Sand. Growing up sand was a familiar sight. Pristine and white being covered by the brilliant blue waters of the Luna Sea. The yellowed and brown sand of Zeinav was not so inviting. In fact, almost every trip Cirice had taken into the dingy sands of the desert had been a harrowing, scarring adventure. It was hard to be excited about seeing the City with the sand clinging to her and making her feel gritty and disgusting. Kvasir hadn't been home and without any other direction Cirice had decided to see the city for the first time, a decision she was already starting to regret as she and Hitia travel under the boiling sun. 

Stopping at the first tavern she finds for a drink, Cirice sits, fanning herself with her hand, her snake bracelets clinking together with the sound of metal and bone. She knew she stood out, dressed as fancy as she is and looking so foreign and unprepared for the heat of the desert. That didn't matter right now, all that she cared about right now was getting a cold drink and resting a little. She looks around the tavern as she sips her fruity drink, taking in the sight of all the locals and travelers around her. Such strange and interesting people.

Eavesdropping she catches snippets of a conversation between locals discussing a recent string of gruesome vandalism. 

"Oh yeah they say its blood..."

"Blood? At the library? It said what?"

She listens in curiously, trying not to be too obvious but also not being the most discreet. If there is something odd going on maybe she can make a little coin before she leaves. She smiles into her drink. That would make the trip worthwhile.

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Painting on the wall
Participants: Two or more
Location: Zeinav City
Post Requirements: 4 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: A series of vandalisms have taken place across the city, notably targeting important businesses and politicians homes. Different foreboding messages have been written in blood across the fronts of these buildings, as well as many of their windows and doors having been smashed in. We believe the Scorched Ones are responsible, but as of yet have no proof to implicate them, and have yet to identify the source of the blood used in the attacks. Venture to one of these locations, investigate the scene and find any clues to who may be behind this. (Clues can lead to the Scorched Ones as they are responsible)

The warm air clashed with the sea breeze as the merchant ship pulled its way into the Sultan’s Port. It was rather impressive how unwelcoming the desert could be. Not even the haven of Zeinav City could stifle the discomfort Vail felt here.

For once, he’d actually paid to ride aboard a ship, rather than just stowing away. He’d foolishly thought there would be some added benefit to masquerading as a law-abiding citizen, but his only reward was a view of the open sea rather than a dank cargo hold.

He could already feel sand in his coat before he’d made his first steps onto the dock. With a groan of frustration, he began to make his way towards the nearest tavern. If he was going to have endure this abrasive environment it was best that he numbed his body as quickly as possible. His true goal lay northward, to a place he’d long avoided. It had been 7 years since he’d last stepped foot there, perhaps he was all but a legend now. Regardless, he didn’t plan on staying long. He was only going there to pester the tiefling for work or perhaps a place to stay while he did some digging.

As he passed through the sandy streets, he noticed the populace seemed more on edge than your usual city dwellers. Whispers of vandalism were in the air, apparently at a library of all places. At least it wasn’t some wealthy business or noble’s residence. The last thing he needed was more people monitoring him; any ash lander would no doubt be under suspicion after such events.

Vail entered the tavern and was immediately met with stares from the locals. He wasn’t surprised, it’s not every day a scarred ash lander enters your quaint rest stop. Feeling a little annoyed, he decided to address their concerns head on.

“Well this is a warm reception. I don’t suppose anyone can tell me what’s been going on?”

A man had entered the tavern and everything had gone early silent as all eyes fixed on him. Cirice follows their gaze and in struck with curiosity immediately. What strikes her about him isn’t the scars on his face, or the annoyed scowl he adopts as he goads the crowd, its his ruby-colored eyes. She’s never seen eyes that color or that pretty, peeking out from beneath his dark hair like the eyes of a predator, bright and dangerous.

No one seems anxious to answer his challenge, seeming rather wary of him but she can’t imagine why. Raising a hand to wave at him she lifts her voice, “Well um it seems like someone decided to deface the library from what I’ve gathered.”

Eyes turn to her, the strange foreigner just willing to stick her nose where it doesn’t belong, but she doesn’t stop. “I didn’t hear what it said, but… Apparently it might have been blood? Which that just sounds incredibly unsanitary.” She offers him a lopsided smile. “Join me for a drink?”

She pats the empty place beside her as conversations begin again in lowered, hushed voices, as eyes glance between the strange pair.

“I’m Cirice. What can I call you? I like your eyes, they're pretty!”

