Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on Apr 26, 2023 5:41:09 GMT -5
Virox nods very excitedly, trying to contain his enthusiasm. He follows behind her at a gentle pace, looking at the Boulder as they got closer, the scales and horns told him that this was a mighty creature, his mother had told him such things, so he was very cautious as Kamille spoke in hushed tone. He nodded in agreement with her thoughts on Zerrux as well as her words regarding meeting Kalaf properly, truth be told, he was also very excited to meet the Kalaf, though he would wait until they put some distance to speak, knowing his voice was often louder than he intended to be.
"Virox hope Kalaf like Virox, Virox hear story from mother to always respect strength of scaly horned creatures, they make strong friends, strong defenders, dangerous enemies."
His expression is excited, but also mindful, he needed to be prepared in case Kalaf wasn't fond of him, which was fair, he knew there wasn't many creatures that were immediately find of gnolls, and Virox was a very big gnoll, on top of that, he now knew that being a child of a demon likely didn't help that. He was very excited, aside from meeting Kalaf, to see the inside of Kamille's home, he was was smaller people things' homes were like, they had to be better than the one he used to have, which was very drafty in the desert nights.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on May 7, 2023 17:27:22 GMT -5
Kamille guided Virox up the stone staircase that looked like it was carved out of the bare stone of the mount. The small front yard she had in front of her house was crowded with several potted plants, including a tree that looked very much dead, but nothing more worth of notice. Virox would probably have to squeeze himself through the front door as she entered and allowed himself in.
While the exterior of the house would predict a simple, small cabin, it was possibly to his great surprise it was none of that: the interior looked like a castle, with black and white checkerboard marble floor, stone walls and fancy candlesticks. Kamille was clearly a woman of expensive tastes, and apparently with more resources than she first let on. She pointed to a fireplace to the other side of the room, and the dying ember suddenly lighted up in tall flames, as if they had been raging long before. A thick, fur rug was before it, as well as a couch and two fancy armchairs. To the side of the fireplace there was a bird's nest, clearly Mischief's, as it was littered in small treasures and shinning things.
And every. Single. Surface. Had. Books.
The Witch had a library that was rivalled only by the Arcane Academy itself, most likely. Most of the walls were covered in books and scrolls, and some of the small tables too. A pile of books sat by one of the armchairs, looking like an improvised small table. She wasn't kidding when she said a lot of books.
"Have you ever tried tea, Virox?"
"My lady! Welcome back ho-.... Wha- Who is that!?"
Someone walked out of another room- well.... Something? It had the general sillhouette of a person, but he was entirely made of... paper? The paperman was tall, thin and entirely lined out with written pages of arcane tomes. Where his face was supposed to be, a deep darkness that sucked in all light remained. Stars swirled inside, not unlike the stars that swirled in the Witch's eyes.
"Zhantal, this is a friend, Virox. Virox, this is Zhantal. Among other things, he's also my spellbook. Zhantal, you're possibly going to be able to help us in this."
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on May 8, 2023 12:49:58 GMT -5
Virox's head turned to look at everything as they went, a curious soul as he is, taking in details, as they ventured deeper into Kamille's home. The squeeze to get through the door did give him the slightest pause, but he was able to get in after a few brief moments of gently pushing himself forward. His gaze fell upon the glorious interior, tomes of knowledge, or in his case, fancy book things, but with so many, he worried it may take them awhile to find the information they sought. His ear twitched at the question, his mind reaching back through the years and memories nefore shaking his head in response. The new voice would take him by surprise, as he turn his head and tilted it to the side, it was a small people thing, but it looked like a part of a book thing. Once introductions were made, he smiles at Zhantal, a new friend, and from what he understood, this was also Kamille's spellbook? Truly his new friend had such a curious life, and he felt joy I'm being part of it.
"Virox happy to meet Zhantal, Virox think new friend interesting, Virox not meet book thing person before."
