Open RP Post

[centuriesinspired]

What it says on the tin, give me your starters or make a request.

Pick a scenario if you need ideas.

Comments

[aetherflows]

[He's been back at it in Eulmore helping with the rebuilding that's needed both psychologically and socially, trying to ease that transition and remind these people that, before Vauthry, they actually had to earn their keep. But there's something good to be found in honest work, which is why even when the retainers had become free, many of them stayed on.

Still, it's been long enough that he ought to check in with the main hub of operations, as it were. So Alphinaud comes to visit the Crystarium once again, keeping an eye out for people he knows (though, he practically knows everyone). He inquires with the guard and finds that the Exarch is inside the Ocular, as he is wont to do.

He shifts his grip on the little bag he's brought and goes inside, though he knocks on the door before opening it. He might be in the middle of something.]

Exarch? 'Tis Alphinaud. Rather than wait for the inevitable summons, I thought it might be prudent to be early for once.

[centuriesinspired]

[ The portal at the Ocular's heart shows the Exarch that he's soon to have a guest well before they actually arrive but he appreciates Alphinaud's manners all the same. He hadn't been doing anything of dire importance, nothing that cannot wait. The image is dismissed with a wave before the door opens and the Exarch is turned to face the opening door, a warm smile for the young man easy to see with his hood now drawn back. ]

Welcome, Master Alphinaud. Your efforts in Eulmore are progressing well, I take it? [ Staff resting on his back, the Exarch gestures for Alphinaud to come inside if he hasn't done so already. ] I must confess...our friend has returned. A number of times, in fact. Though it was soon enough I thought it best to hold off on those summons. Not that I am not glad for the company, of course!

[aetherflows]

[It must be handy to have a smart doorbell.

Alphinaud's smile is just as warm, blue eyes clear and near-to-sparkling. He never got to meet G'raha before but he was in the general orbit of his grandfather, as were all the Students of Baldesion. One does not become an Archon of any kind just by reading a lot of books. One has to earn it, and the Miqo'te had done so before he'd even turned twenty four if Krile was to be believed.]

They are proceeding apace, given the circumstances. [He accepts the invitation inside.] It will take several months to find relative stability, and many years to undo the damage that Vauthry wrought on their sense of independence and the relationship between nobility and commoners... But they will persevere. It is not the first time I have seen a people in need of direction after deposing a despot.

[He looks a little surprised that he missed their good friend, and... a little disappointed. A little.] A number of times? It must be something more like the usual chores, else you would have called upon us.

[He sure hopes they didn't go to Kholusia looking for him. Alphinaud would hate to be two ships passing in the night with the Warrior of Light.]

Still, 'tis good to see you well. But that was not the only reason for my visit. I think you may be pleased with this discovery I made in the bowels of Vauthry's treasury.

[He opens his book bag and removes a thick leatherbound tome that appears to predate the Flood by a good amount of years. It smells old, like dust and that odd vanilla-esque smell of old book glue and tangy dried ink. The cover is embossed in untarnished gold and is exceedingly intricate.]

I had thought to give this to Moren if not for the subject matter. It concerns rituals to step into other worlds-- and the summoning of them. The beginning seems to feature voidsent most prominently, but perhaps it may still be of use to you.

[centuriesinspired]

[ One doesn't become an Archon solely by being well-read, it's true, but it does help. G'raha Tia had been told once that he knew more of Allag than one could learn in a lifetime and in the decades since the Exarch has expanded upon that foundation several times over, the state of his personal chambers stand testament to that. One may well assume that he's read all that Norvrandt has to offer several times over by now...so to see Alphinaud produce something new, that piques the Exarch's interest in a hurry.

His ears give a flicker as he crosses the distance between them, eager for a closer look. ]

Quite the find indeed. That Vauthry would seek out such tomes beggars belief, but that he would let one lie untouched over the years? All the more his loss to our gain. May I?

[ He holds out his hands to take the tome, ready to treat it with care should Alphinaud allow him. Just because it went untouched for some time does not necessarily mean it was kept in good condition and he would hate to damage it now. ]

Even if the Void is as far as its subject matter goes it could indeed still prove valuable. It was through studying the Crystal Tower's Voidgate, after all, which allowed the Ironworks to forge a path to the First.

[aetherflows]

I doubt he was even aware of it. Though we are still cataloging the treasury, the location leads me to believe that it belonged to someone else-- a merchant who likely bequeathed their wealth to Vauthry for the protection of Eulmore.

[Alphinaud is eager to hand the tome over. He's positively vibrating as he waits for the Exarch's discernment, as the only nerd around here bigger than he and Urianger are is probably him. And besides, there's something to be said for someone else who is Sharlayan, whether he studied there or was born there, he's a scholar and they have much in common besides their fondness for a certain adventurer.]

Was it? Given the origin of the Void, that makes sense. It is regrettable that I missed that whole adventure, but I was... [Fucking up everything with the Crystal Braves.] ... distracted. [Ahem.] At any rate, this is yours. I pray there is something in there that could help our current situation, even if I am not overeager to leave things unfinished.

[He pauses, looking at the Exarch for a long moment. And then he says, quieter:]

You... cannot come with us, can you? When the spell is reversed and I am sent home, you will have to stay here...

[It would have been a simpler thing if the Exarch could cross the threshold. Perhaps he wouldn't have taken literally everybody around the Warrior of Light by accident, if so. At the same time, given the nature of his identity--

-- well, Alphinaud knows what it's like to be isolated, to be far from home. And the Exarch is a friend. He's fine with keeping him company a little while longer; Eulmore needs his help, after all.]