Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dragna the Claw 12-10-05, 02:47 PM	Naphira fell back onto her straw-stuffed cot, curled into a ball and tightened her fists. The shadows of the cell slid over her like a child’s blanket, but they could offer no warmth, nor give her the sustenance she craved. She’d been denied blood for almost a week and it grew harder and harder to fend off the Beast within. In a feeble attempt she knew would fail, Naphira shot a bolt of shadow at the cell door. It fizzled harmlessly. She was too weak. He was too strong. When the door suddenly opened, she fell off her bed in shock. A Lorfeign house guard, the first person she’d seen in days, stepped inside dragging something screaming behind him. Her eyes widened when she recognized a tiny human girl, no more than ten, kicking wildly. The guard threw her inside and glowered. “His Majesty would speak with you… as a proper, well-fed lady.” Then he turned and left, slamming the door behind him. Naphira was on the child in less than a second, not bothering to strike a major artery, but the first limb that desperately tried to deny her. She bit the milky, little fist and sucked till nothing was left. Good. Let me see him at full strength. I’ll tear his head off, crown and all. An hour later she was delivered a cleaned, crimson gauze dress that faded like sunset into indigo at the hem. With it she was afforded an exquisite veil of golden coins and an ermine shawl. It was her favorite ensemble, but how could Soziel know that? Coincidence, nothing more. She took her time dressing, making sure every detail reflected her nobility. Her braid was a little off without a mirror, but she dismissed it as unavoidable and wrapped the shawl high on her shoulders to cover the mistakes. Pressing down her garment once, she breathed deeply and released it in a low, vehement hiss. When the guard came again, he fumbled for words. Naphira’s eyes narrowed as his stare lingered a little too long, though she expected nothing less from such a low-born man. Her breath jingled the coins lightly, giving her voice an ethereal quality. “I’m ready.” Naphira followed him out of the dungeons and the shadows seemed to follow with her. She considered escaping several times as they made their way up spiral stone staircases, imagining her fist rammed clean through the lackwit’s torso, but the closer she came to her brother’s throne room the less she felt like bolting. Something wasn’t right, she knew, walking up into House Lorfeign proper and down the final hallway. Why wasn’t she running away? Her flesh crawled as she examined the intricate ironwork of the great double doors that separated her and her brother. “Enter.” A voice laughed. While beyond human ability to move, Naphira had little trouble pushing the doors open. Arching her back, breasts out, chin down, eyes firm and narrow, she walked into the throne room with all the shadows she could muster. Soziel had changed much of the vast, vaulted room, most notably having torn down every banner and effigy of their late parents and replacing them with his standard: a golden ram’s head with bleeding eyes. As she crossed the room toward the dais, she also noticed a new throne, thrice the size of their father’s, built of a smooth, steely metal in the shape of a hooked claw. Her brother lounged within its clutch, one leg flung over the arm, grinning. He still wore the choker she’d given him, but now he also wore a crown and imbedded within it a blood-red stone. Several vampires lingered around its base, amongst them Vivictus Mallus, former ruler of House Mallus, and the wench Noaka Gyhenna who sprung him free a week ago. Two towering creatures loomed behind the throne, but not even her eyes could penetrate the darkness that concealed them. “My lady sister,” Soziel chuckled, waving her closer. “Welcome to my court.” “Indeed,” She snarled, considering the best time to strike at him. He chuckled. “Don’t bother. You can’t hurt me now.” Naphira stepped forward defiantly. “I am your elder and bred of finer stuff. I will always be your better, however long you play king.” She trembled, realizing she’d lost her cool. Vivictus, his wizened face contorting, drew his gladius. “My lord, I would sooner cut out her forked tongue than hear it flap against you.” Soziel rose, provoking all but his sister to drop to one knee. “Don’t bother, Lord Mallus. It may be true she is part demon, but I am full vampire. And only a pureblood could ever wield the Goddess’s artifacts.” Soziel’s crown pulsated red, especially the bloody jewel in its center. Naphira jolted as an invisible force clamped around her. She lifted off the ground and floated to her brother, feeling a toy soldier in a child’s hands. He leaned in, smiling an inch from her face, and ran a sharp fingernail down her golden veil. In one flick he severed the soft metal and her veil fell. Even Soziel’s brow rose. “Such an exquisite sister I have.” He pressed his face alongside hers and whispered. “You could’ve been queen.” Naphira struggled to move, to breathe, to summon the shadows, but all failed her. A single tear of frustration crept into her eye, but she needn’t speak. In that dazzling look she revealed the epic hatred boiling within her. “But you wouldn’t have that, would you? I understand…” He turned his back on her, though the rest of the room couldn’t help but stare at the unmasked half-succubus. “In order for my new kingdom to succeed, we all must be united. You, I fear, are a free radical, sister. And I must squash all free radicals.” He glanced back. “Goodbye, Naphira. Give my regards to father.” Naphira Lorfeign’s last thought was an ardent hope one day Soziel would die screaming. The psionic force keeping her bound squeezed and she exploded in a rain of blood, organs, and ermine.
Lectus 12-10-05, 03:29 PM	(OOC: I'll have to add the bit about Lectus and his buds later on.) Thought was a blood fiend. The dream statement began this way, and it's ending... Well, since when did dreams have to end? One could take it to it's conclusion one night, only to reprise the same role at a later time. Dreams remembered while in the state of sleep were reflected upon as off a broken mirror, seeming to have repeated for decades or centuries, while only having just been born into existence. Was the blood fiend a temporary invention of a human, perhaps drowsy on the residue of five screaming saris, or the essence of vampiric conciousness itself? That was the puzzle that lay before him at life's end and death's beginning. This last feat would determine whether he'd be reborn, greater than ever, or cast aside, a failed experiment. On the borderline of his sphere of reckoning, he felt a storm, a triumvirate of forces closing in all around the vampire race, threatening it with oblivion. Cliffside had been saved by a triumvirate before, only now to fall victim to the same mistakes of fate that brought it to salvation. The fiend would have laughed if he had a body. At that same point in time, the King laughed as one with him, and the vision hit the blood fiend full in his mind's eye. Blood, gore, cloth fell to the ground as the King's sister was reduced to a bloody heap, her two-fold spirit spitting curses all the way to the pits of hell that awaited her. The King addressed his court with a few words, their exact meaning being inconsequential. The blood fiend spoke with him. The words weren't entirely under his control, and yet seemed as much his as they were the King's. The blood fiend was speaking! He was speaking, after having so long been silenced. He could talk, and communicate with the living. Except that the words were not his own, not by any stretch of the imagination. As he came to recognise the form and function of the words, he realised that that foppish, flamboyant wit was not his, it's nuances and mannerisms were in complete disalignment with what he would call his own. He then came to the realisation that he was now a prisoner in the mind of a foolish boy. The blood fiend began to rage, curse, howl to the high heavens at this revelation. At this, the boy King stopped his speech in midsentence, and seemed to introspect, if only for a moment. The blood fiend, in his bitter melancholy, allowed himself a small bit of surprise, that the boy King was even capable of such insight. It was then that he realised something else, the boy King was aware of him. If he howled, cursed, raged, the boy King felt it. This brought about another change of feeling from the fiend: Caution. Caution and hope. Therefore, the blood fiend was content, for the time being, to wait, watch, and listen. And plan, plan for his glorious resurrection.
