Difference between revisions of "Log 03 Jyslin Andie Syval Journey Day 02"
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Revision as of 13:36, 14 March 2021
The evening meal is largely quiet, with only a few conversational gambits largely covering confirmation of watches and a check-in from Andie merely asking after Syval in hopes that his study of the partially ruined spellbooks is going well and proving enlightening, without much effort made to fish for or demand greater depth. That done, Syval is given the first watch, which does give him a chance to ponder more on the thoughts and awarenesses awakened within him.
The rains have finally stopped, even the heavy misting having given up, which should allow the ground to start to resolidify a bit. There does not seem to be anything or anyone moving out there beyond the camp. The one exception to this turns out to be that after about an hour and a half Neosodos reappears beside the seated wizard, grooming and preening a bit. He does not attempt mindspeech right away, but he is present and clearly making a point of being visible rather than his usual talent of disappearing into cover.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "For the record, you do not have to interract with Neo if you do not wish to. But I stop here to offer you the opportunity to make up your own mind about that. If you do not interact with him, then I will continue with the evening's watches and night encounter rolls."
Syval reaches over and strokes the pseudodragon's head with a few fingers, looking curiously at the normally stealthy wyrm. That he's shown himself at all, and isn't curled up against Andie sleeping, probably means the ancient little drake wants something.
Jhiao Ting Li rolls 100 (1d12+0) and gets 11 (11) Jhiao Ting Li rolls random encounter check (1d12+0) and gets 4 (4) Jhiao Ting Li rolls random encounter check (1d12+0) and gets 5 (5) Jhiao Ting Li rolls random encounter table (1d100+0) and gets 43 (43) Jhiao Ting Li rolls large natural animal (1d100+0) and gets 44 (44)
<OOC> Vanya eyes.
Said ancient little drake pauses in his preening to turn his head all the way around and up, over his shoulder and past his wing to the slightly glowing eyes of the young mageling. "< More a question of whether you want something? >" he offers silently in mindspeech. No need, then, for Syval to voice his questions for anyone else. No need, either, to ask if he does not wish or if he is not ready. Just, honestly, Neosodos choosing to be present for the young man, to offer him his chances, his choices to make on his own.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "FYI: If you choose not to ask anything or offer any linguistic response, you can just include waking Jyslin for her watch at the end of your pose. :)"
<OOC> Vanya says, "Oh hey, my eyes glow in the dark."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "I'm figuring if you're staring out into the darkness ..."
<OOC> Vanya hadn't thought about what form Low-Light Vision would take, much less Darkvision.
<OOC> Vanya says, "I keep forgetting that I have that second one."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Yet more reason I'm Definitely Not Normal (tm)."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Huh... how do we reckon time for the watches?"
<OOC> Vanya says, "Ack overwrote my pose >.<"
Syval responds in the negative, thinking rather than speaking it and returns his attention to the wilderness, letting his mind wander. If Neos has nothing to ask then for now he has nothing to share. And so the first watch passes quietly for the pair until, glancing over to the cold embers of the campfire then up at the stars, Syval judges the first 4 hours of night to have passed and gets up to visit Andie and Jyslin's shared tent. It takes a few seconds in the dark to identify the moon priestess between the two long-haired women but once he does the green-haired mage taps her lightly on the foot, then makes his way to his own tent for rest.
Jhiao Ting Li rolls random encounter table (1d100+0) and gets 25 (25) Jhiao Ting Li rolls evidence encounter table (1d100+0) and gets 1 (1) Jhiao Ting Li rolls tiny natural animal (1d100+0) and gets 31 (31)
At that touch Jyslin turns over, catching sight of Syval as he is departing, and murmurs softly, "Thanks. Anything to report?" She doesn't dash after him, but she isn't long before coming out of her tent and making her way to the 'watch fly', settling down there, folding herself into a lotus position with hands resting on her knees. After only a few moments her bright green eyes flicker open, a pale silvery glow around them heralding her own ability to see into the night. She glances down at the dragonet beside her, and nods as he then flutters over and crawls through the tent flap to rejoin Andie.
