Once again, there is a momentary pause before the voice responds, starting with a strange noise that you recognize as a chuckle, (Oh, little boy. You are hilarious. Go home, before you get hurt. I serve because I choose to, and because I can achieve my own goals even better when supported by strength. This is why the Council exists. Clearly, the Council is no place for you. But mark my words, this day you have found no ally in me. I will remember your insults, and you will pay one day.)
"There once was a bard with a lute
that looked so incredibly cute
he blew a big sneeze
and flew with the breeze
that bard with the very cute lute"
Uhm, no, the cadence is not quite right, I don't know, but the bard had a really nice voice, and people started saying things like "no, no way, goblins can't sing that good, you must be a gnome in disguise" and he was like "no, no, I am a goblin, but I was raised by halflings" and, oh, I don't know, maybe you had to be there. Anyway, the moral of the story is, your words are empty and you don't scare me any more than that goblin did.)
Saban notices Lener staring at a vampire across the room. He tries to remember his name, but he was introduced to so many people in such a short time. After a few moments thinking, he realizes Lener is still maintaining eye contact with the other vampire. Saban looks to each with confusion before shrugging his shoulders and walking backward from Lener. Something weird is going on, but hell if I know what..
Prologue - Virlych - the Seat of Power of the Eternal Council - Allizsah's Suite
Ilnerik shrugs, "I know that some sort of meteor struck the Devil's Elbow demolishing large portions of the island. Many factions have sent representatives there to investigate, of course that was weeks ago now and I ave heard nothing further so I surmise it is still a mystery".
The room falls silent after a few barbed exchanges and tension begisn to fill the air.
Voracia narrows her eyes at Ilnerik and leans into Rosalind,
=====
Count Duncan approaches Kisara and Zelic, "What of your Elder, shall; the Master of Assassins be joining us? I have some things to discuss with him..."
=====
Audbrey makes his way towards Saban, "I am impressed with your tenacity Mortal, if the Jerunsen do not value you, I and mine would be interested in your talents".
=====
Ilnerik nods at the Orcs while he enters the room and stops before Murnau, "The spider of Ruithvein, fancy seeing you here away from your own web. Was it Kalus or the Blood Emperor himself who moved such a powerful piece onto the board after so much time in one spot?"
=====
Soon enough, refreshments enter the room in the form of two emaciated elves whose spirits are clearly broken, accompanying them are three servants with trays containing clay pitchers and golden goblets. Enough for everyone. The lead Thrall elaborates, "The brown pitcher contains the blood of a Dwarven cleric of Iomedae even a prisoner in our dungeons for several decades his faith is strong as is the tang of his blood. The white pitcher contains the blood of a human Winter Witch, a gift from the Urgathoa Family, this seemed an opportune time to unleash it. The blood is chilled slightly no matter how much we warm it. Finally, the silver pitcher contains the blood of a young silver dragon, a pet of some sort to one of the guardians of Lastwall. Unfortunately, this the last of it..."
A new Vampire enters the room, "That's a lot of fancy blood ya got there, cannot you just offer some damned humans? Why's it got ta' be all this special stuff? Give me a good horrified heroine any day over this swill!"
The dwarf wears some sort of exoskeleton armor and bumps into Thulmerë by accident on his way in due to his misjudgment of the width of the armor and spacing in the room. "Orcs!" He spits. "Must be Malkistra! How's that axe I created for Vahnwynne? Its sapposed ta cut off foes at the knees like a reverse vorpal weapon, I haven't heard back from him on it, just like yer kind ta receive a gift and then never write! Hah!"
Ilnerik groans, "Thesing, they invited even you?!"
Veldrin looks to Ilnerik, "You're holding something back." He says, more a statement of fact than a question or accusation.
Murza raises an eyebrow and silently shares The information she knows to Veldrin through Drow sign. She then simply watches.
Murnau, as usual, telepathically relays everything he knows to Caligo. When the refreshments arrive, Murnau opts to instead sample small amounts of the delicacy bloods instead of going with his usual favorite of elven. He ensured he was among the first, as well. It would not do to pass up such a rare specimen.
