escordvi | November newbie intro log

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November newbie intro log

Who: Emet-Selch and anyone
Status: Open
Where: Generally around Eltrut since he's new and wouldn't be doing too much exploring just yet
What: Emet-Selch has an exhausting first few days trying to acclimatise to this new land
Warnings: None at the moment

(Will match format)

1. MANTA board - Claws and Companions

Ever since he disembarked from the Royal Fortune, he cannot fail to notice a small, white tag-along.

The bold little creature - one white-furred feline - has been eyeing him for a while. Emet-Selch doesn't know if it's hungry, belligerent, or simply curious, but he had noticed that it was particularly good at catching rats. Assuming it to be someone else's pet, however, he had mostly ignored it. But he can't ignore it now.

It finally boldly marches up to him and twines around his ankles as he pauses by a market stall. He tuts and stoops to pick the cat up. Almost immediately, it wriggles out of his grip and crawls on to his shoulders where it seems quite content to sit indefinitely.

"...I don't have the means to feed an extra stomach, you know."

But he doesn't try to shoo the cat away. Instead, he sighs, and continues on his way. He still has a few other places to visit for supplies - and he also needs to find that buried chest with all his original clothes.

2. Inkwave Tattoo Parlour

First on the agenda has to, of course, be to regain his magical abilities. Emet-Selch's mouth turns down at the corners when he sees the means by which it will happen. Tattoos (and other body markings) are not really something he likes. Mostly because of the pain or bother which accompanies their upkeep. But he heads inside regardless because the thought of living here without his magic is even less desirable.

There are a few options here:
a) You see him waiting his turn for a tattoo, deep in thought over the design he wants for his own.

b) You hear him arguing with the tattoo artist over the location of the mark. ("--And I'm telling you that I don't want it above my crotch!")

c) You see him outside afterwards, unhappily and self-consciously rubbing his backside. Seems like the artist did accept a compromise of a sort...

d) Some other equally amusing scenario???

3. MANTA board - Spellbound Circuitry

"No, no, this is incredibly inefficient. What incompetent fool has been teaching you this?"

Emet-Selch sits at a table, shaking his head firmly at a strange (or perhaps not so strange) design. His raised voice is difficult to miss should one wander by.

"You have the right idea for foci, yes, but you can't expect the user to power their own contraptions all the time. What do you expect those lacking in magic to do, hmm?"

He waves away protest and starts pulling bits and pieces towards him, starting to assemble something that looks almost like a staff - only it's one made of metal with a gem focus.

4. Wildcard

Any other ideas? Feel free to DM me or plot with me.

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So you do not yet recall Meteion and meeting our Warrior of Light in Elpis?

[ Because it is sounding like Emet-Selch is speaking of those final moments in Amaurot. ]

Are you out of your mind? How could I possibly have--

[ He halts abruptly. No, he DID see them there. The memory drags itself out of the depths of his mind, sharp and clear. Elpis. Hermes. Meteion's report. ~~And the Warrior's damn puppy eyes.~~

He slowly lifts a hand to his head, staring at the ground. His fingers curl into his hair, still matted from his dip in the sea. There are many thoughts racing through his mind right now but they can best be summarised thus:

Shite.

Excuse him, he's going to wander to the nearest rock or wall and collapse on to it and wonder what the point of the last twelve thousand years was. ]

[ It clicks, doesn't it? Clearly Emet-Selch had yet to experience his revival at the very edge of everything. Best not bring that up entirely then. He likely wouldn't want to hear who is ultimately responsible for that, brief as it had been.

Instead he follows after the man. Slowly and cautiously. G'raha doesn't consider them to be enemies, but it would be a lie to say that he trusts him completely. It would also be inconsiderate for him to believe Emet-Selch would share the same feeling. ]

Emet-Selch?

What was the point? [ he growls. ] Was this really the only method you could resort to, Venat? I'm sure you're feeling so very pleased with yourself right now, safe in the aetherial sea, having never experienced any of the suffering you dealt the rest of us!

[ He stands abruptly and stalks past G'raha. An aetherial greatsword forms in his hand as he approaches a tree. Gripping his weapon in both hands, he swings it over and down.

Crack!

The poor, innocent tree, spliced neatly on a diagonal, topples with a roar of foliage. Emet-Selch's aetherial weapon dissipates moments after as the man himself stands there, breathing heavily and glaring down. ]

[ G'raha watches. He listens. Of course he had realized that there might be some bad blood there - regardless of the fact that Venat used to be something of a companion. It's not his place to argue with the man before him, but he could. G'raha, out of everyone, knows what it is like to be isolated. To know the course of the future and yet be unable to say anything until the correct moment. Not for as long as Venat, mind.

Nor had he dealt with being one of the only survivors for as long as Emet-Selch.

At least there is no flinching during the temper tantrum. Honestly, G'raha gets it. He might have wondered the same thing. ]

As someone who knows how it will all play out in the end... I can't say I disagree with Venat's methods.

Of course you don't!

[ He snaps this over his shoulder but doesn't turn around. If he does, he feels he might be tempted to attack G'raha. ]

As someone who was there from the very beginning, she could have done far more to avert disaster.

[ He understands why Emet-Selch would feel that way. How he could come to believe that Venat might have done something different. It's an irrational thought, really. One likely brought on by the burden the man has held onto so tightly over the course of too many years to really count. ]

You misunderstand. I say this not because it would mean the survival of the star as I would know it, Emet-Selch. The Sundering, whether you agree or not, was the best option for the continued survival of Etheirys.

