| Welcome to Imythess, the border between dreams and reality. We hope you enjoy your visit. Imythess is a creative writing board where you narrate the story of a character in the medieval land of Imythess, on the planet Chaon. Each topic is an opportunity for your character to interact with the world and its peoples by cooperatively writing pieces of a story with other members, one post at a time. We call this role-playing, because you assume the identity of your character as if it were your own. In order to play, you must register an account for each character you would like to write about, and begin their tale by filling out their basic profile information: Race (human, elf, demon, etc.), class (warrior, mage, etc.), physical appearance, and any other personal details you would like to describe. You are also encouraged to come up with some background history information for what your character's life has been like up to the point at which their story in Imythess begins. There is no approval process or application required to join, so long as you follow the rules then you are free to write whatever character details you choose. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Create a character now! If you're already a member, you can log into your account below: |
| XTREME Hide and Seek, Ready!; [P]Kelki | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:16 pm (301 Views) | |
| Mezzo | Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:16 pm Post #1 |
![]()
|
The city of Striberg was covered with a fine spray of warm mist, which was a sight better than the icy snow that fell outside the city's walls. People went about their business, regardless, umbrellas raised against the mist, which began to give way to sunshine as one of the town criers made his way through a quiet plaza, ringing his bell and breaking the peace of the fountain circle. "HEAR YE! HEAR YE!" he called out, his voice almost singing his words. "HIKING GROUP STILL LOST IN DRAGONSPINE MOUNTAINS! ALL RESCUE SQUADS HAVE RETURNED WITH SQUAT! REWARD FOR THEIR RECOVERY HAS INCREASED ACCORDINGLY! And now for the weather: misty rain in the morning followed by clear skies-" "Hey! What was that about hikers?" a young voice asked. The town crier turned to see a young woman with frizzy, long hair in roughspun wool garb staring down at him with a worrying intensity. It wasn't that she was taller than the crier was shorter than the woman. It was that the woman was perched atop a quarterstaff, one foot settled on the balanced pole, the other crossed over the thigh of the balancing foot to serve as a platform for her elbows as she leaned forward, all without much apparent effort or stress on her part. At her feet was a shallow wooden bowl with a few copper coins settled in it. The crier quietly put the strange woman in the category of "street performer." "A tragic tale of some young nobles heading into the Dragonspine and not returning. Their families have a reward out for either their safe return or the retrieval of their bodies. Sadly, it seems the latter is growing more likely by the-" "So it's a game of hide and seek? And they're hiring seekers?" "I...don't think it's as simple as that, young mi-" "That sounds fun!" "It is not a game. The Dragonspines are dangerous. Dragons are just the start of the sort of beasts that would end a young performer such as yourself." "I'm not a performer. I'm a monk." "...A monk?" "Yep. Have my begging bowl and everything." She pointed down at the base of the pole to the bowl. "Then...why are you sitting like that?" "The ground's wet. Duh." She said. "Where can I learn more?" "The...any guard post should have more information on the contract, if you're feeling....suicidal," the crier said, wanting more and more to get away from this strange woman. "Alright. Thanks!" the girl said. She stood on one foot, holding out her arms for balance, and kicked the pole out from underneath her. The staff spun in the air as she landed, coming to a stop in her outstretched hand. She bent down, scooped up her bowl, and tossed a coin to the crier. "Have a blessed day!" the girl said, walking off to find a guard station. The crier looked at the woman to the coin in his hand back to the woman. He shook his head, tried to refocus, and get back on the job. "Ahem...where was I? Ah, yes....THE NOTORIOUS FISH THIEF HAS BEEN CAPTURED IN HAVENTY MARKET! GUARDS REPORT THE CULPRIT WAS A MAGICALLY ENHANCED PANTHER, AND IS NOW IN CUSTODY FOR QUESTIONING." The woman, meanwhile, checked the security of her pigtails before honing in on a station. She considered her options. Helping lost hikers would be a good deed, and help her meet more people, but she couldn't go alone. She'd need a partner. Mezzo looked up at the clearing skies in thought. She had a hard time keeping partners. Most of them threw their hands up in distress after just an hour. She hoped she came across a good one for this. After all, it was a good deed. Her feet would guide her to the proper...guide. All she needed to do was have faith. |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Keelin | Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:56 pm Post #2 |
