Log:Broken Blade: Order Investigation
Fernwood Pub
Godwyn Te’Andra Kyson
It's mid-afternoon and the city is warmed by the bright sun high above. A cool wind blows in from the northwest to billow the cloak and keep things at a nice, respectable temperature. Kyson, the young wizard, is back at his familiar table in at the Fernwood; a few books spread out around him with his own journal opened next to his writing case. Set nearby is a small plate of bread, cheese and fruit - reading munchies it would seem.
Te'Andra steps in from the high summer (to her) heat outside, and smiles at the room as her eyes adjust. She notices the other occupant of a table, and nods to him as she moves over to Kyson glances up at the sound of the new arrival and takes a second to realize what he's actually seeing. Giants are not that uncommon within the city but it's not like Kyson has met many of them. Her pleasantries momentarily forgotten, he suddenly snapps back into himself and offers, "Aye...but the breeze is nice m'lady." Pushing a few of the books to the side to make a place for her he asks, "Care for a seat?"
Te'Andra gestures for her meal to be served to the other table. "Good day. I hear it will get even hotter, I can't imagine that, but that's what they say. I am Te'andra TorsDatter, a pleasure to meet you. I am here to adventure, and learn more magics for my repertoire"
Kyson was just about to rattle off his own introduction, standing from the table to offer the giantess his best, formal bow, when she said the 'magic' word. With an eyebrow raised in question, he tilts his head to the side almost owl-like before asking, "Magic, m'lady? Of what type do you study?" With his bow made, the arcane equivalent to a handshake, he waits to see if she will join him before retaking his seat.
Te'Andra sits down with Kyson, after returning the bow and smiles. "I tend not to have to study, as such, it seems the magic sings in my blood. I do and can research such things, as it's initeresting to me, but I am what's called a Sorceress here, I believe. They keep tellling me to join the Arcane Society, but I'm not sure. I've been able to get by with just my Adventurer's card, so far"
Kyson nods seemingly understanding and stacks the books he was leafing through beside him. The writing case, for now, is closed and put to the side but only after he's wiped the pen's nib clean of ink. Don't want it to clog. "So what fine adventures have you been on in you travels? I would think that just getting to Alexandros was, in itself, quite a journey."
Te'Andra says, "It was, but I came with a mercenary group, so it was mostly just light duty, some fighting. This is the first City I've ever been in, and I decided to just stay, since I had served a full term. The rest of it has been, to be honest, cleaning out the remains fo Alchemistic and Wizardly laboratories where the experiments have gotten out of hand. It gives one an ill idea of the fringes of our society, it truly does""
Te'Andra says, "It was more important, honestly, to ensure that we didn't die and get consumed by the monsters. Though, I didn't see any notes or directions, but with the monsters that ensued, I think I would have destroyed them if I'd seen them. Some research is beyond what should be done. And a 20 foot wall of flesh with multiple faces is one of those"
Tim, the portly elf enters the pub, smiling to himself as he moves, or waddles somewhat, to an empty table to sit down. He gets the attention of a waitress and begins to order...about 8 plates of food and three mugs of various drinks.
Kyson blinks in surprise and mouths the words 'wall of flesh' in response. No sound escapes his lips for fear that it might suddenly, impossibly, summon such a thing but he does find the claim disturbing. "Yes...well...how about that weather," he begins attempting to pull himself and anyone else away from that subject and somewhere, anywhere else. "So you've only been from your homeland to here? Ever been to Rune?"
Te'Andra says, "I travelled there a few days ago, to attend the ghost funeral of one of the mages. It was an experience, I believe. I'm still processing if it's a good one or a bad one. Like much in my life, it could have been both.""
Tim is seated at his table, with a drink while waiting for his meals to arrive. He looks around, looking over folks while smiling in a friendly way. A jolly fat man.
Kyson nods to the Giantess, giving the oddly-shaped elf a side-long glance before continuing with his thoughts. "I was there as well," he begins, "...I even made an offering at the Master's funeral ceremony hoping to ensure his comfort in the next life." The elf gets yet another look - as though the young wizard couldn't believe what he was seeing. "R-Rune is a wondrous place..." he tries to focus his thoughts once more on the topic at hand.
