RPG The Children of Sharess [R: Various Reasons]

[Raiha]

[color=purple]These first posts will generally endeavor to establish your character's character, skill, place in the clan, and relationship with other clans.

Go wild.
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[color=royalblue][i]The tall female smiled thinly and turned her gaze to the silent figure next to her. He gripped the hilt of his blade resolutely and watched the Drow standing before his lady. She seemed to be enjoying the while thing...but was giving off an air of indifference, which was deeply disturbing the noble standing before her. A lower representative of a sub house of the Vas'Nurnae was asking for something she didn't necessarily feel like giving.

He wanted her to come with him back to his master..... ....and perform a service only she could perform. A long lasting shape shift. But not one made by any sorceress. The Vas'Nurnae wanted Vajain of the Nur'Lograin to come and change a victim into a drider. The principle shape shifting authority in Mezzanane.....the best there was. She knew what they wanted her to do...expose her power... Let them see just what they could eventually challenge. And naturally, she had no intention of giving him any sort of answer. To all appearances, the tall female, clad in long white robes, was sitting up straight, her eyes tilted upwards ever so slightly, while the Vas'Nurnae representative spoke his piece. Razel, her creation, testimony to her skills, was almost smiling. He sensed an order was about to be issued. And it was.[/i]

"Tell your master....that I will not do anything for him."

".....he demanded....that you come to him. And perform the shape shift."

"I am not something to be summoned to his side to perform a trifling task at his own pleasure. If this is so important, he can come himself and ask me in person. I have no time to waste running errands at the express order of one of you."

[i]He faltered, then stood up straight, remembering his mission. Razel leaned forward, his red eyes flickering slightly.[/i]

"If you do not come, this will be considered a prelude to war."

"....I will come, when asked politely by your master himself. You're dismissed."

[i]The representative straightened and was about to go when he drew his sword. He was about to swing when he saw it fly through the air, along with two of his fingers. Razel had moved between him and Vajain, faster than the Drow eye could follow, and dis-armed him. ...or rather, dis-fingered him. He sheathed his katana and stood by his lady's side once more. Vajain stood, livid. Her body glowed purple and she raised her right hand, holding it parallel to the floor.[/i]

"That was what the Council of the Nine will see as self defense."

[i]Her knight stood down and crossed his arms. If anyone had taken the time to observe his expression, they would've seen more than just a little amusement struggling to manifest itself in the form of unbridled laughter.[/i]

"Leave before I show you what I consider a prelude to death."

[i]He turned and ran, gripping his wounded hand, leaving the sword behind. Vajain turned to her knight and smiled, chuckling to herself, the way she always did after a standoff. One could always trust the Vas'Nurnae to try starting things...... .....that they wouldn't finish.[/i][/color]

[skedy]

[COLOR=teal][size=1][[b] OOC:[/b] Soz for the poor layout, I got used to writting for english and forgot standarized paragraphing doesn't turn out too good on OB. I think the writting quality makes up for that though, lol, enjoy!
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Water trickled softly through a crack midway up the southern wall of the cavern, filling the stale air with a freshness seldom felt in the Underdark. Vincent Granecourt walked slowly towards the pool building at under the waterfall, enjoying the soft atmosphere with the ease of time, he could not recall the last time he felt the need for haste.
Kneeling at the water?s edge Vincent slide his hand into the glassy surface, its face reflecting the soft glow of the phosphorous fungi dotted along the walls. Although it seemed warm to his touch the ice-cold water did little to warm his pale flesh.
?Wha? are you doin? here? Ge? los? I ?ad it fisr?.? Vincent withdrew his had as the slurred words drifted over his shoulder. Remembering what had brought him to the cavern the vampire rose sharply and turned his prey, crossing the vast expanse of the cavern with a speed that no eye could match.
?There is no claim to this place nor can there be.? The ragged looking man jumped as Vincent?s smooth voice reached his ear, the gloomy mass of the vampire suddenly silhouetted on the ledge behind him. ?The strong rule the Underdark, and that you appear not to be.?
Catching a gleam akin to creatures of the night in the intruder?s eye the tattered man began to back away, moving slowly to the edge of the high ridge running along the cavern?s eastern wall.
?Come now, I doubt you can survive that fall, and we wouldn?t want that would we?? The pathetic man jumped and scampered away, shocked at the discovery of Vincent?s face looming by his ear.
The vampire walked patiently after the man, a bemused smile mixing with the disgust obvious on his pale face. Fear drove the grubby man from the vampire; landing heavily in the untrodden dirt he continued his desperate flight from death. Bored of the antics of the youth Vincent closed the gap that separated them, watching what little hope there was fade from the man?s face. Shaking uncontrollably the man clambered to his feet, his pleading expression betrayed the courage he had managed to summon.
?I ain?t going wi? out a fight.? The man lowered to his boot and withdrew a short rusted blade, holding it ready to lash out at Vincent.
With what may have passed as a chuckle the vampire replied: ?I didn?t expect you to.? Glancing at the aged dagger he continued: ?Though you must realise that such a weapon will do little against any foe, and I am not just any foe.? Amused with the man?s stupidity Vincent collected the feeble weapon, breaking the arm that held it with a motion faster than man could perceive.
In what seemed to be a blink of the eye the vampire appeared behind the man?s left shoulder, grasping the fragile body Vincent slammed it into his knee reassured that his meal would offer no more resistance as the sharp crack of bone echoed loosely off the walls.
Gathering the limp mass in his arms the vampire carried it to the pool and dropped it in, watching the soft silts explode around the limp body. Once again he knelt beside the chilling waters, this time to clean the filth-encrusted body.
Despite all his scrubbing there was little Vincent could do to clean the man?s flesh, he was hungry and the Underdark had robbed him of the luxury of picking his food. Remembering his long forgotten disgust Vincent sunk his teeth deep into the man?s shoulder, careful to remove the tattered rags that covered it.
Slowly his heart began to slow, growing weaker with every beat, his breath followed. Long ago the Vincent had learned the risks of feeding, of taking his victim?s into death, he knew that should a vampire bring about such a thing he would fall into the fate of his victim and share in their death?[/size][/COLOR]

[Domon]

[COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1][i]A cold wind howled across the field in back of an old looking mansion. At first glance it appears that the house is abandoned and no one lives there, but if one were to go around to the front of the mansion they would notice that several of the lower level windows are lit.

Inside a young man is seated in a large wooden chair that is facing towards the fireplace. The lights playing shadows across the walls and on the man's facial features gives off the eerie look that the house is not meant to be inhabitited. Similing at something he found amusing the man stood up from his seat rather suddenly and walked out of the room. His red velvet trenchcoat slightly billowed behind him as his boots echoed against the marble floor in the main hall. Surveying several of the doors in the hall he then proceeded down the hall and opened the door to his right. Inside the room was an immense library that Mazukien had been sure to transport from his old home to this new place. Scanning the room slowly he found the book he was searching for. It was an Olive-Green leather bound book with gold decoration around the cover, there was no title.

