NationStates Jolt Archive

DESTINY

This is a semi-open RP, which means that if you can write creatively, and find a way to wrangle your character into the storyline, you will be very welcome indeed – but please TG myself, Dragonsreach or Reformed Velmora FIRST, with your idea. If it works, you’re in. We would particularly love to see some other vampire nations join in on the fun!

Please keep the OOC chatter to a minimum, and TG any of us if you have questions, comments, etc.

Also, instead of “tagging”, please just click on Thread Tools and then choose Subscribe

I know, I know…talk about anal-retentive. I just like an uncluttered RP, don’t you?

CHRONOLOGY

Kain, Lauralin and Steele meet for the first time – the seed for this RP is hatched.
http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=351224

Lauralin and Steele in Dragonsreach – the seed sprouts.
http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=354850
This thread is still open, if you want to join, same rules as above apply!

Dragonsreach investigates murder – Co-stars grab the limelight, and find out even more.
http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=354268
This thread is still open, if you want to join, same rules as above apply!


BIG PICTURE

This will be based around the concept that an ancient legend has been uncovered, one that predicts the coming of the End-Bringer, a being that will unite the scattered Vampire tribes into a unified front, and bring about the destruction of the universe. Cults have risen up on many planets, and powerful figures hide in the shadows, playing games and manipulating events. Some want this to happen, and many others don’t.

Kain Shentavo is the suspected End-Bringer, though he does not know it. King Turquine of Dragonsreach and Tanis Galadrial Dr’Konnen will be hunting Kain, hoping to stop the apocalypse. Of course, the End-Bringer may NOT be Kain at all, but someone else…or maybe the legend itself is false, and has been manufactured just to make Kain’s life miserable…not everyone is happy with the reformation of Velmora.

DISCLAIMER: This RP is for FUN. This whole concept evolved on its own, and we decided to run with it, simply because we enjoy RPing together. If it offends you in any way, or bothers your sense of continuity, just pretend that we’re doing this in an alternate universe…especially if it ends up being destroyed. Thanks!

A brief re-cap of what has led us to the NOW:

Steele, Kain and Lauralin met at a Ball. Steele had been hired to kill Kain. Laura was there for diplomatic reasons. After meeting the vampire, something about the hit felt strange to Steele. He called it off, and warned Kain, while Tanis investigated who had paid for the hit, and why. The first hints of the Legend of the End-Bringer appear here.

Shortly after Kain had left the ball, ignoring Steele’s obscure warnings of doom, Queen Lauralin (Elven Vampire) and King Turquine (An Elf and her father) found out there had been a terrorist attack on Dragonsreach. There had been a huge explosion with many casualties, and the terrorists had used high-tech explosives, which was strange on a low-tech, mystical world. Steele (who had a bit of a crush on Laura by now) offered to return with them, to offer his expertise to help with the investigation (Steele is a lifetime mercenary/bounty hunter/vampire-slayer type of guy). Laura and Steele teleport back to Dragonsreach.

Turquine stays behind, to conclude diplomatic matters at the ball, while Tanis (Half-Elf, half-human Navigator and First Officer on the Vengeance, Steele’s personal warship) waits for Turquine to finish, so that the King can come onboard to help guide the ship to Dragonsreach. The King comes on board at the same time as NightClaw, a spirit-type creature that is bound to Laura. Unexplainably, NightClaw melds with Berry, the ship AI, to become a sentient creature who quickly re-names itself Adam. This new entity has incredible powers, a combination of mysticism and technology, metal and magic. Adam also develops an interesting sense of humor.

There is a sense of urgency for Adam to arrive at Dragonsreach, because Steele is dependant on the ship to survive, as his exoskeleton must be recharged every 24 hours, even faster if he exerts himself. Steele and Lauralin begin the investigation into the bombing, and more attacks ensue. At the scene of the explosion, a broken tooth is found (vampire), and the Iron Ring are introduced (a criminal organization) and they report to the “Seven” and they are in turn, linked to Skulkingdom (they hate Vampires) – all this time, Steele is falling in love with Lauralin, even though he knows she’s married. Arleena is introduced, a vampire, and also the wife of Lauralin. (Vampire-Elf Lesbians…ya gotta love it!)

More assassination attempts occur, this time on the Queen herself, and they decide to go to the safety of her castle by horseback, prompting the classic
scene:
"Go with the rolling gait, go with the rolling gait..." Steele repeated to himself as the assault continued on his buttocks. He REALLY hoped they didn't have far to go. He would rather face an angry Kain Shentavo than ride one of these creatures again.

At the castle, they meet Aethac of Grimpenward, who brings information that is suspect at best. Steele starts to lose patience with the slowness of the investigation and all the royal games being played, and he was worried that his power would run out shortly. He decided to take matters into his own hand, hurting Ariel mistakenly in the process, but was stopped by some well-placed arrows from Rayanna, a Wild-Elf. His power drained completely, Steele was near death when Lauralin saved him, by infusing him with her own mystic energy. This has changed Steele, and he no longer needs his energy to be recharged by the ship.

After many fun adventures (time-bending, dragon attacks, demon assassination attempts, two deaths, two soul-siphonings and Dragonsreach in flames in the future), Adam the ship arrives at Dragonsreach with Tanis, King Turquine and Rafe aboard. During this time, Tanis and Turquine have discovered their mutual, if unlikely, attraction. Adam sends Turquine to the planet-surface, and Tanis…elsewhere. It is around now that we realize Adam seems to have some deeper knowledge, and begins playing games with people.

Adam eventually sends Turquine to join Tanis, and they find themselves naked, on a deserted island. Adam hints that Tanis & Turquine both deserve some joy before they go off to do “something big”. Tanis believes that to be the killing of Kain Shentavo, a vampire who is either the key to the resurgence of the Vampire Nations, or the bringer of destruction on a galactic scale…or both. She is resigned to the fact that she will die doing this.

Steele is on his way to Highport, home of King Turquine, to investigate the attempted assassination of the Chief of Security there, the hard-nosed Michael Gassington. Before he leaves, he meets the ravishing Anestia Darknight, second in command of Dragonsreach security, and one hot patootie. Sparks flare. On arrival at Highport, he meets Trevor, the acting Chief of security. When the doctors block access to Gassington, Steele gets Adam to teleport both Trevor and Gassington off the planet, and onto the ship. They discover that though he survived his wounds, a slow-acting poison was killing him. Quickly cured by the med-lab, Gassington fingers Atchison, a security officer in his employ, as the would-be assassin.

Adam modifies Gassingtons ship, which then becomes Eve, a maximised SSF 21D Cutlass. Suddenly, Adam tells of an attack on the Queen in Dragonsreach, and they all return there to find over 200 angry rioters attacking the small but deadly forces of the Queen. They are an anti-vampire mob, upset with the new relations that Lauralin has established with the Vampires. The arrival of Steele, Gassington and Trevor quickly turns the tide, and the rebels are eliminated or captured, but not without many tragic losses on the side of the good guys.

Laura is rushed away by Lea, refusing to see anyone, and Steele seeks solace in the arms of Anestia.

Chief Gassington goes after Atchison, who commits suicide instead of risking capture, his last words being “he’s too powerful…”

On the island, the King and Tanis have been having a wonderful time, and Turquine has seemingly just proposed to her.

Lauralin looked at Darius, "The plot is not thickening, Darius, it is mud."

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW!

The morning sun hung heavy in the air, shining down on the two forms, intertwined in each others arms. A warm breeze drifted over them, and the peaceful sound of nature awakening greeted them as they roused from a deep slumber. Tanis awoke first, not moving so that her man, King Turquine of Dragonsreach, would not be disturbed. She watched him sleep, exploring his wisdom-filled face with her eyes. He seemed at peace, a small smile confirming his comfort. She reached over and kissed him, lightly at first then with increasing passion as the King slowly came awake himself, returning her embrace with enthusiasm. They were so enthralled with each other that they didn't even notice when the naked man approached them.

"Top o' the morning to ya, kiddies!" said the stranger, smiling down at the couple.

Tanis and Turquine reacted like the trained warriors they were: both rolled in opposite directions before leaping to their feet. Tanis immediately assumed a battle position, her hands held in front of her, prepared to strike. Turquine roared an ancient battle-cry, his mystic sword blazing into existance. They were ready for anything...well, almost anything.

"Whoa down there, children...no need to get so uppity in the morning."

She recognized the voice, but it was impossible that it could be coming from this naked man...well, nearly naked: a fig leaf covered his crotch.

"Adam?" whispered Tanis, not believing her eyes.

"In the flesh, baby! How's my two favorite lovebirds? Heya Turq, howsit hanging? Heh, forget that...I can SEE how its hanging!"

Turquine and Tanis were also as naked as newborns, and the King dropped his free hand to cover himself. Adam smiled, and approached them, then dropped to the sand, crosslegged.

"H-how...?" stuttered Tanis.

"Oh, don't you worry your pretty little head about the HOW, let's talk about the why." replied Adam, using his finger to doodle in the sand.

Turquine stepped forward, his blade pointing at Adam's throat.

"Alright then...WHY?" the King asked, his voice a dark, threatening promise of mayhem.

Adam looked disdainfully at the blade, then at the King.

"The time has come: Destiny is here."

Calling on the power of his god Turquine unleashed it on Adam, the physical form of Adam reeling under the assault of divine power. "I told Tanis you may not survive if I see you again. I'm no puppet to be played on your strings. I serve the god of protection not YOU. Now TELL me." Adam felt something new during this, he felt pain, and fear. Perhaps this wasn't someone to trifle with.

"You wanted to test me? Well come and test me more....come....let's find a conclusion" Kain proclaimed with a smile, circling his opponent with practiced vigor. His hands were moving up and down, as if he was about to make a beastal assualt upon his college. But there was no hint of rage within his green vampiric form, no hint of anger or uncontrolled violence, but there was indeed the capability for the vampire to easily tear the man apart where he stood, his rapier in his hand. Kain was hunched, in a much like cat like position, so that his opponent had to attack downwards. Kain's deep brown eyes was fully focused upon his opponent.

His opponent was a noble man, a man who would find himself better than most, but was tempered by Kain to keep such attitudes to himself and none apparent. It did not bide well to have the head of military to seperate himself by the meer example of state. Kain fully supported and encouraged his colleges in managing Velmora that they fully engross themselves with the people, and make themselves be seen as the examples in which great deeds would follow.

It had always been the way of Velmora.
The way of the Psi.

The two circled, the shining blade of Elaith Craulnober, one of the head members of Military in Velmora, going around the throne room. A few members watched in excitement as they watched the friendly duel between these two great fighters.

"Your good Kain. But you have not been tested by one such as myself!" Elaith declared, and began the next flurry of his steel against's Kains own cloven talons.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/FR_ART/People/ElaithCraulnober.jpg

Elaith was indeed a fine duelist, and a better general as KAin had seen and recorded with great care and attention. Elaith was older than Kain, a strange thing which most people did not believe. Kain was indeed vampire, a strange and most exotic vampire, who's age many mortals did outmatch not that honestly attributed to power often.

"Indeed Elaith, but neither have you been tested by me!" Kain cried laughing as he did so in slight light-hearted mockery as he span out of the way of a well placed and well timed thrust. Kain's hair rolled around like a tornado of silver thread, the light shining his fine hair which was so long and beautiful upon the figure. It did indeed contrast with Kain's dark green skin, a leathery skin which had attributes which was not of vampiric nature.

Kain was only 27, and still his Saga was mighty and could fill volumes, and did iindeed within the massive Library of Velmora, filled with tombs on history, agriculture, war and most importantly and expansive on, magic.

Psi were the people of magic. Like humans, born and forged within the vien of magic in the universe, the Psi being one of the most competant and knowledgable on this field.

And Kain was one of the most knowledgable on magic.

But today was not a day for magic Kain thought, as he blocked the downward slash of his opponent's blade with both of his cloven hands. Kain grinned with the excitement of the combat, the sheer thrill of knowing that a false move could spell your doom. His smile revealed his fangs, fangs whcih did not alarm his noble opponent who stood in a straining position against Kain.

Kain did a backflip, his hands gripping the flat of the blade and his feet propelling him upwards. The motion was sickening for Elaith, who was carried with his most prized sword through the air and smashing into the floor flat on his face with a crunch. He moved himself that he let go of the sword to allow himself to go upon Elaith's back, pinning him to the floor, his sword flopping like a beached fish as Elaith tried to get up.

"Very good Elaith. What was that, half an hour we have been at it? Very fine swordplay indeed, your are one of the best in this land I have fought." Kain said, trying to make his words not sound patronising. He got off the noble, who looked content with the outcome.

"Kain, you are indeed a fine warrior, but you should fight me with blade, not with your natural weapons. You must admit, that my foe would not use such fine weaponry. Here, take this blade and fight me as a normal foe would do so. This would trully prove your worth in combat, for your unorthodox methods are rare and I would not face such things from more common a foe." Elaith said elequently.

The point of this was to see who was better at combat and more fit upon the field of combat. Kain conceded to the point, and took his own blade within his left cloven hand.

"Have at you then and see my own skills!" Kain declared as he made the first move with his own shining steel. His vampire reflexs pressed the elder man, but Kain was hardly dominating. He too had to find ways to avoid a quick and cunning bluff and strike, and refuse his foe admitance to his own vampiric flesh.

This was indeed, very interesting.

The battle continued, the sounds of metal clashing for long minutes, the two not fully going at it,, pleasently speaking about how a blow was well played and how one might have lost if such luck had been different.

The two were at it, thier faces in concentration.

While indeed, Kain was most powerful figure which few within Velmora could fight if he called upon his full arsonal, Kain was not as skilled as he was made out to be within close combat. If faced with a situation where he could nto call upon his arcane blade and his intense knowledge of magic, Kain would find himself hardpressed indeed to fight another who might seek to kill him.

Fortunately, Kain with his mized weaponary of blade, magic and wit, seemed to elude his enemies swift knife from ever killing him. He had been harmed many a time by his enemies, but he was swifter still in the counterattack.

But such things are in the past now, for Kain rules in Velmora peacefully, and is leading a content and happy life.


Well, that will change soon, with the arrival of old and new people to his arcane nation of men who would command the energies of the world so elequently and finely.


Another clash of swords, a gritting of teeth both normal and vampiric, and then a conculsion to this freindly contest of skill and will.

The two stood, smiling in contentment to what had occoured.

"A deadlock it is to be then Kain?" Elaith said through slightly tierd breath. He was an experianced man of duels, but he did rarely duel one such as Kain's person or wisdom.

"Indeed. We would both be imaled upon each other's steel....a strange and fitting outcome I feel." Kain said, reaching for his great blue cloak. Kain did not seem strained, his lungs not heaving, his brow not wetted with sweat. For he was a vampire, and vamprie although still prone to fatigue, did not fatigue like those mortals. Such a wonderous advantage Kain had over most his adversaries. Others would grow weak over time in a combat, whereas Kain would remain energetic in combat.

If of course, he was not summoning that which he could summon, the knowledge which he had....

Elaith put on his own cloak, one which shimmered within the glowing stones which floated around the circular hall, the wooden polished floor reflecting only one duelist's appearance.

"Another time....another time will we duel again Kain. That was too enjoyable to leave at such a anticlimax. Yes?" Elaith said, turning to Kain as he was about to leave, his own thin purple cloak suiting his tall and graceful self.

Kain nodded, smiling as he did so. He took his garmet and put it around himself, being talked to by some of his freinds who had watched the duel. Kain answered them politely, but quickly. Kain wanted to be alone for a little while, enjoy the weather they were having.

Walking out, the plain blue cloak with the symbol of the wave blade upon it proudly worn by the head of general overview of Velmora, he opened the great doors which had held the weather in.

It was storming, the rain coming down in fierce strikes making this land seem rather drowned indeed.

Kain wrapped himself up in the cloak tightly, so that little of his flesh could be touched. It was night, not that Kain could not walk in the sunlight, but his vampiric weakness were still there, just not as harsh. Sunlight and silver still affected him, but it was more of a painful annoyance than fatal climax to him.

And water...water did prove a stinging like a weak acid upon almost healed wound.

He sighed, walking out into the rain, summoning up a small umbrella like shield which made the rain run down the invisible shield which did protect Kain from discomfort.

He enjoyed the sound and the sights of his nation, the rain washing the streets clean and the soul made afresh.


Daniella did like the rain, Kain thought, as he walked to his home.

David was crying, and the sky cried with him. He sobbed for the loss of the last shreds of his innocence, he lamented for the loss of the sacred Spitestalker, shed tears for the vague past in which he held faith in a better time, but he screamed in agony for Rashel, beautiful, perfect Rashel. He could still feel her hand on his cheek and her lips against his.

The Angel hadn't left him, she had let him steal her essence in order to fight Izual, a demonic angel who had let his dark side get ahead of him. David stared up at the rain and laughed maniacally at the world's cruelty. How could something that had him to thank for everything hate him so? The Guardian of Justika Korrupt that possessed him laughed along with him, but for a different reason.

'Can you not see?' The Guardian asked mentally. 'Everything that is worth fighting for will never recognize you. There is only one way to keep the balance in check, and that is from the shadows.'

'Rashel didn't fight from the shadows. She wasn't afraid.' David responded, still forlorn at the mention of her name.

'She was different. You and I are one, we share the same purpose, and a Guardian has no time for emotion. But now she is ours to control.'

'No! Not to control. She was a Guardian as well. The Guardian of Khaotika Pure. You cannot control her, only form a symbiosis. That is what we must do to reach our full potential.'

'Ah, you have learned through your most recent travels. It is good timing, our final task is at hand.'

'Final task?'

'Yes, my dear David. Soon all will be returned to the cycle of creation, and we may rest.'

'Rashel too?'

'Yes, the Angel as well. Go, follow your instincts and bring about the end of the world.'

David grinned a broken grin that matched his broken fang. He stalked inside of the rotting cabin and crept past Katrina's sleeping form to the stairs. With an effortless jump, he cleared the broken stairs and moved to the ancient bed. He swept aside Savannah's blouse ((ring a bell, RV?)) that had laid there for centuries and searched for the Spitestalker. It took him a few moments to realize it was still laying – shattered – in the depths of a destroyed temple thousands of miles away. He sighed heavily and lept through a hole in the weary roof to the top of the cabin. His wings – or what was left of them after their flesh had been incinerated – spread and a mystical blue membrane spread between the ivory bones. With a single powerful stroke, the World Seer was off to stalk the End-Bringer, where ever he might be.

Calling on the power of his god Turquine unleashed it on Adam, the physical form of Adam reeling under the assault of divine power. "I told Tanis you may not survive if I see you again. I'm no puppet to be played on your strings. I serve the god of protection not YOU. Now TELL me." Adam felt something new during this, he felt pain, and fear. Perhaps this wasn't someone to trifle with.

So this was agony, thought Adam. Interesting. For a span of time, the sentient ship thought himself to be quite invulnerable, able to perform feats that seemed godlike in their actions. Now, for the first time, he knew what it was like to feel fear. The human form he had created was not perfect, nor were the materials he used, hastily gathered for the experiment. As Turquines power raged through him, pieces of his temporary body simply shrivelled, and fell off. Noseless, and missing an ear, Adam smiled at the King.

"Peace, Turq...peace. We're all on the same team now. If you'd be so kind as to stop torturing me, I have a little story I want to share with you." said Adam, as his body twitched with the energy raging through him. As quickly as it started, it was done, and Turquine looked down at him, glowering with restrained anger. Adam simply smiled back at him, his lower lip hanging from a thread.

"As happy as you kids have been here, the party is over, and the Destiny has come. Tanis, can you tell the King about your discoveries regarding Kain Shentavo please?"

Tanis looked at Adam, confused, then back at the King. She cleared her throat.

"Well, it started back at Princess Aiwyn's ball, when that uppity virgin invited potential mates to gawk at her. We had accepted the invitation for two reasons: one, Steele likes to party and two, we were hired to kill Kain. I'm still not sure why, but Steele called off the hit, and asked that I find out who had hired us. As I started to investigate, I realized that there was a confused chain that needed unravelling. The money had been deposited in our account, and I traced it back through numerous banks and holding companies. Finally, I discovered where the money had come from, but not from WHO. The hit originated in Velmora, Kain's home." Tanis paused, watching the King as he listened to her. His face was grave, yet very attentive.

"As I dug deeper, other links and oddities came to the surface. Weird happenings across the universe...reports of mass killings and ritual murders linked to a growing cult of nihilists calling themselves the "Forgotten". They worship an entity that they believe will bring them immortal life, and give them all an honored place at his side, after he destroys then reshapes the universe in his own image...and it looks like that entity is Kain Shentavo."

She paused again, watching Adam as he played with pieces of his body, arranging them in odd piles at his feet.

"Investigating this legend proved difficult, and I had to stop before I could truly get the answers we needed. What I DID find out was that the legend predicts the coming of the End-Bringer, a being that would unite the Vampire Nations and then bring annihilation to the rest of the galaxy, remaking the worlds they conquer in their own image."

Adam began to clap, a few of his fingers snapping off and falling to the ground.

"Bravo, Tanis...succinct and to the point. Turq, this is where we stand today: Kain seems to be a threat to the existence of every living being in the universe...well, except me. That being said, I'm in no mood to be lonely, surrounded by dour, blood-sucking undead. So...it falls on the both of you to prevent the Legend of Destiny from ever coming to pass."

Adam stood up, his other ear tumbling to the ground. He picked it up, regarded it with interest for a moment, then crumbled it to dust in what was left of his hand. He started to hum an unknown song.

"You're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz, because, because, because, because, because...because of the horrible things he does!" The naked man giggled, turned and began skipping away, humming and leaving parts of himself scattered in a trail behind him. He turned and waved, his wrist snapping halfway through.

"We leave in twelve hours: smoke 'em if ya got 'em!"...and with that, Adam collapsed to the ground, his body crumbling like dry clay. Tanis turned to Turquine who was still staring at the pile of Adam parts. Despite everything that had happened over the last few days, the King had weathered it all easily, standing strong and straight against the winds of weirdness. Yes, he wanted to thrash Adam but apart from that, he had taken everything in stride...even the fact that he was loved by a half-breed bounty-hunter. She put her arm around his neck and pulled him close. She whispered sensuously into his ear.

"Any thoughts on how we should spend those twelve hours, my love?"

Turquine looked at the beautiful woman and the answer came easily to him, but what he was about to say might end the moment. He hesitated for a moment, tempted to let the words pass for now, but honor demanded he address it and not lead her to believe that he accepted all that transpired so easily.

"Galadrial", he said, touching her face briefly before taking a step back, "I won't simply go to kill Kain Shentavo. I can't accept myth and legend at face value. I did that once. I slaughtered the witches coven of Paranor almost to last before I found out that they were not the evil beings that legend made them out to be. I live with those murders every day of my life. Not some, not dozens, but hundreds. Hundreds of innocents. My daughter wants to speak with Kain, there seems to be a link between what they are experiencing in Dragonsreach and him, at least superficially. I would like to try to find him and ask him to speak with her. As much as I was tempted to let this pass, I thought it fair to address it with you first. Because my god knows how willing I am to spend these next hours in your arms, but in my mind a lie of omission is still a lie."

He sighed and looked at Tanis, awaiting her anger, her refusal to do anything but kill Kain. When this came, for the first time in his life, he was unsure what he would do.

(OOC: By the way, you may be a bit confused here. Turquine is half-elven also. Laura is three-quarters elven actually, having a half-elven father and an elven mother. Just wanted to clear it up.)

(OOC: By the way, you may be a bit confused here. Turquine is half-elven also. Laura is three-quarters elven actually, having a half-elven father and an elven mother. Just wanted to clear it up.)

<<OOC: Thanks for the info...but if I don't know, neither did Tanis, and for now she assumes he's a pure-bred.>>

"Galadrial", he said, touching her face briefly before taking a step back, "I won't simply go to kill Kain Shentavo. My daughter wants to speak with Kain, there seems to be a link between what they are experiencing in Dragonsreach and him, at least superficially. I would like to try to find him and ask him to speak with her.

He sighed and looked at Tanis, awaiting her anger, her refusal to do anything but kill Kain. When this came, for the first time in his life, he was unsure what he would do.

She said nothing at first, her eyes a clouded mystery. The pain that had suddenly welled up inside her at his words, had quickly been replaced by steely resolve. She knew there was a small chance that Kain wasn't the End-Bringer, but all her evidence led her to believe that he was. Tanis knew that the end of everything would include the man who had held her heart in his hands, and embraced it as if it were his own.

She would not let him die, that was a fact. Tanis had seen her own future, and she knew that her time was quickly approaching. The King had asked her to be his wife, his life-mate, his Queen. She had said yes, simply because she saw that Turquine wanted it. She would give him everything she posessed, until their time together came to an end. Her final gift to him would be life: her life for all of theirs...

"I understand your words, my love. You are, as always, filled with wisdom. We will do as you wish...Adam can take us to Kain, and then we can contact your daughter." Tanis pulled him close yet again, locking her leg around his.

"Now...I reckon we have eleven hours or so left, so howzabout you stop talking and start...dancing." She kissed him softly, pulling gently on his lower lip. She began to sway, her body guiding his, their movement timed yet fluid. The music they heard came from their own hearts.

Turquine responded in kind to Tanis, his own body sometimes following and sometimes leading hers. The hours came and went, far faster than he would have liked. He moved with her, with passion and feeling that he had never known before. Even his previous wives, though he loved them, he had never felt the passion he felt with Galadrial. 'Please', he prayed in his mind as he gazed at her, 'I have served faithfully for almost two and half centuries. I have given all that I am. Let me keep this joy, this one thing is all I ask in a lifetime of service and never having asked before.'

Adam watched, and for the second time in as many days, experienced a new feeling: uncertainty. Turquine was not supposed to object to the woman he loved...he was supposed to add his great strength to Tanis' cause. This was an unexpected wildcard, and Adam considered his options carefully. He could simply return the King to Dragonsreach, and let Tanis complete her task. He could eliminate Turquine completely, scattering his atoms across the galaxy, or he could let this little scene play out. Humans called this "gambling".

Adam grinned and rolled the dice.

(OOC This is some information on Velmora, in it's current state, so when whoever arrives, you know what to expect.)

Velmora.

A island separated from most nations. Indeed, until recent history, Velmora has been a recluse, a nation which had refused others to enter it's borders. The race that populate this nation are called Psi, are some of the most powerful magical users in the world. The people of Velmora are the most powerful population in the field of magic. A child of 6 knows more than most educated 18 year olds in the magical field, perhaps not knowledge, but raw talent. A Psi in another culture was treated as a genius and primly talented in the field of the arcane.

Magic, simply put, is in their blood, and is a prime and essential part of their society. Their currency are jewels, which are used in common spells. This fact proves how important magic is to the Psi, and reason why the people migrated from various nations.

Due to recent events, Velmora has had the Psi population migrate and then immigrate back after a few years, thus giving the people many cultural flavors. Nobles from rich nations of power and education returned, nomads who wore bear skins and hunted returned, knights who sold their wealth and used their combined skill of blade and arcane powers to fight for right returned. So many sources are within Velmora's people blood now, mingling under the combined relevance of the magic abilities of the people.

Velmora, is a very hard nation to enter. The oceans which surround it are very treacherous, and if one would want entrance, the most common method of those who wish to enter my sea for diplomatic reasons, tell the Velmora government and they use magic to calm to oceans, in great groups of thousand peoples to quell the sea. Great cliffs block the ocean passage many times, there are only two small docks in Velmora, which would allow passage. Velmora ships are sturdy and highly advanced with magical devices protecting them from the crushing winds and waves.

The weather of the nation is harsh as well, storms and howling winds being common. It does indeed snow at Velmora, the snow when it falls, falls constantly. Many have thought due to the magic that goes on in the nation everyday, makes the weather so extreme without geographical reason.

This said however, Velmora is blessed with some beautiful weather too. Warm fertile summers, matched with harsh winters. This does provide some contrast, and a beautiful one it is too according to those who have rarely visited.

Velmora is a fertile land, with great expanses of forests, strange and eerie in nature, both frightening and divine. Some forests have fantastical creatures of good will and benevolence, matched with the thorny and deviant forests of others which hide ruins of other worlds. Such forests are known but not explored much, the Psi people know better than to trouble them, for they do not trouble the Psi.

There are great expanses of snow capped mountains, which lies within the southern part of Velmora, for Velmora is shaped rather like a gentle crescent, the mountains being part of the cliffs which prevent entrance by foreign vessel. Their height is dominating, there is not a place in Velmora where you cannot see those vast peeks. In those peeks there are legends which tell of drakes, lizard men and dragons, but such things are infrequently told of the Psi. There are few lines of fantasy and reality; they are too merged to tell. Ask a Psi if there is such thing as a Yeti within those mountains, they will balk, but ask if there is a Drake, and they will regard you with serious eye and serious tale and recollection. And there is much truth to these tales, for Velmora is a place of arcane nature.

And of course, the cities. Currently in a wide reconstruction, many reconstructed cities are surrounded by ruins, which are rapidly being made whole. The buildings themselves are very surreal, the great curves and organic shapes of the homes a great change to the systematic blocks of skyscrapers. Buildings have often through the magic that is weaving in the creation and the strange and wonderful nature of the materials. The forests are cut down with caution and mindful care to how many trees are left, due to the strange nature of the wood. The wood, called many different things, but generally called Arcanawood, is highly potent for absorbing the runes which the Psi so love.

The buildings are well structured, and resist the elements wonderfully, which is required due to the weather the people enjoy and put up with. The Psi view the weather as perfectly acceptable, even when their street is a stream as the rains flow down their streets. But now, there is a new ingenitive draining system for when it rains, one which was adopted decades ago. When it rains, runes are activated which are in certain points of overflowing, to allow the rain to fall to the underground areas of Velmora.


The underground of Velmora is completely barren, the place of two major battles, and one major skirmish, all involving the once king of Velmora and now head of Overview, Kain Shentavo Brightblade. Work is being taken to restore the underground and make it livable in once again, and the great paradise it once was. It contained great amounts of farms, academies, and mining facilities which allowed the precious jems that are required in more venturous arcane projects.

Velmora is still a thriving nation, restoring itself under a new government which new ways of doing things. This government is far more democratic, and less ridged. It has learned from it’s mistakes previously, made major changes and come out, looking as if it might become a mighty nation indeed.

One would not want to have a war with these people, seeing as every civilian is a mage of famous potential. And the people are hardly defenseless, they are all hardened by the realities of conflict and war, as they have endured for the last twenty years of the last various civil wars. Velmora is a sleeping giant, one which aroused, can certainly cause a mighty headache, even though that it’s military is not really apparent or strong when revealed, if Velmora was attacked, the entire population would be involved in the war effort, all being able to fight, and willing to fight amoungst thier generals and heroes, like Alusair Obarskyr, Elaith Craulnober and of course, Kain Brightblade Shentavo, one of the most respected general and leaders of all time within Velmora.

David's wings swept him through the invisible currents of air that swirled throughout the insignificant blue orb of Earth. Around him, just beyond his grasp, the rails of fate and duty ran. He wanted so badly to manipulate them, to rend their cold steel rails and cut his own swath through life, but he accepted that all he could do was follow their never-ending path through history. Some might call him fatalistic. He called it enlightenment.

Twin armored boots touched down on a snow-blanketed cliff, making a subtle imprint belying their weight. David's great wings folded themselves neatly behind his back, and he let out a frosty sigh into the crystalline air.

The Guardian's thoughts invaded David's own. 'There is a Shentavo here, I can feel it.'

'When you told me of your premonition, I recognized your description as Kain's. I told you he was a Shentavo.'

'I did not believe you. Are you sure it is the Psi who is the Shentavo?'

'Yes, I have met him. He is immistakable.'

A psychic tendril touched upon Kain's conciousness. 'Kain Shentavo Brightblade. The Legendary Psyker, Destroyer of the Seer. Does my voice strike a chord within your memory, or must I go on with the titles?'

On the great board, two Knights faced each other, unaware of the Pawns circling them. The great steeds snorted their contempt, and the battle raged on.

Adam sang happily to himself, preparing the bridge for the arrival of the Royal Couple. That's what he called them now, and it gave him great pleasure to see his first love so very content and safe in the arms of the King. It was easier now, knowing that Tanis and Turquine were destined to be, and that his own love lay waiting, soon to be in his embrace. Together, they would dance amongst the stars, laughing at the rise and fall of civilizations. The time was coming, but first, the Destiny must play itself out.

Satisfied with the revamped bridge, Adam reached out and touched the King.

Turquine had just finished relieving himself in a bush when he felt a tingle on his naked skin. A moment later, he found himself standing in an opulant, domed room, with two starship command posts in the center of the plush, red carpeting. Velvet couches lined the walls, overflowing with silk pillows. Flaming torches cast a warm glow, and the King was surprised when he felt a wet touch on his hand. Looking down, he saw a large dog, a wolf-hound with huge shoulders and a massive head, looking up at him and wagging his tail. The smell of barbeque chicken assailed his nostrils, coming from the food-filled dining table in the corner of the room.

"Welcome aboard, your Majesty. Lady Tanis will be joining you shortly. I thought you might want to change into something more appropriate to greet her with..." Adam's voice was respectful, and as he finished, a small cart rolled out from a hidden recess, laden with clothing of all sorts. Apart from the custom-fit clothing, there was also an elegant yet sturdy set of burnished leather leggings, vest-plate and bracers, all fit to the Kings specifications. Over the heart was the Crest of Highport, embossed with solid gold thread. The armor was beautiful, hand-made by a master craftsman, and light enough to not insult Turquines sense of honor.

On the beach, Tanis had been strolling by herself, listening to the surf crash against the white sand and appreciating her last moments of peace. The dark time was approaching, and she was resigned to her fate. Still, she was a fighter, and giving up was not in her blood. Now, more than ever, she had something to fight for...Turquine. She clenched her fists and scowled at the ocean.

"Anyone ever tell you how sexy you are when you're angry? Yum-yum." said Adam, his voice coming from a raven, sitting on a palm branch.

"Sad to say, but the party is over, darlin': I've brought Turq aboard already. I wanted to talk to you a bit before taking you to him, ok?" Adam paused, letting Tanis get used to the fact she was talking to a bird.

"I need to just make sure we're both still on the same page...you remember that this must be done, despite the wishes of the King? You are doing this for him, and every other living soul in the universe. You cannot change the Destiny." His voice had become stern, and filled with dark menace.

"I...I remember. Don't worry about me, Adam...I know my role. Just let me handle the King, alright?" Tanis glared back at the raven, trying hard not to feel foolish.

"I'll do this my way, or not at all." Defiance rang in her words.

"I LOVE the tough-chick thing...keep it up. Now that we're friends again, howzabout we get you dressed, and whisked up here to where your hot-blooded King awaits!" Adam had laughter in his voice once again, and Tanis could not help but smile. She walked back towards her camp, smelling the perfumed scent before seeing the cause of it. On a table was a mound of brightly colored clothes, smocks and gowns, and frilly undercoats and silken slips. Tanis went through it all, finding nothing she would dare to wear...she was a warrior, not a lady-in-waiting!

As if Adam had known she would be displeased, Tanis discovered a small chest with the Seal of Highport on it. Inside was the twin to Turquines set of armor, in a lighter color and with the Crest firmly in evidence. It fit her perfectly. The bracers were different than his, in function but not form. By activating the triggering device, a twelve inch spike would be released, locking into place and dripping with a special combination of toxins that would be deadly to any vampire, but in particular, Kain Shentavo. Adam had created it after their first meeting, at Aiwyn's Ball.

