Arcos comes in under the guise of his illusions, at least at first, his body not visible except as the illusion of about thirty or forty forebodingly large ravens. At first the ravens all perch along the high walls of the arena, all but one, the runt whom soars down to land on the ground below before a vortex of black feathers leaves a not a raven in its wake, but an avian man with large, obsidian wings hanging over him like a curtain. At first his sanguine eyes don't know where to look, but soon he crosses his arm apathetically and relaxes, his dark wings coming to rest upon his back as he waits to see what was to happen next.
Athxess wandered into the arena riding (for once) a easily 20 foot tall bear,his enchanted armor shine with a unnatural blueish light, Athxess dropped off the back of the bear looking at the flock of ravens and the avian appearing.the took his attention away from them and gazed around looking for,.... something
Doal circles the arena, looking down at a clear space for his over-size frame … It is apparent that there is not much space around the perimeter for him to stretch out, and the soil appears to be infested with some sort of worm-like creature … He sinks lower, and banks hard into a tight loop, then waves his might wings hard, breaking his descent … He bends his long neck, and burns the ground to clear the small beasts, sealing the surface over an area that will just hold himself, and settles down onto the still warm ground, tucking his long tail under his body, as he folds his wings back to hold as much of the heat as he can … Looking around the arena, he nods to the others that are here …
Sydd gracefully lands near the center of this arena, wondering why it is he has been summoned here. As he lands, he notices the others whom have arrived before them and greets each of them in turn before turning to look at the walls of the stadium around him. Hoping to see something that will give away the reason why he is here, he spends much time studying the arena itself and marveling at the lack of patrons whom should normally be here at this time of day.
Aislinn ~ A small brown-ish red cat ran into the Arena; a small bow was tied to the mulitple tails that cat had. The animal was small as it got closer and closer to the group of people. The feline spotted Arcos and jumped onto his shoulder. But right before she landed, she changed into the Lovable feline everyone knows. After the change, the weight would make Arcos possibly fall down. As she changed into her humanoid form the word "Kitty!!" was said rather loudly. If in fact she made the Avian fall down; she would clap her hands almost child-like and a cute giggle would come from her rosey lips.
Moonlight floats in her long red curls dancing about her waist like flames of a large bon fire, the laughter of children rings in the air as they fly, bounce and run in. placing one finger to her tightly closed lip all of the children hush. Taking a spot that is clear on the bleachers all the children sit down as well as Moonlight her self. * "Sorry I am late. It's not always easy to get all of these children ready on time." *looking to Syrus while taking a deep breath before specking* "Please, Just go ahead. I am mostly here to just see what is going on."
Syrus’ elderly form stands at the center mark of the open field of battle, a gentle smile formed upon his bearded face. A gentle breeze causes silver locks to dance and flow as though they held a life of their own. Silently he watches as all the selected people slowly arrive one by one. When greeted, a simple nod is all that is given, silver flames dance in his eyes showing that deep thought was taking up most of his attention. At last, the feline and the pixie rush in and the old man bows to the crowd before speaking in his soft tone, “Brothers, sisters, friends and loved ones, you have all been called forth from the far ends of Hollow, and even beyond to gather here today. I greet you and welcome you here on this day. Though the weather is quite disappointing, we shall make the best of it.” The wrinkled hands of the necrocarnate move before his robed form, a slow and steady motion only accompanied by a slight mutter. A soft clap is made as the hands collide, and it is then that a strong necrotic energy flows through every creature on the field. At the edges of the fighting field, a tall wall, of what would seem to be violet electricity, crackles and pops as it reaches toward the sky. After this magical two dimensional field reaches near the height of the mage tower itself, a top forms from all sides in a swirling pattern, finely, the magical barrier is complete before once more the man peaks, “I place this around us for privacy, not for any other reason.” A glance is offered to the druid pixie before the dragon continues, “For some time now, you have been watched and researched, your actions monitored and measured. Lady Moon and I have picked you, as beings who look for the balance in the land, and for the ultimate goal of peace. Each of you have your reasons for such actions, but it is the action itself that has granted you the merit needed to be an Apostle of Peace. I will first like to go over the meaning behind this organization, as well as our goal, plans, and rules. After this I will open the floor for questions.”
