[Location] Vortex City Gates (self modded)

[Jade Alanon]

Second Cycle of Pontius, Season of Winter.

Coming upon the great city walls of Vortex, Nymira snuffed, hating to enter yet another city. Jade and Nymira had left Arkmat after meeting with Valanthia and had decided that they would continue their hunt for Rhasic in another city. Jade had to remember whether or not she had been to Vortex in a while, she didn't really remember the city that well if she did, perhaps it wasn't a memorable place. Carrying her staff tightly in her hands and her other weapons hidden, she moved towards the huge iron gates with her Virkyn sister at her side. As usual, Jade wore a dark green dress, long sleeves helping to keep her warm during the winter, Nymira had her fur so she was warm no matter what.

As usual, the guards that stood at the gate looked rather bored of their job, though it couldn't be all that fun to check visa after visa and do nothing else. Once her turn came, she handed her visa over and waited for them to hand it back. "Pleasure," she stated easily enough, Nymira noticing that Jade was a lot more at ease with what they did not that she didn't have the confines of Natura and her relationship with Austin. It was unsure whether Jade was even with Austin at this point, but Jade had asked not to discuss it and Nymira respected her wishes.

Being that Jade didn't appear suspicious, she was handed back her visa and the iron gates opened for her, Nymira walked calmly at her side, knowing full well that entering a city dulled her senses. but working as a team, they were able to get their jobs done.

[Adinirach Dalael]

Vortex was, he decided, as good a place as any to stop. He'd heard it was friendly enough, and a little bird had once told him that a fellow Baron of House D'Rinishad called it home. He could only hope that he'd not heard wrong, and that the younger Vysstichi still dwelt within the walls of the city he was fast approaching.

The guards were like many others he'd encountered in his day, gruff and bored, and as the uniformed men halted him and requested his visa, Adinirach offered them a mild, sympathetic little smile that didn't quite reach his pale eyes. One gloved hand fished into a hidden pocket somewhere on his person and, a few moments later, produced a visa. A guard took the offered document and, after a slightly suspicious glance at the darkly clad, leather-sheathed dark elf, he drawled, "And the nature of your business?"

"Pleasure. I'm visiting an old friend," he replied, providing the extra tidbit of information when the guard he was dealing with arched a brow at him. It seemed an acceptable answer, for a moment later, the guard grunted and waved him through, handing over his visa with a perfunctory nod. "Much obliged," the Vysstichi murmured, nudging his horse gently to get her going once more.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

Late Spring, Era XV

The shadows crept across the highlands like a living phantom, cloaking the trees, the sky, and the grass in utter darkness. Only the moon was visible amidst the veiled heavens, casting its silver glare upon weary, unsuspecting travelers and vicious predators alike. For some the night was terrifying, but for others the night was soothing. For the lone figure approaching Vortex’s gates, the night marked the beginning of his vengeance.

Nimavel Mynendil, the leader of the Conclave of Shadows, paused before the foreboding entranceway into the chaotic city. His obsidian-colored cloak swirled haphazardly behind him, snapping with the wind before twisting about his legs. He wore the physique of a slender elf, only his pale complexion differentiated from the city’s norm. He was an elf, a lord of elves, and he had come to Vortex.

His lavender eyes seized the guard’s gaze, bearing into him like a needle through paper. Silence. He studied the guard’s posture, the readiness of his hands, and the ease with which he carried his weapon. Had the Lord of House Mynendil willed it, the guard would have died instantly; however, the assassin had no intention of pronouncing his arrival to Vortex. Many had already been marked for death; this guard was not one of them.

“My name is Kimril Ky’mendil. I’m here on business for a few days.”

Presenting a fake visa for the sentry to inspect, the elfin lord imparted the faintest nod before proceeding through the gates, his raven hair flowing in his wake. This was the city of the Vysstichi, the dark elves, the abominations of Telath. Unfortunately for some of them, this was their last night to live.

