Who is this Man?
Log Info
- Title: Who is this Man?
- Emitter: Seldan, Cryosanthia
- Characters: Seldan, Cryosanthia, Iskandar, Mikilos, Merek, Sophia, Cesran, Caim
- Place: A05: Adventurer's Council, Great Hall
- Time: Thursday, February 04, 2021, 7:45 PM
- Summary: Seldan has sent invitations to several adventurers, to meet him in the Great Hall. The wording was inteeeeeeresting. Something of import is up! He is quick to explain some information he received from Lady Akoniril. There is a Charnese warlord, Grauthis the Griever, who may be using a gauntlet with a Shard of Animus in it. It allows him to see through deceptions, illusions and lies, and he has been very effective in siezing power in Charn. He has plans for the Eastern Kingdoms, then the Northern ones. The source is highly suspect, obviously, but more must be known. Seldan asks everyone to discretely inquire, not ask directly, but listen for rumours. Iskandar and Mikilos offer to go to Charn, Cryo says she will ask her mercenary friends, and her tavern contacts. Sabina, who appeared shockingly suddenly, offers to hang out with Akoniril and see if she accidentally lets something slip. Merek has plans but doesn't share them beyond emphasizing his intention to kill the delegate. Seldan departs, Cesran arrives, and Cryo catches him up on the things he missed during his study sabbatical. Namely the incidents with the Fae Queen, and the current scramble for Animus Shards. Caim arrives to catch the tail end of it. Discussion ensues, regarding the plane-hopping house Cryo & Co found, Animus shards and their effects, Akoniril's intentions, and the importance of supporting one's younglings. It grows late, and everyone departs.
-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A05: Adventurer's Council, Great Hall *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
As the phoenix is Alexandria's national symbol, so too has its Explorer's Council, often called the Adventurer's Council, risen from the ashes of its destruction.
Guards and mercenaries fill the interior of this huge building, one of the largest in its immediate area. Strong, metal walls divide its interior, crafting halls, briefing rooms and offices. A large space near the front has been set aside for mingling and stocked with comfortable chairs to wait in.
This area is catered by one of the Society of Arcanists' more famous chefs, a small lucht with a predilection for otherworldly cuisine and tentacle soup. Security here is as tight as it is anywhere in Alexandria, even more so now after its recent destruction. Sharp eyed sentinels and guards are ever-watchful and all manner of security contraption is said to be residing within the walls of the building. The walls are pristine for now, though not for long, and artfully decorated with murals depicting heroic adventure by members of all communities and races of the region.
The windows to the Council Hall are now stained glass, artfully decorated to depict famous moments in Alexandrian history, ranging from the death of Altima at the hands of the Phalanx Falcis at the end of the Sorceress Wars, to the city triumphantly emerging from the Mists to a changed world. Many spaces have been set aside for new stories to be added, with numerous tale yet to be written.
No matter how many times the Hall has been rebuilt, the statue in the front remains the same: a lone warrior facing off against what is presumably thought to be 'Cuddles the Otyugh Queen', with the Council's motto, below: Anything for the right price.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Iskandar 6'10" 335 Lb Giantborn Male Larger than life hero. Mikilos 6'8" 180 Lb Dawn Elf Male Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Sophia 5'7" 145 Lb Human Female Althean Cleric and Slayer of Boshter's Father Cesran 6'1" 185 Lb Human Male A tall dark-skinned man Caim 6'0" 190 Lb Human Male A human male with black hair and brown eyes -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here in Spirit -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. Sandy 5'0" 136 Lb Llyranesi Female Purple haired, plump elf. Presumably irritable. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It's after dark on a winter night, and an icy wind whistles and rattles the trees outside of the adventurer's guild, a loose board at the Ox-Strength nearby flapping *bang*, *bang*, *bang* against the crosspiece it was supposed to be anchored to. The day was what some might call foxy, and the night has proven to be just as chill.
Seldan has built up the massive hearth in the great hall of the adventurer's guild, and most of the usual hangouts have gone over to the Ox-Strength for the evening, or gone looking for - shall we say, company? It's quiet, and only he sits there down, clad in his usual open robe over shirt and trousers, traveler's cloak over the lot, hands resting on the pommel of a sheathed Reunion that rests point-down at his feet. He stares quietly into the fire, the firelight dancing and flickering over pensive features.
The room is mostly empty. One or two others, everyone else has wandered off to get drunk or find a bed partner or both.
Lately, Cryosanthia has had a lot on her plate. She's got her foundling, Little Fang 'Lily', to take care of and being a sith'mom is a full time job. There's the shell game with backpacks that she's been playing with others. The taverns and the fishermen don't need an Ice Girl coming by, it's winter, ice is easily obtainable. She still stops in occasionally to say hello, or attend the fish fry when a good catch comes in. Fish! There's helping Professor Waywalker with her research, and assisting Sabina with the Tarrace accounting.
Dropping by the Explorer's guild to help with the records and filing, catch up with the latest assignments and check for Kobold quests is way down on her list. It still happens from time to time. Which explains how she came across Seldan's note and why she's here after dark, looking a little harried with a pink youngling riding on her haversack and trying to steer her with her horns. She slinks in, trying not to draw attention, using her tail to quietly close the door behind her.
Lily, unconcerned with such things, waves of a tiny clawed hand at the room, and peeps loudly in tradespeak, "Peassss."
Iskandar steps into the hall. He has the air of someone who's wandering. Aimlessly. Restlessly. He eyes the fire, gives it the slightest nod of approval. Then his gaze pans towards Seldan. He watches for a bit and then steps into range of 'civil conversation.' He begins with a gesture towards the fire. "That is a well-stoked fire if I've ever seen one! Is this your doing?"
Mikilos is hardly bothered by the weather... massively enchanted robes will do that... but the repetitive banging bothers the wizard. Muttering absently, the elf pulls a small toolset from his pouches, patching the loose board to silence before heading across the street and into the Guild. "I swear someone keeps prying that loose on purpose..." Which, considering the promixty to the Oxley, is utterly possible. Peering around absently, Mikilos nods to familiar faces. "Is Captain Durix still around? Have the papers she asked for." Seeing the place mostly empty, the elf shrugs. "Or can just leave them on her desk."
Merek walks along and into the place with his dark attire on, including the beltcape with the potion belt, while he nods a bit to people he knows. "Peace," he offers then to Lily and Cryosanthia, then he takes a moment to find a place to settle in and relax. The man then will pull the hood up which he wears, nodding to Seldan, Mikilos, as well as that Iskandar.
Seldan looks up as others come in, one by one. This request had been word-of-mouth only - not posted on the boards as Guild jobs normally are, so it would not be a surprise if only some had heard of it. "Leave them on her desk, Mikilos," the paladin calls, nodding to the other entrants, Iskandar last. "It is. I had ... hoped to find some like-minded individuals, and it is a chill night to be out and about." The chill does not appear to trouble him, either, but he's well aware that that isn't true of everyone.
"Peace upon your nest, little one, Cryosanthia," he calls to the sith as well.
Iskandar rubs his chin in thought. This he grins. "Well I've often said that our minds could not be more alike!" Iskandar hesitates. "But I haven't had a chance to eat, I'll be over..." he glances to a corner of the hall, and sure enough his eyes fall upon a small table, out of the way and large enough to hold one person's worth of dinner. "There. But listening!"
