[Quest] The White Obelisk: Act II of Darkling Tides

[Echelon]

oocFour days. If you don't post within four days of your turn coming up the next person is allowed to post. You may jump back in when you have time. There are six people in this thread, and it will take a millennium to do if we have to wait a week for every post. So please, out of respect to the others in the thread, make this quest a priority. If we do, it should get done pretty fast.

13th of Spring, 512 AV The storm had brought down enough buildings in Zeltiva, but in Mathews Bay, it had seemingly made new structures too. A fifteen chime boat ride from the docks would put one face to face with the obelisks that had risen from the water. One black, one white, both seemingly ancient, and definitely mysterious. There had been no time to investigate them further in the initial chaos. There was healing to be done, repairs to take place, a full scale operation to keep Zeltiva working and moving, as if it were some big clockwork giant. But now, the University was curious. The people were curious. They wanted answers. And some even wondered if the obelisks were safe. Were they just stone structures? Or did the glyphs on their surface lend them a more malevolent shade? Two boats were being filled at the docks. Helmed by professors from the University, two teams were made up of volunteers and students, interested in helping in the research efforts. [-By Paragon] The small vessel bound for the white obelisk was helmed by a new professor. One of the handful hired in a hurry to replace the professors who expired in the storm. Kelsey Poole was his name, the new navigation's teacher. He was a broad man, neck thicker than the head of some aboard. He was a sailor for many year before he was hired as a teacher at the university, running the rare shipments between Sunberth and Zeltiva. A hard job, one that left him with more than a few scars, a certain fixation on preparedness. Along the side of the boat were two long fishing spears, lengths of rope, and in the middle several large chests of supplies tied firmly down by his own chunky fingers. Despite his background, and his apparent efficiency as a sailor, something in his past had left him a bit boat shy, which is why he had been recruited by the university, and otherwise cast out from the sailor's community. Still, the university was in charge of the investigation, and used who they had. Weather he liked it or not, it was quite clear he was of the latter opinion. "Look, I've no interest in mothering you boys." His eyes looked to Fiera as he raised an eyebrow dubiously, "or you, girl." He gave his exception and moved on. "I don't know how much experience you have in boats, and I frankly don't care. It's a clear day with no wind. Don't jump out of the boat and you'll be fine. I ain't coming after you if you think a swim is a nice idea, though. I'm taking you supposed scholars out to that ugly hunk of rock," which was really anything but, "so you can do your tests or whatever. The chest in the front has the test material the university supplied us with. The one in the middle has basic safety supplies, medical kits, knives, more rope," the man seemed to have a fascination with the stuff, "the works. And," he paused a moment, looked again at the girl dubiously, then finished, "the last chest, in the back here, has weapons. I don't know what we are going to find in that Obelisk or whatever they call it, but I've no intention of being unprepared. Do we have any questions? If not, those with some small grasp on rhythm please take one of the four oars, and we will be on our way."

[Fiera]

The recently passed djed storm had had little effect on Fiera. Her meagre possessions were not lost in the storm, nor was her dormitory destroyed, or her horse killed. Even the food shortage did not leave her entirely starved as it did the other citizens of Zeltiva. It was true that the animals which she hunted were now lean and flighty, but they still constituted a meal, and for Fiera, that was enough. One thing that did bother Fiera, though, was the two enormous tower-like rocks that protruded from the ocean. Their unexplained presence left her itching with both curiosity and fear. And so, when a team of university students were called together to sail out to them and perform tests, Fiera had been one of the first to volunteer. Assigned to research the white obelisk, Fiera now stood in front of a thick, beefy man, who was to captain the boat of students. The man, who introduced himself gruffly as Kelsey Poole, was a recently hired navigation professor at the university. After a quick glance at the rest of her group, Fiera established she would be the only female on the boat. This did not trouble her until it became clear that Professor Poole would have preferred an entirely male crew. Fiera’s eyes narrowed in annoyance when the professor paused in his speech for the second time to gaze incredulously at her. Her fragile appearance was just that, an appearance. Years of hunting and travelling had maintained her stamina and strength, and despite her limited experience with weaponry, she was not unfamiliar with physical combat. Even so, she knew that survival in the world of Mizahar was largely based on intelligence, not skill with a sword. The professors prejudice made her all the more determined to rise above the males in her group. Fiera waited until Professor Poole had finished his discourse and ordered them to take an oar before quietly intonating her anger to him, “I am sorry sir, if my presence on this boat is unwelcome.” She knew that speaking out of turn would not help her situation in any way but preferred not to be disregarded. Without waiting for a reply, Fiera turned on her heel and seated herself at the furthest oar from the helm. Her eyes settled on the iridescent water as she waited for the command to start rowing. On a clear day such as this, it seemed to flow beneath her like liquid sapphire, almost as if it had a will of its own. Powerful and profound it was. Fiera had never given much thought to religion. To her it had always seemed superfluous. Yet, in the light of recent events, she knew that if she were to ever worship a divine being, it would be Laviku. She turned to look at the white obelisk with renewed energy. Today, if all goes well, her questions will be answered.

