@Kuro In terms of my bandwidth, I intend to manage it by playing my characters in 'arcs', so to speak. Out of the six, I'll probably focus on two at a time, with the others being mostly background. As for Jason, I can certainly understand how he looks... risky. The whole idea was to take a character who absolutely feels like a trope and examine him more deeply: what does this sort of cringelord actually look like in action and what does he actually do once the real apocalypse comes? How much of his prior 'experience' and 'preparation' is actually valid? I betcha the little halfwit is just Jonesing to use his sword collection and all his parkour gear. How quickly does reality destroy the fantasy, or does it? Does he crack? Are there copious amounts of copium? To some extent, Jason was intended as a lampoon of a certain species of metagamey character, but I want to play him with some heart and authenticity as well. I'd definitely hoped to give him one or two crowning moments of awesome amid the trauma and endless humiliation conga and maybe insert some levity while I was at it, but I'd conceived of him primarily as counterprogramming. However, if multiple people feel that he's metagamey and it's a potential cause of unease within the group that you're building, even as deeply excited as I am about this RPG, I'm alright with bowing out as well. I'm easy!
Force and Fury Member
Actually kind of mellow
STATUS: Shilling a good medieval fantasy: roleplayerguild.com/topics/… 3 yrs ago
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Shilling a good medieval fantasy: roleplayerguild.com/topics/…
3 yrs ago
Don't mind me. Just shilling a thread: roleplayerguild.com/topics/…
3 yrs ago
So worried right now. My brother just got admitted to the hospital after swallowing six toy horses. Doctors say he's in stable condtion.
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3 yrs ago
Nice to meet you, Bored. I'm interested!
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3 yrs ago
Ugh. Someone literally stole the wheels off of my car. Gonna have to work tirelessly for justice.
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Bio
Oh gee! An age and a gender and interests and things. Yeah, I have those. Ain't no way I'm about to trigger an existential crisis by typing them all out, though. You can find out what a nerd I am on discord, okay?
Stay awesome, people.
Stay awesome, people.
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B E N E D E T T O
Benedetto was spat out of the portal with velocity, and he hit the ground, rolled, and sprung nimbly to his feet, taking a whiff of that dusty desert air. This fucking place. His face immediately screwed itself up in a scowl and he spat, scanning his surroundings, before his eyes seized on... discount Jocasta and Jocasta's manwife. Where was the bitch herself? He did a second sweep and couldn't pick up her distinctive magical stench anywhere. Not in range.
Then, Tku landed with all the grace of an ocean sunfish trying to fly and, after a bit of self-narrative, launched straight into a pair of questions, the answers to each of which were obviously 'yes'. The Revidian let out a snort, crossed his arms, and sat on a rock. He could take it or leave it. The ruins were right here. They could ditch the others, leave them to fight a sand wyrm, and go take the glory and riches for themselves. Benny certainly didn't need Jocasta's help, but... it might be fun to punch a sand wyrm, and he knew that slimy Inipori who'd sent them - the one who'd just disappeared Silas - didn't like her and probably wanted to see her dead. Benny didn't really want to give that scumbag what he wanted...
He didn't wait for the tethered to respond to Tku. "How 'bout the others? They chopped liver or something?" He shook his head, standing and starting to search for a less familiar type of energy. "If they're not here, they're fighting it, but I got a way we can get there, I guess." He tilted his head to one side and grinned.
All who have been to Inner Torragon know it well: the place may pretend to be Avincian, but it is not. From the buildings to the language, to the people, its soul is that of old Zaqhoria and, when the sun rises over the desert, it knows no mercy. After promising to discuss matters at length with Ayla later on, Amanda led them down to the stables. It was still early morning, the rooftops of San Agustin silhouettes bathed in dawn's harsh light. The handful of people about inclined their heads respectfully towards her and her guests as they passed. "Madre," murmured more than one. Coasting smoothly down the smooth old stones, she greeted them in kind but did not stop. Jocasta and Isabella followed in her wake, all three pairs of arms moving in almost perfect synchronization. Then, they turned off of the main path and were there. There were two stablehands about, feeding and preparing the animals. They bowed. "Madre."
"Luisito." Amanda returned his gesture. "Mauro."
She eased herself onto the hay-covered floor, rolling up to one of the horses and and patting the side of its head. "As I explained upstairs, we are a bit short on horses just now," she advised, twisting to face the others as she adjusted one of the animals' bridles. "But I suppose you have other ways of getting where you're going now. Am I wrong?"
Glancing Zarina's way, Jocasta turned back to face the woman who had been the closest thing to a mother she had ever known. "You are not," she admitted. "I may save us a day's venturing out into the desert by means of magic."
Finished with the horse, Amanda gave it a final pat. She smiled, businesslike. "Just as well," she admitted with a shrug. "We did not have enough for you anyhow." With that, she rolled over to the horse's saddle and, from a long pouch, procured a rolled-up map. "Over my shoulders. Come." She unrolled it and held it across her lap as a few of them leaned in. "He left two days ago, for the ruins of Zarfan, down La Boca." Amanda pointed it out on the map and shook her head. "He's out of our sensing range, but he should be well set up there by now." Her eyes flicked between the members of the group. "If you can teleport, then you can get there and relieve our rangers. We need them for defense."
"And I'll send them back?" Jocasta inquired, though it was more statement than question.
Amanda nodded. "I don't imagine it should take long," she decided. "So I'll only keep one of you behind." She smiled softly and some colour rose in her cheeks. "You wouldn't begrudge a mother some time spent with her child, would you?"
Marci started. "I um... I don't wanna be deadweight I can -
"Stop acting tough," chirped Isabella, "and go see your mom while you still can. Besides, you'll be guarding San Agustin, right?" Was she suppressing an ironic smirk or was she not?
"You're mine, little calabaza."
"Seriously!? Are you trying to make me die of embarrassment, mom?
Amanda grinned. "Never, precious!"
"You're making me wanna fight a sand wyrm."
In short, she stayed.
It was early in the morning when a portal glowed bright and rippling in the courtyard of the refuge. Amanda sat in silhouette, with Marceline at her side, hair whipping like black snakes in the wind coming off of it. They waved and then, with a little salute from the last of the five, Ayla, Zarina, Yalen, Isabella, and Jocasta were through.
It was always as if she had blinked, so sudden was the change in reality. Reddish-beige cliffs rose to either side of Jocasta and she was on the hard, gravelly dirt beside a small watering hole. In the near distance rose the weathered ruins of Cervan - or Zarfan, to its original inhabitants - carved partially into the cliffside. She could see anyone here, so she reached out with her magic senses for Escarra and his rangers, only to find...
Nothing.
They weren't there and, in fact, neither was anyone. A pinch of worry invading her insides, Jocasta twisted to look up at Yalen and over at Isabella. "You guys drawing a blank too?" she prodded, and their answers were affirmative. It was time to reach further, and so she spread her senses out, sweeping the region at ranges only her fellow tethered could come close to reaching. There were the usual energies: arcane from the sun, kinetic from the wind and the shifting sands, and the agglomerations of both combined with chemical that denoted living things. Yet, as she searched further still, an invisible mass settled itself atop her stomach and she felt her pulse quicken.
She found a group seven people about three kilometers to the northwest, close to where they'd found the aberration a year ago. Only, they seemed to be on top of some kind of rock promontory, or so the kinetic energy of the wind lashing against it told her. However, they were not alone. Jocasta's gut wrenched itself further and her hands tightened around her wheels. "It's a sand wyrm," she rasped, voice barely above a whisper. She twisted to take in the others. It was... at least... "A fucking alpha." damned near three hundred feet in length. It was circling them. This didn't make sense. Sand Wyrms were supposed to be rare, and they rarely went after something so insignificant as a human unless it was opportune. In her entire life up until last year, she had seen precisely one: breaching the sand about half a mile distant, from the refuge walls. That was the day that monsters had become real to a twelve-year-old Jocasta. But she was a monster too, she remembered.
