Aaron Winsett
Sage
Seeker of Knowledge
Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.
Posts: 419
Sacae Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 2
Profession: Student of Magic
OoC Alias: Feldsky
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Post by Aaron Winsett on Aug 12, 2010 19:24:58 GMT -6
OoC: Mernatel Cinderfelt: Laus is one of the largest cities in Lycia, Mernatel. Probably 2nd largest now that Ostia is gone. IC: Aaron finally awakened. He was surprised at how recovered he felt from the last few days. He rubbed his eyes sleepily as he pulled himself into a sleeping position. It was time to get up. He went through his morning ritual of scrubbing his face to wake up, untangling his hair and tying it back. There wasn't much he could do to make his scuffed pauldron look better, or make the burn scars on his cloak vanish, but those were things he could deal with. Finally, he left the room, idly flipping through his new Elfire tome as he walked into the common room. It was a considerably larger tome, and more detailed. His eyes passed over the script, an arcane cross between strange chants, logical reasoning, and scientific equations. This particular version of the book held a small writing tool in the binding. He pulled it out, and began underlining some of the similarities to his old fire tome. Aaron paused for a moment, finishing a page, before slipping the small pencil back into it's slot. Looks like some people are already up."Good morning all." He nodded in greeting towards his traveling companions who were up. "Gabriel, when are we- you look horrible man. What did you do?"
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Kristoph
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 8
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Post by Kristoph on Aug 12, 2010 19:33:35 GMT -6
Kristoph was awoken early, with the annoying buzzing that he had felt the night before still thumping in his head. Pulsing through his temples, he felt groggy as though hungover and he began to wonder whether that annoying bartender had slipped something into his drink.
Deciding the best thing for it would be another cup of jasmine tea, he hazily slid out of bed, shaking the slight layer of dust off his clothes with a bit of disgust. Yawning, he gathered his composure and left his room.
As he walked down the hall and back into the main bar area, the pulsing in his head began to beat quicker and more intensely. Confused, he stopped in the bar doorway for a second to collect himself before having a seat at the bar again. He got the barkeep's attention and ordered a cup of jasmine tea and a scone that looked bearable enough for him to stomach.
As he began to drink the tea the pulsing stubbornly continued to plague his head, and Kristoph couldn't shake the feeling that it was coming from the table area. He turned his head to survey the room. There were a couple of men gathered around a table, one mage in colourful blue robes, a knight who looked like he was suffering from a vicious hangover, and...
The mysterious dark-haired man was also sitting amongst them, and like last night the pulsing seemed to originate from him. Perplexed and exhausted from the strain of the headache, Kristoph studied the man carefully trying to surmise if there was something about this man that could cause him to cause the pulsing. He was lost slack-jawed, deep in thought when he realized that the man had looked up from his companions and had caught Kristoph intensely staring him down. Kristoph tried to save face by giving the room a fake sweep with his eye before returning to his breakfast, hoping that it would be enough to fool the man.
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Morgoth Animus
Shaman
DEAD
"Save the world? You know not what you say."
Posts: 155
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Post by Morgoth Animus on Aug 12, 2010 19:50:39 GMT -6
OoC: Funny how we all get a tome at the same time....
The strange feeling had gotten worse. Bearable, but still worse. And then he caught a guy staring at him, a guy in the same direction. What? Talk to him? Morgoth quizzed. He walked over and sat by the man. The throbbing stopped. Weird.
"I'm Morgoth," he said. "And you are an elder magic user no doubt." Why should I not kill him? What's stopping me besides people? "What are you doing in town. You look like a lord."
Perhaps this guy will help. I see a sense of regalness coming from him. Or I'm on a wild goose chase. Morgoth rubbed his temples.
OoC: Terrible, but I'm tired and not thinking straight.
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Post by Gabriel on Aug 12, 2010 20:21:18 GMT -6
Gabriel nodded to Morgoth and looked up towards Aaron from his seat once the mage popped up. "I guess I...just didn't get any sleep last night. I must have stayed awake the whole night reading this new tome I got on my way here" he said, showing Aaron the Thunder tome he had bought the night before.
