Fantasy The Hunt [Bronze Age Fantasy][O/A]

[Archie]

Sometimes I wonder where it all went wrong.

Fifty years ago, there were hundreds of races in the Great Forest, all of whom lived in peace. Elves, Fae Folk, Goblins, Ratkin, Mermen, Nagas, and many others found a home. Their wars were short, and sought to minimize unnecessary deaths. Most respected the Spirit of the Forests, and took only what they needed. Those that rebelled against nature kept to themselves. The dwarves and Uruks competed with one another to mine the mountains, trading with the other clans. The dragons, Valkyries, and Harpies fought wars over the skies and mountain peaks, but kept the groundlings out of their disputes.

When I was just a boy, our homeland of Talor was destroyed in a volcanic eruption. Some believed that our God, Irudin, had brought his wrath upon us, but not Valko Daan of the Karal tribe, who saw it as a blessing. Valko led our people West, into the Great Forest. We were many, and needed to be fed.

We were not the strongest race, we did not outnumber the beings of the forest, and hardly any of us had magic, but we humans had bronze, horses, chariots, and martial arts. More importantly, we could scheme and conspire. For ten years, Valko led us to the Eastern Plain, where we farmed, and sent food to the other races to build goodwill. Soon, they began to rely on us in harsh winters when the game was poor, and came to us when they were hungry.

That was exactly what Valko wanted. A decade after our arrival, Valko had found a disease which affected the animals and other races, and laced it upon our presents. As the disease spread West, our warriors followed closely behind. Mounted on horse, they set fire to the forest, killing and enslaving all they could find. The diseased refugees ran from us, bringing the plague to the next line of tribes, and making them easier for us to conquer. Behind our warriors were humans and their hordes of slaves, planting crops and creating plantations to feed our cities.

In the skies, we needed friends. We made common cause with the harpies, long-resentful at having to occupy the lower parts of the mountains compared to the dragons and Valkyries. They delivered us upon the peaks, where we slaughtered the young among the sky-folk, and smashed the dragons’ eggs. We made forts upon their roosts, so they could not land there, then slew them as they landed on flat ground. Soon, nobody could resist us but the Dwarves and the Orcs, who also knew how to turn stone to swords.

They hated each other, and we used that. We allied with the Orcs, burning the forests around the Dwarves' mountain fortresses, and shooting with our chariot archers anyone coming in or out of the mountains. Faced with starvation, most chose to charge out of the mines and face death with dignity, dying in a hail of our arrows. Then, we broke our treaty with the Orcs, and did the same to them.

The war lasted but five years. Man had conquered all of the forest, except the few who made common cause with us, and who we did not betray.

But so many forest dwellers died, that we could not cultivate the whole land even with all our slaves. Most of the continent remained forested, and the survivors of the war used the woods to hide from us.

Thus began the hunt. The men, the harpies, and all of our allies worked tirelessly to track down, kill, and enslave all who survived.

On the 4th of August, 20 years after our arrival to the forest, our leader Valko passed away. He named me, Irwin of the Karal tribe, to be his successor, but I cannot bear to lead a people who have reaped such desolation.

Tonight, I will die honorably, as commanded by Irudin, running myself through with my own sword. Who knows who will be the leader of our Confederation after. He will preside over the end to all magic, to all diversity, a world where there are none but humans and their slaves. However that comes about, I cannot bear to see it.

Maybe there is hope for the fools that think they can outrun the will of Irudin. According to an elven prophecy, the Great Spirit of the Forest dwells on the Starlit Isle in the continent’s center, but requires her followers to prove their worth before she guides them to victory. What a ridiculous idea, hardly worth my last breaths.
---

In this RP, we play as either as surviving or captive non-humans, or humans and their allies. The main conflict will be about survival, unveiling the mysteries of the Gods, and, for human/harpy/allied players, a power struggle after the death of Valko.

Some more information:

You can definitely create your own races, there’s hundreds that once lived in the forest.

There are safe or hidden zones in the forest, tundra, desert, and mountains that most surviving tribes are unaware of, as these areas keep a low profile for their own protection. It’s possible for non-humans to grow up in an environment that has some semblance of a large society.

The Human government is confederal, with each “tribe” of Humans forming a confederation. The confederation head is as of yet undetermined, but each tribe leader serves as a “minister” or vice minister of a specific function in the government. Allied races (Harpies or player-created races) each have 1 ministry, regardless of how many separate tribes they have, ensuring humans dominate the confederation. Tribes and their specializations are player generated – the only fixed ones are the Great Volcano Tribe (the Priests of Irudin, and generally the most magical humans), and the Engyr (bronzeworkers and gadgeteers).

The Great Spirit aspect of the RP will be mystery that different characters based on their actions will gradually find out. Irudin will also be vague. Player characters with special connections to each God (non-humans from races with connection to the Great Spirit, and human characters from the Ida family of the Great Volcano Tribe) will gradually unveil the mystery behind them and the nature of magic.

---

Let me know if there’s any interest in this and if you have any suggestions!

 

[Archie]

((We're starting! If you haven't finished your character yet, no worries, you can still post! Let me know when you've finished so I can incorporate more of your backstory))

The Great Forest, just outside the Shadronian Swamp
Kyrene, Rock, Grem, Zayden, Eira, and Lyra

Zazz FireMaiden Yahhah deathrisesagain v e n u s Trektek

The swamp was perhaps the last place free of the disease known as mankind. As commanded eons ago by the Great Spirit, the warriors of the swamp were faithful in holding off anyone trying to make it to Starlit Isle, to the death if necessary. Today, it was Zayden's turn to rotate out of his fort and patrol the outskirts of the swamp, in case of human penetration. For the past six months, human penetration into the Northeast of the forest - the place furthest from their capital of Valkonia - was minimal. Shadronian intelligence stated that this was because the illness of the two Archons - Valko Daan and Arkrath Ida - had left the Confederation in a state of political anxiety, having never dealt with a succession problem before. There generally was nothing in these parts except animals, and no one of note. Except today- today, Zayden's patrol would stumble upon a sight that was truly remarkable.

All kinds of creatures existed in the forest, but for the thousands - nay, tens of thousands - of years of Shadronian civilization, there had never been a creature quite like this. A white deer, that was standing at the edge of a small clearing, watching the patrol from afar.

"This is just some Engyr trick" one of Zayden's men hissed to him as the Shadronians approached with their usual stealth.

"I reckon some strange fire magic. Irudin musta woken up on the wrong side of bed again" reasoned another. But as soon as they reached the grove, the deer- whatever it was, scurried off.

Now that they were overlooking it, the clearing was in full view, unobstructed by trees. Inside, they could see more than half a dozen creatures of just as many sentient races - two nymphs, an ape-like creature, a winged creature that resembled a beautiful Valkyrie, but whose wings were black, and a white-haired woman who could easily pass as human. All of them were just waking up. Unbeknownst to each other, and to the Shadronians, their names were Kyrene, Rock, Eira, and Lyra. All of them had gone to sleep the night before, and awoken in the grove, with no explanation.

Their dreams were strange that night. Kyrene had seen a sky with no stars. Rock had seen dragons, flying among the stars. Eira had seen a thin, grey-skinned creature, surrounded by a room of lights and metal. As for Lyra, all she could see was a tube of glass, with a sharp, pointy needle at the end, filled with fluid.

The Shadronians, however, were not alone in this spectacle. A goblin had also seen the white deer- yet, for him, it was staring at them from the opposite side of the grove. Grem, disciple of Horv'Dal Redhand, heard the deer calling to him. "It has begun", it said in an echoing female voice - but only Grem could hear it.

When the Goblin fire mage approached the grove, he could see the sentients waking up, and the Shadronians on the other side. The Shadronians were known to be tricky warriors and had a special relationship with the Great Spirit. Meanwhile, Zayden's men were just as suspicious. "Goblin magick" one hissed, knocking his bow and drawing it in the direction of the goblin.

AiDEE-c0 Monday Trektek Lilliana2

Confederation Roost, Valkonia
Eve, Assuni, Zarashi, and Hessian

The dreams were strange that night. Hessian saw scrolls, being dropped by a dragon, in front of creatures that seemed like dwarves. Eve saw an elf-like creature, walking on an island lit by starlight, surrounded by tables made of a strange metal. Assuni saw herself in a plain room with a glass window - a rarity in a world where glass was a luxury. Yet, outside this glass window was no city or sky, but a round blue and green pearl, with streaks of white, surrounded by a background of what looked like the star-lit night sky.

Only Zarashi, who had trained since her childhood to interpret visions, knew what hers meant. She saw a man, with almond-shaped eyes, black hair, and tanned skin - a rare look now adays, but one which was common in the depictions of the ancients of the Ida clan. He looked much like her cousin, Horang, but was much older, and his face was partially obscured by a red hood. He was surrounded by a room whose walls consisted of what looked like stone, interspersed with metal pipes.

"You are Irudin's chosen" the man whispered, sitting cross legged as if he were meditating.

An untrained worshipper might have taken that as a great honor and privilege, but Zarashi knew it was not. Once every generation, a woman of the Ida clan was "chosen" to make the pilgrimage to the Great Volcano once she birthed her first son, and to drop him into the volcano. Zarashi was the first to be chosen since the migration to the Great Forest - and her journey would be considerably longer than that of the Ida of old. No one knew why the pilgrimage needed to happen. Arkrath told the whole clan after Torian's imprisonment to stop asking questions about it, but Kamar speculated that even his cousin, the head of the Fire Temple for three decades, had no idea.

There was not much time to think on dreams, for anyone, because today was a special day. Since the death of Valko and Irwin, the cabinet had never met. Today was the first time they were coming together, for moot, along with a hundred other dignitaries of Valkonia, to discuss what Arkrath Ida, the surviving Archon, said was an "important matter".

The Confederation Roost was built ten years ago, a palace fit for a king, for a man who was increasingly seeing himself as one. Assuni and all the other ministers had witnessed his sanity slippage in his last years, ordering mass-executions for his own amusement, blinding his own son for refusing to marry Zarashi Ida (a match that Zarashi and her father were not even informed of), then ordering all his sons to commit ritual suicide after his death. Perhaps Valko was a great leader in his youth, but his grip on reality declined in his old age.

Confederation Roost was a marvel of Engyr engineering, built from clay, stone, and marble. The floors of marble were painted by slaves with images of conquest. Torches were everywhere- Valko thought that the more fire there was, the more Irudin would favor him. Arkrath Ida told him it was not so, but Valko had stopped listening to all counsel at that point.

The Great Hall of Confederation Roost was hardly ever used except for cabinet meetings, but those who did use it often had no fond memories of it. The tall, long grand hall, with balconies containing theatre boxes and a long table in the middle, flanked by dozens of seats, was generally only used by Valko to pontificate about how none of his colleagues had the "virility" required to do their jobs. As Minister of Forests, Assuni was often accused of allowing too many snails to inhabit the forests - Valko hated snails, and insisted that Bertrand Nemeth of the Engyr tribe devise a "disease" to wipe them all out.

By mid-morning, the room was fully occupied for the first time since Confederation Roost's topping off party, signifying the end of construction. The dignitaries filed in, with the most important ones receiving a seat at the long table, and everyone else sitting in the balcony, where the chairman would have to recognize them.

Present at the table was Eve - representing the vast commercial empire of herself and her father. She was not the only non-human - Assuni, as one of the twelve ministers, sat in the center, along with the harpy chief, Flavia, Minister of the Skies. Surrounding the 12 ministers were their 12 vice ministers, each minister and vice minister also being a tribal chief. The chiefs of the three main tribes - Engyr, Karal, and Volcano - were allowed to bring a second delegate. Kamar Ida chose his daughter, Zarashi, snubbing his son. Bertrand Nemeth chose the brilliant scientist, Hessian Dugger. Among the Karal tribe, the proud new chieftan, Fenris Daan, a distant relative of Valko, sat alone. Fenris's expected second, Haakon, was not in the city.

Spoiler: Flavia

Spoiler: Bertrannd Nemeth

Spoiler: Fenris Daan

In the dead center of the long table, there were two seats reserved for the Archons. One was empty - that was Arkrath's. The other was worse than empty. It still seated Valko's mummified corpse, still dressed in Karal leather armor, and had for weeks. After Irwin's death, the cabinet couldn't agree on who should have the honors of organizing the funeral. The decision was eventually made to mummify Valko and seat him in the Archon's chair until a new confederation leader could be chosen.

But perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that Arkrath didn't show up to his own meeting. Instead, the last man to walk into the room, after everyone else had filed in was Arkrath's nephew, Horang. The second in command of the Fire Temple typically donned his uniquely well-crafted set of Dwarven armor, said to enhance magic.

Spoiler: Horang Ida

The room was silent as the Second Priest of the Fire Temple walked into the room, and made his way to the center of the table. The delegates sat in apprehension as Arkrath's heir apparent looked at his uncle's empty seat, wondering if he would be so arrogant as to take it. But, true to his reputation, he did not.

"My uncle is busy inhaling the sacred fumes of the green plant, and receiving visions thusly" Horang proclaimed. Bertrand, donning a purple turban, scoffed at what he thought was a ridiculous ritual, which consisted of getting high.

"The reason he called this meeting is that Irudin has delivered us a message. God is angry at us all for our squabbling, and for our infighting in the wake of the death of our...." Horang paused, looking at the cabinet members.

