GourmetItalia

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

@ Fern - The color choices are an interesting case because they match each character's personality. I personally feel that a character like Dae suits well with dark crimson red while Ash is a nice light blue to signify more discipline. The green works well with Corisande because she's not quite a soldier or trained fighter, but a utilitarian armorer with a ridiculous knack of an innovator - savant.

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

@ Fern - Having fun with the colors? I know I did! ;^P

The characters splitting up will definitely be more organic this time around because 1) We'll all have the Titanpad links, 2) Use the OOC as a means for sharing and communicating ideas, and 3) Have a larger and somewhat more accessible locations than just the Chateau that turned a flame.

@ DJ - The first OOC post is actually a good reference for the current cast of writer's/player's characters if you'll just scroll to the bottom of the first post's. When I do update the First OOC post, you'll find that there'll be more information about the factions, locations, and characters as well as brief summaries about what happened in the first episode.

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@ Everyone - We will have the Titanpad links ready along with an updated list of all the essential NPCs and locations by tomorrow.

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

@ Peik - Yes, there's probably going to several avenues, in which characters will decide to part ways. It's interesting because we will be able to see how each character interprets the events as they unfold starting from before the War of Sarifen Agression all the way to the present. Each character has suffered through immense tragedy at the hands of power-hungry aristocrats or corrupt rulers that were able to retain and in some cases, expand their influence at the expense of others. This is what happened shortly after a time period known as the Age of Nobles, which was preceded by the Age of Darkness. We have a cast of characters whose influence could very well swing in many directions given that there isn't any sort of clear definition for black or white. As the story unfolds, there's going to be shades of grey and each character's perspective really adds a unique element to the story. A change in scenery would only add to this in the coming future and expand on this beautiful world 8)

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

@ Peik - I have an idea of how that could probably work out well and in the present in the future. Due to the circumstances, it's going to very difficult, but not impossible for every character to pursue their own own agenda given how the Lord Regent Conqvist was able to mass invite all the high profile targets into one area and somehow cause great harm against them in one epic fell swoop. The Lord Regent has his own plans and his cleverly orchestrated scheming was instrumental in efficiently stealing Korkud's horses and possessions.

This is where collaborating scheming with the other writers would probably make for some interesting developments and preparations against such dangerous opponents like Conqvist or Emperor Aryanpour, who have many assets, ambitions, and resources at their disposal. Such schemes with the other writers would also certainly complicate and in some cases, completely derail the certain conspiracies in the characters' favor and completely reverse some outcomes that would normally greatly favor the antagonistic characters.

As such it's not a bad idea to separate than to stay together in one massive group! I do advocate and encourage that for this current episode, the characters remain in Voltas until sometime late in the episode or the very beginning of Episode 3. I promise that this episode will go by a lot more quickly than the last one and that we'll be reaching Episode 3 before you all know it!

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

@ Fern - What sort of colors other than white work better on grey? I feel like light gold or a lighter color like light blue might be the sweet spot, hehe.

Also, I'll admit that I've been working on including a bigger role for both Ash and Cori. We know that Cori is an armorer and shifting towards a genius inventor role. She's the one that crafted Uriel's armor, hence why he's called the armored man in the Iron Mask!

As for Ash, I did have a post written

@ DJ - Going to be lots of room for killing and if you want blood, in the next episode you'll have all the blood you can spill. I can say for certainty that in this coming episode, we'll need a thousand Balthazars and ... currently we only have one ;P.

@ Peik - I agree with you in that the collaborations were good via PMing, but that since all the Titanpad boards were rather isolated and confined to multiple arcs, that left for limited interactions between all the writers. I'll admit that it was my fault for letting this come around and that I do apologize for miscommunications or the delayed posting activities. We've all written phenomenal pieces and more activity and frequent posting will let us ... gasp ... give the story justice to where we will actually finish it!

@ Everyone - Time zones really do make a bit of difference especially since we're all awake at different times of the day. I'm really humbled by all your participation and am in favor of including more of our story discussions here and not on the Titanpad. I'll encourage and make it an utmost priority to use the OOC as a means of communication and not the Titanpad because I feel like this is a much more robust area for communication.

Many stories don't actually get a chance to flesh out and if you've seen RoleplayerGuild's large story graveyard, it's depressing. We'll never reach that point, thankfully and I think that we've got a phenomenal corps of writers and characters.

