Setting
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The Crystal Tower
The Crystal Tower is located in the middle of the Atargatis Lake and is made completely from glittering crystal inside and out. It has seven floors which depict the seven elements: fire, water, earth, air, light, dark, and spirit. Treasure of great value to Gaia is hidden on each floor, protected by magical wards and a myriad of traps. Earning a Gaia stone is not a simple nor easy task. The tower has taken many lives and it is noticeable by the skeletons that lay mishappen on the floor.
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
| "out" to Atargatis Lake » | ||
The Crystal Tower is a part of 
Atargatis Lake.
2 Characters Here
Ark Steel [0] Ark rarely likes to bring up his past. He is very silent due to personal reasons.
The Omicron [0] Techno-Organic Clone
Start Character Here »
1 NPCs Here
Ebony closed her eyes for a few seconds, then started after Ry'nn. "No night... how did your world survive? I can't imagine a world of perpetual sunlight..." She tried to comprehend what the woman had said, but knew nothing about the names, didn't know enough about the way this place worked to understand the threat of what was rising. It would probably be just the same if her own world had changed... but Ebony wondered about the forces that sought to make this change. "Please, lead the way..."
Ry’nn turned to the girl and held up a finger against her lips. They were at the top of the tower—the top floor—which held the Water Stone. Skeletons were scattered around the ground and some where dangling from the ceiling. Blood stains so old they had grown black were splattered against the crystal walls.
Despite there always being sunlight on Gaia, the room was dark aside from the light that came in from the entrance created by Ry’nn.
“Do you know how to swim,” Ry’nn asked the girl in a very quiet voice.
Despite there always being sunlight on Gaia, the room was dark aside from the light that came in from the entrance created by Ry’nn.
“Do you know how to swim,” Ry’nn asked the girl in a very quiet voice.
Her eyes darting around the room and the ancient bodies, Ebony wondered what suspended the skeletons from the ceiling. This place seemed haunted... Ebony was ready for anything, but feared that her powers would be useless in a world of perpetual sunlight.
"I... I can swim," she said, her attention still focused on the signs of death in the room. "What now? What happened here?"
"I... I can swim," she said, her attention still focused on the signs of death in the room. "What now? What happened here?"
“You dare disssturb our ssslumber,” asked a serpentine voice from the darkness. There was a hiss from in the darkness of the room and eyes began to open and stare at the two present.
“Naga,” Ry’nn said beneath her breath and grimaced. They were nasty creatures and manipulative ones. Their Queen would be here somewhere in the dark too. Naga were never without one and she could do terrible things with just a look.
“Do not stare them in the eye and if you see the Queen—she will be noticeable—close your eyes immediately unless you want to be turned to stone,” Ry’nn instructed quietly. She began to remove her robes and strip down until there was no clothing left on her body aside from a few choice pieces to keep her modesty. It would be easier to swim without her heavy mages’ robes.
“We sssee you, mage. Come clossser to usss.”
“Naga,” Ry’nn said beneath her breath and grimaced. They were nasty creatures and manipulative ones. Their Queen would be here somewhere in the dark too. Naga were never without one and she could do terrible things with just a look.
“Do not stare them in the eye and if you see the Queen—she will be noticeable—close your eyes immediately unless you want to be turned to stone,” Ry’nn instructed quietly. She began to remove her robes and strip down until there was no clothing left on her body aside from a few choice pieces to keep her modesty. It would be easier to swim without her heavy mages’ robes.
“We sssee you, mage. Come clossser to usss.”
Ebony let out a loud gasp, immediately closing her eyes. She had noticed Ry'nn removing most of her clothes, but Ebony had no intention of doing the same. Taking a small step back, she said in a very low voice, "What do we do? How do we get past them? Can we fight them?" She tried to focus her powers, tried to concentrate, but as she suspected, she had little magical energy within her. Making sure her head was pointed downwards, Ebony opened her eyes slowly, making sure that the legs she saw were Ry'nn's and not some sort of creature. "What do we do?" she whispered, her voice quiet but filled with fear and worry. Part of her wanted to see these creatures, but the fear of turning to stone or whatever else these beings could do to her was enough of a reason not to indulge her curiosity.
