Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jul 3, 2019 18:30:33 GMT -8
Ducking under the last low-hanging branch, Empress Naoki emerges from the forest. Brushing a crinkled leaf off her cloak, she glances behind her, where Rudiger Dornmauer shouldn’t be far behind. Though he was announced as Duke back at The Summit, he isn’t prepared to assume the title quite yet. The fact that Rudiger hasn’t been to his homeland in years, for example, is fairly significant and should be rectified before his coronation. To this end, Empress Naoki has decided that the two of them will tour Voruta on foot in order to best acquaint themselves with the territory and the issues facing its people. She thinks it will be a productive trip. As Duke, Rudiger will be expected to improve Voruta, but the manners in which he does so will ultimately be his decision. By discussing what they see and what he might do about it as Duke, Naoki will be able to get a glimpse into how he thinks and correct him if he goes too far astray. She thinks herself to have a great deal of wisdom as far as ruling and policymaking is concerned, and this ought to be an excellent way to impart it on her newest vassal. Looking out across the field they now find themselves at the edge of, Naoki hums in consideration. She asked that they be placed just inside the Eastern Forest, such that they might approach from the east and see the obstacles that stand in the way of invaders. Off to their right, that would be The River Venta, and, if she’s oriented herself correctly, Lake Plattelia and Voruta City should be some distance straight ahead. Of course, approaching this way means they run the risk of encountering said invaders, so Naoki doesn’t loiter. She immediately starts across the field, expecting Rudiger to follow. It’s only to Torrin’s frustration that Empress Naoki is traipsing about the countryside without even a single guard — and, worse, with a relatively untrusted stranger. It’s Naoki’s hope that Rudiger will stop being a stranger in the course of this trip, but even so, measures have been taken in regard to her security. One such measure passes by overhead, briefly eclipsing the sun in order to make them aware of its presence — a Dawn Rider: one of Isra’s elite griffin cavalry. Glancing up, Naoki spots three riders circling overhead, but she knows there are more. In the event of trouble, they could be on the ground in moments — and there are few troubles can’t be solved through the judicious application of Griffin. “What do you think the odds are we’ll be harassed?” Naoki asks Rudiger. A casual question, making chat as they make their way across the field.
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Rudiger Dornmauer
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 229
Age: 30
Physical Description: Rudiger is tall at 6'3", and muscularly built from his profession. His skin is weathered from his life on the road, with the first wrinkles of age appearing at the sides of his mouth and his eyes, and thick calluses on his right hand from wielding his sword. His light brown hair has been sheered to a fade parted on the right side, and his strong chin that was once covered by thick goatee has been shaved to stubble, but his thick mustache has remained. His most prominent feature is a thick scar and his missing left eye, which he covers with a black eyepatch, which he lost in a fight with a bear.
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Clothes and Equipment: Rudiger wears a variety of cloths, depending on the situation. For battle, he wears a blue gambeson underneath steel plate armor, which encases him from head to foot. He wears a bellow faced sallet helm, which he learned to wear from the loss of his eye. He wields a hand and half sword, with a decorative eagle on the pommel. He also carries a kite shield, painted with his coat of arm, a black eagle on a red and orange checkered field.
When he's not in battle, he wears a white wool shirt, and thick woolen black pants. He always wears his tan riding boots.
He owns a dapple grey destrier, and a heavy wooden saddle with a high cantle and pommel covered in thick leather.
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Allegiances: The Grand Duchy of Voruta
Registered: Dec 6, 2017 14:20:22 GMT -8
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Post by Rudiger Dornmauer on Jul 4, 2019 16:24:10 GMT -8
“From beasts from the woods, or from commoners?” Rudiger attempted to clarify after a few moments, his tone full of puzzlement. What could possibly attempt to harass them from the forest, seeing as most those beasts were far from dumb. That was usually the problem in fact, they were too smart for their own good.
He chewed on the chances for a few minutes, turning up his face to watch the griffins every few minutes. All his instincts from a lifetime were telling him to get on the ground and attempt to blend in with his surroundings. When the overgrown bird landed he would usually crawl up to it, and with a quick stab remove one more pest from eating a farmer’s prized dairy cows and sheep.
But instead he had ridden on one, an experience he was hoping to never have to deal with again. He hated the feeling of weightlessness as they ascended and descended, seeing the ground so far away and passing far too fast for his liking. It didn’t help that vertigo with one eye was probably worst than with two, but he would just have to assume on that part.
Despite the traveling conditions, he was rather looking forward to this trip. Perhaps as an excuse to quit the stifling capital and return to where he was most comfortable, the open road, and wearing plain traveling clothes. He would miss riding Bob about these old laneways and roads, seeing as this was his home too, but he assumed that they would find mounts soon enough. He couldn’t imagine a possibility where they going to be afoot their entire time in the Duchy, seeing as horseflesh was one of the only highlights.
Which was probably the best part of the bargain, being handed back his riding pants and linen shirt. Though he was shocked to see that they fit a bit tighter on him, perhaps from the too big of suppers with too many rich courses that were often served. Not that he was overweight by any means, he tended towards the leaner side from too many days scrounging for food while times were lean. IF anything it helped him fill out a bit more. He would have to convince his handlers to allow him to exercise more often still, He doubted the people of Voruta would be impressed with a fat Duke.
Finally he gave the Empress his best estimation, “I doubt the beasts will bother us with the griffins about, but the peasants probably will at least wonder why there’s riders hanging from every branch it seems.”
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jul 5, 2019 12:13:19 GMT -8
“Hmmmh.” Naoki assumed this area would be a lawless wasteland where, as a seemingly unarmed noblewoman accompanied by only a single strapping lad, groups of multiple strapping lads would think it a good idea to attempt to rob them. But the people of Vortua aren’t nearly as accustomed to Dawn Riders as she is. Seeing so many at one time will likely cause something of a stir among both the populace and the hypothetical brigands alike. Rudiger is implying that they’ll put two and two together and not try anything with griffins overhead, and that makes enough sense.
“Perhaps I’m not giving them enough credit,” she supposes.
It certainly looks like a wasteland, though. The ‘field’ they’re walking across used to be forest in the not-so-distant past, and nature hasn’t quite healed the scar yet. The ground is muddy, littered with stumps, broken branches, weeds, and small holes perfect for breaking one’s ankle.
Naoki stops, steps up onto a tallish stump, and peers ahead, trying to see Voruta City in the distance.
“They really have pushed the treeline back,” she remarks, squinting. “I thought it would be a pleasant little jaunt from the forest to the city, but…” Trying to estimate the distance, she concludes that it’s ‘rather far.’
