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« january open log: avaleci »

This is our Open Log for players to have an easy opportunity to tag others and have fun with prompts that deal with current happenings that are not covered by our MANTA Board quests. Sometimes we provide extra quests at the bottom, but oftentimes we just let the MANTA Board cover it. Players are free to include MANTA Board quests in their toplevels!

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated January 16)

WINTER LODGE

As part of an annual migration of sorts, the three leviathans will journey north where the waters are cold and small icebergs and chunks of ice will float aimlessly. As if serving as a "boundary point," there is a large island called Avaleci. It is a unique place where one half is an active, submerged volcano and the other is a snow-capped mountain. For a few years now it has become a place to serve not only as a waypoint for those traveling through the area, but a tourist vacation destination. It is here the three leviathans will rest, Nogard attaching itself in the black coastal sands where the mountain and volcanic plains meet.

Riding up a special sky gondola will take visitors high up on the mountain to a luxurious winter lodge that will allow anyone to stay in one of their cozy cabins—for a fee, of course. If one cannot pay with cash or treasure, then earning one's stay through labor, such as hunting for cooks or helping clean and assist others is an option.

The lodge itself will provide for most anything visitors may need, from appropriate clothing to gear and equipment for any sports or activities they may wish to partake in the area. Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, bobsledding, snowshoeing, mountain climbing—most everything is available with marked trails and areas that would be safe to partake in such activities. There are also a few special activities visitors may want to try their hand at.

Along with the mountain slopes and the snow covered forests surrounding the lodge, there is a large frozen lake just a small hike up a trail from the lodge. There are also ice caves that some may try to venture through, but should take caution as there are also natural predators and monsters that live in the area.

🎣 Ice fishing. There are two forms of ice fishing: 1) the usual dig through the ice and drop a line into the frigid waters, and 2) have a net ready to try and catch flying fish that will fly over.
⛸️ Skating. Show off your moves! Just stick to the thicker ice, and watch out for anyone trying to play hockey instead.
🌟 Stargazing. Although chilly, there is a designated platform where one can use telescopes or just lie out on the ground to stargaze. Maybe if they're lucky, an aurora borealis will appear to paint the sky with a curtain of colors.
🦇 Snow bats. There are special little white bats whose homes were devastated by a small avalanche not too long ago. There are now rescue efforts to help rebuild their habitat to create hollows for them to build their nest. Form a positive bond and they may gift helpers with a special powdered sugar that falls from their fur.

Although not the tallest mountain in the world, climbing to the peak can be a challenging feat, especially as it includes venturing through some ice caves. The staff try to keep the trails and caves clear of any dangerous animals and monsters, but they still sometimes come through so be careful. However, should one reach the peak, they can collect a special mountain ice crystal that will stay frozen no matter how it gets. Just beware of potential avalanches. There is a magitech system installed to automatically create a special dome shield in certain areas to help protect anyone who can reach the safe spaces in time. But if otherwise caught, rescue efforts will be quick and should be able to pull anyone out to safety.

Finally, there are a number of wildlife and monsters that inhabit the mountains. For the most part they will leave the busy lodge and recreational areas alone, but encounters are inevitable. Territorial mountain goats, ice golems lurking the ice caves, and the occasional yeti may appear. Some may be persuaded to leave peacefully, especially with food. But others may be hostile no matter what. While the lodge would prefer no bloodshed, they understand if it must happen. Otherwise, for hunters looking for game in the wilderness, they will find the usual variety of animals and will need a permit before venturing out.

HOT SPRINGS

Warmed by the volcano, the hot springs are located at the foot of the mountain, where the snow disappears and the terrain is rockier with short cropped grass and valleys before it fades out to the barren volcanic plains beyond. Built a bit simpler compared to the winter lodge, the hot springs' inn is set outdoors where the pools are, but it, too, has special rooms and lodgings for people to enjoy themselves for a relaxing stay (again, for a fee). Because the hot springs are easier to access on foot, the sky gondola starts down there and connects to the winter lodge above.

