Thunderstorm

Tenebrae - Saturday, November 15, 2014, 6:10 PM

---

-=--=--=--=--=<* A14: Sage Orum's Plaza, University District *>-=--=--=--=--=-

Named after one of Alexandria's most learned (and perhaps addled) minds, the new University District of the city contains a number of entertainment spots as well as areas of culture and learning. Though many structures and sculptures can be found here, two buildings dominate the plaza with an air of friendly animosity--the grand buildings of the Society for Progressive Arcanists and the Artificer's Guild.

Poised on opposite sides of the central plaza, the two face one another like old misers, each uncertain as to what the other's up to, and pranks between students are a rule of thumb. A series of levies and fines exists should they get too far out of hand, though at times the results may be spectacular. Performers often make use of the great plaza by filling it with music, and rare is the visit without passing a performer's hat or three, five, or nine. Likewise, ramshackle shops selling every sort of magic bauble line the ways, all of varying (and often questionable) quality. A grand statue of Sage Orum overlooks it all, his expression slightly perplexed perhaps, at its mixture of grandeur, invention, glass-filled baubles, and chaos.

At the far end of the area, is the city library. From public records to research into the history of the city and the region itself, there is much one can learn at the city library. Many stories tall, the building towers up over well-lit, tightly-packed cobblestone streets.

In the distance, the Redridge Mountains rise overhead in all their glory. At their peaks, one can see the airships docking, landing, and flying off again under the banners of not only Alexandria but many great nations.

Driving thunderstorm. Got a couple of people out in it, one playing in the puddles, and Solace and Aldean are standing under the roof in the entryway of the library watching out of the rain.

A closer glance at the bard in the soft, cold arcane light just under the roof to the entryway reveals skin that has definitely darkened by several shades of tan and several more of red, along with skin pieces that could only be a peeling sunburn. He's got his own wool cloak well pulled around him against the worst of the weather, but looks over as he's joined ... and starts. "Na, did I tell it t'blow I'd have it at the least be warm," he counters, peering out through the curtains of rain as they slant down on the streets.

It's then that he catches the glimpse of someone playing in the puddles, and he snorts, folding his arms across his chest. "Will ye look at that? I'd be killin' fer this rain three days past."

Talazia is definitely in a good mood, as she slides her hood back and leans her head back to feel the rain on her face. "Ah....warm rain. Now this is something To enjoy." She says with a giggle as she stomps in another puddle. Her boots seem to be waterproof too.

Solace stares at Aldean, and moves to share the shelter of the eaves with him. "You look like you caught the wrong side of a fireball. Been out on the sea?" he asks, then follows the look to the elf. "She's insane," he says, flatly. "All elves are. It's as much a part of the race as the pointy ears and not needing to sleep."

Mikilos idly wanders from the College, casually reading over a small slip of paper. Not a typical sort of activity, but the tiny ball of magelight hovering near the elf's shoulder has a little to do with it. But while the wind ruffles the elf's hair and the rain splashes his boots, the worst of the weather seems to go around him. Maybe it's an elf thing, maybe it's a subtle spell... maybe it's being able to throw lighting back at the clouds if they try any funny busniess...

Yngvild tips her chin to Solace and Talazia as two of those that she recognises, lifting a large hand in brief wave "Greetings" she booms in her powerful voice, although both her shaggy brows arise at the characterisation of elves.

The remark earns Solace a long look from Aldean, and a hearty laugh. "Aye, she's the right of it ... though I'd not talk o' the insanity of elves afore a walk through Goblintown." He looks ... up ... at the Aesir woman, and raises a hand, but before he can say anything, Talazia aims a spray of water at Solace and manages to soak his boots as well. "Oy!" The arms come uncrossed, but after a moment, he relaxes. "Ye know ... fer that remark ye oughta be after huggin' him."

Splash! And cold, dirty water goes all over Solace's carefully crafted boots. He looks down and scowls. "Those are my boots," he says, mournfully. "And I only say what every other non-elf thinks at least once a day," he claims. Is he joking? It's hard to say! "And I doubt you would find anyone willing to say I wasn't insane. Blaming it on--" and then Aldean says something about a hug. His glare could cut diamonds, and it is shared equally between Aldean and Talazia. "I do not hug." He points at Yngvild. "Hug her. She might like it."

