December Catch-all(-ish) [Open]

[odinpusrex]

WHO: Barnabas, his Behemoth (the monster, not the, oh nevermind--), and YOU!
WHEN: All through December baby!
WHERE: Mostly Stonhyrr, but some threads could be elsewhere too!
WHAT: Oh you know, big ol' fortress showed up, there's also a giant muscle cat, maybe people wanna see the fortress. Maybe they're gonna get mauled by a cat. The world is our oyster. Also going to use this for general purpose threads, doesn't have to be Behemoth related!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Will update as necessary!

While Barnabas has never proven himself the social sort, ever intending to remain as such, when people come to Stonhyrr to inspect it, they will not necessarily find him there to greet them. This does not mean that Barnabas is not within the bounds of Stonhyrr, he most assuredly is, but he has no interest in playing host. That is, unless he is given reason to.

What most will find is a singular bridge that connects the imposing fortress to the mainland, and the waters around it prove unnaturally violent. As if the very place itself causes the waters to churn and clash wildly against the jagged rocks which act as the foundation for the whole thing. The bridge is wide enough to adequately fit a pair of carriages, or cars if that better serves. The stone is sturdy, so there isn't any worry about weight being an issue. Most certainly not when one arrives at the arena that acts as a mid-point for the bridge.

There are no guard rails around it as the bridge possesses otherwise, just a sheer drop off into the treacherous waters below. Certainly a poor fate to any, whether they survive the fall or not. A fate all the more possible given the snow and bits of ice that has accumulated upon the structure. Even furthering the difficulty to avoid it, should they find themselves greeted by the bridge's guard: the Behemoth. From its rocky perch it will land with the grace of a feline, but with the impressive force of a creature befitting its size. More than twice the height of an elephant, and thrice as wide, the hulking beast will stare down the interloper(s) with murderous intent. Intent it means to make good on.

However, not everyone who crosses the bridge will meet the beast there, and should they find themselves able to make it to Stonhyrr proper, getting through the metal gates and into the winding outer paths that encircle the central castle, they will find it depressingly...empty. What living quarters there seems to be are indeed stocked with beds and linens, oddly enough, but as all else in Etraya that is not inhabited by those whisked away from their homeworlds, there is no one. They are modest, however, what one might expect for those living as communal soldiers in a medieval era.

Though, should they linger for too long, they might hear the telling breaths and foot steps of a prowling beast searching for the scent its picked up. Perhaps hiding isn't a terrible option, but who knows how much the creature cares about the architectural integrity of whatever part of the fortress they're in! Only one way to find out.

Some of the internal buildings are not merely for housing soldiers or weaponry (though said weaponry is distinctly missing presently). One may find themselves stumbling upon an podium of some sort, with six-legged horse statues on either side. The shape of the room almost suggests an arena of sorts, and the podium seems to embolden this suggestion. Perhaps it might have been a room to judge contests of combat and the like. Who is to really say? Should one linger here overlong, they might find themselves no longer alone. At least, they certainly feel as though someone is in the room with them. Someone watching them, perhaps from the shadows, or from above...

Those lucky enough to make it to the docks will find them bereft of any ships of any kind. It's clear that there probably should be some, but whoever brought this fortress in clearly did not bring any of his ships along! Though, one might take an interest in the surrounding area, and the structures nearby. Most will be empty, some with myriad things like rope, or scant pieces of wood, perhaps an empty crate or two, but it is, like most else, otherwise hollow. There are more of those weird horse statues though... The place is anything but bereft of them.

If it weren't for the behemoth prints left in the snow throughout the wide outer paths of the fortress, and its eagerness to find (and remove) intruders, the place would otherwise seem completely abandoned. Between the snow, angry waters, flashes of lightning, and claps of thunder...the place is cold, oppressive, and desolate. Should one find a way to reach the entrance to the castle, they will be stopped short from reaching the door proper. Not by the behemoth, but by the sudden emergence of Barnabas himself. A billowing pillar of black mist will form from the ground, reaching roughly the height of a man, before Barnabas takes form and the mist disperses and dissipates.

There he will stand, staring down the intruder, waiting for an explanation.

