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recklessenough[ Having not been quite as discreet as perhaps he should have been when he visited Messalina, Lockwood has recently found himself on the wrong end of the stick when it comes to Caius Justus' orders and mandates. Lockwood isn't unused to being on the wrong end of the stick when it comes to authority figures, and while he's never had to seriously go underground to avoid being hauled in by the law, he at least knows how to keep his head down.
For the past few days, as Caius Justus has been upending the landscape, Lockwood has been observing from deeper shadows. Caius' first few moves had been alarming, but it had been the aggressive stance he'd ordered the Hand to take with its own civilians that had finally tipped the younger man towards his decision.
Lockwood uses audio for a few reasons. First and foremost, his voice always sounds older; particularly when it is separated from his youthful features. Second he's somewhere in the dark so no one was going to see anything anyway. Third ... it just seems safer not to provide any visual clues to his whereabouts. ]
Hello team. [ All these months, he still doesn't know what their little group calls themselves. ]
I'm not going to waste everyone's time with a long pontification. I know that we all had varying opinions regarding Messalina and her request of the Senate. All of us brought up good points in that argument, even if our views opposed. But now, I hope, we can all agree that events have now gone well beyond those discussions and have taken a turn that is alarming to us all.
Caius Justus is harming his own people through his use of the Hand. We have a dictator who now has the taste for absolute authority, in command of an enhanced army headed by an individual with a zealot's loyalty to said dictator. History has shown us, time and again, that a scenario like this never ends well and it is the innocents who suffer the most.
I had an opportunity to speak with Apollonius and I asked him about the Hand and Narula. In the spirit of transparency, I was looking for a way to separate the Hand from Narula. No luck on that score. What I did learn was that Narula's fanatical worship of Caius Justus is such that should he -Narula- suspect betrayal from Justus, he is going to react badly.
Initially I wasn't sure what leveraging this information might accomplish. But as Caius Justus continues to close an iron fist around this city, I think I have my answer. We need to drive a wedge between Narula and Caius Justus. We need to fracture Caius Justus' control over the city's military and help these people take back control of their Senate.
But I am only one voice and a move like this would need to be a group decision, as it will affect all of us and, well, frankly it may take all of us to mop up the aftermath IF we are able to come up with a way to implement this idea. As such I am reaching out to everybody who can hear through our network to ask;
Should we try to fracture the relationship between the head of the government and the leader of the military, and restore power to the Senate as a whole?
If yes, does anyone have any ideas about the best route to make Narula believe he's been betrayed by Caius Justus?
[OOC: This is the network post to help kick off the coup. Lockwood is making it, but it is meant to be a place for open discussions to please threadjack to your hearts' content!]
For the past few days, as Caius Justus has been upending the landscape, Lockwood has been observing from deeper shadows. Caius' first few moves had been alarming, but it had been the aggressive stance he'd ordered the Hand to take with its own civilians that had finally tipped the younger man towards his decision.
Lockwood uses audio for a few reasons. First and foremost, his voice always sounds older; particularly when it is separated from his youthful features. Second he's somewhere in the dark so no one was going to see anything anyway. Third ... it just seems safer not to provide any visual clues to his whereabouts. ]
Hello team. [ All these months, he still doesn't know what their little group calls themselves. ]
I'm not going to waste everyone's time with a long pontification. I know that we all had varying opinions regarding Messalina and her request of the Senate. All of us brought up good points in that argument, even if our views opposed. But now, I hope, we can all agree that events have now gone well beyond those discussions and have taken a turn that is alarming to us all.
Caius Justus is harming his own people through his use of the Hand. We have a dictator who now has the taste for absolute authority, in command of an enhanced army headed by an individual with a zealot's loyalty to said dictator. History has shown us, time and again, that a scenario like this never ends well and it is the innocents who suffer the most.
I had an opportunity to speak with Apollonius and I asked him about the Hand and Narula. In the spirit of transparency, I was looking for a way to separate the Hand from Narula. No luck on that score. What I did learn was that Narula's fanatical worship of Caius Justus is such that should he -Narula- suspect betrayal from Justus, he is going to react badly.
Initially I wasn't sure what leveraging this information might accomplish. But as Caius Justus continues to close an iron fist around this city, I think I have my answer. We need to drive a wedge between Narula and Caius Justus. We need to fracture Caius Justus' control over the city's military and help these people take back control of their Senate.