Mikilos nods, heading off to one of the open office spots to drop off the papaers in question before returning, taking a seat to the side. "So just what is this all about? The message I got wasn't very specific."
A greeting is sufficient to draw the whitescale further into the room. She moves up near the fire. Her clothing is somewhat unimpressive today, loose workperson's overalls, a shirt, a jacket. Glacial blue for overalls, stark white for the rest. Her haversack, of course. There's a saddle on top of that for Lily, and she's in a puffy pink parka, which she wears unbuttoned now that she's inside.
"Peace on your Nest, Seldan, Merek, Mikilos. It's chill enough, not a good night to be about."
Lily sees the source of all interesting magical toys: Mikilos. Both of her tiny hands wave in his direction, "Mikssoss!"
Cryo looks around at the mostly empty room, "fewer than our meeting for Her, almost as many as went." Her tail coils slowly back and forth behind her, she nods when Mikilos raises the question on her mind.
Merek looks then to everyone and nods a bit while he begins to listen. The man looks to the place from the hood while he offers a sweet roll to Lily.
"Of course." Seldan seems content to allow Iskandar to do as he will, turning his attention instead to the others. "The message was cryptic, and for that would I ask your forgiveness, but it was needful. It is my hope that when I am done with my explanation, you will understand why this is so." He sets down Reunion, laying the sheathed blade gently at his feet and pointedly taking his hands off of it.
"You are familiar with the Lady Akorinil." He waits for confirmation.
Mikilos smiles to the Little Fang, considering a moment before digging into his pouches and offering a complex toy. Made of shiney metal, the various heavy parts can be arraged in a wide number of configurations, making it suitable for all sorts of play!
Okay, actually it's a broken brass actuator for a flux motor, but it's not sharp, shiney, non-toxic, and has lots of moving parts to fiddle with.
His focus retruns to Seldan as the man starts to speak, the elf nodding in confirmation.
Lily takes the sweet roll and eats it. She does not say thanks, this is a lesson she hasn't learned fully. Crumbs drop down the back of the Sith'makar's neck, Cryo will discover those later. Right now the whitescale is watching Iskandar with a wary gaze that suggests she's recalling their last outing. Cautiously, she nods and acknowledges him, "Iskandar."
At the mention of the name, there's a snort of laughter. Cryo nods, Cryo exhales, two streams of visible breath from her nostrils. "Yes. Yes, this one is familiar. We have spoken a few times. None were a pleasure."
The whitescale tilts her head as she gazes at Seldan, a smile creeping up her snout. Perhaps now is the time? Yes, yes it is. "She did say she asked you for a copy of the Crimson Pen."
Lily eagerly grabs the shiny toy from Mikilos, twisting and making it rattle. "Thanssss." She remembers this time.
Merek does look in amusement to Cryosanthia in that timing, although he does speak to Seldan. "We've met. She offered me an insulted. I should've incinerated the woman. I wish still to do it," he notes.
Merek holds nothing back.
Seldan's first reaction at Cryosanthia's words is to turn absolutely scarlet, head hanging low in abject embarrassment that lines every inch of his form. For several moments, he is left speechless, having no response to that. Only when Merek speaks does he find himself.
"Holy Eluna teaches us all better, no matter our desires on the matter, Seer," he reminds Merek, coolly and evenly. "It is not Her will that magic's destruction be unleashed lightly. I, too, have my suspicions, and thus do I seek assistance, without her knowledge. She has asked of me a thing, in which I think it in Alexandria's interest to assist her." There is distinct distaste there. "Do any of you know the name Grauthis the Griever?"
A clear, clarion voice echoes from the doorway, "I personally do not, but I suspect we're about to find out." With that, Sophia steps in, the cleric glancing around and nodding to those present with a slight smile. "Apologies for being late... I was delayed on another errand." She glances around, seeing a few she recognizes, then many she does not as she adds, "Sophia Lightbringer, priestess of Althea, at your service." Her eyes flicker over those assembled, as she then glances towards Seldan.
Mikilos quietly mutters something about 'fireball.' *ahem* "Anyway, the name sounds vaugely familiar, but I'm not recalling the details just now." As if he'd ever admit to having no clue.
"I understand, all the same it looks like her being here will only inform the woman of important Alexandria information," Merek notes, then he nods a bit. "What kind of thing would assisting Akorinil do for the people?" he asks.
The whitescale can't help herself. That impish smile that was forming turns into a wide grin. Mouth open, lots of pointed teeth. She doesn't laugh, but clearly enjoys the colour change.
Lily also, as Seldan comes to resemble her pink scales. She's more vocal, with a happy hiss.
"It's good to see you again Seldan," Cryo says, a lot more warmth in her voice, her posture relaxing. At the question, the whitescale looks at Mikilos. He's the know it all. She's the know it a little bit. Merek likely knows too. Iskandar... she's uncertain about. However when her mage friend, then everyone, admits ignorance she feels approved to do so. "I don't."
"Cryosanthia," she nods towards Sophia.
"Nor I," Seldan admits, turning his attention from Merek. "Hearthguard, please. Come join us." He stands and bows politely. "Seldan Padaryn, of the Silver Guard." The moniker Silver Guard, in Alexandrian parlance, identifies him as a paladin of the Goddess of Dreams, Eluna. He waits until Sophia seats herself before seating himself again. "He is a Charneth warlord. If the lady's words be true, he has within his possession a gauntlet named the God's Hand, and with it does he see the truth of all that he observes, stripping away all deceptions and lies. With it has he removed much of his opposition in Abyss'a, and means to march upon the eastern kingdoms and conquer them, then turn his eyes to the north."
Sophia arches a brow, taking the offered seat with a pleasant smile towards Seldan, "Thank you, Seldan Padaryn." She nods also towards Cryosanthia, "Well met." She focuses her attention mostly on Seldan as he explains, her lips curving into a rare frown as he explains the situation. "That is... troubling, to say the least." Her eyes narrow a bit in thought. "Though, we are gathered here, so it seems like that a response is something that is being considered... if not actually conceived?"
Mikilos frowns, wincing slightly. "Knew I'd heard that name..." The wizard considers. "While such a powerful gauntlet is no small thing, it's hardly insurmountable. A vastly more powerful army wins, without lies or deception to be seen through. Of course, rasing such an army is it's own problem, but the core point is sound."
Merek nods a bit, "I didn't know the person, so with that in mind, what would assisting the woman do, she wishes to keep him from that power? Which would protect the north?" he asks.
"Ffffwwwwwwufffh." Cryosanthia lets out a long sigh, deflating. She sits on the bricks in front of the fireplace, heavily. She thinks aloud, "Eastern, then Northern. No word of Am'shere, but this one would expect, next after. Once he has plenty of airships. The Teacher would say leave the Softskins to their foolishness; the Silver Empress, respect the treaty, assist the lands of the Raven Kings."
Seated, she has to look upwards at everyone, and does so. Reconsidering her words, reaching the same conclusion, "Yes, that is likely what she would say. This one can send word, but I can't guarantee any troops. And... that's not the idea you have in mind, is it?"
"It is not," Seldan agrees, nodding to Cryosanthia. "For it is in my mind that the God's Hand is naught more than a Shard of Animus, embedded within the palm of a gauntlet. This in truth is another reason for assisting, for most earnestly would I see such a thing wrested from the grasp of the Charneth, and of the Temptress and her minions. "But, if we are to manage such a task, it must be done quietly, and without coming to his notice. Our only safety lies in remaining beneath his notice."
