Circle Sweat

Tenebrae - Saturday, December 07, 2013, 7:24 PM

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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshippers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagestones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.

At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.

Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.

The night is shrouded in cold bleak mist, dark grey and colorless. The ground is icy and the air wet.

Mikilos sits quietly in a large circle of runes scribled onto the cobblestones, frowning seriously at the markings. This is no so very unusual, at least by the standards of Alexandria. That the elf be shirtless, and sweating, despite it being the depth of winter, is a little more noteworthy.

Kiroth comes walking in from over the bridge and he is dressed warmly but without armor. He sees the half naked elf in the middle of the temple with a circle of runes around him. He is curious so he moves over to investigate. He doesn't want to interrupt any spells.

Mikilos mutters absently a few moments, shfiting around to peer at another part of the circle. Wipeing away a bit of swaet, the elf blinks, noticing Kiroth. "Oh, hello."

Kiroth gives a polite smile, "Greeting. If you wouldn't mind I'm just curious as to what you are doing. The temple square seems like an odd choice to be casting a spell in this weather."

Mikilos hrrms absently, then grins. "Oh, no, the spell's already cast. It's just not working right, and I'm not sure why." The wizard wipes off a bit of sweat, and stands. "It's supposed to work so that anyone standing inside the circle is comfortably warm. Instead, is uncomfortably warm. Quite hot, really. Glitches out sometimes as well, but pretty sure I know why that was happening."

Kiroth hmms, 'I see. I don't know much about spells. I hope that you can figure out how to work your spell. Can I ask why you decided to cast it here?"

Vuk has arrived.

Mikilos chuckles. "Lots of people around who'd like to have a warm spot, and enough room here for me to work with until I manage to get it right, without blocking anyone's path." The elf is shirtless, and sweating profussly, despite the winter chill, inside a circle of runes scribbled onto the cobblestones. A much more senceably attired Kiroth stands nearby.

Temples! Winter! Vuk is walking along cheerfully, doffing his Top Hat at any one he passes and offering up 'Jolly Good Day!' to them. He's almost skipping as he goes, only pausing to remove his monocole and polish it with a bit of cloth he carries for this purpose when he sees an elf, shirtless. "By the gods man! What fell ruffian stole your clothes? I'll have them in irons I will!" He says when he's close enough.

Tall and imposing by gobber standards, which is to say, short by most others. A glorious three feet and four inches dressed in splendid hides of exotic beasts, leaning away from barbaric overtures and more towards eccentric big game hunter. A monocole rests on one eye, and a top hat completes the ensemble.

Kiroth nods, "True I suppose, although the temples are warm, they have fixed the holes and repaired the roof so that at least the snow doesn't come in any more." He looks over as the goblin in the top hat and monocle comes in, "Hello. No one has stolen his clothes. He's under a magical spell."

Mikilos blinks, looking sharply to a small pile of supplies just outside the circle, his clothing amoung them, and relaxes. "Above it, actually. But whatever. Anyway, no, I'm fine, just vexed by a problomatic spell. Likely something simple I'm just overlooking..."

Vuk will adjust his monocole and move produce a pipe, which suspiciously looks like he made it him self and it might have been a byproduct of some thing involving fire, because it looks like the bowl is fairly singed. He doesn't actually smoke so much as tap it against his teeth. "I See. I see. Spells eh? Tricky things, what is the nature of this one? Perhaps a third party of great inspiration may be of service." He says, doffing his hat.

Kiroth nods, "Yes they can be quite tricky which is why I am glad that I cannot cast spells yet although I am told that I am getting close to when a Sunblade can begin to ask the Shining Knight to grant him spells as he would a Sunguard."

Mikilos mmmms. "Just a simple thermal transferance from the surrounding aether to the standing frimament of the included area. I've double checked the conversion ratio, and starting points of relivant thermal energy, as well as the dissipation rate to the surrounding enviroment, but I'm still ending up with an excess end tempature." Glancing to Kiroth, he nods. "Not exactly the same, but there are some similar considerations."

Vuk looks at Kiroth, then Mikilos. "Sir, are you meaning to say, you are trying to make fire, and when you do, it's simply to much of a fire?" He asks, apparently, that whole line of speech confused the devil out of Vuk!

Mikilos is a wizard, and an elf. Bigger words are better words. "No, starting a fire would be far too hot. I'm just trying to make it warm."

Kiroth listens thoughtfully to Mikilos and he nod, "It would seem that just making a fire would be easier, but I can understand that there are times when making a fire might not be possible, but you still need to be warm." He smiles, "From what I know clerics and paladins pray for spells and the Gods grant them, we don't have to experiment as you mages do."

Vuk taps his pipe against his clothing when Mikilos mentions being warm. "Sirs, I believe the easiest solution is to simply wear clothing meant for the weather, as opposed to trying a method to forcibly change the elements in your favour." He suggests.

