Fantasy Familiars Awakened: The 13th Ruler

[The Chancellor]

Lazaros & Athena

"Steady, girl.”

Ayrlosse. Home to over five hundred thousand people, and a hundred thousand familiars. What's a familiar? Well, a familiar was an interesting physical culmination of a person's soul, a companion, if you would. Roughly a fifth of the population had awakened their familiars, and the beautiful city on the south of Harmony, between the bountiful Gilded Forest and Harmony Shore, was built with these magical creatures in mind. Ayrlosse was truly one of the best places to be, and to learn to live with a lifelong companion.

Lazaros was one of these people with a familiar, awakened roughly seven years ago. The young hunter, leader of the Hunter's Guild, lived on the outskirts of Ayrlosse in the Hunter's Guild quarters. It was an adorable little village for seasoned hunters and learners alike, with facilities for processing hunted prey, leather, and cooking was all within reach. It was a self-sufficient village that Lazaros ran along with his soul companion - a griffin by the name of Athena.

For the most part, Lazaros stayed with the guild and away from the hustle and bustle of the main city of Ayrlosse. That was, until the letter from Queen Ria, 13th Ruler of Ayrlosse, appeared addressed to him on a messenger pigeon. The letter requested his presence at the palace for something important, which was only described in vague detail as a "venture". Well, who was he to deny the Queen herself? Rolling up the parchment scroll, the redhead hunter sent the pigeon back to the palace and whistled sharply, summoning Athena who was rolling around in the grass of the guild grounds. The griffin's ears pricked up and she flipped onto her belly, running over to heed her Bind's call.

Lazaros stroked her beak, looking into her golden eyes. "The Queen's requesting our presence," He explained. Athena didn't know how to speak common tongue like many other familiars did, but she understood it all the same. It seemed a bit ridiculous for Lazaros to talk to his griffin when she couldn't respond in the same language, but it felt unfair to never tell her anything if she could understand him at least. The griffin trilled, lowering herself to the ground for her Bind to climb on before they took off to the sky, headed for the palace.


mentions: || with: || location: Hunter's Guild, travelling to Ayrlosse Palace

codedbycrucialstar | hidden scroll

 

[DoggieSundae]

Selene sighed as she sat, reading in her headquarters. The large head of Ar'caja, her imposing soul dragon familiar, rested beside her, and her hand slowly stroked his head and horns. His great blue, shining eyes fell closed as he exhaled a cool breath that made the crackling fire in the hearth waver.

Selene finally shut her book. She wasn't taking in any words, so there was no point. Her thoughts were too busied circling the matter of the Bloodgem. Despite Selene's best efforts, young Queen Ria had not had a familiar awakened. It was rumored the Bloodgem could awaken a familiar in anyone- it was the Queen's last hope. Selene, when she had pointed them towards it, had warned the path would be very dangerous, but that did not seem to sway anyone. It was quickly decided- a team would be gathered to venture off for the Bloodgem.

Ar'caja seemed to sense Selene's discomfort, as his eyes opened again and he raised his head, nudging her. She nearly fell over at the touch. "It is alright, Ar'caja," Selene said gently. "I'm starting to have second thoughts, but I want to help my Queen."

Ar'caja made a low, rumbling sound, and rested his head down again. "I don't see the point," the dragon said in his low, powerful voice. "Has it ever been proven the Bloodgem can awaken a familiar in anyone?"

"No, but it is our last chance. It must be done. For Queen Ria."

Ar'caja made the same low rumbling sound and shut his eyes. He was not one to argue with his Bind- only with everyone else. "Very well."

 

[Seabourne]

The floor clicked with each step of her boots, raising echoes that filled the silent hallway. Warm sunlight from the windows that lined the outer wall glinted against her armor. Beside her walked her familiar, Lalin, his flaxen mane brushed and fitted with braids to match her own hair. They walked without communicating. As a reflection of her own soul, Lalin felt as familiar to her as her own mind. Alana knew that she was just as familiar to him.

They served together as members of the Royal Guard, having been recruited after spending a few years in the military. The previous day they had been given orders to meet with a group who had been summoned to the castle and escort them to meet the Queen, and to stay with them during their hearing. Little further detail had been provided. No matter, a mission she had been given, a mission she would complete. It isn't often that the Royal Guard does much else than stand guard. The change of pace was nice, in a way.

The hallways of the castle were long, a display of wealth and power, and so it took several minutes of walking for Alana and Lalin to arrive at the front gate. She nodded tensely to the other guards stationed there, who returned the gesture. Lalin sat, staring ahead and scanning the busy road for anyone of note. Alana did the same, standing with her arms crossed behind her back.

