Shadow Contracts (for Ixis Naugus)

[conjuredskies]

Deep in the Parkland woods, twilight holds sway despite the early hour. The crumbling grey walls rise high and forbidding from the outside, but the heavy door stands ajar and swings open noiselessly when pushed – there’s fresh oil on the hinges.

Inside lies a great courtyard surrounded by a columned portico, with narrow doorways leading off into more dark corners. In the center, however, is a wide well with a low stone edge. Off to one side, its hooded summoner waits. Felix has spread a mat over the cracked paving stones, and now sits cross-legged beside his knapsack, picking over a few implements and books, checking the edge of a steel dagger. Aside from his hood, the conjurer has abandoned the legionary uniform for plainer leather armor, worn and mended from long use.

It’s been very quiet for some time. Just the skittering of breeze-blown leaves and birdsong drifting over the walls. Felix is quick to look up at a new presence.

Comments

[ixis]

Not only is the deepening gloam suitable for the summoning about to take place, but it makes travel that much more swift. In due time, a familiar figure steps from the lengthening shadow of a nearby pillar, his staff in hand and cloak pulled around him.

Ixis Naugus approaches the seated figure, looking about the ruins with shrewd and nodding approval. "This shall work splendidly, I feel. Are there any precautions to take? Wards or the like?" While eager to get started, it's always good to be a little careful when preparing to summon something that has the potential to be bigger and grander than you. (Even though Naugus struggles to imagine such a thing. What could be better than him?)

[conjuredskies]

Felix flashes him a smile from under the hood. “No ward could hold her. You can summon and bind a lesser daedra to your will, but when you stand before a Prince, your best protection is not to anger her.”

He gestures to the other side of the mat. There’s plenty of space, and not that much paraphernalia, actually: besides the books and knife, a pair of small soul gems, the dregs of a bowl of grey salts with the scent of ozone. “Before we call on her, you should know something of her nature.”

And whispering together in the darkness is the very best way to pass this knowledge on.

[ixis]

Naugus grunts in acknowledgement of a ward's uselessness, walking nearer now to get a better look at the objects Felix has laid out. The soul gems in particular interest him and he'll pick one up to examine it if allowed.

"Do go on, then. I trust you will do most of the talking when this being arrives? Summoning is not something I would consider my forte. Opening the door, yes. Parlay with the beings beyond it, not so much." Though he is dreadful curious still to see where this door will lead. A large part of the reason he's doing this at all!

[conjuredskies]

“Of course. You need only be concerned with the gate. It’s simply better for all of us that you know the rules of the game." Naugus is welcome to examine the gems: they’re small examples, one containing the soul of a rabbit, the slightly larger one a troll. Felix speaks low and smoothly while he does.

“This eve we’re calling on Nocturnal, Prince of Shadow. Her sphere is night and darkness - shadows both physical and metaphorical. It’s said she’s an aspect of the Void itself, far more ancient than the world I know. Certainly powerful enough to rival our Divines. She’s the patron of thieves, spies and saboteurs – all those who live by secrecy and uncanny luck. I doubt there’s anyone more capable of helping Verity.”

[ixis]

The souls contained in the gem get no real notice, given that he has no sense for such matters. But the gems themselves, that's interesting. Naugus turns them over and taps at them curiously while Felix explains the nature of the being they're about to (hopefully) meet.

The wizard perks up especially at the mention of shadows, giving the younger man a toothy smirk. "Sounds like a prince after my own heart. Perhaps it was her reaching across zones and dimensions to grant me my powers of shadowmelding?

"Do you intend to ask her for a boon or an object of power to help Verity?" He puts down the soul gem at last to gesture at the remaining items. "And which of these counts as the keystone, I wonder? Or are there preparations that must go underway first?"

[conjuredskies]

Felix doesn't think to wonder if Naugus can sense the gems' connection to another realm: either way, they have a subject for some interesting conversations later!

"I thought you'd appreciate the choice." He nods happily, pulling off his left gauntlet so he can fish around in his sleeve. "I have the keystone here- but yes, it's my hope she'll grant us some way to counteract the curse. There's no telling what she may ask in return, of course."

He'd be lying if he claimed that didn't send a tingle of fear up his spine. It's just mingled with a frisson of pleasure: excitement now the plan is in motion. He manages at last to draw the 'key' from his sleeve and offer it to Naugus for inspection: it's a lockpick, slender but - one hopes - stronger than it looks.

"The last hope of a cornered thief. If you can't call on Nocturnal with this, it's because she's choosing not to hear."