But I am only one voice and a move like this would need to be a group decision, as it will affect all of us and, well, frankly it may take all of us to mop up the aftermath IF we are able to come up with a way to implement this idea. As such I am reaching out to everybody who can hear through our network to ask;
Should we try to fracture the relationship between the head of the government and the leader of the military, and restore power to the Senate as a whole?
If yes, does anyone have any ideas about the best route to make Narula believe he's been betrayed by Caius Justus?
[OOC: This is the network post to help kick off the coup. Lockwood is making it, but it is meant to be a place for open discussions to please threadjack to your hearts' content!]
voice, un: strange
Sep. 16th, 2023 08:48 pmrehandleTo whoever might find this useful, I'm now the patron-by-proxy of all Ephes' magic users.
From what I can tell they're all very eager to help in whatever their patron might ask of them, and given how many people that accounts for there's a fair chance that if there's something you need done, I'll have somebody for the task.
What I don't have is a lot of money. [ And doesn't he just sound thrilled and not at all resentful about it. ] Should anyone wish to be so kind, I wouldn't turn down any generous donations made in the interest of the betterment of the citadel's magical community.
[ Public service announcement and desert-dry plea for somebody, anybody to give him some cash aside, that's everything, and he almost cuts it there - but actually, he'll need to get a sense for this sooner or later, so: ]
While I have your attention, it would be useful to know everyone's current stance on Messalina.
From what I can tell they're all very eager to help in whatever their patron might ask of them, and given how many people that accounts for there's a fair chance that if there's something you need done, I'll have somebody for the task.
What I don't have is a lot of money. [ And doesn't he just sound thrilled and not at all resentful about it. ] Should anyone wish to be so kind, I wouldn't turn down any generous donations made in the interest of the betterment of the citadel's magical community.
[ Public service announcement and desert-dry plea for somebody, anybody to give him some cash aside, that's everything, and he almost cuts it there - but actually, he'll need to get a sense for this sooner or later, so: ]
While I have your attention, it would be useful to know everyone's current stance on Messalina.
un: deimar | video
Aug. 26th, 2023 08:54 pmjatharin
( Ah, but did you miss King Deimar's jovial face? He appears well acquainted with a cup of wine, sunning as he speaks.)
Greetings! Your king speaks. Deimar. And how are you? You all look so much more resplendent than I remember you — which is to say, no longer drenched in my people's blood.
Master Strange, I'll beg you to refrain from ruining these ancestral halls. Yelena, I could yet do with a guard. ( More cutting: ) As for those of you who... witnessed my brother's... heroic sacrifice, as ever, I appreciate your discretion in this time of my people's mourning.
( But perky, once more: ) Now! As it happens, mistress Hermione returned from her jungle pilgrimage, intoxicated but bearing the wishes of a... runaway divine serpent. Sceptics might question the wisdom of heeding a hallucinating girl and an invisible snake, but she has retrieved some of the venom my uncles require for my coronation, so we object no further.
In exchange for his venom, Kharil-asuk has demanded the purity of the citadel's new residents. Delightful! It seems that, after bearing with child traffickers and nearby human sacrifices for centuries, the snake god has lost his appetite for blood. A troubling thing, since I find myself short-supplied of people who have not touched sword and bloodshed after years of siege. To cut things short: the new holy watering stations posted at Unkharil's entrances are here to stay. Bask in the brilliance of your new innocence. Do get more water! And don't unsheathe a sword where a snake can see you.
I remain grateful for any other anointment venom you procure from Kharil-asuk. He of questionable existence, but indubitable control of my fate.
inferus( the video opens on a young man, wearing a fine black suit with gold detail - wrath's colors. he stands in front of a table full of pastries - magic-ed to travel long distances without ruining. it's important to note this video does not come from wrath's device ( un: a civil serpent) but his acolyte. )
Hear ye, hear ye! My name is Ferndando. I have come before you today to spread pastries and most importantly to spread the good word of Master Wrath and his school. Over a year ago, Master Wrath taught me and three of my fellow acolytes the ways of necromancy, the intricacies and strength of magic, and the power and importance of choice. ( shadows appear behind fernando as he speaks, creating a wall that slowly rises as he speaks. Wrath's gaze flashes a brighter gold as he controls those shadows. his expression is unreadable, but inwardly, he is pleased - finally some respect in this world. Fernando shivers as the temperature cools. ) His school in Taravast now numbers sixty acolytes in total, and we plan to expand to the North and here too. I want to spread the good word of Master Wrath to all of Unkharil!
The most important tenant of the School of Wrath is to both greatly and deeply fear and respect Death as we should deeply fear and respect Master Wrath. Necromancy is so much more like the Undead armies raised around this world as slaves to kill people, and let it be known! Our good Master will find and strike down those who are disrespectful of Death.
