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Heroes Community > Bards Glade Pyre (RPG) > Thread: Sundered Realms (IC)
Thread: Sundered Realms (IC) This thread is 20 pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 · «PREV / NEXT»
NoobX
NoobX


Undefeatable Hero
Now, this is a paradox...
posted May 16, 2021 10:52 PM

I did not drink too much last night, of that I am certain.  I have made it to my room, I remember that.  I have not disrobed before going to sleep.  So far nothing I remember seems to be matching my current situation.  The room appears opulent, far beyond anything a mere inn would hold.  Even the furniture is up to the highest standards of quality.  If I were imprisoned, I surely would not be put in such a room.  This befits more an honored guest, yet I do not recall ever reaching so far in this place yet.  Yet if I am to go by something, I'd assume that the yesterday's encounter with those two women most certainly had a part in this.  Still, nothing can truly confirm my speculation just yet.  It would appear I must play along if I am to find out what had really happened.

Vosh stretched and rubbed his eyes before getting out of bed.  He took his robes and donned them on, then proceeded to check for all of his belongings, noting every item he had and counting all to the last coin on his person.  With everything in order, he decided to inspect his room a bit further, casting Detect Magic for good measure.
____________
Ghost said:
Door knob resembles anus tap.

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Gnomes2169
Gnomes2169


Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
posted May 17, 2021 06:31 AM
Edited by Gnomes2169 at 06:54, 17 May 2021.

Simon opened one eye, then another, and then he looked about himself. Well. This wasn't exactly where he'd expected to wake up. And this wasn't exactly the level of company he'd expected to wake up with either. What had been in that drink...? Bah. He had more important things to think about now.

He'd been in rooms like this, even took a nap in a bed like this one as a power move, but for all of his refined tastes and his rich clothing, Simon was hardly rich enough to ever afford to live in a place like this. So he took a second to take the experience in, stretching himself out and enjoying just how soft the bed was below him. Okay. Enough indulging.

Tossing the sheet aside, Simon hops off of his bed and immediately goes to the piled up equipment. He tugs on his thick cloth jerkin, then the tight, fine-mesh chain shirt beside it before he pulls on any pants. His fine clothes he leaves in their folded pile, since he's not planning to show off to anyone right now. For a moment the Wampyri considers his brigandine vest, set just to the side of his various weapons, but he shakes his head and pulls on the dark grey, featureless vest instead. No, he wasn't going to war here, he was just going to scout around a little bit. Still, it would pay to be armed...

Making sure all twenty of his arrows are accounted for, their shafts were made of a dense carbon fiber that are more durable than the metal heads on them and the general level of technology in the local area makes them effectively irreplaceable, he would move on to the weapons he was actually bringing with him. Four throwing knives and his enchanted combat "knife," which was almost a short sword and had a proper hand guard to go with it. The throwing knives get tucked into a bandolier strapped across his chest, while his magical weapon goes into its holster along his belt, along with the small fine wooden box that had his lock picks. His cloak gets pulled on as well. While it was black and would make him stand out in illuminated areas, he'd be looking for a few of the longer shadows to hunker down in once he'd reached a proper vantage point.

And, not bothering to put on his boots, the wampyri took a look outside, waiting for the large felines to be both in clear line of sight and far away from him. Once he has his opportunity, Simon opens up his window, grabs the top frame, and flips himself up to plant his feet on the wall. The morning mists seem to twist and curl around him, and with both of his feet creating a connection point, they actually hold him in place while he closes the window, and then turns to look up instead. Ground floor, huh? Well, he'll see just how high this place could get...

And thus, Simon became a mist-cloaked figure climbing the side of this fancy place, that mist shrouding his form and actually leaking from his skin even after he rises above them, and he moved quickly and in absolute silence, rising 16 meters by the time a guard could blink twice. All so he can get a good view of the place he'd been brought to.
____________
Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred

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Geny
Geny


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
posted May 17, 2021 08:51 AM

Tarkas opened his eyes, stretched... and froze. Something was amiss. He slowly lowered his hands onto the bed sheets and looked carefully around. He was alone. His clothes and equipment lay neatly on a chair beside the bed. He was in a lavish room. The sun was up, or at least rising. Stop!.. His clothes and equipment lay neatly on a chair beside the bed? He looked under the sheets. Oh...