"Great leader" he said, reluctance virtually dripping off his baritone voice. Horang, like all the political insiders, was all too familiar with Valko's antics in the last years of the deranged autocrat's life. At one point, Valko had berated Horang in front of the cabinet for not using his fire magic to heat up the skies and prevent winter from coming, claiming that the Ida clan had turned into "a bunch of pessimists".

"To atone for our sin, we must immediately outfit an expedition to the Shadronian Swamps. Thus God has spoken" Horang said, standing still as he finished his characteristically short and terse speech, his face remaining blank throughout.

"You called a moot for that!?" shouted Fenris Daan, standing as he pointed his finger at the armored fire priest.

"What we should be doing is deciding a new leader for the Confederation. Now that we're all here, why don't we take names, eh?" he proclaimed, to murmurs of assent from around the table.

There was silence, as all parties waited for someone to speak, and either defuse the tension, or add to it - yet very few people were willing to make enemies either of Fenris, or of the Fire Temple.

---

Outside Valkonia
Valkner and Haakon

Yahhah

Nameless Forest was no different than the rest of the Great Forest, but since it was near Valkonia, the humans obviously had to give it another name. In his last year, Valko had changed the name from "Valko Forest" to "Conquest Forest". His edict stated that the earlier name, "Valko Forest", was pushed on him by the Ida clan, who wished to unduly glorify him, but since he was just a man, he had to exhibit humility and hated places that were named after him. Yet, the very next day, Valko claimed that the cabinet loudly protested replacing his name with another, and so the forest was renamed "Nameless Forest". Irwin thought the whole affair was ridiculous, and that the Elven name for the forest - Southwest Great Forest - was not only logical because the entire forest was connected, but sensible. Needless to say, Valko was neither pushed to name the forest after himself, nor did anyone protest when he decided to change the name. Like everything Valko said, this was a lie.

Haakon had been given a mission by his impetuous new lord, Fenris. Instead of being at the Moot, where Haakon might cause trouble, he was out here, standing in a forest, waiting to be pounced on by the Karal tribe's favorite werewolf. Fenris reasoned that Haakon, who had threatened to kill Horang Ida when the man insisted that it was religiously proper to mummify Irwin until a funeral committee was convened, would cause unneeded controversy at the moot. For his part, Haakon was sure Fenris needed no help causing controversy himself.

"Valkner, come out, I know you're here" Haakon said impatiently, his hand on the hilt of his giant sword which was weighing down his right side.

"Valkner, come on, we need you to kill someone important. You'll be paid well. Plus, it's a dirty firebreather" he continued, leaning against a tree, half-hoping this werewolf would just attack him and kill him already. After Irwin died, there was no point in going on regardless. The only reason Haakon hadn't cut his stomach open was that he was forbidden from doing so by that same lord. Suicide by werewolf, however? That was fine.

 

[AiDEE-c0]

Assuni

Location: Valkonia - Confederation Roost
Time: Morning.
Interactions: Currently none, open.
​

As early morn made itself manifest, the falling of footsteps lowly resounded upon painted marble. The sun had only recently risen, and even the moon swayed, lightly visible on the opposite horizon. The figures walking through the streets found themselves surrounded by imposing structures of clay and stone, defined pillars supporting triangular roofs, towers sulking, engulfing the west in shadow, and staircases cascading towards the center of it all. A grand hall stood there, geometrical and grandiose. It was a marvel to behold, pristine, symmetrical... and it would look utmost beautiful set on fire. That was Assuni's thought process, as she let her legs follow a path towards the Confederation Roost, surrounded by a small retinue of her warriors. A monarch with "traitor" among their popular titles can never be too careful, as petty as this was. These men were the most resolute of loyalists, deciding to follow the matriarch without question, even after her actions of betrayal. At their head, a mohawk youth, barely in his twenties, donned in armour of bronze. Although light-heartedly expressed, he marched in almost perfect rhythm, giving the pace for the soldiers that followed behind.
"My royalty, we've arrived to the last stair-flight. It be better if we disband at its top, would suck to be taken for aggressors."
He spoke with a soft tone, looking over his shoulder to affirm eye-contact and intent.
"Thank you, Indra. Be careful, this city reeks of malice, as always."
With a coordinated nod, the two split ways. Assuni continued towards the Roost, while the warriors made a turn for the west.

Spoiler: Indra

She had a few seconds to ponder. Throughout the night, a dream appeared to her. Dreaming had stopped permanently since the spirits abandoned her, and now a cryptic vision? It was a shame she never studied the ways of interpretation. The spirits talked to their Anticipations through the dust of bones, not nightly apparition. Then again, this made the dream of glass and pearl only pose further questions. Questions that would have to be... delayed. Before she could make haste through the gates of the Roost, an unfortunately familiar face joined her side. Barabash, chief of the agricultural Progla tribe and unfated vice minister to the moss elf, chiming in with an immediate piece of wisdom.
"Two birds make a family, one a tasty dinner."
His voice was a plague upon the nerves. Each syllable, it jumped to tones unnatural to elven ear. Was he doing that on purpose? Was he really impaired? Assuni never managed to figure out.
"And a lot of people are sharpening their teeth for you, dear! You'll do better under the protection of my presence."
He had the gall to snicker after that remark, keeping up a fresh pace. Assuni was sure he was put into place just to irritate her, make her job all the harder. It wouldn't be unlike the senile archont to pull something like that, just for his amusement.
"An eagle doesn't concern itself with the plans of the rat, Barabash. I thought you should know this by now."
The elf responded with an unmoved tone. Rats, that's the best thing she could ascribe humanity to. Obnoxiously cunning rats.
"Ha! If but an eagle with clipped wings, caught in the rat's den!"
The man was lucky. Were it not for her pride being overtaken by the need to seem almost completely subservient, there would no longer be a single unbroken bone in his body.

Spoiler: Barabash

Ignoring any more bile dripping from Barabash's mouth, Assuni acted to finally take a seat at the central, long table, only to be met with... that. Staring right at her, the corpse of the former almost-king, dry and withered. As the mummy seemingly gazed at her with its empty eyes, she could almost hear it. That face, that mouth, drooling on for what felt like hours about snails again. Wasn't it just a blessing that the senile fool had finally bitten the dust. Though, of course, his visage wouldn't stop haunting her just yet. This was the man who orchestrated the massacres, who forced her hand to draw the blood of her own people, and she would never even be able to repay that anymore. She scoffed from behind her masque, at last seating herself, her second following soon-after. Taking a look around the room, Flavia was also there, among a horde of human faces. Assuni always wondered if she thought they were somehow any similar, "taking" the side of man. Although, of course they weren't. The blood of her love lay on her feathers, the sky-witch deserves nothing but to have her flesh stripped from her bones, alive. Their betrayal came from opportunism and greed, the matriarch's move was one of preservation before extinction. There was no other way for the moss elves to survive, something the harpies could never possibly claim. An epitome of filth, if the flying rumours are caught to be true, then perhaps there is still chance for rightful justice.

Then, at last, the final piece of the puzzle settled in, or at least its replacement. Horang began his address, in typical fashion. But the fact that the remaining archont couldn't even arrive to a meeting of his own calling, it reeked of weakness. Wouldn't be too much of a surprise if the ritual excuse was nothing but a cover-up. Arkrath was just another old fool giving in to senility, a glamorous human trait. As the news were broken, Assuni's mind immediately began racing with thoughts. The swamps, an expedition there? If that wasn't just calling for a happy little accident. An unceremonious sabotage, perhaps. Would it be too much of a shock if an expedition to those parts suddenly went missing? The variables would be so expectable, even the most suspicious of noses would find it hard to actually blame someone for it. Yet, peace for thought was not often given in Valkonia, squabbles arising right away.
"An expedition is not necessarily at odds with nomination. If Irudin commands it, it seems like an obvious heed to take. Else we are risking a new... catastrophe, is that not correct?"
Irudin, a lovely joke-letter from humankind. Perhaps a demon, if anything at all. But really, was the human leadership not competent enough to deal with two issues?
"We can issue an expedition and deal with electorates right after, does that sound too far-fetched?"
The elf spoke with a sense of regality, letting her words carry without the slightest tinge of sarcasm, or an overt amount of tension. The goal was to make it seem like she really cared about solving the issue. In reality meanwhile, discussions of leadership would seep further loathing and unrest. If the expedition went underway, and met an unfortunate end, everyone would be too busy vying for power to actually point their fingers at someone outside of that ring. Indeed, that seemed most logical. Just a tiny bit of vengeance, on a background of in-fighting. A lovely picture. Next-by, Barabash remained in silence, supporting his head with his fist in an informal gesture. He eyed Assuni with a grin as she spoke. Having worked with her many times before, he had at the least a tiny idea of what was going on, if not the full picture. Oh, but really, where would be the fun in telling anyone that? Some men just want to see the world burn.

 

[Trektek]

Grem

Location: The Great Forest, just outside the Shadronian Swamp
Time: Morning
Interactions: Zazz FireMaiden Yahhah deathrisesagain v e n u s
​

The forest was a place of life, a place of hope, and the home of many races that lived in tune with nature and those that did not. But it was his home, even with the humans trying to kick them out and destroy all of those that existed within it's borders. Even though his specialty was not nature magic, he knew enough about it to gather enough appreciation of all that was around him. He learned from his mother how to listen to the trees, to follow the wind and the animals patterns. Not as much as a skilled hunter, but just enough to read the environment around him.

And he was using that skill to catch his breakfast. He had gotten up late for him, as he usually is up by sunrise, making it far easier to catch breakfast and get a good start to his day. He was tracking a nearby pheasant which he would then cook using his magic by lighting a cooking fire and slow roasting it to perfection, or at least perfect enough for him. He wasn't really a professional chef though. However, it was currently outsmarting him, an embarrassing thing to be sure when you were the hunter, far less embarrassing when you are the prey, but he didn't want to have to dip into his trail rations if he didn't have to.

There it was, clear as day, sitting in the clearing just a few steps away. He would stab it with his blade and then cook it up. But then, a brilliant white light caught his attention, taking away his need to swing, and allowing his quarry to escape into a nearby bush. At that point he could care less however, as he placed his sharp knife back in it's sheath, he was mesmerized by the white deer of a brilliant bright hue, just standing there in the middle of a grove. It looked directly at him and he heard the female voice call out, "It has begun", but what has begun? He wasn't familiar with any prophesies through his teacher, Horv'Dal Redhand. But perhaps there was something that he was missing.

All thought of his escaped breakfast was lost on him as he slowly tried to approach the white deer only for two Shradronians to come from the other direction and scare it off. It was then that he noticed the odd and eclectic bunch that was asleep within the grove and waking up as one of the Shardronians pointed his readied bow at him.

Grem put his hands up in the air and began to speak in a high pitched voice, but gravely voice. "I have not performed any magic yet today, I can assure you of that my friends." The goblin gulped loudly before continuing to speak. That arrow was looking very, very sharp and he did not want to die here and now when he still had so much to do in his life. He still had to make it back to his father and avenge his mother. To fall here, due to a simple misunderstanding would be very sad indeed. "I was only trying to track a pheasant for my breakfast when I was distracted by that beautiful white deer. But surely we can talk this out and not let things get violent. Surely that's what the humans would want."


-------------------------------

Hessian

Location:Confederation Roost, Valkonia
Time: Morning​

Hessian tossed and turned in his bed during the night. The strangest of dreams crossed his path. Scrolls being dropped by a dragon in front of dwarves. The absolute absurdity of it all. As though those creatures would interact with each other at all, unless of course it was merely his subconscious mind that was trying top tell him something. He was under a lot of pressure and strain to make a breakthrough on these machines, the kind of machines that came from the dwarves. Or at least so we were led to believe. Who even know if it truly came from the dwarves or if it came from someone else first and they just stole it. Were the dwarves even smart enough to make these things that they claimed they did? Everyone always lies about these things. There is no ifs ands or buts about it. The incompetent always lie about their accomplishments. And that was why he was trying so hard to make this breakthrough. He had to be the next Max Nemeth and have his names written on the stars. If he managed that, think of all the glory and fame he would achieve. He could write his own ticket to anything that he wanted.

After waking from that odd dream and having his thoughts about it taken apart, written in his own notes for later study, he got himself dressed and ready. There was a new moot called apparently. There was always some major meeting being called by someone or another. He was operating under Bertrand Nemeth as a second delegate for this meeting. He was trying to put on the important airs of truly caring about this meeting, but what he really cared about was getting back to his observations on the MACHINE and try to crack the code. IT was difficult going, mainly due to the language barrier,, but he was pretty sure that he was making progress. He believed that he figured out how to announce that he was going to take a drink, but don't quote him on that just in case he managed to say something else in that language.

And there, seated at the table was Valko's mummified corpse. Well, if nothing else, it would be interesting to study in a sort of, what qualities can make a great leader that still reside in death sort of way, but it was doubtful that he would be allowed to get close enough for that and still get to keep his hands. So he merely took his seat and waited for the meeting to begin.

God is angry? They were the most advanced race on the planet with the greatest level of technology and development that they could ask for and he was saying that God was angry at them? He almost started laughed and merely contained the snort under the guise of a loud sneeze, taking out his hankerchief to seal the deal. Rather than let some wrath descend on him from any of the other members of the moot, he took the opportunity of the elf speaking to capitalize on a distraction. "Excuse me. I agree with the her. We are humans, we can do both tasks." He took his hankerchief and started cleaning his glasses. "Thoughif you ask me, we should vote first and then leave on this expedition. It'd be much more efficient."