"It has them trapped on some kind of rocky outcropping, two miles north-northwest!" she shouted, already drinking a massive amount of energy in from her surroundings. The winds went still, the sky darkened, and the air grew colder. If it was clear that they were trapped and could not harm it, the Wyrm would emerge from the sand and pursue them overland. She had no idea how long it would be until that happened: it could yet be hours; they could be mere moments from death. "We need to go right now!" she screamed. "Right now!" A portal tore apart the air before them. Dimly, she could feel the leviathan in the distance as it broke the sand and belched white-hot fire. One of the little human energy signatures, too slow to react, was consumed. "Wait! Yalen and Isabella: keep your range!" she commanded, "I'm only going there to port them out." She suited words to action, barrelling through.
She emerged right into the eye of the storm: a maelstrom of 2700°F fire.
The portal swirled and warped and then, as if they'd just been thrust from a popped bubble, five young men emerged into the burgeoning late morning heat of Torragon's Dune Sea. They were Evander, Desmond, Fiske, Benedetto, and Tku. Not all of them stuck the landing but, when they looked up, there was a man and a woman waiting for them, looking more than a little bit anxious. Their eyes, seeming unfocused at first, quickly snapped to the group. They were Yalen and Isabella and they didn't waste any time upon recognizing who the five. "It's a Sand Wyrm."
"Luisito." Amanda returned his gesture. "Mauro."
She eased herself onto the hay-covered floor, rolling up to one of the horses and and patting the side of its head. "As I explained upstairs, we are a bit short on horses just now," she advised, twisting to face the others as she adjusted one of the animals' bridles. "But I suppose you have other ways of getting where you're going now. Am I wrong?"
Glancing Zarina's way, Jocasta turned back to face the woman who had been the closest thing to a mother she had ever known. "You are not," she admitted. "I may save us a day's venturing out into the desert by means of magic."
Finished with the horse, Amanda gave it a final pat. She smiled, businesslike. "Just as well," she admitted with a shrug. "We did not have enough for you anyhow." With that, she rolled over to the horse's saddle and, from a long pouch, procured a rolled-up map. "Over my shoulders. Come." She unrolled it and held it across her lap as a few of them leaned in. "He left two days ago, for the ruins of Zarfan, down La Boca." Amanda pointed it out on the map and shook her head. "He's out of our sensing range, but he should be well set up there by now." Her eyes flicked between the members of the group. "If you can teleport, then you can get there and relieve our rangers. We need them for defense."
"And I'll send them back?" Jocasta inquired, though it was more statement than question.
Amanda nodded. "I don't imagine it should take long," she decided. "So I'll only keep one of you behind." She smiled softly and some colour rose in her cheeks. "You wouldn't begrudge a mother some time spent with her child, would you?"
Marci started. "I um... I don't wanna be deadweight I can -
"Stop acting tough," chirped Isabella, "and go see your mom while you still can. Besides, you'll be guarding San Agustin, right?" Was she suppressing an ironic smirk or was she not?
"You're mine, little calabaza."
"Seriously!? Are you trying to make me die of embarrassment, mom?
Amanda grinned. "Never, precious!"
"You're making me wanna fight a sand wyrm."
In short, she stayed.
It was early in the morning when a portal glowed bright and rippling in the courtyard of the refuge. Amanda sat in silhouette, with Marceline at her side, hair whipping like black snakes in the wind coming off of it. They waved and then, with a little salute from the last of the five, Ayla, Zarina, Yalen, Isabella, and Jocasta were through.
It was always as if she had blinked, so sudden was the change in reality. Reddish-beige cliffs rose to either side of Jocasta and she was on the hard, gravelly dirt beside a small watering hole. In the near distance rose the weathered ruins of Cervan - or Zarfan, to its original inhabitants - carved partially into the cliffside. She could see anyone here, so she reached out with her magic senses for Escarra and his rangers, only to find...
Nothing.
They weren't there and, in fact, neither was anyone. A pinch of worry invading her insides, Jocasta twisted to look up at Yalen and over at Isabella. "You guys drawing a blank too?" she prodded, and their answers were affirmative. It was time to reach further, and so she spread her senses out, sweeping the region at ranges only her fellow tethered could come close to reaching. There were the usual energies: arcane from the sun, kinetic from the wind and the shifting sands, and the agglomerations of both combined with chemical that denoted living things. Yet, as she searched further still, an invisible mass settled itself atop her stomach and she felt her pulse quicken.
She found a group seven people about three kilometers to the northwest, close to where they'd found the aberration a year ago. Only, they seemed to be on top of some kind of rock promontory, or so the kinetic energy of the wind lashing against it told her. However, they were not alone. Jocasta's gut wrenched itself further and her hands tightened around her wheels. "It's a sand wyrm," she rasped, voice barely above a whisper. She twisted to take in the others. It was... at least... "A fucking alpha." damned near three hundred feet in length. It was circling them. This didn't make sense. Sand Wyrms were supposed to be rare, and they rarely went after something so insignificant as a human unless it was opportune. In her entire life up until last year, she had seen precisely one: breaching the sand about half a mile distant, from the refuge walls. That was the day that monsters had become real to a twelve-year-old Jocasta. But she was a monster too, she remembered.
"It has them trapped on some kind of rocky outcropping, two miles north-northwest!" she shouted, already drinking a massive amount of energy in from her surroundings. The winds went still, the sky darkened, and the air grew colder. If it was clear that they were trapped and could not harm it, the Wyrm would emerge from the sand and pursue them overland. She had no idea how long it would be until that happened: it could yet be hours; they could be mere moments from death. "We need to go right now!" she screamed. "Right now!" A portal tore apart the air before them. Dimly, she could feel the leviathan in the distance as it broke the sand and belched white-hot fire. One of the little human energy signatures, too slow to react, was consumed. "Wait! Yalen and Isabella: keep your range!" she commanded, "I'm only going there to port them out." She suited words to action, barrelling through.
She emerged right into the eye of the storm: a maelstrom of 2700°F fire.
The portal swirled and warped and then, as if they'd just been thrust from a popped bubble, five young men emerged into the burgeoning late morning heat of Torragon's Dune Sea. They were Evander, Desmond, Fiske, Benedetto, and Tku. Not all of them stuck the landing but, when they looked up, there was a man and a woman waiting for them, looking more than a little bit anxious. Their eyes, seeming unfocused at first, quickly snapped to the group. They were Yalen and Isabella and they didn't waste any time upon recognizing who the five. "It's a Sand Wyrm."
Penny normally would not have been the sort to ask a question of a clearly hostile host, but she could tell that everyone had wanted to ask and none had the courage to do so. What do I care if Miss 'Stay Away From Muh Home' doesn't like me? Not like I'll ever see her again. Truth be told, it irked Penny. It shouldn't have, but it did, and the bearded lady had said just enough to make her uneasy about the mission because she knew that there was a lot more being left unsaid. If you're going to throw us into mortal danger, the least you can do is tell us what's really going on. It didn't sit right, on top of what the Arch-Zeno had told her: it really didn't, and the eighteen-year-old found herself wondering why she'd even agreed to this whole thing. This is not something a future ruler of Perrence does. You're not a tool, Nel. Fuck! It was her need to do something 'useful', she knew: a thirst for some sort of ill-defined 'adventure' after seventeen years of being confined to the palace grounds. Rash decisions from a stupid girl with insecurities. She had half a mind to kick the partially open door, but restraint was a good thing to practice, and she didn't.
Really, she wanted to vent, or at least express her worries, but she had nobody here except Yuliya and Yvain who she really knew or trusted, and... they were both dubious for different reasons. Esmii had tried to be nice and Penny had thanked her, but she'd already learned that the yasoi was like that with everyone. 'Helpful' was her default setting, and I don't know you well enough to confide, anyhow. Besides, she'd been giving that big Eskandish boy goo-goo eyes the entire time. They were an item and... Ugh. Maybe that's why Penny had found herself falling into a 'mood': Jammy wasn't here and she already missed him and she worried. He was in West Kerremand, Eshi-damned cesspool that it was, and they couldn't look out for each other. A metaphorical vise tightened around her stomach. If anything happens...
