Narratives

     The sun has been up for a little while, and is just starting to heat up the summer day. The bells tolled twice since dawn a little bit ago, so you should have some time before the presentation begins. You weave through the morning traffic of Rel Mord and turn onto the university campus. Large buildings circle the perimiter, their mere presence providing a sense of stallwart learning and upright behaviour.
     Over time these buildings have grown together in an almost organic nature, presenting a monolithic sprawling structure. Individual buildings can be identified for each school. To the east is the tiered structure of Hawkwood College, appearing almost like a fortress amoung the other more scholarly buildings surrounding it. A group of cadets can be seen drilling in the cleared commons immediately before Hawkwood College. To the west is the large tower of Wadroll School, supported by the Wizards guild. It is connected to the corner edifice of the College of Autgarius, casting a serene and asteur presence over the university with its carved edges and carefully sculpted architecture. Hildebard park has a more plain structure taking up the north eastern corner of campuse. Endebar hall resides in a recent structure to the south of Wadroll tower. Just across the street from both Endebar Hall and Hawkwood College is the Royal Annals.
     Between them all is the university commons, the only other open area green space in Rel Mord besides the Via Regus. Carefully crafted copses of trees are scattered around the commons. A crowd is gathering in a clearing on the northern edge, surrounding a stage. Upon the stage is a covered object of quite some size, as it fairly fills the 20 foot width. Some fair effort was involved in covering the structure, as odd protrubences are all draped and wrapped. Some activity can be seen underneath the structure, although anybody approaching is warned away by a group of students sitting on the edges of the stage.
     As you enter the crowd you see this event has attracted all walks of people from Rel Mord, perhaps even some of your own companions. The talk varies from how big of a failure this attempt will be--apparently the School of Metaphysical Studies at the College of Autgarius is well known for being less than successful--to various other topics.

- Dustick:
     Dustick Bellindale, the young paladin of Zilchus, has a dismayed look on his face as he surveys the throng. He had hoped to take a leisurely stroll through the commons to clear his head, but the unveiling of the Wadroll College's latest project has drawn a crowd. He contemplates returning to the temple, retrieving his horse Sterling from the stables, and riding him through the fields outside the city walls.
     "Ah well," he thinks to himself. "I suppose that it cannot hurt to stick around a while for the unveiling." Taking a place with a good view of the stage, he surveys the crowd for any of the few familiar faces that he knows in Rel Mord.

     While waiting, you notice a half elf with light curly hair in scholarly attire who is taking a keen interest in the comings and goings of the people at the device. He peers at each one, only to dismiss them after a moment. Eventually he wanders off, but later you notice him on the other side of the stage.

- Dustick:
     It is probably nothing that the student security cannot handle, but Dustick is always willing to step in and negotiate a peaceful resolution to a quarrel. Dustick politely pushes his way through the crowd towards the stage so that he can determine if he should intercede.

- Quinn:
     Bouncing down the steps as he leaves the Royal Annals is Quinn. He is a short, wiry man of Rhennish descent with a scar that runs between his eyes and along his nose. The scar seems to lend to his looks and he smiles winsomely at a young lass headed into the Annals. He is reciting lines for the part of the villian in the upcoming play Moons over Tortured Waters in hopes to win the part. Spotting a gathering crowd he knows there must be a story to have and meanders his way over in that direction.

- Qucalion:
     Qucalion strolls about the campus, remembering the times he walked among the ancient trees and buildings of the counterpart in Enstad. It had been a long ride from the Entrell Estates, and he hadn't had any time to rest. He was to attend this unveiling as Master Entrell's stand in. Too bad, he thinks to himself, I couldn't use one of Master Entrell's, conveyances here.
      Finding his way to the commons, he leans against a tree and draws out some fruit from a bag. Tasting it he nods his approval. "This year's crop shoudl be quite good," he says out loud to no one in particular. His eyes drift among the crowd seeing some familiar faces.

- Uttara:
      Uttara filters through the crowd listening in on the local gossip. Getting a tad bored with the talk, and the temperature rising, the well dressed "Tailor" decides to stand under the shade of a tree to the right of the stage, just at the edge of the clearing. Leaning against the oak she watches the stage awaiting the "show."

- Pierre:
      Moving up behind a crowd off excited people, Pierre's voice adds itself to the din:
      "Ow exacting! Eye half Ben stuff-ding air-cane hand duh-vines pawls four ah Tom new. Boot, eye cane own-lee cost duh-vines pawls wreath ah mage-ick clock. Thayre moosed bee soma core-relation, boot eye doo note gnaw wait. Eye can-note what too bee in-four-mend."

