Rise of the Serpent - RPLOG
Participants
Date
23/11/476
Log
With the sun beginning to set and the crystal clear water the lake makes for a pretty scene as the group arrives at the location. Just as the scouts report there does seem to be something out in the middle of the lake.
Sylera looks around as she follows. Mostly recovered from the fight over the dedication spot there are still a few blemishes on the betta's fins.
Sveta arrives on at the lakeshore, vaguely surprised to already have found so many folk already here in such a remote location so near the head of the Sweetwater. Peering out over the lake, the goshawk frowns a little as she mutters softly to herself, largely lost in her own thoughts for the time being.
Fenris looks out over the calm lake. Strange to think that anything could be wrong in this idyllic scene. The tiger checks his gear all the same. It never hurts to be prepared.
A trip to the grasslands to get his mind off things and perhaps a little mystery to boot! With his trusty iron shield strapped securely upon his back and sword held upon his hip, Dio makes his way towards the growing crows and observes the lovely lake, eventually joining up with those already gathered. "A beautiful place, ain't it," he questions, straightening out his shirt for a moment.
Angus appears along side the others, eyeing the lake a little cautiously as he walks over to the rest of the group. "Yes, it is rather beautiful. Now where are the scouts that found this place?" He asks as he looks over the surface of the water before them, wondering why there were here to investigate.
Kurzon's arrival is as timely as can be possible with the hike through the woods and all that. Spotting Dio he gravitates toward the boisterous veteran, figuring this would be another opportunity to see the male in action. Bending over to pick up a rock, he tosses it toward the water, seeking to see how the surface tension held up to a bit of skipping practice. The report said the water was oddly cold, were there any other irregularities?
Issi arrives behind the others, but is already trying to hurry forward. She's trying not to be too reckless, but she's anxious, the more irregularities that pop up, the more things tend to go pearshaped. But maybe this one wasn't an old one? The serpent intends to find out.
To those peering at what was in the center of the lake it appeared to be some sort of stone structure, the whiteness of it tinged with the colors of the setting sun. The water is oddly calm to inspection, despite a mild breeze blowing that has the grass and the grove of willow trees waving. Additionally there seems to be a shack off to the side though at a glance it doesn't seem to be occupied. The thrown stone skips across the water as normal yet the ripples caused by its impact seem to disappear after a moment until the stone just seems to slip beneath the surface with a single lingering ripple.
Sylera gives welcoming nods as she looks about to those assembled, hand reflexively clutching at a non-existent staff which had been broken several days earlier. Looking to Angus she shakes her head. "They didn't bother to come for some reason, something about not having anything else to add. I take it that your injuries from the swamp are healing well?" The skipping rock draws a raised eyebrow from the betta, as does the lack of what should happen. She eyes the water as if considering something before carefully reaching out to dip the tip of a fin into the liquid. The betta draws back with a gasp, shaking the fin in question. "The water certainly is as cold they reported... I'm surprised it isn't frozen."
Sveta considers the lake a moment, then everyone, exchanging the required pleasantries as required. "So...I suppose that's what we're going to be looking at, whatever that is out in the middle of the lake? I don't suppose anyone has any boats on handy, unless we want certain folk to swim in that?"
Fenris looks askance at the strange rippling of the lake and then at the injuries of his companions. He had heard about their encounter with Akros in the swamps. Hopefully, this wouldn't turn out like that meeting had. Turning to Dio, the tiger fishes about in his coat pocket for a second. "Dio," he says, pulling a little journal from inside of his coat, "I've been meaning to return this to you, but this is the first time I've managed to catch you neither convalescing nor up to your ears in alcohol." He grins and tosses the little boot lightly to the lion. Then he turns his attention back to the lake.
