Vocation (Marcus)

by **Wrenmae** on August 22nd, 2013, 6:36 pm

Summer 23, 513 AV

Silence had a tendency to gather in places of worship. All the unsaid words from every prayer never uttered by lips thickened the air and left a residue of pious fear trailing from every open portal into the grand cathedral of Ravok. Wrenmae stepped off the boat and tipped the boatman, passing by the Ebonstryfe that marked him with her eyes but said nothing.

Inside, he was once again nearly struck by the cavernous work that must have gone into the construction. Towering arches, shined pews, the hushed solemnity of adoration and zealotry.

There would be no temple of this sort to Vayt, no soaring spires, no black suited guards at every entrance. Unlike Rhysol, Vayt needed no ostentatious presentation. His way was the quite meting out of those worthy and those not. Even so, there was something romantic about having the adoring masses line up in a house of worship. The echoes, too hushed and murmured to actually note the exact words, were a calming mantra on his skin. He felt at home here, a place that resonated with one of his patron's power.

Vayt and Rhysol had long worked together and held some respect for the other's work...Vayt had said as much before. That said, Wren was still a blight on Rhysol's own doorstep...and to seek out service now...

From his experience with both Marcus and Clyde, he understood that Marcus was billed as an agent of Rhysol. Although he didn't wear the traditional garb of the Ebonstryfe, he seemed to have the ability to command some of their number. When Wrenmae had inquired, he found that there were two arms of Rhysol's power here in Ravok. The Ebonstryfe served as both army and military police and the Black Sun served as agents and priests.

Being new to the city, Wren had no idea what it would take to join the Black Sun. He bore Rhysol's mark, as did Marcus, but didn't know how much hold that carried in the dread lord's city.

Had he not delivered up the Windoak's secret? Had he not followed Rhysol's instructions? Who would be more deserving of entering the vocation to Rhysol than him?

A letter had preceded him, carried by a messenger to Marcus requesting a meeting. Taking a seat in one of the pews, the mage waited for the man to arrive. He would have some knowledge of how to enter the service to Rhysol, to key a new purpose for the power he wielded, the intents that simmered in his mind.

by **Marcus Ahysen** on August 22nd, 2013, 10:41 pm

Marcus did not have an office within the temple. He could get one, if he wanted, but that was not his desire. He had never truly intended on staying within the city. His training was in disguise and impersonation. He was meant to go out into the world and take the places of those who lived in other cities, steal their lives, and use them to spread Rhysol's power and convert the non-believers. His life since becoming an agent had not gone that way. With the exception of a single mission, his role was more that of the open agent of Rhsyol, increasing his power and spreading his influence. Marcus was not a politician, but that was what he was becoming. He resisted that path, however, and refused to set up an office like so many agents in the city did. An office did have benefits, however. Having one would have been nice for a meeting.

As it was, Marcus had simply agreed to meet Wrenmae in the main room of worship. They could easily enough find a private alcove to talk, and if more privacy was required, Marcus could always take Wrenmae elsewhere. He was curious what exactly the man wanted. Marcus knew he was Chaon, but he was not a member of the Black Sun. He knew he was a mage, but beyond that knew nothing else. Inoadar swore up and down that Wrenmae was of the best sort, but that did little to satisfy the agent. And while he had developed a cold a few days after meeting the mage, Marcus did not yet link that to his presence in the city. He was still fighting it off, nearly 20 days later.

Marcus glanced over at Kalina, who was taking a nap on the bed. She did that a lot, nap, but he supposed it was only in the nature of a cat. They did like to sleep a lot. He wondered if he should wake her, or even bring her along. Marcus doubted she would actually be of any use in the meeting, but he needed to expose her to more situations and more people. She still knew very little about the world, and about what Marcus did. Perhaps it would be good for her.

"Kalina," the agent said softly. If she did not stir, he would not worry about it, but if she did he would bring her along. "I'm heading out. You can come if you want."

Whether she came or not, Marcus would head down stairs and out to the nearest canal. It actually led straight to the temple. Marcus had specifically requested an apartment within view of the temple, and being an agent of the Black Sun, he generally got what he wanted. The ravosala ride was short and sweet, and after paying the boatman Marcus headed inside. It did not take him long to spot Wrenmae. The mage was still fresh enough in his mind that he could recognize him easily enough. Wrenmae might not recognize him right away, however. Marcus was not dressed as an agent of the Black Sun. In his mind, he was not on an official meeting, and Marcus was not overly fond of his robes. Instead he was dressed in fine white leather and silks, such as one of the wealthy of Ravok might wear. Marcus liked wearing white, in stark contrast to the black that all the other agents tended to wear, even when they were not in official attire. Black got boring, afterall, and Marcus liked to stand out when he wasn't disguising himself. The agent walked up and took a seat next to Wrenmae, turning so that they could speak.

