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calderamemes2025-03-30 11:57 pm
calderaevents) wrote in calderamemes2025-03-30 11:57 pm
TDM #6
ARRIVAL
It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:
As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.
"Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions."
And you most certainly do.
Due to popular demand, the starter tavern and the drinks provided are available to in game characters via a portal accessible only to those with a faction gem.
DRINK MENU
SHADOW ELIXER an inky black liquid that seems to absorb light rather than reflect it.
Grants temporary invisibility in darkness, but also makes the drinker whisper secrets unknowingly.
WIDOWS KISS A velvety red-black wine. One sip fills you with irresistible charm.
FOOL'S ECLIPSE A deep, glossy black drink with a golden swirl that never fully mixes in. Every sip tastes slightly different: sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, sometimes oddly salty for no reason at all. After one drink, the drinker's speech becomes hilariously jumbled, replacing random words with completely unrelated ones.
BLURBERRY FIZZ A deep blue liquid that constantly fizzess with tiny silver bubbles. When poured, the bubbles briefly form random shapes: sometimes a cat, sometimes a shoe, sometimes... a tiny screaming face (but only for a second). The drinker will also hiccup tiny, harmless floating bubbles for five minutes.
VEIL OF MIDNIGHTA crystal-clear vodka cocktail with shifting black, shadowy swirls that never settle. Causes the drinker's shadow to detach and do whatever it wants for five minutes.
WIDOWS KISS A velvety red-black wine. One sip fills you with irresistible charm.
FOOL'S ECLIPSE A deep, glossy black drink with a golden swirl that never fully mixes in. Every sip tastes slightly different: sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, sometimes oddly salty for no reason at all. After one drink, the drinker's speech becomes hilariously jumbled, replacing random words with completely unrelated ones.
BLURBERRY FIZZ A deep blue liquid that constantly fizzess with tiny silver bubbles. When poured, the bubbles briefly form random shapes: sometimes a cat, sometimes a shoe, sometimes... a tiny screaming face (but only for a second). The drinker will also hiccup tiny, harmless floating bubbles for five minutes.
VEIL OF MIDNIGHTA crystal-clear vodka cocktail with shifting black, shadowy swirls that never settle. Causes the drinker's shadow to detach and do whatever it wants for five minutes.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY
As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:
You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:
The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.
The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white-capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray-hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.
The last portal is adorned with broken shells and torn seaweed, the glow of blue around it flickering like a dying flame. Beyond it, you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, its once-grand spiraling towers cracked and crumbling in places, encrusted with coral and debris from the destruction that came before. The streets are bustling, but an underlying tension lingers. Outside the bubble, merfolk swim, but some still bear the scars of battle, and the deep waters beyond are darker than they should be, as though something still lurks in the abyss. A sanctuary in the sea, one that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid in rebuilding what was lost. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you, the remnants of a catastrophe yet fully understood that bids you explore it.
Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.
The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, boasting hundreds of airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here.
If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.
But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.
If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. However, signs of destruction mar the once-thriving marketplace. Some windows shattered, stalls bearing scorch marks, and a few buildings reduced to rubble. The scent of cooking food still lingers in the air, but so too does the acrid smell of smoldering wood. Watchful guards keep an even keener eye out for pickpockets and opportunists in the wake of the recent chaos. Citizens go about their day, some with a newfound wariness in their eyes.
From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring ships transport people and goods, though repairs are ongoing in some areas. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers, where efforts to rebuild have begun in earnest. The Hearthstill, the main residential area, bears the scars of collapsed roofs and damaged homes, with families working together to restore what was lost. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means, has been hit the hardest, and aid workers scramble to provide relief to the displaced.
Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.
In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.
If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble-covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you, buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, but some are marred by cracks, with scaffolding and patches where reconstruction has begun. The backdrop outside the dome is a deep blue, but lingering shadows in the depths hint at what once emerged from below. People with gills on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin move with a determined purpose, their curiosity toward newcomers now mixed with cautious wariness. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?
