Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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The Throne
Oct 20, 2019 14:03:34 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Oct 20, 2019 14:03:34 GMT -8
Ah, a challenge! The captain chuckles lightly, her smile turning into a smirk. Time to go to work. "I didn't expect this to be easy, so I'm more than willing to get down to brass tacks."
"First of all, thank you for the commendation. Our ports are aiming to be the pride o' the seas, and we're well on track for that," she says, starting her spiel. "But our current capacity is already taken up by trade, just not international. Y'see, my father started goin' legit over forty years ago, that's when we became a trade nation. Independent trade has been flowin' through Libertalia for years, all legit, from all corners of the world."
She continues as she shifts her weight from one foot to the other. "Now it's true that we may entertain those of a suspicious nature, we are a land o' the free, after all, but many o' those folk don't start anythin' on our shores, they're on Libertalia for a good time. You'll find pickpockets and thieves, aye, but no more than you'd find in your own city, Empress." She stops and crosses her arms. "But the common criminal is not at all unique, I know that your main concern lays with those who continue the trade that my family and all those under our employ gave up a long time ago."
She opens her arms again and smiles. "The simple answer is, your trade routes are fully protected," she says. "Any ships travelling along your routes are not to be touched by anyone, not even my own fleet, and the reason for this is very simple, it's the exact reason I am here today." She looks to Fontaine, who begins rummaging in the bag once again. "We don't have all too many laws on my island, this I'll admit, but all the big ones are covered. The biggest is trade protection, an' we do this with the help of the native Dwarven population."
Fontaine soon produces a sketching of a room with a large stone tablet in the middle. "We have runesmiths working around the clock, monitoring all the ships that want t' call Libertalia home. Each one is marked, and if one gets too close to a trade route, they get watched. If they come to my port with fresh cargo? Well, considering Ol' Ogden was about to be keelhauled, you get the picture." She hands the diagram sketch to Naoki to inspect. If she knew anything about runes or scrying, she would likely notice that she isn't lying.
"If it happens outside our waters?" She can only offer a shrug. "That's not something I can control without expanding our borders, and we're comfortable as is for the moment."
Fontaine begins rummaging again before she produces a tome, and hands it to Johnnie. "Thank you, Alaris." The elf nods in acknowledgement. "And your concern about what we trade in is fair, considering our distasteful reputation. We're an industrious sort, and our Island provides a decent amount o' natural resources. Our mines produce top quality minerals, mined by some of the most experienced dwarves on the planet. We also use our mines as quarries for all sorts of stone."
"Then there's the forests," she continues. "Our wood further inland is sturdy, sturdy enough that some o' our newer ships and homes are made from it. Even my father's manor is, and I'm quite comfortable to call it home."
She opens the book and begins flipping through pages. "We also brew our own ales, and we're expecting to start fermenting wine in the coming years. You'll get a taste for our goods once you try the samples we brought, im sure." She looks up with a smile before she goes back to the book. "And ships, of course. Our shipwrights usually made ships for my fleet, but with international trade coming in, we are open to the idea of building top quality ships for our partners."
She closes the book and also offers into Naoki. It seems to be the condensed version of Libertalia's production ledger. Some sort of catalogue, really. "But we also make our money by being a trading hub," she says. "Merchants from all over sell their wares, and we sell it forward. Just about anything goes through our ports, if you need it we can provide. Of courses the spice trade is incredible this time of year."
"In reality, Empress Naoki," she says, crossing her arms. "Libertalia's ports aren't much more dangerous than your own. They're guarded by my people, and most are there to make coin legitimately. The island's a gorgeous place and the city is more fun than any I've been to. Even our women are among the most beautiful," she says with a grin as she nods to Fontaine. The elf smiles and offers a small wink to the empress.
"There's more than enough reason for me to protect it, and to attract more folk, especially the spendin' type. Some of the businesses in the city is how I make my own money, after all," she says with a short laugh. Finally, she opens her arms again and grins. "If you would like to make a visit and see it all for yourself, your grace, I would be glad to have you on my island. You would be the first t' make a state visit, in fact. Y' can consider that as formal an invitation as I can give."
"That's how y' fix the narrative," she says as her arms go to her hips. "Tell the masses that we're a legitimate trade partner now, not the pirates that we used to be. I'm sure they're more likely to believe you if you were to swing by for a few nights."
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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 Oct 21, 2019 15:23:16 GMT -8
The Empress shakes her head, “That’s not what I’m asking. I don’t worry for the safety of my ships at all. Every vessel that flies The Empire’s Sun (legally) sails under its protection — under my protection, and I take it very seriously. Don’t get me wrong, I very much appreciate what you’re doing, and I mean that sincerely. Your efforts prevent a lot of bloodshed and lost gold, and that’s very valuable. So much so that I could be convinced to compensate you for the service … But trying to sell me on ‘trade protection’ is trying to sell me something I already have, not a reason why Isra should open trade relations with Libertalia.”
“I have no doubt that The Imperial Navy can protect The Empire’s trade routes because I built it for expressly that purpose. That’s why there are so many warships growing barnacles down at the docks and why labor is so plentiful in Port Silverion: they’re reserve sailors.”
