Zhymos IC

[happyhobo2000]

Duke Argon of Icefire & Massidia of House Icefire
Fortress of Icefire, Duchy of Icefire, Cthonia

Massidia smiled at the poor little creature, the karceit was obviously terrified. She stamped on Argon's foot in jest. "Put your weapon up! Your obviously terrifying her, you big meanie!" She gave him a small shove as she sheathed her knife, a the smile widening. She would have commented on the slavery issue, as some fortresses allowed it and some didn't, but that was not her job. That was Argon's responsibility in the here and the now. She sincerely hoped however that he would answer with a confident no.

Duke Argon stumbled slightly, he had been too surprised to remember that he needed to maintain his balance. Silly duke, you did ask for something interesting to happen! He put Icemaul onto his back where it had been previously as if he needed his sister's reminding, but in reality he had been waiting for the karceit to stand down. "Sorry about my sister, she can be a bit strange at times." He sighed, looking at his sister and rolling his eyes. "This duchy was founded on the principle of prosperity and social mobility. My great great great grandfather was once a peasant, but within a lifetime he became richer than many born into wealth. I'll have to say for traditions sake slavery is outlawed." He could hear Massidia sigh. "What?"

"Do you always have to give a tangent when you do something official?"
"I don't do that."
"Yes you do."
"No I..."

They continued at this for about a minute, until they both realized that they were bickering in front of a confused guest. Lady Massidia pushed Argon away again. "Sorry, my brother can be a bit silly at times. Could I ask you to come to dinner with us? I'm certain we'll have something you'll like. Oh, and what's your name, I'm Massidia!" The smile on her face went to her eyes. But her eyes were strange, and so were Argons. The pupils of both their eyes were white, with a blue iris, and the whites of their eyes were black with seemingly red lightning shooting across the black part, moving slowly. They however had been too busy arguing to notice the uniqueness of her own eyes.

Lord Torik of House Icefire & Lord Balran of House Icefire
Fortress of Strongcrypt, Duchy of Icefire, Cthonia

Lord Torik of House Icefire and his brother Balran both sat by the fireplace, looking across the table at eachother. "I wish things were less interesting." A dwarf wearing dwarvern bronze spoke, he was incredibly well armored, a massive shield in his right hand, a bronze hammer glimmering in the firelight in his left. The undead were on the move to the south, and both of them knew it.

The other person sitting across the table spoke back, slightly less calm. "Of course my brother, we all do. But Balran, you must hold faith and defend our inheritance, our house, our people. We sent a message to Icefire and we need to get a reply as soon as possible. But all we can do is wait." He shifted the fine sleeves of his silk robe, then wiped some dust off that wasn't there. He was rather fidgety.

Lord Balran shifted his gauntlets. "The Vorgreons haven't been around for years. I was seriously starting to think we were locking those tomes in the magical vault for nothing."

"Aye. We have quite a situation here. But are we sure the signs are true? It could be demons or...."

Balran chuckled. "Give me the glory company and five hundred other men, and I'll see if this is true. My brothers in arms will follow me to the death, and if I die first they'll hack until Morkdhal has smelted his last rod of adamantine, and then some." He slammed his bronze fists into the table for emphasis, then brought them together as he made a snap-neck motion in front of himself.

Torik sighed. "I don't doubt your soldiers dedication to our cause, Balran. But, five hundred people is a lot of citizens who could die. We aren't playing a game here. These people would have children, wives, family. I can't. No, I WON'T risk it. I will say that although your my elder and you will inherit first, I don't want to inherit nothing by the end of my reign. We can wait. The wolves of light may yet hold them off. Hell, they may not even exist!"

"Fill yourself with fantasy Torik. I know the problem is real, the crystal has started shining." He pointed at the wall- although the place was refurbished, the place used to be a tomb. As such, they often had small artifacts. One of them was the crystal, which speculated the growth of raw evil. "At the end of the day the duke will choose as he sees best, and either wait or war. But this peace won't ask forever Torik. You live on a border fortress. In Cthonia. Your at danger every moment and you know it. You said I must defend our people, but won't you?"

"Get out." A finger from a silk sleeve pointed at the door.

Soon Balran was with twenty men on a patrol south on the main road, he wanted to let off some steam. While both Torik and Balran could argue till the death of time with eachother, both would relate to Argon and follow his decision, even if it meant certain death. It was surprising how well Torik listened to Argon, the mastermind, the administrator, the warrior, the duke. The leader of the Glory Company hoped Argon would make the right choice, even if it meant loss.

[ClockworkDaisy]

"Wow, what a way to greet an old friend,"
Taboo tossed her dagger onto a table, the utilitarian hilt of wrapped leather and the plain blade in total opposition to the ornate table decorations, then lifted her water jug to her lips and drank deeply. She had woken with a thirst this morning it seemed. Padding across the room with the tightly sprung grace of a panther she straightened her bed clothes, years of strict self discipline making this just as much an act of habit as tidiness.

"I thought you might miss me Tabby, ...so I thought I'd drop by, of course not without a reason to --though I need no reason to be in your presence."
Her nose wrinkled in distaste at the pet name yet despite the bile it had once elicited she had long outgrown such responses to his teasing.. besides she knew he loved it when she rose to the bait. She glanced overto him and even from behind she could tell he was smiling the arch of his cheekbones giving him away - not that he ever bothered to hide the fact he was laughing at her. Despite her mild annoyance her interest was piqued, damn him, Arsædor always brought the most interesting and challenging tasks along with him.

