[@Xaltwind][@Guess Who]
[hider=The Mountain Village]
With a list of numerous inquiries necessitated by Rodias, Kath and Ashara would depart from the Chateau into the brisk night air. The sky was clear, with just the slightest hint of a gust blowing in the young women's faces as they made their way. The moons in triplicate were shining down, each a brilliant shade of deep blue  that illuminated the night sky. Each was in a different phase than the others, but all were within their "waxing" state, it seemed. Morning was a few hours off, and by the time the twosome would reach the village's general area it would be two hours until sunrise. 

There was little in the way of life among the mountain crags, save for the occasional insect, snake, or bird at rest within their nests. The two could see glowing feline eyes watching them from beneath a few large rocks, but beyond that it seemed that most species in the area were diurnal. Life wasn't overly different here than it was back home, but Kath would especially notice that nothing seemed quite the same compared to what they were used to. Regardless, if they followed Rodias' instructions to wait for daybreak outside the town, from the road connecting outwards, the two would find that around an hour after the sun rose, the town became lively. 

Smokestacks would fire up as the day's labor began for the people of the town. Judging from the sound of clamor coming from near the mountain this was a town that largely engaged in mining, hinted at by the strong looking arms and backs of the many men and women that walked about town. The two would also find that, though some cast some stars at Kath, nobody was freaking out over her appearance. It also seemed that the appearance of the Chateau had either not been noticed yet, or nobody seemed to realize that something was amiss.

All except one man. 

A little bit of their ways into town, the two would be able to take in the overall wealth of the town as being middling at best. Its size was respectable, but far from a full township. A large house of two stories was the only building larger than a standard house, with logs and cobbled stone making up a majority of the building work. As their feet would click along the road down the town, they would find a [url=https://i.imgur.com/hpU7rqf.jpg]man with a hardened expression blocking their way[/url], with eyes taking in every last detail of the two women.

[color=c4df9b][b]"...Who are you two? And why are you here?"[/b][/color] he would ask. While he wasn't currently armed, he had the look of someone used to fighting with a weapon on hand. In particular, Ashara would notice that he likely used a weapon similar to her's from the stance he took. Many townsfolk would see him looking the twosome over and stop fora moment, before fleeing from his scornful looking gaze. [color=c4df9b][b]"I don't know what a Dragonscarred has business with here, but the only people making their way out here are traders, and fledgling mercs. So, which are you?"[/b][/color] he would ask, folding his arms. 
[/hider]

[@Lugubrious][@Stern Algorithm][@Inkarnate]
[hider=Project: Playhouse Phase 1]
Prior to him leaving to engage in battle with the beasts of Kaldorna, Rodias would meet with the two guardians of the first and second chapters, giving a slight bow of his head as he arrived. [color=f7976a][b]"My apologies for making you wait. Let us proceed straight away; I understand that you're both busy with your floor's duties, so I'll be brief,"[/b][/color] The vampire lord would say, leading them over to a table within the foyer surrounded by simple, but comfortable wooden chairs. Despite her not being needed for the discussion, Rodias would allow Aurora to sit in, since he doubted that any harm would come of allowing her to know a plan that all would know soon enough. 

[color=f7976a][b]"Summarily, I would like for you two, Graft and Salem, to cooperate on a little project I have in mind,"[/b][/color] Rodias would begin, just as a skeleton butler arrived and procured tea for the four. Graciously accepting his cup, Rodias would sip gingerly, before stating: [color=f7976a][b]"I wish to create a system by which Salem can perfectly infiltrate any civilization that we have. Naturally, constructing individual dolls for each infiltration would be needlessly taxing on resources, and surveillance time."[/b][/color] While it did seem that the vampire lord's ideas were similar to what Salem had discussed with Graft prior, he already seemed aware of the problem of Salem's surveillance limit. But, it seemed that his method involved allowing Salem to directly survey an area.

Continuing, Rodias would smile as he said: [color=f7976a][b]"As such, I suggest a two-fold plan. One that involves creating automatons that would allow Salem to infiltrate settlement areas with ease, and a second that involves creating dolls with the appearance of vermin, capable of moving ta Salem's discretion to observe areas people cannot go. Naturally the former's production and appearance would depend entirely on the population of an area...but once we know the local pest populations, creating a few dozen rats would give one absolute coverage of a city."[/b][/color]

Thinking for a moment, Rodias would hum, before thoughtfully stating: [color=f7976a][b]"...However...I imagine you'd rather not be forced to observe...less than desirable substances that vermin are prone to, Salem. As such, birds may be a better fit."[/b][/color] In truth, Rodias had settled on birds or humanoids from the start. But, firmly showing his hand in forward thinking, and his willingness to think of his subordinates first would ingratiate himself further. Graft seemed on board loyalty-wise, but Salem would prove far harder to keep in line. He'd known Dr. Dre before after all.

