Fantasy Rifts [IC][Closed]

[joshuadim]

"We will have to take the northern road then. Jorah and the townsfolk went south, so they'll be spreading the word that way." Arnas replied to Terrence, wincing again as another wave of pain shot up from his leg wound. He gripped his thigh, covering his hand with his own slick blood as he let out an audible grunt of pain. "Damn... bastard got me good." he muttered before grabbing himself his own waterskin and poured over his wound to try to clean it as best as he could. Underneath the blood was a particularly large wound from the hound's razor teeth that continued to gush out blood at a steady rhythm, spilling crimson liquid down onto the rest of his trousers and boots.

In his own supplies he took out a roll of linen cloth as a makeshift bandage to simply cover the wound at the moment, the cloth becoming stained red as he wrapped it around his leg wound. It wasn't much but it would have to suffice for the time being as he returned his attention back to the Rift as another crack in reality shot out and stabbed into the ground nearby, causing it to fracture and lift large pieces into the air. It seemed to be violently expanding at a steady rate, continuing to warp and break its surroundings. "Lost cause or not, we need to get word out so that-" Arnas then began to say to Vera before another rumble filled the air.

This time, it was strong enough to rattle everyone's insides with its deep pitch as the gaping wound in the air expanded and contracted, almost like a heartbeat. For everyone, they could see the red void within grow darker at its center, growing in intensity. Arnas squinted his eyes to focus better, only to see that it wasn't just a shift in the emptiness beyond. It had a shape, like a man and yet nothing like so as more of its features became defined in contrast to the Rift. Something was trying to get out.

Beann Chaos Gallant Oreo Cookie Breadman Worthlessplebian

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

The Sobekon Priest winced as the three-line wound pained him in waves of hurt as it rivered through the sprawling bundles of steel-will nerves. The vestments which adorned his body lay in tatter ruin. He gripped the edge of the cloth and tore off the silky, blood stained material. The coppery smell punched his nostrils, all too familiar stench for him. His sword sheathed and hands free to twist and trap the torn vestments into a makeshift bandage for his wound.

The Priest shut his eyes and began praying in a language of yore. Despite his injury, no fault cracked in his voice. A soft glow of gold lanced from hand as he palmed the deep-bound wound.

His lungs drew a wet breath, rotten with carcass.

In time for him to see that eldritch figure behind the interdimensional gash in space. Serrated teeth shivered with fear.

"We must make haste..." Fear edged his voice, but devotion is bulwark to his soul.

Beann Oreo Cookie joshuadim Chaos Gallant Breadman

 

[Breadman]

Fraskia stared into the rift for several more moments before she had to force herself from looking away. They couldn't close it now and it was bound to get worse. It didn't take long for her fear to be confirmed as whoever or whatever was behind the gate tried to break its way in. She gripped the hilt of her sword ready to fight, but the others didn't seem to be up for it. The rune knight was conflicted. Stand her ground against the invader in the hopes of killing it or retreat to warn of the rift and gather help.

"Damn it..." She spat out and placed the blade back in its scabbard. "Come then. The thing isn't going to wait for us."

 

[Beann]

Just as the threat seemed to have dissipated, the rift lurched, reminding everyone that their victory would be short-lived. Aelestra looked around for a moment, trying to gather everyone’s opinion based on their expressions. It would seem a majority would favor going north rather than waiting to see what else would spill out of the rift. She turned to Terrence, signing quickly. ‘We should ask the others to help move your cart, I do not think it is fixed.’

Aelestra looked around again, waving down the priest and the fellow Strathgardian. She pointed over to the cart that rested on the side of the tavern, the one with a broken wheel, and made a pushing gesture to communicate that she wanted their help pushing the cart.

Chaos Gallant Breadman Worthlessplebian

 

[Chaos Gallant]

Terrence had just finished bandaging over his ribs as he glanced over to the rift once more. His gaze didn’t stick though as Aelestra’s suggestion took his attention. “Right,” he called out to the rest of the group, “I do not know about you folks, but I would rather not stick around much longer.”

He made his way back to his cart, “Bet you each ten gold pieces we can get this baby out of here, before whatever Mister Rifty is gets over to our side!" Terrence began tying the harness straps around his shoulders and waist, not waiting for a response from the rest of the group.

 

[joshuadim]

Another rumble rattled through the air as if on cue after Terrence’s suggestion, indicating that whatever was happening within the rift itself was getting worse. Another tendril shot out from the edge of the rift, sinking its breakage of reality into one of the few remaining buildings that had remained standing. This time instead of breaking it apart it tore the place in two and left its top half floating in place, as it was being kept afloat by forces beyond reckoning. For Arnas this was enough to get on board with Terrence’s idea of getting his cart out of here as a means of transport.

“Alright, let’s get going then!” he shouted as he began to limp towards the cart to try to help as best as he could. But what immediately caught his, and everyone else’s eye was that whatever was trying to get out was nearly there. Clawed hands cloaked in an ethereal shadow moved towards the edges of the rift itself as if trying to grab hold physically and push itself out. “Oh gods, what in the hells IS that!?” the young mercenary then shouted, as he struggled to push on the cart along with a few others putting in their effort as well.

Yet it was clear at this pace they wouldn’t be able to get far enough away from whatever was coming towards them, and to make matters worse, Arnas’ current wound caused him to fall down from pain due to the weight he put on it. He was about to suggest that they leave him behind, but as he turned his gaze, he noticed that another figure had appeared. Instinctively he grabbed the hilt of his blade in preparation for a potential fight yet again, as did the others as they quickly realized that someone else was in their immediate vicinity.