(ooc: Feel free to place your character wherever around Stonhyrr, not only just the places mentioned. Barnabas will keep an eye on any aerial intruders as well (he can also fly). Just date your top level for when this is happening, and if you wanna plot something specific or have any questions, please do not hesitate to hit me up at Zornsable or on Discord(Zanono)! Feel free to have your own threads here too if multiple people are wanting to explore the grounds of the fortress (just specify in the subject line), I can provide information, a kitty, or an old man should it be needed! Anyway, enjoy this weird haunted-ass looking place, it sucks!

I will match style, prose or action are both good ✨)

Comments

[odinpusrex]

[Yuri is certainly granted a decent head start to say the least of it. As the behemoth gobbles down those bodies, its interest in them wanes as scraps of flesh, bone, and fur is what eventually remain by the end. Gore smeared across its face, realization hits as it turns to look towards Stonhyrr—someone is here.

A bellowing roar sounds through the area. A warning that the beast knows of an intruder. Though it matters little with Yuri stealing away into the paths of Stonhyrr and towards the fortress' castle itself.

Of course this just means that Barnabas is keenly aware that someone is here, someone who should not be, and so he turns his attention to the fortress' grounds, searching among the sound and aetheric pulses that might alert him the interloper's presence.

When Yuri eventually finds his way to any of the entrances to the castle itself, he will be greeted with a voice. Low, almost like a whisper, yet crystal clear, as if the words were spoken directly into his ear.]

You are come for what reason?

[wolfish]

[ The voice arrests Yuri's movement, foreign as it is to him to have one seem so near, yet with no physical presence to accompany. Before all this, there weren't any disembodied voices suddenly cropping up in there. When he glances around, sure enough, he appears to be quite alone.

Will he ever acclimate to this sort of thing? Doubtful. ]

Just a little housewarming gift. My people have customs, you see.

[ Casual as his voice is, the words ring true. Faerghans may be poor in food resources, but that only served to make them double down on observing formalities involving the sharing or gifting of it. An emphasis on guest-host relations for one, how to properly welcome a neighbor for another, or an occasion such as this.

Usually someone has purchased or finished building the "home", sure, but popping up out of seemingly nowhere is how it works around here. Yuri's not skimping on Faerghan hospitality on a technicality. ]

[odinpusrex]

...Very well.

[It isn't that Barnabas likes that people think they can just waltz into his abode all willy-nilly, and ordinarily such crassness would be met with his blade. However, given their circumstance here, and how killing people will achieve naught at all, he chooses a more reasonable approach. Besides, the dead here do not remain so.

There is the subtle sound of aether, almost like a gentle roiling of sorts, like the wind churning, but not quite...then there is the sound of foot steps echoing into the room as Barnabas seemingly manifests from nothing some distance outside of Yuri's view, though he is revealed soon enough as he walks forward to approach. Stopping a few feet from him, he appraises him and what he has with him.]

Are these customs lacking in introductions?

[wolfish]

[ Barnabas is indeed wise. Yuri would come back, and were his loss not the specific memory of his demise, he'd become a nuisance on purpose. As it stands, however, he's not yet met a temporary demise. Being a Faerghan, who knows how long that will last...

In the interim, the shift in the air gives him pause. It's something not quite familiar, but the footfalls that seem to herald the man apparating out of that same odd air sound like any other. ]

Well— [ He begins, doing a convincing job of seeming unfazed despite the rarity of being caught off-guard. ] Typically I'd be received at the door and give my name then. Seeing as these are unusual circumstances, giant cat and all...

[ All while keeping the pie he'd brought perfectly poised, Yuri sweeps right into the sort of terribly formal bow most of the southern nobility favor, flourish and all. ]

Yuri Leclerc, erstwhile heir of House Rowe.

[ Not that it's his real name, but one wouldn't know it to hear it on his lips, nor in his expression when he straightens. ]

And how should I address the lord of this castle?

[odinpusrex]

[He would much prefer to avoid nuisances, seeing as he already has a permanent one taking residence within Stonhyrr's perimeter as it is. So it is better this way, even if he does disfavor interacting with others. Though, Yuri's manner and poise at least makes this less annoying, though there is still a tedium to the charade or noble ceremony.

His opinion of such is made rather plain in that he makes no bow, no gesture, not even a nod in kind. He merely watches Yuri as he performs his courtesy, and for a long moment it seems as though Barnabas will only grant him silence. However, with a flick of his gaze from Yuri to the pie then back to Yuri once more, he speaks:]

I am Barnabas Tharmr, King of Waloed.