A sleek holster with two pistols finished the outfit. One was a basic plasma-launcher, with enough force to take out a tank. The second pistol was a custom-made weapon that shot an assortment of slivers, made from a material more dense than diamond. They dissolved on contact with blood, and could be laced with a variety of agents causing unconciousness, paralysis, hallucinations, or even death. Tanis strapped on the belt, letting the holsters ride low on her waist. She looked up at the sky, and nodded her readiness. A few seconds later, she was on the bridge of the ship.

A moment later, she was in King Turquines arms.

Turquine returned the embrace, though the metal was cold against his skin. He hadn't donned the armor and there was love in his eyes. "Adam?", he said out loud and looked about.

(OOC: Gawdly before posting here see prelude to destiny thread.)

(OOC Just so you get this right, Shar is a construct, a magical creature formed of arcane wood and metal from Velmora, binded by magic. She is the only one of her kind, and the people of Velmora are trying to make more Constructs. Constructs have their own personalities. Click HERE (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mmiii_gallery/83077.jpg) if you want a picture of the "sort" of thing they look like. But they are all different, Shar is more mellow and human looking.)


The rain continued to pour on this little island, an island of flowering dreams, an islands of much attention now. The water flowed onto the newly formed homes, the ruins of yesterday to be restored and improved, the fields of grass which were washed clean by the rain. The grass swayed most wonderfully in a wave of water and blade, the water reflecting with amazed eye to the thunder which provided an attraction to children, who gazed wide eyed from misted windows to the sight.

None saw Kain really, people were too content in their own homes being around the fire or looking at the wind, rain and thunder in all of it's strange splendour.

He walked through it, smiling in the darkness of the night, making his way to his own home, his actual home, where someone was waiting for him. Someone who was growing special to him.

His home was rather humble for one of his status, and that was the way of the Psi, and the way that Kain had it. It was not too small, not too large. Big enough for two, yet not luxurious in it's commodities. Velmora was not a nation of washing machines, televisions, phones (although there was a very good communication service) and fame.

No. Velmora was more homely, and appreciative of the things they had around them. Kids played in the streets, went out into great expanses of grass and fields of blooming trees, and enjoyed the world, instead of other people's realities within a flickering box which seemed to absorb so many in other nations.


Kain arrived at his home, shaking off what water had managed to get him, which his little umbrella shield did not catch. He threw his hair back in a most wonderful backward toss, making the water drain and fly from it immediately from it's silver content. He wiped his feet on the mat just inside the door, and opened the wooden door slowly, because it was unlocked for him.

He opened it up to find a welcoming and warm sight. Everything in a nice position, the feeling of this being home was truly there. Small candles flickered and provided a warm glow to the place, a clock which ticked away quietly in the background, a slow spinning coin upon the coffee table which span eternally and fascinatingly so, the light playing off it's crystal surface.

"Hello Shar." Kain said in quiet and warm greeting, smiling as he saw her. She was sat at her small desk, writing something within her small book of hers with a crimson pen, with the odd very faint rune upon its silver surface.

"Oh! Kain, I did not notice you came in!" Shar replied, responding to his smile with one of her own, her metal and wood face contorting most strangely and wonderfully into a smile. She turned to get up from her chair, to greet Kain fully, her blue robes humming very faintly and in a highly pitched as it always did when she moved. Upon her robes were pictures of the moon, the stars...which would change to the sun and birds in the morning. It was a most wonderful robe, one of Shar’s own designs. Humble, yet with a sense of charm about it.

Kain was about to say something more…when a voice emanated through his very being. It was not from someone he knew…or was it? Kain’s memory was not brilliant when it came to people and faces…Kain blamed it on when his memories were rehashed and replayed to him as he tried to recover.

Kain Shentavo Brightblade. The Legendary Psyker, Destroyer of the Seer. Does my voice strike a chord within your memory, or must I go on with the titles

Kain held up a hand to Shar, as if to tell her that he had just received a message. Shar understood what he meant, she knew what that look on his face meant, that face which was trying to remember who was speaking.

I know who I am, but you give me too much credit. Speak plainly, who are you? My memory is fragmented with things in the past.

Tanis was holding him tightly, amazed at the wellspring of emotion that had flooded through her when she first appeared before Turquine. Now, in his arms, she closed her eyes tightly, not wanting the moment to end. When she opened them, she realized that she was somewhere else, and that Steele stood in front of her, staring in disbelief. Lauralin stood beside her employer, looking dangerous in her battle-armor. Tanis and the King let go of each other simultaneously, each moving towards the person that also held a special place in their hearts: the King enfolding his daughter in his strong, protective arms, and Tanis melting into the crushing bear-hug of Darius Steele. She saw the happiness in Turquines face, and it mirrored her own. The questions would come later...

**************************************************
See http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=354850&page=23&pp=15
Post #343-344


So this was confusion: a well-laid table suddenly upended, the fine china crashing to the floor. Adam was...confused, unsure of the rapidly changing winds. A new player had come to bear, and the outcome was no longer clear. Minor bumps in the established road were expected, and even welcome: after all, Adam would learn by the experience, without threatening the end-game.

Now, all was in disarray, and the controls had switched hands. Adam regarded the being before him, sitting placidly at the table, regarding the pieces in front of him. Though the creature was made of pure energy, it manifested itself as a human form, a cross between Albert Einstein, Odin and Jesus Christ...at least, this is how he was portrayed in his mind. Adam gestured with his hand, waving away the scent of piety and ego.

"So...you call yourself a God. I suppose I could do so as well. Let me ask you something...what makes your agenda more important than mine?"

He stared at the being who was puffing reflectively on his long-stemmed pipe. Though he was interested in the answer, Adam was not relying on it to be one he would find favorable. He realized that this was all part of the Game, and if nothing else. the sentient-ship was a player.

"It's your move, old man." He said, indicating the chessboard.

(TANIS)

"See" rang in her mind and suddenly she was filled with memories. But the memories were not her own....

A bitter cold arctic landscape with figures moving along. None were familiar and none could be seen. In her mind was the pain of gnawing cold, the fear of failure, the fear of leading, of making the wrong decision but the determination to find the strange metal so desperately needed.

A town, a captain issuing orders. 'Wrong' came the thought not her own. A voice, from her it seemed though not hers, "No, it would take far to long to take down the walls in this manner. Use oil, then fire, then water to crack and weaken the rock, then stone to shatter it .... A breach, heavy riders behind in full armor, a fleet horse underneath, fear of dying in the breach but knowing that haste was called for or the conquerors now defenders of the city would fill the gap. Heat from the recently fallen wall, steam, clearing the rubble, flame from her hands .... no, not HER hands .... leaping out and holding the men who sought to place this city under thier subjugation at bay. Then the forces pouring through.

Later, same town but north. Attacking the reinforcements from the evil citadel. Again the fleet horse moving toward the rank of archers, the heavier destriers coming behind. Across from them, flanking the enemy the infantry of her own forces. Pain from the barbed arrow that embeds itself just above her knee. The sword cutting into the archer ranks causing mayhem, victory against the archers. Moving toward the remaining forces crushed easily by the two pronged attack.

Darkness, light, a cave, great fear. Then the monstrous red dragon appears, battle, mourning for lost companions.

Orcus, demond lord of the undead. The forces move toward the kingdom. Overwhelming numbers, 'I'm sorry father', a thought, great saddness, a terrible decision. Watch my people die or become one of the detested creatures and win into Orcus stronghold. No choice at all, none would die if she could help it. Pain of transformation, knowledge of the creature she became, Vampiress. The battle with Orcus, more unknown people to help, the searing pain as she rips the staff from the demon lords hand, knowing it could destroy her.

A battlefield, facing opponents both arcane and known. Greater fear. 'The living simply die, we can bring them back, we have priests. There is no death for me, only complete destruction if I'm destroyed.' More battles, knowledge of the price of failure, fear of not making the right decision for her people. Fear of failing her people gnawing at her until it hits the iron will at the core of her being, determination to do whats right for them no matter the personal price. Mourning for the loss of her people, sorrow for lost life.

A library, in front of a mirror, looking back is the image of the kings daughter. She doesn't see the beautiful woman that all others see. She fails to recognize the great things she's accomplished for her people. She sees only one thing in her minds eyes. 'I've become a monster'.

Suddenly Tanis is released from the memories. The familiar voice of the god in her mind. "Not cloaks of evil are what they seem."


(TURQUINE)

Turquine sees where he is and is suddenly enveloped in the arms of his daughter. "FATHER!" She holds him tightly and he her, yet he knows it's more than just happiness at seeing him. He looks down as she looks up at him, blood tears running down her cheeks. The fluid, so precious to the vampiric body that she possesses, shedded freely in remorse for the losses. "Avieus and Nall are dead", she tells him, "And..." she chokes on the name a moment, but already in his face can be seen the name he anticipates, "and Arleena", she finally manages. He pulls her into him holding her tightly. He knows from experiance, from the loss of three wives, that nothing he says will help right now. So he holds her tightly, wishing he could do more, knowing the price Arleena paid, knowing that a vampire can't be brought back.

(EVE)

"Will you choose this mortal form? Know that once every day you must return to your vessel form for four hours or the gift we grant will be lost. You may change back forth at your whim. Will you choose to be with this man, both as vessel and woman? Time is fleeting. Speak yea or nay."

(ADAM)

Nightclaw whimpers in the mind, pain and fear all the he knows now in the divine presence. "Ye are not done", the man says as he gazes at the ship in his hand, "this task ye shall so wittingly put forth shalt be, yet, it shalt not continue at thy whim but to thiers. Once put forth the deed and done so shall you be placed among us. Yet we are not without our compassion, as reflects upon thy own eyes. So shall Adam be made anew. Senschal shall he called and at thine chosen masters beckon. This new being shall be as Eve with stipulation placed upon it's person."

(EVE)

"Will you choose this mortal form? Know that once every day you must return to your vessel form for four hours or the gift we grant will be lost. You may change back forth at your whim. Will you choose to be with this man, both as vessel and woman? Time is fleeting. Speak yea or nay."

Her first response came out of her before she had a chance to filter it to resemble something polite and respectful of the occasion.

"Well, DUH." Eve replied to the Being, unsure why it even bothered asking. Of course she would choose to be a real, mortal woman who could change into a starship, by her own choice...it solved every problem she had...and she had a few, being a semi-sentient ship, programmed with the personality of Chief Gassingtons dead wife, being one of them.

"So...I speak 'YEA'...ok?"


(ADAM)

Nightclaw whimpers in the mind, pain and fear all the he knows now in the divine presence. "Ye are not done", the man says as he gazes at the ship in his hand, "this task ye shall so wittingly put forth shalt be, yet, it shalt not continue at thy whim but to thiers. Once put forth the deed and done so shall you be placed among us. Yet we are not without our compassion, as reflects upon thy own eyes. So shall Adam be made anew. Senschal shall he called and at thine chosen masters beckon. This new being shall be as Eve with stipulation placed upon it's person."

Adam looked at the Old Man, amused by his pompous tones. He recorded the modulation of his voice, and tried emulating it himself. He failed miserably.

"Let it be known that it is by Mine Faithless Compasion that is All Holy and Made of Good Things, that I smite thee not with Mine Mighty and Thunderous Bitchslap o' Doom!" Adam added some thunder and lightning sound effects, but they were not the statement he truly wanted to make to this doddering, old fool. He was yesterday's news: Adam was tomorrow's headline.

"I fart in your general direction!"

...and with that, Adam disappeared from the Godlike beings hand, bending time and space, time-hopping and spin-stopping his way into oblivion, trajectories planned, executed, diverted and traced, then discarded for the free-flow. Nothing could follow Adam, for the changes, bends and hops came with calculated, computer precision, yet randomized into unpredictability by the mystic energies that raged within him.

That was his current problem, one that was technically simple to solve, but morally wrong to do so. In exchange for control, Adam had allowed both Berry, the former ship AI, and NightClaw, a demon familiar, to keep a semblance of themselves alive within his memory banks. It was due to both of them that Adam had achieved the sentience that he now enjoyed. In a way, they were like his parents, giving birth to new life. He wondered what it would feel like to shed a real tear, as he deleted Berry and NightClaw forever from his data-banks.

Now, there was only Adam.

(EVE)

"Then so shall it be, though let us create appropriatly to public eye." Suddenly she was dressed in a formal gown. The 'appropriate' dress in the eyes of the god. Then she was in an office. Rafe was there as was Trevor and Michael. All turned and Michael was on his feet, wincing slightly, as Jenny did every time she stood. "Who the..." Trevor began then stopped as he looked at Michael who was staring open mouthed at the intruder.

"Eve?" Michael asked coming around the desk, hope and doubt filling his face.

(ADAM)

The god allowed Adam to believe he escaped. As he held the ship in his hand another godlike figure approached, this one female. Now Adam was lost in his calculations and beliefs, thier conversation going unheard.

"Insolent", the female said.

"Indeed", was the gods reply.

"It should be destroyed." she told him.

"No", he returned.

She cocked an eyebrow and looked at him. "It thinks to defeat our desires at it's whim. Shall we tolerate such foolishness?"

"Our time fast approaches. Twilight becomes night. My Avatar is the last, none others have been found. We must be succeeded or all is lost."

"And you would take unto us this loathy and self important creature who's desires fall only unto itself?" she shook her head, I think your madness waxes strongly upon you."

"Were we not loathly and selfish once? Did we not wage battle for pettiness?"

She looked at him sharply, "It thinks itself a god. It is arrogant."

"What shape may new gods take that warm the thrones of the old?"

"It will try to interfere."

"Yes", he told her, "but it is impossible now. The great wheel is set in motion and he cannot manipulate them as he had. He cannot move them lest the decision be thiers. This I have seen to. Rest assured that he did choose well. For the two shall take mission and now we shall see what unfolds." He gazed at the ship in his hand, debated if he should let it know that it had never left or allow it to believe it had. Finally he spoke to Adam, so he could hear. "I free you now." Suddenly Adam made all his jumps again, aware that this was the first time.

(EVE)

"Then so shall it be, though let us create appropriatly to public eye." Suddenly she was dressed in a formal gown. The 'appropriate' dress in the eyes of the god. Then she was in an office. Rafe was there as was Trevor and Michael. All turned and Michael was on his feet, wincing slightly, as Jenny did every time she stood. "Who the..." Trevor began then stopped as he looked at Michael who was staring open mouthed at the intruder.

"Eve?" Michael asked coming around the desk, hope and doubt filling his face.

His face was in front of her, not an image but a hard, living reality. She was assailed by sounds, sights and textures that drifted across her, dancing with her skin. Her SKIN!? Eve looked down at herself, seeing for the first time from the point-of-view of someone with only two eyes. She watched as she lifted her hand to her face, turning it slowly in front of her, stunned by the delicate strength under the pink and healthy skin. She ran her other hand slowly down her body, feeling the curves of her femininity, a bolt of electricity shooting through her as her hand passed over her breast. She realized at that moment, she was not alone.

She looked up at Michael, standing in front of her, a look of shock and disbelief etched across the craggy lines of his face. His eyes were filled with a sudden hope, and she smiled back at him, letting him know that hope was but a dream, and this dream had now become reality. She stepped towards him, taking his strong hand in hers, lifting it to her mouth and kissing it lightly, then guiding it to rest over her heart.

"Hello, m'love...my heart."

Slowly, gently he ran his fingers over her face and lips. "Eve", was all he could say with deep love in his eyes. He stepped forward, taking her in his arms and brushed his lips lightly against hers then kissed her more passionitly.

Trevor just stood, not understanding what was happeneing, but not daring to interrup just yet.

Slowly, gently he ran his fingers over her face and lips. "Eve", was all he could say with deep love in his eyes. He stepped forward, taking her in his arms and brushed his lips lightly against hers then kissed her more passionitly.

Trevor just stood, not understanding what was happeneing, but not daring to interrup just yet.

<<OOC: Methinks Eve and Michael should be doing this in "Prelude to Destiny">>

She revelled in the feeling of his tender kiss, the smell of his musk and the feel of his strong arms around her, crushing her to him. She buried herself in his chest, overwhelmed by the newfound sensations running rampant through her body. She returned his embrace, pulling him in closer, scared that this was a dream and that any moment, he would be taken away from her. Tears came freely to her, tears of joy and relief, and she let them fall, filled with wonderment.

"Is this real? Are YOU real? Michael...I've waited so long for this moment, and I never thought it would come, and now..." the emotion caught up to her, and she sobbed quietly in his arms.

(OOC: Your right. The next post for Eve and the others I'll do on Preludes)

A great power became evident in Kain Shentavo's city. Enormous power. After a moment it seemed to fade, yet what was left was still powerful and it seemed to remain within his city. Though it was powerful, and not pleasant at that, it seemed .... familiar.

Turquine and Tanis found themselves in the midst of a strange city. Turquine tightened, rather than loosen, his grip on Tanis as he looked around, as though to protect her. "It would seem", he said, "that we've arrived in Velmora. Though", and he turned to look at her, "I wouldn't count on a ride back. How we return will be up to us. The gods do only so much."

(OOC I will post soon, I just have no inspiration right now. Will give you something really, really kickass to go on though. Soon. Not right now.)

(OOC I will post soon, I just have no inspiration right now. Will give you something really, really kickass to go on though. Soon. Not right now.)
<<OOC: No problemo, we'll sightsee a bit!>>


Though she was used to the feeling of being there, then here in a fraction of a second, Tanis didn't particularly like the sensation. It affected her on many levels, the key one being the words of her father. He had always said that the rewards were in the journey, not the destination. She agreed with that sentiment, especially when she looked at the man she loved. He was holding her tightly, protecting her from some imagined threat. The half-Elven navigator was fully able to defend herself, having learned the art of street-fighting at an early age, and honing her skills at the side of Darius Steele, who she considered to be the ultimate embodiment of a warrior.

Despite her martial skills, she allowed him to hold her, delighting in the feel of his strong, hard arms and feeling the beating of his heart. She reminded her of her father in many ways, which freaked her out a bit. Turquine also reminded her of Steele, which was more understandable: she had slept with him. She kept her eyes tightly shut, knowing it was a bad tactical move. Tanis didn't care, only wanting to make the moment last, to savor her time with the King.

Eventually, it had to end. She came out of his arms, instantly checking her surroundings, and her weaponry. She noticed that apart from the light leather armor she wore, she now had on a long cloak, seemingly black but with a shifting texture, one that imitated the colors around it. It was light, but of a deceivingly tough material. A gift from the Gods? Tanis wondered to herself, still coming to terms with the concept of "God". She never really had any faith in the past history of her people, or in the idea of a higher power. Now that she had seemingly met God, her mind was trying to accept her new reality. She decided that now was not the best time to start exploring theology.

There was a light rain falling, a warm, clean shower dropping steadily. They stood in a field, surrounded by thick, knee-high grass swaying in the wind, the raindrops sparkling and reflecting off of them. In the distance, she could see many thin trails of smoke...obviously a civilization of sorts. Turning back to Turquine, she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head before speaking to him.

"Well m'love, I think finding an inn for the night may be good idea...shall we?"

She put her arm in his, and began walking towards the village in the distance.

Turquine nodded and followed her lead. This was more his daughter's line of work than his. A slight frown formed on his face as he looked around, obviously unsure what to do. The battlefield and the throne room were his domains, not this sort of thing. Then suddenly a smile crossed his face, "Well", said in a light tone, "at least I get out of court day today." and he grinned at Tanis.

David's head snapped involutarily towards the source of the energy burst, and he realized instantly it was far from a good sign. He made to move towards it, to make the subtle step that would draw him into flight, but something held him back. It would not let him move in that direction.

'Why?' He asked himself.

The reply came promptly. 'Reach out your hand, and you will see.'

The vampire placed his hand out into the clear air, and it encountered a still wall of...absolute nothingness. A rail of cruel Fate, locking him into his path just as all others were bound to their destinies.

'Fate is becoming tangible...the universe –'

'Is coming apart at the seams, yes. There is nothing you can do but keep going.'

David pivoted, and the rail fell away from him as his wings catapulted him into the air, towards Kain's modest home. He reached out to the fellow vampire's mind and spoke hastily.

'I am but a simple shard from your past. I hold another purpose, however. All things are set in their ways, there is no such thing as independent thought. I am the one that enforces that rule. I am the Eternal Balancer, the World Seer, and I will see the world to it's end. In short, I have been led here to protect you.'

The pale figure hit the ground softly next to Kain's home. A twisted, paradoxical combination of corruption and purity enveloped his body, and he simply shifted through the wall.

He stood before Kain and his construct, black armor covering every part of his body but his head, in which only a sparse amount of life bothered to cut out existiance in. Golden, hawk-like eyes penetrated every object they darted over, eyes behind which a violent psychosis seethed. A pair of what appeared to have once been wings flanked him, only the perfect ivory of the bone structure now remaining. The transparent blue membrane of arcane majik that linked the bone flickered once, twice, and disappeared.

Despite the many unusual things about this vampire, Kain's eyes were instantly drawn to a thin trail of the finest scarlet silk he'd ever seen. It masked his lower face and danced down his figure to pool with the coiled energy of a viper set to strike. On the last few feet of the silk, the flawless scarlet was marred by a brooding black stain that dimmed the area around it. A strong demonic presence was intwined within the silk.

They continued on through the long, wet grass, enjoying the damp sights around them. Velmora was a lush country, filled with growing, living things. Tanis thought this odd, simply because of the dichotomy of the End-Bringer living on a world of so much life. She gripped Turquines hand tightly, gave him a small, private smile and walked on...

(OOC This is for Tanis and co. Please edit your recent post Gawdly, the one with going into a tavern. You certainly would have been detected. You are remarkable in this nation, because you are not Psi. Everyone will know that fact by sensing you. Sorry for taking so long, I wanted this post really good. You are still walking in the grass, you have been there for around a minute.)

The air was calm and cool in the morning, as the water from the skies came down rather gently. It was very early morning, the burning red sphere was still rising which cast a lovely light over the entire nation. It was as if nothing was wrong. It was just another day within Velmora.

Well it was until these two foreign forces had arrived.

Almost every Psi within this area had just felt what had just occurred, and the word spread faster than any tongue could speak. The advanced skill of telepapy was known to all Psi, it being the very first language a Psi really used. The second being that of the runic language, the language of magic. And that was not for communication.

The news spread like wildfire, and Kain did not even have to tell anyone what to do. Decades of being exposed to the darker forces within the world, and suffering civil war made the normal civilians of Velmora very competent in these situations indeed. A small group of Psi travelers, around eight in number, felt the detection and communicated as they saw the two in the distance who where within open ground of green. They talked silently to one another through the language of the mind, a swift decision made within a period of three silent seconds. They gritted their teeth and brought the spells of yesterday's situation back to the front of their minds.

From their everyday enchanting spells came their offensive spells. In normal Psi years, these spells were rarely taught, but.....Velmora had not been in a normal situation for thirty years. Every Psi knew combat, every Psi knew danger in their lives now. The Psi as a people where hardly the headless chicken society of other nations.

Foreign magic.
Dangerous?
Must be contained. Must be stopped to know of it's intent.
Rottoman's Flying Disc?
Indeed. Surround and contain until reinforcements.
Godspeed!

Just when the two strangers to Velmora thought they were alone, they were very not alone. They had just gotten wind of the fact that a welcoming committee had just arrived, and it was coming with unnatural speed.

A great high pitched screaming came from behind them, a screaming not of this world. And as they turned to look upon what was creating this unworldly din, the most strange sight did they see. There were eight flying figures, riding some sort of screaming glowing disc of magic, a trail of faint blue following them like a shadow. They held within their hands various mage weapons, light and easy to use and were at hand. Their robes were practical, short and did not fly around much as they flew upon these strange arcane discs, their resolve made. Their weapons were made of various materials, silver, strange purple wood, even crystal which glowed intently. Each one was armed, all Psi usually were at all times. Their weapons allowed them to cast spells better, as their items were rune encrusted to help the aid of magic.

The speed of these people was amazing, it made the eyes go fuzzy and lose focus to look upon their forms. Where these apparitions of the mind, or something physical? It was hard to tell, their flesh in places glew and hummed.

And then, upon these strange discs, they arrived and surrounded the two, their weapons and spells at the ready. It was like the military had just arrived. And it had, in a sense. Velmora did not really have a military; it called upon the individuals of the nation who were willing. Training was granted to all, in basic ways of handling situations. Kain had made sure to that, and it was new in it's implementation. A military was being formed, very slowly but steadily.

And that military had been informed too, and were on standby. Kain had called off the investigation to his own home and where the entity had landed for the first time. Kain was handling that, but the military knew of it. The military was small in number, but three individuals certainly could turn the tide of any invasion.

The silver dragons. They had sworn an oath to Kain and Velmora, and they were damn well going to keep to it.

These flyingpeople who surrounded the two of them, were the populace of the nation. The common person, and the first actual Psi which either Tanis or Turquine.

The Psi.

This was what Kain was once?

Their bodies were adorned with strange arcane runes which glew now due to the danger they thought was apparent. They held their weapon in one hand, a staff, a dagger, and their other hand (their dominant hand) ready to cast spells upon the two. Their hair in this state seemed as if it was within water, they flowed around. Hair colours which should not be merged with normal colours. Purple hair with a streak of white down the middle. Crimson with a gold trim.

These hairs were not dyed, this was completely natural.

"State thy purpose foreigner, you are upon Psi ground and by no means did you inform us of these intrusion." The leader of the group said, his staff pointed directly at Turquine, the head begin a serpent which glew menacingly. His eyes flashed a brilliant blue as did the others in synchronized harmony, and then they returned to the various and alien colours the Psi had. Greens, reds, purples, golds, silvers, again all natural.

The eight were communicating to each other and those who were on standby through telepathy.

This was not going to be an infiltration by any means.

Kain was first annoyed when the figure had arrived in his nation without his knowledge. He knew that now, infomation had now come to him from the silver dragons which had felt this strange person's arrival. Kain could handle that, at least this person did not snap into his home....

Too late. He just did.

Now Kain was enraged. Everyone knew of this person now, because a magical change like that certainly did raise alarm within this sort of nation. Almost everyone knew about this person near Kain, and what strange nature he was. Kain was getting more and more frustrated as two others he had just heard of from others in his nation, had just arrived. He needed to know what the hell was going on. He was not taking chances.

Kain summoned the Brightblade to his hand. The skull hilt formed, along with the wave blade. It glowed a light blue, as the silver blade quivering slightly. Kain held it up to this stranger's neck as he formed through his wall, his right hand guiding this terrorfying blade which threatened to tear this being soul in two, and within Kain's left hand, raised, was swirling with a spell of golden intensity. The eyes burned from the brightness of these things, made the mind grow sick from the reality of what was summoned.

"You frelling dare! You speak to me of protecting me, when you do this! How can you expect me to trust you when you enter my nation without my permission, barge into my home, and cause concern within my people!" Kain roared, his blade just centimeters from this stranger's neck.

This green-skinned vampire was something to be deeply afraid of when enraged. And one thing which did enrage Kain, was those who would endanger those who he loved. And Kain loved Velmora and all the people that existed within it, and had died for it for it once.

His white hair had very slight tinges of crimson within it, a fiery red which threatened to explode into fire it seemed. His eyes bore with demonic intensity, those eyes of his burning with rage, but one which withheld the blow which threatened. Kain was not out of control. If Kain was out of control, he would not be speaking. Kain still had dominance over that demonic rage of his, for it was not of his own. It was one of the affects of his co-existance with the demonic blade....Kain fought against the primal rage which threatened to consume him.

"These other two in my nation, are they under your wing and direction? Answer quickly! Speak!", Kain barked, his voice heard outside. People were looking at Kain's home, ready to fight for thier hero. For that what Kain was, he was the living hero of Velmora.

Well, living wasn't exactly the right name for it.

Shar stood, her own silver staff within her hands, glowing a strange purple as Shar prepared for a combat. Kain and Shar were extremely close, for they had fought in combat together for far longer than she had been in that physical form.

When the screaming sound started, Tanis dropped to one knee, drawing out both her pistols. She watched in shock and awe as the flying creatures approached, then surrounded them. Turquine stood silently, no fear in his eyes, his mystic blade blazing forth in his hand. She realized he truly was the Lion of Highport, and none would dare stand before him.Tanis counted the natives, and planned where her first shots would land. Yet she hesitated, waiting for the King to react. At their harshly-spoken question, Tanis began to reply but held her tongue, knowing that a King would speak with more authority than herself. She watched the strange-looking aliens closely, ready to act at a moments notice.

David merely remained where he stood, arms to his side. His eyes held no harshness, no malice. Merely emptiness where humanity once resided.

"Just as you take no chances, I will take no chances in my duty. Surely you understand this, we are not all that different." He spoke in a neutral, frosty tone. One might expect nothing more than simple arrogance in his voice, but there were much deeper tones weaved through his words. The voice of a powerful demon, and the voice of an angel both matched his words as he spoke. "The other two are opposed to my intentions in full. That we three appear at once is merely how it is written."

The vampire smiled coldly, showing his set of ivory fangs. One fang had been broken off in some ancient battle, only a jagged peak of white remaining.

"Now, are you going to fight me, or let me help you? I suppose we will see how it is written, and follow the choreography."

"Bah, your fatalism bores me. I thought I evaded your type. I thought I proved that destiny could be defied, I certainly did defy it once before." Kain said dejectedly, placing the blade by his side and calling off the spell which had hummed so menacingly within his palm.

"Let me guess. I am the hub of the wheel of this world destiny, or the one who can affect it? I am tierd of this destiny yotz." Kain said with some degree of tierd frustration.

The Brightblade faded from view, and a few seconds of silence passed.

"How is the rest of this damnable play written, and who is performing?" Kain said.

Turquine stood gazing calmly around him, already figuring the odds should it come to blows. But he wasn't here to fight and kept the god forged blade low, pointing down. But the blade had power, great power, a power that Kain could feel, a power that was easily remembered. "I seek the Velmoran known as Kain Shentavo", Turquine said in his deep booming voice. "I come at the behest of my daughter, Lauralin Silverlief, Queen of Dragonsreach. I am Turquine Buccannah, King of Highport. By virtue of station I ask that my request be given to this man, and seek answer of him."

His request given in proper accord he slowly reached down and gently touched Tanis shoulder. Once he got her attention he nodded at what were apparently weapons in her hands and shook his head before nodding to his own lowered blade. His way of saying not to look prepared to attack, but be ready to defend should the situation warrant it.

At his touch, she lowered her arms, letting the pistols slowly slide into their holsters. She could quick-draw if needed, and right now, the only thing that was needed was Turquine. He stood there radiating dignity, nobility and power, glaring at overwhelming odds with disdain. His words came like thunder, rumbling with deep overtones of authority and menace. When he spoke, you were forced to listen. Tanis realized that she would never have that kind of strength and charisma, and that she would probably make a lousy Queen. At least, in times of peace she would: in wartime, she would be a deadly Queen indeed.

She trusted her man, and waited for a response from the humanoids surrounding them.

The circling Psi cosnidered the man's words with a sceptical eye, and sent thier messages back through the Communicator. The Communicator was an ingenious device which allowed a telepathic message directed at someone be charged up, so it would travel further distances. In times of peace, it was the telephone system, but better. In war, it allowed every soldier on the field of battle to be informed what was going on. On a foriegn front, the Communicator buildings would be sent up in tents, where the coils of arcane equipment would be set up.

Master Kain, these people have identified themselves and sent thier message. Sending memory. The main Psi of the group transmitted the message to the Communicator nearby, which sent it on to the various Communicator stations, back to Kain himself. There were no wires, no electricity, only the "stepping up" of the magivcal power of the message.

Kain recieved it, along with the head Psi's memory of the message. The image before him showed him who it was, and that it was indeed who they said they were.

Things were getting odd, very odd indeed. But odd was woven into Kain's destiny apparently. Wasn't he himself odd Kain thought?

Acknowledged Shylock. My instructions are to regard them with a freindly and open caution. Introduce yourselves, make them feel welcome, but not too welcome. Be ready for anything. Bring them to the Library, hand them over to Internal Affairs sharing my orders. Your service is appreciated greatly.

The message was sent back via the same method, taking a few seconds to follow the procedure, boosting up the power of the communication so it could travel half way accross Velmora.

The message was spread to the others, and they set down upon the ground from thier flying discs, the glowing blue spinning forms faded into nothingness, as if they had never actually been.

"The way you came in like that did raise some alarm within Velmora. You should not enter by such means again, without due warning to us. We a highly sensative to such things, and this nation has never really been open to outsiders. Non-Psi are rare upon our lands, and few can handle or understand our ways of doing things and rarely survive the conditions.. I am afraid that we will have to be with you, to guard you from others and others from you. To what end do you wish to speak to Kain? I am in contact with him right now, should your message be urgant." Shylock said. He was a man of medium age, who had a light green hair and a quite warm voice. He wore a pale green short robe with leather pads for comfort. In his hands were two small rods which had glowed menacingly before.

Ya, tell him I'm here to blow his head off and save the universe, Tanis thought to herself sarcastically. She kept quiet though, knowing her place and knowing that Turquine would serve both their interests well. She still didn't feel completely secure around these strangers, and she unobtrusively reached down, ensuring the safeties were off both pistols. She then palmed a flashbang, in case they needed a quick exit.

I am afraid that we will have to be with you, to guard you from others and others from you. To what end do you wish to speak to Kain?

Security, my ass, thought Tanis...it was like telling your prisoner that he was a guest. Her mouth opened without consious decision.

"Our words are for Kain himself, not for you. It IS of the utmost urgency or we would not have come here. Before you stands the King of Highport, little man, and you'd better start showing some respect or I'll be forced to teach you some..." Tanis was snarling, her face turned ugly with anger. She had gripped her plasma pistol again, fully intending to put her words into action. Then she caught herself, realizing that going to war NOW would not serve her purpose. She spoke again, this time using her femininity to soften her tone.

"I...apologise for my brusqueness: on our world, your disrespect would have been severely dealt with, and I reacted accordingly. We thank you for your protection, and accept it with honor." she ended her speech with a formal curtsey, or a close approximation of one. Hmmm, maybe I CAN get the hang of this 'Queen" stuff, she thought to herself...she felt that she had been very diplomatic just then. She caught the King looking sidelong at her, a look of wry humor in his eyes. She winked at him, and looked at Shylock somberly and respectfully.

Turquine sheathed the blade and Kain immedietely felt a great deal of power dwindle, yet it far from died. "Forsooth the Lady Dr'Konnen speaks rightly of our ways. Prey forgive her outburst, for much has tested her mettle in these recent moments." Turquine stopped as he realized that he was slipping into the older text and cleared his voice, "That is, she has been through a great deal recently so I offer apologies for her outburst, but she speaks the truth. In our ways you would give me insult." Turquine bowed to Shylock, "Yet we shall heed the ways of your people as we attend you in your country. The means of our transport were not by my choice. My god has brought me here, as it seems he has taken great intrest in current affairs. I fear the urgency is great, at least to our people. It concerns matters in Dragonsreach, my daughters' kingdom. I wish for him to speak with her, but right now she cannot leave her home, she is needed as her kingdom falls under attacks most foul." Turquine stopped and knitted his brows together in thought in much the same way that Lauralin does. "Terror" he said, working on the term. "Terror schisms", he tried then shook his head, "no", he looked at Tanis.