The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.
If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.
In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.
SOLEMN CELEBRATIONS
After the chaos and destruction, the people of Caldera come together to express their gratitude to the Visitors, whose sacrifices were crucial in summoning Vesper, the newly awakened star god. This event, though filled with warmth and appreciation, carries the weight of what is still to come.
In Salt Spire, the bubbled underwater city, the heart of the celebration takes place. The bioluminescent glow of deep-sea creatures lights the festivities, their soft illumination casting a peaceful glow on the gathering, even through the haze of darkness beyond. Tables are laden with treasures from all three cities—gifts of wood and stone carvings from Grey Ward, textiles and plants from Salt Spire, and intricate glass orbs from Heaven’s Bow. It’s a moment of unity, as everyone, native and visitor alike, celebrates their survival and the hope Vesper now represents.
Above the sea, in Grey Ward, a quieter but equally heartfelt celebration takes place. The city, normally known for its steady hands at rebuilding, hosts a gathering of its people and the Visitors who have come through. Lanterns hang from the buildings, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. Music from the land flows through the air; melodies of hope, of survival, of community. The people of Grey Ward offer their craftsmanship, beautiful wood carvings, practical tools, and heirlooms passed down through generations. Their gratitude runs deep, though they know the fight ahead will be long.
Heaven’s Bow, distant and high above the rest, holds its own subdued gathering. The people here are quieter in their celebration, reserved in their gratitude. Though they were not as directly involved in the summoning of Vesper, their support is evident in the delicate glass orbs they offer, each infused with starlight—a symbol of their unwavering faith. Their contribution may be less physical, but their presence and belief in the unity of Caldera is no less important.
In Salt Spire, the people raise their glasses high. "To those who fought to protect us," they toast, their voices rising in harmony. The people of Grey Ward join, their songs and music a reminder of the resilience of the land. Even Heaven’s Bow contributes with their delicate, glimmering orbs. The Visitors, new and old, are welcomed with open arms, gifted with tokens of appreciation. No one is excluded, for their presence, newly arrived or not, is valued deeply.
In Salt Spire, the bubbled underwater city, the heart of the celebration takes place. The bioluminescent glow of deep-sea creatures lights the festivities, their soft illumination casting a peaceful glow on the gathering, even through the haze of darkness beyond. Tables are laden with treasures from all three cities—gifts of wood and stone carvings from Grey Ward, textiles and plants from Salt Spire, and intricate glass orbs from Heaven’s Bow. It’s a moment of unity, as everyone, native and visitor alike, celebrates their survival and the hope Vesper now represents.
Above the sea, in Grey Ward, a quieter but equally heartfelt celebration takes place. The city, normally known for its steady hands at rebuilding, hosts a gathering of its people and the Visitors who have come through. Lanterns hang from the buildings, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. Music from the land flows through the air; melodies of hope, of survival, of community. The people of Grey Ward offer their craftsmanship, beautiful wood carvings, practical tools, and heirlooms passed down through generations. Their gratitude runs deep, though they know the fight ahead will be long.
Heaven’s Bow, distant and high above the rest, holds its own subdued gathering. The people here are quieter in their celebration, reserved in their gratitude. Though they were not as directly involved in the summoning of Vesper, their support is evident in the delicate glass orbs they offer, each infused with starlight—a symbol of their unwavering faith. Their contribution may be less physical, but their presence and belief in the unity of Caldera is no less important.
In Salt Spire, the people raise their glasses high. "To those who fought to protect us," they toast, their voices rising in harmony. The people of Grey Ward join, their songs and music a reminder of the resilience of the land. Even Heaven’s Bow contributes with their delicate, glimmering orbs. The Visitors, new and old, are welcomed with open arms, gifted with tokens of appreciation. No one is excluded, for their presence, newly arrived or not, is valued deeply.
