Paradigm Concepts

[Kandath_val_Tensen]

Along the lonely, dust-strewn road to the tavern, two figures stand
out in stark silhouette against the dull red glow of the setting sun
behind them. One of them, physically immense, his face completely
hooded from view, walks slightly behind the other, a young girl, who
gently holds the larger figure's left hand as if guiding him along.

Within a few moments, the pair close the distance to the tavern and
pass through the entryway. The young girl, quite obviously a dark
kin, stops briefly to survey the room. Her eyes light up with recognition
when she sees Lady Andromache and Skye.

The girl's face, with the exception of large areas under her eyes and
two small trails down her cheeks, is covered with dust and grime from
what would appear to have been quite a long journey. She tries her
best to wipe that from her otherwise pretty visage before giving each
of the women a quick nod and a warm smile.

With that, she leads her large companion to a table by the fire,
gently helping him into a chair and taking the man's travelling robes
for him. She carefully removes the hood from his head, exposing a
thin black veil secured to a gold circlet that obsures the man's
face. The man withdraws a large, well-scribed piece of parchment
from a bag at his side and begins to scrawl feverishly, mumbling
arcanely to himself as he does.

The girl leaves the table and gives a small handful of gold to the
innkeeper, arranging for two rooms. She brings two glasses of water
back to the table, setting one glass in front of her friend that goes
unnoticed through his frantic scratchings and feverish mumblings as
he stares, unblinking, into the veil before him...

Gently, with a shaking hand, Jirah parts the veil ever so slightly on
its left side, brushing his haggard, unshaven cheek with her delicate
hand. The girl places her head in her hands and weeps silently,
almost inaudiable over the quill scratching rapidly in her friend's
hand.

"Goddess forgive me for what I've done to you, Kandath..." the small
girl chokes out, crying tears that seem to have no end.

[Brent Jacobs]

With an audible *pop* of displaced air, two figures appear outside near the entrance. One, a slight elorii female dressed in blue robes with a buckler on her arm, finishes the divine gestures that brought them here and sweeps her gaze in a complete circle, apparently searching for something or someone. The other, a larger human male in grey robes, watches her bemusedly with a slight smirk on his face. As she finishes her brief scan, he lets out a slight laugh.

"Do you ever relax, Serah? This is not enemy territory, and we are no where near the Godswall. Your spells even stated Penguino is nowhere near, so why do you worry so?"

Serah returns his laugh with an emotionless blank stare, no hint of humor on her face. "While you have grown in power, you are still young, Dom, so this advice is free. Be paranoid, it will save your life some day. Penguino is not the only agent of the enemy, let me assure you. How do you think I found out about them? While my knowledge is incomplete about their intentions, I do know I cannot trust them beyond my index finger. Beware the squiggly headed idol they carry..."

Never losing his smirk, Dom bows slightly to her. "Very well, I shall attempt to match your self-preservation measures. Though I do consider my self rather well protected. I have you, after all."

Finally allowing her composure to crack, the elorii smiles slightly in response to the last statement. "That you do, young one. Flattery will get you everywhere. You show too much promise to leave to the tender mercies of that arcane-leaching scum's minions we are both so fond of killing." Their smiles grow wider in concert, as they recall a shared memory of battle with Harvesters on their own turf.

The conversation finished, they head toward the inn's entrance, elorii leading. While she is wearing a simple robe, her motions are slow and deliberate.

Entering the inn, Serah glances briefly at the odd couple seated in the inn as she heads toward the bar, and the man behind it. "I'd like a room, if you have any to be had, and two of your dinners with drinks." Pulling out a handful of gold, she pays the bartender and slowly wanders over to a table a respectful distance from the room's other occupants.

As she sits, an astute person can notice that she sits rather...stiffly for one in robes. And makes a slight clanking noise occasionally, as if armor were hitting the table or chair. After her comrade joins her, she asks quietly "Umm. You're better schooled in just about every form of magic than I, Dom. Do you understand what that man's ranting about over there? Poor soul, I wonder if he needs help, or if he's just deep in the bottle..."

