A rather important shipment has been hijacked. I am looking for a few good fighters. Warriors, rogues and mages all welcome! I require assistance in investigating the scene of the crime and figuring out where the bandits took the shipment, and hopefully getting it back either through negotiation or force. Anyone willing to help me please meet me at the Crossroads, a mile outside of Arlathan tomorrow morning. Thank you!
Zoltan Chivay
Dwarven Ambassador
It’s still a bit cool, the morning sun still in the process of fully rising into the sky. The site at the Crossroads is strewn with debris from where the shipment was hijacked, most of which has been dragged off the road itself. One empty cart still intact, and another cart that’s fallen onto its side and has broken wheels.
Diplomat/Ambassador representing the Dwarves and Tantervale
Played by: bach
Zoltan hated early mornings, but he felt it was a necessary evil in order to get the best possible start on finding his shipment. They wanted as much daylight as possible, since the idea of facing dangers in darkness did not settle as well with him.
He wasn’t really a fighter himself, sure he could kick and punch if he had to. Might even get the correct end of the pointy dagger into the correct end of a bandit, but also didn’t want to ask of others what he himself was not willing to do. No, if he was going to expect others to risk their lives for his shipment, than he would also be there.
The walk to the spot where the merchant had said they’d been attacked was uneventful. He was tired and yawning a lot, but a determined look on his face. He wasn’t sure who would show up, but he felt confident people would. It was hard times in Arlathan between the fires from months ago and all the other shit going on, they couldn’t really afford to lose a shipment.
Arriving he poked around a bit in the debris, nothing of value seemed to have been left behind, though he didn’t look thoroughly. It was more a general glance at things. Then he decided to lean up against the fallen cart as he waited for others to arrive. He had a single dagger strapped to his belt, he might not be adept with using it, but in these times he felt it was prudent to take the precaution, even if he wasn’t a fighter.
It had been a few months since his last proper visit to Arlathan.
Much had changed since he had stepped foot upon the grounds of the city for more than an hour, both for better and for worse, in truth he had learnt a lot more and in turn that only complicated matters further. Not just for him, but for June as well. For all those dwelling within the souls of others, for the shards of the Evanuris yet to be found, and most importantly for the sheer fact that Elgar'nan roamed the lands of Thedas once more. A threat that had to be dealt with no matter the cost. He could not, wouldnot allow a repeat of the past, of the chaos of war and bloodshed to overtake everything else. But to stop such a being meant he could not settle for what had happened before, he would not allow Feredir to place the entire burden upon himself once again, and that meant he needed to be stronger. To reacquaint himself with magic he had shown little interest in as a much younger man, whatever advantage he could gain, whatever knowledge he could gain - he would take it. But like everything in this new world, progress would be slow.
It was purpose and determination that drove him now.
After he had decided upon such action, plenty of time had been spent discussing matters with June. That man was just as dangerous to the other Evanuris as he was to every other being that did not bend to his will. So they talked, and in truth he did not think the inventor was the one responsible for the death of Mythal, and in turn came to a new agreement. He would help June regain a body of his own in due time. Yet in the meantime, June still naturally pestered him about seeing his dear vhenan again, and he could not truly begrudge such love. So back to Arlathan he went, it was only meant to be a relatively short visit, yet instead not only did he find himself questioned about things both magical and mechanical - and found he understood far less then he'd like to - but persuaded into helping with a matter that really wasn't any of his business.
Crafty woman had twisted his arm, played to his sympathies to get him to agree. Still it would be a chance to see the capabilities of those who roamed these lands and thought themselves powerful enough to steal and harm others. An opportunity to observe and learn, and to ask questions of Megara and Sylaise both while they traveled. The early rising time was not something Revas particularly enjoyed, woken before he was ready but that was when those wishing to help had been asked to meet, and so he would go. A yawn dragged from his mouth as he dressed for the day, simple supplies, light armor and a thicker cloak to combat against the cooler air of the morning. Breakfast helpfully taken from one of the markets as they opened for the day, warm, soft and filling, it would do before he met with Megara. Though he was not tugged along as such, he let her do much of the talking, tying back strands of hair that fell down his back as they walked.
