Chronicles of The Omniverse Archived Nasazura's Rest: Temple Grounds

Tiko

Tiko

Draconic Administrator/Mentor
Administrator
Mentor
Nexus GM
as written by Netin

Through a window not far away of the entrance, Keren watched the approaching group. He knew that, even if someone would have had a closer look at the building, barely someone could see him here. He knew the rest and the area around it better than most here. He spend most of his years growing up in temple and the mountains and probably could not imagine how the recruits, he counted ten, must feel about entering the rest for the first time.
Still, he was probably similar excited. In all the years he spend up here, never came as many new recruits at one time as of today. In general beside the members of the order and some single travellers, nearly never people came up here and even then he mostly avoided contact with those. He mostly stayed with the few people who lived up here, the masters and the few other apprentices adopted by the vanguards. But this time, he would not be able to avoid contact with the recruits, not only would he get to know them, no he would also join them. At this thought his heart started pounding even more. His training in the rest was completed and now he would start the final step to become a vanguard.

He started walking down the hallway heading towards the entrancehall. Soon I will be part of this group.
 
as written by duramon

Noche stretched enthusiastically and grinned wide as they finally reached the end of their journey, being dead had it's advantages and although there were some close calls she'd been mostly unaffected by the weather and the lack of comforts, the only real trouble had been the treacherous terrain itself. Threat of injury without a steady supply of blood could have proved fatal, but luckily hadn't. Conveniently her stamina alone was one of the greater, and her lack of need for sleep or body warmth had turned out to be a boon allowing her to take watch where it was needed.

The half-orc was stood with the proud grin on her face near the front of the group, the grin accented at this point by the regrowth of her tusks which projected from the corners of her lips after the long journey. She could have filed them down as she usually did, but felt they were more appropriate in the wild environment of the mountains, besides, they added to her look. She wore entirely inappropriate gear for the cold, a tank-top and gym shorts, her fingerless gloves and her only necessary gear, hiking boots. Along with the luggage she'd lugged along with her, two duffel-bags slung over her shoulder.

To her credit the Undead had tried to be social during the trip over, it had been in part to judge character herself, but at least she'd expended the effort. She'd come to the mountains on a whim and a promise, they'd lived up to the deal and she was lured in by the challenge. The Vanguard were an exclusive club it seemed, and the word 'hero' resonated with epic questing and attractive damsels, what more could an orcish hedonistic corpse want? What more could anyone here be there for? She was curious, and there couldn't be many better places to find a rival.

An awe-inspiring view and a temple straight out of an RPG, thing's were looking up since Westeria.

"Good thing too." She replied to Hendrik "If we're going to be stuck here for a few eons I'm glad we have a view and a purpose, the trek here almost put me in the ground." The last statement hadn't been true, but better to come across as obscenely hardy than undead, never knew how people would handle the whole risen corpse thing.
 
as written by Krysis

Jude was similarly inappropriately attired for the cold, though his thin coat was long enough and he did have on gloves. The dufflebag over his shoulder was mostly packed with more books, though the padding of his extra clothes protected his shoulder. If he hadn't at least looked the part of being warmly dressed, Mariah would have kept trying to dress him. He had learned to give in early to the expectations of the maid he had known all his life, though he had thought to be out from under her thumb once his father had passed on. No such luck.

He breathed deep in the chilly air, that element speaking with seductive whispers to his soul as he embraced the temperature. Until they had started up into the colder heights, Jude had been more likely to read than socialize. He would even walk with his head bowed over a book, depending on Mariah to stop him from blithely stepping over a cliff or some other such foolishness. Once the mercury in the thermometer dropped, he had put aside his books and could often be spotted just grinning at all the whiteness around.

The duty of saving Jude from stumbling seemed to please the equally poorly dressed maid. In her thin, ruffled dress and frilly cap, she lugged an impressive amount of luggage as she kept a sharp eye on the boy. It kept her quiet, too, which was counted as a blessing.

Something was wrong with Mariah, though it was hard to say what, exactly. She had a sunny deposition, cheerful to a fault, and was pleasant to the eye. Perhaps she wore a little too much perfume. The odor of vanilla and roses was aggressive in her vicinity (Jude probably joined Noche in downwind areas of the group, to make sure Mariah's scent would not offend noses), but it was her blank, solid green stare that often made the average person feel uncomfortable.

"It's so-- beautiful." Jude Rake finally breathed out, his breath fogging in the air before his lips.

Mariah shot a blank look at the icy formations and the first glimpse of the temple that had drawn such a comment. "Young Master must be tired from the trip. It is just more snow and stone." She chirped, smiling under the load. No fog accompanied her words, just as her lips never turned blue from the cold. She seemed not to notice the lack.

