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Post by Kalos Savra on Jul 20, 2022 14:27:26 GMT -5
Inanis Est A word Kalos knew nothing about, a word he had heard over and over again through out his childhood. A phrase repeated by evil men with vile intentions and blackness in their hearts. A justification for the torment they caused, the suffering they plagued the land with. Of all the nightmares he had, of all the memories that haunted his mind, Inanis Est was the worst of those, a word that had no meaning to him, but had destroyed his entire word. Kalos had only been free in Charon for about ten years now, but most of that was spent reacclimating to a new world, relearning how to function as a living mortal. All the trauma associated with his imprisonment was going to take more than a few years to overcome. It had been a long process , a struggle to learn how to live again. And while some scars still remain, he was learning to cope, and was in a much better place. However those faces, those words still haunted his thoughts. And so he had set out on a journey, he needed to find purpose, or create it for himself, and if the world was not going to give him a reason to live, he would make his own. The last few months had been spent in local libraries, shifting through archives and ancient text looking for any signs, any clues to lead him to his goal. He needed to know what Inanis Est was, what did it mean, why did it drive men to commit such vile acts. Unfortunately he had come up short time after time, page after page, it was useless. That was until one day he saw it, a random page in a random book that had a symbol scratched into it. To any normal reader this would have looked like a random doodle by the previous owner. However Kalos instantly recognized it, for the very same symbol had been carved into his skin, etched into his flesh like some satanic tattoo. And so his search had lead him here, to a sunken set of ruins deep in the swampland. The book he found did not offer much information, and seemed to be a historical text detailing the rise and fall of a civilization that was once prevalent in this area. Many people knew about this bog, a dense swamp that concealed more than the average person knew. Stories about ancient castles and keeps were told, a community swallowed by the earth itself. He could not understand what connection this place had with himself, but it was the only lead he had. So after packing his gear and steadying his resolve, the wood elf ventured to the Marsh Flats. The tall, pale elf slowly made his way through the much and grime of the swamp. He was wearing a ratty, tattered set of clothing, a black cloak draped over his shoulders and head. His arsenal was simple, a longsword on his hip and a long bow on his back. But he was skilled with both and was fully capable of defending himself. It was mid day, a dark, overcast summer afternoon greeted the man as he made his way through the region. Rocky walls and stone debris jutted up from the more marshy areas as a clap of thunder rolled overhead. It appeared as if a storm was brewing. Kalos silently stepped further towards his goal, keeping an eye on the storm overheard, when suddenly he heard a snap, a stick breaking just a few feet deeper in the woods. He instantly stopped, hands moving to his bow as his elven eyes scanned the perimeter, waiting for who, or what else was out here.
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Jul 20, 2022 14:57:40 GMT -5
The snap of the branch could be heard. So loud, in fact, it made Ulrich wince from the sudden alien noise it made to these marsh lands. He lifted his foot, disappointed in himself, that he would let himself get so distracted by his notes to break a stick and startle anything or anyone who was nearby. If anyone would be nearby, that was. As far as he knew, he was the only one in the Marsh Flats. No one would've made the journey here without reason. Except Ulrich really had no reason, other than to see the marshes for himself.
Although fate, it seems, did have other plans for him. As he stepped out from behind a tree into the small clearing, he noticed another here with him in the marsh. A tall, pale elf stared back at him, bow at the ready. No doubt, startled by the blunder he committed not moments ago.
An elf, here, in the marshes? Tattered clothing draped over by a cloak, a sword, a bow in hand. Another traveler, yet, he knows how to defend himself.
Ulrich then threw his hands up, showcasing the book and pen in his hand. His short sword sheathed, resting on his hip. He made sure to show the elf everything on his person. He didn't want to start something that could be avoided.
"Sorry, I mean no harm. I've been documenting this marsh's ecosystem. The snap you just heard was me."
He still held his hands up just in case the elf decided he could still be perceived as a threat. Even if the elf decided he was, Ulrich would defend himself as well. This kind of situation was not new to him. He'd been in his fair share of undesirable predicaments on the road due to misunderstandings.
All he needed to do now was wait for the elf's response, which he very much hoped, wouldn't result in a fight.
