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 30, 2020 18:03:14 GMT -8
Accepting the scroll, The Empress unrolls it and holds it up in the light to read. Recognizing the commonly used terms, she nods along. She’s seen many documents like this.
After finishing, she nods again, and rolls the scroll back up to place in her lap. “I have no particular issue with any of this,” she begins, “But I do a few questions.”
“Namely, this seems entirely unprompted, and I want to know what your aim is in presenting me with such a proposition.”
“Are you planning on doing something ‘untoward’ that you think may provoke aggression from Isra? Or is this a case of you being on your back foot, spread thin, and not wanting to worry about my expansionist ambitions? To be entirely transparent, the notion of invading The Black Vale has not so much as crossed my mind, and if you hadn’t drawn attention to yourself, it never would have. If your aim was truly to avoid aggression, you could have easily just kept your head down. What are you after with this?” She isn’t subtle in asking.
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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 18:31:19 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by Ulfang von Haren on Jan 30, 2020 18:31:19 GMT -8
Ulfang gives a hearty laugh. "Ah, so the rumours of the Empress seeing shades behind every curtain and blades beneath every smile are true! Still, one in your position must have a healthy dose of paranoia I suppose. No, my Empress, I am planning nothing that you would disapprove of. I have told you my reasons for requesting this trade; the Vale is struggling to rebuild after the dissidents destroyed much of our infrastructure and we require economic support to rebuild. Our Varan brothers to the North have their own difficulties, as do our Vessian cousins to the South, but the Isran coffers are vast and the Empire stable. However, you have not the expertise to deal with certain corrupting influences within your nation. My family has been blessed with the gift of the Black Arts for eons and we would be happy to lend a hand in exchange for your economic assistance," replies Ulfang, genuine amusement touching his lips at her suggestion.
"Furthermore, is it not customary for nations who are friendly with one another to draw up treaties of non-aggression to officialise their friendship? The terms of the treaty are quite clear: we cannot take any action of a hostile nature against your people or allies thereof, including subversion or sabotage. You have nothing to fear from the Kingdom of the Black Vale, Empress. I may appear frightening, but I am a man of honour and I always keep my word. That, none can deny," he continues.
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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 30, 2020 20:43:10 GMT -8
Empress Naoki quirks one eyebrow, amused. “If you think my questioning paranoid, I can see why you might be surprised by your people rebelling,” she teases.
“But very well. I will accept your agreement under these conditions...”
Trailing off, she opens the scroll and looks again at its terms.
“I will grant your diplomats immunity insomuch as if they act egregiously in violation of my law, in or out of their embassy, they will be arrested and returned to you. And as so long as they are protected by that immunity, they are forbidden from practicing magic of any sort, which includes manipulation of undead. … There is strong anti-undead sentiment within Isra that I have little ability to stifle. Ratifying friendship and granting The Black Vale an embassy will be an unpopular move in and of itself that will be tacked on to their list of my perceived transgressions and never forgiven. I am not beholden to the whims of my people, but if Isran citizens see your diplomats flaunting local law and practicing magic they themselves are forbidden to use, that will only exacerbate issues for us both. I expect your people to be on their best behavior and maintain a facade that the commoners of Isra will find at the very least palatable, regardless of whatever else.”
She scans again through the terms.
“‘Unrestricted trade’ is to be interpreted as not restricted any further than all Isran trade. No blacklisted goods, subject to Imperial volume limits, taxed as normal, et-cetera...”
“As for this quarantine business,” she says, tapping the relevant article, “This will be subject to integration and cooperation with the existing quarantine efforts. I can’t speak to the specifics of those, but The Black Vale will augment rather than immediately supplant whatever it is The Enclave is doing over there. You should speak to Daedalus about that.”
“And,” she adds, “Black Vale troop movements within Isran territory -- as they relate to quarantine but also in general -- must be planned in advance and cleared with the offices of the Imperial Army. That will probably be the responsibility of your emissaries.”
“I’ll write all that down,” she supposes, calling for a page to bring her writing materials. “Do you find all that acceptable?”
