[open] don't you want to come with me?

[kingsroads]

Character(s): anyone who wants to go poke some bones
Status: Open
Location(s): Epithymetikon's fall
Date(s) heading out on the 13th. however, the time at the skeleton can be as long or as short as people want.
About: What's up with that skeleton anyway? Time for everyone to find out.
Warnings: creepy magic nonsense

As the party approaches the skeleton, it becomes apparent as to why there are cursed rumors. No animals can be found near the skeleton: horses and animases both start to get a little uneasy and skittish the longer they remain near the skeleton. The dragon's great mouth is held open, as if by magic. At the back of the dragon's rib cage lies a shrine, the contents of which are magically preserved. All in all, it's a very creepy sight.

Still, the exploration party came here for a reason. Might as well get some magical analysis in before the behavior of the horses and animases force people to turn back.

( ooc: Feel free to make your own starter and tag around! Here is information about the gravesite itself as well as some ""fun"" things that might happen, should your character use some magic + be the dingus who decides to do necromancy. Feel free to have your character notice any/all of these in their explorations. )

Comments

Jonathan Strange | ota!

[kingsroads]

nerdy academic bullshit
Sure, this place is a little odd. That shrine inside the dragon is damn odd, and Strange makes a note to examine it more later. But there's still so much here that he can explore, that he wants to take note of and try and use to help out his hypotheses and theories about the true state of the dragons.

At the moment, some of the runes have his attention. He frowns a little, looking at one of the dragons ribs, as he scratches a few things down in the small notepad he brought. "It looks like an anti-necromancy rune," muses the man who's got a solid chunk of experience with these sort of things thanks to his own work in necromancy. Strange is talking aloud, possibly disturbing someone's conversation, possibly just talking to himself. "But why the hell would they put it on the dragon? Surely it would take more magic than your average sorcerer just to even attempt to raise the damn thing."

a case of the jitters
The longer they remain here, the more on edge Strange gets. Which...is odd. Rationally speaking, he shouldn't be on edge. It's just a skeleton. Nothing more. But the behavior of his animas, the anti-necromancy runes all around the place, and the fact that once, he could have sworn he saw something familiar and shadowy out of the corner of his vision, are all adding up together to put Strange a little on edge. Okay. Maybe this place is haunted.

So, he walks up to someone else in the science party. His animas is in his hands: Bell, the hare, is trembling, nose wiggling every few seconds, eyes darting around as if she was scared something might get her. "Perhaps there is some validity to the idea of this place being cursed," he admits.

oh you know which one

[cryptsleeper]

After Krimnos, after going home to see naught but remains, there is a sort of joy in going out and doing this kind of work. It's as close to Alucard's old life has he has gotten since this all began, and perhaps that means he is overdoing it. He saved up to buy tiny shovels for God's sake, and between that and spending about half an hour floating over the skeleton to draw it from overhead (and then landing to try and figure out the depths of what is under all of the clay earth), he's...having a good time.

Which also means that any statements like Strange's are going to be responded to with a little too much flippancy.

"Oh, I can't imagine why," he says. Alucard's on the ground with a big measuring stick, driving it into the earth to try and get another depth measurement. "It isn't as if better safe than sorry with this kind of magic is the worst idea possible."

It's a good idea and people like Strange are why the runes are there, so far as he can determine.

who's ready to ARGUE ABOUT NECROMANCY

[kingsroads]

Strange makes a small little scoffing noise as he returns to copying the runes. "Quite frankly, making a concentrated effort to bury the thing would be more effective than these runes. I've only seen them used in obscure texts. And, to be honest, I've no idea if they even work or not. It just seems like a waste of time and energy."

Says the person who also kind of wants to see if he can necromancy the dragon? But that's something Strange can mull over later.

He only has one tiny shovel which is more of a garden spade and quite frankly, is a little bit jealous of Alucard's tiny shovels and ability to fly (when could he do that?!). Thankfully, Strange did come prepared with other forms of ways to measure the earth and take samples. But as long as Alucard's doing that, he'll save his measuring for later. Lord knows the other man would probably criticize him on his dirt gathering or something ridiculous like that.

ONLY THESE TWO

[cryptsleeper]

"There's no point. The impact of dragons just landing here would be felt throughout the region, so if one buries it, then it's even more suspicious. Better to let things accumulate naturally and protect the bones in-situ than to disrupt the natural burial and potential fossilization process."

Alucard pauses just long enough to add the current depth he's at, murmuring something about likely position of elbow before taking the measuring equipment out and moving a few feet further down.

"At any rate, it all boils down to how you interpret what we're looking at. Is this an object in full, is it a set of remains, is it a living memorial, or something else entirely? All of these meanings have been attached already."