There will be no sign of its passage, but later in the middle of Jyslin's watch she gently but firmly discourages a group of three large gorillas showing at least some curiosity in the temporary human encampment. Hours later, Jyslin crawls back into her tent and sends Andie to take watch. That too seems to pass without any fanfare, though she does gently but firmly remind Neosodos to bury the bones of the squirrel he caught.
By the time morning truly rolls around and everyone is awake, Andie has a small pot of porridge with bits of meat and vegetables and gladly spoons out some to share with her companions. Breakfast conversation does include Jyslin mentioning the approach of those gorrillas, though she is reasonably convinced they won't be back.
<OOC> Vanya says, "And bread started for dinner. Back again."
<OOC> Vanya grins.
As is his want Syval's day begins with studying his spell book over his bowl of breakfast porridge. The young wizard is largely unresponsive to the morning's conversation if he's paying attention at all but one page at a time throughout the meal he flips his way through the several pages which matter most to him and eventually closes the cover. To mark the end of his morning preparations, the young wizard mutters an incantation together with a hand gesture and dashes the accumulated dust and dirt from himself in a small burst of magic - though he could still use a morning shave.
As the group gathers up their things and decamps, Jyslin makes a comment to Syval somewhat off-handedly. "I like that you're as fastidious as you are, Syval. Obviously, I do not know it. But Andie might? I'm not sure. I just recall that there is an arcane cantrip that can grow or regrow hair, and I believe it is reversible. I've heard that some use it to shave."
Andie chuckles at Jyslin's comment. "Well, that is all true. I confess I generally prefer the old-fashioned way of trimming hair, since I do so little of it. But it works quite well, and I do know the original form of the cantrip. I have used it a few times, when injury has left me, or someone else, lacking the hair I believed was proper."
Neosodos makes that curious wheezing chuckle sound of his as he climbs up onto Andie's shoulders for the day's journey ahead.
<OOC> Vanya says, "Neos is over here thinking #MammalProblems"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Mmmm. Pretty much. :)"
Syval quirks his brow and absentmindedly runs a hand along his cheek, feeling the day's stubble. "That would save me from shaving, and might help if we need to blend in somewhere." But really, the pair just offered him a new spell. Who is Syval to turn down a new spell? "Can you teach me that over lunch? For now I'll use the old-fashioned way, then we can try to rouse that ancient chevalier," the young mage suggests before gathering his pack and weapon to make a quick stop at the stream nearby.
Andie considers Syval for a few moments, and nods. "When we stop for lunch, I will pen down the notes I have on the spell. As you have seen, I do not study a spellbook, but I can write one out. Then you can study the spell this evening, until you can translate my own writings to your own." the witch offers.
Indeed, though it is rarely languished upon, that is largely the point of writing one's own spellbook: each mage's notes for a spell will be uniquely different, to suit his or her own mind. It is the reason why it can be a challenge for another to learn from those notes and come to understand the spell, and the reason why teachers - and academies like the one in Delzimmer - take so much time to stress writing one's own spellbook. It's not about just 'having one's own copy', but about having a copy adapted to the nature of one's own mind and thought process.
Jyslin quirks an eyebrow curiously at Syval's other mention. "Mmm. Awakening the statuette? That could prove very interesting. I take it the Maenast lessons are going well between you and Neosodos?"
"Well enough," Syval responds with a nod before disappearing into the underbrush, leaving Neos to answer the rest for him. And it's indeed several minutes before the young mage emerges again to rejoin the group but he does so freshly cleaned and presentable by proper Delzmaeran standards.