"This... is a real mystery." Tarkas said out loud, his cracked morning voice confused, yet also somewhat excited.

He promptly got out of bed and did a few morning exercises. Then he went to tend to his armor and weapons, but found them in perfect shape already. Thoughtfully, he put on his clothes, followed by his armor, shield and weapons. Finally, he approached the window and looked out.

The sun is still rising. he thought to himself, Now, what exactly happened yesterday? I came into town... saw a show... then there was the matter with the archon and that nice scholar... then the Hierophant... Wait! The archon and the scholar! I was supposed to meet the archon at noon! AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SCHOLAR!"

Tarkas ran out of the room and stopped abruptly, looking around and trying to figure out his next direction.
____________
DON'T BE A NOOB, JOIN A.D.V.E.N.T.U.R.E.

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Shadowcaster
Shadowcaster


Honorable
Supreme Hero
Shaded Scribe
posted May 17, 2021 06:17 PM

Scav awoke in an unfamiliar room, and before he even had a chance to register that fact he had ducked down behind the bed, placing it between him and the door while eyeing the windows suspiciously. When his conscious mind caught up, he wondered at the state of his affairs and began to suspect he was dreaming before finally coming to terms with the fact that this room lacked the fuzzy edges of a dream. He looked down at his hands and saw he had been cleaned, his skin without its usual covering for the first time in his recent memory.

His pride tugged at him, urging him to answer this insult to the freedom he prized so much, but his rational mind intervened and reminded him that this was not likely a prison. Even if it were, he was in no position to impose his will on someone who could have him at their mercy with seemingly no effort and certainly no knowledge or resistance from him.

Scav was never good at waiting, so he donned his equipment -- leather duster, boots, and gloves cleaned and oiled and probably in better condition than when they were born -- and patted his pouches to ensure his coins were undisturbed. He picked up his batons and flipped the switch, surprised to see a spark arc between them when he touched them together. A generous patron indeed, he thought, wondering if this generosity had some secret cost he could not find. But he had no time to worry about that now. He needed to know more about wherever he was.

Relieved to find the door was not barred, he stepped into a lushly appointed hallway and looked around, carefully closing the door behind him.
____________
>_>

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Galatea
Galatea


Supreme Hero
Well, I'm Ceres!
posted May 17, 2021 06:55 PM

The sun rays crawled on Ivana's face. Her hair glowed and her lips glimmered as the light touched them. When it reached her eyes, Ivana squinted. The bright light had awakened her. But still half-asleep and wanted to sleep more, she shifted to her side to avoid it, unconsciously placing her arm on the soft pillow beside her. The thief felt good and pulled the pillow closer to her. The comfort that it brought to her body would make Ivana go back to another deep sleep but her mind fought, for it was aware of the risks of sleeping outside. As her mind and body battled, Ivana's feet brushed each other and that made her fully awake since she expected she should have her boots on.

The lavish room greeted the thief's perplexed eyes. She quickly got up and scanned her surroundings. No hint of familiarity was inside the room except for her neatly placed belongings on one of the corners. She gasped at the sight, already mindful that she's naked and quickly got out of the bed.

No way! She told herself. The thief tried to remember everything, but all she could recall was that moment when she was watching the band in the tavern. Who could do this? What could do this? She asked herself. Only two things came to her mind - it's either the wine or the wizard. She gulped at the horrifying thought that the wizard might really have sold her. Frantically, she began checking her body for wounds. Ivana knew the gruesome side of slavery and some of then get farmed for body parts or worse. Good thing there was a mirror in her room and she could clearly see every part, especially her back. Surprisingly, she didn't find any. But it didn't make her believe she was safe.

It might be magic or whatever, she explained to herself assuming that a wizard was involved. Still engulfed by the mystery she's in, Ivana rushed to the window and looked out, her hands pressed against it, trembling. If she would want to escape, the window would be the most convenient one. To her dismay, she observed two lynxes guarding the area. Damn! She exclaimed as she hit the window.

She then turned to her things and checked each and everyone of them. When she realized that nothing was missing, it was only there that she had doubts to her earlier conclusions. That's odd, she told herself. If she's a slave they won't even give her back a thing. The elegant room where she was housed would also oppose the idea.

What could it be, she asked herself, What did I put myself into?

