Story Topic

[Cuaiir he/him]

Adolin... that sounds... "Careful, my Lord. Adolin is the name of a character from a children's story." Fishmonger brat I may be, but Ma never skipped out on story time. I can't count the number of times I've heard tales from The Good King's Handbook. That brings back memories.

"If I recall correctly, the character was also a master duelist." I don't do duels. If this guy tries anything, he goes down hard. I've got plenty of health stored up if he somehow manages to survive all three of us at once.

I prepare to make a Precise Throw at 'Adolin's neck, keeping the more dangerous-looking gun I'm holding pointed carefully at the ground. I'll only throw if he moves any closer to us.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambro fought to remain relaxed. The closer the stranger came the harder Ambro had to fight the slowly building tension.

This is why I didn't chose a battle form. I might not have been able to restrain myself.

Ambro watches the man, noticing the man's slight widening of the eyes at Jay'el.

Now why would he be surprised? That man is far too comfortable being outnumbered.

Ambro prepares his Geass.

One-shot. One command. I must be ready.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

River pauses and he feels a sudden burst of bronze pulses from the magic user. So, he's readying some sort of spell, is he? he thinks. Now I have to watch all three. The tactician is obviously a threat, otherwise he wouldn't be the leader, but the one with the strange almagram form undoubtedly has some tricks up his sleeve, and I'm not sure what that magic-user is capable of yet. All in all, there are far to many variables in this situation for River's liking. Of the three, none of them of made any move to take River's out-stretched hand.

"Do I frighten you?" he asks, careful to keep his voice full of charm, and as empty of arrogance as possible. "I assure you, I mean no harm. This is really all just one big misunderstanding."

Edited May 11, 2011 by Silus - Shard of Flame
removed out of character comment

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Oh it is is it! Ambro's suspicion breaks through his relaxed manner. Incapable of resisting, Ambro sends a Geass command at the man,

"Do you mean us harm in any way and have you contacted us before?"

Edited May 12, 2011 by Silus - Shard of Flame

[Comatose he/him]

River:

I feel the bronze pulses hit me before the magical attack does, but not in time to do anything about it. I see a glint of red in the man's eyes, and his words seem to seep into my skull. "Do you mean us harm in any way and have you contacted us before?" As soon as I hear the words, my mind goes blank.

"I mean harm to everyone who stands in my way. I had no knowledge of your existence before I saw your boat."

I shake myself back into awareness, not entirely sure of what has just happened. I remember sensing the bronze pulses, but not what they did, or anything after that. Has the magic user tampered with my mind? I try my best to run an inventory of my mental faculties, trying to figure out if anything is missing.

"I do not take kindly to people tampering with my mind," I say, letting some danger leak into my voice. "I have no quarrel with you, but if you try it on my again, I assure you, I will make sure you regret it."

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

You see a bright, quick flash of light from the hilltop, followed by a whooshing sound. An object obscured by the darkness lands with a resounding THUD between River and the others, billowing dust around it.

The object moves, revealing itself to be a man in full armor, who stands from a kneeling position. His armor gleams in the moonlight, the helmet is completely opaque, with no gap for eyes or mouth. The man reaches up to its face and a seam appears, allowing it to lift a visor. The eyes are obscured by the shadows, but the sense of power is unmistakable.

"That is quite enough." The voice is distinctly male, not loud, but authoritative. The figure lifts an arm and points at Ambrosius. "I will not have your mind tricks here. There will be a time and place, but not now. Our 'benefactor' will not tolerate such childish use of power in his domain." The gaze turns to Jay'El. "Just because you have power does not make you ready to use it. Haste is not a risk to be taken lightly, and your bandying about of your abilities could have caused needless harm."

The unseen eyes turn about, surveying the group. The armored man turns and walks up the hill, gesturing for you to follow.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

what the- how did- where- WHAT!? Ambro opens his mouth to speak, but finds no words to say. Sanderson's pen! what just happened!?