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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 Jan 30, 2020 21:03:34 GMT -8
Ulfang nods along to Naoki's revised terms, and although his eyes narrow slightly at the mention of taxes and volume limits, he holds his tongue until she has finished her piece. After a moment of deliberation, in which he strokes his beard slowly and peers at Naoki ponderously, he finally speaks. "These proposed amendments are on the whole entirely acceptable, but for the trade stipulations. Empress, I think you will find unrestricted trade in the most literal sense to be far more profitable for the Isran Empire, although in fact it will be less profitable in the long term for the Kingdom of the Black Vale. You see, our export tariffs are normally very high, as we export Blackstone from the Ravenpeaks, a building material harder and lighter than granite that can only be found in the unique conditions of the Vale, and our country is very resource-rich. This trade deal is partially an emergency measure in order to circumvent our normally isolationist ideals and acquire a large volume of materials more quickly than our quarries and mines will allow by offering you a greater profit in the long term. I do not expect to export contraband to Isra, but it would be favourable if Isran export tariffs and tonnage limits were not levied against us, as our coffers are lighter than they would normally be and these are desperate times," he enthuses. His voice is steady and he shows no sign of angering, but his tone is persistent and urgent.
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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 30, 2020 22:14:15 GMT -8
Once she receives the paper Empress Naoki sets about writing down those amendments, with her ears pointed at Ulfang as he speaks.
She nods, understanding of his argument.“Perhaps, but profit is a tertiary concern of mine.”
“Firstly, all trade will be subject to laws of banned imports. That much is non-negotiable, but isn’t relevant to your raw goods. It applies mostly to dark magic and necromancy materials, which I will not allow you to sell to my people.” Empress Naoki draws this line physically in the air with her quill.
“However, I will reimburse in full Imperial tariffs on raw bulk good imports sold by your merchants, up to the limit. The limits are quite high, but if you do manage to hit any of them I will either make a special provision to raise it or purchase the goods on behalf of The Empire at an equitable rate, such that you will be able to sell as much as you can produce. We should have those rates worked out in advance, but doing things in such a manner will avoid a situation wherein independent merchants falsely claim to be yours in order to take advantage of exemptions.”
“I think that addresses both of our concerns and would be feasible to implement. There’s no framework or precedent for granting exceptions to Imperial tariffs, merchants usually include them in their prices. Exemptions would involve issuing a decree, granting licenses to your merchants, making changes to tax filing…” Trailing off, Naoki waves a hand dismissively. “Better to keep track and reimburse periodically.”
Pending a nod from Ulfang, Empress Naoki is prepared to commit that amendment to paper.
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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 Jan 31, 2020 0:03:45 GMT -8
Ulfang nods on cue, a satisfied expression upon his rough features. "Indeed, Empress, these terms are most satisfactory. I thank you for your understanding of our unique situation," replies Ulfang, happily. He makes a gesture at his escort, who draws a small ivory needle from a fold of his cloak. It's not quite a quill, as it appears to be carved from a skeletal bone rather than a feather, but its shape implies a similar purpose. The tines of the strange quill are ground into razor sharp edges for reasons unknown, but otherwise the nib of the quill is quite standard. There appear to be faintly glowing dull green runes jaggedly etched into the barrel up to its cap. The runes are, for some reason beyond conscious rationale, difficult to look at, causing a visceral sense of revulsion within the uninitiated viewer. The half-giant hands the device -- tiny in his massive hands -- to Ulfang, who takes it between two fingers and examines it for a moment before returning his attention to Naoki, a grin creasing the corners of his mouth.
"Do you have a witness available immediately? If so, I would be willing to sign this pact on the spot, and initiate trade on the morrow. I've a watcher ready to dispatch to the Vale to inform my court of our success, and a list of materials required to expedite the first phase of reconstruction near at hand," intones the Necromancer. As he speaks, he casually digs one of the bladed tines of his quill-like device into the palm of his hand, drawing a long, bloody line across his flesh before turning it over and dragging the other bladed tine in the opposite direction. He plunges the tip of the quill into the open wound almost delicately, and when he withdraws the device the runes upon the ivory quill glow a bright, sickly yellow-green. A thin green mist trails from the surface of the quill. He glances up at Naoki expectantly. "A treaty made by a King of the Black Vale is a treaty made in blood, sealed by our dark magics. Should a Von Haren break such a pact, they will find their blood boils, and their thew stricken by convulsions. They will die a most painful death. This helps to keep us honest in spite of the dark forces that often attempt to exert corrupting influences over our cursed line," he says by way of explanation. "Worry not, the same condition need not apply to you. It is a Black Vale tradition exclusively. Purely optional in your case."
