FrozenPhoenix

The Endless Struggle

Virathus studied Rennac, something changed about him from when he was singing. He was... something, just not like he was before. "It hasn't been wrong to me yet. What was that song? I haven't heard it on Havatk before. Is it from your world?" He said trying to change the topic from his name. This man was a strange one to be sure. Clearly not a native and not just because of the fur. His mannerisms were all wrong, he carried himself wrong, he was just... wrong. Not that it was a bad thing, he just stands out like a sore off-worlder.

The Endless Struggle

This was one of those rare times that Virathus was truly lost for words. This... drunkard, was to be his charge. He was hardly able to stand and while armed has no discipline. When Rennac put his hand on Virathus' shoulder he glanced at it, keeping his straight face and silent eyes. Letting him finish, the smell of booze was strong on his breath and almost made him gag. Once he was done talking he calmly removed Rennac's hand from his shoulder. Thankfully the Council of Masters kept his identity a secret, not revealing his true name or face, so with any luck this character would but far too smashed to remember him and this whole event could be removed from his memory. "Well met then, Rennac Shadowclaw. Since you seem able to throw a good time let me buy us a round." He then began moving towards the bar signaling the tender to ready a pair. Taking a seat he cleared a second for Rennac.

The Endless Struggle

Virathus may have heard the music if he didn't have his own playing through his headphones connected to his wrist computer. What did catch his attention was how lit up the bar was. He couldn't help but peek in to see what all the commotion was about. He took off his headphones and peered inside seeing his would-be charge apparently leading this raunchous, drunken song. Unable to keep in his shock he muttered the words, "Hunter's Mercy." Under his breath. For a few moments he stood by the door watching this Wolkar man make an ass of himself. Though the folks around him didn't seem to mind and the bartender was making a killing, so he allowed it to continue unabated.

