Re: Festival of Journeys - Aerial Pavilion
Vanileth's carrier dominates the airspace nearby the Pavilion, the orca-shaped ship hovering serenely in place. The escort warbirds bank away from the carrier's flanks, spiraling up toward a high point with an impressive display of control before righting themselves in unison, breaking the sound barrier as they pass over the Pavilion. As if sensing a challenge in the speeding formation, the thousand-forged dragon owned by Radiant Horizon roars loudly in defiance!
A hatch at the front of the large, yet seemingly feather-light ship opens up to reveal a hangar decorated formally with silky blue and yellow banners and glittering winged emblems of jade, enchanted steel and gemstones. Several winged silhouettes begin to emerge, to the sound of a brass fanfare trumpeting from within...
Rather than extending a bridge, the figures fly out from the hangar by the power of their own spirit-given wings. Chief among them is Shogun Vanileth, a beautiful man of great stature with pale azure skin and brilliant white hair. Holding him aloft are three pairs of iridescent wings made of articulated plates and shifting gears, the joints accented by brilliant opals, diamonds and topaz. His robes and sash are crafted of layers of arctic wind woven into cloth, sparkling with ice crystals and subtle, shifting patterns, like snowflakes caught in a swirling breeze.
The half dozen lesser spirits flocking him appear like a mix of bird and human, with a single pair of clockwork wings and an avian head, on a humanoid body covered with metallic feathers that serve as both plumage and armor. Each of them appears like a different species of bird, all of them noted for excellent powers of flight.
Vanileth and his entourage cross the space between the hangar and the Pavilion at a processional pace, welcomed aboard the platform by the winged ADF guards. The armored Dragon-bloods stand on either side of the main aisle and salute, then one by one thrust their spears into the air so that they cross above the heads of the Shogun and spirit servants. Beneath the arch of jade weaponry, the guest of honor approaches the stage where Princess Sophia, High Priestess Laelia, General Falcon and Headmaster Ishmerai await, while Laelia's choir and the people of the air bow their heads in reverence.
"Marvelous, absolutely marvelous," says Vanileth in a sweet, almost androgynous voice, as he steps up the dais to greet the Princess personally. "Princess Sophia, Priestess Laelia, I am quite pleased by the prayer and the presentation thus far. It is only fitting that so many outstanding examples of of aerial flight technology crown the shining city of Anthegenia today." He turns to address the guests as well, every one of them garbed in artificial wings, or owners of mighty skyships. "Thank all of you for coming. May the Festival of Journeys continue to delight and astound."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:05, Fri 09 Oct 2009.