Memory of Thee

Log Info

• Title: Memory of Thee
  
• GM: Aftershock
• Characters: Thoth, Rune, Ilenzi
  
• Location: Alexandria - Southern Banks of the Tornmawr
  
• Summary: Thoth regains a memory, Ilenzi introduces themselves and asks for Thoth's aid. Rune is wary and urges caution.

The sun is beginning to set as the three make their way to the bank of the Tornmawr. For a moment, once they've reached their destination, the stranger who is the reason that Thoth and Rune find themselves on the edge of the river far from anyone else who might come along... simply stands there. Hovering at the edge of the river watching light and crimson play along the edge of the water against the darkness of the shore.

Finally, at long last the personage turns toward them. "You must have so many questions Thoth. So much lost... Both of us..." It's hard to to read those fine features, or perhaps emotion is not adequately displayed. "But not all. I... know that you have been counseled not to trust me, and that is fair, but I did not come merely to see you. I came with a gift, one that I hope will remind you of some of what was once was."

GAME: Rune rolls perception: (16)+25: 41

When they get to the bank, Thoth isn't so certain where to stand or sit, so it kind of 'halts' at the edge of the river similarly to the elfin looking man. Staring at the river and seemingly enjoying the same light playing out over the waters. It remains quiet when it is spoken to it for a little while.

The light of the river and the city play out over its golden-and-black body. Shining over its broken wings, which jingle a bit almost like wind-chimes when in a quiet enough place.

At the mention of what it has lost, it turns its head down a bit. "This one's Master, lost to time." It seems that is what is most important to it. Its master. "Its Keeper of Magic too, gone." Referring to Animus. It lifts its metalic fingers a bit. "It is having trouble adjusting. But it is slowly finding purpose." It answers the pale man.

It then looks up, long beak traveling all that distance with such ease. "Care must be taken around strangers. But this one wishes to understand first, before it accepts this gift, what you were to this one." It remarks. "It feels, it will understand its lost history better, if it had more context. It is surprised there could be anyone left from such a great time ago."

The dimming of the light towards evening might set some others ill at ease, especially given the uncertainties of the situation, but Rune has always felt more at home in the shadows. She stands near Thoth, hands lightly clasped behind her back, seeming almost the embodiment of the guard she has claimed herself to be. It isn't the first time she has sold her time to protection tasks. Though... she likely isn't getting paid for this one.

The quiet, still moment has one ear flicking, likely listening to the waves or the call of evening birds in flight. However, her senses are on alert, blue eyes flicking from the stranger to Thoth and back again. "Trust is something that is earned. So far, you have yet to trust my friend here with even the simple matter of your name." Friend is probably stretching the definition.

Taking in a breath, her nose twitches a little. "You clearly have some sort of powerful magic, otherwise you wouldn't have attracted the Goblin's attention." She hesitates, but only for a moment, "You also... don't quite smell right. Like... perfume used to cover something." Rune may have once been trained in diplomatic matters, but these days she is far more straight-forward. "A little truth goes a long way."

She looks to Thoth, then raises an eyebrow.

"It has been a long time." The individual says, as though this explains much. "You have not offered me your name lady, for all you ask me to trust you with mine. Thoth's I have because we have history, and Thoth would recognize me in turn if not for all that has transpired. A great deal has happened."

A momentary pause. "I am called Ilenzi." The name elicits nothing. It's just a name. "As for how I came to be here after such a long time, that would be a very long story, and..." There is a spreading of pale hands. "As for my gift... It is a memory-orb. A long-dead magic that captures memories and can be viewed. I have spent a long and exhaustive amount of time searching for them, and when I found this one..."

A momentary hesitation and then a clear orb is drawn from a pouch too small to contain the head-sized bubble that is drawn forth and offered toward Thoth. "I recognized it instantly as yours."

GAME: Thoth rolls Craft/Artifice: (8)+14: 22

Thoth seeks to bolster Rune's words.

"This one has learned, it is oft best in the current day society to offer thine name early, and not attempt to negotiate it. It increases favourability with them. To do otherwise is considered culturally offensive and raises distrust." Thoth remarks to the individual, after they introduce themselves. "This one has been trying to not refer to them as 'Other', but by their name." It points out.

It then looks at the orb, and hesitates for a moment.

Memory...

It curls its talons for a moment. Thoughts race through its mind.

"This one recognizes this object. This one has crafted some of these." It remarks. But why would it have created memory-orbs. "Did this one fear losing its memories? Or are these memories it wished to not remember." It inquires with Ilenzi, while opening its fingers to receive the clear ball - following its motion with beak and oculars.

It looks up to Ilenzi. "Doth thou still seeketh a particular Memory Orb?"