Lectus 01-18-06, 07:13 AM	(OOC: Well, you can't say it isn't later on...) "Whatcha doin?" Came the nasty little voice over Lectus' shoulder. Had he not been painfully aware of the imp's presence, Lectus might've begun to think he'd gone mad. He'd asked that same question over and over again in his head since starting work on the signet ring, albiet not in the imp's mangy dialect. "I'm considering the best possible hex to use on an imp of the second order, while preparing a blood summons by use of this ring." Lectus turned from his work, removing his square rimmed spectacles, "You are an imp of the second order, correct?" "Ahm... I dunno." The imp said, switching his eyes away in uncertainty. "You better check with the Zekster on that." A slight tension at the corners of his lips hinted at the smile that almost was. "Well, as luck would have it, Zek isn't here. I'd hate to use the wrong hex, Brak, so at least keep your silence while I work." Without waiting for a reply, Lectus turned back to the table, slipping his spectacles back on. The table was bare, save for a few peices of parchment and small mortar bowl filled with hot, melted wax. A little way to the side of these items was a primitive blood sypher, full up on Lectus' own blood. He was about to reach for it when he heard Brak begin to hum. "Brak, Silence!" Lectus urged the imp without turning or raising his voice, "This is an extremely delicate procedure. If you ruin it, we all might as well be doomed." "Bahah," The imp just couldn't seem to resist a retort, "Always with the gloom and doom, well fine. I'm going up top to scope some moon bathers." Lectus could hear him muttering as he exited, flapping his wings heartily, "...Oughta be a million of 'em on this night..." The vampire waited a few moments before continuing. The summons had taken weeks to prepare, and then they'd had to wait for the moon cycle to reach it's climax. That had wasted them another two weeks. The summons was doubly effective when the moon was full, as was all blood magic. If all went as planned, the spell would compel any members of the great vampire houses to travel to Tirbuk. While the bloodstone would trump any blood magic of Lectus', any scions who'd happened to escape it's influence would still be affected. If any scions had. News of Lorfeign's coup had spread surprisingly slowly. Surprising because that house was not reknown for it's discretion. One almost expected them to scream their ascension to the high heavens, but that wasn't how it happened. The news began as a trickle, not even the high priest in Tirbuk was aware of what had happened. Lorfeign's leaders had called for a peace accord at Cliffside, and there was some buzz in the southern city surrounding this. Next came reports that the collected heads of the great households (with one notable ommision, Druclo Calalas, who'd sent Vinright in his stead.) had unanimously elected Lorfeign to be King of Cliffside, eschewing their family's rights and primacy in vampire society. That was all the news Lectus required to realise that Lorfeign had possession of the blood sigil. Now the only thing to hope for was the shade of a chance that some in or around Cliffside might have escaped the King's ironclad influence. It almost seemed hopeless, since as Lorfeign became accustomed to the sigil and it's properties, his influence and power would grow exponentially. Especially if he went on the move. But one had to try, and that's what Lectus was in the process of doing. Now confident that the imp had left him for good, Lectus took the sypher and placed it's tip over the bowl of melted wax, allowing a few drops to mingle with the thick liquid. The blood mage went on to ministrate his magic through psionics, bringing out the magical properties in his blood and melding them with the wax. The concoction inside the bowl began to stir, seemingly of it's own accord. Attempting to keep his focus, Lectus let another few drops fall into the wax, mentally reciting the names of the great houses for each drop. Calalas, Mallus, Dir, Delanthe, Drajltoc, Ruiz... and, almost as an afterthought, Lorfeign. At the last drop, he disengaged his mind so as not to corrupt the process with side thoughts, and put the sypher to the side. He let the bowl stir for a few more moments before taking it in hand and dripping a gob of the thick fluid onto the bottom right of the parchment. Then he took the signet ring adorned with the Calalas seal. Lectus had sent the high priest an anonymous missive, a copy of which laid to the side. It read as follows: To his Sanguine Holiness, Druclo of House Calalas, It's no doubt reached you that Lorfeign has taken control of Cliffside. The reason for this, as you might've suspected, is that Lorfeign has, due to a greivous error on my part, obtained the blood sigil. I regret to say that your son and possibly your daughter have died in their own attempt to retrieve the artifact. By use of the signet ring that I took from your son's body, I've arranged for the remaining scions of the great houses of Cliffside to arrive at your Tir'Buk manor. It is my hope that you welcome them. Now is a time for those remaining loyal to Lithna to band together in brotherhood, no matter what our background or history, and to put an end to this would-be King. I will surrender myself to your mercy at the same time as these scions arrive. It is my hope that you put me to as good a use as you do with the others. Lectus With one last sigh as he read over his message, he put the signet ring to the wax, sealing the summons. A few moments passed and nothing happened. Lectus began to get nervous. Then, at the very moment where he was going to turn away in disgust, a name appeared at the top of the parchment, then another, and another, until a name from house Lorfeign appeared at the very bottom. A rare smile graced Lectus' face. Their fellowship would be complete, and although the thought of confronting Calalas wiped most of the happiness from Lectus' visage, somehow, deep down, he knew that things would turn out to their favor on the morrow. With that positive bent to his mind, he went out to find Zek.
Dragna the Claw 01-18-06, 12:29 PM	Degradome spun on her head, a massive skull the shape of a top, flailing her tiny, naked body. She was smaller than an imp and danced along the banister as if it were a stage. Zek summoned the fetish an hour ago on the far end of the ship, more concerned than ever about who might discern his heritage. He’d overhead in port that King Soziel had placed massive bounties on all rebels’ heads, especially noble-born. “Come on, Deg. Do you know where Kal’Tas is or not?” He tapped his fingers against the wood, fighting the urge to flick her into the ocean. She giggled. “Mayyyybe.” He sighed. “Alright, fine. What’ll it cost?” Without missing a beat, she flipped upright and stood her full, six inches. “Your big toe. The left one.” Zek frowned, half-expecting such a request, and went about untying his boot. He fought to keep his balance on the rocking deck as he yanked it off and exposed his pale, naked foot. Degradome tried wiping her drool, but her arms were too short. “That’s right. Up here.” He winced as he slung his leg over the banister, his toes pointed toward the tiny fetish. With unabashed ecstasy, she embraced his foot in a passionate hug and wrapped her lips around his big toe. Her subsequent noises made the vampire shudder, more so the slurping, but he bit his lip and bore it until she was finished. She fell back and sighed, “Was it good for you?” Zek fumbled putting his boot back on. “Information.” “All work, no fun…” She muttered, hopping back onto the point of her head and spinning. “Word is something big happened up here. The hierarchy is in an uproar, and I mean the BIG guys. They’re mad at Que’Nihal over something and it involves Kal’Tas and that blood sigil. I don’t know what, but nobody has seen either Q or K in weeks... I heard rumors, of course. We fetishes get around, yah know, in places you’d never expect.” The summoner grimaced. “And what is this rumor?” She started laughing again. “No freebies.” Zek looked at her expectantly. “Your earlobes.” During their ten minute session, Degradome whispered things between nibbles and licks. From what Zek gathered, a “Powerful evil nests in the vampire capital, more than usual, two dark suns radiating horrible power. The strongest comes from House Lorfeign.” “Anyyything else, Zexy? I could do this for hours…” Degradome cooed. Zek took her by the legs and flung her into the air, where a low-flying gull snatched her within a second. Another three birds quickly darted in for the easy meal and all came away with some part. “No.” He turned to go find Lectus and spotted Brak perched on a crate shaking his head. “That was gross.” “Get inside.” Zek growled, pulling his hood up to hide the bruises on his ears.
The Amazing Dancing Bear 01-19-06, 07:25 PM	Soziel felt something, then, reveling in the gore of his sister's death. As he sucked on his fingers and licked his lips, his eye flitted, unbidden, to the door the deceased had used to enter the throne room. Soziel climbed back on to the claw-throne. "Guard," he said, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, "Show the baron in." A sound like a bedspread hitting the wall accompanied the drop, as the baron in question fell from the ceiling. The baron's long coat of silk and silver splashed like a puddle on the ground, before drawing itself up into the form of a tall, slim, and elegant vampire. He was dressed in tight-fitting boiled leather, with iron fastenings and decorations. The guard showed him in. "Baron Montague, of Montague house, to see you, m'lord." "Necroth!" said the king, getting out of the throne and striding over to the vampire baron. "So good to see you!" Necroth Montague, lover of Naphira, landed lord, shook Soziel's hand stiffly. "My lady is dead, Soziel," he whispered as he gave Soziel a friendly clap on the back. "My lady Naphira is all across the floor, and I could here you slurping from outside. I'm afraid I can't go through with the deal." Soziel lifted Necroth with one hand and threw him across the floor. "We had an agreement!" Soziel advanced on the sprawled baron. "I award you ten of the choicest in the capital, and you give me your damned earring!" Necroth Montague stood and brushed of the dust. "Why sir! I had thought your crown would be enough! Surely you don't need another of the Goddess' Gifts! And," he said, pacing toward Soziel, putting the two damned souls on a collision course, "I need all the protection, as one who has the blood royal, from the Gifts you already have." Now they were so close they could feel each others' eery chill. "Furthermore," - Necroth Montague was now in Soziel's ear - "your choicest didn't give those delightful soprano shrieks long enough to make things worthwhile." "You have none of the blood royal!" "That, o king, is where you err. Naphira and I have enjoyed unseemly proximity, such that, sipping from your dear sister's throat, I have enough of the blood to wield your little Goddess' Gifts, albeit badly." Necroth Montague strode to the door, tossing his head back to let the king catch a glimpse of the ruby earring. "O king, I believe a plot is brewing in court! Houses will secede, stakes will be sharpened, and, when the dust has settled, it will be I who stands on top. You, o king? You will be headless and stuffed with garlic!" Necroth Montague departed, leaving Soziel to brood, and, perhaps, to try to forestall the coming secession.
