[Flashback-Plaza] Different colors, one blood (Closed)

[Vinrir Stoneheart Sultros]

Timestamp: 30th of Spring, 492 A.V. Vinrir walked through the Plaza with an idle sense of purpose, but no direction. He was here to walk around and browse the various stalls, as well as to try making connections with other Isur outside of Clan Sultros. Though he loved his clan the most and felt they were the honored blood of Izurdin, he desired to be a true leader of the Sultros, as well as the Isur, and that meant knowing more than just people of Clan Sultros and how to build things. He needed to have support and connections. As most of the Isur were here, he walked around shirtless, as proud of his body as the next Isur, his body molded and shaped like the very metal he worked with. Though he was not as muscular as the Colgias Clan member wither their desire to body build and hone their bodies to extreme measures, he was fine with that. He was Vinrir, a Stoneheart Sultros Isur who had no reason to be ashamed. His glanced at his left arm, the dark red color having set in nicely, giving a good contrast to the silver veins running along the arm. Blood of Izurdin. Vinrir walked around slowly, listening to the conversations and eyeing several weapons, pieces of armor and adornments, when his attention came to rest on a heavy mace. He had swung one a few time, loving the weight of the weapon in his hand, the feeling of power behind it as it had struck a practice dummy, and he had been thinking of buying one. Now seemed as good a time as any. Nodding to the shopkeeper, a woman from Terras Clan who was watching him closely, Vinrir lifted the weapon and turned it, feeling the weight of it. Laying it back down, the Sultros Isur pulled out his mizas and paid the woman twelve gold mizas, "It is a beautiful mace. Thank you." Taking his purchase and placing it in his backpack as well as he could. Stopping to look around, Vinrir looked around, taking in fully the event happening. It was the 30th of Spring, a day that marked the beginning of the Trazen. This was a five day celebration that starting on the 30th of Season and lasted five days, one day for each Clan. It was a symbol of unity among the clans, a reminder of their need for unity to survive the events of the Valterrian and that, despite their differences, they must stand together as one race to face the onslaught of the outside word that had become a cold mark in the eyes of the Isur. With this train of thought, Vinrir was aware of a gaping hole in the Isur society: the Lost Clans. Five clans had been lost during the Valterrian: Hundir Clan, Jiathu Clan, Kladir Clan, Uluth Clan and Viceren Clan. All that remained were the current five, but a mere shadow of the what they once were. Vinrir desired to see the five Lost Clans returned, either found still living beneath the rubble or restored by Izurdin. That was something else to worry about, for now he just looked around, noticing that a particular Coglias Isur had been near the same stall he was still standing at for awhile. "Izurdin's blessing on you, he said to Typhos, figuring he needed to make friends somehow.

[Tythos Everstorm]

Typhos was normally found pitching tents among the Citadel's Courtyard of the outsiders pavilions. While most Isur spend their time underground he loved nothing more then relaxing among the peeks and valleys of The Kitrean Mountains. Exploring the wilds traveling to several trading posts or small farming villages to help out in any small way he possibly could becoming a makeshift wilderness Guide for anyone who needed help. Belonging to the Coglias clan he personally believed knowing the land would make him a better protector of the kingdom. Entering into the city, the tail of his fur cloak swished behind him. He only wore simple sack cloth pants held up by a black leather belt which matched his low boots that thudded along the red stone floor. It was awkward as he attempting to adjust from living among nature to being protected from the elements by stone. From the entrance he managed to wandered into Plaza, the heart of city, due to the celebrations of the Trazen which had began. Raising his normal arm from underneath his fur cloak revealing his steel teethed gauntlet covering his fingers, knuckles, wrist, and forearm areas in oddly shaped protrusions used to catch blades in combat. Typhos let out a loud sigh of an exhale finally relaxing as he wandered the stalls. The various other gauntlets had caught his eye but none of them held the sentimental value of the one he wore that belonged to his grand father that passed to his father which ultimately was passed down to him. He could only home that in the future he would pass it to his eldest child. *** "Izurdin's blessing on you” The phrase caused him to turn his head to find the source of the voice, a red armed Sultroian male. “And may Izurdin's blessing fall upon you friend.” His voice was brazenly loud giving a deep full tone clearly expressing his good mood. Holding out his lef arm that appeared like green granite stone. Typhos held a fist towards the Sultros male in a common greeting gesture for the man to fist bump him. “Typhos Everstorm Coglias” oocI believe the timestamp needs to be 492AV since we are 20 years back from the current time stamp.

