Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 12, 2014 17:06:35 GMT -5
[June 10th, 23 CLE]
The Great Hall of the Institute was certainly impressive, living up to every single story told of it in Piltover. The power of the League was obvious wherever one would look, and the sheer splendor of the building was more than enough to astonish Arren. He walked a few cautious steps forward, not entirely sure where he would go within the Institute. It had been a gut feeling to come here, since if anyone would know about mysterious magical artifacts, it would almost certainly be someone here in the Institute of War. The question still remained, though, of where he would start?
Last Edit: Jun 16, 2014 4:04:19 GMT -5 by Arren Kelvess
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 16, 2014 2:41:48 GMT -5
The Institute of war was indeed an impressive sight. Wide halls and tall columns, with magical torches hanging from the sides and the ceiling, their ethereal flames casting ghastly blue lights everywhere, adding to the mysterious impression the place was giving. And yet ... it seemed so empty. Aside from the guardians at the gate, there was nobody around. No sounds, except for the mild crackling and humming of the magical torches. However, soon that silence was broken by a distant sound, drawing closer, and closer.
*CLINK, CLANK, CLINK, CLANK...*
Orianna was having a free day, today. No matches to respond to, no social gatherings to attend, no nothing. As of late, she had more days like this one, more than she would've preferred. And confined within the Institute's walls, the automaton has found itself ... bored. She had absolutely nothing to do. Having spent half of a day locked up in her room rereading the books she had seen so many times already, the metal girl decided to go out, and ... look for somebody. At the very worst, she could always bother the gate guards, who didn't like talking to her, but were bound to a specific location, and not allowed to leave. The Ball was with her, floating around, letting out chirps and cracks of static electricity. Ever so protective of its mistress.
*CLINK, CLANK, CLINK, CLANK...*
They marched on down the corridor, towards the Great Hall, and the entrance of the Institute. And, having turned around the corner, Orianna suddenly ... stopped. Her head turned around 60 degrees, eyes focusing on the distant figure. It was a man, a relatively young-looking man. He was armed - she could notice a holster strapped to his hip. And he seemed ... lost. Orianna could tell. He turned his head left and right, and proceeded slowly - as she had read, those were the signs of a human not being familiar with the environment. The Ball let out a strange note made to sound suspicious.
- I do not know who it is, Ball. Lets go and find out.
With that, Orianna and her techmaturgical companion proceeded towards the man. It wasn't hard to notice her - the metallic clanking of her feet against the stone floor could be heard a mile away, echoing within these walls. The automaton had stopped merely meters away from him, standing still, while the head tilted up and down, looking at the stranger from tip to toe, before focusing on his face, making eyecontact.
- Hello. My name is Orianna. We do not recall seeing you before. You are looking for something. How can we help you?
Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 16, 2014 3:32:55 GMT -5
The first thing Arren noticed was the metallic clicking of clockwork, not an uncommon sound from where he was from, but not something he had expected to hear, either. Of course he had heard the stories of the Champion, Orianna, but honestly he had assumed that one of the Summoners belonging to the Institute of War would have been the first person he would meet there. Considering they mostly ran the show, as it were...but it mattered not. Orianna was here, and better yet, was more than willing to offer assistance.
"I- yes, I am looking for something. Information, really, though I'm unsure of where exactly to begin. Who, or where, would I go to ask about magical artifacts, specifically some that may have been recovered within the past few months?" he asked, still a little off-put by the automaton. Just as the stories had said, she was almost human, but there were just enough small things about her that weren't quite right. He tried to ignore his slight discomfort, as he didn't wish to offend the Champion, especially right after meeting her.
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 16, 2014 4:01:41 GMT -5
Orianna tilted her head again, still focused on the man's face, as he presented his quarry.
He was a bit nervous, she could tell - from that small stuttering at the beginning of the sentence, to the overall body language. The automaton had read plenty on that, in her spare time. However, she didn't seem to care too much - this is how most people felt around her, and the reaction she was very much used to. The Ball chirped something, and hovered closer to her, Orianna gingerly wrapping her arms around the spherical frame, keeping it tugged under her chest. Then suddenly, she inquired:
- Who are you? Are you a summoner? You do not look like one.
