Across from the Temple to the Gods, a newly erected building filled the winder morning air with the scent of prayer oils and candles. The great doors to the Temple of Scathach opened for the first time in the temple district of Rhydin. A place of peace, healing, and meditation, a place for sanctuary for not just the warrior daughters of Scathach, but for all warriors who seek short or long term sanctuary as the Goddess herself had, opening her arms and teach and protecting sister and brother alike who would raise their arms against injustice. Wards of neutrality and peace have been cast over the temple, keeping any wishing to do another physical or magical harm from doing so but temporarily muting all harmful actions of both the attacker and defender for just long enough to be dealt with accordingly by the Sisters in attendance. Each morning for over a week nearing completion, at the false dawn, a single magi or cleric at the behest and scheduling of the Temple's Head Priestess, wove a spell of their specialty in either charm, guardian, or neutralizing. No one other then the Temples Priestess herself knew who had lent their aid to keep the temple and all insides its walls safe from malice. The Temples doors and walls are heavy to withstand the elements both natural and unnatural and the gateway to quiet prayer hall dedicated to the Goddess herself. Beyond lies the curtained linings of a handful of beds meant to give privacy and solace to grievously injured Warriors or their loved ones. The Temple Springs are heated and treated waters that lay within the walled gardens of the Temple Grounds to lend healing as well as cleansing of the body and mind. The waters have been gender segregated to maintain the sense of privacy. "You understand the depth of this task you are undertaking?" "Yes I do Sister, and its that very reason I do so." Jenai and Jadore slowly walked along the Temple grounds in the early morning as those who worked with her on the temple started to appear. She'd hired the widows and widowers she'd come to know from the murders that haunted the sisters years ago to do light work in exchange for meals and coin. She felt the pain from never being able to bring their loved ones back, and those that were uneducated or to far along in years where often cast aside by society or their families to starving and cold. This was the least she felt she could do and it cause lessened hurt to the pride if they felt they earned instead of rather a hand out. It'd been something she'd had to explain to many when they wondered why she rarely hired a professional service past the point of construction. Even the corner stone from the isle itself, Jenai placed herself after taking it from the older and smaller private Temple. "Brian laid in a bed such as the ones I have here now, wounded and in-need of great rest and healing. It was I that stayed beside him. He only received such because I had seen him taken to the sanctuary on the west-side of the city. If our walls do not hinder our helping those who can not help themselves with our sword...then neither should they hinder our efforts to heal those who have fallen to another sword." "You are the youngest Seer yet. You understand the meaning of this as well?" Jadore looked at Jenai from the corner of her eye as they stepped into the half completed spring pools. The pools were functional, just the landscaping needed completion. Jenai stopped and gave Jadore a smile, amused somehow. The position had not come at a small price. Jenai had started Temple duties at the age of eight, years before the others that were 'chosen' and it was more a necessity of the time. "Yes I do. I have held the position without title for more then a few years....and survived." It was Jenai's turn to watch for a reaction from Jadore. The isle knew of the trouble and deaths the Sisterhood had here in Rhydin and sent scant help and rarely spared a visit. Even this visit was a two-fold visit. Now that Jenai was the Official head of a temple and time of service to the Goddess in the way of temple duty, the High Circle could happily agree and grant title. "I am just here to give my official Blessing towards the Temple. In truth, I am glad to see the name of the goddess reaching to new lands and out to those who need her." Jadore gave an aged but warm loving smile to the young lady before her now, that once stood before her learning her first prayers. But the moment of light would turn dark as Jenai saw her moment ask the question her Senior and once Mentor had been avoiding. "But that's not the only reason is it...Jadore?"

( is is an ic folder for anyone wishing to post to the playable until a home for the thread/folder can be established. Please read the above carefuly)

Hey, it's not Earth Day"



In the early afternoon two men made for the temple district.

"Havelast, can you cook?" Dark asked, turning back to him to break their walking silence with a smile and in-joke.

"Don't even." was the response from the hulking knight.

Dark laughed outright, turning back to the walk ahead with the energy he desired. His green eyes settled on the new Temple of Scathach, beginning to remind of of what this was all about.

Flllaasssshhbaaacckkk.....

"Yep, I'm going to need an all-star cast for this one."

"Oh?" the long-haired mage asked.

"Mmhmm. Some muscle, some brains, some pretty girls, and a carpenter." Dark said, familiarizing himself with the giant sofa in the Adenna Library.

"You do know that I am a scholar?" Rijn asked, searching for a book on the shelf.

"Huh' Yea but, Rijn, you can't go, you're needed here. Besides, this is for real adventurers, not part-timers."

"Okay then, Mr. Cool. Just who are you hoping to find here in Adenna" Maybe luck out with a squire" A young bookie" I'm afraid anyone useful will be quite restrained." Rijn said laughing, placing several books back in their proper place on the shelf.

