Free-Form Fantasy

Noname · **Reply #580 on:** December 29, 2009, 12:59:43 AM

"Certainly. There are several guids in Minbenthac. If you are looking for wizards in specific, I'd suggest the order of the silver claw. Their guild headquarters is about one mile south of here. It's hard to miss if you know what to look for. Just seek the building with the big silver dome; it is the only large dome of that color in the city." Aurescia replied.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #581 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:04:13 AM

"Thank you very much," Halo said.

"Finally," Youri responded. "Then we could put this 'evil wind' of yours to rest before the ferry leaves..."

Noname · **Reply #582 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:16:14 AM

"Good luck! If you need any help in the guild, just tell them that Aurescia sent you! They'll respect that!" the Dracon female called out to them.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #583 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:41:23 AM

The trio left the shop and went south, and the dome was as clear as the sun in the sky. It took little time to reach the entrance...

Noname · **Reply #584 on:** January 04, 2010, 10:31:56 PM

The Order of The Silver Claw had a very impressive guild hall. The order had been founded for three reasons. First, to benefit the magic skills and powers of the members of the order. The experienced and powerful were to teach the inexperienced and weak, in return for their services. As a guild member grew in power, so did his responsibilities, until he was powerful enough to teach and guide others himself. Second, the order existed to enrich those in it by making and selling magical items to stores. Ophion purchased many of his potions and powders from the guild's potion hall. He could have made the potions himself, but his time was better spent on other endeavors, and the guild could manufacture items in far larger quantities than Ophion could ever hope to do.

The third reason for the Order's existence was controversial. The "Silvers" took it upon themselves to hunt down and destroy creatures, rivals, or individuals whom they deemed to be a threat to the Dracon race. Some have said that this was a cover for attacks meant to loot rich enemies, or to steal from a dragon's lair when they deemed it a threat. Furthermore, the Order maintained an off-limits section of the guild hall, and a library separate from that of the guild's standard one. While they never commented on it publicly, it was believed that the forbidden sections contained spellbooks and artifacts looted from powerful creatures, where the highest-ranking members of the guild learned their formidable spells and arcane knowledge.

Still, the guild was more than capable of helping the three who were even now approaching its gates.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #585 on:** January 05, 2010, 12:43:27 AM

As the three travelers neared the gates, a second gust of wind blew across Halo's body, where Youri & Shiana's coats barely even ripple. The air gensai stopped as if he had almost hit a brick wall head-on. "Twice is more than coincidence..." he said, and continued walking.

They entered the gates to the guild and looked around...

Noname · **Reply #586 on:** January 05, 2010, 12:55:57 AM

The great hall of the guild was a vast dome. Beneath it were dozens of stands, as if it were a marketplace. In some ways, it was. People seeking magical aid came to the guild, and generally, were not allowed far beyond the domed area unless a member of the Silver Claw.

Signs written in Draconic pointed out the various services offered, with names like "Potions", "Enchantments", "Curse Removal", "Translations" (written in several languages), "Materials", "Familiars", "Wands", "Staff and Staves", "Tools", "Magic Rings" "Talismans and Amulets", "Books and Scrolls" and "Hired Help." That last one seemed a bit out of place. The items sold were generally for wholesale, not for individual purchase.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #587 on:** January 05, 2010, 01:17:55 AM

"This looks more like a marketplace than a guild," Youri muttered.

"So which one of these wizards could help us?" Shiana asked.

"Good question," Halo answered, looking around. "We need to speak with a high priest for sure. Someone with plenty of magical knowledge would easily have sensed any foul doings around here..."

Noname · **Reply #588 on:** January 05, 2010, 01:29:52 AM

One of the guild members, an older Dracon in silver robes approached them. His skin was the same silvery shade as his robes. Creepy. At least his eyes were normal. A shade of bright blue.

"I know that you three have come seeking our aid. I sensed a gensai nearby." His very voice seemed like an echo, yet came out clear. "Forgive my outward appearance. It is rare that I greet and guide visitors, yet I sense that my aid will be required for you to accomplish your goals. And ours. We can work together. Allow me to introduce myself. I am known as Silver Fang, third in command of the order of the Silver Claw. My real name is of no consequence. Who are you that I may know you, and what exactly do you seek?"

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #589 on:** January 05, 2010, 02:10:25 AM

The trio removed their hoods as the Dracon priest approached them.

"I am Halo, my Lord. I am gensai of the air, as you have sensed before. These are my friends. Shiana the half-elf, and Youri the nimblewright. What we seek from this guild is answers. As a child of the sky, I have the ability to commune with the wind, and earlier today I was warned of evil magic in use in this city. I doubted anyone of political authority here would believe this, so I hope that my suspicions could be corrigated by more experienced and respected users of magic. Have you or anyone else in this guild discovered anything out of the ordinary recently? Over a few days perhaps?"

Noname · **Reply #590 on:** January 05, 2010, 02:25:45 AM

"Yes, I have sensed several major users of forbidden magics. It isn't uncommon. In fact, it is quite rare that the guild does NOT sense use of much magics in a tower, back alley or slum somewhere in Minbenthac. Still, as a wizard, I should be able to help you three."

Silverfang move over to them and stretched out his arms, and was briefly enveloped in white light. None of this seemed to bother any of the other members of the guild or the patrons; given their field, they were quite used to these sort of things.