Grasping the book Mazukien exited the library and headed back into the room that he had left. Opening the door Mazukien noticed a large figure sitting in his chair. Cautiously entering the room he set the book down on a small cabinet and picking his sword up off the display plaque above the same cabinet he cleared his throat.[/i]

"Ahem. Might I ask just what the hell you are doing in my house??" [i]Mazukien said in a rather frank voice. The figure stood up from its sitting position, it was a young man, he was of the Vas'Nurnae clan, and he didn't look to happy as he unsheathed a rather long blade.[/i]

"Filth of the Dra'Cryoul! Meet your fate!!" [i]With that the man charged but Mazukien merely sidestepped and turned to look at the man who was now coming around for another charge. Grinning Mazukien lunged forward with his blade like a lance. The young attacker did not happen to notice that his blade was much shorter than Mazukien and therefore could not land a hit on his prey, this was due to the fact that as the two were charging, Mazukien's sword pierced through the man's chest and the blade struck through the man's back. Blood spurted everywhere and dripped off the blade of the sword.

Grinning Mazukien jerked the sword out roughly and let the corpse of his assailant fall to the ground in a bloody heap. Walking back over to the cabinet he picked up the book. As he did so he thought it was almost time for the gathering at the temple. He gathered up his book and grabbed his cloak off of the stair railing. Buttoning up the gold button on the neck of the cloak, Mazukien shut the door and made sure that it was locked. After doing so he gathered the cloak about him and headed into the stable.

The small building was dimly lit by a single large lantern. Heading to the back of the stable Mazukien opened the stall and walked in. His trusted horse he'd had since he was sixteen stood proud, its creamy brown colored body twitching every now and then from the cold drafts that seemed to waft through some of the cracks in the stable. After saddeling up his horse he then climbed on and he made a clicking sound with his tounge that got the steed to trot towards the door. Climbing off quickly, Mazukien opened the door and then led the horse out into the windy night. The horse seemed to be a bit afraid of what was going on but it held a stiff face as Mazukien climbed back on and got the horse to bolt off at a full speed.

Wind howling, the horse carrying its owner bolted across country roads towards the main city. A small grin played across Mazukien's face.[/i][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Dagger]

Ten corpses, all fresh and relatively clean, lay piled helter-skelter upon the floor. They had been stripped naked and meticulously bathed. Even now, the motionless bodies were wrinkled with water, the residue of which make them resemble pale, bloated fish. Glazed eyes stared blankly at the dark ceiling above.

These people had been commoners, lacking the power or money needed to guarantee themselves a decent burial. Ciel, on the other hand, possessed plenty of both--and now, their departed souls lay within her reach, all for less gold than what was required to purchase an edible dinner.

The necromancer lifted a child's corpse, cradling it tenderly in her arms as she carried it over to the harshly lit table that stood in the center of the room. A hideous cut had begun to fester on the back of the dead girl's clean-shaven skull. Ciel probed it with her fingers, frowning at its depth and ugly greenish tint.

She then began to work, delicately dissecting every fragile limb and slim, twisting vein. Though she occasionally used a thin blade to slice through the stiffer portions of the body, the woman completed nearly every other task with her fingernails alone. Only marginally longer than normal, they were filed to talon-like points, and soundlessly, effortlessly separated skin from flesh.

Once the corpse lay spread-eagled beneath the glaring light, its muscles and organs exposed, Ciel stepped back. "Pleased to meet you," the woman said softly. Her voice was low and rich, and a haunting gentleness resounded in her quiet words.

The air had grown cold, so cold that Ciel's breath curled from her parted lips like steam. She stared at this carefully prepared body, pale eyes glinting without the slightest hint of emotion. And as she smiled, the girl sat up, limbs lolling as though controlled by a puppet's strings.

Blood dripped slowly from Ciel's nails to the shining floor.

[The Vampire: Ed]

[center][b]CAUTION: Long ass post.[/b][/center]

Razel smiled at his mistress as she laughed taking joy in watching the Drow representative run like a frightened dog with it's tail tucked between it's legs whimpering. His fingers lay upon the floor twitching with the last bit of life left in them quickly dissipating, and blood smeared over the marble surface. Vajain looked toward her door man standing in place of where the Drow representative had fled, she just motioned towards the mess on the floor and the door man, without having to be told, ran in and fetched the fingers while wiping up the blood in a clean handkerchief. As he stood up to take his leave he found Vajain standing before him, she took the bloody handkerchief from him and waved him away. The door man quickly left as Razel admiringly watched his mistress as she glides across the room with a grace like none other, Vajain grasped a goblet in one hand and with her other squeezed the blood from the handkerchief into the cup. Vajain smirked at Razel catching him looking on curiously as she swirled the blood around the cup and approached Razel, she handed the goblet to her knight, her slave, as she took her seat upon her thrown once again.

"Your reward, for being a good servant." Vajain said as she laughed watching Razel drink down the blood in one gulp. Razel breathed deeply as he felt the blood run down his throat quenching his unholy thirst, a bit of blood dripped down his chin and Vajain whipped it clean with a small clean area on the already blood stained handkerchief. Razel felt a surge of energy as the Drow blood gave him strength, his fangs grew slightly and his eyes turned an even darker crimson color. Slowly as he came down from his blood lust driven high, he slowly began to realize his mistress watching him with a grin on her face, she seemed to get amusement from watching him feed when he did.

Razel knelt down beside his mistress' thrown, bowed his head, and apologized. Vajain just snickered crossed her legs, and stared forward as she ran her fingers through her willing servant's black hair. All though it had been over two hundred years ago when Vajain claimed Razel as her servant, her slave, her knight, and transformed him into what his is now, a vampire, it only felt like yesterday to him.

He was a highly renowned knight in his kingdom, serving his king and queen was his life and he pledged it to them daily as he fought and won battles continuously in their names. He was feared when he was at the head of his army, and even when he was on his own he still put a sense of fear in their hearts. However it couldn't last forever, and it didn't. He was ambushed by his king's enemies while out riding one day. His skill, and determination had allowed him to hold out longer than any normal man would, but in the end he was left laying in a pool of his own blood, thought to be dead, the enemy then left him to attack his kingdom. Eventually he awoke, his body sore, and with what strength he had, stumbled all the way back to his kingdom to find it in ruins. His king, and queen hung by their throats from nooses hanging from a tree, the castle set aflame, and the village turned to rubble. Razel stumbled into the village watching the villagers stare a hole through him, even though he was obviously injured they didn't care, they just wanted someone, anyone to blame, and who better than the man who couldn't be there for them. Razel felt a sharp pain in his back, he turned to see what it was, but feel another sharp pain in his chest as he turned just in time to get hit with a rock by one of the villagers. Soon all of them joined in pelting him with whatever they could get their grubby little hands on, Razel stumbled away with the villagers following shouting and calling for his head.

Their following halted as Razel stumbled into a cave, a cave leading to the Underdark, where they all though he would surely die. He eventually realized the mob had stopped chasing him, and fell to the ground crawling into a dark corner hoping he would just bleed to death. He passed out, and eventually, to his chagrin, he awoke once more. However the scenery had changed. No longer was he in a dark, dank tunnel, but some sort of thrown room laying upon an alter of some sort. His wrists and legs were shackled to the table, and as he attempted to free himself he felt a feminine hand touch his face. He stopped squirming and looked to his right seeing a woman, a Drow woman, his current mistress Vajain more specially, staring down into his eyes. Razel attempted to speak, but the Drow woman placed her index finger on his lips to quiet him as she introduced herself and annoucned his new role in life.

