High King Peter Speaks!

[Wickham]

News! News! The songbirds are all a-twitter!

High King Peter has given notice of an important announcement on Saturday evening (September 21, 7pm PST). All residents of the Lantern Waste are encouraged to gather Along the Northern Stream (just outside the Castle Ruins) to hear an important speech concerning the defense of the realm.

Scribes will record the proclamation for anyone who cannot attend.

Check back on this thread for more news!

[Wickham]

High King Peter has announced his intention to clear out the ruins of the White Witch’s castle for good, inviting all willing Narnians to band together to accomplish this goal and better secure this part of the Waste’s defenses. The Northern Guard will direct operations over the next several weeks, and transform the ruins from a threatening hulk to a safe yet solemn memory of the past.

What does this mean for our players? It means lots of roleplay opportunities, and we encourage all of you to make use of these events to get creative! How do your characters feel about the ruins, let alone venturing inside?

The ruins of the White Witch's castle have stood decayed and abandoned for years. They contain no definite evil or magic, although evils have congregated there from time to time and left their traces, and the place is shunned by locals as ineffably dangerous. The goal of the clean-up will be, in part, for Narnians to work together to face their fears. The roofs will be demolished, opening all dark areas to the sky. (For practical reasons, we should include good giants in this operation, even if we have to spoof them.) Dark tunnels or dungeon rooms will be filled in and blocked up. The courtyard will be turned into a garden, and the remaining grounds allowed to grow a little wild, bringing a touch of nature and tranquility to what was once dark and decayed. The ruins will continue to stand as a memory of the past, but no longer a fearful blight.

Ideas for scenes

Please don't limit yourself to these suggestions, but if you're looking for an idea here are a few!

• Typical daily activities of the clear-out: exploring, mapping, clearing out, opening roof and letting the light in.
• Discovering secret chambers or passages and sealing them up.
• Encountering the many dangers of old and crumbling ruins (falling masonry, diseased vermin like dumb rats)
• Discovering items - evil memories of a terrible age that should be destroyed
• Discovering items - useful tools or weapons
• Reliving your characters' personal stories of the ruins and the evils that have lurked there in the past
• Challenges of working with other Narnians of different species and attitudes
• (Need staff approval) Minor evils – if you have an idea for a scene with an evil creature, please discuss the idea with staff first.
• (Need staff approval) Curses or magic items – if you have an idea for a scene featuring magic of any sort, please discuss the idea with staff first.

Roleplay Guidelines

• Feel free to RP with whatever players are online at the time. The Northern Guard is officially running the operations in the ruins, but even if they are not around you can pretend that they’re either nearby or that the work you’re doing is part of the overall plan somehow. There’s no need to wait for specific players to be around.
• For the sake of IC safety during the clean-up operation, please RP that you're always in groups of two or more. Creative spoofing of "extras" is encouraged if you need them.
• Ensure that all consequences of your scene wrap up entirely within one play session. (If you like, you can leave it in a way that players can choose to re-open later if they want to, so long as it's not a loose thread that MUST be resolved.)
• Make any event something that your players' species can reasonably resolve. (Please avoid large battles that require trained fighters you don’t have, for instance.)
• Please post your roleplay logs (or summaries) to this thread! This is supposed to be a coordinated activity, and so it makes sense that today's players would be aware of what happened yesterday. Sharing RP can be a great inspiration for all of us, and it will give us a chance to build off each other's RPs if we like!

[Petraverd]

Along the Northern Stream
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
You stand alongside a small stream in the midst of some VERY hilly country.
To the east and south, little rises and valleys roll like stationary waves on
a great, grassy ocean, with trees and bushes scattered on them like leafy
boats. To the east and north, the trees of Lantern Waste cast mottled shadows
across the stream. at your feet flows down from the north, continuing on its
way southward toward the Great River in the distance. Across it, two
particularly large hills meet in a shallow valley. An overgrown path leads
eastward into it, and beyond you can see what appears to be a massive pile of
rubble. It looks unattractive and out of place in this otherwise pretty
little area. A cool breeze blows from the east, rustling the leaves of a
beech tree that sits here near the stream.

The streambank continues both north and south from here. Crossing the stream
and heading west also appears to be fairly easy going.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
You can go: Into Lantern Waste <W>, Follow the Overgrown Path <E>, Downstream
<S>
Contents: A lioness with striking blue eyes (Felicity); A son of adam wearing
the formal attire of the royalty (Peter); A squirrel; and Narnian Banners.
Glyn comes trotting toward you from the south, following the stream.
Glyn arrives, following Petraverd.

Peter arrives in company with a few of the members of the Guard. He is dressed in uniform and wears his sword in a scabbard at his waist. He moves toward the platform which has been constructed. Oddly, there is a pile of tools placed next to it. The ruins of the abandoned castle loom up in the distance, but the High King does not seem to feel their sobering influence

Petraverd walks from the south with Glyn at his side, his step purposeful and his demeanor of quiet calm. He dips an equine bow toward the High King as he nears, flicking his tail once.

Glyn moves briskly alongside the Unicorn, head erect until he makes a bow as well.

Felicity pads toward the assembly from the west, her steps tentative as she approaches the ruins and the gathering. She bows deeply to the King.

Peter steps forward. "You may well wonder why I have called you together, Northern Guard members and citizens of Lantern Waste. I will not keep you long; there is a task which has been too long neglected. It will call for each of you to do your part, though I do not think it is beyond your combined abilities..."

Felicity's ears flatten and her tail flicks as she listens to the pronouncement.

Petraverd glances over the gathering, continuing to swish his tail. As the King speaks, his focus turns to him, ears swiveled forward and his expression firm.

Glyn's ears cock as the High King begins to speak. He stands beside Petraverd at rigid attention.

