I updated the Ragnarok World in the Prince of Ravens entry (very first one) more facts on Alde Baran and Lighthalzen.
Chapter 10: Help from Lighthalzen
Perenelle Fioravanti opened her feathered fan with a snap. Her wrist rose and fell with the motion of fanning herself, but it was more from habit than anything else, because fanning was a rather useless action considering where she stood.
She was standing on the deck of what seemed to be a ship, but if one would lean over its stern or bow, a straight hundred kilometer fall through air instead of water would be what met one's eye. There were also no sails present, but there were two gigantic turbines located on either side of the hull. She was aboard one of the smaller airships that belonged to the Rekenber Corporation- it was called the Cloud Skimmer. It wasn't for commercial use, like the other far larger airships that were about five times its size, but for the use of the important employees of Rekenber for quick and hassle free transportation. Presently, it was the most sophisticated mode of transportation in the world, aside from warping, though not the cheapest. It could not outrun Acidus at maximum flight speeds; but at least it didn't get tired in the middle of the journey, and kept on flying day or night.
Perenelle was stunningly beautiful with fair skin, rosebud lips, lilac eyes that came from her father's Alde Baranian blood and unique silvery blonde- more silver than blonde- hair that could only have come from her mother's Einbrochin heritage. She wore a red tailed ribbon at the back of her head that kept her hair away from her radiant face. She was young, only nineteen, but despite her age, she was already a Head Researcher of the Rekenber Corporation. She wore the garb of a Biochemist, with a sheathed fire blend and ice falchion hanging from either side of her waist, and with her other hand she held unto a golden cane with a winged sun atop it and small golden serpents coiling up its length, that confirmed her position as a Head Researcher.
The apex of the Geffen Tower came to view, and Perenelle couldn't help but reminisce the days of her childhood, which she had spent within the capital of magic. Her father was the Alde Baranian consulate to Geffen, so they lived most of their life in his estate in Ivoire. Perenelle had even tried her hand at the Mage Academy, where she met and became good friends with the Prince of Geffen himself- Phi. Rumors had arisen then, that she and Phi were to marry. True they had been former lovers, and the possibility of marrying wasn't that far from the horizon. But all that changed on her sixteenth naming day, when she finally decided that her true calling was to become an alchemist not a mage. She had to leave for an apprenticeship in Alde Baran, on the same day that Phi had been raised to a wizard. Nothing was said, but their relationship ended then.
"It truly is a wonderful sight, isn't it?" suddenly asked someone who had just taken his place beside Perenelle. She turned her head and saw Salochin Trevisan, her colleague biochemist. His orange hair was parted neatly across the center and his mauve-colored eyes hid behind round silver-rimmed glasses. He spoke in the sing-song accent of Alde Baranians that seemed to rise and fall with every syllable. He carried under the crook of his arm a cane of bronze in the shape of a large serpent that looked ready to devour the diminutive serpents on Perenelle's staff - identifying him as the Foreman for Organic Engineering.
"Nothing like it in Lighthalzen, in fact nothing like it anywhere else in the world." replied Perenelle with a smile. Salochin was her dearest friend in Lighthalzen, and he knew everything about her including being the consulate's daughter, living her childhood in Geffen, and her relationship with the prince. He was the only one who could recognize the still present tinge of the flowing Geffenese accent under her Alde Baranian one.
Salochin looked around for anybody who was near, and finding that nobody was, he stepped closer to Perenelle and spoke in a soft voice. "Do you think that Geffen has truly managed to steal the Tome?" he asked
"Be silent, Salo," said Perenelle, careful to keep her own voice low. The crew men of the Cloud Skimmer were far too busy and knew better than to try and eavesdrop on the conversation of two biochemists, but still no chances could be taken.
It had been seven days before, when a pigeon arrived at Lighthalzen, from a little village just south of the capital city of Prontera. That by itself was unusual enough, because what would someone from a little farming village want to say to any employee within the Rekenber corporation? The letter contained an encrypted message in Geffenese runes, which Perenelle was immediately sent to decipher.
