Journey to the North (In Game)

[TheIrishOtaku]

Flavia, the capital city of the Kingdom of Castria, is truly a sight to behold. Ancient beyond measure, its winding streets are thronged with people from every race imaginable, almost every available inch of space given over to homes, shops and taverns. What little land remains untended forms parks, arboretums and of course estates for the nobility. It is to such an estate that you have all been drawn to, the greatest of them all in fact, the royal palace of Genis. Constructed centuries ago and renovated constantly since, it is truly a shining jewel in the capitals crown, a marvel of architecture that is as grand and imposing as it is beautiful.

Made of the rarest and most expensive materials available, its windows are filled with intricately carved reliefs depicting scenes from Castria's history and mythology, the lines of which fill with the light at the noonday sun, shining forth as if the palace itself was the cause of the illumination. The interior of the palace is no less impressive, filled with finery and treasures that both celebrate Castria and extoll the wealth and power of its ruler, as well as many dozens of splendid rooms that ensure that everything functions smoothly. The throne room is the greatest of them all, opulent and furnished in a way that is meant to humble and impress the kings subjects, if not overawe them with its splendour. Yet it is not before the golden throne you are brought, instead you are ushered into the kings private chambers by his chamberlain.

Unfailingly polite, the pudgy and balding man ensures that you have refreshments before leaving to fetch the king, wine (an excellent vintage) and a variety of cold meats and fragrant cheeses. While he is gone you have a moment to examine the room. The space is luxurious, the large goose feather bed at it centre the height of comfort and the floor draped with rugs that are as expensive as they are beautiful. Large windows give his majesty a view of the royal gardens that is truly picturesque and the sun shining through at the moment is both mild and pleasant.

Finally, the doors to an adjacent room open with a thud and in walks King Maxim Seler IV. Most of you have only seen his visage on coins and while they capture a fraction of the man, you find that the real thing is much more impressive. Tall and barrel chested, his bearded face is harsh yet handsome, his black hair flecked with the first beginnings of grey. His piercing blue eyes seem to see right through you as he takes the three of you in, a golden and jewel encrusted crown gracing his head and majestic (yet by his standards more casual and understated) robes cover his royal person. After a moment, he nods curtly and his booming voice fills the room, his use of the royal ''we'' a prerogative reserved for monarchs the world over.

''Thank you for answering our royal summons. We are gratified that the three of you arrived in such a prompt manner. We are sure that you must have many questions and we assure you that all will be answered in time. But before we discuss the purpose of your arrival, there is someone we must introduce you to.''

The king scowls at that, clearly about to do something that obligation demands but which he would rather avoid.

''Odrosa! Attend us this instant!''

 

[Kalnath]

Sir Alec was accustomed to the opulence and pageantry of royal courts, even if the Genis was to the noble estates of Castria what the noble estates were to peasant hovels.

The private reception came as a surprise, however, and set off several alarms in Alec's trained mind. Part of him had been expecting some unnecessarily grand ceremonial proclamation before the entire court: wishing the gallant heroes well before sending them off on their way to save the realm.

(And what gallant heroes, indeed!) he thought as his good eye glanced over the other two, (An elf girl, a lizardman, and a middle-aged cyclops. We ought to be walking into a bar somewhere...)

Still, a personal briefing in the King's chambers meant that this was different. This was serious. It told him that The King was deeply worried about something, and didn't want everyone to know how grave the matter truly was.

He'd pointedly chosen not to partake of the refreshments. The Order had its rules, after all.

As they waited for this 'Odrosa' to enter,
Sir Alec gave a formal bow to the king, addressing him in the custom of servant to master.

"The Grandmaster of the Knights of Saint Owyn sends his regards, Your Majesty," he said to fill the silence, "...along with his apologies for being unable to send more by way of assistance. I fear our Order is spread rather thin at this time."

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

The king nods at Sir Alec, accepting the bow as nothing more than his due. Though clearly still agitated, he softens his expression slightly, his powerful voice quieting just a tad.

''No need for apologies, sir knight. We are well aware of the many duties and responsibilities demanded of your Order and are grateful that the Grandmaster could spare even a single member. Besides, what we require of you is helped rather than hindered by keeping those involved to a minimum.''