The Endless Game

For the historical record... Here you go! Species Name: Litharians Human Ancestry: N Racial Orientation: Extreme emphasis on technological advancement. Interest and advancement in Psionics and Biological Manipulation. Homeworld Type: The Litharian homeworld of Havatk is a natural marvel. The planet is covered in lush jungles that can reach up to 400 feet in height and thanks to an abnormal weather system a mountainous tundra can exist right next to a thriving jungle that is teeming with life. The day cycle being 32 standard hours with an even spread of night and day, the day being lit up by the bright blue sun that Havatk orbits. Physiology: The Litharian race is reptilian in genis, having a low digigrade form of legs with a soft spike coming off of each joint, like knee and heel plates. Their feet are a form of two toed, clawed foot that has a sort of natural back appendage that acts as a heel. The torso is covered in chitin plates that form a sort of natural armor in the form of overlapping “Vs”. The arms follow the same suit of chitin plates that move to form a standard set. The hands are very human-like in the respect of how they have four fingers and a thumb with the same knuckle count, only each finger is tipped with a pointed claw. The head of this race has a scaled set of lips that are rather rigid and form a staggered mouth line. The chin forms a rather defined jaw line that wraps around to the nonexistent ears. The eyes are normally reptilian that can range from white to red to green to blue to orange to black in color scheme. The “hair” of this race is a form of horns or head spikes or tuffs that can take hundreds of different forms from fins down the back to horns that curl back around to give bull points. Litharians breathe the standard oxygenated mixture that is rather common with other interstellar species. Thanks to a hunter like culture system the Lithrain race is well adapted to activity making them well suited to fast running, tenacious fighting, and the ability to take a punch and keep on punching. The most noticeable feature of the Litharians physical aspect is their incredible endurance and advanced sense of sight. Another noticeable feat is their dense muscle structure. This doesn’t make them super strong, but a “ripped” Litharian wouldn’t look “jacked”, but more like a toned man thanks to the tight muscle fibers. Government Type: The Litharian Government is similar to a feudal structure but with definite caste influence. The governmental structure consists of a set of five leaders. The first being the Master of War, also known as the Master of the Hunt; his/her job is to organize, plan, and command the military might of the Litharians. The second is the Master of Structure, also known as the Master of the People; his/her job is to oversee, work with, and organize the civilian population of the Litharians. The third is the Master of Others, also known as the Master of Allies; his/her job is to manage, negotiate, and work with other races and species to make and manage allies. The fourth is the Master of Eyes, also known as the Master of Spies; his/her job is to make sure that any secret the enemy has is known to the rest of the masters. The fifth is the Master of Advancement, also known as the Master of Science; hi/her job is to study, research, and create new and wondrous things for the Litharian populous. This collective is known as the Council of Masters. For one to succeed a master the master must pick an apprentice from one of the members in their field of domain. From very early on the apprentice is chosen and for decades the apprentice stays at the master’s side learning everything they can before finally taking their role as the new master when the old one retires, dies, or is otherwise indisposed. Should a master be seen as unfit for service the other masters can vote to remove the master in question replacing him with a new accolade that is deemed most worthy and not the previous master’s apprentice to avoid a succession of an equally unworthy man. Under each master is a hierarchy so all the responsibility doesn’t fall on just one man. This structure exists with two Sub-masters, and under each Sub-master is five Journeymen, and then under each Journeyman are ten Apprentices. After the Apprentices a collection of sub-ranks that varies depending on the master’s position: the Master of War having Generals, Majors, Privates, etc. The Master of Structure having Senators, Overseers, Mayors, etc. History: The Litharain history is a tale of creation over adversity. The Litharians were at first a group of organized hunters, fighting, hunting, and gathering on their homeworld to simply survive and live. As the centuries pasted they advanced and made ideas into reality, making cities, and car, and planes to help make life on a hostile planet easier and more civil, but the call of the hunt would never leave. As time went on the idea of hunting became a rite of passage, a test of skill, and above all a way of life. Friends would spend days in silence talking only through body language and silent gestures, lovers leaving for months to live together courting through games of spear and rifle, or dispute being settled over who could bring back the most dangerous prize. This persisted up until the modern day where a code of honor through the hunt became law; making a society that respected and honored one another. Several centuries later the Litharians reached out to the stars and as their understanding grew, so did their knowledge, before long practical space travel became a reality and before long colonies on new worlds and interstellar travel expanded their reach. Finding only new hunting grounds and homes they continued to expand and thrive. To ensure the success of the future the Council of Masters was formed to regulate and manage the growing empire that was the Litharian people. One of the most defining moments in Litharian history was the discovery of their first intelligent race on a planet later known as Cathidet. A dangerous and hostile world where everything seemed to have been evolved to kill, maim, and consume. Amid the carnage they found the Karadon race and though relations didn’t start on good ground, they saw past their differences and became allies, taking the Karadons to the stars and over the next few centuries became closer allies and friends that the only word