Cleaning up the Vermin

[Cervantez]

Ymiden 47th, 719

Company: Anansye & Lorraine| Theme: Dernière Danse| Thoughts: So far so good| Mood: Calm & Alert

☠ The group had been traveling for what seemed like neverending breaks, it was like an endless journey. They came by many refugee camps along the way, small in number. She began to see the effects of the war on those who couldnt fight for a future themselves.

It appalled Cervantez to see the outright disregard for safety these refugees had, especially since most of the ones he saw were foreigners. Many had turned to thievery to which he hoped he would have no need to correct. It took the group several breaks, but the group had made it to their first destination.

He couldnt believe that this village was still standing giving the corruption of the terrain. Besides some cosmetic damages, buildings had survived. It was evident from how structurally sound they were given the right amount of pressure.

Then he began to think. This place could become a bastion of safety for those like himself and Lorraine who seek refuge away from the rest of the world. Dismounting Njama, the necromancer moved to inspect the buildings, Anansye moving ahead of Cervantez & Lorraine. He noticed that this was a Textile village of some sort, abandoned and neglected of care, but still holding up over the arcs.

It was rather impressive to say the least, a true testament to the ingenuity of the villagers who once lived here. Before entering the small village square, he took a moment to take it all in. Walking up to the statue that sat in the center of the small square he placed a hand on the aged sculpture.

"How much history have you seen, how many lives have come and gone before your eyes?"

he asked. Slowly he looked around his surroundings.

Not sure what he would be expecting he looked to Lorraine.

"Stay close to me, This village was abandoned for a reason."

he warned, taking Sunbreaker in his hand. He couldnt put a finger on it, but he didnt like this situation. ☠

Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

"Anansye Speech"

[Lorraine]

47th of Ymiden, Arc 719

Company: Cerv and co | Theme: Danse Macabre | Thoughts: What is to come? | Mood: Alert, slightly nervous

Lorraine had spent a great part of the trial traveling alongside Cervantez, and Anansye. To-trial they were to inspect the first of three locations which had been noted of interest. The journey was certainly long spanning a good amount of breaks.

To prepare for this journey she had donned herself in her least restrictive outfit. Which consisted of a white shirt-dress which reached down to her ankles. This would protect her legs from any scratching Savannah grasses, but also not prevent her from being too mobile. Underneath the dress she would wear a simple pair of trousers just in case she would need the added layer. Then to top it off, quite literally, she had equipped herself with the simple set of leather armor pieces she owned. Two vambraces to go on her arms, a chest piece, and two shin guard pieces which would lie hidden under her dress.

Her last preparation for the journey, while not clothing, was arguably more important than anything else. She'd brought along the husk that she had found on the fateful day she had met Cervantez. This required her to first use her instrument to set the thrall on the task of following her. Though after it was on that task she could switch over to controlling it without bonesong. Something only possible thanks to her initially gaining the ability to control thralls in such a way. While this was useful as Lorraine didn't have to constantly play her fiddle, it was also very limited. She could do little other than keep the husk on the same task it had been set on before, and even that was more draining on her than usually. Though with some carefully planned intervals of bonesong Lorraine was able to reduce the impact on her ether reserves, and rather efficiently transport the thrall without causing a ruckus.

Those things being done certainly helped with the physical part of the journey, but could do little against the mental toll. Along the way the group had crossed paths with many a camp of refugees. People who do to circumstances likely far beyond their control had little to their name, and even less good prospects going for them. Seeing them reminded Lorraine quite a bit of the arcs she had spent living homeless on the streets of Yaralon. Something which, despite not showing it externally, did affect her quite a bit. She felt a range of emotions for these people. Sadness mainly. Though hope and even weariness could make their way into the mix. Though she supposed that was a standard reaction for someone of her position, who once stepped in their shoes if only slightly, and someone who only purely by chance had the ability to rise above that sad living. Lorraine would do her best to endure, and push past these emotions however. She was partaking in something bigger than herself. Something that certainly had no time to waste for her to cycle through an entire spectrum of emotions. Besides Lorraine had rarely ever let emotional feelings get the best of her, and she certainly wasn't going to let them do so now.

