You tell Algernon, "I do believe it's time for another chat, dear little mage."
Mage Algernon tells Narissa, "Oh?".
You tell Algernon, "Indeed. Come, give in to the lure."
Mage Algernon tells Narissa, "Well, perhaps a diplomatic visit is in order.".
Mage Algernon tells Narissa, "As a young baron, to pay respects to the Princess of Miracles."
You tell Algernon, "I'm waiting, young one."
***meet at PE***
Narissa beckons sharply to you. "Follow along, and DO keep up," she says with an engaging smile. "I quite hate it when I leave people behind..."
Someone sketches eight ritual shapes in the air before you.
Someone dances the Ritual of Summon.
A thick mist drifts in to herald the entrance of a majestic dragon. Plumes of smoke rise from its
nostrils and its back arches menacingly.
Mage Algernon climbs up onto its back.
Mage Algernon says, "Okeydoke".
Narissa raises an eyebrow in amusement at the dragon. "Pure white," she muses. "Like your soul?"
You let out a sneaky little smirk.
You pass through an open door.
Chamber of Darkness.
Mage Algernon follows you.
Chamber of Darkness.
You are able to see by the light of the lantern. This room is cloaked in impenetrable darkness, and
you wander about, searching in vain for some sort of fixating point. As you wander, you hear a voice say "Many people believe in the superiority of darkness, but utter and complete darkness leaves you blind to the ways of the world. Remember, even the blackest darkness, and heart, must be tinged with light somewhere." The voice fades, and the darkness is partially banished, allowing you to see somewhat. Mage Algernon, Lightning Shadow is here, surrounded by an aura of protection. He wields an adamant longsword. A white dragon proudly bears him.
You are able to see by the light of the lantern. You notice a single exit, west (a closed door).
Narissa says, "A sentimental room, for you, dear".
Mage Algernon says, "Ah yes, I remember.".
Narissa tilts her head in amusement at the foolish message echoed throughout the chamber.
Narissa says, "Oh, no, this is a different dark chamber. I have so many, you see".
Narissa says, "This is my personal estate".
Mage Algernon takes a second look around and notes this is indeed a different dark and scary chamber than the last dark and scary chamber.
Mage Algernon says, "I am honored.".
Narissa smiles wanly. "Aren't you the lucky one?" she taunts, dismounting her steed, and slapping it on the rump.
A golden eagle nods and obeys your order, turning west.
Mage Algernon has just dismounted a white dragon.
Mage Algernon pets a white dragon benevolently.
The young mage looks at you with dancing, slightly mad green eyes. His brown hair is cropped short against his scalp, and he walks on powerful legs. You startle a bit at the scar on his neck - a deliberately-carved crescent moon. Someone has carved the symbol of Thakria into his very skin!
Mage Algernon says, "How are matters in your home city, Narissa?".
Narissa sidles close to you, roughly grabbing your head and jerking it upwards. She peers closely at your neck, nodding in satisfaction. "I see your memory sits close and clear," she says with a sly smile, gently caressing the scar with one fingertip.
Mage Algernon blanches a bit but nods within Narissa's grasp. "Oh yes," he says. "Indelible memory.".
Narissa turns your head sideways, staring at the scar. "And your city?" she asks, gracefully ignoring your question as she releases your chin. "Have they noticed?"
Mage Algernon nods again, with a slight smile. He says, "Oh yes, they comment about it.".
Narissa meets your gaze with sparkling eyes. "Surely they'd find such a blatant display of undying loyalty an affront?" she teases.
Mage Algernon says, "Perhaps." He rubs his neck idly and adds, "Although they see loyalty in my
actions, if not in my tattoo.".
Narissa purses her lips in an exaggerated sulk. "You're so good at pretending," she chides, tracing a finger down to your collarbone. "We both know the truth, though?"
Mage Algernon meets Narissa's gaze with amused surprise. "I'm not sure we do. Pretending?".
Narissa stills her hand's movement, pressing her finger lightly against the vein in your neck. "Ahh, it flutters so fast," she murmurs, chuckling softly. "I know what you want from life, even if you insist on lying to yourself."
