Let's go find a dragon

[+JesterLavorre she/they]

2 minutes ago, Trutharchivist said:

Gal immediately pulls out his notebook and starts writing.

"So, gold is some sort of a director to other metals? And Iron produces heat. Hmm... Do alloys work for etching runes?" He stops his questioning for a moment, then asks: "Didn't you say it was related to your shadow somehow? If it's just technology, what exactly is the connection?"

“Yes. Alloys can be used, but the less pure the metal is, the less efficient the Insignial is. And, by pure, I mean “pure metal”. Purity for Insignials is defined differently than for normal metallurgy. Most electrum, for example, is 100% pure, even though it’s an alloy of gold and silver, because it doesn’t have any non-metal components. Steel, on the other hand, is not very pure because of the amount of non-metallic carbon that needs to be added. It still has its own function, but it leaks Notion at a rapid rate.”

[Trutharchivist he/him]

36 minutes ago, JesterLavorre said:

“Yes. Alloys can be used, but the less pure the metal is, the less efficient the Insignial is. And, by pure, I mean “pure metal”. Purity for Insignials is defined differently than for normal metallurgy. Most electrum, for example, is 100% pure, even though it’s an alloy of gold and silver, because it doesn’t have any non-metal components. Steel, on the other hand, is not very pure because of the amount of non-metallic carbon that needs to be added. It still has its own function, but it leaks Notion at a rapid rate.”

"So electrum counts as a different metal than both gold and silver? are it's properties related to those of gold and silver? is there a specific percentage where it is counted as pure? And speaking of which, what are silver's properties?"

Quote

You avoided my last question, which seems a little weird, I think. I usually just get over this things, so I guess I could this time too.

 

[S4S]

Rengoku took a deep breath.

Standing quietly behind one of the large trees, Ren watched silently from a distance as the strange group of travelers packed their things. The group worked quickly in the early morning light, breaking camp and preparing to set off once more. There seemed to be good comradery between them all, as many were discussing one with another the wonderous secrets of magics and lore. A few had even begun walking again, moving purposefully towards an unseen goal. However, although his eyes followed their movements and his ears gathered fragments of their conversations, Ren’s mind had been wandering for many hours now.

It had all begun yesterday, while Ren was lurking through the deeper parts of the same forest. He had heard the roaring echo of a savage bear from many hills over, though the cries of common wildlife never sparked interest in Ren; the woodlands were their home after all. But soon after that, he had heard the rumble of an explosion. Most certainly strange, though perhaps it was a rouge magician practicing their art. It was only after feeling that… wave of terror that flashed through the Realms, striking at his very core…

Clearly, something was happening. So, under the cover of darkness, Ren had gone to investigate. It hadn’t been too difficult to find the source of the disturbances though: someone had lit a fire that led him right to it. Ren had passed the bear’s corpse nearby on his way to the beacon of smoke, as well as scorch marks from what he presumed to be the earlier explosion. But it was when he saw the ten… no, twelve entities residing within the makeshift camp…

A small voice, somewhere deep inside of Ren, had cut deeper than daggers and sharper than steel:

You have no place here.

Since hearing those words, his heart had felt severed once more. It wasn’t the fact that his heart was torn though that kept him lost in thought. It was that it had been six years… six years since that day. This wasn't a sudden realization, he knew he had no place among the living anymore. So why was he still so conflicted? Had he not changed? Had he not grown? For six years he had remained isolated within the unclaimed hills, existing only in a world of his own reflection, and that self reflection had helped Ren to finally learn his place:

Ren was a beggar. A beggar that was staring longingly through the gates toward a beautiful palace. A grand and royal ball was taking place somewhere inside those ornamented walls. That beggar could hear the soft music and feel the warm laughter coming from inside. But for how close the beggar was to those gates, what lay inside those walls was a treasure beyond his reach.

So why would that beggar stay? Knowing he did not belong among nobles and kings, why would he want to listen to music he could not enjoy or smile at laugher he could not join in? Was it hope? Hope that perhaps by some miracle they would open the gates to let him in? Hope that he could walk the halls of the palace and be amongst wealth and fame? Hope that he could sip the fine wines and savor the hearty meals?

No… this was not what the beggar wanted…

And yet through it all… the beggar had stayed. Ren, had stayed. Throughout the dark of night and into the early hours of the morning, he had stayed, watching silently from behind the large tree protecting him from view. Hoping… praying… pleading within his own severed and torn heart…

Why, why did he still feel this way?

Quote

Ren's monologue is somewhat a two-parter, and this is a good place to break. 

