abraxaslogs | open. castle thorne

Entry tags:

open. castle thorne

Who: Kyle & anyone in Thorne (+ a meeting with an NPC)
When: Post-Epulum. Bicycle shenanigans start before the storms hit Thorne. Ambrose chat occurs after.
Where: Castle Thorne courtyard, and town streets
What: Thorne is introduced to bicycles
Warnings: None yet!

[ Although the dust from the murder mystery at the Epulum has barely settled and is still fresh on Kahlil's mind, it just so happens to coincide with the completion of a small project he started pushing forward on two months ago.

The castle courtyard is now home to (2) bicycles. Though their use is primarily for Summoned couriers, others who may want to try them out aren't strictly discouraged. One model is a step-through design, the other a step-over. For anyone familiar with modern bicycles, you might be surprised (or alarmed) to see that while the frame is metal, the wheels are a combination of wood and leather. Further inspection will reveal they've been spelled with enchantments similar to the carriage wheels seen in Thorne, allowing the ride to be more smooth than it naturally ought to be. It's easy enough to find out that Istredd was responsible for this part, although the plans and at least one bicycle were allegedly assembled by a Summoned in the Free Cities.

There are attachments available, the step-through model has pegs on the back wheel for a second rider to stand, both have baskets on the front for packages, and a luggage rack behind the seat. They have little bells for alerting unexpecting pedestrians.

There's even a pair of training wheels that can be attached for anyone that thinks they might need them...

Please don't run anyone over, and try not to scare the horses too badly.

If you're looking for a lesson, Kahlil can be approached at the end of the day as he's checking them over. ]

( OOC: The bikes are officially available to couriers, but y'all are free to assume Kyle will give pretty much anyone permission to ride them around the courtyard as long as you don't plan on damaging or destroying them. These are the only bicycles in Thorne so assume some confusion and attention to be gained when riding in town. Horses are not particularly fond of them yet and may spook. )

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[ Kahlil steps inside, taking in the state of the office and raising an eyebrow at the comment about something small. He holds out an open palm, closes it, and then opens it again to reveal a cystalline goodberry, which he deposits close to the edge of Ambrose's desk.

Despite the cheekiness of the act, he's not smiling, and he's quick to speak on the actual topic. ]

I wanted to ask that you share whatever you know about these sudden storms and the Singularity. If any of it has something to do with these relics that we're now finding out about. [ The Latchkeys. The mystery relic in the Nether.

He gives a nod toward the very large book on the small table. ]

I hope that didn't just fall on your head. [ The thunk he heard. ]

[ Ambrose isn't smiling either. He watches the trick with his stereotypical expression of furrowed brows. He says nothing but when Kyle visits later he might find that goodberry up on another shelf next to other crystals.

The High Mage lets out a long sigh and straightens. ]

My head is fine... Thank you for your concern.

[ He motions for Kyle to take a seat in one of the few chairs that aren't covered in papers. ]

I'm sure you can understand the sense of urgency I have with my research, but I can spare a few minutes for you.

[ He rounds the desk and takes his own usual seat. ]

I doubt I need to say that these storms are unprecedented. That they're taking place across the entire continent would be a laughable coincidence. As one of our Summoned, I would be hoping that you could tell me if you've noticed anything unique while running your errands.

[ Left unconsumed, the berry will simply vanish within the hour unless Ambrose has a way to keep it in place.

Kahlil shrugs, eyeing the chair for a second as though he would prefer to remain standing, but inevitably does take a seat. Spare a few minutes doesn't sound promising when Ambrose diverts the conversation away from the question about the relics and turns it back on him. He frowns slightly. ]

We'll have to disagree about what needs to be said - I'm a stranger here, with little context and history about this world. [ Even having been here a year and a half. ] I can't always tell what's unprecedented and what's part of a larger cycle.

