Verticus

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Garrett had the pleasure of accompanying Raquel during her break. Leaving the Inn with her, he would extend the crook of his arms for her to take on their walk during her break; whether she took it or not did not decide the continuation of their walk to view the attractions Pearl had to offer. Of course, their trip would lead them straight towards the Pearl's version of the Gaian strength competition. This itself was a great time to recall the story his father told him about the hunter known as Elron. It was a good story to tell your son if you wanted them to grow big and strong like the man who almost killed the biggest bear in Gaia. Unfortunately, it was a tale originally from Onyx, not Pearl. Garrett didn't like the fact that it was another reproduction of culture originally from Onyx implemented in Pearl to garner more visitors and tourists.

"It is as dull as a copy of the finest work of art. Of course I know about this. It's the competition of the strongest hunter, Elron the Conspicuous. From Onyx. Not Pearl. The winner in Onyx would have earned the right to wield the bear's clawed daggers, and the cloak made from it's arm. I don't have a clue what would be won in the Pearl rendition of the festival. Pearl's Strongest has a lovely ring to it though."

He smiled, recounting his younger years as an aspiring Hunter, and participating in the Onyx competition himself a few times. The sweat and effort it took for anyone to get into the upper brackets of the competition, or even get past the initial matches, was a feat of itself. The smell of the bear's preserved fur used as a cloak to a mannequin near the competition's duration was a wonderful smell that any Onyxian would remember dearly.

"I won once. In Onyx. As a younger self. I didn't know how, I think the one who was destined to win gave up so that I would have a chance to bear a title that wasn't.. Son of a Hunter. For once. Scarsine was his name. Strongest one there. Won many times. Except the whim he had when he let me win. Good man. Not sure where he is. "

Garrett knew he was talking too much too quickly. He was here to gather information and have a good time. A good time was not boring a woman by dragging her into his own nostalgia trip. He looked over at his companion for the time being. Hoping that she hadn't already dozed off from his ramblings. He never really got to do those at all. It was good to ramble in places other than his head.

"Do you enjoy the competition? Is it something you're interested in, Raquel?"


@Rai

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Garrett quite enjoyed the meal in a reproduction of the tastes he recognized as a younger Gaian lad. However, it was just that-- A reproduction of the taste, Onyx used fresh animal fats as a broth rather than the meat and skin of just poultry, they ravaged more than just the broth, they even coated the vegetables in the soup with the fat, making sure the stew itself had a more hearty, meaty taste. Garrett was reminded of this through the means of Raquel speaking to him. She put him back in the reality that he was in Pearl, the antithesis of his Gaian hometown of Onyx, not for anything other than it was a city that just kept taking, even to the most delicious of recipes they'd take it and put their own spin on it, on the thought of the soups he just consumed so willingly, it was it's own spin on the recipe, but not the actual recipe. He would have devoted most of his mind complaining about such an atrocity in this day and age and how it was practically heathenous to disgrace such a wonderful dish. He did not. Garrett enjoyed the meal that was not entirely what would have come from an Onyx chef.

"Of course I liked it. It was a great dish. It was not as mouth demolishing as the Onyx original, but the flavor was great."

Perhaps Garrett did preach about the great soup of Onyxian origins, he could not help himself from doing so it was in his blood to make this statement of pure fact in regard to his soup. In fact the bard's song was, in a way, infuriating him to speak a fraction of his mind to the waitress that spoke to him. He hated the music, it was a cacophony to his ears, he thought the bard was doing this on purpose. He had to get out of here. It was bringing up memories he didn't want brought up in such a manner.

"Get off your shift early, Raquel. I want to tell you about a few of my adventures. I also have many questions I'd like to ask you. I'll cover you for how long I keep you from your job. Let's go for a walk, maybe watch the competition, or watch the sun go by."

