Finding Help in Unusual Places (Moderated/Open)

[Creeper]

Timestamp: Spring 26, 512 AV Time: Midday Who: Open Dersha and her companions wearily dredged into the city of illusions. They hadn't been expecting to fight their way through to here. Dersha looked with weary eyes over at Lukra. If she hadn't come along, they would all be dead by now. The Myrian woman was a ferocious fighter, as warranted by the many blood stains on her person and the lack of wounds. Dersha had never been to the city before, but had heard many stories of its beautiful art and unusual nature. She had seen several things that could not be, and several more that she was not sure were real. Any other time this would have been fascinating, but they were on a mission. Her final companion, a Kelvic hummingbird by the name of Jitter, was a native of Alvadas. He would guide them through the mysterious city, and act as the go between. Dersha was a daughter of Marn's, and would not let her father's city be destroyed. She had a lot to prove, and this task seemed impossible. From what she'd heard, nearly every city was impacted just as hard as The Spires, so finding help seemed to be a long shot. But they had no choice, there were so few of them that had escaped the effects, they had to rely on help from others, and bring them back to the city. This would be a first in the history of The Spires. The Hidden City would no longer be a secret among the world. The thought scared Dersha. But without assistance, there would be no city. Lesser of two evils she supposed. Dersha and her team would be spending three days in Alvadas. They would recruit anyone that would be willing to return to The Spires and provide any form of assistance. Dersha knew teams had been sent to other towns, and her own expedition was expected to be the first to return. She really hoped everyone would be successful in finding help, for this felt like an extremely lost cause. She needed to find anyone that was capable of fighting, hunting, healing, tracking. Really anything could be used, she just needed willing volunteers. Dersha would greet interested parties warmly, while Jitter would fly around town contacting people and spreading the information of what they sought. He had many contacts, and word would spread within the day. "We are an expedition from The Spires, and are seeking help from any willing person. Our city is in chaos and we will be moving to reclaim it from the powers that have seized control over our people. The government has fallen by the wayside, and we can use you to help restore the city to it's glory. There will be reward for all who help. If you are interested, meet us at sunrise in three days at the city gates. We will be providing horses and everything you would need. You will receive additional information at the base camp upon arrival." OOCThis is open to anyone who would like to return to The Spires. There will be plenty of rewards to be had, as well as dangers and excitement. The traveling group will arrive in a camp near The Spires on the 51st. If you want in, just have yourself accepted by the group, then I will do a final post in Alvadas. We will pick up individual plots upon arrival in The Spires.

[Arrow]

Trouble frowned. “Are you sure? Cat is really not going to like riding on a horse. She told me so. And besides, she’s too fat to fit in that basket.” The kelvic, in her human form of a young girl of ten or so, pointed at the woven container that Arrow held. They were walking towards the Maw, each with a pack on his or her back. It was all they had left. The house with the faded blue door was gone. So too was all Arrow’s equipment – his inventory, his supplies, his precious books – all vanished in the storm. They were lucky to have escaped vanishing themselves, having been outside the city just shortly before the storm struck. There had only been time to make their way underground, and remain there until it was ‘safe’ to come out. Safe didn’t actually translate to real safety. But they had had at least enough time to go try to find their home, only to discover it was nowhere to be found. In Alvadas, that could easily have meant that the house was simply hiding somewhere, and they had looked for days. But no trace of it could they find. Trouble had at least stopped her lamenting over the possible loss of Cat, the same feline that had been trying to eat her baby sparrow self when Arrow had first encountered the two of them, and rescued the one. The other had followed him home in hopes of a moment of inattention and the chance to finish her dinner. There hadn’t been time before the storm to locate the enormously fat feline. Throughout the duration of their days spent underground, Trouble had fretted over the possible fates of her beloved nemesis. As luck would have it, their home and everything of value was lost. The cat, of course, came strolling leisurely out of an alley immediately upon their arrival at the spot where the house should have been, or might have been, given it was Alvadas. Trouble was ecstatic. Arrow was a bit less enthused, but philosophical. He had weathered worse since his fall. This wouldn’t be the first time he would be forced to start over. How though? That had been a very good question.

