Ruins of the Ancients - Battlemamono RP

[TehDanimal1]

Damn, Magnus looked pretty mad, I looked at Lumen and made a head motion of follow me, mainly because I had a feeling we were going to needing him to explain some things to Magnus. Ilaria had the same look I did. I wondered if Magnus could hear the rumbling or let us report on the situation to him.

[Zadocfish]

The leader of the rescuing party seemed miffed as he walked toward the caravan. Doubtless, he was as curious about it as the man who had just questioned Lumen was. Lumen didn't want to leave the rocks, and he didn't really want the rest of the caravan to leave them, either... but, then again, maybe the military could handle whatever was coming next. He decided to follow Geovanni and his wife as beckoned. Maybe he could be of some further help.

[Firedragon]

All, you follow Magnus who leads you towards the wagons of the caravan. The people who had been travelling with it are already busy packing up and getting ready to continue on their way, now under the protection of the legion. A few legionnaires are helping them while several squads are standing watch in case there's another attack.

One of the merchants is standing with a Centaurion with the same markings of rank as Magnus and a Sulfurr with slightly different ones. The bouldacaea and the foxgirl are also there. The kemomimi is trying to hide a grin when she looks at Magnus, but she's failing, while the Centaurion tells him, "They're not transporting anything out of the ordinary, no large amounts of evolution stones, no wagonload of magic weapons, nothing that would normally draw loci beasts."

The Sulfurr adds, "And these owlbeasts didn't behave like they should have. If this is really happening everywhere, we're in trouble. Who - apart from a full century or a really powerful tamer with a large harem - could hope to survive an attack like this one?"

All the while, the rumbling continues. By now, it is a constant sound, and while it does set everyone on edge, it doesn't seem to be growing closer. In a way, it sounds a bit like a waterfall or something like that - a continuous sound one can safely ignore once one knows its source. Of course, you don't know its source...

[DogKama]

All, you follow Magnus who leads you towards the wagons of the caravan. The people who had been travelling with it are already busy packing up and getting ready to continue on their way, now under the protection of the legion. A few legionnaires are helping them while several squads are standing watch in case there's another attack.

One of the merchants is standing with a Centaurion with the same markings of rank as Magnus and a Sulfurr with slightly different ones. The bouldacaea and the foxgirl are also there. The kemomimi is trying to hide a grin when she looks at Magnus, but she's failing, while the Centaurion tells him, "They're not transporting anything out of the ordinary, no large amounts of evolution stones, no wagonload of magic weapons, nothing that would normally draw loci beasts."

The Sulfurr adds, "And these owlbeasts didn't behave like they should have. If this is really happening everywhere, we're in trouble. Who - apart from a full century or a really powerful tamer with a large harem - could hope to survive an attack like this one?"

All the while, the rumbling continues. By now, it is a constant sound, and while it does set everyone on edge, it doesn't seem to be growing closer. In a way, it sounds a bit like a waterfall or something like that - a continuous sound one can safely ignore once one knows its source. Of course, you don't know its source...

Somewhere along the way Magnus found the other one of his missing team and bring the total to six if he were to include the gentlemen following them. He had wanted to chew them out privately without witnesses to lessen the embarrassment, but if they wanted this documented than so be it. Xander and Itami were following close, mimicking children who knew they were in trouble while Giovanni, Ilaria, and the tag along staggered behind with enough distance just in case they needed to run.

Magnus was already diving into his bag of speeches, picking the best and mixing the rest as he tried organizing the scrambled mess into a coherent whole when the low, but familiar speech tone of a certain officer caught his attention. Compared to waking up from a light nap, the Knight Crusader blinked twice as he adjusted to the light and quickly looked to the left and right before hesitantly looking forward once more.

Magnus, Giovanni and his wife knew who the Centaur was no question as she questioned a foxgirl trying to keep her little ones close. The second, a sulfur, was a hit or miss but how she was grinning as your party(Magnus mostly)arrived gave the hint the two knew each other. This thought was confirmed when Magnus loudly scuffed like the easily agitated brahmin some farmers keep around for milk and meat.