Murnau idly wonders as he looks at Veldrin and Murza, Hmm... I wonder what Drow blood tastes like. Would it still have the tang of the woodlands and starlight like their surface cousins?
Saban turns on his heels to face Audbrey. "Oh, thank you. I'm honored by your offer, though my family in the River Kingdoms treats me well. After all, they must have respect for me if they sent me as their representative here."
"Hold." Allizsah said to their dwarves new comer. "I'd rather you not wreck some of the things I have in here, so just a moment please." She informed him before she quickly moved around the room gathering up items and vanishing behind the door she had take Saban through earlier, then the one right across the way from that.
Those who cared enough to watch the tiefling's movements where able to see a large bed just through the door, and safely assume it to be her bedroom.
Once she was finished with that she waved the dwarf on in. "Please do try not to break anything." She requested with a respectful nod.
Murza takes a glass of the Dragon's blood, despite requesting elf. She is oddly silent, her childish behavior suddenly out the door. Her fingers fiddle with the glass, her red eyes taking in as much as they could.
As the servants enter, Lener rubs his hands over his face in despair. It's just like those posh nobles and their vintages, I know it, I'm going to die of boredom here. I wonder if I can write my own epitaph. Here rests one who cared for substance over form.
But his gloominess is interrupted by the stocky newcomer, and his eyes open in recognition and interest. "Is it so? You are the one who forged Vaerblight? It's one of his most prized possessions, I have seen him gleefully wield it in combat! I'm honored to meet someone of your craftsdwarfship. My name is Lener Wardwaver, at your service, Master Dwarf."
After a moment of silence, Murnau responds to Ilnerik, "The Blood Emperor himself. He is... concerned the Council might do something rash."
'Ilnerik? As in Ilnerik Sivanshin. The plot thickens, maybe Aboleth are pulling their strings yet again.'
Thulmerë looks down at the dwarf as he bumps into him."By Zura, the Mad Artificer himself, Thesing. I haven't seen you in gods knows how long, what invention have you created lately? A horrified heroine is always welcomed." Thulmerë said with a smile.
Prologue - Virlych - the Seat of Power of the Eternal Council - Allizsah's Suite
Ilnerik simply grins at Veldrin and says nothing further about that particular comment.
=============
The Vampires of the various families are drawn to the rare vintages, despite the fact that they are left untouched, the elven blood dolls shudder all the same...
=============
Ilnerik leans into Murnau,
=============
Audbrey clasps Saban on the shoulder, "Very well lad, if you have a change of heart or mind of both, you at least now know you have a place to go".
=============
Thesing bows respectfully to Allizsah, "My apologies dear Lady, my new creation takes some getting used to... I would have of course repaired anything broken and made it better by half". He ignores or does not hear Ilnerik's comment.
Thesing smiles broadly and his fangs are plain to see, in fact, all of his teeth are sharpened to razor points and many protrude with what appear to be different types of materials covering different fangs. Silver, iron, wood, and other rare and no doubt deadly items await even in the dwarven smiths mouth!
"Ah so that was the name given eh? Vaerblight, I rather like it. Well met as well Lener Wardwaver, it seems your companion is quite quiet. The strong silent type, I like that too. Yes this is new prototype armor I have been working on, I am afraid I cannot say much about it yet..."
Thesing looks blankly at Thulmerë for a moment and then recognition finally crosses his face. "Back out from the coffin eh? Most half your age are stark raving mad Thul, how da ya stay sane, long dreamless sleeps for centuries at a time or something else? Horrified Heroines blood?!" He laughs bawdily at his own joke.
=============
"Oh don't worry about it, though thank you. I shall keep that in mind whenever I need something fixed." Allizsah said with a smile.
"So, you've met more of Thulmerë kind?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow.
Thulmerë chuckles,"Maybe as mad most would claim you are, Aboleths did uplift us ruled over my people. Plotting, planning and a thousand years of sleep every now and again kept from going as insane as a demi-lich."
Thulmerë rubbed his hand over his Serpentine bracers, scales that belong to a creature of legend.