Even if they shouted down his idea, at least it should get everyone started on something to move things along. The longer they were at this meeting, the longer he would be kept from his project. And that was something he did not want to be.

 

[FireMaiden]

Location: The Great Forest - Shadrodian Swamp
Interaction: Zazz Yahhah v e n u s deathrisesagain
Mentioned: Trektek Archie
The sky was lovely. Bright, no clouds signaling a storm, for a moment Kyrene didn't notice she wasn't in the small cave she called home. The familiar chill of ice and snow were absent, the fragments of a dream grasping onto the back of her mind, Kyrene shot up. She looked panicked, scooting backward away from the other people, not knowing if they were enemies or simply unfortunate victims, she would not want to take that risk. The air had chilled slightly, anyone close to her feeling it more than the ones further away, that brief panic causing a swell of magic, but it quickly warmed back up as her hand wrapped around her polearm. None of the other figures were awake yet, a good sign for an escape, or to give her enough time to climb a tree to observe, Kyrene stayed frozen.

After another few moments, the horned Nymph slowly stood, hand gripping her weapon tightly, ready for a fight, she approached the closest body. A woman, one she could tell was a nymph right away, but there was something...off about her. Kyrene, squatting down to get a closer look at her face, couldn't figure out what was different, however, and stood. She moved back, closer to the center of the clearing, watching who she believed to be a human woman, yet she felt an odd connection to her. The type she felt with the creatures of ice and snow, bears and foxes. Another oddity. In fact, everyone she had woken up near seemed odd, not odd as in unusual, but odd in the fact that one of them could be the reason they were all there. Or perhaps, this was all a trap.

Kyrene couldn't dwell on this anymore, as she heard something from nearby, a slight pleading voice. Instinctually, the bladed portion of her polearm was turned towards the noise, ready to defend herself if needed, but the win was bright and the trees beyond the clearing were thick enough to obstruct her sight, Kyrene stepped back, turning on her heel with a swoosh of her cloak, she moved away and closer to the opposite side of the clearing, her eyes then once more glued onto the noisy trees.

 

[Yahhah]

Valkner



“In a hurry are we”? Came a slightly mocking voice behind Haakon. There was a slight rustle of a bush to Haakon’s back and left as Valkner seemingly materialized behind him, the werewolf had gone about his morning routine of keeping his cabin in order and checking his meeting spot. He sure hadn’t expected a Karal to be waiting there. Least of all Irwin’s old pet, Valkner had never met Haakon not personally anyway. He had of course heard rumors. Those rumors had been enough for the werewolf to never expect him to show up at his place, least of all calling out about gold to be made. More likely he was representing someone more important, but who? Last Valkner had heard Irwin had croaked in much the same vein as Valko had, so Haakon was more likely running errand for some new lord. The only wonder Valkner truly had was how some of the Karal were aware of his meeting spot, he settled on the fact that his reputation must go farther than he thought.

Haakan would notice Valkner was unarmed and in clothes that would be considered casual. Valkner noticed that Haakon’s hand was on the sheath of his blade. Valkner almost chuckled, he hadn’t feared bronze since he’d been bitten. “You’ve been sent to give me a job then, to kill a ‘firebreather’” Valkner said the last word slowly as if mulling it over. He made a show of rubbing his chin in faked thought. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more specific, quite a lot of things breath fire”.

Valkner leaned back to rest against a tree after which his interest was visibly peaked again. “But you called them important. I have to say I like it when they’re important, more coin to be had that way” he said with only a hint of a growl. “Who are they? Where will I find them? How much payment is being offered exactly” Valkner finally cut the games and got to the more standard questions?

Interactions: Archie

Rock



Rock had bedded down the previous night in a nest of comfortable leaves, he hadn’t used leaves for a bed in a long time. It took a lot of leaves to make a bed big enough for an Ogrash to lie comfortably in but every now and again he would collect leaves just for a bed. Once he had finally laid down Rock had slept restfully, he had dreamt of his old family. Of his kind mother, River taking care of him as a small baby, of his father, Oak standing guard with his huge imposing sister. Rock had been playing a game with his cousin, Thunder the only Ogrash he had ever known who was close to his own age. It had been one of Rock’s better dreams until the play had stopped and he’d gone back to the cave only to find everyone gone, he turned around to find Thunder had disappeared as well. Then Rock was alone, a small ape surrounded by towering trees where creatures jumped out at him wishing to do him harm. Rock finally gave in and simply stopped huddling in fear until the sky quaked with a mighty roar, he looked up and saw creatures even bigger than his father had been. They were towering reptiles, like lizards but with massive wings. They dominated the sky until Rock’s dream ended with a grunt as the ape awoke.

The first thing Rock noticed was that his bed was gone, he lay on hard ground instead of his comfy nest. He blew some air out of his nose as he pushed himself up slowly into a sitting position. Rock reached up and rubbed his eyes to get the sleep out of them. The ape noticed a chill which suddenly invaded the air and shivered a bit as he accustomed to it. Finally, he turned his attentions to his surroundings. Rock was not alone, there were multiple other sleeping creatures around him. One was awake, it sort of resembled a human and it carried a weapon. His eyes roved the area around him where he noticed his own weapon, a massive wooden club lying in his reach. The other creatures were noticeably not Ogrash nor were they human. Rock was not entirely knowledgeable on other races so he had no name to their scents but they were not human. One shared the smell of one slightly but there was a noticeable difference to it.

Rock noticed the other awakened creature showing interest in something on the other side of the clearing and cocked his head. What had gotten its attention? Then Rock saw the Shadronians and the goblin. His gaze went from one to the other trying to figure out just what they were doing. Rock had never seen so many creatures in one place before and the one thing he noticed above all was just how small they all were. Most were not even half as tall as he was, he supposed Ogrash were quite big. Rock lifted himself up onto his hind legs making himself even larger, he’d decided to greet the other creatures. The greeting Rock had been taught was to make yourself as big as possible, beat your chest once with your left hand, while giving off a loud hoot. Which he did, unfortunately this gesture would most likely have a very different message to the others but Rock seemed deaf to it as he sunk back into a calm sitting position and watched the moving and unmoving figures throughout the clearing

Mentions: FireMaiden Zazz Trektek Lilliana2 v e n u s deathrisesagain

 

[Zazz]

Eira had gone to rest the night before in a dry, covered den. The snow had been storming across the cave's opening, the wind roaring dully. The Two-Skin had curled up around her small pack in the night and covered her furry self with her cloak. During the night, she dreamed of the usual things: chasing prey climbing mountains... But on this night, she had chased a white rabbit right into a cave...

Only it wasn't a cave. It was a room, one like the humans built. There was light, but not from the sun. It shimmered across shiny grey things, things that looked similar to the blade of her knife, and illuminated a strange creature. It was grey, and not from the mountains. It was something the young Two-Skin had never seen before. Ma had never brought one home to eat, either...

A loud noise woke the Two-Skin. Eira shot up from the grass - grass? - and quickly found its source with wide eyes. The biggest creature she had ever seen, Eira thought, sat calmly in the middle of the grassy clearing. Where was she? She sniffed, and went to stand, only to realize she had awoken in her human skin. Quickly, remembering what Ma had taught her about society, Eira wrapped herself in the cloak that was still covering her and took to her two feet. She peered around, confused, then froze as she realized she was rightly surrounded.

 

[Lilliana2]

Eve


Location: Confederation Roost, Valkonia
​

Evelyn sat at her vanity staring into her reflection, she was dressed for the moot already. She wore a long flowing light pink dress with gold detailing along the bottoms with a tan corset that had gold detailing throughout with small flower designs. It complimented her soft features and she wasn’t too interested in looking like an intimidating authority figure. Now she just had to get her hair situated. She had spent a good 30 minutes just pulling out flowers. She had a large bloom last night and when she woke up her hair was almost completely covered in small flowers it was one of the reasons she never had a maid or anyone else help her do her hair or dress herself.

After she hoped she’d gotten all the flowers out she pulled her hair up into an updo and then added a large clips with roses gold flower detailing a lot with sticking some more sticks into it with flower decorations hopefully if she missed any flowers they’d be mistaken as just another hair ornament. Her hair looked regal and balanced out her outfit well.

She made her way to the Confederation Roost. Her mind still running with the dream she had last night, why were the table there and who was that elf? She’d had weird dreams before but this one felt different like it was important. She made her way through the hallway to the table, she hated sitting at there it felt strange. She didn’t have armies or people to rule over just a lot money and connections. Her father had some funding with almost everyone in the room. She knew about almost everyone there, she hated politics. She would rather be in the woods somewhere practicing her magic she’d almost caught a small bird the other day using the branch it was perched on. She wanted to try again.

She glanced at Assuni she wondered what it was like having all the humans know that she wasn’t. She was actually kind of envious. The old mummified corpse at the end of the table didn’t really surprise her much he seemed a bit unhinged towards the end it actually made her smirk a tiny bit, it seemed like something he would want. She listened as the others began their usual discussion. She sat there gazing into nothing thinking about her dream while they talked. Maybe the island was because she felt alone? Or maybe it was an actual island? And why were there tables? She pulled herself back to reality. She didn’t want others to notice her day dreaming.

“I agree with Hessian” Eve admitted. She’d rather get all the politics out of the way first. “Did he have anyone who he trusted or was close to? They should be up for consideration regardless of his mental state by the time of his death.” It was blunt but it was the truth and she knew everyone in the room agreed with her whether they said it or not. It would make sense for him to have a consultant or someone he was fairly close to.

Mentions Trektek Archie AiDEE-c0

 

[Monday]

Location: Confederation Roost, Valkonia
Time: Morning
Interactions: AiDEE-c0 Trektek Archie​

You are Irudin's chosen.

Zarashi refused to look toward the sun as she stepped out of her palanquin and started up the stairs of the Confederation Roost alongside her father. Despite the mild weather, the heat of the white-gold disk seemed to be searing itself into her skin, as though the reproachful face of Irudin himself were staring directly into her soul and laying bare its secrets, purging the dross of weakness in the punishing heat of his gaze. Weakness! From the moment she'd awoken that morning she had been attempting to convince herself that there was no weakness, no reticence lingering within that would prevent her from surrendering herself fully to the Lord's Holy Will. All her life, she had trained herself for that purpose and that purpose only, dedicating her life in service of God. This sacred burden should be regarded, in a sense, as a great honor. Her sacrifice would be remembered. Yet now, everywhere she looked, it seemed there was some reminder, however trivial, of what she personally would stand to lose in fulfilling her duty to her God and to her people.

A chill passed over her as she entered the great doors of the council building, and only twenty years of practice keeping her emotions under tight reign allowed her to still the shaking of her hands and to nod politely at the other dignitaries as they filed to their seats. While subject to her husband, she would no longer be able to sit at her father's right hand, as she would today- Vareth would have to take up that role, and Irudin knew that the Minister of Temples would lose a significant advantage in his bid for the seat of the Confederation. Nor could she scamper here and there through the shadows, monitoring the political climate of Valkonia on his behalf, while heavy with child. Her pilgrimage would also take her far away from the capital for a matter of weeks to months, and there would still be the matter of her husband to put a damper on her political career when she returned. Kamar Ida could handle himself in the political arena, she had no doubt of that; even so, a second pair of eyes and ears and a second cunning mind was a great asset. Every leader was entitled to a strong right hand. This, Vareth could never be. While also far from ideal, perhaps it was time to consider an arrangement for Taran to receive the birthright- though somewhat impressionable and more adept in the particulars of weapons than the ways of the spirit, he was at least clever enough to avoid being a liability. But no, that was a train of thought for another time.

Almost involuntarily, her eyes darted to her father as he took his seat beside her, taking in his strong, broad-shouldered profile swathed in the red and gold of his office, handsome features, bronze complexion weathered by many campaigns into the forest, his distinctive hawk nose, and his carefully trimmed and oiled jet black beard streaked with white. His posture was erect and commanding, but not stiff, with that effortless quality she'd always admired and tried to emulate. This is how a leader ought to look, she thought as she often had throughout childhood. Once the search for a husband began she would no longer be his primary vassal and confidant in all things. Wasn't it she who just three days ago had suggested, to his delight, that at this very meeting he propose a campaign into the Great Forest to be used as a kind of proxy war to decide the succession crisis? And hadn't he asked her, in the event that the motion was passed, to lead the campaign as a general in his name on behalf of the Great Volcano Tribe? Granted, that would have also removed her as his right hand in the court, but as always, she would have obeyed him, and been proud to bring yet more victory and honor to her father's name.

