A New Beginning | OTA

[substitutiarylocomotion]

Who: Wizard (substitutiarylocomotion) & any interested parties.
What: Open-ended post for Wizard to meet others and vice versa
When: Late April
Where: The Oak & Iron, Southwest Hollow, Greymare Library, & Wildcard

The Oak & Iron
[Death was not an unfamiliar experience to Sylus, but what had greeted him in the times between his passing and the eventual rebirth at the Temple of Althena was about as different as possible from where he found himself now. Could it be that things had changed with the Three Goddesses restored, or maybe this was what happened to those who died without anyone to see them restored to the land of the living? Either way, it was strange how… developed the afterlife was. Before whatever curse caused Pumpkin Hollow’s current woes there must have been impressive Artificer’s to provide it with the kinds of technologies he’d seen just since coming here but the idea of curses, let alone city infrastructure, was beyond bizarre to think of in a place meant for the dead. He mulled at such thoughts as he picked at his meal. It was kind of the townsfolk to share their hospitality with him, given what the Mayor had said regarding their resource struggles.]

"This little hamlet certainly has its work cut out for it..."

Southwest Hollow
[The area Wizard had picked to rent in was far from the most idyllic part of Pumpkin Hollow, but getting back on the proverbial horse was important to both being able to contribute to easing the town’s troubles as well as keeping his mind off of his current predicament. The area was gloomy and the building bedraggled, doubly so thanks to a mixture of being within a stone’s throw of Fall’s Promise Cemetery and having almost a week’s worth of rainy weather hanging over them, but Wizard still busily walked the muddy grounds with a determined look on his face.

Building a repository for the arcane was something he personally believed to be the domain of those mages who’d gotten on in years and were past the days of gallivanting through, but there was no denying how useful it could be to a land beset with monsters and undying citizenry. Were there any other practitioners of magic within Pumpkin Hollow, too, he imagined that a well-stocked Arcanium could be an invaluable resource to both building community among them as well as ensuring their mystical needs were tended-to. It all began with restoring the dilapidated building he’d secured for himself though, and that would require far more knowledge of the trades than he possessed. Assessment came first, regardless of the next steps, so tromping through the soggy sod to take measurements and jot-down the most obvious signs of damage and decay would make up the entirety of his morning.]

Greymare Library
[Knowledge is the greatest weapon with which a warrior can equip himself, and one that Wizard prided himself on being perpetually well-equipped with in his world of origin. Here on Marrow Isle, though, he found himself almost completely in the dark. From the information passed to him in his meeting with Mr. Aberdeen and Mayor Poe it was clear the island had one hell of a shadow hanging over it and, while he’d helped to lift more than his fair share of those in the past, learning everything he could about both the history and the current state of the town would be essential to his success. As a result, several large stacks of books on virtually every subject relating to Marrow Isle are stacked at the table that Wizard is hunched over, framing him like towers around a portcullis, and several volumes of historical records sit open in front of him at once. His concentration on the books is clear, meaning he’s very much in another world at the moment, but the books he’s pouring through could appear interesting to anyone interested in Pumpkin Hollow’s history or the ancient sites on the island.]

Wildcard
[If another location calls to you in regards for how and where you’d like to encounter Sylus feel free to either ask for a custom starter or to pick a place on the island that you feel would make sense to bump into him. He’s not exactly up to exploring the wilderness of Marrow Isle yet, so it would probably be someplace within the more metropolitan area, but that’s still a plenty big list of options.]

Comments

[imjustaman]

"I agree."

[Came a deep voice.

A man of 6'7" with long silver hair to his knees and striking green eyes was approaching. He was dressed in black, with his leather coat open and nothing else on his upper body aside from suspenders. He might look intimidating, although his manner was warm and his smile kind.]

"Hello. Are you a recent arrival?"

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[Sylus was not expecting anyone to overhear him, looking up towards the voice surprisedly. After the initial welcome his time in Pumpkin Hollow had been largely uneventful and few had given him much of a second glance, so he'd largely gotten used to being something of a fly on the wall to the tavern's many conversations. Attracting attention, particularly from someone as striking as the silver-haired giant who now approached him, was new.]

"Uh..."

[He paused a moment. He supposed that was pretty much what it would be when someone came in. The rather lethal manner of arrival had caused him not to think of it from the point of view of those already in Pumpkin Hollow, but thinking on it the Ferryman's boat really was just what its name suggested.]

"I suppose I am."
[He turned in his seat to better face the man.]
"It's only been a few days since I came in on the boat. Are you a local then, or did you come via the Ferryman as well?"

[imjustaman]

“I am not a local. I arrived on the ferry some months ago. My name is Sephiroth.”

[He wonders, always, if anyone he meets will have heard of him, someone from Gaia he never knew but who knew of him from Shinra’s propaganda. So far, that has not as yet happened.]