[ Though G'raha doubts that Emet-Selch will ever fully believe such a thing. Even if he does, the man's pride will never allow for him to acknowledge it. ]

Etheirys would always be under threat of Meteion even if your plans with Zodiark had entirely succeeded. The only reason that those of our era managed was because of the advantage granted to us by being lesser, by not having as much aether as you and yours. Both Zodiark and Hydaelyn are gone. Meteion has been managed. It is the best possible scenario for anyone who is a true steward of the star.

[ He remains where he is a few moments longer. Irritating as it is, the miqo'te is right. He knows they're right. But that won't erase the resentment he feels for Venat's - for Hydaelyn's - choices. It also doesn't change the fact that he lost their clash of wills on the First. The star isn't his or his brethren's to govern any more.

He waves his weapon away and finally turns back around, crossing his arms with a scowl. ]

And who are you to judge my people as incapable of changing to meet Meteion's doom? Justify yourself however you like - we will never see eye to eye on this matter.

[ He glances back at the town they've come through. ]

I'm not particularly interested in reviving this debate either, Exarch. So if you don't wish to be on the wrong end of my weapon, I'll thank you not to speak of it and rub further salt in a dead man's wound.

[ Fortunately or unfortunately, G'raha is going to stand his ground. He's not really trying to pick a fight, no. Not trying to be petty or spiteful or anything that might come with being the "victor" in this situation. ]

No, I imagine that we won't. [ Not taking the bait about the whole "who are you to judge." After all, he hadn't done that. Venat - Hydaelyn had. ] Need I remind you that I initially came along to be assistance.

[ His tail whips behind him. G'raha's also not really interested in arguing. All of it is now moot, considering what the results had turned out to be. ]

Which means that I have no quarrel with you and do not seek one. Though if you do not wish to engage along that lines of conversation, then do not think I am actively "rubbing salt in a wound," so to speak.

[ His head slowly swivels back so he can frown at G'raha a bit longer. Eventually he uncrosses his arms and stalks over to tug his map back out of the miqo'te's hands. ]

Fine. Then where in the seven hells are you trying to take me?

[ Well then. At least they've come to some sort of understanding. Goodness knows how long that will actually last.

Neither here nor there, G'raha supposes... ]

Where do you think? To the location pointed out on the map, of course. You seemed quite lost.

[ He can't deny the truth of that but he isn't happy to hear it regardless. He shakes his head irritably. ]

Yes, yes, but I meant where exactly? The wilderness? A village?

Neither.

[ G'raha is going to point to where "x" marks the spot. ]

This is located near one of the alleyways, close to the edge of the village.

[ He peers at the marked spot, brow furrowing ever deeper. ]

They left my possessions where any vagrant could come across them?

[ He sounds mortally offended. Outraged, even. ]

Find them, yes. Open? Not necessarily. I assure you, they are quite safe at the moment.

Though less and less should you take longer to find them.

[ Ugh. ]

Fine. Show me.

[ You're not getting a 'please', catboy. ]

[ Thankfully, he doesn't really expect one. Instead, G'raha nods and simply leads them through the winding alleys and streets of the town. It is only perhaps ten or fifteen minutes before they reach the outer edges of the city.

And there, tucked between two trees that form a perfect X in the way that they have grown, is the spot that is on the map. ]

Mayhap you should start digging, oh illustrious Emet-Selch.

[ He gives the spot a dirty look. The earth looks recently disturbed at least. That will make it easier to dig.

Sighing loudly, he extends a hand. A sharp, pointed drill of wind stabs into the ground and swiftly flings aside dirt. As long as G'raha stands behind Emet-Selch none of it will get on him.

Eventually, a small chest is uncovered. The Ascian easily levitates it out of the hole and brings it to rest at his feet. Inside are his robes. The set he died in. ]

[ Never fear old man. G'raha is most certainly standing behind the Ascian. There is no way that any of that dirtis going to get on him. Although, there is a point where G'raha migh wonder if the intent had been to make the attempt... ]

I'm not sure what I was expecting...

[ Regarding the garments that Emet-Selch would have with him this time around, of course. ]

[ It truly is a pity that G'raha staya clean. Oh well, there will be other chances for pettiness...

Emet-Selch harrumphs and takes the folded robes out, tucking them under one arm as he stands straight. ]

What? Did you expect esoteric instruments of Ascian sorcery? Don't be ridiculous. I had no physical body until now.

[ So many chances to be petty in the future. But remember that he can be just as petty in return. And probably will. ]

That or, mayhap, Garlean regalia.

Hmm, eager to see the return of Solus zos Galvus, are you? Mayhap you preferred his zeal?

[ He lets a touch of the man's arrogance rise to the fore as he speaks, half-turning to raise an eyebrow at the miqo'te. ]

If you prefer him to the Ascian, Emet-Selch, I can always oblige.

Believe me when I say I have no desire to see that particular face.

[ For various reasons. But truthfully, he hadn't been sure what to expect. What would this world consider to be Emet-Selch's? ]

At least you have your belongings now.

Hmph.

[ Truth be told, he may just end up buying new clothes when he can afford to. But even his robes are better than his salt-crusted rags.

He tucks the clothing under one arm then snaps his fingers. The dirt sweeps itself back into the hole. The empty chest remains in place. ]

...I suppose I should thank you for playing navigator.

Mayhap if we were on friendlier terms or I were more spiteful, yes. However, it isn't an expectation in this case.

[ A casual shrug. ]

Truly, I did wish to help. Nothing more.

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emet_sulk - 2024-01-27 00:19 (UTC) - Expand

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