Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on Dec 3, 2014 23:55:52 GMT 12
Murtan remained close to Aliss for the duration of the trip. He knew it was unlikely there'd be any trouble here, but with more and more newcomers arriving it didn't hurt to make sure.
Besides, he knew what she was like for wandering off and making trouble, a thought which brought him a slight smile as he remembered that he'd only met her for that exact reason. This, he thought, was going to be interesting.
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Dec 4, 2014 1:04:14 GMT 12
The trip, while smooth, was not exactly speedy, and Aliss soon grew tired of standing there. She knew better than to conjour fire, it could spook the mammoths, but a few spheres of rock appeared over her hands, dancing back and forth, orbiting her palms and each other.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Dec 5, 2014 7:09:10 GMT 12
Jason slapped Talon on the back. "I'm only joking Mr Clockwork." Jason smiled. He turned to Bethany, not sure what to say having mainly focused on his bounty hunter work. He cleared his throat. "What kind of performance is it you do?"
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Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on Dec 7, 2014 6:58:24 GMT 12
As the time passed Murtan began to wish he had a bow with him. The trip wasn't overly long, but it was monotonous and he'd found it a handy way to practice with a bow. He was proficient, but he'd always preferred firearms which, for obvious reasons, couldn't be used on a mammoth-pulled barge.
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Post by Ravager Zero on Dec 9, 2014 20:06:09 GMT 12
Darius Ivarsen sat at the less populous end of the hall currently serving as the cafeteria for non-Dwarvish occupiers of the dig site. He was only picking at his food, tracing a symbol in his notebook. It was a new and subtle variation on the Void Rune, Ahtalla. The glyph construction implied a distance to the void, while the surrounding runes could alter the meaning to be emptiness or abyss, depending on the overall context of the piece.
The illusionist from the ice barge was sitting not too far away, and he felt strangely drawn to her—as did, apparently, half the cafeteria’s population. He could see her growing frustration as she turned away person after person. He rose, walking over, leaving his books behind, invoking a minor rune of possession to ensure no one but him could remove them from the table for the next few minutes.
“Ms Sorrows, I think you will find it quieter down this end of the hall.”
“They’ll just follow me there,” she huffed impatiently. “Just like you got called over here.”
“Don’t be so defeatist, I can invoke a rune of silence, if need be.”
“You can what?!”
China was more than a little surprised. When the professor had told her he studied runology, she had thought it purely academic, for the translation of old tables and the like. But for him to actually know how to invoke the runes was something else. It was also clear he wasn’t a runesmith, so that begged the question of how. Maybe it was worth following him to the far side of the hall after all.
They sat, eating in silence. Ivarsen scribbling in his notebook and leafing through his tome. China regarded him more closely, studying the skeins weaving around him. He had Talent—a powerful Talent, at that. He was another grey mage, but the greater part was that he also followed the school of Shaya. A healer—a healer that could somehow cast and invoke runic magick.
“How did you figure it out?”
“Well, the Dwarves are always so literal, so I went back to the site and made exact copies of the runic script so that I could—“
China coughed politely. “Runic magick—without being a runesmith.”
“Oh, I see the confusion there. It’s not so different to regular magick in all honesty. More gestural, generally, to form the rune from the skeins around you, and much more constrained in purpose. I suppose some might say it was trying to straightjacket magick, but I prefer to think of it as arcane channeling; giving magick true purpose. Did you know that runic magick cannot be intercepted? That the only way to stop an invocation is to physically interrupt the caster’s motions? I have studied the runes for twenty years, and the runesmith’s guild has been most unhelpful as I am not one of their initiates. No matter, as some of them are friendlier than others, and have told me that were I in the guild, I would be considered a journeyman—not bad, I must say, for someone who has had to study and learn everything from scratch.”
“So, given enough time and training, anyone could cast invoke the runes?”
“I doubt that very much. Only those who have Talent, who have the right mindset, and a willingness to comprehensively study the runic tables will achieve anything. They must also be hardened against failure, for there will be a lot of it involved. It took me three years of fruitless attempts before I managed to correctly invoke even a single, simple rune. My study—some might say obsession—of runes has no doubt helped me greatly in this enterprise. So to answer your question: No, not anyone could do it. Only the select few—and I believe most of them to already be part of the runesmith’s guild at any rate.”