Mikilos perks and ear, glancing towards Solace and those gathered. "What's that? Group Hug? Why that sounds like a wonderful idea!"

Solace's scowl deepens. "I have recently installed a component in my armor which electrifies anything which touches me. I can turn it on /like that/." He snaps the fingers of his free hand. "You are warned."

Yngvild glances down over her huge form then back up to Solace and the others "What makes people think I am all that huggable?" she asks with a faint twist to her lips. Shaking her head she reaches up one hand to pull her hood back and let some of the rain cascade on her face "Better than the heat" she replies to Talazia with a smile.

Up close, Aldean's sporting a few signs of time in the sun himself. His skin is several shades deeper of tan, but also of red, and unmistakable signs of a peeling sunburn across his face. He holds up a hand in surrender at the mention of electrifying armor, dropping his cloak to do so. "Easy mate. Twas only a joke." He now eyes the artificer most warily, then looks around at the others, most notably Mikilos. "Now there be a trick I be needin' ta learn," he adds, eying the wizard's rel;ative lack of wet.

Talazia looks up to Yngvild and smiles a bit. "Warm rain is always better. it's the cold rain that no one likes." She then blinks at the question. "Cuz you're big and.......I have no idea where I was going with that." She then smiles more at Yng. "I can't say soft....."

Mikilos blinks mildly at Solace, snaps his fingers, and begins to glow faintly. "Okay, electric Energy Resistance. Anything else before your hug?" Of course anyone knowing anything about magic will realize that was merely a minor illusion, not a proper spell...

Nuanna has arrived.

Solace does not turn on the armor. Instead, he just sighs, and closes his eyes. Never has a half-elf looked so mournful. "Do your worst, but if you steal any of my height, I shall never forgive you." He deadpans that, but it seems he does have something like a sense of humor. It's raining and cold, and a small group is huddled under the eaves of the library. Well, some people seem to enjoy being rained on. "Anyway..." he glances back at Aldean. "What happened that toasted you so thoroughly?"

"Not sure you tiny little elves could get your arms around me" Yngvild ventures to the crowd with a low booming chuckle. Evidently deciding she has been rained on enough she pulls her hood up and ventures under the eaves, rain sheeting down her long leather coat.

"Really?" is Talazia only warning before she actually hops up and tries to wrap her arms around one of Yngvild's arms. She's moderately successful.

Mikilos eyes Solace as if seriously considering a bit of height theft... but relaxes, perhaps not having a Reduce Person spell ready. Glancing to Aldean, he inquires "Have you tried the temples? Plenty of acolytes ready to practice some minor healing." The over-sized mage glances towards Yngvild and grins. "Who you calling litte?"

Storytime! Aldean grins despite himself, rain spattering the edge of his cloak as more people join them under the eaves, looking over at the elf with a chuckle as she tries to hug Yngvild. "Job in Rune," he explains , leaning back against the stone wall. "Had a door show up in the middle o' their town square, outta nowhere at all. Hired a few of us t'go and check it out. Led into a pocket dimension that was a desert. No warning at all and took us all damned day t'sort the place out." He doesn't seem to mind, though, looking around at the others. "Th'strange part was what was there."

Yngvild glancing across to Mikilos she offers a faint wry smile "Well there are always freaks" she says, although there is no unkindness in her booming voice. She does however turn a somewhat bemused glance down to the more normal elf clinging to her arm. With a grin she lifts it up, elf and all. She shows some strain, muscles bulging under the intricate tattooing but manages to hall Talazia up to eye level, looking at her with both eyebrows arising as if to say 'now what?'

Despite himself, Solace can't help but smile at the sight of the small elf swinging off Yngvild's arm. Or maybe it's just Mikilos' non-hug that restores what passes for his good cheer. He visibly relaxes as Aldean starts his story. "And of course, you went through the door that popped up out of nowhere. In Rune," he adds, dryly. Nonetheless, he seems intrigued. "What was there?" he prompts, never one to shun a good story.

'WHEEEEE!" Talazia says as she's lifting to Yngvild's eye level. She then grins broadly at Yng before she actually swings herself up to sit on Yng's arm. Well....she asked for it. "Woo! I can see my house from up here!"