Te'Andra says, "It was odd and unusual, that is true. I'm not entirely sure I'd describe it as Wondrous. Perhaps if I'm more skilled, I will. Or maybe it is more intense while under siege."
The first three plates arrive for Tim and he thanks the waitress, grabbing his silverware and digging in. It appears to be three different steaks, likely from various sources. The elf seems to have tuned out the rest of the bar and now is engrossed in his eating.
The voracious elf does definitely create a site not quickly forgotten. Curious, though with his own limitations, Kyson does his best to keep his eyes upon the company at his table rather than the distraction nearby. "I'm doing my own investigations into Rune's history and its current affairs. I can only hope that the masters will put an end to the Dran hordes once and for all." The tone of his voice, relatively calm at first, turns bitter and vile at the mention of the chaotic tribes of the east.
Godwyn sits at the table, having arrived earlier to chat with Kyson. Yet as soon as others arrive, she goes quiet, simply listening to words being said, and what they might mean. Most of it is talk of the recent events in Rune. To this, she still says nothing, observing the interplay of faces now instead of words.
To the unobservant, it seems she is simply taking things in. But... she's training herself to anyone that sees deeper.
Well, the fat elf finishes off one plate and with a wave of his hand, its cleaned and then moves by itself across the table. Never say this elf isn't considerate enough to do his own cleaning. At this time some more dishes arrive, and Tim selects some type of pasta dish to begin to work on. Pausing to take a drink from one of the mugs at his table.
Te'Andra looks at Kyson, wondering if he heard her comment about Rune. "I think they will, they certainly are a driven people. And smart, magical cities tend to be that.
Kyson glances over and seems to have just noticed Godwyn's arrival. "M'lady Godwyn," he smiles to the paladin of the blue rose. "I hope that your day goes well...," he greets before popping a small bit of cheese into his mouth. The blue-bound books of Runan history are pulled from the space on the table between them and returned to his haversack - accompanied by his writing case but not his journal; not yet. "If you would permit me, Lady Godwyn - may I present Te'andra Thorsdattar," his words accompanied by a gesture to the giantess seated with him. Unfortunately the boy may not have pronounced her name exactly correctly.
Godwyn smiles. "I was wondering how long I could go unnoticed. Seems it takes a while longer than it used to. Means I'm getting better at it." She takes in a breath. "My thanks, master Kyson. We've already met, in fact." Godwyn glances toward Te'Andra. "That funeral turned into something interesting though, didn't it?"
Tim is still eating away, finishing up another dish, then once again magically cleaning and moving it aside to start on the next one. It seems the elf may have swallowed a bag of holding or something.
Te'Andra nods to Godwyn. "Indeed we are acquainted. It was interesting, and different, and suchlike terms, but I'm still considering if it's enjoyable or not. Though, Travelling there has made my purse unfortunately light, and I need finds employment again, I think"
Kyson hrms and seems to smile at the two women having already met - makes for easier conversation. "I believe I have been able to identify the military order from which the sword came m'lady." He starts to explain and then flips around his journal to show the hand-written notes. "The Order of the Griffon...so noted by wings upon the blade's hilt." He seems as pleased as an apprenticed which just impressed his master - which he may have done. "They flew!" he exclaims excitedly, "...on griffons!"
OOC: Page Link: http://tinyurl.com/qjm7fd8
Godwyn glances toward the blade... then nods. "It explains the embroidery on the hilt. From what you've learned, that crest is indeed supposed to be in the center. But..." She reaches for the journal. "May I?"
The elf is steadily working through his meal, though he is slowing down a bit now that he has finished four plates. There are still four left, and he appears to be done with his first mug of drink.