____________
And she told you, laughing down to her core, so she would not cry, as she lay on your lap,
"Nobody here can live forever, quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer."

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Oddball13579
Oddball13579


Supreme Hero
Grandmaster of the Hunt
posted May 17, 2021 09:28 PM
Edited by Oddball13579 at 21:29, 17 May 2021.

Cyrus groaned and sat upright in the bed. The soft sheets pooled around his waist. He rubbed at his eyes, removing the sleep-crust from them. Letting his hand fall back into his lap, Cyrus heaved a deep sigh and stifled a yawn. Despite the lavish mattress and silken sheets, his sleep had been—like most nights he slept—riddled with nightmares. He probably slept at most, three hours. It was fine. Sleep was sleep, and his enhanced physiology would compensate for the lack of it. He'd been going on like this for nearly a year now.

He shook his head. Corina had led him to his room last night. She had asked for his equipment, stating that they would be cleaned and well taken care of. Cyrus had begrudgingly relinquished his armour, cloak, and daggers to her. She had nodded at him and bid him goodnight.

He'd spent the next hour examining his room. Institute training kicking in. He'd been trained to do this. Security was something that had been drilled into his skull. His handlers voice echoed in his mind. "There is no such thing as privacy or security". He had inspected every surface and wall, going over every inch of the room with a fine tooth comb, looking for any sort of bugs or listening devices. From what he had seen, technology that was in working condition was a rarity, but that did not rule out the possibility of them existing.

Cyrus had quite literally, turned his room upside down. Even going so far as to lift the mattress up and check the bed frame. Taking picture frames off walls and inspecting that backings of them. Chairs, underneath tables, under the rugs on the floor. He had checked it all. He had also made sure to check the bathroom. After getting over his initial shock that he actually had a functional bathroom with running water, that is. Satisfied with his investigation, he set the room back to the way it had been. Making sure to return all the furniture back to their original spots and that everything looked undisturbed.

Following that he had fidgeted in the room for a few minutes. Sitting on the edge of the bed. Getting up, pacing. Sitting back down. Free time was a luxury. Something he had never had, had never been granted. When he was still back at the Institute all his time had been spent training or being sent on missions. When he was on the run he had only stopped long enough to sleep. Catch whatever fleeting hours of sleep he could.

He'd finally broken down a few minutes later and taken advantage of the luxury he had been provided. He'd turned the bath on and spent nearly two hours sitting in the water, submerged all the way up to his nose. Following that he had paced his room for a few more minutes as he dried off, before finally falling into bed and letting sleep take him.

Cyrus shook his head. That was then, time to focus on the now. Cyrus swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood. Stretching and yawning. He made his way into the bathroom and splashed water on his face.

He stared at his reflection. First noticing the bags under his eyes. Dark, purple, big enough that they looked like they were going to swallow his eyes. His eyes then traced the numerous scars that marred his face. Cyrus quickly looked away, before the urge to vomit became too great to ignore.

He walked over to his freshly cleaned pile of gear. The scaled armour glinting in the morning sun, the scales shifting to match the colour of the room. They looked cleaner than they ever had. He ran an appreciative finger along them.

Time to face the day. Pants and shirt on first. Sabatons and greaves first, vambraces and gauntlets following soon after. He tested them out a bit, stepping on the spot. Everything felt good. He tossed the scaled, hooded cloak over his shoulders, fastening it tightly. Lastly was the daggers he carried. He attached them securely to his belt.

With that, Cyrus turned and left his room. Anxious energy building up inside him. He couldn't sit still any longer. He walked down the empty corridors, footsteps echoing.
____________
"Just slide her down a bit farther. I could wear her like a hat." - Gnomes

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Lith-Maethor
Lith-Maethor


Honorable
Legendary Hero
paid in Coin and Cleavage
posted May 18, 2021 01:10 AM

Archon's manor, Thessaloniki, Solun Region

Exiting his room, Cyrus would find himself in a corridor with doors to his right, and stairs going down at the end to the left. He could hear movement in most of the rooms, a clear sign that they were occupied. The walls were covered with art pieces, almost none of it local, and were to the best of his ability to judge, tastefully chosen. As he started down the stairs, he would hear the faint sound of feet moving quickly somewhere below.

