[b]20th Midyear 4E, 205 Abbarbas, Pyandonea[/b] Orgnum tossed a snake from his balcony. [i]pop[/i]. He tossed two more. [i] pop. pop[/i]. Three! [i]pop. pop. Pop[/i]. Giggling, he scrawled down something in a scroll and had it sent to the Satakanimeri Temple. He kept on enchanting the snakes and throwing then over his balcony into the empty courtyard below. [i] Pop. [/i] Giggles. [i]pop. [/i]. A hum. [i] Pop![/i] More giggles. After some time of this, he tired and finished writing his discoveries down. He sent a copy to the Temple for them to finish researching, and turned to his courtyard. Orgnum focused his magicka, closing his eyes. He raised his arms and shouted to the heavens a chant he'd been working on for a very, very long time. The clear sky darkened, a cold wind swept through the city, and Orgnum smiled at the first rain droplets meeting his forehead. The Psijics are not the only order who can understand ancient magicks, and Orgnum would be damned if he'd let anyone use that weather trick again. ----------------------------- [b]23rd Midyear, 4E, 295 Pyrrah Bay, Pyandonea[/b] The riders dismounted their serpents at the shore. High Admiral Uldindol was glad he could begin moving his fleet in and out at full speed again now that they had finished. He was speaking to one of their forges-men about an idea. "The Satak can be used for more than pulling boats, and being ridden. True, we use them defensively and offensively as a last resort, but what if they could safely attack other ships? Outfitting them with rams, for example, would be a great asset." "Sir, with what will we craft these rams that will be light enough for the serpents to move?" "Maormite," the Admiral said while tossing a chunk of the substance "is a refined kind of Moonstone with minerals unique to this island. You'll find it much lighter to work with. I expect ten of the serpents will be outfitted within the month, and my riders will begin training operations as soon as they are complete." With that, the Admiral removed himself and strode into the shipbuilder's office. He stood himself erect and straightened his rich silken uniform, uttering a small cough. The shipbuilder bolted upwards, stammering an apology for not noticing him before. "I have a proposition for a new project, a new class of ship. It'll require vast amounts of chitin, so I've been saving the idea for when our navy was completed." "Our chitin, sir, is stocked. We're in no overabundance, but I can stoke up growth anew for a project. What is it?" The shipsman asked, startled at the prospect of there being a new class of ship so recently after the completion of the carriers. "A harbour." "Sir, a harb-" "Do not speak while I am, shipsman. Yes, a harbour. The navy can travel far and wide, but we have only one Pyandonea. If we are to keep its location a privilege we need grounds to meet others, or would you taint this land with outsider's footsteps?" The High Admiral gave a stern look down on the shipbuilder. Truth was, he liked toying with the man. "No, sir, I never- I'll begin right away. The plans?" Uldindol handed his designs over and laughed at the balk apparent on the Maormer's face when he saw them. The civilian practically tore himself from the room, such was his hurry. ----------------------------------- [b]Khael, Pyandonea[/b] Aayandorin was deep in a four day long ritual with his highest ranking priests. They believed they were close, and pressed on. Delicate script lay before them, soul gems containing the souls of the freakish beats inhabiting the island arranged and coupled with each other, various ingredients distributed according to their design. Before them was the island, precaution dictating it be vacated except for their escape crew. The scent of magicka filled the nostrils of the Maormer priests, their skins altering hue in response to the differently coloured energy crackling about the room. The Satakanimeri pushed themselves in one final effort, voices raised in unison. Their vision went temporarily dark with exhaustion, and they heard a heavy thud coupled with the crunch of vegetation. A distinct hiss was heard, and the blind priests turned their heads towards the sound. Aayandorin began another spell. This was one all Maormer knew: the one which convinced serpents not to consume them. The other priests joined in, emanating an aura of serpentine magic. Fresh priests rushed to their aid and also to slay the beast should need be. The serpent hissed closer. Aayandorin took the spell into both his hands after downing a magicka potion. Still, the serpent slithered. Practically levitating with energy, Aayandorin let all his power go into a blast of the spell, collapsing onto his knees completely spent. The serpent slithered off into the wilderness, unable to escape the island. Aayandorin was carried to the nearby island of Mantu to recover. They'd summoned the land beast... now they needed to control and tame it. --------------------------------------- [b]Coast south of Southpoint and Greenheart, Valenwood[/b] The battlegroup sent to Valenwood's shores was arriving. Shouts echoed and signals went up, sending the boats into formation. Their mission was to clear the waters and then work their way north. They wouldn't engage Altmer ships unless it was defensively, but they sure wouldn't spare the Altmer if they attacked. After securing the south coast, they would head north close to Woodheart, clear those waters, and then return home. The ocean salt had painted the front of their boats as white as their eyes, contracting with the dark colours of the vessels. Pyandonea's navy had returned, snaking from formation to formation in maneouvers Tamriel had never seen, unseen serpents gliding beneath the waters. ------------------------------- [b]Torval, Elsweyr[/b] Irweni's scouts landed at their designated shores. Garbed in the armours of their homeland they descended upon the city, but with intent to ascertain the state of the world. Causing a local commotion, they learned about the civil war in Elsweyr, Valenwood, and the various other faction's statuses. What was even more interesting is word of the Empire seizing the Mane for themselves. They did not stay long, what with the panic of the city, although they did stuff their pockets with skooma before leaving for home.. and after depositing some of the Sanguine Pens. They'd make themselves scarce shortly. --------------------------- [b]South of Sunhold, Eltheric Ocean[/b] Kelp gripped the foreign boat as the Maormer had willed them to. It was pushed half a day's journey southwest by unknown forces, the men on it seeing dark shapes in the water. The chitin ship, although similar, bore different banners. Orgnum hailed the ship from afar with a cloud's shade and a tentacle rose from the waters dropping a corked bottle onto the visiting boat's deck. Shattering on impact, the bottle held a note: [hider=Orgnum's Instructions]Hail, King Orgnum, the immortal Maormer Wizard and last living Aldmer, is surprised to see your ship at this location. He will allow the meeting he suspects you have come for, but must warn you of some customs to observe. Firstly, do not lay anchor and raise your sails. The kelp will dock the King's boat with yours. Secondly, do not step onto the King's boat until you have been explicitly invited. Thirdly, forgive the King's attire for he is not dressed properly to meet you. Pyandonea greets you, stranger. King Orgnum of the Maormer[/hider] Its contents divulged slightly before the King's ship had taken place beside the other ship, the Sea Elf king rang his voice out. "Greetings, Dunmer. To what honour do I have the privilege of attracting your attention?" He eyed the boat's banners and markings. "Is that the Nerevarine's mark you are bearing?" [b]Actions Begin research of explosive snakes. Weather control magic Construct undersea rams for serpents. Start training exercises at once. Commission construction of floating harbour vessel. Land serpent ritual complete. Commence recovery of High Priest and then taming and control spell weaving. Scouted out Elsweyr for news of Tamriel. Scouts to return home. Sanguine Pens distribute themselves across the continent. Battlegroup to sink all boats in southern Bosmer waters except Altmer if they do not engage. Clear seas north to Woodheart before returning home. Greet Dunmer ships! [/b]