( the ground shakes beneath Fernando's feet as Wrath merely tilts his head to the side with something predatory in his demonic gaze, and Fernando squeaks before he clears his throat. ) See? Spreading the good word but also a warning. With strength and guidance from those of us who have learned and believe in the ways of Master Wrath, you too can learn to harness your anger, to wield it, to use it to destroy and decapitate your enemies. ( he raises up the zombie-looking pastries with a wave of his hand, the hint of shadow following his palms, before swiping - the shadow cuts through the neck of the pastry and the head falls off - red jam flies off into fernando's face.
Wrath sighs from behind - pastries do not quite sell the point. ) This was just a demonstration. But come, join us. Let Master Wrath change your life as he has changed mine, as I know he'll change the world.
Hear ye, hear ye! My name is Ferndando. I have come before you today to spread pastries and most importantly to spread the good word of Master Wrath and his school. Over a year ago, Master Wrath taught me and three of my fellow acolytes the ways of necromancy, the intricacies and strength of magic, and the power and importance of choice. ( shadows appear behind fernando as he speaks, creating a wall that slowly rises as he speaks. Wrath's gaze flashes a brighter gold as he controls those shadows. his expression is unreadable, but inwardly, he is pleased - finally some respect in this world. Fernando shivers as the temperature cools. ) His school in Taravast now numbers sixty acolytes in total, and we plan to expand to the North and here too. I want to spread the good word of Master Wrath to all of Unkharil!
The most important tenant of the School of Wrath is to both greatly and deeply fear and respect Death as we should deeply fear and respect Master Wrath. Necromancy is so much more like the Undead armies raised around this world as slaves to kill people, and let it be known! Our good Master will find and strike down those who are disrespectful of Death.
( the ground shakes beneath Fernando's feet as Wrath merely tilts his head to the side with something predatory in his demonic gaze, and Fernando squeaks before he clears his throat. ) See? Spreading the good word but also a warning. With strength and guidance from those of us who have learned and believe in the ways of Master Wrath, you too can learn to harness your anger, to wield it, to use it to destroy and decapitate your enemies. ( he raises up the zombie-looking pastries with a wave of his hand, the hint of shadow following his palms, before swiping - the shadow cuts through the neck of the pastry and the head falls off - red jam flies off into fernando's face.
Wrath sighs from behind - pastries do not quite sell the point. ) This was just a demonstration. But come, join us. Let Master Wrath change your life as he has changed mine, as I know he'll change the world.
un: man's greatest treasure (video)
Aug. 24th, 2023 10:23 amreparo[ooc: This is set during the Annointed event of Unkharil.]
[The video shows the jungle for a moment, followed by a close-up of Hermione's face in the dark, illuminated by the Lumos spell at the tip of her wand. She looks wide-eyed, a little dishevelled, leaning against a massive tree trunk. She looks at the camera, trying to figure out the point she was going to make, opens her mouth, closes it. Pauses.
Then:] Drugs are bad. Prophecy drugs are bad. Don't do drugs, kids. [Another pause.] Are there even any kids around for this public service announcement? Probably not awake at this hour anyway...[She rubs one hand over her face, the wand still in said hand creating a bit of strobe light effect for anyone watching.]
Right - the point. I found the giant snake - not a Basilisk as I had suspected, given that I'm not petrified this time, but that's beyond the point. I have a vial for Deimar - and instructions, which I'll deliver, but I wanted to see if anyone else has...gone in? The jungle, for the anointment venom. [Merlin, this place is weird and these people are weird.]
For people keen to keep track - our Alem prince is meant to find who in his midst has bloodshed on their hands. I tried to ask if that meant people from Alem, or included us as well, but Kharil-asuk didn't answer.
[A pause.] Yes - that's it.
[The video shows the jungle for a moment, followed by a close-up of Hermione's face in the dark, illuminated by the Lumos spell at the tip of her wand. She looks wide-eyed, a little dishevelled, leaning against a massive tree trunk. She looks at the camera, trying to figure out the point she was going to make, opens her mouth, closes it. Pauses.
Then:] Drugs are bad. Prophecy drugs are bad. Don't do drugs, kids. [Another pause.] Are there even any kids around for this public service announcement? Probably not awake at this hour anyway...[She rubs one hand over her face, the wand still in said hand creating a bit of strobe light effect for anyone watching.]
