A Viper in the Lion's Den

The capital city of Tyrclaid, home of the royal throne.

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User avatar
Patrick
Posts: 307
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 4:47 pm
Location: Atinaw
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43& ... 800c252a81
Plot Notes: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=78& ... 800c252a81
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=409
Journal: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=499
Letters: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=105&t=500

Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:56 pm

A Viper in the Lion's Den
Searing 3rd, 120th AoS

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When the proprietor had shown the two guests to their rooms, there came about an unexpected action the one named Koto decided to perform. With a flourish of his hand before the open room, and a whisper of a word, an entity came to manifest before him from a sudden blotch of smoke. From within coalescing Aether something rose lazily out of it, with a faint glow emitted from within the creature's outer membrane. Was that... a skull? Or a jellyfish?

Either way the two at present who were there to witness it gave very different reactions, as Patrick had seen Summoning be enough times to know it in action. Lily on the the other hand seemed innately cautious about it, as she quickly latched a hand onto his forearm with a firm grip; and her nails just edgy enough to embed creases into his skin. Patrick on the other hand looked baffled to see the entity, as he had never seen anything quite like it before either. Not even Taelian had summoned this in the time Patrick knew the Siltori, granted he was the only other mage that he was aware of at this point in time.

Initially he took to note how tight Lily gripped his arm, with an eyebrow raised at the sight of her gripping his arm. Had she intended to protect him? He knew she was presumably a fighter, or some kind of warrior, from when they had first met this season. What was interesting to think about was how ironic the situation felt, because in hindsight the roles were just as reversed as they were now. With Patrick keen to protect Lily no less, as she likely noticed earlier in the logbook; not that Patrick was aware just yet. Even then he felt it a considerable compliment, that Lily's sudden desire to put herself between him and potential danger was good in a way. The fact he'd be able to count on her, just by that mere reaction alone, suggested that she was indeed someone worth keeping around.

Nevertheless Koto's summoned entity heeded his whims and surveyed the room, giving a signal that the man himself seemed better off understanding compared to the others. Not that Sojin wasn't keen to emphasize on the matter, as he clarified the reason behind Koto's sudden display of caution. So the hissing man lived in fear of a powerful sorceress? And he'd elected to stay at the Inn? Greeeeat. Patrick hoped that wouldn't bring too much excitement to their doorstep, as he didn't feel so good about his chances against someone with magic. Yet it always seemed to be something with people, nowadays mages popped in a bit more frequently than expected. And it was no wonder why Patrick debated on learning magic, all the neat shit that one could do once they were given a cardinal Rune to empower them.

"Damn, that's gotta suck." Was Patrick's immediate response to the topic of the sorceress, although he couldn't help but chuckle at hearing the complement of a bed. Yup. That's exactly what the Silver Lion Inn was for, to bring rest and respite to weary travelers; and cater to the customers that came to spend their hard earned farthing as well. Finally when Lily released his forearm, Patrick refrained from chuckling softly next to her, with a soft smile still present on his face as he looked to the Patron that Koto summoned. "No worries." He told her almost sheepisly, quick to inspect the creature closer. It was such an interesting specimen to behold, as the skull looked to ripple and fold with the membrane, each time the glowing jellyfish bobbed in the air anyways.

"Sorry, my name's Patrick." He answered in turn after Lily, clearly still fascinated by the entity whereas she posed an interesting question. These things? Lingering throughout the inn? Ohhh no. His father would throw a fit if such were the case, and yet while he or even his mother would've loved to study them; Patrick knew to allow such a thing would only invite trouble. "No no, that can't happen. I mean... technically it can, it's just that the owner wouldn't likely allow it." The bartender clarified almost with a scholarly tone, which was clearly different from the Patrick that Lily would be accustomed to. "How does it do that anyway? Is there some bioluminescent substance it creates? Or is it strictly an aether infused entity?"
"Wonder who these guys are..."
word count: 852
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Kotoru
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2019 2:09 pm
Location: Currently - Atinaw
Character Sheet: https://ranserarp.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=94
Plot Notes: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=351
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=220

Sat Jul 04, 2020 12:03 am

☵ A Viper in the Lion's Den ☵

Date

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Sojin Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
☵ These two interesting Kotoru, the male more so than the female. Her caution was annoying, making him believe she never truly experienced life if she continued to hide behind her suspicions. Though they both held similar concerns. He chuckled at the notion of his summons running free around the inn, the chaos it would cause, that idea tickled him. He had begun to notice that about himself, the maliciousness of his thoughts lately.

With a smile, he leads his Sah'viirdost around so that both could get a better look at it. "Don't worry, They don't last as long as you think, and it would be too draining on me to allow it." he assured, smiling at his summon. Patrick's curiosity intrigued him, seeming very interested in how the Sah'viirdost worked.

"Honestly I can't really say, but I can understand it by the colors that the skull glows. The green means yes, and there are other colors that signify other responses and feelings. These are more spirits than actual creatures, so they imitate living animals and creatures, but are empowered by the patron's they are bound to."

He found the interest to be like his own, with his fascination with magic itself. The spiritual jellyfish floated around him, moving to float in front of Patrick. It began to glow green to which Koto chuckled. "It likes you it seems" he noted looking at Sojin who gave him a nod to dismiss it. With a sigh, he waved a hand and the Sah'viirdost slinked away within a black mist.

