alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: Or you can talk about how great your country is and how your country is better than everyone else's 
PureNES: Epoch of Glory
- Thread starter Thlayli
- Start date
Kozmos
Jew Detective
I've been ripping too much lately and nationalistic outbursts is really not my forte.
Thlayli
Le Pétit Prince
Think up an engaging plot, with good characters and a descriptive setting. You already have the third one. It doesn't have to have anything to do with 'national politics' at first, so just put yourself in the shoes of the Suzira.
jeps
Arcadefire
Thank you for the stats. Story is being worked on. Great ideas transform into bad stories. Gah. Well, hopefully I can beat out something moderately decent.
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Twas dark, cold and moist. Just like a wine cellar should be. A man in a raincoat trudged around in the darkness, seemingly carrying or better said dragging something large. At the base of the stairs he stopped and dropped his burden, with a loud thud! sound in response to his action. It was a now cold, lifeless corpse of a slightly overweight man, his neck broken; turned more than 90 degrees.
The tall dark stranger paused for a minute, thinking weather he had the time for a slight break.
"I managed to get myself and the crates through that damn narrow cellar window, kill this fat bastard quietly and all without getting the crates wet too much. I figure I earned some time off."
He sat down on the freezing stone floor, his back leaned against a half full wine barrel. Taking out a pair of newspapers under his raincoat, he let out a sigh of relief. Finally he pulled down his hood, rain drops sliding from it. Davids long brown hair had grown back since he was transfered from the Ultramarines division.
Sporting a mullet helped him in his current job because many simply dismissed him as a dumb redneck. The transfer was an odd affair, not long after the Steldam victory government agents approached him with an offer to join an unnamed intelligence agency, most likely the central one. They told him they were looking to create a cross between a soldier and an agent and that he was chosen as a candidate.
Initially David was conflicted about what to do. He would hate to leave his battle brothers behind, but he had a knack for adventure and he would probably have more freedom of action in the agency. So here he was, doing wetwork in a wine cellar of a southern overlord and reading yesterdays newspapers.
He had to squint his eyes to read in the dark, but he had been blessed with a perfect vision. The less important news were mostly regarding the recent territorial expansion of the USA.
Former Guild territory joined as full fledged state after an extensive political purge known as the 'Guild Scare' led by Senator McCarby. Northwestern fringe is completely colonized now, with some tension on the borders from Senemor. Elesius has been offered to join the USA. Rumors have been going about a possible purchase of Gosican and Callixtus territory as well.
If he managed to pull all these things through, Bill Buchanan will have effectively doubled the nations size ever since he got into office some five and half years ago. He already earned the nickname 'The Decider' for his as it can be seen, decisive actions. Popular support helped of course.
David raised his head to read the headline. USS Enterprise launched on a expedition to the Far East. More on page 2 & 3. He quickly flipped to the next page. The more he read on about the details, the less he could believe. Apparently it was supposed to sail through uncharted waters to find a quicker way to the Yun Empire.
This was madness, pure madness. USS Enterprise was essentially a massive cargo ship, loaded with troops, fuel, food and of course guns and ammo. It was to be escorted with not one but two pre-dreadnoughts; USS Sea Turtle and USS Constitution; allegedly to ward off any daring pirates. Smaller cargo ships would travel with them as well.
The military personnel was from four different Marine Corps divisions. Iron Fists, Blood Wolves, Ultramarines and Black Templars. That was a certain recipe for a catastrophe. Each Marine Corps division recruited from it's own state, which made for a rather diverse army.
Iron Fists had deep ties with the Machine Cult and were rather apt in dealing with mechanical machinery. The Black Templars is a rather secretive division which is twice the normal size, because it recruits all over the USA. This is a serious rule violation but someone high up in the government is protecting them. They were mostly likely sent to personally oversee that the expedition is a success.
Ultramarines are very obedient and follow orders to the letter, while the Blood Wolves are the examples of their complete opposite; wild, undisciplined and bloodthirsty. Packing them together on the same ship is just begging for a disaster to happen. Whoever planned this must be a complete nutjob.
