Bivouac at the Earth Shrine

[Dungeon Master]

(Previous Thread)

Not a hundred yards from the entrance to the shrine was a series of shelters, ranging from hastily-constructed wood huts to heavy canvas tents made to withstand the worst desert winds. Virtually all the people there appeared to be of the same species as Narosabe, and most were elderly - likely those that'd resided in the temple before the Mist started to flow out of it.

But it wasn't to any of these that Narosabe led the party, who - though they certainly got their fair share of curious looks - were not challenged; after all, they were with the Captain of the Temple Guard. No; instead, they were taken to a crashed airship some distance from the camp, far enough for the din of conversation to be quieted but close enough for the guards outside the ship to call out to their friends in the main camp what they'd like to eat for supper.

It had obviously been a fine airship, once; rich, and well-built, not to mention well-armed. But her gunports were empty now, the weapons having been donated to Narosabe's people, and only one room was occupied, though the vast majority of the vessel remained intact. The captain led them inside, where at last Eleanor could remove her robe and be comfortable. They were led to the galley - a fine, wood-covered affair meant to serve a couple dozen - to await the husband and wife's emergence from their room.

"They've been told of your arrival, but are busy at the moment. Nonetheless, they'll be out in only a few moments, I'm sure," Narosabe informed them.

This post has been edited by Dungeon Master on Jun 3 2009, 01:41 AM

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

Rufus was glad to be out in the open again and he breathed ddep the air. Narosabe lead them to a small village which seemed constructed of huts and tents.

"There are more?"

Even though he and the others drew curious looks, Rufus was busily looking at the inhabitants as well, amazed at them as much as they were amzed at him. When they arrived at the airship Rufus could see that it had been here for quite a while. The finery and cannons had long been stripped. Upon entering, Rufus was amazed at the worksmanship. This airship must've been a sight to see cruisng through the skies and he felt a little saddened that she was now just a hulk, a shell of her former self. Rufus fanned his chest with his open shirt to air himself and followed Narosabe toward the galley. This still contained some of it's noble trappings it seemed.

"They've been told of your arrival, but are busy at the moment. Nonetheless, they'll be out in only a few moments, I'm sure."

Rufus thought this would be a good time to find out about Narosabes people as well set the record straight.

"Narosabe, I wanted to ask that aside from warriors and mages, are any of your people red mages at all and is it odd to you that I can cast magic?"

This post has been edited by Burmecian Soldier Dan on Jun 3 2009, 05:50 PM

[NPC]

Narosabe

Narosable shook his scaly head. "I know of no red mages, but we do have a handful of blue mages that train under a Qu master in the north. Most of what's here are white or black mages, however. As to your command of magic...yes, it is odd. Or it would be if you were one of my people - few of the men could so much as light a candle, and few of the women could sever a limb in a single stroke.

"The physical difference between the genders is far more pronounced in my people than most. Though, there are rare exceptions...the missing princess is one such example, in spite of the fact most believe her to be dead by now."

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

Rufus' listened as Narosabe detailed about his people use of magic. Then he heard something that sounded interesting.

"Missing princess huh? Sounds interesting."

"Well a red mage like myself is a user of both magic and swordplay. I use a bit of white, a bit of black and a small amount of time magic. While I am felexible in my use of magic and swordplay it is also my weakness. In not speicalizing in a specific class means that some higher level spells elude me. Still, there is a way to cast two spells at a time or so I hear. I'm currently working on how to do it."

Rufus scratched the back of his neck.

"Well thats all there is to it. Naro, I'm interested in your people. How long have you been here? What are your cultures, religions and gods? When did you get here? Who founded the villiage? Has anyone ever been outside the village? Who is the missing princess?"

Rufus' excitment had returned and once again he wanted to know as much about them as he could.

"But before all that I'm curious, why do you refer to Ela as an Elder? Could you explain for me?"

Rufus hoped he wasn't too forward in his questioning but from their first meeting he had been curious.

This post has been edited by Burmecian Soldier Dan on Jun 3 2009, 06:45 PM

[NPC]

Narosabe

"I see...that explains your weak magic and heavy armor. Interesting. Now, as to your questions, you ask much! Be patient, let me see if I can answer them...this is no village, it is a temporary camp established a few days ago for the former denizens of the temple as we try to clear it and figure out why the Mist has come here. We worship the spirit of the great Earth Guardian, who, though deceased, still lives among us. We've been living in the desert for thousands of years - but in these lush grasslands, only a few hundred.

