[IC] Gaelach Basm: The Starting Point

[Felicity]

"I don't know 'bout words being meaningless" Dorian said, scratching his head in confusion. "I mean, if they were meaningless, how would we get our points across in a chat? But, if you don't want to say, that's fine. I suppose you are't the most outgoing person, hmm?" Dorian commented, trying his hardest to treat him as a friend despite his rather off-putting appearence.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Hmmm, you have a point, but I prefer to convey, rather than speak. More....fun that way." Zix said, in a rather curios tone of voice. "Also, I choose it of my own free will. I never said I don't want to say anything, you inferred from my actions as such. However, maybe I wouldn't mind telling you everything. However, I already have told you everything. Therefore, there is nothing to tell. I can't tell you about myself, because there is nothing worth knowing that you do not already know. Now, you on the other hand, you look like someone that has a lot of things worth knowing about." he said gesturing his hand towards Dorian. "You say you have traveled and you know many things. Surely you wish to share some of those? Or maybe not. After all, it is your own free will that allows you to do such as you please."

[Kurotsune]

Iain cocks his head ever so slightly to the side, peering at the archer. "I beleve there's been a misunderstanding, milady. The eclipse covers both Éire, Sigeto and the sea in-between. That is how the werewolves can roam freely even during the daytime. I would still gladly have you by my side in battle, if you'd wish to join me, but wherever we go, I highly doubt we will have an easier time."

[Felicity]

Dorian chuckled at that. "Many things I do know, whether they're worth knowing is another matter entirely.I was taught by a variety of masters to hone my magic. Magic was the only thing taught I saw worth learning. Ask me to do maths, I can't help you. Learning the sciences, no chance. Magic? That I can understand." He explained. He loved talking about his craft. "aside from magic, I learnt some of nature from a druid clan one of my teachers resided with, and traveling is a grand old time, you can learn a lot, even with the recent turmoil." Then he realised he had gone on. "Oh, I beg yer pardon, I've gone on a bit too much about meself.." He smiled sheepishly, his beard hiding the slight blush that came from his embarrassment in the presence of the lovely noble.

[Sutoratosu]

"Ah, Forgive my misunderstanding then, ser," Maya said, pensively... she'd honestly been hoping what she'd been hearing the past few months about the eclipse covering everywhere being wrong, and given the way the last part of the briefing had been worded... or at least how she'd interpreted it. Admitably though, that bit of hope on her part had been naive; why would the order have sent her out with false information? Especially regarding that of all things... "I guess I'll simply have to continue being a bit creative with my magic then. Eclipse or no, I'll still lend whatever aid I can to you, regardless of the objective we choose, seeing as it won't matter..."

[Aurorix]

'Ugh, choosing a team is such a pain,' Kryst thought to himself as he still sat in his chair. He glanced over and saw people already forming together, 'Well, now is the best time as ever I suppose.' He got up and put his black blade back onto his back and walked over to an archer and a man in full armor and a cloak.(Maya and Karn) "Hey, I'ma join your group, hope you're okay with that." He said with a smirk on his face, "I'm Kryst Blare, the coolest person you've ever met, simply by the fact that I myself know some ice magic, as well as the strength of wielding a sword." Kryst said pointing to himself with his thumb, "I've got more then a few tricks up my sleeve, so I'll be no burden in battle."

[Yash]

Karn stared at the woman who came up to talk with Iain. He knew she was a priestess, but he could not fail to notice that she had a certain charm about her. She was already talking about how her powers would be weakened due to the eclipse, which made him think. I should tell them about the changes to my power. Greeting her with a polite nod he said, "My lady any help that you can provide would be appreciated. I have had a few encounters with our enemies and even a little help can save lives. Your healing ability would be invaluable to us, even if it were diminished." Turning to face the leader of his group, Karn said, "Lord Iain, if you have heard of my exploits, you may already have an idea of what the eclipse has done to my powers. I think every member of our party should know of it, as a warning should the worse scenario occur." He then turned to look around the room, thinking who else would be a good addition. We have an archer and a healer in the priestess, the lord and I would be good for melee and swordplay. If I am not wrong, the three of us can control three of the elements of water, fire and in the lords case, air. I should confirm with him about this. It does not do well to strategise on mere rumours. "My lord, I have heard rumours of your kin having control of the wind element. Is this true in your case as well?" All the while he was thinking of who would help balance the team.