"There shall come a time when every man must show their worth,
a time to stand and fight. Triumph only comes to those that possess the will to confront and annihilate the enemy. My will is stronger than death and through hatred I survive."
Thulmerë walked over to the thrall, grabbing the chilled pitcher. Pouring a glass for himself and Thesing.
"Well here is the closing thing to your heroine blood." He hands Thesing a glass.
|
Grym listens to all that is being said and then looks to Thulmere and says the time to fight I think is closer then not if what Allizah says is true about the council being unable to learn about this comet fall. Does it not seem most interesting that so much mid level poweress should be waiting outside their chambers?
"They seem like children, although dangerous children, for the most part. Every one their own master, every one determined to be more invincible than the last. Allizsah and Thesing seem the only two with more concern than their own damnation."
She steps back after answering her mistresses question and looks the room over once more, then leans in again.
"Count Duncan, well met," Zelic replies, bowing just the slightest bit so as to maintain eye contact. "And I wish you a productive meeting, herein."
"As to my master's whereabouts, all I can tell you is that there is ever only a small number, if any, that truly know his location, and I am not currently among them. I simply know that he called, and we, his children, have come to serve, as ever."
Kisara smiled at the man and inclined her head slightly as Zelic spoke. "Indeed, as my brother has said, we are here to serve in his place. He has faith that we will be able to fill in for him, while he attends to other pressing matters. I am sure you understand my Lord!" She smiled warmly at the man again before taking a sip of the goblet Angelito had put in to her hands.
"Perhaps, but recall where you are, and more importantly, why you are here. You would do well to respect our hosts."
Prologue - Virlych - the Seat of Power of the Eternal Council - Allizsah's Suite
=============
Thesing laughs at Allizsah's question, "Mortal, I know everyone. There are a handful of other Azlanti Vampires. Most are in the crypt sleeping, then of course there is your Mistress or do you consider her the Goddess?"
Thesing takes the glass offered and drinks, "Excellent vintage but I'd prefer a dwarf half on his ass from spirits. Spirits are the one thing I do miss about my breathing days".
Thesing nods to Grym, "Quite right, I am surprised Voracia did not go down there and rip those doors open already!"
Voracia turns at the mention of her name, "Thesing, I thought you blew yourself up like some sort of insane gnome with all of your ridiculous inventions, as if anything but the Blood was all our kind ever needed", she scoffs.
Thesing chuckles, "Pleasant as always to see you too Voracia. You are just angry because I refuse to build the perverse sex engines you keep mailing to me!"
Voracia snarls, "No I am angry because the first one you built broke!"
Thesing is about to retort when footsteps from the hall attract his attention...
=============
Count Duncan nods, "I understand. Know that only one of you may represent your Family in the Council both may speak but only one may sit upon your Families seat of honor and vote this night. As this meeting ends we can discuss further what it is I seek should your Master not arrive".
=============
Ilnerik turns back to Veldrin, "Hosts? I AM a host. My seat on the Council gives me as much of a vote as any other Vampire Lord here. Just wait... just wait until you hear the no doubt outlandish...."
Before Ilnerik can complete his sentence the footsteps in the hall cause him to pause...
=============
The lithe form of a stunningly beautiful drow appears in the doorway. She wears a dress of some sort of spider silk but with a closer lok it is obvious she has some sort of thin armor on underneath.
"Ladies. Gentlemen. Monsters", she nods at Helt. "Would you care to join us in the Eternal Council now?"
Voracia turns to the drow who is clearly Drakina, "B#!~~. I thought you would never ask!"
Drakina grins at her and motions for all of you to follow her. He eyes fall upon Veldrin and Murza a look of satisfaction on her face.
=============
=============
Saban stands at attention when invited to join the council. He will respectfully wait for the vampires to enter before he move to do the same.
"There will come a time when I will wake them, maybe they or any other sleeping Azlanti or Thassilonian will join rank with me." He said ambiguously.
Thulmerë turns his gaze to the new arrival at the door way.
"Well if it isn't Mistress Drakina, the legends of you aren't fictitious.
Yes, let's hear what the council has to say."
