Estylwen

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Okayyyy, so if it's alright with everyone, after Aubri and Amerigo say their piece to the Countess, I'm moving us ahead by a week. That means Otter can have his interrogation with Raiden at the castle, and Andre can have his meeting with the representative of the Duke. And it brings Lady Safina back into the limelight.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

New post is uuuup! :>

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

The Battle-Blood Minstrel

_{@The Otter}

---

Anabel perked up at the offering of a necklace. She hastily dried her eyes, trying to remember her decorum as a noble, as she took the offered necklace. Placing it around her neck, she played with the pearls, clearly in love with it.

”Thank you. I suppose I'll forgive you for disappearing and risking your life for Her Majesty.” She said with a nod.

Vulluin had moved away from the Queen, who had returned to her quarters. His elvish ears pricked, and he laid his eyes on Callum, staring for a moment.

”Well, Her Majesty appears to trust you. Why don't you see if you can get anything out of the Sparrow, while we make our way home?” He said, gesturing to the Swiftsure.

Sure enough, just across the waters, Raiden was getting hoisted out of the water, a number of swords leveled at him. He didn't resist as his hands were bound, and the ships were brought closer together, laying down a gang plank. He was escorted down to the brig on the Battle-Blood Minstrel. And, with a double-check to ensure Jikoryss was secured tight in the water, all ships began to make their way home.

***

Down in the brig, Raiden sat in the floor of a locked cage, hands still bound in front of him. His head was leaned against the wall, and the way he sat was relaxed, almost casual, as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Softly, he whistled under his breath. Anyone who knew the tune knew it was a song that those who were imprisoned unjustly sang before their execution.

---

Dremora's Shade

_{@Andre Valias}

---

'Ryllae: what is this place, and who were they?'

Anton

Ryllae glanced over as they walked back through the white meadow and grasses. Her lips pursed into a small smile.

”Dremora's Shade. The Otherworld. Where shades of all types and designs live and reside.

“The birds you saw are called Feathered Nightmares. They like to stick in groups, and have a close connection with certain humans. Most would consider them a curse - they eat human years, after all.”

Her footsteps slowed to a stop. They were in the center of the field now. Tiny shades peeped out from the grasses, eyeing them. She paid them no mind, though, as she turned to Anton. With that small smile on her face, she presented the box and its key to him, bowing her head respectfully.

”Your Seeds, my Lord. You'll be able to do your transaction with Duke Rhinecliff and his representative effectively now.”

She held that position, waiting for him to take the Seeds.

---

Lady Furino's Estate -> Hathforth Castle

_{@AWildSquirtle, @HereComesTheSnow}

---

Raguelie's went wide like saucers when Amerigo brought down the sword. Erfir too, shared the same shocked expression, though his was not as apparent. He, after all, didn't have his arms in the way of a blade.

"But remember how that eyesore found us to begin with, claro? The wind carries voices. Theirs and ours both."

Amerigo

The fear of the All-force put into Raguelie, she promptly, and very carefully, let go of Erfir. The last thing she wanted was one of those monsters find thing them again. She could put her fury to the side, for now. Amerigo was very convincing, after all. Her hands dropped, and she stepped back, eyeing his blade.

"Now then, allow me to make something clear. Signore Aubri and myself are not pirates. I am in fact paid to cut pirates down…

The interests of the Most Serene Republic are represented through him— and its' protection through me.”

Amerigo

The news had two different effects on the children. Erfir allowed his disappointment to cross his face, ”Wait, you're not actually pirates…?” It seemed he had hyped himself quite a bit over that possibility.

Raguelie, on the other hand, mouthed the Signore bit. She was trying to get a feel for the hierarchy system in this Most Serene Republic, before an embarrassed blush crossed her face, and her eyes snapped wide.

Quickly, she gave a low bow, forcing her hand on Erfir's head to do the same. ”Please forgive us,” She said frantically. ”We didn't realize you were nobles from afar, on business, no less. I fear we have given you a terrible impression of Hathforth.”

"I think taking shelter inside is wise and prudent. But we should be prepared to move at a moment's notice. One never knows which way the winds blow and where they may take the flames. Please, show us to this Lady Vernon."

Aubri

Raguelie straightened, nodding hastily. ”Of course, I'll take you.”

—

Raguelie, with Erfir in tow, led the group to the castle. They passed by raging fires, and the hazardous smoke caused Raguelie to cough up a storm. Hiding behind an abandoned carriage to avoid a second confrontation with a Shade on the loose, the group eventually made it across the open drawbridge and to the inner courtyard of the castle.

The castle itself was towering and majestic, untouched by the fire, red tiling on its roofs and window glinting in the firelight.

”Not much further, come on!” Raguelie said, excitement in her voice as she went at a half-running pace to the massive front double doors.

”Hey, wait up!” Erfir called back, huffing as he stumbled after her. He still held the coin purse of Amerigo's tightly in his little fist, careful not to drop it.

The group entered the front doors past the guards, who seemed entirely unmoved. Perhaps they recognized Raguelie. Regardless, the group was allowed passage in, and the throne room was bustling with refugees. From nobles to peasants, they stood or sat somewhere in the throne room (except for the throne itself, of course). Some cowered in fear, others comforted friends and family.