"They're not transporting anything out of the ordinary, no large amounts of evolution stones, no wagonload of magic weapons, nothing that would normally draw loci beasts."

The Sulfurr adds, "And these owlbeasts didn't behave like they should have. If this is really happening everywhere, we're in trouble. Who - apart from a full century or a really powerful tamer with a large harem - could hope to survive an attack like this one?"

Luckily, any previous feelings or inside jokes were replaced with the professionalism distinctly known to the Legion, even GIovanni and Ilaria instinctively straightened as the three commanders discussed among themselves. Still they didn't try to hide what was being said and if you listened closely some could hear everything being discussed (PM me before posting to see if you heard their conversation).

As quickly as it started the three broke off with Flavia and the sulfurr departing for the loosely gathered soliders, leaving Magnus his assembled team to their own devices.

Magnus waited until the two officers were some distance before turning back directly at the lot of you, his earlier agitation mostly gone.

"I don't like..this." He says suddenly as he briefly suggests the caravan with a wave of his left hand. "I may be young but old enough to know attacks like this just don't start happening, but before we start..."

With the quickness of the lamia families Magnus was pointing a finger at the odd man out, the only one not assigned to the team. Everyone looks to Lumen and to Magnus unsure what's going to happen with a few about ready to jump to his aid when their commander spoke.

"This matter doesn't concern you sir, whatever business with this caravan you have will have to wait." Magnus lowered his accusing finger and continued. "Please join the rest of the passengers until we give the word its alright, but till then just wait patiently."

(The call is your Lumen if you obey this officer's orders or press your luck and try to stay. If you do, be ready to clarify your reasons for travailing with the caravan and why letting you stay will benefit Magnus' goals.)

[TehDanimal1]

"Please join the rest of the passengers until we give the word its alright, but till then just wait patiently."

"Magnus, sir, before you dismiss him I think you should hear him out, he was there at the initial attack so he might be able to give you some insight on it, as well as do you hear that rumbling sir?"

I tried to get to the point as usual, this rumbling was making me anxious. More so than the thought of a rampaging Horde of Owlbeasts.

[DogKama]

"Please join the rest of the passengers until we give the word its alright, but till then just wait patiently."

"Magnus, sir, before you dismiss him I think you should hear him out, he was there at the initial attack so he might be able to give you some insight on it, as well as do you hear that rumbling sir?"

I tried to get to the point as usual, this rumbling was making me anxious. More so than the thought of a rampaging Horde of Owlbeasts.

Giovanni's sudden interest in the matter caught Magnus off balance but quickly recovered as he gazed at the young soldier. His point is true but Magnus had already thought about that but felt putting a civilian in potential danger wasn't worth the risk. Besides Knight Crusader Flavia and his second in command Ylva had already questioned a number of the caravan, checked the cargo, wagons and even the little toys the few children had brought with them and nothing close to incriminating turned up.

Magnus turned his attention back to the civilian and sagged his shoulders. " I was put in charge of this team, to test the limits of our capabilities while maintaining an image of Legion professionalism. I won't have this team be responsible for the protection of another, let alone willing put them in danger."

He raises his left hand to cut off any back talk before adding one last line.

"Unless you know something the others don't I'm not willing to take that risk. The sooner we finish our own investigation the faster we can leave." Magnus declared as he watched you, his eyes almost unseen shifting toward the distinct, and growing rumblings.

[Zadocfish]

"Sir," Lumen began, assuming a rigid position. After all, he was now interacting with the Nu-Rome military! "I believe I could be of some use. The beasts were clearly acting on something beyond themselves. I'm... something of an expert on soul and the nature of volition," he continued. This was true; his studies into Death and Fire magic had taught him much about souls. "I'm a mage, you see... um, self-taught," he added for the sake of honesty.