[Brent Jacobs]

Sitting quietly a respectful distance from the feverishly murmuring val'Tensen and his quietly weeping companion, the slight female elorii observes the room's new occupants with mild interest. Concentrating on them individually as they enter (scanning for magic, probably seeing quiet a bit), she visibly relaxes after they take their seats.

Intently listening to their pleasantries, she begins to perk up after their chat turns to the recent battles. When the chatter turns to Enpebyn, she cracks a grin into her cup, reliving that fond memory. A battle to remember, where many of the puppet-emperor's minions were slain. Losses to the rebellion as well, to be sure. But they were merely recycled in the grand scheme of things.

At the mention of the king's wedding, her grin becomes full-fanged. Ah, the chaos at that silly event. At least they were able to uncover the Sorcerer King's agent. Never did find out if he was killed, though. Too bad.

Serah idly chews on her food as she remembers the more recent happenings at Solanos Mor. Her face immediately turns stony at those memories. The act of a spiteful, defeated little man, so heinous in nature, damning a soul forever. Knowing her zealous enemies could never be treated with compassion or trusted made combat quite simple really. Kill them all and let Beltine figure it out from there.

Looking over at the deranged / drunk val, Serah sighs heavily. Everyone deserved the benefit of the doubt, until their actions spoke of their character. Dom looks at her with his head cocked to the side, then nods slowly in understanding. Pushing herself back from the table, she stands. With a small murmer, her robe shimmers to reveal gleaming mithril full plate with a slightly darker sheen on its surface. Making her way over to the val's table, she pauses a few feet away (scanning with Arcane Sight).

"Maam, my name's Serah Hawthorne, and I couldn't help but notice your friend here's in some sort of...distress. As are you. If you don't mind me asking, what is his ailment? I may be able to help..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serah Hawthorne
Barokene Elorii
Cleric 8 / Berotar 5 / Heirophant 3

"Dom"
Male Human cohort
Wizzard 14

[Kandath_val_Tensen]

Hearing the approach of the Elorii female, the dark kin girl raises her head slowly. She quickly wipes the tears from her cheeks and brushes her blonde hair back away from her reddened eyes as she tries to make herself presentable. She visually appraises the Elorii woman as she speaks. When she meets the other woman's eyes, she freezes for an instant; her obsidian-black skin blushes almost imperceptably before the girl quickly regains her composure and returns the Elorii's kind words with a warm smile.

"Thank you for your kindness, Serah." The girl offers her hand in greeting, then continues in a quiet voice. "My name is Jirah, and my friend..." she pauses for an instant to look back, and her face tightens sadly for an instant as she looks back to Serah. "...my friend, here, is Kandath val'Tensen."

The man seated at the table gives no indication that he is paying attention to either of the women. He continues to devote the entirety of his concentration to the veil hanging before him, frantically scrawling notes and repeating seemingly random names, places, and times to himself as he works. Jirah watches him for another moment before turning back to the Elorii standing before her.

Speaking even more quietly now, she continues. "If you would like to talk, could we use a different table? I really don't want us to distract Kandath..."

[OOC:] The magical auras that your Arcane Sight detects are extremely powerful on various items that the two possess. The black silk veil that covers Kandath's face emits an Divinatory aura of power that is almost blinding, on par with that of major artifacts.

--------------------------------------
Kandath val'Tensen
Monk 16

Jirah *COHORT*
Dark-Kin Female
Cleric of Larissa (Oracular aspect) 14

[Brent Jacobs]

Pointedly looking away from the girl as she composes herself, Serah turns after a moment to lock eyes with the girl. After the uncomfortable stare, the girl appears to comprehend Serah's words. Accepting and lightly shaking the girl's hand in welcome, Serah politely listens to her introduction.

"You are welcome at our table, right over there, if you would like to avoid distrubing Kandath" she waves toward her table. "My companion, Dom, is skilled in the arts of magic as well. It is possible that he will be of use in determining if there is anything to be done."