Mikilos mmms. "I think Reos might favor experimentation. And Thuul, though nobody much likes his experiments. Anyway, not everyone is able to have warm clothing handy. Would be quite easy for everyone to just carry their own torch, yet instead we have mana lamps. Heat is no less importnat than light."

Kiroth nods a little bit, "Indeed being properly clothed can keep one warm as well as having a good hot meal. I am Sunblade Kiroth by the way I don't believe any of us have met before."

Vuk clears his throat when a name is given and looks between the two. "By the gods I've been rather rude! I am Vuk Aleksy! Adventurer Extradionaire and if I do say so, rather inclined towards destruction of the undead, a specialist you might say!" He says and offers one hand to Kiroth, and then Mikilos.

Mikilos grins, wipeing the sweat from one hand before accepting the handshake with a firm, is somewhat moist, grip. "Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Builder Arcane. Though just 'Mikilos' will do. A pleasure to make your aquaintence." Frowing a moment longer at the arcane runes, the elf shrugs, and raeches into the chill air to gather up his garments, turning upon the very edge of the circle. Inside is too warm, and outside too cold. Right on the line isn't better, but beat freezing or passing out from heat stroke. Soon enough the elf is dressed in a thick cloak, and carefully eraseing the runes from the cobbles.

Kiroth smiles, "It is nice to meet you both. Really do you enchant armor and weapons? I have just had my full plate enchanted. Have you fought undead before Vuk? I have dire wolves and helped to defend the city against artifice that would seek to destroy the Temples of the Gods."

Vuk watches Mikilos, he's expecting like, self dressing clothes. "Oh yes, I have, along with all manner of animal, though more for interest in their pelt and meat. Wonderful trade it is, though I fear, it doesn't pay the best." He says, watching the runes, maybe trying to remember them before they are gone, or trying to discern if he knew them!

Mikilos basically laid down a variation of Resist Elements, though obviously with some modifications. "Oh yes, I craft a wide manner of arcade device. Potions, rings, scrolls, armors, and various enchanted items. Weapons are something of my speciality, though that's really more a preferance than a matter of ability."

Kiroth nods, "Good to know should I ever need my armor and shield further enchanted. I am reluctant to have my sword enchanted. It's special to me even though I don't know what the symbol on the hilt means."

Vuk cocks his head a bit, enchanted weapons, equally new! "Well Sir Mage, I am curious as to how your arts mesh with the use of rifle and pistol. Can they impart part of the aether to the shot?"

Mikilos nods to Vuk. "Can and have. A longgun, at least, though I doubt the enchantment of a pistol would be too terrible diffrent." Looking to Kiroth, he quirks a brow. "Might I have a look? I take pride in being familiar with a wide range of uncommon information, and might be able to offer some insight."

Kiroth nods as he moves to take the sword from the sheath at his waist and he offers the longsword handle first towards Mikilos, "I had it with me since I was found during the siege of the city by the city of Merkabah."

Vuk will watch the exchange with curiousity. "I should some day consider having long gun properly infused with aetheric properties." He says and then quiets, to see what is discerned of the blade.

Mikilos examines the symbol a few moments before offering the blade back, frowning thoughfully as he considers the potential meanings.

GAME: Mikilos rolls knowledge/religion: (3)+11: 14 GAME: Mikilos rolls knowledge/local: (17)+11: 28 GAME: Mikilos rolls knowledge/nobility: (14)+11: 25 GAME: Mikilos rolls knowledge/history: (6)+11: 17

Kiroth pages: The idea behind it is that it's going to be an ancestral item, right now the symbol is unknown but it would be a symbol of daeus.

Mikilos mmms. "Context is everything, but at a guess I'd say some variation of the sun. Light, hope, maybe Daeus. The craftmanship is old, two hundred years at least, likely closer to four. I'd guess infulence of the Myrrish kingdoms, though that doesn't mean that's the place of orgin."

Kiroth watches as Mikilos examines the sword and he nods, "Thank you for you knowledge Mikilos. Other scholar that I have shown it too have told me similar things along those lines. I hope to one day discover what it means."

Vuk is looking at the sword, but history, scholary pursuits? They mean little to him. "May I suggest, if you know roughly where the blade was found, to return there, and perhaps look for clues to how it came there? It would make a proper adventure in and of it self."

Mikilos nods in agreement. "Though the ruins of Merkbah are no idle trip. More tahn a few would-be treasure hunters have met their end in those halls."

Kiroth smiles, "I would if I could, but I was found with the sword in this city during the siege and was taken to the Temple of Daeus. I am an orphan. I did not find the sword in the ruins. I survived the attack on the city."

Vuk taps that pipe against his chin again in thought. "But they may hold answers, and that means it's worth the risk, isn't it? I'm sure in a city of wonders, you could find others who'd journey with you."

Mikilos grins, and nods. "Sure, teh city is full of suicidal fools. Seriously, Merkbah is deadly. Go with utmost caution if you go at all."