Peter's glance falls on the ruins, not far distant, and he falls silent a moment. "If Lantern Waste is to be defended, then that defense must take several forms. I have ordered you to keep the borders secure, but watching and waiting is not the only means for doing that. There are rumors of secret passages leading from the castle beyond us to the moors. What good is it to secure our borders if our enemies are able to tunnel through beneath our very noses? I have reason to believe those stories are true. The time has come..."

Petraverd's own glance shifts to the gathering again, though his demeanor changes little with the King's words. His tail continues to twitch, in a somewhat pensive manner.

Glyn cannot keep from looking back toward the ruins himself, a small shudder running down his back.

Felicity appears even more ill-at-ease as the King speaks about the ruins, glancing along with likely everyone else to the ruins.

Peter continues. "What I am asking will not be easy. It will require courage. It will require prudence. It will require teamwork. I cannot tell you what you will find. If you are unable or unwilling to face the challenge and whatever danger lies ahead, you will be excused with no shame attaching itself to you. However, I tell you that if you do not take up this task it will be of little good to watch for giants to arrive from the north."

Petraverd takes a breath as he casts a brief glance toward the ruins himself, then turns back to the King, giving a resolute nod.

Glyn's gaze falls to the ground as the words sink in. Then, with a shake, he pulls himself erect and turns to face the High King.

Peter allows his glance to fall on each in turn. "Enter the ruins in groups. Take all precaution, but go, along with the pack and the herd. Seek out and seal the passages, but do not head into the moors. If there is danger, take the necessary steps to disarm it. If there is dark magic left, it must be reported so that it may be destroyed. The ruins must be mapped so that we know what we are facing...If you do not, then others will step forward and take the duty and the glory."

Petraverd's ears twitch, and his tail's swishing perhaps increases in tempo slightly, but he gives another small nod to the King's words.

Felicity listens attentively to the King's words. She frowns thoughtfully as she takes in the instructions.

Jana simply stands at attention, her hands clasped behind her back.
A rabbit comes hopping out of the trees to the west.

Meepicheep scurries towards the group

Peter turns to his Guard Commander and Subcommander. "I look to the two of you to sort it out, to organize those who wish to serve, and to plan what needs to be done. It is for each citizen of Lantern Waste to choose for themselves whether or not to take part, and I am determined that none should feel compelled. Make your plans and see to the clearing out of the ruins." He addresses the group again. "You must all have questions. Speak with them if you desire to take part. I cannot remain with you long, but while I am here I am at your disposal as well. In a few days' time, I take the Knights of the Order of the Stone Table into the moors. May the Lion be with each of us."

Petraverd gives a firm nod in response to the King, saying simply, "Understood, Your Majesty." Something in his expression shifts slightly, a vague hint of determination and resolve.

Glyn's head swivels back as the King addresses him. Taking a moment to consider the order, he nods. "Of course, Sire."

Jana blinks once, then nods, frowning a little.

Felicity frowns a little too, looking worried. However, she also nods.

Meepicheep stares up at the High King with bright eyes and an eager expression. His left hand is resting on the pommel of his sword.

Peter steps back at the conclusion of these words, allowing those gathered to consider their decision and ask whatever questions they will.

Aelius smiles as he sits down waiting.

Glyn pauses, glancing among the assembled faces before piping up, "Your Majesty... the ruins have stood as they are for many years. Why do you believe that now is the right time to do this work?"

Peter addresses his subcommander. "I am convinced that the attacks over the past year have demonstrated weaknesses in the defenses we are aware of. How much more dangerous are those gaps we are unaware of? I go to try and settle with the remaining remnants of enemy forces to the north. However, no commander can fight on multiple fronts. I cannot move troops forward knowing that the back gate is still unlatched."

Glyn's ears prick as the King speaks of a push at the northern front. "I see. Well, Your Majesty, we will certainly do our utmost keep the land secure." He bows his head.

Petraverd nods in agreement with his second. "You can count on us," he says.

Glyn dips his head and turns slightly, regarding the assembled Beasts, looking for signs of questions.

Felicity nods at the King's response. When there seems to be an appropriate moment for it, she makes her way over to the Commander and Subcommander. She lowers her head to them respectfully and says, "I'd like to volunteer, assuming participation by the guard is also voluntary."

Petraverd gives a small but genunine smile as Felicity approaches, and nods. "His Majesty does not demand it of any, and neither shall we. Your aid will be much appreciated."

Aelius looks at the Guard commanders and makes his way over to them.

Jana, observing this conversation, steps forward toward her commander. "And me."

Glyn smiles at Felicity's approach. "Your assistance will be most welcome. I'm sure there will be much work to do, even if we don't know exactly what we will face in there." His head lifts at Jana's call, and he dips his head to her as well. "And you as well, Adara. Thank-you."

Meepicheep scurries towards the two guard commanders. He raises up and bows, twirling his tail in the air, "Meepicheep, proudly at you service!"

Aelius smiles, "I volunteer as well, and I have a question..."

Petraverd nods to each in turn as they volunteer, with a simple word of thanks to each. He tilts his head a bit at Aelius, replying simply, "That being?"

Aelius continues, "Do we have any lanterns or something to use for light? It's almost sure to be dark in there."

Glyn's grin is slightly toothy at the mouse's call. "Well said, Meepicheep. Good to have a Mouse at our sides."

Felicity lowers her head to the Commander and Subcommander and bows to the King before returning to the assembly again.

Petraverd nods to the Fox. "It would hardly be wise to enter the ruins without one. We're obtaining the necessary supplies for it, yes."

Aelius dips his head with a smile, "Good, that is all, thank you."

Glyn looks about. "Any other questions about this undertaking?"

Petraverd glances around a bit, letting Glyn's question hang in the air. Seeing no reply, he looks to the King, and after a brief exchange of nods, he ascends the platform himself, looking out over the gathering.

Aelius stares up at the Unicorn.