The Ball began whirring and bleeping erratically and suspiciously in Orianna's hands, as she said that, but kept it down once her metallic fingers stroked the surface of it, as if to calm down an annoying pet. There was no hostility or suspicion in the automaton's voice, however. No, there was barely any emotion, other than perhaps a tint of idle curiosity.
- All of the artifacts brought to the League are in the Artifact Vault of the Arcanum Majoris. If you are not a summoner, I don't think you will be allowed there. - the automaton said, a small frown appearing on her face, and looking a bit away, imitating regret. However her voice indicated no such thing, remaining as neutral and monotone as ever. She then looked back at him, the artificial frown disappearing, her metallic eyebrows slightly lifting, a display of curiosity.
- Why are you asking? I am curious. And the Ball is, too.
Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 16, 2014 4:25:04 GMT -5
"No, I am not a Summoner. I'm just a man, not a bit of magical talent in me. I'll leave such things for those with the money and the time to pursue them. I've got other things to deal with for now...things that I am unsure of how long it might take to resolve them." Arren shook his head slightly, as if to clear unpleasant memories. "But I need to speak with...whoever manages the Vault, then. I don't need to see the artifacts, but I do need information about them, and I would guess that the person who knows enough about said artifacts would also be the one who manages the Vault itself."
If he couldn't enter the Arcanum Majoris, though, his trip here might be substantially longer. Any large organization would have the bureaucracy to sort through, and though he might be loathe to admit it, every system had a purpose. Besides, it would give him a chance to see the Institute itself, and all of the many wonders it held within that many of his comrades could only dream of seeing.
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 16, 2014 9:00:26 GMT -5
Orianna stood still, while listening to the man's explanation.
At times, she moved, adjusting her posture by slightest degrees with sharp, sudden twitches. At others, she stood still and motionless like a statue, the only things moving being her metallic skirt, and the key in her back, each of those followed by familiar ticking. The man talked much, but did not answer the automaton's question. Some might've thought that suspicious, but for her it was merely a matter of repeating it again. But first...
- Kourelan Empherlin is the headmaster of the Vault. If you wish to find out about the artifacts he is watching, you could ask him for an audience. - she said the complicated name without as much as a simple stutter, shrugging with her shoulders ever so slightly. She didn't know much about the man, or the facility, having never been there. But she was eager to provide more information, if only to help out the person she had never seen before.
- You could also ask the champions. Nasus, the Curator of the Sands is also the head of our library. He knows much. Ryze the Thorn Mage and Xerath, the Magus Ascendant could also help. But they are secretive. Ezreal, the Prodigal Explorer often discovers magical artifacts on his own. But I rarely see him inside the Institute. - Orianna relayed information about all the champions she knew that could have a chance of knowing about the artifacts. Her glowing gaze locked unto the man's face again, drilling into his eyes.
- What is your name? Why do you wish to know about the artifacts?
Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 17, 2014 2:05:49 GMT -5
"Those are definitely some good starting points. One of them should be able to give me some information, or at least point me in the right direction, If not, though...this will become much more complicated." It was mostly Arren thinking aloud, but having Orianna hear his thoughts was not necessarily a bad thing. It might even help her understand what he was trying to accomplish. "But one step at a time. I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Arren Kelvess, citizen of Piltover. I work with the Piltover Patrol on security as a rifleman. As for why I am seeking information about these artifacts, well, suffice to say that some good friends of mine died so that some other group could steal these artifacts...and I intend to find out why."
In that regard, he did not expect the artifacts to be at the Institute, unless they had been sold to the Institute. Instead he was looking more for information regarding recent finds...and which groups had been involved in those finds. It took a decent level of expertise to hunt for artifacts, and it was bordering on suicide to travel into areas like Kumungu unarmed. That limited the potential parties to a decently small group of explorers and artifact hunters, most of which would be known to someone like Kourelan Empherlin.
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 17, 2014 2:33:50 GMT -5
- Piltover patrol? I've heard of it before.
Orianna's head jerked once more, as she heard a familiar organization. Although she had never heard of this man before, she knew a few champions that participated in the Patrol, Heimerdinger in particular. The organization had been famous even outside of Piltover, having helped Demacia a few times. it was refreshing for Orianna, however, to see a compatriot within these halls.
