[Plot] Convergence of Tides

Keydis Lysistrata · Aug 13, 2020

Pain. Adrenaline. Fear. Excitement. Hot blood coursing down her lip. The salty stench of its blood surrounding her. Keydis felt a rush, felt every beat of her heart as body ached and bones creaked, driven ever forward by the satisfying sensation of steel parting flesh, of the panicked trembles of the monster. It wasn't enough, never enough!

"Key--!"

Her head snapped over to the sound of Red's voice, and for one terrifying split second, her sword arm twitched, blood-lust demanding she cut down the woman as she rushed in. In that split second, Keydis ripped her senses back.

As Red torpedoed her to the midsection, Keydis bit back her pained grunt and threw an arm around Red, clinging tight. Her back hit the roof and her armor scraped as the pair of them slid, just before the wicker worm's tentacle slammed right where she'd been moments earlier.

Keydis laid there for a moment, catching her breath, regaining her senses, and just taking that brief moment to stare at Red as the other woman stood up. Strong but terrified, fearful sweat beading on her sun-kissed skin, her sharp grey eyes darting around, assessing the battlefield. One hand clutched at a pistol.

Fuck, she loved this idiot.

The cracks in the roof snapped and spread underneath her. "Hold on tight!" Keydis yelled, sitting up and lunging forward under Red's left arm, her right arm slipping around the woman's back. She kicked into a jump, throwing herself and Red right over the edge of the roof.

One more time, she grit her teeth as she forced another barbed blade from her arm, shooting it toward the next building over. It wasn't a graceful escape, but as the unnatural chain connecting her arm to the blade snapped taut, Keydis and Red's momentum broke and reversed, swinging them around in an arc. Keydis snapped the chain free as soon as they were close enough to the ground, twisting so that she and her armor would take the brunt of the initial impact before the pair went rolling across the wet pavement.

Keydis sprawled out on her back, groaning and laughing, watching the hulking monster make its retreat. "Now you're welcome," she called out, teasingly.

[370/9666]

swaswj · Aug 13, 2020

[bgcolor=darkgreen]Ulupi stared into Aelflead's eyes, piercing almost, before an eel-toothed smile spread. "The princess herself. What an honor." Her tone was flat, and though Himai failed to convey sarcasm, it was clear that she was not impressed. "I will admit that the prince seems sincere. The one redeeming quality of a fool." Her smiled drained away and she lifted an arm toward the guards behind her. On command, they raised their weapons.

"We will take the statue." Naga slithered forward, heading to unload and secure the cargo. "It will not wipe away the blood debt of Thadal et Neptunum, however. Even if the emperor and all of his children offered up their lives, it would never be enough! I've told the prince this, and thus he sends striders in his place. You and your smooth-skinned companion owe us nothing. Even your murderous actions to defend the emperor shall see no punishment, at least not from Marth Gwtheab Neodrwg.

"Unless you wish to offer yourselves, one drop of blood to the oceans spilled by your empire, then begone! I have nothing more to say to land walkers. We shall settle accounts with the princess." Ulupi's eyes narrowed ominously. [/bgcolor]

[200/9866]

The statues weren't given names. They are statues of Serpens, but not individually titled.

When Ulupi mentions the lack of punishment for the battle in the throne room, she is referring to their own laws and customs. By attacking in self-defense, Aelflead and Dante are blameless in the eyes of the Green Waters. The other clans don't always see things exactly the same, of course. They may try to execute Maswae, however, as they hold the entire empire/race at fault for the bloodshed and derangement of the younglings.

swaswj · Aug 13, 2020

[bgcolor=darkorchid]"They are here," Etiirshaii announced suddenly. In the intervening moments, the king had summoned more of his guards into the throne room, the prisoners held back near the doors and leaving the center of the expansive chambers completely open.

The ring of violet- and indigo-scaled ophidians brandished weapons made of iridescent black pearl, infamously sharp and harder than their appearance suggested. Etiirshaii was joined by three more shamans, not as stunningly large as the Drars herself but each as imposing as any of the warriors.

King Tsildasiir nodded. "Do it."

The shamans each began chanting, the words unrecognizable even to velen ears, and spread around the throne room, with Etiirshaii standing in the center. She bore a staff of multicolored coral branches, held in both hands as she looked upward. The ceiling began to ripple and waver until, suddenly, the vision of a small velen airship appeared.

