Steel Festival

Tenebrae - Monday, September 23, 2013, 7:17 PM

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A11: Festival Grounds *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The sweeping Festival Grounds serve many purposes. For much of the year they serve as practice grounds for training knights, for the games of children who pick up ball, bat, and begin a game of stickball. During other times, they're filled with colored tents, with performers for some of Alexandria's many festivals.

Along one side are a set of permanent bleachers, and at either end an archway. Each archway is carved in the style of a grand entry and marked with images of of Daeus, with rearing horse and flying pennon. Here, the god stands depicted in his roles of defender and knight-warrior. Recently, the Lancers of Serriel have taken to practicing here, along the knights and warriors of other orders, and a small number of them take a select pride in the upkeep of the grounds, alongside the Daeusites, Navosians, Gileans, and other mixtures.

Littering the grounds are places for archery, target practice. Here too, scheduled a few times a month, is the space given for ridden sport, organized recently by the arvek nar. The reining champion's name is displayed in an upright lance at the end of the field, a silent challenge for next month's contender.

Jibbom Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of the Night. 6s 13m

Jessa Halfing cleric with a massive personality 1m 2h

Mikilos Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome. 0s 1h

It a bright sunny day in Alexandria, with a warm sort of weather that seems somehow at odds with the gloom brought on by the recent pirate attacks and the activities of the mysterious and terrifying Azure Queen. Jibbom, of course, is doing his best to promote an atmosphere of cheer and good spirits, in the only way he knows how: by making a spectacle of himself. He flies around above the festival grounds, shouting. "Behold, Alexandrians! It is I, Steel Von Ironblood, Winged Savior of Glory!"

Ulharilti Wiivai has arrived.

Sipping something from a small flask, Jessa is standing in the midst of the crowd of people in the festival grounds. Most of them are ignoring Jibbom and his antics for their own sanity. The Muse, for her part, is just kinda watching through slightly squinted eyes as though waiting for whatever will come next.

Mikilos ducks out of one of the performance tents set near the edge of the field for long running performers. No word on what he was doing there. Glancing upward, the elf grins at the flying halfling, wandering his way towards the central crowd. Passing a few forgin merchants along the way, the wizard nods. "He really kinda is. Half his tales are utter fabrications, and the other half exagerated. But the end result is still pretty impressive."

GAME: Jibbom rolls fly + 12: (1)+3+12: 16

"Citizens, behold!" Jibbom attempts a complicated maneuver, starting upwards in what looks like an attempt at a loop. He quickly grows disoriented, flapping frantically and falling into a tailspin. "Waaaaaaaaugh!" He ends up collapsing in an undignified heap near Jessa and Mikilos. He staggers to his feet, trying to strike a pose as if he intended that all along. "Tadah!"

That draws a nod from the other halfling, as though this is exactly what she was expecting. Taking another swig on her flask, she strolls toward the downed wingman. "Need a heal?" she asks in a dry voice.

Mikilos laughs softly, giving a smile to the merchants. "Incredible, right? I know. But seriously, he is a hero. Delusional, irrational, and sorta silly hero." Heading on, the wizard offers the Winged One a hand up. "Greetings Van Steel. You okay?" Of course, he also offers a nod of greeting to The Great Jessa.

Ulharilti Wiivai steps between the many colorful tents and pennons, unsure of what to focus upon. At times, her strides go over frolicking children, gnomes, gobbers, or other small, scurrying individuals. Most look and act very similarly, and all appear more comfortable in the current surroundings than the blue sith. The call for attention does gain hers, but she is not impressed. She has seen demonstrations of gravity many times before.

"Steel Von Ironblood is only scuffed, I assure you all." Jibbom assures with a wide, chipper smile as he tries to brush the worst of the dust from his robes. "Fear not! I am a mighty hero." As he looks around at those nearby, his grin turns wider. "Ah! And I see the Coyote has directed me to /exactly/ the people I needed to speak with! All praises to Tarien! I require your assistance, associates." This can't bode well.

