Fantasy Arva: Tides of Darkness [IC] [Closed]

[joshuadim]

"Why, I thought that would have been obvious to you by now?" the Monkey King jested to Aureal as he laid back rather leisurely onto his throne. "You, my friends, are on Pengiros! The 'lost continent' as many mortals refer to it! But as you can see it is rather far from being lost." He then looked over the company rather quickly and laughed: "And my, what an interesting trope you all are! Such a strange mishmash! An Aervis, some elves, a half-breed," he spoke, the last term referring to Cain in particular, "and some of those 'demons' I've heard so much about! Fascinating!"

Suddenly, the King would appear behind Drokos and gave her a toothy grin. Up close, he was massive and stood much taller than anyone in the group leading to what one could feel as a massive sense of imposition upon them. "I can tell you have the look of a warrior upon you. Such battle scars!" he spoke with curiosity. The sudden change of location would startle the group as they realized that the King had moved locations in what seemed to be an instant. Rather bewildered, Arnas looked towards the throne and saw that indeed he had basically moved locations without even showing it. "What in the hells..." he muttered.

The Monkey King would then appear next to Da'Vost and observed him. "Hmm... I do hope you're more polite than your kin in that tower of theirs. Awfully rude that they never paid tribute to me." he commented before finally appearing behind Eirana and Zakala, startling the two. "Ah you're a long way from the lonely empire, elf!" he spoke aloud with a grin, "I was under the impression your people didn't venture beyond their borders."

 

[Viper Actual]

With Zakala's help Eirana had managed to sluggishly walk alongside the others to the apparent throne room. The very chamber itself was filled with riches and a deep sense of power lingered within. Once the Monkey King had revealed himself Eirana mustered every little bit of power she had to focus on him. Based on his aura alone he was no ordinary being and his gleeful manners were incredibly deceiving- she had no doubt that he could easily kill or, at the very least, restrain Hughin and the rest of the company where they stood.

Fortunately for them he seemed to be friendly enough and even revealed that they had indeed reached the continent of Pengiros, assuming that his words were true.

Eirana was slightly taken aback by his sudden approach. She closed her eyes and bowed her head briefly as a sign of respect. "Your majesty is correct; my kin rarely ever venture beyond our secure borders. Unfortunately I did not have the luxury of choosing, nor did the rest of my kin that lived on the same island as I did."

 

[joshuadim]

"Ah, a tragic tale!" the Monkey King then spoke as he walked out from behind his throne, having moved positions once more. "My condolences for... whatever it was you went through..." he spoke before materializing behind Arnas, startling the man as he jumped in place and found himself practically face-to-face with the being as he observed him for a moment before speaking. "You... I think you'll be a lot of fun to watch." the King then spoke with a toothy grin before appearing beside Hughin. "My, you have the looks of a warrior! Those battle scars... your missing eye! You must have plenty of tales of slaughter and carnage to tell!"

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Sharad doesn’t speak as he prefers letting the others do the talking for him. There’s nothing he’d want to ask anyway as the only real question he wants to ask is if they’ll roast him alive like Jooly warned they would, but this isn’t the time for nonsense like that. So far the Monkey King and his subjects have proven friendly. They didn’t immediately set themselves on the group the moment they entered his domain. Perhaps they know a way to help them back home too. He makes a note to ask that later if he’s ever alone with the King. Though when he had confirmed that the land the group had been shipwrecked on was indeed Pengiros, he turns around to look right at Hughin, raising an eyebrow at him.

He gives him a slight tap on his side to let him know he wants his attention and whispers to him. “So now that we’ve found it, when are we going home?” he quips sarcastically.

 

[Fauxs]

Cain began to eye around the Monkey King's palace. whilst looking around at his collection of various treasures, He begins to compliment the king,"I must say, your place looks rather grand, your majesty!" Cain said in a respectful tone. Being faced to a being that may be all knowing, Cain yearned to ask questions that are of utmost importance to him and the company. "If I may ask, have you seen any other shipwrecked beings, possibly utterlins?" ever since the party got shipwrecked in Pengiros, the utterlins remain no where to be seen and not a single trace of their whereabouts. "I would also like to ask, has your kin spotted a lost elf in this strange land?" Cain shifted his question to be rather personal as he pertained towards knowing the whereabouts of his father; His main goal from the beginning.

 

[joshuadim]

"Ya! Me pa and kin are on Pengiros!" Lanya yelled out after Cain spoke of the rest of the barge, bringing out a chuckle from the Monkey King as he sat back down onto his throne. "No, I haven't seen any water rats loitering about. Sorry!" And when Cain asked in regards to elves the Monkey King let out a powerful laugh: "Aha ha ha! You'll have to be more specific about an elf. There are many elves on this land up North. A whole realm of them! Not very welcoming to my presence which wasn't my fault but in any case..."