Reading a bit further the mastermind was revealed to him. "I should have known." he thought. The admiral in charge of the expedition is Alexander King. Otherwise known as the Mad King by almost everyone in the Navy. Although he was a brilliant man, he constantly complained he heard some music playing from somewhere. Later he concluded that the music came from in his words 'inside the frackin ship!'
With a boatload of guns and a madman at the helm, the expedition would surely be a success or at least a very very bloody failure. Just as he turned the next page, the door at the top of the staircases screeched as someone was opening it. The light pierced from above into the basement, slightly illuminating the room. Folding the newspapers in a second, David dropped them and disappeared into the darkness.
"Andrew are you down there? I've sent you for more wine 20 minutes ago. If you passed out I will so beat the crap out of you until you lose 40 pounds." a voice came from above. A short silence followed "Allright you asked for it you." the voice came again.
The stairs creaked as someone stumbled down them. His movement was rather uncoordinated and the stench of alcohol could be smelled. "Andrew! Dammit where are you!" he started to yell, treading blindly in the dark. Then he tripped and fell over the corpse of the recently deceased Andrew. "What the hell...you've passed out, didnt you? Wake up you fat bastard." The man got up and started to kick the corpse while shouting various curses.
There was no more time. He had to finish this. Approaching the drunk stealthily from behind with he grabbed the drunks chin and raised it up in order to slash his throat with a knife. The drunk made a weak attempt to resist but it was not enough. Blood sprayed from his throat all over the corpse and the cold stone floor, warming it up ever so slightly. His body fell on top of his fallen comrade. James was right, killing people with a knife had it's appeal.
David walked over to the crates he brought and opened the lid. They were high explosives. Tying the fuses together, he took out his matchbox and a cigarette. Striking the match across the crates surface, he ignited his cigarette and threw the match away. He took a drag from his cig and then used it to set fire to the fuse. Putting the hood back on he rushed outside through the cellar door.
Blackie, his trusted horse waited in the rain for the master to return. Saddling his horse, he let out a short yelp and the horse started galloping hard on the plains towards the border to Alhaven. Soon a loud explosion was heard behind him. The death of the local overlord would throw the criminals in a power struggle, giving an edge to the Alhaven army that would be coming.
The invasion of the League of Free Cities was not without reason. They were free cities in name only, tyrants, criminals and pirates dominated the cities. Pirates could not be stopped if they had safe ports in which to hide in and sell their loot. Furthermore, other agents reported increased guild activity in the area. But that was irrelevant, because the main push for the conflict came from the Army. They had a new toy they wanted to test. Something about a self-powered machine gun....or so he heard.
The sound of hoof beats 'cross the glade,
Good folk, lock up your son and daughter,
Beware the deadly flashing blade,
Unless you want to end up shorter.
Black Adder, Black Adder, he rides a pitch black steed.
Black Adder, Black Adder, he's very bad indeed.
The tall dark stranger paused for a minute, thinking weather he had the time for a slight break.
"I managed to get myself and the crates through that damn narrow cellar window, kill this fat bastard quietly and all without getting the crates wet too much. I figure I earned some time off."
He sat down on the freezing stone floor, his back leaned against a half full wine barrel. Taking out a pair of newspapers under his raincoat, he let out a sigh of relief. Finally he pulled down his hood, rain drops sliding from it. Davids long brown hair had grown back since he was transfered from the Ultramarines division.
Sporting a mullet helped him in his current job because many simply dismissed him as a dumb redneck. The transfer was an odd affair, not long after the Steldam victory government agents approached him with an offer to join an unnamed intelligence agency, most likely the central one. They told him they were looking to create a cross between a soldier and an agent and that he was chosen as a candidate.
Initially David was conflicted about what to do. He would hate to leave his battle brothers behind, but he had a knack for adventure and he would probably have more freedom of action in the agency. So here he was, doing wetwork in a wine cellar of a southern overlord and reading yesterdays newspapers.
