Archbishop Alured Norian
Committed
Roleplay posts: 71
Age: 356
Physical Description: Seven-feet-tall wearing a heavy, black leather cloak. A wide brimmed hat sits upon his head, and he wears a curious, pointed mask, fit with black lenses that hide its eyes. Occasionally sickly-sweet smelling gas rises from small vents on their side of the "beak".
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When not wearing what he refers to as his ceremonial garb, he reveals himself to be an elf. His face is lined with age and his hair is short and slicked back, black streaked with gray. His eyes are orange, and despite his races propensity towards merriment, he wears a permanent scowl that exudes a cold aura of authority.
Clothes and Equipment: A heavy leather jacket, gloves, a wide-brimmed hat and a plague doctor's mask. He has with him on a strap a holy book, bound in black leather with silver linings.
His mask has enchantments that largely eliminate inhaled poisons, sight-based magics or effects or even the need for air. His jacket functions as a flexible suit of metal armor and hampers weapons as such. It cannot be slices, however crushing and large amounts of piercing damage may penetrate it. It can be fixed, but it takes time, and thus can't be performed during battles.
He carries no weapons and fights unarmed, although he has a knife for general purposes. His leather gloves function as gauntlets and can pack quite a punch.
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Allegiances: The Church of Varafel
Player's online availability : Frequent
Registered: Dec 22, 2017 15:51:51 GMT -8
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Post by Archbishop Alured Norian on Oct 30, 2018 15:23:01 GMT -8
Fortunately "exciting" wasn't exactly Alured's forte anyways. He nodded, although whether in approval or general acknowledgement was difficult to ascertain. "I understand the situation you face. Even with your best intentions, you cannot solve all the world's ailments. That very reason is why I established a church, in order to delegate such responsibilities. Although I'm sure you're well-aware, that does create entirely new problems."
Well, the answer didn't reveal much more than he had already anticipated. Of course, this setting already did that.
"What exactly are you searching for in a suitor?" he asked, knowing she probably expected the answer. "I will be the first to admit I would not fit many people's conceptions. Yet I would like to be seen as "in the running", so to speak. If there is anything on the topic you need to know about me, I am willing to answer. Within reason."
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 31, 2018 15:01:03 GMT -8
“That’s a good question,” The Empress admits.
“The answer depends on what you’re asking. If you’re asking why I’m meeting with suitors, the answer is that I’m attempting to address the issue wherein I have no successor. Not that I’m planning on it, but if I were to drop dead, there’s no clear process for what would happen or who the next leader of Isra might be.”
“There are a few different manners in which I could address the problem, but I’ve yet to find a specific solution I’m pleased with. So, in meeting with suitors, I’m searching for a satisfactory answer to the problem. I’m not sure what form it will take, but I’m looking, hoping that the right answer will come up and present itself to me.”
The Empress finishes the wine in her glass and sets it aside. “Or, were you asking about my preferences in partners? Because that’s not the same question.” She smirks.
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Archbishop Alured Norian
Committed
Roleplay posts: 71
Age: 356
Physical Description: Seven-feet-tall wearing a heavy, black leather cloak. A wide brimmed hat sits upon his head, and he wears a curious, pointed mask, fit with black lenses that hide its eyes. Occasionally sickly-sweet smelling gas rises from small vents on their side of the "beak".
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When not wearing what he refers to as his ceremonial garb, he reveals himself to be an elf. His face is lined with age and his hair is short and slicked back, black streaked with gray. His eyes are orange, and despite his races propensity towards merriment, he wears a permanent scowl that exudes a cold aura of authority.
Clothes and Equipment: A heavy leather jacket, gloves, a wide-brimmed hat and a plague doctor's mask. He has with him on a strap a holy book, bound in black leather with silver linings.
His mask has enchantments that largely eliminate inhaled poisons, sight-based magics or effects or even the need for air. His jacket functions as a flexible suit of metal armor and hampers weapons as such. It cannot be slices, however crushing and large amounts of piercing damage may penetrate it. It can be fixed, but it takes time, and thus can't be performed during battles.
He carries no weapons and fights unarmed, although he has a knife for general purposes. His leather gloves function as gauntlets and can pack quite a punch.
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Allegiances: The Church of Varafel
Player's online availability : Frequent
Registered: Dec 22, 2017 15:51:51 GMT -8
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Post by Archbishop Alured Norian on Oct 31, 2018 16:41:01 GMT -8
A glimmer of amusement burned in Alured's eye, although it did not seem to reach the rest of his stony face.
"Forgive me if I tend towards the matter of your political leanings rather than your personal interests. I rarely battle on fields on which I am bound to lose." he noted, draining the last dregs of wine from his glass. "I am interested in your matters of succession. Does Isra not have a precedent in the event of your death? I assumed it would follow a line based on positions within your government." he asked, leaning forwards slightly with genuine curiosity.