“Your efforts notwithstanding, if Isran ships start getting attacked, I will damn well go out there and protect them myself by commanding the full might of The Imperial Navy to hunt down and ‘bring justice’ to any so foolish as to believe it wise to fool with Empress Naoki’s ships.”
There is a momentary pause, during which the silence is especially loud.
“And,” she adds, raising one finger. “I would relish the opportunity; it’s not often that I have the opportunity to go sailing.”
“No,” she continues, “The issue is not that I fear for my ships. The assurance that they will not be robbed is the bare minimum expected of a sanctioned port. I appreciate the effort you’re making and the assurance you’re giving me — and I take you at your word for it. Your system seems robust and is very much required.” “But when you say you’d like to open trade relations, I assume you mean trade, as it is perpetrated by traders — merchants. The owners of ships who make a living buying goods in one place and selling them in another for profit. The well-to-do sorts who live in large houses, dress in fine silks, and often congregate in The Moonlight Eclipse. It’s their moving of goods that allows producers in Isra to export their wares overseas, and it is they who bring exotic items from abroad to be sold in the markets.”
“And, with no disrespect intended, they don’t care how ‘fun’ Libertalia’s port may or may not be. I might for the purposes of visiting, but they make their decisions on the basis of risk versus reward — on cold, hard gold. Most of the time, seeing as how they value their lives and their ship is the sum of their livelihood, they’ll choose to take the safe routes that net them a tidy profit rather than risking it all for perhaps a larger payout. These aren’t grizzled captains coming together to exchange the goods they’ve appropriated, these are members of the gentry — soft, portly, and risk-averse.”
“And why should they visit a port that that harbors criminals in the most literal sense? They would be standing shoulder-to-shoulder and interacting with the very same who practice piracy on the open sea. Perhaps not on them, perhaps not near the port, and perhaps not as a majority, but piracy all the same. Even if it is absolutely certain it will not be eaten, and even if it knows there are carrots there, how many rabbits do you think would venture into the wolf den?”
“If all I tell my people is that there is legitimate trade to be found in Libertalia, yes, a few will go. But then all goods that they may bring back are automatically of questionable legality because it’s entirely possible that those goods, perhaps though the hands of a middleman, were once owned by a trader just the same as themselves. If you’re only enforcing the most basic laws of decency, follow logically that Libertalia is the premier location for pirates to offload goods under the pretense of 'legality', because it's not illegal if no law exists to make it so.”
“Not only that, but you can best your last silver that Isran traders will return with illegal goods hidden in among the lumber and minerals. Visiting under the pretense of legitimate trade will enable the more mischievous merchants to import huge quantities of whatever they can buy in Libertalia, completely compromising all of my import restrictions and supplying the blackmarkets of Isra as they never have before.”
Empress Naoki shrugs. “I’d like to work with you, and I may very well take you up on that offer to visit, but based on what you’ve told me so far, I truly don’t see why opening for trade with Libertalia would be a good idea for Isra. There exists the potential for a few people to make a lot of money, yes, but the decision-making apparatus of The Isran Empire has successful businesses of her own and sees no justifiable reason to support yours.”
Again, The Empress shrugs, palms up. There’s no malevolent intent, but The Captain said she was in favor of speaking plainly.
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Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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The Throne
Oct 21, 2019 15:52:44 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Oct 21, 2019 15:52:44 GMT -8
The Captain doesn't flinch at Naoki's words, and her smile only lowers a little in disappointment. Well, she had expected something like this, the comfortable emperors and kings of the world tended to be soft when it came to dealing with the adventurous sorts.
"I understand your concern, most certainly," Johnnie finally says, crossing her arms over her chest. "And my protection is more of a formality to keep the peace, if truth be told. Considering our reputation, I don't like the notion of having navies knocking on my door if some fool decides to do something extremely stupid." Like ol' Ogden. It wasn't just a gift to bring him here, peace is always the preferred option.
One tucked hand comes out as if to offer a question. "But you also act as though smugglers don't already exist, I mean your black markets have already been supplied somehow. I highly doubt it would sway the balance either way if we opened trade, especially if your port is regulated and ships checked to the extent that is expected. We ourselves do our checks on every ship to ensure nobody is carrying the one commodity that is punishable by death. Slaves."
Then, she finally shrugs. "It's no secret that there are less reputable folk in my city, many trying to start a new life. I cant very well hold up the idea of freedom if I can't let people start over again. They haven't committed crimes against me, I can't throw them out until they do." She crosses her arms once again. "But the vast majority are good folk, and have come to Libertalia to make it home. As I said before, our nations aren't too different, Empress, we all have bad folk in our midst but we can't do anything if they do those things out of our jurisdiction. If we did? That would be a world wide manhunt, and I don't see that as a wise investment."
"But you know all that," the Captain says. "You'd be a bad leader not to, and I've heard otherwise. If the issue really is your fat bourgeois traders" - a word she had added to her lexicon after a fairly odd 'for the workers' fellow came to Libertalia - "Then I can only say that they would be highly protected in my waters. Trade is our lifeblood, it's no longer the pilfering ways of the past. They'd likely be as protected in our waters as they would yours, as they would in our ports as well. It's the only way we can maintain our paradise."
