[Shadows of Nexus] Shadows Rising

Alazair

Alazair

New Member
Nexus... The jewel of the Scavenger Lands. A jewel that is also a cesspool of schemers and swindlers who don't want to be exposed. Nexus is a land of freedom and choice, home to people from all walks of life, from arrogant aristocrats to lowly commoners, to those who've resorted to thievery and murder, either by necessity or circumstance. Among this teeming mass of people, you find yourself, and for whatever reason, you are searching. Searching for knowledge, for wonders long lost, for ones to protect and love, for a purpose to claim as your own, or for any number of other things or ideals.


In Nexus, your search has found something. Whether it is what you're seeking, only you can tell, but you are certain that your search must lead through this path. So here you are, reading a parchment in front of you, whether handed to you by courier or posted to a wall, this document is an invitation to audience with Lady Artemisia Sapphire, a Hierarch of the Guild. She requests those who are able and willing to meet with her to discuss a task of great import, with promise of reward for those who complete it.


You are unsure why, but you feel that this task is certain to lead you closer to whatever you may be seeking... To your purpose as one of the Chosen. You decide that you must follow through to its conclusion, whatever that may be.


Upon stepping into the Hierarch's office at the appointed time to wait for her arrival, you find it to be quite splendid and rather opulent. The chairs are detailed in ivory, the drapes in the window are crushed velvet, and the desk is made of the finest Eastern wood. Clearly, Hierarch Artemisia has some wealth to flaunt, and has gone to great lengths to ensure that visitors understand they are meeting with one who speaks for the Guild.

Feel free to enter the office however you like... Include any thoughts your character may have had upon reading the letter, and any preparations he may make before going to the appointment. This is your opportunity to 'introduce' your character and his personality to the others, so please treat it as an introduction rather than just any random post that simply declares your actions.
 
Avexi Ninetails





A small white raven sat on the cliff of the building, watching several people walk in and out before making a decision to fly down into a nearby alley, where the bird disappears. From the alley steps a striking man, albino in coloring but beautiful regardless, and his eyes glimmer before he steps across the threshold of the magnificent building. Glancing down at the invitation in his hand one last time, he makes his way through towards the correct office, and laughs softly when he sees the expense paid to make this visit an interesting one. Seeing no one else, he takes a seat closest to the desk, and settles his bare feet, still somehow as clear as daylight, onto the desk, waiting for the appropriate moment to have true etiquette.

Essence:


Personal 22/22


Peripheral 43/48 (2 committed, 3 spent on shapechange previously)
 
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Niara Shadowleaf


Lady Artemisia Sapphire... Hierarch of the Guild. Was it really just a coincidence that such an important official would request audience with "those who are able and willing" and with promise of reward at that, merely the day after her own arrival to Nexus? Or was it connected to the girl's task in the region, and the Hierarch was to play a role in it? She would find out soon enough.


The daring display of wealth in the Hierarch's office appealed to Niara. The girl was from Great Forks; the concept of fine artistry was not foreign to her, but this was something else entirely. She took her time on the way to the meeting room, and was surprised to find it occupied by someone not Lady Sapphire. The man was clearly not in the Hierarch's employ, either. Would you just look at the position he was in?


The girl slips into the room wearing her standard agent robes; grey and unadorned. "Greetings." she says to the man, expecting an attitude to match his already proven poor manners.

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
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Avexi Ninetails





If one wasn't paying close attention, and if one hadn't seen the twitch of the ears or the slight wrinkling of the nose, it would almost appear that Avexi hadn't even noticed that someone else had entered the room. It was obviously not his mysterious benefactor, she had seen to it that there would likely be much more fanfare with her entrance; and so he stayed as he was, waiting until the new person spoke before doing anything at all. Without turning his head, he stood almost as gracefully as the mighty crane, and turned towards the newcomer, offering the most flourishing bow he could possibly manage.





"Greetings indeed, madam. I see I am not the only one who has been invited by our wealthy hostess."


 
Niara Shadowleaf


Some grace in this one after all, the girl thought to herself. A welcome surprise, if she ends up having to cooperate with him.


Niara nods and manages a very subtle bow of her own. "Indeed. The notice was brief; I suspect this will not be the only surprise in store for us." Moving across the room, the girl takes a seat on the opposite side from the man. "I am Niara Shadowleaf, of the House of Learning. Have you been waiting here long, sir...?" She leaves the end of her question suspended in the air while she proceeds to fix her ponytail of blonde hair.

