Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 9, 2020 19:08:43 GMT -8
Naoki nods several times in response to Ulfang. Yes, it is a lovely night. Yes, if only the stars would come out. And yes, she is looking absolutely ravishing tonight, and it’s astute of him to notice.
“Sometime,” she supposes, “I’ll take you to my observatory — it’s one of my pet projects, astronomy. To see the stars from down here, very pretty, yes, majestic. Innumerable lights cast against the darkness of the infinite deep. But to behold one from up close…” Standing up, Naoki leans in for effect.
Her voice drops, “...is another sort of beauty entirely.”
Naoki's gesturing finger reaches out, crosses the table, closes in on, and then lightly boops Ulfang’s nose.
“You’ll have to excuse my eccentricity,” she explains, sitting. “But it’s a terrible sort of raw, humbling beauty I’ve not beheld anything like anywhere else. Great plumes of starfire with more energy than all the magic in The Overworld combined, an infinite expanse of light brighter than anything…” Trailing off, she gestures for effect. “There is no subtext,” she cheerfully remarks. “Just incredible enough to inspire a small tirade, just as such.”
“Hungry?” Naoki gestures for their waiter to approach.
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
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Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Apr 14, 2020 20:05:45 GMT -8
Ulfang beams a delighted grin at Naoki's upbeat attitude. It seems their impassioned romp the night previous, obviously resulting in a deficit of sleep, hadn't leeched too much of her energy; in fact, she seems more vibrant than ever. If Ulfang didn't know better, he'd suspect she were some sort of succubus. In point of fact, Ulfang doesn't know better. She could be some sort of succubus.
Ah well, she's a fun succubus, in any case. He twitches his nose at her sudden touch, and raises a confused brow at her, although his smile doesn't recede in the slightest. The giant king listens to her ardent speech with great interest, although admittedly it's more the way she speaks, rather than the words themselves, that catch his ear. Anyone can tell you the stars are pretty, but Naoki's excitement at the awe-inspiring wonder of the firmament is particularly attractive. It might be the first time Ulfang's seen her quite this enthusiastic, excepting the pursuit of physical satisfaction.
"My, Naoki, I hadn't thought you'd be so...fiery, about this. I would be delighted and privileged to see your undoubtedly grand observatory sometime soon," rumbles Ulfang.
"We have nothing of the sort in the Vale. The studies of our scholars tend to be focused on the wonders of the earth and the soul, on philosophy and sociology, as opposed to the glory of the heavens. The occasional astronomer has cropped up in the Vale, but they do not find it a simple task to sway the opinions of the...somewhat traditionalist academic community within our society. My people tend to enjoy the teachings of sophists, magical and interpsychic theorists, ecologists, anthropologists and the like, as opposed to focusing their attention on something as distant and unattainable as the heavens. An unfortunate downfall of a society built upon the ideals of pragmatism over artistry, I'm afraid."
He pauses and leans back in his chair, pondering her words as well as his own response. Finally, he says, "In any case, I eagerly anticipate the tour of your observatory, but as all good things, it must wait. For now, yes, I am famished."
His lips turn up again, this time into a genuine, gentle smile, a rare expression on those terrifically scarred ursine features.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Apr 29, 2020 9:33:21 GMT -8
“Not nearly as firey as the stars,” Naoki quips, her ears then snapping toward the stairs.
A moment later, a member of the waitstaff arrives on the balcony, pen & quill in one hand and a menu in the other. He bows — the very image of decorum, and offers the menu to Ulfang without a word.
“The omelette, please.” The Empress knows what she wants and the kitchen knows how she wants it. The waiter nods and makes a note on their pad.
That done, Naoki leans back to choose her words and allow Ulfang some time with the menu. It’s a rather large placard that details a great bevy of dishes, ranging from the staple of “Meat & Potatoes” all the way up to dishes of seafood listed in Katashiman script. The wine and dessert menus are absent, but a note at the bottom states that the kitchen will attempt to fulfill any request as best they are able (given time), where the word ‘any’ is italicized in an ever-so-slightly dubious manner.
Naoki moves as if to respond to Ulfang, but catches herself and instead makes a benign comment about the soups.