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[His tall new conversational partner looked strikingly like a combination of himself and comrade the Fighter, back in the days of their adventurer's company, so he wondered if he might hail from the same land as himself. There was enough of a mixture of people and technological levels present within the city for him to come to the conclusion that people were being brought to Pumpkin Hollow from more than just one realm, though, so there was no telling where anyone he met might come from.]

"A pleasure Sephiroth. I am Sylus, the Wizard, though most simply call me Wizard."

[He gestures to the bench opposite him in the booth.]

"Please. Join me."

[imjustaman]

[Indeed, there are so many realms represented there.

He nods in acknowledgement and sits down at the table.]

“Which do you prefer, Sylus or Wizard?”

[He feels it only polite to ask. Some people aren’t commonly called as they prefer.]

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[He'd rarely given it much thought given how almost automatic it had been for people to refer to him by his occupation rather than his name but, upon being asked, he realizes that only a few people actually call him Sylus. Given the closeness of the two people that immediately spring to mind, he ends up wrinkling his nose thinking of other people calling him that.]

"I think Wizard would be best, if for no other reason than it just being what I've grown used to by this point."

[He takes a sip from his drink, but then remembers his manners and gestures to the dishes.]

"Would you like anything? It's impolite to eat without offering a dish in-kind after all."

[imjustaman]

[Sephiroth nods. He would understand only wanting certain people to refer to him in a particular way.]

“Very well.

“Thank you. I’m fine right now.”

[He doesn’t want to take from someone else’s meal … especially as he can actually be rather ravenous when eating.]

“Are you looking to find a job that would allow you to use your magic abilities?”

[He’s just curious, wondering what type of job might allow for that.]

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[The Wizard shrugs at the declination of food and cracks a loaf of bread open as he listens. At the query of what occupation he's considering he purses his lips, considering his words for a moment before responding.]

"Ideally yes, but what I've seen of the city tells me that there's stunningly little in the way of the arcane arts here. For all I know I'd end up labled as a quack and end up contributing nothing to the troubles assaulting Pumpkin Hollow, and that's not what I'm looking to accomplish."

[He takes some herb spread from a little container and spreads it acrossed the crust of bread before continuing.]

"Though, if there are other magicians on the island, having some kind of resoure to draw from or hub to gather at would be a tremendous boon. This place doubtless has all kinds of ingredients and reagents for alchemy, and the chance to study the magics brought from the varied realms this place seems to draw from could be an unparralelled chance for shared learning."

[He takes a bite, the chewing interrupting him momentarily, but resumes at its completion.]

"It's hard to know. I will likely look into potions and tinctures initially, as healers and apothecaries are always useful, but I will need more information on the processes before I can know my plans for the long-term."

[His thought finished, he looks up from his food.]

"What about you? A strapping man like yourself could do well in questing or military work, but there's plenty of crafts that need a strong arm to get the best of them as well."

[imjustaman]

“I believe there are quite a few here who possess various powers. Healers are definitely always needed. You would be very welcome in that line of work.

“You are correct about me. I am part of the local law enforcement. That is the closest we have to a military.”

greymare library

[liesdontfindyou]

[ CT doesn't work at the library, but for how often she's here she may well know it almost as well as the staff and when she's coming back to double-check something, she has no problem beelining for the exact spot on the shelf that she needs.

Today, what she's looking for isn't there—not a huge deal, really, she's got plenty of other notes she can sit and take, but when she notices the pile on the unfamiliar face's desk and figures she may as well ask. ]

Sorry to bother you, but you don't happen to have the earliest edition on the founding of the town in that pile, do you?

Re: greymare library

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[Wizard looks up from the pile of books as if he'd just returned from another world. Glancing around the towers, he leans over to see where the voice had come from.]

"Huh?"

[The substance of the question clicks in his mind and his expression changes.]

"Oh! Oh yes! That title sounds familiar, so I think it might be in here..."

[His voice trails off as he begins to scan the spines of the various books. Every concievable title on the town's history are mixed in with books on woodworking and home ownership, so he digs through irrelevant titles like a mole burrowing through soil, but eventually sets aside a few books that could be the ones requested.]

"One of these might be what you're looking for, but I've no idea about the editions I'm afraid. There's so much history about so many things that it's difficult to find a real starting point without falling down a rabbit hole into an entirely different historical era. Were you looking for particular information?"

[liesdontfindyou]

Just double-checking some things from my old notes. Having one of those days where the urge to go back over everything just in case I missed something won't leave me alone.

[ She glances through the books he pulled out until she spots the one she's looking for and gives a little 'aha' before she snatches it up. ]

This is the one, thanks. [ she gives the whole pile another glance over, just idle curiosity ] I'm guessing you're new to the island and trying to get up to speed, huh?

