Author Topic: Chapter 1: Expedition  (Read 22656 times)

Offline Harald

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 595
  • wielding a 30 Tons Tank as an improvised flail.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2013, 04:43:13 AM »
The centurion was remaining silent, as well. He knows about this kind of things : after all, it was not the first time he was gathered with people from others centuries, or legios, or even specialists, for a special mission.
First, silence, as no one wants to gather attention on himself. When one dares, the tension errupt and some bickering appears : after all, when wary mens-at-arms are gathered altogether, it was normal that  everyone was a bit jumpy.
Then, the officer should appear soon. Fraternisation should happen right after, once the mission is given : with a common purpose, then the unit is formed officially... and effectively, once everyne has spent some time fraternising with a meal and booze.
<That's lacking wenches and whores, for a good fraternizing !>
<Huuush. We have ladies amongst us, they might not like a true legionnair party. We'll improvise.>

While thinking that, he was looking for something in his backpack. The stern officer pulled out with utmost care a a leater-bound wooden case, and opened its lid gently.
There was a violin inside.
Without a word, he sat under one of the arch, right under the sun rays, to warm his old back, took his bow, and started playing a solo sonata , in order to loosen a bit the tense atmosphere.
"-Lady-Captain, we detect 20 hostile vessels against us,  and Erasmus Haarlock's Spear of Destiny ! What are your orders ?
-RAMMING SPEED !

final result : 6 slaughts vessels, 4 imperial frigates, 2 imperial cruisers destroyed. Haarlock sent into the warp. 0 losses. Flawless Victory.

Offline DragoonWraith

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • I'm new!
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #21 on: April 12, 2013, 01:14:12 PM »
Liltar stares, transfixed, at Hieronymus, seeming confused.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2013, 11:17:49 AM by DragoonWraith »
Legend contributing author

Currently playing Heroes Reborn – Team M.A.I.N.G.A.U.C.H.E.

Some homebrew, more homebrew

Offline Darkone

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 28
  • This message approved by Desus.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #22 on: April 12, 2013, 09:41:27 PM »
A cracking of wings - simply too loud to be called fluttering - heralds the late entry of yet another. Or more accurately, yet two others.

The most immediately eye-catching is the young woman, with her exotic appearance. Wings a dozen feet across snapping hard to brake. Silver hair fluttering in the turbulence. Golden eyes quickly darting over those assembled. Young man held in one hand. Fine, flowing robes of icy blue and silver trim.

Wait, back up.

A young man is held by a shockingly well secured backpack in her hand. A wide-brimmed hat somehow remains atop his head, while a - again, well strapped up - brown longcoat covers a vest and shirt. He's no more than twenty years old at most, with a slightly shadowed jaw, mousey brown-black hair, and matching eyes. Faintly, under his clothes, complex runic patterns glow white - ones that, on closer inspection, match those of his companion. T

hose with the auditory acuity to pick such things up over the beating wings of his angelic counterpart would hear him conversing rapidly with nothing, as if replying to a message.

"I'm in Borean. Yes, I somehow got here overnight. No, I wasn't sure why at first, until one of the guards downstairs told me that Lord Singorn summoned a group of us here. Yes, really. Yes, I'll make everyone proud. I don't know when I'll be home. Love you all. Tell Alexander to stop slacking and get to work; he's fifteen and he hasn't saved anyone yet, for The Lord's sake! Send Reply."

As his conversation cuts away, the winged woman drops him gently to the floor. Quickly brushing himself over, he strides over.

"Duly sorry about the interruption," he directs at the winged Centurion, "and at my tardiness," he follows, to the others. "Johnathan Saint-Germain, and I've just arrived here overnight from Suul, apparently. Pleasure to meet you all." The man bows, before nodding over to the young woman, who's wings were rapidly disappearing into her back.

"I am Celia Saint-Germain," she replies with a bow, though she fixes the centurion with a curious stare as she straightens. "Perhaps someone might know what this is about?"

<Oh! Oh! Is he anything like me?>
<Most likely not. A discrete inquiry later though. Not that I see anyone near enough to him to be his master, if he is.>
<Weeeell, if he's like most masters, he's probably a wimp who can't take a little bitty greatsword through the gut, so he doesn't want to show his face.>
<Hrm, that makes sense. I forget that not all summoners are Saint-Germains, after all. Some of them might even let little things like blood loss and grievous injury get in the way of supporting their Eidolon!>

Outwardly, the two wear polite smiles, not betraying their strange and possibly insulting conversation.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2013, 08:43:11 PM by Darkone »
#9CC2DA So that I don't need to keep grabbing this code again.

