Lexicus Looks for Ardin

[Lexicus]

Time: Oct 24, 2:11pm

Lexicus walks up the muddy path to the earth circle. It has been four days since he had seen his friend and mentor, Ser Ardin Gallagher. He remembers having to battle him across town in his undead state, dodging the void magic that he wielded and trying to bring him to rest. When Ardin was revived, Lexicus had come to help him but he took off running. No one Lexicus has asked had seen him since. Lexicus approaches the Earth Champion's hut and knocks on the door. He expects no reply, but he tries anyway.

"Ardin? Are you here?"

[Verbena Domitia]

"You won't find him." Verbena, passing by, stops to shake her head at Lexicus. "He hasn't been back. You can ask Rudy about that." She continues along the path, picking her way through the soggy woods.

[Ceridwynn Fildais]

Ceridwynn would appear not long after, carrying a rake and their little spider nest. "Lemme guess, looking for Ardin?" They begin raking leaves away from the circle, making a nice neat ring around it "Dont worry, he'll come back. Hes one of the good ones, he wouldnt abandon us" They search through their pockets before throwing an earth mana into the circle

[Ardin Gallagher]

The muddy tracks that once bore Ardin's daily travel to and from his hut confirm Verbena's words; the last signs of Ardin's presence had been those four fateful days ago. The heavy cloth that once separated the inside of Ardin's little dirt hut from the cold winds outside had found itself caught on a bough on the wall, seemingly beckoning entry, or perhaps hopefully awaiting the return of it's denizen.

A glint shimmers from within; most of Ardin's armour lay against the back, disorganized and thrown around haphazardly, alongside a crude set of wooden teacups and herbs, knocked over and spilled across the ground. A dozen old axes in various states of disrepair and rust lay alongside, what was once order was now strewn about across the ground haphazardly. Against the far wall lay a mass of boughs that was once a bed shuffled around, under which Lexicus could sense a magical aura. It had been clear that no-one set foot in here for days, and the last person to do so did so quite disruptively.

[Ardin Gallagher]

As Verbena picks her way through the woods, something catches her eye. Embedded into the muddy ground, a string of necklaces can be seen. A bard mark of Theo's, one of Pendergast's, one of Father Francis', and one of Rose's, alongside a string of wooden beads, adorned by small carved fox flanked by a wilver wolf and the silver hand of Nordin. It was Ardin's prayer necklace, the one that he had worn since the day he arrived in Holdfast and the one he was never seen without.

[Verbena Domitia]

Verbena pauses, bites her lip. Takes one step, then another. Hesitates, perched on the balls of her feet, between one dry patch and the next. Shivers in the breeze.
Abruptly, she huffs in frustration and turns back, placing careful feet precisely in her previous tracks. She stoops, reaches out, and picks up the necklace, holding a single bead between her thumb and forefinger to avoid muddying her hands unnecessarily. Then she holds open her coat pocket (it's barely more than a rag, the mud is irrelevant) and drops the necklace in.
Straightening, she continues on her way back to town, intending to seek out a psychic or tracker.

[Degren Brightforge]

Degren arrives a few moments later at the tent, minimally armored but carrying his shield and sword slung over his back, " What's the commotion up here?" His eyes fall on the inside of the tent and he looses a whistle, " I've never actually looked in here... sort of messier than I had expected. Wheres Ardin gone off to? I hear he and Rudi got into it. I'm no expert, but she seemed upset. And I hate sad kids."

[Lexicus]

Lexicus' heart sinks at Ceridwynn's harsh words. He feels tremendous guilt for the damage done to the souls of those killed and raised by Nero's magic. He hopes that there are some who understand why the survivors chose what they did. I time perhaps he would be forgiven. Lexicus doesn't notice Degren approach until he speaks, snapping him out of it.

"Uh... Hello, Degren. I haven't seen him since Sunday morning, when everyone returned. How are you feeling?"

[Degren Brightforge]

"Like I got the crap kicked out of my soul, honestly. Feels like getting old. I hear you did well. Legends of Lexicus Deadbane is already spreading-- you should be proud. You fight good-- for an elf. You ever need training or some armor, just ask." Degren looks closely inside the tent, " Ardin left his armor. He probably won't be gone long. Unless this has some deeper significance I dont know about?"

[Ceridwynn Fildais]

Ceridwynn wanders over, curiousity getting the better of then. "Im just keeping the place clear. Dont know what Lexicus is up to." They were oblivious to any hurt theyd cause, their comment having nothing to do with the Nero debacle. 
They peek over Lexicuss shoulder. "You guys better not be looting Ardins stuff. He'll be pissed...would rather not see him pissed again" they shudder and shake their head.