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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 31, 2020 0:38:50 GMT -8
“Mmm, yes, though I will be signing in ink.”
At the bottom of the amendments sheet, out of concern for Ulfang’s health, Naoki adds a line to the extent that with the consent of both signatories, the agreement can be cancelled at any time with no repercussions.
“Timothy, come witness this.” Gesturing, The Empress calls over a pageboy.
Then, in full view of all assembled, Empress Naoki of The Isran Empire signs both documents, with a little note on each referencing the other. Her swanfeather quill and black ink are not particularly flashy in and of themselves, but she spends an extra moment on each to draw a little stylized Isran Sun seal with her ears on, which are very cute.
She then hands both documents to little Timothy, who in turn offers them to Ulfang.
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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 Jan 31, 2020 1:12:14 GMT -8
"I figured," replies Ulfange bemusedly. "Those who are not raised in the Vale often find this tradition particularly distasteful. It is understandable." He takes the document from the page with an appreciative nod in the boy's direction. His eye trails down the amendment paper slowly, assuring everything is in order. He huffs an amused snort at her final amendment, divining the purpose for its addition, though he does not protest the measure. Her concern for him is cute, even as unnecessary as it is; to date, a Von Haren has never broken a blood pact, and Ulfang does not intend to be the first.
The necromancer king nods in satisfaction, and beckons for the half-giant, who steps to his side. The hulking figure hands Ulfang a hard, thin rectangular piece of lacquered oak to write upon. "Cairn Ó Fathaig, captain of the Dread Knights, shall be my witness before the Gods and this court," he proclaims, mostly as a formality, and then presses the enchanted quill to the parchment, scrawling his name in the same neat, flowing text as the main body of text.
As he writes, the blood upon the page hisses and crackles, small verdant sparks occasionally flying up into the air. A faint, acrid metallic smell fills the air, though the strange spell of binding produces no visible smoke or vapor. The blood quickly turns from bright, healthy red to rust to a slightly ruddy black, the edges of the signature glowing a faint yellow-green for a moment after the quill's passing. Ulfang's signature is otherwise very formal and well-written, and the smell of burnt copper is only a short-lived unpleasantness. If Naoki is the observant sort, she might notice that the wound on his left hand has closed in the same manner, the flesh blackened as if cauterized.
Once both documents are signed and witnessed, he rolls them up and hands them back to Naoki's page, slipping the oaken board back into Cairn's titanic gauntlet and crossing his hands behind his back. "It is done, then. These should be kept in your archives for the time being, although I would request copies be made whenever possible," states Ulfang, a smile touching his 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 Jan 31, 2020 20:09:45 GMT -8
“I do find painful death somewhat distasteful, yes,” she agrees, looking on as Ulfang seals his end of the contact.
It’s more than she would ever ask for such a relatively inconsequential document, but his entire kingdom is on the line, isn’t it? This will leave a significant mark on his kingdom’s history books — for the better. Reconciling with herself how lopsided most of her interactions and daily dealings tend to be is something she often does and will flex for lack of something better.
“I will have copies made and delivered to you before you leave the city,” she says, gesturing toward Timothy and giving him a significant look. He will have copies made and delivered before King von Haren leaves the city.
Timothy understands this and nods to excuse himself, glad to be out of that situation.
The Empress turns back to Ulfang. “Very good. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
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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 Jan 31, 2020 20:28:46 GMT -8
A non-aggression and trade pact of this caliber is certainly a milestone for the Kingdom of the Black Vale; never before have they dealt so openly with outsiders save their Varan brethren. Even the Vessians, with whom the Valemen share some common ancestry, seldom encounter envoys from the Black Vale. As such, this is completely untrodden ground, even for one as old and experienced as Ulfang, whose foreign policy has been significantly less insular than some of his predecessors. However, any port in a storm is favourable to none, and the Isran Empire could make powerful allies down the line. Perhaps more, should the visions Ulfang's watchers send back to him be accurate. The necromancer-king turns to his half-giant ward and grins up at him. "Cairn, my son, you are dismissed. Isra has many...unique sights, sounds, and tastes that The Black Vale does not. I suggest you take a look around the city before heading straight back to camp," remarks Ulfang. Cairn snaps to attention and clasps his fist over his heart by way of salute. "Yes, my lord," replies the half-giant in his deep, rumbling baritone. "Ah, how formal. Come, child," laughs Ulfang, taking his ward's arm in his own and drawing him in for a fatherly embrace, clapping him on the back. The half-giant seems a touch embarrassed by this display of affection, but he returns the embrace before giving a shallow bow and departing quickly from the Throne Room.
