[Location] Vortex City Gates (self modded)

[Finnbarr]

The little wagon that rolled up to the Vortex gates had definitely seen better days, and so had its various occupants. It was an open vehicle, so it wasn't tough to count heads. Except maybe the pixie, he was rather little and difficult to see. There were a pair of half-elven children, red-haired and pink-cheeked, huddled together between some bags of supplies. Most of the bags were empty, but at least the bags themselves were some protection from the elements.

Then there were the older girls, one human and the other elven. The elf seemed a bit thin, but nothing to worry about. The pixie, Gil Fredras, was nearly invisible among the bags, nestled next to the shepherd lying on the girls' feet.

The ringleader of the whole motley crew turned out to be the female elf sitting on the wagon seat. Wearily she leaned over from her perch and handed over a whole stack of visas. One for everyone. It turned out that two of the children were biologically hers, one was adopted, and the last was a slave legally belonging to her. The pixie was just along for the ride.

"My name is Finnbarr de Ryes, and I am here to speak to some family members that I have living inside the Vortex walls. I do not expect to be here long."

After the guards had sufficent time to study the stack of visas, and had peered into the wagon, she collected the visas and stuffed them back into the sack. Quietly she clicked her tongue, drawing the reins along the blue roan's back... rolling the wagon on into a new city.

OOC: Have permission from the player to NPC Gil Fredras' entrance along with Finn; please let me know if he has to make a separate post here under his own name. Thanks!

[Jiala'in Veldri]

Early in the Season of Winter of Era I of the Pax Imperialis
Era XII Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening.
Paradigm Shift: Alleria Prime opens and the new Empire is revealed as Audrey addresses the people.

This again. After all her troubles in making it this far from Nexus Prime -- after sleeping among brambles and chasing squirrels for her next meal and having her tail run over by some idiot's cart on purpose -- she had to go through this stupid check-in procedure at the gates of Vortex. What, exactly, were they here for, anyway? She silently questioned what idiots were overseeing the ritual as she stopped before the guards and held out her visa uncerimoniously. If she told them she was here to kill the whole of the Vortex government, for example, would they let her through anyway? All signs pointed to yes, with the way these guys looked like they were hung over or something. Still, the last thing she needed was trouble.

"I'm just here to visit a friend."

That was so far from the truth, but Adreia did not feel like standing there forever and explaining all her problems to a couple of half-awake softskins. She didn't expect a great deal of prejudice from them, either, since she'd heard that a number of dracons already lived in this dark city; they had to let her through, especially since she carried no weapon. Those she had lost at gambling. But that was beside the point.

Finally, Adreia took back her visa and pressed her wings against her back as she strode through the gates and into the city streets. There was a list of things she had to do, including setting up shop, finding her parents, and checking out the haunted places that she'd heard about. But first, she needed somewhere to lay her tail. Grinning toothily, she began her search for the Aedile's office.

[Nel'Harnica Hasu]

41st Brightening of Immanis
Era I of Pax Imperialis
Era III of Celetrial Mandate
Era XII PF in the Age of Darkening

The pale elf seemed to be able to find no home, or comfortable job. Maybe she could if she came way out to Vortex? What was she thinking, she was here for adventure. Home wasn't for her, yet. And also she wanted to test her skills as a Harpist, see if she could make aqny crowns that way or if she would have to find another job to earn some money and buy a hosue then take up her artist. Anyways enough thought...

She saw the gates approaching and was still wondering if she was doing the right thing by going into the dangerous city of Vortex. She pulled out her visa and showed it to the guard. I am Nel'Harnica I am here in search of work. The guard looked at her visa and waved her through obviously not caring too much what she said.

And on to a new city it was....

[Solaris Silverarrow]

First day on Pontis in The Season of Winter,
Era I of the Pax Imperialis, Era III of the Celestine Mandate
Paradigm Shift: Alleria Prime Opens and the new Empire is revealed as Audrey adresses the peoples.

The day itself was cold, windy, and quite dreary to say the least. It would seem a bland day, filled with little hope of anything good or great happening. However, for Solaris, it was a day of destiny...a day of reckoning. As he came within eyesight of the city gates, his hands that held the parchments relating to the city clenched into a fist, crushing the parchment beneath his dark fingers. "Vortex...and beneath it, a city of my brethren...a city filled with those whose eyes are as stained as mine and whose blood runs darker than those who live in the sun. Why have I brought myself here...what else do I need to do to forego my past and move on...what else?" the question lingered about his mind for what seemed like seconds to him, though he had managed to almost come completely upon the gates, which meant he had spaced out for a good minute or so.