[How exciting! I have been studying arcane and divine spells for a time now. But, I can only cast divine spells with a magic cloak. There must be some correlation, but I do not know what. I cannot wait to be informed.]

- Lahrneh:
      Lahrneh finds himself mildly interested in this little display. Perhaps simply that everything else seems boring at the moment. So he wanders onto the university grounds at the appointed time.
      The talk about what a failure this will be reminds him of a few events in his past and the variety of shapes failure can take. For example summonsing an uncontrolled demon. So he looks for a place that will allow him to make use of his ability with a bow. Not too close to the stage. That would allow him to shoot better of course, but it might also allow him to be too close to the action...

- Bandric:
      Bandric with his norker follower in tow, leaves the Annals after several days of researching ways to defeat Ether creatures. The strange object atop the stage catches his attention. The two stop on the commons as close to the stage as possible.
      Bandric: Let's take a snack here. Narthos: That's a good idea, master. Thanks for sponsoring my common- as-a-second-language course. Me making better sentenaceses now. eh? Bandric: Yes, you are getting much better. I more excited about your use of pronouns now.
      The little, red norker smiles. Weapons within arms reach, the sit on the grass and rifle through their packs for trail rations. They both wonder "I hope it starts soon".

- Deimos:
      A young and very slight built Grey Elf carrying an extremely large tome, moves toward crowd and commotion and wonders if Rel Mord will yet have another out of the ordinary day in store for him. As he strains from the very back of the crowd to see what is going on up in front, he grins as he looks behind him, sees no one is blocking his route away from the crowd and thinks to himself, "Excellent escape route, I may as well stay and see what happens."

      Those of you watching the comings and goings on the stage become interested in a small drama which is unfolding. A human scholar approached the stage, stepped passed the students who tried to stop him and ducked under the cloth. Immediately afterwards sharp words could be heard drifting over the din of the growing crowd.

- Aria:
      Atypically a bit late to the proceedings, Aria wends her way through the gathering crowd surrounding the stage in the commons. Fortunately, she arrives soon enough to catch the latest events on the stage, and out of sheer curiousity decides to press closer and find out what is going on.
      As she makes her way through the crowd, she isn't so oblivious that she doesn't spot a few of her friends. She smiles and waves at Bandric and Quinn, catching their attention, but continues to move forward through the crowd purposefully, in order to hear what is going on onstage.

- Serenia:
      Finally making her entrace, fashionably late, of course, is Serenia Amastacia; wandering cleric of some bizzare elven god... er... goddess.
      By the golden heart hanging on a chain around her neck, one with any knowledge would notice Lady Goldenheart's symbol. Serenia is a cleric of Hanali Celanil, elven goddess of love, beauty, romance, artistry.... What a cleric of Hanali is doing here... and why she's only wearing a chain shirt, is perhaps beyond some in the crowd.
      Serenia, however, is here out of curiousity, and to see if there is anything at this event which could rid the world of the evil that threatens to take beauty away.
      Running a hand through her blond curls, Serenia tosses some locks over her shoulder, and allows her blue eyes to scan the ground. "I wonder," softly speaks the cleric aloud, "Is there anyone here that I actually know? Hmmmm...."
      The elven woman's eyes light up as she sees quite a few elves in the area. Now, who to approach... who to... Oooh! One with a large tome! Well then....
      Serenia strides closer to Deimos, a smile on her lips, and her eyes on the tome. Poor man, Serenia has become interested in the arcane lately, as well as doing her Lady's work. And there's a drama unfolding on the stage? How silly of those humans. Wasn't this supposed to be an event about magic and the arcane?

- Deimos:
      Deimos sensed a presence, and what a presence, as the Holy Lady of Hanali Celanil approached him. As he slowly turned his head to see the beautiful elven woman smiling in his general direction, he dropped the tome, his mouth dropped open and his eyes immediately transfixed on the missing portions of her dress. He thought to himself, "Damn!" And was frozen in place.

- Serenia:
      A bright smile greets Deimos as Serenia reaches up, tucking a golden trand of curls behind her ear. "Greetings, my elven friend. Has curiousity also brought you to this ... gathering? Or are you here as part of a greater calling?"
      Moving closer, Serenia just stands next to Deimos, mere inches from his shoulder. Looking down, the elven woman innocently blinks and bends to pick up the tome and hand it back to Deimos in return. "Oh dear, you must take better care of this. While my own spellbook is small, I do keep it safe..." in other words, on her horse.

