Tomes, Masks and Kobold Bowling
Log Info
- Title: Tomes, Masks and Kobold Bowling
- Emitter: Mikilos
- Characters: Cryosanthia, Mikilos
- Place: A15: Mithralla Merchandise: Library
- Time: Friday, November 27, 2020, 3:19 PM
- Summary: Mikilos and Cryosanthia are sorting through damaged books in the dawn-elf's library. The damaged ones come from bulk book purchases. Lily is playing with origami people, reptiloids and humanoids, and a small catapult she manufactured. Cryo and Mikilos discuss a variety of things, how the Tomes work, whether the wooden masks that Sabina gifted could be turned into magical disguise devices. The reasons that Cryosanthia wants to be in disguise, and some of the recent things that have been going on, or that she's heard about. She explains one of her new magic items, a corset that enhances her draconic lineage and provides mnemonic aid. She bitterly observes that a few more magic items and she won't be useless. Mikilos interrupts, and reminds her she's made great contributions, and sacrifices, and that many adventures would have failed without her. Cryo admits she is still struggling with the past, her memories, and while she does enjoy the abilities her new magic item gives her, she has an insecurity that it's not an innate talent. Her reminds her he's a friend, and friends are there to check the bad thoughts creeping in.
-=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A15: Mithralla Merchandise: Library *>--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Built back into the mountain, this room is cool and dry. Arcane globes provide soft illumination, and fire sources are strongly discouraged. The center of the room holds a pair of long tables, and a cabinet holding a crude card catalog. Many bookshelves are carved directly out of the walls, while stout wooden structures hold even more. Academic texts are of course in large number, but the shelves also hold a range of novels, poems, play scripts, and other works of entertainment. However the majority of the works held here are journals, diaries, letters, maps, and travel logs, organizied by location. Alexandros is the majority, but a vast number of exotic locations are represented. With minimal seraching, one can find a firsthand account of life most anywhere in the world.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. Mikilos 6'8" 180 Lb Dawn Elf Male Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Mikilos grumbles absently to himself, seated upon the stone floor in an open area near the back of the library. Several stacks of books are piled up around the wizard, many visibally damaged.
Cryosanthia threads between the shelves like she belongs in them. It's not her library, but she is clearly comfortable here. Her tail sways from side to side, demarking the aisle but not touching the shelves. She carries a small stack of books, also damaged, "I found a few more."
Lily, meanwhile sits in a corner. She's been given a badly damaged tome, a knife and a crayon. She's making small origami people from the pages, and occasionally some kind of paper death-trap they get munched up in.
The whitescale sees the wizard's distress, and says hopefully, "At least it will make me smarter?"
Mikilos snorts softly, but smiles. "Better informed is not the same as smarter. But I suppose both are possible. I'm just annoyed how many of these are flawed in construction. Lot I could fix with magic, if really tried, but some were bad even when new." A master craftman, annoyed by shoddy workmanship? What a surprise!
"See, that's the smart person understanding of it." Cryo says, slipping into a seated position on the floor near Mikilos. She rests the pile, and for moment watches him examine and fuss over the poor crafting. "Do you remember getting each one, or did some come in bulk and you didn't examine them? Or did you get these before you had a big library and a solid understanding of the quality ranges they came in?"
She flips open the cover of one, and pages a few in. "This one is water damaged, and there's no leaks in here, so... it came like this?"
Lily meanwhile has a small progression of people. 'People' for her now includes non-lizards. There are some obvious humanoids. However they all seem to be dragging a sword or hammer, as three contact points make for a more stable figurine.
Mikilos shakes his head. "Most of these were bulk buys, specifically for projects like this. I've aquired damaged books individually, but most of those have been repaired." the elf sighs, and glanes over at Lilly, peering for a moment. "Impressive. I've done some paper-craft, of course, but never got into the art of it all."
Cryo nods, following Mikilos' gaze, "She's really skilled at crafting things. She's been making vehicles and a little trebuchet from the Erector Set I got her in goblin town. I found a few sheets on how to fold things and papercraft, and she ate them right up. Meanwhile, this one has trouble tanning leather."
Lily remains focused on her project, unaware she's the current subject of discussion. Fold-fold-fold.
"So, the thousand tomes, are they the literal thousand tomes you use, or does the magic make a connection to... the metaphysical library of every book ever made, and you can look through it a thousand tomes at a time?"