Glyn turns to watch the Commander, clearing his throat to encourage others to do the same.

Jana remains at attention with her eyes on the commander.

Meepicheep watches Petraverd with anticipation.

Petraverd takes a breath. "Fellow Narnians," he says, "His Majesty has put a task before us, one of importance. The aid those of you volunteers have offered to provide is much appreciated, and will be of great impact in the coming days. Together, we will at last reclaim the last vestiges of what the Witch took from us during that Winter. We will once more claim what is rightfully Narnia's, and turn a memory of evil's power into a testament to the triumph of what is good and right."

Glyn stands a little straighter as the Unicorn speaks, giving a decisive nod.

Aelius nods to himself.

Meepicheep listens as Petraverd speaks.

You say, "As we begin our ventures into the ruins, I advise you to be cautious. Stick together. Rely on each other. This is an effort that will require us to work together. Look around you - these are your fellows. Stand beside them, as they will beside you."

Jana sniffs slightly as she listens.

Glyn takes a moment to look around a the Unicorn's direction. He nods, as if pleased with what he sees.

You say, "Stick to the ground floors and the areas nearest the entry for now. We'll use what we learn there to better formulate our strategies for approaching the rest of the ruins. Keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Take note of every detail you can - even the littlest thing may prove significant."

Petraverd surveys the gathering, pausing a moment as he flicks his tail. "And finally, keep each other safe. Know your limits, and do not think it cowardly to pull back. Caution and patience will serve us well here. We do not know entirely what it is we face, as His Majesty has said - better to exercise wisdom and remain well to continue the fight, than to push forward too brashly with all it may cost." He dips his head. "Do not hesitate to bring questions or concerns to myself or Subcommander Glyn. Once again, thank you all for your willingness and assistance in this endeavor. Lion be with us all." He descends from the platform again, making his way back to Glyn.

Jana sniffs again, watching him descend the platform. She glances at those gathered around her.

A ghost of a smile slide over Glyn's muzzle as he nods approvingly at the Unicorn's speech.

Glyn speaks, "The hour is late, and the King's and Commander's words have given us all much to consider. Tonight is not a night to begin plans, but let that be soon."

Petraverd smiles a bit toward the Wolf in return. He nods in agreement with Glyn's words. "Thank you all for your coming this evening. Rest well."

Meepicheep bows to the guard commanders and turns to leave.

[Blackclaw]

A ghost of a smile slide over Glyn's muzzle as he nods approvingly at the Unicorn's speech.

glyns face is haunted. peter's next tinyplot is to scare all the spooky spectres out of glyns face.

[Glyn]

Muahaha! The real haunting isn't from the ruins. It is AMONG YOU.

[Petraverd]

We have seen the enemy and it is us.

...or more accurately, my second. LET THE SMACKDOWN BEGIN.

[Jana]

Immediately following the last RP:

Glyn watches the assembled Beasts gradually file away, letting out a deep breath at last as the crowd thins. He turns to Petraverd. "This is really happening, isn't it?"

Petraverd's glance drifts toward the general direction of the ruins, and he gives a slight nod. "It is," he replies, his tone quiet.

Glyn says, "Well. I should get some rest. It sounds like our work will be cut out for us tomorrow."

Jana hangs behind those departing, standing somewhat apart from her leaders where she cannot easily eavesdrop, her gaze fixed on the castle.

Petraverd nods. "Best plan for all of us. You and I have a decent amount to discuss soon, too, I think."

Glyn nods. "I'll be ready," he promises. Glancing about the clearing, he calls to Jana. "What do you think about all this, Adara?"

Jana steps closer to him so that she needn't call. "I'm not sure."

Petraverd tilts his head a bit. "Understandable, all things considered, I think."

Glyn studies her a moment. "What do you know of the ruins?"

Jana sniffs again. "Made Lady Raistlana..." she takes a long moment to choose the word. "...jumpy."

Petraverd glances to the ruins, frowning a bit as he twitches his ears. "Again, understandable..." He shakes out his mane with a breath. "But then again, I suppose it's high time we face our fears about that place."

Glyn's ear flattens at the mention of Raistlana. "Do you know anything of what we might find there?"

Jana takes a breath and releases it, "There's dark magic things. I just know ain't let anybody who's done magic in there, especially with other folk. It... feels, wrong. Like, you can feel every hair on you, sort of. It makes them dangerous."

Petraverd says nothing to this, only giving his mane another, rather more vigorous (perhaps even 'violent') shake.

Glyn stiffens and glances at Petraverd. "Is there anyone like that we should watch?"

Petraverd twitches his ears. "Not that I'm aware of - Lady Raistlana was the only Narnian I knew of that was even /rumored/ to have done so, let alone confirmation." He takes a breath, shifting a bit on his hooves. "Even so. It is something we need to be conscious of. Rumors of evil magics have surrounded the ruins for some time now. We need to be careful."

Jana asks, "What about folk who've had magic done on them?"

Glyn glances to Adara. "Even them?"

Jana says, "I don't know."

Petraverd says, "I cannot deny I felt a certain discomfort in the ruins, but it did not make me any more dangerous, I would say. Nor do I think Eirwyn would say I was affected as such." One who knows the stallion well might note it is taking him some effort to speak evenly.

Jana glances at him, "Then, if that is no reason to bar someone, I think my husband might like to help."

Glyn blinks and regards Jana with surprise. "Is that wise?"

Petraverd frowns slightly, something flickering in his expression. "I would prefer to speak with him directly, first."

Jana says, "If he shows interest, I will let him know."

Glyn glances between the two. "Well, once the initial reconnaissance is planned, we'll know better what we're walking into, and welcoming more volunteers will be easier."

Petraverd flicks an ear. "I should, however, also add that I would be very hard-pressed to put the both of you in such an... unpredictably dangerous situation. You do have a child, after all. I will not subject both of his parents to such risk without very strong cause, lest he lose them both." He nods to Glyn. "Once we have a better idea of what it is we face, I would find it easier to make such a decision."