He had to squint his eyes to read in the dark, but he had been blessed with a perfect vision. The less important news were mostly regarding the recent territorial expansion of the USA.
Former Guild territory joined as full fledged state after an extensive political purge known as the 'Guild Scare' led by Senator McCarby. Northwestern fringe is completely colonized now, with some tension on the borders from Senemor. Elesius has been offered to join the USA. Rumors have been going about a possible purchase of Gosican and Callixtus territory as well.
If he managed to pull all these things through, Bill Buchanan will have effectively doubled the nations size ever since he got into office some five and half years ago. He already earned the nickname 'The Decider' for his as it can be seen, decisive actions. Popular support helped of course.
David raised his head to read the headline. USS Enterprise launched on a expedition to the Far East. More on page 2 & 3. He quickly flipped to the next page. The more he read on about the details, the less he could believe. Apparently it was supposed to sail through uncharted waters to find a quicker way to the Yun Empire.
This was madness, pure madness. USS Enterprise was essentially a massive cargo ship, loaded with troops, fuel, food and of course guns and ammo. It was to be escorted with not one but two pre-dreadnoughts; USS Sea Turtle and USS Constitution; allegedly to ward off any daring pirates. Smaller cargo ships would travel with them as well.
The military personnel was from four different Marine Corps divisions. Iron Fists, Blood Wolves, Ultramarines and Black Templars. That was a certain recipe for a catastrophe. Each Marine Corps division recruited from it's own state, which made for a rather diverse army.
Iron Fists had deep ties with the Machine Cult and were rather apt in dealing with mechanical machinery. The Black Templars is a rather secretive division which is twice the normal size, because it recruits all over the USA. This is a serious rule violation but someone high up in the government is protecting them. They were mostly likely sent to personally oversee that the expedition is a success.
Ultramarines are very obedient and follow orders to the letter, while the Blood Wolves are the examples of their complete opposite; wild, undisciplined and bloodthirsty. Packing them together on the same ship is just begging for a disaster to happen. Whoever planned this must be a complete nutjob.
Reading a bit further the mastermind was revealed to him. "I should have known." he thought. The admiral in charge of the expedition is Alexander King. Otherwise known as the Mad King by almost everyone in the Navy. Although he was a brilliant man, he constantly complained he heard some music playing from somewhere. Later he concluded that the music came from in his words 'inside the frackin ship!'
With a boatload of guns and a madman at the helm, the expedition would surely be a success or at least a very very bloody failure. Just as he turned the next page, the door at the top of the staircases screeched as someone was opening it. The light pierced from above into the basement, slightly illuminating the room. Folding the newspapers in a second, David dropped them and disappeared into the darkness.
"Andrew are you down there? I've sent you for more wine 20 minutes ago. If you passed out I will so beat the crap out of you until you lose 40 pounds." a voice came from above. A short silence followed "Allright you asked for it you." the voice came again.
The stairs creaked as someone stumbled down them. His movement was rather uncoordinated and the stench of alcohol could be smelled. "Andrew! Dammit where are you!" he started to yell, treading blindly in the dark. Then he tripped and fell over the corpse of the recently deceased Andrew. "What the hell...you've passed out, didnt you? Wake up you fat bastard." The man got up and started to kick the corpse while shouting various curses.
There was no more time. He had to finish this. Approaching the drunk stealthily from behind with he grabbed the drunks chin and raised it up in order to slash his throat with a knife. The drunk made a weak attempt to resist but it was not enough. Blood sprayed from his throat all over the corpse and the cold stone floor, warming it up ever so slightly. His body fell on top of his fallen comrade. James was right, killing people with a knife had it's appeal.
David walked over to the crates he brought and opened the lid. They were high explosives. Tying the fuses together, he took out his matchbox and a cigarette. Striking the match across the crates surface, he ignited his cigarette and threw the match away. He took a drag from his cig and then used it to set fire to the fuse. Putting the hood back on he rushed outside through the cellar door.