It may be underestimating the loyalty of The Eclipse’s top waiter. It may not be necessary or in any way effective, all this secrecy, but this is untrodden ground. Ulfang stands to become something neither Naoki nor The Empress has ever had before, and past a certain point, she knows not how to handle the situation or even what she intends to do. Not that their current conversation is particularly telling, but so far her behavior with Ulfang outwardly appears utterly unsurprising to everyone. Should this waiter chap get impressions and share them, words will get twisted and speculation will begin. And the people don’t get to speculate until she knows herself. Overthinking? Absolutely, but excessive caution in unfamiliar situations has gotten her as far as this.
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
----------------------
Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on May 7, 2020 20:02:08 GMT -8
Ulfang notes Naoki's keen hearing with a mirthful smirk. His eyes don't leave Naoki's as he nods thanks to the waiter and opens his menu. He glances down at it and leafs through it with passing interest, taking account of the lavish accommodations, before closing it again. He's overlooked most of the finest foods; all these blatantly decadent displays of affluence are a bit much for his tastes, but the menu is hardly the first culture shock he's dealt with since coming to Isra. He finds himself slowly getting used to the grandeur of the place, even if he much prefers the considerably simpler Vale amenities.
It doesn't take him long to decide on a dish. "I will have a, uh..." he's been practicing conversion of measurements since beginning his trek to Isra, but the mental math takes him a breath, "...twenty ounce venison flank, seared but bloody, and a bowl of long-grain rice with salt and butter."
He thinks for a moment, remembering the clause about fulfilling what requests are possible, and adds, "And if you have any South Varan cooks in your kitchen, I would be delighted to have a taste of home; I would request a bowl of fiskesuppe to start with, if you are able. If not, it is no great loss."
He slides the menu aside on the table and returns his attention to Naoki. "Those charming feline ears of yours are not simply aesthetically pleasing, are they?" he observes. "How much better than the average man do you hear? My own senses are remarkably acute due to my magic-enhanced body, but I observed that you noticed the approach of that waiter long before I did."
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on May 9, 2020 13:59:33 GMT -8
This, the waiter makes careful note of, inscribing Ulfang’s order word for word. Hearing the special request, the waiter’s eyes dart to the side, he hesitates.
“I… believe I may have served that dish once before,” he says, tickling his chin with the quill. … He doesn’t quite remember. “Regardless, I will inform the kitchen, they will consult their records, and we will do our very best,” he assures Ulfang with a bow. After offering The Empress a similar bow he excuses himself.
Naoki is struck by the question and inclines her head in consideration.
After a pause, the best she has is, “Significantly?” Naoki shrugs. “I’m unsure how to quantify it, but I don’t believe the average man lends as much credence to their hearing as I do. They’re as second eyes; I can navigate by them, distinguish footsteps, judge distance, hear breathing, and so on. To wear a hat is to wear a blindfold and loud noises are as bright lights. They provide superb situation awareness — of that there’s no doubt, but they can be a burden sometimes, when it rains, for example. I must carry an umbrella for lack of hat, I can't hear over the sound, and thunder is that much more vivid, so sometimes I startle."
“But!” she says, brandishing a finger, “I will also have you know that they are incredibly soft. How soft — you may one day find out, but-.
She pivots. “Here’s something I rarely have the opportunity to ask about — with the understanding that I will take no offense if none is intended: what thoughts do you hold regarding demihumans?”
A question born of curiosity, but more so of a desire to see how Ulfang handles the touchy topic when presented with it as such.
“There’s a greater variety, and likely many more here in Isra than there are in your land, and the same can be said for every foreigner I’ve ever met. My view is far from objective, yet it’s hardly an appropriate topic to ask about. And even if I did, I would only ever hear the same answer — for obvious reasons.” Relating back to her ears. “What thoughts do you have?”
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
----------------------
Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on May 9, 2020 14:50:56 GMT -8
Ulfang nods attentively along as Naoki talks, huffing an amused snort at her assertion of the softness of her ears but otherwise remaining silent until she's finished.
"Thoughts on demihumans?" repeats Ulfang, stroking his short beard thoughtfully as he ponders the topic.
