Sandy

[RIGHT][SIZE="3"][FONT="Georgia"][B]In Times of Despair, One Shall Find Hope[/B][/FONT][/SIZE][/RIGHT] [CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/almagest-ava-leonhart.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]Leonhart Almagest was deadbeat and exhausted. There was neither night nor day in the underground city, but Leonhart had calculated that it must've been well over a week since he was first taken there. And for what? He looked at the massive structure in front of him. Most of the grime and rust had been cleaned from it by now, so the metal surface was glimmering in the light of the magitechnological lanterns. Leonhart found it highly ironic that while the Underdogs despised his factories, they were more than willing to use the products. He first had reckoned they just didn't value hard work, but it had become evident to Leonhart that this had gone beyond a mutiny among his workers. It seemed that the two Czenobles were at war with each other. Turning his thoughts back at the contraption, Leonhart was sure it couldn't be anything else but a weapon. It had a cannon-like shaft and a turning turret, but there were no cannonballs or other ammunition around. Instead of levers and buttons there were strange gems, oozing with alchemical power. It was a certainly a weapon with great destructive force, but it seemed that no one had no idea how to use it. That's were the carved text on the side of the structure came into play. It was written in some ancient language - most likely the one that the inhabitants of this buried city spoke - but there was only one word that made sense in it: [I]Almagest[/I]. Seeing his honored and famous last name written on the side of a machine from ancient times was perplexing to Leonhart. He knew his ancestry was old, but could it really be that old? Or perhaps it was just a cruel game of fate, a mere coincidence that had cost the life of Callisto Prometheo and several others by now. But Leonhart was still alive. The Starks kept him that way for one purpose only: to make the weapon work. He had made some progress, but if the Underdogs thought they were going to make him use it, they were even simpler than he thought. [CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/almagest-landmark4.png[/IMG] [B][FONT="Georgia"]Landmark 09[/FONT][/B][/CENTER]

I'm sorry, I've really been busy these couple of days. I don't mind if you post the announcement, Josh. You could include new avatars for Primas and Juvenus, as I was going to do that. ;D And remember that up until the announcement, no one's allowed to speak inside the Mirror Palace. There's nothing else to it that I was thinking (well, except writing it from Augustine's p-o-v, but that's your choice).

[quote name='Rachmaninoff']Uh, no offense, but son or not. Why would they give him that information? Especially when he's been experimented on by the Almagest's? Sorry, but I find that a bit hard to swallow that he could go to them and they'd say [I]oh, we're holding him here![/I] Blood relation or not, I would imagine that the location of those they kidnapped is a closely guarded secret and that only their most trusted members would know. And Gadget is not a [I]'trusted'[/I] member, he just happens to be related to the Starks who until recently hadn't even had any contact with them at all. XP[/QUOTE] That's not what I meant, heh. Of course they wouldn't tell him that outright - they didn't do it the first time around either. That's where Gadget's abilities would kick in, in the form of eavesdropping. But as I said, that's only one option.

Gadget doesn't know exactly where Leonhart is, since he was taken to a different place (Camp Dobermann) than where the captives were held (they're in Camp Rottweiler at the underground city ruins). But with his abilities and connections to the Starks, he could very well get that information. The other options are of course Alexander and Jack, or even cooperation with *gasp* Princess Augustine.

Well, I'll figure out what to do with Gadget, but in the meantime I want that the Almagests get together and start to think of a way to get Leonhart back. Gadget could help them out with that, but that's just one option. ;D

I found this extremely enlightening video about the democratic candidates... I think it's safe to say they're playing it [I]hard[/I] now. [youtube]FOTAfGuLA-0[/youtube]

Crystia, I wasn't complaining about Gadget not having friends, I was stating it as a fact. ;D I know they don't know who he is and I accept that they're suspicious, that's not my concern. My concern was that I don't know where Gadget could go now. I didn't want Gadget to get caught because he has an important part to play in the end-game, and he couldn't do it if he was lying in prison (although he can turn invisible, he cannot walk through walls, heh). I suppose finding Macey is a good option, but only if D'Ann agrees to it. She seems to have her own plans.