Sabina 'appears'. That is to say she almost springs from nothingness having arrived while under cover of invisibility. Not that she could avoid some eyes here.
She steps forward and next to Cryo and Lily offering the two a smile and a quiet nod. She keeps her ears open, listening to Seldan's history and current events leason.
Sophia considers that, "Well, I would definitely aid in this endeavor however I might. Though I confess to never having traveled so far as Charn." She pauses, looking over at Seldan, "What did you have in mind, specifically?" Her lips quirk back into a bit of a smile, looking forward to hearing the strategy involved.
Iskandar comes back from the table, adjusting his enchanted belt. "The God's Hand?" he repeats. "A mission into dangerous territory, outnumbered and outpowered, and forced to rely on wits and subterfuge rather than force of arms?" His eyebrows creep up in surprise at the thought. Then without missing a beat he continues. "Count me in!"
"I'm up for that. Brae could use another gauntlet." The whitescale says with a grin, her nose dipped of course, and her sapphire eyes glittering in the firelight, achieving strange hues of green, brown and purple. The rest of her face remains very fixed in expression, so lizardy, "I'm joking. Discrete, yes."
Then Cryo startles, sitting up straight as Sabina appears. Her right hand gestures in an arcane pattern, halfway through a cast before she stops herself. She's on edge. Relax, another deep breath, she smiles at Sabina and pats the bricks beside her. Lily is more vocal in her greeting, and less reactionary. The pinkscale reaches for the Tarienite and sounds like she's ordering lunch, "Peaasss! Beansss"
Cryo curls her tail in, there's a defeated tone in her voice, "Seldan... are you sure this doesn't aid Akoniril. I can't defeat a woman smarter and more magical than me. You know! I couldn't even win a verbal battle; she got much more information than I did from her. The Griever must be defeated, the guantlet captured, this one agrees. Is there a bigger picture I can't see? And what is the little picture?"
"The Shards will be the destruction of this world, I will make sure to see we win, all the same," Merek then looks to everyone, and nods a bit to Cryosanthia. "You'll do fine, the only thing we need to do is win someone who's winning war. Akoniril will be easy enough to deal with when we need to. Although, we should only try dealing with that, one at a time." The man looks from the hood while he thinks.
'Bina grins widely at Cyo and sits down beside her. To Lily she whispers, "Peace, Lily." before giving her attention back to Seldan and what's going on. She does however addin her own voice when the others do. Adjusting her mithral mask she chuckles. "Sounds like something I'd do. And I'm not exactly sure what it is yet."
Mikilos considers. "What little I know of the Shards, many, if not all, have a level of will of their own. Is this Greiver using the gauntlet, or is he being used? Less decpetion and lies in Charn isn't excatly a bad thing, and an expansionist view is hardly new. IF the God Hand makes Charn less of a crapfest, leaving it there might not be all bad." With wizard grins. "Far more likely it should be retreived as soon as possible, but seems prudent to point out that we still don't know a great many things."
"If there is aught to be learned from our previous encounter with that which is divine in nature," Seldan muses quietly, "it is to assume that nothing is as it first seems." Sabina gets a pair of raised eyebrows, and a formal nod of the head. "It will be perhaps less blind than some are thinking, for I think to learn what I may of the man ere I move on him. Even so, Mikilos," he nods to the wizard. "I think it prudent at the least to remove such an artifact from the grasp of those driven by greed."
Sophia gives Mikilos a skeptical glance at that, "While we don't know that much about the situation, apparently, thinking that the Griever is leading a change of heart about things with this God's Hand is not prudent." She nods in agreement with Seldan, "Taking such an artifact away from those that would abuse its power is the most sensible option, and in truth, I would not trust any mortal with its power. It would be far too easily abused."
Lily climbs out of the saddle and down Cryo, moving over to Sabina where she shows her the brass toy she's recently acquired. It looks like a geared valve. The pink Kobold hugs the Tarienite's leg.
Cryo meanwhile, turns her attention to Mikilos, squeezes her lips together and nods once. "That might be her goal, keep the subterfuge going, empower Taara's forces."
Her head tilts the other way, at Seldan now, "Why is he called 'the Griever'? How are we going to find out about him?"
"And thanks Merek, for your words of reassurance, but..." Her words trail off. Seems she is not so easily assured. She has a chasm of doubts.
Bina gives Lily a gentle smile and hugs the leg-hugger, making a point to inspect the toy that's being offered for inspection. She nods , not completely understanding the toy perhaps but noting it's significance to Lily.
"There is a plan then? or the basis for a plan? Or is this meeting more of a gathering of minds to step forward together and gather information?" she asks Seldan.
"I know one way to find out. We ask! Charn has it's share of conflict. Where there is conflict there are mercenaries. And where there are mercenaries there will be Mercenary Guilds." Iskandar gestures with wide motions of his arms at their surroundings. "In some ways not unlike our very own Adventurer's guild. In some ways," Iskandar repeats, for emphasis. "But they are places one can go for news, and for gossip."
"The latter," Seldan tells Sabina, having somewhere in all this completely forgotten to sit down again. He finally realizes this, and settles somewhat sheepishly back down into his chair. "I would seek assistance in gathering more information on this man. I would walk quietly and carefully." He nods over at Iskandar. "It would be good to know whether the rumors of armies being raised are true."
Mikilos tsks midly. "It's Charn, there's always armies being raised. But if the purposed of those armies has changed, or the size and readiness of them, is a somewhat different question. I have a few contacts who might be of use, but their objectivity isn't great."
On closer inspection, it's a broken brass actuator for a flux motor. Not sharp, shiney, non-toxic, and has lots of moving parts to fiddle with. Little Fang hisses something quietly in draconic, either to herself or Sabina. She seems to be rambling on, much like her clutch-mother does, keeping it quiet so as to not disturb.
Cryo meanwhile, has her attention focused on the discussion. She nods thoughtfully, "Braelnoir was with the Brazen Stride mercs, two years ago, might still have ties. This one knows a few other Korrites, that information would find them. The Ox-Strenght, the Docks, word might be spreading there also. This one can ask carefully."
Sabina gently pulls Lily up and into her lap for safe keeping and being closer to the sylabant whispers of the child. She pays attention to what the others are saying but also to the child. Not that she understands Draconic.
"Well. I could associate with the ambassador if you like? We met once. She seems to take a liking to myself and to my familiar. And was not put off by my being a Tarenite. I would not dig for anything per se. But.. being at the right place at the right time... " She trails off. "One never knows."
"I will look into a few things when I am able to," Merek notes, while he nods a bit to the party. The man looks to be content to listen at the moment, "I'll probably look into knowledge about the man's military."
"I would bid you listen for rumors of war, not ask specifically after him. It is dangerous in the extreme to draw his eyes, now while we know so little." Seldan looks over the faces. "I am grateful for your aid, and would soon organize a journey to Charn itself, to gather what we may of rumors."
Iskandar looks between the various adventurers as they speak. He seems to grow a bit confused. "I mean we should go to Charn, and speak to those we find there. Mercenary Guilds, taverns. It takes time and is the more dangerous method...but then, that's usually what it takes!"
Mikilos nods and waves vaugely. "I've been meaning to visit the capital for a while. Are some texts in their libaries i've been unable to obtain copies."
