[Quest] Archi-Mage-ic (Closed)

[Dakota]

Dakota ignored the group for a moment thinking she was not a fan of a illusion she didn't like the games and after what had happened at the Emerald pool she was going to be more cautious. "Splinting up into groups sounds like a a terrible idea and is fool hearty." She said aloud so all could hear her not bothering to turn to face them yet however.

"What we do know so far is that this place is not what is appears to be and if this person can keep a house hidden I am very sure they can mimic are looks and that can lead into us not trusting each other if something happens while we separate." She said turning around finally pointing to the sign. "I am a archeologist and the fact I don't recognize some of the ancient wording on here is not a good sign." She spoke looking about around at the plants. "Also I don't recognize some of these plants, I don't think going wondering into someones green house is the best ideas "

Looking back the way they came Dakota tapped her chin. "We aren't even sure if we can go back." She said turning to Nas the only person she knew what were the odds then looking about at the rest of them. "As long as we stick together we should be alright and as for which path to take either turning around and trying to find that gate or the peak path due to the fact that when we last saw the mansion it was in that general direction."

"Oh and my name is Dakota and its a pleasure to meet all of you wish it was on better circumstances." She said with a large smile not sure if she liked being the only women on this adventure. She hoped they would take her advice and stick together if not though she would follow the majority.

[Anton]

Anton spent so much of his time and effort on the trek a step behind the group, waving and making faces and trying to attract the attention of the hawk on the man's shoulder, that he had almost forgotten what he was here for. He couldn't help himself. The bird was everything a kid wanted in a pet: Cool, with a seek predatory grace to it, and seemingly smart enough to follow commands, if Anton recalled a certain envelope catching incident back before the gates. Maybe he could ask Huntell about the Womiyu's policy on large, expensive raptors on the compoun-

He sighed. Not happening then.

But a job was a job, even if it was completely out of his admittedly limited scope of expertise. And he knew nothing about the people he was travelling with.

But insight, however meagre, seeks out those who care to look.

He snapped open his auristic sight, and with great personal effort and will on his part, didn't immediately train it on the hawk. He had one shot at a half-decent auristic reading attempt, for his sight was a weak one, and could only focus on so much in a given period of time. There were six -five- auras he could choose to scour, and who would be lucky trespass-into-your-soul- victim number 1?

As soon as he heard the term 'Hypnotist', his choice was clear.

As the man spoke, his sight began boring into the man's aura, slowly but steadily peeling away the layers of color and sound wrapped around him. Those were, at present, indecipherable to his amateur auristics, and thus, were to be discarded while his focus deepened, while he continued to plow for segments of aura that could be readily interpreted at a glance or two.

He was still digging into it when the man stopped, and others began their introductions, and he heightened his pace, going for whatever he could find before it was his turn. The man was honest about his hypnotism, but there was something else, something greater. A discipline he didn't recognize, perhaps? That put him back on guard.

Then...

He struck gold.

Family.

Just a simple word.

And yet it said so much, told a story that words couldn't really do justice to. Details were irrelevant. The How's, the Where's, the Why's and when's were irrelevant.

But the what struck him like a blow to the face, and it was all he could do to not visibly recoil, let alone not flinch.

He snapped it shut just in time to take his turn.

"Hello, my name is Anton. I'm-" a Voider? No. He needed something to prove his value to the other invitees, to allow them to discount his age for the aid he could provide. At the same time, as green as he was when it came to Alvadas's culture and the public perception of magic as he may be, even he knew a disipline revolving around opening a gateway into a realm of killing cold and utter, abject nothingness wasn't something you showcased freely to the world. "--very pleased to meet you all. I know abit of reimancy." he took a small bow of sorts, then added: "Water."

So here they were: An honest hypnotist, a guy with a hawk who did nothing and everything, a self-proclaimed underacheiver, and a female archaeologist who didn't seem to have a keen grasp on Nader-canoch. And himself, a kid pretending to be a silencer pretending to be a kid pretending to not be a voider and not pretending to know reimancy but yet pretending to only have an element.

They...They were gonna die, weren't they? he thought amusedly, though it was not without an undercurrent of anciety beneath it.

He tugged at the hem of Shayma's Katinu, seeking to draw the man's attention - and still trying to get a decent reaction out of the hawk. "Excuse me, Mr. Shayam," he asked, polite as ever in the company of strangers. "Can your hawk scout for us?"

