Black Zenith [Adventure / RPG / Chapter Three: Forgotten Whispers]

[Riou]

Daril wakes up to an Armor Golem slapping him silly.

"Whatthefuck."

[wlzrobert]

Heedal decides to walk around the town looking at some landmarks and eventually walking back to the tavern.

[chimericWilder]

"Speaking of a ship, there appears to be one floating outside. Come look, its an amazing sight"

Shit its moving away quick gotta catch it.

Daril wakes up to an Armor Golem slapping him silly.

"Whatthefuck."

Mayor quits slapping you silly once he realised you've been slapped awake.

Somewhere, someone gasps in shock and surprise. Awaaaaaaaaaake~omg

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I'm usually asleep when most of the world is about, time-zones and shit. How many times do I have to say this.

A flying ship? Bohw gives Thunderpaw a curious look, interested, but at the same time having a hard time believing him.

"...Seriously? This I have too see."

Bohw gets out of her seat and walks over to the window, and to her surprise there's a goddamn flying ship out there. Mayor and others huddle around the window to get a look themselves as Bohw steps back. She turns to Thunderpaw chuckling to herself.

"He Heh, well colour me shocked. There's a flying ship out there... well what are we waiting for? Lets go ask for a ride then! Mayor, go grab magic lady and slap Daril around abit, hit him a bit harder if he doesn't respond. Thunderpaw, lets go grab Heedal and check out that flying thing."

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The color of shock is cyan. Gemcraft decrees this.

Also i figured that since it was approaching nighttime at the time maybe you'd just be waking or something. Ok i dont even know, stupid earth geography.

Yeah theres a flying ship out there alright. And its quickly absconding out of the line of sight accessible from this vantage point. Quickly, after it!

Noone knows where Heedal even is, but Daril is awake and i assume Jane either goes "nah imma stay here" or "mkay lets go" actually i'll just let Unknown_Entity specify whichever if he decides to get back. Actually, same thing goes for Daril but yeah ok.

Regardless, you, Mayor, Thunderpaw, and maybe or maybe not Jane and Daril too, exit the establishment and get after that ship. It flies around for a little while and you're kinda following it around the city as close as you can stay to it, before eventually it descends and lands somewhere the next block over.

Heedal decides to walk around the town looking at some landmarks and eventually walking back to the tavern.

Well theres the square you're (presumably still) standing in, and the huge-ass fortress over yonder. And then theres a flying ship wait what. Well i guess that counts as a landmark except in the air and kinda moving around.

Follow airmark? (Y/N)

Alternatively, seek out actual land-based marks within city perimeter, or return to tavern?

Might as well spend at least a day in this city. I'll go search for interesting things to do.

You're about to exit the previously-abandoned backyard when suddenly a wild ragtag group of 'unusual individuals' appear, probably to investigate the darn flying ship that just landed in the city. They consist of one large and imposing iron construct, one well-armored Bunni (ooh! You've read of those), one rogueish Impling (ps: they're all rogueish), and possibly two others who may or may not be there at all. Also, a few commoners are eyeing dat airship, though, excepting the boy climbing a nearby wall to get a better look, none are moving towards the backalley leading back to the airship. You were about to exit that backalley.

[BlazerC]

Bohw stays there for a moment, examining the over-all design of Airship. And she's pretty sure that's a miniature ballista mounted up there, how curious. This looks like some kind of advanced seige technology. And aw, look's like someone's brought their lil' adorable daughter along for the ride, she even has goggles! She must have the coolest parents.

There's something funny looking about that girl now that Bohw thinks about it. Seems all too goodie-goodie...

Mayor however is just as straight forward as ever and gives a big goofy wave.

[Supernerd]

I'll exit the backalley and go see if anything interesting is happening in this city.

[wlzrobert]

Heedal decides to follow the airmark, because he his interested if there are other "adventurers"

[chimericWilder]

Bohw stays there for a moment, examining the over-all design of Airship. And she's pretty sure that's a miniature ballista mounted up there, how curious. This looks like some kind of advanced seige technology. And aw, look's like someone's brought their lil' adorable daughter along for the ride, she even has goggles! She must have the coolest parents.

There's something funny looking about that girl now that Bohw thinks about it. Seems all too goodie-goodie...

Mayor however is just as straight forward as ever and gives a big goofy wave.

You cant really tell much about the design of the ship (roll 11), other than 'hey its a flying ship'. It could have been a modified ship with an airballoon. Or it could have been like, magicked into flying. Or... something. Anyway, a number of people are leaving the alley leading to where the ship was parked.

