[Game Thread] Chapter Five: Everything Changes

[Makenshi]

Raeth gives another shrug. "I did not mean that I would act in such a way, Morgan, just that I could understand the motivations behind it. I am a soldier, not a spy or assassin." He raises an eyebrow at the mention of Aldamil, this time almost looking affronted by the suggestion he would kidnap or execute her. "We are aware. Mirik told us she had broken off from her family after the last gathering despite the rumours we were hearing of her being ill, or recovering from wounds from fighting Shalians, etc. etc." He glances towards her. "I had intended to speak to her about the current situation but given the recent deaths perhaps it would be best to leave it to someone more diplomatic than I."

When Morgan asks Shara for a private word the Archgate gives him a calculating look. "Is there any chance of you telling me what the nature of the conversation would be? As you say, I have a great many responsibilities so the more you can tell me about what you wish to discuss the more likely I can give you a firm time we can talk."

More and more people start to enter, including the rest of the High Council and, much to the surprise of almost everyone present, Lyanis Naesti, Tiaan and Lalian Shedeth, with the latter three walking in together. Given his seclusion it was likely that people didn't so much as recognise Tiaan as note the presence of the other two and Tiaan's ears and put two and two together.

||

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan grunts. How to put this without sounding evasive or like an over-dramatic idiot? Perhaps it would be best if he spoke to Jester about it first. "I can't. It's something that needs to be very carefully managed and would be disastrous if I let it slip by accident. Giving you enough information to actually know what I'm talking about would risk just that. My apologies." Timing and preparation will be everything, both with Kala and the church and with finally getting to the truth about Mara.

Feeling somewhat dejected Morgan excuses himself and moves to stand near where Mort lay, intending to wait for the council to begin unless someone sought him out. His gaze is momentarily drawn to Lalian Shedeth. The two most powerful vampires in the world were right here in this room. Morgan can't help but ponder their relationship and relative power. Had Seneca turned Shedeth? Would he have any power over the god of vampires or vise versa? Did Shedeth know who Anhil really was already, or would he be able to tell when they met? Who would win if it came to a fight between them?

[Makenshi]

Slowly the rest of the guests filter in, including Theofan Rudaa (who is looking just as impatient to leave as Raeth, if not more so), Jester, Inquisitor Herne (who arrived separately to Lalian Shedeth), Anorde (sans Celi for once), and the Royals. Vulcar was accompanied by Micaiah and an older Royal Guardsman while Celes was flanked by Alyyryk and an almost clean shaven Wiat. Kala was also present, taking a seat next to Morgan with a tall, light-haired man wearing Airsisian robes taking the seat next to her. The Church of Airis representatives seem surprised by the presence of both of them.

Once everyone had arrived people made their way to their assigned seats around the circular table. Celes was seated to Vulcar's left (which was traditional) while Bane sat on his right, a position usually given to favoured advisers and/or important guests of the host. The seating was then done geographically, with the Shalians starting with Celes and the Halvans with Wainraith who was sitting next to Bane. The neutral parties such as the Archgates, Demi-Gods and Anorde were sitting opposite Vulcar. Most curiously, the Elernans, starting with Prince Marcel himself, were seated next to the Halvans.

The chatter had mostly died out after people had seated themselves but it stopped once Vulcar stood up again to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, Royals and nobles, Archgates and others, I welcome you to my halls and thank you for agreeing to come here. Although some of you will be aware of some of what I have to say I would ask that you listen well in case there are parts I know that you do not and I would welcome anyone else with further information."

There is a slight pause before he begins. "Secrets and lies. They are what almost destroyed us sixty years ago during the Betrayer Wars. If it wasn't for the actions of a few who saw that something was wrong then who knows how bad it would have gotten? And even they had no idea that a certain well known and well liked Halvan soldier was behind it all until they occidentally confronted him. There are a great many things I intend to tell you today, most of them secrets of one kind or another, but most of them are in some part connected to that man. Zera. He is far more dangerous now then he was then and from what I and others have managed to learn about him leads me to believe that we were never subject to his full might in the first place. But to understand the threat you must understand the man, which is why you should know that we have discovered that Zera was not just a soldier with delusions of grandeur but a bastard of House Halva who someone managed to hide himself. He was responsible for planting the threats towards Phare that led to Hadet's assassination and poisoning of every living member of House Halva that they knew of."

Vulcar goes on to explain the threat that Zera presents to them, including his use of the God-forge, his imprisonment of Airis and Malvain, his 'breeding' of Godlings and, most gravely, his unleashing of an Elder Demon in the body of a Tyyrykan woman whose mind he had made pliant before-hand. He spoke of the dangers but did not mention that another had been released or that two of the remaining three had been found. Others chip in to confirm certain things, with Tiaan being surprisingly involved in confirming Vulcar's words while Marcel also chips in to support the King when the High Priest of Airis challenges his assertion that she is Zera's prisoner, citing his own sources and even going to far as to state that the Elernans had been involved in helping to confirm it.