"I think I overdid it" he said, getting up using Aaron's shoulder as support. "I'll just wash my face and be here in a minute." He thought back to what Aaron was saying before he stopped to comment on how Gabriel looked. "When do we...? Get out of here? Probably as soon as everyone is up. Either that, or I'll force everyone up by midday myself. I don't really know how much time we have."
He went upstairs after saying that, going up to the room he had rented and had yet to even set foot on. He took a cold shower, in an attempt to get himself back into shape, and was back down in the bar after about 15 minutes.
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Kristoph
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 8
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Post by Kristoph on Aug 12, 2010 21:04:55 GMT -6
Dammit I knew he caught me staring, Kristoph silently fumed to himself. Oh well, at least the buzzing stopped. He took another slurp of his tea before turning to the man calling himself Morgoth.
"You are correct on both counts," Kristoph said, "I have indeed been taught in the ways of the elder magics, not unlike yourself I would venture to guess. And I am also of noble birth, more specifically I am Kristoph, the only child of Kentin, an Etrurian lord who is I believe third or fourth in the line of succession, I can't recall for sure at the moment." Kristoph paused briefly for another bite of the scone, which had turned out to be quite good shockingly enough.
"As for what I'm doing in town, well that's a bit more complex. You see about I week ago I tried to acquire an audience with Kraft about a...well a business proposal of sorts I guess you could say. But the pompous git refused to see me, so now I'm on the road trying to find someone else who will sponsor me in my endeavors." He paused again to take another sip of the tea, and to size up this Morgoth. He silently wondered whether he could trust him with the intricacies of his plan. But he seemed a decent enough fellow, and he was a fellow student of the darker arts, so perhaps it would intrigue him as much as it had intrigued Kristoph when he had first heard the old myths.
Leaning in a little closer, he began to speak again, but in a much quieter tone. "You see this...business endeavor, it involves a possible application of the Elder Magics. Perhaps, if you're interested, I could explain it to you in further detail some other time when we're not surrounded by..." as he searched for the right word with which to finish his sentence he waved his hand around, gesturing at everyone else in the room and finally deciding on, "...vermin. Would this interest you? I'm not sure why you are in this town, but if you could spare the time, I think you'll find it's worth your while."
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Aaron Winsett
Sage
Seeker of Knowledge
Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.
Posts: 419
Sacae Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 2
Profession: Student of Magic
OoC Alias: Feldsky
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Post by Aaron Winsett on Aug 13, 2010 0:14:33 GMT -6
As Gabriel headed up and tried to get himself into traveling shape, Aaron decided it couldn't hurt to go try and rouse his companions. He approached the inkeeper.
"Excuse me, Sir. Would you mind telling me which rooms the people I arrived with are in? I must rouse them for departure. There was..."
After a obtaining the information he needed, Aaron began walking up the hall, knocking on the doors the inn keeper had listed.
"Come on. We're getting ready to head out. Get up and get some breakfast."
Upon reaching the last room in the hall, the mage wrapped his knuckles lightly on the door. Someone had described the inn as decrepit, and unfortunately, Aaron's aaronarchic presence must have been simply too much for it. The door fell off it's hinges, and into the room with a thud. "Oh... Um... I'm- that wasn't supposed to happen." His face was turning as red as the tome he used, and his expression was just a little stunned. Stepping into the room he stood the door back up, and leaned it against the door jam. He tried very hard not to meet the eyes, or even look at the occupants of the room as he slipped out of the room, muttering apologies all the while.
Those who saw him when he arrived back in the common room, and started on a breakfast snack, would notice he was trying very hard to keep a straight face.
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Post by Kelvin H. Calderon on Aug 13, 2010 21:56:23 GMT -6
Kelvin was shaken awake by Chelsea, but he wasn't really ready to be awake. He mumbled something nonsensical at her and rolled onto his side. However, the door was soon knocked in and Kelvin jolted up in surprise. The mage, Aaron stood in the door, stammering apologies, then quickly walked down the hall. The cavalier quickly got up and placed the door in its frame, only a temporary fix. He dressed quickly and put on his armor, strapping his new lance to his back. He stood by the door, leaning against the wall, and said, "Ready when you are."
