Fantasy Dragons in the West

[Phyre]

Karasu


"We were attacked buy a ship that was comprised of dead bodies. The captain of the vessel demanded that we give him the bride. He watched his walking dead minions easy get dispatched with his flimsy boarding attack. Although this captain held what could have been an artifact bow, he never used it. After rejecting his offer, he promised to return. We have not seen him, so I guessing it may be a visit he will be making be for the wedding. Only time will tell.

 

[Sherwood]

Aang looks to Karasu with surprise. "Was this captain a man with a scar on his face, running from here to here? And did he sail out of a patch of magical fog? If it is the ship that I'm thinking it is, you are one of the few to have seen the pirate ship Bloodletter and still live to tell the tale. According to some other survivors, that bow of his is capable of blowing holes through ships, but that has been seen only by one man. It is most likely that he is Anathama of kind, and I suspect that it was only the numbers of Exalts on your vessel that kept him from attacking. According to our ambassador from Skullstone, this is an independent raider and not one of theirs, but I doubt that. Mmmmm. I will order the guards on the walls and gate increased. No need to make an assassin's job easier when we have been forewarned."

 

[Phyre]

Karasu


"Yes, that is the fiend!" I was not aware of his accolades but hearing you speak of the magical fog, I am very confident this was the same being. I would hope that you ensure all your guards stay aware of the possibility of an assault or assassination attempt. Has he ever been known to attack on land? Also who says he sails independently of that nation? Is their anyway I can see where the wedding will be held for defensive planning?"

 

[Sherwood]

Aang nods. "The ceremony is being planned to be held in the grand cathedral, a building that has survived from the First Age. Quite a beautiful structure. We are working with the local security forces here to make sure that lady Xandra and the prince will both be safe, and in the morning, I am certain that we can make a trip to let everyone see the place before the official ceremony of welcome tomorrow. As I said, I will have our guards her on alert to ensure the safety of everyone here."

 

[Exthalion]

Mnemnon Amal


The grandson of Mnemnon closed his eyes and just listened. He had been wandering the streets of the city and the regions of the dock for about an hour now, having found a new great-coat and shapeless seaman's hat among the ship's stores. For a time he had just let the traffic move him, first to the brothels and bars near the waterfront, then to the warehouses where goods were stored before being loaded on to ships or sent further inland. Just beyond were the counting houses and offices of traders and merchants, and that was where he needed to be.


Reaching into his borrowed garment he pulled out a slip of water-resistant mulberry paper, something he had insisted on when coming to the west. It was somewhat wrinkled by his immersion, but the address and accompanying letter of introduction was still quite readable. House Mnemnon may not be a major power in the West, but that didn't mean it was absent. Luxuries like pearl, coral, byssus, purple dye from sea-snarls, and countless others could only be had here. It was with one of the traders his house did business that he now went to meet. With luck this would be sufficient for an introduction to those he really needed to meet with. Dragon's willing it would be even more.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng


Immaculate Temple





The temple was a squat, hardy structure, more akin to a fortress than a place of worship and its location on a high rocky outcrop with but a single winding path to the gates fed more fuel to the fire of its military as opposed to religious purposes. Yet, within the walls, all was tranquil. Whereas within the walls of a fortress, there might have been soldiers drilling and preparing for war, instead the small cohort of mortal monks either meditated, read or practiced their martial arts katas to the barked orders of their instructors.


Brother Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng watched from one of the corner towers as the practicing monks went through their katas for a short while, then turned as his ears caught the sound of distant horns. The sound was familiar to him now, he had heard it almost daily since his mentor had assigned him to renewing the Immaculate Teachings in Abalone. The temple here had been left to the ministrations of the mortal adherents to the Cult of the Immaculates for many, many years and the building and its grounds had shown the results of that neglect. When he'd arrived, the walls were covered in crumbling unbleached clay, the footpaths within the walls were dusty and strewn with fallen leaves and the library, small as it was, was in disarray. He had to become a hurricane, pushing and cajoling his mortal brothers to returning the temple to its proper state. He worked with them to scrape away the old clay and recover the walls with good, lime-washed clay, he helped sweep and wash the footpaths and he spent many late hours setting the library to rights. The work was long and back-breaking at times, but it was all tasks that we're needful. With a few weeks, the temple looked as it should always have and the monks settled back into the proper ways of the Order.


Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng watched, now his attention had been drawn by the horns of the dock wardens, the approach of the First Age ship and its attendant vessel. Young Prince Rupert's bride and her entourage, without a doubt. He knew, thanks to a message sent ahead that a monk by the name of Tomiko would be presiding over the ceremony and he was to provide such support as he might to her. He was interested in what news he might glean from the wedding party of affairs back home and decided it might be time to pay a visit to the Embassy in the city to make his presence known to Sister Tomiko. He returned to his meagre quarters, put on fresh robes, took up a sturdy walking staff, topped with a set of brass bells and, after ensuring his mortal charges were not in any immediate need for him, set off for the city on foot.

 

[Crocodile]

Ledaal Mithras


Mithras listened, taking in what was told to him and nodding at the security measures. Ever the paranoid, he considered that those opposing this wedding would find ways around such defenses. Desperation bred dangerous ingenuity when it came to fighting for a cause you believed in. He'd heard with much concern how devoted some of Skullstone's citizenry were to their country. That meant he and his own cadre of agents would have to do their best to sniff out nests of enemy spies to eliminate them, or at least keep tabs on their actions. It never hurt to make the enemy feel secure enough to feed you sufficient information to pull their plans apart at the right moment.


The strongly built Air Aspect calmly starts to stroll the perimeter of the area, staying in sight of their host. He would want to get introduced to the manse as soon as possible. From there he would wait for his men to report in with the baggage train so that he could begin his efforts to make contact with any other assets in the city.

 

[Sherwood]

Later that evening, the various Exalts are brought to the hearthroom of the manse by Aang and he spends a few minutes 'introducing' you to the manse. He explains, "The manse has a spirit bound to it that helps to control the functions of the household, including the defenses. This way, you will now be allowed to come and go through the gates as you please, and the manse also will now respond to your voice commands."


After this, everyone is taken to their rooms. Xandra and Zanaiya are next to each other, while the others are up and down the hall. You are given time to clean up and prepare for dinner, unless someone wishes to leave the grounds and find some of the local culture for your meal.

 

[Phyre]

Karasu


I will go along and take advantage of the time to get cleaned up and changed for dinner.

 

[Sherwood]

Amal


It is late in the afternoon when Amal meets the merchant in charge of his House's holdings in Wavecrest. His name is Oron Kesh, a distant cousin of the Mnemon family. When Amal gets to the business district where Oron keeps his wares before being moved onto their next destination, you are welcomed by several lower level functionaries of the merchant. You show your letter of introduction, and they immediately offer you the comfort of a private sitting room and a cool glass of wine while they tell Master Kesh that he has a distinguished visitor.


Oron comes in after only a couple of minutes of waiting. He is a portly man, but one that moves lightly on his feet despite his large frame. He is dressed in expensive clothes, and even has a pair of flamepieces tucked into his belt. With a grin, he pulls you into a big hug. "Amal! Good to see you! Welcome to my home. I hope that I didn't keep you waiting long; I had to finish up a meeting with one of my fellow merchants. If I am not mistaken, your ship was not due to arrive in Wavecrest for at least another day. Made good time, I see. So! What can I do for you right now?"


Brother Long





At the Immaculate Temple, Sister Tomiko arrives after her trip to the Embassy to make her devotions to the Dragons in the peace of an actual temple. She makes her way to see the High Priest and check in, and in that meeting, Brother Long is summoned to join in the discussions. The wide-wandering Air Aspect monk offers up a deep bow to all that are in attendance, then moves on to a more friendly handshake with a winning smile. "Ah, it is good to be on dry land once more. I enjoy a good sea voyage now and then, but it just doesn't do for me what good ol' solid ground does. So, I have finally delivered the Dynast to the islands to secure the treaty. How has work been going planning for the ceremony?"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng


High Priest's Office


The young monk returned his sister Air Aspect's bow and hand-shake.