In terms of amenities, the hot springs have both separated and mixed pools. They are usually well marked, but sometimes pranks happen. There are several located outside with some near lava streams that flow out from the volcanic crater far from the springs, to the ocean. There are invisible, protective barriers to prevent anyone from accidentally touching the lava. All rooms will have their own small private pool. There are also foot baths, saunas, spa and massage rooms, a gaming room, and several food stalls and restaurants for one to dine at.

Of course, just like up on the mountain, there are some "hazards" that those using the larger pools, especially those that are near the lava streams, to be wary of.

🦎 Fire Drakes. Fire drakes are a common sighting around and in the pools. They are for the most part "friendly," in the sense that they won't outright attack unless they are injured first. But they can sometimes crowd the pools, so one may have to gently "shoo" them away.
🥚 Drake eggs. Nests can be found scattered here and there, and the eggs are a delicacy of the island. Blue eggs are safe to harvest as they are unfertilized, just like chicken eggs. Red eggs, however, are considered protected. Should a drake catch anyone trying to take a red one, then all hell will break loose as the entire hoard of drakes will descend to save their egg and the entire springs will shut down until it's settled.
🐧 Waltz of the Penguins. It just so happens this is the time when large flocks of penguins will migrate down for mating season. They usually won't bother anyone as they are more intent in performing special dances to find a partner, which can be beautiful to watch. Or perhaps someone may want to try and play matchmaker. But it isn't unheard of for someone else to catch their eye…

Some unusual activity is happening outside of the springs, and a local environmentalist will run in distress. Ice giants were spotted attacking and trying to collect a special native breed of tortoise. They grow up to be as large as giant boulders, with their shells made of molten rock. They are formidable in their own right, but the ice giants are larger, capable of picking them up and knocking them over. Rescue the tortoises either by guiding them to the safety of the springs or beating back the ice giants (killing is allowed). Save the tortoises and be handsomely rewarded!

Finally, those in Nogard may find their leviathan's choice of stay a bit…warm. They already had to experience witnessing their leviathan turn into a flesh dragon and engulf them in its gut only to be popped back out to the sweltering heat of the volcanic plains. Good luck to anyone who decides to stay in their homes. Elah and Eltrut will be unaffected.

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

Note: All threads involving prompts in this section will count as "quests" and be worth 4pts.

On the other side of Avaleci where the lava is hottest and where there is no cold to ward off the heat is a dangerous terrain where only the brave and more adventurous should go. Make sure to bring plenty of water and anything else that might help beat the heat. Who knows, even a bit of snow might help. There will be several tunneling entrances leading to winding corridors and wide caverns, some even boasting floors of lava, so watch your step! Fortunately, those who are fleet-footed should be able to make it across on the stones.

Within the caverns, there is plenty to discover: from gemstones and fire crystals to fire blossoms (interesting, they look strangely like the winter blossoms only red), and even some old magitech that appears to be broken. Still, there is no one around to tell people not to collect any of it...

🌋 Floor is lava. Getting across the volcanic terrain will require adventurers to hop from safe stone to safe stone to get to the other side of a lava lake. Beware of lava blobs that will shoot lava balls.
🧂 Sulfur smelling salts. Journey deep enough to find a sulfur field, where smelling salts can be harvested to help ease the nightmares brought on by the sleeping curse. However, too much exposure to the smelling salts will leave one feeling hyper energetic to the point of acting sleep deprived.
💎 Fire crystals. These crystals are a hard sought after item as they can be used for a large variety of magitech and even jewelry. However, they are extremely hot to the touch and can even burn if not handled carefully.
💾 Old relics. Scattered throughout the caverns are odd remnants of what appear to be old relics from the past. Researchers and archaeologists have tried to study here before, but due to the dangerous nature of the environment they've been hindered in their efforts. Those who retrieve pieces to return for study will be able to learn and work with the researchers. (note: Players can come up with any kind of relic that could be found here, from old magitech parts to fantasy genre artifacts. We'll ask for submissions during AC, but you are welcome to ask if you're not sure if your idea is okay or not!)