"The missing princess was called Nekri Feno...while not as strong as one of our men, she was notably stronger than most of our women, and showed an incredible adaptability when exposed to different magics. We sent her to train under the Qu master; he told us she ran away after a year of training, and we've not heard from her since.

"As for your 'elder' question...I thought I made it obvious. The beings you call 'vampires' are immortal. Thus, we render our most valued elderly immortal, the better to preserve their wisdom and knowledge for future generations. They counsel the royal family...now, I am not a fool. Gebhard looks perhaps a decade older than Eleanor, so she cannot be truly old - yet, she is still immortal, and thus deserving of respect.

"Hers is a unique perspective: many of my people live their lives from adolescence to old age trying to prove themselves worthy of eldership; but Eleanor was made immortal while still only partway through puberty. To become ageless at so young an age is something I've never thought much about, because it's virtually unheard of among my people."

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

Rufus listened intently as he absorbed the information that was laid out to him. He nooded as he digested each piece of info given to him. As he listened his mind switched to a few other things.

"Nekri Feno huh? Best note that down when I get the chance. And I need to ask Ela about how she became a vampire. It had slipped my mind"

Rufus fingered the lapel of his shirt as he listened, intrigued by this creature that sat infront of him.

"That was most informative thank you. Is there anything you wish to ask about my people at all? Or about the mist contient at all?"

Rufus asked.

[Thanos & Agrona]

Before Narosabe could answer Rufus' question, a pair of demihuman foxes entered the galley. One was clad in dark robes and held a scythe - but his hood was back, and his graying hair was visible. It'd once been a dark brown, though, and though it was graying it wasn't thinning. An odd talisman hung from his belt, radiating dark magic to all who could sense it - it was a purple-tinged black crystal, with inlaid mithril filaments.

The woman was an altogether different story. She'd aged better than her husband, and it was obvious she'd been quite the catch in her youth - and in her late forties, she still wasn't old. Her hair was still mostly black, though with a few gray streaks here and there; and she had several small earrings in one ear. Her armor wasn't shiny anymore, and had become a much duller shade from weather and wear, but it was still apparent that it was high-quality stuff - not just from the way it fit her, but from the enchanted gems that lined the collar. And on her back was a greatsword with a sharply-curved (sharpened, actually) handguard and a blade that gleamed only on its edge.

The man stopped just short of the table, scowling mightily as if he was considering whether or not those present were worthy of his continued attention at all. With great ceremony, he leaned his scythe against the wall and took a seat, resting his hands on his knees. However, when he opened his mouth to speak, his wife cut in.

"Don't mind him; he's always like this when meeting anyone new. That is why we never have parties, hm-hm. My name," she bowed slightly, "Is Agrona. This is my husband, Than-"

"Temosh!" he interrupted with a raised voice.

Agrona sighed. "He calls himself Temosh when he doesn't wish to reveal his real name...as if that would somehow reveal more about him than his appearance does. His name is Thanos, and regardless of what he says you may call him by it." She took a seat next to her husband, folded her hands on the table, and looked from party member to party member - eyes resting longer on Eleanor than anyone else. "So, I am told you lot are from the Mist Continent, and arrived in much the same way we did. I am also told you may be of some interest to us, and we to you. Explain, if you please."

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

As the husband and wife entered Rufus turned to look in their direction. As the husband got near he felt somethng oppressive coming from him. Something that seemed to be latently evil. It seemed to be coming from the crystal he had around his waist. The scythe that he carried also unerved him a bit. The wife though seemed to be odd in that even though he husband was old she seemed to be fairly young looking. As the husband approached the table he could see the look that one made when considering if one was worthy of something.

"Geez who does this guy think he is royalty?"

He listened to the couple as they introduced themselves, jumping when Thanos butted in. He watched as Agrona looked over the party but he noticed she seemed to take an interest in Ela though.

"Is she a vampire too?"

Rufus cleared his throat as he leant forward and rested his arms on the table addressing Agnora and trying to keep his nerve undercontrol as he felt the oppressive arua of the crystal close by.