She shook her head and she... walked. She had the day here, in this place she'd never visited before, she had a satchel, and she had some money to spend. If the one-legged woman was an object of curiosity here, it was just as much because she was a human as anything else. The familiar ambient sounds of a city echoed back towards her in an unfamiliar way. It was weirdly claustrophobic: no sky above, save the ever-lingering haze towards the top of the vast cavern, and the all-encroaching dimness. Even with the gas torches, the mirrors, and the skylights carved into the stone, it was like moving about in the later moments of dusk. Her eyes adjusted well enough, though. They were yasoi eyes and she was the only one in her family who had managed to inherit them from an ancestor some four generations back. It was enough of a sensory smorgasbord for her worries to start fading. Her crutches clicked and her foot thumped and she lost herself in the familiar ritual of just moving: moving nowhere in particular.
First, she picked up some traveling clothes: just as anyone might expect of a foreign girl in a strange place, but then Penny decided to go for something else. She worked her way to where the firearm vendors were and put down ten magi on an imbued pistol. Knowing what she knew, she moved to where they sold explosives. "Uz chlud" she assured the confused seller, having looked the words up in her little book of translations beforehand. "U... ligha...ich... muhl." She mimicked an explosion, even providing sound effects. The flinty-eyed Hegelan on the other side regarded her intently for a moment. Then, his facade broke. He reared back and laughed. Penny blushed and laughed nervously herself. "Iiiid... lugh? U dolris...tiss muhl... she flipped furiously through the little guidebook. "Vadu!"
There was another pause as the laughter died down. The small man on the other side smiled thoughtfully. He let out a sigh, held out his hand expectantly, and Penny promptly placed the two magi in his palm. He pocketed them and then moved about his stall, procuring and packaging just what she'd asked for. He handed her three little bundles and she slipped them into her satchel with a small bow of gratitude and an overpracticed "Tim Unkh!" Then, she was off, so pleased with herself that she was practically skipping. Just wait 'til I tell you all about it, Jammy! She hoped that he was having as much fun as she was but, first, it was time to put in an appearance with Yuliya and go shopping!
<Snipped quote by Force and Fury>
I don't have a strict preference myself but I do like to keep things uniform. Since everyone else seems to be going for IRL FCs, I'd suggest to do the same for your sheet if possible.
Will do. Just gimme a little time for that. We got a start in mind?
I know I've hopped in late, @Kuro, but if I've got anything wrong - do you prefer photos over art? - feel free to correct me
Hopefully they're tropes but subverted instead of just tropes. The different art style for each is meant to be thematic. Not sure if it actually is...
Present: Yalen Castel @pantothenic, Maura Mercador @Ti, Trypano Somia @A Lowly Wretch, Ingrid Penderson @dragonpiece, Niallus Saberhagen @McKennaJ71, and Abdel Varga @YummyYummy
They were not traveling only through space, it seemed, but through time as well. It was afternoon in Wánggǎng and Yalen was among them. The arrival of the group from Ersand'Enise was no secret, either. The portal dropped them in a cordoned-off area in the centre of a large plaza. Seagulls screeched and wheeled overhead and a crowd of curious onlookers began to gather almost instantly. A young boy, holding his mother's hand, jumped up and down excitedly and pointed in their direction, shouting something in ReTanese. Others gathered to gawk and a couple even began to move forward until halted by barked orders and raised weapons from two dozen sharply-uniformed guards. Nearby vendors glanced in the direction of the new arrivals out of momentary curiosity, but their eyes fast became calculating and, within seconds, they seemed to have adjusted their messaging, gesturing at the Lǎowài and promising discounts to cater to the growing audience. Wide flagstone roads stretched off in each of the cardinal directions, and an endless sea of buildings in that distinctive ReTanese construction that most had only seen drawn on canvas, parchment, or fresco surrounded them. Paper lanterns swayed in a light seaside breeze, some thumping against wooden posts of the structures that they hung from, and it was - in general - an absolute carnival of sights, scents, and sounds.
A greeting party of a dozen stood before them: Eleven men and a woman, all dressed in gorgeous formal robes that marked them as government officials. All but two of the outfits had a similar cut and colour, differentiated only by some unique highlights and a distinct symbol. The most illustrious of the group stepped forward and offered a very small bow. A short and thin man of middle age, his long, sharp beard was shot through with a handful of grey streaks and he wore a particularly ornate hat. "我向来自巫师城的旅人问好。我希望您在协助我们解决这个问题的同时，在我们国家度过愉快而富有成效的时光。我们感谢你," he began, and the lone woman in the group scampered up beside him, quite young and quite awkward in her fine clothing. She bowed quickly and deeply and began to translate. "My greetings to travelers from the wizard city. I hope you have a pleasant and productive time in our country while assist us with zis problem. We sank you!"
Then, the man in the ornate hat continued, addressing them all but seeming to pick Yalen out as the figure of authority within the group. "我是本市洋人区副区长侯建红。很高兴见到你。" He offered a quick smile and gestured towards the others, waiting for a moment. "I'm Hou Jianhong," the woman translated for him, pausing for a split second, "the governor of foreigner's district in this city. Pleasure to meet you." Her eyes did not meet his, nor did they meet the party's for more than a brief, curious moment.
"这就是文志豪，逻辑与激情的典范," continued Governor Hou, and one of the men bowed. "This is Wen Zhihao, a model of logic and passion." The translator further explained that they were to introduce themselves to Wen Zhihao.
"这就是杜阳，接受和行动的典范," came the next, and the second man bowed as well. "This is Du Yang, a model of acceptance and action." The ritual repeated itself.
The governor gestured at another. "这就是谢军，信任与怀疑的典范," he announced, and there was another bow. "This is Xie Jun, a model of trust and doubt." It became clear that each of these men would receive an introduction and they would be expected to do the same. In the background, the crowd milled and discussed excitedly. There were hundreds now, and particularly curious glances were stolen at Ingrid, Trypano, Maura, and Kaureerah. Young preteens with trinkets and sticks of skewered meat raced through the fringes of the crowd, hawking their wares.
"这就是武龙，创造与毁灭的典范," came the next in an increasingly tedious lineup of men in fine robes and hats, but this one was different. "I am Wu Long," he introduced himself, stepping in front of the translator, who backed away with a start. "Funny name, I know. Maybe I was destined for greatness or shame with it." he shrugged. "We will see which one, I guess." He reached out to shake hands in the twin continents style. "I hope you can forgive our long ceremonies here in ReTan. They are part of our culture and important to us." He spoke as he shook, addressing all in turn as well as all at once. "I also hope you can help us catch this evil from your homeland that has come to our country. I have been told you are experts." His enthusiasm was palpable. He burned with it. His Avincian, while accented and perhaps a touch formal, was nearly as good as some of theirs. Then, he bowed again, retreated, and they were introduced to Wang Chao (exemplar of obedience and initiative), Huang Min (exemplar of truthfulness and 'something like lying'), Xiao Da (exemplar of community and individuality whose name, the translator cheerily related, was rather an oxymoron), Chen Jiahao (exemplar of self-preservation and bravery), Guan Heng (tradition and reform), and Hu He (nature and human creation). All the while, the guards stood at attention, occasionally shouting at passerby who got too close though, by and large, the people kept a respectful distance.
Finally, it was finished, and the sun was a good deal lower: golden over the concave rooftops of the vast city. There was a brief but long-lasting moment where nobody seemed quite sure what to do. Then, Governor Hou began barking orders in rapid fire ReTanese, too fast and complex for the likes of mere learners of the language to catch more than the odd word. He spoke, in particular, to a guard with a slightly embellished uniform and the woman translator. Both answered crisply in the affirmative. The governor smiled widely and nodded in the direction of the students before he had his horse brought up. The guards pushed the crowd back, clearing the way for him, and some of the people began to call out with various entreaties, prostrating themselves on the ground. No matter. This was no place for that sort of business. It was to be handled by official avenues. Then, he was mounted, and the ten other men followed, the colourful Wu Long clearly employing some magic to leap atop his horse with barely an effort. Other than that, magic had seemed... strangely absent from the cityscape and crowd, at least compared to the more familiar environs of Ersand'Enise.