[Degren Brightforge]

"There's plenty of stuff left here. And nothing to stop someone from taking it -- a tent isnt much of a storage unit. That armor'll be starting to rust already-- and theres an aura in the corner. I'll put his things in a chest and put it in the citadel. When he comes back, he can take have it all back. Come with me, I'll show you where itll be. This way we can be sure that he gets everything." Degren pulls a brownish chain from his pocket, " I'll Toss this on top, as well. A champion's necklace is something he'll come back for."

[Lexicus]

Lexicus' eyes go wide at the sight of the earth champion's necklace. "If he left that behind then something is very wrong. We should send someone to look for him."
Lexicus walks inside and grabs Ardin's armor. He then makes his way to investigate the magic aura.
"The earth circle is now without it's apprentice or champion. It must be kept safe in their absence."

[Degren Brightforge]

"No signs of a fight. Armor looks like it was put down, torn off. Unless he got taken while on the way to the latrine, I would say it looks deliberate. Ardin's probably of eating mushrooms and commuting with the spirits..." he frowns and eyes the corner of the room, " probably naked. Uhg. I've got a lockbox that'll hold all this stuff. I'll toss it under the bunk just in case. I'll go get it."



He vanishes for a minute and returns with a heavy iron chest of exceptional quality, " also I'm selling a few of these things if anyone wants to buy em. Wood is cheaper to use, but iron is harder to break. And it doesn't burn."

Degren hefts the necklace in his hand, " The earth circle will be fine. Most baddies with enough juice to muck with it can turn us to ashes with a thought. We should just build big ol' castles or towers on each circle. With big THICK locks and tough doors. Thatd be better than nothing, at any rate."

[Ceridwynn Fildais]

Ceridwynn pokes at the box before starting to load Ardins things into it. "Im already watching the circle, ill yell at the mercs if anything shows up. Im sure Ardins fine...." they squint at the necklace "...even if he left that. Hes the only one who can use it, right Degren?"

[Ardin Gallagher]

As Lexicus removes the boughs that mask the magic, he unearths a magical axe, gleaming intricately engraved steel with a likeness to the design on Ardin's shield engraved on the haft. As he holds it, Lexicus feels a longing for the forests within.

[Degren Brightforge]

"I'm no expert, but it isn't magical anymore. I suppose he used it, the same way Auron used his. It doesn't just come back, as far as I know. But it is still a gift of no small worth-- there are men who would still kill for this." He stares at the chain in his had, purses his lips, and sighs before tossing the chain into the box. Then he glances at the axe, " That's a pretty thing, mind if I take a look at it, Lex? More curious about the craftsmanship."

[Ceridwynn Fildais]

"Thats good. Cant let it fall into the wrong hands." Ceridwynn pats the box as they look over at Lexicus "Whats that? You better be putting it over here."

[Lexicus]

"It's his axe. I wouldn't think of taking anything belonging to my friend. Others however, may not be so kind. We will keep his belongings safe until he returns." He hands Degren the axe. "I trust you will not lose this." Lexicus sighs. "You are correct Degren, the beings that are after the magic of this town are far more powerful that any one of us. We need a plan. We can't let every Godo or Shadow Queen or Nero have their way with us. We need to fight back and let it be known Holdfast is not to be messed with."

[Degren Brightforge]

Degren takes the axe, admires its simplistic beauty and draws an oiled cloth from his satchel. He carefully wraps the axe in it and places it in the chest. "We need a way to keep these ascended away... or a method to take care of them in a more permanent capacity. But Nero seemed to have a knowledge of things that... he could never have known. And he was powerful enough to wipe away our circles AND keep our souls from leaving our body. He almost appears a god. How do you fight a God?"

[Lexicus]

"From what I have heard they are not gods... yet. It is important we stop them before that becomes a reality." Lexicus steps out of the hut. "They are powerful but not invincible. We just need to find out what it takes to hurt them and then we'll have a chance."

[Lexicus]

"Godo returns next summer. We have half a year to develop a plan."

[Ceridwynn Fildais]

"If its those godly dickheads youre worried about, talk to the Sheriffs or Taka. Theyve got a dozen and one plans." Ceridwynn stares into the distance for a moment "So much yelling about will...i just wanted a dtink." They shake their head "Uh well...I still think the best way is to just send them to Applevale or stop beliving in them or something. Father Francis is the religion expert, not me."

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