![]() ![]()
|
Kelki was sleeping at the edge of one of the sloped rooftops near one of Striberg's fountain plazas, flopped belly-first over the back of a growling gargoyle, head rested on her arm while her legs and blue-dyed hair dangled over either side. Normally the background noise was a nice difference from the overpowering silence of the wilderness -- and the light mist was downright soothing -- but a grating voice rose over the indistinct chatter not long after she fell asleep. Kelki opened one eye, turning it down to the streets below. The town crier didn't seem to notice who he was disturbing and continued shouting out news in the most annoying possible way. The monk quietly groaned, lightning flashing behind her eyes, before she finally processed what he was saying. More news on those hikers -- she pushed herself up with her arms, looking over the gargoyle with renewed interest replacing anger. Young nobles, probably wanting to experience the wonders of the natural world, had set off into the Dragonspine Mountains without experience. Their top-of-the-line gear probably wasn't going to save them from all the hazards of the Spirits' domain, which in their case included dragons. Rescue efforts should have been successful, though. Kelki wondered what could have possible been keeping them from reaching the stranded youths. She was already getting up to ask him more about it when another distinct voice chimed in. Kelki did a double-take. The source of the additional questions was a young woman in simple clothing -- a contrast to Kelki's somewhat finer white robe with blue embroidered scarf. What was truly remarkable, though, was how she was balanced perfectly on her staff, bent over and speaking to the town crier as easily as she might have on her own two feet. This monk, as she explained to the man, was also interested in rescuing the stranded hikers, although she didn't seem to be taking it very seriously. He directed her to the local guard station, and she wandered off after a quick flourish. Kelki put a gloved hand on the roof to stabilize herself before clambering up the sloped side, something inside her satchel clanging and jingling. She slid down the opposite side and carefully jumped off, landing with the grace of a cat down on a more obscure street. The monk dusted herself off and looked around for signs of the other. Kelki spotted her going the opposite direction and hailed her with a, "Uh, excuse me, miss! Miss monk!" Once she got her attention she slowed from a jog to a walk, clasping her fingers behind her back. "I hate to pry, miss, but I overheard you planned to help rescue those hikers. My name is Kelki Sen-Ge, and I am also interested in going out." She bowed low before continuing, a pleasant smile on her face. "I have a unique skillset that would be ideal for surviving out in the mountains." |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Mezzo | Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:33 pm Post #3 |
![]()
|
"Uh, excuse me, miss!" Mezzo heard. She quietly noted it, but left it alone. There were a lot of misses, she learned. Answering to each one was considered rude and confusing, so she just waited until there was a bit more confirmation that she was the 'miss' in question. "Miss monk!" Like that. Mezzo stopped and turned to look behind her. She was being followed by a pale woman who looked around her age, though she seemed older by some invisible burden on her shoulders. She was dressed in beautiful robes the same color as a glacier. She ran up to Mezzo and stood at attention before her, arms behind her back. "I hate to pry, miss," she said, "but I overheard you planned to help rescue those hikers. My name is Kelki Sen-Ge, and I am also interested in going out. I have a unique skillset that would be ideal for surviving out in the mountains." She said this with a bow and a smile, the air around her seeming to calm and settle around her by her tranquil attitude alone. Mezzo smiled brightly. "Really? Great!" She said, turning fully, staff resting over her shoulders. "That works perfectly, since I have none," She brought the staff down to rest on the ground and bowed to the new woman. "I am Mezzo. I'm glad our paths crossed on this task, Kelki Sen-Ge." Her head popped back up, still grinning. "So! What should we do first? I'm guessing we'll need to prepare, somehow, but you're the expert between us." She began walking again, stretching out each leg into a high step march. This journey was already starting out well. |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Keelin | Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:21 pm Post #4 |
![]() ![]()
|
