Arcia was laying down in a tree, his back leaning against a bough, meditating. His thoughts wandered to those of Vanima's youth, and so brought him to fond memories of her. Shandariel said that she was gone forever, possibly even dead, but that did not make sense. He cursed himself for not being there in her time of need. Unhappy with everyone for driving her away from the home which she held so dear, he thought she couldn't be dead or gone forever. The spirit of Vanima had diminished since her departure. Suddenly, Arcia was sure. If she was out there, he would find her. He knew what he had to do, and he needed to do it alone. Why he hadn't thought of it before, he wasn't sure. Perhaps too much trouble had found its way to the trees of Tol Vanima, and driven the need to protect from his mind. He had to find her.
He jumps from the tree and dashes to the depot, taking provisions and coin, and other things he may need while on the road. He made his way to the harbor, not speaking to anyone. Leaving no clue to his whereabouts.
The Search ((Open RP - Invite only))
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Lord Arcia
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The Search ((Open RP - Invite only))
Last edited by Lord Arcia on Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Lord Arcia
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After reaching the port of Gynk, northeast of the Iron Desert. He asks one of the merchant-sailors where he could find whoever is in charge of the docks. The halfling merchant points through the light fog that is rolling in to a building across from where the boat was anchored.
Arcia knocks on the door and a loud booming voice pushes its way through the half opened door.
"Just you wait! I be busy!" A short, portly human exits the building, upon seeing the elf he snorts and spits a sickening wad of snot on the ground.
"Have you heard of an elfess, about this tall passing through here? *holds his hands up, to show her height* Perhaps she would have also tried to be hired as a cook. She may have bought her way on-board the ship with her skills."
Falinn, the harbormaster examines Arcia closely. He appears to take note of the elf's fine clothing and lifts an eyebrow, "'Lotta folks come'ta dis here port. I ain't too sure if I seen anybody like that." The balding man states rather quickly.
"It was a few years ago, I understand if you do not remember." Arcia lifts his gaze to look down to the short human over the bridge of his nose, starting to understand what he was after.
"Mayhaps I'd 'member a little better widda nice meal 'n some mighty fine company, ebin if that company ain't being you. Mayhaps you can be helpin' me with that?"
The elf sighs, and reaches into the folds of his robes and produces a silver coin. He passes it over slowly. "Green like the sea, her eyes were. Light brown hair. Right? Heard somebody took her up."
Arcia's teeth clench in anger and his hands turn to fists, the color draining from the knuckles. "What do you mean, 'Took her up?'"
The human's face flushes from red to pale white seeing his reaction, "Fer money, prolly. Slavin' ain't legal, but some of them rich folks do it anyways. Word has it some of them lizardmen got double-crossed tryin' to sell'r. Prolly took'r to their own home."
"Where?" The elf grabs the human by the collar and presses him inside the building, lifting him a few inches off the ground and onto a bookshelf.
"I don't know the name! Some place way out there that nobody ever heads to! Jess you let me be! I'll find ye a cap'n who's ship is headin' that way! Richard Accius is his name, he's goin' that direction in the mornin'! First light!"
He drops the man abruptly and leaves the building, slamming the door as he goes. Arcia goes back to the ship he arrived on and finds the halfling merchant unloading some goods and asks where he can find the captain the human mentioned. After several silver, he pays his way onto the ship.
Arcia knocks on the door and a loud booming voice pushes its way through the half opened door.
"Just you wait! I be busy!" A short, portly human exits the building, upon seeing the elf he snorts and spits a sickening wad of snot on the ground.
"Have you heard of an elfess, about this tall passing through here? *holds his hands up, to show her height* Perhaps she would have also tried to be hired as a cook. She may have bought her way on-board the ship with her skills."
Falinn, the harbormaster examines Arcia closely. He appears to take note of the elf's fine clothing and lifts an eyebrow, "'Lotta folks come'ta dis here port. I ain't too sure if I seen anybody like that." The balding man states rather quickly.
"It was a few years ago, I understand if you do not remember." Arcia lifts his gaze to look down to the short human over the bridge of his nose, starting to understand what he was after.
"Mayhaps I'd 'member a little better widda nice meal 'n some mighty fine company, ebin if that company ain't being you. Mayhaps you can be helpin' me with that?"