Slowly walking back to her table, she motions to an empty chair next to herself as she sits. "I can't help but ask...that veil...it looks familiar. You didn't happen to receive it as a gift from a priestess of Larissa, did you? If so, I...suspect I know what your friend is going through."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(OOC - You gave the Veil to Kandath, hey? If I'm way off, so be it. If not, COOL RP hook. Monk with those abilities, slightly off by the visions...I so would have taken it if it would've worked .

Serah Hawthorne
Dom

[Kandath_val_Tensen]

As she gets up to follow the Elorii back to her table, Jirah places her hand on Kandath's shoulder and speaks gently. "I'll be back in a moment, so please don't worry..." Her small hand tightens on Kandath's massive shoulder, her eyes tearing up as she continues. "...I won't leave you..."

Her gentle words go seemingly unheard, the monk simply recites a bizarre sequence of events to himself as he continues his scrawling. After a moment, she again wipes her eyes before continuing on to Serah's table. Smiling politely, she introduces herself to Dom before taking a seat and turning to the Elorii woman beside her.

"So, you are familiar with the Veil of Visions... I recieved it from a sister cleric of Larissa, but..." She swallows hard before continuing. "When Kandath became aware of its prophetic ability, he asked me to give it to him... he needs the answers it can provide, but..." Jirah begins to tremble slightly, and the tears come once more.

"It's consuming him... his sight is failing, he's almost unable to see without it... he spends almost every waking moment studying the events it shows him, and he seldom sleeps anymore..." She continues to cry for a moment before regaining herself, if only a little.

"He has devoted everything that he is to bringing retribution to Menesis... bringing him to justice for his crimes. The prophecy that Menesis is fated to save humanity has tortured him so much... even now, he surrenders himself to the veil to determine the truth of that prophecy. If he finds it false, then he will no doubt use the veil to help him overcome Menesis' dark power. But if that prophecy is true... then..." Jirah glances back worriedly towards her massive and powerfully built friend. Worry visibly overtakes her face as her gaze lingers on Kandath.

"I can only pray that he will do the right thing."

Looking back to Serah and Dom, Jirah tries her hardest to smile. "I have faith in him, but... well, I suppose it's just in my nature to worry." She pauses before continuing. "I'm sorry for involving you in this... my friends constantly tell me how much of a crybaby I can be!" The girl smiles geniunely as she wipes her eyes once more.

"Please don't worry about him, or me. He will stop when he grows hungry, and I'll be fine after I get to talk to him again. I just get a little lonely without being able to chat with him as much as I used to." She looks at her new friends with the warm smile that has become the gentle girl's trademark over the years.

"So, in the meantime... do you mind if I chat with the two of you?"

[OOC:] Yep

[Penguino]

Shortly after it has begun, the quiet discourse of the inn's patrons is interrupted by loud swearing in the dwarven tongue coming from outside. The door is thrown open with enough force to splinter the back side as a short, burly figure stomps his way into the Crossroads Tavern. Pausing a second to let his eyes adjust to the change in lighting, the Solani dwarf shakes off the traildust covering his cloak and examines his surroundings. Before the timid serving girl can approach and ask his order, the newcomer bellows for an ale and approaches the small group already gathered. "Serah, I thought that was you, you pointy-eared wench!", he roars. "I've been looking for you ever since we left that forsaken swamp in Altheria! What in blazes have you been doing? We really could have used you clearing out that hydra! Damn thing wouldn't cooperate so I had to disintegrate the firking beast. " Finally noticing the the Elorii's company, the dwarf pauses and says "My apologies, I don't believe I've met your new friends." Snatching Jirah's hand and pumping it vigorously he states, "Names Penguino, and you are?" Not waiting for an answer he turns to Jirah's companion and starts the same introduction but then stops, and peers closer at Kandath. Almost jumping out of his chair, Penguino turns, spits and says "Never mind. I can see your standards in the company you keep have fallen, Serah. I'll speak to you when the surroundings are more pleasant." With that, he turns, and moves to the furthest available table, grumbling the whole way "Gods-damned val... can't even find a nice inn without one of those vermin ..." and falls into sullen silence.

[Brent Jacobs]

[Penguino]

"Wake up!"