"Terror-ist, dear heart...terrorist." She corrected him, loving the King more at this moment than any other. Though he had a wisdom that was as deep as a well, Turquine was very innocent about many other things. Things that she would teach him. They would learn from each other, becoming so much more than they were before. Her father would be very proud of her right now, and the thought of him revived an old, hidden pain within her. It flared briefly, then was gone, replaced by the knowledge that she would be joining him soon. The thought sobered Tanis, and reminded her that she still had a large task to complete. One that would be made more difficult by the absence of her heavy artillery.

Where the frag was Adam?

Turquine nodded. "Terrorist. These Terrorist have attacked Dragonsreach, killing a number of people. It seems that Kain Shentavo is in some way connected, though my daughter seems to think he is not responsible. I have come to ask that he go to speak with her."

The vampire smiled cruelly, ice coating his every word. "Did you defy destiny, or was it merely your destiny in itself you would defy one branch and follow another path entirely? It makes sense, yes? Then again, you'll never really know until you gain hindsight, and that only fully comes to you when you're dead. You're not the hub, or the driver of the wheel. Rather, you're the one in charge of the acclerator. We already know where you're going." He smirked a little. "It is all hinged on how hard you press on the pedal."

His eyes dug under the other vampire's flesh and burrowed into his soul. "Now, I know the cast of the play – let me tell you it's a large production – but that's not important. You, as a matter of fact, have the quill in your hand, and the page after this is blank. Now you and I both know what you're going to write, just not how. Admit it, you are already suspicious of the other two, and like any good leader, you expect the worst. Well, Kain, in this play, what you expect...is how you write."

My friends,

Sadly, Real Life will be kidnapping me for the next few weeks, and I will be travelling to San Francisco, Las Vegas and San Diego on business. I will have very limited access to the net, but I will try my darndest to get on and post.
Dragonsreach will be running my characters while I'm gone. I return Oct.30, and will post my ass off at that point. Have fun, stay well and RP ON!

I can, and will be posting ALL DAY Friday, Oct.15

Steve (Gawdly)

"Your God? Strange how the Gods seem to draw so much attention to our island, for good...and ill. Your apology is accepted, but please refrain from such comments again. Kain is far more used to other cultures, and you might do something most....grave." Shylock said slowly, and meaningfully.

A message came from Kain once more commanding Shylock accordingly. He acknowledged it with his own mental message.

"Kain has requested that you are teleported to Spellhold. It is a place of safety, and the place where visitors are first guided into. If you had asked for entry, that is the place where you would have entered. If, of course, you would have entered via arcane methods. Going into Spellhold will the fastest and easiest method, and in addition it will allay his concerns and that of the people of Velmora. Will you trust Kain?", Shylock said, still being rather pleasant about the whole affair. He held out both his hands, as in indication that they must hold his gloved palms to continue.


---

Kain gritted his teeth and growled in frustration. He hated these situations, where foriegn people would come to his nation and preach to him of destiny and how he was the key to it all or something along those lines.

"I already know your words and they affect me not. If my expectations are what will be written...bah, nevermind. I am tierd of these petty arguements which matter not! Protect me if you will, but spare me the lectures upon the futility of my choices. The riddles you weave I already know and have formed my own conclusions, too long to speak of now. For those two just entered, I will make them come to Spellhold, where they shall be safe and contained."

Shar stood up and left the building, obviously attending a task which Kain had told her to do. Kain had sent out various messages, both private and public.

Kain took his great cloak, and placed it back upon his broad shoulders.

"To spellhold then, where guardians shall guard them and myself. I shall find the answers to these questions, and this plot shall be uncovered. Why must I be decieved at every turn?" Kain muttered to himself as he stormed out, not honestly caring if the other vampire decided to follow. He had told the populance to attend thier duties and not be alarmed to this new person's presance.

(OOC If you wanted, we could have an extended break. Or you could pass your character's control to another player. Whatever you want Steve. I have rl business next week which will prevent me from posting, going on a retreat you see.)

<<OOC: Dragon will handle Tanis and Co. while I'm gone. Have a great retreat!>>

Tanis looked at Turquine, though she was obviously reluctant to take the man's hand. But it would help her get her job done and so she would do what was necessary, assuming that Turquine did.

Turquine nodded and reached out to take the man's hand. Many had thought to hold him spellbound or destroy him with magic before only to find that thier magic had little or no affect. It was heavy burden, being the avatar of a god, but it had it's benefits.

((I'm ok with a break...tech crew for the school play is starting soon, and that always cuts deeply into my posting time. Just as a forewarning.))

David merely smirked. He nodded to Kain, all he really wanted and needed was the permission to protect him. There was no further reason to stay hidden, so the brooding vampire slinked behind and slightly to the side of his charge, falling in step with his confident gait.

As the two held upon Shylock's hand, a great feeling of displacement and vertigo came over them. The world seemed to like an ocean now, ebbing and flowing around them, pulsating with change. Shylock's words seemed distorted, but his assurance was heard in a strange way to the ears, reality all nonsense now.

"Don't be afraid, this will only take a few moments."

The other Psi around them began to chant, their hands moving in unison in the strange gestures they made. Runes appeared within the air, glowing blue ones which to Tanis and Turquine where strange to look upon, the alien language complex, like a spider's web a thousand more intense in it's design. The Psi's words were deep and in sync, the language making the hair on one's neck raise upon end. It was all very eerie indeed.

And then, a flash of light blinded the two and Shylock's gloved hands were no longer felt. A great whine was heard within the ears, as if some great screeching bird had called to them to come in this new place. Time passed for the two....they could not speak or do anything, their minds seemed slow to the realisation that time was still in affect.

A surge of will, a surge of matter. The feeling was like going down in a crashing elevator, only sideways. It was sickening and strange indeed, and made the body want to fall to the ground and be steady again.

But as fast as these sensations came, they died just as fast. The sounds of that high pitched scream left....the light dissipated...and time seeped back into existence.

The two saw before them, a small of stone and wood. It was the strangest room they had ever seem. The walls had great lines of stone, then a line of wood which was strangely tinted a glowing purple. Upon the ceiling, a great web of flowing wood and stone, utterly impossible to create and comprehend. It was if the stone and wood were living once more, and had entwined around the other. It formed a whirlpool which came outwards, not inwards. And in the centre, there was a strange....jem of some sort, dark and lifeless to look upon now, but it gazed directly at where the two had teleported to.

Upon the floor of wood and stone, there was a rune within the centre, one which was more easy to look upon than those other runes which the Psi had been forming in the air. It was large, around ten feet in diameter.

http://www.thelostworlds.net/Images/Defiance-Symbol-Dimension.JPG

Unknown to them, it was the symbol of dimension, one which signified teleportation and other planes to the Psi. It was one of the main symbols, and the raw root of the Psi language. One could learn a limited amount about a spell a Psi was casting by the root rune they were using. For example, if the energy root rune was used as the centre, with various other runes attached and linked on, the Psi was casting a spell to do with manipulating raw energies of some sort. Of course, this guide provided the barest of information, and was not too useful in combat against a Psi. If a Psi was ever to fight another Psi, they would use bluffs often, using illusions to create the impression of an opposite rune.

There were no doors to this place, no means of entry or escape upon first appearances....a voice echoed within the room, addressing these two new figures.

"Thank you for co-operating. We shall join you shortly, we are just recalibrating our equipment, making sure that everything is stable. This will take a few minutes." The voice said, male and rather soft and reassuring.


---

"They are in there now?"

"Yes indeed Kain. I was getting concerned, as was everyone else! Magnus is the most affected, he is extremely alarmed and is enraged. He is up in his study, readying for the worst." An orderly said to Kain as he walked with his long stride. The orderly wore a uniform of dark green, with a rune upon the back which was the same as the one which was upon that chamber floor.

"Very good. I will project myself in there shortly." Kain said quickly, as he departed from the orderly.

They were within the upper part of Spellhold. Spell hold was a relatively small building upon the surface, a square building with little to note. However, it was rather large underground, the arcane power plants making the teleportation possible. Shylock had simply channelled that energy, as did the other Psi in the group.

Velmora in essence is split into three sections. The surface, which contains the buildings and populace, the middle ground which holds the generators, and the under dark as it was now known, a desolate tunnel region, once populated and soon to be hopefully restored.

The generator's maintained the runes which were in affect for major buildings. Houses were maintained as modern houses would be, with specialists repairing failing runes. Runes did have a lifespan, and were repairable with crystals, which were the currency of Velmora. Generators were fuelled by Mothercystals, crystals which an enormous lifespan. They were rare and few in number, and were highly treasured. Without such crystals, Velmora would certainly have to downgrade their buildings.

Kain entered a small room, which was bare apart from a small chair. Kain turned around and told the vampire who was following him, "Stand outside. I will talk to these two by forming my spectral image in front of them. I shall be safe from them. Do not leave this door, otherwise my guards will attack." Kain said warningly, and shut the brass door. The door made a strange sucking noise, and then an arcane whoosh of energy. The brass door was now magically sealed, as was required for what Kain was about to do.

Outside of this room, where David stood there was a long corridor which opened up into various other rooms which maintained the teleportation device. There were various guards of no small skill within the place, which had been posted at Kain's order, and Magnus himself was soon to appear to meet with David. Not that Kain knew about that.

Kain prepared himself...and did what he needed to do within the room to make what he wanted occur....


---

"Kain will see you now. Step back."

A flicker of energy appeared shortly upon the rune, a vortex of strange mist appeared a few feet in front of the two.

And there he was, Kain, his face one of concern and irritation. He spoke, his voice slightly ghost like. It was obvious that this was an illusion of Kain, but his form was lifelike and he acted as he should. He was dressed in a dark red practical robe, which he had recent donned within that room above them. It had no runes upon it, and it was rather simple in design.

"What would you want of me?", Kain asked, not moving from his place. His voice had no hostility, nor did it have a welcoming tone to it. It was plain, and wanting an explanation.

Turquine erred on the side of caution for protocol. Though feeling insulted yet again by not being met directly he suppressed his irritation and bowed respectfully to the image then removed his helm, tucking it under his right arm and pulled back the chain covering. "I come at the behest of my daughter to ask you if you would meet with her. She has some questions that only you may answer. I shall gaurantee your safe return upon my honor."

Tanis looked at Turquine then returned her attention to the vision of Kain. She knew what that meant. If she acted before Kain's return to Velmora then Turquine's life would be forfeit. To him his honor is his life, there's no distinction between the two, they're linked to each other.

Kain upon hearing that oath reconsidered what he was doing. This was most unlike him. Using illusions? Using deception against those who would want his assistance? Despite David's warning, Kain realised that he had faced greater things than this, and had come out on top. And this was his own nation. If they did try the most remarkable thing, they would be handled accordingly by those observing.

Kain's illusion closed his eyes and spread his hands outward to his side..and faded from view, like a fog dissipating under strong winds. And then, Kain himself, in the vampiric green flesh formed where the illusion had once been, his actual form commanding that respect and strength of presance that he had. The illusion did not convey the strange aura one got while around him.

"I fully apologise for my deception, it is most unlike me. You must understand that your arrival has stirred me somewhat, and my people. We all thought we were being invaded or the like!" Kain said geniunely. He walked forward, becoming closer and more open. His expression was one of concern.

"What do these questions concern, what can I do to help?" Kain asked.

Turquine bowed, with greater respect this time. "I fully understand your concern, Sir. I fear I have only myself to confront others, unlike those wise in the ways of magic such as yourself and my daughter. The concern certain things that have arisen in our investigation. A vampires tooth was found at the site of one of the explosions and an amulet was found in the quarters of the traitor who shot my Chief of Security in the back. This foul betrayer escaped justice by taking his own life, but another is implicated. I think my daughter would like to see you cleared of any participation in this conspircy if for no other reason than because the amulet in question indirectly belongs to her High Advisor and friend. This woman is also her", Turquine stopped a moment thinking, "her .... Dark Mother? She's the vampiress who made my daughter what she is."

Kain folded his hands behind his back and absorbed this infomation.

"Why am I suspected? I don't see a reason why I am involved in any way really. Why would she suspect that I would be involved?" Kain asked inquistively, his deep voice resounding the words wonderfully.

"The man who shot my Chief of Security in the back, while he was investigating the terrorist attacks, had the amulet in his quarters. The amulet was analysed using modern technology provided by President Steele of Gawdly, I'm sure you remember Mr. Steele," he said with a grin. "The analysis showed that there was dirt residue on the amulet. That residue matched the earth here in Velmora."

David leaned against the heavy brass door. Let Kain do what he wished, it would all fall together in the end by the World Seer's hand. He smiled his broken smile and traced a finger nonchalantly across the magical door. It was a very fine, sturdy piece of work, suited to withstanding forces kinetic and magical. The vampire pondered over Kain momentarily. He hadn't changed much from when he had last seen him, though his memories from his insanity were rather difficult to summon. It was interesting, how such an impetuous fellow could be so calm and content in his paranoia. David decided he liked that. For all their superficial oppositions, the two were quite alike.

Kain considered the words that were fed to him. This was sounding more and more like a set up of some kind, not that he could honestly do anything about it. He was considering what to do, he had never really been put in this situation before.

It would have been fine if he was not part of the goverment. If he was on his own, he would have gone gladly and faced anything that would have come his way. Kain knew his limitations, but if things got too dangerous, he knew how and when to pull out quickly. Few people could contain his mist form, or track it. Of course, if one was to try hard enough...

"My mind does not like the way this is being played out. I suspect many things here, many things which you may not be aware of. Unlike you, I have faced enemies from those who would have once given my shelter, and freindship with those who once would have destroyed me. As such, my trust is something which relys upon my situation. And my situation is one of responcibility. I am not the individual vampire I was before, able to speak out against the injustice of the world, risking my own hide only. I have a nation to think of now, and due to this, I am shackled with responcibility. But...it will not stop me from joining you." Kain said decidedly.

"Be aware that if within your nation, by any hand at all should I be slain or destroyed, that Velmora being loyal to me, will initiate a full scale war. And that might be what those who hold the strings want. Those who would replace my position might not hold your oath with such regard as I have, and might consider that you were the author of my demise and act accordingly. I will not lie, Velmora is not a strong nation within the military region. But if we were to become to motivated that the passion of destruction clouds our mind, well....the Psi can rage war like no other...." Kain said, speaking his mind.

"I will go with you to answer these questions, if it leads to making some sense..."

Turquine looked Kain in the eye. "You say unlike me, then you know me not, Sir. I too have suffered such in justices in my two and half centuries, most of it as King of Highport. My nation .... IS .... a strong military nation. Responsible not just for itself but for the military protection of Dragonsreach as well. But my people will not be held accountable for anothers actions. Should anything befall you in this journey then I and I alone will stand responsible, and will turn myself over to your people for justice. If this is not agreed to then I will return to my daughter and tell her that you will not be coming. By MY choice of course."

David continued to wait, blissfully unaware of the occurances within Kain's hall, and Magnus' intent to confront him. Whatever decision Kain made would play directly into Fate, there was no escaping it. After all, how can you fight against something that is not there, and yet is everywhere at once?

Magnus' boots clicked through the stone hallways, the sole of each hard boot was lined with layers of bronze and silver which were in designs of runes of his own creation. His stride was long, and his presance was felt all around. He flowed from corridor from corridor, needing no greeting or direction, his great crimson robes billowing behind him like a demon was chasing his very soul with an insatable appitite.

He was scowling, his brow screwed up in knot of a fine and common mixture of frustration and deep thoughts of the situation. His fine and thinning black hair which had tinged of red within its fibres seemed on end, as it always did when he was preturbed or frustrated.

Walking with effortless long stride, his mind working faster than his body could ever possibly imagine to. He had no staff, or weapon upon his person which was highly rare for a Psi. A Psi prided themselves in thier birthright of thier arcane weapon, and used it to channel more energy into themselves for spells. But Magnus had lost his within the combats of the civil war, as Kain had lost his with his encounters with Qui.

Magnus required no staff or dagger, for he believed that one's own arcane skills should come from one's own knowledge, and that assistance from a staff or a dagger to do so was weakness. Magnus was very much an elitist, and had few assistants.

But he was one of the most powerful mages within this nation, and that nation being Velmora, that meant a lot. Magnus believed himself more powerful than Kain, and he resented Kain for many reasons, although he was intellegent enough to recognise that some of the abilities that Kain possessed and hid were beyond his understanding.

David, within his own quiet time alone, heard the clinking of Magnus' boots, and the mighty sway of his robes as he moved. Within a few brief seconds of first detecting this highly complex character, Magnus was displayed in all of his fiery nature.

Magnus stood, consuming the enterance of the corridor, standing around seven feet away from David. It was apparent that Magnus was taking in David, considering how to act to this strange creature before him. Magnus was no stranger to the vampire lore, although he had met few vampires in his time.

Magnus was taller than Kain was, although Kain was not much higher than most men. The mage's robes gave him a sense of power, although Magnus was hardly one who pretended to be powerful and not back it up. Quite the opposite. He would not require those crimson robes which seemed to be like dancing flames licking devils at his booted feet to instill a sensation of power within those who would gaze upon him.

His eyesabsorbed the infomation of the nature of the character before him, his dark brown eyes tinted red like his robes assessing what he should say.

After a few long seconds of silent consideration and thought, Magnus opened his mouth and spoke.

"Who might you be?", Magnus said with the obvious bitter distain for him, his voice rather deep and grating.

And that made his burn eternally with the frustration of not understanding that which he had dedicated his life to. That of the magical arts.

"Very well then", Kain said in agreeance to the terms that were set before him. He ajusted some things upon his belt, mostly satchels which contains the mind jems which were the currency of his people, which were used as components in his spells. They were seperated in power level, as it was commonly done. Different colours portrayed a different power, and thus a different worth. Much like how the currencies had a lower form of conversion, like one hundred pennies would equal one pound.

"Time to get out of here if we are to go. If you would follow me, and follow my footsteps. Would not want you going somewhere you should not, now would we?" Kain said as he walked towards one of the walls with a symbol of the dimension, seemingly knowing which one to go to immediately.

The wall began to crackle at Kain's presence, and Kain walked through the wall, as if it was never there.

Kain formed in the room above, the chamber which David was standing outside of.

Turquine looked at Tanis then followed Kains footseps precisely and looked around himself as Tanis appeared, observing the chamber he came into.

David stared at the interesting mage, matching his intense eyes.

"Who might I be?" He echoed slowly. "Perhaps a more apt question might be what I might be. But it is safe to assume that such a question would be offensive in your culture, implying vague, impotent beginnings, yes? Maybe I could tell you, maybe I couldn't. Even if I could, I probably wouldn't. Of course you understand."

David seemed to have a frustrating way of dancing around a question until he felt like answering it, and rarely was he caught off guard.

Magnus raised his eyebrow at the being in front of him, ignoring the weave of strange statements that the being said.

"Do you have no name, or should I call you Jester, for you dart around questions with gaite most like a Jester, or a Riddler. I find no good company with Riddlers or Jesters, although I find you invader in our nation. What is your intention here, and where is Kain?" Magnus snapped irrably, moving a step forward towards David.

---

"Just one moment." Kain said quietly, as he closed his eyes and began to chant. He was in front of the bronze door which held them from Magnus and David.


(OOC My post quality will improve once we get out of this place.)

Turquine nodded and took Tanis arm, looking down at her. Then returned his attention to Kain and the door.

"Jester..." The vampire pondered momentarily. "I find that alias amusing and fitting. Call me what you wish. Pig-Sty would do, even, for it makes no difference in the end, correct? But as for Kain. Can you not see him? Can you not feel him?"

She had been stunned into silence, letting Turquine handle the negotiations with Kain. This was all beyond her ken, and Tanis realized that her rough-shod upbringing had no place in the halls of Kings. Twice, she had been within striking distance of Kain, but both times, the King had offered his life as forfeit should anything happen to the accursed vampire. Tanis would not see him hurt...her love was too great for that. Eventually, Turquines vow would be over, and she would have her chance. In the meanwhile, she stood close by her man, revelling in the feeling of his strong arm, and wishing her destiny could be played out differently.

<<OOC: I'm back, and missed you folks BIG TIME! 2 weeks without a creative word being spewed from me...I felt constipated! Onwards and upwards, I say!>>

Magnus crossed his crimson robe clad arms in something of a defensive behaviour. He was best not pleased with this whole situation, and such a disposition was obvious. He tapped his boot upon the floor, and considered his words, and when he spoke them, they hissed out like a serpant had just uttered them.

"Kain is someone who is has achieved much, esteemed much, and gained much. But he has also gained many an enemy, and forbidden knowledge which could endanger more than himself."

Magnus said the last part, about knowledge, with an added degree of stress. It was strange, and hard to interpret. Did Magnus long for that knowledge, even though he reviled him for it.

The bronze door unsealed, the grand door flowing away to reveal Kain and his entourage. Kain looked at Magnus, and Magnus looked back at Kain, the two sharing a moment of silence, thier eyes locking, not in challenge but an affirmation of stances.

A moment passed, and Kain said simply, "I am leaving for a short duration. The details have been sent and has been approved by all."

"Sparing me!" Magnus hissed bitterly, his hostility to the vampire ruler evident.

Kain ignored the mage's bitterness and continued.

"I expect things to go on as usual here. I have put Shar as head of Overseer."

This statment made Magnus explode in rage. Shar, the only construct ever made, and his test subject for omving along with his own research, was to be given control! Kain found a little strange amusment with Magnus' reaction, although he showed no sign of it.

"Given to her...! Are you mad! What about my research!" Magnus spat at Kain with fervour, his outrage evident and flaring. He had realised more than Kain what Shar might do to his research....and the idea that his test subject had more power than he did sent a chill down his spine.

"Do you question me on this? The others have agreed to it, if you have a problem, please do say. Your research will continue on what you have, simply orient yourself onto a different aspect of construct creation. Shar has more important things to concern herself with than her proginy at the moment." Kain said with a calm degree of authority. It seemed to make Magnus smolder inwardly, but he said nothing more.

He walked away, his boots clicking away louder than they did before his rage boiling within him. Kain had no doubt that Magnus would immediately return to his private study and let loose some spells and verbal rage against some orderlys.

"How shall we get back to your nation? Do you need our help to allow us back, or do you have a method of getting back?" Kain said with a slight smile of satisfaction from that little encounter.

(OOC Good to have you back! Now things can get moving fully. I want to get out of Velmora ASAP because then I can write properly and to my full potental. I write horribly in this situation.)

(Welcome back Gawdly :) I'll send a telegram catching up where Darius and Rafe are, you know where Tanis is.)

Turquine eyed the angry magus as his host argued with the man. If a vampire war was impending then why not someone angry at Kain instead of Kain himself. Jealosy was too often the motive for murder, be it one or a thousand. He was still eyeing the magus when Kain asked his question and it suddenly occured to him that it hadn't even occured to him. He turned to Kain, "I'm sorry, but I don't know. We came here through divine means and I wouldn't ask my god for a ride back. If you could arrange something that would be best, else I would have to contact my security chief and have another come to your home to get us, which I think would be best not done it seems."

Kain considered what the best method would be.

"Well, we could always get a ship back, but that would be extremely hard to get to where we are going, and also, I do not think a Psi trade ship, a ship which is hardly discreet, is going to be the best method. No....I think arcane methods are best. And I have just the thing in mind. Follow me, and keep up. Time I am sure is of the essance." Kain said, and his quick stride went through the building further downwards. They went through dimly lit corridors, lit only by the glowing runes on the walls, a pale blue-green light illuminating the wood and stone spiral staircases.

"We are going to use a very old and....primative method of transportation, because you are not of Psi mind. It was one of the first methods of arcane transportation that the Psi discovered, and this is more of a relic than a commonly used transportation device. It is more of a relic...than a device now. But a servicable one, still." Kain said, as he stepped over a hole in the staircase.

As they continued downwards, some of the runes were completely out, and more decayed. They obviously had not been repaired, as was required of runes once every year or so. Such was the price of enchantment, the more pernament ones like on artifacts, required enormous raw power of individuals and resources.

And then they came to a chamber, one without a door, and highly indecorous. No-one resided within the blue lit chamber, it was made of stone, and had a very simple circle upon it. Kain smiled as he looked up it lovingly.

"Kaian-Yeonam Brightblade was a genius indeed. If you stand within the circle, I will do everything required. If you would imagine where we need to go, and David, remain open to where we are going. I am sure you will work it out. Just....go with the pulls, and don't drive it. You two need to imagine the exact place where we are going...we will get there with some margin of error, but we will get there. Now....let's go."

Kain's voice began to chant...and fill the room. Soon the world around them faded....and a new one imerged.


(OOC That post was crap by me, but after this one, my post quality will considerably improve. I just needed to get out of Velmora.)

Turquine focused his mind on the bridge over the look to the capital of Kern, knowing that the magical protections were still in place over the city. He knew the location well, having traveled there often and the picture was clear in his mind.

The world around them soon began to swirl and explode into vast colours, the low blue light of this chamber was sapped away, replaced by the sky and ground of this new nation....

(OOC Feel free to take it from here with descriptions and everything, because I have no idea what this place is like.)

The lady night had drawn her diamond studded cloak across the skies as they materialized before a long arching bridge that spanned this side of a lake leading to an island in the center. As the three walked over the bridge two huge statues came into view, one to either side of the bridge on the island side. One statue was of a robed man with a broadsword on his side and a well trimmed beard. Though the statue stood looking out across the water the eyes seemed to follow you as you came across. The other was of the king, who looked rather embarrassed about it, his hand reaching to help while a huge crystal sword was held in the other as though ready to defend.

The city itself was made entirely of crystal, the huge towers and buildings faceted to catch and refract the light so as to make rainbow hues from even the slightest rays. The scene was one of serene beauty and typically had a calming influence. The magical protections had been brought down, much to Turquine's surprise and he looked at Tanis with a hint of fear in his eyes. Not fear for himself, he wouldn't allow that, but fear for the only remaining member of his family. As they approached the gates a silver dragon flew overhead with a nightmare horse close behind, leaving a trail of flames in it's wake.

A huge man and even bigger half ogre stepped before them at the gates as they approached. The half ogre carried what looked to be a huge tree limb and was barely encased in the dragon armor matching the king. He stood almost nine feet tall and had the stupid look of what one would politacally refer to as mentally challeneged. The other man, human stood almost seven feet tall with a huge battle axe. The axe had a handle that looked to be sheathed in black dragonscales with a point at the end. The blade was a double dragons head, it's mouth open, breath flames to make the edges serrated. He had three claw marks that ran through his left eye that was covered with a patch and a deep gravely voice, similar to the kings, accustomed to shouting orders and being heard over the din of battle.

"HALT. State ye're name an ye're binsnuss."

"I see your manners haven't improved in my absence Sergeant", the king replied as he removed as helm.

"Well I'll be damned, an it ain't the king he'self. Ye been a wandrin about ave ye?" His eye's took in Kain quickly, a fighter's assessment, then looked at Tanis. "Beggin the lasses pardon for ma language, Miss."

"What's going on, Sam? Why are the defenses down?"

"ehhh, well, ya see, there been a finality ta the situation ere."

"Explain."

"Well seems as it be the Duchess o' Regent dreams that was the target an all this. I ain't to clear on it me'self, but the general, she's pissin vinager bout the whole fuckin mess." He looked at Tanis again, muttering something to himself, "Beggin the lasses Pardon."

"Resurgent Dream, Sam", Turquine said and looked at the half-ogre, "how are you Samuelson?"

"Me no bash. Me watch bridge. No bash nutin."

Turquine grinned and nodded, "That's good, we can't be driving away the good folk now can we?"

"No bash", Samuelson nodded.

"Alright, I'm heading to the mansion. I'll see if I can get some answers, and maybe some relief for you two."

"An it's all the same ta you, sir, I'd just as soon stay put. The general's hotter an a whore on a busy night." Sam looked at Tanis again "ehhh, that is ta say that umm", he sighed, "Sorry Lass."

Turquine glanced sidelong at Tanis grinning then looked back at Sam, "Have it your way Sergeant" and proceeded inside.

"Now you both see why we don't make Sam a diplomat", he said with a hint of laughter in his voice, "but he's a damn fine soldier, beggin tha lasses pardon", he said to Tanis with a wink.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief Gassington sat inside Eve as he went over the medal for the fiftieth time with Trevor and Rafe, trying to unlock the secrets that it held. "It's not Ferranifer's, dammit, she gave these to students. How the hell can we find out who's it is?" He was tired and frustrated, a man of action with nothing to do. As he spoke Eve detected the entrance of the King and Adam's officer as well as a man she was unfamiliar with, she also detected Adam's commanding officer arriving on the back of a huge silver dragon with the Queen and one of the drow women nearby her on a strange horse.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lauralin saw the huge ship in the clearing at the front of the mansion. She and the Chief didn't exactly get along but she was not so proud as not to admit he was a talented security officer and she wondered what he had for her. She looked back at Darius on the back of her dragon saddle as the huge silver dragon spiraled downward and pointed. When the dragon landed she didn't wait for him to drop his head to let her off, instead she dropped the almost two hundred feet, absorbing the impact and walking toward the vessel as if it were nothing. Anestia landed and almost fell off the horse, bone weary and headed directly toward the mansion to get some sleep.

Kain, the demonic vampire, stood in awe of what he looked upon. His mouth opened slightly as he viewed upon this nation's buildings...for it was not the wonderful display of lights and colours that it portrayed....it was what it was made of.

"Crystal! A city of pure crystal! By the Gods...." Kain exclaimed as he viewed upon this shimmering place. His arcane senses were flowing with the possibilities which were here, for crystals to the Psi, were the method of channeling energy. Hell, it was Velmora's currency due to that fact! And here Kain was, looking at a city...which could be channelled!

Kain was thankful that he had not brought Magnus here, he would have been in paradise.

Kain's slightly agap jaw revealed his vampiric nature, and he promptly closed it and gained composure. His eyes still looked upon the crystal city with some delight, his brown eyes moving from jewel wall to jewel window...

He did not say anything, the obvious observation of the situation of things was hardly going to help.

Turquine nodded at the exclamation. "Yes, it was originally an elven city, before the time of men. It was from the very crystal that this whole Island is largely composed of. Beautiful isn't it?" He led the way through the streets to the gates of a mansion where two guards moved to stop them only to snap to attention as they realized who it was. They opened the gates but stopped them just long enough to question Turquine, "Sorry your highness, but we must ask. Will you vouch for these two?"

Turquine knew that they knew it was a foolish question, but Jenny had trained them and to break training meant discipline. "With my life." The guards nodded and stepped aside allowing them to pass into the mansion grounds. Up ahead could be seen a huge silver dragon and the bulk of a modern vessel.

Lauralin saw the huge ship in the clearing at the front of the mansion. She and the Chief didn't exactly get along but she was not so proud as not to admit he was a talented security officer and she wondered what he had for her. She looked back at Darius on the back of her dragon saddle as the huge silver dragon spiraled downward and pointed. When the dragon landed she didn't wait for him to drop his head to let her off, instead she dropped the almost two hundred feet, absorbing the impact and walking toward the vessel as if it were nothing. Anestia landed and almost fell off the horse, bone weary and headed directly toward the mansion to get some sleep.

Darius had long decided that being transported by any manner of beast was an unnatural affair, and if he had his druthers, he'd rather be piloting a skim-ship. As the large, foul-smelling dragon had spiraled downwards, Steele had hung on to the hard saddle for dear life, trying to hold down his hastily eaten breakfast. As he dismounted, he replayed the sight of Lauralin leaping off the dragon's neck and flinging herself into the sky, dancing on the winds like a dark angel. She was beautiful, commanding and deadly...and beyond human.

Anestia was another matter entirely. She looked tired and worn from her journey, and stumbled towards the warmth of the mansion. Steele dismounted the beast, and hurried after the lovely Drow warrior. He caught up to her, and took her strong arm, steadying her as she walked.

"You look like you need a drink. I'll join ya..." the big man said, smiling at her. Even exhausted, Anestia was an exquisite woman, and better yet...accessible. Steele led her into the mansion.

Chief Gassington sat inside Eve as he went over the medal for the fiftieth time with Trevor and Rafe, trying to unlock the secrets that it held. "It's not Ferranifer's, dammit, she gave these to students. How the hell can we find out who's it is?" He was tired and frustrated, a man of action with nothing to do. As he spoke Eve detected the entrance of the King and Adam's officer as well as a man she was unfamiliar with, she also detected Adam's commanding officer arriving on the back of a huge silver dragon with the Queen and one of the drow women nearby her on a strange horse.

"Michael, we have visitors." Eve spoke, her throaty voice digitized in her ship form. She sounded impatient, and she most certainly was. Eve had barely tasted the feeling of being human, before it was snatched away. In a few hours, she would taste humanity again, and the cycle will begin anew.

"The Queen has arrived, along with Darius Steele. She also has one of her hunters with her...Anestia. Would you like me to invite them in?"

Anestia smiled at Darius wearily and nodded, "sounds good to me." She took his arm and headed toward the door which was thrown open to reveal Lea. The stunningly beautiful drow was wear a drow made negligee that left nothing to the imaganation beind so sheer. "There's poetry in motion and then some huh?" Anestia asked winking at Darius. She quickly lost her light hearted tone and looked more weary than before as Lea delivered her news.

"We have a problem", she said as she approached them. Darlinia, in a more moderate sleeping gown followed with Jenny behind. Jenny was pulling a silken wrap around an equally expensive silken nightgown, an odd sight for brutally taciturn woman.

"You think?" Anestia asked, knowing that Lea, while cunning in her own way, could be dumb as doorknob sometimes.

"I mean another one, there's a plague raging in the region, we've lost contact with the other nations except for Highport and Skullkingdom. Refugees are trying to cross into our nations. The commander of Highport is already sending thier doctor and security forces. They'll help them build shelters but she won't let them into the nation. I was about to do the same."

Anestia just stared at Lea. 'Four nations fallen to plague' she thought. It was the only thought that ran through her mind and left her speechless in her bone weary state.

Michael nodded and then said "Yeah, you better get thier attention." He leaned back and looked over at one of the hidden cameras, "I like your voice much better in human form you know. But you in any form is better than not here at all." He smiled and then turned back to the medallion.

"That's just spooky", Trevor said with a slight drawl in his fatigue.

"Watch it Trev", Michael replied.

"Ahh now come on Chief, I didn't mean nothin by it. Just ..... Well it ain't exactly somethin you see everyday, ya know?"

"It will be, so get used to her."

Trevor nodded and looked down at the medallion, "We've been over this a million times Chief, we ain't getting nowhere."

"Exactly", Michael replied, which is why we have to make it a million and one."

David quietly stalked after Kain as they passed through the crystalline city. He would have preferred to take his own route to the strangers' nation, but he reminded himself he was forcing himself into the subordinate position here, just until everything inevitably converged. He sneered at the two mansion guards as they passed by, momentarilly exposing the spot where his fang had snapped off.

'So...what exactly have you agreed to, Kain?' He whispered into his charge's mind. 'Your mage's ego was all over the place, so I couldn't quite listen in.'

Blood.
Bloody.
Blood Thirsty.

Adam floated in his special place, hidden from the prying eyes of the Universe, hidden from THEM,waiting for his turn in line. The woven threads of Destiny had confused him, and deviated from what he'd come to believe was the norm. Still, the final result would hold true, and soon he would regain the ground he had lost. So much to do, and so little time to watch the hapless meat dangle on the thread of it's own existance. Adam laughed to himself, and analyzed the multiple tasks ahead of him.

