His goal of restoring and returning some of their heritage had appeared, on the outside, as some half-thought pipe dream. There was little belief he would achieve anything of note given the ransacking of their various temples, tombs and abandoned, lost cities. Of course, it was to be difficult, likely often ending with little to show for his efforts, but Rut’theran wanted to try. He had the will and the experience of wandering Thedas on his own, or in small company, but he had the wisdom to know that far more of the tombs and artefacts of his people lay in the hands of those most wealthy or powerful. Caves and ruins were his comfort, books and a fireplace even more divine, but amongst a crowd of stuffed peacocks was the worst company for the unsociable elf.
This small band of adventurers, however, at least knew how to move about the Ferelden wilds without drawing too much unnecessary attention. They’d found the cave with relative ease, setting up camp just outside the entrance. Ruth had made little small talk in the journey, a relative tag along who cared not to draw much attention to himself unless pressed, or when pressing against one of the scouts' asses. The red head was cute, chatty as hell, but Ruth could tune her out enough to get his wiles out.
With most studying the cavern's entrance, the elf had taken a short walk down the cliff side, observing the carvings and artwork of his people in an effort to find some clues. There was a tomb here, he could smell it.
Rut'theran was a curious sort. She and he held similar desires in some ways - restoring the ancient artefacts of the Elvhen, seeking that which had been lost to time and myth and returning it to the world anew. His methods were a bit different than her own, but hers had been honed over millennia and he had not yet had that chance.
When she learned in passing where he was headed, her curiosity was peaked. There were few things that would interest him in the general area and so it had been easy to narrow down where he would end up. The others he was traveling with would not understand the nature of what they were so close to, and neither would the wealthy patrons that were simply looking to place exotic items on a shelf as a conversation piece at their next soiree. This tomb and the relics therein deserved more than that.
She stayed away until there was an opportunity to catch him alone. He was smart to examine further before attempting to enter. She approached, footsteps soft in the green-covered earth beneath them. [color=#9a00b2]"Do you often work with those who do not understand the importance of what you seek? I think it beneath you, Rut’theran."[/color]
If he lived a millennia, it would be a small miracle. It was more likely Ruth would find himself stuck with something pointy and sharp, or fall from a steep high cliff. Perhaps pushed, who could firmly say? Life would have some way of upending itself and gleaming the future was not one of his talents, something he really entertained. The past was far more comforting, familiar and unchanging. The dead couldn’t complain, and usually he could work in relative peace.
Which was now broken by a familiar voice.
His hand paused tracing the outline of an ancient carving, ears first twitching at the tips before his head turned slowly. Finding the ancient, his brow softened, though it still held the mild suspicion he always cast. “Better than them gutting me in my sleep once I’ve found it. Books don’t garner much notice to these folks in terms of treasure, though. Fools treasure trinkets, whereas the wise, value papyrus.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Ruth’s hands would find the depths of his pockets, “Reckon I could do a lot beneath you, is that why you followed me?” Doubtful, but it would be fun to ruffle her feathers a bit, if just for the sheer amusement of it.
A slight small crossed her face. That was Ruth, wisdom coming from his lips one moment and innuendo the next. To be fair, she had opened herself up to that one and so she couldn't take offense. [color=#9a00b2]"You wish."[/color] The words were mildly spoken, but a hint of amusement glimmered beneath.
[color=#9a00b2]"No, I have something of a personal interest in this place. If you have found what I think you have..."[/color] She stepped closer to the carving he'd been examining and extended a hand. It hovered a hair's breath above the stone, never quite touching it. Veilfire erupted as her fingertips danced through the air, runes coming to life around the markings he'd found. This was indeed what she'd thought it was.
She stepped back, settling beside Ruth. [color=#9a00b2]"This tomb belongs to one of the keepers of Sil’tarem." [/color] And a friend who had never had the opportunity to attempt entering uthenera, but that part she kept to herself for now. Still, there was a hint of familiarity, and sorrow, in her tone if Ruth cared to pick up on it. [color=#9a00b2]"It's not something that I would entrust to anyone who does not have the proper respect for what lays within - even the trinkets."[/color]
[color=#9a00b2]"Would you like me to convince the others to leave or shall I?"[/color] The question was not about whether or not the others would be made to go, that was a certainty in her mind, it was merely a question of methods. She could will them away easily enough, but perhaps Ruth had other ideas.
