Open Chronicles Of Magic, Monsters and Merrymaking

[BluntImp]

Silver had never visited Vel Anir before, but so far its reputation toward non-humans was generally holding. Most of the population either ignored him or was generally friendly, but there was definitely an upturn in slurs and glares thrown at him compared to elsewhere. But Silver was getting desperate in his search, so Vel Anir it was. This was the home city of a few of his old caravan mates so he was hoping to find a few of them for information or a Komodo gypsy caravan willing to help him track down the specific tribe he was looking for, but no luck so far.

'Dammit if only I could master that damn illusion spell, then this wouldn't be so hard!' He seethes inwardly, outwardly cheerful as usual. People tended to be wary around less humanoid being automatically, or cloak humans as he usually disguised himself as. Unfortunately, he had run out of enchanted water used to disguise himself as a human, so he was out in all of his horned violet skinned glory. Trudging through the stone streets, Silver spots a group of rough-looking guards down the road and quickly swerved into an alley. He's heard the local guards liked to gang up on people like him and he would rather... not have that happen.

Unfortunately, the alley wasn't much better, with a few gruff-looking humans loitering about. Silver put on his most confident (but fast) walk he could face unassumingly cheerful, wanting to look unthreatening but confident at the same time and probably failing due to how impossible the task was. This entire thing was a terrible idea. Utterly horrible. It became worse as he approached the end of the alleyway and two gruff humans, and man and a woman, block the way with sneers on their faces. Behind him, Silver could hear more movements as both exits were lost. The houses beside him were both several stories high and smooth stone, impossible to scale even with his acrobatic skills and martial arts. He could possibly fight them off, he was a trained combatant with magic at his disposal and they looked like normal humans. But if he got into a fight and injured people, he would be blamed for it no matter what and get arrested which may be worse then letting these guys beat him up. Hmmm, prison and possible death or beaten up and possible death, what to do?

As he debated his options the lead male grabs Silver by the front of his cloak and parts of his hair, slamming the horned man into the alley wall. They then all started throwing swears and slurs at him.

"People, people, do we really need to stoop to such violence? Can't we talk this out? I'll even give you my coin purse!" Silver desperately tries to placate them, hands up in the air, sweat beading down his face and nervous smile desperately in place. They all chuckled and the man holding him grinned as he used one meaty hand to lift Silver off his feet, the other pulled back to throw the first punch. 'Welp, getting beaten up is. Too bad my healing magic utterly terrible' Silver thinks, teeth clenched as to be braced for impact.

@Caliane Ruinë
@The Paulinator

 

[Caliane Ruinë]

Willis had warned her not to go to Vel Anir. The city didn't have a good reputation when it came to non-humans but she couldn't help it. The tracks and traces she had been following of the group who were behind her kidnapping had led her here, and the source who might have more information refused to meet her in Alliria. She had to know if it was a dead end or if that was where she could continue her search. Caliane couldn't rest easy knowing the people behind the mission, the brains, might be looking to do the same thing again to another Avariel. Her people had stopped exploring so far out into the wilds of The Spines but they couldn't keep living in such a way. The shadow of their history shouldn't keep them in chains any longer.

It was a quick flight and she had promised to be there and back within two days.

Caliane's trip had so far been productive even if it wasn't giving her the results she had hoped for. She now had four names, the names of the people who had tortured her for so long, but nobody seemed to know who they had worked for. In fact they seemed to be completely unconnected. The ringleader was ex military and had been a respected soldier in various places across the world. The mage had been an Elbion scholar, high thought of for his work, and the foot soldiers were men from honest working families. So what had driven them to come together? It frustrated her.

As the leads seemed to have ended in this city she contemplated leaving earlier; she knew Willis would rest easier if she wasn't gone so long and she was pretty confident she could make the flight back with only one rest stop along the way. The thoughts whirled in her mind as she exited her source of information's house, pulling her cloak up and over her fiery red hair but more importantly over her ears and stepping into the street. It was a dingy side road, if it could even be described that. The roof of the houses almost kissed each other at the top, blocking out any sun. Thankfully it was overcast and it looked like it was about to rain which made the cloak more plausible. Of course, what she really wore the large black material for was to hide her brilliant white wings. She wasn't stupid enough to wear them openly here.