Dark growled quietly.

"Or maybe the deli master can accompany you, IF he can make time in his busy schedule." Rijn's laughter increased, sending Dark storming out and leaving the laughing man to himself.

"You'll see! I'll assemble the coolest crew you've ever seen!" slamming the door, outside the library. It was a peaceful walk down a burgundy hall with red carpeting and shadowed oil paintings from there, and the thinking did begin.

Now who can I find"

Outside on the city streets he stuck his hands in his front pockets, weaving the mild traffic of shoppers and commuters, walking. Life was so relaxed here. And just down the pink stoned street lied the craze that was the guardian franchise. More people congregated there than even the market, but that wasn't the "crowd" he was looking for. He walked on.

"Too young. Too old. Too drowsy. Too happy." analyzing the people according to the task that lied ahead when he bumped into a young, soulless like girl.

"Oomph! Excuse me, young lady."

".........You're excused."

"Must not have been paying attention where I was going. Say! — You wouldn't want to go on an adventure, would you?" he asked.

"..........I'd rather not." rather emotionless.

"Oh. Right then. Well sorry again." beginning to go past her.

"Well there's no way I'm going to ask those Ichi's. Maybe over there I can—"

"Seirichi would go with you." the rather lifeless girl commented, receiving a very frightened look back to her.

"Huh' I was just talking to myself."

"..........You shouldn't do that. People will think you're strange." turning, and only then did she leave.

"...Sheesh, too; deathly." Dark shook and continued on, eventually stopping at a fruit vendor, stepping under the shade of it's wooden awning and leaning to the cart. "Maybe Rijn was right, everybody looks a little too tied down here. Maybe this wasn't the best place to look for adventurers."

"Adventurers you say boy?" the elder mustached melon vendor stopped fanning himself to address his grazer.

"Yea, that's what I'm looking for. And not having any luck at that."

"Well what be you lookin' 'em for?" he asked Dark.

"There's some exotic fruits and herbs on this island. And deep in it, too. And with such a large grocery list to top it all off, I determined I couldn't go in by myself." he described on while gradually beginning to examine the fine piece of craftsmanship that the cart he leaned actually was. "Say, where'd you get a hold of this fine display?" tugging it gently, sturdiness test.

"Why I made it of course. I'm a fine woodworker. And an even better adventurer my boy! Where'd you say you were going to be exploring?"

"Oh, here. Rhy'Din. A priestess temple needs some greenery work. And I need myself a carpenter. Extra adventurer never hurts either." smiling to the man, offering his hand. "I'm Dark."

"Yes you are!" curtailing a bout of laughter between the men.

"If the shoe fits, right?"

"Buy one for the other foot. I'm Charles." and they did shake hands most enjoyably.

"Pleasure to have you aboard, Charles. I don't expect to keep you out longer than a week. In which time I'd need a planter put together. You up to the task?" Dark challenged.

"Ah, wheels and all is it' I'll just fetch my tools and finish up here, and I can be ready by sunset."

Dark checked his timepiece, nine times out of ten it wouldn't be there, but it was, and he seemed to be thinking. "All right, Charles. The ferry does its final run at sundown. We'll be cutting it close, but that's how these jobs usually go.

"We'll meet at 'Markwins Bridge.' Sunset. Have you seen it yet' Lovely. It's a fan piece. And a belt connecting the paths back to the Rhydin market. I think geishas use it. Can't miss it. I'll leave ya to it, man. I've got to assemble the rest of the crew! I'll try and get some pretty ladies to tag along." a wink, leaving Charles to blink.

Now, what other potential candidates are there" I know, I'll give one of my famous speeches. I've given those before, haven't I"

He hopped up quickly to the risen platform used for performances and fitting enough, speeches.

"Attention, citizens of Adenna within earshot! I run, for today only! — an open casting call for my team of adventurers, set to navigate the treacherous waters of the Leopold River! — and procure valuable plant life from the deepest darkest depths, of the forbidden Innes Cave! But it will not be an easy task. Which is what has brought me to your fine city! SO! Anyone interested?" he looked around.

There were staring faces, undecided from mockery, confusion, or possible interest. When all of a sudden, a usually composed mage from the library window could he heard laughing and seen flailing out and about.

"Gaahahahahaha! Nice speech! The best you could hope to get is a bunch of vegetables after they're hurled at you for that little display! Aahahahaha!" Rijn continued to flail, but got rather serious when he almost fell out the window. He was being that emphatic.

"Need some muscle?" a deep-voiced man asked from the crowd, stepping up. He was by far, the most standing-out figure there. Even Rijn's wide eyes could be seen from the window down the street.

"Huh' Havelast! The big-black heart-attack! You'd like to come along on my little caper?" Dark asked.