From the ship itself, Ignis and Aeria looked down to see the waters churning and roiling. Before their eyes, a spiral began to form, a whirlpool that opened wider and wider, a gaping hole in the dark waters. As the ocean opened up for them, they could see the ophidian throne room, the king coiled in his throne and then…

"Captain Garus!" Durio shouted, pointing at the captain and his fellow prisoners.

The water pulled away further, the edges of the whirlpool swirling endlessly.

"We're not that close to the surface," Garus murmured in disbelief. He'd lived his whole life in the oceans and even without seeing the surface, he understood the pressure of the depths. Even as he thought that, he could feel that pressure lessening. Then, the water in the throne room peeled away; the edges of the whirlpool seemed to merge with the walls around the throne room. Garus sucked in a deep breath of fresh, sea air; not the stale and dry air of their cell.

At length, it became obvious that the open space in the throne room was meant for the airship.

With no other option apparent, Aeria brought the ship downward. After passing the surface of the water, it was as if the temperature dropped sharply. They were transitioning from the open air to deep beneath the surface.

Stunned murmurs filled the throne room as the gathered ophidians looked at the statue, each of them in awe but hesitant to trust their own eyes. In front of Liaelty, one of the guards slithered forward, eyes locked onto the statue and forgetting about the prisoners. A broad dagger of black pearl was sheathed on its belt. Etiirshaii and her shamans continued to chant and sway in tune with their wild magics, holding the whirlpool open. King Tsildasiir was first to finally break the silence after the airship skids settled onto the throne room floor.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Talloss. I am King Hawluod Tsildasiir of Marth Broty Neodrwg. Your mere presence here is punishable by death, but you come bearing an unlikely gift.

"Explain yourselves. How did feathered ones acquire the statue stolen by velen snakes? Are you in league with them? How did you find your way to this kingdom? What are you scheming?"

Durio, trembling and hiding behind Aeria and Ignis, translated the king's Himai into the common tongue as he spoke, but couldn't bring herself to offer up any answers of her own.

[/bgcolor]

[565/10431]

The portal bridges the distance between the throne room and the surface. The throne room is open air right now. The shamans can stop their chanting at any time and trap the rescue crew there. And probably drown them. But as long as the whirlpool portal is open, the open sky is visible overhead.

Durio is translating for Aeria and Ignis. She will also translate whatever they say back to the ophidians.

swaswj · Aug 13, 2020

[bgcolor=cyan]Pillars of flame erupted along the southern edge of the dock yard. "Herd it west!" Prince Caput ordered, casting another spell to try to turn the fleeing worm back. The one to the east side may have been a lost cause, but he didn't want two Tenebraen behemoths in the Copiae's waters.

Driweus picked up on his alarm and began issuing commands of his own, calling out several names into his vox. "We need at least five of our fastest scouts to tail the wicker worm once it escapes into the ocean. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary, just track it until we can mobilize a suitable force to deal with it. If it approaches people, warn them away or try to lead the worm away. Stay in contact at all times!"

The Pelagian forces moved to follow the prince's orders, and while the wounded wicker worm warbled with wrath, it warily wended westward, heading toward less dangerous waters.

Satisfied with how that was progressing, Caput began barking out new commands. "Check the fallen, get them to safety, bring potions, bandages, and prayers! Bring in the stragglers, we need to regroup. Captain!"

"Yes, sir!"

"You have communication with the other units in Flumen Petram, right? Relay orders to halt advancement. Avoid killing any more naga, if possible, but our first priority is no more velen casualties!" Caput looked around, seeming to realize for the first time how many non-velen were surrounding him. "No more allied casualties," he amended his order, giving a brief bow of contrition to the brave men and women. [/bgcolor]

Ahead of the main forces, Kaizaell held his position on the rooftop, hidden behind the chimney and watching warily for any signs of movement from the naga that had slipped out of sight. He was breathing rapidly, clutching his longinus close. All told, though, he was jazzed to be alive after so many close calls.

He was just about to give up on the stray naga and make his retreat when there came a loud crunching sound underneath. An ophidian growl reached him as a black nacre spear tip ripped through the roof tiles, burying deep into his thigh before ripping free. Kaizaell spat out a curse as he rolled away, leaving entirely too much blood behind even as adrenaline fought to lessen the pain.

Just as he was trying to puzzle out how the naga had gotten underneath him, he spotted movement on the other roof. Not the one he had been watching… Kai thought back to the naga that had been in these buildings, the ones that eventually hid away from his sniper fire. The distant naga lifted a spear, eyes locked onto Kaizaell's. The chimney was already too far away, and no other cover presented itself.