Right - the point. I found the giant snake - not a Basilisk as I had suspected, given that I'm not petrified this time, but that's beyond the point. I have a vial for Deimar - and instructions, which I'll deliver, but I wanted to see if anyone else has...gone in? The jungle, for the anointment venom. [Merlin, this place is weird and these people are weird.]
For people keen to keep track - our Alem prince is meant to find who in his midst has bloodshed on their hands. I tried to ask if that meant people from Alem, or included us as well, but Kharil-asuk didn't answer.
[A pause.] Yes - that's it.
audio, un: strange
Aug. 6th, 2023 12:19 pmrehandleI found something in the papers in the sleeping quarters that seems to relate to our host and his guests.
[ ""Guests"" ]
There was a heavily redacted passage on a page amongst those detailing the history of necromancy that spoke of a previously revered necromancer of the court of one Doxe Cosimo at Taravast, a citadel that housed schools of sorcery and necromancy.
Cosimo's Conclave found this necromancer guilty of mass sacrifice. In excess of a hundred people murdered, to their knowledge at the time of sentencing, who were believed killed in pursuit of his work. It seems the bodies were discovered inside his house.
Whoever crossed all this out was pretty upset about it. As I assume one might be if they'd been exiled from reality for all eternity.
[ All this to say... ]
We should be careful when considering giving Lisanther the scroll pieces he seeks.
[ ""Guests"" ]
There was a heavily redacted passage on a page amongst those detailing the history of necromancy that spoke of a previously revered necromancer of the court of one Doxe Cosimo at Taravast, a citadel that housed schools of sorcery and necromancy.
Cosimo's Conclave found this necromancer guilty of mass sacrifice. In excess of a hundred people murdered, to their knowledge at the time of sentencing, who were believed killed in pursuit of his work. It seems the bodies were discovered inside his house.
Whoever crossed all this out was pretty upset about it. As I assume one might be if they'd been exiled from reality for all eternity.
[ All this to say... ]
We should be careful when considering giving Lisanther the scroll pieces he seeks.
un: ut malum pluvia | audio
Jun. 25th, 2023 05:00 pmsomebadnews[ Five is walking out of the lighthouse as he addresses the network, since it's generally quieter where ghosts aren't constantly interrupting his thoughts. The beauty of this form of communication is it's not entirely unlike talking to himself, which is really his preference. ]
Okay, listen up. Since we're all sharing, let's see if we can't come up with an actual plan, before we experience the next shift and you all inconveniently forget who you are again.
[ To say nothing of a haunting that has already sent him into a panic attack or how he nearly drowned just to see for himself what he'd already heard second-hand. Nothing but success for Five Hargreeves. ]
Two orders of business. One, Miang-Si is obviously a catalyst, if not the cause of what's happening here. I searched her room one of the nights she was out galavanting with her lake friends. There was correspondence that suggested she was enamored with someone, who I now assume was the Huntress. I also found evidence that the woman in white, and another in red, visited her there. The witches she's involved with also may have dragged in women doing laundry nearby into their lake at some point, judging by what was found with the skeletons at the bottom.
Secondly, these hauntings aren't just some curse. If they are spirits, we need to figure out a way to trap them. There's a woman in white, a man in black, a lumberjack, and another woman in red. Who else has been seen and how often? If we can capture one of them, maybe we can get some answers before whatever triggered this starts again.
[ He has no doubt it'll happen at the worst possible moment.
Just as he's about to continue with his all-important conspiracy theories, he's approached by a young girl with a silver coin in hand. Distantly she can be heard saying she's worried about her family, and asks him to take a donation for Kathoo'lul's blessing. Dumbfounded, he takes it and promptly loses his train of thought as she scurries away. ]
...Amazing how easy it is to start a cult around here.
Okay, listen up. Since we're all sharing, let's see if we can't come up with an actual plan, before we experience the next shift and you all inconveniently forget who you are again.
[ To say nothing of a haunting that has already sent him into a panic attack or how he nearly drowned just to see for himself what he'd already heard second-hand. Nothing but success for Five Hargreeves. ]
Two orders of business. One, Miang-Si is obviously a catalyst, if not the cause of what's happening here. I searched her room one of the nights she was out galavanting with her lake friends. There was correspondence that suggested she was enamored with someone, who I now assume was the Huntress. I also found evidence that the woman in white, and another in red, visited her there. The witches she's involved with also may have dragged in women doing laundry nearby into their lake at some point, judging by what was found with the skeletons at the bottom.
