Commitee

Tenebrae - Friday, December 05, 2014, 7:55 AM

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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A10: Temple District *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The air of solemn, heavy divinity in the area is often broken by laughter. The dual presence of the deities Althea and Daeus, man and wife, stand towards the center, with their children and their children's temples positioned around them. The presence of the divine is felt not only by their temples, but also by the actions of their worshipers. The great plaza is as a social center, paved in brilliant, white flagstones and covered in benches and sitting areas. Priests, acolytes, and servicefolk of all stripes roam the plaza, going from one task to the other.

At the front of the temples of Daeus and Althea, at the Plaza's centermost point, rests a great fountain, the cheerful waters reflecting the Sun during the day, and the Moon and Stars at night. The fountain is strategically centered, and is oft a place for wisdom and lesson-giving. It is not uncommon for a priest of some stripe or the other to stand there, surrounded by the curious and faithful, delivering messages of hope or contemplation. At other times, it and the plaza become a landscape of celebration of the holy holidays.

Few vendors are seen in the plaza--the nearby temples provide most food or services. Towards the west, the great Bridge stretches across the river, and towards the east, the Redridge mountains. The plaza rests in the midst of it all, the temples massive and grand on the Alexandrian scale.

Meihui has arrived.

Snow flurries drift silently down from the pale grey sky. The air is damp and cold, and there is little wind.

The snow drifts down from the leaden sky, piling up against the grand temples, although the foot traffic is currently keeping the cobblestones clear enough to walk on. Well. Foot traffic and hard-working acolytes of the temples. Although not an acolyte, Meihui is here with a shovel, humming to herself as she clears off accumulation from the front of the Elunite temple's doors.

Kiroth is also out helping to shove the steps of the temple of Daeus. He's working hard as he has his cloak off so it doesn't get all sweat. He shovels the snow into one specific pile off to the side.

It's not a particularly happy sound, a sort of electric buzz, rapidly riseing in pitch. The source is easy enough to spot, a small glowing circle on the cobblestones, arcs of arcane power sparking around it. The sort of thing that pretty universally conveys the message 'Seriously, step back.'

After a moment, there's a slight pop, and the circle flashes, leaving a rather tall figure in it's place. An elf, peering around a moment to orient himself. Doesn't matter how many times you've done it, teleportation is always a little disorienting.

Meihui turns around at the sound of the buzz. She narrows in on the spot, checks to see if there are any civilians in danger of getting splinched, and when there aren't, she just leans against her shovel and watches the show. Zap! The elf gets a curious look afterwards, up and down. "Well, hello there," she calls out, rather cheerfully.

Kiroth hears the pop and the flash as he's pushing snow. He turns and has the shovel ready to bring up as an impromptu weapon. He sees Mikilos and he nods to the elf, "Hello Mikilos, are you in need of some aid?"

Mikilos ahs, turning his focus upon Meihui. "Hello yourself, miss. You're a bit difficult to track down. May I have a word, please?" Glancing to Kiroth, the magus smiles and raises a hand in greeting, but shakes his head. "I don't think so. I hope to keep this civil."

Meihui blinks a couple of times, then smiles. "Yes. The way that I spend most of my time in the place where I have a large symbol tying me to it certainly makes me hard to find," she says with a certain dryness and a gesture that takes both the temple and Eluna's symbol on her forehead into account. "I wasn't aware anyone was looking." She draws herself up to her full height - which still doesn't match the elf's - at the mention of 'keeping it civil'.

Kiroth nods a little bit, "Please try to keep it civil if you can't try to take it to the arena." He says as he starts to shovel again.

Mikilos frowns mildly, eyeing the accumulated snow, and murmurs softly to himself. A bit of snow swirls, and a distinctly lack of a form appears, which is to say the snow avoids a mansized shape. "...well, don't just stand there. Grab a shovel and help out. Last thing we need is someone slipping on icy steps." As the Unseen Servant turns to it's new task, the elf steps closer. "I am Mikilostravia Abrioudelanarchie Mithralla, Magus of the Fifth, Builder Arcane. And I am here by request of the Society of Progressive Arcanists Commitee of Discipline, Correction, Guidance, and Justice. Or S.P.A.C.D.C.G.J. for short... which I know really isn't any sort of improvement. They wanted to call it 'Justice League' but there was some sort of legal trouble."

