The Beast

[Dracos]

Dracos frowns slightly, but takes off his sword, handing it to the guards and heading in.

Dracos

[Bjorn]

Bjorn stares back at the guards, quite coolly.  There is a clear expectation that they understand that the rules, as applied to him, are quite different.

[Brian]

The guards look uncomfortable, but aren't going to let you in.  You may be the acting Warden of Stormwall keep, but Lord Kevin still outranks you.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn sighs, and then turns and bows to Radagast and Philip.  "If you'll pardon me," he says politely, "duty requires my presence elsewhere.  I hope to have a chance to speak with you soon, Master Derrick, Master Qurral."

Unless interrupted, he turns, and makes his way down to the dungeons, where Lindsey, Durant, and presumably Nathan are to be found.

[Brian]

The guards (and Radagast) nod at Bjorn on his way out.  Once he's gone, Radagast escorts everyone to his study.  The two men take seats at Radagast's insistance, looking around at things curiously.

"So," Quarrl asks eyeing a glass container of some dark powder.  "What do you need to know about us?"

Radagast shrugs, and glances at Phil, but says nothing immediately.

Bjorn now leaves this thread and joins Alone.

[Dracos]

"First, I'd like to apologies for the ...necessity of all this.  I hope you understand, we've had some trouble lately with assassins from areas we'd never expect.  Second...Well...  dispensing with pleansantries and being blunt.  This room is secure.  What is going on here will not leave it.  You can speak openly.  We know that you are not from this world.  We don't take this to mean you are hostile, as the same is true of both of us, but that said, we need to know.  Who are you really and what are your intentions here?"

Dracos

[Brian]

Qurral shifts his shoulders uncomfortably, and exchanges a glance with Derick.  "Magus Orbis," Qurral says finally, nodding.  "I came here for my final test before being accepted into the highest rank."  He shoots Derrick a sidelong glance.  "I had not known for certain you were also from our world."

Derrick shrugs uncomfortably, and tucks his Star of David back into his shirt.  "I am from Israel," he says slowly.  "I was searching for ... for an answer, of sorts.  I became sorely lost, though.  From what I have found in my time here, the only way for me to go home is to change this world in some way.  I am loathe to cause strife, but this seems to be the only choice I have to return home."

"Interesting," Radagast muses.

[Dracos]

Dracos nods.  "I am a participant in the contest, as far as it goes.  Working with the Order of Symmetry.  Our goal, as far as it goes right now, is to see this world protected from the dreadmarch and overturn the machinations that lead to it being so massive and widespread.  You two seem in good faith.  Are you willing to cooperate and help us towards this end?  To protect stormwall keep?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"I've never heard of the Order of Symetry," Qurral says slowly.  "Or about a contest."

"My goal is to protect this world so that I may return to my own home," Derrick says, nodding.

[Ginrai]

Curious over something he heard, Ginrai asks, "Qurral, can you please describe the world you're originally from?"

[Brian]

Qurral frowns.  "I come from a country called Italy," he clarifies.  "On a world we call 'Earth'.  Where are you from?"  He looks curious.

[Dracos]

"Ironic almost."  Dracos shakes his head.  "We're from the states.  United states of america to be specific.  Parth's from new york or thereabouts.  I was most recently of the boston area.  And...not particularly surprising.  I haven't heard of Magus Orbis and had you asked me a couple of months ago I couldn't have told you a lick about the order of symmetry or this insane contest.  Anyhow, if you like, I can explain it, up to you two if you really want to know."

Dracos

[Brian]

"I am curious," Derrick offers.

Qurral seems largely indifferent.

Radagast merely shakes his head, producing a pipe, and takes a few puffs on it.

[Dracos]

"Okay...  As I understand it, the contest is an ancient battle for the future of earth.  The winners change the world.  Literally.  Some of the previous contests have had results like the discovery of America, 'the new world' as I'm told.  Historically, there are three participant groups each with an oracle and five contestants.  Seventh Cabal, representing those who want to leave the world, abandoning the past and making a new future somewhere else.  They, as far as we know, are responsible for preparing the dreadmarch to be the monstrousity it currently is.  Their oracle was the being known as Rasputin.  Pax Arcana, another group that is also here in the keep at the moment, their goal as we've been told being to anhillate those who are not worthy.  To purge the weak and allow the strong to rule the earth.  Their last victory, saw the black plague back in the middle ages in Europe.  Finally, there is the order of Symmetry which is supposed to protect how things are.  Technically, they were anhillated years ago.  Due to...weird circumstances, we've found ourselves in contact with their oracle, the former greek oracle of Delphi, and taking up the torch of representing the group in the contest.  Basically, the contestants go through the dreams of the various 'gods' around the world, entering them, passing through them, absorbing some 'truth' and power within them.  The Oracle guides the group through completing this.  The first to finish all the tasks is apparently the winner, though I'm not certain on that."

Dracos

[Brian]

"Ah," Qurral says after a moment.  "I see."

Derrick says nothing, just looking stunned.

Radagast nods and puffs on his pipe.  "It was our concern you were with the enemy," he explains.  "One of the groups has already been through, and ... left their mark on this world."