The Creepers and the Crawlers

[Woe]

25th of Cylus 721


Woe and his growing family hadn't been long in Egilrun before they decided to take up at a local house for sale there. From there, Woe went about trying to find anything that might remotely be of interest on the island. He wasn't able to gather too much, his connections there being tenuous at best. Yet, he was able to determine that there was a thriving glass industry in Egilrun. That alone was of interest, given his connection to Chamadarst. And so it wasn't long before he, Gloom, Botany and Breen went off to visit that part of the village. It took them a couple days travel, which was fairly pleasant compared to the climate of Viden. Still, it was fairly cold, enough that Gloom required Woe's cavani cloak to keep himself warm. Apart from the chill in the air, the weather was overcast, but that suited Woe just fine.

He and his apprentice, and their two dogs, arrived at Egilrun in the noontime. Already the place was abuzz with activity. The people were industrious, and all about business as hucksters plied their trade in the market square, foremen and laborers carted goods, both raw and finished from workshops to warehouses. Overall, it was an inspiring scene, and Woe thoroughly approved. He thought Chamadarst would be pleased with this town, living in its own bubble of industry, more or less disconnected from the wider politics of the island.

Although he maintained his concentration, soothing the appearance of his two most troublesome sparks, his attunement spark was allowed to freely monitor it's active frequencies. Namely that of his fiance, Augusta, his apprentice Gloom, and the Quacian Bloodhound, Botany. The abrogation spark was allowed to maintain its effects upon Woe. Although the limp in his leg troubled him at times, and perhaps marked him as an easy target for pickpockets or muggers, he was less enthusiastic about dealing with an angry spark. The Arcane Gaoler was especially loathe to be soothed. And so it was allowed to remain active.

Gloom hopped to keep up with his friend and mentor. The little rabbit-shaped tunawa spoke up, his monotone voice creeping into Woe's ears. "It's a nice day out." He remarked gloomily. Gloom, not unlike Woe, also enjoyed the overcast weather. Although he required some sunlight, as a tunawa, he enjoyed the rain and inclement weather even more.

Botany borked enthusiastically at the sound of Gloom's voice, racing back and forth as it sniffed the area immediately in front of their party. He nearly bowled right into Gloom, knocking the tunawa over. "Careful, Botany..." He warned the dog, and then proceeded further into the village.

Woe squinted, as they approached on the road into Egilrun. The Glassworker's hall was placed prominently on the main road into town. At the end of it, the large hall rose over the rest of the shops and works and mills. A grand structure, that Chamadarst would be proud of, no doubt. Woe had business in there. He wished to invest in some glass products for himself, but furthermore, to forge connections with the guild itself, and see if anything of interest was occurring within the town.

He'd heard whispers of anti-mage sentiment. This was part of the reason he concealed his mutations by Soothing them. Apart from that, the fact that there was any anti-mage sentiment, localized to this place fascinated him. He almost wondered why among the towns of Scalvoris, that this place had a special enmity toward his kind. It was this rumor above all that he wished to investigate, although he had his side objectives of making contacts, building a network, and acquiring some fine glasswork.

He approached the guard standing at the door of the Glassworks hall, followed by Botany, Breen, and Gloom. Woe nodded his head toward him, "Well met. I was hoping to have a tour of the facility and perhaps browse your town's fine glassworks?"

Well aware that they may not let the big Quacian Bloodhound into the place with all the fragile glasswork, he stood by to allow Gloom to watch over Botany while he himself went inside.

Magical Effects/Techniques active.

Frequency Slots Used: 7/9
Sparks Soothed: Empathy, Hone.
Mutations active/visible: Attunement (puzzle eyes) Abrogation (Knuckle spurs and Gait disorder / Limp)
Frequencies Open: Augusta Dolizar, Botany, Gloom.
Omnivision.
Dousing for Anything of arcane significance.

[Pegasus]

!

Message from: Peg

Hello there! Important points for you here: 1. People are secretive. If you directly question them, they'll "clam up" 2. If you say you're a mage, you'll be quickly vilified. Same if you are obviously so (mutations etc). 3. People here are suspicious of anyone VERY quickly. Caution needed. 4. If you express anti-mage sentiment (subtly, not so obviously that it's obvious) then you'll get an immediate and strong agreement reaction. 5. Eventually - after a few meetings and when there's a reason for people to trust you, someone will mention that there are "community meetings". These are held in different locations each time, etc etc. ^When you get to the attending a community meeting point. Give me a nudge.

[Woe]

Woe was well aware that Gloom made Botany nervous, by virtue of his abnormal blood flow. Or rather, distinct lack of blood, being full of sap and a tunawa’s inner physiology. However, in the previous seasons Woe had managed at least to train Botany to not tackle the small creature out of instinct. It still growled and sometimes pushed him a little too hard, however.

As Woe crossed through the threshold, he crackled his knuckles, wincing at the uncomfortability of the bone spurs. He decided then that he perhaps should put on the ring of paradigm. As he worked his way into his pocket, where the ring was located, his finger slipped into it. And soon enough his spurs flattened and disappeared, allowing him to fully put the ring on his hand. Thus, his visible mutations were dispelled. He coughed into his elbow, to try and distract from any visible signs that something had changed about him.