“I suppose that’s why they did it,” Naoki supposes, stepping down. “So that it wouldn’t be a pleasant little jaunt.”
Naoki glances between the distance they’ve come so far, how far they have to go, and Rudiger. “It’s further than I would prefer to walk,” she states, watching for his reaction. “Can you handle another ride, or should I find a horse and circle back for you?”
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Usque Story
Established
Roleplay posts: 32
Registered: Oct 5, 2016 14:40:44 GMT -8
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Post by Usque Story on Jul 5, 2019 18:05:39 GMT -8
At some point, they should notice that the wood is harder to cut through and there is a long line of trees that have seemed to fuse together at the branches, creating a barrier to protect the rest of the forest. Any beasts will have receded into the Usque.
The barried is only temporary. The sounds of horns could be heard in varying volumes.
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Bria Hornraven
Committed
Roleplay posts: 65
Age: 20s
Physical Description: 6'3 and 176, with medium brown skin and long, curly black hair. He has slight stubble. The right side of his face is heavily scarred and mangled, and tinted slightly purple due to the magic that caused his deformity. He has dark blue eyes.
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Clothes and Equipment: He usually wears heavy robes, purple and black, with a purple mask covering the right side of his face. Underneath his robes, he wears common clothes and wouldn't stand out much. He has usually has a tome that he carries around on his person.
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Player's online availability : EST / Fairly often
Registered: May 5, 2019 8:01:27 GMT -8
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Post by Bria Hornraven on Jul 6, 2019 9:21:04 GMT -8
Bria nodded as Rainier recalled what he remembered. It was accurate, at least. Bria remembered the day unfortunately well.
"Yes, yes," Bria said, "That's what's happened, more or less. My family, they gave many sacrifices to my patron." His voice was barely above a whisper. His mind flooded with memories of his childhood, of his 12th birthday. On the slab in front of him, a child no older than him. She had the cutest red curls, cheeks with red blush. If Bria was into women, he would've found her cute, but instead, he just saw her body, a knife plunged into her chest. He swore he could've seen her turn to look at him, green eyes that stared into him and found nothing but the heart of a boy corrupted by his family. Why did they always look at him?
He shook his head. Rainier might be able to see a tear running down his cheek, but Bria wiped it away quickly. "I didn't come back in," he said quickly, "I just was passing through. I didn't intend to stay for long. I hate staying here too long."
"I uhm. We should probably sleep soon, yes?" He squirmed in his seat.
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Rudiger Dornmauer
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 229
Age: 30
Physical Description: Rudiger is tall at 6'3", and muscularly built from his profession. His skin is weathered from his life on the road, with the first wrinkles of age appearing at the sides of his mouth and his eyes, and thick calluses on his right hand from wielding his sword. His light brown hair has been sheered to a fade parted on the right side, and his strong chin that was once covered by thick goatee has been shaved to stubble, but his thick mustache has remained. His most prominent feature is a thick scar and his missing left eye, which he covers with a black eyepatch, which he lost in a fight with a bear.
____________________________________________________________
Clothes and Equipment: Rudiger wears a variety of cloths, depending on the situation. For battle, he wears a blue gambeson underneath steel plate armor, which encases him from head to foot. He wears a bellow faced sallet helm, which he learned to wear from the loss of his eye. He wields a hand and half sword, with a decorative eagle on the pommel. He also carries a kite shield, painted with his coat of arm, a black eagle on a red and orange checkered field.
When he's not in battle, he wears a white wool shirt, and thick woolen black pants. He always wears his tan riding boots.
He owns a dapple grey destrier, and a heavy wooden saddle with a high cantle and pommel covered in thick leather.
____________________________________________________________
Allegiances: The Grand Duchy of Voruta
Registered: Dec 6, 2017 14:20:22 GMT -8
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Post by Rudiger Dornmauer on Jul 9, 2019 13:51:45 GMT -8
“ Hmmmh.” Naoki assumed this area would be a lawless wasteland where, as a seemingly unarmed noblewoman accompanied by only a single strapping lad, groups of multiple strapping lads would think it a good idea to attempt to rob them. But the people of Vortua aren’t nearly as accustomed to Dawn Riders as she is. Seeing so many at one time will likely cause something of a stir among both the populace and the hypothetical brigands alike. Rudiger is implying that they’ll put two and two together and not try anything with griffins overhead, and that makes enough sense. “Perhaps I’m not giving them enough credit,” she supposes. It certainly looks like a wasteland, though. The ‘field’ they’re walking across used to be forest in the not-so-distant past, and nature hasn’t quite healed the scar yet. The ground is muddy, littered with stumps, broken branches, weeds, and small holes perfect for breaking one’s ankle. Naoki stops, steps up onto a tallish stump, and peers ahead, trying to see Voruta City in the distance. “They really have pushed the treeline back,” she remarks, squinting. “I thought it would be a pleasant little jaunt from the forest to the city, but…” Trying to estimate the distance, she concludes that it’s ‘rather far.’ “I suppose that’s why they did it,” Naoki supposes, stepping down. “So that it wouldn’t be a pleasant little jaunt.” Naoki glances between the distance they’ve come so far, how far they have to go, and Rudiger. “It’s further than I would prefer to walk,” she states, watching for his reaction. “Can you handle another ride, or should I find a horse and circle back for you?” Rudiger had to give the Empress a double take as he heard her comment, of course when she wasn't looking at him. Even the biggest of fools would not try anything when all about them the most prestigious and capable members of the Imperial forces could swoop down upon them and carry them straight to prison... or down the gullets of their steeds, depending on who one talked to. "Most peasants and brigands aren't idiots Your Empress," he replied softly, "knowing from experience they know practical matters quite well, if not necessarily higher ones. They know that beast that can eat half their flock as an after thought is not one to unduly provoke." He had also been surveying the area they had been walking through, and remembering times when he and his older brother... well, adopted brother to be accurate... had hunted through these woods, looking to bring back fresh meat to the table. He could almost imagine a place where he had fallen off his little palfrey and broken his wrist, but the fades of his memory disappeared as soon as it seemed tangible. "All things must change in time." "I would very much prefer riding on horse, and I would suggest the same for Your Empress. It would allow for a closer and more thorough studying of the situation, if a slower one," he answered. Perhaps he was being a bit presumptuous, but he remembered the flight over unknowable miles of land between here and the capital, all blending together. It didn't allow for a proper appreciation of the subject matter.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jul 9, 2019 14:08:55 GMT -8
At some point, they should notice that the wood is harder to cut through and there is a long line of trees that have seemed to fuse together at the branches, creating a barrier to protect the rest of the forest. Any beasts will have receded into the Usque.