I'll leave this up to you guys, but if Talnic's ring wants to notify you that someone is nearby that would probably be the simplest way to figure out Ren is there. Note that Talnic's ring would most likely give off a weaker signal than others (I can explain more tomorrow if necessary). That could also explain why Talnic didn't notice it sooner, especially if there are other things on his mind perhaps? If Minuet wants to follow Talnic too or something like that then be my guest.

Lastly for Avren: I do have a possible sub-plot that would revolve around necromancy and Ren's past, though it would probably be best to hold off on for now. I think things are heading in a good and controlled direction, but perhaps later on if we are struggling for plot ideas I can pull it off the shelf.

 

Edited January 10, 2021 by S4S

[+JesterLavorre she/they]

36 minutes ago, Trutharchivist said:

"So electrum counts as a different metal than both gold and silver? are it's properties related to those of gold and silver? is there a specific percentage where it is counted as pure? And speaking of which, what are silver's properties?"

36 minutes ago, Trutharchivist said:

You avoided my last question, which seems a little weird, I think. I usually just get over this things, so I guess I could this time too.

Quote

Whoops! Totally missed that. Sorry!

“Silver creates light. And, yeah, electrum has it’s own properties, although those properties are unknown. They should be related to gold and silver, as most other alloys are somehow related to their components. It’s not an ironclad law, though. Purity is simply a direct percentage of how much of the plate is a metallic element. Also, about your question earlier, Memory acts as a sort of conduit between me and my etchings. Technically, I’m a Manifestor. I can store all three types of Notion. Unfortunately, I’m only a Vessel, meaning I can’t actually do anything with the Notion on my own. Memory, however, can move Notion from me or themselves into the Insignials to power them.”

Memory moved silently through the Idea realm, looking around for any sign of trouble. Ara should not be telling these strangers so much. It was dangerous for her. Although, apparently she thought of them as “friends”, whatever that meant. Did that mean they could trust them? Memory noticed something. The light of another soul, one not with the rest of the party. Strange. It moved to investigate.

Quote

Memory is just going to watch Rengoku for a bit without interfering, so Talnic can still find him if he wants.

 

Edited January 10, 2021 by JesterLavorre

[Tesh Any pronouns]

48 minutes ago, S4S said:

I'll leave this up to you guys, but if Talnic's ring wants to notify you that someone is nearby that would probably be the simplest way to figure out Ren is there. Note that Talnic's ring would most likely give off a weaker signal than others (I can explain more tomorrow if necessary). That could also explain why Talnic didn't notice it sooner, especially if there are other things on his mind perhaps? If Minuet wants to follow Talnic too or something like that then be my guest.

Talnic felt a faint human presence. It was close, and yet very faint... It had blended in almost perfectly with the sense of something unknowable shifting within the world...

He drew to a halt, the rest of the group continuing on, not noticing at first that he had stopped. Slowly, Talnic set his pack on the ground, in the path cleared through the snow by the group's passing.

With a faint rasp, Talnic drew his knife from its sheath and began walking silently through the snow, the soft powder muffling his footsteps. Whoever it was who was watching might be able to see him, but they might have their eyes elsewhere. As the trees drew nearer, Talnic scanned the dark interior of the woods, trying to make out any motion or other sign of life. He saw none.

[Trutharchivist he/him]

56 minutes ago, JesterLavorre said:

“Silver creates light. And, yeah, electrum has it’s own properties, although those properties are unknown. They should be related to gold and silver, as most other alloys are somehow related to their components. It’s not an ironclad law, though. Purity is simply a direct percentage of how much of the plate is a metallic element. Also, about your question earlier, Memory acts as a sort of conduit between me and my etchings. Technically, I’m a Manifestor. I can store all three types of Notion. Unfortunately, I’m only a Vessel, meaning I can’t actually do anything with the Notion on my own. Memory, however, can move Notion from me or themselves into the Insignials to power them.”

Memory moved silently through the Idea realm, looking around for any sign of trouble. Ara should not be telling these strangers so much. It was dangerous for her. Although, apparently she thought of them as “friends”, whatever that meant. Did that mean they could trust them? Memory noticed something. The light of another soul, one not with the rest of the party. Strange. It moved to investigate.

 

"What are Notions, exactly? You say you can store but not use it without Memory? And you say that you can't power the insignials yourself without Memory's help, but you said it's more technology than magic. Did you mean that after someone etched an insignia in a metal plate someone like Memory, or a full Manifestor, could charge it with a Notion?"