Thulmerë will spin the broach pin on his tunic and toga.
Transforming the clothing into an ancient set of tarnished mithral fullplate which rests upon his robes. The armour takes on the form of a flayed demonic humanoid and a serpent wrapping the waist, climbing up to his sternum.
Thulmerë Removes his helmet, holding it between one of his arms.
Allizsah tapped the birthmark upon her abdomen with a smirk. "What do you think?" She asked.
Allizsah, being the good hostess, waits for all the others to leave the room before exiting herself. She ensured to close the doors to her suite before following at the back of the line.
Murza smiles at her adopted Mother, and follows, not Saying anything and drinking the rest of the blood in the glass she held before teasing one if the drained elves with a poke. Next time... she whispered.
Veldrin flashes Ilnerik a smug grin as his Lady is the one to usher them in "Sorry old chap, lovely conversation, but I believe my Lady requires my presence." He says, brushing past the head of House Sivanshin, and bowing respectfully to Drakina, as he enters the council chamber.
Rosalind follows, weighing her mistress's remarks, and stands cordially at attention in the chamber after seeing Voracia seated.
"Thank you, mother."
It's always a risk, to claim kinship. Now to see what horrors lie in store for us. She looked over the remaining delegates, then smiled politely, her face a serene mask.
"And not a moment too soon."
Lener leaps out of the chair and offers Kisara his arm after a flourishing bow in mockery of the flowery vampiric mannerisms. "Oh, dazzling Madam Vulpina, would you give me the unsurpassed pleasure of escorting your fair self to the meeting chamber?"
Murnau soundlessly stands from his seat, moving with the unearthly grace of the undead, following the group as they move to the Council chambers.
As Thulmerë Walks into the council chamber, Standing near the door way he nods respectful to Lady Callistra Volinwrath and the other councilmen.
Thulmerë clicks his sabatons together, holding his helmet under his left arm.
"Thulmerë Harzhor, Ancient one and Fang guard of Zura and House Zura reporting for duty." He said proudly.
Thulmerë's eyes scan the room meeting theirs with Fennamir."Master Fennamir, it has been sometime since we've spoken. Urgathoa has been keeping you busy? Congratulation on becoming the head of house, we should celebrate with a hunt, just like the old days hmm?"
Prologue - Virlych – Chamber of the Eternal Council
The Vampires exit Allizsah's Suite following Drakina into the hallway and through a secret door at the end of the pasageway, which is not so secret any longer. The stair is spiral and leads both up and down, made of the blackest obsidian. Drakina leads the procession of mighty Bloodsuckers down, quite a ways down, certainly below the ground level of the Tower of of Sidisi.
Soon enough the stairs stop at the bottom, before you all looms a darkened hall flickering with the black, purple, and dark green of faerie fire. Here and there flashes of hellfire flare giving off enough light to see the skittering of thousands of insects on the floor. Drakina slips her hand into a deep pocket and pulls out a glove decorated with a forest motif and dons it. She raises her hand and gestures, the hall instantly clears of the deadly insects. She then motions for Allizsah and Saban to move forward, ”Hurry, the creeping doom that defends the hall will not stay out of the path long Mortals…”
After the humans clear the path and are within a foyer where the insects appear unable to go, the path that was once cleared fills in again with the effects of the deadly spell. Of course the dead have little to fear from even 10,000 poisonous insects and proceed after Drakina without a moment’s hesitation. Before you all is a door that appears to be an artists’ rendition of a black sun.
Once everyone is assembled the circular door looming before you all lights up in a similar vein as that of the torches and begins to roll to the left revealing a circular chamber. The middle of the chamber contains a plush carpet bright red in color. The walls are bare and appear to be made of the blackest marble.
The features that draw your attention after a brief scan of the room are thirteen chairs, most so ostentatious they would more aptly be described as thrones. They form a semicircle around the room, a handful contain residents most are vacant.