VESPER'S REQUEST
But, as the celebration continues, an undeniable presence looms at the edge of Salt Spire. Vesper, a massive, shadowy knight, the star god born of the Visitors’ sacrifices, stands apart from the merrymaking, watching quietly. His form, still flickering with the remnants of his connection to Triton’s darkness, is not yet fully settled. He speaks to the crowd, his voice calm, though tinged with the weight of what lies ahead.
"I was born of your sacrifices," Vesper says, his gaze sweeping over the Visitors. "I will not forget what you’ve given me. But our fight is not over. The darkness that birthed me still lingers, and Triton’s influence has not been erased. We must prepare. I will stand with you, when the time comes. And together, we will face what threatens this world."
The mood shifts slightly, a quiet understanding passing between the people. The celebration, while still joyful, carries the undercurrent of an impending storm. Triton’s return is inevitable, and though Vesper has emerged as a beacon of hope, his power is still growing. He will need the strength of those who summoned him, those who sacrificed for him, to confront the coming challenge.
As the night wears on and the festivities continue, the people of Caldera remain united in their shared resolve. The threat of Triton still hangs over them, but for now, they take this moment to honor the Visitors—those who sacrificed so much, and those who have only just joined the fight—and to strengthen the bonds that will be vital in the days to come.
Vesper welcomes conversation, yet it does not come naturally to him. His words are brief, precise—always tethered to his purpose, the reason for his existence. And therein lies his quiet concern: that something is missing. He yearns to connect, especially with the Visitors—the ones who gave of themselves so that he could become what he is now. A new star god. The light meant to stand against Triton’s encroaching darkness.
He speaks with certainty: he is the good that Triton once was, the lost brilliance of a god now twisted by corruption. But he does not wish to be merely a reflection of what once existed. He wants to grow beyond the shadow of the past, to forge an identity that is wholly his own. And so he seeks help—not only in understanding what he is but in becoming something more.
"Find memories," he says. "And craft new ones with me."
Memories of Triton’s past linger in the world, echoes trapped in places of significance. These must be sought out, for they hold the key to understanding Vesper’s origins.
"I was born of your sacrifices," Vesper says, his gaze sweeping over the Visitors. "I will not forget what you’ve given me. But our fight is not over. The darkness that birthed me still lingers, and Triton’s influence has not been erased. We must prepare. I will stand with you, when the time comes. And together, we will face what threatens this world."
The mood shifts slightly, a quiet understanding passing between the people. The celebration, while still joyful, carries the undercurrent of an impending storm. Triton’s return is inevitable, and though Vesper has emerged as a beacon of hope, his power is still growing. He will need the strength of those who summoned him, those who sacrificed for him, to confront the coming challenge.
As the night wears on and the festivities continue, the people of Caldera remain united in their shared resolve. The threat of Triton still hangs over them, but for now, they take this moment to honor the Visitors—those who sacrificed so much, and those who have only just joined the fight—and to strengthen the bonds that will be vital in the days to come.
Vesper welcomes conversation, yet it does not come naturally to him. His words are brief, precise—always tethered to his purpose, the reason for his existence. And therein lies his quiet concern: that something is missing. He yearns to connect, especially with the Visitors—the ones who gave of themselves so that he could become what he is now. A new star god. The light meant to stand against Triton’s encroaching darkness.
He speaks with certainty: he is the good that Triton once was, the lost brilliance of a god now twisted by corruption. But he does not wish to be merely a reflection of what once existed. He wants to grow beyond the shadow of the past, to forge an identity that is wholly his own. And so he seeks help—not only in understanding what he is but in becoming something more.
"Find memories," he says. "And craft new ones with me."
Memories of Triton’s past linger in the world, echoes trapped in places of significance. These must be sought out, for they hold the key to understanding Vesper’s origins.
