RP:Polar Plans
Part of the Appeasing Aramoth Arc
Frostmaw Arena
Ignatius could be found in the higher up rows of the colloseum's seating, slouched comfortably into the stony chair with legs propped up onto the back of the one that sit just in front of him - his usual stance when not partaking in the glory of single combat in the arena below. He was busying himself with a thorough examination of that heavily scaled arm of his, clenching and unclenching his fist as he watched those dark grey scales shift about with the movement. It still felt a bit off, this new arm but he was growing accustomed to the limb. "Non sarai mai il mio vecchio braccio, ma ... servirete bene che nessuno saprà la differenza." Ignatius said to himself whilst giving his wrist a few rolls and a quick flick to test the glide of the joint.
Satoshi, from her place down upon the arena floor, glances in Ignatius' direction, his foreign mumbling reaching her vulpine ears now that the stands have emptied and the stadium gone quiet. The kit frowns, not understanding the words, before shrugging and going back to her earlier activity of plucking needle-thin icicles from the corpse of a Winter Wolf. A smattering of blood and minor cuts decorate the little magus, but she seems in perfectly high spirits after her short-lived match. Giving the wolfen corpse a light kick, Satoshi turns on a heel and plops down upon it, its broad back making a suitable seat for a creature as slight as she. "Your bite wasn't very good today, pup~," the magus trills, the frozen needles clattering musically in her hand to match the rhythm of her words.
Eelltsu cannot be overlooked as he steps into the greatest arena in all of Hollow. It is the arena that his god never turns his gaze from. Though he has been a very rare sight in any civilized setting, even Frostmaw, recent events have stirred the monk from his wilderness wanderings. Today Eell's path has crossed the whims of the Fates themselves, playing right into their games, and weaving. At a glance above seven feet tall, the large man's massive boot falls carry him towards whatever occupants might be pondering the glory of this place themselves.
Satoshi pauses in her rattling of the needles to look toward the stranger striding into the arena. She doesn't recognize the immense form, but it isn't uncommon for newcomers to seek out Frostmaw's arena in hopes of finding combat and possibly a name for themselves. Judging by the fellow's build, Satoshi can assume he's one of these sort--and she's far from complaining. "Hullo there, monsieur," she calls in lyrical tones, half twisted upon the wolf to get a proper view of him, "Not lost, I hope~?"
Eboric appears as well, stepping once more into a place that he has not visited since he overthrew Kasyr in a spray of blood and gore. What has brought the warlord back is not outwardly clear, but his nostrils flare every few seconds, as if the werebear is sniffing at the wind, following some intriguing scent. He steps out into view some distance from the others, his feral eyes staring across that space toward the three.
Eelltsu also appears distracted by some unseen presence. His own nose fluctuates as a familiar, but nearly forgotten scent washes over his scent glands. Even further interested in the arena than before, it shows in his pleased tone of voice, which is also deep, and strong, "You are never lost where you do not wander aimlessly. My travels take me where they are meant to. Aramoth feasts when this arena is bathed in blood. I am a stranger to most eyes but I know this land well as I have dwelt here all of my life." He takes to one knee, as if remembering that most humanoids pay homage to leaders as such, "I recognize you as the Queen of this city and it's lands. Be rest assured that I have never hunted your herds nor slain any of your warriors." It is more of a gesture than a literal reassurance, especially given how hard it is to kill a frost giant.
Eboric cannot help but smirk as he sees the large stranger kneeling before Satoshi, and slowly begins to work his way toward them.
Satoshi's amber-flecked eyes flick to the Warlord, natural caution required for one as unpredictable as he, although she displays no outward hostility. Simply a nod of recognition to the man, before she gives the kneeling monk her attention once more, keenly interested by his words. She's spent enough time in Aramoth's temples to be familiar with similar sayings. "A follower of the God of War, I take it? Welcome then..." She pauses, trailing off to allow him to insert a name as means of introduction. After all, he seems to know her, but she can't say the same.