Nonetheless, he maintained the cane that he kept to keep himself upright while limping toward the front reception. He’d been beckoned by the apprentice or receptionist, whoever it was, behind the counter.

Woe couldn’t help but notice Chamadarst’s likeness, represented in a statue of blue glass, it’s magnificent glasswork marbled by a few inclusions, such as gold and silver foil. It was a fine example of, dare he say, Nashaki glasswork. He wouldn’t be surprised if whoever ran this place, or that a few of the masters, had connections to the Tower of Glass in Nashaki.

He wondered for a moment how they’d fared in the aftermath of the freeing of the slaves.

Yet all these concerns fell by the wayside, as he took up his cane once more and hobbled toward the counter. He nodded to the apprentice, who regarded him with suspicion. ”Nel’s blessing to you.” Woe said, using one of the names or benedictions the Coinlord sometimes proscribed for himself. ”I’m looking specifically to acquire something to shield my eyes from the elements and bright lights…” Woe didn’t let on why, although he had a story and explanation prepared if need be. If he pressed his explanation, it might ring false.

”Goggles then? Safety goggles. For, say, metalwork? Working with fire?”

”Aye, fire.” Woe winced as if bringing to mind a specific memory. He sighed, and then took another look around the room. Being deprived of his sparks was a risk, but one that he needed to make if he was going to go undercover.

”Do you have any such items?”

”We do, but you’ll need to wait here… I can bring forth one of the Masters who is responsible for working that kind of glass.”

Woe nodded, and waited for that said someone to join them. The apprentice slipped out of the backroom, and Woe admired the statue of his patron, the Coinlord.

[Woe]

Of course, Woe didn’t expect that they’d send the Master of the Guild to him for a simple procurement. And they didn’t upset his expectations. It was another person, looking no less grand in their raiment and attire, but not quite to the level of a resplendant grandmaster of the field. This particular master was a human by the look of him, common enough. With brown hair and dark eyes. He nodded to Woe, his face a mask of indifference as he said, ”Well, this item you’re looking for, these black goggles, will require a special procurement…”

Woe turned that statement over in his mind for a moment. Did they think he wanted something alchemically enhanced, or was it not just a simple matter to apply soot to glass? ”I don’t understand, you don’t produce colored, sooted glass here?” He lifted his eyebrows. It was astoninishing how feigned ignorance could disarm people. Of course, Woe knew it wasn’t as simple a matter of sooting glass. Likely a Guild of this place’s prestige had its secrets and methods that went beyond the obvious. The master nearly cringed when he heard Woe say that.

”No, we do not sell sooted glasswares… Certainly not.” The master’s voice dropped severely. ”We have our methods of producing glass such as you described, but do you have the coin for such a procurement? It requires ingredients and methods that are well beyond common…”

”I can pay.” Woe nodded, sliding over an onyx nel, but not removing his hand from it. ”How long will it take to see the fruits of your labor?”

The master fixed him in a stare of gray indifference that wold make even Chamadarst proud. ”At least a ten-trial… Now if you’ll excuse me, we have many procurements to fulfill.” He said, sliding the onyx nel over the counter, from beneath Woe’s hand.

Thus was the mortalborn dismissed.

[Doran]

Woe:

Knowledge:
Appraisal: Scalvoris has some of the most innovative glasswares.
Attunement: Soothing: Selectively soothing certain sparks, while leaving others that are less obvious.
Business Management: Glass industry is strong in Egilrun.
Discipline: Reigning in the impulses of one's sparks mutations.
Disguise: Slipping a ring of Paradigm on, when you want to hide all of your mutations in a pinch.
Investigation: Results and evidence may arrive from more persistent investigation.

Loot: -
Lost: - 2 WP for an advance on a bespoke pair of flash-resistant goggles (sunglasses).
Wealth: -
Injuries: -
Renown: -
Magic XP: Yes, for Attunement.
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 10

- - -

Comments: You set the scene well in my opinion, with Woe and his family arriving in Egilrun, and Woe trying to find out more about this new place. It's been a while since Woe's being a Blessed of Chamadarst played a part in one of your solos, so I'm glad to see him mentioned and Woe thinking that his Immortal might have approved.

I also appreciate that you mention Woe's magic and his attitude towards his mutations and his sparks so frequently in your threads. That really adds something to them in my opinion. I found it interesting to read why he decided not to soothe the Arcane Gaoler.

I also didn't realize that some mutations could actually cause physical discomfort.

Gloom is an adorable and well-realized NPC, by the way!

I have to admit, I'm quite curious about the anti-mage sentiment in Egilrun since Scalvoris normally seems to be such an open-minded place.

It was probably a good idea that he didn't tell the apprentice what he needed the goggles for, considering the attitude of the people in Egilrun.

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed that Woe didn't actually investigate the anti-mage sentiments in Egilrun in this thread, but it was still a nice read. And maybe he'll take a closer look at Egilrun later on?

Anyway, enjoy your rewards!

P.S.: I noticed that you didn't request the actual goggles as loot. Do you plan on writing another solo where Woe picks them up? Please let me know so that I can edit this review if need be.