Domitorem Corvo

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Karnariel glares at Lexianna.
"We're not here to talk to the Usurpers. We want them dead so our lives can find some sense of normalcy." The crowded tent murmurs in agreement. Karnariel takes a moment to calm himself. "West point is unassailable by sea. It's coast is nothing but mile high shear cliff wall. Not to mention the ever present storms. East Point or more specifically, Midnight Bastille, is unassailable due to the previously mentioned Bounded Field. It repulses any who do not have the authority to enter. What worries me though, is that we've heard no word from East Point in weeks. Also, no one whose gone to investigate has returned."

"I understand your want to hold life sacred. But these sinners are beyond salvation."

Elsewhere in the Blackout
Shadow rides into the clearing. His servant follows close behind. Shadow motions for his servant to halt.
"This is close enough Lloyd. We don't want to intimidate our guest." Shadow dismounts and approaches Lexianna.
"I assume you've met the rebels? It's the only reason I can assume you've chosen the words: settle our differences. I've no interest in cutting deals with terrorists. They want to kill me because I've made their lives better. It's nonsense." Shadow shifts his weight. Eyes flickering over Lexianna, scanning for any information.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Karnariel pauses.
"I'm not sure what you mean by fire demon. But yes, if he's strong then he may very well be in Rider's possession."

Just then a small bird flies in and lands on Lexianna's shoulder. It has a note clutched in its beak. The note reads: "I agree we should meet. Our last meeting was far too short. Though I am troubled by your wording, I'm sure we can settle matters in person. Signed, Lord Shadow of South Point."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Karnariel takes a moment organize the questions in his mind.
"All soldiers and knights under influence of a Command Sphere are resurrected. We have no ships to form a fleet and establish a naval presence." Karnariel pauses a moment. "As for the western front... it's nonexistent. We attempted to march on West Point once. With disastrous results. Crossing the 50 miles of desert expanse is difficult and taxing on resources. Not to mention Rider is powerful and leads an army of calvary. We currently have no way of taking West Point."

Karnariel is about to speak when Lexianna asks another question.
"Prisoners are a constant influx to East point. The Mystic performs experiments with his Dark Arcana. It's marsh land so troop movement is difficult and there is a Bounded Field in place that prevents approach from sea. They may be there. Or if they happen to be a particularly attractive or strong men they may have been transported to West Point. Rider has established a matriarchy where men are practically slaves. She's always hungry for pets."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Karnariel eyes Lexianna as the young boy takes the supplies.
"You're an angel." He says almost harshly despite his posture relaxing. Taking a deep breath he starts explaining.

"Where do I even begin. We don't have the manpower to field any sort of meaningful army. We're starving. Hunted. Our swords are scrap steel and everything else is repurposed farm equipment. What you see here isn't our main battle force but honestly their not much better off. We're more espionage. Our scout regiment is in okay shape but their exhausted." Karnariel sighs.

"The Scouts are in North Point right now. They're searching for the Valkyrie's base of operation. The Sun Cloaks, our main fighting force, is dead in the water to the north. Without orders and more troops to bolster their ranks they can't march on a stronghold or even challenge the Lords' forces."

"As for what we've accomplished so far... I'd like to say we took down the Admiral but that credit goes to a man named Poe of Ravens. And we've not heard from him since." Karnariel stops. "Actually, I know how you can help." Karnariel waves the group into his tent where he lays a map out on a table. He points to the tip of South Point.

"Here, the remnants of the Admirals forces are being transported to East Point by sea. About 8000 If you can take the Command Sphere that they answer to you can bring them... here." Karnariel places a marker on a small cove on the east side of South Point, near where The Sun Cloaks are camping. "By doing that we can bolster our forces enough to march on Shadowhold."

"The only thing i'm worried about is Smoke Hat. He's a pirate that's been consolidating power in the wake of Admirals death. He'll definitely be after the Command Sphere as well."

"I'm going to assume you don't know much about the Lords' forces. The short of it is they're immortal. Every full moon through the Curse of Servitude the Command Sphere reanimates those under its influence. And it doesn't matter what happens to the body. It creates a new one upon each resurrection. Not to mention The Lords themselves. They can resurrect immediately on the spot when killed. Plus the light that accompanies their new body will break any blood stones you might have. I only tell you this because Lord Shadow has been active lately. If you encounter him... run. He's far too powerful to challenge without a Bloodgem."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
A young man goes sprinting into a nearby tent and begins shouting about an attack. The rest of the rebels gathered produce weapons and surround the group. They are all visibly terrified. They are mostly young boys and girls between 10 and 18 with the rest being elderly. Very few look to be in fighting condition and the adults that could have been considered battle worthy are obviously overworked and malnourished.