As he walked past the window, he would catch a glimpse of a smaller building to the side, standing around what looked like a small fountain or pool in the middle of an atrium. He could see two dark-skinned men standing near it, wearing only minuscule loincloths and shiny wide collars around their necks and over their shoulders. They did not appear to be armed, but their built was definitely enough to deter most from engaging. Past them, he would see a much paler woman, though he would not be able to see any details beyond her dark hair, as she was quickly draped in a silk robe by one of the men.

Meanwhile, Simon would be able to get a better look at the situation from his vantage point, especially since he had been there for a while. When he got on the roof, the woman was still treading water, though she would move toward the edge of the pool before long, moving confidently toward the two men. She looked no older than twenty-two and was possibly the most stunning woman he had ever since so far, including the gorgon queen of the previous night. Her most distinguishing characteristic was a tattoo around her right eye. Her dark hair was braided and adorned with gold and ivory beads.

Tarkas and Scav would exit their rooms at roughly the same time, just as Cyrus was taking the last step in front of the staircase window. The two men might be able to catch a glimpse of him before the scent of bacon reached them. Whatever was happening in the ground floor, probably involved a healthy amount of meat. They would not need heightened senses to hear the footsteps of the servant girls or the mumbling and the shuffling of robes of the darker-skinned man pacing back and forth somewhere nearby.

Vosh and Ivana, still in their rooms as they were, would see one of the servant girls bringing two bowls of food to the large felines, while another carried two more bowls to something that could not be seen from their vantage points. The girls appeared common-born, though healthier and more attractive than any young woman of their station usually was back home. One of them was tall, with long blonde hair split between two braids, while the other had almost orange hair that defied any attempt at taming it, beyond two short pigtails.
____________
You are suffering from delusions of adequacy.

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Gnomes2169
Gnomes2169


Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
posted May 18, 2021 08:19 AM
Edited by Gnomes2169 at 08:28, 18 May 2021.

Simon reached the roof of the estate far faster than he'd thought he would, -he'd honestly expected some fortress walls to be present...- but being proven wrong about the aesthetic whims of their "host" wasn't too terribly disappointing. From his vantage Simon would be able to pretty easily take in the entirety of the outer grounds, and his eyes wander to and linger on the display in the pool. Ah. So the grounds had no overtly visible security beyond the cats, but this lady... well, she had brought her own it would seem.

The woman was beautiful for sure, an easy place for the eye to rest. And she terrified Simon on a primal level. Though she had all the elegance and grace of a lady of high station, individual details stuck out to him as the most crimson of flags. First, the men and women around her were adorned like property. That by itself soured whatever interest he had in the woman, not that he was in her league anyway, but it wasn't the only thing.

He was also almost certain that she had spotted him, an armed man leaking magic that no one else had seen, who held a vantage point while she was just getting out of the pool and was unarmed, scantily clad in general... and she didn't even react. Either she was supremely confident in her security, or he was so far beneath her notice that the potential threat he represented didn't even register to her. Or she was just incredibly stupid. Perhaps all three.

If even one of those statements was true, she was not someone he wanted to deal with alone. Not contractually, nor in a more intimate situation, unless he had assurances of compensation at hand. So, instead of approaching like some idiots might do in this situation, Simon hung low and backed away from the pool.

He was still on the roof of the first floor, and there was a second floor that he could approach and scale just a ways off from where he stood, but Simon didn't exactly need to do that anymore. After all, he was pretty sure he knew who was hosting them. Who would have such lax security, so few visible guards, unless they were already assured that everyone knew who's house this was, and how stupid it would be to break into it?

This had to be the Archon's estate, or at least attached to it. And if it was the Archon's estate then that meant the witch had likely set up all manner of magical guardians and warding around the more central and important locations. These guest quarters might be less well protected, hence Simon being able to just climb onto the roof without anyone noticing, but from what he'd heard of the Archon that could come from the man simply believing that his guests should be able to fend for themselves if they were worth the time and effort.

Regardless, the wampyri was not going to tempt fate. So instead of exploring more, Simon returned to his room the way he had left it. With the cats being fed, he could easily and quietly glide back down to his window, open that unlocked portal back up, and slip into his room. Closing his window, placing the throwing knife bandolier back exactly where the staff had left it, same with his cloak, he would make his room look picture perfect but lived in (with the bed sheets left unkempt as they were) and then he stepped out of his door and into the general living area.

