Of Shadows and Saviours IC (M)

[Cannablazem]

~Prologue~

In the Beginning, there was True Magic. A living, driving force of creation and change. As it grew and became self-aware, its will expanded into the known universe, stretching and testing its every potential. From it, came the first of the deities, known as the Ancients. Beings that were an extension of the Magics' will, able to manipulate the threads of reality as they wished. Conduits with the sole purpose of creating... everything. At first, the Ancients created a world that flowed in harmony, each facet part of a balanced system of continuous cycles. The elements, the celestial bodies, and all things that give order to the physical realm. Then, they created the Avatars and Titans, so they could see life inhabit this new world. These creations were very much like the Ancients. The drive to create, a direct link to the True Magic, and able to exist outside the physical realm. The Ancients oversaw much of the workings of their creations, and were pleased at how things were progressing. The Avatars and Titans had made many creatures and races in their likenesses, and life was abundant and diverse. But something was still missing.

The Ancients followed the compulsion of the True Magic, and the Avatars and Titans did as they were created to do, the mortal races worshiped and obeyed the "Gods" that created them. Still, the True Magic felt it was not enough, and thus, it created in every living creation something beyond even the Ancients ability. A Soul. the key to free will and choice. Though it was the greatest of all gifts, it caused much dissent and animosity between the Gods and the mortal races they ruled over. Titans and Avatars began to assert their power over the world and claim dominance over the races. It didn't take long for harmony to dissemble into chaos and war. Races being coerced, forced, or manipulated into fighting each other for the devices of one deity or another. Needless slaughter and endless war ravaged the world. It was bad enough as it was, but then the Ancients stepped into the fray in attempt to restore some semblance of cooperation between the Titans and Avatars. Raging floods of creation and destruction nearly ripped the world apart, Ancients vying to recreate the world in the ways they thought best. Survival of any of the mortal races was all but hopeless, as the world fell into madness.
Then, suddenly, the Gods and Ancients simply disappeared.

This disappearance marked the beginning of an age where mortals could harness and use rudimentary forms of magic. Resourcefulness with technology, and this new discovery in the use of magic aided the Mortal Races in fighting that which remained from the War of Ancients. Beasts of unspeakable terror and twisted monsters roamed what was left of the broken lands, but no longer had any other-worldy force to unite and lead them. Slowly, the races recovered and recolonized their torn continent, driving those creatures back further and further. After centuries of toil and hardship, the Prime Races, being Elvenkind, Dwarvenkind, and Mankind, established a ruling Empire and allied Kingdoms throughout the center of the continent. Peace had finally returned to the world.

Now, after a couple centuries of expanding the reach of the Empire, with the threat of those dark terrors from before the War of Ancients nearly forgotten, the Prime Races have no more outstanding enemies to ally themselves against. Dwindling threats, have no effect in diminishing the ambition of those rulers wishing for further control and dominion of the world. Politics and infighting between kingdoms now hold most of the attention of the Empire, and it has become apparent that Humankind is being the most aggressive in trying to assert control over the Grand Empirical Council. War is beginning to break out across the land with increasing frequency, and once peaceful settlements have been dragged into the contention, unaware of the near critical state of the ruling structure and its alliances. So far, both Dwarvenkind, and Elvenkind have yet to get involved, as their council members have advised their respective kingdoms that, should the Empire fall into the chaos of an all out war, they would simply leave the humans to their own destruction and claim the lands to the west. If the alliances crumbled, they would isolate themselves from the threat posed my Humankinds' all-consuming greed and ambition.

But a far greater threat has awakened in the forests at the far Eastern edge of the Empires reach... something that hungers for destruction beyond that of the War of Ancients...

[Cannablazem]

BY DECLARATION OF THE EMPIRE!
It has come to the attention of the ruling council, that the Castle of Greywall is in need
of assistance. As the Empire and her Kingdoms have been charged with protecting those
of our citizens in these tumultuous times, we cannot afford to send our forces to aid with
such a distant trouble without any further information regarding the loss of our valued
trading posts to the far East of our Great Empire.

Henceforth, we call upon those brave and daring adventurers and mercenaries, to venture
forth on the Grand Councils behalf, and aid Castle Greywall in resolving this matter with
haste and diplomacy. Upon completion of this bounty, and the seal of approval granted by
a Lord of Castle Greywall, each pioneer will receive a ransom of 5000 gold marks,
and up to 100 acres of fertile land in any Kingdom they desire.