Mage Algernon takes a steady breath and twinkles a bit, intrigued. "Oh. I must have myself completely fooled. Pray, what is it I really want?".
Narissa casually continues, her finger tapping a tattoo in a mocking rhythm of your heartbeat. Fixing you with a sly stare, she uses her finger's beat to punctuate her words. "Glory is more than a page in a story."
Mage Algernon tilts his head and listens intently.
Narissa accents her statement with a sudden chop towards your neck, aiming her blow at your windpipe.
Mage Algernon jerks back by reflex.
Narissa hisses as her hand descends, "Sometimes glory is simply staying alive." Chuckling, she lets her hand slice through the air, grazing you as you dodge aside. "With flair, of course," she concedes with a nod.
Mage Algernon smiles and says, "Aye. It is true. I measure my progress in minutes I survive a
battle." He adds, "And I notice that something about me cannot be killed, even when I feel
despair.".
Narissa smirks at you. "Why do you trust me so, Algernon?" she whispers, sliding closer, her voice a susurrant murmur, sinuously low and prodding. "Why not, unless part of you knows I speak nothing except the truth - I offer nothing except what you long for?"
Narissa smiles coquettishly, her eyes directing your gaze downwards. "Such trust..." she hisses again.
Mage Algernon allows a slight smile to creep over his features as he gazes at you. "One orphan to
another," he says softly. "Maybe it's because I recognize something in you.".
Mage Algernon adds as a second thought, "I'm not sure I do trust you. But I'm not dead, and if that's what you wanted, you would not waste time.".
Narissa tilts her head in amusement, her gaze drawing yours down to the hand - and the delicate, razor-sharp stiletto poised within the curled fingers - posed inches from your ribs.
Narissa says, "Not yet, anyways".
Mage Algernon notes the blade and nods.
Narissa draws back, carefully tucking the tiny knife among her tresses, concealing it once more as a ornamented hair accessory. "Sleight of hand tricks, merely," she grins. "To prove a point."
Narissa crosses her arms across her chest. "But orphan to orphan," she prompts. "You were saying?"
Mage Algernon says, "Impressive.".
Mage Algernon bows his head and says, "Well, you are motivated by a great love for your homeland, or so it seems to me. Not that I would bore you with dull psychologizing, but I know that home is what I seek, and what I have found.".
Narissa lightly shakes her head. "Would you think I the type to be loyal, simply for the sake of loyalty?" she asks, eyebrows raised.
Narissa glances down at the ground. "It's just soil and rock, consecrated, concentrated dust." She snorts, before adding, "What does a land mean, if it only asks, and does not return the investment?"
Mage Algernon says, "Loyalty for loyalty's sake?"".
Mage Algernon's face finally shows signs of comprehension.
Mage Algernon nods emphatically and says, "Oh yes. I would not suggest idiotic loyalty where there is no enrichment.".
Mage Algernon says, "But you said you know what I really seek. Something about glory?".
Narissa grins wryly. "I'm hardly loyal out of principle," she laughs. "Diabolus knows, I was kicked about as a child here - a brothel's toy, a gutter urchin - hardly things to instil one with love for the place."
Narissa chews on her lip, nodding in distraction as her face slips into candor. "Aye, but things change, people change, times change," she murmurs faintly, as if to herself, her fingers twisting and relaxing convulsively.
Mage Algernon nods thoughtfuly.
Narissa glances sharply upwards at you, the mask slipping back into place. "Yes. Glory." she barks, her tone strong and rich once more. "It's an odd concept, really."
Mage Algernon nods his head emphatically.
Narissa says, "Tell, me, little mage - what are your thoughts on altruism?".
Mage Algernon ponders the problem for a moment.
Mage Algernon says, "I have no use for it.".
Mage Algernon presses ahead. "What is it? What is glory? What are these things?".
Narissa says, "No use for altruism?".
Narissa says, "Says the child who dies daily in some self-sacrificing display of city unity?".
Mage Algernon shows Narissa his modest little glass bowl and says, "Can you put it in this bowl? Can you sip it? Altruism is not why I follow the light." .
Mage Algernon utters a deep, rumbling laugh.