The translator fixed her hair for a moment and turned to them, glancing back at the retreating governor and exemplars a couple of times. She knit and unknit her fingers and bowed again. "Nice to meet you!" she exclaimed. "My name is Jiang Xiulan. In ReTan, ze second name is actually ze given name: opposite wiss your countries, I sink. You can call me Blossom, zough." She seemed to be stifling a giggle. "I have been choosed to your local guide of ReTan while you live here."
There were nine guards remaining and one, in an embellished uniform, stood at their head. Tall and muscular, he was clean-shaven, short-haired, and definitely not unattractive, with an upright posture and martial bearing. "This is guard captain Zhu!" Xiulan explained, gesturing rather grandly in his direction. He bowed stiffly at the waist. Then, to their surprise, he spoke. "Nice to meet you," he said in heavily-accented Avincian. "I am Zhu Kai. Sorry I Afince not good."
"He make the speech by his self," Xiulan explained. "He has many practicing." She tried not to giggle. "I sink maybe he's Avince not so good, but maybe mine not so good also, hmm?"
"I understand you," the guard captain said, deadpan, and Xiulan blushed fiercely. "See!" she exclaimed, "He improve already!" Turning his way for a moment, she spoke in rapid-fire ReTanese, and it was clear that she was just translating for him and then asking him to prepare the guards to start moving. They carried on a brief conversation before she turned back to the group. "He would like me introduce he's gauds." She gestured to them in turn and they all gave slight bows or nods or salutes. "Guad-man Peng, Wang, Dai, Chen, Huang, Zhang, Zheng, Xie, and Zhou." Xiulan scampered out to the front of the group, twisting on her heel. "Zey will with us for all of time we're here, but we will go ze inn where you live first." She smiled broadly and her voice dropped conspiratorially as she began to lead them. "I sink you were very lucky, actually. This place is usually so expensive, but offered you stay free."
Captain Zhu marched out front, four of his men flanked them to each side, and one brought up the rear. Beyond the human walls of their escort, curious onlookers either glanced their way or followed them, some chattering rapidly among themselves in ReTanese or something that sounded similar but was definitely different. Many waved or smiled, and children zipped and weaved among the crowds. It was near to sunset and at least a handful of bedraggled looking mothers, aunts, or grandmothers tried to corral the excited little people. "We take you zere tonight and you rest and settle in," Xiulan was saying. "No talk about traveler yet. Your real work should begin tomorrow."
So, they followed. What choice did they have? They contented themselves in conversation with each other or their guide and caught little glimpses of life in this place that was so strange and yet so familiar as well. Vendors were busy closing up shop for the day. The last couple finished haggling and the doors of many of the large tenements were constantly opening and shutting as their residents arrived home from their daily responsibilities. The wide street that they were on became a smaller one, and then a smaller one still after a few turns, and they could catch glimpses of the ocean and the strange sails of ReTanese ships in the near distance, just beyond a couple more rows of houses, shops, and warehouses. It smelled very much like fish for a bit, but then they were past it and turning onto a slightly larger road. It was late Rezain up here in the northern hemisphere, it struck them, and the trees burned gold, orange, and red with fast-shifting leaves.
Kaureerah, for one, was happy to be done with the onerous introductions, and was now feeling inspired by the scenery. She walked along towards the rear of the pack, giving the two couples their space, and pulled out her lute. She began strumming chords and humming and this served only to further entrance the groups of people who seemed to loosely follow along. "Hell-lo!" came the odd shout, as the locals employed the only Avincian that they knew. "Welcome ReTan!" said one who was particularly good. Smoke from cooking fires began to fill the air as the sun dipped below the rooftops, and a little boy and girl sat on the edge of one of these, dangling their feet over and munching on some sort of steamed bread. Mouths full, feet kicking idly back and forth, they both started at the sight of the foreigners and waved. "Almost zere," Xiulan assured them cheerfully, "And I sink dinner will be ready! Do you ever try ReTanese cooking before?" She seemed excited.
They hadn't gotten very deep into the subject when the guards came to an abrupt stop, forcing the rest of them to. Captain Zhu barked out orders rapidly and four of his men - Wang, Xie, Zhou, and Chen - split from the formation and rushed off down a sidestreet.
"Wha... what just happened!? Rikard demanded, and Kaureerah ceased her soft strumming. They had sensed the use of some kinetic magic in that general direction. Some people retreated indoors, though others seemed largely unbothered.
Xiulan's hands bunched up the folds of her dress and she glanced about in thin reassurance. "Oh, nossing to worry about, friend! Just some silly guy probably tries steal a chicken or somesing. Not your traveler agent, haha! It is guad's job go stop small sings like zis. No worry, I sink. We can keep walking. We can meet them there at ze inn." She pointed to a large building with a little manicured garden out front and waved them forward. Guard Captain Zhu, after a quick, wary glance in the direction his men had gone, nodded and seemed to relax. He managed a reassuring smile. "Okay," he declared for their benefit. "Okay, we go."
I N V I T A T I O N S
A Q U I N T E T O F Q U A R T E T S
They started to appear - out of nowhere, and in the oddest places - invitations to a meeting with the Zenith. Some students received them, but many received something… different. Just as their peers gathered by the Forked Tower at the requested hour, as Ipte slid towards Shune, so did they: all of them through the Silk Gate. If their counterparts had been... eclectic, then this bunch was outright mismatched.
It had been more or less a year since the last time that some had found themselves called in such a way and perhaps their appearances were the clearest evidence that each had grown - or regressed - by various metrics. Others were new faces, at least to varying degrees. They counted, among their number, twenty-two in all: Ashon’amar’loiyang, Benedetto Corvi, Cal’tuuro’jaros, Casii’fyret’alan, Desmond Catulus, Dorothea Hohnstein, Edyta Laska, Esmii’nesta’tawaar, Evander Synesti, Fiske Flachstrauch, Ismet’ych’lahiin’dichora, Manfred Hohenfelter, Marz Mohfolk, Nazih Iqbal, Penny Pellegrin, Qasem Laghmani, Silas Reiger, Sven Bjornsson, Tku, Ymiico’luun’yoru, Yuliya Vasilieva, and Yvain de Berbignon, along with a handful of beasts. They congregated within Capital Square, around the foot of a great obelisk commemorating Olkhad the Hammer, a legendary king of yore. Conversations, teasing, and a growing murmur of questioning filled the rather quiet plaza. It was the wee hours of the morning in the City of Water, and only a handful of tired-looking hegelans were in evidence nearby.
However, it took precious little time for the first conflicts to erupt and, before long, Manfred and Evander were on the ground, wrestling and fighting before being separated under threat of death with a smile by Benedetto. Ersand’Enise’s most notorious thug seemed unusually jolly for reasons as-yet unknown, and more than one of his peers was left on edge by the sudden personality jackknife. At the opposite end of the mood spectrum fell Marz, the prickly hegelan craftsman erupting into histrionics over a ruined item owned by Yuliya - a former client of his.
Then, just as they began to grow restless, a little birdie - and very much a glowing illusory one - swept in to guide them on a winding route through the city and into a dark alley. Was it smart to follow? Perhaps not, had at least some among them not known what this truly meant. Hence, and in short, they did, disappearing into what was not so much an alleyway as it was a portal.
Upon stepping through, the youths found themselves divided into a quintet of quartets, staring out into a vast and darkened chamber. This, then, was the Arch-Zeno’s test. Those who had been called upon last year remembered something very similar from the late Paradigm. Initial blunders aside, most had proven themselves competent people before, and those who had not had the earlier opportunity proved themselves now. By various means, all five groups made it through the initial gauntlet, only to find themselves presented with the queerest of locks and the insistence that they utter not a word before a pair of great exit doors. Not a single one tried to blast through. Instead, they did what they had reliably done best, and solved the tactile riddle. Only then was the room beyond revealed...
