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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 1965832" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>The Seeds of Our Destruction - Part 1b: Finally, Sweet Savona</strong></p><p></p><p>Sweet Savona's city gate swung into view as they rounded a bend, but they smelled they city long before they could see it. The fragrance was neither too pungent nor too cloying, but just sweet enough to entice travelers into its gates. </p><p></p><p>The streets were festooned with colorful stringers and banners, letting everyone known of the Saturnalia's imminent arrival. Everywhere they turned, small bridges linked the city together. Sweet Savona was actually a series of small islands, strung together like a string of pearls. Passengers were ferried from the main island down the Grand Canal to the other parts of the city.</p><p></p><p>The small caravan of Larissan pilgrims dismounted and entered through the Porta Amare, Savona's main gate. At the center of the city was their destination, a ziggurat with an apex crowned by a large brazier that burned the sacred incense of the Smiling Goddess. </p><p></p><p>Kham nudged Vlad. "The Temple of Larissa," he said.</p><p></p><p>They took a scarlet lacquered gondola to the temple and smoothly approached a paved landing occupied by a smiling and laughing crowd. </p><p></p><p>Oriena stepped onto the platform ahead of her servants. All of them seem relieved, even the reserved Hetshapet. Sebastian escorted Oriena onto the main road of the city.</p><p></p><p>"This is the Via Risum," Oriena said to Sebastian. "It is also known as the Way of Laughter."</p><p></p><p>Sebastian looked around. "It seems appropriate."</p><p></p><p>The road leading to the Larissan temple was a miniature festival unto itself. The Via was lined with open aired Tavernas, where sweet meats and fine red Savonan wines flowed like Yariss' beard. Small vendors plied their wares along the street, selling anything from small handcrafted goods to fine delicacies, from masks to garish garments for the upcoming Saturnalia.</p><p></p><p>Quintus shot Kham a look. "Stay focused," he said.</p><p></p><p>Kham pretended he didn't hear him.</p><p></p><p>Oriena led them unerringly through the temple's maze-like interior, passing various chambers and shrines. In one chamber, a fountain flowed with heady, golden wine. In another, the chamber was filled with large, soft cushions and oversized divans. Suggestive murals adorned the walls, depicting scenes that appeared to be nigh biological impossibilities. </p><p></p><p>"Normally," Oriena explained, "the lady Meliza val'Sheem resides at the Governor's Palace, but during religious festivities she can be found here."</p><p></p><p>Oriena continued up a marble staircase to the top floor of the Temple. They passed through a small foyer into a large room that took up the entire floor. A veritable army of attendants, scribes, and sycophants scurried about the chamber like bees attending their queen.</p><p></p><p>In the center of the ordered chaos was Meliza herself. Although she was an older woman, she had a vivaciousness and sensuality that a woman half her age could barely muster. Her long, dark hair, braided with twin golden twine, cascaded down her left shoulder. Meliza wore a diaphanous scarlet robe that left little to the imagination as she reclined upon a gilded throne, crafted to resemble a peacock. One immaculately manicured hand rested upon the head of a large black leopard.</p><p></p><p></p><p>"All hail Meliza val'Sheem, Governor of the province of Cafela and High Priestess of the Temple of Larissa!" shouted a servant. </p><p></p><p>Oriena bowed and her servants followed suit. Everyone inclined their head except Ilmarė. </p><p></p><p>"Holy One, I present to you Sebastian Arnyal of Canceri." She rubbed Sebastian's arm, "Sebastian and his companions helped root out and destroy the heretical cult in Coryan. He safely escorted us to here."</p><p></p><p>Quintus glanced over at Ilmarė. She shrugged her shoulders in response. "Burning a book apparently makes you a hero." </p><p></p><p>Seated before Meliza in a comfortably cushioned mahogany chair was a familiar man dressed in a finely tailored white toga. </p><p></p><p>"Decimus?" asked Quintus in surprise.