Roaming around the volcanos, especially in the caverns, are small flame sprites that can talk, sing, and dance. They are mischievous little things with a penchant for trouble, and love playing tricks on people, so keep your eyes peeled for them. Be careful, they also have some very sticky "fingers" and will try to steal whatever you might have on you. However, those sticky fingers are also very fiery, and will burn whatever they get their grubby little hands on!

The sprites will lead you on a merry little chase with your items, over lava pools, through winding tunnels, deeper and deeper into the volcano to take their new items to their secret stash of treasures. They will be hard-pressed to give it up, but should one have the charisma or the charm to convince them, they may instead be swayed to return with you if they are promised a comfortable life elsewhere! A large ship, perhaps? Or a fireplace? Away from that "big, scary, flaming animal" that lives further in the volcano.

Guarding the sulfur fields is what one could surmise is the "big, scary, flaming animal" that lives within the deeper depths of the volcano. Should anyone journey too far, they will no doubt hear its hooves thundering throughout the tunnels. Whether you choose to fight this fiery horse or attempt to tame it will be up to you, but it will not be an easy task… Especially upon close inspection it appears to have a few bones sticking and not quite "whole."

There are some odd things about this area with the flaming horse. Not too far is a small cave where what looks to be remains of a broken altar made of obsidian, the ground charred along with bones and bits of fabric. Dark red stains can be made out as well, but is that just the red rock of the volcano, or something else? Other artifacts can be found, such as torn books, stone tablets, but it all seems made within recent years.

More details about the flaming horse:

Attempts to tame the fire horse may be partially successful. If characters manage, one of two things will happen:

The horse will stare at them as if in a daze before it retreats into the lava, stopping its attacks for a short period of time.
The horse will charge off towards where the strange altar is, attempting to break the remaining structure and dig at the markings on the ground. A strange black smoke will appear and it will retreat back in anger before rushing into the lava and disappearing.

Subduing the horse will be very difficult, but we will leave it up to players on what method will work, and whether it is successful. We will ask for AC submissions, as this will unlock a follow-up quest in February.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Okay... to say that Rem is impressed is an understatement. The magic might be foreign to her, but the way in which the spell envelops her fully has her mesmerized with wonder. Rem inspects her hands and arms as the glow clings to her.

When he directs her attention to the horse, though, her back goes straight, as if standing at attention. ] Yes, sir!

[ And she watches him begin the battle.

Rem waits for a few moments behind the rock before darting to the edge of the chamber, careful to remain in the cavern's shadows and away from the sulfuric vents. Slowly but surely, she makes her way to position herself behind the horse-demon-creature, far enough to ensure that its attention remains wholly on Ketheric, but not so distant that she knows her own attacks won't reach.

Quietly, she calls her daggers into her hands, waiting, for now, for the precise moment to strike. By default, stealth attacks only have one chance; she intends not to waste it. ]

[When Rem sashays along the exterior walls of the rocky chamber keeping to the dark crevasses, Ketheric makes sure to keep the flaming horses' attention fixated on him in the meantime. Fighting the beast straight forward would be rather trying but he was not adverse to getting his hands a bit dirty wherever necessary. History only remembers the victors after all and would be damned if he ended up dying in a place such as this after having just reclaimed this newfound life. Using the brief moment allotted to spare the chosen of Myrkul stands his ground as he begins to cast Blindness on their foe whilst it rushes towards him at full tilt.

In the middle of its impending charge the effect seemingly takes hold, smashing head first into a large stalagmite, creature letting out an agonizing whinny in terror. Becoming dazed the beast tries to collect its bearings but his dark magics hold true as it shudders in dismay as the effects of the blindness hold.]

Strike true without delay, Rem!

[Giving the signal for his counterpart to make her advance for now was the opportune time to attack as Ketheric did not know how much longer the effects of his spell would last.]

[ She no longer has her natural killight ability, but she's been trained all her life to go for clear, quick kills. No mess, no flair. She can do this. She will do this.

As soon as he calls for her to strike, she bolts onto then leaps off the bolder with a flip, diving at the bucking demon-horse. Rem raises her daggers in her hands, concentrating magic into her palms as she lands, poised as a dacer, upon its back. An instant later, she strikes the beast in its neck-- one dagger impaled through each side, and then flips backwards, releasing her power.