She had given him the opportunity, his returning smirk turning filthy as he detected the slight in hers. It was to be expected of him. His mouth was troublesome, but it equally helped him out of it too. A mixed blessing, though his tendency for trouble was never undaunted. “I do,” he retorted. “All you have to say is: Yes, Ruth, I’ll gladly ride you into Uthenera, and I’ll get to around to it,” he’d chuckle, body swaying with the playful teasing yet his head would shake. “Unfortunately for us both, I’m engaged today.”
Though fate, or trickery, had their goal be the same end. Ruth would listen as she drew closer to the ruin, observing her actions meticulously. These ancient elves, all those years of sleep and still, hardly anything was known about half of them, or what they got up to. Enough to make one slightly paranoid he was being singled out for a reason. “Old boyfriend?” he’d snicker mockingly. But no, far from it.
Maintaining his poker face, Ruth appeared unperturbed. “You don’t say. Not that I didn’t already know that, but you were around in those days. You would know better.” Perfect for when he had questions, though it took a little steam out of his sails at the lack of challenge. Glancing over, he also gleaned she was keeping herself from saying anything more of value, at least until it was necessary. Secrets. Fine. But it wouldn’t perturb his questioning. “I’d not have a grave at all. Puts the matter of anyone prodding around my bones to rest.”
Turning his body back towards the rest of his group, Ruth pursed his lips in thought. It was slow, slight to begin with, but as the cogs turned in his mind a clear deviance was obvious. “... Do you fancy having a little fun? How does spooking them off sound? An old elvhen haunting so to speak?”
An old elvhen haunting? Given her position, she felt she ought to be dismissing the idea outright as ridiculous and unnecessary. Yet, it had appeal. It catered to a part of her that had been lost for some time, back when she was a creature who followed her whims unconcerned of the consequence. Mischievous youngster that she was before the Evanuris stole that away.
And so the little smile turned impish and her eyes glittered. It would just be a little fun, and would probably have the side benefit of keeping outsiders away from this spot. A completely harmless win-win. [color=#9a00b2]"Alright, Rut’theran, what did you have in mind?"[/color]
“Really?” Brows rose in surprise as she entertained the idea. “I mean... Of course! Of course, you’d agree. All that time asleep, the lack of entertainment and stimulation must’ve been… frustrating.” Snickering, he’d mull over the options, weighing the possibilities their environment provided.
“A few ideas come to mind, though we want to do this speedily, yes?” The sooner the others left, the quicker they could actually set about their own agendas. There were a few inscriptions he wanted to copy, a tome or two he also hoped might be among the artefacts. “Perhaps a straight up spectral is enough? I’m not a bad hand at selling myself if you can provide the spectral antics?”
And because he was Ruth and nothing could be wholly innocent. “Provide all the sound effects and such, I’m sure you have a moan or two good enough for this? A private preview, if you will.”
The sigh at his continued innuendos was not audible, but was instead written all over her expression. Perhaps she should not have been so indulgent, but it was still a viable solution to their issue.
When he actually got to the point, she found herself agreeing. It was well within her abilities and should make quick work of the other. With luck they'd spread rumors of the haunting and the tomb would be left alone. [color=#9a00b2]"That will be simple enough, yes," [/color]she assented.
Oh again with the innuendo. Much as she respected his desire to reclaim their lost history she could do without the constant entendres. [color=#9a00b2]"Not all spirits moan, if you will,"[/color] she said aloofly. [color=#9a00b2]"And this one will not unless you choose to inflict it on them."[/color]
With a few mnemonic gestures she pulled together what she considered a simple, but effective illusion. Anyone who looked upon Ruth would see only a glowing humanoid form, not quite elf, not quite human, but something more menacingly ethereal. A foot or two around him would seem to warp, twisting their surroundings in impossible ways. Eerie sounds would become louder the closer anyone got to him - howls, clicks, screeches, otherworldly noises that would make hair stand on end. Once he got closer to the party she would ensure they all felt a creeping sense of dread to complete the effect.
[color=#9a00b2]"That should do,"[/color] she said, satisfied with the work she'd done. She gestured for him to approach the party at his leisure. [color=#9a00b2]"After you."[/color]
The sounds of disappointment weren’t always required, merely the look alone. It didn’t perturb him any, it only encouraged him more, causing him to chuckle, amused that his antics garnered such frustrations. Ever the rascal, it was something that would never wholly change. Still, it didn’t take much encouragement for his excitement to grow. Ruth’s hands rubbed together gleefully. “Most excellent.”
