AWHY IC

[SinningSloth]

Augus would be near the door of the house before looking back to see that the young man did not accompany him, walking back to Belphegor, "Is everything alright my friend?" Augus asked, still with a cheery demeanour but it also had an undertone of concern for why he wasn't accompanying him, after all, he was the one that pointed the house out to him, so why wouldn't he follow it was quite bizarre.


@Spanner @RaspberryBeret @DevilishDoodler

 

[RaspberryBeret]

Beryll sighed slightly, relieved, and lost some of her frightened expression. "There is a djin behind you. I am not surprised you did not recognize it for what it is, few of them travel to these lands."


"I am not strong enough to banish him myself, and I doubt that even with your assistance and the assistance of your goddess we would be strong enough to dispell him entirely. Meaning no offense to her, of course." Beryll added quickly. "Though perhaps we may scare him out of town with a threat."


'And perhaps a flock or roaming flying pigs will appear above us and an enraged djin will not simply burn the village to the ground.'


She moved towards it, dismissing Artur as she moved. He flapped into the sky, wishing her good luck. Without her familiar near her, she perhaps looked like a sorceress, especially if she acted like one. Or so Beryll hoped. She quickened her step before her nerves gave way.


"Halt, Djin." she said, once she was just out of reach, but within earshot. She hardened her expression into a frown and assumed what she hoped was a sorceress battle stance. "I do not know what designs you have on this town, but be warned that if you attempt any of your magics here on this unsuspecting village, I will banish you myself."


@DevilishDoodler


@Spanner


@SinningSloth

 

[SinningSloth]

Augus would turn to face the woman that called out to him, "Hello friend, I am not a Djinni at least not fully." Augus commented as would walk towards the woman who would likely be having to bend her neck fully back to look up at him, "besides I am in my home plane so you banishing me would banish me, here. Anyway, I do not want to harm any of the people here I have yet to use any of my magic." Augus commented on, still happily smiling and in truth, he had yet used any of his magic, just the innate abilities that he had thanks to being half Djinn. He would look down at the woman, "I came to this city to better what I do, not to hurt or manipulate the people of this city." He spoke with a stronger tone, still having the joyous tone behind it but that tone was overshadowed by the controlled disciplined voice of a man who has learnt who and what he is and how to use that to the best of his ability.


@RaspberryBeret

 

[DevilishDoodler]

Gwenan tried to match Berylla expression and as the witch spoke she slowly pulled her hammer from its sheeth, setting it to a wide grip at a resting position to intimidate. Steam rose from her hands as her cold eyes met his. Regardless of how tall he was she was set in stone, and wouldn't budge even if nature herself willed it. No wind would scatter her and no fire would burn her. Not a single element would pass unjudged by that mighty gavel.


"Be that as it may sir, we know your aura, and we'll be watching." Her tone burned the air as she spoke. 


@RaspberryBeret @SinningSloth

 

[Arne]

Bel's reaction to all the confusion caused by the scene was simply tilting his head to the right, clearly confused. Even if he was quite smart he didn't really had that much of knowledge about Djinns or anything like that, so for him Augus was just a weird human. As he didn't really understand the reason he simply staid quietly in his spot while waiting for the end of the scene, clearly trying to understand what was it about as the frown in his face was getting even more clear.

 

[RaspberryBeret]

Beryll blinked and lost the rigidness of her stance. Had she misread the situation? He spoke like someone who had experience in this explanation. Perhaps she had false notions about his kind. Beryll knew a thing or two about false notions.


'He could be lying.' she thought. 'Can djin lie? I can't remember anymore, it has been too long. Better make an apology.'


She stood straight, abandoning her pretense at battle, and called Artur back to her. He flapped down, settling on shoulder again. "If you are truthful, sir, then I must apologize for wrongly accusing you. Having been so accused myself I know the injustice one can feel at such a time." she said, staring straight up at the man.


"If you are lying, if one such as you are capable of a lie, then my companion is correct. We will stop you." Her gaze hardened, again. 

 

[DevilishDoodler]

Gwenan placed her hammer back in its rightful spot but kept her stance, and did not apologize, why should she? She meant what she said and would deliver if an instance arose. Her attention shot to the observer, she knew who and WHAT he was, but she had caused enough trouble for now. Her eyes bore holes into him, make sure that he knew she was there and that he knew she would find him if he tried to start anything.