Once Vulcar has finished there is a moment of quiet as everyone absorbs what was said before he asks if there is anything anyone else would like to add or share. Surprisingly, it is the Pharean representative, a woman by the name of Aela Ailen, who speaks up, her expression pensive. "I was not certain whether or not to speak of this yet. The others-" She takes a deep breath to steady herself. "My fellow Ailen, they left the decision to my judgement given past experiences with Halva." She takes another deep breath, obviously troubled, before continuing. "But from what has been said already...well...I am not a believer in coincidence. Last night the Queen and Princess were assassinated." There is a deathly silence for a moment, but it is nothing compared to the reaction to her next comment. "Lespetince and Wra were also killed. It was Hadet." The Pharean Royal Family and two members of the Quartet dead at the hands of a third member of the Quartet, all in one night.

Jester is the first to speak up. "This is exactly how it began last time. Let me guess, you found something among Hadet's possessions or something else tying him to Halva?" There is a brief pause before she nods. Jester smirks. "He's trying the same old tricks again, but against different people this time. Arrogant bastard."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan spends a few minutes stewing. There'd been so many things Was there any way to get to what he wanted without needing Shara. Certainly a respected and well known judgemaster would do, but it wouldn't have the same weight as Ruaci's own archgate, the ultimate force of the goddess on the material plane. And for Mara, what of her? Esiard and Rhys would both be devastated. If it was as he suspected then even confronting her could be problematic. Would there be any way to keep her from escaping? Simple tactics like a dimensional anchors and such would probably be ineffective in comparison Sanctuary's gates even if they didn't risk a dispelling followed by a traditional escape. Morgan starts inventorying the ways someone might be kept despite such measures, of which he knew of few. But wait, the Deceiver's Bane that Celes had worn on the trip to Halvanna. Being artifacts might they be able to hold someone on the plane despite the Sanctuary gate? Tiaan might know, or one of the Dragonblaz- Morgan's thoughts are interrupted by Mortimer.
"Boss. Jester just poked his head in the door. Looks pissed, but that might just be his natural expression."

Morgan pushes off of the pillar and makes a beeline for the dangerous archgate.
"Evening. We need to talk, in private." He pokes Jester in the exact same spot that the archgate had done him to initiate their mental communication during the engagement party a few weeks ago. He'd been planning on using his telepathic bond for this, rather than for Bane, but hopefully Jester could take care of that again.

That done Morgan turns and makes his way back to his assigned seat. The other discussions he needed to have could wait till later, or happen during the conference. He greets his sister with a quick hug and holds her chair out for her. Mortimer scampers through the crowd and hops up onto the table before her to act as her interpreter as necessary.

When the news of the fall of the Phaeran monarchy arrives Morgan cups his face in the palm of his hand. "Oh for the love of all that is holy. Vice was right, it really is open season on royals." He'd had his suspicion about them. The salting of the earth meant an incredible capability with poison, which meant to Morgan's mind either Gulan or Lespetince of the quartet. He'd planned on speaking with Hadet to see if he'd made any "progress" with the Blue Lady situation. Morgan had presumed that he might attempt to spread disinformation if he was Zera's agent. The only good side of this whole thing was that their openness now, speaking and spreading the information, was probably going to save them from receiving a declaration of war from Phaere. Or at least the initiation of a shadow war. Unfortunately he'd never really gotten anywhere with that investigation. Too much to do, too little time. The truly troubling thing was the timing. It had coincided with the Children's strike on the Sharakan crown. Was it coincidence, or did Zera have some sort of advance warning? Morgan's paranoia suggested the latter, but how? The Children's security had been so tight Bane hadn't even told Morgan about the timing, and he'd specifically asked. Could Airis have provided the information? That was a troubling thought.

More audibly he speaks. "My condolences for the loss to your country Ambassador Aela. Might I ask as to the current condition and situation of the fourth member of the quartet, Niafem?"

ooc Quick question. Are there more Phaeran royals or is the line effectively ended with the queen and princess?

[Makenshi]

OOC The Pharean Royals are in similar situation to Halva (no direct family) however there are some known distant relatives as well as an older sister to the Queen who abdicated her right to the throne. The problem is that the line of succession beyond the Royal Family is heavily disupted, so it could lead to an internal conflict and, depending on who takes charge afterwards, an external one too. Also, the Pharean representative (she's not the new Ambassador) is Aela Ailen. Not sure where you got Treche from. Finally, the Name you're looking for is Lespetince, the Quartet associated with poison. Wra is the illusionist, Hadet the assassin and Niafem the summoner/warrior.

Aela nods mutely in response to Morgan's words. "Niafem is well and seeking out the next in line to the throne as we speak." That comment earns a slight frown of concern from Vulcar. "Hadet somehow managed to discovered the identities of the other Quartet and killed them but the 'Niafem' he killed was a decoy she had planted just in case anyone was able to find out who she was. It is just as well she did or we would have believed Hadet dead with the others as was his intention."