Vail looked around the room as the patrons stared in silence, until a soft voice drew his attention.
A short moon elf sat by her lonesome, clearly as foreign to the land as he was. She wasn’t dressed for this environment, her outfit looked more like something a woman would wear to a ball rather than a trek through the desert sands.

He was genuinely taken aback by the moon elf’s comment. The last person who had offered to share a drink with him was the tiefling, and that was more standoffish than relaxing. This offer actually felt genuine.
Her comment about his eyes also threw him for a loop. He'd often forgotten that his eyes had changed color; he tended to avoid his reflection since it reminded him of his condition. Usually, people take note of his scars before ever mentioning his eyes. Pretty was not a word anyone had ever associated with any part of him.

“S-sure” he responded with a small moment of uneasiness before immediately recomposing himself.

He walked across the tavern as the locals' eyes continued to monitor him. He’d have to keep a low profile considering how close he was to Darkveil, the last thing he needed was the Fathers awaiting his arrival.

Taking a seat next to the moon elf, he ordered a local ale, now needing to dull his nerves as well as his body. He clasped his hands together in front of his face as he rested his chin on his thumbs, before speaking in a low whisper.

“The name’s Vail. It appears that you’re as foreign to this land as I am. I don’t suppose you would be willing to tell me what you are doing here.”

The tavern slowly returned back to its normal atmosphere, but not without the occasional patron glancing at the foreign pair. No doubt they were a strange sight, a fanciful moon elf sitting with a brooding ash lander.

“Hi Vail, I’m Cirice, Cirice Lunestre from the Crescent Isles. I’m just traveling really. I’ve been here a few times and most of them were going into the desert to delve into things hidden beneath the sands.” Cirice answers with a smile, looking at him closely, curiosity and whimsy twinkling in her eyes. “What about you, Vail? What are you doing out here? Why did everyone give you such strange looks? They gave you way more looks than me. Maybe it’s your fashion sense. You know what you need? A really nice scarf! Or maybe a cute hair pin.”

She takes out her bag and sets it on the table. She digs into the dull grey bag with the Platinum Corp logo surrounded with purple and pink embroidery, her arm disappearing past the elbow, much father than it should be able to go in¹. She pulls out a couple accessories, scarves in red and purple, ornamental hair pins, a tiara of some sort she quickly shoves back in with an ‘oops’ and she holds them up to determine if they’d look good with Vail’s aesthetic.

“I’d heard there was some strange goings on here so I figured while I was here I’d look into it.” She says as she works, “I’m rather fond of libraries, I live in one, and the idea of someone defacing one makes me upset. I was thinking of going to check it out once I finished my drink. Care to join me?”

---

1 Bag of the Infinite

Vail was taken aback by the barrage of questions from Cirice. Normally, he would keep his guard up, but the speed at which she swapped topics indicated to him that this came from curiosity rather than any ill intent.

“I’m just passing through; I’m headed home for the first time in years. As for the looks, I’m pretty sure they are more intimidated by me than you. Which I don't mind, it keeps both parties out of trouble. I’m not sure I need-“ he paused as he noticed the moon elf digging far deeper into bag than what should be physically possible.

His eyes widened as she pulled out all manner of accessories, the majority of which he wouldn't be caught dead wearing, especially the tiara. The scarves on the other hand might actually be useful, especially in this desert.
He pondered for a moment as he went over his options with almost as much interest as Cirice.

Purple is my favorite color, but the red does match my eyes… Wait a minute, why the hell am I putting so much effort into this?

“Umm red, I guess? For the scarf I mean, you can keep the hair pins, they sort of break the aesthetic I’m going for.”

A makeover wasn’t exactly in his plans for his trip to Darkveil, neither was investigating an act of vandalism, but it was too late to search for a boat northward. It was either he sat here drinking all day and night or he went with this over-eager moon elf.

“You don’t seem to be the slightest bit afraid. That actually interests me more than some simple crime. Sure, I’m in. Anyone willing to commit such acts must not fear the city guard, you might be getting a bit in over your head here. Do you have any abilities should we find ourselves in a fight?”

“Oh? Where are you from?” Cirice asks, “If you’d like I can give you a ride on my wagon, I’m not doing anything in particular right now and it flies! You aren’t intimidating? I mean you’ve got a neat scar, but people shouldn’t be afraid of you because of it. My beloved Gerhart has some facial scars, I think they’re quite becoming. They tell the world you’ve fought and survived!”