It would become apparent, that while he is trying to suppress it mostly, his tail is ever so slightly going a bit from excitement, as he waits to see how his new friend would help them out with their small issue of history being a little important I'm their dealing with the dead thing that seeks their help in making sense of their particular situation.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on May 19, 2023 8:15:52 GMT -5
"Lots of weird things happen around mages, Virox. I hope you'll not get startled by what happens around here."
It was no wonder the monstrous figure of Virox was received with some naturality by the Witch if she was used to strange things happening around her. The paperman had truly no face to express his emotions, but Virox could perhaps understand that he was shifting a bit uncomfortably at the newcommer. Zhantal himself knew of his strange figure, but he often got worried about the companies his Mistress would chose to keep...
"Ah! In what I could be assisting you today, Mistress? I must say it's past time you'd do your nails once again, and I believ-"
"We're looking for information on a guy named Zerrux, and... Xer'vasz? If I understood it right, Zerrux is supposed to be a necromancer from a long time... His father was Valis Gladeheart and his mother was Voraka Scartusk, if we can believe anything he said."
"Oh! A mystery! The names might ring a bell, I will have to search for it, but I'm sure your library is more than enough to this task! Yes! Yes! A mystery!"
Zhantal promptly walked towards one of the walls that were covered in books, muttering to himself enthusiastically as he started to search for a few books. Kamille went up to her sofa before the fireplace. With the snap of her fingers, the fire started to roar as if it had been hours before. The Witch sat down and started to take off her boots.
"Zhantal was once a man. The assistant of a great wizard, he says, but won't tell me the name of his Master, sadly."
Zhantal seemed to be listening, as he replied while still searching for the books he wanted.
"My former Master was an evil man, my Mistress. I do not wish to be associated with my past self anymore, if my Lady is okay with that. Fate has chosen to give me a second chance at life, living in this shape now. It's been a lonely few thousands of years before I met my Mistress. Life's been good now."
Kamille turned her attention to Virox. Despite being bound to her, she knew that the magic that shaped Zhantal was once a man... And that he was still hiding things from her. But everything at it's own time...
"You can spend the night here if you want. Just be careful with my books and my alchemy glassware at the kitchen. I assume this might not be common for you to be offered. How your life has been so far? You said you belonged to a group or clan, I believe?"
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on May 19, 2023 10:06:49 GMT -5
Virox nods in understanding about strange things, he'd not let odd things bother him, mostly because he was far too curious to be fully startled terribly by such things. Listening to the back and forth, he feels assured that they'll find their answers, as he follows Kamille to the fireplace, carefully sitting himself down so he doesn't damage, harm or otherwise destroy anything as he listens to Zhantal's tale.
"Virox grateful for offer, Virox be very careful to not break things."
Short and sweet of an answer, her question now brings several memories to the surface, he tilts his head as he thinks.
"Virox come from gnoll pack, pack encampment made from ruins in desert. Virox mother powerful Cackler, so Virox unusual size from birth not seen as too unusual. One time when other gnoll steal Virox meat, mother put terrible spell on other gnoll, pack scold mother and Virox, but other gnolls not steal from Virox again, especially after Virox take out Ugly Tail, pincers meat was very tasty."
Virox after a moment thinks about it, and looks at his shackles and chains.
"Virox life since leaving home been..difficult. Virox get taken by small person things, put in chains, fed very little, then forced to fight other creatures and people things that they didn't like. Virox usual eat opponents, but Virox not happy then, Virox only gnoll left from pack, yet still made to fight when Virox didn't want to. So Virox wait till one day when Virox notice wobbly person thing having trouble locking magic chain thing. Virox see chance, and lash out, snapping chains, crushing bones of guards that keep Virox at bay, smash through doors and walls till Virox can see stars above. Virox spend three weeks wandering through desert, then wind up here in forest."
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on May 30, 2023 16:04:06 GMT -5
Virox kept surprising her. For his monstrous looks, he was very kind and delicate when he wanted. She wasn't afraid to leave him to his own musings once she'd need to. The Witch paid attention to his story, looking thoughtfully to the fire as he spoke.