"Oh, she likes all of us, or pretends to." Cryo says, her head turned enough she's got one eye on Lily. Always, one eye on her daughter. The pink kobold plays away, explaining fanciful functions of the device she holds, or perhaps real ones, who knows. Cryo doesn't understand artifice. Looking around the group, the whitescale says, "Perhaps not Merek. Akoniril reads about us in the Crimson Pen, she uses that to jab for secrets. So, you are more of a cypher, 'Bina, I don't think you've been in a tale. I haven't either, but she can guess an average Sith'Makar attitude and likely strike mine."
There is a pause. The whitescale stares at Iskandar and Mikilos. "This one can't go to charn."
"She simply knows that I know the woman for what she is," Merek then explains to Cryosanthia.
Bina smiles at Cryo and shrugs slightly. "Tales are tales. They may hold truth or fiction or both. She strikes me as master manipulator and stateswoman. I'll try to garner her interest but not ask questions." Another shrug. "This I believe I can do. Though I do not know her magical abilities and thought reading is a thing."
Mikilos blinks at Cryo. "Of course not. It's far too far to take Lily, and too long to let her stay alone."
"I withhold judgment, but agree that her presence here is unlikely to be as she would have it appear." Seldan rises, and picks up his blade. "I must return and sleep, for the dawn calls early. You have my thanks, all of you, and I shall in turn seek what knowledge I may. Her light upon your path." With that, he turns to make his way out.
Iskandar nods in understanding at Cryo. "There's no shame in it," he assures her. "After all, this is a task that calls for stealth!" He suddenly booms. "Subtlety!" he orates, with a flourish. "And you, do, ah...forgive me. You do stand out. A bit." He looks down at his armor, pursing his lips. He peers at the fire, or more closely the ashes, but looks away almost as quickly, not finding whatever it is he is looking for. "Frankly, the rest of us may need to discuise ourselves, somewhat." He examines Mikilos as well, gaze drawn to the Sil ears, or the somewhat un-Sil height.
Cryosanthia nods at Mikilos, closing her eyes for a moment, glad he understands. She snaps them open again, to catch Seldan as he departs, "Peace on your nest. It is good to see you again, Seldan."
She laughs at Iskandar, wobbling her head, her mouth parted in a slight grin, "I do. Just a bit. You, you'll fit in fine!"
The whitescale follows with a more serious tone, "My first mistress was a Charnese wizard who tried to turn me into a familiar and almost succeeded. Her experiments awakened my magic. I killed her. I also killed a priest of Lady Shrulvus's, and freed all her slaves, in Charn. Considering the People aren't considered people in Charn, not even diplomatic immunity would stop them executing me for those crimes."
She nods, "I recommend disguises. Oh 'Bina, guess what I did with your wooden masks!"
Bina raises her brows behind her mask as Cryo jumps about in the conversation as she is want to do. The smile returns to her lips and she has to ask. "What did you do with the masks?" She then looks to Lily in her lap. "What did your mom do withthe masks, hmm?"
Cesran makes his way into the Adventure's Guild and he pauses for a moment as he shuts the door behind him as there are people, well more people that usual. He spots Mikilos and waves to him, "Mikilos! It's good to see you." He nods to the others present. "Greetings."
Miki has no time management skills. instead he just doesn't eat or sleep. Surely he can research treatments, run a shop, adventure, AND take a trip to Charn!
Iskandar gazes at Cryo for a moment. When Cesran enters he blinks and looks. "Greetings!" He turns back to the others for a bit and then looks at Cesran, curiously. "Have you been to Charn?"
Mikilos raises a hand in greeting to Cesran. "There's potential trouble brewing, and we're discussing options. Mostly bad ones, but other people had ideas as well."
Lily looks up at 'Bina with her bright red eyes. She says something, which sounds a little like a siamese cat complaining and a hiss. Immediately, she sets the actuator down and reaches into Cryo's haversack. The pink Kobold removes the little wooden mask the tarienite made for her. She also has a handful of facial features, three eyes, one ear, two mustaches. She plugs their pegs into the appropriate holes and puts the mask on.
A nose is tweaked, the single ear turned, a mustache flipped upside down. Her scales change, the Kobold looks larger, the size of Sith'makar youngling her age. The colours and form stabilizes. She is a goldscale now, with some lighter and darker streaks of scale, whitegold, redgold, to go with the purer colour. Her voice is the same, high pitched and happy, "ta-daaah!"
Cryo watches, amused. She smiles at Sabina, "Mine does the same. Mikilos added the enchantments. It's been /very/ useful lately. Actually Mikilos, I've been looking all over for you. I found something. It might help with this. Are you good with Artifice?"
Cesran gets a wave in greeting, "Peace on your Nest."
Bina puts on a surprised look, mouth open in a 'oh' as Lily transforms! She claps and then laughs. "Very good! I am happy that they are working out so well and that Lily is having fun too!" She bends and places a kiss apon the Kobold-Sith's scalled head and puts the youngling back on her feet. "I must head out to make some plans of my own. You two need to come visit me again soon though."
Merek nods a bit to the people, while he thinks about it, "I will need to look into it," he notes, then watching Lily in thought, chuckling while he then nods a little bit to Seldan.
Mikilos watches Lily's antics with amusement before turning his focus to Cryo with a mild frown. "I disaprove as a general rule, but admit has it uses. And i do understand most of the basic craft, though its actual operations are beyond me. Pretty sure need to have a specific sort of mind to really grasp artifice." (A brain damaged one), the wizard doesn't say aloud.
Cesran hmms and rubs his chin as he has to think for moment, "No, I have not. At least that I can remember at the moment. Definitely not in this timeline..." He shakes his head a bit, "Sorry about that. Why are you planning on going to Charn in the immediate future?" He asks curiously and then turns to the pink Kobold as he watches her fiddle with the mask and then change herself. "Peace on your Nest, and Ancestors blessing on the eggs, your mate, and offspring." He says politely as he raises an open palm. His eyes glow with arcane energies as he pauses for a moment to examine the mask more in depth, "Interesting magical item that you have there."
"Thank you, the enchantment is Mikilos' work, and the mask a present of Sabina, Tarienite crafting. It's been a great toy, and I have a matching one." Cryosanthia explains, waving as her named friend heads out. The invite will be accepted, they'll swing by soon.
The timeline comment gets an long stare with a tilted head. She'll tug that thread later. Instead, Cryo addresses Mikilos once more, looking occasionally at Iskandar, Merek and Cesran as she explains.
"I found the Sanctum of the Phalanx Falcis. Well, we found it. Braelnoir, Mac Bee, Edinaz, Baz and I, in the Felwood. The house of the legendary hero of Alexandria who struck down the Witch Queen, Altima. Agustus' house." The whitescale lets this sink in, while her (disguised) goldscale youngling returns to playing with the actuator.
"It's a teleporting house. It travels the planes. We went to one of the Hells, got Vrocks after us, managed to get closer to Alexandria. We landed wrong, somehow, it left a portal in the sky. We went back to the controls, we ended up in Kor's endless battlefield." Cryosanthia continues her explanation, "It's not easy to pull three Korrites back from their version of Heaven. We got back to this plane, crashed it in the RedRidge mountains. It's an airship ride away, I can draw you a map."
"I'm not sure how a plane hopping house would help here, but it's a plane hopping house. It needs someone who understand artifice to pilot it." It's clear in her words, she wants it.
