The Great Parhn Gate

[Shalla]

The mercenary spoke in her silky velvety voice as she descended from the sky, her dark indigo wings flapping as her toes touched the ground, before she folded her wings behind her, before introducing herself to the guard. “My name is Shalla Vadarnium. I’m a mercenary and I am here to seek work and start a new life here in Etzos.” The guard nodded to himself. "A mercenary? Yeah, we have many of those here. What's another one to add to the mix? Happy hunting. Oh, also nice wings."

She smiled sweetly at him as a form of thanks. She was clad simply in a scalemail armour that covered her torso along with her pants and leather boots. A sheathed longsword hung at her belt. She did not think she portrayed an intimidating sight to any of the guards. The guards looked at ease to her and that was a good thing.

It meant that she posed no immediate danger to any of them. She was just a normal human mercenary after all, just with wings. The guard with the parchment and quill pen finished his scribbling and motioned her to move along as he ushered for the next person to enter. Shalla walked past the large statue, admiring its size as she did so. They sure liked things big here. She wondered what awaited her here in Etzos.

[Camorr]

The yellow and black feathered pickwick was collecting small twigs from one of the many Bedrose shrubs. Scattered along the thin path that strayed from a wider and clearly more travelled dirtroad. No sound or movement was made, yet the small bird suddenly dropped all it's carefully picked twigs for its nest and flew off into the blue cloud dotted sky. Had it felt a predator coming his way after all? Or maybe it simply hurt itself against one the Bedrose's protective thorns. Either way, Wismal cursed the bird for giving away a possible cause for interest to any nearby hunters, would-be adventurers, or worse...Guards. Greedy fuckers, the lot of'm. He'd probably end up having to bribe them for some broken law that he strangely enough had never heard of before in his life. Not to mention most of them weren't so dimwitted to let him go without interrogating him about his reason to be there, in the middle of nowhere, with a red leather pouch full of silver and gold.

So he took a slight detour and ended up near a turning corner of the main road, closer to Etzos than the Riverside. Making sure nobody was coming, he hopped out from between the shrubbery; Doing so slashing open his shirt on the right, just at rib height. The cut shallow enough for nobody to give two shits about it if it didn't happen to them, deep enough for it to hurt. Aaah, what a good day this was. Trudging along on the road, hissing and sucking in air through gritted teeth from time to time at the stinging pain of that shrub. When he stubbed his toe against an especially sharp and pointy pebble, jamming it right under his nail, every shrub and stone in all of Etzos would fear the wrath of Wismal Camorr. He spent the remainder of his painful journey back to Etzos plotting the demise of all of those bastards.

The shrubs would get it first, he'd make an example out of their leader. A bedrose shrub he'd buy at some florist, kick it in some damp, dark corner and let it wilt slowly until all its limbs fell off. That'd teach them!

The pebbles would get it next...How, he didn't know yet, but they'd get theirs!

The guardsman at Etzos' Parhn Gate frowned slightly when he noticed the dirty and tattered clothed man was muttering to himself as he approached him. With barely looking up at him, and when he did, he felt the visitor was looking at something else entirely. 'A nutter.'

"Name?"

"Wismal Camorr."

"Business?"

"To exterminate all the Bedroses in Etzos...And get home. I'm a citizen."

"...Okay. Brought anything noteworthy with ya?"

"Myself."

"Alright, lose the attitude before I get one, and you don't want that. Now move along, fast."

[Javelin Attis]

It’s been several trials since Javelin has been on land, and quite possibly some of the most relaxing trials of his life. The weather had been favorable for the most part, no damage came upon the ship, and no supplies were lost except for what he had intentionally used. Despite this, two simple facts he had been avoiding remained present in his mind. He only had about seven trials worth of food left, and only one arc left to pay his debt before…well, he didn’t really want to think about that part. Whether he liked it or not, if he was to make any money at all, he had to make some acquaintances first. And to do that he’d have to get on land. Perhaps then, he thought, I could find someone who’d want to get off it.