Yet much to their collective surprise, the cloaked figure ignored them outright and walked past them, without so much as a word spoken, right towards the Rift itself. The person quickly observed the rift before outstretching his hands, summoning threads of blue energy that stuck out between his hands before lashing them out with a thrust from his arms. Each tendril connected towards an edge of the rift itself, latching onto it like hooks before being pulled on by the now revealed sorcerer as he wrapped his hands around one another. Thus, the pressure from the tendrils onto the rift itself tightened as it began to shimmer and hum in response to this outside force acting upon it.

And as the group could hear, a monstrous roar could be heard bellowing from deep within the rift itself as whatever was trying to get out realized its pathway was being shut. The sorcerer himself however was by no means having an easy time as well, as his grunting could be heard as he struggled to maintain control of the situation. He continued to twirl the threads he had summoned around his wrists and hands, thus pulling on the rift’s edges even greater while he himself was dragged slowly towards it. “IF YOU WANT TO HELP, THEN I NEED THE PRIESTS’ AID!” The sorcerer’s shout boomed through the chaos, its commanding power in stark contrast to his simple form.

Rather quickly, spurred on by this call to action, both Lucina and Edoardo stepped forward to cast their own blessings aimed on helping the sorcerer’s strength and fortitude. The light of their patrons gave off a gentle glow onto the sorcerer’s outline as he continued to work his magic. This turned the tide in their favor as the sorcerer’s magic continued to pull the edges of the rift closer and closer to one another, until finally he gave off a yell and quickly yanked his arms apart. With a thunderous crash, the rift ceased to exist as it collapsed into itself and sent out a wave of energy that blasted into the town itself. What few buildings remained knocked over completely and the group themselves were all knocked down onto the ground, save for the sorcerer himself.

The sudden silence signalled peace upon the region, as well as everyone’s safety as one by one everyone gathered themselves to their feet. What they did notice however was the sorcerer breathing in heavily and having nearly collapsed to his knees himself. Arnas stood up again by using his blade as support and slowly hobbled over to the man. “T-thanks. For saving us.” He said aloud, “…who are you?”

The figure only responded with silence as he moved a hand towards their immediate surroundings and twirled it around them. The water from the well, ground, and even nearby grasses all summoned forth with an audible quirk and began to surround them all in a giant sphere, obscuring their vision as a maelstrom that came forth. Within moments however, it became clear that their surroundings changed as the water collapsed and fell to the ground.

Now finding themselves in a verdant valley, they also found themselves in front of a massive, imposing tower that seemed to break into the sky above and for the more magically inclined members of the group they could feel great power emanating from this place. The sorcerer then turned to face the group and removed his hood to reveal a tired face with glowing eyes.

“I am the Guardian, and I have need of your assistance.”

Beann Chaos Gallant Breadman Oreo Cookie Worthlessplebian

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

The blasphemous spatial wound continued to pulse in nauseously rhythmic symphony. As if a bard hammered away at a set of drums, producing acciaccatura yet never quite reaching that essential note necessary. It billowed tendrils that mocked the air around them, cracking open the rift more than ever! Terrence had urged them or advised -- Edoardo could not be sure with all the commotion -- to assay dislodging the cart so that they may take it for transport. Whether or not this had been a good idea did not matter to the reptilian priest, only that it would work. And in the absence of any good ones then Edoardo moved without contemn.

Arnas blurted out in fear-sickness at some manner of creature. "EYES FRONT!" Edoardo bellowed, there is no hope in this world that they could have defended against that grasping appendage, but they can evade it. Muscle-ache from combat cannonaded through the Sobekon's body, compounding the excruciating distended wound across his chest. His scales began to peel away as the appendage reached closer and closer until a mysterious figure pirouetted into view. Cloaked like the night, but uncharacteristically felled benevolence. Stuck in his position, Edoardo had been defenseless but the hooded shadow proved its intentions true as it passed by them and summoned binding threads hooking onto the cusps of the rift and began sewing it shut like a seamstress.

He called out for aide from the priests. Exhaled sharply, Edoardo sprang into action along with his allied priest. Fervently he prayed to the pantheon to grant this enigmatic man the strength of blessings necessary. This had been no gaud or flamboyant, yet ineffective showing as their words and divinities did indeed interfere with this eldritch gash in the sky. As the rift ebbed away in expanse, its death-throe powered its force. Siphoning like a tornado or better describer a spatial whirlpool. It thunder-crashed into nothing, thanks to the wizard's magical prowess. But not without a final retaliation as a dimensional shockwave snaked out from the rift, knocking back and down the resistors.

Flat on his bottom, Edoardo groaned as he sat up from his prone position. His Sobekon might lifted him onto his feet, not to thank the stranger as Arnas but to be weary against him. Because fate promises more twists and turns before this sick drama unfolds in its entirety. And the Priest was vindicated as the man twinkled his fingers and transported the group into the forepart of an imposing tower of several stories. Afeared, but not deterred the Priest stepped forward. "Cutting the dramatics short... What is it that you need our assistance with?" A direct question befitting -- to borrow a Sobekoni proverb -- the forwardness of his snout.

joshuadim Beann Chaos Gallant Breadman Oreo Cookie

 

[Oreo Cookie]

"Foolishness." Vera grunted, her gaze flicked from the growing rift to the cart and back again as a tendril shot out the distortion. She took a single step away from both, and winced as the lingering pain in her leg flared. How much distance could she put between herself and the rift before some new horror crawled out? A moment of indecision passed as her stance wavered between assisting the others or fleeing outright. "Foolishness." she echoed again before jogging to the cart. Bracing her shoulder against the cart's rear, she began to push with the others, muttering a stream of curses while doing so.

