The Serpentine Road

OOC Thread

For over a thousand years, the Holy Tower of Lazophel kept its dominant space in the highest point of Tekal. Perhaps it became so common place, people did not look to it in the everyday, just assuming it was something as certain to be there as the sun in the daytime, and the four moons at night. The tower was not exactly gone, but the burnt outer sides were wrong. They did not belong in the grand scheme, and they were noticeable to the point where it was like a wound to some people. No answers had been given to anyone over just why the Tower was attacked. Only a few knew exactly what happened, the rest was shut to the world out of fear.

If one’s eyes followed the tower downward towards the city, Lazophel was a marvel on its own. The high streets just by the tower were surrounded by advertisements and news pieces, highlighted on a seemingly holographic screen. People were crowding around the news ones, as some of those in the high streets may only ever be able to watch TV when out on the town. Hoping to hear some form of news on the tower fire, or perhaps to hear news on the engagement of Giada Maragos and Lucien Seibel ☯. Either way, the crowds were still there most of the day through, as the city never particularly shut down at night on the market side of things. The further down the path one would take, they could see the houses slowly turn from a high-tech style, slowly to simple houses and huts with not much special about them. Perhaps someone would have something out of place, or maybe a garden out front, but it was almost as if walking backwards through time.

As the houses changed into older forms, nature also began to creep its own way into design. It was very subtle in Lazophel, if one were to enter the outer regions, houses may have been made entirely out of trees or covered in vines, but not here. The most one would get is a garden roof or grass everywhere in the lower folds.

At the outer edges of Lazophel, an inn sat just at a cozy point across from a stable and just next to four travel supply shops. This well kempt and busy building was known to all who frequented as the Fall Inn. Nothing was particularly special about this inn, the owner: Vinnie Tarns might say otherwise. Perhaps mentioning several times how his bread bowls were the best in town, or that the mead was the cheapest for the quality. No one who went often was going to fight him on that because they were going to go no matter what.

Inside the inn, were many a man having their post-work drink, as it was around 7pm and while high market hours may run later, most laborers preferred closing before nightfall. And it was winter, nightfall came much sooner than one would prefer. The bar was full of patrons, and all the rooms were booked. It was the perfect setting for a rather discreet meeting to take place, as the volume was loud enough for eavesdroppers to not listen, and quiet enough for the details to be given.

The bell on the door of the Fall Inn rang as a young man, aged around 26, walked up to the front. There were customers waiting in line in front of him so he impatiently tapped his foot before choosing to look at a letter he had received. The letter did not detail exactly what the news was, but the seal of the Vegh was not faked. If someone managed to fake a high-clan inkan☯ it would be highly unprecedented and extremely illegal. He looked for the only detail that was asked of him, or anyone who received the letter:
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The man walked up to the front, and the woman waved her hand and said, “I’m sorry sir, all our rooms are booked.” And the boy quickly hid the letter away and smiled, “I already have a room booked: the one with the paneled bookshelf." The woman nodded and said, “Well then, come along this way.”

The man was led upstairs to the rooms and brought to a larger room at the very end of a long hallway, the room was empty, but the bookshelf was there. The man looked confused but once the door was shut behind him, the woman walked up to the bookshelf and knocked on it gently, the bookshelf opened, clearly being an exit only door. A larger man, with darker skin and a long broadsword stood with his arms crossed and analyzed the person before saying, “Come this way.” And leading them inside. The bookshelf closed and the younger woman returned to her space at the entrance to the Fall Inn, waiting for others who came asking the same thing.



If one wishes to read lore, each time a page is updated with a new lore section, the symbol: ☯ will be placed next to the text that has received a lore section. The Lore Section is located within the OOC thread.​

 

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Echoing in the home of the local blacksmith was the consistent sound of metal clanking against metal , Reitan was currently in the workshop part of the residence working on what would likely be his last project for a while. Unlike his last one, there was no intention of taking this with him for his upcoming trip. This was all done as a way to simply help him think. Since the passing of his 'father' things had been quiet here for him as there was no one for him to talk to or discuss these things with. Fortunately he still had his craft which aided in his thinking process when it came to these things.

Time had passed and the metal clanking had finally ceased. Reitan got up from where he had been sitting and moved what he had been working on, a new sword, and hung it up with the other various sorts of weapons. Next he grabbed onto his lance, followed by the rest of his supplies that he was planning on bringing with him. Getting that all situated didn't take long, thus with his hands placed into his pocket, Reitan left for the supposed meeting place.

It didn't take him long before he had reached the inn that he was supposed to be meeting at. A fair amount of people stood between himself and the counter that he needed to approach and he doubted that they all were here for the same reason. Gradually he made his way up to the front desk, to which he said. "I'm in need of a room." After getting the expected response, Reitan siad before replying with. "I already have a room booked: the one with the paneled bookshelf." All while being unaware that he was stadning next to someone who had made the same request.

