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abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:45 pm
abraxasmods) wrote in abraxaslogs2021-08-28 09:45 pm
WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!
WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!
Welcome to Solvunn! Bright suns and merriest of welcomes to you! The portal opens in a vast field on the western side of town surrounded by cattle, with a distant view of the bustling marketplace. The first impression of the settlement is one of idylic, country charm. There are no looming structures or crowded streets. Instead, there are cozier houses on wide streets and community buildings made of stone and wood. A gentle breeze rolls across the field and the sun is high in the sky.
There's not as much magic here as in other locations, but it's there. No one will be stopped from entering Solvunn, though suspicion will be cast upon new arrivals. Citizens will be friendly and welcoming, but curious about their new visitors. It isn't often that they welcome new folks- especially not so many at once!
With tensions between the other communities, Solvunn will not be keen on ratting out those who fled Thorne, but with the knowledge that sanctuary will not be given for free. Everyone does their part, whatever that part may be.
Asking questions will result in being told to find Rowan March, one of the council members, somewhere in the marketplace.
There's not as much magic here as in other locations, but it's there. No one will be stopped from entering Solvunn, though suspicion will be cast upon new arrivals. Citizens will be friendly and welcoming, but curious about their new visitors. It isn't often that they welcome new folks- especially not so many at once!
With tensions between the other communities, Solvunn will not be keen on ratting out those who fled Thorne, but with the knowledge that sanctuary will not be given for free. Everyone does their part, whatever that part may be.
Asking questions will result in being told to find Rowan March, one of the council members, somewhere in the marketplace.
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Despite his disinterest, Nero's question still makes him bristle.]
'Twould have simply saved me some trouble down the line. Even so, my efforts forced those willing and able to defend their master to assemble. A list of faces to remember, if nothing else.
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He lightly pats the man on the shoulder. There, there.
Sure, the elf's aware that his entire existence is something of an irritant to the other. Estinien remains someone interesting to him; the man has a high probability of bringing destruction in his desires for revenge and justice. It'll be a pleasant sight to see, and he is quite looking forward to that, too. ]
Is that all that they are to you? Faces to remember? Do you think they're traitors to you? To us? [ He sits down next to him, crossing his legs at the ankles. His tone shifts to something sincere and curious. ]
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His follow-up question is on point enough that it at least causes Estinien to pause and hesitate. He has reason to believe that it may be more complicated than that... but that does nothing to sate the acidic resentment that has lived in his gut ever since.]
They can hardly be considered traitors when they cared for nothing beyond their own ambition in the first place.
[His eyes narrow.]
Some of those men... I never saw them do a single thing to help those of us in the dungeons. As for that witch... she was a prisoner herself.
[And he even thinks she is connected to some of the other people he met, who all seemed against Thorne's rule.]
I can only attribute her actions to a lust for power or madness.
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[ Nero laughs off the deep resentment that Estinien has for the people that protected Ambrose. His laughter is bright and melodious with a sharp nasally sound to it; thankfully, the irritating noise doesn't last for that long.
His nature is just that he doesn't mind what other people do sans one thing. He has no moral high ground to stand on top to judge anyone; he is a degenerate and a lover of murder. The most he ever does, or can do, is poke at the morality at others like a rat nibbling on a corpse's foot -- he's a creature that can't hurt someone who is above the gnawing bites. ]
I'm sure that they're thinking the same thing about us.
[ That, too, is just how it is. ]
So, that's what's eating you right now? What are you going to do in the future? Right now you're just licking your wounds until you go back to kill everyone?
[ The bartender shows up, then. By this time, the man is used to the manner in which Nero talks. His gaze is not tired as much as "oh, it's you, again;" the same dead stare a person gives to someone that they simply have to endure. But like the pretty girls of the tavern, the people feel safe and comfortable in Solvunn. They aren't afraid of whatever Nero says or could do, because the Gods and community protect them.
Should the elf act out of line, they are of the mind that someone -- something -- will deal with him. It may not be immediate justice but justice will come to Nero if he acts poorly. That is enough of a shield and comfort. ]
Emrys, can I please have some more -- [ The bartender ignores his question and fixes his attention on Estinien instead. ] -- aw.
[ It isn't that Emrys doesn't want his money, but just doesn't want Nero to stay any longer than he must -- attempting to shoo him away like a diseased mongrel. Of course, the bartender will let him back in after a few days; Nero does, after all, still does what he can to provide for the community and people. They can't fault him completely, but they can give themselves breaks from him. ]
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He could argue that point against Nero, but it doesn't seem like a rewarding effort. It's obvious to him, and he doesn't really care if someone as disjointed as Nero agrees. Maybe he'll start caring about his opinion when he actually does something Estinien considers smart.
He looks to Emrys, nodding his head in silent thanks.]
If there's a kitchen, I'll have whatever your most popular meal offering is. [Read: whatever is easy, on hand, and probably decent. He doesn't care to think about it more than that, right now.] And whatever is on tap. 'Tis my first time visiting this settlement.
[It's only once that's dealt with that he'll turn his attention back to Nero.]
Right now I am simply finding satisfaction in being outside of Thorne's gaol. The future will depend on what Solvunn requires of us, or what opportunities this place presents.
