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Half Human - Half Moon Elf
Ray Castien, my character https://talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/660/ray-castien-character-page
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Post by Ray Castien on Sept 1, 2022 15:24:45 GMT -5
Ray was traveling down the mountains from the entrance of Sky Peak village on his way to some distant town along the path laid before him by the Wanderer. The steep cliffs and rocky grey surface of the Dragon's Cradle gave this portion of the walk a bleak aura. Distant storms could be seen raging over the Lightning Fields in the distance, one of which seemed to be moving his direction.
"Seeker, hope crosses our path, you are to be the source. You and...another..." Qil's silent pondering voice no longer shocked Ray as it echoed inside his mind, instead it was reassuring.
He now looked harder at the horizon, waiting expectantly for some traveler in need of healing or directions to cross over a ridge and run to him for assistance. Instead a group of women, all covered in grime and minor injuries wielding simple weapons, crested the ridge with a map in hand while arguing with tense voices. They didn't seem to care about his presence, instead continuing their argument.
"I swear ,Logard told me that was the place. A hundred paces left... I mean right, two hundred forward, fifty to the right, err, left, from the big seam! He even wrote it here!" A woman in what used to be a green dress, now covered in ash, pointed to her map angrily.
"'Err, I mean'! Admit it, you've no idea where the mine is! You couldn't read a sign post, let alone a map!" The second woman, wearing leather garbs with a sword at her waist, mocked the first with furious frustration.
The last woman simply walked behind the others with her fingers stuck in her ears, looking up at the sky with tears in her eyes.
"Excuse me! You lot lost your way?!" Ray hailed them, certain something was amiss.
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Mage's Guild
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Dragon's Cradle
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Post by Cantio von Lumen on Sept 1, 2022 16:22:08 GMT -5
It's the woman in the ashen dress who looks up to Ray first; her hazel eyes watery, fighting back tears of grief and frustration. "We're fine!" she objects, her voice sharp and clearly in distress. The woman with the sword at her waist offers her a frustrated glance, and looks back at Ray; she has barely opened her mouth when the woman in the once-green dress objects again. "We're fine, Evana!" The woman looks at her, frustrated, "We're not fine— you can't even read a simple map! Honestly! What use are you, Aria? Just admit that we're lost!" she snaps back; and that's the last straw between them. The two stop in their tracks on the path, beginning to bark ill-tempered insults at one another in the middle of the road. "Ah..." From the path opposite Ray, traveling up the mountain, a masked Tiefling had approached while the women were bantering; he'd been on his way to Skypeak Village when the argument between the two caught his concerns. He looks at Ray, then at the women. Although the masks hides his expression, his voice still holds a nervous tone of concern. "Uh... is everything okay here—-?" "Yes!" "No!" Both women howl back at his question in the midst of their shouting match and Cantio jumps— he puts up his hands in surrender as the two share a glare, and the one with the sword starts trying to snatch the map from the other. The third— the last woman with her fingers stuck in her ears— looks tearfully at the other two, then looks at the two strangers with a somber, grief-stricken face. She's clearly been crying for a while— ash streaking down her cheeks in tearlines— and eyes still trimmed wet with unshed tears.
While the other two women fight she steps forward at last, her dress dragging in the ash; she reaches out, clutching Ray's sleeve in desperation. Thunder rumbles in the distance from the storms when she touches him. "Please, we need to find the Dragon's Tooth Mine..." she begs, her voice soft and trembling. "Can you help us get there? Please— we have a map, we just... we can't find it."
"You... can't find it?" Cantio asks, gently; he hesitantly rests a hand on the woman's ashen shoulder in silent support. She shakes her head slowly, a few tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.
"We went there... but we can't find it. We think..." she suddenly chokes on a sob, and covers her mouth with her hands. Embarrassed, she looks at the ground; and Cantio can only look at her with sympathy. "The last storm caused so many tremors in the earth, we think..." she trails off again.
She can't seem to finish her sentence; but she's said enough to give hint to what could have happened.
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Fighter's Guild
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Renown
Half Human - Half Moon Elf
Ray Castien, my character https://talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/660/ray-castien-character-page
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Post by Ray Castien on Sept 3, 2022 9:54:23 GMT -5
The new person struggling up the hill looked extremely familiar. His odd dress and the mask he wore definitely helped make him more identifiable. It was the bard from the massive bar fight in Gazablaak, the one that got attacked by a porcupine! Ray wasn't certain why he had come all the way to the Dragon's Spines but he was glad to see him; this situation would likely require more than one set of able hands.
He approached the group and could feel himself nearly tear up at the woman's tearful tale.
"I hope I'm not being too forward, but I could help search for your loved ones? I know the area quite well..." He looked towards Cantio
"My name is Ray, I think we've met but never properly, I'm a healer from the temple in Sky Peak Village. I hope it's not too much to ask if you'd be willing to accompany me?"
"We aren't giving up! You can show us the way, but we're going!" The woman with the sword seemed indignant "It's our families that got trapped in there!"
