WELCOME TO SOLVUNN!

[abraxasmods]

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.

Comments

[extremethirst]

[ Emrys offers a nod to the order. The expression that the man gives isn't so much sympathetic as much as kindly; it's the look that someone would give when they see someone giving alms to the poor -- Estinien is doing charity in dealing with Nero.

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. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Well, when he puts it's like that... truthfully, that's all Estinien thinks can be done for the moment, but it's also not that simple.]

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.

[extremethirst]

Yeah, their magic isn't anything to sneeze at, cousin-dear.

[ 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.

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien lifts his shoulders, like he's not particularly convinced by what sounds like unearned bravado. He assumes that yes, it will hurt Nero. Given what they've seen, expecting any less would be ridiculous.]

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.

[extremethirst]

[ His eyebrows lift, mildly confused by Estinien's reaction. There is a blankness in his stare that says he is unsure why the Elezen seems disinterested in this revelation. He drops his chin to silently ask if it is because he was picking his nose at the time. But soon, his eyes widen as he realizes Elezens might not have the same magic resistance. ]

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?

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien looks equally baffled by Nero's focus on this. He also doesn't really understand what he's asking. Given the context, he actually assumes a meaning quite different from what's intended.]

I'm not allergic to it, if that's what you mean.

[extremethirst]

[ Nero tilts his head in the opposite direction from how he was before; it is like seeing a dog walk on two legs. ]

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. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Though that sounds like something that would be quite the boon, Estinien pointedly keeps himself from looking impressed. He also won't give any indication that he feels like he's missing out on something by not being the same way.]

As much as it 'hurts' anyone else. Aether is a part of life itself. To be untouched by it would be an odd prospect.

[extremethirst]

That is so weird.

[ 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?

[coerthantorment]

Physically? No.

[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.]

[extremethirst]

Well, you're still young.

[ 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. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Well, there's that, at least. Magic certainly isn't the only thing a mortal being has to worry about. It's also for the best that Nero isn't somehow unkillable, considering.

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?

[extremethirst]

Just the moving parts... the machine as a whole is the same.

[ 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?

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien shrugs his shoulders. He disagrees, considering the absence of some major features from his own world, but...]

Because it probably won't work here.

[extremethirst]

[ Nero blinks before he gives Estinien a worrying looking. ]

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.

[coerthantorment]

[His gaze stays level.]

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.

[extremethirst]

[ Nero gives him a funny look. ]

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?

[coerthantorment]

[That does actually clarify something to him. To say that magic 'doesn't hurt elves' is a bit more extreme than it being a surpassable resistance. Estinien is curious about where those limits are. No... more than curious. He wants an answer.

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.

[extremethirst]

Man, if you want to try to kill me, just fucking say it.

[ 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. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien rolls his eyes. He notably doesn't get up to follow.]

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.

[extremethirst]

You really are hot and cold, cousin.

[ His hand sets on his hip, staring at him in confusion. ]

You can explain it however you like it to explain it to yourself. [ Nero lets his hand slide off his hip; he steps forward so that he can lower his voice to a whisper. ] But you just want to see some blood splatter 'cause you weren't able to kill Ambrose.

[ He leans back and he smiles; it's a welcoming smile that says he doesn't mind it. The only thing he minds is that he was given a runaround until they got to the heart of what Estinien wanted to do. ]

So, come on. Let's go and get it out of your system.

[coerthantorment]

[Though Estinien does tense his shoulders at the comment about Ambrose, he also stays where he is. Though his lip does quirk into the semblance of a silent snarl.]

Don't flatter yourself. If I wanted to see your blood spatter, I could do that with any menial weapon. You've said as much yourself.

[He leans on the counter, relaxing slightly.]

Besides, I ordered food.

[He isn't going to run out to assault Nero before having eaten.]

[extremethirst]

Yeah, and you have no reason for doing that if you did, cousin.

[ Nero lets out a long sigh before he takes his seat back down at the tavern counter. ]

Just imagine what Relena and Himeka would think of you. [ The only reason is that the elf is dangerous; he will do something to harm others. Nero can accept that answer, and he thinks the others will, too, but does Estinien believe they will? ]

But using magic and I "accidentally" die? That's no one's fault but my bravado. [ Again, he laughs. Then, the air shifts violently, suddenly. The annoying, bright smile he wears drops away completely. ] I won't be happy if you try to hide behind that, Estinien.

[ And there it is, again, the loss of the clown's cheerful, laughing face. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien's skin prickles, much like it always has when perceiving a potential threat, after a life of having to be attuned to any and all danger. He's watching Nero more carefully, as if wondering if Nero will be the one to pull out a weapon and go for some bloodshed.

Really, the cheerful clownery interspersed with things that feel like threats is starting to get old, and they've barely just met. Still, he holds his ground.]

If you require me to more laboriously outline my thinking, then say as much. But it will mean little if you insist upon inserting whatever motive you like upon my actions.

[He narrows his eyes.]

I'm sure you feel like quite the philosopher, deciding that those around you are mere animals enslaved by their baser instincts.

[extremethirst]

[ Nero feels his shoulders shudder in amusement but his smile does not return. He doesn't think that he can best Estinien; he doesn't believe he can simply kill him without taking on injuries or even dying himself. But he does have his own convictions; things that he's willing to suffer and bleed over. ]

You already know that I want to know the reason yet you're acting again like it is my misunderstanding.

[ The elf gives him a look. Has the Elezen done anything to try to make Nero understand him? ]

You know I don't think I'm above anyone else. If you didn't know that, you really haven't been listening to me at all, have you? [ Which is understandable, but if he's going to be insulted, he wants the insults to be true. ]