"Annnnd off we go." Jyslin offers as Syval returns. She lets him take his usual place at the head of the group and follows beside Andie as they continue their journey. The journey lapses largely into quiet, although now and then one of the women may pick up a tune, humming or singing softly. They do not let themselves give true voice to anything, preferring to avoid interference or drawing attention from the surroundings. Neosodos remains pretty quiet, largely sunning himself now that said sun is out, unimpeded by rain and clouds. He might even be purring very softly.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "OK. So, give me a 1d12 pls?"
<OOC> Vanya says, "What happened to waking the statue?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "I thought we were waking the statue later? I must have misunderstood the pose. My apologies."
<OOC> Vanya says, "I'd meant 'I'll go shave then we wake the statue'. Did you interpret that to mean over lunch?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Yeah. That's what I'd done. My apologies."
<OOC> Vanya says, "It's fine, we can do it during our mid-day rest instead." Syval rolls 12%xn (1d12+0) and gets 12 (12)
<OOC> Vanya says, "Ignore the % there. That was a regular d12. ^_^;"
<OOC> Vanya tests just to make sure. Syval rolls 12%xn (1d12+0) and gets 7 (7)
<OOC> Vanya says, "Yup. Normal d12."
<OOC> Vanya says, "And are we in grassy foothills once more or have we moved close enough to the mountains to be in more woods?"
Syval for his part is moving with a clearer mind and calmer purpose than he was yesterday. Whatever shook him about their treasure trove has abated given a day's journey. He seems on the whole to be back to normal, still walking through backcountry with a pure comfort at odds with his city upbringing. But then for a wizard, there are many things atypical about the young man.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Grassy foothills, unless you wanna check out the location on that hill giant map. :)"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Sorry. Phone."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Ack right. I was so distracted by meditation I forgot about that. XD Still we're not so far out we can't detour tomorrow, right?"
<OOC> Vanya lost track of the days since we encountered them. She should keep a little journal for Syval.
<OOC> Vanya says, "Ack. And that right there shows I've fallen out of character. *I should keep a little journal OOCly."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Sorry. Back from phone."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "This is the morning after the morning after the fight with the giants. So just one day past thus far."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "And yes. That should mean that you could still detour tomorrow and not be backtracking any."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Good. Two days east and one day south is the location so that's right on schedule."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "My cousin's hubby has been mobilized for Wednesday."
<OOC> Vanya says, "I'd heard some Natty Guard were deployed there. Fingers crossed that it's just a lot of standing around."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "And napping on the capitol rotunda floor."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Yes, that too. XD"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Alright. So, first check of the day is 'not a frakking thing'. Give me a percentile for that 7 check, pls."
<OOC> Vanya insert photo of sleeping all over an MRAP here. Syval rolls 100%xn (1d100+0) and gets 80 (80)
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "OK. And another percentile for the Territorial Encounter, Threat Tier 2 pls?" Syval rolls 100%xn (1d100+0) and gets 88 (88)
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Time Travel!"
<OOC> Vanya says, "Oh boy are we going to show up before Hazard jacked the Foundry?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "No. But we might have A Moment when the statue is activated."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Delicious. That was my second guess."
The morning and early mid-day pass with not much of great interest. Various wildlife are about, but nothing of significant note and nothing that decides to take executive notice of the small party of seeming humans moving through the area, either because they do not care or because they have no desire to involve themselves with these dangerous monkeys.
Since the plan already established included settling for a longer than usual lunch break, with writing efforts as well as magical muckery, Jyslin makes a point of picking out a low hillock, and then she gets out that small pot as Andie sets up another fire pit.
While the ashen blonde priestess starts up a bean-based stew, drizzling in a bit of goat's milk to thicken it up along with strips of meat and chopped fresh vegetables, Andromeda produces a lap desk, quill and bottle of ink and starts working on writing out the notes for the cantrip discussed earlier. Neosodos remains visibly on her shoulder during this process, glowing slightly; the impression clearly given is that they are in tandem, Andie literally studying the cantrip from Neosodos and then writing it out for Syval.
But at least Andie did open her satchel before she started writing.