[Vantus]

Vantus walked the streets, knowing the Trazen had come to the steadfast city of Sultros, as it did in its cyclical nature. A festival to bridge the cavernous gaps between the various Isur clans. His race had always been a fractured one, but the stone and the forges kept them in one place. He came to the Plaza and found quite a few Isur milling about. The circular area was beautiful. He padded over rough stone, and glistening gems, coloured in vivid crimson. There were merchants about, and Isur went to and fro between the shops. Looking up, he nearly walked straight into a pair of Isur. They greeted each other with the steel of his kin. Vantus smiled firmly, nodded and offered the same greeting to them. After all, today was a day to put aside the differences in name and hue. They were all Isur. They were all the men and women of the earth.

[Ialari Pythone]

Barely 23 years old, Ialari was an unusual child in that she preferred to keep her own company as opposed to being highly social. She normally spent much of each day playing with her pet snakes or watching her father tinker in his laboratory. Even at an early age, Ialari took great pleasure in the acidic, toxic odors that often filled her father's lab when he was crafting poisons. When she wasn't in the lab or playing with snakes, Ialari would often find a secluded alcove somewhere not far from home. There she would sit and to anyone who may pass by close enough to hear, it sounded as if she were talking to herself. The reality however was that Ialari was holding a one-sided conversation with Izurdin. She knew he was awfully busy and didn't expect an answer yet she still talked to him about anything and everything that may be on her mind at the time. She would talk to him about her day, about what she did, what she was thinking and asked all the questions on may imagine a child asking her father. Needless to say, Ialari was not a child with many friends or much of a social life.

When her mother told her that they would be attending Ialari's first Trazen, the young girl was uncharacteristically excited. At first, her mother, Ivani, thought Ialari must have sipped a little too much of one of her father's poisons. For Ialari though, the thought of traveling to the center of the Kingdom, to Sultros City, and getting to see things like Izurdin's Forge and the Plaza along with all the unique shops and people from all clans offered opportunity like nothing else.

A couple of days later, Ivani and Ialari set off for Sultros City. Ialari's father, Zyleron was unable to attend due to obligations at the Tower and her two older brothers were apprentices at the Tower and thus had their own tasks that took precedence. Thus Ialari and Ivani joined a caravan of others who also were on their way to the Trazen. The entire trip, Ialari peppered her mother with questions about The Forge. Ivani was a priestess of Izurdin, one of a select group of individuals blessed with the god's third mark. While Ivani served at a smaller temple in Pitrius City, she regularly traveled to The Forge for religious duties. Later that day they came to the end of the great passage that connected Pitrius and Sultros. As the tunnel opened up and welcomed all to the great city, Ialari was silenced almost immediately.

The cavern that housed Sultros City was larger than anything Ialari had ever seen before. Pitrius City was much smaller and the cavern that housed it was nothing compared to Sultros. A massive lake, Lake Sultros, greeted them. It's mirror-like surface reflected the soft glow of luminescent moss and the dim light given off by the countless magical globes that offered the perfect balance of light and dark for isurian eyes. The lake stretched further than Ialari could see and a massive stone bridge offered travel across the lake itself. As the group she was with approached the bridge, Ialari could see a number of fishing boats splitting the mirrored surface as they slowly trolled about the water looking for the next catch. Ialari remained speechless as she marveled at the new, amazing sights that greeted her as her mother led her across the bridge.