"I am gladdened by Sister Tomiko's safe arrival. As to the wedding ceremony, I have been instructing Prince Rupert in the properly proscribed method of a Realm Immaculate wedding, such as the Lady Nellens Xandra would be expecting. Our brothers here in Abalone are fully aware of their roles in the ceremony and are ready to perform any duties you wish of them, as am I.", he replied, as he slipped his hands back into his sleeves.


Lóng had not attended a proper Realm wedding in ages. Almost all of the weddings he had been asked to preside over or assist with had been far simpler affairs: declarations to the Dragons of fidelity, honesty and amity, the same declarations to each other, followed by prayers and a blessing for the future. The wedding of a Dynast was similar in terms of the making of declarations, prayers and blessings, but the declarations were greater, the prayers were more involved and the blessing was more an exhortation to the Dragons to make the union fruitful. He had not attended such a wedding since he'd been a young child, but the memories were still strong in his mind.

 

[Sherwood]

The Air Aspect monk smiles. "Excellent! From what I remember, Prince Rupert has spent many years on the Blessed Isle, so his instruction at your hand should be fairly easy, assuming he is cooperating. There are plans in the works for the wedding party to escort Xandra to the cathedral where the ceremony will be taking place before making her 'official' arrival at the palace to meet with the royal family. Are you free to join in the procession?"

 

[Exthalion]

Mnemon Amal





"Oron, I am glad to see business has been going well. If only everyone could be as worthy of the trust placed in them. Speaking of which, Grandfather was very pleased by the last shipment of medicinal clams, but was certain he paid for another five taels. He was very insistent that I bring it up, but having done so I have absolutely no intention of mentioning it again and will of course provide him with a favorable report about you. I never did care for that particular game."


One of Amal's tutors had said that the best way to gain leverage over someone was to do them a favor that was easily rescinded and thereby became a threat. That same tutor had also said that the most worrisome player of politics was the one who did not play it. Considering he was executed for "impiety" a few years after he had finished instructing Amal suggested either that his advice was bad or that he was not very good at applying it. A young prince of the earth hoped he was doing better, and the small part of him that really did want to be friends with people hopped this didn't overly distress Oron.


"Now, on to my real business. There is going to be a jade mine built, and I am acknowledged as one of the best architects in Creation. The fact that I am here and experienced means it is only natural that I should have some hand in the project. If that hand opens the door to the throne room and House Sessus gains less influence than they thought with their treaty, perhaps they should have cultivated their virtue further.

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng


High Priest's Office


"While he has travelled and learned extensively back on the Blessed Isle, His Highness' tuition did not prepare him for the involved process that is betrothal to a Princess of the Earth. However, he has been a most attentive and inquisitive student, so o do not doubt he shall do his duty well and be the pride of his family", Brother Lù Zhèng replied, "And, yes, I would be honored to accompany you to the cathedral. I have had little experience within the cathedral, my duties have been mostly ministering to the outlying communities of the island. It would be interesting for me to see where the ceremony will take place."

 

[Sherwood]

Oron leans forward in his seat with interest. "Ah! The rumors are true, then! I've heard so many different theories about what was found out there, including some stories of a vast cathedral full of First Age artifacts. <snort> As if." He pulls out a sheet of parchment and a quill. "It will be quite an initial investment to get the mine up and running, but if the vein is large enough, it will pay for itself tenfold." He starts to write down a list of things to do, humming happily to himself as he does so.


As evening falls, the rest of the wedding party are now relaxing on solid ground inside the manse. Xandra lounges on a divan. "I wonder, once this wedding is done, will I have to keep dodging assassins, or will they go away once this treaty is sealed? Hmm. So, is anyone up to finding out what kind of night life this city has? This place must have a few clubs that have to be decent, right?"

 

[Phyre]

Karasu:


Karasu will get something appropriate for the evening and go out with Xandra to explore the night life.