Dio watches the rock drop into the lake and turns his head to view the origin of such force so close to him. "Ah! The big bear lad!" He exclaims, giving off a slight chuckle. "How ya doin'? In fact, seems we gota lot o' familiar faces an' all that. 're we the only Freeswords in town?" As Fenris begins to approach him, the lion looks down at the book for a few moments in silence. "I... I was lookin' fer this... I though it was lost. Thank ya lad," he says sincenrly, taking the book and using his other hand to pat at Fenris' back appreciatively. Slipping it inside his pocket, he returns his gaze to the lake. "Sorry 'bout that. Sometimes a bit o' alcohol helps ya through the 'ard times. As fer the structure, perhaps some o' us could fly to it with a bit o' air magic?"
Angus watches the rock as it sinks into the lake. "I could probably fly out there to it with air magic, carry someone if they are light." Would be a little hard, but he could probably do it. He could also swim if he had to, dragons aren't really bothered by the cold.
Kurzon looks around in silence, studying the present situation before he tosses a second stone to bounce off the boats and boathouse, testing if they are real and sturdy. "Perhaps swimming and flying are both...inadvisable."
Issi blinks and looks about the group, noting she appears to be the smallest one of them all. She shakes her head, signing (Especially for those with cold blood... Cold blood and Cold Water don't mix. Though... If it comes to it I am the smallest...) She sighs, maybe if it gets someone over to the ruin.
The stone bounces off of the shack with the clack of rock on wood. Being that there is no reaction from within there doesn't seem to be anyone home . The shack itself seems in decent repair though which means someone might still be living there. From where the stone slipped into the water the single ripple goes steadily outward then stops... But doesn't disappear. In fact it seems that the water is... Rising? Within the confines of the several meter wide ring the crystal clear water appears to be elevating steadily into a pillar of water. What is really unnerving is how silent it is.
"I certainly would rather not swim in that." The betta shivers even though the chill is already fading from her fin. "Flying could work though I don't know if we all could..." She just so happens to be looking away at the lake towards the others, Issi in particular as she signs, not noticing the water despite kneeling next to the lake.
Sveta frowns, then steps up and gently shakes Sylera by the shoulder. "Hey, careful there. It looks like...something's happening. Step back." She gets ready to unsling her shield if need be, ever the businesslike bird.
"I could fly that no probl. . ." Fenris trails off, slack jawed as he watches the water rise up out of the lake. "Flying may not be necessary," he says, recovering, "looks like there is a welcoming committee."
Dio was preparing to go ahead and fly over the lake, but he stops cold after witnessing the large pillar erect itself from the cold depths. "O' maybe a fight," he comments, unstrapping his buckler and unsheathing his steel sword in preparation for a battle. "Can never be too careful."
Angus gives Issi a smile. "Well, I could fly you over or carry you across while I swim. It's you choice." At the mention of a welcoming committee he turns around in confusion, and stares at the piller of water. Without another word his left hand drops to the grip of his Rapier, waiting to see just exactly what happens...
Kurzon grunts once more, having come to the conclusion this was going to be a spirit confrontation as he couldn't imagine single mage with so much power as to move a lake. "So...Lord Solacious, would you like to be the neighborhood aliance leader to greet what I hope is a new friend or rebuff a new rowdy?"
Issi starts to sign something before double taking at the water. She peers at the pillar. What is that? She tries to get a closer look, as close as she could without actually going into the water.
There is a slight dip in the waterline as the shaft of water reaches upward for at least four stories to tower over the group before it starts to arch towards them. The tip of the water column begins to morph as it curves, coming to a stop after another two meters of growth. ~Hrm... Is that anyway to great someone? Throwing rocks upon their heads?~ A voice grumbles, sounding like the dull roar of a waterfall, as a serpentine head forms. Dark pools where the eyes would be regard the group with some amusement before with a small cough the earlier thrown stone flies out of the serpent's mouth to land at Kurzon's feet.
The betta cocks her head curiously at the goshawk but it's not until Fenris and Dio speak that the betta turns around and gasps yet again. Falling on her rump in her surprise but... The thing doesn't seem to attack. "Um... W-Who was it that threw that?" Userpay asks glancing back at the others before darting her gaze back at the giant serpent.
