Wisp5
Tenebrae - Monday, February 15, 2016, 2:34 AM
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A13: Northern Gates *>-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The northern gate of Alexandria stands grandly here, the city's northern portal to the outside world. Tall and rugged, crafted from works of the arcane that must have taken generations to achieve, the city wall around it glows with manalights and is augmented, outfitted with the latest defenses. Airships fly overhead, and towers oversee the pace of traffic into and out of the Lord's City while the statue of the Burning Phoenix overlooks it all.
The northern gates stand larger than any man. Visitors passing beneath them will pass by a pair of guard houses, as well as towers on either side. The gates open wide for caravans, who arrive from many countries, from nearby farmlands. To the west is the river and to the east the rising mountains of the Redridge, from which the city emerges from like an artful, yet bizarre outcropping.
Around the gates are a number of inns and taverns, ready to serve visitors to the Lord's City. These businesses show the eclectic mix that is Alexandria, with its mix of flavors, colors, and spices. Beyond them lies the upper Gardens District.
Krom mopes. Sitting on a slightly broken rain barrel, the northman watches a late caravan make it's way though the guard's inspection, the exotic wares comming to the open for display, if only for a few moments. But the warrior isn't into it, watching with a detached disinterest.
Autumn is carefully walking through the snow, a beacon of light as a small point of light circles above the black robed figure. Her face is cast in shadow and hands are hidden under the long sleeves of the robe, to keep warm. Oddly enough, the snow doesn't seem to be sticking to the figure, just swirling past.
Krom is mostly out of the snow, but a little weather doesn't bother the northman. The little point of light, however, catches his interest, mosreso than the person it circles. He mutters something, watching.
Autumn makes their way over towards Krom and offers a small bow, then asks curiously "Good evening, have you see a caravan arrive with a Griffon glyph on their carts? It's a Griffon in a green circle."
Krom watches the circeling magelight a few moments before blinking hard, turning his attention to Autumn. "Green circle? Griffon? No, Krom has not seen that, though was not looking. Remember wagon with griffon in red square, if helps?"
Autumn shakes her head "No, they probably got delayed by the snow. I was expecting a package they are delivering for me. It will help my research. You can understand my impatience. When you are working towards a goal and are unavoidably detained."
Iadoth has connected.
Krom shrugs. "Stab harder. Go -through- armor." Barbarian problem solving. Krom sighs, and shrugs. "Krom more trouble knowing if progress is made at all. Big ideas, big plans, long effort, hard to know if progress made, or just playing in snow." He shrugs, and peers at the magelight again. "What research are you trying?"
Autumn shrugs "There have been many creatures from the Outer Planes, so I am trying to determine if there is a way of detecting their influence without using magic. If I can find a way to determine when someone has been controlled or influenced by these beings that even the most mundane individual can perform, their plans may be disrupted."
Krom considers. "You mean aside from the red eyes and manical laughter, right?
From the north, a female sil approaches on a grey horse, whose rough saddlebags appear stuffed to the brim, even from this distance. As she nears, Krom will recognise her as Iadoth, the huntress he encountered in the light woods the previous week. As she nears, she gives a wave to the northerner, engaged in conversation with the short human woman.
Autumn says softly "Sometimes they lurk in the shadows, setting up things for a much longer game. They don't always just run around attacking people. It would keep people safe if we could identify those extraplanar invaders more easily."
Krom sighs, and nods. "Krom did not think would be so easy. Maybe little bits of holy water? Burns demons, yes?" Glancing to the approaching rider, Krom raises a hand in greeting, and smiles. "Krom welcomes you! What bring huntress lady to city?"
Iadoth shakes her head. "I am not of entering city, Master Mestnorr." She dismounts her horse gracefully, pulling her cloak tightly around herself to keep out the cold. "There is with dangerousness in large city Alexandria; threat of demons and devils and maybe perhaps possessioners. I am of protecting myself, and wolf pup; not to enter."
Autumn is standing in a pool of light cast from a point that slowly orbits over her head like a halo, illuminating the snow around her and casting long shadows of everything around her. She is completely covered by her robes, with the hood up and hands clasped under long sleeves. She says to Krom "That is what I am trying to research, if there are easier ways that anyone can perform without needing holy water or magic."