Jessa stares at Jibbom for a long moment then swigs from her flask one last time and tucks it away somewhere, giving a little smile to Mikilos as she does. One can't help spotting the sith momentary but the far more immediate threat is her fellow halfling right in front of her. "Praise be. What, praytell, do you need?"

Mikilos idly wishes he'd brought a flask himself. But, the elf smiles, and nods. "Good fortune indeed. How may I be of assistance?"

The commotion is a singular even to focus upon, at the least, and Ulharilti approaches. Perhaps the small one has lost or was abandoned by its protectors. Now it calls for aid. She overhears others asking of the need, so she doesn't repeat the question needlessly.

Jibbom goes on with a bright grin and excited gesticulations. "The divine prophecy has made it clear! I am destined to have many children with the glorious and beautiful dragon knight who is visiting our fair city. Unfortunately, her magnificent steed has thus far thwarted my attempts to impress her with my magnificience." He looks to Jessa. "You are an associate of the goddess of love." Back to Mikilos. "And you are one of her people. More or less." Then he looks at the Sith'Makar. "And you are some sort of lizard monster, who in my experience are very wise." He then addresses all three. "I need advice! How am I to win the heart of such a magnificent maiden?"

"There is not enough alcohol in the world," Jessa mutters, rubbing a hand over her face. "Jibbom. I think it was very clear that the dragon has no interest in letting you near her person. Also, that was not a prophecy about you." The fact that Jessa Hartose, of all people, is being a voice of reason may be worrisome to those who know her,

Mikilos chuckles softly, unsusprised by the topic, and grabs a seat on an unused box, putting him a fair step closer to average eye level around here. "I'm not sure about this prophecy myself, but if it is indeed true, then the point to remember is that it -will- happen. Trying to rush it may not be the best course. Now, I don't know the maiden in question that well, but, she is a warrior. If you come at her, she will defend, parry, and counter. I'd recomend to rather stand beside her, as an ally. Aid her goals, make them your own, that a common thread may be found." He knows better than to try to stop Jibbom. Best just to point him in a less destructive direction.

Ulharilti Wiivai requires a great deal of time to process this, and her head tilts in curiosity throughout. "A dragon knight? If she is a warrior, you must first prove your worth in tests of skill and might. After you reach maturity."

"Yes, the dragon is an issue." Jibbom seizes on that one aspect of what Jessa says, ignoring the aspects that do not play into his elaborate delusion. "I must find some way to either charm or distract the creature. But how?" He scratches his chin as he listens to Mikilos and Ulharilti. "Yes... I must show her the powers which have made me a hero to Alexandria! But how? How can I get her attention?"

Holding up her hand, Jessa frowns. "Hold on." Then she turns to the sith with narrowed eyes. "Excuse me? Reach maturity? First off, this is Jibbom. This is as mature as he gets, Gods help us. Secondly, we /are/ at our maturity. So. I think you need to educate yourself somewhat." Then she turns back to Jibbom, pointing a finger at him. "Just be yourself. None of us can avoiding noticing you. Unfortunately."

Mikilos smiles, nodding to Ulharilti before turning to Jessa. "I'm sure she ment mentally, and ment no offense." Turning to Jibbom, he shrugs. "As I said, make her goals your own. Help in the defeat of the Blue Queen. I know you've done much already, but in the final climactic battle you can truely prove yourself before the Happily Ever After bit." Turning back to Ulharilti Wiivai once more, he nods in greetings. "I don't believe I've seen you around before. New to the area?"

"I did not know," Ulharilti admits when she is corrected. Having already voiced her advice, and proven mistaken on at least one major observation, she has little more to offer. She turns her head and dips it to the sildanyar. "I am."

"The Coyote teaches that one must never forget to regard the world with the wonder and merriment of a child." Jibbom replies, beaming, apparently not sharing Jessa in taking offense. Really, he seems remarkably hard to offend. "Very well. Steel Von Ironblood shall simply display his greatness to the knight. No doubt she will swoon like all fair maidens do!"

Jessa looks mollified and then adds, "Though we are much more fabulous than human children." Clearly. "How many maids ha--no. Never mind."

