Laus' Latest [Open]

[Kolos]

No matter how many times Kolos checked from under his hood, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was just something waiting for him. Waiting for him to slip up, Waiting for him to make one wrong step. Then again, who can blame him? With what had transpired before he arrived here, he knew of the dangers that was within Laus. Despite this, he still decided to settle into the area either way.

Leaning against the small hut he had come to call a home, he reminisced on his original arrival to the area. After having been rejected from the magical academy in Delfia due to a lack of funds, Kolos journeyed his way out here to continue his studies on his own. So far things seemed to be going smoothly. He was able to pay for his living and still go out to learn to boot. The only thing is though, that no one really knew him. Kolos never felt the need to talk to those around him unless it was for scholarly study, or for job requests. 

Be it as it may, Kolos crossed his arms with a sigh. It was rare for him to take a moment and relax when there is much better things he could be doing. However, today it just seemed like the right thing to do. He had worked himself hard this week after all. He shut his eyes for a second to take in the air around him.

He could feel someone nearby, but he decided to remain silent for now.

"Just let it play out Kolos... Let's see where this goes." the man thought to himself.

[Rowan 'Turambar' Gaunt]

Rowan hummed cheerfully as he strode along the beaten path. He'd taken a brief reprieve from his work at fort CairnStein and decided to visit the market a town over. Accompanied by his friend Beleg, the researcher had indulged himself with a purchase of lemons. A favorite fruit of his, the researcher consumed them in moderation, well aware of the price his teeth would pay from the food's sour acids.

A smile on his face, the Seer reached into his pack, withdrew one of his golden prizes, and nibbled at its' skin. Oh, what simple pleasures there were to the lemon. Blessed with a flavor unlike any other. Not too sweet, and just sour enough for the Seer's tastes, there was little which rivaled this fruity delight. The only way this could possibly be any better was if the Seer had some cookies; Sweet confections to contrast with the bitter sour of the lemon's juice. Perhaps Beleg had bought some of the doughy delights while at the market. It-

…Wait.

Where was Beleg?

The Seer looked about, trying to locate his muscular body-guard, but the bow-man was nowhere to be seen. Oh goodness. Beleg was certainly going to have a fit once he realized he'd been left behind. Rowan sighed a heavy sigh. What could he do? Should he about face, return to the market square, and try to find his burly companion? No. The bow-man had probably already left. Perhaps then the researcher would run into him on the way back? Maybe, but Rowan wasn't overly fond of the idea. The less backtracking he had to do, the better.

Rowan cupped his chin, allowing his eyes to wander. Along the surrounding treeline he spotted a small hut, and a shady-looking figure leaning against it. There was the possibility that Beleg had left first. Although that was a very small possibility. Perhaps the drably dressed fellow had seen him passing by? A long shot, but Rowan was loath to trudge back to town. He began walking towards the hut-leaning figure. If nothing else, the researcher could kill some time before Beleg caught up.

”Greetings!” Rowan smiled, looking the man up and down. ”Black's a bit warm for this weather, don't you think? As is baggy clothing. Don't you feel stifled in your outfit? Although who am I to criticize when I have nearly identical attire?” The researcher pulled at his collar, suddenly feeling self-conscious. ”Though, I'd wager my robe is lighter than yours. Rather remote location you've chosen to loiter about, no?”

A pause followed as the Seer blinked several times. ”Oh, dear, I've done it again, haven't I? My apologies.” He pressed his hand against his chest, bowing his head. ”I make observations and don't always keep them to myself. There are those who, rightfully so, have accused me of having no filter.” Another pause followed. ”Have you seen a larger fellow about these parts? His arms are pretty bulky, like a gorilla's.”

[Kolos]

What struck the shaman the oddest was the fact that the figure appeared to be carrying... A bunch of lemons? And he was eating them with joy no less... Kolos wondered what taste buds that man must have had. Surely, they must have been made of steel, for as far as anyone he knew would pucker from having just licked one of the citrus fruits. It was no matter though, as what worried him was the fact the robed man appeared to be heading in his direction.

What he wasn't expecting was a greeting. "...Greeting." uttered Kolos, still keeping his head held low under his hood. The man in fornt of his began to rattle off about the both of their attires, and Kolos could say that it was rather irksome. He would prefer not to have a fruit fly buzzing around him. "I was about to say sir... You can't just go questioning people on their choice of clothing... When you would be a hypocrite in doing so." Kolos spoke in a rather gruff tone, though it wasn't intended to come off as rather threatening. More, or less so just meant to hopefully drive the man away.