He doesn't elaborate, obviously waiting until he sees fit to clarify just what he means. To see a man as forward and aggressively confident as the king be so cryptic is certainly out of the ordinary but you three can tell from his body language that he won't change his mind, not that his majesty is in the habit of doing so in general.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Odrosa's pointed ears twitched at the sound of King Maxim's thundering voice. Hurriedly striding into the royal chambers with surprisingly quiet steps for her stature. Near ducking under the arched doorway, at least seven feet tall, slightly above average for a Dark Elf. Dressed in fine elegant silks, a staff hanging with wilted Blue Bells at its top clung closely to her wide hip. Curving downward Odrosa gave the strangers and her king a polite curtsy—decorum, above all else, before regarding the group with a respectfully quick once over, as she herself didn't like being stared at. Flaxen eyes fixated curiously for a split second.

A righteous human knight, statuesque dragon-kin, and a half-elf, given that her ears weren't as knife-tipped. A fine-looking group, suitable enough for the task at hand at least in looks thus far.

"My king." She acknowledged Maxim first.

"Odrosa Adair, royal mage, a pleasure to make your acquaintances. I hope to aid you all in this task." Her voice came out timid, far more soft and demure than her appearance might lead one to expect. Rubbing at her hands with a nervous fidget at the mention of her last name that may raise an eyebrow or two for those that knew.

That and the fact some might scorn the thought of working with a Dark Elf. But not everyone was so judgmental. Not that it mattered.

She had a new purpose that must be resolved, no matter any odd look or distaste from her fellows.

Standing back, Odrosa stood justly behind the king with her arms behind her back, awaiting further instruction and the opportunity to speak if addressed. Letting the bunch talk amongst themself and his majesty.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Seeing Odrosa enter the room and hearing her speak, Maxim grunts in acknowledgment, still visibly annoyed but satisfied for the moment. He takes a deep breath, clearly steeling himself for what he is about to say. His voice is low but firm, with an undercurrent of warning suffusing every word he utters.

''What we are about to tell you cannot leave this room, for the sake of not just the Kingdom of Castria but of the entire world. Before we do so you must swear a solemn oath to both our royal person and the gods themselves, on pain of death, that you will not utter a word about what you hear and witness here today. Odrosa has already made this oath and knows full well what we would ask of you but you cannot know before you do so yourselves. This is your last chance to refuse, the task ahead of you so dangerous that we could not in good conscience make it a command, though the rewards are well worth it we assure you. If you should refuse you will remain in the palace as our honoured guests, until such time as the issue has been resolved.''

Reading between the lines, you can tell that by ''guests'' he means prisoners, temporary ones with a gilded cage for a jail cell but prisoners nonetheless. Still, the fact that he's even giving you the option to refuse (such as it is) is telling, a testament to how difficult and risky what he has in mind for you truly is. It clearly galls him, his highness being a proud and stubborn man used to making commands and having them obeyed. Nevertheless, he takes a moment to let his words sink in and impatiently await your answers.

 

[Kalnath]

Alec wished he'd been wearing his helmet, because it might have hidden the look of disdain that unwittingly crossed his mangled face when Odrosa appeared.

He'd encountered dark elves before, and always as adversaries. They'd been worse than beastmen: malicious, cruel, unscrupulous even in defeat. Many good men and women had been lost to their acts of despicable treachery over the years.

And a wizard, no less! Alec had too often heard of magic being used for terrible purposes. Destruction, deception, transmogrification... it was, to his mind, an inherently corruptive power that tarnished the souls of those who wielded it, no matter how pure their intentions.

...But Alec was not so prejudiced as to immediately disavow her presence. It wouldn't be fair, he knew, and more to the point: everything about this meeting - the secluded room, the peculiar persons, King Maxim's thinly-veiled threats of incarceration - was enough to show that whatever was going on, it was far more serious than some old, petty grudges.

"Very well..."

Putting his reservations aside, Sir Alec planted one hand over his heart and inhaled deeply before reciting his oath:

"Upon mine honor as a knight, and my devotion to the Order of St. Owyn, I hereby swear to both your royal personage and the gods on high: you shall have my silence and secrecy on this matter, whatever it may be."

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

By the look in his eyes, you can tell that the not only understands your feelings but shares them. That aside, he breathes a sigh of relief to hear you make the oath, as if one part of a large and cumbersome burden had been lifted from his broad shoulders. He doesn't smile, from reputation you know that he almost never does, but he is still visibly pleased.

''Excellent, if we needed any further proof of the Order of St. Owyn's devotion and loyalty to the Kingdom of Castria, it is here in your person, Sir Alec. Now, as for your companions....''

His expectant gaze roams over Orestina and Z'ar, his words of praise to Sir Alec genuinely felt yet simultaneously an obvious attempt to shame you into following his example. He makes no secret of what he's doing either, the king is many things but a silver tongued wordsmith he is not. Though more at ease than before, its obvious that he won't be able to fully relax until he's received an answer to his question.