The navigator landed in the harbor outside the city of Etzos. Despite his travels, he had never been within city limits before. The river, yes, but not the city. The trials he had spent on the water made the land feel strange, but other than that he was oddly optimistic. He stretched casually before securing his ship at the harbor, carrying only the essentials with him as he made the rest of the trip on foot. It wasn’t much, just some food and the small amount of money he earned the last time he was on land. He didn’t intend to buy anything if he could avoid it, and was still unsure as to how long he’d stay here, so he only brought with him what was absolutely necessary.

The gates opened as he approached the entrance. He was calm, casual, with an happy-go-lucky grin plastered across his face. His presence conflicted with the atmosphere of the area, but that wasn’t what the guard noticed nor cared about at first.

“What business do you have here, half Avriel?” he asked coldly. It wasn’t particularly accusatory, but deeply apathetic and seemed to wish to Javelin’s immediate departure.

Javelin, unable to quite read the situation, leaned up against the wall and grinned at the guard.

“The name’s Javelin Attis. Not-so-local navigator.” He winked, his arms crossed in front of him. The guard, however, didn’t seem phased.

“Not-so-local?” he asked.

“Not-so-local to anywhere really. I don’t usually stay in one place for too long. Consider me here for work, travel, nothing too important.” Javelin looked his hands over nonchalauntly, picking at his nails. If the guard was getting agitated he didn’t show it, though Javelin likely wouldn’t have realized anyway.

“Have you been within the city before?”

“Not any farther than the river, so no. I don’t particularly like getting stranded on land,” Javelin replied. While the guard had no trouble hiding his irritation, his confusion was a little more difficult to hold back. Never before had he met an anyone with Avriel blood that was quite this...friendly. Then again, it’s not a common occurrence for him to meet friendly people anyway. He wasn’t sure how suspicious he should be, so he simply continued to ask questions.

“What do you have with you?” he asked, while Javelin simply shrugged.

“Food, money, clothes...basically what you see is what you get.” He winked again, and the guard was beginning to lose his patience. He refrained from saying anything unnecessary though, and finished the conversation quickly by informing him about the outlook on Immortals. Javelin seemed uncaring, and agreed without any sort of fuss, much to the guard’s disappointment. While the boy was strange, he wasn’t doing anything that gave the guard a reason to turn him away. The guard ended the conversation with directions to common landmarks within the city, and watched the boy thanked him before heading inside. He was sure that people would likely keep a close eye on someone like that, but decided to leave it alone for the time being. Javelin Attis was someone else’s problem.

[Eliza Soule]

The 18th Trial of Ymiden, Arc 718

At some point during Eliza's very long life, she'd probably resided in Etzos. After nearly two and a half centuries, she'd lived any number of places. Some of them more than once. There'd been something that felt familiar about the city as viewed from a distance. But if she'd been there before, even for a visit, it wasn't on the list that she kept. She'd only been keeping that for a hundred arcs or so. It was meant to help her avoid inadvertently running into someone who'd known her, say, fifty arcs or so ago and who might recognize her and notice that she hadn't seemed to age much. Or at all.

Whether she'd visited Etzo's before, or not, Eliza was aware of city's aversion towards, and policies related to the Immortals and the worshiping of them. If she hadn't known already, some of her fellow passengers aboard the Serpent's Folly, had made quite a lot of it. It suited her fine. Daughter of Ymiden she might be, but she never introduced herself in that way or made anything public of it. As far as anyone else was concerned, her preference was that they'd see in her nothing more or less than an ordinary young human woman.

She'd been off the boat for more than a trial, and was ready to be off her feet too. It had been a long and exhausting way from Viden to the gates of Etzos, but this trial wasn't half over yet. The guards looked more than able to handle any trouble that came their way. Eliza however didn't plan on causing any and she was quick to supply the answers to questions asked.

"Eliza Soule," she said when the guard asked her name. She'd come to work, and find a place to live and no, she added, she hadn't visited Etzos before. The last of it was an easy lie to tell, since she wasn't convinced yet that it was a lie. It wasn't on her century old list. They didn't need to worry about her worshiping in the streets, and she did't have anything on her that was out of the ordinary. Clothing, personal belongings, her crossbow and sword that were out in the open to see.

