(RPG) The tale begins...

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:05 am

"It is not important," said Almulsis, apparently covering for something chagrined. "If we only have limited knowledge," he continues, "I belive we may have an invitation to walk into a temple of the Rising Sun, talk to those with the greatest knowledge of those realms."

Post by **Ameena** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 3:58 am

Ameena now watches the conversation in silence, having no knowledge of this "Farspace" thing of which they speak. Yet it seems they may be able to use this "Farspace" to destroy the Death Ones. Knowing she knows nothing of such things, however, Ameena knows she can't be of any help to them. Yet at the same time she knows that continuing forth alone in the world, though it's the way she's always been, would serve her little better while the Dark Ones are currently roaming.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:40 pm

sera only sighs a little at almulsis in response to what he said, believing she wouldnt exactly be a welcome sight to any kind of place except her own. sera turns away for a moment, then back, looking at the two questioningly "so where do we go from here...?"

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:15 pm

Amulsis gasthers his robes to himself and draws himself up.
"The way to the temple was on the reverse of the road we were travalling, back this way," he gestures.

Looking back towards Ameena while still keeping his eyes on the solders on the perifery, he says, "Ameena - do you have the ability to track through the woods? Could you lead and follow the man we met earlier?" To Sera, "And could you follow, perhaps flash those nice gentleman a smile as we leave..."

Post by **Ameena** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:23 pm

Ameena narrows her eyes slightly.
"These creatures leave marks. It would probably not be hard to follow...but what is this place to which you wish to travel? Why should I wish to go there? I've been to many places before with species like yours, and they have seldom been friendly."

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:57 am

Almulsis does not speak at once apparently a silent support of what Ameena has said and both are surely thinking.

"No, you are right, there is that possibility. But those of the temple will have knowledge, perhaps wisdom, and maybe both of the nature of your kind or relatives" he also nods to Sera. "One thing is for sure, we need knowledge. You have both felt the menace, and it will not stay hidden and will not stay restrained. And it will certainly not stop for any boundaries, that even I can feel."

Almulsis sighs. "All I know is that it is not safe for us to stay here much longer," he motiosn to the area the soldiers went. "I will go in the diretcion indicated. I do not rate my channces alone, but wish you well where you decide to roam if that is your choice."

Post by **Ameena** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:58 pm

"I will journey in the forest," says Ameena, "but I'll decide for myself whether I wish to go further when I see what's ahead."

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:31 pm

Sera turns away for a moment, then looks back. "I have nowhere to go really... im still searching for a place to call home... so far there is no luck..." she lowers her ears a little and lets out a quiet sigh, she can only feel lost right now, not knowing which way she should go.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:28 am

Almulsis seems to talk to himself for a second, then he comes to his senses and gestures off to a direction back through the canopy.

"We only have a few moments before it will wear off..." he says. "Perhaps we can find answers as I have suggested"

Meanwhile, three small disturbances start on the ground between the small group and the larger group of soldiers. The disturbances get larger, kicking up leaves, then dirt, then seem to churn the air itself making it shimmer and darken. The disturbances connect, and by that time a wall taller than even Sera has formed blocking sight of the armed men across the way. The fact that Almulsis seems nonplussed by it, even when the hint of scythe and tooth and claw appears in the depth shows this moust be some illusion or wall of sorcey under his control.

Post by **Ameena** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:29 pm

Ameena watches the illusion take shape and eyes it warily before moving swiftly through the branches, her cape somehow moving in such a way that it doesn't become entangled in any of the branches as she passes them. She disappears into the foliage somewhere above Almulsis's head, moving in the same direction he is.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:19 pm

Sera could only look at the wall for a brief moment, then looks back at Almulsis, she could tell this was something to do with him. she looks back slowly at the wall one last time before beginning to follow the other two, her body pushing any branches that are in her way... "Illusion magic... Something I must learn to master one day..." Sera thinks to herself...

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 6:00 pm

Almulsis follows Ameena and feels the dragon behind fall into step. Internally he curses that the talk to the soldiers went as completely wrong as it had, for he has no extra knowledge, and knowledge is probably the only power capable of stopping these reapers just now.

He walks distracted, cursing that he now has to try and talk to those of the Rising Sun. Even at the height of his powers he would not walk close to one of those neophytes lightly, and now they have multiplied in powers and numbers while he is deminished. That is assuming they truely are Rising Sun, and of course who can say if that cult is any more altruistic than the more honest Setting Sun.

The feeling of all the presences around him settled his mind slightly, but only because he can still hear the subtle sound of movement back in the area with the soliders and knows that there is still some form of distraction being generated.