Blackie, his trusted horse waited in the rain for the master to return. Saddling his horse, he let out a short yelp and the horse started galloping hard on the plains towards the border to Alhaven. Soon a loud explosion was heard behind him. The death of the local overlord would throw the criminals in a power struggle, giving an edge to the Alhaven army that would be coming.
The invasion of the League of Free Cities was not without reason. They were free cities in name only, tyrants, criminals and pirates dominated the cities. Pirates could not be stopped if they had safe ports in which to hide in and sell their loot. Furthermore, other agents reported increased guild activity in the area. But that was irrelevant, because the main push for the conflict came from the Army. They had a new toy they wanted to test. Something about a self-powered machine gun....or so he heard.
The sound of hoof beats 'cross the glade,
Good folk, lock up your son and daughter,
Beware the deadly flashing blade,
Unless you want to end up shorter.
Black Adder, Black Adder, he rides a pitch black steed.
Black Adder, Black Adder, he's very bad indeed.
das
Regeneration In Process
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: 
Good old cleric... What scares me is that I haven't even watched that series yet I know what he's ripping off of... 
Good old cleric... What scares me is that I haven't even watched that series yet I know what he's ripping off of... 
I never ripped my stuff from a movie.Just be like everyone else and rip off a movie
Seconded! How long do you think it will be before he starts referring to people outside of Alhaven as 'Vile Xenos'?lurker's comment:
That's an understandment.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
The Fate of a Man
Whenever one doubts the tenacity of our people, our civilization upon the throes of death, remember that the throes of death, is not death itself. As a phoenix springs from ashes, near death, but not dead; as did our nation
At times I dont think my people, my countrymen are sane. Luanyi, the Cities of City, the finest Jewel in the Emperors Throne, lie in rubble around them and all they care about is gawking at a few soldiers in their dress uniform slowly driven down a street in open chariots. I would know, being one of those few soldiers being gawked at by hundreds of thousands of people every single minute. If they only knew WHY we were being awarded in public view of the Emperor
As if trudging through sludge, wastes and every form of waste product known to a metropolis of over 5 million was something of great legend and valor! And almost drowning, cant forget that part. I believe the term they used was services rendered for the good of the Empire. Not that Im complaining, but Im sure these people have better things to do than to cheer us the whole way. My regards aside, the parade was magnificent.
This wasnt exactly how I imagined coming into Luanyi. Even worn by war and artillery fire, it was still the most beautiful and impressive city Ive ever seen. The Imperial City was still, the Imperial City. As bygone generals of old paraded down the streets and boulevards marching in triumph to their Emperor, as did we. It was a grim image compared to those days of glory, before the coming of the Telerians, before the coming of the eternal wars, or so Ive been told.
In the far distance, we could see the assemblage of the Imperial Court in their prestige, that aura. Its perhaps fitting that even in the midst of war and destruction; the rich will remain the rich, aloof from the dangers of war. As we neared, there was not a single one among us who did not know what to do. It was legend, oral legend passed down. I remember my grandfather (may he pass 80) telling my brothers and I the old story. It was the great heroes of old who, when their task was done, were given three options of choices by the great Emperor Han Weizhong.
Gold, land or title. Those were the three choices those great heroes were offered. Some took land, title and gold. The founder of the House of Gao took a title, the greatest of the Northern Lords. Yet the story that I remember the most is the one about the humble General-Soldier Ping Xiulang. The man was an undeniably great one yet when offered those three choices; he humbly declined, shocking all of the Court. That was my favorite story, the tale of Ping Xiulang; he desired nothing but to return home to his family and farm and live his days in peace.
He was and still is my hero. Yet I remain unsure at times whether or not men can live up to his wishes. As the men preceding me took gold, land or a title, a memory came up.