~MTWC

[Blue]

Nevh waited a few seconds, hoping someone else would cover that little detail, and then wore out of waiting.

"I heard the Quartet were known by the Queen alone. With her and the princess both indisposed, how were you able to confirm that Niafem is indeed Niafem, and not a pawn of Zera meant to inflict even deeper wounds unto Phare?"
Not to say that the actual Niafem could also be in on that coup, her mind enslaved or not.
These last survivor stories were always fishy.

[SpatulaOdoom]

"And in the interim who is running things?" That sort of political wrangling, for leadership of a country, could take years. "Is the queen's sister acting as regent? A council of lords?"
Morgan is very glad that whoever it is apparently has a level head on her or his shoulders, otherwise the ambassador might have been here to level an accusation or even a declaration of war rather than feel things out first.

Once that is out of the way Morgan picks up the thread of Vulcar's story where he'd left off, with the capture of the Paragons.
"Unlike Airis and Malvain, Ciilla and Salorne have been missing for centuries, long before Zera was born.
What of them?
Well there's a bit of a story involved in that but the short version is that the Drow as a people survived the end of the Demongate War and used a shard of the godforge to capture the other paragons, used their power to hide them in the underdark city of Che'eldelorbben for centuries. Our discovery of this event starts at the recent Demon Moon's End party at the Dragonblaze estate, which featured the presence of a surprise and very unwelcome guest."
Morgan goes on to tell the assembled about the events of the party at the Dragonblaze estate, Kerberos's initiative, Zera's unexpected presence, the group gathered, and their travels. He tells them of Demios's enforced guest and the supposed alliance he has with a or maybe the drow. He leaves out
captain Windwalker's involvement. "The group then traveled north into the Kairan Ice Peaks where apparently a path to the drow city exists. We have been unable to trace them from that point on. That was I'll edit this when I get around to updating the timelineX days ago.
I was hoping Kerberos would attend tonight so that I could question him on why he chose to include Zera in his operation. It is troubling to say the least." Zera had subverted an archgate before. The possiblity that he could do it to Fisali's archgate was troubling to say the least. "I have been able to speak to a native of Che'eldelorbben on promise of anonymity and have garnered a fair amount of information on the city, their society, religion, and way of life." Morgan gives them the short version, garnered on several hours of speaking with Xu'deln, focusing on their gleeful use of slavery and how their goddess dominates the society.

ooc Fixed

[Makenshi]

Phare Aela doesn't seem surprised by Nevh's question. "The Quartet's secrecy is exaggerated and Phare prefers it to stay that way. Besides, if I was a pawn of Zera I would hardly come here and announce my presence, let alone lend credence to your argument that Zera is back and about to make another move." Aela presses the fore and middle fingers of her right hand to her temple and the average sized brown haired woman's visage dissolves into a taller black haired woman. "As I said, I am here in part to rectify the political situation in Phare." Niafem turns her attention towards Vulcar specifically. "Do you intend to abide by the agreement you made with your mother Your Highness?" Vulcar's expression is one of concern, however he eventually nods his head. "I will, however the agreement was that we would not interfere. If he doesn't want to go then you will not force him to leave, no matter how softly. It must be his decision." Niafem nods, seemingly having expected the warning, although it is clear by the expressions around the room that most people haven't a clue what he's talking about. "I thought we weren't keeping any more secrets?" Marcel asks with a hint of a frown. Vulcar glances to Niafem. "This is not my secret to divulge, though given the circumstances I doubt you have anything to gain from secrecy Niafem." After a moment's thought Niafem nods. "Very well. The late Queen's older sister, the one who abdicated the throne, did so to marry a man their father had forbidden her to. He even threatened her with exile, expecting her to shy away but instead she fled Phare and eloped, abdicating the throne in the process. While she can not take the throne, having abdicated and been exiled as a result, her son is the next in line to the throne, although there are 'elements' within Phare that do not believe he should be King." "By the Saviours..." Shara begins incredulously. "...are you telling me that you want Cajien Vash to be your King? The man is an irresponsible, womanising lout!" Her eyes suddenly narrow. "By Ruaci, that's why you leaned on Nihl to release him after he slept with our princess. We thought it was a favour for Alainn." Niafem's eyes narrow slightly in anger and a slight edge enters her voice. "I would ask that you refrain from insulting the last surviving member of the family I am sworn to protect less I give my honest opinion on the matter and Princess you are referring to." Shara gives a start, seemingly having just realised what she said. "Ah...please accept my apologies. I was just...startled." When asked who is in charge Niafem gives a slight sigh. "The Ailen for the most part. The situation is stable enough for the moment, though of course factions are emerging. Those loyal to the late Queen are in control at the moment, though the sooner I return the sooner we can stabilise and find replacements for the others of the Quartet." Vulcar raises an eyebrow. "Hadet didn't take the mask with him?" Niafem shakes her head. "He wouldn't dare. We would have been able to find him if he did. Speaking of which." She mutters and gestures the components to the Silent Image spell, after which an image of a black haired and blue eyed man springs up - odd colouring for a Pharean. On a second look he bore a striking resemblance to Nualae Nelia, the only real difference being shorter hair and a lean physique. "This is the true face of 'Hadet'. His name is Culhan Nelia and he is a Trueforged son of the late Alnei Nelia. If Zera is the one behind this then there is the possibility that he is being controlled but either way he is very dangerous. He is a Nomad, who specialises in Psychoportation powers that manipulate time and space but he also has some skill at Psychometabolism powers, so under no accounts should you let him touch you. He could stop your heart with a thought or even absorb your body into his." Mirik Orn looks deeply saddened by the news. "I'm not sure what thought I find worse: that Culhan might have betrayed us or that the gentle soul he showed others was a lie even if he is being controlled." He gives a weary sigh. "People and their masks."

