[center][url=https://ibb.co/G7cNWYc][img]https://i.ibb.co/qBkVNqk/Hijinx-a-young-18-year-old-male-noble-ponytail-blonde-hair-blue-d099bb62-6c35-4df4-b6f8-8cba3d8ebba5.png[/img][/url][/center]

[center][h1][u][color=BC3823]Evander[/color] [color=CC5500]Fino[/color] [color=d4af37]Synesti[/color][/u][/h1][/center]
[hr][center][h2]P[color=8D918D]elova Fascino: 
Little Semers[/color][/h2] (Present)[/center][hr] 
Location: Pelova Fascino (formerly Moli's Emporium) [color=BC3823]Erasand’Enise[/color]

[color=8D918D]The night was filled with the sound of revelry, and the air thickened with anticipation. Mudville, a small town outside the city of Ersand'Enise, was hosting the grand debut of Pelova Fascino. This new fashion company promised to revolutionize how people dressed by representing some of Sipenta's most illustrious cultures. The owner, Yuliya, had spared no expense to make the event a spectacle, and the attendees arrived in droves, eager to witness the unveiling of the latest trends.

The line was monitored by one of Emiliano's men, a tall, broad-shouldered, big-headed Darrahnic who hailed from Virang. Albeit his frame intimidating, the gentleness in his eyes comforted the arriving attendees. Guards were stationed in various locations with and without identifiable attire. Some were to act as obvious deterrents, while others were to blend in. Two men in cloaks met in the fields adjacent to Pelova Fascino and between Miller's Hook.

[color=d4af37]"Non e un serpente."[/color] Evander stated unequivocally. Emiliano responded without hesitation, [color=90EE90]"Vive nell'acqua."[/color] The two reached out their hands and shook firmly. 

Evander inquisitively asked, [color=d4af37]"Are the men in order?"[/color] Emiliano confirmed, [color=90EE90]"Like threads on a string, m'lord."[/color] Tonight's affair was important. Everything had to happen [i]just[/i] as they debuted the Pelova Fascino fashion brand to some of the highest players in Ersand'Enise and abroad. Depending on first impressions, these sorts of ventures soared or burned as Icarus to the sun. People from all over arrived using the teleportation gates of Ersand'Enise, making their trip south, passing through the Seagate to the Pelova Fascino entrance. 

[color=d4af37]"What about the little ones?[/color] Evander waved his hand low, signaling to Emiliano, the height of children. The network of Mudvillian children under Emiliano's influence was by the dozen. Some dashed around like squirrels on branches, others kept still in dark places eavesdropping on irrelevant and relevant conversations, and few found their magic in infiltrating other networks of adults and children. 

Emiliano smirked, which would not have been visible to Evander if Emiliano was not a head taller than him, [color=90EE90]"The little semers are doing what they do best."[/color] He took a breath as he looked out into the lines of sowed land where crops would rise high in the coming season, [color=90EE90]"dispersed like seeds on this field, they grow and share their yield at unique lengths with mild tastes, they share with me a warning, there is a cause mixed in with the mud, and it does not wish to see your wealth step into its puddles."[/color] 

Evander listened to the surprisingly poetic Emiliano, [color=d4af37]"Beyond a seafarer and a mercenary I see,"[/color] he placed his hand into his pocket to pull out coin,  [color=d4af37]"do find out who keeps the mud from drying and sowing new seeds."[/color] Evander extended his hand to place the coin in Emilaino's grasp. The two pulled back after their exchange; Emiliano bowed respectfully and turned toward Miller's Hook, while Evander turned toward Pelova Fascino's for the event.

Inside Pelova Fascino's show, the fashion was nothing short of breathtaking. Gowns flowed like waterfalls, their intricate embroidery shimmering in the light of the torches and lanterns. Accessories sparkle like stars across constellations, drawing attention to every curve and contour. All of it was designed by Isabella Lowell, a master of her craft, who had lent her talents to Yuliya's vision. 

Yuliya, for her part, was radiant. She stepped onto the stage, her eyes glimmering with pride and toward opportunity. She promised to drive new ideas to inspire and uplift Mudville and the city of Ersand'Enise to show the world these were two great places to be. But then, something happened. A sudden gust of wind swept through the venue, rattling tables and chairs. In the midst of the chaos, a figure appeared. A ghostly apparition was hovering just above the ground. And it looked familiar.

Evander's eyes widened his heart still. He recognized the ghost, Hugo. 

