[ATS] The Tributary

Since I've been too busy to clean up mud logs, here is the first of a series that I hope makes up for the lack. MU* logs are much easier to clean and half as long for the same amount of content, so bear with me. :P


A Smooth Tunnel System
Many knee-high stalagmites litter the area, forcing you to
pick your way through them. As you weave your way through
the throng of standing rocks, you notice that many of them
are worn down, their tips dulled to a polished round end.

[Exits: north south]
( 4) A puddle of ooze is here.

Tytan enters from the north.

Tytan says, "How er things goin' fer ya then?"

Vaysh blinks slowly, scratching his head. "I'm all right I suppose, but these caves are beginning to bore me terribly..."

Tytan says, "I'm half tempted to start tunneling myself to find more o' dem beasties."

"There's the tunnel with the warning sign high above the next level," Vaysh mentions, flicking rock dust from one sleeve. "But I'm not one to go into the jaws of danger without preparation."

Tytan says, "Scared of the wee badgers are ye?"

Tytan chuckles heartily. "But that's also outside of the mountain."

Vaysh laughs. "If you call being careful scared yes...."

Tytan laughs harder, giving Vaysh a rough pat on the back. "Aye, yer a good one."

"Well, I don't do much exploring in the caves...they tend to thwart my ability to channel the tributary, especially near ore deposits...probably the ore itself has some properties that affect the flow." Vaysh sighs to himself. "Like the caves near the Pagri hill-lands."

Althaia enters from the north.

Tytan says, "I wouldn't mind bein' able ta touch it. I hear it changes the people who actually see it. "

Tytan says, "If it could help me protect the city from bandits and wandering beasts, I'm all for it."

"See what?" inquires the voice, echoing off the cavern walls. From the shadowed north, Althaia emerges, footsteps signaled by subtle thuds.

Tytan strokes his beard absently with a large calloused hand. "What all ye elves been tappin' fer ya powers. And I dun mean the gods."

"The Tributary." Vaysh slants a subtle smile in Althaia's direction. "Though I wonder at what harm it can bring if it were exposed in its natural state rather than drawn through the earth."

Tytan smirks broadly, "Aside being seven feet tall an' blue?"

A subtle laugh escapes Althaia as she glances over at the dwarf, "The Gaia Tributary? I don't think it's an actual river you can see, Master Dwarf...besides if it were unleashed the effects could be most dangerous. Isn't that what Indagos come from? A dwarf exposed to the stream...would that give you an amphorian?" she muses.

Tytan hrmphs, "Course it's a river, that's how the whole damn war started."

Tytan nods his head slightly at Vaysh's direction. "The demon's wanted ta taste it's power. So what was left a da people started having people go to the river to be able to gain power and fight back the demons. That's how we got the Indago as a people."

Tytan sighs, "Dun think I said people enough."

"Not a beginning to inspire legends with," Vaysh murmurs beneath his breath. "We have no claims to being ancient, really. But at least it was for a good cause?"

Tytan shrugs, resting the head of his hammer on the ground and consequently his chin on the end of the handle. "I think it was worth it, I can't say I'm keen on altering people against their will, but it was for a worthy cause."

"Interesting," is all Althaia utters. Raven locks spill over her shoulder as she glances around, eyes cast down the passageways carved into the earth. "And where is it? I'm sure our Indago knows, it'd be like watching geese migrate south. There is a yearning inside, isn't there? When you draw from the stream? Some internal compass," she ponders out loud, voice carrying through the air.

Tytan sighs, "It'd be burried on the other side of the world. I used to know the name of where it should be... But I can nay remember it. At any rate it's a long way from here."

Vaysh utters wryly, "Our affinity with it is such that some feel complete only in the embrace of the flow, yes. Though I daresay that physically being connected to it would have more far-reaching effects. I know not. I have never seen it...at least I can't answer that for you."

Althaia tells the group "Wryly? BITCH ARE YOU GIVING YOUR MISTRESS LIP?! *wields whip, flogs*"
You say to your group, "*does lip service* :X"

Tytan picks idly at the hem of his armored leg platting, fingering around a rather large hole, with flecks of blood speckling the scratched and bent metal. "But I dun mean ta keep yas with my old stories. You live fer nearly a century ya hear quite a bit."