Mikilos smiles, and nods to Jessa. "Yeah, don't go down that path." Turning back to the Sith, Mikilos offers a more formal bow of greeting. "Then welcome. I am Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Builder Arcane. Though just Mikilos is fine. Miss Jessa Hartrose, Muse and great protector of the city, as well as a good friend. And of course Steel Von Ironblood, of whom you have already heard." Yes, it might be mildly rude to make Jessa's introduction for her, but it would be moreso to only make Jibbom's introduction, and worst to let him introduce himself. Seriously, that happns too much as it is.

Ulharilti Wiivai lowers her head to all three and completes the introduction. "I am Ulharilti Wiivai, warrior and ..." she takes a long moment to decide upon the word, "...explorer."

"Ah! A fellow hero!" Jibbom shouts at the Sith'makar, quite enthused. "Heroes like myself and my associates are sorely needed in this city! You are most welcome." He beams. "Especially if you have further adivce upon the wooing of dragon knights! You look as if you might be part dragon, yes?"

Jessa visibly preens as she is introduced and does a rather dignified nod of her head toward the new person. And then Jibbom starts talking and she looks tired and, looking away, "Oh look, there's that person I....okay later." She doesn't bother to finish her excuse no. She just takes off.

Jessa has left.

Mikilos raises a hand in fare well as Jessa departs, noding to Ulhar before turning focus to Jibbom. "Are you not familiar with the history? Much detail has been lost, but they are Children of the Dragons."

"I am," Ulharilti confirms what she thinks is obvious in a flat tone, "but I know nothing of dragon knights. You should follow his wisdom." She gestures at Mikilos with her free hand before nodding to him once more, though now more teeth are visible. "Some carry more pure blood than others, but we are all of the dragons."

"So Steel Von Ironblood was correct!" Jibbom declares enthusiastically in response to Mikilos. He looks to Ulharilti. "This knight I must wed, she is a partner to a great silver dragon. Unfortunately, the dragon stepped on me, then attempted to eat me. I must find a way to befriend the beast. Suggestions?"

Mikilos mmms. "I'm not sure it really tired to eat you. Not in a fatal fashion, at least. I think it means to protect it's rider, not only from true threats, but form distractions. As now, it believes you are a distraction. Make yourself an aid instead, and it's ire should be gone."

"If it meant to eat you, you would not be speaking," Ulharilti grins, now baring even more teeth. At mention of food, her stomach speaks up very audibly. Her maw closes and she looks to her left and right. "I must hunt for food. Heed his wisdom." With a final gesture to Mikilos, Ulharilti turns to move off in search of a meal.

Jibbom strokes his chin again as he ponders Mikilos' suggestion. "Aid the fair maiden... yes. You may be on to something. She was here to retrieve... something. What was it? I was distracted by my mission of divine prophecy." He gives the Sith a parting wave. "Nice meeting you, dragon monster!" He says cheerfully.

Ulharilti Wiivai has disconnected.

Mikilos raises a hand in fare well to Ulharilti before turning focus back to Jibbom. "An artifiact from her homeland. A stone, blessed by Althea. I'm not familiat with it's full history, but I believe the plan is to protect the stone while it is here, aid in it's use against the Blue Bitch, and then use it to aid her homeland against Heth."

"Then I shall aid in the protection of this magical stone!" Jibbom declares. "And then, I shall blast Heth asunder with my amazing magical powers!" Because that will totally happen.

Mikilos mmms. "I urge caution in that matter. Heth is no mere wyrm. Not quite a god, but close enough to be worrisome. He is a powerful foe by any measure."

Jibbom beams unworriedly. "I have faith that the Coyote will guide me to where I need to be. He has not yet brought me to a challenge I could not overcome."

Mikilos mmms again, and smiles. "Aye. -Yet-. There is wisdom in knowing which challenge is too great. But, that time is not yet here, and I need to be off to other duties."

"And I must be off to greater heroics." Jibbom declares. "But I thank you for your advice, clever associate. I shall let you know how my seductions proceed." And with that, the halfling waddles off.