Story Topic

[Emeralis00 she/her]

The bum wakes up faster than you would expect, snatching the coin out of the air. "And what does the-" he glances over at where the other man's body is, "-fine gentleman have for me to do?"

"There is an old man in the Marketplace, he is armored and bears a hammer and spheremount. His name is Eerongal. Find him and tell him that Ambro obtained a boat. I will give you the other coin when I see him."

Ambro steps back and goes to dump the body in the river further downstream. Better not let Eerongal see this.

Ambro turns back to the bum. "Oh, yeah. don't worry, he won't kill you."

[Eerongal he/him]

Marketplace, Crook of the Plains - EerongalThe merchant's grin broadens. "Well, certainly, good sir knight!" You can't tell whether or not he is making fun of you. "How many people, and how far or long do you intend to go? I can have the proper gear together in a number of minutes. As for your other needs, well, I can't fill a pothole without a light to see by, if you catch my meaning." His smile gets even wider, something that seemed impossible.

"Right," I say to the weaselly little man.

"I want to know everything you know about this spheremorph tournament, anything you can tell me about a hill with a cross marker on it in the western plains, and," lowering my voice a bit, and leaning in i continue, "everything you know about a man named Destron."

Having said this, i pull out my money pouch and give it a good shake to let out an audible clink of coin.

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

Ambrosius

The bum scrambles up and scurries off.

Eerongal

The merchants ears perk up and his smile once again broadens, lending to the idea that this man might have an elastic face.

"The Tournament. A popular topic, but unfortunately one that really doesn't have a lot of actual facts about it. Lots of rumors, though. 'It's a hoax, a trap, a scam.' Whatever it is, it's real, that much I can tell you. If anyone knows anything about it, really, they're not talking.

"Destron is a strange man, but a powerful one. He's pretty close to being the unchallenged ruler of this city, except for the Owl. Another Spheremorph boss. No one's sure why they're the ones who run things, but my gut, and few specific sources, tell me they've got Special Forms, both of them. Destron has more of the other Spheremorphs backing him, but the Owl has more experience, could probably wipe the floor with him mano-a-mano. So it's a sort of stalemate. But I'd wager every scrap of currency I've got, from the fivers to the prisms, that they're desperately looking for an edge. Something, anything, to tip the balance of power

"Cross on a hill? There's probably a lot of those, what with all the casualties that caravans have out there. But I take it you're looking for something more distinctive. I do know of a large monument of some type a few miles north of the bridge and a mile or two away from the river's edge. That might be what you're looking for."

You smell the bum before you see him. He rushes over to you, slightly hunched, and raps on your armor. "You Eerongal?"

The merchant's smile vanishes, thankfully, narrowing into a look of distaste. He doesn't comment, but gives you an expectant look, glancing at your coin bag.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambrosius

The bum scrambles up and scurries off.

I will just wait here. Ambro sits on the boat, watching for suspicious atium shadows.

[Cuaiir he/him]

"If you leave me the component and the bare Grid I can work on it while you're gone, and I'll give you another Grid from my stock to use in the meantime. And the name's Tohu, by the way."

"Tohu... I'm not letting this Grid out of my sight. I hate to be a stereotypical Spheremorph, but this Grid..." I'm going to sound like a crazy man here "...is special. I found it in the desert, buried in some ancient ruins. I have to think, since it has been buried for so long, this Grid, Mount, and Sphere set means something.

"I have to meet up with some of my companions and leave soon. With any luck, we will be able to leave tonight instead of immediately. If that is the case I'll be back shortly. If it is not... well, I'll try to do it on my own."

I turn to leave, taking my Mount, Grid and Spheres with me, assembling them on the fly before I exit Tohu's shop, going to look for Eerongal or Ambrosius near the market area.

Edited April 6, 2011 by Cuaiir

[Eerongal he/him]

Eerongal

The merchants ears perk up and his smile once again broadens, lending to the idea that this man might have an elastic face.

"The Tournament. A popular topic, but unfortunately one that really doesn't have a lot of actual facts about it. Lots of rumors, though. 'It's a hoax, a trap, a scam.' Whatever it is, it's real, that much I can tell you. If anyone knows anything about it, really, they're not talking.