After quite some time the group would near their destination. Before getting too close Lorraine would spend some time of the approach using bonesong to control her thrall. Allowing herself a quick break from the more taxing method she would be certain to use the entire time they were within the village. She had no way of knowing what sorts of dangers lurked within the confines of that village. She also wasn't dumb enough to go blindly, and loudly, playing her instrument in the middle of it only to draw who knows what sort of predators to them.

When they had gotten closer, and Lorraine had stopped her bonesong, she would allow herself to get a better look at the village. It seemed to be surprisingly intact given all circumstances. Especially the complete lack of any sorts of people within it. While it had certainly sustained damages, from things Lorraine could pinpoint to no one cause, the buildings seemed moderately secure. With some investigating into the village one could come to the assumption that it had large dealings with textiles. It's inhabitants once having likely relied on that for an income before the village came to its end.

Within the square of the village sat a sculpture which, like all else, had clearly been touched by time. Though again like all else the sculpture stood still, even after the surely arcs that it had stood. Lorraine would catch the tail end of something Cervantez would say as he inspected the sculpture. Something about what had come and gone before its eyes. Lorraine would think to herself that the question was actually quite a good one to pose considering. Sadly though there was no way for any of the three in the group to actually rouse an answer from the relic of time. The many things it had seen during the time it commanded a view of the space.

Lorraine would do a slow twirl inspecting the space around them as Cervantez spoke to her. A warning to stay close to him. Something that she would definitely heed. Even just during the short time she had been around him it was clear the man was bounds stronger, and more experienced than she was. She mainly hoped should the need to enter into combat with something arise, that she wouldn't be in his way. She was a bit nervous, though she'd do well not to show it. It could be seen though in the way she looked around at things. Casting quick glances onto the terrain as if a terror could emerge from any small crack, or crevice at any moment. Though considering how the areas of Yaralon were, especially the Spines, that idea wasn't so far-fetched.

"Yes of course Mr. Xeleno. I'd hate to get separated here, or worse." She would say to him in response not feeling the need to elaborate on what she meant by worse.

Lorraine would hear a noise behind her causing her to turn quickly to that direction. Though she quickly discovered it was nothing more than a quick, and quiet gust of wind weaving through the opened buildings. Producing a feint noise not unlike those produced by the flautists she had shared stages with over the years. Either way this would cast her into a bit of a more aware state prompting her to close a bit more distance between herself, and Cervantez. Giving some feet of space between them, but not too much. She'd also clutch both her bow and fiddle in one hand as to allow her to play at a short notice. She'd certainly need to switch over to bonesong again to initiate her thrall into any sort of combat. Though she also allowed her right hand to drift towards her dagger in its hilt. Ready just like her instrument for use a moments notice should that be what the situation warrants.

[Cervantez]

Ymiden 47th, 719

Company: Anansye & Lorraine| Theme: Dernière Danse| Thoughts: So far so good| Mood: Calm & Alert

☠ Something about this place was odd, even more so when he entered one of the buildings, Lorraine close behind him. At first glace of the home, everything was intact. The food was untouched, no visable signs of struggle, and from the dust the settled onto the surfaces noted that there hadnt been anyone here in quiet some time.

It was puzzling, to say the least, but Cervantez continued to inspect the home, entering one of the rooms. The good thing was that it was daylight still so there was plenty of natural light to allow him to see most everything in the room. The room he entered was that of a child's, maybe 13 arcs at most. It all seemed standard for a room of a child that age, toys of a certain type which noted the child to be male, the size of the clothing left behind along with the size of the bed itself.

Looking up to the wall however the necromancer's flaming orbs caught sight of discolorations. Tracing his ethereal bone fingers over the surface he could rule out water damage as the paint was caked on. Taking his greatsword he began to scrape off the excess paint, but what he discovered underneath it was far more unsettling.