The elf sighs, and reaches into the folds of his robes and produces a silver coin. He passes it over slowly. "Green like the sea, her eyes were. Light brown hair. Right? Heard somebody took her up."
Arcia's teeth clench in anger and his hands turn to fists, the color draining from the knuckles. "What do you mean, 'Took her up?'"
The human's face flushes from red to pale white seeing his reaction, "Fer money, prolly. Slavin' ain't legal, but some of them rich folks do it anyways. Word has it some of them lizardmen got double-crossed tryin' to sell'r. Prolly took'r to their own home."
"Where?" The elf grabs the human by the collar and presses him inside the building, lifting him a few inches off the ground and onto a bookshelf.
"I don't know the name! Some place way out there that nobody ever heads to! Jess you let me be! I'll find ye a cap'n who's ship is headin' that way! Richard Accius is his name, he's goin' that direction in the mornin'! First light!"
He drops the man abruptly and leaves the building, slamming the door as he goes. Arcia goes back to the ship he arrived on and finds the halfling merchant unloading some goods and asks where he can find the captain the human mentioned. After several silver, he pays his way onto the ship.
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Quinasa
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Back in Vanima, Talathiel is frustrated with the emptiness of the elven isle. Arcia's unexplained disappearance during such a tumultuous time for Gobaith had her worried. He was the only candidate for Elder, and the island's inhabitants seemed to be disappearing left and right. She only hoped that he was alright, had not been taken by the bandits that had been plaguing their land for months, and that he would turn up safely soon. Since she had first come to the elven island, Arcia had been a constant presence. He was, it seemed, the only elf that rarely left. He lived and worked under the tall trees, and she felt his absence like a hole in the world, though she did not know him all that well.
With Shandariel stepping down as Elder, it seemed that Tol Vanima was a mess. The entire Tinechor was strangely absent, Idrandal had disappeared some time before, and it seemed Jerem would be leaving them as well. It was as if everyone was abandoning Vanima in her time of need. With all the resolve she could muster, she determined that she would stay in Vanima and do what she could to help save it. She would not stand by and let the island fall into ruin, not if there was anything she could do about it. Though she doubted there was much one person alone could do, she would do what she could. Still, she hoped that her kind would change their mind and come back to Vanima, and that Arcia would return as well.
With Shandariel stepping down as Elder, it seemed that Tol Vanima was a mess. The entire Tinechor was strangely absent, Idrandal had disappeared some time before, and it seemed Jerem would be leaving them as well. It was as if everyone was abandoning Vanima in her time of need. With all the resolve she could muster, she determined that she would stay in Vanima and do what she could to help save it. She would not stand by and let the island fall into ruin, not if there was anything she could do about it. Though she doubted there was much one person alone could do, she would do what she could. Still, she hoped that her kind would change their mind and come back to Vanima, and that Arcia would return as well.
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Lord Arcia
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The elf stood at the bow of the ship, letting the cool ocean spray hit his face. His thoughts wandered back to Vanima, and of what has happened since he left nearly two months earlier. He missed the sound of the trees and touch of the wind as it would blow through his hair. "What has become of my kin? Why am I even on this ship, when I could be helping to defend elven lands?" Determined to pass the time he would help the crew doing the small tasks of being at sea. Coiling rope, cleaning the deck of the ship. Anything simple that he could do. Once he was even asked to help repair the rope that had broken away from one of the sails. In the end he would always make his way back to his bunk below, and try to get some rest. Difficult to do out on the water, he learned.
Throughout the next month while on the boat he often punished himself for not being home. He would have, even if Tol Vanima had not been going through trouble.
"My efforts will be rewarded," he continued to repeat to himself, to keep his morale afloat.
One day after the evening meals the captain, Richard Accius approached him.
"We're coming up to your destination, sir. It's a shame you won't be makin' a profession out of sailing. You did fairly decent in your weeks aboard the O'Neall. Not bad at all, not too bad."
"That is wonderful news, Captain. I thank you for your compliment, though I will not become a sailor, perhaps I can purchase a return trip back to the mainland, after my business here is done. Depending on how long you plan to stay and trade, that is. Plus one more elf, if all goes well."
"Another elf, huh? Suppose we could come to some sort of an arrangement."
"Thank you, Captain. I will get back uptop and see what I might do now. Fair evening."
"
Throughout the next month while on the boat he often punished himself for not being home. He would have, even if Tol Vanima had not been going through trouble.