Her contributions to the effort were soon cut short when shadowy hands began to emerge from the rift. The sight of it sent a dreadful chill through Vera, and her mind raced as she watched a new threat begin to enter their world. They'd never make enough headway before that thing exited the rift. The knightess brandished her sword once more at realization. She raised her blade, ready to defend herself if need be when a figure obscured by cloak appeared. Vera could only stare at the mysterious arrival as they strode towards the rift, towards certain death itself. No matter to her. Whatever time the rift and the monsters in it spent on this person, meant a few more seconds bought for their group to escape.

But the cloaked figure was not torn apart by the otherworldly hands as she expected, and instead she watched as the magic flung from his hands latched onto the rift and shrank it. Vera was a frozen bystander as she watched the sorcerer and priests shrink the rift little by little until with an abrupt bang, it was simply no more. The sudden shockwave knocked whatever curse she uttered out of her lungs, and she fell to ground in a heap of armor. With some effort she collected herself, slowly coming to her feet as her she observed the aftermath of the battle. The rift was gone, the buildings were destroyed, and--a veil of water was enveloping them. What? She turned to see the source of phenomena was the sorcerer, and when the water fell away she saw that their surroundings had changed completely.

Quickly removing her helmet to better regard her surroundings, Vera's sight swept from the greenery around them to the tower that the stretched into the sky. She knit her brows as her attention returned to the sorcerer. "And where the hells did you take us?" She asked, sounding less than pleased.

 

[joshuadim]

The Guardian looked between both Vera and Edoardo for a moment before turning his back and motioning the group to follow with a flick of his finger above his shoulder. "I'll explain in the Tower. It will be easier that way." he replied bluntly, providing an answer for Vera's question first. Arnas was a bit on guard, and looked wearily towards the others without much to say. Were they even in a position to refuse? He looked back towards the sorcerer, who was continually walking away without even checking to see if they were following. "...I guess we should hear what he has to say?" Arnas muttered to everyone else and slowly following the man from a distance. However disgruntled or cautious others in the group were currently, it became rather clear that there wasn't much of a choice in the matter at hand and so one by one the group would follow at their whim.

Pushing along the stone walkway that carved its path through the lush thicket here, one could surmise that this place had hardly, if ever, traversed by outsiders unfamiliar with this place. As tranquil as it was pristine, the verdant thicket of this region could almost be mistaken for the Free Territories themselves were it not for both a gentle hum in the woods as well as the juxtaposed structure they were approaching. As they moved, the tower's imposing mass grew larger in their views until it swallowed their vision completely at its entrance. It was made of rock, though not of the makings of man where stones were set in place but rather it was one continuous piece of masonry that stretched upwards to the clouds. In a sense, it felt as though it was struck from a mountain that once was here with its height and weight.

Two large doors also made of stone opened effortlessly inwards to allow both the Guardian and his guests into its main chamber within. Inside continued the marvelous sculpted masonry of the stone within alongside with a wide spiral staircase along the outer rim of the tower spun up above. But what also greeted the group was additional life within. Large, bipedal birds taller than men walked about taking various forms of crows, owls, and others (1, 2, 3)walked about their business with scrolls and other items related to magic. "Don't mind them. It's more their home than mine." the Guardian explained nonchalantly as he continued to walk with the group following. Although the Aervis here paid no mind to the Guardian, they did spare a few curious glances to the newcomers arriving here.

A small alcove nearby jutted into the tower's wall nearby alongside many others, which one could have mistaken as simple decoration. Yet as the group followed behind the Guardian he walked over to one without flinching. It became apparent that something was different as the air in them shimmered, and as the Guardian and the others stepped through they found themselves within a rather large chamber with its walls lined to the roof with tomes and written materials of various kinds while at its center were several tables, one of which was covered with more scrolls and tomes, as well as a large scrying pool embedded into the room's center. The place itself was well lit from candles and torches as well as from the pool's glow itself, and the smell of paper and wax permeated the air.

Arnas took a look around himself, taking in these new surroundings with both awe and uncertainty in his mind. However this was cut short by the pressing question at hand as he turned to face the Guardian, who was now shin deep in the pool. "Alright, we're here. Mind telling us what's this all about?" Arnas asked, a hint of annoyance laced in his voice before straightening himself again as to not insult the man. "Please? It's been quite a long night."

The Guardian remained silent for a moment as whispers of energy flowed from the glowing waters he stood in and surrounded him. It was visible that a wave of relief shuddered over him as he renewed his vigor from his previous actions. "The Rifts, as you might know, are not a new phenomena. Twenty years ago were when the first ones appeared, causing chaos but then stabilized overall after the arrival of the Draevir. Then it's been quiet for the longest time." the Guardian then spoke up, his eyes closed and inattentive towards the group as he focused on his own current rejuvenation. "Until today, that is."

"And... what we saw in Ember was that. And you closed it, right?" Arnas then asked rhetorically before moving on to his real question, "Forgive me then, but why do you need us?"

The Guardian opened his eyes, staring directly at the young man with a gaze that could cut through steel if so desired. "Because that was not the only one to occur tonight." He then turned his attention to Edoardo, "Three others opened across Ergos, tearing through the areas they appeared in. It took all my strength I had to intercept them before they grew out of hand, I barely had the strength to close the one in Ember by the time I got there. Were it not for your aid," he then said, motioning to both Edoardo and Lucina, "I likely would not have been able to do so without significant harm to myself."