Arcos had been much too distrated to react to Aislinn, causing him to indeed be taken to the ground rather easily. The dark avian gives her a slight smile before he picks the girl up and stands, placing her next to him as he gazes upon Syrus. Arcos himself does nothing to react, instead his many ravens all begain to call out in unison as the violet electricity crackles around them. Once Syrus begains to speak, the birds all hush as if they, figments of an illusion, are listening to him as well. For this moment, the dark avian controlling them would remain silent and listen.
Athxess raises a eyebrow saying to him self "am I in the right place" as his bear shook its fur in reaction to the field,Athxess patted its side saying "shh Arc." as he waited for Syrus to continue.
Doal turns to face the apparition that looks much like a dragon of old ... his head flexes, side-to-side as a snake might, or another lizard, as his head works its way back over his coiled neck ... "Please continue," he says ...
Sydd looks at the faces of those around him as he waits quietly for the elderly one to finish
Aislinn smiled at Arcos and then turned her attention to Syrus. her ears flickered softly as she listened intently. Giving a quick look around to all the faces, she decided to be lazy. Sitting upon the ground, she smoothed out her dress so nothing was revealing but her legs.
Moonlight pulls some freshly baked cookies out, the sweet warm sent of the sugar and cinnamon starts to fill the arena as the slight breeze blows in from around her. Small bags are handed to each child in turn. Cherish climbs on her mothers lap with her little bag, right hand reaching inside of her bag to pull out a cookie. Tear, a tiny pixie size dragon flies off Sadie's shoulder and takes the cookie from Cherish with her mouth and lands on Moon's left shoulder. Eyeing Cherish that seemed to not care that he cookie was taken she kisses the top of her head while the child hunts in the bag for another one for herself. It was hard for the woman to keep her mind on the meeting with her children fussing lightly behind her about who got the most cookies. Turning her head to look behind her eyes that turned from sky blue to a dark red she parted her lips and whispered* "I beg you to stop this fussing… NOW! Everyone got the same amount." *looking back at the one knowing as Syrus she gives a light smile as her eyes go back to a nice blue-green* "Sorry Syrus, Please go on. Their just a little fussy today."
Syrus chuckles at the pixie’s outburst and sudden creation of pastries before he continues. The robed man offers a smile as he glances over the group of people once more. It had been a while since he had seen some of the people present today. Softly he speaks again, though his voice carries rather well, “For those of you who know me not, I am Syrus, the silver, Dracton., a leader of the apostles, and to my right here is Lady Moonlight, another leader of the organization. The goal of this group is not for simple dominance over the land, or to defend a set location or tradition. We are to hold the balance of the land, be that combating with good as well as evil. ‘What defines good’, I was once asked, and to respond to this, I said, “Those who act in the interest of preserving what is best for the land”. For more years than I am willing to admit, I have watched the land, and seen how corrupt both sides of the scale has been. We are the secret forces that will return balance to the land as it begins to be overwhelmed with a self-righteous entity only wishing to do what is right in their eyes rather than the whole of Hollow. In times where balance is true, we shall collect powers left by elder battles and warriors of past, so that when we are needed to act, we might do so swiftly, and with out hesitation. When acting as a member of our group, you shall be veiled with an item that I am in the process of mass-producing for our forces. This mask shall hide your identity from the world, and you will be but a symbol, not a person who’s past is the judging factor of your future, and in the same act, you shall never be singled out as a creature of peace. The key to our success is to remain unknown when doing our tasks in the land, so you must never speak of this organization. To the world, the Apostles of Peace, is but a myth! The only evidence that we truly exists shall be upon the field of battle, or in the houses of law. Soon, I will see all of you one by one to learn of your talents, so that we can hone them down so you are a master of your craft. This will allow us to be fit for any task brought forth. Now, not all of us will be combative members. I for one am a pacifist, and I shall deal with the policies of the land as well as the negotiations of treaties and wars.”