- Dustick:
      Dustick is momentarily distracted from the ruckus at the stage by the elven woman standing at the back of the crowd. Has she lost her skirt? Perhaps he should offer to sell her his cloak to cover her.

- Serenia:
      Oh, she has not! Well... perhaps she has. For, it seems that the small elven woman's chain shirt, is long enough to form ... a very small skirt. And she wears no breeches or other skirts beneath. Just boots.

      He cannot tell from here, but first wishes to make sure that he does not need to intercede at the stage to avoid undue violence.

- Qucalion:
      Qucalion moves up closer to the stage, his ears listening for the sharp words, listening for more than mere complaints of waiting.

- Uttara:
      Her curiosity piqued, she nonchelantly keeps him in her sights as she scans over the crowd. I wonder who he's looking for? She thinks to herself, when all of a sudden every male in the crowd turns there head to the scantily clad elven female. Tho she appreciated those who were brave enough to have there own fashion sence, she thought perhaps this was the wrong thing to wear to such an occasion.

      Those who are drawn towards the dispute catch a vocal exchange between two people, ending with a female trying to quietly but bruskly stop the incident, "If you would just work as a team member!" followed by a male response, "there is no team with you, I learned that early on. Well, Iuz take you all!" following which the same man tosses aside a portion of the covering and strides away, intentionally knocking a student out of his path. He leaves the gathering and heads towards the College of Autgarius.
      The crowd around the stage is quiet for a moment, then resumes its prior miscellaneous noise. A student rushes forward to tuck the covering back in place, but astute observers catch a glimpse of an interesting contraption with many gears and parts, almost reminiscent of a large gyroscope.

- Uttara:
      As a few members of the crowd move forward to apparently see what the commotion is all about, Uttara watches to see what the half-elven male's reaction to all this is. With all the commotion to the front of the stage, she decides to get a closer look at the elf. Instead of moving through crowd the "tailor" casually starts to walk along the tree line seeing if she can get access to the other side of the stage from behind it.

- Qucalion:
      Qucalion, turns and follows this man who seem to be quite angry. Perhaps he might learn more about this presentation.

- Uttara:
      Uttara slips past the students rushing to the front of the stage during the commotion and walks right passed the male "professor" as he storms off the stage, towards the College. Her eyes find the half-elven male and she watches him for any reaction to what has just happend.
      After a moment more she continues by the curly haired half-elf and passes him. Stopping a few feet away, pretending to be interested in what is going on, but trying to get an idea on who this guy is. Uttara looks at the elfs scholarly robes to figure out what school he is from, still keeping a keen eye out for the types of people he's looking out for and watching.

- Qucalion:
      Qucalion, as he follows the male professor, locks gaze with this human female. Sizing her up for a moment, he makes a mental note that he should keep an eye out for this girl. Disengaging his eyes, he rushes to follow his quarry.

- Bandric:
      The commotion startles Bandric out of a daydream regarding the scantily clad elf maiden. Noticing several adventure types (and a few friends) head towards the stage, he resolves to watch their back for the rear attack, if it manifests.
      His eyes scan the stage, to the crowd, to several possible hiding places near the buildings. He thinks to himself, "So, here it goes again. Something always happens when you least expect it. Luckily, I always expect trouble."
      Bandric motions to Nar to prepare for trouble. The little red fanged goblin readies his short sword. His little beady eyes darting to and fro.
      As the gyroscope thingie is revealed, Bandric eyes it warily. (ooc: activating his disable devise skill) He thinks, "I wonder how it works or how I can disable it. Hmm, what does it do?"

- [OOC: Judge : Bandric thinks there may be more to the device than just simple mechanics, there was a glowy rod thing attached to the center of a big loop. Hard to tell though, without a better view.

Like a hound in a pack, the tracking impulse overtakes the Flanish ranger. He lowers his goggles of following and begins to pursue the quarry like Qucalion.
      His hands tighten around the long sleek spear with a mithril blade. It doesn't sense any dragons around, of course he's only seen one since that fateful day. And he's not sure if the spear can sense dragon blood.
      Bandric's recent tutelge with the Gnarley Rangers in Verbobonc (a transfer he received from the Gamboge Foresters during their ranger exchange program of 593), he artfully darts in close to the man with a tree to his flank.