Jana frowns, but nods her understanding.

Glyn asks, "Well, I should get some rest. I'll meet you at the tower in the morning, Commander?"

Petraverd nods to Glyn. "Bright and early. We've much to go over." He turns to Jana with another nod. "And I should get some rest as well. There'll be much to see to, and I'll have a smoother time of it if I remember to see to myself as well."

Jana says, "Good night, commanders."

Glyn dips his head to Jana and Petraverd. "Of course. Good night to both of you." And he turns and pads off west.

Petraverd says simply, "Good night," as he dips his head as well, and departs.

[Jana]

And immediately following that:
Jana arrives home from the assembly at the castle, calling for her husband.
Myrd has been reading Tristran to sleep. He slips away from the youngster to join her at her call, putting on a front of indifference.
Jana smirks at his mien and leans forward demonstratively to accept a kiss.
Myrd purses his lips, as if considering, and then obliges.
Jana says, "How was your day."
Myrd smirks at her. "We considering my doings to be the exciting ones now? Youngster learned three new words, one of them he might be able to get away with saying in polite company--"
Jana says, "When's he gonna meet that around here anyway."
Myrd drawls, "Reckon it ain't so far-fetched with the sort his ma's been slumming with tonight."
Jana smirks and singsongs, "I got maybe a job for yooou."
Myrd makes a face. "Ain't inclined to work."
Jana says, "Ain't inclined to destroy a bunch of things?"
Myrd smirks again. "Ain't a giant, Darlin'. Got too many brain cells for that."
Jana shrugs, and turns away to hang her cloak. "Magic things, too," she says in an "ah well" sort of voice that seems to indicate she thinks the conversation is already over.
Myrd looks intensely interested as soon as her back is turned.
Jana keeps talking with her back turned, moving over to the fireplace now to see what's to eat. "Reckon it was a long shot-- foolish to ask."
Myrd mmmms. "Ain't you heard them royals anyhow? Ain't enough magic left to be worth a thought." He keeps his tone even...too even.
Jana snorts. "Who's been in there more recently, them or me."
Myrd eyes her. "You ain't even."
Jana says, "Sure I done, with that Calormene. I know exactly what it's like."
Myrd says steadily, "Know when I'm being reeled in, Darlin'. What're you hoping to catch?"
Jana glances over her shoulder at him, a flirt's grin making her teeth glint in the firelight.
Myrd crosses his arms, though his expression shifts as a grin forms in answer.
Jana says, "Wouldn't mind a partner job, for old times' sake."
Myrd drawls, "Maybe, but I ain't sure that's smart--"
Jana says, "I been there before. Other folk are going in. You and me are more capable of handling ourselves than ten Narnians."
Myrd nods. "Ain't denying that. Ain't considering just us, though. Something happens, youngster ain't going to be without his parents. One stays when the other goes--"
Jana scowls poutily.
Myrd gives her a rakish smile.
Jana says, "Well, you got to talk to Petraverd if you want in anyway. You ain't got to go in with me, I ain't get mad if you go with some other folk. Just I thought it'd be more fun."
Myrd grins. "Well, I reckon there's fun...and then there's /fun/."
Jana turns away again to serve herself some soup and says, "Reckon you do anything stupid I'll know and I'll tell."
Myrd scowls at her back. "Good thing I ain't planning to be stupid."
Jana says, "Just so we got that out of the way."
Myrd replies, "Ain't it though" and slips into a seat at the table.
Jana joins him there. "So. What /fun/ things were you thinking on."
Myrd shrugs. "Chance to be the smartest one in the room for a spell."
Jana pulls her spoon out of her mouth and gesturing with it, awwwwws.
Myrd pretends not to notice. "Small pleasures, I know--"
Jana points to him with the spoon and says condescendingly, "You're sweet." She returns the utensil to her bowl. "Specifics please."
Myrd scowls at her. "What's that supposed to imply, Darlin'? Other than the fact that we both know you got the brains here."
Jana rolls her eyes, "I mean what's your scheme. You always got one when /fun/'s involved."
Myrd uses sleight of hand to go for pocketing her spoon without her noticing. "Ain't necessarily so."
Jana slaps his hand away. "Mhm."
Myrd takes her hand and kisses it as if it was his aim all along.
Jana rolls her eyes again, still good naturedly.
Myrd smirks at her. "So--reckon we'll find anything useful in them ruins?"
Jana eats another bite of soup, still gesturing with the spoon. "Not likely. Like I said, some magic stuff probably, maybe a few squatters to put an end to, but it was mostly ruins even a few years ago. A couple nasty-looking gargoyle-type things you could take if you fancied risking everyone's suspicion for some kind of funny shrine."
Myrd snorts. "Ain't worried what they think--"
Jana raises a skeptical brow, "Reckon I doubt that's true. Anyway, you could carve something equally good without all the trouble."
Myrd drawls, "Flatterer. Ain't going to get you anywhere, you know. Ain't an easy mark."
Jana looks even more skeptical this time, though the expression comes early enough that it's clearly in response to the epithet than the assertion about himself. "Ain't flattering, it's sense."
Myrd shrugs. "Can't sell it, so what's the use of being able to carve something better?"
Jana waves a hand to dismiss this tired topic, "Anyway..."
Myrd repeats. "Anyway."
Jana says, "If you're interested, you should go talk to Petraverd. Reckon you might have a good time for once."
Myrd looks extremely skeptical. "Sure. Spending the day with them idiots. He'll like as not send me packing if I show my face."
Jana spins her spoon around her fingers once. "I ain't telling you to be interested, I'm just saying, if you are."
Myrd rubs at his jaw. "Maybe."
Jana nods once, returning her spoon and her attention back to her bowl.
Myrd eventually asks, "How come you ain't ready to kill the lot of them yet? Ain't got the power that knowledge gives you if you're willing to waste it on them for free."
Jana simply shrugs.
Myrd waits, keeping his gaze fixed on her as if he expects an answer that is more than the cursory gesture she has given.
Jana glances up from her bowl at him after a couple of further bites and sets down her spoon again, sighing. "Somebody said to me once you're a slave to something or somebody no matter what you do. I reckon if you land yourself in a place with a master ain't treat you too bad, then maybe it's smart to stick there."
Myrd considers this, eyes narrowing in thought. "Reckon I have a hard time stomaching any master, no matter how nice, when I can be my own, but I see your point--ain't got any love for what that Ruddy Guard is set to defend us against, that's sure."
Jana finishes her soup and rises to put the bowl away.
Myrd stays where he is, brow knitted as he makes his plans. "Reckon I'd best see if he's around somewhere."
Jana puts the kettle on, nodding once to indicate an understanding of his intents.
Myrd gets to his feet. "Ain't so fond of playing the ruddy beggar. Any thoughts on managing him?"
Jana says, "Reckon if he gets it in his head you're trying to hide anything he's likely to get uppity, so just be as up front as you're able."
Myrd scowls a little at this. "Ain't nobody tells the whole truth all the time--"
Jana shrugs, "Ain't got to tell me that, but I reckon you'd best try anyhow."
Myrd lets out a hard breath. "He's a ruddy fool if he's expecting that--"
Jana says, "You asked."
Myrd nods. "Reckon I did. Thanks."
Jana sinks down to sit crossed-legged before the fire as she waits on the kettle. She places a hand on the ground beside her in invitation.
Myrd shakes his head. "Ain't the sort to stay up. Best to catch him when I can if I'm going to. Ain't going to take long since neither of us can stand the other."
Jana snorts. "Reckon that's fair enough."
Myrd bends down and kisses her cheek before slipping out the door.