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[Wizard nods in agreement with the sentiment. There were times he couldn't recall the details of something vital, most often the details of specific jobs, and it would drive him to distraction until he could check the notice boards again. Heading out to some remote delve just to forget how or where you were supposed to do the job you were out there to do was frustration made manifest, so he always found it better to listen to those little nagging thoughts that told him to double-check.]

"I can relate to that all too well. Just freshening-up on knowledge, then, or do you work on things relating to the town history? I know there's a historical society here in the town, but I'm afraid I've little knowledge beyond that."

[In response to her assertion he nods again. Scooping a few of the books off the nearest pile so his line of sight is made clearer, he extends a gloved hand.]

"I am indeed! My name is Sylus, though most everyone just calls me "Wizard". I arrived, as I suppose it's called, a few days ago and it's definitely been something of an adjustment. It's not every day you pay the ferrymen, let alone quite so casually as seemed to transpire here."

[He purses his lips at the situation.]

"I'm no stranger to dying or to extraplanar travel, mind you, but in those situations people carry over to the Realm of the Goddesses or are simply revived at their temples. Finding myself in an island limbo is quite unexpected and, as a result, has me caught rather flat-footed. Hence the books."

[liesdontfindyou]

Oh, no, [ a beat of wry laugher ] I'm definitely not with the Historical Society, no—I'm with the enforcers, part of the Supernatural Affairs branch. We do a lot of research keeping up with the day-to-day supernatural threats and trying to figure out how to get the barrier down.

[ Which in practice means a lot of research into the history of the town and what led to the barrier situation in the first place. ]

Well, you're definitely in the right place to read up, and you even have a headstart on a lot of us. There's a fair number of otherworlders who's first experience with magic is this town, let alone interdimensional travel. I'm one of them.

Everyone calls me CT.

[substitutiarylocomotion]

"A pleasure CT.

[Sylus inclines his head towards her.]

"Your work sounds extremely interesting. I'd heard there were monsters that posed an occasional threat to the townsfolk, but I was entirely unaware of the supernatural aspect. It makes sense, given the situation the island's wrapped-up in, but I'd assumed that it had just become the new normal for people and that was that."

[He taps his finger against his lips ponderingly before continuing.]

"Are these enforcers something akin to the town guard or city watch then?"

[liesdontfindyou]

I'd say that's a close enough comparison. I'd call them similar to police or colonial militias but that's my frame of reference.

[ It's not a one-to-one, especially the way the otherworlders specifically operate within the bounds of the enforcers, but they've all got their own points of reference. She shrugs a shoulder. ]

The town's definitely adapted to there being something strange always going on over the years, but things are always changing and the situation with the demons has been evolving constantly in the recent months. You'll probably hear the townsfolk talk about it.

[ About Dahlia Leeds being exposed as a tiefling and the Pine Devil, about the successful attacks on Mendel and Efrain that led to their deaths, so on so forth. Plenty for the town to chatter about. ]

Apologies for the change in formatting. Switching over to more mobile-friendly coding.

[substitutiarylocomotion]

"Demons?"

[A concerned look spreads across his face. Most of what Wizard had been able to ascertain about the island had given him the impression that it was a largely ordinary place that had been subjected to an either magical or otherworldly phenomenon. Adding Demons to the equation brought a lot of new questions with it. Could they have been responsible for the bizarre happenings on the island, or were they simply caught-up in whatever was bringing people here like everyone else?]

"That's quite the revelation."

[His tone communicated that he did not consider it a pleasant development.]

"Is it known if they're involved with the island's predicament?"

southwest hollow

[thaumatophage]

[Kitty's making a point of spending more time in town lately. Being at the ranch hurts and probably will for some time, and spending too much time at Salazar Farm makes her spend too much quiet time with her own thoughts. Time to do a little walk around town, and maybe test out her new wand a little. It's hanging in a holster from her belt - a quick and dirty thing made from scrap leather, but it holds the wand surprisingly well.

Oh, hey - there was someone new! And they seemed to be doing architecture work. Or measuring, at least, and the teenager is qualified for that if nothing else.]

Need some help with that?

Re: southwest hollow

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[While Wizard missed the clothes of his former life the robes of his occupation would not have been a good fit for clambering over splintery planks and muddy yards, so the simple nature of the clothing he'd arrived in had added a boon in their practicality if nothing else. Plodding around the muddy yard with rudimentary measuring tapes was far from his idea of a pleasant day out, but the arrival of someone new to the lot takes his attention away from the crash course in renovating that he's having to undertake. The stranger speaks before can give a greeting, and her offer to help catches him off-guard]

"Oh! That's very kind of you, but I wouldn't expect you to just pitch in. It's not exactly thrilling stuff, but I have to get it done before I can know what all needs to be done to fix it."