"You will be my slave, and my warrior. You will be at my beckoning at every moment of everyday from this day forward to do my every bidding. Understand?" Vajain said as she moved her finger from his mouth to allow him to speak. Razel just stared at her thinking it over, he could probably reject her then be executed and die as he wished before then, but there was another thought in his mind. It was redemption, a chance to serve another, and attempt to redeem himself by protecting her at all costs even his own life. Razel without another thought nodded, and spoke "Yes, I understand and accept your bidding with open arms."

Vajain smiled, and replied "Well, you didn't have much of a choice to begin with, but it's good that you are so willing. However--you're useless to me in your current form, so I must-make a few adjustments to you." Vajain laughed as Razel looked on confused, then a sudden wave of pain swept over his body sending him into a trance like state in which he was actually unconscious. When he once again awoke he felt different, stronger, empty yet more than what he was before. His skin pale, his muscles more defined, his height had slightly increased, his eyes had changed in color, and his teeth now contained fangs like that of a wolf. Razel sat up without realizing he was still chained down, but somehow snapped them as if they were as thin a paper. Razel looked to his wrists then broke the cuffs, then the ones on his legs, then sat staring in awe at his own hands, at the strength he now possessed.

Vajain brought him out of his shocked state with a laugh, and just before he could question her, she spoke. "You are now worthy of being my servant, now reborn into a new world, a world in which you are not unlike. That life before is but a footnote in the life that you will lead here at my side in the Underdark, with the appearance that of a human, yet you are not human now, far from it. You are now a vampire, now rise and greet your new master, your mistress."

Razel stood, then slowly knelt down in front of his mistress as she held out her hand in front of him to kiss. From that day forward he had learned the ways of the vampire as he protected his mistress whenever she was in danger, or just when she beckoned him to complete some sort of deed even if it was murder, he would accomplish his goal of pleasing his mistress. And here he is over two hundred years later still at her side serving her as he promissed, and as she commands. Razel is almost legendary in the Underdark for his serious, and protective nature of his mistress, Vajain.

[Domon]

[COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1][i]Hoof falls sounded like an endless rythm against the rock/dirt road. His cloak billowing behind him, Mazukien finally caught sight of the main city. His smile playing around his lips a little more, he urged the steed to pick up a faster pace. Snorting and muscles flexing even more so, the horse seemed to respond and within at least twenty or so more minutes the horse and rider were on the outskirts of the city.

Slowing to a slow clip-clop sound against the cobblestone streets. Mazukien glanced around at the buildings, usually they looked somewhat better in the daytime. Of course, when was there ever truly a sunrise in the Underdark?? Sighing half-heartedly Mazukien guided his horse into the older parts of the city. Many of the buildings were run down or falling in on themselves. Within the center of the area of this part of the city was a large temple. A single bell tone rang out from the tower and Mazukien dismounted his horse, his boots making a muffled [b]clop[/b] sound in the damp street. Guiding the horse to a tie rail of next to the temple Mazukien said a few words of encouragement to his horse to stay there.

With that all said and done Mazukien lowered the hood of his cloak and entered the temple. The temple itself had been awe striking in its prime. Stain glass windows of all the saints of that certain sect, and there in the center on a large golden alter was the goddess of Sharess. Though now in modern times, since the Dra'Cryoul lost the city, the windows have either been broken or boarded over and the altar was stolen in a massive raid. However, the organ played a semi-decent song. Not all to encouraging or negative. Finding a seat on one of the benches, Mazukien quietly sat down and bowed his head in prayer, though he'd had to lay his sword down on the bench.

While he was praying Alex pondered back to some of the other aspects of his life. One being why his parents had comitted suicide in the first place. It had never seemed right that they would kill themselves, they weren't even that old at all. His father would have been 2,345 after he hanged himself, and his mother would have been 2,431 a few months after she had hanged herself. Still pondering this aspect, Mazukien stood up from the bench, re-sheathed his sword and walked out in the middle of service.

In somewhat of a haze, Mazukien unstrapped his horse from the post and climbed back up onto its back. Then not knowing what to do Mazukien looked around and thought about going to the local inn for some sleep, but thought against it. He was more opt for an attempt to take his life there then he was at his own estate. Turning his horse back towards the road that led to his mansion he spurred his horse on towards his mansion.

This time at a slower pace, the horse snorted a little as its head bobbed up and down as its front legs plodded along the road. As the horse did this odd walk Mazukien glanced around, he swore he was either being followed or watched. Either way he didn't like it and took his right hand and placed it on the handle of his sword, keeping a tight grip. It was a good thing he was doing so, because after a few more minutes of walking along a large creature that Mazukien was unfamiliar with lumbered out in front of his horse's path. As he neared it somewhat more he heard a low growl eminating from it. Gripping the sword even tighter Mazukien started to focus some of his elemental energy into the sword, mainly he was going for the lighting. He was doing so that if the monster tried to pounce he could blind it immediately.

The creature lumbered closer, baring its massive fangs that dripped and oozed both blood and some other kind of liquid. And with that the monstrosity charged.[/i][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Dagger]

"What is your name, child?"

[i].........Mira.[/i]

"Will you serve me, Mira? I breathed life into your bones. I filled your ice-cold veins with fire and stripped you of the world's filth. Will you serve me?"

[i]Please...st-stay by my side. It was so...lonely.[/i]

"Death by its nature is lonely. Devote yourself to me, and I'll stand between you and the black abyss. How does it feel, hm? I've been told that your last breath consumes eternity--it's one final exhalation as you fall down, down, down to nothingness. Just one....long...sigh."

[i]Don't go![/i]

Ciel glanced curiously at the tiny hand that clung so desparately to hers. Mira's skin was almost warm. She smiled, pleased by the thought of a successful resurrection, and glanced critically at the girl's mutilated face. Mira might have been pretty in life, but now long rows of dark stitches gave her the appearance of a sloppily sewn quilt. And yet it mattered not. Her body had been painstakingly reconstructed, and Ciel's hands--more precise than any expert's tools--had tuned its inner workings to perfection.

"Will you serve me?" the necromancer repeated, lips curving cruelly as she watched the child's confusion.

[i]Yes.[/i] Mira's scarred fingers plucked nervously at Ciel's sleeve. [i]Yes.[/i]

One could never have too many Dolls. Lady Arciela of the Kai'Belborun, she who drew dead bodies from the ground--the soft-spoken sadist whose voice fell like a lullaby upon every listening ear--this place was her domain, and these corpses her precious playthings.

Upon her silent command, the Dolls began to rise from every corner of the room. They were weak-willed slaves, ones whose organs would eventually degenerate. But Mira was a special kind of Doll. Always young, always half-way dead, she would become Ciel's new favorite toy. Innocence would fade into despair, into hatred, into shadow.

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=999999][i]Footsteps stormed down the halls of the Vas'Naurnae clan's home. They belonged to an angered sorceress and leader. It was seldom that this leader was angered. But when she was, all stood out of her way so that they did not get caught in her line of fire.

Silence fell throughout the area, spiders crawled to their spaces, creatures ran from the shadow that came upon, and Kishandri still stormed through the halls, looking for the one who had gone to the leader of the Nur'Lograin clan and asked her to perform a task upon a victim.

She bursted through her doors and entered her main room. She sat on the throne and waited as a servant brought the messenger. She looked to him and he bowed to her. She dismissed the servant and looked to the messenger. She knew what he had tried to do and no one was to speak to any clan leaders unless told to and she did not know of what was done.[/i]

"I have just gotten word that...you spoke to the leader of the Nur'Lograin clan. Am I correct?"