Was it disorganization? Distrust of those alongside her? Or was this matter merely a precaution to keep anyone else from seizing the position?
"I was under the impression that your position was not hereditary."
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 31, 2018 21:27:09 GMT -8
The Empress shakes her head. “It does not. Lord of The Free City was an elected position, but I am The Empress, the first Empress, and I have yet to die. A designated line down the ranks is a specious solution; imagine if such a thing were implemented.”
“It would be painting targets on the backs of all those ahead of one in the line. It would encourage assassinations, and as the current ruler gets on in years, there would be fierce competition for the higher spots in line. … And all of the highest posts are by appointment — it would only be a layer of abstraction for choosing my successor.”
Again, The Empress shakes her head. “No, I’ve all but decided against such a thing. It makes more sense for me to choose and prepare a successor, so when the time comes the transition is easy, and the successor already knows all they need to.”
“Is that introducing a dynastic system and denying the people the option to choose another type of ruler when I am gone?” She shrugs, almost causing her towel to slip off.
“Perhaps.” She adjusts her towel. “Perhaps. But I value the continued stability of The Empire over that. If it turns out that bearing a child and raising them as my successor is the best option, then so be it. Though I’m exploring other options as well, because that’s a lot of work, and there are other things I could be doing.”
Leaning over, The Empress takes the bottle of wine and moves to refill her glass, gesturing for Alured to present his if he’d like.
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Archbishop Alured Norian
Committed
Roleplay posts: 71
Age: 356
Physical Description: Seven-feet-tall wearing a heavy, black leather cloak. A wide brimmed hat sits upon his head, and he wears a curious, pointed mask, fit with black lenses that hide its eyes. Occasionally sickly-sweet smelling gas rises from small vents on their side of the "beak".
-------
When not wearing what he refers to as his ceremonial garb, he reveals himself to be an elf. His face is lined with age and his hair is short and slicked back, black streaked with gray. His eyes are orange, and despite his races propensity towards merriment, he wears a permanent scowl that exudes a cold aura of authority.
Clothes and Equipment: A heavy leather jacket, gloves, a wide-brimmed hat and a plague doctor's mask. He has with him on a strap a holy book, bound in black leather with silver linings.
His mask has enchantments that largely eliminate inhaled poisons, sight-based magics or effects or even the need for air. His jacket functions as a flexible suit of metal armor and hampers weapons as such. It cannot be slices, however crushing and large amounts of piercing damage may penetrate it. It can be fixed, but it takes time, and thus can't be performed during battles.
He carries no weapons and fights unarmed, although he has a knife for general purposes. His leather gloves function as gauntlets and can pack quite a punch.
-------
Allegiances: The Church of Varafel
Player's online availability : Frequent
Registered: Dec 22, 2017 15:51:51 GMT -8
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Post by Archbishop Alured Norian on Nov 1, 2018 8:13:47 GMT -8
Alured nodded as the Empress expressed her position on the subject, holding out his glass for a refill when she offered it. He seemed slightly less tense with a glass in him, but there was a rigidness in demeanor that simply wouldn't wring out even in the most relaxed of situations. Curiosity still tugged at him, more questions about succession, but how many would it take to make her suspect he was planning bumping up that schedule? He had no intention of harming the Empress, but he was concerned she may not be so certain about that.
"I understand the shift in political rulership is difficult to retrofit. One may search for stability where there is none. It's impressive when one seeks to create it." he mused, eyeing the wine in his glass before drinking deeply of it.
"So may I offer the wisdom of experience? Rulership of an individual, while it has served you well thus far, is ultimately flawed. A Goddess, and Empress, these things eventually fall, and the one that attempts to replace it...well, it may speak the language, but the people are well-aware it is not the thing which they had sought to begin with. The stronger, more assured your own rule, the more glaring the flaws will seem which exist in your successor. You are a very real quantity for which they will be matched up to, and many will find wanting. What you need, is to band them under an ideal. A concept that will carry on to any who follow you."
Setting aside the glass he leaned forward slightly, eyes leveled on her own as they almost light up in underlying passion. "Religion gives your lineage legitimacy. Religion is what stays the fears of the breadmaker, what calls the motivations of the would-be assassins into question. It's what can make even the most benign of acts seem like acts for the Goddess herself. If we were to join together, to accept Varafel as our deity, our actions and heirs would be lended the legitimacy that would make even the lowliest peasant seek to praise you. For now your power extends only as far as your reach, but it could go so far beyond that. It could extend as far belief itself. A Holy Empire, for the Holy 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 Nov 1, 2018 17:11:03 GMT -8
"Well. Most of the lowliest peasants already praise me,” The Empress responds, adjusting her towel aggressively.