Kiroth hmms, "I don't plan to I don't think this sword came from the ruins of Merkbah, if anything it was probably my father's sword, but I have no real way of knowing. Either way it is a serviceable blade. I pray that the Shining Knight will one day reveal it's purpose to me if there is one."

Vuk coughs quietly to him self. "I fear my own choice of weapon is neither steeped in tradition or grandeur, simple and servicable is all they are. Suited to hunting and the dispatching of the undead." He admits with a slight grin. "Though, I dare say, I did craft my own rifle, bloody good job I did of it."

Mikilos nods, grasping the hilt of his own sword and drawing the mitril blade a few inches beofre returning it. "Currently little more than a backup for when my spells run low, but I mean to pour a fair bit of power into it eventually."

Kiroth nods as he gets his sword back and he sheathes it. "That is what is most important that it's serviceable and readily be used to defend those. Another good thing as long as my grip is good you never run out of a sword. Even then I carry a warhammer with me. Also good for when the monsters resist a slash from a sword."

Vuk makes the motion of firing a rifle into the air. "A long gun is fairly useful in all things I think. If you can't fell the creatures, you can run away to find those who can!"

Mikilos grins, and nods. "I've never run out of spells, but on occasion have run out of those useful in the particular situation. An effect of trying to have a spell for every situation is that not every spell suits your particular situation."

Kiroth ahs, "Well you know that better than I would. Yes they are useful guns that is sometimes you can't reach your foe with a sword."

Vuk bobs his head a bit at the two of them. "I should acquire tomes on the subject of spells, they may prove to be quite useful as a trick up the old sleeve, I dare say so my self."

Mikilos grins. "Something of the penultimate trick, if used properly. Though some are fairly straight foreward in their use. A fireball isn't exactly subtle casting."

Kiroth nods, "Nor is it discriminate. I would not like to be on the receiving end on it, friendly or otherwise."

Vuk listens to the two whilst looking up at them. "Fireballs are a wonderful way to cook certain dishes, I met a mage who used to do that trick. Right good idea, flash frying some things like that, and quite a good show!"

Mikilos nods. "Useful for cooking large numbers of small game, but distinctly less so for large prey. The outside tends to burn while the innards are still raw. A lightning bolt can cook in interior, but is rather more haphazard."

Kiroth hmms, "I'd rather rely on normal fire to cook my food. Not that I distrust magic it's just that magic has many effects and I'd rather not get zapped trying to each a leg of venison."

Vuk taps that pipe against his chin in thought again. "This is a most unusual means of cooking, lightning. I would like to see it done. I wonder if I brought in game if I could find a wizard to experiment.."

Mikilos ponders a few moments. "You might try Myrana, over at the Ox Strenght Tavern. She's quite the cook, and has an affinity for lightning." He ponders a few moments, and looks to Kiroth. "And now that I think of it, might try asking Kerbasy of the Mourners about your blade. He's best with the departed, but does have a sort of affinity for objects which were never quite alive."

Kiroth hmms, "I think I will pass on trying lightning fried food." He nods to Mikilos, "I will see the Mourners to see if they could help. I never thought of that."

Vuk is making mental notes, they will help him in this city! "Perhaps this Lady Myrana will let me watch her use the spells to cook in exchange for the game! A Novel idea!"

Mikilos shrugs. "I don't know if she's actually attempted it, but she does make a rather impressive apple strudel. And hard cider. And ale. Gunpowder whisky." The elf coughs softly.

Kiroth nods, "I have to tried the gunpowder whisky, it is an experience that everyone should have at least once. I've only had the apple strudel once. It was great."

Vuk licks his lips a bit at the mention of these peculiar drinks. "Where might I find this place again?" He asks.

Mikilos grins. "Lower docks. The inhabitants tend to be lowlifes and ner'do'wells. As are many of the owners. The orginal owner, Sir Oxley, was a great man, will an equally uncouth family. The place was left to Miss Myrana, but under the condition that the surviving Oxley continue to be employeed there. They are terrible people. But, Myrana does what she can to counteract them."

Kiroth nods, "I've been there a couple of times, but I do try to wear my armor when I go down there, just incase you can never know when a fight will break out."

Vuk taps that pipe his again before secreting it away. "Well no Ruffians can keep me from enjoying an exotic beverage I dare say."

Mikilos mmms. "Likely not. They're a rough bunch, but have their own sence of honor. Would likely wait paciently for you to finish the dirnk before breaking your nose."

Kiroth smiles, "That is true and you have to respect them for that, they don't waste their ale."

Vuk bobs his head a bit, seemingly, intent on finding this place. "Well, I'll just slip out quietly as they fight amoungst them selves!"

Mikilos ponders. "Might work, but I'm pretty sure the third rule is on your first visit, you have to fight."

Kiroth nods and rubs his jaw, "Yah you gotta fight, carefully the barmaid has a mean right cross."