Take heed, Adventurers! These are dangerous times!

This bounty has signed and approved for distribution by decree of the Grand Empirical Council

--------------------------------------------------------------

This tavern was as lively as most. Some of the customers were rowdy, spilling ale or wine in their varied states of inebriation, leaving fresh stains over already stained floor and tables. Those that were less rowdy were in customary groups in low, hushed conversation, or alone to drown one sorrow or another. The draft coming in from the front door and the occasional arrival or departure of patrons provided a cool breeze to offset the thick aroma of sweat and booze, in what would have been a stagnant and heavy heat. A small fire crackling in the side hearth, and the cooking furnace in the back kitchen were more than effective against the seasonal, pre-spring chill. A bard sat in a corner by the hearth, strumming on a stringed instrument, flattering some of the serving girls in good humor, serving as entertainment for the rest.

Orion, however, was not here for the songs or the drink. A bounty had caught his attention by the front gate, and where else does one go for more information and local banter about such things? He sat at a secluded table in the corner opposite the bard, discerning what he may. His brown traveling cloak draped across the back of his chair was still wet from the evening drizzle, steadily dripping onto a bowl of hot embers on the floor beside him. While the gentle sputtering of the coals were slightly distracting, the light steam that arose around him worked to keep his features indistinct to anyone observing him from a distance. Hopefully no one important would recognize him this night. Orion wanted information, not a commotion. He knew that the Lords of Aplaides, the Kingdom that presided over the town of Sundale, would likely find his arrival intrusive and discomforting. A few years ago, he had been hired by a defending Kingdom to join a key battle that resulted in the loss of both Aplaidian lives, and territory. It wasn't likely that anyone from the castle would be in this town, but Orion's eyes scanned for any looks his way that weren't merely passing glances.

[Minkasha]

“The sparkling maiden, makes my heart laden” The bard strung a few more soft notes of his old wooden lyre. The young man’s lower lip was quivering, throwing forced smiles at the girls that past him, but his emotions were occupied elsewhere. “A beauty of long hair, a face so fair…” The past hour he had been trying to swoon the target of his affections, singing with a handsome voice, a surefire way to get what he wanted…but now he was given the cold shoulder. Now this connoisseur of womanly pleasure was amiss, even…heartbroken that such a being would not only ignore him, but indulge in explicit behaviors publically with someone he had deemed far lesser. “Ignoring me, as if she did not care…”

But what the traveling bard failed to realize was the maiden he was gazing at wasn’t a woman.

Slammed up against the wall of the tavern, M’tev had his legs parted for the middle aged human man to stand in between. He wasn’t entirely sure why he let things progress as they did, cloak off to the side, flowing down the bar’s countertop in the back, but it didn’t offend him. The man’s callous hands were rubbing his chest under his velvet robes, the sounds of laughter masking their light moaning. It wasn’t only the bard staring, those that could see the sparkling hands grasping the man’s back or exposed legs were already quite curious. The intellectual, his name forgotten by M’tev , was surprisingly a gentle kisser, keeping the Nix hot against the sudden cool breezes that’d enter the bar.

The wanderlust of the Fae kept his eyes wondering, looking for the next source of entertainment. Curiosity was his one function, healing a broken heart by learning something new every day. And while this lover knew his history, a new, much more interesting patron came.

M’tev had never seen a man with silvery hair before.

The Nix wasn’t the only one with a wandering eye, the new, strong looking stranger turned his gaze around to everyone in the bar, hiding behind rising mist. In that moment, M’tev’s amethyst eyes held to the mysterious stranger’s – there was pain in those eyes, an inviting pain that asked to be explored.

The small sparkling hand fumbled for his walking staff, parting lips, a hand trying to hold his jaw and bring him back. Shoved into the man’s, well clothed chest was the flat end of the Fae's walking stick. A look of confusion struck the aging man, enthralled in the mystic beauty before him.

