The City of Requiem: Background and Story Discussion

[GnomeWorks]

Finneas
"It is my jungle afterall, I shall not leave it to others to wander through unawares. I have knowledge of the jungle and its unknown paths. I am sure I could be of service to all that wish to go."

This one will be most useful... but if that was him making that racket... if only I could steal his memory! Then I would have no need of him...

And it is 'his jungle'? By the lying gods, who does this foolish one think he is? ... no matter. He is a tool, nothing more, and he will be used as such. But he must not learn of my true intentions. None of them must, or I will be forced to destroy them before they all turn upon me...

<<Very well.>> Samahtar projects into the mind of Finneas. <<I will take you on that offer.>>

Torryn
"Well I for one will definitely be joining you. Your quest sounds noble and indeed the safety of my friends and family on this isle are in danger. I am intrigued by the riddle and will help you figure out what it means and what the implications to those around us is."

But that one... that spoke of noble deeds... and talking as though the riddle were the only challenge before him and those who would accompany him. His attitude will require correcting, or he will have us all killed.

And the safety of others...? Hmph. What have others ever done for me? What do I care? But he seems to believe in what he says. That is a hindrance that I do not bear...

<<Trust in the nobility of an idea will not save you in the face of true danger.>> Samahtar projects quietly into the mind of Torryn. <<A keen mind will be what seperates you from death... do not let enthusiasm and curiosity be what dulls your thoughts.>>

There are two others... but I do not require them. The enthusiastic one, and the foolish one... they will do. Quite well.

The others would be useful... but I will not push them. They will come, or they will not. I have what I need... more would merely make things easier.

If you are out there, listening to my mind... I will find the answers soon, if they are to be found here. But it will take time...

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

Alias has been silent throughout but listening intently to the wizard’s story and everybody’s response to his tail. Throughout her travels on the island, she has heard many rumors and tails but nothing like this.
She has always been interested in the history of this island and would very much enjoy finding anything out about this ancient culture that the wizard speaks of. But what really caught her attention was the plant creature that attacked him. She has never heard of such a thing. Could it really be a plant creature thing or is that just what he called it because he simply did not know and could not explain what it was?
Deep in thought she whispers to herself“What evil is lurking in this temple? We cannot just walk away from this mystery.” Her thoughts are changed quickly though as Samahtar projects his words into her mind. Somewhat angered by his intrusion into her mind, she scowls at him, her head cocked to the side. Not knowing the power of this man, she is concerned about his intentions. She barely knows any of these people, she thinks. Once again her thoughts are interrupted by Finneas reaction and his comment about the jungle being his.

Looking back at Samahtar again, realizing that he may be listening to her thoughts. If so, Samahtar should hear this “Stay OUT of my mind!” Then she realizes that if Samahtar does that, he may not want to speak with her at all. He has not given any reason for her to not trust him, but still she does not want him going where he has not been invited. As her mind races with these thoughts, she becomes very frustrated and stands up abruptly and speaks.
“We need to look into this for I fear what may happen if we do not. This is not MY jungle,” she says with a displeased glare at Finneas. “But I have sworn to protect it and all those of good intent that travel through it. I do not know what this riddle means yet, I am not concerned with any treasure that may be found. I am worried about the evil lurking within the jungles though. Hopefully we can do something about it. But I fear that whatever is out there is going to be very dangerous. We should not rush into this blindly!!

 

[GnomeWorks]

Alias
“Stay OUT of my mind!”

<<A little more respect would be appreciated.>> Samahtar projects into her mind in a thoughtful tone.

She is too wild, that one. She must either be subdued at a proper time, or eliminated altogether. She appears to be the most level-headed of them... that may come in handy for making the group stick together.

“We need to look into this for I fear what may happen if we do not. This is not MY jungle, but I have sworn to protect it and all those of good intent that travel through it. I do not know what this riddle means yet, I am not concerned with any treasure may be found. I am worried about he evil lurking within the jungles though. Hopefully we can do something about it. But I fear that whatever is out there is going to be very dangerous. We should not rush into this blindly!"

Yes, she is by far the best leader of them. She will keep the others in order, but she must do so in accordance with my wishes...

However, she has the same problems Torryn does... care for others. As the one I have chosen to lead, however, she must retain that... one of us, at least, must ensure the safety of the group.

<<Well said.>> Samahtar projects. <<You are very much correct, in that we must not rush into this blindly. I fear, however, that the others are... less than cautious. You alone seem to have some degree of respect for what faces those going.>>

And as such, I will show you a degree of respect... this is a delicate matter, and must be handled slowly. If I break her trust... all is lost, for my cause, in this venture.

<<I will respect your wish to avoid my intrusion into your mind... however, know that this is the only way I will communicate with you. You know that my frail form cannot handle the stress of speech very well, nor can it handle much stress of any kind.>>

That should do nicely...

...if only I could see the effect I was having upon these people. If only I were not blind... no, blindness is the only thing that shows me the truth, the truth of how cruel others truly are. Blindness is what led me to develop these powers, these gifts of the Slarecians... if not for my blindness, I would have never come down this path. What others perceive as a curse is instead a gift. And one day, I will show those who mocked me, who cursed me, my power... and they will cower before me... powerless...

But that is for the future. Focus on the moment! Only then will the future as I foresee will come to pass. I must concentrate on the here and now, and not what will be.

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

Alias watches Samahtar as he projects his thoughts in her mind. She watches as his facial expressions change when he is not 'speaking' to her. He must not know that he is doing so. Being somewhat of a loner herself, she has learned to read the body language and expressions of others. Was that a sadistic grin that briefly appeared on his face? He always seems so cool and calm but I know that he is plotting something.