Ry’nn was beginning to wonder why this girl was chosen from the cowardice that was showing through during this trial. She did not show it, but Ry’nn was disappointed. But, the Mother worked in mysterious ways and there was a destiny for Ebony to meet. The first step was getting her the stone; a stone that Ry’nn could not touch herself.
“We swim to the other side. You must go too for I cannot touch the stone. It is destined for you, not me.” Ry’nn walked further into the room with her staff in hand and stepped in what seemed to be a puddle at their feet. The further she walked, the darker it got and the deeper the water rose up along her legs.
As it rose to her waist, Ry’nn stopped and turned towards Ebony.
“This may be uncomfortable,” she stated before placing a hand on the girl’s throat. She would feel her skin ripping and tearing but it would not be painful. Ry’nn was granting Ebony temporary gills in order to be able to breath beneath the water of the tower.
“Are you ready?”
“We swim to the other side. You must go too for I cannot touch the stone. It is destined for you, not me.” Ry’nn walked further into the room with her staff in hand and stepped in what seemed to be a puddle at their feet. The further she walked, the darker it got and the deeper the water rose up along her legs.
As it rose to her waist, Ry’nn stopped and turned towards Ebony.
“This may be uncomfortable,” she stated before placing a hand on the girl’s throat. She would feel her skin ripping and tearing but it would not be painful. Ry’nn was granting Ebony temporary gills in order to be able to breath beneath the water of the tower.
“Are you ready?”
Ebony bit her lips, feeling the strange sensation of the skin on her neck turning to gills. She didn't chance glancing upwards, but suspected that the water was deeper than where they currently stood. "I'm ready," she said, looking to Ry'nn's legs. She considered asking what the stone was for, but suspected that the woman would tire of her constant questioning and curiosity. "I'm ready."
Taking a few steps deeper into the water, Ebony lowered herself down, letting herself get used to the temperature. She waited patiently for Ry'nn, not knowing what way to go. She glanced ahead of her, into the water, wondering if the naga creatures that Ry'nn had mentioned waited for them beneath the surface. Ebony prayed that Ry'nn had some means of defending them; Ebony knew nothing about fighting underwater in the first place, let alone with barely any power.
Ry’nn dove beneath the waters and instantly there was a swarm of naga around them. They hissed and swam at the two intruders, trying to grab at hands, ankles, and legs. Ry’nn was more used to having gills and filling water pass through her lungs. She was able to react fast in order to protect Ebony.
She wheeled her staff around and the seaweeds under the surface moved under her command. The slimy tendrils wrapped around the six naga surrounding them and held the creatures fast. At the far side, beneath the water still, was a light—a beckon that beckoned for Ebony to near it.
It almost seemed to call her name.
Another naga had come from the depths of the ‘ocean’ inside the tower and wrapped its hand around Ry’nn. The mage was drug under the water at amazing speed.
Ebony was left all alone.
She wheeled her staff around and the seaweeds under the surface moved under her command. The slimy tendrils wrapped around the six naga surrounding them and held the creatures fast. At the far side, beneath the water still, was a light—a beckon that beckoned for Ebony to near it.
It almost seemed to call her name.
Another naga had come from the depths of the ‘ocean’ inside the tower and wrapped its hand around Ry’nn. The mage was drug under the water at amazing speed.
Ebony was left all alone.
Noticing movement all around her, Ebony looked back to see Ry'nn being pulled away from her. Ebony cried out, her voice turning into nothing but bubbles underneath the water. The naga were being restrained by Ry'nn's magic - she hoped that the woman would be able to deal with all of those creatures...
Her attention turned towards the light underneath the water. Ebony remembered Ry'nn's warning, wondering if it was a trick or what she was here for. There was no way that she could help Ry'nn, and she didn't know how long the magical gills would last underneath the water.