Secondly, these hauntings aren't just some curse. If they are spirits, we need to figure out a way to trap them. There's a woman in white, a man in black, a lumberjack, and another woman in red. Who else has been seen and how often? If we can capture one of them, maybe we can get some answers before whatever triggered this starts again.
[ He has no doubt it'll happen at the worst possible moment.
Just as he's about to continue with his all-important conspiracy theories, he's approached by a young girl with a silver coin in hand. Distantly she can be heard saying she's worried about her family, and asks him to take a donation for Kathoo'lul's blessing. Dumbfounded, he takes it and promptly loses his train of thought as she scurries away. ]
...Amazing how easy it is to start a cult around here.
text ★ un: cocked tale
Apr. 27th, 2023 08:34 pmpathologise time loops
shapeshifting
walking dead
dragons
death at every route
that's the bullshit everyone thinks is the first thing you should know
not 'hi, sorry you're stuck here like the rest of us'
"at least there's alcohol" isn't a comfort
getting caught by magic is an absolute way to die so we're fucked
if the beacons just break why are we trying to find them?
why are they apparently believable?
we're helping the people that kidnapped us
has anyone said no? because i don't want to help them and fall into more magic and death
( she is very drunk and not at all coping with everything she's been told since getting on the train )
shapeshifting
walking dead
dragons
death at every route
that's the bullshit everyone thinks is the first thing you should know
not 'hi, sorry you're stuck here like the rest of us'
"at least there's alcohol" isn't a comfort
getting caught by magic is an absolute way to die so we're fucked
if the beacons just break why are we trying to find them?
why are they apparently believable?
we're helping the people that kidnapped us
has anyone said no? because i don't want to help them and fall into more magic and death
( she is very drunk and not at all coping with everything she's been told since getting on the train )
un: absterge
Mar. 2nd, 2023 07:07 pmdownswing
A child failed in Ke-Waihu. Again, in Serthica.
Here, young Princess Cle-Florens, convinced of duty as sacrifice. We cannot abandon.
Elsewise: beware the Wards, the Gut's Bind. Death wanders.
If you have come possessed or hell-tainted, speak.
video | un: wooden sword
Feb. 23rd, 2023 01:42 pmvdovyBACKDATED TO FEBRUARY 13TH
[ As soon as she is dismissed by the king, Yelena hurries to find a hidden corner of the fortress from which to broadcast. When the video starts, she looks flushed and sounds slightly out of breath, as if she was just running. ]
First of all, I must thank whichever one of you tipped off the king about the anonymous message claiming he sold us to Rathakku. He accused me of plotting his assassination so that was fun.
[ She glares into her stopwatch communicator, unamused. ] Maybe loop me in next time, yes?
[ A dismissive wave of her hand before she moves on to the real reason for this video. ]
We had an interesting conversation. Of all of us, I have probably spent the most time around Deimar. I do not believe he has sold us to Rathakku. I can't get into the details but I am asking everyone to please trust my judgment. I am not easy to convince.
More importantly, whether or not we've been sold is the least of our worries. There is something in Alem that Rathakku is after. Something he wants even more than hell itself. We need to figure out what it is and keep it from him.
I am also worried for Cle-Florens. I don't think her safety is Alem's priority. [ That's her delicate way of saying the poor girl has shitty brothers. ] We need to find a way to keep her protected.
Okay, I think that's everything. Bye! [ Another wave of her hand, this one much friendlier, and then the video goes dark. ]
[ As soon as she is dismissed by the king, Yelena hurries to find a hidden corner of the fortress from which to broadcast. When the video starts, she looks flushed and sounds slightly out of breath, as if she was just running. ]
First of all, I must thank whichever one of you tipped off the king about the anonymous message claiming he sold us to Rathakku. He accused me of plotting his assassination so that was fun.
[ She glares into her stopwatch communicator, unamused. ] Maybe loop me in next time, yes?
[ A dismissive wave of her hand before she moves on to the real reason for this video. ]
We had an interesting conversation. Of all of us, I have probably spent the most time around Deimar. I do not believe he has sold us to Rathakku. I can't get into the details but I am asking everyone to please trust my judgment. I am not easy to convince.
More importantly, whether or not we've been sold is the least of our worries. There is something in Alem that Rathakku is after. Something he wants even more than hell itself. We need to figure out what it is and keep it from him.
I am also worried for Cle-Florens. I don't think her safety is Alem's priority. [ That's her delicate way of saying the poor girl has shitty brothers. ] We need to find a way to keep her protected.
Okay, I think that's everything. Bye! [ Another wave of her hand, this one much friendlier, and then the video goes dark. ]
un: civil serpent | video.