Ice explodes (figuratively; there is no fire) from where she had impaled the demon, blooming out in a concentric series of icy waves, each one forcefully pushing the previous ring of icy fractals one out from the last. The beast, now staggered, blinded, stunned, and partially frozen, collapses to its front knees.

Rem's looks to Ketheric, expectant. Finish it. ]

[Almost instantly his counterpart leaps from her hidden position, Rem mounting the beast as she released an explosive magical attack unto their foe in one fell swoop. Icy shards encase the fiery horse in place momentarily now completely disoriented whilst being frozen in place. As she pushes off the creature to land safely out of harm the elder half-elf watches on quite thoroughly impressed by the youngster's killer instincts. She had made a worthy ally on multiple occasions now and had quickly become one of the few individuals he's taken a liking to here in Escordvi. It helped that he felt a kinship to Rem much like the former bond between himself and the beloved daughter who resented him now. In due time she would have come to understand that everything he'd done was to restore his beautiful wife and Isobel to his side reunited together at long last as a whole family.

Glaring down their enemy as it struggled against the bindings of ice on its hind leggings, thrashing about violently as it tries to presumably flee to lick its wounds after the near fatal blow. Rushing forward to close what little distance was betwixt him and the monster the chosen of Myrkul stands strong as his eyes begin to glow that familiar shade of eerie green as he reaches towards the cretin and casts vampiric touch to hopefully drain whatever life force remained. After a few more seconds of lashing about the loud whinnies begin to cease as the fiery red eyes of the demonic stead come to a close, fires raging along its torso and mane slowly dissipating to leave but a presumably empty husk.

Or so they had thought...Just when hope began to rise in the pool of his gut the flames upon the horses torso begin to rage once more, piercing gaze opening wide to stare Ketheric down in a deathly rage. The icy prison which held it in place cracking under the constricting moments of its limbs to finally break free. Instead of barreling forward to attack however it turned to immediately retreat back to the small cavern where the alter was located.]

It flees in hopes we shall give up the hunt but I will not falter now after having come this far! Are you with me, Rem?

[ Her brow raises as the fire within the beast pulses and reignites, blessing the creature with a second, fiery wind. Rage fuels its erratic, or perhaps desperate, movements. Ice sheds from around its torso like glass scales, breaking and sizzling upon the ground as the horse rears and charges toward the altar, ignoring the both of them. For a moment, she wonders: is it making a desperate attempt to flee to the churning pit of lava on the far side, or is there something else about the structure that calls to it?

His rally breaks her from her thoughts, and although she hears it, she doesn't give him anything more than a nod. Light shimmers within her hand. A second later, she vanishes from sight with an invisibility spell.

Rem reappears mid-flip from a boulder, catching it unawares from the side. She unleashes another bout of ice type spell-- this time from a distance. The magic homes on the fiery demon, exploding into a violent charge of piercing icicles that flurry inward like knives. In her other hand, she prepares the same spell, but still keeps some measure away. It wouldn't be good to engage an enraged beast head-on-- but if Ketheric doesn't wear it down further with his next attack, she'll be ready to launch another at its head. ]

[Despite her silence Rem gives her senior the answer he was hoping for slipping into the shadows before unleashing another volley of icy shards onto their enemy as it tried to flee further into the caverns. The ice-like knives pierce the demonic stallion’s exterior causing its knees to buckle from under it, breathing raggedly on its last legs. This was his moment, Ketheric surging forwards with renewed vigor to instantaneously close the gap between him and their target.

Raising his two-handed war hammer high in the sky, the usual ominous green that accompanied his spell casting had changed to a radiant, shining light which omitted from the weapon in question.]

By Myrkul's wrath you will meet your doom!

[With the proclamation fulfilled Ketheric lets out a glorious battle cry as he brings the radiant infused hammer down with a loud smash in contact, divine smite successfully landing upon the beast's jaw with the sound of breaking bones. Struggling to try and stand with its jaw hanging limp the fiery stead lets out an exasperated sound almost as it if was crying out in terror as it all but finally collapsed under the weight of itself. Labored breathing follows as he tries best to recollect himself after the rather trying battle, Ketheric moving to poke the demon's still face with the blunt end of his weapon, flames rescinding from its body to leave nothing but a motionless carcass before them...for now.]