Aurora however would become privy straight away to the fact that Rodias was not only condoning spying, but outright infiltration of civilization by any means necessary. Any could immediately see the application one could fashion with dolls that look and act human...namely, that if so desired, this project could supplant royalty to rule a country from within. 
[/hider]

[@Inkarnate][@DracoLunaris]
[hider=The Sable Lord's Might/Hunt for Answers]
The loud click of the heels of Rodias' boots would echo out within the beast pen as he and Aurora would arrive. Regardless of whether Death itself couldn't exist in this training area, injury most certainly could find a way to slow the tide of combat. When he would be asked what sort of beasts that he wished to fight, Rodias would simply state: [color=f7976a][b]"All level 70 beasts currently in captivity."[/b][/color]

He had not stuttered. Every single beast 10 full levels above where a majority of the Chateau's strongest in power was to be brought out to fight him. And, all at once. Rodias seemed incredibly aloof as Aurora observed him. His hands would slowly move the knives held on his belt, a gauntlet-ed hand slowly tracing the intricately forged knives. These were, to him, one of the finest gifts he'd ever received in the game. They were mainly meant to kill spectral enemies, a nightmare for your average pure physical build in Yggdrasil, but also just served as a reminder of the grind that he and his friends went through to forge gear like it and others. It would have been simple to get newer, better knives...but right now, these were all he needed. 

With Nostalgia quite literally held within his hands, Rodias would wait in anticipation as the beasts were assembled. Aurora would see the faintest stirring within his cape, his emotions betrayed by it as it flared up, the area around the collar seemingly growing spikes outwards as he took a defensive stance. Something had him anxious, but that anxiety would soon give way to adrenaline. He was raring for a fight, and the challenge of beings close to his power was something the Sable Lord couldn't help but find enjoyable.

[hr]
Zouyu was more than happy to be given the order to participate in Kaldorna's mission. After all, being able to see all kinds of new plant life excited him to no end! Anything that had a seed that could grow, he'd be certain to find a place for within the nightmarish gardens of the Chateau. At the request of Arthanar, Zouyu would gladly step back to let them talk, saying: [color=fff79a][b]"Mhm! No worries![/b][/color] before going to have a brief attempt at stealing some of the cookies being delivered by Flan. 

While she was welling with tiny tears, Flan would suddenly find the plate grow a lot lighter as roughly six cookies went missing, Zouyu's guiltily stuffed cheeks nowhere to be seen as he arrived once more near Kaldorna and her hunters, since they sounded like they were done being secretive. Chewing as fast as he could to not have to relinquish his ill-acquired cookies, Zouyu would smile at being called "Darling". Kaldorna was nice. Wiping the crumbs from his face with one massive tiger paw, Zouyu would shake his head at her question of needing anything, saying: [b]"Nope! Flowers are watered, the wind is good, and I stole cookies! I'm good to go,"[/b] before he would excitedly race out of the room, nearly getting shot by Chuunitrixx in his haste, since he wound up taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 

Once he would meet up with the hunters for the beast pen, he would shift into his were-tiger form, figuring that it would be a heck of a lot easier keeping up if he wasn't in his scrawny human form. Once the heading for the hunters was set, Zouyu would faithfully follow along. By and large, it would seem that this mountainous region was relatively tame. On occasion there were small uneventful beasts such as mountain goats with four horns and ill-tempers, but it seemed that for the most part the mountain was tame. The group would be capable of traveling far before sunrise, and once it did hit, Zouyu would use his druidcraft to literally create a cloud of canopy overhead to allow the hunters to not come to harm from the sunlight. Should any prove brave enough to test it, they would find that the same thing happened as it did in Yggdrasil; Vampires began rapidly taking holy damage within sunlight, and caught fire until they reached shade. 

There was at least fruit amongst the bushes, and with the blood of the strange goat-like beasts in the area, the hunters and Zouyu were more than capable of subsisting. Even if goat blood tasted about as appetizing as goat milk. While the vampires rested in the day, Zouyu would scout around for various plants and animals, the latter being a job he would take up on their behalf. It wouldn't be fair if all he did was munch fruits and tell bad jokes, after all. In the middle of the first day since they left however, Zouyu would return with a massive beast of burden from its appearance, a bison-like creature covered in thick scales, with two sets of eyes set beneath bony ridges to shield them from the sun. A strange mixture of reptile and bovine, it seemed docile enough given that Zouyu was proudly riding atop it. [color=fff79a][b]"I killed one and it tastes good! Well, a little gamy, but I bet Flan could make these really tasty."[/b][/color] the were-tiger would proudly state. It seemed that these beasts could serve as a form of food, and were docile enough to tame without much difficulty. 