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/gadgetgerrault2avatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/marieevangeline-chronicle.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/fauntleroy-chronicle.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/ladybavariaavatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]As it turned out, Marie Evangeline was home after all. When Gadget saw her, he excused himself to Bavaria and dashed after her. [B]"Hey, Miss Eva!"[/B] Gadget called out. Eva turned around, surprised to see him. [B]"Gadget! Where have you been these past few days? I was getting worried something happened to you. I wouldn't want that all the work me and my sister did for your sake go to waste. Come upstairs, I'll show you."[/B] Eva lead Gadget to her study, and explained the procedure of getting the injected substance out of his blood circulation. Gadget couldn't understand half of it, but Eva didn't seem to notice that. [B]"It will take many blood transfusions, and it won't be pleasant, but in the end I think it could have high chances of succeeding."[/B] [B]"Look"[/B], Gadget started sheepishly.[B] "I appreciate everything you've done for me, I really do... But I don't think I need it anymore. I've learned to control my powers, you see. Just watch."[/B] Gadget squeezed his eyes close, and concentrated on making his skin glow again. But when he opened his eyes again, he saw that nothing had happened. Eva stared at him with a thin, apologetic smile on her lips. [B]"I understand that you'd like to keep these abilities of yours, but they're not safe. Human beings are far too complex to be altered by Chimaera Creation. Maybe someday, when our knowledge of the effects increases, but not yet. You're only a prototype, Gadget. I'm afraid the powers you possess may kill you in the end."[/B] Suddenly the door opened, and Fauntleroy stepped in. [B]"There you are"[/B], he said, directing his words to Gadget. [B]"Just so you know, our beloved stepmother has decided to alarm the Police Guard to come and get you, boy."[/B] [B]"What? No!"[/B] Eva exclaimed. Gadget felt his heart starting to race again. Could he ever find a place that was safe? Could he ever trust anyone again? [B]"I have to go"[/B], Gadget managed to finally say. [B]"Thank you, Miss Eva, for everything, but I can't stay here."[/B] [B]"I'm afraid I can't let you leave"[/B], Fauntleroy said, moving to block the doorway. Gadget saw that he didn't like what he was doing. [B]"Fonty! What are you doing?"[/B] Eva asked enraged. [B]"Macey and Vincent wouldn't want Gadget to get hurt!"[/B] [B]"We still don't know who he is or what he wants"[/B], Fauntleroy explained, trying to keep his calms. [B]"He could very well be a spy for the Underdogs. He certainly seems to know a lot about them."[/B] [B]"Look, it's not my fault they're my parents!"[/B] Gadget shouted, only then realizing what he had said. Eva and Fauntleroy looked at him in disbelief. [B]"I found it out at the Chimaera Cup. The Starks are my real parents, and they took me with them. But they didn't want me, and neither do you lot, it seems. Vincent was the only one, and now he's..."[/B] At that moment, when emotions filled Gadget again, it happened. His skin bursted into limegreen light, and when it faded, only his clothes remained visible. The transformation had never happened this fast. [B]"Now get out of my way!"[/B] Gadget screamed, his voice hollow like it came from another world. He pushed Fauntleroy back with force, sending him on his back on the hallway. He then ran down the stairs and pass the shocked Bavaria and the servants. Eva shouted something after him, but he didn't want to hear it anymore. As he stepped outside, he saw RPG vehicles arrive to the driveway. Quickly he stripped all his clothes off, and with that, he was completely out of sight.[/FONT]

I meant he doesn't have friends in-game. Vincent's dead, Macey has other things on her mind, his parents don't want him around, and now the rest of the Almagests drive him away as well. I suppose he could return to Vincent's flat, but I don't think it'll be too long before the RPGs come looking for him there as well.