Sharad's own question brought out another laugh from the Monkey King as he tapped his foot. "Home? My, but you've only just arrived! Where's the fun in that?"

"Listen... er, your majesty." Hughin then spoke up as he tried to be respectful as he could, "We do need to find our lost compatriots and find a way back home. As of now, we're shipwrecked and alone on this land... and honestly, way out of our pay grade."

"As a wise and benevolent ruler I absolutely understand... but I MUST insist that you stay for some time." the Monkey King replied with a grin, "The wilds are not safe for the time being you see... and not only that, look at you lot! You're all a mess! Filthy, disheveled, practically broken! I insist you stay as my guests!"

Hughin opened his mouth to speak in protest, but realized that while the King was actually correct in what he had said... they were practically powerless to do anything about it. He didn't want to risk angering the being in any capacity as he valued his own life and didn't want anyone else along with him to die, and so he gave a nod instead. "Your wisdom does hold merit here."

"Excellent! I knew you'd come around!" the Monkey King replied with a wide grin on his face before clapping his hands, causing the doors to open once more. "Now, a few ground rules. Don't head outside the walls of my kingdom, don't cause too much trouble... yadda yadda. You get the jist!" he spoke before turning his head towards one of the corridors nearby. "Hey Val! Come say hello to my new guests!"

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Who would have thought things would end like this? First you get kicked out of your crew, and then you join a band of merry mercs with the hopes of making some cash. Then, forced to leave them just when they are about to start a grand venture just because you had to help your sickly mother. Turns out mother was not so sick and was exaggerating, like all the other times she pulled this old trick just to have her daughter back home! Valentina sighed as she looked at the goblet of wine in her hand. What else could I have done? My mother is so old, I have to actually take those letters seriously! She took another sip of her wine before looking around her. This monkey place... her memory was still fuzzy on how she ended here. All she remembered was she drinking with a band of vagabonds in the local winery when one of them offered some special brew. Then she was here, in front of a lot monkeys. At least she didn't end like the other guy.

Suddenly the door to the hall opened. The Monkey Ruler, or King, she still wasn't sure what his role was, but he was as cheerful as ever. And behind him were several people. At first she felt for them. Poor fools, now trapped in this place just like her. But then she began to recognize their faces. Slowly she began realizing that it was the company! A few new faces here and there, but there they were. She couldn't believe it, and actually questioned if she was drunk for a moment, but she wasn't. She got off her seat and rushed towards them with a relieved smile, and, as always, looking forwards to see the charming knight Waylond. "...I can't believe it! You guys ended up here as well?" She looked at the monkey king. "...Did you got them all drunk too?"

 

[joshuadim]

"They were shipwrecked here after witnessing a grand battle on the seas! A titan of a beast versus the Keeper of the Oceans! Marvelous storytelling material is it not?" the Monkey King replied with a grin before realizing that Valentina actually knew the Company. He cleared his throat before tapping his foot: "I have some business to attend to in the meantime as you all are reacquainted. Do feel free to explore the sights of my kingdom! Just remember to not go past the walls... ha ha ha! Oh, and do return to the palace by evening. I have a grand feast being prepared!"

With a cheery walk the Monkey King had headed off elsewhere into the palace and thus left the group to their own devices for the time being. Arnas was the first to break the silence by chuckling: "Well... you must have quite the story to tell on how you got here, right?" he asked, to which Hughin would respond with his own nod. "Good to see you again Valentina."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Valentina smiled and sighed as the Monkey King walked away from them. She was glad to see Arnas and Hughin were there, and the young man even asked her about her tale. "Oh, on the contrary, not that interesting I'm afraid... You see, my mom has this thing... She is very distant and brooding most of the time, but sometimes out of nowhere, she wants to see her daughter, and hug he,r and cover her face with kisses, and what not." With some frustration in her voice, Valentina crossed her arms and sighed again. "...So she sends letters how the gout is going to kill her, and that she will use ancient magic to curse me if I don't visit her. You know, what a loving parent usually does."

"When I was there, I was showered with kisses and foods typical of both Dandolia and Nawa. A combination that is not kind to the stomach, might I add." She then shrugged and gave them a smile. "After a day or two later, my mom was ready to kick me out again. I knew the lot of you were gone, so I just wandered about looking for jobs... Eventually one night I met some happy vagrants in the local winery... Among them was a foreign-looking fellow. He offered us some strange brew, and after a few shots, we were all dancing and pulling pranks on people. And eventually the others fell... I dunno if they died or something. It was just me, the foreigner, and some other vagrant who had the hots for me humble self... Then the foreigner says he's a monkey, and we are here, and the other guy... well, you don't want to hear that story."