Would you do any less for me? the voice from her dream whispered, startling her out of her reverie. It was hard to say whether Irudin himself had guided her thoughts, but it was far more likely the voice was a product of her own anxiety. Nonetheless, despite the calm, emotionless manner in which it was phrased, the question cut her to the core. She bowed her head, staring into her lap, and pressed her hands together tightly, nails digging into her skin, her fingertips icy. She had not meant to be rebellious; it was just that, until now, she had spent so much time and effort conforming to a man's role, firmly believing it to be the way she could best serve Irudin, that the thought of serving him through her womb was infinitely strange. Absently, she slid her right hand out of the other and placed it over her stomach. What value did all her accomplishments hold now? Had it all been a waste? Had she completely misinterpreted all the dreams, whispers and visions that had led her to this point? The last woman to be chosen, Telermine, wife of Arkrath Ida, had cast herself into the volcano with her son, an action that Zarashi had never understood. Perhaps it was a pious attempt to increase the value of the sacrifice, but since Irudin had only ever asked for a firstborn child and nothing more, it was more likely that in her despair she had wished to die with her child. Such weakness. It was repulsive. If this was the kind of woman who had been chosen... well, it seemed that no particular merit was required for the task. Any fool could get themselves impregnated and drop the results over a ledge. Was it the blood that was important, then? The identity of the father? That prospect did nothing to assuage her frustration.

Kamar shifted in his chair beside her, and she glanced upward to see him looking at her with concern. It was all she could do not to voice her thoughts right then and there. She'd been aching to tell him about her dream all morning. There had been a viable opportunity on the journey here, but she had contained her excitement and forced herself to make small talk instead, thinking it best if there were nothing to distract him during such a pivotal meeting. Now she forced yet another reassuring smile, despite her facade of normalcy costing her more and more energy by the second.

Suddenly the buzz of quiet conversation ceased as all eyes turned toward the end of the hall. Instead of the High Priest Arkrath Ida, who had called this meeting in the first place, it was the man from her dream who strode into the center of the room. Instantly her heart rate spiked. After a few seconds, she came to her senses and realized it was only her cousin, Horang, the High Priest's second in command. But certainly there was a resemblance- the vision was a fairly accurate representation of how her cousin might look in a couple decades. Surely, this was a sign from Irudin, but even with her years of practice interpreting dreams its meaning was not immediately clear to her. She put the thought aside for now, determined to meditate on it later. At any rate, if she'd thought her mood couldn't be soured any further, she was mistaken. As they were on good terms, it would be a fairly simple matter for her to get Arkrath on her side, but with her cousin... not so much. And the fact that the Archon had sent a proxy to his own meeting raised several concerns all on its own. To some it might suggest he was losing his grip, and that did not reflect well on the image of the Volcano Tribe as a whole. For a moment she wondered if Horang might abuse his status as heir apparent to take his uncle's seat, but, true to form, he did not. Too brazen for his tastes.

"My uncle is busy inhaling the sacred fumes of the green plant, and receiving visions thusly," He proclaimed. Bertrand Nemeth snorted disdainfully, expressing his contempt for what he considered a ridiculous superstition, and Zarashi resisted the urge to shoot a glare at him and his infinitely more ridiculous choice in headwear.

"The reason he called this meeting is that Irudin has delivered us a message. God is angry at us all for our squabbling, and for our infighting in the wake of the death of our...." Horang paused, sweeping his gaze over the members of the cabinet.

"Great leader," he finished, the sarcasm in his tone unmistakable. Zarashi smirked. Compared to most of them, Horang had particular reason to hold a grudge toward the late Primarch due to a certain incident in which he'd demanded that the Seneschal use fire magic to prevent the onset of winter. She was too young to attend cabinet meetings at the time, but had enjoyed hearing the account of her cousin's humiliation from her father. The memory was enough to pull her focus away from her dark thoughts and onto the task at hand.

"To atone for our sin, we must immediately outfit an expedition to the Shadronian Swamps. Thus God has spoken," Horang finished tersely. So this was the message of Irudin? She frowned. Why the Shadronian Swamps, specifically? At any rate, their original proposal of a campaign would have to be put on hold until more information could be gathered.

"You called a moot for that!?" Fenris Daan shouted as he leaped to his feet and pointed a finger at the Seneschal, demonstrating the characteristic lack of decorum she'd come to expect from the men of Karal. "What we should be doing is deciding a new leader for the Confederation. Now that we're all here, why don't we take names, eh?" he proposed. Instantly, the amount of tension in the room doubled. Zarashi scanned the faces arrayed at the table, trying to predict who would speak first and searching for an opportunity to turn the tide in her father's favor.

Not entirely surprisingly, the Elf Minister was the first to raise her voice. "An expedition is not necessarily at odds with nomination. If Irudin commands it, it seems like an obvious heed to take. Else we are risking a new... catastrophe, is that not correct? We can issue an expedition and deal with electorates right after, does that sound too far-fetched?" The woman was an excellent orator, Zarashi had to admit. Easing the tension by taking on an open, neutral tone, addressing all concerns while drawing the room together under a common purpose, and in so doing, inviting trust by appearing to represent all of them. She herself had used these exact techniques on several occasions. A pity about her heritage, truly. As for the proposal, though... any further delay in resolving the issue of succession was not to her taste, although the expedition could buy some time in which the balance of power could shift.

"Excuse me. I agree with her. We are humans, we can do both tasks," Bertrand Nemeth's second delegate, a slightly unkempt, studious-looking man she didn't recognize, broke in. "Though if you ask me, we should vote first and then leave on this expedition. It'd be much more efficient."

Ahh. Zarashi's mind was in full gear now, assessing her options and generating possibilities, but she would need more information before she definitively decided what course to take. She caught her father's eye, silently requesting permission to speak. He gave a barely perceptible nod. She rose.

"What the Engyr delegate proposes has merit," she said, enjoying the sound of her voice ringing clear and strong over the assembly. A sudden stab of pain pierced her chest at the thought that this might be the last time she would ever experience this, but she pushed it down and forged ahead. "But if we are to make the most prudent decision I believe we should first strive to know all we can about this expedition. Seneschal, has Irudin revealed what is to be the objective of our quest to the Shadronian Swamps?" Depending on his answer, she might be able to propose that the new leader of the Confederation be the one to take charge of the expedition, and that was an angle that had potential.

 

[Archie]

Confederation Roost
AiDEE-c0 Monday Trektek Lilliana2

Horang stared at Fenris, his eyes cold and almost tired, his face motionless. The passionate Fenris, known for his defense of the lower castes of the Karal in his youth, meanwhile, got red when saying almost anything, and made a point of saying it loudly.

The attention of all delegates shifted to the speakers. Most murmured in assent when Assuni and Hessian spoke broadly hitting home the same point - that Fenris and Horang's proposals were not contradictory. Fenris, meanwhile, took his seat, his lips pressed against his lips, obviously plotting how he could suggest himself as Confederation Leader. Assuni and Hessian seemed to disagree with timing. Near everyone sitting at the table had a horse in the race in the confederation leadership - and often that horse was themselves. For this reason, most wanted to put the election off as Assuni suggested, but none of the candidates did, with Bertrand Nemeth visibly bristling at the suggestion of there being a delay.

Then, Evelyn spoke, and asked if there was anyone that Valko trusted. The ministers and vice-ministers looked at eachother, across the table. Flavia, Valko's former harpy lover, leaned back in her chair and smirked. Most of the cabinet members followed suit, smiling at the idea of Valko trusting anyone, but everyone was too afraid to laugh outright. Of course, there were hundreds of people here - most of them in the balconies - the rich, powerful, and senior ranks of the military. Insulting the Confederation Leader in such a gathering was unacceptable, so Bertrand Nemeth took it upon himself to break the silence.

"The Confederation leader wisely followed the motto of trust, but verify" Bertrand stated, conveying the consensus of the cabinet in the most euphemistic and diplomatic way possible. The only people Valko ever listened to were Flavia - who dumped him - and Irwin, who was now dead.

Then, Zarashi rose to speak. "Seneschal, has Irudin revealed what is to be the objective of our quest to the Shadronian Swamps?", she asked.

All eyes turned from her to Horang, whose eyes widened, if only ever so slightly. Those who were more perceptive would notice his fists had clenched. This was precisely the question that Horang did not want to be asked. One could almost see the gears in his head, visibly turning.

"To take Starlit Isle and destroy the sorcerer" stated Horang Ida. Murmurs and gasps spread throughout the room. Horang was typically blunt and terse. Unlike Zarashi and Kamar - examples of ideal Ida, Horang never exhibited any charisma unless he had to. His demeanor was always icy, bored, and detached from the world. But, as the 200 most powerful people in the confederation whispered as if the second Archon had just died, Horang realized he needed to do damage control.

"Finally, after months of diligent prayer, high priest Arkrath has finally delivered unto us the truth of Starlit Isle!" he proclaimed, his voice booming and becoming colored with inflection, as he stuck his hand in the air, as if about to make a point.

"The heretics who once believed there was a demon there were misled by incomplete prayers. Nay, the witch of Starlit Isle is nothing more than an ancient Elven sorcerer, and it is she who is responsible for all of our blights. Disease, starvation, thunder" Horang stated, looking around the room, making strong eye contact with his audience for three seconds with the same person at a time.

"All of these things were created by her" he announced, to more gasps from the crowd. To those who knew him, in the clan and in the cabinet, at moments like this it was like Horang transformed into a different person.

"And we will put an end to all humanity's problems by slaying this witch once and for all" he proclaimed, to a chorus of clapping and several members on the ends of the table banging and shouting "hear hear".

A loud scratching noise penetrated through the room - but only Zarashi could hear it. It was the same voice that had spoken to her in her dream.

"He lies" whispered the voice.

An Elven witch on an isle... that was familiar to Evelyn as well, who had seen such a thing in her dream, though the lights that illuminated the isle she saw were far brighter than any stars. And that elf had blue skin - no one had ever seen a blue-skinned elf.


Nameless Forest

Yahhah

Haakon gripped his sword as Valkner appeared behind him, swinging and expecting a fight. No, he was asking for one, but Valkner did not oblige.

Valkner was asking all the right questions. Unfortunately, Haakon clenched his jaw as he realized his chief had probably given him the wrong answers.

“The target is Kamar Ida” stated Haakon.

“He’s the most likely to become Confederation leader since Fenris has no accomplishments under his belt, and the Seneschal of the Fire Temple is in bed with the Engyr. Everyone is against us” Haakon said, saying us as if Valkner was still a Karal. Of course, having walked away from the tribe, he was a traitor, but Haakon heard he was a fine warrior during his time there. Fenris had nothing but respect for him - Irwin, less so.

Haakon was just repeating the words of his master, determined to serve Fenris as commanded by fate until his inevitable and hopefully looming death. He could sense that Fenris disliked him, but didn’t know why. He had done nothing but served his father faithfully and loyally, and Fenris, abt least after his “correction”, embodied a typical Karal, at least on the outside. Little did Haakon, who had lived his whole life as a glorified man servant, know how wrong his words were. The last thing Horang Ida wanted was for his uncle Kamar to become the Confederation leader, but there was no way anyone who hadn’t served on the cabinet for years would know this.

“Kamar is always secure. It will be difficult. I will help you, even if it means I have to die”.

The actions recklessness was not even lost on Haakon. If they carried this out, Ida blood would be spilled, and Irudins wrath would fall on humanity, or so the legends said, but neither Fenris nor Haakon believed that. Fenris hated the Ida religion, and Haakon worshipped no one but his late master. His heart fluttered just thinking about him, even in this context.

His face remained emotionless.

“You will be paid sixty four thousand groschens for your service” he stated. That was a tenth of the annual tax revenue of the city of Valkonia. In other words, to afford the payment, this had to be a coup. Fenris didn’t tell Haakon all the details, and just told him to obey. Haakon, for his part, didn’t care about the outcome. He was fated to die this day, and there was no more glorious death than being incinerated by firebreathers while killing their leader.


Forest Clearing

Zazz FireMaiden Yahhah deathrisesagain v e n u s Trektek

The standoff continued as the goblin made his appeal and the others awoke, observing their surroundings. The sight was truly confusing. The moon seemed to grow in size as the seconds ticked by, until once again the deer emerged from behind the Shadronians, and entered the clearing. It was very clear that the creature couldn't speak - except for Grem, who had heard it once - but it said nothing more.

Instead, it was followed by what looked like an elf, but was too short to be of average height.

Only Zayden knew who this was - one of the Elves who had survived the Hunt, and who sometimes traded with the Shadronians, and cooperated with them in using his powerful magic. The story of his tribe was a tragic one, with a fire priest named Bloodrang Ida having roasted all of them alive two years ago - all but Senrir. The Shadronians had no idea how he escaped, but they knew that, in his case, looks were deceiving - there was some almost demonic aura that leaked off of the elf, that any magic user could sense, as if there was a powerful force conveying its will through him.

"Please, please. Let us not kill each other" he said, as he patted the deer on the head.

"I am Senrir, son of Ashar, keeper of the Mithelyn tribe" he opened.

"I have brought you all here because one of you is the... well I'm not exactly sure what she'd call it. Chosen? Chosen of the Great Spirit?" the elf asked, looking to his left, towards the glowing deer, which just shook its head.

"Oh, uhh, well something like that anyway" said Senrir, letting out an uncomfortable chuckle.

"Anyways, I apologize for this, but... well... I don't exactly know which one of you is the thing. I'm not exactly sure how to find out which one of you is, so this is awkward..."

The elf shrugged and turned around, walking in the direction of a recently trampled path of grass, whose brush had been hacked away.

"Follow me, there's a place I can take you... it's really nice, and humans can't find you there. Well, it's not exactly nice, but it's interesting" he insisted, turning around again to defend his judgement.

"We can sort it out there, and the rest of you can go home, alright?"