Offline Concerned Ninja Citizen

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1578
  • I am Concerned
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #23 on: April 12, 2013, 11:39:57 PM »
"Is this all of us or should we expect more arrivals, I wonder." Merrion said, stepping out from behind the Centurion into the newcomers' line of sight.

"Shall we assume this is the full complement and make comprehensive introductions? I am Agente Merrion Digwell, and while I have no special knowledge as to the purpose of this gathering, I suspect we are here because the God King has a task in mind which will require our particular talents."

Offline linklord231

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3346
  • The dice are trying to kill me
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #24 on: April 13, 2013, 02:42:35 AM »
Woah, muttered the muscled man under his breath, That is one fine lady.

In three quick strides, he stepped in front of the newly arrived pair, bowed low before the angelic woman, and kissed her hand.
Utterly ignoring her companion, he spoke:  My lady, allow me to introduce myself.  I am called Bruce, the wandering warrior.  Perhaps you've heard of me?  I've made quite a name for myself battling the forces of darkness around Amantanea. 
I'm not arguing, I'm explaining why I'm right.

Offline DragoonWraith

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • I'm new!
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #25 on: April 13, 2013, 01:07:38 PM »
Liltar angrily – but silently – attempts to gesture for silence, not taking an eye off the violin.

(I imagine the gesture to be a kind of downward patting or pushing motion, hand flat and parallel to the floor.)
Legend contributing author

Currently playing Heroes Reborn – Team M.A.I.N.G.A.U.C.H.E.

Some homebrew, more homebrew

Offline Darkone

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 28
  • This message approved by Desus.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #26 on: April 13, 2013, 09:07:06 PM »
Johnathan smirks slightly as the larger warrior suddenly approaches his Eidolon, obviously intent on her, before turning away apparently deliberately. "A safe a bet as any, Mister Digwell. The real question is what task that would be..." he trails off. Eyes darting between the elf-thing wearing some beasty's noggin and the violin toting centurion, his smile widens a bit.

He reaches into his backpack and pulls out an old, but not particularly fancy violin and bow. Taking it up, he clearly waits for the other violinist to lead, adding, "Though perhaps something to relax to?"

Celia blinks a moment as the muscled warrior kisses her hand, before returning the gesture. "Hi Bruce! Well, not really, but I'm not good at news and current events, or so I'm told. We've been in Suul for a while, doing the same though! Y'know, stopping raids, killing bandits, bludgeoning their leader with their mage, then parts of the mage, then parts of him, that sort of thing," she continues on cheerfully.
#9CC2DA So that I don't need to keep grabbing this code again.

Offline DragoonWraith

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • I'm new!
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #27 on: April 14, 2013, 11:17:36 AM »
Liltar glares at the winged woman, but her attention is once again dominated by the music, now coming from both Johnathan and Hieronymus. She stares at them some more.
Legend contributing author

Currently playing Heroes Reborn – Team M.A.I.N.G.A.U.C.H.E.

Some homebrew, more homebrew

Offline Harald

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 595
  • wielding a 30 Tons Tank as an improvised flail.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #28 on: April 14, 2013, 11:30:44 AM »
"Something to relax to ? I have something in mind, but not for two violins."
The centurion put back his violin gently in her case,  and pulled out a flute from his bag.
"How about the Cannonic Sonata from Telemann ?"
If Jonathan does agree, with a nod toward the strange elven lady raptured by the music, the stern officer will start playing his flute, somehow as nimble with this blow instrument as with his bow.
"-Lady-Captain, we detect 20 hostile vessels against us,  and Erasmus Haarlock's Spear of Destiny ! What are your orders ?
-RAMMING SPEED !

final result : 6 slaughts vessels, 4 imperial frigates, 2 imperial cruisers destroyed. Haarlock sent into the warp. 0 losses. Flawless Victory.

Offline Darkone

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 28
  • This message approved by Desus.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #29 on: April 14, 2013, 12:08:26 PM »
The man nods along, taking the moment before the more skilled Centurion starts to concentrate. Traceries of white run over his hands and face momentarily, before he follows in, doing his best to match his partner.