I don't mind it, really. It's certainly plausible for Bavaria to do so. I just hope no one thinks I'm actually going to let Gadget get caught, especially now that he has learned to partially control his abilities. But I'm going to have him talk with Eva first before the guards get there. I'm just wondering where Gadget could go now... He doesn't seem to have any friends in this game anymore. :/

Sorry, but I didn't know there were many of you behind solving that riddle. I don't have access to your private messages, remember? I can edit my post so that the riddle is not solved, the pieces are just brought together. Then the characters can take a look at them when they want. I think you'll do a better job at describing how it is solved than me, anyway. ;D I guess I just didn't think it mattered who solved the riddle in-game when I posted, sorry for being inconsiderate. *goes to edit*

I'm sorry, Kathy, but since the clues ended up with Bavaria and Gadget (not by my choice, really, as I tried to hand out the other clue to James), and the other characters are scattered across High Czenoble, it really [I]was[/I] most convenient this way. Or would you rather have them send the clues to Catherine, without any apparent reason to do so? I can still edit my post if you have a better suggestion, though. My point is, [I]you[/I] didn't waste your time, even though your character didn't participate in solving the riddle. The riddle was obviously meant for you [I]players[/I] to solve, not for the characters (since there were numerous other ways they could've found out that something was hidden inside Mount Grail). The kudos still belong to you, Kathy. ;D I wish the characters could just come together to sort of "compare notes", so that they would actually know about these things happening to each other. That's why I'm not moving Gadget or Bavaria anywhere from Rosengard.

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/gadgetgerrault2avatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/ladybavariaavatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]When Gadget arrived to Rosengard, he saw much to his surprise that the servants were packing up the most valuable property into three large steamtrucks parked to the driveway. Lady Bavaria was standing outside the main entrance, handing out directions to the packers. Gadget braced himself and walked to the woman. [B]"Good afternoon, Lady Almagest"[/B], Gadget greeted. It took a while for Bavaria to realize who had talked to her, but the familiar distain returned to her face soon enough. [B]"Oh, it's you. I thought you left us already."[/B] [B]"I was wondering if Miss Macey or Miss Eva are home"[/B], Gadget asked cautiously, trying to be as humble as he could. From what he had heard, Bavaria was not exactly kind to strangers. [B]"You just missed my step-daughter Macey Ellen, she already left the premises. And I have no idea where Marie Evangeline is at present. Now off you go, I'm busy."[/B] [B]"But I have some important information to tell them! It's about... the Underdogs."[/B] Gadget had no idea how Bavaria would react to the word, but then her eyes lit with interest. At that moment, a messenger arrived, carrying a letter for Lady Bavaria. She opened it on the spot, ignoring Gadget once again. [B]"From Meredyne Artemis... What in the world? This looks like... a notesheet?"[/B] Bavaria wondered out loud. [B]"Oh!"[/B] Gadget exclaimed as he saw the notes. [B]"It's written on the same paper as this!"[/B] He took the poem from his pocket and handed it to Bavaria. [B]"I found it in the night that the Underdogs tried to bomb this place. They left it to the basement."[/B] Bavaria examined the two papers for a while. [B]"You seem to be correct. Unfortunately I'm not versed in musical notes. Come inside, I need to hear more about this."[/B] Bavaria lead Gadget to the patio on the backside of the house, and asked a servant to bring them tea. She placed the two pieces of paper to the table, then turned her focus back to Gadget. [B]"You seem to know a lot about this Underdog business, young man. Gadget, wasn't it? I'm sure you can tell me what you were going to tell to my step-daughters."[/B] [B]"Lady Bavaria..."[/B], Gadget hesitated, but he was desperate to get it out of his system. [B]"At the Chimaera Cup, I ran into the Starks. They... took me with them, and I found out that your husband is alive. Leonhart Almagest was kidnapped by the Starks at the Prometheo Laboratories. They now keep him somewhere underground."[/B] For the longest time, Bavaria just sat there, staring at the young man. Gadget could see that her mind was racing. She must have been thinking whether or not to believe what she had just been told. To Bavaria, this information meant that she had to change all of her plans.[/FONT]