Behind them, Zhantal made just some soft noises as he combed through pages and pages without ending.
"Looks like a rough life, Virox. Far from me to say how things work among your kind, but sounds like you had to be extra tough to go through it."
Not only strong and tough, but smart. It probably was his father's blood influence... This could be bad. Demons and devils are not known for having a good temper; and yet they were very, very intelligent, charming...
Deceptive.
"Is your mother still alive? What happened to her? Do you know?"
She didn't know much about gnolls, but she doubted they held records of any kind, so to find another member of his pack that could confirm such stories and his background was impossible. Yet, she felt no reason to doubt him.
" I'm sorry that you had to come across these kinds of people. There are people who are nice, and those who... are not. I hope this has not led you to believe all people are bad. The people from the village over are very nice. They may be a bit wary at first, but they are not too stiff and old-minded that they can't learn new things. Also, I forgot to ask: Are you hurt in any way? I have potions that can help you healing whenever you need."
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on Jun 2, 2023 8:48:14 GMT -5
Virox shakes his head, there is a sad look in his eyes, as though remembering how it all played out, little by little.
"Virox mother not with Virox anymore, Mother die trying to protect Virox, cast powerful cackle charm on Virox with dying breath, Virox not sure what happen, Virox hope Virox learn one day what Virox mother put on Virox."
Despite the obvious, Virox seems no more hateful towards people, given his willingness to trust Kamille when she gave him food, it may be more accurate to say that perhaps Virox was able to discern good intentions from bad ones more easily thanks to his tine used as an arena fighter of sorts.
"Virox not sure? Virox sure that people things stabbed virox many times, but Virox not bleeding after Virox escape and check. Virox check for closed wounds, but Virox not find them either, like avirox not actually get hurt...Virox very confused by this."
For what intelligence he did possess, which was more than most would think, it seems he's baffled by his seemingly good health, as one would assume if he could heal himself, he'd know about it, his tone suggesting clearly that that's not the case.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jun 11, 2023 17:36:50 GMT -5
This was interesting and new... So Virox's mother was able to cast spells? Very interesting... And he seemed to have some kind of healing factor naturally?
"Do you mind if I take a look at your wounds, Virox?"
If Virox would allow it, the Witch would approach to look where his wounds should be, seeing if there were at least an indication they existed, scars, marks, and at which stage of healing it was. A part of her - perhaps the part that she feared to be too much like her father - would want to study why that happened, maybe take a sample of Virox's blood. If that was going to happen, she took a mental note to never do that without Virox's permission and knowing. She didn't want to end up like her father.
"I assume everything about you is unusual and unique, given your origin... Which we will still have to find more about."
She stood up.
"How about we go sleep now and start the research tomorrow? I'm sure Zhantal will be on top of his game once we wake up."
"When have I ever failed you, Mistress...?"
"Exactly. Well, I'm going to take my beauty sleep. You can sleep anywhere you want, Virox. But right there, there is a room with several beds. You can use whichever you'd like."
Although she wondered Virox had never in his life slept in a bed before, from what he recounted. And she also doubted her beds were sturdy enough for his weight - regardless, she offered her hospitality. The fur rug before the fireplace was a spot she would sometimes sleep herself, so she knew it was cozy enough.
"We can continue our research tomorrow, and then decide what we'll tell the necromancer we found..."
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on Jun 12, 2023 8:08:49 GMT -5
Virox nods for her to go ahead, showing her the several spots, along his arms and chest where he remembered being stabbed a lot, it wasn't as though these would be hard to strike, but the fact she'd find next to nothing to indicate a wound was ever there was telling of how strong the healing was, given he describes being stabbed with very large spears and blades.
"Virox think Virox not too special, Virox just gnoll, even if Virox not like other gnolls."