Drow The reaction to the Drow is even more pronounced, especially from Lalian, Tiaan and Lyanis. Tiaan in particular seemed annoyed by the news, though it was likely his lack of information on the matter. "Did your source tell you what their intentions are? Are they simply content below? Or are they biding their time to invade the surface and enslave us all?" Vulcar shakes his head. "He doesn't know, though he said that if they didn't have the numbers to fight a war against the surface even if they wanted to, not if they wanted to win. They're strength is in their secrecy and their entrenchment, so if they tried to invade they'd loose those advantages and have to deal with sunlight."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Phare When Hadet is revealed to be Culhan Morgan groans openly. Son of a bitch! That was two more secrets that were now in Zera's hands, Lilly's transformation and Alnei's survival. If Zera wanted to stir up chaos those two things would provide a good way to do just that. Jarlan Inaha's time had just run out. Morgan shot a look at the councilman before turning his attention to Mirik Orn. "It may be that Hadet's turning was of a more recent vintage. I mentioned the Blue Lady to him during the engagement party, and he took an immediate interest. It's possible he went looking for her and wound up in a trap. Then again he also had the job of Phaer's most dangerous assassin, that doesn't speak of "gentle soul" to me, so I'm thinking that his mask was damn good if even you didn't see through it." That situation was worthy of an investigation all on it's own. For the Phaerans at least, Morgan wouldn't likely have the time in the foreseeable future. His immediate concern was for Nualae, who was conspicuously absent, and Alnei and the other Trueforged. The mage sends his thoughts to Zilira. "Darling, would it be possible to dispatch someone or several someones to check on Alnei's home immediately?" Hopefully they were just having their own little conference, but after what had happened to Valen because Morgan was away... Perhaps he should go check on them himself.

Drow "They haven't the numbers and they're not stupid enough to try on their own, but that's entirely different than saying they're not a threat or that they wouldn't like to conquer the surface world and grind everyone under their boot heels. To put it succinctly they are not nice people in the sense that the fiends are not nice people." Morgan leans forward with his knuckles against the table. "My source was forced to flee because an accident of birth left that person "inferior," and The best my source had to say about the source's family was that one of them would have probably done the kindness of a clean death. The best of my source's family." "The drow society appears to be more or less dominated by their goddess Lolth. That's the second Lolth, a drow mortal ascended to godhood some time after the Demongate War. She is a former lover of Asharte who advocates slavery and ruthlessness. Loyalty is largely a foreign concept. Their society is heavily and complexly tiered and most drow spend their lives attempting to climb over one another to the top of the status pile. One of the primary tenants of this complex system is based on racial purity. The more pureblooded a drow is the higher their status. Even the most marginal of drow-touched is better off than a non-drow however. Non-drow are barely considered entities and are usually slaves of one kind or another. Slaves are at best regarded as one might a good horse. At worst they're livestock to vent frustrations on and engage in unpleasant sport. It is also known that much of the slave breeding stock comes from people clandestinely raided from the surface." He leans back slightly. "There's some vague idea of being destined to some day rule all due to their natural superiority, but I'm not sure how ingrained and driving an interest it is. Remember though that this is the viewpoint of one drow exile. I can't say entirely how his views have been warped by resentment and his situation. We will have to speak to more drow to get a broader and more accurate view. Still it doesn't paint a pretty picture."

OOC Tiaan did know, at least in a general sense. Morgan told him when he went to talk to him, remember?

[Makenshi]

OOC Valen . Valen is (/was) an Egotistical bastard and Valin is an Idiot for cheating on the (then) Queen with the wife of a Dragonblaze. As for Tiaan, that is meant to be the impression people get, but the statement is still somewhat true (since he was annoyed at the news and still is).

