The Planewalkers' Journies

[Spleen]

Theller fell into step next to Zant. "Green, lately," he said. "I just recovered from a fairly hefty illness. On the Plane of Air, we say that sickness happens when the body has an imbalance of the four types of air - hot air, cold air, dry air, and moist air - but I think my people sometimes forget that we're four generations from the great forests of the Prime Material Plane and that we raptorans have more than air in our bodies. That's why I left the library so suddenly when we were doing research, I started feeling very unwell, very quickly. It's going around the Guild, I hear, so watch for it.

"How did the Tower of Ice pan out? Tell me everything."

[Jak Snide]

Zant nodded as he listened to Theller's story, speaking only when questioned.

"We enlisted the aid of a ship to reach a proximate location to the tower; a boat suspended beneath a bloated creature that floated through the steam. We paid our way in coin, labour and, when we were seized by a racial dispute between the mephits of the place, our strength of arms. We were required to swim for the rest of the journey, though those without the skill to do so simply fell in the correct direction. A giant of a man was met near the tower, though we did not stay for long."

"As for the tower itself, it is deserted. Lux is the one you should converse with if you wish for complete knowledge of the place, but know this; it is a symphony of water and positive energy, the very substance of the plane given solidarity and shaped by some ancient architect. Within it's walls one can perform feats of alchemy and creation beyond your wildest dreams. Or so the spirit guardian of the place said."

[Shinigori V2]

Shawn looked up, adjusting her goggles from the sudden shift. "...A book about alchemy." She said flatly, giving the small person a look.

[Kelne]

"Really?" Asp said, immune to Looks since time immemorial (or at least the occasion of his birth), "What're you planning to blow up?" This was, after all, the default use of alchemy, much as gnomes might claim otherwise.

[Shinigori V2]

"I'm...I'm not planning to...Who are you?" Shawn asks, clearly at a loss for words otherwise.

[Kelne]

"Asperel Brighteyes," Asp said, sketching a bow, "Wizard. And you?" He was clearly not the indoors variety of wizard, judging by his tanned skin and rather patched in places clothing. Then again, it was doubtful there were all that many of the indoors type in the Guild.

[Spleen]

Theller listened to Zant, brows raised. "That's impressive. You said the place itself inspires one to perform alchemy? I imagine that's something that must be felt to be understood; I'll have to add that to my list of places to see before I die. So are there places being discussed for the next large excursion?"

[Jak Snide]

"It has come to my attention that a sage wishes to procure a sample of water from the Styx's headwaters in Pandesmos. Not a task without peril, but certainly an interesting one. The currency an interested party might garner would be significant too, I'd expect."

[Spleen]

Theller nodded. "You can count me in. Of course, I said that last time, but I've a clean bill of health and there ought to be few roadblocks, if any."

[Shinigori V2]

"Shawn Guiness." She said, narrowing her eyes. "Is there something I can...Help you with?"

[Kelne]

"Well, since you're offering," Asp said, cheerfully oblivious to Hints, "I was thinking of putting together an expedition to Limbo to pick up some chaos matter. There are people who want it for research, you see," he confided, "And Limbo sounds interesting, so everybody's happy."

[Idran1701]

Planewalker's Guild

While Zant and Theller catch up with one another, and Asp politely converses with Shawn, the rest of the travelers have their own matters to deal with.

With no customers having stopped by as of late, Rosalyn's had little to do over the last day or so. As the evening wears on, this seems to have no sign of changing just yet. However, just as she may have begun considering packing things up for the night, she catches sight of an approaching fellow guild member. Someone she thinks she may have seen around now and again...Alvin? Something like that, she's not entirely certain. She does see, though, that he's got a shortbow in hand, and he's making a beeline right for her tent. A late repair job, hopefully?

On the other side of the platform, Lux deals with his own problems. Sitting in a secluded corner of the guild on his own, his mind struggles through the haze of a hard night out. The shadows fall over him, unnecessarily obscuring him from view in the little-trafficked area between tents. He seems utterly alone for now, left to his own thoughts. It doesn't last long, though, as the solitary silence is shattered by a quiet voice from behind. "...Huh? Hey, you all right? Didn't think there was anyone here..."