Feb. 22nd, 2023 12:51 pminferus( The video opens on the largest fissure in the Room of Seals, revealing the stairs that lead into the dark. Black eyes dart into view and then fade. The imagery shifts to the many other cracks filling the room. Wrath speaks, voice hard and ancient in the way of war: )
This version of Hell grows more restless by the hour. The dark water we've encountered before infects it. Every act of violence and rage, every death and spirit feed it further.
( Wrath's hand dips into the largest fissure. The dark liquid smoke pouring out of it wraps around his palm and the length of his arm. As if greeting an old, almost-familiar friend. He spreads his palm out and the smoke obeys, skittering back in through the crack.
The temperature in the room dips then. Ice pours from him across and within the fissure, sealing it. The ice continues to spread from his point of contact across the floor and walls, spilling into the hallway. The ground quakes as he pushes back against the power attempting to shove its way out.
The video then turns to Wrath: his gold eyes flash with anger, with violence that he pulls back within himself. His jaw locks as he surveys the room. )
...this will not hold long. These fissures will split the room open, but we may buy them time to replenish their forces and allow for more of their people to escape.
If you have magic or power, if you are capable of guarding and sending messages in the days to come, go to the Room of Seals. I will be waiting.
This version of Hell grows more restless by the hour. The dark water we've encountered before infects it. Every act of violence and rage, every death and spirit feed it further.
( Wrath's hand dips into the largest fissure. The dark liquid smoke pouring out of it wraps around his palm and the length of his arm. As if greeting an old, almost-familiar friend. He spreads his palm out and the smoke obeys, skittering back in through the crack.
The temperature in the room dips then. Ice pours from him across and within the fissure, sealing it. The ice continues to spread from his point of contact across the floor and walls, spilling into the hallway. The ground quakes as he pushes back against the power attempting to shove its way out.
The video then turns to Wrath: his gold eyes flash with anger, with violence that he pulls back within himself. His jaw locks as he surveys the room. )
...this will not hold long. These fissures will split the room open, but we may buy them time to replenish their forces and allow for more of their people to escape.
If you have magic or power, if you are capable of guarding and sending messages in the days to come, go to the Room of Seals. I will be waiting.
un: strange / video
Feb. 6th, 2023 03:55 pmrehandle( Forward-dated to the 7th / during the Clawing. )
[ The image opens to a view of Alem from above and at great distance. It's an awkward angle, somewhere to the side of the great stone Citadel where a couple of the smaller merchant entrances open into the Crossing. The view dips and sways, wind howling across the network as the pendant that captures it sits against its wearer's chest, floating high in chill air.
Only this for a few seconds - and then the slow zoom of an approach until Alem is much larger and the small figures of people and their wares can be seen disappearing in through one of the more secluded merchant's gates, more figures closing them up behind. Another eerie stretch of nothing but the buffeting of wind and an unaware fortress, then hands raise into the forefront of the image. Precise white scars trail the backs of all the fingers and that's the last detail there is before everything happens too fast for detail.
Those hands move through two swift patterns and a pair of vibrant orange mandala burst into life. They crash together, spark, and huge angry bolts of raw magic leap from them, hot and bright as fire and travelling in violent arcs toward an unwitting target.
They strike the gate. An explosion.
From this distance, the sounds of screams and cries for action are difficult to separate from the screeching of the wind. The broadcast cuts dead. ]
( ooc info here! )
[ The image opens to a view of Alem from above and at great distance. It's an awkward angle, somewhere to the side of the great stone Citadel where a couple of the smaller merchant entrances open into the Crossing. The view dips and sways, wind howling across the network as the pendant that captures it sits against its wearer's chest, floating high in chill air.
Only this for a few seconds - and then the slow zoom of an approach until Alem is much larger and the small figures of people and their wares can be seen disappearing in through one of the more secluded merchant's gates, more figures closing them up behind. Another eerie stretch of nothing but the buffeting of wind and an unaware fortress, then hands raise into the forefront of the image. Precise white scars trail the backs of all the fingers and that's the last detail there is before everything happens too fast for detail.
Those hands move through two swift patterns and a pair of vibrant orange mandala burst into life. They crash together, spark, and huge angry bolts of raw magic leap from them, hot and bright as fire and travelling in violent arcs toward an unwitting target.
They strike the gate. An explosion.