 

[DreamingofRoses]

Nellens Zanaiya


Zanaiya sits near her sister on a backless chair. She has brought out her sanxian for the evening and begins plucking an idle nonsense-tune on the instrument, occasionally stopping to tune the strings gently.


She frowns at both Karasu and her sister, "Not tonight." She focuses her steady gaze on her sister, "Have you completely finished your training with Tomiko? There is nothing more you need study?"

 

[Sherwood]

Xandra sticks her tongue out at her sister before sitting back in her seat sullenly. "Tomiko is gone to the temple. And anyways, listening to her drone on and on about the royal family and the political dynamics of the islands is so boring! I just want to have some fun! Why can't we go out to have a little party? Everyone can come along with me to keep the hordes of assassins away from me. C'mon! Lets go!"

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng


Streets of Abalone





Night was rapidly approaching as Brother Lù Zhèng lead a long-eared mule through the city's streets by a rope around its neck that he held in his left hand. His right hand gripped a long staff with a hooded lantern hung from a hook on its end that cast a warm light down without disturbing those who lived in the houses he passed. The mule was burdened by two baskets, one filled with worn, but still serviceable, clothes, the other with fish and bread. Tonight, the young Immaculate was visiting the poor, needy and homeless of Abalone, delivering such charity as he could muster from the more amenable people of the city. The clothes had been cast-offs from workers who had disposed of clothing that was no longer fit for purpose, but could still be worn as garments with a little careful repair work or even used to create durable patches for others' clothes. The food had been donated by the bakers, butchers and fishmongers who had been urged by the monk to give generously of the last of their daily wares which would otherwise have spoiled and been dumped. As he travelled the city streets, the inviting light of his lantern drew the outcasts of the area to him. Some would take an article or two of clothing, others would take loaves of bread and some precious meat to feed their families. All who came to him received blessings from Lù Zhèng. The young monk had been raised in privilege, but he did not let that life color his perceptions or blind him to the hard life of those who were not so fortunate as he. A crippled old man confronted him, hobbling on a crutch. The monk's eyes could see pain in the man's movements and realised that his bare feet were torn and bruised from days of walking the rough paths bare-foot.


Without words, Lù Zhèng sat the man down with a hunk of bread and a fistful of cooked meat, while the monk cleaned the gashes on his feet. Lù Zhèng frowned, he had not expected to be offering medical assistance to people, otherwise he would have brought his scrip with him. But he could not allow the man to go without at least doing something for his pain. With a smile, the monk ripped away strips of his own robe and carefully bandaged the broken skin with the linen strips. Once he was happy, he slipped off his own sandals and gave them to the beggar.


"Come to the temple in a day or so, and I shall tend these wounds again.", he said to the grateful islander.


Lù Zhèng knew these people were living on the very edges of survival, even in so affluent a place as Abalone. It was because of the Western culture of self-sufficiency in need. Every person was expected to be self-sufficient, to be able to fend for themselves. Thus it was that the very old and the very young had it tough, especially those who could not work. The oldest who were too ill or injured to work the ships or docksides most often became transients, drifting from place to place, trying to find something to do that would feed themselves. Children had more latitude, just so long as they had parents, but it was hard when they became orphans. Without the protection of their parents, most orphans were cast out by their families as an unnecessary burden. Most of the youngest did not survive long, either dying of starvation or being taken as slaves to be sold into a lifetime of hard labor. Lù Zhèng found such attitudes distressing and, at each of his assigned sermon duties, would encourage charity to even these traditionally looked-down upon groups. Thus far, his words had mostly fallen upon deaf ears, people's centuries-old perceptions were hard to change. But he would not give up, not just yet.


With his baskets slowly getting emptier, Brother Lù Zhèng continued offering aid throughout the city.

 

[Exthalion]

Mnemnon Amal


Streets of Abalone


While half a city away a monk was tending to his flock, Amal was also wandering the streets. Oron had given him the location of a valetudinaria, the word was foreign to him, where injured masons, miners, and shipwrights were tended. He had been careful in making his request, only those with a degree of wealth could afford such places, and so they were more likely to have the ear of someone truly important. Were the world perfect, there would be no need of such places. Were it better he would have the power to help all the injured regardless of the favors they might do him. Yet Creation was what it was.


