What the hell, she had nothing to lose at this point. She could spend a little more time dealing with the man's mental difficulties. Riven sighed and took a seat opposite Relivash, setting her sword at the side of her chair, leaned back into it, and crossed her arms. "Alright, one last game..."
Riven took a breath, her brain filing through various different things. If played right, she could deduce the hierarchy of the Incident, and possibly gather even more information, assuming she could make sense of the man's crazed ramblings and riddles. Ralston Farnsley had been charged with hiding coded messages within the Journal of Justice. That made him the...
"Messenger." But, the messenger for what, exactly? Between which parties? Hopefully Relivash's explanation would give her more information than she'd been able to gather so far...
Post by Heywan Relivash on Feb 21, 2013 0:51:31 GMT -5
His eyes go blank. His person, lank, seems oh-so-far away. She hears him say, "Black was the code encrypted in prose upon each journal page, scripted by a gifted mage--in any way she chose--each night before the writer rose."
Bending his own will, he stays stony, still, but for his lips, which form the barely audible words, "Jarvan Lightshield the Fourth."
Riven's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Flowery, crazed prose or not, the man had just implicated LeBlanc as the one who drafted the messages coded within the Journal of Justice, while Farnsley simply printed them in the issues. So they were involved, and Noxus wasn't simply a victim here. She still had more to ask, however.
Jarvan the Fourth was said to have attacked Swain as he made his rounds of the Noxian camp. It was unlikely that the Prince would take such actions, and even after the initial attack, he was not seen again. Had LeBlanc played a part in this as well? If she was already involved in the coded messages, it was certain she'd played a part here. But, Riven had to be sure. She needed evidence. Her mind turned to a scrap of paper found in Kalamanda's prison... 'mirror play' the note had said...
Post by Heywan Relivash on Feb 21, 2013 1:45:25 GMT -5
Still and silent, leaning on the table, he keeps his face as calm as he is able. Finally, he breathes in deep to say, "If he looked into it on that day, he'd not find his reflection staring back, but the images of his past played like a track. The Prince's heart hung heavy and it burst, an overburdened levy in the rain, cursed with his memories' pain."
He clasped his hands white knuckled in his lap, then trembling, answered back, "Boram Darkwill."
More manipulation of truths, haunting guises of the prince's past. The riddle was difficult to grasp, but it seemed that it, too, implicated LeBlanc's trickery and manipulation. LeBlanc toying with what was seen, while Swain played the part of the innocent victim, scorned by his enemies. It was the perfect plot to garner respect and admiration in the vacuum left by Darkwill. It was another theory confirmed, in her mind...
Riven listened to the third name, the next to last. If she responded correctly, it was possible she would learn the identity of the assassin that had stripped Noxus of it's leader, something no one else outside the conspirators truly knew. The gravity of her word choice weighed heavily on her mind as she pondered. Finally, she spoke, her heart quickening in her chest.
He had been assassinated, but by who? Assassins used blades or poisons. Could 'blade' be an adequate word? But what if it had been magic? What if a blade had played little part? It seemed impossible that a blade could have killed all of the guard. Perhaps 'assassin'? The man could then link Darkwill to his assassin. However, Relivash had already mentioned footprints. Demacian footprints. Could 'footprints' be the best choice to learn to whom the prints belonged? It had to be one of them, but which one? Only one thing was true, and there were many lies.
The pressure on Riven was immense, but, finally, she made her choice, unsure if she'd walked the best course of action.
Post by Heywan Relivash on Feb 21, 2013 21:22:53 GMT -5
He struggles for a time, lost deep within his inner hell. This answer is so close to what he cannot tell. His body shivers, wracked with his frustration as he delivers this next piece of information. "Truth be told I needed him gone. He could not be appeased for long, and nor could he be reasoned with--perhaps you are aware of this. But I had no idea they'd act so soon, and beneath the crescent moon we found the corpses littering the ground, the guards all slain by sword and mace. Their blood and guts splattered the place. But to this day the thing that haunts me most is Darkwill's face: contorted, gaunt, as though he'd seen a ghost... No violence to his body could we find. He died within the maelstrom of his mind."
