audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

Greetings. I'm a new arrival here, and while I have many questions, I think it might be best to start with an introduction- my name is Sabriel. I'm a Charter mage and- the Abhorsen, which means I'm also a necromancer, although rest assured, I do not raise the Dead. [Sabriel's voice grows more emphatic on that last point. Hopefully it will reassure people.] I lay them to rest.

In any case, I think it might be best if we organized ourselves- we need to gather information about this place, and recover the Orb, and that will be easier if we combine our skills. How many among us can fight? How many are mages, or have some knowledge of healing, either through medicine or magic? How many of us are willing to teach our skills to those that lack them? I could teach people how to use swords, or Charter magic, or the basics of first aid and wilderness navigation, for example.

In addition to pooling our skills, I think we should coordinate for the mission- it's likely this 'ghost girl' has the orb, but what is she? A restless spirit? A human with the power to control the monsters? Or some other sort of creature disguised as a human? And there's something strange about the city- there have been many deaths in the inner city- so I suppose they weren't lying about it not being safe, a normal amount in the Merchant District... and none at all in the outer city. Are we sure it hasn't been abandoned?

I'll see what the Dead can tell me, and what I can learn from the living.

[ooc: Feel free to threadjack amongst yourselves.]

Comments

[taciturnly]

Bells. Your training? ( was she raised as a cultivator, or perhaps something similar? )

For the moment, it appears unsafe to be seen in my vicinity. ( he's being watched, not even covertly, which is a pretty good indication that he's onto something.

instead, more videos--one featuring cryptic letters between jeung-sun and the captain as well as discarded drafts of official notices regarding the first plague, and a second one in which a stash of gold tucked under a loose board and a travel sack of clothing can be seen. ) The Queen's spouse seems adequately equipped to vacate his seat, should there be an emergency.

[bindsthedead]

Father made sure I could carry on the family legacy. [In other words, yes.]

I see. Using these devices would be best then. [Sabriel lets the videos play, frowning thoughtfully.]

I see. The lord seems ready to flee- without his wife, quite possibly. So much for the bonds of marriage. Those letters are... interesting though. And it seems the plague caught them by surprise.

[ooc: can Sabriel speculate, based on the info you got from the mods?]

[taciturnly]

You seem capable. ( he's yet to see her in action, but there's strength and kindness behind her words. )

Mn. The second plague, certainly. The orb was lost. A correlation? ( a beat. ) Vials were found by the Queen's bed. Medicine, perhaps. ( unfortunately, he doesn't have any visual evidence. ) And an extensive list of names.


( ooc; yes pls go right ahead! )

[bindsthedead]

Thank you for your kind words, but- I have not been Abhorsen for very long.

I suspect so. Either the Orb was protecting them until they lost it, and without it they were vulnerable to the plague... or the Orb was stolen, and its power somehow used to create the plague. [Either one works, with the information they have.] And if the orb was lost in the forest, where they think the Ghost Girl is...

If the Queen is ill, and the Lord merely her consort, perhaps he feels there is no point lingering here if she passes. But it's possible that she is simply under a great strain, given the circumstances. The list of names... Ones they see as allies? or enemies?

[taciturnly]

Abhorsen. A title? ( or a surname, perhaps? a rank. or a curse. )

Mn. A clear conscience never fears midnight knocking. ( and the enemy isn't always where all the fingers point. ) Ally, foe, or prey. A mistake that backfired. ( maybe. because what if the ghost girl isn't the threat they think she is? ) The Guard's captain seemed reluctant to concede the existence of the Orb. ( which was.......very odd. )

[bindsthedead]

One passed down through my family. Our purpose is to lay the Dead to rest, and protect the Old Kingdom from dangerous magic. [A title, but also the surname on her Ancelstierrian paperwork.]

And somehow I doubt anyone involved in this has a clear conscience. [So many secrets, and everyone so reluctant to tell them what's going on.]

Well. If it was being kept secret before, that might explain her reluctance, even if all of us know about it. If you've kept a secret for a long time, trying to keep it secret becomes an instinct.

And if the Orb set us tasks... I wonder, does that mean it has intentions of its own? And what might those be?

[taciturnly]

Then our aim is the same. ( or extremely similar anyway, teachings and methods certainly distinct. )

More lingers between shades of black and white. Beyond speculations, we must investigate further. ( a brief pause. ) My findings are yours to share.

[bindsthedead]

So many shades of grey. But you're correct- we must investigate further. [It's good to find another mage of sorts- and one who shares her desire to lay the dead to rest, rather than using them as servants.]

I'll tell you what I find as well.