<Oh, should I?>

<No, not for now. Maybe later. Also, someone's glaring at you. Also, cute. But that's pushing the naivety a bit much.>

<Oh fine,> Celia replies, before waving at the 'elf' and smiling. Briefly, it seems slightly too wide. Still, she stays quiet though.

(click to show/hide)
#9CC2DA So that I don't need to keep grabbing this code again.

Offline linklord231

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3346
  • The dice are trying to kill me
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #30 on: April 14, 2013, 08:00:01 PM »
Bruce lets out a hearty laugh at Celia's comment about "beating the leader with the mage," but sheepishly stops when he feels Liltar's angry gaze settle on him. 

Either oblivious or unconcerned with Celia's extraordinary nature, Bruce tries to make small talk with her in lowered voices while attempting to lead her away from the center of the room so they can continue the conversation without disrupting the performance.
I'm not arguing, I'm explaining why I'm right.

Offline DragoonWraith

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • I'm new!
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #31 on: April 15, 2013, 08:02:49 PM »
Liltar's eyes are now visibly widened under her skull-helm at the introduction of yet another instrument.
Legend contributing author

Currently playing Heroes Reborn – Team M.A.I.N.G.A.U.C.H.E.

Some homebrew, more homebrew

Offline FireInTheSky

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3870
  • "Insight is the sudden cessation of stupidity."
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #32 on: April 16, 2013, 05:38:33 AM »
As the second piece of music starts, the human staring out of the large windows finally stirs.  Short and plump, dressed in a blue robe dotted with yellow stars, he had been staring distractedly out at the moon - visible during the day at this point in its cycle - and idly tracing various patterns on his hand since everyone first entered.  He waits until the piece finishes and then claps politely, before making a small bow to the assemblage and introducing himself. 

Thank you for that beautiful music!  And well met, everyone.  I am Lord Reginald Kensington, VII, the Assistant Astronomer at the Royal Observatory here in Borean.  But please, do not be intimidated by my title - I do not typically ask for honorifics from anyone.  You may call me Tim! {explosions...} Lord Kensington if you prefer, but to my friends, I am simply Reginald.  CaraVela, it is a pleasure to see you here!  I was just talking to an associate about how stellar your wonderful wonderful your stellar maps are. 

Lord K. begins processing various snippets of the conversation that took place while he was zoned out.

Hmm...on the nature of our newfound abilities...  For myself, while I have recently discovered some latent ability (which - being the scientist I am - I have investigated in great detail),  I do not sense any kind of spirit or ancestor or what-have-you hovering over me, nor do I have any new memories of a distant past.  But, wherever these new abilities came from, they certainly have their uses.

All of a sudden, a swirl of magical energy is discharged from Lord K., and his eyes begin physically glowing blue, as he looks closely at everyone.  Less than a minute later, his eyes go back to normal, as he continues on with the conversation.
(click to show/hide)

So many languages.  How delightful!  Languages are something of a hobby of mine.  To Liltar and Yara: {Sylvan} This tongue is extremely rare in Borean.  I've met only a few who are fluent with it.  {Dwarven} This one is much more common, {Elven} but not nearly as common as this one.  {Common} In any case, welcome.  He makes a small bow to Sul.  {Draconic} Magus Jikmada, Draconic is almost as rare as Sylvan.  As you said, most who claim to know it really only speak a few words or know some formulae.  To Merrion and Heironymus (Common from here out, unless otherwise specified): Gentlemen, it is always good to have Legionnaires on your side, and I look forward to working with you.

Turning to the latest newcomer, Lord K. makes an inquiring look.  Mister... Saint-Germain, is it?  Welcome to Borean.  What is the latest news from Suul?  He glances in the direction of Bruce and Celia, but decides not to interrupt.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2013, 12:42:53 AM by FireInTheSky »

Offline MetroMagic

  • PbP Game Master
  • ****
  • Posts: 1178
  • Organizations are imaginary.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #33 on: April 16, 2013, 06:36:30 AM »
CaraVela’s eyes fasten on the play of light across the dragonman’s metallic scales and she stands fascinated equally by the shine on the armor and the dragonmans’s tale, and nods attentively at his tale.

Sulta Jikmada, I thank you for your openness. The name rolls off her tongue easily in a complex clash of consonants: unaccented Draconic, with the rest in the Common tongue.