Sveta scowls at the sudden appearance, urging Sylera and everyone else behind her and her shield, for what it's worth."Back! Back!" Sure, the fellow seems friendly enough, but one can't take chances. Ever the serious bird - whatever is one to do with her?
So that's what a Spirit looks like. Fenris looks the Water Serpent up and down. It doesn't seem especially threatening. Maybe it was one of the good ones, like Mira's Shaila. While he doesn't feel any fear of the thing, he also doesn't feel that he is the right being to speak first and allows himself to be herded by Sveta behind her shield.
Oh! Could this be another one of those spirits? With excitement brewing within his system Dio sheaths his sword and points towards the water serpent. "'ello there, lad!" He shouts, trying to grab its attention. "Sorry 'bout the ol' rock thing. Ya see, this water 'ere was so interestin' an' all. It's so cold, yet not frozen. Ya see, that'd make anyone curious an' we just 'ad to investigate." Moving up a bet closer, despite being told to get back by the goshawk, the lion keeps his shield by his side and continues. "Ya don't seem like ya wanna kill us. 're ya wanna those spirits that keep poppin' up?"
Angus turns his gaze to Kurzon, and sighs. "....That's something I hope to avoid, the rebuffing at least." He answers as he stands up straight and lets go of his rapiers grip. "Sveta I don't think there really is a need for that." He comments as she hides behind her shield as he steps forward, smiling at Dio as he asks the spirit some questions. "Greetings, I'm guessing you're the one that brought that thing to the surface?" He asks as he nods his head in the direction of the item in the lake.
Kurzon takes a moment to crouch down and pick up and examine the returned stone, calmly pocketing it before looking up to study the spirit, his notebook almost magically in hand taking notes on this creature. "Well this is rather promising so far...no amorphous horrors come to digest us, no bones looking to spear us...now will we drown or get some sort of purification for the filth of our lives?" His words are mostly to himself, but his gaze is steady and unafraid, ready to face death in the pursuit of understanding.
Issi is standing there staring, not too sure what to make of this. Granted she rarely sees many other beings like her host, but given the spirits in the past, this was new and odd. She's barely paying attention to anything else other than the spirit at this point. It seemed different to the other two, very different. Noone else has asked yet, so she does, signing (Who are you?)
The serpent chuckles lightly as he draws back, the crystal clear water he was made of refracting the setting sun's light in a rather pretty display of colors. ~I suppose you would have every right to be cautious... Appearing as suddenly as I did much less my form. My attention was... Elsewhere.~ He seems to give a glance back towards the building in the lake center as its body coils about. Now instead of partially looming over the group the massive serpent rests its head upon a mountain of its coils as he looks over the group focusing on the lion as he steps forth. ~That I am fuzzy one... Nor shall any of you fear harm from I... Or at least none of you seem to have the stink of /Their/ filth within you.~ It pauses. ~Nor does it seem that any of you are blessed by my kin... Most curious. I would have thought they'd send one along.~ Then his eyes settle upon Angus, a very snake like tongue flicking out briefly. ~Indeed it is my doing.~ It says simply, perhaps a bit of pride in that rumbly voice of its as it next looks towards Issi. ~Ah and it seems that it is one with form most similar to mine that reminds me of the little things as indeed none of you would know my name to call... I am Ser'ther, serpent of water.~ The rock is shockingly cold at Kurzon's touch, almost like ice, though it does seem to be slowly losing that chill.
The betta doesn't move further at the goshawk's insistence, seemingly entranced by the colors playing about within and around the serpents body. Her mind does draw parallels of this thing and a certain evil spirit yet there were certainly clear differences between the two.
Slowly, Sveta lowers her shield and takes a step back, allowing the others to approach the serpent if they so desire. "Well, then. May I ask if you've come to join your kin, as it were?" Unlike Kurzon, she doesn't overtly take notes, but there's no doubt that she's taking down all she can for future reference.