Beann Chaos Gallant Breadman Oreo Cookie Worthlessplebian

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

The Sobekon holy man pressed an inquisitive finger against his stubby snout. One could peer through the scaled hide, taut muscles, and thickset bones the gears in his reptilian mind. Information about these rifts have spread to the monarchy of the Sobekoni, the murky Marshlands of Morken. Secluded as they may be and heavily guarded by fierce lizard warriors, not even they were immune to these dimensional cankers. A terrible blight that they do not wish upon their gravest foe. Yet if what the Guardian said be true then this agitation of this preternatural upset could spell doom for many races. Both small yet resilient and vast yet stubborn. Out of fear or as a coping mechanism, Edoardo tightened the sash of his former robes over his wound, now fast closing due to the prayer cast minutes ago.

Edoardo stepped forward again, but maintained a respectable distance. "How is it that we can assist? I doubt we, throwing a quick finger to himself and Lucina. "would follow you around like supplicants during these spatial sutures. That does not seem highly effective and unintentionally wasteful from a certain perspective."

Edoardo turned and gazed at each person that came under the Guardian's transportation ability... He isn't planning on sending us on a globe trotting quest, is he? His eyes told a thousand words before he ever said anything. A quiet murmur escaped him and anybody close to him would hear. "If this be our destiny."

Beann Chaos Gallant Breadman Oreo Cookie joshuadim

 

[joshuadim]

"No. It is simpler than that." the Guardian replied to Edoardo with a hint of annoyance laced in his tone. "The ley lines running through our world have been completely thrown into flux following these events, thus hindering the ability of many who draw from them for their power. Even I am affected in that sense." he then explained, as he looked downwards into the scrying pool he was standing within. His eyes darted from area to area as if he was observing something, yet to the rest of the group it looked as though he was peering at nothing at all. "As such, it will be difficult for me to commence an investigation into this. That's where you come in."

He motioned a hand to everyone standing in the room at the moment, indicating his intentions. "You all proved capable enough together, whereas in other areas many perished tonight." He then materialized a token made of steel about the size of his palm, interlaced with gold and brass with an indention in the center containing a dark red jewel at its core no bigger than that of a thumb and completely smooth without edges. He quickly tossed it over to Arnas who caught it in his hands for him to observe for a moment. "That is a very valuable artifact that allows me to properly track one's location, even through the chaos of the ley lines currently. You simply need to bring it to the abandoned town of Leskau in Merish, where the court scholars for the realm there are studying the rift that had opened outside the settlement's walls twenty years prior."

Worthlessplebian

 

[Beann]

A deep sense of urgency settled in as the rift revealed a clearer outline of the threat at hand. As much as Aelestra would have liked to save Terrence’s cart — after all the effort they put into pushing it to town — it was quickly becoming apparent that they might have to abandon it for their own safety. She turned her head over to the merchant, lifting her hands to sign the suggestion but stopped short as she and a few others noticed a cloaked figure approaching the rift directly. Magic bled through the fingertips of the unknown sorcerer as there seemed to be a struggle of power between the rift and the sorcerer itself. The monk certainly did not want to be present should the sorcerer fail in this competition of strength so she continued her efforts to move the cart while a majority of the others either aided the sorcerer or watched.

With one final effort, a powerful wave of energy washed over the entire town before the rift was completely sewn shut. Along with everyone else — except for the sorcerer, Aelestra had been knocked over by the force that was emitted. Aside from the wagon creaking for a moment from the lack of support, there was a complete silence that washed over the area. Aelestra watched Arnas struggle to his feet before she did the same, then she assisted Terrence with a seemingly delicate hand.

Terrence lifted his head to take in the situation. Noticing Aelestra's outstretched hand, he reached out with his own, pulling himself up to his feet with her help. By the time he’d regained his balance, their surroundings had changed completely. His gaze was drawn to the looming edifice before them. 'We ain't in Ember anymore that for sure,' he thought to himself as he looked toward the tower and then towards the rest of the valley. The lush greenery surrounding them was truly a sight to behold.

Vera and Edoardo’s questions brought Terrence’s attention to the Guardian, noticing that the group had started to move towards the tower, “Guess we better follow them.” He gave a brief look to the cart and to the surrounding area once more, determining it to be safe enough to leave here for the time being. The already massive tower only grew more menacing in size as they approached it. ‘Certainly nothing like we have back in Dandolio,’ Terrence signed to Aelestra.

‘Hopefully, we won’t have to climb to the very top,’ she signed back, her lips pulling into a slight smile. As the group pushed through the main doors of the tower, Aelestra immediately tilted her head all the way back, her eyes following the staircase that seemed to endlessly spiral upwards. Tall. That was the only word that came to mind as she followed the group into a small alcove. Her gaze shifted over to Arnas as he questioned the Guardian, wanting an explanation of everything that had happened so far. Aelestra was also curious as to why the Guardian transported them here. She turned her attention to the sorcerer as he explained that the rift in Ember was not the only one that had appeared tonight.

Four rifts in one night. That was considerably alarming.

Turning to face Terrence, she signed a question for him to ask the Guardian. 'If he's capable of teleportation, why does he need us to take the artifact there?'

Terrence repeated the question for her, then paused nervously rubbing the back of his neck, "I hate to bring it up, but I don't suppose you have a carpenter around these parts. My, er, cart has had a... bit of day itself and one of the wheels needs a replacement." Terrence smiled nervously as he continued rubbing the back of his neck. "I can pay, of course, for the services!"

 

[Breadman]

"You mages know of our fee then?" Fraskia finally spoke up in a stern voice, having been silent all this time. She glanced around her surroundings as the statement would have raised some eyebrows "Afraid I'm not talking about you, I'm referring to my own profession. We have a working deal with mages, sorcerer guilds, proper witch covens etcetera." A wave of her hand followed her statement. "No need to waste your time with that." She then looked towards the guardian, not paying his gaze any mind. "You will be asked for only half of the standard fee of course, as this is not your fault or doing. I will also leverage for an even lower fee as you saved our hides." She raised a finger following that as her other arm rested on her hip "I do suggest you give everyone else amble compensation for the mad trek you will enlist them on either way." The rune knight then crossed her arms "I will also not listen to any lectures about the fate of the world if you have them prepared. Your kind is the reason mine exists, so lets spare everyone that business."