Perhaps it is the pointed ears and the strange, alien beauty that the stranger holds, but something whispers in the back of Rune's mind to be cautious. Names have power. It is why so very few know her true, full name, if she can help it. So, she falls back on one that she uses from time to time. "I'm called Sjachzhin." Though she is most certainly not Makari, the name is Draconic in origin. "Warrior caste of Wuja Docar."

As a too-large object emerges from the bag, there is a slight lift of her eyebrow. It's likely that she is wondering if this is the thing that Fidget had tried to have her investigate. "I'll admit, matters of magic are usually beyond my understanding." She looks between the two briefly, "So I couldn't tell you if there is any sort of danger involved in such things."

She shifts a little, folding her arms across her chest. "Though, I'd say, artifice as old as you are might be something to treat with caution. Time usually doesn't do well with enchantments."

"Your Master, was skilled in the art of the creation of Memory Orbs." Says Ilenzi, still offering the orb to Thoth. "I have been searching for many of them. My own. Those belonging to your Master... And yours as well."

Something flickers across Ilenzi's face briefly. "The truth is that I have quite a few in my possession now, but I thought you might appreciate this one more than some. Your Master and I, we both thought that Memory Orbs would carry our works into the future. So we created many of them. Tested them. This is your own memory... of me. Or a piece of it at least." Ilenzi glances toward Rune. "You are right of course, to be cautious of magic and of artifice, but Memory Orbs were created to endure. They can not be altered or tampered with. A great deal of work went into their creation. It is yours to do with as you please Thoth."

Thoth stares at the Memory Orb within both of its hands. It's large, almost comically so, unable to just hold it in one hand. "Other - Ilenzi - has memories of Master?" It inquires, its attention more raptly drawn to this. After all, it wishes to bring its master's things into the current time. For people to remember him as it remembers them!

It then looks at the orb being offered to it. A memory of Ilenzi. Someone whose name and being do not draw emotion as of yet. Like like thinking of its Master does.

It nods at Rune. "This one appreciates the warning of care. But this one believes this safe, Sjachzhin." It speaks the name in pure Draconic, in a way that shows it understands the words she just spoke. It doesn't rebuke the name. Humans have surnames, so clearly people can have multiple names, or even titles!

It then closes its eyes and puts the orb to its head, and tries to activate it...

"You both would know far better than me, in that regard." Rune had already confirmed her lack of knowledge when it comes to things in the realm of magic and artifice. Looking to the small War Golem, she inclines her head, "This is your life and your decision. Do with it what you will."

She shifts her weight, the half-sil likely being one of those people for whom sitting or standing still for long periods of time doesn't quite sit well with them. "So long as it doesn't damage Thoth. They've been through enough as of late, and have already gone through one round of repairs." It's obvious that the repairs are nowhere near complete, what with the Golem's tattered wings.

With the decision made and the bird-like automaton moving to activate the orb, Rune simply stands watch, her expression pensive.

The moment that the orb touches Thoth's forehead, the construct is instantly reminded not of one memory, but many. Memories of sitting on the floor drawing diagrams of complex design with this person. Memories of this person talking, pointing to the sunset on a balcony. Explaining the reason that the light turns the sky colors. Patiently. With care. Memories of Thoth slowly, painstakingly slowly learning to walk toward this person. Uncertain step after uncertain step into their waiting arms. The warm smile and warmer embrace. The words of care and comfort and congratulation. Memories of watching this person sleep in a cot late at night, the moon tracing delicate features.

With the memories comes the emotion that Thoth had lacked. Curiosity at first. Then a growing fondness. Watching those crimson eyes turn soft at the sight of Thoth. Every memory is from Thoth's perspective. They feel comfortable, attaching in all the right ways to the faintest tendrils that exist in Thoth's mind.

Then, the Memory Orb dies in Thoth's hand, cracking and crumbling to dust. Existing now only in Thoth's mind. Ilenzi says nothing, but rather patiently waits.

Slowly, that orb begins to 'empty' into Thoth's mind. Warm memories returning to it. Its emotions seem even and still for most of it. Its oculars closed at first. Listening to factual information being explained. Garnering more and more appreciation for fact and science through deeper understanding. Watching the skies, remembering how sometimes, it would sit outside in the moonlight, looking up at the skies even now. Memories drawing into them. Further...

In that memory, approaching them. Stepping into arms almost like a child, just learning how to walk instead of fly.

Slowly, its wings begin to rise a bit. A relaxation of stress they didn't realize they were holding in their body. Memories of watching this person, for it did not need to sleep. Memories of working quietly on some clockwork things, while watching them, trying their best to be as quiet as they could so, as to not disturb this person.