"Don't call me that, Mariah." Jude muttered halfheartedly, already knowing it had been a loosing battle since the day the overly dedicated maid had joined him on this adventure.
 
as written by CAS

Elliot's hands were clasped together like claws as he fiercely tried to warm them by blowing on them. Instead he just puffed out clouds of mist that did nothing but cool his hands further. Surrendering against the cold he looked at the others. His home had been warm and wet, and so he'd never been partial to wearing too many clothes, but he'd donned all he had for this trip. Others seemed to have been in a similar predicament, and for a while Elliot wondered if they'd make the trip to the temple or die of the cold first. As poor as he was Elliot had even splurged and bought some furs to try and keep himself warm. They were useless.


Absent mindedly dragging himself up the stairs, to the tune of left, right, left, right, Elliot was brought back to reality by the growing sight of stone towers reaching into the sky. At the tip he saw a banner held aloft by the wind, declaring to the new arrivals exactly what this place was. Elliot stopped his chanting and for the first time since the cold had caused him to shiver endlessly looked around. Barren landscapes of white and grey covered everything. Windswept snow was hard packed and it seemed nothing could survive amid the frozen cliffs. It was surreal, frightening and foreign, but still calming and familiar somehow.

A particularly strong gust sent a strong shiver down Elliot's back and to the matter at hand.

“As beautiful and marvellous as it is, it's bloody cold outside. Can't we do this inside?”
 
as written by Lialore

Finally, the straggling, unusually large feet of Aldo Hart stumbled onto the courtyard. He was red in the face, red in the ears, red in the eyes. He sneezed. Exhaustion had almost taken him, but had strangely yet surely been replaced my excitement with each passing step of the last mile.

His rather bulbous head protruded from the fluffy white furs that he wore and he stared in awe at his first proper sight of the temple (since he’d been almost running, comically wading through the snow to keep up, all a-jitter). He sneezed again, and quite grossly wiped away any leakage with a sleeve as he continued to gaze with stars in his eyes, mouth open.

In this moment it all went away. The never-ending grief, the expectations, the tiredness. He’d made it. And he felt good. It was better, better than he could ever have dreamed – literally. Those needy, caring fingertips finally had a hold of him. And they gave him the most welcoming, warm hug that he had felt in months.

Aldo smiled stupidly.

“It ith” he breathed, talking to no one in particular, just agreeing; with himself, with his companions. This was indeed: marvellous.
 
as written by glmstr

The Lutetian towards the back stepped forward to the front of the group, eyeing each of the members of the Vanguard with curiosity before finally resting her gaze on Sylvire. If she was going to be the first to speak before, she might as well be the first to speak now.

"I am Priscilla Marie Fabre, of Lutetia. When I had dreams of this place, the coven told me it was a summons and insisted that I heed its call."

Priscilla also wondered if the Vanguards would recognize the Fabre name, the surname given to those in said venerable coven.
 
as written by Emperor Jester

Hendrik would set his equipment and cases down into the snow with an absurdly heavy clunk. Despite his looks, perhaps the towering beanpole was not nearly as physically weak as he appeared. While he did not step forward, the blonde hair youth would raise a hand, as if this were some kind of roll call.

"My name is Doctor Hendrik Keitel, though I suspect I was not asked to join this place due to my credentials. It is...an honor..." A string of words from one so normally awkward were rare, and it seemed to be catching even the speaker by surprise. Quickly, he'd shut up, the timidness returning instantly as he fumbled to pick his bags back up. Something about the woman's otherworldly beauty must've loosened his tongue. However, such thoughts caused the aspiring medic to fiddle with the high collar of his jacket, as if he was picking at a wound.
 
as written by Script

Kallis stepped forwards next, having set his own rucksack down whilst the other two spoke. He bowed low to Sylvire, his eyes lowered. "I am Kallis Winters, of Caldonia. It is an honour to meet you, Lady Nasazura. I hope that I am able to live up to your expectations."

He saw no reason to air out every detail of his nature in a first introduction. There would be time for that later, when there was less of an audience. For now, he simply stepped back to allow the next person to speak.
 
as written by duramon

A dramatic procession emerged, it was like out of a fantasy title. The Hero uttered a cliche line about friendship and a mishmash of outcasts and rebels emerged dramatically from the woodwork to parade behind the protagonist. Although the ensemble reflected the wilder side of the spectrum for the most part, it was a nice touch to their arrival. It gave her a warm fuzzy feeling to know that they warranted such a turn-out, although at the same time she hoped that wasn't all of them.

Things were going to get bumpy if the darkness that be decided to gatecrash the training montage.

Lady Nasazura, Nasazura temple, parade of champions, intro prompt. Day one and she was being rolled out in front of a possible living legend, no pressure.

