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Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.16 19:31:00 -
[1] - Quote
I will you sand loving savage! Behold! I am Alixenus, Lord-lieutenant of the Venezzian trade guild! You have raided our convoys one too many times and we have come to put an end to it. Using our maritime powers we shall use firehoses and supersoakers to turn your desert to quicksand (strength: water). I know you cannot resist us for my scouts tell me you lack the tech to create even the most basic thermal or incindiary weaponry to burn our war machines with (weakness: fire). En guarde bandit! |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.19 16:05:00 -
[2] - Quote
SANDROMIN!!! You traitorous wretch! I depart on a trade run for a few days after concluding an alliance with you and this is what I come back to? Making and breaking friendships with Kuvakei and the tundra men against me! You will pay for this. As for your allies, I give them this one chance to stand down or they shall drown with you!
Terrain: Water, deep enough to float at least a boat.
Strengths: Water, Metal (does that count as Urban?) and Mountains (stone)
Weakness: Fire, Desert and Jungle (or Forrest if Jungle doesn't count)
Income: The trading middle men between nations, collects most currencies from tariffs but prefers to use Florins.
Special: Able to use retrofitted trade ships to carry out an amphibious landing, saturating an area with an excessive amount of heavy infantry in a short time span. However this is a shock and awe tactic and the infantry will have to depart once their objective is acheived. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.20 21:12:00 -
[3] - Quote
Well given your tendancy to stab people in the back, I say we limit the alliance to trade and mutual military assistance. You and your forces will not be allowed to travel through Venezzian lands or vice versa. If you can handle an agreement of this magnitude, I might agree to opening an embassy in your lands. I take it Kuvakei is our third member? |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.22 18:36:00 -
[4] - Quote
Sandromin Hes wrote:
Yes, but I say that it isn't that I stab people in the back, but that our lands have a history of much suffering indeed. Our history has been filled with bloodshed, and it has been a while since our people have seen true negotiation and not genocide. However, we reject the embassy for the above reasons. Instead, we shall build a trade route through all of our nations in order to promote harmony between all of us.
I shall trade with you spring water from our oases, and gold from our mines, and in return, I would like to see your offer.
Well water is certainly valuble at sea and Gold is always valuable. I accept your offers. In return Venezzia offers Metal goods such as tools and weapons, various woods and Timbers, wine and Artwork, assuming you have any permanent structures in your desert. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.23 12:30:00 -
[5] - Quote
Vermaak Kuvakei wrote:Anyone wanna align with me?
Well Vermak, Sandromin was originally planning on a Trifecta if you want in on this alliance. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.23 18:34:00 -
[6] - Quote
The Venezzian trade guild refuses to recognise the Logipriest nation until we have made an ill fated attempt to gauge your strength. As I speak, a squadron of Caravels approach your lands armed with floodgate 9000 water turrets. There is also a Cog armed with a catapult that will rain Stone, Fire and Rabbit meat down upon you.
Oh don't look so shocked, it's what we do. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.24 00:35:00 -
[7] - Quote
If I wasn't enjoying it I wouldn't be here :D |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2012.12.24 23:28:00 -
[8] - Quote
Vyzion Eyri wrote:
Uh, I think that means its a tie? :D
I would call it a tie aswell.
Not let me tell you what happened from a Venezzian perspective. The convoy arrayed itself parallel to your shores and gagued the distance to your closest settlements by firing the water turrets high into the air. When we heard people complaining about rain on the wind, we knew we had the range. The Caravels then began uprooting trees with the water turrets in preparation for a colony while the Cog fired an opening Salvo of Salted Rabbit. To be honest, we weren't expecting it to have such a paralytic effect. Unnerving yes, but not paralytic. When no replay came we began firing stone and fireballs, expecting an easy victory. I even broke out a bottle of port as I watched the landing craft being lowered. But then I saw you and your band of madmen, your strange chanting carrying on the wind. The Cog, it's crew being well trained, were already sizing you up for a fireball.
But then we were undone. The fireball was already lit when they began aiming at you. Just as the catapult was about to let fly, the deck caught alight, forcing to crew to begin firefighting (Fire, as you know, is one of Venezzia's weaknesses). It was this lull that allowed your people to counter attack. How your jungle vines reached our ships, I will never know. But before I knew it you were among us. Natives, sailors, builders, marines and the heavy infantry intended to defend our new colony, all joined in a massive melee on the deck of my ship. I saw a great many of your people reduced to naught but Jelly by the swing of a warhammer, or peppered with steel shot. But then my men fell to your vines, tickling their way between the plates of our armour.
The captain of the lead Caravel pannicked and turned his turrets on the rest of the flotilla. We thought the ship was lost and responded in kind. By Day's end, we were all clinging to sunken wrecks. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.26 13:23:00 -
[9] - Quote
Sandromin, Vyzion, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. When I and my crew finally rowed back to Venezzia, the Trade guild was furious with me for such a titanic failure against the Logipriests. I thought my career was over, but then you, Sandromin, sent word of the Pirates. The next day, I hear rumours of treasure hunters planning on plundering the Logipriests. It took many hours, but I convinced the trade guild to endorse my plan.
First, I will locate these pirates who raid our trade lanes and pay them bountiful sums to sail to the Logipriest jungle and attack all the Privateers they find docked there. The Jungle will be saved and the pirates will be sated by the loot they find from one another.
Any questions? |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.30 23:18:00 -
[10] - Quote
Hmm, I always wondered what lay beyond the northern mountains, now it turns out to be Dwarves of all things! Well those peaks are quite impassable so I don't suppose that I'll be seeing them anytime soon. |
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Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2012.12.31 13:00:00 -
[11] - Quote
Very well, I would request that you bring some merchants with you for we are as interested in your craftsdwarfship as we are in your diplomats. I'll have an escort of our Hamaxe wielding heavy infantry waiting for you when you cross the mountains, that is, if you can tell us where you'll emerge from the mountains |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.04 01:35:00 -
[12] - Quote
Xavier Hastings wrote:
We will be South, at the base of our highest peak.
We will bring merchants, smiths, and our diplomats. We thank your generosity of the escort, but we have our own.
Xavier himself will not be there, for he has pressing matters to attend to.
May I ask the name of your society? I heard it was called the Merchant Guild?
[Out of Character] OP, could you please make a map of sorts, so we could get a good layout of Dustia? Also, could you also make a list of all the Nations? Many thanks.[/Out of Character]
*checks the map* If emerge from the mountains' southern borders, head west along the edge of Sandromin's desert to reach Venezzia. We will light signal fires for your envoy.
You may refer to our society as Venezzia. At present the Trade guild and the ruling council are interchangeable. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.04 01:36:00 -
[13] - Quote
Vyzion Eyri wrote:Well after the pirated, bounty hunters, treasure hunters, etc. etc. finally killed each other off we decide to go digging. Surprise surprise. Treasure. Buried beneath our jungle haven is a giant refrigerator which stores the most miraculous substance ever. Chocolate that doesn't make you fat.
This glorious discovery would've been economically terrifying in the wrong hands. Thankfully, I keep my head clear in this incredible situation. If no single faction can possess this... Then every faction must possess it.
In our logiconvention, I arrange the plans. Operation delayed Christmas.
Tomorrow, all around the globe, people will wake up and they will find themselves surrounded by chocolate, without the adverse side effects.
Then, due to the stimulation of the chocolate, people will make love not war, and peace will reign for a day.
The next morning, however, people will realise they are in beds they shouldn't be in.
Darn, this completely circumvents the rest of my strategy. The trade guild shall not be pleased to hear about this... |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.06 16:33:00 -
[14] - Quote
Oh goody, a free sword. I don't think the Dwarves will be very pleased when they hear you struck Adamantium. You may want to keep that quiet |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.07 17:51:00 -
[15] - Quote
Sandromin Hes wrote:
We agree to your trade routes. We shall also send you high-quality desert spices and rubies for whatever you can offer.
You thought that you could keep this trade agreement with the Dwarves hidden from the Trade guild? No matter, we have a counter offer. We have modest quarries in the foothills of the Dwarven mountains. We could quite easily send Stone to you by ship. We have an established trade route and I'm certain our ships could handle the additional load. While I admit that the Dwarves could provide the Stone in much vaster quantities, they would have to haul it over land, through desert, trying to find you amongst the shifting dunes. All the while with a thick beard and a heavy Goatskin coat.
All the guild asks in return is a modest increase in Trade tariffs and some of your strange desert spices. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.08 23:01:00 -
[16] - Quote
Now let's be clear Dwarf, up until a few days ago we thought those mountains were uninhabited and those quarries have been there for years. Furthermore, they are merely in the foothills and are in no way infringing on your or territory or tunnelling into your cities, unless one of your settlements stretches to the Western shore.
Think about this logically, You can make for more money from selling your valuble ores than humdrum stone, my profit margins would naturally be higher due to the fact that I have established infrastructure with the other nations and I don't need to haul stone from the depths of the mountains.
As for this 3 way trade route that Sandromin proposes, it all hinges on whether I have anything the Dwarves want or vice versa... |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.09 17:23:00 -
[17] - Quote
The ruling council has been paralysed by fear of the Golems and indecision on how to deal with the industrial Barbarians. Even though the Golems drowned when they tunneled into Venezzia, the sight of their floating corpses has terrified the civilian population. They have already mustered into their assigned militia battalions and are 'policing' the streets. Venezzia is folding in on itself as I speak. It appears that only the private armies of the Trade guild will be available to you to combat this threat.
That is, assuming I can convince them to fight the enemy and not negotiate with them... |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.10 21:23:00 -
[18] - Quote
Agreed. Venezzia is secure from Golem tunnels for the most part on account of the fact that most of the city's foundations are in the sea. I have been eavesdropping on what Merchants I can get close to. Many favour appeasement and negotiation, some even suggest siding with our foes to end the hostilities. I can't say I'm suprised; they think of their coin purses first and Venezzia second.
Do not judge them unfairly. By our laws the merchants are allowed their armies to defend trade routes and to break blockades, it is the duty of the ruling council to make war on behalf of the City. But the council does nothing and our merchants have great influence over the council. If they say negotiate, the council will negotiate. As if that were not enough I have heard rumours that there are those who are planning a coup against the council!
As a Lord Lieutenant my resources are vast, but not limitless. I can investigate these rumours or 'persuade' the pro-peace merchants, but I cannot do both. Tell me, friends, what should I do?
[OOC I am not trying to compete for the roll of Game master here, just trying to flesh out my backstory] |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.12 01:18:00 -
[19] - Quote
I had hoped that this day would never come. I had prayed that the Doge, leader of the council, would step forward and perform his duty, act decisively, but he has not. He seems genuinely amused by Venezzia's implosion. I am, I was, supposed to be Lord Lieutenant in the Merchant's armies, but it seems like I work on behalf of guild and city. Perhaps this is how the merchants gained their control, they slowly erased the city's army and made the city completely dependent on them and their trade. The council grew fat and lazy. More merchants were elected...
Even if the council is corrupt, they will still bow to the merchants now. Stopping Bribes will do nothing. Marching against the council will throw us into complete chaos and likely make me a target for the rest of my days. The Merchants will direct their forces unpredictably, the militias will die trying to stop my forces and fighting the council guard will be a bloodbath.
If I go down this road, I will not be able to contribute to your fight against the barbarians and I will need your help to have any hope of victory. The only other option is to take what forces i have to help you win this war under the guise of a trade guild 'investment', but it may be too late by the time it is over. I shall think on this. If you truly wish to help me, have the forces you are willing to contribute ready soon.
I never thought Venezzia would be the weak link in this alliance... |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.12 12:00:00 -
[20] - Quote
Sandromin's plan seems the most feasible. I will go ahead with it, no more time can be wasted. There should still be some Privateers lying around the cost of the Logipriest nation. See if you can rope them in to help you. In the meantime I will muster my heavy infantry to bolster the guard around my compound and inform my tennants to cease their militia duties, to keep them out of any violence. Once this is done I will start drawing up a convincing plan to stop your 'pirates' for public presentation.
...
Excuse me gentlemen, I could've sworn I just heard the sound of a battering ram hitting my front door. |
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Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.13 13:55:00 -
[21] - Quote
Any doubts I had about this plan have gone out of the window now!
* Grabs his horn from his belt and blasts out the rallying signal*
There's an abandoned perimeter fort not far from here. I will raise my pennant there so that my men know where to find me.
*Hands a bag of gold and a scroll to the Sandman*
Give these to the town crier in pyerlanze square. It's the one with the clocktower. Tell him to read it in the afternoon address.
Dwarf, I thank the Liberator for his assistance and that he can direct any funds from the privateers to the fort.
If they want a war, they shall have it. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.13 23:40:00 -
[22] - Quote
Guards at the Southern dock is strange, it's in the centre of the city; only common goods pass through there. You may call me paranoid, but I believe our enemy is expecting a delivery at those docks. But if he's trying to disguise it as a normal shipment, why the guards? We can't intercept it, the waters around the city are too open, it could come in with any convoy at any time.
The only other explanations are that a crime occured or that is the escort of someone of import. Hm, but why the southern docks? |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.14 12:28:00 -
[23] - Quote
So we have Golems, NPC industrials & Reapers Awol. To top it off we have Venezzia on the brink of civil war because you can't manage your subordinates? Have I got that right? |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.14 19:10:00 -
[24] - Quote
Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. If he has not learnt that maxim during his time in the desert then he shall be defeated again. By us, together. My heavy infantry and the skirmishers attached to them have arrived to the fort along with their various camp followers. The cavalry is trying to leave but apparently there's some sort of paperwork issue. That's not a real concern. Besides, if fighting breaks out in the city streets Horses will likely be no more than a hazard.
Do you have any idea on how we can draw this Armok out of hiding? |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.14 22:46:00 -
[25] - Quote
Elaborate as in involving a machine designed by Sir Rube of Goldberg?
Venezzia's a sprawl these days, there's any number of places... the old town tends to have allsorts of illegal running through it. He could slip away over the roofs, through an apartment block, over a canal gate before setting fire to it etc. The Marble market by the fair ground has the occaisional smuggler-hand off sort of thing. But he couldn't sell more than knives and Bolts like that. Still, he could blend into the crowd. Then there's the classic: The sewers. Well they're not really sewers, more a combination of sluice gates, maintenance tunnels and vaults. Dark, dank and prone to completely flooding at a moments notice. He would have to know it very well not to drown. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.15 17:10:00 -
[26] - Quote
*Tears up the letter from Vyzion Eyri*
Are you Frakking kidding me!? This world is falling apart at the seams!
*Yells in a futile rage at the sky before retreating to the command cabin for a few moments*
You, Dwarf. Take this message back to your leader.
[Message reads] My Lord Hastings,
Whilst I appreaciate your concern about the citizenry of Venezzia it is misplaced. The majority of the city's food is still produced by the farms on the mainland and a fair haul of fish can be gained from a the canals. If there are any mothers crying, it is because their brave little sailor has been lost in these raids. I am saddened by the fact that the common folk must die because of the evils of the nobility, but that is the way of the world.
By now rationing should be coming into force in the city and the Merchants will likely be sweating as they see their coffers empty. In a desperate bid, I have no doubt that they will hire some corsairs of their own, or attempt to turn yours against you. Be on guard for when this happens.
To allay your concerns about the people of Venezzia, I shall have my men inside the city depart the barracks to investigate.[Message ends] |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.15 17:18:00 -
[27] - Quote
[Meanwhile in Pyerlanze square, the Town crier prepares to read the address given to him by the sandman]
*Clears throat* O YAY! O YAY! O YAAAAAY! The following proclamation comes from Lord Lieutenant Alixenus of the Trade guild, to whom the people of the Bignorian wall are loyal liege-citizens.
People of Venezzia! By now you will be aware of the hardships that our nation faces at sea. Pirates, with naught but a vile and malicious intent, have begun assaulting our fair ships as they chart a course across the seas. Some of you will have lost loved ones, others wll have noticed the emptying of the markets. But this shall go on no longer. I shall make it my sole endeavour to root out whosoever is responsible for these crimes and bring them to justice! They shall realise that to fight Venezzia is to face certain defeat, and that to harm it's people, is to doom yourself and your family for the next three generations!
Written on the 5th day of the 7th month of the 12th year of the reign of Doge Petruccio II the peaceful, guardian of the tradelanes and bulwark against the badlands. |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.16 18:46:00 -
[28] - Quote
*Venezzian riders Gallop into the mountains and deserts, bearing messages for Sandromin and Xavier*
[Message runs] My Lord, I have recieved word from my Cavaliers within the city. The people are fearful as expected but now they face starvation. Those in charge of the public granaries are refusing to release their contents to the people. Presumably Armok has a hand in this. It matters little, we shall turn this to our advantage. Your forces are to provide logistical and medical support to my men. We can't be viewed as a foreign invasion, this must be a 'clean fight' as it were. In two days time, my men will march into the city and with the people behind us, force the Grannaries to be opened.
This will lead to me being viewed as some sort of heroic figure. We will then proceed to occupy the 'House of the broken lance'. It is spacious and easily defensible with but a short distance to the Palazzo de Venezzia. This is the administrative heart of the city, where I will demand emergency executive powers. If the Doge refuses, I will lay siege until he submits. Your men will be billited in the forts, try to stay out of the public eye. If something is amiss, I will signal with one lon blast upon my horn.
May the winds be kind to your sails my Lord [Message ends] |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.19 14:55:00 -
[29] - Quote
*A bedraggled and bloody messenger arrives at the Fort and enters the command Cabin to find Sandromin and Xavier*
I bring word from Alixenus sirs! He regrets not being able to contact you, but the open fighting has broken out in the city and the battle had turned against him. He has been cut off for the past 24 hours in The house of the broken Lance, surrounded on all sides by loyalist forces. The bulk of our forces being held south of his position by barricades and indirect fire from the North and West harbours.
I cannot say how the fighting began, but I'm sure the Lord lieutenant will be willing to tell you when the current situation is resolved. I have been sent by my superiors to ask whether or not you will send troops into the city immeadiately to help us push through to Alixenus' position. |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.20 14:23:00 -
[30] - Quote
*Alixenus uses the lull in the siege to count how many bolts he has left for his siege-bow and read the newest reports in the stack of papers left by his side whilst he fired on the loyalists. Through the Dust and Smoke, he thinks he can see movement on the far side of the canaliculi, presumably loyalist reinforcements. Extending his spyglassto view whoever is approaching, Alixenus gasps in shock at the sight of what he sees.
Venezzian council guard, pikes lowered with the men formed up ready to cross the bridges leading to him. Above them, pennant bearing crossed swords flutters in the breeze. The pennant is affixed to a large camel-like creature, being ridden by a sandman larger than any he has seen before*
"Armok I presume. With the guard? Interesting"
*Alixenus counts the last of his bolts and arranges them beside them, before noticing that he has a bolt sticking out of his own leg.*
"Hmm, so that's why my leg hurt"
*Being the soldier that he is, Alixenus just pulls out the bolt and adds it to his ammo* |
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Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.20 14:33:00 -
[31] - Quote
Battle of Venezzia.
Base terrain: Stone/Urban
Modifier: Water. Multiple canals with sewers that have a high chance of flooding.
Enemy: Venezzian loyalists. Similar to my troops except these men spend most of their time on shore. As a result fire and water are reversed in their positions on strength and weakness.
Modifier: Armok's presence gives a bonus to their attack power in open battle, whilst fighting for the council improves the soldier's morale.
Special: If worst comes to worst they can call up civilain militias loyal to them to screen the heavier troops, slow you down or assault your flanks and weakend units. Poorly armoured but well trained. The good news? Their loyalty is not completely certain so feel free to do a dice roll (if that's your thing) to determine how many you face.
There, you now have everything you need to run a battle for yourself as part of the civil war. |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.21 10:40:00 -
[32] - Quote
*The mist lifts, his hands still clenched in a fist. Teeth grit, next twist, to look for who's coming next. But there's none left, all around I'm surrounded by death, save a Doge kneeling down in respect*
"Lord lieutenant, why have you done this thing and made war against your own people?"
"I did this for the people, excellency, far more than you, the council or the merchants were willing to do."
"What will you do with me now?"
"Now? Now you ill order your men to stand down. Then you shall decide to retire from public life, as will the council"
*Before the Doge can answer a siege bolt flies through his head, sending him hurtling across the Palazzo de Venezzia. Alixenus turns to see who fired the shot. It was Armok, who casts down the siege bow and draws his weapon*
"Venezzia is mine you peasant!"
"No, Venezzia is for Venezzians. As you will soon find out."
"What? Are you going to kill me? Alone? The Doge's men still hold this square, the fact that you and your fellows got through to drag the Doge out is a testament to the incompetence of your people"
"Yes, I am going to kill you"
*Alixenus draws his Hamaxe and starts walking toward Armok, but falls due to his injured leg. Armok laughs, but abruptly stops when Alixenus picks himself up and builds to an almighty charge toward him* |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.22 22:05:00 -
[33] - Quote
Alixenus struggles to reply whilst locked in combat with Armok
"No! He killed my Doge! Turned my nation...against itself! He has killed my people and is...in my city! He is....Mine!"
He pauses to duck a savage blow which causes him to fall over. Alixenus then rolls to evade more strikes before getting to his feet.
"Your honour may demand that you kill him, but so does mine!"
Alixenus then unslings his tower shield and flings it at Armok. Before Armok can recover Alixenus charges in and breaks the front legs of his steed with his hamaxe. Whilst Armok struggles from his fallen mount, the weary Lord lieutenant turns to Sandromin.
"What are you even doing here? I didn't send for reinforcements, I was trapped in the command post." |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.23 00:46:00 -
[34] - Quote
It's just one thing *kicks Armok over* after another isn't it?
*Raises the Hamaxe above his head and brings down full force, hammer side down into Armok's chest. The sound of bones snapping can be heard as blood sprays from his face wrap*
You can finish him off if you want, or let him suffer, I don't care. At least this way we both claim the kill.
*Alixenus walks off, yelling for a doctor, pausing only to tell some passing peasants where the closest building with an intact roof is* |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
36
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Posted - 2013.01.23 22:57:00 -
[35] - Quote
Fear not Sandromin, I have initiated emergency muster protocols. All soldiers still capable of fighting are being embarked on everyone ship to make sail for the badlands. We will be ready to depart in 36 hours. The civilian militias will guard the city while we are gone.
*hands a letter to Xavier's officer telling him to have his privateers cease attacking and to begin manoeuvring them to be 'captured'
If anyone cares to look at Armok his broken frame is hanging from the montagne gatehouse. |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.24 22:49:00 -
[36] - Quote
Dwarves are manning the ships? Dwarves have ships? I thought you'd hired human pirates! No matter, as far as the people will know, these 'barbarous raiders' are spending the rest of their lives in the city prison. |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.25 13:49:00 -
[37] - Quote
By the time you read this I will have set sail for the badlands. I do not know when I will arrive, or where on that continent I will land, save for it being somewhere on the nothern half. This necromancer had better be as grave a threat as you say, or else I am putting Venezzia in great peril for no reason at all!. |
Alixenus
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36
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Posted - 2013.01.25 21:00:00 -
[38] - Quote
*A message is delivered to Sandromin by a half dead carrier bird*
Curses Sandromin! Curses! A foul wind has carried my fleet far past our intended landing zone. We have managed to run the ships aground on the most northerly portion of the badlands to stop them being carried further away. We are unloading as best we can but many of my men have been struck down by some malady, probably sea sickness. If I am not too much mistaken, this puts that ominous beam of light between you and me. So you can either look at this as us being separated, or the execution of an improvised two pronged attack on our enemy.
Fear not Sandromin, you are not alone. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.27 00:34:00 -
[39] - Quote
The Venezzians continue their march towards the source of the light. Having recovered from their ordeal at sea, they are now proceeding in full parade fashion, with fifes and pipes and drums and flags. No doubt their sound carries on the wind for many leagues. The various camp followers begin to lag behind from the shock of the storm and the intimidation factor of the badlands. Though the more scholarly amongst them have recorded that the local plant life seems to perk up as they pass.