"My efforts will be rewarded," he continued to repeat to himself, to keep his morale afloat.
One day after the evening meals the captain, Richard Accius approached him.
"We're coming up to your destination, sir. It's a shame you won't be makin' a profession out of sailing. You did fairly decent in your weeks aboard the O'Neall. Not bad at all, not too bad."
"That is wonderful news, Captain. I thank you for your compliment, though I will not become a sailor, perhaps I can purchase a return trip back to the mainland, after my business here is done. Depending on how long you plan to stay and trade, that is. Plus one more elf, if all goes well."
"Another elf, huh? Suppose we could come to some sort of an arrangement."
"Thank you, Captain. I will get back uptop and see what I might do now. Fair evening."
"
Many weeks pass before the O'Neall finally approaches her destination. As dawn approaches a sailor calls out that he has seen land. How he has spotted anything through the blanket of fog that lies over the ocean is a mystery, however. The journey has been long and harsh, the waters increasingly unforgiving.
At last the mist begins to give way as the sun rises and a strange island can be seen. At first it only appears to be a large barren mass. From the peak of its highest cliffs to the beaches at its base the ground is blackened as if burned. There are no plants or even any birds in sight. The crew seem to take no notice of this as they direct the small vessel along the dead coast. Even the water is dark and thick with pollution, and gives off a putrid stench. A cabin boy offers Arcia and the rest a strip of cloth soaked in some sweet smelling liquid, advising him not to breathe the air directly until it is safe again. Those who decline his offer quickly become ill.
Several hours pass as the ship makes its way around the dead island. At last the fog clears and the water appears more blue. A lush peninsula comes into view suddenly. Towering white cliffs have been shaped into long connecting buildings with large open-air windows that drape down to a white stone harbor that the ship approaches. Everything is thick with flowering vines with blossoms of purple and white. The water is clear and clean here, the pollution seemingly held back by some invisible force.
Lizardmen workers step onto the pier to greet the vessel and set to work securing ropes and unloading cargo. The ship's captain beckons to Arcia and leads him onto the dock. He speaks in a low tone to a lizard wearing a turquoise robe, who nods solemnly and eyes the elf before hurrying off.
"Wait here, they'll have ya sorted out." The captain nods to Arcia before returning to his crew. In a few hours the cargo has been traded and the ship begins its long return to the mainland. A lizard approaches and leads Arcia up a long stairway, into a stone gazebo that overlooks the ocean. The elf is offered some food and a sweet-smelling tea. He is left alone for some time longer before the lizard servant returns and announces that their priestess will see him now.
Not much has changed in Isilwen's appearance. She wears fitted robes of blue and green, and has her hair pulled back loosely from her face. The familiar black cloth still binds her left hand and lower arm. A single jewel of aquamarine hangs around her neck on a chain of silver. Her sea-green eyes are as full of warmth as ever and reflect the smile she offers Arcia.
"My friend, it has been too long..." she says with a bow of her head, "Welcome."
The next morning Isilwen leads Arcia through what she refers to as the "healed" areas of the island. The cliff buildings do not stop at the water, she explains, but continue to the sea floor as dwellings for the lizardfolk, who aside from herself are the island's only current inhabitants. She tells him of her kidnapping by the lizards who, though they meant her no harm, were desperate for a native elf of the island to help them restore it to its former beauty. She explains how through the prayer of the lizards and the help of her own magics, the sickness that gripped the island and surrounding waters is slowly being driven back. Though she is eager to answer Arcia's questions, she avoids any mention of Gobaith or the length of her absence.
"You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish, though I understand you have your own duties," she says in a quiet voice.
At last the mist begins to give way as the sun rises and a strange island can be seen. At first it only appears to be a large barren mass. From the peak of its highest cliffs to the beaches at its base the ground is blackened as if burned. There are no plants or even any birds in sight. The crew seem to take no notice of this as they direct the small vessel along the dead coast. Even the water is dark and thick with pollution, and gives off a putrid stench. A cabin boy offers Arcia and the rest a strip of cloth soaked in some sweet smelling liquid, advising him not to breathe the air directly until it is safe again. Those who decline his offer quickly become ill.