[color=#008e02]"You cannot just hand me blueprints or ask very specific questions and expect me, or him to know the answer immediately. Things that are as complex as what you are describing take time Megara. Neither of us can be the miracle worker you seek, ir abelas."[/color]
Was all he answered to the questions he had been assaulted with for the past few minutes as they left Arlathan, he did not blame her for wanting to know, but June had already told him he could not remember working on such things. Just a fragment of his memory was not enough, and while the elvhen warrior himself understood some of the magical aspects, for the rest of it? He was lost. Regardless he had tried to break such news to her gently, even tucking what had been handed over to him into his satchel as they kept going. Eventually, he came across a child of the stone and the descriptions certainly seemed to line up with what they were coming out here for. Clearing his throat to get the attention of the man here, he spoke up.
[color=#008e02]"Zoltan, yes? I do believe you asked for some assistance in regards to this missing shipment of yours. Have you fully looked over what has been left behind?"[/color]
Calm, professional, a sharp and critical hazel gaze already slipping past the other to glance at the debris still here. If nothing else, he could try to make sure this was sorted out relatively efficiently, and that meant wasting no time in starting to look around.
In less than a month Megara’s thoughts towards the future had begun shifting. Meeting Revas, and in turn June, had been a surprise, but a welcomed one. Nairn’s survival of Kirkwall and condition had almost consumed her attention if not for Sylaises’ reminders of their responsibilities. Both host and soul were conflicted. Their loves returned, but neither completely whole. Meg had noted every detail of Nairn’s heart, gathering the blueprints from the engineers maintaining him for the next time the pair returned to Arlathan.
[color=#008e02]“I’m sorry, alright!” [/color]Her excitement could get the better of her, hope was infectious like that. [color=#008e02]“Just, his life is at stake. This.. this contraption isn’t going to continue to sustain him. If there’s anything June remembers, or can do… take your time. I understand, better than most.” [/color]
Soon they’d arrive at their meeting place, she’d wave at the dwarf leaning, eyes drifting over the site with a deepening frown. The supplies were valuable, but essential to maintaining a steady line of support for those affected by recent events.[color=#008e02] “Megara,”[/color] she’d introduce herself, easily offering her hand in greeting. [color=#008e02]“Not a fighter, but a healer. Revas,”[/color] thumb gestured to the taller elf beside her. [color=#008e02]“He’s the muscle. Where do you want us to start?”[/color]
Diplomat/Ambassador representing the Dwarves and Tantervale
Played by: bach
Zoltan smiled at the newcomers, he addressed Megara first, in order to get the pleasantries out of the way. He definitely recognised Meg’s name, though he couldn’t entirely be sure it was the Meg he was thinking of, and Revas was a new name all together. He smiled as warmly as he was able in his current mood, standing in the scattered remains of the shipment that had been hijacked.
Ah, are you the Meg that helps greet new people and refugees? I believe I’ve heard your name but had not had the pleasure of putting a face to the name before now. He turned to Revas and greeted him warmly as well, and then got back to the topic at hand.
I’ve looked through a bit of it, but I only just arrived a few minutes before you, so I haven’t had time to look long. It does appear some of the debris left behind moves off towards the forest path over that way. He pointed towards the woods to his left. The path looked to be fairly new, there were fresh cuts to the undergrowth and foliage and while the cuts were fresh looking, the ground itself didn’t look as trampled as an old path might.
No matter what he did, or could not do, he would never blame or try to cut down the hope he could see in Megara's gaze as he let her talk about it all. There was enough turmoil in this world already, he would not begrudge her taking what positivity and happiness she could find in these times before Thedas was swept away by war and chaos. The edges of his mouth turned upwards, even as he shook his head at her apology. [color=#008e02]"You need not apologize to me Megara, it is not wrong for you to hope for a solution to help someone you love. I am not the inventor June is, but I have spent thousands of years dealing with complex magical theories, if there is anything he or I can do - I shall inform you as soon as it happens."[/color] He would not promise a fix here and now, that was simply not viable with how things were at the moment. But if he could offer some help, something that even June may miss in due time, then he would.