 @RaspberryBeret 


@SinningSloth


@Spanner

 

[Arne]

Faced by the somehow fixed glare, Bel's reaction was quite the confused one. He certainly didn't do anything to the girl, so why would she glare him like that? At the end his only guess was that she was trying to make contact, so he naturally answered forcing a smile to the stranger, a tentatively friendly act that was supposed to transmit his good will. Albeit done innocently, the act was quite different from the girl point of view as Bel's forced smile was quite similar to a sinister grin that was everything but reassuring.


@DevilishDoodler


@SinningSloth


@RaspberryBeret

 

[Happy Red Mage]

Marigold Grail
​

Marigold had always been a big fan of the Fortune Festival, not the shammy salesmen and sales women that sell bad stuff like charms that were most likely their scribbles on some special paper and dipped in water and perfume and left to dry in the sun, not the gamblers who complained that today was supposed to be their lucky break. No, what she liked about the Fortune Festival was how it brought together people from around the world to witness the wonder that comes from believing, the end of the festival's massive fortune telling ritual, how almost nothing could ruin things in this wonderful day.


She had come a long way from Mardu's Tower, Ambercross was the first place she had in mind when she decided to leave the tower, she could only hope that she wasn't being searched for, that would really put a hamper on things. Her staff clicked against the stone paved streets as she took in the sights of Ambercross. Then she felt someone bump into her. She quickly turned around to apologize only to crash into someone else. @DevilishDoodler

 

[DevilishDoodler]

Gwenan statuesque face showed no change in emotion as the creature before her forced a smile. It was shown to be a lackluster performance on his half. Regardless if he was trying to force a friendly appearance or a sinister one she wasn't fazed nor did it give her any compulsion to change her demeanor. He was a demon, even if it was a subtle hint of one, she knew, and she memorized the feel of his aura to hunt him if need be. 


Just then her hard focus left her as she felt a nudge of a person bumping into her. Gwenan's look softened, as to not scare them "oh goodness are you alright? I have been very clumsy when it comes to find my way around to day I guess." She gave them a reassuring smile as she apologized politely again with a small bow, much like she did with Beryll.

 

[RaspberryBeret]

Her companion had shifted her attention. Time to let these two take their leave, if they so chose. She gave a careful nod to the djin--no, the person-- before her, Artur mimicking her action with a curious bird head bob. 


She stepped around the far side of her companion, disengaging from the face-off she had been having, moving to see who she was talking to.

 

[Happy Red Mage]

Gwenan statuesque face showed no change in emotion as the creature before he forced a smile. It was shown to be a lackluster performance on his half. Regardless if he was trying to force a friendly appearance or a sinister one she wasn't fazed nor did it give her any compulsion to change her demeanor. He was a demon, even if it was a subtle hint of one, she knew, and she memorized the feel of his aura to hunt him if need be. 


Just then her hard focus left her as she felt a nudge of a person bumping into her. Gwenan's look softened, as to not scare them "oh goodness are you alright? I have been very clumsy when it comes to find my way around to day I guess." She gave them a reassuring smile as she apologized politely again with a small bow, much like she did with Beryll.

"Oh no no! I wan't looking where I was going!" Marigold quickly replied, bowing as well. "I should be the one apologizing! I'm sorry for bumping into you!" She apologized quickly. After that she bent to pick up her staff which had clattered onto the stone paved streets. "I got distracted by some things and I should've been more aware of my surroundings." The apprentice mage added in her nervous tirade of apologies. "Are you hurt? Should I get a doctor?" She looked ready to run off at the slightest hint of harm.

 

[SinningSloth]

Seeing the two woman were on to a different matter, he would bow his head as they moved on, "Good day friends, I hope you enjoy the festival as much as I." Augus said in his normal jovial tone, 'it is strange for people to know of the Djinn but their wariness was well placed, meeting a Djinni is never a nice idea, ah well, no harm came of it so everything is well' Augus thought to himself as he walked back to the young man, Belphegor, "So my friend, shall we be off?" Augus cheerily inquired.


@Spanner @RaspberryBeret @DevilishDoodler

 

[DevilishDoodler]

Gwenan laughed at Merigolds initial reaction to bumping into her
She must have never seen a Cleric before...

"It's quite alright miss, I am a Cleric so even if there was such case of injury, I'd have make sure it was taken care of."
Of course Gwenan was confident in her own abilities, after all, she was quite literally bred to be an excellent addition to the Cleric force of the White Church.

"Also, I realized I never quite asked what either of you ladies do as witches." Gwenan questioned, "See, where I am from witches normally assist with rituals and create potions for healing and such, but I am sure witches in the lowlands differ from The Northern Face"

@RaspberryBeret @Happy Red Mage

 

[RaspberryBeret]

"You are unharmed?" Beryll asked. "That is good, chainmail can hurt the unprepared." She gave the young woman a once over, taking in her staff at the same time.