"Of course all this is only relevant if you are, first of all, willing, and second of all, clothed and prepared."

Taboo canted her head to one side, mind running through lists of her current tasks and she figured that she would at least hear him out. Moving across the room and hearing the door shut behind her as he left, Taboo pulled on her more practical work attire of tan leather pants laced up the outside of each leg and a vest of the same, she tugged on her boots and stowed a few of her smaller pieces about her body.
As she stepped out of her door into the hallway she pocketed a purse of coins, with Arsædor and this line of work, one never knew when they were going to have to head off for a while. Just beyond a couple of her 'sisters' she found him, they were peering around their doorways, casting glances his way that they thought were sexual and predatory.

She knew Arsædor was attractive, she could appreciate beauty and he was a muscular beast built for hunting, yet the ice she maintained was designed not to melt. She was a flawed creature, she knew that but she reveled in the freedom that the lack of attachment gave her. Who knew if the day would come when she would be hired to take this man, the person she probably spent more time with then anyone and whom definitely knew her well as anyone could, down. Would it be a dagger to the back or poison? She moved past the girls as she considered his faults, his tells and just how quickly he would bleed out. At the very least she would look him in the eye.

The girls giggled. Taboo had long ago dismissed them for although many of them were older and far more beautiful then she, they looked more like pouting girls then beings of sexual appetite, the glint in their eyes didn't call the way Taboo knew hers did. She'd spent countless hours perfecting it after all. Giving her smiles of acknowledgement the girls withdrew their heads back into their rooms the girls having long ago gotten used to the differences in her appearance and what that meant for the personality she was wearing.

"So? What have you got for me?" She met his eyes curiously, running a hand through her hair. If anyone was going to try and kill her then she supposed it might as well be him.

[Rtron]

Vrangr

Cthonia - Vortas

Vrangr mentally reviewed the invasion plan again, despite the fact that it was not scheduled to begin any time soon, making sure there was very few things, if any at all, that were unpredictable. This time, Cthonia would belong to the Vrogreon, and the Demons would not only have most of their population wiped out, they would be enslaved to help with the rebuilding and stabilizing of Cthonia. For once Vrangr conquered Cthonia, he fully planned to move on the Mainland next. Obviously, Cthonia after the war wouldn't be able to invade a ship. Vrangr planned to change that. The mainland will fall first...followed by Acentus... He thought, his eyes alight with the visions of conquest before him.

Vrangr headed over to the balcony window. He had a meeting to keep. He was about to shape shift into a bird when a Vrogreon Sorcerer came and relayed a message. Vrangr nodded then leapt out of the balcony. Shifting into a bird, he traveled quickly to where the messenger had said someone was. Someone important. He suddenly pulled up and dropped to the ground. In front of a woman heading toward Vortas. "Daughter, to what do I owe this wonderful surprise visit?" Vrangr asked, waiting in front of Acriane. He was slightly, not noticeably, wary of her. She was a servant of the dark gods, and as such, was unpredictable. This was only accented by the way she had been raised. Power is everything. She had proven this by gaining an number of the dark gods marks. He had raised her well, perhaps to well.

Solac

Cthonia - Unspecified fort in the, soon to be, Vrogreon territory

Solac lead the undead man onwards to the location. The man was the only one whom had resisted and refused joining the Vrogreon when the war began, as such, Solac was dealing with him. The fort was already under his regiments control, not blatantly...yet, but no one was entering or leaving it without his or his men's knowledge. But the man had kept a few of the townsfolk loyal to him, largely the guardsmen under his command. How did Solac know that the man would not be with him?

He had had one of his more silver tongued men casually guide the conversation to the subject, and report what happened when the man was blatantly asked would he join or not. Clearly, the report came back as a no, he would not. Solac wasted no time. He crafted a doll and got a piece of the mans body (Which is easy when the body is rotting away), and crafted what some would call a voodoo doll, and prepared to cast what some would call voodoo. Solac called it effective.

He had done all the requirements to use the doll effectively and had managed to convince the man to investigate something with him. Once sufficiently distanced from the fort, he would kill him. Speaking of that... Solac was shook out of his plotting by the man turning to him. "Is this the place you wanted me to investigate?" Solac looked around, noting with satisfaction that they were in an area with rather large rocks surrounding them, and, seeing no one, simply drew out the doll and held it there. "What the hell is that?" The man asked.

Solac grinned. Or, he felt like he was grinning, as he was a walking skeleton, and simply said "The Fallen will Rise again." The mans eyes widened and his mouth opened to call for help, and Solac used his magic to light the doll on fire. Instantly, the mans body became a roaring inferno, feed by Solac's magic. He ran screaming out of little rock clearing. Solac simply stood there grinning until he noticed the werewolf, being followed by something else, that he couldn't identify, approaching where the man was running with in a few seconds, the man would be dead (Already bits and pieces of him were becoming ash), but they will see him running directly in front of them, lit up like a watch tower. "That's not good." Solac muttered hiding back into the shadows of the rocks and watching the pair.