I'll exit the backalley and go see if anything interesting is happening in this city.

You got a good look at the layout of the city, earlier. Most notably, there is the huge fortress in the middle of the city. From what you noticed, it is not just incredibly big, it is also made from a single piece of stone, perhaps carved out of a mountain once, or fused together with magic. Maybe a scholar would know. You also noticed a tall, circular spire earlier, in the far part of the city. You're not sure what it is for, you've certainly never heard about it before. Other than that, you guess theres those slums, aswell as the inns and taverns common to every city, aswell as the occasional herbalist and various cathedrals for the Light. While making your way toward whatever destination you've decided on, someone also mentions the marketplace, in the square in front of the fortress. Apparently, it is a great commercial center of trade, though you're a bit low on money since buying that rod.

Heedal decides to follow the airmark, because he his interested if there are other "adventurers"

Following the airship proves no problem. You arrive a little late but oh hey theres the others, plus a bunch of strangers. Seems they took an interest in this new land airmark, too, and arrived first. Atleast, Bohw seems quite interested in the thing.

[sjasogun]

Takumi: Get out of the airship and head squarely in the opposite direction of Sally or whatever that girl's name was again. You want to put as much distance between her and the shenanigans that seem to follow her around ASAP.

((Yes, I am screwing your plot over. Not intentionally, but because Takumi's character demands it. Well, that kinda is intentionally but you get my point.))

[Supernerd]

I'll go check out one of those Cathedrals. See if I can unlock some lore while I'm there. Also I suppose I should pay my respects to all those people who died a couple of days ago.

[BlazerC]

Daril should probably buy some guns or something. He does have money. Make him do that Chim.

[chimericWilder]

I wont make him do that cos he needs to do that himself.

I guess Riou just doesnt want to spend time doing anything that isnt looting or murdering. Damnit.

I'll go check out one of those Cathedrals. See if I can unlock some lore while I'm there. Also I suppose I should pay my respects to all those people who died a couple of days ago.

You make your way toward the closest of the two cathedrals you spotted from above earlier. It is a tall stone building, consisting of large a circular dome at its center and several adjacent wings around it, aswell as the obligatory clocktower.

Religion works in that there are a multitude of different gods, all fitting underneath a general set of principles referred to as the Light in this case. The Light is not a religion in and of itself, but is rather works as a type of pantheon, really acting only as a code of general conduct. Under that, the various gods and ways of life. In principle, one can simply decide on whatever religion fits one's lifestyle, though of course it is hardly as simple as that. Ofcourse, some of the various deities are generally more appreciated by some specific groups. Alantin, the god of nature, for instance, is a common belief among elves. There are other 'pantheons' than the Light, generally in other countries, but often enough, atleast a few of the same gods are included.

Thus, in the central dome, the circular walls are carved with niches, each holding a shrine to a particular deity or belief, and a robed priest walks between them. There are a few other visitors here, aswell, and the stained glass windows inset into the walls cast a colorful light on the floors. Interestingly enough, light from the second sun also shines though a different set of windows.

[BlazerC]

Oh right.

Bohw goes over to the various of people leaving the Airship and asks if the owner of the "Captain or whatever" is with them, and may she speak with them.

[Supernerd]

I'll go search around to see if I can find a priest or something to discuss some of my recent issues with.

[chimericWilder]

Yea, there was that priest over there, apparently tending to the shrines. When you approach, he turns, and seems a little surprised to find a child here, alone.

"Yes? What can i help you with?"

[Supernerd]

I'll explain about the attack that occurred on my hometown and that I am not sure how I should go about paying my respects. I'll leave out the part about the airship for now (or any other heroic stuff I might have done for that matter), otherwise he might not take me all that seriously.

[chimericWilder]

He looks quite worried as you explain, and asks if this has been taken to the authority. When you answer that the guard captain has taken care of that, he relaxes a bit.

"Prayers for the departed are most commonly given to Aldrethar, god of Spirits, for he provides guidance for the dead and keeps them safe by his side. Others pray to Hiron, god of the High Heavens, for a new place to go after their department."

He pauses for a moment, pointing to two shrines, one a stone statue of a man with widespread arms, palms upward and his face left uncarved bythe sculptor. A multitude of burning candles surrounds the statue, and a few gifts are left before the statue, in the form of a few flowers, aswell as a necklace set with a tiny ruby and a few other once-personal effects. The other has no statue, but a fine painting depicts a tall mountain, whose very tip touches the swirling clouds - and where it touches sits a marvelous city, with fine structures and palaces, aswell as green fields somehow stretching out among both the clouds and the mountain's peak. Of gifts here are left coppers and silvers, aswell as a few vials of what looks to be water.