[ He's not here to argue semantics, but he does want to make that point. A pause, and he continues. ]

You'll have to be more specific. [ Another pause, then: ] I've been brought to this world to help protect it, whether that was Thorne's intention with the Summoning or not. If there's something I should be looking for, then I'm asking that you tell me plainly.

[ If Ambrose is trying to fish for information specific to what the Summoned have seen - the strange fool-figure and the heralds gifts, Kahlil is far from trusting him with that. He knows well enough that signs can be used against them, and it wasn't so long ago that Thorne treated its Summoned more openly like prisoners. ]

[ Ambrose leans forward and laces his fingers together, long fingernails digging into the thin skin between his knuckles. Resting his hands on his desk, he levels his gaze on Kyle. ]

If it hasn't been made explicitly clear thus far, Thorne's mission is the same as yours; to protect the world and fortify the Singularity. The Free Cities and Solvunn might try to villainize us for our methods, but then they have utilized the fruits of our labors without question or complaint. Everything we do...everything I do is for the benefit of the greater good.

[ There is conviction in Ambrose's voice every time he speaks of his work and his purpose. Whether or not it is effective, Ambrose does believe that this is what he must do. ]

The timing of this sudden shift in weather is a little too conspicuous, wouldn't you agree? Ikorr exists under their dark dome of protection. Did you see anything while you were there that might have instigated this?

[ His gaze tracks Ambrose's hands, then meets his gaze again. He's not being particularly diplomatic, only honest in what he hopes is in exchange for honesty. ]

Thorne once had many of us imprisoned without any explanation. It's a difficult thing to forget, righteous intentions or not.

[ He wasn't the one wronged. But he's not an idiot, and the without any explanation part is still a question.

He pulls in a breath, thinking (deciding) how badly he wants answers. Then: ]

The artifact that was stolen and recovered had been under heavy wards, ones that were broken and subsequently replaced by the thief. Their head of security explained that the wards had to be set by members of the Ikorran Pact. The culprit alone couldn't have broken and reset them himself, and he was dead before anyone could ask how he did it. When we inspected the wards, we were able to make out what we thought was a rune, but none of those from Solvunn recognized it. There was a sense that... some being was interceding, and that it was treating this all like a game.

[ It was not like when they broke Nikodaemus' illusion. ]

Edited 2024-03-15 18:03 (UTC)

[ Ambrose's lips stretch into a grimace. He prefers honestly over subterfuge, but he isn't fond of being questioned on his methods regardless of how understandable the apprehension is. ]

It was an unfortunate but necessary action taken at the time.

[ He will admit that much with a darkening expression. Then huffs, ]

One that we haven't needed to repeat in the years since, which I would hope speaks for itself.

[ He considers the matter settled. Kyle's recollection of the events in Ikorr get his full attention instead, his grimace changing from one of displeasure to his deep frown of thought. ]

By some "being" you're suggesting the meddling of something "higher", am I correct?

[ This wasn't how he intended to begin the conversation, and when he gets the sense of the door closing on this topic he doesn't continue pushing. He'll have to get those answers another way, at another time. ]

A god, or something like one. Yes. [ He's not going to mention the image of the clown, or the invitation. His mouth twists. ]

But they've caused chaos before, and the Singularity didn't seem to react like this.

[ The heralds and the ill omens, he means. So what's different this time? ]

[ Ambrose takes Kyle's statements seriously and falls into a contemplative quiet. He brings his laced hands up to his chin and idly scratches the scraggly hairs that make up his beard. He finally relents, ]

It is unusual.

[ He drops his hands back to the table. ]

Which leads us to the question: what was different about this encounter with gods from their last appearances?

[ Ambrose unlaces his fingers and begins to count each instance on one finger at a time. ]

The execution of Josselyn Creed; the late woman's own cult; the Heralds and the plague that was set upon us. In all of these instances, the gods were called upon whether purposefully or "incidentally" if the Commune is to be believed. But what you're describing doesn't sound like a god being summoned to perform a service for it's summoner.