[+JesterLavorre she/they]

4 hours ago, Trutharchivist said:

"What are Notions, exactly? You say you can store but not use it without Memory? And you say that you can't power the insignials yourself without Memory's help, but you said it's more technology than magic. Did you mean that after someone etched an insignia in a metal plate someone like Memory, or a full Manifestor, could charge it with a Notion?"

“Notion is a type of energy given off by sentient creatures. It is thought, or at least, attracted by thought. Now one really knows. And there are three types of Notion: Emotion, Inspiration, and Recollection. Anyway, Manifestors like myself can take someone else’s Notion and store it within ourselves, then Manifest it as an outward effect. There’s a variety of Manifestor for each type of Notion. With one exception, each type can store and manifest their one corresponding type of Notion. Unfortunately, Vessels, the Manifestor’s who would be able to use Recollection, are different. We can store all three types of Notion, but can’t Manifest it into an effect or put it into an Insignial. Generally, Vessels serve as Notion batteries for other Manifestors, though any Manifestor could charge an Insignial. You could also use zinc. It stores Notion over long periods of time, but the Notion gets muddled quickly, making it hard to use in more complex Insignials.”
Ara takes a deep inhalation after excitedly rambling for so long, then dives back in.

”Anyway, I get around that with Memory. I’m not sure how it works, exactly. This is the first time anyone has documented something like this.” Ara’s voice fills with awe at the thought. “Basically, from what Memory has told me, they can use me as a conduit for their own energy. They seem to be made of something akin to Notion that can power Insignials. They put their own energy into the Insignial through me. The other way is difficult p. I’m not very good at it, but in layman’s terms, there’s a technique in Manifesting called Circuiting, where two Manifestors hold hands so that they can use each other’s Notion. As far as I can tell, me and Memory have a sort of permanent Circuit set up. I can give them any Notion I have stored and they can then Manifest it back through me. But, like I said, it’s hard and requires a lot of concentration.”

Should I tell him? I can trust him, right? He seems like a good person. Wherever Memory was, they weren’t there to dissuade Ara.

”I’m... working on a third method. This is something completely new that Memory discovered. It seems like Notion responds to sound, too, like it does an etching. I think I may be able to hum a rhythm to get Notion to charge an Insignial without going through Memory.”

[S4S]

8 hours ago, Tesh said:

As the trees drew nearer, Talnic scanned the dark interior of the woods, trying to make out any motion or other sign of life. He saw none.

Snapping away from his well of endless thoughts, Ren suddenly noticed one of the travelers had separated from the rest of the party. Having abandoned their pack of supplies in the snow, the man with the large hat and the hefty sword was now moving silently along the outskirts of the abandoned camp, a glistening dagger held tightly in their gloved hand. The man began to move quietly through the trees, their eyes scanning the winter foliage with a sharp gaze. Ren watched in curiosity as the man moved with the fluid grace of a predator…

Stalking their prey…

Frantically gathering his surroundings, Ren looked over and noticed a second figure standing in the distance, although this one manifested itself more from within another Realm. A sinking feeling began to rise in Ren’s chest though as he realized that this second being wasn’t looking for him, but had already found him and knew exactly where he was. Ren quickly turned his attention back to the approaching man, but thankfully it appeared as if he had not quite pinpointed Ren’s location yet… Or perhaps the man was toying with him and baiting his approach as a trap…

Ren crouched down further behind the closest tree, panicking as he tried to assess his options. He cursed himself for allowing two entities to sneak up on him like this. Turning towards the woodlands behind him, Ren wondered how far he could run on a single Inhale. The second entity would pose a threat if it followed, but if he were at least able to sneak away from the man then-

Why did you stay?

Ren paused. The small voice that had haunted him throughout the night spoke powerfully in his mind once more, and it felt as though time itself frozen with the snow around him. Seconds seemed to pass like the eternities as Ren closed his eyes. He felt so many thoughts and emotions swirling inside him, yet tried to understand each one as they fought for dominance. Memories began to flash across his mind; not just six years of memories, but a lifetime of them. A lifetime of experiences he had wished to forget. Conversations he wished he had never spoken in. Emotions he wished he had never felt. Faces he wished he had never seen. Friends he-

No.

Ren lowered his head, his mind holding onto a single memory. Reaching for his chest, Ren felt his fingers gently brush across the amethyst and jade beads looped into the leather necklace around his neck.

 

Why did you go?

 

Ren slowly opened his eyes. He didn't know if a severed heart could ever be mended. But did he dare to hope again as he had once before?