The Kobold has a 'Mask of Disguise'. Made of mahogany wood, it's of a kobold/sith shaped facemask with a lot of holes, and features with pegs that can be plugged into them. Fiddling and imagining, causes the mask to active and create a disguise, with the mask often fading into some suggestive facial scale colours.
Iskandar laughs, "Heading out. I'll ask... discretely!"
Mikilos sighs, and nods, still frowning mildly. "The Planes can be a dangerous place. Even the mild ones can kill you just for being in the wrong place if you aren't careful. I'm familiar with the magics needs to travel the Planes, so might puzzle out some of the workings, but a proper repair is likely to be well beyound my knowledge of Artifice."
"I can take a look at it along with any artificers," Merek mentions, while he notes. "Planes well... They are interesting." The man doesn't add a lot to that, the people know about where he was at before.
Cesran listens with interest, "That is quite a find. I know of the legendary band that was responsible for the bodily death of Altima and Augustus Alexandros, who was supposed to have struck the final blow."
He leans upon his dragonheaded staff and gently rubs the top of it making it squirm a little like a cat being petted. "It is interesting that his house would be artifice, if that's what's causing the planes hopping to happen, seeing as how the Witch-Queen was after all sorts of Kulthian artifacts. If he did though it would make sense that he might have had some sort of device that did slay her or to shut her down or her powers down to be able to slay her. Since it was discovered that the Witch-Queen was a High Artificer, I suppose it would make sense that Augustus Alexandros, would have some knowledge of it, also considering that he slew the mad-artificer Saluven. Perhaps his scythe has some anti-artifice properties or the divine energies that he sought. I would like to see it for myself, if nothing else to get a chance to view the historical sites. I am no artificer myself, but like Mikilos I have knowledge of it, but more in a theoretical sense. Oh I'm sure the whole artificer's guild would love to get their hands on it, if nothing else then to take it apart to see how it works."
"It was self repairing, Mikilos, like the Shard Tower. Baz kicked in the door and the roof was ripped off, and... then they came back." Cryosanthia explains, "it didn't like us at the controls. The house is salvaged Kulthian technology, according to Griva. Wait... wait she said Saluven helped Augustus. Then Augustus killed him?"
No good deed goes unpunished, or bad one in tihs case. The Icy Sith continues, "Taking it apart is an option. One I don't want to pursue. If it's evil and running on souls it should be destroyed, or if there is a Shard in it, sure. Otherwise I'd rather it be put to some use not sacrificed for an artificer's curiosity."
She shrugs, "You could go anywhere with it. I don't think it's as good as the Shard Tower and can go through time, but, well, easy way to get to Charn if you grab it."
Her head flicks back to Mikilos, "Wait, you said the Shards have personality? Have you interacted with one?"
The dragon staff catches her attention, and a long stare.
Mikilos shakes his head. "I've heard those who work with the Shards... change, sometimes. Their desires shift to somethings different. i assume the will of the Shard, since the effect disappears when the two are seperated. Not unheard of for powerful artifacts. Anyway, yes, if the House uses Black Tech, will need to be destoryed. And I'd be very surprised if it moves thru time. I'd have said such a thing is impossible if i hadn't done it myself."
"The Black Tech will need to be dealt with. The primary field devices seem to be interesting to deal with," Merek mentions then while he nods a bit to the party. <Kulthian>
Cesran holds up a hand, "You'll have to excuse my ignorance on current events. I've been cloistered away looking for some solutions to other problems. I'm not fully up to speed yet on what's going on in the city, part of the reason that I came here. What is a Shard Tower and where it is, does it have a master yet? What is a Shard and why do they have personalities? I'd rather not go through time the last time I went although informative, it did little to help the current situation."
The dragon staff turns to stare back at Cryosanthia, "Can I help you?" the staff asks aloud.
"If it is an artifact it will not be easily destroyed, chances are at least one of the Gods won't like it." Cesran continues ignoring the staff for the moment as he ponders.
Cryosanthia nods, listening to Mikilos. She's got her knees pointed towards him, her hands on them, and her tail is curled up into her lap. Not quite her 'insecure' pose as the mage might recall, but definitely an attentive one, "Ok, I'll keep that in mind. About the Black Tech, and yes, I'd rather I hadn't done it either."
Merek gets a long stare, almost as long as the one Cesran's dragonheaded staff did.
The mage's question... no, the other mage. The other-other mage, Cesran's question gets a long exhale from the whitescale, "Okay. There is a lot. I'll try to be brief."
"The Shard Tower belonged to my ... Mistress, the Fae Queen of Endless Winter. She's no longer its master, it was destroyed and no one knows where it is. I lived there for a human lifetime and I'd... like it. It's called the Shard Tower, because it was possible to see it in several different places at the same time. It's not really relevant to what is happening recently, other than being a powerful artifact. If it still exists."
Inhale, exhale. Cryo can talk for hours, she is a Speaker of the Sith'Makar after all. It's what she does. "The 'Shards' we are discussing, are fragments of the dead god, Animus, that have fallen to earth. They seem to be very powerful, a few people have encountered them. Griva Brassbringer, Mikilos, of the Resurrectionists' Society, are attempting to collect them to ... understand them, potentially restore Animus."
She holds out her left hand, "We also have Lady Akoniril, the Charnese ambassador to Alexandria, High Priestess of the Goddess Taara, and big muckity-muck noble back in Charn. She's just informed Seldan that there is an Animus shard in a gauntlet owned by Grauthis the Griever, a warlord in Charn who is advancing on the lands of the Raven Kings."
The whitescale puts her hands together, "Just about every adventurer is tied up, looking for these shards, or with some medical camp west of Alexandria, and there are some other things... I'd say 'the usual' things, going on with bandits, necromancers, hell-corrupted insects and animals, and vampires but it's not clear those are part of the big picture. Which is full of Animus Shards."
Finally, she has to ask, "Um... your staff. Is there a dragon in it?" Perhaps it would have been good to ask about dragon souls before getting into details about the Shards and necromancers.
Mikilos grins to Cesran. "The Shards of Animus. Pieces left over from the God of Magics demise, holding some fraction of his power and will. Or such is the strongest theory. We don't -know- much about them at all. The Shard Tower was the proper name for the White Tower of Endless Winter, the tower that jumped through time. I don't think it's properly destoryed, but it jumped away from this plane and time, so it might as well be destoryed. For now, at least." He smiles to the magic item. "Be nice Staffy, she's just curious."
"The only god that matters is Reos." Caim says as he adjust the large suitcase like backpack on his back. "Just got done dealing with the mystery of why alexandrian airships were falling apart while in flight: do not let rust monsters create nests in your airships." He says sarcastically as he looks to the other people and nods to Cryosanthia. "Cryo always a pleasure to see you. I trust you are here on business." He asks as he pulls a device from his back which looks like a rifle of some sort and seems to be taking it apart infront of the others.
"Dont let me stop you from saving the world, please tell me whats going on?" He asks as he works on the rifle, a crystal in a special part of the weapon.
Cesran listens carefully to what Cryosanthia and Mikilos have to say. "I see. I do have a few questions though. This Lady Akonirill, why would she tell anyone any information about the Animus shard? Taara was the one that murdered him. Have any shards been found and by whom have they been found? I take it that normal divination spells don't work on them?" He asks a bit quietly as it is a lot of information to take in all at once.
