Open Exploration: The Old Capital.

[thequestgiver]

Where: The Old Capital
When: RD6, all day
What: The Hero of the Mountains has come and gone from the Old Capital, just passing our heroes on the way. Time to explore the city in her aftermath?



On the surface, the Old Capital looks much like Schwanheim, only without the two rivers flanking the castle. It's much smaller, the houses father apart and older looking that the more crowded capital, and far more ordered. It has the feel of a city that was planned out. The castle stands in the center, simple, yet impressive, navy blue banners flapping from the the towers that grace each corner, acting as gateway to the 4 wide streets that slice through the circular town like the spokes of a wheel, dividing it into sections. One quarter is the market and craftsman district, the road leading to the castle lined with stalls and merchants with goods on blankets, side streets winding down towards the less sightly businesses. Flanking it on both ends are two housing districts, the smaller homes closer to the market, getting larger as they head for the 4th district, full of large mansions and an impressive church.

There's a large clock tower in the market district that matches the one back in Schwanheim, and a bulletin board much the same.

The clock is stopped, the board blank, and there is an eerie feeling as if something is just... missing. A lack of bird song. A lack of breeze. An odd feeling of stillness, almost as if one were walking through a ghost town even though there are still people about their daily chores as if nothing's wrong.

Comments

[shorterinperson]

Alanna didn't like being told by the villagers what she ought to be doing, but in this particular case it was what she intended to do anyway. The rumors around town were often confusing and false, but they were usually based in some manner of truth. If there was word of something strange, it was almost certainly worth looking into.

She saddled her horse and packed her bags, and my the 6th of Rebirth's Decline she was leading her horse through town. Odd indeed, and she wondered why the villagers were so calm. Was everyone in this gods-cursed realm brain-dead? It sure seemed like it.

[thequestgiver]

The calmness would seem even more strange as it seemed none of the villagers noticed her presence, going about their business as if she weren't even there.

There's the whole town to explore, Alanna. What would you like to see first?

[shorterinperson]

She headed in the direction of the castle. On the way, though, she stopped one of the villagers passing her by as though she didn't exist.

"Excuse me?"

[consultmybooks]

He'd checked in one last time with Ginia and Helios, just to make sure that they were on the right track, just to make sure they could find him here...

And then, taking a breath he didn't need, Giles set off into the city.

He hadn't expected there to be this many people. Somehow, the words "old capitol" had implied to him...well, abandonment. Not this, not a city still apparently alive and well. And yet, as he moves a little further in, he can tell that something isn't quite right. These people feel like ghosts, even as they prove able to pass through him as easy as the citizens of Schwanheim.

Giles' first stop is the bulletin board. Maybe they're a bit better here at keeping up on currente vents than Schwanheim has proven to be, over the last few days. He'll stay visible, for the most part, unless he's passing through a particularly thick crowd and wants to take the sting out of being walked through.

[thequestgiver]

Visible or not, no one pays him any mind.

The bulletin board is utterly blank, devoid of any postings and seemingly faded and in disuse, despite the rather healthy amount of people, some of which are looking at the blank board as if reading something that only they can see.

[consultmybooks]

Giles is surprised to see so many people around a seemingly blank bulletin board. After watching them for a second, just to be sure that they aren't just that interested in the woodwork, he finally ducks in front of the nearest citizen, trying to get their attention.

"E-Excuse me. Um, sorry, I was just wondering...what are you staring at?"

[sorcerous]

"I suppose you feel quite at home in this city," remarks Loki. He is in human form now, dressed in dark colors. Sticking to the shadows. He feels stronger, that way.

But this city -- it is a city of ghosts. No one sees him. No one speaks to him. He has slipped through, listening, but he has learned nothing good.

[consultmybooks]

Giles lets out a yelp of surprise, doing an appreciable imitation of stumbling to a stop. He looks around, spots Loki, and then goes a bit pale. Oh, dear, and life had been going so very well. He'd almost forgotten that Loki might be pissed off at him.

"Um, n-no, actually, not really," he says, fidgeting with his glasses. "I, I mean, I confess I'd hoped to encounter some...others, like myself, but these people...well, they aren't."

Then, because this is more than he'd been able to gather on his own, Giles tries to press the relevant point that is not related to his current state. "They're ignoring you as well, then?"

[folklorist]

Helios will follow whoever else to the Old Capital and will do exploring of his own. It's not a town of this size to be so...quiet and so stagnant. It's eerie on the level that the people wandering around are not disturbed in the slightest bit at the events around them. He'll move towards any one nearby, "ah! E-Excuse me?"

He just wanted to ask a few questions, maybe get a bit more information about this place. A library or anything really. He's not sure where to start though but asking the people living here is usually the best course of action, usually.