"Regardless, I would like to see it, if only once and if only for the experience. I do not channel it, but it is still a wonder of this world" Althaia comments, tapping her chin idly as she looks over at you and quickly studies him over.

Tytan nods sagely, his fingers twirling his beard. "I'd wish ta see it too. They say, it grants powers to the people who see it. I could use a bit a powerin' up maself."

"As long as it doesn't turn me into an Indago," Althaia says teasingly, casting a stifled smile at you. "Though I wonder what it would change and why..."

Returning the elf's gaze with a mildly inquiring one, Vaysh makes a small, thoughtful noise in his throat. "Sir Dwarf, I would be glad to have an ounce of the strength that many of the city's doughtiest fighters wield. All have their respective talents, and it just so happens that my race's is this one..."

You say, "Who knows what would occur if one such as yourself were immersed in the Tributary?""

Tytan winks, "Only one way ta find out."

Althaia wrinkles her nose, eyes still upon Vaysh before she pries her gaze off and looks to the dwarf, "Perhaps your beard will be one of fire and you'd be able to breath ice" she ponders, tone a bit lighter than before.

Azure brows knitting together, Vaysh affords a slight shake of his head. "The risk would be great indeed...but that puts me in mind of an idea..a venture that many, especially those in Eridan, might find too dangerous to consider. To send an expedition thence, for study. Of course the members would have to be...ah...responsible..."

Tytan chuckles, "Ye fergot hearty."

"Eridan? I'm sure my parents would sponsor such, well partially anyway." A pause and then a shake of Althaia's head follows suit, "Or just send one of my siblings instead of a group of non elven mages."

"I'd wager I could get some city funding. The world's been lookin' fer it since it was lost." Tytan scratches his chin, "I bet Erius would have an interest in it."

"Your parents have er...such academic interests, then?" Vaysh inquires smoothly of Althaia. He quirks an eyebrow in Tytan's direction upon that worthy's comment. "Well, if the city's well off enough these days, it might be of some benefit indeed...we seem to be having an influx of new settlers and the like, though I know little enough of trade to say whether tis flourishing."

Tytan quickly gives his head a shake, "Nay, not quite. But definitely improved."

"Academic? Probably...and an interest in power? Most likely" Althaia comments, exhaling a bit as she keeps her gaze away from the two. "The city? Well, it's a lot closer than sending word to Eridan" she adds, casting a glance over her shoulder at you.

You say to your group, "Sob *emote slips a hand around Althaia's waist and sticks his tongue into her ear*"
Althaia tells the group "Omg xd"

"It would be safe to assume many have that ah...interest," Vaysh snorts, "Whether for their own or altruistic aims. Call me jaded if you wish..." He lifts one shoulder dismissively. "There's a reason I left Eridan to seek my fortunes in Ama'rane, but it's a rather dull and cliched story, I'm sure. Many in the city have like tales to tell."

"Either or, I best be going. I've missives to send. Master Dwarf, keep us updated on the progress, I am sure a loyal member of the city watch would persuade Erius. That or refer him to the Indago. Night keep you both" Althaia pauses, offers a slight wave and leaves.

Althaia leaves north.

Incredulity suffuses Vaysh's features a moment. "Refer him to the Indago she says," he repeats, baffled. "And what arguments could one such as myself offer on behalf of such a venture...having no such experience to speak of, let alone the wisdom that comes with age." Wrinkling his nose in mild distaste and muttering to himself, he inclines his head to Tytan.

Tytan tilts his head to one side quizzically, "Well yer decended from the saviors of the world, that's gotta count fer somethin'."

"I would much prefer that such a suggestion be offered up by an individual with more under his belt than botched spells and some misadventures I'd rather not recount," Vaysh chuckles dryly. "But if Erius is the sort to be open-minded then I have no objections to the idea."

Tytan nods, "Aye, time will tell if this adventure will even take place. No point worryin' bout it yet."

"I'm off for more of the same, I'm afraid," the Indago smirks ruefully to Tytan. "Nothing to look forward to, but at least I seem to be getting somewhere, if less speedily than I wish for. I believe our paths should cross again in the city, if not here." With that Vaysh cants his head in farewell. "Be well, sir Dwarf."

Tytan give a wave of his large, meaty hand. "Aye, an' you too."