"Evana... look at us! We're not prepared for this, we don't even have anymore supplies left. And time... time is..." The girl began to sob fiercely, leaning on Cantio as she did so.
"She's right Evana, we're in way over our heads... And you're right, I have no idea how to read this accursed map!" She moved to crumple it up but stopped herself, instead shoving it towards Ray who took it carefully.
"He wrote the directions here but it got smudged up a good ways back, also Logard has always been terrible at giving directions... They were miners, found something big they said... Please, help us."
"Ahhh! Fine!" The woman with the sword simply trudged on up the hill.
"Keep going that direction, look for a gap in the mountains and follow the trail upwards. You'll find a small cave that will lead into Sky Peak Village. Once you're inside at the base of the town is a passage with three torches mounted around it, it will take you to my temple, they'll care for you there."
Ray pointed them towards the woman who'd already trudged away, they would be able to find the village from here having already made the hardest part of the journey. He now looked towards Cantio again, hopeful he wouldn't be searching alone.
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Mage's Guild
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Post by Cantio von Lumen on Sept 4, 2022 14:25:06 GMT -5
Cantio looks up at the sound of Ray's voice; and his eyes narrow thoughtfully behind his mask, as if trying to place where he's seen Ray before... Because he looks dreadfully familiar; but he can't quite put his tongue on where they could've met. Regardless, he smiles weakly at him, about to respond— when the women start to bicker again and catch his attention. He looks towards them, distracted yet again when the sobbing girl leans into him; he awkwardly pats her shoulder, frowning sympathetically.
He feels awful for them; he can't imagine the kind of stress they must have been under these past few days, wondering if their loved ones were still alive... or worse. "We can help, surely." he offers, tail curling around his boots as the girl sobs into her hands; it does little to ease her pain, he knows— but this is a dreadful situation for the families of the miners— and the miners, themselves.
One of the women shoves a map into Ray's hands, and the other one storms away up the hill, frustrated. Cantio looks after them, worried, and gives the one leaning against him a gentle pat on the shoulder. She sniffs, looking up at Ray as he points them towards the other women. She nods, slowly, and rubs at her ashen eyes; she looks at him next, tearful; and then looks back. "Thank you...." she whimpers to them both, nodding to Ray as she rubs her eyes and moves past him— slowly and lethargically making her way.
Cantio looks after them sorrowfully; then looks back at Ray. "What a terrible situation..." he sighs, looking at the map in Ray's hands. "Of course, to answer your question, I would be happy to accompany—" Suddenly, something clicks, and Cantio points at him with a realization. "Ah— you were at Gazablaak, weren't you? At the bar— with the bear." That's right! He doesn't think they've actually met, but THAT'S where he remembers him from; what an unfortunate way to make their next meeting. "I'm glad to see you in one piece! Cantio von Lumen, at your service."
He bows with his greeting to him, and rises to his full height. The situation is not lost on him however; he looks regretfully over Ray's shoulder.
"What a... somber way to make an official meeting. It's nice to meet you, regardless; but I'm afraid we may not have much time, if what they say is true... And, I cannot imagine it isn't. You said you're from the temple in Sky Peak Village? Do you have any idea what mine they might have been speaking about?"
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Fighter's Guild
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Half Human - Half Moon Elf
Ray Castien, my character https://talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/660/ray-castien-character-page
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Post by Ray Castien on Sept 8, 2022 12:37:59 GMT -5
Ray watched them go with sadness in his heart. It must be an awful time, knowing one's loved one is trapped in the dark somewhere without the ability to go and help them... He turned his attention now to Cantio, glad they could soon rectify the situation and provide closure at the least. His mind, despite the seriousness of the situation, only went back to the bard being attacked by a porcupine. He stifled laughter at the memory before extending a hand in greeting. "Yes, I was the one being eaten by a bear and floating about the rafters... Not the most best of my performances..."He scratched his head with the map still in hand, an embarrassed grin crossing his face. "It's good to officially meet ya Mr. Lumen. I'd chat with ya more but I doubt the women we just spoke to would appreciate us wastin much time."He opened the map up using his single hand deftly. It was a crude thing, showing a vague outline of the mountains with rudimentary markings that gave an idea of a path. Some details were missing and a latter writer, one of the women likely, had added in some assumptions base on a note written in the top left. It had been scribbled out in places, re-arranged, and added to as well. Whoever made this map had obviously done so either in a rush or with no intent on it being followed. A language he couldn't read was scribbled along the edge of the map, some of the words were smudge but it was mostly legible and seemed to have been from yet another writer. The words scribbled in a language he could understand read(barely legibly written) 'A hundred paces right - two hundred forward - fifty to the right - from the big seam - (coal/ore/)'. What Ray could make out seemed to indicate they'd need to travel a few miles along the western rim of the mountains before looking for the specific location based on a seam of some sort... A language he couldn't read was scribbled along the edge of the map, some of the words were smudge but it was mostly legible and seemed to have been from yet another writer. "I am a local, but only recently became one, and this map would take intellect I don't have to interpret. Best I can do is get us to a very general location." He reach the map to Cantio for him to look over, hoping he'd make some sort of breakthrough.