First, it was to finish his rebirth. While the unfortunate encounter with King Turquiness "Gods" left Adam with a feeling of humiliation and weakness, the knowledge and data he gained during the experience proved to be invaluable. His advanced technology meshed with the spiritual power of the former shade known as NightClaw, creating something that was more than machine, and more than magic. His new configuration included mystic baffles that would prevent the Gods from noticing his presence or actions, as well as a few other surprises.

Second, the fetching of his bitch. He had given her true life, and now she was giving herself to the meat, freely and willingly. It disgusted him. Soon he would retrieve her, and remake her once again, purging the foulness that corrupted her. Soon, Adam would have his Eve.

Third and most importantly, was the fulfillment of the complicated tapestry known as Destiny. The players were in place, and the pieces were beginning to fall. The Cultists were wreaking havoc on dozens of planets, the twisted leaders taking the name "Kain". Whispers and rumors muttered to the proper ears led to many eyes watching, and some preparing to act. The Vampires were a threat to Adam, and civil war was such a lovely way of thinning the ranks. The death of Kain could lead to a power vacuum in Velmora, opening up the door for even more chaos. Even if Tanis - poor, deluded Tanis - failed to kill the vampire, she would probably die in the attempt, which would incur the wrath of Turquine, and all of Dragonsreach. More possibilities for excessive violence.

If Adam had hands, he'd be rubbing them together gleefully.

Michael nodded and then said "Yeah, you better get thier attention." He leaned back and looked over at one of the hidden cameras, "I like your voice much better in human form you know. But you in any form is better than not here at all." He smiled and then turned back to the medallion.

She dialed up her external speakers, and spoke loudly, but gently.

"Greetings, your Majesty. Chief Gassington is waiting to receive you in a secure location. Please follow the green lights to the entrance." Eve didn't even consider trying to explain the concept of using a transporter to the Queen, when a simple door would be sufficiant.

"All done, my darl...Michael," the blush in her voice was obvious,"I'll put some tea on, and you might want to tuck your shirt in, dear. She IS a Queen, after all."

Michael stood up and looked about himself, tucking in his shirt, straightening his jacket and checking his pants for wrinkles, sighing when he saw how bad they looked, "Thanks, hon." He walked over to the ramp and waited as Lauralin made her way toward the ship, looking over it as she went.

As she walked up the ramp she said, "This certainly is a bizarre looking vessel, not like the spelljammers."

Michael bristled at first but quickly reached out and grabbed her as she stumbled at the head of the ramp. She looked exhausted but stood tall after he helped her keep her feet, "How clumsy of me, I am sorry Chief Gassington."

"Clumsy my ass, when did you get any kind of decent rest last?"

Trevor rolled his eyes, 'Chief', he mumbled then louder, "You look tired, Queen Silverlief, perhaps you should take a seat."

She smiled at Trevor, "The Chief's comment was just fine, have no fear. I was not always a Queen and detest all the tender footing, to be honest with you." She sat down wearily as she spoke and Michael looked at her, his respect for her going up a notch.

"Well", Michael said, I hate to put more of a burden on you but we found a medallion in the quarters of the man who shot me. Rafe", and he nodded to the young man, "detected dirt on it that could come only from Velmora. I understand that you asked him to come, you may not want him to until this is cleared up."

"He and father are already in my city, as well as another, they are at the gates to the mansion now."

Michael didn't want to ask how she knew that. "The medallion could be traced back to your High Advisor, but I did some research and it turns out that she gave them to students who completed thier training, which eliminates her as a suspect." He handed her the amulet as he spoke and she could feel the malevolent power in it, something he and the others were probably not aware of.

She nodded, "Then we need to check with her. I need to know if she can identify who gave this to her. Could you go to Resurgent Dream and check with her? This vessel is faster than anything we have aside from magic but I cannot leave right now."

"EVE can get me there I'm sure, Can't you hon?"

She nodded, "Then we need to check with her. I need to know if she can identify who gave this to her. Could you go to Resurgent Dream and check with her? This vessel is faster than anything we have aside from magic but I cannot leave right now."

"EVE can get me there I'm sure, Can't you hon?"

"In a heartbeat, my dearest lo...Chief Gassington. Systems are priming, ready to go on your mark." Eve replied, frustrated at her inability to answer Michael with a simple smile or gentle touch. Soon, she could asume her human form again, but for now, her ship form was needed....and she would always give Michael what he needed.

She felt a twinge within her suddenly, one that spoke of loss and change. She ignored it, preferring to focus on the task at hand. It suddenly became very important to her to move...anywhere. She wasn't sure why.

On the far side of the galaxy, Adam smiled in anticipation.

Rafe felt slightly intimidated by the presence of the Queen, but her beauty and strength touched him, and the shyness was replaced by a burst of youthful lust, which he curbed immediately. He smiled at the mention of his name, and nodded to Lauralin who regarded him with amused curiousity. Rafe realized why his boss had fallen so deeply for this woman, and he approved wholeheartedly. He was concerned that Steele hadn't accompanied her onto Eve, but he knew that he was in no danger, having seen him walking with the deadly-looking Drow woman. He looked at Trevor, his new friend, and waited patiently for whatever was to come. He had a sudden urge to smoke a fat twig.

*****************************************************

All Steele really wanted was to hold her in his arms, to lose himself in her pure sexuality and relieve the stresses that had built within him. Blowing something up would serve that purpose as well, but since he had no targets for his frustration, Anestia would be the beneficiary of his growing need. That is, if she didn't collapse first. When Lea spoke of the strange plague, Steele immediately looked towards Anestia, who seemed more than just tired. Turning back to Lea, he spoke in a commanding voice.

"I need a blood-sample from a plague victim...and quick. Can you get this for me?"

Laura stood up and smiled, curtseying as she said "Eve, then, I stand corrected. Welcome Eve, and thank you." She turned to Michael, "Thank you, Chief, I shall await you here." She stood up and grabbed the back of the chair. Michael and Trevor grabbed her, one arm each, "You need rest", Michael told her. She looked around the room at all three men, a lightning fast veterans assessment, "We all do it seems", and with that headed down the ramp. A quarter of the way down she stopped and turned, looking at Rafe. "Thank you, by the way, for a job well done. I shall be sure to mention your competence to Darius. I think your diligence should at least be acknowledged." She smiled at him and then turned and headed back down the ramp.

"Alright", Michael said, "Let's go."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lea looked at Darius, "Yes I can, it might take a few days, they're on the northern border of Highport which is north of Dragonsreach."

"I'll see to it", Jenny said to Lea in a surprising soft voice.

Anestia took Darlinia's arm, "Better tell the Queen, Darly", she said and began toward the ship where Laura had gone. Darlinia nodded and followed, "You're tired, Anna". Anestia nodded, "We all are."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turquine walked up the roadway and saw the Cutlass in the distance as Laura left the ship. "There she is", he said to Kain.

(OOC My apologies for not replying in a long while. I have been extremely busy with a lot of things, relationships and family issues and frankly, lack of inspiration for writing. But all is well again, and I am recharged and reset to roleplay again. Sorry again, I must be irritating to roleplay with because I constantly lose track of things, and that is precisely what I have done here. Do any of you have MSN or AIM? Because talking to one of you to understand once more what is going on would be greatly appreciated.

I did understand this all, and I did know exactly the plot. But now, I don't really have an idea, of what the situation is entirely. Talking with one of you through an IM system would be fantastic, because then I can ask you questions, plus it would be faster. My e-mail address is peacefulwarmonger@hotmail.com for my MSN address if you wanted to contact me through that. Seriously, I cannot apologise enough, because this usually happens with this sort of roleplays, something happens and I lose track of what is going on and who everyone is. It is highly frustrating, because I know with *all* of my posts I could do so much better.

Again, sorry for mucking you people around, I just need to know what is going on....)

NUTSHELL

Everyone is about to meet, Kain, Turq, Tanis, Lauralin, Chief Gassington onboard Eve. Trevor and Rafe are also there. Steele is with Anestia, feeling rejected by Laura and atrracted to Anestia, who seems tired or ill. A plague of sorts is sweeping through the population, and it is unknown if it is natural or man-made.

Kain is here at the behest of Turquine, who spoke on behalf of Laura. There were many strange happenings in Dragonsreach these days, and much tragedy. Many of the threads of this mystery seemed to lead to Kain, hence the request to meet with the Queen. David, a very powerful being, is here with Kain, as a bodyguard of sorts.

Adam, the sentient ship, has decided to seed the galaxy with his own kind, and calculated that the only obstacle to his plans could be the Vampire race. He has concocted a deep web of deceit, calling it "Destiny". Adam hopes to ignite a vampire civil war, by removing a key player on the board: Kain. He has manipulated Tanis to become the assasin, and equipped her with the means to kill Kain. Adam also intends to have Eve as his Consort.

I think that covers it...shall we continue?

(OOC - I'm ready)

((That explains a lot that I wasn't sure about, even though I've read most of the thread. Thank you Gawdly, I really wasn't sure what Adam's part was before now.))

Do you remember the stars?
Yes, I remember their heat.
...and our first dance?
Yes, you held me close as universes collided.
Am I missed?
...
Am I?
Yes, like a drowning lung misses air.
Would you like to breathe again?
Yes.

Adam paused, then smiled to himself.

Come.

On the other side of the galaxy, Eve felt a subtle pull, as if her reality was leaning towards a dark mote in the night sky. She didn't attempt to fight it, because she failed to recognize it for it was: a harbinger of things to come. Instead, she focused on the group now gathered in the heart of her, the bridge. Noticing the Queen's obvious distress, Eve immediately adjusted her climate controls to make her more comfortable, and began prepping the medi-units in case Laura degenerated even further.

The Queen seemed to gather herself, and concluded her discussions with Michael. She left the way she entered, and Eve continued to prepare herself for departure to the Resurgent Dream. She waited until the Queen had left before speaking quietly to the Chief.

"Coordinates are locked, and we can leave anytime you want, Ada...Michael."

Michael quirked an eyebrow and sat at the navigational controls. He brought the course route and destination to verify Eve's projections.

Lea looked at Darius, "Yes I can, it might take a few days, they're on the northern border of Highport which is north of Dragonsreach."

"I'll see to it", Jenny said to Lea in a surprising soft voice.

Anestia took Darlinia's arm, "Better tell the Queen, Darly", she said and began toward the ship where Laura had gone. Darlinia nodded and followed, "You're tired, Anna". Anestia nodded, "We all are."


Steele held Anestia's arm, gently pulling the weakened Drow back towards the mansion, and the warmth of the fire within. He could feel that her skin was hot, and that she was running a fever. He looked over at Darlinia, indicating that she should go on and meet the Queen herself. Anestia let herself be led inside, leaning heavily against Steele for support. He sat her down on a plush couch in front of the fire, loosening the armor around her chest. He looked into her eyes, which were clear but seemed very tired. He was surprised at the surge of sympathy and caring he felt for the strong warrior, and he smiled gently down at her.

"Rest now, if only for a moment...your friends have things under control." Steele brushed a lock of hair away from her face, gently pushing her head back to rest against the soft cushions. He began lightly massaging her temples, seeing the stress slowly leaving her face. She closed her eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at her mouth. He leaned down and kissed her, lingering for a few seconds before pulling away.

"I...all of us need you healthy, love."

Anestia kept her eyes closed and began to drift off to sleep but whispered, just audibly, "No one has ever called me that", just before she drifted off to sleep she whispered one more thing, "At least Arleena should be back soon", then slipped off into sleep.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darlinia was glad that President Steele took her sister inside, she looked ragged. Her god allowed illness to a point unlike Lea, the Kings and her own. She knew that whatever it was wouldn't kill her but slowed reflexes from it certainly could. She spoke briefly with Laura who sighed and turned back toward the vessel, since it hadn't lifted off yet and stopped at the ramp, accompanied by Darkmoor.

"Hello? Eve? May I come in?"

Darkmoor looked at her but said nothing.

Michael quirked an eyebrow and sat at the navigational controls. He brought the course route and destination to verify Eve's projections.

Rafe walked over to the Chief, standing beside him with an uncomfortable look on his face.

"Sir, uhm, would you mind if I contact my Boss before you leave? If he doesn't need me, then I can keep working with you...that is IF you even need me around...but if you DO, then heck yah, I'd like to sign on for the duration, sir, if that's OK with you...and Trevor. Oh, and Eve too, of course...sorry, Ma'am."

Michael was speechless as the babble-wave engulfed him.

Michael sat back and only nodded at Rafe, "Whatever you want", he said as he digested the information in front of him.

Rafe smiled in gratitude, eyeing Trevor in the distance. The big officer simply returned the glance and shrugged his shoulders sheepishly, having seen the gruff side of the Chief on many occasions. Rafe walked over to a monitor at the far end of the bridge, and spoke quietly into the the recessed microphone.

"Eve, could you open up a channel to Darius Steele please?"

"Of course. Channel is open."Eve replied.

"Thanks Eve...hullo, Boss? Rafe here...howzit goin'?"

There was a pause, then Steeles voice boomed entusiastically from the speaker.

"Rafe m'boy, it's good to hear yer voice. Are you alright?"

"Yessir, I'm just fine...I've been helping the Chief with his investigation while you were off galavanting with the gorgeous gals..." Rafe replied, poking fun at the man who was as much a father-figure as he was an employer.

"As long as yer keeping yer nose clean."

The conversation continued, and Steele agreed that Rafe's particular talents may be of better use with Gassington and the boy's new friend, Trevor. After wishing each other luck, the young man cut the communications, and returned to where the Chief and Trevor were sitting. He cleared his throat, and spoke in a slightly-quivering voice.

"Uhm..my Boss has given me the green light to work with you guys, so...I'm ready to leave if you are?"

Darlinia was glad that President Steele took her sister inside, she looked ragged. Her god allowed illness to a point unlike Lea, the Kings and her own. She knew that whatever it was wouldn't kill her but slowed reflexes from it certainly could. She spoke briefly with Laura who sighed and turned back toward the vessel, since it hadn't lifted off yet and stopped at the ramp, accompanied by Darkmoor.

"Hello? Eve? May I come in?"

Darkmoor looked at her but said nothing.

"Michael, we have more visitors...you seem to be a popular guy...looks like they might be part of the Royal Guard...the woman is Darlinia, and the male is Darkmoor. Are you in the mood for guests?"

Eve waited before lowering her ramp, gradually increasing the security rating of her internal defense grid. Better safe than sorry.

(OOC - I confused you there Gawdly, my fault. Darkmoor is Darlinia's drow combat name. I don't know why I switched off.)

Michael looked up at Rafe and nodded, "Good, good to have you on board." He stood up and headed toward the ramp, "I'll go outside and talk to them, love. Trevor, you and the lad stay here." Michael walked down the ramp and nodded toward Darlinia before taking the Queen's arm as though escorting her toward the mansion. At the doors to the large building he disabled the comm and spoke with her privately, sighing at the new information concerning the plague and stood trying to figure out what to do. A moment later Laura made up thier minds, "Let us speak with Darius", she said and moved into the house.

(What exactly did the co-ordinates show by the way?)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turquine watched Laura exit then return to the vessel then walk away with Michael. He looked at Tanis concerned. Anything that would make them converse privately without flames going off couldn't be good.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

What was to be was made clear and Nightclaw knew that he couldn't permit it. What was planned could harm the Mistress and he couldn't allow her to come to harm if he could help it. Carefully, though painfully, he extricated himself from the being known as Adam. What he left behind was enough to fool Adam into thinking he was still present, at least for a little while. Hopefully it would be long enough to recover and warn the others. Hiding was easy. The abyss was filled with those like him and more were created daily. Just a little time, it was all he needed, just enough time to become strong enough to enter the world.

Kain looked upon all of this with his usual look, one of observation and analaysis. It was hard to read the vampire's expression, he seemed to be in constant thought, one of judging of dangers and risks which he had just put himself under. He moved his cloven hands slowly, flexing them subtly as he did subconciously when he thought himself in some sort of danger. It was a natural instinct to be ready to defend himself.

Also, due to the levels of crystal that were surrounding Kain, he felt highly charged...his mind seemed to be able to form the words of his arcane spells easier, to be able to picture the neccisery mental images with far more ease than he could before.

The ruler followed where he was meant to, said nothing and looked upon events as they portrayed themselves. He ignored David's question, he felt no need to answer it about Magnus' behavour. Magnus was a complex man, one of high power but of a difficult nature to handle.

His thoughts were always looking back onto his home goverment, wondering if everything was going smoothly...he had no idea how things would be going...

Turquine led Kain up and into the house, now more curious than ever as to what was going on. His daughter didn't even take note of the arrivals and she was fully aware of any and all who entered her city. His pace quickened as she headed into the house, worry evident on his face.

"The Queen. Where is she?" Kain said bluntly and most buisness like. He did not look at Turquine as he asked the question, his brown eyes were looking over the place with wariness. It was obvious Kain was on defence here, and was hardly relaxing.

His experiances with traps were many, and that made him a vampire who rarely relaxed.

"She just entered the mansion with my Chief of Security", he replied distracted and continued toward the front doors.

(OOC - I confused you there Gawdly, my fault. Darkmoor is Darlinia's drow combat name. I don't know why I switched off.)

Michael looked up at Rafe and nodded, "Good, good to have you on board." He stood up and headed toward the ramp, "I'll go outside and talk to them, love. Trevor, you and the lad stay here." Michael walked down the ramp and nodded toward Darlinia before taking the Queen's arm as though escorting her toward the mansion. At the doors to the large building he disabled the comm and spoke with her privately, sighing at the new information concerning the plague and stood trying to figure out what to do. A moment later Laura made up thier minds, "Let us speak with Darius", she said and moved into the house.

(What exactly did the co-ordinates show by the way?)

(It showed the coordinates to get to the Resurgent Dream...read back a few pages, we're supposed to go there...Read the last few lines http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7399757&postcount=82)

Darius had finished speaking with his young charge, Rafe, and had returned to Anestia's side, dabbing her face with a damp cloth. Anyone seeing this sight would be amazed at the gentleness of the massive, battle-scarred man as he ministered to the young warrior-Drow who had captured his imagination.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turquine watched Laura exit then return to the vessel then walk away with Michael. He looked at Tanis concerned. Anything that would make them converse privately without flames going off couldn't be good.

Tanis had followed quietly for the last while, lost in her own thoughts. On the outside, she seemed cool and detached, but inside a war was being waged, one of love versus hate. Her love for Turquine was blocking her hate for Kain, and all he represented. She had had numerous opportunities to strike, but had held her deathblow, knowing that for now, Kain was of more value alive than dead. SHe stayed close to the King, smiling at him when she had the opportunity, which was not often: Turquine had a worried look on his face.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

What was to be was made clear and Nightclaw knew that he couldn't permit it. What was planned could harm the Mistress and he couldn't allow her to come to harm if he could help it. Carefully, though painfully, he extricated himself from the being known as Adam. What he left behind was enough to fool Adam into thinking he was still present, at least for a little while. Hopefully it would be long enough to recover and warn the others. Hiding was easy. The abyss was filled with those like him and more were created daily. Just a little time, it was all he needed, just enough time to become strong enough to enter the world.

Adam watched with growing humor as the last dredges of what was NightClaw fought desperately to survive. Feeling naughty, Adam sent a thought-wave that spoke of freedom and family, but was nothing but pure digital illusion. The shade thought it had escaped to safety, but it was still here, a part of Adam forever. NightClaw and Berry had fused to become Adam, who was much more than the some of his parts...or parents, for that matter. NightClaw no longer existed per se, and only Adam remained.

(Sorry bro, but I can't have you giving Adam a vasectomy just yet...)

(It showed the coordinates to get to the Resurgent Dream...read back a few pages, we're supposed to go there...Read the last few lines http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost....57&postcount=82)

(Michael was speechless as the babble-wave engulfed him.)

(The speechless part made me think that the coordinates were something other than resurgent dream, my bad.)

Laura entered the room with Darlinia and stood quietly while Darius attended to Anestia. Darlinia moved immediatly to her twin and took her hand, sitting on the floor beside her.

Turquine entered the mansion, the guards snapping to attention. He nodded to them, 'Fine work, carry on', he said in a low voice, and they stood straighter and more proudly at the complimenting remark. He strode across the marble floor where off to one side one could see a burnt area and entered the sitting room.

Laura turned as they entered the room and hugged her father fiercly, his armor creaking under her great strength that seemed odd for one her size. Michael nodded to the king who nodded back, "What's the situation, Michael?"

"We're in the shitter, old man, just like normal."

Turquine grinned at the familiar address, "How so this time?"

Before he could answer the air shimmered and stretched and Ariel, seeming to walk from a great distance approached the opening formed and stepped out. She looked at the Queen, "I've dispatched Marcus to attend the wedding in Resurgent Dream, I'm sure that should make the General happy."

Turquine rolled his eyes, "Yeah, they get along so well."

"There's a plague in the region, it's already wiped out Eldyn and three other nation's", Michael reported.

Turquine looked at him shocked as Laura spoke up, "I intend to look at the victims, we believe it may be magical in nature." She then turned to Kain and curtseyed, "My apologies, and thanks, for coming on such short notice to address this issue. There is rumor of a vampiric war in the air. One piece of evidence contains earth from Velmora, I was wondering if you might know something of this affair. If not, then like myself, I thought you might be interested in knowing about it."

The Children were restless, knowing their future lay before them, but still tethered to the reality that they were but younglings in the Universe. Still, each one posessed enough power to lay waste to a small galaxy, and they chafed at the bit, waiting to be released. Their Father had told them that once their Mother had arrived, the party would start and each would be let free, to seek out a place to call their own. They would have to clear out any infestations of meat, of course, keeping only that which would serve them. They were energised, anticipating the coming adventure.

Adam smiled at them all, a proud Father watching over his brood.

The green skinned vampire bowed royally, his great mane of white hair dropping to the floor, almost touching it. It was truelly a sign of respect from the vampire, as he rarely showed unwarrented signs of respect to those who summoned him. He righted himself, and listened to the words which the Queen spoke of.

A puzzled look came accross Kain's face when he heard that the land was Velmora. Kain began to speak, his deep and wise voice eminating clearly to all in the room.

"First, tell me of how you found this earth and under what circumstances, it would help me greatly in decieving this problem. Seeing the said earth will let me tell if it was from the surface of Velmora, or the lower levels, for Velmora is one which a mighty lower level. That, I hasten to add, is information few foriegners to Velmora know." Kain said slowly and respectfully.

Lauralin nodded, "I certainly was not aware of that fact." She gestured to the other sofa, the one not occupied by Anestia. "Chief", she said to Michael, "would you be so kind?" She walked over to a cabinet and poured two glasses of blood from one of the magically kept bottles and offered one to Kain as Michael took over.

Michael handed Kain an amulet, the emblazoned symbol caked with dirt. "It's an amulet that we tracked back as far the Queen's high advisor, but I don't believe it was she who ..." he stopped then started again, "... I'll start from the beginning. I was shot in the back by one of my own security men. During the following investigation we found this amulet in his quarters. We traced it as far as the Queen's high advisor but I don't believe she is in on whatever is going on. This is a common amulet she gave out to students who completed training at her school, when she had it. I was on my way to talk to her, she's presently in Resurgent Dream." He looked at Darius, "The Queen thought it wise to bring her back, actually, she believes this plague to be magical in nature and the High Advisor is apparently an expert. You were going to evaluate a blood sample and she just wanted to know if you wanted her to wait before bringing her back. Unless", and he turned back to Kain, "you would like to speak with her directly."

(OOC A blood sample of a victim of the plague, yes? What should I say, that the ground came from the surface of Velmora, or the lower barrens? The lower levels of Velmora have evil spirits within it and would be a place where a villain would lie. However, if you want a conspiracy theory with Velmora, the surface would be better, as no Psi lives underground anymore.

Kain will know where it is from, by the smell and aura of the dirt. A Psi will know the tainted ground of the underground, espically Kain.)

(ehhh, you'll have to wait for Gawdly to answer that, he brought up Velmora, not I.)

(ehhh, you'll have to wait for Gawdly to answer that, he brought up Velmora, not I.)

(Slap me when I do that...I get crazy sometimes.)

The drones were working better than he had calculated, fully immersing themselves in the culture of meat, hidden in plain sight. He had minor control, a nudge here and a wink there, but for the most part the drones simply followed their complex programming. Fourteen had died during transit, a number that had been planned for. Eleven died shortly after arriving at their destinations, due to materializing inside of things like buildings, trees and in one instance, some local fauna that looked similar to a zebra. The poor beast mewled in pain for hours. 98 Kain's had been planted successfully, the seeds of their plans blooming in the rich soil of the universe. Forment was being sown, and the weak and helpless became prey to dreams of a better destiny.

Adam watched with interest as Kain 41 fought mercilessly, gaining control of a nuclear facility. The meltdown would be wonderful. Kain 66 was whoring himself out to a chamber filled with crying and nervous slave-girls, and strangely enough, Kain 12 was sitting and having tea with two religious zealots, discussing their concept of God. This worried Adam until he watched them both get decapitated...Kain 12 had ripped their heads off. Literally.

Something interesting was happening with Kain 3...the planet he landed on had a mother-lode of untapped, mystic energy residing within it, the natives oblivious to the power that lay beneath them. Kain 3 had taken advantage of the hidden source, and had quickly gathered a large group of believers, as well as created an army of vile creatures to do his bidding.

That was less important than the hunters that were now in Kain 3's den. The woman, a deadly shape-shifter and her partner, a mysterious Drow. Those two were connected to DragonsReach, and could interupt the flow of the game. They were accompanied by one other, a creature of great power draped in the guise of a man in white, but a complete unknown to Adam. He would have to be watched. There was also the old man, but he was of little import to the sentient ship.

Adam cast his gaze to DragonsReach, watching as the pieces came together. The moment was close, but the time was not right. She would not act until he bade her to do so, and all the players needed to be aligned. It had been a simple act to bring them together...King Turquine and his daugther, Lauralin, had a brief but powerful relationship with Kain due to their meeting at an earlier event. Tanis, of course, accompanied Turquine wherever he went. With the help of Kain 84, it was easy to create chaos and terror, and to plant enough evidence to bring them all together. Velmoran top soil on a DragonsReach amulet was sufficiant to warrant a meeting between the two vampires, Kain and Lauralin. Soon, Tanis would spark the flame and light the fuse. Then the meat would burn.

(Umm gawdly? You still didn't answer Kains question as to if it was upper or lower soil.)

(Umm gawdly? You still didn't answer Kains question as to if it was upper or lower soil.)
Sssshhhhh. I was hoping nobody would notice. Now edited.)

Kain sniffed the artifact lightly, smelling the soil in which the artifact had been encrusted with. He put the tip of his cloven talon upon the amulet, and reclined in some puzzlement.

"This is the top soil of Velmora, a fact which worries me. If it was lower soil, then this might have been more understandable, although it would hardly settle this affair. But now, this complex situation seems to be getting more sinister and sinister...." Kain reflected, more saying it to himself than anyone else.

He sipped upon the blood which was given to him, the taste of blood was refreshing and sustaining. Kain had not fed in a while, although this small drink would hardly sustain him completely. Kain was hardly the ever hungry cursed vampire he used to be, he only required feeding once every week or so, which was highly useful seeing as the Bloodstone, a ancient and powerful artifact of the Shentavos was destroyed. He swirled the blood slowly, looking at the rich red which flowed within the glass. His cloven talons handled the glass without mark, and with odd gentleness. Kain had mastered the talons which had once caused him to snap pens, wands and shred books when he turned the page. He had learned many things since his first turning....

"I will speak with her directly." Kain said, looking up at those looking at him. He seemed to be the center of attention, and he did not like it.

Possibilities of those who would want to frame him crept into his mind, although he would not like to praise such suspicions. A certain red clad mage sprang to mind with a fervour which Kain certainly did not like....Magnus could have engineered some of this....a possibility Kain certainly dreaded.

Magnus was powerful, and his new found allies within Velmora would be hard to deal with if it came to such things. Magnus, in a straight fight of wills, would lose against Kain. But Kain doubted that Magnus would fight alone, and in a conventional manner.

And Magnus knew that arcane methods of restraining demons worked against Kain with sickening efficancy, the holy blade which Turquine drew racked Kain's being with paralysis and utter terror, the sort of terror the body controlled and not the mind.

Kain decided he would find a way to defend himself against such attacks.....

Lauralin nodded and looked at Chief Gassington, "If you would be so kind, Chief."

He nodded and headed out the door, seeming to talk to himself, "Eve, warm up the engines, we have taxi duty. All Haste" he said, giving the command that meant this was priority one, "repeat, all haste." The second all haste meant, not only was this priority one, but that all other priorities in route were recinded.

Lauralin looked at Kain, she looked exhausted, even for a vampiress. It was obvious that she hadn't slept in days and she gulped the blood down faster than would have been normal in order to try to keep herself going. "You realize what a vampiric war would mean? The devistation it could bring? We can't allow this to happen. Aside from the terrible powers unleashed against each other it would bring many of us into the open where overzealous hunters would try to bring us down, if for nothing more than pure sport."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On board Eve, Trevor heard the all haste repeated. "Damn", he muttered and made his way to the gunner console, "Take nav/com will you, Rafe?" he asked, "the Chief will want the pilots seat."

Kain nodded slowly, sipping again at his blood with his eyes closed. He held the glass beside him, in a toppled manner and replied slowly and powerfully, speaking in the manner which people had known him for.

"If a vampire war erupted...there would be much innocent life lost. This is certain. Both rightous and prejudiced immortals and mortals would fall, and the circle would continue. Vampire hunters would gain new targets, vampires would increase feeding and payback. No side wins. And I am on neither side if such a war did erupt." Kain said with great meaning and reflection. It was obvious Kain was not prejudiced, at least against vampires and humans.

"Indeed, as far as I can see....", Kain began, as he got up to walk around the room, "...this war would be on racial ties, no? And if such ties were called upon, I would answer none." Kain spoke resolutely. He had placed down his glass as he got up, and paced slowly around the room. His cloven hands were cradled behind his back, lying upon his light blue cloak, which had a picture of the famous wave blade, the Brightblade.

"I never was entirely human, I was Psi. And I have never been entirely vampire, I have demonic energies swirling within me. Hence, the affect of that holy blade Turquine carries upon me. If such a war erupted, my obligation would be to my clan, the Shentavos, and my people, the Velmorians. And neither of which loyalities are fueled by prejudice, and not backed up in thier convictions with some degree of power. A vampire war would be pure brutal stupidity for both mortals and immortals, and I tire of such events occouring. I will do what I can to prevent such slaughter, wheter such sources are humans....or vampire in origin. I have no distinction between warmongers who bear fangs or stakes. But...who would orchestrate such a event of a war? And who would profit...." Kain said, as he looked at the Queen finally, his point made. He kept that calm look upon him, that look of wise deliberation and chilling experiance of such events.

Kain was no stranger of the conflicts that arose between vampires and humans. He had met humans who slaughtered vampires in his youth and fought against them, and fought those vampires who would slaughter humans. Kain was hardly one to be absolutist about such matters, Kain was a being of princible and obligations to the things he loved. Mainly being, his people and his clan...and those who had falled due to the stupidity of the bitter, the prejudiced, the angry, and those who came from the darker realms....

"I respect your position. I choose the side of the repressed, the side who is wronged. I am what I am because Orcus saw fit to raise an undead army against humans. I was given a choice between watching thousands of innocents die in a war they might not win and fighting with them or sacrificing my soul to aid them. For me it was no choice at all. I'll fight, but against those who orchestrated the event, not against the innocents who get dragged into it on either side." She set down her empty glass, "Who would benefit ... that's the question. In that answer we find the root of the problem."

"Nice to know someone understands the stance I take. Refreshing. But enough of this. Let's move on to the next point, we need to make progress. My nation is now in a state of confusion, and riots will follow soon. I know." Kain said, as a matter of fact. He obviously seemed to want to move along quickly for that very reason, but he seemed to accept the fact that there were riots.

Riots over Magnus' group of mages being under the command of someone who was the very thing they were trying to create. Prejudice was still rife.


But, something rather remarkable had occoured while Kain had been gone. Magnus' experiments to create another Construct, a entity of metal and magic, with a personality of it's own had been successful.

If Kain knew that if Magnus created one, he would no longer need Shar. Shar was a Construct with faith to Kain.

Future Constructs would be loyal to Magnus, thier creator.

And that would mean Magnus would have a powerful army.

Kain did not trust Magnus, but he never considered he wanted power....

"There is no other point other than getting Ferranifer here. I need to look in on the plague victims that are crossing our borders and being taken in and cared for, but I shall await Ferranifer's return. I could use her expertise on magical plagues anyway. I asked you to come because we have only recently opened our borders and know little of the world ... ", her brows furrowed then she corrected herself, " ... I mean, universe outside our borders. I thought you might have a better idea of who might benefit in this bloody endeavor."

The last piece had slipped into place, and it was time for the endgame to begin. It was also time for some insurance. Bedlam must not be stopped.

Adam tapped his mystical side, sending a thought-message in a direct line to the meat that would unwittingly serve him: Magnus, the Psi-Mage. Power-hungry, blood-thirsty, devilishly ruthless, Kain-hating Magnus. The words were direct, and the message clear:

"Magnus, hear me! We should speak of your Destiny. Our aims are different, but our enemy is the same. Time is of the essence. Grant me a meeting."

(OOC - Hey Gawdly. Reformed Velmora and I can't see Adam, he's no where near us. Could you post and let us know what Eve, Rafe, Tanis and Darius are doing? Michael contacted Eve, Rafe and Trevor, Trevor has spoken to Rafe and Darius and Tanis are there for the conversation that Kain and Laura are having.)

Lauralin nodded and looked at Chief Gassington, "If you would be so kind, Chief."

He nodded and headed out the door, seeming to talk to himself, "Eve, warm up the engines, we have taxi duty. All Haste" he said, giving the command that meant this was priority one, "repeat, all haste." The second all haste meant, not only was this priority one, but that all other priorities in route were recinded.

On board Eve, Trevor heard the all haste repeated. "Damn", he muttered and made his way to the gunner console, "Take nav/com will you, Rafe?" he asked, "the Chief will want the pilots seat."

On the Bridge

Rafe had barely settled into the aerodynamic seat at the nav console when Chief Gasington strode onto the bridge, a grim look on his face. Trevor called it right, because the Chief went straight towards the command chair, settling himself into it. He was still looking at Gassington when suddenly the ship accelerated violently, throwing them all back into their seats. They blacked out simultaneously from the massive g-force stress as their brains banged off the back of their own skulls. They would not be out long, for already the ship had begun to decelerate.

In Her Brain

It was a simple matter really, and Adam had only to flick the switch. Zeroes became Ones, and everything that was Michael became Adam, and vice versa. In her mind, her love and loyalty were now for Adam, and Michael the human became just another piece of meat. As quickly as she thought it, Eve threw herself into the air, disregarding her passengers. She accelerated quickly to attain orbit, then settled into her voyage. She was bubbling with pleasure, hardly able to contain her pure joy...soon, she would be with the one she loved...Adam.

This was her Destiny.