It had taken her half an hour to finish; her Geffenese background earned her a share of rune reading capabilities. She herself immediately brought the letter to the President of Rekenber, because the letter was sealed in black wax with the image of a raven clutching unto the eye of Geffen- the sigil of the Prince, and its contents were much too important to trust in the hands of a servant. She stood there watching as the head of her corporation read through the letter as follows.
Hauser Rekenber,
Geffen has succeeded in acquiring the Tome of Divine magic between the hours of twelve Sunday
and two Monday, second month of fall, Year of the Willow. So far, no knowledge of the activity is
known other than to the Roi of Geffen, Oberon Acier d'Seigneur un avec la'Arcanorum, and trusted
members of the Geffenese court, including his highness the Prince of Ravens, Prophius Greve d'Ame un avec la'Arcanorum.
We would like to remind you of the Secret Treaty of Fortu Luna, which states that in the instance
that Geffen is able to come into possession of the Tome of Divine Magic, the Rekenber Corporation
will aid in the study of the Tome, in exchange for whatever secrets that may be discovered.
We believe that the Rekenber Corporation, and its esteemed president, will live up to their word.
The capital of magic does not wish to harbor any ill feelings or second thoughts about our longstanding alliance.
Long has the Holy Order of the Church of Odin-Baldur, persecuted Geffen and the Rekenber Corporation;
us for wielding powers that are rightfully ours to wield, and you for deciding to try and unlock the secrets of life.
We have our chance to learn about Divine Magic, and we are inviting you to share it with us. We will await your
reply back in Geffen.
p.s.
Keep an eye on whoever deciphered this letter; we cannot risk the knowledge being out in the open.
High Lord Sabreithin Vider d'Loup la'Dumont,
Guardian and Mentor of Prophius Greve d'Ame un avec la'Arcanorum, The Prince of Ravens,
The message was Geffenese through and through, compliments thrown in together with threats so discreetly that whoever read it would be affected at a subconscious level, and do exactly what the Geffenese would want them to do. The post script also didn't scare Perenelle at all. During the signing of the treaty, Geffen had given instructions that when they said "Keep an eye" it would mean "Kill, and leave absolutely no trace". True, she had been the one to decipher the letter, but she knew nobody else in the entire corporation would be a better candidate to send to Geffen other than her and Salo.
"So, those conjurors managed to pull it off did they? Who would have thought?" began Master Rekenber talking to himself, his heavy lidded eyes hovered over Perenelle, before he smoothed back his grey hair then wiped his hand on his rich black coat. "You've read the post script obviously, and I recall you were present during the signing of Fortu Luna."
"Yes sir," replied Perenelle unwaveringly.
"And yet, you still brought the letter to me? Knowing fully well that you would be killed." He continued, an expression of pure curiosity was on his face, and he wasn't trying to hide it.
"Yes sir," said Perenelle once again.
"Tell me why," said Rekenber leaning back on his chair, as if what he was about to hear would blow him away.
"Because sir," began Perenelle, adjusting her Head researcher's cane in front of her so that it could clearly be seen, "I am the one whom you will send to Geffen, Am I not?" she starred down Master Rekenber, in the same way that she would stare down a deadly monster that she was about to put down for researching processes. She had learned a thing or two about intrigue, growing up in Geffen.
"Too much pride is a dangerous thing to have, especially for one as young as you Mistress Fioravanti." Said Rekenber, a little taken aback and very amused at Perenelle's answer.
"At the same time, too much pride has made the Rekenber Corporation what it is today," Perenelle snapped her feathered fan open and proceeded to fan herself for emphasis. That statement would surely close the argument.
Rekenber began to laugh boisterously, "My girl, you have left me with no choice! You shall go to Geffen along with Salochin Trevisan. Go now, you leave as soon as possible."