Ulfang turns on his heel to face Naoki once again, sliding his gauntlets back over his hands and clasping them behind his back. "Lady Naoki, I recently received word that you are combating a shift in public opinion due to your lack of an heir for the Imperial throne. I believe I could help you in this pursuit," he boldly claims, his eye meeting hers and his expression lacking mirth or jest. "My proposition requires a degree of privacy, however, as prying eyes and ears may do harm in this matter. My watchers have reported on assassination attempts upon your person, and this sort of discussion may attract the wrong sort of attention."
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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 31, 2020 20:57:17 GMT -8
The Empress is silent for a long moment. One of the guards swallows. “...Very well,” she supposes, “I will speak to you.” Rising from her throne, Empress Naoki gestures to one of the remaining attendants: Visitation is over. Any who wish to meet with her will have to return tomorrow. They nod and scuttle off. Stepping down from the dais, The Empress walks past Ulfang and gestures for him to follow. “Come.” [Exit to The Empress's Chambers]
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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 Feb 2, 2020 22:09:56 GMT -8
“Your Highness, Lady Faisine of The Usque is here to see you.”
Sitting idle in her throne, Empress Naoki’s eyebrows furrow. “Is she really.”
The question is rhetorical and the page boy does not answer. (The Empress has been asking many rhetorical questions as of late and he was instructed never to reply.)
“Very well,” Empress Naoki supposes, having no real reason to turn Faisine away. “Send her in.”
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Faisine of the Usque
Dedicated
The songbird sings her soft melody...
Roleplay posts: 196
Age: 24
Physical Description: Hair: Blonde, almost a white blonde
Eyes: Piercing blue
Height: 5'2"
Build: Slender
Features: Noble
Clothes and Equipment: Eating Dagger
The clothing on her back
Staff
Citole
Rope
Grappling Hook
Tent
Utilities such as pots and pans, other dishes
Registered: Feb 13, 2015 19:45:34 GMT -8
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Post by Faisine of the Usque on Feb 3, 2020 7:52:55 GMT -8
Faisine, having not been in any city in years, was filled to the brim with anxiety. Had she become a hermit of sorts? It seemed so. She felt out of place in her finery, and even though she was in a familiar space... well... She and her companion were allowed audience with Naoki, and upon entry, she almost forgot to curtsy. But then she remembered and did so, though it was slightly awkward as she had not been used to formalities in the years since the war.
"Greetings, Highness. I have come on behalf of the people of the Usque. This is my companion and protector, Sir Cairex," she indicated the man who accompanied her. When she spoke, her voice was no longer that forceful, spoiled sounding voice, but soft and demure. The most notable change in the once spoiled princess was her mannerisms for certain. There was something haunted about her eyes that exposed her anxieties to the world s well. Those eyes peered at the empress with barely veiled trepidation stemmed from her prior experience with Naoki, how she worried she had left a sour taste in the woman's mouth. Ahh, but so much had changed.
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Sir Cairex Forgepyre
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 274
Age: 23
Physical Description: Wolf - stature of a large grey wolf, mottled patches of darker grey and black mingle in with a lighter grey coat. A single black patch of fur surrounds the blue eye, while the brown eye is surrounded by the light grey color. Teeth are sharp and well maintained, just like his claws.
Hybrid - His most common form, his coloring perfectly matches the wolf form. This form stands around 7ft tall, weighs nearly 330 lbs, with a fairly long tail.
Human- only used when interacting amongst civilized society, he is tall for a human, around 6'3" and about 210lbs. His long hair matches the grey and black coloring of his wolf fur, and the only distinguishing feature is his canine eyes and elongated canines.
