Revision as of 01:25, 7 March 2015

Participants

• Cassidy
• Fenris
• Rokarion
• Zuri

Date

6/3/478

Log

After an hour or so more, the cart once more stops near the awe-inspiring gates of the city, but the once abandoned site is a flurry of activity now. Craftsmen, scholars, and archeologists move in and out of the city, with notes and carefully handled artifacts with every trip. A sizable camp has been set up outside the city walls where most of the current beings sleep as well as do their discussions and studies, after all no need to ruin a site with allowing beings to sleep in it, who knows what might get destroyed.

The group are allowed to disembark in front of the gate as a couple of guards keep them under their watchful gaze, "Mister Ridgewell will see you soon, please remain here until he does so." One of the guards says in a proper Cliffside city accent. The group would notice that the head of the Shaila which was near the ground here was removed, most likely taken to another place for study.

Zuri spent the majority of the voyage being his energetic self, once again enjoying the novel sights and people more like a tourist than a mercenary on his way to a contract. This time, however, he stuck with the group, not parting from them to poke around or stick his snout where it doesn't belong - rather, he stayed rather close to his two companions. Once arrived at the camp, he lets the other two deal with the guards while he once again admires the ruins.

Fenris laughs melodically as she watches the bouncing Zuri. "I am excited too, little friend," she says in a warm alto, "I am interested to see this city of Shiala's. I have spoken to the Spirit once, you know!" The Feline turned Roo is being a bit incautious in her enthusiasm for finally getting to explore this lost city. In addition to the adventuring gear she wore on the last foray, she seems to have added some sort of silvery stole. Well, it looks like a stole until the little otter golem peers around with emerald eyes.

Cassidy adjusts her hat, dressed up in much the same garb as she was the last time she was out here. Patting off her long black coat, Cassidy steps forward and brushes back her hair, smiling. "I've been waiting to get a chance to go in there. I'm excited to do so."

The group is left waiting for a number of minutes before a third guard comes from the city towards the gate, "Mister Aeneanas wants the Sweetwater sellswords in." says the third guard. The two other guards return back to their posts as third guards motions for the group, "Please follow me. Mister Aeneanas also would like me to stress that secrecy and discretion are key here as well as you should not under any circumstances attempt to take any of the artifacts here. . . or things might not go very well for you." The wolf being says in a rather professional manner before motioning for the three to follow.

Zuri slinks back towards the 'roo being, smiling widely. "Such an opportunity, my friend." He looks around at all the archeologists, explorers and guards around the place. "Makes me wonder why they requested the presence of Freeswords with all this manpower.." He clears his throat as the third guard approaches, turning to him and offering him a polite smile. He nods at his words and follows along when bidden.

Fenris grins down at Zuri. "Because we are crazy!" she says, "And have a unique skill set." She sways off after the guards taking every opportunity to oggle the remarkable, ancient city. "You have nothing to fear from me," she assures the guard, winking at him, "I know how to keep a secret."

Cassidy says, "pot"

Cassidy folds her arms and tilts her head. "I don't plan on taking anything, certainly. I just want to look around!" She wrinkles her nose a little, not entirely impressed with this group, but she'd play along for now. It was convenient for her to do so!

The guard enters and the groups follows him. If the gates outside were marvelous then the city is simply jaw-dropping, even in its quite ruined state. The number of beings here almost doubles, the scholars and researchers moving left and right, meticulously documenting and inspecting each portion of the city. With guards performing regular patrols all around the city, noticeable all the Red Wall soldiers are stationed here and one can spot Blair in the distance talking to some other Cliffside officer.

The group get a nice view of the place as they follow the wolf. Buildings made out of marble surround the area they cross, with statues of spirits, familiar and not, surround the streets and the squares of the city. However, it is quite clear from the looks of it that this city was not just abandoned, but it was sacked. The statues of the spirits look as if they have been intentionally defaced and their 'injuries' follow strange patterns, most likely to considered blasphemous to the ancients.