He stated his proposal to the waitress clearly. He was collecting information. He also wished to enjoy himself, however, it was an abrupt proposal, but poor Raquel had enough time to think about it as she was bussing and serving other tables. He cleaned his own table as he awaited her answer, making sure it was easily prepared for the next customer who sat where he did by just taking the bowls and silverware he ate from. At the completion of his not-so nervous quirk of adjusting the world around him when in an anxious spot of trouble, he awaited the Waitress' answer, standing away from the table he sat to eat at in order to expedite leaving the cacophonous song. Garrett paid for his meal, leaving a handful of Fotian-minted coins on the table in just representation of what he ate, including a tip for the quick service and delicious taste.


@Rai

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Garrett took his place to be served by the Inn Attendants, he really wanted to remember the better times of Gaia through the taste of an extremely tasty soup, to him, at least. After a few monotonous moments of waiting, the two orders of the familiar-smelling soup used for a full belly in the long term, as well as therapy for a poor child who had lost something extremely important. Garrett did not know which of these descriptions accurately described him at the moment. He had to take a couple tastes to make sure his suspicions were warranted. He accepted the meal into his heart as one he would be eating for his own satisfaction in finding the answers to his heart. He grasped the spoon placed beside his meals, and decided to thoroughly analyze the tastes and flavors his meal had to offer. The broth, the wonderful broth of the familiar Gaian soup tasted as if it had many fruits and vegetables boiled within it, as well as the meat of a chicken to give it a hearty, home-worthy flavor that a child could yearn for, or a hunter to prolong their stay for. The broth was delicious, but the order of operations mandated that such a great tasting liquid be consumed last from the soup. Garrett cut into the venison meat with spoon alone, dictating it was thoroughly tended to before adding it to the soup, he took a loving bite of the wonderful soup; his face melted in the pleasure that was known as a wonderful taste. He analyzed the potatoes, the cut vegetables, and diced fruits in his soup with his taste buds, all neatly placed into the soup itself to create the flavor and satisfaction that a hunter could use to last for days away from it, but most could not because of how good the soup was; especially to Garrett.

Garrett quickly finished both soups in his order, slurping down the wonderful broth that held the soup as a final sendoff to the beautiful meal, not allowing a single droplet or morsel of the soup to get away from his gluttonous feat. He wasn't a glutton, the food was just too delicious for his own good. He didn't blame himself, he was proud he was able to eat something so good again. Garrett wiped his lips and chin with a cloth, sealing the experience of his satisfying meal. He cleaned his mess for one of the waitresses to take care of, hopefully it would be Raquel in order for him to call her to sit down so he may speak to her. In fact, that was his plan, to get her over to his location in order to further his own means of investigation at the Inn.

"Raquel!" He shouted reasonably in order to get her attention from where he saw her.


@Rai

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Garrett tuned out most voices he could have been able to hear as the retinue arrived at the Gaian city of Pearl. He had dismounted his steed at the exterior walls of the influential Gaian city in both name and power. He parked his horse at the nearest stables, hitching Acrid to a vacant post, quickly paying a stable hand to keep an eye on his Bicorn as he spent his time in the city, he spared the expense with the attendant, covering the cost of the time he will spend in the city. He expected the others to do the same; as well as expecting that they would not, and show greater feats of kindness or push more problems on their own shoulders than live the life of frugality. He hated Pearl, not for any reason other than it was a weaker version of Onyx, to him at least, there may have been many familiar faces out of those who decided to stay within the protection of the walls rather than go out of the city, or Gaia in general to perform feats of transdescendantism. They wouldn't recognize him with what he wore, he had armor on; most children of the hunt wore light leather or relied on their toughened bare skin. Of course, he stuck moderately close to those time-old principles, but with his experience outside of the hunt, he knew such a mindset was not the kind to take on every challenge that came their way. Metal was a good mix with light leather and cloth. Blight thought that, at least. The women in Gaia piqued Blight's interests the most, due to their reliable nature, they'd prove to be wonderful suitors away from conquest and strife. Quite a few faces he would recognize as he traversed the streets of Pearl to find one of the more reliable inns, Savvan's. He checked behind him every so often to make sure or make note of the fact that something or someone may be following him through these streets, maybe he'd be able to talk some inspiration into a luckless urchin.