 

[Autobass]

Orestina had been standing quietly off to one side, doing her level best to not tap her heel or otherwise fidget, itching to be on the hunt despite the seemingly serious nature of what was to transpire in this room. Not every day you meet the king face to face... and especially when he isn't on his throne... she thought to herself. She took a moment to look over the other's in the room, taking stock of the human's scarred over eye and the sheer stature of what she hazarded a guess as Lizardfolk.

She was brought out of her musings by the king calling for Odrosa, her ears momentarily twitching from the sheer booming volume of his voice as she struggled not to clap her hands to her ears. When a towering figure entered, it was all she could do not to stare in surprise. An Elf was no new sight to her but a Dark Elf and one in as high a position as royal mage certainly was. She must have fought tooth and nail to get this far... she thought to herself, noting the disdain both the knight and king harbored in their expressions with a singular narrowed eye.

Understanding the thinly veiled threat of imprisonment and the even thinner veil over his words of praise, Orestina couldn't help but loudly sigh before standing straight and replying "I swear to your majesty and the gods both, should I break my silence on what is said here to anyone outside these four walls, may Darias own arrow strike me down." Like hell I'll let myself become a bird in a cage, I'd go bloody mad she thought to herself as she finished her oath with a light huff.

 

[starelementpoke]

(Shit sorry, didn't realize we had made a separate thread for this. Had been waiting for an email notification)
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Z'ar had never seen such opulence in his life, much less imagined it. Sidling sideways and stooping low to slip into the room his gaze constantly flicks from finery to finery. Taking a comparatively comedic sized horderve between the tip of his claws he nods to each of the others in turn with a small smile before popping it into his maw.

- A Half-Elf... eager to set off. Surprisingly short for part elf. The zeal will be useful if this is as bad as he thinks it is.

- The knight seems used to this all. Dedicated if nothing else. Hope he gets along with the Dark-Elf.

- A Dark-Elf...? She seems more pleasant than the others he had run into before. A mage too. A reliable one I hope.

After a moment Z'ar will notice the king's gaze having settled on him. He was still surprised when the summons had found him; whatever they had been summoned for must be fairly dire if they were spending their time tracking down wanderers and court wizards. Lining up next to Orestina he'll bow his head a little further in apology, unfazed by the threatening tone of the king. Whatever the matter was clearly was worrying him; he would not hold it against them.

"You have my word."

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Maxim glares at that, clearly not appreciating the huffy tone of Orestina's oath and the brevity of Z'ars. Nevertheless, he gives a curt nod and visibly deflates, his relief combined with the unusual circumstances enough to let him look past it. Giving one last appraising look at the three of you, he takes a deep breath and begins to speak.

''Wonderful, your selflessness and bravery does you credit. Now, we can get to the meat of the matter. Zolon Adair is one of the most powerful and accomplished spellcasters in the world. For years he served us ably and faithfully as the royal wizard, protecting Castria, its people and of course our royal person time and time again. We had thought him a man of honor and principle, indeed we had even thought him a friend. But we were wrong, oh so desperately wrong.''

For the briefest of seconds, you see a flash of hurt in the king's eyes before it disappears. Clearly whatever this Zolon did hurt his majesty personally more than he's willing to admit. Taking a moment to get himself back under control, he continues.

''Zolon, that power hungry wretch, has stolen the first part of the Book of Rosha from the royal vault. As we are sure you are no doubt aware, Rosha the demon queen was the greatest and most diabolical enemy the gods had ever faced. A former angel, her rebellion against the divine order led to a thousand years of cataclysmic war that spelled the end of the Golden Age and the gods retiring from mortal affairs. In the end she was defeated, her and her followers imprisoned for all eternity in the infernal realm of Kolasi, where to this day they seek to finally escape and wreak their terrible and bloody revenge on both gods and mortals.''

''The Book of Rosha was written by worshippers of the demon queen, one last desperate hope for her freedom as the loose ends of the war were being tied up. Thankfully, the fools were caught before they could make use of it and the book seized along with them. Finding it indestructible, made as it was using extremely powerful unholy magic and materials, they instead decided to divide it into six parts, scattering them to the four corners of the world. The knowledge of each pieces location is compartmentalised, the guardian of the previous piece knowing where the next one is and so on, an extra security measure.''

''If Zolon should succeed in his mad quest, it will mean the end of all things, an eternity of bloodshed and darkness that will see all that we have wrought turn to ash. Rosha must not be freed! Now, you understand why we insisted upon the utmost secrecy, if word of this reached the common people it would lead to mass panic, riots, perhaps even rebellion. You must find him and stop him before it is too late! Dead or alive, it matters not as long as you succeed and safeguard the Book of Rosha.''