Her aloof comment, though, hadn’t gone beyond his notice and while mildly curious, he was in full hellion mode now she had deemed his idea worthwhile. “Fiiiiiine. I’ll make all the noises for you. Just this once. If you find yourself impressed, though, there are other ways to attain them.” He'd flash her a wink before nodding.
Ruth shuddered slightly. The essence of her magic settling over him wasn’t unpleasant, just the natural reaction of one who was equally sensitive to the weave. Rolling his shoulders, his eyes cast over in the group's direction, a shit-eating grin bursting out across his features. “Oh I’m going to enjoy this.” Giving Solana a brief bow of his head, Ruth stalked back through the undergrowth towards the rest of his unknowing party. He’d creep his way around, edging toward them with the purpose of scaring them off in one fell swoop as he came through the hedge line.
The illusion rolled off him, the uneasy foreboding feeling emanating around the group before they saw the disguised elf. With what seemed like natural talent, Ruth’s haunting moan projected across the small clearing, the illusion causing his eyes to glow almost unearthly. “Leeeeeeave!” he’d cry, groan dramatically, arms raising themselves into the air to appear larger, more imposing to the horrified onlookers who were now scrambling to collect themselves. Some tripped, fell, scraped themselves along the uneven ground to flee. Cried and screams echoed in the elf’s wake, soon dying down to mere background noise as the group fled the scene, the tomb abandoned for their lives.
Ruth lost it. Unable to maintain the facade, he bent forward with a fit of laughter. Hands braced themselves on his knees for a time. The panicked, terrified faces of these idiots was going to tickle him for some time.
The illusion worked even better than she expected. His former companions had abandoned the place with such haste that they'd left much behind. At least she could be assured that they wouldn't return. There was perhaps a twinge of guilt that she'd contributed to causing such fear, but she told herself that any harm would be temporary and protecting this place was worth it.
Ruth's reaction was unsurprising, and indeed well earned. He'd played his part well. She fully recognized the humor of it all, but her reaction was much more subdued than his own. A smile, an amused sound of agreement, but no laughter. She'd thought she would enjoy it as he did, but somehow seeing the others scramble away in genuine fear left any enjoyment she could take from it rather hollow.
[color=#9a00b2]"Well done. I don't think they'll be back any time soon."[/color] She let that stand for a moment, before changing the topic to the reason she'd come. [color=#9a00b2]"Shall we start our explorations?"[/color]
The endorphins coursing through him mixed in with the short adrenaline rush with the chase was the much needed pick-me-up Ruth had needed. His ego was only firmly boosted with the ancients shared enjoyment, though pitiful as it was. The healer-come-tomb raider let out a small sigh. “So serious Lana. May I call you Lana? We did just commit mischief together?”
Drawing up alongside her, his smirk grew devilish. “I’d certainly take my time with you, yes. But alas,” arm gestured for her to take the lead, “Ladies first. The dusty bones and whatever secrets you’re looking for, await.” Retreating a step or two he’d chuckle knowingly. They each had something in mind and while he’d keep his to himself, there was a need and curiosity to what her secrets might be.
Solana shook her head, though not precisely disapprovingly. If anything there was a mild air of fond exasperation. [color=#9a00b2]"You may not, and yes we did. It just... was not like I remember."[/color] And with that she was done on the topic.
She did not argue about taking the lead, instead letting confident steps lead her to the entrance of the tomb. Dusty, worn, and for those who did not know what they were looking for nearly impenetrable. But for her, and possibly those like Ruth who knew these places well, there was little mystery behind finding the way in. A burst of magic coated the stone, runes in her old language lighting up with veilfire. She reached out to touch three of them gently and waited while the ancient mechanisms behind the door creaked to life.
It took a moment, but an entrance into the dark was revealed. She summoned a small spirit whisp for the dual purpose of enhancing her ability to draw on the magic around them and for an easy source of light that would leave her hands free. The air felt old, stale, and it was clear it had been a very long time since anyone had set foot inside this place. That thought was comforting, somehow.
The stairs down were not terribly steep, and led them into an antechamber that was a bit more ornate. She released another gust of magic into the room, once more lighting up once invisible writing, runes and drawings on the floor, walls, and ceilings. This would take a moment longer to decipher. [color=#9a00b2]"I would expect that we need to complete a ritual before being allowed to move further in,"[/color] she said to her companion.