[ Kahlil watches his hands, then shakes his head. ]

The Twin Latchkeys. That was what this all centered around. It's allegedly been locked up in Ikorr for thousands of years. When it was located it... seemed to act of its own accord, even from behind the wards of its case. Opened a rift with such force that it cracked Marcellus apart from the chest and pulled his insides out.

[ Kahlil motions with both hands pulling outward from his chest, as though to crack his ribcage at the sternum. He describes this without flinching, although he had been horrified at the time. ]

I was hoping you knew something about them.

Edited 2024-03-20 06:26 (UTC)

[ Ambrose's lips curl in disgust at the visual Kyle offers but his attention is primarily occupied by the Latchkeys. He pushes against his desk and stands, the feet of his chair digging across stone. ]

The "Twin Latchkeys"...

[ He mumbles to himself as he walks over to one of the two bookcases standing guard on either side of an side door. Anyone with decent magical skills would be able to sense that the door is enchanted and likely only opens for the High Mage.

Ambrose scans the spines of various tomes, pulling out one or another to inspect and then putting it back. When he finally finds the one that he wants, Amborose exclaims, ]

Here we are.

[ He opens it with aplomb, flipping through pages and skimming text as he walks back over to his desk. ]

"...Formed from the bones of a giant and imbued with its blood, the Twin Latchkeys open to those who desire to see their world split in two," as one story tell us.

[ Ambrose taps the parchment as he settles back into his chair and lays the book down. ]

They aren't typically discussed outside of legend, but there has been enough evidence to believe that they were real. The last documented sighting was over six-hundred years ago and even then the sources were dubious at best. Descriptions of unique blades that never rust or age with edges like monstrous teeth.

[ Kahlil watches him move around the office, noting the door. What Ambrose pulls from his book tracks with what they heard about them in Ikorr. The vague history, the painting. He grimaces, again disturbed by the similarities of this story to the way weapons are made in his own world. ]

They disagreed on what to do with the daggers, but both the werewolves and vampires believed they held a power capable of escaping or being unleashed.

[ His brow furrows. ]

If there is something seeking to break free, or split the world in two - could the Singularity be reacting to that threat, or a sign of its instability? [ A beat. ] I've heard the stories that the Singularity birthed the gods and the many worlds, that they are connected through it. We've already seen rifts in space on a much larger scale, but as you said - this reaction is unprecedented.

[ Last summer, the Anomalous Beasts had broken into the world, and as far as he knows most had been linked to a particular Summoned. He continues the next part carefully, since it's a point of pride for the High Mage: ]

You bring us to this world to assist you, but with the increase in Summonings, each territory performing their own... could the ritual itself be causing damage over time?

[ This has been brought up to him by others, and in his own world the Gates could cause destruction if used incorrectly - he leaves that last implication out, though. He knows nothing about the ritual, and these are multiple non-questions in one. He wants Ambrose's thoughts on the Singularity, what it is to him. ]

Unsurprising. Artifacts like that should be monitored and guarded by experienced and learned mages.

[ Ambrose grumbles with a clear show of disappointment and who he believes those mages would be: Thornean.

He leans back into the chair and steeples his fingers. Tapping his index fingers together twice on the beat of the second hand of a clock, he regards Kyle silently. He lowers his hands once he decides to speak. ]

The risks I've taken are calculated. The risks I have taken. There was always a margin of error which included potential damage to the stability of the world; Summoning is a very trying and very complicated process as I'm sure you can imagine. But the rewards greatly outweighed the risks when it came to the safety of Thorne and the protection of the Singularity as a whole.

[ Ambrose gestures to a nearby map of Abraxas on the wall behind him. ]

What wasn't included in my calculations was Summoning to take place outside of Thorne. Are they performing a ritual successfully? Yes. But it isn't my ritual. It's footnotes of the decades of research and experimentation that went into creating what brought you here with us today. There are at least a dozen minutia that they might not be accounting for... No, most assuredly not accounting for.