- I am from Piltover too. My father lives there. It is a shame your friends died. You have my condolences.
Although her words were meant to show sorrow for the man's loss, her tone remained as calm, emotionless and unchanging as ever. Redirecting her attention back to the issue of artifacts, the automaton wondered what else she could do about it. She felt nothing regarding the man's loss, but her desire to help out was fairly genuine.
- I wish to help. If you want, I can lead you to the Arcanum Majoris, or towards any of the champions. They might not be here, though. I do not know where they dwell.
Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 17, 2014 3:11:05 GMT -5
"I think that the Arcanum Majoris sounds like the best place to start. That is, unless they deny me entry, but we'll deal with that in due time." The Summoners could be quite particular when it came to their Institute, as great deals of power and knowledge were stored within. Allowing an outsider or an unknown to access either easily would be a serious concern, especially considering that it was mostly the League's work that kept the city-states in balance.
"If the Arcanum is closed, though, I think the library would be a good second choice. Present knowledge is the most pertinent, but past knowledge can be just as effective, if used correctly."
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 20, 2014 13:56:21 GMT -5
Orianna only nodded, upon letting the man speak his mind.
He liked to talk, so it seemed. And the route of their movement was being set - they would need to go to the Arcanum Majoris first, and the League's library afterwards, depending on how well things in the Arcanum would go. The automaton girl actually felt a bit of excitement over this - not often humans would talk to her or accept her assistance. And the best part was that this man needed her assistance, meaning he won't run away any time soon.
- Then we will go. Come with me.
Letting go of the Ball, Orianna reached out forward, taking the man by the forearm, before practically dragging him alongside her. Her metallic fingers held around his appendage tightly, almost like a vice-grip, or a shackle. She didn't give it too much thought though, or at all - the metallic girl's mannerisms were odd and eccentric at best, even if she didn't mean it. The Ball let out an annoyed chirp, upset with his mistress' attention dedicated completely to the stranger she knew for less than five minutes.
- I am sure we would find somebody to help you out. Nasus the Librarian has given me many books whenever I asked him to. He doesn't like talking to me much. Maybe he would like you more, for that. - she shared her experience as she practically dragged the man down the hall.
Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 20, 2014 14:11:38 GMT -5
Orianna's grip was like steel, though he didn't show any signs of pain. He doubted that she would understand such a foreign concept, and he did not wish to waste time explaining such things to her when there was work like this to be done. Perhaps another time, though...he wouldn't mind spending time with one of Piltover's famous Champions.
The Arcanum wasn't terribly far away, but it was behind another set of tall, imposing doors, similar to the ones at the front of the Great Hall. A Summoner clad in purple robes sat behind a small desk, writing on a roll of paper, most likely some form of homework for the college. The man looked up from his work momentarily, looking slightly confused at the sight of Orianna towing a stranger to the Arcanum.
"I would like to speak to the head of your artifact vault, regarding some items that may have been given to the League recently." Arren stated. He really doubted it would be this simple.
"Are you a Summoner?" the man asked, looking fairly bored.
"No, but-"
"Then I can't allow you in. Only Summoners and Champions may enter the Arcanum Majoris, and you are neither of the two. However, you could write a short letter to Kourelan Empherlin explaining what you need, and I can have that delivered to his office." Plain, simple denial. He probably should have expected as much.
"...very well. I'll send my letter over soon." Arren sighed, only mildly disappointed. Looks like he would have to navigate the bureaucracy to move forward. He turned back to face Orianna, giving her a slight nod. "Let's go to the library, then. Perhaps Nasus or one of the other Champions can assist us."
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 25, 2014 10:36:55 GMT -5
Sadly, they were denied entrance.
Orianna expressed her displeasure at the fact, her eyebrows angling, and her mouth forming a frown. Though, inside she did not feel that upset. In fact, she hardly even cared - this denial would only mean that she would get to spend more time with this stranger, leading him to other places within the institute. As the gatekeeper summoner departed, she got a painful hold of the man's forearm yet again, metallic voice ringing out once more.
- Lets go to the library! It will be fun.