Either that or Zouyu was just exceptionally good at breaking beasts of burden.
[/hider]

[@Rockin Strings][@Lucius Cypher]
[hider=Hunting for Inspiration]
The hunt for Penn and Shill would begin with the twosome retracing the steps of the two goblin artists, the likes of which seemed more than inclined to wander where their hearts would take them. However on this steep mountain, there were only a select few routes that a goblin could reliably take without risking their falls, and if two artists were attempting such a descent, the best, most stable path would be to the west, leading into a small woodland the likes of which was likely used by the village for lumber. It was understandable why they would enter the grove, with its strangely colored trees with mustard yellow logs and crimson leaves. Judging from the color and dense packing of leaves on the ground, the current season was something similar to autumn.

As Gromgard and Mamoru, along with whatever size of Goblin entourage that Gromgard saw fit to bring made their way through the woods in the dark of night, guided only by goblin torchlight and the glowing of small insects, they would hear a scream echo out in the night. A goblin's. A loud rustle in the foliage could be heard, as the sight of Penn emerged, followed by Shill who was bleeding profusely from his arm. More echoing rustles could be heard, before one figure followed by another wearing [url=https://i.imgur.com/qgTiNFk.jpg]suspicious garb[/url] emerged. In total half a dozen emerged, each eyeing the goblins that had just escaped, as well as the two humanoids before them. One, a larger man than the rest would say: [b]"Should have stayed at home...more blood for the rituals,"[/b] before the whole lot would begin to chase after the group, clearly coming at them for blood. 

While Rodias had said that violence was to be a last resort, it was clear that right now, it was the ONLY resort. From the darkness, Mamoru and Gromgard would see another figure in similar garb emerging, but seeing the situation they would instead flee deeper into the woods. 
[/hider]

[@IceHeart]
[hider=The Sable Lord's Midnight Snack]
After his extended training session, Rodias would once more return to the guild hall, barely making it through the door before a most embarrassing noise made itself known from his gut. A low growl echoed out, before he would think: [color=f7976a]'...Oh yeah that's right...I didn't have dinner. IRL, or in-game before this,'[/color] as he slowly shuffled his way to the stairs. Realizing that now he didn't have to cook for himself, Rodias would waste no time in coming directly to the kitchen himself.

He didn't know how much Flan would appreciate having to cook at this ungodly hour of the night, but it was either that or Rodias raid the pantry himself and be scolded. Which, frankly, would be significantly more humiliating than anything he could imagine. Approaching the kitchen, Rodisa would call out: [color=f7976a][b]"Flan? I hate to ask at this late hour, but could you please prepare something for me to eat?"[/b][/color]

Rodias would be fine with virtually anything...except maybe garlic. Did garlic kill Dhampirs? He had no idea.
[/hider]

[@Pirouette]
[hider=A Simple Request]
The great forges present within the Chateau, managed by Oz, would soon find themselves met with a request as Rodias entered. Having dealt with his affairs for the night, this would be his last stop before he would keep his promise to Kath. He couldn't just leave the Chateau library unguarded after swearing to watch over it.

He didn't frequent the forges often given that most Rogue equipment was limited to Medium-class, meaning that by and large his equipment was leather, with only the slightest amount of metal being present. However, now he needed to experiment. Equipment restrictions were something that were present in the game, but now...what was stopping him from carrying around a greatsword, or a hammer if he so chose? He needed to confirm this before he blundered into battle with either however, and that's where Oz would come in. 

[color=f7976a][b]"Hello Oz. I was wondering, would it be possible for you to make me a series of basic test weapons. I'd like to see how plausible branching out is, from henceforth,"[/b][/color] Rodias would say as he made his request. The half-golem women would likely have plenty of iron to make a basic form of most weaponry, but anything more advanced meant tapping into her limited supply. She'd have to ask for someone to deliver fresh metals for her, if they were found.
[/hider]

[@Archmage MC]
[hider=Light's Big Break]
While Light had not been given any specific instructions, she had been given the freedom by which to do as she pleased. In essence, she had the run of the place to herself. This would also mean that she wasn't bound to her vault, so long as she could still teleport back to it. Whether that meant that she would bother the Chateau's residents or roam freely on the outside was up to her. And like Rodias had said, he didn't mind if Light went and made new friends, so long as they were single travelers. 
[/hider]

Once his duties were concluded for the night, Rodias would retire to the library. Any seeking to find him would find him asleep in a chair, tucked within a corner of the library. Laying beneath his arms were countless tomes full of chat logs, countless messages of no real import. No import to anybody but him.