"You wanted to meet with me?"

OOCKalina, feel free to pop in if you want. If not, no worries.

by **Kalina** on August 23rd, 2013, 5:50 pm

A muffled moan is heard from the bed, before the petite figure stirs from her sleep. "What?"She hisses, though her face was still buried into the bed so she might not have been heard. Kalina was in human form, but had curled herself up like a cat anyway, finding it to be the safest, and more comforting position she could sleep in. She was fully clothed, having already dressed earlier that day, before falling asleep. A feline at heart, she slept little and often, going down for an hour or so before getting back up, given her way. Today, apparently, wasn't going to be one of those days. She could also sleep in any conditions, whether it was loud or quiet; dark or light. Naturally, she was nocturnal, but that didn't mean she did not wake at the slightest sound around her; her predatory nature meant that she didn't have that luxury, and she found it easy to clamber off the bed, not entirely alert; she was, after all, only a child.

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she glances over to Marcus expectantly, wondering why he had woken her. It had better be important. Having been with him for little under twenty days, Kalina wasn't entirely sure what to make of him. She liked him, yes, liked him quite a bit actually; he'd bought her nice clothes and she got to eat lots of fish, and she didn't live in a little metal cage anymore. But he left her alone for long periods of time, which she wasn't overly keen on... not that the handlers and researchers at the KRI had been much better. But it really wasn't that fun to play on your own all day.

She decided that the only possible reason she had been woken up by him was to go out and eat some fish, a plan that Kalina could easily get behind. Yawning, the Kelvic shuffles along behind Marcus out of their apartment and towards the canal. It takes a few moments for her to work up the courage to get onto the death-boat, but she was too sleepy to make much of a fuss, and she knew that the prize at the end would definitely be worth the hassle and fear. Fish, fish, fish... runs through her head for the journey, which doesn't last long at all. Nimbly, she is the first to dart off of the ravosala. Waiting for Marcus to pay the pan who ferried them across,Kalina debated with herself whether she should have it cooked or not. Both were delicious, but the raw one took less time, making it generally more favourable.

The young girl frowns as she looks up at the imposing building her Master was about to enter. It looked nothing like somewhere they could get fish. She opens her mouth to say something but Marcus had already walked in and, pouting, the girl follows along behind.

Kali's mouth drops and her pace, already slow and dejected from the realisation that she wasn't getting fish, slowed to a stop. The room was huge, the biggest room she had ever seen, and it was so... decorative. Then she notices the statue and, awe-struck, heads over to look closer. She squints, though, even without the help of natural light from outside, her eyesight was second to none, even other felines couldn't contend with hers. The statue was larger than life, and many people had flocked around it; clearly it was important to them. Wondering why, Kalina finally speaks. "What's that?" She asks, expecting Marcus to be right beside her, but he wasn't. She was tired and in a new place, one which was rather busy with people, and for a moment, her heart stops. Eventually, she spots him; it wasn't hard as there were few others wearing white. Her eyes darken as she realises he was sitting sitting beside someone else, and they were talking. So that was why they had come out. Careful to avoid other people, she trudges over, though she was stubbornly of half a mind to continue exploring.

OOCI'll never give up the chance to RP

by **Wrenmae** on September 5th, 2013, 3:43 am

Before Marcus took a seat next to him, Wrenmae was lost in thought. Every step of his haphazard journey had somehow led him here. Rhysol had asked him to the city after he had failed to eliminate the Akalak in Sahova. Before that he'd been tortured by the god, deemed unworthy, and cast aside. He still wore the invisible metal band around his right wrist, the powers of which kept his mind whole from the effects of his drastic overgiving.

In many ways, Rhysol had intervened in his life to show it order...a strange trick for the Lord of Chaos. Personally, Wrenmae doubted most here knew their god's true face. Here there was peace, prosperity, independence...perhaps Ionu would have appreciated the skill in which Rhysol spun his illusion.

Certainly Wren could.

Perhaps what was worse was the feeling of tranquility here. Much of the man wanted to rest awhile, let the Blight fester and simply start something where there was nothing before. His feet always ached, his mind wandered. One of these days he'd simply die in the Wildlands.

But even that would be in the way of Vayt. By simply surviving, Wrenmae worshiped the twisted gentleman god.

"Marcus," Wrenmae answered the agent with a smile, "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." He took a moment to lean against the hard back of the pew, gazing out at the altar and the quiet worshippers passing prayers like glances.