Meihui glances over towards Kiroth. "Do you think it's going to get that bad?" she wonders. And then steps aside as the unseen servant appears. She takes her shovel and moves down the steps, closer to Mikilos. At his introduction, she bows respectfully. "And I am Hon Meihui, one guardian of the Temple of Gentle Night, and chosen by The Silver Moon, empowered as an Inquisitor by Eluna's grace. It is a pleasure to meet one in your position. Should I hope this is about catching and punishing the miscreant behind the 'egg' incident? I was told that it would be looked into."

Kiroth shakes his head a little bit, "Mages." He mutters as he continues to shove the snow into a pile off to the side. Kiroth pauses as he hears something about an incident.

Mikilos blinks. . o O ('Egg incident'? Someone egged the Temple? Oh. Wait. Okay, heard about that.)

"Ah. No. As I understand that's still being traced. No, this is about a number of individuals left with a brand upon their foreheads."

"Ah." It's a disapproving 'ah'. Meihui leans her shovel against a column and crosses her arms over her chest, her expression both mild and somehow implacable. "Well, I am sure that a Magus of the Fifth, Builder Arcane, with such a large group of /very/ impressively named wizards can...eventually manage to find one of their own who is abusing their gifts and putting innocent people in danger, once you get around to it. How can I be of help?"

Mikilos smiles ruefully. "Just 'Mikilos' is fine, thank you. As for what you can do, should you find an individual of whom you suspect inapproprate behavior, report them to the proper authorities. Justice may not be as swift as you might care for, but it does come. Of late the wars have proven something of a distraction, which do tend to set a mess of things. It also assures a safe responce. We lose enough people when sent as groups to apprehend criminals. A lone vigilante is just asking for trouble."

Kiroth hmms and crosses his arms a bit, "If they break the rules then they face justice from those that have been tasked with dealing it out. Be they mage or rogue or warrior. I understand the war with the Dran has severely stressed the resources of Rune, they should be lucky to get away with a brand there are others that would not hesitate to end their lives."

Meihui tilts her head to the side. "And from whence does the Society of Progressive Arcanists Committee of Discipline, Correction, Guidance, and Justice draw its authority, Mikilos? I have been given the charge to find and correct magical malfeasence by Eluna herself. It is by her will that I am able to place the brands upon those who misuse the gifts she protects for the mortal races. Do you claim a higher authority over mages than the goddess of magic?" She gives Kiroth a warm smile and a nod. "Exactly so."

Mikilos shrugs. "Personally? No. Though I feel it to be mentioned that as such you only represent half the divine caretakers of magic, loath as I am to speak of the second. Well, third, should one count Lord Animus. All that said, these events do not occur in a vaccum. The Commitee tries to view the larger picture."

"If representatives of the second should wish to address the issue, I look forward to it," Meihui says, although something about the /way/ she says it suggests that the discussion might only happen after someone has been beaten bloody. "And yes, committees are good at viewing the larger picture. This is, I believe, why they exist. If, however, we waited for a committee to approve before we took action in the world, Dran would be camping in Rune's towers right now." She grins. "The Justice Committee is welcome to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute these malicious users of magic as they see fit. If they are caught before I find them, and face appropriate justice, then I have no further quarrel with them. If I get there first, then it is Eluna's justice they will face."

Kiroth snickers a little bit, "I would like to see that." He continues to shovel. "I would think that the mages would have something better to do then chase down those that are helping them." He nods, "The same goes for me, as a Sunblade I will stop those who do evil, mage or not."

Mikilos shrugs again. "And what of those you don't catch? Say for example, the Master of Robert Milligrouse, the lad who reanimated his neighbor's dog? Robbies actions were known. Who taught him to do them, remains unknown, as they were scared off when Robbie got a brand on his head."

Meihui raises an eyebrow. "And now we go from saying that I do too much, to saying that I am personally responsible for catching /every/ malicious mage in Alexandros? Or would you let a traveler die to a bandit attack on the road unless you could simultaneously stop every bandit in the province at the same time?"

Kiroth hmms, "Perhaps Robert Milligrouse should say who taught him how to do so and perhaps it would scare the mage away from the city. Everyone knows that the necromancy is a forbidden practice. Ignorance cannot be claimed."