 

[joshuadim]

The Guardian listened as Terrence repeated Aelestra inquiry to him through translation, who responded in kind. "Think of our reality as a fabric, woven as our corporeal space around us. The ley lines are the many important threads that help bind it together, bringing about the stability of what we know. Conjuring and traversing through portals depends on that stability being a constant to be reliable, and safe, or otherwise you could end up in the wrong place entirely. Or worse. Without that stability, as we see now in the aftershocks of tonight's events, such travel is not only difficult but also incredibly taxing on strength I do not have at the moment." he explained to her.

"And you don't need a translation, I can understand you well enough." he then said, looking at Aelestra before moving to Terrence's inquiry. "As for your cart, I suppose you'll need it for your travels. It will be fixed and new steeds for them brought."

His attention was then turned to Fraskia who inquired about payment regarding this whole endeavor laid out before them. She spoke of reducing the standard fee as well as a deduction for saving them, which was met for the moment with a still face from the Guardian. Arnas in the meantime was a bit taken aback by the rune knight's sudden desire for money, but realized that maybe this was a way to turn his fortunes as well in getting the tithe needed to buy his way into the Golden Company. He looked between Fraskia and the Guardian for a moment before taking a step forth as well.

"Yeah, I suppose some payment would be in order. Especially since we will be sent into a kingdom in civil war currently." the young mercenary spoke up with confidence as he gently tossed the token in his hand that had been given to him. Though such confidence was marred as the Guardian's gaze fell upon him and inspected him for the moment, and Arnas quickly cleared his throat. "...within reason, of course!" he then added to the end, with a bit of nervous laughter. The Guardian did not reply as he walked out of the scrying pool, somehow completely dry altogether despite its depth, and went over to one of the shelves nearby. He picked up a small wooden container no larger than the size of a large dagger and made of polished oak, and had it float over to where Fraskia stood until it landed in her hands with a gentle thud.

"Inside are three Sunstones, gems precious and sacred to the elves of Argos because of their affinity to their goddess. And will also fetch a high price among the right buyers here on Ergos, wherever that may be. Two alone will be sufficient enough to cover your price, as well as any further employ should it be needed." the Guardian then spoke to Fraskia and Arnas, the latter of whom mulled over the box that the rune knight now held in her possession.

Beann Chaos Gallant Breadman

 

[Breadman]

Fraskia held the box in one hand, inspecting the contents for a brief moment and closed the lid with satisfaction. It looked like Sunstones as they were described in the tomes from their library.

"Everything is in order. The Subotnitsi will send you the required scroll for the service as soon as I inform them of this expedition and its conditions." She put the box away for now.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Vera leaned against a stack of tomes, her arms firmly crossed, listening to the conversation run its course with an air of indifference. The magical mumbo jumbo talk of ley lines and rifts were beyond her purview, and her interest in conversation waned until the subject of payment was broached. It snapped her to attentiveness, and she leaned forward with a smirk playing on her lips. "Finally. Now we're speaking the same language."

Her eyes were glued to the container of Sunstones that was a given to Fraskia, and Vera expressed a flicker of disappointment before turning her eyes back to the Guardian. "You're doing quite a lot for us capable souls. 'Specially for a job that amounts to the simple delivery of a trinket." She gauged the Guardian's face with narrowed eyes. "Not that I'm complaining. I'm just sensing there's a catch is all."

 

[joshuadim]

Arnas viewed the contents of the box for himself as Fraskia investigated it herself, seeing the yellow-orange glow of the crystals reflect unto his own eyes as they shimmering brightly with their natural beauty. They did indeed seem precious from just looks alone, though Arnas felt a pang of guilt for asking for payment with regards to the situation considering how serious it was. Once the box was closed and stowed away for safe-keeping by the rune knight, Arnas straightened himself and scratched his head. "Alright then, guess that's settled." he muttered. The Guardian then turned his attention to Vera's inquiry: "No catch. Simply bring it there so that I may easily travel from here to there so that I may study and compare it to what you and I witnessed tonight." he stated, "As you travel there, I will remain to see what I can study from mine, and that of the Aervis, archives on such matters in order to discern what I can and to see what has changed."

This posed another question for Arnas as he spoke up: "Right. But... why Merish?" he then asked, "You mentioned scholars studying there... I thought the rifts from that time had been closed?" he asked with a tone of concern.

"Indeed, many of them were. But some stabilized in time and became nothing more than a fount of knowledge for those lucky enough to grasp on them. One such place happened after Leskau was utterly devastated but such an event. The town remains abandoned out of fear, yet the rift itself is a subject of close study as a means for the Merishian crown to try to exploit whatever they could for its own gain." the Guardian explained, with the word 'gain' being laced with irony. "Whatever good that does it now while they tear each other apart currently. Such is the folly of fickle men."

Breadman Oreo Cookie

 

[joshuadim]

“Alright… how do we get from here to there then? I don’t necessarily know where exactly we are, so it’ll be hard to get our bearings. Are you going to move us there?“ Arnas began to say, raising an eyebrow crossed his arms with a bit of suspicion. And when the guardian pointed towards the area they had just come in from, this only furthered his own concerns. “Didn’t you say that was dangerous? Given how you described it and all with the whole ‘flux’ and everything.”