The barrier is only temporary. The sounds of horns could be heard in varying volumes.
Days flowed, months passed, the year began to trickle by after the memorable day at the lumber mill. The first few days were spent in anxious watch for other foul beasts, with every work crew being shepherded by hunters with crossbows and bows. Then the fear gradually faded, tensions eased, and trees fell in numbers unseen before. They and several other such operations plied their trade skillfully and thoroughly through the dog days of summer, long into the autumn mud season, before finally winter called their work done for the year. The spring thaw and mud saw the workers return, and resume their cutting. Though the progress of the previous year was not being replicated, their quotas for Isran construction companies and shipyards being consistently missed by wider margins. Surely it was the workers being lazy, those Vorutans were notorious for it claimed the owners back in their offices in Isra, despite letters stating that the nature of the woods were changing. Just excuses, send in the northerners. Replacement crews of experienced Isran loggers, wearing their flannel button up shirts compared to the linen of the natives. Protests broke out as they realized they were being sent away without their promised wages, but strike busters saw them off. Work resumed, but the replacement crews were turning in the same number of missed quotas, and if anything it was getting worst. Finally the day came when the wooden wall presented the end of the chopping. The sounds of horns sent the lumberjacks back to hastily erected palisades around their camps, being manned by the lumberjacks themselves with crossbows. Whatever was out there would need to come to them, they were not going to repeat the mistake of the Elder Vyatautas and go in after them.
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Rainier Fletcher
Established
Roleplay posts: 27
Age: 42
Physical Description: Rainier towers above most of his peers, standing at 6'7". His rather thin body, caused by years of abstinence, is hidden underneath the folds of his cassock.
His thin and angular face hides his true nature, making him appear stern with his roman nose, high and sharp cheek bones, thin lips, and prominent jaw. His green eyes twinkle with intelligence and humor known only to him. Like the other natural born members of the Fletcher clan, he was born with white hair, that would grow thick on his head if it wasn't tonsured.
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Clothes and Equipment: Rainier is a priest of the Church of Varafel by vocation, and thus is equipped like one. He has two cassocks, one white, and the other black, and he carries the spare in his satchel. He tries to keep his black leather shoes glossy for all occasions, but that often proves impossible as he walks everywhere. For rainy weather, he has a dark gray cassock.
His personal belongings are stowed in a grey canvas bag slung across his body, and include: his prayer book, his ink and spare quills, a journal, a pen knife, and his gold wire rimmed spectacles for when he has to read.
He also has a quarter staff he uses as a walking stick, and if needs be, for self defense.
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Registered: Apr 24, 2018 7:28:30 GMT -8
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Post by Rainier Fletcher on Jul 9, 2019 14:18:28 GMT -8
Bria nodded as Rainier recalled what he remembered. It was accurate, at least. Bria remembered the day unfortunately well. "Yes, yes," Bria said, "That's what's happened, more or less. My family, they gave many sacrifices to my patron." His voice was barely above a whisper. His mind flooded with memories of his childhood, of his 12th birthday. On the slab in front of him, a child no older than him. She had the cutest red curls, cheeks with red blush. If Bria was into women, he would've found her cute, but instead, he just saw her body, a knife plunged into her chest. He swore he could've seen her turn to look at him, green eyes that stared into him and found nothing but the heart of a boy corrupted by his family. Why did they always look at him? He shook his head. Rainier might be able to see a tear running down his cheek, but Bria wiped it away quickly. "I didn't come back in," he said quickly, "I just was passing through. I didn't intend to stay for long. I hate staying here too long." "I uhm. We should probably sleep soon, yes?" He squirmed in his seat. Rainier had been finishing off the rest of his stew, having dunked the biscuit within the broth to soak up the rest of it. He was still meeting Bria's eyes between bites, seeing the quite evident pain and tear that left a small smear of wet on his face. He was going to offer a form of confession where Bria could just talk out some of the quite evident memories eating him whole, but it seemed he probably wouldn't take him up on the offer. "Indeed," he replied softly, "I'll probably just find a barn to sleep in, for I don't have funds enough for a room. Meet you in the village square on the morn?" he affirmed, hoping ot the Mother Bria would not get cold feet and skip town.
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Bria Hornraven
Committed
Roleplay posts: 65
Age: 20s
Physical Description: 6'3 and 176, with medium brown skin and long, curly black hair. He has slight stubble. The right side of his face is heavily scarred and mangled, and tinted slightly purple due to the magic that caused his deformity. He has dark blue eyes.
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Clothes and Equipment: He usually wears heavy robes, purple and black, with a purple mask covering the right side of his face. Underneath his robes, he wears common clothes and wouldn't stand out much. He has usually has a tome that he carries around on his person.
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Player's online availability : EST / Fairly often
Registered: May 5, 2019 8:01:27 GMT -8
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Post by Bria Hornraven on Jul 13, 2019 10:29:48 GMT -8
Bria awoke the next morning in a cold sweat. His naked body stuck to the blankets as he attempted to roll out of the bed. The night was miserable, filled with vibrant nightmares and attacks from his patron. On his form were scratch marks that seemed to go all down his back and sides, and an untrained eye would presume that he just had a fun night. If you were into that, maybe, but Bria was decidedly not. It took him a moment of sitting up to get past the shakes enough so he could get up and get dressed.
He slipped on a fresh set of underclothes, looking at himself in the mirror. The scarred side of his face was still burned and contorted, as always. Cruelly, it seemed that the burnt half was pulled up into a smile, something that he loathed. He looked tired, but that wasn't new. Dark circles against his brown skin, his eyes half-lidded from just waking up. He slipped on his robes and mask, not wanting to look at himself much longer. He had a long day ahead of him.
With that done, he went into the main room of the tavern, sitting at the table that he had sat at yesterday to wait for Rainier. Sasha sat beside him once again, still looking tired herself. A quiet morning to precede what Bria was sure would be one of the worst days of his life.
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Rainier Fletcher
Established
Roleplay posts: 27
Age: 42
Physical Description: Rainier towers above most of his peers, standing at 6'7". His rather thin body, caused by years of abstinence, is hidden underneath the folds of his cassock.
His thin and angular face hides his true nature, making him appear stern with his roman nose, high and sharp cheek bones, thin lips, and prominent jaw. His green eyes twinkle with intelligence and humor known only to him. Like the other natural born members of the Fletcher clan, he was born with white hair, that would grow thick on his head if it wasn't tonsured.