'Another magic caster' she thought. 'Quite a few of them in one place right now.' She smiled slightly, amused at that.


The cleric beside her asked about what they did as witches. Beryll blinked, slightly taken aback for the second time in just a few moments. "Well," she replied, cautiously, "I, as a witch, studied various potions and herbal qualities. My coven specialized in that. This young woman, I believe, is not a witch. She has neither the mark nor making of one." This cleric knew witches, but did not know about the markings a witch recieved when bonded?


She was from the Northern Face. "Ah, you must have known the Birchwood Breeze coven. Lovely creatures. I met them once before."

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

(Here goes nothing)


Born of human and elf alike, bak'non never truly had a place in society which he could call his own. It was within the domain of mother nature where he found his calling, that of a tree shepard. Within the forests of the world he spent much of his life, conversing and making friends with each and everyone. He scarely ever forgot the name of a tree and knew what made em tick for the most part. His life for generations was based off of living amongst them and enjoying the stories from trees who lived to see the world change long before he took his first breath in this world. However it seems along his travels, the humans have been encroaching upon his breathren. The worst cases usually came around festivals,but none matched the fortune festival. A shoddy excuse for milk the land for all its worth to the humans, justifying their destruction for their own end. They're a disease, a believe he held even before his old age. It was at this point in time when he felt compelled to ravage the capital with all his might, but the trees protested. Even it meant taking on the world, bak'non was prepared to take as many tree lives as they did to his tree friends, but they protested vehemently. He found it impossible to maintain his spirit in the wake of what he considered people, who did not want his intervention. Instead they pleaded with him and asked for one thing: to give the humans a chance.


If their leadership could not be reasoned with, then they would come to his aid as he originally planned. Thus he took his first steps into a human settlement. He breathed the foul air of industry and the grimaced at the wooden structures, which were all akin to corpses stacked upon eachother. His rage seething as he made his way to the Ambercross' city hall.

 

[Happy Red Mage]

Gwenan laughed at Merigolds initial reaction to bumping into her
She must have never seen a Cleric before...

"It's quite alright miss, I am a Cleric so even if there was such case of injury, I'd have make sure it was taken care of."
Of course Gwenan was confident in her own abilities, after all, she was quite literally bred to be an excellent addition to the Cleric force of the White Church.

"Also, I realized I never quite asked what either of you ladies do as witches." Gwenan questioned, "See, where I am from witches normally assist with rituals and create potions for healing and such, but I am sure witches in the lowlands differ from The Northern Face"

@RaspberryBeret @Happy Red Mage

"You are unharmed?" Beryll asked. "That is good, chainmail can hurt the unprepared." She gave the young woman a once over, taking in her staff at the same time.


'Another magic caster' she thought. 'Quite a few of them in one place right now.' She smiled slightly, amused at that.


The cleric beside her asked about what they did as witches. Beryll blinked, slightly taken aback for the second time in just a few moments. "Well," she replied, cautiously, "I, as a witch, studied various potions and herbal qualities. My coven specialized in that. This young woman, I believe, is not a witch. She has neither the mark nor making of one." This cleric knew witches, but did not know about the markings a witch recieved when bonded?


She was from the Northern Face. "Ah, you must have known the Birchwood Breeze coven. Lovely creatures. I met them once before."

(Sorry, I've been busy...)


"A cleric and a witch? Wow, what the books say are true...Ambercross really does draw in people from all walks of life..." Marigold Grail said in astonishment, amazed by the apparent accuracy of Mardu's Tower's reading materials. "I'm not a witch, I'm a mage...More specifically I'm an apprentice..." She added after a short while, hesitant to say any more. "Oh so what brings you both to Ambercross? I'm here for the festival, maybe have my fortune told by someone. I'm kinda looking for a direction to go..Oh, silly me I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Marigold Grail, it's nice to meet you..ehm...what're your names?"

 

[LegoLad659]

Alexis made her way through the crowd with her wagon in tow, looking around at all the people attending the festival. Ah, Ambercross. She'd been here a couple of times in the past, but that was with her parents. Now that she was here on her own, it felt... Different, somehow. She couldn't quite explain how.


Either way, it looked like the Fortune Festival was in full swing, which was good, because that's why she was here in the first place. Catherine's orders, specifically.


"With so many people around, nobody would notice a few gold pieces missing here and there." Alexis remembered Catherine's words. While Catherine scoped the town for valuables, Alexis was to set up shop as normal until she returned. Should be simple enough, she figured. She found a good spot and stepped inside her wagon to get everything ready to set up her stall.