[Christian]

While words have spread about a Knight Errant, a Kingless Chevalier, having just been accepted into the folds of the Planewalker's Guild, few would make the connection between this seasoned-looking man and the nobility one so readily attributes those of that kind.

Darkblonde, outgrown hair spills down the man's neck to his shoulders, pushed back from his face yet with strands of it hanging down to his cheeks. It is clean, but worn, the original hairstyle almost impossible to guess. His eyes are deep set and shaded, yet the brilliant blue is not entirely lost, as a smile plays across his face when he sees that Rosalyn is still open for business.

The knight is dressed in the rugged and reliable getup you usually see on the Planeswalker; coarsely woven pants in a deep brown, a naturally beige shirt and a dark-green cloak with several pockets lining the inside of it. His leather belt is tightly fastened with flasks and bags hanging from them.

Atop his clothing the knight is dressed not in plate, but Studded leather; Vambraces and Greaves in dark leather, unadorned but for the studs that gives them the name, the metal sooted yet still retaining some glimmer; either a poorly done job, or the sooting itself was unintended.

The torse of the armor is likewise unadorned, yet this only testaments the purpose of it; protection and not for display. The knight wears his armor with ease, his movement unhindered by it, as likely he is used to much heavier equipment.

On top of the armor he wears a sleeveless, black rider's coat that reaches down to his ankles where a pair of sturdy, dark-leather boots adorn his feet. Strapped over one shoulder is a backpack with a small, round shield in turn strapped upon it, and at his hip are two blades; one, short and unadorned, the other longer and it's sheath of finer quality. The bow in his gloved hands is unstringed, but otherwise seems only to have superficial damage.

"Fair eve," he calls to here as he approached, a tear in his shirt now visible, blood having trickled and dried some hours ago, "Truly I am in luck, I had not dared hope that the only one at this camp capable of solving my problem would still be open for business."

He seems to struggle somewhat with his language, it drifts between almost archaic, yet becomes less formal, only to change once more; it is unsure which was his original language, but a qualified guess is not hard to make. "May I be so bold as to request your aid in this my most embarrassing problem. You see, I stumbled upon a most magnificent wild Boar on my way here, and one cannot blame a man such as myself for attempting to fell the beast..." he trails off, apparantly thinking back to memories not quite as pleasant as he'd like.

[Seethe]

"I see," Rosalyn acknowledged, giving the man a friendly smile as she eyed the slightly damaged bow. "You've caught me just in time, it would seem. But I am always willing to help another Planewalker."

Of course, she was also fairly concerned about the tear on the man's shirt, as was evident from the fact that she kept glancing at it. The mention of a boar gave her some idea of how it had gotten there.

[Justice Augustus]

"No...I mean...what?" Lux stirs, tries to rise, but slumps back down again with a clatter. "Who?" He tries to brush his hair away from his forehead, but only succeeds in making himself look worse and ends up punching the wall by mistake. "Ow...in many places." Smacking his lips he looks about, trying to figure out who is addressing him.

[Christian]

The smile on the man's face seemed to make a complete spin into a relieved, if somewhat worn one. It was apparant the other one hadn't been completely concern, as the tone of his voice just as suddenly shifted to match his appearance.

"I apologize for this late visit, had I realized what damage the thing would do to me and my equipment, I would not have gone after it." he holds up the bow as if to expect it and then hands it over to Rosalyn. "I must admit, and do not take this in the wrong way, that I was, and still am, surprised to find you this young. I was told a woman would aid me in my repairs, but I did not expect one so young..."

The classical, by the book follow up would have been, "...nor, so beautiful." it hung in the air; unspoken, but present. Whatever reasons he did not utter it was his own, but he continued, "I overheard some members of our guild talking about a recent expedition to... one of the elemental planes? It was from them I learned your name and profession. Although I admit I still have some difficulty dealing with how easy humans such as you and I can travel to places I have only heard of in tales, I admit the prospect of exploring these... planes... have gotten me quite on my seat."

[Idran1701]

Planewalker's Guild - Secluded Corner

Taking a glance behind him, Lux can barely make out the sight of the fellow that seems to have stumbled across him. Dressed in loose-fitting, pale clothes that wrap around without constraining his motion, he looks human enough. He kneels next to Lux, helping him to his feet with a look of concern. "The name's Degand. You all right, friend? Sounds like either you've had a bit too much bub tonight, or you could use a trip to the healer."