"If you could find a use for me." jerking a crooked smile up the right side of his face.

"WHAT"! Havelast"!" Are you being serious?" No, you can't be. This has to be a joke. The great Havelast Dagger Sasc, icon of the people!, going off to play a children's game!" Rijn balled a fist.

"I am always serious." shooting him a glare that extinguished Rijn's sporadic mood. "I play games with the children whenever I can, and you must be the only man who doesn't. And the Siovanui are the icon of the people. Remember that." Havelast said, shutting him up rather quickly and to celebratory cheering. He was indeed an icon of the people. Not as much as the Siovanui was, but he definitely had a strong influence.

Rijn Savorenius, the High Mage of Adenna, scowled before retreating back into the library leaving the window open. It was a rather fine day after all. And his grouchiness was no more than a byproduct of his inability to go.

Back down on the streets, however, the two men were having a battle of who had the most handsome grin.

"Well I believe that's all the Adennian room I can spare. I need to head into Rhydin market now and look for a cook. I've got a taste for their cuisine, and if you have any taste, you will as well. Will you be needing any other effects?" Dark asked.

"Nae. A few knives as standard, but I shouldn't be needing my sword and armor."

"Excellent. Let's get to the market. We'll use Rijn's portals, since it'll be fun to rub it in again that he can't go." slapping his chest with his backhand as he passed the Adenna warrior.

Havelast paused for a moment, before laughing aloud.

Hey, it's not Earth Day' pt 3



In the early afternoon two men made for the temple district. The temple was just beautiful, BEAUTIFUL! Havelast Dagger Sasc walked the stone surface, observing the layout and more or less seeing what he had been dragged into. A sisters' volunteer did struggle with an extremely heavy bag of sand, one that had the potential to burst if it fell the route it was heading, so he saw that it stopped before anything happened.

The young girl's worry and panic subsided seeing the stilled bag in the clutches of the gargantuan and handsome man, comparable to the raven-haired Ravenlock himself if long black longs and handsome, noble men were all that were touched upon. "Can you carry this?" he asked, with much skepticism. In truth he knew the girl couldn't carry it, but he had to ask, because on a much larger scale he knew these disadvantaged situations was how warriors were born.

"Yea I got it." she replied gleefully, to which he just nodded, and helped the bag get to her shoulder. It bent there, and poured into the two divides of the bag and continued to be the tremendous burden it was. She started grunting right away.

"You got it?"

She bore a stout face, "Yea, I can make it." she exhaled regularly, every other footstep over to where she was moving the bags. Havelast had to smile at her courage before coming back to ponder.

"Now where has Dark gotten to?"

"Jenai! Jenaii! Has anyone seen Jenai??" Dark asked in a panic, moving through the temple and various construction projects going on, going so far as to narrowly avoid stepping on a handmade piece that was going on ahead of him with some impressive footwork and avoidance. But ultimately he made it down some stone steps to easily spot the crimson-headed Ravenlock.

"Jenai! Ah, there you are." he was already pointing behind him, "I just came from where the springs. You're not going to believe this. They're putting up this big..!" motioning with his hands. Oh, how to charade a giant, obstructing injustice. "..—THING! I told 'em it was supposed to be a shared bath! — but they sent me to you. There aren't even any provisions being made for a separate unisex spring! Jen, we gotta do something." bringing his fist into the palm of his hand for assertion, seeing Havelast walk up. That seemed to change subject, and drop something that seemed so imminently serious. The unarmored black knight walked over with a wave.

"Oh, Jen. This is Havelast. He hails from Adenna as a High Guard Knight. He's going to help." Dark introduced him.

"A pleasure, Lady Jenai. I have heard much about you. But now I see they were quite understated about your beauty." extending a large hand to her. Dark made a face.

"You're not going to kiss it, are you?"

Indeed he was.

He gave the temple a once over again, disappointed about the fate of the shared bath plans, but in that second glance" It wasn't looking bad at all. He turned back.

"We booked passage on a ferry just outside Rhy'Din city. We're going to pick you out a nice selection of greenery. Some, pinks n', purples—" looking back over the temple again, "—and some greens."

"It's looking very promising. If you should require any further assistance upon my return, I would be happy to lend a hand. Adenna owes a great deal to the Ravenlocks through this measly human here." crow's nesting Dark's hair with a rough rub.

"Heey!"

"If it's anything, anything at all. You have Adenna's support." Havelast said.

Dark was holding his arm opposite side in a perfect horizontal line, "We shouldn't be gone more than a few days. If we're not back by then" ...keep, waiting." he narrated heavily.

"Speaking of, it'll be sunset soon.—"

"You're right. We should get going. It's been a pleasure, Jen. We'll be back!" Dark waved, heading off but still half-assed facing her. He'd walk into a tree before he let a departing gesture go unseen by him.