Phare Niafem sniffs slightly when Morgan calls Hadet an assassin. "Hadet is - was - a deterrent, now more than ever after what happened during the Betrayer Wars. An assassin known to all isn't that much use after all." "But he would still have to be capable of carrying out that threat, wouldn't he?" Mirik notes sadly. Niafem opens her mouth to respond before giving a slight sigh and nodding in agreement. Zilira's response is quick. "I'm already on my way. I will let you know what I find." With Micaiah standing behind and to the side of the King looking every bit the bodyguard that was surprising news. Before Morgan could begin to panic she added wryly. "And no, that's not me next to Vulcar. If we're going to out me then it seemed foolish to keep up the ruse. Besides, we'd rather not blacken the good lieutenants name or face...well...in public at least. I'm not sure how she'd react to some of the things I did with her body, albeit a copy of it." She was a playful self it seemed.

Drow Anorde speaks up after Morgan, smiling slightly at the startled look from a good many nobles present who had seemingly either not noticed him or been deliberately trying to ignore his presence. "All Kerberos would say on the matter is that, and I quote "Fisali's actions may seem insane but there is a reason within her madness"." That earns more than a few snorts of derision which Anorde ignores, continuing to smile slightly while looking towards Vulcar and Wainraith. "I did warn you I wouldn't be able to find out much on the matter." Vulcar waves a dismissive hand. "Every piece helps us to decipher the puzzle, even if there's nothing else connecting to it yet." Anorde's smile broadens slightly as he inclines his head. "Very true Your Majesty. All too often I have found we don't know the true value of information - or anything for that matter - until we need it."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Phare Morgan avoids rolling his eyes at Niafem's dithering, but can't help but feel it is sophistry. Calling him a known quantity was stretching the definition of the word as was trying to suggest he was not an assassin. The mage shakes his head sadly. "Call a spade a spade Niafem." His voice is subdued. "We are three steps behind in a war we didn't acknowledge. We haven't the the luxury of masks, white lies, or anything less than raw truth. Zera is not the only Unless you want to go somewhere with it this is probably a good segue to end this section and get into the section discussing the drowforce on the move." "Walk softly oh dark goddess mine. It could very well be a trap for whomever decides to come poking around, and I would hate for you to be indisposed when I have such plans for later tonight."

Drow Originally Posted by Anorde "Fisali's actions may seem insane but there is a reason within her madness." "Wonderful of her to give us such a plain and straightforward explanation." He nods his thanks to Anorde. Having found Kerberos and gotten anything at all were victories in and of themselves. He continues to address the gathered. "My notes on the drow will be part of a comprehensive handout that will be given out at the end of the meeting for those of us with merely mortal memories. For now are there any further questions regarding the Drow?"

[Makenshi]

After some politicking about what to do about the Drow (namely discussing whether they should approach them diplomatically or not) the consensus turns towards everyone going back to their respective rulers to discuss the matter before coming together again to see if they wanted to show a united front against the Drow - something that the three Elves strongly recommended. "From what I've heard this 'Lolth'-" There is clear disdain in Tiaan's voice. "-appears to be trying to bring back the glory days of the Drow, when they were the right hand of the Fiends. Albeit without the Fiends being above them of course. Show them weakness and they will strike, even if covertly, but show them strength and at the very least they will wait and think twice. With the Fiends and Zera seemingly on the move we can't afford to have them causing trouble." The other two nod in agreement.

Vulcar takes the opportunity to speak again. "And that brings us to my next piece of news. Until the recent conflict between Sharak and Shali these past decades since the Betrayer Wars have been the most peaceful time in Aheka's history, but there are still deep divisions between us, and just as we find ourselves assailed by powerful and/or unknown enemies. But we are not alone. We have recently made contact with a faction of Humans descended from Fiendish slaves who reside on the Plane of Shadows and who have been fighting the Fiends in order to free those humans still enslaved by them. I invited them here today to speak to you and would ask that you not be alarmed when the others arrive in the moment."

Marcel gives Vulcar an odd look. "And why would we be alarmed?"

Bane takes that as his cue to speak. "Because more than a few of us have the touch of Fiends on body or soul and because not even the Sword in the Dark, our God, has the right to take our swords away once we have earned them. Prepare weapons of your on or ready spells if you feel you must, we will not hold it against you. Everyone should be able to protect themselves if need be." Vulcar nods in agreement and from the looks of some of the faces there are people taking them up on the offer.

A few minutes later and the doors to the hall are opened and six figures walk through, all but two of them familiar. At the front of the group are Cypher and Min. Cypher still wore her mask although this time she was wearing clothing that looked to be Ahekan in design - Sharakan robes with a broken heart motif specifically - and had a slender sword at her belt. Min wore the same mismatched armour as before, with a longsword in a simple leather sheathe at her waist. Min appears a little uneasy while Cypher seems completely at ease, even comfortable (as much as they can tell without seeing her face).