Mikilos frowns thoughfully. "Something more towards the later. Information learned isn't strictly from the books used in construction, though they do need to be informitive books. I havn't played around with what sort of 'informitive' works. When it comes to things like universal information and collective consciousness I only understand so much of it, and a lot of that there really aren't words to properly describe. Certainly not in tradespeak, but not in most other languages either. Eldritch is typically the best, understandably, but even it has limits."
Cryosanthia nods slowly, "Okay, that makes sense. This one knows Syldanyari and Mynsandraal if it helps. Draconic too, obviously." Her tailtip wiggles back and forth eagerly, making a slight scraping noise on the stone floor.
"This one is quite eager to see it working, and perhaps that means we don't have to put a little scrap of the Crimson Pen in."
Lily has finished setting up her peoples. She reaches into the haversack nearby, and pulls out a little catapault. It's made of flat metal pieces that have a lot of holes, and angle brackets. It has square wheels, and a cube projectile that she puts one of the paper lizards in. Setting it in the bucket, she aims, fires.
>>plock<<
The cube launches into the crowd and knocks them over. Lily's tail thumps the floor excitedly.
Mikilos grins. "Can't argue the Crimson Pen is very infromitive... or at least very fond of detailed descriptions, if not always accurate ones. *gumble*Bikilos ice blue eyes*grumble* Anyway, languages are quite handy to know, though i do somewhat cheat." He taps his jeweled headband pointedly. "I'm fluent in just about every language ever, and can normally understand the general idea of languages I don't actually speak." He frowns midly. "Bit of a problem, really, the secret language of the Druids is very Scared, and very strictly forbidden to outsiders. I feel a little guilty over what bits I've picked up just in passing."
"Oh, and Sylvan," Cryo adds, her head turning to see Lily's latest project. "Wow. What do you have there Little Fang?"
Lily hisses a reply in Draconic, "Bowling Kobolds." She sets up the paper people again.
Oh, well that explains it. Cryo returns her attention to the conversation at hand, "I didn't know they had one. I would feel guilty and hide it too. I am told I have a little bit of a linguistic talent but lately all I've been practicing is physical. Though, I... might want one of those headbands too, later. I had another mask, masks request if I'm not imposing too much on your magic crafting."
Mikilos nods, and shrugs. "Most group end up with their own lingo and common phrases, some take it further on purpose, and few from necessity. Thaumaturgy is very unforgiving of ambigious phrases. And don't worry, if my schedule is open, it's open to whomever I can be of assistance. What sort of mask are you wanting?"
Cryo does have a little scrap of a Crimson Pen piece, so small it only says 'Bikilos' on it. Where she got it is a mystery, perhaps some random reader had a fit of destruction. She slips it into the pile as she leans over to pull out of her haversack two boxes.
She sits back, opens them. It's clearly two gift boxes with a matching set of wooden masks, one sith'makar sized, another kobold scale. The masks are nicely polished, with a bunch of holes drilled all over them. Accompanying them in the boxes, are a variety of facial features. Ears, eyes, eyebrows, ears, mustaches, mouths, clearly patterned after different races.
"Sabina gave these to us, Lily and this one, as fun play toys. It occurred they might be made magical, so they could be used for diguises as well. There are... a few things this one is investigating, and does not want to be immediately recognizeable."
Mikilos nods, frowning midly as he looks over the masks in question. "There are hats that make for such disguises. Have one myself, a slightly unusual design. Normally, an elf could be disguised as a human, or orc, or other similar sized humanoid, but not a significantly smaller lutch or khazad. Mine disguises people as gnomes. Handy, but a bit odd. So anyway, yes, I'm familiar with such an item, though I'm uncertain if the enchantments can be fitted to a mask. And less confidant to these specific masks. If an item isn't specifically made to be enchanted, the magics might not be able to bind and hold to the object properly." He glances up, and smiles. "These look to be high quality, so i think will be okay, but I'll need to check into it to be certain."
Cryosanthia bobs her head, carefully packing them away then closing the boxes, "Thank you. I appreciate it." She exhales, and her breath is visible again. This usually means some sort of stress, something emotional slipping over into the physical.