She cleared her throat, and then looked at her companion with a big smile on her face. "...So! What about you?"

 

[joshuadim]

"Well, he's certainly more than just a monkey." Hughin commented as he looked to where their host had walked off to and disappeared. "Seems to me we're dealing with quite the character. Anything you can tell us about him that might be useful? We can't stay here forever, obviously." he then asked Valentina.

Zakala headed over to Sharad and bumped him on the shoulder lightly. "Well, we aren't roasted on spits... for now." she joked with a smirk.

Lanya in the meantime was rather disappointed to hear nothing new about her family, and that there was no news of their whereabouts. She moved towards the nearby steps to the throne to sulk and planted her head onto his hands as she stared rather aimlessly to the pristine floor below before giving off a weak sigh.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"Well, we aren't roasted on spits... for now."

Sharad lets out a snicker. "Guess they don't like the taste of sweat, blood, and tears." he jokes back. "So where are you going?"

 

[Infab]

Drokos had remained quiet throughout the meeting with the Monkey King, even when spoken directly to by the tall ape. She didn't have much to say, really, that the others wouldn't already state or ask. They did need rest, as well as food, so that they could recuperate. Beyond that, however, they didn't need to remain here long. As nice as the Monkey King was being, she didn't particularly trust his majesty.

As the group soon encountered a former member of the group by the name of Valentina , Drokos remained indifferent as she stood at the back of the group. She studied the woman for a few moments, judging her to be one of the more talkative and overtly friendly types. She had met a few of those before. Usually too talkative for their own good. Drokos soon walked over and sat on the steps to the throne herself, a few feet down from Lanya. As she let her poleaxe rest against her shoulder, she glanced down to Lanya.

"...Do not worry, little one." she said, "We will find your family soon enough." She glanced over to Zakala, then Hughin. She really needed to apologize to the man, after the incident earlier. It was a stupid mistake. One she never should have made.

 

[Dmaster]

Da'Vost was in awe over the splendor to behold of this city and its palace, and while he was respectful to its king he was eerily quiet during the discussion. Prior to their meeting he pleasantly chatted with Lanya about his views on the architecture and its purpose on the way, happy to see her so excited. The monkey king appeared to know a great deal about the Company, though he had never met them or had the opportunity to speak to them before now. Was he truly a god? Beyond that was the confirmation of them being in Penigros, something the Aervis considered a boon as that meant the West Spire did indeed exist here. Though with those hellish forces pursuing them, he was rather fearful for the wellbeing of his people.

Lanya's concern for her own kin were greatly warranted, and the fact that the supposed godly monkey king did not see them was troubling indeed. The Fateseeker sighed, trying to find a way to compose something that may raise the poor utterlin's spirits. Fortunately, he would have help from an unexpected source in the form of Drokos. He sat near Lanya, allowing her to cry as much as she needed to.

"I worry for my kin as well, Lanya." he croons, looking to the skies. "Yet your father is resourceful, strong, and brave. I do not think a measly shipwreck would be the end of him, do you? I think he has kept himself and your family safe, truly."

 

[joshuadim]

"Away from this palace... maybe try to find some way to get out of this place hopefully." Zakala replied with arms crossed as she looked about, particularly towards the now opened entrance to the palace. "Something's off about this King... I don't know what it is, but I just feel uncomfortable." she muttered rather quietly, as if she was wanting to not be overheard possibly.

The subsequent encouragement from both Da'Vost and Drokos helped lift Lanya's spirits somewhat as she wiped at her eyes with her wrist, but still remained rather somber as she looked towards Da'Vost. "Vost... I want ta get better. So I can do sometin." she said rather seriously, "I want ta get better at magik, and whatever I need to do... I don't want ta be helpless."

 

[Dmaster]

The Fateseeker nodded his head in response, clicking his beak with agreement. "As soon as my wounds have healed I will advance your studies further. It would seem we will be staying here for some time, and I believe a city as grand as this to be ripe with the resources we need." Da'Vost stated.

"You will be a powerful ally to us, so long as you remain focused and ready for what comes next. When storms loom overhead it is not reason to flee or give yourself to the darkness." he said, looking rather serious himself. "Instead we stand, brave the winds and rain... To reach that serenity within the storm's eye."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Valentina caressed her chin for a moment, before shrugging. "I know little of the Monkey King... I think his name is...Ji... Je... Jerin? No... Jirin! He's always acting happy, pulling pranks... being a mischievous fella. He's a little deranged too. I mean... he kinda laughed the death of the other guy off... Gosh you really don't want to hear that one." She then looked at the others. "...So who are the new faces! It's a shame mummy lady is not around with 'em."