Vroten

Cthonia - South of the River of Blood

Vroten waited in the vegetation with, 2 Vrogreon warriors and a Vrogreon Sorcerer, for the four man, well woman, patrol. The Wolves of Light had made it clear that they were going to appose the rise of the Vrogreon, they didn't know anything of course, but through a little magic and mind reading, this knowledge was ascertained. As such, they were to be crippled and eliminated. Though not through direct conflict. No, Vrangr wanted the Wolves to battle the surrounding country side, getting the population against them. Eventually the demons would have to deal with the Wolves, or the Wolves would march upon the Demons. Such is the plan anyways, plans fail. Vrangr has a back up plan of a full scale invasion of warriors to finish the Wolves off once and for all. But for now, deception is key.

Vroten raised his hand, whispering "Remember, leave one alive for the Sorcerer." The Warriors nodded, and when the patrol was in range, Vroten clenched his fist. Immediately and quickly the Warriors raced out of cover and slammed into the patrol. One of the women flew into a tree, after being grabbed and thrown, and sank to the ground, unconscious. Two immediately fell, slain by the maces of the Warriors. The last one fell back, bringing a Magitek gun to bear, and firing on the Warriors, forcing them to halt their advance. For as powerful as they were, they were still mortal. Vroten drew his bow and waited for the right opportunity. When the Wolf stopped to reload, he fired. She fell over, an arrow of pure energy through her heart. Vroten called the Sorcerer forward, and he immediately began work on the unconscious one, fixing her memories so it looked like the Wolves sworn enemies in Cthonia, the Shadowwalkers (as they called themselves), attacked in unison with a nearby Undead fort.

Vroten and the Warriors stood watch, one could never be to careful.

Goren

Mainland

Goren quickly and quietly dispatched one of the followers of the Dark gods. The fool of a man was trying to set up a ballista and fire it at a sleeping,big black dragon, that would have most likely gone into a rage and ravaged the surrounding country side. Gregor shoved his sword into the mans heart, killing him rather quickly. Then, seeing as his destination was past the now awake and hopefully non hostile dragon, Goren began heading out to go around the dragon. When another, much, much, larger dragon came by and landed. Nearly crushing Goren. With a yelp, he leapt back just in time as a massive forearm nearly crushed him. Looking around, he saw he was assuredly trapped, with no where to go, and he wasn't going to start climbing the dragons arm, he didn't feel like being turned into undead kebab thank you very much. So, with full intentions of running for his life in case his guess proved wrong, he shouted up at the giant, massive dragon, "Excuse me! Sir Dragon!? Could you please move your forearm! I appear to be trapped!"

[yoshua171]

Ksærnataikh'i L'shter'n "The Serpent of Ascentus"
The Mainland - Southeastern area

Epic Score - Time Will Remember Us (Gabriel Shadid)

A slight bellow of a laugh emitted from his large form and he walked over to the river, an eye glancing back at his scale-brother "I have indeed grown...mmm, was it? I feel like I-..." his tail flicked slight showing his inability to articulate and he dipped his snout into the water, drinking heartily and then raising it again, his thoughts organized now. "I believe we know one another, I am not sure if I can put my claw upon it, but you are quite familiar to me." While he had noted the black dragon's comment regarding being the 1st to welcome him it had merely brought a glint into his golden eyes. He wondered why this dragon felt so familiar, it reminded him of one he'd met many MANY centuries prior, but how could he still be so small after all that time?

"You are Shoryu, are you not?" There was meaning in these words, but Ksær did not quite know it yet, not quite, but he might soon.

Arsædor Zerumat "The Rose"
The Mainland

04 - Cazador del Amor

Oh the ladies, it was an interesting place, he knew exactly what it was, but to him it was not interesting in the sense it was to many men. While most would come to pay and relieve themselves with some woman they did not know, he came only to meet the woman he truly loved, the one he had fallen for, and the only one he would be pursuing for some time. While he was a man, he was first and foremost a gentleman, anything else came afterwards. So despite him considering himself taken, he smiled in response to the fawning swans, but that was all they were to him: prostitutes in a whorehouse. As he heard the door open he smiled slightly, but he let it fade and settle in his eyes as he turned. There she was in all her grace 'what a goddess'.

"So? What have you got for me?"

Clicking his tongue thrice and shaking his head as she finished her question he wagged his finger and then beckoned for them to walk. It was his usual ironic signal for not in front of the ladies dear. As they walked he managed to have her walk slightly in front of him and to his side so that he could use his periphery to admire her gorgeous form. In particular her amber eyes caught him, much like the tree sap could catch an insect or a leaf and preserve it for what seemed like all time. Realizing that they had entered a safer area of the building, still walking of course, he begun to reiterate the contract he had already gone through the trouble of accepted for them. "I would say it were a simple task, but I do not pick u p such things, no they are unbefitting of your allure and skills." Reaching into the inner portion of his jacket he extracted a roll of parchment. "Regardless this job is...not delicate, but it does require a measure of guile and tact. You see there are some key documents that it seemed our client misplaced in the home of his enemy. Now normally he would not seek such skills as ours, but his enemy you see is a mage."