The ghost of Hugo hurled accusations at Yuliya, blaming her for his death. And then, [i]he[/i] was gone. The crowd was silent, their faces etched with fear and confusion. Evander could feel a cold sweat drip from his brow, but he snapped out of it, [i] reminding them it's a show.[/i] He stood up and began to clap, [color=d4af37]"What a heart-pumping end!"[/color] Others began to clap; some could not distinguish whether the ghost was real, honest, or an illusion to give publicity to Pelova's brand as a fashion show and a play. Ultimately, they erupted into applause, Yuliya giving her final remarks before closing out the evening as Evander's security graciously ushered the attendees out from the building. 

Some attendees were leaving with Pelova Fascino's clothing, some praising, and some still questioning what just happened. A room divided, maybe, but Evander was not about to let the house follow. He immediately approached Yuliya and Isabella, who were gathering to debrief about the evening, [color=d4af37]"Yuliya, was that a part of the show?"[/color] Evander asked rhetorically; he knew it wasn't, [color=d4af37]"You might take offense to this; I don't think you are strong enough to have killed Hugo, at least not alone."[/color] He smirked, [color=d4af37]"To me, this feels more like a message to break the reputation of Pelova Fascino before it gets off the ground; otherwise, why would Hugo's ghost have waited this long to accuse you and why on the day of Pelova's opening and not a place where there would be more witnesses?"[/color] The whole thing seemed ridiculous the more Evander spoke about it out loud. Then he remembered Emiliano's warning, [i]may those little semers yield something worth biting.[/i][/color]



[hr][center][h2]S[color=8D918D]etting Sails: 
All Aboard to Sirrahi Land[/color][/h2] (Present)[/center][hr] 
Location: Docks of Ersand'Enise[color=BC3823]Erasand’Enise[/color]

[color=8D918D]

Evander, a Marquis of Revidia, stood tall and proud on the docks, his eyes fixed on the galleon before him. His father, a strong Duke of Revidia, next to the L'anguila himself, sent Evander one ship. The ship kept a crew of 50 to 75 men, and at the front was a powerful figurehead carved into the shape of a dragon's head - the Black Devil. The ears of it looked to outstretch like wings as if ready to take flight. Evander paused at the craftsmanship as a sailor drew down the bridge to allow access to the deck from the dock.

[color=ADD8E6]"Is that you, Lord Synesti?"[/color] The sailor croaked in a harsh voice, the result of smoking tobacco on long voyages through a pipe he carved years ago. Evander took a heavy step on the bridge and walked across to meet the sailor's gaze arm's distance away, [color=d4af37]"Captain Marsilio Baresi."[/color] The two stood in silence with straight-laced faces. And then, the two cracked into laughter, [color=ADD8E6]"Oh how you've grown!"[/color] Marsilio embraced Evander as if they were kin. The formalities broke quickly as Marsilio grabbed the shoulders of Evander with his barrel hands, pushed him slightly back with a firm hold, and repeated himself while adding, [color=ADD8E6]"...into a fine man!"[/color]

As a young kid, Evander could remember having toured Captain Marsilio's boat quite a few times. He was one of his father's most trusted and experienced captains. Marsilio's family traced back to the Synesti's rise in power during Revidia's emergence. They were cast from a line of shipbuilders, traders, and navy raiders. The Baresi's were loyal, stubborn, and hardy. Preferring hard work over political maneuvering, they had no issues hooking into the curtails of the Synesti's to move to the social status they have today. A symbiotic relationship as the Synesti's had no issues with the Baresi's consistently birthing children who managed to be some of the most competent sailors of Severna and possibly abroad. 

Captain Marsilio took a step to the side as he wrapped his gigantic arm around the shoulder and neck of Evander, his bear paw cupping the outside, making the head of Evander's shoulder seem small. He guided Evander along the side of the boat and to the back where the Captain's quarters and wheel were located, [color=ADD8E6]"Ya' know, it's been twelve years since we've seen each other. I remember when you played on these very decks., do you remember?"[/color] The two passed sailors tying rope and smiling as if they knew Evander already. Evander could feel the strength of his friend's arm lying heavy on his back, [color=d4af37]"I remember you, and I remember Stefano. Wait, where is Stefano?"[/color] 

The two stopped as Marsilio let his arm cascade down Evander's back and dropped to his side. Evander could not help but see Marsilio as a [i] mountain [/i]. Marsilio sighed, which Evander perceived as a gust of wind, heavy and somber, [color=ADD8E6]"She took him."[/color] Marsilio then looked at the stairs. They stood at the base and stepped up. Evander knew what he meant, [i]She[/i], was the ocean. 