 

[Zazz]

The Two-Skin's gaze flickered between the newest arrival and the white doe. The animal was striking in its beauty, yet eerily not of this world. Chosen? Great Spirit? What was he on about? With a sniff, her attention turned to the people of the swamp, the Shadronians. She felt wildly out of place, and homesick. Frankly, she didn't know where home was, nor how to get there. The mountains had been her home all her life... but where were they?

The young shapeshifter was unsure of how to proceed, but after some thought, she figured these were not humans; they were... other, like her. With a practiced movement, Eira disrobed and packed away her cloak, then shifted to her other skin. The snow leopard shook out her fur with a huff and picked up her pack in her mouth, carrying it after the elf. What else was she to do? Perhaps he knew the way home. Sniffing again, she steered over to the horned woman carrying a staff; the air was cooler near her. A pleasant feeling amidst the unfamiliarity.

 

[FireMaiden]

Location: The Great Forest - Shadrodian Swamp
Interaction: Zazz Yahhah v e n u s deathrisesagain
Mentioned: Trektek Archie
The moment the Ogrash stood, her eyes left the noise in the trees to the behemoth of a creature. Kyrene has never seen something so large, nothing this far outside of the frosty border she resided in. The trolls and frost giants were friendly if you took the time to gain their trust, and they were definitely an interesting bunch. But this one. Kyrene didn't know whether to duck into the trees or try to attack it. Attacking would not be a smart idea, she was a dwarf in comparison, but it was unclear how intelligent this creature was. She didn't have tome to make a definitive decision as his attention turned to her. And in what was hopefully nothing more than a response to herself being armed, he picked up a club that seemed to be almost as large as she was. He then let out a loud call, hit his chest, and sat down. Kyrene immediately relaxed a little, letting out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

The behemoth was not the only one awake now, a woman with white hair, the one Kyrene felt an unusual connection with, was now awake. The woman seemed to realize she was naked, and quickly covered herself with a cloak. But Kyrene was unable to focus on her for long, as a new voice, and a white deer came into view. Rambling is what she would call what he was doing, but he was obviously addressing everyone present. This wasn't a human trick either, that deer proved it. The humans had no appreciation for wildlife, not even enough to use it as bait. Kyrene, knowing she could escape or fight if she needed, the nymph saw no real other option. She didn't know where she was, or how she had gotten there, let alone how close a human tribe was, being with her fellow forest dwellers made sense. When the man and the deer began to leave, with the intention of leading everyone away, Kyrene moved slightly to follow when a snow leopard suddenly appeared beside her. Stunned, Kyrene glanced around hoping to find it's origin point, of course noticing the absence of the white-haired woman.

Kyrene made the connection immediately, looking down at the giant cat with a ghost of a smile on her lips. Her free hand lowered to the leopard's head, gently placing her palm down before she reclaimed her hand and began to follow the man with the white deer.

 

[deathrisesagain]

The small Shadronian stood infront of his men. The beauty of this creature was literally wordless. His white hair swayed in the small breeze that swept through. He had to shake himself out of the trance on the creature. His vision turned towards the small group in the clearing and the goblin not that far away. "Lower your weapon Ashtor. There is no need to shed blood. These beings pose no threat towards the swamp and our people." Zayden's voice sounded after the goblin's plea for safety. His arm slowly lifted towards the bow to block the other warrior's aim. "This group is too close to the protected Swamp. Leave now or pay the price." Zayden called out. The small group of 24 Shadronian warriors quickly unsheathed their swords when the Ogrash pounded his chest and haulered. Zayden remained calm, his sword sheathed. "Sheath your weapons!" Zayden ordered his warriors, who all obeyed the command without hesitation.

Zayden turned his attention towards the white deer creature once more, and hearing the words spoken. He slowly shoke his head as the Elf appeared and started speaking. "Elf, you have some nerve bringing a group of outsiders close to the swamp. We we kind to allow you to trade and now you bring a threat?" Zayden spoke, his voice cold and emotionless. Most creatures had shivers from his voice, but once they got to know him, he was a very kind and trusting warrior. The safety of the swamp and their charge, versus the trusting of this group, which decision was the best for all? This was the main question Zayden had to answer. The Shadronian turned his attention towards Ashtor, the second in charge. "I will go with these outsiders and see what is going on. You are in charge, NO ONE is to be harmed! If I do not return in two Lantern times, gather the warriors and archers and come find me." Zayden said. Ashtor opened to protest but quit as soon as Zayden raised his hand to cut him off.

Zayden stepped closer to Ashtor so that they were the only ones that would hear what was said. "Send word to the General and let him know that outsiders are close to the border. Tell him that I will return with more information as soon as I can. Also send word to all Border Tower Commanders and tell them to be on guard. We don't know how close humans are to our borders, and we need to be ready in case they try to invade." Zayden spoke softly. Ashtor gave a nod to the commands. "Let move out!" Ashtor called out and took the group of Shadronians away from the clearing. Zayden turned his attention back towards the Elf and rest of the group, his guard up, and be ready for anything.

 

[Yahhah]

Valkner



Valkner’s eyes roved the clearing as if he was zoning out as Haakon attempted to explain the assignment. So, this was political. Valkner had never much cared for politics.

But coin was coin, and that was a lot of coin. Bringing down an Ida would be difficult though; the werewolf had a reputation for being fearless but that simply wasn’t true. He feared very little but fire was the exception to that rule, not that Valkner let that fact get out much. Of course, if anyone knew the least bit about werewolves it wouldn’t be much of a secret.

if it was a lower ranked Ida Valkner would simply wait until they were alone in town, then make it look as if they’d been savaged by a dog. He assumed that sort of strategy wouldn’t work here.

Apparently this one was intent on helping him with it. When Haakon said that bit Valkner looked back downwards to study the slightly younger man. Valkner almost let out another chuckle when he said everyone was against us. As if Valkner still held affiliation with his old tribe, not that the werewolf was bothered by that. He’d rarely had the luxury of allies even when he was within a tribe.

“Kamar Ida... Can’t say I know much about that man. Where exactly is he secure” stated Valkner already trying to concoct plans to get the murder done. “I would also ask how secure he is? A few guards are easier to deal with then a fortress. You’ll have to forgive my lack of knowledge on Ida. I don’t care to keep up with... Those sorts of things”.

Archie

Rock



Oh no. He’d scared them.

Rock noticed his greeting had had the opposite affect of what he’d wanted. Rock’s greeting had awoken one of the other creatures who were sleeping around him, it seemed to freeze the one that was already awake in place for a few moments. The creatures on the other side of the clearing had brought out their pointy sticks to defend themselves. Their leader said a few words and they put their sticks away.

It appeared these creatures did not understand his body language. He rested his huge head on his right knuckle in deep thought of a way he could show he meant no harm. Rock could speak, but not well. He could muster a few words, maybe a small sentence but not loud enough to be heard by all. As Rock tried to think of a way for a five-meter ape to appear nonthreatening he noticed the one he’d awakened had disappeared.

Replaced by some kind of spotted cat he’d never seen before. Rock wondered where the creature had gone as he looked across the field as if trying to find it. What he did notice was a beautiful deer had entered the clearing. Rock liked deer, they were graceful creatures. They were harmless, moved in families, and were quick. Rock had never thought there could be something so different from an Ogrash but there they were. Rock had eaten a deer once, he’d been overcome with guilt after killing such a harmless creature he’d decided to only eat branches, leaves, and fruit unless absolutely necessary.

Along with the deer was a human looking creature, which he quickly realized was not what it looked. It said a few things which confused Rock, but it said other things that fascinated him. He got back to his feet, he decided to follow after the creature taking care not to accidently trod on the one who remained asleep. He made sure not to step too close to the cat and other creature. He didn’t want to accidently frighten them again.

Archie deathrisesagain Zazz FireMaiden v e n u s Trektek

 

[Monday]

Location: Confederation Roost, Valkonia
Interaction: Archie

After so many years of sparring with her cousin, Zarashi's discerning eye couldn't fail to notice even his most subtle body language. Though he'd grown more and more careful with age, she had only grown sharper- and right now, he was showing all the signs of having been backed into a corner. As the focus in the room shifted onto him in response to her query, she could almost see the calculations running behind his glassy-eyed mask of boredom, as though he were resetting his course to compensate for some error. Interesting. Ordinarily, she would've enjoyed putting him on the spot and likely seized the opportunity to humiliate him further, but under present circumstances she had more pressing concerns. Either Horang was being pressured to reveal something Arkrath desired to withhold, or he simply didn't know the answer.

"To take Starlit Isle and destroy the sorcerer," he announced in his characteristically blunt fashion. Sorcerer? Now, that was unprecedented. Ignoring the waves of gasping and muttering radiating throughout the room in the wake of this declaration, Zarashi zeroed in on the Seneschal while keeping her face an unreadable mask. Not only did this bear some resemblance to the Daemon heresy, a common belief among the elite of the Temple Scholars held that Starlight Isle, the place where the sun supposedly never shone, was itself a myth.

"Finally, after months of diligent prayer, high priest Arkrath has finally delivered unto us the truth of Starlit Isle!" Horang suddenly came alive, becoming more animated as he always did when he wished to provoke a certain reaction. And it seemed to be working- though whether he owed this to his oratory skills or to the nature of his message was highly debatable. Unlike Zarashi and her father, he actually had to work to capture an audience, something that was painfully obvious to the trained observer but that the majority of the council failed to grasp. Clearly, he needed the council to be convinced of this supposed 'truth', which further increased her suspicions.

"The heretics who once believed there was a demon there were misled by incomplete prayers. Nay, the witch of Starlit Isle is nothing more than an ancient Elven sorcerer, and it is she who is responsible for all of our blights. Disease, starvation, thunder." Zarashi's eyebrows shot upward before she caught herself and returned to a neutral expression. Though the claim sounded incredibly far-fetched, she had to admit that if it were true... it would be revolutionary. But could it possibly be true? Could an entire generation of priests and disciples have been led astray by such a large margin? The logical question to ask was whether Horang had anything to gain by lying. He could be trying to undermine Arkrath, but the last she'd checked, they were on decent terms, and his succession was already ensured. Was it all part of some plot he'd cooked up with his Engyr friends? She didn't see any clear benefit from that angle, either. Meanwhile, Horang was putting on a show of sweeping his eyes around the room, making eye contact with each person at the table. When he reached her she met his gaze coldly and evenly, not bothering to hide her skepticism. She thought he might've moved on more quickly than with the others, but she couldn't be sure.

"All of these things were created by her!" he declared, his delivery becoming increasingly grandiose. Zarashi's thoughts continued to race. It was odd that Horang would voluntarily lend even partial credibility to his father's ideas, considering what their relationship had been. And if it wasn't a power play on her cousin's part, was this all some elaborate stall tactic to postpone dealing with the succession crisis? If so, why did it seem so poorly planned? And what did he care who became Primarch so long as he would be Archon? Her uncle Arkrath, on the other hand, would certainly prefer an Ida ruler to preserve the religious integrity of the Confederation- could this ruse be of his invention, given to Horang as a last resort? If so, what was he hiding? Something big, certainly... something so significant that he couldn't stop his meditations even to attend his own meeting.

"And we will put an end to all humanity's problems by slaying this witch once and for all!"

"Hear, hear!" shouted several delegates at either end of the table as they pounded on the surface- a rather uncouth display, she thought- over resounding applause. Wide-eyed fools! You'd think they were a bunch of slack-jawed peasants at the arena! Grinding her teeth and digging her nails into her palms, Zarashi suppressed a surge of annoyance at Horang's overblown theatrics, and the way the crowd was practically eating out of his hand. Forcefully tuning out the noise, she was starting to consider what the implications would be if the Holy Seneschal was, in fact, telling the truth, when a harsh rasping noise cut right through her thoughts.

"He lies." Startled, she whipped her head around, trying to find the source. Strangely, no one else seemed to react. It was the voice from her dream again, but this time, it had definitely seemed to come from outside of her mind, even if she was the only one who had heard it. Auditory hallucination... or divine revelation? It did line up with what she'd deduced to be the most likely scenario... which either added to or detracted from the voice's credibility depending on how she looked at it. But no, this was unlike anything she'd experienced before, and brought to mind tales her spiritual instructors told of Irudin revealing himself without rituals to those whom he especially favored, such as the Grand Masters of old. Perhaps, being Chosen, she was being granted a gift.

She decided to trust the voice.

So, Horang is lying. What now? Certainly, she would be paying her uncle a visit the second this meeting was over. But until then, what could she do with this knowledge? Lord, I am your humble servant...

Before she could make up her mind, the Kamar Ida answered the question for her. "Wait," his booming voice reverberated throughout the room. "I want to be sure I have all the facts in order. Correct me if I'm wrong, Holy Seneschal, but it appears that you are saying the Daemonist Heresy was born of a mere misunderstanding of Irudin's true message, that Irudin has waited all these years to reveal the full truth to us, the truth that would have allowed us to eliminate the evils barring humankind from their full potential, despite the many diligent priests and disciples meditating day and night waiting to receive it; and that what we have been believing all this time in good faith, that there is no supernatural being that dwells on the Starlit Isle, is, itself, a heresy." He paused briefly for effect, bowing his head with pious gravity and raising a hand to discourage interruptions. "Now, that is grievous news, indeed," he continued in a subdued tone, allowing a slight tremor of grief into his voice. "How, praytell, could such a thing have occurred?"

