ABRAXAS MODS (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:41 pm
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:41 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- !npc,
- alina starkov; the hanged man,
- amos burton; the lovers,
- cirilla of cintra; the devil,
- coraline finch; the tower,
- estinien wyrmblood; the hermit,
- geralt of rivia; the hanged man,
- gideon nav; strength,
- hector; the magician,
- himeka sui; the fool,
- jaskier; the sun,
- jon sims; the high priestess,
- jon snow; the emperor,
- kiryu kazuma; the tower,
- sam wilson; justice
WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!
WELCOME TO THE FREE CITIES!
Welcome to The Free Cities! The portal exits outside the capital city of Cadens. The first impression of the city is its sheer size. It sprawls out across the landscape like a great hulking beast at rest. The wall that encircles it barely contains it, the buildings of Cadens practically bulging against its restraint.
The air here seems thicker somehow, tinged with a scent that’s acrid and smoky. Smog hangs high over the city, belched out by smokestacks that tower over the industrial district. The desert stretches out behind it, dotted with towers and dust clouds that disappear into the horizon. Multiple gates lead inside and each is staffed by soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms that wave a steady stream of people through without appearing to pay much attention. People are coming and going almost all of the time, to and from the outposts and areas of activity around the city proper. It’s difficult to tell just what’s out there beyond the impression of tall metal structures and a great deal of labor. Wagons carrying travelers to Libertas and Aquila roll out from the Travel Post outside the city wall.
Anyone who can sense magic will notice a much lower concentration here. No one will be stopped or questioned at the gate, even if the soldiers seem to take note of the fugitives from Thorne.
The activity and sheer number of citizens can be overwhelming. It’s crowded and loud and feels constantly in motion with everyone talking and yelling over each other. It’s easy to get swept up in the ever-moving throng or find oneself ducking into the mouth of a narrow alley just to breathe.
Anyone who’s willing to make their way to the northern part of the city and Portham Hall will find Prime Minister Marlo Reiner available to receive them.
The air here seems thicker somehow, tinged with a scent that’s acrid and smoky. Smog hangs high over the city, belched out by smokestacks that tower over the industrial district. The desert stretches out behind it, dotted with towers and dust clouds that disappear into the horizon. Multiple gates lead inside and each is staffed by soldiers in unfamiliar uniforms that wave a steady stream of people through without appearing to pay much attention. People are coming and going almost all of the time, to and from the outposts and areas of activity around the city proper. It’s difficult to tell just what’s out there beyond the impression of tall metal structures and a great deal of labor. Wagons carrying travelers to Libertas and Aquila roll out from the Travel Post outside the city wall.
Anyone who can sense magic will notice a much lower concentration here. No one will be stopped or questioned at the gate, even if the soldiers seem to take note of the fugitives from Thorne.
The activity and sheer number of citizens can be overwhelming. It’s crowded and loud and feels constantly in motion with everyone talking and yelling over each other. It’s easy to get swept up in the ever-moving throng or find oneself ducking into the mouth of a narrow alley just to breathe.
Anyone who’s willing to make their way to the northern part of the city and Portham Hall will find Prime Minister Marlo Reiner available to receive them.
no subject
[If he's just a wolf, it's a little easier to curl up and pretend that the room isn't pressing and crowded and awful. There's no turning to Hector to gauge the reaction to the offer either - just more silence. Just an awkward as fuck dhampir standing there, eyes now moving up the street.]
It is impossible to find graveyards here.
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Well, we've got two rooms for the night. If you still feel the same way tomorrow, I'll cancel one of them.
[Hector doesn't mind sharing space with a wolf, if Alucard is willing.]
Is it? I hadn't inquired yet. Do they cremate their corpses, you think? Such a waste if they do...
no subject
If nothing else, he's shown a willingness to cooperate, so that has to count for something.]
Only you would call it a waste. [What are necromancers?
Still. Alucard casts a glance over his shoulder, then shakes his head.]
How much further away?
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We're close. It's the one with the sign that I think is supposed to be some sort of ram.
[The Free Cities attract a lot of artists, and not all of them are winners. There is apparently one sign painter with cheap enough rates to justify their rather...abstract interpretation of the animal form.]
Do you want me to ask around about the graveyards? I can usually find the people who know where the corpses go. A professional skill I've developed.