Then salvation: an orange-scaled velen abruptly scrabbled onto the roof, firing a pistol wildly in the direction of the spear-chucker. The naga ducked for cover again. "Fall back, drylander! They're calling to regroup!" The velen dropped the pistol and lifted his trident, something he was much more familiar with. He spotted the wound and grimaced. "Just drop, there's men below!"

[bgcolor=cyan]Driweus relayed the prince's orders despite the bewildered look on his face. Caput used his own vox to call the pilot down with the statue. As the airship circled around and made its approach, the prince addressed everyone present. "For those who don't know me, I am Prince Caput et Neptunem, Tofradeity of the Pelagian military. Thank you all for your bravery and service! However, I fear I must tell you that we have all been fighting under false pretenses.

"This is not the time to go into great detail, but there is one indisputable fact: the Empire of Pelagia is at fault for this war! I will not allow my people, and you brave volunteers, to fight and die for a cause that is not just!" The airship made its landing nearby and Caput swept an arm out toward it. "The first step to ending this war, to protecting our people, is to return this statue to its rightful owners: the ophidian kingdoms."

There were murmurs of confusion, shouts of disgust and outrage, but Caput simply stood tall. The stragglers from the east came in as he began speaking; Keydis leaned heavily on Red. "I will correct my father's mistakes, but I cannot ask you to bleed for them. No matter what happens next, you all must prioritize saving lives over killing the enemy. If they leave you no choice, so be it, but any naga that gives up fighting must be allowed to retreat. If we want bloodshed to end we must offer that mercy."

The statue was rolled off of the airship, set onto a small platform with wheels. Caput walked up to it and placed his hand on the stone. "Lady Serpens grant me wisdom and strength," he murmured, bowing his head. Caput offered no further orders, leaving the men and women to digest what he had said. He turned and began walking ahead, deeper into the city. He pointedly sheathed his sword, then pulled it from his belt and held out the sheathed weapon.

"Safe harbor!" he shouted in Himai, a call for parlay. He continued marching forward, tall and resolute, shouting out the words every few moments. Soldiers clustered around him, certain he'd gone completely mad. Others had taken up the task of bringing the statue along, grunting with the exertion of rolling the heavy piece uphill. Caput was heading toward the city square on the map, where the naga leaders were most likely to be.

Though they could feels eyes on them as the procession moved deeper into the city, whether they were walking into an ambush or Caput's call for parlay was being honored, the ophidian forces did not attack.

The fact remained that they were soon going to be surrounded by enemy forces. "I won't ask you all to bleed with me," Caput reiterated. "I am honored to fight side by side with you, at last, but there is no shame in falling back or securing the back lines."
[/bgcolor]

[1020/11451]

Wicker Worm A fled to the east, into the Copiae. That's a problem for another day. Wicker Worm B fled west, and will eventually find its way back to the Tenebrae.

Tod, sorry for calling a shot on Kai. I'm not trying to force my style of story-telling which involves a lot more give and take in fights, but I am drawing a line on how long luck will preserve you against recklessness. This latest turn had Kai make five shots, five kills, while his enemies took five shots and missed five times, even though Kai wasn't making any effort to protect himself. If you want to write someone remaining unscathed, I at least expect to see them actively evading or using cover cleverly.

I'm sort of fast-tracking the plot here. Instead of fighting an uphill battle through the city (literally), the next turn I write will be in the city square. Micali might have important information to share on the way, but Caput himself won't be deterred. If anyone else feels the need (or that it would be in character) to flee, that's totally acceptable. Do up your turns of regrouping, recovering, preparing or retreating. You'll see naga along the way but they won't attack. The juvenile berserker ones may visibly want to, but they'll be held in check by their handlers (who use commands with special horns and whistles).

Amanita Agaricales · Aug 14, 2020

Amanita heard the call of the Prince while her eyes trailed the worm. She had a brief notion about trying to stop the monster, but it didn't seem like her capabilities would be enough. Rather, she headed down to the ground. The building she was on was collapsing, and the normal ways down were all destroyed already. That left the best way down as jumping off the roof.

Amanita waved her crabby servant over. Each step of the armored legs caused more cracks to form in the roof. "Pluterra, then jump off," Amanita ordered.

A magical portal formed in front of Memerosia. As the servant jumped off, she fired the portal towards the ground. Where it hit, a pillar of stone came up to meet them. Going straight up and down, the pillar almost landed back in the original position, but it broke on the ground instead as Memerosia rolled off.

