Mooglenet Archives

[After a long period of time, perhaps a month -- perhaps half a month -- the measure of protection he's had commissioned from his own protective armour is complete. He's checked the handiwork by the qiqirn jeweller-- the only measure of protection he can afford to spare.

His body is ravaged by marked loss of Cobalt after the battle against the Experimental Lamia still, yet thankfully the qiqjirn did a decent job of fixing his attire, so he can remain protected against the beast within that rages all the more due to the lack of Cobalt and his weakened state. Sadly, his body won't heal. But he can cover it. Only the extremely perceptive would be able to stand half a chance in Hell at seeing the fact he was becoming more and more serpentine as a result of exposure to the lamia as time went on. There's an edge to his voice -- a certain look to his eye. And that is the reason he dismissed Vincent many nights ago. Fear that he would realize.

He stands by the gates of Nashmau, arms crossed about himself. He knows she's coming. There has been no message. No indication. Yet he does have control of the lamia's keen sense of smell.]

...

....

[Rishfee's standing alone, amidst the mist of Caedarva. The sun is just setting, and overall the creeepiness around the place is made even creepier.]

A word, if I may.
You appear to have been quite busy as of late. I was hoping you'd spare the time for a story. It has been a while since our last.

[The words are simple enough. Almost inconspicuous. But he's planning something. Namely the story of Leviathan, and what happens to those that would deceive others.

...The Veldt really is an interesting place.

[After Memoria, Rishfee took as much opportunity as he could to be alone. No-one and nothing could have prepared him for what the castle of memories presented to him, and for his own good he needed to get out; away from others and spend time in his own thoughts to be able to continue. Memoria had presented problems to him, immediate ones. Questioning his own existence was one of those problems. An immediate hatred for what he was; the human side of him startled, shocked, and sickened by memories which had long been repressed.

Now though, he was better. Much better. Perhaps he was less human; but he wasn't afraid be what he was any longer. Now, he embraced it.]

I will return shortly. I apologize for any worry I have caused. Captain Steiner, if you are still willing; let us make rearrangements for your trip to Nashmau at your earliest possible convenience.

[Filtered;Vincent / Rughadjeen.]

It's funny. Memories which I had long forgotten to protect myself are now clear. However painful... Memoria was a needed experience. But... I think it's changed me. One of my aptitude questions back then, to become a blue mage, and what captain Raubahn asked me was as follows.

You stand on the precipice between life and death. Would you choose to live life as a beast if it would save you from falling into the shadowy abyss of the underworld?

...I think my answer has changed from what I said back then. Maybe I've changed. ...How are things? Has the world changed?

[Oblivious to death and doom? Yes.]

...Apologies for the delay, though I have had to inform the Qiqirn of Nashmau of your arrival. If you would need assistance in reaching Nashmau, I will offer my services as a guide. Usually the Qiqirn would, yet I am sure you can understand their current reservations regarding going out into the mire. Here is what you requested.

The Qiqirn will likely speak with you regarding trade above all else. While they have the appearance of monsters, they have always resided with the civilized races and tend to be easygoing and cheerful. While they have difficulty speaking the common tongue, they have always found employment as traders, merchants, and shop assistants as they are reliable, do have quick wits and a penchant for currency above all else.

I believe the best form of aid to these people would be the establishment of some sort of Alexandrian trade with Nashmau. They do not wish for handouts, though of course the action is up to your country.

( Caedarva mire (west- azouph isle) map. )

...

[Rishfee, above anything else looks unharmed, but tired. Very tired. He's in the Mire again, making good on the qijirn's assumption that he will destroy whatever has reduced the settlement of Nashmau's population so drastically. But it's starting to take a toll on him- the Mire is full of dangers which do not see him as anything but a food source.]

Vincent. Skyserpent Rughadjeen. Lady Eiko.
How are things?

...

[Filtered to Captain Steiner.]

Hello again. I apologize for interuppting your affairs, though I would like to ask some questions, if I may. It concerns what we spoke of previously, the lamia in the region of Caedarva Mire. Within the depths of Caedarva, there is a small settlement named Nashmau. It is merely a settlement and cannot even be called a town. Yet recently, people and some qijirn have disappeared from it. The remaining qijirn inside Nashmau believe it is the work of the ghosts in the Mire, though investigation has proved their thoughts upon the matter to be incorrect.

Therefore, I come to you- for I believe your soldiers and yourself police the neighbouring city of Alexandria, and because of the fact you know of the creatures I speak of. I have reason to believe this is the work of the lamia within Caedarva Mire, or the Qutrub. Your answer will allow me to investigate further. Have any of your populace vanished after nightfall?

[The Immortal stands in the carriage of an airship, watching the sun set far behind them, amidst stained pink clouds. He's regained enough of himself, after the experience at the mire which seemingly tore his soul in two for a good number of hours, and lightly he holds a certain princesses' tiny hand in his.

...She's suffering, he knows it. Through all of the savage energies which consumed him at the mire; he heard her recieve the call to return. That something was sorely wrong. That Marlene had disappeared. She hadn't spoken a word since. Yet he had escorted her.

...Concern for other's well-being was always paramount to him. While he'd wanted nothing but to stay within the mire, stay with the body of the soulflayer and investigate the matter further, she needed him. That was enough. He lowers himself, and he takes the girl in his arms-- shifting her a bit to sit atop one of his shoulders. And he continues to stare out of the window.]

We are between the stars and the clouds now. This is where no man may rule. Do you know who lives here, Eiko?

[His words are soft. Considering, and almost mournful.]

To any and all travellers or merchants who wish or plan to journey by foot to or from the regions of Dali, Lake Bresha, Macalania woods or between them, you may find this of note. It is a warning.

Recently, a region has sprouted from between them named Caedarva Mire... or in the common tongue, Illusion Mire. It is from the continent I once called home. And it is a very dangerous place - filled with undead, fomor, imps, wild and savage creatures, parasitic insects and plantlife, and most importantly a species of cannibalistic creatures known as the Merrow and their sisters, the Lamiae.

I ask you to divert your operations around the Mire and not attempt to cross it- at least not
until initial observation and exploration has been conducted. I thank you, and I remind you this is for your own safety. The more accidents that happen there, the more numerous the Lamia's army of undead will become. I have no desire, nor wish, for somewhere like that to claim any more lives.

[Filtered to Vincent.]

I'm going. I need to visit Azouph Isle's staging point within the Mire. An Immortal should be there.. and I need to speak to her as soon as possible.

[Filtered to Rughadjeen.]

We need to reclaim imperial territory. We will be leaving tonight. With luck, we should reach the proximity of the Mire by sunrise tomorrow. That gives us chance to get to Azouph and avoid the Ephramadian fomor which infest the territory at nightfall. A survey of Nashmau is appropriate. Prepare yourself well and do not be late.

[Filtered to Eiko.]

...
I have to go somewhere. I will return eventually.