War! I will get glory, land, titles, gold, everything to make my dreams come true and bring my family out of the hopelessness that is being a tenant farmer! I still remember my fellow villager who had went with my brother to war. I know not what happened to him, but I am sure he found none of what he so desired from it. It was my turn, and after being beckoned I walked towards my Emperor.
My Emperor, the man that was revered by so many that I revered as well; in the yellow robes of state with the headwear of the Emperors, the Scepter of Heaven in his right hand topped by a magnificent ruby and his own sword at his left side he sat upon the Throne. Royally dignified and majestic he rose yet for a second there was pain shown. Everyone had heard of the Emperors heroic actions during the siege while we were stuck in the sewers.
How he, after the death of General Ming, had charged on horseback with his sword rose up high at the incoming Telcari troops and drove them out of the city. How the Emperor had held the defenses of the city only to be injured by a stray artillery shell. He stood up and looked at me with those powerful brown eyes.
What do you wish, Chen Yiming?
People always talk about a defining moment in their life when they met someone great, got rich or married. And even in all those years people hopelessly bugged me about it, meeting the Emperor was not the defining moment of my life. As I bowed to the Emperor, my head wasnt filled with the Emperor but of my dead brother whom I had successfully avenged.
Nothing Your Majesty, I wish for nothing.
The Emperor had a tint of amusement in his eyes as he looked at me as a silence pervaded the square. Everyone was silent, watching me with shock etched throughout their persons. Perhaps some day grandfathers will tell their grandsons the story of Chen Yiming, I can only hope.
I have no power over the dead, but I can grant you anything upon this earth. Is there truly nothing you wish?
Im afraid a most unrighteous thought came to my mind upon his wish. A thought that I vanquished immediately upon thinking but it re-emerged as my curiosity overwhelmed me.
I beg your pardon Your Majesty, but would you grant me one unholy wish?
Have I not promised to grant what you desire?
Your Majesty Would it please you to let me sit upon the Dragon Throne?
There were gasps of shock, at first among the assemblage and then it ceased as if the people responsible were calling upon the wrath of the Gods to strike them down. I too felt the wrath of the Gods for a moment, and the wrath of my Emperor. A shocked look appeared, but it was replaced by laughter, loud booming laughter. It was the strangest day of my life. More conscientious people would not have been the sole person laughing among thousands, but the Emperor was the Emperor.
If I had 100,000 men as audacious as you, there would be no limit to what I is possible for me to accomplish. Come, sit if you so wish.
With the eyes of tens of thousands upon me and the Emperors amused smile, I rose and tentatively walked towards the Throne, the same Throne that had graced the rears of hundreds of Emperors since Time eternal. My mind raced towards how it must feel to sit upon such a majestic throne. I sat down and I jumped back up almost immediately. The Emperor only laughed.
Sitting upon the Dragon Throne is quite painful, would you not agree? Im afraid it was not as satisfactory as you desired? Perhaps another, more suitable reward would be appropriate for one who emulates Ping Xiulang.
He drew his sword and raised it to the heavens. Tian Xia Bao Jian were the four characters etched upon it. He put it back into its sheath and offered it to me.
Take it as a token of Your Emperors admiration. You are one of a breed of men long thought dead. When peace comes, you shall find me waiting for the services of a man like you.
Im not exactly sure what happened next but as if in a dream, I took the sword and went away.
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Ahem, I just like the organization of the marines, gives it more vigour and makes it personal. Oh and I love the closing song of Black Adder, constantly humming it. Plus it seemed to fit in well with the character I'm writing. Kind of. Sort of. Not really.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Nice update! As I just got back, it looks unlikely that I'll be able to send substantiative orders for tomorrow. But you should be used to that be now...
Stats for Torenze would be greatly appreciated.
Stats for Torenze would be greatly appreciated.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: You have no idea how much I appreciate you commenting on my stories iggy! 
It brings great joy to me *sniff*
The audacious behavior isn't really important, at least to me, but the Emperor's reaction to his audacity
It brings great joy to me *sniff*The audacious behavior isn't really important, at least to me, but the Emperor's reaction to his audacity
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
I really truly detest doing this, but I'm going to have to put off the update by at least a day in order to accommodate schoolwork.