[Jana]

Outside the Ruins
oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo
You stand at the base of a huge, tumbled pile of rock that is overgrown with
grass and a few, scrubby-looking bushes. It appears to be the ruins of what
must have been a castle of some kind. In fact, the rubble just before you
seems to have once been a gatewall, but it looks like it's been smashed with
something heavy. The path continues through it, but to follow would mean
picking your way across some really unpleasant-looking crags.

The air is oddly still here, and despite the brightly-shining sun overhead,
you feel just a little chilly.. It's like a dip in temperature right before
a storm, but there are no clouds and no sign of rain. Odd... The path leads
out of the valley, meeting a small stream to the east.
oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo0oo

Kiyon walks toward the east at a slow pace, gaze distant. He sucks in a breath and pauses, glancing around habitually. At last he turns and faces the ruins and frowns.
A shadow passes over you as a Bird flies overhead.
Jana stands near the edge of the castle, just... watching it. She is alone. While Kiyon is still some way off she glances over her shoulder at him.
Kiyon's own gaze is locked on to the castle, watching it closely. He averts his eyes and rubs his temple, only now spotting Adara. He bobs his head and calls out. "Ah. Hello, Adara!"
You ask, "Curious, huh?"
Kiyon simply nods wordlessly. He offers a faint smile.
You ask, "Want to go in?"
Kiyon hardly hesitates and shakes his head. "No." He says with a sigh. "No, I don't. But if I have you to accompany me, I will." He steps forward near her and dips his head in greeting. "Do you, then?"
You say, "Let's scope it out."
Kiyon takes off his satchel.
Kiyon feels at the sword resting on his belt and nods. "Let's, then."
Jana gestures for him to follow her.
Kiyon comes walking toward you, picking his way over the rubble from the fallen arch.
Jana lights a candle as they enter the darkness, her eyes roving over the rubble shrewdly.
Kiyon breathes slowly and lets his eyes move more swiftly, darting from one detail to the next. He pushes past a few stray shrubs that have taken to growing near the entrance and glances briefly to Jana.
Jana glances back at him, and then pushes open the door and fully crosses the threshold.
You climb up and over the column segments, ascending the portico until you stand at the doors.
The White Witch's Great Hall
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By the flickering firelight, you can make out very little. The room is so large that even the brightest lantern would have difficulty really illuminating it, and no windows let in light from outside. The ceiling, intact, is too high and dark to make out, and room is so large that the walls cannot be seen until you walk near them.