Although his mind was still spinning, a renewed sense of energy began to rise within Ren. Continuing to remain hidden from the armed man, Ren carefully stood upright with whatever fragments of determination he could find within himself. Cautiously peering around the tree towards the armed traveler, he saw that the man was nearly right on top of him now, and the entity from the other Realm was still watching him from a distance. Setting his jaw, Ren braced himself one last time.

Breathing in slowly, Ren felt his body fade.

For six years…

Breathing out slowly, Ren felt his body take solid form.

…what did the beggar really want?

Hoping… praying… and pleading from within a severed heart, Ren finally stepped from the shadows.

Edited January 10, 2021 by S4S

[Tesh Any pronouns]

1 hour ago, S4S said:

Hoping… praying… and pleading from within a severed heart, Ren finally stepped from the shadows.

A figure stepped out from behind a tree.

Talnic stopped in his tracks, settling into a solid defensive stance, knife at the ready.

"Why were you watching us?" Talnic asked, eyeing the figure.

Something seemed to be very... Off... About the man. For one, he was standing barefoot in the snow. But he also didn't seem to be entirely present. Even being within several feet of the person, all Talnic felt from the man was a very faint and almost nonexistent sense of life.

[S4S]

52 minutes ago, Tesh said:

"Why were you watching us?" Talnic asked, eyeing the figure.

Ignoring the fear that was rapidly building inside of him, Ren restrained himself from taking a deep breath. The armed traveler had noticed him immediately after Ren had stepped into the open, snapping their knife into a combative position. Thankfully though, the traveler’s stance was defensive, and he hadn’t lashed out at Ren yet.

“I… I heard a bear,” Ren whispered softly in response, “Yesterday. A-and an explosion. And… something…”

Ren could feel his confidence waver with every word he spoke. This was not going well. It had been so, so long since Ren had spoken to the living, it was painfully obvious now. He cursed Death’s Name; why was it his heart knew what to say, but his words failed him with every syllable?

“I saw your fire!” Ren exclaimed softly, pointing towards the remains of black charcoal that had mixed into the powdery snow, “I... I followed the smoke and found you- all, of you. I just… wondered, what was… happening…”

[Knight of Iron she/they]

1 minute ago, S4S said:

Ignoring the fear that was rapidly building inside of him, Ren restrained himself from taking a deep breath. The armed traveler had noticed him immediately after Ren had stepped into the open, snapping their knife into a combative position. Thankfully though, the traveler’s stance was defensive, and he hadn’t lashed out at Ren yet.

“I… I heard a bear,” Ren whispered softly in response, “Yesterday. A-and an explosion. And… something…”

Ren could feel his confidence waver with every word he spoke. This was not going well. It had been so, so long since Ren had spoken to the living, it was painfully obvious now. He cursed Death’s Name; why was it his heart knew what to say, but his words failed him with every syllable?

“I saw your fire!” Ren exclaimed softly, pointing towards the remains of black charcoal that had mixed into the powdery snow, “I... I followed the smoke and found you- all, of you. I just… wondered, what was… happening…”

"You've been spying on us since yesterday?"

Sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪs ᴏᴅᴅ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ.

[S4S]

20 minutes ago, Knight of Iron said:

"You've been spying on us since yesterday?"

Ren turned as he heard another traveler question him. This one seemed younger and less aggressive than the man currently holding the dagger, and Ren felt himself relax slightly. It lasted only a moment though, as Ren saw something between the Realms. Realizing which of the entities he was speaking to, a terrible spike of renewed terror ripped through Ren’s very Being.

It was him.

“Y-yes…” Ren mumbled, pausing briefly before quickly adding, “Not all of yesterday! Just… last night, yesterday…”

Of all the members in this small caravan of travelers, this man was the one Ren feared the most.

[Knight of Iron she/they]

7 minutes ago, S4S said:

Ren turned as he heard another traveler question him. This one seemed younger and less aggressive than the man currently holding the dagger, and Ren felt himself relax slightly. It lasted only a moment though, as Ren saw something between the Realms. Realizing which of the entities he was speaking to, a terrible spike of renewed terror ripped through Ren’s very Being.

It was him.

“Y-yes…” Ren mumbled, pausing briefly before quickly adding, “Not all of yesterday! Just… last night, yesterday…”

Of all the members in this small caravan of travelers, this man was the one Ren feared the most.

"Do you know what we're doing?"

Orpheus crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.

[S4S]

17 minutes ago, Knight of Iron said:

"Do you know what we're doing?"