[Leigo]

As the waves rocked their tiny boat, Leigo felt strangely uncomfortable. Even for the merchant’s son these blue surges were unsettling. The boy barely listened as the one in charge of their boat kept yammering about how he wouldn’t mother them and the like. That man seemed strangely pretentious in the young man’s gaze, but such observations were better left unvoiced. He couldn’t blame the old sailor; their group hardly looked like an able team. Leigo could even recognize some of them from before, but cracks in his memory refused to point him in the exact direction. When the old sea wolf showed as some sort of a chauvinist, Leigo only smirked. Indeed it was true that men were more adept at some jobs than women could ever hope to be. Yet, it seemed like the girl was brave enough to remain unfazed by hostility. Voice soon came for the oars and the boy made his way to the back of the boat, sitting in line with this strange girl. Out of the six of them, he would have counted her among the two who shouldn’t handle the oars, but he wasn’t fool enough to try and take it away from her. Normally he would have remained standing idly as others took care of the physical. Jumping in would be an option only if they were really shorthanded, but the girl’s bold claim over the paddle stung at his pride as a man. There was no way that a woman could get them there while he relaxed. It was both wrong and obscene. While he waited for others to mount their own oars, he observed the girl with curiosity. Leigo would look away every now and then; just to be sure he wasn’t staring too much. Still, the rest of the group could get hardly any of his interest. He could probably wonder for bells about what had brought the others to the boat, but he had a bigger focus in mind. Hunger wasn’t to blame, and anyone who went to the obelisks for food was a fool. Nonetheless, there was something strangely magical about the distant structures that rose from the deep. Something deeply unsettling and he wouldn’t have it a mystery. Once more, he gazed out to the water. Instead of looking at the obelisks, his eyes searched for the other team. They questioned if they were any luckier with the composition.

[Anselm]

The old man settled into the boat without a word. He made no attempt to take up an oar. You are a fool, old man, he thought to himself. You put yourself in harm's way without sufficient justification. It is not logical. But the obelisks had piqued his curiosity. They were something he did not understand. A mystery to be investigated and solved. Curiosity killed the Nuit, he reminded himself.

He peered out from under his hood at his fellow travelers. He did not recognize any of them. Save for one. Fiera was her name. A Kelvic. It wasn't that long ago, but he thought it unlikely that she would recognize him and saw no reason to do anything about that.

The two obelisks towered ominously over the harbor. They were going to the white one.

[Echelon]

Kelsey gave no retort of value to the sole women's polite jab, nor anything so surprising. Simply another disregarding and predictable response. "You're polite, and pretty. There is no place for that on a ship, of any size. So save your words for the other side where I don't have to listen to you." His words were jagged, and barbed with some unknown, likely tragic, provocation from his past. Just the same, he gave no objection, simply a loud grunt as she took hold of one of the oars. He himself perched at the peak of the boat, lording over them all, no oar in his own grasp. They had some distance before they would reach the obelisk itself, and for the entirety of it he planned to give clear concise shouts to pace them all. Treating each and ever man, and apparently women (singular), to take the oars as an extension of himself, using their muscles in lieu of his own to propel the tiny craft along the glass like glaze of the spring water's surface. Despite, or rather due to this glaze upon it's surface, nothing could be seen beneath the meeting of air and water. Though, all knew there was a whole world of unknown somewhere trapped beneath Matthew's Bay. An ancient world. It was Fiera who glimpsed the disturbance of the water first. As she stared, considering the mighty god Laviku, a spectral visage seemed to form within her own reflection. A gruff bark of sudden outrage came from Professor Poole, as Fiera instinctively gave the slightest pause of stroke to lend more attention to what formed beneath her gaze. "Girl! What are you doing?!" With a single bound he lept over the first bench of the boat, landing before her and Leigo. His meaty hand rose into the air, as he snarled down at her. All as the visage behind Fiera's reflection began to take the appearance of a face itself. Human, but somehow not. Gazing through her own face's reflection at her, as if some ghostly mirror. And, if not mistaken, in the moment before Feira's attentions was forced upon Professor Poole, she would almost detect mischief in the expression of her haunter. Leigo felt the stinging pressure of the Professor's heavy booted foot slam upon his as the boat reeled and rocked from the impact of the large man's bound. Tremors shook out in the form of splashing ripples in contrast to the other team he could see. They had made it slightly farther then their own boat, and seemed much more stable. Nearly serene, with the face of the Konti women mounted at the back almost picturesque against the green backdrop of Matthew's Bay.

