[Location] Vertex - Entrance to Har'oloth

[Kalinda]

OOC: The PCs that want to enter Har’oloth have to post in this thread and state that they are coming down. Even if the Vertex is guarded, the guards are just watching people and not asking for documents. So this thread is For My Information, so that I know who is entering Har’oloth.

The City government took care of the organic integration of the underground caves into the territory of the city. Thus President of the City Council signed a decree by which great sums of money were directed to the construction of reliable and safe entrances to the Undercity. The document spoke of the construction of eight entrances, one of which was situated in the center of the city and seven others that were placed in a circle around the main one.

Each of hose entrances was a tall structure that was going more to the depth than above the ground. Even if they were common in design, the main entrance was the biggest one and the most richly decorated. Within a few days of building the entrances, the citizens of Vortex were speaking about them everywhere – at home, at work and even at burial sites where people were supposed to be quiet. And before the official name for those entrances was created, they turned them into Vertexes. The name spread fast as it was similar to the city’s name and thus easy to remember and yet it was speaking about the depths beneath.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Each Vertex was divided into two parts. Two stories were situated above the ground; one was a place where food was sold as it was an unpleasant experience to be cooped up in a underground tunnel all day. And the second store sold mediocre trinkets, nothing of any real value, but it was a nice place to buy flowers or a simple music box for a loved one. The walls were made of gray marble and basalt plates, had reinforced foundations to help make the average passerby feel more secure about the fact that it would not be easy for a cave in. Fancy engraved grating was placed around three sides of the Vertex to provide safe passageway along the building. The fourth side was allotted with the loud boisterous sounds of heavy vans and other carriages that were squealing and squeaking along the sloping approach to the freight hoist. The mighty gearing of the hoist was set into motion by a team of heavy horses which you could hear rather easily as there hooves collided into the ground. Unmounted visitors had a choice – they could either pay money for a ride on the smaller version of the hoist or go by foot down the staircase that was going around in circles around both hoists. Both hoists had stations on each of the three levels of the first horizon of the undercity. The stations themselves had armed guards with long swords standing watch, they were there for the citizens protection among other things. They were basically just making sure nothing uncivil was going to take place and disrupt the transactions of the transit.

Anybody who had business affairs in the Undercity or was looking for some adventure had to pass through one of the narrow gangways in the gratings, warded by guards on constant patrol. They were looking and surveying the surroundings but not interfering with the crowd’s natural hussle and bussle unless it was absolutely necessary. They were mostly just scouting for pick pockets and scoundrels that frequented this cavernous area. They were armed with scimitars, and wore sandy hued leather armor.

Through the tall and wide cast gates that were opened all day, a passenger would find himself strolling through the main hall. Huge red stained-glass windows had sunlight beaming through them which illuminated the place in a crimson hue rather nicely and made it fairly easy to see, thus it was sunlight during the day hours and lamps hanged in piers during the night shift. The crowd was dividing into three separate flowing sections. The first was the biggest, these people where turning to the right and going to the stairs as they could not afford the luxury of being brought up by the hoist. The second flowing section was far less crowded, these people appeared to be people with extra crowns to spend they were just moving plainly forward to the hoist itself and small cabin at its side, where they had to buy tickets from a scruffy looking vysstichi whom acted and appeared as if he wanted to be someplace else. And lastly a few visitors were standing to the left tucked out of the way of everyone else, this crowd had even less people it, but they were just waiting for the people who were going to appear from the downside, where they would spend there time relaxing and sitting on one of several benches that were standing lonely near the wall as they waited patiently for there loved ones and friends to greet and join them.


Original description by GD Polina, editted by Jynx, minor editting by GD Kalinda.

[Arten]

Approaching the main vertex Alten looked at the crowds of people. Looking at the stairs to the right and the small cabins he jingled the coins in his purse.

Deciding that the excercise wouldn't be too bad for him he followed the bigger crowd of people to the right where the stairs were.

Slowly Alten made his way down the stairs and into Har'oloth.

[Grak]

Grak made his way slowly through the area, allowing the crowds to part around him. He made the effort to appear to be merely taking his time and not appear the first time visitor that he was, gawping at the strangeness of it all.