It was been my intention to really make Altaea feel like it's in the Late Middle Ages, but I've realized that it's got a Middle Renaissance - Early Modern period vibe. I've also realize that there must be room for more interaction and so far, I don't intend for the story-direction to be linear or one-dimensional. I wanted to keep the story confined to certain section within Voltas, the former Valanian capital so as to keep all the characters together and allow for more interaction and growth, but I'd like to know all your two cents about all this. This next episode will allow for huge opportunities and several major plot developments that may possibly change the future for centuries to come.

I'll have some updates on the First OOC post since it seems overdue for an update. You guys and gal are great and so far, it's been a blast writing with all you in Altaea.

This is what I have in the bullet points for improvements if you feel a case of tldr:

- You're all awesome and phenomenal writers
- Titanpad links for all the collaborative pads
- References to all the Factions, Important Characters, Incidents, and Historical Events
- More discussions about Characters and Collaborations here in the OOC
- More Frequent Posts while retaining Quality without massive 10 paragraph pieces
- Additional Combat Opportunities
- Clearer Narratives

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

@ Nevis - I'm flattered about the fact that you're ready to move forwards! Rest assured, I really appreciate your thoughts and well ... I'll admit that after a lengthy time period; events, people, and places do get lost to memory so I will be adding another section and link to give a better reference for everything! There's some information on the First OOC Post that requires updating and sections within Character Tab that could use some life. I just wanted to know what would be easier; confining information pertaining to character in the characters while reserving information about events, factions, and locations in the First OOC Post or would lopping everything in the First OOC Post be more beneficial? I feel like some of the included information has little to no relevance to the current story while other areas require more descriptions. There was more emphasis on the Sororitas Melitas along with the other factions that have since taken a back-burner to the main storyline. As such, I will be removing some information and adding others for a better take of the story.

What are all your thoughts on the story's pacing and the way that the first episode fleshed out? What do you want to see more of in Episode 2 and what elements of Episode 1 didn't seem very likeable?

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

Good day to everyone!

Now that Episode 1's been wrapped up, I figured this was as good of time to touch base with you all. I wanted to really discuss the whole experience of Altaea.

First, I appreciate the activity, outside of the thread whether it's through responding to my messages through Skype, PMing, or Titanpad.

Second, I wanted to know your thoughts on the way the story is unfolding and I realize that long posts can sometimes make for novel-enduced tldr.

The story's been moving steadily and even though the past year's been slow, we've been making ground on the plot. I've been doing my best to scale back on post length to make sure that all the material is readable and digestible enough to make for a pleasant read. My original goals were to allow for all writers to come together, collaborate independently, share experiences, and to scheme together with common goals to expand the story and bring in constant crossovers between between the major and subplot. I've realized that delays, large gaps of inactivity, and lengthy posts have really prolonged the first episode more than it should've so I'll admit fault there.

Thus far, we've all managed the journey and before we open into the new episode, I am open to any personal gripes, confusion, or clarification about the story's unfolding narrative. I'm all ears as to how I can make for a much more positive and gripping experience within Altaea!

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

The Descent

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Boluk-Bushi Untirr Thaksin had been through countless engagements throughout several wars and had not survived this long to have left his men to die. When the ceiling came crashing down, it happened with such fury that it left less than several unforgiving moments for his brother subordinates to find cover. Miraculously, the nobleman that had proven instrumental to their counter-attack once again reaffirmed his worth through wisely alerting Untirr in time for the officer to issue necessary precautions before himself finding cover.

The Nezamni subordinates followed orders exactly as specified and to the letter without complaint or unnecessary delays. Such was expected of the soldier corps that commanded the respect of countless Sarifen Emperors and their Aryanpur descendents. They left no man behind and within reason, considered each other equals to where an understanding of duty to the Emperor of Sarife, self-discipline, and an oath to their Zendricaanist sect were valued above many other responsibilities.

The ghastly shades had proven somewhat of an unexpected development that had mostly prevented their demise. As a commanding officer of his orta, Untirr had ordered the surviving men to bring the wounded towards the cellar opening where it was determined that they would initiate their last stand. Cellars were known to withstand the worst of collapsing buildings while serving as an impenetrable refuge against numbers six to seven times their own.

With luck, they could at least tunnel their way through while a rear party withstood the cellar's chokepoint from the warring, traitorous Azads and their swine. They rushed through the opening to find the brave Valanian that had aided their efforts against the Baktrian Azads sprawled across the floor alongside an assembly of his companions and a battered opening leading someways downwards. An alternative route into the Voltisian depths had presented itself and seemed a much better outcome than previously expected.