[Brent Jacobs]

I am awake, man. Waiting on your responses.

[Penguino]

After draining his mug and releasing a hair-curling belch, Penguino responds "If you must know, you insufferable wench, I'm here searching for answers. You remember those ugly psionic-wielding creatures we fought recently? Well, despite their weakness, they disturb me, and I want to know more about them. Some 'friends' of mine suggested a man in this area that might be able to tell me more."

"Now, not that I care, but what brings you two to this piss-pot of a country? AND don't think I didn't notice your reaction when I came in Dom. You're lucky your mistress is smarter than you are ... not that that's saying much. Heh heh."

[Brent Jacobs]

"Answers, Penguino? You want answers on those creatures we fought, and bested all too easily, on our recent mission? I could've sworn I told you shortly after beheading them, they are 'Voiceless Ones'. The boogeymen we are supposed to be afraid of. Bringers of doom, soldiers of Oblivion. For some reason, these ones were either the least of their kind, or stories of their prowess was overblown beyond reason. I haven't decided which yet, but I'm sure we've got their attention now. If they have greater beings in their arsenal,as I sure in hell hope they do for their reputation, we'll see them soon enough. And I'll be watching to see your little reaction to them this time. You may want to be particularly aware of what you kill from here on out."

Pausing to take a light sip, Serah continues "As for the type of Psionics they weild, I don't understand that part. After all, you are well familiar with them in that puny head of yours. After all, how does a mere Dwarf who is not gifted of the gods, nay, in fact hunts those gifted of the gods, wield powers similar to the val we are both so fond of killing? Why does my Bee here" she fingers her earring gently " buzz so when you charge the enemy with such ferocity? When you begin to heal yourself, just sitting there, when you OPENLY DISINTEGRATE great drakes and their ssethic peons in a great battle? Or when you dimensionally travel JUST as I do. You are no wizzard or clerical being, we both know that. And Dom has confirmed quite easily what powers you have been wielding. Myself, I am not so gifted in those arts. But his knowledge doesn't lie. And he is beyond even your powers arrogant one."
"So, the only question for me is when I will gather the last piece of evidence I need to consign you to your shard forever. I have three checks against you: You have openly taken actions that another self-avowed ex Mourner stated was ordered of THEM. Repeatedly, and that is no coincidence. You openly hate the gods of humanity and hunt their chosen, and while I am a close second, you take it to genocidal extremes. And you have unusual Psionic powers that I have been told are a hallmark of acceptance and favor with the Silence I hear so much about. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to research fully the implications of this, but I'm sure the authorities would be interested themselves if I thought they'd take action. There is only so much hiding and lying YOU are capable of, with your limited intellect. Keeping silent only works for so long. You are their servant, body and soul, though you are still unwilling to admit that."

A few sips later, she gives a full fanged smile. "So, who are these 'friends' and who is this 'man' you have been sent to see? The last strangers we approached ripped their faces off and tried to eat us. You may want to gather a little more info before proceeding further. Especially down that path. Don't think for a second that just because you gave me your squiggle headed idol that I trust you further than I could throw you with both arms broken."

"As far as my business here, well, that's my job. To visit and comingle with humanity. Remember? That's how I found you and the Canceri Hit squad back home. You gather intel for your masters, I do so for mine. Only mine don't want to eat the world, that I'm aware of. But I've been wrong before. Just not about you."

Glancing at her companion fondly, she cracks another slight grin. "As far as Dom, well, he's quite literally smarter than both of us. If he thinks he can take you, well, I'm pretty sure he can. After all, it's not like he's studied to be able to neuter your kind or anything. Or that we've drilled it through, repeatedly. Or that you'd be helpless, should it come to pass." Another short pause to drain the mug. "Nah, that wouldn't be a productive use of our time." (Bluff check DC 0 to know it's true).

**OOC: I'm wondering if anyone else reads these threads now, and would care of the evidence that you're a preturnatural psionic wielding dwarf who openly disintegrated things at the BI and during the mods leading up to it. Doubtful.** Have a nice day sunshine

[Penguino]

"HA! Oh, Serah, you do make me laugh so. You can think what you want about my intentions, my goals, my so-called 'masters' and my capabilities, but I am satisfied with who I am, and the things I have done. Can you say the same? We both know that your attitude towards this world and the peoples in it is no longer what it once was, and that your beliefs have shifted shall we say, a tad bit?"

