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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Feb 28, 2023 22:48:47 GMT -5
Socket had come to the rocky steppes of Darkveil City in hopes of studying some of the local wildlife of the Ashlands. The volcano had made things difficult, spewing sporadic plumes of caustic dust and chemicals into the air and driving off wildlife. The city was much grander than Gazablaak, though it's peoples were similar in some ways. Making their way across town, the automaton moved swiftly through the winding streets, avoiding the alleyways and places frequented by unsavory characters.
There had been talk all over town about other happenings from across Charon, disasters and the rumblings of greater catastrophe were spreading. In the wake of other events, Charon was changing, people were made aware of the truth of their deities and the consequences were rippling across the realm. Strolling through town, they kept an ear out for rumor and trouble. Thus far the day had been uneventful, though the volcano had been active only a few hours ago.
Alive with folk, the markets bustled with wares and their peddlers, patrons both local and foreign milled about between stalls and carts. Socket moved through a balcony of one of the surrounding buildings, making their way to a mineral broker. Stepping through the door, the shop was alive with the sound of machinery, furnaces, and the pounding rhythm of the smiths turning ores into useable metals and goods. There were a few other patrons within, so the automaton waited patiently to pick up their order.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 1, 2023 13:19:24 GMT -5
Leandros didn't plan on staying in Darkveil City long, but chasing and defeating a pack of roaming hell hounds lent itself to needing a small break. It was the first serious fight for his squire and the others could use a chance to rest as well. So, he rode into the city to find the nearest tavern with enough rooms.
The recent travel had given him a reason to stop thinking about what had happened with Scern and the massive upheaval it had caused. His family was never wholly religious, but something like that will shake anyone. It didn't help that some of the discontent was focused at the powers that be in Sol City. It's enough to make a man think about what it is he is really defending.
The knight shakes himself free of the thought as his wife reaches back to tap his cheek, "Do we have time to go into the market?"
Leandros gives her a soft smile and looks to the others, "All right, you've all earned it I suppose."
He slips off from Byrr before helping Apogee off and stabling the horse for now. Gilder and Theobo go about resupplying for the trip home and perhaps gifts for families. Leandros and Apogee do much the same, hoping to avoid getting too lost inside the unfamiliar cityscape of Darkveil.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 1, 2023 14:46:10 GMT -5
A wooden box was set upon the counter, once more refilled with various metals and minerals. Socket paid the merchant, and thanked him and his crew. They clipped the hefty box to a leather band that was draped over their shoulders, spreading the weight over their frame and out of the way. Leaving the shop, the automaton struck out into the city once more. Though they couldn't get out safely to do field research, they could very well find other sources.
Looking up at the sky, the call of several different types of bird moved through the expanse of buildings in a wave. Animals of all kinds took flight, all trying to move away from the mountain. As a hunter, Socket had seen the phenomenon before, and usually it meant something disastrous. Hopping onto the rail of the balcony they'd walked out on, the construct swung out and scaled the side of the building.
Reaching the roof, the automaton squatted and launched skyward. Activating Step of the Wind allowed the cat-like machine to bound through the air as easily as any surface. Reaching a point that gave them an expansive view, the construct took in the scene. Wildlife was scattering as fast as their bodies could move, and the first smoldering vents of smoke hinted at the cranky volcano's activity once more. This was different somehow from the day's burps and puffs of caustic hiccupping, the animals weren't fleeing for their lives over it.
All across the city, people watched the spectacle in awe and confusion. The streets filled with strays, rats, birds, even livestock was tugging at it's reigns in an effort to get away. Socket raced towards the town hall, the people needed to start evacuating immediately, and one construct couldn't be in enough places with the authority to get folks moving... they needed a lot of help, and people needed to know what was happening.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 4, 2023 0:01:36 GMT -5
To the knight and his wife things seemed normal for the most part. On the ground level it was hard to pick up on anything going wrong for the longest while, but slowly something started to dawn on them. There was something off about everything. Sure, the city itself was plenty active, but there was little sound behind that.
What was going on? He was not as deft as Socket to make his way up to the top of a building, but Leandros does try to find a spot of higher ground in the city. He can finally see the smoke rising about the horizon after reaching the balcony of a business that was kind enough to let him view it.
"Gilder, send out your owl, see what you can find." He called down to his scout who quickly nodded. Socket would see a brown barn owl fly past her, a stark contrast to the other animals. It was at least a small sign that if something bad was happening, then they weren't alone.