Sadly, that didn't seem to be the case. "At least you caught on though... But yes, it is kind of remote. That's the way I like it though. Allows me to continue my research in peace." Kolos was hoping that the man would catch on, though he had this sinking feeling that this wouldn't be the case. "It seems those accusations may be correct." Well then, that was rude. "About your friend though... Do realize we are in Laus, the meeting place of many a mercenary. Being a "larger fellow with big arms" is practically a common trait. Maybe if you went into a bit more detail, though odds are I still wouldn't know."

[Rowan 'Turambar' Gaunt]

(Cue: Heterochromia Iridium)

”Mercenaries?” Rowan's lips jerked into a frown before resuming a neutral expression. ”I suppose Laus does see its share of sellswords. I, however, see precious little of them due to the amount of time I spend indoors.”

Rowan shifted his gaze from the hooded individual to the road, spying for his burly companion. The man may have looked shifty, but Rowan didn't feel threatened by him. The Seer sensed no underhanded motives from him. It actually seemed that Rowan's presence irked the man, and that he would rather be left in peace. But, unfortunately for him, Rowan had little intention of doing so. After all, how else would he kill time before Beleg showed up?

”In any case, you'd know this man if you'd seen him. I was not exaggerating when I said he had the arms of gorilla. He carries a bow with him at all times. He sort of looks like the assassin from that one story... oh, what was the title?” Rowan stroked his chin in thought. ”Hmm. It was the second installment of the series. The main character hunted monsters and loved a scarlet-haired mage. Oh, how frustrating that the name escapes me. Do you know the tale of which I speak?” He gestured towards the hooded fellow.

”You mentioned something about research earlier.” Rowan spoke once he'd received the man's response. ”Tell me. What is it you research out here, in such a remote area? The effects of isolation on the mind?” He shot the hooded figure a cheeky grin. "I jape but, truly, I am interested. I'm a researcher myself, you know."

[Kolos]

One would think that having traveled into the area would have allowed the supposed researcher to meet with some of these visitors to the region. Alas, it appears not, as he seems to be off in his own little world. At least, that is as far as Kolos could tell. "I spend a lot of time indoors myself, but I would have thought you'd at least seen some pass by a tavern, or what not..." Maybe some people just weren't as observant as he had thought.

So far, all Kolos could tell that this crazy coot seemed to be harmless. He said he was a researcher earlier, and he doesn't necessarily think he is lying. Why would he really? Kolos didn't suspect him of having darker motives and trying to steal anything from him either, so there was that. However, he doesn't quite think he could place his full trust in the situation yet. He still needs to see how this goes before making any decisions.

"A man of muscle wielding a bow at all times...?" That truly was something different. Normally one would imagine someone of said proportions to be either a sword, lance, or axe wielder, but surely not something meant to stand from the behind and fire. He thought about the description for a moment. "Sorry, but I don't think I am lacing any faces in my mind... Maybe he is still back the way you came, because I haven't seen anyone like that out here." Kolos then shook his head slightly. "Can't say I have. I don't normally take the time for such pleasantry literature. If I am reading, it is going to be documents, history books, and scholarly findings more than likley."

Now there was a question he didn't get asked often. "So you're interested? Well, I deal mostly in... Individual study of the dark arts. I go out to gather my own materials from the monsters that have settled in the area to continue my research, thus why I chose to settle out in a place like this." If there was one think Kolos sounded proud of, it was his work. He poured most every minute of his life into it after all. "I don't suppose you've read anything from one Kolos Herceg? Maybe on monstrous studies, or different chemical recipes?"

[Rowan 'Turambar' Gaunt]

”Pity.” Rowan half-frowned. ”Although not surprising. I was fooling myself thinking Beleg had gotten ahead of me. Hmm.” The quirky researched swiveled on foot and leaned his back against the hooded fellow's hut. ”Another pity. It's a worthwhile read. One of few which accurately captures notions of political intrigue and gray morality. If you know a man is guilty of a crime, but know you are no better than him, then do you have the right to deliver him justice?” A rhetorical question. More of a self-musing than anything else. ”Very human themes.” It was good that the other man kept himself learned and read. Education kept the mind sharp.

Rowan blinked twice. Now there was something he didn't come across every day. An unabashed shaman and a researcher at that. Truly a man after the Seer's own heart. ”Kolos Herceg.” He muttered. ”By the dark arts I shall assume you refer to the study of elder magic and the nether. You should be careful with who you confide such information. You wouldn't want a guest coming back here with a lynch mob.” Now, Rowan, don't be a such a downer. Outside of the Marquess' employ, fellow monster researchers are had to come by.

