video; un: feywild

[imperceptus]

[ It's your friendly neighborhood drow, hanging out somewhere in the jungle. He's idly tossing a dagger into the air, then catching it, then tossing, and so on. ]

Good evening, my friends.

[ He hasn't met nearly so many of Riverview's population as he'd like, but he's comfortable speaking warmly, casually, as though they've all known each other for years. He leans against a tall, mossy tree, eyes on the dagger as it glints in the low sun's light. ]

I happened to be doing a little light exploring, a little minor surveying ... and I came across something interesting. Ruins of some sort, absolutely emanating with mysterious power. I couldn't quite map the shape of the place, unfortunately--as soon as I began drawing near, the jungle came even more alive than usual. Even the lovely birds were angry with me.

[ He catches the dagger for the final time, then slides it into some unknown recess of his jacket. ]

Now, I am of humble merchant stock, but I can defend myself, if I must. I progressed as far as I dared, but something began to feel wrong. I heard voices--strange, incomprehensible chanting. I felt dizzy, woozy. I took the wise path and retreated.

[ He shakes his head. ]

But, before I escaped, I saw a few artifacts scattered through the underbrush, marking a haphazard trail into the ruins. I dared not take one, but they were all inscribed with a certain symbol.

[ He steps aside from the tree he's been leaning against. This symbol is carved into the bark. ]

Not sure what it means, but I have an uneasy feeling just looking at it.

[ He seems thoughtful for a second, then shakes his head. Brightens up. ]

Anyway! I would very much like to get to the bottom of this, but, as mentioned, I'm merely a merchant. My meager skill is not enough to overcome those ruins alone. Any help would therefore be appreciated.

And--one more thing. If you see this symbol anywhere in town, I'd turn around and walk away.

Comments

un: Treasure.Princess

[thegreatninja]

Merchant huh? What cha got? Like in terms of paying to help you out?

[Says one of the surveyor's on the perimeter guard.]

[imperceptus]

Ah, you misunderstand. I was a merchant. The portal didn't exactly pull me through with my stock, darling.

private video; @fromTV

[spellslots]

[Taako looks at least a little concerned, but also a little judgy, because clearly Rin is a delicate soul who shouldn't be out traipsing through the forest alone.]

What the fuck, my dude? Is everything-- are you okay?

[imperceptus]

Hmm?

Perfectly fine. Especially now that it's dark.

text | un: medraut

[eternalmagic]

[If you could see him SALIVATING]

Where?

[imperceptus]

[ If only! ]

Does this mean you'll join my expedition? It's really not something to tackle alone.

audio; tadah.itsme

[maskerades]

Well now. That's interesting.

I'd be more than happy to help you out. I'm certain you could make use of my skills.

[imperceptus]

Perhaps I could, if you'll only elaborate on them for me.

video | un: ladygrace

[seductless]

[A drow? Grace can't help but give a slightly startled blink at that sort of unexpected discovery. Still, she manages to compose herself as she settles in front of her device.]

A have healing skills, if you are in need of that sort of assistance.

[imperceptus]

[ He notices that startled look, but it doesn't bother him. He's had worse. His ostensibly friendly demeanor doesn't change at all. ]

I'd be a fool to turn down someone so invaluable.

video; un: fresh.heir

[heirlift]

[ What is this, some kind of D&D adventure in the making? Pah.

All the same... ]

Well, I guess telling you to leave it alone probably isn't gonna work, huh? I guess I could come along if you need a little extra muscle.

[imperceptus]

Surely not. Surveying is my job now, and I take it very seriously.

[ He squints. ]

Don't get too excited, now.

( text; ) un: shigeru miyata

[mysophobic]

Telling people to stay away will just make them want to look.

[ That being said though... ]

If you need or want a healer to come with you I can offer my services.

[imperceptus]

[ Rin shrugs. ]

Not my business.