 

[The Chancellor]

Lazaros & Athena

"Steady, girl.”​

A piercing screech like that of a hawk's rang out over Ayrlosse's town center. Looking up, the people below in the town would see the silhouette of a griffin flying over ahead, powerful wings cutting through air. Lazaros had never taught Athena to screech like that, but she seemed to like to do it to announce her presence. She loved attention like that, because people were usually willing to sneak her more treats than she deserved if she made her presence known.

The griffin took a dive as the palace came into view, surprising Lazaros at her sudden nosedive. "Wh-! Athena! No! Bad! What are you doing?" He demanded, wind whipping in his face. He clung to Athena's saddle for his dear life, absolutely hating whenever she felt the need to show off her flying skills like this. Athena squawked her reply, almost like she was just telling her Bind to deal with it. She landed gracefully, though Lazaros scrambled off the saddle, his heart pounding.

"Don't," He scolded, pointing a finger at Athena's golden eyes, "ever do that again. Got it?" He tried to be fierce, but the golden stare melted him and he rubbed her beak. "Come on." The hunter led his familiar up to the gates, where someone was already waiting. She looked like a soldier, of sorts. A guard, if you would.

mentions: Seabourne || with: || location: Ayrlosse Palace Gates​

codedbycrucialstar | hidden scroll​

 

[Gaius Danius Griinia]

Cain followed the man into the dingy back alley, keeping his distance to not raise the subjects awareness. The man was a merchant, clean cut with a promising marriage to a noble from a prominent household in the capital. Though Cain was still had his suspicions. He had received multiple reports that the merchant used slave labor, narcotic sales and magical creature abuse to gain such a high position in the merchant trade. The merchant had closed up his stall for lunch and departed for places unknown. Using his finger to scrawl magical sigils in the air, Cain had cast a glamour over his form. To all outsiders of minimal magical affinity, he appeared to be a beggar. Whenever the merchant tried to look at him, he pretended to beg for coin. Eventually they came to a back alley where the merchant met up with a man in a blue robe. Their conversation was in hushed tones, but Cain heard every word thanks to his scrying magic. It was a minor trade disagreement, they were talking about how the merchant had been buying up all the rugs from the best supplier in towns to sell at incredibly cheap prices. It was mildly uninteresting to Cain but he wasn't going to stop now. Then something unexpected happened.

"I'm going to tell everyone about the illegal methods you're using to obtain the funds you use to buy out these rugs!!!" said the blue robed man. "I can't have you doing that Omar...." said the merchant with an increasingly distorted voice. Suddenly he sprouted a large fleshy mass from his back that slowly transformed into carapace. It then solidified as a large scorpion tail that swept the blue robed man aside into a wall with a mighty swing. "You.... WHAT ARE YOU?!" asked Omar as the merchant looked at him with insectoid eyes of a deep red. His arm then morphs into a snapping claw that he used to grab Omar. Got him thought Cain as he threw his sword with deft precision. The length of steel was drawn from its sheath and sunk four inches deep into one of its eyes. Looping a thread of magical energy around the handle, Cain pulled the sword back to his hand. The creature squealed with inhuman noises. "WHO ARE YOU?! WHY HAVE YOU INTRUDED?!" screeched the creature as Cain flicked the blood off of his blade before pointing it at his enemy. "I AM ABZADUL!!! THE OBSIDIAN PIERCER!!! NO MERE HUMAN CAN HARM ME!!!" screamed the monster as he struck at Cain with his stinger. With a quick movement of his scabbard, he whacked the barb away and sliced at the exposed part of its tail.

Quickly closing the distance, Cain slapped the monsters face around with the scabbard before slicing at him with the sword. The attack was blocked by Abzaduls other arm, which became a matching claw. Using its claws, Abzadul got a few good hits in and split Cain's lip. Blocking his next strike with both sword and scabbard, Cain pushed Abzadul back and knocked him off balance. Taking a Iai stance, he quickly sliced up the creatures torso. Black blood gushed out of the slowly closing wounds. Abzadul struck again with his tail and Cain only barely dodged it, gaining a scratch next to his eye. Cain could feel the venom working its way into his bloodstream, the small cut being the only thing keeping him from being turned into goo from the inside out. "You... you injured ME!!! I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!" yelled Abzadul as he began to change into a hellish form. Looking like a cross between a centaur and a scorpion, Abzadul was truly monstrous. Omar took one look at the beast and passed out. Cain winced in pain as the venom began hurting him even more. Raising his sword to the air, Cain decided to end this. Slicing a circle in the air, Cain created a halo of light. The halo bathed him in a heavenly glow before metallic black shapes began attaching themselves to him. As the shine faded, Cain was covered head to toe in a black armor with a rich gold trimming. The armor looked similar to a wolf or a dragon, with burning golden eyes. In his hand was a large blade with a single edge and intricate detail on the hilt. The two leapt at each other, stinger against sword. In his armor, the stinger was a non-issue. Taking his sword, Cain struck at the waist of the creature. The blade carved through the carapace like butter and Abzadul was unceremoniously bisected. The moment the top half of Abzadul hit the ground, the entire monster disappeared. Cain's armor disappeared and he exhaled. The ring on his finger hummed with a gentle vibration.