“But I see what you mean to drive at.” Leaning back, she spends an extra moment to consider his words. This is the religious pitch he’s been building up to. It isn’t much different than she would have expected, but there’s a lot to consider. Many questions come to mind, but she holds them.
“Let’s suppose for a moment I accept your proposition wholeheartedly and dedicate my efforts to seeing it realized. Describe that. Explain, in detail, how you would see things turn out.”
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Archbishop Alured Norian
Committed
Roleplay posts: 71
Age: 356
Physical Description: Seven-feet-tall wearing a heavy, black leather cloak. A wide brimmed hat sits upon his head, and he wears a curious, pointed mask, fit with black lenses that hide its eyes. Occasionally sickly-sweet smelling gas rises from small vents on their side of the "beak".
-------
When not wearing what he refers to as his ceremonial garb, he reveals himself to be an elf. His face is lined with age and his hair is short and slicked back, black streaked with gray. His eyes are orange, and despite his races propensity towards merriment, he wears a permanent scowl that exudes a cold aura of authority.
Clothes and Equipment: A heavy leather jacket, gloves, a wide-brimmed hat and a plague doctor's mask. He has with him on a strap a holy book, bound in black leather with silver linings.
His mask has enchantments that largely eliminate inhaled poisons, sight-based magics or effects or even the need for air. His jacket functions as a flexible suit of metal armor and hampers weapons as such. It cannot be slices, however crushing and large amounts of piercing damage may penetrate it. It can be fixed, but it takes time, and thus can't be performed during battles.
He carries no weapons and fights unarmed, although he has a knife for general purposes. His leather gloves function as gauntlets and can pack quite a punch.
-------
Allegiances: The Church of Varafel
Player's online availability : Frequent
Registered: Dec 22, 2017 15:51:51 GMT -8
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Post by Archbishop Alured Norian on Jan 8, 2019 1:57:56 GMT -8
She wasn't sold. Not yet, at least, but this was just the beginning.
"It's easy to have the praise of the peasants when things are going well. So long as they have food on their plates, they're happy to praise any leader that isn't openly feeding them to dragons. The issues arise when there is no longer food on the table. Every kingdom goes through periods of shortage. Wars, plagues, famines, people burn through good will eventually, no matter how good you were to them. You said it yourself, it's not as if you can aid every peasant, and for each who has seen you in your grace, there are three that have never seen you at all. That have not received the full benefits Isra might otherwise have granted them. Yet, imagine this. You endorse the Church of Varafel. You establish it as your Empire's religion, and then every soul that has seen or benefited from its services has you to thank for it. You don't have to touch the life of every peasant, because they're doing it for you.
With that, we have more people join the churches. More priests means more learned, educated healers, or even specialized warriors. People with an overwhelming sense of loyalty not just to you as a person, but to the very concept to which you represent. In your day-to-day life very little will change. A few prayers, and a few well-placed visits to the Cathedrals to show the people you're serious about it, but other than that, I expect it will be rather business as usual. I will handle the affairs of the church while you handle the affairs of the state. We produce a child, and they are seen as a holy heir. Longed lived and divinely ordained to rule. That is what I can offer you."
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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 19, 2019 7:50:11 GMT -8
“That’s quite the proposal.” The Empress shifts in her seat, crossing her legs the other way.
“However, doubts linger. First among them: the viability. There’s a certain sort of nuance you have there — with that mask of yours and the focus on death, as opposed to something simple and agreeable like sun worship. It works well enough as it is — a minority, but I’m unsure if the people of Isra as a whole will accept Varafel as their deity in any timeframe whatsoever — just due to the features of the religion and the variety of Isra's peoples. A large part of what you mean to get at involves those outside the city adopting the religion wholeheartedly, and it will be difficult to spread its reach far beyond a day’s walk of a cathedral.”
“And then, if we’re going to dot the countryside with cathedrals, we could also be doing something else with a more tangible benefit. That leads to logistical questions and issues putting values on things that cannot be assigned value, and so on. There’s much room for skepticism in considering the viability.” A hand wave dismisses the rest of that line of thinking.
The Empress, in her infinite mercy, refrains from expressing doubt in Alured’s ability to put a child in anything, instead skipping to a more serious matter.
“There’s also the not-so-small matter of The Church's stance on undead.”
Pausing, The Empress gives Alured a weighted look intended to communicate that she does not approve, and may or may not know more than she lets on.
“A good number of my friends are not alive in the traditional sense,” she begins, watching his face for a reaction. “Including my artificer, and The Imperial Princess Skarlet.”
“Did you know that?”
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Archbishop Alured Norian
Committed
Roleplay posts: 71
Age: 356
Physical Description: Seven-feet-tall wearing a heavy, black leather cloak. A wide brimmed hat sits upon his head, and he wears a curious, pointed mask, fit with black lenses that hide its eyes. Occasionally sickly-sweet smelling gas rises from small vents on their side of the "beak".