[His gaze stays on Yuri, almost like a panther watching its prey with how he seems to be tracking every movement. Oddly though he does not specify how Yuri should address him. A test, perhaps? Or maybe he truly does not care.]

[wolfish]

[ The stony silence reminds him of Gwendal, after a fashion. He doesn't mention the likeness, nor seem particularly discomforted by it. Yuri's spent too long being a pretty fixture in one noble's company or another to buckle under such things. He simply waits, still and patient, until a reply comes.

He's got a king back home, but Dimitri would like nothing better than to be treated as an equal at any given opportunity. A rare breed in Yuri's experience, but that says nothing about those from other worlds. Other universes, if certain talk is to be believed. ]

Then I hope you'll accept this welcome gift, Your Majesty.

[ He punctuates his statement by holding the pie out. Barnabas, King of Waloed, can take it, or tell him where to set it, or simply give him another stern staredown.

Yuri'll call him Barney when referring to him to others either way. Whether he clarifies who he means on such occasions, who's to say? ]

[odinpusrex]

[As Yuri says the word 'gift' Barnabas' gaze flicks to the offered pie. From what he sees of it...he's certain he knows what it is. There's a conflict that dances behind his eyes, but only for a moment, before he reaches forth and retrieves Yuri's offering with a casual ease that does not belie his thoughts about it.

Still, he eyes it a moment as he draws it closer, before looking to Yuri.]

A lord baker?

[It isn't likely that a lord of a house has his servants here, and so Yuri must have made this himself, if he did not order someone else to do it. It does not look like that which you might find in the stores here, or Kwik Trip besides...]

[wolfish]

[ Relieved of his cargo, Yuri allows his hand to drop to his side. ]

I was only briefly noble, really.

[ Yuri says it with the casual ease of a man who enjoyed not one moment of such a life, but rather endured it. The strings attached are ill-suited to polite company.

In absence of any other survivors of his former house, however, Yuri may well be reinstated for practical reasons. No other yet living knows the workings of the fortress city Arianrhod. ]

I suppose I'm still a lord of sorts, just not that kind. But I am an excellent cook.

[ There's a certain edge of definite pride to his tone, and it's not unfounded. People have told him he could make a living off of his kitchen prowess. If only he could uplift all of his people that way, he might make a go of it.

Alas, playing lord of the underground is what it takes to see things done. ]

[odinpusrex]

[The pride is noted, and if it is anything to go off of, then Barnabas should keep his expectations much the same as they were to begin with. After all, pride does not always indicate skill, and often those plagued with arrogance are unskillful in equal measure.

...Still, there is a slight draw to this pie, a gnawing curiosity if it will taste like those of Waloed. If it is indeed what he suspects it to be.]

A lord without his house, or one simply stripped of his nobility.

[Barnabas says this without judgment, more state options and probabilities. Yuri can confirm or deny them, it does not bother Barnabas in the slightest either way. Yuri's reaction, regardless of what it is, will tell him something.

Either way, the potential culinary prowess now has its context. Most nobility do not care to learn such a skill, believing it beneath one of their stock, though whatever happened to Yuri seems he's learned that is not quite the case.

All men are much the same, equally insignificant.]

Hope you to be invited further inside?

[Where the dining area doubtlessly rests...where Barnabas is going to go...]

[wolfish]

[ Many are Yuri's faults, and he'd be the first to mark them. Fortunately for Barnabas and his pie, unfounded pride doesn't number among them. Few Faerghans pride themselves in areas where they haven't good cause. ]

Six of one, half-dozen of the other.

[ The reality of his former lordliness rolls off of Yuri's shoulders with a shrug. Not only was he disowned, House Rowe later fell. He'd have been satisfied to have no further dealings with it after the former, had Sir Gwendal not called upon his aid.

Only Gwendal had treated Yuri as an equal and as a person, rather than a tool or creature to fear. For him, Yuri had come to the defense, but House Rowe fell just the same. ]

I wouldn't mind having your assessment of the pie, once you've sampled it.

[ No expectation, simply suggestion. Whether Barnabas invites him along or not is clearly wholly up to the king's preference. ]