He disliked the crowds, wanting to strike out and use his axe to clear the area, but he kept control of his temper and eventually made his way to the staircases, just going with the flow and left the overground world.

[Querslis Vuerslin]

Querslis made her way opposite of some, and began her first venture to the surface, it was night time, and she knew that she would have plenty of time to do the things she needed. She finally came to the entrance, and for the first time walked on the surface...

[Skorri]

Ver'nya walked slowly with the flow of the crowd, her walking room increased by a large space that never seemed to shrink behind her. "Just stick close Thomas, mabye nobody will walk into you." Ver'nya veered towards the stairs, descending into the depths/

[Drake Stormbringer]

Time stamp: First cycle of Aperitus, fifth brightening.

IC:
Entering the Vertex nearest to his home Drake’s body left the light of the suns and was now surrounded by a red glow that came from the windows up high. Not having to worry too ,uch about pickpeckets as his money was safetly tucked away in his belt, more than 7 feet in the air he took in the sight of the bustling gateway to the undercity. Making his way slowly with the majority of the crowd to the slopes down he had one advantge, he could look at the different supplies offered, even though from afar, which helped a little to defeat the boredom of the slowly moving mass.

Heading steadily downward with the shrinking mass he pasted the first plane and went on decending. Nearing an exit from the big slope that lead on and on to the depths of the Vysstichi city he looked upwards one last time, trying to find sunlight as he entered the second plane of the city.

[Urck]

ooc: I will get to the timestamp in a minute

IC: Urck’s steps sounded lightly upon the hardened ground, each one coming with ease and each one bringing him a little closer to the entrance to the large caverns that laid in waiting below the very ground beneath his practiced footfalls. Beneath the black shadows cast by the depths of his finely made hooded cloak. His superior night vision remained unhindered as the grey clouds gathered more densely in the sky above, the approaching night sending a slight darkness into the air ahead of the pitch black that would come within a short amount of time. The howl of the wind sang all the louder, ruffling the fur of the winter wolf cloak that never failed to keep that wind off of his back, bringing with it that chill that night promised the surface dwellers each time the darkness fell and stars played, summer or not. Nameless insects chirped out their mating calls to others, getting a head start on those he waited until the moon shone brightly above in contrast to the black sky. The little buggy's thinking they would get lucky. Where Urck was going, though, he knew that he would neither see nor feel, hear nor smell any of the environmental changes. Natural wind would rarely ever touch his green hide after the next few candlemarks. Never again would his black eyes be burned by the day's suns. He would be going where stars never saw and moon never reached. Into the depths of the ground, within the many caverns of Har'oloth itself.

He, as well as his three human companions stepped onto the hoist that would bring them into the next chapter of their lives. They all knew that this would be a major change for them; they all knew that things that usually came easily would have to be fought for with heart. Previous accomplishments meant no more to this city then legends on parchment, entertaining but nothing more. Was the orc nervous? Of course. Did his face show even the slightest hint of that emotion that swam in his heart? Not the least. But what sane individual could actually honestly claim to feel calm entering the cities depths? This would be the orcs first journey below the upper crust of Telath and into the rock below, excluding the dark caves that he had often taken up residence during his younger years. His human companions were even worse off then he. They did not posses the gift of night vision, as well as the fact that they knew that vysstichi were not particularly welcoming to outsiders. There cautiousness was raised, and wisely so.

In the other cities the four had been to within the past few eras, they had nothing to worry for. In fact, most of the time they actually hoped to be attacked, so confident were they in their superior skills over most. Here, in a city comprised mostly of a race who prided themselves on their quality assassins, they knew that they would not be harbouring such hopes. In a race that had ten times the amount of time to hone their skills then the average human and orc did, they all knew that they would be far from superior. In the other cities, Imperia, Riparia as well as others, their main concern was teen pickpockets wielding a rusty knife within the grasp of a shaky hand. Here, every shadow could spell a trip to Jalat. Every alley could hold a skilled mercenary searching only a purse and more then willing to commit a less then legal act to get it. Those fears so easily pushed aside only raised the group’s determination to become the best, to wield their weapons with proficiency unrivalled by all. They were nothing here, but that would soon change.