"Destron is a strange man, but a powerful one. He's pretty close to being the unchallenged ruler of this city, except for the Owl. Another Spheremorph boss. No one's sure why they're the ones who run things, but my gut, and few specific sources, tell me they've got Special Forms, both of them. Destron has more of the other Spheremorphs backing him, but the Owl has more experience, could probably wipe the floor with him mano-a-mano. So it's a sort of stalemate. But I'd wager every scrap of currency I've got, from the fivers to the prisms, that they're desperately looking for an edge. Something, anything, to tip the balance of power

"Cross on a hill? There's probably a lot of those, what with all the casualties that caravans have out there. But I take it you're looking for something more distinctive. I do know of a large monument of some type a few miles north of the bridge and a mile or two away from the river's edge. That might be what you're looking for."

You smell the bum before you see him. He rushes over to you, slightly hunched, and raps on your armor. "You Eerongal?"

The merchant's smile vanishes, thankfully, narrowing into a look of distaste. He doesn't comment, but gives you an expectant look, glancing at your coin bag.

Drawing out a handful of coins, i drop them quickly in front of the sly little man and redraw and pocket my money pouch. Turning quizzically, i look the smelly vagrant up and down and gently rest my hand atop my hammer, just in case.

"Everyone seems to know who i am these days," i mutter to myself before replying, "Yes, I am Eerongal. How can I help you? I'm afraid you catch me at an advantage, since you know who I am, but I know not who you are."

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

Eerongal

"I got a message for ya. Ambro got himself a boat, he wants to see ya down at the docks."

Jay'el

You see Eerongal over by a merchant stand, talking to a vagrant.

[Cuaiir he/him]

I walk over to join Eerongal, greeting him with a nod. I overhear the vagrant telling him about Ambro's boat. "Get any information on the location we're supposed to go to?" I ask Eero. "If it isn't too far, I have some business I'd like to take care of."

[Eerongal he/him]

Eerongal

"I got a message for ya. Ambro got himself a boat, he wants to see ya down at the docks."

After hearing him speak his part, i nod and turn back to the merchant. "Have those travelling supplies ready for me by the time i return," and saying so i throw down a second handful of coins. Weighing the small pouch in my hand, i grimace at the relatively light weight my bad has taken on."gonna have to work on refilling that soon," i mumble to myself as i pocket it

I walk over to join Eerongal, greeting him with a nod. I overhear the vagrant telling him about Ambro's boat. "Get any information on the location we're supposed to go to?" I ask Eero. "If it isn't too far, I have some business I'd like to take care of."

Looking at my companion approach i answer, "Yeah, i have a little info. The place is just north of the bridge a few miles. It shouldn't be a terribly hard ride, how much business are we talking?"

[Cuaiir he/him]

"I'll be done by nightfall, easy." I just hope Tohu wasn't terribly offended by the way I left. Fusing... "i'll meet you and Ambro at the docks when I'm done. If you need me, I'll be at Tohu's Spheresmithy."

I go back to Tohu's shop, hoping he's still willing to attach the Fuser to my Grid.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

"I'll be done by nightfall, easy." I just hope Tohu wasn't terribly offended by the way I left. Fusing... "i'll meet you and Ambro at the docks when I'm done. If you need me, I'll be at Tohu's Spheresmithy."

I go back to Tohu's shop, hoping he's still willing to attach the Fuser to my Grid.

Ambro sneezes.

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

Tohu's Smithy - Jay'El

The smith is humming as works, almost exactly as you first saw him. He detects your presence sooner than before and sets aside his work, stripping off his gloves and cleaning his hands with a cloth on the wall. "So the Spheremorph has come back. You want me to fix up that Grid for you?"

Merchant's Stand - Eerongal

Jay'El runs off, with a few hasty words as to where he's off to.

"I'll have that ready for you, sir. Whenever you need them." The merchant flashes another smile then scurries about his stand, gathering the required items.