There is a musty, unused smell to the air, and you can see dustbeams stirred by your footfalls as you walk through the room. There are pedestals here and there that must have once held statues but do so no longer. At the center of the room a throne sits, enshrouded in dust and cobwebs. A rumpled mass of chains lies beside it, similarly buried. Beyond this and along the far wall, several doorways lead into rooms beyond this one.
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Kiyon enters through the main doors. They swing shut with a loud *whump* behind him.
Jana shudders a little at the sound of the doors shutting, but it could almost be a gleeful shudder. Certainly an adrenaline filled one. She holds her candle steady, one hand sheltering the flame.
Kiyon pales faintly at the sound of the doors groaning shut. He steps further into the room and peers into the darkness, struggling to see details. The rattle of chains startle him and he kicks a few that he failed to observe away from his feet with a grunt.
Jana slips toward the throne, thrusting her hand out to clear away the cobwebs there, her movements slow and deliberate. She swipes off some of the dust using the oils of her hand, although its thick and old enough that this does not work well.
Kiyon watches the dust float into the candlelight and then vanish into the darkness, like a wave from the Eastern Sea. He observes Jana curiously, still wordless since entry into the ruins.
Jana's hand creeps along the details of the throne, examining its craftsmanship and clearing away most of the debris. After having completed this thorough job, she steps back to examine her handiwork. "Well."
Kiyon shakes his head. "It's darker, bigger... /colder/ than I remembered." He steps closer and places a hand on the detailing of the throne. "Well?" He repeats.
Jana sniffs, then makes a little sort of coughed gasp to hold back a sneeze from the raised dust, ruining her haughty facade for a short moment. "Well," she says again, nose wrinkling against the dust, "Reckon we better smash it."
Kiyon cocks a brow and fights back a sneeze of his own. "Indeed? And how do you intend us to manage that?"
Jana turns, casting her eyes about the room for a suitable weapon. She uses the excuse to climb up on the throne and have a better look.
Kiyon shudders lightly. "Cold." He mutters again, rubbing at his arm. His expression is difficult to read and he stand at the side of the throne.
Jana's face becomes serious and still, slowly blanching, and her candle does not flicker with the natural movement that a person normally has when holding one. Her eyes narrow in their characteristic shrewd way and her lips pout together. After a moment of this, she jumps off the throne, like a child jumping from a plaything. It seems like a casual movement, but it's more careless than she almost ever is because the wind it causes makes their candle go out.
Kiyon whispers a curse as the light goes out and grips the throne to keep his bearings. "What happened?" His voice reverberates through the hall.
Jana strikes her flint a few times against the edge of the chair until she gets the candle to relight. Her nose twitches a bit. She points to an iron candlestick holder, very faint to see in the little light shed by her candle. "I think that should work."
Kiyon finds his way to the candlestick holder and nods. "A good observation, Adara." he places the candle in it.
Jana snorts. "I mean for smashing it."
Jana gestures for him to bring the candle back to her. "Here."
Kiyon cocks a brow, hands the candle back to Jana, and raises the stand with a grunt. "And why smash it?"
Jana dribbles a bit of wax onto much closer pedestal, then smashes the bottom of the candle into it, testing a few times to be sure it will stand like that. She gives her haughty sniff again. "Well, reckon it's a sort of like a symbol, isn't it? Get rid of the chair, there ain't nothing real to rally around." She holds out her hand for the tall candelabra.
Kiyon frowns and hesitates. "It seems as if... it may not be broken so easily." Slowly he hefts the candlestick and swings it as best as he can at the throne with a low grunt.
Jana steps back to observe his efforts. She rubs her cheek.
Kiyon stumbles back as the candlestick crashes loudly into the throne, only seperating a tiny piece and chipping the edge of its eery splendor. He grunts again and blinks. "Ouch."
Jana holds out her hand again. "Let me try."
Kiyon gladly offers her the makeshift weapon and rubs at his wrist.
Jana swings suddenly and savagely. Her effort does nothing. She swings again, and again, repeating variations on a bestial cry as she hacks at the throne. Finally, she gives up, barely holding back a groan as she works the injury out of her arm.
Kiyon looks on sympathetically. "Yes... it hurts." He studies her curiously. "Though the passion was certainly there."
Jana drops the iron, letting it clatter against the floor. She brushes off the comment, "Ain't had the chance to beat something up in a while." She lifts her eyes to the door past the throne. "Let's keep looking."
Kiyon nods, following after her. "Have you ever been in the ruins before, Adara?"
Jana picks up the candle and replies as they move on into the next room. "Yeah, once."
You head through the east door.
East Tower Antechamber
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You stand at the base of a massive tower with a sweeping staircase leading
upward. At one time this particular chamber may have appeared very grand
indeed, but now the air reeks of decay and disuse, and dust and cobwebs
obscure any hint of grandeur. There are some low pedestals here that must
have once held statues, but they stand empty now.

The perimeter of the chamber is hard to make out in the darkness -- there are
no windows here. The staircase winds upward, but you lose sight of it
quickly. A door in the west wall leads out to the Great Hall of the castle.
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Kiyon rotates his head one way and then the other, following the winding staircase as it climbs higher into the old castle.
Jana's nose wrinkles at the smell and she paces the perimeter of the room.
Kiyon follows after Jana, critically scanning the large room. He comes to the edge of one of the pedestals and runs his hand over its ridges. "It's so big." He remarks.
Jana's rounds bring her up alongside him. She opens her mouth to respond, then rather suddenly sinks down into a squatting position. "There's a door."
Kiyon notices it practically the same time his counterpart does and keeps near her side, swiping at webs to clear them and shifting debris aside to open a path. "So there is."
Jana feels around for a way to open it. Her fingers find a small dip and she tugs at it. Dust lifts into the air and she coughs again.
Kiyon reaches over for a grip as well and helps jar it open. He coughs loudly as well and lifts his arm to cover his eyes until the dust clears further.
Jana says a word her superiors would frown at as she waits for the dust to clear. When it has, she swiftly ducks down through the door without further remark.
You open the door, and walk down the steps you find behind it.
The Carcern
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You stand in a dank, dark dungeon ruin. The bars that once divided the cells
here are bent or broken, fragments laying rusted and falling apart on the bare
rock floor. Several spots have been cleared of rubble and debris, allowing one
to lay down, if one were so inclined.