He steels himself for one final exchange. His mannerisms change. His eyes squeeze closed; his tremor grows as though fueled by his rage, his fury at confinement to this cage. He speaks the final name, begrudgingly, as though its very utterance gives him pain: "Jericho Swain."
Unfortunately, Riven couldn't make much sense of the man's riddle this time. It implicated violence, and yet, no evidence of an assassination, exactly. Could LeBlanc have warped the minds of the men into attacking themselves? She was certainly good at manipulating the situation, and illusions were her specialty. Riven wasn't sure, but the final name cut through her pondering like a razor blade.
Jericho Swain, the very man she'd come here to learn about, and find proof of his dark dealings. She had a million questions, too many directions. She seemed to understand now that the man had to speak around the subject. Perhaps a curse placed upon him by someone to keep him silent... However, there was one thing she needed when it came to Jericho Swain. She didn't need his place on the ladder, he was obviously involved, because LeBlanc was involved.
Even if he could not tell what had happened directly...perhaps he could directed her where to find what she needed in a more concrete manner. He could direct her to where she could find...
Post by Heywan Relivash on Feb 22, 2013 19:15:39 GMT -5
His eyes spring open, though he does not meet her gaze. He fixates on the wall, blue orbs ablaze. His voice just a whisper, just a breath, he presses on, his visage pale as death: "You cannot prove a truth you do not know. So down his path of shadows you must go. On where you must begin, I've changed my mind--for proof of shadows in the dark is hard to find. So if you wish to make transgressions right, perhaps you must seek council with the Light."
He heaves a sigh of weariness, relief, and knits his brows to demonstrate his grief. "His account may mark your dangerous journey with its glow. And here I've told you everything I can and you must go..." Silently he rises, strides exhausted to the bed, where he lays his weary head upon his pillow. White hair spreads out like the tendrils of a willow. And quietly he sobs while he succumbs to sleep. A picture of that melancholy tree, he weeps.
Riven nods and sighs. Council with the Light, he had said. His account, he had said. It was not Luxanna Crownguard, but Jarvan Lightshield who was implicated. It would make the most sense, after all, the prince WAS directly involved. However, the thought of her marching into Demacia and looking for help, an audience with the Prince himself, was troublesome.
Returning to Noxus was one thing. Walking into the city of her homeland's enemies in an attempt to gather information would both create a public disturbance in Demacia, but also spread word back to Noxus that she was sighted in Demacia, perhaps even talking with the city-state's leaders. The rumors that would be created from that action alone would be hugely detrimental to her public image, and do more harm than good. There had to be another way...
"Thank you, Councilor..." Riven would rise and make her exit from the holding chamber. The door would open and she would leave, closing it behind her. The same process as before was repeated, and after a few moments, Riven was leaving the belly of the institute surrounded by several high ranking summoners, escorting her away, new knowledge in mind...
Welcome to Maelstrom, Original Characters, Summoners and Champions alike. We are a divergent setting roleplay forum for the ever-popular MOBA by Riot, League of Legends. This means we are based in Riot canon, but your characters' actions can have a real, lasting impact on the world. Together, the Maelstrom community endeavors to bring the League of Legends setting and characters to life through collaborative storytelling and meaningful development. We welcome you along for the ride.
Hang out in a citystate, visit the Institute of War, explore the uncharted recesses of Runeterra. Whatever you decide, good luck, have fun and happy writing.
hello new skin yes. gonna work out some kinks but let me know what you guys think. it's not all that flashy but i didn't really like the tabs so the side bar is back. oh and the cbox has also made it's appearance. -rurin.
Maelstrom was created by Swain. Written content is copyrighted to their creators on this site. The skin is created by Wolf and mini-profile template by Kuroya of Gangnam Style. The board and thread remodel is by Kagney and has been heavily edited by Rurin. League of Legends is owned by Riot Games. Maelstrom does not claim ownership to any images used unless stated otherwise.
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