The tent flap flies open and a man steps forth. He is incredibly pale. His skin is an ashen white and his hair matches. He is covered in dirt and his clothes are threadbare. But his eyes. They are a piercing red and gold. He has a sword in hand but his guard drops when he sees the group.
"Lower your weapons. These aren't enemies." He says.
"But Kar, what if their here to kill us." A young man answers.
"These are offworlders. Powerful ones. If they wanted us dead... we'd already be dead." Karnariel says as he approaches. "What brings you here? With an entrance like that you're obviously not just passing through. So, care to explain yourself?"

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
The captain narrows his eyes. He strides forward. Picks up the gem and reads the note which simply says "Bribe." He clicks his teeth and eyes the door in contemplation. Finally he whirls around and addresses his platoon.
"Men, it appears we have been mistaken. There are no offworlders here. We march for Shadowhold." The knights look at each other then shrug and sheath their swords. The platoon marches back the way they came.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Zaak
Zaak is surprised to see the first Lotus. He turns to Li-li. He's not happy with her tone. A soft pulse from the umbra tells him her thoughts. There will be time to correct her later.
"The Umbra is reality that transcends it's normal limitations. I'm not sure how just let but it is undefined in the opposite manner of Formless. This gives it a unique characteristic of utility. You see, I needed an ontological weapon that could redefine the clearly defined. I sharpened the Umbra into a poison that could kill the unkillable. Though it has now gone dormant." Zaak directs his attention to The First Lotus.
"How are you here? Why aren't you joined with Lexianna?" Zaak asks.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Dawn comes and the fishing village wakes to a both joy and dismay. Their fish stockpile has more than enough to pay their tribute. But there is also a platoon of Imperial Knights in the town square. The taxman smiles greedily until he sees the piles of fish and the countless fishing children. He scowls as Furm saunters up to him. The two banter with backhanded compliments and fake smiles. Finally the taxman asks.
"I heard there were some outworlders in town. Where might I find them?"
"Not sure. I gave them a hut to rest in but didn't to check if they were still there in this morning's preparations."

The taxman looks to the captain. The captain nods draws his sword and marches towards the hut where the group is. When he arrives he orders his troops to be at the ready.
"Offworlders, you are under arrest for the crime of trespassing in Lord Shadow's territory. Surrender yourselves and face justice."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
An elderly lady makes her way to each of the members of the group. One by one she informs them of the hut set side for their stay. The hut is next to Furm's home in the center of the village.
The revelers are making their way, drunkenly, home to get rest for the morning. Many are still worried and others find that sleep is difficult. Many of the villagers are certain that tomorrow will hold nothing but misfortune.

Father's Prison
The young hand wakes and mewls out a unintelligible response before passing back into unconsciousness. Nevermore lies unconscious on the floor of her cell. For now Razz is alone in the silent prison.

Zaak
Liliana attacks me I'm too weak to resist but my seals protect me. Their dense reality holds my frail existence together.
"I understand your frustration. But I am still your father." I say standing. "I am not here to usurp the imposter. I simply wished to dethrone him. I've had my chance at ruling. Now I only wish to serve the new monarch. You." Zaak looks out at the oasis.

"It's beautiful. Much more so than I could have ever dreamed. And all of it, as I'm sure you've decided, is your birthright. I had intended for your mother to rule until you were ready. But given the circumstances..." Zaak muses solemnly. "It wasn't fair. And I'm too blame. I know that. And now you, my beautiful daughter, have a responsibility far more burdensome than I would wish upon you." Zaak looks into Lilianna's eyes. "I've spent my lives trying to take the bad out of the world. It's no small truth when I say that you are the only good I've brought. I'm proud of how far you've come."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Blackout
Furm eyes the stone.
"Ah, the Bloodstone. Yes." Furm holds his hand out. "I relinquish my claim to your light and the power it gifts." A drop of blood appears in his palm slowly growing larger and larger until it drops onto the table. Furm's cloudy eyes lose thet faint light in them. The entire hall is watching their eyes glued to the stone. A few drunk fishermen have wanton greed plastered on their faces. Furm reaches down and takes the rock once more.

"I lay claim to your light and the power it gifts." Furm clutches the Bloodstone tightly in this hand. He winces as the stone liquefies and seeps into his hand. "These stones are valuable in this world. They can be used as currency to bribe most common folk. Or their power can be harnessed for yourself. Be aware, however, they will not sustain their form in the presence of The Father's light. If a Hand shines their light on the stone it will disintegrate and the light within will be released. Likewise if it is claimed and The Light touches you it will strip you of its power and wreck your bodies in the process."