Perenelle nodded her head in accordance before she turned on her heel and exited the President's office with only one thing on her mind "Just as expected".
Two figures appeared from the distance and were heading towards the airship at high speed. Perenelle strained to see what they were, and immediately recognized the creatures as Acidus. Logically, the people mounted atop them were wizards.
"Acidus towards the bow, hundred and fifty meters!" shouted a crew member from the crow's nest, taking the spy glass away from his eye.
The captain slowed the Cloud Skimmer, and everybody waited until the Acidus and whoever rode them pulled in. The Acidus finally came within range of the airship and began circling above it, as there was no place on deck for them to make a decent landing. One man from each Acidus leaped over the sides and proceeded to fly down towards the deck. That was one of the very few regrets Perenelle had with leaving the Mage Academy to become an alchemist, she had never learned how to fly.
The two men landed on the deck lightly and Perenelle immediately recognized their completely identical faces.
"Foeel! Ephet! I've missed both of you so much!" shouted Perenelle as she ran to them and hugged each one, carefully making sure that Foeel was the one smiling from ear to ear, and Ephet the one with pursed lips and squinted eyes.
The twins had been the up and coming treasure children that Geffen had once in a blue moon. They were constantly present in the mage academy during Perenelle's time, giving a hand here and there with teaching the aspiring young mages, especially the young Prince who seemed to be fast catching up with them. Perenelle and Phi had grown close to them and them to Perenelle and Phi back.
"Is this my little Perenelle, already!" exclaimed Foeel as he twirled her around like a ballerina. "You've grown so beautifully, and a biochemist now I see."
"Head Researcher in Rekenber, might I add!" said Perenelle proudly, waving her ornate golden cane across their faces.
"I suppose you've forgotten all that we've taught you then?" asked Ephet at the same time scrutinizing her with his piercing emerald eyes.
"You disappoint me Ephet," said Perenelle making a mock hurt expression, she quickly replaced it with a smile as she snapped her fingers and created a little dancing flame, "Of course I didn't forget."
It made an extremely unpracticed smile appear on Ephet's face; Perenelle was one of the rare few who could make Ephet smile when she wanted to.
Perenelle took Foeel and Ephet by the arms then brought the twins closer towards Salo.
"Foeel, Ephet, this is Rekenber's Foreman for organic engineering, Salochin Trevisan- you can call him Salo. And Salo, these are my greatest teachers in the Mage Academy that I told you about before, High Lords Foeel and Ephet Deblucian."
Salo extended a hand forward, and the wizards shook it in turn. "Welcome to Geffen Master Trevisan, we hope your stay will be…enlightening." said Foeel, with a tinge in his voice that Salo couldn't comprehend.
"I'm sure it will be," replied Salo, keeping his air of cool, despite being around two high ranking nobles, whom he had heard nothing but amazing things from Perenelle.
The captain, a burly ape-resembling man, had come down from the bridge to meet the two high wizards. And after the usual introductions, Ephet had informed the captain that a landing area was erected near the castles of Britonah.
The Cloud Skimmer flew over Ivoire and veered a little south west until a large empty plateau was pointed out by the twins, as the landing area. The airship landed safely, without any complications and no sooner was the ladder lowered.
Salo went down first, and helped Perenelle like a true gentleman. Once her feet were firmly on the ground, she examined her surroundings. The plateau was perfectly rounded and much too flat surfaced, meaning that it was created by magic; Perenelle wouldn't be surprised if it were to disappear by tomorrow morning. She took in the Geffenese scenery that she had missed so much, Mt. Mjolnir off to the horizon, the wonderful shimmering blue lakes, and the lush green grasslands that were such an opposite from the barren brown earth of dry foliage under the floating city of Yuno and around Lighthalzen. She turned her head until another familiar face caught her attention. The sky-blue eyes, the golden curls, and the wonderful smile, it was a face no woman could ever forget.
"I didn't think it was possible," began Phi, "But you've grown more beautiful since I last saw you."