"Pleasure to meet you both. I am Rufus Entari, a red mage, this is Ketal, a bard of no small repute, then we have Gebhard, a monk and his sister Ela, a rouge and an elder as I believe she is called around here. We did arrive the same way but we came up through the ground instead of falling out of the sky. We were sucked into a mist vortex over the chocobo forest and then spat out into the nearby Earth shrine. We heard from Narosabe here that you would be able to help us. On our way up here we were attacked by some knights, paladins I think."

Rufus dug in his pack and removed the tabbard he had taken from the paladin in the ruins. He layed it out on the table.

"Do you recognize this symbol at all? They all wore it and I haven't seen anything like this."

[Thanos & Agrona]

As soon as he saw the tabard, Thanos snarled and thrust out his hand towards it - his hand burst into flame. Just before he could torch it, though, his wife's hand stopped him. "Do try not to make assumptions, red mage," Thanos spoke at last. "Such disagreeable things, they often lead to tragic misunderstandings. Yes, we know the wearers of that cursed garment all too well."

After shooting her husband a pointed look, Agrona replied, "Paladins of The Shining Circle take the 'fight fire with fire' approach...they mercilessly pursue, torture, and often even execute people for merely being accused of wrongdoing. So, given that they regularly torture and kill innocents, you can imagine how they feel about the likes of my husband and I.

"Ahh, but you don't know our sort yet, do you?" Thanos taunted. "And you won't, until we know more about you. Do not pretend that you were just taking a trip to Lindblum for its own sake - you have an obvious vampire with you, for one. And for another...I know the Entari name. What brings you so far from home at a time when it is under attack once more?"

"Enough, Thanos," Agrona cut in again. "What he means to ask, in a more civil manner, is this: why is such a disparate group traveling together, and why were you going to Lindblum? I suggest not trying to deceive us, as while my husband is forever suspecting a lie, I am especially good at seeking out the truth."

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

Rufus suddenly reeled back in shock, his back hitting the seat back behind him, from the violent outburst from Thanos as he reached a flaming hand toward the tabbard. Luckily for Rufus Agnora stopped him before Thanos could burn the only lead they had as to who these paladins were. He could hear the venom in Thanos voice as he seemed to regard him with contempt.

"Their kind? Who are these people? And why did Thanos act like that?"

Rufus' eyes widened as he heard about their trip to Lindblum and of Thanos mention of his family name held Rufus' interest. Agnora now seemed to be in on her husbands act as well though Rufus couldn't tell if she was playing a mind game or not. He knew he had to pick his words carefully. He leant back forward and put his elbows on the table again but this time he was on the alert.

"I recieved a letter from a woman called Vix that directed me to go to Lindblum. Ketal was looking for someone to help him find a woman called Kali and so we decided to journey together to help each other out. Gebhard and Ela were to be pilots of our airship. Me and Ketal didn't know about Ela being a vampire until we got sucked down that vortex and spat out into the earth shrine."

Rufus was on edge. He didn't want to give too much information away but then again he wanted to try and give only what was needed. He licked his lips waiting to see what the others thought of this. He had a few questions of his own that he wanted to ask.

This post has been edited by Burmecian Soldier Dan on Jun 5 2009, 01:40 AM

[Thanos & Agrona]

"I see...so, tell me: how do you know this 'Vix" person?" Agrona asked. "You must either think very highly of her or be terrified of her to simply pack your things and leave when she says. And another thing," she removed her greatsword from its baldric and placed it atop the table in front of her. "Pardon me," she added with a predatory smile, "But it gets rather uncomfortable to be sitting with that on my back."

"Now, to continue: I consider myself to be a generally agreeable person...but if we are to work together in any fashion, we will require full disclosure. You neglected to mention where you flew from. Not many places simply have vampires and monks laying about, particularly that are able to pilot an airship."

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

Rufus listened to her questions but upon Agnora placing her sword on the table alarm bells went off in his head.

"Is she threatening me? Coward. All cause shes better she thinks she can turn the screws on me."

Rufus took a deep breath and answered her questions.

"I flew from a monastary in Burmecia. Not sure where though but it was under attack until recently. And I know Vix because I was in her party for a short while."

Rufus ran his finger through his hair as he wiped his brow.