“What?” The others watching M’tev and the local sage saw the Fae's simply push the man back, and push himself off the counter and grab his things. “Hey! Wait…no…” the golden locks shone brightly and quite indifferently as the sage and voyeurs only saw the back of his head. Wounded, the bard and sage stared from a distance. The sage started to weep at the loss. Music in the bar slowed down tempo significantly, longing twisting a cold dagger into the bard's heart.

M’tev didn’t keep his eyes away from the silver haired stranger, instead smiled at him politely. Making his was gracefully over, the velvet of his robes flapped gently from side to side at his legs, hair flowing behind him and earrings jingling.

Still saying nothing, the Nix sat his things at the stool before getting on with a cross of his legs and a gentle yet airy laugh.

“I’ve never seen a man like you before”

[Sy23]

Liaskar Fea'rishaka Siagnisa Se Synea (translated more or less as "He that slinks, of the dark elder race, of the family of Liaskar") sat in the corner of the tavern, on a high, backless wooden settle, a leathern mug of the local wine clutched in his strong, bony hand, his grey/green cloak warpped arund him so that only his eyes protruded from its folds. Nothing disturbed him, nothing approached him. The fights, that from time to time broke out on the floor seemed to flow around and by him, as if even in the throes of conflict, those taking part knew he was to be avoided. Perhaps it was his smile, for the smile of one of the Dark Eldar is not comforting to look upon. The one consolation being that after observing it, few lived long enough for it to give them nightmares. It was, perhaps, the eyes... they looked capable of swallowing a soul, and spitting it out, and not trubling even to think of it thereafter.

Even the tavern doxies, who normally might do anything for a biteable coin, stayed clear. Only the maid, who had learned early on what he desired, dared come near, with constant refills of the wine, so that by now he'd had enough that might make even a dwarf drunk, yet still he sat pright and steady. He approached no-one, said nothing, showed no interest in anything. Yet what was happening was of interest to him indeed.

ANother being, one less schooled in the subterfuge of hiding their feelings, might have reacted at seeing a nix. Not the Slinker. He watched, of course, idly cataloguing the being... one of his own species, after a fashion, though long removed... and watched the drama unfold around the creature. The Slinker even registered, in an abstract kind of way, that the thing might have been considered attractive, by some. But it had no fear to feed upon, and was therefore not important.

He looked up, knowing instinctively that another tankard of wine, another plattern of the meat, were on their way. No need to shout for them. It was brought across, as if by right. He tossed a coin in the maid's direction, ignoring her curtsye, took a single pull of the tankard, and then turned his attention back to what was happening in the room. He might have looked disinterested, but his deep green eyes missed nothing.

[Cannablazem]

Orion had been tense from the moment this unfamiliar creatures' intense, golden gaze had locked onto him. He wasn't sure what to think, having filed the sportive couple away in his mind as part of the backround. When the figure spoke, he relaxed visibly and continued his outward focus on the general scene before responding. "We have this much in common, friend. you are at least partly Fae? You seem to have garnered a fair amount of attention from many of the patrons here, as i have heard those fair folk of the forest will have that effect." After a moment more, Orion finally faced M'tev directly, assessing what he could of his intentions with penetratingly bright, blue-green eyes. Then he continued, carefully gauging and examining his features as he spoke. "Never, did i imagine, that one with such beauty could be so casually cold with an apparent lover." he finished with a nod towards the weeping infatuate.

[Minkasha]

“Well, he wasn’t my lover – simply something to pass the time for the ageless. I am of the Nixe people” Elegantly his body leaned forward and propped an elbow upon the bar’s surface to hold his head, body language showing interest. Golden locks spilled down his supportive arm and over his shoulder.

M’tev flashed a smile at the silver haired stranger, never flinching from the man’s powerful gaze.

“Come here to drink your sorrows as the others have, stranger?” While the Nix spoke, the sage briskly walked out of the bar, trying to suppress his tears, shoving past anyone trying to walk in. Another cool breeze came in to take away the heat and smell.