From this distance, the sounds of screams and cries for action are difficult to separate from the screeching of the wind. The broadcast cuts dead. ]
( ooc info here! )
video | usn: brightsun
Jan. 30th, 2023 12:32 amstephanivien[ The video is a clear capture down in the forges, the device propped up on a worktable of some sort, with curled pieces of parchment and scattered writing sticks of charcoal scattered across the desk, though all details of plans are neatly swept out of view.
Instead, is centered a quite tall man with pointed ears, a hint of soot smeared across his cheek, while behind him lie large loam moldings, as well as a couple strangely shaped large metal components, nearly as tall as the man himself. ]
Greetings! My name is Stephanivien, and I am something of an inventor and maker of armaments by trade. With a gracious deal from King Deimar, I have begun the manufacture of several improvements to help those borne to the towers with defenses. However! There is only so much one man can do alone.
[ He moves closer to table, placing down both hands an leaning in towards the device. ]
Most immediately pressing, in this case, is the dragon problem facing the Southern Tower. Luckily enough, dealing with dragons in this manner is something I am unfortunately quite familiar with. I've been focusing on a modification of a previously existing design of mine, especially in light of the desire to capture over...[ He pauses, clearly searching for a way to say 'death', except the dragon is already dead. ] ...more permanent measures.
In light of such things I should like to request two forms of assistance! First, to any and all engineers, tinkerers, inventors or all else of the mechanical sort, I would be deeply appreciative of any willing extra hands and partners to brainstorm and build. You will, of course, be welcome to work on your own projects as well, utilizing the space, and as any worker of a manufactory, compensated for your efforts and time.
[ He pauses to sift through a sheaf of parchment just at the edge of view, before pulling out something that from the brief view appears to be something alike an employment contract. ]
Second! To any mages of skill, particularly those already among the towers: I am quite adept at the melding of machinery and magecraft, but there remain questions of both energy storage and also finer details in terms of how, exactly, we wish for this to operate. On the base level, it will be not dissimilar to a typical ballista, though augmented for the expectation of its target, but the design comes in more question with the desired bolt. My initial thoughts were something alike mechanical claw, with a requisite chain for attachment. However, I believe added magical character, as well as additional strength to both bolt and chain will be required if we take that tack as opposed to a more traditional harpoon.
[ He reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose, briefly, smearing more soot across his face. ]
I'm quite well versed with the magic of my home, but not of that available to those here. Frankly, I will need to know what is possible for those of you who will end up manning the thing to sustain before I can get too deep into the manufacturing of it.
Instead, is centered a quite tall man with pointed ears, a hint of soot smeared across his cheek, while behind him lie large loam moldings, as well as a couple strangely shaped large metal components, nearly as tall as the man himself. ]
Greetings! My name is Stephanivien, and I am something of an inventor and maker of armaments by trade. With a gracious deal from King Deimar, I have begun the manufacture of several improvements to help those borne to the towers with defenses. However! There is only so much one man can do alone.
[ He moves closer to table, placing down both hands an leaning in towards the device. ]
Most immediately pressing, in this case, is the dragon problem facing the Southern Tower. Luckily enough, dealing with dragons in this manner is something I am unfortunately quite familiar with. I've been focusing on a modification of a previously existing design of mine, especially in light of the desire to capture over...[ He pauses, clearly searching for a way to say 'death', except the dragon is already dead. ] ...more permanent measures.
In light of such things I should like to request two forms of assistance! First, to any and all engineers, tinkerers, inventors or all else of the mechanical sort, I would be deeply appreciative of any willing extra hands and partners to brainstorm and build. You will, of course, be welcome to work on your own projects as well, utilizing the space, and as any worker of a manufactory, compensated for your efforts and time.
[ He pauses to sift through a sheaf of parchment just at the edge of view, before pulling out something that from the brief view appears to be something alike an employment contract. ]
Second! To any mages of skill, particularly those already among the towers: I am quite adept at the melding of machinery and magecraft, but there remain questions of both energy storage and also finer details in terms of how, exactly, we wish for this to operate. On the base level, it will be not dissimilar to a typical ballista, though augmented for the expectation of its target, but the design comes in more question with the desired bolt. My initial thoughts were something alike mechanical claw, with a requisite chain for attachment. However, I believe added magical character, as well as additional strength to both bolt and chain will be required if we take that tack as opposed to a more traditional harpoon.
[ He reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose, briefly, smearing more soot across his face. ]
I'm quite well versed with the magic of my home, but not of that available to those here. Frankly, I will need to know what is possible for those of you who will end up manning the thing to sustain before I can get too deep into the manufacturing of it.
username: yiling laozu | video
Jan. 26th, 2023 11:38 pmweifinder( a smile from the man on camera, and a wave of his fingers against the backdrop of an ice wall. )
To those who know me not at all, or less well than others of our number do, I'm Wei Wuxian.