Lumen offered what little conjecture he could. "The owlbeasts were being controlled by something, that's obvious. It's possible that that roaring sound is some kind of control signal. But either way, finding out what's controlling them and how is going to be paramount. If it has anything to do with magical control, I might be able to help with the investigation!" It stood to reason, after all, that if something's will was being bent, the soul would be involved in some way. His studies could prove important. "I also have, uh, magic for a variety of situations," he finished weakly as he felt the military officer's gaze.

[KillMoves]

Magnus didn't say anything but he wasn't fooling anyone. He was mad. Or annoyed or irritated. Whatever he was going to do about us, it had to wait. He and the others began talking. Me? I was outside of it all. I was just some grunt after all. Need to know basis and all that. I just stood and checked if there any more uninvited guests in this party.

"Whoops." I muttered as I saw some supplies fall down. I went over to help load the stuff back into the wagon. I'd be mindful of the gratitude probably hurled at me if it wasn't for that rumbling sound. I had heard it before but the circumstances earlier made me ignore it. Now it was just getting annoying.

"I don't like..this. I may be young but old enough to know attacks like this just don't start happening, but before we start..."

Magnus announced before talking to that mage that was fighting with the caravan earlier. I should've expected that we were going to investigate that buzz but I was underprepared. I only had one Fire arrow left and eight normal ones. I was more of a meat shield now than a magical archer. I could make some more but that would require finding white paint and getting Magnus to wait.

No. I was pretty sure he'll just put me in the open and have his magic boys tear apart anything that wanted to make a meal out of me.

[Animajunki123]

Just as I was about to begin my work of trying to figure out the reasoning behind the owlbeast attack, the sudden sound of familiar voice talking stopped me before I could begin.

Lo and Behold it was commander Magnus.

He didn't look outright angry or anything, but it was easy to see that he was not happy.

Oh boy was this gonna be fun.

However, unlike the severe tongue lashing I was expecting, Magnus continued onward past me and Itami. However, he did tell us to come with him. that was never a good sign in my book, but understandable.

I was about to say something before Itami spoke up.

"I... uhh... dragged Xander in the... in the heat of the moment. If there's any sort of punishment, just put it on me."

Well... thats really really nice of him to do, but I know when I fucked up. Not trying to appear a Martyr or anything, I spoke up.

"Not true. My idea all around. I dragged him[/i] here with me sir because to be honest, I thought it would be a good idea to get here faster to try to save more lives... we see how well that went in any case..."

Whether he was interested in what I was saying or not was up to commander Magnus as he kept on and went to examine the wreckage in the wake of the owlbeast attack.

I decided to follow if only for the sake of not wanting to piss him off anymore.

Also, that sound was really starting to worry me. if it was just a temporary thing, then it wouldn't bug me all that much, but this continued droning sound was concerning to say the least. I know I wasn't the only one seeing as Giovoni pointed it out. Also. it seems as if we have an extra, the mage I noticed from earlier from the looks of it.

I continued to let Lumen (who was his name) and Magnus converse for a moment before I finally spoke up as Magnus attempted to dismiss him.

"Commander Magnus... I know I don't really have the right to say anything right this moment, but he is a mage, and in all honesty, we could use a little more magical muscle in our group. Albeit temporarily and only for the duration of this initial investigation... but thats just a thought on my part after all. Also sir, if I have your permission, I would like to begin to scan the area to see if I can find out anything about the owlbeasts odd behavior and see if it happens to be magical in nature... cause I'll be honest, this does not sit well with me at all."

[Firedragon]

Lumen, the legion officer apparently isn't thrilled by the idea of having you tag along, but you have a feeling that you should find out what's going on here and who - or what - is controlling loci beasts in this way.