No, he's not changing into more comfortable clothing. The chain shirt and combat knife stay on until he knows who these other guests might be. He will tug on some socks and his boots before he goes out this time, though. While they may be somewhat uncomfortable, people would expect him to wear some foot gear, even if they were functionally little more than aesthetic since even with them on his steps never made a sound and his feet never fully touched the ground. One day he'd be able to disregard people's expectations. One day...

Oooo, did he smell bacon? Yup, that's where he was going first.
____________
Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred

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NoobX
NoobX


Undefeatable Hero
Now, this is a paradox...
posted May 18, 2021 09:30 AM
Edited by NoobX at 09:30, 18 May 2021.

Servants?  And ground guardians?  A residential complex perhaps, of high import most likely.  There is magic around me, too, possibly a few more casters in the vicinity.  Other "guests" maybe?  "Guests" seems like a good word to describe it, although how willing they were when they were brought here is questionable.  It would be absurd to assume we'd be hostages, especially after being placed in rooms like these.  But there must be more to it, there must be some angle, some sort of benefit our "host" would have from us being here?  What would I have to offer?  Likely something of use to their cause, although I cannot think of anything other than my magic skill, which by itself is not that spectacular.  Just what is exactly going on here?

Having checked the room and finding it safe and sound, Vosh took a seat at the table and began going through his sheets of paper, analyzing them closely.  If he were to spend more time in here, he'd at least spend it perfecting the language he would most likely be using in much greater measure from now on.
____________
Ghost said:
Door knob resembles anus tap.

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Geny
Geny


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
posted May 20, 2021 04:52 PM

As Tarkas was looking around another door in the corridor opened and to his great relief he saw Scav coming out of a room.

"Scav!" Tarkas almost shouted this and quickly approached his partner, " I'm so relieved you're ok. I thought we lost each other. I certainly lost a whole evening. Do you remember anything after the Hierophant found us? But come, tell me about it on our way downstairs. I can smell the food from there and breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"
____________
DON'T BE A NOOB, JOIN A.D.V.E.N.T.U.R.E.

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Galatea
Galatea


Supreme Hero
Well, I'm Ceres!
posted May 20, 2021 06:05 PM

The sound from outside the door alerted Ivana. She went towards the door and pressed her ears against it. From what she'd heard, she counted that it came from more than one person.

Guards?, the thief assumed. She carefully reached for the door knob and locked it then she went back the corner where her belongings were situated. She donned her suit in a very quick manner. Since Ivana was so used to it and had done it numerous times, it looked so natural on how fast and accurate everything was.

When she was nearly finished, she took a glimpse at the window and noticed that the garden was now occupied with people aside from the lynxes. The thief thought it would be a bad time to get out of the window for now. She took the last piece of her equipment and headed to the door. She stood besides it, pressed herself against the wall, ready to attack anybody that will enter hostile. Who knows what kind of slavery she got in? Yes, everything looked fine and friendly but she'd known these kind of tricks and technique.

Ivana had decided that she'll wait for the people on the corridor to leave first before she leaves her room.


____________
And she told you, laughing down to her core, so she would not cry, as she lay on your lap,
"Nobody here can live forever, quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer."

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Shadowcaster
Shadowcaster


Honorable
Supreme Hero
Shaded Scribe
posted May 21, 2021 11:21 PM

Scav's eager partner from the day before descended on him as soon as he stepped into the corridor and immediately began peppering him with rapid-fire statements and questions he could never hope to answer before the next was launched. His mounting helplessness in the face of the onslaught was forgotten as soon as he mentioned breakfast, however. It had been ages since he'd had a proper meal, and his stomach rumbled at the reminder of food that way it had been before the Sundering: enjoyed rather than scraped together. From the smell it was even more decadent than anything he'd had in his life before.

"Yes, let's talk more once we've begun to fill our bellies." The two men followed the smell.
____________
>_>

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Oddball13579
Oddball13579


Supreme Hero
Grandmaster of the Hunt
posted May 22, 2021 02:00 AM

Cyrus walked down the hallway, pausing briefly to examine the art pieces. They looked tastefully done, although most of them seemed to be from other places. Or perhaps, other times? It was hard to tell. To him, art was art.