Aliss sat with Murtan, discussing the excitement of the morning shift around large bites of food. Not perhaps the most polite, but she was hungry. Her work team had come at last to the heart of the temple—though she had some doubt as to its actual religious function having finally laid eyes on the site. She made an expansive gesture, nearly slapping the geomancer she was sitting next to.
“It’s huge, Murtan. Enormous. And empty, except for this… I dunno… thing? at the centre. Black as night. We sent magelights through the place, and their light couldn’t reach the far wall. Or walls. But the thing in the centre comes off one of them—we saw a path leading back from it. We didn’t want to light it up with anything more powerful than magelights though, the Dwarves kept babbling about it, and what I got from everyone was that this thing was delicate.”
“Dangerous. I was there, remember?”
“But you weren’t really paying attention at the time—until O’Reilly slipped.”
“Good thinking there, by the way Aliss, throwing that hunk of rock under him. I think it might have hurt less if he hit the bottom.”
“He’s alive, isn’t he?”
“And complaining, to me, about your ‘overenthusiastic use of Essence in an area of unknown power and provenance’. He really wasn’t happy.”
“If he’s alive enough to be unhappy, I’ll call it a win.”
“Still. Anyway, did you guys have any luck with the bridge after I left?”
“No… we never got more than a dozen yards or so. Something is draining the skeins in that room. We’re sure of it. At least around the centre. We’re thinking of making a side platform, see if we can’t get to wherever it is that the central path connects to the far wall. Don’t say it, I will be careful. So we’re hoping that works, but someone said the drain effect might be on the whole room—however big it is—so the path not get nearly far enough. I think we need more minds on it, different thinking, in that case.”
“You think Bethany would be any help with this—she should be in town by now.”
“I don’t think so, but she does see things differently to the rest of us given she was raised in the east. Hey, is that China over there?”
“It’s her,” Murtan turned to look at the number of diggers currently thronging around her. “Those tattoos really must be a curse. You recognize that man?”
“Who, moustache guy?”
“The one she’s with?”
“Maybe. If those books on that corner table are his, he must be the translator the Dwarves hired.”
“I’m assuming not from Karuhn to Cant.”
“Well, he can, apparently—but I think his big thing is runes.”
“He’s a runesmith?”
“No. But he studies them. I heard everyone talking about him a while back when Janice got really hurt. He’s a healer, and damn good at it, but he is obsessed with runes. That big book he has is his own guide to them. He’s been all over the site recently; I’ve seen him scribbling down runes from everywhere, mumbling about rituals and empty spaces. It has to be connected with what we just found.”
Bethany turned to regard Jason with an even smile. “I’m a wardancer—and before you ask, no, I haven’t actually fought anything. There’s a lot more money in performance than adventuring these days.”
“I think you would be surprised, given what good adventurers can find—and what those less able are willing to pay capable guards.”
“Perhaps I would be,” Bethany flicked her hair over her shoulder. “But now is not the time. We’re all hungry, and I think lunch is the order of the day. Come on, you can talk with the guards form the caravan, I’m sure they’d agree with you.”
Jason turned to Talon, who merely shrugged, offering a gesture that they should follow the redhead’s lead in this. The clockwork mage still had a few coins in his hand, heading to the bar before following with a round of drinks for them. For him and Jason at least, and something for Bethany.
“There ain’t enough there for all of us, laddie,” A gruff and vaguely familiar voice said as he set the tray down. “Has the Draid family’s hospitality fallen so greatly this far from home?”
Talon squinted, trying to make out the face of the one that had spoken. Someone carefully not facing him, wearing a guard’s uniform laced with gold, and bearing a signet ring. The man turned, broad shoulders, barrel chest, neatly trimmed beard, and a scar through his right eyebrow. His face was heavy, and it suited his frame. His nose had been broken one too many times, having been set just slightly at the wrong angle.
“Gunnar?”
“Ay, laddie. Yer folks have been askin’ after you of late, thought I might join a caravan and head in from the west; best chance o’ catchin’ you on yer quest. An’ how did that go, anyways?”