Lectus 01-21-06, 09:24 AM	(OOC: Bear, I love your signature. That aside, if you could just post on the ooc thread a little ways down, we can sort out your role there. And please be careful about controlling other peoples' characters. When neccesary, get the person's consent first.) Lectus climbed up to the deck of the Junglebat. As yet, House Calalas, or what remained of it after Lorfeign's coup, had yet to find and subsequently confiscate the ship. It so happened that the seedy docks of Tir'Buk were second only to Gibber's Peak in their capacity to hide unsavory characters. Therefore, the ship served well as a temporary base of operations for the two fugitives. In the meantime, two known criminals were hardly a concern in the face of imminent invasion that would follow in Lorfeign's wake. After lifting the trap door that sealed the bottom deck, Lectus climbed up to find Zek waiting there, "We had best get moving." The blood mage muttered as he passed him by, "The changelings will be well fed by the morning, and thats when we have to get ourselves to Calalas' house." Brak might've said something then, but if he did, it escaped the blood mage's notice. Lectus had every intention of explaining himself on the way to the Dreg Barrows anyway. He stepped over a particularly wide gap in the boardwalk, "Changlings and I have an understanding." He began, "They give me what they have in abundance, information that is to say." Lectus worked his way off the boardwalk and onto the lower tier of a Sslik pyramid. "Meanwhile, I find them a vessel they might like. All modesty aside, I seem to have a talent for it." The walk took them through the heart of the jungle city, over the riverways, overflowing from the wet season, and eventually into the Dreg Barrows of Northern Tir'Buk, the place where chattel went to die. It was the source of most of Tir'Buk's military might, of it's undead hordes. Live bodies weren't the only things prized in vampire society, as Lectus noted with distaste as he passed by a plaguemound. Some of it's victims were still writhing beneath the weight of so many cold corpses. Beside the plaguemounds stood children crying, most like the whelps of those that lay buried beneath it. Lectus took the face of one in hand, "She's healthy, mousey brown hair and eyes, skinny. I remember slaying a child much like this long ago, at the behest of Lord Calalas, as it happened." Lectus smiled distantly, "Ver'Dir nearly botched the entire procedure by using an animation charm on the guards in leiu of actual necromancy. Oh how Cybill seethed when it was all over with, although we did manage to pass without a trace..." Lectus flicked the girl's face to the side, and glanced at Zek, "That was only a few years ago, though I still say I was young beyond recognition. Ver'Dir and I were such a couple of fools. How foolish would I think myself now, now that we're on the cusp of battle with the only king in vampire history?" Lectus didn't wait for an answer. He was feeling much to misty for his own liking tonight. It didn't bode well, as if it were one among many symptoms of impending death. "Come with me, child." He said. The child merely murmured something that might've been 'yes m'lord'. "And Zek, take one for yourself, in case mine doesn't please them." The changeling den was situated on the outskirts of the Dreg Barrow, in an opiate parlor catering to the lower castes of vampirekind. There they put on what was deemed the opera, a sort of mummer's show where the changelings used their talents of metamorphosis to great effect. "Many never return from here, Zek." A mist of opiate fumes steamed the air of the stone-arch entrance, as Lectus tood in the threshold, "Guard yourself." "Mother!" The little girl exclaimed as soon as they entered. The changelings were in the middle of their act, and changed according to whoever viewed it. Sometimes they took the form of one's fears and nightmares, other times they took on a form that was pleasing. Whatever suited the mood of the viewers. As luck would have it, one of them had taken the skin of their captive's mother the moment that they walked in. Lectus held her fast by the shoulder, squeezing tightly to discourage disobedience. "What's this," A ghost whispered to the side of Lectus. "It looks like the beginning of a bad joke. A priest, a lordling and a human whelp. How long has it been?" He turned, and could feel his resolve breaking. It was Ryana. At least, that's what the changeling would've had him believe. The blood mage spat to the side, "I would sooner have you take an image from my nightmares than that. You befoul the martyr's memory, creature." A humourless laugh rang out, "As if I had a choice." She smiled, "Come now, whoever she is, I'm probably even better than the real thing, priest." "We have no time for this." Lectus said, forcing the child in front of him, as if she might shield him, "I have a gift, and I'm looking for information." "You've come to the right place then," The false Ryana considered the child for a moment, and then turned to Zek's choice. "I would sooner have this one, but both will do. You're losing your touch, priest. We may have to collect the debt sooner than anticipated." "And who is this?" She asked, shifting shapes to suit Zek. It was his mother, the one he'd murdered, "Oh, my dear, sweet, filthy, traitor of my flesh! I should have your eyes out!" Her voice went from cooing to rabid in an instant, prompted by Zek's latest memories and expectations of his late mother. "How long has it been?" Lectus rolled his eyes.
Dragna the Claw 01-21-06, 01:28 PM	(OOC: Welcome Bear!) Zek was initially shocked. This creature captured his mother’s beautiful, hateful visage perfectly, but the voice held none of her former potency. Real scorn was missing, something beyond a changeling’s comic japes, the real enmity a mother and son cultivated up until her assassination. His brow evened and he fought a smile. “I’ve been to the shallowest ring of Hell and seen a much better impression.” Brak laughed maniacally, perched on his shoulder, as he thrust the small boy at the imposter. The human’s flimsy arms desperately flexed, legs kicked, as he realized he was merely payment. Zek glanced sidelong at Lectus. “Can we get on with this? I’d have rather asked another fetish.”
Lectus 02-26-06, 12:40 PM	Lectus ignored Zek's comment., and went on to question the changeling. The rest was a meandering jumble of words that agreed on two facts: That the scions of Cliffside were on their way to Tir'Buk, and that they would be there by midnight. It ended when Lectus thrust his child toward the changeling. "Come, Zek." He said, turning on his heel to leave the parlour. Once they were outside and on the boardwalk, Lectus spoke up, "Well, for once the changelings' information proves useless. I don't know what to make of that. Maybe my luck is finally running low." At that he stopped, and turned to Zek, "You haven't said your peice, what do you think we should do now?"
Dragna the Claw 02-27-06, 11:00 AM	"Honestly? Call that arrogant prat Kayle to inform us of just the right ancient artifact to counteract this whole mess." The Tir'Buk night crowd was just beginning to swell in the hour or so before midnight, when all the lazy and fashionably lates rose from their slumber and entered the streets. Flags and ribbons were being strung between narrow alleys and tall, temple-like houses, red and black tents pitched in parks and squares, and an influx of colored lights, via magic and alchemy, pulled over the city like a second blanket of stars. In the Black Light District, there was always a celebration, even if tonight's was the perversion of Cliffside. "That or gather what pennies left to our broken houses, call in all favors, sell our souls and raise an army to take back the capitol. Non-vampires, preferably, most likely human mercenaries. Their skilled and simple enough. Better yet, lets hire saris and ssslik. Nothing better than our ancestral foes to kill out enemies. Of course... once they learned of our civil war, they'd likely take advantage, so maybe the elves and dryads. They hate us just the right amount." Zek entered a steady pulse of vampires on the main line, slipping in effortlessly, as all his kind could, getting within milimeters of the next body without touching. It was all very sensual, erotic even, but entirely unnotticed. For a race of seducers and mysteriosos, getting close lost its appeal after age fourteen. The shake of a particularly fine-looking woman made Brak's head turn, until she locked lips with a particularly towering half-giant with a skull tattooed on his face. "Some guys have all the luck..." The imp muttered. "Size matters." Zek quipped before being struck in the head with a mug. It had contained a small amount of unicorn blood, marked by an overwhelmingly sweet smell. Few could drink it without their expression souring. Zek shot a look up at the balconies over the street, supported by ancient stone and veins of ivy. Each held a different party, some formal, others where clothes and morals were left at the door, but the grin of a particular man caught the summoner's eye. He wore a huge, flamboyant black hat with a long quill of a red dragon stuck in it like a feather. He was dashing, well-built, with three sabers on his belt, and a patch over his right eye with a fat ruby encrusted in its center. "Well, well, Lectus. Perhaps our luck is changing." The red-eyed man on the balcony waved them up. Zek headed for the door below.