“Nezamnis!” the officer shouted, “Those still able to walk, I want three formations assembled into separate rank and file. One, guarding the stairwell entrance, one wedging our middle as a reserve to guard our wounded, and one as an advanced party to the opening leading away. Inform the men to a wall of orderly retreat. Corbaci, what is the status of the wounded?”

“The dead were left where they fell, however we have recovered all of our wounded. The men are battered, but they will hold even without sufficient munitions.”

“Then we are in good hands, Corbaci. We will not leave until the last living brothers have escaped.”

Saluting, the Corbaci returned to issue orders amidst barked orders and hand gestures that sent the men into triple lined formation. Within mere moments, the remaining Nezams had quickly formed three solid ranks. In orderly fashion, the soldiers peeled away as one rank offered cover, while the others retreated towards a more defensible position. Despite operating under rapidly descending, fumes, the covering retreat unfolded without complications and in minutes, the maneuvers happened in a very short time period. The warrior aristocrat had found his way into the cellar passage where the commander and the last Nezamnis offered acknowledging nods.

“You of the Noble order,” Untirr firmly addressed as he beckoned an arm forwards, “We are retreating through that opening and we hope you will find your way out. We will not stop otherwise.”

The survivors movements and strained expressions only offered a modicum of comfort as the ear splitting screeches and the pulsating shades suddenly faded. The entire cellar engulfed into a mess of clouded fumes and wall licking blazes. The fumes filled the cellar in a noxious cloud and plunged the entire underground dwelling into a sea of yellowing flames. The remaining Nezamnissaries had wasted no time in withdrawing moments before the flames arrived, however, several straggling and aristocrats screamed or toppled to the floor as the flames wholesomely consumed them.

Then, as if by supernatural intervention, the fumes licked even further to spread across the cellar passage. There was little mercy given how rapidly the fumes retched upon the survivors. As if matters couldn't worsen, a lingering stench of moss, bile, feces, and the deities knew what else had begun to fill the air. They journey had brought the lot through the sewers and it quickly proved evident that if the fumes failed to suffocate their existence, the stench surely would.

Long ago, the hindsight of the reigns involving earlier Delacroix kingships had delivered an expansive sewer system that had coated the valley through which Voltas expanded. The aged Voltisian sewers had since fallen on immense disrepair and piled with horrific public sanitation fit not even for demons. They'd little choice and what was a simple intelligence eves-dropping had quickly culminated into a scramble for dear life and in lue of the murderous inferno, his eyes quickly swept across the quasi-national sight of disheveled survivors hailing from differing lineages both aristocratic and soldierly alike. There was little bickering amongst the Nezamnissaries, the defiant looking aristocrat amongst their retinue or the remaining Sarifens whilst most of the surviving Valanians not only eyed each other distrustfully and largely kept to themselves with the exception of Comtesse, whom appeared as irritated as she did another, shorter, albeit venemous looking female companion.

The assembled group largely fell silent silent as the sudden sounds of clattered footsteps, barked orders, and large rings of drawn steel filled the air. Those still able drew steel and fumbled about as anticipation towards immediately combat lingered. It seemed there was no end to this night and even after escaping one inferno, the fates only brought them into yet another. Another confrontation against heavily armed and directed Sarifens was surely one they wouldn't likely win and under the surface, it seemed that both Yadin-Hamon and Athirat had saved their end for a battle in filth ...

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Chapter 1: Episode 1 – In Fine Principium – Conclusion

What immediately followed proved incredibly unexpected as the survivng Nezamnissaries and few remaining, retainers amongst the aristocratic guests found themselves greeted by ... nothing ...

Gasping, Lucius raised his sword and exhaustively stalked ahead found himself staring down upwards towards a large drainage grill that offered a brief gust of fresh, albeit dank air that reeked of smoke and debris. A hand raised amongst the Nezamni commander as they heard movement from an opening above their heads.

Through wide eyes, the Prince glanced towards the ungainly sight of a small party of disheveled, aristocratic men and women stumble across the streets only to scream as a sea of arrows suddenly planted into their backs. Several young men of Sarifen descent cried for mercy only to find more arrows pierce their necks. The rest were cut down by arrows or blades from fast moving mounted cavaliers wearing Almain rivets similar to those worn by the Crown Watch. Clattered footsteps, barked orders, and metal clanks followed in their wake, announcing the arrival of yet another group of trained and armored foot soldiers.