"Theobo, go back to Byrr and get him ready, Apogee and I will figure out a plan after Gilder reports back." The knight is quickly heading back out of this to try and get at least something going. It was better to get people moving *before* the event actually happens. Preparation over panic.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 4, 2023 10:16:50 GMT -5
Dropping into town hall was probably not Socket's wisest decision, as the guard approached from all sides with weapons drawn. Hands out and away from their body, the automaton explained their observations to the current commanding officer while watching the guard for any sign of hostility. The soldier practically ran over those in his way, reporting to their superiors what Socket had just told them. Looking skyward, Socket noticed one large bird, a tawny brown owl, not following the other creatures out and away.
Someone else was gauging the situation in their own way, perhaps someone who'd be willing to help the city... no matter it's seedy reputation, this was a haven for life sprung up in a precarious place. One could only hope the city was prepared for such an event, and it's populous was willing to heed warning when the time came. After a few minutes, the guardsmen put away their weapons as the commander returned. Shouting new orders, the burly, scarred veteran motivated his soldiers as only a respected leader could. A full minute of barking orders over the hustle and bustle of the city later, and the man turned to Socket once more.
"This intel, it very well might save most of the folk in this city. Families, friends, tragedies will be avoided, and you have the city's thanks for that alone. Would you be willing to help further?" The surly captain asked, their voice gruff and strained from the shouting earlier.
"No thanks are needed, I'd do the same for any place I happened to be. I'd be willing to help further, yes. In this situation, there are hardly ever enough people on hand. How can I be of service to Darkveil?" Replied the automaton, watching the cavalcade of wildlife in their peripheral, wondering if people would start catching on soon.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 6, 2023 17:06:54 GMT -5
Leandros was unable to hear the full explanation from the construct as he made his way through the streets, but caught enough of it to stop and pull back to catch the rest. Thank Solaria or whatever they were supposed to pray to now there were others here. Guards are nice, but can panic when they are needed most.
"I do not mean to interrupt, but right now what is needed is keeping the peace...Leandros Aurthurian of Capitol Landing." Ever the noble he will stop to shake a hand or two.
"I remember you're name, you took care of those hell hounds a couple days ago. You two must be adventurers then, that'll be a big help. Keeping the peace eh? How do we do that?"
That was a good question actually, he wasn't overly familiar with Darkveil customs and traditions so he wasn't sure what would work and what would be an overstep.
"Perhaps we can survey outside the city and see what is happening, you're familiar with the people here. They would trust you more if you were to start preparing people for an evacuation."
He looks between socket and the guards to make sure he hasn't overstepped too much and that the plan at the very least sounded doable.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 8, 2023 3:19:28 GMT -5
As the well dressed nobleman stepped forward and conversed with the others, Socket listened in. The situation needed action indeed, but in the right ways. All around, the various messengers and personnel began the arduous tasks needed to safely see everyone from the city. A soft rumble washed over the city, as if the earth itself was straining a muscle and grunting with the effort.
A hush fell over the city, the din of crowds, and chants of the yelpers and merchants all ceased.
"I'm not sure if anyone else is good with wind or lightning magic, but I'm certain I can safely scout and make it back... That sound means the guard need to hurry things to order, and the city needs to be underway." Stated the automaton, this new development left a great deal less time to deliberate. Lives were at stake, and that meant the city needed to work towards a singular and united goal.
"Leandros was it? You have the air of nobility, would that be fostered by your own good will? Would you be up to the task of coordinating and being the face of the guardsmen, so that their leadership is freed up to oversee the undertaking of getting as much of this city to safety as we can?" The idea was more posed to the group as a whole as Socket spoke, having followed along with bits and pieces of the overall conversation. This solution played the factors the automaton was aware of to the best they understood the situation to be.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 8, 2023 17:47:53 GMT -5
"I am. And you?" He offers out a hand for a quick shake and pleasantries. They didn't have a whole lot of time, but an exchange of names could be done. "Unfortunately my title means little outside my home, but I am not suited for quick travel. Out there if you meet an older looking man with dusty brown hair and a tawny owl, that is my associate Gilder. He may have some more information."
The guards seem more than fine letting someone else take care of the logistics. Leandros is led off through the city to meet the captain of the guard. He needed to get a layout of the city before they could plan anything.
"As we said, the last thing we need is a public panic, but we do need to hurry. With the uncertainty of what is happening, it is up to us to provide people with a sense of calm and purpose. If we can come together, then people will feel more confident in their safety." His voice fades into the distance eventually was they walk, the tall knight disappearing out of sight.