[thequestgiver]

There's no reaction at all from anyone he attempts to talk to. It's as if they cannot see or hear him.

[folklorist]

Helios is honestly taken aback by the reaction. Was he not clear enough? Or...was it something else? He'll try waving down a man that passes by, getting nothing in return as he looks clean through him, or at least pass him.

"Strange..." very strange is putting it mildly. It's downright alarming and he can't seem to get anyone's attention whatsoever. He'll find no change in the people's behavior, will he? A defeated sigh and a frown as he looks around. Exploring by himself it is then. He'll start off by the mansions and wealthier looking establishments then.

[knowsmorethanyou]

Boredom has begun to set in. There's only so often a person can read completely irrelevant things before not caring anymore, even knowing that carelessness is the easiest way to mess up.

But the old Capital has to have a library of its own, right? And if this new, amazing "hero" is there, perhaps there is something to be found.

So, Aralu makes her way away from Schwanheim, intent on finding actual research material and this person everyone is talking about. When she reaches the old Capital, she makes a beeline for the castle, only paying minor attention to the bustling marketplace.

[thequestgiver]

As she approaches the castle, the air seems to get thicker, her movements slowing despite her intent. It's as if there is a force around the castle, trying to push back at anyone who would go near.

[knowsmorethanyou]

Well. A sure sign that there's something interesting there. Aralu stops moving forward, as it doesn't really work too well, and attempts sideways movement.

[shadedsunlight]

Ginia rides into the city on horseback and gives an appraising look at the city spread out before her. She was already on her way toward the arena due to Giles' message, but the rumors she heard flying around were also a good enough reason to check the place out. She carefully guides her horse down the street, avoiding people as they go about their day, though she notices not a single person gives any notice of her or her horse, even when she has to rein back her horse to avoid bumping into someone.

Strange. Very, very strange. First things first, Ginia needs to find a place to stable her horse. Then a bit of exploring and meeting up with Giles.

[thequestgiver]

Stabling the horse may be a bit tricky. Not only does no one seem to notice either Ginia or her horse, but they even seem to go right though them both.

Ginia may need to find other arrangements she can mange herself.

[sorcerous]

He believes the town isn't real. It wouldn't be the first time they have been tempted and fooled so, and there are certainly powers capable of it.

He is human again, dressed in dark colors, staying to the shadows. Like a skulking spy, not a prince; but, then, he feels little enough like a prince these days. And he is not eager to speak with his brother, no matter what Sif may say.

He goes to the castle. There must be answers to be found there.

[thequestgiver]

As he approaches, the air around the castle seems to get thicker, impeding his motion as if there were an invisible force pushing him back.

[brosif]

"You're here?"

Deep her own investigations, she hadn't seen him arrive. The surprise on her face is clear -- she honestly thought that he would opt to spend the day with his Queen mother.

The Castle

[thequestgiver]

While there are many things about the town that are strange and surreal, no place sticks out quite as much as the castle in the center, if for no other reason than the barrier that is around it, causing anyone who would attempt to approach by normal means to slow to a stop.

When normal means fail, perhaps some abnormal means should be attempted?

[consultmybooks]

At the very edge of the barrier, a ghost lingers - arms folded, foot tapping, regarding the obstacle with the critical eye of someone stumped. He'd gotten a few respectable feet in, but by then it had felt like being stuck in the bottle again. At that point, Giles had quickly retreated, with the air itself feeling as though it were shoving him back outside, so much so that he'd actually stumbled upon reaching the open air again.

Perhaps magic might serve him better...or perhaps turning himself invisible, which in the past has at least served to make it easier for people to pass through him.

[shorterinperson]

Alanna stomped around the city for quite some time before returning to the castle with a vengeance. She still couldn't quite make it through, but that didn't stop her from stomping around some more, setting her magic around her willy nilly in something like a purple fog.

[brosif]

More than anything else in the town, the castle has held her attention. Perhaps for reasons of self-preservation. They collect princes and princesses so easily here that Sif is left to wonder if the old capital had a glut of them as well.

She stops, frowning. She has no magic, no shortcuts to offer.

before checking out the castle!

[shorterinperson]

Alanna was frustrated, but not quite ready to give up yet. The clock tower was another suspicious outlier. If time was stopped, or turned back like she was beginning to suspect, then a clock was a good place to look. She approached the tower with a frown.

She didn't actually know anything about clocks.

[shadedsunlight]

Ginia rides toward the clock tower on the back of her horse, surveying the tower as it grows closer. She remembers how strangely the clock tower back in Schwanheim was acting and wonders if there's any connection here. It may be a stretch, but it is a lead where are none others.

It pleases her to see someone else at the tower and she offers a friendly smile and wave of her hand as she approaches.