The Undead wasn't entirely sure how to handle legends, or what seemed to be nobility. So she stuck with what she was comfortable with. Noche stepped up to the plate and put her hand forward for a shake "Noche Regis, I suppose it's an honour. Looking forward to seeing what the Vanguard have to offer." A genuine, if not wolfish, smile split her features near the end of her sentence. The sentiment was true, but she referred to the Vanguard's members rather than anything else. Where better to find a Rival than the bed of champions? For now she even had to assume that those who sat at the peak weren't a blunt guard, but a honed blade. A blade she wanted to clash with one day.

Step one however, was gaining the exclusive membership and a discount at the gift shop. Which meant she was in it for the long haul, and she'd need to make friends. She imagined it would be much like high-school, but with more danger, mysticism and dramatic cape billowing. The best kind.
 
as written by CAS

What few things Elliot had in his sack were dropped to the ground en suite. As introductions came around one by one he tried to remember the names, but knew he'd forget them soon enough. When an awkward silence filled only by the whistle of the wind against the stone answered an introduction Elliot took it upon himself to jump the line. “Elliot Pierson.” That was all he said. There was nothing else to brag about. He wasn't sworn to anyone, nor from anywhere famous, let alone having done any great deeds. In truth he still wondered why Akosua had recruited him.
 
as written by birdee10

"Jake. Of Westeria."
What more could thr young mage say? He had renounced his family, so no go there. He was little more than a homeless kid on the streets. But, he had the city, and the people in it to call home and family.
"When are we going to take back my city." Not a question so much as a soft spoken command for answers. Jake was not meaning to be rude, but they had dragged him up this giant ass mountain and he expected to be repaid. He had not come for adventure or fame or glory or because it's his destiny. He came to help his city.
 
as written by Tiko

Ritza too stepped forward to introduce herself. Despite the cold, she stood tall with her head held high and proud.

"I am Ritza, of the Quepoyawa tribe," she spoke in thicky accented Terran. "I spend many days for this honor to meet you. I give you my sword and bow," she continued as she stood with her bow in one hand and her sword strapped to her back.

Her Terran had strengthened greatly with Akosua's tutelage during their weeks together locating the others for the journey back to Nasazura's Rest, but she had yet to attain fluency and she struggled yet to articulate herself fluidly. Her sentence structures were improved, but her vocabulary remained rudimentary. This had not discouraged her though, and she was oft one of the more talkative of the group as she took every opportunity to strengthen her grasp upon the Terran tongue.

____

While the others introduced themselves, Shae did what she did best and chose to remain unobtrusive and largely overlooked among the crowd with her silence. She made no move to speak up.
 
as written by Krysis

Jude had been distracted by the weather and the majesty of the place. He could feel the flow of heat energy, which was really all that ice magic was about. He could not increase the amount, like a fire mage could, but he could easily push what was there into a different place. Feeling the possibilities, the whispers of nature and all things that hated fire, had him staring into space as the introductions started.

Mariah watched her young charge with a blank smile, as empty as any doll's, as the icy crystals on her hair and face finally started to melt with the warmth of the building that spilled into the courtyard. After a suitable number of their party had given up her names, she prompted, "Young Master?".

"Hmm? Oh! Yes!" The young ice mage shook his head and straightened his posture as he lifted a hand, "Jude Rake here, apprentice element mage. And this is Mariah Sims, my--uh--"

"Companion." Mariah supplied with a happy smile, closing her glowing green eyes and tilting her head in a manner that was almost flirtatious. She even gave a giggle as Jude sputtered a denial.

"Not like that! Mariah, don't give people the wrong impression! We're not like that!" The white-haired young man almost panicked at the thought. He dropped his dufflebag as he mad a warding off gesture and backed away a step from the pretty girl that had almost two hundred pounds of gear on her slender shoulders.
 
as written by glmstr

Priscilla stood back and watched the introductions that everyone else gave. The witch's child couldn't help but giggle at the unfolding exchange involving the ice mage and his... Servant? Fabre could pretty clearly identify what this Mariah character was: the essence of death and necromancy was rather pungent and unique, and it was something she encountered often while growing up.

This 'doll' of sorts was highly amusing, and seemed fundamentally different than the other necromantic creations she'd encountered. She seemed a little too... perfect?
 
as written by Lialore

It was a miracle that Aldo didn’t sputter some more as the entourage came forth. He could feel a blush coming over him with each approaching figure. Especially after a moment of awkward eye contact with the famous Elante Vadrillion. So, this was what he had to follow. His excitement suddenly felt hollow.

Aldo’s eyes remained cast downward as the introductions ensued. Worried that another moment of contact might blind him with some sort of brilliance. It wasn’t working so well, the mere presence of Sylvire Nasazura was enough to give him the same feeling.

When his turn came he took a big, obvious deep breath. Then finally, he looked up, determined to introduce himself without major mistake.

“I am Aldo Hart, of, uh…” he paused, concentrating on getting his words out as clearly as possible whilst his colour continued to rise, “Academia Celestia, Westhteria City.”