It was only when the guard curiously, and pointedly eyed the handled box that she'd put down by her feet, that Eliza remembered that she wasn't alone. Smiling, she said, "My cat. Mister Smudge. I'd show you but he doesn't like...." She didn't get to finish. Apparently the guard wanted to see for himself and reached down to pry up a corner of the box lid in order to see inside. The box was rattled, there was quite a bit of scrambling about inside, and a lively spit and growl caused the guard to straighten abruptly.

"I tried to warn you," Eliza muttered under her breath. "What was that miss?" In response to his stern question, she said, "Actually I was just wondering aloud where I should go to find employment and a place to live." Mister Smudge was still growling from inside his box, but the guard seemed ready to move on to the next in line and the gates were already being opened. The office of the citizen's committee, that's what the man said, and it would be Eliza's next stop.

[Felicia Stark]

Arch 719, 1st Trial of Ashan

Felicia stared upward at the large statue that towered over her. It, like the city it guarded, was made of stone and the expression it held on its features was one Felicia was unfamiliar with. This was what held her gaze in fact, as she studied its face intently in an attempt to decipher what exactly this guardian was meant to portray. There was a grimness in his stance, yet while his lips did not smile his expression was not sad. Stoic was perhaps the proper word for it, or perhaps solid? Felicia shook her head and repositioned the bag that hung from her shoulder as she made her way up to the gate. She knew she could ponder that statue all day and never get close to the truth.

Her pace slowed to a halt once more as a guard approached her, and in his eyes, she saw a similar expression to that of the statue. His words were crisp and to the point, yet somehow not unpolite.

"Felicia Stark," she answered the man, "And I am here to meet with family."

After a few more shared words, a promise to keep what religious beliefs she may have to herself, and a few final questions Felicia departed with a wave and a practiced smile. There was a lot to be done, and her first few stops would require finding work and a suitable place to live. Faintly Felicia hoped Robin managed to find something suitable for himself as well.

[Yavanna]

⌘ Date: Ymiden 31st, 719
⌘ Comapany: Herself
⌘ Current Thought: How interesting

"Common Speech"

⌘ Current Theme:
⌘ Health: 100%
⌘ Ether Reserves: Full

"Grovokian Speech"

⌘ Imposing.......no more than imposing. The stone walls and the city itself was like a sentinel on the horizon. Just like the Lightning Cathedral in Rharne, the city itself was an impressive structure in its own right. As she sauntered into the courtyard of the first gate a marvelous statue caught her eye.

More so it felt as if she had caught its eye. The domineering gaze it showered on her sent an intrigued shiver down her spine, causing the Naerikk to smile. The statue just seemed to radiate with a sense of power, and Yavanna was a woman who admired power. She could see herself getting along rather well here.

As she admired the statue, she caught a glimpse of a guard approaching, and she immediately put on her best "play nice" face as he approached. As she looked, the guards seemed to permeate with a "don't mess with us" aura, and she immediately tensed. As luck would have it she found he only wished to know some information.

"Yavanna Elmaranthy, looking to make Etzos my home, and this is my first time here."

she offered willingly. The two discussed where she should go in order to seek out work and residence, and with a nod and a bow she was pointed to the second larger gate opened to her.

A smirk on her face she sauntered in and would make Etzos her new playground. She was positive that she would find her place here, nestled deep within the shadows and darkness of the city itself. ⌘

[Woe]

67th of Ymiden 719

The fields before the gates of Etzos showed the signs of a recent battle, and a big one at that, one on the order of a major siege. Bodies still being picked clean by crows, vagabonds and others scavenging what they could from the fallen. And strangely enough, a great number of apparitions, the magnitude of which Woe hadn't seen since departing the Ghost Burho of Yaralon.

As interesting as he found this state of affairs, he thought it best to go inside the gates, before he caught ill from the festering bodies and corpse fires that were being set.

He approached the gate, which was manned by a dozen or more guardsmen, armed to the teeth but holding ledgers and writing utensils.

He nodded to these men, and hefted his baggage over his shoulder a few times to show what he was carrying. "I'm here for work. Name's Woe. Never been to Etzos." He said simply. "I'm carrying some armor, a helmet, the clothes I'm wearing, supplies, and my metal scourge." He pointed toward the whip that hung from his belt ring, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.