[OOC In other words, I'm closing in on Sandromin's position] |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.27 21:51:00 -
[40] - Quote
Unbeknownst to Thanatos and Sandromin, Venezzians make themselves as obvious as possible when marching so that their scouts and skirmishers can prepare ambushes. And the scouts themselves are tragically unaware that the Sandmen are accompanying Thanatos of their own free will. After reporting the situation to Alixenus, he ordered that the entire army fall silent and proceed at double time whilst he rode ahead to command the Ambush.
"Sandromin may be enchanted, or this is some form of elaborate trap. Either way, we will get to the bottom of this. Concentrate fire upon the newcommer, if any sandmen get in the way, shoot to wound. Fire on my lead"
Perched in an outcrop, his armour smeared in ash for camoflage, the Lord Lieutenant brings his Ash-wood siege crossbow to his shoulder, aims at Thanatos' heart...
And pulls the trigger. |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.28 20:50:00 -
[41] - Quote
Alixenus is thoroughly impressed with this new civilisation, though looking at him you wouldn't be able to tell. The visor on his helmet is still down and through the vision slit you can see only a glare, directed solely at Thanatos. The cold steel of his armour had lost most of the ash rubbed onto it as he proceeded through the halls, trailing behind him like some foul miasma. That combined with the Silver sheen of his armour against the Gold of the Palace, made his very presence seem poisonous to the place.
Another bolt is in place in his siege crossbow, though it's slung on his back. Instead, Alixenus has his Hamaxe ready in his hand, with his Pavise/Tower shield cross ready on the other in case the guards shot at him. He had already prepared what he was going to say to Thanatos, so his thoughts at present alternated between compliments for the palace and the best way to drive the bolt further through Thanatos' armour.
"My Lord, the most peaceful and prosperous Republic of Venezzia demands to know what foul magicks you have cast upon the Logipriest nation, what price must be paid to remove this curse and whether this constitutes a declaration of war against our sovereign nation. You may relay your response through me, Alixenus. Lord lieutenant of the Trade guild and Interim administrator"
Hmm, if I run up now, he thought, a single blow from the hammer should at least get the bolt into a lung. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.28 23:00:00 -
[42] - Quote
OOC Dangit Sandromin, you beat me to the book idea *sends away his scribes and historians*. Well, if it ever gets long enough to publish, make sure we get co-author credits. OOC ends
I will stand down when we find out what is causing that strange light, how we stop the zombies and what the hell radiation is!
*flourishes the hamaxe impatiently before checking his crossbow and sword haven't been taken. Then he turns back to Thanatos with a look that says "answer now or we're going to have a problem"* |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.29 20:09:00 -
[43] - Quote
Alixenus had removed his lower faceguard for the negotiations now that Thanatos had begun speaking, but this only revealed his mouth and still hid most of his expression. At first his natural, human curiosity caused him to hang off of the King's every word. However as Thanatos continued the light in Alixenus eyes dimmed as the talk became more and more esoeteric.
"What is a molecule?" He thought to himself "This is just getting rediculous. This Iyo may be a lucrative opportunity, but he's just trying to throw us off, or he speaks of witchcraft. To hell with this, he may aswell be playing Vivaldi to a mountain frog!"
Alixenus' mouth turned into a grimace [a la Judge Dredd] as this train of thought continued. By the end of Thanatos' soliloqui he was satisfied with the response he had recieved, but of course needed to point out an obvious problem.
"Well where do we start looking for this new Archnecromancer? I hardly have the resources to launch some grand expedition to the ends of the earth. And just to keep this at the forefront, the Logipriests are still languishing, suffering on their island. And how do you suggest we grab this last piece of your cipher without being afflicted?"
Then more urgently:
"How long do I have until this 'ray-di-a-shone' poisons me to the point of needing a doctor?"
Alixenus was not just going to walk out of here with no idea of what to do next. He wanted a plan and at least some idea of the disposition of the enemy, even if it did mean leaving Venezzian in the hands of it's unpaid (but capable) militia. Then he thought:
"If Thanatos asks, I 'll be more than happy to end his suffering...Why am I so determined to kill him?" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.29 23:26:00 -
[44] - Quote
Xavier hadn't even finished talking when Alixenus began discussing emergency exfiltration with his attendants outside the map room. As the attendant runs off, plate armour clanking down the halls, Alixenus turns to address his only co-workers in the entire world. Anger and Fear evident in his voice.
"Oh by the great maker I feared something like this would happen. Now, I know full well that this is one of those 'fight together or die alone' moments and I would personally like to wring the life out of the AN, but Venezzia needs me. If those zombies don't head into the mountains they'll be at the walls of city even if I leave right now. I may trust the people with a conventional foe but this is.... WHAT IS THIS? *throws his helmet on the floor* My Lords I am sorry but this cipher and AN will have to wait. I did not save my city from Armok just to lose it to a bunch of Tree loving cannibals! I will be more than happy to contribute troops to the defence of your homes, but the zombie threat ends now."
Sandromin moved to console the frenzied Venezzian, but Alixenus just bats him away with a heavy gaunlet and points his hamaxe at the Dwarf when he made a similar motion.
"Do not try to stop me, this is for your benefit as much as mine. Try to stop me and I will retract the offer of aid. Zombies first, AN later."
Alixenus regarded Thanatos with nothing but contempt as he picked up his helmet and affixed it to his head. Thanatos may not have been the cause, but Alixenus was certainly going to hold him responsible. The Lord-Lieutenant then turned and stormed out the room, his half-cape billowing about his shoulders, barking orders to the remaining attendants. The echo chamber in his helmet made him sound every inch like the God of War.
"BY THE GREAT MAKER I WILL SLAUGHTER THEM ALL!" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.30 16:18:00 -
[45] - Quote
OOC: First off, I just want to thank you guys for letting Alixenus do his own thing. I know I have a tendency to write large sections and go off on wild tangents, but I'm glad this latest one didn't break anyone's plot ideas to the point of them needing to ask me to calm the f*** down. Second, I'm so glad I found this thread, it's helped me to realise the joy of writing a narrative again, and through such a fun format too!
Right, now that all that's out of the way, back to the saga of Dustia |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.30 16:34:00 -
[46] - Quote
[Narration section, just read it in an epic voice]
And so the stage was set.
The Old soldier, storming off to war again, filled with fury and terror. Not knowing or caring what death and deadly destiny had in store for him. Not once stopping to think of his own safety, or to burden others with his duty. Willing to wipe out another race just to save his own. All for the love of a flag and a faceless crowd.
The madman in the loincloth, spending the night in his empire of blood and ashes. Clawing at the walls of his own mind. Not knowing of the role he had yet to play.
The Furtive and Manipulative Dwarf, so easily forgotten by other men. So easily turning every disaster to his advantage. Like a predator he stalks our players, forcing them around like pieces on a board. Power is his desire, but to what end? and does he realise every consequence of that end?
The tortured King, exhausting his entire life to help others. Striving for good and peace only to be perpetually punished for it. His efforts brought salavation and untold prosperity, at the cost of a curse from the hand of fate. Again he rushes to the aid of others. The goal is the same, the people different. But this time, he is not alone.
The noble sandman. A diplomat, a peacemaker, so desperately trying to hold together the alliance he had worked so hard for, only to see it unravelling before his eyes as death himself seeks to claim this world. He is perhaps their salvation, if only they could see it.
The sun sets on Dustia again, but the morn will bring no joy for the living. The dawn will bring only blood, blast and fire. The dawn will bring only steel, wrath and war. The dawn will bring only death |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.30 22:26:00 -
[47] - Quote
OOC. Ooh so much activity. Who knew a logizombie apocalypse would bring everyone out of the woodwork. Be not afeared Mr. Pyrus, I know how to deal with you. Oh and a machine faction now? Venezzia is starting to feel underequipped. http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ssdgb/
Edit in response to Thanatos: Trust me, I wasn't planning on being in Venezzia this fast either, but Pyrus somewhat forced my hand. We could put it down to "unseasonably good winds" in my case. In fact, just to ease the continuity issue, we'll say that my subplot is occuring just under a week after yours.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Oh I do not have the patience for this today! Elephanta break!"
The company of men following Alixenus obediently followed his orders. They formed a funnel shape formation with Pikes at the end and Hamaxes ready on the sides. The Giant would run into the funnel and either be skewered or have his legs broken when he tried to get out of the funnel. But Alixenus did not join the formation. Instead, he charged the giant with his Hamaxe in both hands!
At last second, Alixenus slid to one side and tripped up the Giant with a mighty hammer blow. The Giant fell and slid to the end of the funnel face first. Rolling over, he was greeted with swords and Hamaxes. A very angry looking Lord lieutenant was standing on his chest; a sword in one hand, pointed at the giant's throat. In the other, a large bag of coin.
"That's one way to introduce yourself beast. Now you either join my payroll or die. Your choice. But if you take too long, we'll break your legs and leave you for whatever is making that groaning sound in the bushes" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.31 18:24:00 -
[48] - Quote
The day had been long and hard. Much had been lost. As much as the Logizombies seemed to exhibit some tactical sense, there were a few amongst them that had not stayed with the 'army'. These zombies were now beating at the gates of Venezzia.
They had came upon the city in the dead of night. Most of the gates were shut. The north gate, however, was not. It had been left open for any late Dwarven refugees. The swordsman in the guard post was slumped in a collapsable chair. Half drunk-half asleep. A volunteer like all the others. Alixenus and his forces had returned, but they were recovering in the barracks from their journey. So the Militia was still on duty. The guard never heard the zombie. Everyone heard his screams.
Within 20 minutes, Alixenus had been awoken by a herald with news of the zombies. Within 30 his dressed and armoured. Within 35 he could see the houses all along the North wall ablaze. Some of his troops had been sent off to the Dwarven lands and the desert in case the war dragged on. The ones that were left were the ones that Alixenus wanted to be here. Like the all-merchant units. Like the 2nd heavy horse. The very unit that Alixenus led out of the gate at a full gallop into the zombie hoarde. The gates closed again behind them as they powered through the mass of claws and teeth. Crossbow bolts rained down from the walls, more and more as the professionals arrived.
Alixenus drove his lance through a dwarven zombie and pinned it into the earth. But in that time a dozen more came and overwhelmed his steed. Alixenus swung wildly with his sword as he struggled to get his still-wounded leg free of the stirrup. Tumbling off in a metallic heap, he would surely have been trampled to death had his shield not been on his back.
Venezzia's new ruler awoke several hours later in a daze. The sun was rising, he could tell that much and he could hear something tapping on his helmet. Looking up, he saw it was a carrion crow testing his palatability. Alixenus shooed the Crow off and rose to his feet. Utter horror greeted his eyes. The ground all around him was littered with dead. At least the ground that he could see. The air was thick with acrid smoke from the burning houses and incindiary weapons. The rising sun turned this into an inpenetrable, bitter smog. The outlines of defensive fieldworks resolved themselves around him. Ditches, Gabionades, Timber command posts. The Tattered banner of the 2nd heavy horse stood in front of him. A plate-clad arm still hung onto it, a trail of blood indicating where the owner had gone.
Alixenus checked his shield. Shattered. He dropped it. Next his sword. Gone. Unarmed save for his gauntlets. Then his hearing came back to him. The discordant instruments of war still played around him. The dead were still groaning. There was the crackle of burning wood. The ripping and tearing of flesh. He gazed through the smoke. The command post was too far to go without a weapon. He was still searching for one when a zombie came upon him... |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.31 22:00:00 -
[49] - Quote
OOC Okay Brutus, essentially there's been a zombie apocalypse brewing for a while and it's finally spilled over. Now Sandromin and Thanatos fixed it in a previous post, but my subplot is running slightly behind their's. So we just have to hold out until the Zombies are suddenly roasted in a blinding light from heaven. I was planning on wrapping up this battle in the next post. any objections? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.31 23:24:00 -
[50] - Quote
OOC alright then let's save Venezzia!
"No time to explain now Brutus", Alixenus yelled to his lofty companion as he scooped up a flanged Mace, "Just get me to that hut over there!"
The yelling attracted yet more of the living dead and it was now obvious that fighting their way to the command post was going to be a heroic struggle. But Alixenus was far from a heroic level of health after his ordeal. So, using logical that only a Giant can concoct, Brutus picked up Alixenus and threw him (Under-arm!!!) to the command post.
"Plate armour. he be fine" and with that he proceeded to decimate the surrounding necrotics with his horned helmet.
Alixenus had a relatively pleasant landing: chest first into half a horse. When he picked himself up and got the taste of offal out of his mouth he saw a pack of zombies beating on the door of the command post. He could see no signs of resistance from inside. But then he heard the whoosh of fast flowing water behind him. Turning about he saw one of Venezzia's many 'flood gate' cannons blasting away a pack of zombies: some were disintergrated by the torrent while others were carried away in the deluge. Alixenus could see gunners pointing at the beleagured command post. That cannon would wipe it out. There might not be anyone inside but he had to try.
Charging into the back of the group beating on the door, Alixenus smashed his flanged Mace into the skull of one of the larger specimens dressed in a loin cloth. It twitched and quivered before turning around to try to eat him with what was left of it's mouth. Alixenus struck again and turned most of it's head to pulp. It now wandered aimlessly whilst it's cohorts now seeked vengance. This was no time for artistry or virtuosity. Alixenus attacked with brute force, using himself and the Mace to break limbs and knock down the dead at every opportunity. Mace to the knee. Elbow spike to the eyes. Fist to the nose. Boot to ribs. Severed arm to the arm still attached. and all the while he could hear the cannon slowly filling with water.
Using the remains of his last opponent as a springboard, Alixenus lept onto the roof of the command post and started waving frantically at the cannon. For an eternity it seemed to stay aimed at him. The gunners peering at him with curiosity through the mist. The zombies he just fought through were getting back to their feet. At last Venezzia's defenders turned their bile upon another group of undead. Alixenus slumped over on the roof, exhausted, not caring about the many hands clawing at him.
Brutus casually walked up to him, a tree over his shoulder like a club. He looked at at Alixenus curiously.
"Friend dead?"
"Friend tired"
"Oh, but still fight?"
"Yes"
"fight now?"
"Hmm.... may aswell"
So he heaved himself to his feet, grabbed the Mace and lept off the roof at a human zombie. But as the blow was struck blazing fire came down from the skies, blinding all present. When they felt they could open their eyes again, they found the dead were vanquished. Alixenus found his mace was deep in a pile of ash. He looked puzzled for a moment, then he shrugged, dropped the mace, took off his face guard and sat down on that half a horse.
He said to himself, "Not bad Sandromin, not bad at all. But, I don't think we did too badly ourselves... Yup, Thanatos may have all his fancy magic and such, but I think we did alright"
The smog lifted, it was midday. The birds were singing. The walls had held. |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.01.31 23:29:00 -
[51] - Quote
OOC oh and for reference Venezzia is tier 1 tech with the exception of the water cannons. I'm guessing da vinci's Dustian cousin had an epiphany that led to that one. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.01 23:36:00 -
[52] - Quote
Alixenus sighed at the sight of Brutus running over yonder.
"I'd better get after him before he starts another war"
he grabbed a smattering of weapons from a passing corpse wagon and then lept on a wandering horse and proceeded at a canter after his giant...guest. After he some time he passed through the outermost village which was surrounded with logipriest corpses. Cresting a hill he saw Brutus standing over a group of unconscious Logipriests and smashed suit of armour. Alixenus carefully rolled over the one nearest to him and was seized with a tumult of emotions.
"You..."
It seemed so long ago, an expedition with four ships, colony plans, a career on the brink of ruination. All because of this one. The leader of the Logipriests! Of course, he couldn't kill the logipriest; Brutus was acting as protector. He is the third member of the alliance, so diplomatically this would be a disaster. But what nation? These look to be the last Logipriest. And what a joke they were anyway! Living in trees wearing loincloths! But he nearly ruined me, destroyed our ships, ate my people, summoned Golems and tried to run our choclate industry into the ground.
The city's honour demanded some penalty be exacted, but perhaps, perhaps, not in the conventional way.
Several hours later a prisoner wagon arrived with some doctors for the Logipriests. Brutus looked on suspiciously whilst Alixenus tried to hammer out a dent in his helmet with a broken pole hammer. The last Logipriest had been loaded up when he felt a stinging sensation in the back of his neck. Reaching around, Alixenus found a tranquiliser dart. He was able to get half a blast out of his horn before he fell backwards off of his horse...
...and saw the automen coming out of the trees. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.02 12:35:00 -
[53] - Quote
[Several hours after the ambush by the collective]
Venezzia's interim administrator wasn't setting a very good example to everyone else. At present he was sitting in a Tavern, nursing his umpteenth glass of wine and contemplating his ill fortune.
"Truly, the universe must have it out for Venezzia," he thought, "First we suffer a reverse at sea because of those damn logipriests, Then Golems and zombies and a civil war ! Then we find out that we're technologically outclassed by everyone and that machines have risen up against us.... Why? The answer is obivous. They smell the scent of death on this nation. They're just going to let us exhaust ourselves swinging for them and then they will make the kill."
Alixenus paused to order another bottle while peasants looked on in concern and merchants whispered about him at the next table.
"Venezzian power was only good as long as we were fighting savages. Sure, sandmen raiders on our land caravans gave us a run for our money, but we held our own. I bet Sandromin smells death on us too. He wants us to just conveniently forget all we lost to raiders like Armok? He wants this city too. They all do. You don't just suddenly reveal your civilisation to another and then just start a military alliance. This is all a trick. Well, if they want Venezzia, they will have to come and take it"
OOC Please bear in mind that these are my internal thougths, I wasn't making a public address or anything like that. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.02 16:07:00 -
[54] - Quote
Ooh sorry Brutus, no need to worry. I'll edit in some exposition to that post. You haven't botched anything :) |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.03 14:22:00 -
[55] - Quote
OOC For the record, I've never played D&D. I'm glad to hear that Thanatos will be making a return, Diyad was too interesting to just vanish.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"I'm sorry Lord Alixenus, I just don't see why we need a board of auditors for the council"
"And that is exactly why Venezzia almost died and I forced your retirement!" Alixenus sighed and rubbed his eyes. While he was glad that calm and normality was returning to the city, the Herculean task of restructuring the city Government to prevent corruption on the same scale still lay ahead.
"Why are you even here, Lord Vincenzo?"
"Because while I'm not one of the merchants, I own almost half the houses in the city. You can understand why it would be in the best interest of the people that I have a stake these reforms"
"If only you wanted to make some reforms"
Duke Vincenzo was by far the biggest obstacle. But Alixenus couldn't go around killing his opposition and Vincenzo couldn't kill the champion of the people. This back and forth continued for several minutes until, frustrated, Alixenus grabbed his cloak and stormed onto the balcony. He wrapped the cloak tightly against the harsh winter winds as looked out over the clean up operation in the Palazzo de Venezzia before turning his gaze toward the north gate. The rebuilding of the houses there was moving at rapid pace, not least because of Alixenus used his private troops to aid in the task. As devastating as the zombie attack was, it appeared that politics in Venezzia was a thousand times more vicious. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.04 19:19:00 -
[56] - Quote
"So, we can all agree that the City's army shall not fall below this number?"
A mumur of approval
"And on the subject of the council structure, are we in agreement that the number of Merchants cannot exceed forty percent?"
"Objection!"
"Yes Signorio Valleria, what is it?"
"I do not see that stipulation on any of documents that have been presented too me"
"It's the one in the red leather Signorio"
Whilst the Merchant Valleria looked through the papers, Alixenus had a moment to savour his wine and appreciate the progress he had been able to make in such short time. Yes, Duke Vincenzo's reach was vast and the merchants were on his side, but what could they do against Alixenus? The man who slayed Armok? Who stopped the zombies? Who saved the people from starvation by capturing the pirate fleets? He, who now had complete control over all the seaworthy military ships in Venezzia?
Until yesterday, Alixenus was getting nowhere until he hit a stroke of good fortune. Many of the Merchants who died during the zombie siege had no heirs or other shareholders of their armies. By the law of Venezzia, these troops became part of the city army, answerable to the council and the Doge...or in this case, the interim administrator. Some of the other merchants were more than willing to sell the contracts of their troops at reasonable rates. Many fled the city soon afterwards. Sure, the money men could buy off Alixenus' troops, but where would that leave their profits? Apply a little muscle to the influential types and they soon cave. Mentioning the words, 'defenceless' and 'pirates' had a startling impact.
So day by day he was gaining ground with his reforms. It seemed that politics was war without blood and Alixenus was threatening to bring out the Fire.
"Administrator Alixenus, what's this about a board of Auditors?"
But he had a while to go. However, as soon as the new council was settled, he'd be going after whoever took Brutus and the Logipriests.
OOC Well it can't be war all the time can it? Besides, you can't just have a civil war and expect a new government to spring up without a problem. My character is only human and he has been through quite a lot in the recent Crisis. Charging after the collective straight away would have been... unpleasant |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.05 19:21:00 -
[57] - Quote
Xavier Hastings wrote:
[OOC]Xavier is turning into Golem.[/OOC]
Well, that was unexpected. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.06 19:05:00 -
[58] - Quote
OOC Hey folks, won't be posting much for a couple days. Not that I've run out of ideas, it's just that my I can't think of a way to make the formation of Venezzia's government particularly interesting. Yes, I'm well aware that there's some excellent opportunities for scheming there, but I can't think that way. Therefore, Sandromin now has full rights to flesh out this particular section inmy subplot however he sees fit in both this thread and the book version of this. In fact, he has my permission to improve any of my sections in the book.
Now, at some point I will be searching high and low for the Logipriests, Brutus and the Collective, but for now, if nothing else, I'm letting my wounds heal while I sign various documents and argue with Duke Vincenzo. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.07 21:15:00 -
[59] - Quote
OOC Oh Snap! Damn Vyzion, this **** just got real! People says things are getting slow around here and BOOM you drop a supernova and the best laid plans of Gods and Men. Bravo sir, Bravo. However, I too will now be contributing again to stop the thread becoming slow. Was there ever any peace in Dustia? /OOC
________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Okay...and with that... Venezzia is now signed on to the universal calender!" Alixenus said as he put down his quill and eagerly shook hands with representatives of the Dwarves and Sandmen.
"This is truly a historic day, hopefully this marks a new era of co-operation in this world. Paiges! Bring out the Port! We must celebrate!"
The orchestra played beautifully in the gallery as various dignitaries, nobles and tradesmen drifted about one another, spewing platitudes and flattery like some verbal storm drain. Barrels of port were emptied and the tables were put away. Diplomacy gave way to Frivolity and a party began.A painter, from his position amongst the musicians, began to draw a sketch of the festivites. By the time he was finished the sun had set and a fire was crackling merrily in the hearth.
The Dwarven ambassador, who, upon having had to resort to whiskey to achieve the same drunkness as the other guests, pulled Alixenus to one side for a moment.
"The Liberator is still missing"
"Yes, I had heard about that. Wasn't it somewhere in the Logipriest island?"
"Indeed, and our sailors were mostly...eaten during the zombie incident"
"So you wish for Venezzia to search for your esteemed leader?"
"We are allies, are we not?"
"Yes, yes we are. By the Compacts of treaty..." Alixenus clasped the Dwarf by the arm "...and the Dictates of friendship, I will personally lead a search for him"
"But shouldn't you be ruling your city?"
"Please, I am a soldier first an explorer second and merchant third...and a husband last!" He burst out laughing, clearly he'd had a lot of Port. "Politics should be left to those who have the stomach for it and haven't been through half as much terror as I have. Go on, enjoy your evening"
With that the Dwarven ambassador bowed and moved back into the party. Alixenus found the Sandman ambassador sitting outside on the Balcony, giggling. It appeared he had underestimated the Port.
"Heheheheheeee"
"Whatever is so funny my good man?"
"They found your Giant friend"
"...Where?"
"hehe, not supposed to tell you"
"I said...where?"