SPECIAL QUEST: ASTRAL ECHOES
Vesper seeks the Astral Echoes, shards of violet light scattered across Caldera, each holding a fragment of Triton’s past. To understand himself and shape his future, Vesper asks the Visitors to retrieve them. This special quest will last the duration of the TDM, and will reward 400 Bones when turned in.
◾MEMORY ONE: THE DESCENT:
◾MEMORY ONE: THE DESCENT:
Near Salt Spire, a Violet Crystal Shard hums softly in an ancient ruin. When taken, it pulls the mind into a vision.◾MEMORY TWO: THEM:
Triton falls, a streak of violet fire tearing through the sky to Caldera, a barren wasteland below. He crashes, sending stardust into the air, his form radiant with light, deep indigo skin marked with glowing lines, and eyes burning violet. He touches the earth, rivers of light spread, and the world begins to take shape.
But he is not alone. Aella, the sky, sweeps through the heavens, breathing life into the winds. Cordelia, the sea, shapes the waters and the depths. Terra, the land, molds the earth, forming mountains and valleys. And in the shadows, another lingers, a distant vision, hard to define, their presence felt but not fully understood. Together, they craft the new world.
"There will be law where there is chaos," Triton says. "Light where there is shadow. Justice where there is none."
The vision fades as the Violet Crystal Shard is given to Vesper. He holds it, feeling its pulse.
"He did not come to rule," Vesper murmurs, "He came to protect."
The shard dims, its purpose fulfilled. Yet its memory lingers, a quiet ember.
"Caldera was formless," Vesper whispers, "And they shaped it into something just."
He lifts his gaze, something stirring within him—understanding or perhaps the weight of his path ahead.
In a cave deep within Ignacia's Cradle, a faint Violet Crystal Shard pulses softly. When a Visitor holds it, they are pulled into a distant memory—one of doubt and rebellion.◾MEMORY THREE: THE EXILE:
The world is young, full of light and order. Triton stands with his companions—Aella, Cordelia, and Terra—shaping Caldera. But in the shadows, something stirs.
A figure, hard to define, stands apart. Their form flickers between light and darkness, their eyes filled with uncertainty.
"This world was meant for something more," they whisper, voice tinged with frustration. "Why does it feel so controlled?"
Triton watches them, sorrow in his eyes, but they step further into the shadows, their form dissolving, lost to doubt.
"Maybe it should burn," they murmur. "Maybe it should fall apart and rise again—wild."
The Violet Crystal Shard pulses as the figure vanishes into the darkness, leaving only the echo of Triton’s sorrow: "They were never meant to follow the order. They were always meant to fall into the shadows."
The memory fades, the figure still a mystery, their true nature lost in the shadows of the past.
On the broken cliffsides near Grey Ward, a Violet Crystal Shard lies half-buried in the earth, its faint glow drawing the Visitor in. Upon touching it, a vision fills their mind—Triton stands, his form radiant with celestial light, yet his expression is one of deep sorrow and rage.◾MEMORY FOUR: THE LAST STAND:
A shadowed figure, barely discernible, is ripped from the land. The figure’s volcanic home follows, both hurtling into the sky. The moon is born from their exile, the caldera formed in the center of the realm all that remains.
"You cannot do this," Triton’s voice shakes with grief. "They were meant to shape, not to be cast away."
The figure fades into the distance, and Triton’s grief transforms into fury. "They were not yours to remove," he says, the words heavy with loss.
As the vision fades, Vesper holds the shard, feeling the surge of sorrow deep within. He breathes in slowly, understanding the weight of Triton’s loss.
"I was not meant to be a reflection," Vesper murmurs. The echo of Triton’s voice lingers: "I should have protected them."
The memory settles into Vesper’s heart, shaping his resolve. The past will not bind him; he must grow beyond it.
At the foot of Cordelia's tower, the final Violet Crystal Shard rests upon the weathered steps. It lies half-hidden, barely visible to the eye, as if waiting for the right moment to be found. Only now, as the Visitors approach, does it reveal itself.