-------
When not wearing what he refers to as his ceremonial garb, he reveals himself to be an elf. His face is lined with age and his hair is short and slicked back, black streaked with gray. His eyes are orange, and despite his races propensity towards merriment, he wears a permanent scowl that exudes a cold aura of authority.
Clothes and Equipment: A heavy leather jacket, gloves, a wide-brimmed hat and a plague doctor's mask. He has with him on a strap a holy book, bound in black leather with silver linings.
His mask has enchantments that largely eliminate inhaled poisons, sight-based magics or effects or even the need for air. His jacket functions as a flexible suit of metal armor and hampers weapons as such. It cannot be slices, however crushing and large amounts of piercing damage may penetrate it. It can be fixed, but it takes time, and thus can't be performed during battles.
He carries no weapons and fights unarmed, although he has a knife for general purposes. His leather gloves function as gauntlets and can pack quite a punch.
-------
Allegiances: The Church of Varafel
Player's online availability : Frequent
Registered: Dec 22, 2017 15:51:51 GMT -8
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Post by Archbishop Alured Norian on Apr 23, 2019 16:26:15 GMT -8
Her initial complaints, in Alured's mind, were mutable. They were things that could be handled. In fact, the Cathedral he had placed within the city limits had kept that very image in mind. A diverse group of races, a much more endearing message and so far, it had done rather well. Yet, her latter complaint, held its weight. He knew it would come up, her (in his mind) peculiar acceptance of undead had not been a secret. Yet, as she dropped her revelations he realized to what extent this disease had run its course.
For a quiet moment the Archbishop scrutinized her, with a gaze so cold, it seemed as if the hot mists would turn to frost between them. Yet, despite that he had yet to remove himself. "You have more to gain from my presence than you know." he replied, his voice level. "You suffer a facsimile of friendship from creatures no longer able to express it. This...Princess of yours. Murdered by the creatures you so quickly call friends, and yet even as a so-called "Princess", you and I are still here discussing a non-existent heir. You know people couldn't accept a creature that, by its very nature requires the lifeblood of mortals to sustain itself. What will you do to feed her? Drag prisoners from your cells? Or merely partake in the occasional townsperson?"
Rising to his feet, he towered above her, his glare angled downwards. "I can see now that there was no chance of an alliance between us." he added, clearly terminating further discussion. With a stiff bow the elven priest turned on his heel, striding towards the changing room. "I can only hope the people of Isra need not pay dearly for your...generosity." with that, the elf swept from the room. Ignoring, perhaps foolishly, the dismissal one would no doubt normally wait upon in the presence of a ruling figure. Passing the two guards posted just outside. Striding to his clothing, he cast a gaze that could melt steel at them. "Do you mind?" the heat of his gaze was matched only by the coldness of tone and, once satisfied he quickly dressed.
It was a rather peculiar thing, however. Those who saw him enter, had witnessed his doublet. In fact, not much at all had seemed out-of-place, aside from its out-of-date style. What he pulled from the shelves, however, was a heavy black coat, all-too-familiar to anyone else. Picking up a hat and mask the page had most certainly not placed there, he donned his full ensemble, and if not stopped, strode from the room.
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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 19:21:11 GMT -8
Empress Naoki, not being one to enter rooms that others are already in, is herself already in The Sudatorium. She sits squarely in the center of the middle bench, resting her elbows on the bench behind. She wears a towel wrapped about under her arms, has her hair tied up in a second towel, and is sitting on a third. (As it’s rude to sweat directly on the wood.) Earlier, she asked that Timothy make himself available to Ulfang von Haren to guide him to The Sudatorium. Though she didn’t mention and he didn’t ask of its location at the time of invitation, The Sudatorium is reasonably well-hidden amongst The Citadel’s corridors, and entirely unlabeled. It wouldn’t do to have her guest asking about for directions, so hopefully, Timothy will be able to handle the matter. In the meantime, Naoki is getting her sauna time in and collecting her thoughts. The Sudatorium is an excellent location for meditation, and she has much to meditate on.
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
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Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Feb 5, 2020 21:07:47 GMT -8
Ulfang had noticed his error in forgetting to ask for directions as soon as he had arrived back at the Black Vale entourage's modest base camp the night before and found himself unable to reenter the city after dark. Although he is not one to fret, he did find himself worrying a touch the following morning that his slip might cause him to be late, until Timothy, the Empress' loyal servant, had come to find the King himself.
Timothy had led him and a pair of Dread Knight guardians back to the Citadel, though the guards at the Citadel gate were reluctant to allow the armed Dread Knights to enter. Ulfang, seeing no reason to fear the Citadel, sent them away, then, and went the rest of the way without escort, staying close behind the servant boy.