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Post by Chelsea Dagger on Aug 14, 2010 22:10:03 GMT -6
Chelsea skipped over to where Kelvin stood and grabbed his hand. "Let's go then." She walked down the stairs to the area where everyone seemed to be meeting, dragging Kelvin along the whole way. She knew that given the fact Kelvin, Gabriel and herself had gotten into some trouble here last time, she should be cautious. But there was just something about today that made her feel all bubbly.
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Morgoth Animus
Shaman
DEAD
"Save the world? You know not what you say."
Posts: 155
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Post by Morgoth Animus on Aug 16, 2010 11:51:24 GMT -6
"A business endeavor?" Morgoth quizzed. "Well perhaps you could help me with something." He got to his feet and began walking toward a table in the corner.
"I am in need of an army of sorts," he said on the way. "Men to help with a project in Bern. But I also need them to be loyal. Can you help with that?" Morgoth sat at the table. Taking out a piece of paper and pencil, he wrote a few things down."Now before I give you this piece of paper, what is this...business endeavor?"
OoC: Ya, it's not that great. Morgoth's more of a control freak so I'm trying to adapt to the situation.
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Kristoph
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 8
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Post by Kristoph on Aug 16, 2010 21:27:46 GMT -6
Kristoph followed the man to the corner table and considered what he was being told. True, helping this man would delay his own plans a little bit, but trusting allies are what he needed and if this was the best way to get them...
When Morgoth had said his bit, Kristoph leaned in really close, and after scanning the room he said in a tone just louder than a whisper, "What do you know of the Scouring? Probably just rumors and legends right? I was the same way until I met my old teacher, I knew only a few legends and I didn't really take much interest in it until I started to hear my master's stories."
Kristoph once again eyed over Morgoth, searching his eyes to see if this man would truly help him. Taking a deep breath, Kristoph began again, "When the Dragons were defeated they were all cursed somehow, making some sort of half-man half-dragon thing, I'm not really sure how the bulk of the dragons were defeated but that's not the important part. There was one dragon that got a seperate fate. The Dragon Necrofang was a beast of such profound evil, such pure hatred, that St. Elimine and a few others decided that he had to be dealt with seperately. So they created...a magical tomb of sorts that locked the Dragon in a state of limbo, stuck somewhere between life and death. Now I was raised in an Etrurian monastery and I was taught some very basics of light magic theory, but if I remember correctly should someone be able to break the seal that St. Elimine put on this Dragon...well their soul would be linked to the Dragon's. Do you realize what that would mean?" Speaking of his plan to another was getting Kristoph excited, as it somehow made it more palpable, more doable. Kristoph's heart was racing as he leaned in and waited to see if Morgoth understood what he was saying.
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Morgoth Animus
Shaman
DEAD
"Save the world? You know not what you say."
Posts: 155
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Post by Morgoth Animus on Aug 16, 2010 21:47:40 GMT -6
Morgoth digested this information. "So if one got control of this beast....I've met one dragon in my life, and one that evil and powerful...destruction to say the least." I must make sure I am the one who wins this battle of wits. "I will help but I want your help with something as well. On this paper is what I need. Basically, I want you to get the Marquess to give me some of her men to take and help Bern with it's rebellion. I want you to explain how this could make Bern indebted to Lycia, and how this could lead to help with Erturia."
After handing Kristoph the paper, Morgoth said,"And I need this done within the next few hours." If this works I will have another fool under my control and an army, he mused. If the Marquess gives me men I'm sure to win over every average knuckle head. And then everything will fall into place.
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Post by Gabriel on Aug 16, 2010 23:43:58 GMT -6
Gabriel finally made his way downstairs. His hair still somewhat wet and his clothes still being a mess. But he at least looked much better than a some minutes ago. He waved at Kelvin and Chelsea, telling them to sit along with Aaron and him.
Gabriel asked for another glass of milk. Bathing had got him thirsty. "Tell me" he said, throwing his green cloth over his shoulder and adjusting his headband, "what was it that made that noise a while ago?"