On his way he passed through what might have been politely called a blue light district. In truth, it was a very poor neighborhood far enough from the docks to be undesirable for laborer housing, too close to the city center for any industry, and not near a major road. Men and women stood on street corners, looking half starved and unwashed, and offered themselves for a crust of bread and a skin of water. It may have been to his credit that Amal never considered taking advantage of them, or it may have been that he was accustom to much finer companionship.


He was nearly through the ghetto when a slip of a girl, who should still be under her parent's roof, wracked with terrible coughs tried to solicit him. Something about that, something that cut through all the cynicism and calculation, struck him with its terrible wrongness. He knelt beside her and the hopeful look in her eyes broke his heart. The fear when she truly saw his face was at least familiar.


When he placed his hand on her head and felt her temperature he knew she wasn't going to survive very many more nights. He started speaking before she could. "I know you cannot go home until you bring in enough. I hope this will do."


He pressed a silver coin into her hand and she gripped it tightly. "When you get back, say that the Dragons have better things in mind for the little sisters of Princes. Now, this is going to be a little unpleasant, but you will feel better after."


Only realizing how that sounded after the words were out of his mouth, Amal began to focus. He was a prince of the Earth, Lord of Creation, and no sickness or malady could gainsay his authority. He felt the power leave him, felt the solidity of Earth begin to twist with the living pattern of Wood. With that the girl began to cough, a stinking vomit flew out of her throat and her eyes were wide. When it stopped she just stood there, too afraid even to run. Amal didn't even turn to look at her as he continued on his way.

Spoiler

Diagnosis Roll[dice]4513[/dice]


Activating Disease-Banishing Technique for 4m 1wp +1m surcharge.

 

[DreamingofRoses]

Nellens Zanaiya


"Xan--" Zanaiya is cut off by her own sigh of exasperation at her sister's obstinate look. She picks up her sanxian to return to her room. "Fine, but you will wait here until I return." She looks to Karasu, "Do not let her go until I return, please."


She is down the halls a moment later, returning her instrument delicately to its case and dressing properly for a night in Wavecrest society. A pang of guilt assailed her at giving in so easily to her sister but this would be one of the few chances Zanaiya had to meet people and make contacts while not yet associated with the royal family. She considers the possible people she might meet while quickly pinning her hair back into a delicately braided bun. Being sister to the future queen would net her the noble contacts, but what about the mercantile ones?


Still working out possibilities, she returns to the small group dressed in a simple pale blue-green gown that seemed to attach itself at the throat to her amulet and at the wrists to her bracers, Hearthstones on obvious display. Zanaiya looks from her sister to Karasu, "Shall we find one of the honored Cathaks to show us around the city?"

 

[Sherwood]

With an excited squeal, Xandra jumps up and runs into her room to emerge later on in a lovely turquoise gown that Zanaiya has seen her wear on many occasions. "Alright! Lets go! Girls night!" With a pull of the bell rope, you summon a servant and request that a carriage is made ready for you. Aang comes up to the assembled ladies and inquires, "Any place in particular you are planning on going?"


"We are going for some dancing! We've been cooped up on that stinky ship for a while, and I want to stretch my legs and see some of the city that is going to be my home for the next several years. Are you going to be our gentleman escort for the evening? To help ensure our chastity on this night of revelry?"


Aang smiles. "If you would like I can. I do know of some places that you may enjoy going to that have good music and dancing at them. Is anyone else coming along?"

 

[Sherwood]

With Aang in tow, the ladies head out to do some sight seeing and dancing. It is a little different for the two sisters, since Xandra is now technically engaged to be married, so she can't just get wild the way she used to. Perhaps it is a sign that she is growing up that she does not need to be reminded to behave herself, that as the princess-to-be, she has a image to maintain.


That being said, and after the long sea voyage you just got in from, it is decided to make it an early night and to return to the Embassy to rest up for the 'formal' welcoming of the bridal party tomorrow.