On the way Ulfang found himself wondering on the usefulness of a servant that needs to eat and sleep. He probably even requires pay. He does seem quite proficient at his job, though he does nothing more effectively than a Revenant Steward might. Strange, the outside world's reliance upon the living for their menial labour. The Black Vale's way is far more efficient, by his reckoning.
Lost in thought, he had nearly trampled the poor boy as he came to a halt before the Sudatorium and explained to Ulfang the protocol and etiquette of the place. Ulfang had thus entered the changing room and stripped unabashedly down to nothing before donning a towel wrap provided by the pageboy that was, decidedly, far too small -- though that's more an inevitability of his size rather than any fault of the servant -- and procuring a spare to lay below him so as not to sweat onto the wood.
He ducks through the entrance into the Sudatorium proper shortly afterward, looking as comfortable in his own skin as he did in a suit of ceremonial armour the day previous. He is no less intimidating without proper armour or clothing, either; his fair, almost pale-skinned chest is broad and powerful and dusted with coarse white hair, he has a full set of taut abdominal muscles, and his biceps are about half again as thick as one of Naoki's bodacious thighs, firm as stone. His toned back speaks to a lifetime of heavy lifting and archery. His tree-trunk ropey legs are quite powerful as well, and ripple with every motion. His figure is not possessed of the lean, elegant and deliberate muscle of a nobleman, but rather it evokes the untamed power and savagery of a grizzly bear.
His body below the neckline is yet further marred by battle and struggle than his face, with old nicks and gashes and tears criss-crossing his otherwise pristine figure. Most noticeably, a wide trio of thick, pink trails of scar tissue run from the center of his barrel chest to the right side of his lumbar region, apparently caused by the claws of some great beast. This looks the sort of barbaric man that would tear a girl like Naoki in half with his bare hands if given half the chance, and yet the graceful smile that crosses his features as his single good eye alights upon her belies his nobility. This king, it seems, is a man of many apparent contradictions.
"Empress Naoki! Fine day for a sweat, my lady," exclaims his rumbling baritone in greeting, giving a nod in her direction as he takes the distance between them in three long strides and places the extra towel haphazardly down upon the bench opposite her. He sits, then, smoothing his own inadequate towel over his thighs as he plants his feet upon the ground. The article only covers his flesh to about halfway down the thigh, leaving him barely decent, and this evokes a touch of irritation in him. It passes quickly, however, as few things are made for those with a drop of giant's blood, and Ulfang is no stranger to misfitted garments.
"The warmth of this place reminds me of the simmering hot springs of the Sable Bastion, one of the Ravenpeaks' tallest plateaus. Great place to visit during the chilly northern winter. The view from up there is spectacular," intones the king. His face spreads into a bemused smirk as he continues, his tone one of mirth, "But I must say, as glorious as it is to look down over my beautiful Vale from on high, it pales in comparison to the marvelous sight I've been granted here in Isra. Even wrapped up in linens your beauty is beyond compare, Empress, that no man could deny. How was your rest?"
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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 20:52:45 GMT -8
“My rest was well,” Empress Naoki replies, looking up at Ulfang as he enters the room. “I took the remainder of the day off to ruminate and consult with my experts.”
The compliment flies unacknowledged, though it’s unclear if this is intentional, meant to come off as cool, or if Naoki is simply distracted by the awe-inspiring view Ulfang has presented her with.
An elongated moment passes with only the sound of water hissing on the rocks before Naoki murmurs appreciatively.
“Suffice it to say,” she begins, looking up to make eye contact. “I think we’ll be able to reach an understanding. But let us leave such talk for later, as you said you wished to know me. There may be places better suited to becoming acquainted than a sauna, but not many, and today was sauna-day anyway. Were it anywhere else we would also both need to be more heavily clothed, and so here we are.” She gestures carefully as not to dislodge her towel.
“To begin, since you've mentioned it, why not tell me more of your Vale? I have not the benefit of your small bird-friends, so I am all but entirely ignorant of what lies beyond your mountain pass.”
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
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Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Feb 6, 2020 21:32:24 GMT -8
Ulfang nods in agreement at her suggesting they leave talk of politics and pacts and agreements for later. He does not notice the cant of her gaze, and so he does nothing to cover himself, instead stretching his back muscles and reclining languidly upon the bench, his elbows rested upon the second set of seats. The back of the lower bench is a bit short for him, but he makes do, and after a few shifts he's made himself comfortable.
He ponders Naoki's question for a moment, his mind going to faraway places as he reminisces on the beauty of his homeland. "Ah, Naoki," he sighs wistfully, forgetting the proper etiquette of using her title in his reverie, "it is such a gorgeous land. From afar, the ring of the Ravenpeaks appears to be an ominous expanse of craggy black mountains stretching up into the clouds, just another deadly feature to be avoided in the icy North."