Caliane turned left and made her way down the tiny street back towards the city gates. Once she was a safe distance away she could stash the cloak in her satchel and take to the skies. At least, that was the plan. As she passed one of the tiny side streets, which seemed impossible because she was already on a street that could barely fit two couples passing one another in opposite directions, she heard a group of voices. Slowing her step she curiously glanced down it and then stopped. The slurs were what had caught her attention. Such vile language for not being human. She had heard Willis talk about such people, but she she had not yet met one. In honestly, she was astonished that people would treat one another in such a way. Then she saw him begin to raise his fist to the poor child.

Cali's feet were moving before she really registered it herself. Just before the man's fist hit the young boy she caught it. Surprise registered across the man's face and he froze. He watched in abject horror as the startling emerald hue turned to a dangerous flame and where she held his fist began to burn. He let out a blood curdling scream, but she didn't let go. Instead, she watched the fire spread down the length of his arm. It was only when he dropped to his knees that the sanity seemed to return and she let him go. The others ran forward to grab their friend and then scrambled over one another to leave muttering things about Dreadlords. She had no idea who they were but if they got the blame, so be it.

The fire vanished from her eyes and they returned to green as she turned to look at the boy.

"Are you ok?" Cali dropped her hood as she spoke, her voice would give her away as it was with its songbird nature so the ears hardly seemed to matter now.

 

[Cerilene Twotails]

Cerilene hadn't been to Vel Anir in her search, yet, and now she was cursing herself for it. She had only made one trip through the bazaar and she already made two different craftsmen into possible contacts. It was always good to befriend other artisans for her trade. There were really only two downsides to coming here. She knew the racial issues here, so she had to keep her ears tucked into her hair, for one. Second, she had heard nothing about magical power sources here. At least, not yet.

One of her new acquaintances pointed her toward the industrial area to find some quality metal and stone, so she made her way down the street to see what they might have to offer. Then, she found a third downside that was closely related to the first. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a commotion in an alley. She stopped and looked down the alley to see four humans ganging up on a horned purple being. She didn't care about races feuding, but four against one was just unfair.

As she walked down the alley, she pulled a couple of stone out of her pocket and muttered something under her breath. Her walk turned into a stumble as she neared the two men standing guard over the man and woman assailing the creature. Just as they turned to face her, she stumbled forward, putting her arms out to catch herself on them.

They begrudgingly caught her, then looked at each other with a smile as they saw her fit body. "You guysh havin' fun over here? Purple lightsh are fun to party with..." She slurred her words to sound drunk, subtly slipping the runestones onto their tunics to stick magically. She let her head hang down for a moment, a grin coming to her lips as her hair fell and revealed her pointed ears. The look of bewilderment froze on their faces as the runestones took effect, paralyzing them where they stood. As she stood up straight, dropping the drunken act, she saw the woman rush past her, leaving a blank look on Ceri's face. "I guess I'm not the only rescuer... You two ok?"

 

[Silver Grimmire]

The flinch was unwarranted as Silver was saved by two flamed shared damsels and suddenly he loved his life.

First, he was as confused about the weirdly pretty drunk as the ruffians were, then almost as shocked as them as the women literally shocked the two humans she grabbed a hold of.

At the same time the man holding him up was only stuck stupid for a second, and obviously blaming Silver for the change in his group's fortune, went in for his punch the second time. Suddenly another red-haired maiden appeared out of seemingly nowhere and grabbed the man's fist before he struck, the woman strength obviously painful despite the elegant slenderness of her fingers. Then said elegant hand promptly burst into emerald flames, spreading up the horrified human's arm. The untouched female grabbed the man and they fled, leaving their paralyzed compatriots abandoned in the alleyway. Silver and his saviours let them go.

'Dreadlord? Ooooh crap I really hope not oh no oh no oh no. I mean, they did use magic??' Silver thought to himself, giving himself time with fixing his clothes. Then as Silver quickly went to grab his staff from the ground the women spoke, and Silver risked a glance at the two. Then relaxed a bit. The flame using woman, based on her pointed ears, utterly confident poise, and musically voice, was very obviously an elf, thus most likely not part of the mainly human magic knight group. The other red-haired woman also had a feel of elegant confidence, but seeing as how she could convincingly act like a drunk when elves were usually too proud to do so, and the fact Silver couldn't see her ears, meant he was tentatively pegging her as a friendly human. Or a really rad elf. Honestly, it didn't matter as long as they weren't going to finish what the thugs started. Which based on their concern for his well-being, they were not.