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Clothes and Equipment: Rainier is a priest of the Church of Varafel by vocation, and thus is equipped like one. He has two cassocks, one white, and the other black, and he carries the spare in his satchel. He tries to keep his black leather shoes glossy for all occasions, but that often proves impossible as he walks everywhere. For rainy weather, he has a dark gray cassock.
His personal belongings are stowed in a grey canvas bag slung across his body, and include: his prayer book, his ink and spare quills, a journal, a pen knife, and his gold wire rimmed spectacles for when he has to read.
He also has a quarter staff he uses as a walking stick, and if needs be, for self defense.
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Registered: Apr 24, 2018 7:28:30 GMT -8
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Post by Rainier Fletcher on Jul 17, 2019 19:37:07 GMT -8
Rainier did not spend the night sleeping. In the little corner of the hayloft he was occupying the hay was cleared, and votive candles produced from his canvas satchel. A flickering chapel among the animals. Possibly poetic, mostly just smelling of wax and manure covered with the sweet wafting of oats.
"Our Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thine name. Thy realm come, thy will be done on world and heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive our trespasses, and those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Our Mother, who art in heaven...".
Over and over Rainier uttered this soft supplication, purifying his body and mind. His spirit must be a fortress, the strongest in this world and the next, if he was to survive the trials and tribulations of how long this exorcism would take.
He awoke, refreshed in spirit if not in body, and joined Bria in the tavern. "Good morning," Rainier greeted him, taking his seat opposite him, "wanting anything to eat before we wander into the valley of death?"
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Tana the Tongue-Tied
Established
Roleplay posts: 43
Age: 19
Physical Description: ***********
Race: Human
Class: Cleric
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Light Brown
Build: Almost Athletic
Height: Average
Marks: A birthmark in the shape of a crescent, various freckles, a mole or two, and faint scars from life.
Clothes and Equipment: ***********
Cloak
Light Robes
Staff
Rucksack filled with: Extra clothes, cookware, other utensils and personal things.
Torch
Flute
Fishing Rod
Other things
Allegiances: People of the Usque
Player's online availability : Whenever health doesn't get in the way
Registered: Jun 30, 2019 9:28:03 GMT -8
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Post by Tana the Tongue-Tied on Jul 24, 2019 11:16:23 GMT -8
At some point, they should notice that the wood is harder to cut through and there is a long line of trees that have seemed to fuse together at the branches, creating a barrier to protect the rest of the forest. Any beasts will have receded into the Usque.
The barrier is only temporary. The sounds of horns could be heard in varying volumes.
Days flowed, months passed, the year began to trickle by after the memorable day at the lumber mill. The first few days were spent in anxious watch for other foul beasts, with every work crew being shepherded by hunters with crossbows and bows. Then the fear gradually faded, tensions eased, and trees fell in numbers unseen before. They and several other such operations plied their trade skillfully and thoroughly through the dog days of summer, long into the autumn mud season, before finally winter called their work done for the year. The spring thaw and mud saw the workers return, and resume their cutting. Though the progress of the previous year was not being replicated, their quotas for Isran construction companies and shipyards being consistently missed by wider margins. Surely it was the workers being lazy, those Vorutans were notorious for it claimed the owners back in their offices in Isra, despite letters stating that the nature of the woods were changing. Just excuses, send in the northerners. Replacement crews of experienced Isran loggers, wearing their flannel button up shirts compared to the linen of the natives. Protests broke out as they realized they were being sent away without their promised wages, but strike busters saw them off. Work resumed, but the replacement crews were turning in the same number of missed quotas, and if anything it was getting worst. Finally the day came when the wooden wall presented the end of the chopping. The sounds of horns sent the lumberjacks back to hastily erected palisades around their camps, being manned by the lumberjacks themselves with crossbows. Whatever was out there would need to come to them, they were not going to repeat the mistake of the Elder Vyatautas and go in after them.
An army of women emerged from the forest, first the nymphs that were let through the wall, and then an army of Usque people were soon to follow after with a party of individuals lead by a woman on a white horse with a crown and a decorative but effective armor plate upon her chest. They all made formation and some of the nymphs who had not seen the damage until now began to weep in horror at the sight of the place that used to be beautiful and looked so different.
She lifted her fist and all the women, nymphs and human/fae alike, knelt in reverence to the daughter of the chieftain. She sent forth a messenger who marched to the camp. "Tana, the daughter of the Chieftain of the Usque People has arrived. She asks to see the leader of this outfit and that all activity with OUR trees and OUR land stop. You have trespassed upon our land, an ancient forest that your people are cutting down one tree at a time without regard to the creatures that reside there or planting new trees to take the place of the old. We approach in peace now, but if your leader does not agree to meet with ours, we will be forced to take action against yours in retaliation for lives and land lost by the hands of your people."
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Yutin
Established
Roleplay posts: 40
Age: 21
Physical Description: Short, about 3 feet tall. Yutin does not run well. He has short legs and arms. Glowing, round yellow eyes.
Clothes and Equipment: Brown, large tunic that goes doen to his ankles. He wears dark brown shoes and a brown cloak with a large hood. Under his hood, he wears a black full-face mask. He wields a small crossbow fitting for his size, as well as a small black, intricately carved blowgun.
Allegiances: Himself
Registered: Jun 30, 2019 15:04:07 GMT -8
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Post by Yutin on Jul 24, 2019 11:28:37 GMT -8
Yutin, with his crossbow clenched in his hands, shuffled behind Ekir and Tana. His yellow eyes peered out from his hood as he scanned the forest and trees ahead of them, as well as the greenery to the sides. While not normally used to combat, Yutin still had sharp eyes and was ready for just about anything. As he walked, the grip on his crossbow relaxed somewhat as he saw no sign of danger. The small being un-clenched his fists and lowered his crossbow, though he was still alert and watchful.
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Bria Hornraven
Committed
Roleplay posts: 65
Age: 20s
Physical Description: 6'3 and 176, with medium brown skin and long, curly black hair. He has slight stubble. The right side of his face is heavily scarred and mangled, and tinted slightly purple due to the magic that caused his deformity. He has dark blue eyes.
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Clothes and Equipment: He usually wears heavy robes, purple and black, with a purple mask covering the right side of his face. Underneath his robes, he wears common clothes and wouldn't stand out much. He has usually has a tome that he carries around on his person.
==
Player's online availability : EST / Fairly often
Registered: May 5, 2019 8:01:27 GMT -8
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Post by Bria Hornraven on Jul 25, 2019 8:29:00 GMT -8
Bria looked up as Rainier approached. The priest looked chipper today, but Bria couldn't appreciate it in his mood. He was getting cold feet, but he knew in his heart that he couldn't turn from this. This was his destiny, and he must grab it. He thought for a moment about Rainier's question. His stomach was curling at the very thought of approaching the home, and he knew that he lost his immunity to that horrible stench in the basement. He shook his head, going back to looking at the tattoos dancing on his arms.
