RuneScape Forum Archive | Fall From Grace

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Six days flew by like a calendar caught in a gale, the day of infiltration was fast approaching. The days were spent in fast chatter and laughter over a firepit, most trying to forget about the cruel world which they were born into. The sun had risen upon the sixth day, and Summer was in full swing. The sun's might crashed down upon any adventuring outside this day, making many appear like a bucket of water had been dropped on them.

But the heat didn't stop many from enjoying the outdoors, finding the warm air invigorating. Rimmington was alive, its villagefolk out and about with their children while others worked at the land. Young ones dashed across a vibrant, verdant vista, sprinting up a hill to see who could reach the top first.

Like a fly caught in honey, Calvin found himself stuck so sweetly in a rather joyous mood. He strolled through the village, wind patting at his back with confidence and assurance. As always, Rimmington was so very animated with its people doing their daily routine. But as he skipped merrily into the village, he couldn't help but to notice a glint of light at the corner of his eye.

He put on the brakes, turning to his left to catch a better glimpse of this illuminating presence. It sparkled in the Summer light, its faded blue body an abundance of fantastical patterns. It was an actual, beautiful, glorious, splendorous, fully-functional... jack-in-the-box. There was then a sudden shine to Calvin's eyes, his eager little mitts wanting so badly to hold that very intriguing toy.

But it was in the hands of a child, a young Solasúian girl with long, brown-ish hair and glowing, teal blue eyes. She looked down and held that box like a cherished prize, but then her ear was yanked to her right when she heard the sound of her name. "Arleen!" yelled another child. "Put that dumb box down and come here! It's your turn!"
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:42:27

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Okay!" the girl replied, putting the box down in a very quick motion to get it done and over with. She then bolted towards what was behind her, leaving the box to itself. Once the little one had left, Calvin slowly crept up upon the box. He looked down upon it with much intrigue, his body brought down to its level.

His right hand reached out and grabbed it, pulling up to his face so he could get a more detailed look of it. His chin in his hand, scanning the box thoroughly as he nodded his head in interest. He thought of the many ways a jack-in-the-box might assist them, considering it was a toy that most Solasúians were completely unfamiliar with.

He slowly pulled the box into the darkness of his jacket, his mischievous eyes constantly shuffling to his left and right like they were dodging the many questions this village would surely ask him if he were caught doing this rather lowly crime. Once the deed was done, Calvin casually cruised off like he were guilt-free.

A lighthearted smirk upon his face as he walked through this village, a stranger that hadn't even an eye batted at him. Calvin breezed through the village, taking in the serenity of a lazy, peaceful day. His ears caught the sound of the children's activity, a true sign of a world that he wished everyone knew. Those children had not a thought of war, death, or enslavement upon their minds.

It was the scene of children's laughter which could inspire a heart to fight on, to persevere through the struggle and the adversity to change this world. It reminded Calvin of his youth, when he too was just a wee lad. He remembered himself clearly as a child, dashing through the small colony of Lamians beneath the ground.
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:42:41

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

He tried so desperately to fly like the birds of the sky, eagerly spanning his arms out and flapping them like a set of wings. He rushed throughout the decrepit, humid streets below the earth. He then recollected vividly as his young pale blue eyes saw a nervous boy in glasses reluctantly looking in his direction.

Calvin stood at the side of the southern-most building, gazing up into a captivating blue sky. The corners of his mouth reached out to his ears in a bright, hearty smile, feeling the warm, refreshing Summer breeze sweep briskly across his skin. He was bathed in crisp, enveloping light, the sun looking down upon him like someone out there were watching him.

A flock of birds then zoomed across the air overhead, coming straight out from the sunlight as though they were visitors from the wonderful star itself. Their appearance like a hook to Calvin's eyes, his head dragged backwards in pursuit. He followed the birds even as they flew behind him, making him look back into the village.

That was when his eyes saw him, that once hesitant boy in glasses who had grown into a man. Telvern appeared there at the entrance into the village, talking to one of the Solasúian farmers. The landworker then steadied his finger towards the north, causing Telvern's head to flip over in that direction.