<OOC> Vanya says, "Do you mind a short pause for food here?"
<OOC> Vanya says, "It's just~ about noon time now."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Nah. Not at all. Then I can think about getting something myself."
<OOC> Vanya reaches over and taps the pause button.
<OOC> Vanya bites a thumb nail thoughtfully.
After helping to prepare the light noon camp to wait out the heat of the day over rest and food, Syval disappears into the satchel portal for only a few moments before returning with the ornate golden statue held carefully in his hands. Moving away to a clear spot of grass, he glances first to Andie then to Jyslin, just in case, before setting his attention upon the inscribed plaque at the figurine's base. The young mage takes a breath, says a small prayer, then recalls to mind his recent lessons from Neos and speaks, "Honoria."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Linguistics check, pls. Don't roll a 1. :)"
<OOC> Vanya says, "If that summons an anti-paladin we can probably work with that too."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li taps dragon on the nose. :) Syval rolls Linguistics (1d20+6) and gets 7 (1)
<OOC> Vanya says, "Are you kidding me XD"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li chortles.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li writewrites.
<OOC> Vanya buckles his seatbelt.
Every time Syval has practiced that word, that name, it has merely been his voice. He may have been shaping a previously unfamilair pronunciation of a word he is used to reading, not speaking or hearing, but there was nothing else more exceptional than that. Just exactly what is to be expected.
This time, that is not what he hears. And most definitely not what he feels.
He readies himself, hears the word in his own mind, and then ... then his tongue tangles a bit around his teeth, for lack of a better description. The word comes out mangled. With an annoyed grimace the mageling frowns, and tries again. This time when the word escapes his lips ... it resonates. It's less about sound and more about a sort of preternatural shockwave reverberating from the statuette ...
In a moment the rolling, lushly tall-grassed plains backed by the nearby mountains are gone. Instead Syval finds himself standing ... no. Glancing down, he is not standing. It makes no sense - it should never even be possible! - but he is instead astride a powerfully built but compact warhorse. The plains all around are dry and sere, and midday has given way instead to twilight. It is a darkened twilight, for the brilliant silvery light of the moon is utterly absent, Selune's radiance lost on the night he knows - not knowing how - is that of the New Moon.
In the distance, just barely discernible in the twilight grey is a large and impressive walled city with towering spires. As he listens to the panting of the beast beneath him, a snatch of sound wafts his way, as raised voices chant ominously, their voices given untold power by the fury of their intent. Outlined, limned in golden light shimmering to scarlet, four figures hold hands as the light grows around them. And as those hands are thrown up to the sky, the greatest moment of their distant voices, a flaming bolt of light streaks out of the heavens, splitting into a spreading array as it heads directly for the city.
The last thing Syval experiences before the scene fades out to blazing white is the tremendous shockwave of devastation as the swarm of meteors crash down on the city, crushing all of its might to naught, wiping it away and with it all those within.
The whiteout flash recedes, and Syval is still not back at the midday campsite, though the sun is high overhead, now. The winds whip around, biting cold, and the urge to look around brings clarity to the vision of sitting once more astride a warhorse, wearing metal chilled by the cold while facing a lone woman on the mountainside, standing on the ground and thusly lower yet with a presence that bespeaks as if she towers over all around her. Instinct says this mighty woman with pale, almost glowing skin, shimmering silvery grey-green eyes and almost pink red-blonde hair hanging to her hips, dressed in simple homespun grey robes and holding a simple tall white stave is far taller than she ought to be, even if she is not taller than Syval astride the warhorse. There is something almost alien about her beauty and humanity.
