Minerva
Mage
"Chill out. Here, let me help you."
Posts: 167
Affinity: Ice
Profile: Minerva
OoC Alias: Ryu
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Post by Minerva on Sept 11, 2016 21:37:08 GMT -6
Minerva placed her hand out to touch the waterfall, recoiling when she felt the liquid touch her fingers. It was freezing cold, colder than Ilian winter. In fact, she couldn't imagine trying to keep any part of her body immersed in water that cold for longer than a second. It seemed to be the coldest thing she'd ever felt.What could that mean? Was she correct? Was it this simple?
Sergeo refused to take the bait. While this would normally have greatly agitated Minerva, perhaps causing her to strike out against him, the mage held her calm if only because she was in the midst of casting a spell. Quietly, she raised her hands, and the magic of Fimbulvetr she possessed flowed forth, halting the waterfall temporarily as it solidified in midair, leaving the open hole it had been falling into. Quickly, Minerva moved forwards, her hands still maintaining the thin icy barrier as she toed the edge of the black hole. All was dark beneath her feet, and she took a deep breath before stepping off the ledge, letting herself fall forward as she plunged into the void.
In the brief moment that passed as she began her descent, she locked eyes with something odd. It seemed to be another gaze, a pair of red eyes that burned with an odd fire. Unconsciously, she shuddered, but the fleeting moment of eye contact faded to the back of her head as she felt wind rush by her, blowing her hair as she plummeted face first into a deep and thick bank of snow. The impact was gentle, but strong enough to knock the wind out of her. Her control on her ice magic gone, the waterfall immediately burst back into full flow, and Minerva's eyes widened as she scrambled out of the way just in time to avoid the deluge that slammed into the snowbank, turning from liquid water into powdery snow as it contacted the rest of the accumulated snow.
Standing, the mage took stock of her situation. She was alone underneath the temple, on a wide and circular stony floor. It appeared to be some sort of large platform, made from magically raised sheer rock, for at the edges there was nothing but dark space. Minerva kicked a stone off the edge, and heard nothing at all. It seemed like an endless drop... Certainly not a path. But from here, where was she to go next? The back edge of the circle, behind her, was the snowbank, and in front of her and all around except for that one area was empty space, just stone and then void.
How unusual.
There was one thing that stood upon the central platform. A large statue, made of glimmering ice, in the likeness of a man with a large sword over his shoulder and a tower shield. It was most peculiar.
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OOC: Feel free to RP their reactions to Minerva's decision however you like. Plot-wise, there are four torches that you guys can 'discover' in the corners that need to be lit. Syn, if you want to introduce yourself you can, otherwise do what you will!
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Sergeo
Mage
"Loyalty above all else."
Posts: 45
Profession: Mage for hire
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sergeo
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Post by Sergeo on Sept 15, 2016 23:33:03 GMT -6
Sergeo was too busy at first admiring the history of the old temple, but Lynessa was right. The temple was overflowing with magical energy that anyone wouldn't be able to pick out one certain magic from the rest. It was like trying to find someone in a crowd just by the sound of there voice and everyone was talking all at once. "Then all we can do is search the place top to bottom, assuming the tomb is still here."
The crackling noise of ice forming from behind him cause Sergeo to turn around. The hot-headed Minerva had froze the waterfall in mid-air with not a Trinity tomb, but with her own copy of a tomb of Fimbulvetr, much to Sergeo's confusion. "Is there something you want to share with the rest of the class Minerva?" Apparently not cause without a word to either of them, she stepped up onto the waterfall's edge and with only an audible deep breath she stepped into the never ending darkness beneath her. "A-Ack!" Instinctively, Sergeo ran towards the water fall edge "What the hell was she thinking!? MINERVA!" he shouted futilely into the darkness. It had to be at least a several hundred foot drop into the hole. "Did you know something we didn't?" There wasn't time to contemplate on this thought, as the effects of Minerva's Fimbulvetr were starting to dissipate if the sound of the ice straining to keep the water solidified started to fill the air and water started to fall out of the cracks.
Stepping back and letting the water break through the ice to return to its original flowing state, the Ilian born mage started looking around to see if there was a door or stairway or something to show a way down in these decrepit ruins. "Looks like were going to go further in. Come on. Let's get some light in this place." he said at Lynessa as his eyes wondered the room. He eventually focused on a sconce in the back of the dueling room with a lone torch sticking in it. "There." Sergeo stated, getting is his trinity off of his person and walking over to the discovered sconce. Placing his hand just about a foot out from torch, a red sigil formed out of thin air to light the torch with a subtle "Fhmoop" cutting through the air and lighting the torch.
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Lynessa
Manakete
"I am glad Ilia doesn't have summer..."