To his surprise, he beamed. A big, wonky-toothed smile and a glance around at his companions with a proud expression upon his funny face.
 
as written by Tiko

Rayen reached the front doors around the same moment as Keren did. She had only been at the temple a few weeks herself, and with everything going on there hadn't been much training involved in that time, but Keren she was at least familiar enough with. Moreso than the new arrivals anyways.

"Hey, think this means training will be resuming?" she asked him with grin.

While she could sympathize with the plight of people all across Valore right now, part of her was anxious to prove her worth and to join the Elysian Vanguard in being out there rather than cooped up here at the temple with nothing to do because everyone was spread too thin to dedicate much time towards the training of students.
 
as written by Netin

Before Keren entered the courtyard he checked his appearance; he wore his usual armor, he spend hours polishing the dark grey plates to perfection, and washed the furr which protects him from the cold up here until it looked like was tailored for his clothes yesterday. He wore his two-lily on his back, it was not that he expected to fight but nobody gave him any further instructions than joining the group of new recruits as soon as they arrived at the temple so he wanted to be prepared for anything. His fingers tickled, not only due to the exciteness, also electricity in his body which became stronger the more he got excited. His eyes and the tattoo-like tribals appeared slightly glowing on this body.

Satisfied with what he could see, no mirror was around, he entered the courtyard and found himself a the right end of the group of recruits. None of the recruits noticed him entering since everyone was focused on the elve, in the middle of the group, which already started speaking as he entered the courtyard.
When he heard her name he faltered. "Sylvire Nasazura"... That was impossible. She was belived to be dead and that for years.
If it was really her, infront of them stood an, appearently living, legend. In the temple everyone always spoke about her and her heoric deeds towards the civilization we know today.
If she returned, for the Vanguardians, truly, a new period of time layed ahead, the high number of new recruits which was already something very special and with her returning could put the order in a new postition, creating a better world.
The recruits started introducing themselves. For Keren they were not empty faces anymore, now they were empty faces with names, since most of them did not say anything beside that. What he noticed is that some of them obviously did not know who the woman infront of them was. They faced her with little respect, one, a strange girl, even reached out her hand towards her. He could not believe it.
But actually all that did not matter right now. He could barely look away from the elve and stood like paralyzed in the back of the group.
Rayen's voice pulled him back to reality. He shortly thought about his answer.
"I don't exactly know how it works. We are going to be trained and at some point the masters will choose an apprentice for personal training. From that point on, the actual training starts." he wispered, "with so many new apprentices and Sylvire Nazasura being back maybe some things will change.", he added not sure if Rayen had even noticed her.
He focused again on the new recruits and decided to wait until all of the newcomers introduced them selfes until he contiued with himself. Since he knew most of the other members, even if he only met them shortly before, he thought it would be better to show patience and wait... beside that he wanted to avoid the moment to speak to such a highness for a few more moments.
 
as written by Script

Sylvire smiled and nodded to each of the new arrivals in turn as they introduced themselves, occasionally offering a few words by way of response, or shaking their hands were such gestures offered. If she was phased by the diversity (and in some cases oddity) of the group, she did not show it.

To one of the group, she said a little more. When Jake stepped forwards with his somewhat impetuous demand, she offered him a sad smile. "I promise you, we are doing all we can to aid your home. Scarlet and the mages of Celestia have been working tirelessly since the events of a few weeks ago to keep the calamities there contained, and protect those who chose to remain there. However, it remains to be seen whether it is within our capabilities to fully reverse what has befallen the city. Only time, I fear, can tell us that."

When the introductions were complete, she addressed them as a whole once more. "Welcome, once again, to all of you. It's been a long time since the Vanguard has seen such an influx of new initiates, and it is heartening to see you have come here from all across Valore. I'm sure that you've all had a long and difficult journey, however, and so I won't delay you here any longer. Captain Shelby," she turned to address the Knight who had greeted Akosua upon their arrival, "perhaps you could give them a tour of the temple grounds, before showing them to their quarters?"
 
as written by Emperor Jester

It was then that Hendrik would speak up with a timid "Excuse me? Is it possible I be shown my quarters first? If not, I understand and apologize for asking, its just that I have some very..." He was unsure how to continue that phrase, so he just let it die on his lips. It had been stupid to ask, so before even receiving an answer, the young doctor would take his bags back into his hands. It was a concern of his, but he was sure his samples were well insulated enough to survive a little longer in the artic temperatures.
 
as written by Krysis

"Dropping off the bags first would be the more prudent course of action." Jude admitted, snatching up his duffle again.

He would end up having to play an unexpected game of tug-of-war with the ever-smiling Mariah, when she tried to carry it for him despite her already massive load. It was only when the young mage hissed, "I need that!" that she let it go and the flustered youth could sling the strap back into place.
 
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