Giving her a brief look as they walked and reached the stairs, afterall they were on the 3rd floor, which really did make it even more dubious that he had managed to gain access to her room --allegedly through a window nonetheless. "We are to avoid the mage as much as possible, plant something in the house as evidence of another of the mage's enemies, and get out. It is to our discretion whether or not we kill the mage's apprentices and assistants. Our client wants to damage his enemy's reputation and stature as much as possible, without incriminating himself, or making it evident that he again has the scroll." With that he unfurled the scroll and glanced at the contract "though I have a fun idea if we pull off the first bit of this, as the terms of this contract are...hehehe" there was that laugh, that laugh had never meant a good thing, but it always meant more profit.

Strangely, he still usually convinced her to go along with his plan even though they'd potentially have to lay very low for a few days following, often with him making an excuse to stay near. Of course despite Taboo's secondary 'profession' he had never once requested her, it was as if that was too easy, and would ruin her appeal to him or some such foolery. He was truly a unique man, that was certainly true, in fact that is probably what kept her from killing him, that or his skill, perhaps both. It made him wonder, quite a bit, as he had no idea what she truly thought of him, or if she did at all. That however would have to wait, and he knew that very well. "So? Shall we dance milady?~" There was a devilish glint in his eyes and a smirk on his lips, had she been any other woman his charisma would have had her all over him in seconds, but alas she was not and that is why he liked her.

Acriane "Eærheim".
Cthonia

On the wings of a bird her father was brought to her, where he alighted upon the ground and shifted forms all at once so as to land in his truer guise.

"Daughter, to what do I owe this wonderful surprise visit?"

Smiling she held out her palm in front of her chest by a few inches, face up, waiting for him to put his on hers. It was the way they had greeted one another since she had learned to fly and left the nest. Of course he was her father and so visits were a must, plus he was a wonderfully maniacal man, and she loved that in him. Once he responded in like she would withdraw and smile. "I simply wished to visit, afterall it can get awfully lonely where I live, you see fear is not an attractive trait for many," her words were like silk, embracing the ears in a cacoon of soft pleasure. It was as if words alone could seduce the listener, and what was frightening was that she had not yet obtained Urulian's mark, he of the silken tongue.

Placing her arm upon his back gently she led him back towards his abode. "How are things dear father, I have been curious these past few years, it seems the larger portion of Cthonia thinks our kin naught but myths. How could this be father?" She, in her youth, had heard the many ravaging war stories of the Vrogreons and had always recognized her kin to be as such by extension. Yet here they were, so presumably low on the food chain that people had begun to forget, their power and fear was gone, there must be a plan. He knew her father well, and could tell when one was brewing in his diabolical mind. So she would query and use her time with him well, she was sure that they could benefit from some quality father daughter time <3 ~

Akraina
Cthonia - Fortress of Icefire

As the woman jostled the duke and scolded him lightly she seemed slightly curious and as Argon began his 'tangent' she smiled and a small well of happiness began to build in her chest. Bringing a hand up she covered her mouth slightly, but as they bantered and argued and talked she watched until a small giggle escaped her lustrous cords. Her voice flowing through the echoing halls with ever so slightly amplified volume. As she realized her folly she shyly looked down, as if she'd spoken out of turn and swayed from side to side like a willow. "Haha, s-sorry, I...I'm Akraina," she smiled at the woman, she was so pretty~ For you see despite themselves Karceit are rather naturally attracted to most any humanoid race, they seem to be very intuitively able to identify attractiveness. As the dwarven woman gazed at her Akraina's head gradually tilted to the side like a curious dragon, and she reached forwards with one of her hands as if to poke the eye. Realizing that that might hurt the woman she withdrew her hand immediately and laughed nervously. "Where am I? her eyes had drifted over to the male, the woman's brother. She needed to know if the place she was was safe, her colony certainly hadn't been....

Ksærnataikh'i L'shter'n

Spoiler

Arsædor Zerumat

Spoiler

Acriane

Spoiler

Akraina

Spoiler

[Draconilian]

Adair kept his back turned to his follower, though one of his ears instinctively twitched to better capture the words:

"I've heard of werewolves before, Buy you already defy what knowledge I have of them, are you some other form of shape shifter perhaps? I saw you KO that Kolyok without much effort so I already expected you weren't 'just a human'."

With a shrug, and a slight grin (though Kel'ran couldn't see it) "Nope, I'm a werewolf, just not an ordinary one," finally turning around to address his pursuer directly, and with a somewhat exaggerated gesture "I'm a werewolf who's broken the bloodlust curse, I'm as sane as any man. Although certainly quite a bit more dangerous, I'm also-" and as he said this, frost started forming around his body, a close observer might note the minute sparks between the frost particles as well. (Adair's affinity for lightning was such that it actually permeated all his other magic if he didn't stop it) The frost completely condensed into a large rod of pure ice, with a softly glowing core, which Adair grabbed with his left hand "-an astute wizard. Now, I assume, since you haven't made any attack yet, that you are either scared, or simply not hostile, so what do you seek of me?"

---------------------------
"Pardon me, but are you a normal dragon? I haven't had luck finding any others for a long while now."