"I'm worried about so much. There's this Charnese Delegate, Madah'Chern Akorinil ferch Belvade yun Lithrinil dem Kenduis. A name you could impale yourself on, and one I'm sure has done her share of impaling. She's an aristocrat of the family Belvade of House Kendui, and a High Priestess of Taara. She's here for some reason, negotiating something."
The whitescale's voice speeds up a little, "She had an orange. Which doesn't mean anything, could have got it anywhere, but it was fresh and Oranges come from Am'shere. I don't know if waving it around means something happened there, if she's going to interfere with the treaty between Alexandria and the Silver Empress. She knew Silverguard Serene, was up to date on Merek being in the Iron Hells."
Cryo simply stares at Mikilos, "She criticized him for his morality. A Priestess of Taara! This one doesn't want her to know anything about me or my family if I can help it."
Mikilos nods, frowning. "I've heard of her presence, but thus far have kept clear of the whole mess. I've certainly no love of that clergy, nor the Dark Bitch herself. Not all Charnese are awful, I assume the majority are just regular people, but of the clergy I've never meet a nice one. Polite, professional, even courteous, but all perfectly willing to murder for their own ends."
"Oh, she's incredibly nice and polite. Even apologized for me being sith'makar. It was some kind of apology, that she 'understands' this one might have an issue with her kind being captured, tortured, enslaved and sacrificed in Charn." The temperature is dropping around Cryosanthia, there's a bitter anger in her voice.
>>pock<<
The little metal cube bounces off the whitescale's knee. The Kobold fired her catapault at her. Foster mother and daughter lock gazes and stare. There is breathing, some other lizardly communications going on, scents. "Ssassa is OK, Lily."
Her tension is broken, Cryo hands back the block and exhales. Lily returns to tigthening screws and making paper people. "In any case, she exists, and this one would like to ask around without being recognizeable. There are other things too, the Animus Shards, necromancers in the Felwood, Hag Covens. Devils, things this one does not want following her home."
Mikilos nods, quirking a brow. "Hag Covens? i'm familiar with the concept, but wasn't aware they were of particular concern in this area." The frigid agitation was a concern, but the moment seems to have past, and needs no comment.
"Braelnoir was being harried by a Witchcrow, who used to be the familiar of Ghisha, an Ogre Hag that she killed. It's where she got her scythe." Cryo explains, "We found out the Witchcrow was hanging out with a coven. Braelnoir managed to kill the crow a few weeks ago."
"Some... really weird thing in the gardens, with the crow. Made everyone angry and they attacked each other. Anyhow, we're not sure if killing the crow is the end of it, or the coven is still after her."
The whitescale raises her hand in a shrug, "I mean, they're not Salina, and if they're not bothering anyone I guess they don't matter. It's more, we haven't figured it out if they are."
Mikilos ahs, and nods. "I'd heard something of the WitchCrow, hadn't known there was more to it. And agree, there's low level day to day frustration evil that fairly confidant is just a part of life, and there's big time active Evil that needs to be opposed and stopped. And sometimes it's hard to find the line between the two."
Cryosanthia nods, sitting forward and flipping through one of the damaged books. "The wear and tear on this one is pretty light, and the spine binding seems strong. It might be worth repairing this one." She sets it aside, in case Mikilos feels so inclined.
"And you're right. I've read a few Guild reports, the coven one group found was somewhat helpful if a bit... weird. The adventurers ended up throwing boots to a gnome in a lake. Oh, I fought some Infernal Drop Scorpions, they seem to be leaking through some crack. They explode when they die, and cast spells."
Lily looks over and makes a clack-clack noise, then a 'blloosh' and exploding motion with her hands.
Mikilos nods, glancing over the text indicated, then shakes his head. "Damage isn't bad, but I've three other copies of that same edition." He smiles, considering a moment. "One of my first adventures, early in the Sendor War, got lost scouting, ended up on the far side of an enchanted lake. Boatman was willing to take our small band across, but halfway demanded payment... just about the time something large moved through the water under the boat. had no intrest in gold or foodstuffs, but accepted my boots as payment. Was a long barefoot walk back to camp, but a fair trade over all." The elf quirks a brow at exploding scorpions, but has entountered stranger things. "Crack in... the veil between dimensions, or in the wall to Meklabahn?"
"In the veil between dimensions. It was pretty far from Merkabah, although it was in the Redridge mountains." Cryo says, taking up another book to look through it. "I'll remember that with Ferrymen then, and my boots are too expensive to trade. I do have an old winter pair... Do you think it's necessary to carry spare boots?"