The shock of what happened set into Ambro.

MustRunButWhereThatOldNewManMeansHarmNotThatWayButTheArmoredMan

SaysFollowCan'tRunIntoTheRiverTooLongToSetUpBoatMustFindOtherWayBut

WhatAboutTheArmoredMan

HeIsDeadlyRunAmbroRunHaHaHaJay'elGotScoldedMaybeEerongalKnowsWhatToDo

TheOldNewManIsStillAThreatTHREATTHREATTHREATGonnaDieGonnaDie

NoStopItMustRelax...I...He...They...What...

Ambro releases his Geass form and goes back to baseline. Ambro turns to his companions, too shocked to do anything else.

Edited May 12, 2011 by Emeralis00

[Eerongal he/him]

Eying the new comer warily, i quickly assess the situation

Whoever he is, he could pose a danger. I have no idea what this man or the first man are capable of......Better to keep them at a distance.....

Looking at my companions, I notice the shock on Ambro's face. "Keep your wits about you, Ambrosius," i speak quietly, and then tapping on my spheremount lightly, "At least this time we still have these...."

Turning to glance at Jay'el, i nod to him and start following the way the new comer went. Sheathing my sword and motioning the others to follow, i state quietly, "Stick together, lads, and we'll pull through this"

[Comatose he/him]

River:

There is a thump, and a black armored figure lands in front of me. The man is obviously a spheremoroph, and a very powerful one, and yet I feel no pulses. Even before the man speak, I know he is a man of power, perhaps one of the most powerful I have ever met, and that he is likely the reason the four of us are here.

I compose myself quickly. It will probably best if these three don't know that I am as surprised and impressed as they are. The mage who cast at me seems shaken. I take a small measure of satisfaction in that. When the time is right, perhaps I will take a more personal revenge, but for now, I suppose this will suffice.

I smile mockingly to the party as they pass, and offer them a polite but formal bow, before taking up position behind them and following them to the cross.

This is beginning to get interesting.

[Cuaiir he/him]

I follow Eerongal mutely, still slightly shocked. That was unexpected. And just looking at this guy's armor I don't think I could touch him, even with this Amalgam. And what the deuce? I hadn't even done anything yet.... I was just prepared to... ok, maybe I am being hasty. But I'd rather be hasty than dead. I wonder how he dropped out of nowhere like that? It must have something to do with that armor. Is he a Spheremorph? Seems likely. He wants us to follow him, fine, but I'm still wary of this 'Adolin' character. He said we're in the 'benefactor's domain.' When did that happen and what are the bounds? I hope we don't stay here - anyone trying to control what I do bugs me. 'Adolin' is behind me... I've still got my gun out. I'm ready. Whew. Ok. I'm good.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Yes, just calm down. Just because a guy randomly falls from the sky, doesn't mean panic.

Ambro takes a moment to shift into atium misting, but doesn't burn the atium yet.

Ambro looks to the first man, "Sorry about that. Acting peaceful around me just makes me nervous. It obviously is not your nature, and your are not the benefactor. I promise I will not to do it again."

Ambro runs up, taking a place between Eerongal and Jay'el as they leave.

Still, that other guy. Who is he? The benefactor?

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

The armored figure stands by the cross as you approach, he stands a good head taller than you because of his armor, but is still a few feet shorter than the monument. The moonlight now shines such that his face is partially visible, though the color is muted. His eyes are sharp, giving the distinct impression of composing a battle plan at any given moment.

"We are about to enter where the tournament will be taking place. Once we enter, no one will leave until dawn, and where they will leave to is something only our benefactor knows. If you wish to turn back, now is the time."

[Cuaiir he/him]

"Woah. Hold on. I have questions. Most important of which is who the heck are you? You drop from the sky and expect us to follow your every whim. I'm not having that."

Other questions include how the heck are we getting there, why should i participate in this 'tournament', what will I be up against, what rewards are there, will i have to fight my companions, who the heck is this 'Adolin' guy, and HOW DID YOU DROP FROM THE SKY?