A mighty and resonant, beautiful voice speaks, and Syval knows what she is saying, even as a part of him is aware that this is spoken Maenast, uttered by one to whom it is native, mother tongue, rapid and fluid and graceful without hesitation or concern. "< The final word has been given, Honoria. The only chance for rebirth lies with the seeming impossibility of the royal blood finally reclaiming the City. The attacks of those who have dared brave the Sensions of the Slain have not been for the rest of the refugees. Nor even for me. They have been for you, to finally render that impossible. As we have learned the details of the curse laid down, they have learned that you yet live, and they will not rest. >"
This vision then too fades away, and finally Syval is sitting once more on the grass of the hillock, apart from the midday camp with the sun warm on back and shoulders. And now, standing astride the small marble and gold figurine, stands a woman in full armor and regalia, just like the statuette itself. A baraj rides her hip in scabbard on baldric, while a two-headed flail hangs on the other hip, heads clipped to the belt. A medium-sized shield of shimmering silvery metal covers her left side and arm, a helm currently tucked beneath her right arm. A vibrant golden mane of hair is artfully arranged in a crown braid about her head, her torso girded with silvery metal of breastplate, paldrons and vambraces decorated with details of bronze, over a knee-length vented shirt of mail. A towering lance of metal stretches to a hight of ten feet, clutched in her right hand and stepped to her armored boot as the woman looks calmly down at the green-haired mageling.
"< You have summoned me, then? Name your self, stranger of the green hair, and tell me then the date of the stars. What would you have of Lady Honoria of Falkirk? >"
<OOC> Vanya says, "Awesome pose, many colors. Nice transitions and pretty knight desc. Especially noteworthy that she's armored in a region as warm as here (assuming it was back in the day.) The one thing that was a stumbling block was all the color words used for the tall unnatural woman in grey robes. I'd compact it a little before submitting it to the editor. Solid A. :)"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "That multitude of color words for that woman was entirely on purpose. She's supposed to seem weird, enigmatic, and striking."
Syval was prepared for many things before he activated the statue: fire, lightning, a monster or angry ghost. The mage was in no way prepared for a sudden journey through the past and it's only as Honoria makes her introduction that the young man settles back into his mind and back into the present, but with fresh impressions of fire, frost, and words of ominous portent ringing. The current of wind shifts across the grassy hillock as he presses the ground and stands, rising to his full tree-like height before her. There's nothing royal in Syval's own lineage or attire, and at most the token gemstone worn around his neck, but the woman's bearing and the weight of her history resonates with a deeply-seated well of pride that might - he now realizes - be something more than human. The sandy-eyed mage meets Honoria's gaze evenly with a commanding posture, neither shrinking nor pressing upon her as he answers, "Syval of Amlar. "
The proud blonde woman's almost nut-brown skin pales a bit and she wobbles on her feet as Syval lays out just how long it has been ... and she manages to translate it despite any vagaries of his accent. "< Thirty ages past. All that even knew of us must be long dust and gone. >" she murmurs breathlessly. "< I know not what journey lies ahead for you, Syval of Amlar, nor how it is one of Mai's tribe would be the one to recover me. But if you ask it, then my aid shall I give. >"
"< Nearly, but some records have survived. We call your time The Great War,>" and no doubt Syval needn't explain why. His face softens in a sympathetic smile and he offers a hand upon her pauldron to help steady the woman before gesturing back towards the rest of the campsite where Jyslin is cooking. "< Come, sit. Lunch will be ready soon. >"
Syval rolls Linguistics (1d20+6) and gets 23 (17)
<OOC> Vanya applies the 23 to his earlier "Honoria" re-attempt, just for his own satisfaction.
The lady knight looks past the emerald-haired male towards the nearby campsite ... and she freezes stock still. "< I ... see. >" She follows Syval the short distance, but her entire attention now seems to be riveted upon the women and the small slightly glowing drake at the campfire. She glances towards Syval momentarily, and then back to both women, bowing to them both. "< Sister Rashia. I am honored that you would be present for my Rebirth. >" She glances then at Jyslin. "< I beg your pardon, Sister. I know you cannot be Sister Aurtreanne, but I cannot place you. >"
Andie does not initially react to Honoria's words - she is busy, at the moment. But she does pause after she finishes a sentence on the scroll, allowing her emerald eyes to flick up to the blonde lady knight. "Hello. My name is Andie."