It is done...

Edited (Same icon twice DON'T LIKE IT. lol) 2024-01-11 20:50 (UTC)

[ When she had first met him, Ketheric had used a spell, ominous in color and design, to slaughter many of the pinecone creatures. Even in this battle, she had seen him use more magic that appeared to drain the horse. But for the final blow, when she expects some similar type of attack, instead he wields radiance that smites the creature.

When the battle's over, Rem continues to look down at the remains of the creature for a few seconds more. (Piecing together that this sizzling, unmoving carcass must mean that they fought it, and that he must have killed it, because as soon as it's dead she forgets that it ever lived.) Any thoughts as to its majesticness, its mystery, and the fact that it had been injured or unwell are gone from her mind.

Slowly, she raises her head. ] ...What was that? The attack you just used. The one with the light?

[ At her sides, she dismisses her weapons. They vanish in a shimmering, white light. ]

[Having thoroughly checked if their quarry was truly slain, Ketheric's mind went at ease taking the time for a brief moment of respite. Although no harm befell either of them it was not without their fair share of close calls, if not for his quick thinking and Rem's keen sense of affinity using her ice magics against the fiery beast to her advantage it surely would not have gone so smoothly. Their abilities complimented each other as the former general showed his military prowess with words of encouragement and stratagem whilst his counterpart's sheer tenacity overcame their adversary with relative ease.

As Rem closes the distance between him and the creature now to join at his side, Ketheric looks towards the war hammer in his grasp deep in thought as he thinks how best to answer such a question. Even before turning to Myrkul in his youthful days in service to the Moonmaiden Selûne when he first took his Paladin oath the half-elf was capable of invoking godly powers. However; After his betrayal to Selûne and Shar both he became an Oathbreaker under Myrkul's influence forsaking the light in servitude of death.]

A paladin's righteous fury and the font of our power the divine smite, Rem.

[Faint flickers of his past life still available to be weld at his will, daughter's words often lingering in the catacombs of his mind telling him to seek redemption and pay penance for his old sins.]

[ A paladin... in the same vein Xenk, then. A appreciating smile replaces the awe of her expression. ]

It was... amazing. All of that light, coming down with your hammer. And it did just the trick. [ A satisfying finishing move.

What she knows of such paladins may not be much, but she does know that they are associated with a deity. That, and they make for excellent allies.

Rem then turns away from him, stepping over the carcass of the horse. She won't be collecting its soul, not in front of someone whose reaction she cannot guess. Instead, she turns her attention to the altar. ]

A-Anyways, let's look into this. It has to be something important. [ Rem takes out her shellphone device, beginning to take some photos. ] If only we could bring this whole thing back with us... Maybe if we chip off a piece, that'd be useful to other researchers.

[Though it is true both he and Xenk share similarities as paladins, their alignments were far different given the deities they worshiped. With Ketheric taking up the mantle of Myrkul's chosen, Xenk followed the path of virtue and justice under Tyr’s guidance. At one point in time he would have relished such an ally but nowadays the other was nothing more than a hindrance who wished to bar his way. In due time Rem would begin to realize not all paladins were alike and there were some like himself who’d forsaken their vows to become an ‘Oathbreaker’. For neither Selûne nor Shar deemed fit to restore that which he desired most, allowing him to suffer in dismay until fate intervened and the Lord of Bones made him a tempting offer he simply could not refuse.

As they move from the defeated creature’s side, Ketheric simply nods in agreement as he follows closely on his counterpart’s heels. A weary gaze shifting back to that of the corpse to their back from time to time making sure they do not get attacked unknowingly. A wave of his hand is given in dismissal to her insistent compliments.]

Think nothing of it. If not for your own affinity of ice magics we may have perished at the wayside.