that could be used is family. The two races basically became one and together they began advancing to the technological juggernaut they now are. For the Karadons, the Litharians found that their genetic structure was a marvel of nature and began giving them natural abilities that would make the race all the more evolved and powerful. For the Litharians, technology was a road that would give them the power that nature denied them. Advanced materials gave them safety, the discovery and weaponization of plasma gave them strength, and the knowledge of the universe gave them abilities unlike any seen before. Cloaking for the hunters, warp travel for the colonists, and for the people, new medicines and chances that Havatk could never provide. It was then that the Litharians began their focus down the technological route, focusing on harnessing the wonders of plasma and the synthesizing of new stronger materials. As the years passed and the secrets came to fruition, plasma became a necessity for the Litharian race, fueling their ships, powering their weapons, and providing light in their homes. With power then came discovery, new materials created from the old ones gave the Litharians lighter, stronger, better materials to make armor, ships, and new types of homes able to withstand the dangers other planets would have in store. It was only in the past few centuries that other intelligent and spacefaring races were discovered, some peaceful allies, others formidable foes. War and peace became a persisting event that only spurred further advancement, making better weapons, better armors, and new ways of warfare that were never know before. Psionics, a frightening new threat found in other space faring races dawned and created a new field of learning. As time passed, so did understanding now the Litharian populous knows of the strength in the mind, learning new ways to shape the galaxy with mere thoughts. Today the Litharian race has a solid place in the galaxy still striving to find new allies, hunt new prey, and become a power that teaches honor to all who exist. The current hierarchy consists of Master of War Karasis, who came to succession when his master retired. Master of Structure Jutaric, who came into power when her master retired. Master of Others Hitharis, who came into place when his master passed away of natural causes. The Master of Eyes Xilanthis, who came into power when the pervious Master of Eyes was removed after being convicted of treason. The Master of Advancement Nithurk, who came into his place of knowledge after his master was killed in a lab experiment. Species Name: Karadon Human Ancestry: N Racial Orientation: Biological Manipulation and Breeding Homeworld Type: Cathidet, a huge barren world made of deserts and mountains. The day cycle of Cathidet is 56 Standard hours, but thanks to the three blazing suns 48 of those hours are lit up with scorching sunlight, making patches of shade a rare occurrence. Only in the crooks of mountains can plant life go, making most of it’s inhabitants carnivorous killers. The world is a well-known death world, recommended to be avoided at all costs. Physiology: If ever there was a warrior race, this would be it. The Karadon race is a bipedal, humanoid bunch with thick scaled skin, similar to a few kinds of dinosaurs or komodo dragons. The skin being quite resilient to forms of impact. Two digigrade legs and standard arms, with three toed clawed feet and five fingered clawed hands. Four eyes, usually a primary color and slitted and a wide mouth built for carnivorous eating. Their heads are covered in scales and can have a variety of horn patterns ranging from a collection of spikes, much like a porcupines back to devil horns that can extend a few feet. They have tails that are just thick, beefy muscle ended with a bony mass to act as a club, usually about seven feet long in total. The race themselves have no distinguishable features between male and female other than females tend to have wider, more flat tails with a smaller bone mass at the end. Karadons average between 10-12 feet in height and are stacked with dense muscle. Their brains are somewhat underdeveloped and more primal compared to other intelligent races, but they still possess the ability of speech, tool construction, and tactical sense. Karadons breathe a standard oxygenated mix common with interstellar species, but having grown up on a dusty and desert based planet, their lungs have a sort of natural filter. It doesn’t do much for fine chemicals and pathogens, but it helps them to operate at peak efficiency in swirling dust and sand storms. Karadons are a very versatile race genetically, able to have their genetic structure modified and easily change to make new forms of Karadons. With the assistance of the Litharians, the Karadons have been modified and introduced to other genetic materials to change them physically. This would add spikes to the backs and arms of some, or increase the size of others to 20+ feet. In the more internal side, certain modifications allow some Karadon’s the ability to breathe underwater or breathe a flammable gas that can be lit with “sparkers” in their mouths. Usually these modifications are not compatible so a fire breathing Karadon most likely can’t breathe underwater. Government Type: Karadon’s don’t have a government system of their own. It is more of a tribal structure with castes and sects banding together to survive and hunt with no real hierarchy or leadership. True, an Alpha usually takes a leader position of a pack, but his authority is only for that pack. When the Litharians came and integrated with them, the Karadons found many places within Litharian culture. Whether as soldiers, bodyguards, pack-men, or even family members to some. History: The history of the Karadons is nothing to intricate; through several millennium they have survived and evolved on their homeworld fighting against the dangers that infest it. It wasn’t until the Litharian race discovered Cathidet and upon reaching its surface that the Karadons began to advance at a rapid rate. Joining the Litharians on their ships and utilizing their technology did they find a place among the galaxy. In the few hundred years that they have been integrating themselves with another race so different from their own, a sort of symbiotic relationship has formed, making Karadons and Litharians are frightful force.