Lily has paused for a moment, to sit forward on her hands and stare at the adults.
Cryo rambles on, "There's a lot of things happening. I've somehow ended up hearing about everything and doing little. Oh! You've been to the Terrace, haven't you? They made your birthday cake. It's got great chefs, a stage. I get up on stage sometimes, and baths. Mixed even, we could swim together."
Mikilos considers. "Not strictly boots, but a few general supplies. Water, rations, simple knife, bit of rope. PErsonally can take care of most things with magic, but are those rare times when isn't an option. And a bit of barther goods is always handy." He frowns mildly. "I have been to the Terrace, very nice place, but I don't enjoy swimming as I did. Memory of being in the river with Kol is.... unplesant. Fading, but not quite out of mind just yet."
Cryo nods, staring at Mikilos and managing to look sympathetic. Something in her posture, the way her ear fins move. There isn't much expression to her face, but there's a softness in her stare. "I'm sorry. Swimming is a great joy to me, and I can understand how he would taint a memory. This one would make a better memory with you, but there is time, I will not push it."
She shakes her head and laughs a little, "All of us holding him down in the fountain. Seldan said he got the idea from you. So, it was his undoing, taking you there. If that helps any."
"Oh! Did I show you my corset?"
Mikilos nods. "I tried the same idea, teleporting us both to the middle of the river, but he was a far stronger swimmer than I'd expected." The wizard, blinks, and shakes his head. "No, I don't believe so."
"Oh! I should show you!" The whitescale sits up. She concentrates and the loose, layerd scholar robes she's wearing switch to her swashbuckling outfit which now incorporates a corset. She must have had it on under the robes. Like all her clothing choices, it's white with pale blue highlights. A puffy blouse tucks into it, and seems more like a waistcoat than a corset but fits that area of her.
"Merek made it for me. He's been hiding out in the forest, making things. Some Priestess of Taara tried to kill him for communing with Eluna about Animus Shards. Anyhow, in addition to looking good and testing my lungs, it makes me extra dragony _and_ it's got this Mnemonic memory function."
She reaches over to her haversack and partially pulls out a bunch of scroll tubes tied together, then pushes it back in. "As long as I have scrolls and I've read them over recently, I can cast them like a spell I actually know. It's only a little bit, but I feel like a real wizard now! A few more magic items patching over my flaws and maybe I'll be useful!"
She sounds happy, looks happy and is sitting tall, her tail coiling back and forth.
Mikilos considers a few moments, and shakes his head. "I vaugely recall hearing of such an item, but have never made one." He frowns, glareing at the Whitescale a moment. "'Useful'? Do you not recall how very many adventures and quests were successful because of your efforts? There's a very real chance the city wouldn't be here if not for you. Many played roles, many contributed to success, but that doesn't mean your part was any less important."
"I read about it, the vestments, in your library a few months ago when you weren't around." Cryo says, and chastized, her words get a little more serious and sad. "I remember, I recall, those adventures and a lot of other things..."
She looks up, her eyes flat and staring, "It's hard to put behind me, and when I look back I doubt... you know everything, Mikilos about me, you saw... thanks for reminding me."
She inhales, "I am very happy with the abilities it gave me. It felt amazing having a spellbook. I guess, I'm insecure that it took a magic item."
The whitescale is still embarrassed that the dawn elf saw eighty years of her life, as her, including her thoughts.
Mikilos nods, understanding perhaps not the specifics, but the general mindset. "You are welcome. That's what friends do. be there for the bad times, and try to remind of the good." He chuckles and smiles. "And i do quite understand the simple joys of just being -able- to do things with magic. Just having the option."
"Thank you. Truly." Her sapphire eyes sparkle.
Then Cryo grins widely, loud and cheerful. "Yes! You are so right. It felt like: At Last! I have POWER! ... Let me go cast Endure Elements on Lily now. It was fun, having options. I bought so many scrolls!" She sighs happily and opens up another book, "What about this one? It looks like it fell in either whiskey or coffee."
Lily meanwhile is standing over her collection of paper people, and keeps raising a foot above them like she's a kaiju monster, then deciding she's friend to all paper children, and shouldn't crush them. Only to have her instincts scream, crushing would be very good, causing her to lift her foot again.
Such are books abused for self-improvement.