[ixis]

Naugus takes the lockpick delicately, perhaps reverently, in the pinch of his claw, bringing it nearer to his face to get a good look at it. Turning it over and examining the slender bit of metal before nodding.

"A portal opened by yours truly must often rely on the object designated as a keystone to come from the zone we head to. But ones infused with intent and meaning can step sideways in marvelous ways. New realms that are parallel to the ones aimed for, deviations and pockets ripe for exploring. This will do well, I feel."

Naugus flips the lockpick up into the air and catches it in his one hand, hopping up to his feet upon doing so. "With your permission, I begin my work!" The mage is already eyeing the courtyard, looking for the best open spot to start the conjuration of an arcane doorway.

[conjuredskies]

Felix hides his relief when Naugus agrees to work with the tool: he just nods. “I know it’s not quite the key you asked for, but it’s as good as we’re likely to get. From what I’ve learned, I think you’ll need Nocturnal’s permission – if not her aid – to open a door to her realm anyway. Daedric planes are… interesting.”

He has to marvel at how dextrous Naugus is with that big claw. “Very well.” He replaces his gauntlet and rises, slipping the dagger into his belt. “I’m ready. Once the portal is open, I’ll do what I can to invoke Nocturnal’s presence.”

[ixis]

Naugus crouches down at what must be a suitable spot to begin the process, sweeping aside loose stone and dead grass to clean the selected earth. A tap here and there with his claw, getting a feel for whatever leylines are present, then he starts.

The construction of the portal is meticulous work, but something the beastly mage does with confidence. Circles are drawn, a large one, another inside it, a trio orbiting the main one. The etching happens deftly with the tip of that curious claw, dragging through the stone floor as if it were sand. Symbols soon follow; a large one in the middle, several more radiating outwards, framing the circles already drawn. Once they're done, Naugus studies them for a moment, like rereading over something he'd written and ensuring its accuracy and flow.

Content with what's been made, the lockpick is set into the center of this all, a few more lines and symbols scratched in, and then he stands and begins drawing once more, again beginning with a large circle. But this time, the crafting happens in the very air itself, crackling ribbons of purple energy trailing behind his finger and claw tip, hanging in the air where he describes them. Runes are drawn in this fashion as well, though they snap and flash in the air before fading out, infusing the work with their magic and fizzling out when their purpose is done.

The whole process takes up a good ten minutes of continuous work. One last invocation and there is a loud CRACK, light spilling from that first circle drawn into the air, the doorway forming and opening within it. Ixis Naugus steps aside, his part done. Now it was up to Felix to coax out whatever being he hoped to locate.

Found my notes and wow this got long.

[conjuredskies]

For most of the process Felix stands aside in the shadows, circling to get a better view of what Naugus is doing. He reaches out just enough to try and sense how Naugus’s power threads the space of the prospective gateway. It's entrancing to watch.

There’s a shift in the air when the portal finally takes shape. The shadows seem to gather close among the cracked columns and beneath the fountain, clinging to the folds of the mages’ clothes, spilling out from beneath the portal’s foot. It’s a strange light that shines from within, leaching color from everything around that gate, so that Naugus’ beard looks black and his robes are bleached to white. The birds have fallen silent in the trees. Only a nightingale sings high and lonely outside the ruin's gate.

Naugus can likely feel more, in that last push to open the door. There’s a momentary sense of immense will: distant, shifting, amused perhaps – before the barrier unfolds. As it does the very leylines shift violently. Some fold back to avoid the gate, others are drawn around and into it. Felix starts at the sharp sense of sudden warping in the world around him.

But now it’s his turn, and he steps forward. He bows to his fellow mage, acknowledgment of a part well played, then turns to the portal and spreads his hands. Could they be seen beneath the hood, his eyes are distant; his mind is reaching out beyond the portal, focused on the invitation he’s extending.

“I call upon Lady Nocturnal, Empress of Shadow, Saint of Suspicion, Mistress of Mystery. Hear my voice and grant us audience!” His voice is clear and sure. No shouting. No elaboration. He simply waits, eyes locked on the gate to the Evergloam.

In answer the shadows surge together before them. The Daedra Lord rises from them in a blaze of purple-white power and a storm of black wings, crows scattering from her presence into the dark. She might appear human beneath the grey cloak and cowl that drape her, though she must be eight feet tall and her bare feet do not touch the ground. In the strange shadow-light her skin seems very pale, her eyes black and unreadable. Felix bows to her respectfully. She hardly seems to notice as she studies the pair.

“Well, well. It’s been quite some time since a mortal mage forged a new gateway to my realm.” Her voice is mellow and quite unimpressed. “I expected you to call upon me, little one,” this to Felix, before her attention turns on Naugus, “but you do not belong to his mortal realm. How intriguing.”