Post by **Ameena** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 6:28 pm

As they return through the forest toward the point at which Almulsis spoke with the old one, Ameena's thoughts return to the Sylphs of which they had first been speaking. She wonders what the magic-user knows of them, and whether she is connected to them in some way. Surely if she was a Sylph herself, she would have met others at some point? Yet she has no idea where she comes from...did she burst forth from one of the strange hard coccoons that birds and scaled ones use? Or perhaps she grew inside another, as furred and fleshed creatures seem to. She does not remember ever seeing another creature like her. Likewise, she can't remember ever being small, young, helpless, as other creatures seem to be when they first come into being. She has always been herself, as she is now, but has been so for longer than most creatures seem to have been alive. Either their lifespans are peculiarly short, or hers has so far been immeasurably long. All she knows is she's roamed this world, exploring all manner of places, and through all she's seen and done, very rare is it for a creature not to react to her with fear and/or loathing. Even rarer is it for one to apparently recognise something of her species. She shouldn't pass by any chance to find out a little more about her origins, she knows. Indeed, she'd best not lose this Almulsis. Not yet. Not unless he wishes her to go.
Soon she descends to the forest floor once again, dropping down from a branch to land a short distance ahead of Almulsis and crouching down to inspect the obvious tracks left by the old one - a trail of footprints interspersed with indentations from the stick he'd been leaning on.
She glances back at Almulsis.
"Could you not follow these marks?" she asks sceptically. "Surely even your eyes can see them."
Nevertheless, she climbs nimbly up into the trees again and proceeds in a new direction, following the obvious tracks below her, and remembering to move slowly enough that Almulsis can keep up below her. Since Sera seems native to these parts, she doesn't worry that the dragoness can't keep up. She does, however, wonder about the noise made by the scaled one pushing her bulk past twigs and branches, bending or snapping them with ease.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 6:39 pm

"I did not expect an obvious trail," he says with warm humour in his voice, "besides I have not the woodskill if this track should lessen or disappear" 'Especially not if it deliberately disappears in an area of bog or predators' he says to himself.

Post by **Ameena** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:59 am

Woodskill? Ameena muses to herself. Is that what he calls this? Looking at imprints in the ground is a skill? Well, it's not something she's done much before, having had little or no need to deliberately follow a creature like this. On the other hand, spotting tracks has been helpful, on occasion, in indicating the presence of creatures she should avoid.
"There is no bog." she calls down. "I believe "bog" is when the ground becomes sludge, yes? This forest is large. It spreads for a great distance. I've explored some of it since I've been here, these past few days. It remains the same in all the parts I've been to."
Apart from the points that have recently been touched by the Dark Ones, at least.
"Besides," she adds, "if the tracks fade, the scent won't. Not unless this being crossed water."

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:18 am

Sera could only listen to Ameena and Almulsis whilst continuing to follow slowly, she knew not of what exactly was going on, but she was sure to find out eventually, even though shes been alone nearly all her life, the company would be welcoming to her, however thoughts of whether or not it is a good idea to follow them and get involved with what they intend to do is another thing, not to mention that they may want to return to wherever they live, which, if a town, she would almost certainly not be welcomed by them...

Her eark perk slowly as she looks back at the wall in the distance, the thought of learning illusionary magic was always in her mind when not thinking of anything else...

Post by **Sophia** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:22 pm

Despite the confusing torrent of activity that surged through this region, the trail of the old man is still fairly clear, especially as it is distinguishable from the scent of evil that the Reapers seem to have left behind.

The trail leads out of the forest, up a slight incline, and onto a road that appears as though it may lead to civilization-- if there are any with geographical knowledge beyond their own homes in the group (I'm not sure, but I figure at least one of them would know) this would lead to the prosperous village of Taimadu.

Interestingly, though, the trail of the old one abruptly vanishes, replaced with the trail of another. The other's trail and the man's trail follow the same path, exactly, up to their point of convergence, but each one continues no further in its respective direction beyond this point.

It is as though the man abruptly transformed into something else, but no shape-shifting magic yet known can cause such a full transformation of one's essence and being...

Post by **Ameena** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:51 am

As they leave the forest, Ameena (reluctantly, it seems), descends from the foliage and walks along the ground, yet appearing slightly awkward as though she isn't used to travelling in this way. Now that she isn't hidden by the trees in any way, her details are, for once, quite clear. Though apparently fully-grown, and standing as tall as any human woman, her physical aspects are undeveloped. It is as though she grew into a woman and yet retained the physique of a child. Her cape, which descends almost to the ground, drifts out slightly behind her. She walks alongside the trail, and does not seem particularly keen to remain on the road.
Yet suddenly, the trail changes. She stops and crouches down to investigate, suddenly seeming to become much more physically comfortable as she does so. She frowns as she inspects the new set of prints (OOC - what do they look like?), then bends forward and sniffs faintly.
"I am not sure what's happened here..." she says slowly. "Perhaps the creature became another...or another came and took him...but there is no disturbance...I do not understand this. He must have changed shape...but I've not seen...I only know of one creature capable of such."
Remaining crouched, she looks up at Almulsis.
"I wasn't aware your kind possessed such abilities..."