"Anything that leaves our storehouses with the Libertalia seal is legitimate, that I can personally guarantee," she continues, trying to remember the main points of Naoki's arguments. "But the rest, we know when a shipment has been stolen, and when it hasn't been. My father used to be the king of stolen goods, we can often see them a mile away. The vast majority that we receive are from legitimate independent traders, not corsairs, probably the same traders that trade in every port."
The woman smiles again, however, undeterred by her disappointment. "But I think I've made my case clear, and if my word is not enough to at least make y' consider the notion of trade, then I doubt nothin' more will. You've made it clear that you understand what we're tryin' to become, and you have my respect for that. I'm sure sometime in the future we can revisit trade, but until then I would be content with friendly relations, at the least. We're entering the world stage, after all, might as well play nice."
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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 Oct 25, 2019 9:30:57 GMT -8
Listening, Empress Naoki nods not so much in agreement, but approval. By saying what she did in the way she did, Naoki meant to see how The Captain would respond, and the answer is seemingly to her liking. Captain O’Malley did not take rejection or criticism poorly, and she did not bristle at Naoki’s half-implicit threat. She responds with an appropriate, well-reasoned acknowledgment and doesn’t try to force the issue. Captains are not expected to be skilled in such a manner; this must be the penchant for diplomacy that got O'Malley as far as this and is now carrying her further with the approval of The Empress.
“The core of the issue with open trade is that it would make transport between Isra and Libertalia very very easy where it currently is not, and the problem with that is that you don’t enforce the rule of law.”
“By your own profession, Libertalia a place for people (criminals) to start a new life, regardless of what they’ve done in the past. It’s a refuge, where anyone can walk the street without fear of prosecution, because liberty and freedom and all of that. The fact that you’re legitimizing the place and turning the focus away from crime is good, but you’re not changing the premise upon which order in its society is based.”
“The people of Isra don’t commit crimes because they know that the law will be upheld throughout the land and all who commit crimes are justly punished for it. Crime still happens, but by taking away the reasons to and giving very good reasons why not to, the overwhelming majority never even consider crime in the first place, and order is achieved. If an assassin were to kill someone here in Isra, Isra would disseminate wanted posters and the assassin wouldn’t be able to show their face anywhere. The people do not want a killer running around, but they do want the reward money. Sending wanted posters to Libertalia is a waste of time, because you do not enforce the rule of law and the people of Libertalia have no issue with having a killer in their midst — because many of them may very well be criminals of some sort themselves.”
“If I endorse Libertalia and make it easy to get there, I would be endorsing a refuge to escape my own law — easily, without suspicion, for the low low price of passage on a merchant’s ship. An assassin could ply their trade at night and catch a ship out the following morning, escaping as soon as the ship sets off. Smuggling is similar, just the inverse: it would be a way to bring goods into Isra easily and without suspicion. I could check each and every crate, but some would slip through the cracks regardless, and the officials checking are susceptible to bribes.”
“It’s in our mutual interest to maintain good relations — you’re a good person to know, and I’m glad you’ve come. Though I would like to support your goal of legitimacy and rehabilitation,exposing my nation to yours in open trade would be to expose my nation to a criminal refuge, and I’m not willing to do that.”
“However,” Empress Naoki adds, raising one finger, “Isra will purchase goods produced in Libertalia. The Empire needs about as many raw resources as you might expect, so I would be happy to source some from Libertalia — wood, stone, and whatever else, by the ton, with your seal. We can work out rates and conduct the exchange through official channels, as not to risk anything untoward.”
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Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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The Throne
Oct 25, 2019 13:24:35 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Oct 25, 2019 13:24:35 GMT -8
Johnnie nods in a similar way to Naoki, accepting the criticism for what it is, absolutely true. However, there is one sticking point. "I should point out, Empress, we do have laws. The more heinous crimes are punished, like murder, arson, rape, the usual suspects, enforced by almost every nation, including my own," she explains. "I'm not exactly letting animals run amok. If your would be assassin operated on my soil, he'd be hunted down as much as he would be here. Just coming to our shores though? How would we know?" All she can do is shrug. "Our brig isn't empty, I'll tell you that much."
"But I respect where you're coming from," she says with a bright smile. "And bringing in a more common law is an idea we've been toying with on the council, but it's a delicate situation. Introduce them all at once an' you run the risk of protest and uprising, or tarnishing our reputation of paradise. It'll take time, but we know that if we want to be taken seriously we'll need 'em eventually." She shifts her weight from one leg to the other with a smirk. "You know how stupid people can get when the 'government' does just about anything that would affect them, for better or worse."
Of course, once Naoki mentions it would be good for the nations to be friends, she beams brightly. "Protect the people, but make the friends. Empress, I can respect that. Having Isra as a friend would give us that boost on the world stage we've been lookin' for. On behalf of Libertalia, thank you for giving us the chance." That's a lot of pressure off of the council's shoulders, that much is true. Now they only have to worry about Tawakoshin pirate hunters who just won't get a clue… Curse these nations and their actually decent navies.