Ebony pointed herself in the direction of the light, closed her eyes and focused on the call it seemingly sent out to her, then started to swim towards it, only taking a peek at what was underneath her every few seconds before shutting her eyes once again and continuing forwards.
She hoped what little power she had left would be enough if it was indeed a trap.
Her attention turned towards the light underneath the water. Ebony remembered Ry'nn's warning, wondering if it was a trick or what she was here for. There was no way that she could help Ry'nn, and she didn't know how long the magical gills would last underneath the water.
Ebony pointed herself in the direction of the light, closed her eyes and focused on the call it seemingly sent out to her, then started to swim towards it, only taking a peek at what was underneath her every few seconds before shutting her eyes once again and continuing forwards.
She hoped what little power she had left would be enough if it was indeed a trap.
All was quiet beneath the water. There were eyes on Ebony but they did not move towards her. The naga were being held at bay and allowed her to pass without resistance.
The stone grew brighter and brighter as the girl neared it. It urged her forward still and with greater intensity as if time were running out. The Water Stone rested on a pedestal which had barnacles and coral crowing on and around it. It was the sole source of light.
There was no sign of Ry’nn. There was no telling if she had been able to fight of the naga that pulled her down or if it had killed her.
There was only the stone, the watching naga, and Ebony.
The stone grew brighter and brighter as the girl neared it. It urged her forward still and with greater intensity as if time were running out. The Water Stone rested on a pedestal which had barnacles and coral crowing on and around it. It was the sole source of light.
There was no sign of Ry’nn. There was no telling if she had been able to fight of the naga that pulled her down or if it had killed her.
There was only the stone, the watching naga, and Ebony.
Ebony continued to force herself through the water, swimming blindly, not knowing what laid ahead of her other than the glowing light. Was it the Water Stone that she had been sent here for? She hoped it was as she pushed her hands through the water, pushing herself harder as she approached the shine that she could tell even through shut eyes that was growing brighter and brighter...
Taking a deep breath, despite knowing that she was underwater, Ebony threw her hands out, thinking that the stone was within her reach. Her hands came upon the source of the glow, and as she ran her hands over it, she opened her eyes just enough to take a glimpse of the shining stone that rested beneath her hands.
Is this it? she almost said to herself.
Is this it? she almost said to herself.
The stone was beautiful like a gem. It was blue and green and the colors shifted reflecting the oceans waves. It was cool to the touch and the light of it never died away even when Ebony had claimed it. It almost seemed to ‘sigh’ in satisfaction as the girl touched it, as it it were at ease now or relieved.
Perhaps then Ebony would notice the stone bodies littered around the pedestal or how the pedestal itself was made from a human’s hand; all peoplea that had once attempted to claim the stone for themselves.
“What isss thisss!” A female voice sounded in the water and a great shadow moved behind the pedestal. There was a throne and in the throne sat a great female naga with a massive headdress made from seashells.
“Come clossser my chiiild, my SSStone bearer.” The voice was sweet and was very alluring. It would be hard to resist such a call and the Naga Queen beckoned Ebony closer with a movement of her fingers. The Queen only needed the thief to look upon her.
Perhaps then Ebony would notice the stone bodies littered around the pedestal or how the pedestal itself was made from a human’s hand; all peoplea that had once attempted to claim the stone for themselves.
“What isss thisss!” A female voice sounded in the water and a great shadow moved behind the pedestal. There was a throne and in the throne sat a great female naga with a massive headdress made from seashells.
“Come clossser my chiiild, my SSStone bearer.” The voice was sweet and was very alluring. It would be hard to resist such a call and the Naga Queen beckoned Ebony closer with a movement of her fingers. The Queen only needed the thief to look upon her.
As Ebony admired the Water Stone, she heard the sweet, strangely appealing voice speaking from behind the pedestal. Her first instinct was to lift her head, see what produced the beautiful voice underwater. There couldn't have been anything wrong with such an alluring voice...