As far as you know, there really isn't any way to control such a large number of loci beasts and make them behave totally different from how they behave normally. It might be possible to control a few of them, and by controlling the pack leader, one could conceivably gain some kind of control over the whole pack (if only indirectly), but that wouldn't explain what you've seen. This owlbeast horde must have been made up of numerous packs, and nobody could have prevented those packs from tearing each other apart simply by controlling a few pack leaders.
This level of close and apparently complete control over so many basically uncontrollable beings is - or should be - impossible. No spell you've ever even heard of would work like this, especially not for any appreciable amount of time. Maybe for a few moments, maybe even an hour or two, but even that would require a veritable army of highly specialized archmages...


Xander, you're quite sure Magnus isn't done with you yet (making you clean all the barracks in Septencusto or something similary unpleasant comes to mind), but apparently, you're not going to be summarily executed.

Be that as it may, the constant sound in the background suddenly reminds you of something you once saw and heard when your master Caius took you to a major elemental node near Nu-Rome. Incredible amounts of fire energy were being drawn into and through a huge crystal and channeled to other places by several mages, powering magitek in the city state and the arcane shielding "cloaking" the city from the often hostile world (large concentrations of humans and mamono usually quickly draw loci beasts and wyrd storms unless large amounts of elemental energy are used to prevent it).

Your thoughts are interrupted when the Bouldacaea smiles at you and approaches. "So, does the hero have a name?" she asks with a grin, making it obvious that she's not really serious about the 'hero' part (though it's equally obvious she doesn't mind the idea per se...).


Itami, your attempt to draw Magnus' ire away from Xander is sabotaged by the latter. Seems as if you won't pull off any selfless acts for now. And you don't have any alcohol left, either. To make matters worse, you're out of arrows (maybe you should start preparing larger numbers of arrows as soon as you find the time).

Suddenly, you notice the foxgirl looking at you. While she's clearly focused on you (and keeping her children nearby apparently without consciously thinking about it), she does seem to be somehow distracted, almost as if she's listening to something. You see the small orbs of light hovering above her tails suddenly flare up before dimming again. After a moment, she walks up to you, smiles at you a little sadly and hands you a small piece of wood. A quick glance shows you that arcane runes cover the token, and while you recognize some of them as the runes for the arcane and celestial elements, most of them are indecipherable to you. "Use this to gain entrance to the shrine," the mamono murmurs before turning away and herding her children towards the waiting caravan.


Giovanni, Magnus doesn't seem to be convinced adding another headache to those he already has to deal with (in other words, you guys...) would be a good idea. Ilaria is also keeping quiet and trying not to draw attention, but she does tell you something she noticed in a whisper, "I think the owlbeasts were being... used... against the caravan because it ventured too close to some place. I don't know why, but it feels as if the whole point was to frighten people away from somewhere..."

Thinking about it, this does seem to make sense - the threat of loci beast attacks would certainly keep people away, and you can't come up with any other reason for all of this. Sure, someone (or something) could just be out for blood, and this world often enough seems hell-bent on throwing loci beasts, wyrd storms, natural desasters and anything else it can come up with at humans and mamono, but this attack seems to be more than a random attack without direction. Not to mention that whoever or whatever can force so many loci beasts to act against their nature practically has to have some objective...


Magnus, Flavia and Ylva apparently have things under control and will make sure the caravan makes it to Septencusto in one piece, so you're free to do some investigating. Once you've impressed the need for at least some discipline on your squad, that is...

In any case, the Centaurions form up and move out to act as scouts, while your century forms a protective cordon around the caravan. Ylva motions for everyone to start moving while she returns to you for a moment and glances at the caravan. "I'll make sure nothing else happens to them, so don't worry about this." After a moment, she adds, "But you better come back alive, too - I don't want to tell Isadora you managed to get yourself killed out here..." With that, she turns away and quickly catches up with the other legionnaires.

Trying to get your bearings, you're quite sure you've discerned the direction this ominous rumbling is coming from. If memory serves, there should be some hills ahead that supposedly hide some ancient ruins, though as far as you know, nobody has ever found actually found them - or if someone did, they didn't come back...