LOVE IT.

[ixis]

The change of shadow and power alike is both intriguing and daunting, Naugus' shifting his weight and posture to observe both. The shadows surging and growing is a comforting adjustment, the element familiar and safe. Something he has a clear, easy affinity and link to. The lurch in leylines, not so much. These things shouldn't move, shouldn't gather or scatter in the presence of a single being. That alone gives the Mobian mage an understanding of how vast this Prince could be.

When she emerges, Naugus takes brief refuge behind his cape, lifting it to shield his face from the flurry of energy and crows alike. Only when the presence is among them does it finally lower. It's one part pride and another part wonder that keeps him from bowing like Felix, instead staying upright and looking the massive dark woman up and down.

When he is addressed, Naugus grins and straightens further still, puffing his chest out proudly. "I am an Ixian mage, the last of my caste, and I have thrown in my lot with this young man to see what wonders his realm can offer. Matters of shadow and matters of power are ones I hold dear, after all."

:D! Switching over to the Prince's journal for a bit!

[courtofmurk]

“And well you should. You’ve sought refuge in my domain often enough, haven’t you?” Nocturnal replies archly. A pair of exceptionally large crows return to her, one settling on each of her outspread arms and cocking their heads in unison.

“Don’t think me displeased,” she goes on smoothly. “I’ve granted the audience you were so eager for. But you didn’t call on me for the sake of reverence or childish curiosity. So, what prize have you come to ask this time?”

“My Lady,” Felix says carefully, “we ask your aid for a friend we hold dearly. She suffers under a powerful curse which forces her to see the falsity of any lie or deception. Illusions are laid bare to her. Even the shadows themselves cannot cloud her perception.”

[ixis]

Ixis Naugus' expression softens slightly at the mention of her domain and his refuge there. "...Were it your work that gave me the power to enter the shadows, I...thank you. It gave me safety and solace in times where my own mind was treacherous and I was the plaything of another. Darkness was my companion and my keeper in those times, accepting me and cradling me in its embrace, giving me passage to where ever it touched. Again, if it was your blessing reaching across realms, you have my gratitude."

While he's not extremely excited to admit something so candid and personal in front of Felix, it is something that needs to be said. It's rare that he feels a twinge of anything resembling gratefulness, so it needs to be expressed now if ever.

With that said, he simply nods along with Felix's explanation of his calling on Nocturnal, letting the boy do the talking. He's the summoner here, after all.

[courtofmurk]

It's difficult to read the Prince of Shadows moreso than any other; Nocturnal gives no confirmation, no certain revelations. But she bestows a smile on Naugus for a moment, a strange hint of gentleness as rare as the gratitude he offers. “Your nature belongs to the shadows. I wonder if even you know how many trail at your heels.”

Felix’s head has turned a little toward Naugus in his surprise at these revelations. He has no time to dwell on them, however, for Nocturnal’s eyes are on him once more. “You hope it will please me to see this cruel curse ended.”

The conjurer doesn’t deny that, rather cocks his head a little and says, “We hope that you know some means to alleviate it, at the least. And that some service can be offered in payment for your aid.”

“This is all you ask? Interesting.” Nocturnal’s tone doesn’t betray if that’s sarcasm, and in a way that may be worse than straining to tell if she’s pleased or not. “But very well. You shall have the chance to earn this mercy.”

[ixis]

The more she speaks, the more Ixis Naugus likes her. Nocturnal is certainly a Daedra that he feels a connection to and nearly finds himself wishing that it really was her grace that had given him the gift of shadowslipping. It would be a fine gift, a better comfort, in what sounds like a very trying time in his life.

"I'm certain whatever task or test you put before us, it will be done with aplomb."

[courtofmurk]

“Show me, then. In the streets of Anvil struts a man who fancies himself my enemy. He has gained possession of an item stolen from me long ago, and uses it to feed his swollen pride. Return it to me, and you shall have your reward.”

Felix’s head snaps up at that. “My Lady, I would gladly satisfy your terms, but for us Anvil is a very long journey from here. I… know that mortal time is not always of consequence for the Daedra, but I fear such a precious artifact will be lost to more thieves long before we reach it.”

Nocturnal tsks. “My, you mages have forgotten your craft. How fortunate that your friend knows his way among my paths. When you are prepared to face your task, step through the gate you so thoughtfully provided me. My servants will show you the way.”

[ixis]

Naugus nods and pats Felix on the back vigourously. "He forgets so easily, doesn't he? And the shadows will serve me well either way, if this means a journey into your world. I assume one like me would stand out, so I will keep to the darkness and work from there. Come! It will be a simple task, dealing with some petty thief."