Mikilos nods. "We -would- like to catch the bandit leader. Rather why we send a full group. As for Robbie, he told us where he used to find the man who taugh him. By the time the Guard got there, the place was empty."

"Sounds as if the group was not as effective as one might have hoped." Meihui shakes her head. "Mikilos, if the Society of Progressive Arcanists would like to assign me a task force to aid in my endeavors, I will accept them and gladly, provided they understand that they are /my/ task force. Likewise, I am happy to send regular reports of my activities to your Committee while I am here - if there is a specific endeavor you should like to cooperate on, I am happy to do so. But I am not an Arcanist, and do not fall under your authority. Eluna's will guides me, and will continue to do so."

Mikilos shrugs again. "Colleberative efforts are typicaly done via the Guild of Explorers. If you are not already a member, I highly recomend it. As for reports, I shall convey the idea to the Committe. I'd expect a lot of paperwork in your future. And for the rest, please do not mistake the ideals of the group I have been asked to represent as my personal viewpoint."

Kiroth nods, 'If there is one thing that the mages are good at it's producing paperwork.' He jokes as he finishes shoveling and he nods, "There the children should like that." He says looking over the pile of snow he made. "A group would be the best, but when you come across evil sometimes you have to confront it right away."

Meihui laughs, brief and joyful. Almost a giggle, which probably ruins the impression she was trying to make. Her eyes dance with mischief. "If the /requests/ of the committee prove too extensive, then I shall send them paperwork indeed: after it has been suitably reviewed and edited by our Seers so that they can understand my actions in the context of Eluna's wider purpose." Because the committee members will love wading through reams of dream-speak to figure out what Meihui has actually been doing. To Kiroth, another nod. "Precisely. And groups are useful for some things, but not for all. The right tool for the right purpose." She glances back at Mikilos. "And we are what we represent, Mikilos, for how can anyone know what of you exists that you do not show?"

Mikilos grins. "Never underestimate a buricrate's love for paperwork." Taking a bit of parchment and quill from his pockets, the elf scribes a brief note before murmuring a simple incantation, sending the message off. "As for myself, what is shown and what is seen rather depends on how you look. I am not the one thing which I represent, in part as I do not represent merely one thing."

Kiroth snorts, 'I don't doubt that. They seem to magically make it appear overnight." He looks over to Meihui, "Do you need any more help with your temple's steps?"

Meihui shrugs. "I don't judge. Of course, if they love paperwork that much, then they /could/ perhaps send some in the other direction, as well. Your Committee could look at this as an opportunity to alert me to malfeasence that they do not, currently, have the resources to spare for. Whether because it's a thin lead, or because larger matters require more," she suggests. She blinks at Kiroth, then turns to look back at the temple and the unseen servant. "Hm? Oh...no, it looks as if things are clear for the moment." She turns back to him with a smile. "Thank you, Sunblade. I don't believe we've been introduced?"

Mikilos nods. "Such notifications tend to go to the Guild. I tend to clear my own snow with a Fireball, but admit taht's more for amusement than efficiency. And i don't have to worry if the cobblestones of the courtyard break. DOES keep down the number of loiterers."

Kiroth nods, "You are welcome. I am Sunblade Kiroth." He rolls his eyes a bit at the thought of a fireball being used to clear snow. "Or you could do something good for you body and soul to clear out the snow. A little hard work never hurt anyone."

Meihui bows in Kiroth's direction. "A pleasure to meet you." As she straightens, she giggles again. "He has a point, Mikilos. Fireballs for snow seem a touch excessive. Especially when you have that." A nod towards where she suspects the unseen servant might be.

Mikilos quirks a brow and grins, looking between the two. "'Hard work'? 'Excessive'? You two obviously have a lot to learn about wizards. We spended years, if not decades, learning how to bend the universe to our will, so we can avoid hard work. And 'excessive' tends to translate as 'almost enough.'"

Kiroth bows his head to Meihui, 'The pleasure is mine." He looks towards Mikilos as he straightens up. "And just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should do something."

"I must, again, agree with the Sunblade," Meihui says, although she sounds more amused than actually worried. "Wisdom should ever guide the use of power, and fireballing one's steps may not be the wisest application of power...even if it's convenient."