Narissa says, "Why then, hmm?".
Mage Algernon says, "Oh yes, and the dying. I think that has more to do with some, er, neighbors who enjoy killing me. They call me useless, and yet I seem to make good sport for them."".
Mage Algernon utters a deep, rumbling laugh.
Mage Algernon 's green eyes crackle with more fire when he speaks of the Light. "Light is not
something that goes in this bowl, either. It is not a thing, not a religion, not a dull cant that
men can argue over.".
Narissa listens in faint interest, crossing one leg across the other to stand in a lean, tall pose. "Go on."
Mage Algernon blushes slightly as if noticing that he has been talking very loudly. He smiles a bit
and continues.
Mage Algernon says, "The Light is itself just a name for that which animates, motivates, and
restores. It reveals the truth of this moment just as it is. Here. Now.".
Mage Algernon waves about the room, indicating the environment in which you and he sit.
Narissa smiles mildly. "And that truth is?" she challenges
Mage Algernon leans forward and meets your gaze. He says in that gentle voice, "Your hair is deep auburn.".
Narissa blinks, drawing back in confusion. "And you are a bit...mad?" she retorts
Mage Algernon utters a deep, rumbling laugh.
Mage Algernon says, "You need more Truth?".
Narissa says, "It's hardly worthy of such exalted pronunciation".
Narissa says, "If that's all it reveals".
Mage Algernon utters a deep, rumbling laugh.
Narissa says, "A novice in the school could tell me such a simple "truth"".
Mage Algernon says, "Perhaps. ".
Narissa says, "So this is the legacy and pride of Mercinae?".
Narissa says, "Being observant enough to know that my hair is dark red?".
Mage Algernon says, "To taste, see, smell, hear, and touch? ".
Narissa chuckles to herself. "No wonder we're winning the war," she smirks.
Mage Algernon says, "To see and respond. ".
Mage Algernon says, "If you cannot taste the water, all the riches of Avalon cannot help you.".
Narissa suddenly ceases her laughter, staring at you with a brutal cold smile. "I've other truths for you, little mage," she says. "Less...bright, but, oh, just as colorful."
Mage Algernon tilts his head and listens intently.
Narissa takes a step closer, closing the gap between the two of you. "You may want to clench your teeth," she observes offhand, as she draws her arm back for a powerful strike. "Some do complain of a slight stinging sensation..."
You are now blocking movement to the west.
Mage Algernon sighs and nods sadly.
You flex your muscles and clench your fists, preparing for the arm-smash.
You smash your fist down on the right arm of Mage Algernon, breaking it horribly.
Mage Algernon lets an adamant longsword fall to the ground.
Mage Algernon says, "Ow.".
Narissa smiles at you with understanding. "Yes, hurts a tad bit," she nods.
You flex your muscles and clench your fists, preparing for the arm-smash.
You smash your fist down on the left arm of Mage Algernon, breaking it horribly.
You hurl an alethe berry to the west.
Mage Algernon says, "You are nothing if not disarming.".
Narissa steps back, smiling at the pun. "I do try," she agrees.
Narissa reaches into a pack and gently removes a scroll, gilded silver and painted with golden flames.
Mage Algernon looks about himself wincing and pain and says, "Not sure what lesson this is imparting, but it is memorable.".
Your rune-bug picks up words; Narissa says, "Here is a lesson in the light, dear...".
Narissa strokes her finger along the length of the scroll, smiling in anticipation as it shivers and unrolls of its own accord. "Sometimes it burns."
You wave your palms about mystically and call a wall of flames into existence to the west.
The scroll vanishes in a puff of magic.
Narissa conjures a blazing wall of fire in the doorway, the flames springing up to lick at her outstretched hands.
Narissa turns back to you, a twisted smile stretched across her face, as she stands backlit by the eerie glow.
"Enchanted by my very own warlocks," she cackles. "Thakrian fire - searing, tainted. Pure in the most vile way."
Mage Algernon says, "Those are flames. This is pain. All of this is the truth, all right. The
question my Lord asks is, What shall you do with this truth? In what direction do you walk?".
Narissa gestures towards the door. "Life lies past those flames - THROUGH them."