He shrugged as they let him pass, and went off into the cramped and battle ravaged streets of Etzos.

There looked to be even more ghosts inside. What in Labrae's name was going on here? Was this resulting from the chaos of earlier in the season? He stopped someone as he entered, and asked for directions to the nearest constabulary. He supposed given all the chaos that had followed in the battle's wake, they might need an extra set of hands.

[Lathan]

719 Arc, 23 trial of Zi'da

The Zi'da air held a fierce bite at Lathan's skin. Despite the wolf fur over his wool shirt, the cold seems to remind the man that he can't hide from Zi'da's embrace. More importantly, the white-brown spotted stallion carrying the human and the saddlebag. The mount has seen it's fair share of travel, and usually Lathan doesn't push his trusty steed to travel from Yaralon to the Etzos. Not during Zi'da, and certainly not at such a long distance. However work was starting to get scarce for Lathan, and after making some estimations it probably wouldn't last him to the next Cycle.

Snow was descending upon the city like a blanket of white as the hooves crunch on the snow. Lathan patted his horse as they were drawing close to the first set of gates on the Eastern side. Lathan rode from the East, so naturally the journey was a little bit longer to come upon this side of Etzos. Dusting off the snow that seemed to settle on his mount's mane. His ash blond locks is partially covered with a cap of leather and wool on his head. Sea-green eyes taking in the architecture that was put into the gates and the surrounding walls. From what he understood they were some sturdy heavy doors. Sparks the curiosity in his mind on what methods is used to secure such large gates. Was it the same typical tactic? Or perhaps a different, more effective method? Perhaps magic is involved even? Questions ran through his mind, but answers remain a mystery. A mystery that can be solved at another time.

Right now, Lathan chooses to focus on getting into the city of Etzos. As Lathan approached the courtyard where a gaint statue of a man with a battle axe looking down at those who enter. The statue's expression was neither a smile nor scorn. From his peripherals, Lathan catches sight of something approaching him. Lathan is garbed in his cold weather outfit which consists of a fur vest, long sleeved grey wool shirt, wool gloves and cap. His pants is insulated leather with a pair of insulated leather boots. Around his waist is a leather belt that has a hip pouch on his right side, and a sheathed jian at his left. The jian appears to be average with the ivory bone hilt that's wrapped in soft leather. On the left side of the saddle is a quiver of ten arrows as the hunting bow is slung over his shoulder. On his back is a studded hard leather targe, but other than the saddlebags and his backpack that's pretty much it on him.

The guard approaching him with a stern expression and holding on a quill with a tablet and parchment. Lathan noted the other half a dozen guards close by as each appear to have as much confidence in their skills as the guard in beside Lathan.

"State your name, business, and how many times you've been in here." The guard declared that was neither rude or friendly. Straight to the point and simple to follow. Lathan likes that line of thinking.

"Lathan Rüstung, and I'm here for mercenary work. Unfortunately, this is my first time here." Lathan admitted as he was here for work, but didn't specify on whether he was on contract or looking for one. The guard without shifting his expression scribbled something down on the parchment before looking back up at Lathan.

"State anything of noteworthy that you're can." Lathan found that statement a bit odd as he was pretty much wearing what he owns. So he answered while refraining from smiling or chuckling.

"Camp Gear, armor, sword, shield, bow with arrows, horse, saddlebags, and that's it." Lathan really didn't know what else the guard wanted to hear, and thankfully the guard assumed as much. Still he scribbled some more on the parchment like some kind of checklist.

"Alright, the major rule in Etzos is no Immortals influence goes past this gate. Mentioning the Immortal is fine, but no rituals or other customs are allowed beyond this point. Am I understood?" The guard informed the mercenary, whom nods in acknowledgement. Whether this soldier was pleased or not was hard to tell. They wear their masks of steel well. With a step back from Lathan, the guard speaks up.