"Like you, I am marked of our Lord, Rhysol...and was bidden come here, to Ravok, in order to carry out his will." He sighed, pushing both hands into his lap, "Admittedly, I don't know what I'm to do...I was told there are factions here where those marked by Rhysol often go. As one yourself, I was curious if you were able to instruct me on how to commit myself."

by **Marcus Ahysen** on December 11th, 2013, 5:44 pm

Marcus ignored Kalina's wanderings for the most part. So long as she did not disrupt anyone's business she could explore all she wanted. He was more focused on the words Wrenmae had just spoken. It was a little surprising, and not at all what he had expected to hear, though if he thought about it more it did make some amount of sense. Why else would he have come to Ravok? As far as Rhysol actually requesting he do so, Marcus wasn't so sure.

"I have to say I'm a little surprised. It's rare for an outsider to seek out the Black Sun in this way. ..even rarer I suppose for one to bear Rhysol's mark."

Marcus paused, thinking things over. Technically as an agent he alone did not have the power to bring Wrenmae into the Black Sun. That required the approval of an Acolyte or someone higher up, but he could certainly put in a good word for Wrenmae. Assuming that he truly believed he could be of use to the Black Sun.

"What sort of training do you have? I know you have some sort of skill with magical items, but what else can you do? And how exactly did you earn Rhysol's favor? What did you do to get his mark?"

That question was the most important. Every member of the Black Sun bore Rhysol's blood, but they were all loyal to the dark god. They had all undergone tests to prove their worth. But an outsider, neither of the Black Sun nor the Ebonstryfe, they could be dangerous. Marcus, like all members of the Black Sun, understood at least somewhat Rhysol's deeper purpose. In Ravok, most Chaon could be trusted. But an outsider.. there was no telling what he had done to become what he was.

by **Kalina** on December 12th, 2013, 7:36 pm

Wandering closer, Kalina is able to pick up the odd word that her Master is sharing with the man. But, for all that she hears, the significance of what is being said is completely lost on the four Season old Kelvic, despite being owned by, and therefore living with, a devout follower to a God. The uneducated girl was so ignorant of anything abstract, that she just did not even have the capacity to imagine in anything magical or religious. The Agent of the Black Sun had also not broached the topic with his charge, possibly because they had not been together for very long.

She paces around the pair, back and forth, and then sits down beside her Master. For only a few moments, her legs swing back and forth under the seat, but it isn't long before she is up once again, too giddy with a dichotomy of pent up energy and lack of sleep to sit still for long. Having long since settled into the habit of staying up all night, when her eyesight was better, and she could try to see the fish, Kalina now found herself forcing herself to stay up for the excitement of the day, when people, like Marcus, were around to interact with.

It was taking its toll now, and the young Kelvic was most definitely overtired, though her pride would never allow her to admit it. For a brief period, she tries to garner her Master's attention, but receives no reaction and she doesn't persist, sitting down quietly once again beside him, and hoping that he would be finished soon.

But the hushed conversation continues and, with a huff of irritation, Kali jumps up once again and returns to her pacing, walking farther away this time. It finally occurs to her that, though her Master was currently conversing with another, few others were actually talking. The silent people in the building, around her was eerie, and it confused and frightened her, unable to grasp the significance of the place they were in. Like she had earlier, many were around the statue, looking at it. Some were even kneeling on the ground. The scene was something else entirely, something that Kali didn't understand, and she continues to stare.

by **Wrenmae** on January 2nd, 2014, 9:50 pm

Wren nodded. It wasn't unexpected that Marcus should be surprised. Those in Ravok seemed to have an understanding of Rhysol that Wrenmae simply did not have. He had seen the god in all his chaotic, cruel, glory...twice now. The power he had, the ability to curse, the promise to manipulate and betray, these were already his to own. But why seek out the Black Sun? Spread Rhysol's word? Be his influence?

It made sense. The strong live. The weak die. Vayt's mantra was a simple edict to live by. If by introducing chaos he challenged the states folks had come to expect and cling to, he was doing both their works as one.

"Rhysol chose me for my talents and conviction," Wrenmae revealed quietly, pressing his hands together, "To thank him, I want to join the Black Sun to spread his word and lesson to those who have such a warped understanding of him."

It was vague enough to be truthful.

"In the dungeons of Sahova, I fought and nearly murdered a Syliran Knight named Imass. You see, I had discovered a secret about Syliras that had not been known to Rhysol, and Imass found out." He smiled mirthlessly, "The Knight foolishly spoke it in my presence, and now I know from where the Knights receive their commands, the centerpiece of their city."

He turned to Marcus, looking him over with calm, but fiery eyes, "Perhaps I will tell you once I wear the robes, so that you might spread it to those who seek to do great harm to the city of Knights. But my talents are in subterfuge and information, in magic and in combat. You might say I'm a man of many talents...master of a few."

Shaking his head, he smiled a little wider, as if at himself, "But I sound like a braggart. If I demonstrated some of my ability, would that convince you to speak on my behalf?"

by **Daegron** on November 9th, 2014, 3:46 pm

The Future belongs to the Brave!

Kalina :

Wrenmae :

Marcus Ahysen :

Notes and Comments :

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