Johnnie's hands go to her hips as she beams. "Aye, and we've got plenty of it, Empress," Johnnie says, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Now this is the diplomacy she wanted! Even if it's not quite the whole package, it's a boost to the income. "And of course, I'm not about to go through numbers standin' here like a loon. You have your lads draft up your needs an' I'll bring em back to my councillor for trade. He can work out the best price like no other. Dwarves, Empress, when it comes to gold they can narrow how much something is worth to the copper."
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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 Oct 27, 2019 14:59:01 GMT -8
Empress Naoki nods in response; it is very benevolent of her, and she appreciates the thanks. She makes a mental note to have Robert see to the importing; quantities of material are his domain.
“Part of my expectation,” Empress Naoki adds, “Just so that we’re on the same page, is that in the event that a miscreant of particular note to me attempts to hide behind you on Libertalia, you and I will be able to sort things out between ourselves such that there's no fuss and I won’t need to step on your toes to get to them.”
One, two beats.
“We need not speak of that further — indeed, we probably shouldn’t, but I’m saying as much explicitly here at the outset so that it won’t come as a surprise if it ever does.”
Moving right along, “And I will release a decree of endorsement recognizing Libertalia as a fledgling state with you as its leader. A state that is on good terms with Isra and with whom Isra will be conducting limited trade. Making note of the distinction between the state and its people, and relating your assurance that Isran ships are safe in Libertalia’s waters.” One ear tilts to the side as The Empress considers if there’s anything else. She doesn’t come up with anything, and gives Captain O’Malley a questioning look.
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Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Oct 28, 2019 4:32:11 GMT -8
Johnnie could see that coming a nautical mile away, considering what they had just spoken about, and her amused huff made that fairly plain. "Aye, we can speak on that if it comes down t' that," she says with a firm nod. Whether it be the return of said person, or coin for their 'freedom'. Johnnie always needed people with certain skills, why not keep Isra potentially happy with gold, and Libertalia happy with a new skilled crew member to put to work. Of course, she wouldn't say that.
Besides, Johnnie could only assume Naoki knew the value of certain types of skilled criminals, and what they would do for their freedom. Empires are never built by the completely moral, after all.
But the rest of Naoki's words fill the captain with excitement. To be recognised by a world power, even as a fledgling state, is a huge step for them. Not only did that give them some clout on the world stage, it also gave them legitimacy in their waters and borders. Pirate hunters would not have to declare war on a nation, if they wanted to attack Libertalian ships.
"Aye, of course they would be safe," Johnnie says with another nod. "I'll see to it that all captains and ships that pass through my waters know not to touch your boys. I'll make sure my rune smithing allies set somethin' up for your ships, too, so we can keep an eye on 'em while they're in our waters. With yer permission of course." Fat chance, but Johnnie is confident they could work something out.
With the questioning look, Johnnie considers her next move. There wasn't any more political maneuvering to do, which is fine by her quite frankly, but there is something else. "Empress, if we're done politicking and peacocking on behalf of our nations, I have a personal matter I'd like to discuss."
She reaches into bag held by her beautiful first mate and pulls out a diagram. "I thought I'd take the opportunity to ask about a week somethin' I'm looking for. I've done a lot of adventuring in my years, lots of exploring and partaking in daring exploits, you know the type. It's given me a love for the strange and unknown, particularly in ancient tales and artefacts." She offers the empress the diagram, a set of ancient looking drawings of four sea creatures, all in the corners of the page, with the middle taken up by an almost octopus looking creature.
"Have y' seen or have anythin' with any of these five symbols on 'em?" She asks. "I'm a bit of a collector, I reckon they're symbols of great importance, belongin' to the people that used to call the islands all over the south home. Sorta fell in love with the designs, y'know how it goes."
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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 Oct 28, 2019 20:23:22 GMT -8
Supposing that they are done politicking, Empress Naoki accepts the diagram and leans forward in her throne in order to properly examine it.
“Mmmh… You’ve asked the right person, I’ve done a fair amount of reading in my day and I would like to say that I’ve seen these symbols before — especially these two at the bottom — but I can’t… quite say where.”
Holding it up to the light, Naoki furrows her eyebrows, attempting to place it.
“The cover of the tome was green,” she recalls, “and I ate eggs for lunch that day... but I cannot for the life of me remember what the book was or what context these symbols were presented in. … It bothers me I can’t remember. ... I know someone who does know, though, and I would be happy to ask on your behalf. Is this your only copy, or may I borrow it to show them?”
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Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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The Throne
Oct 29, 2019 20:38:16 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Oct 29, 2019 20:38:16 GMT -8
Johnnie gets an excited smile across her face, skewing the claw scars that cross her eye just a smidge, at the news of finding the right person. Having friends in high places really is nice, and it's a nice change as Johnnie usually IS the friend in a high place. Politics does have benefits, apparently.