Ark took a couple steps back, even falling to all fours, a stance he hadn't entered in a long time. Alas, instincts will do that to you, the silver scaled Dragon's tail even curled around a bit.
"Wha- what are you?" He hoped there wasn't any fear in his voice, hardly realizing his body language completely showed it "I've never seen a Dragon like... you, is that metal? Are you some robot from Ascentus made in a damned mockery of our kind?" With rising courage, Ark got back on his hind legs and stood to his full height (nine feet seven inches)
With a stretch and then a single, powerful flap that kicked up a dust cloud, Ark hovered another couple of feet off the ground, his preferred position in a fight. Or potential fight, in this case

[ClockworkDaisy]

"I would say it were a simple task, but I do not pick up such things, no they are unbefitting of your allure and skills."

Following, then somehow leading, Arsædor she filed away the words as he spoke, a litany of praises that he sung to her on occasions like these to ensure she wouldn’t say no. She was good at her job, efficient and didn’t hassle him too much for a higher percentage. 50/50 was fine. So long as the money was good there was no way that Taboo would turn down a job, she also trusted him well enough to know he wouldn’t mess about and waste her time with useless tasks. She paused momentarily in her steps, half a second nothing more, before moving on again making the decision to no longer take a job that didn’t make her the right amount of money. No more charity work, no more little jobs. She was sought after now and there wasn’t any reason she had to waste her time with them. It wasn’t about greed with Taboo it was just business, running with the big boys meant stepping it up.

She turned her ear back into what Arsædor was saying, leading him further into the house proper.

"Regardless this job is...not delicate, but it does require a measure of guile and tact. You see there are some key documents that it seemed our client misplaced in the home of his enemy. Now normally he would not seek such skills as ours, but his enemy you see is a mage."

Noticing his eyes upon her she nodded to acknowledge she was listening and Taboo skipped lightly down the stairs. Just like when she was a little girl (and every time since) Taboo made sure that the steps didn’t creak. Not even once, not even almost. Back then it had been about not drawing attention to herself in this house of whores and their sometimes rough gentlemen callers. Now? Well now it was still about not drawing attention to herself but oh! Oh! Oh, could Taboo make an entrance when it was called for!

We are to avoid the mage as much as possible, plant something in the house as evidence of another of the mage's enemies, and get out. It is to our discretion whether or not we kill the mage's apprentices and assistants. Our client wants to damage his enemy's reputation and stature as much as possible, without incriminating himself, or making it evident that he again has the scroll." With that he unfurled the scroll and glanced at the contract "though I have a fun idea if we pull off the first bit of this, as the terms of this contract are...hehehe" there was that laugh, that laugh had never meant a good thing, but it always meant more profit.

They slipped further down the flights of stairs, past more girls and young men, all of various shapes, sizes and catering to any of the latest fetishes. The Nightingale was the premium bordello in the city, discrete and expensive. Despite the decadence, plush velvets and satins, rich tapestries and overstuffed chaises, Taboo and Arsædor didn’t seem to even cause a wave. This was the girls’ home and always had been, she knew these halls unlike no other in the place and as ever the girls followed her lead set by what she wore. It was only the occasional foolish new girl that ever tried to engage Taboo when she wasn’t in character.

"So? Shall we dance milady?" There was a devilish glint in his eyes and a smirk on his lips, had she been any other woman his charisma would have had her all over him in seconds, but alas she was not and that is why he liked her.

Pausing on the top of the last landing, this one especially grandiose and with a view looking over Madam Lamont’s famous Grand Foyer Taboo heard the devil in his tone and glanced to him from the corner of her eye. She had barely managed a nod of agreement when a movement below them caught her attention and she dissembled completely. Taboo’s eyes sparkled brightly, her movements became bubbly and her voice as she skipped girlishly down the stairs towards the group of gentlemen entering below was coquettish.

“Why, Sir! Look at you! At this time of the day calling upon the girls… positively scandalous isn’t it?” She flitted forward and for a moment it was almost as if she was wearing her skirts, taking the hand extended to her she pressed a kiss to a ruddy cheek and giggled once more. “Or perhaps.. Just one special girl?”

The gentleman upon whom she pressed her affections stood amongst a group of like dressed fellows, a wealthy merchant perhaps or an official of some kind, his chest (and ego) swelled visibly and Taboo positively glowed. He muttered words of praise; offered some platitude and kissed the back of her hand all while several pairs of eyes devoured the sight of her. Taboo preened a moment longer before ringing a bell which summoned a girl in a maid’s outfit… though if this was truly her profession one had to pay an exorbitant fee and book a month ahead to discover.

“Marie? Be a sweetie and take these gentlemen through to the parlour then pop over to get Madam. She will be in the solar presently, I should think.” She winked conspiratorially at the group as they were ushered away through the curtains her words sotto voce for her audience.
“Aren’t we ladies all just silly creatures of habit? I don’t know how you stand it!”

As soon as the curtains shut out the raucous over generous laughter of the gentlemen to her quip, Taboos’ demeanor changed once more, her tone flat and the tip toeing girlish nymph of a moment before vanished. She pivoted back to Arsædor, strides long and measured, gesturing for him to follow her out the back entrance.

“Heh.” It was as close as Taboo would come to a genuine laugh though her eyes flashed briefly before turning back into stone. “Mages are men like any other, just they are ruled by their staffs and they can wave a wand too.”