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Post by Cantio von Lumen on Sept 13, 2022 12:28:43 GMT -5
Cantio takes Ray's hand, a soft but somber laugh escaping his lips as Ray admits he was who he thinks he was. "Nor was it mine; I got attacked by a porcupine halfway through... Though, you could count that as lucky in comparison." he feels a wave of heat rise to his face at the memory; he's long since tried to repress that entire nightmare, but it did have its more... amusing moments amongst the stress and tension. The bard clears his throat, nodding in agreement. "Indeed; it sounds like we could be on a time limit... I would hate to give their families more reason to worry." he sighs grimly. The Tiefling steps forward to join Ray, looking at the map from over his shoulder; together, they take in a mess of mostly crude scrawling and scribbles, "This is..." Cantio trails off, brows furrowed beneath his mask as he studies it. "...hard to read..." He takes the map as Ray offers it to him, looking at its smudges and scribbles thoughtfully. Along the edges, notes seem to be written in a language that he is unfamiliar with... but... Cantio utters a few words in a hum; a musical tone, like he's singing under his breath; and the Tiefling's eyes glitter gold behind the mask. (1)
The words are clear; he reads them out loud. "The mine burrowed into the Dragon's Spine has been long abandoned because of the... smudged... but rich in resource; if we can... It's too smudged to read that part... we won't need to worry about... Smudged again... but it's worth the risk... More smudges... Careful of the seam, it... Smudged." Cantio clicks his tongue, turning the map in his hands a few times, trying to get ahold of the shape of the ink beneath the mess; but it seems illegible even with the spell Tatalia had taught him activated. Eventually, he blinks the gold glimmer from his eyes and looks at Ray.
"I'm not sure if that was a personal note, or a letter for their family when they left this map." he admits regretfully. "You don't think the 'seam' could be the peaks of the Dragon's Spine, do you? That might be too broad... Or... maybe something like a trench, or a pit? A seam sounds like it might be a split in the earth, or maybe something man-made... Some kind of landmark, but... one to worry about?"
He frowns, offering the map back to Ray. "Unfortunately, this is my first time in the Dragon's Cradle, so... the land is very unfamiliar to me; but a general location is better than nothing else... the seam has to mean something, surely recognizable enough to be found, unless it was buried by the tremors, which... Well, let's hope not."
(1) Fluency — The owner can cast this spell on themselves or on another target. Once under the effect of this spell the target can speak, understand, read and write any language, regardless of what it is. This allows them to speak to other beings who may not understand them, or read a language they might not know. This can not be used to speak to animals or beings that are not considered self aware.
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Fighter's Guild
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Half Human - Half Moon Elf
Ray Castien, my character https://talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/660/ray-castien-character-page
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Post by Ray Castien on Nov 8, 2022 9:24:29 GMT -5
Ray was reassured in discovering his new acquaintance was proficient in magic, especially a sort that he was unfamiliar with. The newly revealed information gave an idea of what they might be searching for but only a vague one.
"Hopefully you're correct and this 'seam' is obvious to the eye. Otherwise we might not have any more luck than their families did in finding them..."
Ray drifted in thought, his knowledge of the mountains was slim but he'd heard miners discuss the dangers they faced in the Dragon's Spine and this seam reminded him of a certain type.
"I may have an idea of what we're looking for actually. I've overheard miners in taverns and inns talking about a rare ore, dangerous to mine and hard to spot. They say it's a pearly white and as volatile as a powder keg. Maybe that's what they warned them of it..." Ray scratched his head and furrowed his brow.
"Either way, we best get a move on."
He started along a trail that led them west along the mountain side. It was thin and difficult to follow. Having been worn by corrosion and rarely used it faded and appeared frequently as they made their way along the rough stones that overlooked the barren wasteland of the valley below them. A cold wind blew in, hinting at the possibility of a dangerous storm blowing in.
"If I read that map right we should be there in just a few hours. If not, we'll get lost in just as many." He smiled and winked at Cantio, hoping to lighten the mood if at all possible.
The journey was arduous and at many points he stopped to look over the map and reassure himself of their direction. The mountains grew colder as the sun began to set and the cold winds picked up further. Now a sleety rain was dusting the landscape and visibility began to wane. The distant peaks and valley below faded away and were replaced with a dull white fog that cloaked the landscape. Luck would have it that they approached the rough location on the map before things got too bad. Here they were nearing the Lightning Fields, this storm was likely a byproduct of them and they could be in some danger from lighting if they lingered long enough. A streak of lightning fell in the far distance as if to affirm their predicament and the earth shook slightly as the thunder boomed in Ray's ears.
This area was made up of rough grayish black stone. A few crags rose up from the earth and the mountainside was rough and scarred. Many rockslides had occurred, some recent, creating a field of boulders and piled stone that made searching for the seam difficult. Ray scanned the field of stone and the mountainside behind it for anything that might stand out but had no luck.
"Do you see anything Cantio?" He spoke loudly to be heard over the storm. Lightning again struck, nearer this time, and a great cloud of dust and debris rose a short distance away from the two.
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