Posts: 92
Profession: Tavern owner, housewife
Affinity: Ice
Dragon Element: Ice
OoC Alias: Mana
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Post by Lynessa on Sept 18, 2016 13:43:15 GMT -6
Lynessa didn't expect this development. Minerva had gone to the mysterious hole. It was clear that the mage didn't simply fall to the hole, she had done it because she knew something. But why? Well, it was too late to pursue her anyway as the ice broke and the water flowed again into the hole. Being able to freeze the waterfall for moment was quite an amazing feat that proved Minerva's magical ability. Sergeo reacted first although he could do nothing for the blue-haired mage. While the man was busy examining the waterfall, Lynessa kept her composure and closed her eyes. "There must be some explanation..." Minerva was likely safe down there, there was no proof for it but Lynessa was quite sure.
"Yes, I am not sure why Minerva did that but we can't just leave her alone..." Lynessa hadn't felt any danger so far from this ruins. Something told her to stay sharp and keep wary for dangers but she hadn't sensed any danger so far. Ah yes...Sergeo was right about light, this ruin definitely could use less darkness. The dragoness had more...simpler method to solve the darkness problem but for now she needed to play along and allowed torch to help her see. Her ears twitched and the dragoness quickly turned toward a corner. She felt someone's presence for a moment although it quickly faded away soon. Was someone there watching her and Sergeo? It was difficult to guess because a temple like this could bring out paranoia out of any people sometimes.
Lynessa strolled into the corner carefully, gripping her rod tightly and using it to check the floor. Her eyes searched the shadows, wondering if she was just imagining things and no one was hiding there. She eventually found a torch hanging on nearby wall, a different one but with same design with the torch Sergeo had just lit. Lowering her guard for a second when she reached out for the torch, the violet-haired woman looked at Sergeo and said, "Here is another one. Could you light it as well?" Unlike those mages, Lynessa had no ability to make fire out of nowhere. Unfortunately, she didn't bring her matches either so she could only rely to Sergeo this time.
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Synkkis Kyyneltya
Shaman
"Strange... I had no brace for the aberrant nature of this power."
Posts: 170
Profession: Mercenary Tactician
Affinity: Dark
Profile: Synkkis
OoC Alias: Cyril/Lucien/Landrik/Freya
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Post by Synkkis Kyyneltya on Sept 18, 2016 17:42:08 GMT -6
The shaman locked eyes with the ice-wielder as she descended into the waterfall. There came a moment of unease from the other two as she did so, but it did not worry him too much. Perhaps a little. He didn't like uninvited guests.
As the torch lit, Synkkis could feel his eyes burn with the crude light. It nearly ruined his well adjusted vision of the room. Hearing a familiar voice, it almost drove him to anger when they spoke of lighting the other one. "Hark! No more! I will show you the way further, but no more defilement! This tomb, rather, this sanctuary is the essence of Ilia. A national treasure forgotten. Please... be reverent." The darkness pleaded.
The snow-haired and purple cloaked man stepped forth into the burning aura of the old torch that was removed from its sconce. He turned to Lynessa, illuminated, and recognized her. It had been some time, but she was who he was with when they had attempted to stem the tide of undead in the area. The war had taken its toll on everyone and at least Synkkis looked like he had aged somewhat.
"A torch will be unnecessary. The sanctuary would reject it anyways. The real fire must come from within if you are to survive.", spoke the mage with contempt. "That was only for those who fought within these walls. If you desire the power of what's within the temple, it is not to be conquered, but humbled by. Barigan knew this once." Synkkis trailed off, thinking of stories of his youth.
He stopped, averting his eyes from the light and towards where he previously sat. Any sort of illumination would've revealed depictions of battle and a seal encapsulated with ice. "Lynessa, I'm not sure, but I feel like there's something inside of you that can unlock this... erhm..." Synkkis paused, studying the wall. "...door. Entrance. I do not have the affinity within my bones. It was not my birthright." He lowered his head, resting his head on his forearm on the wall away from the seal in shame.
"Regardless, a wealth of treasures, as well as your... opponent from before... are beyond here."
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Minerva
Mage
"Chill out. Here, let me help you."
Posts: 167
Affinity: Ice
Profile: Minerva
OoC Alias: Ryu
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Post by Minerva on Sept 18, 2016 18:31:48 GMT -6
The atmosphere under the temple was heavy with magical energy, and the mage stood bemused as she stared at the amazingly detailed statue that stood alone on the wide, circular platform. Reaching out one gloved hand, the mage touched it, her bare fingertips feeling the tingle of the frigid ice while the palm of her hand stayed warmer, wrapped as it was in the cut-off leather glove. Minerva dragged her fingers over it, walking in a circle around the statue, trying to figure out the significance of the lonely sword-wielding man. It was a very lifelike statue, and it was standing over... what appeared to be words. Runes, written in the language of her tomes.
Minerva stepped back, looking over the platform itself with a closer eye. Upon inspection, it was covered with runes, which seemed to stem from the feet of the statue and radiate outward in a spiral. They clearly meant something, but she could not figure out what they meant. The structure and syntax of the runes seemed meaningless to her. She had never encountered something in this style of verse. In fact, it almost seemed as if it was backwards.