P E R I L . . . A N D O P P O R T U N I T Y
All five of the groups witnessed the same thing: the doors slid apart and the space beyond was revealed. It was... an immense open area in the mountains. A dark-skinned man stood there alone before a table appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He was Karan Harrachora, and he was playing fetch with Henry. All of the other animals were about nearby. He stopped and took a seat, beckoning the students over.
Tku walked in, stunned by the scenery. "Very nice," he remarked as he looked around.
Evander saw Karan Harrachora, walked toward the table that he'd motioned them over to, and pulled his seat out before sitting down.
Desmond chuckled as he took in the sight of Henry playing fetch. He entered and began looking around and checking on Billium who was currently trying to find his owner, and Ani who was moving about, slightly nudging a few to play and bullying them. Once he made sure they were okay he made his way to Harrachora.
Esmii remembered Harrachora, and seeing all the animals seemed to make her smile. She bowed in the direction of the man who she mistakenly believed was the Zenith.
Ashon made his way forward and bowed his head toward the man as well. He reached out to push the back of Evander's head forward too, discretely so it looked sincere and not forced, so he may bow in respect. He looked around to notice Penny, naturally moving toward her as he took a nearby seat.
Evander snapped back at Ashon's hand before he could even touch him, "Don't," he warned.
Penny scowled a little bit at Ashon's presumptuousness. Evander could be an arrogant prat at times, but she got the sense that Ashon had been nothing but a pest to him the entire time. He smiled widely toward her: the sweetest and most innocent of smiles. "He took good care of me."
"This was quite fun, thank you Arch-Zeno." Tku said, having enjoyed the experience.
Qasem leaned against his spear as he surveyed their teacher in the unexpected surroundings and smiled. "Was it a test? Or just a novelty to deter visitors?" Silas, still sour from being forcibly put through the whole ordeal sat on the ground and resumed his cross-limbed stance and glare.
"Mostly the second," Harrachora admitted, "though it served the first purpose this time too."
Dory let out a sigh, is it over? "I can finally see well again."
Fiske just relaxed, no need to get too excited over a small test. Marz comes in as he began looking around as he noticed the man beckoning them to the table and plopped down. Desmond slipped by next to him to cut one of the spots off from someone annoying sitting next to himself.
Yvain, for one, looked rather annoyed. "This whole test took way too long. Perhaps this coming message will be worth it." Penny rolled her eyes grandly and went to take a seat. Truth be told, she was rather fond of Evander in a different sort of way and she did not have the energy to deal with these two sniping at each other. Instead, she seated herself right between Yuliya and... metaphorically holding her nose: Yvain. "Do stop complaining, cousin," she whispered. "One might think you were ungrateful for the privilege of jumping through so many hoops."
"Fine, fine, if that is what my dearest cousin wishes." Yvain whispered back.
"You are truly a gentleman," Penny teased.
The gentleman chuckled. "I try to be for the ones deserving."
"Gods, Yvain," she giggled. "You're tiresome at times, but how I've missed you."
Evander noticed as Penny placed herself between the blondes as he smiled toward them. Meanwhile, Ashon was not done being an utter pest. He looked around for his “Luush'elar,” waving and beckoning Cal'tuuro over toward him.
"So are we done with tests now?" Esmi asked.
Yuli pretended to be absentminded as Penny sat between her and this other blonde boy, but she was definitely listening to the conversation intently, although could not help being distracted by the man she saw help slay the former paradigm. What was his gameplan, bringing all these people here?
While the others talked, Qasem nodded to the Zeno and accepted a seat at the table. "I'm sure we are as eager to listen as you-"
"Whadya want?" Silas cut him off, abruptly bringing them to the point of the gathering.
It flew in the face of every other respectful interaction to this juncture. Karan Harrachora turned to the boy and regarded him almost... mechanically. There was no expression on his face. But there was a monumental surge of magic. Silas... disappeared.
"In case any of you are wondering,” the Arch-Zeno offered, “no. He isn't dead. He's merely... proven himself unworthy by his conduct. That was the truest test here: one of patience and good graces. I trust the rest of you will not let yourselves down. Correct?"
Tku remained very quiet after that.
Esmii nodded in fear. "Sven, he's scary," she whispered, and she received a small squeeze for her troubles.
Desmond saw Silas instantly disappear as he stood up, his hands were set down onto the table and he looked to the Arch Zeno. Yet, before Desmond could speak the eminent master spoke. Desmond let out a sigh as he sat back down, now slightly more upset.
Cal shrugged. Why did Jamboi like him so? He had barely tried to make this happen. He went and sat next to the monkey king, not saying much of anything. He had been relatively unimpressed with the puzzle but moreso the people solving the offered puzzles.
Ashon found the drink cannister and started to pour water for Cal and himself. Upon Harrachora's words, he ended up providing everyone with refreshment, before seating himself back down next to his unwilling 'friend'.
Tku just breathed out and shook his head, frankly disappointed by both of them. He just finished a sketch to keep himself busy... very silently.
Qasem blinked, staring at the spot where the small blind boy should have been. "Certainly." He finally said, bringing his eyes back to the Arch. "Though I think you'll understand our eagerness given all the build-up."
"Most certainly," Karan allowed. "That is understandable. You were placed in stressful, trying, and perhaps even tedious situations. Tempers flared, personalities clashed and, one way or another, you managed. It is perfectly ordinary for people to be a bit on edge, to forget themselves." His eyes flicked almost imperceptibly quickly to Evander, Ashon, and Manfred and he clasped his hands at the small of his back as the last of them sat. They may have noticed that Sister Laska had appeared silently among them at some point. "The thing is," the Arch-Zeno continued. "I am not looking for ‘ordinary’. These situations demand more than ordinary. That is why I've called you. It is why I've tested you."
"What would have happened if we failed to meet your expectations, Arch-Zeno?" Esmii asked politely.
Ashon gently pointed at the spot where Silas had been sitting.
"You'd enjoy a pleasant luncheon with me and receive some academic commendation. That would be all." Harrachora replied with a smirk, "Or that, if you failed by being a jerk." His eyes went to where Ashon was looking.
Esmii looked to where Silas had been before he'd disappeared, still holding onto the benny that he’d thrown at her. She put it in her pocket for now.
Then, the Arch-Zeno rapped the table twice with his fist and it became... a world map: An unusually detailed map and there were things on it - putative continents and landforms - that none had previously seen.
However, it appeared to focus in on one place in particular. "This is Kerremand," he said. It continued to magnify one particular region. "This is the small town of Mandelein, in the far west of the country, right by the Tripartite Border with Mycormi and Hypari."
Desmond began to inspect the map, curious of the supreme detail this map gave while listening to the man speak. Esmii found herself doing much the same.
Tku pulled out his own map, instantly noticing the similarities/ "Very Intriguing!" His voice rose enthusiastically before he tamped down on it.
Manfred, Kaspar, and a couple of the other Kerreman speakers glanced at each other. Ashon was, after all, from Hypari, just over the border. Then, like clockwork, the following people had papers appear before them, reading: The Beast of Mandelein: Dory, Manfred, Kaspar, Ymiico, Casii, Ashon, Cal, Qasem, Ismette, and Sister Laska. "Take a moment to read these," the Arch-Zeno advised.
Qasem stared blankly at the unfamiliar mapped region on the table, then the papers placed before him. Ashon looked at the others who'd gotten the pieces of paper, and one, in particular, who hadn't. His eyes moved to Penny as he looked toward her, and lingered for a moment, before they turned to the parchment.
"There is something very wrong in this town," Harrachora continued, "and it almost certainly crosses the border. If we send official personnel, we fear they'll clear out. Many of you will notice that you have experience in the language, with the region and its unique challenges, or at least with handling... monsters."
Ashon looked at some of the details. Why Kerremand of all places, and why was he being sent there!? The location on the map was suspiciously close near another place he was familiar with: the place where his parents had passed away. "Not all monsters are covered in fur..." he murmured.
Dory looked at the map before waddling towards Manfred. "Mandelein isn't too far from your family's lands, no? Know anything about it?"