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
OOC: Gahh. I didn't think about that and was tricked into writing stories for AFNES! Gahh!
Kozmos
Jew Detective
Take your time North King of Winterfell.
Suzira
The Silver Ray glided into the harbour of Al-Ashar, the majestic capital of the ascendant Suziran Empire. Captain Robert Van der Zruyk gazed beyond the bow of the ship. Azim stood behind him, gazing at the city with his trademark unreadable gaze.
"So, this is Suzira then. It seems quite as amazing as Rupert claimed."
Azim grunted.
The noise of the Silver Ray's engines dulled to a low grumble. It glided up to a pier, and several workers threw ropes on board. Zruyk was the first man off, followed by Azim, Hawkesbury, and Piet. Mieken had gladly accepted the offer of staying on the ship.
From the port building, a flamboyantly dressed man in his thirties threw up his arms in a gesture of greeting, and jogged towards the crew.
"Robert, my old friend. It's wonderful to see you again! Piet old man, you too."
Sir Rupert Carnelian's eyes turned to Steven Hawkesbury and Azim.
"You must be the new crew."
"I HAVE been working here for a few years now." replied Hawkesbury, with an almost indignant tone, "And Azim's been here longer."
"My apologies." responded Sir Rupert, grinning, "Who would you be then?"
"I'm Steven Hawkesbury. I'm from Jathalland."
"And a jolly-good country it is, isn't it?"
"Yes sir."
"And you?" Carnelian asked, turning to Azim.
"You may call me Azim."
Sensing that the man was not the type to continue, Rupert continued.
"What about them?" he asked, pointing to two men on deck.
"Bill Blucher and Ben Williams." replied Zruyk, "They're not exactly paid crew..."
"I know that tone of voice." said Carnelian with a jovial grin, "Tell me the story."
"Your perception never ceases to amaze me Rupe. Well, Benjamin there got stuck on our ship when I escaped from Port Verres. He was quite indignant at first, but after we escaped from Dreningen his attitude changed for the bet-"
"De Vries?"
"Sorry, what? How'd you know about him?"
"The same way I found out about your own recent escapades. I still have my informants. Privately," Carnelian leaned in closer, "I still haven't entirely disbanded the network from our last mutual work."
"So, why did you mention De Vries?"
"He's a nasty piece of work. Born into an old Dreningen family, grew up rich, crushed numerous uprisings to keep the slaves down... it's the kind of thing that gets my blood boiling again."
"Best to keep that bottled in, I say." replied Zruyk, eyes lost in thought.
"Until a later time, I suppose. Though it's some consolation that De Vries is now bottled up in a Gosican prison."
"Really?" asked Zruyk, eyes popping back into focus, "I thought he'd have died."
"No, I'm afraid that your Gosican rescuers-" Carnelian noted the somewhat unpleasant look on Zruyk's face, "Ahem, the Gosican fleet fished the slimy thing out of the water at some point."
"Pity."
"Indeed. But what of this Blucher man?"
"Oh, he was left by the... Gosicans as a representative. Making sure that we wouldn't be hassled by the fleets allied against the guilds."
"And he's still needed now?"
"Well, he's been useful, helps around the ship, and he's a decent man. Plus, he is quite interested in the idea of exploring."
"Well, aren't we all?"
Steven Hawkesbury nodded vigorously, shaking his cap off his head. Carnelian chuckled, then continued.
"Anyway, you've done your introductions. Allow me to do mine. My team of intrepid explorers, investors, and various other such eccentrics are currently spending time around the city and in my manor. This is my loyal servant Hakim."
A tall, dark-skinned man with a short beard and dreadlocks, dressed in yellow and white garb with sandals, grinned and nodded.
"Now, I'm sure you've got much more to say than what I've told you about yourself Robert. Please, follow me! We'll speak over tea."