Fenris is glad that his first Spirit encounter is a friendly one. So far at least. And one of the Light Court to boot! That lecture and subsequent reading on the known spirits may have been worth while. "Um. . ." the tiger says, "What can we do for you Ser'ther? It seems like you are the reason we are all here."
"Fuzzy?" Dio looks overhimself for a few moments, inspecting his harms and legs and eventually shrugging. "I ain't that fuzzy am I," he chuckles, going through the process of putting the buckler upon his back once more and having a grand ol' time conversing with a spirtual entity. But more importanty, the lion was getting a bit hungry. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a bag and opens it, revealing wonderful salty crackers to munch upon. "So," he says, taking a loud crunch. "What do ya stand for, watery snake? Suppose water's all 'bout cleanin' things. An' speakin' 'bout /THEM/, we've been havin' a bit o' trouble with ol' ones as ya may or may not 'ave figured out fer yerself."
Angus shudders a little as they speak of the stench of the old ones, happy to know that he still wasn't tainted in the least. "Well It is an honor to meet you Ser'ther. But I am curious, why show yourself now?" The fox probes the spirit with questions, crossing his arms as he keeps his focus fully on the spirit.
Kurzon rubs his digits together, looking back at his hand, remembering the lingering chill. "You offer us no ill will and you exist apart from those whom's minions I have faced. So I ask for myself, as much as mirroring the sentiments of my peers, What of the behaviour of the birds? Just your fishing lure for us or a seperate omen entirely?"
Issi is standing there staring, not too sure what to make of this. Granted she rarely sees many other beings like her host, but givws
Issi snaps out of her little trance at Dio's rather loud crunching, glancing back to the lion, then returning to the spirit. What was the watery serpent's goal? And what of these other spirits its talking about? She decides to ask, (What kin? Do you mean the other Spirits?)
Ser'ther seems to sigh. ~Indeed I have come to join my 'kin' though as you can see I am... Quite different from they.~ An eye rolls over to Fenris before looking to Angus, and Kurzon. ~Suffice to say I have slept for a... Long time.~ The way the serpent says long listeners get the impression of a wider span than is easily comprehended. ~But between /Their/ stirring and the prodding of my 'kin', the Life Court as you might call them, I have awoken. Quite a few things have changed while I slept it seems. Still indeed I have put out a call in one way or another... While I might be called just as easily as my 'kin' my home rests far from inhabited lands so thus I had to make myself known somehow. How else am I to aid in the conflict with /Them/ if I have no influence upon this land?~ His gaze then rests upon Dio. ~What do I stand for you ask... I embody no mere ideal as my 'kin' might. I am that which winds serpentine through the land, that which allows for life by cleansing the dry earth with my waters. I am water and water is me.~ Then his gaze roves about the entire group, though lingering on Sylera. ~And indeed while within none carry /Their/ taint some of your seem to bear the mark of /Their/ attention.~
Sylera gazes at the serpent. Perhaps this was what she had been meant to find... That odd feeling that she had ever since the betta had heard of the job. Ser'ther's comment about carrying marks and his gaze do however make the betta look upon the blemishes that still stain her fins and draw them close.
It becomes more and more apparent to Fenris that he will likely be just an observer here. He feels no draw to the spirit, but he is glad to have seen it. "At very least," he says to himself, "there will be a tale to tell."
"/THEY," Dio tries his best to immitate, "'ave been causin' quite a bit o' ruckus in various areas. There's a group o' people takin' an' snatchin' up poor beings and usin' ol' one dedicated powers to play with their mind. An' in the swamps is the ol' one o' decay. A nasty fellow." The lion crosses his arms, but not before eating another saltine. "I suppose like most spirits, ya wouldn't mind a lad o' two followin' along in yer message. A dedicant if ya will."
Angus scratches at the bandges of his neck idly. "They, as you refer to them, have been causing a lot of trouble. The lord of Decay is personally responsible for the death of at least a hundred beings in Shanty town." He spits out, his voice full of complete hatred for that certain old one...