And thus the group keep getting led by the wolf guard across the remains of this once-proud city, until they reach a really large open area, most likely the town's main square and administration center if the large and masterfully constructed marble buildings to each side of the square are any indication. A domed building that dwarfs the buildings around it lies on the opposite side of the square, the structure's upper wall was adorned with the, now, defaced faces of various spirits and in front of it is. . .or rather was a sizeable marble statue, but nothing is left of it except what appears to be a foot. It is here that the wolf stops and ushers the group inside the building, "Mister Ridegewell await you inside." The wolf says before departing, leaving the group in front of the steps that lead to the entrance of the erection. There are more soldiers standing guard here, as well as more flood of activity around the group. It is as if all the experts of Cliffside were inside this place right now.

Zuri followed along with the wolf, going silent as he observed the statues with great interest. One of the defaced statues drew his attention in particular, pausing for a moment to examine it carefully, as well as the damage done upon it. Not wanting to stray far from the group and risk being kicked off he hurried back to join the group once more. "Mmm.. I don't suppose either of you is versed in the meaning of all this? Or even some of this?"

Fenris gapes at the immensity of the place. "How did it take us so long to find this city?" she breathes to herself, "It is massive!" The curvy kangaroo examines the statues as they pass, floored by the number and variety. "Do you think these are all Spirits?" she asks, "And if so, where are they all? I mean, we have only seen a handful of these!" With the vast variety of Spirits and their forms, one can only speculate at the shape of the original inhabitants of Promise. "Have you ever met a Spirit, Zuri?" she asks the little lizard, "They are all supposed to be quite remarkable."

"Afraid not," Cassidy replies to Zuri. "The spirits have never really been my thing. And I'm not sure how we managed to miss it, Elise. I suppose there's still a lot to this world we haven't seen, huh?" She shuffles along with the group, tucking her hands into her coat pockets. "But this is one more mystery we've now uncovered!"

The group scales up the slightly ruined stairs as they move upwards towards the building's entrance, obvious for any being with knowledge into construction that the stairs damage was due to immense weight and a lot of foot movements on it, an army most likely. The four guards near the entrance nods towards the three as they enter the building.

The building's lobby is as impressive as the structure itself from the outside, tall marble pillars holding a really high roof with many wooden and marble furniture around, torn apart or flung across, indeed the damage was quite extensive in this building. Another noticeable feature here are four statues, defaced and cracked, that pair up at each side of the entrance. Those statues on the other hand seem quite interesting, they definitely do not look like the rest of the spirits, there are also interesting murals around the walls here, and the first sign of struggle. . .old blood stains near the entrance and on some of the walls.

In the center of the lobby, with his cheerful grin, is none other than Ridgewell. The jasmine motions for the three to come towards him. Standing around him are a number of other beings, all look quite important and are discussing things among each other, giving no undue attention towards the sellswords.

Zuri shakes his head at Elise. "I've never met a spirit. Well, certainly not in person! Unless.. can spirits take the form of other beings? Then maybe I have met them but I just don't know it.." He crinkles his snout in thought. "Never thought of that before..." His derailed train of thought is interrupted by the need to focus on scaling the stairs, the small being having somewhat of a harder time than his companions. He pauses near one of the pairs of statues, examining them closely, as well as a spatter of ancient, dried blood on the floor near them. "Hm... " His inspection is cut short by the sight of Ridgewell. "Ah, mister Ridgewell!" He walks over to meet the Jasmine, straightening his jacket as she steps through to the lobby.

Fenris, well, Elise laughs melodically at Zuri. "Most Spirits don't like to be confused with ordinary beings," she says, "You would know it if you had met one. I have met quite a few, myself. Some good, some. . . not so good." The kangaroo turns an informed eye on the statuary and murals of the room. Seeing a repeated shape in some of the statues, she tilts her head. "Do you think those might be statues of the precursers? The people who lived here before us?" she asks, more to herself than to anyone else. Then she sways forward to listen to the discussion.