Having now seen the genius, the very immoral assassin Calvin began to roam. "'Ey, egghead!" he shouted from across the village.

The callous, brown eyes of the genius pulled over in the direction of a rather irritating sound, a voice of a person he'd prefer not to speak to. And much to his misfortune, indeed that voice belonged to that person. The goofy, almost chipper Calvin came flying in, greeting Telvern with a wave of his hand. "Heya," he said to the genius.
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:42:59 - Last edited on 09-Sep-2015 13:25:44 by Serene End

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Telvern simply held off his grief, staring at the assassin. He had a very harsh, grim expression on his face, causing Calvin to take defense. "Geez, yer lookin' meaner than a sunburn 'n a desert Summer!" he playfully remarked, smirking as he pulled his hands behind his head. "Why ya so mad?"

"I'll refrain myself from answering that since it should be obvious..." Telvern replied in a spiteful tone, tying his arms together. "Why are you here? Was the mission unsuccessful?"

"Uh, no..." the assassin responded. "We actually 'aven't even attacked yet!"

"What stays you?"

"All 'n good time, egghead!" Calvin told Telvern, frustrating him. "But 'n the meantime, how 'bout ya jus' come wit' me ta our lil' 'ome 'way from 'ome? I'm sure Raphy would like ta see ya!"

After those final words, Calvin watched as Telvern's eyes sort of stray away from his face. "...Yes, I imagine so," reluctantly responded the genius, plummeting deep in thought.

But such a bubble was not meant to last, its form sustained no more. Like a needle put to it, Telvern was busted out when he and Calvin begin to take to motion. The social assassin showed the genius the way, leading him up northward. Up the decimated, ancient path lied an equally aged building, crippled and battered even more so.

Crossing across the ruined plane of stone and scattered decoration, Telvern and Calvin entered the building. "Lookie 'ere, fellas!" exclaimed Calvin, drawing much attention. "Our lil' genius' 'ere!"

Telvern followed in just behind Calvin, being immediately greeted with much hostility. He was glared at from every corner of every corner, many rather fond of the idea of lobbing the head off of the snake. But some didn't even chose to stare, like much of the Resistance. Most were still trying desperately to get over the idea that he turned his back on them, and for what? Nothing.
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:43:19

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Much of the clan of assassins stood up to their feet, crowding around their queen Libitina. They were like the shell of a tortoise, protecting her with the ultimate defense. Several of the assassins fastened their hands around their weapons, some even pulled them out. His presence was a blight to them, and they had but one possible remedy to this terrible malady.

Shakir was at the front of the pack, his eyes like saws that viciously ripped into the genius' face. But such a attack was like a pebble tossed at his armour, a blow that simply bounced off. He was stoic and completely unfazed by the hatred, stepping forward into the room. Telvern's frigid, steely gaze pierced through the steel-laden veil, beaming straight towards Libitina.

She was not daunted by this challenge, proceeding to do the exact same to him. Kereske, one of the few -- if not the only -- to truly trust in Telvern pushed his way through his brothers and sisters. "Ah, you're here," the merchant said, an older man stumbling his way through the stronger bodies of his comrades. "Did Yáatiq offer his support?"

"Momus is dead," Telvern bluntly gave the news without a pause, striking the assassins with a powerful jolt of shock.

"What?!" the room erupted with an explosion of these shouts of utter shock and disbelief, stealing the breaths of the many. It dropped hearts like stones, casting them into the lowest valley of their bodies. The members of the former Resistance turned to Telvern, taking notice of this serial robbery of oxygen.

There was panic in the Desert Assassins, even Kereske and Calvin was rather startled by the announcement. A frantic clamor of many different voices consumed the once silent air, rocking the airwaves like an earthquake. "Be at peace!" a certain calming voice advised her people, cutting through the army of voices. Instantly did she receive the looks of her people, the usually stolid assassin Libitina stepping further toward Telvern. "...Tell us what happened."
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:44:08

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Your 'head' foolishly attempted a take on the lives of Balor and Lucia," explained the genius in a cold, harsh manner. "It was a plan that could only lead to disaster."