"I know Thorn... I'll see you at the castle"

Spoiler

Kiba

Spoiler

The Dragonknight Armor

 

[Songbird500]

There was a soft breeze that dulled the heat of the day that had rested on the forest. And Feyre had been lounging in her favourite tree when Amren had bounced up to the foot of it. She was holding two pieces of paper in her mouth and a muffled voice was all Feyre heard when her familiar tried to speak. Giving out a small chuckle she tipped her self off of the branch, twisting in the air to land on her feet as she hit the ground. The first piece of paper was nothing special, merely a scrap that somebody had found in a hurry, which made Feyre think that it was another request for her healer services. On the other hand, the second piece was in fact a envelope with intricate gold embroidery patterned on its surface. Upon flipping over the envelope Feyre found the royal crest stamped in wax. With this revelation Feyre took a sharp intake of breath which resulted in Amren nudging her leg. "What's the matter? Not another regular job in town?" Feyre nibbled on her lip a little before smiling at her familiar and breaking open the seal of the envelope. "On the contrary Am, we might be in trouble with someone from the highest level." Now this infuriated the familiar and this time she swiped at Feyre's legs causing her to jump back in laughter. "I'm only joking Am, It looks like a summons from the Castle. I suppose we'll have to ask Maeve to take this request today." Before Amren could respond, Feyre had already started walking towards camp. The letter didn't divulge much about the nature of their summoning, only that theor presence was urgent at the castle. Feyre had never been so far inwards of Ayrlosse so naturally she was nervous, equally she didn't want to just ignore a royal summons. The mere fact they'd been summoned rattled through Feyre's mind, they hadn't done anything illegal to her mind and surely if they had such a polite invitation wouldn't have been the first choice of communication. Regardless of the reason, they had to set off with speed if they wanted to get there sooner rather than later. They would have plenty of time to ponder such things on the journey. Upon entering the outskirts of camp Feyre turned to Amren. "Please give this to Maeve and tell her we should be back soon. Don't get into too much detail but express we're sorry about leaving on such late notice. I just need to saddle up Rickon and then we can go."

 

[animegirl20]

A girl wearing a red hood approached the palace rinding on the back of a huge monster looking wolf who did not appear too friendly. As they approached the girl noticed one other at the palace gate with a royal guard. When the reached the gates the wolf's eyes scanned the two humans and their familiar and growled slightly. The girl patted the wolf's head. "Down boy they aren't doing anything." The wolf went silent but still kept the glare on his face. "Sooo I got a letter about seeing the Queen....I'm not in trouble, am I? Whatever you heard about me isn't true. I wear I'm just a simple flower girl." Well, maybe that would be more convincing if she wasn't sitting on top of a mutant looking wolf who looked like it was ready to chew a head off. When she received the letter she was quite confused but also worried. She could totally get arrested in fact she almost was multiple times. Though the guards usually ran the moment they saw her familiar. Basically, she would get pay to steal things for people even very high up nobles. During the day she worked in a flower shop ran by her mother. As the girl sat there she wondered if maybe she was getting called upon to a job. "Stealing for the Queen...." She whispered to herself. "I bet that would pay big."
T The Chancellor
Seabourne

 

[Seabourne]

The shrill cry that split the air was Alana's first clue to the day's significance. It was far too loud for any bird familiar, even a hawk. Looking upwards she caught the pair in a hard dive, more falling than flying. The landing was beautiful, a feat many could appreciate at a show for such a thing, were it not for the comparatively sloppy dismount of the Bind. His red hair was tousled by the wind, and she watched as he lightly scolded the griffin. Alana and Lalin shared a glance, thinking in tandem. A griffin was not a familiar many had the pleasure of being bound to. The stranger had gleaned a bit of respect by way of his companion.

They approached the gate, and while the other guards readied their pikes to halt them, she knew at once that they were the first of many that she would be escorting to the Queen.

"Welcome," She said as the two were within distance to be addressed. "If you are responding to a summons, wait with me to be escorted. If not, state your purpose."