They stepped off of the hoist onto the stone that layered the first level of Har'oloth, each pair of eyes darting around and realizing that they were now encased in stone. The lamps flickered light upon the souls that exited the hoist with them, but it was not enough to illuminate the flicker of a smile, one of the first genuine smiles, that crossed the orcs face as his vision relayed to him images of darkened corners that the eyes of a human could not hope to penetrate, the ashen coloured faces of the useful and deadly vysstichi that surrounded him. This place would be enjoyable, and hopefully where he finally stays. Either as a recognized and powerful orc or a corpse in a gutter.

[Astralis]

ooc: first post, I hope I do this right. -.-

Astralis shivered apprehensively as she looked around her. It was dark, too dark for her liking. Angry at herself, she tried to push away her fear, knowing it was useless in this city. It was unfair though, she thought, that her fortune had brought her here.
She stared at the stone steps which would lead her to the underground city. Where was she going, really? She shivered again.
"Perhaps I shall turn around and leave," she said aloud, prompting a strange look at an orc passing by. She blushed.
Inhaling deeply, she placed her foot on the first stone step. And then she ran. Running and running as though the flames of hell licked at her heels.
"I'm in," she said panting, a manic grin forming on her face. "I can finally start my life."

[Amber Brightwing]

Brightening 9 of the Fifth Cycle of The Month of Aperitus in the Season of Summer
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, The Mageocracy of Julos the Mad

Amber was feeling really curious. She was about a city under a city. Just the fact that so many people lived and worked under the ground seemed strange to her. How could they live without the sun shining upon them? And without the view of nature around? No matter. she wasn't going to be the one that would live here. As she flew through the wide opened gates, she noticed that there were guards running around this place as well. Although they didn't seem to do much, other than patrolling a little, it was strange to see that so many places in this city were guarded. It was going to be a while until she would be used to that.

Staying above the crowds, she followed the bulk of them to the right and went down the stairs. Looking at the masses below she was glad she could fly. Not only she avoided the hustle, but it went a lot faster as well.

[Maes]

The Month of Aperitus in the Season of Summer,
of Era II of the Celestine Mandate,
Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening,
the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad.

After a month in Vortex, Maes had finally decided to visit the infamous locale. It was said that many things could be gained in Har'oloth, and that was an opportunity the boy didn't want to miss out on. Maes passed through the bustling crowds, head lowered, hands in the pockets of his coat. His hood was drawn up over his head, his youthful features hidden by it's deep folds. If the whispers he had heard about the Undercity were true, it might be a mistake to let others know his young age. A child would be perceived as an easy mark.

[Raevenn Lathorin]

Shortly after his return as timestamped here ...

OoC: I apologize for not having done this before the first, second, third, fourth, fifth ... times I posted in the Underground Sowwie.

The Vertexes were familiar enough for the common Vortexian, especially one like Raevenn. This city had been his home for so long, and it was only natural for him to know his way around the city -- get from one place to another almost unconsciously. His mind had other matters to worry about: things that were rather common, to say the least, in the City of Darkness.

Looking around, he casually nodded at faces he recalled from long ago, his neighbors, even some men and women who knew his parents and the tragedy that struck their home some four eras ago. They always looked at him longingly, these people, as if searching him for signs of sadness, even regret. They knew that his smoothe midnight robes were not given free, and that the boy they knew must have found some sort of job to buy them. His deep dark eyes, unkept raven hair, were all signs of his maturity, his understanding of the world he was born into; the world he swore to conquer through death's mighty grip. They didn't know it, but Rae only grinned inwardly at their blank stares ... they would die sooner or later, and unlike Raevenn, their souls would forever feel the pain and sorrow, churning in their anger, in the endless River Umblat.

The guards were familiar with him, too despite his sudden disappearance. He came down to Har'oloth whenever he worked for Mistress Alara. But things changed. And such things were better not mentioned ... for now. He wondered how the slave market was doing. That, and he needed to work on getting more contacts for the slave market's business. The Matrons of Vortex's Houses needed their sex slaves, after all -- and who better to provide them?

Time to go under ...

[Kurth Tathasir]

First Brightening of the Second Cycle of Junctior, Summer, Era XI Post Fractum, Schism in the Church of Faith

It was not until the first brightening of the second cycle after he had arrived in Vortex that he had mustered the bravery to enter the dark city of the Vysstichi. He had been there about a cycle, and until then had acquainted himself with the back streets and alleyways, making well sure to not be a target for anything the lowlife scum of the city had planned for him.