"Right in the middle of the desert, we've had a patrol following him for days"
"Ahh, thank you my, friend"
Brutus had been found, that was one concern out of the way. Now, to find Xavier he would likely need the best. Scouts, for picking up any trails and traps in the jungle. Pathfinders to cut a way through the jungle. A good mix of infantry, just in case. No Cavalry though. Not in there. He would leave the day after tommorow, to allow his hangover to recede. With the strategy dealt with Alixenus went back into the party to help the push it on into the darkest hours of the night. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.08 17:46:00 -
[60] - Quote
Pain! Throbbing intolerable pain! He couldn't see. He couldn't move.
Damn hangover.
With what felt like a superhuman effort, Alixenus carefully extracted himself from the pile of 'nobility' that had seen fit to break into his bedchamber to sleep. His robes were torn and stained. He checked his pockets. A fiddle, an empty wine glass, half a meat pie and several scraps of paper with addresses on them. Each one had a different woman's name.
Smirking at his success at diplomacy, he stumbled down the stairs looking for something edible that he could stuff with as many painkillers as possible. He rounded a corner and was blinded by the intense, overwhelming Light of the sun. So staggering was it's intensity that tripped on his robes and fell backwards. The light seemed to recede and when he felt it was safe to open his eyes again, he was greeted by a divine, female presence, standing but a few yards in front of him. Her countenance made Alixenus think that it was perhaps some sort of Nymph, however her eyes said otherwise. A cold stare that marked her out as something more akin to the manipulative Hera or Athena.
You must lead these people, you are wrong to turn down the role of Doge
"Pardon me ma'am" He said as he picked himself off the floor "But I don't believe that you are any God in my Pantheon. You are close, but not close enough for me not to discount this as some form of deception"
Who I am is not important. What is important is that you find the Logipriests and kill them. It should be no challenge for one such as you.
"I will not have another's Gods meddling in my affairs and flattery is worse than insulting me" Alixenus stood before her, his demeanour one of open defiance. "Even if you are one of mine, I would prefer it if you didn't hide your desires behind platitudes like a mortal."
Very well. They are back on their island. I have chosen you to be the agent of destiny and slay them
"Maybe I will, but in my own good time and after I have consulted with the priests about whether or not your idea of Destiny is the same as that of my Gods."
Alexinus then proceeded to just casually walk through her, remarking as he went past "Oh, next time, could you wait until I'm properly dressed?"
Then she was alone in that hallway, fuming at the sheer Arrogance of mortals. This one in particular, though more co-operative than the others by far, was also the most Irritating by far.
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.09 15:23:00 -
[61] - Quote
Xavier's pidgeon miraculously found Alixenus even though he had already set sail for the Logipriest island.
"Hmm, so Xavier doesn't know that I turned down the title of Doge. I'm not sure how I'll explain it to him, but I'm sure he'll understand"
He was just about to write a response when a bird of a hitherto unknown species landed next to him. Alixenus cocked his head to one side and looked at with the utmost interest until he noticed the message attached to it's leg. The moment he retrieved it the bird flew off. It was a message from the Kingdom of Diyad, stating a conference of nations was to be held in Venezzia. Alixenus was displeased.
"Thanatos, just because we are savages compared to you, does not mean that you have the right to impose upon us like this. Better put down an order for Silk and Velvet, we wouldn't want Thanatos to mistake his accomodation for a cave"
Alixenus then proceeded to write his response to Xavier, stating that he would decline his invitation in favour of seeing him in Venezzia in a week's time. The pidgeon then promptly flew off with it's charge.
"Captain, bring us about, we're heading back to the City"
"Aye m'lord"
Alixenus thought for a moment then said:
"Actually Captain, weigh anchor near the shore, I and my guard will be riding back"
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
At first all was darkness. A void. She didn't realise that she still existed, or was conscious for that matter. But slowly, ever so slowly, the disparate parts of her mind began to assemble themselves as she stirred. Language, memory, senses. Yes, senses in Particular. She could feel water lapping about her feet, occaisionally washing up to her knees. A warm, welcoming caress, punctuated by a crab running over her leg. The Sun pressed it's heat into her back, through her soft, tender skin. Then she felt the shifting sands beneath her body. Lifting her head off the beach (she was fairly sure it was a beach at this point) she realised that the sand had stuck to her face. She brushed it away with one gentle green hand whilst through the other she felt brief, regular vibrations in the sand, which seemingly grew stronger each time.
Her hearing came back. She could hear the crash of waves, of birds of calling overheard. Of distant murmuring, or was it nearby? Just as she was opening her eyes she was forcibly rolled over onto her front. A great, cold weight pressed down into her chest. She saw the shape of a man, his head eclipising the sun, his boot pinning her down. What looked like a sword by her throat. As the man came into focus she almost cried out in fear as this man had the head of Lion. Then she realised it was not his head, but a helmet, A helmet of intricate, layered Steel. Through the teeth she saw the eyes of the man. Eyes that were filled anger and a macabre lust for blood. A voice issued from the helm, a deep terrifying rumble like distant thunder.
"Signoria Logipriest" It said, the voice dripped with sophistication and quiet menace. The man's musical accent seemed almost ironic compared to the rest of him.
"You will be coming home with me, where I think you and I will be able to come up with some form of reparation for the crimes of your people against mine" He withdrew the sword from her neck, she began breathing again.
"Cover her upper body. Then bind her. Put her on one of the Pack mules"
"As you wish, Lord Lieutenant" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.09 23:08:00 -
[62] - Quote
^^ OOC and the award for writing on an epic scale goes to.... |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.10 20:15:00 -
[63] - Quote
OOC Fear not Vyzion and Thantos, for I am certain that everyone is talking about the same Goddess/ fate who is trying to wipe us all out. Nice girl. Still, because I like to ramble, I feel the need to point out that you stumbled upon one of the Great debates of ancient literature: Do the Gods decide fate, or do they merely execute it?
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"You will find, Signoria Logipriest, that it is quite impossible to perform any feat of magic in your current position"
Alixenus had the Logipriest's arms held above her head by chains, which forced her to remain standing on an octagonal wooden platform within one of Venezzia's many dungeons. He was sitting in front of her on a simple wooden stool, dressed in the robes of his office.
"You will note that the platform you are standing on is enscribed with a Rune. Our scholars created it centuries ago to nullify magical prisoners. From where I'm sitting, it appears to be working. I do hope that you don't find a prisoner's tunic too constrictive. I know you're used to the freedom of a loincloth, but I'm not sure my guards...or myself would be able to cope with that."
Alixenus stands and begins slowly pacing around the Logipriest (or is it priestess?).
"As of yet I'm not sure what we will do with you...what will do to you. If anything, it will be unpleasant. I can't say that I enjoy exacting justice, or revenge on someone in your position. I may do, I'm not sure. But after the sinking of my ships, the Golems, your attack on my City, a penalty will be paid."
After completing a circuit, Alixenus stands in front of her again.
"Now, why don't you talk? Can you talk? Or can you not understand me? Persuasion may be your only way to receive a lighter sentence"
She looked as though she was mulling over the proposition, but Alixenus wasn't going to wait for answer. He decided to force the issue by making for the door.
"You have my assurance you will be well fed and that my guards will not mistreat you, for now. Escape would be unwise. The population may not be as merciful as I am"
Slowly, he turned the bolt in the lock and opened the door...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
OOC aaaaaand this would be where someone assumes the role of my guest and tries to explain her side of the story. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.11 19:58:00 -
[64] - Quote
Alixenus froze for a moment, halfway out of the door. Then he came back in, closed the door, locked it and slid a sheet of metal across the view port. He turned and started walking back to his captive.
"Are you threatening me? Perhaps your jungle tribe didn't teach you logic, so allow me to explain. You are in no position to threaten, nor can you bargain. You have no control over this situation. All you can do is plead, and beg."
He was standing in front of her again now, his voice conveying indignant rage and a sense of superiority over his prisoner.
"What? You think that your friends will save you? No-one knows where they are. Your people perhaps? They all died when the curse of undeath was lifted. Your island is now Venezzian soil. Even now paupers and privateers alike are building colonies there. Your trees will fuel our fires and build our ships. You have nothing to bargain with. You. Have. Lost."
Natyli refused to tolerate this any longer. Before Alixenus could react she raised her leg and Kicked him square across the face. Caught completely off guard he tumbled across the filthy stone floor as a bundle of fabrics. When he finally came to rest, he let spat out some blood and let out some sort of open mouthed hiss, like a threatened animal, to vent his pain
"That was, unexpected. It seems I've angered the tree loving pacifist. She's made me bleed. Oh dear."
Alixenus rose and dusted himself off.
"You said that if I harmed you I would die. But now that you've harmed me....it may be difficult to secure your release. But I will heed your warning and keep you unharmed. My patience will only extend so far however. For your sake, you had best have something planned. Maybe the conference will demand your release... Well, we will see won't we?"
He left the cell and walked out into the broad daylight. And even though he strolled through the fragrances and perfumes of the Spice market, the sweet scent of the Jungle clung rebelliously to his face all the way back to his chambers. A fitting reminder, he thought, not to underestimate her again. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.11 23:02:00 -
[65] - Quote
"She struck you? My Lord this is intolerable! She must be hanged at once!"
"No! The Priestess is not to be harmed."
"But she is a mere refugee, one that lead an army of Zombies against us at that! Honour demands-"
"I do not care what honour demands, Chamberlain! She will remain unharmed. Surely it is more chivalrous to not exact revenge like a child? Is that not enough to convince you?"
The Chamberlain took the hint. He bowed and scurried out. Alixenus rubbed his now brusing face as he stood looking out of the window over the Palazzo de Venezzia. The Priestess had earned a modicum of respect with that kick. But was it just a kick? He could still smell that, scent, on his face where she had connected. Had she enchanted him somehow? Some form of non-magic trickery? That would have to wait until later. The delegates were arriving for Thanatos' conference, though Alixenus was suprised when the Diyadian envoy arrived without Thanatos and he felt no small measure of sadness when he learnt of the King's passing.
"Sergeant of the Pipes?"
"Yes my Lord?
"Sound the Horns of Venezzia, it is time to summon the diplomats"
"Very good sir."
"And have the magical prisoner brought into one of the Private rooms downstairs. I want her close at hand in case the diplomats demand to see her"
A few minutes later a mighty boom echoed across the city signalling all men of import to the Council complex. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.12 16:24:00 -
[66] - Quote
"What on earth is going on in my City?"
The bells signifying general quarters were sounding near the Western dock. Civilians seemed to be fleeing in a blind panic from that area. He heard no fire, no swords. This wasn't a raid, it was something else. Alixenus rushed to the armoury and grabbed a suit of 'musterfield' armour (A nickname for light armour desgined to be pulled on quickly) and a broadsword.
Rushing to the docks, he found Marines began to congregate around him as they made their way to their respective ships. City guards were scrambling onto rooftops to get a better view of what was going on. But a few streets from the Port, Alixenus saw the strangest scene being acted out in a back alley. Freezing to the spot to see what was going on, most of the marines passed by him, a few staying to check he was alright.
When the street had cleared , he saw two city guards running from Brutus, past a sandman and an elderly looking Logipriest. Next to Brutus was a pair of Logipriests. One young and male and the other... was the Prisoner.
"Oh seven hells, this going to go bad very fast" Alixenus subtly made the hand signal for "Be ready. Use spears" before approaching Brutus with genuine friendship, hoping he could diffuse this before Brutus turned him into paste.
"Brutus! My friend! It is so good to see you! Where have been all this time?"
Brutus slapped his chest in greeting and said "Brutus...has been all over" He let out a mighty laugh and moved to pick Alixenus up.
But Conyr, being perceptive, had seen the emotions etched on Natyli's face when she saw Alixenus.
"Wait!" He yelled at Brutus. The giant stopped, perplexed.
"Why stop?"
"Ask him why Natyli is in chains and was attacked in his city"
Brutus almost looked hurt at Conyr's near-accusation. He turned to Alixenus and said "Why?"
"There is no point in lying to you." Alixenus said as he slowly loosed his sword in its Scabbard. "Natyli is a prisoner of the Republic of Venezzia for crimes perpetrated by the Logipriest nation, which include a raid by Golems and a full scale Zombie siege"
"You chain her?" Hostility was evident in Brutu's voice.
"Yes, to prevent escape and prevent her use of Magic. I was having her brought from a secure Dungeon to the South to the Council complex for the Talks"
"Where guard? Why was she attacked"
"Those idiots that ran off were her guard. Wait! WAIT BRUTUS! They were under strict orders to bring her to the talks, they weren't supposed to be in this alley. Now, granted Natyli is young and Men have their evils, but those men were too disciplined to risk throwing their careers away by defying my order not to harm her."
The tension in that alley was Palpable. Brutus, conflicted over his loyalty to the Logipriests and Alixenus. Conyr inspecting every inch of the chains to try to free Natyli. The old Logipriest, looking highly suspicious and the Sandman keeping a careful eye on everyone.
"So Brutus, what happens now?" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.12 21:14:00 -
[67] - Quote
"Oh Gods dammit Brutus! Please! Stop crying, Lords know you'll probably set me off. I wasn't going to take the others away. They came under the protection of other nations, I can't just grab them! That would start a war and I've had enough of those lately to last me the rest of the year! I won't allow Natyli to leave the city of her own free will yet. However, I will have her unchained if she and the other Logipriests give me their word that she will not try to escape. IF, they agree, I will even let her stay, under guard, in diplomatic quarters in the council building. Come now Brutus, that's enough tears now. Where's that Giant that threw me across a battlefield but a month ago?"
He patted Brutus reassuringly on the shoulder and turned to the Logipriests.
"Well, do you agree to those terms?"
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OOC Bravo Brutus, I could really feel the emotion in your last post. It really tugged at the heartstrings. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.13 19:12:00 -
[68] - Quote
Despite nearly facing death at the hands of Brutus then Xavier, Alixenus had recovered his composure fairly well. Brutus was crouched by the double doors, watching the scene. He could fit in, but that would make the room unbearably cramped. Xavier had been reminded twice now by his aides to stop reading his book and pay attention to proceedings. The Logipriests were sitting around a small side table, waiting with no small amount of trepidation for what was to happen next. Natyli, however, was still being held sperately in a private room. Alixenus hoped to have that resolved during one of the breaks in the conference.
"Alixenus? Would you care to take the floor?"
The Diyadians had been somewhat sketchy on what the purpose of this conference was, so everyone brought their own ideas. Sandromin and Alixenus were to act as mediators and judges in the event that any negotiations became heated. Alixenus straightened his Robes and stood before the congregation.
"Thank you Sandromin. Your highnesses, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the City of Venezzia. It is my hope that with this conference we may be able to heal some of the wounds that have recently befell this world and perhaps, with the grace of the Gods, foster new ties of brotherhood between us. Venezzia is a prime example of this. But a few months ago we were ravaged by a brief and bloody civil war, insitgated by Traitorous merchants and a rogue sand Lord. Did we cull these merchants? Did we hold Sandromin responsible? No, we reformed, rebuilt and created a closer unity with our neighbours."
Xavier seemed none too impressed with Alixenus' speech thus far, but he ignored the Dwarf and carried on.
"Change is the way of the world, as is progress. But this should mean that just because things can change does not mean that they have to." He glanced at Duke Vincenzo who was watching from one of the Galleries. "This also should mean that just because something has always been one way, does not mean that that is the best way"
"I will not deny that Venezzia has not been the cause of much woe during recent times, much as it has also suffered at the hands of others. But what's done is done. We have here, in our hands, an opportunity to change this world for the better. I ask you not to squander it."
Alixenus finished but remained standing. He was met with a respectable round of applause for his words. When it died down he spoke again. "With ceremony out of the way, let us begin our work. If there are no objections I would like to open this conference with my agenda" There did not appear to be any outward objections to this. Waiters silently moved around the table, refilling the drinks of the ambassadors.
"Excellent, you will find my agenda in the yellow sheath. I wish to discuss the following. 1: The rights of Venezzian miners in the Lucian foothills. 2: The persistant issue of a race of indutrial barbarians to the south. 3: The rights of the remaining Logipriests and colonisation rights to the Logipriest nation. 4: Trade lane control over the Western sea, particularly to Diyad.
Lastly, formalisation of Venezzia's borders with the Sandmen and Lucia."
So the conference began... |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.13 22:01:00 -
[69] - Quote
"Order! Order in the hall!" Sandromin's proposal were met with whispers and murmurings, both for fair and ill. Personally, Alixenus loved the idea of bringing Venezzia onto an equal footing with Diyad and this 'collective'. As strong as their soldiers were, and as miraculous as their hydraulic technology was, what could it do against Iron men and flying machines?
"Sandromin, you're proposal has much merit and will be discussed momentarily. But first, I believe the representative of the Collective spoke first" Alixenus turned to look at the camera of the diplomacy unit. He still remembered being ambushed by these things and wasn't too sure how to speak to one. "Representative of the collective, I speak on behlaf of Venezzia when I say we would be more than willing to trade with you. If you could indicate the location of your nearest trade centre to my scribe, he will this information delivered to the Cartographers."
"Returning to the emergence of the one known as Bojo, I move that we said a joint diplomatic mission to him to discove his intentions" Scribes hidden about the hall were writing notes next to various issues: whether they were resolved, whether they needed a vote and so on.
"Next, I am sorry to say Sandromin, that if what you say is true, then there are only 5 logipriests left. 5 can hardly breed to sufficient numbers to maintain their island. Even now, Pirates and, unfortunately, escaped serfs from Venezzia are building towns and ports on the island. At some point, could you explain to me how Logipriest soverignty is to be maintained?"
The Official artist was once again at work, painting the scene with thick oils upon canvas to record this conference for posterity.
"And lastly" he turned to the scribes "Reccord that the motion to create an internation guild of knowledge must be put to a vote before the end of this conference."
Alixenus then sat down, indicating it was time for another to speak. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.14 22:53:00 -
[70] - Quote
Alixenus had been sitting back in his chair, observing the verbal sparring between Xavier and what seemed like everyone else. He had much to say, but he had to say it carefully. Passions were already inflamed. If he worded this wrong the conference would end in nothing but a stalemate, or war. Neither would be in Venezzia's or his own best interests. He was not a diplomat, nor a poet. But he was a soldier of Venezzia, which meant that he was an excellent, if stubborn, orator. As he prepared to speak the chamberlain handed him a note written in Military shorthand.
'Disturbance to the north. Civilians and foreign sappers. Situation contained.
Super heavy unit with knights and Fugitives approaching your position. Code Green'
It was a limited language but the city guards had already adapted it to their needs. In this case, 'foreign sappers' meant Dwarves, the Super heavy was Brutus and Code green was referring to Logipriests. At this point the collective ambaassdor ceased speaking. Alixenus stated his displeasure at the fact that he did not recieve this note before the arrival of Brutus. Just as Alixenus rose to speak, the chamberlain handed him another note.
'She has escaped'
Alixenus scrunched up the note and, with his right hand quivering with Rage, he began to speak.
"Delegates, please, there is no need for this to degenerate into a common brawl. If the Logipriests truly breed as rapidly as Sandromin says, then I see no reason not to have their island back. ORDER! Order in the hall." Xavier was glaring at Alixenus, as if he the power of his eyes would turn him to ash. However, Alixenus was observant than he expected.
"Xavier, do take that look off your face, tis most unbecoming" Shaken, the Dwarf averted his gaze.
"Thank you. Now, the serfs can be evicted from the Logipriest nation with little fuss. The pirates however, will require a modicum of violence. Still, it should be no trouble for us. Xavier, much to my own sorrow, I must oppose you again. In Venezzia's history we have had, on occaision, come up against magic. We even produced a Wizard ourselves sometimes. With this in mind I cannot simply refuse to accept the existance of an Archnecromancer. As Interim administrator, I hereby allow the Diyadians to establish their spy network within our borders."
Some of the Nobility, mostly Alixenus' oppositon, roared in anger at this decision. Through the chaso in the Gallery, Alixenus could see Duke Vincenzo staring at him. He saw the Duke draw his sword. The weapon was more of a fashion statement. Still, it was enough.
"Weapon! Weapon in the Gallery! Guards! Detain them! Apoligies, to my most noble guests. Now, as for the matter of exacting a penalty on the Logipriests... I find I have been won round by the arguments that I have heard today. Initially, I would have liked nothing better than to lock them in a Rabbit warren until they pleaded for death. Now, I believe that they have suffered enough."
"The Sun has begun to set, I would like to call an end to todays sessions with a round of voting. All in favour of the Logipriests returning to their island say I" |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.15 23:13:00 -
[71] - Quote
OOC 3rd or 4th? Bravo everyone. I reward you with 9000 internet and my eternal and undying suprise at this success.
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"Uhhh, well Brutus, that is certainly a valid suggestion, one that I am suprised was not voiced earlier. In this respect I do not mind. If we decide their fate for them my vote is already cast. I abstain from any vote about Brutus' suggestion and hereby retire from deliberations for the evening. If you need me I will be in the antichamber enjoying some Port" As much as he wanted to chase after Natyli, Alixenus wished to honour the Diyadians secret request that he remained on hand after the day's talks were over. So he waited, as calmly as he could. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.17 18:50:00 -
[72] - Quote
OOC Apologies folks, I was kept away from the forums by unforseen circumstances. Just reference Brutus, we didn't leave the council buildings, I just sat down in the next room.
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Alixenus sighed, poured himself a glass of Port then handed the bottle to Brutus. As the great men of the world debated the most critical issues of the day, a soldier-turned-politician sat and answered the questions of a Giant. He told Brutus that he just woke up where he fell and saw that only the Logipriests and Brutus were missing after the machines attacked. He assumed that they had both been taken by the machines and tried to follow their tracks for the rest of the day. Come nightfall, he called off the chase and headed back to the city. He said that that night, he walked to a Tavern and drank himself under the table out of Guilt for not being able to find Brutus, and for fear of all the bad fortune that had hit Venezzia.
Then he explained to Brutus how the Water cannons worked. They were built into the city walls and sewer systems. Man and Horse power fill the tanks whilst Tidal flows are channeled to up the pressure inside the chamber. One way valves stopped the water going backwards between waves. When the pressure was high enough, the water forced open the valve in the cannon's barrel and fired at the target. Smaller ones fired Ballista bolts or Rocks. Then he let Brutus in on a little secret: Venezzia had built portable versions of the Guns. Ones that could be used on Land.
Meanwhile, a Scribe caught up with Sandromin in the streets and asked him whether he had forgotten the Diyadian's request to stay in the Hall after the talks ended or he had chosen not to honour their request? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.18 12:25:00 -
[73] - Quote
OOC Personally Vyzion I don't feel burnt out, but that's probably due to the fact that you've been writing far more than me. To be honest, our pace has been a little off since the very start, especially with that incident with the PAI. A time lapse is a very radical suggestion indeed as I imagine some people will have grown quite attached to their respective characters and may be quite reticent to start another. I think that there is a very real chance that the conference will continue for another two days in character time, assuming Thanatos doesn't intercede with an epic speech. Alternatively, we could use the deus-ex-machina solution of Fate accelerating the Sun's decay, but that wouldn't provide a break.
I think a total break may actually work. It will give everyone time to take stock of their characters, what they've done and said, where they want to take the character from their and think up new plot points. If we did do this, would everyone be happy holding off till say, March or mid-March? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.18 23:36:00 -
[74] - Quote
OOC I too vote for finishing the conference then proceeding with the filler arc. Don't worry Brutus I'll be there for the trip back to your homeland. Lol, seems like people were more willing to vote on this than the fate of the Logipriests. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.19 14:59:00 -
[75] - Quote
Brutus Pyrus wrote:Alixenus your writing has so much character I really feel for your character
OOC Oh Brutus that made day! It really did. In fact, rather embarrasingly, when I read your post I clapped my hands together and said 'Yaaaay!' >_>
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Alixenus looked straight at the door when he heard Xavier knocking. "Is that the Diaydians? It's about time they started showing some manners. Brutus, I think you may need to leave. You can go out by the door on the far side of the room"
Without further ado he opened the door and did his best to hide the perplexment on his face when he saw Xavier and the Collective's representative on the other side of the door, with Sandromin re-entering the hall behind them.
"Xavier, Ambassdor, ummm, thing....Is there something I can help you two with?"