"Lady Jenai." Havelast waved and turned, beginning his bulky and cool stride off in his direction, back towards Rhy'Din market.

Illumination. Glowing light. And these two men wouldn't be the only ones drawn to it. Moths danced about awkwardly, bumping into those hanging lamps every now and then causing a nice low `` clank~! `` to sound. But this would simply be unheard as the sound of humming couldn't help but overpower it as it escaped from the one inside the little kiosk. The owner continued as the two moved closer...and closer...but finally' It stopped...and a head came poking out from the booths opening. Golden locks swayed and lit up as well thanks to the glow coming from the manly lamps. Eerie, yet filled with unknown warmth...those eyes that held such power came to lock on them. "My, my! Look who it is!" Head escaping once more in a quick pull back of his body. Retreating and relaxing into his chair once more. When the adventurers finally came up to his little `` shop ``" They'd be introduced to the sound of a fan being whipped open with a nice fappo~! Sway, sway, sway went his wrist as Fox began fanning himself. " I dislike the weather here. You'd have to agree, Dark."

"FOX?" W-What are you doing here?"" pointing out in a panic. Havelast looked back and forth, lowering Dyarhk's over-dramatized hand. "You two, ...know each other?"

"Oh I know him alright. Grade-A trouble. Ya never know what he's going to do next, and the risk is always tremendous. Never anything small, always your life or something greater. And HERE of all places! selling, ...lamps?" In his own description something didn't sound right, even as he had reached out and examined one to see for himself. He just looked at Fox in a stupor

"That is quite a lot of lanterns." Havelast merely stated.

"Lanterns! You're selling LANTERNS"! What kind of market is that to even get INto?"" Dark flailed.

"People need lanterns." Swush, swush, swush went the fan. Locks of blond hair swaying weakly with each small gust of wind. "Business isn't the best at night...but I sold two just before nightfall. A single mother was grateful enough to invite me over for dinner tomorrow. But..." That fan snapping closed. Shifting his arm just a bit so that he could reach out and point the item over to Dark. "If I had to make a guess. I'd think that you'd need one just about now, my friend." Fan retreating and pushed against his lips before his eyes focused on him. "...That is...if you have enough money for one."

"You wise-guy. I oughta." Dyarhk proceeded to move forward, unknowingly, right into the headlock of Havelast, "Yes, we did just come from a patch of darkness. The townspeople have cited the Innes Cave notorious for 'never-ending night.' This proves we are in the right area."

"Or it could just be, you know, nighttime. Don't tell me you buy into this babified nightlight crap, Havelast."

"Ah, Dark. Even after everything you've seen you still love to act stupid to tales of the unknown." Over-exaggerated sigh passing out from his lips. Once more the fan came snapping closed and began tapping against his forehead. " Put him in a room with werewolves on a full moon and he'd try to deny them...isn't that right' No. You're not that stupid. " Flinging the fan after he spoke his words...letting it find the face of Dyarhk — right between the eyes!

"Dark likes to take charge, but he could never pull off the leadership role. So I think I should be talking to you." A gesture of the hand to Havelast. "Would you like to buy a lantern" For you I can cut the price in half." Lips curling into a soft smile. "and be sure not to take long...I have other customers you know."

"Ribbit." The sound of a small frog heard just then. The hopping creature had come to a stop behind the two men. Could THAT be his other customer"!

Dyarhk looked up and left during Fox's little revealing speech, but Havelast had laughed hearing it, and grabbed his cheeks, steering his gaze directly into the eyes of the High Guard. "This man DOES know you. No sense acting the fool now, my friend." releasing him rather violently to his side, and Dyarhk seemed to have made it perfectly to his feet, what the given force allotted. Speechless, or biting his tongue, he chose to suspiciously gaze back at this frog while Havelast gladly took control "We'll take three lanterns. Our excursion parties are relatively small. I have Rhy'Din money, and Adennian coin. Whichever you prefer." presenting small amounts of each. Dyark was now crouched before this frog, staring it right in its wide eyes.

"If I said the clothing of Dark would be enough payment would you give THAT to me?" Questioning gaze given to Havelast as Fox leaned in. Elbows found the the bottom of that opened window before hands found his cheeks. Risen eyebrow risen...Waiting for an answer as if this had been a serious request. As for the Frog" It simply hopped onto Darks foot.

"Ribbit."

"The clothing, of...."—" Havelast, an elbow on that counter, was gradually looking over to see Dyarhk the man in question, deep into a staring contest with a frog. "............?

"All right, Fox. Give it up. This frog is some, beautiful woman from your past; just toying with me! She could transform at any moment, but she's in kahoots with you!"

Havelast gradually looked back, and came to look Fox seriously in the eye "I'm afraid the man needs everything he can get. This coin will have to suffice." opening his hand to present the coin from the two lands to him.