[Shinigori V2]

"...Are you crazy?" Shawn asked, honestly curious now.

[Kelne]

"I don't think so," Asp said reflectively, "But crazy people never seem to know, and I do get asked that question a lot..." He shrugged these deep philosophical musings aside, "Anyway, there's nothing especially crazy about an expedition to Limbo, is there?" He sounded almost hopeful.

[Justice Augustus]

Squinting, trying to get the images to run into just a single copy, all Lux can think is Is that guy wearing a dress? "Buh...'m fine. Where's my thingy? Thingy with the stringy. A few stringy, stringy, stringys, y or ie, doesn't matter, the stringy which you do the thing to and it sings. Made o' woody." Lux looks at the stranger, and his eyes blaze with recognition as he vaults to his feet. "LUTE!" he shouts, and lo it appears in his hand. Lux looks at it with puzzlement, then takes out a dagger and starts to carve "Thingy with the Stringys" on the back of his instrument.

(Cast Summon Instrument)

[Seethe]

The comment about her age, and what she thought was the implied next step, left Rosalyn suddenly feeling quite flattered, especially coming from the rugged-looking man with the knightly speech. She responded by fiddling with the bow for a few seconds, momentarily forgetting what she was supposed to be doing with it. Once she came back to reality, he was talking about the recent trip.

"Yes, Steam was... quite different from the Outlands," she agreed, collecting herself as she spoke. "I had thought there would at least be ground there, but it turned out that there wasn't. Just a great void filled with mist and a few floating rocks here and there. I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself."

And at that point, she happened to glance down at the bow she was holding and again remembered what she was supposed to be doing. Not wanting to disappoint her new acquaintance, she quickly focused her efforts on inspecting the weapon, trying to determine exactly what damage had been inflicted on it.

[Christian]

The damage to the bow should be no problem to repair; the leather of the grip has been torn at places, needing replacement, and one of the grips for the string has cracked; yet the design of the bow allows replacement for them.

Noticing that his remark had perhaps hit home a little more than he'd planned, the knight listened to Rosalyn's description of Steam, nodding and taking a seat on an empty, wooden crate.

"Indeed, I have myself at times ventured across the planes, and albeit I have seen very little of the Inner Planes, I can imagine the sights and experiences."

He sits straight as an arrow when he talks, his face and attention placed on the woman holding the bow. Whatever his upbringing was, he certainly learned proper posture. The wound in his arm, where the tear is located, seems long since dried, although not bandaged. Judging from his get-up, he probably went straight here upon his return.

"I would say I had forgotten to tell you my name," he smiles more honestly again, "but that would be lying. One of my faults is that I often find myself speechless, tongue-tied, when standing before someone as captivating as yourself."

He seems to realize what he says, give an apologizing smile and quickly continue, "Alas it would seem I once again make a fool out of myself. I am Alvar Feldtspar, knight... Former knight of Elar Leijon III of Esharia. My sincerest apologies for having offended with my foolish wit and even more foolish tongue."

[Idran1701]

Lux

Taking a light hold on the wrist of Lux's dagger hand, Degand looks at him with concern. "Hey, now. Doesn't sound like you're in much of a condition to be using a blade for anything. How about I help you back to your tent, hmm? A good night's rest'll do you good And maybe you should go a bit easier on the bub next time, eh?" Leading him by the arm, the man begins looking about, waiting for Lux to give any indication of which tent around the guild is his.

---

Anne and Trivale

While Lux is being given a best attempt at ending the night, Anne returns from her own evening out, descending back to the headquarters of the guild with a small group of friends. The last few hours for this group were well-spent indeed, enjoying a late performance at the Mackenzie Theater, an establishment in the Outlands with a Staircase doorway right into the lobby. Rapidly spreading by reputation (and member-offered discount) across the guild, Spense had to see it once he heard, as much of a theater buff as he is. And of course he had to bring others along too on his second visit; Anne had hardly a chance to say no to his offer; for a halfling, he can be quite unrelenting once he's got his mind on something. And it's especially hard to refuse after a half-dozen other mutual acquaintances have been roped in already.