[Cuaiir he/him]

Tohu's Smithy - Jay'El

The smith is humming as works, almost exactly as you first saw him. He detects your presence sooner than before and sets aside his work, stripping off his gloves and cleaning his hands with a cloth on the wall. "So the Spheremorph has come back. You want me to fix up that Grid for you?"

"Sorry about the rush earlier. I did not know if my companions would be leaving without me."

"I would absolutely love to get this Fuser attached to my Grid. I'm in no rush, assuming we can be done by nightfall. Can I take notes?"

FINALLY! I learn something more about how this tech works. I wonder how I can reverse engineer this....

[Eerongal he/him]

Watching Jay'El hurry off, i turn back to the smelly fellow near me.

"All right, my new unwashed 'friend', i will head off to meet Ambro, thank you for your service," with that I hand over a small denomination coin and turn to head off towards the docks.

Edited May 9, 2011 by Silus - Shard of Flame
Removed out of character comment

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

The group's respective activities lasted most of the afternoon. The sun was just setting as Jay'El made his way to the docks where Eerongal and Ambrosius were putting the finishing touches on the load of their new craft. If any of them had questions for the others, they went unasked as they boarded the medium sized vessel and set out down the eastward river.

The sun continued to sink as they made their way across and slightly downriver. The orange-red light casting a strange hue to everything around. The hills of the West Plain to the left and the edges of the Crook on the other. Just before vanishing over the horizon, the light threw a prominent shape into relief at the top of a hill that stood up from the rolling turf of the Plain. A stone cross at least ten feet high and half that in width jutted out of the earth with a straight, unadorned, angularity that seemed too precise to be natural. A large gemstone gleamed with a color that had been washed out by the sunset from the center of the cross. A figure stood straight and tall next to it, looking out over the Plain.

[Comatose he/him]

I look across the plain, and down into the river, taking note of the small boat leaving crook plains. Could they be associates of this benefactor person? I wonder. None of my forms include a spyglass, so I am forced to make my judegements based on the craft, rather than it's occupants. Even from this distance, the boat seems plain and unremarkable. Would a man powerful enough to find me, and stage a spheremount tournament send his representatives in a craft like this? Probably not. Then again, that's probably just what he expects me to think. I crouch beneath the strange cross so that a watcher from the boat will not see the light of shifting, swallow a single flake of bronze, and shift into my sympathist form for a moment. Burning bronze, I detect no pulses (let me know if any of them are shifted and I will change this, I assumed they were all in their basic forms). Either none of them are spheremorphs, or their powers are latent right now. I shift back to my regular attire, and come out from hiding. My clothing is that of a wealthy traveller, fine but non-descript, and my enveloping cloak does a good job of concealing the Spheremount on my arm. If anyone saw me, they'd have no idea what I really am. What I can do.

I take out the mysterious note, and read it over again. I began investigating the tournament as soon as I heard of it, of course. A thing like this, well, it requires power and money, and anything involving Spheremounts reeks of plotting. I don't need to be from a noble Riverheart family to know that much. I knew there was a plan, but I didn't know what it was, and so I began to investigate. Was it a scam to steal spheres? An attempt to seduce Defenders away from their home cities, or to entice free lancers to join up? Was it a trap, a threat, or a show of power? No matter my sources or methods of extraction, I uncovered nothing. Soon, however, I became aware that someone was keeping an eye on my movements. The struggle between my sisters taught me to know when I'm being watched, and everywhere I go, I seem to acquire a new tail. Someone was interested in my reaction to the tournament. I was in the process of trying to figure out who when the note arrived.

Spheremorph,

It has come to my attention that you are interested in my tournament. Now I've hopefully gotten yours. Rest assured that I do not intend to kill you. I want to see what you're capable of, and I can hardly see that from a corpse. But know that I can kill you at any time. Though I believe that our interests are similar enough for us to get along.

Make your way to the Western Plain, find the hill with cross marker on it and be there by midnight tomorrow. We will be introduced, and you will discover quite the opportunity.

Hope to meet you soon.