He wasn't optimistic on that option.

After all, one of the first lessons that the priests taught...

Was that if Ionu wanted something solved, be it mystery or riddle, you would only do so at her pleasure.

[Kuvarakh]

Kuvarakh listened as the others expressed their views.

"Well, it is not my intent to offend anyone, but only to speak bluntly. Twice now, the concern over finding our way back has been expressed. Also the fear of our images being mimicked. This is Alvadas, my friends! And this estate seems even to be unique to the random whims of Ionu. So I ask, what did you expect? Didn't you consider such possibilities before you ventured in? Our appearances may have already been mimicked and manipulated at the gate!

"We have invitations! And while, admittedly, they are not guarantees of safe passage, they are unlikely to be tools of deception, since we were all 'fool hearty' enough to enter in the first place. And there is an old saying, 'when you can't find your way back out, go deeper in.'

The way I see it, we have three choices: we split up as we see fit; we elect a leader; or we argue...endlessly...at every turn and fork from here to wherever the Manor turns out to be."

[Shyam Kuromiya]

Shyam looked down at the boy that tugged at his Katinu. He was slightly amused that someone this young had managed to get through. Yet again he knew to never take things at face value. Everyone could prove to be useful and the boy could have some hidden talents that could be helpful again in the future. He considered the boys request. While that could be helpful he was not sure if Aesir would be able to come back by herself. The boy seemed to show interest in her, but they needed to scout the area. He decided to do the scouting himself. His wolf form would be best and it was also faster then his human form and more compatible with his heightened senses. Considering the man's fears that they would not be able to find their way back, he decided to mark the area they were, at the moment. He reached into the pouch containing his knives and took one out. He went to the nearest tree and carved an arrow pointing back in the direction they came from. Above it he put in he Nari word for home. He walked over to a tree on the opposite side of the path and carved an arrow pointing down. Above the he carved the Nari word for beginning. He then looked up at the sky and the position it was at. He saw the where they came from was South. Before crouching he untied the thigh strap that supported his sword, making it easier and less uncomfortable. While he crouched down to the ground and carved a big arrow to the South Aesir jumped off his shoulder and onto a tree for awhile. He then stuck his knife into the head of that arrow at an angle with the top pointing Southward. This was all he could think of that would help them get back. Standing back up Aesir resumed her perch on his shoulder. Pointing at the arrow pointing back to where they had come from and then at the arrow that pointed down he said,Home and Beginning. He then pointed back to where they had come from and he said South. This can help I think. Anton, could you hold Aesir for me. I will scout. You take care of her. She wont hurt you. You also look a little interested... Can someone hold my stuff for me. My sword and clothes. I need to change. Please. He proceeded to take a second knife from the pouch and he cut a patch from his Katinu, that was abit larger then the boys Shoulder. He gave it to him. If you say Come, she will sit on your shoulder. If you say Fly she will get off and fly with you, and around you. She will listen to you only. If she sits on your shoulder put this there. To protect you from her nails. Take care of her please. The last part he said with a slight smile. Turning to Aesir he told her a few things. The boy is friend. Listen to him. Stay with him. Do not follow me. Follow him and fly.

[Nas]

Nas wondered about the others as they spoke up and introduced themselves hrm we might be talking a bit too much, but it was needed to be done socializing to plan their next move so he kept his eyes looking around them as he listened to the conversation. He had to admit the young boy surpised him it was enarmoured with the perched bird on that mans shoulder that was armed to the teeth a mercenary perhaps? as he waited for everyone to speak up their mind he just let the conversation flow it would be best for everyone to speak up their doubts...or fears. Whille the man decided to take action and mark a tree in some words he dint know he did take note of the words he spoke for commanding the bird should anything happen he might need to make the bird fly or something. Still the words he spoke maked something click a bit on Nas hrm hold his stuff to change? oh he might be a kelvic? or a morpher dont know much about either he stepped up to offer a bit of help "i can hold them for you Shyam till your return" he would help the man after all scouting might help them choose the best path....assuming no one will play a trick on them again.

oocops i was late to reply sorry

[Kuvarakh]

Kuvarakh wondered if the carvings would be received by anything besides skepticism from those concerned about trickery and illusions, but he felt it a well intended effort, and one as likely to be helpful as any other. Hearing the man speak, he felt a twinge of regret over his overly wordy tendencies of speech.