He shook his head to get some of the snow off his head, though one wouldn't really notice, for his hair was as white as the snow itself. It proved a stark contrast to his figure however. Cloaked in a robe of deep purple that shimmered against the glow of the snow, he was a target that could be seen from far off, however the darkness of his skin proved an even richer difference between the bright snow. To all those that would look upon him, Solaris Silverarrow, was a Vysstichi elf, one of the dark kin that took root below Vortex in the caverns of Har'oloth. It was on that assumption that Solaris intended to act...like a Vysstichi in both his appearance and his actions.

He placed the parchments into the pockets of his robe and took out his visa, ready for the guards. When they asked him for his visa, it was time for the act to start. He roughly handed the visa over and in a sneerish tone replied "My reasons for entering the city are my own. Though I assure you that no actions of mine are going to bring any trouble, I have enough of my own to bring anymore onto me."

The guard who took his visa was suddenly snapped from his boredom and placed quite literally...on guard. "You Vysstichi type are always so curt, maybe this once I wont let your kind in without a proper apology for the rude way your talking boy."

Solaris smiled as he delved further into his act. He was glad he had read his parchments over and over, they allowed him a bit of information he wouldn't otherwise have. "I'm here to visit the House Embracing Oblivion fool, to not let me in would mean your life, the life of your friends and any other family you might have would be ended, so watch your rude tone or it will be your life." With that he grabbed his visa back and entered the city without another word from the guard, who seemed to have found his tongue stuck in his mouth.

[Hazudar]

Winter, Era I, Pax Imperialis

Upon the crest of a broken hill--motionless, in a shifting shroud of rags and shadows--a lone figure stood.

At last, he had the eyesore in his sights. Vortex.

The stranger's visage gleamed eerily, reflecting the ominous light that fell from beyond the city's blackened walls--creeping across his field of vision like the insiduous tendrils of some otherwordly sentience.

Or perhaps the poisoning of the shafts was a mere trick of the surface they'd pierced.

Whatever the case, it was evident that the creature's journey had come to its so dreadfully-anticipated end. Just ahead, the infamous scourge of Arium lay sprawling in the dust, clawing and clambering its way up from the blighted landscape to where it towered mightily above, casting fateful shadows on all who dared approach.

Mercurial pools burned acidly, scraping across the skyline, where shades of circling bats danced in deathly procession amidst lances of blue lightning. An organ sounded somewhere in the background; the air filled with the high, chilling notes of some nightmare requiem.

No, wait--that was Hazudar letting out a low whistle. The orc had seen his share of hell holes before, but never this literally.

Yet wasn't it merely the logical next step on his hopeless journey... the next bump on a neverending downward slope? First his birthplace, next the home of the empire, and from there into its gutters. Now here.

The dark city. A haven for creatures of the night. Alleria's own personal Umblat.

"Helluva place, eh?" the half-blood asked--evidently impressed--his gaze still locked on those high jutting spires. "Sure we'll fit right in..."

Smirking absently, with nary a glance at his as-yet-unseen companion, the orc began to make his way across the rutted killing fields, to where the walls thrusted up through dusty earth.

Apparently, even evil cities needed guards. Though perhaps their purpose wasn't to keep undesirables out, but to keep slaves and prisoners in.

"A simple traveler," Hazudar lied, smiling faintly at the asininity of it all as he displayed a forged visa. "My servant," he added, gesturing at the one accompanying him.

A moment later, they vanished through the gate.

So it began.

[Ankou]

Timestamp: Same as above.

The blackened husk of life was appropriately named, the vortex sucked all goodness and light and warmth into it's cold streets and colder heart, the city seemed alive.

The orc had not traveled alone, alighted upon his shoulder was a dark figure, a twisted relic of another time, light and happiness and the good race of this world deformed into something plain and only cruel.

Through the eyes of this creature the world seemed shadowy and vague, the men at the gate seemed like debaucherious mockeries of true life, merely puppets dancing to strings. And Ankou thought he could spy the omnipotent puppetmaster, the city itself pulled the strings of it's inhabitants, tainting them, draining their will and ambition.