Splitting apart, the small segment of Anne's social circle here say their farewells for the night, seeing each other off. However, the evening's not quite over yet, it seems. Turning to head down the "street" back to her own tent, Anne quite literally bumps into a passing traveler, the two just avoiding a tumble that would have sent them both to the ground. A new face, one she hasn't seen around the guild yet. A tan fellow about a hand taller than Anne herself, with piercing red eyes and two tiny horns growing from his temples, partially covered by auburn hair seemingly styled in such a way as to draw the eyes from the pointy growths. And on seeing his expression, their meeting in this manner isn't very unexpected, as his mind seems only half here.

---

Zant and Theller

Catching up on missed time, the two Inner Planars head through the massive campgrounds. And as Theller expresses his agreement to the quest, a light buzzing picks up about them. It's only vaguely familiar to Theller at first, though Zant recognizes it right off, and with a glance, he spots the source. Once the three-foot winged woman comes in sight for the raptoran, the sound clicks in his mind; it seems there's a sylph here at the guild. Settling to the ground, she pads over to the two on bare feet, her iridescent dress shimmering in what dim torchlight still hasn't been quenched as her dragonfly-like wings barely flutter, seemingly eager to resume flight. A playful smile emerges as she glances to Zant with familiarity in her eyes. "Well, I see I'm not the only one out for an evening walk, Zant. I'm not interrupting something important, I hope?"

---

Asp and Shawn

While Shawn struggles through conversation with her new friend, the sound of a throat clearing issues from behind her. With a turn, she sees the fellow pulling librarian duty for today; Porter, a swarthy-complexioned, bespectacled, slightly pudgy cleric of some literature god; she can't remember who. With a slightly wary glance to Asp, he speaks up in his just-barely-raspy tone.

"Shawn? I'm just about to head in for the evening, but I thought I'd check and see if you need any more help first. Anything I can pull for you before I'm off? If we've got anything on alchemy you haven't already burned through, that is," he adds with a slight chuckle. For whatever reason, he seems to be doing his best to ignore Asp's presence, though the occasional glances consistently followed by a slight frown do little to help him in this task.

[Justice Augustus]

Lux slumps onto the man's arm, the dagger clattering to the ground. He looks up at him with a mixture of confusion and fear, and the man could swear that Lux looks as if he's about to cry. "I wan' my friends. Where's Joss, and Anne, an' Zant, an...and...ye gods I sound terrible."

[Shinigori V2]

Shawn looked up, and shook her head. "Oh, no thanks. Don't worry about it, I think I'm about done for now myself. I'll clean up when I'm finished, like always."

[Idran1701]

Lux

Degand's concern deepens as he helps Lux stay upright, a fair bit of discomfort at seeing someone so emotionally raw mixed in. "You sure you want to see your friends in this state? Get some sleep, and you can go find them in the morning once your head's clear, all right? Show me where your tent is, and we'll get you settled down for the night, okay? I'm sure whatever's wrong, you'll feel better in the morning.

---

Asp and Shawn

Nodding, Porter gives another short glance to Asp, who's beginning to get the crazy feeling that the librarian might not care for him much. Of course, going by their first encounter, he seems the type to get irritated by the strangest things. And I mean really, if you want to keep a pile piled, why leave it out on a table where anyone can dig through it? It's not Asp's fault the most interesting books were at the bottom, after all.

"I appreciate it. And I'll try to let you know if I find anything else here. Until tomorrow, Shawn." And with a nod, and one last glare tinged with a mixture of worry and utter frustration towards Asp, he ducks through the tent's exit.

[Kelne]

Asp gave Porter a little wave of farewell as he departed, "Well, good luck with the alchemy," he said to Shawn, "You know where to find me if you change your mind about the Limbo thing." He seemed to have overlooked the fact that Shawn did not, in fact, know the first thing about him.

[Idran1701]

Asp and Shawn

At Asp's comment, Porter pauses at the door, pulling himself back in with a glance to Shawn. "'Limbo thing'? Part of your studies, Shawn? I know there've been a number studying the plane for insights into the field. It does represent alchemy, in a way. The transmutation of one substance into another is at the core of the field, after all."

[Jak Snide]

"Not in the slightest, Zeph." the gensai responded, flowing from his conversation with Theller to the greeting with casual ease. "I was merely recounting the expedition to the Tower of Ice that some of my fellows and I partook in. What might bring you outside this day, fluttering aside?"