[He looks over the old building and makes a face.]

"I appreciate the offer though. Are you one of my new neighbors by any chance?"

[thaumatophage]

Hey, what are we even doing here if we don't help each other out? [she chirps.]

New neighbor in that we both live here - I split time between the dorm and Baker Ranch. [She's been thinking she may move to the ranch full time to help out. There's always so much to do. More so, now.]

Doing some extreme makeovers on this?

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[Wizard nods in agreement with her statement. From everything he'd heard the residents of Pumpkin Hollow had their hands full, so any amount of help new arrivals like him could bring would no doubt be helpful. If these extraplanar exiles couldn't aid one another, then who would?]

"That's a good view to have, and I definitely feel similarly. I pray that there's more here that share that mentality than than don't when it comes to those brought here by the ferryman. From what I've heard there were already too many mouths to feed, before strangers started being brought in by the boatload, so I can only imagine the strain on the town's granary now that they are."

[He shakes his head. Grim as it was, shortages like that would normally resolve themselves through dwindling numbers. Adding an undying population to resource problems was a kind of fresh hell that he'd never encountered before.]

"The dorm... I'm afraid I don't know either a dormitory or a ranch, unless you're referring to the rooms at the Oak & Iron. It makes sense that there are farms, given that must be some way to support the population here, but I've not really done much in the way of exploration yet. I intend to make some journeys to the forest soon, however, and look to get better familiarized with the island a little more each week."

[Letting the measuring rope drop and jotting down a measurement on his little pad, he frowns at the building before returning his attention to the conversation.]

"As for makeovers, none just yet I'm afraid. I'm no builder, so I have to dot my I's and cross my T's before I can actually break ground on anything like this. Right now I'm just trying to get a clear idea of what's damaged, what's repairable, and what's good as-is. Sadly, more seems to be falling into the former of the two categories than the latter, but the foundation and roof seem in good shape at least... and from what I understand those are, by far, the hardest things to fix."

[thaumatophage]

I'm still a kid, so they've put me up in the Autumn Leaves Dormitory, [she says.] It used to be an orphanage, but there aren't a whole lot of orphans these days since people pop back up in a day.

Luckily we've been able to establish more farms. We don't just drain the island's resources, you know. [Kitty grins.] I work at one of them.

The most building I've ever done was with Legos, [she admits, a little ruefully,] or in Minecraft. I can, um...try and magically strengthen them? I can't promise it'll work, I've never done it before, but I think I get the theory.

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[Wizard has no idea what Legos are, but mining-related crafts are something he's quite familiar with, given that he adventured alongside a Dwarf for years. It's alarming to think someone so young would be sent in to work the mines, let alone to talk about undertaking such hard labor so casually, and his eyes widen a little in response. The part about magic catches his attention, though, his eyes are drawn to the wand holster on her hip.]

"You work... in the mines?"

[He asks a little hesitantly.]

"That's not in addition to your work on the farm is it? Or... is it due to being a mage, perhaps?"

[He cups his chin thoughtfully. It's not unheard of for places to persecute the magically-inclined after all but he wouldn't have pegged Marrow Isle for someplace like that, particularly with all the paranormal things unfolding.]

[thaumatophage]

[The children yearn for the mines, Wizard.

Kitty laughs a little - not at him, but at the situation.] No, uh, Minecraft is a video game. Kind of exactly what it says on the tin. You mine and you craft. It's a lot of fun, I've seen people make amazing things with it. I'm not that good, though. And it doesn't really translate to real-word building experience!

[She looks a little sheepish.] I'm not doing a great job explaining this, am I? The point is, I have a decent amount of theory but not a lot of practice about building stuff.

[substitutiarylocomotion]

[[OOC: I so want that middle-aged man Minecraft Steve figure to hit the store. Wizard would see it's Minecraft and then get it for Kitty. "This is that Minecraft you were talking about?" *hands the figure over* "Why's he talk about... Chicken Jockeys?]]

[Wizard is able to glean that it's a game about building and that it comes in a tin, apparently, but the rest largely dissipates into a large cloud of "huh?" until Kitty talks about experience in-theory rather than in-practice. Being entirely in the same boat when it comes to tackling home renovations and repair, Wizard claps his hands together and holds them up in an "exactly" gesture.]

"While I can't speak to what people can make with the tinned mining gaming, I completely relate to you on the theoretical experience. All this housing stuff I'm trying to take on is breaking new ground entirely. I've been reading through a library's worth of books on it, literally, but that only takes me so far for breaking ground and getting repairs underway."

[He gestures towards the wand holster on her hip.]

"To make matters worse, incantations and spellweaving have certainly been harder without a focus for my magic, but it looks like you've managed to avoid that issue. I must ask, did your wand come here with you or is there a place here in Pumpkin Hollow that caters to such things?"