"Not so far," Manfred allowed. "Not so near either. It is a backward place, though it wasn't always. Once the yasoi cloistered, it stopped being a trade town. The House Kapperstel, who oversee the lands, are notoriously aloof and removed." He scowled. "And the queen has done nothing?" Dory looked quite annoyed with the information. "A Noble who forsakes his lands does not deserve to rule over it." A rather triumphant smirk appeared on her face. "I would do a much better job than them!"
Manfred shrugged. "Apparently, it runs reasonably well. Circumstances beyond their control and all."
"I see..." The smirk quickly turned to a more neutral expression. "Then I guess my greatness isn't needed to rule there."
"Well, you never know." Manfred winked.
Beasts. Qasem watched as the scythe-wielding sister of the Pentad took one of the papers. It was to be cleansing then. Part of him wanted to protest, his role was neither judge nor executioner. Instead, he examined the briefing and listened closely to what else the Arch had to say.
"Finally," the Arch-Zeno added, eyes taking in Qasem for a second, "there is the matter of truths. Expect a very tangled web in that town. Very tangled indeed. There is a reason why half of you could pass for locals there while half are very pointedly outsiders."
Ashon nudged Cal in the side, speaking to him discreetly. "Make sure those two don't share the same room together or none of us will get any rest. Bad enough with her." His eyes moved to Isii and Casii, but particularly the former.
Ismette saw him looking at her. She waved and smiled sweetly. Casii scowled and spat. She had not liked the hegelan hole in the ground. She had not liked it one bit, and the wide open mountains, not much better. Ashon smiled sweetly in return at the first of the pair, and waved back.
Cal added two and two together once more. Were all continental yasoi this loopy and depraved? He waved and did not let his thoughts show, as always. He would have to work with them all in the near future. "Tell me Ashon,” he inquired, “why are there so many couples at this school so quickly? Is this part of the twin continents' culture?"
That seemed to have concluded their briefing, however. They were to complete a task and were - quite tantalizingly - free to take advantage of any opportunities for self-advancement they might find along the way. "Should you require more than what is in the folders, you may speak with me after," the Arch-Zeno decided. "Your goal is relatively simple, however: kill the Beast of Mandelein, menace that it is, and uncover any illegal or hidden activities the town is caught up in. Now…” He pivoted. “There are quite a few more of you present."
With this, a second set of papers appeared in front of a second set of people: Yuliya, Nazih, Esmii, Yvain, Marz, Penny, and Sven. The map shifted and they were now looking at Vossoriya.
Yuli excitedly jumped in her seat a little. Her homeland! And it seemed she was going with Penny and MarkMarz to boot. What a wonderful day this had been, outside of annoying puzzles. "Penny, I can be your tour guide!" she exclaimed unabashedly.
Penny all-but squealed in excitement. "Oh mah Shune! I've always wanted to see Vossoriya!"
"My first mission, I'm kind of nervous." Esmii stuttered, hugging herself. Beside her, Sven gulped. "Don't worry. Mine too. I'm shure they know what they're doing." She smiled only somewhat nervously. "At least we'll be together." It was enough to make him smile back, and he wrapped a comforting arm around her, though who it benefited more was difficult to say.
Yvain smugly leaned against Penny. "It seems we get to spend some precious time in this Callanasti Winter 'Wonderland." His eyes moved towards the Vossoriyan. "Seems you have a friendly guide as well."
"Yuli will make everything better," Penny assured her cousin. "She may even outdo you for sheer positivity!"
Marz began to read through the paper presented and scoffed, "Gods, it'll be cold!"
"Your mission here is a simple one, though made more difficult by certain local... circumstances," continued the Arch-Zeno.
"Aren't Hegelans supposed to be cold-resistant?" teased Penny. She winked to make it clear that she was joking. He seemed like the high-strung sort.
"I might be. Don't mean I like it! Much more used to the heat meself," Marz replied.
Yuli grinned along, singing her national anthem to herself. She was thinking about the clothes she'd probably have to lend Penny to make sure the poor girl wouldn't freeze down south.
"This," said Harrachora, pointing to a spot on the map where two major rivers met - Yuliya and Marz may have recognized them as the Kuska and Belykuska - "is the trading town of Kirimansk. There is supposed to be a shipment of something very secret, valuable, and - if opened - very dangerous passing through it. Problem is that it's been stalled there for... quite some time: the whole Hundri, in fact. Whatever you do, please don't open it. The less you know, the less you can be liable for." He was walking around the table now, peering over their shoulders. He stopped for a moment, between Penny and Yuliya, reaching out and then... something seemed different. It was so quick and minor that it would've scarce been noticed by any but the most alert. "Your job, however, is to retrieve it and bring it, intact, back to the Hegelan City of Hoch Dorumvir, and its portal, from which it can be moved quickly and safely to Hogh Munkhelad and then, in the hands of Zenos, to the academy."
Marz nodded his head and said, "A'kay, I can deal with that. Sounds interesting enough"
"I am intrigued by what would be so important that we shouldn't open it." Yvain rubbed his chin. "What do you think?" He looked towards his cousin, but something about Penny’s demeanour had changed. She was quiet and pensive, unusually so for her.
Not open? Would Yuliya be able to stop people from doing that? Also, what exactly was being taken through here? Her mind raced with questions, so much so that she almost missed Harrachora stopping behind them for a moment, but she just let it happen. Whatever it was, it wasn't something she could do anything about. Regardless, she simply listened until the man was done, before turning to the rest. "The less we know, the less problem. Your tour guide still ready to help!" she spoke, trying not to hide the inkling of fear that the current Paradigm put in her.
"Does it, as a Vossoriyan yourself, not make you incredibly intrigued to what this might truly be?" Yvain looked rather interested in the reasons as to why they’d been advised not to look into what the cargo would be.
"It probably way more boring than you think. Nothing interesting happen in Kirimansk. Not while I live there," she assured him, telling a half truth. Yuliya just needed them to shut up for now, to avoid antagonizing the Arch-Zeno.
"Fine fine, have it your way. I won't ponder on it any longer." Yvain still looked somewhat frustrated by the potential fact that someone of his standing could be sent on such an unimportant mission.
"Excellent!" decided Harrachora, clasping his hands in a businesslike manner. "I do apologize for the rather opaque manner in which you've been received, but some discretion is necessary here and not knowing what is in those three crates allows you to be genuinely ignorant should anything go askew, though I have faith in all of you that it will not.” He applied some verbal balm to their worries. “Rest assured that there are immense opportunities as well and that you will have a local guide aside from your very gracious Vossoriyan classmate." He nodded in thanks towards Yuliya. At that, there was another massive surge of energy - massive enough to nearly make some sick.
Twin portals opened. Through one, they could see trees and a road running through a deep forest. Through the other was a frosty plateau in the mountains and, in the near distance, an enormous stone and steel gateway to a city.
"да направит нас ветер!" Yuli exclaimed as she bolted through the portal, ushering the rest to follow. The exodus happened with surprising speed. They had their supplies and their briefings and, unlike the groups that the Zenith had brought together, there weren’t all that many ties between the two cohorts.
Everybody else was gone within a minute, and the twin portals closed behind them. There were only five remaining: Evander, Desmond, Tku, Fiske, and Benedetto. Karan Harrachora, Arch-Zeno of Ersand'Enise, turned to give them his full attention. "You have been kept back for a reason," he assured the five young men before him.
"I would hope so, would be a shame to come all this way to only be turned away," Desmond chided.
"Well, I hope so, though the experience was nice enough," Tku chuckled.
"Is this something special?" Fiske looked questioning.
The Arch-Zeno smiled at the quips, but there was no light in his eyes. "Trust that I have no such intention." He regarded Fiske as well. "You have been held back because some of your peers - those who do not believe themselves to be on any sort of 'mission' and have gone to Torragon for personal reasons - are headed for certain death. It is this fate that I hope you can save them from."
Desmond heard what was said and felt the weight of the room increase. He broke the silence and was the first to speak. "I see… Do we know what might cause this 'certain death'?"