 

The woman at the front looked between the two, since it was one after another that these requests came in. There were people just behind them looking a little confused over the scenario and the woman decided to play along and winked, "Ah, I see what's going on. Okay you two, follow me this way." and she led them up the stairs and towards the room again. She opened the room and tried pushing the two to go into the room.

Once in the room with the bookshelf, the woman knocked on it gently and the bookcase opened. The darker skinned man was on the other side and looked at the two and the woman looked angry and whispered harshly, "Heng, I thought you said they would be spread out, not coming in at once. Don't you know how awkward this makes me look as a hostess. It doesn't help with security either."

"I'm the one who said we shouldn't have come here at all, Genowefa. So keep me out of that." Heng looked over at the two and motioned for them to follow him saying, "Quickly, in front of me." when they both were inside, the bookcase was shut. Since the hallway behind the bookshelf was straight, Heng just had to tell Reitan and Maristela to keep walking. Once at the end of the hallway, it opened into a larger pocket with a door. Heng opened the door at this point and led them inside.

The room looked pretty cozy, it was dressed as if someone lived here all year round. There was a fireplace, some very comfortable couches, a dining table that was covered in food, and there were a lot of bookshelves. The Vegh symbol was present inside the room, painted into a lot of the artwork. This was one of the Vegh safe houses. Most High Families had them in case a battle broke out or someone was in danger. Usually they were hidden in places that had intrinsic meanings to the family, it may have seemed odd to some that there was one randomly in the Fall Inn.

"Make yourselves comfortable." Heng almost commanded before shutting the door behind them to head back up the hallway.

In the room, the boy who'd gotten there earlier was there. He was silently praying to himself even after the other two were there. When he heard them get closer, he broke off the prayer and looked over at the two and said, "Hey there, I feel like I came a bit early since everyone seems to be pouring in now." he tilted his head and smiled, "My name's Masaccio. You can call me Kio though."

 

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When the hostess had guided them to the requested room, that was when Reitan had noticed the other girl. He opted not to speak to her just yet while they were being following the woman. Once in the room that they actually requested, the woman started speaking with a man after getting his attention through knocking on said bookcase. It was odd, but there wasn't much time to dwell on that matter before they were made to follow the man this time and this trip lasted til they had arrived at another room. The last thing they were told before they were left to do so was 'Make yourself comfortable.'

Now besides himself and the girl there was another person who was here before them. The first introduction went about the way one would expect one too, the following one went the exact opposite of it. She'd barely gotten her name out before tripping over the rug and landing flat on her face. Stella, after that it would be easier to actually remember her name. The dagger she had brought along must've been more convenient to carry along compared to his lance, which was currently wrapped up and hanging over his shoulder. "Reitan, you can call me Reitan."

 

The woman at the front nodded at Enok before saying, "Very well. Come this way." and she led him up towards the room. She was grateful there had been a little bit of time between this one and the last two, but no one was noticing all the people heading towards the same room. That was good, since it made her job a lot easier. She led him to the room and ushered for him to come in first. She then closed the door and knocked on the bookshelf, as was the usual path, and the bookshelf opened up.

The man on the other end seemed to look at Enok for a little longer than he did the rest of them, before he waved him in and said, "Alright, this way." and led him down the hallway.
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"It's nice to meet you two then." Kio replied with smile, he watched how Stella seemed to trip and fall and he saw how flustered she got and he turned a little more towards her and reached his hand out and a soft white light appeared and reached out, almost welcomingly towards her. She should have felt a very pleasant sensation where her rug burns were, and after a minute the light disappeared and her redness and irritation should have been gone and he said, "S-sorry, I should have asked. You just-just looked like you were trying to tough it out... eh.. hehe..." he scratched the back of his head and said, "I hope I didn't freak you out."

Right then, the man opened up the door to let Enok in and he said to the four in the room, "It will be soon, just wait a little longer." and he shut the door behind Enok. Masaccio looked over and asked to any of them, "So um... what do you guys do for a living? I work in the Zaphen Chapel as a healer."

 

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Following the small incident involving Stella tripping, Reitan found himself a place to sit down and 'made himself comfortable'. He didn't have much to say during Kio's slight healing of Stella's rug burn. They had started to revealed just what their occupations were as another person had entered the room and after Stella had spoken, Reitan choose to speak up. "I just work as the local blacksmith, so most weapons are within my range of craft." He choose not to mention his 'fathers' passing and how he was basically the one running the whole operation. Kio had asked for their occupation and that was exactly what he told them.

 

Kio nodded at Enok's question and replied, "Yeah, something about the letter makes me feel like this is a direction in my life I need to take. It's like the Gods placed this path before me, and it just feels right." Kio went to go and stand up so he could look at everyone clearer, and his short height could really be seen when he stood there. He shifted his hair out of his face before he heard the door open. And the guard who had been outside the door opened the door and said, "Sit down all of you, either at the table or the couches." Kio ended up moving over towards the table, just by the fireplace, despite being closer to the couch. Mainly because there was food there, and it looked like good food. After everyone was sitting down at the table, the guard began, "I don't want any of you doing anything that will put ths person in danger, do you under-"

"Heng, are you being overly worried?" an old, frailer sounding voice broke out as a wrinkled hand landed on the tall man's shoulder. Behind him in the door way was an elderly woman with a smile on her face as she looked over at the group.