Narissa pauses, chuckling. "Such questions will be yours to answer, shall they not?" Advancing closer, she removes an innocuous looking lichen from her pouch, pressing it upon your lips. Holding your nose, she waits patiently for you to swallow.
Mage Algernon says, "Aha. That's Yarl. That will kill me. As will the flames.".
Narissa shakes her head in amusement. "That's the riddle, isn't it?" she muses. "The flames likely won't - at least, not directly. You're a young and fit lad."
Narissa forces the lichen closer to your tongue, smiling fixedly. "But would you suffer that touch, let it sear you and mark you and burn you to the core - to survive another day?"
Mage Algernon gets to his feet, slowly, trying not to lose his balance as his arms hang uselessly by his sides.
Mage Algernon conjurs a glowing halo above his head.
Mage Algernon tries to move past you, but you block him.
You spit some yarl lichen at Mage Algernon.
Mage Algernon says, "Oh ho!".
You rip into shreds the magical fibres which bind a glowing halo's existence.
The shining halo surrounding Mage Algernon fades away.
You are now blocking movement to the east.
Narissa says, "Go on, then, boy".
Mage Algernon is no longer following you.
Mage Algernon has just gone west.
You pass through an open door.
Downstairs Hallway.
Mage Algernon, Lightning Shadow is here, surrounded by an aura of protection. A huge, golden eagle flaps its majestic wings before you. You are humbled by the presence of a sacred white dragon.
Narissa emerges unscathed from the flames, chuckling.
Narissa says, "Life - with the touch of evil - over a pure death?".
Mage Algernon says, "A touch of evil?".
Narissa says, "And you say you aren't tempted by my offers...".
Mage Algernon chuckles long and heartily.
Mage Algernon says, "Evil? ".
Narissa smiles warmly, watching the smouldering embers die down. "I did warn you about the fire," she reminds you.
"I do hope the nightmares aren't too...disturbing..."
Mage Algernon says, "Is fire evil? Is an alethe berry evil? Are you evil?".
Mage Algernon nods his head emphatically.
Mage Algernon says, "But you are right to point out I chose survival.".
Narissa snaps her fingers, chuckling. "Flames conjured through a special ritual by Thakrian warlocks, designed to taint the soul and leave a lasting touch?" Nodding, she answers herself. "Yes, I'd say those might be more evil than simple fire."
Mage Algernon considers this point and says, "Perhaps that is so. I thought I was choosing a trial
over a pointless death.".
Narissa leans back with a sly smile. "Or did you think the scroll was merely a grand gesture?" she queries. "I wanted to ensure my lessons are remembered."
Mage Algernon nods his head emphatically.
Mage Algernon says, "Remembered, yes.".
Narissa waves her hand. "I'm sure you'll find a way to purge it. With time." She shrugs. "You're a clever enough boy. Survivalists are far more interesting than martyrs."
Mage Algernon nods his head emphatically.
Mage Algernon says, "Duly noted. ".
Narissa snaps her fingers, a faint spark of irritation skittering across her face. "We're done, here," she snorts, beckoning for you to follow.
Mage Algernon cocks his head east where his sword lays. "I should get that." .
Mage Algernon says, "Thank you for your hospitality and teaching, as always, Mistress.".
Mage Algernon has started to follow you.
Narissa smiles sardonically. "Of course," she says, with irony. "I live to serve."
Path entrance.
A flag bearing the emblem of a snow-white swan has been raised proudly here.
Mage Algernon follows you.
A figure flits into view in the shadows of your mind.
Mage Algernon bows respectfully to you.
Narissa says, "Tend to your burns and whatnot".
Mage Algernon replies with an affirmative.
Narissa waves her hand dismissvely.
-fin-
==============
Not sure this one went as well. Was a bit tired, and maybe the topic is getting pretty hard to maintain. Also, seems I wasn't clear enough about the fire thing. In my head it was all totally cool, Mad Max style decision (hack off an arm to save a life style thing....), but I guess it didn't come off as coherent, judging from the reaction.
Anyways, that's the update, as I promised a log for Endyamon to show what I did with the firewall item!