I take a defensive stance in case this mysterious man wants to beat me for questioning him. This guy and Pa seem to have a lot in common. I dealt with Pa for twenty-six years, I can deal with this arrogant Morph.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

I don't know what to say to the mage's hurried apology, and so, I just let him rejoin his group. He has transformed into a new form, and my bronze tells me he can burn atium now. Interesting. I file his second form away for further consideration, and continue following the group. The newcomer reaches the cross, and it looks like we might finally get some information about what is going on.

"We are about to enter where the tournament will be taking place. Once we enter, no one will leave until dawn, and where they will leave to is something only our benefactor knows. If you wish to turn back, now is the time."

Ah, so this is not our mysterious benefactor. Merely someone who works for him? Or is he the benefactor in disguise. Whatever the case, this is obvious a man I need to watch. Try as I might, I can sense no bronze pulses from him. And, as I approach, I realize I can no longer sense pulses from the others. He must be burning copper then. But that form is definitely not a mere misting form. Is his grid a Womb of Mist, or something different? Hoping to keep as much as possible to myself for now, I let the others ask questions first, hoping to learn as much as possible from what the others ask before making my move.

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

The man almost seems to smile, but you can't quite tell because of the darkness. "I am the one who has been assigned to be your guide. Consider yourselves lucky, for others who might have been here in my place would have let you fight amongst yourselves. But I'm afraid that is all I will tell you. The stars listen to all, and they whisper the secrets they see. If you wish to know more, you must go within."

He stretches his hand up to the gemstone and lays his hand on it. It begins to glow with a soft, almost star-like light. A tendril of illumination spreads down the side of the monument, like a crack in a pane of glass. The crack widens, and a doorway that might have been the entrance to a cave reveals itself. Stone stairs lit by torches lead downward in a tight curl, obscuring anything beyond it.

"No more words. Only actions will lead knowledge now."

[Cuaiir he/him]

I sigh, since trying to pump this guy for information is like squeezing water from a sheet of metal. I need information. Without information, I'm just another person - sure I've got some extra capabilities, but information dictates how I use them. Maybe Eerongal or Ambro know something I don't. I'll leave this up to them.

I turn to my compatriots, and note that the mysterious 'Adolin' is still with us. Better not give too much away. "My Lord, I am with you on this quest because you hired me. I leave the decision of our actions up to you and your companion." Ah misdirection, my old friend.

Edited May 14, 2011 by Cuaiir

[Emeralis00 she/her]

I see. So we will still keep up the ruse.

Ambro turns to Eerongal, "I have served your family for a long time old friend, I go where you go."

This armored man makes my scales itch. Have I met him before? Oh, that reminds me...

Ambro looks to the man called Adolin. "Where are you from?"

Come to think of it, I don't even know if my companions are from Frozen Foothills either.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

I smile halfheartedly, not sure what to make of the man. We are being urged to enter a mysterious portal by an enigmatic man armored all in black, and this person wants me to tell him where I am from? I give him a curious look to see if he is serious while I try to figure out how to respond. The messenger seems to be studying us, but his face is as unreadable as his bronze pulses in the darkness. As I speak, I feel like a school child, being caught whispering during a lesson.

"I'm originally from Lake City," I say quietly, keeping most of my attention on the armored man and the portal. "But I've traveled a lot recently." While I keep my voice friendly, I don't question him in return. Hopefully he gets the point, and waits until the current situation is resolved before trying to get friendly.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambro chuckles under his breath. This guy is quite confused at my question.

"I was just making sure your are not from a city that wants to kill me..."