Fiske sighed upon hearing the task for them at hand. Part of him got rather annoyed by the fact he had to save people who’d gotten themselves caught up in a ‘certain death’ situation.... certain death? "Save them from their own fate? That sounds rather complicated..."
Tku wondered what he could possibly do to help with this. It seemed above and beyond his powers but maybe they needed a healer. "If I can be of assistance, I will." He bowed his head. "I do owe you after all," the Obenjan added.
"From my experience, fate is evanescent," advised the Arch-Zeno. "Though this opportunity may be complicated," he conceded. "It should also be quite lucrative for you."
Evander looked at Harrachora, "Who are the peers you want us to save?"
"Isabella Lowell, Zarina Al-Nader, Marceline Hohenfelter, Ayla Arslan... and the Tan-Zeno Jocasta Re." The Arch-Zeno replied evenly.
None of those were people Tku knew. Not that it mattered, but to be responsible for saving a Tan-Zeno seemed a bit much.
Desmond nodded as he thought about who could be aiming for all of these individuals. He knew Zarina, Ayla, and Jocasta should be close. Marceline is a business partner to Zarina, but Isabella: that was the one that was odd. He pursed his lips for a moment. "Okay I think I'm getting the picture"
"I have reason to believe that a grave danger lurks out in the deserts of Torragon - just beyond the Refuge of San Agustin de las Arenas - and that they are headed, potentially, into the very mouth of it."
Fiske frowned. The Hohenfelter girl had gotten involved with this mess? He'd expected the Arslan girl but the Hohenfelter girl usually seemed to be of the smarter variety. Gods, she'll have to reward me if I save their asses, and she’s loaded. "If a Tan-Zeno is on that mission they should genuinely be pretty safe, no?"
"Beings," Harrachora revealed, "snakelike beings that are said to live in the desert, but I think there's more to it. I don't think they're the danger... at least not directly. Your friends are about to get wrapped up in something much larger than themselves. Whatever you find there, I have a sense that it could be world-shattering: something that you must report back to me and only to me." He shook his head. "We have hidden enemies among us, and I'm not referring to agents of the Traveler."
Snakelike beings... Fiske remembered something akin to that. They came from great metal birds. If they were involved, it might be more dangerous than what had happened at Moli's. The thought of seeing those snakelike beings both intrigued and terrified him to no end.
Tku had heard of Snakelike people in folklore but never anyone truly believing they were real. Yet…if this was the Arch-Zeno and there was indeed a hidden continent, then it could definitely be true. Why he’d chosen Tku, the boy had no idea but… "I will do my best."
Desmond thought to himself as he he heard the man speak. He began to piece together thoughts and ideas that he knew in the area, as the moment Harrachora spoke of snakelike people, Desmond snapped his fingers as it showed him what he needed. He nodded, businesslike, mind racing. "Okay, I think I got it now. I've dealt with these beings before. Okay. I understand sir". He continued to nod, resisting the urge to rise and pace. "So our job is to stop this event from happening, or the more likely thing is to make sure the others you sent us to save is to survive."
Evander leaned in when he heard Harrachora reveal the description fitting what he knew as Sirrahi. He knew what the Arch-Zeno meant by hidden enemies. Evander understood all too well what was introduced at this briefing table. Harrachora felt similarly as Evander about the greater war afoot. The Revidian listened to Desmond, "Sounds like the latter, the event is happening and our peers don't know what they are walking into, therefore we are going to make sure they survive."
Tku made note of Evander and Desmond's reactions to the news. Perhaps they knew more information. He came to the conclusion that he should ask them later for safety’s sake.
Karan Harrachora's gaze was heavy. Serious. It drifted about the table, taking in the other five men there. "This is the final question, then: can I rely on you for this?" He paused, hands clenching and unclenching behind his back. "If you have any serious doubts or reservations, now is the time to step back from the precipice. I assure you that the rewards will be truly incredible should we succeed, both for yourself and our society at large, but there is risk here, and I would never order you to move forward into danger were I not entirely certain of your willingness."
Tku made it known multiple times that he was ready, and who better to see how the world might change than an artist to draw the story? "You have my word Arch-Zeno."
Desmond took in a breath and sighed. It was a dangerous thought, yet what was he if not a man who’d lived his life perched on just such an edge? "You can," he replied simply.
The Arch-Zeno inclined his head in thanks.
Fiske was sweating, this was a serious situation... but if the rewards were as incredible as Harrachora was saying, it might be worth tagging along with Benedetto and Desmond. "I will do my best."
Benedetto hadn't said much so far. In fact, when this fucking Zeno had disappeared Silas, he'd been ready to throw hands. He scowled and considered. Jocasta, he thought. In grave danger, he thought. Hmmmmm. An idea occurred to him, then: an awful idea, a wonderful idea, A wonderfully awful idea. "Oi I'll help save your lil' world," he answered with a toothy grin. "I'm in."
With that, Karan Harrachora bid them good luck and godspeed and opened a portal. The burning heat of the dune sea was already rolling through it. The sand was whipping and the dragons were circling above by the time they stepped through.
I N V I T A T I O N S
A T R I O O F Q U A R T E T S
They started to appear - out of nowhere, and in the oddest places - invitations to a meeting with the Zenith. Some students received them. Many did not. Yet, at the requested hour, as Ipte slid towards Shune, they all gathered: all of them by the Forked Tower, a truly... eclectic group. It had been more or less a year since the last time they had found themselves here and perhaps their appearances were the clearest evidence that each had grown - or regressed - in various ways. They counted, among their number, a dozen in all: Abdel Varga, Ayla Arslan, Ingrid Penderson, Isabella Lowell, Jocasta Re, Kaureerah Wenhan, Maura Mercador, Niallus Saberhagen, Rikard Ambrus, Trypano Somia, Yalen Castel, and Zarina Al-Nader, plus a number of beasts. Those tethered who had walked with difficulty before now did so easily. Those who had not seemed to move easily, at least: their condition not worsened in the slightest. Conversations, teasing, and a growing murmur of questioning filled the otherwise still predawn air.
For some fifteen minutes, they stood outside, waiting and catching up, in increasing bafflement as to the lack of reception. Then, Rikard happened. First, he had plunged through the Violet Enclave's protective barrier. Then, it was his prerogative to touch the door handle of the tower. He disappeared. Within less than a minute, the other eleven followed, to find themselves divided into a trio of quartets, staring out into a vast and darkened chamber. This, then, was the Zenith's test. Those who had been called upon last year remembered something very similar from the late Paradigm. Initial blunders aside, most had proven themselves competent people before, and those who had not had the earlier opportunity proved themselves now. By various means, all three groups made it through the initial gauntlet, only to find themselves presented with the queerest of locks and the insistence that they utter not a word before a pair of great exit doors. Not a single one tried to blast through. Instead, they did what they had reliably done best, and solved the tactile riddle. Only then was the room beyond revealed...
T O U C H E D B Y G R E A T N E S S
All three of the groups palayed witness to the same thing: the doors slid apart and a room beyond was revealed. It was... the Zenith's office but... not. In fact, it was enormous. Claresse Upta sat at a table, petting one of the skuggvars, which rested peqacefully on the floor beside her. All of the other animals were about as well.
It was a cacophony of greeting for the first minute or so, people bowing, curtsying, addressing, or sucking up to the Zenith. A few were rather… short with her, but Claresse Upta was not necessarily one to take offense unless it was intended. It was only occasionally that she had to remind people of the power that her office carried. In any event, it was not long before she had them seated around the great table that had once been Hugo’s. She’d been loath to employ the same ‘idiot filter’ - one of the youths had called it - that the late Paradigm had, but at least it had gotten them to focus and think. The Zenith cleared her throat. "I think we shall begin now," she said simply.
Zarina was the first to offer a question, and not without a touch of sass, either. “So, what part of the world needs very responsible students like us to save it?” For a moment, the question hung in the air, with precious little in the way of response until everybody was suitably…behaved. Then, from behind a bookshelf, emerged the group’s secret thirteenth member: Marceline Hohenfelter, also known by the name Escarra. Far less ‘tethered’ than many may have remembered her, she pranced up and seated herself close to the Zenith. She was immediately joined by Zarina who teased her fondly… at least until the Zenith cleared her throat.