Before she could lift her head to see the Naga Queen, her fingers grazed once of the fingers that held the Water Stone in place. Ry'nn's warning came back to her, and she realized that the voice must have been one of those creatures, perhaps the same that was behind whatever happened to the person whose hand now held the stone...
Ebony wanted to look. It felt like all of her questions would be answered just by taking a single glance. But fear of what might happen--what Ry'nn warned her of--kept Ebony's resolve strong. She held onto the Water Stone, her legs feebly trying to push herself away as if her body wanted to obey. Thinking of her family, her home, her love back in her world, Ebony kept her eyes closed and her head lowered away from the voice, resisting with all of her will.
Before she could lift her head to see the Naga Queen, her fingers grazed once of the fingers that held the Water Stone in place. Ry'nn's warning came back to her, and she realized that the voice must have been one of those creatures, perhaps the same that was behind whatever happened to the person whose hand now held the stone...
Ebony wanted to look. It felt like all of her questions would be answered just by taking a single glance. But fear of what might happen--what Ry'nn warned her of--kept Ebony's resolve strong. She held onto the Water Stone, her legs feebly trying to push herself away as if her body wanted to obey. Thinking of her family, her home, her love back in her world, Ebony kept her eyes closed and her head lowered away from the voice, resisting with all of her will.
“You dare resssissst me?!”
The Queen Naga was growing irritated that Ebony had not fallen into her usual trap. Being bound to the throne, the Queen could not move from it, but she was the leader of many naga.
“Get heeer,” she commanded while pointing towards Ebony and the ‘ocean’ began to churn with serpentine bodies swimming at alarming speeds toward Ebony. The gills on the sides of the girl’s throat were now showing the first signs of closing. They would not last much longer than a few more minutes.
And any second now, there would be a naga horde to drag Ebony down into the depths of the room just as they had with Ry’nn.
The Queen Naga was growing irritated that Ebony had not fallen into her usual trap. Being bound to the throne, the Queen could not move from it, but she was the leader of many naga.
“Get heeer,” she commanded while pointing towards Ebony and the ‘ocean’ began to churn with serpentine bodies swimming at alarming speeds toward Ebony. The gills on the sides of the girl’s throat were now showing the first signs of closing. They would not last much longer than a few more minutes.
And any second now, there would be a naga horde to drag Ebony down into the depths of the room just as they had with Ry’nn.
The angered voice reassured Ebony that it was wise not to heed the Naga Queen's temptation. Feeling her strength renewing in her, Ebony gathered her might and pulled on the Water Stone, prying it from the hand that held it. Her heart started to rush as she felt her gills feeling strange - she suspected that she wouldn't have much time left to get out of the water.
She thought for a quick second. Her speciality in magic was affecting the strength of others. Perhaps she would be able to help herself swim away? That thought left her mind quickly as she realized that she might need all of the power she could muster if those creatures attacked her as they had attacked Ry'nn.
Yet if she sped herself up, perhaps she would avoid them outright...?
All Ebony knew was that she had no time to make her decision. Holding onto the Water Stone with one arm, she pushed off the pedestal with her legs, starting in the direction she had approached the Stone from--or at least she certainly hoped it was the right direction.
She thought for a quick second. Her speciality in magic was affecting the strength of others. Perhaps she would be able to help herself swim away? That thought left her mind quickly as she realized that she might need all of the power she could muster if those creatures attacked her as they had attacked Ry'nn.
Yet if she sped herself up, perhaps she would avoid them outright...?
All Ebony knew was that she had no time to make her decision. Holding onto the Water Stone with one arm, she pushed off the pedestal with her legs, starting in the direction she had approached the Stone from--or at least she certainly hoped it was the right direction.
With the stone in her hand, Ebony would feel a small iota of strength being lent to her. The stone was a connection with Gaia and through it, Ebony could tap into a small reserve of Will. During a time of crisis, it would grant her a service if Ebony needed it. And she did. The girl only need to think of what she wished to do: grow stronger, swim faster, or anything she desired, for a limited amount of time.