[Shoryu]

Kelbi Van Rali - Cthonia - Main road to Strongcrypt

Physical Whistling Tune =3
Psychic Whistling Tune >=D

Kelbi was thoroughly enjoying his walk about through the 'ruined lands' of Cthonia, He hadn't come to check out this particular continent for a good while so he was curious what may have changed about since the last time he'd been around. Of course, as he often did, he wanted about without any form of 'disguise' in place, looking unarmored, unarmed, small, and even 'cute' in some ways, walking along the main road with a spring in his step and a cheer in his whistles. Indeed he was quite sharply whistling a cherry little melody with nearly perfectly fusion between each note and seeming never to run out of air, strangely though there also seemed to be a quieter almost orchestral harmony accompanying it despite being alone.

Of course as one can expect, this attracts the attention of threats from all around as he travels along, though a few undead or even a random Kolyok wasn't too much danger as far as he was concerned, using his wings made it easy to slice some random undead to pieces when they get too close, of course the small scattering of body parts he left near one section of the road 'far enough that balran probably won't come to it of course XD], made his presence and danger obvious to 'local critters'. This of course would likely lead to his presence also being informed to various people of authority that command anything noticing him, not that he was worried about that, he was just out enjoying a peaceful walk through 'hell'.

That was right up until he spotted something 'living' in the distance, a sizeable group of men possibly even shorter than himself, certainly they would hear his merry whistling as he approached 'how curious, smaller than me? they must be dwarves, their certainly not imps of gnomes or anything... I wonder if their reasonable or crazy paranoid.' Regardless he continued on his way, oh so obviously something that's likely extremely out of place in this land.

As he got closer though he ceased his 'physical' whistling and tossed a hand up to wave while splaying out his wings a bit "Hey there Dwarf people, um, could you tell me where I happen to be? I've been wandering about for a good while now and all I've really been doing is heading north with no real direction.... Oh, more importantly, Am I intruding on private lands?" He spoke with a smile and a childishly curious tone to his voice. The even more odd part though, was that even while he was talking, and when he'd stopped and wasn't moving his mouth, The background orchestral like tune continued to play, though it was certainly quiet compared to the other whistling, it certainly would be very odd.



Shoryu - Mainland - Chatting with Ksaer who just sat on goren

Shoryu maintained his vague draconian smile and watched as the larger golden dragon went about taking a drink and considering what he was thinking to speak straight, though he actually spotted the armored man taking out someone a little further off who appeared to have been setting something dangerous up, though he didn't pay too much mind to the armored man yet as Ksaer started to speak. He actually widened his smile to a mildly toothy grin and perked up noticeably for a moment "ah how lovely, to be remembered by one who's slumbered for so long... and you are Ksaer of the L'shter'n's Correct?

Given the size different between them he assumed it would likely not be taken as a threatening action when he shifted up to his hind legs to stand taller and closer to a similar height while Ksaer was on all 4's "And of course, you are right, I 'am' Shoryu, among other things, hmhm, I'd love to explain more really, but it appears that you have landed upon a little man. He smells a bit odd actually, but he doesn't seem a threat." He gestured a paw to the little man that was talking below Ksaer while giving a little chuckle at the comical event


Kel'ran Vasni - Cthonia

Kel'ran watched the werewolf's display with increasing curiosity and interest in him, aside from being the first creature he encountered that isn't trying to eat him, he's also clearly extremely capable and would probably serve as a rather effective traveling companion, at least as far as he's intending to go already. "I wouldn't say 'scared' so much as Cautious, Everything I've met before you has tried to eat me in some way... I was recently sent out to, hrm, 'explore' the world, to put it simply, of course there's certainly things about that are more dangerous than I'd be able to deal with on my own, at least indefinitely. Someone to follow for a while would be pretty useful."

He moved a bit closer, though obviously still wary, growing a slight grin of his own before adding on "And the magic skill was a bit obvious, It'd be interesting if that Kolyok even wakes up again." He didn't mention that he had magic as well of course, there was no reason to do so really, and having it as a surprise later could be a useful tool sometime. "It would be rather useful as well to pick up some knowledge along the way as well, you could say it's my mission to learn everything I can about the rest of the world.



Nameless - Mainland

He found his own instincts responding to the Display from Ark, telling him that an aggressive reaction was possible to come next, and on similar instinct he lowered his own stance, though not to all 4's, to brace himself in-case something came and his left arm came up to produce a glowing blue shield from the armor, though clearly he'd reacted faster than he'd 'thought' to do so, as a moment later he relaxed unexpectedly with some of his own body language implying that he was confused by this reaction. He actually shook his head and mumbled something as if he hadn't meant to do that and quickly stood fully up-right again and shut off the arm shield, taking a moment to reach up and grasp his helmet with both claws to pull off, about the same the other dragon began to hover, then spoke without the helmet getting in the way, as well as showing what was actually under it. "No no, I am no Android... I am Harbinger... But also Dragon."