Arcos narrows his scartel eyes stoically, his facial features drawing together as he put what this Syrus, the silver, Dracton was saying into logical thought, processing what he had said to a point of understanding. Still, the naturally inquisitive investigater still remains quiet, his eyes only moving to gaze upon Aislinn before they return to the one speaking.
Athxess sat upon his bear wandering why he was here still he loved to fight he has been a mercenary,a war monger not a peace maker,keeper or anything else like that but he was willing to find out why he was invited .
Doal flicks his long tail over to the cookies, and pierces one, then moves it before Lady Moonlight's mouth … letting her choose to take a bite, before moving it to his own … as he waits for the rest of the information to flow from the human-like being that he can see partly through as he listens to what is said …
Sydd grabs a cookie or two for himself as he still listens quietly, thoroughly interested in what is being said.
Aislinn smelt cookies and got big eyed, grabbing two, she handed one to Arcos as she smiled, listening to Syrus as she took a bite.
Moonlight 's children all looked down and not one spoke again as they ate the cookies that the wind fae had made for them before she left the Hill of Peace where she lives. Kells a small boy about the age of seven was toying with an arrow. His only bother Kooshka was resting next to him, his dragon tail coiled around his bag of cookies as if guarding them with his life. Sadie pulled out a thick leather bound book and quill and started to doodle on one of the pages while nibbling on a cookie. Two mirrored pixies fluttered to the very top row of seats and started to play catch with their cookies, trying their best to get them in each others mouths. Moonlight was now keeping her thoughts on the meeting and was not watching the children behind her. Sadie the oldest of the family stopped doodling and looked up behind her, but knew that if she tried to make them stop it would only cause more problems so she just let the two trouble makers do as they pleased. As long as they didn't make much noise her mother would not come unglued at them all again. Cherish was giggling lightly as Tear bounced down her mothers shoulder and into the bag of cookies stealing another one, only to jump out of the bag and back to her spot on her mothers left shoulder. With out a snicker or even a small smile Moonlight took in a light breath and tightened her arms around the small one on her lap* "As Syrus has said, this is all true. We need to remember that we are not to take things into our own hands at anytime. We are to only witness things and share what you know and see with the others in this family. This family is to be kept informed at all times of what others may know about what is going on in the world around us. Never do I want any of you to ever talk of the title of this family. It is to be a myth as Syrus has said. I know that I am repeating him here. But, I say it again to make a point, one I am sure you all get. I would like to ask though if I may, That the ones I have not meet would take some time to see me so that I may be able to get to know you better. So please find time for me so that we can talk. Aislinn I would also like to spend more time with you as well." * a small smile crosses the woman's lips as she is licked by the pixie dragon on her shoulder. Now she did snicker as Doal shared one of the cookies he was able to get with his tail. Moonlight took a small bite and just beamed with a smile at the gold dragon. Twinkling eyes showed that she was indeed thankful that he thought of her.*
Syrus finishes his speech at last, holding a smile still with a smoking pips placed at the side of his mouth, “Our first location of interest shall be in the Underdark, for there is a relic there that I wish to have us recover. This will be done upon the completion of the training that each of you shall go through as well as the one on one meetings I will have with each of you. As the force of the clan known as the Peace Bringers, you shall be the main group for the actions of our clan. As time goes on, you each will increase in rank, and with each rank you will gain more pull in the clan as well as hold more responsibilities. Finally, let me touch on the rules. As stated before, we are to remain anonymous when acting on behalf of the clan, and we shall keep each other safe. Respect is key, and not treating the other members with such will not be tolerated. Punishment can range from deduction of gold and or rank to removal from the clan and death. However, I do not feel that any of you shall force our hand to act in this way.” Silence is then given, allowing his words to sink into the minds of those around him. After the pause, the human formed dragon speaks, “I now open up for questions, anything is open for discussion at this point, so feel free to place your mind at ease.”