[i]A silence befell upon the messenger. Kishandri stood and unsheathed a straight edged blade. She pointed it to the man's throat and he looked up.[/i]

"Answer me. Am I correct?"

[i]He gulped and answered.[/i] "You are correct, Sorceress."

"Did I not make myself clear when I said that no one, and I mean no one, is to speak to the clan leaders unless [i]I[/i] appoint them to?"

[i]Again, silence hung in the air and anger was boiling within Kishandri. She did not take well to those who disobeyed the rules of the house of the Vas'Naurnae clan. She pressed against his throat and he spoke.[/i]

"Yes, you did."

"Then, why did you go to Lady Vajain's house and [i]ask[/i] her to perform such a task that she was NOT WILLING TO DO?!"

[i]He cowered before her feet and asked for forgiveness. His hands in front of him and his head touching the marble floor. Kishandri towered over him and she gave him mercy.[/i]

"Stand."

[i]Kishandri walked back to her throne and sheathed the blade. Her nails retracted and extended and she tapped the throne's arm rest. She breathed in and out slowly, knowing that someone had caused this man to speak to Vajain.[/i]

"Who told you to go to Vajain and ask her to perform this task? Who?"

[i]He hesitated and spoke.[/i] "It was Master Kyn'Dal, Sorceress. He had appointed me to ask Lady Vajain to perform a shape shifting task to turn a victim of his into a drider."

"Oh did he? Well then. I shall have a word with him. Send him to me and we shall see what happens. You are dismissed. Oh, and...if I ever hear that you disobeyed my rules once more. I shall have no mercy on you, understood?"

[i]The messenger stood and walked out of the room. Kishandri's nails were fully extended and she was boiling with rage. Someone was to die from her hands today and it was going to be Kyn'Dal.[/size][/color][/i]

[skedy]

[COLOR=teal][size=1]
Vincent crossed the cavern, leaving the lifeless man by the pool, and collected the one possession he bothered to keep, an elegantly crafted violin, almost as old as he was. Running his hand lightly along its bow Grancourt continued from the cavern and back towards the city, filling the stale air with a slow echoing melody as he went. After what may have been several hours of walking, of playing the vampire finally emerged at his location, a vast cavern housing one of many sprawling drow cities common to the region.

The dirt crunched lightly beneath the hard sole?s of Vincent?s boots, the path was strewn with small rocks to which the vampire did little to heed, his bow moving swiftly across the aged instrument as he went. The violin was foreign to the drow, considered a fickle instrument of man; Vincent smirked at the memory of this and began to play louder.

Several dozen feet down the path the vampire paused to the sound of what seemed to be large beast. Lowering his instrument he peered curiously at the surrounding terrain, the cavern hadn?t changed much since his last visit, nigh on three hundred years ago, the drow were still too busy taking to one another?s throat to expand their cities.

After several moments of searching Granecourt?s gaze fell upon the source of the noises that had so rudely interrupted his music. Lunging savagely at what seemed to be a small drow figure was a rather overgrown ankheg, a large tunnelling creature that resembled an ant with a broader head and considerably larger mandibles. Vincent sneered ever so slightly and closed the gap between him and the spectacle ahead, curious to the fate of the seemingly overmatched drow.

?Well, well. I haven?t seen one of these in a while.? The vampire?s soft voice sounded over Mazukien?s shoulder. ?Are they common in these parts?? Vincent received little more than a hurried glance in response, the drow forced to dive out the way as the ankheg drove its mandibles deep into the loose earth.

Vincent watched on in amusement as the elf continued his combat with the fierce creature, half hoping he the drow would win else he?d have to kill the beast himself?[/size][/COLOR]

[Domon]

[COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1][i]Watching as his horse bolted from where he had jumped from Mazukien released a small mental sigh, but the ankheg was still there. Obviously this was just not his day. First an attempt on his life and then this thing. And now a vampire had appeared out of nowhere to top things off.

Finally getting an opprotune moment, Mauzkien unsheathed his massive sword, the blade glinting in the light, but something was much different about it now, it had the element of Lightning infused into the blade for the time being. Mazukien grinned, all those hours spent on training on the arts of magical usage; most drows or any other race usually have to stay stationary for a good deal of time before their weapon can become infused with a certain type of magic, that is unless they are extremely apt in the use of magic and exceed in it. But the master Mazukien had trained under had taught him a way of simply gathering magic on the go and without chanting. It was simple, but yet complex to go into.

The mandibles of the beast came down once again, but this time Mazukien brought his sword up in a diagonal swipe at the left mandible. Fortunately the sword hit the joint and the ankheg's mandible fell with a thud. Rearing back with a scream that shook the cavern the ankheg reeled back, not only from having a part of itself hacked off but also because the blow had electrocuted it a decent amount. The ankheg turned and fled from its violent prey.

As the immense footfalls fell silent Mazukien sighed outwardly and sheathed his sword as he turned his attention to the vampire. Brushing some of his pure white hair out of his eyes Mazukien walked over slowly noticing that the vampire had been a human in his past life. Looking at him oddly Mazukien stayed a good distance and his hand near his sword in case the creature tried anything. It just did not appear natural that so many incidents had just happened all in the same night.[/i][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Ben]

Uthegiliel sat in a rickety old chair on a balcony overlooking his small estate. Like many of the other Dra'Cryoul, he had taken to living by himself, despite the recurrent meetings at the temple. At the present moment, Uthegiliel could see nothing. Nothing, that is, from his own eyes. He saw instead, through the eyes of one of his golems.

It was small golem, only about a half a foot tall, and was made up of swirling wind and sand. While not substantial, the creature was able to channel the spell. The golem was off scouring the countryside, traveling farther than Uthegiliel could in a day's march. It took a great deal of concentration to maintain this form of far seeing, and it was hazardous for his body to be without sight, but the technique had never been done before.

Besides, all manner of entrance into his estate was blocked off, sealed by rock, dirt, and sand. Uthegiliel only left his estate when meeting with the other Dra'Cryoul, and when getting food to survive.

Suddenly, the golem spotted something. It was a vampire, an ankheg, and Mazukien, another Dra'Cryoul that Uthegiliel was familiar with. Mazukien was in a fierce struggle with the ankheg, and the vampire sat back, merely watching with amusement.

A sudden noise broke Uthegiliel's concentration. The golem lost its constitution and fell to pieces. Uthegiliel regained his sight. Walking to the edge of the balcony, he looked down. More wild spiders. The spiders were both a blessing and a curse to Uthegiliel. While discouraging anyone to come to the estate, they did prove a nuisance when they tried to kill him. And, they didn't have to use the door.

Uthegiliel sighed and picked up a rock that he had placed nearby earlier. Looking over the edge, he hurled the rock at the group of spiders crawling up his wall. A few of them fell to the ground, dead. The others turned and ran.

"Annoying bugs." muttered Uthegiliel, entering his house and shutting the door behind him. Perhaps he'd go and visit Mazukien after he'd rested a bit.

[Raiha]

[color=royalblue][i]Vajain stood, long white robes whisking around her body. The soft rustle of spider silk against her legs was incredibly gratifying.....and the result of years of patience. Something she had long experience in. Nur'Lograin were, by nature, very patient people. That was, until things came to a head. She tilted her head up, gazing at the ceiling of her hall. Perhaps it was time to get out a little.