Interesting that the hooded fellow had settled in Laus to pursue his studies, as opposed to Ostia or Worde where monsters could be found in greater abundance and variety. Perhaps he preferred to operate under, relatively, safer conditions. ”I fear I must confess that the name is unfamiliar to me but, provided the chance, I'll be sure to peruse your findings. Lycia's hordes are a shared interest of ours it seems. Tell me, what have you discovered over the course of researching the undead?” Rowan shot a glance Kolos' way. "And your chemical recipes, what functions do they serve?"

[Kolos]

Kolos feels kind of bad for the man in front of him. He clearly had no idea what was really going on, seeing as he couldn't find his friend this, that, or the other way. Maybe he'll find out what has become of his friend eventually. The book he was describing did seem to offer up an interesting view on the world of ethics. Maybe if Kolos has a bit of spare time, he could track it down. "Sounds rather interesting. Maybe I can hunt for it one day, if I have the time. In this day an age, I'd wager there is a good amount of people who should probably read that actually." Kolos had a feeling he knew the man would be able to pick up on what he was implying without saying it allowed.

With a nod of his head and a small grin, Kolos replied with "You have that right sir." It was a rare occasion that he found a man willing to listen to his musings without wanting to hold a pitchfork to his throat. The idea of a lynch mob was also a slightly amusing thought to him. "Heh, now wouldn't that be a site. I can see the villagers lining up now, torches in hand ready to attack. What a lovely thought." Kolos hoped that the man picked up on his sarcasm. "Though I had a feeling it would be alright with, considering your own choice of clothing and the fact you could eat lemons plain without the hint of even a small pucker." Now here is where your choice of pleasantries comes back to bite. Kolos wasn't afraid to mess around a little.

The real meat of the conversation had been brought to the table. This should fair well. "It is nice to see someone understanding the choice of location for once. That aside, really I have been more so gathering materials for the chemical compound side of my craft to see if I can find a way to harness the power of the Nether using natural ingredients instead of relying on the source itself. That, and trying to recreate the effects of light, or anima magic if possible, yet either seem to prove fruitful yet. I have learned many traits and patterns that seem to be shared among certain species of creatures, noticing how they can behave as really any other normal creature in the wild. It is as though they all can have their own civilization built up without us even knowing. They all are part of the food chain still, and beast, human, nor animal are able to hide form that fact. Throwing the factors of the undead doesn't seem to change much. They too can fall victim to the circle of life just as any other being, even if they themselves have exited such existence." Kolos hoped that his words at least made some sort of sense to the robed man.

[Rowan 'Turambar' Gaunt]

”Yes. Our world is in desperate need of a lesson in ethics.” He understood Kolos' implication entirely. That said, Etruria was not the first place to come to mind. Rather, it was a small village in Bern, located just south of the mountains separating the country from Pherae. What the Seer wouldn't give to teach his old home a lesson or two.

”A lovely thought?!” Rowan's eyes bugged out and a madman's smile stretched across his face. ”Ha!” An awkward laugh somewhere between mocking and jovial in tone. ”You clearly haven't seen your share of mobs, then! Believe me, if you had, lovely would be the last term you would use to describe them.” The Seer wagged his finger about, frantically trying to illustrate his point. ”No, no, Mr. Herceg! Unless you enjoy killing, or being killed yourself, lynch mobs are very unpleasant thing indeed.”

”Heh heh” Another strangely-toned chuckle. ”So based on my preference of fruit, you surmised I'd not judge you for practicing elder magic? Mr. Herceg your hypotheses are of a curious variety indeed.” The researcher chuckled again. This Kolos fellow was proving himself an excellent source of merriment. ”Even so. They were accurate.”

The next words out of Kolos' mouth caused Rowan to adopt a less comical facade. ”Do you mean to say that you're attempting to craft an artifice for harnessing the magics of the nether? That's- hmmm....” His voice trailed off. ”We as people make use of the elements, the nether, and the faith through words of power, which we find in magical manuals. Those tomes themselves are an artifice by which we use otherworldly powers. But if there was an alternative... I wonder. Could their exist a means by which man could call open the nether without losing his mind? Perhaps a means of using anima without following casting conduct?” Rowan folded his arms across each other, cupping each elbow with a hand. ”How interesting!” The madman grin from before returned to his lips.

”As for your observations on monsters, if I didn't know any better I'd say you've been reading the works of the renowned Clover!”

[Kolos]

Kolos nodded to the man's words. "Yes... Yes it does." That seemed to be the end of that line of thought.

Only for the next one to go in the complete opposite direction. Kolos couldn't help but laugh at the seer's frantic worrying. "No, no, no sir. I was being sarcastic." Kolos rather enjoyed the little finger pointing show Rowan had put on as well. "Believe me, a lynch mob is the last thing I would want to experience. If I truly went and searched for trouble of that sort, I would have done so a long time ago." Kolos had never actually been involved with a lynch mob before, but from what he has read and heard, he could surmise the chain of events. None of them actually seemed appealing to him.

