to: everyone

[ushiri]

[ While he doesn't really like or trust mass broadcasting like this, he's gotten to a point of frustration where he's throwing some amount of caution to the wind: ]

In Thorne there isn't much useful information recorded about their gods, at least not in the castle.

Considering recent events - anyone else having luck in their research? The mirror, the poison berry - have these symbols appeared before?

[ He knows he's not the only one that's been looking for information. ]

Comments

[funbreaker]

Here I thought I was just missing something. The distinct lack of any tomes about the gods in the castle library seems rather strange, doesn't it?

[ushiri]

If you look hard enough you can find some references here and there, but nothing particularly useful.

I've meant to check elsewhere, but that requires coin, and I find myself severally lacking in that right now.

[ And Thorne, for all the wonderful accommodations and food, doesn't offer a stipend. But with his work lining up, that should change soon. ]

[funbreaker]

How much coin would this endeavor entail?

[ Thancred doesn't have a steady line of work, but he is quite capable of taking odd jobs here and there. He and Urianger have been managing the rental of their tiny flat well enough. ]

[ushiri]

I'm not sure exactly. I guess it depends on how rare and valuable books like that are considered elsewhere. If they even exist.

[funbreaker]

We could start with The Dragon's Keep, unless you already looked there?

[ushiri]

I have, but I think I have a better idea of what to look for now that we've seen some of these signs.

I wouldn't mind an extra pair of eyes, if you're offering.

[ Truthfully this kind of research isn't his thing, he's been brute forcing himself through some very boring texts. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Don't worry, it isn't Thancred's kind of thing either. But he's worked alongside enough scholars that he's used to it all the same. Istredd and Urianger have been busy with their own research, so he may as well make some effort on his end.

And meet another Thorne Summoned, while he's at it. ]

I am, in fact.

Shall we meet there, then? Kyle, is it?

[ushiri]

Yes.

How should I recognize you?

[funbreaker]

Pale hair, dashing good lucks, and I'll have a weapon on my back that's a melding of a sword and a firearm.

[ushiri]

[ Oh? ]

That must be difficult to hide in the castle.

[funbreaker]

I tend to only wander around in the castle with it if I'm making use of the training yard, but in town people are used to it by now.

[ushiri]

I'd be interested in taking a look at it. I've used a bayonet, but I don't know if that's exactly what you mean.

When should we meet?

[funbreaker]

I'll be certain to bring it along, then. I suspect it's not quite what you're picturing, as every other Summoned I've told about it or shown it to has been perplexed, to say the least.

Later today would work fine for me, assuming you don't already have commitments?

[ushiri]

That works for me.

[funbreaker]

[ True to his word, Thancred does arrive at the Dragon's Keep shortly after dinnertime. He nods to Thevan as he enters, registering as a familiar face by now given that he lives in town and Urianger makes such frequent trips to this place. Or sends Thancred in his stead, at times.

He suspects that Kyle will find him, given that he offered no description of himself, and so he starts in on searching through the shelves. With the weapon on his back and boots which appear more suited for combat than a stroll through a village, he should stick out like a sore thumb.

As they guessed, it's not as if the shelves are overflowing with texts about the old faith. He resigns himself to a more thorough search. ]

[ushiri]

[ Kahlil arrives not long after. It's been a few weeks at least since he's been to this shop, having spent more time lately exploring Nott while they have access to the portals.

Thancred stands out as noted. The sword-gun is... strange. He wonders about its balance as he approaches the shelves the other man is sifting through. ]

Thancred?

[ He stops some feet away. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about his own appearance: he's wearing the clothes provided by the castle beneath a long, dark cloak. ]

[funbreaker]

[ As soon as his name's said, Thancred turns his attention away from the shelves to the unassuming man who's approached. He still registers as being Hyuran in Thancred's mind, even after moons spent here among a population made up of only Hyurs.

He wonders how many times Urianger and Himeka have been stopped with questions about their ears and horns, respectively. He's lucky enough to be able to blend in here. ]

In the flesh. [ He gestures down his front with a small flourish, then smiles and nods. ] And you're Kyle, if I'm not mistaken? I've had little luck so far with our search — we may need to question the shopkeeper.

[ushiri]

[ He tips his head in response to his name, easy enough to skip past that part of re-introductions. ]

I figured as much. [ He sighs, glancing in the direction of the owner - Thevan? He remembers the man being friendly and helpful enough. ]

It sounded like you live in town? I don't think I've met any other Summoned that sleeps outside the castle.

[ It seemed to be at the very least mildly discouraged from what he remembered of his earliest conversations. ]

[funbreaker]

[ It is a rather rare thing to do, though it's not as if anyone had stopped them either. Thancred knows why it's not encouraged — the Queen and her court want the Summoned to feel reliant on them. He straightens his shoulders and gives a quick nod. ]

When another companion from home came through the well, we determined that if we pooled our earnings together we could likely afford a small flat. I'd rather not lean on the kindness of the castle if I can support myself.

[ It's as simple as that. Some might see it as a waste of hard-owned coin, but he enjoys having a slightly less tight leash. ]

Shall we? [ With that, he moves over to the front of the store where Thevan is manning the desk. He's a warm, kind sort — enthusiastic about all the books here, as well. ]

[ushiri]

( ooc: Going to handwave/timeskip through this part if that's alright! I've asked the mods about what they could find here and in Nocwich, but the info is still limited outside of Solvunn. )

That's fair.

[ It's a trade off, he thinks. Less eyes on you, but more suspicion in general, maybe. One day he might try to get himself his own place, for now living in the castle suits his own needs.

It's as they predicted. Thevan is happy to be of assistance, but even with money to spend there's little more to be found. Although he's able to pull some books, all of them still lack names or true details about the gods they reference. It's not a popular topic here, with anything related to High Magic considered outdated. He leaves them with apologies, and Kahlil has to mask his frustration, not wishing to take it out on the man. He lets out a sigh as Thevan excuses himself to help some other customers, and Kahlil glances at Thancred to say quietly: ]

Well, that was disappointing. [ A shake of his head and a shrug, a little sardonically: ] Do you have a preference for alcohol or tea to drown your sorrows in?

[funbreaker]

( ooc: That's absolutely fine! Thanks for checking into it. )

What sort of question is that? Alcohol, naturally.

[ There are plenty of places to find it here as well, Thancred will give Thorne that much. He moves toward the door and holds it open for Kyle, suspecting that neither of them have any further interest in the book shop. Thevan did his best to assist, but it's not like he can give them the information out of thin air. ]

Now we know, at least. [ He speaks up again when they're a good distance away from the store. ] The question is if this information has been suppressed purposefully or if information around these gods has truly fallen that out of favor here.

[ It's suspicious that they can find so little, isn't it? Perhaps Hayle or one of the other cities in Thorne has more, but he's not convinced that it would be worth spending one of his "day passes" to investigate unless he had another reason for the trip. ]