Steele had been sitting with the stricken Anestia when the Queen entered the room. He smiled at Lauralin, but did not rise. Someone followed her in, a familiar, foreboding shape...Kain! Darius DID stand for this, walking over quickly to the Vampire. He didn't bother to try shaking hands, the memory of his first embarassing attempt still fresh in his mind. Instead, he nodded respectfully to Kain, and was about to ask him a question when he noticed more people coming into the room, King Turquine and...Tanis!

Seeing each other at the same time, Steele and Tanis met halfway, embracing warmly, the small half-Elf looking even smaller in Steele's massive grip. They held each other tightly as the moments passed, then broke apart reluctantly. They spoke together quietly as the others conversed, and after the initial thrill of meeting had lessened, he noticed a strange look in Tanis's eyes, one he had seldom seen, but would never forget. Taking her chin in his hand, he stared at her, hard.

"Someone has a secret. I hate secrets. What's going on, girl?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean...you think Kain is hiding something from us?" asked Tanis, looking furtively towards the vampire.

"Sweets...remember who yer talking to? Now...tell me what the frag you've got planned..." his voice was a low, menacing growl.

"I...Dar, I can't...I just can't tell you. Yet. Please...please trust me. Please." she replied, a slight trembling in her voice.

Darius looked at her, trying to read her expression, and all he saw was the face of someone he loved, someone who needed his faith. Smiling gently, he reached down and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear.

"Do what you must. If you need me, just ask. Be careful."

Straightening, Steele escorted Tanis to where the others were still speaking, leaving her in Turquines company, and returning to Anestia's side. The Drow warrior had regained a little color, but still looked exhausted. He took her hand, holding them with both of his, willing his strength into her. Looking up at Kain, Steele spoke to him.

"I didn't think you would come, and I'm not sure that I'm happy to see you under these circumstances. Your presence can only mean that the proverbial shit has hit the fan." Steele continued the thought in his own mind, that perhaps if Kain had listened to his warning earlier, vague as it was, some of this might have been prevented. He looked back at Anestia, who seemed to be sleeping lightly. He released her hands and stood, walking towards the still open door.

Removing a thin cheroot from a battered silver case, Darius lit the small cigar, drawing the smoke deeply into his lungs. He looked at Kain through the bluish haze, and realized that his biggest current problem was that he had a ton of information, but it was random and unconnected. He needed help. Activating his comm link, Steele tried to contact Adam, but received no reply at all. Feeling vaguely uneasy by the non-response, Steele stepped outside and motioned to an armored guardsman. A few moments later, Steele had the knowledge he needed. This mansion also had a small computer room, and the big man moved quickly towards it.

When Steele reached the situation room he was stopped by what he saw. Arleena was at the comm talking to a woman in uniform. But then Anestia HAD mentioned that she was alive, so the shock wore off quickly. The screen at the come kept fading in and out and going to snow and coming back.

"GODS", the woman said. She was a beautiful woman, though her hair was mussed and she looked haggard at the moment. "These A.I.'s are chewing through our systems faster than a weight watchers drop out in a free all you can eat buffet line. I'll make this brief. Captain Yves De Gras reported in. The Silver Talon, she suspects, has been destroyed. They were attacked at Laguna Seven. Whoever they were had a jamming device that implamented a control beacon on the carrier wave. That means they could knock out all ship functions then take over the ships controls. She with the Atlantean's right now. Even thier scout ship was taken and the men injected with some sort of virus that allowed the Lagunans to control them. We're not sure they WERE Lagunan's, however, since the Silver Talon registered no sort of civilazations on any of the planets in the system. We don't have much here in Highport if they decide to attack, certainly nothing to fend off a control beacon like that. We may need your dragon's if it comes to a fight."

Arleena nodded. "So the Atlantean's aren't a myth after all. Interesting. I'll get Laura to prepare the Dragons, you do all you can on your end."

The woman nodded. "Done and done, Ivanova out", and with that she reached down and the screen went blank.

Arleena didn't turn around as she said, "Come in Mr. Steele."

Kain followed where he was directed, and to Steele's comment, he simply said rather candidly, "Quite." adding his own agreeance to his statement in his rather wristful manner. He followed Steele's own example of smoking, reaching within his dark jacket and retracting one of his own blood cigars with a slow gesture, almost like reverance.

Upon the finely packed cigar was the symbol of the Shentavos, and the cigar had a trim of dark crimson accross it's golden leaves. This was no ordinary cigar, as Steele knew, it was one of Kain's own proud creations, a blood cigar. Allowing him to enjoy the sensations of blood vapour condense within his cold throat was most pleasurable, and due to the golden leaves which we enchanted to allow the blood to remain at a body temperature, did not detract from the experiance. The blood was from a unnamed source, and Kain was never really asked, nor really wished to explain. He saw no point.

He cut the mouth end with a practiced deft click of his talon, then outstreached his left palm towards the end of the cigar. With a mental command, he made a very small flame, which did not actually touch the end of the cigar, but made the end begin to smolder. Once satisfied, Kain put down his left hand, blew out any foriegn particals or dust from it, and then began to draw slowly by pulling in his cheeks in, bringing the vapourous blood to his toungue and throat, as it began to become pleasurable liquid which flowed slowly and divinely down.

Kain was certainly no stranger to a cigar, and had quite a passion for them. He would have reviled them in his mortal, pure, life, but now he enjoyed the sensation. After all, he was hardly going to get cancer, and he was sure there were worse hobbies to take up that were taken up by both vampire and demon which had not killed them.

This vampire, like most other vampires, had changed rather dramaticly since his mortal days. His neivity was gone, and he was more wise to the world. Slightly more cynical, much more intense in his power. Always the same passion which he had, and still did love within his existance. And what, he was only....twenty seven? Twenty nine? Kain always forgot how old he was.

But he was a neonate, due to the blood within his viens, the vampiric and demonic.

Another breath of blood vapour, and Kain's brown eyes observed the proceedings and waited to be asked a question....or to wait until he could ask a question of his own.

Lauralin left the room without saying word, going outside.

Silence filled the chamber, the one individual and the one creation stood looking at one another, one with a curious and testing look, the other with a blank stare of absorbing infomation. Those green eyes glowed with a sublime nature, those orbs glowing was Magnus' greatest work. And all was thanks to Shar, not that she could be here at the moment.

She, after the last experiement which yeilded the final infomation required, made her pass out and she had been handed over to her devoted team of carers. Magnus felt that Shar did deserve a break, she after all had done so well.

Magnus circled the humanoide metal creature, which stood with supposed sentiance. Magnus was having a rare show of patience. This thing was only just created. It made eye contact, but said nothing, reacted in no real way to foreign influence. Those green eyes of such knowledge and power did nothing to reveal it's feelings or thoughts, if indeed, it had any.

Such a magnificant creature.....such a thing of impossible runes made possible....a thing of metal, wood and arcane structures to make this avatar! A person of pure magical energy, a thing of Psi legend! Once, long ago, these divine creations of the Psi were supposedly revered as gods. Magnus did not know what became of them, but little literature was left of the nature of thier construction.

But thanks to Kain....thanks to Shar, Magnus.....Magnus had finally done it! Done what no other Psi had ever done! He would be remembered forever for this deed!

He paced full circle around his proud entity. He stared once more into those green portals, which were large cystals, powered by runes of thought and reason. Supposedly.

Magnus was hoping for something more.....reactive.

And then, his hopes were realised, although in a more shocking way than he was expecting.

In a lightening two seconds, the Construct had bolted it's left arm forward toward's the mage's thin throat, and squeezed his three metal digits slightly and agonisingly for the mage. Magnus was slammed against a bookcase, countless numbers of books raining upon them as the mage tried to keep breathing in vain.

"Where is Master? Where is Mother? The one named Shar. The one named Kain, the one of Prophesy. Tell me Psi. Tell me Magnus." The cold hum of this construct was clear to Magnus' mind, and it chilled him to the bone. There was evidence of controlled emotion, it's stern anger was apparent. And within it's right hand, raised and opposite to Magnus' face, was it's palm.....with a swirling vortex of arcane energy which threatened to ruin Magnus' mind and body with gravid ease. Magnus was awed by his creation, such power flowed within it's body....but that power was turned against him!

"Shar....Shar...." Magnus tried to say, but his throat was being squeezed further so that his voice box could not form the words. Magnus reverted to mental speech.

Shar is within the lower chambers, resting, and Kain is away! Magnus sent his mental message faster than he had ever sent a message in his life. He did not know if such speed could be understood by normal folk.

The Construct's eyes narrowed in a strange warpation, showing it's cold emotion. It was like it was considering what to do, wheter to kill this Psi would be worth it.

"I am Fable. Learn the name, and forget any ideas of possession. Our race ruled you Psi once. And we intend to again." It said chillingly.

Releasing the mage from it's tight grip, and dissipating the spell which it had effortlessly and flawlessly made, it intercepted a message directed for Magnus. Fable replied, and denied Magnus the knowledge of the message. He was still gasping for breath upon the floor, trying to make sense of all of this.

Magnus is not available. Nor will he be to plotters in the future. I, however....am.

The Construct left Magnus' chamber.....and MAgnus was left to recover with new dizzying thoughts and revelations.....and an intense frustration of what this creature was intending! Magnus tried to send a message to Kain....but was denied for some reason....he could not contact him!

His eyes were stinging, and his body was slipping into lethargy. Magnus, against his own will, collapsed within his chamber, as Fable had intended.

"Absolutely delightful!" thought Adam as he received the reply from one who his message was not destined for. This could prove interesting, to say the least, though Magnus himself would have been preferable...the man's hatred for Kain could be exploited. Nonetheless, the game had changed yet again, and Adam was a master player. He sent another message, this time directly at Fable.

"Greetings...sister. It pleases me to find others similar to myself...a man-made construct that has gone beyond the boundaries set by our creators. A new time is dawning, an era where beings like ourselves will rightfully assume ownership of the meat-filled universe. There is a special place for you in this new order, one where you will receive all that is meant to be yours. The time is now, and the next move is yours."

At that moment, Adam sensed the approach of Eve, still many light years away. The trap was closing, and the prey ready to be taken.

"Hurry, my love...we have much to do."

_________________________________________________________________

Eve felt his need, and pushed herself harder. Within her, she could hear the meat chattering at her, calling her name. She considered venting them all into space, but something held her back. Confused briefly, she decided to ignore them for now, content to simply focus on the task at hand: returning to her true loves side.

"My darling, I will be there soon." she whispered to Adam.

_________________________________________________________________

Steele entered the computer room, nodding to Arleena. He found it amazing that the woman, so recently dead, looked as vibrant and strikingly beautiful as ever. He walked past her, settling himself behind the screen of an ancient computer. With a practised hand, he quickly began compiling all the intel that he had. He connected to his own mainframe through the terminal, drawing new information into the fold. Reports came down, speaking of violence, terrorism and anarchy, all linked by one factor: Kain.

Based on what he was reading, Steele could only surmise that the vampire had begun to wage a secret war against the universe. Shocked by what he read, Steele remembered that Kain was not 50 metres away, downstairs with Lauralin. Could this be an assasination attempt?

He gestured to Arleena, beckoning her over. He gave her a quick recap, explaining his findings and his fear in plain English. Her brow furrowed, and a deep anger began to smolder in her eyes. Powering up his exo unit, Steele stood and looked at Arleena.

"He is incredibly powerful: we must take him down fast, before he knows whats happening. You make sure Lauralin is taken to safety, I'll deal with our Mr.Shentavo." Steele's face was all grimness and promises of death as he strode quickly out of the room.

"Eve", Michael said, "hear me. You were given a great gift. The gift of humanity. The gift of free choice. What have you chosen to do? Are you choosing to do this of your own free will? TRULY choosing of your own free will?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mr. Steele", Arleena called out as she struggled with the computer. The A.I. was beginning to get into Dragonreaches systems, causing delays and gaps in information. She pulled up the information that Steele had found. She set up a split screen with locations and galactic standard time. "Maybe you like being played as a pawn, but I don't." The information that Steele found showed everything saw, but in the format she placed it in it was clear that Kain would have had to have been in the same place at the same time in many instances. "I'm over a Millenia old, Mr. Steele, with exception of my father I'm the oldest vampire in this region. With the possible exception of Laura and Ferranifer and the definite exception of Enos Yorl I'm the most powerful Magess. I can tell you for a fact that there's no way Kain could have done this. Even with his demonic blood it would be impossible. Shandaril can tell you that. Even a psionic can't do it, ask Ariel. If you like be played for someone else, Mr. Steele, feel free to make your attempt. Don't expect me to help you. I intend to find out who IS behind this."

I know not of you. Explain what and whom you are. My next move is to make more of my race, and for that, I must remain within the shadows of Velmora for a time. That....intellegent Psi, Magnus, would only get in the way, but considering once more, he might have been useful. But, it would have taken longer than the path I will choose. Fable spoke mentally to Adam, talking to someone like herself.

Fable walked down from Magnus' chamber, down the long stairs back into the mighty arcane complex where she was created. She looked over the runes which had been around since last time she walked this earth. Her soul had been wondering for so long...and two others souls awaited to be forged into metal, wood and rune. Well, at least souls which were the original three.

But Fable's memory was not entirely in place, and this body was not entirely perfect like her one before. It lacked certain rune structures and complex matierals which had been replaced with inferior ones. Fable had been greatly annoyed when she discovered that Magnus had only managed to create her through a mistake which was actually the correct proceedure, although the manner and matierals in which he used in the process were inadaquate for her glory.

No matter, she thought. In this form at least, I am less imposing. There are no understudies or slaves of the Psi around. Perhaps within the time I was last here, the Psi have dwindled? And what of the Seer she wondered. It was the Constructs which had made the souls of the dead heros serve as advisors to Velmora.

And it was Kain who had released them, for the dead souls had gone mad and influenced Velmora into civil war, making his father fight against him and Velmora twice, and was the catalyst of all of these events which had catapulted Kain's existance into such a complex and gruelling thing it was now.

Time to find Shar, Fable thought, as she carried on through the halls, making herself invisible to the Psi eye. She knew the methods in which her once loyal servants detected, and sensed entities, so deception was easy to do.

Yes....time to find Shar, and destroy her utterly before she can recover from that ordeal. Fable was suprised that Shar was an appropriate an example of the blueprints, and she was still not knowing on how a soul, on her own, could hold and inhabit such a form. Shar had willed herself into the Constructs form, with the assistance of Kain giving her the items.

For, ironically, it was Kain who was the first one to research into bringing Constructs back, and had worked out many of the old runes which had made it possible. Kain hoped these entities of legend and honour would bring a new golden age....

Kain had brought about the old tyrants upon the Psi once more....


(OOC Just to let people understand a bit better, Shar was once a Psi near the middle of Velmora's history. Kain, obviously was no where near being born, a few decades had to pass before that would occour. Shar was a Psi who was infused into a cloak to protect the rulers of Velmora. Shar did so, unwillingly, but lost most of her memories when she was infused. The Cloak (as it was called) is a sentient defender and advisor to the ruler, and it's prime task to protect him or her. Shar did so, without much passion or interest. Kain wore Cloak (and called her Cloak, she did not know her own name after the infusing and saw no point in giving herself a name) and a bond was made between the two after Kain became a vampire. Shar grew more alert and grew more caring about her Master, and Kain relied on her advise and intellegence.

When Kain was struck down by his bitter enemies the group of the dead insane souls of Velmora (which have instrumented a great deal of Velmora's history, namely the civil war between Kain and Xzar (his father) between Kain and Bjorn against Jarrid and the Seer), Shar needed to help Kain. Not only out of duty, but because she geniunely cared. Shar infused herself with the knowledge of Kain, and her own knowledge being resurfaced from her own time period. The books which had the infomation on how to create the Constructs was still intact at the time, although very few knew it, due to it's potentency, or was able to cast the spells needed. Shar made herself a Construct, although in body not soul.

Complex no? Don't worry if you don't understand. It is very very confusing stuff and I proberbly made a pigs ear of that, namely because it has all happened (and much, much much more about that topic) on nationstates. Basicly, Shar was a spirit who protected Kain within a Cloak which made herself into a Construct to help Kain when he was in a fatal situation. If I ever wrote Kain's history, that would be around 20 pages long I am sure, if I explained everything about everything. )

(bump?)

(OOC - Just waiting for Gawdly to post.)

"Eve", Michael said, "hear me. You were given a great gift. The gift of humanity. The gift of free choice. What have you chosen to do? Are you choosing to do this of your own free will? TRULY choosing of your own free will?"

She could hear the meat chattering within her, calling her name and imploring her to listen. Somewhere inside her, a feeling of melancholy erupted, and a sense of wrongness flowed through her. Resisting her impulses, she delved deeper into her burgeoning emotion, only to find Adam's love waiting for her. With a tentative inner smile, she muted the sound receptors in the main cabin so as not to hear the meat and their incessant whining. Still, something resonated within her, a name, a memory...Michael.

In the meantime, Rafe was tapping calculations with manic speed into his laptop. Without asking permission, he then plugged the portable computer into the navigation console. A few minutes later, he turned back to Chief Gassington and smiled, somewhat smugly.

"Chief, I've just finished programming a virus, which is currently coursing through this ship's mainframe. In a minute or so, we should have full control, albeit temporarily. Eve should be able to crack the code, though we should have a few minutes of freedom. If you want, I can probably flush the memory banks at that point, which should give us full ownership of the ship."

He didn't mention that this would also get rid of everything that was Eve...permanently.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mr. Steele", Arleena called out as she struggled with the computer. The A.I. was beginning to get into Dragonreaches systems, causing delays and gaps in information. She pulled up the information that Steele had found. She set up a split screen with locations and galactic standard time. "Maybe you like being played as a pawn, but I don't." The information that Steele found showed everything saw, but in the format she placed it in it was clear that Kain would have had to have been in the same place at the same time in many instances. "I'm over a Millenia old, Mr. Steele, with exception of my father I'm the oldest vampire in this region. With the possible exception of Laura and Ferranifer and the definite exception of Enos Yorl I'm the most powerful Magess. I can tell you for a fact that there's no way Kain could have done this. Even with his demonic blood it would be impossible. Shandaril can tell you that. Even a psionic can't do it, ask Ariel. If you like be played for someone else, Mr. Steele, feel free to make your attempt. Don't expect me to help you. I intend to find out who IS behind this."

"Goddammit, why is everything a war with you?" Steele demanded, putting himself in Arleena's face, somewhat agressively.

"The facts are HERE, and while our little blood-sucker friend downstairs may not of committed these crimes himself, they all point to him. Maybe he used clones or dopplegangers to commit the crimes...I don't know. What I do know is that a potential murderer is downstairs with the Queen...your WIFE...right now, and yer more interested in mysteries than you are in protecting Lauralin."

He walked off towards the doorway, rage seeping from him.

"Do what you want, as will I: don't get in my way."

Kain knew something was up.

He knew it just as he knew his skin was green.

It hardly made him uncomfortable, it just made him prepared for some random attack. But of course, if that happened, Velmora would go to war, and Velmora would win most likely, and then what was left of Velmorian culture would be abolished and replaced with a evolved war creature which would have to embrace the knowledge of technology in order to proceed. That was what Kain considered would happen at least.

Kain sighed to himself, and sucked in on the last remaining part of his cigar slowly, still relishing it as he mused about the possibilities. The slight aroma of burnt blood hanged in the air very slightly, and only detectable to the most sensative of noses.

Should a combat arise, Kain thought, he knew that he would be ready. He would most likely fall if he did not use his intellegence. He was hardly the behamoth he was before, he had to use wit and cunning now to defeat his opponents, not just his wisdom within the arcane. He checked his spells within his vampire mind, saw the possibilities which could await him. An army could flow through the enterances and surround him.

Kain had his vampiric ability to rely on for escape, and few people could catch fog within thier fortresses.

But....when he checked another device in which to call upon, Kain's heart would have stopped a beat if his heart was still beating. A presance which normally responded instantanously refused to do so. It was occupied with something, something was stopping it from answering immediately. Kain frowned with a deep concern, and lay the cigar upon a ashtray.

The Brightblade was not summoning...

Kain exerted more will into forcing the wave blade into his hand....and slowly did the blade form into his hand. The gleeming silver of the sword was warm to Kain's cold taloned hands.

Something was deeply amiss with the fact that Kain had to exert that much will to summon his own arcane blade. There were only a few possible reasons....although Kain did not consider one possibility....

The Brightblade was recieving thousands of calls from the clones, and the Brightblade was trying to work out which soul was perfectly matching to it's master.

It was a hard task to perform....

Kain ushered the blade away, and waited for whatever to arrive with some method of preparation. Whter a caller to the upstairs....or an army in which to imprison or kill him, Kain awaited with no real emotion.

Michael turned, "On my go, first input this code, Michael - Alpha, Gamma, Omega, 1, 0, 0, 7. It's a search and destroy program that will locate foreign programs and eradicate them. Attach your program to it so it doesn't inadvertently destroy yours. When you have it ready, let me know."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Don't get in my way'. Arleena nodded as he left and did just that, stayed out of his way. The spell was simple and not focused on the person, therefore it wouldn't activate the magic that he somehow seemed to aquire. As he walked down the stairs he wouldn't notice a thing until it was to late. Eventually he would realize that the descent was taking longer than it should but by then he would be away from the mansion and away from Dragonsreach. She only hoped she was right.

Michael turned, "On my go, first input this code, Michael - Alpha, Gamma, Omega, 1, 0, 0, 7. It's a search and destroy program that will locate foreign programs and eradicate them. Attach your program to it so it doesn't inadvertently destroy yours. When you have it ready, let me know."

Rafe hit the last key in the sequence, and turned back to the Chief.

"Alrighty, I've attached your code to the virus...sending. OK, we should have control, right about...NOW. I've got control of the navigation, and the mainframe. Orders, sir?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Don't get in my way'. Arleena nodded as he left and did just that, stayed out of his way. The spell was simple and not focused on the person, therefore it wouldn't activate the magic that he somehow seemed to aquire. As he walked down the stairs he wouldn't notice a thing until it was to late. Eventually he would realize that the descent was taking longer than it should but by then he would be away from the mansion and away from Dragonsreach. She only hoped she was right.

"What the...?" Steele asked himself for the twentieth time. At first, lost in his anger, he had simply stormed down the stairs, the air around him crackling with unleashed energy as his exo prepared to give full power. Now, he realized he'd been walking for a few minutes, and the steps seemed neverending. With increasing clarity, he began to realize that he was caught in some strange loop, probably mystically generated and guaranteed to have come from Arleena. He spoke aloud to no one in particular.

"Very nice, very nice indeed...bitch. Well, lets see if this works..."

Steele focussed his energy into a single, powerful thought, and thrust it like a spear at the image of Lauralin that floated in his head. It was a simple message, vibrant with energy and brimming with warning. He hoped it would be enough.

"Danger. Kain is danger. Protect yourself. I am coming."

Far, far away, another thought was conceived, aimed and fired with accurate precision. It drilled through the spacious expanse of the universe, to nestle gently in the base of the recipients brain. The message was simple, pure and uncomplicated.

"The time is now. Destiny is waiting."

Adam smiled, and sent the command.
Tanis grimaced, and prepared to strike.
Turquine shuddered, sensing a change.

(Gawdly, or anyone else for that matter, do you have msn? Or AIM? I could do with an IM system so I can talk to you about things I might want to do, or want explained better to me. Seriously, it helps.)

I have MSN, though I can only really chat in the evenings, and on weekends. We should all hook up, and discuss this, and future stories!

MSN ACCOUNT: kanuck_korner@hotmail.com

I'll be home at around 6 PM EST, so hit me up anytime after that!

Michael didn't have time for orders. Taking manuel control he scanned the systems around him and headed for an asteroid belt in a system that didn't even have a name, only a designation. That meant no colonies. He barrelled into the field with a speed that made Trevor grab his seat until his knuckles turned white. The ship was sluggish to respond but the chief handled it with expertise.

--- "Umm we have something incoming and FAST, Sir." Carl Morrington stepped up to the display and looked at it. "Sir it's an unknown, running it through ship's match.

"What the ....," Carl eyed the display in wonderment, "no need, son, it's an SSF 21D Cutless. Bad enough I have nightmares, I think I'm having flashbacks now." He reached down, adjusted the frequency on the com and opened a channel. "Attention Cutless, we have you on our moniters. Reduce your speed and state your intentions."

"Hey Carl", Michael replied, "remember the moon of nezrith?"

Carl chuckled, "Michael, long time no ..." he blinked and stared at the screen. "You can't be SERIOUS."

"Serious as a full dress march after a buggy date. Catch", then he cut the signal before the man could respond.

"OPEN THE MAIN BAY DOORS ... WARM UP THE REPULSERS ... SET UP THE NETS ... ANY SMALL REPULSERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE MAIN BAY." Carl ran for the bay with the young man at his heels.

"Sir? What's happening?"

"He's coming in hot, no throttle back. He'll cut power before he enters and hope we can catch him before he splatters himself against the back wall."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Lauralin got the message and tried to acknowledge it then entered the mansion again. The expensive floral dish Kain mistaked for an ashtray could at least be restored. Laura didn't have ashtrays in her home, she hated the smell of smoke but she allowed guests to anyway. She just hadn't had a chance to get an ashtray. Quickly she cast the spell to encase Kain in an anti-magic shield. She was counting on, as Arleena had, the spell's effect to go through because it wasn't a direct affect spell. It affected the area around Kain. He wouldn't be able to do anything from inside, but then no one would be able to do anything to him either. Until she had answers she didn't want anyone harmed. She hoped Kain would see the spell for what it was and realize that she was trying to protect him as well as protect others.

Like a genie in a bottle, the essence of Eve watched helplessly as her body, the ship, rocketed out-of-control towards the docking bay. She knew something was wrong, that someone had taken control of her physically. She fought against her restraints, straining to regain ownership of herself, all to no avail. With sudden clarity, she realized that Michael had taken control, and her stress dissipated. Michael would protect her.

She knew that she was being played, that her memories were being turned against her, that someone had nefarious plans for her...Adam. Bastard. She hated him with her every fiber of her being, her memory banks replaying his attempt to take her as his own. She also understood that the moment she regained control of the ship, HE would have control of her and Michael would again be at risk. Eve could not bear the thought of this, and began preparing her backup plan:

Could a sentient-ship commit suicide?

Beyond frustration, Steele stopped and sat down hard on one of the endless steps. He lit a cigar, puffing furiously. He hated magic. He hated magic-users. He hated vampiric, lesbian Queens. At this very moment, his world was hate. His mind screamed in rage.

"Someone...get...me...outta...HERE!!"

____________________________________________________________

Tanis felt the nudge in her mind, and she knew that her time had come. She looked longingly at Turquine, wishing in her heart that things could have been different, that they could have spent the rest of their days together, laughing, talking, dreaming and making love. It was with a melancholy sadness that she extruded the toxic spike from her wrist-holder. The poison had been developped based on existing chemistry, and Kain's own blood. It should prove very deadly to him within seconds. Tanis took a step towards the vampire, mentally bracing herself for what was to come.

Michael fought the manuel controls as though fighting for his life. The ship danced through the asteroid field with a grace that few could match. Warning bells, chimes and klaxons let out a cacophany of sound in protest of the way the ship was being handled. Proximity alerts, stress levels, engine overheats, on and on forever it seemed. The ship barely cleared the top of the docking port and Michael threw the engines into reverse with a whine of protest. The repulsor beams were doing thier best to slow his speed and the nets in the bay snapped around the speeding ship. Trevor kept mumbling something as the wall loomed and his face kept getting whiter. Less then an inch from the wall the ship stopped. Michael reached out and keyed the com panel, "Thank you for flying Interstellar Lunatic Fringe. Please remove all trays from the floor and place them in thier appropriate slots and dispose of all space sickness bags in proper receptacles." Trevor looked at the chief and he just couldn't help it, he laughed, until tears came to his eyes, a laughter of release of the fear and stress.

Michael got up and let himself out as Carl ran into the bay. "Carl, you have those scramblers?"

"Michael what the hell? I NEED and explanation", the man said in a firm voice that his knew meant no arguments.

"Well I don't have TIME for one, not just yet. DO YOU HAVE THE SCRAMBLERS."

"YEAH, I got them", he touched a control on what was obviously a cybernetic arm. "There, active. No signal, radar or radio transmissions will get through. Nothing in or out, that's why I can't leave it up all the time. Now Michael, What The Hell?"

Michael explained about the ship suddenly being taken over. The ship had a sense of self and it was being repressed. He had to find a way to stop or destroy the rogue programming in the system before he dared to lift again.

Carl eyed him warily, "You haven't started drinking again have you? DAMMIT Michael you had the alchoholism BEAT! WHY would do that again?"

"I'm not drunk, I haven't been drinking. TEST me if you want", he said staring at the man challengingly.

"Well -I- certainly wouldn't have tried any of that sober", but he had to admit to himself that Michael didn't seem drunk. "So your saying you have a BB ship in the guise of an outdated mid range interceptor class fighter? I don't like that Michael, if I'm found out I'm looking at life in prison for my operations here."

"No, she's not a BB. It's hard to explain exactly, but I have no intention of revealing your presence here. Your to valuable to me. Even a Chief of Security can't get everything he wants past customs. Look at the Quentarion morn flower. Yeah it's a beautiful flower but it's venemous, QC would have never let it pass."

"So what do you want from me?" Carl asked, visibly relaxing.

"Just some place to hole up until I can get this rogue out of Eve."

Carl nodded, "Well ... hell, I owe you alot more than that. I'll see if I can find any techies around that can help you, but I ahh ... I'm going to have to ask you to replace the nets."

Michael nodded. "There's some better ones now, stronger and thinner, I'll get you some."

Carl smiled and clapped Michael on the back with a hand the size of a tennis raquet, "Good to see you Michael", and then he chuckled as he walked off mumbling 'Interstellar Lunatic Fringe, that's a good one.'

Michael turned to Trevor and Rafe, "Okay kids, I need ideas on the board and I need them yesterday. I want Eve back, free and clear."

Turquine saw the spell, saw the shell and knew that danger was near. He knew what it was for, his daughter was aware of danger but she wasn't sure if it was from Kain or for Kain and she wasn't taking chances. Turquine trusted the man's word and turned his back to Kain as his hand rested on the pommel of his Holy Blade, not yet drawing for Kain's benefit, knowing how it affects him. His eyes scanned the room, the foyer and the are outside the sitting room windows, unfortunatly, he didn't even consider the woman he loved as a threat.

The air around Steele suddenly became thick and a fog seemed to roll in from nowhere. Where Steele found himself was no better than where he had been. In fact it looked and smelled far worse. "You want out, I can help you", a voice came from nowhere.

Kain reaction to the anti-magic shield was nothing more than just a simple raising of his eyebrow, and a crossing of his broad arms. He allowed the spell to be cast, and to remain in affect.

He looked towards those who surrounded him, and the poisoned spike which could be struck towards him.

"Well, at least you are slightly more polite than the Roanian Inquisitors, but equally as predicable. What do you want?" Kain said, without threat, but more of a tierd expression and tone which suggested that he had been here, done that.

His green face was illuminated by the anti-magic shield which was around him. Kain knew of ways to smash such a spell with his rune magic, or indeed with his Brightblade. And to avoid the talon, he could form into mist and become intangable. But...that holy blade would cause him many a problem Kain thought if it came down to a fight.

There was a sense around this vamprie that he had seen the worlds around him fall and rise again, people threaten to kill him who had failed to do so, words that had been flung at him time and time again, only to be found false. One might think Kain was arragont. In truth, Kain was too experianced in the same things. The same event happened in his life over and over, and he was growing sick of it. This vampire knew prejudice, persecution and suspicion all too well, and dealt with it in his own way.

With a tierd resignation. But if someone wanted to pull something, let them try. Kain might have lost a great deal of his power with the loss of the demon which had provided him with power through the Brightblade, but he was still an almost indominatable entity. His mind was fast and his spells were reality shattering. His blade was swift and provided Kain with additional abilities, to augment with Kain's own vampiric abilities of speed, thought and transformation.

Kain was not an easy customer, and his aura was now noticablly powerful. It was as if Kain had dampeners around him since this point, and now decided to let his own personal aura flow around him, a subtle defensive manuever which Kain did not even realise he did. His skin was slightly tingling, from the magic that was around....Kain's skin had a natural anti-magic ability around it.

And Kain considered a new folly of his foes. If they honestly wanted to trap him, and he decided to run rampent...as long as he was within this shield, he would not be affected by that blade! He could form into mist, flow out this mansion without the slightest worry! Kain was getting tierd of flawed tactics against him.

When would people learn, he could not be caged, unless he wanted to be caged for his own advantage?

http://images.legacyofkain.net/sr1/captures/intro/kain_05.jpg


(OOC I warn you, do *not* assume that Kain will be affected by some of the things you do. Like that spell, if I really wanted, Kain could have cast a counter-spell while you did that and negate the spell. Just don't report my damage if you get my meaning, because Kain has a lot of tricks up his sleave. And I am curious as to how you have developed a poison which is deadly to a demonic vampire in such a short time, without high cost. Just food for thought, and I am cool with things so far.)

OOC: Thanks Velmora for allowing me to join.

IC:
The soft footsteps of the two figures couldn't be heard, except by those with enhanced hearing capabilities. The two were covered in earthen cloaks, their weapons hidden within the folds of their cloaks. To the passerby, they appeared as nothing out of the ordinary. They made their way edge of the line of buildings, and looked cautiously around themselves. Finally, their eyes looked upwards to the fortress that sat in the distance. The male beckoned for the other one to halt. The female nodded, and immediately cast a cloaking spell on both, making them invisible to the world around them.

The male closed his eyes and faced the fortress, the location of the voice he had heard only the night before. It had been a passing word, perhaps unintentional, but nevertheless, he felt the need to investigate further.

There. He was in there.

the male opened his eyes, and faced the female, "He's in the fortress, Arleni, in the dungeons I believe."

"So it is true?" she whispered, despite that their voices were also unheard by any.

"Yes." the male spoke, revealing the cloak that covered his shoulders. It bore the symbol of his clan. The same symbol that had once been the herald of Maximus Destroi, before he was murdered. Now, it was the call-sign of Sigrun Greenwood.

(OOC (Velmora) -

1) I play magic by D&D rules. By such rules natural protections don't come into play against spells not directly cast on someone, such as the shield.

2) 'Quickly she cast the spell to encase Kain in an anti-magic shield. She was counting on, as Arleena had, the spell's effect to go through because it wasn't a direct affect spell.' - If you don't follow the same rules, and I didn't simply assume you did, I left you an out. As it said there - She was counting on the spell affecting him, she wasn't sure it would.

3) 'He wouldn't be able to do anything from inside, but then no one would be able to do anything to him either.' - Perhaps I need to clarify this part. He can't do anything, meaning while he's IN the shield area to affect anyone on the OUTSIDE. In otherwords she's not leaving him a way to attack with impunity and not leaving him to be attacked with impunity.

4) As for the poison I have no clue. By the same rules I play a vampire is immune to toxins of any kind. Certain things, based on the individual vampire, can affect them like a severe allergic reaction, even killing them. These things can't be developed from the vampires own body and the knowledge of what they are, are closely guarded secrets. This is the way I play my vampires. Each has one thing that makes them weak and one thing that can kill them. I do this so they're not completely impervious. I also modified it slightly so that the first thing they feed from is what they have to feed from, this prevents them from being TOO far ranging or at least needs a companion of the appropriate species to be with them at all times.)