So Silver stands up straight and throws a grin at the two of them. "Thanks to you heroic maidens this damsel is no longer in distress! Thank you kindly for the save." He finishes with a swooping bow, then tilts his head up, features more sheepish. "But seriously, I'm fine, thank you. You guys got them before they could even start!" He chirps out, suddenly energetic as he pokes one of the paralyzed ones with his staff.

Then a thought occurred to him. The direction the two thugs went. The group he had been avoiding in the first place. The fact the humans were injured yet the group of mostly non-humans was fine. Silver wasn't sure if they could read the sudden nervousness in his face, but they definitely heard it when he said. "We really need to leave. Like now."

 

[Caliane Ruinë]

Caliane watched the humans leave with a cold look on her face. Part of her wanted to follow and give the others a mark they wouldn't forget; had people really lost so much respect for one another they would do such a thing to another living being? For the first time in her life she actually agreed with the Elders for closing off their city to the outside world. The group of men who had kidnapped her she could explain away as a niche and dark group, a small smear on the overall beauty of the world. But being in this city she was slowly realising that it was a stain, and a growing one. It took her a moment to register the two young elves were actually talking to her too. So young... Caliane knew she was considered young by her people but these two had not even seen their first half a century let alone a full one. She gave them both a very slow blink before putting her hood back up. She had absolutely zero desire to be pinned up like some butterfly in a humans home.

"I am fine, thank you for your concern," an incline of her head to the other redhead and a slight smile. Willis was going to kill her if she got hurt here. "A fine sentiment," Cali agreed with The Purple One, her lips pressing into a thin grim line. This was not the city to draw attention to yourselves if you weren't human. If it were Willis would he leave them behind? There were no Monsters as dictated by the code she now went by, so they weren't exactly her concern, but these were people of her own race. The Avariel and Ground Elves had not seen eye to eye for a thousand years now, but they were still family in a way. Rummaging in her satchel she produced her spare cloak and held it out to Silver. She grimaced as she realised she was about to ask him to do what she hated Willis asking her to do. "I know it is not nice to hide who you are but for the sake of not being followed I would implore you to wear it. Are you both planning to stay in the city or are you wanting to leave?" Perhaps she could escort them to where they needed to go before she left. The sooner she was back in Alliria the better.

 

[Cerilene Twotails]

Cerilene turned back to make sure nobody else was coming down the alley before turning her attention back to the other two. She smiled sweetly at the purple creature and reached into her tunic for another rune stone. Muttering something to the stone, she stepped toward the unknown creature, then stuck it to his shirt. "This will help a lot more than a cloak. Hold on a moment." She smiled to him as the runes on the stone started to glow, the magic starting to activate.

A dim light enveloped his body, instantly changing his purple skin to tan, the rest of his features disappearing to make him look human. Ceri regarded him for a moment and nodded appreciatively at her work. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. "Bend down and act like you're checking on the paralyzed ones. I have an idea." She ran down to the end of the alleyway and flagged down the guards that were already making their way over. "Quickly! The freaks just ran down the other alley! Go get that purple demon!" As the guards ran off the other direction, she turned back to the other two and grinned widely. "Shall we go now?"

 

[Silver Grimmire]

Silver's smile quivered at the offered cloak. It was bigger, thicker and less of a raggedy mess than his own poor excuse of covering, but it still wouldn't do much to hide the purple of his face or the indents his horns will make in the hood. Still, it was better than what he currently had and was kindly being offered to him, so he quickly threw it on. At the very least the two were smart enough to know what trouble was coming their way. He was just about to answer the elf maiden's question when the human red-head pulled out what looked like a small stone with something inscribed in it.

"Excuse me what-." The horned man questioned, alarmed as the magic washed over him. Then his jaw dropped. Silver could already feel how much better this illusion magic was compared to his own mist spells! While he couldn't see the effects on his face it covered his whole body rather than just a portion like his water did.

But the awe was over as Silver's enhanced ears heard the guards coming from a distance. Figuring that after that impressive display of magic the human deserved some of the benefits of his doubt, Silver hurriedly slid into the act and checked over the two goons who were trying to beat him up moments before like they were old friends. Then tried not to smile at the woman's act, the guards falling for it fabulously.