They made there way over the bridge and through part of the housing district on their way to the Plaza. Citizens of Sultros passed Ialari's group from time to time. Ialari found herself staring oddly at their crimson arms. She knew that the other clans all had different colored arms yet had never had a chance to see any other clans than her own up close. When the Plaza finally came into full view, Ialari's eyes were first drawn to the ground. The countless crimson colored, silver veined stones that made up the plaza floor were memorizing to Ialari. The patterns were so intricate that she felt she could become lost in them. Forcing her eyes away from the ground, Ialari looked next to the great statues that surrounded the Plaza; statues of the great smiths and heroes from throughout isurian history. The sounds of people from all across the kingdom filled the air and the entire area was alive with busyness. It was in fact a celebration and everywhere people were engaged in commerce, conversation, games and all manner of other activity.

Ivani leaned down to Ialari and said, "You can go explore a bit. Meet some other children and try to have fun. I will be around to keep an eye on you so don't wander off too far." A huge grin spread across Ialari's face. She's trusting me on my own? Ialari thought to herself. Oh my oh oh, what to do first. Ialari rubbed her hands together in anticipation. As for Ivani, she knew the Trazen was quite possibly the safest place in the Kingdom at that moment. The Eysar were everywhere making sure that things remained secure and safe for everyone there and a large group of Izurdin's Hammer were also there for the festivities. Besides, it was a celebration of being isur not a bunch of humans getting drunk and killing each other. Ivani smiled as Ialari wandered further into the Plaza. The young girl's head turning in all directions as so many different people from all clans passed her. Blue, red, green, purple and black arms could be seen in all directions and people of all ages could be found. As she whirled about trying to take in all that surrounded her, Ialari tried as hard as she could to focus her mind; not an easy thing all things considered.

When she was about to give up, Ialari's fading grin was replaced by a different look. Her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips were stretched tight as she ground her teeth; she figured out what she wanted to do first. Taking a more focused look around her, she spotted her first target. She had questions and she wanted answers. So, Ialari walked over to where she saw a man sporting a red arm standing. Looking up at the stranger (Vinrir), she reached out and took hold of a piece of his clothing and tugged at it. As she did, Ialari said in the best adult voice she could muster (which sounded just like a child trying to sound like an adult), "Excuse me, what's it feel like having a red arm? I'm Ialari by the way." Just as she spoke, Ialari thought to herself, Hmm, that didn't exactly come out like I wanted it to. Oh well. The stranger would see a little girl dressed in a black silk half-shirt and a black silk skirt with a belt and small pouch. She has short, blonde hair and a black, silver-veined arm.

[Vinrir Stoneheart Sultros]

Vinrir touched his fist to Typhos', "Vinrir Stoneheart Sultros." he replied back, his tone solid but warmer than he usually would have been talking to someone outside his clan. He needed this experience, and he needed it to go well for him. Typhos looked of a similar age to Vinrir, definitely making it an easier task to talk to him and make any sort of connection. "Are you enjoying yourself this day, Typhos? Has anything peaked your interest in the stalls?" Vinrir felt awkward trying to strike a conversation out of thin air. Oh well, great leaders were created and molded from even the roughest Isur, just as the toughest and most unbending iron and steel could be molded when put through the fire and heat. As he was talking with Typhos Colgias, another Colgias clan Isur made his way over to them, extending his green fist in the same manner to them both. Vinrir took the initiative and touched his fist to the newcomer's, "Vinrir Stoneheart Sultros. What are you called by, our new friend?" The Sultros Isur awaited for the two Coglias Isur to greet bump fists, noting some of the looks various Isur, especially Sultros and Colgias members, were giving the three Isur talking in a group. "Do you two know one another?" Before the words were fully out of his mouth, he felt a tugging on his pants, demanding his attention gently. Turning his head a bit, he could see a small Pitirus Clan girl standing there. Vinrir loved children, knowing their importance to the survival of their race was as important as any adult was. Her words were straight to the point, not frills or mess as others races tended to add to their words, afraid of stepping on toes. Before either Colgias Isur could react in good, or most likely bad ways, Vinrir squatted down on his haunches, coming to her eye level, "Izurdin's blessing on you Ialari. I am Vinrir. As for my arm," he looked at it, letting his eyes move down the length of his beautiful arm, turning it over slightly, "It is like you having your arm of black. It identifies what clan I belong to, where my blood-ties lie. It also helps to guide me down a path in life to serve the Isur as Izurdin would see best. Other than that, I am not much different than you because of my arm color. I am as much an Isur as my two friends are and as you are." He paused to let his words sink in if they would. Vinrir had see the conflict among the clans far too often growing up and hated how they would stand against one another at times, fracturing their already diminished numbers. He wished to see a new age come to pass, either in his life or in his childrens' lives, were the Isur were more united against the world. It was a lofty desire, but the Sultros Isur saw it in his mind happening, and sought to set the wheels in motion. After a moment to let her think about the words, he continued on, "Have you never seen a Sultros Isur? Or Any Isur other than Pitrius?" In the back of his mind, a mental tug reminded him that this was a Pitrius girl, a young one, meaning her parents were probably near, or some guardian. He needed to make sure to not do anything to offend Clan Pitrius. As a whole, they were a craftier and darker lot than the other Clans.OOCI am sorry for the delay. A lot of chaos with a weekend travel then coming back and having to move everything for a fumigation in the apartment. I am back on track now. Not too concerned with a posting order, just make sure everyone else has posted before you post another time. I also expect Virres to post soon as well.