Triton stands before Cordelia, his violet glow dimming as his power fades. The air between them crackles with tension, and his voice trembles with disbelief:
"You would strike me down, Cordelia?"
Cordelia stands tall, her sorrow evident but her resolve unshaken. "You leave me no choice."
With a final, desperate lunge, Triton reaches for the stars—the same stars he had once shaped—but they remain silent, indifferent. Cordelia’s blade pierces his chest, the sound of shattering power filling the air as Triton’s body cracks into violet shards, scattering across the land.
His final words echo through the vision, filled with regret: "Was I wrong?"
The vision fades, and Vesper stands on the steps, his hand still holding the shard. The weight of Triton’s question lingers, heavy in the silence.
Vesper’s breath catches, the sorrow of the moment settling deep within him. "He was more than just a fallen god," he whispers, his gaze searching. "He was a part of this world—his doubt, his pain. And it shapes me now."
The shard pulses one last time, and Vesper knows this memory is not just a reflection of the past—it is a part of his own journey, one that will lead him to forge his own path.
CHOOSE [HIS] DESTINY
When all shards are given to Vesper, he stands in silence, the weight of Triton’s past pressing upon him. Then, he speaks:
"I was born from a fractured god. But I am not him. The past shapes me, but it does not define me. So I ask you—what will I become?"
Visitors may influence his choice:
◾Option 1: Embody Triton’s Lost Virtues
Vesper embraces Triton’s virtues of justice, wisdom, and light, becoming a beacon of hope for Caldera. This choice grants him the strength of a god, with a deep understanding of the weight of justice. He will fight against the corruption Triton once embodied, drawing on the wisdom of the past to prevent its recurrence. "By standing for what is just, I will be ready to fight against what Triton has become."
Option 2: Forge a New Path
Vesper rejects the past, creating his own identity free from Triton’s shadow. This choice grants him freedom and strength, allowing him to reinvent himself as a new kind of star god. He will fight against Triton’s darkness, symbolizing the triumph of free will over legacy, and gaining the power to face both external and internal battles.Option 3: Balance Light and Shadow
"I will not be a shadow of what came before. I will become something stronger."
Vesper accepts both the brilliance and downfall of Triton, walking the path of balance. This choice gives him the strength to wield both light and shadow, allowing him to understand Triton’s corruption and fight it from within. Vesper’s knowledge of both sides of existence will make him resilient in his battle against Triton’s darkness.
"I will fight with the strength of both light and shadow, knowing each part of me is necessary to stand against the darkness."
Once the Visitors make their choice, Vesper will stand in silence, the decision settling within him. He is no longer just the fractured god he once was, but something whole—ready for the battle ahead. Triton’s darkness still threatens Caldera, but Vesper is stronger, more prepared, and more determined.
"Thank you," he will say. "With your help, I’ve chosen my path. When the time comes to face Triton, I will bring the light he lost—or create something new to stop his darkness."
[With Vesper's awakening, shadow abilities have been unlocked for the Undine faction]
QUESTBOARD
Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.
Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.
Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.
OOC NOTES
Welcome to Caldera's sixth TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly.
For OOC questions, please direct themhere.
To Choose Vesper's Path, please state which option you would like to choose here. prospective players are encouraged to weigh in!
The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.
The following pages have been updated:
◾Additional rewards have been added under the Undine section of the rewards page.
◾Vesper has been added to the NPC page.
main navigation
For OOC questions, please direct themhere.
To Choose Vesper's Path, please state which option you would like to choose here. prospective players are encouraged to weigh in!
The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.
The following pages have been updated:
◾Additional rewards have been added under the Undine section of the rewards page.
◾Vesper has been added to the NPC page.