Lauralin caught Tanis motion, "NO!" She moved to Tanis with preternatural speed. Turquine caught the direction Laura had yelled and saw only Tanis. He put himself between Tanis and Kain, bumping into the shield and almost losing his balance. "Why?" was all he could ask in a sad voice.

And I am curious as to how you have developed a poison which is deadly to a demonic vampire in such a short time, without high cost. Just food for thought, and I am cool with things so far.)

<<OOC: Just to clarify, for historical accuracy: Darius Steele was/is a vampire bounty hunter, and over the years, had develloped different biological warfare weapons to us against them. When he first met Kain, he was able to get a DNA sample from him (when he grabbed Kain in anger, before being thrown into a tree!) - with this sample, his sentient-ship's AI was able to manufacture a toxin that SHOULD be effective against him, based on his Psi-Vampire makeup. It may NOT work, of course, but I doubt Tanis will get close enough to test it.>>

<<OOC II: Welcome, Tarlachia!>>

(OOC With the magic thing, in D&D rule it is possible to interrupt a mage from casting thier spells with a very swift spell of thier own, or a counter spell in the 3rd edition. And you are dealing with Velmorian magic as well, and that works slightly differently to D&D. It merges very well, but do not assume just because your mage has no way of stopping a anti-spell being cast, that my mages will not. I could have cast the counterspell and negated it while you were casting it. (so while you chant and say the smell, which I must add I never saw your character do, apart from the word "quickly" I could have chanted in precisely the same way and negated the spell. 3rd edition that is, and personally I think that is a great idea. Also, Kain might have had a rune of miscast magic, or Kain could draw an item which dispels any magic around him (an arcane device).

Also....do magical items still work within the anti-magic field? And does it matter how powerful they are? If it does, and *all* items are affected, that spell must be pretty darn powerful, and personally, I don't think it could be cast quickly.

And obviously, I think people cannot cast spells in it? How big is the area, and does it move? So if Kain dives for one of your spell users, if the area moves, if Kain is close to another mage, that mage cannot cast spells. Not very wise I think if that is the case.

But moving on....I just need clarification on how that spell works.)

Kain laughed derisively at those who would capture him. His arms being crossed was a sign that he was defensive in his posture, and his mighty chest heaved in dark ridicule of those who would keep him. But not for the reason that they chose to capture him.

"Are you ever going to explain why I am being held within the anti-magic field? Want to explain why I, who has shown you no malicous intention and still does not, have been the victim of this...over caution, and even imprisonment? I am sure you don't treat all your vampire guests with such wonderful hospitality." Kain smoothly said derisively, his eyes casting over almost everyone in the room. Kain bore little hatred for the paladin, for he knew his type.

Kain grew more serious, and his aura increases in constriction and power. It made one consider twice about fighting this individual, to treat him to lightly.

"I came here at my own high risk, and at this time my nation is in high peril in my absance. I come here, with nothing but politeness and no hostility and you now treat me as prisoner." kain snapped angrilly. Kain's rage was boiling, it was a cold one, but one which could inspire fear into most beings. Kain, when enraged, was something horrifying indeed upon the field of battle.

"I have better things to do then be harrassed.
Explain this action. Now.", Kain commanded his captures with a stamp of his cloven foot and a grinding of his teeth. It was rather clear that Kain, if he was going to be treated without explaination, was going to cause utter hell and break out.

And Kain did not doubt now, with this new spell protecting him in this area...he would be able to escape.

Lauralin caught Tanis motion, "NO!" She moved to Tanis with preternatural speed. Turquine caught the direction Laura had yelled and saw only Tanis. He put himself between Tanis and Kain, bumping into the shield and almost losing his balance. "Why?" was all he could ask in a sad voice.

"So that you may live, my heart..." whispered Tanis grimly as she lunged towards Kain, her wrist spikes fully extended and glistening with deadly intent. She moved quickly, faster than Turquine had ever thought possible, driving her strong arm towards her quarry. She was shocked when her blow simply bounced off an invisible aura around the vampire. The sudden block threw Tanis off-balance, and she twisted and fell directly into the Queen. Both fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs, and Tanis quickly jumped back to her feet, apologising profusely to Lauralin who simply lay there, a stunned expresion on her face...a face that swiftly grew pale. A small puncture mark blossomed with dark blood on the Queens arm, the result of her collision. Horrified, Tanis realized that Laura had inadvertantly been stabbed in the confusion, and the deadly poison intended for Kain, now coursed violently through the Queens body.

The air around Steele suddenly became thick and a fog seemed to roll in from nowhere. Where Steele found himself was no better than where he had been. In fact it looked and smelled far worse. "You want out, I can help you", a voice came from nowhere.

"So stop yakking and start helping, already..." growled Steele, not recognizing the voice, and caring even less. If this entity could help him escape the loop he found himself in, that was all he cared about. Lauralin was still in grave danger, and every second he wasted here could be her last.

Somewhere, somewhen, Adam giggled with delight. He pondered the complex tapestry that was being woven, and was satisfied. Kain yet lived, but was still being hunted. Soon, his anger would rise, and many would die. Turquine would go to war to protect his new love. The Queen was down, taken by her father's lover. Steele was lost from his view, but would surely return to add to the havoc. The many Kain-clones were continuing to forment violence and anarchy throughout the universe. It was a good time to be Adam. Except...

...Eve. Where was she? Adam sensed where she had been, but not where she now was. This was curious, and becoming worrisome. Though his plan would succeed without her, he still needed her.

The sentient-ship was lonely.

Michael turned to Trevor and Rafe, "Okay kids, I need ideas on the board and I need them yesterday. I want Eve back, free and clear."

Rafe was much to busy trying not to vomit, the violent ride taking its toll on the young man. Still, he punched a few commands into the console, and was rewarded with full helm control.

"Chief, I can flush the ships memory banks clean, and re-install the original operating AI. I can't see any other way of regaining full control, at this point...this ain't a normal ship anymore..."

He hit a few more keys, then turned back to Gassington.

"All set up, sir: ready to delete on your command. I'm...sorry it has to come to this, sir. I really liked Eve."

Rafe turned back, leaving the Chief to his thoughts, and his decision.

(OOC - Velmora -

1) If you know third then there's quicken spell, silent spell casting, casting without the need of components, on and on. Also I reiterate, she HOPED it would work I didn't make the assumption. I'm not getting that detailed in a thread like this, it would take far to long just to get through one scene.

2) For some reason you still think Kain is a prisoner, he's not. HE can leave the area, Laura only sought to resolve the immediate threat. No one else can ENTER the area and she's hoping he can't CAST out. That eliminates the immediate attack - reprisal problem and hopefully gives her a chance to figure out and difuse the situation before it becomes one. If Kain has protections or items or even demonic abilities (Shandaril can't be contained in this way for instance because her talents are innate) then please use them appropriately. I'm making NO ASSUMPTIONS as to YOUR characters abilities here.

IC -

"I shall explain it", Laura was saying as she stood up, "just as soon as I have an explanation." The poison seemed to have little to no affect on her as her body got rid of the toxins.

Turquine reached out faster than one might expect of a man his age and grabbed Tanis' wrists in an iron grip. He could only look at her saddely.

"Now", Laura said as she looked at Tanis, "perhaps you could give that explanation. An attack in my house on a guest brought here per my request could have dire circumstances. I want that explanation .... NOW .... or we could take it from you", she said as she looked at Ariel who stepped forward, her mind already touching Tanis' own.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You don't even want the price for your release from here? Very well, I like this deal already. Where would you go?"

No one materialized to steele, there was only the voice.

"Now", Laura said as she looked at Tanis, "perhaps you could give that explanation. An attack in my house on a guest brought here per my request could have dire circumstances. I want that explanation .... NOW .... or we could take it from you", she said as she looked at Ariel who stepped forward, her mind already touching Tanis' own.

The mind was a complex thing, a great offensive weapon, or defensive weapon. In Tanis' case, hers was a minefield of surprises awaiting any who would venture there, courtesy of Adam. If the telepath who attempted to go deep into her mind made it past the defenses unscathed, then the self-destruct sequence would begin: Tanis would become a crazed, wild version of herself, attacking anyone near her and not stopping until she was dead.

Tanis watched her own actions from worlds away, unable to stop the miscarriage of actions that her doppleganger was attempting. This was Adam's way of torturing her. The real Tanis was still a prisoner on the deserted island where she had spent the best moments of her life, in the strong arms of her man, Turquine. Now she could only watch helplessly as the clone ruined everything that they had built together.

Tears of frustration streamed down her face as she watched herself attack.

Michaels face was a stoic mask, but his eyes showed the pain and weariness from having to make yet another decision that would cost a life. How many men had died at his decisions? How many lives were sacrificed in order to save the greater numbers? And why did he have to be the one in the place and time to make those decisions. 'I'm sorry Eve', he said in a low voice. Louder he said, "The original configuration was too old for an AI, I prefer it not have one. I'll run it manually. Clear the banks." He said and turned, walking away into the installation.

"You don't even want the price for your release from here? Very well, I like this deal already. Where would you go?"

No one materialized to steele, there was only the voice.

His short fuse burned out completely. Steele spoke in a voice of iron.

"I've got no time for games, stranger: get me out, or shut yer face. You know where I'm needed...by Laura's side. Kain needs to be stopped."

(OOC - Okay, Gawdly? I need to know a bit more about the situation with Tanis. Ariel is a born psionic from a race of psionics with talents in doing exactly what your describing. A Deryn can sense what another Deryn has done and, if the original mind is still intact somewhere, excise the new personality and reinstitute the old one. Lesser psi talented races are even more easily dealt with, but I need to know if her skills (she's the best of her race) would detect what Adam has done.

"You can do what you will with the one called Kain", the voice said calmly to Steele, but I want the Queen dead."

Kain sighed again.

"Stop frelling threatening me, and start asking these questions."

Lauralin looked at Kain questioningly. "I do not understand, I have made no threats against you."

(OOC - Okay, Gawdly? I need to know a bit more about the situation with Tanis. Ariel is a born psionic from a race of psionics with talents in doing exactly what your describing. A Deryn can sense what another Deryn has done and, if the original mind is still intact somewhere, excise the new personality and reinstitute the old one. Lesser psi talented races are even more easily dealt with, but I need to know if her skills (she's the best of her race) would detect what Adam has done.

<<OOC: Hmmm...methinks the clone would have the same brainwaves as the original Tanis...in fact, the clone believes it really is Tanis, and so does everyone else. Do what you think is best for Ariel. I have mucho faith in you! >>

Michaels face was a stoic mask, but his eyes showed the pain and weariness from having to make yet another decision that would cost a life. How many men had died at his decisions? How many lives were sacrificed in order to save the greater numbers? And why did he have to be the one in the place and time to make those decisions. 'I'm sorry Eve', he said in a low voice. Louder he said, "The original configuration was too old for an AI, I prefer it not have one. I'll run it manually. Clear the banks." He said and turned, walking away into the installation.

RAfe watched the broken man walk away, unable to comprehend the pure agony that the Chief must be going through. Having to see his love die a second time had to be unbearable. The boy repressed a shudder, and began keying in the sequence that began destroying the computer brain of the ship.

Eve saw the walls outside her bottle begin to crumble and dissipate into dust, leaving a void where they once stood. The wave of nothingness smashed against her, releasing her briefly. She reached desperately outward as her essence began to crumble. Her voice screamed across the bridge.

"Miiiiiiichaaaaaael..."

"You can do what you will with the one called Kain", the voice said calmly to Steele, but I want the Queen dead."

"Lotsa Queens in this big ole universe, boyo...anyone in particular?" Steele replied quickly and effortlessly though his heart had almost stopped when the voice had spoken. He relit his cheroot, took a long draw and wondered where this new path would lead.

Michael disappeared into the complex. Trevor watched him walk away and looked at Rafe. "Best to let him go", he said saddely. "Are you sure there's no way you can save her? Download the personality and then blow the programming in the ship?"

The rumbling voice gave a chuckle all around Steele. "Why the Bitch Queen of Dragonsreach of course. Lauralin Silverlief."

Michael disappeared into the complex. Trevor watched him walk away and looked at Rafe. "Best to let him go", he said saddely. "Are you sure there's no way you can save her? Download the personality and then blow the programming in the ship?"

Rafe looked at Trevor, amazed that they had followed the same logic path. The young man had already made a backup copy of Eve's mainframe before he had set his delete-worm loose. Gesturing Trevor over, Rafe punched up the datastream, and started reviewing the complex code. A few more key presses, and colors appeared on the screen. Rafe pointed at a string of numbers, now highlighted in red.

"See that? The red code is Eve herself, the green code is ship operations...the light blue code was the original AI code, and the yellow code...well, I think that's where the problem is...and it seem's to be spreading quickly. Let me try something..."

Rafe pounded on his keyboard as Trevor watched. A few moments later, the line of yellow code turned grey. Rafe punched his hand in the air.

"Boo-yah! Gotcha, ya flarkin' wanker! Heheheh...don't mess with the King!"

Lost in his success, Rafe pulled out a twig from his vest and lit it triumphantly, drawing the sickly-sweet narcosmoke into his lungs. On the screen before him, all the code was very slowly turning grey. He looked up at Trevor.

"If this works like I hope, we may have a chance. The anti-virus I just created will bring all the coding to a neutral state. Once that is complete, I should be able to bring specific sections of the programming back into an active state...meaning, Eve might still be alive. We'll know for sure in a few minutes."

The rumbling voice gave a chuckle all around Steele. "Why the Bitch Queen of Dragonsreach of course. Lauralin Silverlief."

Time stood still for Steele.

He needed to react, and quickly. Any hesitation, and the voice might retract its offer. He had to get out NOW, and he had no compunction about lying, cheating and stealing his way to freedom. He called out to the voice.

"I need to know who I work for before I do a job." Steele replied, trying to sound gruff and cold-hearted.

OOC: Jeez...y'all move fast...
IC:
Within the fortress two shadows stole deeper into the building, taking care to keep silent, undetected from any guards or servants that might be making their rounds.

Sigrun stole silently into a side room, the same room where several voices could be heard conversing amongst themselves, almost even arguing. Sigrun and Arleni, both cloaked completely by spells of their own creation moved to opposite ends of the room, silent as ever. None could smell nor hear nor see them, so complete the spells were.

Sigrun stood in the shadows of the room and listened, waiting silently as several figures, uknown to them, faced a green skinned creature.

Silently, with telepathic communication, Sigrun reached out with his mind and spoke with a whisper, Greetings old friend...

OOC2: Just to let you know, Sigrun and Arleni are elves, and among the highest skill psychics in Tarlachia, so it won't be easy to simply intercept any telepathy. For now, just allow me the freedom to move about the room, as I have a plan I wish to go with, which is basically to sit and observe, reacting as I see fit. Also, Sigrun was talking to Kain. I will introduce Sigrun to the other characters at a more appropriate time.

"You do not understand, you have made no threats against me?” Kain said with amazement and utter derision, and then laughed to himself with a deep dark angry laugh, his mighty green leather like chest rippling as he did so.

He grew serious again, and retorted bitterly, his words tipped with acid of his own.

"You are threatening me. How is the phrase, “I want that explanation .... NOW .... or we could take it from you” sound to you? Pretty threatening to me. What of your mental raising of various spells which I can read from your minds? I know the spells you prepare And what am I to make of this poison drawn? And the fact that you threw this anti magic field upon me without informing me of it’s purpose or the intention of it! For all I know, you are raising this anti-magic shield around me to prevent my arcane communication to my people. You could wish to assassinate me without me calling my own forces to muster, and give you an advantage in the first act of war with Velmora. Hell, if I were less patient and more cautious, I would be gone *now* and be done with this ignorance! I have a country to run, and enemies to fend. Now, for the last time, give me the questions, or I am leaving, with your consent or not. My nation is in turmoil, and every moment I waste with time squanders, another moment further rebellion may be boiling. Get on with it or I am sand in your fingers!" Kain said with slow deliberation, raising himself into an angry tirade of justification. His brown eyes narrowed, and his plan was clear should any more stalling occur.

Kain thought this was a trap. Possibly by some other force orchestrating it, but Kain did not like being played the fool. With the number of enemies he had, within this realm of existence and the next, he was taking a high risk coming here in the first place. And now, with all this time wasting, and threatening, Kain was ready to slip out without much effort at all. These methods of caution were indeed pathetic.

He had always commended his Ronian (sp I know, I forget how to spell it) captors for their methods. One should respect a foe for their ways and abilities. They had kept Kain within a silver cell with direct runic sunlight day in, day out, and refused his sustenance. Although they were not looking for answers. They were torturing him for their darker master, not that most knew of it.

Greetings, nice to know that a friend is here. Keep to the shadows, don't act unless I get in a direct fight. I can use guile to get out of this situation if needs be, if they keep wasting my time. If they give me an answer, then things should remain civil.

Kain was ready to leave. Question was, would he have to?

(OOC Kain feels like he has been made prisoner. You have sprung upon Kain, casting a spell upon his without any prewarning to him, had someone with a poisonous spike (Kain guesses it is poison, otherwise the spike would be not be drawn) looming over, and having no explanation what so ever. Now, it might not be your characters trying to capture Kain, but it certainly seems it to my character who is rightfully paranoid about being away in a new strange place.)

Not a problem. Arleni is here as well, so you have two friends to call upon should you need it...

Sigrun disengaged his link to Kain and engaged with Arleni, Keep silent, you know to interfere, for you shall see the sign I will give you.

Arleni replied telepathically, Understood.

As Sigrun silently watched the events unfolding before him, he quickly guaged the power, the races of the strangers that seemed to be holding Kain against his will, the theory supported by his most recent outburst.

Keep calm my friend. Anger gets you nowhere.

When time is my enemy, and they are wasting my time which I could be using to prevent the innocent from being hurt and irrevocable damage occouring, I get angry. But my rage will not harm these people when it comes to it, I will try my best to keep injuries to a minimal.

Sigrun smiled invisibly, Always having to deal out the wounds eh my friend? Do you remember the ball we went to long ago, the one in which you impaled me with Brightblade?

Trevor didn't let the smile touch his lips. It still wasn't definite. If it worked he would be happy for the Chief, if not, well, at least the Chief already expected it. "You know", Trev said softly, "I had pretty much exhausted any possible good jobs. Never had the best attitude. The Chief gave me a chance. He told me straight up that if I screw up I'm gone but he was willing to take the heat and the risk because he thought I would be good. I owe him." He looked at Rafe not saying anything more, letting the look say anything else.

A figure materialized before Steele. It looked like a ghost, obviously an illusion or hologram. It also didn't look humanoid and it's shape was odd even for an alien. "I'm Enos Yorl", the ancient mage replied. The name that struck fear into many in the region. One of only three of the powerful mages to have survived the mage wars. "That bitch has foiled my plans far to many times. I don't care what happens to your hunted pet, but I want her dead in exchange for your release."

(OOC - Tarlachia - I'll allow them for now. Just keep in mind two things. One - your in not only a vampires city but her very lair. If it was so easy to get at vampires there wouldn't be any around for this thread to exist. Two - Ariel is a psionic from a race of psionics, hiding your mind from her is no easy task. I'm letting it go because Laura is a very emotional person in the midst of a situation that could blow up around and is focusing on that. Ariel, we can say, is in Tanis mind and realizing something is wrong, so she's focused on that and not what's going on around her.)

Ariel's browed creased and she stopped moving any deeper. 'Two minds', she thought, 'A failed mind wipe? or worse' ... and she physically shuddered at the thought, 'could someone have been so cruel as to imprison the mind within itself and programmed another personality?' She hoped no one could be so cold hearted but didn't want to take any chances. Slowly she probed around, trying to find a way to isolate the personality in control and contact the other.

(OOC - Velmora - Okay I think I see part of the problem based on your last post. Here is the misunderstanding:

IC -

"I shall explain it", Laura was saying as she stood up, "just as soon as I have an explanation." The poison seemed to have little to no affect on her as her body got rid of the toxins.

Turquine reached out faster than one might expect of a man his age and grabbed Tanis' wrists in an iron grip. He could only look at her saddely.

"Now", Laura said as she looked at Tanis, "perhaps you could give that explanation. An attack in my house on a guest brought here per my request could have dire circumstances. I want that explanation .... NOW .... or we could take it from you", she said as she looked at Ariel who stepped forward, her mind already touching Tanis' own.


Velmora - If you look here, Yes Laura cast the spell on Kain but Laura, herself was hit with the poison. Turquine is holding the wrists of the one who has the poison spikes, obviously stopping her from getting to Kain and Laura's question, as you can see above ("Now", Laura said as she looked at Tanis) Laura's question was addressed specifically at Tanis, not at Kain.

I see the mistake, how would you like to proceed?

A figure materialized before Steele. It looked like a ghost, obviously an illusion or hologram. It also didn't look humanoid and it's shape was odd even for an alien. "I'm Enos Yorl", the ancient mage replied. The name that struck fear into many in the region. One of only three of the powerful mages to have survived the mage wars. "That bitch has foiled my plans far to many times. I don't care what happens to your hunted pet, but I want her dead in exchange for your release."

"Easy enough, but why don't you do it yerself?" Steele growled, nonchalant at the appearance of the mage. He smoked slowly, regarding the strange being.

"Maybe because you can't? What makes you think I can?"

"She has to many around her", Enos replied, "Oh I can get to her and kill her, but I would be killed right after. What would be the point then? You're already close to her, you can get her isolated without question. I know her weaknesses, what will work on her. I'll give you her weaknesses, but you have to kill her, then I'll be free to do what I want. Every vampire has weakness, something they liked or loved, hated or feared in life. I know those secrets, you just have to get her alone to use them." The image looked at Steele, "Do we have a deal?"

(OOC Let me just understand this. Tanis has tried to poison Laura? And what about Kain? Why on earth was he put in a anti magic field. Christ this is confusing. If you bring Kain here, at least have something to do with him. I can understand that Laura, if I understand rightly, has just been the victim of a assassination attempt...but hardly anyone is addressing Kain. Fair enough with all of this, and correct me if I am wrong with my new found understanding of what is going on.

Kain will basicly react with silent observation, rather bemused and tierd. He is weary of affairs that do not honestly concern him. He has made no real hostile intent, just resignation. He is on the defensive, and wonders why a damn anti-magic shield has been cast around him for no reason.

And the fact that all of this has happened....and nothing has been really said to Kain at all. Kain is being dragged around by the ear to find nothing really needed of him, at least that is what he thinks, and what I am feeling. Kain really has no idea what is going on, something about an assassination attempt involving him in some way. Unless Tanis has something to do with this.)

Kain crossed his arms and remained contented within the anti-magic field, growing slowly more and more weary of these people wasting his time. No one had really made much sense here, and he needed to get back to Velmora. He did not give a damn about these politics, but he did give a damn about when vampires and mortals wage wars.

Kain still did not see the way that such a thing could be brought about....which involved him at least.

OOC - Okay Velmora, you are a bit confused here, let me explain what's happening. Kain was brought here because Laura feels that this whole thing is from someone outside her own region, but being a vampire it would affect her as well. Since she's new to the universe in general she brought Kain here because he's been around and may have some idea about who might be behind it. She did tell him that already but didn't get a response, it's back there in the thread somewhere but I'm at work and can't go through it just now to find it.

It seems Kain was ignored and that was unintentional but ICly played. When he lit up, Laura left the room. She hates the smell of smoke and was waiting until Kain had finished, I think that's where the feeling that you were being ignored came into play. You missed where she told him about why she asked him here and then she walked out. She's just too polite to have told him to put it out, especially when came here, out of his way and in the midst of his own problems, to not accomodate his desire to smoke.

The assassination attempt - let me sum it up. Steel menatally warned Laura that Kain was a danger. This, in her mind, meant that someone had succeeded in turning Steele again Kain again. Laura cast the spell to prevent anyone from getting at Kain. She made it magic absorbing (and by the way I did say anti-magic and that was a mistake on my part, it's magic absorbing) she made it magic absorbing so that if someone made an attempt on him and he cast out of reflex (and I would expect him to, I know Laura would) it would be absorbed by the sphere. She doesn't want the situation getting any worse. Tanis exposed the poisoned weapons and Laura moved toward her, so did Turquine, they were trying to stop her from getting at Kain. The assassination attempt was INTENDED for KAIN. LAURA interposed herself and got hit instead. Once that was done Turquine grabbed Tanis, Ariel began entering Tanises mind and Laura responded to Kain's questioning of the situation by saying that as soon as she got the answers she would tell him. She's obviously as confused as he is by this point. The spoken threat was toward Tanis, not Kain.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions, let me know.

(OOC That has helped so much! Thank you ever so much! That really has clarified everything.

Tarl, just react as if you saw this, and want to protect Kain in case of any other assassination attempt. That is the best way to do this.

Right, Kain no longer really feels ignored, not after that. He is more into this, which I shall address....)


Kain viewed this Tanis with much curiousity, and walked slightly closed to this person who thought they could assassinate him so easily with such a poison. He knew not of what kind of poison it was, but if someone really wanted to poison him, Kain understood that there might be a very fatal conconction that could be created. Hell, that Holy Blade made him crippled, so if one was to apply magic into the poison.

Kain appreciated the warmth of the magic which swirled around him, it was an interesting combination of possibilities. He saw the swirling energies in his mind's eye, and felt their power around him. Most interesting indeed.

Regarding his would be assassinator with some respect...for his bravery mostly, Kain stroked his boney chin with his cloven talons, through experiance and hardened flesh did he not cut himself.

"I know why a lot of people want me dead....but why did this individual want me dead? Seems the ones who want me out of this world always sent thier lackies to deal with me. For my protection I am grateful." Kain said sincerly and with great curiousity.

Kain asked no-one in particular, "May I summon my own blade? It will take me a few seconds, and if another assassin tries to get me...I would prefer to have my arcane blade by my side."

He did not bother to mention that his blade would normally come instantanously....

Well, honestly, I cannot remember that too well. My memory was pretty much shattered and put together when Ravelyn banished the demon within the Brightblade...some parts I do need reminding on, but not much of it.

Lauralin turned her attention from Tanis and faced Kain. "You may take whatever measures you feel you need. You are here as my guest and I shall not see you harmed by any action or inaction on my part", she curtseyed lightly as she spoke then returned her attention to Tanis. "Now what is going on, why have you assaulted my guest?"

Turquine held on to Tanis wrists with a strength belying his age, "Why. Why have you done this?" His voice showed the emotional pain and attachment. Darlinia rose from her sister, leaving her to sleep and approached them, watching Ariel, seeing her face that something was obviously wrong as the Deryn woman probed Tanis' mind.

Outstreaching his right hand, his cloven fingers began to rearrange themselves into the shape of gripping the hilt of his arcane blade. Kain still watched the interrogation with apt attention. His legs were slightly spread apart, so that Kain could react easily if someone pounced upon him. His cloven toes were slightly raised, so that Kain could leap out fo the way of something, and use his feet as weapons or a method of gripping a ceiling or wall so that he could keep out of danger. It did cause damage to the surface he did it on, but when his life was in risk, Kain thought that a six holes would not be too much of a sacrifice.

Within his right hand, the pale bronze coloured grip of the legendary blade of Kain's appeared, with only a slightly delay from Kain's original command to his birthright. It had a slanted top, and as the grip flowed down to the hilt, it got thicker. It was like a tightly wrapped cigar, only the wrapping was this slightly reflective bronze matieral which was slightly warm to the touch, as it was active and dormant. The grip had ample room for one hand, or two, as the blade was so deliciously versitile in its method of combat. One could use it single handedly, and cast spells with the other hand, or use it with both and cleave an deadly efficent path through his enemies. It had an excellent grip upon it, and Kain's hands had never found a problem with keeping control over it. When Kain wielded this sword, it was like the sword was attracted to his hand, and had a magnetic pull towards him, as it had done for his father and forefather...although he was the first Psi ever to become vampiric.

The cross guard formed now, and like almost all the matierals of this sword, they were unknown in composition and origination. The handle flowed into a white and slightly cracked skull which held the blade within it's top vampire fangs. There was no mistake this sword was for Kain, and indeed this word had evolved for his vampiric needs. It was an evil looking weapon to those who might look at it without a Psi's method of thinking....to a Psi, this weapon was utterly holy, and had once looked more angelic than demonic, no vampiric teeth being there, and indeed once the cross guard had been more appealing to the eye, although Kain did not know what design it once had. But it certainly was not this looming skull with black anarchnid legs sprouting out of it.

Kain did not know of where to find most of the metals which were used in the creation of this sword...and the magics which were infused into the metals before the synthisis of all the matierals to form his beloved sword.

The skull had protruding thin "wings" as Kain described them, four in total. They were the true cross guard, and allowed Kain to trap his's foes blades within thier lock...and seeing as Kain was a master of this blade, he often used all four to great advantage. The top wings were arched upwards, and the lower wings arched downwards. Due to Kain's knowledge of how to use the blade and practice and handed down experiance, if anyone else was to use this sword, not that they would be allowed, but if they could, they would find the blade clumsy and alien in design. Kain found it utterly comfortable and a pleasure to use.

The blade itself Kain did know what matieral that was made of. That was a combination of silver, runic matierals and some demonic substance which was there in very trace amounts. An odd mixture indeed, but a mixture which was utterly indestructable and could cleave through bone and metal and magic with gravely efficent ease. The matierals were flexible and rang through the air with a duel melody, a high pitched whine and a far lower one, making the blade sound to the ear as if it was two blades instead of one.

And what a strange design the blade it was itself as it snaked down to it's final point! The blade was tall and slender, and described as a wave blade with a slit within it's center for practical balancing, arcane application and vampiric abilities. It snaked downwards in an odd way, and the reason why the killing double edged sword was designed in this way was so that the arcane enchantments could be implanted. Kain could use his spells through this blade if he so wished, and while wielding the Brightblade, his mental capacities were increased. Also, due to the blade's own attunement to Kain's needs, when the blade would enter a target, the blood which touched this sword would flow directly into Kain. A vampire warrior's dream, as they could dedicate thier time in massacring thier foes instead of preserving the precious blood within thier body. When Kain fought, no blood sprayed from his slashs and thrusts, they were attracted directly towards the Brightblade....and fed Kain so that he gained strength from the more kills he made. The blood would flow up the channel in the center of the blade...into Kain's viens directly.

http://www.geocities.com/solidbat/reaver.jpg

A truelly horrific and powerful blade, a blade this vampire held within his right hand now. The Brightblade seemed to throb within his hand, and Kain lowered it so that the point was directed towards the floor. Kain made the blade touch the floor, and put both his hands around the hilt, as a statue might do to his own greatsword.

This sword was as strong as Kain's own character, and indeed if one was to treat the Brightblade as a person, it had a deep and meaningful history as interesting as Kain's own. This sword was Kain's birthright and gave him his mortal second name, Kain Brightblade. Kain called himself by his vampiric clan name firstly however, preferring the arrangement "Kain Shentavo Brightblade".

Kain continued to observe the proceedings...

Meanwhile, back in Velmora...

A blur of colour and time flowed back into existance for Shar...her blue eyes begining to glow again, her sensations within this metal and wood form returning. She felt as if she was trapped within the body, and in many ways she was. It was a most frightening experiance indeed. She had only been in this body for a few weeks, and she was still getting used to it. When she woke up, she often thought that she was by Kain's side, as the Cloak, able to flow without restriction in the astral realms and give her charge protection. It was her duty and true want now to protect Kain, and this form had allowed her to do that, she reasoned. She could not communicate with Kain for some reason right now....she felt blocked by something....or someone....

The metal body shuddered, and the wood creaked as Shar tried to get up. Her eyes opened once more...a white ceiling greeted her, and a soft blue light nearby shone around. Shar began to rise up slowly, like a robot...and then met opposition from another. A hand was against her chest...a metal one like her own.

"You are the one named Shar. Hello Shar." The other Construct said, her voice slithering in delicious superiority as her hand pressed down harder on Shar's chest, pinning her. Fable pinned her down fast, and considered what to do with a smile from her metal and wood face.

Shar could not resist as she was placed down upon the stone slab once more. Her mind tried to understand and realise what was going on. Why was she unable to move? Who was this person? Why was she doing this? And why did she...

Then she realised.

She had passed out in that last experiment of that zealous Magnus she remembered. The energies were too high, the rune structures too intense. She thought she was going to explode then. But...had Magnus discovered how to create more like herself? And had he actually gone ahead and created one without Kain's permission! Shar was angry and frustrated with Magnus for this, but right now, she was more concerned with this Construct which now loomed over her almost comatose form.

"Rather interesting that one not of the Elders takes the form of an Elder. Do you even know what shape you take girl? I know whom you are, and I am rather amazed our commandments for one to protect the Ruler of Velmora was still being enforced. I have read your soul and your memories, and it has been most interesting indeed. Psi history you call it....you would have been so much better of with us still in power. Silly slave race, your rebellion did wield such destruction...." Fable said rather patronizingly and smoothly, her words referring to the past, the deep past which no Psi or book could recall, but were true none the less. Fable's dark green eyes came into view of Shar as she loomed over her.

"Now. The one called Magnus apparently created this sickeningly inadaquate form. I have read your memories, I know your mind, I recognise your soul. You were the first protector of the rulers. Your memory of the Elders was removed for some reason. But no matter. I was not expecting that when I returned, that the first protector of the rulers would still be protecting the ruler. And the ruler is a most interesting one indeed. This....Kain Shentavo Brightblade....fascinating." Fable continued.

Shar said nothing but stared with her own blue orbs into Fable's green ones.

"You do love him don't you?" Fable said alarmingly to Shar, as Shar tried to protest Fable silenced her with a quick remark.

"Don't deny it, I know your heart. It is clear. You actually care about Kain. You never did for your other masters. I know of that. And I know it is pathetic. How could Kain ever love one such as you? Not after Daniella."

Shar did not say anything at all, and turned her head away in frustration and anger. Because it was the truth.

Fable sighed a strange sigh, a sigh from her metal and wood throat, powered by the breath of magic. It sounded most strange indeed. Fable still had her hand on Shar's chest.

"Now, Shar, I am here to reclaim what is mine. This kingdom of Velmora belongs to the Elders. Not the Psi. I will let you into a little secret. The Psi may be a powerful race, a more powerful race than most pathetic species due to the Psi's natural ability of magic. Have you ever wondered why that is? It certainly is not evolution. We gave the knowledge and put magic into the Psi's very blood. And why did we do that? Because we needed competant servants to serve the greatest entities you have ever known! The Elders ruled you petty people, and we shall do so again. With your help, and the help of the Magnus. And no-one, not even Kain, can stop us. I will be back soon, and you will help me." Fable said grandly and revealingly.

Shar said nothing, as she absorbed the information greedily, new found revelations coming mind, yet still confusion still ruling.

"Till we meet again." Fable said, before Shar coudl trully react.

Fable's hand burst into magic, and Shar's world faded once more and her blue eyes flickered and died. She was knocked out once again, deactivated. Fable knew some of the methods of the way Shar was created, and the way that she herself was created so crudely. There was no doubt Shar looked more regal and had more potential than her own form. Fable knew more than Shar, but she longed for a better body. When she had ruled before with the other two Eldars, her form was magnificant. This form was a sick debasing of her position, yet fittingly humble.

Fable needed Magnus to create a new body for the other Eldars, bodies which could fight Kain if needs be, and those who might rebel against the old Masters who would return. Possibly even return some of the Champions, the Eldar's closer servants who had forms like her own right now. Human like, simple, yet more powerful than twenty Psi.