Water drips down from the ceiling making the floor damp and cold, and the sound
of the drops hitting the stone floor at random intervals is somewhat maddening.
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A drop of water drips from above, splashing on the stone floor.
A drop of water drips from above, splashing on the stone floor.
Water gathers on the ceiling before dropping onto your head. It isn't much water at all, but it is cold.
Kiyon cringes as cold water drips on his head and he holds his hand above him instinctively to shield himself from it. "What is this place? A prison?"
Jana's teeth glint for a moment. "Nasty one, too."
A drop of water drips from above, splashing on the stone floor.
Kiyon nods his agreement and pokes along the edge, peering in old cells and stepping over the scattered iron bars.
Water gathers on the ceiling before dropping onto your head. It isn't much water at all, but it is cold.
Jana's shoulders twitch and the candle lowers from her face so that her expression is not visible. "We been in here too long, I reckon. I should get back to my family."
Kiyon nods, shuddering under another cascade of cold water droplets. He frowns and moves back to the door. "Of course. Another day, then. Something tells me these ruins are a lot deeper still than we think."
A drop of water drips from above, splashing on the stone floor.
The candle very briefly reveals Jana's features as she turns to return the way they came. Her face looks very composed, like her mien, but she is quite white.
Kiyon follows after her. "Are you all right?"
You ask, "I look sick or something?"
Kiyon shakes his head and glances around at the dancing shadows on the walls. "No, not exactly... this can be a lot to take in, though, yes?"
Jana's scowl is audible in her voice. It is a moment before she replies. "Ain't aim to spend more time in a dungeon than I already have."
Kiyon casts a sideways glance at Jana and frowns a little. "Let's get out of here." He steps into the great hall of the Witch and redirects his course toward teh general direction of the main door.
Jana allows him to take the lead.
Kiyon reaches the heavy doors and pushes with a groan, letting a bit of light spill in at last. "Here we are..." His voice is a little raspier than normal and he coughs a little.
Kiyon pushes as hard as he can against the doors. After a moment, they give way and swing outward, allowing Kiyon to pass through. They close with a loud *WHUMPH* behind him.
You push on the doors with all your might! They finally give way and swing open, allowing you passage out onto the portico, and then swing shut heavily behind you.
Jana seems to ease up a bit as they return to the forest.
Kiyon rolls his shoulders a time or two and takes a deep breath of fresh air. "That... was not particularly pleasant. I'm certainly glad you had the candle."
You say, "Reckon I got some ideas for smashing things, but we'll need more folk. Meantime, I got a boy's probably wondering where I am."
Kiyon dips his head. "Thank you for accompanying me. I won't keep you from your family further." He offers a smile. "Be well, Adara."
You say, "Yeah, you too."
Kiyon picks his way over the fallen segments of columns, descending into the courtyard below.

[Petraverd]

Outside the Ruins

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You stand at the base of a huge, tumbled pile of rock that is overgrown with grass and a few, scrubby-looking bushes. It appears to be the ruins of what must have been a castle of some kind. In fact, the rubble just before you seems to have once been a gatewall, but it looks like it's been smashed with something heavy. The path continues through it, but to follow would mean picking your way across some really unpleasant-looking crags.

The air is oddly still here, and despite the brightly-shining sun overhead, you feel just a little chilly.. It's like a dip in temperature right before a storm, but there are no clouds and no sign of rain. Odd... The path leads out of the valley, meeting a small stream to the east.

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You can go: Enter the Ruins <E>, Toward the Stream <W>

Contents: A daughter of eve with a scar under her eye (Jana); A fox with a

black tail and a gray coat (Aelius); A mouse of regal appearance

(Meepicheep); A son of adam with dark hair and sparkling green eyes (Kiyon);

An unicorn with flowers braided in her mane (Trianna); and Campfire <LIT>.


Kiyon stands by the entryway, peering inside. He pauses, casting the occasional glance over his shoulder.

Jana, seeing Kiyon lurking about the entrances, hangs back in the shadows of the forest to observe him.

Meepicheep walks briskly down the path towards the ruins, followed closely by Aelius and Trianna.

Trianna trots slowly behind the mouse, keeping her ears forward. Her eyes dart here and there as she presses on.

Aelius follows Meepicheep, carrying a Lantern in his mouth.

Petraverd walks toward the ruins, something resolute in his demeanor. His stride is careful and deliberate, and his expression reveals little. He nods to Kiyon as he nears the Son of Adam, flicking an ear. "I wondered if I might bump into you here."

Jana stays back in the trees a little longer.

Kiyon stops and cocks his head at the sound of foot (and hoof) falls. He looks over his shoulder and notes the approaching Narnians with a slight frown, stepping back to near the firepit. He dips his head to Petraverd and observes the others closely as they near. "Hello, Commander."

Meepicheep walks right up to Petraverd and Kiyon and bow to them both, "Good day!"

Aelius follows closely after, setting down the lantern when Meepicheep bows.

Trianna halts a few yards off and watches Meepicheep. She dips her head to the gathered company.

Petraverd twitches his ears, nodding to the others as they approach - his glance lingering on Trianna for a few moments before he shakes out his mane. "Afternoon, everyone. I take it you all were planning a foray."

Jana slips out from among the trees. She gives Kiyon a particular nod, although she acknowledge the others as well.

Kiyon nods to each in turn. "Good afternoon to you all; Adara, Trianna, Meepicheep, and Aelius."

Aelius dips his head to the others, "Good afternoon."

Meepicheep nods his head vigorously to Petraverd, "Quite so."

Trianna swishes her tail and listens quietly.

Petraverd nods a little to Meepicheep. "Seems we all had similar intentions, then." He glances to the ruins themselves. "Meant to do a once-over around the outskirts this afternoon, but seeing as we're all here... perhaps a venture further in is in order."

Jana asks, "We got enough lights?"

Petraverd twitches his ears, glancing to the others. "Depends on how many the others brought." He gestures toward the pack he carries. "Though I've got a few spares with me."

Kiyon nods his head, answering Jana's question confidently. "I happened by the traveler's shop the other day and gathered three torches." He eyes the lantern the Fox carries and grins. "And then there's that. I think it will be sufficient."

Trianna swishes her tail and steps closer to the fox.

Jana says, "Reckon I'm game, then."

Meepicheep glances at the entrance, then turns to Petraverd and says, "We are all ready. Shall we go?"

Aelius picks up the lantern again.

Kiyon cants his head to the side. "We are staying as one group...? We could possibly cover more ground if we were to split, yes?"

Trianna asks, "I am ready. Do we have any specific instructions?"

Petraverd gives his tail a single flick, expression still difficult to read. He looks among the group, glance lingering on each a moment in turn - perhaps a little longer, in the case of his herdmate - before giving a single nod. "All right, then. We'll venture into the main hall and see how things are laid out from there. Everyone stick close together, and be on the alert. Keep your eyes and ears open."