[Merinil]

OOCIalari, I'm just going to pretend that our PCs both know eachother, maybe seen eachother in the Pitrius citadel, if that's alright. I can always change it. Ever since she had turned the young age of 20, she'd been to the Trazen. Five days, one for each clan, and she'd seen the celebrations. It was when she was 20 that she also realized how different she was than anyone else: she was Uluth. And Uluth meant she didn't get a Trazen for her clan. In fact, as far as she knew, she was the only Uluth. Every 30th she'd celebrate for five days the unity of the Isur, but she always felt left out, even during Pitrius Trazen. Now, being 31, she had decided to actually celebrate. Meet new people. Because as much as she felt left out, everyone else loved her existence, the fact that she was born, that the Old Kingdom might still exist because of her arm. That only helped her feel more alienated, as the stares and whispers at when she was seen. She knew they were good, and that if she were born Pitrius she wouldn't have such a special connection to Izurdin. That made it all better, having a bond to him stronger than anyone else. There was blue, red, green, purple and black arms everywhere. People were selling their wares, speaking to friends and strangers alike, and generally having a good time. She spotted the little Pythone girl, bothering a Sultros. As she walked up to them, she heard Vinrir's question. Instead of letting little Ialari answer, she replied. „ She's seen mine. Haven't you, Ialari? “

[Virres]