After a short moment of silent rumination, he replies. "A topic of interest within the Vale, surely. I mentioned earlier that we have a modest smattering of anthropologists within the scholarly community, yes? There is a small sect of anthropologists that dedicate their lives to studying what you call demihumans. The Institute for the Study of Near-Humans, in your language. What you call demihumans, we call nær-menneskelige, interhumans, telesapiens, or -- among those of a more...ah...overzealous isolationist bent -- xenos or half-breeds."
"Of course a great many Valemen are naturally wary and distrustful of anything that is not of the Vale, including demihumans, but I do not hold them in contempt for their ignorance; most have never left the safety of the Ravenpeak ring, and very few of our population are nær-menneskelige."
"All this to say: I think demihumans as a phenomenon are fascinating, and as people they are certainly not lesser beings. Some possess strengths that we baseline humans do not, in fact," concludes Ulfang.
His expression shifts into a sightly lascivious grin. "For instance, I know of at least one demihuman who possesses such an incredibly great well of stamina that I would be unsurprised were she to out-perform a centaur. A diminutive felid she may be, but she almost pushed a man of the giant's blood to exhaustion! Really quite remarkable," he rumbles mirthfully.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jun 12, 2020 10:35:08 GMT -8
Naoki nods along as Ulfang details his thoughts and the isolationist bent of his Valemen. A fine enough topic to touch on, but she welcomes the change of subject.
She exhales sharply in response and chuckles. “Were only centaurs not so rare,” she laments — which is phrased as a jest but really isn’t. “I’m told that only a few have ever visited Isra, and I’ve not met a single one — here or elsewhere — if you’d believe that.” She shakes her head.
“But your performance was admirable,” she concedes, “Probably comparable. It seems you’re not nearly as decrepit as one would assume for an elder of your age.” Though said with a straight face, afterward it’s Naoki’s turn to grin.
“Time will tell if it takes," she supposes, "But I suspect we’ll be visiting the Den again soon regardless.”
She reaches for another piece of bread. “It usually takes a day or so for them to clean. … You mentioned that you’ve left your kingdom in good hands, yes?”
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
----------------------
Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
----------------------
Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Jun 23, 2020 20:12:33 GMT -8
"Yes, I suspect we will," affirms Ulfang, a flash of desire flaring up in his eye before he suppresses the emotion.
"In any case, I am not worried about the state of my greater plans overmuch. Whether it takes or not, I have an abundance of time, and the patience to use that time well. While I am in Isra, I plan to enjoy the culture and, more importantly, enjoy your presence. That said, I suspect it will be no more than a year before I will be called home. Although, Divines willing, perhaps you will accompany for a time on my return trip."
"As far as stewardship of the realm is concerned, I have a very competent staff of courtiers which I have delegated to various stately functions, and my uncle, Ulfgar, is filling in as monarch. The guard is being overseen by my very competent lieutenant, Oberst Gunndís Ehrensvärd. She was but a Fenrik, but she distinguished herself quite well in quelling the rebellion and she was one of my closest military advisors besides, so I promoted her to the highest rank under General. Yes, the realm is in very capable hands."
