A woman with a somewhat piercing glare and quieter presence, Alvarie tends to loom with her intimidating presence. Not one that feels cold and grand. She could never present those. Her aura is that of a woman who is on the borders of ferality every moment. Eyes hiding the desire to sink bestial teeth and claw into something. Body language that seeks out a warm place in the sun to sink down and rest.
Alvarie is a well respected and powerful hero from the Tal’Nula Collective. Having retired from her days of adventure and heroism, Alvarie now serves the Collective. A representative in some manners and a military advisor in others, these are what brings her to interact with the incarnates now in this game. She acts as a representative of her nation, for security.
Until the game ends, Alvarie will be watching the cast for signs of unchecked danger to her home. While doing so she will help train those who have not shown themselves to be a potential threat. Maybe she will even actually come to like some of the Incarnates, possibly.
I also made both my sisters play this game because I really wanted to see the other wing types but didn’t want to replay it right after finishing (i just generally don’t replay games often lately)
their reactions are all about the fact that in-game you can’t stand on the ground, only hover above it, and both of the girls pointed that out almost instantly
Moments after the two leave, a battered paper bird flutters haphazardly down from above. In its beak is an official-looking scroll, which it gently deposits on Alvarie’s head.
“Oh, a letter.” Ignoring whatever is going on, Alvarie reaches up and unrolls the letter on her head to read it to the class in full detail.
“‘Alvarie, the situation has grown politically tense.’ Yatta yatta yatta. ‘Communication is a nightmare at the moment.’ A bunch of useless information. ‘The other rulers are either afraid of the supposedly regicidal incarnates or want to attack the weak Calamity under the guise of stopping them.’ More useless shit. ‘Apprehend the person or people responsible for this so that I do not have to invade Calamity. That would suck. I hate swamps. You are the hero, figure it out.’” Shrugging, she puts the letter in her pocket. “So, my Khan is stressed.”
In a jittery flash of blue, Manami settles on the ground in front of Alvarie, fiddling meekly with both sets of hands in the same manner she always has.
"Aha, well, I've already confessed to the murder...! Do you, um... need it in writing? If you give me a minute, I can go put that together for you!"
“Normally all you would need is somebody to claim they did it and it would help if the Demon King Army took credit,” Alvarie muses. “But it says here that apparently some Calamitan nobles vying for power have begun claiming that it was a plot concocted by all the incarnates in the ritual with the goal of destabilizing the region. This idea was probably set up in tandem with foreign powers who are siding with those nobles and looking for an excuse to send armies to put the guy they want in charge. So… No idea how to handle that honestly. I guess I'll need to kill somebody.”
As the Deputy stands up, Esmée loses the ability to be guarded in this moment. Instead scoffing at the others words; though the eyeliner stains on her cheeks don't exactly build her up to be threatening.
"And we're just taking Nams word for it?" The nickname is back, at least. Some trust returning- the key word there being some.
"The lynchpin still needs to take responsibility. And we likely want closure on that regard. While the political scene isn't my biggest strong suit, pressing someone til I get answers and seeking something selfishly is. Not that that's a bad thing."
She flashes a smile Manami's way.
"Sooo...I'm gonna put your words under doubt, kay? I know you got shapeshift business going on, but the claw and teeth marks were too...I don't know. Not You?" A beat, "They moreso matched how we saw the portrait of Calum look during the...case with explosive…" She looks away, "And from what I remember of alibis, you weren't near the ballroom, right? Plus~ what was discovered in the post office recently, the letters from Ocelot."
Her eyes narrow.
"I'm accusing Ocelot of the crime of killing the king and suggesting that you lied about what you did, putting your words under question. If I'm wrong- I'm wrong. But hey. You gotta give me proof that I'm incorrect first, kay love?"
“...”
An unreadable expression crosses the Deputy’s face for a moment. The way her body glitches and contorts makes it impossible to tell what she’s thinking or feeling, but it all seems to resolve itself a moment later.
“Fine! That’s cool!! I’m sure if you just prove my involvement beyond aaany doubt, they’ll have no choice but to listen if they don’t want to start an all-out war with every other faction vying for control of this dump. Trust me - I will be walking away from this as the undisputed killer of King Calum IV.”
