Whispers from the Peaks (GW2) Part One

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Quaxo9
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Re: Whispers from the Peaks (GW2) Part One

Post by Quaxo9 »

Nairn Tuckamore

Of course it couldn't be as easy as simply tracking down one god - as easy as finding a trickster god from another world could be, anyway. Her sigh collected in a small stream of fog, almost as though her emotion made her breath hang there. Suspended by reticence.

"The purple robes were not terribly forthcoming. I doubt the greys will be any different. To find them out, we may need to employ...alternate methods."

But what alternate methods? The grey robed people could somehow detect her despite her stealth. They themselves had no way of discerning where either group was located until they did something crazy like knife a woman or slaughter an entire cave of Sons. Except the cultists didn't actually do the latter item themselves!

"What about the shadow wolf? It appeared to separate the two groups. Did they summon it as a sort of...token spirit of collaboration?"

Nairn felt like she was grasping at straws. They'd been fortunate to find a clue in Julius' belongings that led them to a knowledgeable creature here - but now she didn't see a way forward. Just a path muddied by details.
Quaxo9
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Re: Whispers from the Peaks (GW2) Part One

Post by Quaxo9 »

"We've certainly seen mages conjure convincing illusions, or even pull creatures into the mortal plane," Cullen said. "This particular creature isn't familiar, but it's not out of line with what I would expect. I can't be sure of the meaning, though..."

Anakita was still turning all the puzzle pieces over in her mind. "Is it normal for your people to go to other worlds?" she asked thoughtfully.

"Not really," Tempest replied. "Some can journey to The Fade. It's... sort of a space between worlds..."

"We have that too!" Anakita noted. "We call it The Mists."

Tempest nodded. "But traveling to actual, full-fledged other worlds? No. That's quite unusual. It's beyond anything I've heard of."

Anakita thought for a moment. "Okay. So what if we approached this from a different direction? What if we tried to find out where they entered our world - and how. Their method might give us some clues to their motives and how they're working together."

"Hm," Cullen replied. "Tracing the trail from the other end. Not a bad thought."

Anakita beamed that her idea had been deemed 'not bad.'

Tempest hesitated for a moment, then said, "Before we go, could I...? I hope you don't think I'm nosy or interfering." She met Stefan's eyes. "But your burns. I can't help noticing. They're magical in origin, I think?"

Stefan nodded, but didn't elaborate. Not because he minded the question - it would be farcical for people to pretend they didn't notice. He preferred they just be open about it. But he was still self-conscious about the quality of his speech, and these were relative strangers.

Tempest continued to speak very tentatively. "I wonder if you might... allow me to try to help? I mean no slight, but it must be painful for you. I might be able to ease it a little."

Stefan was surprised. Healers and menders in Tyria had already tried and failed, and he had simply resigned himself to it. It wasn't a bad life. Anakita loved him unconditionally with all her ferocious heart. His family and friends accepted him without qualm, despite the burns and scars, the awkwardness of the damaged vocal cords. He could still fight, still make a difference. But there were downsides. It was painful, sometimes. The tightness of the scar tissue was unpleasant. The stares from strangers were uncomfortable. It was hard not to be able to communicate as he wished.

"Yes. Please," he said softly, not quite meeting the mage's eyes.

"It will be complicated," Tempest warned him. "I won't be able to wave my hands and fix it all. It will take time. But I think I can make it better for you." Her hand hovered over Stefan's forearm, a faint blue light becoming visible.

And Stefan... felt a little better. Diminished pain. Scar tissue loosening. "Thank you!" he said breathlessly.

"Of course," Tempest said. "Happy to help. I'll do as much as I can, as long as we travel together."

Anakita said nothing during the healing, but she was favorably impressed that the mage would make this effort for Stefan, especially after tiring herself making the barrier. "We'll help you with what you need to do here," Anakita assured her. "Stefan and I will, at least. Nairn can decide for herself. We'll find how they got here... and hopefully why."
Quaxo9
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Re: Whispers from the Peaks (GW2) Part One

Post by Quaxo9 »

Nairn Tuckamore

While unwilling to let people near enough to her for them to observe what she was doing, Nairn seemed to feel differently about her doing the same thing to others. When Tempest offered healing, well, she couldn't help but cross the small distance to Stefan. To observe a healing alone, but by one from another world? Exciting. Nairn leaned down slightly to observe, but largely kept out of the way. Interesting.

"Is all your magic blue?" How she'd managed not to interrupt anyone with her sudden question was a peculiar gift of hers. "Is that why the lyrium is blue too?"

She shrugged, but the excitement in her eyes gave away her true thoughts on the matter. The opportunity to travel with a group of people from another world - and who were so different and yet so much the same as them - how could she pass it up? Sure, stopping the end of the worlds also sounded important, but she had her doubts as to how likely that was to occur. At least she had a front row seat to possibly the biggest story of the decade if not the century.

"Of course I will assist. We are all somewhat involved already, after all." Attending because one was too lazy to stop working at what they were already doing was a ridiculous excuse, but one she seemed willing to stick by nonetheless.

Almost as an afterthought, she turned her head toward Anakita and Stefan as her boots began pointing her in another direction. The whole troupe might be heading to Hoelbrak and the Asura gate, but there was the sack full of books that needed to be retrieved. "There is that small matter in Hoelbrak I should attend to first. I have a feeling I might need my staff."
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Re: Whispers from the Peaks (GW2) Part One

Post by Quaxo9 »

Anakita Snakecharm and Tempest Rutherford

Tempest gazed at Nairn for a moment, making sure her interest was genuinely rather than merely polite - not wanting to launch into a longer explanation than would be welcomed. Seeing genuine curiosity, she replied, "Not all magic is blue. Healing magic often is - or magic associated with lyrium. I think because blue is associated with mana and power, in both cases. Some spirits manifest as blue, too - or purple. Magic associated with The Fade is often green. Elemental magic typically matches the color of the element it represents. And..." She looked like she was about to say something else, but cut herself off abruptly... glancing at Cullen.

"Blood magic is associated with red, as you would expect," he said matter-of-factly.

"But I don't do blood magic," Tempest assured them hastily.

"Really?" Anakita replied conversationally. "Why not? I mean... it's just normal magic too, right?"

"Perhaps... that is the case here?" Tempest ventured cautiously. "But not back home. Blood magic is powerful, but extremely dangerous. It makes the mage extremely susceptible to demonic possession. And it... changes people."

Anakita shivered a bit at that. Very different, then. Not like here, where it was used casually enough by Necromancers. She had benefited from their skills herself, especially Livia's... even if it was, she admitted to herself, a little gross.

"Sure, you can go get your stuff," Anakita said to Nairn. "We'll start investigating in Hoelbrak. But... if you're going to get your hands cut off again, call for us, okay?"
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