If Socket does look for him, Gilder is not hard to find. The hunter is found just outside the city looking towards the ash rising in the sky. An arm is held aloft to let an owl land, the two seeming to share a brief conversation.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 9, 2023 22:40:53 GMT -5
"Kosoku, most call me Socket though." The automaton replied, then raced through town towards the gate. It wasn't difficult to find the companion Leandros had mentioned, and the automaton stopped briefly to get an idea of what they'd be streaking into. Smoke was pluming from the caldera of the mountain, time was growing short. Another rumble, stronger this time, shook the windows, made wooden beams groan from the strain of the building around them, anything not secured rattled and tumbled about as the ground below trembled.
Activating Step of the Wind, Socket strode through the sky as easily as solid ground. There was no time or need for stealth so the automaton focused their efforts on speed and observation. A bright, sparking streak followed their path closer to the looming catastrophe ahead. Even the bugs were now fleeing, as fast as their tiny legs, wings and bodies could carry them away from the rumblings. The construct circled the mountain, taking a spiraling pattern up to it's summit. Along the way, loose rock and boulders rolled down from their high perch on occasion, the quiet mountain was taking a deep breath before something large and disastrous would happen.
Reaching the summit, they observed the bubbling mass of magma as it whirled about in erratic patterns within the confines of the jagged caldera. A large bubble formed, stretched, popped to spew globs of molten rock several feet in all directions. Strained from the pressure, parts of the rim and thinner walls were showing stress cracks that were starting to seep lava in a slow trickle. The mountain wouldn't hold back the tide of this pressure for much longer and the town needed to know. Activating Bullet Dash, Socket sped back towards town in hopes of beating the ensuing eruption.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 11, 2023 11:56:32 GMT -5
The crew of guards and Aurthurians aren't able to get much of a plan going before some members of the public started to hear the burbling and rumbles. They look to Mount Drakolt and see it start to ooze and groan. The panic is already setting in.
"It's going to blow!" The first cry of panic sets off everything. Whatever is being held is dropped as the scramble for survival begins.
The earth shakes and rumbles much more violently and aggressively as that pressure in the volcano continues to build. Darkveil threatens to be broken open as a fissure rips its way through the city sending even more people into a panic.
"Get people out and get them towards the water, escape to the sea." Leandros quickly gives the order to the guards as he starts to run back to the stables. Getting Byrr back will allow him to help more people he hopes. Apogee and Theobo help the guards start to help evacuate people.
The panic is hard to control as people are scrambling and climbing over each other to escape the city being torn asunder. The sheer size of the knight means he can push past most people, but his efforts are currently slowed significantly. Time was of the essence here in saving as many people as possible.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 12, 2023 16:19:38 GMT -5
The city was in an uproar, the pluming mountain had finally spoken over the din of it's activity. Socket spotted Glider still outside the gates and dropped in to update them on the situation. Glider informed the automaton of the guard's order to make way towards water and away from town. Thanking the hunter for the update, Socket sprinted through town, using a combination of their skills to traverse the city without being at street level. The gates were packed and the guardsmen weren't always thrilled by the construct's method of getting around but none stopped the sparking metal being as they raced by.
Leandros' large frame loomed into view, awash in the crowd and trying to make way against the crowd. Leaping the gap between buildings, Socket made their way around to where he was traveling and scouted the side streets and alleyways. Unsure of the knight's destination, the construct chose a path that would take them around the worst of the crowd and back to the main road he was on. Doubling back, the automaton activated Step of the Wind and sailed over the panic stricken crowd as if they were walking on invisible wires.
"Follow me Leandros, I'll take you around the side and out of the crowd." The automaton called down as they made it back to his location. Socket wasn't strong enough to help much more but hopefully even these few moments would help the man succeed in his goals and get more folk to safety.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 15, 2023 19:51:55 GMT -5
The few outright benefits of being tall and shiny is being easily spotted. He heard Socket's call, turning back to spot them and nod. He was able to fight through and eventually get to the side street between a pair of abandoned market stalls.
"Well, it is a panic, but at least the guards are preventing a stampede....Did you see anything out there? How close are we to being overtaken?" Just as he finishes the question, Mount Drakolt groans again. A loud gurgle preceeds the explosion before it finally erupts.
The ash the billows out and lava oozing from the mouth immediately increase the threat. Small to large sized chunks start to fly over head, crashing into buildings. This is what truly starts the panic as the crowd suddenly surges forward towards their escape.