“Tany ard tümen, uls orny mökhökh ni khezee ch boltugai,” a silky, albeit, heavily accented female voice affirmed from atop a mounted saddle.

“Bénédictions du Athirat et Yadin – Hamon, honorés Kheshig,” a female voice politely addressed. Torchlight flickered as the female figure stepped into the light to resemble a steel plated lady wearing raven dark hair and a commanding expression. Her arriving retinue consisted of a gathering of other, ladies wearing similar plates and. as she glanced towards the broken and bloodied bodies, “I would assume zat your actions were justified in dispatching those innocents? We are treading through uncharted grounds and carrying ourselves across a matter that is beyond our calling. I assume this ees a good reason our sisters were dispatched in the Crown Watch's stead, oui?”

“We do not share your value in peasants that treat their own like cattle and feel it as every reason that it is wise to exact justice as seen fit. At the very least, you should know that if tigers eat at each other, Grand Master; both you and your Lord Sovereign must set an example as is required of you. It will soon concern your fate as do all creatures and kingdoms laying beneath treading horse hooves.”

The sounds of whistles, multiple directives in a foreign language, whips, and loud horse neighs soon followed suit as the ground with horse gallops and steel clanks. The mounted horsemen and women headed in the direction of what appeared to be loud weeping. Several wails escaped amongst various sole female survivors whom tearfully mulled over amongst their slain aristocratic lovers as they were dragged atop the horses and carried away into the night. The cries soon drowned into the background as the sound of rumbling ballista fire, cries of triumph in Emperor Aryanpour's name, and faint, distant cannon fire drowned out the fading horse neighs.

“Best not question the Lord Sovereign's directives, Eugenia,” another nearby figure murmured through the clattering footsteps, “Our exchanges yesterday were suspicious enough. And of course … there's more o'them than you.”

“Cela està juste titre, Bastien,” the Lady Grand Master answered, “I'm well aware of the territorial hand over involving our little charade and I must complement your theatrics. Our arrangement involving the brothels spells that they aren't merely whore houses, but locations to train more sisters in waiting. A mutual partnership for which we may keep more of our numbers under the guise of prostitution.”

“Une varicelle sur toi,” the pocked-marked street ganger remarked as he too stepped into the torchlight, “All in a day's swoiree ... then again ... that part about my ... ehm ... farking was a little 'arsh, no?”

“Au contraire, Bastien,” Eugenia sighed as more plate wielding sisters quickly made their way through the streets, “I find your words regarding his late Sovereign Lothair equally vile! Par jambe atrophiée de mon gammer! That one murderer got away, didn't she?”

“Far as I'm aware, yes,” the pock-marked Bastein grumbled, “Salope! Made usurping le gambers colporteurs mob a 'erible mess. Oh … and you should know that your sister's bolts almost killed several of my own boys.”

“Oh, but it happened for a reason and was enough to hunt down the bastard le gambers mob to a man. At the very least, it seemed convincing enough, did it not? I am as short on time now as I was previously and it's best that we speak in the morning. For now, please survive the night...”

“Never … again ...” the ganger mumbled sternly as the Grand Master barked strict orders and departed into the night alongside several complements of disciplined Melitan Sisters. Grumbling the scarred ganger sorted amongst the slain aristocratic corpses and seized trinkets and gold before stalked into a dark alley leading into the Merchant's Quarter Walls. For a while longer, the gutter grill opening brimmed with clattered footsteps and horse gallops rang out through the cobbled streets ...

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Episodial Conclusion

During the harrowing moments below the surface, the surviving men and women of differing heritage, backgrounds, and social standings had somehow managed to support each other in a glimmer of humanity. The filth proved more than they could bear, however, given the circumstances, there was little they could do, but wait out the violence, distant chants, armed deployments that raged from above.

The footsteps and gallops fell silent sometime into the night and after a time, the Nezam Commander's hand gestures quickly brought the Nezams to action as they peeled into formation towards a sewer tunnel directly under the grill and away from the Noble's Quarter. As the remaining Nezamnis began to reassemble their ranks and retrieve their wounded, the other survivors quickly following suit. Their headcount proved incredibly paltry compared to their more populous retinues only hours before and their shattered expressions spoke of hardship and trauma in the hours and days ahead.

Amongst their retinue, their colleague Daedhel L'Fevre had somehow managed to have supported the ailing, albeit alive Councillor Gisgo whilst emerging unscathed alongside a beautiful, albeit steely eyed lady aristocrat and her servant. Some paces ahead of the rest, the man in the iron mask, Uriel had managed to guide the survivors through the sewers where all, save the Nezamnissaries themselves, looked to him with weary desperation and guidance.