[courtofmurk]

Felix rather feels like a child being tutted at for a silly question (and in this company, he kind of is). But it's a small price for clearing up the matter of their route, without being made to raise his real concerns in Naugus' hearing. So he bows his head to the Prince.

"Of course. Thank you, my Lady." There is an elegant simplicity to it. Naugus can go unseen, Felix can do any talking...

"Come to me again when the prize is in your hands." Something like amusement plays about her eyes for a moment. But the Prince is already folding her arms across her chest, sinking once more into the shadows. Her languid voice resounds through the courtyard regardless: "Fear not. You'll know when you come across it."

[ixis]

He watches her fade before he turns his attention fully to Felix again, giving him another pat on the back. "A vast lady indeed. Now come! We have a quest to attend to! Direct me and we shall make haste." When's the last time he's been on a quest? Feels like ages! The mobian mage is eager to get started.

[conjuredskies]

Felix grins back at him in return. Now that Nocturnal has departed, his tension has eased. True, there's the task ahead and who knows what kind of challenges lie in store for them- but that's overridden by the high thrill of success. He just spoke with a Greater Daedra. He can still feel her power around him- and she's even granted them passage through her realm of Oblivion!

He's glad that Naugus is similarly enthusiastic. Despite his private uncertainties, the sorcerer handled their encounter very well, and Felix really is glad to have his skills to count on.

"Through the gate, I suppose." He's brisk about fetching his satchel and glancing through the contents. There's a spring in his step and delight in his voice. "I'm as prepared as I'm likely to get- and keen to proceed. I've never been able to find more than rumors about the Evergloam, so I can't say what we'll find in there, but the Prince herself just granted us passage. As trips to Oblivion go we couldn't be much safer."

And then there'll be Cyrodiil. His own homeland. That's a pleasant prospect for entirely different reasons.

[ixis]

Naugus feeds off Felix's own excitement in turn, glad to see his young companion is just as eager to begin and isn't shrinking back from this opportunity. "Let us see if it's anything like the shadows I've come to know and travel. I am indeed intrigued now that this blessing of mine could have come from her all along." It answers a lot of questions, both of a personal nature and philosophical. The wizard has often wondered if gods were able to reach past the boundaries of zones and worlds and do their work there, and this would be a pleasing bit of proof towards the positive.

[conjuredskies]

"It's quite possible. The daedra aren't bound to the mortal realm the way the Divines and other spirits are. That's precisely what makes them daedra. It means that they're free to travel between planes and act more directly than the gods most of my people worship." He does enjoy talking about his pet subject. Though he's also curious about the personal details Naugus has shared so far: Felix wonders if he can draw more from him in the course of conversation.

This is so much better than tending a desk no-one visits.

He tightens the straps on his armor and satchel, then remembers to look for the lockpick-turned-key. He'll want that in hand before they go through.

[ixis]

"Good thinking," Naugus agrees when the lockpick is retrieved. "Always wise to keep the keystone on your person. In the event retreat must be done." How fast can Naugus open a portal under duress? Hopefully they won't have to test that.

Only after Felix has stepped through does the other mage follow, looking about the gloomy landscape with keen interest. One ear is pricked upright, listening, while his eyes scan left and right as well as up. What awaits them in this realm?

[conjuredskies]

Felix nods to that concern: he makes a note to ask Naugus later if there's any sign of Nocturnal influencing the portal, but that's another question and he doesn't want to ask what might seem a second silly question in short order.

He's willing to step through first, into the night of Nocturnal's realm. It's a relief to find find solid stone and grass under his feet. Around them lies a rolling woodland of sparse grass and barren, blackened trees. The only light comes from a diffuse glow in the clouded purple sky, and small beds of glowing blooms around the roots of the trees.

The half-light here seems almost normal, but when Felix kneels down to brush a cautious hand over the unfamiliar flowers, their light drains the color from his gauntlets once more.

"Now this is strange," he mutters, but he sounds quite delighted. "Not what I expected at all."

[ixis]

"I rather like it," he answers, a smile pulling at one corner of his mouth. "Whimsical, but still dark. Dark being at the core of things always suits me fine."

With that said, Ixis Naugus strides ahead with purpose, even if he has absolutely zero idea where they're headed to! Felix can try to direct him, but if he has no clue either, then the Mobian is just going to forge onward and assume he's on the right track. He also avoids any source of light, going in whatever direction has the least of it.

"Are your eyes suitable for this?" he asks, not bothering to look back at Felix. "I recall Overlanders not faring well in poor lighting."