Ignatius let his attentions finally get be drawn away from that draconic arm of his, the deep red glow within the empty sockets that once housed eyes turning down towards the group that was now steadily gathering beneath his chosen roost. His head tilted for a moment at the sight of two of them, unfamiliar faces that he could not say just yet were trustworthy or not. As such, he was drawn to his feet with that scaled hand lightly gripping the hilt of his Alessia. "What is this then?" He asked quietly from above the others.
Sasha was wandering about the streets of Frostmaw, alone. She wore her priestess' robes; she had just been worshipping about an hour ago. The glowing ball of light that usually was above her head, magically allowing her to see was not there; she was practicing being able to 'see' without her feet; unable to walk around barefoot in the ice and snow. This would be very helpful to her, since, of course, she was to begin training in her new home. Clouded eyes seemed to search about; and her ears flicked as she listened carefully. When she heard voices speaking in the distance, she became curious, and decided she wanted to investigate, and soon found herself, unknowingly, in an arena of sorts.
Eboric reaches the gathered people, and remains a few feet off, simply listening.
Ignatius set into casually making his way towards the arena one step at a time, seeing no overwhelming sense of urgency in that Satoshi was declaring no outward dislike towards the two. Regardless though, his hand remained wrapped about the hilt of that dragonbone saber of his. "Questo è così interessante..." Ignatius said aloud as he neared the bottommost steps to come to be standing at the barrier wall that seperated audience from the combatants within the battleground. "A monk of a god of war and a knight of a city of warriors. That is a fight I should like to see some day, no?"
Eelltsu remains relatively void of strong emotional undertones when speaking, "I am Eelltsu, devoted follower of the God of War, Aramoth. I have devoted my life to the study of battle and could not resist standing in the presence of greatness." He notes Eboric's slow approach but doesn't respond as such to him. Ignatius is also recognized, but as the undead has yet to address him personally, Eell does not speak to him.
Satoshi, rising from her wolfish pseudo-throne, offers the monk a brief bow. "It's a pleasure, warrior of Aramoth, although I'm surprised we haven't crossed paths sooner. Still, now is better than never, non?" She catches Ignatius' comment then and grins. "Aye, it'd be a match worth beholding. One of Aramoth's chosen and the Sword of the North? That's the sort of thing this arena loves to bear witness to~." Sasha's wandering entrance is given a quick glance, and a flicker of a smile. Seeing that the little elf is still around pleases Satoshi, as it proves the girl is determined to train after all.
Sasha sniffed the air, and smiled as she recognized Satoshi, who she had long respected; even before finally meeting her. And then she paused. She recognized Ignatius' scent, but didn't know exactly who he was... it had been too long for her to remember. She finally managed to find her way to Satoshi's side, standing timidly. She was much less fierce than she had been in the arena when she dressed as a man in order to find a teacher. But there was a spark in her still; her mischievous smile giving away her spunky personality.
Ignatius let out a soft chuckle as he leaned forward against that barrier wall with one arm, yet unwilling to relinquish the grip upon Alessia just yet. Instead he would keep his glowing red stare at this monk with a morbid grin plastered across his skeletal features. "Mi chiedo, what brings you to the arena, monk. Certainly you weren't here to enjoy our clima tropicale." He said calmly, giving his head a tilt to the right as he casually questioned the man.
Eelltsu grins at the ironic remark, "In fact I am not comfortable anywhere but these lands. The lands to the south are far too warm for my taste." He brings a meaty fist to his chest with a light slam, "I salute a fellow fighter. I was indeed born and raised in the blizzard winds to the northwest. Far to the northwest where the snow meets the sea. Where the glaciers call to every newly born kinsman." He realizes that the two may not know what the monk means, but there is no better way to explain his origin.