Clothes and Equipment: Clothing - Cairex now wears a custom suit of armor, enchanted so that it will resize as he does, providing his already formidable wolf forms with substantial armor that is lightweight but strong, akin to mithril in both strength and weight.
Equipment - A good sized bastard sword and a small dagger are his only weapons, plus teeth and claws.
Player's online availability : Weekends/Nights
Registered: Apr 1, 2016 8:02:28 GMT -8
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Post by Sir Cairex Forgepyre on Feb 3, 2020 17:09:20 GMT -8
Cairex gave a quick and not very deep bow as Faisine introduced him, but otherwise stayed quiet. This was Faisine's moment to shine, and he did not want to distract from it. Besides, talking might give away just how deeply uncomfortable he was in this surrounding. He had seen a couple of throne rooms during his journeys, but they all seemed like a rocking chair on a porch in comparison to the room he now stood in.
And the Empress herself, well, with the only knowledge he had being 'cat ears', he still had not been certain what to expect from her. Certainly, he hadn't expected the woman before him, the stories made her seem far more...imposing a figure than she seemed in person. Of course, such tales were often embellished, so this was of little surprise to him.
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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 Feb 3, 2020 19:45:42 GMT -8
“Lady Faisine.” The Empress states her name.
“It is good to see that you are doing well, I hope.” The remark is vaguely pointed, considering the circumstances of their last meeting, but The Empress doesn’t harbor any particular ill-will toward the other woman and doesn’t add any to her inflection where it is not warranted.
“What is it that I can do for the people of the Usque today? I am curious to know.”
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Faisine of the Usque
Dedicated
The songbird sings her soft melody...
Roleplay posts: 196
Age: 24
Physical Description: Hair: Blonde, almost a white blonde
Eyes: Piercing blue
Height: 5'2"
Build: Slender
Features: Noble
Clothes and Equipment: Eating Dagger
The clothing on her back
Staff
Citole
Rope
Grappling Hook
Tent
Utilities such as pots and pans, other dishes
Registered: Feb 13, 2015 19:45:34 GMT -8
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Post by Faisine of the Usque on Feb 3, 2020 21:30:23 GMT -8
"I am well," she was fibbing only a little, the sweat that beaded upon her brow spoke of anxiety. It wasn't so much the meeting as it was being around all the people in the city, hearing the crowd, sometimes having flashbacks of the things heard in the past. "I am chosen by the people to act as guardian of the Usque. It is my duty to protect the tribes of people any means possible and as peacefully as possible, for the people do not wish to fight outsiders. I am also charged with protecting the creatures. The Usque seems to be under threat, trees being cut down without being replanted, and some creatures killed and deemed monsters when they only defend what has been theirs for longer than any of us have been alive. I ask for your help to come to a peaceful solution." It was probably the most unselfish thing she had ever uttered to the empress.
She went on, "The nymphs have been sacrificing themselves to slow the progress of those who have been trespassing. They do not know that wood is needed to build, for they have not seen the outside. All they know is the forest, and the loss of it affects them greatly. The people do not have scrolls or papers to declare the land belongs to them; the majority have been isolated for so long that they know nothing of records. They would be willing to let some trees go, same as the nymphs, if the creatures were not attacked and new trees were planted to replace the old."
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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 Feb 5, 2020 18:26:35 GMT -8
“Trees being cut down, hm?” The Empress hums in consideration. “It must be quite the issue if it has come this far.” “In the short term, I will issue a missive that forbids logging in the arbitrary vicinity of the holder’s choosing. You will be the holder. You will deliver the missive to whatever lumber company it may be, and they will immediately cease logging by command of The Empress.” Gesturing to a page boy, The Empress calls for writing materials and upon receiving them, begins drafting said missive. “Once you’ve done that, return to Isra and seek out Minister Robert Fletcher. With him, work to identify and solidify topographical borders for the area that ought to be protected, and I will then issue an Imperial Decree forbidding logging within the designated area.” “I believe that will solve our issue rather handily, as so long as The Usque does not move.” It’s difficult to tell if The Empress is saying as much in jest or if she actually suspects that the forest might move. Regardless, she looks to Faisine for her reaction.
