Prologue - Virlych - the Seat of Power of the Eternal Council - Allizsah's Suite
Voracia approaches Allizsah, "Why indeed!? No doubt they fear me as they always have and as well they should..."
Voracia glances at Thulmerë, "Now about that sweet, sweet Azlanti blood of yours, I'd like a taste. Won't you give me a taste?"
Audbrey Aldamori glares at the Drakina and the Ruthvein, "Stop climbing walls and discontinue your use of all spells. Tensions are high enough among the Families without taking direct action against one another. The next who does so will be having less of a conversation and more of a battle with me. Is this understood?"
He then turns to Allizsah, "To answer your question, we are not invited to the Council Chambers at this time because we have all arrived late. Exclusion is the price paid for tardiness. No doubt we shall soon be called upon".
Audbrey Aldamori cocks his head and approaches Saban, "You are no Vampire, what Family sent you here?"
Thulmerë returns his gaze to Voracia.
Pondering whether this would be good for familial relations or a power pull to kill him weakening House Zura.
"I wouldn't if I where you. She'll drain you dry. But if you don't wish to be rude I do have a few goblets around here. You could put it in that and hand it to her... If you want her to have your blood at all that is." Allizsah whispered to Thulmerë. She knew some felt that giving blood to another vampire was an intimate affair, especially when drawn right from ones self. It was part of the reason why her research had stalled lately... Well that and she was a little too picky.
"Yes! Thank you Master Audbrey! I just had everything cleaned when I learned we'd have company. Had to even replace all those tables. Blood stains are so difficult to get out..." She said, giving a shrug and a sigh at the end. "Speaking of blood... Where is that thrall? Did I not request that the refreshments be brought here?" She mutter slightly annoyed.
"Mistress you may drink as you please, but not every cup is as still as the sea. You might prefer the novelty of a fine glass, yes?"
She speaks softly, but in time with Allizsah's offer, and looks for the nicest of the available glasses.
Zelic looks on with interest as the bickering vampires flex their muscles at each other. 'The fools! Here at the Council's Request, and they're at each others throats in just minutes!'
With a grateful glance to Kisara, Zelic nodded encouragingly, as if congratulating her on her own behavior. Clearly many, if not most, of the vampires here felt superior to their brethren, and the Jair Vampires were no exception. They however, they knew that showing off not only risked embarrassing themselves, which carried its own kind of danger, but also tipped their hands. If they were to battle someone here at a later date, whether that was minutes later or centuries later, keeping their own individual talents a secret could yield an advantage.
Kisara noted Zelics nod and smiled serenely back at the man as she drummed her fingertips against the table. She was getting tired of these games. She was in want of a hot bath and some clean clothes after the road. Failing that, a new target and a reason to wet her blades.
Thulmerë returns his gaze to Voracia.
Pondering whether this would be good for familial relations or a power pull to kill him weakening House Zura.
[Dice=sense motives]1d20+23
Thulmerë coldly stares at Rosalind.
"Excuse?! You're in position to make me do anything, regardless if you're a guest here. You remember that girl." He said with bitter contempt.
After finding a goblet, Thulmerë will slice open his wrist with a letter opener, filling the goblet with his blood. Taking a small sip before offering it to Voracia.
"Queen Voracia isn't my Queen, but a Queen none the less. Enjoy, it's very rare that you will find this blood. Oh, if there is an off taste, that might be from the venom of Ydersius' children."
Allizsah sighed as Thulmerë used her letter opener to cut his wrist open. "Dear Thulmerë, for future use, there is a dagger in the top left drawer. Should you ever find yourself here and needing to open your vein... Or someone else." She smirked at the last bit before she took the letter opener and cleaned the blood off. "Shall I take this chance to gather my own vial of it? Or do you wish for me to wait till later?" She asked him quietly.
"Thanks Allizsah, that must wait for now. Perhaps after I feed on Sir Baldwin again."
Saban continues to grow nervous as the vampires around him show off in various fashions. He slides next Allizsah and clears his throat in an attempt to gain her attention. "Is there, perhaps, a place I can clean up? I don't want to meet the council covered in ... this."
Murnau says nothing, but studies the room as it continues to fill with cold, calculating eyes. At his side, Caligo stands motionless.