Zarashi ducked her head to hide her smirk. True to form, her father had already caught on to her cousin's duplicity and was swiftly laying a trap. She had no doubt that from here he could turn the favor of the council toward himself. Let's see you get out of this one, Horang.

 

[AiDEE-c0]

Assuni

Location: Confederation Roost
Time: Morning.
Interactions: Archie
Mentions: Trektek Lilliana2 Monday​

Much more efficient? As if. Assuni turned her head to face the messy looking second as he spoke, rolling her eyes unimpressed as a second voice chimed in to validate his opinion. The one thing that definitely fit into place about Horang's message was the part about squabbling. If leadership was to be decided here at once, Spirits know that the room would devolve into a circus of screeching clowns, all lording their achievements over each other while accomplishing little. While moments like that are great opportunity to lunge, man-children are already irritating enough as is, let alone in full, foaming swing. Then again, she was doing this for her people, and that'd be all the reason necessary to bear it. Every. Last. Second.
Someone that Valko trusted, huh? The silence that followed that inquiry told enough. A silence weaved through with the innate knowledge that everyone found it just as ridiculous as you. Perhaps once. Assuni narrowed her gaze towards Flavia, only to be interrupted by Bertrand's offensively inoffensive summary of Valko's senility.

But, before a circus had chance to assemble, a new point was risen. A face that the elf could've sworn she recognised, accompanying... Ah, that was right. The daughter of the chieftain, not very enviable considering human traditions, let her voice be carried and amplified by the geometry of the hall. She was very correct. In the rush to scheme vengeance as efficiently as possible, Assuni had overlooked just the suddenness and curiosity of why such an expedition was issued. The matriarch gently snickered behind her mask, an impossible idea crossing her mind. They couldn't possibly be thinking that... the who? Straightening her back along her chair, she took to listening intently as Horang began delivery of the details of the"sacred" message, after a noticeable pause. A sorcerer? In the swamps? Plenty of them. But, no. The Starlit isle? The residence of the very essence of the world itself? What was the meaning of this? Assuni found herself squinting in the man's direction.

There certainly was a new bravado to his voice. Most likely theatrics, to fool the delegates into taking his explanation with much more heed, fake importance. Quite frankly, the at-best speculations that followed the initial surprise "revelation" were a bit laughable. The claim was that by Irudin's account, a lone elven witch brought upon them all of their plights, misfortunes and diseases, implying that a single individual could somehow manifest the power to rival gods, and at the same time be interested in lightly harassing their little empire, without destroying it outright. Undeniably funny, for it then painted their own god as rather unimpressive in comparison... to one of their mortal enemies. Worst of all, all them ate it up, plate included. The inconsistencies in the story, the foolishness of sending an expedition to battle someone who can apparently channel thunder from miles away, it was all lost on a crowd indulging in blind celebration of an easy, one-step solution to all their troubles. Alas, Assuni knew far too well that heavy problems could never be solved by charlatans offering easy solutions.

As common sense would have it, the last Anticipation was not the only person in the room doubtful of Horang's snake-oil. Kamar Ida himself found it fitting to interject, raising points that would be hard to squirm away from, unless the seneschal truly spoke the truth. Even at that point, combating the objections would prove tricky. If the next-in-line to the inheritance of the temple was to lose trust among the leadership and people, or, rather, the very reputation of said temple was to permanently stain, opportunities could open up just as easily as with a vulnerable expedition. Anything to keep eyes off of her, really. Speaking of, Assuni noticed that Barabash remained uncannily silent. The man always liked to see just how much he can get away with, but it seemed not even he was currently stupid enough to poke at either side. He was a rich tribal chief, main distributor of silk among Valkonia, keeping several operations all throughout lands both forested and deforested. Surely enough, any wrong words put a threat to that position, especially given his reputation of tugging a bit too often, harassing anyone, from the priesthood to the harpy queen. Some claims even go that Valko simply kept him around as a personal jester, but that does nothing to remove his influence after the archont's death. Yet, here he was, silent. A symbol of utmost tension, tension of the critical sort. Both Assuni and Barabash awaited Horang's response, one more silent than the other. While the elf's expression remained mostly unreadable, on account of obscurement by jade, the unpredictable tribal chief wore a wide grin. His stare would quite likely prove distracting to anyone of lesser mental fortitude, which wasn't entirely unintended.

 

[Archie]

Confederation Roost
AiDEE-c0 Monday Trektek Lilliana2

Horang's brief moments of impassioned, false conviction always ended after he delivered his speech. It was a flaw that prevented him from being charming at dinner parties, for other parties could always tell when he was being false by the rapid changes in his face. At the distance most of the delegates were at from him, they could not witness his expression go blank as soon as he finished his speech, as if all his emotion was merely simulated. He listened patiently as Kamar spoke, witnessing the look of incredulity on his cousin's face turn to satisfaction at the difficult question. Those with careful eyes could see no more physical manifestations of his stress, but that Horang's diaphragm, even under his armor plate, was expanding and contracting, and thus that he was taking deep breaths to calm his nerves.

It was clear to Zarashi and Kamar at this point as fellow members of the Ida clan that there was no plan. Horang's bizarre leaps of logic were an attempt to cover for someone, but who? His eyes briefly looked to the right, then back - something that Zarashi, from family gatherings - knew was the sign that the manifold gears in the calculating man's head were turninig and trying to generate a solution to a new problem. As Kamar finished his oration, the room erupted into vulgar "hear hear's" and uncomfortable applause, as everyone could feel the tension mounting, and those who already had a bone to pick with the Temple were all too happy to side with anyone who criticized it, even a fellow Ida.

"Great question, Minister Ida" Horang addressed his uncle formally, his voice nonchalant as if he had expected this question the whole time.

"Actually, this is something that the High Priests of the Fire Temple have known for centuries" he stated, creating gasps around the room. Gone was the false charisma, as Horang knew he could not compete in that department with his cousin and uncle, and some of the other natural leaders in the room. Instead, his deep voice was stale, and matched his usual bored expression.

"They have passed down this and other divine commands from Irudin to reveal at the correct moment" he stated, his eyes darting between delegates at the table. Those who knew him understood that this was a clear sign that he was making this all up.

"The problem with the Great Heretic," he stated, calling his father by his official name, "is that he was not the High Priest, and therefore did not commune directly with Irudin. He instead chose to interpret his vague dreams and visions, as if they were some great insight, when in practice the succession of High Priests had known a more specific version of the truth for centuries" said Horang, who now looked much calmer as he continued speaking. His back relaxed, and his breathing was less intense. Zarashi could tell that his blatant improvisation and lies were finally leading somewhere - somewhere his feet could rest.

"It is blatant heresy to say the Starlit Isle's witch is a God. She is not. After all, where was her magic when we burned her beloved forest? When we enslaved her beloved savages?" Horang asked, looking to Flavia.

"When Flavia led us to Valkoria, and created our first home in this land?" he asked. The room was silent, as his delivery was not flamboyant like before, but that of a village elder delivering a lecture.

"But, these elves can live thousands of years, and in that time, this sorcerer has gotten stronger and stronger, to the point at which she was able to cause the long winter of two years ago, and the thunderstorm of three months past. So, why is this command being given now? I cannot pretend to know the will of Irudin until I am High Priest" he stated, as if the succession were already an inevitable matter.

"But, I can say that she has grown stronger. More importantly, through his dreams, the High Priest received a vision commanding him to take the isle now, to reunify humanity after our sinful bickering"

Horang paused for a moment, his stare fixing on Assuni as he finished his last point. The room waited, most expecting that he had finished his speech. But then, the left side of his mouth curled up in a slight smirk as he turned towards Kamar. The Ida pair knew what that meant - Horang just got an idea.

"...and," he continued "to divert the attention of his own chosen clan, the Ida, from our petty pursuits. For weeks, we have been involving ourselves in the unholy matter of attempting to take both Archonships. This will destabilize the balance of power between the three great tribes, and put an end to the Confederation. However, no other leader has the prestige to rise to the position of Confederation Leader without achieving a great success"

"Therefore, I nominate Fenris Daan as leader of this expedition, so that he may gain such a success" Horang finished, staring not at Fenris, but at Kamar. Zarashi heard a loud screeching noise, but no one else did. Whatever voice she was hearing, it was clearly irate. The Ida felt a dark energy emerge off of Horang's armor, the king of aura that one normally perceived off a convicted petty criminal - no, a thief. The room erupted, not into applause, but into whispers which in a split second accelerated into open chatter. Virtually everyone in the room wanted to say something at the same time.

"Fenris has no experience" said a businessman on the other side of the table.

"The Karal clan must always be the leader!" shouted an unknown man from the balcony, without being called on by the chairman, technically Horang, as was mandated by the Moot's rules for those in the balcony. This triggered shouting from opponents back from the balcony and the table, as there were many who seemed to disagree. Flavia just shook her head, thinking this whole matter was ridiculous, while Bertrand Nemeth leaned back in his chair, slapping Hessian on the shoulder with his only hand and smirking.

Fenris, meanwhile, didn't even notice that Horang wasn't looking his way. His face turned red, he cupped one fist in the other, putting his elbows on the table and pressing his lips into his fists. It was clear to all from his bluster earlier in the meeting that Fenris wanted the job of Confederation leader. Assuni and Evelyn, seated on that side of the table, however, could deduce his body language. For commanding a military expedition, this man knew that he was out of his depth. Clearly, the last thing he was expecting was a nomination from Horang. A political newcomer, Fenris had assumed to this day that the entire Ida Clan were in cahoots.

The shouting continued, and became more and more vitriolic. Soon, half the room was screeching at the top of their lungs, their opinions degrading into a cacophony of voices, none of them intelligible.

Suddenly, a large crack of thunder, loud as an explosion, smashed into the chandelier on the roof, causing a flash of light, a deafening noise, and for the room to shake. When the silenced crowd looked back at the table, they noticed Horang's hand was smoking.

"Please do not speak unless you have been called on by the chair" he stated, looking up at the balcony with an unamused, flat expression.

"Now" he stated, sighing and raising his eyebrows as if he was finishing a long day at work.

"Does anyone have alternative nominations?"

Forest Clearing

Zazz FireMaiden Yahhah deathrisesagain v e n u s Trektek

Senrir was visibly intimidated by the Shadronian commander. His face turned red and his eyes widened as the man criticized him and gave his men orders.

"Look, I'm sorry, I didn't know... know where they were going to be" the elf replied.

"Well, it wasn't actually me who summoned these people here, it was... well, I'm not sure who it was. All I know is that the Spirit is behind this, and that's a good thing, right?" he asked.

As the group followed, he turned and started walking backwards as the deer continued to lead them down the beaten path.

"Now, I can't guarantee you'll be back in two days, so umm, if your men come, please don't have them torture me okay?" he asked the Shadronian, letting out a nervous laugh.

"I think... I think since we might be here for a while, it would be good for all of us to say names, right? I'm Senrir, but um, you knew that already" he said.

"What are all your names?" he asked, as if it weren't obvious that that was already his intention. Just then, the pack's new fearless leader, walking backwards, tripped over a log and fell onto his back with a yelp. He rubbed his head as he sat up, and realized that there was snow on his hair.

As Zayden was aware, this crossing was close to Mount Nygaard, one of the few mountains close to the Lake. Nygaard was the highest point of elevation in this part of the forest, and its peak was covered with snow, which often avalanched down into the surrounding forest.

However, as the group looked up, Zayden saw something that in hundreds of missions and patrols, he had never seen on Nygaard before. An avalanche of snow revealed a bizarre looking structure to the group. It was a mix of metal and some strange rock, which did not have lines or shapes - as if the rock formed in a square hollow shape already.

As Senrir got up, the small elf's jaw dropped, as if even he had not seen the structure before. He backed up, shaking, and bumped into the large Ogrash.

"Imsorry" he stammered, his voice quick and shallow like he just had the scare of his life.

The deer, meanwhile, ran circles around the path in front of the group, seeming overjoyed at the sight, then lept into the air three times. It then dashed towards the structure at maximum speed.

"Hey! Where are you going!?" shouted Senrir, who started sprinting after the deer.


It would take several uncomfortable hours for the group to finally reach the top of the mountain. The ascent was not conducive to conversation - the air got progressively thinner, and it was cold - so cold that even inhaling was painful.. Finally, up the mountain, a frost-bitten Senrir looked at his glowing deer companion, who was still prancing around and jumping with glee.

"What is this place...?" he asked.

His question would be answered in mere moments. The massive door to the cave swung open, revealing a sight none of the party had ever seen before.

Spoiler: The Mountain Castle

It was warm as soon as the party stepped inside. Slowly, the metal gates shut behind them. Everything in this tall and long hallway was made out of a peculiar material. There were plastic displays, with lights, screens with a written language that no one had ever seen. The glowing white deer which had led the party, meanwhile, vanished into thin air after flickering for several seconds.

"No- wait!" Senrir shouted, lunging at it and trying to grab it, but, in its last flicker, his hand just moved right through the deer.

"Oh no..." the elf whimpered. It was clear to all in his party that he had no idea what to do now.

Nameless Forest
Yahhah

As Valkner started plotting ways to get Kamar Ida unprotected, Haakon clenched his teeth. His brow furled as he was visibly upset, and his fists tightened.