“Oh yes I think the red will look really nice on you!” Cirice smiles and hands the silk cloth over to him, “Hmm I suppose they would, but they’re very useful when you need your hair out of your face.”

“Why would I be afraid? It seems to me like someone is pulling a dumb prank and they’re likely just too confident they won’t get caught. I have a tendency to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.” She giggles, “I’m quite capable though. I’m a member of the Mage’s Guild and the cleric of the Great Mother Moon! I can cast all kinds of spells and I’m pretty good in a fight. What about you, handsome?” She asks playfully.

Vail looked at the moon elf with considerable confusion. It was obvious to anyone who traveled Charon that he was an ash lander. Whether it be his pale skin or black attire, it was clear to the average citizen that he dwelled in the darker parts of society.

A tavern waitress delivered him an ale as he gathered his thoughts. Ironically, this conversation was quickly becoming similar to the last one he had in a tavern, albeit these questions were considerably less interrogatory.

“I’m from Darkveil, I don’t particularly think it would a good idea to fly there. The ash only gets thicker the higher you climb.”

Her comment about his scars hit home more than he was expecting. If anything, his scars reminded him that he didn’t survive, that he too was a victim of Darkveil’s depravity. Had it not been for his condition, he wouldn’t be here having this conversation.

“That’s easy to say when you’re not the one bearing them.” He replied in a low, solemn tone.

His mood improves considerably as he takes the scarf from Cirice. Clearly, she meant well, he couldn’t hold her ignorance of his condition against her.

“I suppose you’re right, but having anything that might give off a glimmer is a death wish when you are sneaking. I’d take one only if I knew it wouldn’t reveal me.” He said as he inspected one of the glittery hair pins.

“I don’t know, it seems more like extortion and vandalism than a prank to me. Be glad you’ve lived this long; In my world anyone who digs too deep doesn’t last long. Magic can get you far, but all it takes is one quick blade to end you before you can cast any spell.” He takes a quick swig of his ale as he considers the best way to explain his skill set without being too specific. “As for me, the shadows are my true home, they are where I feel the most comfortable. Only the especially well trained can spot me amongst them. I’m also more experienced than I’d like to be when it comes to street fights, so I can more than hold my own if it comes to it. There’s also one other- handsome?”

Vail’s face became redder than it’s ever been, this moon elf definitely knew how to push his buttons. In truth he was partly thankful for the sudden surprise, he’d almost let slip more than he was meaning to.
He quickly drank from his ale, covering his face until he could regain his composure. He placed the mug down with a large thud as he faced the moon elf once more.

“If we’re going to do any investigating, we should head out soon, the dark will only make things more difficult for us.”

“Oh you’re from Darkveil? That’s wonderful! I’m actually thinking I’ll go there next and visit a friend of mine. His name is Zarius and he owns a bar called the Rookery. I’ve never been there before and its been ages since I last saw him so I thought I’d try to stop by. Thanks for the warning about the ash though… I suppose we can just go via the roads!” Cirice jabbers along, undeterred. “Oh my, I hope I didn’t make you upset bringing them up, I’m sorry…”

“I suppose that’s true, but if you’re magically hiding it obscures even the glittery bits,” She winks at him.

“It could be extortion and vandalism, we won’t know until we look into it. I’m not sure what your world is like, but in mine I’ve had to learn more than just magic to protect myself so don’t worry. I’m pretty handy with a blade as well. I’m no Cyran or Gerhart, but I learned from them a bit. I’ve even got a cool sword.” She sits up straighter as he takes a swig from his tankard and snaps her fingers, a short sword appearing in her right hand in a flash of violet energy¹. “This is Crestfallen! Pretty cool, right? Its also a whip!”

“I’m not the sneakiest person around, but I’m pretty good at staying hidden. I like shadows too because they’re nice a cool. You remind me a little of my best friend Iryla. She’s sneaky and bad at taking compliments as well.” 
She giggles and hops to her feet.

“Let’s go!”

Together the two leave the tavern, the eyes following the strange pair until the door shuts behind them. Cirice shows him her wagon and the demonic deer pulling it. She hops on the seat at the front and gives Vail and inviting pat of the seat next to her as she grabs the reigns. “To the library!”

The distrustful looks follow them all the way to the library as they’re quite obvious. The library looks closed as they pull up outside of it, guards glaring at them as they catch sight of the adventurers.