He waited a few moments for the guards to leave before grinning at the women again. "Yes let's. Wouldn't want them to skew their head on right before we leave, hmm?" Silver says with a laugh. Then he looks at the elven woman. "I would love to answer your question and since I probably owe you both at least a few drinks as thanks, why don't we head to a... friendlier pub? I'm staying at the Dancing Golbin Inn at the moment if you're both okay with that." Seedier but the workers and patrons wouldn't bat an eye or flab a mouth even if the King walked in.

Silver starting walking purposefully in the direction, though was prepared to change if they suggested elsewhere. He had so many questions and connections to make. Then he remembered something with a pause and looked at them over his shoulder. "Oh, I'm Silver by the way."

Caliane Ruinë

 

[Caliane Ruinë]

Caliane froze when the other woman began shouting for the guards. Being near any human in this city was an unnecessary danger for her so whilst both their backs were turned to her - the purple one bending to check on the injured men and the woman to flag the guards down - she gently pushed off with her wings to stand on the fire escape above. A few seconds later and the guards ran past. From her higher vantage point she watched them turn left at the other end of the small alleyway and pelt off in the direction the girl had indicated they had gone. She let out the breath she had been holding.

As the other two met again and discussed leaving Cali jumped down from her perch with a slight bend to her knees as she hit the concrete and readjusted her hood.

"One... should be ok..." wariness punctuated every syllable of her words. She would only feel comfortable when she was out the city entirely. She can her eyes over the bodies strewn on the floor and then lightly stepped around them to follow the younger man who now appeared human. The winged elf knew she wouldn't be able to leave unless she knew they were both ok anyway.

"Caliane," offering her name with a polite incline of her head in their direction.

 

[Cerilene Twotails]

Cerilene nodded to the two before rushing over to pull the two rune stones off the paralyzed men. The magic would hold them there for another minute or two. Plenty of time for them to get away. She walked briskly to catch up to Silver and Caliane - for they both had introduced themselves now - and she slipped her runes back into her pocket. "I'm Cerilene, if introductions are to be made. It's a pleasure to meet you both." She smiled sweetly as she fell into step beside Silver.

Suddenly remembering Silver's proposal, Ceri nodded. "The Dancing Goblin Inn is fine with me. I only got here this morning, so I haven't had a chance to find an inn." She had really only come for information and contacts for the creation of her golems, but now that she had gotten off her self-imposed schedule, she would need to make some adjustments. She turned to look at Silver quizzically. "So how did you end up in Vel Anir without something to disguise yourself anyway?"

 

[Silver Grimmire]

Silver nodded at the women in a friendly manner. "The Inn got recommended to me by an acquaintance of mine who was worried about me being here. Now I can see why." Silver says with a slightly tired smile, keeping to busier roads now that they were all disguised. He was honestly surprised Caliane could keep the wings he saw a glimpse of hidden under those robes, they looked large. Also elf with wings. He had so many questions.

But the purple-skinned man was distracted by that line of thought with Cerilene's questions. "Oh, right, kinda stupid of me huh? Really not worth the risk." He said with a faint blush. Because it really wasn't worth it, his old caravan mates probably didn't even have the answers for him anyways. He moved on the answer the woman's question properly, happy to chatter. "Well I'm a magic user as well and I can usually enchant water for a small Mist Illusion for myself. Except, the ritual for it takes a while and I ran out this morning. I really should have cut my losses but I'm looking for some old friends of mine. No luck so far, my contacts in Vel Anir are more interested in studying magical tomes and rubbing shoulders with nobles than knowing a few retired adventures. But I live in hope." Silver finishes with a small laugh, the bar coming into view. He had full intent to sit down, buy the ladies a round on drinks, and hopefully get some of his own (for once actually innocent) questions answered. Maybe get some more contacts out of it. "Here we are. Let's grab us a table, Miss Caliane, Miss Cerilene."

 

[Caliane Ruinë]

Caliane also wanted to know the answer to Ceri's question so she kept quiet as they walked. She couldn't help but shake her head at his answer in pure bewilderment. He had come to this place just to try and catch up with friends? The side glance she gave him was probably enough to show she agreed with his first sentiment and that the whole thing was really stupid of him and definitely not worth the risk. She kept her mouth shut though for she was trying to keep an eye on the people around them as they walked. Perhaps they would care less about what they were, but as they got closer to the inn she was becoming more caring of who they were. Silver had been right when he had said it was not the nicest establishment.