Jyslin is more aware, more tuned in to all of this, but clearly non-plussed by the spoken Maenast. "I am sorry. I do not know quite what you said." She rests her hand upon her own chest. "I am Jyslin Brenlas of Selune." The moonpriestess then looks to Syval, hoping he understands enough to help with translation, at least until Neosodos isn't busy communing as he seems to be just now.
Syval grimaces a little as Honoria walks face-first into the language barrier and does his best to translate as he comes up beside her. "< Your language, Maenast, survives in writing now. We can all read it but Neosodos, the Eldritch Wyrm there, speaks it best,>" he asides to her while indicating the conspicuously not hidden pseudodragon before next translating for Jyslin. "< She says her name is Jyslin Brenlas of Selune... and she doesn't speak Maenast. Then she, >" gesturing to Andromeda, "< Said her name is Andie. >"
Turning back to the witchy pair Syval translates the reverse, slowing and emphasizing both names to help Honoria catch his intention. "She called you Sister Rashia, and is honored you're here at her rebirth. And said you look like Sister Aurtreanne."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Two attempts at K: History" Syval rolls History (1d20+5) and gets 14 (9) Syval rolls History (1d20+5) and gets 7 (2)
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "OK. Too focused, not twigging on the names."
Honoria looks at Syval rather confused. She listens intently to his translations, and then looks at the others, still seemingly bewildered. "< I ... I beg their pardon, and meant certainly no disrespect. Meddle not, they say, in the affairs of witches. >" Instead, she claps her right fist over her heart, still holding the lance. "< I am Lady Honoria Penspiras. I bid thee greetings. >"
As the lady knight introduces herself, both Andie and Jyslin give her a nod of greeting. Andie offers, "You can tell her that I am honored to have been present for her Rebirth, and bid her Dawn's Light."
Jyslin blushes a bit, interestingly, at Syval's translation. "I am sure my own appearance would be but the palest immitation of Autreanne. You can tell her, Syval, that I am a mere wandering moon priestess and Daughter of Selune as a tigress." Then she glances at the pot over the fire. "You can also tell her that lunch is about ready. If she has a bowl, she should get it out. Assuming she can eat? She smells it, but I cannot be sure."
"< Yes I'm surprised to be traveling with one too but it seems the fates have plans for this journey, >" Syval admits, taking a moment between translations to speak for himself. This time the Common is spoken first. "She is Lady Honoria Penspiras, and greets you both." Then back to the displaced knight, "< Andie is honored to be present for your Rebirth and bids you Dawn's Light. Jyslin is... embarrassed I think, and says she's just a wandering moon priestess - and Daughter of Selune as a tigress. She also says lunch is about ready. Do you have a bowl? You must be hungry by now. >"
"< Blessed indeed. >" Honoria responds when Syval explains about Jyslin. She chuckles, though, when he asks if she has a bowl and insists she must be hungry. "< Not many, I think, would summon me for something so simple as lunch. Yes, Syval of Amlar, I have a bowl. >" she agrees.
Honoria makes some curious twisting motion with her hand upon the half of her lance, and it collapses down to a baton a mere eighteen inches in length, which she then slides into a loop and cup hanging from her hip. She takes the time to work the straps of her shield and then removes it, then takes a knee as she lays it down very respectfully, laying her helm upon it. Then she reaches behind herself, pulling off her backpack and setting it down before opening it to get out gear, removing a deceptively simple nested mess kit. As she removes the bowl to offer it over, however, one might be able to catch sight of a coat of arms worked across the underside of each piece which would seem to match that shown quite prominently across her shield, and the hint of gold along the rim of each as well.
Jyslin takes everyone's bowls and fills each, then returns it before doing the same for her own and then removing the pot from the fire, filling it with water and leaving it to sit and soak while they eat. "I hope everyone enjoys."