Arcos takes the cookie from Aislinn but he was much too distracted with this sudden knowledge to even think about eating it yet. For a moment he stares down at the treat, no words coming to his lips just yet. He had questions, yes, but he would either allow somebody else to ask first or ask during the one-on-one meeting the elder had described just moments before. Looking up from the cookie to all the others around, the dark avian inhales slowly, his mind grasping what had taken place and committing it to memory.
Athxess raises a eyebrow his red eyes going over the crowd committing their forms to his memory if he was going to fight along side them he needs to know who they are first.
Doal seems to have no questions at this time, but wonders why it took nearly 3 hours to ask if there were any questions, since the wiley human gave little information ... "I have no questions at this time, but we can talk later," he says ...
Sydd looks puzzled. "What kind of magic will so fully veil us from those who seek us?"
Aislinn nibbled on the cookie lightly and raised her hand like a small child waving it around. "Umm what is so important about the relic?" she asked nervously. She did not want to seem like she was dumb or anything.
Moonlight now looked behind her and saw that the mirrored twins were playing with their cookies and there was half cookies, crumbs and their bags were now being tossed about as the winds picked at them as if they were dried up leaves on the ground. Pointing her four finger at the two of them she calls out* "You two monsters! Now pick all of that mess up." *Before looking back at the meeting that was going on Sadie handed her mother a parchment and smiled for she didn't want her mother to forget about the most important part of this meeting. Taking the parchment in hand and turning to face the others her lips slightly parted she handed the rolled paper to the old man. While saying to them all* "This is a parchment that states that no one will speck of the title of this clan or what we do with in our closed door our at any meeting. If one should talk of things out side of the family you will be at the mercy of the leaders. Also if you leave the clan or we feel that you can not be trusted your mind will be erased so that you will not remember anything about any meeting, member or plans we might have. I want all of you to sign this. Giving me your word that you will obey these rules."
Syrus offers a nod to the priest and smiles, “Indeed a grand question. The magic used is a mixture of arcane, druidic, and necro. It takes the color of your form and changes it to match that of the mask, (which is silver), removes your scent, make all auras seem to be that found at the Hill of Peace, and alters your voice. Some of the spells are from tomes I have come across in the library I work at. They have been removed from that location so that it shall not be traced. On the mask itself I have placed stones that have been imbued with the power found at the Hill of Peace, and I have enchanted each of them with part of the spell, making it stable.” Eyes then turn to the feline and a nod is given, “The relic we seek is a lost item once owned by the Dorw Matriarch. This whip holds the hinds from a variety of the Underdark creatures, and due to this it holds great power. Knowledge of the item came to me whilst reading through the books in the Rynvale Library. The last known owner of this item was Tiphareth, and I do think it shall be the first item we shall collect due to the lack of people who venture into the Underdark. As for the other items that we shall search for, they are needed to power our members when we act. I could list off several more and give you the history of them, but I do not think it would be productive at this time.” It is then that his hand opens to receive the contract that each shall sign. It is unfurled and glanced upon, allowing the mage to make certain that both the wording, and the magical bond inscribed upon it, were both satisfactory and intact. Again, he turns to the crowd before him, “Before I have each of you agree to this, I wish to ask once more if any of you have any questions or concerns, about what it is you have been selected for. If you are wishing to not be part of this, now is your chance to say so.”
Arcos crosses his arms at this. He was extremely hesitant about signing his name for all of these strangers to see but the rewards of doing so sounded very high. A moment of thinking takes place in the dark avian's mind before he shakes his head. He had no quesions at the moment. Everything made sense thus far. For now he looks to Aislinn, prepairing himself to follow her lead at the moment. If Aislinn was a part of this, than he would be too. He was certain upon that factor.