"You may enter. Don't cause trouble, and we won't trouble you." A dip from Lathan's head that wasn't a bow, nor was it a nod. If he had a hat, Lathan would've tipped his hat. So Lathan trots his horse through the first set of gates to the closed iron gates. Which proceeds to open before the mercenary to reveal one of many rings of Etzos.

[Aylune]

Cylust 1st, 720

"There she is, Etzos..."

A twinkle in the horizon grew into a shimmering mirage upon the plains, avian eyes peering from miles away in the sky. Wavy lines coalesced into rising walls as the horizon curved forward from Bit to Bit.

Stretched wings grasped at the old friends carrying the shaman on high, feeling them run through his many bristling feathers. The raven soared beyond the walls of Etzos, circling and peering down at the little ant-like dots far below, comparing what was known before with what he learned now.

"It's not so different, really."

From another world sitting atop this one, a voice yawned. "Mmh. Do you really want to stay in this dirty place? Where are the trees?"

"Mmh, it does feel cold out here, but the spirits still sing when the trees are on far, don't they?"

"Yes..."

North beat his wings, and made his descent towards the shadows between the alleys of the busy commercial district. Raising his wings, he met the grimy stone earth and hopped around a bit in the low light before reaching within himself. He could feel the thrum of his Spark as he nourished it by will, and it in turn began to hold up its end of the transaction.

White hot pain made him hiss through his beak until naught but air escaped his shifting lungs. North's body twisted and cracked, an amalgamous shape stretching out slowly into the vague shape of a human as his flesh roiled into place. What had been assimilated began to emerge around him as the transformation made its completion, and a short human clad in feathered-mantled black robe stood tall, nursing the soreness in his arms with an idle rub.

The sound of his breath broke the din of the alleyway, the back of his robes shifting from the furred appendage beneath rising only to be consciously tucked down between his legs. North drew a hood over his head, leaving two triangular impressions where the wolven ears beneath hinted at their presence. It might have looked odd, but it gave him the benefit of a doubt that these corruptions were merely a fashion statement.

Rubbing his forehead, North took a moment to compose himself before stepping out into the markets of Etzos and getting a closer look at the people and the day to day, his left palm riding upon a low breeze heeling at his side like an obedient dog, and the other brushing along the fur of a companion no other could see save himself, his friend and familiar South.

Tilting his head in thought to the wolf by his side, his eyes rolled down to the creature below, communicating with it through his mind more directly. "Let's start this new life, South. I'm done worrying about what my father wants. I'll be my own man starting today, even if I'm not sure what that will mean. We'll need to find work, won't we?"

"Starving would not be wise," agreed South as he padded along, ducking his head to pass through a passerby and emerging out the other side. "It's crowded here."

"Crowded, yes, but also crowded with possibility, North replied."

[Tor'ree]

30th of Ymiden 720

Tor'ree looked out the wagon at the world around her. She had finally decided to leave Desnind after being there for so long. It was strange for the woman to be so far from her home land, and yet there was a freedom that she felt. In the back of her mind there was still the task that Audrae had given her. Would the immortal be upset with her for leaving Desnind so shortly after their deal was made? Only time would tell the girl the answers to her questions.

The woman collected her things and got off the wagon when they pulled up to the gates. She did not want anyone that had been kind enough to give her a ride to be stopped because of her. Putting her bag on her shoulder, the Sev'ryn made her way forward with her weapons clearly visible. She did not want the guards to think she was hiding anything from them.

Looking forward the woman stopped and saw the statue of the man that seemed to watch the new arrivals. She was impressed that it did not appear as intimidating as she first thought it would be. Shifting the weight on her shoulder, Tor'ree moved on towards the gate boredly counting the number of guards on the way. Her red eyes floated back to look forward as a guard approached her. She made sure to keep her body language relaxed while the interaction was going on.

"State your name, reason for coming to Etzos, and any other visits to the city," the guard stated very to the point.

"Tor'ree, I am looking for a new life, and I have never been to Etzos before," Tor'ree stated being very clear with her answers.

Tor'ree listened closely when the man explained where she needed to go to get a housing and find a job. She was curious what they had to offer as far as work, but for now that would need to wait. Thanking the man, the woman made her way through the gate and into the large circular city.