Have fun, Visitors!
no subject
Granted, he did give Viktor a task, and he should probably do something other than flirt with someone who is clearly working. Why must everything in the universe conspire against him?
no subject
"Don't worry, you'll get your spells back before you know it." Rolan is probably feeling a bit lost, and frustrated to be without his magic, as many are when they arrive. "Are you a wizard, too?"
no subject
"Indeed I am," he intones in response to Finnick's question, pressing a hand to his heart and bowing his head with a smile. "You have the pleasure of speaking to Rolan, Master of Ramazith's Tower, the finest spellcaster on the Sword Coast. To be disconnected from the Weave as I am now is... well, it may sound strange, but it feels as though I'm missing a vital layer of clothing that I've never gone with out."
no subject
"Pleasure to meet you, Rolan. I'm Finnick, Weirdest Fish Guy on the Grey Ward Coast." Local sex pest, et cetera. "And no, that doesn't sound strange. I think a lot of people feel a bit naked and lost when they show up here. That's precisely why I opened up this place, so I'm glad you came."
He snags them a table and makes sure Rolan settles into his seat okay, trying to assess just how drunk the tiefling is. But, well, he's still coherent and surprisingly articulate, so no cause for serious concern yet.
"What would you like to eat? We don't have anything too fancy, stews and bread and fresh seafood."
no subject
"Weirdest fish guy indeed," Rolan muses as he leans forward, tipping his head back and forth as he looks Finnick over from face to chest. "Given that I see no scales nor gills on your person. Unless you're hiding them beneath that shirt..."
Rolan lowers his gaze suggestively, then snorts and leans his cheek into his hand. "If it's all the same to you, I think I'll go for the seafood. I've had enough stews over the past two months to last me for at least another year. I'll take whatever you recommend; the only fish I have experience with is freshwater from the Chionthar River."
no subject
At the request of seafood, he claps his hands together excitedly.
"All right! Excellent. I'll getcha something good, don't worry. Oh, and-"
Finnick unbuttons his already open button-up shirt even further, pulling one side of it enough to expose a couple of aquamarine gills on his ribs, just for a second or two. He winks at Rolan with a grin and heads off to the kitchen to get them both some food.
Today is a glorious day. There's fresh lobster. Finnick moans at the smell of heavenly garlic butter that fills the kitchen. He chit-chats with the cook as he prepares their food- two lobster rolls. Simple, just lobster and garlic butter on a fresh white bun, but delicious. Once the food is done, Finnick waltzes back out with a tray and delivers the two plates and glasses of water to their table. He sits across from Rolan and has to hold himself back from digging in immediately.
"Ever had lobster?"
no subject
He... probably shouldn't be doing this. Shouldn't be enjoying himself after being spirited away by some mysterious gods in order to solve problems they likely caused themselves. He should be trying to get home, trying to get back to Cal and Lia, not... settling in. Accepting his fate. Making the most of it.
Not looking for a quick hook up to take his mind off all the frustration and helplessness he felt. Still, it wasn't as if he was flirting with a brick wall - quite the contrary! - and it wasn't like he ought to be wandering around drunk, especially since he no longer had magic to protect himself. Maybe it'd be alright to take one night to relax, and in the morning, he could get himself together.
Looking up as Finnick returns, Rolan leans towards the smell of garlic, butter, and something oceanic emanating from the tray of food, his tail reflexively swishing behind him. "No, I haven't. Elturel, where I grew up, is further inland and I hadn't been in Baldur's Gate long enough to really sample the local fair. That smells amazing."
Picking up the roll, Rolan gives it a careful nibble - he does NOT want to make a mess of himself - and hums in appreciation, a rhythmic thumping coming from beneath him as his tail repeatedly thwaps against his seat.
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"Then I'm so honoured to be the one to introduce you to this exemplary sort of butter-vessel." Finnick takes a big bite as Rolan takes his little one, and he makes a slight mess, but he's grinning with delight at both the food and the fact that Rolan is enjoying it. The tail-thumping is cute.
"So, you and Anthem are childhood... Enemies, or something?"