Another swordsman walked up to them and introduced himself. Adding ice to the combination of elements would be helpful, though I could probably have managed it. Oh well, time to look for our last companion.

[Kurotsune]

Iain stares quietly at Karn as he speaks. Once his question is proposed, the swordsman shrugs. "in a sense." He points a finger at the man and twirls it slightly, causing a stiff breeze to flow through the people gathered in front of him. "Though my magic is used to enhance my melee abilities. It has little to no actual practical combat uses on it's own." As Kryst approaches and introduces himself, Iain frowns. "Did my men recruit a buffoon to our cause? Am I truly that desperate?" He sighs. "These times are grim indeed."

[Jory]

Roland quietly rose from his chair, gazing around the room. Three have decided to go with Ailos already, he noted. But I am not sure where that leaves me. Those rabid dogs have likely already razed my village to the ground. I have been away from home for far too long. It is high time I returned, he thought to himself as he looked toward Asgall. Then again, should I not do my utmost to prevent the same thing from happening here at the hands of the leeches? He was conflicted. I thought coming here might provide answers, but all I have found is that there are many who require my aid. Too many to help. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to his cheek, running it along the scar. He remembered being lost in a sea of flotsam, barely holding onto the splintered remains of the ship as he drifted hopelessly across the sea. He closed his eyes and took another breath. He then looked toward the woman who spoke only of honor. Childish. She is going to die if she does not learn to control her anger. With that thought, he made a decision.

He approached Silef silently, his feet never making a sound as he padded lightly across the room. Finally, he spoke up. "I will join you, on one condition." He paused, making eye contact with the woman. "You must leave your vendetta here once we set out. There is no place for blind vengeance in a war against the odds."

[Chevaleresse]

"Set my vendetta aside? You people do not seem to understand. This is not something so simple as an insult. An insult could wait." Her eyes flared a bright golden color for a moment as she spoke. "Do you not wonder why you haven't met more of my kin? The house of Asterlux was not the largest, but we were strong, and we would have been among the first to mount a defense against the horrors in this endless night. Instead, we were annihilated in the night, most of us slain in our beds, dead without a blade in hand or even knowledge that there was danger." She took a deep breath to clam herself, and her eyes faded to their normal color. She did not continue, instead casting a defiant look about at those that had challenged her, forcing back the tears that had nearly welled up as she spoke. A proper noblewoman must command; anger is the only emotion she may show. Anything else is a sign of weakness, and apparent weakness becomes real.

[Felicity]

Dorian was shocked at the outburst from the noblewoman, she looked like she had a temper sure, but Dorian didn't expect this form the noblewoman. "Er, Milady? That's a horrible thing to have happened, but I think our companion here is just worried you'll let your anger get the better of yeh. Wanting to even things with the currs who did the deed is your right, sure, but if that makes you do something that gets us all slaughtered, then we'd be in the worst mess is all." Dorian tried to keep his tone even and smooth, he didn't want to make things worse, but the newcomer had a point.

[Red'sCharizard]

Richter observed the others make their choices, and regretted being decisive about his pledge. But he knew what he was going to do. He stood up and said:

"I will be joining the group that intends to rid Éire of the vampire plague. I will assist whichever leader is in charge of this mission."

In his mind, he was questioning his manners while saying this.

[Jory]

Roland nodded sadly, his eyes seeming to gaze a thousand miles away. "I understand your loss, though you may not know it. After all, not a one of us would be here had we not a reason to be." He looked pensively at the noblewoman, noting grief in her eyes as she spoke proudly. "A vendetta will only take you so far, however. The burning flame of vengeance consumes both the wielder and the foe. But the cold and calculating blade of justice is what will allow us to survive this ordeal." He put a hand on the woman's shoulder and looked up into her eyes as he spoke. "The vampires carry no such impulsive nature. They are cunning beasts and we must strike surgically and with caution." He removed his hand from the woman, not wanting to lose it to her fiery temper. "That being said, I will take heart for every leech we slay. There is little more satisfying than knowing the last thing to enter one's mind was my arrow."