- Two Shadows:
      Standing in the middle of the crowd is a tall thin scarecrow of a man. He stands well over 6 feet tall and can't weigh more than 150 pounds soaking wet. From his dress one would think he was a student. But why would a Pholtan, for that is the holy symbol that hangs around his neck, be attending a demonstration of magic? Wouldn't they normally be shouting that the people in attendance are confused and that this is just the manifestation of Pholtus's divine power?
      His long dark hair is pulled back, leaving his starkly angular features unconcealed. He watches the stage with an intense focus, almost as if he is waiting for a disaster, for something to break or explode. The right corner of his mouth twitches with an uncontrolled tic. Fretfully he worries a set of well worn wood gambling sticks in his left hand. He keeps turning them over and over in an endless dance. Something doesn't quite fit here. His eyes constantly flit around nervously but always come back top the stage. Occasionally he turns slightly as if hearing something, something that isn't really there. A fine layer of sweat covers his face, and those close to him notice the smell, the smell of someone who has spent far too much time in the ale house.
      A raven flys out of a tree to land on his shoulder. Leaning in to his ear the raven croaks softly, "Smells like death."
      "Sommat's gonna die. That's for sure", is his reply without taking his attention away from the stage.
      "Good", chortles the raven bouncing on his shoulder, "I'm hungry."

- Bandric:
      Thinking to himself, "That must be Two Shadows." Bandric (and goblin familiar) make their way through the crowds towards his position -- hopefully closer to the strange device on the stage.
      So as not to startle his nutty friend, Bandric says "Well met Two Shadows and Wraith." Still he scans the crowd, stage and device for trouble. There's always trouble.

- Deimos:
      Deimos heard nothing of Serenia's question. His mind was locked on to the sight of the Elven woman bending in front of him and pulling back her beautiful golden hair, not to mention the other things he could now see from the angle he had and the position she had placed herself in.
      He was snapped back to reality as Serenia attempted to hand him his tome 3 or 6 or 10 times. Softly and amazed he said, "Damn, you fine!" Quickly Deimos shook himself awake and realized he just make a fool of himself and said in an extemely deep voice, "You from around here?" He died inside as he realized what he had just said. Quickly he tried to recover by answering her question and said, "Oh well you know I know a few people and they ask me to a lot of parties and things like this."
      He smiled broadly thinking he had said the perfect thing and lent to the right to lean up against the nearby tree and lamely fell the the ground, missing the tree completely and sending his tome to the ground once again.

- Serenia:
      After a few failed attempts, Serenia just ends up holding the heavy tome in front of her. And at the first utterance of words from Deimos, Serenia starts to arch an eyebrow at her elven companion. Still, her lips pull back into a bit more of a smile, as the blue-eyed elf turns and nods towards the stage itself.
      "I have travelled to Rel Mord oft times before," is Serenia's comment. "Though, I hail from the Celadon at the beginnings of my travels." Seeming not to notice, or playing non-chalant, Deimos' looks and actions, the elven woman continues on, "Oh, that sounds lovely. I rarely get asked to parties, but then, I am often in the services of Lady Goldenheart as it is. It is a fullfilling calling in my life."
      With her free hand, Serenia motions to the stage, casting a glance into the air, making sure that a certain hawk isn't going about bothering the myriad of -OTHER- birds in the area, before she comments further. "I study the arcane, as well as the divine, and I am curious as to what goes on here. If it will help in Lady Goldenheart's quest to rid the world of all that would take beauty away, then I would wish to employ it in my travels." There is a slight pause, and Serenia shakes her head, "Though, I admit I am not very well versed in apparently Gnomish contraptions."

- Rudyard:
      Rudyard awakes late, as is his custom. He is zealous in his battles against evil, but not tireless.
      He has been searching for Sir Clayton and Sir Barok for some time and having no luck. Without their support, he is certain his bid for the post of Knight-Commander will be a failure, but they seem to have been absent from all their usual haunts of late. As he sips a bit of tea at the Three Creeks Inn he notes a flyer regarding an odd presentation at the University. Partly out of curiosity and partly from a foolish hope that he might find his quarry in such an unlikely place, having searched the likely ones, the old man sets out for the University.
      As is his custom, he rides Storm to the very edge of the commons and from the giant steed's back he surveys the crowd and the odd contraption upon the stage.

- Deimos:

(in response to Serenia)

      "Oh yeah yeah! Beauty is a great thing to keep going in the world. As a matter of fact I love beautiful things, all kinds. Yeah I know lots of beautiful people around campus and other places and Im really good friends with them. Those beautiful people invite me to all those beautiful parties." Deimos panicked a bit, as he had nothing really to say to the Cleric of the Lady Goldenheart.
      Then Deimos saw Rudyard Von Flessern and said, "Oh and here comes one of my beautiful friends right here. HEY RUDYARD OLD BUDDY! COME OVER HERE! HEY RUDYARD COME OVER HERE!
      Deimos began jumping up and down trying to get the Lord of Von Flessern, who was a complete stranger to him, to come over to where he was standing with Serenia.