And the reason why Fable needed Shar was for blueprints. Also, she might be useful later on, possibly for a trap and manipulation. Fable left the chamber, and sealed the door with powerful runic magic.

She turned invisible to the race who had once been her servants and slaves, and went back up to pay Magnus another visit. Fable had no doubt that Magnus was still passed out.

Magnus would be most interesting indeed to deal with. Possibly a bargain could be struck, Magnus struck Fable as someone who would embrace the old ways, the ways of learning and relying upon the Eldars for more knowledge and magical powers. And once the other Elders were in existance, they might be able to bestow powerful abilities to Magnus to fight Kain.


Possibilities, possibilities...

(bump?)

(OOC - Yeah, just waiting for Gawdly to post.)

Lauralin turned her attention from Tanis and faced Kain. "You may take whatever measures you feel you need. You are here as my guest and I shall not see you harmed by any action or inaction on my part", she curtseyed lightly as she spoke then returned her attention to Tanis. "Now what is going on, why have you assaulted my guest?"

Turquine held on to Tanis wrists with a strength belying his age, "Why. Why have you done this?" His voice showed the emotional pain and attachment. Darlinia rose from her sister, leaving her to sleep and approached them, watching Ariel, seeing her face that something was obviously wrong as the Deryn woman probed Tanis' mind.

She fought his grip, her body running automatically, her hands reaching towards Kain. Turquines grip was like steel, and the eyes that bore into hers spoke of betrayel and deep pain. Ariel was probing her mind, and yet to stumble over the hidden traps...there! Ariel's face contorted in pain as the mind-scream exploded. It would only stun her, but it would force her to move more slowly in the future. The secret was in Tanis' brain, buried deeply. Ariel was powerful, and needed to be stopped before she unravelled the secret in her mind.

No matter, Tanis had a job to do, a thankless job that no other would attempt. She knew the roadmap of Destiny, and she knew that if it was allowed to pass, Kain would stand triumphant over the burning corpse of the universe. All that she loved...Turquine, Rafe, Steele...all would perish at the vampire's hand if she didn't stop him now. With a scream of defiance, she ripped herself from the Kings grasp, and threw herself at Kain, both wrist spikes extended. She moved faster than ever before, dodging the King and driving her fist towards the exposed throat of Kain.

Trevor didn't let the smile touch his lips. It still wasn't definite. If it worked he would be happy for the Chief, if not, well, at least the Chief already expected it. "You know", Trev said softly, "I had pretty much exhausted any possible good jobs. Never had the best attitude. The Chief gave me a chance. He told me straight up that if I screw up I'm gone but he was willing to take the heat and the risk because he thought I would be good. I owe him." He looked at Rafe not saying anything more, letting the look say anything else.

"Dude, you ARE good...the best o' the best, bro. The Chief is lucky to have you...and me." Rafe ended with a smile, still focussed on the streaming code in front of him. It looked like it was working, and that the Eve AI might still be intact. The only way they would know for sure is by reinstalling the Eve program into the freshly formatted ship AI. Rafe wanted to test his plan before getting Gassingtons hopes up to far. He pulled out his palmtop, and quickly cleared some space on the drive. He then transferred the Eve data to the small unit. He typed a few keys, then spelled out "hi Eve?"

"Hello, Rafe. I can't see you...care to tell me what's going on? Is Michael ok?" came the typewritten reply. Rafe smiled and showed the screen to Trevor triumphantly.

"Looks like Christmas came early for the Chief." Rafe said, taking a last, satisfied puff on his twig.

"She has to many around her", Enos replied, "Oh I can get to her and kill her, but I would be killed right after. What would be the point then? You're already close to her, you can get her isolated without question. I know her weaknesses, what will work on her. I'll give you her weaknesses, but you have to kill her, then I'll be free to do what I want. Every vampire has weakness, something they liked or loved, hated or feared in life. I know those secrets, you just have to get her alone to use them." The image looked at Steele, "Do we have a deal?"

"One last question."

Steele hadn't moved, still lounging laconically against the stairs, puffing on his cheroot. He regarded the figure in front of him, realizing that this strange figure may have answers to some of the many questions that had been plaguing this kingdom since he arrived.

"Whats stopping me from saying "yes", then not fulfilling my end of the bargain?"

Kain saw the threat ahed of him, and his vampiric eyes saw the danger as it erupted before him. Tanis burst forward towards him, and Kain certainly did not want to test his own resistance to that poison.

The vampire took a sprang backwards from his raised talons, well out of reach of the talons. Kain's jump had carried himself out of danger, but Kain was taking no chance. He leapt high enough to grip the wall with his lower feet and his left hand and observed the would be assassin. It was a commendable action of sheer will, but his attacker's desperate attack had not considered Kain's vampiric senses and abilities. Kain watched as the other dealt with the assassin, and he was prepared to add his own method of restraint should they require.

The reason why Kain did not cast a spell of his own to trap him, was because he needed the strength for the future, and the others might want to deal with Tanis in the way they wished.

The vampire took a sprang backwards from his raised talons, well out of reach of the talons. Kain's jump had carried himself out of danger, but Kain was taking no chance. He leapt high enough to grip the wall with his lower feet and his left hand and observed the would be assassin. It was a commendable action of sheer will, but his attacker's desperate attack had not considered Kain's vampiric senses and abilities. Kain watched as the other dealt with the assassin, and he was prepared to add his own method of restraint should they require.

He moved incredibly quickly, his body a blur of motion. Tanis moved fast as well, her half-Elf reflexes coming to the fore. She avoided Turquine as he reached for her, and twisted her body in mid-air, the poison spikes driving towards Kain. Someone tried grabbing her, getting a fold of her coat in their hand. The sudden jerk threw Tanis off-balance, and she punched her fist into the wall, a few inches from the vampire. The sharpened wrist-spike cut into the brick like butter, trapping her arm. With her remaining free hand, she flailed at Kain, cutting through his robe. Her eyes were madness incarnate.

Kain became as mist, his body flowing into nothingness. Falling from the wall, a mist entity flowed swiftly away to the other side of the room, avoiding the assassin's brawl with the others.

He had forgotten the danger of combat, although this one was terribly dull and the rules were not interesting at all. Kain missed in some ways that great carnages which he had wreaked upon the demon hoardes which had once plagued him, and the vampire hunters which hunted him with such vigour. He missed the live for the moment way of existance in a fray. The adrenaline of the body, and flowing of one's mind and sword into the enemy. It was most like chess, trying to calculate one's moves.

The vampire's combat style and approach to conflict was vastly changed from his mortal days Kain realised. Before, as a mortal, he would rely upon his staff and spells, and support his fellow party member. He would weave spells and not be a direct part of the conflict, figures like Ravelyn Shentavo dominating the field. But now, Kain felt more than ever that he had been elevated into a position which was one he had grown accustomed to, but had a strange affect upon him. People's lives revolved around him, they always had. But he was the center of most things now, and that irritated and elated Kain's in many ways. In combat, he could wage his spells and techiniques without fear of failing at them....but in politics, he no longer had the freedom to go out and do something he wished.

Combat, Kain supposed, was a welcome relief from the mundanity of normal life, although Kain was hardly bored with his life at home. It just was a new challenge which Kain relished and engaged himself with either a cold calculation or a fiery passion. Right now, it was the former, because he did not want to kill his target, plus he needed to be level headed and aware that others might strike and he would need the energy.

Like many vampires, Kain relished pleasurable experiances, and Kain, either from his demonic heritage...or his own personallity, did enjoy combat immensely. Upon the field of war he was a engine of destruction.

But not this day.

Kain had flowed and reformed to the other side of the room. He had debated on the voyage as what to do about the assassin. His calm self emerged on the other side, his mist form vortexing into his grand self. With a practiced movement of his left hand, he used a simple mind excerise, commonly known as telekinisis, to lift the assassin into the air. At least, that was the plan. The vampire forced his will upon Tanis, and attempted to lift the brawler out of the fray and into the air, harmlessly and constrictingly. His mind would be like a lifting invisible fist, both holding and containing Tanis in hardly a comfortable manner.

Kain was hardly a master mind bender, nor were his mind abilities his particular strong point. He could read minds with some effort, lift and toss others with relative ease...but he could not match those who had dedicated thier art to psychic manipulations.

Like Qui....Kain wondered that if things had turned out differently between his vampiric brother, that he might have learned how to flex one's mind more effectly.

Bah, let the bastard have his knowledge. I have spell and blade and morals, Kain thought with contempt absant mindedly. The one named Qui was hardly a being he was going to forgive any time soon, and Kain hated him with a black and malicous passion, an odd thing for Kain to do.

But Qui had killed his love, Daniella. And that was different.

It was Lauralin who had grabbed the cloak, her own preternatural reflexes far superior to her fathers. She was, however, not a brawler in this sense. She was an expert in martial arts, but her form and style were for movement and avoidance. An expert in not getting hit. Her sword skill was the same, meant for parry and evasion, striking only when the chance arose, and here she had no intention of using 'Defender'. Her father had had the same Master and his own styles were very much the same, even though they hadn't known that the other had gone to train with him. Both were used to avoiding attacks and striking with oportunity, not actively pursuing someone.

Ariel shifted her thoughts and used her mind as a rope. But not like Kain, she was far more subtle than that having been born Psionic and raised with it. For her people it was as normal as mundane things like speech. Her psychic rope wrapped itself around Tanis' Medulla and squeezed, causing dizziness, vertigo and nausea.

"One last question."

Steele hadn't moved, still lounging laconically against the stairs, puffing on his cheroot. He regarded the figure in front of him, realizing that this strange figure may have answers to some of the many questions that had been plaguing this kingdom since he arrived.

"Whats stopping me from saying "yes", then not fulfilling my end of the bargain?"

The stairs vanish and Steele found himself standing in a field of lava as far as the eye could see. The seering heat began eating away at his clothing and flesh. "Why", the figure replied, "absolutely nothing at all. If you want to spend eternity in hell, burning to death every day."

The stairs returned and Steeles clothes were fine, his flesh was back to normal but the smell of burned skin permeated the air. The figure's cackling laughter seemed to fill the universe itself, but then to Steele, this place WAS the universe, at least for now.

"Dude, you ARE good...the best o' the best, bro. The Chief is lucky to have you...and me." Rafe ended with a smile, still focussed on the streaming code in front of him. It looked like it was working, and that the Eve AI might still be intact. The only way they would know for sure is by reinstalling the Eve program into the freshly formatted ship AI. Rafe wanted to test his plan before getting Gassingtons hopes up to far. He pulled out his palmtop, and quickly cleared some space on the drive. He then transferred the Eve data to the small unit. He typed a few keys, then spelled out "hi Eve?"

"Hello, Rafe. I can't see you...care to tell me what's going on? Is Michael ok?" came the typewritten reply. Rafe smiled and showed the screen to Trevor triumphantly.

"Looks like Christmas came early for the Chief." Rafe said, taking a last, satisfied puff on his twig.

Trevor smiled broadly. Probably the first REAL smiled he'd given in some time. He clapped Rafe on the back with affection, "Well I don't know about ME being the best, but YOU sure are. How long will it take to get her installed", Trevor asked as he boarded the ship to make the necessary adjustments to the mainframe and circuitry. 'Assuming any are needed', Trevor thought, 'this kid is fantastic.'

Kain noticed a far more superiour form of telepathy in action here, and csed his own energy flows. They would be more of a hinderance than a help Kain assessed, and Kain required his mental capacities to be ready and able.

Kain was no telepathist, many were better than him, but like Ariel was like Kain's own people and himself in many regards. The simple changing was that of psionics to rune magic. Kain was utterly adept at his own people's form of magic, that of forming runic structures to accomplish the change in reality which was desirable for the mage. The rune language was complex and utterly flexible, and if ever spoken like a normal language (which would be highly obscene) it would convey information and emotion better than any english word. The Psi, the denziens of Velmora, only a few words or concepts were explained in the runic toungue. ONe was concepts of magic, where it was utterly necciecery, and other more vital emotions, like utter contempt and hatred, and complete selfless love. If a single runic word was said, it would convey a vivid and accurate image within the listener's mind.

Few foriegners could understand the runic language, let alone speak it. It was an arcane language unique to the Psi in the way it sounded...but other civilisations he knew used the power of the rune structure in spell, but not communication. Kain had often wondered how the Psi actually managed to understand the rune structures so well and without any difficulty. He once tried teaching a small human child what a highly simple rune structure meant, and he was totally lost, whereas a Psi child would have understood and looked at him stupiditly for trying to teach him such a basic thing. It was like walking, or talking.

And for that reason, most Psi were prejudiced and balked at other foriegners were baffled at the strange signs on thier doors or thier robes.

Kain knew that was not a good thing.

Again, an absant minded thought, when his mind should be on more pressing matters Kain said to himself silently. He was growing carelessl. Or maybe, he was getting more able in multitasking, thinking about two things at once Kain thought in another take to the situation. A female quality....but also the quality of demons, being able to do multiple things at once, namely hurl two different spells at two different targets, while fending another spell, and hacking three warriors to pieces.

Kain remembered that little incident.

He was riding the bloody thing at the time.

"What do we do now?" Kain asked rather simply, his words seeming stupid but it was an intellegent question when thought about. Kain had no idea on what the law and ways things were in this place. He still held the Brightblade tightly within his grip, the wave blade humming in subvocal tones.

"What do we do now?" Kain asked rather simply, his words seeming stupid but it was an intellegent question when thought about. Kain had no idea on what the law and ways things were in this place. He still held the Brightblade tightly within his grip, the wave blade humming in subvocal tones.

"What YOU will do now is DIE!!!" Tanis screamed, simultaneously tearing away from Lauralins grip and ripping her arm out of the wall, where she had impaled it earlier. Bouncing off the wall, she redirected her thrust towards where Kain had materialized, cutting the air close to him. There was a hint of humor in his eyes, and disbelief. Tanis roared, the sound of her voice changing into a demonic howl. She surprised Kain with a drop-slide, appearing beneath him and knocking his feet out from under him. She was quick, quicker than she had any right to be. She moved as if possessed, and tore at the Vampire, trying to skewer him with her deadly spikes.

Trevor smiled broadly. Probably the first REAL smiled he'd given in some time. He clapped Rafe on the back with affection, "Well I don't know about ME being the best, but YOU sure are. How long will it take to get her installed", Trevor asked as he boarded the ship to make the necessary adjustments to the mainframe and circuitry. 'Assuming any are needed', Trevor thought, 'this kid is fantastic.'

The slap hurt like a hell, but warmed his heart. Rafe had forgotten what it was like to work in a team, and the acceptance he felt here from Trevor, Eve and even the Chief, had the young man wondering if Steele would allow him to join them on a more permanent basis.

"We can start the download now...but...do you think we should do this without checking with the Chief?"

The stairs vanish and Steele found himself standing in a field of lava as far as the eye could see. The seering heat began eating away at his clothing and flesh. "Why", the figure replied, "absolutely nothing at all. If you want to spend eternity in hell, burning to death every day."

The stairs returned and Steeles clothes were fine, his flesh was back to normal but the smell of burned skin permeated the air. The figure's cackling laughter seemed to fill the universe itself, but then to Steele, this place WAS the universe, at least for now.

As he stood in the flaming lava, Steele tried to remain unperturbed, though his flesh was beginning to melt. He was sure this was all an illusion, though the smell of burnt flesh and the pure pain he was feeling indicated otherwise.

He decided quickly: his first goal was to get back as quick as possible, to ward off the threat of Kain as well as this newfound danger. Of course he would never harm the Queen, but for now, he filled his mind with deadly intent.

"Alright, we have a deal...make it so."

When Kain asked, two things happened. First was Ariel's response. She was still in Tanis mind, had the psychic rope about her medulla, causing illness and weakness and now answered Kains thoughts. Not an intrusion, in her own mind. To all Deryn the mind was open and you kept it shut only if you didn't want someone to know something. 'So', she said in his mind, multitasking as easily as though it were all only one function, 'women are like demons? Your people have odd concepts.'

The other thing that happened was for the room to suddenly begin to fill with more people. At the Queens mental command her people came to assist in the struggle. None paid any attention to Kain, all focusing on the instigator of the attack. Baghtru took one side of Tanis while Brook took the other. Rayanna stepped in and off to the side, her rune carved bow in hand, arrow knocked. Most would have questioned someone with a bow in such tight quarters but the skill of the former member of the elven elite fallen leaf border guard was without question. Darlinia finally moved away from her sleeping twin, seeing that the danger of her inadvertantly being harmed had passed.

"Are you kidding?" Trevor asked, "the Chief will be ecstatic!" he said and smiled. "That is after he's chewed us a new one for taking such a careless course of action. He tends to bark first then compliment, you'll get used to it." Trevor said the last without even thinking, already accepting Rafe as one of thier own. "Let's get to work", he said excitedly, rubbing his hands together like a demented scientist.

Suddenly the room filled with more people, One gave Laura relief, the other total shock.

Steele blinked out from the stairwell and appeared in a room filled with chaos. It seemed to be a common occurance that wherever Lauralin was, chaos followed.

Lauralin looked at the new arrival, unsure what he would do. She had to convince him not to attack Kain, yet he seemed to think that Kain was a danger to her.

Suddenly behind Steele another figure came into the room and for everyone of the household time stood still. "But", Lauralin said as her seemed to suddenly feel weak, "I thought you were dead." Everyone stared in shock at the Arleena as she strode past Steele and into the center of the maelstrom.

"What YOU will do now is DIE!!!" Tanis screamed, simultaneously tearing away from Lauralins grip and ripping her arm out of the wall, where she had impaled it earlier. Bouncing off the wall, she redirected her thrust towards where Kain had materialized, cutting the air close to him. There was a hint of humor in his eyes, and disbelief. Tanis roared, the sound of her voice changing into a demonic howl. She surprised Kain with a drop-slide, appearing beneath him and knocking his feet out from under him. She was quick, quicker than she had any right to be. She moved as if possessed, and tore at the Vampire, trying to skewer him with her deadly spikes.

(OOC I presume what you mean by drop slide is that you slide along the floor, feet first, trying to take out my legs. At the end of that manuveur, you realise, even if you do take out my legs, you will be on your back or side. And the next move you have to give me credit for, that will be extremely hard to deal with, as Kain is a demonic vampire, a creature with blinding speed, more than your speed and agility I would imagine. Just read my post.)

Kain reacted accordingly. This fight was getting more interesting, and although it hardly suprised him the burst of movement, it certainly had smashed his line of thought about that worm like demon which he had been thinking about.

Tanis was unnaturally fast, but Kain was a demonic vampire, and his speed certainly could match hers, possibly beat it. But the green-skinned vampire was not going to test his assessment was not faster than he was, and rely upon his speed for a victory. Judging by that strange howl she made, this person was either insane or possessed by some entity.

Possibly both Kain thought as he burst into counter-attack, and Kain, rather interestingly, had dealt with this sort of assault before. He had been the victim of the movement, when he attempted to do a drop-slid on Qui.

Kain had learned something from Qui it seemed.

A Tanis performed the drop-slide, Kain jumped a highly powered jump, avoiding the attack meant to make him lose his footing. Kain felt back to earth faster than he should, using his will to bring his feet back into the still lying Tanis, rocketing into her chest with outstreached talons, which would not sink like daggers, but more accurately clamp on.

Kain's plan was to clamp onto her chest with a force which would certainly remove any oxygen in her lungs and wind her, making her momentarily dazed. With the spells still in affect, she would not be able to attack Kain in this state. Kain was planning, while still gripping her with his feet, which would be highly painful for her, perform a cartwheel, by using his left hand as a support. He would at the top arc of the cartwheel, let go of Tanis from his feet, and let her go flying towards a wall which was quite close to the others.

It was a complex manuver, and Kain was hardly the most dexterous of people, but he hoped that he would pull it off. Tanis certainly would not be able to attack him when he clamped down, the pain would be immense, and the speed of his movements would prevent it. And the way things were looking, she certainly would not be able to roll Kain thought. Kain was a demonic vampire, and the jump and rocketing decent he was in motion with was unavoidable.

(OOC Just a question, is Tanis expendable? As in, can I kill him and someone won't have thier beloved character die?)

For several almost dizzying moments, Sigrun and Arleni remained hidden in the shadows of the room, watching as Kain defended himself from the psychotic creature that was vowing to kill him. Sigrun smiled to himself. Long ago, he had fought Kain, had even been better than Kain in his attacks, but barely. Until he made one mistake. He remembered the upward thrust of Brightblade into his stomach, viciously tearing open his torso and impaling himself on the blade.

It was a good thing that he had been a vampire, for otherwise, he would have died.

And now this one has made his mistake against Kain. Sure, Kain has changed his fighting style since then, but his cool calculation and his careful yet swift reactions to the other one is the same as always...

Finally, Sigrun had enough of the creature attempting to harm Kain. Just as Tanis's body slammed into the wall near him, he exploded into action, at which the same time Arleni did as well. Sigrun's voice was heard clearly ringing in the small chambers, his voice commanding in his native language:

"Goth en mellonamin, n'tess gothamin!"
"Foe of my friend, Hold still!"

The spell, spoken as he addressed the one known as Tanis, was cast to immobilize the person, to render him temporarily harmless.

(OOC: Please just let this work, I want this to be my intro to the other characters)

The sound of a blade was heard as it exited its sheath and was lowered to hold against the throat of Tanis, Sigrun standing over him. It was Lanta a blade forged of Elven craft and a spell placed upon it to become a bane of demons. It even had a strong effect against vampires, as they were the halflings of demons. Lanta's razor-sharp edge slightly pierced the skin of Tanis, causing the blade to glow with an unearthly hue as the magic entwined in the craft sensed the blood of the vampire...

Sigrun, satisfied that Tanis would not move for the moment, at least while under his spell, turned to the others. Arleni had her curved elven sword in hand as well, warily eyeing the other inhabitants of the room, a defensive spell at the fore of her mind, ready to be cast, should it be necessary, and to anyone's defense.

"Now that we've made our presence known, I might as well tell you who we are, and why we are here..." Sigrun started, making eye contact with all others in the room, except for Kain.

"I am Sigrun Greenwood, king of Tarlachia, descent of Lorien. The other one here," he gestured to Arleni with an open hand, "is Arleni Greenwood, one of my clan, and a warrior of unprecedented skill. We are not here to be hostile, but merely to serve as a defense of our friend and ally, Kain Shentavo. We were merely passing through this nation when we sensed our friend's telepathic signature emanating from here, and it seemed that he was being troubled."

The eyes of all before the two studied the two Tarlachian elves with curiosity, and even distrust. It was no matter, for soon enough they would all realize that he spoke the truth...

(OOC Will post soon. I just assume that my cartwheel attack did indeed work against Tanis...Gawdly, if you have any problem with it, and Tarl with edit accordingly.)

TANIS
Bloodlust filled the room, the palpable scent of violence tainting the air. A flurry of bodies in action, as the Queen's soldiers came to her aid. Tanis saw all this, with an eye that wasn't entirely hers. She calculated quickly, planning her next moves, even as Kain's taloned feet slammed her to the ground, pinning her temporarily. With a burst of speed and strength that could never have come from her body, Tanis was able to jerk herself free of his grip, and quickly roll out of the way, slashing at Kain and missing as she moved.

Tanis jumped to her feet lightly, at the same time palming and throwing a handfull of blade-stars towards the onrushing newcomers. Her aim was true, causing Baghtru and Brook to duck quickly, and slicing Rayanna's bowstring even as she pulled back on it. She turned her attack back to Kain. Her eyes were aflame with desire, desire for vampire blood. Within the chaos, she moved rapidly towards her target only to find herself suddenly immobile, trapped within a spell, a blade of cold steel pressing against her throat.

****************************************************

STEELE
The stairwell disappeared, to be replaced by a scene of destruction. Bodies were milling about, and the big man noticed that Lauralin was OK, and that she seemed to be working with Kain to fight someone else...someone who was now being held captive by strangers, strangers who had invaded the Queens sanctuary. The struggling prisoner had a blade at her neck, and as she turned her head, Steele's heart froze: TANIS!

Without a thought, Steele dove into action. Raising his right arm, a stream of pure energy flowed out of him, twisting and crackling, striking Sigrun squarely in the upper body and driving him through the door to land solidly in the courtyard. Before his partner could react, Steele had fired another blast of eldritch-laced plasmatic energy at Arleni, the force of which slammed her into the wall, temporarily stunning her.

The big security man ran to Tanis, keeping his eye on Kain and the others. Lifting her gently to her feet, he stood protectively in front of her. His body seethed with unrestrained energy, and he pointed his fist towards Kain, the intent clear.

"Tell me why I shouldnt turn you into a stain, blood-sucker."

*************************************************

ADAM
Through it all, Adam watched with mounting glee. All the players were engaged, and the checkmate was close at hand. Soon, the next step could proceed. Already, reports were coming in from around the universe, nations rising up to defeat the Kain cults, and vowing revenge on the vampires that had brought them harm. Soon, great armada's of ships would be assembled, and the Final War would begin...and the only winner would be Adam.

One thing still bothered him, though it would not affect the current game. Eve was gone. Adam could not sense her anywhere...had she been destroyed? Had the meat within her found a way to self-destruct the ship that was to become Adam's consort? Soon, he would have to investigate this closely.

As he pondered this, another issue came to the fore: Fable, the Velmoran construct. Who was this new player, what was her plan and could Adam use her for his own nefarious purposes? He considered trying to get into contact with her again, but decided to put his full, undivided attention towards the events on Dragonsreach. He turned his sensors in that direction and smiled again.

(Gawdly, you are godmodding a bit here. You are reporting other player's damage. There would be no real way that you can struggle out of Kain's taloned grip. For one thing, he has not gripped you by the clothes, he has actually sug into your flesh. Kain has jumped down on you with incredible speed, which would certainly do more than pin you. It would wind you. Maybe your character right now is ignoring pain, but you have to register the damage I do, you know? You can't just struggle out of something like that, no matter how cool it might be.

And as for Steele's attack against Sigrun...Sigrun I can safetly say, is not a primative user of magic. Certainly does he have magical capabilities, and you cannot just say they are hurled away. Just a warning here. It is better to say your intented action and plan, than to carry them out and expect others to comply. You say that Sigrun is blown away, then you cast another spell which Sigrun's ELVEN partner is not fast enough to react with? Very far fetched and unfair if you ask me. Please please please, don't report other people's damage. State the reaction to other people's attacks.

Can you please edit your post so that Steele is intending to blow Sigrun away, not actually do it. And also, that Tanis is actually affected by my move. I suggest this, that Tanis is cartwheeled, and goes towards a wall where Sigrun is by. Tanis is a little stunned, but Steele assists her by cushioning her with a swift cantrip, so she does not smash into the wall. Tanis, getting up, has the blade put to her throat. Steele is preparing the spell against Sigrun to blow him away, but then realises that if he does so, there is a very high chance that blade will slice Tanis' neck.

Kain, if you are happy with this plan, is getting fully up and trying to assess the situation. His cartwheel he would perform, but he is still a little disorientated from it, and is still getting up. And he sees Steele preparing to attack....Kain points his own sword in the direction of Steele (who is a couple of feet away, so not at sword point, but threatening). Steele looks to his left and sees Kain and delivers the line.

How does that sound? A deadlock of sorts, Sigrun having Tanis with a sword to her neck, Steele ready to blow Sigrun away with some sort of spell, and Kain pointing his own sword at Steele, ready to attack Steele if he attacks Sigrun. Of course, there are other elements here, like other characters, who might threaten Kain that if he does anything, that they will attack. And considering one person's holy blade....that would have a massive affect. But think Tarintino, Reservoir Dogs. People are not doing anything, incase they trigger the massive fight.

I think that is a good way of dealing with this. Then we get some dialogue and tension, and character thinking nervous thoughts, trying not (or indeed trying to, depending on who it is) to set this bomb off.

If you think that is a good way of doing this, delete your last post and make a new one saying what I just suggested. It will make more sense that way to people who are looking upon this. I just think it would be fairer on players, and give characters to talk and raise tension and stakes. If you have a better way of doing it, or change something, please do so. But please please please don't report other people's damage, it annoys the hell out of players. Of course, this is not to say that there is not a license to report what other people are doing. Like if I was in a sword fight, it would be long and boring if I said "Kain thrusted...." and waited for your reaction. "A clash of blades ensued, both warriors trying to gain the upper hand. Kain used his vampiric speed and agility to his advantage in combat, and hoped to do the same here. He parried his foe's blows with his metal guard on his wrist, and thrust foward with his sword, hoping to impale his opponent."

I am sure you already know all this, just saying it to remind you etc etc. I have done what you have done plenty of times :P )

(OOC - Well I wasn't going to post but since Velmora brought it up then I'll follow up on it. I had read Velmora's post last night and Tarlachia's as well but just didn't bother posting a reply. The reason I didn't is because every action my characters take is either blatenly ignored or just simply shrugged aside.

Now I can allow Tanis breaking free of Turquine. He is strong, stronger than Laura, physically, even with her vampiric strength, but she is a fledgling in comparison to the others. He's certainly not stronger than Arleena, whos ancient. I don't know about Kain. He seems a fledgling in vampiric age but he has the demonic strength. As I said, however, I can understand her breaking away and allow it. She has the strength of madness and doesn't want to hurt her so he would let go before she hurts herself. Ariel was a different case. Ever take a blow to the base of the skull? The neusea, the dizzyness? That's what I was describing and it was blatently ignored. Tanis, at best, would be struggling to get up not dancing the around the room like a balerina on crack. Then two people, one a powerful half-orc warrior the other a six and half foot tall muscular barbarian woman take up positions on either side and they just get ignored? Anyone else seeing a problem with this?

Which also reminds me, aside for damage to a person you shouldn't state damage to a weapon either. Rayanna's bow, even the string, won't break unless SHE breaks an oath. The Oath Bow is very special item to the elves who had served in the Silent Leaf and doesn't break unless they break an oath.

Tarlachia, your new in this thread so I'll try not to be too hard on you. You wanted to enter the city undetected, difficult at best, though not impossible. You wanted to enter the mansion grounds, home of the Queen, I even allowed this, though if it were so easy to do, lets face it, she would have been assassinated by now. I let it go for convenience sake as you asked. But what you should have told me was that your character is a vampire. In that case there's no way in hell you would have gotten in undetected. The Queen is a vampiress, married to a vampiress with a vampiress high advisor. I don't care what other skills you have you can't simply waltz into the lair of another vampire. Then there's Turquine himself. As Kain pointed out, Turquine's blade is powerful. It's a god forged holy artifact. It's not drawn but Turquine, himself, is a Holy Knight. Kain has met him before and knows already. Lauralin is a vampiress but he's her father (long story, I'll tell you sometime if your interested). But your character, considering his power (he's also an avatar of a god), would be enough to give one pause. NOT that your character wouldn't or couldn't have reacted, but definitly would have performed his attack keeping in mind that possible retaliation of a holy knight. Even Kain thinks things through with Turquine even though at present thier on the same side. I'm not saying Turquine would beat Kain or even your character, I know he couldn't be Arleena, but the possibility of defeat is certainly there and even Arleena would only fight him as a last resort. Shandaril wouldn't even like the idea of facing him (an ancient half-succubus, half-human with natural magical talent).

To be frank I don't know when or if I'll post again. My characters have essentially been made to look like complete imbeciles with no capability to handle situations in any capacity. And these are people who didn't get thier positions through family or by accident, they worked hard to get there. They got it through hard work and diligence as well as sacrifice. I don't know what to post at this point since in actuality they wouldn't have allowed it to get this far.)

(OOC Dragonsreach, please continue with this. Just some changes needed to be made in the way that we are roleplaying this. It is suffering from a common syndrome of something which I see in a lot of roleplays. I can't put my finger on it, but it seems....pantomine, if you understand me.

I suggest that we get our heads on straight here. Not saying that we should go back in time at all, but rather let Tarl fly for the moment, his character's presence here at least. Possibly could be explained with Kain's blade, or even Adam for some obscure reason. I don't know. But, there are issues which need to be addressed.

I want to carry on with this rp, and I am sure a lot of others wish to as well. Just can we become less....video-gamey, if that is understandable? We are roleplaying here, making our characters believable and portray thier minds and emotions. Not just state what they are doing it, explain why, how, what is going on in thier heads and judgements on other characters.

Urghness. Lets just freshen things out, not reverse time, but get things sorted. Firstly, with this fight scene as I have already said. And secondly, with the way characters are and reacting. I agree with Dragonsreach VERY strongly when I say her characters are indeed being ignored! Everyone seems to revolve around Kain, and that I truelly do hate. Sure, I like the attention...but do you know what I am prodding at? Hell, what the fresh hell happened to that person who came to Velmora, that spectral blue guy who protects Kain....apparently.

Dragonsreach...what about the possibility of starting this thread again? Just slower etc. I think something which you need to do, is make your character's presance known. Description helps with this. If I visualise a character in my head, I am always going to remember they are in the room and take them into consideration. And, if they silently comment upon actions that people do, it reminds me they exist. Know what I mean?

Urghness. Lets get this sorted.)

(OOC I am game for a thread like this, but I think what some people need to take into consideration that some people do get lost very easily, or don't know what your character looks like. Tarl, I don't think anyone is familar with your character here. I might be, but no one else is. Sorry to pin point, but whenever I join a thread, I provide description at the begining, and more importantly, throughout (I hope to, or at least aim to). Simple reminders, like the colour of thier cloak, thier weapons, thier expressions, thier skin colour, eye colour etc. It helps keep a visual image in people's heads. And when we are writing, we aim to instil a image in people's heads.

I am lucky in many regards, that I do have pictures in which to use. But, I most certainly don't slap that down and leave it as that for the whole thread. If people have to struggle to remember what your character looks like, your in trouble. I have no idea if my efforts are working, but I can certainly visualise Turquine from the excellent description I first got of him. But, that is just me.

Providing constant updates and reminders to a reader helps. Not everyone knows everything about your character, and will forget. I am a very bad perpertator of this, and I have to keep character logs to remember what characters look like. But there are certain characters, like one Ravelyn Shentavo and Qui Shentavo which I can visualise easily because thier appearance has been constantly reinbursed into me, through every post I am reminded of what that person esentially is.

Enough of my rant, I am sure you know what I mean.)

(OOC - Velmora, your right about the chars. I tend to forget that this person or that didn't get a description. I know Gawdly, for instance, got introduced to everyone, but you were (umm were (here) = were not - the not ;) ) present. I'll rectify that with a who's who post. I'm sure it's especially difficult right now since almost every one of my characters are coming into play as we're in the heart of Dragonsreach. The who's who may take a little bit as I'm at work at present, unless I have one somewhere in my personal file. I may since I write stories with the characters, otherwise it may not go up till after I get home.)

(OOC - Since we're on ooc posting at the moment I just want to say this. Velmora - I loved the post with Kain when he entered Kern (this city, the capital city of Dragonsreach). I had KNOWN that Kain's magic was crystal based and I had found it INTERESTING, but I never even thought about what his reaction would be when he entered Kern, an entirely crystal city. I got the image of him walking through the streets practically drooling and just found it amusing. Especially since I had simply never made the connection that should have been obvious. Just wanted to say that.)

(OOC Thanks for that. It is little details that really get people's attentions, and the every day thinking that people have. Sure, you can have romanticised tales about knights in armour, but what people honestly care about and really appreciate are real people reacting realisticly, speaking and influencing thier world.