Ah, what an interesting topic! I don't think I've ever played an RPG character that I would've developed very far - mostly because almost all "traditional" RPGs I've created and participated in have died quickly. The Death Card series is very different on that front, since the development is done in unison with other players. That doesn't mean I don't remember them, though. I remember Melinoë from [I]the Legionnaires[/I], Viveca from [I]Hero[/I], Vanna Polunochnaya from [I]Labyrinth[/I] (though she got killed very early in the game), Bellerophon from [I]Hybrid Vigor[/I] and the male fairy from my own-created [I]War of the Faerie[/I] (although his name escapes me... I think it was Dandelion). Oh yes, and the DigiSage Haku from my [I]Digimon Masters[/I] RPG, way way back in the day. It seems that many of my most memorable self-created characters have been either strong women or foppish young men. Go figure... ;D But really, I just can't see me playing as a damsel-in-distress or a muscular womanizer. I like to break the norm and aim for being unique and different. Of course one could argue that even uniqueness can start to get repetitive over time. As for characters created by other players... Well, aside from the colorful casts of the Death Card and Survivor games, I can't remember if any single character has stood up in a way that would've impressed me greatly. People usually want to stick to their safety zones, only creating characters that are either reflections of their own self, or types they have grown accustomed to (angsty teenage psychics have always been especially popular here). Of course there's nothing wrong in playing as a character you're comfortable with, but I see it as a sign of a seasoned roleplayer that one tries out different roles. I'm especially proud of the cast of [I]Almagest Legacy[/I], since it's so varied and original from what I'm used to see here. I don't remember ever seeing anyone play as a pregnant woman before this, for example (excluding a few characters in the Death Card series, since none of them were originally created to be pregnant). But yeah, variety is always good when it comes to characters. New players would do well to remember this. Although cat-girls and teenage ninjas are all the rage nowadays, there's tons of options to them out there.

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/gadgetgerrault2avatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]It took a while for Gadget to realize where he woke up at. But soon it all returned to him, with the force of a crushing wave. He had made it back to High Czenoble, and somehow managed to find his way to Vincent's appartment. But instead of his lover, only devastating news awaited him there. The servants told him that Vincent had been executed for treason in Muldova. He had never felt such pain and sorrow. The experiments done to him at Prometheo laboratories were nothing compared to the excruciating feeling of losing someone he had just fallen in love with. He had been so happy with Vincent, for the first time in his life he had had hope for the better. He had seen their future together, but now it had all been taken away from him. The servants had let him spend the night in Vincent's bed, and Gadget had cried himself to sleep. But as he woke up, his sadness had turned into determination. He knew he had gotten mixed up in something he could not fully comprehend, but he was going to do his part and reveal everything he knew to the only people he could trust: the Almagests. He dressed up and was about to leave the appartment, when he remembered something. He went to Vincent's desk, and sure enough, the small piece of paper with the mysterious poem was still lying on it. Gadget knew it had to be important somehow, or otherwise the Starks wouldn't have left it in Rosengard. He took the piece of paper and left the appartment where he had shared his love with Vincent behind. He took the magitechnological elevator down to the garage, and asked the driver waiting there to take him to Rosengard.[/FONT]

Actually, in my post I said that the new king will be announced when the sun sets the next day, but I can change that if you feel it needs to be revealed sooner. I'll try to get a post in sometime soon, but I have other things on my mind right now. ;D

The way I see it is that High Czenoblians are the safest inside their own city now. The Underdogs can only use the tunnels to get there anymore, as the city is closed from all mass transport. We should just remember that not every person from New Czenoble is a rebel. On the contrary, the amount of common civilians and workers greatly surpasses the amount of insurgents. But their movement has always been restricted because of the poverty.

Hehe, even [I]I[/I] laughed at the prank! XD And when I laugh, you know the joke's good. Beth and Darren sitting on a tree...