Lectus 02-27-06, 06:03 PM	As much as Lectus wanted to balk at Zek's first suggestion, it held some merit. If anyone knew of the right sword to disentangle this gordion knot of a situation it was Kayle. And the archaeologist had proven invaluable during their ordeal in the Valriaku. Unfortunately, their paths had led them in separate directions since then, and Kayle's path ended eventually in Cliffside, which was now beyond the reach of the blood mage. It was a pity. Lectus wondered if the wily vampire had found a way to escape the control of Soziel. He wouldn't put it past him. Kayle seemed too clever to simply turn into a thoughtless zombie without an arguement. If anyone had escaped Soziel's grasp, it was him. But Lectus' hopes and thoughts regarding Kayle would have to wait, as he listened to the rest of Zek's advice. The latter portion of Zek's suggestion was served with a generous dose of what had become the young Al'Zareef's trademark; insanity peppered with a dash of reckless abandon. In any other situation, under almost any other set of circumstances, Lectus would reject such advice before hearing the end of it. But, to Zek's credit, or as a testament to Lectus' desperation, the older vampire listened. When he was finally finished, Lectus had to think on it. By the time they were through the press and entering the door below, Lectus had made up his mind. "As promising as the prospect of allowing our blood enemies into the sacred city may be, to do so with the intent of murdering our own kind is an unforgivable offense by Lithna. Even under these circumstances. There must not be a civil war, Zek. Soziel must be killed, but that's as much vampire blood as I would have on these hands." They arrived on the balcony, shortly thereafter. To see the man up close, Lectus would've liked to have had Kayle there, simply for the fits he was likely to get looking at all of the trinkets adorning the pirate. Or perhaps he'd scoff at their lack of authenticity. Lectus himself was no archaeologist. "I've never had the pleasure..." Lectus said, extending his hand to the flamboyant figure.
Dragna the Claw 02-28-06, 11:08 AM	The stranger snickered, taking Lectus' hand and shaking briskly. "Of course you haven't. I'm... not that kind of vampire." He released his grip and made a sweeping bow, removing his hat to reveal a long mane of dark auburn hair. "Red-Eye Ruiz, as the pillaged named me. Captain Red-Eye. No doubt you've heard of me..." Zek rubbed the spot on his head where a welt was forming. "A rumor or two. Now, what's this about captain?" Red-Eye flourished his hands to a small table with bloodwine and strange fruits, one a hairy, brown egg with fiery green innards, another waxy, orange-yellow in the shape of a star. Red-Eye fell into a cushioned seat and lifted a curved, yellow thing which he began to peel. The white flesh beneath smelled quite good, more so when Red-Eye dipped it in a syrupy blood sauce. "You are the bloodmage and the summoner, Lecoos and Zat... or something like that. I apologize if I'm a little off. I'd forget the name of my own ship if it weren't painted along her side. Ah, Dark Lady, a fine ship, fast, black, lethal... but you'll be seeing her soon enough. I don't want to jump ahead." Brak scrambled off Zek's shoulder to examine the fruit more closely. Red-Eye took a look at him and cringed, then painted a smile on, extending a hand to almost pet the imp. Brak spat. "I'm not that kind of imp." Red-Eye shrugged and continued. "I've been commishioned, for no small fee, to transport you and the scions to Cliffside. Stealthly voyages are somewhat of my specialty. We leave early this very morning, after your meeting with the high-and-mighty. You're bidden to wait for him at Midnight's Basilica."
Lectus 02-28-06, 08:59 PM	Lectus took the pirate's quip with as much good humor as the blood mage could manage. He was a pirate afterall. He'd never heard of this Red-eye Ruiz, although granted, he'd never been in big with the sailors of Cliffside. If Calalas had chosen him, surely he was worth his own weight in gold. The High Priest wasn't known to throw his money away on a dime. That and it was a rather important mission they were on. So Calalas was actually going to buck up and trust the matricide and the heretic. Lectus didn't know quite what to make of that. It was a sad state of affairs when a high priest was willing to sink so low. "I'm sure it's a fine ship, and that you're an even better captain." Lectus said, inclining his head slightly, "But do you have any information on the fleet capabilities of the false king?"
Dragna the Claw 03-01-06, 12:18 PM	Red-eye kicked back in his seat, resting his boots on the table's edge. "Soziel's fleet is quite capable. It boasts some of the largest warships in this hemisphere, with room enough for one hundred and twenty men, twelve canons, and six month's provisions a piece. What they lack in speed they make up for in numbers and sheer power. And don't get me started on those damn warmages they keep on deck. It doesn't help his high captains are mind-controlled Ruiz, either. Their admiral is one of the greatest men to ever sail the sea-- my old captain, truth be told, when I was just a cabin boy." The pirate's eyes drifted sidways, seeming to look through the obstructive buildings and out to sea. "The Sharkson." He grinned. "Catch me if you can, uncle." Brak and Zek glanced at each other, the imp making the crazy sign and nodding Red-eye's way. Zek turned to Lectus and made a similar gesture. The pirate paid it little heed, if he even noticed at all, and after a minute or so clapped his hands and jumped up. "Enough bullshting. We all know the odds are against us, the hour dire, the time now. I'll take care of gathering the scions. You just meet us at the docks when old Calalas has done with you." He turned to leave when, stopping, he canted his head and turned to the vampiric duo. "Who knows. We might actually survive this."
Lectus 03-01-06, 09:19 PM	Lectus nodded as the pirate left them, and then led Zek out of the bar. On the way to Midnight's Basilica, he thought about the claims of Red-Eye. If it was true that Soziel could field as many warships as he said, he didn't know for the life of him how they were going to get inside Cliffside. And what if they did? The city was completely under Soziel's control. That's when it hit Lectus. The dracolich and bone tyrants beneath Cliffside weren't vampiric, and thus beyond Soziel's control. As the remaining rune bearer, he could marshal the undead forces beneath Cliffside. Although Soziel surely held the subterranean passages, there was nothing like an attack from behind to break such barricades... Finally they arrived at the temple. Midnight's Basilica was a little peice of Cliffside in the midst of an ancient Ssslik ruin. The dome's ceiling rose above the horizon, with four ornate pillars at either corner of the structure. A door of burnished redwood stood before them as they ascended to the entrance. The last time Lectus had stood before these doors, he'd been on the cusp of Lithna's Eve, the beginnings of a tri-yearly culling of certain victims selected by the prophets themselves. A different time it was then, in the spring of his youth, in the company of his greatest friend, and almost brother, Ver'Dir. Now Ver'Dir was dead, autumn had long gone, and winter was upon them all. Lectus wondered absently if he'd ever see another harvest festival celebrated here. Soziel wasn't the most godly of vampires, from what he'd heard. As they approached the doors, they swung open to reveal a massive antechamber, with crennelations and arches and numerous cells peppering the walls. Far, on the other side of the chamber, stood the Lord High Priest Calalas. Without further ado, Lectus approached, not worrying himself about whether or not Zek and Brak followed. "Your Gracious Holiness," Lectus bowed slightly, "You honor us..." "Spare me your pleasantries, blood mage." Calalas spat the title, as though it was poisonous bile to be expelled. "Tell me truly now, did you have a hand in the deaths of my children?" Lectus knew he tread on thin ice here. Although his leading them through the Valriaku had resulted in their deaths, they'd asked for it. But that answer would never do. "For what it's worth, you have my word that I did everything in my power to see that they were spared. But the inquisition fell upon us in force, and scattered everyone. We never found your daughter. Your son was slain, fighting bravely I might..." "And then you robbed him." The high priest said coolly. "Let me see this signet ring you pilfered from his corpse." Lectus immediately complied, handing it to him in a small bow. Once the high priest had it in his hands, he inspected it for a moment, and then turned his gaze to Zek. "What say you, matricide? What was your part in this whole affair?"
Lectus 03-01-06, 10:58 PM	(OOC: Edited, it should be cool now for you to post.)
Dragna the Claw 03-02-06, 11:48 AM	Zek shugged bashfully, lifting his hands palm out. "My Lord Calalas, these hands are clean. After the attack, we vampires, despite our differences, banded together to survive. Unfortunately, very few of us succeeded. Several of your children's underlings escaped, as I recall. Some even fled into the jungle before the fight was done. I wouldn't worry about punishing them, though. The Valriaku is as cunning and lethal as, well, you my lord." The summoner flicked Brak off his shoulder before the imp could inject one of his blood-boiling comments. Zek added, "My most sincere apologies in this time of grief. We must be strong and set our minds to the task at hand." He paused. "If I may be so bold, lord, what is your plan?"
Lectus 03-02-06, 06:50 PM	"I've prayed long and hard, and asked for guidance from the prophets that remain in Tir'Buk. They all tell me that something will happen to shake the false king's foundations of power if I send you with the Scions to Cliffside. Whether that works to our benefit or not is beyond their reckoning. Worst case scenario: I'm rid of two of the greatest thorns in my side since the Tazoon Affair one hundred years ago." "Now, begone." Calalas waved them away, "Captain Red-Eye awaits you at the docks." Lectus bowed, and turned to leave. Once they were without the Basilica, they made their way to the docks.
Dragna the Claw 03-02-06, 06:57 PM	OOC: In the off chance anyone might want to join this thread, post a character at the docks.
