Heroica RPG - Quest #147: Judgment Day

[Endgame]

"Charon and Immortalis. They just barely tolerate praise. Barely."

[Lind Whisperer]

"Charon and Immortalis. They just barely tolerate praise. Barely."

"...Ah.

I...will remember that."

[Kintobor]

Karie was glad Charon and Immortalis left as quickly as they did. Their presence put her on edge.

"Now, you more or less have time to spare as Immortalis judges each person individually. Judgments can less 5 minutes to 5 hours, so expect some wait... Eventually, you might have to go to the barracks and hit the hay, but why not get yourself about familiar with Eschaton first? No need to stay in a pack, either... If a place sounds interesting, head to it."

Karie looked around at her fellow quest mates, knowing exactly who she did and didn't wish to be around at this moment in time.

"So... Telethia... do you mind further explaining some of the areas on the map? An area called the Silent Hall and The Reflection Room bring up more questions than answers, honestly."

[Endgame]

"The Silent Hall is a room relatively close to the Judgment Corridor, so Immortalis prefers quiet. No sound exists in the room. You'll find people outside of it - mostly people about to be judged - and there are still ways to communicate there. It kinds a little strange if you linger there too long, though... Charon might've spent a couple of eons too many hanging out there.

The reflection room serves two purposes: first, as a meditation area. The angel who runs it is one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet. If you need to take a load off, head there. And it's also where we do some memory processing.

Immortalis likes keeping records. of, well, a lot. And as a result, stray memories are kind of just... floating around this place. The Reflection Room is where that is sorted oout. If you start remembering things that didn't seem to happen to you, don't be surprised. Some knowledge wants to be known. And the knowledge that really wants to be learned, the knowledge we've erased places for in the past... You won't have to worry about that. Trust me, keeping that under wraps is practically priority number one."

[JimBee]

"Hm. I don't suppose the training grounds hold anything interesting. It's not like you people actually have to get your hands dirty and fight face to face when wiping out continents. Still, might as well see some ethereal bird people brawl if that exists."

Jinnipher turned to go. She called back to her questmates, "Let me know if our city's about to be wiped of the map."

OOC: I'll be able to check in on my phone for the next two days or so but don't expect any elaborate posts. Again, Kint can control Jinnipher while I'll inevitably be without internet this coming week.

[Siercon and Coral]

Siercon almost followed Lind to the memorial... Honestly, he thought about digging up the remains, of what he imagined to be Imortalis's Dragon son.. and use the bone wings in a potential future class... Wings seemed to be on his mind a lot, even in spite of him doubting his winged warrior future.

Regardless, he proceeded to the wildlife garden instead.

[swils]

"Checking out the Training Room seems like as good an idea as any," Thormanil offered, then the pair fell in step behind Jinnipher.

[Endgame]

QM Note: Noted, JimBee. Since this next portion of the quest is mostly spent individually (unless y'all wanna go to the same place at the same time) it shouldn't hold anything up or anything, so no worries.

Now, I'll be moving those who already specified where they're going...

-------

Lind heads to the memorial.

It was quiet. The only sound was the rustling of the greenery in the wind, and the crackling of the black flames suspended above the monument. Small statues of dragons flanked the large grave, its tapering top casting a shadow over both Lind and the angel viewing it. She stood there quietly, reading the inscription.

Here lies Vorpalis, The Conqueror

My fallen son,

may your wings of darkness

carry you into the light

and reunite with those you have lost

and those you have loved.

The angel turns around to look at Lind. Her gaze made him tense up, despite the apparent lack of eyes. She steps closer to him.

"Well then... Hello there, knight. I am Vaermina.

Tell me, do you know why these torches carry black flames, while the rest carry blue?"

-----------------------------

Jinnipher and Thormanil head to the training grounds.

It was not like any other set-up they've ever seen. For one, the training arena itself was a stone platform suspended in water. Ivory columns and white flowers surround the platform - to the other sides were caches of different weapons and some pools of water that looked like they were made for resting up in.

The layout wasn't the most unique thing, though.

The instructor was controlling a giant golem to skirmish with the group of Angels.

Using his staff like a baton, the instructor makes the massive statue glide across the battlefield with ease. It pummels a cadet with its fist and sweeps another with its tail, before receiving a blade to the shoulder from one of the more clever trainees. In response, it lashes him out of the air, before another angel whirls around him and plants a blade into his back. The golem manages to fend off its assailant with its tail, but not before a blast of ether from one of the remaining angels severs an arm. The golem seems to hiss in frustration, before striking down the remaining angel with its whirling claws.

The trainer lowers his staff. The golem stands still.

"Alright. Angels, Chakraval, that's enough for today. Heal up. I don't want any of us suffering any permanent injuries... I would've called this a failure on your part if you hadn't managed to take Chakraval's arm off. We'll go over the details later. Now, shoo."

The angels pick each other off the gravel and exit. The trainer notices the heroes, and flies down from the platform.

"And who might you be? The name is Strivus."

-------

Siercon heads to the wildlife garden.

The area was teeming with life. While the rest of the hall seemed quiet, this stretch of land was filled with creatures of all shapes and sizes and shades, all shuffling about the biome's streams and hills. Strange beetles scutter about, rare looking birds sing a melodic song, and large lizards escort their child to the stream for a quick drink. An angel was caring for all of them, making sure nothing went awry. It occurs to Siercon he had never seen any of these particular animals before - similar ones, perhaps, but all of these looked quite unique...

"Greetings. I am Corvis.

I have never seen you around here, stranger. Might you be a new recruit?"