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The elf in question gives him a bemused look before opening his mouth to attempt to request a drink again but the bartender has already left. Nero has shown up one too many times covered in blood for the sake of sensationalism and Emrys is not a fan.
Nero lets out a sigh. ]
And, that's it? [ He gives him a pointed look. ] Enjoying your vacation and going with the flow until, then? [ Hey, THAT doesn't sound like murdering people in the name of justice and peace and world stability. ]
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It depends on how long it takes to glean the Council's motivations. 'Twould do my cause little good to rush in, only to be captured a second time. Or, more mercifully, killed.
[He raises his brow like he thinks there's something insipid about Nero's impatience.]
Retribution need not come quickly. Sometimes, it cannot come quickly, if there is to be any chance of success.
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[ It seems like Estinien hasn't been pushed to the point of self-destruction. His eyes soften a little with an unreadable emotion before he looks away. ]
I think they might actually be able to hurt me with it. [ This statement might have some grave tone to it if Nero wasn't picking his nose with his pinky finger. ]
Mm, I guess that we just wait, then.
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If we hear word of more dire actions on Thorne's part, more urgent action may become necessary, but I have higher hopes now than I did the first time I escaped their grasps.
[Still being powerless and trapped within Thorne's territory was a major detriment, there.]
I think our best course of action is to find how much of the Singularity's power is accessible to us now. That is the one thing he have over the mages here... to the degree that it makes the High Mage's heart ache with envy.
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This place is a good place to get information from. [ The benefits of being a neutral country means they are able to hear gossip from sellers traveling through, and hopefully, they'll be able to catch some information about what's going on in Thorne. ]
It must be a shitshow. [ A beat passes and he finally has to ask: ] Tall cousin, does magic hurt you?
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I'm not allergic to it, if that's what you mean.
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Huh?! [ The elf twists his head to look over his shoulder. There is a distinct "what the fuck" and "can you fucking believe this shit" written over his face in bright bold letters. ]
Cousin-dear, magic doesn't hurt elves. Are you saying it hurts Elezens? [ It's another reason why elves think they are so fucking superior to other races, because it takes serious carpet bombing and large operation to even break through their resistance to magic. ]
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As much as it 'hurts' anyone else. Aether is a part of life itself. To be untouched by it would be an odd prospect.
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[ What else can he say to it? He has no idea what it's like to have the similar weaknesses as others, but it explains more about why Estinien is more cautious than he is. ]
Well, a person learns and lives to be as reckless as their body lets them to be. [ Nero says aloud, thoughtful and a little absent-minded. ] Have you found it yet? Your breaking point?
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[Given what he just said, the immediacy with which he says that may be odd. He's affected by magic, but that doesn't make him weak. Magic is a part of what he is, now.]
Provided you don't mean the usual things. Starvation, suffocation, bleeding to death. Or are you about to inform me that those maladies don't affect elves either?
[He still sounds doubtful.]
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[ Nero lightly pats the top of the tavern counter instead of Estinien's shoulder. ]
Oh, yeah, we can die from those. [ But there is a dismissive manner in which he speaks on the topic. A dismissive tone that comes from accepting if he gets in such a pickle that it's completely fine.
Nero is over one-hundred years old living as he has been living; his world is one that will burn and drown in the blood of its people. He lives as recklessly as his body lets him which is he keeps going because he can still draw breath. ]
But don't let that get you down. [ Because death is coming no matter what. ]
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But the idea of his magic resistance is still on his mind.]
You'll have to learn that not everything behaves the same way it did in your world.
[He shakes his head to himself, and then casts Nero a watchful eye.]
Have you tested this magical resistance of yours since arriving?
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[ Nero gestures with his hands; he makes small fiddling movements before shaping the larger machine in the air. Funny, it almost looks like he's making an air outline of a woman. Don't think too much about it. ]
No. [ He shakes his head. ] Why would I?
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Because it probably won't work here.
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Are you feeling sad that you don't have magical resistance?
[ Now, he lightly pats the Elezen's arm. ] Penis envy doesn't look good on anyone, cousin.
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The laws are different. A single mage was capable of undoing us all with little exertion. 'Twould be arrogant to think you're as safe as you were in the waters of your own pond.
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I don't think I'm safe. [ It seems like the two of them are on two different wavelengths, and he wonders if he should try to bridge the gap some. ] Didn't I already tell you that I believe they're capable of breaking through my resistance?
[ A soft laugh follows. ]
Just because they can break through it doesn't mean I don't have it. It just means that they're stronger than my body. Get it?
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Estinien silently stares at him, as if searching for something. In the meantime, the barkeep drops off his drink. He ignores it for the moment.]
Then show me.
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[ Nero was confused by the line of logic that Estinien was going with, honestly.
Also, he thought it was just the Elezen showing concern for him in a patronizing way, but instead it's the man wanting to try to murder him yet wanting Nero to agree to it. And for what? He doesn't feel any guilt if he does kill him? Whatever. ]
Jeez, let's head outside so you can attempt to murder me. [ The elf pushes back on the counter to stand up. ]
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Don't be so dramatic.
[He finally picks up his drink.]
If you are confident your body is resistant to most spellcasting, that Thorne's power would be an exception... I would more so like to see where my own capabilities lay. If I am to go up against them, I must needs find my limits... when they have not already been frozen by some mysterious benefactor.
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