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Faisine of the Usque
Dedicated
The songbird sings her soft melody...
Roleplay posts: 196
Age: 24
Physical Description: Hair: Blonde, almost a white blonde
Eyes: Piercing blue
Height: 5'2"
Build: Slender
Features: Noble
Clothes and Equipment: Eating Dagger
The clothing on her back
Staff
Citole
Rope
Grappling Hook
Tent
Utilities such as pots and pans, other dishes
Registered: Feb 13, 2015 19:45:34 GMT -8
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Post by Faisine of the Usque on Feb 5, 2020 20:01:55 GMT -8
Faisine was surprised at this easy acceptance. It did flit across her face momentarily, along with relief. Still, her face glistened with anxious sweat and it probably wouldn’t stop until they were well out of the city. She glanced to her companion for a moment, then looked back to Naoki and gave a nod. “I’ll do it.” She clasped her hands in front of her for the moment. “The Usque’s borders are… ambiguous, for the forest is vast. But I am sure that we can come up with acceptable borders… I will have to speak to the chieftains of the Usque tribes and get a clearer understanding on what they will accept, but I do know we are willing to give up some of the trees as long as they are replaced. We are willing to compromise with the lumber company… And I hope no more lives will be lost in the process.” She nodded, hesitating at first to move closer, but then she did so without getting too close. “I thank you for your decision, Majesty.”
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Sir Cairex Forgepyre
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 274
Age: 23
Physical Description: Wolf - stature of a large grey wolf, mottled patches of darker grey and black mingle in with a lighter grey coat. A single black patch of fur surrounds the blue eye, while the brown eye is surrounded by the light grey color. Teeth are sharp and well maintained, just like his claws.
Hybrid - His most common form, his coloring perfectly matches the wolf form. This form stands around 7ft tall, weighs nearly 330 lbs, with a fairly long tail.
Human- only used when interacting amongst civilized society, he is tall for a human, around 6'3" and about 210lbs. His long hair matches the grey and black coloring of his wolf fur, and the only distinguishing feature is his canine eyes and elongated canines.
Clothes and Equipment: Clothing - Cairex now wears a custom suit of armor, enchanted so that it will resize as he does, providing his already formidable wolf forms with substantial armor that is lightweight but strong, akin to mithril in both strength and weight.
Equipment - A good sized bastard sword and a small dagger are his only weapons, plus teeth and claws.
Player's online availability : Weekends/Nights
Registered: Apr 1, 2016 8:02:28 GMT -8
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Post by Sir Cairex Forgepyre on Feb 6, 2020 12:02:49 GMT -8
That went way easier than he thought it would have gone. Cairex had been prepared for a long and drawn out discussion involving technicalities and legal nonsense, but this seemed altogether reasonable. He nodded at Faisine when she looked at him, grateful for the short meeting. Cairex took a half step forward as Faisine did, but kept a respectful distance from the Empress.
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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 Feb 6, 2020 20:15:34 GMT -8
“Yes, you will sort all of that out with the tribes and get it down onto a map with Robert…” The Empress continues writing, in a somewhat-slow but elegant script.
“There are plenty of forests that are not ‘inhabited’ in quite the same way The Usque is. I was unaware that logging operations had extended so far as that -- as to intrude on The Usque, and it is regrettable that such conflict has transpired at all. One would think that if the forest starts fighting back, the enterprising lumberjacks would move their logging operation elsewhere, but I suppose some people just have to be told…”
The Empress reads over what she’s written so far. Finding it to her liking, she reads aloud, “To the loggers…”
“Upon my order, cease logging in this area at once. The Usque Forest and all those that reside within it are under Imperial Protection, and to continue logging in its vicinity is to act in defiance of my word. Comply with this order, and you may continue logging elsewhere -- no consequences shall be levied against you. Fail to comply, and you will be prosecuted accordingly.”
“Signed…” Empress Naoki signs the letter in full view. She then hands it off to a page to be stamped with the Imperial Seal and rolled into a scroll. It will be given to Faisine before she leaves.
“There we are. I will speak with Robert and tell him to expect you. It may take some time to properly sort out and implement the restrictions as law, but I believe it worth doing such that this problem does not arise again in a decade’s time. Is there anything else? Will you be needing lodgings or transport?”
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