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Crimson Jester

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  1. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, ??? This phase of the puzzle concluded without the slightest snag, a thought which concerned Korruhn, which he subtly expressed with narrowed eyes slowly scanning the room like a Vahki on the prowl. His concentration was suddenly derailed by the subtle tang of... exuberance? in the Hunter's voice. From beneath his mask came a stifled, mocking chuckle. To think, if this newfound intrepid explorer had discovered her passion before she killed Dume and brought death to the Great Spirit, we wouldn't be here! If only I'd have taken the poor thing temple-hunting! The laughter continued, although only in his mind. Korruhn would let himself enjoy this brief slice of a moment, but he would not let the others know of any such enjoyment. Not now. As Leklo began a line of questioning with the Administrator, the Shadow Toa stepped forward through the newly-formed door, and raised his sigil-scarred right hand to the hieroglyphs to further examine them, in an attempt to understand just where they were... OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  2. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, ??? Korruhn pondered the Hunter's question a moment, his eyes glazed over; transfixed on the symbols and the problem before them. "Each charm has a different number of lines; there's only two different numbers of circles," Korruhn noted. "I say we try number of lines, first. What do you two think?" OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  3. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, ??? Korruhn rubbed his accursed right arm, still slightly numb from the pain of traveling through the portal. The pain would soon subside, back to the normal level Korruhn was used to anytime he ventured into the light. As his mind emptied of pain, he found himself taking in the sparse new frozen chamber, and began surmising how to get through this room. "Sidra," Korruhn spoke into the silence, uttering the hunter's name for the first time. "Try taking the lantern to the ice caps. Maybe each face of the lantern interacts with one specific tube." OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  4. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, ??? The beings' reply both baffled and startled Korruhn. He knew full well that they were in a foreign world, but never in eons did he ever expect to find a place that knew not of Metru Nui, or the Great Spirit. It spoke of Tren Krom, oddly enough. The pieces didn't fit. Leklo's response about summed up the general mood of the adventuring party, and he stepped forward into the purple and gold maelstrom and disappeared. Korruhn hesitated a moment, stopped by a momentary guilt at the thought of entering a place far from accessible to the refugee camp, and all those who he had a duty to protect. He had no fear of the portal and what may lie beyond; previous encounters with portals had quickly shaken that fear loose. As he stepped forward, he became suddenly aware of the still-throbbing sigil burned onto his hand. His eyes met it again, and his brow furrowed in frustration at something that bothered him from the moment the disembodied voice spoke. If the beings that operate, and presumably constructed this elevator-and-portal complex are so opposed to the way of shadow, why then did their entrance device contain this dark sigil, and why did it seem to guide him the same way the Administrator was? OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  5. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, ??? The Administrator spoke few words, and yet each word seemed to unfurl into a deep, intangible mystery of its' own. Speak of Builders, Kaita; jargon Korruhn would associate with the archaic, not something he'd expect in a conversation here and now. Then again, he had no idea where here was, or even when at this point. "I abandoned nothing," Korruhn stated firmly. "I was cursed with whatever this is trying to fulfill my destiny; to save Metru Nui from it's own destruction!" His right hand clenched into a fist at the thought; he couldn't even save his home, and he had the scars to prove it. "How then, 'Administrator', can we prove our destiny, when we don't know what it is anymore?" OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  6. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, ??? The Ruin of Ice, issulive and mysterious in it's unrecognizable state of decay, was actually some sort of... elevator? The revelation was baffling; in all of his travels, Korruhn had never come across anything of the sort. False walls, trapdoors, Karz--even portals to other dimensions. But an elevator spiraling Mata Nui-knows how far down beneath the surface of the island? That's new. As the disembodied voice greeted them, Korruhn was still so enthralled in thought that hadn't the chance to ponder the disembodied voice, or why it called him an apostate. "I am Korruhn, these are Leklo and Sidra. Where are we?" OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  7. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice The Toa's eyes widened as his input was finally received. He was so close now, and there were only so many charms left to try. He scoured his mind, mulling over the charms, and which would be the most likely fit. After humming and hawing a moment, his right index finger prodded back into the snow, and drew the symbol for willpower. OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  8. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice Korruhn stared intently at the writing on the wall for at least the tenth time today, but this time, his face carried a new resolve, a conundrum of deep thought and brewing excitement. He coudln't believe that he hand't seen it--hadn't made the connection before. The phrases were charms, they had to be. And the snow in the bowl? A writing material. Korruhn turned back to his companions, and the podium. "Le-Metru," he said to Leklo as he walked by, a grin on his face. "Charms. The bowl." Korruhn couldn't muster a full sentence at this point, as his full attention was on the snow in the podium's bowl, now standing before him. With his finger, he traced three symbols into the snow, in a very particular order: Destiny, Peace, Duty. He wasn't totally sure if he had the charms right, but the Toa was certain this was the method to activate the door, and find out what lay behind it. OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  9. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice Korruhn's fist hit the podium, and an ancient, forgotten curse word he had found scrawled onto a temple wall back in Metru Nui left his mouth with great anger, filling the room. It had become harder and harder for Korruhn to control his rage as of late, and the revelation that they were trapped in this temple, with no lead on a way out, while the citizens of Metru Koro were probably in danger from one of the hundreds of only-Mata Nui-knows-what species that roam this accursed scar in the ocean they call an island. He was stumped, and he was afraid. By this point, Korruhn was about ready to try anything. He concentrated on the darkness in the room, pulling it toward his right fist, beginning to swirl around him in a tangible storm of the blackest of blacks. Manipulating the curling black shadow, he cast it into the bowl of the podium, hoping to activate something--anything. OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler @Unreliable Narrator
  10. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice Korruhn had no qualms, and his mind was clear as the sharp back peak of his khopesh slid through the thick black flesh of his right wrist. His eyes met those of Leklo and Sidra, and he looked back down as the podium began to fill with the blood of the three. OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler @Unreliable Narrator
  11. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice "Hm. It very well could be." Korruhn was already drawing his khopesh--at this point Korruhn had no reservations about what he may need to do to get beyond this room. The thought of a sort of blood ritual left Korruhn slightly perplexed, but unfazed. He had seem many a strange ruin back on Metru Nui, with myriad depictions of unspoken rites and mysterious rituals. Whoever built these temples understood a far different reality than we. Should Korruhn come to understand this ancient worldview, perhaps he could use it against all those in opposition of his people. Korruhn raised his right arm, wrist to the ceiling, and the khopesh in his other hand, blade hovering an inch over his right wrist. Shadow plumed from his arm at an alarming rate since he had contacted the sigil, and the bowl of the podium awaited the blood like a hungry maw below him. "If we are all in agreeance, then," Korruhn trailed off briefly, his cold blue eyes meeting those of his companions. "Let's begin this blood ritual." OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  12. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn "That leaves only one problem left to solve: how do we activate the podium?" Korruhn asked. "Do the written clues give any sort of direction?"
  13. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice Korruhn's left arm instinctively clutched the right hand at the site of the supernatural... burn? Whatever it was, it karzing hurt, and as Korruhn looked back to the pedestal to see the symbol was gone, somehow transferred directly from the podium to his flesh. Although he felt searing pain pulsing rhythmically down his neuron pathways, he also felt the tantalization of an immense power of unknown origin. In pain, and puzzled, Korruhn turned his attention back to the task at hand. "Then the only way out is through that door, then," Korruhn hummed and hawed, glancing back and forth between the podium and the carved door. The placement was too perfect--too deliberate to not be connected. He turned back to Sidra. What did you see with the mask, hunter?" OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  14. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruins of Ice Korruhn nodded, acknowledging Leklo's suggestion. Turning to the pedestal, Korruhn began to inspect it thoroughly, running his fingers along the carvings, even rapping on the circular top with the side of his fist. Back at Ko-Metru, the group had to use a disc on the pedestal to enlarge it to reach a door high up in the ceiling; although that may not be the case now, perhaps the pedestal served some other purpose. His eyes turned back to the frozen mahi again, his thoughts still stuck on the manner of it's demise. He turned back to his companions. "I know you're not really keen on me and temple-corpses at this point," he said directly to Leklo, with as close to a chuckle as an icy Ko-Metruvian could muster. "But something bothers me about it. This creature came in, and either didn't--or couldn't leave. What do you two make of that?" OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  15. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice Korruhn felt a chill crawl across him as he entered the chamber; it's gleaming brilliance and mind-numbing perfection could not be mistaken. Even the plethora of heiroglyphs encircling the false door at the back were chillingly similar to those he encountered what seemed an eternity ago in Ko-Metru, in his home. His journey as a Matoran had started in a room just like this, and his fate had even been entwined with shadow's in a chamber just like such. The resemblance couldn't just be mere coincidence, and Korruhn was glad to have Leklo's sharp mind with him to solve puzzles yet again. Korruhn's mind pored over the script, visualizing each line in an attempt to understand what was actually being conveyed by each portion of the presumably ancient text. "I'd say that Inner Purpose refers to Destiny." Korruhn pondered a moment longer. "Last time, we had to use discs to activate the puzzle, it could possibly be the same here again." OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  16. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ruin of Ice The peculiar trio had wandered the desolate fields of ice in silence for what seemed like ever. The endless sheet of ice around them, untouched save for where their feet tread, seemed to stretch out infinitely, until it melded with the distant horizon. The evening sun still threw it's light at the icy surface relentlessly, scattering rays in a brilliant display around them, the beams of light so seemingly tangible that one could see the very snowflakes passing through them as the wind howled and threw them around in a torrent. Korruhn's cloak and hood were drawn tight as he crossed the waste; and yet, even through the tight confines of a hood, he could begin to make out the shape of the ruins before them. The glittering ocean of the western coastline was in view before they knew they were near the ruins. To their North, they could just make out the toxic clouds enveloping the protodermis lake pouring from the skull of the Great Spirit. They saw the glittering mirage of the ruins echoed on the frozen plains as they arrived. The ruins of the region were a towering ziggurat made of stone and covered in ice and snow. The size of the structure dwarfed the Ko-Metru hideaway Korruhn explored only a few weeks ago. The side with the most direct sunlight wept until a small river ran down its side to form a muddy pool on the ground. Moss and ferns grew near the base of the ziggurat, and tumbled stones bigger than a toa rested in the fields around. A few grazing rahi moved further away as the group approached. The entrance to the ziggurat stood tall and dark, a massive rectangular doorway. Carved along the lip of the entrance were strange hieroglyphs, full of a deeper meaning and similar in design to the one’s Korruhn encountered while hunting for the Great Disks in Metru-Nui. A chill came from deep inside, the ice coated the floor of the open doorway leading out of sight. Korruhn was in utter awe of the sight, although he would choose to keep his excitement close to his chest, lest the hunter glean any sort of emotion from him. His eyes began to follow around the area, scanning as a trained map-maker does, taking note of anything worthy around him. The ruin seemed undisturbed, almost unnervingly slow. A creeping feeling of paranoia and fear had slowly been working it's way up Korruhn since they arrived on Zakaz, and this temple ruin brought his fear to a new height. Nonetheless, Korruhn would not die in fear. The very thing Korruhn feared as a Toa, the elemental shadow, was now a part of him, and he embraced it. He felt empowered when imbued with the shadow, moreso than his more traditional elemental gravity. Perhaps embracing his fears further would lead the Toa down a road to further power. "Well, I don't think we're going to resolve much out here," Korruhn said, starting toward the entrance; the black rectangular maw from which nothingness burst forth. "Who's coming with me?" OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  17. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ice Suva The exchange between the two apprehensive parties at the Ice Suva carried on for many long, tense moments, and the information seemed to flow out of the conversation at a snail’s pace, at least in Korruhn’s mind. He hated this constant feeling of vulnerability on this island, and standing in the weather-exposed ruins of a Suva in the middle of nowhere did no work to ease his mind. He wanted nothing more than to end these social niceties, get access to this Suva, and carry on. “Look,” Korruhn piped up suddenly. “We could chit-chat back-and-forth here all day, and none of us will come out ahead of where we were before.” Korruhn’s voice was as sharp and pointed as his message, and he had long since run out of patience. “Or, Hunter, you could show us how you accessed this temple, so that we might do the same; and then the lot of us can leave this wretched place before there’s nobody from the Matoran Universe to save. So, what say you, hunter?” "I won't object to that." Though she still had reservations of her own, Sidra walked the two Toa through the steps to unlock the Suva. The two followed each step diligently and patiently, and before long, the two Toa were swapping gear in and out as a test. He wasn’t sure why the Hunter agreed to help the two Toa, but at this point, Korruhn wasn’t as concerned about the allies he kept, so long as they allowed him access to the resources he needed to gain enough power to rip the throats clean out of the Barraki Warlords. He felt his fist clench in rage. “Thank you, Sidra,” Korruhn said to the hunter. He still didn’t trust her entirely, nor did he anyone save Leklo. But Korruhn knew that there would be few existing allies of his that understood the direness of the situation; of the need to attain power and strike first, before the League wiped them out entirely. As strange as it may seem, the Dark Hunter before him might see his grim outlook better than most. “There’s another temple, at most a hundred-and-fifty kilometers from here. From what I saw, it looks a lot older. I think we should investigate it. Are you in?” OOC: @Nato the Traveler @EmperorWhenua
  18. Crimson Jester