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
Child of the Skies Above

Essence Pools: 13 / 13 (Personal); 27 / 27 (Peripheral)


Willpower: 7 / 7


Wound Penalty: 0


Active Anima Abilities / Charms / Hearthstones:


N/A





He's wearing a strange combination of martial and civilian finery, if somewhat austere. His loose white trousers and black boots are the same that are favored by some mercenary groups, while his pale green and white-hemmed kimono worn over everything and tied closed is both simple but of high quality. Around his neck, there's a white fine scarf, similar to those that are worn by the nomads to the South.


Details of his physical appearance are on his Character Sheet.


Sky had arrived late, much later than he had thought he would be thanks to a whole cascade of tiny incidents starting with the noodles he had ordered from a small take-away cart and the invitation arriving to him at the same time...suffice to say, it would never be spoken of, ever again.


It was a somewhat dishevelled Sky that rather hastily walked into the office, where there were two others getting cosy with each other, he smiled to himself and quickly smoothed his hair and made sure his kimono and scarf were straight.


"Apologies," the lanky youth started up, his baritone and slightly-accented voice friendly. "I am here about an Audience with the Guild Hierarch..."
 
Avexi Ninetails





Preparing to answer Niara, he stops and looks to the door, laughing softly at the lanky young kid who just walked in. "It looks like there were more than a few invites sent out. I wonder how many more will show their faces." He offers the same flourishing bow, replete with arm against his chest and the other outstretched, to the newcomer. If anyone could see it, his tail was flipping about wildly, brushing back and forth against the chair he had originally sat in.


"I am Avexi Ninetails. Perhaps this will be more interesting than I thought; I was almost certain it was going to be quite boring. Some rich woman who needed some petty revenge, perhaps."


Without waiting for an answer, he settles back down into the chair, and crosses one leg across the other, winking discretely at the woman still standing, giving her his best smoldering eye before glancing away back towards the desk.

Essence:


Personal 22/22


Peripheral 43/48 (2 committed)
 
Niara Shadowleaf


"Perhaps." she says. "Yet I have a feeling it's more than that. I have not been to Nexus before. Are invitations of this sort a custom?"


She directs the question at Avexi with a cunning glance.

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
Avexi Ninetails





Avexi just shrugs nonchalantly and speaks without turning his head. "I wouldn't say they are a custom, but if someone wants to make sure they're known, they would probably make quite the hooplah about it. Whoever this heirarch is, she certainly is planning to make a splash."





Without warning, though, his conversation turns back to the third, his eyes closing as he stretches further, looking about as relaxed as anyone really can be in such splendor. Of course, with him, it's hard to tell whether the splendor is of himself or the magnificent chair he currently rests in.





"You boy, what's your name? You're about as loud as the unquiet dead over there. Come, have a seat."
 
Child of the Skies Above

Essence Pools: 13 / 13 (Personal); 27 / 27 (Peripheral)


Willpower: 7 / 7


Wound Penalty: 0


Active Anima Abilities / Charms / Hearthstones:


N/A


Sky ducks his head a little, embarrassed over his second screw up of the day, wasn't every day you get to see two amazing-looking folk in the same place...he blinks and groans a little, quietly, "Sorry...again." Putting up an easy smile the same way a soldier would take up a shield, he walked towards the two.


"I am Child of the Skies Above...well, according everyone who knows me," there's a sad smile at this. "I prefer Skies Above or just Sky."
 
Avexi Ninetails





"So, did anyone pick up when our illustrious host was to arrive? I suppose being fashionably late might be a great way to impress some people."





Avexi seems to squirm momentarily before his feet hit the floor again, and he almost glides across the office, taking a deep breath to take in the smells of the office and what might be just outside. His tail swishes about, not that anyone can see it, but he knows it's there, and it almost makes him happy to have his little secrets. Without so much as a swish, his hands fly across the back of his head, and suddenly the long lengths of hair are tied tight in a ponytail that still falls almost to the ground, straight and narrow from top to bottom.
 
Child of the Skies Above

Essence Pools: 13 / 13 (Personal); 27 / 27 (Peripheral)


Willpower: 7 / 7


Wound Penalty: 0


Active Anima Abilities / Charms / Hearthstones:


N/A


Sky just shrugs a little as he moves to a wall with the most sunlight in the room and leans against it, "Perhaps Lady Sapphire is waiting on more before making an appearance?"
 
Niara Shadowleaf


"Yes, I can imagine her spying from behind a portrait." Niara joked, though her facial expression disagreed. "If so, I wish they'd show up already."