It was an image depicted in the best way only a child that young could illustrate. It sent a slight chill down his spine which was weird even for him given his arcane practice. He couldnt really explain the image before him, it was horrific and otherworldly all at once, and the longer he stared at it the more it seemed to pull him in.

Luckily for him, Anansye finally rejoined them and placed a hand on Cervantez's shoulder. The lothar's initial reflex was to strike with his weapon, but he knew Anansye's scent well enough to know who had touched him. The advisor looked to the image as well. "It makes you wonder of the child's mental state for them to draw something like this." he noted, to which Cervantez nodded.

"Though something like this from a child's mind is disturbing, I'm more concerned with why it was covered? What did they fear happening if someone were to see it."

he added, moving out of the room to see what Lorraine had discovered. ☠

Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

"Anansye Speech"

[Lorraine]

47th of Ymiden, Arc 719

Company: Cerv and co | Theme: Danse Macabre | Thoughts: What happened? | Mood: Curious, alert

Once inside the house Lorraine would move into the middle of the first room before stopping to look around. The condition of the entire place was strange. Food in visible sight that was rotting, but experienced nothing else. No visible marks of an animal eating from it, and just its existence under a coat of dust was a strange occurrence. Why would someone just leave food sitting there before leaving? Why had no animals ventured inside the building to procure their next meal? Such a strange thing lacked a solid answer, but possibly with investigation something could be learned.

Lorraine would watch Cervantez, and Anansye move towards one room of the house. She'd pull her dagger from its resting place holding it with her right hand as she began to move after them. Though after a step she decided that it might be better for her to investigate the other room of the house. Doing so would lead to a quicker investigation of the building, and possibly a quicker answer. Of course splitting up came with risks, but she had her thrall close behind her. Besides they weren't going to be separated by much distance as the building wasn't large. Should something alarm her the two men would most certainly be aware of it, and able to provide assistance if necessary.

She would twirl around clutching her dagger even tighter in her hand, aiming herself for the doorway across the room. Lorraine would move to it looking back outside as she did to ensure there was nothing there. Upon reaching the doorway she would enter the room cautiously ready to slash anything that moved. Much to her relief nothing would try to murder her as she stepped into what was now clear to be a bedroom. Likely that of an adult, or two, based on a number of things in the room. The size of the bed seemed unfitting for a single person. Especially under the assumption that the village had not been in the best of financial situations. One likely wouldn't have enough money to afford a bed of such size unless they needed to accommodate for two. Then there was the matter of the furniture in the room. Two small wardrobes instead of a single one, and just in general more furniture than one would expect for a person living alone.

Upon closer inspection of the room's furnishings she would only further confirm her theory. Each wardrobe contained different types of clothing. One containing what a man would normally be seen to don, and the second containing that which a woman would wear. Inside what she was now sure was the woman's wardrobe she also found dusty jewelry of a rather cheap type, but jewelry all the same. Even some coins could be seen on the bottom of the wardrobe covered by the same layering of dust as everything else. If the people of the village had abandoned it, they had done so quite quickly.

After looking around a bit more in the room Lorraine would turn to move back to the front room of the house. Again to her relief she wasn't murdered by some unknown force upon exiting the room. Though she'd still quickly make her way to Cervantez to relay her findings.

"The people that lived here left quite quickly. They left quite a bit of food here untouched, and in the room I looked in I found a large amount of clothes, jewelry, and even some money. Certainly they must have had a reason for leaving without bringing any of that." Lorraine would say to him looking around the room once more. Nothing in the room seemed to be out of place either. Eerily so. Lorraine figured it was possible the inhabitants had met their ends before they could leave. If they did though it took place somewhere else.