Amanita had to catch her breath after that as she stepped off, but there was too much to do to stay down long. She stood up already and was yelling orders to the mercenaries within the area. "All that are able, collect the wounded and bring them back towards the Orca. Stay together and support one another. This has been a hard fought battle, but don't let your guard down, yet." She warily eyes the naga. For the moment, they weren't attacking.

"Stand down," Amanita ordered. She had to grab onto a mercenary to stop him from attacking. "Go, retreat and regroup. Form a line of the healthy with anyone capable of using ranged attacks behind. Keep the wounded safe. Anyone that can provide first aid, do so." She walked through the area making certain every mercenary got the message. The tall daemon following her made certain to get the point across.

She saw the prince heading for the center of the city with a statue trailing along. With the area behind her clearing out, she walked for the prince. Her gladius was sheathed. As she approached, Amanita bowed her head. "Prince Caput. I am Amanita Agaricales, representative of the Terminus forces."

[353]

Aeria Luxus · Aug 15, 2020

Aeria had taken her halberd in hand, unwilling to walk into this group without a weapon close by. Her stance was wary, but still projecting confidence. Her voice was steady and she met the eyes of the king with an even gaze. “This statue is being returned at the instructions of Prince Caput on behalf of the velen people with his apologies. If by ‘in league’ you mean are we allied with them, then yes we are. As for how we found our way here, we had a rough idea of where your captives had ended up and we have a scryer to guide us once we reached the general area.”

Taking a breath which also gave her a chance to pause, the spurii kept her eyes on Tsildasiir’s as she spoke again. “We are scheming nothing. It was decided that the statues had to be returned if we were to negotiate the release and safe passage of Captain Garus, Diamantus and…” She paused, eyes flitting to Lea before adding, “their companion…”

She finished, “These statues are yours by right and the Prince wishes to acknowledge that fact. He has had his eyes rather painfully opened to the injustice that was done in the name of his people.”

Settling back, the spurii’s stance appeared relaxed, but there was a tremble of tension seeming to wait under that calm surface.

Laermont · Aug 15, 2020

Apparently the wicker worms had been put to flight, so Laermont changed tack. His eyeplates made a sweep of the area, seeming to make an assessment of where he might be most needed. They settled on the rooftop on which Kai was perching, wounded by a sudden naga attack. It was clear he was being urged to jump from the roof top to be caught by the waiting men below. However, the quaestor’s size and strength were superior to most of the velen out there.

It appeared that his decision was made and he strode forward, the velen and non-velen around him parting as he made his way to where the sniper waited at the edge of the roof. Looking up, his eyeplates made contact, seeming to lock gazes with Kai despite not really having a “gaze” to lock. “Go on and drop, Kai. I will be quite able to catch you and absorb the impact of your fall. I believe that action is imperative!”

He opened the massive sweep of his metallic arms, his body seeming to tense in one place while loosening in another, preparing him for the weight of his young friend. People around him might have been surprised by the change from striding leviathan of destruction to a gentle and encouraging helper, but it was one of the contradictions inherent in the gigantic demvir,

Aelflead Kirastes · Aug 20, 2020

Meanwhile in the sea of Aquilonia, tension had maintained a steady level in comparison to the lull settling over Flumen Petram.

"Tywrsoillt guatyter ha a fu su. Meast dige naearei flwaih drwsifut, Pelagia-" Aelflead said, curtsying and taking a step backwards out of immediate range of the spears of the shaman's soldiers. "Envoy freifo mo hiai nea am flwaih seiablwtyh. Natreu flwamp ga drwsifut am, Drars."

Behind her Maswae bristled with a sudden indignant fury at this. "Scheming she devil." He murmured under his breath, half to himself half to Dante, and began sliding his hand steadily closer to a holster sitting on his hip.

---

"Maefuon a hua nug euo deua heudwbl wruwurthu a."

1: And so you shall have it. Know, I pledge no allegiance to Pelagia-
2: I am their envoy only in name and authority, as my desires align more closely with yours.
3: I urge you to consider what benefits this unique situation may bring you.

Aelflead is basically telling Ulupi, "I'm only on this side of the fence because of circumstance, but I'm mostly with you and I have some sway. Tell me what you want and I can probably get it more easily than you can on your own.

Kaizaell Songe · Aug 26, 2020

Word Count: 537/6761

Kaizaell slumped in place, lowering his rifle as he recognized his savior. Grimacing he sat there, holding his rifle to his chest as his leg throbbed. The wound had been deep, he’d seen enough of those to know that much. He hadn’t carried any healing balms with him and if it had gone deep enough to get his bone he’d have long days of pain and long nights of fever.