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.19 21:50:00 -
[76] - Quote
"Well, uh, not at this precise moment. Like everyone, I am curious about the collective, but I had no questions that were so pressing that they required your immeadiate presence." Then a thought popped into Alixenus' head. "Xavier, what have you been saying to the ambassador at such a late hour?" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.20 17:04:00 -
[77] - Quote
OOC Bad Furry? Frakk! I go on other threads so rarely I forgot that guy even existed. Anywho, Xavier, I'd say your description was pretty damn close to what I imagined, though maybe you want to dial back on the pearls a little bit? Gold weapons on the wall do seem appropriate; I wouldn't have thought of gold myself.
Vyzion, as for your tree question I'm not sure what best suits Venezzia. My first thought was an Oak for the shipbuilding but that tree is decidedly English. Next thought was the Olive, but that thing's really quite weedy. Perhaps a Cypress tree, but as to why, I have no clue.
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Panic flashed across Alixenus' face as Sandromin began speaking. He tried to subtly indicate to the Sandman to briefly disappear. Meanwhile he was still holding a conversation with Xavier.
"Grand Liberator, perhaps you didn't hear whilst you were reading that hefty tome, but a technology sharing agreement was already discussed. Around noon I think it was. If the proposal goes through everyone will be sharing their knowledge: you won't need a private alliance for that."
Xavier looked somewhat vexed at this information, but then the collective's ambassador began replaying the conversation in question, which startled all present. Once he realised that the ambassador wasn't possessed or broken, Alixenus walked over to a small mahogany table to refill his Glass.
"Secondly Xavier, my title is Interim Administrator, emphasis on interim. I'm not seizing power nor changing Venezzia's government, I'm just changing who is in power. Politics is a game for the deceitful and greedy, it's on the open seas and city walls where I belong. Can you name even one trait that would make me suitable for running for Doge?"
____________________________________________________________________________________________
At the same time, hastily printed wanted posters were being nailed to the doors of Pubs, to street corners and Herald's posts throughout the city. A tipsy Venezzian butcher, upon exiting the free house turned stumbled across one and paused to read it.
"To the attentions of the people of the City.
Wanted: The Green Witch. Responds to the name of Natyli
Escaped this evening past from the custody of the City.
Hath committed crimes against both the City and our Glorious Republic.
May be in the company of other Green men. These are not to be harmed.
She is to be brought to the Council complex alive for the reward of ONE TALENT's weight of GOLD"
OOC: In this case a Talent is equivalent to 57lbs. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.21 18:48:00 -
[78] - Quote
Alixenus just watched Xavier has he strode away, stunned that things had gone so utterly awry. After the dwarf had slammed the door behind him, Alixenus wasted no time in seeking out Sandromin and the Diyadian. Arriving at Sandromin's caravan on horseback he immeadiately vented his frustration at the representative from Diyad.
"I am tired, I have been drinking and I have had to sit in a room with politicians all day. Then, just to make things worse, your precious meeting may well have cost Venezzia it's friendship with the Dwarves. Whatever you have to say had better be worth it. Well? Out with it!" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.21 20:41:00 -
[79] - Quote
"Well how do you propose we find out who has these magicks? Tell the delegates to disrobe before they can enter the hall? I doubt any of them would submit to any serious scrutiny. My people have no knowledge of how to hunt down hidden magick, we can only neutralise it once it is revealed. " |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.22 09:02:00 -
[80] - Quote
"Very well then, I shall go along with your plan. Now, my Lords, I must beg my leave. The moon is up and my bed is calling" Alixenus bowed, mounted his horse and rode back to his home in the south of the City. The streets were dark and honest folk had abandoned the streets hours ago. But a short way from his manor, Alixenus passed through a small clearing; an accident in the road layout that created a square of sorts. Halfway through the wind picked up and he detected the smell of...her. Alixenus reined his horse to a halt. He knew it was Natyli, her perfume was unique for some reason. The other Logipriests were likely nearby, but he didn't care about them.
"I know you are here, but tonight I will not pursue you. If you want to get out of Venezzia, I'd recommend you depart by tomorrow night." Without pausing to see if there was a response, Alixenus continued his ride home. |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.23 13:33:00 -
[81] - Quote
OOC the timeskip is still under debate at this Galrick. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.24 01:50:00 -
[82] - Quote
OOc Dahell? The thread seems to have fallen silent. No problem. We can take Sunday off from writing if you like. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.24 18:48:00 -
[83] - Quote
OOC I'll advance to the next day of conferencing once Xavier is done drinking with Halvedes and Brutus does...whatever it is he does instead of sleeping. Wouldn't want to cut anyone short now would I? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.26 23:29:00 -
[84] - Quote
General John Ripper wrote:Strength: Charming good looks, intellegent, funny.
Weakness:Beautiful women
"This General Ripper might be of better use to the city in something other than his current position. Send a messenger to his home. Ask him if he is willing to become the Lord Admiral of the City's fleet"
Alixenus' servant bowed and departed from his office as Alixenus put on his riding boots and headed to the Stable. Moments later he was riding a Chesnut Mare at a leisurely pace to the conference. He had gotten up in good time so he had a while before proceedings began. The common folk politely parted in front a of him, a few still cheered him for his recent heroics. Passing a small fruit stall, he reined to a halt just long enough for to purchase a bag of Apples, thinking it might be nice for the diplomats to enjoy some local produce. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.02.27 23:00:00 -
[85] - Quote
OOC Oh woe! Woe for Brutus! Woe for the Logipriests! Such heart rending tales! Crafted with such as skill as I could not hope to match. Now, I declare day two of the conference open. By all means, proceed with your machivellian scheming. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.01 18:16:00 -
[86] - Quote
OOC: Apologies if this history appears somewhat Venezzia centric. SPOILER ALERT
Venezzia makes first contact with the hitherto unknown Sandmen Leaders: 1
The Logipriests reveal themselves: 2
The Dwarves make first contact and dispatch a trade envoy to Venezzia.: 3
The Logipriests respond to recent persecution with magical gifts: 3
Sandmen strike Admantium ore and Xavier begins scheming: 4
The Golem Crisis begins, Dustia faces war: 4
Venezzia's glorious hero Alixenus prepares for civil war: 5
Logizombies: 6
Venezzian civil war ends and the alliance sets sail for the Badlands: 7
Thanatos and the Diyadians appear: 7
The Collective and Brutus appear: 8
Thanatos is slain, Logizombies attack Venezzia: 10
The collective makes it's first moves, Xavier's madness begins: 11
Collective begins experiments, Venezzia tries to form a Government. Brutus begins his journey across the desert: 12
The Gods begin to influence events: 14
Preparations for the conference begins and each nation gains a valuable prisoner: 15
The first day of the conference begins: 16
The Logipriests meet their end: 21
Oops, missed Thanatos' reincarnation, could someone include that please?
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.01 23:40:00 -
[87] - Quote
It seemed to Alixenus now that Logipriests had been put upon the earth to either annoy all other races to death or just outright kill them. He grimaced at the sight of the shattered windows and would have smacked the green fool about the place without a single regret. But the boy had diplomatic immunity, and he was sure Brutus would hear of any transgressions. So, all he could was sit and listen to what the youth had to say. Besides, it was unlikely that his loincloth hid a wallet of Gold to pay for new windows. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.03 11:05:00 -
[88] - Quote
Ah Trade routes, a far more palatable subject. I know that we managed to develop a rough idea of how to include each nation in the main trade lanes yesterday, but perhaps now, with the new maps that the cartographers have drawn we will be able to precisely mark out the new lanes. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.04 20:12:00 -
[89] - Quote
"Representatives of Diyad, do you take a similar stance to that of the Collective? Or do you wish to freely distribute the technology?"
Alixenus went through a tumult of feelings as he awaited the response of this so called secret council. He was eager to have their knowledge and technology for his own, to bring untold prosperity and magic to his homeland. But the thought of owing so much to a foreign power, especially one that had made him feel so small, sickened him. He also feared what impact this 'modernisation' would have upon Venezzian society. Would it carry on as before? Would the feudal structure remain intact? and what about their culture? Their economy? Their honour?
Was this even the right path of Venezzia? He remembered the moment he fired on Thanatos back in the badlands. The bolt had almost reached his flesh. It wouldn't take much to retool crossbows of every size to be more powerful. But he couldn't be sure that Venezzia could be made equal in every respect if they stuck to the old ways. But above all, would the common man be happier catching fish himself, or using a machine to catch many orders more than he could? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.04 22:56:00 -
[90] - Quote
Alixenus couldn't help but recoil at the suggestion that the Diyadians were Venezzia's children. He couldn't believe it, he wouldn't it just defied belief. How can it be that Iyo had put them so far ahead? Yes, it gave them Alkhemistry and their unique adamantium, but why had Venezzia not developed giant Baloons and the like? And were they sure they were from Venezzia? There were other centres of Humanity in Dustia, admittedly either barbarous pirate dens or hill tribes, but still human. If what they said was true, then Venezzia was the sole source of all human civilisation in the known world.
Now, Alixenus would've like nothing better than to run down to the Archives and comb the scrolls for any reference of the badlands. But he had a conference to mediate. A mere look at the Chamberlain sent Scribes, Secretaries and Scholars rushing out of the room to investigate these, amazing, impossible claims. |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.04 22:57:00 -
[91] - Quote
OOC. Alright Thanatos you got me, I 100% did NOT see that coming. Good job :) |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.05 22:21:00 -
[92] - Quote
OOC Official stance of Venezzia is to consider Alkhemistry magic until we have a better understanding of it. Feel free to start an information sharing agreement with Diyad Mr. M'kron.
"Venezzia is always willing to offer our expertise and resources for the sake of trade. Whatever you need, as long as you offer a fair price, you shall have it. Would anyone else like to trade with Diyad? I am sure that we can figure out a way for us to provide them with something each and recieve some of their foreign magicks in return."
The few remaining Venezzian scribes quietly moved to their Diyadian counterparts to begin drafting basic trade agreements. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.06 16:33:00 -
[93] - Quote
"I would respectfully ask that all present remain calm. We can not deal with these pyromancers at the present moment and there is a sea and a continent between us. Now, for the sake of those of you with a nervous disposition I call a five minute break to allow you to gather your wits"
During this break Alixenus handed a small note to the Chamberlain, addressed to the scholars in the Archives, who were already engaged with checking the ancestry of Diyad. Dutifully, the Chamberlain delivered it. One of the scholars read it aloud to his fellows.
"Hear this learned men: in addition to our current endeavour, we are to locate, if possible upon any map or chart, the approximate location of Praecantaria. It is felt by those of higher station to be in the best interests of the Republic to locate these Hydromancers and establish amiable relations with them" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.06 21:31:00 -
[94] - Quote
"Magick can only be countered by magick? This is the first I have heard of this. Venezzia's generally non-magical population has developed ways of neutralising those of a supernatural persuasion. As to whether these methods are in fact, magical, I do not know. As for your proposal of sharing Arcane knowledge, I must say that Venezzia has very little on the subject, but we are willing to share what we do have. However, I reject your proposal of building your own Universities within the republic as we have enough of those already. Nor may you have a university of Alkhemistry. You may establish departments of Alkhemistry at our existing establishments. They will be spacious, well appointed and equally well funded." |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.07 20:49:00 -
[95] - Quote
OOC: The other logipriests are...gone. Conyr is the last and he is indeed on the central continent, last seen in the city of Venezzia. As far as I know, no has laid claim to the Eastern coastline of the central continent, if you feel like more aggressive colonisation later on. Also, name suggestion for the central continent: Mediterra |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.08 18:18:00 -
[96] - Quote
OOC
@ Brutus: By all means, carry on complementing each other, I don't mind.
@ Nexhawk: Nope, Venezzia's history has not been chromicled. Unless I change my mind, assume generic medieval backstory minus the Roman empire :)
@ Xavier: Good to know I'm not the only who's just getting out of his character's way and letting him do his thing. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.10 17:31:00 -
[97] - Quote
OOC I think the comedy left this thread as we all began to take it seriously. I personally wasn't sure this thread would make it past page 3. If you look at my post about invading the Logipriests, you will see that I'm jingoistic, completely self-aware and self-parodying. "The Republic of Venezzia refuses to recognise the Logipriest nation until we have made a poorly-judged attempt to gauge your strength". Or the Logipriests themselves, their name, their literally fatal weakness to rabbits and the non-melting-cursed-chocolate-of-golem-doom.
However, don't go shoehorning humour, of course. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.12 19:14:00 -
[98] - Quote
OOC Ooh Sandromin, no offence, but don't you think you've taken quite a large liberty by declaring that the other Logipriests are alive, albeit as a gestalt entity in a gold coin?
Alixenus was as puzzled as everyone else, not least as to why the guards had not challenged the newcomer. Admittedly, he came in the company of Brutus, but Venezzians knew how to fight large creatures, though perhaps not indoors.
"Death you say? Hah! Well I think you'll find that most of the beings around this table have been doing your job for you these past few months. Rather artistically too I might add. But I don't see how you prompted me to hold this conference, that was on the, uh, suggestion of the Diyadian council. Who, as I have heard, were carrying out orders from Thana-"
Realisation hit him with the grace of a Dirk and the force of a Maul. Alixenus just stood there for a long while, staring at the now-risen King of Diyad. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.13 20:45:00 -
[99] - Quote
"Umm, as I understand it Brutus, Thanatos means Death in Diyadian. Weird name for a King in my opinion."
Alixenus himself had no clue what to think. Venezzians had a slightly more romanticised view of the Reaper than other human races; imagining him as a companion on your journey, reminding you to cherish every moment. Sometimes the stories attributed an almost Cupidal sense to him. But it was almost never heard of for death to return someone after he had decided to lay them in their earthen bed.
"Thanatos...how in the name of my Gods and yours did you come back?" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.17 16:10:00 -
[100] - Quote
OOC: Apologies for my unscheduled absence. I was kept away by computer issues and minor injuries. My deepest sympathies to Thanatos.
"I WILL HAVE ORDER IN THIS HALL!" Cried Alixenus belatedly. He drew his shortsword and smacked the Pommel upon the table with such force that the table Split. It took much for him to lost his temper in this, but to have the Collective's ambassador attempt to usurp his authority was the final straw. Not since the Logizombie attack had he been so emotionally volatile.
"This conference was organised in the name of peace and understanding, not so that you poor excuses for Statesmen could settle your personal grudges like some petty street group working through a two-scene tradgedy! Now I don't care who fried whose soldiers, or who stole what book, or threw gloves where! This ends now! Xavier, if you're men are truly dead, then produce credible evidence and swear before both men and Gods that it is real. If, we accept your evidence Thanatos will pay due compensation, say 10 Talents of Gold." Alixenus now turned to Brutus, sword still in hand, his countenance almost like that of a disappointed father. Meanwhile the court artist had practically thrown his previous work on the floor and starting sketching this new dramatic spectacle.
"Brutus, I swore help for your homeland and you shall have it. I can understand your boredom of my city, there aren't exactly any Giant sized attractions available. Now that this conference has come to an abrupt end we will depart soon." No one else dared to speak, or make any other noise. They all seemed frozen, entranced by the sheer Gravitas of Alixenus' rage. It was as if the Winged Lion itself, the Sigil of the city, was embodied in this man. Now he rounded on Thanatos and the sisters Fury and Strife were beside him as he addressed the dead man before him.
"As my people fought and died to defend their city I never once saw a single Diyadian come to our aid. Search our Dungeons, check our prisoner roles. None of your men are here." Now he pointed his sword at Thanatos, the steel shimered in the early evening sun. "If your people are truly the prodigal spawn of Venezzia, then you will abandon this demand for my arrest. Under our laws colonial authorities do not supercede the City's. But if the Gods have so deluded you that you no abandon this path, then come and get me." More city and council guards were arriving, weapons at ready. Like the Hawk that hovers in the skies, waiting to strike, so too were they watching the diplomats.
All was silent save for the rustling of the Cypress trees in the wind. Xavier made the smallest movement behind Alixenus, perhaps he was straightening his robes. Whatever he did, it caused Alixenus' furious mind to realise something. Xavier has the Necronomicon. Alixenus now drew a dagger with his left and, keeping his sword towards Thanatos, spun and pressed keen edge against Xavier's throat. "You hold in your hands that cursed book, the book which has caused so much suffering already and will send many a nobleman to the underworld if it falls into the hands of the AN. You, sir, shall hand that book to Thanatos so that he may destroy it for the good of all."
OOC: Not sure why, but halfway through writing that I decided to give that post a Homeric spin. Not sure it worked. Thoughts everyone? Sorry for the long post, but it's been a while. |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.17 23:19:00 -
[101] - Quote
OOC: It was a combination of the two Galrick as both I and Sandromin were meant to be the mediators for the conference. Now I shall attempt an entire post in the style of Homer. Brace yourselves for a dose of Classical litertature.
Alixenus son of Alisander looked on Sandromin, with confusion clouding his thoughts. His Knife never erred from Xavier's neck and nor did his sword falter from pointing at Thanatos. It was a masterwork of tempering and lightness from one of the first Steel smiths, Lysippio. Now the leader of the Venezzians, whose coffers were never empty, spoke to Sandromin tamer of Dunes.
"Has Delusion now gripped you as it has gripped Xavier? Do you not see Sandromin how my weapons are drawn and yours still sleep in their sheaths? Have you forgotten when you pledged to aid me in my mission to save this city from the clutches of the former Doge Petruccio and your foe Armok and that the Gods punish those who forsake oaths most harshly? Godlike Thanatos has never told us of this great pit to throw the book into and I wonder why he has not before now. But I also wonder how it can be that your Guild of thought already has a home for it's thinkers and Sophists when you only proposed your idea yesterday? Our current problems must be resolved before we can discuss the rest of you plans. Brave Xavier, myself and Thanatos stand on the edge of disaster. Will you not reconcile the three of us?"
Now like a Lion who has stolen a hunter's kill and will not be driven off by his spears and Dogs, so too did Alixenus refuse to back down in the face of Pink-eyed Thanatos and long-haired Xavier.
OOC Oh and Nexhawk, one of your ships may face an 'unavoidable delay' soon >;) |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.18 16:49:00 -
[102] - Quote
Still he stood there, Dagger against one, sword against the other. He was too prideful to be willingly taken prisoner by a foreign power, let alone one that had so utterly outmatched his own. So Alixenus stood there, bracing himself whatever fresh hell may issue forth when Xavier finished wrestling inside his own mind and spoke. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.18 21:34:00 -
[103] - Quote
OOC Loving it Brutus keep it coming. It's nice to know that when we set sail for your home we won't be greeted by just a pile of Bones. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.19 19:34:00 -
[104] - Quote
OOC: Well what song would befit a grizzled soldier-come-statesman like Alixenus? Something bombastic like a marching song or something? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.19 21:18:00 -
[105] - Quote
OOC: Hmm, something for Pyromancers? Perhaps something loud or aggressive, with metallic tones to conjour thoughts of a blacksmiths forge? Maybe something from Game of Thrones? Or Dawn of War? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.19 23:33:00 -
[106] - Quote
OOC: Yes I think a marching song would be a good idea. I'll choose one tommorow. For now, I believe I have one of your ships surrounded...
________________________________________________________________________________________________
For a while, nothing happened in that narrow stretch of sea. The Venezzians were holding position as best they could on the choppy seas, all eyes and weapons focused on the stranger's ship. Eventually, a large row boat with a single Ketch [Triangular] sail was lowered from the starboard side of the Charybdis into the waters below. Gradually it made it's way towards Cenizar's vessel, taking great care not to be sucked into the maw on the side of the Great Battleship, which even now was still devouring vast quantities of water. Such was the distance between the two vessels and the harsh distemperance of the sea that it took the Row boat a full ten minutes to reach the Ashborn [Was it ashborn?]. As they came alongside the Basalt hull Grappling hooks immeadiately flew up and dug into the rock. A small group of Venezzian Marines proceeded to climb the rope ladders these were attached to. Once aboard they drew their weapons and appraised the strange people aboard the ship, both sides uncertain of the other's intentions. Eventually another Venezzian scrambled aboard. Dressed in what was presumably officers regalia; a deep red tunic finely embroidered with Gold braid and armoured in a steel Cuirass, he stepped in front of the Marines and addressed the crew in polite, if slightly arrogant, tones.
"I am Knight-Commander Partrocli Stocessco of the Northern fleet of the most prosperous Venezzian Republic. I greet you to these waters on behalf of our current ruler, Alixenus son of Alisander, Shield of the people. My superiors ask that you do not interfere with our current operations on this island," He gestured toward the Logipriest island, "Our ships will be out of your way in an hour or so. You may continue your voyage then. In the meantime they would also request that you inform us of who you are, your point of origin, destination and the intent of this journey" |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.20 16:50:00 -
[107] - Quote
OOC: Still not certain what tune to pick for Venezzia. As martial as they are, they are still merchants and I kinda feel like that needs to be reflected in some way. Excuse my dithering.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Fortunately for all parties involved, the Pathburner had been discovered by national military forces as opposed to private mercantile ships. This meant that the sailors had only the best interests of the Republic at heart, rather than trying to make as much profit as possible for their paymaster, just as Alixenus had foolishly tried to do when the Logipriests were first discovered.
Stocessco took a brief moment to ponder Cenizar's request before responding.
"There is no dictate nor law that says that you cannot land on this island, so you may do so at your leisure. The continent you see is known as Mediterra, and is populated by several different nations. In the northern mountains are the Lucian Dwarves, ruled by the dictator known as Xavier. The Western coastline is largely ruled by, or under the influence of Venezzia. Our city state is home to the finest merchants and steel smiths in the world. Most of the rest of the continent is Desert and dry Grasslands. Apparently, it is all under the control of Sandromin Hes, a sort-of King for the Sand people. And somewhere in all that is hidden a race of Machines calling themselves the Collective. I don't think anyone is too sure what their motivations are." Stocessco paused briefly to collect his thoughts before the continuing, looking at the ashborn with suspicion and interest in equal measure.
"The Republic's current ruler, Alixenus is a Merchant-soldier and sailor by training. He came to power in the wake of a weak and naive Senate. A new one has been elected so he's likely to step down from his role soon, but personally I doubt he'll go back to soldering for the Merchants. He never wanted to be a politician, but he carried that responsibility out of a sense of duty to the rest of us. To be honest I don't think he's meant for that world. Now, we could provide you maps to help your expedition, if you would be willing to hand over some form of trinket in return"
Just because they weren't the trade guild's men didn't mean that they wouldn't try to trade with the newcomers. The need for commerce and exchange ran in the blood of every Venezzian, as much for diplomacy as anything else. As the Knight-commander began to talk trade a Marine unfurled a small, Pastel-Green flag and raised it in the air above him. The Maws on the Charybdis gradually sealed shut. Moments later a great plume of water shot from the centre of the ship, as high as the Mainsil, and drifted South into the Lucian mountains overshadowing the strait.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.20 17:10:00 -
[108] - Quote
OOC. This was meant to be written yesterday but I had to abandon before posting, just to make sure all plot lines are synched up, am I correct in saying that the evening that the conference ended is also the night that Frost had that bar fight? and that the exchange between Stocessco and Cenizar is earlier on that same day?
Upon fully realising Thanatos' ruse, Alixenus immeadiately softened. He returned his sword to it's sheathe and explained that Pride and Honour had denied him the option of being captured. The two conversed for a moment more, Alixenus swearing to make ready to depart for Diyad, before Thanatos begged his leave and proceeded to Sandromin's encampment. Then he was alone in that hall. Someone had been in to light the torches, but nothing more stirred but the flickering of those isolated flames. The table had been left where it had fallen when Alixenus had split it. There was still a puddle of blood where Xavier had disappeared. As Alixenus regarded that pool he noticed that he still had his Dagger in hand. Returning it to the folds of his robes he attempted to digest the days events. A King risen, another vanished. Now the Logipriests were gone too. He wasn't sorry that they had left, but he felt soe grief for Xavier as he rode home. Alixenus had known Xavier for a far longer period than Thanatos, though that was still a short time. He held respect for the Dwarve's sense of Character as much as martial and political skill. To have all that taken by little more than a book of all things was simply unfathomable to him. Thanatos's Godlike powers were even more unbelievable to him. As if it wasn't unfair enough that Diyad was technologically superior, now they had a demi-god. Alixenus chuckled grimly at the thought and debated what to do with the Silk and Velvet he'd ordered for Thanatos' bedchamber. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.22 22:59:00 -
[109] - Quote
OOC: 1) Magic is particularly strong in several locations with those born near them developing a magical affinity. That being said there's no magical source in Venezzia but we do get a Wizard or Witch every once in a while, often after they have practised for many years.