Behind them were two new faces carrying a rectangular box. Both wore mismatched armour made predominantly from leather although the two were almost literally as different as night and day. The one at the front was tall, dark-haired, pale-skinned, had dull brown eyes and the look of Sharakan and Shalians still look very similar. As a result clothing and accent are usually the only semi-reliable way to tell between the twoSharlan about him. Unlike the others, he had sheathed daggers at his hip rather than swords. Several of them in fact, and if the amount on show were any indication it seemed likely he had others hidden about on his person.

The second person was a Shadowkin - pitch black skin, stark white hair tied into a thin tail at the nape of his neck but otherwise cut short and piecing yellow eyes. It was impossible to give his youthful face a region and even the age was suspect for any Shadowkin, let alone one living on the Plane of Shadows. He was also almost half a foot shorter than the other man, who was about the same height as Alyyryk, making him one of the shortest men in the room. He carried a longsword on his back rather than the hip, although it seemed to be placed in a way that would make it impossible to draw quickly without dislocating a shoulder.

Behind them was Toy. Considering the people present and the abilities at their disposal it was hardly surprisingly he hadn't bothered to change out of his 'natural' form. Like Cypher, he was doing a much better job than the others at blending. Take away the Fiendish features and he could easily have been mistaken for a Halvan lesser noble or a well-to-do merchant. Floating in the air behind him was a heavy chest that was large enough to cram a man into, albeit likely breaking a few bones and/or dislocating a few joints in the process.

At the rear of the group was the unmissable eight and a half foot form of Geld who was carrying another chest which was wider than his own considerable shoulders. Surprisingly, he was wearing a Halvan coat and trousers along with his blackened chain shirt. He carried two swords, one on each side and despite the fact that it'd take most men two hands to wield one of them they had seen with their own eyes he was able to wield them both with minimal effort and with speed that was frightening for a man of his size and strength.

All in all although not acting hostile, it was clear most of those present weren't exactly sure what to make of the Children.

Standing up, it was Bane who spoke first. "I am known as Bane, though I was born as Kevian."

Before anyone can respond to the apparent introduction the dark-haired newcomer speaks up. "I am known as Rising, though you may call me Howl if you wish."

The words were beginning to smack of some kind of ritual now as the Shadowkin joined in. "I am known as Breaker, though The Mother named me Elven word for 'first'Yeste."

"Geld is known as Geld, and he has no other name." That one seemed to confuse a fair few people at first.

"Luxuria named me her Toy and Toy I will remain until the day I die or the day I dance on her corpse." It was obvious by the sharp looks Toy received from the others that they didn't approve of what he said, or perhaps it was the manner in which he worded it.

"I am known as Min, though I was born as Zilira." That name goes over the head of most though from the looks on a few faces some people have made a connection between Zilira and the Sword Minloth Zilira's title having been the Spider in the Darkin the Dark.

"And I am known as Cypher, though I was born as Sanna and some of you will know my face by another name: Dyelin." She removes her mask, sliding it into the folds of her robe, revealing the sharp-featured face of a young woman, seemingly in her middle-20s. Like with the Shadowkin and unlike her siblings it was impossible to tie her face to a particular nation. Strangely enough Bane smiles slightly when she shows her face.

Surprisingly few people react to the name or her face; namely Aldamil, a few of the Archgates and a handful of others. The Sharakan princess appears too shocked for words while the others are either shocked or thoughtful, if a little wary.

OOC Chance to jump in if you want, otherwise Vulcar and Celes will initiate an introduction in a similar style (namely the 'I was born as X') and I'll move it along a bit again.

~MTWC

[Blue]

Nevh remained silent throughout most of the discussions. As to the Drows, all she had to share was the voice of her country: these news, as important as they are, will have to be thoroughly examined by the Quallish councils. Best she could do to avoid bluntly admitting that before they even consider doing anything on it a massive amount of time could pass.
Most probably wouldn't care much about it, so some string-pulling might be necessary to quicken the process.

Mrith was more interested by the tale of a surviving race than the idea of the threat they could possibly pose. That, and of the great treasure they used to empower themselves in isolation. The whole Zera business felt scary but hadn't stricken her as personally troubling until she heard Sion had been taken. Even then, it was probably because the dragon had tangled himself too deeply with Halvan humans, which the psycho apparently had a tooth against, or for. If it was only a massive quarrel between godly Halvans it still wouldn't be much of a concern, but their battle was growing and affecting all the nearby countries, some even as far as Phare. The dragons would have to step in before the conflict reaches them first. Even the people of Quall would probably have to make a move this time.
Still, she could barely believe that it seemed like the entire world could rise against a single human and still be challenged. How in Crone's Breath had it come to this?

Whe Anorde relayed Kerberos' words, she stared at him, wondering. At this point, she wouldn't surprised if Anorde was Kerberos all along. Unless he was somehow indisposed, why would he send an agent in his stead when he could just be there. Of course, those invited didn't have to know. This was quite the meeting, after all.

The introduction of the Children was nothing new to her and so another part she would have to just wait through.