Mikilos chuckles at Talazia and Yngvild, but turns his focus to Aldean. "I believe I've heard something of this, but not the details. Please, continue."

Yngvild seats Talazia more comfortably on one of her broad shoulders. Well more comfortably for the Aesir at least anyway. Possibly a step or two more decorative than a parrot, if perhaps less tame. That done she folds her arms across her chest and pauses to listen to Aldean's story.

Talazia scoots over to Yng's shoulder and listens to the story too. Yng shouldn't have too much trouble with 100 pounds.

The sunburn doesn't appear to particularly bother Aldean; in fact, the coloring suggests that it's somewhere between peeling and turning to tan. Probably why he left it. "A monument to a Kulthian sorcerer. Arrogant bastard," he scowls, folding his arms across his chest. "Damned thing described every crime he'd committed, the names of all the people he killed ... as if it were some glory. From the ground to several times the heigh of a mind, name of every damn person he'd murdered written on that thing. Had ghosts, too. Had to quiet the ghosts an' pull it down ... when we did, twas a mass grave with a soul locked inside a hunk o' magicite in it."

Aldean had Solace hooked at the word 'Kulthian', but as he goes on, the artificer grimaces in distaste. "The excesses of pride. Dealing death is never something to proud of, much less made a monument." He shakes his head. "But...the magicite. That is intriguing. I do not believe I've ever seen magicite that has been made into a vessel for a soul."

Mikilos frowns. "Sadly, not the oddest Kulthian memorial I've heard. Though why would appear now, in Rune... were there any indications as to that?"

Yngvild's bright blue eyes darken with anger at the description of the monument and her shoulder elf can feel a dangerous tensing of her heavy muscles "Almost a shame it was a tomb, would like to take a shot at killing someone like that myself" she growls.

"Na. No idea," Aldean shakes his head at Mikilos, speaking up to be heard and finally pausing as another bolt of lightning and crash of thunder peal across the square; he winces noticeably. "Ag, this be a hell of a blow," he mutters. "Other'n the One Who Builds bein' trapped an' wantin' t'be set free...." His shoulders lift in a long shrug. "Gone now, I reckon. Least we got t'defile that thing afore tearin' it down," and here, the wicked grin returns. "Dunno much of that stuff, mate," he adds to Solace. "Damned weird, though. Too bad it weren't his tomb."

Solace takes a step back as the thunder cracks, drawing his cloak more tightly around himself and his books. "Pity. It would be interesting to know the story behind that piece of magicite, and the soul so trapped." He sighs. "But yes, it would have been better had that sorcerer been consigned to rot beneath his 'monument'." He purses his lips. "We actually had an encounter with Kulthian relics, ourselves. And one of Heth's lunatic dragons."

Mikilos glances idly at the sky, but isn't too concerned. Lightning elementals rarely come to street level. Instead he turns focus towards Solace. "This I know I've heard some of. Where exactly did this occur?"

Nuanna has disconnected.

Talazia says, "Interesting. "Someone who would boast about his kill." She then akes a breath. "Loon. he must've been sniffing his own farts to believe he was great because of all that.""

"There are some kills I would happily boast about" opines Yngvild, her voice still grim "Like whatever monster errected that monument to his villany" she adds, muscles still tense. She shakes her head, closing her eyes a moment to calm herself down a little, then glances to Solace curiously "My adventuring has been a bit less excotic. Bandits, ogres and undead mostly"

"Aye?" Interest colors Aldean's baritone as he looks over at Solace, pulling the cloak a little more around himself. "What've ye been about t'run afoul of such as /that/?"

"In the Dreadlands. See, we were /actually/ just supposed to track down a particular someone. Except that someone decided to go haring off to find a soul forge, so of course, we ended up going into some of the darkest parts of the worlds after him," Solace drawls. He rocks a bit on his heels. "We found a Kulthian complex, more golems than one could shake a stick at, and the soul forge. A working soul forge." A pause, then a mournful sigh. "Which we ended up smashing to bits to keep it out of the hands of two dragons and the Charn skyships circling overhead. On the bright side, we did get to see Charn and the forces of Heth battling it out, which I can only hope was a very bloody, and protracted battle for both of them." He paused, then grin. "/We/, on the other hand, ran."