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Post by Kalos Savra on Jul 20, 2022 15:06:53 GMT -5
His keen elven eyes narrowed in as a figure emerged from the brush, coming from the direction of the snapped twig. The bow was instantly raised, and arrow nocked and drawn back in one swift motion. Whoever this stranger was was know staring at the pointy end of an arrow head. Kalos quickly gathered as much information as he could from looking at this young, unassuming man. He was human, in some nice travelers clothing, and held a pen and book in either hand. He seemed to be just as startled as Kalos was, raising both hands to show he meant no harm. While the young man did indeed have weapons on him, he was giving the wood elf no reason to believe ill intent was to be had here, at least not from this man. He slowly lowered the bow but kept the arrow out, maybe this man could help.
"Sorry to disturb your work, I too am out here doing some research. Ecosystems you say? Have you gathered very much information on this place yet? I happen to be looking for a location, an old temple or cavern that might have been overgrown. "
Finally putting his weapons away Kalos pulled out the book he had used to locate this place. Opening it he allowed this man to see its contents, a crude drawing of the entrance to some kind of building could be seen on the page. A small hole in the wall with trees and vines growing up it. If this man was researching the area, he might have come into contact with this location. This would also help Kalos determine if this man was telling the truth or if by some odd coincidence they were actually hunting the same thing.
"The name is Kalos by the way."
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Jul 21, 2022 3:35:21 GMT -5
"While I have been documenting the ecosystem mostly. I have come across some interesting buildings on my travels in these marshes. I may have come across the location you are looking for."
The elf pulled out a book which he showed to Ulrich in hopes of finding what he sought in the marshes. Taking a look down at the book, Ulrich started turning the pages of his own to the sketches of the ruins he's come across.
The elf introduced himself as Kalos, which brought a smile to Ulrich's face.
"Ulrich, Ulrich Ambriz. Pleased to meet you, Kalos," he said nodding.
Bringing his attentions back to the picture Kalos was showing to him and comparing it to his sketches, he finally came across one of interest. He had come across what Kalos was looking for! Except, he'd only thought of it as any other old ruin within the marshes.
"Aha! Yes, I've been there! As you can see, this drawing here matches yours!"
He pointed excitedly back and forth between the two drawings.
"Now I know we just met, albeit, a bit of a surprise out here. Do you mind me asking what your purpose is for finding this particular location?"
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Post by Kalos Savra on Jul 24, 2022 13:40:10 GMT -5
His heart began to beat faster and faster, small beads of sweat forming across his pale, scarred forehead as Ulrich turned page after page in his own journal, eventually holding a page up for Kalos to see. There on the page, sketched in pencil, was the exact same building he was looking for, the very same entrance in his own book. He could not believe it, his luck was beginning to change, for what were the odds that he would stumble across someone who had just found the very location he had been hunting for. Excitement grew in his chest as the wood elf returned his bow and arrow to his back.
"By the gods i cant believe it, thats it, the place i am looking for. Do you think you would be willing to take me there? I am very eager to find this place."
He didnt know what was awaiting him there, what secrets were buried beneath the earth, but whatever was there, he was going to find it, he would scour the ends of the earth to discover the evil secrets behind his past. Things were starting to look up, and after a lifetime of suffering and punishment, he was going to bring a little light to Charon.
"Im doing a bit of research myself, i had a very nasty encounter with some people during my child hood, and this place is connected to them. Im not sure how and im not sure why, but im going to get to the bottom of things, and you may be the help i was looking for, the first step in this long journey. "
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Jul 24, 2022 16:53:35 GMT -5
Ulrich watched as Kalos' eyes lit up with excitement. The elf hurriedly holstered his bow and arrow. He must have been searching high and low for this place, which, funnily enough, Ulrich had already been to.
Fate sometimes I wonder if you're actually a comedian setting me on common seeming paths only to be met with interesting situations.
"Yes, of course! I don't see any reason why I wouldn't. I passed it not too long ago just further into the marsh. Although at the time it only struck me as another ruin lost to time here."
When he first stumbled across Kalos moments ago, he thought that this chance meeting would just be like any other he'd experienced on his travels. The way the elf's eyes lit up, coupled with his excitement and eagerness to find this place, made Ulrich decided otherwise. It looked as if the quiet, nomadic life he'd been living to this point, had lead him to something that would be bit more adventurous.
"All the more reason to offer you my help. I've been living the life of a traveler, but it seems us meeting here, may be Fate telling me that I needed a change of pace. Let us be on our way then, Kalos."
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Post by Kalos Savra on Jul 27, 2022 5:47:02 GMT -5
Kalos was never really one to have friends, and joining a random stranger on a quest such as this one was really against his normal habits, this however was not a normal quest. He was going to need all the help he could get if things were even close to how they thought they were going to be. Afterall the people this place once belonged to were some of the most vile, evil men he had ever met in his life. They were capable of extremely horrific things, and Kalos was honestly not fully prepared to face his past. So having someone beside him was starting to alleviate some of the stress. He followed Ulrich through the marsh, the duo moving together as he led Kalos to the ruins he recently discovered.