[SpatulaOdoom]

Morgan too remains quiet during the Children's discussion, having met most of them already, and awaits a continuation of the conversation. His curiosity over the chests however is practically boiling over.

[Makenshi]

After a moment of confusion Vulcar responds in kind. "I am known as King Vulcar, though I was born Vulcar Halva." Promoted by this Celes continues. "I am known as Princess Celes, though I was born Celes Alexein." And so it continues along the table, ending with Morgan Wainraith.

 

• Jester: "I am known by many names, though our mutual enemy knows me as Jester of the Demon's Moon." (a response that earns him disapproving looks from most of the Children, presumably for only revealing the name he is 'known as').
• Sei'Theofan: "I am known as the Walking Storm though I was born Theofan Rudaa."
• Sei'Raeth: "I am known as the Lord of War, though I was born Raeth Segali."
• Shara: "I am known as the Lady of the Night, though I was born Shara Segali."
• Mirik Orn: "I am known as the Silver Bard, though I was born Mirik Orn."
• Anorde: "I was born Anorde and Anorde I remain."
• Kala: "I am known as the Silent Seer, though I was born Kala."
• Kahlas: "I am known as Kahlas." (a response that earns him disapproving looks from most of the Children, presumably for only revealing the name he is 'known as').
• Alyyryk (their one): "I am known as Alyyryk of the Kashyyn, though I was born Nylkar Lekan Alyyryk."
• Alyyryk (the brother): "I am known as Alyyryk of the Sercyl, though I was born Bayl Jar Alyyryk."

Once that was done Vulcar addressed Cypher while the other guests looked upon the children with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "I asked you here so that we could all learn more of you. Who you are. What you do. What your intentions are. I probably know more of you than most in this room but even I must admit there is much I do not know of you."

Cypher glances towards the two unknown Children who were squatting near the doors, having carefully put the rectangular box on the floor. It is Breaker who responds to Vulcar, with Cypher taking a step back. "Very well." The Shadowkin had a strange, clipped accent that was impossible to place. He stood up, glancing around at the people present. "We will tell you what we tell all Children, whether they come to us young or old."

He looks back to Rising, still squatting, and gives him a nod, which the taller man was obviously waiting for as images spring up in the centre of the table a moment later - almost shapeless figures that appeared to be fighting each other. From the look of concentration on his face, it was obvious that Rising was the one controlling the images. "While the Freeborn fought the Fiends in their world they kept a tight grip on those of us still chained. They tried to suppress knowledge of the wars but we heard, and some of our chained brothers and sisters were freed by those who would become Freeborn." The image contorts, showing one side pushing the other back, the other side fleeing, and then it contorts again, this time showing figures in chains. "When they banished the Fiends we hoped that our Freeborn brothers and sisters would come for us as they did before but they did not. From hope came a despair deeper than what we had known before. But in the depths of this despair a new hope come: The Mother." The images and the words had a practised look about them, as if the two men had done this many times before.

The images contort again, this time forming into a much more detailed and accurate image. That of a young half-elven women with almost white hair and blue eyes. She wore ragged clothes and had a motherly expression that seemed at odds with a woman that looked only recently out of her teens. "When we had lost our hope, she spoke of a future. Not one given to us by others, but by our own efforts. When our despair threatened to consume us she showed us how to revel in every victory. To allow us to grow from slaves to free men and women. And when we were ready she was the first to break our chains. We were free." The image shifted to a more vague shape again, though it was still easy to make out The Mother breaking the chains of eight people. "And from the first eight she broke, seven fought the Fiends, to allow The Mother and the other to free more of their brothers and sisters." The image contorts again, matching the words of Breaker. "The Mother knew that to try and free them all would have risked those already free and so she led us to the World Between Worlds where we could hide and grow. And grow we did. We broke the chains of more of our brothers and sisters and some were born to us that had never known chains at all. But we grew arrogant. Assured of our safety. The first time the Fiends came for us, they did not seek to chain but to destroy. Word of us had spread and they could not give our brothers and sisters hope of rescue."

There is a slight pause as Rising contorts the images again, this time showing a field of broken and dead bodies - thankfully as lacking in precise details as most of the images thus far. Standing among the dead a few remained standing, with a mourning Mother at their centre. "The Mother felt every death like a dagger for she had seen their intentions before they attacked but had thought it a dream or a nightmare. The next time the Fiends came The Mother prepared us." The bodies shift to those of fiends rather than people. "And again. And again, until we learnt how to hide and how best to live in the World Between Worlds while avoiding attention. Then it was our turn to strike. To break more chains. And to win."

"But it was not to last. The Mother grew further away from us, at times lost to her visions of the future and at others to her own thoughts. After a time of stumbling through she gathered us together and told us that she would soon leave us." The images contort again to show The Mother standing among many, with eight figures seeming crisper than the others. "Despair almost took us again but she said not to be afraid. That one day someone would come to lead us in our First and Last War, someone who could lead us where she could not. A war that would see all Children free, whether in life or death. Until then, we must grow, we must survive, and we must fight." The eight crisper figures step forward. "'But mother!' we cried, 'How will we know?'." The image of the woman smiles. "'They will come to you wrapped in darkness. A walking shadow. They will have known a despair deeper than any mortal man could know. And been trapped by it. They will have known chains of a different sort than yours. But ones ever more binding to one who cares. And when they name themselves your Sword and you their Children, thus will you know them.'"