[Grendor Gilichrist]

Timestamp:Spring, Era XV Post Fractum

After a rigorusly long trip, the sight of the large walls, towers and gates of Vortex was quite a morale booster for Grendor. Thinking about a nice hot plate of food and a nice cool tankard of ale, made him that much more eager to get in the city. And perhaps he'd be able to find some work here as well. Grendor did'nt really care what the work was, as long as he was makin some crowns. Another major plus would be, being able to get some combat and magic training. The main thing Gren wanted to learn was necromancy, a lifelong family tradition, but his hopes were'nt high on finding somewhere to teach him the forbidden dark arts. For most people in the empire look down upon necromancy, but it would be nice to uphold his tradition.

As Gren came within about five yards from the gate, he carefully observed the uniforms that the gaurds wore. Gren found the them to be oddly colored. Black and purple. Nothing was wrong with it, but the color pattern did'nt seem familiar to him. Gren walked up and waited for the gaurd to finish speaking and then responded by getting his visa out of his pocket and handing it to the gaurd. Afterwards he replied,"Me Grendor Gilichrist, me wish ta move to lat cidy." After recieving his visa Gren continued through the gates and entered his new city.

[Infireus]

Late Spring, Era XV

Infireus looked down at the city of Votex for the mountains above before desending down onto the lower plain. He wore his normal robe although the fur's that he had once wore in highpeak were gone to be replaced with more suitable clothing for such a place. The robe hid both his face and the three swords that he had appropriated from the highpeak armory while he worked as one of there guard.

As he approached the gates he pulled the hood of his robe on to both hide has face and scars. Using the shadow it created his face was carefully hidden and as he joined the mass of people moving both in and out of the city he has hardly remarked apon. He reached inside his robe and withdrew his visa which he then shown the guard as he passed through. Placing the visa back within his robes he pulled it tighter around him.

[Leon Kraus]

Spring PF

Leon after leaving the safety of his farm arrived in Vortex after reading an Issue of The Herald. He made his way up the dusty road and stopped before the gates and said "Hear is my Visa. The weapons you see are the weapons I have." As he started through the gates he heard someone Yell something at the crowd and he turned around.

[Tiarela Iceglitter]

Timestamp: Late Spring, Era XV Post Fractum

Tiarela Iceglitter was not one to stay in one place for very often, as unfortunate as it seemed. Once more the faerie had found herself journeying across the empire, flying here and there and getting lost. Having seen a recent article from the Herald about a Demon inhabiting Vortex - a city she'd never visited in the first place - the faerie had let her curiosity take hold of her reason and the next thing she knew, she was standing outside of Vortex's gates, watching the people go by while she dug around for her Visa in the small knapsack she carried on her back.

Approaching the gates, Tiarela handed the guard her visa in a grubby little faerie hand, listening to his question. Typical guard questions - were they all trained to say exactly the same thing across the Empire or something? Tiarela giggled preemptively at her response.
"I'm here to reason with your demon!" beamed the fae. Reason with your demon, what a funny way of putting it! Tiarela was sure that demons were not the type to listen to reason and maybe a little resistant to the mind tricks the lithe little creature had up her sleeve, but she was also sure that she wouldn't be the only one here making the attempt to rid Vortex of the denizen in it's depths. The guards seemed to find it amusing too - but Tiarela was also the cutest little bugger around, and so she took it as a compliment and passed on through the gates to begin the most peculiar of adventures.
...Did demons even have minds to mess with?

[Immael Kha'Serith]

14th of Optia, Spring PF XV

Immael approached the gates of the city from a distance. He could see it, and the guards, even from how far he was. He was alone on the road, and definitely alone in the area. He walked a few feet off of the road, stepping behind a tree. He crouched down, and stared at the dirt between his feet.

"It's for your own good. Ugh, this is disgusting. I can't believe I'm doing this.... Fething humans."