Raguelie pushed past them, marching right into a left-side passageway that led to what appeared to be a war room. There was a massive map of the province on one table. However, the one that had gathered the heads of state was a secondary table deeper in that had a detailed map of Hathforth stretched across it.

Raguellie walked past the adults, standing on her tiptoes to try and see past them,until she found the one she was looking for. A woman dressed in armor and a cape, her ashy dark hair flowing in tresses as she poured over the map. Almost every voice at the table was speaking to her, and it looked like she was absorbing all the words as well as study the map.

A pat-pat on her thigh caused the woman to look down. Raguelie was there, offering a curtsy before smiling wide, ”Lady Courtesy, I have brought guests from the MSR!”

The Countess stared for a moment, glanced at Amerigo and Aubri, before whispering a short word to one of the knights poured over the map beside her. He nodded and took over the heated debate, while Elysabeth stepped aside.

She reached down and embraced Raguelie, ”Blessing of the All-Force, it's good to see you.” Raguelie giggled in response.

Before Elysabeth stood again, and gave a polite bow of her head, ”Representatives of the MSR, on behalf of Her Majesty I welcome you. As you can see, we are currently under attack. However, I assure you, I'll be finding who's responsible and enacting justice.”

Raguelie patted the Countess’ thigh again, and Elysabeth stooped as the angelite whispered in her ear. Elysabeth frowned momentarily, before her eyes darted to Amerigo.

Then Raguelie stepped back and Elysabeth have the two representatives her attention. ”What business is it that brings you here today?”

As Elyzabeth asked, Raguelie rolled her eyes, ”Erfir, stop hiding.”

Erfir peeked out behind Amerigo, clearly uncomfortable with being in the den of dragons.

Calling All Heroes and Villains!

And we're off to a great start. :>

Iris Ascendis

I'm just finishing up a collab with Psykers, then I'll be posting. :>

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

Aweeesome! I'll aim to have a post up tomorrow or the day after. :>

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

I think Antonio looks great! Very enjoyable collab, flux. Thanks again! We'll be going again soon, lol.

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

Ooh, yes we should collab out those spies in your district, eh Sporko?

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@Qia

Calling All Heroes and Villains!

Masked Solaris

Ethan Smoke

Masked Solaris | Villain | 23 | 5’9


_(Explicit)

Powers/Abilities: The Summoned Stars

Ethan has the ability to summon miniature suns, little glowing balls of gravity and heat. He is able to change the temperature of the star. Red stars can be touched. Yellow stars burn at the same temperature as fire. Blue stars are able to melt solid steel.

He is able to summon many small stars, or a few large stars. The stars can become as big as about six by six feet. He is able to summon these stars at his hands, feet, or around him, and then shoot them in any direction, straight or curved. If a red star were to be shot forward, it would have the same impact strength as a swinging metal bat.

Weaknesses:

He may use the stars as shields, however, electricity can pass through them. Powerful insulators from heat can also render his stars moot. Cold temperatures can make it harder for him to summon and sustain stars. So, placing him in a steel ice box can essentially render him useless.

Personality:
Haughty, smooth, aloof. All the traits of a likeable villain. He enjoys getting what he wants with a smile. He enjoys playing cat and mouse. He enjoys gaining and exercising his power. A bit of a negotiator, if there is something he wants, he'll sweet talk for hours to get it. At least, until he gets bored. Then he might try to intimidate. And, in rare cases, inflict enough pain to break someone, and take what he wanted in the first place.

Background:

Nova City, with its vast technological advances and pro-corporation ideologies often didn't have enough for government programs like child foster care systems. Ethan grew up in such a system, removed from his abusive biological parents only to end up in neglectful foster homes. He was bumped from one foster home to the next, becoming more dysfunctional and angry with every move.

One night, he was on the rooftops, like he normally was, staring up at the light-polluted sky. That night, he saw a shooting star. He made a wish that he would have the ability to change his destiny, and went to sleep. As he slept, he had a fever dream, and when he awoke, his room was on fire, alight with small stars coalescing about.

Everyone got out of the fire safely, himself included. It was chalked up to a freak accident, and he was moved to a new foster home. But this power started to allow him to push back. To fend for himself.

He ditched his foster home and lived on the streets for a bit. At least, until he did his first successful heist - a jewelry store. After that, he bought a shabby bachelor's apartment. Then, he would take on more daring heists, eventually making the news as the Masked Solaris. He bought a better apartment. He bought some men to work for him. He bought an office floor in a tower as his base of operations.

He continues his heists, his eyes on gaining the attention he was refused as a child.

Affiliations:

He runs the Solaris Gang, a small group of hired guns and informants that help Ethan keep his finger on the pulse of the city and the world at large. They also help find and assist in heists. They also identify potential hazards, like cops sniffing around his establishment or work.

Motivations: He is definitely motivated by power and money. Maybe a little notoriety. If he became the top wanted criminal, he'd be okay with that.

Base of Operations:

He operates the Solaris Gang on the 48th floor of the Arakana Tower in Nova City.

Public Perception:

He is definitely viewed as a menace. The handsome devil that would steal the ring off your finger. So far, he has stayed ahead of the police force. But his luck could change at any time.

Combat Style:

He definitely has an aggressive combat style. He tries to overwhelm and overpower, while keeping himself hard to hit.