As he continued down the hallway he passed by what he could only assume were other guestrooms. From inside said rooms he detected the usual grogginess that accompanied someone when they first awoke from sleep. Followed by confusion, panic, and curiosity. As he reaches the staircase he hears someone call out. Casting a small glance over his shoulder he sees two men standing in their doorways, clearly familiar with one another. One was wearing armour, and the other was dressed in what could only be described as post-apocalyptic gear. He pays them little mind.

Descending the staircase he passes by a window that looks down into what he assumes is a more private guesthouse. There is a smaller courtyard with a pool in the center. He pauses for a moment. A woman was climbing out of the pool. Her two guards handing her a fluffy robe. As she wraps the robe around her the two guards seem to notice him.

Notice could perhaps, be an understatement. They were staring. Their thoughts are loud and shallow. Adoration bordering on worship slams against his shields so hard he flinches. Cyrus yanks his hood up and quickly descends the stairs again. Taking them two at a time. As he goes he faintly registers the woman's emotions; calm, confidence, and a concealed sense of worry.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Cyrus steps out into a colonnade. The constant buzz and noise of the servants moving within and outside the guesthouse becomes more oppressive. The constant, distracted, thoughts of people going about mundane tasks becomes abrasive. Grating against his mental shields like sandpaper.

He picks up minor amounts of stress from them. People going about tasks they have done a thousand times, but still wanting to perfect anyway. Many of them are thinking about food and it's preparation. Clearly breakfast is being made. The smell of..... bacon, reaches his nose.

Cyrus takes in the sight of the sprawling courtyard before him. The pool, many flowers and plants. Beautiful architecture and masonry. Like a villa from an ancient empire. A tent sits nearby, close to the center pool.

Many servants skitter about the courtyard, going about their daily tasks. Interestingly, most of them appear to be female. They are young and healthy, all seem to be of common blood, and of course, attractive. His stomach churns at the possibilities all those descriptors invite, but, he shakes them away. They seem fairly well taken care of from what he can tell. The vast majority are buzzing about underneath a tent. Beneath which a table can bee seen, no doubt where breakfast is to be served.

A burst of panic slams into him. His shields creak under the strain and he quickly throws several more layers up. Dulling all the mental chatter to a low hum. He moves his hands away from his daggers, quelling his instincts. He zeroes in on the panic.

Nearby the tent is a man who is pacing back and forth. He is clearly not a local given his state. The servants around him are ignoring him for the most part. Whatever is on his mind, it clearly isn't breakfast.  

Cyrus pulls his cloak around himself and is about to turn away from all the commotion, when something catches his eye.

Across the courtyard are three animals. The two massive lynxes he saw this morning from his window, and..... a dog. They are being brought large bowls of what is no doubt food.

Cyrus' mind repeats that one word over and over. Dog. Dog. Dog. Dog. How long has it been since he has seen a dog? A month? A year? Too long he decides. His feet are moving before he realizes what he is doing.

As he gets closer he can make out more details. He ignores the lynxes for now. All of his attention is on the fluffy dog. With it's long fur, floppy ears, spike-tipped tail, and two heads. Wait a minute. Two heads? Cyrus stops and blinks. His eyes definitely haven't betrayed him. The dog does indeed have two heads!

"Oh, my God," Cyrus gasps. He tosses caution to the wind. He quickens his pace towards the dog. Not even caring about who sees him or his speedy approach towards the animals. The entire time his imagination is supplying him with thoughts of what the dog's fur feels like, or if it likes to play fetch.
____________
"Just slide her down a bit farther. I could wear her like a hat." - Gnomes

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Lith-Maethor
Lith-Maethor


Honorable
Legendary Hero
paid in Coin and Cleavage
posted May 22, 2021 01:36 PM

Archon's manor, Thessaloniki, Solun Region

Ivana had the hallway to herself now, the upper floor seemingly empty, with all doors open except for the one leading to the room Vosh was in. If she bothered to look into the other rooms, she'd find them no less luxurious than her own, though clearly not regularly lived in. There were no signs of anyone using them, except for the sheets and whatever items the others had left behind.

As Simon, Scav and Tarkas went down the stairs, they would find themselves in the colonnade surrounding the inner yard of the manor. A wide pool with a fountain on one end was in the middle, with a tent on either side of it.  Under one of them was a table full of foodstuffs, where all the tantalising smells were coming from.