[Ragnar]

"Mind if I tag along?" from out of the blue, a man approach Ian and the group with a grin on his face. "The name's Raven, and I'm a professional 'treasure hunter'. I've been in countless tomb raids, and not once have I failed.My weapon of choice is my dual katars. As for my abilities, let's just say things get a bit interesting once these gloves come off. I have the curse of turning anything into solid gold once I made contact with it." Raven said as he adjust his gloves.

"I think I'm suitable for the task ahead and besides I've always wanted to try my gift on vampires, werewolves or even the great leviathan itself."

[Sutoratosu]

Maya had no comment for Kryst introduction of himself, thoroughly unimpressed by the man's apparent cockiness. She couldn't help but smirk a little at Iain's remark though... even if her mind was far from amused. Watch, we sit here and joke now, but chances are this cocky swordsman here will end up putting us all in needless peril at some point, or perhaps several points... the types most filled with Bravado are always the ones who make the dumbest mistakes and put the least effort into thinking things through, Freyl and I both saw that time and time again on the streets. she let the rather misleading expression fade from her face though as the last member they needed approached from nowhere, claiming to posses the ability to turn anything to...wait, did he say...?

"Did you say Gold, ser?" She asked him, her hand taking a single arrow from her quiver and whirling it around in her fingers, holding the head in her palm as she offered it to the man. "Would you be so kind as to demonstrate? forgive me, I'm merely curious is all..."

[Ragnar]

"Well, clearly I don't use my abilities for showboating m'lady, the slightest mishaps can turn anyone around me into a golden petrified statue,

but if you must, just to prove my point." Raven takes a sharp breath and carefully removes his magical glove and reveals his curse hand. It shines bright like the very sun itself with its radiant glow the moment it's been revealed. As requested, Raven gingerly touch the tip of the arrow. Like an ignited fuse, the golden coating quickly spreads through the arrow's body. Raven quickly released the hold of the arrow just before his ability reaches the gauntlet of the archer, surely he doesn't want his potential ally turn into a golden statue this early on.

"See, it's a blessing and a curse at the same time" Raven said as he tucks away his curse hand in his magical glove. "now that's been resolved, am I still part of the team?" Raven asked Maya with a playful smile on his face.

Edited January 2, 2015 by typhlosionrulez

[Aurorix]

"I'm fine with it." Kryst said putting his hands on the back of his head. He didn't bother commenting on Iain's last comment, he felt it wasn't worth the breath. "If you don't mind me asking though, what happened to give you that power? If you don't feel comfortable telling don't but I'm knida curious now." Kryst asked Raven.

Edited January 2, 2015 by EXLink32

[Sutoratosu]

"How cruelly ironic..." Maya muttered under her breath as she watched the goldification slowly eek it's way down the shaft of the projectile. "Years later when things like gold have become utterly irrelevant in my life... and I cross paths with someone who can make it with nothing more than a simple touch." She tucked the now mostly metal arrow back into the quiver with it's red feathered brethren, the thing sticking out among the batch of crimson plumes like a black sheep standing against a snow covered landscape. While true, she'd just wasted a shot by asking him to do that, the object could still have numerous other uses.

"I see no reason to exclude you," she said simply, not much caring to pry into the history of her allies unlike some around her. "Though I have to admit, it definitely says something about you that you think to take precautions with what you can do and don't go using the gift foolishly and without restraint, like many likely would if they had your... talent."

[Ragnar]

((lol.. Raven is a person's name))

"Well, let's just say i've stumbled upon something that wasn't meant to be found in the first place." Raven said with a smile to Kryst, surely he wasn't gonna reveal his past to some person he just met. "I believe you're the self-proclaimed cool guy? am I correct?" Raven chuckled."I'm sure your ability to manipulate ice will be beneficial to this expedition."