"They aren't as well documented as I'd hoped, my book research only has them recorded on three islands," Johnnie says as she explains. "At least to my research, but I've seen 'em on many more. Usually at shrines and such, places in use long before our times, the places I've done my own snooping and discovery. I reckon I've learnt more there than in books, but I've not read one with a green cover. Could come in useful, if it turns up."
The captain then nods. "The Serpent and the shark fin. They turn up more than the others, I've got my theories as t' why, but nothing solid. Go ahead and keep that copy, your grace, I could redraw 'em with my eyes closed by now, if I didn't have my own copies handy already made. The originals don't leave my study on the island, under lock and key, you know how it is with these sortsa things, eh?"
Finally, she grins. "Please, your grace, I'd pay a high price for that sorta information. Gold, gems, a night with meself and Fontaine here, maybe even a ship if the information is good enough. We are friends after all, and I treat my friends well."
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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 Nov 1, 2019 15:37:44 GMT -8
Taken aback by the offer, Empress Naoki blinks. Flirting is fine, making implications is fine, even suggesting they go somewhere with a bit more privacy right there and right then — that would be within the bounds of what Naoki thinks to be acceptable. Quite forward, but acceptable. She’d be a hypocrite otherwise.
But for Captain O’Malley to offer to spread her legs and those of her associate as payment — that crosses the line. That’s the point where it stops being the licentious whims of The Empress and starts being an economy of sexual favors in name as well as practice, where she is thought to give and receive on the basis of reward and payment rather than simply doing whoever she wants. That’s the line where The Empress becomes just as hedonistically corrupt as she's made out to be and the point past which any remaining pretenses of respectability are lost.
Which — being faced by Johnnie and her lieutenant — is not necessarily to say that Naoki objects to the offer, per se — but to be so flagrantly candid as that is too far, even for her.
Of course, The Empress says none of this and is not so transparent as to be read in such a manner.
Rather, she raises a single eyebrow in tentative interest, mildly offended but not enough to say anything aloud.
“I’ll see what information I can gather,” Empress Naoki supposes, looking between the two of them. “And we’ll go from there.”
As a closing note on the topic at hand, “It was likely an old traveler’s log; ideally, there will be some actionable information to be found either in their notes or the course of their journey. It will take some time to conduct a proper search, but you’ll hear from me when I'm done.”
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Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Nov 2, 2019 16:42:34 GMT -8
Forwardness is the only way to get things done in Johnnie's eyes, perhaps why she has a little difficulty putting things in a political way. It's gotten her in trouble on a handful of occasions, but it's also gotten her things she wants, and the balance between the two is highly skewed to the latter. Of course that goes both ways, when she wants something, she's not going to be shy about what she can offer in return, though some offers are limited depending on the person and what she wants.
Information about her obsession from a beautiful world leader? Well there's a lot on the menu she's prepared to offer.
Her offers seem to get some sort of reaction from the Empress, but only an eyebrow lift? Makes sense, considering how high Isra's taxes are and it's trade dealings, she likely didn't want for money, or even gems to an extent. Perhaps Johnnie would need to show some of the rarer ones they traded on Libertalia. Of course that also meant she could afford to build any ships she wanted, even if Libertalian designs were more unique and, to some, more effective. Finally, perhaps she just isn't into the more rugged kind of woman, and though good looking Johnnie knows what she is.
What would offend her is if Naoki wasn't interested in Fontaine. Now that's just insane.
Either way, Johnnie suspects that Naoki's reaction was probably that of general disinterest in her offers. Only time would tell. She did, after all, have information of her own that she could trade.
"Old traveller's logs are just as useful as researched books to me," Johnnie says as the topic shifts a bit. "Candid, usually like minded folk to myself. They know what to look out for, and what I'd be looking for, and have a whole lot less guff and unnecessary rubbish between the lines." It must be an adventurers thing, though documented books are fine, they usually miss the little things that could make or break an adventure, like a strange rock formation that could easily be missed by the untrained eye, but ends up being a waypoint for future travellers.
"We're looking forward to hearing from you, your grace," Johnnie says with a wide, swashbuckling smile. "We'll keep our anchor down in port, won't be hard to find us. Especially not with him stomping about," she says as she hooks a thumb at Iron Bill, who had been standing there, ominously still, for their entire session.
Though water beads out of the cracks of his armour, not a single drop had hit the carpets somehow. A trained eye would notice that they would stop somewhere down the rusty iron and change direction back into another crack somehow, as if controlled. What a bizarre creature…
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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 Nov 13, 2019 10:39:47 GMT -8
The Empress nods. “That’s why I mentioned it. You can expect a messenger in the coming days — I’ll have them look for a large fellow of rusty complexion.” A small joke, mostly token.
“Until we meet again, I wish you safe travels.” With a nod of her head, The Empress dismisses O’Malley’s party, permitting them to take their leave.
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Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley
Established
Roleplay posts: 33
Age: 36
Physical Description: Captain O'Malley has a fairly muscular physique from years of rigging and sailing, but still maintains a feminine beauty. She sports high cheek bones, full lips, and a perfect jawline, topped with somewhat messy brown hair, more often than not pulled into a pony-tail behind her head.