CaraVela continues, eventually gesturing around the room to each of the others in turn. Oh! I can see a thousand reflections in your scales; what a beautiful polish you have! Thank you for being so revealing about your condition; it seems we run the gamut of visitations from independent corporeal creatures who prefers public appearance like our winged friend and companion, to an incorporeal creature who seems not to prefer appearance, to an independent creature in memory such as you have, to a smattering of memories only such as I have, which I continue to discover seemingly by serendipitous chance, to those with little direct knowledge of what has befallen them except by orderly discovery … so Lord Kensington has told me. He’s been very busy in his laboratory of late, with notebook and ink and chalk and blood and flashes of Magic erupting throughout the day… She trails off as the Centurion takes out his flute, and her eyes fasten on it. CaraVela is so motionless she seems to have stopped breathing entirely, her mouth slightly open in a silent, startled Oh!

Then her hands begin to move, gathering shadow and light in a complex weaving that coalesces into… a flute, a darkly silver color tinted with Mithril, holes mathematically perfectly rounded and placed, beyond the capability of a whitesmith’s hands to shape.

(click to show/hide)

CaraVela gazes at the flute, running her hands over its perfection, then hesitantly raises it to her lips, attention riveted on the duet in progress. She draws a deep, steadying breath, the first in some time, and gently touches down on the lip-plate to breathe across the blow hole. Her fingers traverse the keys haltingly… a few wrong notes punctuate the music… but then she moves more quickly, flickering fingers picking up the tune as they grace the keys with her accompaniment.

Her fingers are sure, but her eyes are anything but sure; she seems bewildered; yet by the middle of the piece, the bewilderment has faded, replaced with sheer delight as she immerses herself in the music and plays along with the other two musicians with precise abandon.

At the end she is flushed and near breathless with excitement. It can’t be plainer: CaraVela has made another discovery.

Oh, thank you! The two of you! Especially you, Centurion! I recognized that first piece you played, an odd bit from some past that floated into memory; but I have always done that… much more frequently now from Time to Time than before, though. But the next piece, for the flute, I knew so intimately it was as if I was there when it was first written, first performed… and an image of a perfect flute to play it with came immediately into my mind, and then into my hand. Remarkable! I… it’s exciting beyond words. But not beyond music.

You have opened a door I did not know I had, and an endless library of music is within; I can almost hear all the pieces at once, yet each distinct. Please, can we play something else, anything the two of you like? Johnathan, Centurion, do you have favorites? Or if we cannot right now, then as soon as we may? I can hardly wait to find out what else I know!!
Realizing at the end that if everyone is present, the leisure time may be coming to a close, CaraVela reins in her enthusiasm.

(click to show/hide)

Then she half-turns back to the dragonman who had confided in her, and returns the favor. it’s just like last week, when I accidentally reached across a scented candle because I didn’t realize it was hot, and found myself holding a piece of map paper aflame in my hand. I could tell it was burning, if I paid attention, but… it didn’t hurt at all. I don’t know when that started, but it has been growing ever since, and I certainly don’t know where it will end. I don’t feel cold as much as I did before, either, though the difference is much less than for flame.

And there’s a lot more to tell than that. Remarkable!
She concludes to him quietly.



As Lord Kensington makes his introduction, CaraVela blushes at his compliment and bobs her head in acknowledgement. Then when he speaks in Draconic, her eyes narrow in concentration and she begins unconsciously tapping her forefinger against her lips, apparently trying to recall something. Then she smiles to herself.

Lord Reginald, I just realized… there were times over the past few years when I overheard you in your lab, muttering about some formula in a language I didn’t understand… then. Now I know you were talking to yourself in Draconic. And this time I understood every word… Ha! she laughs in pleasure.

(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: April 24, 2013, 08:20:01 PM by MetroMagic »

Offline sirpercival

  • Honorary Mod
  • *****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #34 on: April 16, 2013, 09:50:40 AM »
Suddenly the door opens, and Singorn himself enters the room.  He seems... tired, and also somewhat pleased.  Without words, he glances around the room, nodding absently, then moves to the center of the Solarium, perching upon a low chair.  Seated, he still rises above (for example) Merrion's height, but the position softens him somewhat -- into something still more than a man, but less than an entity of pure divinity.