"Thulmerë Harzhor, Ancient one and Fang guard of Zura and House Zura reporting for duty", announces the Azlanti Vampire. He then turns to Fennamir and states, "Master Fennamir, it has been sometime since we've spoken. Urgathoa has been keeping you busy? Congratulation on becoming the head of house, we should celebrate with a hunt, just like the old days hmm?" Fennamir merely nods to Thulmerë giving a slight smile.
Seated in the first seat to the left is a succubus demon of exquisite beauty outlined in an aura of dark menace standing at her right hand Lady Callistra Volinwrath.
The next seat is occupied by a horrific looking undead creature which you all instantly recognize as a Daughter of Urgathoa who is wreathed by an aura of decay. Both Allizsah and Saban cannot stare overlong as they feel sickened just by the sight of it. Directly to the right of the creature is Master Fennamir Urgathoa.
The third throne is taken by a devil, a Pit Fiend no less, with an aura of wild green fire about it! Blood Emperor Kalus impassively watches you all assemble to his right. He does fix his gaze upon Murnau.
The rest of the seats are vacant save for the seventh one occupied by a horrific jigsaw fleshed creature whose fangs are too large to fit within its mouth.
Voracia steps forward immediately before anyone can say or do anything, Rosalind with a grace swiftness attends to her. "Thank you, mother", Rosalind’s voice echoes in the chamber as she comes to rest beside her Mistress. Voracia then speaks, ”So, it seems this is a meeting of great import, the last time any of you graced us with your presence was at the fall of the Whispering Tyrant . Tell us then, what was so damned important that you detained the rest of the Council!” She practically shrieks in anger eyes blood red.
The Succubus speaks, a voice its own but yet not its own as if speaking from beyond the void, as it speaks you can feel the sound emanating from it make your skin crawl with discomfort. Both Allizsah and Saban visibly shudder, ”Voracia, dear sister, we must allow our brethren to take their seats before we begin”.
The rest of the Council also begin to move forward yet staying silent though it seems Voracia is unable to remain quiet and retorts in a menacing voice, ”Observation of formalities would have required all of the Council to be here not part to meet in secret in this chamber while keeping the rest waiting to be entertained by Mortals that we could not even sate ourselves upon”.
The Pit Fiend chuckles in a voice like the Succubus’, that does not entirely sound his own, ”Take heart then dear sister that we met in Lady Callistra’s chambers so the formalities have been observed even before your arrival”. His voice is oddly more seductive than that of the Succubus’ as if there is a tempting offer lurking beneath each and every word. Allizsah and Saban can hear him but sense themselves doubting almost his every word.
The man in the seventh seat speaks, ”Shut up woman else I shift your mouth closed so others may get a word in…”
Voracia turns and shoots him daggers but before she can reply the Daughter Urgathoa cuts in, ”The point is well taken Voracia. However, we have limited time and wished to utilize most of it to come to a consensus on certain matters”. The voice is difficult to understand at first due to the buzzing noise that emits from her moth when she first begins to speak. Hearing the words reflexively makes one think of blasphemy in all of its forms. Allizsah and Saban’s ears are ringing or perhaps more accurately buzzing after she makes her point.
Drakina whispers to Veldrin, ”Attend to me Childe”. Without remark she assumes her seat, the sixth.
Audbrey Aldamori nods to Grym who knows it as the command to attend him he stalks across the carpet and assumes the eighth seat.
Thesing drops his exosuit in the middle of the crowd of Vampires and heads to the Thirteenth chair.
Ilnerik Sivanshin takes the ninth, a seat clearly intended to be the one to stand out the most jewel encrusted as it is with emeralds, sapphires and bloodstones, ”Voracia’s point is well taken by the rest of us…”
Drakina leans forward and looks at Ilnerik, ”Patience human, there is little time left before all shall be revealed”.
Count Duncan Von Trisk takes the tenth. ”I presume that revelation will include the details of the discussions you all deigned to leave us out of before reaching your consensus?”
The fifth, eleventh and twelfth seats remain vacant, instead of responding to the question Lady Callistra steps forward, ”Who here speaks for the Jair, Jerunsen, and Malkistra Families?”
"My Goddess" Allizsah breathed out when she saw Zura. The young tiefling's eyes lit up so much that the red of her eyes seemed to glow. The mark upon her flesh reacted to the presents of one who placed it there, giving off a dark aura in and of itself.