"Admittedly, the pass has been designed to be unnerving as well. To turn the uncommitted invader, or demoralise the committed, you see. What lies beyond that pass, though...it is almost beyond my ability to describe. My lady Naoki, the Vale is not very populous, and so we are a nation of mostly untamed wilds and vast natural landscapes. Pine forests make up most of the southern reaches, gradually giving way to an expanse of flat, fertile lands in the north before the River Reyk we call the Harvestlands, for that is where all of our food is grown. No matter where you stand within the vale, the shadow of the Ravenpeaks can be seen in the distance on all sides, an awe-inspiring view, especially on a misty spring morning."
"My lady, I have spent many moons trailblazing through our pine and oak forests. My favoured spot is a clearing before a great, ancient oak tree deep within our largest greenwood, Fredelige Skoger, where the beasts of the deep woodlands are like to rest and recuperate. My blood grants me mastery over death, but it grants me the ability to sense life as well, a talent which I have honed more precisely than my predecessors, as it has saved me from more than one assassination attempt. But my lady, I discovered a much more pleasant use for that power when I found this place. The vibrance of the life within those woodlands...it is nothing mere words can describe. I have found myself sitting within that clearing for days on end, simply enjoying the structured chaos of creation as it washes over me, through me, and I become one with the forest. I know it is a strange pastime, but it really is quite pleasant."
Ulfang pauses for a long moment, his eye glazed over as he stares up at the ceiling before shaking his head and returning his sheepish gaze to Naoki. "I...apologise, my lady, that is not what you asked. Where was I?" he says, rubbing the back of his neck with a gentle flush of embarrassment. It's not often that he gets so wrapped up in his own thoughts. It must be the steam.
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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 21:59:07 GMT -8
Naoki hums in acknowledgment, picturing what it must be like to be surrounded on all sides by mountains. To those who enjoy it there, it must be rather comforting, but she suspects there are probably more than a few who see the mountains more as an element of oppression that keeps them in, than a protective wall that keeps enemies out. Of course, she does not mention this, but the thought jumps immediately to mind.
“It is,” she assures him, waving away his concern. “The topology of your homeland is not what interests me.”
“Though it does sound rather pleasant,” she supposes. “I have never been particularly attuned to the forest myself, but it is impossible not to appreciate the sort of vibrant, untamed nature you describe. Unfortunately, it is one of the few things the city actively lacks, and many, myself included, have grown disaccustomed to seeing.”
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Ulfang von Haren
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 181
Age: 82
Physical Description: -------------------------------
Ulfang is a bear of a man. He towers over most he meets, and his figure is muscular and powerful, wonderfully preserved despite his age. He has been the head of House Von Haren for over sixty years. While he lacks the immortality of a vampire, he has been able to sustain his health and vitality seemingly indefinitely through his study of the black arts. His hair is snow white and grown long, complemented by a short white beard curved about his jaw. He has a strong jawline and intensely arched eyebrows, as well as one deep, piercing pale yellow right eye. His other eye is milky white, presumably blind, but this only adds to his intimidating visage. His body is covered with scars, material evidence of an existence filled with battle and hardship. He has a deep, strong voice, the sound of which is enough to scare the life out of the living.
----------------------
Clothes and Equipment: When in battle, he wears heavy, ornate black plate armour, the shoulders of which are sculpted into the shape of ravens with bizarrely glowing green eyes. The fingertips of the gauntlets have been forged and sharpened into bladed points, to be used as tertiary weaponry should he lose both of his blades. His primary weapon is a cursed, broad greatsword named "Fang", which draws the very life from the enemies it fells and feeds their souls to its master. His secondary weapon is a mundane steel arming sword, used primarily in close quarters. Outside of battle, he generally wears a heavy hide-and-fur overcoat over a thick leather jerkin, complimented by black trousers and heavy black boots.
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Registered: Jun 27, 2015 11:08:07 GMT -8
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Post by Ulfang von Haren on Feb 6, 2020 23:45:26 GMT -8
Ulfang nods in agreement, appreciative of her understanding. "Yes, it is unfortunate that the structure of civilization so often cannot coexist with natural beauty. The flow of life in Isra is...erratic in comparison to that of the Black Vale. Even our most populous city does not, ehm...buzz, I suppose, like the Free City does. It is part of why I choose to stay outside the walls at night, though many of my Dread Knights prefer the inns and taverns of the inner ring. I hope to get accustomed to the feeling soon, but for now I find it's best to take it in small doses at a time," rumbles Ulfang.