Mikilos nods to Kiroth. "Taht does seem rather more a nugget of Artificer wisdom. 'Just because you can do something, means you should try adding lasers.'" He nods to Meihui. "Oh no, not the steps. My shop is still wood, and I don't trust my aim quite that much. The open courtyard however, is fair game. Fireballing it ten times to turn the rough cobbles into a smooth layer of glass, however, is too much even by my standards."

Kiroth snorts, "I never said with lasers, trust me they too can take things too far with their /inventions/." He shakes his head a bit, "I just pray that no one ever gets injured when you do that."

"Nice to know you have standards," Meihui says, with another glimmer of mischief in her eyes. She glances at Kiroth. "I suspect one does not get to be on the very important named committee of the Progressive Arcanists if one does not learn to aim one's fireballs away from innocent people."

Mikilos nods to both. "Yes, I've never fireballed an innocent person. And honetly, not too many non-innocent... too often others charge into close combat, making such wide spells more harmful than good. Lightning bolts, however, can be aimed with a bit more finess."

Kiroth shrugs a little bit, "I've never heard of this committee before so I don't know what standards they have." He nods, "I would hope you have a bit of discression about using it in combat. It's bad enough to deal with enemy spellcasters. I'd rather not deal in friendly fire."

Mikilos nods. "If the enemy is dumb enough to cluster together, don't be dumb enough to join them in the blast radius."

"Oooorr, you could give a warning before throwing out fire," Meihui says, with a chuckle. "You're not making me feel better about the Arcanists' willingness to police their own," she adds, teasingly.

Kiroth nods, 'It can be a bit hard to see the whole situation when you are down in the thick of battle. I agree with you on that Hon, but not all mages throw around fireballs so casually."

Mikilos nods. "Certainly, once your down in the thick of things, can understand a certain lack of situational awareness. It the habit of 'oh look, and enemy, let's immediately charge right at it' mentality that too many seem to have. Though honestly, if you're worried about getitng fireballed, it's not too difficult to add some flame resistance to your armor. Or a more general level of spell resistance, though neither is exactly a basic enchatment."

Meihui considers. "And it is, then, the responsibility of the potential victims, or is it the responsibility of the mage flinging the fire. One might say that it's even less difficult for a mage to simply...not throw fire at one's compatriots." She waggles a finger. "Unless you're offering to pay and provide the materials for the relevant enchantments?"

Kiroth nods, "I'd say that it's perhaps the responsibility of both parties to be aware of the situation and to not throw fireballs that might damage those in your party." He hmms, "Well Mikilos does offer discounts to other adventurers."

Mikilos grins. "I've already said I've never fireballed an innocent... which isn't to say weren't a few times was tempted. And already offer a rather hefty discount to members of the adventuring community." He nods to Kiroth. "Think some who havn't tried it themselves would be susprised at the costs involved. It can all add up rahter shockingly quick."

Meihui chuckles. "Well, then. Sounds like you're doing about as much as anyone can expect." She shakes her hands against the cold, and gives a shiver. "At any rate...Mikilos, I hope any concerns that you and yours had about my activities have been dealt with." She grins at Kiroth. "I suppose I could always take a Sunblade with me, next time. Vouch for my good behavior."

Kiroth smiles, "Well if you ever need me please feel free to call on my services. I know that you haven't Mikilos otherwise you'd have a brand on your forehead."

Mikilos turns serious, frowning thoughtfully. "Most likely the Commitee with grumble and perhaps issue a statement, but I doubt they'll take any real action. For myself... take at least one other with you. It only takes one time you misjudge and face a foe too powerful to handel. I assure you, dying is a most unplesant experience."

"Wise advice," Meihui says, with a respectful bow in the Magus' direction. Of course, that's not exactly an agreement. She straightens and grins at Kiroth. "I might just hold you to that. I'm not opposed to working with others. It was a pleasure to meet you both."

Kiroth shrugs, 'There are worse things then death." He says a bit grimly before he nods to Meihui, "Just ask for me at the temple, if I am not there they will know where to find me."

Mikilos bows politely in return, and heads off, walking this time. Teleport may be swift, but there is a line of extravigant magic use, you know... though one might notice the tiny puffs of wind keeping the flurries from underfoot...