Dragna the Claw 03-03-06, 01:34 AM	Incessant knocking tore King Soziel away from a quiet dinner in his bed chambers. He threw the girl across the room and into a far bookshelf, raining timber and texts on her broken body. Grumbling, he stomped across the room and ripped the iron door off his hinges. This doubled his frustration and he flung the metal slab through the next wall. Shooting his gaze down either end of the hall, he fumed over the lack of a knocker. "Who dares play games with--" "No games, master." Soziel looked down to see a grimy goblin kissing his boots. He would have kicked the creature's head off, but a tugging in the back of his mind stayed his foot. He spun and made to slam the door, but clawed only air. He exhaled and rubbed his temples. "What is this? A joke? Did Kayle put you up to this?" The creature skulked after Soziel, who made for the pile of books in a half-hearted attempt to salvage his meal. "No joke, master. Jasper come long way to see vampire king." Picking through volumes, the vampire barely seemed to hear. "Indeed. Just how did you get in here, vermin?" The goblin smiled to himself. "Jasper much sneaky. Much sneaky. Find ways." Soziel sighed loudly as he picked his dinner up by the broken neck and tossed her out the window. "Be thankful goblin blood tastes like ****." Jasper puzzled over the statement a moment, then began nodding. "Much thankful." The vampire walked to a cushioned bench and fell across it. He yawned, stretching casually and closing his eyes. After a few minutes he opened one. "Still here? What the hell do you want?" The goblin crept closer, though outside arm's reach. "Jasper come to advise king." Jasper watched as Soziel fell to the floor laughing. The king continued howling so long the goblin suspected a cackling curse. Shaman in the Rutoks could hex a goblin with the hideous laughter, if they had a mind to. He was about to attempt a counter-curse when Soziel waved his hand and spoke. "Advise me? What could a little speck of nothing advise me on?" The goblin bowed low. "Get king power of old master." Soziel snorted. "Your old master? What? A goblin matron? Or an orc with a big stick?" "Dominus Skyblinder." The king stopped laughing.
Lectus 03-05-06, 08:24 PM	It was cold wet and damp where Cecilia was. No, she wasn't in a grave, although in the moment that the goblin thing had taken hold of her in the Valriaku, she'd almost wished it. Who would think such a little thing could hold such sway over her, but something about the goblin scared her into obedience. For most of the journey, they'd travelled in relative silence. Eventually the goblin's mutterings about the Master and King of Cliffside faded into the white noise of everyday babble, to the point where it was as good as silence. Sometimes the goblin would venture to give her orders, but for the most part he allowed her free reign. He'd barely paid attention to her after he procured the blood sigil from her clammy grasp. He seemed to know where he was going. And anywhere was better than alone in the Valriaku, with those horrid saris and giants lurking about. After travelling through the jungle, they came at last to the Black Mountains. Moving through the passes with unearthly speed it seemed, what seemed like days later, they arrived at Cliffside, whereupon she was seized, and taken to the jail, while the goblin simply disappeared, just as easily as he'd appeared to her in the jungle. Now she waited, in the dampness of her cell, practically pruning for all the moisture that clung to the air in the lower cells. What she waited for, she couldn't say. Perhaps the king (funny to say that there was a king now.) meant to have her executed, or humiliated until her father, who would surely fight Soziel, abdicated in favor of the King. She wondered if the news that she'd survived the attack in the Valriaku (if any news came of that incident at all) would change his mind in the war. She hoped it would. Cecilia had no stomach for war. Was King Soziel really so bad that they couldn't accept him? Perhaps it was better to have a king, no more of the infighting and bickering that had plagued Cliffside for so long. She could make her father understand, if anyone could. She had to. Who cared who ruled over the vampires, so long as the ones in charge kept the blood flowing into Cliffside. After what seemed like hours of thoughts such as this, Cecilia finally saw a flicker of heat in the corridor, that meant someone was coming to get her. Finally, she'd have done with this farce. Absently, the vampiress wondered what King Soziel looked like. She'd never seen the young lorfeign in court. She fluffed her hair a bit, to find that it was a matted mess. She nearly burst into tears at that revelation. "King Soziel will see you now." The guard intoned, unlocking the door of her cell. Cecilia got up, and prepared herself as best she could for her audience.
Dragna the Claw 03-06-06, 02:08 AM	As Zek and Lectus grew closer to the docks, gulls wheeling and the air heavy with salt,the summoner turned to the bloodmage. His face was curious and nervous all in one. "I've been thinking how we'll escape Soziel's influence..." His eyes narrowed. "There may be a way to pass under the king's notice and out of his reach, but it's risky. A summoner can do more than call physical creatures into planes and spaces, he may also summon ethereal ones. Combined with your blood magic, I think we may be able to mock a demonic possession-- that is inhabit other bodies of non-vampiric descent." He glanced back at Brak, flying slowly behind oggling some dark woman. "If that one will have it, I may be able to use Brak as a vessel... though I shudder to think of it. My demonic summonings will come easier, but I'll be stuck in the body of the world's smallest pervert. Either way I won't be a liability on this mission." He paused a moment for some response, but Lectus remained in enigmatic thought. "Do you have any idea what you might inhabit? Some skeleton or human you know?"
Lectus 03-07-06, 03:39 AM	For all his latent insanity and awkward reasoning capabilities, Zek had a lot of talent. One time, Lectus remembered, he'd summoned a gargantuan Rancor to deal with an unruly Ver'Dir, which the fellowship had ended up having to kill as it went rogue. But still, to command such a thing to so much as appear took a great deal of talent. So Lectus took him seriously when he proposed the mock demonic possession. "I admit," Lectus said, his gaze not straying from their path, "The high priest's plan didn't seem a very good one, especially if we find ourselves in Soziel's power if we actually succeed in sneaking past his fleet. But the real question is, can you actually do this? I mean, without making a royal botch of it?"
Dragna the Claw 03-07-06, 07:58 PM	Zek sneered, passing between two iron-faced sailors. The parties were winding down and the bars closing, leaving the streets open for restless souls. Those stricken worst by wanderlust or shady-dealings preferred their roaming at the docks, as was evident by the rough-looking passersby. “If your blood magic hasn’t lost any of its potency, then yes. It’ll be a complicated ritual, not without risks… but we’ve run out of options. I know you’re game.” "Perhaps," Lectus said, stepping over a gap in the boardwalk, "But you'd have to fill me in on the rudiments of summoning and demonic possession." Zek scanned the yard as they walked, looking for the gaudiest captain in the fleet-- theirs. He shrugged. "That would take more time than we have. Whatever notions you have on malevolent entities overtaking bodies are true, in fact, think worse." "Fine." Lectus said, finally spotting their captain. He was laughing with another crew member, "I think I know what I'll use as my subject." The summoner chuckled, "I can hardly wait.", and walked on ahead. When they finally arrived at the ship, Lectus couldn't pick out the scions from the other crew members. He looked for Red-Eye, who'd once again disappeared. Walking up the gangplank, Zek inspected Red-eye’s Dark Lady. Indeed she was beautiful, from bow to decorated mast, carved in the mahogany likeness of Lithna. The summoner was immediately drawn to it, walking across deck and past any number of forgettable faces. Where were the scions? Where was the future? He leaned on his elbows, partially hanging over the banister, and looked sidelong to Lithna’s aspect. “We’ll be needing your help on this one…” Lectus had no idea that their Red-Eye was such a devotee to Lithna, although it shouldn't have surprised him. Afterall, Calalas had probably handpicked him over dozens of other captains. That and Dark Lady was a heck of a name for a vampire's ship. Finally, the blood mage spotted Red-Eye emerging from below-deck. He approached him without delay, "Red-Eye, I must speak with the scions at once." The captain sighed. "All five of them?" "One at a time." Lectus said, not even blinking. He tilted his hat. "Of course. You may use my personal quarters. The big, bronze door on the left." He motioned toward it, smiling, then turned and strode away. "Zek, gather up the scions. We have a long night ahead of us." And Lectus made for the Captain's personal quarters.