[ He only offered the warning out of basic courtesy. As to the rest of it -- ]

And all expeditions need medics.

un: ginko

[tenthousandmiles]

[Normally, he would assume that a sense of nature being more alive than usual would involve the koumyaku in some way, but that's not a possibility here...There are mushi, though, so he's still somewhat Concerned about all this.]

What do you intend to do?

[imperceptus]

Find people to help me explore.

[ He makes an expansive gesture with one hand. ]

Hence, this communication.

[video | un: edward.elric]

[alchemyfreak]

Looking into some research might turn up results, a trip to the library maybe.

[Or the internet, but Ed's got a bias there. Either way, there might record of what it means somewhere here.]

[imperceptus]

[ The library? SOUNDS LIKE BORING NERD STUFF.

But he just smiles, ingratiating as ever. ]

What a wonderful idea. I'll be sure to look into it.

video @lightemup

[umbrastaff]

Oh man, that sounds cool. I'm going!

Private:

Seriously though, you okay?

[imperceptus]

Somehow, I knew I could count on you.

private;

I'm perfectly fine. Slid out of there without a scratch.

[ (He might have been overstating the aura's effect on him, too.)

He smiles at her, putting on an air of gentle exhaustion. ]

I just don't want to go back alone.

video | un: redpaladin

[tempredmental]

More ruins with weird energy? I'm getting the impression of a theme around here.

I haven't seen that symbol anywhere else, yet. Is that the only place you saw it?

[imperceptus]

Cults these days! Always leaving their decrepit compounds out for everyone to randomly stumble into.

[ He shrugs. ]

Not yet, but this place isn't too far from the city--and it clearly wasn't as abandoned as it looked.

video; @crimson.duelist

[verflair]

[ X'rhun didn't know there were elezen here, but that's beside the point. ]

I would offer my blade and my skills if you still have need of them.

But answer me this: You seem to suspect the symbol is the cause of the strange phenomena you encountered in the ruins, and not the artifacts themselves, but why would it be present in the town?

[imperceptus]

I have extensive need for blades. And skills. Whatever those might be.

[ Smiling so earnestly. ]

As to the situation--I don't know if it's the symbol itself, per se. As far as I know, it's more a mark of ownership than something with its own power. Not that I can say for sure--I didn't stay long enough to check. I worry about its presence in town because I heard some very clearly human voices.

[ He shrugs. ]

Perhaps they're all lunatics, confined to the jungle. But in my experience, cults have a way of subtly extending their fingers into more populous places.

video

[veritron]

You see anything spidery? Calling himself Tarantulas or something?

[Because that sounds exactly like the Noisemaze. And Tarantulas would totally hang out creepily.]

[imperceptus]

[ He grimaces. ]

No, thank the gods.

[ He has a complex relationship with spiders. Which leads him to wonder: ]

Why do you ask?

video; un: d.pavus

[tevinteraltus]

[All this talk of mysterious ruins and strange chanting has caught the researcher's attention and his eyes positively sparkle with interest as the video feed initializes.

He smiles, because really, this sounds like just the sort of place of his dearest friends would drag him were they in his own world.]

Strange ruins and mysterious chanting, you say? How delightful. I wonder, though, what's a merchant doing beyond the walls alone in the first place? Isn't it a bit dangerous without an escort?

[imperceptus]

[ He definitely deliberately crafted his description of the place to entice the adventurous types. Danger! Mystery! Intrigue! Possible madness? Everyone loves that. ]

Extremely! But I do know a few things about self-defense. Not enough to simply waltz in there alone, mind you. But enough to keep my skin intact.

[ And absolutely nothing more, of course. ]

text; @gamora

[godslay]

Has that symbol already been spotted around the city?

And do you have real reason to believe it might be?

[imperceptus]

Not yet.

[ But he hadn't been aware of this whole shenanigan until now. ]

But cults have a way of creeping in quietly, I've found.

video, @konyx

[onblackwings]

Where in the jungle was this?

[imperceptus]

I don't have coordinates. Besides, even if I did, I'm not broadcasting them. Can't have every curious cat going out for a look, can we?