2) Siding with Brutus that God's might have a hand in this.
3) No problem with vision being a one off
4) There are Goblins now? I must enslave them to work on my ships!
4a) Abstaining from vote
4b) Abstaining from vote.
Also, I kinda feel like Venezzia is the poorer relation in this world. Due to accidently writing myself into a corner, we have almost no magic, so we're screwed if the AN or Fate pops up. We don't appear to be militarily superior to anyone, though our civvies seem only second to Brutus' people in martial prowess. We're clearly not the most advanced seeing as we're still relying on steel and sail. Our only pros seem to be in Trading, Diplomacy, Culture and accidently spawning the Diyadians. I don't know where this post was going, maybe I'm just insecure on some level about either my race or my writing skill, who knows?
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.23 11:40:00 -
[110] - Quote
Stoccessco enthusiastically embraced the offer of enchanted weaponry. Either they would provide a unique edge to his sailors during boarding actions, or perhaps the enchantment could be studied or reverse engineered in some way by the most scholarly in the Republic. A second rowboat delivered a small chest of arms with a box of maps. Contained within were the favourite weapons of 19 most prominent naval officers and marine comanders in the fleet. Stocessco then drew his own weapon, a finely balanced and ornate Falchion, and added it to the collection.
"By all means, good sir Cenizar, begin your magicks"
As the Ashborn worked, the Knight-commander looked towards the bow of the ship towards the setting sun. The removal of the colonists was ended and the fleet was gradually parting to make way the Ashborn. It appeared that this would be the beginning of a profitable relationship
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
*The next morning in Venezzia*
Alixenus awoke in his bed to find last night's date wrapped fast around him. It took quite some time for him to extract himself from between her various limbs. Once he was free he grabbed some simple clothes from his drawers, dressed and quietly exited, pleased with himself that he took the time during formal occaisions to get to know the ladies of the court.
As he rounded a corner he found Fate waiting for him again in the hallway. He jumped at the sight, but was once again nonchalant about her appearance.
"You have a thing about appearing here don't you? If you're here about the Logipriests I can tell you that they have removed themselves. I have not seen nor heard any of them for quite some time"
That is not why I am here. Sandromin and Thanatos intend to kill me and the other Gods.
"And why would that concern me? I checked with the Priests and Oracles, you are not of Venezzia's Gods, which, judging from the fact that even you need to ask for my help, are immeasurably more powerful than you."
Fate did not take kindly to her powers being questioned.
Silence you impudent whelp! Those mere children do not have a fraction of the power to challenge me. I could destroy them with a single thought! Not that it would matter, they're so quiet and small it's like they don't exist anyway.
"If that is true, then clearly destiny has me marked for something important, or you would not deign to speak with me. But for all I know you may be trying to divert me from my true path"
I choose your path. I, and no one else. You intend to take part in this Great Voyage. Do so, and ensure that Sandromin does not return.
Alixenus began to lose interest in this spirit, even though she could send him into an eternity of agony. Yesterday he had literally laughed in the face of, and drawn a sword against, death. What more could he possibly fear? He moved to walk past her.
"Then I'm to hope that you eliminate Thanatos before he discovers my treachery? This could all be a plot to get me killed, or to weaken my Gods, or destroy us all outright. Just why should I listen to you?"
Because if you do, your precious Republic will become the most powerful nation in this world.
Alixenus stopped dead in his tracks. Salvation for his realm at last. Not at the hands of charity from some distant relation or race of machines, but divine providence itself! However his rational and somewhat cynical mind pointed out to him exactly what he had just said to her. She might have been playing on his hopes and fears. She could be lying to him. She had probably already said that to every other ruler in this world. Despite this, he couldn't just give the offer a flat no.
She smiled, she knew she had him.
"I will, consider your offer. Now if you will excuse me, we mortals have a busy day ahead"
I knew you Venezzians would not squander the gift of reason.
"My Gods gave me that, not you."
Fate only did so much as glare at him. But that was all it took for her to throw him against the wall with great force.
Remember your place
Then she was gone. Alixenus struggled to his feet, coughing and spluttering. He checked himself for broken bones.
"Agh, ahh well that Rib always cracks." Without further ado he struggled away to take breakfast and prepare for the day's work.
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.24 21:50:00 -
[111] - Quote
OOC Sorry for being late again folks. I don't how I keep falling behind lately, but I'll try to rectify the situation.
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"I'm fine Brutus, I just fell down the stairs. Now, we have a busy day ahead. Help yourself to some smoked fish" Alixenus gestured to a pile of large cushions in the corner of the room, handmade in Aretum, so the merchant had said. They passed the meal in companionable silence, enjoying the rare commodity of peace as much as their meal. When he had had his fill of fruits, breads and poultry Alixenus turned to Brutus with a smile on his face and a glimmer in his eye.
"Today's the day Brutus. Today I can finally stop ruling the Republic and go back to doing what I do best. Soldering. I just have to sign some parchment back at the Palazzo then I'll be away on the Diydian's airship for a while. And...I have a suprise for you." He returned to his chambers briefly to dress properly before the two headed out. Brutus pretended not to notice the young woman departing through the side door as they walked out the front. It was a brief ride back to the Palazzo, or walk in Brutus case. He wasn't looking forward to another day spent doing nothing whilst his friend went on some grand adventure. Waiting patiently in the hallway for Alixenus to sign the parchment, he was in fact genuinely surprised when Alixenus called him in.
Inside yet another conference chamber, Brutus saw Alixenus with a few politicians and what looked like officers standing around a long Oakwood table. "Brutus, meet my replacement, Doge Stefana Carravagio the first. and these men-" Alixenus waved a hand toward the officers "-are General Lombardi, head of the Republic's Army and Baron-Admiral Ravena, head of the Navy." The two men bowed to Brutus.
"This is my surprise Brutus. As the new Supreme Commander of Venezzia's military, I have ordered these men to furnish you with everything you need to select and organise a relief force for your homeland. Take whatever ships and troops you see fit. Now if you excuse me, I have an airship to board" Alixenus walked briskly past his utterly stunned friend, quite pleased that throwing an Army at his feet had the desired affect.
*Later, aboard the airship*
Alixenus was leaning as far as he deemed safe out of the side of the airship to take in the sight of Venezzia from the air. It was from up here that he could truly appreciate the scale of Charybdis's sister ship, the Scylla, still under construction in the Western docks. Though little more than wooden struts and beams that resembled a Whale skeleton at this point, the ship's main weapon, a monstrous water cannon that took up fully half the interior of the vessel, was already in place. He almost tumbled over the side when Ignatus projected his voice at them.
"I wish they'd stop doing that, haven't these people heard of messenger birds?"
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OOC: Feel free to flesh out the officers as required Brutus |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.25 15:51:00 -
[112] - Quote
OOC: Whoops. Thanks for pointing that out Thanatos. I guess it will be up to Lombardi and Ravena to organise the relief forces on Brutus' behalf. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.25 21:52:00 -
[113] - Quote
OOC: Brutus, I don't want to question your strategic sense, but are two Platoons of Pikemen really going to be enough to save your homeland? Or get your people out of it?
"Oh my word Brutus! Well at least he looked before he leaped. Bring this contraption down! We have a man uh, overboard." |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.26 17:31:00 -
[114] - Quote
OOC: Mayday Mayday Mayday! I've struck by three high-yield Lore bombs. Shields have failed and engines are offline. I'm going to try ride out the backstory shockwaves until I can reroute enough power to read them. Alixenus out. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.29 13:37:00 -
[115] - Quote
OOC: At last! I have survived the trial of the lore bombs and caught up with everyone else. Now to answer the pressing issues of the day. Both I and Alixenus are unsure about whether or not to side with fate, despite the fact that she seems to be gravitating towward lawful evil. Alixenus himself is likely on the good-neutral boundary, more on the lawful side of things. The collective seems to osciliate wildly in their behaviour depedning on the situation, so as a whole I'd put them in true neutral. It also occurs to me that if Fate manages to bring the collective round to her side, we're suddenly staring down the barrel of a Terminator-esque apocalypse. Hell maybe even Borg, but I digress.
Having read the lore-bombs I notice that there may be a slight conflict arising between Sandromin and myself. He pretty much covered every angle with that creation story, meanwhile I've been alluding to Venezzians having their own set of deities beside the elder gods (note my last conversation with Fate). I suppose the Venezzians could in fact be worshipping the Second, but I've already mentioned Hera and Athena. Going back and editing that section out is an option, either that or we have ourselves another law storm. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.30 14:40:00 -
[116] - Quote
OOC Each of our nations hadn't seen each other since this 'first empire' that Sandromin's creation story mentioned. Yet despite this we've overcome our natural suspicions and gelled together in the face of common threats incredibly quickly and easily. Frankly, we're lucky to have only had *this* much politicking already. Oh and I wasn't aware that I needed to reply to you Nexhawk.
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Alixenus came back on deck to see a man born of ash and flame standing amongst his companions. He had recieved a note just a day before from the Charybdis claiming that they had encountered such people by the Logipriest island. Surely it couldn't be the same ship both there and here? Their speed of propulsion would have to be incredible. His curiosity piqued, Alixenus put the book he was carrying into one of his larger pockets and approached the congregation. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.03.31 13:57:00 -
[117] - Quote
OOC: Okay I will edit accordingly...In other news, is the AN going to make an appearance or are we leaving them out until we write the sequel ;) |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.01 12:20:00 -
[118] - Quote
OOC: Actually Venezzia is still tier 1. The modernisation still hasn't come into effect yet, so we're still running around with swords and bows. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.02 12:13:00 -
[119] - Quote
The wind picked up on the airhsip and a piece of parchment flew overboard and out of Alixenus' grasp. Lunging for it, he nearly knocked the rest of his work over the side. He cursed, checking which sheet he had lost before pulling out a fresh parchment and starting over. Had anyone been nosy enough to look, they would've seen Alixenus charting navigational paths around Mediterra based on tides and winds, trying to figure determine where the Ashborn were sending their ships from and how many were in range of Venezzia. Of course, he could just ask the Ashborn's representative all these questions, but a strategic 'what if' was just what he needed to pass the time.
This reminded him of his younger days, freshly enrolled in one of the trade guilds many private armies. His days were spent training with every sort of weapon the Republic had. Swordcraft typically occured before breakfast. Then there were blunt weapons, heavy and two handers, excercise in full plate, marksmanship, equestrianism and siege works. After dinner his nights were passed in the Library, working on whatever assignment had been set that week. Some days it was speechcraft, which Venezzians considered as important as martial skill, others it was analysis of famous battles. Every once in a while there was project on how to deal with Politicians. Alixenus never did too well in those, he remembered with a smirk. By the end, Alixenus, like everyone else, was a weapon forged to perfection for the trade guild. Their edge made sharp by the relentless hammer of training, but balanced by oratory and poetry. Each was a masterwork that any Smith would be proud of, most would not make it to retirement intact.
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Back in the city, Lombardi and Ravena were up to their eyes in paperwork, ink and officers from the Logistics Corps. Trying to call up two companies of Pikemen was a hard enough task, but they also had to assign ships, doctors, sappers, food in case there was nothing in Brutus' land and guess the amount of pay needed for the campaign. After signing papers on behalf of the military band's quartermaster, Lombardi had a thought.
"You remember, that Brutus mentioned that ther would be undead Giants?"
"Of course" replied Ravena, almost offended that Lombardi would question his memory.
"Well, what good are two comapnaies of Pikemen going to be against that? Surely we'd need some crossbowmen and Knights aswell?"
"You remember how easily Alixenus brought Brutus down?"
"Do you remember how many Logizombies Brutus killed?"
"...I was observing the siege from afar"
"You mean you were sailing away?" Ravena wasn't sure if that was in jest or a genuine barb, but he decided not to pursue it.
"Well I'm not a General, but tell me, if you plan on throwing the whole of the Republic at these, ferals, how do you intend to transport them? We haven't had need for landing craft since the days of the last Pirate King"
Ravena had a point. Venezzia could certainly transport it's enitre army by sea. If you included the Merchant vessels they could take their faimilies too. But they could'nt land troops under hostile conditions.
"Baron-Admiral, you are considering a problem that doesn't exist. The Navy could easily blast any defenders from entrenched positions, like they did when we fought the Logipriests. Then the troops can come in on Galleys and Row boats. But if you are so concerned that we won't even be able to find a beach that doesn't have waterproof zombies, why don't you commision some combat transports? Or use fire?"
The excahnge was perfectly normal, it was a tradition among Venezzian officers to consider every possible scenario in the pre-planning phase, no matter where the avenue of though went. Not long after Lombardi filled out the paperwork for a compnay of crossbowmen, just in case Brutu's people were in direr straits than previously thought.
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OOC: Thought you'd want to know Galrick, there's a free online program that let's you play D&D over the internet. PC gamer wrote an article on it, try checking their website.
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.05 23:36:00 -
[120] - Quote
Alixenus felt numb. Just numb. Sound seemed to fall away and the map room stretched into Eternity. Thanatos had revealed to him the horrifying facts of their situation, and he could not process them. How could anyone possibly comprehend the fact that the Elder Gods were going to destroy the entire world with fire, while he and his own, possibly non-existant Gods, could do nothing? He had faced death so many times before in so many guises. But now the reaper stood before him as an equal and told him that his time, everyone's time, was at an end. How could death himself die? How could they challenge the Gods? His mind became a roaring torrent of fear and darkness. Fate was right, Thanatos planned to kill her. But Fate was going to destroy the world. Who did he believe? How did he know this was not an elaborate ploy? That they were both in fact allied with one another?
He felt small, he felt a fool. A fool for not bothering to ask how Thanatos had escaped the underworld. A fool for focusing on the petty quarrels between mortals. A fool for not embracing the offer of new technologies with greater vigour. A fool for thinking that dressing like the Venezzians of old, in the hope that it would strike a cord with the Diyadians, even mattered. But worst of all, he felt a fool for thinking he ever had any control of his life. At least Thanatos claimed that he and those around him mattered.
This was all too much. Alixenus just wanted to cry like a child, run, hide in a corner somewhere from the creeping darkness. In the silence, he used his trembling voice to utter the only thing he could think to say.
"Why do the Gods do this to us? Why do they keep bringing us back?" |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.08 00:00:00 -
[121] - Quote
OOC: Jimeny Crickets! I blinked and next thing I know you've all filled a page of this thread. I just want to state in no uncertain terms the respect that I hold for you all because of the immense quality of your seperate works. Now that I've said that there's no need to post it again. Back to the Epic... |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.09 00:34:00 -
[122] - Quote
Sorry folks but I don't want this turning into another new Eden. While I'm not sure where I stand on advancing the tech level or skipping into the far future, I would much prefer to keep rolling around in this staggering, beautiful, diverse fantasy world that we've created. I'm also inclined to agree with Vyzion; he brought the Supernova in too soon given how long this story is becoming. Though he wasn't that far off. Perhaps for the book version Sandromin should stretch out the initial meetings and add a few more battles to the Golem and Logizombie sections. I think our divine enemy shouldn't rear it's head until a roughly a third of the way through, but these thirds are getting real long. Perhaps when we reach page 100 we should take a moment to evaluate where we are and what to do from there.
Brutus is doing a great job of reminding us not only of the fact that there are people LIVING in this world we've created, but also that we've left a lot of the world empty. Sure, we decided on the geography, the names and the races. But not much more than that. Vast swathes of this world are as silent as the grave because we haven't added anything to it. What do the people's homes look like? What Plants grow in the Forrests? What animals run through the meadows. We've all done a top notch job of writing this story and I'm not saying that we force this stuff in now. Perhaps, from time to time, post a little appendix section about your nation. At the very least it will give Sandromin more to use. We were on the right track adding the creation of the collective's AIs, but I, as self-appointed grand-poobah of this thread, demand MOAR
Thanks in advance, and thanks for not kicking me out |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.09 10:55:00 -
[123] - Quote
OOC: Is that 4 years including the time taken to build a fly a few smaller prototypes, to iron out the kinks? If this is going to be our last hope I'm sure the collective would want it done perfectly. But that's just my opinion. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.11 10:49:00 -
[124] - Quote
OOC oops sorry Thanatos, Don't know why I didn't answer. Replying now.
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Now Alixenus didn't know what to think. All life in the world was just a game to these Elder Gods. A superflous excercise of power so that they could revel in their own omnipotence. Alixenus couldn't feel more powerless than he already did, but deep down in the caverns of his heart, a fire rose. That fire's name was Anger, and it would not be denied. It blazed away on the fuel of Thanatos' answer, growing greating and hotter with each passing moment. Soon, the fledgling inferno produced enough heat to thaw the brave man's heart, a heart frozen solid by terror. Oh Terror tried so hard to maintain it's grip, but when Alixenus' ego began to fan the flames, there was no stopping them.
The firestorm erupted from Alixenus' heart and filled his entire body. His fists balled. His Chest heaved. His teeth Grit. He walked up to Thanatos, the flames evident in his eyes. He clasped Thanatos tightly by the arm and said:
"I don't care how you got out of the underworl, or how we are going to slay these false Gods, but this ends now. Even if I have to die a thousand times for it to happen." |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.12 23:43:00 -
[125] - Quote
OOC: Xavier that made me chuckle, nice work. I agree that this meeting shouldn't need to go on for anymore than one post from San and Than each. Given the immensity of the stakes, it is lucky none of the main characters are at war with one another. Sandromin was very careful to make us one big happy family, almost as if he knew Vyzion was going to bring in the Elder Gods...
Also Nexhawk I appreciated your complement of my last post. I figured some swashbuckling hero like Alixenus would certainly show human his human side when presented with that news, but he certainly wouldn't sit crying in a corner for a very long. After all, the man has a reputation to uphold.
I'll write a Lore post about the City of Venezzia tommorow, then likely the surrounding country after that. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.13 20:23:00 -
[126] - Quote
OOC: FROST! NOOO! Let's get this meeting over with, I want to save Brutus' people!
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The city of Venezzia.
Over untold centuries, Venezzia rose from a nameless fishing village and the home of men to a sprawling city Rich with every wealth imaginable. The streets buzz with constant noise throughout the day, be it haggling merchants, nattering fish wives or the work songs of Galley rowers and other labourers. The Buildings themselves are fairly uniform in their Aesthetic; Brick or Stone coated in White or pastel plasters, topped with semi-circular red-orange roof tiles. Buildings of great wealth or import are often topped with some form of dome covered in highly detailed and varnished ceramic tiles. Public buildings such as Inns or offices will often be surrounded on all four sides by a Porch, however this is does extend into the street. Rather, what would otherwise be part of the interior of the ground floor is used, with the floors above held up by many small columns. The roads alternate between being paved with Stone to dirt with no apparent rhythm or rhyme.
Covering a fair portion of the Republic's coastline, the city is roughly divided into the North (often to reffered to Lucian these days), Western and Southern districts. The Southern district is commonly reffered to as the Bignorian district, as the region to the South of the City is called Bignoria. Here you will find (unsurprisingly) the Southern docks, Pyerlanze square, the Spice market and the home of (in my opinion) the greatest character in this entire story, Alixenus. The Southern docks the majority of the city's trade traffic, which has grown by an enormous amount since Diyad and the Sandmen appeared. Immeadiately surrounding it is a vast forrest of cannopied Market stalls, best to watch your coinpurse in there as thefts occur often. But so does getting barged out the way by a Merchant's wagon going at full speed, so y'know, could be worse. Almost ironically, not far from there is the spacious and immaculately maintained Pyerlanze square, home to the City's enormous red brick Clocktower. Wealthy townhouses and private offices line this space which is understandably filled with Nobility, businessmen and City guard, though you'll find the latter everywhere. Lining the borders of this district is the Bignorian wall, which guards the southern reaches of the city. There's no difference between this section of wall and the rest of the City's defenses aside from the fact that this section is named. The everyday houses lining the wall seem to jostle for space with one another, giving the area a slight slum look, but in truth they're no worse off than anywhere else in the City. Commoners living in this area are reffered to as 'people of the Bignorian wall'. All are tenants and Serfs of Alixenus, who recieved Lordship of the area in return for years of loyal service to the Trade guild. No doubt they are regretting that gift now.
Alixenus' home, much like the homes of many Lords within the City, is in fact a small walled compound centred on a cobbled square. Sited in the East of the district it faces West toward the sea. The home itself takes up the East and South sides while the Stables and Granary are up against the North side. The west is a strongly built wall with a heavy Oak Gate set within it. The Spice market lies between Pyerlanze square and Alixenus' home. A much more compact affair than the markets near the docks, the are always had an exotic, foreign feeling to it, not least because of the extravagant decorations the store holders used to try to entice prospective buyers. A small curiosity of the South district is that every once in a while you may come across a very small square paved with stone. Usually the local people use these as a meeting place, decorating them with tables, chairs and potted plants. But legends say that in ages past these squares were built by the nobles and merchants to hold executions and that beneath them, accessible only by a hidden entrance, lies the private dungeons of their descendants. Of course all the Nobles would fervently deny this legend, Alixenus included... |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.15 15:35:00 -
[127] - Quote
OOC: Oh Brutus that's created so much tension I want to know what happens next...and I'm the one writing this! Well of the ones, but you get my point. Would it be too much of a spoiler to ask who the single man who mourned for all of them was? I notice Conyr wasn't one of the dead, but then neither was I.
And Sandromin, I had a question about the novelisation of this thread. Everyone here has their own style, are you smoothing them over into one to make it more coherent or leaving them as they are? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.16 19:34:00 -
[128] - Quote
"Right!" Alixenus clasped his hands together with a clap that echoed around the room. Somehow, almost impossibly, a smile was on his face, caused by the irrepressible confidence of a veteran soldier. He began to speak about the situation as casually as if he was speaking about a boating trip.
"How do we form this Trinity then? And how long does it need? I daresay we don't have much time, given how much I infuriated the Queen ***** that is fate. C'mon, walk and talk, we have to tell everyone we're going to war with the Gods! How are we going to kill them anyway? I don't think a Catapult is going to be enough, as much as I'd like to tear their hearts out with my bare-" He stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath. Anger was still burning inside him, but he wanted to keep it contained until he was face to face with his tormentors.
He carried on walking, gathering his thoughts as Thanatos explained further. But when they came out into the open the trio stopped dead. Before them was Xavier and two of the Ashborn. The Dwarf had his back turned and was deep in conversation with the fiery men. Alixenus could see the Dark Arcarnum tucked under Xavier's arm and imagined the Dwarf would not be happy to see him again. Quietly, he loosed his sword in it's Scabbard. The Ashborn now noticed them. One backed away from the Dwarf, the other looked on wondering what was going to happen next. Xavier's Beard seemed to bristle, as if he knew who was behind him. His darling book told him. It looked into Sandromin, Thanatos and Alixenus. It saw the fire burning in the Venezzian, and something...else. The book was pleased, it could use this 'something', should Xavier fail.