Lectus 03-08-06, 07:46 PM	It took a while, but when the first scion finally made her way to the cabin, Lectus... couldn't say he was surprised. It was the Lady Delanthe. Brak had a hand in this, of that Lectus had no doubt. In some ways, the imp really did rule the summoner. But, for all his perversion, Lectus had to say that the imp had taste. Ava was Lilith's cousin, or neice, or sister. The blood mage wasn't quite sure which. She had the same coppery auburn tresses that had made Lilith beautiful, but with a rounder, heart-shaped face, whereas Lilith's beauty had been statuesque. She wore a cream-colored silk dress, slashed in parts by crimson, and made a curtsy before taking a seat across the desk from Lectus. She had brown eyes to match the color of her hair, with the barest hint of red to them. If Lectus wasn't a priest, trained from infancy to shirk the charms of women, he might've been enthralled. That seemed to be the effect that Ava desired. She got started right away, "Lord Lectus, my auntie often spoke of you. She said you were kind, but I never dared imagine that you were handsome as well." She smiled sheepishly, "My auntie often said men were kind, who she actually thought were ugly, you see." "Enough," Lectus made a dismissive wave, "I won't have you fauning over me, do you hear?" "Oh, and a commanding presence into the bargain," her smile faded ever so slightly, "I shall obey." The blood mage was tempted to grumble, but restrained himself. He didn't reckon with a Cecilia the Second, "Very good. Now, tell me about yourself." "Me? What's to say about this humble little lady? I do as I'm told, mostly. Except that when I heard about Soziel's peace accord, I knew something was amiss." Tears were in her eyes then. This one was ten times better than Cecilia had been, "So I begged my auntie not to go, but she wouldn't listen. She said something about this being for the good of the vampire race." Lectus didn't believe one word. She was trying to dislodge Lilith in his heart, the vampiress who'd almost been a sister to him, and could've been more if she'd wanted it. But there were always others in the way, Kayle, then Kalick. If only they'd simply not existed, then... Ava smiled knowingly at him, and the blood mage realised he was playing right into her hands. That smile banished all thoughts of Lilith and the heartbreak that inevitably came with it. "I've heard enough of you. Go."
Lectus 03-09-06, 08:18 PM	The next one to come into the captain's chambers was the scion of House Mallus. Lectus could tell just by his garb. The mode of dress of the Mallus' and their servants usually favored tunics and togas over the shirts and trousers of the human Empires, which most other vampire houses had adopted for the sake of concealment as they mixed with their victims. But Mallus was a house old in honor and steeped in tradition. For whatever reason, they clung to the relics of bygone ages. Sigula himself was no exception, wearing a flowing toga of white and red, clipped at the shoulder with a pin that delineated his house sigil. His hair was beginning to grey, and his frame grew thinner from his many years. It was then that Lectus decided not to take him, but he would hear what the old man had to say, all the same. "Sweet shade, blood mage." Sigula said with a bow, "The summoner told me that you wanted to have a talk?" "I hope so," Lectus gestured toward the chair across his desk, "Sit if you would." Sigula sat. "Now, tell me what you can offer our endeavor." "I know the city of cliffside, from top to bottom, as well as I know my own name. I'm an architect of over three hundred years, I very nearly built the Palace in which the king now resides. And, as anyone can see, I'm the eldest. I should be leading this expedition." Lectus quirked an eyebrow, "Forgive me, sire, but we need a warrior, not an architect. Your knowledge of Cliffside will prove invaluable, of that I have no doubt, but we cannot risk sending you into the city." Sigula's eyes flashed red, but his face betrayed none of his anger. "You take me for an aged human bull, blood mage, but you're gravely mistaken. I will not be set aside like some old relic. When I was a young man, we treated our elders as the pillars of society that they were. If not me, then who? The Dir boy? He knows his way around a weapon, to be sure, but the family madness runs as deep in his brain as any Dir I've seen. His obsession with the vambrace will jeapardize any efforts made into Cliffside. Drajltoc? The pompous, reckless fool of a vampire. I defy you to name one Drajltoc that has succeeded in living past his fiftieth nameday. I wouldn't even deign to comment on the wastrel that Calalas sent forth on this so-called Crusade." Sigula leaned forward then, and lowered his voice, "If you give me the command, I swear to you, we will descend into the fabled depths of Cliffside, and there we will find the diamond Collosus of Mallus..." "Not that old fairy tale." Lectus was losing his patience with this one. "There is no such Collosus. Many have looked, and all have failed. And if dusty old myths are all that you have to offer, I'm going to have to say good night." "It's not a fairy tale." Sigula was rising, speaking through gritted teeth by then, "You'll see, when the heir of the Red Terror returns, you'll wish you'd have listened more closely to my 'fairy tale'. The Old Ways: Respecting the elders, embracing the night, blood and shade forever. They aren't for nothing, boy. You'll see, one day, to everyone's regret. You'll see." (OOC: Not as great a post as I would like, but oh well. On with the show.)
Lectus 03-12-06, 05:52 PM	Lectus waited at the desk, the very image of patience. Vampires were second only to elves, afterall, in the area of patience, being nearly half as long-lived as they. Still, patience gave way to a curiousity as to who the next interviewee would be. The blood mage tentatively probed Zek, to get an insight into who he might be sending. (OOC: Short post, but then there isn't much to write. Feel free to post Palan'Dir entering whenever you like.)
Dragna the Claw 03-19-06, 12:57 PM	“Are you rummaging around up here, Lectus?” Zek said aloud, tapping his temple as unbidden images shuffled through his memory. The summoner pushed open the door to Red-eye’s cabin and flourished a hand. “No need, bloodmage. Presenting Palan’Dir, son of Galan’Dir, second cousin to…” He grinned, “Ver’Dir.” A boy no older than fifteen walked past Zek and into the dim chamber, his eyes immediately scanning the room. Once certain no one hid in the shadows, he closed the door in the summoner’s face before his final quip. Palan stepped toe-first, like a rogue, like a Dir, and quietly sat across from Lectus. He adjusted the large, cobalt poncho covering most of his body and let the steely tip of his weapon protrude from beneath its many folds. He shook a few errant strands of blonde hair from his eyes and spoke with a cold conviction betraying his smooth, naïve features. “I may be young, but I am no man’s fool. Speak honestly and plainly and I will do the same.” Lectus looked up at the young man before him. He'd been expecting someone older, somehow. This one was little more than a boy, "I could do little else. You're just a boy. Why should I put you in charge of the operation in Cliffside?" “Leadership is not my aim. I will obediently follow you, or the old Mallus, or even that greasy imp if it leads me to Cliffside." He drew his right hand from under his clothing, wired and bolted to a strange steel glove with a massive scissor on them. "It is not my leadership that you need on this mission." Lectus was releived to hear that, though he suspected that his refusal to lead was the end to this one's antics. He gazed at the young Dir's steel glove warily, "Pray, what is that?" He had to ask. "Insurance." He stood and walked to the door. Before leaving, he turned back. "For all of us."
Lectus 03-24-06, 09:38 PM	(OOC: Sorry for the false alarm. I'll most definitely be posting tommorow. Just posting this here to guaruntee it, otherwise I'll look like a jackass.)
Lectus 03-25-06, 06:59 PM	The time it took for Zek to send another scion gave Lectus a few moments to reflect. He hadn't really known what he'd been expecting of Palan'Dir. His cousin, Ver'Dir, had been a great leader, albiet flighty and in constant need of Lectus' common sense counsel to temper his own latent insanity. Still, Ver'Dir had been a brother to him, so it was that Palan'Dir had a little bit of favoritism going for him in the interview. Palan'Dir, in his speech, his body language, and eyes reminded Lectus of Ver'Dir in so many ways. But, unlike Ver'Dir, it was obvious from the young vampire's speech that he was no leader. Nor did he mean to be. That wasn't neccesarily a good thing, from Lectus' standpoint. He'd hoped that he'd find a leader in the young Palan'Dir, someone of unrivaled martial prowess who could lead their rag-tag band through the undercity. Instead he'd found a young journeyman weapon-smith, hauking his wares like a seedy merchant. Perhaps the old one was right. The next person to come into the chambers was the Drajltoc. He had a mass of black hair, tied into many braids falling below his shoulders. His build was stout, heavy, but muscular. Lectus didn't know his name yet. The blood mage motioned for him to sit, and he did, sighing as he eased into the chair. "Good evening, Sire. I have the honor of being Tlaru Drajltoc." "Good, and I'm Lectus." Lectus said. After the last few applicants, he was getting a little weary, "Now that we've dispensed with the formalities let's get right down to business." Drajltoc quirked an eyebrow, "What is it that you wanted to discuss?" "I wanted to discuss the possibility of you leading this mission, but first I need to know if you're up for it." Tlaru's mouth curled into a smile, "I've snuck into the den of many a dragon. No mean feat. Cliffside will be a cakewalk in comparison. Not to mention that I have dragon blood in my veins." It was Lectus' turn to quirk an eyebrow, "Dragon blood? What is that supposed to mean to me?" "You're a blood mage, and you don't know?" Tlaru asked, sounding incredulous, "Dragon blood has properties that makes the beasts resistant to psionics. I have a small cache of dragonblood hidden in my quarters on the ship. Enough to last me the entire time we're in Cliffside." In truth, Lectus wasn't worried about mind control. Wielding one of Lithna's blood artifacts should protect the minds of the bearer, trumping any control that Soziel might have otherwise had over them. Dragonblood would hardly figure into the equation, but if what this vampire said was true, it certainly couldn't hurt. "But what I really need to know, is if you're a capable enough warrior to get us through." Drajltoc chewed on that for a few moments, thinking quietly to himself. After almost a minute of silence had passed, he looked up with a smile, "You don't seem to have many other choices, Sire. Who else could you send? These are your other choices: the old man, the boy, the woman, and the wastrel. If I were you, I'd take the dragonslayer over any of those any day of the week." It wasn't the prettiest speech, but it was enough to convince Lectus. Within the minute, the blood mage was out of the captain's personal quarters, and informing Zek that he'd found a leader for the mission.