He did not see any such thing as he made his way to Savvan's Inn, he liked the soups they made, extra helpings of venison for the hungriest of hunters, of course, it is a little more extra than the hot skillet of venison chops, but the soup was the right type of flavor to forget the problems one may have faced growing up; an extra steamy serving to evaporate the tears one may have had at witnessing their adoptive father become an ornament for a large deer's antlers. It was a good soup, at least Garrett thought so. He hated Gaia though, Pearl especially, having their businesses exploit the culture inherent in the Onyx society, it was a city-city rivalry that turned into real, blood boiling hatred at the fact that something precious was lost. Upon the arrival at Savvan's, Garrett had the obligation upon himself to remove his helmet and allow actual recognition be made that the previously lean and young child of the hunt Sir Everard had made his return to the area, from supposedly his biased opinion on a really good Inn soup. However, upon his arrival, he'd be in for a little newfound culture shock as there was a waitress ready for them to be seated and fed. A very appealing waitress, in terms of well-featured Gaian women.


"I'd like two hunter stews. Extra venison."

He would cover his mouth with his hand, clearing his throat. Another starvation has occurred.

"The time you're off of working today, Raquel, would also be part of my order."

Inn Attendants were great sources of information and relaxation. Blight would not pass up the opportunity to expedite their quest in order to return to such luxuries. He was not as voracious as his thoughts portrayed himself to be, or so he thought.

@Jollan @geurls @Guy0fV4lor @RumikoOhara @Dread

Mirrorside: Egoism Cable [Interest Check]

Bump.

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Garrett sat atop his steed as he encountered a Fotian roller-coaster of activity within the group. The tree was annihilated through fire, but that just made the toxins airborne and easily spreadable, the water just made the blight seep into the mud and spread further beyond it's current reaches, and the purification spell seemed more suited for the likes of a global catastrophe rather than a sole tree used as a chaotic effigy. He sighed at this development within the party. He waved them to continue on their path onward through the forest.

"Let's move!"

In the consideration of the party's overtly anticlimactic response to the tree in terms of the powers they used to utterly destroy it Garrett knew they would either have to continue to show this type of force throughout their escapade, or tire themselves out and burn out on the side of the road at some point ahead on their journey. The latter seemed most likely. Garrett spurred the side of Acrid signalling the time to move onward. Garrett took a deep breath of the renewed smell of a fresh and clean forest. The one good upside is he didn't need to breathe through his teeth anymore. He stared at the path and the surrounding area adjacent to it, being the point-man of the formation he needed to be the most aware of where they were heading and what surrounded them, be it danger or not.

Soon after going forward the group would come across a crossroads. One that led to the left was towards the north east, going directly to Fotia. Another led to the east to Gaia. Another led to the South east to Tearia.

Garrett stopped the group once again with a wave of his arm to analyze the signs in order to guide the retinue in the proper direction to continue their journey. The team needed to head to Fotia if he recalled correctly from the lush sendoff at Vrondi.

"Take note of the signs, we may be coming here many times on our venture."

After gaining the bearings of a true sense of direction, he would start the group off with another wave, his own steed moving in kind, detouring towards the leftward path to Fotia. Despite any preconceived dealings within the group, the Fotian path was the most straightforward route to the mountain range past the area. Regardless, any complaints, claims, or quarrels can be had on the way to the city and detours will be made accordingly.

@Jollan @Brithwyr @Dread @Guy0fV4lor @Rai

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Bone hurting juice

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Acrid

The antithesis of a Unicorn, a Bicorn birthed from chaos incarnate, young but extremely sturdy; blood flowing within it's veins strengthened from those unlucky enough to be gored by it's sharpened horn. A monument to the sin of magics delving into blood and darkness, can utilize the blood of one being to recuperate another.