Satoshi nods firmly at Eelltsu's words. While she hasn't traveled as far west as he originates from, she is all too familiar with the call of glaciers. Snow, ice, and all its forms sing to the kit, their voices are her own, just as her very core is their essence, as a genasi of the ice. "Then three of the north stand here, eh? And with such excellent timing, in fact." With a glance toward Ignatius, she adds, "I wanted to speak to you about the students you've taken on... to see if you might be interested in creating something more organized. An academy, if you will, for combat. Namely combat styles of the north, as we're Aramoth's children here, but in time too, styles from throughout the land. That es, if you're interested in overseeing such a thing?" With that, the kit looks toward Eelltsu, vulpine whiskers quirked in a smile. "The followers of Aramoth would be welcomed and appreciated in such an arrangement, truly. Who better to teach the eager and earnest the art of proper War?"
Eelltsu is perhaps surprised by the offer but does not betray it with a reaction. Instead the monk merely nods before replying, "I only teach those who also swear fealty to Aramoth as my teacher vowed before me. But if Aramoth favors this establishment of training, then my vow would remain unbroken."
Ignatius vaulted over that barrier wall in an instance, landing onto the snow covered ground with a soft crunch and a muffled thump. He placed himself suddenly between the two to turn his gaze wholly upon Satoshi as that grin on his face widened about twofold. "Interessati?" Ignatius said uproariously, his voice laced with a sound of jovial humor. "My queen, it would be my personal pleasure to tend to such a place. It is in my opinion that Frostmaw has far too few knights in her service." He then brought his fist to his mouth and gave his throat a brisk clearing. "but... uh.. perdona il mio sfogo. We will certainly need to sit ourselves down and how you say... discuss this matter."
Satoshi grins a decidedly foxish grin, all fangs and amusement. "Excellent~. I think Frostmaw could use such a thing, really. We get so many from outside our lands coming here in search of someone to teach them, to help them refine their combat skills, and guide them toward a warrior's path. It's my hope we can arrange for a more organized means of assisting them, and in turn spread the ways of Frostmaw further afield. I've a location in mind, as well. Have either of you been near the ruins west of the city?" Whether they're familiar with the place and its history or not, the kit continues nonetheless, "It was once the site of a massive war between three peoples. It's been left abandoned and forgotten for too long, its soldiers unburied for ages, their spirits restless and unable to return to their gods. I wish to put them to rest, restore the lands to their former glory, and erect the school of combat there, upon that ancient battlefield as a monument of sorts." As well, it'd ensure the school is near Aramoth's temple, as she has no doubt there will be numerous followers of the God present within the establishment.
Eelltsu frowns grimly at the mention of that field, "It is a place that I saw once and have never returned to visit. But it is not a good death that was brought to the Lost Ones. I know little of the place other than what I was told as a disciple. Which is only that the gods of those lost abandoned them. It is a fate worse than dying of disease."
Ignatius nodded slowly as Satoshi spoke, the red glow within the holes of his skull dimmed while he focused on every word that came out of her lips. He clung eagerly to her every word, fully interested in this place that she had just described to him. "Tali anime miserabili." He finally said after both Satoshi and the monk had said their piece. "I have seen too many cities in my life ravaged by war, none too few were decimated by the very men I lead into battle. It is a sorry sight but perhaps this once, it is something we can put to rights."
Satoshi nods solemnly in response to monk and knight alike. "It is a wretched place, yet still sacred to the people of Frostmaw for what it once was, and what it still is:the courtyard of Aramoth's greatest temple. Months ago I began work on putting to rest some of the spirits that haunt the area, but it isn't a task I can do alone. It will take a great deal of work. Work I'm willing to undergo, to restore the ancestral lands to their proper state, and the send the cursed ancestors onward. If either of you are interested in helping in any way, you shouldn't have any trouble finding me there. I'll be beginning my work at the bridge that serves as an entrance, and working from there on."
