Post by mcian on Apr 16, 2023 21:27:04 GMT -5
Answering a summons for a proficient, professional, alchemist, Anthraxas found his way to the estate indicated on the flyer as the “Crystal Palace” north, northeast of Luna. Upon arrival he discovered the name was no misnomer – the entire structure was comprised of the same green crystals that abounded in that peculiar land. A guard at the door took the flyer from him and nodded, allowing him entry, telling him, “Go straight through the two doors into the Great Hall. Lord Damian will meet with you shortly.”
He followed the man’s directions, waiting inside an expansive chamber lavishly furnished in the style of an accomplished, proud, mage: a large crystal ball lay in the center of the room upon an arcane circle of onyx and gold; an oversized spell book, its pages slowly turning on their own; and twin chairs facing toward him, ornately carved in onyx and gold.
Anthraxas had been here before but had departed the realm to conduct extended personal business. Upon learning of the opening his old friend requested, he came to see if this business would be more profitable. If it was not, he would return to the solace of his former residence.
Damian arrived via a tile portal and approached him. “Ah, my old friend! So good to see you. I am pleased you answered my call.”
“It is good to see you again as well. I was becoming rather bored. Your missive may be just the thing I need to keep life from becoming stale. What happened to your former alchemists? Dharzhal and Darthos?”
“Let us be more comfortable,” Damian replied. He led Anthraxas to the second floor where there was a lounge. “Would you like anything to drink, or eat?” he asked.
Anthraxas shook his head. “No food, just wine, thank you.”
Damian poured him a goblet of wine, handed it to him, and seated himself across from his guest. “Dharzhal went back to his people and seems happy there. I think he found a wife. Darthos, well, he disappointed me. He made a colossal blunder that cost me a lot of time and money, not to mention relationships. I told him to clear out.”
Tasting the wine, and nodding approval of it, Anthraxas paused for a moment. “That is unusually gracious of you. Used to be such failures ended in death of the offender,” he commented.
Damian smiled. “He is too skilled to kill. One does not throw away such assets. I may have need of him again sometime. I do not burn bridges like I used to… it’s a very foolish and expensive activity.”
“What is it you want me to do?”
“I need your skills as alchemist foremost, but there are some relationships I would like to have restored if possible. You are Viscount of Yew, are you not?”
Anthraxas nodded. “I am. Although I do not dwell there now, I still enjoy its rural tone and temperament, though I prefer Moonglow now..”
“Excellent! Perfect! I will pay you whatever you ask. Gold is no object.”
Anthraxas nodded, taking another sip of wine. “Let us not talk of money. I have another interest. There is a woman I have been thinking of – one whom I fancied a long time ago. I know she is here. I want to meet with her again, just for old times’ sake,” he explained with a smile.
“Do I know her, this youthful desire?”
“Yes. She is the one person that I know from the old days.”
Damian’s eyes widened. “What is your aim concerning her?”
Setting down the goblet, Anthraxas stood up, preparing to leave. “Nothing serious, I assure you. My guess is she is married by now. I only wish to see her again and, if possible, be friends,” he explained, “You know… talk about old times.
“Does she have a name?” he inquired, smiling.
Anthraxas grinned. “I shall be going now. I have purchased a residence nearby. Summon me when you need me to begin work, or visit and we can discuss restoring these relationships,” he added. “I need to get some rest; the journey here was exhausting.” He gave a slight bow and exited the room.
Anthraxas, who also went by the name “Thraxas” for short, smiled to himself.
I think I am going to enjoy this visit. That place suits me. When the time is right, I will make it mine, and for whomever else I choose.
BIO:
Anthraxas/Thraxas is a founding citizen of Britannia and proud of it. His home has historically been Yew, but he is now more comfortable among the mages of Moonglow. He has a checkered past and aligns mainly as Chaotic Neutral, loving freedom and freedom of action above all else but is not entirely uncaring. He is an aristocrat, being tainted with an aristocrat’s hubris and snobbery, but tempers that by being personable, approachable, even affable, when it suits him. He also carries a secret that only few know, but it is a dark one which he keeps hidden. He is a bachelor, is heterosexual, and has no children. He is an enthusiast and practitioner of the arcane.