Athxess smiled a nodded ,its all made sense now.this was the job Syrus wanted him to do.he knew he would sign it its the least he owed Syrus
Doal looks at the leader, and nods his head, smiling, "Yes, we ALL must sign this pact ... not just the leaders, but including all the leaders, and all members ...
Sydd waits to sign his name to this scroll almost as fast as it can be passed to him.
Aislinn would not have any questions left o ask as she waited for the others to say anything they had left.
Moonlight watched everyone reaction as the parchment was degusted and was not sure that everyone understood it all, but no real question was brought up about it even though their eyes and body movements told her more of what she needed to know. Closing her eyes and take deep slow breaths a feeling emitted from the wind fae, a mist started to flow forth and cover the people in the room. It was not harmful at all, just a peaceful feeling that bubbled up with all that was in the arena. Even the little twin trouble makers started to clam down as it hit them. Opening her eyes a smile widened across her face for things were going as they should and for ones she was not as stressed out as she was when she woke this fine morning.* "Thank you to the ones that have singed this parchment. I look foreword to working with you all in the search of the relic and the meetings that are to take place later." *The wind fae became quiet*
Syrus nods to the dragon of gold, “Indeed, and Moonlight and I have already done so. It was from our power that this contract became valid.” His gaze of silver flame turns to the group, “This article before you requires no ink, a simple touch upon it by a willing creature shall place a pact which is bonded to a being’s soul. Body and blood can change, but the soul remains the same. No name, no blood. With no further questions I invite you now to walk forth and sign this agreement.” The parchment is then placed at arms length from the male, its glistening text seems to be coated with a strong magic. It is as though Oil from a lamp was spilled upon it though it was obviously dry.
Arcos has abolished every doubt he had about the clan, Aislinn's reassurance through thier psionic empathy being all it took for the avian to move forward. His sanguine eyes scan over the parchment for a moment before he reached out to touch it, binding his soul to the magical agreement. "There," He says, opening his mouth to speak his first words for the evening, "I have accepted a place among you. My efforts are now focused into the cause of the Apostles of Peace. The idea, the myth, -and- the clan."
Athxess nodded as he dropped off his bear then he reached out and touched the paper he smiled saying "there the deed is done." then looking at his bear and saying "well what are you waiting for,.." the bear leans forward to touch its nose to the paper,biding it as well.
Doal reaches his long tail out before him, and touches the parchment, almost knocking it loose, but pulling back enough at the last instant ... he smiles, "not even a hole in it" ...
Sydd smiles at those around him those who are now his brothers and sisters after his hand touches the parchment.
Aislinn walked up and placed her hand on the Parchment. Smiling, she let it scry her soul upon it.
Moonlight just held the child on her lap as the twins fluttered over to her with their bags full of crumbs and half broken cookies. Once Rayna rested on her mother's right shoulder and Marina on Cherish's small leg Kells shook his brother and whispered to the baby dragon. Kooshka's tail still held the bag that was his. Sadie gathered her things and stood for she knew it was time to get home and feed the mob some real food.* "Ready mother?" *asked the oldest child. Moonlight nodded as she stood carrying Cherish in her cupped arms making the child a chair with her arms locking her fingers together to make the seat* "Forgive me family. I need to run off now and get this mob feed before they start stealing from all of you. Thank you all again for being here and giving me your word and your time. We are bound to each other forever more. Peace be with you all." *With this the wind fae and the mob of talking children were gone.*
Syrus offers a final nod as the last of the group touches the parchment. The pact is then rolled up and returned to the hands of the pixie, “This concludes the meeting. I thank you for your time and will see you soon. Do not feel as though you are unable to contact me, I am available to my family at all times.” A clap reverberates through the enclosed area, as the necrocarnate removes the barrier that had protected and encaged the group. They were free to go, these new members of the Apostles of Peace…