Dragna the Claw 03-30-06, 03:55 PM	"The Dragonhunter?" Brak scoffed, tapping away ash from an oversized cigar. The smell was overpowering, a lingering cloud of stinkweed gathered around him. He walked the length of the table between Zek and Lectus and looked to his master. The summoner frowned. "I'm not overly pleased, myself, Lectus. But, if that's the best we can muster." He smirked. "What about that astute Calalas gentleman?" A knock on their cabin door and Red-eye entered. He wore a surprisingly unimpressive costume. In fact it was nothing more than a plain, oversized shirt, a headband, black pontoons and boots. He caught Zek's surprised expression and laughed. "I don't dress formally on all occasions. Didn't your mother teach you that?" Zek frowned, "Not at all," the same instant Brak grinned.
Lectus 03-30-06, 08:36 PM	Lectus knew that the dragon hunter probably wasn't the best person for the job, but he was the best that they had. He knew how to use a sword, Lectus assumed, and he was still young and vital, but not green like Palan'Dir. "He's the best we have. I won't even venture to talk with the Calalas. I have a feeling that doing such would only depress me further." When Red-Eye entered, Lectus quirked an eyebrow. Although this wasn't totally unexpected, it did come as a surprise that the gallant pirate was willing to boot them out of his personal chambers. Lectus stood from his chair, and moved to greet him, "Captain, I thank you for the use of your chambers. I've found my man. And I'm sure you're anxious to make these quarters your own again, so I won't keep you. Zek, Brak?"
Dragna the Claw 03-31-06, 06:19 PM	“No rush.” The pirate captain dropped into a cushioned chair. “I happened to overhear your choice of captain for this expedition. Something doesn’t sit well with me about that Drajltoc. Still, no better choices I suppose. Though, you neglected to ask the final scion aboard the ship, the most qualified, ahem me…” Red-eye grinned and his real eye gleamed sharper than his ruby-encrusted patch. “Just joking with you, boys. I’m sure you have enough on your plate without a power-hungry pirate. I would have you know the High Priest ordered me nominate that Calalas fellow as leader and back him with the strength of my crew.” He sighed. “Everything’s politics. Never fear, men, you’ve grown on me. Even that grotesque little cigar-muncher. So the dragonhunter it is.” A knock on the door and Ava Delanthe slipped into the room, all curves. She smiled and sent Brak nearly hurtling from mid-flight into the floorboards. She circled Red-eye and came up behind him, wrapping her arms over his broad chest. The pirate grinned. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind giving me my room back I’d be most appreciative.” Zek nodded quickly and left. Brak seemed to have disappeared.
Dragna the Claw 04-04-06, 10:16 PM	(dual post w/ Lectus) Cecilia was led down the halls, toward what she supposed must've been the throne room. The guards said nothing, did nothing, didn't so much as look at her as they made their way through. Eventually they arrived at a grand hall, that ended in two gargantuan doors. This must be the throne room. Cecilia thought as she saw them. And they slowly approached. In, from the guard’s sudden expression (one of shock), a very informal gesture, Soziel flung open the giant doors and met the pair. He wore several pieces of beautifully wrought armor and a pulsating, crimson… stone! The blood sigil. Soziel caught Cecilia’s notice of his most precious relic and smiled. “My lady. Throne rooms get stuffy. How about some fresh air on the balcony…” He took her hand and laid a soft kiss, something tickling the back of her mind and sending a cool shiver down her back. "Of course, your grace." For some reason, Cecilia found it impossible to resist him. She followed him out onto the balcony. Before long, she succumbed to her fears, "Please, your grace, you must forgive my father. I know that if he knew I were alive, he'd change his mind about a war." "One of two reasons you're still alive, my dear." He looked her over and lingered on her chest. "Correction. Three." Cecilia blushed slightly. She'd always had more colour than the average vampire. It came from being a well-fed noble. And Soziel's guards hadn't been stingy in the feed department, for whatever reason. "So you'll let him come to an accord?" "If he'll agree to my terms, I see no reason why not." He began walking, taking Cecilia by the arm and nodding off the guard. Cecilia allowed him to lead her, "Where are we going?" He stopped with her, patting her hand. "To choose you a servant, of course. I cannot have my lovely guest without proper attention. You have your pick of the lot, humans, elves, even a dwarf if Old Gorebeard hasn't had his fun with her yet. You simply must choose one or I'll feel a poor host." "Ah." She smiled, allowing him to lead her once more. "Of course." The journey down was dark, damp, and smelled more and more like ripe bodies the closer they moved toward the cellblock. A few turns and they met a man who looked less a vampire and more an ogre, perhaps a half-breed. He wore no shirt, letting a massive, stetch-marked gut sag over tight leather pants. Worse was his face, with a patchy, bloody beard and no end of scars. What may have been two nasty cuts opened and his eyes, like sores, oozed over her form. He turned to Soziel quickly and made a bow. "Lord." "The lady wishes a servant. Show us in." Cecilia didn't spare more than a glance at the monstrous dungeon keeper. Her nose wrinkled at the mere stench of him. They stepped through the hinged grate and into a dismal corridor barely wider than Soziel's shoulders. Hay littered the floors, and people, separated from the King and his lady guest by razor wire and rusted iron bars. "It isn't much, but there hasn't been a war in weeks and our prisoners are... shortlived." "I see." She said, looking at each of the slaves in turn. None of them caught her fancy. She continued following him. When they neared the end, he turned and barred her way. "This last prisoner will likely be of no interest to you. A willful vampire, a wild boy really. My captains caught him skulking in the wilds outside the city. A mangy one, that... Calls himself Vanir. I'd sooner call him dead, but I can't seem to enter his thoughts-- quite intriguing, really, but why bore you? Let's head up." Cecilia nodded. Vanir... Where had she heard that name before? She shrugged and continued on with Soziel. Cecilia stepped toward the edge with him, and looked out on Cliffside. A few moments of silence followed, and then she broke it, "Tell me about Daal." "He was expensive, but came highly trained. Quite capable for a human. I've seen him. "Soziel snickered, "Best more than one Lorfeign captain in combat. I've been repeatedly advised to destroy him, but his loyalty is... absolute. Of that I am sure. So it shall be for you." Cecilia smiled pleasantly, "How can you be so sure?" She asked almost playfully. "He delivered me from the cruelty of my half-sister and helped establish the peace we have today. He even held this," Soziel tapped his crown, "whilst I was enprisoned. I don't think any other person would have shown such devotion. Humans are truly excellent pets." "No," She smiled even more, revealing her elongated canines, "I meant how can you be so sure about me." Caught in an awkward moment, Soziel almost blushed, had he just eaten, but he stiffened his lip and maintained pale, marble features. "Because he knows it's what I wish." "Of course..." In truth, Cecilia had thought he was referring to her own loyalty to the king. She hoped he hadn't noticed. Soziel grinned, nudging Cecilia a few steps toward him. "Lady Cecilia has need a servant during her stay. You will be such, meeting her every need. She has full range of the castle, but no further. She may write, but only to her father, and otherwise commune with no other. She must never be left alone, my lovely guest, except when she sleeps... and prays. I'm sure the daughter of our excommunicated high priest prays often." Excommunicated? Her heart chilled at that word. But eventually she found her voice, "Of course." He ran his gauntlet gently through her hair, the blade-like fingers slipping through effortlessly. How much easier to slide through flesh. "Now, I must take my leave. Indeed you must be exhausted from your journey. Sleep now and we will meet again for breakfast." "Thank you, Your Grace." And she moved to follow Daal.