With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused. Diantar dracons were still dracons, and as such, they still had the ability to skindance. It was far from perfected, as they hated to do it, preferring to fly. Or to at least have wings. Still, their ability to hide themselves was still present. They only had one form they could manage due to lack of practice, and it took forever to do.

It was also agony.

*****

A high shriek of pain echoed over the plains and the foothills. Immael writhed on the ground, his wings slowly shrinking into his back, his tail compressing. He could feel his scales melting, smoothing out and changing color. His eyes moved, his bones stretched, and the whole time, his body burned.

*****

A large black Panteri staggered out onto the road a few minute later. He swished his tail and looked around with clear agitation as he couldn't see what was slightly behind him. He tried to flare his wings, and only succeeded in losing his balance slightly.

"Whoreson."

Even his voice made him cringe. It wasn't his own. He shivered and adjusted his cloak and belt, which had become loose on his slightly smaller frame. He tried not to touch his..... detestable fur.

"Stupid intolerant ignorant squishy softskined imbecils and their intolerance."

He approached the guard at the gate, and presented his visa, his claw obscuring the race section. The guard did exactly what he was expected to. Looked right through it and handed it back.

"I've come to sss- Ahem pardon me. I've come to seek employment in the guard, I hear your kind are short staffed."

Keeping the patronising hiss out of his voice was going to be hard. He walked through as the guard waved his hand.

"Now where to find an etos."

He was at first surprised that nobody glared at him. Then he remembered his unsightly form. Dracons were fiercely hated the world over, and Vortex was no exception, which was why his family had fled as their first convenience. It was time to bring honor back to his people' and fear back to their name. He set off, his short claws flexing and retracting as he sought his destination.

[Auer]

35th Cryxatum, Season of Spring, Era XV

Before it was too late Auer looked up at the suns light as memories stormed through her mind threatening to revert the half Elf back to the frail traumatised young female she once was back when she had been enslaved underground for seven long dark eras. Auer halted in her step and contemplated turning around getting away now while she still could, however her feet took a hesitant step forward followed by another. Slowly her confidence caught up. She was a stronger woman now. The curse ran rampant through her instilling her with zealous strength; it was one of the few positives about the permanent gifts she received from her old love and his cult. But for the moment she was thankful.

Her visit to Vortex was not a mere instrument for personal torment; she did not reminisce for the joy it brought her. Although Vortex set her teeth on edge there was sound reason for Auer’s visit to Vortex, the only downside was that it could potentially bring her more madness. Auer frowned. She clutched Zareh’s lead tighter and took a step closer to the looming Iron Gates.

Auer briefly gazed upon the carvings on the Iron Gate. Her violet orbs then turned to the guards. She presented an enchanting smile upon her blood red lips as she produced her visa to the first guard on her left. Soft silken words then flowed from her lips. “Serale. My reason for visiting Vortex?” Auer paused as she contemplated what answer to give. “I need to see a priest of Jalat.” Her words were simple, honest and straight to the point. She chose to leave out the potential blood that would spill and the personal demons she hoped to slay. Auer gazed into the guards eyes for a moment longer before her crown of long thick lashes fell as she averted her eyes in an act of innocence. The guard returned her visa and Auer found that she no longer had the option to turn back. Vortex loomed before her like a hunter waiting to swallow its prey. With a deep intake of breath Auer continued on.

[Jade Alanon]

Second Cycle of Optia, Season of Spring, Era XV

Vortex had called to Jade once again, a siren's song in her blood since she had last visited the dark city and she was not one to defy the call. She was to be careful this time around since the last time she had gone, she had been trapped by a devious creature that had wanted to use her for his own devices, she had agreed to kill for him, but she would never allow herself to fall into such a trap again. She moved through the gates easily enough, figuring the guards at the gate would alert Dimitri to her appearance in the city, not that she really cared. If he wished to find her, all he had to do was follow the trail of corpses she left behind.

