RP:Reflections of a Bygone Era

The Hill of Peace

The land here at the wondrous view of hollow seems to have magically grown outward, causing the grasses along with many different flowers and plant life, to stretch the edge out a bit further. One plush tree of peace is set off to the side, giving a shady spot to rest under, as you gaze over the scenic view. The feeling of tranquility is strong here for some reason, causing one to only question; is it because of the memorial, because of the magic blue glowing rose dancing in the wind, or is it the ghostly silhouette of a closed gate, that reflects off of both moons just before the dawn? As you examine the magical stone you see writings upon it in all dialects, “Syrus the Silver, May the final Delavian, who sacrificed his vampirc fangs for the wings of a dragon, watch over us always, and may his teachings never be forgotten.”

Quintessa's heeled boots bring her farther up the Hill of Peace as the the wind furrowed her dark cloak behind her. Her mismatched eyes of blue and hazel scanned the area with curiosity. After a few nights of drinking the changeling eventually read Hikoro's note on the tavern message board and she decided to check this area out, just because. The hex blade's lithe hand brought to her lips the flask she was carrying, taking a sip of the amber liquid that swirled inside before she screwed back on the lid and tucked it into her belt. "So this is the Hill of Peace?" Quintessa immediately drifted closer to the memorial, glassy eyes scanning over the sword that sat upon it. "Mastermune?" The swordswoman had an idea. With an impressive leap, Quintessa vaulted on top of the memorial, her hands gripping the sword tightly. The changeling gave it a half-hearted attempt before she slipped backwards, tumbling back to the ground in a fit of laughter. "It's really in there huh?" The teenager drunkenly stood back up and dusted herself off, reaching for her flask one more time before she started looking around the spectacular tree that grew here. Quintessa had very recently been studying magic trees, so this magnificent specimen piqued her curiosity. Would Quintessa stumble upon a note or a page from Hikoro's Book of Secrets while she was poking around on the hill? Even if she didn't, the short time she had been here had caused the stress of her daily activities to fade away. This really was a peaceful place.

Hikoro |Not many had come to visit the Hill of Peace or the memorials that rest upon its peak over the passing years. Nature had taken it back, ivy curled around the memorial of the statue while wild flowers consumed the hill top in an array of natures kiss. Few paths were worn down by humans outside of the usual deal trail leading to a collection of water buckets placed near the memorial. A tribute? Whatever it may be, it was clear someone was keeping the place well kept but..not leaving? Odd...right? If one looked up at the Tree of Peace they would see a ghostly pale figure up in the branches with their figure leaned against the base. Eyes staring but..it was almost as if none was home beyond those mixed matched hues. "Many have tried to lift the sword from its slumber. Others come to gather moon roses for healing purposes. Why is it you come?" Though the voice was there, it did not come from the body that was dormant in the trees. Instead, it appeared to be coming from...the base of the tree? Almost as if the tree was choosing to speak. With the words the feel of magic stirring in the air was felt to those attuned to the aetheric arcane of magic. (Magic users) "What is your name?"

Quintessa spied the ghostly figure above but she made no motion to interrupt her far-off staring. When the voice emanated from the tree, the changeling wasn't surprised. She'd seen her share of strange things since she left home and nothing could surprise her. "Why?" Quintessa pondered the question, letting the magic of the tree freely flow within her aura, it washing over her like a warm blanket. "Hmm... I have no reason other than curiosity. This place... I can feel the energy of lost secrets here. Echoes of trials and tribulations. Pacts...betrayals...love and strife." Quintessa's hands fiddled with her flask. "I am known as Quintessa Dragana, Warden of the Dark Forest... How shall I address you?"

Hikoro | There was a moment of silence when nature reclaimed the surface of the Hill of Peace. The sounds of frogs and late night creatures resuming until the energy shifted at the base of the tree. With three steps Hikoro stepped out ghostly form and all as a projection of her spirit. It..was near identical to the slumbering form in the tree above, only her hair was well kept and her wings were curled around her hips in a relaxed state. "Welcome Lady Quintessa Dragana, Warden of the Dark Forest. I hope your journey here has been a peaceful one." With an idle motion towards the surrounding area, her words continued. "I am the Guardian of the Hill of Peace. Appointed by those before me. There was a time I was called Orokah Darknight, Assassin of Vailkrin. Now, I am Hikoro Silver, remaining Apostle of Peace and Guardian of these Mountains. I stand in with truth and peace as long as your presence remains benevolent."

Quintessa quite enjoyed the sounds of nature, especially the night sounds. It reminded her of her swamp home in the Dark Lands. The changeling's mismatched eyes focus of the shimmering projection before her, caught in awe for a moment by her stunning beauty. "The journey here? It's been the opposite of peaceful. Bloodshed seems to follow me wherever I go... But here?" Quintessa inhales slowly as she spins around, taking in the rare serenity that filled her. "All of the blood of my recent past is a distant memory... Orokah Darknight, Assassin of Vailkrin... I think I might have heard of you- stories from my childhood, but I guess that doesn't matter now. You have a new purpose here, for whatever reason." Quintessa smiles at Hikoro Silver, flashing her sharp teeth at her, "No, I hold ill will. This place... It would be a crime to disturb the peace here."