Even the pathetic half-breed, garbed in shadow beside him, seemed distorted. Looking beyond the flesh and occasional wisdom, this creature was just like any other, filled with lust, violence, and hatred.

"Hazudar..." Ankou started, but the name seemed strange on his lips, so he quieted.

As his brutish friend lied his way past the guards, Ankou smiled, something new had reawakened in the depths of his heart. Bloodlust, and this city was just crying out for death...

[Olvann Coia]

The Season of Winter
Era I of the Pax Imperialis
Era III of the Celestine Mandate
Era XII Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening
Paradigm Shift: Alleria Prime Opens and the new Empire is revealed as Audrey adresses the peoples
Month of Immanis

His slow smooth gait drew him ever closer to the gates. His cowl was drawn closely around his face, revealing little. Hiding his remarkable features. Once they met his gaze, they would feel the strength that permeated the air around him, it was an unspoken challenge that he humbly attempted to hide. His father had warned him of the people. Most would be blissfully ignorant and those who weren't would be unviably corrupt. Especially in the renown city of the dark elves. His father had been quite particular to mention the dark skinned kin. Their malignant cruelty and sadistic pleasures were invariably reputed as the core of their society. He thirsted for every opportunity to quell his small but indubitable sense of a sheltered lifestyle.

His father had told him that he would be forced to lie upon entering a city, it would be the among the first of his experiences in deceit, he had no need of such a tool amongst the cradle of his father's mountainous retreat. He had no Allerian visa, as far as the authorities were conscerned, he did not exist and that was a problem, especially in a city renown for underhanded dealing and treacherous schemes. His hand was forced to lie to these men.

"Serale good sir." He exuberantly addressed the nearest guard, "I seem to have had my purse cut by a rather disorderly mob that swarmed me within thirty feet of this very gate. He smiled warmly, his dark angular features revealed finally. Olvann motioned to a crowd of children that moved in and out of the crowd. "Oldest must'nt have been more than five patterns, quite an interesting lot you have here..."

The guard, taken aback by Olvann's startling eyes, was momentarily shocked into silence. "Ah-ahhem.." He cleared his throat, endeavoring to poorly mask his surprise, "Aye, they're a bloody lot of scamps... Arhar, Arha! Ahemmmm!" He looked the man up and down, and pointed to his cloak, "'Ye say 'ye got 'yer baggy stole, aye? A'right, I belive 'ya, got 'ehne wepins on 'ye?" He questioned with a heavy accent.

Olvann opened his cloak, retrieved his hunting knife, opened it, closed it, replaced it and turned about, assuring the man he carried no weapons, "The knife is all I have, nothing more." The guard looked him up and down once more, apparently satisfied, he pointed towards the centre of Vortex, "A'righ, on wit' 'ye, adeel's over there, make shar' you git' 'yeself a new pass afore 'ye leeve!" He exclaimed with a foul gap toothed smile. Olvann returned the smile and continued into the city.

[Kour'el Kha'Serith]

Timestamp: Sometime around Haz's

Leathery wings held the figure aloft, dancing on the wind currents as she circled down towards the city spread out before her. Vortex, I wonder how it got that name. She thought rather dryly, observing the dark city. Vortex of happiness maybe, sucking it out of the people in live there, or maybe the goodness? Sounds exactly like a place Haz would like. A grins spread across Kour'el's scaly visage at the thought of the half orc. He had mentioned Vortex, among other things the last time she had seen him, and hearing it had perked her own interests.

Wings angled down, the draconess swooped into a slow dive, circling as she went like some carrion bird falling to a kill. It wasn't as exciting as a free fall, but it was still better than soft skins could do, without the aid of magic. The grin stretched wider, and she laughed at the land bound races. They would never know the wonderful experience denied them. And Kour took perverse comfort in that, they were denied something her race could do. Except for those that hid. Pansy Moradens.

Leveling out, Kour'el went into the landing motions, practiced movements coming together perfectly. Cloth and fur bound feet hit the snow, making a soft crunching sound. She didn't even stumble, what a plus. Unslinging her pack from her shoulder, Kour'el pulled out the heavy cloak stuffed into it and shook it out, before sweeping the wool around her shoulders and wings. Picking her pack back up, checking to make sure she hadn't lost anything during her journey here, Kour'el fished out her Visa and picked her way through the snow to the road leading into Vortex.