Eelltsu nods slowly at Satoshi, not at all surprised to find out what that place truly is, "My teacher chose not to reveal that truth to me and I will never hold it against him. Perhaps it was for the best lest wondering minds send the boots in a perilous direction. I may be able to help some, though I am not versed in such things."
Ignatius allowed himself something of a sigh as Satoshi made her request to rid those ruins of the spirits that dwelled therein. "My apologies but I have always specialized in the killing aspect and very little in the what happens afterwards. I will help where I can but cleansing the place is one part I may have to sit out on." He offered something of a laugh to help clear out some of the tension of that moment. "I doubt they'd be too fond to see my dead self walking about in the flesh whilst they suffer purgatorio."
Satoshi says to the pair of warriors, "Don't worry about putting them to rest. I'll see to that. What I need are those with capable bodies and minds. There are many broken buildings there that need moving, although we can get the people of Frostmaw to help once the spirits sleep, but what pure muscle can't offer are the calculating minds of trained leaders and war-masters. Where the best places to build are, what sort of defenses and arrangements should be placed, all the aspects of the art of strategy and foreplanning." Of these, Satoshi knows Ignatius has some abilities in, a long-lived swordsman as he is. And while she doesn't know Eelltsu well, she knows the kind of people Aramoth choses as his finest. Even if he doesn't have a strategist's mind... "You carry the God of War's approval, do you not? It'd be only fitting for one of your discipline to walk the restored lands, ensure things are as they should be? If you carry the ability to pass on Aramoth's blessings, the lands can't go wrong with that gift, am I right?"
Ignatius leaned himself against the barrier wall as his expression became something very calm and serene, those lights in his skull becoming something of a fiery gaze within their holes. His arms came to be crossed his chest and Ignatius seemed to be staring off at nothing. He was deep in thought now, contemplative of all the fortresses and strongholds that he had seen in his long years. "Certo, ma ho bisogno di vedere queste rovine in dettaglio. Ogni angolo, si capisce." He would finally reply.
Satoshi totally pretends she understood that. She's good at pretending.
Eelltsu will not deny it, "Any land with Aramoth's blessing will stand against one thousand armies. I will walk those lands again and do what I can to aid you. Were my teacher alive now, he would approve, and perhaps he foresaw this fate of mine. I will never know for sure unless I meet him beyond this world."
Satoshi bows, first to Eelltsu and then to Ignatius. "Your help, both your helps, are greatly appreciated. I look forward to being able to work with you on this." And to Eelltsu she adds, "And make better your acquaintance, Ice-Stalker. I've never had the pleasure of meeting one from the frozen west. I'm curious about the lands out there, truly."
Eelltsu nods again at Satoshi's interest in his homeland, "It is similar to Frostmaw in many respects. However one can smell the sea and the glaciers are vast. Day and night do not follow the same laws there. It is a land that has a different spirit it would seem. There are creatures in the waters that those of the warm lands cannot fathom. But it's beauty outweighs it's danger."
Ignatius gave Satoshi a quick nod as he staggered towards the arena's exit, pausing only to look back and forth between the two for a moment. "I have to see this place for myself..., I look forward to seeing both of you soon." and with that he was off.
Satoshi can't keep the light of intrigue out of her eyes at Eelltsu's words. A land of ice and ocean, with unusual and dangerous creatures, unheard of seasons and cycles. She can only imagine what sort of songs the ice sings out there. The very thought is enough to draw a genuine, whisker-curling grin of delight across her features. There, there is a place she must see. "You land sounds wonderful, Ice-Stalker. I would be delighted to see it one day. Hopefully soon, once my work here is completed. Until then... toil on I shall. It was a pleasure to meet you." Bowing again and throwing the monk a hearty salute, the little queen follows in Ignatius' footsteps.
Eelltsu bows in return, "Perhaps I can show you one day. It is Aramoth's gift to those who would risk the journey. Courage and strength are rewarded."