The Commune likely has a better handle given that their entire practice is around ritual. But Cadens? They don't have the patience or interest in proper spellwork. It's their sloppy practices that are the biggest culprit for any damage done to the Singularity, which could either be by design or pure chosen ignorance. It's impossible to tell with them.

Artifacts like the one you wanted retrieved from the Nether? [ He eyes the High Mage as he rounds them back to the start of the conversation. ] Is there anything more we should know about that one?

[ It's his assumption that Ambrose had wanted it retrieved.

The rest of what he says is mostly confirmation, and he's curious what those decades of research and experimentation entailed. His gaze follows Ambrose's hand to the map. He shakes his head, at a slight loss. ]

I don't think any of us understand what you're gaining by bringing us here. You need our connection to the Singularity - to what end? [ Kahlil himself has only approached it in person once, others who have been here longer have never been to it. ] And the other territories - how did they even get these 'footnotes' to recreate the ritual?

[ Were they stolen? ]

[ Ambrose narrows his gaze and pushes the rim of his glasses further up his nose. ]

My interests are always in the pursuit of knowledge. What we can learn might be beneficial to Thorne and to the protection of the Singularity. Furthermore, we have substantial resources at our disposal to ensure that any artifacts or relics are safely kept from less...discerning hands and eyes.

[ He clears his throat as he continues. ]

To what end? Simply put; it's because we do not have a connection to it. The Singularity is what holds this dying world together and your worlds by proxy. Do you think me a fool who would stand idly by and watch it happen? I turned to an old ritual to see if your connections might help strengthen it and by the increased activity I believe that's correct. But as for whether you can properly harness it? Well, that's to be seen.

[ Then with a sigh, he pinches the bridge of his nose. He speaks only once he drops his hand back to the surface of the table. ]

As for how, maybe one of your friends in the Cadens or the Commune can enlighten us. Because, you see, the other nations didn't begin summoning until after them majority of our Summoned had left our borders in that unfortunate turn of events.

[ This is almost like talking to Istredd, for better or worse. Kahlil nods slowly. He lets this drop too, not wanting to give more up about what he learned about the Nether if Ambrose somehow doesn't around know. ]

If I thought you were a fool I wouldn't be here asking for answers - [ a conceding tilt of his head, he knows what it's like to live in a dying world, and to take reckless action to try to do his duty - ] - but I won't take up too more of your time.

[ He seems genuinely surprised that Ambrose believes a Summoned responsible. His brow furrows. ]

I guess that's a possibility - but given how well you keep things locked up feels a bit hard to believe. You've kept me out of all the places I would like to go.

[ No point in lying about that. It's only half bragging. His expression remains serious either way. ]

And you've also hobbled the powers of Summoned much stronger than me. Wouldn't it be more likely that another power was responsible? Ikorr thought their vaults unbreakable.

[ If Kyle said as much out loud, Ambrose would say that's a compliment.

He accepts the concession, steepling his fingers together. His ultimate goal has always been for the Singularity and the duty he believes that is Thorne's. ]

The events that followed Johnathan Sims's scheduled execution were even more unprecedented than the activity we're seeing now. I don't believe any one Summoned had the power to do what was done at that time, but I do believe they were helped by something greater. By what or whom is what I would like to know.

[ Another Summoned under Thorne's jurisdiction had provided Ambrose with memories, but they have since left Abraxas at presumably the Singularity's decision. ]

My theory is that what or whomever it was used that opportunity where all of Thorne was frozen in time to take what they needed.

( ooc: I checked in with Alucard's player about sharing this since it was a thread they were interested in investigating. I know this veered off from what I originally asked to discuss, thank you! )

[ He tilts his head slightly, this next thing Ambrose explains doesn't appear to surprise him, nor does he try to feign a reaction. ]

Another god? Or something else? [ A pause. ] The king told me about the last time the summing ritual was used. He implied that those Summoned were killed. But if it were possible for one or two to have survived all this time...