Along with Cat, the old woman from whom they borrowed the goat to pull their little cart had also emerged from her own home, which was completely intact. She invited them in, and begged them to stay, until some other lodgings could be arranged. The goat, it seemed, had not been as fortunate as either the old woman or Cat, and had been transmogrified into a hideous monster, with three heads and two tails, and, inexplicably, seven legs. It was sporting sharp canines and was about the size of a small elephant. Arrow suspected it was fear of the goat that was at least part of the woman’s generous offer of temporary housing. But soon enough, the goat-thing was dispatched by one of the roving bands of monster hunters. By then, Trouble had already had the first of several conversations with a hummingbird named Jitter. Arrow had been dismayed to learn of the predicament of The Spires, and the Jamoura, amongst whom he had spent quite a few years, albeit a long time ago. The plea for help seemed to be fated. He and Trouble had no place to live and no means of making a living. The Jamoura needed help. Arrow was no warrior or healer or hunter, but he did have a wealth of knowledge of history. If all in the Spires was well and truly demolished, they might be in need of a scholarly type, to piece together again lost tracts and volumes. Well, all he could do was offer.

So, in reply to Trouble’s concern about Cat, Arrow merely shrugged. “If she doesn’t fancy a ride, she can bloody well walk.” His voice was teasing though. To the Ethafael, the prospect of the impending adventure was invigorating. Perhaps he had been growing complacent, putting down roots for too long. It would feel good to move on, as he always seemed to do.

He patted Trouble’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. She’s a cat, and they know how to find the best comfort. I’m sure of the whole damn lot of us, she’ll experience the least hardships on the way.” His attention then turned to a petite young man with small, dark, bright eyes and a very colorful head of feathery hair on his head.

“Twitter, here we are.” Arrow looked about the assembled travelers to be. “How many of us will there be in all?”

[Fallacy]

Alvadas was stretched thin already, they had their own problems to attend to and didnt need to be bombarded by another cities issues. Though in her young optimism one young leader had scrounged some forces that she could spare to aid the Spires. In doing this she didnt only expect to have some relations, but also have an excuse if anything later on were to occur to call upon the Spires help. In fact, she wasnt doing this out of her heart, no, she had a more political agenda to satisfy. She was acting in what she thought was Alvadas own future. They already were a center of trade, why not make better relations? Walking down the streets Alluvia drew a lot of looks, she usually wasnt seen by the public since she became a Triad member. Though she still was well known around the city for her cooking skills and delicious, some would say legendary, dishes and desserts. A chef and baker of the gods themselves. Ionu liked them well enough, for she had a rather unique style and presentation. Though right now, she looked nothing like a chef, but more akin to a fairytale princess. Her hair was done up in braids and fancy buns that just by looking at it one could have guessed that it took hours just to do her hair. She wore a dress that seemed to be touched by illusions themselves, a purple beauty, silk and other fine fabrics draped and adorned her body. She wasnt vain, but rather she wanted to represent Alvadas in a positive light. She wanted to show that the city of illusions was an artsy place, and that she was fit to guide it towards whatever goal she thought was right. Around her and trailing behind her is what looked like an armed escort. Skilled, and of great power these were the warriors that she chose to send out. Making her way to the gates she saw a couple other people had shown up along with her chosen guards. A smile crossed her face, as she wanted to appear friendly as she stopped at the Maw, her guards stopping around her, "I am Alluvia of the Azure Triad." she announced herself, "Alvadas has heard your plea." she said glad that she wasnt late, "And we would like to offer our assistance." she said to the people who she was to meet there. Her hands motioning to the Silencers assembled about her, "Ten of our finest trained Silencers." She silently hoped that the journey to Alvadas wasnt too demanding of the citizens of the Spires who journeyed all this way seeking help. Help was given.