Posting OrderThose that have already posted may repeat their cycle. Those that haven't may enter at their leisure.

[Fiera]

Once again, her eyes skimmed over the group. This time she was searching for familiar faces, but to no avail. Fiera locked eyes with the man sitting in line with her, but he quickly turned away. Poole called for them to begin rowing, which was a strange, circular movement performed with the oar. She was confused at first but, after observing the sand-haired man to her right, settled into the rhythm within a minute. Around and around, the monotony of such an activity bored her and Fiera found herself observing the water yet again. Tiny droplets that disappeared as soon as her eye had caught hold of them, streamlined ripples originating from the nose of the boat, her reflection as it peered back at her. But it was not her reflection. No, there was something different, she leaned closer, there were actually quite a lot of differences. A roguish smile lifted the corner of her reflected mouth, although the real Fiera remained entirely solemn. “Girl!” Too late, she realised her mistake. The oar in her hand had ceased its rotary movement. Fiera gasped as waves rocked the boat, almost throwing her face forward into the water. Straightening her spine, she forced herself not to flinch as the enraged professor raised his hand, poised to strike. She was a student of the university, he couldn’t hit her anyway. Or could he? He was in a position of higher authority and she was his minion. Unable to answer Poole’s question truthfully – for Fiera wasn’t entirely sure she believed herself – she sought a suitable lie, but none came. “Well, I looked into the water and saw my reflection” Fiera began in a somewhat mocking way, surprising even herself, “but then I realised it wasn’t me. Some strange, distorted version of a human face. It even smiled at me. Can you believe that? I wanted to look closer but you, sir, jumped and shook the boat.” Peering up good-humouredly at the professor, Fiera radiated calm. When had she managed to develope such self-restraint? Inside, she was in turmoil. Why? Why had she just scorned him so openly? This acting out would come with harsh consequences. Of that, she was sure. But why had that reflection smiled so cunningly? Why was it even there? She gripped the side of the unstable boat with one hand, so that she wouldn’t be thrown out.

[Leigo]

Leigo inspected the girl a few more times. However, this time it was actually well deserved. Her arms repeated the same circular motion he was trying to achieve, but with much more ease than one could ever expect from a woman. Fighting his own curious stares, boy did his best to mimic her movements. Still, when they stopped, he was stuck trying to move the oar again. It wasn’t even his sight that alerted him she had stopped. Instead his arms started aching more, back straining further and they moved less and less until all of a sudden it felt like all of them stopped rowing. He could hear the sailor yelling, but saw no need to cause such a racket. Was he that nervous of being on a ship where he didn’t even have to do anything? Seriously, what was truly the matter? The man seemed much too nervous to snap at the girl simply for losing her focus for a bit. His thoughts were estranged when the expedition leader’s heavy boot pressed against his own. This surprised Leigo. After all, they were on a ship, not one of the tables at the Kelp Bar. Just what was going through the man’s head? When Poole’s hand rose up, Leigo’s eye twitched in irritation. Come on! Weren’t they over that tens of thousands of times in civilized places such as Zeltiva? You just don’t beat on women that aren't your own, especially in public. Wasn’t he a Zeltivan? It might have passed as normal in such a place as Sunberth, but not here, never here. His head filing with paranoia of his own making, Leigo needed this to go well so he could think about other things that could go wrong. Like if the girl had really seen something. “Leave her alone. It might as well be true in these accursed times. Let’s just forget this and get back to rowing.” His tone was indifferent, but he too was on edge. Waiting for the man to sit down, Leigo wondered was the apparition really there. It would have been nice to believe it a lie, but were they really so lucky?

[Tallis]