Upon arriving, the wood elves heart sank into his stomach. He didnt know what eh was going to feel when he found this place, but now that he was here, laying eyes upon it, a chill ran down his spin, words echoing in his memories. A small door way could be seen laid into the stone walls, large vines and tree roots now growing up the sides and down the walls. The swamp was reclaiming this place, but not even time itself could wipe away the darkest of evils. Staring into the empty door way he could feel it stare back, the dark void calling his name as he could feel evil begin to seep out from beneath the earth.
"I am grateful for your assistance in leading me here Ulrich, and honestly i would love to have your help exploring these ruins. But i need to be honest and up front with you. What i seek can be very dangerous, i do not know what slumbers deep inside this place."
He slowly drew his long, jagged blade as he stared back into the hole. Beads of sweat dripping down his forehead now as he could feel his heartbeat getting the best of him.
"I have no intentions of putting you in harms way. If you wish to turn back, i can pay you for your help and go on my way. "
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Jul 27, 2022 14:16:15 GMT -5
Ulrich detected the change in behavior to his new companion as they approached. Beads of sweat also perspiring on his forehead.
Kalos peered into the darkness just beyond the door. As if on the other side of that darkness was a hell Ulrich could not understand. Yet, he was not one to leave his business taken care of partially. He would see this through to the end with Kalos. Danger was not something he was unfamiliar with.
"Nonsense," he said with a smile. "I said I'd help you, I brought you here, and that is only part of it. I will not abandon you to face whatever darkness lies ahead alone."
He held out his hand to Kalos, signifying that whatever problems lay ahead for the man, he would be there to help him. It never failed. These types of situations always seemed to find Ulrich. He viewed them mostly as a small nuisance, but every once in a while, he would find something that was worth noting. This was something beyond noteworthy, he felt. This is something that could potentially be life changing.
"So Kalos, how about we face the darkness together?"
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Post by Kalos Savra on Sept 4, 2022 17:20:31 GMT -5
He was grateful to have someone here with him, a companion he felt like he could trust on this mysterious journey. Giving Ulrich a nod, Kalos pulled out his blade from its resting place and began to cut away at roots and vines that had begun to grow up over the cavern. Insects scurried about as the elf cut away the thicket, revealing a door way in the wall, leading deep into the ground. Warm air could be felt escaping from the earth, the eerie howl of wind illuminating the fact that this cavern was much deeper than maybe thought. He would take point, being sure to be the front of the group at all times. While he was glad to have someone here with him, brave enough to venture deep into the darkness, he was not going to allow anything bad to happen to the young man.
As Kalos stepped into the darkness, it took a moment for even his elven eyes to adjust to how extremely dark and bleak it was. Earth quickly turned to stone, walls and a floor showing signs of life at some point. Dust layered the path as cob webs hung from the ceiling, the elf slowly stepping from the safety of the world outside and deep into whatever laid in wait for the duo. His voice echoed out in a very low whisper, addressing Ulrich who had most likely followed him in.
"It's pretty dark in here, I'm going to stand on guard in case anything shows up, do you happen to have a torch on you? It might help us with navigating these ruins. "
He knew not what slumbered deep in these lost ruins, but if it had anything to do with the cultist or his past, it was not going to be a friendly trek.
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Sept 11, 2022 2:41:24 GMT -5
Ulrich had followed Kalos into the darkness, and they halted for a quick moment to assess their situation. Even with Kalos' elven eyes, the elf needed a minute to adjust. Even then, a light in the darkness would massively help.
"I regret to inform you that I do not, but," Ulrich began to look around in search of anything that could be of use. "If we can find anything to create a makeshift torch— or even just an old torch— I could give it a spark to ignite it."
There was something about the whole feel of this place. It was as if the darkness beckoned the both of them, and that gave Ulrich a sinking feeling in his stomach. He was sure that the both of them were capable enough to take on whatever dangers lay outside, but in here... He wasn't so sure the danger would be like fighting wild animals or bandits in the marsh.
"I will admit— I have a very bad feeling about this place, Kalos."
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Post by Kalos Savra on Sept 12, 2022 17:34:50 GMT -5
He cursed under his breath at the dawning of neither of them having a torch on hand. He was not upset with Ulrich, more so himself that he did not think this far in advance, of course there was going to be a dark underground building, and of course he was going to need a torch. Nodding his head to his companion, he offered a simple smile.