Its oculars open, and its beak opens a bit, and there's a metalic but beautiful chirp of appreciation. Almost like a songbird's momentary song. "This one remembers dancing with Ilenzi." It remarks, as the orb turns to dust, and it looks down at it for a moment, then back up to Ilenzi. "One use... that was the flaw. They were not good for sharing more than once."

Its wings shift a bit. Almost like it were trying to puff up like a bird. Some of its body-plates lifting from its body and a bit of steam coming off of it to release pressure.

Rune stands in silence during that time, likely watching for any signs that the Memory Orb might be damaging the War Golem in any way. However, she knows little of what to look for to identify that, even if it were happening. Only once Thoth begins to speak again does she let out a slow breath. Not quiet relief, but likely glad she wouldn't be responsible for the damaging of such an ancient being.

"I assume you're still fully functional? No damage from interfacing with it?" Rune asks, canting her head. She can't quite read the automaton's features, so just what the memory contains is lost to her. The chirp and the comment about 'dancing' seemed to be positive memories, at least.

Her eyes turn back to the stranger, though. There were some long-lived races, but that smell was still bothering her. Undead, perhaps? Alas, prodding the individual has not really lended much in the way of answers, so she just watches the interaction, instead.

There's a soft smile on Ilenzi's face, as if Thoth's mentioning had brought the memory to mind as well. "I remember." The words draw a soft sigh and then a glance toward Rune when she speaks. Crimson eyes turn toward Thoth, offering a perfunctory once-over. "It seems as though the Orb acted as it was intended to."

There is a moment of hesitation and then Ilenzi speaks again. "I have... more of them. Memories... and I know where others are. Yet they are beyond my reach." There's earnestness in those crimson eyes. "I would like it if you helped me Thoth, to retrieve these memories. I suspect, that like me, there is a desire to understand the forgotten past."

GAME: Rune rolls sense motive: (10)+8: 18

"This one detects no interference or damage." It answers to Rune when she speaks of such things. It was worthwhile making sure it was not harmed in any way shape or form. It pauses for a moment, then suddenly turns its head into its wings. Not to preen this time, but to find a metalic feather. One that isn't warped or broken, and instead pulls one that is still mostly straight, and tugs it off of its broken wings and offers it out to Ilenzi.

Only once taken, does it explain; "This one does not have something to repay thee for this gift. So this is what this one can give. A piece of itself." It remarks to Ilenzi. "But this one does not understand. How could thee still live? This one's memory does not serve to bring it answers on such a matter."

It has a similar question to Rune. It has a habit of accepting things 'as they are', but since it had 'accepted' that all things and people it once knew were gone, this is something it wished to understand.

At the mention of remembering the past though, there's that moment of hesitation again. Something that has it pause for long enough that it turns its head and begins to instead nervously preen its wings. Clicking its beak, arranging feathers that are beyond arranging. Trying to run its beak to its spokes to try and adjust them, but they are beyond adjusting.

It then turns back to Ilenzi. "This one will help." It then decides. "This one wishes to recapture memories of its Master - and bring his wonders back into this world. And this one is Friend of Ilenzi."

The request is met with a furrowing of Rune's brow, but she can't quite figure out the beings intentions. However, there are things that prompt questions, "If you have magic strong enough to draw the Goblin's attention, I would imagine you're more powerful than Thoth." There is a side glance towards the War Golem. "Please don't take any offense at that. I'm... just familiar with that one and if you were anywhere near as magical, she'd have been sticking her unwanted nose into your situation, too."

Thoth asks her other question, the one related to whatever long-life this being seems to have. She leaves it to them, rather than doubling-down on it.

Ultimately, she isn't sure if this quest for Memory Orbs is ultimately in Thoth's best interests, but she also doesn't know any better to question it, either. There's a certain amount of agency she has to give him, even if he is newly returned to active function.

Ilenzi sighs and frowns slightly. "It... is a bit of a story, but to explain in short... This is not my original body. The woman from before, were she more experienced with magic, might have been able to tell you as much. Magic, much of the magic I possess, is tied up in maintaining myself as I am." Ilenzi glances at Rune. "As you were rude enough to note, there is an... odor. My body is decaying. A consequence of the magic I use to maintain this form."

Sorrow and wrath battle across their face for a moment and then disappear, a soft smile taking the place of all that. "You have my gratitude Thoth. I am certain that locating some of the orbs will be challenging. Dangerous even. But well worth the effort."

GAME: Thoth rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (17)+12: 29

Ilenzi takes the feather also, a soft smile playing across their features. Nodding in a gesture of gratitude and tucking the small token away into their belt.