Kiyon watches Petraverd closely and frowns deeply. "All right, then. Let's enter."

Petraverd faces the ruins again, twitching an ear. "Look for what leads off from the hall itself, but I'd prefer we not push too much farther than the hall for now. Let's get a good sense of the layout of things before we delve deeper, as it were. Kiyon, light the torches and keep close by me." With this last command, he gestures and leads the way.

The White Witch's Great Hall

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By the flickering firelight, you can make out very little. The room is so large that even the brightest lantern would have difficulty really illuminating it, and no windows let in light from outside. The ceiling, intact, is too high and dark to make out, and room is so large that the walls cannot be seen until you walk near them.

There is a musty, unused smell to the air, and you can see dustbeams stirred by your footfalls as you walk through the room. There are pedestals here and there that must have once held statues but do so no longer. At the center of the room a throne sits, enshrouded in dust and cobwebs. A rumpled mass of chains lies beside it, similarly buried. Beyond this and along the far wall, several doorways lead into rooms beyond this one.

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Petraverd pushes open the door to the hall, letting the others filter past him into it before he walks into it proper himself. His ears twitch at the resounding *whump* it makes as it shuts again, and he takes a moment to glance about the room in the low light. His expression is hard, and he gives his mane a rather vigorous shake, not quite enough to cover a shiver that racks him briefly.

Kiyon walks slowly with lit torch, its light only reaching partway through the chamber. His eyes move to the throne and then scan the walls of the Great Hall. He takes a breath, the torch masking his slightly pale face.

Meepicheep looks around the room, his eyes straining in the darkness to make out the different objects it contains. He says, half to himself, "The sooner that roof comes of, the better for all of us."

Jana's eyes shift over her companions.

Trianna brings up the rear, but quickly trots to fall in step behind her herdmate and the son of adam

Aelius sets down the lantern for a moment as he observes the surroundings.

Petraverd stamps a hoof once, sharply, ears twitching as he listens to its echo. He frowns slightly, then takes one of the torches from his pack and gives it to Adara. "Well, time to see what we can find." He gestures to Kiyon. "I'm going to walk around the perimeter. Come with me and keep the light close?"

Jana frowns, lighting the torch from Kiyon's.

Kiyon glances from Petraverd to Adara, pausing briefly at the exchange. Then he nods a little and falls in step at Petraverd's side. "Certainly, Commander."

Petraverd nods to Kiyon, then looks back to the others. "Scour the hall as you will, but make sure to keep near at least one other. I want to make sure between all of us, we know every detail we can find." With that, he begins to pace along the wall of the room, following it in a clockwise fashion.

Meepicheep turns to Aelius and Trianna, "I suppose we should start by examining over by the doors. What do you think?"

Trianna looks over at Meepicheep and Aelius and waits.

Aelius nods, "I suppose so."

Kiyon follows Petraverd's pace with the torch extended before them.

Kiyon mumbles "There's a doorway to the south I happened upon last time. An old stairwell is behind it.", to Petraverd.

Kiyon mumbles "There's ... doorway to ... ... I ... ... last ... ... old ... ... behind it.", to Petraverd.

Petraverd taps at the walls with a hoof every now and again, flicking an ear every time he does so.

Petraverd mumbles "That's the one leading down to the cells, right?", to Kiyon.

Petraverd mumbles "... the one leading down ... ... cells, right?", to Kiyon.

Kiyon shakes his head and leans in to Petraverd to reply.

Kiyon mumbles "No... that's a doorway east of here. Hidden behind some old columns. But that's near some stairs as well.", to Petraverd.

Kiyon mumbles "No... that's a ... east of ... Hidden behind ... old columns. But ... ... ... ... ... ...", to Petraverd.

Meepicheep shuffles around trough the rubble, searching for anything of interest.

Petraverd mumbles "Up or down?", to Kiyon.

Petraverd mumbles "Up ... ...", to Kiyon.

Kiyon shakes his head and responds quietly to Petraverd. "I haven't been in either direction yet. Just through a doorway or two."

Trianna says, "This place smells funny."

Petraverd gives a nod toward Kiyon. "Good to keep in mind." He veers off the wall to head toward the throne, walking around it a few times.

Petraverd mumbles "This is the throne you mentioned last we spoke, I presume.", to Kiyon.

Petraverd mumbles "... is ... throne you mentioned last ... spoke, ... ...", to Kiyon.

Kiyon overhears Trianna and calls out across the room to her and Meepicheep in a slightly louder voice. "It does. Very dusty... musky..." He pauses, searching for the right word. "Dead." He turns to Petraverd and chuckles softly, responding quietly.

Meepicheep continues searching with his hands. Now trying to lift a large stone. He responds to Trianna, "I have to agree, hopefully we will change that."

Kiyon mumbles "Yes; the same throne indeed. Almost horribly magnificent.", to Petraverd.

Kiyon mumbles "... ... ... throne indeed. ... horribly magnificent.", to Petraverd.

Meepicheep motions for Trianna to help him shift a boulder.

Petraverd eventually stops in front of the throne, stock still and his expression rigid in the flicker of Kiyon's torch. He gives it a solid smack with his hoof, the sound echoing in the room.

Kiyon winces a little, recalling his own attempt at the throne.

Petraverd finishes his survey of the perimeter, and after a few more explorations (mostly involving rattling the chains near the throne and circling the empty pedestals) before making his way back toward the main doors and letting out a whinny. "I think that's enough for now. Torches are beginning to give out and I'd rather not feel my way back out in the dark."

Kiyon nods in agreement. "There'll be plenty of time to revisit here. And perhaps we'll notice something we didn't this time around."

Petraverd nods to Kiyon, and leads the way out.