Edited January 2, 2015 by typhlosionrulez

[Yash]

"Even a little help could save our lives, my lord. I for one am happy for the gifts you have." Saying this Karn turned towards the final addition to the team, a man calling himself Raven. After his demonstration, Karn was impressed. "An impressive gift, Raven." Again facing the lord, Karn said, "I think this would be a good time to reveal my ability, as well as the warning. Please listen to me my friends, there is something that you all should know about me now that we are going to be travelling together. Have a look at my ability." Karn begins to draw water from the walls and air in the room, gathering it into a ball floating in the air. After having it fly around for a few seconds he disposes of it. "As you can see, my ability involves the control and manipulation of water. As the lady has said, her ability is dampened by the eclipse, its effect on mine is reversed. The power of the moon is what gives me my strength. Should we be the ones to encounter the lunamancer, my powers will grow rapidly. The closer I get to him, the stronger I become. However this comes at a price. While water is the softest of materials, it is also the wildest. I will be prone to loosing control should we get too close to the lunamancer. This would almost certainly be destructive for our party. I will not be able to stop the water from raging if I loose control over it, and you must kill me or flea, far and fast. Only after a day would I regain control, and by at that time I will have lost the use of my ability for the next ten days."

[Kurotsune]

(( Mood music:

I wonder how long I'll be able to keep finding these.

The party-break is over. While turn order should normally be restored, in this case it will not, for we are now in a world-break. To those who are unaware, the OOC has a listing of how each of these affects the storyline. The world-break will end when universal agreement is reached, or in the 7th of january, when a final response will either be given from or for you.))

With a heavy slap on the table, Iain stands. "Enough. I have heard your opinions and I have reached my decision. And it is final."

"First, accompanying me will be lords Revan, Kryst and Karn, as well as milady Colbez. Wintershed, Ritcher, Roland and Ayla will accompany Asgall. The remaining four will accompany Ailios. Now that that is out of the way, I hope we can move to more pressing matters, and I hope you can leave your own childish preferences aside and pay attention to what I have to say". Clearly, the group's previous inability to follow the Lord's command from the start hasn't done well to improve his mood. "Now that we know who, it is a matter of where. And this is important, so heed me well. I feel there's no need to say this, as I'm sure any of you could reach this conclusion with a moment's thought, but I will state so nevertheless: Politics will win this battle as much as any sharp blade will. It is this aspect that we must consider as we decide which group will take on which task, To broaden your views on this, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each group at length." Iain straightens himself, his tone carrying a note of arrogant pride as he continues. "Needless to say, out of all three of us, I have the most political pull in Éire; I'm nobility, and doubtless to say I'd find shelter in any if not all noble houses of Eilne, perhaps even acquire aid from the king himself in Danu if I were to play my cards right.

I would begin by going to my hometown of Eachann and asking my father, Duke Byrne, for support. I will admit: The recent increase in the vampire attacks has left my father paranoid, especially since the leader of his guard - me - is leaving on this expedition. Regardless, I've no doubt I'd be able to convince him to give us aid.

If I were to go to Sigeto, as envoy of the King, I've little doubt that I'd be able to request assistance from the king of Vechul, assuming the kingdom still stands. More importantly, Prince Marko and I are acquaintances, and I'm sure he would be more than glad to give me aid.

Lastly, if I were to be assigned to slay the Leviathan... Well; I admitedly have little knowledge on how to sail a boat, but I presume my ability controlling the winds may allow me to outspeed the creature and outmaneuver it. While most of the islands in the Merzongeri sea are home to scoundrels, I'm sure I could convince some to help with the offer of a pardon from the Crown. I do believe that's the most important ways in which I can benefit each objective. Ailios, if you'd follow, please?" With a motion of his hand, Iain sits, and the sorceress stands up.