Cassidy furrows her brow behind her mask as she takes in the area, the rest of the world sort of tuning out for a moment before she announces unceremoniously, "Why is everything so big? It's hard enough reaching the top shelf at home. Were all of our predecessors giants or something? Sheesh."

Ridgewell gives one of his stewards a piece of paper, "Give this to my nephew wherever he disappeared to. I swear put him in a. . ." Ridgewell trails off as he listens to Cassidy's comment, grinning even wider, "Ah, yes. You have noticed that too? The ancients sure seem to have been a good deal longer than the average being, why Blair looked like he was back home in this city." The jasmine comments with a chuckle before looking at Zuri, "I hope the stairs did not give you a lot of trouble, they are an annoyance even for the average being." He added in a slightly sympathetic tone before coughing, "Either way, I am glad that you have arrived here." The pudgy jasmine says as he moves deeper into the lobby, expecting the group to follow. The jovial plant continues, "So anyway, we have discovered what appears to be an underground section of the city." He comments idly before suddenly stopping and pointing the group towards a hallway to the right that leads towards a circular room, "We have yet to explore it yet, and I decided to hire some sellswords to do this task for me." He adds with a grin before entering the room with the three Freeswords.

The room is large and circular in nature, with nothing of interest around it, except more defaced busts of spirits adorning the walls, and a rather large staircase leading downwards into the darkness. Around the room stand more officers, guards, and some obviously important looking Cliffsiders too. One or two of them might even be Elders of the Cliffside council, but that is to those who focus on politics. The three are given some glares, but only for a moment before the room goes back to its previous hushed discussions. "So any questions Freeswords?" the jolly jasmine jovially asks .

Zuri grins at Ridgewell. "Not too difficult an obstacle to overcome, I assure you!" He walks up to and stands by the Jasmine being, listening to his explanation intently." He nods. "A good idea, mister Ridgewell, we'll make sure the way down is safe before you commit any equipment or researchers down there." He follows Ridgewell into the room, and offers the gathered Cliffsiders a polite smile that wilts at their somewhat cold reception. "So uh.. hm.." He turns back to Ridgewell, nodding. "Are we the first party down, or have you sent other scouts ahead before us? Any specific dangers you anticipate? Traps maybe?"

"What are we looking for, Mister Ridgwell?" Elise asks, "And what are you afraid of down there?" She looks around at the gathered Cliffsiders. "There is no way your best and brightest are happy with letting ANYONE down there ahead of them," she observes, "I think you have learned something about what is waiting down there that you don't want to tell us straight out." She smirks and strokes her little golem wrapped over shoulders. "Not that that would dissuade me in the least," she admits, "But you might at least tell us what we are in for."

Cassidy perks her ears as Ridgewell starts speaking, turning her attention towards him. "Yes, it's rather strange. The last time I found anything like this, it also had rather large furniture. Quite curious... And I never found anything on THIS scale. I would be happy to do some exploring, though! No questions here, that my companions haven't already asked."

The kangaroo's comment earns her not even a single glance, but Ridgewell does maintain his jovial smile, "Ah, if there was something dangerous down there we would not have asked for help from Sweetwaters, mercenaries or not." He jovially quips, but keeps his comment restrained on that, "The issue here. . ." Ridgewell tries to say before a rather harsh and high pitched voice comes from the hawllway, "RDIGEWELL!" the shout comes as a rather gaudily dressed European Polecat enters the room, quickly followed by a number of other beings that seem to be his entourage, "What is the meaning of this you fat tree." The slightly short polecat, as tall as Cassidy, says as he points at jasmine. Ridgewell does not seem to be affected at all, that damned grin on his face simply widening, "Ah, Malcolm my friend. Looks like you did wake up early enough today, I apologize that your current accommodation is not similar to your mansion in Cliffside." Ridgewell answers back. "Do not change the subjects, haystack. What are those Sweetwater mercenaries doing here." The pole cat voices back, a scowl still on his face. "Ah, did you not ask for a neutral party to join the first expedition down? I simply got us a completely neutral party." He answered back with a smile, "That is what we agreed on with Councilor Oldfield, did we not?" The polecat opens his mouth to try and mutter something else, before he gets interrupted again by another being, a rather imposing German shepherd in shining plate armor, "Enough of your babbling Lord Popplewell. Councilor Oldfield has deemed this to be in spirit of the agreement. Now stop with your complaints and get on with it." The Shepard says in a final tone before nodding towards an old Owl being standing next to him, the wizened being obviously being the named councilor. Oldfield and his own entourage then start exiting the room, while the scowling polecat whispers something to one of his agents before storming off with his own clique.