“I got all we needed, arranged the contracts for transport come the Quickening, but the Great Fall took hold before any airships made it back to Darrow.”
“Yeah, yer folks said as much about the business, but they was concerned more for you, you understand?”
“I do, really, I do. I’ve just been waylaid at every turn, small repairs, people needing help, nearly getting eaten, having to find someone to save my sorry hide. Again.”
“Aye, you never were so good at harming what was tryin’ ta harm you. On the other hand, I ain’t seen anyone else what can make those things you make, or fix those machines like you can. Everyone has a purpose, right?”
“Back home, sure. Some of these other places, not so sure what some people are for.”
“Aye. Ye gonna share that drink?”
“Don’t have a choice now, do I?” Talon half-asked as Gunnar took the drink.
“Don’t worry, I’ll buy ye a round. You too mister hunter, sure you’ve got a tale or two to tell.”
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Post by Mabbz on Dec 9, 2014 22:27:17 GMT 12
China pondered this for a while. She had an academic interest in runes, largely due to her own tattoos. There was also the fact that as someone that made a living dealing with people, runes had occasionally proven troublesome for her; unlike people, runes couldn't be persuaded or fooled. Learning to invoke them herself would likely give her a better understanding of how to avoid them. And, she thought as she politely dismissed another would-be suitor, if I could invoke a rune of silence I wouldn't have to deal with this all the time.
Still, that was an idea for another time. She had work to do, so she turned her attention back to Darius. "So, have you found out anything interesting about the history of the site? What are you translating?"
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Dec 10, 2014 4:58:47 GMT 12
Aliss was greatly looking forward to finding out more about the . . . thingy. Something that could drain that much essence was powerful indeed given the area it covered. She didn't know much about runes, only that some were more powerful than others, and a rare few were FAR more powerful. Maybe it was something like that seeing as they had a rune man in to see what they could learn. She also thought that maybe they should just take regular lanterns next time. Magelights were great, but when you have no essence you may as well be carrying melted butter for all the good it would do you in the dark.
"I'm gonna go talk to him. See if he knows anything about the thingy."
Before Murtan could protest that she might be interrupting, she hopped up from the table and went over to the table with China and the man. She stood, leaning on the table, far enough away from China so as not to feel too much of a compulsion to get closer.
"Hey, ummm, rune. . .guy. You know about runes, so, what do you know about the really old and powerful ones? Ones that could drain the Essence from really big areas?"
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Dec 10, 2014 7:00:17 GMT 12
"I've had my share of adventure, and nothing is going to slow me down yet. " Jason replied to Gunnar. "Seems I'm not the first to save Talon here from becoming something elses food." Jason nudged the clocksmith.
As he said this, he cast his mind back to Bethany. A Wardancer? Jason couldn't remember if he had heard of them before. Chances are being a hired sword and bounty hunter always on the move, he no doubt had missed the shows that went from town to town. He hoped he'd get to see a show sometime.
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Post by Mabbz on Dec 10, 2014 7:37:41 GMT 12
Rune guy? China closed her eyes in disdain.
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Dec 10, 2014 11:19:55 GMT 12
Aliss caught the expression.
"What?" She asked defensively.
"He's the guy to go to about runes. He is a guy who likes runes. If he had a superpower it would be to do with runes. He IS rune guy."
She paused with a slightly sheepish expression.
"Plus I don't exactly know his name. . ."
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Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on Dec 10, 2014 12:16:35 GMT 12
Murtan shook his head wearily as he stood to go after Aliss. He supposed he should be used to her leaving meals part way through by now, but it still surprised him for some reason.
"Aliss, how many times do I have to tell you it's rude to interrupt a meal?" he asked as he arrived at the table. "Apologies sir, as you may have noticed my friend here is quite...impulsive." he added, with a nod to the man sitting at the table.
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TD
Junior Member
Talon Draid
Posts: 60
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Post by TD on Dec 10, 2014 14:15:35 GMT 12
"Killing wasn't something I grew up learning. I've lived in Hygar my entire life. Meat is something we get from the butcher." Talon looked around and then down at his meal, "Or a tavern." He said with a laugh. He then drained his cup before looking at the others, "who's buying the next round?"