Even as she spoke, another bounded pair approached, this time a very young girl with a wolf. The wolfs eyes passed over each of them, and Lalin bristled as it growled. Aggression in familiars was rare, but something to be wary of. The girl quieted her wolf, then spoke. The manner in which she rambled and tacked on a promise of innocence raised suspicion, but Alana found it hard to believe that it was more than nerves.

"No, you are not in trouble," She answered "Please wait here with me for the others. When everyone has arrived I will escort you," She explained, doing no more than answer and explain.

_{T The Chancellor animegirl20}

 

[The Chancellor]

Lazaros & Athena

"Steady, girl.”​

Lazaros's cheeks flushed a little as he noticed the guard had seen his terrible dismount. Great job, Laz. Very impressive for the leader of the Hunter's Guild, he smacked himself mentally for. He ran a hand through his hair to sweep it back the way it should have been, had Athena not decided to give a terrifying show. At the guard's request for his purpose, he reached for his scroll case and produced the message sent to him with the Queen's seal. "Yeah I'm uh, responding to summons from the Queen herself?" He prompted. Rarely did he interact with royalty. Generally, the most high-ranking people he dealt with was snarky rich merchants from beyond, and often times it was telling them to scram whenever they asked how much it would cost to buy his griffin.

Speaking of his griffin, she had already taken to creeping forward, sniffing every other familiar in the vicinity, including the guard's own pale lion, and a wolf. Athena trilled in delight at the prospect of making her friends, though she was probably getting too close up in other familiars's personal spaces. Even as Lazaros warned her not to get too close, his warnings were disregarded as the griffin sniffed around.

mentions: Seabourne || with: @animegirl20|| location: Ayrlosse Palace Gates​

codedbycrucialstar | hidden scroll​

 

[Gaius Danius Griinia]

Cain walked right past the guards at the front gate. They attempted to stop him, but an older looking officer held them back and pointed at Cain's waist. The sigil of the Makai Organisation adorned his belt buckle. Those who recognized it understood the kind of individual who wore such a symbol was way above their pay grade. Cain flicked the guard a gold piece, then proceeded to walk into the courtyard of the castle. Holding up his hand, he begins counting down from five. Upon reaching three, the sound of flapping wings could be heard approaching. When Cain finished his countdown, a large black shape moved out of the clouds and landed gracefully on the battlements of the castle. Scales of a rich black, a large set of wings and deep golden eyes were all features which made this monster memorable. Leaning down, he and Cain fist bump. "Hey Thorn, making dramatic entrances again?" said Cain as he scratches his chin. "One must always make a good first impression" said Thorn as he gave a sly smile, which would seem odd on such a majestic looking dragon.

Walking over to a rather official looking woman in heavy armor, Cain showed her the letter he received. "You look official. I'm here about the summons from the Queen. The dragon is with me" Cain put the letter away as he poked Thorns face. Thorn sniffed the beautiful white lion before tilting his head at the large wolf creature that was holding a small girl. Quickly holding up a mystical charm, Cain gave a the creature a quick look over. In the event it turned out to be a Demon, Cain would have to keep an eye on it.

Interactions: animegirl20 T The Chancellor Seabourne

 

[Songbird500]

They had been travelling for some time when they finally arrived in the bustling main city of Ayrlosse. Amren had managed to remain at Feyre's side despite the speed at which she had travelled on Rickon, her horse. Even now the familiar seemed filled with a boundless supply of energy, despite the haste and length of the travel. At least now they could rest at little while they made the final walk to the castle.

Feyre had started visiting the inner city more frequently with the recent increase of healer requests. Before then she had never once stepped foot in the city and she remembered vividly how overwhelmed she'd been at the time. Nowadays she'd gotten used to both the noise and behaviours of the people living here, whether their character be of a harmless nature or not. There had been a few times in the past, when Feyre had stayed later than intended, that had meant she needed the use of her daggers, each time she had been the one lucky enough to come out of the incident successful. Amren too had helped and as such she had started to dislike the city more and more with each unsavoury event. This time however, things would be different. Their final destination was the castle and in there, a new host of adventures and people they would have to contend with.

Feyre had made it to the castle's front gate and dismounted from Rickon. There seemed to already be a group of people forming, each individual looking completely different from the other . In fact it seemed only one of the group was actually a member from the palace workforce, that being she was a palace guard. Something that caught Feyre's eye even more than the strangers themselves, was their familiars. A fascinating array of creatures, with even a griffin and dragon present . That wasn't to say she didn't think the lion beautiful and the wolf fascinating but such mystical familiars were rare to behold indeed.

Feyre took a long look at Amren and with the maned wolf's nod she preceeded to walk towards the crowd, letter in hand. " Excuse me, I too am here by summons of the Queen."