Business talk is hungry work, and so he takes up the second to last roll and slices into it, dropping his gaze from Naoki's to focus on buttering the fluffy bread without getting the greasy substance all over his fingers. "It is a lucky thing that we do not have much of an aristocracy in the Vale. All positions are meritocratic, excepting that of the King, and the King owns all the lands. No ambitious and conniving lesser lords to worry about. Not like the old days, when it was a collection of squabbling Varan lords all jostling for power. My great great grandfather, Gunnar, put an end to that four hundred years ago, a bit before the outside world went to hell, by beating them all into submission through military might. Amazing what a well-organised undead army can achieve," says Ulfang conversationally.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jun 26, 2020 16:15:10 GMT -8
Naoki exhales sharply, amused. She doesn’t doubt that a well-organized undead army is capable of a great deal and knows consolidation of power quite well. “I haven’t seriously considered traveling in some time. … Were I to do any traveling, I would leave Liz — my Consul, Elizabeth Finch , in charge of The Empire,” she supposes. “Back in the old days, when the city was young and before I achieved office, I sponsored a promising-looking soldier's entry into Ildesias’s Dawn Riders. Griffins are not inexpensive, but as someone privy to The Citadel’s secrets and a scout besides, the information she was able to provide me with was of incredible value.” “When I was elected, I gave her command of The Dawn Riders. Since then, she’s led our forces to victory in essentially all of Isra’s important battles. I’m no longer quite as inept as I once was in the art of war, but I relied on her heavily during the early years of my rule. She was there for the invasion of Goraia, she led Isra’s response to Aaedan, and she has defended the city from many attacks — monsters from the forest and the like. She grew alongside me into a decorated combat veteran and a respected leader of men. For a better friend and ally, I could not ask.” “I was, of course, sorry to see my best commander retire. But more than that, I was relieved. ... I worried for her,” Naoki admits, looking away. “Every time she flew into battle — I didn’t doubt her, per se, but Isra has faced some truly dangerous foes and any fight very well could have been her last. I’ve even had a few nightmares to that extent, having to hold a funeral and so on. … That’s the price I pay for mixing the personal and professional, but perhaps this has become oversharing.” “Regardless, I trust Liz to speak in my name and I am grateful that she’s come out of retirement to assist me as Consul. She’s far more mobile than I am, with infinitely more combat experience. She sees to much of that which needs doing in relation to the state of The Empire’s military power and defensive structures — I haven’t personally inspected the border in ages. We are all safer for it, and I am glad for the lightened workload.” Tearing the last piece of bread in two, Naoki leaves half for Ulfang and raises hers in mock-toast, presumably to Liz. “I don’t doubt her ability to hold things together in my absence, but I wouldn’t wish it upon her,” Naoki continues, returning to the notion of travel. “I couldn’t be gone more than a handful of weeks at the most, and I would need to prepare months in advance. I would have to fly both ways just to make it there and back, and it’s probably a poor idea to travel with child.” Naoki hums as she chews, then shrugs. “We’ll see, I suppose. I want for the degree of independence you have.” One ear twitches. “Here comes our food.”
And sure enough, after a brief delay there is the sound of footsteps on the stairs. The same waiter as before comes bearing two platters, one larger than the other. Fittingly enough, the smaller of the two is placed before The Empress and the other before Ulfang. “For milady, the omelette, and for m'lord, the venison. Excuse me.” The narrow staircase necessitates a second trip down and back up for the rice and wine stand, and a third for the wine itself. He brings two bottles: a red Rondi wine, as well as a rather scuffed bottle, its label lost, of what is in actuality Medanese Gold of the 203 vintage. At a motion from The Empress, he pours her a cup of the Rondi wine and leaves his corkscrew on the table. “The fiskesuppe will be ready soon, milord. The runners have just returned with the ingredients.” The waiter bows to each of them again, looks between them for any additional requests, and then excuses himself, leaving the mystery-wine unexplained and wishing that they “Enjoy the meal.”
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
----------------------
Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
----------------------
Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Jul 2, 2020 20:19:50 GMT -8
Ulfang listens to Naoki's story, nodding along with interest, and the corners of his lips turn up slightly in a grin at the mention of losing her in battle. He takes the bread half and copies Naoki's faux-toast before chowing down on it himself.
He gets a pensive look on his face as he chews, using it as a time to try and form his words into something tactful so as not to offend Naoki's Isran sensibilities. He swallows, and then speaks.
"I understand being worried for a friend, Naoki, but one should hope for death in battle! There is no more honourable a death than one of sacrifice in glorious combat, and she would feast in the halls of the Sanguine Lord for all eternity for it. She would be elevated as a minor god in the afterlife, and lesser men would toast her heroism for all eternity! And, if she were a citizen of the Black Vale, her corpse would be preserved in the catacombs and reawakened in our times of greatest need, like all of our heroes of days long past. Honestly, I think it's a waste that Israns simply bury theirs and feed them to the undeserving worms or else burn their bodies to ash, though my Northern Varan brethren are similarly wasteful, so I suppose I cannot criticise overmuch."
"Alas, but this is no more an age of heroes. The world is largely at peace, and the only battles that remain are petty revolts that are easily quashed or treaty negotiations," he says with a slight grimace at the last word.
He once again listens intently as she details what necessary restrictions would burden her visit, and frowns.