He could kill the man, he’d killed before. Laicar and enlil and monsters, but not velen, and not unaware men who’d gone out of their way to save him. Vaguely, his mind wondered if they bled the same colors as him. Wondered if they’d cry out to their mothers when they were dying.

Looking over the dark haired sniper saw the spears nearby, still embedded into the rooftop. He could still do this, he still had time to do this. He could save his home, nobody else would have to die and he could leave the battlefield. He even had the powdered fog on his hip in one of his remaining two vials. It would be easy.

Or would it?

Mother Krishka had raised him, had shown him that defending himself was important. But he’d been accepted by the rest of the monks in the monastery, they were his family, or at least as close to it as he could get without blood ties. This man, this target, on the other hand was a stranger.

Standing up on wobbling legs he stepped forwards, his right leg screaming in protest as more blood flowed. He grunted in pain, causing the man with the trident to turn and face him with a look of worry on his face.

Seeing that reminded him of the looks he’d received from his past, the looks of pity and worry from not only the monks but from Caniir as well, before he’d been forced to leave her.

Kaizaell! A girl's voice screamed, as memories threatened to crash through the din of the battlefield.

Grimacing he took another step forwards, towards one of the spears, before he heard Laermont’s voice below.

How disappointed the Quaestor would be if he saw Kaizaell become nothing more than a common murderer.

Aboard the ship he’d become one of the soldiers few friends abroad. He’d talked, on great lengths, about the crimes he’d stopped. The people he’d saved, the lives he’d redeemed.

And of the heinous murderers who viewed life as something easily trodden under foot.

The man didn’t have facial expressions that could easily be read, but the tone of his voice and the way he held himself while telling about it had spoken volumes on the man’s opinion.

I swear, Laermont, the young soldier vowed to himself. I won’t become that...

Stumbling forwards he fell on his leg and began sliding towards the edge, to where he’d heard his friend waiting for him below. As he felt cold metallic hands grasp onto him and the exhaustion of the adrenaline and blood leaving his body gripped him into slumber he relaxed himself.

At least not where your light will see it. A voice seemed to whisper in his mind as felt himself fall into deep dark unconsciousness.

Micali Alsara · Aug 28, 2020

Micali let out a rough grunt as her back collided with the cobble, sliding a good several meters before slowing to a stop. As Gwen healed her up, she pushed away the memories of Rosa’s hands doing the same. Now wasn’t the time. She felt the warm glow patching her up, as she had many times in her life, and nodded. As throngs of soldiers pressed on past the pair, Micali realized their direction. Her eyes went wide with fear as Gwen noted the atmospheric shift.

With memories of the Imber further into the city, she took in as much air as her lungs could tolerate through the pain and spoke. “Gwen - we need to find Garus, or Amanita. Someone who can get a message out.” Micali stood, and prepared to run as best as her body would allow. “Those things weren’t the only monsters in the city.”

So, after she checked her items were still securely on her person, Micali ran, didn’t even check to make sure Gwen was behind her, just knew this message needed to be delivered. Eventually, she saw the crab demon, and knew from the Arsenic that she’d found one of her quarries. The woman was approaching a rather important looking velen, but Micali couldn’t concern herself with that, interrupting before any conversation could be had. “Amanita! That’s your name right? I’m Micali, I was on the Arsenic. There’s something you, and everyone, needs to know.” The sniper heaved some breaths as she hunched over. “The beasts - there are more in the city. Bigger, worse. The troops - they don’t know what they’re in for. We need to get a message out before they go too far in.”

[283/2751]

Gwendolyn of nowhere · Aug 29, 2020

"Other monsters? What kind of, no focus. You're all beat up tho-Ack! Wait up!"

Gwendolyn scrambled to follow after the frantic woman and skidded to a halt on her heels behind her, then peered out to the side of Micali and waved to Amanita.

"Hi! I remember you from the boat! And a few minutes ago, or a few seconds ago? I'm not really sure how time flows between turns, or what monsters Micali is talking about, but I'll pass a message along or something if you tell me what to say!"

She frowned and put a finger to her lips.

"Well I guess saying that I can probably pass a message along is more accurate because what if those things Micali is talking about get me on the way? Then I wouldn't make it in time, or they might be leaping out right now so it wouldn't matter, or maybe-" Gwen proceed to babble about other potential hypothetical disaster scenarios while the more disciplined of the three of them processed Micali's warning. In the girl's hand her brush still sat placidly though, glittering bronze faintly from the terra regia pulveris it had been so doused in all day.