Krom shrugs to Iadoth. "Are monsters in woods. Danger is everywhere. Pick the danger you like. Litte cub, eat solid meat now, or teeth still small?" Frowning slightly, he glances at Autumn. "Magic -is- easy. 'Easy as magic.' Even easier is too easy, would already be done."
Iadoth walks to the saddlebags on her horse, and opens the left-flank one, which seems to contain all manner of animal skins in an overflowing burlap sack. The huntress retrieves a couple, placing them on the saddle, before revealing a wolf pup, much larger than the last time Krom saw him. Gingerly she picks him up, stroking his head as he stirs. She walks back over. "I chew meat for him, firstly, then give to for his eating-time. He is of learning rapidly, quick-time. His sisterling, she is hunting rabbits, hares, ground-birds in Mictlan. Soon he will too." Iadoth turns to Autumn, bowing slightly. "Good day, Mistress-of-the-Arcane."
Autumn offers a small bow to Iadoth "Good evening to you." She turns back towards Krom "Yes, but not everyone has the ability to cast spells. This may be a waste of time, but if I succeed think of the number of people that will be saved."
Krom eyes Autumn as one might at particularly slow witted child. "Everyone can use magics. Is what potions are for." Okay, so maybe is more like being eyed BY a slow child. Nodding to Iadoth, he offers a finger to the little pup, to gnaw or be petted by, as it allows. "Krom is not sure aging, odd time of birth throw off pace." he sighs, frowning mildly. "Littel Wisp is gone."
Autumn says carefully "Potions are expensive, not everyone can make them. Giving everyone a potion just to test a theory would soon cost more than any country could afford."
Iadoth nods, her eyes widening at the mention of the little wispy thing that had filled her with such wonder. The pup, fast asleep, nonetheless senses the warm finger, and gingerly licks it. Its tongue retracts on tasting the skin; clearly it has been instructed not to bite humanoids. "Magic is not of trustworthy, not of reliant, Master Mestnorr. Guard of city, she has not knowledge of magic. Has not trust of lotions, potions, ointments. Give method that she can look at merchant come through north gate, say: he is possessed, he is good-standing-steady." She nods, although her words are confused.
Krom pets the cub gently. Only real monsters don't like cute puppies. Nodding, he shrugs. "Potions gold not disappear in puff. Pay for supplies, pay for labor, fuel economy. Country can afford more than might think. But still, not enough. *sigh* But, if was easy, other would have already done it."
Gelert shrugs away from the petting hand, snuggling into towards Iadoth's cloak. She smiles slightly, her attention shifting from the conversation for a moment. She raises her head again. "I am of wonder, Mistress, if /creatures/ might be under-teached how tell masters, that man, he is demon-controlled? In Vast, foxes-bears-wolves are shy from aberrant places. Maybe, perhaps, this behaviour can be watched too."
Autumn sighs softly and shakes her head "There is a finite amount of resources and it would take up more of those resources than there are to give everyone enough magic in the form of potions and enchanted items. That is why I am looking for alternate methods."
Krom frowns thoughtfully, nodding to Iadoth. "Cats. Cats see things, beyond humans eyes. Cats know demons." Like recognizes like.
Iadoth gives her own thoughtful frown to the northman, and nods to the bald woman. "Even large city does not of expend every copper coin to protect self, cannot. Like little tribe, like large city, like wolf-mother --- all want answer that gives balance of effort, precisionitude.
Autumn explains "Either way, it is a fascinating study of the materials." She continues to stand there and perhaps someone might notice that the snow doesn't seem to be touching her or settling on her black robes.
Krom has a thin layer of snow, but doesn't seem to mind. "What thing were you awating to try and further this study?"
Iadoth shifts on her feet, shaking a little as a dog might to dislodge the settling snow. She cocks her head to one side, interested in the outcome of Krom's question.
Autumn says "Books. Nothing really amazing. Just previous research and journals of people that I hope will shed light on my research."
Krom nods. "Books are good. Can learn much from them." A barbaric reader. Who'd have thunk it?