Kolos couldn't say that the man was wrong. He meant it more so as a jest, though at the same time he was slightly serious. Every other user of the dark arts he had met wore similar robes as far as he could tell, albeit with differences of color pallets. That, and again, no man he has met would ever indulge in plain lemons. "Well, even if you had, I wouldn't really be bothered by your opinion. We all live our own lives, and as such, each to their own. If you had ran off to go gather a group of aggressors..." The shaman went quiet for a moment, thinking of what he should say. "I'd just incapacitate you is all. Nothing truly major. It would give me enough time to flee to wherever with ease." Big words coming from an inexperienced man in terms of fighting with another human.

Kolos couldn't help, but cracking a small grin at the man's thoughts on his research. "That would be correct. If I can find a way to tap into the power of the elements without the necessary regular conducts, then it could open us all up to a world that we could only dream of. Imagine it... A world where average, ordinary, every day people could attain the power we magic users have. Imagine all the crops that could flourish, the diseases and sickness that could be healed, the water that could be purified, just the general scope of benefits that could come to our world." Just thinking about it filled Kolos with a small happiness. "Of course there are those who would use it for their own vile purposes, but we have laws and rules for a reason. If everyone had that power, brigands and pirates would still be brigands and pirates, but now the people could fight back as well." He uttered all of, having thought of the consequences that could come of it. Alas, in Kolos' mind, it all equals out somehow. He'd find a way to make it work. "Why am I starting with harnessing the Nether though you may ask? Well, know that for all light, there is darkness. The different magics all have interesting effects, especially those of dark affinity. That, and plus I am more versed in its world compared to those of anima, or light."

When the man's grin returned, Kolos felt a tad bit of joy in him. It was nice to see someone being fascinated by his work. "I have read up on some texts, I don't remember exactly by whom, so odds are there is a strong possibility that I might have."

[Rowan 'Turambar' Gaunt]

”Well, I am certainly glad you know well enough to steer clear of them. People become a little mad when they submit themselves to mob rule. And nothing gets a mob started like a saintless, witch-craft practicing, blood drinking, nude dancing, forest-dwelling practitioner of the elders arts.” Rowan craned his neck and, as if for comedic effect, raised his eyebrows. ”You may think my choice of words amusing, but that's how most Elibians view shamans and their like.”

”Hmmm...” The Seer mused. ”A straight forward approach, and with minimal bloodshed! I like the way you think, Mr. Herceg. That said...” His eyes ran the length of the fellow shaman's form, focusing on Kolos' upper body in particular. ”Have you the physical capabilities for it? Unless...” Rowan's eyes lit up, as though he had just discovered the means by which Hargus had so potently harnessed the nether. ”Ah! One of your chemical potions must be a carcinogenic which induces sleep! I bet you coat a cloth in it and use it to smother dangerous interlopers! Mr. Herceg, you are a man who thinks five steps ahead!”

The waxing philanthropy was a noble sentiment, but not one which concerned Rowan. It was matters of elder magic, and the nether, which interested him. ”Believe me, Mr. Herceg, there is no need to justify your field of research. If scholars had some means of cheating the nether, mitigating its' effects, many bright minds could be saved from madness. That, I believe, would be far more worthwhile than placing magics of nature in the hands of the common-folk. Of course-” He raised his hands in a shrug. ”Such is but a theory.”

[Kolos]

Kolos honestly didn't chuckle at Rowan's words. He knew what the people viewed practitioners of dark magic as. Although, it is true that more of them have popped up and are slowly being more accepted by the people. "It is a sad truth, but a truth nonetheless. However, let's be honest with ourselves, what would history do without us?" He looked rather smug as he said the line, small shrug of the shoulders included of course. It did have truth to it though, there have been important figures in Elibian history that were dark magic users, and there is no true way what would have happened if they weren't there.

Oh gods, he didn't think that would actually impress him. Kolos made that up on the fly, though it was true he would incapacitate him, he didn't intend for him to take it his research was a result of it. Well, more ego boosting words for him. It did make sense actually, and it is true he had the ability to craft one of those, but he didn't carry it on him. "Thank you good sir. It is true that I could do that. Although it isn't to say I am a weak link either. As a former miner form Thira, I have developed at least some form of muscle, though I tend not to use it. I leave any true combat to magical and scientific prowess as I am used to it more."

Please don't ask to see the chemical cloth, please don't call it out, please don't call it out.

"You are certainly correct. It would save many of us who study the Nether, which is another reason why I research and compose these experiments. Any person saved by it, scholar, warrior, or common-folk, is a success in my book"