“I can reconfigure the gate you went through just now manually. Think of it as a… slingshot. By using the location of where the rift appeared in Ember, you should land rather close to the Merishian border in the Free Territories from there.” The Guardian explained in a calm manner, “Unless, you wish to walk several hundred leagues with time we do not have?” Such an answer came as a surprise to Arnas and some of the others, as that would mean they were currently far away from where they originally were earlier in the evening.

“…should? Or will?” Arnas asked with some annoyance, “I’d like to stay alive, if you don’t mind.”

The Guardian rolled his eyes at such a comment. “Even if you don’t have faith in my ability, I have so in my own.” He replied, before motioning a hand towards the scrying pool. From there, wisps of energy quickly coalesced and darted to his hand within a small clustering of energy on his palm. From there, he quickly twirled a hand around the other which summoned rings of energy onto his wrist. Within each were symbols of a language known only to the greatest of sorcerers, imbuing his actions with greater power as he then swung his hand over towards the alcove entrance the group had entered from.

The air within the entrance took on a shimmering blue hue as it signified its change in destination. “Now go. And be sure to show the artifact to those that study the rift there.” The Guardian then spoke, motioning a hand for everyone to leave. Arnas let out a sigh and went first, albeit with an air of reluctance, into the exit following shortly by the others there with him. What was expected to be difficult turned out to be surprising calm, at least for Arnas, as he now found himself undoubtedly back in the Free Territories. And shortly after the others were there as well as if nothing had every changed out of the ordinary. The cart that Terrence had traveled with had also appeared alongside them, along with two new and healthy steeds to pull it along. For the young mercenary, he recognized the road as he had used it to travel south towards Ember in previous months, and turned his attention north. “Alright, let’s get going then.” Arnas then spoke up.

---

Chapter 1 – Inquiring into the Unknown



​

It would take four days for the group to enter the Kingdom of Merish from where they began, as the first day of their travel saw them happen upon Nairn; the largest of the towns within the Free Territories and the most prosperous of them all in this region. Unlike Ember, Nairn had walls and a strong militia presence to defend it from any would be raiders or outsiders. Fortunately for them, they were not regarded as either as they rode into town upon Terrence’s cart without much trouble. After having traveled for a great distance, the group would stay the night within the Hole in the Wall, one of the premier inns in the town. The highlight of the evening being roasted mutton chops alongside a golden ale being a filling meal as the group rested and continued to recover from their wounds that they had gotten from Ember. Arnas’ leg in particular was tended to by the local chirurgeon who was able to stitch the wound up completely and wrapped it with heavy wool bandages for recovery.

Their second day of travels saw the group invigorated from such a well-deserved rest and as such were able to make great progress. A journey that normally would have taken two days only took one towards the town of Kamitz as the group were able to push themselves to keep going without much trouble, as well as Terrence’s new steeds being a great boon to their venture north. The roads were quiet for the most part save for a brief encounter with a large forest troll. What would have been normally a violent confrontation was saved by the fact that the troll was hauling a large elk carcass on his shoulder back to its lair for food. The beast largely ignored the group as it crossed the path from one side to the other and disappeared into the thick treeline. Upon arriving at Kamitz, it was decidedly less impressive than Nairn had been as this was more of a farming community than one entwined with foreign commerce. While some buildings near the center were made of stone and were of impressive size, its outskirts were dotted by thatch and hay roofed houses that signaled the homes of farmers and peasantry here. Regardless, there was suitable hospitality to be found here as a local inn had rooms available as well as stall space for Terrence’s steeds to rest.

On the third day, the group was delayed by rains that had occurred in the previous night which caused the road to their next stop of Bojov to become muddied. At one point, the group had to help push the cart along and out of mud in order to keep going. Worse yet was the appearance of a wild gryphon on their path, which sought out one of Terrence’s steeds as a meal. The ensuing fight was chaotic as the beast was much larger than any of the tamed variants the group could have come across in their own experiences, retaining its strength and its wild ferocity as it lashed out and attacked members of the group. It would be Arnas acting as a decoy that allowed Fraskia to use one of her rune spells to knock the beast out of the sky and force it to fight on the ground. Although it battered Edoardo and Vera with a large tail swipe, and Arnas helped tackle Aelestra out of the way of a large swipe from its talons, the beast would ultimately be forced to retreat after several strong gashes were delivered onto the creature’s body by Terrence, Vera and Fraskia and thus saved their mode of transport. The rest of the route to Bojov remained uneventful though the group could not travel further and thus stayed the night in the town’s inn.

As Bojov was very close to the Merishian border, the group arrived within the realm by mid-day on the fourth day of their travels. Much of the forestry before had been a mix of oaks and firs but traveling further north at this point the woods had become entirely comprised of pine, birch and spruces. There also was a generally heavier feeling in the air as well, given the current state of affairs of the Merishian realm, as many in the group had likely heard of what had been transpiring in the civil war raging within its borders. And as the group pushed onwards, Arnas quickly noticed something in the sky. He put a hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun and saw that there was thick black smoke pluming off in the near distance. “Smoke.” Arnas commented aloud as he sat in the wagon with the others, “Might be something up ahead. Keep an eye out.” he then said to everyone else.

Breadman Beann Chaos Gallant Oreo Cookie Worthlessplebian

 

[Breadman]

"If its white, nothing to fright. If its black, watch your back." Fraskia grumbled as she prepared for another encounter on the road after seeing the smoke rise above into the air. They haven't even been together a week and already had close calls. The frequency wasn't this high even for someone seeking monsters to slay. She didn't like this. Something was drawing attention to them and the 'guardian' was right on the top of the list of suspects. "Knowing our luck, we're going to run into a raiding party."