The sweet symphony of hammer on anvil brought Vir from his exhaustion tinged rest, bringing his consciousness from the void of deepest sleep. The boys muscles ached from his practice with the forge the day before, and yet he couldnt help but think that it was a day well spent, one day soon he may even catch up to the skill of his Terras clansisters. His smile had a determined set to it as he reiterated the oath he had made to himself the first day the forgefires had singed his hair, the day he had first smelled the bittersweet scent of burning coal and flaming metal. One day he would surpass all in his skill, make items so strong as to be unbreakable, work to last centuries, but not only that, he would make work beautiful enough to bring tears to the eyes of its beholders. He promised himself this and more.... But for now his skill was meager, and every beat of the hammer from the next room had a matching beat in the boys breast, calling him from his bed, calling for his attention. He stood slowly, stretching his powerful muscles to their fullest extents before heading out of his room into the burning heat of the smithy. Sweat immediately broke out upon his brow, the first of a day that he expected many. His father hammered away at a bar of metal, shaping it with a masters skill, coaxing out the shape of whatever instrument it was destined to become. The man turned to his son with a large grin splitting his mask of concentration with a hint of mirth," I wonder boy... who could have possibly added these two extra buckets of nails to our stores?" Vir looked up at his father, face impassive," I can only wonder father." He said it so seriously and yet there was laughter in his eyes. His father merely smiled and shook his head, trying to bite back the laugh attempting to slip through his pursed lips to keep himself occupied he turned back to his work saying over his shoulder," You know boy, your spending too much time on the smithy lately. You barely ever leave the house any more.... Im worried." Vir's mirth died quickly," I know da, but I have so much to learn." His father stopped his hammering long enough to turn on his son," I know how you feel boy, but I also know your dream. And spending all your time on a single goal is not helping you. You need a break from the forge take some time for yourself. Trazen starts today and your mother will be setting up a stall in Sultros. Id like for you to go with her." Vir's mouth curled into a scowl glaring his annoyance at his father, until their destination fully sunk in... Sultros capitol of all Isur. Most beautiful city of all. Suddenly his scowl flipped becoming a wild eyed grin," You know what.... that sounds like a good idea." His father knew that look and knew the boy was up to something.. but if it got him interested in something more than forging it couldnt be all bad," Good in that case go help your mother load up the cart. Shes right out front." The boy smiled and jumped to the task sprinting through their well furnished home, dodging and swerving around piles of tools, ore, and coal to break out of the front door at a dead run, nearly mowing his mother down in his haste," Whoa son whoa. I figured youd be eager once you thought about it but this is nearly ridiculous ." Her smile was heartwarming, all dimples, and hard beauty. He loved her for that and made sure it colored his voice along with a bit of haughty condemnation," You, woman, are dragging me from my oh so important purpose for shopping." His mother laughed uproariously at his statement and ruffled his hair," Ah little bit that I am, but it is not us that I hope will be doing the shopping." She winked down at him before turning around and grabbing the bundle shed been carrying," Here make yourself useful." Vir grinned and took the heavy batch of weapons and lifted them, his young muscles bulging with the strain," This is nothing, I have the strength of coglias." "That you do, also the mouth of a surfacer bilgerat, and the wit of a peritus mage." She laughed as she picked up two of the bundles and placed them on the cart, the boy throwing his up alongside them," I believe thats everything son. Ready to go?" Kir looked down at his belt with a frown and asked his mother to wait a moment, with the same rush of energy that carried him out of the house he returned to his room grabbing up the small hammer that was his weapon equivalent in size for him, to a warhammer, and returned to his mother panting," Ready." Their cart rolled slowly down the road that would eventually take them to the tunnel leading to Sultros proper. The carts constant rocking slowly lulled the boys still tired body, back into the deep abyss of sleep. ---- Vir was awakened by his mothers gentle prodding, quickly becoming aware of the wide tunnels around them. His eyes slowly focused until at last he could see fully where they were, eyes only recently opened grew to monumental plates as he caught site of the city his mind was nearly overloaded by the myriad of designs across every building, every stone a story in and off itself. His excitement hit a fever pitch, and his need to examine the carvings for every detail of their creation was strong, but somehow he brought it under control looking at his mother sheepishly as he did so. But her eyes were shinning at him glowing with amusement as she waved him off," Go on son I know how you can be. You know the booth ill be in the plaza when your finished. Just try not to take too long... Oh and here take this just in case you spy something nice." She winked conspiratorially at him as she handed him a number of gold mizas and slowed the cart enough for him to jump off. With a flashed grin he grabbed the money and was off stuffing it into his pouch as he ran. His eyes roamed over pillar after pillar, door to door, so much artistic beauty. They seemed determined to devour as much of it as they could. His mind poured over the technique used in each carving, noting the grooves, the subtle marks made by chisel's and the even subtler imprint of fingers, harder than any stone. His hands ran along each spiral of the myriad of designs, imagining how they would look, how they would feel, etched into the metal of his clan. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine an he smiled. WIth reverence he went down road after road, loosing himself in his musings. ---- Hours passed before he had managed, inadvertently I might add, to come upon the busy plaza, with its stalls, booths, and sprung up diners filling the air with the sound of laughter and singing, the smell of spices and smoke. He grinned.... Trazen. It took him some time to find his mothers booth, his height hindering even though he was very large for his age, he managed to approach just as a man was buying one of the many hammers his family had made. Vir took a second to study the man, he was tall, strong, with the look of one in command, and the blazing red arm of the Sultros. Slowly the boys eyes shifted to the weapon in the mans hand and Vir gasped. It was one that he himself had made, merely to see if he could do such a thing and under the strict guidance of his father, but his work all the same. For a moment the boy couldnt breath, surprised in the extreme that someone would pick up one of his weapons from the many his mother was selling, but quickly got him self under control. Before Vir could say anything the man was gone walking into the crowds and slowly being swallowed up. With a glower at his mother, who merely smiled knowingly down on him, he was off chasing after the man with his red arm and, in the boys opinion terrible choice in weapons. He ran through the crowds trying to keep up, but loosing the man occasionally as Vir swerved and skidded his way through the sea of bodies. Finally the man came to a stop as another clansmen approached him, and another, and then still more. He felt he should warn the man, that the weapon he had chosen was a mere practice attempt, that it had been made by a child barely 18 summers (bout 9 development wise). But his desire to warn the man warred with his embarrassment over revealing his work in front of that many people.... after a moments hesitation he sighed. Maybe he could find the man later and warn him, in the meantime he did not want to return to his mothers booth and face her smug smile, no matter how much he loved her. Slowly a sound broke into his thoughts, the sound of music, instruments in the background, men singing boisterously, one above the others sounding almost angelic in his musical tale. The boy smiled.... A bard, how wonderful. This time he slipped through the crowds slowly, easily dodging the bustling groups of shoppers and revelers until he popped out in a relatively open space filled with tables and benches, which were, in turn, filled with soldiers, members of the hammer. And there upon the dais was the bard singing to his hearts content. He was good his voice rising and lowering, becoming heated or downtrodden as the story commenced, and the soldiers shouted their approval each time he finished until at last he slumped down to the ground gesturing for a glass of mead for himself. At a request for more he merely waved them off, his voice hoarse from so much singing. The boy nodded appreciatively towards the bard but his eyes were locked on the platform behind the man, the musicians still playing a bawdy tune. His hunger was voracious, and all consuming, bringing about a wicked idea in the boys head. He quickly walked over to the musicians and whispered with them conspiratorially. They grinned and nodded their heads and the tune turned towards a more somber note, causing he crowd to look on in interest. Vir grinned at the crowd around him as they whispered to each other wondering at this new turn of events. No art was without interest to him and he was willing to try his hand at this one as well, having been told by family that his voice was quite good. It started out low and quiet, but as those around him slowly began to grow quiet and turn towards him his confidence and voice rose, matching the tone of the music. Waking every morning, he slaves away the day He watches the strong and mighty, sees them give their lives away With heart of hearts he watches life march by He watches all their splendor The lives that live, each moment A day upon a day Those that ride upon their steeds Made of war and battle And as he stands, his labors done He wonders at their fortune For blood and bone May dull not hone But its better than muck and gravel OOCId like feedback on he little poem... thing if anyone would like to give some ^_^ Its called laborers lament. Also I figured Id leave it at that and when yall are ready to introduce another character you could come listen to little Vir here and we can have introductions ;3

[Vinrir Stoneheart Sultros]

OOCHey all, I am posting a posting order since we have so many people. Vinrir Typhos Vantus Ialari Merinil Virres We will pick up with Typhos as the next post since I posted right before the last two joined, unless he wishes to bump down the to a different spot. If after a week or two, I will nudge the next person in line to post.

[Caelum]

Thread Award

Vinrir

Skills
Deduction +1
Socialization +1

Lores
Trazen Festival

Ialari

Skills
Investigation +1
Observation +2

Lores
Trazen Festival
Sultros City

Virres

Skills
Observation +1
Singing +1


Lores
Trazen Festival
Sultros City

Notes

Too bad this didn’t continue. It was terribly interesting.

Vinrir, thank you for proactively deducting your 12gm for the mace.

Retired PCs don’t get grades. It’s sad. I know. However! Should you come out of retirement and PM me, I will be happy to provide you with a grade.

Please edit the grade request post to reflect completion and, as ever, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.