"Again, You dont have to worry about them running rampant around here, but be glad it was that one and not my other one, though I'm fond of it, I dont think the owner would be too happy to see that scuttling around" he said with a burst of laughter, imagining the mayhem it would cause. ☵

word count: 422
☵ Sometimes it's not the people that change, its just their mask that falls off ☵
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Leliana
Posts: 77
Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 8:19 pm
Character Sheet: https://ranserarp.com/viewtopic.php?f=4 ... 2133#p2133

Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:43 am

It was a morbid looking creature, there was no doubt about that. As Kotoru approached with the floating green entity it bobbed ever closer, closing in on her and Patrick. Leliana leaned away from it, half ducking to the side as it scudded silently by her head, face contorted with mild disgust. She couldn't say for sure whether she would have reacted differently had it not been a gelatinous looking skull. All she knew was she didn't like it.

She felt a tingling down her spine where her Rune of Reaving was etched, as if it were triggered by her discomfort. If she ran into one of these in the hall at night, spirit or no, she would try to cleave it in two. Would her blade simply pass through, or would it connect with solid matter--real flesh and bone? Curiosity finally getting the better of her, she slowly straightened and stretched out a hand as it passed by in another orbit. At the last moment she thought better of it, recoiling her probing fingers away from one of its trailing tentacles.

Shaking herself visibly once more, Lily cleared her throat.

"I think if you don't need me for anything else, I'll go back downstairs and see how I can help at the bar," she inquired to Patrick. These two didn't seem like they were going to do anything bad, per say--at least not yet, and maybe not even intentionally. They were a strange pair, and she didn't particularly like the boastful mage, but there wasn't much she could do about that. They'd rented the room, and that was that. "I sleep right across the hall, so I'm nearby of a night if need be." Leliana told the newcomers.

It wasn't an offer of any sort of assistance. It was more of a warning, with the hint of a challenge in her tone. There was no smile on her face when she said it. Her gaze lingered on each of them in turn, neutral and passive, before she nodded to Patrick and made her way back downstairs. She wasn't going to have a restful sleep tonight. Her thoughts would be haunted by ethereal skulls and other dark unknowns.

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word count: 449
User avatar
Patrick
Posts: 307
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 4:47 pm
Location: Atinaw
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43& ... 800c252a81
Plot Notes: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=78& ... 800c252a81
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=409
Journal: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=499
Letters: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=105&t=500

Sun Aug 16, 2020 3:00 pm

A Viper in the Lion's Den
Searing 3rd, 120th AoS

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With the assurance that Koto's summoned creatures couldn't linger for too long, Patrick felt a sense of ease in knowing the Inn was safe in that regard. Their other patrons would certainly possess discontent otherwise, likely risking the damage of the Kinship's honor in the process. Patrick certainly wouldn't afford to chance it if he could, and yet even then he still held utter fascination in the aspect of magic. Koto wasn't quite sure how to answer the questions Patrick had asked, indicating that he hadn't outright studied the creature thoroughly, at least not to the degree Patrick likely would have if he'd been the Summoner instead.

Still to better understand the fundamentals of these entities, as Koto expressed them to be, was as enlightening as the moment the little flying jellyfish hovered before him. In moments it emitted yet another green glow to the bartender, garnering a chuckle from the man who summoned it, as he made it apparent that the creature liked him in turn. Was that really the case? Patrick wondered if he just knew from simple observation, or if perhaps Koto shared a link with the creature that told him so. Even then he couldn't help but bashfully grin a bit, almost curious enough to touch the entity in response in fact, before the mentioning of another entity Koto didn't summon. From the sound of it, Patrick likely should've been more appreciative in that regard, as the last thing he needed was something like that generating a fuss from his own parents.

Even then it seemed as though their initial business had been concluded, and with that aside Leliana made it clear she was going to resume work downstairs. It was an excellent point that, in honesty, reminded Patrick of his role in the Inn as well. "Oh, right. See ya in a bit then." He remarked as Lily started for the stairwell once more, leaving the three men alone for a short amount of time. The bartender himself focused on Sojin first and then Koto, as he offered a general smile to both of them afterward. "I better get back to it as well. Been a pleasure meetin' the both of you."

Admittedly there was a small sense of honesty in that remark, as these two outlanders were surprisingly interesting in a unique way. Koto was definitely somebody the bartender felt a little unsure about, but overall the fact these two seemed friendly wasn't too bad. "If either of you ends up needin' anything, don't be afraid to ask me or another one of the proprietors here." He assured both of them with one last wave gestured to them, bidding them farewell as he followed after Lily, taking a slow walk down the stairwell to resume his other duties for the evening.
"Wonder who these guys are..."
word count: 570
User avatar
Ruin
Posts: 165
Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:39 pm
Location: Here, there, everywhere

Sat Sep 12, 2020 5:33 pm

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Review Request: viewtopic.php?p=4200#p4200

XP: 8 for all!

Magic Experience: Summoning for Koto

Injuries/Ailments: Perhaps another time.

Awarded Lores:
Kotoru:
Summoning: Using your Archetype as surveillance
Summoning: The strain from the Ritual of Reminiscence
Negotiation: Always pay in advance when striking a Deal
Investigation: Checking a room to make sure it's safe
Logistics: Planning how many days you plan to stay at an inn
Psychology: Past Trauma influence current behavior
Psychology: Exhibiting signs of Paranoia
Etiquette: First impressions in a Foreign Land

Leliana:
Linguistics: Spoken Kokalath
Linguistics: Written Kokalath
Linguistics: Implication of tone
Intimidation: Standing up to others
Intimidation: Hands on hips
Business: Maintaining a logbook
Deception: Use of an alias
Appraisal: Testing through test

Loot: Nothing lost, nothing gained.

Comments:
Well that was entertaining! I love it when characters can disagree and bicker ICly and get along otherwise. I love the conflict. I want to see blood next time. Even if the thread didn't have a conclusive ending, it still felt like a whole story.

Patrick: If you'd like to request rewards, please reach out to me in DMs and I will edit your lores into this post.

Build to last,
Ruin.

word count: 207
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