The walls didn't look high to her, not after viewing them from up high. the guards still resembled the bugs they were though, something Kour'el snickered at as she waited her turn, blood still singing from her flight. There was no doubts just who was superior in her mind, she held the sky in the palm of her hand and lived longer than any of these pathetic soft skins. Besides they were some of the ugliest things this side, of well, Haz's backside. All colourless and washed out. Boring creatures. The only thing they did well was dying.

Flashing her Visa, Kour'el told them she was looking for a friend. If Haz was still in the city or not was an entirely different matter but perhaps she could at least see what Vortex had to offer before she left for home again, and her son and daughter. Traveling time had been signifigantly reduced for her at any rate.

[Tror D'Vinian]

Ponutis, The Season of Winter of Era I of the Pax Imperialis
Night

Tror sets out in the night, shortly after dusk. He leads his horse which is carrying his "family" of slaves. He hopes to make it to Tirisfal before Melora. He knows exactly what he plans to do. He shows the Visas of himself and his children to the guards, and explains that Tyllara is his slave. By this time his children already knew that, and they also knew to be quiet when in public. He wished that he could somehow teleport back to Tearsfall, as they call it now.

Everything seemed okay, so Tror was let through. He had completed his first mission. He thinks he took too much time though. Hopefully he doesn't feel the wrath of his master.

[Len'anor'heith Gio]

Time Stamp: Midday, Sixth Brightening of the Second Cycle of Kalendryas, Era II of the Celestial Mandate, Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening.

Len’anor’heith was still lost. This was definitely not Nexus Prime. Still, it was a bigger city than anything he had seen so far so he decided to go in and have a look around. Maybe get something to eat and a place to sleep for day or two before continuing his adventure.

He nodded at the guards, and flashed the visa that said "Duncan Gio, Lutran" on it. Coming from Terramarique, he had to improvise, after all. "That's my shape-shifted, form, yeah, that's it. I'm one of those dracons that shape change instead of flying. Look, you'll see, I can't fly at all."

And he jumped and pranced around a bit, falling on his face a few times. It would be obvious to even people who knew nothing of Dracons that Len honestly could not fly. "Well, glad we could clear that up. Okay, gotta go, bye."

And he attempted to dart in between the two guards and dash into Vortex. If followed, he would drop a few crowns on the street and go "Oh look there!" and then dash off again.

[Neav'ekel Nia'mnyth]

First Month in the Season of Winter of Era I of the Pax Imperialis (Current pattern) Era III of the Celestine Mandate (Previous Pattern) Era XII Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening. Paradigm Shift.
The returned note was more than she could have hoped for. The notes from her brother, explaining his long and painful absence was a blessing. Once she had received his letter, she sent another letter to her mother and sisters. Deciding to stop by on her way to Vortex, Neav’ekel Nia’mnyth ecstatically showed her mother the small toy Dracon she had made for her brother all those years ago. She wished she hadn’t. Her mother managed to find a Dracon from a family close but to ‘introduce’ to the autumn Draconess.

So in a whirlwind of draconic anger, Neav’ekel left her old home, striding towards Vortex, muttering nasty curses all the way.

With her large scythe split in two, the blade strapped to her right arm and tucked behind her wing, well hidden. Neav’ekel handed over her visa to the bored guards. Smiling her most polite smile, she went on through, swinging the five-foot staff about without a care in the world.

[Shio]

"Hmph." Shio stared up at the gates, thin arms crossed against her boyish chest. It was time that she had returned, no matter how much the city seemed to shun the elf girl's presence. Three years, no matter how long some of those lack-wit monks spent in isolation, was long enough for an impatient youth, long enough, indeed, for any dark-blooded creature with a short attention span. Still, for all the times that she told herself that the city wouldn't get to her, that the feeling of rejection and indigence from the past wouldn't come racing back again... It did, and Shio, Nall Shio, the bratty cousin of the matron, was ashamed. Tugging her hood closer to hide a blush, the mixed-breed took a few more steps forwards, the soles of her boots scuffing the dirt and gravel with a sense of insecurity.

It was enough. A customary, self-assured grin spread across the girl's child-like face, the type that she only adopted on these soils. It was hard to believe that at another time, in a different place, Shio acted as a demure avatar of innocence and politeness, the little lady that all mothers wanted their kids to be like. Seen, at times, and never heard, perhaps even locked away in an abandoned temple so that they wouldn't actually have to care for the little brats. 'Twas a sad state of affairs, indeed.