Please, everyone, you can plan that your characters will go abroad and things like that, but don't make them do that [I]during the game[/I]. It will destroy the focus of the story if the characters suddenly disperse who knows where. Besides, the situation of New Czenoble hasn't been solved yet, so it's too early to start moving businesses and such. And Magitechnology is what enables the high-quality living of High Czenoble (like our electricity or computers), it's not something that can be just given up. To this day, the Almagests have had a monopoly over manufacturing it, but if the company is sold, things can very well change. Either way, there's not a comparable technology anywhere in the world yet - not even Anova. So please stick to the two Czenobles until the end of the game. ;D

[quote name='Gavin'][SIZE="1"]I wonder how long the relationship between Leonhart and Anna has been going on, they've known one another since they were in their twenties. Josh/Sandy, any info there ?[/SIZE][/QUOTE] They served together in the Mine War. Anna Grimalkin was Leonhart's underling and lover, while Patrice was at home waiting for his newly-wed husband to return from the war front. Anna is from New Czenoble, so she wouldn't have ever met Leonhart if it weren't for the war. Although Leonhart loved Patrice, and had children with her, he also couldn't stop loving his dear friend and supporter Anna Grimalkin. It's notable, however, that Henry was conceived much after Patrice had died while giving birth to the twins. And before Leonhart married Bavaria out of convenience. The fact remains that Leonhart could have never married Anna because of their different statuses. Both of them are old-fashioned in that sense. Enough info for you? ;D Note that the poll has closed, and [B]Primas[/B] will be announced as the next Dynast King. Unless Augustine gets him first. ;P

Thanks for the nomination, Bethany! Speaking of which, apparently you're so nifty that you got two spots on the list! Congratulations! ;D This list shows that we have yet another eventful year behind us, but we can make this current year even more eventful - with [I]moar dramah[/I]!

On the other hand, we don't have an eternity to wait for them to get properly acquainted, nor do we need to. If we want to, Primas can surely make Bavaria his queen with a snap of his fingers. It would be just like in the "good old days", when the marrying couple barely met before their wedding day. ;D