[Did he just unknowingly compliment her in turn? Perhaps, perhaps not. For Ketheric knew when he'd been bested, without his counterpart the encounter with the beast would have been far more dangerous. Stepping up beside her the man kneels down to examine the strange markings which envelop the sinister looking altar. It could almost pass as a shrine to the Lord of Death himself with various bone formations at first glance but Myrkul could not possibly have a foothold here in Escordvi after he'd been told the Gods have all but left them to their own devices here. Very curious indeed. At the mention of chipping a piece off an armored hand moves to signal Rem’s retreat if only just.]

And you shall receive that which you desire, Rem. You have done me a great service aiding in our plight within these treacherous caverns and I will return your efforts in due kind.

[ Is that a compliment...? It sounds like a compliment, and he doesn't seem to be the type of man to give them out so freely. She finds herself smiling as she steps away at his recommendation. It's not secret that she, like many, responds well to praise. She did good. She wants to do good. She wants to be strong... and useful to others. ]

Okay... One last picture, though. How about you, with your hammer raise, above the altar?

[ She lifts up the shellphone to her face, peeking over the top. Pleassse. ]

I think not...

[Drifting off as he raised the two-handed war hammer within his grasp once more, if Rem was swift enough to snap a picture with her shellphone as he brought the blunted end down to a splintered crack at the base of the alter where remnants of a stone tablet reside. Finding his foothold with his weapon the elderly half-elf begins to pry it free though it would simply not budge completely free.

Gritting his teeth with disdain the man was determined to see this through not only for her but his own selfish greed. For these relics could hold profane magics of untold potential that could possibly bring about the resurrection of his family here in this land.]

[ Yes, she will be taking a picture! He might even hear a soft, artificial click as she presses the button on her shellphone.

But as his hammer strikes down, she lifts her arm, shielding her face and eyes. The altar breaks with the force of his weapon, its impact sending a thunderous noise throughout the cavern. Rem lowers her arm, watching him as he prys out... something-- she can't exactly see.

So she steps closer. ] What is it? [ She asks, curious. She'll be gathering a few sample pieces of the altar to bring back. ]

[Thankfully for Rem’s sake her senior did not sense the presence of the others' insistent picture taking what little he understood of its technological advances. It could somehow be used against him perhaps and would not chance their momentary status as allies going awry. His attention was fully focused on the task at hand as he continued to pry at the remnants of the stone tablet in question until a large chuck finally breaks free of its threshold.

With a satisfied sigh as he regains his composure, taking a moment to catch his breath as his counterpart approaches, Ketheric sheathed the war hammer on his back before reaching out to investigate their findings more closely. The strange inscription upon its surface was illegible upon examination, moving to extend the fragmented piece towards his companion for closer inspection herself.]

The shard of a stone tablet which was inlaid within the base of this altar. Though…I cannot surmise its inscription perhaps you will fetch better luck than I.

[ Whenever she's had the time (which is, admittedly, not that much given recent events), she's attempted to study the script that had been found on the tombstone a few months back. Unfortunately, her attempts have not yet proven fruitful. If this script is similar to that found on the tombstone, Rem will not be able to read it. ]

Our best chance of understanding any script on the altar or these relics is to share them with others-- pool our knowledge-- or see if the paladins in the archives back on Elah can help.

[ ....She casts her gaze down, then crouches near some of the other pieces of the broken altar. Rem picks up some of the obsidian pieces, turning the stone over. There's red on it. ]

....Do you have any way to determine if this blotch of red is blood, or some other type of natural, crimson-colored stone?

[At the mention of sharing their findings with the Paladins a visibly upset look crosses his features with a scrunch of his nose and sighing solemnly. Rem has been stuck in this place far longer than he so the man would defer to her judgement on this case as he slowly nods in understanding though he was still not impressed. For many of his old enemies from Toril had taken up the Paladin mantle and did not wish to collaborate with them.

When his companion looks over the piece of the stone relic in question, flipping it over to reveal a red colored substance similar in color to that of fresh bloodshed a brow cocks curiously though Rem will be swiftly met with a shake of his head.]

It bears a striking resemblance to that of bloodshed but there is no definitive way of being sure...This is surely not my area of expertise, Rem.

I guess we should be getting back, then... [ Rem remains careful not to blotch the red marking with her thumb, placing it into her satchel. She, too, can't tell from just looking-- for all she knows, this is some sort of elaborate prank. So, she'll have to show the piece to someone more experienced at determining mysterious red substances and/or stone.