[ These are theories he's been sharing with Istredd and others for a year now. He studies Ambrose's expression. ]

There was also something the Fey mentioned in passing. References to a new day and change that would follow. With all these unprecedented events, it has me wondering about it again - or if you've heard it used before. [ A pause. He's leaving Oliver and Elizabeth's names out of this, along with what Thancred found, but nothing he says is a lie. His brow furrows, unsure how this next part will be received: ]

I could continue looking into this. I'd thought maybe if there are no leads here, Hayle might hold some more information. [ Another pause. ] If some person or power is seeking to cause more instability, then it's part of my duty to stop them.

Edited 2024-04-07 20:05 (UTC)

( You're welcome! We're happy to go with the flow of conversation. )

[ Ambrose is frank with this, wanting information from the Summoned just as much as they might want information from him. ]

Highly unlikely. [ He sighs. ] But the paradigm presented by recent events is opening up numerous possibilities.

[ 'A new day' brings a frown to his face. Ambrose does give it a moment but eventually shakes his head. ]

No. Though it wouldn't surprise me if they wanted a new day for their kind. Do you think they had something to do with this?

[ His brows furrow as soon as "Hayle" is mentioned. It's common knowledge that he has a strained relationship with the Duchess. ]

Access to Hayle is outside my realm of influence. [ He grumbles. ] But I'll see what I can do if you think you can get me results.

[ At the question of the Fey, he takes a moment before shaking his head. ]

No, I was thinking more in the sense of premonition than intent or action. This world is very old, and they have long lives.

[ He does not particularly want to point a finger at the Fey, especially when in the past he's seen how quick the general population are to blame them for things like the rifts after their visit to the Feywilds.

Kahlil tilts his head to the side. ]

I might. And I would think even with whatever disagreements you might have, Hayle would want to offer whatever aid they can when it comes to the Singularity's stability.

[ Assuming Hayle and the Duchess also wish to preserve it. But she has always been something of a mystery. ]

Hrmph.

[ Ambrose grumbles for a contemplative few seconds and strokes at the straggly hair of his beard. ]

I wouldn't think they would be so brazen, but I won't count them out. We suspected that they wouldn't want to stay in their forests indefinitely.

[ He lowers his hand and taps his fingers on the wood of his desk. ]

If she's feeling agreeable. If not, then your search will have to be on one of your errands or remain inside the castle for the time being.

[ Some level of paranoia is always healthy.

His gaze follows Ambrose's hands again. ]

What gives her the authority to refuse your requests? Besides sharing blood.

[ He's aware politics in Thorne are a balancing act, little different than the gaun'im in his own world. ]

She's the Duchess of Hayle.

[ Ambrose says plainly. ]

As the High Mage I have weight to my requests to Hayle... But they are still requests whether we like it or not. If the request came from the King or Queen, it would be a different story.

[ He turns his hands over on the desk, palms facing upwards. ]

One would hope that blood should be the reason she'd accept.

[ He raises his eyebrows as if this surprises him, then his expression turns more somber. ]

I had a sister. We were separated when we were young. I would've done anything for her.

[ She was the reason he abandoned his post, which led to John receiving the key. Kahlil has never believed Ambrose knows very much about their histories, despite the way they're greeted to this world. ]

It might help me to know why there's this rift between you.

[ If he is to attempt to get into Hayle to snoop around. ]

[ Ambrose makes no comment to Kyle's own familial situation. He does narrow his eyes slightly at the remark that Kyle "would do anything for her". ]

What goes on between us none of your concern. She has unsubstantiated ideas and I will leave it at that.

[ He flattens his hands back on the desk. ]

Now, is there anything else? I'm a very busy man.

[ Any semblance of sympathy he had a moment ago fizzles with that curt response. He purses his lips, then shaking his head he stands up from his chair. ]

No. Thank you for your time.

[ And then he's gone. ]

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