Still as they approached the meeting point, his thoughts turned away from such troubles and onto the problem before them. Frankly, it looked a complete mess, not that such damage was all that surprising. Those that wanted whatever was contained within these carts had clearly not cared much for subtly, or for anything else that wasn't what they were aiming for. Though he kept quiet as the child of stone greeted Meg, and seemed at least somewhat familiar with her, the same could not be said for him. As was to be expected. Revas did not make a habit of telling others who he was, or being all that open about himself to strangers either. [color=#008e02]"You're welcome, though you should be thanking Megara, she was rather convincing."[/color] Or rather, she had pestered again and again until he had relented. But he wouldn't mention that to anyone else.
While she named him as such, Revas was not sure a descriptor entirely applied to him. But he supposed it was a lot better then telling everyone he was an ancient elvhen right from the start. So it was with a quiet sigh that he accepted such a term and turned his attention to what little remained. [color=#008e02]"They've not been gone long then,"[/color] A reasonable assumption to make, even as he stepped away from the one who had brought him here to look over the debris. The path pointed out seemed newer and with it came a chance, if they had rushed off only recently, they were in a hurry. Perhaps if luck were with them, these fools had left something behind in their haste to flee. Only one way to find out.
Her expression became relaxed, thoughtful. The two of them had lost so much time already. [color=#008e02]“I’m grateful. I am. I also know that you all understand my feelings.”[/color] She had tried to move on, to open her heart again, but Meg’s love for Nairn refused to diminish. [color=#008e02]“He is my mate, even if we’ve never said the words or bound our hands with rope in the shadow of a Hearth Tree.”[/color] If he died again, for certain this time, Meg was not sure if she could mourn him twice.
Meeting Zoltan though, had her cheeks blushing a little, embarrassed that someone in the leadership would know of her. [color=#008e02]“Ah.. yeah.. Yeah. That’s me,”[/color] she’d sheepishly grin.[color=#008e02] “I do what I can.”[/color] Her companion bristled, pressing against her mind, lightly scolding her for belittling herself and skills, yet it was a position Meg was still coming to terms with. The sigh from her side, caused her vision to flicker to Revas, snickering a little with his response.
Then it was down to the job. Her back straightened, head giving the dwarf a firm nod,[color=#008e02] “Let’s take a look around then,”[/color] before taking a step towards the debris edges.
The mess left behind might make someone wonder if the bandits had been in a hurry, or looking for something specific and disregarding and tossing out anything they weren’t looking for. The results of the searching is thus:
Megara: Finds nothing deemed useful.
Zoltan: Finds a list with random words near the path headed away from the area but gets dirty in the process.
Revas: Finds a drawing of a clearly female elf, with the mark of Sylaise
Revas and Zoltan find tracks leading from the clues they found, headed on the path that leads away from the area and deeper into the woods.
Diplomat/Ambassador representing the Dwarves and Tantervale
Played by: bach
Once the tracks are noticed, and they clearly follow the path they saw leading into the forest, Zoltan motioned that they should follow it. It wasn’t a very long walk until they came upon an entrance to what appears to be a maze of some sort. The path had been twisty and laden with an eerie mist. Bit odd finding it in the middle of no where, at least that’s what Zoltan thought to himself. The mist continued into the maze. He looked to the others.
Well, what do you guys think? The tracks clearly lead here, but why would bandits want to take the goods they stole into a maze of all things? I mean bit odd, but this is where the tracks lead. If they were willing to enter the maze, then so was he. Anything to get his shipment back, even if it was dangerous. Besides he might not be trained, but if it came down to life or death, he could punch and stab with his little dagger.