"This one is not offended. It was created to aid Master with its Arcane crafting. It was not created for War like many of its brethern." Thoth answers Rune, regardless of it being a 'War Golem'. "It is better when there are not so many clammoring to inspect its body. It can be... overwhelming." They then add for Rune's sake. "This one is used to being Objectified though."

It then tilts its head, as it reaches out through the arcane and peers at the Sea of Magic and its influence upon Ilenzi for a moment. Decyphering, patiently, what is going on. "This magic should not be causing such a response." It declares. "But this one is incapable of the magical might to cast this spell to improve or fix it for thee. This one apologizes."

Thoth then adds; "This one has been learning to 'Adventure' in order to make money. It is far more difficult in this age to cast a Wish spell or the likes. It has been preparing for the Dangers you prescribe."

There is another raise of the eyebrow as she is called out as 'rude' for her appraisal of the situation. "I was asked to come along as protection for Thoth. I would be doing a pretty poor job of it if I didn't point out strange behaviors or traits that might mean a potential threat." She lifts a shoulder in a half-shrug, not seeming particularly offended. What this individual thinks of her is hardly of importance.

Then, with a softer expression for the bird-like golem, she shakes her head, "Maybe this isn't something that your kind get taught, because of how you were created in the past... but your body belongs to you. No one should be poking about without your consent. If someone tries, tell them to fuck off and get the hell away from them." Maybe she is anthropomorphizing the war golems a bit much... perhaps.

Shifting again, this time resting one hand on the hilt of her sword, but in a relaxed, non-threatening manner, she adds, "Just don't go off Adventuring alone. I know from experience, that you need others you can depend on in a fight. Otherwise, you're bound to end up dead."

"Agreed in both regards Thoth. Your Master... Would not want you to be poked about and studied without regard for your wants." Crimson eyes are soft on Thoth, and Ilenzi nods to Rune. "Nor should you wander off alone where you can find aid in those others around you. I can offer little myself due to my condition."

Ilenzi hesitates a moment then glances toward the setting sun. "I should return home." A soft sigh. "It was a pleasure to see you again Thoth. I will surely send word soon of how you might locate further Memory Orbs."

The avian War Golem listens to both of them warning them to be safe. To not get itself harmed unduly and to go adventuring without friends. "This one will not permit its Master's property to come to harm that would stop its capability of functioning." It declares firmly. "So this one will... 'lean on' other Adventurers in its journeys." It promises the two of them.

"And it will request those who touch it without consent to halt in such an action. But this one also wishes for some to see its Master's brilliant work. So they can remember and see Master through its existance." It adds. There's a balance to be struck there.

Thoth nods its head slightly then, before it reaches its small hands out to Ilenzi in an attempt to touch theirs; "How will this one find you, if it wishes to dance once more with thee beneath the moonlight?" It asks, looking up at them with that query in its voice as well as its eyes.

GAME: Thoth rolls Diplomacy: (19)+0: 19

"My suggestion?" Rune queries. "Find someone you can trust at the artificer's hall to try to make some blueprints or diagrams of your functionality. It has a dual benefit of allowing people to see the wonders of your Master's work, but also gives people the ability to fix you if anything were to go horribly wrong." She shrugs once again, "But I'll admit, I don't know the first thing about artifice. So maybe it's more complicated than that."

At the very least, the bird-like Golem has agreed not to wander off into danger by themselves. That's something, at least.

To Thoth, she adds, "I'll walk you to wherever you need to go. Alexandria is relatively safe, but... better not to go it alone if you don't have to."

Ilenzi allows their hand to be taken by Thoth, those crimson eyes reading every detail of Thoth's bird-like expressions. This is clearly someone who knows Thoth well, who can see the meaning there. "A wizard named Dremarim has generously allowed me the use of his rooms at the Arcanist's Guild. I will be there if you have need of me Thoth. For anything. Be it a midnight dance, the questions that haunt you, or... anything." Pale hands clasp the smaller ones gently. Meaningfully.

GAME: Rune rolls knowledge/local: (10)+10: 20

Its expressions are hard to read for most. But there's those glints in its eyes. The way it turns its head at exact integer degrees, that warrant hints and tells. A happiness to have found something that ties it to the life it used to live. A sense of no longer being alone here - even if it claims that 'alone' doesn't bother it. Happy to have found Ilenzi again. Fond memories warm in its mind.

"This one is aware of the Arcanist Guild. This one will visit when the Moon is Full once more." It believes to understand that Ilenzi wishes for some alone time. That the magics they are under are exhausting. It chirps pleasantly at Ilenzi, clacking its beak a few times, then releases Ilenzi and turns to Rune.

"Thank you, Sjachzhin. This one will take the Other up on her offer." Before turning to Ilenzi again. "Rest well. This one can always be found in the Artificer's Guild. It has a small nook that serves as its maintenance point."