Te'Andra turns and looks interestedly at the sword as it's shown. "Functional, looks like the Order of the Skyborne. Perhaps they are the same? Teh skyborne came amongst our clan years ago, and we have only stories left of them"
Kyson nods and slides the book a little further towards the paladin so that she can investigate further. "I think that I've even discovered the rank of the knight who once carried it. One of my notes said that Commanders within their Order had wings of mithral upon their blade, gold was for Officers." The pride welling up in the boy's words is hard to miss. His findings reveal, in essence, that an ancestor of his was an officer of the Order of the Griffon. Would that he had such honors. Turning to the giantess he raises an eyebrow at the new term. "Skyborne," he asks curiously. "I have never heard of such an order."
GAME: Godwyn rolls Military: (8)+Military: 8 GAME: Godwyn rolls Knowledge/Military Theory: (12)+17: 29
Godwyn smiles. "Every culture, every major city, has trained their own order of griffon or dragon riders. They serve as the main strike force from the air. Charn has their Lancers, serving as part of their special forces. Alexandria has the Skyguard. This Order of the Griffon is no different, only they had mages in their ranks."
The fat elf finishes yet another plate, but now he pauses for a moment. He sits quietly, glancing around the room as he sips from one of his drinks.
Te'Andra looks over at the strange elf. "Greetings" she says, to be inclusive, then turns back to Godwyn and Kyson. "It is legend, perhaps it is the same group. Perhaps it's not. Are you investigating the History of this group in Rune? Perhaps to resurrect them?"
Kyson offers, "I have yet to return to Rune to inquire as to the Order's existence but I would imagine that, with the borders of Rune being threatened, their ranks would be put to task of defending the kingdom." The young wizard reaches over and turns his journal so that Te'Andra could see the entry upon the page as well. "Though I have no idea if their numbers of swollen, faultered or possibly diminished in the battle with the... the forces of Chaos itself." Again, even mentioning the Dran seems to tap into some reservoir of anger previously unknown within the young man.
Godwyn places a hand on his right shoulder. "Calm yourself..." She glances toward the blade for a moment, then to him. "The journal, if I may? I'd like to see if I can glean anything from what you've learned."
Te'Andra shrugs. "I'd be interested in that information too. Have you subjected it to a magical examination? I suspect yes, but it seems a prudent question to ask" She dips into her own, now cold food. She grips it, and seems to heat it up with a touch.
Kyson smiles to Godwyn, reaching up to touch her own hand with his. Just her touch seems to have settled his momentary outburst. With a quick pat of his hand, he nods and reaches out to twist the journal back to the paladin, "Please - read on. Anything personal would be difficult to translate," he smiles, "...and probably of little import." His thoughts lost to him for a moment he lets them drift to a pleasant moment, "Have either of you ever seen a griffon...up close?" The question doesn't fall from his lips but for a moment before he follows it with a small story. "I saw one, at a distance. On of the great big grey ones near the dwarven mountains. I think it was hunting or something but it looked -enormous-."
Godwyn reaches for the book. "I have. I managed to touch its fur and feathers." She smiles. "He was the noble companion of a Sunblade by the name of Benthus." With that, she opens the pages and attempts to divest anything from what he's scribed.
GAME: Godwyn rolls Nobility: aliased to Knowledge/Nobility: (4)+19: 23 GAME: Godwyn rolls Intelligence+2: (9)+4+2: 15 to Kyson
NOTE: There's almost nothing known of his direct lineage within the pages. He knows only that his mother came from Rune. She rarely mentioned her father or grandfather and he assumed that she was a commoner who, arriving in Alexandros for some unknown reason, met his father and they were married.
The elf is almost done with his meal, finally down to his last plate, and his last mug. Eventually he finishes that too, leaving a few coins as a tip when he slowly rises and starts to waddle towards the door.
Godwyn closes the book. "And so you've narrowed it down to two... but you can't tell which one. The crest, belonging to a high-ranking knight commander, might have told you the answer." She runs a finger over the blade's hilt, across the diamond, as if in reverence. "It's gone. No sign of being marred or scratched. Which means it's been magicked off..."