"If you're seeking protection for yourself and your friends however, the Avatar of Sanctuary, Vadin, can shield you from harm's way and ill fortune, both. His is the shrine over there." It depicts a wooden statue of a tall man, leaning his hand on an intricately designed tower shield. Against the shield leans a herbalist's sickle. In his other hand, he holds a small lapiz lazuli gemstone. There are no offerings here, but the priest mentions this is because Vadin needs no gifts in exchang for his protection.

[Supernerd]

Now I'll try asking about what would be an appropriate offering.

[chimericWilder]

"Well, you can often see what offers have offered before - as i mentioned, some deities need no offerings. As you can see, Hiron accepts coin - not because he is greedy, but because there is no need for coins in the High Heavens - you could call leaving one's wealth with Hiron a declaration, of a sorts. But more importantly is water, or, specifically, mist and clouds. The High Heavens is a place of clouds, and as more people come to, the cloud cover must be expanded. This is done with help from but a single vial of water, turned into mist. Thus, Hiron allows deceased mortals to walk amidst the clouds, though his blessing. Aldrethar accepts candles, which will be lit along with the others, when the time comes, to signify a journey of the spirit, aswell as something dear that was left behind, and finally, he accepts things of life, for that which has passed - flowers and branches are quite popular."

You can conjure both flower and water easily enough, but both will fade with a few hours' passing.

[Supernerd]

"So umm... What do the gods do with all these offerings?"

[chimericWilder]

"I think perhaps they are more of a declaration of faith than anything the gods need. The candles will burn, and the flowers will wither, eventually. The monetary donations help maintain the cathedral, however, which we are grateful for. Some of the offerings we will keep, however, kept close in one of the nearby halls, or displayed here, such as that necklace. I believe that one is... Maybe a little over three years old, by now? In other cases, offerings have come in other forms, too. It was a private artist who drew the painting of Hiron's mountain, for instance."

[Supernerd]

I'll see if I can establish/detect some kind of connection with a higher power.

[chimericWilder]

The priest looks interested in your spellcasting, but says nothing.

You think you detect the stray residue of something, in the area here, in the form of faintly magical threads, but you fail to determine what exactly the residue could be.

[Supernerd]

Hmm... I think perhaps I should take my leave now. I'll make a point of checking some of the cities architecture to see if the same magic residue exists there.

[sjasogun]

Takumi: Go and look for a tavern somewhere and order a pint of beer.

(Yes, I know this is a crappy action but I have to type this from my phone. Which basically means it took me half am hour to post this.)

[chimericWilder]

E: Ninja'd
Also phone posting is horrible aye

Takumi: Get out of the airship and head squarely in the opposite direction of Sally or whatever that girl's name was again. You want to put as much distance between her and the shenanigans that seem to follow her around ASAP.

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((Yes, I am screwing your plot over. Not intentionally, but because Takumi's character demands it. Well, that kinda is intentionally but you get my point.))

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tis' fair enough i suppose. Though it was only really one big mess of shenaniganz.

You take note of the direction whatsserface is leaving in, and walk the other way, a group of those refugees walking a little distance in front of you.

Suddenly, you are approached by a stranger! An impling, to be specific, though you almost mistook her for an ordinary girl. She is asking about the 'captain' of the ship.

Bah.

Oh right.

Bohw goes over to the various of people leaving the Airship and asks if the owner of the "Captain or whatever" is with them, and may she speak with them.

You randomly pick one of the people leaving the ship, a tall human wearing plain brown clothes. You approach him and ask your question concerning captains and/or whatever.

Hmm... I think perhaps I should take my leave now. I'll make a point of checking some of the cities architecture to see if the same magic residue exists there.

The priest thanks you for your visit, then resumes his duties just as you leave.

You look around the city for matching magical residue for a while, but you find no identical traces of what you found at the cathedral. The most obvious possible answers is that either the priests there cast some kind of magic with a purpose you cannot identify, that someone from without stopped by and cast such magic, or that what you found were actual divine spell traces. To make certain, you check the second cathedral in the city, though it is a certain distance from the first one. There, you find much the same residue as what you initially found at the first chatedral.

It should also be noted that the traces you found are drifting thoughout the air, rather than clinging to the building itself or something like that.