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Post by Mabbz on Dec 10, 2014 22:08:52 GMT 12
China didn't bother opening her eyes to talk to the fool. "Perhaps asking would be a good idea?"
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Dec 10, 2014 23:40:13 GMT 12
"I could do that, but that would take even more time away from asking my question."
That was one of the things about Aliss. She could make a rather sizable social faux par, and be completely unabashed by it.
"So, rune guy. Secondary question. Who are you? I'm Aliss." She waved enthusiasticly. "Hi."
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Post by Railgun Convention on Dec 11, 2014 8:33:21 GMT 12
"It is, Ms Sorrows, a transcription from the front of what I believe to be the temple at the core of this place," said Darius as he flicked back through his notebook. "It seems to translate as... now where was it... Aha. 'Only those who walk the sacrificial path can complete the ritual.' Or at least, that's one possible translation, though given the context, the appearance of the runes and whatnot I believe it to be the most accurate one. The dwarves originally gave me 'Only the lost shall be chosen for death's land', which frankly isn't even close to meaning the same thing.
"As for the site, it looks like it may have been based around this... ritual, whatever it is. It looks like partaking in it may be borderline suicidal, or perhaps requires insane levels of courage."
He was about to jump into a story about a spell trap similar to what he had just described, when the young woman he'd labelled "Powerful Geomancer" flounced over, trailed by her exasperated-looking bodyguard. "If I might be so bold as to butt in, I am Darius Ivarsen, Master Healer and Professor of Runology at the Mage's University in Cyven. Nice to meet you, Aliss." Darius filed the name away, so he wouldn't forget it.
"As to your question..." Darius brought back his field guide and flicked through it. "Qetus and Dukator would do your standard draining inscription on a small scale, but for something as large scale as you suggest there would have to be other modifiers. Perhaps Ananta, the endless rune, might have something to do with this phenomenon - it might prevent the decay of the spell..."
Darius turned back to Aliss. "If you show me where the spell is taking effect, I might be able to track down its source."
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Mkoll
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Mkoll on Dec 11, 2014 8:50:10 GMT 12
Oh boy, thought Murtan, as the professor asked to be taken to the "temple". In truth he'd been hoping he'd simply brush Aliss off with simple answers and return to his meal, or his conversation with the illusionist.
"I'd suggest we finish our meals do a bit more research first." he pointed out. "No sense walking into whatever this is with our eyes wide shut and bellies half empty after all." The room with the warning signs, combined with something powerful draining essence on a large scale did not overly well should a wrong step be taken in his view.
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Narric
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Narric on Dec 11, 2014 9:53:15 GMT 12
"Hey Talon, maybe I'll stick by you for a while and give you some lessons in personal survival." Jason got himself up from the table. "I'll get a round."
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TD
Junior Member
Talon Draid
Posts: 60
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Post by TD on Dec 11, 2014 16:21:31 GMT 12
Talon beamed, "That would be great thank you Jason!' he then registered the next part of what Jason said, "I'll take an ale please."
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Post by Mabbz on Dec 11, 2014 18:10:28 GMT 12
"Incidentally," China said opening her eyes and addressing the whole group. "Have any of you heard anything about any artefacts that have been dug up? I've seen some of the usual items from this sort of dig, pottery and such, but I heard rumours of some more unusual items; mostly treasure, although I did hear of some more fanciful items. A few even mentioned finding the eye of a god."
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Post by The Man They Call Jayne on Dec 12, 2014 5:07:39 GMT 12
"Like the eye of Rai-Tane? I thought that never made it past Hygar?"
In truth Aliss knew little about the specifics of what had been found. She dug, things were uncovered, things were taken away. There were the usual things, and the occasional gemstone or piece of old jewellery.
Of course, she didn't know enough Dwarfish to understand if anything important had been found. Maybe Murtan would know, his Darrfish was far more passable.
"Murtan, has anything interesting been discovered? You speak better Dwarfish than me."
Honestly, it had never struck her to her to inquire before. They were there for the thingy and she had focussed on it exclusively.
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