Return to Mareth (In Game)

[Ecnalab]

After the last of the weapons were confiscated, or bound, Urta and her men be began leading the travelers through the city of Tel'Kara. As they moved further, and further into he city and away from the water, two things became very apparent. The first was the heat. While it hadn't been as noticeable while they were on a boat with the sea breeze to keep them cool, now that they were sheltered from the wind by the buildings around them, it was clear that the island they were on was tropical. It was so warm in fact that Mia and Elliana quickly began to sweat in their armor. The second thing they noticed was that Tel'Kara seemed to have very relaxed laws regarding public decency.

As they left the docks district, and entered the residential ones, the crowds in the street became less dressed for work, and in fact less dressed in general. Given the heat of their home, many people in Tel'Kara wore either loose sheer clothing, or simply walked around nearly naked; much like Isaac. Indeed, as they were lead about, they spotted at least a few people who were walking around wearing nothing at all.

 

[Woider]

"Excuse me... Captain Urta... I see all kinds of people wearing no clothing, and I feel like I'm dying in this heat. When we next stop, would it be alright if I just... got out of this?" She asks, a little sheepishly.

 

[Floozer]

CAstella was happy to have her light silk garments. The last thing she wanted was to walk around naked... but the thought of Elliana doing so made her blush a bit.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Don't worry, we're almost to the keep, and I assure you it's much cooler in there," replied Urta.

A few more city blocks and the company was approaching the gates of the castle they had seen from the docks. The complex was big, with a stone wall maybe fifteen feet high circling the keep and several towers stretching into the air above it. As the group was lead in, the cool air inside was a relief to those in armor. They were lead up several flights of stairs to the third floor of the main keep, until they eventually came to a stop at a large pair of double doors in one of the grand hallways.

"This is the council's main audience chamber," said Urta. "Once the other councilors have assembled, we will be ushered in, and this meeting can begin. I advise you all to be on your best behavior." Several of the other guards gave their weapons casual pats, lending their captain's words extra weight.

 

[Woider]

Elliana is starting to get a little nervous... she isn't used to any kind of formal situation. Maybe she should just let the others talk...

 

[Floozer]

Castella nods her head "I assure you we will try to be on our best performance. Though please... no need for silent threats such as weapon patting, we are on the same side here and should be working to foster a smooth relationship."

 

[Penguinmafia]

"Phew, it really is hot here..." Mia is relieved to be in a cooler environment and looks around at the building. "This place sure does seem official..... And don't worry, as Castella said, we're all here to make friends not enemies."

 

[Ecnalab]

After almost an hour of waiting, the large door finally creaked and groaned open, and a small man with the features of a mouse stepped out. He was dressed in the finery of a chamberlain, and regarded the group with large inquisitive eyes before turning to Urta. "These are the ones?" he asked. Urta nodded, and without another word, the little man turned on his heels and motioned for the rest of the group to follow. Once they were inside, the guards stood at attention at the door, and the mouse announced their arrival.

The room they stepped into was large, and built like a courtroom; complete with rows of pews for an audience, and a jury box of to one side; both of which were currently empty. The main wall, however, was dominated by a large oak table cut in a half circle. The flat edge of the table faced the group as they were lead up to it, and was devoid of any seats. The curved side, meanwhile, had three large plush-looking seats arranged around it; two of which were currently occupied. In the left seat was a anthropomorphic grey cat-woman with long black hair held up in a bun by a pair of long needles and fine gold chains. The center seat was occupied by a towering man with the head of a horse and rich chocolate fur. Both of them wore the traditional black robes of judges. A sudden ruffling behind the party caught their attention, and turning back they saw that Urta had traded her armor for a similar black robe. Walking around the group, she took the final seat to the right before clearing her throat and speaking. "This meeting will now come to session." Urta's voice filled the near empty room with its authoritative tone. "I am Captain Urta of the city guard. These are lady Cera head of guild administration, and mayor Ozrick. Today we will be deciding if you new humans will be allowed to stay in Tel'Kara. To begin with, we would know what brought you all here, and how you managed to avoid capture by the demons?"

 

[Woider]

Elliana shakes a little, not feeling very comfortable within these oppressive walls, especially after dealing with many days of seasickness. She desperately just wants someone else to speak up. Anything she'd say would probably just get them into trouble, right now.

 

[Floozer]

Castella speaks up first. "We were betrayed. Back in our home world we received word that our people were disappearing in a very specific pattern. A pentagram could be drawn from the locations of the victims. It lead us to a small village where the elder asked us to chase off a small dragon near by their village. When we got there... there was just this large portal in a cave. The elder appeared behind us and used magic to throw us through the portal. We woke up here in your lands."

She lets that sink in before speaking again "As for why we are here, in your city specifically, we were hoping for a safe place to rest, gather our strength and get information about this land. Maybe try and find our missing people as well. Avoiding the demons was simple enough, we worked together and fought them off. We all posses skills that aid us in combat... and even here, the moon goddess La Luna watches over us."

 

[Ecnalab]

"Your words have the ring of truth to them," said Ozrick, his deep voice rumbling through the room.

"Indeed, but do your spirits share your sincerity?" asked Cera, her lilting voice a stark contrast to Ozrick's. "Let us find out. Buckminster!"