So she's really quite attractive, if you dig scars and tattoos of course. Over her right eye and nose are four scars that go from just above her eyebrow to a little under her cheek bone, though that doesn't take from her stunning green eyes.
Her scars continue all around her body, from a slash here and there, to one or two puckers along her shoulder and legs from errant arrows. Though battle worn, she continues the good fight.
Her body is also heavily tattooed, the most visible being a heart just between her eye and ear, along the cheek bone, a decorative piece not unlike a choker around her neck with four points that point outwards, and a tattooed necklace with a heart shaped pendant just above her cleavage.
Over the rest of her body are a myriad of other tattoos, though hidden while wearing long sleeves and clothes.
Clothes and Equipment: Captain O'Malley usually wears a green bandanna over her brown hair that matches her father's green and leather coat which she wears with pride, regardless of the holes and marks in the leather. Under the coat she wears a high collared cloth shirt with a long draw string which she leaves partly open, revealing the locket tattoo and cleavage beneath.
Her pants are soft to the touch and easy to run around in, and a matching green to her shirt and bandanna. Her boots and gloves are a matching pair of light brown, with the boots sporting steel caps, and her gloves having steel studs along the knuckles.
Finally, she wears a fancy belt, and sometimes an eyepatch over her left eye, especially when combat is a possibility.
Allegiances: Libertalia
Registered: Jul 9, 2019 18:50:09 GMT -8
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Post by Captain "Johnnie" O'Malley on Nov 19, 2019 4:40:17 GMT -8
The Captain grins a toothy grin and her clap once. "Right, sorted then," she says. "Looks like we're hanging about for a few days then! I'll let the boys know t' be on their best behaviour and t' spend a wee bit o' cash at your fine establishments. See if we can't head back with a few souvenirs for the folks waiting back home."
Alaris makes herself bust putting away all the scrolls and books she had pulled out previously while Bill… just sort of stands there, silently.
"I'll likely be on my ship if you're lookin' for me, your grace," the Captain continues. "If I'm not there, just follow the sounds of music, laughter, and merriment, I'm sure you'll find us." Her smile is certainly genuine, but perhaps it may end up being the guards who find them first. Of course, the crew knew not to cause trouble, but it wouldn't be the first time some of her men had been locked up for the night to sober up.
"Nonetheless, feel free t' make a visit in the meantime. I would be happy t' have you aboard, Alaris and myself make for grand hosts." She offers a sly wink. "A meal in the captain's quarters is nothin' short of impressive, and our cook does wonders wi' the many spices traded on our island."
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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 Jan 24, 2020 18:21:51 GMT -8
“Empress, there’s an oracle here who wishes to speak with you. They have visions of doom.”
“... Hmm?” Empress Naoki looks up from her book, blinking.
She considers it. There are a fair number of loonies who play that card in an attempt to gain an audience her but if she’s hearing about it, that means her staff has reason to suspect that this one is legitimate. Seeing as how she prides herself on being The Smart King, it would reflect poorly to die to something that was foretold but ignored.
“Send them in!” she declares, inserting her bookmark and setting the tome aside. “I’ll speak to them.”
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Kali'Xena
Established
Roleplay posts: 15
Physical Description: Kali'xena has unmistakable, knowing eyes that burn gold. Blue skin with long, wavy blue hair flowing down to her waist, and a pair of curved horns growing vertically. Although she is a tall 5'9", her form is thin and frail, and she is unable to exert herself physically for long, although she still manages to enjoy long walks in the valley.
Clothes and Equipment: She can normally be seen wearing a flowy, pinafore hand-spun and hand-loomed hemp thread dress, and a red-trimmed blue cape. The rest of her ensemble consists of ancient gold jewelry, handed down to the women of her family for a countless generation, depicting a formerly rich heritage.
Allegiances: Av'rae
Registered: Sept 14, 2019 17:27:13 GMT -8
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Post by Kali'Xena on Jan 24, 2020 21:24:34 GMT -8
"My Empress," When the blue Av'rae attempted to bow, she simply fell to her knees, and found that she lacked the strength to rise again. The reception wasn't exactly happening on her terms. Even as she stood there she felt the very essence of her soul being siphoned out of her from the base of her neck like a most dreadful parasitic entity, and she shriveled from the withdrawal of that infernal blue drug. It just so happened that she was in the worst shape of her life. "I have come before you to say-- to say, that," she wavered. Kali'xena saw many different probabilities for that evening. Facing the Empress being one was one out of numerous. There were many where she was found by Ahna and lead astray, and others where she was cast in the dungeon by irresponsible Imperial guards. Her plea of having an audience with the Empress was the least likely of them all. Now that she stooped before her, Kali'xena was unable to find the words. "Perhaps it is simply better if I show you," the blue Av'rae shakily pulled a little blue vial out of her sleeve and drank. Almost immediately, the cerulean liquid successfully served its task as it pumped through her veins and gave her strength. Kali'xena's figure, fresh and fuller than ever, rose from the ground and hovered above the court, agonizing phosphorescent eyes on the Empress, before suddenly apparating mere inches from Her Imperial majesty. Yet even before the Av'rae lays her hand on the Empress, where she would impart visions of the battles to come pour into her head as an unexpected flash flood--the hooded figures, the torrent of arrows, and pools of blood staining the gilded streets of the Empire's capital city--armored hands were grabbing her anywhere they could. So fast were the imperial guards of her Empress. They effectively apprehended her, pressing Kali'xena's body into the steps to the throne. She could have flung them all away with the mere bat of an eyelash, however, she could already tell the Empress' eyes and ears were on her, and merely transferred the words into her mind as she was dragged away. Afterall, she wasn't Her enemy, only his. Heed the vices, Know their names, Causing Grief, Misery, and Pain. See the bloodlust for their gain as their victims are cut down like grain. Vollies rain down merciless. Before the halls play Life and Death. But as Hope seems lost and the Innocent weep, there is one who will rise to meet. Only He must face the sins, and with him the fight you'll win. Yet should the hero lose the war, the glory of Isra will be no more. They are coming, One step ahead, Their grasp draws close, and Soon Blue Blood Runs Red...