Ignis of Animi · Aug 29, 2020

Aeria was able to speak up confidently, declaring their purpose and answering each question honestly yet succinctly. It was a fortunate thing because the pureblood enlil stood in silence. She could feel her pulse in her throat while the naga stared them down. How in Aeravis could they expect to get out of this alive?

Silently, the avian looked skyward. She hated this, being so close to the deep ocean where they could easily be crushed by the ocean's waves, standing on that precipice between life and death. Part of her hated the velen and the ophidians both for creating this situation, for weaving the fabric of the entanglement in which she found herself.

Acid burned in the back of Ignis' throat and she trembled lightly. After a few short moments, she added to Aeria's speech. "She's right. We came to exchange the statue for these prisoners. Nothing else. Without Garus here, we never would have been able to find you."

Amicus stared at the grosteque creatures his partner and her friend were attempting to negotiate with. He rustled a bit, seeming perturbed as well.

#c22f5d

Dante · Aug 30, 2020

The athlete had given up any attempt at following a conversation in a foreign language, but the moment weapons were readied he tensed up. He was parallel to Maswae and saw him reaching towards an armament in his peripheral vision.

"Aren't we done here? The statue is where it belongs, can we just leave, pilot?" The athlete said, while he ruffled his hair with his left hand. All he wanted was to end this encounter as quick as possible where he was like a fish out of water due to his unfamiliarity with the language. For all he knew Aelflead could be trying to sell him off to the naga for no reason at all.

Aelflead Kirastes · Aug 30, 2020

Maswae hissed back to the kinner under his breath. "We're here to deliver the statue as much as you two are to be envoys for Tiae Grace, but that monster is conspiring to cripple the Empire with the slithering witch's demands!"

Slowly the man's hand opened his holster and edge around his pistol's handle.

"Damn her and the snakes, If I blow her head off we can take off before the blasted snakes' storms catch up to us." There was a hard, wild look in the man's eyes enhanced by the dark yellow stripes of scales on his face. He was not thinking clearly.

Ahead of them, Aelflead's tail began to wag steadily as she spoke to the Drars. "Tywrddoellt tiae flwaih, hai Marth Gwtheab Neodrwg uat strofoithweia hiaumsei."

Aelflead is earnest in her intent, but is purposefully sounding darker than she means to rile up Maswae because the Drars doesn't trust her. All because in her mind, goading him into trying to kill her so that she can kill him instead, an actual member of the Empire of Pelagia, will get the Drars to believe she's serious about trying to help and will follow through on most anything she asks for.

Slippery moral framework is slippery.

swaswj · Sep 1, 2020

[bgcolor=cyan]"Greetings, Lady Agaricales," Caput responded, eyes remaining resolutely ahead as they worked their way upward through the city. "I must thank you and your people for their aid in Pelagia's time of need." The street they were on cut a straight path but on every crossroads, more naga gathered. They blocked all other paths but the one straight ahead, and the smaller among them openly gnashed their teeth and brandished weapons, but the adults held their wroth in check. They heeded the prince's gesture of a sheathed sword and his calls for safe harbor.

"In the briefest of explanations, the statue of Serpens bears her blessings, and it rightfully belongs to the ophidians. Emperor Thadal stole this statue from them years ago. Doing so has led to a derangement of their people, especially the young ones." The tall, thin velen had a deep frown on his face. "It falls to me to correct his mistakes."

Caput glanced over when Micali began speaking. "When I saw them, I hoped the wicker worms would be the worst of it. The Tenebrae is full of many fearsome monsters, and many of them we've never seen before."

Nearby, Captain Driweus stared at Micali. "From the Arsenic?" He didn't say more but was clearly trying to recall if he'd seen her before.

"Thank you for the intel. My path is already decided, but in light of the danger, Captain Driweus, you are in charge of preparing for a full withdrawal. If things turn to violence, my orders are to fall back to the water. Is that understood?"

Reluctantly, Driweus nodded. "Yes, my prince." He fell back and began issuing orders.

Caput continued his steady march. "Ladies, I cannot command you, but I would advise you to prepare your forces from Terminus similarly. You could even fall back now, if you so choose."[/bgcolor]

"You should quit talking like this is a one-way trip," Keydis snarked from the side. She was still leaning on Red but had regained some of her fire after the rough landing. "You may think throwing your life away is the noble shit to do, but if you do, then you're just forcing your sisters or your people to deal with your dad. Because yeah, that's still a thing that needs to be done, prince. Whether you like it or not."