Corvis offers his hand for a handshake.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Endgame

[JimBee]

Jinnipher nods to her company. "Thormanil, was it? I don't suppose you or your dragon friend have a better idea of how to handle the big guy?"

She greets the angel sternly. "Someone facing judgement, apparently. The names Jinnipher. So the dragon has an army at his disposal? Hah, I wondered how he planned to level a city single handedly."

[Endgame]

The angel seems to be unintimidated.

""Army" is strong word for a small force like us. I can't tell you the numbers, but I can say we don't break triple digits.

Oh, no, he does do it singlehandedly, almost. Takes a little bit, but, well... If you want any hints, just look towards the sky.

So. What brings you here? Would you like to train? Chakraval may be a little bit too much for just the three of you, but I have some other golems you could go toe to toe with. Even a couple of flying ones, if your dragon would like to practice aerial combat." says Strivus, jerking a thumb towards Arx.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Endgame

[swils]

"Same way I'd handle anything, really. Smack it til it collapses, ha!"

He addresses the angel, "How's your med team? Wouldn't mind a little sparring."

[Endgame]

"We can have you healed up in an instant. Plus, all of the water in Eschaton is medicinal, so a dip in the hot springs near here do wonders.

If you want to spar, you'd just have to tell me how much of a challenge you want, and I'll summon up the golems to match."

Edited March 19, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

Here lies Vorpalis, The Conqueror

My fallen son,

may your wings of darkness

carry you into the light

and reunite with those you have lost

and those you have loved.

Lind quietly crossed himself, and dipped his head.

The angel turns around to look at Lind. Her gaze made him tense up, despite the apparent lack of eyes. She steps closer to him.

"Well then... Hello there, knight. I am Vaermina.

Tell me, do you know why these torches carry black flames, while the rest carry blue?"

"I believe it is because he was the Dragon of Mist, m'lady. He breathed it, black and powerful."

[Endgame]

Vaermina shakes her head.

"No. That's not it. When someone important to us in Eschaton dies, the torches - all of them - are lit like this. They turn back to normal, before long. These torches will remain this way forever, though, as part of the memorial. After Vorpalis died, Eschaton was lit black for longer than I could ever remember. Immortalis only changed the torches back to their original color yesterday, to not intimidate our guests too much.

Why are you here, may I ask? And may I inquire your name?"

[Lind Whisperer]

Vaermina shakes her head.

"No. That's not it. When someone important to us in Eschaton dies, the torches - all of them - are lit like this. They turn back to normal, before long. These torches will remain this way forever, though, as part of the memorial. After Vorpalis died, Eschaton was lit black for longer than I could ever remember. Immortalis only changed the torches back to their original color yesterday, to not intimidate our guests too much.

"I see."

Why are you here, may I ask? And may I inquire your name?"

"We were hired to escort some Eubric dignitaries safely to Eschaton, and back again. Immortalis...has some business with them.

Lind Whisperer. Just...Lind Whisperer."

Edited March 19, 2016 by Lind Whisperer

[Endgame]

"I'm aware of their business. I meant here, at this memorial. You do know that the corpse of the dragon you felled is below our feet, yes? The wounds your knife left still in his body? So why come back here, when there is so much else Eschaton has to offer?"

[Lind Whisperer]

"I'm aware of their business. I meant here, at this memorial. You do know that the corpse of the dragon you felled is below our feet, yes? The wounds your knife left still in his body? So why come back here, when there is so much else Eschaton has to offer?"

"I just wished to pay my silent respects to the greatest being I've ever fought.

It seemed polite."

[Endgame]

"That is very polite. But do you realize what you've done?

Immortalis is no god. He will be the first to say it. He is beyond anger, but he is not beyond grief and pain. And you caused him a lot of it."

Edited March 19, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"That is very polite. But do you realize what you've done?

Immortalis is no god. He will be the first to say it. He is beyond anger, but he is not beyond grief and pain. And you caused him a lot of it."

"Only what needed to be done.

I...realize how much pain our actions must have caused, but those actions were necessary to stop others' pain. Even Immortalis himself admitted our actions were necessary."

[Endgame]

"He knew someone had to die. In the line of work he's chosen... There almost always is. But Immortalis didn't want it to be him. And after he and Charon took me in, well, I don't like seeing him suffer.

All angels bring their own abilities to the table. My domain is nightmares, Lind. I can tell Immortalis fears this grave, for what it represents. I watched him dig it myself, with his own two hands. And gods do not feel fear."

Edited March 19, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"He knew someone had to die. In the line of work he's chosen... There almost always is. But Immortalis didn't want it to be him. And after he and Charon took me in, well, I don't like seeing him suffer.

"He took you in?"

"And gods do not feel fear."

"Except Akkaba."

[Endgame]

"We're all fallen angels in some way here, removed from service to our previous deity or such one way or another. It was Charon that found me, and Immortalis that gave me a place to stay. Charon is a bit like a brother to me, really."

Edited March 19, 2016 by Endgame

[Lind Whisperer]

"We're all fallen angels here, removed from service to our previous deity or such one way or another. It was Charon that found me, and Immortalis that gave me a place to stay. Charon is a bit like a brother to me, really."

"He's a good egg. They both are.

Who was your deity-I mean, if it's not rude to ask."

[Endgame]

"Hmm. Good egg indeed.

I have known you for three minutes. Yes. it is rude."

[Lind Whisperer]

"Hmm. Good egg indeed.

I have known you for three minutes. Yes. it is rude."

"Some people are very open about their lives, other people keep it close. That's why I asked if it would be rude."

The Black Knight shook his head, and looked at the memorial.

"Perhaps I should go and see what Princess Jenny and Master Thormanil are up to."

OoC: Where is Karie?