-A benefactor

I highly doubted whoever this person was could kill me at any time, but I had also thought no one could leave a note in my room without me detecting how they got there. I take certain precautions, you see, wherever I stay. I have made many enemies. Some of them are nearly as dangerous as me. Despite the obviously exaggerated nature of the threat, I decided to treat this mysterious 'benefactor' with caution. If he was involved with the tournament, I thought he must be powerful, especially if the whole thing really is 'his'. And so, I made my way to the cross early, and have been scouting the area ever since.

Seeing how the sun has only just set, and midnight is still a ways away, I decide to study the cross again. It stood ten feet high, and the stone was far to smooth and perfectly angled to have been crafted by hand. Standing on the tips of my toes, I reach up to touch the gem stone at its center.

Edited May 12, 2011 by Silus - Shard of Flame

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Carefully manning the tiller to keep even with the cross, Ambro observes the figure. I...don't like this. This place is too open. There could be anything behind that hill.

The craft pulls closer to the gravel shore, the slight waves of the river pulling the boat along. Ambro ties the tiller in place and ducks behind the supplies. Ambro begins shifting to Geass form, the pile of supplies hiding the glow as intended.

Ambro hides his shock-stick in the bands near his left hand. Grabbing a rope and anchor in the other, Ambro stands as if getting the anchor was his intention all along. Hopefully, that figure didn't see me shift. At the very least, he shouldn't be able to tell any difference in my clothes.

[Cuaiir he/him]

Oh good, we're almost there. Maybe I'll get the chance to try out this Fused Form. Looking up the hill, I note the figure reaching towards the gemstone embedded in the cross, with his back towards us. Probably not our benefactor. He seems more like the mysterious type.

Seeing Ambrosius being sneaky in his shift to Geass, I casually grab a seat out of sight of the figure and shift into Shaman, and then quickly into Gunner, triggering my Fuser and morphing into Primal Gunner, the Amalgam Form.

Well, this looks like fun. Can't wait to try it out. I draw one of my pistols in my left hand and a dagger in my right, and turn to Eerongal. "You may want to get your game face on, Eero. We don't know if that guy is hostile or not." And it's really hard to be over-prepared.

[Eerongal he/him]

Hearing Jay'El's words, i nod swiftly while keeping my eyes on the person on the hill.

"Good idea," i reply, "We don't know who this is or what he wants. May as well be ready for anything."

Swiftly, I make my way towards the bow of the ship, making sure to duck behind cover for a moment to shift into my Tactician form. After having completed the change, I make my way fully up to the very front of the ship. Planting my sword firmly in front of me i rest both hands on top of it, standing still so as to seem as if i were the figure head of the boat itself.

May as well show whoever this is that we aren't afraid of him i reason to myself.

Loudly enough for the others on the boat to hear, but not quite yelling, i say, "No fear, lads! Let's show whoever's waiting for us that we'll stand up to anything they can dish out!"

[Comatose he/him]

River:

The stone is an intense blue with a smooth marble-like texture, and I'm sure my Sympathist form could recognize it in an instant. In my base form, however, I can only be certain it is not any sort of conventional gemstone. Living in Riverheart, I saw all manner of sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds, and none of them looked like this stone.

I hear a voice from below. I instantly drop to the ground, and roll to the side, circling behind the cross so I can survey the situation. Only one form is visible, but I see the boat docked, and know there must be two more in hiding. Using the cross for cover, I shift to my Waterbender form. As the light envelops me, I feel my muscles tighten and gain tone. This form is by far my most physically fit one. That toughness, and its ability to heal mean it can take more hits than my other two forms, ideal if I'm going to need to face three opponents. Also, the large amount of water nearby should give me an advantage. The twenty seconds it takes to shift are some of the longest in my life. Can they make it up the hill in that time? The cross should block the light of my transformation, but can I be sure? What if they are Spheremorphs, and have enhanced speed? The seconds till my transformation completes seem to slow down. What have I gotten myself into? 12, 13, 14, 15...

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambro nods to Eero, then tosses the anchor to the beach. Ambro slowly drags the anchor back until it catches, allowing Ambro to pull the boat to shore.