oocWoot! Sorry for the late reply, but I’m finally un-jetlagged and ready to go

It had been many days since the Djed storm had hit and Tallis had already put his feelings of panic and worry behind him. Any damage done to his loved ones and belongings was non-permanent and reparable and Tallis was doing his best to fix them. However, keeping himself busy by helping others had run its course and Tallis needed to do more. He had grown unsettled and the need to do something had plagued him day and night. That’s when he had heard about the expedition. Tallis jumped at the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the monoliths looming over Zeltiva. The expedition would, in theory, satiate his need for physical and mental action. Stepping onto the boat, Tallis couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. The water was eerily peaceful, and the minimal rocking of the boat was soothingly familiar. Making his way to the front of the boat, Tallis sat down and let Professor Poole’s briefing wash over him. Despite the seriousness of what he was saying, Tallis felt at ease knowing that they would be well prepared. At Poole’s prompting, Tallis grabbed an oar and began rowing, letting the gruff man’s voice guide his motions. Losing himself in the monotonous motion, Tallis let his thoughts wander. The obelisks had intrigued him from their first appearance. Some people tried to dismiss their existence, but Tallis couldn’t ignore them. Not when they were so close. Some people had theorized that the structures were old ruins, thrust up from the sea floor due to the recent worldly turmoil. But the more Tallis looked at the towering structures, the more he felt that they couldn’t be entirely constructed by the hands of men. Tallis’ thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the large figure of Professor Poole bounding to the back of the ship. Tallis barely managed to brace himself and couldn’t help cringing as the ship rocked violently from the impact of the hefty man. Turning around to see exactly what had caused the commotion, Tallis surveyed the people on the boat for the first time. Three people immediately caught his attention. There was an old man in a concealing black cloak. Tallis wondered why he was here. Physically speaking, he didn’t look particularly fit for the job, but perhaps he would more than make up for his lack of strength with a fountain of knowledge. Tallis had yet to see. The next two who caught his attention were a young man and woman, currently engaged in an altercation with the professor. Tallis registered some of the conversation, and listened to the girl explain what she had seen as the blonde-haired man attempted to calm the Professor down. Tallis could feel the tension on the boat. Everyone was on edge now, but they all hid behind facades of calmness. Looking across the water, Tallis couldn’t help but envy the other boat for their apparent calmness. The Konti professor radiated control and composure and Tallis hoped that Poole could do the same and control his emotions. Silently wording a prayer to Zulrav, his patron God, Tallis surveyed the water in an attempt to see through the ripples to find what the woman had seen.

[Siarak]

Standing in the back of their little group Siarak, listening to the big beefy man that was their so called captain Kelsey Poole or Professor Poole going about how he’s not going to mother them and that they shouldn’t go and jump out the boat. Speaking to them as if they were some imprudent children. Toning the rest of what the old sailor was saying out, Siarak turn his gaze upon the others that going to be joining him on this little voyage. Noticing that it was an all men group with only one woman to the captain obvious dismay, Sarak can only hope that they will be some use with studying with the obelisks. By then Professor Poole gave the signal that it was time for everyone to get on board and start manning the oars. Seeing that there was only four oars to take up he gave a snort that was clearly a dismissal of doing such a thing, taking a sit farthest away from them making it clear that he wasn’t planning to paddle any boat. Nodding his head in recognition to the guy in the black robe that was sitting not far from him, while getting settled Siarak turning his gaze to the two obelisks his mind wonder. With all the chaos of the storm aftermath those twin pillars have been the subject of much speculation. There was those who that they were gifts Laviku, which Siarak thought was preposterous sense they did nothing to safeguard Zeltiva from the storm. No they were something more and Siarak was dying to find out. “So we are really going huh” said a deep tense voice that had an undertone to it that sounded like gravel instead of hearing it with his ears the voice came from inside his head. Glancing down at the gold band around his ring finger on his right hand with his every changing eye Siarak gave a small smirk “So you talking to me again huh Vex” he sent jokingly “And here I thought you weren’t going to talk to me the rest of the day" which his only reply was a snarl and a low “Pech you dear master” which his reply with a laugh. Sense his familiar found out that they was going on the boat Siarak discovered that Vex has a deep loathing of the sea and the fact it was so deep, and sense he was made of stone made it worse. Because of that Vex spent most of the day in his Seal form giving him the silent brooding. “It’s not that bad Vex I make sure that you don….” But he was cut short by violent rocking of the boat. Catching himself before he fill out of his seat, turning to look Siarak spotted Professor Poole standing over the girl he made verbally jabs at earlier with his hand raise as if to strike her and a blond hair man trying to calm him down. Frowning with his once sky blue eyes turning black Siarak started to wonder if that got stuck with a crazy man to caption their ship, and was that girl talking about things in the water.

[Anselm]

Kelsey Poole is an angry man, thought Anselm. I wonder what he is angry about? To Anselm people were like little mysteries to be unravelled. Each one its own unique puzzle. He goes to great lengths to assert his authority. He is threatened by Fiera in particular. He is anxious about something. And maybe a little insecure. It will not take much to set him off. After centuries of watching people, Anselm had come to the conclusion that they were fundamentally territorial. They would go to great lengths to defend their territory. It was sometimes literal physical territory. But more often it was psychological territory. Crowded together in this small boat, everyone was trying to establish boundaries around their “territory.” With this many people, alliances were inevitable. He suspected several of them would form an alliance against Kelsey Poole before long. One thing is clear, he thought. Before this little adventure comes to an end, Leigo and Kelsey Poole will come to blows.This should be interesting.