"This isn't good, but we can do nothing to stop things now. Can you stay afloat? I can keep to the side streets and try to find others left behind. We can let the guards handle the masses, we should focus on those that may be stuck or injured."
Leandros would look for a quicker path, but there was little option. The city was falling apart so if a few stands fall over and merchandise is broken, that's just collateral. He has to focus on saving people. With Socket's guidance he will take off for where they are needed.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 16, 2023 6:48:35 GMT -5
Striding through the air, Socket led Leandros around the main mass that was blocking his progress. Along the way, the construct shared what information they'd been able to gather about the state of the mountain. It was good to see that the streets were clearing out and people were overall getting away safely, even though it was chaotic, the guardsmen and town leaders were working diligently.
Another tremble rolled down from the mountain, this one tossing pots and crates to the ground, knocking over heavier objects and causing paved roads to split, break and heave their stones in erratic patterns. Travel out of the city was getting more difficult by the minute, and more necessary. A crackling, hissing sound started to come from the mountains. Magma was spurting over the rim of the caldera, drenching the mountainside in globules of glowing molten rock. Socket moved faster, dropping back onto the main road behind the mass of bodies. This side of town had been cleared, it's buildings and streets vacant save for a few stray, fleeing animals.
"Floating I'm not very good at, but I'll be hovering above the waves or somewhere in the sky, keeping watch in case of stragglers. Good luck to you and your companions, I'll see you on the water." Socket said, turning on their heel and making way into the air once again. The automaton followed the trail of people heading for shore, leaving streaks of lightning in their wake. Another shudder from the mountain, then a deep booming sound that saw a mass of bright reds, yellows and oranges flung skyward. Fire and rock burst like a massive explosion, the pressure finally overcoming any and all surface tension the liquified magma could have. Plants withered and ignited, grasses and trees melted away as easily as stone, the entire area was covered in an ashen haze that seemed to be stretching it reach for miles... It was a terrible and beautiful display of nature's might, and had all life running in fear as the eruption escalated.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Mar 16, 2023 18:30:50 GMT -5
There really isn't time to do much but get to people as fast as they can. It is a mess of a situation, but with Socket's help Leandros is at least able to work faster than he would on his own. The knight cleared rubble out of the way, lifted chunks of walls or support beams up to help people out.
Part of him knew this was somewhat of a pointless endeavor, he wasn't going to save everyone, but every extra person he saved was one less family destroyed. So long as he himself was still able, Leandros was going to get everyone out that he could.
At the end of it all his lungs burned as did his muscles, part of it from breathing in the ash and part from the work. He gave Socket a nod as he let out a ragged breath and turned to the water. He needed to reconvene with his group as soon as possible anyways.
Leandros followed the stream of people out of the city and towards the shore, running until he found his wife. She is quickly wrapped in a hug as are the others. "You did good work....we did all we can for this place. I'll have to find Socket as soon as I can to thank them after the present danger clears."
He smiles, happy to see everyone safe, but with injured to tend to from the city their rest is short lived.
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Post by Sumnes (Baelethir) on Mar 16, 2023 18:58:33 GMT -5
Hours passed, but the residents were safe from the flaming rock and molten earth. Socket observed it all, taking the spectacle in from their perch on a cushion of air. When the mass of magma met the city streets, it filled them with hissing, steaming and burning stones, generations of progress and struggle melted in the heat or were cooked off by the lapping flames. About once an hour, the automaton would check on the residents, giving those whose vessels had begun to stray a quick boost back to the group.
Glad to see Leandros and company safe, the automaton kept close watch on the mountain. The corrosive gases and acrid ash plume began to taper, the pressure within finally settling once again. What could have caused such a calamity to unfold? Was there a being of such legendary proportion that their passing beneath the earth could squeeze a volcano into erupting? Had some spell or ritual gone awry and unleashed this catastrophe? So many curious questions, and no easily discernable way to find answers would be available for some time.
Socket circled back to report in once again, people would be eager to start repairing and rebuilding but it could be days or even weeks before the area cooled enough to be safe for people. Stopping first at the largest vessel on the water, the automaton reported to the town's mayor and the captain of the guard. When they left, the stopped by each groups' spokesperson and delivered a report. Lastly, they reconvened with Leandros and company.
"It is good to see you're all here, it appears things are settling down once again... hopefully it stays that way until the magma cools down once again. Thank you all for your help, and your efforts."
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