"The question is not how to get him unguarded, but simply to go to him and cut down his guard, then slay the man, even at cost of your own life!" he exclaimed, outraged at the idea that such a renown warrior of the Karal could have forgotten the idea - unaware that Valkner did not forget, he simply chose not to obey in his life as a mercenary.

"Every decision should be made in seven breaths or less. If you make the wrong plan, this is because your lack of experience would have caused you to err anyway, and your failure is just from fate" Haakon continued lecturing, repeating lines verbatim that Irwin - his heart fluttered thinking of that name - told him when he was still young and impressionable.

"There is no shame in dying to achieve your end. What if your target dies of sickness while you were endlessly plotting your murder, or doubles his guard? That would be truly regrettable" he stated.

Having never hired mercenaries before, or for that matter had to convince anyone of anything, Haakon continued spewing his ideology, for no reason except to re-assure himself and to express what he believed.

"We are all fated to die anyway. This is inescapable. Let us not bring shame through delay! He leaves Confederation Roost, where it would be unbecoming to kill him, for his residence in the afternoon. We should assault him there and fight to the end like true warriors!" he exclaimed, growing increasingly excited at the prospect of his looming death in good form. Characteristically, the inexperienced Fenris gave no details of how the assassination was to happen - he had no idea. He assumed that, after 3 years of being his father's page, and 14 of being his retainer, that Haakon must have organized similar covert operations in the past. Little did he know that Haakon functioned as little more than Irwin's most beloved attack dog, and had all the cunning of a rock.

 

[Trektek]

Hessian

Confederation Roost
Time: Morning

Immediately one of the other delegates agreed with his assessment of the situation. Hessian smirked. At least there was someone out there would could appreciate how he grasped the situation. Certainly far better than the elf who sat at the table with them. If he didn't know any better, she was merely making her own powerplay in order to throw them all into chaos which would be far easier for someone to make a mistake. Mistakes in the field could easily result in an "accident" occurring. With all too much frequency, but in a tumultuous time, it would safely be ignored for proper stability.

The scientist listened as Horang Ida began and continued to spin what must be a complete fabrication of events if ever he heard them. Really, anyone with any sort of education would see right through his feeble attempts to spin a narrative in his favor. Heck, even those that practiced the divine magics given by the god would easily see through these lies. In fact, he couldn't believe that so many others seemed taken in by his words. Granted, apparently the man could be charismatic when he wanted to be, but that would never work in the long run, especially with how readily he apparently creates enemies with the same ease as he draws in allies. That alone is asking for a future civil war or just a simple assassination in the long or even short run depending on how things work out.

The charade was further played up by a nomination completely out of left field that threw the entire Confederation into an uproar. He smirked as well as Betrand slapped his hand on his shoulder. The fools would not argue amongst themselves. What would be best was to wait for the most opportune moment to interviene and say something at a time when his words would carry the most weight. Let the others tire themselves out with their arguing.

----------------------------

Location: The Great Forest, just outside the Shadronian Swamp
Time: Morning

And just like that, the tension was at least partly resolved. Resolved by the return of the white talking deer bringing along with him and elf. Eh, why not? It wouldn't be the strangest thing that he saw, especially not lately. Sure, more people had shown up, but at least there weren't any weapons pointed at his face or any other part of him anymore. Perhaps now he would have a moment to think and catch his breath.

A chosen one. He must be kidding. If there was some sort of prophecy about a chosen one, that would be news that should have at least circulated a little bit. Unless of course it was the world's best kept secret. Which of course was always possible, but far less likely in these times where hope was in short supply. Such a tale would circulate far and wide. However, this white deer must have something to do with it. And that alone could change his mind on the matter.

The others, of all different races that might also be a chosen one, or chosen ones seemed to be disoriented and bit out of it. All things considered, it was to be expected if they were teleported from their homes and brought via magic to this grove. Kinda rude if anybody would have asked him. Stealing people away based on a prophecy. And they might not even be the chosen one. What if they had familes or children that needed to be taken care of who would be all alone or worried. It was damn right irresponsible of this elf. And at the first available opportunity, he'd tell him. Of course, not while he was being berated by the Shakronian with his armed guards. It would wait for another less tumultuous availability.

As they began their journey up the mountain, their fearless new leader tripped over a log after asking their names. Heh. Didn't even know their names and he was supposed to be responsible for them all. This was going to be a fun prophecy trip. He reached out his hand to help the elf up, "Names Grem, Grem Firebrand of the Firebrand tribe of goblins. And you really should be more careful or else this trip up the mountain could be your end."

-----
They traveled long and hard up the mountain and spotted what could only be some kind of metal door. That is the only thing that it could possibly be described as, but it looked like no door that he was familiar with at all.

The deer cirtainly seemed excited about it as it pranced around and moved at a high speed towards the thing. Grem took off after it, huffing and puffing along the way. He was built more for travel endurance and not short quick sprints, but he wasn't going to be left in the snow if this thing was related to whatever this mysterious prophecy was all about.

Once the door opened, and they entered, the strange door slammed shut, leaving them with an even stranger location to be in. What sort of magic was this? As he was mesmerized by the appearance of the area that they were in, he caught sight of the deer flickering and then fading out of existence. Was it a spirit that belonged to this place perhaps? Another mystery to add to the now ever growing pile.

It looked like the elf had no idea what to do next and was only following the advice of the deer who now left them. Grem decided that now it would be time to step up to plate. He was the son of a chieftain after all. If anyone was going to be able to lead this rag tag bunch and solve this mystery, well, at least he was going to through his hat into the ring.

"Well, it looks like we are trapped in this strange structure and our friend, Senrir seems to be dealing with the disappearance of that white deer. I propose that we look around for clues, try to figure out where we are and what purpose this structure serves. And of course if any of you have any ideas, I'm more than happy to listen to them. "​

 

[deathrisesagain]

Zayden just slight shook his head. He was already tired of these people, and yet he barely spent any time with them. Zayden had very little patience for trips without any information of why or what they were looking for. He quietly followed the group down the beaten path and into the snow. He ignored the elf's request for names, at least for now. When they reached the snow, he knew exactly where they were, close to the turn around point. His patrols were up the mountain and back down. He was never told why they travel up a mountain that was never part of their territory. As they moved more up the mountain, and it getting colder, he wrapped his black cloak around him a bit more.

The further up they went, the colder it got, the thinner the air. He moved just like he wasn't affected with the thinness of the air, when in truth, it did bother him, but not as much as it would someone that has never been up that high. He keep his head moving around, keeping a close eye on the group, as well as making sure there were no humans following or trying to ambush them. His hand remained close to his sword. 'The Wrong One' the Shadronian with white hair and blue eyes, was also left handed, so he carried his sword on his right. A sword with a hilt of a black wood, wood that was only found in their swamps, wood that was beautiful when worked properly. Zayden also carried a dagger on his belt kept on his back, a dagger with the same kind of wood as the hilt, but it also had a green stone on the pummel. A gift from someone special. As he looked around, his hand slowly crept up to a necklace of beads around his neck. Anyone that knew anything about Shadronians, knew that a necklace of beads meant that his was 'claimed' by someone. In their race, the women would select a male for a husband, and when they chose, they would gift a necklace of hand made beads to that male. His thoughts quickly came back to the path and group as soon as they saw the structure. That was strange, where did that come from, and more of these thoughts flooded his mind.

As soon as they entered, it began to warm up. The frost covering his cloak slowly began to melt, the water running down and dripping on to the floor. He remained at the entrance for a few minutes. Stomping out his boots to knock as much snow frost and ice off as possible. It was extremely rude to track anything into another's home, no matter what race they were. His interest slightly peaked as the deer vanished, and they were left alone. He made his way to the Elf and stood slight behind the man. "What now. Elf?" Zayden said. He heard the goblin speak up and turned his attention towards him. "And exactly what clues are we looking for? No one here knows what we are doing here, except following an Elf and a Deer." Zayden spoke, his voice still cold and emotionless.

 

[Lilliana2]

Eve


Location: Confederation roost​

Evelyn ignored the others remarks and opinions about Valko. While he was senile he had been in charge, of one could ignore policy just because they didn’t like a different politician what was the point of the law? All these people were out for their own gain. Eves eyes darted to Flavia and she kept them there until she locked eyes with her. She put up with Valko for a while, she probably deserved the position more than most. Eve kept the eye contact till Flavia averted her attention elsewhere, she wanted her to know how she felt about the matter.

She sat back and simply listened to the others bicker. It seemed odd to believe that one person could cause so much damage, it was probably a rouse for some other political agenda. She could feel her stomach knot up at the idea that this expedition could lead to the slaughter of innocent creatures which it surely would. How would they even recognize the sorcerer? It just felt like this solution was wrong. She shifted her gaze to Assuni she was a moss elf maybe if she went along she would have more insight into who or what it could be if it even existed? A human could easily kill any old elf they found and then came back to claim they had a successful mission.

“I think Assuni should go.” She admitted she didn’t particularly want to jump into the politics or call others out but maybe. “I’m sure Fenris is more than capable to lead this expedition” she said giving him a gentle look of reassurance before continuing “but a little guidance from one more experienced never hurt anyone.” She finished giving Assuni a glance as well. She hoped she wouldn’t mind her nomination but she felt it would be the best route to go with.

 

[AiDEE-c0]

Assuni

Location: Confederation Roost
Time: Morning.
Interactions: Archie Lilliana2​

For a good few seconds, nothing but the loud bumbling of sheepish "delegates" resounded throughout the hall. With eyes being intently on Horang, the need for answers rose and rose, until. The seneschal took to speech yet again, tone more akin to what was expected from him, rather than the earlier charade. So, the priests knew all of this now? Signing off political inexperience, the man was spewing one clear contradiction after the other, clearly not even paying attention to what he was saying. Well, gone were the "months of diligent prayer," then. Instead, it was a message supposedly to deliver at some nonspecific "correct" time. Frankly, by now, this moot had been nothing but a joke. That, however, was something to use in the spread of ill-will among the moss elves' enemies, a lucky opportunity, rather than a bother. Of course, the address continued, Horang now moving on to defuse worry of the might of his "sorcerer," as well as attempting to explain the grow of their power. He spoke completely collected once more, and then, it happened. A few seconds of locked eye contact between the seneschal and minister of forests, followed by a moment of tense curiosity from the latter. Curiosity that would soon turn to disgust, as everything began to click. Assuni's lip curled with disdain, and she had to put a good amount of effort to numb down the impulse to stand up and yell. Taking inspiration, were we?

Horang made it a point to manoeuvre towards the question of leadership. Calling on the need for the candidates to come to a "great success." Of course, this success was to be the leadership of this dubious expedition into a densely forested swamp, and, of course, the nominee was the man who's succession to the throne was almost a given. Fenris Daan, a dangerous enemy to those looking to usurp, and, by the movement of things, Horang was just that kind of person. The nomination generated plenty unrest from the delegates, but Assuni rather paid her mind towards thinking forward. Of all the men, Fenris was just petty enough to not be an ally, but enough opposite to the previous reign to serve as a helpful tool. Right now? He was contemplating. By the looks of him, definitely not up for the task, something that was obvious to many.

Her thought process was interrupted by a loud bang, Horang striking an innocent chandelier with a cackling spell, in order to calm down the roost. At the same time, he issued call for further nominations. The matriarch put heavy doubt that many would spring up, up until she unceremoniously became one of them. She shot the woman who named her a quick, resentful glance, before letting out a sigh. If anything, this was at least her cue to speak. This she did with a soft tone, unreflective of her current, surface thoughts.
"Horang Ida. It would be hard to pretend that what you just said were not filled with questionable remarks and contradictions."
Following her initial statement, the elf directed an intense, piercing gaze towards the seneschal, yet kept her voice tender.
"Still, if you are ardent about this expedition, sure that it is god's direction, we should take it with heed. First, perhaps send scouts to confirm the existence of this sorcerer, but not discard it. However, what you are doing here..."
Assuni forced herself to muffle that last bit. To throw an accusation like that... not yet.
"...Seems more like the setup to assassination, rather than a holy mission."
Barabash chimed in from beside the last Anticipation, wide grin on his face. What came as more of a shock in this situation, was the clearness of his speech. There was no impossible jumping between tonality, no raspiness, only a booming, confident voice.
"Fenris Daan is rather obviously not fit to lead such a difficult mission. Besides, don't we all remember what happened the last time we let the single merit of conquest dictate our leader?"
The man circled the room with his orbs, grin growing whenever whispering grew denser.
"I'm sure we do. Yet, here you are, speaking by stepping over your own statements, hijacking a scheduled meeting, as if no-one keeps track of when they perform their rituals. And to top it all of, suddenly, the biggest throne-proponent is to leave for an incredibly crucial, dangerous mission that we have not even guaranteed the validity of. Doesn't this sound just the slightest bit convenient? Does it? What say you, mailman?"
With the final word, Barnabash placed his palm below his chin, pressing his fingernails against his grin. His eyes were placed intently at the seneschal. Among his behavioural shifts, his mania unquestionably stayed unaltered. Assuni, meanwhile, slumped back in her chair. What would follow this outbreak of questions? The turns that this meeting was taking, they appeared unpredictable. Either, Horang would suffer the fate of being booed out, or he would somehow turn a full one-eighty, possibly causing Barnabash to be removed instead. Looking at those two options, neither was too bad. But at the moment, it'd be better to keep silent and contemplate until all of it played out.