    IC:Korruhn, Ice Suva "So you're saying, those items came out of the Suva? Interesting," Korruhn pondered a moment, wondering exactly what purpose this antiquated, over-engineered storage box had, and as well, what significance did the mask and sword hold that resulted in them being contained inside. He imagined they were intentioned for a specific person and time, but beyond that, he did not know. "Are you the only one who can access the storage system? Did you find anything else of note, or anyone else around here?" OOC: @Nato the Traveler @EmperorWhenua
  19. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ice Suva Korruhn held his guard, especially in light of the revelation that the Dark Hunter had somehow accessed the mask, and presumably the sword as well. He looked around at the ornate two-storey structure again, and the half-dome of the Suva inside. The craftsmanship was impeccable--almost so that Korruhn questioned the very nature and manner of it's construction. It was almost too clean and free of toolmarks to be constructed by hand, and the materials, although they seem to be familiar, have weathered far less than expected for something so old. Korruhn could feel something, but he wasn't sure what. All he knew for sure is that it had to have something to do with the temples on Metru Nui. "I presume that's where the sword came from, as well?" Korruhn pointed at the ancient, unique sword. He turned back to the heiroglyphs while awaiting an answer. Each was perfectly spaced and sized, and not a nick could be seen. They were still entirely legible, and the charcoal paint in the grooves still clung to the stone as it did the day it was applied. Suddenly, Korruhn stopped dead in his tracks. They were alarmingly similar, too much so. The stroked, the shapes, even the way they appeared to be carved was uncannily similar to those he saw on Metru Nui. There had to be a connection. "Is this the first place you've looked? It appears this island is littered with ruins." OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler If Sidra doesn't actually have the sword out, let me know and I'll correct that.
  20. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ice Suva "Indeed, it does seem we are all stranded here," Korruhn agreed with the Hunter, although only on half of her point. "And yet, it seems we are as divided as ever; even in the face of a common problem." Korruhn's eyes began to look around the temple as the hunter spoke of it. He knew why it seemed so familiar now -- Matoran construction. It was just like the temples back home, and strangely, even more like those realms beyond portals that he and Leklo had visited in their hunt for the Great Disks, what seemed forever ago. It had been a long time since he'd been able to put his focus on exploring rather that combat, and he was almost eager at the opportunity, despite his reservations about the hunter. "I was a Cartographer in my past on Metru Nui. I've visited many similar temples before," Korruhn ran his hand through the grooves of carvings down the length of a massive sandstone column, feeling each heiroglyph as he went. "I believe, if my companion here shares the sentiment, we may be able to be of aid to each other; at least, for now." OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  21. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Ice Suva Korruhn remained several steps behind Leklo, studying the terrain around for cover and exits before joining the conversation. His hands checked again to ensure his weapons were loose-strapped for quick access should things turn south. He didn't like this situation one bit, nor did he like the Dark Hunter stood before him. A week ago, Korruhn was ready, and ever so close, to tearing the throat out of this filthy murderer. A week ago, Korruhn also had just acquired these new powers, and had yet no knowledge how to use them. This engagement was much different. Although Korruhn knew this Dark Hunter had no weight in the game, aside a lust for widgets, and he had no reason to hate the hunter. But he couldn't help but feel the rage course through him as his shadow arm gently billowed smoke. He wanted nothing more in the world but to reach into the core of the hunter before him and tear it's heartlight from it, still beating. And then, he noticed the sword. Immaculately crafted of the finest white metal he has ever seen, the blade's perfect edges curved gently to a precise point, and an open fuller separated it's two sides. As a cartographer and historian, Korruhn's eye was immediately drawn to it, the strange construction was very foreign, and not just anyone could gfet their hands on such a piece. Korruhn saw many pieces of similar style on temple art, but thought such forging arts were lost to time. But why was it here on Zakaz? And why did that filthy hunter have it? Something to figure out soon enough. "Fine." Korruhn stepped forward, cautious, but approachable enough considering their last meeting. Korruhn wasn't looking to start a fight if he didn't have to, despite his hatred for this mercenary. He still glanced occasionally to the sword. He was interested, but he and Leklo must determine why the Dark Hunter is here, first. "What interest does a hunter have with these old ruins?" OOC: @EmperorWhenua @Nato the Traveler