“Um… no…” Ren whispered, feeling as if he were being crushed simply by the weight of the hardened presence these travelers resonated, “That’s… why I came here in the first place… to… find out…”

[Knight of Iron she/they]

3 minutes ago, S4S said:

“Um… no…” Ren whispered, feeling as if he were being crushed simply by the weight of the hardened presence these travelers resonated, “That’s… why I came here in the first place… to… find out…”

"I'm Orpheus," said Orpheus, "Do you have a name?"

[S4S]

11 minutes ago, Knight of Iron said:

"I'm Orpheus," said Orpheus, "Do you have a name?"

Ren blinked. It was such a simple question, yet the gesture held so much weight to it.

Do you have a name?

“Rengoku” he said quietly, “Rengoku Dachi.”

Despite his fears, Ren couldn’t help but smile softly. For the first time in six years, his words finally matched his heart.

[Knight of Iron she/they]

8 minutes ago, S4S said:

Ren blinked. It was such a simple question, yet the gesture held so much weight to it.

Do you have a name?

“Rengoku” he said quietly, “Rengoku Dachi.”

Despite his fears, Ren couldn’t help but smile softly. For the first time in six years, his words finally matched his heart.

"Well, Rengoku," he answered. "We're off to find a dragon, because of a prophecy or something like it."

[Tesh Any pronouns]

4 hours ago, S4S said:

Ignoring the fear that was rapidly building inside of him, Ren restrained himself from taking a deep breath. The armed traveler had noticed him immediately after Ren had stepped into the open, snapping their knife into a combative position. Thankfully though, the traveler’s stance was defensive, and he hadn’t lashed out at Ren yet.

“I… I heard a bear,” Ren whispered softly in response, “Yesterday. A-and an explosion. And… something…”

Ren could feel his confidence waver with every word he spoke. This was not going well. It had been so, so long since Ren had spoken to the living, it was painfully obvious now. He cursed Death’s Name; why was it his heart knew what to say, but his words failed him with every syllable?

“I saw your fire!” Ren exclaimed softly, pointing towards the remains of black charcoal that had mixed into the powdery snow, “I... I followed the smoke and found you- all, of you. I just… wondered, what was… happening…”

Slowly, not moving his eyes from the stranger, Talnic sheathed his knife. He didn't know why, but he somehow knew that this man was not a threat.

2 hours ago, Knight of Iron said:

"Well, Rengoku," he answered. "We're off to find a dragon, because of a prophecy or something like it."

Talnic nodded. "You may join us if you would like."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

4 minutes ago, Tesh said:

Talnic nodded. "You may join us if you would like."

Orpheus chuckled to himself a bit. "And if we run across a band of thieves? Do they get to participate? Why didn't we invite the bear?"

[Tesh Any pronouns]

Just now, Knight of Iron said:

Orpheus chuckled to himself a bit. "And if we run across a band of thieves? Do they get to participate? Why didn't we invite the bear?"

"If they don't try to kill us or rob us," Talnic said coolly to Orpheus, "then I would have no issue with them joining our number." He looked to Rengoku from the corner of his eye and lowered his voice. "And I can feel something different about this one. I can't explain it, but..."

[Knight of Iron she/they]

54 minutes ago, Tesh said:

"If they don't try to kill us or rob us," Talnic said coolly to Orpheus, "then I would have no issue with them joining our number." He looked to Rengoku from the corner of his eye and lowered his voice. "And I can feel something different about this one. I can't explain it, but..."

A man came walking down the path, and stopped and stared at Orpheus and Talnic, curious.

[Tesh Any pronouns]

18 minutes ago, Knight of Iron said:

A man came walking down the path, and stopped and stared at Orpheus and Talnic, curious.

Quote

Knightttttttt....

Spoiler

Hi.

 

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Talnic turned, hand on his knife. "Can I help you?" Talnic asked.

Edited January 11, 2021 by Tesh

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Just now, Tesh said:

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Talnic turned, hand on his knife. "Can I help you?" Talnic asked.

Quote

Whattttttt....

Spoiler

Hello!!

 

"Shadow," the man said, nodding, with a small smile. He looked to be a relatively young adult, with wavy red hair and a muscular body. "I've heard you're going on some quest?"

[Tesh Any pronouns]

1 minute ago, Knight of Iron said:

"Shadow," the man said, nodding, with a small smile. He looked to be a relatively young adult, with wavy red hair and a muscular body. "I've heard you're going on some quest?"

Talnic narrowed his eyes, looking the stranger up and down, refusing to let his panic show. "Do I know you?"

[Knight of Iron she/they]

Just now, Tesh said:

Talnic narrowed his eyes, looking the stranger up and down, refusing to let his panic show. "Do I know you?"

"Of course not," he said. "My apologies. I am Xeus, but I have heard of your reputation."