"I don't think so. It'd be a waste, I might puke." He'd eat during or after if he felt the need to. He had rations in his bag, enough that he could comfortably snack.
"You seem in a good mood this morning. At least, there's a... a glow about you. You didn't abandon the priesthood for one of the women, did you? That tingling down there isn't God, I can tell you that much." He was trying to stall for as long as he could. The tattoos that went up into his hands looked angry, tumultuous. A storm on the horizon.
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Post by Grand Duchy of Voruta on Jul 25, 2019 10:27:46 GMT -8
Days flowed, months passed, the year began to trickle by after the memorable day at the lumber mill. The first few days were spent in anxious watch for other foul beasts, with every work crew being shepherded by hunters with crossbows and bows. Then the fear gradually faded, tensions eased, and trees fell in numbers unseen before. They and several other such operations plied their trade skillfully and thoroughly through the dog days of summer, long into the autumn mud season, before finally winter called their work done for the year. The spring thaw and mud saw the workers return, and resume their cutting. Though the progress of the previous year was not being replicated, their quotas for Isran construction companies and shipyards being consistently missed by wider margins. Surely it was the workers being lazy, those Vorutans were notorious for it claimed the owners back in their offices in Isra, despite letters stating that the nature of the woods were changing. Just excuses, send in the northerners. Replacement crews of experienced Isran loggers, wearing their flannel button up shirts compared to the linen of the natives. Protests broke out as they realized they were being sent away without their promised wages, but strike busters saw them off. Work resumed, but the replacement crews were turning in the same number of missed quotas, and if anything it was getting worst. Finally the day came when the wooden wall presented the end of the chopping. The sounds of horns sent the lumberjacks back to hastily erected palisades around their camps, being manned by the lumberjacks themselves with crossbows. Whatever was out there would need to come to them, they were not going to repeat the mistake of the Elder Vyatautas and go in after them. An army of women emerged from the forest, first the nymphs that were let through the wall, and then an army of Usque people were soon to follow after with a party of individuals lead by a woman on a white horse with a crown and a decorative but effective armor plate upon her chest. They all made formation and some of the nymphs who had not seen the damage until now began to weep in horror at the sight of the place that used to be beautiful and looked so different. She lifted her fist and all the women, nymphs and human/fae alike, knelt in reverence to the daughter of the chieftain. She sent forth a messenger who marched to the camp. "Tana, the daughter of the Chieftain of the Usque People has arrived. She asks to see the leader of this outfit and that all activity with OUR trees and OUR land stop. You have trespassed upon our land, an ancient forest that your people are cutting down one tree at a time without regard to the creatures that reside there or planting new trees to take the place of the old. We approach in peace now, but if your leader does not agree to meet with ours, we will be forced to take action against yours in retaliation for lives and land lost by the hands of your people."
Few of the lumberjacks had expected to be greeted with this type of spectacle. Sure there had been stories going around the campfires of thousands of logging camps throughout the empire and beyond that spoke of kingdoms buried in the trees, but those were just stories. Tales to remind careless and foolhardy lumbermen from wandering off and getting eaten by any number of wild creatures. For a few moments there appeared to be no activity within the palisade. The air grew silenced, all remaining fowl and beasts having been driven off with all the pomp and fanfare. Then, the sound of a cork from a glass bottle, and several glugs of liquor joining another cup. The barricade in front of the palisade was moved aside by two burly men. He wasn’t particularly tall, or imposing physically in his tan flannel shirt and thick khaki pants. He had something of a round gut, though it more was from drinking lots of ale than being a stranger to physical activity. His slightly curled light brown hair fell to his shoulders in the back, with a bald patch beginning to manifest on the back of his head. His hands were heavily calloused from swinging an axe, with a gold ring beset with the crossed axes of the lumberjack guild on the ring finger of his right hand. In the right hand, a steaming cup of black coffee. He took his time, sauntering up to the messenger, sipping on the cup with every few steps. A tenor, raspy now but true in his youth, greeted the messenger as he stopped to a little over an arms width away, “Aye, and where is the documentation of ownership for these lands?”
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Rainier Fletcher
Established
Roleplay posts: 27
Age: 42
Physical Description: Rainier towers above most of his peers, standing at 6'7". His rather thin body, caused by years of abstinence, is hidden underneath the folds of his cassock.
His thin and angular face hides his true nature, making him appear stern with his roman nose, high and sharp cheek bones, thin lips, and prominent jaw. His green eyes twinkle with intelligence and humor known only to him. Like the other natural born members of the Fletcher clan, he was born with white hair, that would grow thick on his head if it wasn't tonsured.
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Clothes and Equipment: Rainier is a priest of the Church of Varafel by vocation, and thus is equipped like one. He has two cassocks, one white, and the other black, and he carries the spare in his satchel. He tries to keep his black leather shoes glossy for all occasions, but that often proves impossible as he walks everywhere. For rainy weather, he has a dark gray cassock.
His personal belongings are stowed in a grey canvas bag slung across his body, and include: his prayer book, his ink and spare quills, a journal, a pen knife, and his gold wire rimmed spectacles for when he has to read.
He also has a quarter staff he uses as a walking stick, and if needs be, for self defense.
