A Note on the Message Board of Crestfall

[ek_knight 21]

*An elegant note, written in cursive, sits tacked to the message board of Crestfall. It is decorated on the sides with images of flowers. *

I, Maehrir Lirrame, am seeking one Master Polgrath. If you are this man, or know of him please respond. I have an urgent matter which I wish to discuss with him.

Maehrir Lirrame

[Supremacy 3361]

*A sheet of paper is pinned below*

So you seek Polgrath. Perhaps you wish to learn? If so you must locate the Arcane Delvers. They will bring him to you, or myself - And you will be tested.

If you just wish to speak to him, that may also be arranged.

~ Vulnir Kalenz Uradir

[ek_knight 21]

* An addition is added to the sheet of paper.*

It is indeed learning which I seek. Is shall hope to locate these Arcane Delvers with the utmost haste that I an muster, for my desire to learn shines brightly.

Maehrir Lirrame

[Supremacy 3361]

Another well written note is below.

Polgrath has been wandering far as of later, but that is none-the-matter as he will return soon. That however is not the chalenge, you must find me to take our tests. Three tests you will be given, the first I shall be kind enough to give you here: Bring to myself or Polgrath two tomes you yourself have written of informational value. Then you must find myself to be riddled.

~ Vulnir Kalenz Uradir ((SupremacyOps))

[Archmage_Cataris 622]

*Meanwhile, throughout the days, seemingly untiring, an old lonely man stands in the shadows, watching as men pass by to place notes. His dusty brown robes are torn at the sleeves, his hood shadows his face whilst a tangle of grey hair flows down to his belly. His back is heavily bent forward, his hands are that of leather from many hard days of labour in the sun. Unknowing to the people around him, it is not truly the old man the person within is portraying, but a mere illusion. Within the illusion, the frail skeleton of Cataris lurks, watching and waiting. Once more Vulnir returns, Cataris under the guise of an old frail man begins to hobble after him, stalking him from afar, hoping he can bring him to Polgrath, or the Arcane Delvers.*

((Thought some legit forum RP would be nice for a change since not many really do it. You don't have to forum RP if you don't want to ;) ))

[Supremacy 3361]

((Sure - Following someone in game is rather difficult anyway because of latency issues and timezones.))

Kalenz slowly turns from the message board and makes a turn towards the boat, a strange maneuver considering it is assumed the Arcane Delvers reside in Crestfall. Upon boarding the boat he glances around to see the old man glancing at him, however he takes little notice and simply mutters to himself:

"Valah and their frail lives."

Caring little if the Old man hops on board or not he descends into the bowels of the boat. He takes a seat and places his oak staff to his right and begins taking the short moment before the boat departs to ponder or perhaps practice an illusion or two.

[Archmage_Cataris 622]

((It's terrible for me atm. I have work and when I get home, I have IRL issues that have currently severly restricted my time but I am free on the forums to RP. I'll be going to bed in 30 minutes just a notice sorry.))

*Cataris slowly moves onto the boats deck. He looks about at the busy sailors before making his way down into the lower decks of the ship. Finding Vulnir he sits across from him, the candles below light up the face of the illusion, it flickers, for a mere instance it reveals the skeleton hiding within, but just as quick as it happened, the skeleton is hidden once more. The old man has long thick grey eyebrows, curling at the ends. His lower lip is noticeably larger than his upper lip, three rotten teeth sit in his mouth.*

"Food ta' spare for this ol' man, sir?" *He mutters in a hoarse, broken voice to Vulnir*

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz glances across to the old man with a look of what could only be described as combination High elven derision and disbelief.

"Resources used on Valah are already wasted and only increase your vile race's surplus population. I fear feeding you would only be a greater misuse of precious resources as you may well just die while eating it." He responds looking down.

After a moment he adds "I would prefer if you avoided death while on this trip if possible, I prefer not to step over krafeh"

He then quickly moves his staff to the side of Cataris as a cautionary measure and flicks open a book, attempting to ignore the man.

[Archmage_Cataris 622]

*The illusion of the old man begins to fade, vanishing from existence. In his place sits a purple and black robed skeleton. The robes trimmed in purple, showing much wear and tear. The skeletal fingers sit onto the table, each finger has a ring upon it, each with a different sparkling gem, the gems seem almost alive, something moves within, a mist. Cataris begins to stretch his back upright, his bones make a grimacing pop, as they move into place the sound of bones cracking and fracturing is heard.*

"How cruel of you to deny an old hungry man food?"

*The voice is the same, hoarse, rough, strained. His skeletal face is covered with a steel mask, though the back of his skull is seen with many cracks and fractures. The mask is carved in permanent sorrow, as though to show misery*

"Perhaps you can tell me where Polgrath has gone?"

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz suddenly jumps back in fear, almost pinning himself on the wall.

"Three krafeh? The- There are more of you a-abhorrent creatures?" He stammers.

Kalenz glances at the mask and it's seemingly perpetual sorrow. However, this only adds to his fear.

"You are the third, the one Polgrath told me about? C-Cataris?".

[Archmage_Cataris 622]

"The third?"

*He asks curiously, though his raggid voice hides that hint of curiosity*

"You must mean Lich's.. I am the first, I am their creator. That is nonetheless not why I am here. Where is Polgrath."

*He states in a commanding tone, the eye slits of his steel mask begin to glow a faint fiery green*

[Supremacy 3361]

Kalenz pauses for a moment in thought, he realizes the boat has begin sailing.

"You are mistaken if you believe I will play the fool and lead you directly too him, though the stories I hear advise that I cooperate.

He stops for a moment, considering the nigh perfect illusionary disguise.

"It appears I have little choice... Though I can not assure your safety on the trip. Your brittle bones may just crack from age as we travel." He mutters.

"Was one death caused by Polgrath not enough for you? He has many more than he did last time you faced off, I doubt the terms of your engagement will be the same as last time."

[Archmage_Cataris 622]

"Does he truly boast about that? He defeated me, he did not kill me. None can kill me. Nor would I call bringing in my family and torturing them before me fair game."

*As the last words are spoken, he raises a fist and slams it down onto the table, the tip of a finger falls off and sits onto the table. As Cataris sits there, silent now, a small thin pure black tendril begins to slither out from his sleeve, it reaches out and wraps itself around the bone that fell off and drags it back into the sleeve.*

"Polgrath may be an illusionist, but he is no match for a Necromancer. I advise you tell me where he is."

((I gotta go to sleep for the night. We'll continue tomorrow?))

[Supremacy 3361]

((No problem - I'm in no rush))

"Perhaps you misheard me krafeh. I realize I have little choice, but no amount of will power will make this ship sail faster to the cloud temple docks. Perhaps you should take a seat? I will do little to you while we wait."

[Archmage_Cataris 622]

((Just one more post. ;) ))

"I do not plan on arriving at the Cloud Temple."

*A sailor opens the door behind Vulnir, noticing Cataris he opens his mouth to shout in alarm, but before he can begin to shout, Cataris' hand shoots up, the mans skin begins to grow pale and milky, his eyes roll into the back of his head, a feint stream of green energy begins to leave his mouth and nostrils, trailing towards Cataris, forcing itself into the mouth slit of his mask. The sailor drops to the floor, unconscious.*

"You do not understand. I can and will take a mans 'life energy' and you are no different. Do not worry about the sailor, he'll survive if given proper treatment from the monks, of which no doubt they will. It is the very life energy I steal that empowers my magic, as much as stone is used by Earth mages and water by water mages."