"In regards to Éire, being a close friend of Iain, I may be able to convince Duke Byrne to give me assistance, but it is unlikely any of the other noble houses would be willing to lend me aid. However, I have pull with the sorceresses, and little doubt that my own would lend us their magic if need be.

In Sigeto... While I've little contact with them before, I've heard the Hexers and Gypsies regard the Sorceresses as equals, so it is possible I would gain their help. As Enjoy of the King I likely wouldn't do much good, to be honest, But I'm sure with the letter the King gave us, I'd at least be able to gain a little help... The most noteworth thing of Sigeto, to me, would be the ruins.

Even before the Eclipse, talk of the magical ruins that populate Sigeto have gone far and wide. Those ruins were usually heavily guarded and no one was allowed in for fear of misuse, but with the werewolf attack there's bound to be some left unprotected.

Werewolves have no history of worrying about magic, so I think it's safe to believe the relics those ruins protect are still there. My hope is that I can find and harness the magical artifacts.

As for the Leviathan... The beast has been known to use sight to locate itself, an unique trait among sea creatures of it's size. We've known this because it always seems to attack ships and boats only, never once harming any sea creatures that come to pass, even thought it distinctively attacks humans when they are swimming nearby. The creature is only semi-sentient, however, as there is a record from one of the first expedition in which an unmanned ship was chained to an actual one and during a storm it was released on it's own. The Leviathan instinctively went against the larger ship without a crew, that moved solely due to the storm that surrounded it, and allowed the other ship to move away to safety. Due to this, I believe I can use my illusion powers to create one or several ships surrounding ours, which could be used to aid our escape and perhaps even allow us to confuse the creature enough for it to reveal a weakness we can exploit." The woman stays silent in reflection for a moment, then awkwardly scratches the back of her head, throwing a nervous glance to Iain. "I... Think that's it, really. I don't have much more pull around here." With this, she sits down, and the pirate Asgall clears his throat without bothering to move from his position, leaning as far back with his chair as he could with his feet resting atop the table with the world's map.

"I ain' got time for dandy noblemen and I ain' about to go askin' any witches for help, but ye listen and ye listen good. I've acquaintances where it matters.Smugglers, thieves, spies, you name it, i know 'em. I doubt any royal scouts have as much intel as I can get on the land, an' better yet: I know the best mercs around, and most owe me a debt or two. Hit any tavern in Eilne and I'm sure the name "Asgall" is sung with praise! The same holds true for Sigeto. I've smuggled more people to safety there than I can count and I'm sure the survivors will be more than glad to lay their lives on the line for me. Like I said, I could care less 'bout the aid of some fancy-pants king or duke or prince or what-have-you, or about the mystical treasures in the mystical ruins of the mystical people. Bah! But plunder, lads, that is another matter altogether. Aye. Plunder is what will win this war, the clink of a coin raises an army much faster than the sound of a war bell.

As for the Leviathan, the best answer is a fleet. I know the scoundrels of these isles an' it ain' a king's pardon that'll get their asses moving, no siree... But the promise of the aforementioned treasure. I know of a few places we could search, I reckon, across the sea. Underwater caves, unpopulated islands, that sorta thing. It don' matter, really. I'll keep this short: My plan, wherever we may go, is to gather the money, raise the army, kick the arse, and get it over with. Quick, simple an' effective."

With a small sigh, Iain nods and stands again.

"And there you have it. Analyze what we've said, and bring us your suggestions. And I do hope you prove yourselves capable of putting your own interests aside for this decision; 'Tis the most important one." With another wave of his hand, Iain seemingly motions for you to continue your discussions, and sits back down in his chair. Attention remains fixed in the three leaders as they discuss among themselves for a moment, but quickly it turns elsewhere. There's a decision to be made, and it rests on your shoulders to decide who is the best choice for each mission,

(( I'll place this here to make this clear... I realize some of the choices may seem obvious, but don't think I'm trying to steer things my way. While these choices directly affect the chances of success for each particular party, they don't set success or failure in stone. In fact, keep in mind none of these characters can see the future, and things can go both better and worse than they imagine. ))

[Felicity]

Dorian stroked his beard in thought. Politics? I've never dealt with the like, perhaps helping Ailos delve into the secrets of the ruins would help?