Kurzon's notebook snaps shut with a heavy snap as he tucks it away. "I myself wish to oppose this filth and decay! Would you be one to ally myself for such a purpose? Should I seek another amidst your kind or even another amidst his ilk? I care little for these swaying conflicts and who follows whom, but lives are being lost and I wish this to end for the sake of prosperity and coexistence."
Issi hasn't known why, but she's always felt as if she should stand against the Old Ones. She looks up at the watery serpent, if Kurzon is going to make a pact with this spirit, perhaps she should as well, if she can. She nods, signing to the spirit (As do I. I have seen the malice of the Old Ones, Lies, decay, death. Nothing I wish on anyone.)
~Dedicants... Yes I suppose I am looking for such to follow and enact my will.~ At the mention of Akros even if not by name the serpent lets out a long hate filled hiss. ~Ah yes... /Him/... I trust you are doing as you can to thwart that one in particular...~ At Kurzon's exuberance and Sylera's seeming fascination though Ser'ther chuckles. ~Ah so eager without even hearing my terms... I warn you that may way is different from my 'kin' for water rarely acts forthright. Mine is a power that acts subtly. If it's a bolder strike you seek then my 'kin' such as Kendrac you should speak. Cleansing mine shall do but differently than Kendrac's might, look not to your foe but to your fellow for it is they your power is for.~ The serpent gaze is hard as he looks from Sylera, to Kurzon, to Issi. His head edging closer. ~Are you so certain that my path is the right path for you?~
Sylera shudders under that gaze yet the serpents words strike deep within her. Standing she finally rises from the ground taking a moment to steady herself and speak. "Were it left to me I would rather not see fighting but knowing They seek to twist an corrupt I can't sit by. Yet by the same token I can hardly bear to strike directly especially if it is another being... I am a dancer by trade, my skills are not for myself but for others."
Sveta steps back gracefully. She's seen this before - not once, not twice, but a number of times already, but this one's a new one. well, another addition to the paper, that's for sure.
Fenris takes a step away from the new supplicants. There may come a time that he will want to take such a step. Perhaps. But not here, not now.
"I see." Crunch crunch crunch. "So yer all about cleanin' an' all that. While I don't feel right dedicatin' my body to spirit, I'll do my best to support those who do in my own little way to help." Looking over at Sveta's silence, the lion decides to saunter over and hold a cracker just inches from her face. "Surely ya got some questions, Bird o' Silence. O' perhaps yer just a bit hungry. I don't ever see ya eat anythin' besides water, an' that ain't no food I've ever seen," he chuckles, looking back at the spirit and the could be dedicants.
Angus sighs a little at the comment about Akros. "We have done what we can to stop him and his plans...I've even taunted him and challenged him." But he was not a dedicant...so he could do nothing. He watches as others ask to be the spirits followers, and he smiles. "I...would offer myself as a Caller as well. But it seems that you may have enough already as is." He comments, possibly hinting that he wouldn't mind becoming a dedicant to fight the Old ones...
Kurzon hesitates, nt out of fear, but the nature of the warning given. Eventually he holds up his hands in surrender. "I was hastey, but I got the answer I needed to make my choice. Though I do wish to aid in cleansing, mine has become the direct path and I would not properly uphold your ways and would thusly make a poor aid."
Issi thinks a moment, maybe Kurzon had a point, too rash... But her thinking is different, maybe she was being to rash. She can't have her host constantly wounded like what happened in the swamp, maybe a more subtle action would be best. Sne nods to herself (My offer still stands, If you will allow it, I will hear your terms.)
Sveta rubs her face at Dio's comment and raises a finger to her beak. "I don't think I really have that many questions to ask - at least, not those which should be answered at this moment, when there are more important matters to be handled. In any case, if I need to ask things, surely I can ask someone who does give themselves over later. Propriety, Dio - there's a time and place for everything."