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/donner-avatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/princessaugustine-avatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]Donner Stark left his underlings deal with the burning remains of the [I]Vigilante[/I], and hurried to High Czenoble through the tunnels he had come to know so well. They took him into a cell at the dungeon under the Mirror Palace, where Princess Augustine was impatiently waiting for his report. The princess was naturally standing on the other side of the iron bars, as a safety measure Donner though was very reasonable. [B]"There you are! By the Dynasty, what a fine mess you have gotten me into!"[/B] Augustine scolded her. [B]"Your stunt at New Czenoble only got Rosier more enraged and desperate."[/B] [B]"As much as I'd like to say that downing the gunship was our doing, it unfortunately wasn't. There was an airship with a Jolly Roger..."[/B] Donner tried to explain. [B]"Jolly Roger? You mean airpirates?!"[/B] Augustine exclaimed in disbelief. But her expression quickly changed. [B]"Ah, I see... How coincidental that Agron's son is on a visit right this moment. Mr. Stark, you could run into a man who calls himself Jack Deacon soon. When you do, accept his offer. He could be very beneficial to our cause in the long run..."[/B] [B]"Our cause?"[/B] Donner questioned. [B]"Princess, you made it very clear that you would only help us if it would ensure your place in the Crystalline Throne."[/B] Augustine's face turned sinister. [B]"Yes, that reminds me... Explain why my brothers still live?"[/B] [B]"I apologize, but there was an interruption at the Chimaera Cup. We couldn't carry out our mission when the risk of exposure was so high. We eliminated the woman who intervened, but I heard our escape was spotted nevertheless."[/B] [B]"A woman? Ah, that must be why my dear bodyguard didn't turn up on duty this morning. Nice work, Mr. Stark, very nice work indeed"[/B], Augustine said, her every word oozing with despise. [B]"For your information, my beloved father passed away earlier today. So my plans are ruined by the incompetence of you and your wife. Never should've trusted you lowlifes in the first place."[/B] Donner Stark was enraged by the words of the princess, but he knew that if he played nicely now, the satisfaction of seeing her die later would be many times stronger. The bars in between them prevented him to hurt her anyway. [B]"Mr. Stark, our future together now depends on my father's decision. If I am crowned as a Dynast Queen tomorrow, I may be able to forgive you. But for now... get out of my sight."[/B] Augustine turned her back on the man. Donner Stark just shook his head in frustration and left the dungeon.[/FONT] [CENTER]~~~~~ [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/blair-avatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/leonhartavatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]While his husband was meeting the princess, Blair Stark was in Camp Rottweiler visiting two of their most special hostages. This encampment was much larger and much better hidden than Camp Dobermann or the others, and it was situated deep under Mt. Grail, in a ruined city that was uncovered by the Underdogs only half a year ago. These ruins were the thing that had turned the tides in favor of the rebellion, for they contained a secret that would ensure the victory of whoever held it. All the alchemists and other scientists were kidnapped for the sole purpose of exploring that secret, and to make it work. But the Starks had found out that one man was the key: Leonhart Almagest. The patriarch of the most influential family in all Czenovia was standing in shackles in front of Blair. His silvery hair was greasy, his expensive suit was torn and covered in dirt, there were dark bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep, but somehow he managed to retain an aura that both impressed and intimidated Blair. Next to the man was Callisto Prometheo, the leading scientist of High Czenoble, who was in a much worse shape than him. [B]"What do you want now?"[/B] Leonhart asked her in a tired voice. [B]"I'm already working on it, it's just going to take some more time."[/B] [B]"It's not that. I want to hear more about Project Alchimaera"[/B], Blair demanded. It hadn't been easy for her to hear about it in the first place, but now she knew that the son she had missed for so long had been a victim of it as well. [B]"I need to understand why you would undergo such a horrible procedure on innocent people, knowing that they would die."[/B] [B]"Who are you to speak of innocence?!"[/B] Callisto cried out. It really showed that the older woman had lost all of her dignity and hope. [B]"This project was started to protect decent people from the likes of you! Those filthy brats we took from their stinking hole, they all should've been happy that they could give up their lives to serve the Dynasty! But no, you lot won't be satisfied until you get it all, will you?"[/B] [B]"Callisto, please"[/B], Leonhart begged. He knew very well that she was only making the situation worse. But Blair listened to the rant calmly. She had heard it so many times before from so many different sources. She just didn't bother to explain herself anymore. [B]"But one of the specimens did not die! It practically [I]refused[/I] to do so! So the project was a success after all"[/B], Callisto laughed. Her eyes were gleaming as she went on. [B]"You can be sure that His Majesty will use that poor bastard to cut you down, you'll see! The abilities I gave to the specimen... not even your pitiful weapons can bring it down! It will march right into your filthy lair, shielded by it's invisible and impenetrable skin, and then it's heart will detonate, destroying all of -"[/B] A gunshot straight to her forehead silenced Callisto Prometheo for good. Blair lowered the hand that held the smoking pistol. Leonhart looked at her incredulously. [B]"She was talking about my son"[/B], Blair said coldly. But her heart was aching, because she knew that if Callisto had told the truth, she would have to kill Gadget as well.[/FONT] [CENTER]~~~~~ [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/gadgetgerrault2avatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]Gadget couldn't believe that he had made it back to High Czenoble. Neither could he still believe what he had seen happening earlier. The gunship had started to fire the crowd in front of him, and the people had started to fire back at it, and suddenly everything was in flames. There had been blood and corpses everywhere. Yet somehow Gadget had managed to walk through all of that. He was sure that he had been shot at as well, but there were no wounds in him, no marks at all. And when he had finally reached the Aerodrome, he had just boarded one of the airships without anyone stopping him. His head had been buzzing throughout all that, and everything had felt like in a dream, but now as he sat down on a bench at a picturesque little park in High Czenoble, things started to make sense again. Gadget realized that he had been taken over by his Chimaera powers, just like Macey had told him. Thanks to those powers he had survived the mayhem. Now he needed to find Vincent and Macey, and tell them everything he had found out.[/FONT]