[Animajunki123]

I could only internally sigh in relief a bit as it seemed as if I wasn't headed for imprisonment or downright execution, though I do doubt that would have been necessary. However, even I could tell that the commander was going to chew my ass out later. I can only hope he is slightly merciful in some regard due to the fact that maybe my actions saved lives... though I wasn't going to bet on it.

However, seeing as the commander was busy with his two... lieutenants, It gave me some more time to think and try to come up with an explanation to the scenario that just played out... or I would have if the loud buzzing in the background wasn't giving me a headache.

I Had noticed the sound ever since the combat had ended, and truth be told, it seems to be something everyone had noticed. However, for me, it was proving to be quite irritating, though I knew that it had to be important. The last time I had this much problem thinking on my own was when Master Caius and I had gone out that one time for him to examine a elemental node in Nu-Rome that one time. He was asked to oversee the elemental conversion of raw Fire essence into a protective cloak around the city. He had told me that it was something that I would need to know seeing as I was a mage, and this was something I would be required to do more often then naught. However, the horrible buzzing was just as bad now as it was back the-

...

wait a second.

Hold on there for a second.

Could it be? Could this sound also have a similar origin?

It would explain a bit... heck, a lot if that was true. but I couldn't be so sure just yet, I could just be jumping to some conclusions here. Regardless though, I would think it would need to be brought to Commander Magnus's attention when I get a chance to speak with him. It could be useful for the rest of the group to know as well.

However, I thought to keep it to myself until Magnus was done talking with the other Nu-rome legionaries. However, my own attention was accosted when the Bouldacaea from earlier came into my line of sight. She was smiling at me and coming closer before she eventually stopped in front of me. I should probably note that she stands a good head taller then me by far, which gave a me a good view of her ample bust line and collar bone.

Eyes up Xander, she's talking.

"So, does the hero have a name?"

I could only blink a few times in some confusion at her wording before it hit me. She's asking for my name. a little unsure of myself for a moment, I nod my head and respond in kind, though I was somewhat hesitant in my wording as a did.

"Uh... sorry, Xander. My Name is Xander. Also, if anyone's a hero, it's everyone else who managed to do actual fighting. I more or less just kinda came in and tried not to die. Which I would say was an overwhelming success seeing as I'm still breathing eh? If anything, you and the other mamono woman, the Wulfguard, did a lot more to save everyone then I did. Thanks a lot for that by the way. Um... whats your name?"

[TehDanimal1]

Ilaria is also keeping quiet and trying not to draw attention, but she does tell you something she noticed in a whisper, "I think the owlbeasts were being... used... against the caravan because it ventured too close to some place. I don't know why, but it feels as if the whole point was to frighten people away from somewhere..."

She's right, and that would explain some of the unusual behavior of those things. But what's out here worth protecting? That I didn't know, although I do know someone, "Magnus, sir, what do you know of this area? Is there anything important or worth having and guarding around here?" I began informing him about the thought that my wife had about the situation, i thought it was pretty insightful and important. It might even explain that damn rumbling.

[KillMoves]

Out of nowhere, I notice some fox woman with her kids looking at me intently. I thought she was just mustering up the courage to approach and thank me but that went out the window the moment she walked up to me with a sad smile. She then gave me a small, wooden token with some inscriptions on them. "W-what?" That was the only thing I could mutter as I fruitlessly try to figure out why this fox woman gave me this weird coin. Literal token of gratitude perhaps? No, that was not it.

"Use this to gain entrance to the shrine,"

The fox lady murmured before going back to the caravan with her kids. "Ooookaaayy..." I examined the wooden coin more closely and found that there were symbols on it. Some I recognized as the elemental symbols but the others I just had no idea. No way was I gonna just take this without finding out why and where else will I find better answers than the one who gave me this in the first place.

I chased after the fox woman. "Hey, hey, lady! What's this supposed to mean?"