[bgcolor=cyan]Caput turned to the brunette with a frown. "Thank you for your 'counsel,'" he replied, bitter but lacking in fire. His face twisted and gradually the look on his face softened. "You aren't wrong, I'll admit, but the likelihood of leaving without more bloodshed is alike to the abyss."[/bgcolor]

Keydis scoffed. "If you ask me, you'd be just fine leaving now. The snakes will take the statue from wherever you put it. They'll be angry, but they'll eventually go back to their homes. There's not a thing you can offer that will make up for the loss of even a single loved one or family member. Even your life isn't that special."

In spite of everything, Keydis found she liked the prince. He was naive, in a way, but earnest. He seemed to give a shit about his country. She didn't like the thought that he was probably planning to throw his life away for a ceasefire. She especially didn't like it because she doubted it would work.

[bgcolor=cyan]"I suppose we'll find out. It's not my intention to throw my life away, Lysistrata... but if it means the safety of the velen people, I'll gladly offer it."[/bgcolor]

[611/12062]

Follow-up to this will be a new thread starting at the town square. If you're planning not to join that thread, I'd recommend making your exit in your next turns here.

swaswj · Sep 1, 2020

[bgcolor=darkgreen]It was uncanny how close to the truth Dante's worries were. Maswae looked over at him, then back at Aelflead where she stood in the sand. He sighed and pulled a knob and the engine whirred. The airship remained on the ground, however. "Job's not done. For some fool reason, the prince thinks the ophids are open to negotiation, and seems your friend is the one he picked for that."

The old grayscale eyed the powerful snake-men as they moved the statue off of the ship, sliding the huge object over the sand with relatively little difficulty. He wasn't all that comfortable with the dark looks some of them were sending his way. "Got to give her a chance, but first sign of trouble we're going to aim for the skies. Just hope she knows what she's doing."

Ulupi seemed surprised that Aelflead didn't flee right away after being offered clemency for her own blood debt. "Unique benefits? In exchange for what? We have Serpens' Blessing now. It is a fool who tries to bargain after giving their last fish.

"What could you possibly offer the Kingdom of Natross? What would you dare to ask of us?"
[/bgcolor]

[200/12262]

Myst, you asked me about things Ulupi might want, so I'm unsure why you wouldn't ask me about flipping Maswae's character 180 degrees. Maswae is an older velen, experienced, a pilot (not soldier) past his prime but loyal to Prince Caput -- and Caput specifically sent Aelflead and Dante for the purpose of negotiating with Ulupi. He's not a young hothead quick on the draw, and he's not going to try to kill Aelflead for doing the job she was sent to do.

Even if he was, it's a poor gambit. Killing Maswae would break the peace at this meeting, and especially if he attacks first, then Aelflead and Dante have no leverage. How will Aelflead provide anything for the ophidians if she's openly turned against Pelagia? Before she could even explain her plan, she'd have two dozen naga spears coming at her. These ophidians started a war to get these statues back, they're not going to be patient if you're causing trouble when they've finally got what they want in sight.

I've written this turn from the end of Dante's, not factoring your turn that follows. If you want to proceed on the path you're on, you can post something similar, but be forewarned that breakdowns in communication are very likely to lead to death. Caput already set the stage for negotiations, Aelflead is there to try to build upon that, not cancel out the gains that have already been made.

swaswj · Sep 1, 2020

[bgcolor=darkorchid]King Tsildasiir's black, shark-like eyes bored into Aeria's as she spoke, then to Ignis. He didn't even acknowledge Durio's presence, recognizing her as the servant in this scenario. "Secure the Blessing," he declared, and within moments, the statue was resting directly in front of the king.

Etiirshaii slowed in her chanting, looking to the King, a bloodthirsty look in her eyes. It was clear that she wanted to end the spell and drown them all right then and there. Tsildasiir turned a glare her way, though. Reluctantly, she resumed her calls to Serpens and Typhon, swaying side to side with her sister shamans.

"My King, we--!" Iszikke spoke up before also being silenced by a sharp glare. The entire room waited with bated breath while the regal ophidian worked through whatever was on his mind.

"This man's blood debt is deep. For a lifetime, he has committed himself to bringing death to our people. What you ask is no small thing, feathered ones." As the king spoke, Durio gave trembling translations. Tsildasiir reached up and placed a palm upon the statue and immediately it seemed as if he was a drowning man taking his first gasp of fresh air; a man in the desert and dying of thirst, taking his first drink of cold water. With only that touch, it was clear that this was the real article, the statue bearing the blessing his people so missed.