"Lady Naoki, you are The Empress. Who is there to tell you when you may or may not leave Isra? The efficiency of your Empire's bureaucracy is famed the world over, and you tell me now that your absence would cause the Empire to collapse in but a few weeks? Either that reputation is undeserved, or you put far too much stock in the necessity to attend to every little matter of Imperial business yourself, begging your pardon for my candor," he says, steepling his fingers before his mouth as he speaks.
Ulfang inhales deeply the savory scent of the venison, and it's enough to nearly set him drooling. He claps his palms together and rubs his hands, staring down at the flanks with a greedy gaze.
"These look to be cooked to perfection," intones Ulfang, almost reverently. He is apparently not one to hang on protocol -- although Naoki likely already knows as much -- as without waiting for Naoki to start dining, he takes his knife and fork in his hands, invokes a quick prayer in an inscrutable language to whatever heathen gods he may worship, and then slices off a large piece of the steak before popping it unceremoniously into his mouth and chewing. Based upon his facial expression, he's very pleased with the taste. A small stream of thin red liquid drips down to his beard, which he wipes away with his napkin.
"Lovely," he approves, grinning widely at Naoki as he swallows his first bite. "Your chefs are very fine, Lady, very fine indeed."
Then, the waiter's words dawn on him.
"Hold on, they're sending runners for ingredients? That isn't really necessary, I would have simply gone without," he says, frowning at the implied misfortune of the poor men roused to go find a fish market in the dead of night.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jul 11, 2020 7:01:38 GMT -8
Hearing Ulfang’s comments about her administration, Naoki smirks, but holds her comment. She thanks the waiter, and watches him leave before taking up her utensils.
“Oh no no no, certainly not! They’re very gung-ho about their fresh fish here,” she replies. “It’s something of a fad — and if you ask me, something of a racket in league with the fishmongers guild.”
“You see, the clientele of this fine establishment are willing to pay exorbitant premiums for fresh seafood,” she continues. “Such that it’s apparently become profitable to employ a whole team of retired messengers to ride to and from the Port carrying little barrels with live fish and crustaceans in. There’s a whole wing of the kitchen for it now, as not to stink up the food. They’ll kill and gut the things right there, and have them served up on a platter for you mere minutes later, only an hour or two after it was yanked from the ocean, and for only twenty times or so what it should cost.”
“I’ve had nothing to do with it,” Naoki feels the need to clarify, “And I sincerely doubt that any of the customers can tell the difference. I much preferred when parfaits were vogue, but...” She shrugs, beginning to cut up her omelette. “They take pride in their work and keep it well away from me, so whatever tickles their fancy, I suppose. They’re probably ecstatic to serve you — a King, and relish the challenge of being asked to prepare such an exotic dish. … I wonder how they’ll do.”
“As for my bureaucracy...” Naoki chuckles, amused by Ulfang’s comment. “It is very efficient, yes. It moves swiftly and acts decisively, never at odds with itself, and always toward the same set of goals. There’s very little inter-departmental correspondence and no time is wasted squabbling or in extraneous meetings. It’s very effective and undoubtedly to what the state owes its rapid growth and continued prosperity.”
Naoki makes Ulfang wait as she chews a bite of her meal.
“‘But what’s the secret?’ you might ask. ‘How is such a thing constructed?’ ‘What features does it have, and how does it do its job so well?’” Again, Naoki smirks, clearly enjoying herself with this bit.
“But you know full well what features it has. You've already seen every inch of Isra’s bureaucracy and are well on your way to knowing her better than most.”
Tapping her chest, Naoki indicates herself.
“The rest of the government is essentially a mechanism to feed me information and carry out my orders; I make all high-level decisions. I don’t micromanage save for the most critical of matters, but all strategic-level planning is me, as are decisions of budget and policy. To truly take leave for more than a few days I would need to grant more autonomy to officials throughout The Empire to stop things seizing up — which is a truly unappealing idea. More likely, I would lay out plans in advance, direct Liz to handle what isn’t accounted for, and regularly confer with her to offer guidance where she’s uncertain. It’s doable, and I trust her to handle things in the event of an unforeseen absence on my part, but I would much prefer to have as small of a mess as possible to return to, come the end of whatever outing I may embark on.” Again, she shrugs.