"Did you find anything in the other room that might shed some light on this situation? With the way things seem right now I'm beginning to wonder if these people ever made it out of this village alive." Lorraine would say a bit concerned about the situation. Certainly though they were all aware that something like this would be possible when they set out on the endeavor. Lorraine would take a moment as she awaited Cervantez's answer to steel herself, and calm her nerves to deal adequately with whatever would come next. It wasn't like a bad fate was spelled out for them just yet in any circumstance.

[Cervantez]

Ymiden 47th, 719

Company: Anansye & Lorraine| Theme: Dernière Danse| Thoughts: So far so good| Mood: Calm & Alert

☠ Both men nodded at what Lorraine had come to find, as they too, came to the same conclusion. Cervantez did however have another theory that was a possibility as well.

"Though I agree that things seemed to have been left abruptly, we shouldnt rule out foul play. Just because it doesnt look like an attack happened doesnt mean that it didnt happen else where. From the looks of things, if the family was indeed slain, they knew their killer."

he began pointing to the entrance to the home.

"No signs of forced entry, no signs of a struggle, everything was left as it was when the family lived here. They were familiar with the person that could have taken them. The question now, however, is why?"

he noted.

When she asked what he had found he moved from in front of the disturbing drawing for her to see. The creature was just horrid to look at, and yet even for a child's drawing the attention to detail was uncanny.

"Any idea as to what this could be? My guess is something from emea or maybe just a twisted imaginary friend."

Anansye would give the two some room as the space they occupied was small and all three of them in one room was rather a tight squeeze. Meanwhile, Cervantez tried to wrap his mind around the circumstances they seemed to have found themselves in. Everything just wasn't adding up to him.

From the doorway of the room, Anansye decided to break the silence and acquire his lord's attention. "Upon further inspection of some of the other homes, I found a similar scene as well. Signs that whoever lived here just up and vanished, which is rather peculiar.

Also, I have found what appears to be the mayor's home. I suggest we look there next to see if they left behind any clues as to what happened here." he advised, his vibrant orange eyes looking to Lorraine. "I'll be waiting outside when you both are ready." he noted with a bow and departed. ☠

Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

"Anansye Speech"

[Lorraine]

47th of Ymiden, Arc 719

Company: Cerv and co| Theme: Danse Macabre | Thoughts: Not quite child's play | Mood: Curious, alert

Lorraine listened intently to Cervantez as he proposed a theory of what might have taken place. It appeared they had both caught on to the fact that it was probable that those living in the house were taken elsewhere, and killed. Though he seemed to have though a lot more in detail into the theory. While Lorraine had mostly just considered it as a possibility, Cervantez had presented evidence that would support the theory quite well. Though what really took her interest was what Cervantez had found in the other room.

"This drawing it's... quite peculiar. As to what it is I can't be quite sure. Though I think it's a bit past what I would ever consider a child's imaginary friend. In terms of the creatures of Emea I can't say I know too much about them, but I'm sure that something like that creature would fit nicely into Emea." Lorraine would say staring at the drawing. Even for someone with a bit of a taste for the macabre it wasn't a pretty sight. "Though I think in our situation I would prefer if it were just a child's imaginary friend."

Anansye would come just in time to break the silence before Lorraine got too absorbed in looking at the strange depiction. Apparently all of the building in the village shared a state similar to the one they stood in. Not only this, but he had found the home of the mayor which would hopefully provide more clues. The man seemed to be a very capable scout, and investigator just based on what Lorraine had seen of him so far. Though she was sure he also had a number of other valuable skills other than that. Likely more than Lorraine possessed in her current state.

"Shall we then?" Lorraine would say to Cervantez motion to the doorway leading to outside the house. She was a bit eager to leave the house, and specifically the perturbing drawing behind. Besides there was only so much they could get done in one house even if that meant risking running into something more dangerous than a picture. With that Lorraine would wait for Cervantez to be ready to leave before making her way towards the door. She'd take a deep breath of the air outside. She was glad to no longer be inside, but also nervous of what lie ahead.