The statue that was stolen from them.

"It was a prince who tasked you to bring the statue here. Then the father lives, and has not paid for his crime. As long as Thadal et Neptunum sits upon the throne, the Empire of Pelagia and the Kingdom of Talloss remain at war." The declaration was cold, harsh. Tsildasiir turned to Garus, slithering closer. "Be grateful to your prince, bloodletter. He pays a high price for your freedom. However, before you may leave here, I will have your solemn vow that you will never draw ophidian blood again." The king unclasped a black band from his wrist, set with a blood-red gem.

Garus looked at the king, then at Diamantus, and finally over to Durio. The captain seemed confused. He knew that the vow would go beyond words, somehow. He had indeed spent a lifetime fighting the ophidian forces, but now there was a sick feeling in his stomach as he wondered how much of it was justified. How many lives had he taken out of ill-placed trust in his commanding officers and his emperor?

Garus held his hands up, wrists together. "I swear that I will never spill another drop of ophidian blood," he declared resolutely. The king nodded and placed the black band onto the velen's wrist. It immediately tightened and the red gem started to glow. No explanation was given, but Garus didn't need one to understand that his vow would be ensured somehow through the jewelry.

"Now all of you, leave."

There was a notable change in the tone of the chanting from the shamans, and Durio suddenly called out, "Hurry, get on board! Start the ship up!"

The portal above them slowly began to close, allowing water to rush in around the edges of the throne room.

[/bgcolor]

[558/12820]

Time to go. You're not being given any time to think about what just happened (until you're out in the open air again).

Thanks to the careful wording used, Aeria and Ignis have successfully bought the freedom of Garus, Diamantus, and Lea. They did not secure any diplomatic advantages, but Tsildasiir did at least offer some hope of future peace if Thadal abdicates the throne (or is otherwise replaced). Hope, but not a promise.

Aeria Luxus · Sep 2, 2020

Diamantus’ voice took on the bark of an officer’s command as she shouted at the others while launching herself forward with a powerful thrust of her muscled legs. “You heard the seer. Run for it!”

Aeria needed no encouragement as she followed the powerful, sprinting velen with Ignis and Garus on her heels. Lea also stumbled along behind the others. The spurii’s halberd was kept in the position in which she’d been trained to run with it and didn’t hamper her progress. As she leaped into the Sky Cutter, she threw the weapon to the side of the corridor, dashing into the cockpit. Once everyone was on board, she closed the ramp that lead into the craft.

Punching the switch to start the engines, she yelled back to Ignis. “I want full climbing trim on those wings!”

Now that everything was powered up and her enlil companion had trimmed out the wings, Aeria gritted her teeth and punched the throttle. The water was rushing in faster and faster, but the auritium engines had thrust to spare and soon the craft had erupted skywards, just as the water closed behind them. In spite of herself, Aeria gave a whoop and then instructed Ignis to trim the cutter for flight.

Once the adrenalin had faded the spurii spared a glance back to her companions. “Everyone okay back there?”

Amanita Agaricales · Sep 2, 2020

Amanita sighed. The objective, for her at least, was to retake the city with minimal casualties. The whole statue business was either going to do just that or embolden the naga. The news of even worse monsters lurking around was not good news.

Amanita said to the Prince, "I have stayed this far. I intend to see the end of the conflict one way or another. It is good that you're going in person. After all, no one will trust a parley when the one that called for it isn't attending."

She then turned to Micali and Gwen. They had been there since on board the Aresenic, though Amanita didn't know either of them well. "As you can see, the princes is determined. There is a distinct possibility that this will turn out with less than ideal results. You both have seen much of the city from your high vantage points. You can keep watch over the proceedings from a safe location."

Gwendolyn of nowhere · Sep 5, 2020

Gwen nodded and pumped her fist.

"Well if we're just making a deliver ynow, then it should be safe to stick around right? This is great! If we don't have to have anymore casu...lties, then maybe they Naga won't even be mad after all this! Maybe we can be friends and they'll let us hang out with their giant worms! But without trying to kill us this time, because that part kinda sucks a little bit."

A bit scattered, and faster than anyone should have been able to speak, but it was the slowest she'd been all day. Then she turned to face Micali and fixed her with a look that mixed curiosity with hopefulness.

"Areyoustickingaroundtoo?" She mumbled rapidly before blurting, "Say yes!"

[Plot] Convergence of Tides

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