“Aaahhhh!!! I hate that you can read my thoughts,” she ‘thinks’ back to Samahtar. “I value the role that you fill in this party, though I am troubled by your reasons for traveling with us. A man such as yourself rarely travels with a group such as this, unless he has something to gain. You have an advantage over me but I am not weak as you may hope. I will show you the respect you seek, until you prove you deserve otherwise. I will be keeping my eye on you though, but of course, you already know that. Don’t you!?!.”

Trying to get back to the matters with the wizard, she speaks aloud again. “Jonathan, did you by any chance make some sort of map to these ruins so that we do not wander aimlessly through the jungles and how long is the journey to get there. We need to be prepared before we venture forth into the unknown.”

 

[GnomeWorks]

Alias
“Aaahhhh!!! I hate that you can read my thoughts, I value the role that you fill in this party, though I am troubled by your reasons for traveling with us. A man such as yourself rarely travels with a group such as this, unless he has something to gain. You have an advantage over me but I am not weak as you may hope. I will show you the respect you seek, until you prove you deserve otherwise. I will be keeping my eye on you though, but of course, you already know that. Don’t you!?!.”

A keen mind. Very good.

<<Hmm... you have a very keen mind.>> Samahtar projects, his mental voice bemused. <<Indeed, I have other reasons for taking this path. And yes, there is something for me to gain... but my business is my own. No harm will come to you of it, however, so do not let fear of me cloud your thoughts.>>

<<I have an advantage over you? Do I? Or is it yourself that gives the advantage to me? I wonder if you have thought of that. Be careful with your choice of words, in the future... you say little, but reveal much.>>

Perhaps her mind is too keen...

<<You are right to be suspicious of me and my motives. But I will not betray you...>>

...unless the opportunity presents itself.

This one will require much watching. She may be a powerful ally, but she could also become a dangerous enemy, if I am too foolish or too open with my intentions. Little does she know that I will be watching her as closely as she is watching me...

 

[Erekose13]

Torryn looks around happily as all the others agree to accompany the stranger into the forest. He pulls out his book and dates the next entry, recording the Riddle before it fades from memory. He will record a more thurough journal later, but for now he sets the book back into his backpack and asks, "I would like to ask a few questions, the book that you mentioned you were reading prior to being attacked by the plant-devil, do you still have it? Does it shed any light on your research?" He will let Jonathan take a moment to answer all the questions put to him interested in the answers particularily to the questions posed by Alias.

To Samahtar he notes, "Alright I yield, my enthusiasm has gotten the better of me again. I agree that we must take care out there and go prepared for what is ahead of us. I am eager to solve this mystery though and will not wait forever for everyone to make their preparations. The people on this island must be protected from the dangers that lurk out there."

((OOC: If I remember correctly in the earlier posts for this game, Creamsteak mentioned that we are pre-integrated. Meaning that we have been adventuring together for a year before the insident with Jonathan. I wrote my intro based on that and that is why I havent taken offence to Samahtar in my head. In addition he is using his telepathic racial feature to speak and listen to us. With that in mind I am assuming that if we want our thoughts heard by him then we have to project them to him, ie he can't read everything in our heads, just the stuff we want him to.))

 

[GnomeWorks]

((OOC: If I remember correctly in the earlier posts for this game, Creamsteak mentioned that we are pre-integrated. Meaning that we have been adventuring together for a year before the insident with Jonathan. I wrote my intro based on that and that is why I havent taken offence to Samahtar in my head. In addition he is using his telepathic racial feature to speak and listen to us. With that in mind I am assuming that if we want our thoughts heard by him then we have to project them to him, ie he can't read everything in our heads, just the stuff we want him to.))

I was aware that I couldn't read her surface thoughts, however I thought it would be more appropriate to not tell her that I could only read what she projected, as it seemed to irritate her.

However, you may be right on the pre-integration thing... if that's the case, then I've been posting all wrong. Sorry about that...

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

OOC: Of course we could have been bickering like this from the start. Erekose13 thanks for the "insight" of the use of the telepathy and phsaonics (sp?), I am not familiar with it at all. However, unless someone tells Alias this...she doesnt know either. In that case, would "characters" in the group really know that he cannot read all of our thoughts. You as Erekose13 know this, but does Torryn? So since we have started like this, I am going to assume that she doesnt really know that yet, and play it as such. Unless of course creamsteak wants to change this. The fact that no one has told her could be possible because her nature of being more comfortable by herself or in the company of wild creatures.
It seems to add a little spice to things already. Creamsteak, let me know your thoughts on this and I will roleplay with whatever knowledge Alias is given.

 

[Breezly]

((OOC: If I remember correctly in the earlier posts for this game, Creamsteak mentioned that we are pre-integrated. Meaning that we have been adventuring together for a year before the insident with Jonathan. I wrote my intro based on that and that is why I havent taken offence to Samahtar in my head. In addition he is using his telepathic racial feature to speak and listen to us. With that in mind I am assuming that if we want our thoughts heard by him then we have to project them to him, ie he can't read everything in our heads, just the stuff we want him to.))

OOC: Ah. I must have missed that part or at least not registered what it meant. I shall adjust my comments moving forward using this knowledge. Consider anything that Finneas has said to this point that may have seemed odd to too much ale.

Breezly

 

[Zerth]

I've tweaked Nog's background and added some new bits. Also changed the reaction to Samahtar's telepathic message to fit the pre-integrated party idea.