The colourful Jathallander turned with a flourish and set out towards several carriages. A motley group of sailors followed behind him, into the bustling streets of Al-Ashar.
The Silver Ray glided into the harbour of Al-Ashar, the majestic capital of the ascendant Suziran Empire. Captain Robert Van der Zruyk gazed beyond the bow of the ship. Azim stood behind him, gazing at the city with his trademark unreadable gaze.
"So, this is Suzira then. It seems quite as amazing as Rupert claimed."
Azim grunted.
The noise of the Silver Ray's engines dulled to a low grumble. It glided up to a pier, and several workers threw ropes on board. Zruyk was the first man off, followed by Azim, Hawkesbury, and Piet. Mieken had gladly accepted the offer of staying on the ship.
From the port building, a flamboyantly dressed man in his thirties threw up his arms in a gesture of greeting, and jogged towards the crew.
"Robert, my old friend. It's wonderful to see you again! Piet old man, you too."
Sir Rupert Carnelian's eyes turned to Steven Hawkesbury and Azim.
"You must be the new crew."
"I HAVE been working here for a few years now." replied Hawkesbury, with an almost indignant tone, "And Azim's been here longer."
"My apologies." responded Sir Rupert, grinning, "Who would you be then?"
"I'm Steven Hawkesbury. I'm from Jathalland."
"And a jolly-good country it is, isn't it?"
"Yes sir."
"And you?" Carnelian asked, turning to Azim.
"You may call me Azim."
Sensing that the man was not the type to continue, Rupert continued.
"What about them?" he asked, pointing to two men on deck.
"Bill Blucher and Ben Williams." replied Zruyk, "They're not exactly paid crew..."
"I know that tone of voice." said Carnelian with a jovial grin, "Tell me the story."
"Your perception never ceases to amaze me Rupe. Well, Benjamin there got stuck on our ship when I escaped from Port Verres. He was quite indignant at first, but after we escaped from Dreningen his attitude changed for the bet-"
"De Vries?"
"Sorry, what? How'd you know about him?"
"The same way I found out about your own recent escapades. I still have my informants. Privately," Carnelian leaned in closer, "I still haven't entirely disbanded the network from our last mutual work."
"So, why did you mention De Vries?"
"He's a nasty piece of work. Born into an old Dreningen family, grew up rich, crushed numerous uprisings to keep the slaves down... it's the kind of thing that gets my blood boiling again."
"Best to keep that bottled in, I say." replied Zruyk, eyes lost in thought.
"Until a later time, I suppose. Though it's some consolation that De Vries is now bottled up in a Gosican prison."
"Really?" asked Zruyk, eyes popping back into focus, "I thought he'd have died."
"No, I'm afraid that your Gosican rescuers-" Carnelian noted the somewhat unpleasant look on Zruyk's face, "Ahem, the Gosican fleet fished the slimy thing out of the water at some point."
"Pity."
"Indeed. But what of this Blucher man?"
"Oh, he was left by the... Gosicans as a representative. Making sure that we wouldn't be hassled by the fleets allied against the guilds."
"And he's still needed now?"
"Well, he's been useful, helps around the ship, and he's a decent man. Plus, he is quite interested in the idea of exploring."
"Well, aren't we all?"
Steven Hawkesbury nodded vigorously, shaking his cap off his head. Carnelian chuckled, then continued.
"Anyway, you've done your introductions. Allow me to do mine. My team of intrepid explorers, investors, and various other such eccentrics are currently spending time around the city and in my manor. This is my loyal servant Hakim."
A tall, dark-skinned man with a short beard and dreadlocks, dressed in yellow and white garb with sandals, grinned and nodded.
"Now, I'm sure you've got much more to say than what I've told you about yourself Robert. Please, follow me! We'll speak over tea."
The colourful Jathallander turned with a flourish and set out towards several carriages. A motley group of sailors followed behind him, into the bustling streets of Al-Ashar.
a_propagandist
The Light Brigadier
Is Naia taken?
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Nope, it's open.