He nodded a friendly smile at the man, guessing him a kelvic, given his comments about scouting and needing to "change". "Thank you, Shyam. I'm sorry if I talk too much. You wouldn't be the first to think so." he grinned, "Good or Bad, I am off to the Greenhouse. I wish you all well, and hope to see you at the Manor, where we can compare notes."

With that, he turned to the right and began walking down the path indicated by the sign. It was an easy trail to miss without the sign to alert a traveler to its existence. He soon lost sight of the bridge.

[Shyam Kuromiya]

Before he could respond the man turned and disappeared. The man was amusing. His extravagant way of speaking made him unique and interesting to talk to. He turned to the Nuit who had offered to carry his things for him. He reached up to his neck and released the strap that held it there. Next he went to his waist and untied the pouches that were there. Carefully folding the Katinu he was able to fit it into the pouch that was empty. He next untied the sword around his waist. He was uneasy about giving this sword away to anyone else, but he figured that it was for the best. The Talon Sword and sheath were worth alot to him. They had alot of monetary value, but their sentimental value was worth way more to him. He removed his Sontav from his wrists and put them together with his Katinu. He was barefoot today as he had left his sandals behind at the Wolf's Cave. He left everything together in a neat pile and he hoped the Nuit would take care of them. Although he was a Kelvic and was accustomed to not wearing clothes in front of other people, he had found out that some people were uncomfortable with nudity that was second almost second nature to him. He walked away from the gathering of people, abit into the woods where they could not see him. He removed his Bryda and folded it up. Then he proceeded to change shape. He felt his anatomy change as he shifted back to his natural form. He felt relaxed as he changed back. He didn't concentrate on the changes going on inside him but rather on how it felt like to return to his natural body. He felt like leaping for joy, like running, celebrating enjoying this but for now, he held that back. He looked around for his Bryda and took it up in his mouth. He then walked back to the group. He dropped it next to the pile, then he sat back on his haunches. He looked at the Nuit in the eye for awhile. He hoped that he understood that it was him and that he would take care of his stuff. Better start the scouting. I have memorized how they smell so finding them again should be easy if needed. He trotted off into the woods at a steady pace. He could go on for as long as he needed to or until he needed to eat. It would be awhile as he had eaten a hearty meal the day before. Going in no direction in particular he decided to explore the area and see what he could find.

[Nas]

Nas nodded as he saw Shyam pilling he stuff he hoped they wouln't be atacked by anything when he left, but one could never know in this city. He looked as he moved away to the forest oh he will get naked most propably to shift what animal is he as he thought about it he noted a wolf coming to them holding the stuff as he put them to the pile he turned to look him in the eye Nas understood it was the kelvic and he was to guard them till his return. Hmm i wonder if the kelvic knows i am a nuit it would be interesting to try and ask him discreetly so i know he looked at those who remained with him most would propably leave sooner or later, but Nas had promised to wait for Shyam and he would.He just hoped, he could catch up to them later.

oocYou read what Fallacy said post what you do
stay with me till Shyam is back or decide to go off on your own and explore

[Fallacy]