The Endless Struggle

Hero Name: Virathus Xarcurak Alignment: Member of the Reaper Caste under the joint leadership of Master of War Karasis and Master of Eyes Xilanthis Physiology: Litharian, trained in the Psionic arts, specifically for anti-psionic intrusion and offensive psionic attack. Psychology: Virathus is rather easy going, having a sort of “don’t care” attitude. Not to say he is detached or lazy, just that he is ready to deal with the consequences of an action. That being said he knows that focus, alertness, and dedication make a good soldier, so when the need comes he can put on a serious face to accomplish his objective. But when the uniform isn’t on he does know how to crack a joke and enjoy a good drink with good company. Suspected psychological trauma from losing both parents at age 19, but no evidence to a lasting trauma has been turned up. Appearance: Virathus is a Litharian with a light grey skin, with black and white highlights running along his torso and limbs. With a pair of “dragon’s horns” and a set of light red eyes he looks somewhat intimidating. Along his body lie a collection of scars, a group of small ones running along his left side and arm from knee to shoulder and a large one across with right breast plate going from right shoulder to mid torso. A fit and toned body he is a trained fighter with an affinity for leave. Status: Harbinger in the 7th Reaper Caste Items of Note: While a member of the Reaper Caste with access to advanced armor and weaponry, he does have a few personal items to replace the standard issue armaments Custom OMEN Class Plasma Sniper Rifle (Modified by Virathus himself) - Modified with a special scope that has Thermal, Night, UV, Infrared, Psionic, and Bio-Material Vision - Advanced round fire chamber able to fire Incendiary, Electro-Dispersion, Explosive, Tracer, and Rail Rounds (Tracer rounds are not plasma charge based and must be loaded in physically unlike the other types.) [Electro-Dispersion Rounds can be adjusted for voltage ranging from riot shock to “fry them from the inside out.”] - Front barrel can be folded over turning the sniper into an assault rifle, reducing range, ballistic speed, plasma density, and some ammo types, but gains increased rate of fire. (Retains Incendiary, Electro-Dispersion, and Tracer rounds as special ammo types.) Custom “Scythe” CQC Tool (Made by Virathus himself) - Transforming CQC power weapon with Dagger, Sword, and Spear forms. - Blade is energized by a plasma projection field that covers the blade, giving it a strong shell to make powerful and precise attacks. Standard Reaper Armaments: Reaper Class Special Operations Armor - Powered full body armor existing of nanite weave and Firadium plates (An alloy with properties similar to graphene.) with an energy dispersion field for electrical and dispersion based weapons. - Full heads-up display with INTCOM integrated communications systems. A system of plasma jets on the armor allow for rapid bursts of speed allowing wearers of the armor to “dash.” (Jets are not designed for prolonged flight, but can be used for “power jumps” and “Gliding”) - Tactical meshes along the armor allow for the ability to carry a collection of Reaper Class gadgets and tools - Integrated WRAITHE Class Cloaking Field. Field protects from ocular, thermal, and Psionic levels of vision. (Psionics can still detect presences if they are mentally searching for another life form, just can’t see them.) WITNESS Class Tracer Packs - Each Tracer Pack contains five Tracer Rounds that can be fired from your standard OMEN Class Plasma Rifle BYPASS Wrist Infiltration Device - Standard attachment to the Reaper Class Armor designed to have a collection of tools for various forms of infiltration and insertion. - Plasma welder tool that can be adjusted to welding or cutting. - Glue Cord Emitter for applying objects to otherwise non-sticky surfaces. - Connection cable for technological infiltration. STILETTO Class Plasma Dagger Grenades - Handheld plasma based explosives with an attached power spike to attachment to targets, walls, or vehicles. KINDLE Class Applicable Burning Agent - A container of applicable foam that can stick to surfaces with ease, when ignite with a plasma spark of some form (usually the BYPASS’ welding tool) it burns at a temperature of over 4,000 degrees Celsius making it an excellent tool for burning holes in doors, fences, thin walls, or floors SABRE Class Power Weapon - Reaper standard is the SABRE Power Short Sword. About two and a half feet in length this powered weapon emits a plasma shell around the blade enhancing it in combat. The blade itself can deploy and return into the hilt for easier transport. PRISM Class Target Containment Unit - The PRISM is a marvel of Litharian technology able to dissolve a target on an atom level and then absorb the free flowing matter into the 3 inch cube for safe and easy transport. Cube will only accept one individual or object at a time as the memory core can only remember how to reconstruct one unit at a time. OMEN Class Plasma Sniper Rifle - Front barrel can be folded over turning the sniper into an assault rifle, reducing range, ballistic speed, plasma density, and some ammo types, but gains increased rate of fire. (Retains Incendiary, Electro-Dispersion, and Tracer rounds as special ammo types.) - Round firing chamber that can generate and fire Incendiary, Electro-Dispersion, and Explosive rounds. Tracer rounds can also be fired, but must be loaded in manually. - Scope with Thermal, Night, and Infrared Visions. MAGNUM Class Plasma Pistol - Special Plasma pistol with an advanced firing chamber that can generate and fire Incendiary, Electro-Dispersion, and Explosive rounds. - Equipped with a tactical rail for applying an assortment of attachments from flashlights, to laser dots, to front barrel mounts such as power bayonets and plasma dispersion modules. BURST Class Weapon Module - Generally applied to the MAGNUM Class Plasma Pistol this module releases a short range burst of heated plasma in a wide cone. Range - ~30 feet, Diameter at peak ~10 feet.