"Very well." Allizsah said as she took Thulmerë's self wounded wrist. With her free hand she placed her middle finger at the beginning of the wound and slowly moved it down the cut, as she did so her birthmark glowed red and his skin seared shut. "There, all better." She grinned as she cleaned off the remaining blood.
When Saban came over asking where he could clean up she smiled at the Dhampir and nodded. "But of course, come with me." She spoke pleasantly and lead Saban through the doors at the back of the room. It was only a small hall with three other door. She pointed to the one on her left and said "That one is the bath, please take you time. If they call for us I shall come and get you." With that she turned and closed the doors behind him.
Allizsah walked back into the room proper and over to Murnau. "It was your thrall that was going to be kind enough to remove the young one. For your attempt you have my gratitude." She said.
Saban thanks Allizsah as she closes the door and does his best to wash quickly. The last thing he wants is to be late for the meeting.
Murnau gives a slight inclination of his head to Allizsah, "You're very welcome."
Noticing a small spot of blood on his chair, Murnau furrows his brow, eyes glowing for a split second, and the chair cleaned itself.
"Now, who don't I go see about those refreshments? And maybe deal with a few thralls as well." Allizsah said with a some what sickly sweet smile and tone in her voice. "Any requests?"
"I'm personally fond of elves, myself, and I'm not quite a fan of orcish blood. Their blood, I've found, is a bit peppery. However, any blood is delicious," Murnau bares his fangs in a pseudo-smile.
"That spawn attacked my granddaughter. Be lucky all I did was restrain him." Veldrin says flatly, in response to Audbrey's chastising.
He turns his attention then to his friends. "It is good to see you Allizsah. And yes, it was quite some time ago. I believe it was shortly after your tussle with those minotaurs, yes?"
"I was asked to leave them behind Thul, and she is my actual granddaughter, several times removed, but I am not her sire."
He grins "What exactly are you working on my old friend?"
"You have a granddaughter?" Allizsah asked before he explained before she let out a soft. "Ooooh, that explains it."
When asked about her work Allizsah's eyes sparkled. "Oh, why my books Veldrin! Those tomes I've set up to conical all forms of Zura's gifts. I've even finished my book on the Nosferatu... though nothing else sadly. It can be hard to get subjects." She said.
"Forgive me Veld, it has been too long. I see you're keeping in the family. You old Snake." Thulmerë said jovially.
"As for my experiment, well I seem to have stumbled into a knight from Vigil. He's currently resting in my chamber. I plan on killing him and transferring his soul into an undead vessel,stealing his eternal rest or turning into my spawn. Either way, the results should be satisfactory.
Feel free to join me if you'd like."
Thulmerë looks up the Veldrin's granddaughter, climbing about the room like a spider."Little one, would you like to feed on a dying holy man? If it's okay with your grandfather of course"
shifting his attention back to Veldrin,"Veld a grandfather,going to take some time getting use to. Say, what's her name?"
Lener starts methodically cracking and popping every joint in his body.
Murza brushes herself off. I am independent, I could have easily torn the Spawn's head off, after all there is a reason I Carry a silver stake with me... as she says this, she pulls said weapon from her belt, the thing seems unwieldy as a weapon, but it was definitely a lethal weapon to the children of night. She says nothing to the other vampire as she puts the stake away.
Prologue - Virlych - the Seat of Power of the Eternal Council - Allizsah's Suite
Audbrey Aldamori snaps his head around as Veldrin addresses him and narrows his eyes, "I am aware that the Drow are deficient in many things manners being among them. I am a Member of the Eternal Council and head of my Family little Vampire, tread lightly around me".
Before Veldrin can respond, a new voice from the doorway responds, "Come now Audbrey, the youngling was simply defending his Family, his Blood Relative. You can understand that can't you?"
Audbrey frowns and appears to forget about the tension with the Drakina Vampire, "Count Duncan. So you too are recently arrived?"
Count Duncan enters the room nodding to everyone and approaches Audbrey, "Yes, I considered not attending at all. The nerve of them to have a meeting of any capacity without involving us all first grates upon me..."
Audbrey nods in agreement, "Indeed, the Jerunsen are so irate they sent a Dhampir as their representative. Did not even tell the bastard about the dangers of Sidstalav! One wonders if they even wished to be represented at all".