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[He'll find out, Alucard supposes. Either way, he keeps moving, one eye seemingly always off to one side of the street or the other. Not seeking an ambush precisely, but definitely wishing to avoid the earlier event with the huckster.]
I suppose that might be best. [A sigh, mostly because Hector's profession really is useful. He understands a part of what his father saw.] Although I am beginning to feel that anywhere near this much of a populace won't be remote enough.
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[Maybe the sign painter comes from the same school of art as the taxidermist.]
I'll make my inquiries. It's always good to know what a people do with their dead.
[Hector's curious, at least.]
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[Bad animals in art could be a genre unto itself.
There's a grumble from the dhampir at the mention of what people do with their dead.]
Was that not side research you did in Thorne?
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[He's tried to prioritize the most pressing tasks first- securing shelter, putting feelers out for work, listening for rumors of threats to those summoned by Thorne.
But museums tomorrow for sure.]
Well, yes, I know what Thorne does, but this is a different country, cobbled together from refugees from everywhere else. They might have adopted different practices.
no subject
[Terrible taxidermy with hideous faces, but like Alucard said. Hector would enjoy it, if only to offer serious academic critique regarding the matter.
Finally, he does turn his head.]
May I ask what they do then? If only as a point of comparison later on.
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[If he were a dog, his ears would have perked up. That's encouraging news, that there are people here who study the science of anatomy and who are not so squeamish as to balk at dead subjects.]
I'll have to go... once we have funds. [It's certainly something he's interested in, but he's trying to be frugal until he locks down a paying gig.]
Mainly burial, but cremation is an option. [
haven't asked the mods, so i'm making assumptions here] I don't think it's as tied to religion as it was back home, which makes sense.[At least, it makes sense to Hector.]
no subject
[Frugal is fine, but even Alucard knows that there's merit to taking a break. It is also his own way to try and acknowledge Hector and his work, even if they both hate each other.]
The less fire, the better. [It isn't a joke. At least, not in Alucard's too grave tone. He closes his eyes, shaking his head slightly.]
Did you ever see any of the castle's inner workings?
no subject
The offer to work extra so that Hector can indulge his curiosity is offered so casually, Hector has to reply it in his mind to assure himself that he hadn't misheard.
...is Alucard actually being nice? To him?]
Alright. I'd like that.
[For once, he doesn't argue or act like an ass. It only feels a little weird.]
The castle at Thorne, or The Castle?
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Then it's done.
[To the question, there's a slightly more put upon sigh.]
Home. The way things work here are similar to the pipes and general approach my father took to ensure the castle's advanced amenities.
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[Hector is sure he would have gotten the full tour and a more thorough-than-needed explanation from Dracula if things had worked out differently and he'd been able to come for a visit in times of peace. As it was, Hector has been shown the areas of the castle most immediately relevant to his position as general, and put to work building an army.]
It, uh, wasn't my area of interest. Magic makes sense to me, and alchemy, and biology, but mechanics... I've got no head for.
[So he'll defer to your expertise, Alucard. If you say it's similar, he'll believe it.]
no subject
He's not sure where he was going with this. There was a point, somewhere. But he's away from the potential hucksters and crowds, which is only a good thing.]
At the very least, it means there would be some prefabricated parts available for building the crypt.
[But that still requires money. The dhampir closes his eyes, contemplating.] I'll see if there's work in cooking or else hunting if I must. Either would allow you at least one day's leisure.
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[He says it cheerfully, though there's the niggling realization that once Alucard is finished, there will be no one left with whom Hector shares a history. It's a lonely prospect. Hector would've thought he'd be used to lonely by now...]
I'll make it up to you. I can get a job forging, in one medium or another.
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[Alucard breathes the word out, making no secret of how genuinely he feels it. This has been too much. As angry as he is, tiredness has won the day.
at least you have a cute boyfriend, hector.]Please, accept it for what it is at face value. You put too much weight on what you owe my father. I'd thank you not to include me in your accounting as well.
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[He doesn't bother trying to explain to Alucard that while they are not friends, there is a certain... bond... that comes from having shared experiences, when you are in a world completely foreign to you.]
If you don't want it, you're free to decline. Just thought a day off might improve your sunny disposition.
no subject
[Please just take something at face value for once. Alucard knows that the only place where he relaxes is not a place at all, but rather his terrible little depression hut in the Horizon.]
Let's just go to the inn then. Worry about the rest later.