It was then, though, that he realized he needed to descend into the darkness to fully acquaint himself with the one he so desired. And so it should be. Jalat was not weak, nor did he enjoy weak followers. Unsure at first, Jenos concentrated the hate towards his parents inside him until he forcefully made his way to the entrance of Har’oloth. It was time to descend and become one with the evil that he knew so well.

And so he went down, down into the dark abyss.

[Zoveh]

5th Brightening; Cycle 1
The Month of Ioannes in the Season of Summer, of Era II of the Celestine Mandate (Current Pattern) Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad.
Paradigm Shift: Schism in the Church of the Faith!


He hated this place. He didn't know why, but he hated this place with a passion. Maybe it was the closed in roof. Or the idea of no sky. Of the non-existence of trees. Or maybe it was all of the residents who had no loyalty to anything or anyone, no sense of honor unless fear instilled it into them. And even then it would never last.

Regardless, he had only been here once. And he was less then pleased to find himself in Har'oloth. He had left as quickly as possible in a place he had never been to, and was less then pleased about it all.

But now...now he was going back. What could possibly have possessed a human to go back down into the UnderCity? Well...he had heard a rumor. A whisper of a rumor, and one that the intelligent and wise make a point to never discuss.

He had heard there once was an Academy.

And so he went down the Vertex, that seemingly neverending stretched of closed-in space, following the masses as he trekked his way farther down underground.

[Tror D'Vinian]

40th Brightening of Kalendryas, Season of Autumn, Era II

Morning:
Tror had left his horse back at his place of stay. He smiled inwardly as he came upon the main building called a 'vertex'. As far as he understood this building would allow transport down into the undercity of Har'oloth. He had heard rumors of slavery being held down there. He planned to experience this aspect personally. He was once a rival of slavery; now he planned to participate in it by owning a slave. This would test himself and if he felt like it he would probably set the slave free; depended on his mood and how much hate he had built up in himself. He wanted to get a nice little woman, preferably an elf.

Tror decided to take the stairs. He didn't want to pay to get down there. He would move with the crowd, not allowing himself to be pushed but not pushing either. Hopefully this experience will benifit him. He had all 3 of his weapons on him anyway, just in case. He now had mixed feelings about bloodshed, knowing it was required, but he didn't want to cause any this brightening. He would smile upon reaching the dark city of dark elves, Har'oloth.

[Duncan Sythe]

Timestamp: Winter of the Era II/Era XI Post Fractum, Age of Darkening

It was no longer Aaron Slone who dropped aimed to drop into the depths of potentially dangerous Vysstichi city but instead Marcus the Malician mercenary who approached the hoist arrangement with rusted armor beneath his heavy traveling cloak, sword at his side and squint of irritation well in hand. Duncan had learnt long ago that different personalities did better in difference places, different masks for different times and given he had the significant ability of a powerful Mystic he was going to use it to the hilt; albeit as subtly as was possible.

That did mean to avoid inconvenient pickpockets and muggers he was in Meditation and swathed in Awareness to keep his wits about him with hands by his sides near a sword but these spells were easily enough for a low level mage to cast habitually and nothing to cast the attention of the authorities, no, nothing to indicate an incredibly powerful spellcaster was about to drop into the Vysstichi den in inequity.

The Vertex Duncan found was, in the end, no worse than Imperia and only once did he meet a pick pocket on his way to the hoist, a young, ambitious Vyssitichi youth who attempted to reach the far smaller money pouch at Duncan’s right hip, oblivious to its very purpose there being to detract away from the fact he kept his funds and important items in his coat and cloak. Through Awareness he felt the little hand brush the belt as he paused to get his bearings and spun even as the small knife came up, catching the wrist with it and twisting, gently but firmly. The knife dropped, Duncan delivered a Marcus one-eyed stare and the youth skittered off, releasing his wrist from Duncan’s unresisting hand, his back watched, Duncan sighing at the necessity.

Working the grit encrusted, black gloved hand open and closed again he shrugged back into his cloak where it had fallen awry and stepped onto the hoist, down into darkness.