~Water can be a food of sorts in its own way fuzzy one.~ The serpent idly remarks at Dio's teasing of Sveta and glances at Angus. ~...I like you. I wish I'd been there for that. Still.~ He turns his gaze back to the would be dedicants at large. ~If you shall follow my path then know my contract. I bid you to purify. I offer you clarity and health. While you will be a paragon of my own crystal clearness, you will abide by and upkeep the perfection of disorder of the world. The natural order, messy as it may seem, is vital to the lifeblood and vitality of the world.~ His head rears up. ~My path is one of one of subtle cleansing, just as water nourishes the plants of the earth so to shall you nourish yourself and others.~ He then lunges, stopping just short of the ground with ice-like fangs splayed as if encouraging would be dedicants to grab one. ~Do you accept this?~
Sylera can't help but briefly flinch as the serpent hurdles towards them before stopping short. It is another moment as she gazes at those fangs, so seemingly insubstantial yet hard lined, before reaching out to take hold of one. "I do so accept with joy in my hear."
Fenris looks on, enraptured by the dedication. It was so strange out here in the open grasslands. This felt more like something that should happen in secret, in a gilded vault somewhere. But it was remarkable.
Sveta's words seem to bounce and roll off of Dio much like a small rain drop upon a curved piece of glass. As if she had not said anything, the lion balances the cracker upon Sveta's shoulders and smiles. "Come on now! 'ave a little snack! Yer all about learnin' things, but how could ya be at peak learnin' condition if ya haven't fed yerself? Just a little cracker won't hurt ya, unless ya choked on it I suppose. But don't fear! Dio's 'ere to save ya if that happens," he says, not reponsing to the water serpent to let him gather up dedicants in peace.
Angus gives the spirit a smile at the comment. "Well that's a first, never been liked by a spirit before." Kurzon backing off catches him by surprise for a second, the fox looking around as he debates...before he steps forward. And grasps the fang that wasn't occupied. "I accept your path."
Kurzon wasn't bothered by the concept of allowing the natural order to remain as it was, in fact he supported it, but he had no time to be subtle when the agents of corruption were mass murdering these people he'd adopted as his own...no he would find a more direct and like minded method to cleanse this world and allow all, spirit, shadow and being to coexist...even the creators if they so wished...he would make this possible if they all so wished to try. For now, the book opened once more and additional notes were taken. In this he would be the scribe to tell the world.
Issi takes a deep breath, tensing up untill the serpent stops short. She's made up her mind, if everything was in its place, then maybe she could find her's. She lowers her hood, reaching out for one of the fangs presented before the group.
As the would be dedicants grasp the serpents fangs it feels as if they were grabbing ice with its hardness and temperature, though seemingly not as slick. Once all three have grasped a fang Ser'ther abrubtly jerks his head back with a sharp crack, the fangs staying behind in Sylera's, Angus's, and Issi's hands with barely a jerk. As each fang breaks the serpent decreases in size, leaving him barely bigger than an average being. Slowly the fangs straighten and reform into staves of wood, a soft, cool flow of power coursing through the three as all dirt and grime suddenly falls off of the trio. ~You are mine. I am yours. Call to me, and I will come. When I call, you will come...~ Ser'ther sounds decidedly weary as he finishes the contract. ~I have to admit that took more than I thought...~
Within Sylera's grasp the fang straightens into a staff of willow wood. A clump of leaves clinging to the knob. She staggers off balance and grounds the new staff into the ground, gazing upon herself in amazement as what little dirtiness she had falls away.
Sveta nods at the whole spectacle. "Maybe I'll have a cup of tea to straighten out all my thoughts soon, my dear Lion of Big Eating. But for now...just watching is enough."
Fenris looks on in wonder. The Spirits are strange and remarkable things, that is for sure. "So," he says, approching the trio of new spirit callers, "How do you feel?" He looks up at the serpent spirit, "and does it really take so much from you? What just happened here?"