There is little he can say to soothe a worried heart such as Megara's, it is not the first time he had witnessed the ache of one desperately trying anything they can think of in order to ensure their loved one survives. In fact, it had been a sight he had become far too familiar with and while a memory stirs, he banishes it as quickly as it starts to form. Such had no place out here when he had agreed to help, he needed to be able to focus beyond the borders of Arlathan. As if he were travelling alone once again, alert and aware of his surroundings in order to give them the best possible chance. As much as he knew the one beside him was a capable healer, he had no idea as to her experience in actual combat. Better to play it safe then sorry.
Such concerns only grow as he sees the other with them, a merchant perhaps, but the child of stone did not look too prepared for any kind of battle. Which meant one thing, it was down to him primarily. How lovely. Had he known he'd be playing guard duty, Revas knew he probably would've worn slightly heavier armor. Alas nothing he could do to change what he'd come out here with now. Light would have to do, and given how little it weighed him down, that could prove very useful if whomever had stolen these shipments decided to run from him.
At first while looking through things, he found very little. Items strewn about carelessly, in a hurry or just scared of being caught by someone, whatever the case they hadn't been subtle about this. Yet he finds something small peeking out, a slip of paper ever so carefully folded up that he removed and steps back to examine properly. The sight of the markings upon this woman's face is a touch startling, he had not seen them in what feel like centuries, a sign of the old ways. When Evanuris marked all those that served them to ensured they were not poached by another like Falon'din or Andruil carelessly. Even as Zoltan gestures that they follow, he keeps to Megara's side a few paces back. A slight frown marring his features, something about this feels familiar but he cannot place it, and given they have the woman herself here - in a sense. He sees no reason not to ask, even if he must do so discreetly due to present company.
[color=#008e02]"It feels familiar, but I do not know her by this alone. Do you recognize her?"[/color]
A question quietly asked in his native tongue, Megara may not pick up on all of the meaning, but he knew the other dwelling within her certainly would and that was what he needed right now. Regardless of the answer he folds the paper back up and tucks it into his pocket as the stop at what appears to be a maze, surrounded by an extremely dense mist. Ominous, as if someone were trying to show off.
[color=#008e02]"Either they went in knowing of a way out, or were so panicked by the thought of being caught they simply ran into it without thought. Regardless of which it may be, there isn't a way around but,"[/color] A sentence half formed as he steps back and begins looking over towards the edges of the maze. Cut off in either direction he'd guess, but with this mist it was hard to see anything so low to the ground and it was this that gave him any idea, and so easily remedied at that as long as he was careful. [color=#008e02]"I have an idea, stay here."[/color] With that said, he carefully drops his satchel beside Megara, it would make this a lot easier and he would not be gone long.
From here the elvhen took a few quick steps back and let his breathing slow, it wasn't a foolproof idea that much was for sure, but it was worth a shot. Magic brimming beneath his whole form as he steps forward then shifting into a running start, all before he leapt into the skies above the maze. Rapidly a hazel gaze seeks out whatever might be shown to him from above, a burst of air shot from before him down towards the maze and the mist alike to blow it aside. Flying might work, were it just him here but he had others to consider, and so he would have to be brief up here.
Moving around the destruction, Megara failed to spot anything that might help narrow the way. Zoltan and Revas seemed to have better luck, and while disappointed she made sure to keep close with the group.
Revas would share his find and at first she found the drawing amusing. The words were at first surprising, yet with her companion she quickly understood the meaning. Shaking her head, Meg could offer him no further clue nor did Sylaise herself. If anything the soul was flattered, yet it may simply be a drawing of someone who wore the brand. It pained the Evanaris that something intended to be worn with pride, had been reduced and degraded those who had borne it.
They’d follow the winding path, coming to some twisted labyrinth of paths shrouded in mist. [color=#008e02]“Well it’s certainly not friendly,”[/color] her lips thinned, but it made sense they’d attempt to hide the goods in a place like this. [color=#008e02]“They might also use this as a cache, believing folks might not risk it.”[/color] With a shrug, Meg glanced between the two, [color=#008e02]“I’m still game.”[/color]
Yet Revas had an idea, eyes shifted to the dumped pack and then to his retreating back.[color=#008e02] “Um, ok,” [/color]was all she’d manage before suddenly Revas was airborne. [color=#008e02]“Ha! That’s clever.”[/color]
Revas’s efforts to part the mist are successful over a fairly large area within the middle of the maze. Though it’s difficult to tell from that high up where the twists and turns lead, some areas are clearly visible. Things Revas sees:
One dead end has a rather large angry looking plant.