[Spleen]

Theller turned to the newcomer with a gregarious smile. "The name's Theller. Pleased to meet you...Zeph, was it?"

[Seethe]

"No offense taken..." Rosalyn assured the knight, speaking a bit distractedly. She hadn't just made herself look foolish by taking his words the wrong way, had she?

Then, suddenly realizing that he'd just told her his name, she quickly proceeded to tell him hers.

"Rosalyn LaChaille," she introduced herself. Then, remembering the subject of the bow again, "It shouldn't be too hard to repair. The bow, I mean. I can have it finished right away."

[Christian]

"Good news indeed," the knight mused as he sat back a little, relaxed. "If I ever found the conniving... errr... cony-catcher who sold me this bow, I'll have him strung by his toes..." he scratched his chin a little, "that is the right word, is it not? It is distressing that I spent almost a year in the city of Sigil, yet I still have not grasped the... cant."

He shifted slightly, looking up at the sky before returning his eyes to Rosalyn, "I hope I do not bother you in your work, I am quite new to these parts, and this is indeed only my second time upon this Infinite Staircase."



((OOC - Seethe, sorry for jumping your post like a hungry vulture))

[Justice Augustus]

"But I just got up...I don't wanna sleep. Where are my friends?" Lux whines, his tone rising along with the volume of his voice as he attempts to use Degand as a balancing post to stand upright.

[Idran1701]

Zant and Theller

Returning a smile of her own, the sylph nods to Theller as she speaks to Zant. "Just going for a fly, myself. Well, as much as I can here. It's fun to see how the Guild looks when most everyone's gone for the night and everything's still and quiet. Then, I spotted you talking to this feathered fellow, and I just had to see what was up." She turns back to Theller with a grin of her own, continuing, "Nice plumage, by the way. I don't think I've ever seen someone like you around, and I've seen a lot of birdfolk. I have to say, I'm a little disappointed that Zant was hiding you away. There aren't enough flyers around here, I've always thought. Though I guess there's good reason for that, huh? This place isn't exactly the most friendly for our kinds."

Lux

"Well...I'm not sure where your friends are, guy, but...I guess we can go looking for them." With a sigh, Degand looks around the area. "You know where we could find them?" He adds, muttering, "If they're not in bed themselves at this hour."

Looking Lux in the eyes, he frowns, feeling even more pity for the pour soul. "So...what's wrong, anyway? You're obviously going through some...troubles right now. How about you talk about it, Guildy to Guildy? We're all here to support each other, after all. Maybe getting it off your chest'll help ease your pains, help steady your nerves. Have a bad trip? You're not the first guy I've seen fall into the bub after a hard experience."

[Justice Augustus]

"Where...I dunno. What time o' day is it? In fact...wha day is it?" Lux looks at the man for a second before realisation dawns upon him. "M'ybe yer right...let's find me tent." Lux gives the man directions as best he can, given the circumstances, but concerning the cause of his inebriation he remains silent.

[Kelne]

"Hey, that's right," Asp says, "Limbo's all about transmutation. I hear you can create just about anything there if you're focused enough. Not that it lasts, of course."

[Shinigori V2]

"...Yeah." Shawn says after a minute. "Yeah...I think I'll be going there."

She hoped she wouldn't live to regret it.

[Spleen]

Theller smiled. "I'm not quite a flier yet; my race needs some time to get up the strength to use our wings that way. Still, yes, flying here on the Staircase is definitely a problem. So where are you from, originally? I'm from the Plane of Air, myself."

[Seethe]

"That's the word you're looking for, but it looks to me like this bow has held up well," Rosalyn said. "What's been damaged looks like it's been made so that it can be replaced."

Then, remembering the time, she looked out across the market area, looking like she was planning to set off into it.

"Of course, I'll need the right materials for that," she explained. "Hopefully the guys that carry them will still be open, or it'll have to wait till morning. Shall we go?"

[Christian]

Alvar nodded enthusiastically at the remark of material, standing up from the crate. "I seem to recall the salesman mentioning it... I haven't given it much thought, as regrettably I generally only inspect my tools when they need to be used or cleaned..."

He looked out over the encampment, suddenly realizing with a pit-fall feeling in his stomach that he still hadn't bought a tent for himself... well, one thing at a time.

"If it isn't a bother we can go and get it now..."