At this point, The Empress’s Omelette has been thoroughly diced into small pieces. She begins to eat in earnest, neglecting the wine for the time being.
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
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Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Jul 28, 2020 19:57:07 GMT -8
Ulfang listens with interest to Naoki's description of the fish racket, but snorts bemusedly at her comment about fiskesuppe being exotic. "My lady, fiskesuppe is a meal of fishermen and peasants, and warriors on quest or gone viking across the sea. It is often made with salted fish, even, especially in the winter. I assure you, it is no great challenge to prepare. It is a homely meal, and that is why it appeals to me. To be able to taste such familiarity in such a strange land as Isra is a comfort, and I am certain your world-class chefs are more than able to prepare such a simple dish," he explains.
He takes the bowl in his hands and holds it up to his lips, drinking straight from the vessel. It's not exactly polite, but given the nonchalance with which he does it, it would appear to be custom in the chilly basin from whence he hails. He places the bowl down again and reaches for the wine while he listens to her spiel about her bureaucracy, but as he takes a sip, his eyes grow distant and he appears to stop listening, just as she says the words "strategic-level planning".
He snaps out of it after she's been silent for a while, shaking his head. "You put far too much weight on your own shoulders, my lady, in my humble opinion. A ruler must know how to delegate! An empire so reliant upon its emperor would be in dire straits if its emperor were to be indisposed for any period of time, which is a disadvantage, no?" he says, although his words are half-hearted. Apparently something else is on his mind.
He makes his thoughts clear a moment later as he takes another long sip of wine, and then affixes Naoki with a jubilant stare with his single golden eye, his scarred lips turned up into a grin. "I cannot believe you remembered what my favourite vintage is. You are truly a spectacular woman, my lady. However can I repay such thoughtful generosity?" he enthuses, bowing his head in respect and thanks.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Sept 3, 2020 16:39:39 GMT -8
Naoki smiles weakly. Yes, it would be, and that’s her problem.
But then Ulfang recognizes his gift. Naoki’s smile shifts to a smug smirk of self-satisfaction as he realizes exactly what she’s served him, and she’s happy to drop the sober subject.
“It was a simple matter to send for some,” she says, waving a hand to jokingly downplay the gesture. But she’s clearly quite pleased with herself and takes Ulfang’s response literally, considering for the space of a few moments what she more she might squeeze him for before waving that thought away as well.
“... Well, whatever it ends up being, get two, as I was able to find another bottle, which is to be your Yuletide gift.” Raising her glass in a half-toast, Naoki sips her wine before pausing to gently swirl the remainder about and consider the man sitting opposite her.
“That is perhaps my favorite part about being The Empress,” she adds. “The ability to give meaningful gifts where-and-whenever they are deserved. … You’ve certainly proven yourself as such,” she supposes, chuckling to herself.
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
----------------------
Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Oct 21, 2020 20:24:42 GMT -8
Ulfang shows a toothy grin and raises his glass in toast, taking another deep sip before finishing off his fiskesuppe and picking up his fork and serrated knife to start on the flank of venison. He swallows the first bite, dabbing away at the residual trace of juice around his lips before speaking.
"I will think of something," he promises seriously, "although I know not what I have done to deserve such extravagant gifts. Your legendary generosity is evidently not overstated."
He leaves it at that for the moment, sipping contentedly at his wine as the two sit in companionable silence, enjoying the pleasure of one another's company and the exquisite vittles. By the time Ulfang speaks again, the meal is nearly done, with but a few slices of venison left and the bottle much lighter than when the night began.
"I would like to experience the ways in which you Israns celebrate Yuletide," says Ulfang pensively. "It is a venerable tradition among the Varan, but we in the Vale celebrate it somewhat differently than our Northern cousins. Admittedly I am surprised that the practise has been brought so far south. Perhaps I could take another trip to Isra during the Winter Solstice, hmm? Winter in the Vale is very cold, after all. The biting winds make my old bones ache, and it is much warmer here."
Ulfang's wry smile makes the statement a self-deprecatory joke, but his tone implies that the request -- or offer, perhaps -- is genuine.
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