<visiting the Shrine> Avrielle took Krocell to the nearest public aircar terminal. In common with many Craftworlds, the technology of the Eldar provided an extensive shared network of public vehicles available to all as needed. One took one from a terminal and returned it to another, thus rendering an effective and free transport system. Many citizens maintained their own vehicles, but from design rather than necessity. She hopped up into the nearest flier - a sleek aircar that could seat two comfortably, or three for a short trip. The interior was plush, the outside bearing an abstract design in black and amber-gold, like falling leaves on a dark night. Waiting only as long as it took Krocell to get seated, she zoomed off into the vast space beyond the meeting chambers. Transit-tubes and the huge expanse of two lesser domes flashed by as Avrielle piloted the small vessel quickly towards their destination. The commtech wasn't one to waste time. Luckily the field surrounding the aircar kept all but an enjoyable rush of air from their speed away. She took a sweeping loop over the Aspect Shrine, looking for a place to set down. The Aspect Shrine of the Hunters in Shadow lay in a wide desert biome - rocky, cratered. and providing excellent places to spring from cover or place an ambush. Ruins of artfully composed psychoplastics decorated the badlands, providing places to fight on many levels. The air in the dome housing the Shrine was drier, arid, the warmth of the tiny artificial sun above lending a harsh and unforgiving cast to the scene. Gold-washed, the Shrine itself stood like a sentinel, the gateway to the training grounds beyond and home of its Exarchs. They were seven in number, each an Eldar so lost on the Path that they stood as both a warning of the dangers of losing the Self to Khaine and a testament to the pinnacle of skill an Eldar warrior can reach. Avrielle spoke of this briefly as she sought out a landing place, her eyes half on the form of her guest, half on the huge, monolithic building below. The roof of the great Shrine came to three pointed domes, echoing the shape of the skin tents the nomadic Exodites sometimes used in stone. Inside was a labyrinth, as much a training ground itself as the lands beyond. Finding a sheltered bay a small distance from the entrance, where the students of the Way of the Scorpion could be seen exiting to go about their off-duty lives, Avrielle parked up the aircar beside another similar vehicle and paused. "Do you mean to travel in Aspect?" she asked. "Only ... well, I shall not really be able to converse with you very much then. You'll be under the War-Self's dominion." She paused, then hurried on. "Of course, you must do as you see fit. Selfish of me to say it. Do forgive me." A perceptive Eldar might see that, to Avrielle, the Aspect Warrior as a companion in Khaine's dominion was a slightly daunting prospect, even as it was an honourable necessity.
The man nodded and introduced himself. "Of course, Avrielle. I am Krocell and I hail from a colony of Saim-Hann," He drew his fingers along the Cosmic Serpent's symbol on the belt-sash. "and as you have most likely noticed, I am a Striking Scorpion of the Edge of Eternal Umbra shrine." "But enough about me, hopefully you'll share bits of information about yourself in exchange." OOC: "Messages have been posted" nuuuuuuu! Krocell pondered the question, shaking his head after a couple of thought processes. "Most likely, no," he said as he got out of the aircar, lifting a semi-large sack, one that contained his aspect armour and weaponry, after him. "you see, I am just going to wake the Scorpion, make sure he is ready in case we face something hostile." He looked at Avrielle. "The exarch of our shrine taught us - waking ones war-self, but not giving control to it. When you near the site of operations, you let go and Khaine's Disciple takes control, and you sleep. Of course, not all of my shrine were able to learn it fully. Four in total, including me, mastered it." he closed his eyes as he recalled the exarch's teachings. "Above all else it is still a War-Mask which donning we just postpone, and letting go of one doesn't happen in a second." Krocell decided to smile a bit, just in case his speech had downed the girl's spirits. "Shortly put, I just give control to the Scorpion inside later on."
Avrielle seemed put at her ease by Krocell's words, even a little curious. But she restrained her questions. And she felt that it would only be polite to answer some about herself; after all, she was the native, Krocell was the visitor. "Of course, I will tell you what I can," she said, cheerfully, "though I am sure one who has walked the War Path has many more tales to tell than I. But perhaps you should ask me on the return journey - first, let us find the Exarch. Or perhaps we will have to wait to see him and you can ask me then."
Turning to Artar, "If we are caching rations I think it may be a good idea to bring our long rifles just incase. Besides if it has 3 webway gates we may have use for them there. I will carry a sidearm as you suggest though." He was eager to get started. This would be another story to add to his repertoire!
"Indeed... We will bring our Weapons then. Do not be so quick to depend on the Webway young one. I am master to none, bring what you please, but do not also be so quick to disregard my advice." Artar replied to his companion, his monotone voice being kept low. "Let us go, we have to prepare"
"I was merely saying that it could be another location to explore, I'm just trying to be prepared for ALL possible scenarios." He shrugged, "Regrettably I do not have your years of experience to guide my actions. But I shall heed your advice and leave the long rifle on our shuttle and carry my shuriken pistol." (What is the eldar equivalent of binos? I'll carry a pair of those as well) Taking a final drink of water he stood up from the table. "By your leave Honorable Warlock. I am ready when you are Artar."
[OOC Your Ranger helm has sophisticated visual enhancements available, as does the sight on your rifle. Also, there are things like this: Some classic Mark Gibbons there from the first Codex.]
[OOC DaBlackOrk can't post until the weekend, so I am going to allow him to add in any "before we go" stuff when he can post so that he doesn't miss out. If the two Rangers are going to prepare, and Krocell is off playing with the Scorpions, is there anything more that Morvan and Iktomi want to do before leaving? Just as a general thing I do encourage freedom to explore and roleplay in my games* But here I want to get the mission underway soon so that we don't lose momentum As always feel free to ask me questions, and I can sometimes be found on Skype (name: Syjahel). ] *If you all decided to say "bugger this, let's be Pirates" I'd roll with that. But then of course I'd have to make it up on the spot, mwahahahahahahah
"Of course," Krocell said, hefting the sack onto his shoulder and gazing in the shrine's general direction. "I might have a story or hundred to tell, but let us see if the Exarch allows my presence in the Shrine." OOC: [Running with the Scorpions intensifies] & I might very well send a friend request, that being, if you doth not mind. ^^