Catherine, in the meantime, was staying away from the crowd, knowing she'd probably be recognized if anyone looked closely at her. She entered the crowd once in a while when she noticed a good target, but she left when she was finished every time. Eventually, once she was satisfied with what she'd gotten, she moved away from where the festival was taking place, hoping to maybe find some valuable items left unguarded due to the festival.


She loved festivals, it meant that everyone was gathered in one place so she could do her work without anyone noticing. And that was always a plus.

 

[RaspberryBeret]

"Beryll Augustine. Artur." In turn, both Beryll and Artur nodded at the cheerful and bubbly mage. Her attitude was infectious, and Beryll smiled lightly and relaxed in her company. 


"We had come to town seeking information on a sister of mine. And to acquire a collapsible cauldron for our travels." Beryll had a quickly dwindling supply of gumfoot and swiftness potions that had allowed her to get here safely. She had hoped to make more at Geraldine's hut, but now....


She looked over at the cleric, realizing that she didn't actually know her name.


@DevilishDoodler@Happy Red Mage

 

[DevilishDoodler]

Gwenan clanked her heels together and tapped her fist against her chest in a semi - formal salute.
"I am Gwenan Vaughn, Cleric of the White Church, and humbled follower of the Sun Goddess Nia"
Gwenan was used to having to extend her name and title to her formal given one due to the nature of her churches lack of contact with a significant amount of the outside world.

She set herself to a more relaxed position before she spoke once again
"I would also like to apologize for my lack of knowledge of what this part of the world calls "mages". In the White Church all people of superior magic ability become priests or priestesses of our faith unless they wish to become witches, much like yourself Beryll. As far as why I am here, it is because I simply needed rations to continue my self journey throughout the land, where ever that may take me."

It wasn't that she was abandoning her family though, this was just a rite of passage for all adults her own age. In fact she regularly received ravens from her mother while on most of her journey already.

 

[Happy Red Mage]

Spoiler

"Beryll Augustine. Artur." In turn, both Beryll and Artur nodded at the cheerful and bubbly mage. Her attitude was infectious, and Beryll smiled lightly and relaxed in her company. 


"We had come to town seeking information on a sister of mine. And to acquire a collapsible cauldron for our travels." Beryll had a quickly dwindling supply of gumfoot and swiftness potions that had allowed her to get here safely. She had hoped to make more at Geraldine's hut, but now....


She looked over at the cleric, realizing that she didn't actually know her name.


@DevilishDoodler@Happy Red Mage

Gwenan clanked her heels together and tapped her fist against her chest in a semi - formal salute.
"I am Gwenan Vaughn, Cleric of the White Church, and humbled follower of the Sun Goddess Nia"
Gwenan was used to having to extend her name and title to her formal given one due to the nature of her churches lack of contact with a significant amount of the outside world.

She set herself to a more relaxed position before she spoke once again
"I would also like to apologize for my lack of knowledge of what this part of the world calls "mages". In the White Church all people of superior magic ability become priests or priestesses of our faith unless they wish to become witches, much like yourself Beryll. As far as why I am here, it is because I simply needed rations to continue my self journey throughout the land, where ever that may take me."

It wasn't that she was abandoning her family though, this was just a rite of passage for all adults her own age. In fact she regularly received ravens from her mother while on most of her journey already.

"It's nice to meet you Beryll, Artur, and Grenan! Can I call you Ber, Art, and Gwen?" She asked in a friendly manner with a smile on her face. "Oh, well mages are basically magic users but unlike witches, we don't have familiars." She said after hearing that Gwen didn't know what mages were. "I in particular come from a certain tower down south, that's where they teach stuff I guess..." She clapped her hands together as if she'd thought of something. "Oh, would you mind if I tag along with you guys? I'm kinda bit lost, do you guys know where the...hmm...what was it called again...ah, Fortune Festival Telling is going to happen? I'm very excited to see so many branches if divination in harmony...oh I'm rambling again, sorry about that."

 

[RaspberryBeret]

"Just Beryll, if you please." Beryll disliked nicknames. 'Ber', after all, sounded too similar to the animal. She preferred not to become angry with strangers that made snide comments on her name, and a nickname like that was too tempting for those with quick wits. "Hmm. I have never been to this town before, but a divination ceremony sounds very intriguing." Maybe they could give her the whereabouts of another of her sisters.