When the door opened Cali had to duck as a bottle landed near the frame close to her face. It was a testament to her age she had been able to avoid it. Grimacing, for the fight was not directed at them but rather a brawl on the other side of the room, she made her way over to the opposite side. It was a small booth but it was out of the way. Cali dragged a low back chair over from another table and sat down; it would mean her wings weren't cramped but that the cloak could still cover them. After a moments hesitation she adjusted her flaming hair so they covered the points of her ears and then she pushed her hood back.

"What is so important about your contacts that you would risk this? It cannot be just for a drink in here," Cali kept her voice low. The natural musical tone to it often caught people's attention and she definitely did not want that here. Despite that there was a joking tone to the question and her lips hesitantly formed a smile as she spoke.

 

[Cerilene Twotails]

The inn was about as bad as Cerilene expected. Any establishment like it in a city like Vel Anir was bound to gain a reputation for brawls. Nobody would look twice at the trio as long as they didn't start any trouble. As they entered the building, Ceri was glad she wasn't in front, though she still got splattered by the remains of the alcohol left in the bottle that smashed into the wall next to Caliane's head.

Wiping her face with the sleeve of her tunic, she followed the other elf across the room and sat down in the booth. She kept an eye on the brawl the whole time, not trusting that it would remain a small altercation. Listening to the winged elf's question, she cocked a brow at Silver. She was interested in his answer, even if there was humor embedded in the question.

 

[Silver Grimmire]

Silver barely noticed the ruckus, cheerfully wiping stray pieces of glass and ale off his lent cloak. After all, he was basically raised jumping from one Inn like this to another and barley noticed the two ladies' discomfort. He was much to busy thinking about how to answer their questions and curious stares.

Usually, he was rather upfront with friendly folks on the reasons for his search. After all, they might have the knowledge to aid him and it was hardly a secret to those observant enough. But the incident a few years back in Elbion struck his mind, the incident that started his search in the first place and yes, scarred him a bit. And in front of him was an elf that could use magic (also has wings, what the heck) and a probably learned human mage. Eerily similar to the people in Elbion. But it also meant they might have more insights. 'As long as I don't freak out and use that creepy magic it should be fine, right?' He thought to himself, buying time by catching a waitress's eye and getting her to bring them some drinks. And eyeing appreciatively as said waitress broke the hand of a man trying to grope her.

What the hell why not. The table wasn't big enough that they could grab him if he tried to run anyways. Ok, the table was tiny but he would figure it out. Plus sometimes you had to show your own hand to see others. "No, the drink are definitely not the reason I visited this... charming city." Silver chuckled, before growing a tad more serious. "I was trying to find the people who raised me, a Komodo Tribe. Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck finding them myself, so I hoped the people who raised me after them could provide some insights, and since their Allirian cohorts could not I came to the ones in Vel Anir. Alas, I can't even find them!" The horned man finished with a sad chuckle, eyeing the woman from the corner of his eye. Here goes nothing. "You see despite looking a bit like a Komodo I'm really not one, warm-blooded, lacking scales, and not breathing fire and all. I'm more likely another species entirely. Unfortunately despite my many trecks across the continents, I have not found face or word of another like me. I knew that I was given to the Komodo tribe as a baby, so I was hoping they would provide some insight on the who, why, what and all that. Unfortunately, I can't even find the people who can help me find the tribe, let alone my own race. I am turning into a terrible hunter!" The man finishes the rant with a swing of his recently delivered drink, looking at the women's reactions. Possibly prepared to run in case something he said, for whatever reason, made them leap up and yell 'Shadowmacer!' or whatever that elf called him and attack.

 

[Caliane Ruinë]

Caliane listened quietly, glancing up only when the waitress came over with a tray of drinks. Subconsciously she pulled the cloak tighter around her to ensure her wings were entirely out of view. Offering the woman a small smile she took her drink and swirled it slightly. She wasn't a big ale or beer drinker as it was but this definitely didn't look appealing. Cali took a polite sip. It was a sad tale and she could empathise with going to dangerous lengths in order to find out information; she would be a bit of a hypocrite if she couldn't. It didn't mean she really approved of it. She was taking a huge risk being here and she didn't stick out nearly as much as he did, and she had wings to hide.