"Really? A resourceful fellow where is he?" asks Count Duncan.
"Wiping down, if I am not mistaken. So it seems that we are only missing Ilnerik Sivanshin, who'll likely attend himself and Thesing", states Audbrey.
Count Duncan looks around the room, "I see neither a Mazeflesh representative, not that I know all of these family members but none seem odd enough to be Mazeflesh's Progeny nor do I see Master Fennamir Urgathoa. Have they not arrived?"
Audbrey shakes his head, "Mazeflesh is in the Council session as I understand it".
"That's preposterous!" replies Count Duncan.
===
Meanwhile Thuvia pouts as Thulmerë fills a goblet with blood but drinks it anyway. Her sexual gyrations and the way she touches her body as her eyes flicker brings life to the loins of the dead in the room, "Delicious, I simply must have more! Oh so potent...
Later tonight come to my chambers ancient one, I promise I'll leave you enough to continue on..." She bites her fingers seductively as she stares at Thulmerë.
===
A female Living Thrall rushes into the room at Allizsah's call, "Mistress Dravonie, a thousand pardons for my tardiness. We have been run around by High Priestess Callistra all day and night. What refreshments can I provide to you and these honored guests!?"
===
Refreshments? Why isn't it obvious! Blood! What else can we have when food turns to Ash and mud in our mouths? Oh, I know, get me some fine elven liquor, and make sure the elf is thoroughly stoned will you? the sarcasm in the Spawn-ling's tone is very clear. and if you can't come apon a drunk elf, just slaughter whatever slaves you have... Or whatever you do... What's a girl gotta do to have some fun around here?
Rosalind winces at the outburst, glancing at Voracia and then settles as she sees her mistress otherwise occupied. She gives Thulmere a second glance, curious, then turns away.
"I suspect they keep bottles. As for fun, I also suspect you'd be unhappy if our hosts had too much fun. It would likely come at your expense. By all means keep asking for it, though, it might amuse these ancients to give it to you."
She turns to the room at large and addresses the ancients gathered there.
"Good my lords, did any of you receive meaningful word of the meeting's agenda? We were summoned to discuss the cataclysmic fall, not to argue with each other over trivial things. If the bulk of the eternal council is here in this room, perhaps we might have that discussion in truth. Let mazeflesh be late to this meeting, as it were, instead of we late to theirs?"
Rosalind tries to draw her mistresses gaze to more pressing matters.
"If we know nothing, and we are the heads and representatives of our families, that is still something worth establishing. Thuvian agents are working their way through rumor and lies, but we have not found a clear agency behind the event. Leads dry up, like water in the sands. Witnesses seem non-existant. Divinations seeking the source of the event return merely empty voids. Less precise auguries pointed toward this meeting as shedding light," she laughs "on the matter. So we have come, but we did not come to sit in a waiting room. We came for answers, as I'm sure did the rest of you. Let us find those answers then. Did any of you turn up more? If not, we must go and find our missing councilors and demand answers."
She sits, pleasantly, beside and slightly behind Voracia.
|
Grym finally grows tired of the politics and posturing and unfolds himself from the back wall where he was leaning to speak:one might demand answers from the rocks and the trees how to live; they will no sooner tell you satisfactory answers then the ancients here. We must do as any fool would do and proceed to live as we see fit. Not with demands to our elders or simpleton examples of behavior. We must send representatives to be on the ground where the thing happened if no other means have presented themselves. Is that not obvious?
Allizsah gave the thrall a cold glare before saying "One has requested elven blood, though outside of that just bring a wide selection." She shooed the thrall away as she added "Please don't make then wait any longer."
After that she returned to her seat and smirked at Thulmerë. "It would see you're popular dear Thulmerë." She joked with a small laugh.
"So, you too where late Count Duncan? Now I am finding this rather odd..." Allizsah said as leaned back onto the arm of the fainting couch. Could they have been given the wrong time? She wondered to herself, she dare not bring it up to them if they themselves had yet to think of it.
"Lady Allizsah, my bodyguard is a nosferatu, and has agreed to aid you in your research- for, of course, a small favor to be determined upon a later date." Murnau gives a small nod to the black armored figure, whose helmet removed itself to reveal a bald, gray scalp, desiccated flesh, and blank red eyes. After a moment, the helm floats back to its place.