Te'Andra says, "No chance it was not intially there? Perhaps this is not a crested system?" She looks over thare to check it out, and runs a finger along it. "I don't sense any magic"
Kyson still carries the excitement within his voice as he speaks - though a measure of fear accompanies them. "If what I think is true...leads to discovery and verification, then there's a great possibility that I...may...be of noble ancestry." The question or possibility of his ancestry turns his attention from the conversation towards Godwyn as if she might be able to give some kind of divine confirmation of his birth. Unfortunately, short of some magical intervention - few know the story of his ancestry.
As the paladin's fingers brush over the surface of the broken sword, the blade's silvery metal reflects the ambient light within the tavern as one might expect. The diamond between the wings at the sword's hilt remains absent any mark which would reveal the identity of the House of the former owner.
You paged Godwyn with 'As your fingers touch the blade you get the same feeling of 'law' and 'order' that once coursed with its frame. However, when you touch the diamond where the crest should be a strange image flashes through your mind. Dark. Sinister. Malevolent. Evil. It was only there for a blink of a moment, like an echo heard in the woods.'
Godwyn nods, as if the sheen confirms it. "Your weapon understands those who would promote order...." Her eyes widen for a moment. The shadow of it was there, briefly. But only briefly. It left its footprint though.
She takes in a breath. "Mmm. Not sure about this."
You paged Godwyn with 'As your fingers touch the blade you get the same feeling of 'law' and 'order' that once coursed with its frame. However, when you touch the diamond where the crest should be a strange image flashes through your mind. Dark. Sinister. Malevolent. Evil. It was only there for a blink of a moment, like an echo heard in the woods.'
Godwyn nods, as if the sheen confirms it. "Your weapon understands those who would promote order...." Her eyes widen for a moment. The shadow of it was there, briefly. But only briefly. It left its footprint though.
She takes in a breath. "Mmm. Not sure about this."
GAME: Godwyn rolls Will: (13)+14: 27 to Kyson
As you push your will beyond the illusion (or presumed illusion) there's a moment where the surface of the crest swirls and whirls for a moment revealing the vague shape of a tree.'
Godwyn peers toward the diamond for a moment, glaring at the thing as if daring it to oppose her any further. Dea is right about one thing... her will is without question. And as such, the surface breaks like a stone skipped on water, wavering until she can see the shape vaguely.
It's all she needs. "You were right. House Merendil. They have never been recorded to lose or surrender in a battle. Not to mention they are a big, big contributor to the Order of the Griffon."
Kyson peers curiously at the paladin, "How do you know this?" his voice is suspicious but also curious - he's curious how she suddenly knew this about the blade.
The Sentinel points toward the diamond. "Illusion spell, most likely Invisibility. All I had to do was pretend it wasn't there. Still, it's a powerful one. Had to really focus to see it." She glances toward Kyson. "Take me with you when you go to Rune. I have full confidence that you're of noble blood now. The rest is just confirmation. But something evil touched a blade that wants nothing to do with evil at all, and I want to know who and why."
Kyson is dumbfounded. Unable to speak for a moment the young wizard is confused and unable to process the realization that he may be noble. Now one step closer to finding out the identify of his mother's family, he can't wait to get back to Rune and discover if this theory will prove out. "Of course you will come - I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiles a bit more as his eyes start to water and he has to look away.
Godwyn places a hand on his right shoulder again. "Yes. But... the definition of nobility is not one who just has a regal bearing." She closes her eyes. "Blood is nothing. Conduct, acts, are everything." She speaks as if she understands this intimately. "Nobility is a state of mind. Of moral and righteous bearing. Anyone can be noble, without even being born as such. You've heard also of the term, noble metal?" Godwyn's eyes are still closed. "It's a metal that is resistant to corrosion. In other words, to be truly noble, one must be incorruptible, or as much as they can be."
Kyson takes a deep breath, his voice quaivering a bit as he settles his mind. "I still don't know if they will accept me," he turns back to the paladin. "But it would be nice to know who my mother's family is - but it makes me wonder why she left them. There had to have been some kind of history with that."
Godwyn squeezes his right shoulder. "The past is nothing but that, the past. And if they doubt, I will vouch for you. We will have this resolved, Kyson." She smiles, almost grins. "Trust me, as you trust Eluna."