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:21 am

Almulsis walks slowly over to the prints. HE seems to be slowly looking back and forward over the whole area as if looking for additional signs.

"No, we don't, as a rule..." he says in a strangelt subdued low rumble. "It is, infact, impossible to my knowledge."

Post by **Ameena** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:48 pm

Ameena frowns and looks back at the tracks. Her natural curiosity wonders what has happened to the creature, and suggests that she continues to see. Her natural cautiousness, meanwhile, mutters that given the current state of things in the world, this being could be something hostile and very dangerous.
"So this creature is something we've not seen before." she mutters, glancing up. "A shapechanging member of your species...or perhaps a member of another species now reverted to his natural form."
She looks around. There is little cover in this area, aside from a few scattered trees and shrubs. Not ideal terrain, for her.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:00 pm

Almulsis does not answer for a moment. He spins in a slow circle, tiplting his head back so that where his face should be is exposed. Instead all that can be seen is a black material, a facescarf, with closed wrinkled eyes deeply recessed almost out of sight to normal eyes, though his sharp-eyed companions could no dowbt make them out.

"I sense nothing," he says at large, focusing back on Ameena with his hood again falling forward enough to recess him. "There is no disturbance in the ether or in the fabric of this world that would suggest magic...or even the theorised ability to transport more than the mind into the ether." He regards the tracks again. "Yet as you say, something natural should not have so perfectly shifted..."

He signs and regards both his companions one at a time. "I would say we follow them. Something powerful is always best known about - if you know where it is you know where to avoid it!"

Almulsis does not say, but in the realms of magic he knows about it has always been the trading of energies and the trading of knowledge that has been the normal. Channeling power to use in this realm, or using the denezins of the ether, or using the lofty position of farspace for scying and psionic combat are the ultimate objectives of gaining power in magic. The alteration, teleportation and even manifestation of solid objects on the same plane has always been deemed impossible. While he has surmissed the first could be done, it would not be without great power, power he cannot even feel in this area.

His hand moves slowly into his robes and grips a small red stone on a chain, a necklace he no longer wears.

Post by **Ameena** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 12:37 am

Ameena, still crouching, narrows her eyes slightly.
"The Dark Ones are powerful, yet I'd not care to learn anything more of them than that which I know...not unless I could learn of a way to stop them, as they've destroyed so much..."
She looks back at the tracks, then at the way ahead. The path winds on through what looks like a continuance of the open country they are currently standing in. She lifts her gaze to consider the open sky for a moment, but then her gaze flicks briefly to Almulsis, and to Sera, before she abruptly stands and continues to follow the tracks.

Post by **Sophia** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:25 am

The new tracks would appear to be the same set of tracks to an inexperienced tracker, indeed, perhaps even to an experienced one not attuned to the ways of magic, they would seem to be the same. Perhaps the new set is a bit heavier, perhaps with a slightly different gait, but the main difference is in the slight aura of red life energy left behind where any living being has walked-- something has changed. Should one hazard a guess, it may be fair to say that the man's body remained the same, but a different soul now inhabited it. Such things were impossible, of course, so there must have been some other explanation.

The wind begins to blow, not a cold one warning of doom, this one a bit more peaceful, but an odd scent is carried on the wind. This too has the scent of magic, of forces yet untapped.

Post by **Ameena** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:02 pm

Already moving a little slower than before, Ameena now pauses, closing her eyes for a moment to "feel" the air. She glances around again, noting the lack of cover, and again looks briefly upward, at the sky which is beginning to take on a tinge of red as the Sun's downward path brings it nearer to the horizon.
She continues to walk, following the tracks up a slight incline. As she comes to the top of the rise, she looks down and can see the distant shapes of humanish homes. Presumably it is the "Poukal Village" to which the old one referred. She stops and gazes down at it. At the speed they were travelling, they would probably reach it before full darkness.
Ameena, however, does not continue. Instead, she glances back at Almulsis.
"You intend to go there?"" she inquires, meaning the village but making no gesture toward it.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:15 pm

Almulsis seems to be shaking his head slightly, but not at the quesion, almost as if there is an annoying niggling thought he is trying to shake free of.