[Squid]

"Well," thought Mathias, "the mood in this tavern has certainly changed"

Mathias had arrived in Sundale a day ago, having seen the notice calling for adventurers to aid castle Greywall. When he'd arrived, he'd been the only person to have inquired about the reward. He thought it would be best to wait a few days and see if any others arrived answering the call to aid the castle. So, he had rented a modest room, ate some dinner, drank with the locals, and had an overall pleasant experience. This morning, Mathias had gone out into the town to browse the shops, get the lay of the land, and asked around to see if anyone knew what the castle was having trouble with. Besides the fact that trading posts were being abandoned, the people knew little else. So, having little luck investigating, he stocked up on travel rations, bought materials from the very shady Arcanist in town in order to put some simple enchantments on his weapons, then headed back to the tavern for supper. However, when he entered, the mood had changed in the tavern proper, and not entirely for the better. the maids seemed incredibly nervous, probably because of the dour, creepy dark elf who was nursing drink after drink. Another very serious character in the corner, who looked like he did not want to be disturbed, was being harangued by a blond woman wearing very impractical clothing. And to top it all off, Gordon, the bard from last night, and some old timer, were sobbing uncontrollably.

"Now who would go and upset Gordon?" Mathias muttered to himself. Gordon could sing like nobody's business, and he took criticism well. "It must have something to do with that old guy" he thought as said old man barged out the door, nearly knocking Mathias aside in his emotional state. Despite the spectacle the tavern had become, Mathias ordered dinner to be brought to his room in a half hour's time, went up to his room, and prepared to do some enchanting...

[Cannablazem]

Orion held his expression in a mask of solemn sternness, his eyes glancing past M'tev for an instant to surmise the tall human that had entered and quickly disappeared to the upper levels, and back to studying the face of the Nix before him. Suddenly, he reclined in his chair and returned the Fae's smile. "I must apologize for being presumptuous and a bit brash, but I have reason to be taciturn." with an off-hand gesture towards nothing in particular, he continued, "Unlike most of these fellows, I am not here for either pleasures or pains. In fact, I believe i have garnered all that I need here."

His smile widened then, and a hint of contained excitement sparked across his face. "The name's Orion, friend, and I believe things are about to get rather...interesting."

[Minkasha]

M'tev raised a golden brow with curiosity, giving a gentle giggle. "Oh, how so, Orion?" His purple eyes scanned over Orion's unique hair. "I'm M'tev" He extended a dainty, glittering hand for Orion to kiss, its smooth olive surface before the man.

[Goldenbraid]

Robyn would like to pretend that she didn’t know why she was answering the call by the human empire for mercenaries and adventurers, but it was the same reason she always had for checking these things out, the black arrow. Though the reward would help, coin important for living especially in the human lands, she didn’t care about momentary gains. No it was that this sounded like a possible place to find the killer who shot that arrow, for it took a unique being to enter an enchanted woods, sneak up on the creature like the elder unicorn and shoot it with such an arrow.

Honestly, though she figured it was just her imagination, she swore she could feel the evil radiating from it even secured in her quiver.

Though the thought of more arrows like the one she carried existing, she pictured in her mind bodies strewn about the ground each with a black arrow piercing some part of their forms, all having faced a horrible and swift death. That she felt could explain no one returning after going to this outpost, and why she was now going to join the attempt to go and find out what was up.

She’d already checked with the representatives for the mission and reward, being informed that a few had inquired but no official plans had been set yet, and had signed her name as one to go. When asked if the reward was good for her, she paused, five thousand marks would fill a large sack or small chest and be slightly heavy to carry, plus the land was useless to her. She told the guy that she’d take the first hundred marks in coins and the rest in precious gems, and surprised him by tell him to forget the land and instead wanted her pick of a mount from the imperial stables with all tack included. He looked nervous but wrote it down beside her name, then directed her to an inn and tavern where most of those interested in the announcement were likely hanging out and/or staying.

Water nearly running off her hooded cloak thanks to the non-stop rain pouring down, she entered the tavern, noting it lacked the usual boisterous over tone normal for taverns, she quickly scanned the room as she walked towards the bar, noticing two or three likely suspects for the reward…. especially the dark elf catching her attention. Approaching the bar, the bartender likely figured her race by the bow and her shorter stature, and grabbed a wine bottle and a glass setting them on the bar and preparing to pour.

“No.” She stated, stepping up. “Give me a mug of spiced ale.”

He stared at her with confusion. “Thought all you leaf eaters drank these fruity wines.” He grumbled annoyed till she lift her hooded head so he could see her whole face, which made him look wide eyed for a moment before silently getting what she asked for.

Leaning against the bar, she quietly sipped her ale, only partly watching the activity in the tavern…….