A couple of elves that look lost.
A part of the maze that has rune looking things all over the ground.
A black cat making its way through the maze.
One thing he does see for absolutely certain, they should take a left when they enter the maze.
The rush of air around him is a much welcome one. Rarely since waking had the elvhen ever bothered to indulge in his desire for freedom on such a scale. He supposed it was likely why so many children imagined being able to fly at a young age, when he had first discovered how, he hadn't come down until his mana was almost completely exhausted. Even now he felt the slight tug to remain airborne, no matter the troubles that may bring those below, but no matter how convenient it may be for him - that doesn't solve the issue Megara and the dwarf would face entering the maze by themselves. Instead of simply flying above the entire maze, and likely wasting his own energy in the process, Revas' focus is more concentrated. And when he at last does manage to part some of the thick mist for a brief moment, he makes sure such luck does not end in a wasted opportunity.
A sharp gaze darting from left to right over the expanse revealed and what was contained within, a confusing jumble that would become apparent when they actually traveled within he was sure. The strangest of the lot being that of a small onyx cat, seemingly innocent and a regular animal from this distance, but from a place surrounded by such mist, dense and difficult to part even with magic that came so naturally to him? There had to be something else about the whole thing, beyond the shipment being stolen. A potential feline shapeshifter, lost elves or otherwise, Revas gradually lowers himself to the ground and allows his mana to dissipate for the time being, though he doubts it will be kept that way for long. Not even as he retrieves his satchel to shoulder once more, and begins to explain what little he had been able to witness. From the elves, to even the angry looking plant that reminds him a little too much of one of Ghilan'nain's creations, even if he keeps that part to himself.
[color=#008e02]"At the very least, I do know where we shouldn't go when we enter."[/color] It was a start, even if he was mildly tempted to simply burn down the entire maze without treading through it to avoid a hassle. Nevertheless, it was not his want to be done with the situation that won out, but his curiosity that led him and presumably the others forward. Besides, if they found what they needed and ensured no one else was within the maze, then he could re-consider setting the whole thing alight.
Meg’s head tilted back, watching as Revas took to the air. A hand came up to shade her awe-filled gaze, keeping a clear view of her companion while a small side envied the ability. What a thing to do, be one with the birds and beasts of the air and see the world from a new perspective.
[color=#cccccc]You swing upside down on swings... that’s a different perspective. [/color]
[color=#008e02]Not as fun as flying though. [/color]
Once Revas had touched down back to earth, Meg greeted him with her widest grin. [color=#008e02]“That was impressive as heck,”[/color] came out as an excited flood. [color=#008e02]“I know a few folks who can hover a bit, but that was definitely something!” [/color]
The small group listened as he relayed what clues he’d managed to uncover, setting the others at ease. It was an advantage for sure and Megara nodded, confidence in the success of their task growing with the new information. [color=#008e02]“Brilliant. It’s gonna cut down our search quite a bit so that’s an added bonus, lets get going then.”[/color] The less time spent in the foreboding marsh, the better and the gods willing, Megara wouldn’t lose a boot this time around.
Entering the maze, the group would follow Revas’s guidance, taking the left path and following it’s weaving path. Megara covered her nose, grimacing as a waft of swamp gas wafted through the air from somewhere. It would be long until they’d come to a fork in the road and the offered routes were studied carefully.
The fork in the road opens up wide enough for there to be some tress scattered around. Revas triggers a snare/net trap that swoops them up into the air. A wild Zevran appears, mildly injured and has a bandit insignia clasped in his hand. Meg finds a single gold coin on the ground.
While Revas is up in the tree, he can see bandits coming in from the west. They are far enough away that the group can either choose to prepare to fight them, or go a different direction, but it’s clearly obvious that there are bandits patrolling the maze.