Ambro looks to Eerongal, obviously waiting for his decision.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

I raise an eyebrow. So, this man is a wanted one is he? I file that fact away along with everything else I have learned. If there really are people who are out to kill him, perhaps I can use that as leverage later on. This little group seems far too chummy for my taste. The two spheremorphs seem to defer far to easily to their 'lord', the tactician. I eye the leader out of the corner of my eye. He has the stern and disciplined face of a self righteous fool, and I am instantly reminded of Artur. Whatever kind of allies I gain in the future, it is not likely he will be one of them. However, if he were to die mysteriously... I wonder, would these two defer as easily to me as they do to him? As spheremorphs, they should be lords in their own right, with servants of their own to provide for them, not in the service of another man. And yet, glorified servants seem to be exactly what they are. I decide to watch their relationship closely, searching for weaknesses or any holds the Tactician might have over the other two.

My eyes stray back to the man in black. It seems we are waiting on either him or the Tactician to give their consent. I remind myself to make sure to give my own consent afterward. I will not have anyone thinking of me as a servant. For now though, I wait to see what will happen, as I hope to have as much information as possible before I make any move.

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

Eerongal pauses a moment before nodding. The armored man nods back and they both start walking into the entryway.

[Cuaiir he/him]

I follow them a few steps behind, wondering what I have gotten myself in to. I get the feeling I'm not going to have too much choice in what I do from here on. This better be worth it, since I have a new component to research.

[Comatose he/him]

River:

The tactician moves towards the portal, and our strange host moves with him. I'm surprised. I assumed the man would wait until we had passed through. I had hoped for a moment alone with him, to ask my questions without seeming weak in front of the others. Ah well, at least now I know for certain it is not a trap. Unless the portal will be depositing him somewhere else...

I shake my head. Their are too many variables play that I do not understand. I do not trust any of these people, and I just know something is about to go horribly wrong. Maybe that's a good thing. I'll just haave to make sure I'm not on the worst end of things.

The portal stands before me, silent and mocking, like it knows I am scared to go through. Not scared, I reassure myself, Wary. Rightfully so I think. I am dealing with other spheremorphs here. There could be all kinds of dangers waiting for me on the other side of that portal.

There could be all kinds of rewards as well. I eye the man with the almagram form as he moves towards the portal, then the magician. I wonder how they would feel about parting with their spheres...

Squaring my shoulders, I move to follow the others through. Ready for anything.

[Emeralis00 she/her]

Ambro follows Eerongal into the portal. Not anxious to be alone with the new guy.

I really don't like that guy. He reminds me of my family, quick to take and quick to betray.

Ambro laughs aloud.

Then I just have to kill him first.

[Silus - Shard of Flame he/him]

The entrance leads into a narrow flight of spiraling stone stairs. The stone is grey swirled in brown, and trickles of water run from ceiling to floor all along it, lending to the humid atmosphere. An occasional fiery light is suspended from the ceiling by a wrought iron brazier, but the way is dim, and the curve is tight enough to obscure anything ahead.

The silence is stifling.

You come to a tall door in the same style as the braziers with a massive handle in the middle, a large keyhole is set into the center of the handle. Your guide lifts the edge of his helmet and retrieves a key from around his neck. The key is large and stylized, rusted iron. A shuffle and a click later, the door swings outward.

A rush of cool, dry air, a stark contrast to the humidity of the stairs, passes over you, along with the sound of many voices and running water. The light is much brighter, but still fiery, still torchlight.

"Welcome, Spheremorphs."

The armored man passes through the door, beckoning you through.

Beyond is a massive cavern a hundred feet high, at least, and at least three times that wide. Massive stone columns five feet wide ring the edge of the circular room. Four large waterfalls plunge from inside the ceiling to gorges in the floor at the four diagonal directions from you. The gorges lead to a round chasm in the center of the room. In the middle of the chasm is a massive stone pillar, flat at the top, which is ten feet below your ground level. Torches are set into the walls and at the chasm edges. Wrought iron bridges span the gorges and the center chasm. A door like the one you just came through is set into each wall, directly between two waterfalls.

More than forty people are scattered throughout the cavern, talking in groups or standing alone. Their styles of dress are many and varied, but the power coming off of each is obvious. They are Spheremorphs.

"This is where the tournament will take place."