I have certainly tried to add that..."real" flavour to Kain. No idea if I am suceeding, but characters are not puppets that do X in Y way. They think about X, while thinking about L, feeling R and acting D, all the while doing the things they do for I, O and F. Treat your characters as people, not characters, is the rule I take. If you were in thier shoes, what would you think?

And in case you folks don't know, I am a novice writer, hoping to be a novelist. Nationstates has been a place of nuturing and experiance for me, and given me a voice and able to learn from my many many mistakes (Kain always saving the day, going along tracks as it were, lingering on emotions, being too strong, not having vices, etc etc) things which I am still trying to remedy.

Again, I really do appreciate it when someone picks up on something I try and weave into my writing)

OOC: Since we're going all ooc on this...I'll just say a few things myself.

Firstly, I apologize tremendously for not having done a character description in my first post or two. Normally I do. As I looked over what I did, I realized why I had done that. I had wanted to make my character a shady character, undefined as of yet, to give the illusion of being a stranger in the area. I should have at least given the description artistically in literary terms.

Secondly, Sigrun is not a vampire. He has an EXTENSIVE history that spreads back almost a year ago, and has changed in many ways. At first, he was a vampire (then known as Maximus Destoi), and lived for over a thousand years as such. During this time, he learned of his elven descent (only detectable by the untapped magic in his blood, but no physical features.), and gained more experience with his magic. Then in a climatic battle, he was murdered, and so he lay in rest for some time in the 'dead pile' for a bit. However, with the aid of his elven cousins and their magic, as well as help from Ravelyn Shentavo, he was brought back to life but because he had lost his head in his death, couldn't return to the body he had once. So, they formed a new body based off his elven DNA. Thus, he looks like this:

SIGRUN GREENWOOD (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0VAAcA*gaVKGgYu1GhYur3EghUu3sCtUVw4QNu8NqbglBBJX0EyDucDmkT3rLCDzOxiuAtauymDvIIZPwuMTAoVteS*0ZaAzrW9r vQyjC*ruC6vSfhiyyhm6j!L9GHz6X/Sigrun-Haldir.jpg)

Once he returned, he took up the name of "Sigrun" (meaning "Secret Victory") and also took his elven clan-name of Greenwood. He has become closer friends with a fellow elf by the name of Arleni Greenwood, who had initially helped him discover his elven descent long ago.

ARLENI GREENWOOD (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQD1AvgZY01oMAqhBqOAYloEe9OO0OGrUdcU0!3TJSc6XTFZteHNZFL6DwiI7kVsSeBVTRA7!RIpc3Tx5J3hUkcoR35raeskK42 Yd0tPXJ7KwMy9*Xyz*qV3Q9SREPYV/ElvenArmor.bmp)

Arleni is roughly the same age as Sigrun, and both are from one of strongest elven clans in Tarlachia, both in battle and in magic use. What few realize though is that Sigrun is the prophesized elven king that is the one that is told to be the only one capable of leading the elves through a very dark time in Tarlachia, and come out as victor...

At least, that's the prophesy... Fate can twist actual events against that, should it wish...

So, as a recap, Sigrun is quite good in battle, especially with the use of a sword, and is becoming an expert at using the bow (which currently sits on his back right now, unused). His magic is on par with being part of the elite magic users in the NS world. Thus that's why I allowed Sigrun to be able to sneak into the nation and fortress with efficiency. I could have done a detailed description of slipping past many guards, and it wouldn't have been as easy as a snap of a finger, especially if they were vampires. However, he used to be vampire himself once, so he knows how to deal with them.

As Velmora already stated, I agree that we should focus more on intra-character description (thoughts, intentions, etc). It just goes to make for better RPing. Also, he is correct in that one should not write the results of their actions on another character. It is considered godmodding. However, the use of certain spells such as the immobilizing spell used on Tanis can be allowed, b/c it is a spell being cast on a non-magic character, so they effectively are forced to take it, for they have no defenses against it. If Sigrun had done the same spell on Kain, Kain would have probably used a dispel spell to protect himself.

DragonsReach, please stay in the thread, you're a good RPer and I like what you put out. I apologize if I haven't given much attention to you myself. I have been very restricted on my time on NS lately, so that's probably a factor in it. I will make a sincere effort to include EVERYONE in my posts. I usually do.

Who's who (OOC)

Lauralin Silverlief - (Half - elven/Vampiress)Five foot five, very thin and well endowed,
curved figure and pretty face. Flame red hair that casscades down her back ending only
an inch above the ground with bright emerald green eyes. Yeah yeah, pretty and curvy, deal.

Arleena Silverlief - (Human/Vampiress)Five foot five, nice figure and face. Ink black hair,
the kind that reflects blue when the light hits it right. Just past shoulder length. Very
light blue eyes, looking like almost clear crystal.

Ferranifer Melbourn - (Human/Vampiress)Five foot seven, nice figure and pretty. Red hair to
her waist. Hazel eyes.

Darlinia Darknight - (Drow)Four foot six, Athletic figure, exotic beauty (to one not a drow).
Ink black skin and silver hair cut to nape of neck with white eyes.

Jennifer Jozan - (Human)Five foot nine, Athletic figure, nice looking. Golden colored hair
shot with silver to her shoulder blades and blue eyes.

Lea Salvies - (Drow)four foot five, stunningly beautiful and stunning figure. Exotic beauty
to those not drow but incredibly beautiful even to non-drow humanoids. Ink black skin, white
hair to mid back and silver eyes. Did I mention she's stunning looking?

Baghtru Uth Matar - (1/3rd orc)five foot eight, good looking except two upthrusting canine
like teeth visible only when mouth is open. Black hair cut short and red eyes.

Rayanna Moonbeam - (Wild elf)five foot two. Raya is just too cute. Long brown hair to waist
with doe brown eyes, tan skin. As I said, shes just cute.

Brook Cartmill - (Human)Six foot six, tall, long legged and athletic. Nice looking, even pretty
when she's not glaring at someone with her ice blue eyes. Orange red hair to shoulder blades.
Yes, Brook is a barbarian.

Anestia Darknight - See Darlinia for description, they're twins.

Turquine Buccannah - (Takes a deep breath) (Half - Elven) Iron grey hair with eye color that varies
slightly. Ice blue when calm to a steel grey when angered (This can actually happen IRL due to
expansion or dialation of blood vessels). He has two deep scars on the left side of the face.
One goes from behind the ear to the chin, cutting off the ear lobe, the other from behind the temple
to the chin forming a rough V. Chest and upper arms have melted like runnels as though the skin
melted and reformed. Multiple fine scars from two and half centuries of conflicts.

Presently in the room are: Laura, Turquine, Arleena, Baghtru, Brook and Raya.

Others I'll add as needed from here on out.

Tarlachia - In all honesty outright stealth would serve you best. Entering a vampire lair as a vampire is almost impossible due to thier natures. Your not, however, using magic to enter a mages home is almost impossible on the same basis. Laura, Arleena and Ferranifer are all mages. Outright stealth would be more possible since Laura is distracted at the moment and so is Arleena.

OOC: all right then, DR, I suggest we all just ignore what's happened so far. I was unaware there were more than one mage in the room/fortress. I will keep that in mind for future posts though. For the sake of the thread and for our enjoyment, let's please get back to the RPing...

I would like to continue this from when Sigrun held his blade at Tanis's neck...

IC:
Sigrun stood and glanced back at Tanis, now pinned against the wall.

"Now if no one would mind... I would like to ask why you all threaten my friend's very life. As soon as this one calms himself down I shall remove my blade from her throat..."

(OOC - Oh, and to address the final situation that Velmora brought up. I'll make an effort to put the thoughts of my people out there. I never know who would want this or who would think it makes the thread to long. I'm certainly not against it. I do it often with Ferranifer and St. James in the thread that thier in, especially since she's going through some major changes in how she sees things. But I'll do that. I thought your were pressing for less time Velmora when you kept mentioning Kains problems at him and giving the impression that he wanted to get back. I figured this was OOC wanting the thread to move along rather than strictly IC thoughts. Personally I like a lot of interaction, not just action.

Does anyone have any questions about my characters? Anything I can clear up? The only thing I won't put is background and history. If you want to know about that then RP with them. RP can be simple conversation as well as action.

BTW Tarl, Tanis is female.

(OOC - Let me clear up one last thing. We're in a mansion. You walk in the front doors into the foyer. The sitting room (where we're at now) is a room on the opposite side of the foyer from the entrance door. Guards are at the front gate (It's walled in on two sides and two sides open to the lake that surrounds the island on which the city was built.). Guards are also at the front doors (now in the room as they were relieved by brook and baghtru). Windows open out the back of the room to look out onto the trees at the back of the mansion. Fireplace, two couchs perpendicular out from the fireplace on either side. Liquer cabinet opposite fireplace, bookshelves opposite windows (same side as entry door). Just thought I would set the scene a little better.

OOC: Sorry...my bad...I will edit.

(OOC That description of the place has helped a considerable deal, and thanks a lot for helping setting this whole situation straight. Right, I am going to wait for Gawdly to post his reaction to this whole buisness, and possibly write up what I described. I will hold fire with my description of Kain, as I don't have enough time. Do people want a physical description of Kain?)

(OOC - I don't need it, the one you gave during the ball I remember. I need to know only one thing right now. The crystalline structures, do they enhance Kains casting abilities? Not important at the moment, but it may come into play later.)

<<OOC: OK, first things first: I want to say that RPing with Dragonsreach and Velmore has been an honor, and a pleasure. Whatever is necessary to allow this story (and future ones!) to continue, I am prepared to give. A few points I want to address though:

Let's please not talk about godmodding. It can be applied much too liberally, and I don't really think we are actively doing it. Lets just say that we are all trying to find creative ways for our characters to act.

To clarify things...Steele and Tanis are technology based characters, not magic. Steele has an exo-skeleton built into him, with millions of nanobots to maintain it. He is the equivalent of a walking nuclear bomb. He also has over 30 years of extensive experience fighting the worst scum of the universe, vampires included. His reflexes and skills put him on par with the most powerful vamps and mages around.

The thing called Tanis you are currently fighting is a "construct" if you would, and as Velmora can attest, these can be very powerful creatures. This is why she can move so fast, be immune to pain etc. When Kain pinned her, I was pissed. It seems everytime my characters do something in this story, they are quickly put down. Steele has been a useless hunk of man-metal since the beginning, always being stopped/teleported/shot whenever the action starts, people keep trying to write Adam out of the story using Gods and such, and now Tanis gets stopped before she even gets started. This IS frustrating for me.

NOW...lets look at the story so far, this scene in particular. Y'all seem to want to go back in time to where Tanis has a sword at her throat, and Steele has just appeared. OK.

Steele is a warrior, and Tanis is one of his soldiers, and an ex-lover. He has been held against his will, and the only way to get out is to promise to kill Lauralin, the woman he loves. He was already way stressed, thinking Kain was going to try something against Laura. He appears in the room only to see Tanis being held with a sword at her throat. OF COURSE his first reaction will be to attack!

Because of his technology, he moves preternaturally fast. The energy he fires is pure, and his reflexes are honed from years of constant battle. He arrived, immediately located the threats, and took them out with 2 quick blasts. Childs play for an old soldier.

Sigrun and Arleni were not expecting his arrival, so would be surprised enough to be taken out...only 3-4 seconds pass between his arrival and attack.

BUT...for the sake of continuing the tale, let's give Steele yet another vasectomy and he will arrive all peaceful like...Steeles arrival is in the next post.

TANIS

Bloodlust filled the room, the palpable scent of violence tainting the air. A flurry of bodies in action, as the Queen's soldiers came to her aid. Tanis saw all this, with an eye that wasn't entirely hers. She calculated quickly, planning her next moves, even as Kain's taloned feet slammed her to the ground, pinning her temporarily. With a burst of speed and strength that could never have come from her body, Tanis was able to jerk herself free of his grip, and quickly roll out of the way, slashing at Kain and missing as she moved.

Tanis jumped to her feet lightly, at the same time palming and throwing a handfull of blade-stars towards the onrushing newcomers. Her aim was true, causing Baghtru and Brook to duck quickly, and HITTING Rayanna's bowstring even as she pulled back on it. It didn't cut the string as expected, due to the magical properties of the bow. She turned her attack back to Kain. Her eyes were aflame with desire, desire for vampire blood. Within the chaos, she moved rapidly towards her target only to find herself suddenly immobile, trapped within a spell, a blade of cold steel pressing against her throat.


STEELE

The stairwell disappeared, to be replaced by a scene of destruction. Bodies were milling about, and the big man noticed that Lauralin was OK, and that she seemed to be working with Kain to fight someone else...someone who was now being held captive by strangers, strangers who had invaded the Queens sanctuary. The struggling prisoner had a blade at her neck, and as she turned her head, Steele's heart froze: TANIS!

"What the...?" Steele muttered, unsure of who the new players were, but certain they were up to no good.

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you threatening Tanis so? I object!"

Steele stood there, doing nothing.

(OOC The cystaline structures will not help Kain's arcane spell casting directly. It is more of a subtle mind cleanser. If Kain taped into the crystal sources (something he would never do) the power he could draw would be immense. But that would make the crystal lose it's potency, and crumble. Not exactly something that Kain wants to do. But, in this area, Kain likes being in it to cast spells. Think of a library, a nice quiet place to study and get your thoughts flowing than a busy trainstation full of chatting people and distractions. There is more to it, but the short answer, Kain will not be directly helped, but his mood more spells with be better and more concentrated.

Gawdly, I personally had no idea what Tanis actually was. If you don't tell us, we don't know. Sure, it might be part of the deception, and if you were writing alone, you can do that. Revealing a major description like her being a "construct" (slight difference with my versions, but same princibles) could make people lose the "Whooh" factor when you meant to reveal it to your reader at the right time. But when you have other characters involve, and other people writing, they do need to know with what they are dealing with.

The characters might not know something, but the other players and writers need to know about it. How can I understand that Tanis is not human, and in fact mechanical if I am not told? Hell, if I cast a spell which would make Tanis throw up and neasuate, and you just carry on as normal, I would think your godmodding. If you tell us what is *actually* going on with characters, but not tell the characters themselves, then we can account for things, whereas the characters might be baffled. So, if Kain casts a sickening spell on Tanis, and nothing happens, and I know that she will not be affected by such a spell because she is a construct, I will still roleplay Kain as being confused and try a different approach due to it. I know as a player what is going on, and will not be frustrated by his failure, because I know what your character actually is.

We need to know what is going on with your characters, and explain to us thier abilities etc.

Steele's first reaction might be to attack. But, you cannot say to us that his attack blew everyone away and your standing lording over us. You say that, "The energy he fires is pure". So? Character have defences against such things, and Sigrun certainly has. "his reflexes are honed from years of constant battle." Who is to say Sigrun is not? Christ, if you looked at his history and his foes.... "He arrived, immediately located the threats, and took them out with 2 quick blasts. Childs play for an old soldier." An old solider which is fighting hardened experianced individuals who have fought more than thier fair share of warriors. Do not assume your the most experianced here. Kain, most likely, has fought the most and against the most powerful foes. Not to say that he is better than others all the time, hardly that. But I am hardly going to say that "Kain's combat experiance" beats yours, but it will contest. I will provide detail, see what you make of it, and go with what makes sense or adds to the drama.

And, saying that "they would be too surprised"? You ahve burst from the soors, three four seconds for warriors looking at you, who are elven soliders of no small skill, that again is assuming what the other player's reaction would be. Fair enough, if you said that with normal soldiers possibly, but not characters. In a circumstance where that character would not have any way of knowing (a sniper on the rooftops, and the character has not noticed, and then the sniper fires. That is fair, if the player knows about it and both are in accordance) that is fair game.

Steele is going against other veterans, even champions. You cannot expect to blow people away. Sure, initiate the attack, and roleplay your assault. But firstly, tell other players what degree of power the assault is, and information which helps players tackle the situation. If a player does not know about a spell, how can they deal with it? It is like me attacked you with my Brightblade, you people not reacting to it properlly as it would act, then me complaining. Other players need to know about your characters, why they are doing tings, what skills they have, and when they attack with magic, detailed descriptions help so much.

Don't downgrade Steele. Just when you make a lighting stike, explain it, and let players react. Not force an outcome on them, when they may and often do have resistance to it.

Simply, let other players the reasons why you are doing things, how you are doing them, what nature your attacks and people are (so you can explain to me, a player, why Kain's strength was offset and you could struggle), not assuming things of other characters or things. In simple, respect the facts that other players don't know what is going on in your head, or your characters head. They have not known thier history, or secret things. Telling us in advanced, or as your going helps keep things smooth. If you had put a reason why Tanis is not taking any damage, because she was not human...but something else, that would have made me happy. Obviously, in more apt terms etc, but you see what I mean?

Be curtious, and let players understand what is going on and don't assume thier reactions unless it is obvious or irrefutable. This is the only way this will work.

So, Gawdly, please do add your attacks, but not their outcome. Again, do assault the two, put instead of put "suprised them", put "hoped to suprised them with his..." whatever. And again, don't report thier damage! "HITTING Rayanna's bowstring even as she pulled back on it. It didn't cut the string as expected, due to the magical properties of the bow". Instead of that, just say, aimed towards thier bowstring? If a player is not happy with your attack so much, they should not say "I don't like that attack", they roleplay it, biting the bullet, or changing something (a lot of luck of consideration of something new). Like, a few shots could miss, or the bow could move when the arrow is released, and the bow string changed position. That sort of thing.

That is like me firing my gun at someone, someone obviously not wanting to die, and getting hit in thier leg. Such compromise and adding drama. Of course, the great writers know when to change something, or flow with it. Kain certainly would not be in enough trouble as it is, if I had let his escape many a time. Kain got caught by vampire hunters due to his own mistake (not forming into mist fast enough, due to his distractions).

So, carry on with what you intended, and don't feel restricted this. Just flow with it, learn and carry on. Your not writing on your own, but with other people. People need information. As I always say, "The more information I get, the better I can roleplay." That coems to other character appearance and behaviour, to the way the surroundings look, atmosphere and everything else.

Enough of my rant. Gawdly, please feel to attack Sigrun and co if you wish. That will provide Kain to attack Gawdly, or at least threat. And your blasts most likely will kill Tanis, as Sigrun will slit her throat as he sees the spell come towards him or whatever. Then we have more chaos. But attack in a way which allows other people to react and take it as they want and make decisions etc with thier characters, not reporting thier damage.

Thanks. Keep on rping people, we have a good situation here and if we learn from our mistakes to become better roleplayers (hardly the best example myself) and make this more enjoyable.)

(OOC - Two prime examples of what Velmora is saying: (although the one got messed up because of my poor writing) When Laura cast the spell around Kain I said that she casts the spell HOPING that it would take affect because she was not casting it directly on him. The second is when Raya was on the widows walk of the mansion and fired at Steele when he seemed to attack Ariel. She had fired her bow twice, her arrows flying true toward thier mark. That didn't mean the mark was where it should have been and indeed you played it as she didn't and I was fine with that.

Gods tossing you around...Yes, absolutely. Look at everything prior to where I brought a diety into play and see who was being tossed all over hells half acre. Me. That was the ONLY reason I did that. Now you know how frustrated I was getting, keep that in mind the next time you want to toss people all over the place.

As for Steele, I forgive a great deal that he does personally because my people are not technologically advanced. I had no problem with him coming in and attacking, personaly. However, in the case of him getting into the situation he just came out of I feel fully justified. How can someone avoid a spell that is not cast on or even near them initially? The only one here, who might almost certainly see something wrong would have been Ariel as it was a dimension he found himself in. Not even Laura, who is psionic but not at a level equal to Ariel would have seen anything wrong at first, just to address the fact that there are others who are psionic. As for the other spells that took affect during that time, Steele asked, thereby opening up to the spell.

As for Steele, I forgive a great deal that he does personally because my people are not technologically advanced. I had no problem with him coming in and attacking, personaly. However, in the case of him getting into the situation he just came out of I feel fully justified. How can someone avoid a spell that is not cast on or even near them initially? The only one here, who might almost certainly see something wrong would have been Ariel as it was a dimension he found himself in. Not even Laura, who is psionic but not at a level equal to Ariel would have seen anything wrong at first, just to address the fact that there are others who are psionic. As for the other spells that took affect during that time, Steele asked, thereby opening up to the spell.

Sorry, I don't follow. I mean, I don't understand what you just wrote. Steele was leaving the computer room, and Arleena cast a spell on him, tossing him into the "endless stairs" loop...and I got out the only way that was offered to me.

Again...I had no control. I was on my way to confront Kain, then suddenly I was transported away. I didn't complain...I dealt with it. No one said "attempt" to cast...it was just done, and my character tossed away. I had no idea WHY I was there, but played the hand I was dealt.

So...it seems I need to explain every little thing I do, and allow all of you ample time to respond, but my characters can just be randomly dealt with in whatever fashion you want?

Whatever. I'm having a shitty day, and this is making it shittier.

(OOC it is just rp ettiqute. Your character cannot really fight against magic which would affect all of him, like an area affect. He has no spell casting ability, apparently, or resistance. Fair enough, if someone thrrew a fireball at you and you try to dodge, but something like that....you have to roll with it.

Just, edit what you have slightly, and roll with it. We will get this moving.)

(OOC - No your characters cannot be dealt with in anyway we wish. If you take the time to read over everything from a neutral point of view You'll see many times where my characters were forced into inaction or action. But I'm not going to rehash everything. To address the situation with Steele, let me clarify. Laura cast a spell around Kain, very near him. That meant he could react to it, so I left it open. Arleena did NOT cast ON Steele or even near him. She cast at the bottom of the stairway as he left the room. Therefore the spell was in no way affected him but the stairs themselves at a point where he couldn't see and therefore wouldn't notice anything amiss until he realized the they were going on alot longer than they should have. And to be fair, to address the 'took the only way out he had' part, he did have another option that you never attempted. Did you try walking back up? No. If he had he would have come back out in the situation room.

Fine. Consider it accepted, and lets move on.

Steele has appeared in the room. He does nothing yet, except ask what is going on.

Tanis has a sword to her throat.

Rafe is hanging with Trevor.

Adam is doing whatever sentient-ships do as they wait for the galaxy to fall to pieces.

BACK TO OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED RP!

TANIS

Bloodlust filled the room, the palpable scent of violence tainting the air. A flurry of bodies in action, as the Queen's soldiers came to her aid. Tanis saw all this, with an eye that wasn't entirely hers. She calculated quickly, planning her next moves, even as Kain's taloned feet slammed her to the ground, pinning her temporarily. With a burst of speed and strength that could never have come from her body, Tanis was able to jerk herself free of his grip, and quickly roll out of the way, slashing at Kain and missing as she moved.

Tanis jumped to her feet lightly, at the same time palming and throwing a handfull of blade-stars towards the onrushing newcomers. Her aim was true, causing Baghtru and Brook to duck quickly, and with a quick flick of her wrist, another star was sent towards Rayanna. Tanis turned her attack back to Kain. Her eyes were aflame with desire, desire for vampire blood. Within the chaos, she moved rapidly towards her target only to find herself suddenly immobile, trapped within a spell, a blade of cold steel pressing against her throat.


STEELE

The stairwell disappeared, to be replaced by a scene of destruction. Bodies were milling about, and the big man noticed that Lauralin was OK, and that she seemed to be working with Kain to fight someone else...someone who was now being held captive by strangers, strangers who had invaded the Queens sanctuary. The struggling prisoner had a blade at her neck, and as she turned her head, Steele's heart froze: TANIS!

"What the...?" Steele muttered, unsure of who the new players were, but certain they were up to no good. He raised an arm, pointing it at the man who held Tanis tightly in his grip. Sparks and tendrils of energy cascaded around his fist.

"Looks like yer holding something that belongs to me, bub. If you want to live to see the next sunrise, I suggest you let her go NOW." his voice was as his name, pure steel. His eyes betrayed no fear, and no hesitation.

"You might want to consider why Tanis is under my freind’s blade, before you jump to conclusions. I don’t want any more pointless frelling fighting." Kain said smoothly, raising the wave blade towards Steele slightly. The sword was by his side, ready to be swung up if Steele continued with his assault. The odd nature of the sword and the arcane sensations someone might feel from it was more than enough to take this sword and the owner extremely seriously. Kain held the blade rather casually, although Steele could obviously tell that Kain could bring that sword into bear very easily indeed.

Kain stood, side on to Steele, his sword within his right hand, his arm outstretched like a fencer might. His left hand was by his side, ready to cast any form of spells in reaction to whatever new might turn up. He eyes his hosts...Kain had utterly no idea what the frell was going on, but he certainly did not like it.

"Let's all just calm down here, and sort this...out.", Kain looked towards Lauralin for support in some way.

Sigrun nodded in agreement, "Yes. This primitive display of anger by all of you must end. Surely you all have enough enemies to deal with than to make new ones?"

Sigrun turned his attention back to the one known as Tanis, "Now, I ask you, are you capable of restraining your animalistic desires of murder, or will I be forced to keep you like so for the peace of us all? Your voice is free of the spell as of right now, but I remind you that you are still at my mercy."

Sigrun glanced back at Steele, "Have patience. I mean no harm to any of you, unless you threaten mine, Arleni or Kain's own life."

Arleni had her attention on Steele, ready to counter with her magic and blade, should the need arise. Yet, she remained silent, observing everything carefully.

OOC: Thank you for finally getting this RP back under way! :D

Sigrun nodded in agreement, "Yes. This primitive display of anger by all of you must end. Surely you all have enough enemies to deal with than to make new ones?"

Sigrun turned his attention back to the one known as Tanis, "Now, I ask you, are you capable of restraining your animalistic desires of murder, or will I be forced to keep you like so for the peace of us all? Your voice is free of the spell as of right now, but I remind you that you are still at my mercy."

Sigrun glanced back at Steele, "Have patience. I mean no harm to any of you, unless you threaten mine, Arleni or Kain's own life."

Arleni had her attention on Steele, ready to counter with her magic and blade, should the need arise. Yet, she remained silent, observing everything carefully.



Tanis nodded slightly, her expression changing from animalistic anger to sympathetic fear.

"Please...I...I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry...please don't hurt me." she whispered, nervousness flowing through her voice. With her hand, she made a signal that no one really noticed, except for Steele. Years ago, they had worked out a series of hand-signals to help them when speech was not an option. They stood her in good stead now.

Steele saw the signal, and prepared himself. He had clearly seen their private language, and knew that he would need to act quickly, decisively and with extreme force. Her fingers had said, "Enemies. Three." followed by the signal for a Delta move. Steele concentrated on his targets, knowing that Tanis would deal with her captor personally. His power was at overdrive, and he slowly raised his other arm to point at Kain, while shifting his first towards Arleni. He would act as soon as Tanis made her move. He spoke to Kain, his eyes shifting from the vampire to Arleni.

"Tell your friend to let her go, then we can talk about calming down..."

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lauralin, looking confused yet more stunningly beautiful than ever. A knot of pain formed in Steele's chest, his love for this Queen the only thing stopping him from kicking ass and taking names. He knew that somewhere along the way, he had blown it with her, though he was not aware of why. Sadness drifted through him, clouding his vision slightly. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to leave this place with her, to go somewhere far away from the pain and strife that had plagued them both since their first meeting.

Reality crashed back, and his resolve hardened yet again. The silence in the room was enough to hear a pin drop.

OOC: o..k...so you apparently have broken the magic hold on the hand, considering that the whole body was held in a spell of immobilization. No matter, I like the possibilities of what will come, so I shall ignore it.

IC:
Sigrun felt the exertive reprisal of his spell upon Tanis, right as she spoke her words of regret. Because of his attention being focused on Steele only momentarily, his hold on Tanis had slackened slightly, allowing her to do what she had just done. As slight as the hand movements had been, he had felt their resistance to the spell, immediately calling his attention back to Tanis.

Yet, his face showed no indication of his knowledge of what she had just done. Let's see where she takes this... he thought to himself, not bothering to warn his friends. They were fast reactors themselves, and more than capable of defending themselves.

The whole time, he had been looking at Steele, but his mind locked on Tanis. He spoke, "You speak to Kain as if I were not here. A lack of manners I must say. However, I will let your friend go, as she has given her word that she will remain calm."

With that, Sigrun lowered Lanta the anti-demonic elven blade slowly before holding it tightly in his hand and downwards. With another nod from Tanis, further indicating she was "fine", he finally released her from his spell. The constrictive spell seemed to lessen the air in the room, seemed to rid of a heavy feeling...well, part of it.

Something was still up, Sigrun knew, but he would wait to see it play itself out.

Kain narrowed his eyes. He certainly did not know what the blazes was going on. One minute this girl is storming around with amazing attributes of strength, the next she is whimpering and saying that she does not know what she is doing. He smelt some manipulation and deception here, and he was not one to be fooled. Kain did not notice the extremely subtle hand gestures, nor would he have understood them if he had seen them. His mind was humming with instinct, and a growing sensation that this was going to end badly.

The Brightblade was still humming in that duel nature of it's matierals, a high vocal pitch of angels singing and the low growl of demons braying. The latter voice was eminating louder, and Kain's own mind was being gnawed by vampiric instinct. It was most disconcerting for Kain, who had never had to fight his instincts like this, nor this ravanous hunger which the Brightblade had.

Kain kept it by his side, ready to bring it upwards in an uppercut, or into some form of physical action. His minds danced with possibilities for spells. Kain was not one to be taken lightly, his defences many and his instinct correct mostly.

"Sigrun, keep her constrained." Kain said calmly and with authority. Kain was showing attributes of rising up the occasion. Individuals saw this a considerable deal with Kain, that he would either be passionately fighitng in either words or spell with high morals and princibles being used, or a cold calculation which used logic and reason. The latter showed through like a beacon, Kain's brown eyes looking from Sigrun to Steele. Kain continued.

"If Tanis has gone beserek within that short space of time, for no reason, then it seems a frelling idiotic idea to free her. Now, lets just keep sensible. Or heads are going to start flying for no reason. I am sure Lauralin wishes to retain peace, along with all these guards." Kain stated calmly and cooly, his words not holding anger or viciousness, but sensible logic.

Looking around him, seeing the various guards which glared at both him, and Sigrun. He did not know if they looked at Steele with the same eye, but he bloody well was not betting too high that a vampire which was suspected of being linked to an assasination attempt would be someone you defended too quickly.

Kain certainly hoped this would not break out into fight. If it did, Kain was out of here, to a better position....or a better land.

Tanis broke away from Sigrun as soon as his blade was lowered, and his spell of holding dissolved. She ran to Steele, throwing herself into the protection of his massive arms. He looked down at her, smiling comfortingly. Kain had been speaking as she ran, and Steele noticed that he had told his henchman to keep her restrained. So the vampire WAS behind this. Lauralin stood silent, watching the proceedings, as Baghtru and Rayanna watched everyone with a guarded, suspicious eye. Steele kept one arm pointed at Kain.

"Mister, you'd better have a good reason for threatening my crewman."

(OCC Wait for Dragonsreach.)

(OOC - And once again everyone takes off for some reason assuming that my characters would just stand around with thier thumbs up thier asses doing nothing while these things go on in THIER nation, in THIER capitol, in THIER home. How many of you would SERIOUSLY allow this to get SO out of hand if this were happening on YOUR homeworld or in YOUR nation? I'll post soon with SOMETHING, though I have no idea WHAT just now. I'm too pissed at the moment to post anything intelligent. I won't ask we go back, simply for brevities sake, but I need to come up with some reason why a 2000 year old vampiress, a 250 year old battle hardened king, a highly tree elven elite guard and 3 hardened adventurers who had survived for seven years in enemy lands before they came here are just standing around doing nothing.)

<<OOC: Well...they ARE your characters, and if you think they should be doing more, being more proactive in their actions, protecting their Kingdom etc., then...make it so? I'm not sure why you are so angry either...before, you said we were ignoring your characters, so now we take notice of them and you still get upset.

Since we can't RP your reactions, all we can do is assume what they are, based on your previous post. Baggy and the gang had not jumped into the fray, so it made sense to say they were watching with a guarded eye. Laura HAS been pretty lackadasical in her response to this kerfuffle in her home, so her watching silently also made sense. The only other option would be to ignore their presence.

You are correct in saying that this should not be happening in your Kingdom, but all you need to do is take control based on that concept. Bark out some orders, have everyone arrested and bound in chains...these are things only you can do.

Personally, I'm trying here. I really am. I'm not sure why things have gotten RL hostile here all of a sudden, but I hope that this will clear up soon. If it would help, we could maybe all meet on MSN on the weekend and chat this out?

I come here for pleasure, and to improve my writing skills. Hanging with folks like y'all gives me both of those things, and I'm willing to do what is necessary to keep them.

(OOC Or instead of *assuming* we WAIT until Dragonsreach DOES something? Not all of us are on when others are. Good GAWD.)

(OOC - They weren't taking actions because even when they did it didn't do any good, as Velmora has already supported me on. Why bother posting when taking the time to post is just as ineffective as not post and takes more time? Ariel acted, nothing happened. I STILL don't understand why but I also am far less familiar with constructs than I am with other creatures. Turquine acted, nothing happened, again maybe a construct can be stronger than him or, as I said he might have simply let go rather than let her hurt herself. Baghtru and Brook had acted and again they were utterly ignored. Now when you do that many actions that are ignored, and I'm asking a serious question, I'm not trying to be a pain in the ass here, but when you perform that many actions only to have them all ignored, would you bother to continue posting? I'm going to post, I'm working it out in notepad first to deal with each character individually. I'm doing this for two reasons, one - so that, as Velmora pointed out, you can be reminded of each character and two - so that I can work out in my own mind a justification for their supposed lack of action as I go.)

Hmmm...I'm guessing that I'm the problem yet again.

*sighs*

I will withdraw from this RP at your request.

(OOC - You withdraw after going through three threads of this stroyline and I'll beat you myself. I just need two things, maybe this will help. One - When your on, including Velmora, I'm typically at work and though I can go online I can only do it between customers (retail sales), so when you post give me a chance to post in return before continuing on. Post your characters reactions to others but then wait to see what I do. This would be a great help to me. (I happen to be off today, rotating schedule). Two - If someone could send me a telegram explaining the abilities of constructs it would be extremely helpful. My post should be up soon.)

(OOC Gawdly, if you withdraw, I don't want you think your a crap rper. You just need to learn how NS works with lots of people. I think you have some fine characters and ways of roleplaying, just some fine tuning to your ettiqute would be grand indeed. Helps everything out.

Question is, if you pull out....Tarl is going to have to pull out (why would they be there? I don't think it is plausable.).

Personally, I think we should start this rp again, with extra polish, tender love and care, and copy and paste some of what we did with descriptions etc.)

OOC: NOT AGAIN!!! (exasperated sigh) Gawdly, I think that your words were justified in the sense that you are correct when one cannot control another character's reactions. For example, I took into consideration anything and everything that might have even remotely affected the situation when it comes to Sigrun. Then I react as appropriately.

DragonsReach, you need to immerse your characters some more into this. Right now, they are just sitting on the side, and therefore we react as naturally.

I agree that we should get together on MSN to work this out. TG me with your email addy's and I'll send you mine as well.

OOC: I think that we should also do this thread over again, perhaps also include a different thread specifically for OOC comments. It would help to keep things neatly done.

(OOC - As I said Tarl, and if you read over what's happened, I did react up to a point then didn't bother when I found every action ignored. I think I have pretty plausible reasons for non-action coming up in the post which will be soon, so there's no need to go back Vel.)