The Endless Struggle

Litharian Galactic Date 5371-222 Virathus was having a pretty good morning all things considered. The beautiful blue sun of Havatk was coming up over the horizon and he had a splendid view from his house up on the Northern Mountain city of Thurus. Toast in hand he took a few steps out onto the balcony to breathe in the crisp air. Just about to enjoy another peaceful morning when his INTCOM began to ring, curious he went back inside taking another bite while answering the COM-call. A few moments in and his content smile vanished. Once the call was ended he finished his piece of toast in two bites and jogged upstairs to his room, getting decent and grabbing with jacket, SCYTHE, and OMEN. IT was time to go to work. Litharian Galactic Date 5371-223, Planet Havatk, Capitol City Shalruk, Reaper Caste Barracks. Virathus was just walking out of the briefing, not entirely sure what to make of it. A mission is a mission but this one was supposed to be accompanied by an ambassador of another space faring race, not exactly your average operation. Your assignment is your assignment though, best not question, complain, or debate it. He threw his pack and armaments on a bunk that he claimed prior to the briefing. It was a few days till the ship would be ready and it's not everyday you get to come to the capitol, mind as well make the most out of it. Taking SCYTHE and his civilian jacket we made his way out of the barracks and to the streets. No real direction, just a curiousity to find something to keep him busy.

The Endless Game

"I know my men. You having nothing to fear." The Master of Eyes said reassuringly. "I know of one man that I trust in particularly. I will contact him and make sure he is ready withing the day." The Master of Structure chimed up next, "I will commission a civilian ship to act as your transport and vessel of operations as well as retrofit it with the communications systems required for a secure channel." "Be ready Young Rennac Shadowclaw of Clan Shadowclaw. We will contact you once preparations are finished. May your hunt be bountiful." The Master of Others finished pressing a few buttons on his desk to open the large doors and wrap up the meeting. Litharian Galactic Date 5372-226, Planet Havatk, Palace of the Masters. Preparations for the cooperative mission to track down and capture the Traitor Klith are finished, Emissary Rennac and Harbinger Virathus of the 7th Reaper Caste are summoned to the Arkthurias Memorial Space Port to begin the operation. This information is not disclosed to the public.

The Endless Game

Karasis lashed at Rennac for that remark, "My men are not uncultured brute to be labeled by savages like-" "Enough Karasis. While I agree with you, we do have the Reaper Caste. This is the kind of mission they live and breathe for and it should go a way to satisfy our guest considering they are equal parts mine as your's." Xilanthis said making sure he didn't offend the emissary too much, again. Karasis was about to make a harsh retort given he was interrupted again, but decided that Xilanthis had a point. This was a job better suited to a Reaper than a Karadon. "I shall chose one of my best to accompany you. It is through him that our channels shall be open. As for working with the Wolkar Information Service, I shall create a channel to coordinate. I move to vote in favor of a cooperative effort to bring the traitor Klith back to justice." The Master of Eyes continued, raising his right. The Master of Structure was the next to vote, raising her right. Following close behind was the Master of War, raising his right. Then came the Master of Advancement, raising her right. Shockingly the Master of Others raised his left saying, "We should trust our Wolkar brethren to act on the best intentions. I do not like the sounds of this escort you propose." "The vote favors the cooperative. Have you anything to add Emissary Rennac Shadowclaw of Clan Shadowclaw?" Inquired the Master of Eyes.

The Endless Game

"While I appreciate your suggestion, I know my business. Klith has made no venture to selling Litharian secrets at a public forum, even one as slimy and rotten as Shad-noir." The Master of Eyes said sternly. "He isn't your average bandit, comfortable taking Phire from peasants. He knows that he is worth far more." "But of course if you are so willing to buy our secrets, I see no reason why you should not be hired." Xilanthis turned to his fellow masters, "I do not trust him or the Wolkar. It would be too easy for his race to exploit this event." "Then what would you have us do Xilanthis? Leave Klith alone to do what he pleases?" Master of Structure Jutaric scolded. "Far from it, I propose we send one of our own with the Emissary to cooperate in the search and detainment of the traitor. This will give us the best of both worlds and keep my mind at peace knowing they can't simply run off with him." "I have several candidates who would be willing and their sense of honor will over power this coward's." Master of War Karasis added, unable to retain his distain for bounty hunters.

The Endless Game

Master of War Karasis seemed as though he had a few choice words to say, but held his tongue. Instead Master of Others Hitharis chimed in, "On behave of the masers I wish to apologize for yesterdays little event. Master of War Karasis means well, even if he doesn't always speak it." Giving a shallow bow at the end." "This isn't an ideal situation, but I don't believe we have deceived the Alpha Council in any sense of the word. This still remains a diplomatic mission. We seek to find if the Wolkar can be assist us in this matter discreetly before we advance our intents further." Master of Structure Jutaric added. "As for the possibility of diplomatic payment, we are more than ready to accomodate." Master of Others Hitharis finished.