At the lady's call, the small mouse man stepped from the corner of the room, where he had all but disappeared to. Stepping forward, he pulled a small transparent stone from his pocket; it was identical to the one Isaac had used to check Elliana. Stepping up to each of the group in turn, he held the stone up and looked through it. In each case, the stone turned a brilliant white, save for Elliana, after which the white was sprinkled with flecks of darkness. "Well?" asked Urta.

Buckminster turned to the three judges with wide eyed shock. "These people are less tainted that most of our citizens," he declared.

The three councilors shared surprised looks before Ozrick pulled a similar stone from his robes. "Let me check," he said. Sure enough, the results were the same. "Incredible," he said, with open amazement. "I do not know how, but you've all managed to avoid the corrupting influence of this realm, almost entirely."

"You don't think, Gertrude-" Unta began.

"Nonsense, it's a just coincidence." Cera cut off.

 

[Woider]

Elliana blushes a little, remembering her fond encounter with that cute little glimmerling in the forest.

 

[Floozer]

Castella blinked a few times and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry... did I hear the name Gertrude? is that someone we should know about? I am afraid we have not met many people so far. I only know Isaac, a farmer named Whitney and a shark girl named Carla."

 

[Ecnalab]

"Just an old fortuneteller that has been brought in for disturbing the peace one too many times," said Urta.

"Nevermind that now," said Ozrick. "You are clearly not under the thrall of any demon, but the matter of your character is still in question. Tell me, who are you all?"

 

[Floozer]

"I am Castella Grimwaltz. With me are my companions Elliana Quinta, Mia Bahkald and Derek. In the same order we are a Priestess, a ranger, a warrior and a mage."

 

[Penguinmafia]

Mia does a short bow before clearing her throat. "Mia Bahkald, knight of Lothlyde your service. Well... ex-knight."

 

[Woider]

"And I... I'm Elliana Quinta... I'm a ranger and sc...scout..." She stammers, knowing full well she's the only who's been corrupted slightly, and feeling as if all eyes are on her.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Worriers, scouts, and mages we have many of," began Cera. "But holy people are a bit lacking in this city, as most people don't really remember the old gods from before the fall. Tell me, Castella, what is your purpose in service to your god?"

 

[Floozer]

"To provide healing and aid to those in need, to promote her teachings of love no matter where it might surface, to teach that the night is not to be feared as many know it as a time to hide..." She looks at each council member "And to remove her enemies wherever they might hide. Undead, Demons, murderers.... any who would forsake the blessed night as a time to do wrong."

 

[Ecnalab]

"Noble edicts," said Urta. "And, how do you plan to go about doing that, as heavy with child as you are?"

 

[Floozer]

Her eyes fall to the floor "This child was... an accident. That shark woman I mentioned earlier is actually a hermaphrodite. Things got intimate and... well... you know the rest. However, that is no fault of the child so I decided to bring it to term. Once the child is born I was hoping to raise them in the safety of this city until they are old enough to care for themselves. My edicts still stand, but to ignore my own child is not something I can do"

 

[Woider]

Elliana takes her hand as she stands there, trying to make it a little less uncomfortable for her to speak about.

 

[Ecnalab]

To everyone's surprise, Buckminster's detection stone began to glow. Holding it up to look at Elliana, the small bits of black that floated in the white light suddenly vanished. [Elliana's corruption drops back to zero.] "Well, can't argue with that," said Urta.

"We'll discuss it later," replied Ozrick. "For now, though, it is clear that these people are no allies to corruption. As such you will all be granted refuge in Tel'Kara. Now, about lodging..."

"There are guest rooms in the southern tower that you can make use of until you find a proper place of residence," finished Urta.

 

[Floozer]

Castella grips Elliana's hand tightly and bows to the council "Thank you... this means much to my group and I. If I may ask... is there a doctor around this city? When the time comes... which will be soon... I would very much appreciate one."

 

[Woider]

"Guest rooms in the southern tower..." Elliana chants to herself in hushed tones.

 

[Penguinmafia]

"Sounds good! Should we head there now or are there more things to discuss?" Mia yawns. "It's been a long trip, i'm completely worn out..."

[Soz guys, gotta sleep for early lecture tomorrow ;-;]

 

[Ecnalab]

"Yes, we have healers in this city, and in this keep," replied Ozrick.

"As for showing you the lay of the city, a guide will need to be found and-" Urta began.

"I could show them around!" Isaac piped up, before stepping back to attention. "I mean, with the councils permission, I would be happy to serve as a guide until they get their bearings. I've lead them this far, and am already quite familiar with them."

Urta raised an eyebrow at Isaac, but did not refuse. "Very well," she said simply.

 

[Floozer]

She smiles kindly at Isaac and then at the council "Thank you for your hospitality. With your permission, we would like to retire for the evening."

 

[Woider]

"I agree with Castella... it's been a long journey, and a good night's sleep would probably do us all good... especially after that boat ride." She adds, still holding the pregnant herm's hand.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Of, course," said Ozrick. "Buckminster, please show them to the guest wing."

With that, the mouse man bowed and proceeded to lead the way through the keep until he reached the tower they would be staying in. "Will, any of you be sharing rooms?" he asked.