Before she eats, Andie casts a simple cantrip to dry the parchment she has been writing on, and then rolls it up and offers it to Syval. "As requested, Syval. If any of my notations are too abstruse, please let me know. I'll do what I can to help."
With everyone turning to lunch Syval goes back to his own pack to retrieve his plain wooden bowl, and along the way spots the golden figurine still sitting nearby in the grass. A little surprised he picks it up and moves it to campsite so the valuable relic isn't unwatched.
Accepting the witch's paper with a nod, the young mage smiles, in a somewhat better mood now than when they first made camp, and tucks it into the fold of his robes for later. "Thank you, Andie. Can you speak Maenast with Neos'? Unless she has magic for it, I think it will be a long time before we can teach her common."
Then Syval turns back to Honoria while taking quiet note of the clear wealth and status shown by her belongings. A knight she is indeed. "< Truly there's no need for you now. This was a... test? >" he tries, and as his accent no doubt betrays, his grasp of Maenast is not of native fluency. "< I'm glad you came out instead of a fire-breathing beast. And this way we have time to talk. >"
<OOC> Vanya yawns and stretches out. "Good scene so far. How are you doing?"
The lady knight indulges in a bit of warm, belly-level laughter at that. "< Nay, Syval of Amlar. No fire doth I breathe, unlike yon Neosodos' much larger cousins, or the Phoenix. I know not why you would wish something so simple as to talk with me, but I welcome my rebirth nonetheless. >" That said, at least for now, she just eats the food with calm relish and gusto. Y'know, almost as if it might be the first food she has tasted in sixty-thousand years.
Andie meets Syval's gaze consideringly. "I might be able to weave a spell to assist with that. But I do agree she is likely to find learning modern Shaaren to be a challenge."
"Well maybe we can teach her fighting words first and worry about the rest later," the green-haired mage considers before turning attention to his own bowl of hot food. He glances over and smiles with some amusement at the knight's manner of eating then nods his head towards her. "I think she likes your cooking, Jyslin."
In consideration of Honoria's enjoyment (and his own appetite) Syval puts further conversation with the armored woman on hold, leaving room for the others to chime in if they choose.
The moon priestess smiles at Syval's observation, clearly pleased that the mysterious lady knight frome eons past appreciates her cooking. She simply nods, without interjecting further, feeling no reason to do so. Honoria wouldn't understand her, after all.
Andie and continues eating her own stew without interjection. Meanwhile Neosodos, no longer glowing or communing, is amusing himself by watching all of the humans with open and avid curiosity. No one is offering him poison berries or strips of meat right now, so he will amuse himself instead.
Though his attention is more upon his own meal, Syval does spare a glance for the little pseudodragon. Once he reaches the bottom of his bowl, he turns it up to make sure the last bit of broth drains into his mouth before deeming it empty and cleaning wave of magic. "< Honoria, do you know anything about the magic that bound you to your statue? >" the young mage asks, breaking the silence to indicate the golden figure nearby. "< Is there a time limit for how long you can spend outside of it, or are you 'free' now? >"
<OOC> Vanya says, "Related: would I feel any sort of magical connection to Honoria having activated her figurine?"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "When you have the statuette in hand? Yes, vaguely."
Honoria considers the question and Syval carefully, but does not rush to answer, instead leading it all mull in her mind while she too finishes the last of her lunch. She then carefully - and quite mundanely - cleans her bowl with bits of grass and dirt, and then rinses out with a splash of water before putting everything away in a neat and orderly fashion.
"< I do not know, Syval of Amlar. What I do know is that Sister Autreanne devised the plan, and had the statuette constructed. She asked of me my permission, explaining her reasoning. And I agreed. The ritual was of her doing. What little she explained to me was that I would be gone from the world, leaving only the statuette until it would be found by someone in the future, and I could be reawakened then, having escaped the notice of the Tribes. It would be assumed that I had died. >"
All of that explained, the lady knight considers Syval carefully for a bit. "< I am ... aware of the statue in some way I cannot explain. I remain convinced I would know its direction and distance, no matter how far separated. >"
<OOC> Vanya says, "How old does Honoria look? I may have missed that in her desc."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Older than Syval. But still moderately young. Say ... 23-24?"