</p><p></p><p>"Aurelius Ignatius!" Decimus exclaimed, rising to his feet. "It's good to see you." Decimus turned to face Meliza. "Holy One, it appears that the Lady of Fate has seen fit to have my path and that of these fine citizens cross again. I have had dealings with them before and they were most capable and discreet. Perhaps they may be able to assist my employer yet again."</p><p></p><p>Meliza appraised them through half-lidded eyes. She said but one word: "Dahhhhhling." </p><p></p><p>The governor waved her hand in a vague gesture that could have meant she was impressed with their accomplishments or that they should be dragged out and hanged. </p><p></p><p>Decimus cleared his throat. "Yes, well. Suffice it to say, lady and gentlemen, that a shipment meant for my employer was broken into. The good senator is a collector of antiquity and wishes to recover three items that were stolen from a crate I was to receive on his behalf. The items were a helm, a staff, and an urn from an ancient civilization, possibly Elorii."</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė, who was watching some of the servants through barely concealed disdain, snapped her head about to focus on Decimus. </p><p></p><p>"I wish to hire you to reclaim these artifacts and bring the thieves to justice," said Decimus. "Can I once again count upon your efficiency and discreetness?"</p><p></p><p>Quintus stepped forward. "Having successfully discharged our duty here, we will take this task-"</p><p></p><p>Beldin stepped in front of Quintus with hands on hips. "How much will you pay?" </p><p></p><p>Decimus favored Beldin with a smile. "Ah, I do not believe we've met. Well, master dwarf, I can extend 200 imperials for the safe return of the goods."</p><p></p><p>Satisfied, Beldin nodded. </p><p></p><p>"We'll do it," said Ilmarė. </p><p></p><p>"It's done then," said Decimus. "One of the Governor's assistants will escort you over to Dock 18, in Little Savona. It's just off the coast."</p><p></p><p>"Excellent," said Quintus. "Let us… " </p><p></p><p>The legionnaire looked at his companions. Sebastian was too busy saying goodbye to Oriena to respond. Beldin was in conference with the assistant. Ilmarė stood with arms crossed, facing Quintus. Vlad and Kham were missing.</p><p></p><p>"Where's Kham and Vlad?"</p><p></p><p>Vlad walked in with one arm holding up Kham, who half-stumbled out into the chamber.</p><p></p><p>"Hi guys!" said Kham, a smile plastered across his face. He started to walk towards the black leopard with hand outstretched. "Oooh, nice kitty."</p><p></p><p>Vlad yanked him back. </p><p></p><p>"Don't tell me…" said Quintus.</p><p></p><p>"The fountain of wine," Ilmarė finished.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 1965832, member: 3285"] [b]The Seeds of Our Destruction - Part 1b: Finally, Sweet Savona[/b] Sweet Savona's city gate swung into view as they rounded a bend, but they smelled they city long before they could see it. The fragrance was neither too pungent nor too cloying, but just sweet enough to entice travelers into its gates. The streets were festooned with colorful stringers and banners, letting everyone known of the Saturnalia's imminent arrival. Everywhere they turned, small bridges linked the city together. Sweet Savona was actually a series of small islands, strung together like a string of pearls. Passengers were ferried from the main island down the Grand Canal to the other parts of the city. The small caravan of Larissan pilgrims dismounted and entered through the Porta Amare, Savona's main gate. At the center of the city was their destination, a ziggurat with an apex crowned by a large brazier that burned the sacred incense of the Smiling Goddess. Kham nudged Vlad. "The Temple of Larissa," he said. They took a scarlet lacquered gondola to the temple and smoothly approached a paved landing occupied by a smiling and laughing crowd. Oriena stepped onto the platform ahead of her servants. All of them seem relieved, even the reserved Hetshapet. Sebastian escorted Oriena onto the main road of the city. "This is the Via Risum," Oriena said to Sebastian. "It is also known as the Way of Laughter." Sebastian looked around. "It seems appropriate." The road leading to the Larissan temple was a miniature festival unto itself. The Via was lined with open aired Tavernas, where sweet meats and fine red Savonan wines flowed like Yariss' beard. Small vendors plied their wares along the street, selling anything from small handcrafted goods to fine delicacies, from masks to garish garments for the upcoming Saturnalia. Quintus shot Kham a look. "Stay