Rem lifts her head, looking to him with a smile. ] Thank you for your help. Fighting that thing-- I don't think I could have won on my own.

[A subtle nod is given in return as Rem mentions heading back whilst stuffing the piece of the broken tablet safely in place within the satchel at her side. Despite his reluctance to work with the Paladins they were a necessary evil in this instance, Ketheric wearily agreeing with his counterpart in seeking their aid to unravel the mysteries of this place. Not all of their rival counterpart's were completely unbearable here save for the annoying pests of his past life who were already here in Escordvi upon his awakening.

The kind recognition from his companion was unnecessary as he gives Rem's thanks a wave of dismissal and shake of his head. She truly did treat him better than most and was a constant reminder of that which he lost but was thankful for her kinship nonetheless, one of the few allies he could entrust in this world.]

Do not sell yourself short, Rem. Your combat prowess is quite promising for one so young.

[A fleeting glimpse of a sincere smile forming at the tip of lips before the usual stoic expression settles into place, reminding him more and more of his strong willed daughter with every passing day.]

Th-thanks... [ At his assurance, she looks down and away, a meek blush appearing across her cheeks. If it's one thing that will get her to smile, it's a compliment that she did good, that she was helpful. She means to be helpful-- she always has, even before she'd become a cadet where praise was so far and few between each mission. ]

More importantly, what we find here could also help others, it could. [ And herself. She has an interest in finding artifacts for herself, too. ] As well as learn about more mysteries of this world.

An altar with a maybe-bloody stain on it is ominous. But it is something. Rem reaches down to collect one more broken piece of obsidian, holding it up. In the volcanic glow of the chamber, its dark, smooth surface reflects an amber light, making the stone appear almost as if it holds something molten within. ]

I have no desire to aid anyone beside ourselves in this endeavor...For they did not suffer the trials and tribulations to acquire this boon.

[A brief pause as he watches Rem safely tuck away the tablet along with the chunk of obsidian in turn. Eyes closing shut as a subtle sigh escapes his lips, taking a step forwards to close the gap betwixt them before reopening them with a stoic gaze in her direction.]

However...If these supposed researchers are truly capable of exposing the secrets of this altar then I will defer to your judgment on this instance, Rem. But know this...My decision is not made lightly.

[ While initially surprised, she gives him a small, grateful smile when he relents. ]

I... was actually going to ask--

You seem like the type to know about these sorts of things. [ The altar. Curses. Ominous things. And she's only guessing this because she's seen him use a certain type of magic against the minis a month ago. ] Your expertise might be needed, too. [ Her smile broadens, adding a small tease: ] So whatever knowledge is in that head of yours, you won't keep it all to yourself, will you?

[Although Rem’s assumptions were correct her senior had no real intentions to share his knowledge on such affairs so willingly. For he was still distrusting of most Paladins who crossed his path thus far save for a select few. Knowledge was earned not simply handed out without some sort of return on investment. However; That being said Ketheric would need to enlist the aid of these scholars if they were to fully understand their findings despite whatever prior observations.]

If knowledge is what you seek I will share my understandings…Albeit reluctantly.

[Holstering the war hammer upon his back the elder half-elf walked a bit further past the ruined altar made up of bone and obsidian to note a strange sigil almost painted on the cavern floor in a deep red hue. Kneeling down to examine the markings an armored hand brushed across it, smearing the cipher as he brought the hand to his nose. A mixture of sulfur and blood stings his nostrils before spitting on the ground in disdain as he rises back to his feet.]

Blood magic…This sigil upon the cavern floor is an incantation. A summoning circle perhaps used as an anchor…Dark magics are at play here.

[ ...So it is blood magic. The news itself isn't thrilling-- who would be happy to hear a blood ritual occurred in a volcano? She's glad that she's made this journey with someone knowledgeable on the topic. ]

...Let's bring this news to the others, too. I don't like where this is going. But if something dangerous was going on here, people should know.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

« january open log: avaleci »

WINTER LODGE

HOT SPRINGS

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

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