Behind Ebony, naga were closing in on her. One was so close that it reached out in order to take her ankle. It was going to jerk her back into the depths but as soon as its scaly fingers brushed against Ebony’s skin, the naga was jerked back.
What happened to that particular naga was unknown as it was replaced by two more. However, flashes of light were occurring around Ebony as if something were protecting her. The naga all hissed and shrieked but never stopped attempting to stop the fleeing Ebony.
Behind Ebony, naga were closing in on her. One was so close that it reached out in order to take her ankle. It was going to jerk her back into the depths but as soon as its scaly fingers brushed against Ebony’s skin, the naga was jerked back.
What happened to that particular naga was unknown as it was replaced by two more. However, flashes of light were occurring around Ebony as if something were protecting her. The naga all hissed and shrieked but never stopped attempting to stop the fleeing Ebony.
She felt the touch of the creature graze her skin, but Ebony kept pushing herself, kept exerting what little of her physical strength remained. The last thing she wanted to do was to look behind her, to know how many of them were still in pursuit, to know whether or not the one that had touched her had cut her or something, or to see their Queen and fall under whatever fate the monster had intended for her.
Still, as she pushed herself through the water, she was becoming light-headed from exertion and the lessening amount of oxygen coming through her gills--or perhaps they were inferior to her ordinary lungs, she didn't know. The arm that she used to force herself forward was growing more and more tired, as well as her legs from kicking as hard as she could. She wasn't going fast enough to outrace them... Just a little more speed...!
As she thought of that, the growing stiffness in her limbs seemed to lessen, the aches in her joints ebbed away, and Ebony felt each thrash of her limbs propelling her just a little faster. She couldn't stop now, she couldn't look back...
Still, as she pushed herself through the water, she was becoming light-headed from exertion and the lessening amount of oxygen coming through her gills--or perhaps they were inferior to her ordinary lungs, she didn't know. The arm that she used to force herself forward was growing more and more tired, as well as her legs from kicking as hard as she could. She wasn't going fast enough to outrace them... Just a little more speed...!
As she thought of that, the growing stiffness in her limbs seemed to lessen, the aches in her joints ebbed away, and Ebony felt each thrash of her limbs propelling her just a little faster. She couldn't stop now, she couldn't look back...
The surface of the water was near for Ebony and the water began to become more shallow. The girl was coming upon the floor of the room where Ry’nn and she had first entered into the water. It was only a few feet away.
The naga seemed to have abandoned Ebony as the flashes of light become more brilliant and more frequent. They were no longer chasing her but attempting to fight off an unknown source of threat. If Ebony had taken the time to look back, she’d see a figure between the flares of red light surrounded by a horde of naga. Some were floating free as if dead and some were binding their hands and tails around the figure.
The naga seemed to have abandoned Ebony as the flashes of light become more brilliant and more frequent. They were no longer chasing her but attempting to fight off an unknown source of threat. If Ebony had taken the time to look back, she’d see a figure between the flares of red light surrounded by a horde of naga. Some were floating free as if dead and some were binding their hands and tails around the figure.
Her hand continued to thrash out in front of her until it struck the hard floor marking the shallow water that they had entered into the water through. She used the last of her strength to fling herself out of the water, splashing out from below the surface to take a huge gulp of air. She placed the Water Stone on the dry floor in front of her before pulling her body out, weighed down by her soaked dress. Now she understood why Ry'nn hadn't worn her robe...
"Ry'nn!" Ebony gasped, glancing behind her for just a second. Her eyes widened at the sight of the flashes and the seemingly-slain naga floating on the surface. There was a figure beneath the water--was that Ry'nn? She wanted to hurry back under, try to help the woman, but she was exhausted, completely spent and thirsting for oxygen. She lowered her eyes to the Water Stone, holding it in both hands and shaking as she tried to gather the strength to lift herself off of the floor.
