fellsing

The Clowns of Valerith

Arthek Yarnspin

"Oh, guess we're moving," Arthek muttered to his Mage Hand as Grimi beckoned them downstairs. The spectral appendage abruptly let go of the quill, almost as if exasperated. "Not to worry, we can continue this downstairs." The half-orc picked up his notebook, closing and gently dusting off the spine as he followed the rest of the group. As they were descending, they joined by two more of their clownish colleagues, the joyful Bozo and the enigmatic Miss Light, both of whom Arthek flashed a small smile towards. However, his attention was mostly focused on Iota, and every time he thought she was looking away, he would steal a glance at her. He still had no idea what she was doing here, but he was determined to find out before this evening was done.

When Grimi offered a mask and cloak to everyone in the group, Arthek held up a hand. "Ah, no need, old boy, I've brought my own," he said. He turned back to his Mage Hand. "Hold this for me, would you?" He handed the notebook to it before turning to rummage around in his bag. After a moment, he pulled out a small mask, a cape and, most importantly, a large flamboyant cap with a feather in it, the last of which he had to shake a few times to get it back to its proper shape. He quickly put these on before taking the notebook back and following the rest of the group into the King's Chamber.

It was at this point he was then faced with that accursed contract Grimi insisted on producing every time they entered this room, and Arthek gave a loud sigh as he was reminded of the rules of this area. He plucked the quill from his Mage Hand's grasp before slipping both it and his notebook back into his bag. "Never mind, it appears I won't be needing your services at this time after all," he said before waving his hand in a dismissive manner. The spectral hand became limp before dissolving into a ethereal blue mist and vanishing from this plane of existence. The author stepped forward. "Really, must we go through this ghoulish ritual each time?" he said, not directed towards anyone in particular. If he understood the irony of him of all people referring to something as 'ghoulish' he didn't show it. Nevertheless, he stepped up and pricked his finger, allowing his blood to be added to the paper. His curiosity for what was about to occur outweighed his outrage at this blatant display of censorship.

The Clowns of Valerith

dark response

Grimi: They will do something far worse than death. The technique of killing immortal or regeneration type entities was developed about 834 years ago. It's called Separate Entombment. This takes several people to perform and has become a ritualistic execution. First magic is applied to restrict regeneration as much as possible. Then caps are applied to severed appendages as well as the cut off ones. Then with each removal they are places in jars. These jars are sent in different directions. Some end up underwater. Others end up in natural disasters. I have even heard of a few being sent to different planes of existence. This is of course based on the severity of the crime. Knowing how they act now. The last option is probably applied to all.

@Aqutanama

... that would probably get Arthek to shut up, tbh xD Or at least, a very quiet "Oh."

The Clowns of Valerith

Arthek: Why must you put these restrictions on my writing?
Grimi: This is to keep us safe.
Arthek: This is censorship!
Grimi: Do you want to get caught by the authorities?
Arthek: What are they going to do, execute me again?!

(If this isn't the first time the group has signed this contract, this is definitely a conversation that happened in the past, or something like it)

The Clowns of Valerith

<Snipped quote by XxFellsingxX>

Everyone. Sorry if that was unclear.

@Aqutanama

Nah, it's fine. I reread the post and realised you actually did explain it, oops ^^;

I assume this is a ritual that our group would have participated in before?

Also

The document states that none would reveal what happened here in the King's Chamber, downstairs in The Grim Lodge. They may speak freely between others who signed the contract. However, if they are found purposely speaking loudly in crowded areas or so someone else can hear then they have broken the contract. None are allowed to write about it either, save for this contract. Those who fail to follow the contract will be lost to The Great Old One. There are some other stipulations of keeping the speakeasy and other underground establishments to oneself. Don’t speak about fight club and so on. At the end there are several boxes and at the top was one filled in by a signet ring and Grimi’s blood.

@Aqutanama

Arthek is definitely reading this document over and being exasperated by it. tfw you're a writer who wants to write about secret societies, but the secrets societies are not having any of it.

The Clowns of Valerith

Just a question: is everyone supposed to sign in blood, or was Grimi only talking to the Doctor?

Epyllion: Beyond Moonlight's Reach

Happy Halloween, everyone! Sadly the scariest thing I can offer you in today's post is Garrock's cynicism.

Epyllion: Beyond Moonlight's Reach

Vipereyes glanced back at Stargaze, looking her up and down in a somewhat critical manner. "It's all well and good for an elemental to preach about 'respecting nature' and 'keeping the balance'," she said. "But we're not elementals. We can't survive the way they do, we can't live the way they do. We're not just bound to single location, feeding of the land's natural magic. They don't have to hunt, or grow their own food, or build shelters. If their physical forms take damage, they can just return to their basic elemental essence to recover. In truth, some elementals can get away without taking physical forms for long periods of time." As she's speaking, Stargaze might start recalling her own childhood back on the island, and how Echo, despite her best efforts, hadn't always had the easiest time accommodating the growing drake's needs. "But us dragons? That's not really possible for us. We're far less adaptable than they are. We've had to learn and find ways to survive on our own, had to find ways to accommodate ourselves so we could all live and exist comfortably. And sometimes that learning process involved taking some risks, pushing boundaries. That's what dragon society is built on."

Up until this point, Garrock had been doing his best not to interject. It seemed, however, he could hold on no longer. "Yeah? And how well has that attitude done us so far?" he said. With a claw, he gestured around him, drawing attention to the crumbling islands that surround them. "We're stuck on a bunch of old floating rocks, constantly afraid that one of them is going to end up falling into the clouds below if we're not able to get along."

Vipereyes turned her head sharply towards him. "Well, isn't that exactly why we should keep learning and improving?" she countered. "So we can perhaps find a way to fix it? Find a way to restore our planet to the way it's supposed to be?"

Garrock gave a contemptuous snort. "Good luck with that," he muttered.

Epyllion: Beyond Moonlight's Reach

Welp, no word for Vertigo. I'll try and get a post up in the next couple of days.

The Clowns of Valerith

Arthek Yarnspin

"It's not polite to stare. Care to join us? Your other hand is invited."

If his death and subsequent resurrection had left any colour in Arthek's cheeks, it would have vanished the moment those words flowed into his mind. "Oh dear," he muttered to himself. "Well, this is not a plot twist I saw coming." After a moment, the shock and bewilderment in his expression shifted to curiosity, and he stood from his chair. "But I am eager to know where it leads. Come along, old chum," he said, motioning for his Mage Hand to follow him. "And keep notes. Accurate notes. I want a word-for-word account of this upcoming conversation."

The spectral hand gave him a thumbs up before gathering up the quill and book, and the two made their way over to where the small gathering was forming. "Rockmar! Grimi!" he said, opening his arms up in a welcoming gesture. "And two strangers. Who I do not know the identities of. Hence why I called them strangers, and not by their names. Which I do not know." Any sharp-eyed observer would note that while he was saying that last bit, he was making a concerted effort not to look at Iota. He clapped his hands together. "And what are we all doing this fine evening?"

As he was speaking, his Mage Hand had laid out his notebook on the nearest table and was already starting to scribble down what its master was saying.

The Wild Beyond Witchlight

Alright, learn the Wish spell. That's definitely on Jub's to-do list.

... he is definitely going to be building his spell list around Brutrumukk at this point.