"In regards to the man I seek, well that is none of your business, now is it? You openly accuse me of terrible intents and deeds, and then want me to include you in my pursuits... I don't think so."

Suddenly slamming his fist onto the table and his a eyes flaring brilliant red, the dwarf leans right into the Elorii's startled face and states "And don't you ever threaten me with your or your little puppies' powers again. You have no idea what I will do if pushed, and little clue to who I am, or what my goals are. NOW BACK OFF!"

OOC - this is too much fun, Brent. And no, so far, no hints of other people even looking at these forums, so my "secrets" seem safe for now...
Mwa-ha-ha

[Legrac]

OOC:

Just because people aren't posting doesn't mean they aren't reading.

I just can't jump in with my character around now because there would be combat. Either Ja'erin would kill you, you would subdue/kill him, or teleport away (or something).

[Brent Jacobs]

After recovering from her initial shock at his outburst, Serah sits back and regards the obviously upset dwarf for three long breaths.

"Ah, Penguino, in your own way you are Oh so diplomatic. And you're right, I was being SO rude pointing these obvious facts out. You're right, I have changed my outlook on this existence over the last couple years, in large part due to you and the hit squad's constant presence. It didn't help that Sarish took the only motivation I had left to care much for you all. But there's still the world to protect, hence why I adventure with y'all still. I fully admit I am flawed, which is why I usually wait to kill things until they display their intent openly."

Pausing slightly to cock her head at him as his eyes fade back to their natural color, she continues "Back to more pleasant conversation, if you don't mind. I guess I really DON'T know what you are entirely capable of, or even what really goes on in that hard head of yours most of the time. I know you hate the PoM almost entirely, and would like to see the entire Mother Church and their worshippers burn in the cauldron. Immediately, and by your greatsword's edge if you had your way. And while in part I share your goal due to the wrongs done to my kind so long ago, we Elorii are not innoocent ourselves. We may have been slaves, but we still had some willpower. So now I hold off on hasty actions that may have poor long-term repurcussions, while I gather evidence."

"I have to say, Illiir really is a poor specimen of a god, if everything I have seen is true. Not so perfect after all, and willing to break his own moral codes when it suits him. Sounds like your common human with a god complex, in my not so humble opinion, and I am glad to be rid of his 'blessing' bestowed at Solanos Mor. But based on what he is apparently rallying 'his children' to fight - mainly oblivion - maybe his actions are justified. Won't know until judgement day, now will we?"

"Which brings us back to you. You state you know and are comfortable with your masters and their gifts. Yet you didn't know what you were killing not so long ago. How would you feel, and more importantly act, if presented with evidence showing they were Voiceless Ones, your masters, and their goal was complete Oblivion for Oerth? Would you turn away and realize you were duped and used, or embrace it? Do you hate all of existence so much that you would assist in its elimination? Do you revel in your combat capabilities being so enhanced by their gifts that you would trade the future for a mere few years of more-efficient slaughter?"

"So for the sake of an off-the-cuff theory, based on incomplete information, and the completely unlikely event that I am correct in what I know, would you continue your present servitude if shown without a doubt that you serve agents of Oblivion? Because I could arrange that, if you are willing of course .

Turning to Dom, she nods permission for him to leave. He flashes a 'see you later' grin at Penguino, then stands up and quickly makes his way upstairs.

**OOC - just cooling things down a little. Join in whenever you want. I doubt it would result in combat (with me anyway - I don't get upset like that) and if it did, well, Penguino has a stun setting too. Rarely used, and never on a val, but there IS a flat side to his greatswords, even if he denies it. I wouldn't recommend it, however, as he is VERY good at disabling opponents and sneaky-sneaky about powering up. Stupid unbalanced preturnatural psionics. Hence why I got my golden bee - my Penguino-going-into-combat-mode detector.**