"I would have thought Elbion would have been the better bet for these answers, they have scholars and a library that might help you identify what you are," she raised an eyebrow and took another sip. With a grimace she put it back down.

 

[Cerilene Twotails]

Cerilene thought long and hard about Silver's plight, even going so far as to tap a finger on her chin. When the waitress came over with drinks, she politely held a hand up. She wasn't as brave as Caliane was, so she wouldn't even try the ale. Ale always left a bitter taste in her mouth and she had a feeling the ale here would be much worse than usual. Returning to her thoughts, she thought about where Silver might find the answers he was looking for.

"Elbion doesn't have all the answers. I tried with them for my own problem," she said in response to Caliane. "Their library is limited to what their scholars know about. Some information is too old or secretive for even them." She shook her head as she realized she didn't know what to tell her new acquaintance. "I must admit your problem eludes me, for I believe we've both tried all the usual places for information... I'm sorry I don't have the information but perhaps we can team up?"

 

[Silver Grimmire]

When the winged elf spoke of the city harbouring the Mage College, Silver scrambled for a suitable excuse to give as to why he did not simply go there. It was the obvious answer after all, and Silver had given excuses as to why in the past, but he supposed the wariness he still held in this company addled his brain.

Thankfully Cerilene came to his rescue. "Ya, unfortunately, Elbion wasn't much help to me. Hoping word of mouth or old legends might change that." He said sheepishly, and it wasn't even a lie. When those mages held Silver both his unusual magical abilities and his race confused them. They had no idea what Silver was either.

Shaking off those thoughts, Silver turned back to Ceriline. "Team up? What do you mean by that? If you need some magical help I think you have it covered better than me, I only know some basic elemental spells! But I am in your debt and I'm interested, so what did you have in mind?" Silver said to the Rune Mage, then blinks at both of them. "Now that I think of it, what are two nice ladies like you doing in a... quaint place like Vel Anir? Especially you Caliaine, it's much more dangerous for you to be here than me or Cerilene" He said the last part in a lower tone, face serious. Death would wait for him here, but for a beautiful elven maiden? Much worse. Not to mention the wings, which he was itching to ask about.

 

[Caliane Ruinë]

Caliane was surprised to hear about Elbion, from their records it was considered a great fountain of knowledge for the humans - especially those wishing to obtain magical skills that had once only sat with the other races. She was curious to find out what had made them fall behind - were there other, bigger schools and libraries now with this information? The thoughts ran through her mind as the pair discussed teaming up, though the part of her which was listened couldn't help but be slightly relieved they would at least have each other. It was safer in numbers. Perhaps, she would also write home to her mother to ask about the young man. If she could sketch him maybe her mother might be able to look in the Avariel libraries, the knowledge was very old there but it contained things the human libraries did not.

The question about why she was in this horrible city brought her crashing from her train of thoughts. It was instinct to drink the ale but it was too bad so she just fidgeted with the cup instead, searching for an answer before sighing.

"I was taken from my home in The Spine," it was a painful memory and still raw, they would probably be able to hear it in her voice. "I spent several months in captivity being experimented on. I was rescued by Monster Hunters, who have been very kind and have since welcomed me into their ranks, but I am not convinced they were the men behind the attack. I came here looking for answers on who they were and who might have hired them. Alas, my visit seemed to have been as wasted as yours. I am on my way to the Guild Hall a few miles outside of town to sleep there and find a job to pick up."

 

[Cerilene Twotails]

It must have been painful to talk about her capture, but Caliane did so anyway. Cerilene could tell the winged elf wasn't saying everything, but she didn't want to pry. Instead, she decided it was best to move the conversation forward. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that, both of you, really. I know not everyone has been as well off as me, but sometimes I forget just how bad it gets..." She trailed off for a moment, collecting her thoughts.

"I suppose, since we're all sharing, I should tell my story. You've both seen my runes in action, but that's not the only thing I can do with my magic. I like to make automatons with my enchantments. It may sound weird, but I'm searching for a power source big enough to power a golem. That's why I'm here. I've been gathering contacts for the best metals and stones for construction whilst simultaneously looking for the power source. I thought maybe the navy mages might have something."