[DogKama]

Magnus, Flavia and Ylva apparently have things under control and will make sure the caravan makes it to Septencusto in one piece, so you're free to do some investigating. Once you've impressed the need for at least some discipline on your squad, that is...

In any case, the Centaurions form up and move out to act as scouts, while your century forms a protective cordon around the caravan. Ylva motions for everyone to start moving while she returns to you for a moment and glances at the caravan. "I'll make sure nothing else happens to them, so don't worry about this." After a moment, she adds, "But you better come back alive, too - I don't want to tell Isadora you managed to get yourself killed out here..." With that, she turns away and quickly catches up with the other legionnaires.

Trying to get your bearings, you're quite sure you've discerned the direction this ominous rumbling is coming from. If memory serves, there should be some hills ahead that supposedly hide some ancient ruins, though as far as you know, nobody has ever found actually found them - or if someone did, they didn't come back...

(Heads up Animajunkie, Flavia is my equal in rank. Ylva is my lieutenant.)

Magnus couldn't help but to smile at the worry etched in the contours of Ylva's face. Not because he thought the situation was funny in any regard but moments like this are what reinforced his thankfulness for meeting such a Sulfur. Every time she does something he disagreed with Ylva will counter it with a heartfelt intention such as this. Now, a solider of Magnus' ranking is to not only set but enforce examples meant for the rest of the unit to follow and adopt, but given the circumstance he felt bending the rules would be fine.

His head quickly turned to the left and than to the right noting how many people were around (which was much, and even than his team was slightly occupied) and quickly when forward gripping the Sulfurr in an iron like embrace. It was quick and it took a strong will for Magnus to keep it up longer than a second..two seconds before breaking off the hug, putting a little distance between him and his lieutenant friend.

"Thank you Ylva. Isadora and I are very lucky to have a friend of your caliber." he fully meant before mumbling something under his breath that sounded like...

"Hey, hey, lady! What's this supposed to mean?"

Whatever he was saying was cut off as Itami cried, submitting all local conversation as he bolted off after some woman with her kids.

"Damn it, leave that woman along!" Magnus shouted back.

He was about to take off after that mad hunter but turned back around end his chat with Ylva but relaxed when he found her no longer there. Instead, he could note her bushy clay red tail swaying back and forth as she ran to take her spot in front of the century. Magnus felt a little terrible for his rude behavior but squared his shoulders once more to figure out just what do next. He had considered running after that hunter..Itama? Close enough, but refrained since he somehow lost that devil in between the abandoned wagons. Strangely, he couldn't hear anything that sounded like running or yelling; the only chatter was coming from the young mage and that nice Bouldacaea.

The rest was the barking of orders, the stomping of hooves,feet, paws and armour clanking as the legion and merchants began the return trip back to Septencusto.

"Magnus, sir, what do you know of this area? Is there anything important or worth having and guarding around here?"

A commanders work never done, Magnus turned his attention to the pair of legionaries silently standing next to one of the abandoned wagons, causing Magnus to question how he forgot about them. Still their question(theirs from how both were waiting for some answer) calmed his anger just a bit to allow him the opportunity to think.

"Not much I'm afraid. I just entered the region about two or three years priors, and what little I know of the area is mostly second hand hear say. But..." Magnus stretched that word out of habit, and while not severing directly under his command had learned from others that it meant a speech was about to start.

"... I did hear something reallyinteresting, involving that patch of wilderness over there." He pointed to the woods where it was safe to assume the owlbeast had originated from. "First, are the two of you familiar with the creation myth?"

(Magnus is referring to how Man and Mamono came to be. You can either try and find that little tidbit somewhere on TMM or take a shot in the dark. Your guesses wont' effect anything, so feel free to be creative. )

[TehDanimal1]

"First, are the two of you familiar with the creation myth?"