[Thanos & Agrona]

"Please," Thanos rolled his eyes. "There is but one monastery in Burmecia catering to those of the undead persuasion, so don't act as if you truly can't recall 'which one' it was. Now, come clean, cur, or we'll have nothing further to di-"

Agrona smacked her husband in the arm. "While I may not share his short temper, I do share his sentiments. We know of Vix - she leads the cult we often do work with. And from what we know, she is not the sort to permit any mere stranger into her party...tell us how you met, what you did together, and on what terms you parted company.

"Understand this, Rufus - you find yourself in a very precarious situation right now. You and your friends all of a sudden and out of nowhere come to us, claiming to have been sent by a woman who is very powerful in the underground world my husband and I work with.

"It all seems to be too much of a coincidence to be innocent, so I would highly suggest elaborating more fully, or we shall have to dispose of you as we would any shining circle paladin before determining the fate of your compatriots. I make no threats, only promises. This shall be, as surely as the sun shines, if you do not tell us the true nature of your association with Vix."

Quite pointedly, she didn't touch her sword. Her hands remained atop the table, folded, with her chin resting upon them. Even her husband merely sat there, in the same brooding position as he'd assumed when he first sat down. With loaded silence, they awaited the red mage's answer.

[Burmecian Soldier Dan]

Rufus could feel the stares of these two burning into him. He didn't like the way Agnora and Thanos were looking at him. He swallowed, feeling a little nervous. He knew this would come around and hit him in the face.

"What the heck are these two about? I guess denying information wasn't a wise move."

"OK, I met Vix in Treno a few years back. I talked to her in a tavern before she left. Then another group I was with, Serylis, Frato, Declan and Tristan, stumbled across a factory which housed robots. It was in there that I met Vix again as she and her party were boarding an airship. I feared for my friends lives so I offered her my services in exchange for their lives. She didn't take up the offer though. But during the course of our time together, I didn't show proper discreation for important information and she was worried that I might tell one of her enemies, so she took my prisoner to stop me from letting info slip. So I'm instructed to go to this monastary in Burmecia in the Aerbs which is then when we parted. We didn't leave on good terms. I made myself look a total fool and for that I was to stay in the monastary. While I was there I receieved this letter from her which instructed me to leave the monastary."

He reached into his pack and withdrew the letter, placing it on the table.

"It instructed me to go to Lindblum. Once I reached Lindblum I was to gather another letter and follow the directions that were in it. But during the course of the flight, we were sucked into a mist vortex above the Chocobo forest which is how we ended up her. Now I know that I made mistakes, and most people would run from them but I've learned that I was the problem while I was at the monastary and so I wish to find Vix and apologise for all the problems I caused her. I saw how she was hunted and I felt sorry for her. I wanted to help her, and now that I have faced off against those Shining Circle I can see the fear that she goes through being hunted as have I. Also I'm sorry for acting like suspiously. I mean you have those paladins coming out your ears and me being the way I was I guess wasn't the right thing to do. I'm sorry if I caused you any undue alarm. "

Rufus took a deep breath as he finished. He only hoped that was what they were after. He didn't want to get the others in trouble because of his old mistakes and right now he was having to face up to them. He only hoped that the outcome was favourable and he could gain some momentum. He knew the outcome would be bad but just for him. he only hoped it would fair well.

This post has been edited by Burmecian Soldier Dan on Jun 5 2009, 04:05 AM

[Thanos & Agrona]

Both of them sat in complete silence as Rufus spoke - and when he finished. After nearly a full minute of very pregnant silence, though Thanos' mouth curved up in a smile, it was Agrona that filled the void. "Well, that certainly was enlightening. The letter is particularly telling...it's apparent she thinks little of you, but is merciful. We would simply have killed you." She shrugged. "But then, she has always been a little too nice for her own good. And because you have this letter to prove that at least part of what you say is true, no harm shall come to you by our hands."

In a far less menacing tone that he'd originally spoken in - which begged the question of whether or not his previous bluster had been an act meant to provoke a reaction - Thanos took over. "So, did you enjoy our little performance? We've been working on it. Oh, every word we said was true - your life was most assuredly on the line. However, we've found that a deadpan delivery isn't terribly convincing.

"At any rate, we would like to help. But first, we need to know more about this enemy you spoke of...and we would like to hear from your companions, as well. In return, Agrona and I will answer a few questions about ourselves."

This post has been edited by Thanos & Agrona on Jun 5 2009, 08:05 PM