Note FYI: I did not name this character; the account was bequeathed to me. When the anthrax scare (a decade ago?) was going on, a player made a comment about the poor taste of the name. I asked a GM to change it, which he did (forgot who). However, when I moved him the first time from Atlantic to Catskils, the name reverted to the original.
He followed the man’s directions, waiting inside an expansive chamber lavishly furnished in the style of an accomplished, proud, mage: a large crystal ball lay in the center of the room upon an arcane circle of onyx and gold; an oversized spell book, its pages slowly turning on their own; and twin chairs facing toward him, ornately carved in onyx and gold.
Anthraxas had been here before but had departed the realm to conduct extended personal business. Upon learning of the opening his old friend requested, he came to see if this business would be more profitable. If it was not, he would return to the solace of his former residence.
Damian arrived via a tile portal and approached him. “Ah, my old friend! So good to see you. I am pleased you answered my call.”
“It is good to see you again as well. I was becoming rather bored. Your missive may be just the thing I need to keep life from becoming stale. What happened to your former alchemists? Dharzhal and Darthos?”
“Let us be more comfortable,” Damian replied. He led Anthraxas to the second floor where there was a lounge. “Would you like anything to drink, or eat?” he asked.
Anthraxas shook his head. “No food, just wine, thank you.”
Damian poured him a goblet of wine, handed it to him, and seated himself across from his guest. “Dharzhal went back to his people and seems happy there. I think he found a wife. Darthos, well, he disappointed me. He made a colossal blunder that cost me a lot of time and money, not to mention relationships. I told him to clear out.”
Tasting the wine, and nodding approval of it, Anthraxas paused for a moment. “That is unusually gracious of you. Used to be such failures ended in death of the offender,” he commented.
Damian smiled. “He is too skilled to kill. One does not throw away such assets. I may have need of him again sometime. I do not burn bridges like I used to… it’s a very foolish and expensive activity.”
“What is it you want me to do?”
“I need your skills as alchemist foremost, but there are some relationships I would like to have restored if possible. You are Viscount of Yew, are you not?”
Anthraxas nodded. “I am. Although I do not dwell there now, I still enjoy its rural tone and temperament, though I prefer Moonglow now..”
“Excellent! Perfect! I will pay you whatever you ask. Gold is no object.”
Anthraxas nodded, taking another sip of wine. “Let us not talk of money. I have another interest. There is a woman I have been thinking of – one whom I fancied a long time ago. I know she is here. I want to meet with her again, just for old times’ sake,” he explained with a smile.
“Do I know her, this youthful desire?”
“Yes. She is the one person that I know from the old days.”
Damian’s eyes widened. “What is your aim concerning her?”
Setting down the goblet, Anthraxas stood up, preparing to leave. “Nothing serious, I assure you. My guess is she is married by now. I only wish to see her again and, if possible, be friends,” he explained, “You know… talk about old times.
“Does she have a name?” he inquired, smiling.
Anthraxas grinned. “I shall be going now. I have purchased a residence nearby. Summon me when you need me to begin work, or visit and we can discuss restoring these relationships,” he added. “I need to get some rest; the journey here was exhausting.” He gave a slight bow and exited the room.
Anthraxas, who also went by the name “Thraxas” for short, smiled to himself.
I think I am going to enjoy this visit. That place suits me. When the time is right, I will make it mine, and for whomever else I choose.
BIO:
Anthraxas/Thraxas is a founding citizen of Britannia and proud of it. His home has historically been Yew, but he is now more comfortable among the mages of Moonglow. He has a checkered past and aligns mainly as Chaotic Neutral, loving freedom and freedom of action above all else but is not entirely uncaring. He is an aristocrat, being tainted with an aristocrat’s hubris and snobbery, but tempers that by being personable, approachable, even affable, when it suits him. He also carries a secret that only few know, but it is a dark one which he keeps hidden. He is a bachelor, is heterosexual, and has no children. He is an enthusiast and practitioner of the arcane.
Note FYI: I did not name this character; the account was bequeathed to me. When the anthrax scare (a decade ago?) was going on, a player made a comment about the poor taste of the name. I asked a GM to change it, which he did (forgot who). However, when I moved him the first time from Atlantic to Catskils, the name reverted to the original.