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tushanshu_logs2014-09-30 04:21 pm
ironwood) wrote in tushanshu_logs2014-09-30 04:21 pm
EVENT | INTERMEZZO | Palace Exploration Log
Characters: ALL!
Date: Sept 28 and onward
Location: Palace of the Landed Sky, Keeliai
Situation: In the wake of Malicant's bold taunt, and the death of the Emperor and five hatchlings, the Palace is left abandoned and open for the Foreigners and kedan alike to explore.
Warnings/Rating: CONTENT WARNINGS are noted in the various subject headers, please take note of them!
---
zwischenzug | (ˈzvɪʃənzuːɡ) | intermezzo | n. (in chess):
1. A tactical move interpolated into an exchange or series of exchanges to improve the outcome.
2. "in-between move". An unexpected move tossed into an expected series of moves. (German)
---
Where once the Palace of the Landed Sky was a majestic and beautiful thing to behold, it now seems to pulse with negative energy. The outer walls are crumbling in most places, unsteady and fallen into disrepair. The walls of the Palace itself remain for the most part sturdy, minus a few fallen stones and the ruins beside the Courtyard.
The Palace is empty. Though some bodies can be found scattered haphazardly about the halls, most of those who were working in the building have disappeared entirely. There’s no question as to whose doing it was.
Small groups of kedan have also ventured into the Palace in order to loot whatever rooms they can get into, feeling confident that the reward will outweigh the risk of facing off against Foreigners who may feel the need to repel them. Mostly they'll be in groups of 3-5, though individuals or larger can be encountered as well. Some will engage the Foreigners in hostilities and some will grudgingly be sent on their way without challenge, depending on how bold they feel.
No banners, rugs, lanterns, or furniture within the Palace remain in pristine condition (with the exception of Eshai’s room). Everywhere one looks, items are torn, scratched, or smeared with blood. Even the interior walls are often cracked or caked in what one hopes is only blood. Perhaps more unnerving are the ‘veins’ that run through the walls, floor, and ceiling. These thin black tendrils, equal parts within and without the surface they spread across, are textured and feel like pine needles to the touch. These veins run throughout the Palace, yet never seem to thicken, intensify, or coalesce in any one room or area.
Though the walls are still made of white marble and the floor remains interlaced with rose quartz and mother-of-pearl, the shine has gone from them and something of the life and light they brought has withered away. Though the structure remains intact, it feels in some areas as if the walls have closed in, making the previously grand rooms now seem shrunken and constrictive. An air of eerie calm and discomfort can be felt from the first step on. The building is not the Palace anyone remembers.
LINKS
Throne Room | Eshai's Room | Storage Armory | Library
Ritual Chamber | Prison | Courtyard | The Turtle's Head
OOC NOTE
The Palace becomes available to explore as of the 28th, but will remain accessible until further notice. Please direct any questions regarding this log to the QUESTIONS section in the original OOC post.
There will also be a State of the Shell post coming soon to address the current status of the city and its key players. Thank you!
Date: Sept 28 and onward
Location: Palace of the Landed Sky, Keeliai
Situation: In the wake of Malicant's bold taunt, and the death of the Emperor and five hatchlings, the Palace is left abandoned and open for the Foreigners and kedan alike to explore.
Warnings/Rating: CONTENT WARNINGS are noted in the various subject headers, please take note of them!
---
zwischenzug | (ˈzvɪʃənzuːɡ) | intermezzo | n. (in chess):
1. A tactical move interpolated into an exchange or series of exchanges to improve the outcome.
2. "in-between move". An unexpected move tossed into an expected series of moves. (German)
---
Where once the Palace of the Landed Sky was a majestic and beautiful thing to behold, it now seems to pulse with negative energy. The outer walls are crumbling in most places, unsteady and fallen into disrepair. The walls of the Palace itself remain for the most part sturdy, minus a few fallen stones and the ruins beside the Courtyard.
The Palace is empty. Though some bodies can be found scattered haphazardly about the halls, most of those who were working in the building have disappeared entirely. There’s no question as to whose doing it was.
Small groups of kedan have also ventured into the Palace in order to loot whatever rooms they can get into, feeling confident that the reward will outweigh the risk of facing off against Foreigners who may feel the need to repel them. Mostly they'll be in groups of 3-5, though individuals or larger can be encountered as well. Some will engage the Foreigners in hostilities and some will grudgingly be sent on their way without challenge, depending on how bold they feel.