"All on his own...?" mumbled Kereske, such a question being quickly confirmed by Telvern. "...But why? That isn't like Yáatiq at all... He'd order an assault with every able-bodied assassin on the attack, not handle it all by himself."

"Were ya able ta confirm dis?" asked Calvin, curiously.

Telvern's eyes sharply aimed at Calvin with enmity, crossing his arms. "What purpose would it serve if I came all this way to divulge information I only suspected?" angrily questioned the genius.

"Sorry, was jus' askin'..." the social assassin mumbled, rubbing the back of his head as though checking if his head was still there.

"Upon entering the city, I had heard rumours of his death and the situation surrounding it through the mouth of a propagandist," stated Telvern, turning his eyes back to Libitina. "I imagine this man was hired to help spread the truth of Momus around the city, since his funeral was held open only to nobility."

"Dat's odd," thought the social assassin. "I ain't no expert, but ain't the funerals-a Barns -- good or bad -- always a big public thing?"

"Indeed," Telvern confirmed. "but I managed to infiltrate the castle grounds, and was able to confirm his death with my own eyes. When time permitted it, Balor stood before the crowd and revealed the true intention of the funeral. It was not to honor a being who had done much in his time in life, but to use him like a tool to help deploy a scare tactic. And to aid its effectiveness, Balor proceeded to compare Momus to many forgotten traitors throughout modern history. Of those among that fold, he compared him to Koios in particular."
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:44:23

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Those within the room knew nothing of the man Telvern had mentioned, raising eyebrows and question marks all across the board. Kereske pondered this as well, repeatedly brushing his fingers down his beard. "Koios?" muttered the merchant. "...Ah, he was the one who betrayed King Dias, I believe?"

"Balor would command Momus receive a dishonorable departure," the genius continued to tell. "He then professed a message to those in the crowd as he tossed Momus' ashes at his feet, telling those who seek to betray that they will become "another forgotten, pathetic, miserable failure.""

"So he used the situation to help fasten his grip upon his people," concluded the merchant-turned-assassin.

"...Usin' fear ta control his people," Calvin muttered, putting the finishing touches upon Kereske's words. "Don't know wat the heck happened, but this guy's really losin' it."

"He spoke with tears in his eyes," the genius added. "Momus' betrayal has affected him immensely."

"This outcome bodes ill for our future," Kereske stated, crossing his arms. "It still makes no sense... There was no word of his desire to take action, not even a whisper. Yáatiq was a rational thinker, he'd never act in such haste. So why did he?"

"I'm sure he 'ad his reas'ns," Calvin strongly believed. "Ain't like Yáatiq ta jus' suddenly take action like dat 'less he 'ad a reas'n fer it."

"Irregardless, this useless speculation does not help our current situation," Telvern calmly asserted, cutting them out of their conversation. "What of Ormemel?"

Kereske looked down and reached into his coat, pulling out a grotesque sheet of paper. He turned to the furtive genius, handing him that obnoxiously colored paper. Taking it from the merchant, Telvern braced his eyes for the blasting rainbow about to punch him right in his face. His eyes traveled across this spectrum, a rather painful experience like they were treading through acid.
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:44:41

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

But he did manage to see that which halted their advance, piquing the genius's interest. Keres** looked to Telvern, seeking his opinion and answer to this fortunate boon. Telvern pulled his eyes out of the colorful fire, looking to the cross-armed merchant. "I imagine you've some sort of plan for this?" questioned Telvern.

"I propose we attack during the celebration," Kereske suggested. "I've walked among the people of the city, and the general consensus is that all hostility has been quelled with the fall of the Lumbridge Resistance. Intruding upon their festivities should be a simple task."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Telvern strongly advised. "What of the castle and its patrol?"

Kereske raised up a rolled up sheet of paper, presumably a map of which he drew of the station of each patrol. "All personnel appear to be Solasúian," the merchant-turned-assassin reported. "The city walls are helmed by a multitude of archers, and the streets have the constant presence of the city's guardsmen. The state of the castle appears problematic and unstable, but it's well-protected with a slew of heavily-armoured knights on watch."