The Dynast King is dead, and has chosen an heir to follow him to the Crystalline Throne. The trick is that we don't know who he chose yet. Thus we put up a public poll as the landmark to decide it. Remember that the choice you make could have a big effect on how the rest of the story plays out. ;D You have three days time to make your vote, after which the result will be revealed in the game. Here are the candidates, once again. [center][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/almagest-dynastyheirs.png[/IMG] Augustine Beauteous, Primas Generous & Juvenus Courageous[/center]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/almagest-dynastking.png[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Georgia"]The Dynast King Mideus Prosperous lied on his bed, feverish and shaking. A nurse swept his forehead with a damp cloth, and a priest from the Church of the Holy Bird chanted prayers and sprinkled white feathers on him. Agron Deacon, his advisor and closest friend sat on chair next to the bed, with his face buried on his hands. If he had had the strenght, Mideus would have laughed at the situation he was now. He had ruled Czenovia for forty years, ever since the Mine War when his father was assassinated. But now he was lying here, weak and frail. And all Agron was worried about was the fact that he had not yet named an heir to follow him. Mideus knew very well what would happen if he didn't choose an heir to the Crystalline Throne: the whole nation would be torn apart by his three children, each fighting for the position. And then, when the country was at it's weakest, [I]they[/I] would strike. The Underdogs were a threat to the unity of the nation, but they were nothing compared to the foreign forces Mideus was so afraid of. His plans to make a magitechnological army to guard Czenovia had been obliterated. The whole defense of the country now laid in the hands of one man: Daedalus Almagest. Only his inventions could fend off those who wished to destroy Czenovia. But even the weapons would be useless if there was no ruler to order when to use them. Thus Mideus knew he had to make the choice. But which one of his three children would have what it takes to rule the nation under peril? Would it be Primas Generous, his eldest living son? He, who had so shamelessly eliminated two of his rival siblings, Julienne and Janus, out of his way? He, who was much favored by the businessmen and diplomats because of his way of bribery? Primas was certainly an avid politician, but he could never release himself from the web of lies he had spun around him. Or perhaps it was Augustine Beauteous, his mesmerizing daughter? Born with the shame of having a disabled twin, the only ugly spot in her otherwise perfect demeanor. Augustine pretended to be a simple maiden, but Mideus knew well that his daughter was sharp as the dagger she so willingly uses to stab others in the back. Just like she did to her sister Florence, who had to be exiled for meddling with a chamberlain. There was no telling who she would betray next. Or could it actually be Juvenus Courageous, the worthless prodigal son? He would certainly use all of the Dynasty's wealth to pay his fun and games. He was too young, too spoiled, to understand the responsibilities that came with power. But maybe he could learn under the tutelage of Agron Deacon? Lying there, Mideus missed his beloved wife, Queen Coraline, by his side. She would've told him the right choice, but she had died years ago. Two of his other children were dead, and two were out of the question. So Mideus had to choose from the three that remained. He motioned Agron to come to him, and whispered a name to his ear. With the weight of this responsibility finally lifted from his shoulders, Mideus Prosperous could finally let his soul join the birds in the sky above. [CENTER]~*~*~*~*~*~[/CENTER] All of the inhabitants of the Mirror Palace had gathered to the throne room as soon as they heard the news of the king's passing. Agron Deacon spoke to them, standing next to the Crystalline Throne. [B]"The Dynast King Mideus Prosperous is dead. Before he passed away, he uttered me the name of his child he wants to succeed him. I will reveal it to you once the Day of Silent Mourning has passed. Following the ancient tradition, from this moment on to the sunset tomorrow, not a single word shall be uttered inside the walls of the Mirror Palace. Long live the Dynasty!"[/B] The crowd repeated the last line, and fell silent. The suspence of who the next ruler was going to be still lingered in the air.[/FONT] [CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/almagest-landmark3.png[/IMG] [B]Landmark 08[/B][/CENTER]