"Ah, I suppose we should visit the guard station first," Kelki offered with a small laugh, weakly pointing in the direction Mezzo was originally headed. Gripping the strap of her satchel with both hands, she approached so that the two monks could continue down the street side-by-side. It wasn't far from here, so in the few minutes until their destination they occupied themselves with cheerful small talk. Kelki especially seemed pleased with the weather they were having in Striberg recently. "It is nice to have a little mist to break up all the stagnation in this enchanted city," she added in, looking up at the clouds. Normally the rain would part around her, but she consciously allowed the cool droplets to touch her skin, a calm smile on her face. They soon reached the guard station, and Kelki lowered her head, her natural immunity to the weather returning. The inside of the building was small and spartan. Local guardsmen, some wearing the bronze mask that was typical of the organization and some propping it on the top of their heads, weaved through the hallways. Kelki looked around and eventually found an official-looking desk where a guardsman-in-training was working. She approached, robes gently billowing from an unseen breeze, and greeted the young fellow. "The two of us are interested in handling the rescue of the lost hikers. Could you point us in the right direction of how to handle the contract?" The secretary looked up at them like they were insane. "Uh, sure. I can get you some information on their last recorded whereabouts, but anything else needs to be off the books, I'm afraid. Too many heroes have died trying to get up there, even if it's just to pick up a pile of frozen bones, and we don't want families getting us in more trouble than we're already trying to deal with." Kelki smiled at the boy's aggressive pessimism. "Regardless of their fates, I am glad you would allow us to attempt a rescue." The young man slid out a box of scrolls from under the desk and plucked one off the top of the pile. He handed it to the monk, who accepted it with a respectful bow of her head. "Take care." Once they had exited the building, Kelki stepped off the path and opened up the scroll, holding it out for both of them to see. It looked like they entered the mountains from Tushalik's Pathway, a notoriously dangerous road used mostly in the summer by dwarven surveyors. Kelki absentmindedly chewed her bottom lip, mentally running through some of the potential hazards they would have to prepare for up there. "We will need to make sure we have tough winter clothing, and climbing gear. Food and water is less of an issue, but I suggest we take emergency rations just in case. Mezzo, how well can you fight? We may run across various monsters on our way, if we are unlucky." Edited by Keelin, Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:22 pm.
|
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Mezzo | Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:48 pm Post #5 |
![]()
|
"Hmm?" Mezzo said, her thoughts more on where she could get one of those nifty bronze masks the guards had. "Oh, I dunno. I never really had to fight much. I mean, on the way to Imythess, the sailors I was with wanted to fight, but then I dangled some of their shiny trinkets over the ocean, and they were like 'You can't stay up that long. Eventually you'll fall asleep.' and I was all 'You're on!' and then I bet them we could get to port before I fell asleep or they knocked me over with their baubles. I won, but they left in a hurry. I dunno why...and we never settled on what we'd get if each of us won, either...So I'm bad at gambling I guess." She smiled, satisfied with her answer, until she realized that it didn't answer Kelki's question. "Oh, wait, fighting. I can hit things with my stick and kick them in the face pretty well, though that was with people, not monsters." She paused, looking up in thought. "I think I can adjust it to fit monsters, though, as long as they have faces. "So where do we go to get all the clothes and rope and stuff we need?" she asked. "I got some money today begging: three coins!" She held up two copper coins. "Or, well, I guess it was two. I gave one to the crier. Would this help at all? I can beg some more to get more money." |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Keelin | Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:59 am Post #6 |
![]() ![]()
|
Kelki chuckled, closing Mezzo's fingers over her money. "You can keep it. I think I have enough for both of us." She rummaged through her satchel and procured a coinpurse, which she opened and checked inside. The light caught gold on the inside for a flash before the monk nodded satisfactorily and synched the drawstring closed. After a bit of poking around the markets, they managed to find the shops they were looking for. Kelki got Mezzo fitted for a cold-weather jacket, bought her scarves, mittens, boots and trousers, and picked up any gear she herself was missing. Another place on the opposite side of the street sold the ropes and gear they needed to not fall to their deaths. During the entire shopping trip Kelki threw around money like it wasn't even an issue, though she never mentioned where it all came from. On their way out from the butcher where they bought some strips of dried meat, Kelki spotted someone familiar down the street and her eyes lit up. "Savirojaq! Over here!" The man whose attention she caught was a monk or shaman of some kind, based on the dark gray-blue cloak he wore with multiple white and black sashes around his waist. Since his hood was up, his face was difficult to discern until he got closer; all that