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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 Jan 26, 2020 21:49:51 GMT -8
The Empress watches her visitor enter and blinks when they collapse to the floor. She considers calling for a healer but before she can articulate the thought the blue woman starts to float, and her eyes start to glow. This is, understandably, somewhat alarming not only to The Empress but her entourage and guard, as well. Because you’re not allowed to do that in The Throne, there’s to be no magic. One of the Sentinels shouts, but the blue woman teleports forward and is reaching toward her — !
The Imperial Sentinels do their job, moving swiftly from The Empress’s side to just freaking clock the blue woman with the flats of their weapons and slam her ass down to the ground. They’re upon her: one with a boot to the head, the other with the handcuffs to suppress whatever variety of foul magics this would-be-assassin may be toting. Other Sentinels lining the walls move to assist, but there’s nothing more to be done.
The Empress, for her part, is stunned. It takes her a moment to process what just happened and what happened as it was happening. She’s disoriented for a moment, but recovers and stands. Sentinels move to stand between her and the assassin, and she leans on one as she recovers her balance. She mutters an expletive. It’s very easy to see why rulers start to send away these oracle types.
But was there something to that? Naoki glances to the assassin as they’re carried away to the dungeon. There was substance to those words, but was any of it true? Will it be? “Grief, Misery, and Pain…” Even as she reviews the words in her head they begin to fade. She calls for someone to bring writing supplies — this needs to be written down.
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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 Jan 29, 2020 19:14:16 GMT -8
“Your Highness, Ulfang von Haren of The Black Vale is here to see you.” “ Ulfang von Haren ?” The Empress repeats the name. “ Is he really?” The question is rhetorical and the page boy does not answer. It’s been some time since Naoki has heard tell of The Black Vale. In the earlier years of her rule, the state was known to be quite insular, of a decidedly isolationist bent. Which is entirley understandable considering its relation with the undead. She has had the unique pleasure of meeting its leader on a few occasions, but they generally tend to remain at home, as she understands. (And Naoki is not one to visit.) If she remembers correctly, Ulfang led an attack against Goraia, back in the earlier portion of its reign, before Isra involved itself. And she remembers well how Ulfang came to assist Isra and The Tillers against that corruption business down in the eastern forest. It was with his aid and expertise that The Enclave were able to contain it in the quarantine zone, where it still exists to this day -- a lingering problem that would be too costly to fully eradicate. He left on good terms then, and Naoki hasn’t heard a peep about him or his nation since. His visit is very much a surprise and it makes her wonder: What’s going on? This is surely not a social call, why does he feel the need to visit? Considering that her last guest was an oracle who foretold Isra’s doom, this does not bode well for Naoki whatsoever. Hopefully, he has come to assist, but… with what? “Bring him in.”
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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 Jan 29, 2020 20:20:59 GMT -8
Ulfang steps into the throne room with a leisurely stride, thumbs hooked into his belt. He wears his ceremonial suit of armour this day: light black plate with ornate, swirling silver inlays. A long, black cloak floats behind him, clasped over his left breast by a silver broach fashioned into a carrion crow's head. His hair is clean and combed, and his beard is well-trimmed. Behind him, his half-giant ward, Cairn Ó Fathaigh , follows in step, a surly expression upon the towering man's angular visage. After much heated argument he had reluctantly handed his storm-imbued great mace over to the Guard, but not before informing them in no unclear terms that they would be swimming in their own blood should they damage the sacred object. As such, both him and Ulfang are unarmed, and yet they both project an air of intimidation about their persons. Ulfang approaches Naoki's throne and kneels before her briefly, although he does not wait for her command to rise to do so on his own, and he affixes her with a stare from his remaining good eye, the pale yellow flitting this way and that as he examines her from head to toe appraisingly. Finally, his eye returns to hers, and he grants her a bright grin. "Empress Naoki," he booms in that rough, gravelly voice of his, "it has been far too long! I apologise for leaving so suddenly after our confrontation in the fields of the Land Tillers, but I had received word that collection of the Blood Tax had gone...let us say, less smoothly than it should have. A small number of my constituents believed that they should not be required to sacrifice anything in exchange for the protection of the Von Haren family. Such spirit these commoners displayed in their defiance that I was shocked by their boldness and caught unawares. But worry not, for the situation is under control now, and those few who defied me in life now serve me faithfully in other capacities. "Ah but you are a timeless beauty, my Empress, and in the time since we last spoke you have not aged a day! Spectacular, truly. You must teach me your secret!" The king does not appear in any particular hurry to discuss his reasons for coming to Isra. His ward, however, appears unnerved by all the pomp and circumstance of city nobility. He shifts on his feet and runs his hands idly over a rolled parchment attached to his belt, clearly itching to do what the two of them came for and leave the room as quickly as possible. On scrupulous inspection the scroll appears to be marked with the Von Haren seal, and the parchment is of the best quality, and one might deduce from this that it is an important document. The half-giant seems all too eager to no longer be responsible for it, as well.
