NationStates Jolt Archive


A Grand Tournament (Invite Only RP)

Lictoria
11-12-2004, 18:25
Space planes were nothing new. In fact, they were being more and more widely employed by national airlines. The wealthy didn't give a damn about the now-antiquated private jets. No, these days it was all about space planes. It was about going around a homeworld-sized planet in forty-five minutes without putting a ripple in your martini. This particular space plane was soaring high above the cloud cover at staggering altitude and velocity, ready to pick up its cargo. It was time. The plane would be picking up passengers very soon. Somewhere back home, the council was opening up a champagne bottle.

The pilot spoke into the onboard microphone to give the greeting party a courteous warning that he was about to descend. Of course, on the way home he wouldn't fly this high or this fast, and he certainly wouldn't make quick, high-altitude dives towards the ground before landing. With a smile, the pilot thought: Someday they're going to scream too late and I won't pull up in time. He chuckled a bit and, with a smile, prepared for a final dose of reckless flying.
The Island of Rose
11-12-2004, 18:57
Now there were two Rosians on this plane. Rosta Einvach (http://www.fritz-bauer-institut.de/images/joschka_fischer.jpg), the Rosian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nikolai Rantrotsky (http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/peter_close2.jpg), the current champion in the Commonwealth for dueling and regional champion for fencing. And when I mean regional I mean a city. Both were Rosians, one was a German the other a Russian.

Both people have an interesting history. Rosta Einvach was born in the 70s or 60s, right now I can't remember. But he is 52 and one of Sergei's closest old school friends. He joined the Foreign Ministry when he was in college as an intern. He had a natural knack for lying his ass off, a skill required to be a Diplomat. When he was 34 he was assigned as Diplomat to the Soviet Union, but that didn't last long. When he turned 43 and when Sergei was elected, he was appointed Foreign Minister, he was estatic. Now he pretty much runs the Rosian Foreign Offices with a bit of wit and a lot of smarts.

Nikolai Rantrotsky is a different story. He was a tall person for his time, and a school bully of sorts. I would describe him as the stereotypical obnoxious champion. Good with the ladies even though he's a jerk. You know, like those bullies in those 80s teen movies? Like that. But he is deadly with a sword. He used the classical Italian rapier as his weapon, and had another engraved one for ceremonial purposes. Some say he could deflect bullets with his sword, but that's a rumor. He rose through the ranks, giving himself as a humble man. But he soon became corrupted when he became "Champion of the Commonwealth" and to this day he cannot be defeated. He is 32.

And so they both sat on the plane, waiting to land, not knowing one or the other is in the same place. And in different chairs too.
Lictoria
11-12-2004, 21:39
The pilot had been informed about everything- why he was picking them up, who they were, everything he would need to know about them. He was trained to handle them in case one, the other, or both went suddenly crazy and tried to hijack the plane or kill everyone (though he knew full well that wouldn't happen) and he had been instructed on how to speak to such esteemed people. He knew that he would be telling them that in the event of a water landing, there was a floatation device beneath their seats, despite the fact that were there actually a water landing there might be a hand or foot left, but probably not. He knew to tell them that the in-flight meal may make them queasy- actually, he knew that it definitely would, but oh well- and a few other handy pieces of advice. He savored each one, remembering it, turning it over in his mind despite the occasional points at which he would remember that they were thoroughly useless. Steadily steering the plane towards his homeland, he reflected upon a few other rules- this time the thoroughly stupid ones- sighed, and resumed his focus on the sky before realizing that he was being given clearance to land. They were here.
Lictoria
12-12-2004, 19:21
OOC: Bump.
Lictoria
13-12-2004, 23:48
OOC: Please post here, folks.
The Resurgent Dream
14-12-2004, 03:05
There were two beings from the Resurgent Dream on the plane. One was a troll, a nine foot tall blue man with horns. The other was a satyr, complete with goat legs and horns. They both sat awkwardly in seats designed for humans. To be honest, neither was among the best the Empire had to offer. The best warriors were all at the war and wouldn't return to the tournament scene until the fell lady, Aoibhell, was dead or vanquished.
Lictoria
16-12-2004, 03:34
A uniformed woman passed through the passenger's cabin, with two silver tankards of hot, spiced wine in her hands. From each one rose a column of steam, and a heavy, warm aroma wafted through the cabin. One tankard for the tall one. One tankard for the short one. And don't you dare look shocked. Those had been the sum of her instructions. Needless to say, these vague and sketchy orders had been less than adequate warning for the predictable shock she received when she saw a nine-foot tall creature with blue skin and two horns jutting from its skull. Just as she was getting over the shock, she saw the troll's companion- a hooved-and-horned goat man. No, not a goat man- what were they called? Satyrs. Of course. Aside from the occasional human, this woman had never seen any creatures besides her own race of the paragonil. And this was far from the right place to start- with creatures such as these. Why couldn't they have sent a sidhe? She had never seen a sidhe, but she knew that they weren't nearly as shocking as a troll, regardless the race that saw them. Well, damn. This will be a long flight... she thought to herself with a mental grumble. Oh, well. She wasn't a racist, but this was far from what she had expected. She put on a smile, handed the two creatures their drinks, gave the emperor's compliments, and went back to her cabin, more than a little pissed. It was wrong, she knew, to be angry at them just for being strange-looking to her. Sighing, she got back to work. Why couldn't they have just sent a sidhe?
The Resurgent Dream
16-12-2004, 03:38
The troll and satyr smile as they take their drinks. The troll inclines his head. "Thank you, madame." he says with perfect politeness.