 

[Beann]

Terrence chuckled under his breath at Arnas’ nervousness, the orc didn’t seem to pay any mind to the idea of being teleported again. ‘Spose he did get us here in one piece, after all, no reason he couldn’t get us somewhere else. Although I guess that means some Kasorans are going to be getting their shipment of cloves delayed.’ Terrence walked with the rest of the group as he thought about the time it would take for a messenger to arrive in Dandolio to get another shipment out to Kasora. In fact, he was so deep in thought that he didn’t even take notice of the changing surroundings as the Guardian transported them once more.

Arnas’ words snapped him out of his spell, cart ready and waiting in front of the group with the two fresh steeds promised by the sorcerer. “Oh, right then. Climb in back and we’ll be off.” Terrence walked to the front of the cart as he gestured to the rear of the cart for the rest of the party. He neared the left stead, “My my, I think I’ll call you… Abdula, yep that’ll do.” Walking over to the other horse, Terrence rubbed his chin thinking of a name for the spotted mare stationed on the right side. He looked back to the party, “What do you think? Maybe… Silvia?”

Aelestra lifted her head up at Terrence’s question, staring at the respective horse for a couple of seconds. She hummed in thought, scratching the back of her head for a moment before signing, ‘Chowder.’

“Oy, alright then, Chowder.” Terrence repeated the name a few times, “Yes I think that will suit you just fine, assuming none of you all have any objections.” He patted the horse on its rump before climbing into the driver’s seat. He looked over his shoulder briefly as he grabbed the reins, making sure that all were present and accounted for. He clicked his tongue and cracked the reins ushering the two forward, cart and party in tow.

The next few days of travel were a rather odd experience for Aelestra. For one, she was used to traveling by foot so sitting for long periods of time in a packed cart wasn’t all too pleasant. There was also the matter of traveling with six other strangers. She knew their names and their combat expertise but that was about it. Lastly, their encounter with the Guardian and having to run his own errands wasn’t something she expected during her personal travels, Terrence likely didn’t either, but he seemed all too happy to oblige. No doubt the merchant didn’t mind taking on another venture, especially with a nice reward waiting at the end of it. All in all, she felt indifferent to the entire situation, mostly keeping to herself unless directly spoken to.

She did manage to allow herself to be more sociable when the party stopped at Nairn. The food at the inn was surprisingly delightful and the golden ale allowed her to relax a bit more around the party. The highlight of the night was teaching Arnas a few curse words in sign language while the chirurgeon tended to his wounds — something to distract him from the pain. Terrence took the time to write up a few letters, firstly apology letters to his buyers in Kasora, and secondly the request for another caravan to bring them their goods from Dandolio. ‘Probably with an armed entourage.’ He thought as he continued to write the letter to his father, detailing the events that had unfolded in the Free Territories. When he finished he took out his family’s stamp and an orange-tinted wax candle, lighting it as he folded the letters into neat envelopes. Once ready, he dripped the wax onto each letter, sealing them shut with the ornate “H” of the stamp. In the morning he stopped by the post to have each letter shipped out.

The next day was just about the same as the previous — save for the troll they encountered. It wasn’t the first time Aelestra had seen a troll but it was definitely the first time seeing one so close. Terrence let out a gasp of awe, it seemed that this had been the first time seeing a troll for him, ‘Usually, I only get to read about these creatures, the paths we use for trade in Merish run through Lithurnia, they are much safer.’ He signed to Aelestra. Luckily for the party, the beast was more interested in its claim over a dead elk than the party so they were able to arrive at the next town safely. ‘Well, it seems everyday proves that turning down the guards back home was a mistake.’ Terrence thought as they continued on.

Their third day of travel was significantly slower considering it had rained the previous night. The lingering smell of rain that was left on the terrain was calming. Aelestra would occasionally be seen taking in large whiffs of the fresh scent as she helped push the cart out of some heavy mud. However, before they could continue along, a gryphon crossed their paths, marking Chowder as prey. Fighting beasts was not in Aelestra’s area of expertise as Arnas saved her from a swipe of its talons. After Fraskia, Terrence, and Vera dealt with the creature, she was sure to teach Arnas a new phrase in sign language: ‘thank you.’ Terrence clearly hadn’t expected to run into this much trouble, he took the time to calm the mares down after the attack, letting out an exasperated sigh as he climbed back into the cart. “I swear, it is as if the world has made a personal vendetta against my horses as of late.”

Though the previous days of travel were rather long, the party had managed to cross over the Merishian border, much closer to their destination with a lot of daylight to spare. Aelestra sat in silence next to Terrence in the driver’s seat, a deadpan expression locked onto the road ahead of them as he whistled an idle melody. Only when Arnas pointed out black smoke did her eyes flicker beyond. A raiding party was a possibility given their previous encounters. She turned to Terrence and signed quickly, ‘should we scout ahead? Chowder — the cart would be a giant target if it is a raiding party.’ Terrence frowned at the thought of losing his horses again, then nodded at Fraskia’s proclamation, “She’s right, if it’s looters or raiders, we’d best leave the cart somewhere concealed if we want to scout it out.”

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Edoardo Vargas Melcher​

The saurian sermon speaker sought no further questions from the Guardian, delegating the questionnaire duties to the rest of this hastily-assembled, motley party. Edoardo shared a kindred spirit in Arnas' revulsion towards translocation, but only minorly so. His scaled skin felt clammy and mucous covered after the port, an entirely unpleasant sensation for one who spent a quarter of his life in swamp waters. Edoardo happened to be near Terrence and Aelestra when the duo named the horses that they'll use as cart motivators. "My aunt's cuisine skills were legendary, her fish chowder was a delicacy unto itself."

The next few days were an entire blur for the Priest, perhaps it did not help that for a majority of the travelling his jaw was popped open and he idled. Though his mind remained quite astute and awake. Questions imposed themselves upon Edoardo, what did this mean for him? This quest that he had been tasked with, almost unceremoniously and offhandedly. The Gods of his people watched over him still, but is this their doing? Did Ha'rov'g, the God of Glory ordain this for him? Is he capable enough for this?