was apparent was that he was very tall and broadly built. The face beneath the layer of cloth and shadow belonged to a square-jawed orc with dusky skin and sharp eyes. He peered curiously at Mezzo after giving Kelki a cursory bow. "Thank you so much for coming all the way out here on such short notice. This is Mezzo, another monk accompanying me to Dragonspine. Mezzo, this is one of my associates, Savirojaq. He was just passing through to deliver to me my cold-weather gear." The orc bowed again as he handed her the backpack containing it all. "Priestess," he rumbled, "Is this the most prudent mission to attempt?" "I have a feeling that those young men are still alive. If we do not go out there, nobody will be able to save them." He nodded, turning to blend back into the crowd. Kelki smiled over to Mezzo. "I think we're done with the preparation. Shall we meet tomorrow at dawn, by the ferry docks?" |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Mezzo | Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:35 am Post #7 |
![]()
|
Mezzo followed Kelki through the streets of Striberg as they prepared for their trip to the mountains. Kelki was really skilled at begging, it seemed. All the coins she received were gold, and there seemed to be an endless supply of them. With the charity shown her, Kelki shared the gift with Mezzo, giving her thick, hardy clothes to block out the cold along with tools and food for the journey, including some tasty dried meat. She was munching on one when they approached a large man who Kelki introduced as a friend of hers. Mezzo bowed when his name was given. "I'm Mezzo, Savor a Jock," She said. "I'm glad our paths have crossed. And you have fantastic teeth." The last bit was said with complete, awe inspired sincerity. She'd never met an orc before, and his teeth were marvels of dental engineering. It seemed he wasn't joining them, though, just giving Kelki some things. He also called her "Priestess" and seemed worried about her heading into the mountains. Kelki assured him that, well, if those lost hikers were to be found, they were going to be found by them, and asked Mezzo if meeting at dawn tomorrow would work for her. "Sure!" Mezzo said. "Though I'm not sure where the ferry docks are from here." She paused and chewed another bite of the dried meat strip she pilfered. "Also, where's a good place to sleep around here? I got into town today and haven't had time to find someplace." She peered around, looking for potential doorways or alcoves where she could be safe from any precipitation. "Oh, wait, there's a nice little archway over there. That should work." She bowed to Kelki. "So, yes, tomorrow at dawn, right?" |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Keelin | Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:29 pm Post #8 |
![]() ![]()
|
Kelki smiled at Mezzo, turning to point down the street where they stood. "The docks are just down that way. Go until you reach the edge of the city, and it will be visible at some distance to your right." Her fellow monk also asked for potential lodgings, but corrected herself after she found a good archway that would shield her from the weather. "Ah, I personally prefer high places. Indeed, I was napping on one of those gargoyles before the crier arrived." She yawned, bearing sharp fangs and a visibly rough tongue to match her catlike, golden eyes. "I will see you tomorrow, then." Kelki dissolved into the crowd, being careful to avoid accidentally touching anyone, until she found a tall building with flying buttresses that looked particularly comfortable to sleep on. Once it got dark out she let the clouds bring her up there; she sprawled out on one of them, staring up at the night sky. She arrived at the docks a little before dawn, massaging the soreness out of her arms and shoulders. When Mezzo arrived, they boarded the ferry to the mainland: a small ship that used to be an icebreaker back in its heyday. Kelki was glad that Savirojaq was so prompt, since the air outside Striberg's barrier was much colder than it seemed. She wore tougher boots with hide trousers and a hooded coat lined with fur. Like usual, her satchel jingled with metal. The monk was standing as far to the front as she was allowed while they approached landfall, gripping the railing of the ferry. Beyond the snowswept shoreline, the Dragonspine Mountains pushed brilliantly, overwhelmingly up into the sky: jagged rock dusted with white. Even the sight of them from this distance was breathtaking. Once their ferry docked, they disembarked and hitched a lift from a carriage that would take them to one of the villages in the foothills. From there, they would begin their trek. |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Mezzo | Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:15 am Post #9 |
![]()
|