"Ahem," She began. "I understand that, for many of you, this is not your first such scenario. You undertook a task for the late Paradigm sometime last year. This is... relatively similar to that. There are wounds in the world and I ask you to help heal them. For this, you will gain, much as you did previously, rich rewards, both moral, monetary, and in skill and ability."
From the students came precisely the chorus of affirmatives that she’d expected. Jocasta, seated at the opposite head of the table, crossed her arms and nodded, ready to offer a strong hand of assistance should it have been required. In the event, it was not.
"Simply put, there are two situations which will require a... practiced touch," the Zenith admitted. She paced about her desk and plucked a globe from it. There was a surge of magic and it was suddenly immense: hovering in the air before them. "Is anybody here particularly familiar with ReTan?"
Maura raised her hand first. "We studied it in class and the current governor of Longwan Island is, well… me. My classes keep me at Ersand'Enise mostly, so there hasn;t been much opportunity to take advantage of it."
Claresse had gotten an answer she hadn’t even asked for. This was why you let others speak.
Ingrid raised her hand as well. "I can speak the native language and have a device to translate things for others."
Abdel sheepishly raised his hand, although when Maura took the initiative, he had a bit more confidence, “Yeah, I took classes too. I vaguely remember some in my past life, too.”
Last was Zarina, lazily raising her hand. “Abdel's probably talking about those in Virang. I've dealt with them a few times myself.” Then, she shrugged. “I only know some phrases and formulations, probably specific to that group, though.”
"Most all of you involved with this possess relevant skills and aptitudes," the Zenith confirmed, "and it is just as well. Envoys of the twin emperors of ReTan have reached out to us.” There was a note of almost… pride in her voice. "They wish to deepen our trade relations and, for some of you, this could prove very lucrative indeed." Her words garnered… more or less the reaction she’d been expecting. They would do the job, one way or another, and even if they somehow fouled up, all but Jocasta were ultimately replaceable. A pang of guilt struck her at the rather jaded thought. Bright young things. I do hope you all gain and come back safe.
A series of eight folders fluttered off of a nearby bookshelf. They placed themselves, open, in front of Ingrid, Niallus, Trypano, Yalen, Maura, Abdel, Kaureerah, and Rikard. "The issue is that there is a cancer growing in their society, melodramatic as it sounds to say so." Murmurs and excited whispers rose and she allowed them a moment.
It was Yalen who put an end to it first, and he did so by asking the Zenith precisely the sort of question she’d have asked were their positions reversed. "Is there a particular reason why you need students like us and not your official envoys?"
"If I had to take a guess it would be that official envoys would cause too much attention," Ingrid cut in. "They'll probably want someone from the outside to help, and be more discreet with this matter,” agreed the boy who’d spent half of their breakfast draped all over the tall Eskandish girl. Was it… Niallus?
Claresse decided to reward the students for their deductive skill. In some ways, it boded well for them. "Agents of the Traveler are at work, and ReTanese authorities have reason to believe that a particularly capable one is at work in the capital of Wánggǎng. People over there know who the government's agents are, and this terrorist has been utterly ruthless to date. They are far too frightened to speak out." She shook her head. "The government of ReTan also wishes to make a public show of its allegiance with Ersand'Enise should you succeed. Should you fail, not being known Zenos of the school, this can be easily swept away." She sighed. "I know that it doesn't sound very good, but that's the practical side of the matter."
"We aren't public figures, that much is true. However, I have reason to believe the Traveler knows who some - if not all - of us are. We should be careful not to place too much faith in our anonymity. Who knows what kind of plots that traitor has cooked up?" Yalen was sharing his thoughts out loud while halfway through the mission folder.
Ingrid was even more explicit. "Do you have a list of what kind of crimes they've committed?" she inquired.
"We don't presently have much," the Zenith allowed, "though I have been informed that they are spreading illegal magics with wanton disregard for public wellbeing and have been actively working to cause instability and overthrow the government. They have been actively murdering public servants." She cleared her throat. "You will have contacts on the ground who will have more accurate and up-to-date information."
…Niallus looked at the folder. "Do you have an idea if there are multiple agents or just one?" It was question period now, even though the information was in there had they bothered to read carefully enough. This one: he was dense, but Claresse was patient - nothing if not patient. "There are multiple throughout the country," she replied, "but you are concerned with one, specifically." She sat herself again and a second set of folders fluttered free of the shelves. "Time," she recommended, "may be of the essence here. I advise that you say your goodbyes. If you have anything left to retrieve, Tan-Zeno Re should be able to help you. For the rest of you," she concluded, "we have another matter to discuss."
That was their cue, and they knew it. The Zenith took a step back to allow them their goodbyes and final preparations, placing Jocasta at their disposal for any last minute forgotten items. In the event, there were none. With but a bit of focus and an outline drawn with the tip of her finger, Claresse opened a rift between their location and the capital of distant ReTan. One by one, they proceeded through. Then, she remembered something. "Ah, right!" interrupted the Zenith. "Actually, I'd like you to stay back for a moment, Brother Castel. I will ensure that you catch up to the others shortly." She regarded the portal for a moment as she closed it.
"Is something wrong Zenith?" Yalen clasped his fingers together.
"Possibly, though we know vanishingly little," Claresse conceded, "and it pains me to admit it. We have, however, received a rather cryptic letter from one Manuel Escarra - I believe you may know him - requesting the presence of Zarina, Ayla, Isabella, Jocasta, and..." She twisted to face the girl beside her. "You, Marceline."
"Mister Escarra? Truly?" Yalen's eyes widened.
"Yes,” she confirmed. "I thought it might be a good idea for you to be aware as well, Brother Castel."
"Perhaps the Duke's demise has shaken things up in Torragon."
"You could very well be right."
This seemed to send a ripple of worry through the youths gathered, and Claresse found herself less immune to it herself than she’d have liked. In particular, Zarina's expression furrowed as she heard the news. “Something wrong with the Refuge? Someone making a play now that the desert's anyone’s playground?”
"There's a possibility," Zenith Upta allowed. "Though, as I said, they've been very tight-lipped. We know… much less than we’d like to."
"My mind won't be at peace after receiving this news,” Yalen declared. “If I can spare some time, I would like to investigate the refuge before proceeding to Rettan."
In their various ways, the others made their agreement known, though some with far less sobriety than she’d have liked. "Do not hesitate to reach out for support should you require it," the Zenith assured them. "Tan Zeno Re is, of course, connected to this matter and will be there to assist you. Brother Castel, I trust your betrothed should be able to bring you to Wanggang when needed." There followed a pregnant silence. "Is everyone present prepared to depart?"
"I am ready,” confirmed Yalen, “but, if possible, I would like someone to inform my relations of my departure. Captain D'aureville of the Century in particular will want to know my whereabouts."
The Zenith inclined her head graciously. "I shall have someone see to it."
Jocasta nodded as well. "I'm ready."
Marceline was visibly nervous. "But don't we know anything else?" she prodded. "Is Abuelo alright? Madre?" Her eyes darted Isabella's way. That was someone she knew: someone she trusted, and it was she who spoke next. "That prison is the last place I want to go back to, but I suppose I could go say hello to my old friends."
Ayla looked toward Marci, giving her a soft smile, attempting to be reassuring. "Perhaps the news is for our own ears only," she tried, but Marci didn’t seem to be buying it. "But... my mom..." the younger girl mewed, swallowing. "I haven't seen her in a while and..." She breathed in and out.
The way that they all came together to comfort her, then, was heartwarming, but Marceline was eager to go and it was something that Claresse couldn’t blame her for. Even the Zenith had once had a mother. She inhaled once and, when she exhaled, a new portal opened. It beckoned to them and, beyond, they could almost feel the desert wind and dust of Inner Torragon rolling through. It was night and the moons hovered peacefully over adobe walls and endless dunes.
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