Also yes. Yes he would have opinion on gathering dirt properly. Did you properly label your samples with exact locations?

[kingsroads]

"The shrine and room inside the rib cage give it the impression of a memorial over a set of remains. Perhaps the going thought was something like 'we can't move it and won't bury it, might as well make use of it.'"

After all, there were spells around the offerings. That involved a level of preparation that most people wouldn't take for a funerary bouquet. Strange takes a knee, sketching out more of the runes as he continues to argue with Alucard about this situation. There's nothing accusatory or angry in his tone: he's someone who likes arguing and debating for the sake of arguing and debating.

"Though the general atmosphere does poke a hole in the memorial theory. Whoever put that shrine there must have taken their time doing so."

[cryptsleeper]

"Memorials can have longer and more detailed thought put into them," he counters. Alucard's prodding at the ground again, and this time he does hit a bone. To himself he tsks, the dirt isn't as tall as it was just a few feet ago.

"But let's put aside that fact and consider the matter that it's there at all. I'd like to know how frequently it's used for it's intended purpose, and when it began given the general horror and fury at the dragons when the war concluded."

A sentiment that had Alucard survived, he would have shared. He still does. "Treat this as a site of pilgrimage instead of as a set of remains and thus an object one could add to a collection."

[kingsroads]

"I don't collect the things I revive," Strange scoffs. "I take the necessary studies, ask the necessary questions, and then dispatch them back to the realm of the dead. Of course, the dragon would be different."

He realizes this is the first time he's outright said he does necromancy. But half of his conversations with Alucard implied it and he doubts the man will brand him a traitor or a heretic at this revelation. Just an idiot.

"As for the memorial, considering that most people think this place cursed, I suspect it's only used by an individual or a small group. It's certainly not something that gets regular foot traffic."

[aceso]

Christine is also holding her animas, perched on her curled fingers as she strokes her feathers in concern. She looks up as Strange approaches, glad for the opportunity to speak with him alone.

"I think we should leave soon," she says without preamble. "I know there's something here. I can... I can see them. I can see through Azoth's eyes. Remember that trinket I found on the dead orc? That's what it's for: seeing through an animal's eyes."

[kingsroads]

There's about a hundred questions he's got about Christine's trinket: he just needs to think about what the best question to ask is. So, Strange frowns a little, wearing on the inside of his lip as he thinks, before he decides on his question and asks,

"Does it work for any animal or just Azoth? And what does the something look like?"

There's a little hesitancy in Strange's voice that he's desperately trying to hide.

[aceso]

"It might work for any, but I haven't tried yet. I assume if the orc had it, it was because he was a beast tamer or some such thing." Despite taking the time to further explain it, Christine is anxious being here and is speaking quickly.

"However, when I first activated it, I saw my vision and Azoth's at once, and now I can access it by focusing on her. I think maybe proximity played a role, and her sight has been 'set' as the one I can access." She blows out a breath, looking towards the rib bones and then back.

"There are shadows, and some dominant figure, but I can't make it out. There's just this... weight pressing down, and it feels like I'm spying on something I shouldn't see."

[kingsroads]

Strange normally tries to keep up an air of being cocky, confident, and headstrong. That being said, as soon as Christine mentions a dominant figure, he goes a little pale. Because he thought he saw something as well, though his were the hallucinations of someone dead and revived.

"Could you at least tell if the figure was on a horse?"

[aceso]

Now it's Christine's turn to look startled. He obviously has a sense of what she means, though perhaps it's different for each person?

"No, indeed. The shape was standing. Around your height. Are you saying you've seen someone on a horse, or are you expecting such a thing?"

[kingsroads]

"I don't know," Strange admits. The nervousness is rising a little as he looks out, seemingly at nothing.

"I thought I saw a figure on a horse, out of the corner of my eye. But when I turned to look at it, it wasn't there." Strange laughs a little, mostly to try and cover up the nervousness. "Still, it's reassuring that you saw something as well. I thought I was going mad again!"

nerds

[dorzalta]

She's not one for science, having spent little time as a girl learning it. No, magic is what Viserys taught her, and it's magic she uses, now. Jon told her of this trip, and he's the reason she's here. Well that, and her curiosity over examining a dragon up close, corpse or not.

Irriella, her animas, is outside rolling around in the snow; every now and then, the red panda announces her presence with a hic-cough. And Dany is examining one of the ribs etched with runes, a small flame burning brightly in her palm as she smoothes her gloved fingers against dirt and grit. Age did this. "It's such a shame," she murmurs, "To have anyone mar his bones in this way."

She's not formally met Strange, but Jon's told her about him. So when he speaks, she looks over toward him.

"What if it's not for him? Look--"

She kneels down, pressing her palm (and the flame) to the soil. Instantly, it jumps around her fingers, the fire roaring to life.