Speaking with the same volume as Eero, "after you, my Lord." If Eero wants to play leader that is fine by me. Eero taking any fire with at least give me time to analyze the situation.

Ambro notices Jay'el's new form. Just quiet enough that only Ambro's companions can hear, "Be ready with those guns".

EDIT: spelling

Edited May 10, 2011 by Emeralis00

[Cuaiir he/him]

At the same volume as Ambro, I say, "Always." I like this impromptu plan we've come up with. Seems straightforward. Eero is a Lord, and we're some sort of servant to him. I'm going with me as body guard, since I've got the guns. And Ambro as manservant, i guess?

I step off the boat before Eero, shielding him with my body. "Be careful, my Lord. We don't know if this is a trap."

I look up at the hill, no longer seeing the figure, but there is a slight glow around the edges of the cross. Looking back at my companions, I whisper, "Spheremorph."

[Comatose he/him]

River:

My transformation completes, and a peek out from behind the cross, flaring bronze as I do. Three distinct pulses greet me, each one emanating from one of the three figures below. The one in the center seems to be the leader. His pulses are quick, indicative of a combat orientated class. Intense focus and practice lets me know he's a tactician. The one to one side is some sort of magic user, but not the conventional kind, and to his other side... my eyes widen slightly. When I focus, there seems to be two pulses coming from the third man, entwined together. He's using a fused form! Three Spheremorphs, all shifted, and one with a fused form. I'm not sure if I can take them all. Maybe in my Necromancer form surrounded in dead bodies with the element of surprise, but all three of them obviously know I am here. I have only one option. Find out who they are, and be ready to escape if things go sour.

I step out from behind the cross, hands in the air. I detect no bronze burners, so they shouldn't know I need no weapons to attack them, but if they don't suspect it, they aren't worth their Spheremounts. I slowly begin to approach them, trying my best to make it clear I am no threat. Every step takes my closer to the shore, and the endless supply of water beyond it. With that much water, and a few tricks, I might have a chance.

"Peace friends," I say with my most charming smile. "I mean you no harm."

[Eerongal he/him]

Seeing the man step out from behind the cross and begin approaching, I thrust my fist up in the air and state loudly, "Hold, men."

This unspoke plan appears to put me as the commanding officer here it seems..... I think to myself.

Pointing at the new comer, i raise my hand in a motion indicating him to stop.

"You there, Stay where you are. We don't quite know who you are, but we have a pretty good indication," I bluff, but realizing I should keep him far back because his immediate complacency to approach just in case.

Let him think we know more of him than he was aware... i consider silently.

Quickly surveying, I notice the lack any apparent backup, good hiding areas or immediately defensible position for this to be a trap to be sprung.

"Now, come clean about everything if you want to keep this simple," I tell him, making sure to keep any hint of malice out of my voice.

I don't think this is the man who brought us here...It's never that easy....But the best way to spring a trap is to walk into it.....

The words of one of my old commanders in the army comes quickly to mind,

'A man who appears to be in control can control the situation '.

"Keep your eyes about, everyone. I have a feeling this man is a decoy," i mutter just loud enough for my companions to hear.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

I give an easy hearted chuckle at the man's words, though my entire body is tense. Following the man's instructions, I come to a stop. The shore is well within my range now, if worse come to worse, these three should get a surprise from behind while their focus is on me. The apparent leader of the group seems to be a no nonsense type, and I'm not sure I like the way he is surveying both me and the bushes. It's that tactician form at work, I think, He's probably analyzed the entire situation by now. Thankfully, my voice remains relaxed and easy as I respond. When killing things fails, it always pays to know how to lie your way out of trouble.

"I'm sorry sir, I'm not exactly sure what to come clean about. We've just met, and it seems we've gotten the wrong impression about each other. I've come to meet some very dangerous people here, you see, and I thought you were them. You'll have to forgive me if I've frightened you." Slowly, making it clear I mean no trouble, I lower my hands, and extend one arm to the three strangers in friendship. As I do this, I take another step forward, disguising my eagerness to get a better position with friendliness.

"My name is Adolin. Might I ask who you are?"