"The village, yes..." Almulsis looks at his two companions, and for some reason back to the footprints wuith that same small headshake. "I must admit I had wished to see who was being accepted to the temple...I expected more pilgrims to blend with." He stands and rubs a gloved delicate hand under his hood where his chin must be. "I do wish to at least get closer to the temple to see it's size, who may be goign there. Perhaps even spot our 'friend' ", he says pointing to the tracks. He looks at the large dragon behind him and the dark black striking figure before him. "I am not sure how well we can belnd in together though, nor how comfortable you will find using your skills in an urban environment...I mean in the lviing space of humans..."

Post by **Ameena** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:21 pm

Ameena looks surprised and slightly offended that Almulsis would say such a thing.
"You assume I would go there?" she asks darkly. She takes a step back from him. "You go, if you wish. I will not."
She scowls in the direction of the village, then her eyes flick over the surrounding area.
"I can wait for things for as long as it takes them to happen." she says. "You go. I will wait."

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:34 pm

If Almulsis is taken aback by the statement he does not show it, although he does not move or speak either. After a second though he seems to shake his head again, as if the thought is back, a slight slump in his shoulders may indictae the thought has worried him.

He nods then seems to be fight with the hand in his pocket, clenching as if to draw it out then relaxing it again. At length he draws out the red gem necklace, a simple small stone on a dirty silver-coloured chain. "Of course you must do as you will, as we all do." A pause. "I would be grateful if you would keep an eye on this item, or at least make sure it is hidden if you leave." He drops it delicately on the ground. It could easily be imagination to think the dust it swirls around it for a moment before settling.

He moves forward a few stepas then looks back to his companions. "I will look for you here when I get back." 'If I am allowed back,' he mumbles to himself. He wlaks forwards slightly then turns one last time.
"And watch out for our 'friend'...we still do not know he has gone to this village...it may be best if he does not know where you two are." With that he walks swiftly down the way to the village. A small play of shadows or stray shaft of light from somewhere makes the red gem on the gorund glint as if in goodbye to its owner.

Post by **Ameena** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:59 pm

Ameena glances suspiciously at the amulet, then reaches down and carefully picks it up, feeling its weight in her black-furred hand.
"You'll have no need to look for me." she murmurs as Almulsis heads toward the village. "I'll already be watching for you."
She glances at Sera.
"I shall watch for his return." she says.
Then she moves off to one side of the road, moving down the hill roughly in the direction of the village, but off to one side of it. There are still a few trees and shrubs here and there, and Ameena darts between these as she nears the first of the small, rough wooden buildings. There are few people about.
Glancing around, Ameena agilely scales a tree and perches in it, watching for Almulsis's approach in the fading light, the red stone amulet still clutched in one hand.

Post by **Sophia** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:08 pm

The village of Taimadu is frequently used as a rest stop for those on pilgrimages to Poukal, and, as such, is always hustling and bustling with various kinds of people. Humans are of course the most common, but just about everything can be seen in and out of the streets and back alleys, and almost nothing gets *too* long of a stare. It may even be the sort of place that Ameena could go.

Inns resound with various songs, merchants sell their wares on the streets, the hammers of blacksmiths clang resoundingly, and, in general, if there is an aura of dread over the land, it is not to be found here. Either that, or it is well-hidden. The scent of magic wafting through the air is evident here, though not sensed by many, and periodically hidden by the pleasant scent of food from the inn or the not-so-pleasant one of some animal relieving itself in a back alley.

To those attuned, though, the source of the scent is still trackable-- a small magic shop hidden away in a back alley. The door is closed and barred, and there is no visible way in. Typically, in order to keep their trade a secret, these types of shops require that the knock on the door be made in farspace...

Meanwhile, in the outskirts of the village, fewer people are about, but still, some go about the business of life, mostly loading and unloading wagons, or preparing to make their entrance or take their leave. She, too, can see that they are not all humans, either, and are mostly too occupied with commerce to be worried about what one is.

Post by **Ameena** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:22 pm

From the branch on which she is perched in the undersized tree, Ameena can still see the road which leads into the busy village. As such, she will be able to see when Almulsis arrives. Although constantly glancing back at this spot to watch for his arrival on his slow human feet, she also eyes the village itself, taking in the activities of the populace. They appear to be bustling around in the process of packing things away and heading into their various dwellings for the night.
The sky has turned a fiery red where the Sun descends, and night's welcome shadow is swiftly covering the sky, as are a number of clouds. Tonight will be a dark one, then. Perhaps the darkness will permit Ameena to even venture into the sleeping village. If she can perch atop a roof rather than in this tree and still remain out of sight, it will make keeping track of Almulsis easier, rather than simply knowing that he is in the village somewhere. Not that he is, yet, but she maintains watch on the road for when he comes.