The satyr grins a little lightly as he sips his. "Mmm...Thanks. So what's your name, lady?"
Lictoria
16-12-2004, 14:51
She almost hadn't heard him. As she quickly strode back to her cabin with her head down, she had hoped she was successfully avoiding him. She had been hoping her automatically recited compliment would be enough to finish up any desire for conversation, but now she was going to have to speak with the satyr, and lord knew that would be an uncomfortable situation.
"Cymoril Doerden, sir. And you?"
Stupid idiot! Why did you do that? she thought to herself. Ask him a question and he'll answer it, you stupid, stupid girl! Now you'll have to stay. Taking a great degree of caution from staring at the satyr's horns, she awaited his answer.
The Resurgent Dream
17-12-2004, 01:35
"I'm Epictetus." He smiles a little, his voice smooth and sensual, with a strange kind of natural allure. "So tell me about Lictoria. This is my first trip. I'm quite pleased to have been inviting. The company certainly seems pleasant enough."
Lictoria
18-12-2004, 01:20
The woman's eyes took on a glazed and dreamy look and her face grew suddenly serious and yet softer, less apprehensive. Her face was distant, and a sincere smile touched her face.
"Lictoria is a beautiful place. But it is the blazing red skies of the sunset that are truly awe-inspiring. Many poets have tried to describe it, but no words can communicate to you the overwhelming sense of happiness one gets as they watch the sun melt on the horizon, making the metal spires of our towers, fine as lace, glow soft pinks and tangerine yellows. The sun setting over our capital city was described by one of our more famous ancient bards as the rainbow of fire. I can find no more fitting way to say it. And there are many other great things about Lictoria. We hope you enjoy our banquet- you shall be served our finest dishes. Our food may be different from what you eat in your homeland, but we think you shall find its difference refreshing. Our museums are full of fine artwork, some with styles never seen in any other nation. We are a unique people. Though our kingdom is young, our race is rich with history. Nearly all of the artwork you see will predate the days before kingdoms of other races began to blend their culture with ours, before we began to drift together."
And her eyes returned to where she was, no longer seeing that which she was describing, and once again she was being noisily blasted through the clouds.
"Our people's history is rich- though filled with much conflict- and quite fascinating. I hope you have time to see much of it, and that the tournament does not occupy you too much."
Lictoria
18-12-2004, 22:46
(OOC: Bumpity bump bump bumparoo bumpady bumpady bummmmmmmmmmmmmp...)
Lictoria
21-12-2004, 14:46
OOC: BuMp bUmP BUMMMMMMMMMMMp..............
The Resurgent Dream
22-12-2004, 06:14
Epictetus smiles a little. "I'm sure it will be most enjoyable. I look forward to sampling your fine foods and hearing much of your history. You certainly seem to love your land with a fierce passion."
Lictoria
22-12-2004, 22:12
The glazed look returned.
"Oh, yes. It is my homeland, the only land I have ever known. I love it with every fiber in my body." The voice sounded sincere, passionate- not as if the woman was being controlled. But there was something else about it. It sounded less controlled, once one considered it. It sounded as if when she spoke of Lictoria, she could not help but love it. But perhaps there was more to it than that.
The Resurgent Dream
23-12-2004, 02:37
Epictetus tilts his head at the woman's rather strange behavior but says nothing for the moment. "Thank you. You've enlightened me a great deal." He settles back, sipping his drink as he looks out the window of the plane.

The troll, for his part, just sits there. He doesn't add to the conversation. He doesn't smile. He doesn't frown. He maintains the same even, perfectly neutral expression throughout the entire flight.
Fetid Fens
23-12-2004, 20:56
Sitting as far back in the plane as you could get was Raven, a half Yeti half human. At 8' 4" and covered in matted white fur he was always impressive. The self important business man that was seated next to him had long since moved to the stewardess' serving area, downing drinks as fast as he could get them.

Raven paid him little thought, he was lost in his own reverie. He had spent the last ten years wandering the planet entering tournaments, hiring on as a bodyguard and as a bouncer in many seedy bars along the way. He had escaped his homeland at the age of sixteen, hated by the Yetis as an abomination and by the humans as a half-breed. He had fought on the human side during the human yeti wars but still was not accepted as human.

His blind swordsmanship master was killed by a half-dozen village youths when Raven was at the war. Raven swore vengeance and was told by a wise man to forget the vengeance as it would consume him. So he avoided going back to his homeland.