It hit her, then, as she looked at the runes. They were not meant to be read from the inside out, but rather from the outside in. If she went to the edge of the platform, near where she had stepped onto it...Yes. There was what seemed to be a logic to this now, a method to the madness. It appeared to be a song of some sort, an invocation in lyric verse. Minerva began to chant.
"Hwæt! Wé Gárdena in géardagum þéodcyninga þrym gefrúnon hú ðá æþelingas ellen fremedon. Oft Scyld Scéfing sceaþena þréatum monegum maégþum meodosetla oftéah egsode Eorle syððan aérest wearð féasceaft funden hé þæs frófre gebád wéox under wolcnum weorðmyndum þáh oð þæt him aéghwylc þára ymbsittendra ofer hronráde hýran scolde, gomban gyldan þæt wæs gód cyning."
As she read each rune, chanting in a strong and clear light, it illuminated on the floor, glowing a bold and deep cerulean shade. When she had finished the verse, a pathway of runes, snaking from the outside to the base of the statue, glowed brightly, their color solid and steady. The mage fell silent, standing still, unsure as to what to do next. Though she had activated some sort of magical device, she saw no immediate effects. It was still a mystery.
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Sergeo
Mage
"Loyalty above all else."
Posts: 45
Profession: Mage for hire
Affinity: Anima
Profile: Sergeo
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Post by Sergeo on Sept 25, 2016 22:11:08 GMT -6
"Yeah sure." Sergeo said at Lynessa's request to light another torch she had found in another corner of the room. When he lit the torch, however, an unexpected suprised waited in the darkness for the two of them. A very unfriendly and unnormal looking individual had been waiting in the darkness.
"Gah!" Sergeo said in surprise as he then snapped into a battle stance, ready to light up the gloomy looking individual. Although such hostility was reviled to be unnecessary it seemed as the figure was wincing at the fire that was now illuminating the room. Everything about this guy just screamed untrustworthy. The man was dressed more tattered and disheveled than Sergeo, with a torn robe full of holes and covered head to toe in animal bones and war paint. He fit the part of a mage that lived off the land. Shamans. The old bandit family had encountered some these kind of mages before, nothing too scary about them on there own as long as you can close the distance quick. "For someone who was unintentional drawn out of hiding, you sure are willing to tell some strangers everything about this temple in the presence of some light."
The shaman knowing who Lynessa was caught Sergeo off guard a bit, but there was no way of telling how long the man had been hiding out. Perhaps he heard Lynessa's name when Sergeo called out to her earlier. At least him calling out her name made the decision of whether or not to trust him slightly more easier. "Lynessa.." he said still with his tomb still out ready to attack the shaman. "...have you met this guy before?"
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Lynessa
Manakete
"I am glad Ilia doesn't have summer..."
Posts: 92
Profession: Tavern owner, housewife
Affinity: Ice
Dragon Element: Ice
OoC Alias: Mana
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Post by Lynessa on Sept 25, 2016 23:31:54 GMT -6
Lynessa was surprised by the sudden warning. In a dark and mysterious place like this, it was difficult not to become overcautious and jumpy. Unlike Sergeo, she kept standing straight and calm, showing no hostility for the new guest. She kept her eyes on the familiar voice as the man walked toward her. Was he someone she knew? And then the mysterious man stepped into brighter side and got his face revealed. Wow. It was definitely someone she knew. It was quite interesting to meet him here. Lynessa remembered that Synkkis was a mage who adept in Nether magic. Maybe his reason being here wasn't different from Sergeo or Minerva's?
"That's quite cold, you know... No greeting or hug for me?" Lynessa chuckled as she teased the shaman. He should have introduced himself sooner to the party and probably threw a few words for the ice dragon. After all, they had worked together before and risked their lives together. However, Lynessa didn't feel bothered by the shaman's less friendly attitude and put her arm in front of Sergeo to stop both mages from throwing magic and destroying this temple. "Rest assured...I know him. Well, we had some history, true. He defended a village from an undead horde and I kinda helped him. It has been quite a while though. No need to worry, Sergeo. He pose no harm for us." Despite the shaman's intimidating attires, he had proven to be quite noble and nice person. Alright, maybe Lynessa was a bit hasty with her evaluation for Synkkis' personality but she had believed that his determined efforts to help innocent villagers wasn't just an act. "Nice to see you again, by the way..." she said.
Lynessa questioned what Synkkis meant by her having something that could unlock the door. Wait...where the door he was talking about anyway? More importantly, could he feel the magic stored within her dragonstone? The violet-haired woman didn't remember ever revealing her identity to him. Even in battle she only drew minimum amount of power and faked it as some kind of unique martial art.
Lynessa approached Synkiss. "I don't really care about treasures but it's quite interesting to know that a there is a hidden room behind this...door." There was only a weird ice seal there so she wasn't unsure if she should call it "a door". Alright, it would be no use just standing here doing nothing. Lynessa inspected the seal carefully for a moment then placed her hand on it. To be honest, she didn't know what she supposed to do with this thing but seals usually reacted to direct touch, sort of, so she decided to try. It wouldn't explode and make her one-armed dragon, would it?
(Lynessa exits the thread)
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