The ancient drow chuckles again, "Despite being incredibly old, I was once a mortal. I had several lovers over that time period, including Murza's great(many times removed) grandmother."
He glances over to where she's brandishing her knife "Now, now little one, a wooden blade would be more effective against the Nos. Though, he won't be bothering you any longer while we're here."
He turns his attention back to Thul, "Oh, a knight from Vigil? They often have traces of celestial blood in their veins. Which, can be either exquisite or painful, depending. Either way, I would much enjoy watching. Be careful though, a transfer of souls can be dangerous, with occasionally unpredictable results."
Thulmerë observes Lady Vorcia's display.
'My my, I seem to have my way with sovereign rulers. Perks of being a hero or infamous perhaps. I'll make the most of it.' Thulmerë takes a small respectful bow towards Vorcia.
"The things I do for this House, Allizsah." He returns a small smile.
Stroking his bare face pondering upon Veldrin's warning."That's why I'm glad you're here Veld. Ever since I fell in that pool of black blood, long ago. I've been affected by the forces of death, ever since being surrounded necromantic auras. It would be deliciously tempted to turn him into my spawn. In anycase, not even Pharasma will have sway over his soul."
"My my, how kind. Though such a favor would need to be discussed before agreed to." Allizsah said with a small grin. "I have finished my book upon the Nosferatu actually, but having another of their kind look it over to ensure everything is correct is always welcomed. Or to even add information I myself missed." With that she snapped her fingers and from the corner and skeleton contructed itself as Allizsah's brithmark and eyes glowed a dark blood red. "Bring me my Nosferatu puppet." She said softly. The skeleton moved to the bookshelf, removed a book, and brought it to Allizsah. "Now. Take it to him." She ordered as she pointed to Murnau's bodyguard. It held out the book, waiting the man to take it.
"Do you wish to help as well?" Allizsah asked as her eyes settled upon Murnau. "I'm sure we can agree upon a favor of some sort." She smiled.
Her attention turned to Thulmerë and Veldrin. "Oooh, do I get to watch?" She said softly. "Oh please say yes."
Caligo makes no movement to receive the book, but it instead simply floats up to reading level, and the pages begin to turn. (Yes, this is interesting. I suppose I shall have to read through this and look for mistakes more in depth, but the basics seem correct.) the voice echoes in Allizsah's mind, (As for the favor, it would be difficult to determine now. It simply would be a small request sometime. It might be protection, a place to rest, transportation, or a meal. Such a thing cannot be predicted in advance.)
Murnau gives a fanged smirk, "I'm net entirely certain as to how I might be of assistance, though I am certain some form of agreement might be reached that could be... mutually beneficial." He inclines his head ever so slightly in a slow nod, then reclines in his chair.
The skeleton returned to its corner and crumpled back into a pile. "Simple things but they can be useful." Allizsah said with a simple shrug.
Allizsah shifted slightly as the voice spoke into her mind. "My my, what little secrets you have... hmm... yes. I agree upon a small favor to be exchanged upon a later date." She said with a nod to Caligo.
"Oh one could be helpful in ways they could rarely see." Allizsah told Murnau. "But we can discuss that upon a later date. Maybe even after this council, since the one who was to help me later might be a tad too busy." She said as only her eyes moved to Thulmerë.
Saban reenters the room, his armor replaced by a simple shirt and trousers. In the company of vampires, he appears remarkably under-dressed. Not wanting to intrude on ongoing conversation, the dhampir shuffles over to Lener and leans against a wall. "I miss anything?"
"Yeah, you missed enough self-centered antics and pompous, empty talk to make me long for the final death. Other than that, not much."
Thulmerë rolls his eyes at Lener's constant complaining.
'If this once seeks death, I could arrange that for him. Perhaps his family should be enslaved to Mazeflesh again?'
"Ah of course you may watch Allizsah, all the more fun."
Murza slips over to the Dhampir in the room and chuckles. We have a live one it seems... she licks her lips. hmm... Perhaps you would like to hear a song? I am an exceptional singer, though when the living hear my song they tend to never wake up again...