Dragna the Claw 05-01-06, 01:29 PM	Red-eye emerged from his cabin an hour later, dressed in tattered pants and, of course, his eye patch. He stepped across the slippery deck with the deftness of a tiger, his sea legs as sure as his pride. He tied his sweaty hair in a simple tail and stood beside Lectus leaning against the aft rail. Smiling, Red-eye gripped the wooden bannister and squeezed. The strength of his ship, The Dark Lady, made him want to roar. She was lethal, quick, silent, the assassin of the coast. He held his cry, thinking suddenly of The Sharkson. However great a captain Red-eye was, or thought he was, his uncle was just as good... maybe better. And their odds were low, lower than even the pirate captain was accustomed to. "We're going to be captured, but I guess you figured that out already." Not a very comforting sentiment coming from one's captain. "That's a rather defeatist attitude." Lectus didn't know much about the vampire navy. He only knew that Red-eye was one of the best. He'd never even heard of the Sharkson. "What makes you say that?" "That was the plan all along. Calalas has us all in the dark, but I figured out that much. You don't need me to get you past Soziel's fleet, you need nothing short of a miracle. He knows, as do I, that we'll be captured. I can only imagine this charade is to get us into Cliffside... but at what risk?" He stroked his chin. "No doubt the high priest thinks you have a trick or two up your sleeve. You had better, or this will be the shortest mission in history. And our last." Lectus thought about it for a moment. Of course Calalas planned it! How could he have been such a fool? "Then I guess we have to get planning then. You just keep us out of their way until I say we're ready." With that said, Lectus went to find Zek. The summoner wasn't far, looking in every dark crevice for Brak. That perverted imp was most likely under the covers with Ava, but Zek had little else to do. He upturned a crate, thinking he heard his foul familiar, but three rats scurried toward other shadows and Zek groaned. "Zek," Lectus called, descending the stairs to the middle of the ship, "It's time to put your skills to the test. The mock demonic posession. Where's Brak?" The Al'Zareef looked up and adjusted his crooked head-robe. "Our skills to the test. And wherever that grotesque is, it doesn't matter. I know his true name. His presence won't be required for the ritual." "I guess you'll be in for a rude awakening then." Lectus said dryly. "So, I have my part." The vampire took out Bloodmoon, "How do we proceed?" Zek looked about for any eavesdroppers. "We'll need a dark, quiet place. I suggest the cargo bay. It stinks of ****, but it'll do. Have you informed who'll be... wielding you?" "Yes." Lectus nodded, and resheathed Bloodmoon. "I told Drajltoc as much during his 'interview'. You'll just have to show him the way after you've possessed Brak." Lectus nodded again, and turned to make his way toward the cargo bay. Zek followed, adding. "I know I don't have to tell you this twice, but there is a chance we'll botch this. I mean really make a mess. We could displace our souls into the ether, or be trapped in our hosts permanantly, or any number of bad scenarios. And should our bodies perish while we're possessing, well, I'm not sure what happens then. This is all theory to me. Summoners and bloodmagi were never meant to do this." "It's the only scheme we've come up with thus far, and we don't have anymore time coming our way in which to think of alternatives." Lectus continued walking, watching where he was going. "So if you do have another plan, please do enlighten me." Zek remained quiet as they traversed below deck and found a suitable corner, cut off by a wall of wooden crates and sacks of salt and herbs. The summoner began drawing the proper circles across the floorboards with red and white chalk. They resembled circling demons and, if one looked long enough, a gasping humanoid face. He turned to Lectus, producing a dagger. "It must be sealed with blood." "Of course." Lectus sighed. Vampire spells often were tied into blood magic, no matter how reviled the blood magi were. It seemed rediculous, really. He took the dagger, and slid the blade across his palm, drawing quite a bit of blood over the sigil. Zek drew his blood in turn, then wrote Brak's true name in the center of the circle. "Place Bloodmoon in the center, next to the name, and we'll begin. Remember, I am summoning our souls, but you must anchor them to the name and the sword." Lectus placed Bloodmoon in the center, and then listened to Zek's words. Whereupon blood mage was found to be a little clueless. "How exactly do I 'anchor' them?" Cannon fire jolted Zek into beginning the hymns. As his words increased speed, a red glow enveloped him. Then the name in the circle. Then Bloodmoon. Suddenly Lectus felt a warming aura about him. Something electrical was in the air, making hairs stand on end and generating wind. As the power grew, so too did the reak of sulphur. Lectus was left ignorant as Zek began the process without him. So he was forced to fake it. He reached out psionically to the blood on the sigil, subtly activating the soul essence and manipulating it so it flowed down through the hollowed out grooves in the adamantite blade of the sword. Once that was underway, he traced blood over the names, once again activating their soul essence. Then he reached inward, to his own blood. It was a risky procedure, one that only a master bloodmage should undergo, but they were desperate. He activated the soul essence in his own blood, tying it in with Bloodmoon. Suddenly pain, and everything went black.
Lectus 08-01-06, 12:06 PM	Red-eye was shouting at his men and giving orders as Raphael came on deck. The Dark Lady had been in Cliffside territory for hours, with still no sign of the King’s fleet. Not so much as a pinnace was sighted. Encouraging, as it should’ve seemed, it didn’t bode well for the crew. Red-eye knew as well as anyone that it meant that their patrols were even tighter around the city. The King must’ve been paranoid. Tir’buk hardly posed a naval threat. They had a few smuggling boats, ketches, sloops and the like at most. Cliffside is where vampiric naval might converged. ”Elementalists! Wind blasts at the ready!” Red-eye was at the helm, shouting out orders. A line of his best elementalists stepped up to where he was, and then lined up behind him. ”And try not to blow my bloody hat off this time!” The elementalists took between thirty seconds and two minutes each to meditate for the spell, but eventually they broke past the barrier between the magic and mundane, and were able to achieve clara. Two by two, they directed a wind blast toward the sails, careful not to put too much force so they wouldn’t rip, but just enough to give the Dark Lady a significant boost. With the added wind power and lightness of the ship’s load, they were able to make approximately twenty-two knots. It was a good speed, and one of which not even the fastest pinnace could boast. Raphael stood at the port bow, tightening and tying the sails down to the railing. He looked to the horizon, where the fleets of the King and Sharkson probably awaited them. A generous cadre of elementalists weren’t the only trick that Red-eye could call upon. The crew and passengers would see more unusual things before the night was done.
Dragna the Claw 08-20-06, 06:17 PM	Through the pain and the darkness, Zek was accutely aware of his soul being pulled to the bloody name writ on the floorboards. But much to his surprise and panic, so too was his body, like flimsy tin to an irresistable magnet. His legs broke at the knees as the magic yanked him down. His back snapped, folding the vampire in half, smacking the back of his skull into the wood. Brak's true name seered into his scalp like fire, a thousand fires, the core of the sun, burning away his will, his mind, his being. His flesh and bones began to dislodge, pulled into the thin font of the imp's name. Zek screamed dark dialogue, commanding the under powers to peel his soul from the flesh, to spare what was left of his form, but they would not obey. "You are powerful, Zek Stray-one, but not that powerful..." A chorus of nine, the Princes of Hell, amusedly taunted. For reasons Zek could not have known, Belial's voice was loudest amongst them. Brak materialized above the grizzly scene, called by the amalgam magic, and before he could let out a curse or one-liner, was sucked into the mess that had been Zek. In the crackling magic, crimson lightning and violet fire, the two merged. The imp melted and spilled over Zek's pile of flesh and bones like ink. The ooze was torn upward and reshaped into something similar to both, yet unlike either, bones rearranging, skin restitching, blood and innards filling the deflated creature. Suspended in the air, raging arcana swirling around him, the half-fiend jolted back to life. He appeared a demon without a cloak, an ebon-skinned creature of Zek's height with bat wings, claws and hooves. His face was unmistakedly Brak's, pointed-eared and fanged, in a perpetual rigor mortis grin. His eyes burned with the knowledge of Al'Zareef summoning and all the dark mysteries of an imp of Hell.
Lectus 10-11-06, 08:46 PM	The fleet came on them faster than anyone had anticipated. Their sails were spotted on the horizon only minutes before they were upon the Dark Lady. Elementalists and sorcerors used magic to speed the passage of their boats, and all of the crew's efforts to counter their approach proved ineffective. Red-eye's magi tried to thwart them, or at least throw them off... The illusionary shoals didn't fool them, however, and they sailed directly over them. The magi dispelled their illusionary weave and recycled the arcanic energies to fuel the propagation of spectral minions, but they were destroyed almost as quickly as they were created. It would appear that the influence Soziel held over his subjects rendered illusions ineffective. It proved difficult, however, for Soziel's fleet to catch up to the small ketch with their massive warships. They refrained from using elementalists to manipulate the currents of the water, however, as the slightest mistep in weaves could create a whirlpool, thus rendering any hope of retrieving the crew and whatever secrets they were privy to. Eventually Soziel's minions caught on and gave up trying to catch up with their frigates. They sent in a group of pinnaces, which were able to catch up to and out-manuever the swift Ketch. The boarding began with a great crash, as a pinnace rammed recklessly into the ketch, causing it's keel to puncture the hull of the Dark Lady. Steel run out against steel as boarders rushed into the frey, flying over the ship in bat form and then reverting back to humanoid as they entered the fray.