OOC: Sorry for hijacking characters there, but there was a risk of that meeting accidentally dragging on, so I decided to light the powderkeg waiting outside. Have fun! |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.18 17:39:00 -
[129] - Quote
Yeah, I'm still here, I was going to post last night but it was lost in the Aether. If can summon the energy I'll write it again in this post. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.19 18:51:00 -
[130] - Quote
OOC: I'll take post 1001 on the grounds that, assuming I haven't gone senile, I was the second one on here. All glory to the Threadnaught! |
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Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.19 20:12:00 -
[131] - Quote
OOC: We have built it Thanatos, they will come and bow to our collective greatness when they are ready. I've think I've spent more time on this thread than I have playing Dust! |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.22 19:34:00 -
[132] - Quote
OOC: I'm afraid he's not warlord, Nexhawk said it would be a BAD idea for you to NOT to go back and read the rest of the thread. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.23 15:04:00 -
[133] - Quote
OOC: Warlord! Sandromin had called dibs on post 1000. This is what happens when you don't read what came before you! Oh and Infine, my three guesses at what your character is: A Mercenary, Rumplestiltskin and a pencil pusher for the war department. That last guess makes sense to me at any rate. Deal with it. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.24 19:22:00 -
[134] - Quote
OOC: Loved the TLDR you did Xavier, worth at least four likes. Also, as Conyr is about to be cooked I was wondering: Does he count as meat or vegetables? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.26 18:12:00 -
[135] - Quote
OOC: You don't Brutus, you just stay at that level. I think I'll continue my lore bombs on Venezzia tommorow, a nice hustling bustling city to contrast Brutus' necropolis. |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.04.29 16:58:00 -
[136] - Quote
OOC: Trust me Brutus I'd be there in a heartbeat, but if memory serves we're still stuck with that rather tense moment in Diyad: You're hiding from the Briggs and (according to Thanatos) have woken up some big-ass doom snake, meanwhile I'm stuck waiting for Xavier to try to convice me to side with Fate. This will either end with me flipping him off (verbally) and leaving to find you, or I'll switch sides and help the little hairy maniac, but I severely doubt that.
Also, has Conyr been cooked yet? |
Alixenus
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Posted - 2013.05.01 16:58:00 -
[137] - Quote
OOC: Stop me if I get it wrong: Xavier's gone bonkers and he's playing host to the 'dark' part of the dark Arcanum, but the book itself is now good. Fate intervened in some hidden way and that ominous storm indicates that's space/time's about to unravel. And Frost isn't dead yet.
So, is Xavier going to have some lvl80 wizard powers when he wakes up? Or is he just going to gibber and draw all over the walls? Also, given the current trend in fantasy stories, shouldn't half of the main characters been killed off by now 
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Xavier's fall, Nexhawk's supplicance and the storm. They all happened so fast, so fast Alixenus barely had time to take in one event before another transpired. He looked down at Xavier's fitful, unconscious form. Though he held no love for the Dwarf, he still felt a great sadness for his ill fortune and a guilt that he could do nothing for him. The rain traced the grim countours on Alixenus' face as he contemplated, and mourned the former hero. Looking back up to the assembled rulers, he felt inclined to agree to Nexhawk's request.
"Thanatos, unless you have some plan for that accursed book that you have not shared with me, I say we let the fiery lord execute his plan. At the very least it will extract the magic from the Arcanum, which can be no bad thing if it stops that thing from harming anyone else. Now, and I don't presume to command you Thanatos, could you please call for a doctor and some serfs to carry Xavier away to a hospital? Or whatever you have in Diyad?" |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.03 16:15:00 -
[138] - Quote
OOC: Woah! Vyzion, I was only kidding when I was talking about killing off characters. You didn't have to knife yourself and flame Broil Hakyi! It was just a GoT reference, oh what've I done? |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.05 15:30:00 -
[139] - Quote
OOC: Speak for yourself Vyzion, I plan on living forever ;) |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.06 11:41:00 -
[140] - Quote
OOC: Uhh, who are we waiting on now that Xavier's off with the fairies? Is it Nexhawk or Thanatos? |
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Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.07 14:48:00 -
[141] - Quote
OOC: Between family watching TV, EVE and games that have an ending I just haven't had time for Dust. But I'll get back there, eventually. Also Thanatos, leave the Bacon out of this, I will not have my artistic opus sullied!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
As Xavier's limp form was carried away into the City, Alixenus turned and regarded Nexhawk and Thanatos as they discussed the matter of the book. Sandromin looked on, pondering the events of the last few moments. Sensing that the situation had been resolved amicably Alixenus approached Thanatos again.
"My friend, now that this matter has been dealt with, perhaps I could request one thing from you. It would be a small thing for you to grant, but it is of great significance to both myself and Brutus. You see, I swore to him that in return for his help I would put Venezzia's might at his disposal to help save his people from the evil that had befallen them. I realise Fate is the gravest threat that we will ever face and that you need me by your side if we are to succeed, but my honour won't let me forget the Oath I made to Brutus. What say you?"
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OOC: Lol, It's like ME2 all over again. Let me go on my loyalty mission Thanatos! |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.09 21:26:00 -
[142] - Quote
Brutus Pyrus wrote:(Ooc) why does no one post! (Ooc)
Because we're waiting on Sandromin, but his computer's busted. Either that or we're on a mid-season break and nobody told the two of us. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.16 18:09:00 -
[143] - Quote
OOC: Huzzah! Threadnaught refloated! Now Thanatos, I know you're a man in demand, but Alixenus is waiting for an answer as to whether or not you'll let him lead the expedition to save Brutus' homeland. It's on page 55. If the answer's no, I'm sure Ravena and Lombardi can be trusted to lead it. Maybe, assuming they stop bickering. |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.17 19:15:00 -
[144] - Quote
Hip Hip Hooray! |
Alixenus
Omega protection service
39
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Posted - 2013.05.22 22:04:00 -
[145] - Quote
Alixenus followed a pace or two behind, scrawling notes for the Military diaires. His steps lighter and more free now that he knew for certain that he was about to head off on campaign again. Perhaps the greatest campaign of his life, of all time, or his last. He didn't care, he was enslaved to his wanderlust and desire for vengenace against the gods who had the Hubris to think that they could toy with Venezzians.
"I'm all set Sandromin, but I don't think that I packed anything appropriate for the desert. The main Venezzian fleet will accompny us as the Giant's land. Beyond that we must travel to doomgoth on our own. Speaking of Giants, does anyone know where Brutus is?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
39
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Posted - 2013.05.29 14:14:00 -
[146] - Quote
Alixenus looked on with undisguised worry as the Pheonixes headed into the skies towards the base, his vision unfettered by the pouring rain. As they made their landing, his mind raced. Not once in his years of training had his instructors covered how to provide reinforcements in a small scale assault of an airbourne position. That being said, it's pretty obvious why that wasn't in the curriculum. Time to improvise. Alixenus rolled the papers of the royal diaries back into their holder and threw off his crimson coat, which was sodden with rain.
"Gentlemen, Thanatos said be ready for anything when that base comes back down to earth. I intend to be ready for if that base doesn't. I have an idea, wait here"
With that he ran off with all speed towards the bottom of the Canyon that housed Karthage. Only Sandromin retained enough composure to call after him.
"Where are you going?"
Alixenus turned mid run to reply.
"If the Diyadians really are Venezzian, then they had to come by sea, now that they've lowered the land back to sea level, there should be a river or estuary down there" Alixenus panted for a moment. He would've liked to keep explaining, but in any situation like this time was of the essence so he left Sandromin with a perplexed look on his face and ran off. If he had the time he would have said that therefore, the old diyadians would've built a port at the bottom of the canyon. And if there's a port Venezzians will always find it. And that wherever there are Venezzian trade ships, there's a private military escort.
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
39
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Posted - 2013.06.05 19:44:00 -
[147] - Quote
OOC: Well I think we can qualify that as a grade-A mind frakk. It's funny, after reading Vyzion's post my first thought was "Glad Fate hasn't tried that on Alixenus". Then I realised: I'M WRITING THIS TOO! I think that is the strongest evidence available as to how gripping and, well, REAL, this story has become. I can't remember the last time a book held my attention as strongly as this, I think it was at least three years ago. Even if this story never leaves the internet I'm glad it exists, truly one of the best I've ever read, even if it is marred by the occaisional lazy or ham-fisted post by myself. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
41
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Posted - 2013.06.06 21:32:00 -
[148] - Quote
OOC: Quick question Thanatos, do you mind if I stick a river at the bottom of the Karthage canyon? It's for the sake of my plan B/ McGyver maneouvre I've got Alixenus running off for in case Xavier and his fiendish ally prevent you from bringing the facility back down to ground level. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
41
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Posted - 2013.06.08 22:40:00 -
[149] - Quote
OOC: Okay Than, thanks for providing my RDA of lols for today. No I'm not using the RIVERS themselves, I'm commandeering the Venezzian ships that will inenvitably be upon them. It pays to read my posts in detail. Sometimes. Okay maybe once in a while.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The wind grew evermore fercious as the stormfront covered Karthage beneath a bank of steel clouds. Blossoms and leaves were being ripped from the trees, it would not be long before branches followed. The rain, continuing to pour in this maelstrom was practically falling sideways at such speeds that it stung the faces of all who were still outside. It was even worse for Alixenus, who was running as fast as he could in this weather. His broken rib still hadn't properly knitted, so his breathing was impaired. He dared not go at full speed lest he worsen the injury or be completely blinded by the rain, which was making the streets more slick by the minute. The sudden exertion was taking it's toll, each breath teared at his lungs like he'd inhaled a Goblin into each lung.
Tumbling down a particularly steep ramp, Alixenus struggled to his feet and was greeted by the sight of a small Quayside, thronged with small trading vessels. Happily for him, the majority were Venezzian. Further out, anchored in the middle of the River, was what he'd hoped would be down there: the Triremes which had been charged with guarding the merchantmen. At that moment oars sprang out on every deck as the crews hauled anchor and rowed to shore a little way down from the Quay. Groups of sailors then lept from each one and, rope in hand, hauled the Triremes to shore before the sunk by the storm.
Using what energy he had left, Alixenus ran up to the sailors, calling as he approached.
"Ere, what do you want?" said a particularly burly specimen, not recognising one of the most famous men in the Republic due to his disheveled appearance.
"I want...the Ballistas, from on...deck. Any Scorpios too. And you. And the ropes, all of them.
The sailor laughed and looked at his friends before responding.
"And why would we do that for some soggy princeling who got caught without his coat in a bit of rain?"
Alixenus didn't have time for this. Fast as he could manage in his exhaustion, but far faster than the sailor could react apparently, he drew the cylindrical pressed-leather container of the Military diaries from his belt and struck the sailor in the head with it. Then he held the container so that the rest of the assembled crowd could see the Seal of the Republic upon the tube.
"Because if you don't the Lord High Commander of Venezzia will see to it that you never, work, again!"
The sailors fell to one knee before Alixenus whilst the burly one, staggered from the blow, lost his footing on the sodden shore and fell in the undignified way possible. After spitting out as much beach as he could he looked up at Alixenus in the way a scolded child looks at their parent.
"Very good my Lord, will have them off the ships as quickly as possible. Do you want the Marines trained how to use them aswell?"
"Yes, rouse them from their bunks and once everything is assembled, follow me. We have a fortress to Harpoon." |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
41
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Posted - 2013.06.15 12:53:00 -
[150] - Quote
OOC: Actually Thanatos, could you not initiate your search of the facility for Xavier while you wait for him to post? |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
42
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Posted - 2013.06.16 18:44:00 -
[151] - Quote
OOC: That is correct Nexhawk, I believe Sandromin was stuck on the ground while you flew with Thanatos, unless he used some sort of OP-dev-please-nerf lvl sand magic to levitate himself up when we weren't looking. Also, Xavier, art thou not a Dwarf? Because if thou art not Dwarf, but Human, then I must be a frikkineth Romulan! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.06.18 13:28:00 -
[152] - Quote
OOC: Every one of Brutus' posts makes me want to invade/save his land more and more! This impatience may cause me to sword an unecessary number of people in the name of expediency. Now, about my hairbrained scheme... |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.06.22 21:07:00 -
[153] - Quote
OOC: By all means Thanatos, go ahead and add parkour to Venezzian lore. It's a logical progression from a previous post of mine many moons ago where I mentioned city guard scrambling across the rooftops. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.06.24 09:09:00 -
[154] - Quote
"HEAVE! Gods dammit, heave! Those siege engines have wheels, use them! You there, put some real effort in. While we're at it, dirty uniform. Consider yourself on report! I'm going start beating people if you don't start working as a team! Private security's made you all soft, you call yourselves Venezzians? Heave!"
Alixenus saved compliments and inspiration for soldiers he knew. It was punishments and yelling for those he didn't. Especially for a batch of Marines as sorry as this lot. Even without full armour on, they were struggling to push the Ballistas through Karthage back to where Thanatos and Nexhawk had taken off from. The very fittest amongst them were carrying the Scorpios across their shoulders, others had ropes and grapnel bolts. But even they were beginning to tire, despite only being about a third of a way up to the top. They were wet, cold and miserable, yet somehow that did not motivate them to move faster.
"This is intolerable! You've brought shame to your families and the Lords you serve. I'm getting some real Venezzians to help me." With that he gestured to a couple of knightly-looking DIyadian soldiers. After Alixenus explained the situation one ran to get more help while the other started pushing on of the Ballistas. Very soon that team began to leave the rest behind. A single look from Alixenus inspired, or rather terrified, the rest into trying to catch up.
"I bet if I offered coin we'd already be there wouldn't we?" A few heads pricked up like the Monitor Lizards that live in the wilderness of the Republic. Alixenus sighed at this reaction. Even at the behest of a Republic officer, in the driving rain, these men wouldn't do their utmost unless there was a reward.
"Fine. Given the circumstances, 10 gold Florins for team that gets their Ballista to the end first" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
|
Posted - 2013.06.25 19:53:00 -
[155] - Quote
The tempest over Karthage continued unabated. Such was the ferocity of the storm that roads became brooks and streams as the sewage systems and water table failed to contain the deluge. Sandromin continued to look on at the floating facility, searching with his vision, both mundane and otherworldly, for any sign of Thanatos' progress. The rest of the party has seeked shelter indoors, but Sandromin kept his vigil. As he observed Nexhawk circle far above he detected, despite the thunderous sound and fury of the storm, the sound of marching feet and metal grinding on stone. Looking over to where he heard the disturbance he saw Alixenus walking towards him from the descending road he had disappeared down what seemed like at least a half hour ago. Tension has a way of stretching time.
Then slowly, up that road came Ballistas, pushed by both Venezzian and Diyadian working in unison thanks to an old labourers chant that had somehow survived Diyad's separation from it's progenitor. The men with the Scorpios and bolts and slowed down and joined in the chant, it seemed to raise their spirits more than competing to be first. As the men readied the weapons Alixenus finally explained his plan to Sandromin.
"This is still a contingency, but I like to be ready. If Thanatos and Nexhawk appear to be in any situation they can't handle, or they cannot bring that flying fortress down to us so that we may join the battle, I will order these men to fire Grapnel bolts into the facility. Either we then climb the ropes attached to the bolts, or we pull the whole damn thing down to us! So Sandromin, has there been any sign from up there?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.07.01 01:46:00 -
[156] - Quote
OOC: In answer too Xavier, yes I believe you are that dangerous. Fate has directly intervened and you've put the wind up both Thanatos and Nexhawk. Therefore, I do not think it is unreasonable to pump the facility full of Ballista bolts and attempt a boarding action. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.07.03 20:40:00 -
[157] - Quote
OOC: I believe you covered every salient point my good man/logipriest/thing. Just FYI for when Connyr enters Venezzia, the bounty on Natyli is still unclaimed, and I'm sure the Republic wouldn't mind paying the bounty for Connyr's capture. Also Luna, I know that Xavier tempts you to his side with offers of Cookies, but I offer the vast funds of the Republic to pay for your assassins. And some Calzone. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.07.07 12:04:00 -
[158] - Quote
*Lore Bomb*
The city of Venezzia part 2.
The Western district of the city, so called as sticks out into the sea on large headland, is in fact the oldest part of the city. It was upon that soil countless years ago that Venezzia's forefathers found a fertile river delta, disguarded their nomad's cloaks and established a small fishing Hamlet. The Delta still exists today, in the form of the channels and cannals that run all through the district. The other two districts have some cannals of their own, but nowhere near as many. Two of the largest actually run along the North and South borders of the district, dividing it from the other two. This was a deliberate design to make the area more defensible, as this is the military and administrative heart of the Republic. The most impressive, ornate, ancient, important and fortified structures in the entirety of Venezzia can be found here. Multiple Barracks are interspersed throughout the district, similar in size to a noblemans compound, but the similarities end there. The walls are composed of thick set, close fitting Stone. At the centre is a muster yard, its cobbles worn flat by countless parades and drill excercises. The actual buildings within are not quite as strong, composed of Plastered Brick with low sloping roofs. Inside is everything you would expect a soldier to need. Bed, Food, Drink, Medicine. But perhaps unique to Venezzian barracks for common soldiers, there is also a classroom. Venezzians consider verbal skills as important as combat prowess, at the very least so that the Men at arms can put any potential Custers in their place when they suggest a suicidal plan. They are also taught to read and write, an additional reward for their service. Knowledge may be power, but those on top in Venezzia trust the peasants not to use it to rebel.
Merchants too train their private forces, but the quantity and quality of training varies wildly. The facilities too differ. Often they will throw tradition to the wind and design a Barracks that is a fortress in it's own right. This is not seen as problem; anything to make the City even harder to capture. Alixenus was trained at what was once the Adventurer's guild, but is now known only as 'The Rock'. There is a legend in the city that says that every other muster yard takes in boys and turns out men, but only The Rock produces soldiers. Indeed, anyone trained in this place is considered easily a match for even the very best of the Republic's own forces, but again, Merchants are not begrudged this kind of power.
Massive foundries also lie in this district, ready to produce enough weapons to arm the entire Republic at a moments notice. Most still produce arms and armour by hand, but a few pour steel directly into a series of moulds, the work is then finished by master smiths. Now that new technology has begun trickling in from Diyad and the collective, the Republic's Military/Industrial capacity is expected to do nothing expand dozens of times over.
Further inland are the minds that control these thousands of keen blades. The office of military Strategy is name that belies the towering palace that houses the Republic's supreme commanders, officer school, jousting lists and Treasury. From it's Balconies it is possible to observe the entire city. To any guest of the city they would assme, upon looking at the fine statuary and grand domed roof, that it was another Palace for the Doge, such is the beauty of the place. For it was soldiers that saved the Republic from countless perils, so they recieve nothing but reverence from the people...and a very significant defence budget. The offices of various other departments: Infantry, Siege works, Logisitics etc. are smaller, more understated blocks around the district, but are identifiable from one another to the lay thanks to the uniquely coloured banners that each one flies from its Balcony that a long enough to reach the ground on a still day. On the Nothern border of the district is the House of the Broken Lance. Originally a town house for one of the city's wealthier freemen, legend says that in the age of adventurers it became a place mercenary Knights could meet up with their companions if they were seperated in battle. Hence these 'broken lances' would become whole again. These days it is one of the more popular soldiers Taverns. And it was here, if you remember that far back, that Alixenus was trapped by loyalist forces during the civil war as he tried to lay siege to the Doges' Palace. It was only thanks to the strength of its walls and commanding position that he was able to hold.
Laslty, the coastline of the Western district is entirely consumed by Shipwrights and Drydocks. There are also a few experimental siege labs, testing out new weapons of war, not least designs reverse-engineered from plans provided by the Guild of Knowledge. The docks are never wholly out of use. There is always a Galley that needs repairs, or a Caravel that needs it's timbers replaced. Or, as is the case now, the Republic is busy putting the finishing touches on its latest seabourne doomsday weapon. In this case, its Scylla, the second ship of her class, first to bear the name, and will likely be first to send Venezzians to Scorched Lavania. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
43
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Posted - 2013.07.07 23:09:00 -
[159] - Quote
Back on the ground, all everyone else could do is look on with anxiety gripping their souls as they watched the facility explode in flames as Nexhawk attacked. The Marines and Diyadians had taken shelter beneath a nearby arch; Alkhemistry provided some warmth in form of a fueless, smokeless blue flame. Alixenus toyed with his sword in its scabbard, flicking it out a small way, then putting it back in. He knew he shouldn't, all he was doing was getting rain in there. But he couldn't help it. He'd never fought magic before, Logipriests notwithstanding and never had there been an enemy he couldn't reach.
Nerves before battle, that was something he had not felt since the first time he went to war. After that moment, it was impatience that plagued him. He wanted to see the foe over the horizon, around the next corner. His Horse was eager to run, his armour yearned to be tested, his weapons sang for blood. But not now, this was something completely unknown. He drew his sword. To everyone else, it looked like he was inspecting it. But Alixenus was listening for its song. There was none. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
98
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Posted - 2013.07.09 23:42:00 -
[160] - Quote
OOC: Brutus, that's a grand idea, I'd been toying with it myself for a while, but held off because I wanted Brutus to be on the first ship to make landfall. I'm sentimental like that. Well that and we have no clue where the Giant lands are. *Lightbulb* Sandromin, retcon a section into the book where Brutus explains to Ravena and Lomabardi where the Giant lands are. Yes, I know its been months irl since that conversation, but you'll find a way, flashback or something. In the meantime I shall begin formulating a post about the expedition setting sail. By the Gods we'll strike every last one of those ferals from Dustia! Also, why do I almost feel like the loss of Dravek's little sis is my fault? It's not like my docs could've done anything. Hell, my guys'll likely fall prey to this illness too.
Also, shoutout to player, ahem, 'Pregnancy-leave rituals' for liking an obscene number of posts in this thread for no discernable reason. |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
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Posted - 2013.07.14 22:07:00 -
[161] - Quote
OOC: He did the same for me Sandromin, anywho I believe I have a land of giants to invade, sorry, liberate.
"Any sign that its heading our way?"
"No, the wind is blowing South"
"That's fortunate, but you're sure we don't have to go south?"
"Hmm, not completely Lombardi, the Giant wasn't exactly clear"
Ravena lowered his teloscope, wiped some soot off the objective lense and peered at the massive storm covering the Horizon toward Diyad. True, Brutus did his best to articuate where his homeland was, but getting there was going to as much guesswork as good seamanship.
"Well either way Lomabardi, we have our orders. Alixenus and Brutus will just have to catch up with us by some other means"
"Does order tweleve apply to the Supreme commander?"
Ravena smirked at the suggestion.
"If you want to try the flog Alixenus for being late for embarkation, be my guest. But he's younger, more experienced and, ummm, less round than you"
"Good point. Let the war begin. Sergeant of the pipes!"
A bearded, greying soldier in a simple tunic jogged up beside Lombardi and snapped to attention, looking straight ahead to the horizon. His armour and equipment were already strapped firmly to his back. Without turning to look at him, Lombardi gave the order.
"Signal to begin loading the army onto the ships."
The Sergeant departed, as did the various servants who had been standing silently behind the two officers.
Soon after the signal, in the form of a deep booming horn, was given, Venezzia was filled with music.
In the North, the Shrines and temples hummed with the sound of chants and dirges, blessing the warriors, invoking the Gods to protect them and the city and to damn the enemy's souls to wander the ocean floor.
In the West, Soldiers sang and trumpets blasted as walked up gangplanks into ships of very shape and size. Sailors chanted as they hauled the last of the supplies and equipment aboard. Elsewhere, officers toasted each other a happy war as bards plucked away on lutes.
Then in the south, the taverns were filled with raucous revelry, though for entirely different reasons. For some it was to wish their fighting men fairwell, while for others it was to drink away the worry that they may not see Brothers, Husbands, Fathers or even Wives and Daughters again.
Lombardi and Ravena oversaw the final boarding operations from the quarterdeck of the Charybdis. Within a few short hours, they had embarked an entire army and all its required personnel and paraphernalia on to the correct ships and all exactly on schedule. Tumultous crowds waved and cheered from the shore as the ships unmoored, unfurled their sails and hooked oars into place as they cast off, each one gliding into the distance to the sound of either a full military band or the beat of the Bo'suns' drum.
As Venezzia disappeared from view, the bands fell silent and went below deck. Lombardi followed suit to find some port and escape the weather. The skies were grey and their progress was hampered by contrary winds blowing from Diyad. Occaisional light showers fell briefly upon the fleet. Ravena regarded the Horizon for a while, noting that, for now, the fleet was maintaining its formation, with galleys and Triremes on the wings to screen the heavier vessels while the non combat ships taking shelter in the shadow of the Charybdis. Ravena took a few steps to the left to address the captain, who was currently at the 'wheel'. This wasn't the true wheel of the ship, that was below deck being manned by half a dozen of the burliest men aboard, the wheel on deck just told them which way to turn.