[Balthazar Black]

"Then someone stomped on the back of his left leg for good measure.” - Balthazar Black vs The Hallway Part 5

47 Ymiden 719

Balthazar had left Yaralon as soon as his leg permitted him too and he had gone quite the distance only to end up in the same village as Cervantez, Lorraine, and Anansye. He hadn't been looking for an abandoned village or the other mages, he had simply been looking for a good place to meditate a little. Ever since his leg had been injured he had begun focusing on meditation a little more to help him through the healing process. Yaralon had been too noisy and the lands around it had been too familiar. This village out in the middle of nowhere was the perfect discovery for Balthazar, who had taken up residence in a house across the street from the necromancers because it was the most spacious.

Space was important for mediation... at least to Balthazar.

Balthazar hadn't even payed any attention to the obvious signs of trouble in the village because he wanted no part of it... at least until he'd meditated. He didn't want to ruin the location before he could enjoy it.

Balthazar had been in his per-mediation stretches when he heard the rustling outside and hid in the home. He had folded at his hips and stretched his arms down towards his toes. Then he had performed a few side stretched and sat down. Once he was sitting he did a forward fold to further loosen his muscles and at last he prepared to enter a meditative state. Balthazar began breathing in and out slowly, attempting to clear his mind.

And then there was an oddly loud doorway creak that both startled Balthazar and ruined his meditation completely because it made it clear to him that he was not alone in this so called 'abandoned' city. Balthazar opened his eyes and slowly shifted through the room to the nearest window. He peered outside and caught a glimpse of Cervantez- who he had a little trouble recognizing but ultimately did- and his allies. Yet there was someone missing.

"Didn't you have a big dog?" Balthazar whispered to himself as he watched the trio with suspicion.

[Cervantez]

Ymiden 47th, 719

Company: Anansye & Lorraine| Theme: Dernière Danse| Thoughts: Stay alert| Mood: Calm & Alert

☠ Cervantez moved along with his group, and as they approached the mayor's abode he couldnt help but get the feeling of being watched. He didnt like it, as it meant they were not alone. His hand gripped the hilt of Sunbreaker as it was easier to use in close quarters than the Dinok Qola'as.

The door of the mayor's house, with the slightest of touch, collapsed at his mere touch. Once inside the building he gave the air a nice whiff, the scent of decay filled his nose, and his eyes fell upon the many books that were in a small library in front of him. Anansye went to the left-wing of the home, which left Lorraine to explore the right-wing where the master bedroom was.

Venturing into the library he found an array of books and a small desk of old wood and brass. Upon inspection of the spines of the books, he could deduce these were old, vintage editions. Some were in good condition, and some not so much but they were all books on magic, the Immortals, and emea. Nothing else was really out of the ordinary as he searched.

Of the books withing the ancient collection, Cerv took 4 books in total, one on various magics, one of the immortals, one on emea, and one on wells and their applications. The researcher in him was curious about what wisdom he would glean from them. Sitting at the desk he began to read them, till he noticed the lock on the desk.

He wondered if there was a key to it, but instead, he had his own way of unlocking the desk. Taking Sunbreaker in hand, he smashed the lock clean off the desk drawer and rifled through its contents. Letters, ledgers and small book were within the desk, and upon opening the book, he learned that it was a journal.

He began to read the journal when Njama began barking, though it was more like a beast roaring. Going outside he found his hound standing in front of one of the abandoned homes. The expression the Massibex hound held was playfull, as whoever or whatever was in the building was familiar to him.

"Anyone home?"

he asked, though it was against his better judgement, Sunbreaker begining to glow. ☠

Attire: Masterwork Armor

"Common Speech"

"Xantheon Speech"

"Anansye Speech"

[Lorraine]

47th of Ymiden, Arc 719

Company: Cerv and co | Theme: Danse Macabre | Thoughts: An enemy? | Mood: Alert, on edge

Lorraine would move alongside Cervantez and Anansye as they travled to what had been identified as the home of the mayor. She decided she liked the village less and less with each passing bit. Not once during the time they moved through the village would she hear any noise other than the wind moving through the buildings. In a place like that one's footsteps began to carry an echo which would easily turn to sound as if you were being followed. With each step she took Lorraine would be engulfed by an intense feeling to turn, and look behind her. Though she would do her best to keep composed and not look like a nervous mess in front of Cervantez.