No banners, rugs, lanterns, or furniture within the Palace remain in pristine condition (with the exception of Eshai’s room). Everywhere one looks, items are torn, scratched, or smeared with blood. Even the interior walls are often cracked or caked in what one hopes is only blood. Perhaps more unnerving are the ‘veins’ that run through the walls, floor, and ceiling. These thin black tendrils, equal parts within and without the surface they spread across, are textured and feel like pine needles to the touch. These veins run throughout the Palace, yet never seem to thicken, intensify, or coalesce in any one room or area.
Though the walls are still made of white marble and the floor remains interlaced with rose quartz and mother-of-pearl, the shine has gone from them and something of the life and light they brought has withered away. Though the structure remains intact, it feels in some areas as if the walls have closed in, making the previously grand rooms now seem shrunken and constrictive. An air of eerie calm and discomfort can be felt from the first step on. The building is not the Palace anyone remembers.
LINKS
Throne Room | Eshai's Room | Storage Armory | Library
Ritual Chamber | Prison | Courtyard | The Turtle's Head
OOC NOTE
The Palace becomes available to explore as of the 28th, but will remain accessible until further notice. Please direct any questions regarding this log to the QUESTIONS section in the original OOC post.
There will also be a State of the Shell post coming soon to address the current status of the city and its key players. Thank you!
no subject
"No," she replied, finally moving deeper into the room, "If you could feel what I feel..." She laughed and the souls echoed it, "The anger, agony, death, hatred and power." In essence, everything that her darkness thrived on, "Then you would know."
no subject
"But I sure as hell have seen what that kind of power does to people. Screw the investigation, we're getting out of here." Maybe it wasn't too late to turn tail and run. He could always come back later, after he's had time for what he's seen to settle in, and without Valdis acting the way she is. Better yet, without Valdis around at all. He turns back and picks up his pistol.
no subject
"There's no need for that," she said, pushing the darkness away and walking deeper into the room, "He doesn't get to use my power again and no matter how good it feels..." She shook her head, "I have not given in yet."
no subject
With that out of the way, he skipped past the worst of the scene and onto the actual altar itself. Unsurprisingly, there were more writings and symbols, and none of them resemble the types he's seen in his world. "If what you say about power is true, then you-know-who might be trying to make himself more powerful. The particulars were different on my world, but people have tried doing about the same thing. Just on a smaller scale."
no subject
She knelt to examine the symbols that were written in a circular pattern, but she had to admit that they made no sense. She looked up to see similar symbols painted on the ceiling above them. Blood symbols were scattered about the floor of the room, no, not floor, it was Asti's shell that they stood on.
"In my world, human sacrifices were made to honor or please the gods," she replied, moving toward the door at the far end. She could still feel the power that resided within the room, could still taste the desire. She pushed open the door, regarded the shelves, broken vials and jars and, finding nothing immediately interesting, backed out and closed the door again.
"Strong enemies, the best warriors, the purest maidens..." She looked back to see Dante examining the writings. "There are numerous writings and myths in the histories about human sacrifice. But nothing like this."
no subject
Dante followed suit and looked at the jars. Thankfully, a good chunk of them were destroyed, but if these are a part of the ritual, it might be a good idea to start destroying them. Unfortunately, as much as Dante wants to tear this chamber apart and leave no trace for anyone to try and emulate, they may be an important clue.
"Of course. What's a religion without a bit of killing?" Dante snapped with the slightest hint of disdain in his voice. He didn't like religion, but this was more about what was happening here and now then his personal history. "So then, are you saying you think the cultists did this?"
no subject
"If the cultists did this," she gestured to the bodies and circle, "Which they must have since we know that Mali never does anything himself..."
She sucked in a breath as realization hit her, and released a string of curses in her own tongue. Finally she looked back at Dante, "The cultists were sacrificing to their god. And those grooves only go one place, that blood only went one place...into Asti."
no subject
"That's different and you damn well know it." Not even Dante wasn't sure how seriously he took that quip, since he was in too much of a bad mood. "I'm doing the world a favor, especially if it means that they don't have to sacrifice anyone."
"If you're saying what I think you're saying, you aren't the first with that theory." Dante affirmed, taking a close look at the grooves, trying to see if there's any rhyme or reason to them. "I thought that chick was crazy, but I guess it's staring us in the face now.."
no subject
His negative emotions were merging with the other feelings in the room, and her own horror wasn't helping either. She took a deep breath, trying to find her inner calm, before continuing.
"If I'm not the only one to come to this conclusion," she said, "then yes, it is."
Maybe the enemy really had won.
no subject
"So then it really is true. Huh." Dante didn't seem quite as shocked by this. He didn't believe it at first, but now that it was confirmed, it made perfect sense.
"Well, now that we know what they were doing, I'd say we have what we came for." Which was his way of saying 'Get me out of here now.'
no subject