This is a finished post. -Scorpius
The shifter tests his boundaries. "It almost s-s-sounds like you r-r-resent your t-t-task. Perhpas the l-lack of r-r-real companions-s-ship has made y-you ornery." The shifter glances toward Dane and the other dwarf, a half smirk on his face.
The Eladrin merely glares at Rurdev and crosses his arms. The young dragonborn and the human with two swords also seem particularly displeased with the comment.
The warlock puts up his hands in a peacemaking gesture then removes his hood, revealing the mark of Mauros on his head. Peace. Disrespect is not intended. I needed to know what you know of me. It appears it is as much as I know of myself: Nothing.
He looks at the gathered, then to his companions. It is my doom it seems to walk over the steps Mauros once trod. This seems too now to include these seals. I will assist, but I cannot speak for my companions. What would you have them do so they may make their own choice?
Raiyek spends the first few moments of conversation evaluating the sizeable group in the clearings, especially the eladrin wearing clothing from the Imperium.
After Incarnation's last question, Raiyek nods in agreement before adding his thoughts. "I, too, am curious as to the assistance the rest of us are to provide. Incarnation seemed to know of myself and my friend," he motions to Georg, "before meeting us, and claimed that we were fated to aid him in his next task." After this statement, the paladin's words strengthen, showing a conviction to to back his words. "That task appears to be what you ask of him, though I'm unsure what role I am to play. Do not fear, though, Warden. I, at least, will aid you and Incarnation in this, in whatever way I can."
[sblock=Raiyek's Insight]You don't recognize this man specifically but you would guess he comes from Prime. His eyes have lingered on you at times. No doubt taking notice of an Elven Paladin of Palldys, something he likely hasn't seen recently.[/sblock]
With the talk of gates and planar fields, Rurdev follows up his earlier statement with a serious subject. "W-We have already dealth w-w-with this. An ab-ab-aberrant threat a-a-appeard below Daunton, due to the S-S-Sibylline Idol. We closed a p-portal in the sewers below the c-city. My f-f-fate is tied to this one," he says indicating Incarnation, "he has brought me h-here. My axes are y-your weapons."
The Warden's eye raises at when the Sibylline Idol is mentioned but he does not mention it for now. "I must return to the Jade Empire to find out what I can. There are those that might seek us out to stop us if they knew what we were doing. I am of need of protection and cannot spare my students to do so." He looks sternly at the young dragonborn. "They are the only ones who have seen my work here and any effort to slow the Fey approach will be useful to our task."
He continues. "Also, once we get there and find what we're looking for, I may need some help in their interpretation." He looks to Incarnation and then to Georg. This causes the Eladrin to dig the toe of his foot into the ground. The dwarven female loudly clears her throat. "And we will of course bring them back here so others might look at them as well."
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Arga's Seals
[sblock=History 10]About 50 years ago Arga the black enacted a great ritual to seal off all portals from Arcadia or the Feywild to Daunton, bringing great peace to the island.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 16]For many generations, some say as long as humans were on Daunton, it's great woods were known as being connected to Arcadia. The people of Daunton were not only under constant threat from its strange and powerful creatures.
Even more troublesome however, is that the Savage Land was also connected to Arcadia. The savage goblinoids there had long ago learned how to navigate the Feypaths, using it to raid the Dauntonian settlements.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 21]The Great Seal is easily what Arga the Black is most well known for in Daunton and is often sighted as the reason her statue was erected. It is unknown exactly how she enacted the ritual but documents recall that before she was succesful she had disappeared from Daunton for weeks.
Her seals were said to be permanent at the time.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 26]Arga never actually said she had enacted a permanent solution, only that the people of Daunton were safe for now. It is believed she had some kind of plan for the Seals to stay in place and many believe that involved her famous pupil Mauros Esthanapiros.
Some shifter clans tell tales of a time before other on Daunton, before the planes every began to merge.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 10]About 50 years ago Arga the black enacted a great ritual to seal off all portals from Arcadia or the Feywild to Daunton, bringing great peace to the island.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 16]Arcadia is one of the closest planes to our own. It is not uncommon for rifts to appear, or bleeding as it often referred to, not just in Daunton but in all the isles.
Daunton seems particularity susceptible to it however, to the point that some Arcanists have concluded their must be some additional influence causing the issue.
Arcadia, of course, is also the home to the original Eladrins and some believe the gnomes as well.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 21]The Great Ritual of Sealing was of Arga's own creation and a copy of it never resurfaced after her death, to the shock and embarrassment of Dauntonian Librarians.
Many believe Mauros must have inherited it but most of his possessions were lost with him. It is said he had several hidden retreats and laboratories, the most famed one somewhere in Arcadia itself.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 26] Some believe that Arga did not create the Ritual of Sealing at all, only helped to complete it. That might explain why a copy was never found, and why it may be failing now.[/sblock]
On the Academy
[sblock=History 10]There are many academies found throughout the shifting seas. Many regions are known for different types and they will often specialize into a particular area of knowledge or a branch of training.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 16]He is likely referring to the Academy of Radiant Truth. Located in the Jade Empire it takes individuals with clear combat talent and puts them through a strict regiment of training, both in body and mind.
They focus on direct fighting but among the martial they also assist swordmages, bards, wardens and the like. Many students leave possessing minor skills in unusual areas.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 21]The Warden trained at the Academy of Radiant Truth and was hailed as a prize pupil, his Master being the famed Grand Master Estergrin.
Upon graduating students are often placed in areas of leadership or special service in the Platinum Shogun's army.[/sblock]
[sblock=History 26]The Academy keeps a small staff and about sixty students at any one time. It takes about three years to complete training there and only about 70 % graduate.
In the Jade Empire, simply being selected to attend is a great honor, and even those who do not finish are generally well respected.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 10]There are many academies found throughout the shifting seas. Many regions are known for different types and they will often specialize into a particular area of knowledge or a branch of training.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 16] While the Jade Empire does hold some small schools of magic, the Warden is likely referring to the Academy of Radiant Truth. While it is not know as a place of Arcane traditions it teaches balance and many swordmages and bards have attended and taught there.
Many students leave with a small amount of arcane skill even if that is not their specialty.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 21]The Warden is known to have studied under Grand Master Estergrin a swordmage of some power. The Warden is said to be one of his greatest students.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 26]Due to the nature of the Oni threat the students of the Academy of Radiant Truth often learn group rituals that they can attempt to teach others while in the field.[/sblock]
The Warden's Grove
[sblock=Nature 14] You notice runes of nature etched into the ground and trees. There are others of a different kind as well.[/sblock]
[sblock=Nature 19] The runes appear to be those of protection as well as designed to hold something back.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 14] You notice runes of nature etched into the ground and trees. There are others of a different kind as well.[/sblock]
[sblock=Arcana 19] The runes are connected to the Feywild in some way, but are unclear, as if in a new style you have not studied.[/sblock]