He looks over at his staff, "Ral-sara, does not as far as I know have dragon inside of her. I made her from a length of living darkwood, that was gifted to me by the druids of the forest outside of Alexandria for all the help I have provided for them thought out my time here. The actual head is a rare stone that I crafted into the shape of a dragon's head. A silver dragon head to be precise. She is unique as I did not create her with an intelligence in mind, but she is her own being who provides council to me."
Ral-sara inclines her head regally, "Nice of you to say so Cesran."
Cryo smiles at Caim, "Peace on your Nest, Caim. It's good to see you. Yes, I was catching up on the latest records when Seldan asked me to attend, and that's the plan. Saving the world."
"This is Little Fang," The whitescale rests her hand on the head of a golden-scaled youngling beside her, who seems occupied with some heavy brass device. "Say 'Hello' to Caim, Lily."
"Peassss," The goldscale says with the disinterested tone of a youngster meeting her parent's friends. She doesn't look up from her toy, until she does. At which point she stares at the crystal coming out of Caim's rifle with the greed of a thousand red dragons.
"Close enough," Cryo says, then, "It's not yours Lily.
Of course, there is something grabbing the Sith'mom's attention and pinning it to the wrestling mat. Cesran's Dragonheaded Staff, Ral-Sara, which Cryosanthia would very much like to know about, "So, it's not the same as Reunion or Darius' blade, with actual people trapped in a hellish afterlife inside a weapon. It's more like... an awakened War-Golem?"
"Peace on your nest, Ral-Sara."
Circling back to some of the questions, Cryo does her best, "Regarding Akoniril, I don't know. She's incredibly nice and personable, which considering she's a High Priestess of Taara and all that Goddess has done, makes her very suspicious. I expect at one level she enjoys using 'Good Adventurers' as her pawns. I fear there's a deeper level where we're suckers."
"The Shards can't be Scried, I think. Some of the Resurrectionists attempted that, and the Shard both wasn't where it was supposed to be, and magical feedback made their house catch fire. Merek got a good look at the residue, he can perhaps add more." Cryo says, "And Stjepan encountered one, that was a Quarterstaff. He described it as being blindingly obvious it was an object of great power."
"Ya, it almost killed everyone involved in that magic, and it's something that only people of power can do, it's... Well, it might be successful, we can't succeed all the same. Zero-Dimension manipulation requires ancient rituals, while anyway," Merek would note, then he nods a bit to Cryosanthia, "I am from the line of the Kulthians. Their technology is pretty ancient, well... I will admit, it might not be that. Anyway, we can work on what we know, it will require the assistance of Griva to actually know anything about where the Shards might be."
Caim looks to the sith child and he smiles and puts the rifle back together. "You like artifice? Not many can handle it, and fewer tolerate mad geniuses like us. This is what we call in the trade a death ray." He says as he offers the rifle for the child to hold. "It uses the aura of the creator to power it, so it has limited charges and you cant use someone else's death ray." He says as he smiles at the child before turning to Cryosanthia. "Careful, this one may become an artificer." He says jokingly before turning to the serious Discussion."So we track down this thing and some priestess of taara has the key?" He says calmly.
Cesran nods, "Kill them with kindness or so the saying goes. Or is it more of a beware the face of evil, it shall be beautiful. In any even I would not trust her as far as I could throw her. Good to know, I doubt a discern location spell would work, but perhaps there is something else we might try rather than look directly for the shards themselves we look for their effect on the magic around them. If these are the actual shards of Animus then they should have incredible magical power then they should disrupt the local ley lines, rather than look for the shard itself we look for the ley lines and see where their are disruptions. Think of it like throwing a rock into a muddy pond, you can't see the rock once it's under the water, but you can see the ripples it creates. I'd need to check with the Society to see what ley line maps they have. If not then I'll just make my own and then we see where there are disturbances. As for uniting the shards it might be possible, but we'll have to use a Magus Point, probably the one under the city. It's the strongest that I know of locally, one of the strongest in the world actually. There with the right components and strong enough casters we might be able to put the shards together."
He shakes his head, "I hope this Priestess of Shadow Sorceress doesn't have anything we need. Most likely she's using us to gather the shards of Animus for her Mistress so that the Shadow Sorceress can once again try to wrestle control of the Sea of Mana from The White Magician."
Mikilos tsks. "There's really just too much we don't know and are simply guessing about." He nods to Cesran, and shrugs. "The Magus Point isn't a bad place, but a different Plane might be better. Animus may have left a specific guide with one of his Servants, and we just havn't heard from them yet. Or maybe the Shards are something else entirely... the godly version of diary pages."
"Actually, I am concerned about that. Lily seems interested and speaks Goblin and I don't. Please, no guns or death-rays Caim. I don't want to encourage her. This one worries she'll be mistaken for a Kobold and killed." Cryo says, intercepting the rifle before Lily gets her hands on it.
Lily is not happy about that, and there is a lot of hissing on her part. The Sith'mom voice comes out, "No Lily, Ssassa does not want you to touch. Later. We will buy more parts." <Draconic>
Some intense lizard staring ensues, with the smaller one crossing her arms with an angry snort, then staring longingly at the rifle that's handed back to its owner.
"I recall Merek, yes, you've mentionned." Cryo says, sounding less living after the maternal moment. She shakes her head, "The Priestess, Akoniril, she's given us the lead, the name of the guy in Charn who has made an Animus Shard into a weapon. Seldan has asked us to discretely investigate. Ask around, research, go to Charn, check with other mercenaries or mercenary guilds, find out what we can without being obvious about it."
"Supposedly, the gauntlet of this Grauthis, allows him to see through disguises, lies, and he's mobilizing to conquere with it." The whitescale elaborates some more, "So if you've got an army, there might be a use for them."
"There's a Magus point under Alexandria? Well... that explains a few things. Did you know the sewer system beneath the city is a giant summoning circle? I've got a map." It took her forever to figure out. Malik, about ten minutes. Another know-it-a-little-bit moment for Cryo. "I'm ... I'm not even sure... if there's a Time thing going on. Griva asked... we speculated they're perhaps... eternally present? If that makes any sense to you. That perhaps it's Animus' last thought, as he died and was torn apart. Or... a diary maybe, I guess that works too. It's all whooshing over me."
"I don't know about sith children but I do know that after a certain age, human children become rebellious." Caim says as he takes back the rifle and sighs. "The harder you try and keep her from this path, the more likely she will become it. In any event, If you desire a teacher for her I can teach her the basics. Learning some measure of artifice is useful, even if she doesn't become an artificer." He says calmly as he listens. "You are aware that the people of charn aren't renowned for their friendly demeanors. It is the worst humanity can fall to, and you want to send a group there to investigate?"
"Artifice is dangerous, no matter who does it. Remember Kaelyn," Merek will note, nodding a bit. The man looks then to the party, "I think it will do well to investigate the military ability of the man with the Shard anyway, I will see about what I am able to even find." With that, he then adjusts the potion belt which he wears, there's definitely something he isn't saying, and he looks like he's brooding.
Cesran continues, "Or we give all the shards we collect to the White Magician. It is said that she all ready possesses one of them. If we give her more of them, then it would better let her safe guard the Sea of Mana. As much as I would like to bring Animus back, perhaps we shouldn't try to bring him back. He is dead, those that once followed him have had to give our devotion and support to other Gods. We might never hear from them. I would agree with you, the shards do not belong in mortal hands. If needed I will go to the Gates of Hell and the Abyss to see that these shards are returned to where they belong."