Say hello to her darling brother once more. The other leader of the clan. Equally skilled, just in other areas. .....mostly diplomacy. A little summoning on the side. And a council seat that she took from him on occasion. All in all they had a very healthy relationship. He respected her, she had a certain fondness for him. He was powerful. She was powerful. To fight each other for control of the Nur'Lograin was pointless. But everyone knew that she had the real power.

Matriarchal society had its perks. Especially when those questioning it wetere female. Vajain smiled and changed her clothing with a muted spell. The white robes faded away and were replaced by purple black feathers. They slithered over her shoulderblades, curled lazily from her eyelashes, slanted down from her wrists and swirled around her body. Razel came to attention and walked before her. The doors at the end of the hall melted away as they approached and returned as they exited. Vajain turned to look down the long corridors of the Nur'Lograin fortress and smiled.

She began walking down the hall and wished to meet her brother. At the end of the hall, which appeared faster than what would've been normal, were two doors. Both of which were upside down. Vajain grinned and motioned to Razel. He stepped forward and drew his blade. With no false moves, he placed against the door, point first. Instantly the doors vanished and the two were allowed to enter the lair of secondary power in the Nur'Lograin clan.

Vajain the Elder looked at her brother from across the wide cavern and smiled. A tall laconic looking Drow rose to his feet, clad in robes, wearing a simple silver circlet. She bowed slowly and raised a hand in greeting. Razel was already on one knee at her side. He smiled and bowed back, motioning them forward.[/i]

"So you've come to visit me at last sister."

"....yes. I thought it was time we spoke again."

"It was only twenty years this time. What happened?"

"I was paid a surprise visit by the Vas'Nurnae. Look into the matter if you will."

"Naturally. Vajain."

[i]She inclined her head gracefully and smiled. While her brother was diplomatic and apparently calm, she knew that on the inside, he was cooly calculating the risks involved.

Either way, he would get results. He was Klian Nur'Lograin. Second heir to the Nur'Lograin clan. Subordinate. Obedient. Male.[/i][/color]

[Doukeshi]

Renier sighed in exhasperation, his features blank as boredome slowly began to set in. Trailing his fingers across the surface of the large ebony table before him he crossed his legs and leant back in his oversized chair, relaxing in the cusioned velvet. Sat at the table were various Drow from his own clan, Cal'Sakmeht and the clan with which they were negotiating, the Kai'Belborun. The discussions over trading rights and temple access was becoming increasingly tedious, having gradually slowded to a grinding halt over the several hours in which they had been hole up in the stuffy, airless board room.

[i]Board room, more like bored room...[/i] Renier thought as he watched the minor ministers squabble over trade agreements and compansations, neither gaining any real ground. Tugging at his collar lethargically, he closed his eyes and tilted his head against the back of his chair. The buzzing sound of sparring diplomats had some sort of lulling effect upon the vampire, sending him into a light doze.

"Ambassador..." A small voice broke through his sleepy haze. "Ambassador..." Opening one eye Renier, glanced at the Drow diplomat who now leant over to talk with him in hushed tones.

"Yes Hjiandri, what do you require?" Renier murmered softly, opening both eyes and sitting up in his chair to devote his attention to the younger female.

"My Lord," She spoke with respect and uncertainty as she glanced across at the argument taking place, both parties oblivious to their absence from discussion. "It seems that the Kai'Belborun are becoming more forward in their demands. They wish to control a larger portion of the city, so as to expand the schools of magic that already stand there."

Renier rolled his eyes and rested his elbows ungraciously upon the table.
"We are here to negotiate for exactly that, have they not yet reached a feasible agreement?"
Hjiandri shook her head.
"It seems that the ministers believe any further expansion by the Kai'Belborun as disruptive to the Cal'Sekhmet treaty signed with the clan of Vas'Naurnae, and are unwilling to endanger said agreement."

"But surely any expansion could be contained in the area merely surrounding the Schools, infringing on neither Vas'Naurnae, nor important Cal'Sekhmet territory?" Renier frowned as he heard this, petty minor ministers squabbling over insignificant details seemed a little out of place for the normally orderly school of diplomats.

Hjiandri shrugged lightly.
"Maybe it needs you to tell them that my Lord."

Renier sighed once again and ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it back from it's ruffled state. As high ambassador he was merely required to preside over such trivial matters, but now and then a firm hand needed to be given in the confusion sometimes provided by overzealous, fresh-faced minors.
"Very well, command their attention Hjiandri."

A loud ringing sounded through the board room, silencing the heated discussions, causing both parties to look over towards the Ambassador.

"Fellows! Please, let me speak with you!"

[Hinata]

[COLOR=indigo][SIZE=1]

"Jo'lianna," an older drow covered from head to toe. Walked up the the priestess as she meditated.

"Jo'lianna, you have been summoned by the elders, they wish you hear your progress with the new ones." The summoner spoke those words then left to wait outside the room.

Once alone Jo'lianna stood up, her shapely, naked body shining in full radience. Without any hesitance an assistant came from around the corner and placed a large gown onto Jo'lianna's body. She also placed over it a long dark cape with a hood. Covering her mitresses face.

This assistant was one of the few who had ever seen the priestess like this and may possibly be one of the last. She never spoke to Jolianna directly, there was no need for speaking. Mind to mind thoughts was a part of the young ones training and she was progressing excellently.

She was one of the more talented ones and she knew that if this continued she would be the next in line. The young women was alredy dressed but the hood did not go on her head. Only the priestess could not show off her face or any other features at that. She had to remain celibant until her services were over, as being the priestess. She had seen many a man, but once she became a priestess her eyes were not allowed to view men and they were not allowed to see her.

She walked slowly down to the chamber of the elders ready to give her report. The assistant walked in front of her, Her eyes straight ahead, her posture perfect and around her head lay a band witht the symbol of the house of Orn'Baelen.

Seeing the girl briefly reminded Jo'lianna of her younger days, but the vision was quickly dismisses as she walked to the door of the Elder's Chambers.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Ben]

Uthegiliel stood in his work chamber, eyeing the stones, sand, and earth that littered the floor. What would he do now? He knew that the sight spell worked. But Mazukien had been in trouble, and may need something more substantial than a figure of air and sand to aid him.

Uthegiliel picked up a small stone. He caressed it lightly with the fingertips of one hand. Then he dipped his hand into the sand that covered the floor. He began to chant.

[I]"Strength of rock..."[/I]

Uthegiliel gripped the rock in his hand firmly, concentrating on every aspect. The firm texture, the shape, the unyielding face. Several rocks levitated from the floor, coercing into a jumbled mass in the air.

[I]"Flow of sand..."[/I]

He slowly released the sand from his hand. An invisible breeze carried the sand around the stones in the air. More of the sand of the room swirled, causing a small cyclones around the stones.

[I]"Mana channelled..."[/I]

Uthegiliel furrowed his brow as he felt his mana flow out of him and into the pile of stone and rock that floated above him. The materials started to glow, a sickly brown and black.

[B][I]"Beast of land!"[/I][/B]

The stones and sand suddenly stopped, and then darted together with a resounding crash. Something heavy hit the floor. Uthegiliel could not see his beast because of the kicked up sand. Then he saw the pair of glowing eyes. His creature was alive.

It was in the shape of a wolf, made of stone and with joints of sand. It's teeth were jagged, made up of fractured rock and enhanced with a small bit of mana. It's paws were large, easily the size of a man's head. It's tail was more like a panther's; thin and able to be whipped.