---

1 Spellblade lvl 2: Always there - Crestfalled can be summoned from anywhere to her hand. (passives antimagic and dark damage inherent)

Hearing Cirice mention Zarius was certainly a surprise for Vail, although he took care not to show it. He’d have to watch his words from now on, much to his disappointment. He couldn’t risk any information leaking until he knew the situation in Darkveil.

“It appears we have the same destination in that case. That Fellblood has connections everywhere. He saved my life, or at least I think he did, so he likes me that much. It’s rare to meet someone from Darkveil who is willing to risk their life for another.”

He gave the whip sword a curious glance as he kept a smirk across his face. This moon elf was definitely an odd one, but at the same time quite entertaining. Perhaps this investigation will be more fun than he was expecting, at the very least he’d be kept on his toes.

“It seems you have quite the repertoire of allies, that’s a good thing. I was once in a similar position but I had to cut ties for their sake as well as mine.”

Vail rose to his feet and stretched his arms before following the eager moon elf out of the tavern. He wished he had a fraction of the girl’s energy; a singular ale wasn’t enough to numb his aches.

He tilted his head sideways as he laid eyes on the demon drawn wagon.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at this point…” he muttered to himself as climb onto the seat next to her.

The looks from the city folk as they rode were nothing new to him. Although he had to wonder whether they were more distrusting of the strange pair of adventures or of the deer transporting them.

The Library was an impressive building, reflective of Zeinav’s prosperity. It was a good target for a criminal group eager to spread fear or rumors. As the pair descended from the wagon, the guards moved into position in front of the library doors. It was clear that they weren’t getting in, at least not without a little bit of persuasion/force. The taller of the two began to address them, with an expression that signified his disgust.

“Halt. The library is currently under lockdown due to vandalism. We don’t need some ash lander interfering, especially not one who looks like he may be a part of the Vennels. You’re lucky we are not arresting you on the spot.”

Vail’s eyes widened upon hearing the guard's words.

“What do mean Vennels?” he asked in a low serious tone.

The Vennel Lurkers were a gang he hadn’t heard of in quite some time, for a very good reason; they were his gang. When he was accepted in his father’s family he was forced to step down as their leader, outside interests were only allowed for those at the top. He’d left the gang in good hands, his lieutenant, Rowkard, and there was no way he’d be out here doing a job this grisly or sloppy.

“Oh you know Zarius too?” Cirice asks with genuine delight, “He’s really nice! I’ve only met him once but he helped me a lot too! We’ve been pen-pals ever since, sometimes he gives me jobs when people need help too! I’m so glad you’re friends too! It really is a small world!”

“Oh I’m sorry you had to distance yourself from your friends… That’s really sad…” Cirice frowns. “We can be friends!”

The guards aren’t very friendly, or very helpful, giving Vail accusatory looks. Luckily Cirice is a master of handling these sorts of things.

“Well I don’t know what Vennels are, are you saying that because it kinda sounds like vandals?” She asks with the supreme air of innocence and a thoughtful look, “Its not that close… But why would you arrest Vail, you shouldn’t judge people just on how they look. That isn’t nice¹.”

Pouring magic into her words she gives the pair of guards a wide smile and gently touches their arms, “Besides we want to help! Whatever is going on you can trust that we’ll get to the bottom of it! Just let us inside!”

The guard makes as if to swat her hand away but then looks a little dazed, a slow, dopey smile spreading across his face².

“Sure… You can go in. If you can help us catch the ones that did this we’d really appreciate it.” The other guard just nods, blinking one eye at a time and smiling.

“Thank you! We’ll do as much as we can!” Cirice responds chipper as always, patting their arms before she steps past the guards and opens the door for Vail³.

Once they’re inside and alone she asks him, “What are Vennels?”

---

1 Smooth Talking
2 Be Jolly
3 Fade from Memory

“Um, sure, we can be friends.” He replied with a hint of nervousness. His instincts told him not to get close to someone so quickly. Cirice was certainly an open person, probably the most open he’d ever met. In Darkveil, buddying up with people so easily would get you exploited and probably robbed for all you’re worth.

To his surprise, the moon elf interrupted before the guard ever had a chance to answer his query. It was clear to him that she had a plan considering how brazen she was being as a foreigner.

Sure enough the guards began to act in a completely unnatural fashion, as if some possession had overtaken them. Even their bodies seemed to be rebelling against the spell. It kind of horrified Vail in a way, he dreaded the thought of his body moving against his will.

