward?"
Niamh Emberheart |
Inam puts a hand on Kallik's shoulder. "I think you are forgetting the 'friendly' part of 'stone-faced friend', my marbled companion." The young sylph's pale skin looks flushed under the lights of the flaming phoenix symbol. "Can't we try for kindness?"
Abnaki v'Cardi |
"Peace Kallik. Gabriel and I disagree intrinsically on certain aspects of our reality, the nature of faith, and of course of darkness itself. But just because he feels differently than me doesn't mean that he is wrong. And I certainly wouldn't attack his character for it, especially not his bravery. He has trudged through the sewers of Hearth to cut out the diseased growths that had taken root there. I would not call those actions the behavior of a coward. But I have been wrong before."
Abnaki pauses for a second. "I think that if you judged us by our actions, one would have to concede that we have certain heroic tendencies. But look at how the crowds react to you, and then look to us. You are living legends. If you wanted to, you could be rulers of this city, and the people would help put you there. Before you protest that you wouldn't, just think about the fact that you could. The power that you have comes from both higher sources, and elenity itself."
Pausing again to choose his words carefully. "And you are arbiters of justice. Inam herself appeared to chastise me for acting in a way that she found... distasteful. I'm not saying that it's right or wrong for you to have this power, or that you do or do not deserve it. That is not for me to decide. But you are "different" than us. You are Heroes, while we are at best heroes. And it is natural to have some trepidation about people who have such power, in terms of martial might, power of will to shape the world, and the power granted from the people to accept that shaping."
"I do hope that like Gabriel and myself, even if we do disagree, we can work in harmony for the betterment of the people who have put so much faith in you."
Samen Vloe Firenze |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Samen considers coming to Gabriel's defense as well, but Abnaki had, as usual, stated it far better than he was capable of. It was clear they had different motives for being in this fight, but nobody's devotion could be questioned.
He scans their assembled menagerie, and each, to an el, bore the touch of extra-planar power. We're are the ones that have the tools to fight, for the freedom of all elenity, so we're the ones who will fight. How can so few stand up to the power of a God?
He ponders this in silence as the temple looms larger. Today, it was neither civic center, nor seat of pious dogma, but a citadel from which to make a stand. All division is irrelevant in the face of an overwhelming foe.
Niamh Emberheart |
Inam gives Abnaki a big hug. Not only does the poor tired guy seem to need it, she is also giving Kallik a sign that these strange fellows are trustworthy. Without trust everything falls apart...she thinks of all the ugliness the Temple was hiding before. Stepping back, she says, "Let's not worry about labels too much. We're all trying to do the right thing." She looks toward the streams of grandmothers and grandsons, all looking for refuge from the coming danger.
Then she embraces Kallik, who desperately needs comfort in this dark hour. For her ears only, she says, "Breathe, and relax. I know you miss Egret, but your axe is needed. It is not easy, but we are all suffering with you. I'm here."
Abnaki v'Cardi |
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you had lost a companion. One of ours is... gone as well. I hope that when this is over, Samen and I can work out some way to find him."
Samen Vloe Firenze |
"I'd love to Abanki... but he was taken by Moon directly out of the Dreamlands. I fully expect him to show up against us tonight. We'll need to kill him, unless we can somehow lure him to the bland trees."
Abnaki v'Cardi |
Abnaki nods. It's an empty, tired gesture, to match his empty tired eyes. "Sure. That makes sense. Might as well be what we need to do." As they walk through the temple, he lights back up, offering encouraging words, pats on the back. But as soon as the Blessed become the main attraction, he slumps again. "I need some time to rest. Would you mind waking me in an hour Samen? I just... need some time to recharge."
Kallik Sisa |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Flinching at the light chastisement and it is a clearly observable event of her trying to put a more friendly expression on her face. Quietly listening and her expression returns to neutral but ends at concerned.
"I meant because he accused a lot and then left. But you think you will have to kill him?"
Samen Vloe Firenze |
Samen laughs. "Who? Gabe? No, with his connection to the Dark, he may be the only one who can win this fight for us! We were speaking of another of our friends, Osna, who seems to have fallen into Moon's madness."
He briefly tells the tale of venturing into Moon's domain to break the connection the Mithril golems were to take into Hearth, and how they lost their sylph friend.
Osna was a player who left, so his character was phased out. Literally. Here's the link: LINK
Hubristic Efreeti |
ha, I had forgotten about his thoughts/speech drifting into narration. I liked that little piece of writing, even if it was my own.
All: let's say while Abnaki is resting, you all have about one candle (hour) to rest, perform a ritual or a prayer, cast some spells, say farewell to loved ones, etc. From all the Temple healing available, please mark your sheet back at full HP, spells, etc for the day (even though you are not taking a full 8 hour rest)