Uthegiliel climbed on top of his creature, planting his lance in the ground and vaulting lightly upon it. He commanded the beast forward. It trudged out of the room, tail swishing idly.

When they reached the front door, the golem smashed away the rocks and sand that barred it. The beast padded out slowly, waiting for a command from its master.

"We go that way, to Mazukien."

[skedy]

[COLOR=teal][size=1]
[b] OOC:[/b] Unless somebody is using some sort of magic or something like that, in which case I would expect you to mention it, nobody can tell my character is a vampire, it is not obvious in his appearance and he has mentioned nothing of it to anyone?
-------------------------------------------------------

Vincent thrust his lower lip forward and cocked an eyebrow as the drow approached. ?Impressive. I?ve not seen an elf with your skill in sometime now.? The man stood silently in response to the vampire?s soft voice, hand resting lightly on hilt, eyes brimming with caution as they traced the fine clothes of Vincent?s garments.
With what might have passed as a soft smile Granecourt returned his violin to its resting place and began a slow rhythm, exotic if not offensive to the drow?s ears. Several moments after the soft notes filled the Mazukien?s steed returned, its gait even as ever.
Mazukien collected his reigns; turning towards the vampire the drow moved to speak but stopped as a small golem lumbered into view. Granecourt was already aware of its presence, given away by the fierce magical auras surrounding the animated rocks of its body, as the abomination came closer, Mazukien?s well being the only thing running through what might be called its mind.
Vincent didn?t concern himself with the simple construct; his presence would be more than enough to dispel the simple magic keeping it aloft. And sure enough the small golem journeyed another foot and came neigh on twenty-three feet of the vampire before crumbling to the simple materials it once was.
Granecourt smiled and the music returned, the now mounted drow all but forgotten to the ancient being?[/size][/COLOR]

[Zidargh]

[color=darkblue][i]The skies, dark in nature, morphed into a mouldy green colour as the clouds began to swirl uncontrollably in The Surface's atmosphere. In a matter of seconds a short, temporary flash illuminated the murky skies, followed immediately after, the rumble of thunder, lightning was not far away at all. And it was only a matter of time until the used to be known and believed in 'heavens' unleashed their elemental fury in the form of wind. Howling down the black mountain sides, came the huge gusts blowing the grasslands, causing a struggle for the vegetation to hold on to their roots. In a second wave, the Heaven's unleashed their second element that played a role in creating the land mass, water. Huge droplets fell like balls of fury exploding upon landing, layer after layer the water was filling whatever gaps were in the dirt.

Suffering from these horrendously caused blasts was a young man, standing, trying to hold onto whatever made up his shelter as the wooden supports began to collapse. Groaning, the man grasped his thin, cotton quilt, but not for long as the huge suction of the gales mixed the quilt into it's currents, pulling away from the man's hands, the quilt twisted and turned as it was warped at incredible speeds across the grasslands. Realising that what he was doing was useless, the man, made use of the time he had left, let go of the rocky roof of his shelter, and grabbed his spear. Holding on for dear life, the man was lucky to have already been wearing his armour, with no other possessions, the man grabbed the fidgeting robe and dive rolled out of the shelter into the grasslands of which he was having trouble resting against the winds.

Looking back at his candle lit shelter, a single blow of lightning from the skies struck at the rocks and wooden beams, catching fire immediately, the shelter's supports from below shook until it violently collapsed, the sounds practically muted because of the gastly winds. Looking down in despair, the man had nothing else to do but stand up gradually, and while placing the robe bunched between his legs, with both hands the man picked up the spear and twirled it behind him once before finally clipping it to the back of his armour, causing the spear to rest diagonally, in a shoulder to thigh direction. Bringing his hands down to the cold robe, he placed it over his body, threaded the spear through the deliberate hole and put up his hood so it rested on his head, protecting him from the vicious weather.

The man was about 6ft tall with dark brown hair that seemed spiked freely in clumps due to the dark blue band bandanna that was worn around his forehead and tied at the back. He was to be said very handsome with two deep pools being his dark brown nearly black, eyes. Clad in a purple-blue armour that was incredibly shiny and of a smooth metal and plastic texture, it could be interpreted that he was a man of skill in the fighting areas with a long spear patterned in dark green and black tints with a pointed silver blade that almost seemed a light blue. The hooded robe however covered his gauntlet clad hands and forearms and all of his upper body down to his knees which was of a pitch black fabric, and there the man stood, the baggy robe flowing with the air currents.

Looking around, past the pile that he called home, his faithful horse could not be seen anywhere, the mountains gloomed above him and the peaceful stream had turned into raging rapids, thinking of the worst that his stallion had drowned, the man looked to find a single city in the distance, he'd never journeyed there though, and for some reason, never wanted to, clans were incredibly far away unless he journeyed into the Underdark, and it was there he would be looking for work, it was almost as if the man was afraid of civilisation, his name was Leon.

Walking through the swaying grass carefully and strongly, the chainmail could be heard rattling with every movement Leon made. Moving a hand over his eyes, he squinted on his hidden face to find the small entrance that led to the catacombs of the Underdark. It was a very long way down, passed the planet's surface, but the Underdark almost had it's own universe, colonies of clans, worlds if you will living and feared by anyone who didn't belong to a clan, not Leon though, he had nothing to lose, he had no past, it was just a job to him, because of his Mercenary status.

Leon hadn't given up just yet, whistling with his index finger and thumb protruding his lips, he heard something in the distance. By some chance miracle, it had turned out the horse had simply retreated away from the storm, Leon's heart raised lightly at the sight of the charging horse. Nearing after every gallop, the clops became louder until the horse halted right next to the mortal, and whinneying in pleasure at the sight of it's mother. The horse was of a pitch black colour to match his master's robe and it's mane was a matching colour.

Still saddled up, Leon hopped three times and threw his leg up over the saddle where he became comfortable. As the rain lashed at him, he hung close to the horses neck, whispered something in the horse's ear and charged off immediately. The stallion didn't seem to struggle at all as it speeded off towards the entrance into the Underdark. In a matter of minutes, the horse began to slow down it's pace to the right of a hole, well what seemed a hole. In fact, this was to lead to a practically new dimension as even though The Underdark and The Surface were connected, it was a huge, magical, dreasful place.

The stallion began to fidget uncontrollably but Leon ignored this, sat up, and twisted the reins to the left causing the Stallion to trot nervously down the path. Darkness overwhelmed him and silence except for the occasionaly trickle and drop of water landing onto the floors that were turning to stone and marble, The Surface could not be seen nor heard anymore. Leon had no idea where he was going as the horse just moved on until glowing fungi illuminated the caverns. The duo marched onwards until a shock appeared in front of Leon's very eyes, a very close up pair of eyes opened swiftly showing pale, but bright irises.

Puzzled but curious, Leon found that he knew where his destination was immediately. Controlling his horse, he knew it would be suicide for both him and his companion if he dismounted and walked, as strange races, clans and creatures would certainly want to hunt both of them down. Choosing at a junction of three paths, Leon rode on straight ahead and he rode... and he rode.