Mortals you couldn't sate yourself upon? You where most interested in Thulmerë's blood their ours... Oh well.
While Allizsah wished to take this chance to speak with her Goddess, as this may be her once chance to do so face to face upon the mortal plane, she controlled herself and moved to her proper place.
She's here... she's actually here! Or well as much as she herself can be, but... should I say something? What do I say? No. Remain silent unless she speaks to you.
Murnau strides into the council room confidently, but is momentarily caught off guard by the incredible diversity present in the Council hall. He'd heard of their legendary meetings, of course- He had heard everything worth hearing about- but the raw, undiluted power present was unimaginable. Upon hearing Allizsah's greeting to the succubus, he realized who, exactly was in the flesh. Noticing the Blood Emperor paying him extra attention, Murnau makes eye contact and gives a knowing grin. As he takes his place, the Spider stands silently, the black armored figure taking up position just behind him.
Saban clears his throat and steps forward when Lady Callistra questions them. "The Jerusen family has seen fit to send me as their representative." As if he didn't stick out enough being one of two mortals present, his rough accent confirms that he is severely out of his element.
Zelic maintains his frozen expression, betraying none of his feelings, even as he marvels at the gathered group. 'Such company!
As the others begin seating, he steps forward and bows to the Lords, announcing:
"Representing the Jair Family, Lady Kisara Vulpina." He respectfully gestures to his sister, then moves to a place behind the fifth chair, ready to pull it out for Kisara when she is ready to take the seat.
As much as he himself would have enjoyed the honor it representing the Family, he knew that between himself and Kisara, she was the more diplomatic. His own purview, Fear, wasn't likely to be as useful in the assembled company, and it was more important to properly represent Jair than grab personal glory.
Kisara stands fluidly and curtsied to Lener before laughing and taking his arm. "Lead on you devilish thing!"
When they reach the hall. Kisara takes her arm back and leans up to kiss the Half-Orc on the cheek, thanking him for his escort, before moving off with Zelic, Angelito following behind her.
When Zelic announced her her face fell in to perfect calmness, and she glided forward gracefully, stopping beside Zelic, her hand coming to rest lightly on his shoulder before she took the chair, feeling her emotions still.
'Thus we are begun!'
Rosalind's eyes widen as she looks over the gathered goddesses in their Avatars, then she controls herself and is once again the dutiful daughter.
Few beings on Golarion were as ancient as Veldrin, and most of them were in this room. Thus, he felt what mortals might call comfortable as he walked into the council chamber. Here were gathered those he counted as his peers, even though their power currently vastly outmatched his own.
He easily senses the trio who are present via avatars , and nods respectfully to each.
When Drakina asks him to attend her, he replies softly "Of course great lady" and bows, before following her.
Thulmerë bows to the avatars of Ruithvein and Urgathoa. As he lays his gaze upon the succubus, his bite mark begins throb and with every increasing second it burn as if basking in the cursid sun. Memories as old as time rush over him.
Thulmerë's body is wracked with pain, he falls onto his knees.
"Queen Zura, Siress of Thulmerë. I've served you through death as I have in life my Queen. I do hope the unlife you've given me hasn't brought you displeasure, my mistress?."
Murza remains silent, following her father and remaining hidden in his shadow... Not quite hiding yet not in the open.
She says nothing of the people in the room and only watches. She makes note of those seated and otherwise makes sure she doesn't draw the Irk of such ancient beings, so old that they make her pitiful existence look like a blink.
Even Lener's insolence is turned down a notch as he feels the power of the malevolent entities in the room. While, somewhere in his soul, the man he once was is screaming at him, the monster bows his head. "I speak for House Malkistra, my Lords."
No ranks to do the checks.
Helt surveys the room as they are speaking. The power that seems to envelope the room is a reminder to stay alert. What comes next?
After Lenar speaks, Helt nods and puffs out his chest a bit more for ceremony then anything else to show his support to Lenar and his family. As Lenar takes his sear Helt will stand behind at the ready.