- Serenia:
      If Serenia weren't so polite, she'd move away from Deimos at this point. Instead, she arches an eyebrow at the elf, and takes half a step back. How very flamboyant some of these elves are getting to be....
      One hand runs through her hair, as Serenia tries to keep her attention on the bouncing Deimos. But, it is getting a bit difficult. Still, she watches him and her head bobs as she follows his actions. "Well, there is beauty in other things besides people. Poetry, Music, Stories, even History has some beauty to it...."
      Again, Serenia's eyebrow arches upwards as she blinks at Deimos. "Lord ... von Flessern? He is a human, yes?" There is a pause as Serenia tries to puzzle this out. "Some sort of man of limited importance? Let me think here.... oh! He is a holy man! He fights for the cause of the human God Heironeous, yes? Well then, anyone willing to dedicate their lives so completely as that, must be a beautiful inspiration indeed."
      Yes, leave it to a cleric to miss out on the whole Knight of the Realm, Lord, and all that sort of important ranking. Still, Serenia's attention flits to the stage and back again, politely waiting to see if this Lord von Flessern will even notice or acknowledge the insistant Deimos.

- Pierre:

[OOC] Pierre will try a Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (architecture and engineering) to see if he can figure out what The Machine does. Then he'll try to remember if he's ever heard of anything like this before through a Knowledge (history: County of Urnst, Duchy of Urnst, Nyrond, Theocracy of the Pale) check.

Although, perhaps what he seeks isn't to be found in books. Perhaps he's heard of a machine like this, or someone with similar ambitions, through his bardic lore check. Perhaps he remembers some cryptic comments that he may have overheard made by students who were working on this machine while hanging around the University and the Arcane Wanderer which, when viewed in this new light, can shed new meaning on this machine and/or the situation, by a Knowledge (local: Nyrond) check.

- Uttara:
      Uttara gazes back at the Entrell Militiaman as he passes, then notices another ranger, this one human moving in there direction.
      Curious. She ponders to herself. Wondering why they would be in such a hurry to leave before the "festivities" had even begun. Shrugging it off, the well dressed "Tailor" fixes her coat and adjusts her sash before stepping in next to the Half-Elven male. Being one who lived a more affluent lifestyle than most and looking it, she decides to use this to her advantage and begins to speak to the Half-elven while still watching the stage.
      "Tell me Professor, as a possible student of Hildebard Park, is the faculty that runs the Business school as divided amongst them selves as those of the College Autgarius? It would pain me to know that my families money be wasted on Professors that were distracted in their vocation and I not get the proper education." Standing by she awaits his answer hoping to open up conversation.

- Rudyard:
      Rudyard sees Deimos hailing him across the crowd. He peers closely, apparently not recognising the fellow. However, after a moment's confusion he seems to conclude he has merely momentarily forgotten the name of a life-long friend and waves cheerfully.
      "Hail, good mummmle-er--fum! How fairest thou?"
      The old man dismounts and begins to make his way toward Deimos and Serenia. Suddenly he stiffens and glowers intently at the goblin following Bandric. He pauses as if to address Bandric, his wrinkled hand straying to the silver lightning-etched axe at his belt, but then seems to think better and moves on. Particularly observent bystanders might notice that at that precise moment, Storm, the huge grey stallion, flares his nostrils and warns nearby students with a snort and stamp to stand clear, while he stares intently at the little creature.
      Rudyard makes his way through the crowd, stopping here and there to bow to ladies and greet men. When he arrives beside Deimos and Serenia he politely bows to the lady, although he shows no sign of being effected by her mind-numbing beauty as other males in a sixty foor radius seem to be.
      "Greetings, greetings, how long has it been..." Rudyard trails off looking about somewhat befuddled and embarassed.

- Aria:
Having heard him say the 'I' word, Aria decides it is best to keep an eye on angry man as he leaves. However, eager to see more of the device than the brief teasing glimpse she's seen so far, she decides to follow the man and watch his progress for only as far as it will keep her within sight of the stage.

Studying the man as she dextrously maneuvers through the crowd, she draws upon her variety of knowledge to see if she knows something of this man. [ooc] knowledge check--local, arcana, or bardic are probably the most appropriate[/ooc]

d20= > 7 + {various} : not enough :)

Aria isn't certain who he is, probably a minor Professor in the College of Autgarius, by his attire.