 

[joshuadim]

"Deranged... then we all ought to be careful." Hughin replied before looking over to the rest of the Company at Valentina's question. "Well, we did pick up a few new faces. The half-elf is Cain, young kid I saved from being caught stealing. The man in rags and robes is Sharad, also a thief but much better than the other. Rather good at what he does. The greyskin demon is Drokos, rather strong and tall and a great warrior. You ought to talk with 'em if you're going to be rejoining us... you are rejoining right?" Hughin asked with a chuckle.

At this point, Arnas had helped set Hughin down to sit and walked off outside to take a look at the surroundings. This 'kingdom' was certainly large, with its many ruins and buildings and native encampments scattered about. Yet with his broken arm, he still was in quite a bit of pain and looked towards the nearby flowing waters. For that moment, he wondered if this was the source of the river that he, Waylond, and Drokos had bathed in before. To confirm his theory, he walked over towards the nearby pools of moving water and stuck his good arm into it. He felt the same sensation as he did before in the river proper and gave a grin. Without even bothering to take off his armor, as difficult as that would be in the first place, he opted to dunk himself into the waters and sat in it to relax for the time being as he let the water's properties heal him.

 

[Fauxs]

Cain faced towards Hughin and the returning ally and chuckled at the description of him. "I'm not really one to steal but I would still like to thank you for that!" He replied to Hughin. "My name is Cain. I joined the company in hopes of finding my lost father. On the side, having adventures such as these would truly help me master the art of magik despite me knowing how to use this-" He said as he pointed at his rapier and looked upon Valentina. "As one of the company's allies, I'd be truly glad to become your ally as well." He ended with an extended hand and a smile.

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Valentina nodded accordingly as Hughin introduced the newer members of this adventure. She was glad to know the company was still alive and thriving, although it was a shame they were now trapped here just like her. Cain eventually approached her, politely introducing himself to her while explaining why he had joined this merry band of mercs. "Magik? Another sorcerer? I'm glad they don't have to count only on ol' feathers over there." She pointed at Da'Vost as he continued to cheer up his new pupil. "A pleasure to meet you, Cain... I'm Valentina! From Dandolia, and the fairest maiden and best swordsman you'll ever meet in your life!" she said, with a joking tone while shaking his hand.

 

[Breadman]

"Good to see you back, lady Valentina" Pottrey said. Waylond was a little bit confused as to how she got her in the first place. Or why for that matter. Was this Monkey king preparing for something and he needed this specific group of people? A bit egocentric on his part, but he seemed versed in the party's pasts at least on a surface level.

"Aye. In a strange land it's good to see a familiar face."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

While still shaking Cain's hand, she noticed a rather large figure approaching her from the side. None other than Pottrey, the faithful squire of her favourite knight. Right behind him was Waylond, who was surprisingly distant from her. No matter, she could easily fix that. She gave Cain a nod before giving Pottrey a friendly little hug. Then, she approached Waylond with a menacing little grin. "My, so distant Ser Knight! Acting like you didn't look sad when I packed up my things and left for Dandolia. I saw your face before I left." she said, before poking the knights nose. "Glad to see you as well, Waylond."

 

[Breadman]

Waylond allowed his guard to drop and smiled.

"You'll have to forgive me my lady." Pottrey stepped aside. He's heard this before. "We are in a strange land with strange beings. Even if they are...monkeys." He lightly shrugged. "Getting shipwrecked, being chased and fighting off those vile creatures didn't help." He scratched his chin and looked to the side. He needed to shave. "I do recall you offering to help with my sea legs, but ufi, no ship." He looked to her again. "I'm afraid I'll be caught unprepared."

 

[Adobe]

As the Monkey king turned his attention to the other members of the company, Eidunn slipped out of the open door, letting out a loud sigh as the sun hit her once again. Looking up at the ancient buildings and tower trees, she let out a small gasp. She hadn't realised the magnitude of the city when she first entered, but now she had had a chance to gather herself, the city kept her eyes glued up as she slowly began to wander away from the palaces doors.

 

[EdwardDewey98]

"Shipwrecked... hmm, the sad fate of many men and women of the sea such as m'self..." She looked around at her old companions as they moved around, ready to explore they monkey realm. Valentina had already visited most of it during her stay, so she figured she might as well follow them around. But before that, she turned around and gave Ser Waylond a flying kiss. "The offer still stands ser knight, for another occasion~."

 

[Viper Actual]

Once the Monkey King had said his piece, welcoming the company with open arms, Eirana glanced at Zakala and nodded towards Hughin. "Take me to the waters. If they're anything like what the others described it could very well aid with my recovery."
She ignored the fact that one of the previous members had returned. Truth to be told Eirana thought it to be all too...convenient. Outside of those that had been in the forest- not to mention onboard the ship- the list of people the Elf currently trusted was incredibly limited.