Glancing once at the guards, Shio shrugged, walking past them without a word. It never occurred to her that she wasn't quite famous enough for such privileges, no matter which noble family she, somewhat, at least, belonged to. Predictably, her path was halted with a spear, and the mildly interested, and particularly plain, face of the scrutinizing guard. "And where in Aeternia do you think you're going, kid? Get lost on the way to the toy store?" Growling, the small elf kicked at a stone, and snapped back at the sentinel in her most peeved voice.

"First of all, I'm not a kid, male." The guard rolled his eyes. Every woman who came to the gate as of late seemed to think that she was Vysstichi royalty. "And secondly... Oh, fine, just look at my visa, get on with it." She removed the piece of paper from her belt purse, showing it to the bemused soldier. "I'm here to visit family, okay? Big family, so you better uhm... You better look out for your job because... Because I might complain. So there."

And so, quite finished embarrassing herself with a series of immature antics, Shio skulked miserably through the gates, and into the city of her birth. What a homecoming.

[Indigo]

Timestamp
Noon, third day of the Last Cycle of Ponutis, Winter of Era III. Era XII Post Fractum

Indigo moved down the path and finally saw the city. Indigo moved quickly up to the city gates and pulled his visa, "Here is my visa and my business is just that my business" Indigo said as he walked up to the gaurd. "Now why don't you tell me where I can find a place to make me a certain 'document' that I need to procure." Indigo pressed a gold crown into the gaurds hand to ensure accurate directions "Ohh I see you want Giolands in Har'oloth," The gaurd said and gave him the directions that he needed. Indigo handed the gaurd another gold peice and went into the city. He wanted to be in and out of this hive of crime as soon as he could.

[Adelina Creoxin]

Timestamp: Morning, First cycle in the month of Melora, Winter of Era III. Era XII Post Fractum


As Adelina approached the large iron gates to the city, it was indeed everything that rumor had said it to be..imposing to the utmost. Since her purpose here at the moment was not one of complete business, wandering around this city would indeed probably prove foolish to some extent. Placing a look of indifference across her face, she left her hood up, though that did not make her appearance one of seeming guilt. Her black almond shaped eyes did easily spot the two guards standing by the raut iron gates. This sight was not one that was unexpected, so with that, an inward sigh of relief exuded within the Telera's mind.

Stopping a mere four feet from the two...perhaps Elves..surely. Sensing the indifference and seeming routine question given by all guards of various cities, she pulled a the leather strap that lay across her torso. In doing so, a make shift back pack was exposed to the guards. Kneeling down, the Telera withdrew the all too familiar document and stood straight. Lending her right hand out to the guard closest, it was to relinquish her visa. Letting her gaze fall to the other guard, she spoke in a direct tone, not wanting to draw this encounter out further for them. Gods knew they were bored enough already. "I am here to meet someone that is in need of my thanks, I believe him to be here. In the very least, a look at one of the temples would appeasing." Flicking her gaze to the guard with her visa, she held her right hand out to retrieve the item.

Seeing a nod come from him, the mask of indifference from both parties still held up. Murmuring a thanks, she watched as the iron gates opened. Immediate views of different sized buildings and slums feel into her line of vision, however, she did have at least one purpose while wandering the allies and market. Taking in a long breath, she placed the visa away and slung the leather strap around her torso again. Walking slowly, the young Telera kept her senses about, thankful that she'd left the majority of her crowns back in her Medonian home.

[Valanthas Quesada]

Candlemark 19 of Thera, 12th Brightening of the second cycle of Melora.
Winter of Era I of the Pax Imperialis.
Era XII Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening.

A solitary hooded figure approached the city of Vortex. He looked not upon the high walls, nor the iron gates with their intricate carvings. His head remained bowed; his face obscured in the dark recesses of his cowl. The man, for he possessed the shape of a human male, strode fluidly toward the guard houses. His tattered robe swished softly at his feet as he stopped. With an ashen white hand, the man removed a parchment of paper from his sleeve. It indicated that his name was Cadar Oakbarrow of Enamoria.

“I seek only to study,” he said in barely audible placidity. “Please admit my entrance.”

The man’s gaze strayed for long moments as he admired the purple trim and silver stripes upon the guard’s uniforms. His cold eyes glinted, if only for a moment, at the sight of their silver buttons. With an unseen smile, he accepted the parchment from the guard and returned it to his sleeve.

“I thank thee,” he said as he entered through the gates.