"I see..." mumbled the steely genius, clenching his chin with his hand. His mind began to wander, jumping deep into the pool of thought and careful strategy. Because of the word of their queen, the Desert Assassins required him. And so, they all waited patiently for his reply. To what would his plan be? What would in entail?

Still, having gazed upon that flyer, the merchant Kereske was struck by the strange, crudely portrayed woman. His intrigue urging him to pursue this, his attention focused in upon the thinking genius. "This statue..." the merchant curiously mumbled to Telvern, pointing it out on the flyer. "You were among the nobles of Governanti, weren't you Telvern? Would you happen to know anything about it?"
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:44:58

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"No," he replied. "It is known as the Lady of Wine, and it has an origin which Earl Darris' father seems to have taken to his death. Outside of that, I know little else."

"There's an odd saying surrounding the statue," he went on. "I'm not sure what exactly to make of it... If I'm not mistaken, I believe it goes: "waste not a droplet of wine upon her, lest the Lady's wrath befalls thee." What do you think of it?"

"It's just some stupid superstition..." the red-headed archer Shinon growled with frustration.

"Yes, I would have to concur," returned Telvern, unfortunately in agreement with the archer. "I suspect it as a well-concocted 'truth' woven by Darris' tongue, all for the sole purpose of falsely attracting the attention of his fellow noblemen or to create some sort of desired effect."

"Give it a rest, Kereske..." the angry Lamian Shakir suggested with irritation. "It's a tale, nothing more. Why are we even wasting our time on this? There's nothing to it..."

"Well, how can we be sure?" the voice of the young man Daevarro suddenly popped into the conversation, tossing itself into a fire. "We can at least give it a try, right?"

"Gotta agree wit' shady 'ere," Calvin came in, acting as a sort of defense for his fellow Lamian. Calvin then turned his stare towards Shinon, causing the archer to tense up. "Just think fer a sec... Buddy over dere was sure dat Lamiaquil'a didn't exist, even callin' the evidence I gave 'im "garbage." But lil' more den a week ago, he got proven wrong. It's proof dat jus' 'cause ya think sumthin' ain't true don't mean it ain't true."

"And what exactly do you propose then?" Shakir quickly spoke, his tone snippy and abusive. "Infiltrate the heavily-guarded city, bypass all the soldiers armed to kill, find your silly statue, spill some wine, and then what? Pray for success?"

"What do you think of it, Telvern?" Kereske asked, seeking his opinion.
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:45:23

Jul

2020

Serene End

Posts: 5,834 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"If you're asking for my own personal opinion, I would insist that it's merely a superstition and a waste of time to discuss further." the genius responded. "But in a subjective manner, perhaps..."

"Perhaps?" repeated the merchant, raising an eyebrow. "Do you think it's possible?"

"Seldom would one encounter it in Governanti..." Telvern mumbled primarily for himself, clearly still rather drenched in his own thought. The genius pulled himself out of his pit of his own mind, turning to his intrigued comrades. "This is a completely groundless, implausible -- and in my opinion, rather idiotic -- theory, but..."

"But?"

"The statue could be enchanted with magic," he explained, perplexing his allies. "The practice of magic is extremely scarce, to the point of near extinction here in Governanti. I suppose there stands a chance of the statue being outfitted with magic, with wine being the trigger for whatever effect it brings. The one behind the enchanting or whoever forced them to commit the act was presumably the enabler of the rumour, demanding all others take the utmost caution around the statue."

Telvern pondered deeper into the thought, giving a lot more time than his rational mind would like. It was an incredibly laughable theory, and it was illogical beyond words. "But that's absurd..." mumbled the genius once more. "Solasúians are incapable of using magic, cannot even comprehend its process. Any human adapt in its use are kept locked away, forced to apply it to the needs of the Solasúians. And for what purpose does rigging a statue even serve?"

"If you think it's possible, then it could very well be," believed Kereske.

"...I suppose it is," Telvern reluctantly answered. "It's incredibly slim at best, but I suppose there is a chance."

"Let's start planning then," the voice of Raphael suddenly barged its way into the conversation.
The end

is only

the beginning...

28-Aug-2015 01:55:02

Forums

Fall From Grace