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
Finally, after long moments of waiting, the door to a side room opens, and a woman who could only be the Hierarch Sapphire glides through. Her attire is impeccable, with not even a wrinkle to be found in her garments. Her raven hair that is held in place by a golden tiara, while not as wondrous as Avexi's, is just as well groomed with not even a single strand out of place. Upon entering, she glances across the room, her cool blue stare piercing the casual attitude and adding gravity to the atmosphere. After sitting in her luxurious chair and waiting a moment for everybody to move to the front of the desk, she clears her throat to command attention, seemingly unaware that her entrance alone had given her all the attention she could ever need.


"I have called you here today to discuss a business arrangement. There is one Free Spirited Arvia, a god-blood, who I would like found and retrieved, unharmed," she begins in a crisp tone. "Her last known location is in the depths of Hollow, the ancient First Age city that Nexus was built over top of. Upon completion of this simple task, you will be compensated accordingly, with Guild securities and Jade scrip." Placing her hands on the desk and clasping them together in front of her, she waits patiently for a response.


Her price, while lower than you would have expected, seems fair for a mere retrieval task... If it proves to be as easy as presented. However, after considering the facts, you realize that if this were as simple as implied, Lady Artemisia wouldn't have gone through the trouble of sending out notices to find suitable individuals to complete it.

Her offer is equivalent to roughly Resources 2. If you would like to attempt negotiations about the price, or to glean additional information, treat it as Social Conflict, ignoring the timing rules. To do so, in OOC after the post, specify which type of social action you are attempting, and what your intended goal is, in addition to the appropriate dice roll. If you have questions about which dice should be rolled, feel free to send me a message.
 
Avexi Ninetails





Avexi simply watched from his seated position, one leg crossing the other, his still pristine appearance giving off an air of relaxed interest. Of course, that has little to do with what he's about to say. He stands momentarily, then crosses back to the window, stepping lighter than a feather.





"Perhaps, though I have been to this Hollow, and I can say with certainty that they are quite labyrinthine, as well as deadly. And yet you give us little information other than a name and a maze. Maybe that is all you have, and yet I feel it is not." He stops momentarily, glancing out the window with a sigh. "When did this Arvia disappear? What is she wanted for? Is she likely to resist being found? All valid questions, and again, perhaps you would answer them after we agreed. The truth is, I simply do not value putting myself in danger without knowing the facts, and it is simply impossible to do so for the price you offer. You claim extravagance and wealth, and then offer meager reward for a task without offering any true discretion as to the likely danger we face."





The young-appearing man turns again and places himself back in his seat, offering a flashing smile and a twinkle of the eye.





"Perhaps I will accept this offer, and perhaps my comrades might have asked for less, but I will not do so without some regard as to whether or not I will return alive."




Attempting to sway the entire room into a sympathetic mood, in order to either get more information or a higher asking price without. Using social excellency, Performance + Charisma.


[dice]3110[/dice]






Essence


Personal 20/22


Peripheral 46/48 (2 committed)
 
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Child of the Skies Above

Essence Pools: 7 / 13 (Personal - 6 Triumphant Excellence); 21 / 30 (Peripheral - 9 Attuned)


Willpower: 7 / 7


Wound Penalty: 0


Active Anima Abilities / Charms / Hearthstones:


Triumphant Excellence of the Zenith | 2m/success | Core Pg. 183


Sky found himself flowing along with Avexi's words until he suddenly felt like something was...off, that was enough to snap him out of the feeling and he found himself giving the man a brief glare before he turned to Lady Sapphire.


"The fellow over here has a point," he started with his easy-sounding baritone, looking at her with a friendly smile. "There is too little information about this god-blood, especially where she was last seen and if she was headed in particular direction or if she was in the company of others. Ferreting out the information on our own is also possible, but that will cost extra, after all it does take a fair bit of coin and effort to jog the right memories."


Unlike Avexi, Guild Backing was exactly the kind of thing he was looking for, but he knew that he had to establish himself as someone the Guild should not take lightly. He was going to accept this job one way or another, but he'll do it on his own terms.






Sky's using his force of personality as a battering ram to talk the Lady into giving us either more information or more money to get more information...hey he's a soldier, not a politician. :tongue:


Also, burning 6 motes for 3 successes with Triumphant Excellence.


[dice]3223[/dice]


[dice]3224[/dice]


So, what will 8 successes get me?
 
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Niara Shadowleaf


The girl sits back in her seat, calmly glancing between the parties and waiting for Lady Sapphire's reaction to Avexi and Sky's attempts. As far as Niara was concerned, things were developing along the desired lines; there was no need yet for interfering.