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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 Jan 29, 2020 22:22:23 GMT -8
Empress Naoki, reclining in her throne, maintains a wry smirk as Ulfang enters and makes a show of looking her over. Recrossing her legs, she quirks an eyebrow. He’s not one for subtlety, but then neither is she.
“Indeed,” she says, “It’s been too long.” A seemingly token reply, but not insincere. As infrequent as their meetings have been, they’ve always been amicable, and amicable meetings are her area of expertise.
The matter of the rebellion he put down is one that The Empress thinks is best left at that. What he does on his own time in his own kingdom is something that she is willing to overlook for the sake of "diplomacy." She appreciates knowing the circumstances of his hastened departure, but there need be no further discussion of it so far as she is concerned.
“You flatter me,” she continues. “...I could be convinced, on the condition you share yours.” Of course, Naoki suspects that she has a fairly good idea about the source of his vitality, but it’s banter.
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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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The Throne
Jan 30, 2020 12:11:28 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Ulfang von Haren on Jan 30, 2020 12:11:28 GMT -8
"Perhaps after our business is done we shall discuss our secrets somewhere more private, without so many prying eyes and attentive ears," replies Ulfang, his true intentions very thinly veiled behind his civil wording.
"Unfortunately, as you have no doubt guessed I am here on business, and not solely for leisure. I come with an offering," proclaims the King. Ulfang's grin wanes somewhat as he raises his left hand to his side, a cue for his escort to step forward and hand him the parchment, which Ulfang then extends in offering to Naoki, taking a step closer to the throne with one foot planted upon the dais. "My watchers have reported dire tidings in some of Isra's holdings. Grim things stir once more in your great nation, Empress, and I have come to once again offer my help in exchange for a treaty of non-aggression between our nations."
Should Naoki break the black crow's head seal and read the parchment, she will look upon the following words written in a flowing silver script: By decree of King Ulfang von Haren, son of Borkath von Haren, fifth of the name, the Kingdom of the Black Vale offers the following terms of treaty to the Empire of Isra, under the esteemed Empress Naoki.
Firstly, at the time of the ratification of this document forthwith for a period of ten winters following, there shall be no diplomatic hostility, subversion of assets, or military aggression exchanged between the Kingdom of the Black Vale and the Empire of Isra, or hostilities performed against the allies or trade partners of either signatory. If hostilities are initiated by either party toward another signatory or their allies or trading partners, this document will be considered null and void.
The ratification of this document allows for immediate and unrestricted trade between the merchants of the Kingdom of the Black Vale and the Empire of Isra, provided the merchants are under the control of the Von Haren estate and Isra-controlled trading companies, respectively.
Upon ratification of this document, an embassy of the Kingdom of the Black Vale shall be established in the Free City of Isra, staffed by the Kingdom of the Black Vale, and under the sovereign control of the Kingdom of the Black Vale. Emissaries shall be granted diplomatic immunity from the laws of the Empire of Isra. Violations of Isran law shall be reported to the Kingdom of the Black Vale to be dealt with under Von Haren legal guidelines, although the Empire of Isra reserves the right to expel emissaries at will.
Finally, this treaty obligates the Kingdom of the Black Vale to assist the Empire of Isra in its management of the blighted lands within the Eastern Forest, so long as this treaty is in effect. Black Vale quarantine outposts will be established at regular intervals of one-hundred (100) meters around the quarantine site, to be garrisoned as the Kingdom of the Black Vale sees fit. Regular culling excursions shall be made every two (2) weeks into the quarantine site by Black Vale forces, until such a time as a permanent solution is found.
This document shall be signed in the presence of emissaries from both the Kingdom of the Black Vale and the Empire of Isra and copies produced as requested for viewing by the King Ulfang von Haren's court and the Empress Naoki's bureaucracy.
There is a blank space large enough for two signatures at the bottom of the document. "It is distasteful for me to admit, but I require material help in rebuilding the Black Vale. As well, my military forces are vast and I have men to spare. I feel that this pact could help us both, my dear Empress, and I can think of nobody more reasonable or more proficient at resource allocation than Your Estimable Majesty," states Ulfang, with a small, unreadable smile.
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