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Registered: Apr 24, 2018 7:28:30 GMT -8
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Post by Rainier Fletcher on Jul 25, 2019 11:42:01 GMT -8
Bria looked up as Rainier approached. The priest looked chipper today, but Bria couldn't appreciate it in his mood. He was getting cold feet, but he knew in his heart that he couldn't turn from this. This was his destiny, and he must grab it. He thought for a moment about Rainier's question. His stomach was curling at the very thought of approaching the home, and he knew that he lost his immunity to that horrible stench in the basement. He shook his head, going back to looking at the tattoos dancing on his arms. "I don't think so. It'd be a waste, I might puke." He'd eat during or after if he felt the need to. He had rations in his bag, enough that he could comfortably snack. "You seem in a good mood this morning. At least, there's a... a glow about you. You didn't abandon the priesthood for one of the women, did you? That tingling down there isn't God, I can tell you that much." He was trying to stall for as long as he could. The tattoos that went up into his hands looked angry, tumultuous. A storm on the horizon. “There are multiple ways to reach a ‘glow’,” Rainier retorted, somewhat taken aback by the question, “And no, I haven’t. And besides, one does not need to leave the cloth to take a wife. The Mother celebrates love in all forms. And if that is all your concerns, may I suggest we take to the road? Perhaps if we are lucky we’ll be done with all this business by night fall.” With that Rainier stood up from the table, and gestured towards the door.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jul 25, 2019 19:00:40 GMT -8
Rudiger had to give the Empress a double take as he heard her comment, of course when she wasn't looking at him. Even the biggest of fools would not try anything when all about them the most prestigious and capable members of the Imperial forces could swoop down upon them and carry them straight to prison... or down the gullets of their steeds, depending on who one talked to. "Most peasants and brigands aren't idiots Your Empress," he replied softly, "knowing from experience they know practical matters quite well, if not necessarily higher ones. They know that beast that can eat half their flock as an after thought is not one to unduly provoke." He had also been surveying the area they had been walking through, and remembering times when he and his older brother... well, adopted brother to be accurate... had hunted through these woods, looking to bring back fresh meat to the table. He could almost imagine a place where he had fallen off his little palfrey and broken his wrist, but the fades of his memory disappeared as soon as it seemed tangible. "All things must change in time." "I would very much prefer riding on horse, and I would suggest the same for Your Empress. It would allow for a closer and more thorough studying of the situation, if a slower one," he answered. Perhaps he was being a bit presumptuous, but he remembered the flight over unknowable miles of land between here and the capital, all blending together. It didn't allow for a proper appreciation of the subject matter. Mouth sliding over to one side of her face, The Empress gives Rudiger the side-eye. “That’s not what I meant to imply — the Riders are very conspicuous here. Closer to the city, where they’re common, they can shadow people without arousing suspicion, but not so out in the country.” It also isn’t what she meant about the horses and griffins but she’s not going to push the matter; it doesn’t seem like such an unpleasant walk. So she starts off toward the town, careful in choosing her footing. The ground isn’t quite level, and it’s a bit muddy, but that’s why she wore her boots. “What’s your attitude coming into this?” she asks over her shoulder. “Are you glad to be back, eager to survey your lands, nervous of what we’ll find here?...”
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Rudiger Dornmauer
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 229
Age: 30
Physical Description: Rudiger is tall at 6'3", and muscularly built from his profession. His skin is weathered from his life on the road, with the first wrinkles of age appearing at the sides of his mouth and his eyes, and thick calluses on his right hand from wielding his sword. His light brown hair has been sheered to a fade parted on the right side, and his strong chin that was once covered by thick goatee has been shaved to stubble, but his thick mustache has remained. His most prominent feature is a thick scar and his missing left eye, which he covers with a black eyepatch, which he lost in a fight with a bear.
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Clothes and Equipment: Rudiger wears a variety of cloths, depending on the situation. For battle, he wears a blue gambeson underneath steel plate armor, which encases him from head to foot. He wears a bellow faced sallet helm, which he learned to wear from the loss of his eye. He wields a hand and half sword, with a decorative eagle on the pommel. He also carries a kite shield, painted with his coat of arm, a black eagle on a red and orange checkered field.
When he's not in battle, he wears a white wool shirt, and thick woolen black pants. He always wears his tan riding boots.
He owns a dapple grey destrier, and a heavy wooden saddle with a high cantle and pommel covered in thick leather.
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Allegiances: The Grand Duchy of Voruta
Registered: Dec 6, 2017 14:20:22 GMT -8
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Post by Rudiger Dornmauer on Jul 25, 2019 20:36:34 GMT -8
Rudiger had to give the Empress a double take as he heard her comment, of course when she wasn't looking at him. Even the biggest of fools would not try anything when all about them the most prestigious and capable members of the Imperial forces could swoop down upon them and carry them straight to prison... or down the gullets of their steeds, depending on who one talked to. "Most peasants and brigands aren't idiots Your Empress," he replied softly, "knowing from experience they know practical matters quite well, if not necessarily higher ones. They know that beast that can eat half their flock as an after thought is not one to unduly provoke." He had also been surveying the area they had been walking through, and remembering times when he and his older brother... well, adopted brother to be accurate... had hunted through these woods, looking to bring back fresh meat to the table. He could almost imagine a place where he had fallen off his little palfrey and broken his wrist, but the fades of his memory disappeared as soon as it seemed tangible. "All things must change in time." "I would very much prefer riding on horse, and I would suggest the same for Your Empress. It would allow for a closer and more thorough studying of the situation, if a slower one," he answered. Perhaps he was being a bit presumptuous, but he remembered the flight over unknowable miles of land between here and the capital, all blending together. It didn't allow for a proper appreciation of the subject matter. Mouth sliding over to one side of her face, The Empress gives Rudiger the side-eye. “That’s not what I meant to imply — the Riders are very conspicuous here. Closer to the city, where they’re common, they can shadow people without arousing suspicion, but not so out in the country.” It also isn’t what she meant about the horses and griffins but she’s not going to push the matter; it doesn’t seem like such an unpleasant walk. So she starts off toward the town, careful in choosing her footing. The ground isn’t quite level, and it’s a bit muddy, but that’s why she wore her boots. “What’s your attitude coming into this?” she asks over her shoulder. “Are you glad to be back, eager to survey your lands, nervous of what we’ll find here?...” Rudiger again gave Naoki a bit of a glare? People being used to the Dawn Riders in Voruta? He could see several issues with that statement, first and foremost being that the Dawn Riders very rarely ever ventured down to this neck of the woods, pun perhaps intended mentally, and when they did everyone was on high alert. Be it in the city or in the deep parts of the country. He was beginning to get an understanding of what the Vorutan ambassadors were constantly enumerating to him. Isran over lordship had its benefits to be sure, with access to selling goods in higher quantities to be sure and bringing in luxury products from the Empire. But that very much did not capture the whole tale. Along with the luxuries came such a wave of cheaper items that home and cottage industries had been snuffed out from existence. There were several cases of Isran companies coming in and replacing Vorutan workers with their own help, exacerbating the poverty issue. The raids were just the final in many straws that would break the strongest stallion's back. And perhaps the worst part of all of it, it seemed no one high enough in the Isran Bureaucracy cared. And Rudiger was beginning to suspect that as being more than the truth. No one he had approached in the government had given anything more than a glassy stare when he asked about certain conditions. He had been taught from a boy that the worst thing that someone could do was show complete apathy to your existence. Even if you disliked someone, you would still devote some energy that hate. But in apathy, you did not even offer that. Many in Voruta shared that same opinion. It was the forgotten province, and in that blind spot bred frustration and resentment. The common talking points around the table in ale houses and on the roads often sounded much the same. If any other province in the Empire experienced half the issues that Voruta faced, then there would be parchment reports back to fill whole buildings. But how many could point to Voruta on the map, even as they built their homes out of her lumber, ate Vorutan rye bread with iron dug up from Vorutan soil. Iron that if they controlled they could use against those blasted orcs. But damned pieces of parchment secured them to fat cats who in the same breath as sending in Isran strike breakers to crack skulls would call the Vorutans the savages. Finally he answered, "A mixture of all three Your Empress. I have not received much in the way of accurate reports in the capital, and I wish to be able to return when I am Duke with a full list of all that needs to be addressed. And I suppose... I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing my old home, to see my family. Even if we aren't blood related... they're still my family."