[kingsroads]

Well then. That's unexpected. Strange's eyes widen in surprise as he looks down at the soil and at how quickly Dany's magic started to work. There's a brief look of surprise before a wild grin appears on Strange's face. "It could be for both," he muses. "If the soil is more naturally conducive to magic around here, then the anti-necromancy runes could be put to try and stop someone from performing the ritual. I thought that it was too great a spell for anyone to cast but now..."

There's a manic look in his eyes like he's actually thinking of the pros and cons of necromancying the dragon here and now, before that look fades and his smile shifts a little.

"Needless to say, you're right about one thing: it is a shame to see the bones marred. The dragons are great beasts. They deserve more respect than this."

[dorzalta]

"They're not beasts," she corrects, quick as a whip. She's standing again, hand unmarred from the flames which seemed to burst from beneath her palm. Her tone is patient--for now. "They're intelligent. He was intelligent, for all that he allowed strength and pride to cloud his vision."

Her fingers trail along Epithymetikon's rib again, touch gentle like a mother's would be. There's much to relate with: the loss of a parental figure, the way power and authority spiralizes out of control when left unchecked. She shakes her head, looking away from the runes and to Strange.

"I wonder if we could borrow the soil? Or would it lose its potency when far enough away from his remains?" Not that she's necessarily thinking about resurrecting anything, but if the potency leeches from his bones and saturates the land, then it would be safe to assume that everything around Epithymetikon's remains could be utilized to amplify one's magic. "You're proficient in necromancy?"

That look of his... it was fevered in a way that reminds her of an academic, or someone teetering on the edge of a growing obsession.

[kingsroads]

"There's one way to find out," Strange responds. He sticks the pencil behind his ear and shoves the notepad into one of his coat pockets. Then, his hands go to the other coat pocket as Strange rummages around a bit before pulling out a small, corked test tube. At least in his mind, the one way to find out is to take samples.

His trowel is a bit further away, inside his messenger bag, but Strange is the sort of obnoxious show off who would use magic for the smallest things. He bends down to the ground, places the test tube on the earth, and murmurs an incantation under his breath. A small trail of earth starts to move, filling the test tube halfway up with dust and dirt.

"And yes, I am proficient in necromancy. Or at least, I'm proficient enough." Strange knows that there are certainly better necromancers out there, but he's prideful enough that he doesn't want to admit it. "Obviously, this information doesn't leave the dig site."

What with how poorly necromancy's seen, the longer this stays a secret, the better. Still, as Strange talks, it's obvious that he doesn't view necromancy as forbidden or dangerous as most of the population does.

[dorzalta]

Watching the display in silence, a brow aches when her gaze lifts from the test tube to his face. "Showing off, now?"

She looks amused enough. It's an arrogance she's seen enough times when around the Dothraki. And though he seems nothing like a Dothraki, that arrogance is familiar to a point of being near a comfort. She knows how to deal with it.

What she doesn't know is how to deal with a necromancer. There's nothing inherently wrong with them, of course, and he seems fine enough a man. Surprising he would tell her, considering they've had no formal introductions and the stigma against them.

"Obviously." Better for some things to remain a secret. Lest he gave her a reason to make mention of it, this fact wouldn't leave the dig site. "May I ask what your opinion is on our vials?"

And their resurrections.

[kingsroads]

"Guilty as charged," Strange admits, with a wry smile. Yes, this is a little bit of showing off—he can't and won't deny it. He gets to his feet, recorks the dirt, then slips the vial back in his pocket.

Dany's question takes him a little by surprise. Strange looks a little surprised before he gives her a wide grin. The opportunity to talk and speculate about certain magic? It's his bread and butter.

"My opinion is that the vials themselves don't matter. I think we have a sympathetic connection to the liquids inside. To be blunt, it is possible to die and be resurrected again, after we have previously died. But when we're revived, some of the liquid has lowered." Case in point: himself. And he's certain Shura's vial lessened a bit, though admittedly he hasn't studied it enough.

"I think the vial itself is enchanted somehow just to keep from breaking easily and us losing the liquid that we're tied to. But no matter what, the being or group that raised us must have remarkable power."

The more Strange talks, the more obvious it is why he was a little too free with that necromancer information. He likes talking about their situation and talking about magic. Might as well get his credentials on the table as soon as possible, just so that he doesn't have to do the awkward, talking about aspects of his backstory, that he occasionally has to do with others here and certainly has to do with anyone who isn't awakened.

Rocket | OTA

[rocketraccoon]

Rocket didn't come along to try and learn anything. He had wanted to see the big dumb lizard's bones for himself and going with a party seemed wiser than going alone. Not that he was scared, exactly, but he was uneasy as he always had been in the presence of dragons. There's a thread of triumph in the twice resurrected raccoon, knowing he came back and clearly from the proof before his very eyes old scales hadn't. But it leaves just more unanswerable questions and an uneasy sensation in his gut.