She marched quickly, her feet letting out an audible clank each time she stepped upon the stones that made the floor. The library was in the wing opposite to the Arcanum, meaning that the two would have to travel across the Great Hall one more time. However, this time they passed it through, something happened. It started from afar - a glowing orb in the distance, but as they approached, the sheer force behind the emanating light could be heard - crackling arcane lightning bolts lashing out randomly, hitting objects around. To someone not familiar with the display, it would look dangerous and intimidating, but not to the automaton girl, who hardly knew any notion of fear. And besides, she knew who it was.
- Look there! It is Xerath! Maybe he can help you out. - she said to the man, and let him go, promptly going towards the glowing silhouette of a man within this arcane storm. Her stance didn't shift, as she went further into the light, and when within audible range, she spoke:
- Hello Xerath! How are you today? What is it that you are doing? - Orianna had asked, sounding somewhat curious, and came closer, not intimidated by the display of power, even as the random bolts started being attracted towards her, snapping against the cold, metal frame.
Post by The Magus Ascendant on Jun 26, 2014 8:31:42 GMT -5
((Posted from my phone. I'll edit and format later. Just didn't want to hold it up any longer.))
Xerath was waiting for some Institute agent to step forward and try to detain Him somehow, but no one came. Those mages in the grand hall started to give Him a wider berth, but other than that, no one seemed to notice.
'How strange and backwards. The Institute fears Me and watches me like a hawk, but the common mage just walks the other side of the hall.'
From the other end of the hall, Orianna made a beeline for Xerath, completely ignoring the arcs of arcane energy. Xerath chuckled to Himself, 'It looks like someone doesn't know when to express fear.' Orianna continued past where Xerath had expected get to stop to stand uncomfortably close to the Magus Ascendant.
The arcs that passed between the two champions passed bits of information to Xerath. He experienced of a man mourning a tragic loss, pourinng his entirity into his work in hopes of making himself whole again.
Xerath raised up and repelled Himself away from Orianna.
Post by The Lady of Clockwork on Jun 27, 2014 1:30:10 GMT -5
Orianna's head tilted, shoulders drooping slightly, when she noticed that Xerath made a bit of distance from her, almost immediately. Is he being perplexed by my presence as well? - she wondered, not figuring out that the Magus probably did so for her own safety - standing next to equivalent of an opened arcane energy box was not the wisest thing to do, neither for a man, nor for a construct of cogs and wheels. Still, even though they weren't friends, and their acquaintanceship hardly extended beyond facing each other on the middle lane, the automaton girl did not approach the man... or, whatever was left of him, for a reason.
- I am sorry to have disturbed you. - she stated, watching the bouncing arcane arcs sparkle whenever they hit her body. She let out a sound, akin to a giggle, as if the things were tickling her, even though her metal frame could not feel such things. Strange were the ways of magic. Turning her head at an uncomfortable angle to look at the man she brought with her, she promptly spun it back to look Xerath in the eyes. Or, where she assumed his eyes would be, if he had any.
- I met this man in the Institute today. His name is Arren Kelves, he is from Piltover Patrol. He is looking for information on magical artifacts. - Orianna stated the man's quarry, in general, before tilting her head again, face shaping into a vague resemblance of a human being curious.
- I have been told that you are very old and wise. And you know much about magic! Please, can you help this man in his quarry?
Her body froze still, ceasing all movement, as she waited for an answer. And it was up to Arren to be more detailed about his request.
Post by Arren Kelvess on Jun 27, 2014 3:50:10 GMT -5
"We tried to enter the Arcanum, but they denied us. I'm not a Summoner, or anyone of much importance to them, really, so we decided to explore an alternative approach. But if you know anything...then that would certainly make this whole ordeal much easier." Arren explained further, trying to flex his hand to restore some blood flow. Orianna's grip was like a vice, and he was afraid of her breaking something if she tried to pull him around a sharp corner.
"I've been searching for information about a group of artifacts that were uncovered recently in Kumungu, within the last month. Something valuable enough to warrant an ambush for the rescuers from Piltover that came to recover the team that discovered the artifacts. I don't know much about them other than that, though, because everything related to them was stolen from our downed airship. Journals, research logs, notes, everything. They likely would have killed me, had they known I was alive." The memories brought forth anger, and his hunger for information. He wanted to not only recover the artifacts, but find out just why they were so important...and so powerful. "But surely anything of that much importance would be known to someone within the League. I'm sure of it."
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