"As for food, well, that's where a familiar comes in handy." Beryll let that sink in for a minute, let them think she ate worms or insects or something like Artur did. Finally, she let Artur fly up above the crowd, and he communicated back to her where the food stall with the best-smelling food was located. "This way," she said.

 

[Athens]

Clancy & Isbel
​

"And what does this do?" The elven young woman in front of his stand asked curiously, lifting the wing of the animatronic bird Clancy had created. Of all the ones, she just had to show interest in the one that had his magic embedded in it. The original game plan for the metal constructed owl had been to trash it in the nearest tar pit, but when the said plan was acted out, one unwanted variable made itself apparent when the little, orb-shaped owl flew out of the tar unscathed and followed Clancy back to his workshop. It was fair to say that the creation's survival made the tinkerer very frustrated, and a tantrum ensued shortly after it's appearance from the dead. It wasn't until Isbel suggested selling it at the festival that he was able to hone in his distraughtness, but even when he wanted to get rid of it, seeing potential customers pay more attention to the bot VS his other creations without him having to draw attention to it irritated him to no end.


"This is an animatronic owl -made strictly for entertainment purposes-" Clancy replied cradling the lightweight, ball-shaped creation in his palms. "But it also has magical properties properties embedded in its framework which can protect it from taking damage, and gives it the potential to do much more important tasks if trained or programmed to do so."


The Elvish woman made an impressed face, taking the bird the back from his outstretched hand and ispecting it briefly before opening her mouth to---


"Did you know that the eyes of an owl are not true “eyeballs", because the tube-shaped eyes are completely immobile, providing binocular vision and allowing them fully focuses on their prey and boosts depth perception; much more advanced than your regular eyeball."


The woman gave a tight-lipped smile setting the creation back down on the vendor's table, and Clancy settled into the resignation of another customer lost from the incessant spewing of funfacts from Isbel. That was the 10th one she had told this woman alone, and Clancy really  couldn't blame her for getting fed up; he was used to it at this point.


Following the tall elf's exit was a strong feeling of regret towards the heavy lecture and scolding Clancy has given Isbel about wandering off when they were to be working. But, in reality, her staying with him or scouting out the Fortune Festival was a lose/lose situation because of how people acted towards her.


In response to the negative surge of emotions coming from Clancy, the animatronic owl powered up and began to fly around haphazardly, before quickly taking perch on top of the head of the young woman running the wagon next to the two friends.


"Don't be alarmed," Isbel began with a sweet smile. "but you've got my friend's metal bird attempting to nest in your hair.


@LegoLad659

 

[LegoLad659]

Alexis smiled as she finished setting up shop. She, admittedly, didn't have any festival-themed items, but she figured nobody would mind since she was a traveling merchant and all.


She was no sooner done setting her stall up than something flew over and landed on her head. Before she could swat it away, a girl nearby spoke up, telling her it was her friend's "Oh, okay." Alexis replied, before gently picking it up off her head and handing it to her "Here you go. A metal bird, huh? That's actually pretty cool."


@TheWeirdPhilosopher

 

[Happy Red Mage]

CHAPTER 2: That does not sound good.
​

At the stage set up specifically for the Fortune Reading  Ritual. A lone bell started to ring, as if it was enchanted to do so. This signaled the gathering off those present in the town in order to begin the ritual. Finally, the bell stopped ringing when everyone had gathered in front of the stage. The mayor of Ambercross walked onto the stage. "Good day to everyone! Welcome to one of the most awaited events of the Fortune Festival! The Annual Fortune Reading Ritual!" He announced. "For those of you who are new to this, experts of divination all gather together today and predict the town's good fortune for the year! Now please! Let's give an applause to our esteemed masters!" Applause rang out as purple robed figures walked onto the stage, a hood adorned their heads, shadowing their faces and making their voice the only thing discernible about their gender.


The mayor and the bell were taken off the stage as a pedestal with a strange looking dial was brought up. It was pure white with bronze colored engravings on it. The dial itself was flat and separated into three concentric circles. The outermost part was engraved with blue sigils, the center was with red, and the centermost was engraved with green sigils. As one, the tellers approached the strange artifact and placed their now glowing hands near them. The circles started to rotate, in random, switching directions every so often. It made a soft grinding sound as they spun. 


"This town's fortune is..." They began only to be interrupted by a loud booming voice. "FIRE." The word echoed, silencing the bustling town. Very slowly flame started to engulf the stage, the tellers managed to get off before any of them became trapped. The stage was lit like a wild roaring bonfire. A soft but ever growing louder rumble started to make itself known. It seemed to be coming from the fire. Then the flames parted as something stepped out of it with a snarl.