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
Listening intently to each in turn, Lady Sapphire seems to consider her response carefully before finally speaking, directing her attention to Skies, "I have detailed knowledge of where Free Spirited Arvia was last seen, and am fully prepared to not only divulge such information, but also intend to provide for you a hidden path into Hollow, which will take you very nearby to that location." Glancing over at Avexi momentarily, she continues, "Free Spirited Arvia never disappeared, but has only recently become important to retrieve for reasons that I am not at liberty to specify."


She taps her chin thoughtfully, then leans back in her aged leather chair, "If you require, I shall also provide you with a seal that will mark you as trusted by the Guild, allowing you to be recognized and provided some small amounts of information when speaking with a Guild operative. The right to draw upon such contacts is highly valuable and not to be taken lightly."

Lady Artemisia is attempting to convince you (Through a Compulsion effect directed toward Skies, but affecting everybody's opinion) to accept her improved offer of Resources 2, Contacts (Guild) 1, and a path directly to where Free Spirited Arvia was last seen.


[dice]3423[/dice]


Be sure to remember the -2 MDV penalty for those who made a social argument previously. The Hierarch's Appearance is not high enough to alter anybody's MDV.
 
Niara Shadowleaf


"Now you're making sense." Niara said, shifting her glance. "I don't know about the gentlemen here, but the offer stands with me."

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
Avexi Ninetails





Avexi listens intently to the woman speak and crosses one leg across the other as she goes on and on. It isn't until she starts talking about the Guild that he's truly glad his ears were normal, because they would pointing straight to the ceiling at such an extreme offer.





"While it is extremely verbose , I can only assume you have enough information to be given the power to make such an offer. An offer that I have no choice but to accept."
 
Child of the Skies Above

Essence Pools: 7 / 13 (Personal); 21 / 30 (Peripheral - 9 Attuned)


Willpower: 7 / 7


Wound Penalty: 0


Active Anima Abilities / Charms / Hearthstones:


n/a


Hearing the new offer, Sky couldn't help but to wonder if he could push for more, but with the other two stepping back, he had no choice but to accept. At least he now had a way in, if he cultivated his relationship with the Guild a little more, he should be able to get some kind of influence. The distasteful fact that the Guild dealt with Slavers and Slavery aside, he needed its influence.


"Agreed," Sky nodded as he straightened himself in his seat, ready to listen to what she had to say.
 
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Niara Shadowleaf


"Well, well, gentlemen. It seems that we shall be cooperating after all." She smiled. "I must admit I anticipated a solitary mission, but I think I could manage with you two."


Niara looked at Avexi for perhaps a moment too long - had he noticed? The last thing on her mind was petty romance, but his extremely good looks couldn't simply be seen past. He was beautiful, but oh, so pale. After she willed herself to look away, she stared intently out the window, cursing herself for thinking of anything else but the task at hand, especially this. Not interested, she told herself.

Essence:


Personal 19/19


Peripheral 33/40 (7 committed)
 
Pausing for a moment to allow everyone to speak before beginning, Lady Sapphire offers a slender hand and a wry smile, "I am pleased we could come to this very equitable agreement."


Upon finalization of the verbal contract, Hierarch Artemisia pulls a parchment from a drawer in her exquisite desk, "You will go to a Guild-owned copper foundry in the Nighthammer district, whereby you shall find entrance into Hollow. This passage should lead you to the vicinity of Free Spirited Arvia's last known position." Sliding the parchment across the desk, she continues, "These directions will enable you to find the appropriate foundry. Once you have retrieved the god-blood, you are to bring her directly back to me. Upon completion of this task, you shall be given your remuneration."


After giving her instructions, she promptly stands and gives a terse nod to all in the room, then exits her office in the same manner in which she entered.
 
Avexi Ninetails





Avexi, being the closest, picked up the parchment and glances over it, looking for any clues or tidbits. Of course, it was in his home turf so he was intrigued to find out more about this hidden passage.





He stands, and flips his long ponytail ever so slightly, "Shall we regroup at my domicile and make ourselves a plan? This foundry appears to be in my little corner of town."
 
Child of the Skies Above

Essence Pools: 7 / 13 (Personal); 21 / 30 (Peripheral - 9 Attuned)


Willpower: 7 / 7


Wound Penalty: 0


Active Anima Abilities / Charms / Hearthstones:


n/a


"Well, if you're offering," Sky simply nods. "I have a small team I travel with, is it okay if they join us for planning this?"
 
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