While most would likely be suspicious of such a claim, Virox seemed genuinely honest about his thoughts of himself. He nods as it's decided to call it a night and resume tomorrow, as he seems to yawn and curl up on the rug.
"Virox sleep here, Virox not think Virox fit in people thing bed, even if look really comfy."
After a moment, he closes his eyes, seeming to let himself fall into a comfortable sleep rather easily, it seems he feels secure, safe and comfortable in Kamille's home, as his tail gently wags a slight amount as he sleeps, like it's reacting to the pleasant rest for once that isn't filled with dread or worry.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jun 17, 2023 20:07:51 GMT -5
Not even marks... Despite Virox saying he was no more special than a regular gnoll, Kamille thought otherwise. He was certainly much more intelligent, even wise enough to know to assess people's intentions. She truly hoped he wasn’t to step into his father's footsteps, if all they heard so far about it was to be true...
Kamille would allow Virox to rest, but before going, she didn’t resist the urge to scratch behind his ear as he laid on her fur rug. She knew he wasn’t a puppy, but either way she found adorable the way his tail was gently wagging against the floor. Then, she went to her own bedroom to sleep, seemingly at ease with the presence of the gentle monster at her living room.
...
Zhantal, on the other hand, remained searching for the information they asked for. The book golem knew that library upside down and backwards, so he was certainly the best person... book... thing... to find it.
And whatever it was that he found, he seemed to be alarmed enough to wait for the sunrise to go to his Mistress room to deliver the information to her first hand, before she had the opportunity to see Virox.
"Uhm.... Mistress? Perhaps you should read this...."
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on Jun 21, 2023 11:30:46 GMT -5
Virox's tail wagged a bit more as he's scratched, not that he was conscious of this, as he sleeps peacefully, blissful in the ignorance of how special he was, or how horrifying he could be if he followed the path his father's blood left open for him to take at any time. He has dreams like visions, a voice calling to him, beckoning him, as he follows, he sees a glimpse of something, moment like a memory, one he doesn't recognize, yet it feels oddly familiar in a sense, like he'd been to this place, seen some of these faces before, and maybe even felt what he felt now as he looked around.
The passages are long, but the details clear, and to his credit, Zerrux wasn't entirely lying, just he had it seems no idea just how long he had really been gone, for his home, his father and mother, were not just dead, they were ancient beyond relevancy to anything that is around today, as was he, the passage explains that using magic to scary into the past, a great deal of explanation began to unfold as to what a city was doing as ruins of dust sitting beneath the desert.
"Amidst the grand temple of the last bastion of orc civilization untouched by more barbaric tendencies, did the city's own future ruler, Zerrux, bring ruin upon all that was his, upon his own people. With a bargain struck, Zerrux was made immortal, his kingdom made dead, then undead, an army to serve his new master's purpose, their ambition. The fall of a once great nation took all of a night, and when Zerrux's master was felled by the combined might of a betrayal by Zerrux alongside Old Darkwalker and a strange crystalline golem creature, it was decided that Zerrux would sleep beneath the earth far from his home that in the conflict had been banished to be ruins beneath the stands where none would hopefully find it or its tragedy, So that should the Lavender Queen return, she cannot regain control of him, and by extention, his army that now sleep in the city they once called home in life."
The passages also speak on his parents, both died some time after Zerrux was put to sleep, both dying of the same cause, a strange lavender tinge in their blood.
Virox would slowly awaken, stretching carefully, as he slowly began to rise and await Kamille to arrive so he could be present for whatever they find.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Jul 7, 2023 19:15:20 GMT -5
The information Zhantal brought up was concerning, and for a long moment she pondered whether she should bring it all to Virox. The half-demon hadn't given her reasons for distrust, but it's been only a day, really. She couldn't afford that much trust either...
With the book on her hand, she heads back to the library where Virox had fallen asleep the night before, with a thoughtful expression. Once she realizes he is already awake, she flashes him a gentle smile. Her hair was still messy from the bed, and she was still in her sleeping garments, with her purple robe over everything. She clearly just woken up and got the book Zhantal presented her.