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Jul 25, 2019 21:53:08 GMT -8
Rudiger again gave Naoki a bit of a glare? People being used to the Dawn Riders in Voruta? He could see several issues with that statement, first and foremost being that the Dawn Riders very rarely ever ventured down to this neck of the woods, pun perhaps intended mentally, and when they did everyone was on high alert. Be it in the city or in the deep parts of the country. He was beginning to get an understanding of what the Vorutan ambassadors were constantly enumerating to him. Isran over lordship had its benefits to be sure, with access to selling goods in higher quantities to be sure and bringing in luxury products from the Empire. But that very much did not capture the whole tale. Along with the luxuries came such a wave of cheaper items that home and cottage industries had been snuffed out from existence. There were several cases of Isran companies coming in and replacing Vorutan workers with their own help, exacerbating the poverty issue. The raids were just the final in many straws that would break the strongest stallion's back. And perhaps the worst part of all of it, it seemed no one high enough in the Isran Bureaucracy cared. And Rudiger was beginning to suspect that as being more than the truth. No one he had approached in the government had given anything more than a glassy stare when he asked about certain conditions. He had been taught from a boy that the worst thing that someone could do was show complete apathy to your existence. Even if you disliked someone, you would still devote some energy that hate. But in apathy, you did not even offer that. Many in Voruta shared that same opinion. It was the forgotten province, and in that blind spot bred frustration and resentment. The common talking points around the table in ale houses and on the roads often sounded much the same. If any other province in the Empire experienced half the issues that Voruta faced, then there would be parchment reports back to fill whole buildings. But how many could point to Voruta on the map, even as they built their homes out of her lumber, ate Vorutan rye bread with iron dug up from Vorutan soil. Iron that if they controlled they could use against those blasted orcs. But damned pieces of parchment secured them to fat cats who in the same breath as sending in Isran strike breakers to crack skulls would call the Vorutans the savages. Finally he answered, "A mixture of all three Your Empress. I have not received much in the way of accurate reports in the capital, and I wish to be able to return when I am Duke with a full list of all that needs to be addressed. And I suppose... I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing my old home, to see my family. Even if we aren't blood related... they're still my family." “Mmmh, certainly,” Naoki confirms, “I’d be pleased to meet them — if you’d like. I wonder how they’ll take the news.” Naoki hums in amusement. A mother’s reaction when her son returns home after twelve years, (in the company of The Empress,) to tell her he is to be Duke of the land. Though she’d like to see the look on Rudiger’s mother’s face, Naoki resolves to exercise discretion when the time comes. She wouldn’t like to intrude. They walk along for a bit before Naoki forms another thought: “Seeing as how the whole ‘incognito’ bit doesn’t seem like it’s going to work out, we might consider changing our approach. Rather than trying to slink about and get a candid look at Vortuan life, what if we walked in just like this, hood down, and entertained conversations with the populace?” A serious question, she’s asking Rudiger how he’d like to proceed. “You’re going to usher in a new age, and if you were to begin as such, riding about to see what problems you’ll need to solve, that might garner you some support. You’re not going to be able to fix their problems today, but if the new duke comes, listens to your problem, makes a note of it, and then has it resolved not too long after, that particular individual will have every reason to support you and your reputation will start off on a good note.”
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Tana the Tongue-Tied
Established
Roleplay posts: 43
Age: 19
Physical Description: ***********
Race: Human
Class: Cleric
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Light Brown
Build: Almost Athletic
Height: Average
Marks: A birthmark in the shape of a crescent, various freckles, a mole or two, and faint scars from life.
Clothes and Equipment: ***********
Cloak
Light Robes
Staff
Rucksack filled with: Extra clothes, cookware, other utensils and personal things.
Torch
Flute
Fishing Rod
Other things
Allegiances: People of the Usque
Player's online availability : Whenever health doesn't get in the way
Registered: Jun 30, 2019 9:28:03 GMT -8
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Post by Tana the Tongue-Tied on Jul 30, 2019 12:00:07 GMT -8
An army of women emerged from the forest, first the nymphs that were let through the wall, and then an army of Usque people were soon to follow after with a party of individuals lead by a woman on a white horse with a crown and a decorative but effective armor plate upon her chest. They all made formation and some of the nymphs who had not seen the damage until now began to weep in horror at the sight of the place that used to be beautiful and looked so different. She lifted her fist and all the women, nymphs and human/fae alike, knelt in reverence to the daughter of the chieftain. She sent forth a messenger who marched to the camp. "Tana, the daughter of the Chieftain of the Usque People has arrived. She asks to see the leader of this outfit and that all activity with OUR trees and OUR land stop. You have trespassed upon our land, an ancient forest that your people are cutting down one tree at a time without regard to the creatures that reside there or planting new trees to take the place of the old. We approach in peace now, but if your leader does not agree to meet with ours, we will be forced to take action against yours in retaliation for lives and land lost by the hands of your people."
Few of the lumberjacks had expected to be greeted with this type of spectacle. Sure there had been stories going around the campfires of thousands of logging camps throughout the empire and beyond that spoke of kingdoms buried in the trees, but those were just stories. Tales to remind careless and foolhardy lumbermen from wandering off and getting eaten by any number of wild creatures. For a few moments there appeared to be no activity within the palisade. The air grew silenced, all remaining fowl and beasts having been driven off with all the pomp and fanfare. Then, the sound of a cork from a glass bottle, and several glugs of liquor joining another cup. The barricade in front of the palisade was moved aside by two burly men. He wasn’t particularly tall, or imposing physically in his tan flannel shirt and thick khaki pants. He had something of a round gut, though it more was from drinking lots of ale than being a stranger to physical activity. His slightly curled light brown hair fell to his shoulders in the back, with a bald patch beginning to manifest on the back of his head. His hands were heavily calloused from swinging an axe, with a gold ring beset with the crossed axes of the lumberjack guild on the ring finger of his right hand. In the right hand, a steaming cup of black coffee. He took his time, sauntering up to the messenger, sipping on the cup with every few steps. A tenor, raspy now but true in his youth, greeted the messenger as he stopped to a little over an arms width away, “Aye, and where is the documentation of ownership for these lands?”