Several hours pass as the ship makes its way around the dead island. At last the fog clears and the water appears more blue. A lush peninsula comes into view suddenly. Towering white cliffs have been shaped into long connecting buildings with large open-air windows that drape down to a white stone harbor that the ship approaches. Everything is thick with flowering vines with blossoms of purple and white. The water is clear and clean here, the pollution seemingly held back by some invisible force.
Lizardmen workers step onto the pier to greet the vessel and set to work securing ropes and unloading cargo. The ship's captain beckons to Arcia and leads him onto the dock. He speaks in a low tone to a lizard wearing a turquoise robe, who nods solemnly and eyes the elf before hurrying off.
"Wait here, they'll have ya sorted out." The captain nods to Arcia before returning to his crew. In a few hours the cargo has been traded and the ship begins its long return to the mainland. A lizard approaches and leads Arcia up a long stairway, into a stone gazebo that overlooks the ocean. The elf is offered some food and a sweet-smelling tea. He is left alone for some time longer before the lizard servant returns and announces that their priestess will see him now.
Not much has changed in Isilwen's appearance. She wears fitted robes of blue and green, and has her hair pulled back loosely from her face. The familiar black cloth still binds her left hand and lower arm. A single jewel of aquamarine hangs around her neck on a chain of silver. Her sea-green eyes are as full of warmth as ever and reflect the smile she offers Arcia.
"My friend, it has been too long..." she says with a bow of her head, "Welcome."
The next morning Isilwen leads Arcia through what she refers to as the "healed" areas of the island. The cliff buildings do not stop at the water, she explains, but continue to the sea floor as dwellings for the lizardfolk, who aside from herself are the island's only current inhabitants. She tells him of her kidnapping by the lizards who, though they meant her no harm, were desperate for a native elf of the island to help them restore it to its former beauty. She explains how through the prayer of the lizards and the help of her own magics, the sickness that gripped the island and surrounding waters is slowly being driven back. Though she is eager to answer Arcia's questions, she avoids any mention of Gobaith or the length of her absence.
"You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish, though I understand you have your own duties," she says in a quiet voice.
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Lord Arcia
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Arcia smiles and takes a sip of the sweet-tea before continuing, "I am glad to see how you have helped this isle. The madness that our dark cousins have caused will be lifted and life will begin anew."
"Yes, we have come very far in rebuilding. There will be a time when my work here will be done," Isilwen spoke.
"In time. I understand. It is a shame you will not accompany me back to Vanima. There are things that you could help us with, though I will not pressure you to return. You will return when your work here is done. I am glad to at least know you are alive. When first I set out, I did not know what I would find... When I found out about your being kidnapped, I feared the worst." Arcia lowers his gaze a bit and stares into his drink.
"I cannot say that I felt any different. Though I know now that they only wished for this island to prosper once more."
"I would also ask for your help, Elder. I have been nominated as Elder, and I will accept this as my duty if am elected. I would need your help and wisdom so that I may best serve our people."
"When the time comes, Arcia. I will assist you."
Arcia looks up and smiles to her, "Thank you very much, Elder."
They both continued on enjoying their tea and small talk after Arcia changed the subject. He stayed with her for several days, assisting where he could. Isilwen gathered a few of the lizards together and chartered a boat for Arcia to return to the mainland. They spent one last morning together in a quiet breakfast before Arcia left. The going was sad, but at least he knew she was alive now.
"Yes, we have come very far in rebuilding. There will be a time when my work here will be done," Isilwen spoke.
"In time. I understand. It is a shame you will not accompany me back to Vanima. There are things that you could help us with, though I will not pressure you to return. You will return when your work here is done. I am glad to at least know you are alive. When first I set out, I did not know what I would find... When I found out about your being kidnapped, I feared the worst." Arcia lowers his gaze a bit and stares into his drink.
"I cannot say that I felt any different. Though I know now that they only wished for this island to prosper once more."
"I would also ask for your help, Elder. I have been nominated as Elder, and I will accept this as my duty if am elected. I would need your help and wisdom so that I may best serve our people."
"When the time comes, Arcia. I will assist you."
Arcia looks up and smiles to her, "Thank you very much, Elder."
They both continued on enjoying their tea and small talk after Arcia changed the subject. He stayed with her for several days, assisting where he could. Isilwen gathered a few of the lizards together and chartered a boat for Arcia to return to the mainland. They spent one last morning together in a quiet breakfast before Arcia left. The going was sad, but at least he knew she was alive now.