He had seen lizard-men, elfs, drows, dwarfs and vampires in his travels but the troll was something new. He hoped the troll was in the tournament, a definite challenge. As always Raven hoped to make friends along the way. He had no friends while growing up save the swordsmaster and he always welcomed the chance to acquire new friends.
Lictoria
24-12-2004, 04:53
The pale, uniformed woman looked over at another large creature near the back. "Would you excuse me a moment?" she asked politely, "I think I may have missed someone." She went over to the half-Yeti, reflecting on how strange the day thus far had been. Had she inhaled a bottle of skooma? She was seeing some very strange things suddenly. Even the freakishly dark humans weren't quite this strange. And of course, the pilot was far from a normal person. Alice in Woderland, Dorothy in Oz, and me on this airplane. And I don't even have my slippers. She kept a friendly, warm smile on her face and glided over to the person in the seat. "Have you been served your in-flight beverage yet, sir?"
Fetid Fens
24-12-2004, 18:09
Raven looked up at a small woman in some sort of uniform. She was neither threatening him nor running in sheer terror, she was asking him something...Oh did he want a drink. A low grumbling started in his chest then he spoke "No, no one has offered me anything, I would like water if you don't mind, a gallon or so would be nice."

Raven was trying to be polite and not scare the poor woman. The problem always seemed to come when he spoke because it exposed his massive canine teeth. Had he been a full grown male mountain yeti they would have been about 6" long but he was half human and his canines were about 4" long and serrated on the inside. They were thicker than a man's thumb at the base and tapered to a wicked looking point.
Lictoria
27-12-2004, 05:56
The uniformed woman was comprehending what was being said and remembering it, but in her own way, she was not there.
Yes, he wants water. Very good then. A gallon? What? A gallon or two? By the high council, what is this? Good prophet, his teeth! Are those his teeth or powersaw knives? And he's half human according to the sheet! I pray I never meet a full yeti... She smiled politely. She did not hate any of the passengers, nor was she paranoid about them. She was just terribly, terribly alert about them in an overzealous manner. And of course, that wasn't the same thing. She said to him in a deceptively calm voice that she was going to get him his water.

She went to the back of the plane where only plane service was allowed, looking for the water cooler.
Fetid Fens
30-12-2004, 02:48
Raven watched the girl move to the back of the plane. She didn't seem to be afraid, that was good. He did sense she was anxious though. Probably her human upbringing. Most humans thought they were the only sentient species on the planet. It usually unnerved them to find out there were others wandering about.

Raven would have prefered to ride in the cargo hold where it was much colder, but this plane was jumping in and out of sub-orbital space and the cargo hold would be a bit short on air. Perhaps the refrigerator would be large enough... no he would just have to open the air conditioner vents all the way. He had been in desert nations, swamps, and crowded cities but he prefered the outdoors and the high mountain plateaus of home. A nice snow storm and gale force winds would feel nice about now.
Lictoria
30-12-2004, 20:49
Somewhere, a plane carrying two men from the Island of Rose had just touched down. For them, the trip was over quickly. Here, a woman of snow-white skin and sleek ebon hair was trying her damndest to get a half-yeti's water from a gigantic jug while hurtling through the air at several times the speed of sound. Somewhere else on the plane, a troll and a satyr were chatting idly and the woman couldn't help but think that the little goat-man was coming onto her- and she had fallen for it. It was only later when she considered that he was different from the waist down. And of course, she had been taught early on- as all Lictorians had- not to get into such relationships until marriage. Of course, there were other rules along those lines- only two children per family, giving children hormonal suppressants when they first began to get their own certain- urges- and of course, the government chose mates. Government-regulated prostitution had lasted a little while and the emperor became rich. When the emperor was overthrown by terrorists (now labeled "freedom fighters"), onto the scene came the smiling, obviously freedom-loving men that had only months ago ordered the extermination of all of the rebellion members with extreme prejudice. They shook hands with the men they had tried to slaughter and then, in a quick political move, ceased to need them, and shook them off like dust, using them as stepping stones to power and jumping off just as the men that had killed the emperor sunk into ambiguity. Ingenious bastards. Many of the fighters were being disposed of now. All across the nation, they were running, trying to regroup. But it was over. They had been silenced, snuffed out. The high council had come out on top. Of course, it was only temporary- a new ruler would be chosen. It had been a long time. There was no new leader. Many of the competitors were silently approached with other jobs in the political system and were soon seen smiling for the cameras next to a smug high council, announcing their resignation. Others simply disappeared. One of the men running went to a joust to prove his skill. Few people noticed him on the way in. He never came back out, leaving no word of what had happened to him. Did the woman currently giving a yeti the largest jug of water she could find have anything against the government? No. No one did. Or maybe... someone did.
Lictoria
01-01-2005, 19:33
bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump bumpbumpbumpbmpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumbpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump
Lictoria
06-01-2005, 04:48
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Lictoria
13-01-2005, 01:06
OOC: Well, it appears as though everyone has lost interest. And we haven't even gotten to the tournament yet. Oh, well. Better luck next thread.
The Resurgent Dream
13-01-2005, 08:16
((OOC: I was just waiting until we got there. I didn't really have anything to do until then.))
Fetid Fens
21-01-2005, 22:22
This happens to every tournement I try to join. Next time I ask to join tell me no.:)