Mezzo hung from the rigging, watching the mountains draw near. They were huge, and she'd heard there were dragons and yetis and werewolves and bears and all sorts of critters. Plus, they were high, so they'd be able to see forever, and there was snow. There would be a snowball fight. This was inevitable. They reached the shore, disembarked, and rode a carriage to the first and, maybe, last village they'd see before they set out on their journey, and Mezzo couldn't be more excited. There was something extraordinarily awesome about Kelki, the way she moved and knew so much about what to do and had great friends - though Mezzo had only met one. She couldn't have ask for a better person to help her with this quest...though she had to admit that she was more helping Kelki. Oh well, all that mattered was that, together, there way no way they could fail. Mess up, sure. She was part of the duo. But fail? Never. She took a deep breath of the crisp highland air and surveyed the village made of long, wooden houses partially buried in earth to better insulate them. Smiling, she turned to Kelki. "So, we probe for information, right? That sounds like a good start to me." |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Keelin | Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:21 pm Post #10 |
![]() ![]()
|
"Good idea," Kelki said, drifting through the streets with her hands whimsically clasped behind her back. "Perhaps they stayed at an inn before beginning their trek?" Thankfully, their journey in that respect didn't last long at all, since the village had only one inn. A pretty young girl was staffing the front desk and welcomed them when they walked in. Kelki bowed and introduced herself and Mezzo, giving a short explanation of the situation before asking her if the young men had stopped here. The girl's expression toned down at the mentioning of them, like her politeness turned from genuine to fake. "Yeah... they stayed here, alright." She leaned on the counter, looking slightly away. "A bunch of asses, they were. Really rude to our staff. Arrogant. Kept... bothering me. Are you with the Striberg Guard? They've already asked me all these questions." "I see. No, we aren't, so I thank you for bearing with us." Kelki still had her usual pleasant smile despite this information, which came off as a little insensitive or maybe just overly polite. "Did they say where at all they could be going?" "I can't remember the exact places they said," she explained. "But I do know it was up on the north ridge, here. The range curves in this part of the foothills, so go straight north instead of east. That might put you in the general area, but that's still hundreds of miles of mountains to search. Are you sure you want to do this?" "Thank you very much for your assistance," Kelki smiled. "Yes, I think we'll be alright." She reached into her satchel and set a single gold coin on the table, sliding it up to the girl with a gloved hand. The young proprietor beamed, thanking them profusely as they left. The monk looked up at the looming slopes, head tilted slightly. They were still below treeline, which was good; they would be protected from the weather by dense pine forests. Above that, Kelki would have to protect them both from the natural fury of Sky. "Shall we begin our trek?" |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| Mezzo | Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:21 pm Post #11 |
![]()
|
"Yeah!" Mezzo said, starting the journey not with a steady trudge but a gleeful romp, running up into the trees, kicking up the snow in a spray of frozen flakes. The mountain air was crisp and cold around them, and the sounds of their steps seemed to spread for miles. She took in a breath, smelling the snow, the pines, and the remnants of smoke from the village behind them. "This coat is so cozy and warm. Thanks for it!" She said to Kelki, standing under the pines as she waited for the more experienced monk to catch up with her after her mad dash. "I've always wanted to visit the mountains. There were some near the monastery where I grew up. You could see them out the window. They were huge and bare and bluish gray and covered in snow. Mountains sure look different when you're right beneath them. They're so huge you can't even see how huge they are!" She began to walk beside Kelki at her pace, feeling her cheeks turn red from the chill. "So we go north from here. Hopefully they stayed on the trail, but if they did, then they would've been found by now. Why don't people stay put when they get lost? If they did, they'd be a lot easier to find." She sighed, using her staff to support her and explore the trail in front, mindful of hidden logs or rocks that could trip her up. "I hope most of the trail is in the forest. It'll be a lot easier to keep warm with all the wood and branches to make a shelter and fire. Have you ever traveled in the mountains before, Kelki? It seems you have, since you knew exactly what to get." Mezzo spoke one thought after another, not bothering with an internal filter when there was a willing ear nearby, chattering like a songbird in a tree. She kept a large grin on her face, a piece of her mind certain they'd find the lost hikers, even if it was only their bodies. That would be helpful to their families, but first and foremost was the quest to find them alive. |
| Offline Profile | Quote To Top |
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Striberg, the City of Magic · Next Topic » |




2:45 PM Jul 11