On the second day of the phase, a poster appears in several places all over the manor (and, surprisingly, the tree as well). It reads, in big block letters that gently cycle through ink colors to get your attention:
===
FIGHTING TOURNAMENT
To be held in Two Days Time, in the Last Haven Royal Arena, before an Audience of the Nobility and Citizenry, starting in the Morning at 10:00
In the format of Two-Versus-Two Battle, using the popular Refined Endurance Combat ruleset
Careful and timely Healing Provided to Ensure Death does Not Result
Participation Voluntary - Bound Welcome
Meeting in the Manor Lounge Two Hours Prior to Decide Teams
GRAND PRIZE: King Calum IV shall deign to answer Three Questions posed by the over-all Victors, verified Truthful in his words by use of Magic*
FOR PARTICIPATION: Each brave Combatant shall receive Compensation in the form of that peculiar Currency specific to the Great Tree
*Questions about the Identity of the Lynchpin will not receive a meaningful Answer, ensured by means of Magical Silence, for the sake of Maintaining the Ritual
===
Perhaps you’re interested by the incentive, or by the premise at large. Perhaps you aren’t moved. However you feel about this, the posters remain, announcing the event to all and sundry. It doesn’t take long for word to spread among you.
Time passes, and...
8 AM on the fourth day arrives. When it does, Kali and Alvarie can be found in the fancy lounge, ready and waiting for any potential tournament participants to arrive. The solemn Cavalry Captain and the exuberant Hero are also present, interestingly enough.
You find yourself in a dark, windowless room. The walls and floor are made of stone. Kali floats before you, while Alvarie idly leans against the nearby wall.
Kali waits until all of the living Incarnates have stepped through the portal (for that’s what it is, isn’t it?) before speaking up. “Welcome to Last Haven, the Calamity Kingdom’s capital! We’ll be holding the next round of the ritual here, on these grounds. You can still go back and forth,” she explains, gesturing to the portal behind you, through which you can see a rippling view of where you came from. “But the Incarnates are ‘encouraged’ to spend their nights here in the manor. You’re here in the capital on the King’s invitation.” She scowls deeply. “So you know what that means.” It’s less optional than she’s making it sound.
“I won’t be here as much now that I am not trapped in a tree?” Alvarie questions to nobody in particular. She then sighs and her shoulders slump. “I fucking hate being here,” she mumbles.
Kali fully ignores Alvarie, gesturing over her shoulder. You squint through the darkness and can make out a steep staircase leading up. “Not much to see down here. Come up and get acquainted with the place.”
What is there to do but file up the stairs? Kali leads the way, and Alvarie trails behind. At the top, you find yourself in a small room with a door. But more interestingly, there’s also a maid waiting here. She curtsies respectfully to you as you pass.
“Good evening, Incarnates. This one welcomes you to the Heroes’ Manor.” She doesn’t take more of your time than that, immediately going in to clean the area you just left from.
Stepping out of the door, you find yourself in… a jungle? Vegetation of multifarious types chokes every scrap of usable ground here. There’s a paved path leading between the many unruly trees, thankfully. But… what is this place? Where are you now?
There’s nothing for it but to do as you were bid and look around.
Alvarie cocks her eyebrow at vee as they go on a long crying tirade. Blah blah blah. Still they reminded her of something she forgot to say. Honestly something more relevant to this situation right now than her comments about this ritual making a bunch of overpowered idiots. Putting her sword away she crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall near the entrance.
"I mean i am only half human. And I grew up in a country where humans are less common than elves, orcs, goblins, and gnolls. Though my home village did have a lot of humans. My point being your comment about humanity makes no sense actually. It's a really bad return insult honestly. Not that i particularly care. You are the one with sparkling words of wisdom like "Thoughts can be bad."."
She shrugs and glances over at Theo. As well to Bian but Bian had recovered more so than the not so princess. The hypocrisy of condemnations here were laughable. She looks back to Vee and harriet both.
"Harriet chose to be selfish and hide in fear for her life. This isn't wrong. She has every right to do so. I won't criticize her for doing it. But what some of you need to seem to understand is that when she chooses that route, she is not owed any selflessness by those hurt. You are a supremely moral being vee. based on how you present yourself to be. Knowing what's right and good. It seems unfair to me to hate that others were selfish with their anger when Harriet was selfish with her fear. Except you jump to protect her. If you are going to be a hypocrite at least admit it. Harriet is at least being reasonable about this. Even if she is upset and afraid... That said."
She moves from her spot, unfolding her arms as she approaches them. Reaching out, she gently Pat's Harriet on the head.
"You aren't very smart are you? I know somebody who can teach you how to manage your emotions when this all is done. Just hold on to your sanity until then."