He struggled with them these past few days, only briefly interrupted when they had to fight that monstrous sized gryphon, meek encounter with that troll, or when Edoardo had to converse with the employees of the Hole In The Wall inn. Speaking of that time, he had also prepared a letter to be sent to the Marshlands' eminent temple to inform his clergymen of the strange-fated situation. It is almost assured that they'll approve of it whether because of religious reasons such as spreading the faith of their gods, politics like having a Sobekon hero of the lands would certainly prove beneficial to the kingdom in establishing more trade routes and leverage, or perhaps personal greed but regardless of the outcome, Edoardo felt compelled to inform them at least as a warning sign and cautionary in case something happened to him.

======​

Edoardo, in his newly repaired priestly attire, stood and watched the swaying smoke tail. Terrence -- or rather Aelestra -- had made a poignant point about raiding parties. "Yes, stowing the cart is the best option." Said the lizard while hands were planted on his waist. A primeval rumble surrounded Edoardo, an instinctive thing which his people used hundreds or thousands of years ago before their domestication of higher faculties. "A reave would be the least of our worries, this is more puissant or could be." He turned to the others before speaking again. "Regardless, it is this path or we go around somehow." Ever the ultimatum dealer.

Beann joshuadim Breadman

 

[joshuadim]

Arnas looked towards the others who chimed in on their next course of action as the cart slowed in momentum, before returning his attention to the sky above. Even though they moved slower, the plumes of black smoke in the sky continued to grow larger. "I agree, best to play it safe. I'd rather not have to be on foot for the remainder of this journey." Arnas then spoke, "Especially given the war raging here." He then sat up, back hunched as to not hit his head on the roofing of the cart, and hopped out. A small thud emanated as his boots hit the ground, kicking up a bit of dirt from the impact as he looked around again to make sure there was nobody else in the near vicinity. It was awfully quiet, save for the sounds of the wind blowing through the thicket surrounding their route and the distant songs of birds piercing the air.

"Not sure I entirely like the idea of leaving the cart alone on the road though, maybe we can hitch the horses just beyond the treeline?" Arnas then suggested to the others, turning his gaze to those still in the cart as he lazily pointed towards the nearby woods.

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[Oreo Cookie]

Rifts, Guardians, and now a delivery job. The events that were transpiring felt a bit too convenient for Vera's taste, but she pushed her misgivings aside. The allure of gold, or Sunstones in this case, made the job too good of an opportunity to pass up. It was thanks to this avarice that she now found herself traveling with a group of strangers, and it was this aspect that made the journey a peculiar experience for her. Traveling in the company of others was not something she made a habit of doing. When she did, it certainly was not in the company of priest, or affluent merchants, or actual knights. The trip itself was a mundane one, until the group's passing encounter with the troll and later clash with a gryphon proved otherwise.

Vera was in the midst of polishing her plate armor, trying to rid it of a blemish gained during yesterday's skirmish, when they spotted the distant smoke. She quickly prepared herself while the discussion of potential raiders and concealing the cart ran its course. "Should cover our tracks too. Just in case." Vera said following Arnas' suggestion. She exited the cart, her eyes fixated on the dark plumes all the while. "Could be a pitched battle ahead. Or its aftermath." She mused. "Might have to charge that sorcerer an extra Sunstone or two if we keep running into obstacles like this."

 

[joshuadim]

“I wouldn’t want to push our fortunes that much, Lady Knight.” Arnas replied as he moved towards the front of the carriage and grabbed hold of Chowder’s reins and gave the horse a pat on his back, “I would rather not be on the Guardian’s bad side. But regardless, everyone be on guard once we get moving again.” Terrence and Aelestra would both help Arnas unhitch the horses and lead them towards the thicket, tying the two to one of the pine trees a small distance into the woods as to disguise their presence from the road. The others would work together to push the cart into the woods as well nearby without much trouble thanks to the dry and clear weather.

Fallen sticks and shrubbery would be laid on the cart’s sides and exterior to provide some additional camouflage. From a distance on initial observation from the treeline, it seemed as though it did a well enough job that only someone actively looking for their cart would be able to find. Arnas squinted once more to take another look before nodding, “Alright, that should be good for now. Let’s take a look at what’s ahead.” Arnas then spoke, motioning for the others to follow, “I pray that it’s not more trouble.”

There was a tense feeling in the air as the group traveled down the road, as an uncertainty towards what was the origin of the smoke clouding the air was from. Arnas kept a hand on his blade’s hilt, his scabbard strapped to his back tightening from his grip. The faint smell of ash could be felt growing stronger as they moved down the road, but something else entered the air as they approached closer. Within twenty minutes of walking, a sickly-sweet and pungent smell permeated the air that Arnas was unfamiliar with as he moved a hand towards his nose to cover it.

“Gods, what is that smell?” the young mercenary then muttered, his brow furrowing from the stench. To those that were more accustomed to violence in their experience, it was a odor they were familiar with: burnt flesh.

Breadman Beann Chaos Gallant Oreo Cookie Worthlessplebian

 

[Breadman]

With the cart hidden out of sight, the party pressed on to the source of the smoke. It didn't take long for them to discover what was likely the source of it as her nostrils filled with that familiar, but rancid smell. Trolls, orgres, cyclopses and other humanoid monsters took their time with the dead for a nice meal.

Gods, what is that smell?

"Burnt flesh. Cover your nose until you get used to it." Arnas wasn't helpless, but he didn't have as much experience with this just yet "The sight is going to be much worse."