"Lord Captain Menaleia, I accorded you the honour of being the commanding officer of this ship as we left port, but now it is time for me to assume command of the fleet. Consider yourself relieved and now second in command"
"Aye aye My lord, but what of my second? Is he not third now?"
"Stoccesco? No, there's no point nudging everyone down, especially as I'm happy with the current Bo'sun. He can be sergeant of the Hydro-Bombard"
"As you wish, I'll inform him at dinner tonight. For your reference, My lord, the men have taken to calling the bombard 'Charybdis' roar' "
Ravena nodded and returned his gaze to the horizon
"What is for dinner Captain?"
"Pheasant My lord"
"Good, I'll wager we won't be having much of that once the campaing begins, best to savour it while we can." |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.16 12:37:00 -
[162] - Quote
OOC: I feel the need to go full-on rolling thunder with the Lore bombs. Any objection to me dropping some more so soon?
The seas remained decidedly choppy all day and into night. Seas were always rough here as it was where the Diyadian strait met the Ocean, but the storm over Karthage made things worse. The younger troops, despite being raised their whole lives with the sea beside them, spent much of the evening with their heads over the side of the ship, or queuing to see the Surgeon for a sickness remedy. That however did not stop the officers enjoying their evening meal at the beginning of first watch. The Dinner served on the Charybdis was somewhat more extravagant than normal given that Ravena and Lombardi were aboard. A full four courses, with the captains quarters specially decorated with drapes and extra artwork. There was even a silk Tablecloth. Lombardi was green around the gills the whole night, but stubbornly refused to see the surgeon, stating that Port fixes everything.
As the assembled officers settled into light conversation following the intercourse Sorbet, Ravena shot a look at Menaleia, indicating that now was the time to address the Knight commander. Menaleia cleared his throat and turned to Stoccesco.
"Stoccesco, I trust that you understand that for the duration of the campaign the Baron Admiral is in overall command of both the ship and fleet?"
"Of course sir, did you think that I would defy him in favour of you?"
"That is pleasing to hear, and I certainly did not expect that, but, the Baron Admiral has had you reassigned to be sergeant of the Hydro-Bombard"
Stoccesco shot from his seat, a red tinge to his face, fists balled, but his voice remained level and calm; he wasn't about to yell at his superiors.
"My Lords please, I emplore you change this decision, I am Knight commander, not some low born Bilge rat or some invalided man at arms. I would be of much more use in a real command position."
Ravena wiped his mouth with a Handkerchief and rose to his feet.
"You make too much of yourself Stocessco. You were born a Knight and if you don't hold your tongue you will die a Knight. And if my memory serves me correctly, you only hold that title because of the martial merits of your father. Your blood is as low born as any servant in here. But because of your father you have not had to endure neither hardship, nor hardwork apparently. This is your chance to prove that you can handle them, and settle your temperment aswell. Now, you can either sit down and wait for the pheasant, or you can leave like a child, suffering some imagined insult to your honour."
The room was silent save for the creaking and rolling of the ship. Even Lombardi had made the effort to sit up straight and stop drinking. After a moment of contemplation, Stocessco thanked the Captain and Admiral for their hospitality before leaving the Cabin.
"Where are you going Boy?" Inquired Lombardi.
"To the lower decks. I hear the Lucian Mercenaries aboard are staging a pit fight beneath the Magazine."
"Bring me back some Mead if you can" Lombardi said with a Smirk as the door to the Cabin was slammed shut.
OOC: I think this provides a stark and interesting contrast between my people and the conditions Brutus' people are in. Even on the march they still live in Luxury. Also, Lombardi seems to be morphing into a Robart Baratheon type character, that wasn't intentional, but I like it. One more thing, has anyone considered posting this on fanfiction.net ? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.17 20:40:00 -
[163] - Quote
OOC: Hey Brutus, does the tent city back onto a beach or a cliff on the Ocean side? Also, are we going to have a language barrier or just stick to all races having a universal language? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.18 23:48:00 -
[164] - Quote
"I think its safe to say thats our cue. Soldiers of the Republic! Of the King Thanatos! At arms!" While others had scurried for cover, Alixenus had observed with a grimace as the cannonball flew from the sky and the phantom fleet emerged from the fog.
"You there, Diyadian, sound whatever passes for an alarm around here. Karthage is about to be raided. Marines! Man those Ballistas! Make ready!" Obediently, the men set to their appointed tasks. Two men on each Ballista, or one on the Scorpios, Cranked the sinews within the machines, bending the arms back until they locked in place. Another then placed a grapnel bolt into the machine.
"Take aim!" The pegs holding the weapons level was removed and they swung upwards. Then it was slotted back into a different notch and the weapon teams declared themselves ready.
"FIRE!" At once a dozen bolts flew towards the heavens like Javelins thrown by Titans. The Scorpios contributions fell short and plummeted into the city below. But the Ballista bolts found their mark and purchase too. Some buried themselves into the foundations while others hooked onto the walls and ceilings of the facility.
"All hands, man the ropes!" As commanded, everyman grasped the long, salt-laden ropes trailing toward the facility. Alixenus grasped the one nearest to and braced himself.
"HEAVE!"
OOC: Now I need to roll a D6 to determine whether or not my manpower is enough to even move the facility, let alone drag it down. That's right I'm bringing the RPG back to this ;p.
PS. Not sure if I was even joking. I will investigate. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.19 13:19:00 -
[165] - Quote
OOC: Cool, no problem Thanatos :)
At first, the facility only drifted closer to the Venezzians, but then the ropes went taught and the base began to list towards them, it was a small movement, but significant enough that everything that wasn't nailed down fell towards that side, some pieces of furniture tumbling from doors and windows. The opposite side began to rise as it was lightened, but inbuilt safeties, both mechanical and Alkhemical, prevented the whole thing flipping onto its side as it descended. Each pull brought their target closer and closer. The sailors began to pull with less effort, fearing that they would bring the base down on their heads. Then, when the facility was but a stone's throw away, the Diyadians pooled their Alkhemistry together to seize the facility and bring it down level with their position. It still collided with the earth with some force, but at least it wasn't at full speed and at such an angle that it annihilated the street that Alixenus and his company were standing on.
"Scorpios! Load standard bolts! Marines! Knights! Charge!" With that he drew his sword and was the first to vault the wall into the facility, searching either for his allies or their foes. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.20 15:13:00 -
[166] - Quote
Ner'Zul Nexhawk wrote:Alixenus wrote:OOC: Cool, no problem Thanatos :)
//OOC: Not sure if this was pointed at one of Thanatos' posts or not...  //End of OOC\\
Sorry Nexhawk, that was for you. I'm going senile in my old age. Editing appropriately. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.20 15:15:00 -
[167] - Quote
OOC: May not post for a while. I ****** up irl and I'm going to need to sort it out. Sort myself out too. Don't worry, I'm not going to prison. I WILL BE BACK. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
100
|
Posted - 2013.07.21 11:51:00 -
[168] - Quote
OOC: By the Gods! I have to dissapear, for just a little while and you lot end up writing to challenge Tolkein Feist and Martin! Thanatos, do not for one minute ever doubt your writing, especially after that! Now this post will be home to my battle against Halvedes' Golems, but not right now. Just keep an eye on it. Later guys |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.07.30 12:12:00 -
[169] - Quote
OOC: I'm back baby! rl is fixed and I'm ready to rock again. All it took was sending my brother beyond the Wall.
Now, in reference to post 1308: NOOO! Thanatos! You can't leave us! But good job throwing Void in, I agree with your assessment of the challenge level. There HAS to be some sort of telepathy going now.
So Vyzion, in answer to your question about the Dwarf pit fights, I imagined them to bloody, but not intentionally to the death. You want your men to at least reach the battle after all. With copious amounts of coin and Mead being thrown around. I'm not posting anything else about the expedition to the Giant lands yet as Vyzion's already put it 5 days ahead of the events in Diyad. I'm just going to let them sail unevntfully for now.
Lastly, I just want to say, like everyone else. I miss Galrick too. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.07.31 11:19:00 -
[170] - Quote
OOC: Be calm good men, be calm. The Venezzians have taken some Dwarven mercenaries with them to the Giant lands, they are simply keeping themselves entertained on the voyage. You must've missed it in a previous post. They are no more prisoners than anyone aboard a ship is. |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.08.01 18:08:00 -
[171] - Quote
Brutus Pyrus wrote:(Ooc) what just happened, I'm gone for a day and all this stuff goes down? (Ooc)
I don't know Brutus, I just don't know. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.08.02 21:12:00 -
[172] - Quote
OOC: To answer your question Nexhawk, Venezzian cannons ONLY shoot water. We didn't discover Gunpowder so the defense budget for untold decades has gone into hydraulics. Incindieries are launched from more conventional siege engines, or in the case of my last post, Alixenus throws a Latern at the enemy. Maybe that should be my special ability if we ever play this D&D style XD |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.08.05 12:03:00 -
[173] - Quote
Slowly, the flames that engulfed Halvedes' thralls began to subside, so too did their imitation of panic. Through the smoke and steam they emerged, appearing even more derranged and twisted as the charred remains of skin and sinew hung to stone and steel. The wounded had been carried well away whilst the few men that remained fired everything they had at theor foes. Ballista fire seemed by far the most effective; either tearing great holes in their targets or carrying them through the walls. But the ammunition began to run low and the monsters, as if as one, began move with greater speed and starting throwing rubble and bolts at the siege engines. Alixenus made the only decision he could in that situation. He called retreat. The men all ran for their lives through the streams and gullies that were, but a brief time ago, Karthages' streets. The entire city sounded as if it were in uproar. The streets were deserted. Stalls abandoned. Carts overturned. The in the small world of the pursuit, the men could hear only their own breathing, the splash of their footfalls and the thunder of the monsters' lumpen limbs. The men scrambled across a narrow footbridge, tripping over abandoned Iyo containers [OOC: Or something equally explosive if Iyo can't be contained in this way Thanatos]. Alixenus paused here and stared at the containers for a moment before dragging them onto the bridge. Every other man continued running save for Kaltedes who realised what Alixenus was planning. He ran over and helped to stack up more of the Iyo.
"Can these be lit with fire?"
"Of a sorts Lord" with that Kaltedes lit a torch with Alkhemistry. A blue flame danced about it in the rain as he handed to Alixenus.
"Can we pour some out as a fuse?"
"I am unsure, [OOC neither am I BTW]"
"Do you have anything we can use as such?"
"No Lord" The thunder of the hooves of the living became ever louder.
"Alright Kaltedes, open some of these containers, then we'll back away under the cover of that building. With luck I can land this torch in one of them"
A few moments later, the wall of Stone and Steel tumbled into view, continuing its bloodthirsty rampage through the streets. Alixenus and Kaltedes were crouched beneath an archway, ready.
"Lord, you do realise that such an amount of Iyo releasing its energy will likely destroy us aswell?"
"I do. I'd tell you to live but I have a feeling you won't" Kaltedes nodded as the abominations began to traverse the bridge.
Alixenus rose to his feet, uttered a prayer to his Gods, a curse at Fate, then hurled the torch.
Elsewhere, Nexhawk and Thanatos were making their back into Karthage when they saw and heard a thunderous explosion that shook the City and made the Earth tremble. It could only be likened to the wrath of a God. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.08.05 19:48:00 -
[174] - Quote
OOC: No one had posted in a while, I felt as though it was on me to end Halvedes' creations. But seeing the sudden outpour of posts, not only do I see that Alixenus, is, was valued, but now you have all learned not to dilly dally in a crisis situation!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The air was still, silent with a metallic tang hanging thickly upon it. The Bridge was gone. The Buildings either side were gone. The creatures were gone. The clouds directly above were vanquished, casting a brilliant ray of light upon the place of that act of defiance, of will, of heroism. A few shreds of cloth were carried away on a gentle breeze; the last evidence of Kaltedes' physical being. In a small clearing in the rubble lay Alixenus, his clothes burned, his skin smoking. Limbs cast about him at wild angles, but somehow still attached. His once handsome looks made black with soot and hairless now. If anyone had been there, they would have heard nought, for even the birds had ceased their song. The storm would soon pass over again and the skies would once more weep upon that place. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
101
|
Posted - 2013.08.06 11:31:00 -
[175] - Quote
Vyzion Eyri wrote:
OOC: Welcome back! And technically my post occurs "5 days before the Venezzian fleet set sail" so I don't actually specify when it did. Feel free to write about it at any time period you imagined it to be at, won't affect me at all.
Ah so it does, sorry about the misunderstanding, I must be going senile in my old age :P |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.06 23:47:00 -
[176] - Quote
OOC: Now I am at a crossroads. Do I reveal whether or not Alixenus is quite permanently dead, or do I let you linger, swinging between hope and despair upon the pendulum of uncertainty? Its quite a strange feeling, being an author, knowing your work is being read live. Knowing that you can keep your audience in suspense for as long as you like. Oh I can be so cruel can't I? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.07 17:30:00 -
[177] - Quote
OOC Its not in the air anymore, the power of ropes and big men pulled it down to ground level and it was then subsequently reduced to rubble fighting the Golems |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.07 22:34:00 -
[178] - Quote
OOC: I suppose its time I put you all out of your misery. Just a little FYI, don't listen to the music of Mass effect whilst reading this thread unless you want it to be 10000 times more emotional. I learned that the hard way.
Just as the blue flame seemed to sense the presence of Thanatos it flew towards him at great speed. It stopped just a small space short of him, but continued not to reply to him. What Thanatos did not realise was that the reaper had appeared only to the blue flame and was looking down upon it like a disappointed parent.
"You are here too soon Alixenus. Don't act like its not your name, it is until it is time for you return here. You are much to eager, do you not know that you still live in Dustia? Why do you give up that realm so easily? Do you think I would simply allow you to leave this place and face Fate? Did you think that your actions absolved you of your responsibilities in the mortal realm? No, return. No return there and wait until you are called."
His heart still beats, but his lungs are still.
Oh and look, a thought just dashed through his head. No doubt to be followed by others.
And on cue he breathes. Hurry up now. Breathe.
I said Breathe.
Alixenus belched out great gouts of smoke and congealed blood. His eyelids fluttered for a moment and when he finally managed to open them he immeadiately clamped them shut. The world was shockingly bright, it offended and stung his eyes. He squinted to get his bearings but even then the pain was near unbearable. At least it distracted him from the agony in the rest of his body. Through his fuzzy perception of the world, he noted two curious things. First, that he appeared to be on the back of a Pheonix and second, the smoke and blood that he had regurgitated was hanging in the air in front of him. The Pheonix wasn't moving. Then he saw the shape that could only be her hanging in the air in front of him.
A pity, I had so hoped that you had anhilated yourself. It seems to be such a human thing to do. To destroy yourself in order to defeat an insurmountable foe.
Alixenus' voice came out as a low, harsh snarl, followed by the wheeze of his breathing.
"Why?"
Why did I bring you back? I didn't. That one you were with, Kaltedes. He performed some sort of Alkhemy that shielded you from the blast at the cost of himself. He knew your reputation. He knew you wouldn't allow that plan if he told of you. Apparently you are important to these people. Seems you bring hope to them. As if that will stop me. I merely awoke you for a moment so that we could speak. Not that you deserve such a privilege after your intolerable disrespect.
"Why?"
To give you another chance to claim loyalty to me. You have witnessed the power of my newest servant. Not even you could best his creations. Accept the fact that you cannot win. Repent your crimes against me and save yourself and your people from total anhilation. I need only ask him to create more and shall place where I choose. At the foot of your bed whilst you sleep. Or perhaps in the home of one of those comely ladies that you enjoy the company of? Or maybe I shall fill Venezzia with them?
"No..."
Please, for me?
Even through his bleary vision, Alixenus could see that Fate had taken the form of one of his more recent female companions.
You couldn't say no the last time you saw me, why must you deny me now?
She traced her cleavage gently with her hand.
Just do as I ask, I'll give you everything you want, and more.
"You, are not...her. Be, gone"
Please my Lord, it would do me no little pleasure
"BEGONE"
A great heat seemed spiral down the arm that Alixenus had managed to outstretch before him. Fate back away some and resumed her true face.
Such a fire in your heart, misspent and misdirected. You had your chance. I shall take great delight in turning you and all you hold dear to dust. Though no doubt you will do that yourself in another human attempt to defeat me. Now sleep.
The Pheonix began to flap again as consciousness left Alixenus and his vision faded to black.
_______________________________________________________________________________
OOC: For the love of the Gods tell if I got anything wrong! I feel like I'm trampling all over Thanatos and Sandromin's prior body of work. As for the Kaltedes question, I was working under the assumption that he was a Knight with only the very barest knowledge of Alkhemistry. No doubt that is a glaring error of some kind? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.09 17:01:00 -
[179] - Quote
OOC: Remind me, who or what else is supposed to be sacking Karthage at the moment? Also, has anyone been able to track Galrick down? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.10 22:08:00 -
[180] - Quote
OOC: Lightbulb. Sandromin, I think I'm going to need your new-fangled Earth magics to bring me down from Extra-crispy to just Well done. I don't think I'm going to be much more use in the battle of Karthage swathed in Bandages, so I may continue the Giant land expedition arc. Wow that's a mouthful. Or I may start something back in Venezzia. Decisions decisions, well the Iliad wasn't written in a day. |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.12 21:23:00 -
[181] - Quote
Ner'Zul Nexhawk wrote:
Finding the Venezzian army was not really difficult.
OOC: The only Venezzians that I had written about were Merchant Marines that I drafted to find Xavier/ Fight whoever was with him. I can think of thee explanations. One: Praecantaria had a naturally low population of mir compared to the lands of us normals, so perhaps a large band of routed marines would be equivalent in size to an army to them. Two: I actually had a **** tonne of Marines beside me and didn't know it. Three: Some Venezzian dignitary is in town and he and his retinue (which would naturally be huge) got mixed in with the Marines. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.13 14:56:00 -
[182] - Quote
OOC: Just to be clear, minor timeskip.
A week had now passed since Venezzia's finest had set sail and it was beginning to look like this journey would take the record for the most uneventful voyage in the Republic's history. The weather had been had clear, the winds favourable and apart from some sort of current pushing the ships back, the seas were calm. The only incident that had occured was a casualty aboard one of the Galleys. The smaller vessels had rowed ahead of the fleet to practise with the siege weapons. A ballista team aboard a Trireme had misjudged the distance so instead of the practise bolt sailing straight over a galley to strike another Trireme, it hit struck a sailor walking on the deck of the Galley out cold for the rest of the day.
It was second watch after first light. Ravena was on the Quarter deck observing the fleet around him when the alarm was sounded.
"SAIL ASTERN!"
Ravena quickly about faced and with the help of a Brazen spyglass observed that was indeed a ship coming up behind them, a Galley, judging from the size and shape of the sail. Not long after this he noticed a Raven heading toward the fleet. It landed on one of the cargo vessels bringing up the rear. Ravena could just make out the captain taking something, presumably a message, from the Raven before releasing it. As the Raven flew back towards the lone galley, the Cargo vessel hoisted signal flags up its centre mast.
Lombardi wandered into the Admiral's quarters a few minutes later, leafing through various reports on supplies and illnesses among the army. He looked up to see Ravena at his desk, staring pensively into a glass of Wine.
"You do realise that we have Port aboard?" Lombardi began
"Not while I'm on duty, never liked the flavour much anyway"
"So what's this about?" Lombardi asked as he sat down
"We recieved a signal from the Republic. Lord Alixenus has been injured. I don't know how, I presume he came afoul of that storm we saw as we left port."
"So what does this mean for us?" Ravena rose and looked out of a porthole.
"It means nothing. We have our orders, the other alliance nations will be sending their leaders or token forces to join us sooner or later. Alixenus will recover and then he can take command of the campaign"
"This isn't going to be good for morale."
"No. But these men are professionals, they'll do their job, with or without a Hero behind them. Make sure they don't forget that." Lombardi nodded and departed, mumbling something about checking on his Squire. Ravena sighed and looked out the porthole a while longer watching as the fleet cut through the waves. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.13 19:52:00 -
[183] - Quote
OOC: I know, I was just stating that for my post because I didn't want a repeat of the PAI incident. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.17 09:58:00 -
[184] - Quote
Thanatos 716 wrote:
Nation Colors:
National Animal(what it represents):
Flag Description:
Standard Weapons:
Armor worn (including different military types like guards and King's Men)
National Tree:
Values(such as Athens-education and Sparta-military):
Notable Laws/Rights (like gay marriage, or women can't vote):
Notable Attractions/Landmarks:
Common Religion/Practices:
So what do you guys think? Any more to add?
|
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.17 20:57:00 -
[185] - Quote
OOC: Hm, I would've thought that someone would've seen or heard this duel after such a long time, unless these Kalter groves are remote or private? And yes the desert is an excellent deterrent, and that was before we even knew you were in there! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.18 16:41:00 -
[186] - Quote
OOC: No clue when he's going to wake up, maybe when I run out of jokes about him being cooked. In the meantime, make sure that crazy Dwarf that tried to cook Conyr doesn't show up, or else she'll just throw some seasoning on me and tuck in. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.21 19:05:00 -
[187] - Quote
Whereas I, on the other hand, am sitting in the corner of my cell, dribbling until I am once again possesed by the Muse that will cause me write unintelligibly across the rubber wallpaper |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.24 20:12:00 -
[188] - Quote
OOC: Yikes, never thought I'd have to bump this thread. Simply put, I'm suffering writer's block as I don't know how to make Alixenus waking up to find himself essentially mummified by doctors particularly interesting. Any ideas? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
102
|
Posted - 2013.08.31 13:21:00 -
[189] - Quote
OOC: Huzzah you've all returned! and I propose that we skip the rest of the battle for Karthage so we can hurry up with this Damn expedition! Also, has anyone seen my Giant? I could've sworn I just left him over there...
All was darkness. Sound was distant. A crackling of flames and voices, far away, far away. Taste and smell redudant. Touch yielded only pain. At this moment Alixenus realized that his limbs were held fast and that even if they were not he could not move them even if he wanted to. Then his memory returned. The battle, the sacrfice, the flames and Kaltedes' shield. The flames, everywhere, the last thing he saw and felt before darkness took him. He was not so burned, he noticed that he had completely lost his sense of touch. In places, through agony, he could feel the rough linen of bandages and the cold, seeping sensation of remedies and unguents dripping through onto his skin, where it could still be called skin. He tried to move, but his muscles had no strength left in them, Alixenus succeeded only in leaning to his right. This must have garnered some Doctor's attention as he could tell that he was being handled bodily and moved somewhere, platitudes and rehearsed comforts from a soothing, muffled and tired voice drifted through the many layers of wrapping.
Alixenus cared not for what the voice said, he just hoped that the battle was over and his pain would end. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
109
|
Posted - 2013.09.07 00:38:00 -
[190] - Quote
OOC: MOTHER ****** 90 days? Dayummmm I got played!
Finally, Alixenus' sleeping form cracked a grin. With his eyes still shut he said,
"I think we both know there's no point trying to execute me. Even if you chopped off my head I'm too stubborn to die" He sat up and looked at his comrade. "And what do you mean 'I don't plan'? I planned an ambush for you didn't I? and I'm fairly sure that I just packed off an armada to fight undead Giants. I don't know how things work in Diyad, but in Venezzia that takes quite a lot of forethought" He let out a mighty laugh as he turned on to his side so he could more easily looked at the assembled group. "So, what's for dinner?" he paused "Also, does anyone have a set of clothes I could borrow? This sheet is rather thin."