"Er, Milady, I don't dare insinuate you lack the competence to find some success in Sigeto, but can we take the risk of assuming? If our party heads to Sigeto, our main advantage lies in the hopes that we Might be on good terms with the magical folk there and that we may find some hidden power in the perhaps untouched ruins there. Personally, I'd rather not take those risks when we know we can secure the aid of your brethren. Furthermore, I'm sure some of us" Dorian glanced towards Lady Silef "have much more of an incentive to fight the vampiric scourge. As for if we head off to fight the Leviathan... As you said, you aren't much of a sailor nor am I, I will admit, I'm sure that task is better left in the hands of Lords Iain and Asgall."Dorian said, giving his thoughts on the subject, still churning his brain to see some new piece of information, but he simply didn't have the mind for it.

[Jory]

Roland cleared his throat, looking to Asgall. "While the prospect of hiring mercenaries is quite realistic and an excellent choice, I believe that where Sigeto is concerned I may be of some help to our force." He paused, taking a deep breath as he looked around. "I am not a native of Eire. I am only a recent arrival, in fact. I have been here for less time than the Lunamancer has been in power. There is a reason for this." He continued, his voice wavering slightly. "I was a part of the first assault Sigeto sent against the Leviathan. It was a farce of an assault and one that likely ruined our chances for future success. Ships filled with the bravest men Sigeto had to offer sailed into the waters the beast called home. I was on one of them. The Splendor, she was called. Well, she did not look the part after that beast was through with her. I survived purely by chance. I was knocked out cold by the first strike. By the time I awoke I had drifted near to the shores of Eire. My lips were cracked from thirst, my skin blistered from the salt air... It was not a pretty sight," he recalled, a gloomy look cast over his face. "That is where I acquired this scar. My point is that I am, to my knowledge, the last surviving son of House Charleson. We were not a major house by any stretch of the imagination, but we were respected."

The man looked around, as if for confirmation of his lineage. "We were dedicated to eradicating the werewolves that began to spring up at the beginning of the eclipse. People knew that of us, and I personally led patrols my father sent to help keep our lands safe. I am sure that there are at least some in the capital who recall us fondly. To know that we still survive and still fight may hearten some folk who have otherwise given up hope. Should we journey to Sigeto, I believe I could be of some help."

[Yash]

"Lord Iain, before we give suggestions, I would like to know this, how will the group going towards Sigeto cross the ocean if the leviathon hasn't been killed? Is there a way around? Also how close to the Lunamancer's tower is the beast? Should our group be the one to go to Sigeto, I would like to avoid going too close to the Lunamancer. While we ultimately have to go fight him, I would prefer killing off all his supporters before confronting him. That way should I loose control, the only person left to kill would be the lunamancer, and others could complete the task. Putting that grim though aside, I could help hide us using my ability to control fog, so that we may slip past the monster unseen, if needed. I can also help in the fight against the vampires. I haven't had much experience with werewolves, but I could help surviving in foreign lands. I feel if each of us can give an idea about how they could help in either of the situations, we would be able to ascertain where we are most likely to succeed. Though I feel we must also consider the abilities of the other teams. Success is likely only if all our objectives are achieved. What do all of you feel?" Karn asked, looking at his companions. He found himself talking much more than usual, his impatience over the discussion overcoming any inhibitions he may have had. He looked at the others, hoping they would decide soon.

[Kurotsune]

Iain peers at Karn for a moment. "I thought I had explained this? I'm sorry. We will use Asgall's larger ship as a distraction, while the smaller ship with the Sigeto crew moves through the outskirts of the Merzongeri sea. It's a proven concept that should work. As for your other inquiries... I'm... Pretty sure I directly stated that we were going to kill his liutenants before confronting him. I start to wonder if you were paying attention, ser." His gaze turns into a slight glare, but softens afterwards. "But your suggestion to examine all abilities is a valid one, which I hope your companions will share. Get to it, then."