Dio watches in amazement as the dirt and grime just come off the new dedicants. Now wouldn't that be something if it happened to a certain lion? And how curious, a staff... Quite the specitical. "I 'aven't 'ad a good cup o' tea since the one ya gave me, lass. Somethin' 'bout the tea in the inn just don't sit right with me. Perhaps I've been spoiled," he chuckles, looking to see the reaction of the new dedicants.
Angus takes a step back, looking over the fang in shock as it straightens into a Staff of Yew wood. As the leaves appear, clinging on the knob he twirls it in one hand, judging the weight and balance of the item before he places it on the ground once more. "I am honored." He mearly states, giving the spirit a bow as he looks at himself, shocked at how immaculate he looked.
Kurzon's scibing is a furious thing leaving out nothing thhat takes place right down to the diminishing of the spirit to the forms the broken fangs take. "Intriguing...and utterly unsuited for me in use...far too ornamental. Yet this is befitting of nature..."
Issi stands there, holding a staff of smooth ebony wood. The cool power from the staff is interesting. She herself doesn't feel any different, however. She holds the staff in her hand, bowing to the spirit in thanks.
Ser'ther gives a shrug to Fenris, an odd motion for one made completely out of coils. ~For a spirit to invest themselves in a supplicant it takes much effort. To take three at once is... Exhausting to say the least.~ The serpent drifts closer to the water, almost as if he were to submerse himself. ~A touch of the staff will turn liquid to water within reason. Just your presence will also aid in keeping others free of foreign toxins. For now though I must rest, take care to not abuse my gifts~ And with that the spirit submerses. Ripples spreading outward from where he disappeared before stilling. As if that was a signal suddenly ripples from the breeze appear on the surface of the lake, the water seemingly back to normal.
Sylera hefts the staff experimentally having regained her balance, looking curiously over the leaves at the top before turning to Fenris. "I feel... Good." The betta gives a practiced twirl, the motion seemingly more graceful than normal as her fins flare out prettily. She turns to Ser'ther and curtsies, the blinks as if only just now noticing his reduced stature. "I thank you for this gift and I hope that I shall live to your expectations." Before the spirit disappears before turning back to the others.
Sveta nods at the whole spectacle, finishing up her mental notes, which she'll commit to paper as soon as reasonably possible. Certainly more of these spirit fellows have been turning up of late, and she'll need to keep up on her research if she's supposed to be one of the leading impartial investigators in the field. Giving everyone else - even Angus - a brief nod, she finishes her study, and relaxes a little in preparation for the trip back downriver.
Truly remarkable, Fenris thinks to himself. "How have we not heard of the Spirits before this?" He wonders out loud. "Where have they been sleeping?" Hey, that's not bad. That could go into a song. He makes a mental note to come back to that.
CRUNCH. And the last cracker is gone. Dio reaches into his bag and pulls up nothing but a pocket of air, causing a frown to grow upon his face. "What a shame... Could've sworn I 'ad a bit more... O' maybe it's because I ate too many on the way 'ere. Such is life, o' so they say." Slipping the empty bag back into his pocket. "Anyways, that's an interestin' gift ya got there, turnin' liquids to water. Some testin' might be needed. But fer now, I think I'll be headin' back home."
Angus gives the spirit a nod. "I give you my word." He mutters as the spirit moves to leave, and he turns to face both Fenris and Dio. "Well, this was by far my most intresting interaction with the spirits." He looks his staff over once more, before he smiles.
Kurzon walks up behind Sveta, plucking the apparently unheeded cracker from her shoulder and holding it up between a pair of armored claws, the lengthy fur of his chin wavering in the breeze as he blows away the crumbs. "I would imagine you will be publishing material on this later. I will turn my notes over to the church, but if anything I have is of use to you, feel free to ask."
Issi signs to the spirit as they depart. (I will keep your words in mind.) She turns back to the others. (Strange... I did not think that would work.) She looks over the staff, seems fitting for a shadow to have Ebony.