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"Enemies, rivals..." Rolan shrugs as the topic moves on the Anthem, the thumping of his tail slowing but still there with every bite. It's only a semi-conscious action; Rolan knows he's doing it, and he could stop it at any point, but as long as Finnick doesn't bring it up, he's not self-conscious about it enough to bother. "We attended school together, and Anthem was jealous of my considerable talent as I consistently out performed her despite being two years her junior."
Rolling his eyes, he adds, "She'll likely tell you another story, I'm sure, but I assure you, she merely hates to admit when I'm right."
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"A man after my own heart." Finnick would say the same about lobster meat, it's one of his favourites, and anyone who likes seafood gets points in his book.
Finnick chuckles heartily at that absolute roast of Anthem. Wow! Incredible. He would defend his friend's honour, but from Rolan's general peacock vibe, Finnick is certain he's exaggerating, which just makes it funny.
"Something tells me she would tell a different story, yes, and maybe fireball you for saying that."
This is great Anthem lore.
"I'm quite close with her and Zevlor. You must know him too?" He wonders what more hot gossip he can get out of Rolan about his friends.
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"As for Zevlor..." Rolan's eyes narrow as his tail thumps once heavily against the seat. "I spent nearly two months on the road following him out of Elturel. I swear, the man barely took off his armor. I had to bully him constantly just to make sure he didn't smell to the high heavens. Utterly disgusting, if you ask me. How he tolerated all that dried sweat soaked into his under armor against his skin, I'll never know."
Meanwhile, Rolan is obviously fastidious about cleanliness, wiping his hands clean whenever the slightest amount of buttery goodness gets on his fingers.
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"Anthem is incredibly smart and tenacious. She never gives up on what she believes in, even if it means risking her own life. You're lucky you were in her sphere of influence at all. I'm sure she made you work harder, in order to try to surpass her. And as for Zevlor, it sounds to me like he was working so hard to protect all of his people that he neglected his own needs. Which entirely fits with everything I know about him, and disgusting is the last word I would use."
There's a coldness in his tone, by the end, tempered only by a deep sincerity.
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"As for Zevlor-" Taking a deep breath to puff himself up, Rolan throws out his hands as he all but shouts, "Who do you think was one of his people? Do you think I just followed him around like some kind of hanger-on, just waiting to see him fail? That I made him take care of himself because it made me feel superior? I hate to break it to you, but a guardian who neglects himself to the point where he's developing rashes and his armor is dissolving away on his body is no guardian worth having at all! I cleaned his armor because if I didn't, it would have started to fall apart. I took care of him when he wasn't taking care of himself. Not you, and certainly not Anthem."
Another deep breath, and Rolan starts to turn away before he pauses, spitting out his words with resentment and frustration, his jaw quivering and fists clenched at his sides. "She wasn't even then when Elturel was dragged into the Hells. She wasn't there when the city we grew up in declared us traitors and began rounding us up for expulsion. She wasn't even there when we were beset by mindflayers, gnolls, and goblins. She didn't have to watch her friends be murdered by cultists, she didn't have to stand there wondering if her siblings would be next. She abandoned us to our fate to go play with her friends in Baldur's Gate. Don't you dare tell me how lucky I am to know her. I know her in ways you don't, and if you're lucky, you never will."
"Now where are the bedrooms? I'm tired and I want to be alone."
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Finnick doesn't say anything in response. He takes a moment to take a deep breath- stressed, a bit angry, worried that he massively fucked up, and disappointed that Rolan seems entirely done with him.
"Let me find you a key."
Finnick stands, walks past Rolan to the front desk, and gets a room key. He returns and hands it to the tiefling.
"I'll be around if you need anything else. Rest well." His voice is quiet, sincere. Whether they agree or disagree, everyone is welcome at the Inn, and he's sure Rolan must be going through a lot. Despite being angry, Finnick wants the other man to find comfort here, to get whatever he needs.