Welcome to Gaia! ::

Orophin's eyes widened slightly as he pondered Shadow's question. "What's in it for you? I have nothing for you...that is to say, I have no money for you. Nor any other possessions of value. Lest you seek a ruined old sword." He drew the longsword from it's sheath on his back, the dull metal glowing in the late afternoon light. It was nothing spectacular, mundane in every visible aspect, save for a few weathered gems encrusted along one side of the blade.

"Worth nothing to anyone but me, I assure you. Although, what do you enjoy in life? What is it that you live for?" Orophin laughed with a hint of embarassment. "If it's a psychological need you crave, perhaps some Luhix or Redflower leaves can satisfy your taste?"

Water dripped gently from the cavern walls. It trickled downwards, pooling at the bottom in a small basin circling the entire room. Vines and other small plantlife crawled up the walls of the cave, adding to it a unique tattoo-like pattern.

Where the shallow waters ended, the lush green grass began. It sprawled onwards, a vast expanse of untainted flora, up until the colossal tree in the direct center of the room. This tree, contrary to the rest of the peaceful nature of the room, looked far from it, if one were to simply glance at it's base.

There, where the grass ended, the deadly spikes began. They continued for some twenty feet, up the trunk of the tree, nature's elegant and efficient defense mechanism. The rest of the tree was much like anything else in the cave: strangely attractive, for all it's simplicity. At the very top, at least two hundred feet skywards, a magnificent canopy bloomed. Reminiscent of emeralds, the brigths leaves glimmered in the unnatural light. Everything was at peace.

Almost everything. On one side of this godly tree, otherwordly, clawed black hands tore at the bark, digging inwards. They were unrelentless, striving with sinister dedication to match their wicked look.

But then, in the midst of it all...they stopped.


The hand that had clutched for Soveliss' body evaporated, leaving the room exactly as it had been. Soveliss fell to his knees, his entire body in excruciating pain. He should be dead - No, he corrected himself. He should be in the Abyss right now, enduring torture. What had stopped it..?

Aiding a wanted criminal... Orophin thought bitterly. What is this place coming to? "I can understand your worries. But fear not, should you choose to aid me - merely by telling me what you know of this character, I will see to it that he cannot harm you. You have my word." Orophin gave a deep bow. "And my word may be worth more than you think." He rose again, smoothing out the wrinkles that had formed in the bandages around his face. "What say you?"

"I doubt you'd be able to keep your word, you don't know Tael. I doubt you could take him on and survive. And I'd rather not be forced to hide from him for the rest of my life."

Though maybe aiding him wouldn't be to bad, together we may be able to defeat Tael, and in turn, he might be able to help me. Whatever order he's in may be able to help, information, or otherwise.

"Then again, you may be able to help. I'd imagine whatever order your in has a library, or at least someone knowledgable in the past, and in a certain prophecy." Though the prophecy part is unlikely...

"Then this is where are paths part I guess, unless I can get the information I need that is. Not really that hard, and really I don't consider it meddling, but rather, learning."

With that, Shadow started walking away, his head purposely kept away from Orophin. Maybe he would help maybe not, but if he didn't, Shadow had somewhere to go anyways.

Eclipse was changed, in more ways than what his apparel depicted. Life was different, everything was different. Eclipse normally looked upon comrades with a suspicion, and an over-protective attitude. Currently, staring at his comrades he felt a growing urge to... his thoughts were interrupted by Will. Eclipse didn't know why he knew someone had died, perhaps other than Will seemingly snapping. Will had only done so on three occasions, so far Eclipse hadn't been present for the beginning of any. Eclipse asked rather loudly, "What'd I miss?"

"Perhaps..." Orophin started. He certainly seems the type to offer information..but he, too, came from within the Glass Plateau. I will have to be wary of both of them... "Would you, kind mage, be able to direct me towards one named Tael'braithe? A half-fiend, fairly tall and muscular, wields a halberd that can ignite at will..." Orophin paused, his eye darting from Will to Shadow and back again.

"Where are my manners? I have not personally introduced myself. My name is Orophin, ex-paladin from the order of the Silver Flame. I currently seek Tael'braithe to bring him to his sentence...regrettably, one of death. Have you seen him? Any aid would be greatly appreciated..." Orophin bowed low to the ground.