As the pair entered the library, he was taken aback by the sheer size of the place. His excitement was short lived however, as his companion quickly asked about the encounter outside.

“I’m pretty sure he was referring to the Vennel Lurkers, they are a gang. My old gang.” He replied as he began to walk further into the building.

“I was the leader of the group. We worked as an independent party in Darkveil’s constant power struggle. The gang was entirely made up of children, those who sought safety in numbers, as well as those who sought a way out of the gutter of life. We did a variety of things, thievery, vandalism, smuggling, all jobs that the father’s wanted done with low risk but considerable reward. I left them a while before I left Darkveil itself. They were in good hands back then. It wouldn’t make any sense for them to be all the way out here in Zeinav.”

He paused for a moment as the pair had found exactly what they were looking for.

“And they would certainly never do something this grisly.”

Upon the back wall of the library was a large runic symbol, painted in a dark red tone. He was pretty sure that it was blood. A knot grew in his stomach as a feeling of unease washed over him.

“Have you ever seen this symbol before?” He asked his companion taking care not to break his stoic demeanor

Cirice’s eyes alight happily as he agrees to be friends, matched only by the joy on her face when they enter the library itself. Her smile only falters when Vail begins speaking of his former gang. It sounds like he had a hard life growing up and her heart ached for him.

“That sounds awful… Are there so many unfortunate children in Darkveil that they have to ban together and turn to crime to survive?” She asks with a frown, “That… Would explain some things with my friends. I’m glad you left and they’re in better hands, but if they’re in that much need of help maybe I can do something for them? I’ve got lots of friends and my godfather owns an orphanage, in Darkveil actually. It’s called Shade’s Valley. I’d been meaning to visit anyway while I was there and see if he’s home. Perhaps he could take in your old friends? He pays for the upkeep by adventuring. It isn’t much but its honest and they’d be safe.”

The rune was red and ugly against the pristine white wall of the library. “Yeah, I think I have… In a book. Ars?” She asks and pulls a book out of her bag that opens of its own accord and floats in front of her. “This symbol, is it in the Library?”

The book flips pages a few times and then it shows them the same symbol¹. “I thought so… ‘burn’’ in the infernal tongue. They wouldn’t burn the library, would they? If they tried I’d personally feed them to pigs!”

---

1 Book Golem

“That’s simply the way of the world there, what do you expect from a city born from the dregs who couldn’t fit in anywhere else in Charon? That’s how the city functions, if you don’t offer some value to the Fathers you can’t expect to get anywhere; it will take an awful lot to change that. When I met Zarius, he had offered me some hope that the city was in the process of changing. At the very least, I had never met someone from there whose interest extended outside of themselves.”

He pauses briefly as he thinks how much an orphanage would have helped so many kids in his gang. He was lucky to be born under some modicum of power, unlike those who followed him.

“Unfortunately, they would be much too old to stay there now, even the youngest would be in the latter half of their teens by now. I appreciate the thought however.”

Vail examines the rune in Cirice’s book with a glance before looking back to the painting.

Yeah this is fucking gibberish.

He thinks for a moment. Unless Cirice had some form of magical tracking, there wasn’t much the pair could do at the moment. He turns to companion with a contemplative expression.

“Unless you have some manner of clairvoyance, I suggest we wait here until nightfall to see if they make good on their threat. We could then use their arsonist to lead us to their hideout.”

“I must admit I don’t know too much about Darkveil… I don’t think I’ve even been there yet… Is it really that bad? I’m sure if anyone can change it, Zarius can. He’s very kind. I got this necklace to remember him by.” Cirice touches the topaz hanging from a thin chain around her neck, the gem gleams the same shade as Zarius’ eyes. “I’ll help however I can too!”

“I’m sure Cyran would still help them if they wanted, he takes care of me and Iryla, he’s a great guy.”

There really wasn’t much choice otherwise, she wasn’t able to do magic that let her see into the past, perhaps waiting to see if the villains return is their only option. “I won’t let them burn the books, we capture the person before they can set anything alight, deal? I can make him tell us where we need to go if I must.”

It’s okay to alter the minds of bad people, especially if it stops them from doing more harm. She’s sure Ulrich would understand.

“I suppose in the meantime lets get comfortable and see if there are any books here that interest us… But first let’s get some food for energy!” She claps her hands together and a grand feast stretches out across the ground before them. “You can’t fight crime on an empty stomach!¹”

---

1 The grand feast