"Hmm I'm sure we will stumble upon something we can use as a torch. I can see a little bit, but the deeper we go, the darker it will get I'm sure. I will keep my eyes peeled from something though. As for now stay close to me."
With his blade drawn Kalos moved forward, slowly taking one step at a time as he scanned the scenery before him. The light from outside was starting to fade away as the two slopped downwards, moving further away from the light and safety, and closer towards the evil within. The stone floor eventually leveled out, indicating they had made it to the first floor, stone walls lining a long hallway that vanished off in the distance. Everything was grey and muted for the wood elf, basic shapes a blur against the void.
However he could make out very small, faint objects lining the walls. It appeared as if old steel torch brackets lined the walls, bearing decayed and spoiled torch remains. One of them could have potentially held enough scrap, combined with a spark, to provide enough light for the men. Keeping his left hand armed with his blade, Kalos used his right to reach out and grab at one of the torch sconces. Gripping the steel, he pulled, trying to free the left over wood.
He knew it that instance that a mistake had been made. For it was not a torch his fingers grabbed, and was instead a device of some kind. A groan could be heard from the floor beneath his feet, as suddenly the ground vanished beneath him, a trap hole opening up. A cry escaped his mouth as the elf fell. His reactions were quick, at least quick enough to save himself. His right hand bolted outwards, gripping the ledge he had just fallen off of. Luckily the hole was only big enough to capture him, leaving Ulrich safely above. There he hung, using one hand to hold his weight, as empty darkness loomed below.
"Seems like a trap had been left here, any chance you can help pull me up?"
His voice echoed off the stone walls, rising up from the hole he dangled in, hoping Ulrich was safe enough and able to help him out of this situation.
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Sept 15, 2022 4:38:52 GMT -5
A quick moment after Kalos voiced his question of help to Ulrich, he could see the bespectacled man's head pop in to look down at him with a worried expression. It was a bit comical, to say the least.
"Oh goodness, I thought I'd lost you there, Kalos. I've got you!"
He quickly grabbed hold Kalos' hand and pulled him up out of the darkness. Ulrich had pulled the elf man up with ease, and dusted himself off as if he'd not even broken a sweat. He turned to Kalos with a smile and a nod after peering down into the trap door.
He whistled, "Who knows how far that goes down. It's a good thing you've got those reflexes, my friend!" He then looked around at all the other old torches that lined the walls. "I'm a bit wary of pulling torches from the walls now."
"So, what is it you're looking for down here to be exact?"
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Post by Kalos Savra on Sept 19, 2022 1:11:03 GMT -5
Luckily both men were fit and strong enough to make pulling the elf an easy task. Using his own strength, Kalos assisted, pulling himself up further onto the ledge as Ulrich did the heavy lifting. Now back on solid ground Kalos checked himself, assuring his gear was still intact. He was not at all surprised that this place was hiding traps, and cursed himself for not thinking more about the likely hood of something popping up. Knowing this now though he would go deeper in aware of the fact, keeping an eye out for any more triggers or traps.
"Yeah I got super lucky, if that hole was any bigger I might not have made it. We will have to keep an eye out for any further obstacles, I'm sure this is not the only trap that would have been placed here. Honestly, I'm not totally sure what Im looking for. You see in my youth i was held captive by a group of ill intentioned people. They performed all kinds of experiments and test on me. Those who were responsible are long gone, but their influence still remains. I have recently uncovered this location to be one of their prime hide outs. "
As he told the story he continued to press forward, using a small ledge along the wall to navigate past the hole and continue further into the lair. It was probably foolish to continue the adventure, after all he had no idea what was down here, if there was anything at all. But he had to try, he had to know. What drove men to preform such vile acts of evil. He only hopped whatever remained here was not something that would cost his, or Ulrich's life, or their sanity.
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Post by Ulrich Ambriz on Oct 16, 2022 22:54:15 GMT -5
Ulrich followed Kalos further into the darkness. Thoughts of what dark acts must've been done at the hands of these men that were mentioned. He gently shook his head as he regained focus on what was currently happening around the both of them.
"So, you're looking for any possible remnants of the men that experimented on you? Their influence remains, so that means that there are still those who might be continuing their work in the shadows?"
As they continued into the smothering darkness, Ulrich had to rely more on his hearing now. His thoughts ever louder now.
"One could only wonder what vile things they might've been hiding down here. You don't build traps in such a place without there being something to protect from unwelcome guests."
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