Ridgewell's grin risks to split his face in half when he looks back at the group, "As I was saying, I merely need you because of politics. No, we have not scouted what's down there yet. You are going in blind, you will be provided with torches and you will be accompanied by a representative of yours truly as well as the cheerful Malcolm." He says before pointing to Hooded Seal being, the one that Malcolm left behind. "Now anymore questions? OR shall you gentlemen depart?"

Zuri stays quiet as Ridgewell and Malcolm exchange their quips, although his smirk grows with each of Malcolm's retorts. Maybe he should remember some of those for another Jasmine he knows.. He clears his throat and nods as Ridgewell turns to him and his companions, smiling broadly. "No more questions mister Ridgewell." He turns back to his group to gauge their reaction, and takes the opportunity to glance sideways at Malcolm and his cronies.

Ridgwell has not changed a bit since his time at the university. Elise smirks at the display and shakes her head. "Ready," she says, before stroking her golem's head lightly and whispering a command, causing the little otter to glow with a gentle, steady light. She looks around the room for any hints at what might lie below, then starts for the stairs.

Cassidy idly drums her fingers along the cover of her spell tome as she nods. "I am ready, yes." She settles her eyes on those that'd be going with them, appraising. "Let's get this show on the road, hm? No need to stand around waiting!"

Ridgewell nods, "Well this means I can get back to work, and maybe finding where did my nephew disappear to." The slightly pudgy jasmine says before exiting the room with his own stewards. The rest of the soldiers and scholars in the room give the three no heed as they focus on their work as if that slightly charge political display did not happen at all, Cliffsiders and their silly politics. The three start moving down the staircase, accompanied by the hooded seal, who offers the group no comment or glance, acting as if they are not even here. The staircase ends in a slightly small room with a relatively large gate in front of it. Standing there with a smirk is the house sparrow that accompanied the groups last time, "Ah, so looks like Mister Ridgewell hired you again." The sparrow says with a nod, "Well better a tested sellsword than some untested sellsword." He says with a nod as he motions to the opened gate, leading into an oppressing darkness. There are two soldiers standing with the sparrow, they light two torches and offer more for any of the group who wants one, "And you are that tiny berserker's 'champion', sunshine?" the sparrow asks the seal before shrugging and moving towards the darkness, "Well be wary, we have no idea what might be here. Also I heard shouting upstairs, was it Malc. . . Lord Pootymouth throwing a tantrum again?" the sparrow asks in an amused tone.

Zuri tries his best to smile at the various groups of Cliffsiders that they walk past, seemingly undeterred by the repeated cold shoulders him and his group are given. He grins as he spots the Sparrow and nods at his words. "Glad to be of service once again!" He takes up one of the torches, and at the warning to 'be wary' he retrieves one of his weapons with his other hand. As they start walking down the corridor he takes the time to curiously observe the Hooded Seal, noting his bearing and heraldry.

Fenris snorts in a most unladylike manner. "Pootymouth," she snickers as she sways along after the others, her golem glowing softly around her neck. The curvaceous roo runs her fingers along the smooth stone walls, eyes and ears open for any sound in this long abandoned city. She is glad to have the light hearted sparrow with them. "I never did catch your name," she says to him, "You can call me Elise."

Cassidy's expression remains unreadable behind her mask, though she does flex her gloved fingers in idle anticipation, listening to the banter between the group. "I never cared much for politics, honestly. Despite my station. It has always felt more than a little boring and sometimes even pointless, to me."