When the light cleared, Silverfang was dressed in a shirt, long pants, and had two swords on his back, held in holsters strapped to him. He also looked decades younger, and his skin, while still gray, was no longer the same silvery shade as before.

"Sorry for the deception" he told them in a regular voice. "I normally don't let others see my true self. It would be a scandal if everyone knew that I wasn't as old and experienced as I really am. The higher ranking guild members know it, and that transformation you just saw was something I didn't let anyone else see; they still see the illusion of a venerable old mage."

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #591 on:** January 05, 2010, 02:50:57 AM

Yes, all three of them were stunned by the wizard's transformation, but they understood immediately of his reasons for the harmless deception.

"As I now recall," Halo thought outloud, "a few nights ago there was an attack at an inn by a Dracon wizard, shortly before I myself arrived in town. The damage there was immense, but anything other than what I know for sure I simply took for gossip. However, another Dracon wizard named Ophion may know more about that incident. His wife Aurescia referred us to this very guild for help."

Noname · **Reply #592 on:** January 05, 2010, 02:58:44 AM

"She did the right thing. Ophion and his wife are well-known to us. They come here all the time to buy our goods wholesale, and to cooperate on projects from time to time."

Silverfang shifted his weight from one clawed foot to the other and moved his tail in unison before continuing.

"I have heard about the inn, but did not think it significant until I sensed others searching for the one who was responsible. I would aid you three, if you would let me join you. I sense that the one responsible for this was the pawn of a more powerful entity."

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #593 on:** January 05, 2010, 04:27:37 AM

"Ah, Halo," Youri said. "The three of us need to talk privately."

The three separated for a private talk.

"The ferry leaves today! We can't go around engaging in every conflict in every country we come to!"

"But this could be serious!" Shiana interjected.

"I'm sure the wizards could handle this withOUT our help!"

"Then why did they ask us to help them? They wouldn't ask for an outsider's help if they didn't need it."

"Halo, we can't be involved in this. We came here for answers and we got them. This city should have more than enough defenses to handle some rogue wizards..."

Halo was contemplating during the argument, but heard every word. It took a few moments for him to answer. "As a son of the sky, my path is ordained by the ever-changing winds that encircle this earth. And today, those winds of destiny has guided us to this city and its ordeals. And Shiana, you follow a code of the Knights of the Cloak, do you not?"

"I do," she replied. "And the code is to destroy the forces of evil wherever it hides."

"And Youri..."

"I won't be convinced..."

"Well, it's 2 to 1. Tough luck, pal."

The trio turned back to Silver Fang for their answer.

"We'll be glad to have powerful wizard like you in our team," Halo said.

Noname · **Reply #594 on:** January 05, 2010, 04:35:33 AM

"Excellent! The Order's higher-ups know of my mission here. Ask a common member of our ranks, and they will know nothing, nor should they know. As far as they are concerned, I am just an elder with a funny voice who tells them what to do. If you three would be so kind as to accompany me to the hall of foresight, we can learn more about this problem. There, we will be able to get the pool of foresight to activate, but its waters only show what needs to be shown when enough people with knowledge of what is being sought stir its waters. Since you three know more about this problem, it should work if all of us stir it. Getting there will require me to teleport you, so I need your permission first. I wouldn't take you there against your will." Silverfang told the trio.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #595 on:** January 06, 2010, 02:03:16 AM

"Honestly," Halo replied, "I'm not sure we know about this as much as some others. Maybe we can find some others that may be more involved with the incident several days before? I remember Ophion and a human paladin, and there may be another Dracon. Others I have not witnessed."

Noname · **Reply #596 on:** January 06, 2010, 02:15:45 AM

"That's okay. All we need is to provide details to the pool simply by stirring its waters. It will absorb what it needs, and it will show us all we need to know. Basically, we need to "ask" it a question by stirring the waters, and it will be able to give us the answer, so long as the "question" is specific enough." Silverfang replied.

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #597 on:** January 06, 2010, 02:41:56 AM

"Ok then," Halo replied.

"Let's get going," Shiana added.

"Fine then," Youri finished.

Noname · **Reply #598 on:** January 06, 2010, 04:08:47 AM

"Then, we are off!" And with that, a bright flash of light enveloped all four of them. Not more than a split-second later, they found themselves in a room with very clean-smelling air, and a brown floor. The walls were gray, and the only light came from a small hole in the ceiling.

"Let me let in the sun. One moment" Silverfang told them. He must have cast some spell, because in a moment, the hole in the ceiling opened up further, letting in a large amount of light.

"Welcome to the silver tower. You may have seen a tall building as you entered Minbenthac, one with a silver dome on to top, besides the Order's main hall. This is the other major property owned by the guild. This room in particular is the hall or foresight. Come with me to the pool of foresight. It isn't far."

It was not far at all. On the far side of the room was a pool of dark blue water. It seemed stagnant and dull. Reaching in his clawed finger, Silverfang stirred the water.

"Go on. Put your hands in, and give it a quick stir. It should give us the answers we need."

Mirumoto_Kenjiro · **Reply #599 on:** January 07, 2010, 01:52:49 AM

The group approached the pool, and Halo was the first to touch it. A small breeze from nowhere caused the pool to ripple slightly before his finger touched.

Shiana removed a glove and joined to stir the water gently with her finger.

Youri was the last. His aged-looking steel index finger made contact with the water and stirred...