In the morning, the household is abuzz with activity, getting everyone ready for their appearances out in public. Tomiko is there with a member of the Immaculate Order in tow, a fellow Air Aspect Dragon Blood named Lu Zheng Yi Long. Cathak Wen is also finally here, having spent the night traveling back to the Embassy to meet everyone. She is a lovely Fire Aspected woman with a powerful presence; taking charge of a room when she enters it. "Welcome to all of you! I am sorry for not being at the dock when you arrived; we were not expecting you until tomorrow afternoon, and then word came from the Messenger spell that there was an attempt on Nellens Xandra's life, and things went a little crazy here. So! Our first stop is to go to the palace to meet Prince Rupert and Lord Duncan. I do not expect that the king will be out to meet us on the steps; his health has been deteriorating rapidly. But there is a small meet and greet planned to rub elbows with the various courtiers of the island, including the Ambassador from Skullstone, a creepy fellow named Voice That Whispers in the Heart of Darkness. He is charming enough for a avatar of death and decay. After that, we will be having lunch, then a tour of the Immaculate Temple where the wedding will be taking place. It is a very beautiful building, not some quaint little hut, but a relic of the First Age, so it is quite spectacular! So, once everyone is ready, we will be heading down to the courtyard to the waiting carriages and our escorts."

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Lù Zhèng Yì Lóng


Immaculate Temple ---> The Most Resplendent Embassy of the Scarlet Empire


Brother Lù Zhèng had awoken early, despite his late night charitable mission, cleansed his body, shaved face and head and clothed himself in his formal robes. Today he would be accompanying Reverend Sister Tomiko to meet the bride and her entourage to tour the cathedral and meet, for the first time, the bridegroom.


As he ate a simple breakfast of rice, boiled white fish and tea, he reflected on his nocturnal foray. The charitable efforts had been a success, the proffered food and clothes were gratefully accepted and there were several among the beggars that heeded his words and said they would put thought into a life as an Immaculate Monk. While charity was one thing, recruitment was another. Life as a penniless beggar was nothing compared to the life of privation of a monk, but yet the monastic life was more secure. One could rely on having a consistent roof over one's head, a vocation to occupy one's time and a target to reach for.


He had ended his evening once he'd emptied the mule's baskets, stopping by the various valetudinaria and pauper hospitals to offer such assistance as he may to the healers within. Ofttimes the only assistance he could grant was to absolve the sins of those whose final hours were upon them or consign the souls of the recently deceased to the cycle of reincarnation. It was at the mason's hospital that he came across a fellow Dragon-Blooded he'd never met before who was full-blessed in Pasiap's aspect. The brief discussion they shared told the monk that the Earth-aspect was a celebrated architect and engineer seeking opportunities that were burgeoning following the royal wedding. He saw opportunities and he sought to grasp some of them before they were taken by others. While his discussion of his previous works at times were too complex for Lù Zhèng, nonetheless he was an interesting man to speak with. It had been late by the time they had parted ways, the monk back to his cloister, the architect to whatever lodgings he had secured for himself.


Now he stood beside Sister Tomiko in the presence of the wedding party and Her Excellency Cathak Wen, Ambassador to the Scarlet Empire. His eyes passed across the faces of the men and women before him. One of the women in particular seemed familiar, until her name was spoken and Lù Zhèng could not suppress a smile from crossing his face as he bowed to Nellens Zanaiya.


"A pleasure to see you again, Lady Zanaiya, welcome to Abalone."

 

[Sherwood]

After a bit of small talk, shaking of hands, and the usual pleasantries of a bunch of Dragon Bloods meeting for the first time, Wen leads the procession along out to the carriages where a full score of armored soldiers wearing Realm livery are sitting on some beautiful horses await you as an honor guard. Most of the guards are members of House Cathak, since it is one of their own that is running the Embassy, but there is a smattering of other Houses represented by troopers. With a coordinated motion, they snap off a salute to the wedding party as you head down the stairs to your rides.


The trip to the palace is one of pageantry and showmanship, with many of the local citizens waiting along the route between the Embassy and the palace to wave at Xandra as she goes by.