Upon reaching the mayor's house Lorraine would watch on in a sort of curious horror as the door collapsed under little more than Cervantez's touch. Either the man had even more strength than what was already, very clearly, there or the door had decayed quite a bit. Lorraine would initially place her bet on the second option. Though she had already seen a small bit of what Mr. Xeleno had been capable of before, and had the doors quick demise been the product of her first theory, she wouldn't have found herself to be much surprised.

Entering the house, the group would much like before split up. Anansye would move to sweep the left portion of the building while Cervantez would move to examine the room in front of them. This would leave the right side of the house for Lorraine to investigate, and she would do so. Though before moving into the room she would move her thrall having it sit by the door. She would then cut off her magic to it letting it fall limp against the wall. She had been using her magic in such a strenuous way for some time, and she needed another of the many breaks she had been taking. Leaving her thrall behind Lorraine would approach the door to the next room.

Upon entering Lorraine would discover it was much the same situation as the house they had previously examined. Just as before the room would turn out to be the master bedroom of the home. The bedroom, of course, would be furnished better, though not too much better considering the town's likely lack of prosperity. In the room, Lorraine would find no new clues as to what had happened in the village. Though despite the lackluster room something else would happen.

Hearing Njama bark outside would firstly give Lorraine quite a shock. Being unaccustomed to traveling with the animal she had momentarily forgotten about Njama's presence outside which would lead her to believe something dangerous was outside. Though she would quickly realize what was actually happen, and rush out of the room. As she did so she would catch sight Cervantez as he ran out of the door. Following after him Lorraine would leave the house not even having time to reanimate her thrall. Instead, she would clutch her dagger tightly in her hands as she moved to stand beside, and slightly behind Cervantez.

"May I ask what's happening?" Lorraine would say to Cervantez. Nothing knowing anything about Njama she would be unable to distinguish that the noises the hound had made were actually those of a playful sort. This would leave her a bit on edge as she could only expect the worst-case scenario that something dangerous had finally made its presence known to the group.

[Balthazar Black]

47 Ymiden 719

Balthazar watched Cervantez and Lorraine enter and explore the mayor's house but he didn't move from his position or act to greet them. He wasn't sure how he wanted to approach that task given the vibes in the settlement. Startle someone with magic and you could end up with an ether bolt through a limb. Or an arrow... Yaralon had taught Balthazar a lot about making sure you don't accidentally scare someone. Balthazar spent the entire time the duo was searching thinking about how he'd introduce himself and then the great hound introduce him anyways.

There is a special kind of jump that one performs when a dog as large as Njama barks at you and you did not know that massive hound was even there. A jump that is both literal and metaphorical. Your feet leave the floor but it is the flipping of your heart and stomach that you really feel. That is the kind of jump Balthazar performed when Njama barked at him. He'd have assumed a defensive stance if he'd never met the hound before but he had and he recognized at the very least that this bark was more friendly than the first encounter's bark had been.

It was almost a gut reaction, and it was petty, but Balthazar began swinging his hand in a circle, bending the distance of the room and cutting a porthole into existence with a loud screeching noise. Njama had startled him and Balthazar knew he could create a more startling noise... so he did. There wasn't much more logic behind it than that. He thought it would be playful. As soon as the noise was emit, Balthazar shut the porthole and stuck his head out the door to look at Cerv and his ally.

"Just me." Balthazar replied as he raised both his hands and stepped out from the ruined building he'd been hiding in. Well taking cover in, not really hiding. "Greetings Cervantez and friend." Balthazar didn't know Lorraine's name so 'friend' would suffice. "Out for a walk are we?"