focused," he said. Kham pretended he didn't hear him. Oriena led them unerringly through the temple's maze-like interior, passing various chambers and shrines. In one chamber, a fountain flowed with heady, golden wine. In another, the chamber was filled with large, soft cushions and oversized divans. Suggestive murals adorned the walls, depicting scenes that appeared to be nigh biological impossibilities. "Normally," Oriena explained, "the lady Meliza val'Sheem resides at the Governor's Palace, but during religious festivities she can be found here." Oriena continued up a marble staircase to the top floor of the Temple. They passed through a small foyer into a large room that took up the entire floor. A veritable army of attendants, scribes, and sycophants scurried about the chamber like bees attending their queen. In the center of the ordered chaos was Meliza herself. Although she was an older woman, she had a vivaciousness and sensuality that a woman half her age could barely muster. Her long, dark hair, braided with twin golden twine, cascaded down her left shoulder. Meliza wore a diaphanous scarlet robe that left little to the imagination as she reclined upon a gilded throne, crafted to resemble a peacock. One immaculately manicured hand rested upon the head of a large black leopard. "All hail Meliza val'Sheem, Governor of the province of Cafela and High Priestess of the Temple of Larissa!" shouted a servant. Oriena bowed and her servants followed suit. Everyone inclined their head except Ilmarė. "Holy One, I present to you Sebastian Arnyal of Canceri." She rubbed Sebastian's arm, "Sebastian and his companions helped root out and destroy the heretical cult in Coryan. He safely escorted us to here." Quintus glanced over at Ilmarė. She shrugged her shoulders in response. "Burning a book apparently makes you a hero." Seated before Meliza in a comfortably cushioned mahogany chair was a familiar man dressed in a finely tailored white toga. "Decimus?" asked Quintus in surprise. "Aurelius Ignatius!" Decimus exclaimed, rising to his feet. "It's good to see you." Decimus turned to face Meliza. "Holy One, it appears that the Lady of Fate has seen fit to have my path and that of these fine citizens cross again. I have had dealings with them before and they were most capable and discreet. Perhaps they may be able to assist my employer yet again." Meliza appraised them through half-lidded eyes. She said but one word: "Dahhhhhling." The governor waved her hand in a vague gesture that could have meant she was impressed with their accomplishments or that they should be dragged out and hanged. Decimus cleared his throat. "Yes, well. Suffice it to say, lady and gentlemen, that a shipment meant for my employer was broken into. The good senator is a collector of antiquity and wishes to recover three items that were stolen from a crate I was to receive on his behalf. The items were a helm, a staff, and an urn from an ancient civilization, possibly Elorii." Ilmarė, who was watching some of the servants through barely concealed disdain, snapped her head about to focus on Decimus. "I wish to hire you to reclaim these artifacts and bring the thieves to justice," said Decimus. "Can I once again count upon your efficiency and discreetness?" Quintus stepped forward. "Having successfully discharged our duty here, we will take this task-" Beldin stepped in front of Quintus with hands on hips. "How much will you pay?" Decimus favored Beldin with a smile. "Ah, I do not believe we've met. Well, master dwarf, I can extend 200 imperials for the safe return of the goods." Satisfied, Beldin nodded. "We'll do it," said Ilmarė. "It's done then," said Decimus. "One of the Governor's assistants will escort you over to Dock 18, in Little Savona. It's just off the coast." "Excellent," said Quintus. "Let us… " The legionnaire looked at his companions. Sebastian was too busy saying goodbye to Oriena to respond. Beldin was in conference with the assistant. Ilmarė stood with arms crossed, facing Quintus. Vlad and Kham were missing. "Where's Kham and Vlad?" Vlad walked in with one arm holding up Kham, who half-stumbled out into the chamber. "Hi guys!" said Kham, a smile plastered across his face. He started to walk towards the black leopard with hand outstretched. "Oooh, nice kitty." Vlad yanked him back. "Don't tell me…" said Quintus. "The fountain of wine," Ilmarė finished. [/QUOTE]
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