Hikoro |"Sometimes, bloodshed can follow us even when it is not our wish to be part of it. The world is a mix of chaotic and tranquil energies. Some good, some bad. I truly am sorry you've faced the chaos as of late. Should you wish it, you are always welcome here. Those in Peace are welcomed and those seeking war or theft are chased from these hills." With a bow of her head Hikoro stepped backwards into the tree, her energy making its way through the b ranches and roots before finding itself back in the body it belonged with a gasp. Such..magic took time to take place and it would be a moment or two for her body to recover from its former slumbering. With a slightly more hoarse tone she spoke again. "So what lead you down the path to be a Warden? Is it your dream to keep balance and those that wander the Dark Forest safe?"

Quintessa listens solemnly, her eyes of blue and hazel drifting slowly up the branches to the body that sat there. "I'm guilty of my own share of bloodshed, I must admit. I've killed for the Drow in their war- I instigated fights with people- took sparring matches too far- tried to-" Quintessa cuts herself off, not waiting to confess anything more to the strange felinish creature before her. "But I bring none of that with me here... Here I can let it go, even if just for a moment." It felt nice to have a place like this. "My dream is to ensure stability of my homeland. Vailkrin has been in civil war until very recently, when my presence as head of House Dragana finally signaled the end of Larewen the Mad's War. My ambitions as Warden began with this in mind. I want unity and security, and at least in the Dark Forest I can provide that."

Hikoro | "We are all guilty of bloodshed, but it does not make the person we choose to be in the present." Shifting her weight the feline would hop down from the branches, feathered plumes outreaching to turn her descent into a graceful glide until she was touching down at the base of the tree. "I've heard that name before. Vailkrin use to host the misfit souls that held the Great Seals back when Movdon reigned terror on the denizens. Vampires overate and for a time undead rose to terrorize the surrounding regions. It is good to know that there are still those fighting to protect the citizens. undead and living a like. They've been through enough.. Though.-" The felines hands clasped behind their back, body leaning forward in a curious motion as she made the approach to study Quintessa. "This House of Dragana I have heard of upon my awakening. Tell me more and in turn I shall answer your own questions. Let knowledge be our choice of trade. I'm sure it will be a delightful conversation."

Quintessa smirks at Hikoro, finding delight in this trade of information. "Very well, House Dragana is one of eleven vampire houses that rule over Vailkrin, the youngest of all of them. We were founded by Larewen Dragana, my sire and teacher for some time. When she vanished without a trace her title and barony were passed to me, her apprentice and heir. We are an academy for those who wish to learn more about magic and have always served as a haven for exiles and a refugees. Under my leadership I have managed to build relationships between both House Mahara and House Azakhaer, and we currently enjoy a comfortable triple alliance... Now, your turn..." The corners of Quintessa's mouth twitch. "I was a child during Elazul's reign- I remember the horrors of that time, but I didn't get to meet most of Vailkrin's famous people until much later. People like Lionel, the Butcher of Vailkrin and my current sword-master, Kasyr. Do you happen to know these two? You must have met all sorts of famous people during your time as an assassin in the city of vampires."

Hikoro | Up-righting herself, Hikoro mused. "I know those names. I also remember Inkeyes and many others. Their names are a very distant blur but my memory has not gone just yet. In fact, I died in the tavern of Vailkrin once by the hand of Inkeyes at the order of Movdon and their regime." Ushering a hand towards the tree Hikoro would begin to draw upon the Arcanic magic, using nature around her to begin forming a blur of illussions that would simply look like spiritual lights at first. Bit by bit the hill was coming to life with spiritual flames that acted as lanterns, the tree itself dancing with decorative lights that cast a glow of light about. "I remember when Lionel left notes in the tavern seeking work and vampires use to meet in rebellion in the coffin makers shop. " Still working the spell, Hikoro took a moment to gather her thoughts. A frown appearing for just a moment. "Some time ago there was a being in these lands called Ymheshphilin. He wandered Vailrkin for a time. A creature unlike any other." the lights shifted to make a shape, an image above the hill ( https://www.deviantart.com/kerokyrako/art/Colored-Ym-174698388 ) "The hero, the Conquerer Worm. He would devour undead and keep tired adventurers on their toes. Fierce-om creature, but a heart of gold. I believe you can find his grave in Vailkrin..or was it in another region. Hmm.. Hard to say. Syrus would have been able to tell me if he was here. He is...not exactly around anymore yet not dead. He is one of the many faces of the Apostles of Peace. As is..was? Moonlight.. I..do wonder where they've all gone. What year is it per chance?"

Quintessa watches with wonder as the spirit feline shows her a dazzling display of history through magic, giving the curious creature that had wandered to the Hill of Peace the satisfaction that could be found following that curiosity. "Yes, Inkeyes, I've heard this name before- from Master Kasyr. And this Conquerer Worm? Fascinating!" The teenager was certainly entertained. "The year?" The changeling tilted her head. Quintessa's narrator doesn't know what hollow's equivalent of 2020AD would be, so Quintessa simply says. "It's 2020... does that count as your question?" The tricky changeling snickers. "Syrus... Moonlight... Who were the Apostles of Peace? Were there others that stood among you?"

Hikoro | "Mmm.. That is something that will take more time then this night can offer. How about this.. Let us meet for a drink and we shall discuss this further another day? I will come to Vailkrin to show my respect to the chances and pay the meal. Should you wish to meet a certain time you simply have to send a messenger be it magical or animal to let me know. I'm curious to know what your Master Kasyr knows of Inkeyes and I shall share more about the APostles of Peace."