"The forests aren't the only places that offer resplendent views and pleasant recreation," he continues as he rubs his beard ponderously, allowing himself a moment to reorient his thoughts. "The Ravenpeak mountain range is about five kilometers broad at its narrowest point, and there are many a hidden wonder tucked behind those ridges. Tarns, beautiful falls, and unique microbiomes are common, and every expedition brings new discovery. One must be extra cautious in those heights, however, for footpaths are scarce, and a misstep might lead one into the territory of a Storm Dragon. They are large, intelligent, and while they are undoubtedly monstrous, they even speak. It is a poorly understood tongue and none have yet deciphered it fully, though my scholars have been making strides in that direction. They're not fond of humans on the whole, though, and it's best to avoid them."
"So, too, can the titanic Ravenpeak Giants be found amongst the mountains, settled in primitive hunter-gatherer villages throughout the range. They do not possess our level of technology and magic is rare among their kind, but they stand at a height of about twenty fod, wield mauls larger than a man, and throw wooden javelins the length and width of pine trees. They are dangerous when roused, but the people of the Vale have a tenuous friendship with them. They allow my Revenant Cottiers to extract blackstone, precious gems, and metals from the depths, and their proximity helps keep Storm Dragons away. They hunt Storm Dragons ritualistically to appease their god, you see, and so the dragons tend to give them a wide berth unless angered. There are other beasts that roam the ranges regionally -- big cats, megaloceros, cockatrices, manticores, gryphons, etcetera -- but those two are by far the most widespread and prolific."
Ulfang's eye rests back upon Naoki's, his face turned up into a content smile. It's clear he enjoys speaking on his homeland. "If you ever have the time I would be delighted to show you these wonders in person, Empress. As you may have figured, I am not a poetic man, and so my descriptions can hardly do justice to the Vale's magnificence. You might even meet a giant in person if you come, and let me tell you, that is an experience you do not forget. Even if not, there is always the Sable Bastion with its hot springs, and that is only one of many grand views the Ravenpeaks offer. Why, I would not be surprised if you could see the Free City itself from the tallest ridge," he enthuses.
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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 7, 2020 19:56:36 GMT -8
Again, Naoki hums. “Perhaps,” she responds, “Perhaps. You make it sound magnificent, there is no doubt of that.”
Following this, Naoki is quiet for a long moment, unsure of how to proceed. She looks to the rocks, to the man sitting opposite her, and then down just a bit.
“Very good,” she supposes. “You have questions, do you not?”
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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 Feb 7, 2020 20:21:37 GMT -8
Ulfang nods his affirmation and then rolls his head back to rest it upon the bench, lounging as he ponders for a moment. "I suppose I do, yes. Since I have told you of my country, why don't you tell me of yours, Empress," he intones. "True I have seen and heard the goings on of the Free City through the eyes and ears of my Watchers, but that is a poor substitute for experience. What drives you to work so hard to protect this place, these people?"
Ulfang shakes his head and sits back up to rest his elbows on his knees, his eye returning to Naoki's face as he crosses his hands before him. "That was phrased poorly. I suppose, in clearer terms, I mean to ask what it is that you love about Isra," he states. His eye, it seems, never drifts down past her face despite her wandering glances, his gaze fixed upon Naoki's pretty features, drinking in the sparkle of her expressive eyes and the gentle movements of her full lips.
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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 7, 2020 21:55:34 GMT -8
“Mmh, no, I preferred it the first way…”
Trailing off, she gathers her thoughts.
“This entails a bit of storytime: … I was here, not quite at the city’s initial founding, but not long after. I had essentially nothing and, compared to what it has become, The Free City was hardly anything at all. I was presented with the opportunity to assume management of a dingy little bar called ‘The Midnight Sun’, for reasons that remain unclear to me to this day. Suffice it to say that I did quite well. We made gold hand over fist, and I gradually grew the business and organization into much more than a mere tavern.”
“It wasn’t very long that I found myself with those things which I had lacked, gold and allies, in grand abundance. It became a sort of a game to see how much gold I could make and how wide I could extend my influence. And what I found was that as I accumulated wealth and power, I was better able to provide for those fellow demihumans who found themselves much as I had. I inducted them into the organization, gave them jobs, gave them purpose, put clothes on their backs, fed them, and gave them a warm bed to sleep in -- all those things that were never given to me.”
“I found all this to be immensely gratifying. It appeals to that base part of my psyche that compels humans to cooperate toward the greater good. I get off on receiving gratitude in that manner, and the associated luxuries were an excellent bonus.”
“The scope of those I took responsibility for continued to grow, as did my power to care for them. There was a point at which none in Isra could oppose me, and another where I effectively gained control of the city. When I was elected Lady of The Free City, it was mostly a formality, but it actualized my duty to protect. At that moment I became responsible for the lives of every man woman and child living in Isra, and I carry that duty to this day.”