PS OOC: Truly Thanatos, you should be proud of all your work, if for no other reason than the fact that thanks to you the Stakes have never been higher! Also, I've come to the realization that even though this thread has gone from RPG to story, we're writing it more like our own personal adventure than anything meant to be published. I for one have been focusing solely on our campaigns, as opposed to creating various subplots and fleshing out minor characters. I've barely described Ravena, Lombardi and Stoccessco, which in my book is an instant red flag for writing quality lol. I'm not complaining, indeed its actually quite freeing to not have to worry about such things. |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
109
|
Posted - 2013.09.08 18:28:00 -
[191] - Quote
OOC: My word I can't wait to see how you get out of this one. I thoroughly like how Frost seems to have become a new man after his sojourn. Next post. NOW! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
109
|
Posted - 2013.09.11 20:46:00 -
[192] - Quote
Ner'Zul Nexhawk wrote:
//OOC: But what about that question that Thanatos asked to the leader of the Venezzians? //End of OOC\\
Alixenus was frozen in the past for a moment as he relived the explosion. When he returned he said, distantly, "Oh, it was a Knight. Said his name was Kaltedes. He saved me from one of the Golems and I returned the favour. He refused to leave my side before..." He looked through Thanatos again for a moment, "Blast! I left my Sword in that facility. You know, the Adamantium one? Don't suppose the doctors would let me out of Bed to look for it?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
109
|
Posted - 2013.09.12 16:53:00 -
[193] - Quote
Alixenus nodded in gratitude to Nexhawk as he departed. He then ate with vigour the field rations one of the servants had placed in his lap. "So," he said between mouthfuls "How bad were our losses?..Troops....Buildings...property...you know, that sort of thing" He drank deeply from a wooden cup, savouring the taste the taste of the water within, as though he had just traversed the deserts of Sandromin's people. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
109
|
Posted - 2013.09.13 13:45:00 -
[194] - Quote
OOC: Over my dead body are you ruining Frosts day! Behold the might of the Republic! Fictional soldiers! Red shirts in Plate! Namless extras! I summon you from the great beyond...Go forth and slay the foes of a character I vaguely like!
Then, as if to confirm his suspicions, a sound unlike any other resonated through the canyon. It was inconcievably deep in pitch, and loud enough to shake the heavens. Indeed, some rocks from the top of the Canyon shook loose and tumbled into the battle below. Again, the battle seemed to slow somewhat. While Frost and others in the first line kept watching the battle, the few men that formed a patchy second looked around for what could have made a noise like a God's footfall. Then it came again and only the most diehard of fighters continued their fray. Finally, it sounded a third time and all fell silent. No one knew what was coming, not even the abominations seemed willing to end this pause. Gradually, the silence was broken as another airship hove into view, the stead thrum of its engine growing louder as it drew nearer. But as it came over the opening of the Canyon, a long dark shape, like an enormous arrow, flew straight through its canvas balloon. It faltered, twisted in the wind and crashed into the Earth. A heartbeat later and arrows and Javelins rained from the Left (It was left to Frost at any rate) Canyon wall. Looking up, Frost could make several figures clad in Skins at the very top of the canyon firing at the Abominations. He hadn't the faintest idea who they were, but these events brought heart to every living man there.
Roughly half a mile away, on a vast and forboding beach, littered with a few dead ferals, The Venezzian Armada had already constructed a vast fort out of Timbers and were proceeding to erect a curtain wall. A few supply barges that had already been exhausted of food were carefully incoporated into a harbour wall. Engineers busied themselves assembling siege engines while ever yman not assigned to ditch digging or post holing was assembling before General Lombardi, already mounted on Horseback and armoured in highly unusual suit of plate armour; for not a single straight line could be found upon it, Every piece was curved and decorated with countless images and names of great battles. Lombardi drew his sword and began a speech that countless men had said before him.
"Men of the Republic, know that on this day the eyes of your homeland are upon you and that the fate of your families rest in your hands. Follow your orders, do your duty and you will find favour amongst the Gods. Stand by one another, and know that as long as you stay there, you cannot fall. I have drawn my Sword and the Horns of Venezzia have issued our challenge to the enemy. It is up to them whether they wish their children to remember them as the men that died as heroes or those that ran before Venezzian might. I will not rest until my Blade has tasted blood and I expect the same of the rest of you. Raise high our banners! Raise a mighty battle cry! Beat your shields, Stamp your boots and Rattle your bolts! Let the enemy beware, for their last hour has come!"
A resounding battle cry returned.
"I WILL NOT DIE FOR THE REPUBLIC THIS DAY! THAT HONOUR GOES TO MY ENEMY!"
The columns of men marched out towards to vast, craggy rocks ahead, where you could just make out the Skirmishers scrambling back and forth to get more ammunition or a better perch. Meanwhile the sailors on the Charybdis were having a drink to celebrate the fact that they managed to take down that airship with the first shot of a Ballista. Lombardi led the Army with his bodyguard and retinue. They passed around a Goblet of wine as Lombardi made the oath of war
"By the Gods and the men around me I swear this to be true. I see before me the land of my enemy, I have seen my enemy and how he fights and now I will claim victory and conqeur all until my men carry no more Wreaths on their heads, honours on their chests or prizes on their backs" He was handed the Goblet and refilled it to the brim. "I pour this wine into the rich Earth to seal this oath and offer thanks to the Gods; may the Ground swallow those who take oaths in vain" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
109
|
Posted - 2013.09.14 00:02:00 -
[195] - Quote
OOC: *drops the proverbial microphone* Your move zombies. And yes I just mixed my metaphors, come at me! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.09.26 11:00:00 -
[196] - Quote
OOC: Fellow chroniclers, I must warn you of a great danger that is about to befall me. Come Saturday, I shall fall silent for a week, you shall see neither hide nor hair of me. If I do not return after this time, it means I've died of Alcohol poisoning during my first week of University. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.02 17:42:00 -
[197] - Quote
OOC: *Bursts back into the forum coated in blood and vodka, wearing only a Sombrero* My friends, catch! *throws the deed to Venezzia to his fellow writers before being dragged away* Don't forget meeeeeeee... |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.03 09:16:00 -
[198] - Quote
OOC: *The ever present mist in the room condenses into a vaguely human shape* I don't have much time. Listen, all our lives depend on this. One of you needs to take that enormous army of mine *points at the map table* and fight those ferals in my stead. Every Venezzian save Alixenus is yours for this task...*gasp* They're coming! Beyond all else, whatever you do don't...and...or else...and quit freaking out whenever I get dramatic OOC! *the mist man collapses back down into the fog hovering around shin height* |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.06 15:04:00 -
[199] - Quote
OOC: *Bursts into the room, swordfighting an unseen assailant with a Carrot before slamming the door in its face* I'm alive! Woah that was intense, now I know what it really feels like to be Alixenus, save for the radiation poisoning *sniff, sniff* Hopefully having a lecture timetable will make me realise that its time to get back to work; speaking of which....
While Thanatos spoke, Alixenus chewed thoughtfully on his rations. When the Monarch finished, he put down chunk of bread loaf in his hand and regarded the plate in front of him for a while. Alixenus then took a sip of water before he finally spoke.
"Do you know how many times I have nearly died Thanatos? Too many to count, and too many to count is the absolute maximum of extra lives the Gods will give you. This had to happen. I'm a warrior, dying is what we do. And I know that I was ended in service to a noble cause. Its a strange feeling knowing that my end is certain this time, but I knew in my heart that I would not live to be a Greybeard, even though it started to seem that way lately. I am at peace with this Thanatos, I've seen too much in my few decades. My only hope is that you, my Lord, find your own peace. Now, would you kindly direct toward that ***** Fate so I can wring the life from her?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.12 19:56:00 -
[200] - Quote
As the Skirmishers fled from their positions on the cliff tops, Shield bearers at the front of the Venezzian forces fanned out on either side of the column, all the while keeping time with the Column. As the Skirmishers neared the line they turned and reformed their ranks, either because of the sense of security provided by their comrades or because of the fact that any panicked deserters were immediately smacked to the ground without a second thought. The formation as a whole began to wheel around towards the mouth of the canyon, forming the line of battle as it did so. Pikemen formed up into Phalanxes with shield bearers securing their left flank, the sheer drop of the canyon protected their right. In the second were the crossbowmen with Lombardi's person cavalry at the centre. Behind that were footknights, Shield bearers and the Heavy infantry. Skirmishers screened the front of the Pikemen while Light cavalry were already riding ahead to begin harassing whatever was assailing the humans in the Valley. Mounted knights, other heavy horse and the Lucian Mercenaries moved in a general mass with the main army on their right. As the army neared, the airships overhead began to wheel around to engage them, but from behind, Lombardi could just detect the unmistakable whistling of Ballista bolts.
"Good," He thought to himself "The sailors are still awake. Lets hope those Bolts hit the mark, I'm really not feeling up to evasive action today" |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.14 14:31:00 -
[201] - Quote
OOC: oh my sincerest apologies Nexhawk, I didn't mean to leave you in the lurch.
"Oh yes Thanatos" came Alixenus' reply when he finally shook out of his reverie "Assuming Thanatos' men put everything back in the right place and the right way round I should be fit to travel, aside from being very tender. Gods, even hold this piece of bread stings a little." He began to chuckle, but it was immeadiately stifled by a cough. Alixenus put a hand up to his face, which suddenly displayed a look of surprise. He stroked his face and said "My skin, it hasn't been this smooth in one score years! The scar along my cheek, its gone too. Its like I'm new again. Well, except for not having any hair at the moment" He lept of bed in joy, then immediately remembered he had no robes on and gathered his bedsheet about him like a cloak.
"So when do we leave? and is there a tailor around?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.15 20:57:00 -
[202] - Quote
Alixenus was taken aback at this golem looking image of Sandromin and it showed. "Well, umm, Sandromin, Gods can this day become any stranger, I was exploded. Rather violently. I was healed, hence why I look young again, but the explosion has poisoned me. I have but three months to live it seems. But I'm rambling, please Thanatos, say your piece" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.16 23:15:00 -
[203] - Quote
"Yes! Lets go! Clothes or no clothes" Alixenus was already striding out of the tent, fastening his makeshift cloak round his neck and searching nearby crates for a Scabbard that would acomodate his Sword. "Its about time we laid Xavier to rest, goodness only knows how the man we knew has suffered during this time. But why, when we know where the enemy is, do we head for Aretum? We could go there now and save your people, Sandromin could catch up easily enough"
OOC: Keep the walking and talking going, lets not get mired in exposition, keep heading for whatever transport we're using. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.17 10:15:00 -
[204] - Quote
OOC: Dammit, I had music from ME playing in the background, now I'm too fired up to stop writing. Just to remind everyone, not that you need reminding, the Frost/Ferals arc is still a week ahead of us for now. My apologies if this post angers anyone enough to wardec me in Dust, but I have no control over my hands at this point.
As the revelry by the docks in Venezzia began to die down as the Armada steadily fell below the Horizon, an exquistely carved and masterfully made coach pulled away towards the South of the city. As it passed thorough the Bignorian gate its wheels handled the shift in terrain from stone paving to cobblestones with ease. The Horses pulled it along as if there was no weight behind them. After several hours it arrived at one of the few noble compunds still outside the city walls, built at the turn of the Third era. The gates swung open and the wagon gently pulled inside. Above the Grand, oaken doors of the Manor, the family crest of Blue fess cotised between two Bulls Sable [for the unitiated thats a shield with a Blue horizontal division separating two black bulls against a Gold Background]. The coach door was pulled open and Duke Frederico Vincenzo, stepped out. Despite now being four and seventy years of age, he was still able to move under his own power. He ignored his servants and looked determinedly on at his ancestral home. As he ascended the Solid marble steps, he personal steward approached him and said that all of his guests had arrived and were waiting in the Ballroom. Vincenzo nodded and waved him away, the steward taking up a respectful distance behind him as he stepped into the Ballroom.
Inside the vast, vaulted space were fellow Venezzian nobles, a great number of Merchants, a few Lucian dignitaries and even a Sandman. They were gathered around a banquet table that was equally covered in opulent food as it was in ledgers and maps. Vincenzo strode into the room so that he was at the head of the table and could be seen by all.
"Friends!" He began, "Fellow Venezzians and acquaintances from foreign lands. We all know why we are here. This Republic, neigh this world stands upon the edge of ruin. And it is all due to one foolish warrior who got it into his head that he had the right to treat us like his plaything. Alixenus!" A muttering of curses and foul oaths came from all present.
"Because of him, our Republic is emptied of its fighting men. Because of him, we have all been wracked by war. Because of him, our Governments have been torn asunder. It is time to restore what has been taken from us! We shall remove Alixenus' supporters, reduce Petruccio's administration to quivering puppets and, when they hopefully return, reduce the Republic army back to its old size."
A Lucian dignitary now spoke "You have the support of our regime in this matter, if in return you help to silence our opposition so that we may claim to be the heirs to Xavier"
"You shall have it, Lord Dwarf. And to further cement our good relations I shall shut down all Venezzian mining in Lucia"
"Then the Fellhammer pact is with you" The Dwarf bowed in respect. The sandman, his clothes ragged but frame impressive and athletic now spoke.
"What few resources I have are yours for this task also, not all of us have forgotten Alixenus' murder of Urthag Armok"
Vincenzo smiled "Neither have I, rest assured that your leader shall be avenged. When this is over, all of Alixenus' property shall be yours to do with as you see fit. Would you not also wish to make war on Sandromin for his hand in Armok's death?"
"One foe at a time Vincenzo" A portly merchant, middle aged in bright clothing now spoke, a small amount of gravy forgotten in his Beard.
"If you don't mind me asking my Lords, what is to stop Alixenus simply marching in here and killing us all when he returns? Its not like a few decrees are going to make the army forget its loyalty to him, especially if they do well in this insane campaign."
Vincenzo thought long about his answer, he could feel the eyes of all present upon him. But before he could answer, another voice spoke.
Perhaps I could be of assistance to you?
OOC: Creates additional Hardship? Check
Ensures we have something to deal with when we get to Venezzian? Check
Pisses off Sandromin and Xavier for stealing their plot points? ...maybe |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.19 23:54:00 -
[205] - Quote
Oh for crying out loud! BUMP! and by bump I mean I will look for you, bump your lazy asses out of bed and make you all type more exposition! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.10.20 15:51:00 -
[206] - Quote
"Yes these will do nicely," said Alixenus, gratefully taking the bag of clothes and dressing behind a large crate, mindful that he was in the presence of Royalty. He emerged and remarked at how well the clothes fit him, strapping a Scabbard around his waist and sheathing, with some encouragement, his Sword.
"And I for one graciously accept your offer of aid". Alixenus reached out to clasp the Engineer on the shoulder, but not knowing how it would react, pulled his hand away at last second, looked about him awkwardly for a moment then cleared his throat, his gaze returning to his companions. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.11.05 11:17:00 -
[207] - Quote
As the Embershard glided over the waves with speed and grace, Alixenus perched on the rear of the Quarterdeck, hands gripping the smooth Obsidian guard rail, not least because fully half of his body was dangling over the water behind the craft, watching as the Pyromancers propelled them through the choppy currents. He lowered himself back down and was surprised; he did not experience a twinge of pain from the rib Fate had fractured. Alixenus reached down to his side, the break was there, but completely healed, a slight lump indicating there was ever a wound at all. He checked his other bones. It seemed that while on the outside he looked young, his bones still bore every mark of his career. On his left false rib infact, he found the area where part had been chipped off, and thought back to the first time he had almost died.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The moon was waxing, near full, not that it mattered, the clouds saw to that. Their target was in sight: a Galley that had recently made off with a shipment of silk from a Mercer's cargo ship. Alixenus was manning an ore on the dinghy, pulling slowly and quietly so as not to draw attention to the Thieves. The commander signalled halt and the men rowed in reverse to bring them to a sudden halt. The clouds had broken ahead of them, illuminating the water. They waited for an indeterminable length of time for darkness to return before closing once more on their target. A few men had starting glancing down at their weapons, or adjusting their armour. Alixenus kept his eyes locked on the ship, but he could sense that he was breaking into a cold sweat. The Dinghy drew alongside the Galley. They waited. Nothing, they had not been spotted. Quietly, a few men lifted themselves up to peer at the deck of the Galley. One of them signalled down to be ready. They climbed over the top. A few seconds later a sound like rain water spilling through a roof was heard. The men returned, carrying a corpse between them. Alixenus and the others raised their hands and gently recieved the body before silently sliding him into the water.
Alixenus was one of the last to climb aboard, freezing halfway up as his Leather armour creaked, he moved even more slowly and slithered onto to the deck, straight into the blood of the man they had just disposed of, though from the looks of it several men had done this already. The team had already spread out to search the ship, a few were dropping another body overboard. Alixenus followed behind the commander as he went below deck. They stalked their way through the slumbering criminals, barely aware that two other Venezzians were already watching for any that might awake. They reached a small room partitioned from the rest of the ship by a wooden wall. The commander went left, Alixenus went right. He had barely turned the corner when he spied the Silk. Alixenus was about to fetch someone else when he noticed a sailor in chains next to the loot. He was beaten, dirty and likely abused in other ways aswell. Alixenus moved over to him and began checking the lock on the chains for any sign of weakness. After a moment or so Alixenus found himself skidding along the floor, dazed and struggling to breathe. He looked to his side and saw an arrow sticking out of it. A pirate emerged from the shadows, already notching another arrow into place on his bow. Just as he drew it back, darkness enveloped Alixenus' eyes.
He awoke in great pain 3 days (he was told) later, on a bed of hay in one of Venezzia's military hospitals. He barely had time to adjust his eyes when his Decanus, squad leader, walked in.
"Alixenus that arrow went straight into your lung. You are very lucky to be alive, and that's only because I'm your commander. Did you forget the rule of Sweep and Clear? You're going to have to do a lot better if you want to make a Career our of this". He strode out again without another word. Alixenus simply lay back in his bed and passed out again. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.11.06 15:25:00 -
[208] - Quote
OOC: Oops, are we in Aretum already?
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Screech of the Abominations was even more painful for Lombardi's forces, despite their distance. The cacophony reverberated inside their helmets many times over. Many of the shield bearers screamed and writhed on the ground, some simply collapsed. A few Cavalrymen struggled to control their mounts as whole squadrons bolted. Lombardi himself was nearly bucked off until his squires ran up and seized the reins of Menelausa, Lombardi's favourite charger. The General wrenched his helmet from his head and tossed it into the mud with all the force of Mars himself. There was a very different man sitting on that horse than had first mounted it. This was the Lombardi who remembered the thrill of battle, the look in an enemy's eyes when he knew he was doomed, the feeling of a blood soaked hilt. His eyes wild, teeth grit, made even more intimidating from the blood dripping from his ears and nose. He drew his Broadsword and pointed at the Valley.
"Skirmishers, tend the wounded! Cavalry, hear me, for I will not say this twice. FOLLOW ME! Or I will send these Bastards to hell on my own! CHARGE!" Every mounted troop that was able kicked into a Gallop and followed their leader, unsure which was more terrifying: the screech they just heard or the man leading them into battle...
__________________________________________________________________________________
OOC: I'm well aware that the ferals are leaving the Valley. Cue the bloody slaughter! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.11.07 09:00:00 -
[209] - Quote
Lombardi eventually freed his leg from under his mount and struggled to his feet, his sword bending slightly as he braced himself with it. He barely took a moment to steady himself before he began striding after the abomination, still thirsting to do battle. "Don't you walk away from me!" He cried as it effortlessly increased the distance between them. Lombardi lost sight when a few of his bodyguard rode up in front of him, dismounted and seized him bodily, demanding as politely as they could that he calm down, practically dragging him to the back of the Squadron where another horse had been volunteered for the General.
OOC: No problem Brutus, no problem |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.11.29 13:25:00 -
[210] - Quote
OOC: Like hell are you going to stop posting Brutus! You're going to keep writing and you're going to like it! I've slayed two essays and a historiography exercise over the past week. This thread is next on the hit list. Let's do this.
________________________________________________________________________________________
"Come along everyone! Did you not hear our gracious host say Armoury? Let us go!" Alixenus immediately walked briskly out of an arbitrarily chosen door and walked off to the left, at which point Sandromin called after him that the correct direction was right. Alixenus turned on his heel and kept walking without missing a beat.
"How long is it going to take to reach our first stop? I'm somewhat pressed for time these days my Lord Sandromin, as I'm sure you can understand and many of the trials ahead seem highly time sensitive."
____________________________________________________________________________________
OOC: Oh and Brutus, am I to assume that in the intervening hours Lombardi spent some time meeting with the leaders of the tent city before going to see Frost? |
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Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.11.29 19:18:00 -
[211] - Quote
OOC: It would seem Brutus, you have discovered the power of the internet Thu'um. Use it wisely and with great care. Now, I imagine the first thing on Lombardi's mind, apart from "Why the **** did I go psycho during the battle?" will "How the **** did this Frost kid do everything people have claimed?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.12.04 09:54:00 -
[212] - Quote
...How is anyone supposed to follow that !? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.12.04 17:29:00 -
[213] - Quote
Ner'Zul Nexhawk wrote:Alixenus wrote:...How is anyone supposed to follow that !? //OOC: By checking back here every day of the week and devoting your time to absorbing such incredible literature, of course. (At least that's what I'm doing.) And in all honesty, that battle was absolutely astonishing and made my hands even more itchy for writing exciting posts. But!... Sandromin is nowhere to be seen, and so we're still stuck in Arteum. Seems like I need to resort to coming up with new memories for Nexhawk to fulfill my hunger for adventures... //End of OOC\\
I didn't mean follow as in keep up with, I meant the problem that anything written after it is going to pale in comparison. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2013.12.08 10:57:00 -
[214] - Quote
As the two peasants, no, refugees, its kinder, filed out of the tent Lombardi unceremoniously collapsed onto a stool, undid his armour and let fall to the ground. He leaned forward and studied the Ranger in the cot for a moment, long enough at least to retrieve a flask of Brandy from his belt and take a swig. He thought "How? How did this stripling do it? Assembled his own little platoon in a city that should've been full of dead people?". He stretched out and offered the flask to Frost.
"So tell me soldier, what made you decide to become a Legend?"
OOC: Does Brutus' family know that we were sent by him yet? And the Venezzians still want to evacuate these people by the way, how would they feel about that? |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2014.01.18 12:27:00 -
[215] - Quote
By the Old Gods and the New I am truly sorry for disappearing like that on you all. I don't even know what happened. The last thing I remember thinking was ' I'll read Nexhawk's subplot tomorrow' Then BOOM. Here we are now. I'll catch up and start writing again ASAP. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2014.02.08 10:50:00 -
[216] - Quote
OOC: Don't count me out so quickly! My brain could only handle so much reading in a day and I've had to allocate a lot of it to my studies. And need I remind you all that both I and Galrick disappeared for a long time before our triumphant returns? Xavier will come back.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Belatedly, Alixenus finally caught up upon one of the many desert-bred Horses that Sandromin had had to wisdom to bring with the Caravan. To Alixenus it seemed a strange thing in comparison to a thoroughbred Venezzian charger: So slight in stature and a short face, even its sandy colour was new to him. Still, that didn't deter him. Pulling up alongside Sandromin he readied a Spear from a pouch on the side of the Horse.
"What did you get me out of bed for? Are we under attack again so soon?" |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
110
|
Posted - 2014.03.02 17:40:00 -
[217] - Quote
OOC: Reserving post 1775 for continuation of giant lands story arc. In my infinite wisdom I became GM of a tabletop RPG, which needless to say takes a lot of creative energy. But I will continue the story. TODAY! I already had to watch the Shigeru burn on Caldari Prime, I'm not going to let this beauty crash and burn too! |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
111
|
Posted - 2014.05.14 10:47:00 -
[218] - Quote
THE WINGED LION RETURNS!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Alixenus, having little tolerance for awkward silences, spoke next. "I am Lord Alixenus, son of Alesander. Hero of the Venezzian Republic by my own might,", he was reciting the traditional formal introduction Venezzians used in diplomatic situations, which usually included every single title the person in question had earned. ",and supreme leader of its inexhaustible armies by the will of the Gods. The Hammer of the undead, Bane of Pirates..." He glanced sideways at the others and realised he should stop the list there. He cleared his throat and continued "We live in a vast city to the North West and make our living by trading and fishing across the seas. I am here to aid these men, and machine on their mission"
He bowed his head to the Wise man and waited for the next person to speak.
_______________________________________________________________
Now that I've finally crawled my lazy ass out from under a pile of University work I'll be writing another Giant lands post soon. |
Alixenus
ISF Marines
111
|
Posted - 2014.06.21 13:23:00 -
[219] - Quote
[New post tomorrow] |
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