"My apologies, all of you, for the delay.  My meetings with the other groups have gone well, but took longer than expected."  He breathes deeply, and looks up at the stained glass.  A light whisper of magical power passes through the room, and the designs and colors of the ceiling begin to shift, becoming fluid before resolving into new patterns.

The God-king turns back to the group.  "I trust the introductions are going well?"
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline Darkone

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 28
  • This message approved by Desus.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #35 on: April 16, 2013, 10:36:25 AM »
"I believe," Johnathan says gently to Caravela, "that it may be a good idea to do so later, miss. I have experience in dealing with some amount of memory cloudiness," he says with a slight nod towards Celia, "and it is always an excellent idea to not have any little surprises or traps waiting in your own head. Such issues are not unprecedented among the summon-conjured companions of my family."

Said companion, sensing her presence would be useful in the conversation, drags Bruce back over with her. Quite possibly literally, depending on his resistance. "Lets go since they're all done playing."

After getting closer, she speaks to the rather excitable young woman. "Mmmhmm. I didn't know I could sing for more than a week after I was... uhm... 'summoned' here," Celia adds, pausing as the final person in the room introduces himself.

"Languages are indeed quite wonderful Mister Kengsington," Johnathan replies with a more genuine smile, rotating through Celestial, Abyssal, and several elemental languages. "And Suul is much the same as ever," he continues in common, "which is to say, not truly that different than anywhere else, when it comes down to it. Problems caused, problems solved. We were just wrapping up after dismantling some old summoning circles at an academy when... well, this happened."

"In the same vein as others, I have not found myself in possession of any noticeably separate memories or the such. My capacities are within projected levels of one of my generation... a dozen years older. I have been stabilized remarkably well. Regardless of source such a thing is a boon, both personally and to my family-"


He stops flat as Singorn enters, bowing after the Lord takes a seat. "Apologies my Lord, but there was no delay on your part; I arrived somewhat late, mere minutes ago."

(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: April 16, 2013, 10:37:58 AM by Darkone »
#9CC2DA So that I don't need to keep grabbing this code again.

Offline DragoonWraith

  • Lurker
  • *
  • Posts: 46
  • I'm new!
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #36 on: April 16, 2013, 11:03:55 AM »
(click to show/hide)

As the music stops, Liltar returns to warily eyeing the guests, though she acknowledges Lord Kensington's use of Sylvan with a curt nod. She sneers some at Johnathan's use of any elemental languages.

But when Singorn enters the room, all her attention is centered on him, and she crouches some, apparently ready to engage fight-or-flight as necessary.
Legend contributing author

Currently playing Heroes Reborn – Team M.A.I.N.G.A.U.C.H.E.

Some homebrew, more homebrew

Offline FireInTheSky

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3870
  • "Insight is the sudden cessation of stupidity."
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #37 on: April 16, 2013, 12:04:12 PM »
Splendidly, your majesty  Lord K. makes a very deep bow to Singorn.  We were just discussing... not so much your gifts themselves, but more the different ways they have manifested themselves.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2013, 12:43:43 AM by FireInTheSky »

Offline linklord231

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3346
  • The dice are trying to kill me
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #38 on: April 16, 2013, 02:44:40 PM »
As soon as Bruce notices Singorn enter the room, he immediately stops what he's doing and drops to his knees in a gesture of supplication before the God-King.

(click to show/hide)
(click to show/hide)
I'm not arguing, I'm explaining why I'm right.

Offline Harald

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 595
  • wielding a 30 Tons Tank as an improvised flail.
    • View Profile
Re: Chapter 1: Expedition
« Reply #39 on: April 16, 2013, 02:50:04 PM »
(click to show/hide)

The Centurion nodded poltitly toward CaraVela.
"I am glad this little impromptu pleased you Milady."he whispered, with his deep roughened voice, tough like it was carrying gravel with each syllabe and polished with sandpaper. It was significant that his mere whisper can be audible through the whole room.
He stood up automatically to attention when the God-King entered.
"Your Majesty. Fine and dandy, your Majesty. Music helps a lot for that. He saluted, thumping his right fist on his chest, snapping his heels.
"-Lady-Captain, we detect 20 hostile vessels against us,  and Erasmus Haarlock's Spear of Destiny ! What are your orders ?
-RAMMING SPEED !

final result : 6 slaughts vessels, 4 imperial frigates, 2 imperial cruisers destroyed. Haarlock sent into the warp. 0 losses. Flawless Victory.