DUNGEON - BELLMARE ENCLAVE (BELLMARE MOUNTAINS, PT 2)

[phantasmods]

The shadows are starting to grow very long as you crest his particular ridge - it's not night yet, but it will be soon. In the shadows of the afternoon, with a tall mountain already blocking the sun, lies a snow-covered valley that is different from the ones you've come across thus far in your investigation.

This valley is home to a town, and unlike all the settlements you've seen so far - Incendia, the Telovia mining town, and the manor - it's very much active. There are actual people in the streets, visible from above, going through their days on snow-free streets, bundled up against the cold.

Those of you who asked were told of the handful of people who didn't go into the slumber of stasis as the Fissure conditions of the world grew worse and worse, instead isolating themselves and trying to continue living their lives as they could. Now, it seems, you've found exactly such a group.

Welcome to the Bellmare Enclave, and enjoy your stay.

[[OOC: Welcome to part 2 of the dungeon! For the most part, interaction with the town's NPCs can be handwaved as described on the main information post. Worth noting are the following major things: The Bellmare Enclave isn't expecting visitors, though the people are generally friendly to the new arrivals. They don't know about the time dilation effect of their Fissure - to them, it's only been about eighteen years since the Slumber Plan was put in place and they withdrew from the world. And finally, by a similar token, they have no idea how far the Fissures outside of their own have grown - while it's not uncommon for them to find odd objects from time to time, they'll assume that the characters are just arrivals from other places within their own world, rather than outsiders, until told otherwise.]]

Comments

[kingkingcxiii]

I cannot argue that. It's one of the reasons I've always admired them as a people, but at the same time, there are still those who stand above the rest.

[There's something in his tone that makes it clear Regis means to include Nyx in that second group. Nyx and all of his friends. Including the one he had inadvertently sent to her death.

Crowe Altius.

Hers was the last name of the fallen he'd memorized before the treaty signing and the Fall. Once he'd met with Lunafreya and learned that the Glaive they'd sent never arrived, he'd sent Clarus to find out what he could. All his Shield had been able to find before time had run out was confirmation of her death, her name, and her next of kin.

Libertus Ostium. Nyx Ulric.

Should he say something? Apologize for sending her on the mission despite the fact it was Drautos who had chosen her and the very same man who had compromised her mission? Would it do any good? It's not as though it would bring her back anymore than the half-finished condolence letter that had been left upon his desk before the treaty signing would have.

He gives Nyx a strained, knowing smile.]

Were it as easy to place all the blame on the person responsible for this pain as it is to blame ourselves, we would not need to be having this conversation.

[hardbargain]

There are. And we honor them once they've fallen.

[His fingers move to skim over one of his braids, one that was meant to be for Crowe. He teases the end of the braid, briefly, considers unraveling it now... but he doesn't have the time to reconfigure everything just now. So it will just have to wait.]

It's why they called me Hero, y'know... like telling me I was an arrogant prick for thinking myself above the others, on par with the ancestors even. That title belongs to the dead and no other.

[ He sighs softly, shaking his head. It wasn't a title he had asked for. Some stupid Lucian paper had taken his role in the Galahdian resistance and ran with it. Trying to endear the Insomnian people to the refugees. Heroes of Galahd they'd called them. Made it sound like the resistance was more than a few dozen stubborn teenagers who had to be rescued by the king. ]

But I guess we just need to keep reminding each other it's not our fault, then.

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis' gaze follows Nyx's fingers as they move to the braid. Ah, so that is what it is for. Or, at least partly. Like so many other Galadhian traditions, he is certain it is more complex than that, but he's never had the chance to find out the exact details. There was never time. Perhaps that is something he can change here if it isn't too painful for Nyx to speak of it.

It's obvious it's painful to for Nyx to speak of his nickname, though and it brings a frown to Regis' face. He'd had his suspicions from the tone he'd heard people speak it in, but part of him had hoped he was merely imagining the disrespect.]

Then let us leave the title to those who it belongs to for we are both quite alive here. If we must, we will find you a new title to take the old's place.

[He smiles then, determination in his eyes.]

Yes. It helps when there is someone else to point out when you are being a fool. Like now, for instance. I believe it foolish for you to remain standing any longer. Where did you leave the glider this time?

[hardbargain]

I don't need a title.

[He doesn't need one and he doesn't want one. Being Regis' Glaive is enough. He's never asked for more than that.

The next bit makes him roll his eyes, though. And as much as he wants to argue he bites his tongue because Regis has phrased it in just such a way that if he protests now it gives the King leverage to do the same later when Nyx wants to fuss.

Godsdammit.]

Alright alright... I didn't go far. Come on...

[He's definitely making Regis escort him back though, at least that way he can keep an eye n his King as well.]