After about three hours without any confrontation at all, Leon charged onwards until he saw a huge gate becoming closer and closer as two guards armed with lances stood silently at each section of the doorway. From about fifty metres away, Leon dismounted and whispered in his horse's ear once more. It was a custom in the life of a horse that when their service had been done, they would be freed to become wild again, a tear dropped from the stallion's eye as Leon stared into them and smiled, turning back, the horse charged in the opposite direction swiftly and tirelessly until it also could not be seen or heard. Not even bothering to lift his hood, he approached the guards and did not stare nor even glance at them. Stopping as they crossed their lances to hinder his journey into the civilisation that was behind the gate, he stood silent staring at the gap between the huge reinforced walls.

"Stand fast warrior, you approach the realms of the Nur'Lograin clan. State your name and purpose." The female guard was of the species of the Drow, a somewhat beautiful, similar to elvish race. It would be deadly to stare at the armour and weaponry that the guard carried, so Leon looked on without replying. "Well!? Answer me! What business do you have with the Nur'Lograin clan?"

Leon breathed in his hood that hid his face, but spoke, "I wish to speak with your mistress."

"And why is that!?" The other guard screamed pointing her lance at Leon's unguarded throat. "Who do you serve!?"

"I am a Mercenary, and I serve noone. I used to dwell on The Surface, but I was led to The Underdark."

"A Mercenary eh? Our Mistress did not tell us of one of your sort that would approach our realm." The other guard spoke in a haunting voice, challengingly.

"You are but, underlings. I'm sure one of the highest in the hierarchy would not generally associate with servants such as you."

"Why you!?" The other guard placed her lance point at Leon's throat to join her companion, but was surprised as he did not seem to flinch but stare onwards. "You should leave now, unless you want to be gutted like our other opposing scum."

"I oppose noone. I challenge noone. I come for a simple job, no tie downs, nothing. If you do not trust me, inform her yourself of my arrival." Leon watched the female guard hesitate but she nodded.

"My Mistress would slaughter me if she were displeased. Wait here, scum, try anything and my companion here has my full permission to kill you on the spot." The Guard turned, removed her lance, and placed it into the gate which seemed to dissapear as she walked into the illuminous halls, but the gate reappeared magically as the guard was out of range.

"If allowed, you are to speak with our highest and most powerful in order, Mistress Vajain. Treat her mannerly and you should be spared, displease her, and you shall not live to see another day." The other guard spoke, unshakely holding the lance almost fixated at Leon's throat.[/i][/color]

[Domon]

[COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1][i]Mazukien's steed seemed to calm down from the man's exotic insturment. It was an offensive sound to Mazukien, the whining sound was amplified from the acustics from the cavern, therefore this made Mazukien winced in slight pain.

While he had been sitting there on his horse watching the man he did not see the large stone creature that was approaching. It was made of stone and sand and riding it like a horse was a friend of his. Uthegilie was atop the creature, another of the drow's little golem toys. Mazukien chuckled at this as he dismounted his horse and led it over to Uthegilie who halted his golem, its eyes glinted maliciously at the man who was still sitting behind Mazukien plucking away at that damn instrument.[/i]

"Uthegilie, what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this evening?" [i]Uthegilie looked contemptously at the man behind Mazukien.[/i]

"I had sent a smaller golem out earlier and spotted you fighting an ankheg, so I grew worried and came to help you. But I see you have the situation under control." [i]Mazukien chuckled a little bit and then mounted his horse again.[/i]

"Come, the three of us can dine at my estate." [i]Uthegilie looked back in the direction of his estate with a torn look.[/i]

" I...Don't really know..."

"Oh, come on Uthegilie come to my estate and feast. I would feel insulted if you didn't, since you are out so late." [i]Uthegilie was about to protest that he wasn't hungry, but his stomach beat him to it with its own protest to eat. He nodded and Mazukien looked back at the man playing the instrument.[/i]

"Would you care to join us at my estate for dinner?" [i]The man set his instrument down and pondered this for some time.[/i][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=999999][i]Another figure came through the doors into her throne room. He was a thin, but slightly built half Drow that worked in the sub house of Vas'Naurnae. He was Kyn'Dal. He stood before her in a far less elegant and decorative robe than those higher than he wore. It was a simple dark green robe with a brown sash tied around his waist. He bowed to Kishandri and kneeled before her.

Kishandri remained calm and collected before she addressed the matter. She let him rise to his feet. She looked into his eyes and they told of a lie that she had known. She smiled at him with a thin smile and he spoke to her.[/i]

"Is there something you wish?"

[i]There was a slight pause before Kishandri spoke.[/i] "Yes. There is."

"What is the matter you wish to speak of?" [i]Kyn'Dal made it seems as if he knew nothing.[/i]

"Do not toy with me, Kyn'Dal. There are rules within this house that you are to obey and you did diliberately disobeyed one important rule that I wished did not happen. Do you know what that rule was?"

"I do not know what you are talking about, Sorceress."

[i]By this time, Kishandri stood and unsheathed her blade. She walked towards Kyn'Dal and then past him. Her back was turned to him.[/i]

"You don't know what I am talking about, do you? Well, then. Did I not tell all those who live in the Vas'Naurnae houses that you are not to speak to the clan leaders unless I or our second leader says so? Did I not, Kyn'Dal?"[/size][/color][/i]

[skedy]

[COLOR=teal][size=1]
[b]OOC:[/b] Sorry it?s so small?

The drow?s invitation had caught Vincent by surprise; he was not expecting the man, proud in appearance, to invite a stranger whom he knew nothing of into his home. At first the vampire hesitated but quickly grew accustomed to the idea, it had been many a year since he had spoken to the drow and spending some time with this pair could prove most advantageous indeed.
?I accept your invitation.? He paused in the realization that his company was mounted, not wanting to give away his true nature the vampire continued: ?Though I fear that I will slow your journey thither as I?ve no steed to call my own.? With that Vincent Granecourt raised an eyebrow and waited for the elves to lead on?[/size][/COLOR]

[Domon]

[COLOR=darkred][SIZE=1][i]Chuckling lightly Mazukien pointed to the extra room on the saddle of his horse.[/i]

"Climb on and I shall transport you to my estate." [i]The man smiled a little and then climbed onto the back of the horse. Just as he had done so Mazukien clicked his tounge and said a few words to his horse and they were off at a full gallop across the road. Looking over to his right Mazukien grinned as Uthegiliel's golem creature was running along beside his horse. The creature resembled a wolf and running seemed to not even phase it.

After traveling a little longer the trio arrived at Mazukien's estate. Sliding off his horse Mazukien watched as the man slid off effortlessly while still clutching his instrument. As he guided his horse back into its stable Mazukien wondered what he would do about that dead body still laying in a pool of its own blood and entrails. He'd forgotten about until just now.

Walking back to the other two Mazukien motioned them to head for the house. As he pushed the doors opened with a loud groan Mazukien let out a small sigh, he was home, but he needed to get a fire going for the time being. As he wandered into the storage closet for the wood. He brought in a decent amount of wood into the room where the dead drow lay.[/i]

"Someone piss you off a little bit to much?" [i]Uthegiliel said jokingly. Mazukien merely nodded and tossed a few logs into the fireplace and threw a struck match into the fireplace.[/i]

"Now, if you excuse me I'll go get some wine. Please make yourself comfortable in the chairs." [i]With that Mazukien exited and headed for the wine cellar to get some of his best red wine.[/i][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Dagger]

Holy crap, some of you people use [i]really[/i] tiny fonts. Keeping that in mind, I apologize if I overlooked any important details.

doukeshi03, this post takes place at the same time as your own.