  22. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, approaching Ice Suva It had been a day since the chaos that was Sans' office, and that day had been spent by Korruhn and Leklo mostly in silence, attempting to seek inner peace and process the tornado of events that occurred back at the village. The self-righteous envoy of Pridak's that waltzed into the office and made demands like it had a foot to stand on, Korruhn perceived no direct threat. A scared waif, lashing out at those it feels abandoned it, propped up on the false confidence of masters who would just as soon lop it's head off. He almost pitied the creature, until he heard it's vengeful call over the speaker. Whether the threat was real or not, Korruhn knew he would kill that thing the next time he saw it, regardless of whether Sans was there or not. And Sans. The wisecracking old man, usually the most jovial spirit in town, dispelling a wrath an anger unbecoming of the man he is; it worried Korruhn. If even Sans is this worried, how safe were the people of Metru Nui, really? Perhaps a more proactive approach would help that, but that would be a discussion for later. Now that he thought about it, Korruhn too could feel a rage like that he saw in Sans, seething and boiling, waiting for the moment the cauldron tips. He had lost his home, his life, many of his friends, and now again, death stood at their door, beckoning them to step closer. Matoran pledge for peace, but how will we ever be able to practice peace when we are constantly threatened by war? Korruhn didn't become a Toa for this, to play diplomat idly while deviants wandered into the community and threatened their very existence; he became a Toa to take action, to strike at the throat of his enemies before they could come for his. The Ko-Toa's black right hand clenched into a fist. He could feel the connection to the shadow more and more every day. He felt raw power when he gripped the khopesh in that hand, as though the shadow worked with him, and guided him. Perhaps there was a way, through shadow, to take this land for his people. "We're almost there," Leklo suddenly piped up, crouched on an outcropping ahead of Korruhn, overlooking the Suva. Korruhn shuffled his thoughts back into the deepest compartments of his mind, at least for the time being. His hands found his way to the lip of his cloak's hood, which he drew over his head. He checked to make sure all of his pouches and straps were set, and his weapons ready. He looked to his companion, who was doing the same. "Be prepared for a fight," Korruhn said dryly, knowing full well that Leklo already knew this. "We don't know what we're going to find down there, and frankly, I think Metru Koro is going to need our help more than we know." With that, Korruhn jumped from the outcropping, and began a cautious walk to the temple that lay before him. OOC: @EmperorWhenua
  23. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Sans' Office "Once we return from the temple, we will make arrangements to begin infiltrations of the city as well. I believe it would be in our best interests to put some of our engineers to work procuring some sort of vehicle for Leklo and I, so that we may expedite this excursion. Can you arrange this?" Korruhn listened intently to Sans, although he wasn't sure he had the same resolve in the Great Spirit's strength to save them. "The Great Spirit hadn't the strength to save himself, let alone all of us, Sans. It's time that we ensure that we may find strength in more tangible sources." OOC: @Azibo
  24. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Sans' Office Korruhn had stood at the back of the room, tense and ready to strike at a moment's notice, for what seemed like hours. The instant the envoy left Sans' office, Korruhn let out a deep sigh as he felt his muscles unknot and resume a neutral position. He hadn't much patience nor need for political discussion, much preferring action, as it seemed time and time again, words got them nowhere. Sans and Stannis had a brief stare-down, before Sans turned to he and Leklo to ask of their travels. "Interesting might not be the word. From the highest peak we reached, we could make out what appear to be four temples of strangely familiar construction. Frankly, it puzzles me," Korruhn withdrew a hand-drawn map, pointing to the four locations on the yet-incomplete map. "We need to get a closer look at these, at least one of them. The one in the ice, and the one in the forest seem easiest to reach." Korruhn took a brief pause, folding the map and replacing it in his pocket. He cleared his throat. "I think we need to get back to Metru Nui, Sans. I don't mean the lot of us, but a few. Look around us; our homes are built of wood and stone, and what tech we have left lies in a refuse pile. We need to find a way to recover some of the technology from the city."
  25. Crimson Jester
    IC: Korruhn, Sans' office Why must this always take place in an office? We ought to outlaw the blasted things, Korruhn thought to himself, in regards to the verbal pandemonium currently unfolding before his eyes. He was struck not only by the audacity and aggression from this emissary of Pridak's -- the scum who landed them here in the first place, but by the sheer ferocity of Turaga Sans' replies. Korruhn was pleasantly surprised at the old man's resolve, and it would also afford Korruhn the opportunity to move into a more desirable flanking position, and monitor the emissary's body language. Korruhn took a step back toward the wall, and the his form melded with the natural shadow in the room, allowing him to reposition behind and slightly to the left of Pridak's envoy without being seen; a prime position should the situation get out of hand. He released his control over the shadow, and softly reappeared, still hard to make out in the dim light. He looked to both Leklo and Sans, acknowledging that they knew his position. As the Toa stood silently in the background of the room, his awareness of his shadow arm, and the power coursing through it, heightened. Each flicker of the lamps, in the brief moment that the shadow regained ground against the light, he could feel the shadow flow through him, and his arm began to exhaust a thin black smoke, that appeared more like shadow in form. His hand felt its' way down to the familiar hilt of his khopesh, and there it would wait, until Pridak's goon tried something unfortunate...
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