He hmms, "Any other miraculous tales. I know of magical items that can see through disguises and as for knowing when someone is lying any monk or cleric can seem to know when you are lying just by looking at you. If you haven't all ready I can try a divination spell upon this gauntlet of Grauthis. I don't have the spell ready today, but tomorrow I could prepare it. Nothing short of divine intervention can stop it, so if it does then we'll know that most likely it is a shard that was are looking for."
He shrugs, "I don't know about going to Charn, that is a very bad idea to begin with. We don't know what we are looking for or where we are going there yet. Disguises would be needed, not only magical, but a mix of magical and liberal use of a disguise kit/
Mikilos shrugs. "People are people. Some live in unplesant places. The -leaders- of the place may be awful, but the regular folks can still be decent enough. Of course, the really nice people either left Charn long ago, or were killed by the not nice people. But i have contact with a couple scholars who are decent enough, if a bit jaded and short tempered."
Caim intends to teach Little Fang how to be an artificer, she can make Mecha-Kaiju.
"This one is aware. The younglings are typically Casted before that. Except there isn't a Caste for artificers. Perhaps she would be a Lore Keeper." Cryo muses, acknowledging the warning but unmoving on keeping firearms away from Lily. "I appreciate the offer. I might do so. I'll look to you for that Caim, thanks."
"I remember Kaelyn, I still have the timepiece she gave me."
The whitescale nods, listening to Cesran, "This one is not sure what 'the plan' is, regarding them. The Dreaming Dragon guarding them is reasonable. I have my doubts, regarding bringing Animus back. The balance will have to be maintained. A God or Goddess will have to step down, be killed. If it's Taara, would Animus then fill her role, all magic turn evil?"
"Regarding Charn, I'm not sending anyone and I'm not going. It was noted as a possibility. Mikilos has his contacts, it's safe for him to go. It's safe for Iskandar. It's not safe for me, so those who wish, might, there are other avenues." Cryo says, "the spell sounds like a decent idea. For all I know there's a performance group that has come back from Charn recently, and I might hear something at Ceinara's dance platform."
"There is danger in every profession. LIFE itself is dangerous. Artifice when used properly can benefit entire nations. Like magic, when abused can bring about death and destruction on an untold level. Tell me you have gained knowledge or power without some form of risk and payment?" Caim says with a scoff as he shakes his head. He then looks to Cryosanthia. "You know, she may create an entire new caste, if supported." He says calmly as he looks to the others and he puts the rifle back in the large case on his back. "I came to turn in my assignment to the guild so I should go do that. If you need help, feel free to seek me out, I will be in the airships stations making sure some idiot doesnt bring more rust monsters." He says calmly.
"I have the power to annihilate most things that stand in my way. I think I will be traveling that way," Nerek notes to the people all gathered in the place, then he crosses his arms thoughtfully, "No, I'm not intent upon any gods receiving the Shards, I also don't think it wise to bring him back. I am planning a whole different thing," he then admits. "One that will assure the safety of the entire world."
The man looks to Caim, then thinks about it, "Remember what created Merkabah, the fortress stands a testament to what 'the benefit of the nation' that it brings would be. Yes, some things are better in life, the same." The man then thinks about it, "All these powers that want to play with the Shards, their own plans, their own board game. I won't let them win it, I won't let the world fall, if that costs me my entire existence."
Nerek's new plan, destroy the world. No need to protect the world if there is no world.
Cesran pauses, "Never mind about the spell, I would have needed to have touched the item or see this warlord to try to use it on them. Always a caveat with spells like that." He shrugs a bit and nods to Caim, "Good job though on those rust monsters, a warrior's worst nightmare those things are. It's not pretty seeing a grown warrior cry when their favorite sword and newly bought platemail is eaten by a rust monster."
Mikilos sighs a bit like a growl. "I'm sure they're an important part of the ecosystem or whatever, but I'd not be upset if Rust Monsters went extinct." When your trade is metal crafting, you get Opinions.
"Their role in the ecosystem is to be a pain in the ass to metal workers and people who use metal to do their professions." Caim agrees with Mikilos. "Someone thought it would be nice to carry a few them on airships. It caused a few crashes and the local cause was our station, come to find out a bunch had nested deep in it. Rest assured it is no more. Anyway, off I go." He says as he heads out.
"I know, say goodby Lily." Cryosanthia says. The little goldscale snorts. She's not obeying orders now. It's also way past her bedtime, so she's craaaaanky. Lizards are like leaking gaskets when they're cranky. HISSSsssssssss!
"Sssassa will find you something that shoots to play with. Maybe you can help Caim, but only if you're good. Now say goodbye, he's not being mean to you, this one is."
The logic is sound. The youngling still appears like she wants to bite something, but relents enough to wave at Caim, peep, "Peassss."
"Peace on your Nest, Caim," Cryo completes it. Her wary gaze turns to Merek now. She examines him, her mouth remains closed, her thoughts to herself.
The whitescale snorts, finally, "This one wouldn't be surprised to hear some mage created them, to ensure business for his blacksmith friend. They seem... odd, what did they eat before forged metals. Anyhow, disappointing to hear Cesran, that you'd need to meet Grauthis before divinations work on him."
Mikilos says, "Ferrous rocks, iron ore, that sort of thing. At least, that's what they eat in the wild when refined metals aren't around. Though is question how long they can survive on that. Utterly possible are unnatural, but I've known druids to make companions of them, so can't be much of abominations."
Cesran hmms, "Well I don't have to meet him per say, just I have at least seen him once. I can't just have heard about him or this object of his. It is a powerful spell though it just has to be used properly. Well thank you for the information. I will now bend my efforts into finding these shards. Have a good night."
"I err, a Druid made them. That seems entirely likely. Druids are just better. Hmmm, I wonder if Hafslur...never mind." Cryo shakes her head, looking to the remaining three once Caim leaves to turn in his task, "Nice meeting you Cesran, Ral-Shara, Peace on your Nests."
She stands, turns around and crouches to tend to Lily, her tail counterbalancing in a line behind her. The whitescale's hands disappear into the golden-scaled illusion, "Hold still Lily, I can't tell if your coat is done up. No, don't squirm. There. Give me your toy, thank Mikilos, and up now, into the saddle."
The actuator goes into Cryo's haversack, her youngling climbs and sits on top of it on a saddle that seems part of the whitescale's jacket. Lily waves at Mikilos, "Peasss, Miksssoss."
"We should head abed also. It's a ways to the Chapterhouse," Cryo tells the two remaining. She looks at Mikilos first, "This one wishes to speak with you about a few things, another enchantment. Will you be more findable?"
At the Seer next. She exhales heavily, "Take care Merek. Remember what I said."
"Peace on your Nests, both. Sleep well and warm."
Dramatis Personae
Iskandar
Standing nearly seven feet tall with an equally mighty physique, Iskandar's heritage is surely more than human. His skin is swarthy and his attire leaves much of it visible on bared legs and arms. He wears open-faced headgear made of bronze that protects his forehead and cheeks. This also serves to hold curly black hair out of his eyes and hide just where a short dark beard begins.