"Of course, they teach some of it in the Academy when they start talking about forming teams and why its a tradition, as well as its referred to in several marriage ceremonies, I think ours made reference to it about 3 or 4 times," I looked at Ilaria, she shrugged in agreement. "So what does something so old have to deal with what we dealt with now?" Magnus had me curious.

(I'd figured maybe help try to establish some world detail lore )

[Zadocfish]

The commander didn't seem to be paying Lumen any attention, understandably; almost as soon as Lumen had spoken, several military types took the man's attention, one after the other. Well, he had already been pointed out to the commander, so it wasn't like Lumen could just pretend to belong there. Or could he...? It was worth a try. There WAS a lot of activity and noise; he would stick around, regardless. If he was called upon, he would try to defend his presence.

"First, are the two of you familiar with the creation myth?"

This got Lumen's full attention. He knew of the origin of Nu-Rome, and of humanity as a whole: humans had come to the world from somewhere else, presumably somewhere where female human beings were common. They met Mamono not long after arrival; Nu-Rome seems to have been built on the site of the first human/Mamono bonding. This much was well-documented by ancient historians. But nobody knew for sure where Mamono had come from. Many theories were proposed by the old scholars, but they hadn't really came up with anything convincing. But apparently, one particular version of the origin myth became popular enough to be taught in Nu-Rome academies?

Lumen had never studied in an academy; he had always had only dusty books and zeal to work with. He was fascinated to hear the accepted academic version of the story. Thus, he continued staying out of the way and eavesdropped.

That was his intention, at least. His eye was drawn by a sudden glimmer on one of the owlbeast's bodies. He tried to keep listening as he headed over and investigated. It was a badge... or maybe a necklace? Oh, this was relevant. This was very, very relevant. He started trying to remove the object from the dead creature; first, of course, insuring that it was in fact dead.

[DogKama]

"First, are the two of you familiar with the creation myth?"

"Of course, they teach some of it in the Academy when they start talking about forming teams and why its a tradition, as well as its referred to in several marriage ceremonies, I think ours made reference to it about 3 or 4 times," I looked at Ilaria, she shrugged in agreement. "So what does something so old have to deal with what we dealt with now?" Magnus had me curious.

(I'd figured maybe help try to establish some world detail lore )

"In a way that is what I mean, but not the exact thing I'm looking for. In those types of ceremonies and special functions, its common to hear about man and mamono being created through the blood of a boy who tripped, thus coming together to form the first mamono. This is the widely popular myth, but not the one I'm talking about." Magnus ended this opening just in time to see that persistent caravan mage wonder off, gaining the courage to poke at one of the owlbeast bodies.

He turned back to Ilaria and Giovanni.

"While its still used and practiced around all parts of the frontier and homeland, this region still strongly believes in the 'Wind Theory'. The theory basically states that man lived elsewhere on Fligorial before discovering our current land of Lupa. Now a very farfetched but entrenched idea is that Man itself doesn't come from Fligorial but from the stars themselves and that the half tamed mamono today are living reminders of a mamono's life before 'our two races' met." Magnus quoted this bit with much disgust, given how the phrase is implied.


"In short, that other world theory claims Man left ruins behind and they're the supposed evidence of a prior advanced race people stumble upon every now and then. The kicker is that one of these suppose ruins happens to reside somewhere near here, or so the locals say."

[TehDanimal1]

"In a way that is what I mean, but not the exact thing I'm looking for. In those types of ceremonies and special functions, its common to hear about man and mamono being created through the blood of a boy who tripped, thus coming together to form the first mamono. This is the widely popular myth, but not the one I'm talking about."

"While its still used and practiced around all parts of the frontier and homeland, this region still strongly believes in the 'Wind Theory'. The theory basically states that man lived elsewhere on Fligorial before discovering our current land of Lupa. Now a very farfetched but entrenched idea is that Man itself doesn't come from Fligorial but from the stars themselves and that the half tamed mamono today are living reminders of a mamono's life before 'our two races' met." Magnus quoted this bit with much disgust, given how the phrase is implied.