"Ry'nn!" Ebony gasped, glancing behind her for just a second. Her eyes widened at the sight of the flashes and the seemingly-slain naga floating on the surface. There was a figure beneath the water--was that Ry'nn? She wanted to hurry back under, try to help the woman, but she was exhausted, completely spent and thirsting for oxygen. She lowered her eyes to the Water Stone, holding it in both hands and shaking as she tried to gather the strength to lift herself off of the floor.
The water went dark and nothing stirred on the surface. It was just as tranquil as it had appeared when they first entered the room. All was quiet and Ebony was left alone. The stone urged the girl to grab it up again and to run. The tower was not a safe place and it was unforgiving. Ebony was the first person to ever retrieve a stone and still live since it was erected thousands of years ago by Those Who No Longer Roam.
There was no other choice but for Ebony to leave and to ride the griffon back down to the earth; to leave. Ry’nn was nowhere to be seen with no signs of life beneath the water. The woman may very well have perished in order to save Ebony’s life.
And it was all for the stone …
There was no other choice but for Ebony to leave and to ride the griffon back down to the earth; to leave. Ry’nn was nowhere to be seen with no signs of life beneath the water. The woman may very well have perished in order to save Ebony’s life.
And it was all for the stone …
Ebony sat still, watching the still surface of the water. After a few seconds, she looked at the Water Stone, then back towards the water. "Why I am destined for this?" she asked herself, finally pulling herself to her feet. "A priestess of the moon in a world where the sun always shines... why would I have been called here? How can I do anything...?"
Lifting the Water Stone, she started away from the water. She wondered if Ry'nn was truly dead, if the woman had given her life for Ebony to obtain the stone. If so, Ebony doubted that her sacrifice would mean anything. She hadn't been able to even defend herself against the creatures--how could she fight on this "Mother Gaia's" behalf?
She remembered the griffon; as she exited the interior of the tower, she hoped that the beast still remained--and that it wouldn't be hostile without Ry'nn's presence.
Lifting the Water Stone, she started away from the water. She wondered if Ry'nn was truly dead, if the woman had given her life for Ebony to obtain the stone. If so, Ebony doubted that her sacrifice would mean anything. She hadn't been able to even defend herself against the creatures--how could she fight on this "Mother Gaia's" behalf?
She remembered the griffon; as she exited the interior of the tower, she hoped that the beast still remained--and that it wouldn't be hostile without Ry'nn's presence.
The sound of glass shattering echoed throughout the Crystal Tower.
The Stone of Spirit, placed here long ago, had shattered. Something that would have been thought impossible by Those Who No Longer Roam. In the ages since they wandered Gaia much had changed. External forces came into play, and so the native forces of Gaia were weakened. In their weakened state, Eras flexed his power. A colossus officially woke up. Hoargraskr laughed; let Nightfall begin.
While the Stone of Earth remained in it's safe spot, it hummed. Far off in the Exalted Mountains, Ni'Thorne began to stir. Though the mind of the great Colossus was still trapped here, it seemed Eras himself was channeling power to puppeteer the Earthen beast. As grateful as Ni'Thorne was for being brought to life, part of Ni'Thorne resented Eras for being the cause of his entrapment.
Of similar opinion, Maelstr stirred.
The Stone of Spirit, placed here long ago, had shattered. Something that would have been thought impossible by Those Who No Longer Roam. In the ages since they wandered Gaia much had changed. External forces came into play, and so the native forces of Gaia were weakened. In their weakened state, Eras flexed his power. A colossus officially woke up. Hoargraskr laughed; let Nightfall begin.
While the Stone of Earth remained in it's safe spot, it hummed. Far off in the Exalted Mountains, Ni'Thorne began to stir. Though the mind of the great Colossus was still trapped here, it seemed Eras himself was channeling power to puppeteer the Earthen beast. As grateful as Ni'Thorne was for being brought to life, part of Ni'Thorne resented Eras for being the cause of his entrapment.
Of similar opinion, Maelstr stirred.
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