The remainder of his panoply appears expensive and well-crafted. A dull bronze cuirass molded for his chest covers his torso. A short pleated kilt of leather hangs to mid-thigh, and he wears sandals and shin guards that leave his calves bare. Iskandar's wrists are encased in leather bracers with thick bronze plating on the other edges. These are scuffed and subtly dented - likely from warding off blows.
Merek
The man stands at around five foot ten, while he has a lean and somewhat light muscular build to his frame with skin that is dusky in tone also. He has light smooth hair which comes towards the chin, the color which is like midnight. It has been fashioned into a messy mane. There's thick stubble along his face and both of his eyes are a golden catlike amber, which also decorate his features.
He wears black attire which is decorated with golden tone. He has on an amulet of the Moon Maiden, Eluna. The boots which he wears are adjusted about both of his feet, while he has a cloak that is the same color of his attire, which has been placed about his frame. He has on his gloves, that are made with material which is sleek. He wears a nice desert scarf which is adjusted about him also.
Mikilos
Mikilos is a slender male Dawn Elf, freakishly tall by elven standards, standing a full head over the average human. His ivory skin and long blonde hair hold a rosy warmth, as if dappled in spring sunshine, even when such light is not present. His hazel eyes are deep set, and spark with curiousity. His hands are long and nimble, but hold callus and stain from long use in craft.
He is dressed in a simple Grey robe, of a simple cut, unadorned with decoration. It is however a strange, almost painfully Neutral Grey. His waist is defined by a simple leather belt, from which a scroll case hangs upon one side, a well-used scabbard on the other. Both trousers and boots are simple, black, and practical. An occasional cloak guards against the weather or dust. Upon his brow sits a simple circlet of silver, set with a small stone which shifts from blue to violet, depending on the light.
Sandy
At about five foot, two inches, this llyranesi female is certainly not the most imposing of physical specimens. Her form is alternately a mix of firm sildanyari musculature and plumpness, for an elf, as if she's finished the process of settling into a life of comfort... and is quite comfortable there. Above a scowl are slanted dark blue eyes and pierced ears poking out through her dark purple hair, left in such a way that suggests its owner pays little attention to it. Her skin is pale, even by the standards of her people, as if this particular one doesn't bear any love of the great outdoors. Grease or dirt typically coats part of her physique. With the grease, often a scowl and a tiredness or stress-marks around the eyes, despite her youth.
Sandy is dressed in a pair of flattering trousers of tough chocolate brown material that hug her hips and fall partly down to flare over her calves over a pair of low-heeled black boots trimmed with bright copper buttons. A black shirt is belted therin, laced at the throat, with a pattern of intertwining emerald and pink snakes embroidered at the loose collars. Over this she wears a tailored jacket of interlacing jacquard scales with squared shoulders and a raised collar; the tails of the coat are bustled, so that artfully bunched and folded layers fall into two parts over the backs of her legs, halfway to the knee, lined with poison-green silk. The sleeves of the jacket are split-cuffed with an edge of pintucking of that same silk lining peeking out over curved, folded-back edges. On her left hand is a gold ring with a fat ruby in the center.
Sophia
This young human woman stands a few inches shy of six feet in height. Her eyes are a gleaming azure, the color of a cloudless sky as they have an uncanny intensity about them. Her skin is pale, like marble warmed by the sun. Silver-blonde hair cascades down from her head, braided elaborately as it flows to just below her shoulderblades. Her build is rather slender, and she wears a perfume that seems to be the scent of wildflowers.
Currently, she wears light blue robes with silver trimming, a crystal blue rose medallion about her slender throat signifying her rank as a cleric of Althea. A sturdy suit of breastplate, polished metal with a matching rose insignia, can be occasionally glimpsed underneath her robes. Her leggings are plain and brown, nothing elaborate or fancy, and her boots match them as well. A longsword is sheathed at her hip, the scabbard holding it black with silver Celestial runes etched into it. Her lips seem almost always quirked in a faint smile, regardless of the direness of the situation, as if she's secure in her faith.
Cryosanthia
Cryosanthia is an elegant sith-makar woman in the first year of her second century. She radiates confidence, a deep power from within. Her scales are a brilliant white, highlighted by ones which are the palest of glacial blues. These pale scales trace out the scars she used to bear, her hide is restored. She bears two fantastic patterns of these, one on her chest, the other completely covering her back from crest to tailtip. When the light hits right, one sees the dragon within. Her bearing is intense, her motions minimal grace. Two horns sweep back from her brow. Her eyes are like glittering saphhire gems, and when she blinks her eyelids have the glacial blue to them as well. She carries no weapons, and still keeps a tiny bag close to her heart.
Her clothing is various ensembles. At times she wears a layered robe, a mithril swashbuckling outfit, kilted leather, a loincloth, or nothing. The colours inevitably mirror her own. Brilliant white with shimmering blue highlights, piping and whorls. Snowflakes and dragon-eyes are a common motif.
Cryo has been changed, physically and fundamentally by her experiences. She grew into herself under the Queen of Endless Winter, and struggles to reconnect with herself, her body, and friends she hasn't seen in decades. Alien at times even to the sith-makar, her heritage is written on her scales, along with her spells.
Speaker of the Sith'makar
Seldan
There is something about him, if one is human.
It is not easy to pin down exactly what, though. He is not the biggest man, despite a warrior's physique, just shy of six feet tall with a frame more closely resembling that of a gymnast than that of a brawler. Fair as a spring day, with hair equally balanced between ginger and blonde that is grown out of a military cut to fall in his eyes if not disciplined. Ice-blue eyes with blonde lashes hold wisdom and kindness, set into features that are even, straight, and strong. But - in certain lights, and at certain times, humans might almost see in this Eldanar man a glimpse of what a warrior of the Millennium Kingdom might once have looked like.
The warrior theme is carried again in the full platemail that he wears, its finish not a bright polish so much as a shimmer that recalls moonlight when under bright light, and quiescence in shadow. Over the platemail hangs an open, sleeveless robe of midnight-blue with moon-silvery edging and celestial symbols and creatures picked out in silver thread adorning it, and a steel pendant bearing the symbol of a crescent and sphere. A set of gold bracers, depicting celestial symbols that match the symbols on the robe, encircle his wrists.
He wears multiple belts, one of ornate silver links, another a beaten leather affair with attachments for weapons. A longsword hangs from this, from a sheath on his left hip with an ornately-carved pommel and a guard designed in an ancient style, and a much newer-looking heavy mace on his right hip. A belt pouch completes the contents of the leather belt, and a sturdy cloak over all in midnight blue bears the crescent-and-sphere of Eluna picked out in a mosaic of thousands of tiny silver crystals on the back. A simple, unadorned cloak pin holds it in place. Over his back, the top of an elkhorn, wood, and steel longbow is visible, along with a quiver of arrows made of red leather and trimmed in white fur.
Cesran
Cesran is a tall lanky man standing about 6'1". He skin tone is the color of dark mahogany and he has dark hair that has been styled into long dreadlocks that hang down to his shoulders. He has high cheek bones and a strong jawline. Cesran has amber colored eyes. He has a very wiry build with long arms and legs. His fingers are thin and long. Cesran is wearing a long red robe that reaches all the way down to his ankles. Around his middle is a deep blue sash that he has his pouches and melee weapons. He wears a simple silver ring on his index finger. His feet are adorned a pair of sandals that have red and gold intricate bead work in a geometric pattern.