There is another pause. "The Mother had more warnings, and more signs to look for. To know when the end was near. An end heralded by the man on fire who would burn the world and the breathless who would steal the air." Those predictions alone earn a sound that seemed half-choke and half-gasp from the High Priest of Airis, although Breaking and Rising carry on regardless, apparently ignoring him. "By dying stars that fall to the earth and the rivers of tears from those who chained us. Only after all this and more will the First and Last War come."

"Before she left she tasked the first eight with passing on her signs and Keeping the other Children to their task, but all too soon she was gone." The image shows The Mother fading away slowly. All the Children, even Cypher appear sombre at this moment, though none more so than Breaker.

Rising, whether because of this or for another reason, begins to speak as the image contorts to show the eight shadowy figures. "Elven for 'bone'Nnar the Bone-Dancer, who would found the Black-Bones." One of the figures fleshes out into the appearance of a middle-aged man with a mischievous half-grin playing at his lips. "Elven for 'first'Yeste the Chain-Breaker, who would found the First-Borns." Another figure fleshes out, although it was hardly needed since he had been the one speaking until now. "Elven for 'breath'Suula the Mercy, who would found the Last-Breaths." This figure is that of a young woman with a similar motherly look to The Mother herself, although her features were darker and her eyes more haunted. "Elven for 'blood'Agar the Old-Hand, who would found the Old-Bloods." This figure is much older than the others - a old man with fingers and hands gnarled from too much work and hair whitened from age. "Elven for 'dawn'Anoron the Light-Seeker, who would found the True-Dawns." A blond man appeared next, surrounded by a halo of light and with a grim determined look behind his eyes. "Elven for 'dream'Olos the Third-Eye, who would found the Waking-Dreams." The mis-matched eyes and hair of an Atralumi befell the next figure - a young man that chuckled, his eyes darting around him erratically. "Elven for 'wild'Merka the Ruin, who would found the Wild-Souls." This figure was a serene woman and the only one of them who appeared to have taken care in their appearance - in stark contrast to her names - as her long hair was tied back into a severe and tightly controlled braid with not a hair out of place. "And Elven for 'young'Nessa the Black-Fire, who would found the Young-Blades." As her name suggested, the last was the youngest of the eight - looking to be barely out of her teens (if at all) and with an eagerness to her baring that was reminiscent of Min.

Breaker resumes telling the story now. "The World Between Worlds was not without its dangers, and the Fiends were still a threat. Children were lost. Even Keepers. To the blades that waited in the dark for those the Fiends feared most." Olos' figure vanishes, replaced by another person, though no introduction is given to them. "In sacrifice so that their brothers and sisters could live longer." Anoron's figure vanishes next, with an unannounced replacement. "For trying to cut off the head of a great enemy." Agar is replaced next. "And in not learning from the mistakes of the past." Nessa's is replaced next, though as Breaker continues to speak some of the figures change a few more times - all but Yeste, Suula and Ruin. Curiously, Nnar's figure does change, into that of a skeleton, however the clothing and expression remain, suggesting it is the same man, only changed. "Centuries passed and as Keepers die others receieve the blessings of the Mother and take their place, to pass on her lessons and watch for the signs. The Children grew beyond the first eight Families to become eight Clans with many Families between them and still we waited until he came to us as The Mother said he would. The God with No Name. He came to us with the blood of our enemy on his hands and their power within his grasp. Before we travelled the World Between Worlds as frightened Children but he had won us a freedom that many had failed to win for us before - the World Between Worlds belonged to the Children now. Darkness was no longer a thing to be feared but our refuge. Thus he named himself our Sword in the Dark." The 'he' earns a frown from a few listeners - likely those who had suspected that 'in the Dark' meant that they had something to do with Minloth Zilia.

"And now we wait again, this time for the signs that The Mother told us of - for the war that she freed us to fight and that He will lead us in. Only now we command the darkness and shadows. Darkness that hold fear for the Fiends rather than the Children. And shadows that allow us to speed more of our brothers and sisters from their chains. We are the Children in the Dark."

The next words were spoken by all the Children, their tones a mixture of determination and reverence. "With our eyes,
We remain ever-vigilant.
With ours hands,
We break the bonds that enslave our brothers and sisters.
With our bodies,
We never yield, even to dying breath.
With our swords,
We cut through all who stand in our way.
With our lives,
We die free!"

OOC Another chance for actions/reactions etc. Sorry for the delay, a mixture of the long post and problems with work. It's long past getting ridiculous now ¬¬.

~MTWC