Several paces away, the Al-Mayrin seer, Onatha, appeared heavily exhausted, yet otherwise alive having proven more than her worth to uncover various necessary truths that would've otherwise remained hidden within the defiling Banquet gathering. Without the towering man that now carried her, it was doubtful she would've survived the inferno and as one of the only surviving retainers of the once feared and respected Garde de Delacroix, Balthazar remained composed and reserved during the ordeal leading up to the harrowing exodus through within the Voltisian sewers. The sole Nezamnissary commander, Untirr, his remaining soldiers, and the defiant Sarifen aristocratic cavalier accompanying their retinue had immediately begun to compose themselves in preparation for the coming morning, despite having suffered severe casualties amidst a suicidal encounter that would've left most others dead.

Lucius proved amongst the last to inch forward and depart, having glanced back towards the grill opening, the smoke plumes that had begun to cloud the night sky, and the battle cries that hailed justice for Emperor Aryanpur. His eyes lit in fury as he glared towards yet another grill opening that offered a hazy, yet clear view of the Palais du Voltas. Through escaping the night's traumatic massacre and finding weary beyond belief, a spark set above the Prince's mind. There was still time and space to exact a blow of defiance against the vile pupeteers orchestrating above ground and it all started with a potential pre-emptive strike against the traitorous Lord Regent's own residence …

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

Hiya is right, Konica!

There is no honor in war ...

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Note: So ... I know it's been a stretch since the OOC's seen activity and given that we are communicating via Titanboard and Skype. I figured I'd take the time to make good use of communicating outside of PMs and I can say for certain that I already feel that there's going to be progress in many areas!

How is everyone holding up these days and what plans do y'all have for the 2016?!

𝒜𝑙𝘵𝒶𝑒𝒶: 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑔𝑒 𝓸𝘧 ℛ𝑒𝒱𝓸𝑙𝓊𝓉𝒾𝓸𝓃

Lucius Delacroix

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The descent proved just as terrifying as it was eerie and if ever there was a time in which he could not fathom the ghastly evidence of the supernatural, no other point in his life could quite match the present moment. Much remained unexplained, yet there stood one unquestionable realization and it stemmed from the reality that certain players had conspired to considerably lengths achieve their goals. When it would all end was when the Prince and his companions' fortunes finally dissapated or they somehow capitalized upon their sacrifices to escape this charade of a Banquet turned incendiary execution.

He couldn't imagine how his companion, Balthazar could muster the energy to move onwards, however, perhaps it was the reason the former retainer still lived. The ache that coursed through his body proved too much to bear and in them, Lucius felt his legs grow heavy as stones. The seer in his arms could barely walk, let alone move and it seemed that with every step, he too found himself facing a similar condition. It was fortunate Balthazar and Dae still remained in their stead or it seemed he would've stood utterly alone amongst the fates. In an unexpected gesture, the armored man offered an outstretched hand, however, the words that spilled out of his mouth sent a flashes of recognition through his mind and for a moment, the Prince believed he'd recognized a man he'd long believed dead.

The same words said on the night King Lothair and many great of the Kingdom's advisors and loyal retainers fell to assassins sent by none other than his own uncle. During that exact moment of suspicion, his hand wretched away in hesitation and in that moment, the Prince tottered as he felt his legs begin to buckle. His grip upon the seer began to slip as his balance began to wobble back and forth before a missed step that not only threatened to unbalance the armored young man, but sent him careening down the flight of stairs. Stars clouded his vision as he somehow managed to shield the brunt of the damage from Ona's way. Before he'd reached the cellar's bottom stairwell, he'd already determined he'd made a grave mistake, however, the deeds were done and nothing could change the fact that his body ached like never before.

"You'll excuse my idiocy, Uriel but I believe I can ... manage!" Lucius loudly lied amidst groans and pained gasps. His arms reached out towards his Al Mayrin companion, however, the adrenaline rush had begun to fade and immense exhaustion and aches began to overtake his muscles. His eyes glanced upwards as he found the smell of fumes descending from above. The pulsating shades had begun to fade as quickly as the ear-splitting screeches had begun to dim.

"You," he heard his towering former retainer voice, "You who suggested these tunnels. How long do they go on for?"

"Yes," Lucius grimaced, "I suppose perhaps you could offer guidance if you know of way through this spirits stockage otherwise I'm afraid this cellar will become our eternal resting place ..."