Three servant girls moved around, carrying plates from the kitchen. All three dressed in flowing dresses in the local fashion, though showing a bit more skin than what was traditionally called for. The tallest one had her long blonde hair in two braids, while the other two wore it in short pigtails and looked almost mirror images of one another if not for the hair colour, one a redhead, the other raven-haired.

Not too far from there was the dark-skinned pacing man. He wore some kind of cap on his head, while a red sash was holding leopard skin around his torso and waist. Tucked to it was some kind of sceptre, with a sitting frog on one end. He glanced up as the others showed up, tensing slightly. Moments later he would be approached by what looked like a guard. The young local man was well-groomed and dressed to show his body off, with only a short sword on his hip. As far as anyone could tell, he seemed to be trying to calm the other man down.

The other tent was also set for breakfast, though the table there seemed smaller. The two lynxes were idly eating from their bowls near it, while the two-headed dog was not too far away, devouring the contents from its own bowls. As Cyrus approached, it would lift one head, issuing a warning growl. The sound was deep and low, hinting at the nature of the beast producing it. Its rather fluffy tail was waving idly, brandishing the spike at the end of it.

A sharp whistle was heard moments later, coming from one of the side wings of the manor, and the beast would calm down. It would watch Cyrus but make no move to attack, or even stop the man from approaching further. The blonde servant girl would glance that way, then she'd turn to Tarkas and the rest, gesturing toward the set table. When she spoke, her accent clearly marked her as a local, driving away any doubt as to whether or not she was low-born.

"Please take a seat, they will be out soon."
____________
You are suffering from delusions of adequacy.

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Galatea
Galatea


Supreme Hero
Well, I'm Ceres!
posted May 22, 2021 03:46 PM

Frustration painted all over Ivana's face after she saw the lone stairs at the end of the corridor - the only exit from where she stood. She knew the others had went there and there's a possibility that the area might be crowded. Although, filled with annoyance, the thief quickly devised a back up plan. It formed in her mind with ease like it had became a habit. The windows from her room still remained as one of the options.

Quick but silent, Ivana approached the stairs. The corridor's furniture and displays as well as those from the opened rooms caught her attention, but just shortly, and thought those are good stuff to steal. However, the thief had prioritized to stick to her plan of escaping the mysterious place where she was held.

As she reached the stairs, she carefully took the steps down making sure not to reveal herself to anybody.
____________
And she told you, laughing down to her core, so she would not cry, as she lay on your lap,
"Nobody here can live forever, quiet in the grasp of dusk and summer."

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NoobX
NoobX


Undefeatable Hero
Now, this is a paradox...
posted May 22, 2021 04:37 PM

While the room by itself would've been serene and quiet, the same could not be said for the outside.  All manner of noises made their way inside, limiting Vosh's ability to focus on studying.  He let out a sigh, arranged his papers and packed them.  He made sure that the room was in the most pristine condition he could leave it.  Having done that, he made his way to the door.  
Slowly opening it, he was greeted by the hallway and myriad of paintings that instantly caught his attention.  Slowly pacing from one to the next, Vosh would fully absorb each and every one of them, trying to piece together their purpose - mere decoration or something more.
____________
Ghost said:
Door knob resembles anus tap.

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Gnomes2169
Gnomes2169


Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
posted May 23, 2021 05:12 AM

The art in the hallway gets a cursory glance from Simon, the wampyri filing that detail of this manor away as something to come back and appreciate after he'd had breakfast and whatever large, "family meeting" style event inevitably happened during the meal was done. While being all reclusive and mysterious might be something he'd do just to play into expectations, the bacon smelled good, and he hungered.

That said, he didn't go out of his way to be social either. Stepping out just late enough that both Ivana and Vosh would be able to catch a glimpse of him going down the stairs before he was gone, Simon made his way to the true ground floor and- oh. Oh damn it all. It was those two perverts from the alley. They were 'guests' too? Bah, at least they were still wearing pants. Thank the raven's humors for that small miracle.

Simon would edge around the two, approaching the set table while he tries to listen to the words the guard said to that pacing man, without making it seem like he was listening to the conversation. While it's likely what had gotten him into this situation in the first place, Simon somewhat regrets not having a sip of Witch's Brew... that would make this eavesdropping so much easier.
____________
Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred

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Oddball13579
Oddball13579


Supreme Hero
Grandmaster of the Hunt
posted May 23, 2021 10:04 PM
Edited by Oddball13579 at 22:44, 23 May 2021.