She coos and pulls a flute from her dress. or perhaps a tune?
Veldrin turns the gaze of his distressingly black eyes on the half-orc "Pardon us, Thul and I have not seen each other in well over five hundred years. Forgive our 'empty talk' as we were merely catching up."
"While I could yes, I don't know if the one you'll be entertaining would be willing in that." Allizsah said with a small laugh. "Besides I just offered to make a deal with Murnau, what kind of hostess would I be if I take that back now?"
Prologue - Virlych - the Seat of Power of the Eternal Council - Allizsah's Suite
The Thrall blanches and hurries off, "Right away my Lady!"
===
Voracia nods at Rosalind's statement losing attention instantly in Thulmerë, "My dear daughter is right, come out with it, what have the rest of you found?"
Audbrey shrugs, "Nothing, my territory is quite far from this event. Grym and I have been traveling here and had time to do naught else".
Count Duncan nods to Allizsah, "Yes, the meeting started earlier this evening, or at least so I was informed. Once "they" whoever, they are, complete their meeting. We shall all be invited in later.
Typical of your Family and Urgathoa to attempt to shut the rest of us out. Odd that Drakina and Mazeflesh though would be allowed in".
Audbrey smiles at Grym's comment, "Indeed, someone on the ground at the site of the event would be useful indeed".
Voracia turns to Veldrin, "Your Mistress is in Council yet you are out here. Does that mean you know nothing of what she knows or are you here to ascertain what it is we might know?"
As Veldrin formulates a response, a flamboyant man steps into the room, flanked by two hulking Hellknights, "So what did I miss?"
Count Duncan shakes his head, "We know nothing yet Ilnerik, you are in Westcrown, what do you know?"
=======
"Veld has it really been 500 years? My oh my, how we get lost in the ocean of time."
Thulmerë addresses the room,"I sadly cannot offer much to this round table discussion. I've been busy in our archives, researching and divining. It would appear history has repeated itself. Although slightly different, I could sense no aboleth magic or their veiled masters. Whatever caused this must be a great source of power. Power that could benefit us all."
Veldrin recalls this potentially delusional vampire, and files away that knowledge for later.
Meanwhile, he turns to Voracia "I am here for many of the same reasons you all are. To learn exactly what transpired, and to ascertain how, if at all, we can make use of such an event." He replies, with intentional vagueness.
(Be careful, young one. Pine too much for the Eternal Night, and it will find you soon enough. I speak on behalf of my master, and he speaks on behalf of the strongest vampire on Golarion. Let it be known, that this very night, if we were not gathered under treaty on behalf of the Council, your petty little mind would have been crushed underfoot already. Watch your tongue, little boy. You're out of your league.)
Lener slumps in his chair, looking at Murza like one looks at an annoying kid. "You know, I get it, the whole psychopath murderous child is fun in the beginning, but it quickly grows tiresome and stale. Have some composure."
(Oh no, a disembodied voice making empty threats, how terribly scary. What, are you too much of a coward to speak openly? Or are you aching that much for a fight? I'll gladly oblige, if you aren't too scared to show yourself.)
Kisara glanced at the Half-Orc man and smiled. She was starting to like that one, he was something interesting to break the normal monotony of show boating by old stiff corpses who clearly didn't have any more power than the rest of them. If they had been anything special, anything at all to worry about, they would not be staying here.
"Lener you are a delight!"
There's a pause for a second, then the voice returns, (What an adorable attempt at baiting. You have a few millennia until you're anywhere near my level. The greatest strength our kind has is our ability to remain in the shadows, pulling strings and bending entire nations to our will. Why would we venture into the light, where there is nothing but burning and pain? No, I shall not reveal myself. I am warning you for your benefit, not mine. Be careful where you tread, there are deadlier things that wait in the night than you....)
Murza becomes bored after a few seconds and wanders off, she was so bored of the politics and intrigue... After all she was still a child, no matter how old she was in the long run.
She goes back to her grandfather and sighs.Ah, well, I think it would definitely be nice to get to the bottom of whatever it is that we where called here for... So I can get back to my music...
Lener smiles back at Kisara and winks. "I'm just speaking my mind. Unlike someone who is too much of a coward to speak, and would rather hide behind a spell. Sorry excuse for a predator."