"You don't look so bad yourself," replied Perenelle, standing her ground and not moving any closer to Phi.
Phi rolled his eyes then smiled, before he strode towards her then hugged her tightly, as if trying to force all the hugs that he had missed to give her over the past three years, into one. "Am I always the one who's supposed to chase after you?" he whispered not letting her go of the hug just yet.
"Only if you want to," she whispered back, finally wrapping her arms around him and returning the hug.
She spotted other people waiting behind Phi, namely some Geffenese soldiers in their strange helmets, High Lord Dumont, and for some reason a beautiful Morrocan girl. Perenelle wondered for a moment why a Morrocan girl was present (and why she was so beautiful), but she pushed the thought away quickly as she cherished her reunion with Phi, and felt as if she never left.
Ooooh, I smell a love triangle!!!!
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Tips
Maybe people can notice now that purple eyes and red/orange hair have been repeatedly coming up. Anyway, those features are commonly seen among Alde Baranians. Perenelle's father is Alde Baranian so she has lilac eyes, Salo is also Alde Baranian, and so is Memer (and his sister in turn) in case nobody noticed. Alde Baran is based on Italy, Venice to be more precise because of the canals, so their accent is Italian sounding.
The canes that the biochemists carry, signify their positions within the Rekenber Corporation, the golden winged cane for researchers, and the brazen serpent for organic engineers…I may think of more, if other biochemists appear, but for now, only two.
For Geffenese names, the "d'" is used before the maiden name "la'" before the surname, and "un avec" for members of the Royal line.
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Game-Inspired
The airship, which was recently introduced in the game, seems to be the only mode of transportation that would allow the biochemists to reach Geffen before the Pronteran party (Aside from warping). I made the particular one they were riding in smaller, since only two people were sent to Geffen. Think of it like a private jet as opposed to a commercial flight plane. Hahaha!
Fire Blend- A one handed sword type weapon that allows its user pyrokinesis to some extent.
Ice falchion-The ice counterpart of the Fire Blend, so it allows hydrokinesis and thermokinesis or some such, anyway it's for ice.
The drawings of the Alchemists/biochemists actually do display them holding unto canes, I just had no idea what they were for (in the manga they were for summoning)
Fortu Luna is a real place in the RO world it's actually rafild06, check it out if u want.
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Trivia
Perenelle- Perenelle Flamel was the wife of the famous 15th century alchemist Nicholas Flamel. Perenelle was a widow and married Nicolas Flamel at the age of 40. Nicholas Flamel was an alchemist however, Perenelle was actually a serious alchemist in her own right, and worked with her husband on the alchemical quest as his partner.
Fioravanti- a Bolognese surgeon and alchemist, Leonardo Fioravanti was in the court of King Philip II between 1576 and 1577.
Salochin- a play on the name of Nicholas (backwards)Flamel who was an alchemist whose central quest was the search for the philosopher's stone, and the elixir of life that would supposedly achieve immortality.
Trevisan- Bernard Trevisan refers to one Italian alchemist. He was born into a noble family in Padua and spent his entire life spending his family fortune in search of the Philosopher's stone.
Perenelle's cane- A caduceus is a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it. It was an ancient astrological symbol of commerce and is associated with the Greek god Hermes, the messenger for the gods, conductor of the dead and protector of merchants and thieves. It was originally a herald's staff, sometimes with wings, with two white ribbons attached. The ribbons eventually evolved into snakes. It is sometimes mistakenly used as a symbol for medicine, by those confusing it with the rod of Asclepius, which features only a single snake and no wings.
Salochin' cane-The Nehushtan is a sacred object in the form of a bronze snake upon a pole. It is most well known for its mention in the Bible where it was used by Moses to heal the Israelites from snake bites. The Bible also records that it was worshipped for a period of time in the Kingdom of Judah and incense was offered to it. It was therefore destroyed by King Hezekiah as idolatrous.