His eyes glowed a light blue and a distinct look of metallic was reflectively metallic was visible on his dark scales, and amidst a 'mane' of sorts there were numerous Metallic Tendrils mixed in. Though he wanted to relax, his instincts were insistent of remaining prepared incase things turned hostile suddenly, his right claw still held his helmet, in a position that he could quickly shove it back on, and the other seemed tense as if ready to shield himself again suddenly. Though there was a contradiction to aggressive interpretations was that his expression looked far more 'curious', and more so there was perhaps a vaguely 'young' or inexperienced look in his eyes, despite his size implying that he was old enough to have grown out of such hints. "I 'am' from Ascentus, though I was not 'made in mockery'... at least I don't believe so.. I am 'metallic' in a way, but most of what you see is armor... I made it myself." The last bit sounded almost like he was proud of having made it himself.

[yoshua171]

Ksærnataikh'i L'shter'n "The Serpent of Ascentus"
The Mainland - Southeastern area

Epic Score - Time Will Remember Us (Gabriel Shadid)

The water felt luxurious on his tongue as he pulled it into his mouth. Smiling as Shoryu seemed pleased by his fair memory, the larger dragon lifted his head upon the mention of another in their presence. Sniffing the air he laughed, a short low bellow really, and then twisted his neck around to view the creature he had landed upon. Realizing he had heard a slight yowling before he lifted his forearm and released the man. He truly did sme-...no he felt strange as well, there was something wrong and his snout shivered 'undead'. Looking at the man, a slight look of fire in his golden eyes he spoke "you are not of life, but here you are. I do hope you are not hostile, or at least somehow just, or the grace of Adone will simply not allow me to look the other way." Ksær had never liked undead and had been glad he had not seen too many prior to his deep slumber. Now however he was faced with this half-mortal and had to make a decision. He had to decide whether or not Adone would kill the creature, again, and allow its corpse to feed the land as the dead should.

Conversely the being did not seem a threat, and neither did it feel entirely evil, if any actually. There was a strange sensation to the half-mortal. While the dragon could not quite put his cla-... B]"Hmhmhmhmhmhh"[/B] a low rumbling chuckle exuded from his mouth, it seemed he'd stumbled upon quite the pun while embroiled in his thoughts. Lifting his head he looked to Shoryu, his other senses keeping watch on the little half-mortal "decisions of this nature are always so difficult, they are specifically why I never found it a beneficial idealogy to live on Cthonia." Shaking his head and releasing air from his lungs in a sigh, he glanced to the half-mortal again "you are free to go, but I'd like your name half-mortal." While he was not being entirely insulting, what he was calling Goren certainly had an unpleasant connotation.

Arsædor Zerumat "The Rose"
The Mainland

04 - Cazador del Amor

There it was, her shifting chameleon act came into play and while it only lasted for around half a minute it was still quite the spectacle. Walking down the stairs as she acted before the rich patrons, he made sure as to look pleased in the sense that this place typically endowed. He bowed his head as he passed the merchants, acknowledging them, afterall some of them were bound to know him by profession and reputation. While in some cases the presence of an assassin in a whorehouse would lower the manor's value, in this case it would not. Not only was Arsædor an especially experienced assassin, he was known very well by the community as a very kind hearted and good person, his positioning could only be more beneficial if any on the Mainland knew the relevance of his last name: Zerumat. Alas they did not and he went on more anonymously than if they had, heading for the backdoor, you see this had happened before.

As Tabby glided in and passed him up, gesturing before her he only smiled and conceded to her wondrous will, it was truly his pleasure to do so.

“Mages are men like any other, just they are ruled by their staffs and they can wave a wand too.”

"Indeed, but powerful mages can be very difficult men indeed, and their staffs are not their only trick." Knowing from experience and theoretical knowledge, Arsædor was already working out a plan in that brilliant head of his. One of the three reasons that he had earned his title --"The Rose"-- was that his plans, schemes rather, were seldom to fail and thus he had a near flawless record. The other two were more dubious, one relating to the unique nature of his blade, and the other foretelling the strange beauty of his kills, as if the blood of his victims formed a beautiful rosebud. Chuckling he followed Taboo out the door and then closed his eyes briefly, only to open them and take a path. "This way," he said simply and when they reached an alleyway he twisted her and himself into it deftly, and despite its cramped space he managed to give her plenty of room. He was a gentleman afterall. Glancing up he simply pointed and then utilized some of the nanotek in his aura to form sharp claws over the tips of his fingers and the toes of hsi boots. Following this he locked into the wall "feel free to hitch a ride madam," while there were indeed footholds, they were not so sure as his, and so he simply extended the offer as a pleasantry knowing she would likely refuse and make her own way to the rooftops.

Regardless he moved on, sometimes switching walls with a deft jump, until he hoisted himself over the top. From here they'd have a wonderful view, and would be able to plan more accordingly, afterall a mages abode was always heavily warded.

Ksærnataikh'i L'shter'n

Spoiler

Arsædor Zerumat

Spoiler

[ClockworkDaisy]

"Indeed, but powerful mages can be very difficult men indeed, and their staffs are not their only trick."

Taboo pushed open the door then followed where Arsædor led; her eyes were taking in the sights of the city around them with passive interest when he pulled her into the alleyway. She canted her head to one side, wrinkling her nose at the liberty taken with her person and once again dismissing it as anything out of the ordinary.