He pouted, but soon enough the corners turned back upwards. Her face was worth the small rejection of a pet name. It still wouldn’t deter him, he’d merely save it for occasions when it would prove most effective. He could wait. “Pity, but I guess you like yours. Rut’theran is a mouthful.”
Each one he came across was slightly different. No tomb was the exact same, nor their decoration and method of decoding their mysteries. There were clues, hints left behind, but no manual for them to work from. The only thread that ran between them was the ancient elvhen script, yet even that required figuring out the cipher. The first ruin he ever climbed into had nearly killed him, but the puzzle had him return day after day until its key revealed itself. He had thought his father would deem the task a worthy one, but only a backhand to the jaw and a vicious verbal assault for defiling the place with his weakness had been the reward.
It did not dissuade his curiosity of the next ruin their clan pitched near to. Some he lacked the skill to unlock, his knowledge limited but in time he’d return and go off in search for others. This one… this was far more interesting than most.
Behind Solana he’d enter the antechamber, eyes trailing the curious writings now visible. Craning his head this way and that, he’d admire and attempt to figure out the murals, the ornate designs illuminating the space. There was a story being told, though he was unsure as to what it was about. It was jumbled, out of sequence that it read as mindless drivel.
“It’s some sort of instruction, or fable? I’m unfamiliar with this one.” None of the figures or names looked familiar, not an Evanaris or notable servant but someone worthy of their story displayed. “But it feels.. jumbled, out of sequence.” eyes narrowed critically, fingertips running along the nearest mural. “This….moves? Yes. But.. Do you recognize this story?”
A thoughtful noise escaped her as she looked over the illustrations. Ruth was right, this was all out of order, and it was not about the Evanuris. Nor anyone who had become well known among her people, but it was familiar somehow. [color=#9a00b2]"I know this place should hold someone from Sil'tarem - they valued knowledge, legacy, heritage. It's not about a person,"[/color] she agreed.
She walked carefully around the murals, looking for anything that might repeat throughout them. Finally, her eyes settled on a particular glyph that appeared in each, though in different sizes and repeated in an irregular way. [color=#9a00b2]"I think this is about Ghil-Dirthalen. A spirit of knowledge that connected the great libraries, allowing someone who was at one full access to everything in all of them. We didn't need multiple copies of records for if Ghil-Dirthalen had one then we all had it."[/color] They had been sundered when the Veil went up, split into pieces scattered across the world with no way to communicate with itself any longer. Yet another tragedy of the time.
[color=#9a00b2]"So I think this is about them offering themself for that purpose. To help us stay connected, effortlessly search the collective knowledge of our people no matter where it might be. And how they stretched themselves from one single spirit to a a collective of connected spirits across Thedas to accomplish that."[/color] It was a remarkable story, and Ghil-Dirthalen had been a remarkable spirit. Did any of their essence still remain tied to the remnants of the of libraries? She wondered, but had not ever had the heart to find out since awakening.
“Ghil-Dirthalen, the Archivist?” Ruth let out a whistle. “Well that’s not strictly nobody is it?” He remembered from his time with the Inquisitors’ report, back when they had only guessed at the identity of Solas. The largest library in all creation and it was sundered, fractured beyond repair and with it, the knowledge scattered. If this place depicted such a spirit then what pieces of their history did they hold?
“I can’t say the idea of splitting oneself is an enticing prospect, useful no doubt, but I’m quite sure the world would perish if there were multiple of me.” It was an errant thought, but Ruth’s consumption of the written word was insatiable, had he not an affinity for the healing arts he’d have happily remained within the walls of such libraries. Alas, his skills remained better at prolonging life than leading such a monotonous existence. Librarian’s didn’t get laid nearly as often.
Following her search through the murals again, Ruth noted the glyphs, his brow suddenly furrowing. “Again. Wrong order.” Without much thought, he brushed his index finger across the third, injecting a little magic to activate it, “which is the first?” asked idly as he looked for it himself and then shuffled over to where it was. Ruth touched the glyph there, weaving back and forth across the room until each had been lit in the order of the spirits ascension.
Stone against stone rumbled from down a set of stairs, the cold echo of a passage reverberated throughout, Ruth’s chuckled sounding out at its end. “Guess we found a secret.”