"In short, that other world theory claims Man left ruins behind and they're the supposed evidence of a prior advanced race people stumble upon every now and then. The kicker is that one of these suppose ruins happens to reside somewhere near here, or so the locals say."

This made me more curious, mainly because I think I missed some stuff while in the Academy, but for one for there to be such an ancient ruin nearby and no constant researchers going out to investigate it with no Legion support is quite odd and two makes the Owlbeasts look less of a natural occurrence now. I wonder how close that caravan got and what or whom did something to cause such a deterrent to activate? And are there more deterrents and are they even worse than what we just dealt with?

I furrowed my brow, "So you are saying there is a nearby ancient ruin, that potentially has all sorts of information about Life as we know it? But instead of posting any Legion there and sending in researchers and mages and what not we've left it alone? And in doing so, someone or something has potentially set up residence in that very same ruins and may possibly responsible for the attack?"

I looked at Ilaria with a grin and then turned towards Magnus, "So when are we going to take a look ourselves?" Checking out these ruins is well within this new formed "Team's" job description. As well as this will make us famous, if we're lucky to survive and bring back anything of interest. Especially since it seems that no one has found these ruins. Although I'm feeling a little irritated right now, that buzzing is growing, I looked at Xander, "Hey, Xander do you have any more insight on the situation either the Owlbeasts, the apparent nearby Ruins or this horrible buzzing?"

[Animajunki123]

(this is under the premise Xander and the Bouldacaea have already had there conversation and thus will write out the conversation when I get it in the next post)

Upon finishing my conversation with the Bouldacaea, I noted that Magnus and Giovanni where currently in the middle of a conversation. Simply assuming it had to do with the recent attack, I decided to interject myself into the conversation in a timely manner, my previous thoughts coming to light in regards to the strange buzzing.

"In answer to your question Giovanni, I don't really have a definitive explanation to any of it. I do however have something of a vague theory that holds water. IN regards to the buzzing sound actually. This isn't a proven fact, but I am about 89% certain that it sounds remarkably similar to an elemental node. In the event you don't know what that is, it's like a massive magical sponge that mages can put energy into, and take out of. one happens to run a great deal of power through Nu-rome and it helps to shield the city from Loci beast attacks. It's just a hypothesis so far, but if these ruins are as old as you say, then maybe it's something like what we have in Nu-rome? I mean, it's been going since we got here if I remember correctly, and it might have something to do with how the Owlbeasts started acting the way they did... If we want a better idea of it though, I would say we should probably check it out to be sure. cause if it is an elemental node, then someone turned it on, and a great deal of people have to be around to keep it running. A great deal of magical someones to be precise."

[Zadocfish]

Lumen tried to keep an ear on the conversation, even as he studied the thing around the owlbeast's neck. He had to watch for signs of motion on the beast's body, of course, which meant that his concentration was split three ways; he was a good multi-tasker when it came to mental tasks, however.

Hearing the snippets of conversation lowered the mystery somewhat. Okay, then, the academies apparently did not totally accept the accounts of Darrin and Osgood as fact; that was good to know. Perhaps there was something amiss with them, after all, though in that old library the ancient testimonies had seem to him iron-clad. That was how it was with history, after all.

More importantly, there was a major ruin not far off. Also, the buzzing matched the sound of a large magical device. This necklace around the owlbeast was also a very important piece of what was rapidly ceasing to be a puzzle, Lumen realized. As he looked at the thing on the neck, a thought crossed his mind. He dared not turn his head away from the beast's unmoving form, but even so tried to position his mouth so that one of the surrounding officials would hear him.

"Hey! Could one of you check on the owlbeast's bodies? See if there's something on their necks!" He bore no authority to the military types, but he hoped they would listen. The mystery was no mystery, after all, if the same object was to be found on the neck of all of the beasts, or even more than one of them.