''Succeed and you will have anything and everything that you could ever wish for and more. Fail.... well, failure is simply not an option, for all our sakes. Odrosa is Zolon's apprentice and his ahem adopted daughter. After much interrogation we have determined that she was not involved in his scheme.''

Giving a suspicious glare at Odrosa, you can tell that he still doesn't want to believe that despite the evidence but feels he has no choice.

''That being the case, she will be joining you on your quest. You will also be provided with funding, provisions, mounts and any equipment you require from our stores here in the palace. Unfortunately, Zolon does have a head start but that cannot be helped. The next piece of the book is in the possession of the Blood Hoof Clan, a centaur tribe that inhabits the Chiron Plains. It is about a months journey to the north, including the time it will take to traverse Mt. Xorn. Now, do you have any questions?''

His majesty pours a cup of wine and takes a large gulp, clearly quite parched after monologuing for so long. Quenching his thirst also allows time for his momentous words to sink in and for you all to formulate a reply.

 

[starelementpoke]

Taking in the king's news Z'ar's expression grows somber. Demons and creatures he had only ever heard stories about now in chase of such a powerful artifact...

"Have the other holders of the pieces been warned? A magical message would travel faster than a group on foot."

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Maxim sighs in frustration, as if knowing that someone would ask that very question.

''As we have said, we only know the location of the second piece. The centaurs of the Chiron Plains know the next and we have attempted to get in contact with them but Zolon anticipated us and cast a powerful spell to disrupt arcane messages to and from that region. Odrosa and her fellow mages have tried to counteract his magic but so far to no avail. Given enough time, they could do so but time is the one thing we don't have.''

He then practically devours a piece of cheese, as if attempting to eat away his worries.

 

[Kalnath]

Alec jumped slightly at Z'ar's voice. He hadn't expected it to be quite so loud. The stocky reptilian fellow was the most curious of the gathered company by far: tall of stature and, apparently, short on ceremony. Alec suppressed a grin of amusement as he rubbed at his ear. Only the confident or the ignorant would dare to be so terse with high royalty.

He wasn't sure what to make of Maxim's exposition, however. He'd heard the legends about Rosha's Fall of course, but for Alec that was all they ever had been. Apocrypha. Stories told to entertain young children and get them to do their chores before bed. And now, here was the king of the greatest nation of men in the world telling him that it was all true, and that one man was willing - and quite possibly able - to seize the power to start it all over again.

And the "security" against this world-ending threat? By the sound of it, if you had the location of one fragment, all you had to do was follow the trail to the next and you could collect the whole book in order! That wasn't protection, that was a damned scavenger hunt!

He shook his head dismissively. It was a silly pretext, and Alec couldn't believe any of it. But then, he didn't really have to...

"If Zolon Adair is a fugitive, then that is all the reason I need to pursue him. His apprehension - dead or alive, as you say - shall be my highest priority."

He folded his arms and passed his good eye over the other three in turn, stroking his beard while he thought about the long mission ahead.

"These Blood Hoofs, what else do we know about them, or about the Chironians in general? Are there any major hostilities or queer customs we ought to expect?"

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

''Excellent, that is music to our ears! As for the Blood Hoofs, they are an honourable sort, as far as barbarians go. One of the more tolerant clans when it comes to outsiders, although that isn't saying too much given how territorial most Chironians are in general. They value strength and self reliance above all else and are very in tune with their environment. Chironian warfare, such as it is, usually consists of raids committed by one clan against another or ceremonial combat conducted for prestige. True largescale conflict is practically unknown amongst them. Oh, every once in a while some uppity clan chief gets it in his head to try to unite all the clans under his rule but they have never succeeded. As long as you show them the proper respect and carry yourself with strength and pride, you will do fine. Tread carefully though, they are a touchy sort as far as their honor is concerned and if you show weakness they will walk all over you. We are also given to understand that they take celebration as seriously as they do combat, in fact there is an old centaur saying that sums up their attitude on that score pretty well: ''Fight hard and fuck harder!'' Rather crude, but you can't deny that its succinct.''

Maxim lets out a rare chuckle at that, a sound that almost seems incongruous coming from his dour face. Given how freely and shamelessly he cursed you get the distinct impression that he probably does so fairly regularly. Given his personality, that isn't much of a surprise.

 

[starelementpoke]

(It was supposed to be more of indication of deep than loud XD)
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Nodding, Z'ar will turn his gaze to Odrosa, for a moment judging her expression.

"You are his daughter? Was he behaving strangely before he made away? Anything that might inform of his change of heart?"