. "This way," he said simply and when they reached an alleyway he twisted her and himself into it deftly, and despite its cramped space he managed to give her plenty of room. He was a gentleman afterall. Glancing up he simply pointed and then utilized some of the nanotek in his aura to form sharp claws over the tips of his fingers and the toes of his boots. Following this he locked into the wall "feel free to hitch a ride madam,"

Taboo glanced upwards, the footholds were adequate and it would be a simple enough matter to climb the wall herself. For the briefest of moments she contemplated making him do the work but the thought slipped away like warm butter through her fingers and she shook her head wryly.
“Somehow I think I will be able to survive the ascent but thanks, that’s very chivalrous of you.”
Making her way to the top in a manner much less flashy then his, Taboo watched Arsædor with a moment’s jealousy before brushing it aside. Things just seemed to come so easy to him, she envied his carefree attitude and sometimes wished she could move as easily through the world as he.
She shook herself and in an uncharacteristic display of spontaneous whimsy, Taboo lifted herself over the edge of the roof with both hands and lifted her body into a handstand, taking a moment to pirouette upon the edge before righting herself onto her feet. Immediately she felt stupid and childish, her cheeks blazing red as she struggled to regain her sense of proprietry, turning to look out over the rooftops.

“Well? Who’s the big shot mage we need to visit?” Her voice was all business to make up for the foolery. She’d heard Madam Lamont say the girl had never taken the time to be a child and, from her hiding place in the eaves, Taboo hadn’t ever been prouder.
“And to bring shame on his name I think it would make more sense not to kill his apprentices and the like unless we really have too. All the better to make it seem the ‘evidence’ against him was always there. You start leaving dead bodies lying around and people ask questions.”

[Rtron]

Vrangr

Cthonia - Outside of Vortas

Vrangr chuckled as Acriane spoke of how the larger portion of Cthonia thought the Vrogreon were nothing more than Myths and Legends. "That is a part of the plan my dear. Much to the Warriors dismay, I ordered the entire Vrogreon population to lie low, and let the demons think we've died out. Obviously, that wasn't enough for them. They want us to be wiped from history, or as close as they can get. Now, when we rise, they will be unprepared, and vengeance and reality will greet them swiftly." Vrangr said with a gleam in his eye. "They think that they are secure in their fortress. Their loyal servants surrounding them. What they don't know is agents have already brought most of them to our side, and when the signal is given, half of Cthonia will fall in a night. Eventually, all that will be left will be the Wolves of Light, and the Duchy of Icefire. But they will fall quickly as well. Then we turn to the Mainland when we are strong enough."

Vrangr shrugged. "At least thats the overall plan. Things can change. But enough of my plotting and scheming. I'll have to leave tomorrow at the latest. Business meeting. How have you been my dear? I heard reports of an upstart servant of the Gods of Light challenging you, I trust you dealt with him swiftly?" Vrangr asked.

Solac

Cthonia - Near an unspecified fort, close Adair and Kel'ran

Solac breathed a sigh of relief as the man fell dead in ashes before the pair could see him. They appeared to be in a conversation, which would explain why neither of them heard the screaming...at first. Probably best to leave now, before the smell of burning flesh and bones reaches them. Solac decided. Then he began creeping back towards the fort. Cursing the necessity of not wearing his Soul steel arms and armor. To remain as unnoticeable as possible, he and his regiment had been ordered to not wear it. With luck the duo would not notice him, and he could slip back to the fort. With luck. Solac hated relying on luck.

Vroten

Cthonia - South of the River of Blood

Vroten and his squad (consisting of two Vrogreon Warriors and a Vrogreon Sorcerer) were heading back to Vortas to gain new orders. They had done their job. 8 man, or woman, patrols had been seen going out to all of the undead forts nearby, all of the soldiers in them had a feeling of grimness around them, and all carried heavy weaponry. To make sure they gained the hate and dislike of the nearby undead, several sleeper agents of the Vrogreon had been planted to react in a specific manner when they saw the Wolves patrols coming into the fort asking for information about the Shadow lurkers. Due to the Nature of the reaction, the Wolves should react violently to any and all nearby undead, and should be responded to in kind. Vroten smiled. Things were going according to plan.

Goren

Mainland - Next to Shoryu and The Serpent

Goren gave a quiet sigh as he was referred to as 'half-mortal' again. He was sure that the Dragon did not mean an insult by it, well he hoped so at least. "My name is Goren Fern. My full Title would tack on Servant of the Gods of Light. Thank you for freeing me Dragon. Before I go, may I have both of your names?" Goren asked. Right. With luck, he won't think I'm evil or unjust and try to roast me alive. That would be an unpleasant experience. Goren thought/prayed, not liking the look in the dragons eyes.

Cthonia - Wolves of Light command center

The Commander of the Wolves of Light slammed her fist on her desk. "That's the Fifth patrol this week! All with the same story! The Shadowwalkers attacked, backed by several undead. They were then seeing fleeing to a nearby fort. Some reported seeing them flee directly into it. We can't write this off as an attempt to cause dissension between us and the neighboring undead any longer. We're loosing to many troops. Send in patrols to scour the nearby forts for Shadowwalkers. With or without the inhabitants permission. " The Beta nodded, and began to head out to start giving orders. "Wait." She halted just before the door and turned around. "I want the patrols to be made up of 8 Dire Wolves each." The Beta's eyes widened slightly but she nodded and walked out, shouting orders. Those who resisted the search would not be in for a nice time.