“Since then, I have dramatically increased both my power and the number of lives I take responsibility for, but my underlying motivations remain the same. Throughout my Empire, there are millions of Isran citizens who, whether they outwardly recognize and appreciate it or not, owe the very basis of their lives to me. They sleep soundly at night protected by the armies I raise. Their homes were built by the programs I organized. They bathe in the bathhouse I paid from my own pocket to construct, and I have even gone so far to provide food to those who have none.” It goes on, but she doesn’t.
“I have done good in this world,” Naoki asserts, “And I feel good about it.”
“At this point, it has become less of a choice and more of a compulsion, because I must continue to work as hard as I do to keep it all from falling apart, but I have become affectionate toward this Empire I’ve built and these people I’ve raised. As it stands, I am the only one who can do what I do, and so I continue for their sake.”
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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 Feb 7, 2020 22:21:48 GMT -8
Ulfang nods along amicably to Naoki's assertions, listening intently. Of course, his eye has been on Isra for as long as it's been around, and his Watchers have seen much. He knows well enough that Naoki's rise to power was not so clean and noble as all that, but he decides it's best not to mention as much; his own rulership is one of birthright, and although the rites and tests that bring a Von Haren into the seat of power are difficult and sometimes deadly, he is well aware that the process of building such great power from scraps must be much more difficult and surely cannot be done without getting one's hands dirty. Even as an inheritor of his throne he's had to make decisions that painted his hands red. It's difficult to imagine becoming Empress from, essentially, nothing. Besides which, it would make for a much less uplifting story were she to mention drug trades and dark deals.
"Indeed, Empress. I too remember a time when the Midnight Sun was a modest establishment in the slums of the Free City serving barely legal substances to get by. I had Watchers stationed around the windows of the structure atimes, as some of your...less wholesome business partners were points of curiosity to me. Curiosities that have never been properly sated, as I still know nothing of those people, but which I have forgotten nonetheless. It was a long time ago, and you have come so very far," he comments. "I do not mean to sound patronising in saying this, but I feel a sort of second-hand pride listening to your account. Truly an awe inspiring story for the ages. We may not agree on certain policies, but it is clear that you and I share a similar love for our peoples, and a similar commitment to doing what must be done to keep them safe and content."
Ulfang thinks on the subject for a moment, and then his face turns down into a slightly troubled frown. "With all this responsibility on your shoulders, Empress, do you ever have time to relax? To explore the world outside your Empire? I have a far smaller kingdom that I can effectively manage from afar due to my abilities, but you possess no such direct connection to your lands. I imagine it must be difficult...exhausting, even, to possess so much power. I wish there were a way I could alleviate some of your burden," he asseverates somberly. After a moment of thought, he realises how that must sound, and sighs at his own ineloquence.
"Ah, I mean this genuinely. I do not mean that I wish for more power over you or your courtly functions, just that I feel empathy for your burden of responsibility, my lady. But perhaps this is not the subject we should pursue while we are in a place of relaxation and luxury, hmm? I suppose this is one of the perks of office; on your down-time, you've the best facilities available to you. Other than this, what do you enjoy doing in your moments of respite?" he inquires.
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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 7, 2020 23:29:36 GMT -8
Naoki has yet to hear anything about how much Ulfang loves his people, enough so that they are forced to donate blood and denied from all but the most menial of tasks to support his undead regime. Somehow, she suspects that his dedication to doing what must be done keep his people ‘safe and content’ has more to do with culling the weak and slaying foes than it does tax paperwork or beauracracy, but whatever. She notices every time, but Naoki has committed to aggressively ignoring those sorts of distasteful bits.
“Oh, as a matter of fact, yes, it is! Quite exhausting!” She is highly enthusiastic in so saying, but the sarcasm is light, comes from pain, and is intended mostly in jest.
“My earring here,” she says, pointing to it, “You may already be aware: it enables a sort of telepathy. I used to use it more extensively to communicate with all the various personnel back at The Sun, but now it functions to me messengers barging it at all hours and allows me to issue orders and receive reports remotely. It is a brilliant convenience, but the real secret is delegation. I could go on about that, but don’t care to.”
Ignoring the misstep, she continues directly to the followup question.
“The polite answer to that question is such that I read extensively and practice archery — and I do. I have several extensive libraries and consider the knowledge I have gained through reading to be an essential component of my ability to lead effectively. … The archery is more of a token pursuit and honestly largely irrelevant, save for this exact circumstance.”
“The accurate answer, for what I prefer to do, is to 'spend time with' my close friends and courtesans. It is the best way I have found to relieve stress, and I’ve been told I’m quite good at it. I could go further, but I wouldn’t want to make you blush.” At this, Naoki winks and employs just the most gentle touch of her foul lust magic, intending only to get a slight rise out of Ulfang — or more accurately, his towel.
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