fourth ⚡ hidden city and golden keys

[ramuhs]

Type: Video
Sender ID: ramuhs (Cid)
To: Public
Subject: Golden Keys and other related matters
Warnings: None

Greetings and salutations. For those who may not know me, I'm Cid and I have a bit of an inquiry and suppose "announcement" regarding some recent ventures I had with Benedikta and Shadow not too long ago.

[Both are not in the camera frame, but they are lurking in their own ways—]

First—

[He holds up one of the golden keys that have been sought after lately.]

I would like to know if anyone else has managed to acquire one of these golden keys.

The reason for it is we have found where they are to be used. Going back there is a bit... Difficult at the moment, but we know the place exists.

I won't bore everyone with the story, but we fell into a hidden city underground that was preserved in such a way that it almost felt as if it was frozen in time. This city clearly had some important and reverence for the dragon Ancient, Sarht, and it included what we believe may be a temple. There was a large stone tablet that had holes that fit these keys perfectly, and once inserted, echoes of battle cries could be heard.

We believe using all these keys will open the doors of that temple.

As for the rest of the city, the only other thing of note was there was an area that looked to be decaying in some form, perhaps from some powerful poison. We brought back a sample and will be testing it, but should we find access to this city again, best be prepared. It's proven to be quite potent, perhaps fatal with no immediate known antidote.

[Another wave of the key.]

But that's all. I'll be happy to answer any further inquiries.

[Note: Cid will be mostly replying, but Benedikta will chime in more regarding the keys and temple findings. Shadow is just lurking.]

Comments

[icefangrush]

[Wriothesley's there working as a barista. Cid isn't his guest at first, but the moment he hears 'Desert Brew', he'll come over.]

A 'Desert Brew', huh? It's on the strong side if you're good with that.

[ramuhs]

[Oh? At the familiar face there's a bit of surprise before he smiles widely.]

I never shy away from a challenge. But fancy meeting you here. Wouldn't have expected you as a barista.

[icefangrush]

Haha, it's not an occupation I'm normally in, but it works for me. Drinks can tell you a lot about a person and not just by flavor.

[Turning to an infuser, he'll take out a small satchel and get this cup going.]

Got this one while we were at the resort. Might be hard getting more, but keeping it on the menu depends on how it's received anyway.

[ramuhs]

[Cid crosses his arms over the counter as he leans forward a bit to watch.]

What exactly is in it?

[icefangrush]

This one goes a blend of herbs and flowers far from here. Got it from a curious merchant if you want a look before I pour the water...

[He'll bring the cup over and set it before Cid so he can inspect.]

Might've fought him in the desert.

[ramuhs]

[He will indeed take a curious look at the contents before he glances up.]

Curious merchant, eh? I didn't see him myself, but I did hear some rumors.

[icefangrush]

[Wriothesley begins slowly pouring the boiling water in so the blend can begin to brew.]

He said some interesting things too; well, if you want to hear what he told me.

[ramuhs]

I would be a willing listener if you'd like to share.

[icefangrush]

[As the aromatic scent starts to grow, Wriothesley is giving it another minute.]

"As you travel through this land, remember this. This land is drenched with the blood of the fallen. Once, it was the way of things, to claim land to survive. Once, the wars, though brutal, still held honor. But then because of greed the way was lost and innocents were slain in bloodlust.

"Is this land really worth saving? Was all that glory and honor worth it when it filled heads with egos instead?"

[Removing the infuser from the cup, he pushes it to Cid.]

Enjoy.

[ramuhs]

[As Cid listens, his brows furrow yet he does not appear surprised by what he hears. If anything he just looks more contemplative before he takes the cup, staring at it for a moment.]

This merchant, what did he look like?

[icefangrush]

Couldn't tell you really. They did what most mysterious folks do and covered themselves up, but he did call himself Adinvels. Sound familiar at all?

[ramuhs]

[A low hum as he finally takes that sip and gives a different hum of appreciation.]

Only from what I've heard from the rumors and others that happened to encounter him.

What kind of impression did he give you?

[icefangrush]

[Crossing his arms, he thinks.]

Well, besides the whole air he wanted going on... not bad. We had a round and he's a pretty good opponent one-on-one; seemed to enjoy an 'honorable' fight. Anyway, he gave me something you're looking for along with those words.

[ramuhs]

An "honorable" fight, eh?

[He muses, already having a few thoughts, but his attention will return to Wriothesley at that.]

He gave you a key? Really?

[icefangrush]

Hey I didn't mind keeping it to fists.

[Then again, it didn't feel like a gauntlet situation.]

He did... and I bought the tea so he really was a merchant, haha.

[ramuhs]

I see. He didn't tell you how he came about the key, did he?

[icefangrush]

No. Far as I know, could be a fake, but you can tell, yeah?

[And don't ask how, but Wriothesley will pull the key out of his rolled up sleeve.]

[ramuhs]

Hmmm, let's take a look.

[He's seen things pulled out in many strange places, a sleeve is actually at least somewhat reasonable. But he'll take it and hold it close to examine it, brushing his fingertips over the inscriptions.]

Can't say I'm an expert, however this looks very similar to the ones we have.