Not long after that, he got his glass of milk and gulped it down in a single go. He took out his Thunder tome then, setting the glass aside. He was still somewhat mesmerized by what he had read the night before. "Oh, and by the way, did you get your chance to speak with the Marquess?" he asked the mage, not looking away from the book.
So much energy...no wonder every town seeks someone proficient in Anima magic. Thunder to get those small motors and rotors going, fire users eventually become well known cooks, and then there's those that use ice to keep things from rotting for days or weeks. Wonder if they found a use for wind magic yet...
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Aaron Winsett
Sage
Seeker of Knowledge
Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.
Posts: 419
Sacae Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 2
Profession: Student of Magic
OoC Alias: Feldsky
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Post by Aaron Winsett on Aug 17, 2010 20:19:48 GMT -6
Aaron finished eating a piece of honey covered toast before answering.
"The noise? That was... uhh, just part of the in-house wake up system."
As to the Marquess, yes I spoke with him. Perhaps "to him" is a better way to describe it. He seemed very... curt."
Seeing Gabriel's scrutiny of the thunder tome didn't offend Aaron. Rather, it made him want to get his Elfire tome back out and begin studying again.
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Kristoph
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 8
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Post by Kristoph on Aug 18, 2010 11:44:35 GMT -6
Kristoph listened intently as Morgoth named his condition, and he contemplated what the other shaman was asking of him. Helping him in his little crusade to free Bern would give him a chance to hone his skills in combat, and it could possibly give him a chance to meet other scholars of the Scouring. Plus he could really use a fellow shaman's perspective as he unearthed more details about how to break Necrofang free of his shackles.
"Very well, I shall help you in this matter. It should be no problem for me to convince the marquess, I can bluff that my father would support Lycia in an anti-Etrurian alliance." As he said this he offered his hand in a clinching handshake and then rose from his seat and exited the inn.
As he got back into the Lycian landscape, a pleasant breeze met him from the nearby lake, and Kristoph began heading towards Castle Laus looming in the distance past the bulk of the busy city. While he walked, Kristoph prepared himself for the conversation he was about to have. It was going to take some convincing to get Marquess Laus to believe that his father would betray Kraft, especially considering that he wouldn't but Kristoph was lucky that Kenton never travelled this far south and thus the people of Laus would be ignorant of his patriotic nature. Having a noble family endebted to you is a tempting incentive, and Kristoph had no doubt that if the marquess bought his ruse he would be unable to refuse.
After a few minutes of walking he had arrived at the huge alabaster stone arch that framed the front gate of Castle Laus. The twelve foot tall blue wooden doors loomed in front of Kristoph, artistically reminding all passerby of Laus's powerful status in the Lycian league. As he approached the closed doors, the two Lycian soldiers on sentry duty, their navy blue plate armor glinting in the sunlight, turned towards Kristoph and said, "Hail traveller! Who are you? What is your business at Castle Laus?"
Kristoph arched his back, making the two aware of his obvious height advantage. Clearing his throat, he used all his regal arrogance for his best impersonation of a disinterested noble upset with having to address these common folk. "I am Kristoph, son of a noble who has an intriguing business proposal for Laus to consider. I seek an audience with the marquess."
If the Lycian soldiers doubted his story, they either didn't show it or didn't really care, as they turned to unlock the doors, swinging open the grand gate with a loud lurching noise. They motioned for Kristoph to follow them and they began to lead him down the regal purple carpeted, beautifully adorned halls towards the throne room. Kristoph's eyes scanned the hall with casual interest, admiring the beautiful oil paintings of the Laus ancestry and the sparkling gold and diamond encrusted chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Kristoph had to admit, the marquess knew how to spend his money. This castle was practically a work of art in itself, and he couldn't help but be impressed by how it all looked together.