 

[Archie]

Confederation Roost

The room murmured in assent after Evelyn’s suggestion that Assuni help guide the expedition. Non humans, especially moss elves and harpies, had been valued as guides. The Engyr pair said nothing as eyes were on them for any brilliant ideas to take the island. Soon, however, attention diverted to the next set of speeches - from the Minister of Forests and her Deputy, which were much more inflammatory.

As the Minister of Forests began to speak, there were whsipers in the room, but her words were measured and diplomatic. The suggestion of reconaissance rose murmurs if assent from the crowd, though the matter remained of how that reconaissance could be carried out. This mattered little to the crowd, as no one at the table was educated in military minutiae, as both of humanity’s top generals were now dead.

When her vice minister spoke, however, his words were like napalm, inflaming the room faster than any Ida flame spell ever could. He accused the Seneschal of plotting assassination, then accused Fenris directly of being unready, and finished by calling Horang a mailman. As expected, much of the room erupted into jeers and accusations. Perhaps surprisingly to political outsiders, however, many also applauded, and agreed with everything that he said. Nobody was assured of Fenris’s competence. As for Horang, the Fire Temple was hated by most of the ex-Pagan tribes for its ruthless inquisition. No one would dare shout at the Archon, but the Seneschal was fair game.

His speech was different. All the others had been polite, veiled, mindful of the fact that all the most powerful human dignitaries were here, and the conduct of the cabinet was on display. Barnabash, in contrast, was direct and divisive. There was now a clear divide in the room. The Karal and their many vassals resented the idea that their leader was anything but fit to rule immediately. However, many also silently nodded as Barnabash hypothesized Horang’s assassinaion plot. Those reddest in the face were the vassals of the Volcano tribe, who were the most devout followers of Irudin and regarded any critique of the Temple’s prophecies as a capital offense. Yet, they were confused by the show of infighting among the Ida Clan, and didn’t know whether to support Horang or Kamar.

Horang allowed the shouting to persist for a minute without stopping it. Half the room was bickering, while everyone else either frowned at this display of infighting from their previously respected government, or held their breath. Most had never met Horang, Arkrath, Zarashi, Vareth, Kamar, or any of the big name Idas, but all knew at least someone from the clan. They expected a tirade, accusations of heresy. Instead, when the shouting died down somewhat, Horang cut it off by raising his voice.

“Mailman!?” He shouted, and the room fell silent. His face was still flat, and he looked around the table for ten seconds, allowing suspense to build.

“Is correct” Horang stated.

“For seventeen years, I have been my uncle’s mailman, and, as those of you in the cabinet know, I have always represented him here” he stated, evoking memories of his stoic presence at Valko’s senile tirades.

“I would accuse this self-important agent of strife of heresy, but that is not my decision to make” he continued, pausing

“It’s my uncle’s. And as I do not sit in his chair, I do not make his decisions, and God does not speak directly to me as he speaks to him”

“So, what did the Archon tell me to convey? First, that there is a sorcerer on the isle. Any mention of double checking Irudin’s prophecy is heresy, and punishable by burning at the stake. There will be no further questioning of Irudin’s message” he declared, the room still silent.

“Second, that we must choose an expedition leader. His eminence did not specify who, but there is an obvious candidate”

Horang’s faze turned back to Barnabash.

“And you ask me what I have to say? I have to say that in you haven’t answered my question. If Fenris is such a bad choice, who better?”

The room was silent still for several seconds. In truth, there were no good options except Kamar Ida, which would give the Ida Clan two archonates, Bertrand, who didn’t seem keen on the position, and Flavia, who was not human. For that matter, the choice of anyone except the harpy would have angered the Karal tribe which formed the elite core of humanity’s armies.

It was at that point that Fenris Daan straightened his back and glared at each person at the table, clearly building his resolve. No one knew him on the cabinet - he was made into an outsider by Valko, who did not favor him - but all had heard stories of his unfortunate childhood. He slammed his hand on the table and rose abruptly from his seat.

“I’ve had enough of this” he said, furrowing his brow.

“Valko and Irwin would be ashamed of this display of bickering” he grunted

“Not fit, you say!?” Fenris asked Barnabrash, glaring into his eyes.

“What would a man who has never soiled his blade know about fitness in battle?” He asked

“And next time you insult the memory of Valko, burning at the stake will be the last thing you have to worry about” he threatened.

The balcony watched with apprehension, but the cabinet members, as if by instinct, sat up straight and locked eyes with Fenris. The man’s impersonation of his uncle was on point - a personality they were trained to instinctively obey and remain silent in the presence of. Horang seemed to relax, his lip curling up with amusement. Soon, that look would be wiped off his face.

“And you” he said, turning to Horang with a look of disgust.

“Military expeditions have always been led by the Karal tribe. To think that you’d put it up to a vote, you glorified clerk” he stated

“My warriors are leaving this afternoon for the isle. Any of you who want to come with me are welcome to do so. Otherwise, stay home and forever be remembered as cowards” he declared. Betraying his trained mask of Karal bravado, however, those close to him in seating could see that Fenris’s hand was shaking. Fenris had never commanded more than a company before, and here he was going to be leading a whole army.

The delegates had shouted both for and against the other speakers in tense moments - but this man, he was a Karal, and seemed to emanate the personality of Valko. The room remained silent. His speech was not particularly inspiring, but rather threatening. Truly, if the rest of the table didn’t agree with his proposal, the only option was civil war. The crowd looked to the cabinet to speak up, and to Horang to return the insult. True to form, he retained his bored look and said nothing.

Mountain Castle

The elf, still intimidated by the nameless Shadronian commander, rushed to agree with the Goblin, whose suggestion diverted attention away from him.

“I... I agree with him” said Senrir. As for what to look for, that was another matter entirely, but ultimately one which would be solved by the hallway screens. Most of the screens were filled with a mysterious language, but in between the paragraphs there was only one phrase, written in Human, that those literate in the language would understand.

IDA SHIN

That name rang exactly no bells. The Ida clan was familiar to the party, but nobody had ever heard of a “Shin”. A bizarre name of such origin was alien to any of the predominant human cultures.

Suddenly, all the doors in the hallway opened. At the far end of the hallway, the party could see what looked like a garden. To the left, there wash room with a wall that carried a picture of a green and blue pearl, on a background of stars, but the pearl was rotating... the painting was moving. It was as if this pearl could be seen outside a window. On the right, there was a room full of white beds on metal sheets, with white curtains around them. Whoever designed that’s room really liked white. On a white counter were glass round cylinders filled with purple liquid, which had needles on the bottom. The whole place was immaculately maintained, as if it were built yesterday... but there was no one here.

Much of the party had seen these sights in their dreams. Lyra recalled the needles and cylinders. Their name eluded her, but the image was unmistakeable.

 

[Yahhah]

Valkner

Valkner became visibly annoyed as Haakon started to interrupt his thoughts. It reminded Valkner of another reason he tended to travel and work alone. People could be very stupid. “If your master really wants this man dead, subtlety is the only way to do it. Let’s be conservative and say this Kamar Ida has only two guards. If he truly is important, they won’t be stupid or bad at fighting. Since there are only two of us, we’d be either outnumbered, which doesn’t bother me. Or this man will turn and run while his guards have us distracted. Seeing as he’s not a Karal I’m doubtless he would do the latter. If we were to fail this man would undoubtably spread the word to his tribe that a Karal had hired a mercenary to kill one of their own and had provided an extra warrior to help him do so. If we fail, I imagine the Ida will not be happy with your master or your tribe” Valkner tried his best to try and hammer in a point putting emphasis on the your in your tribe.

Valkner had never really bought into that seven breaths bullshit, but he’d never really seen himself as a Karal. Even less since he’d cut ties.

“If the target dies of sickness while I’m planning then that’s one less problem for your master, isn’t it”? Valkner pointed out. “Sure, I won’t get any gold but, in the end, your master gets what he wants. And Kamar won’t double his guard unless some fool rushes him and gets killed in the process” Valkner stared at Haakon to make sure the Karal knew he was the fool Valkner referred to.

“And You are fated to die. I’m not so sure about myself” said Valkner.

“Now if you’re done attempting to lecture an honorless sellsword about your ideals. You mentioned Kamar had a residence, where is it? How well guarded is it? And in case you feel like lecturing some more please remember that the faster you answer my questions the faster Kamar Ida dies” Valkner informed.

Mentioned: Archie



Rock



Rock followed the elf through the swamp. The ape was silently observing his companions as they moved, he hadn’t gotten much from his observations as they were quiet as they moved. The pointy eared thing that had called them to move seemed to be clumsy. Rock had been slightly concerned when the creature tripped over a log but he seemed to recover quickly. Then he asked for names after giving one of his own. Rock tried to work his vocal muscles in a way that he could give his own to the others. It’d been a long time since someone had asked for his name and even though it wasn’t specifically towards Rock, he was still happy to be asked. “....Rooock..” Came Rock’s mighty rumble, he pointed to his chest to signify he was talking about himself. He felt a slight bump as the leader bumped into him. “...It.....Ooookaay..” He rumbled towards the creature to let it know he wasn’t angry.

Rock began to feel a slight chill as they climbed higher but his shaggy coat protected him from the elements. Rock had never truly seen himself as a good climber but his strong arms kept his weight centered.

Rock was a tad in awe when the castle appeared. He’d never seen such a large building. Rock had seen a few huts from afar along his travels but he had never stood witness to a fortress of such scale. He was even further surprised by the inside of the building. It was dark, the closeness of the building sort of reminded him of his old home. As they moved forward Rock noticed the beauty of the room. He decided he’d need to be careful to not break anything. The room looked vaguely familiar but Rock could not place anything. The Ogrash could not think of anything to say other than a simple rumbling “....Whaaaat..”.

Archie Trektek Zazz deathrisesagain v e n u s FireMaiden

 

[Archie]

Nameless Forest

Yahhah

When Valkner started talking, the slithering cowardice of a man who was supposed to be stronger than any human alive due to his curse... his most desirable, unfair curse - enraged him. He could feel his blood boil, and his face heat up. His chest expanded as if he were going to explode. He was on his way to achieving a state that was regarded as most sacred by Karal warriors, a state which he had achieved in battle many times before - death frenzy.

That was, until Valkner said that death was inevitable for Haakon, but not so much for him. That line hit Valkner like a load of bricks. He wasn't even listening to the rest of what Valkner said as he pondered the line. Death... not inevitable? The very idea didn't compute for him. There was nothing more glorious in life than a glorious death that would be remembered through the ages! Better to shatter like a jewel than be a complete roof tile!

It was seconds after Valkner was silent that Haakon realized he had stopped talking.

"I suppose your cowardice is logical, life-lover" Haakon concluded, nodding after much consideration.

"You seem to be a sufficiently conniving and slithering fellow" he added. "So, as much as it pains me to follow a dishonorable scheme, why don't you make our plan? I will do as you say, as long as it's not too cravenly. I understand your desire to live, seeing as your death isn't fated"

Haakon at that moment remembered Valkner's last question.

"I do not know his guard. A Karal does not ask how many, but where they are" he said, continuing to lecture before remembering that the cornerstone of the Karal philosophy - the fatalism of death - no longer applied to this creature, and so he was incapable of understanding.

"But let's go to the Confederation Roost now. We can follow him home, through some shameful sneak-thief routine"

 

[FireMaiden]

Location: The Great Forest - Shadrodian Swamp
Interaction: Zazz Yahhah deathrisesagain Trektek Archie
Mentioned:
There was tension in the air. From the elves, the deer, herself. Following strangers into the woods, and then up a mountain was not exactly a great idea, it never seemed to end well for at least one person. On the bright side, and to her delight, they were headed into a flurry of ice and snow and cool mountain air, her confidence was reinstated almost immediately, upon seeing this. The group traveled mostly in silence for a few hours, Kyrene ready to feel the snow on her skin again, uncomfortably warm in the forest and tired of stepping on sticks and roots. She felt exposed under those trees, and not to mention the annoyance of her horns getting caught on low branches and vines, Kyrene did have to admit that the sun at this intensity made her horns shine and shimmer she wasn't used to. She liked it.

When they reached the snow, long after they started, and the man guiding them asked for names. Kyrene, like most of the others, remained silent. Why would she share her name? However, the huge Ogrash was the one who spoke. Rock. She was more surprised that he had a name rather than his apparently limited speech ability, but it was good to know they had something they could call him. Their guide hadn't seemed to really gain any courage during their trip, causing Kyrene to sigh slightly as she watched him fumble, her attention was quickly wrapped back up in her own thoughts as she continued to follow after the group of men.

She hardly noticed the stopped, only being pulled back at the sound of an opening door, Kyrene was hesitant. What was inside? What was the plan? Why did their guide look concerned? Answers would come later, she assumed, entering after the others had, only to have the door closed behind them, she watched in mild horror as their guide began to panic. The deer had disappeared, leaving them alone in this..this...her attention quickly left the elf, her eyes wandering the structure they had found themselves locked in. It was...otherworldly, nothing like anything she had seen before. Something she almost couldn't process, but, curiosity was getting the better of her. She wanted to explore. "Kyrene." She said, her voice smooth, like velvet. Nymphs normally had such voices. "I suggest we go further in. But to be ready for combat."