"Good morning, Virox... Did you sleep well? I'm fix breakfast for us in a minute, I guess we should talk first... This is what Zhantal found..."
Kamille sat on the couch before the fireplace. In the end, she chose to share with Virox everything she found, reading out loud the passage that spoke of Zerrux. She was clearly concerned about it.
"This brings us to the problem at hand. I'm... not sure we should be sharing as much information with Zerrux. He is clearly hiding something, and if this things we found about him are of any indication, I don't think he might have the best intentions at heart..."
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on Jul 18, 2023 11:49:50 GMT -5
Virox seems happy as Kamille arrives, his tail seeming to wag unconsciously in a happy sense. What a strange question to ask, how did Virox sleep? Sleeping is the same as always to him, strange dreams or no, still he nods to her question, curious what it is she wants to talk about.
Virox's features seem to ripple with emotions as she speaks about the information she had found out, his thoughts roiling in his mind, emotions clear and visible in the way he sits now and his features. He mods along at her statements that follow regarding not trusting Zerrux, as he mulls over something. Finally he speaks, as he feels he can trust Kamille with anything, given how honest and kind she had been to Virox since the beginning.
"Virox have strange dream, Virox angry, then Virox see Zerrux and Crystal thing, Virox calms, confident that Virox and others will succeed with what comes next. Virox see pretty lady thing, but lady thing not human, thinking about Lady thing make Virox uneasy, even now, felt like Lady thing could see Virox. Virox fight Lady thing with others, barely win, Virox tell Zerrux he see him soon enough, then start walking off into desert. Virox wake up after that."
It is immediately obvious that this was no dream, but a vision, one born of his blood, his father's blood, as he looks to Kamille for reassurance and answers, trusting in her entirely. His tone regarding the lady thing seeing him implies he felt like it was seeing the real him, and not his father whom he was witnessing the even through the eyes of. His tail had long since stopped wagging, and his eyes seem to show this vision, along with what she has shared, distresses him greatly.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 4, 2023 11:03:43 GMT -5
Kamille seemed to take seriously everything Virox said. If there was something she was familiar with was prophetic dreams. It happened a lot under her roof - not much to herself, but to her visitors. Maybe it was the magic that permeated the entirety of the house, maybe it was the scent of the Blood Lily, but it was certainly common.
"I'm..... not sure what you saw was just a simple dream, Virox...... This Lady thing you said.... What does it look like? And why were you fighting it? Have you seen anything like it before? What about this crystal?"
This would have an easy solution if she wasn’t so hesitant about it.... Last few times she used the Reveal Truth spell, she came to regret it...
"This is your story, Virox. What do you wanna do now?"
|
|
Adventurer
32 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by rathfen on Aug 24, 2023 4:34:43 GMT -5
Virox looks somewhat surprised by her words, but decides to remember as best he can, sorting out the distractions like Zerrux, and focusing on the two that were asked about.
"Lady thing colorful, color like magic Virox see dead thing Zerrux has, also big wings coming out of back, claws like Virox, but Virox claws bigger. Lady thing look people thing sized, so Virox think form deceiving. Crystal thing look like someone try to carve people thing, but forgot what a people thing look like, it speak, it glow with same magic, it walked around, had name, cannot remember why, but when Virox look at it, Virox feel like crystal thing people thing, just not look like one."
The details seem to point to the Lady thing being a demon as well, and if that's the case, a far stronger one than even his father was, and apparently has a strange connection with the magic of Zerrux as well as the crystal person, whom based on description, could be an animated golem of some sorts, likely with a person's soul inside it.
"Virox want answers, Virox want to know why father know Lady thing, what Virox father have in common with Zerrux and Crystal thing...and why Virox feel strange when Virox do violent things."
It appears there is a drive for the truth in his own way, though the last part may be answers he seeks above all else.
|
|