The older woman stepped forward and Heng shut the door with slightly annoyance at the older woman's non-concern for her own safety. She walked over with much youth to her step, despite the fact it was clear she was up in her older ages. She reached a chair that was right at the end of the table and before she sat down, she bowed to the group before saying, "Thank you for choosing to come here. I know you all must have busy lives and schedules, and being able to partake in this means quite a lot to me."

Heng walked over and moved the chair out so the older woman could sit down and she rolled her eyes and said, "Heng, you're being too polite. I can pull out my own seat and sit down. But thank you." she gave him a pat on the shoulder once more before sitting down in the chair and looking at them and saying, "It is nice to meet you, my name is Qing Vegh. I am one of the High Elders of the Vegh Family."

For the families, the High Elders were the parents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles of the Heads of the High Families. They tended to be the committee spoken to about changes in rules for the family, or if any major decisions were being made that affected the overall clan. Most High Elders were unknown, but this one was different.

Qing used to be the Head of the Vegh Family. She was seen for years standing there to do work, but her husband had passed when she was young and raising her four children and became a known figure that represented the idea of hard work and the bond of a family. She was removed from her position when her children were old enough to marry and take her place.

Qing folded her hands on her lap and said, "I know the letter covered the bare minimum of what you need to know. It was written and explained that you would be journeying to the Serpentside, and that the journey would not be an easy one. But we needed you, because right now, our families must stay here to take care of Lezaphel. But I expect you all have questions first, before I go into the details. Maybe those questions will take care of the details, two for one deals are great." Qing chuckled to herself for a moment, finding humor in her last comment, before immediately calming herself down once again to a professional demeanor, "But I would rather you all understand as much information as I am able to give you. There are some things I might not be able to answer, but I'm sure we won't run into that problem."​

 

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So there was a trader, a blacksmith, a baker and a healer all grouped together in one room. From that aspect alone there wasn't much in terms of similarities between them. There wasn't much that Reitan could think to say in response to Enok's question for there wasn't much of a reason beyond there was little for him to do back home. He had no idea on where his birth parents were and his caretaker/'father' was dead so what exactly was there left for him to do? Beyond actually trying to find his birth parents of course.

They were joined by an elderly woman, before hand the were told to take seat either on the couch or by the table. Seeing as how he was already sitting down on the couch, Reitan didn't move from where he was sitting. She had provided them a quick rundown of the situation, at the end which he made a quick nod in understanding.

 

Qing had been expecting more questions from the other two, but considering how heavy Enok seemed to go on the questions, she figured that would suffice. Qing smiled and said, "There is someone just outside of Lezaphel. Their name is Cori and they will be taking you all there. On their cart with you is a shipment of potatoes,, it seems weird but, if you've ever been to the Serpentside, you would know potatoes don't grow there, but they are an essential food source for the people there to make flour and dough. And since there's been some panic because of recent events, they need people to bring the food down there."

Qing reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper, it was sealed with wax and a stamp that roughly translated to 'my light' and she got up from her chair and walked over to Enok, "But since you asked, I need you to bring this letter to someone. You may recognize the name: their name is Gotthilf Novenun. They are a dear friend of mine." she held the letter out and said, "I want you to take care of it. Please make sure it is not opened before it gets to him." Qing stared at him for a long moment before saying, "You must be the tradesman, Enok Wendell, yes? Although you are not famous among the traders, I did hear about the tradesman who sought out adventure and was reliable. I wouldn't have sent for you if I didn't have good trust in you."

She kept the letter held out, but her hands were shaking a bit with age, "I need not know any information. We may be a family of scholars, but we do not need any of you to seek out information specifically. If information is given to you for us, please take it and give it to us. If you wish to record your adventures in a journal or log, please do so. But once the trip to the Serpentside is made, and the letter and potatoes are given, your mission is a success. The journey back will be easier than the journey there. Going down a hill is easier than coming up one. And you will of course all be compensated for your time and generosity."​

 

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Among the first batch of questions that been asked Enok was the one to ask them for while Qing took care of answering, there wasn't much that Reitan could find to ask himself. Though he was able to come up with something to ask Stella had spoken up about her concerns on being here. Seeing as how he was a blacksmith, in theory he could fix armor and whatever weapons that they had when they got damaged or broken. Problem was that he didn't bring with him anything that he would need to actually make those repairs.

"Then there's me, what I'm able to actually do without my tools is limited." This was part of the reason that he had chosen to bring his lance, his proudest creation, with him. Despite not being a soldier like Enok had pointed out, but he had at least trained himself in self defense. That way he wouldn't be helpless in the event that he needed to defend himself. All that said, give him some tools and he'll be all set and good to go.