( hands lifted, he offers a polite, perfunctory sort of bow, paired to the clasping of fingers over the other hand's set. they drop out of frame, and he looks a touch more serious, dark eyes fathomless. or maybe it's all in the lighting. (the lack of proper lighting. torchlight keeps him flickering in reds and oranges.) )
The king mentioned Irenia in passing, the dragon? She was thieved away from a lord of death our group knows of, and has run into several times. His name's Anurr, he's the, ah, very slightly less horrible option for being enslaved by death lords, and from Sa-Hareth. Trailing after us with his creatures or his shifting loyalties, never trust his kind voice, Eleven can tell you about that! Five, I'm sure, can tell you more, as can Xie Lian, or Xiao Xingchen. All members of our group, as it were. Anyway!
( he claps his hands, and grins. a little crinkling around his eyes makes him almost seem truly merry, instead of merrily dry. )
Irenia lured far enough west can be called back to Anurr's dubious graces. Far enough east, and with a different strong pull on her mind, maybe, maybe we can free her. Either way, I recommend we do one or the other, because space to crash a being who never asked to be used as she is is limited, and using the keep itself in poor taste, as it defends this world from hell. Apparently. Very exciting stuff!
( ball's in your court now, chaos crew! )
To those who know me not at all, or less well than others of our number do, I'm Wei Wuxian.
( hands lifted, he offers a polite, perfunctory sort of bow, paired to the clasping of fingers over the other hand's set. they drop out of frame, and he looks a touch more serious, dark eyes fathomless. or maybe it's all in the lighting. (the lack of proper lighting. torchlight keeps him flickering in reds and oranges.) )
The king mentioned Irenia in passing, the dragon? She was thieved away from a lord of death our group knows of, and has run into several times. His name's Anurr, he's the, ah, very slightly less horrible option for being enslaved by death lords, and from Sa-Hareth. Trailing after us with his creatures or his shifting loyalties, never trust his kind voice, Eleven can tell you about that! Five, I'm sure, can tell you more, as can Xie Lian, or Xiao Xingchen. All members of our group, as it were. Anyway!
( he claps his hands, and grins. a little crinkling around his eyes makes him almost seem truly merry, instead of merrily dry. )
Irenia lured far enough west can be called back to Anurr's dubious graces. Far enough east, and with a different strong pull on her mind, maybe, maybe we can free her. Either way, I recommend we do one or the other, because space to crash a being who never asked to be used as she is is limited, and using the keep itself in poor taste, as it defends this world from hell. Apparently. Very exciting stuff!
( ball's in your court now, chaos crew! )
un: man's greatest treasure (text)
Jan. 22nd, 2023 06:03 pmreparo[ooc: backdated to Sand In Your Eyes (end of)]
Hello, Hermione here, currently writing this from the exit of Ra'esh's temple.
We've found water for the sandworms in a pool, in a cave. We also found a woman in that cave. Her name was Marath, she was alive, and she was tied to the altar and chained. We've set her free - and if anyone has a word of criticism about that decision, by all means, convince me why any living soul should be chained to an altar and left to rot and to thirst and to die. I'll wait.
Anyway, Marath's people are the ones who occupied Uruksithar. She claimed she was left behind because she warned them not to go into the desert. Once freed, Marath ran (rather athletic for someone of her condition if you ask me) and left myself and Vi locked in the temple.
Don't worry, we're out now. Keep an eye out for Marath, if you can. And don't drink the water from the cave if you make it there, it felt...oozy.
[ooc; If you'd like some context, here you go.]
Hello, Hermione here, currently writing this from the exit of Ra'esh's temple.
We've found water for the sandworms in a pool, in a cave. We also found a woman in that cave. Her name was Marath, she was alive, and she was tied to the altar and chained. We've set her free - and if anyone has a word of criticism about that decision, by all means, convince me why any living soul should be chained to an altar and left to rot and to thirst and to die. I'll wait.
Anyway, Marath's people are the ones who occupied Uruksithar. She claimed she was left behind because she warned them not to go into the desert. Once freed, Marath ran (rather athletic for someone of her condition if you ask me) and left myself and Vi locked in the temple.
Don't worry, we're out now. Keep an eye out for Marath, if you can. And don't drink the water from the cave if you make it there, it felt...oozy.
[ooc; If you'd like some context, here you go.]