The young mage nods as he processes her answer. "< Then we should keep it with us and safe. You mentioned Sister Autreanne before when you saw Jyslin, and Mai when you saw me. Who were they? >" he asks next. Syval's making no attempt to translate for the witch or priestess this time. That job may fall to Neos if they're curious.
There's really no other word for it; when Syval asks his question, Lady Honoria just stares at him disbelievingly. She quite clearly cannot fathom how he could not know this.
What a difference sixty-thousand years can make?
"Syval of Amlar, are you telling me that you do not know the names of the Sisters? The immortal witches? The M ---" Honoria is interrupted by a bit of a coughing fit, here. She pulls a flash of water from her belt and drinks from it as she struggles to regain her control.
<OOC> Vanya laughs. "That K: Occult check is beyond me then. Clearly I didn't use my library card enough."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Well, part of it is that she is referring to them by their ancient, oldest names."
<OOC> Vanya says, "And I wasn't looking /that/ deeply into ancient history. Some things were lost. :)"
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Specifically, she is referring to them by their names as they then became the names/titles of their Olde World barbarian clans."
<OOC> Vanya nods along and prepares to learn History.
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li hopes you liked her being cut off in her mild diatribe by the coughing fit. :)
Syval has the grace to look apologetic at the reaction garnered from his simple question. Fortunately for Honoria, the widely read apprentice has spent more than his share of time with some truly ancient texts, and then of course came Andie - /days/ with Andie. "< You're referring to the Eight Sisters? The Sisters Alvameer? >" he guesses, hoping to arrest her shock. "< As I said, your time exists as old writings now. I know of them for their connection to the Vizerai but didn't learn them by name. My studies were more focused... though Andie and Jyslin seem to know them, >" the young mage notices.
<OOC> Vanya says, "I did. That was a nice touch."
<OOC> Vanya says, "I don't do enough little things like that. Talking in RL is never so smooth and plain."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Can you give me a perception check, pls?"
<OOC> Vanya says, "Ooh that's a rare one."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li says, "Or Sense Motive; whichever is higher."
<OOC> Vanya says, "Per 12, SM 11. XD" Syval rolls Perception (1d20+12) and gets 16 (4)
<OOC> Vanya says, "Some day I will learn the value of take-10. That day was not todya."
<OOC> Vanya says, "It wasn't today either."
<OOC> Jhiao Ting Li deletes line from pose.
Honoria recovers and listens to Syval curiously, simply shaking her head. "Yes. The Sisters Alvameer." She glances at the other women for a few long moments, and then back to Syval. "The Sisters are -- well, I suppose 'were'? the Queens of the Eight Tribes. They are -- were? -- the leaders of the War." Which would probably be why she finds it so impossible to understand how those of this time might not know.
And maybe something else.
"< Rashia and Aurtreanne were on your side then, >" Syval infers. "< They don't have a presence in these times. No history I read recorded what happened to them. I think most at the Academy of Delzimmer don't believe they existed. A lot got lost in 60,000 years, >" he notes, somewhat sourly. Honoria isn't alone in feeling the loss of so much knowledge. Dragon-blooded... better records would have made his search so much faster. In 60,000 years he /can't/ have been unique...
Syval stops and takes a deep breath, forcing it out his nose hotly as he pulls his mind back on topic, namely the golden-haired knight before her. "< Which side was Mai on? >"
Honoria nods. "< Yes. Autreanne, Rashia, Vitarie and Shakarn. >" She shudders at that last. "< Cantare, Arachi, Mintassa and Mai were arrayed against us. They, and their tribes. >" the lady knight answers.