Gaius Danius Griinia T The Chancellor Seabourne animegirl20

 

[Seabourne]

"Yeah I'm uh, responding to summons from the Queen herself? " asked the Griffin's bind. Alana nodded, pleased that she had been correct in assuming that he was one of the many she was looking for. Lalin was less pleased as he found a beak passing over him, too close and casual for what he was used to from other familiars. When the griffin moved on to scent to wolf in a similar manner he licked his shoulder where he has been smelled, smoothing the fur down.

Another figure approached the growing group, this one unaccompanied by any visible familiar. The absence of a companion broke the only pattern Alana could pick out between each of them, and her confusion only grew as the new arrival held his hand up to count on his fingers. She narrowed her eyes at him, but Lalin flicked his ears, hearing the flapping of wings before she could. He chuffed to get her attention, an established signal between the two of them. He looked to the sky and she followed his gaze.

Through the clouds a dark shape came into view, then pierced through and began its descent. Both Alana and her lion were shocked to make out the form of a dragon, and quickly made the connection to its appearance and the counting of the stranger.

"You look official. I'm here about the summons from the Queen. The dragon is with me, " The stranger said, holding a letter that she recognized to be a legitimate summons. Alana nodded to him as well, and in a repetition of earlier Lalin was sniffed by another curious familiar. His first time in the presence of a dragon, it was strange and disorienting to see one in motion, and he found himself less bothered.

Counting everyone present, she marked a few tallies off her mental list. They were nearing the correct number, she noted. Soon the uncertain details of this assignment would be discovered, as well as the link that all these people gathered share.

"Excuse me, I too am here by summons of the Queen." A new voice joined the group. Turning her head to look Alana saw the same letter was grasped in the woman's hands.

"Welcome, then," She said, clasping her hands before her, "Shortly each of you will be escorted into the palace to meet with Her Majesty. I will be guiding you, and will be present for the hearing. I may not be able to answer, but if you have any questions before entering, please ask now."

_{T The Chancellor Songbird500 animegirl20 Gaius Danius Griinia}

 

[The Chancellor]

Lazaros & Athena

"Steady, girl.”​

More and more people joined the group at the gates of the palace that stood over them. Familiars of all kinds came along, including a literal dragon that descended from the clouds. Lazaros was proud of Athena, but he was always in awe of a dragon and did his best not to stare as the palace guard greeted them. Athena, busy sniffing around everyone, didn't hear the dragon land. When she turned around and came face-to-face with it, she squawked and jumped a little, her feathers poofing up like a spooked cat. After a second, she forced her feathers to lie flat and approached the dragon, trilling and warily sniffing around. Athena didn't like it when things were bigger than her.

"Shortly each of you will be escorted into the palace to meet with Her Majesty. I will be guiding you, and will be present for the hearing. I may not be able to answer, but if you have any questions before entering, please ask now," The guard had said. Lazaros shrugged. He had nothing to ask in particular, though a question would probably pop into his mind later. He reached for Athena's harness, pulling her back from getting too close to the dragon.

The hunter couldn't help but wonder who else was to be present. Everyone here looked pretty impressive, including the two newest arrivals with the dragon, and a similarly red-haired lady with a matching fox.

mentions: Seabourne Gaius Danius Griinia @Songbird500|| with: @animegirl20|| location: Ayrlosse Palace Gates​

codedbycrucialstar | hidden scroll​

 

[Songbird500]

"Shortly each of you will be escorted into the palace to meet with Her Majesty. I will be guiding you, and will be present for the hearing. I may not be able to answer, but if you have any questions before entering, please ask now."

Feyre nodded at this remark and took another look at the other members of the group. Considering their familiars Feyre tried to guess at their natures, surely someone with a dragon would be a fearsome warrior and by the looks of the individual Feyre seemed correct in her assumption. A lion, wolf and Griffin were all powerful familiars and suggested whatever this summons was about, it required perhaps a level of strength to complete it. Feyre stopped to think if she had any questions and concluded the main one was simply, why was she here? She pondered asking the guard but considering she was going to escort her to her Majesty Feyre believed answers might await her upon arrival. Feyre's gaze stopped on the fellow with whom she assumed had the griffin familiar. For some reason he looked familiar and she couldn't place where she knew him from. Taking a glance down at Amren she flicked her head up to him in question. Amren shook her head and had a slight crease in her eyes like she too was having the same problem. Feyre came to the conclusion that simply asking would be the easiest route forward and approach the induvial, holding her hand out in greeting.

"I'm Feyre, whats your name?"

Seabourne T The Chancellor