Kuvarakh The Greenhouse. The Greenhouse what a safe choice. Having made his choice the nuit would then start in the direction of the Greenhouse. Surely the signs were right and there was no deception at all. This isn’t the city of Illusion, now is it? Though, for whatever luck the group may have, they could rest assured that the signs were in fact correct. There was nothing off about them at all, there was nothing saying that it was a trap, but the party would do good to remember that signs can only hold so much information at one time. They have to be short, concise, direct, and through that shorthand method of making the signs some important information was left out. Perhaps some information that would allow the party to make a more educated guess in where they wanted to go. However the die has been cast and a few chose their fate. How will this all work out? The path that led to the greenhouse wasn’t all that unpleasant. It was reminiscent of a nice stroll through an open forest. The trees seemed to stand just out of the way of the path, lining up, standing in attention as the nuit passed them. However if the alchemist would look back he would see the path he was walking on only extended from where he was at that point. Behind him, the forest had once again rearranged itself obscuring and dashing any hopes of returning to the main party, at least without some handy navigation. Then again, this was Alvadas after all. Location, size, space, feelings, sounds, sights, it meant nothing here as anything could be fake, but even then it could be real. Such is the mystery and power of Alvadas. Soon enough a clearing would present itself to the adventurous nuit. It was quite sizable and would leave him wondering exactly how big the manor grounds are, not that size mattered when you have infinite illusion to span out into. A world apart is where the alchemist would find himself. A snapshot in time. Rising above it all was an old and decrepit looking building. Glass panels dotted the said greenhouse, but with time most have fallen out, been shattered, and after an untold amount of time, years of neglect, the very earth, vegetation, started to claim the building. Vines climbed up it and used it as higher ground to collect the sun. Though, it was a thing of beauty once upon a time. Kuvarakh could tell that at one time it had been truly magnificent. Shyam The forest was filled with unknown dangers, especially for those who would stray from the common path and go scouting ahead in an unnamed direction. The forest before the wolf lurched and wrenched the ground beneath his feet would shudder. It would be like the manor grounds themselves did not want the wolf encroaching on anything that wasn’t in the chosen path. It would soon be quite obvious how real that was as under him the ground opened up. He didn’t have a chance, but instead was swallowed whole. The kelvic would find himself falling, the light of the forest being no more, in darkness he would find himself. Earthen walls sored high above him and eventually he would feel land under his feet. The effect was so that, if he wasn’t sure he had been falling, he would have thought that he was daydreaming and just standing there the entire time. No damage would be done. He would find himself in a place of darkness, no light. Though the walls and passageways would be easy for him to see. Extended out before him were two such pathways. The one on the right seemed to have a light at the end of it, while the one on the left had the sound of running water. The Others Quite some time would past and they would realize that Shyam would not be coming back. Did something happen to him? What was keeping him? The other who had left hadn’t come back as well. Did the two ditch them for greater discovery? OOC : Please remember your characters own unique skills and languages. Not EVERYONE should have been able to understand the signs written in Ancient Tongue. Please be mindful of the little details because they make the game, and make it so you guys have to work together as a team, giving everyone their own unique challenge/moment to shine. I really like doing things like that and I do keep in mind everybody’s skills, possessions, and overall knowledge. Respect the thought I put into this adventure and be more cautious next time Thank you!

[Kuvarakh]

The trail to the greenhouse was pleasant enough. But Kuvarakh had no illusions that it was purely natural. As much undergrowth as there was OFF the trail, it was remarkable how easily the trail could be seen and followed. It should has been grown over by now. If not by trees, then certainly by bushes and shrubs. yet there was not even ground cover types, or weeds, or even leaves and needles. Someone or something was keeping it clear.

AS he walked, he began to get the sense of a pattern, as though the woods were repeating themselves in some kind of pattern. Instinctively he turned around, to see of there was a pattern to be seen behind him. There was not. There was no trail at all. He swallowed hard. 'Well, I asked for it, didn't I..."

He began walking again, unsettled, yet somehow still convinced that there was no actual malice. It was not as though the trees grew in nightmarish twisted natures with hints of faces in their bark or anything. they were just...trees. They were not reaching for him and laughing hideously. A twinge of goosebumps accompanied the thought that he ought not to give anyone ideas.

On a whim, he began slowly stepping backwards. He did not encounter foliage, but now a pattern did began repeating itself immediately. He sighed and started forward again, trying to find something specific suggesting a repeating pattern.

His focus changed rapidly though, as he discerned an increase in the sunlight making its way through the forest canopy. More and more of the sky was showing through the tops of the trees. This brought a spark of enthusiasm to his steps and soon he reached the edge of a large clearing featuring the promised greenhouse.

He found himself giving in to a compulsion to straighten his appearance as if he was about to attend some social function. He shrugged and started across the clearing. It seemed to grow larger as he crossed, but at least, when he looked behind, his progress was consistent with his effort. It simply became obvious that the greenhouse was much bigger than he thought.

It was also much more rundown than he thought. It mirrored the state of the clearing, he realized. Quite the opposite of the trail that led here, it was overgrown, the grass wild and lying over itself in clumps and waves, the air hazy with floating sunlight-illuminated seed spores and dandelion fluff. The edges of the clearing heavy with rampant thorn bushes, the viney tendrils having long since reached the greenhouse and claimed it.

It struck him how similar the greenhouse was to the hulk of a washed up shipwreck he had seen long ago in Zeltiva, draped with seaweed and barnacles, dreary emptiness drawing his gaze into the shadowed depths of the broken shell of what had once been magnificent. It even seemed to ride on a wavy sea of lawn gone to seed. It was a sad statement of abandonment and he found himself nurturing an anger at whoever had let this once-glorious outbuilding fall to such a state.