The girl took her head piece off to reveal a scarred face, a fierce one that has seen war enough to scare others. She lifted her chin and said, "Tana the Tongue Tied is merely a representative of our guardian, Lady Faisine. Tana is tasked with holding off further activity for now. Lady Faisine is the one who is charged with the safety of the forest and all within. If you do not know her, she was appointed by Camilla, our rightful queen, who is in association with Empress Naoki. Your... papers... are meaningless in this part of the world as most of our people are illiterate." She paused and then sighed, "And because of this, I know complications arise, however, our people are not brutes and are willing to work with your people as long as you meet our terms that are more than reasonable. Lady Faisine is en route to here and has already sent word to find Empress Naoki in order to negotiate PEACEFULLY a way to make everybody happy. You cannot simply claim somebody else's land with papers when they have been there for many many years and then ask the indigenous to prove ownership in such a way."
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Rudiger Dornmauer
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 229
Age: 30
Physical Description: Rudiger is tall at 6'3", and muscularly built from his profession. His skin is weathered from his life on the road, with the first wrinkles of age appearing at the sides of his mouth and his eyes, and thick calluses on his right hand from wielding his sword. His light brown hair has been sheered to a fade parted on the right side, and his strong chin that was once covered by thick goatee has been shaved to stubble, but his thick mustache has remained. His most prominent feature is a thick scar and his missing left eye, which he covers with a black eyepatch, which he lost in a fight with a bear.
____________________________________________________________
Clothes and Equipment: Rudiger wears a variety of cloths, depending on the situation. For battle, he wears a blue gambeson underneath steel plate armor, which encases him from head to foot. He wears a bellow faced sallet helm, which he learned to wear from the loss of his eye. He wields a hand and half sword, with a decorative eagle on the pommel. He also carries a kite shield, painted with his coat of arm, a black eagle on a red and orange checkered field.
When he's not in battle, he wears a white wool shirt, and thick woolen black pants. He always wears his tan riding boots.
He owns a dapple grey destrier, and a heavy wooden saddle with a high cantle and pommel covered in thick leather.
____________________________________________________________
Allegiances: The Grand Duchy of Voruta
Registered: Dec 6, 2017 14:20:22 GMT -8
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Post by Rudiger Dornmauer on Jul 31, 2019 18:44:14 GMT -8
Rudiger again gave Naoki a bit of a glare? People being used to the Dawn Riders in Voruta? He could see several issues with that statement, first and foremost being that the Dawn Riders very rarely ever ventured down to this neck of the woods, pun perhaps intended mentally, and when they did everyone was on high alert. Be it in the city or in the deep parts of the country. He was beginning to get an understanding of what the Vorutan ambassadors were constantly enumerating to him. Isran over lordship had its benefits to be sure, with access to selling goods in higher quantities to be sure and bringing in luxury products from the Empire. But that very much did not capture the whole tale. Along with the luxuries came such a wave of cheaper items that home and cottage industries had been snuffed out from existence. There were several cases of Isran companies coming in and replacing Vorutan workers with their own help, exacerbating the poverty issue. The raids were just the final in many straws that would break the strongest stallion's back. And perhaps the worst part of all of it, it seemed no one high enough in the Isran Bureaucracy cared. And Rudiger was beginning to suspect that as being more than the truth. No one he had approached in the government had given anything more than a glassy stare when he asked about certain conditions. He had been taught from a boy that the worst thing that someone could do was show complete apathy to your existence. Even if you disliked someone, you would still devote some energy that hate. But in apathy, you did not even offer that. Many in Voruta shared that same opinion. It was the forgotten province, and in that blind spot bred frustration and resentment. The common talking points around the table in ale houses and on the roads often sounded much the same. If any other province in the Empire experienced half the issues that Voruta faced, then there would be parchment reports back to fill whole buildings. But how many could point to Voruta on the map, even as they built their homes out of her lumber, ate Vorutan rye bread with iron dug up from Vorutan soil. Iron that if they controlled they could use against those blasted orcs. But damned pieces of parchment secured them to fat cats who in the same breath as sending in Isran strike breakers to crack skulls would call the Vorutans the savages. Finally he answered, "A mixture of all three Your Empress. I have not received much in the way of accurate reports in the capital, and I wish to be able to return when I am Duke with a full list of all that needs to be addressed. And I suppose... I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing my old home, to see my family. Even if we aren't blood related... they're still my family." “Mmmh, certainly,” Naoki confirms, “I’d be pleased to meet them — if you’d like. I wonder how they’ll take the news.” Naoki hums in amusement. A mother’s reaction when her son returns home after twelve years, (in the company of The Empress,) to tell her he is to be Duke of the land. Though she’d like to see the look on Rudiger’s mother’s face, Naoki resolves to exercise discretion when the time comes. She wouldn’t like to intrude. They walk along for a bit before Naoki forms another thought: “Seeing as how the whole ‘incognito’ bit doesn’t seem like it’s going to work out, we might consider changing our approach. Rather than trying to slink about and get a candid look at Vortuan life, what if we walked in just like this, hood down, and entertained conversations with the populace?” A serious question, she’s asking Rudiger how he’d like to proceed. “You’re going to usher in a new age, and if you were to begin as such, riding about to see what problems you’ll need to solve, that might garner you some support. You’re not going to be able to fix their problems today, but if the new duke comes, listens to your problem, makes a note of it, and then has it resolved not too long after, that particular individual will have every reason to support you and your reputation will start off on a good note.” "I'd sooner deny a bear a feast than to make the acquaintance between you and my mother," Rudiger retorted to Naoki, a rare joke from him considering how terrified he was of her position. Which was not a critique of the Empress of course, it was just that titles demanded all due respect. A lesson all Vorutan children were taught from childhood from the lowest peasant to the greatest lords. And Empress was a rather awesome title, deserving of more respect than a mortal could muster. Rudiger began to wonder how often he was going to cock his eyebrow at the Empress, but here he was doing it again. Well she did raise a fair point. The locals were sure going to be suspicious that such wanderers would be pestering them about their daily lives as griffons and their riders circled overhead. Probably not the most congenial to conversation. "A fair plan your Empress, and one I would be inclined to adopt. I would recommend that we stop by a lord's residence and put on more fine clothing then. Can't have the peasants thinking we are but vulgar folks on the putting on pretend."
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