Cyrus knelt down a few steps from the orthos. He outstretched his arm, hand hanging limply. Inviting the dog to come closer and sniff him.

Aside from the warning growl, the two-headed dog seemed to have relaxed somewhat. He couldn't detect any hostility from it, just wariness and caution. It was a beast of defense no doubt. One head was staring at him, while the other was continuing to scarf down the food in the bowl. He wiggled his fingers a little bit.

"Come on boy, I'm a friend. Promise."

After a few moments of staring, Cyrus grew impatient. Clearly the dog wanted him to do all the work. "Fine, be that way. I'll come to you."

Cyrus got up and closed the distance between him and the beast. He gently rested his hand on the back of the dog and began to gently pet him.
____________
"Just slide her down a bit farther. I could wear her like a hat." - Gnomes

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Shadowcaster
Shadowcaster


Honorable
Supreme Hero
Shaded Scribe
posted May 24, 2021 09:12 PM

Scav and Tarkas approached the food tent, following the smell. Without looking, Scav immediately identified the dark-skinned man as a potential threat and tried to monitor him without looking, trying to seem casual even as the man seemed to harden at their presence. A servant girl came over and asked if the men needed and Scav waved her away before Tarkas could respond sparing a glance or two at the woman as she bustled back to the kitchen. Every woman Scav ran into seemed unnaturally beautiful: the girl at the arena, the girl in the alley, and now apparently even the servants. Perhaps he was just used to the grit that pervaded every facet of the Wastes, both physical and non. The fact pleased and troubled him in equal measure.

The pair filled their plates from the generous portion set out for the guests and sat as far away from the dark-skinned man as Scav could manage. Scav sat facing the scene, still nonchalantly scanning his environment. Before they could settle in, a man in a scaled hood approached a two-headed dog, first drawing growls and then petting it. The fact that Scav hadn't even noticed the strange beast meant parts of his brain were shutting down in self-defense upon entering this strange new world, a safeguard against becoming overwhelmed he supposed.

Scav looked across at Tarkas while keeping his peripheral vision focused on the two new faces, beginning to speak as he started in on his first piece of bacon. He already knew he'd be back for seconds on the first bite.

"Alright, guess I'll go first. Guessing you're in the same boat, but I'm downright confused as to how I got here. Last I remember we were in the alley, then I woke up here cleaned and rested and spinning end over end, figuratively speaking. Some kind of magic, I'd wager." The word 'magic' tasted a bit sour on his tongue. He'd never put much stock in fairy tales even when there were people who did, before everything went to Hell. "Same for you?"
____________
>_>

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Geny
Geny


Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
posted May 25, 2021 05:16 PM
Edited by Geny at 21:08, 26 May 2021.

Tarkas surveyed the scene before him. The man in the chain shirt who passed them on the way seemed suspicious. Tarkas couldn't place his finger on it, but something about him was wrong. Something about the way he moved, too silent, too fluid. It would be good to watch him.

The dark-skinned man, however, held no danger. He was anxious of something, though. Maybe he was shy seeing all this new company. Tarkas smiled and gave the man a friendly wave.

Then he filled a plate with assorted meats and cheeses, noting the fruit for later use, and followed Scav to a somewhat secluded spot. He noticed that whether by chance or intention Scav has situated them in a great vantage point of the yard. There was definitely something more than meets the eye about this scholar.

"Yes, exactly the same. It could be magic, it could be magic indeed. Or it could be some divine intervention. Or it could be something more mundane, maybe we were drugged and that muddled our memories. It's unwise to fixate on one solution when faced with a mystery." Tarkas chewed thoughtfully for a moment as he looked around, "I must admit I have nothing to go on here. The only thing I know is that we don't seem to be in any immediate danger and going off the wealth and style of this place we might just be exactly where we're supposed to be. The serving girl mentioned that 'they' will be coming shortly. Hopefully those will be our hosts and hopefully they'll have some answers. I wonder who the other guests are, though. I don't think I've seen them approaching the archon yesterday... assuming we only missed one night."
____________
DON'T BE A NOOB, JOIN A.D.V.E.N.T.U.R.E.

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