The two reached the Helm. Marsilio's gloom overcame him as he opened up about Stefano, [color=ADD8E6]"I know ya, and your gonna ask, before ya do, I'll share with you. Stefano and I were making a trip to Belzagg, got attacked by some pirates, Weggos sort, we managed to defend our vessel. Still, Stefano took a knife to the neck by a pirate who called himself Sanka, soul of the Weggosi coast, woulda had him... but... he had Stefano in the heat of battle, used him to get close to the edge, cut him, and dove in."[/color] Evander felt a bit of sadness introduce itself into his heart, and then it transformed into a rage, [color=d4af37]"What in Ahn-Eshiran's name, what were they after?"[/color]

Marsilio shook his head, [color=ADD8E6]"The egg of a Black Devil."[/color] Evander understood the implications of a pirate leading a Black Devil in the Ensolian Sea, [color=d4af37]"How long ago was this?"[/color] Marsilio replied with some angst, [color=ADD8E6]"Three years ago, if it hatched and took to him, it'll be a problem if it hasn't become one already somewhere we have not heard about yet."[/color] Evander sighed, [color=d4af37]"Another freedom-preaching fanatic standing on sand castles instead of cornerstones."[/color] The two nodded as they turned to the deck, where they both could see Marsilio's crew of fifty, busy as ants, scurrying up and down the rigging, tying ropes, and hoisting sails. Evander was in the presence of skilled sailors, men who knew the sea and its ways, men who stood against men and beasts alike. 

Marsilio's barrel chest rose as he inhaled deeply, filling his lungs to total capacity, "Aye men! Be respectful to our guests and greet yourselves before we set sail!" The deck ceased to move, all eyes facing the Helm, all eyes on Evander, in unison they shouted, [color=FFFFFF]"Aye, sir! Welcome aboard the Devil's Revenge."[/color] Marsilio turned to Evnader with a smile; Marsilio would find that Weggosi one day and take his life for Stefano's.

After the greeting from the crew, another figure came up to the Helm to pass along a letter, [color=FFFFFF]"From Harrachara."[/color]. The figure turned to leave, and Evander opened the envelope. It was an invitation.[/color] 


[hr][center][h2]P[color=8D918D]rimitive: 
Into the Fire[/color][/h2] (Present)[/center][hr] 
Location: Dune Sea[color=BC3823]Torragon[/color]

[color=8D918D]He could see the desert drawing toward him as if he had tugged the scene to his face. The gate opened into the barren sands of Torragon's Dune Sea; without missing a step, Evander landed effortlessly. His acrobatic talent instinctively kicked into gear when he needed it for those split-second saves. His feet crunched the sand below, and he stood upright to gain orientation of the situation.

The heat of the Dune Sea was nothing compared to what he remembered when meeting the Sirrahi. This place... had a sun that was rejuvenating Evander's mana and triggering memories of Toleus' arrival. [i]This isn't the place, but it feels like it[/i]. The Sirrahi... the desert... the mission... if he was going to get close to them again, this might be it. 

The others: Desmond, Tku, Benny, and Fiske, all arrived with Evander, appearing in front of Yalen and Isabella. Immediately they were warned of the Sand Wyrm that bore down the necks of Zarina, Ayla, Jocasta, and the rangers they came with. Without a second notice, Benny yelled out his intent to initiate the battle against the Sand Wyrm, "Eat shit, Worm! The calvary is here!"

Evander turned to face the Sand Wyrm in the distance. 

[color=d4af37]"What in Eschiran... so that is a Sand Wyrm."[/color] Evander had only heard of these mighty beasts in the books. Never had he set eyes on one. It's hulking size was more than he could comprehend, not to mention there was probably more of it burrowed in the sand beneath all of them. The sheer force of the Sand Wyrm's presence was that compared to a titan. Waterfalls of sand cascaded down its side as it shifted its own weight from side to side. At the moment, it looked benign, but for how long?

Evander spoke out loud, [color=d4af37]"The Sand Wyrm does not look to be attacking, I don't think attacking it would do us good if it is not seeing us as a threat."[/color] The size of it was all Evander could focus on. It would kill most of them, if not all of them by the time the battle was through.[/color]

[hider=summary]
[list]
[*] Evander and Emiliano's network of child spies grows in Mudville, and some begin to stretch their network into the city of Ersand'Enise.
[*] Hugo's ghost accuses Yuliya of killing him. The event has divided the guests' opinions about Pelova Fascino.
[*] Evander meets Captain Marsilio Baresi, an experienced sailor and old friend prepping the Devil's Revenge to set sail for the coordinates on the Sirrahi Map that Evander received from Disska.
[*] Evander receives an invite from Harrachara as he steps off the boat.
[*] Evander arrives in Torragon's Dune Sea to rescue other members of his cohort, only to find them facing off against a Sand Wyrm and Benny bitting at the bit to blow it up.
[/list][/hider]