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Along the pathway of the Vrondian Jungle, it would begin to seem more and more like an intoxicating swamp than a peaceful area for overgrowth in flora. Garrett eyed the canopy of the jungle trees, a hunter must first use the resources available to them. A hunting bird was a great companion to have in order to root out dangers that may lurk within immediate to wide-spanning areas adjacent to the individual. Of course, he could not see much above the trees, but the Hawk known as Sera still remained vigilant overhead; Garrett hoped so at least. That would put his mind at ease seeing as the bird was serving it's purpose.

Garrett was not at ease, however, as delving into the jungle just made the stench of a Blight grow as the retinue progressed. He would quickly make his way to the forefront of the party's convoy atop his steed, Acrid. In his attempt to stop the team to focus their attention toward the current matter at hand; not necessarily important for their mission, but a pressing matter in the wake of danger. Raising an armored hand to point at the Blighted Nuxtan tree whilst the other remained tight on the reigns controlling Acrid. It was a disgusting sight, flesh not attached to it's living host, rather attached to a dying tree, a very archaic symbol to discord and death.

He raised his voice to call out to the retinue to gauge them to feel the same way he did about the current situation.

"Hold!"

Of course he would continue once attention spans were reached by his words.

"Corruption. It's toying with nature as we speak. We've got two options you lot. Ignore this and pass this by, or deal with this Apostasy of nature. This is a sign from a poseur to the incarnation of death. Close to the capital yet devoid from the watchful eyes. Danger."

His field of view did not leave the tree and the extent of it's Blighting powers. He knew a decision would have to be made that was near unanimous within the retinue, but that did not keep himself from the unease of this obelisk of Nuxta. In fact, he was very uneasy, to the point where his sole grip on the reigns for Acrid were resolute.

@Jollan @Brithwyr @Dread @Guy0fV4lor @Rai

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

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Escorting mercenaries to a few rooms with fluffed pillows and fresh smelling flowers didn't seem too bad of a fun excursion. The forest-smelling Knight stared at the group. In the time he took staring at the 'team', he could see either two outcomes from them, crumpling over and collapsing at the slightest tinge of pressure, or a sleek adventure full of experience and beasts to slay. The gamble of doing something that wasn't standing around guarding literal Holier-than-thou chalice guzzlers almost made The Blighted Knight clap his hands in excitement. He did not, however, he was in front of many holier-than-thou chalice guzzlers. He took a step forward either to challenge the King's offer to replace the rag-tag team of aberrants, or to make himself more recognizable from the doorway he found a comfortable nest against.

"I will take our esteemed guests to their rooms. In fact, I am taking up a mantle of responsibility as well, I may as well stick with them and accompany them on their escapades. A Knight is of better worth doing more than standing on their bootheels. I am already named after my seemingly poor armor maintenance, I do not have much to lose. I am not meek, nor do I have the tendency to avoid these sorts of perils."

He looked around the room, it was either a good sign to make his leave with his remarks as they were or take the chance at really digging into the cowardice of the nobles and other knights around him. He didn't want to do that; politically nonsensical at this point; he read that in a book about tact, even Knights have to live outside of using a stabber to stab bits of flesh. It was time to do his first real task of the evening, guide the controversial guests through the confusing halls and stairwells to where they could lay their heads for their big trip. He motioned his hand for the band of the current pseudo-heroes to join him on his trip to the guest rooms. It would be pointless if they did not follow.

"Fantastic performance and display of character you lot! I do believe it's time for us to go to your rooms for you all to rest your legs before the wine spoils in this room. You lot would be implored to follow me now. I assure you the voyage will be safe enough as me being your guide."

With the gruff voice that he had, he tried to put up a great act of cordiality in front of the many nobles, however, one of low enough status would take note of the mocking manner he utilized the words in the way he did.

"Sadly, The servants do not leave mint confections atop your pillows. However, The beds are very soft."

He turned on his heel, opening up the grander doors in order to get on the right track through halls to the guest rooms, taking a few steps out, he would turn his head, waiting for the retinue of fighters to follow his lead.

@Brithwyr @Jollan @geurls @Rai @Guy0fV4lor

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

@RumikoOhara

Mudjugs are a lesion on society