After weaving their way down several hallways, branching off a couple of times, they arrived at another pair of grand blue doors, and the two each opened one door then held out a hand to gesture to signal Kristoph to enter the throne room. He entered the grand hall and was amazed by its scale; the room had at least a twenty foot ceiling with intricate hand-carved marble pillars dividing the room into a grid. A fifty foot long red satin carpet lined the floor from the entryway and led all the way up to the marble steps on which the Laus throne sat. On the throne side of the room lined ten soldiers in the same navy plate armor, five on each side of the carpet. Past the guards, in line with the carpet sat Marquess Laus. When he saw the group he adressed the escorts saying, "Brent! Who is this, what is his business here?"
The older of the two sentries was about to reply when Kristoph slapped his hand jovially on the man's shoulder and interjected, "I'll take it from here love. Marquess Laus! Allow me to introduce myself! I am Kristoph, son of the Etrurian noble Kenton."
The marquess's initial reaction was about what Kristoph had been prepared for, as at the mention of his homeland the marquess's turned green and he looked as though he had tasted some disgusting Sacaean food. "You hail from Etruria?!?" he asked, equally shocked and upset that his guards would let an enemy lord past the secure gate. The marquess's hand clenched in a vice grip on the arm of the throne.
"Yes but before you drag me off to your dungeons, allow me to explain. My father is the head of an Etrurian splinter-group, poised to oppose the Prophet Kraft and give him a second front back home. Our rebel group, called the Hands of Elimine would like to ally ourselves with you Marquess Laus, but first we require your assistance with something."
Kristoph smiled as he saw the Lycian noble's expression change from nausea to intrigue, as he replied coyly, "Go on..."
Kristoph nodded excitedly, wagging his finger at the marquess. "I knew I was right about you! I told my father you would be wise enough to come to our aid!" Kristoph paused for a second to let the thinly veiled flattery soak for a second. If there's one thing nobles love, it's flattery. "Our group is going to need allies endebted to our cause to help us outnumber the Prophet back home, and we know just how to get it. Grumblings of dissent have been dotting the hillsides in Bern, and the people there are desperate to throw off the shackles of Ilian oppression. My group is heading for Bern to give birth to a grassroots rebellion and drive Ilia out of Bern. Now I know your main army is busy fending off the Inquisitional Army, but if you could but grant us a squad of your best soldiers it would endebt us to your cause, and go along way towards toppling Kraft's empire."
The marquess contemplated it for a short instant then, as if afraid the offer would be off the table if he waited too long he said, "Brent! Graigor!" The two escorts snapped to attention acknowledging their leige's addressing them. "You are to accompany our new ally to Bern! And bring Halas, Victor and Kyle with you! Kristoph this is all I can spare for now, but these are some of my best men and I shall do my best to send some more men your way as soon as possible. Tell your father I look forward to a prosperous partnership!"
"It has been honor my good man. To the downfall of the heathen Kraft!" he cheered, raising his hand in a salute. The rest of the men responded with an enthusiatic Huzzah!
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After leaving instructions on how to get to the inn where the other were staying with the knight Ser Brent, he had left Castle Laus and began his trek back to the inn to report the good news to Morgoth. Along the way he chuckled at how easily manipulated nobles were.
He arrived back at the inn about a half an hour after he had originally left and sat down at the bar to order a cup of jasmine tea to celebrate. As he handed the bartender the coins to pay for his drink, he turned to scan the room once more for Morgoth. He found him in the corner of the room and beckoned him over with an eager wave of his hand, excited to inform him of the good news.
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Morgoth Animus
Shaman
DEAD
"Save the world? You know not what you say."
Posts: 155
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Post by Morgoth Animus on Aug 18, 2010 15:23:20 GMT -6
While Kristoph had gone to get the men Morgoth had been reading a new tome he had went and bought at the shop the night before. He had been expecting to read for quite a while but then Kristoph returned within thirty minutes. Did he really do it that fast? Morgoth thought. If he did then perhaps he is useful. Now all I need is to make my speech at town square and off to Pharae.
"So how did it go?" he asked Kristoph after crossing the room. "I assume well, since your here. I have to be somewhere in a bit, and then I am heading to Pharae. Are you accompanying me?" Now where is Mertanel? Morgoth quizzed. He will need to be there to confirm the rebellion.
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