Lylla clings to his leg even more determinedly than usual, his brave otter animas reduced to a clinging second shadow within an hour. Every now and then one of his clawed hands reaches down to stroke her fur before he moves again. He ends up posting up on top of the dragon's skull on his hands and knees, tail flicking about behind him. Lylla's tiny webbed paws are gripping the fabric of his tunic as he scratches at the bone with his claw, clearing away clay to reveal the whitish-beige beneath.

It's real bone, at least, not just some sculpture someone put there to trick them, and that's a reassurance.

"We should just blow the whole thing up. Get rid of it once and for all." He mutters, his shoulders tense as he jerks his head to look out past the dragon's sights. Just one of the horses tossing its mane, but he had thought for a moment it was a very different horse. He grits his teeth, shoving away thoughts of the silent specter from the shadow realm and stands up, brushing dirt from his hands. Lylla startles and shoves herself between his legs, curling up around his feet like a frightened mouse and he drags a hand down over his muzzle with a groan.

"There's nothing here. Look. We can see for miles. What's gotten into you?" His snap of frustration with her helps to mask and distract from his own uneasiness at least.

[kingsroads]

It's been long enough at the skeleton that Strange's excitement and interest has morphed into a little bit of tense nervousness as well. This place is giving Bell the jitters which is giving him the jitters and the fact that he thought he saw that spectral horse is giving him even more jitters...he's starting to see why this place is haunted.

He's exploring the top of the skull as well, just to see if there's anything new he can discover. So Strange hears Rocket's frustration and can't help but laugh a little at it: it's a short, slightly tense sort of laugh.

"I think that's why she's acting odd. There's nothing here." No birds, no vermin, no animals like you would normally see in travels like this.

[rocketraccoon]

Rocket's fur bristles when Strange speaks, too distracted to notice they had company until the man is there with them, his voice a sudden discomfort in the otherwise too-still and too-silent surroundings. He exhales after a moment, and turns just enough to catch Strange with one eye, looking at him and then back out over the land.

He has noticed the sparse surroundings, but Rocket had forcibly chalked it up to the winter weather and the cold, trying to convince himself it had nothing to do with the land or the monstrous skull beneath them now.

"Damn dragons scarin' everything off even now that they're just bones." He picks Lylla up under one arm, the imagery slightly ridiculous given how she's only half his size, and turns to look back at the organizer of this field trip of theirs.

His ears are angled back and his fur is visibly sticking up at odd ends, his body betraying the unease he is trying to conceal.

"They're long dead and they ain't getting back up. Messages or otherwise." He taps his bare foot on the top of the skull and shakes his head. "These bones are as real as ours. No illusions or tricks."

[kingsroads]

"I wouldn't be so certain of that," Strange says, with a little shake of his head. "The bones may be there but what of the spirit? You'd need both in order to properly revive them. Likewise, there are theories that imperfect resurrections can be done with just the spirit."

Surprising no one, the dragon fanboy isn't ready to entirely give up on his hopes that the dragons are alive somewhere.

There's a hare at his feet: she's got reddish brown fur and a blood red marking of some kind on her chest. Bell the hare is just as nervous as Lylla the otter, sticking close to Strange's feet as if that would somehow protect her from whatever this is.

[rocketraccoon]

"No one offered to let me come back in a different body. You tellin me I could have been a goliath if I had waited around for the right offer?" Rocket shifts the direction while he tries to process the possibility that the dragons could be back in new bodies. What if they had been reborn as tiny dragons? What if one of the animas or people wandering around with them was one of the dragons? Rocket didn't like for a second the notion that a spirit could be brought back in a different body. It doubly challenged his views by combining resurrection magic with that complicated faith-based idea that his body wasn't his whole self.

Worse it makes him wonder if Lylla's spirit really is inside the otter that acts so much like his old flame.

He grimaces and digs his claws into his scalp, scratching harder than necessary at an itch well below his skin and inside his very being.

[kingsroads]

"This is all hypothetical, of course, but it might be a lesser offer. Some cultures believe in reincarnation, your same soul into a different body. Likewise, there's theories about golems, souls tied to mechanical or earthen bodies. To be brought back in the exact same body that we were when we died in such good condition...well, I'd call that a greater magic than either of the two."

Strange's tone is light, like they're having an idle chat about academics and not discussing their literal deaths and undeaths. He looks over at Rocket, with a little frown. The elf isn't the most observant person on the planet, but he's at least a little observant: this is really bothering Rocket. So, in a moment of compassion, Strange undercuts his nerdiness.

"Of course, all of those are just theories. I've yet to see any of them proven."