[center]***************************************[/center]

She had been immensely bored, and when a Kai'Belborun acquaintence asked her to attend this meeting in his place, Ciel had readily acquiesced. Her lithe, powerful body was now draped in modest ivory robes, a far cry from her usual garb--but even she sometimes deferred to custom.

Hands laid demurely upon the table and eyes lowered to gaze down at her sharpened nails, she had remained quiet throughout most of the negotiations. Though Ciel was knowledgeable enough to contribute to the ministers' discussion, she cared little about convincing them why her clan's territory should be permitted to expand. It was better to simply listen in silence; watching their petty squabbles was more entertaining than wandering about her estate, waiting for the next shipment of corpses to arrive.

She'd left Mira behind. The child was beginning to explore her newfound capabilities, testing the magical talents that Ciel had poured into her resurrected body. Despite the fact that she could still sense Mira's thoughts--her wonder, her fear--at the back of her mind, the necromancer chose to ignore them. Let Mira savor those emotions while she retained the ability to do so, before her heart grew too cold to feel even the briefest moments of happiness or sorrow.

"Fellows! Please, let me speak with you!"

Ciel glanced up, golden eyes alert, and leaned forward to listen curiously as Cal'Sakmeht's High Ambassador spoke.

[Doukeshi]

Renier Raised his hands to lull the hushed murmers and whispers that followed his command. Gazing over the collection of diplomats and ministers he raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat.

"Fellow ministers, visiting friends has a decision been made upon the issue at hand that can appease both sides?" Glancing around the dark faces he waited for a reply to be made.

A crimson robed and stern faced drow stood from his chair, his hands clasped before him.

"Lord Amabassador, it seems that there has been some confusion as to our terms. We require further land and access to the city, the reasons have been made clear and we are willing to provide compensation and sufficient payment for this expansion." The diplomat spoke with a level voice his face impassive as a Cal'Sakmeht minister rose to his feet, his face flustered as he spoke quickly to Renier.

"My Lord what the Kai'Belborun minister proposes is in direct violation of the treaty signed with Vas'Naurnae it..." The ministers rambles were cut short by a slight from Renier effectively silencing the man (for lack of a better word).

"My dear Sancion, surely an agreement can be reached that can please all sides. I am aware that the territory in which our friends propose the expansion merely runs alongside Vas'Naurnae land and in no way breaches the contract."

At this announcement a second Kai'Belborun delegate stood replacing the first who had now seated himself. The second diplomat wore a deep frown as he bowed his head to Renier. His confusion made it clear that this was news.

"We hd not been made aware of this arrangement." His tone was firm as he spoke. "The Vas'Naurnae are savage and warlike, the danger is too great, we cannot risk such close interaction!"

Sighing in slight irritation, licking a sharp inscisor as his gaze flitted around the room.

"It seems that an agreement cannot be reached at this time...if it please the delegation we shall resume this meeting at a later time." Bowing his head in respect Renier stepped away from his chair and folded his arms behind his back as his assistant pushed the chair against the table. Murmering could be heard from the ministers who filed from the board room, clearly dissatisfied with the proceedings.

[Hinata]

[COLOR=indigo][SIZE=1]

The chamber was as large as alwyas and had an ominous effect over Jo'lianna. From the day she stepped through the doors her life changed. She was cast into their life teachings. She fell in love with Sharess but missed her family dearly. Many times she thought of them when she visited this place.

[I]Mother![/I]

"Priestess," spoke the chief of the counsel. "What news do you bare forth?"

She knelt in front of them and stayed on her knees allowing the garment surrounding her to hide all compliments of her body. Her hood hang low and her arms crossed although she was still covered by the robe.

"Leaders of the clan, you summoned me the training of the little ones. Yes?" Her voice was light and sultry but still commanded a great deal of respect, no one dared degrade her and knew her words to be serious.

"That is correct priestess, we wish to view the potential." spoke another, his voice showing his youth, but he still was a bit older than her.

"Their potential, as you speak of, has still some work, but my best is the young one to my left. She so far is dominant amoung the other. Her mind strong where others are weak. She has my favor, as of now," she stopped speaking leaving the counsel to talk amoungst themselves.

"Priestess, may we view her potential for ourselves," spoke one voice she had not heard. She quickly searched his mind and saw something brief from him.

"May she please be excused and the doors closed while I make my desicion."

The counsel agreed and the priestess stood.

"May I ask who the new one is," her mind flickered with thoughts of the breif moments she found within him.

"We knew you would wonder when he spoke, but he is not an elder, he is a priest who has now come to stay amoung us. His name, Ren'No Traf. He has come to study the word of Sharess."

"Welcome sir and I hope you enjoy the life under the guidance of our Goddess."

"Thank you," he answered briefly.

"But I see you gentleman wish to test the little ones. You may starting with the one afore mentioned. You will see her expertise and I shall not remain in the room for fear of tainting with the proceedings. Now if you gentle man excuse me, I shall let you begin."

"Thank you priestess, we shall summon you later to tell you of our findings."

She bowed to the men once more and turned around to leave them. On her way out her servant came in hoping not to disappoint the Priestess.

[I] Don't worry little one, you'll do fine.[/I]

With those words transferred to the girl, she walked in head high and confident, but the Priestess felt his eyes on her, the eyes or Ren'No.

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OOC: KOTR I hope you don't mind that I inrtoduced our characters...

[The Vampire: Ed]

A female Drow, one of the guardians of the Nur'Lograin gates, approached her mistress, Vajain, as she sat upon her throne staring at the rafters with a grin upon her face. Just as the female guard was about to inform her of the visitor at the gates, she spoke herself "Allow him access, bring him to me." The female guard was surprised to hear her mistress answer her question before she could ask it, but then noticed her guardian, Razel, perched in the window looking down at the gates. The female guard bowed saying "As you wish."

Moments later the mercenary, Leon, was brought before Vajain. Leon nodded at Vajain greeting her in his own way, then surveyed the room seeing that he was alone with Vajain. She smiled graciously at her guest, and stood speaking "Greetings mercenary whom serves no one." Leon cocked his head and replied "So your guard has informed you of me then?"

"No." Vajain said with a smirk on her face. "A little birdie told me."

"Is that so?" Leon questioned. Vajain nodded as Leon smiled falsely. "Excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable." Vajain says as she turns around with the feathers melting back revealing bare flesh, as if she was teasing him, tempting him with forbidding fruit. Just as his eyes began to trail down to Vajain's lower regions Razel dropped from the ceiling, seemingly out of thin air, standing toe to toe with Leon cutting off his view of the beautiful Vajain in her bare form.

Leon quickly took his spear in hand swinging it at the being, but found him to be much too fast for him. Razel caught the blade of the spear with his left hand concealed within a steel gauntlet, and his eyes flashed a dark crimson color letting Leon know he wasn't dealing with another mortal. "Who the hell are you?!" Leon grunted as he pulled his spear away from the creature before him.

"That's the little birdie." Vajain said laughing before Razel could answer himself. Leon, and Razel turned to find Vajain clothed again after her shape chage in a provocative purple gown. Vajain motioned for Razel to stand down, and return to her side as she took her seat upon the throne once more.

"State your business whelp." Razel said with a scornful tone in his voice. Vajain tapped Razel in the back of the head lightly as she spoke "Come now, that's no way for you to talk to a guest."