Nymira moved silently at Jade's side, her dark eyes gleaming as she gazed at the city stretching out before them. They had met with misfortune the last time they walked the streets, but things would be different this time, they would be prepared. Dimitri could play any game he wanted with the Sanguine duo, but he would be in for a surprise if he dared to underestimate them again. Upon reaching the gate and it's bored looking guards, she easily handed over her visa, she had to think about getting herself a new visa, one that would help hide who she was from prying eyes that sought her out. The guard looked at the visa and the back at her, a glint of recognition in his eyes, something Jade had expected of course.

"Welcome back to Vortex." He said as he handed her the visa back, opening the gates to allow the Sanguine and her Virkyn back into the city. She regarded this place as a home away from her home in Arakmat. Who knew if Dimitri would try to contact her whilst she was in the walls of the city, perhaps she should find him first so she didn't have another meeting like the first one she had with him. Oh well, she would make that decision later on, for now she would simply wander about as she usually did. Hunting....

[Gruumsh Kragorach]

11th Cryxatum, Spring, Era XV PF

Vortex.

This is not the first time Gruumsh stepped through its gates, and as with every time he stepped into the cursed city, he wasn't sure if it would be his last. As cutthroat as he had grown over years of beatings and chastisement from his clanmates, this was nothing compared to what the bastard vysstichi or worse... the ubiquitous necromancers... would do to him.

Yet this was still nothing compared to what his clansmates would do to him if he was caught. Gruumsh knew a two-ton goliath could toss him further than a scrawny vyssie could, sneaky bastards though they might be. He had come to Vortex seeking anonymity and a better life for himself; and more importantly, spoils for himself and himself alone, where everyone else was a runt, for a change.

Gruumsh grunted a simple response; the same response he had given every time he had stumbled upon this cesspool with some of his idiot bretheren.

"Serale... Just picking up some supplies."

The guard eyed Gruumsch idly for a moment, knowing full well the pointlessness of his job. If more scum wanted in to the city, they would just lie their way into it. This was Vortex, after all.

With a bored nod, the guard ushered Gruumsh through the gate, silently wishing he had recieved a more interesting posting...

[Gruumsh Kragorach]

[double-posted]

[Dante Asunder]

TS: 21st cylce of Optia Era XV post fractum

Dante approached Vortex with apprehension. He knew that there was at least one Vysstichi in this city that deserved death, but admittedly he wasn't here for that. Of course if the opportunity presented itself then he would take it up, but more importantly Dante was here to see more of the empire. He had just arrived from Paxia and was interested in taking a look around before heading for Demios again. Perhaps he would pass through Diana to visit with Hatorania, but that was a desicion for later.

Garbed in his travelling robe and carrying a knapsack he approached the guards at the gate. He had a crossbow slung over his right shoulder and a dagger sheathed at his waist. Hanging at his left hip was a quiver of crossbow bolts. Hidden up each sleeeve was a darkblade dagger and at his ankle another dagger was hidden.

Dante showed his visa to the guard. "I'm just looking for a place to rest from my travels before heading out again."

[Eelahi Moi'baern]

First Solaria of Imperios, Tenth Candlemark

She approached the impressive gates of Vortex with a smile fixed firmly in place. More of a smirk, really, but she had her visa in hand, waiting patiently for the guards to fix their eyes on her. "Just visiting." The dark-haired beauty informed them, one dark eyebrow raised as she waited for them to inspect her visa before accepting it back without comment, carefully erstowing it away in the black knitted shoulderbag she wore on her left shoulder.

She continued on into the city without any further ado; after all, she didn't exactly appear all that dangerous; just a small wisp of a girl, the only weaponry on her a bow strapped to her back and a dagger at her thigh. Nothing too spectacular, nothing too far out o the ordinary. Nothing to rouse suspicions or cause undo concern.

And that was just the way she liked it.