max stood, gave another brief bow, then headed down the stairs right behind Wyrn. She was fascinated. What was down here!?

Pitcarn

Lictros just stared at Pitcarn, perhaps amused by his monologue, and started to cackle madly. Suddenly - without warning - he turned and smashed his fist into Pitcarn's face, sending the God of Food sprawling. Pitcarn felt his heavy weight be picked up easily by two guards and pushed forwards, back towards Lictros.

Pitcarn knew his jaw was broken. Saliva and blood flowed almost freely from his mouth.

Lictros laughed again.

"I like you, little God. Tell me, why did such a nice man such as yourself get messed up in the politics of Ruse? He's too good for you. You shouldn't allow yourself to be cheated - not by him," he said. "After all, a High Lord is not a Councilman."

Lictros stretched, cracked his knuckles.

"That's just what I needed, actually; to punch somebody," he grinned. "Walk with me, little God. Do you drink tea?"

Max

Down the origami-seal was the inner cloister of the Inner Circle, a sight not many non-initiates were able to see; carved, it seemed, in stone like ivory, the corridors glowed with a white light. Wyrn led her through, taking her to a room named COUNCILMAN WYRN.

"My office," Wyrn said, nodding to the four heavily armed soldiers guarding the door. "Stand down, fellows."

Wyrn spoke another incomprehensible word of power and the door swung open, revealing another door. Wyrn placed his hand on the door, nodding slightly, and that door became nothing; behind it, another door, this one conventionally unlocked - with a small bronze key - and opened. Wyrn ushered Max through, said another word, and the first door closed, the second rematerialized, and the third was closed with a thud.

"Don't touch the Vanishing Door of M'harth, Max, or you'll vanish with it."

Inside was a large, spacious living room, filled with rugs, lounges, an Earthborn-style pool table, several computers and an Earthborn hologlyphic television. There were many doors leading off of the main room - it was like a private mansion.

Ruse

Fiefmaster Jonaht was stunningly beautiful. Ruse also saw that she was unabashedly naked. Her breasts were large - but not cripplingly so - and her hips were perfect rounded. Her arms and legs were tattooed, perhaps tribally, and Ruse saw that her teeth were sharpened, savage - the mark of a Shage. Her hair flamed red. On her desk rested a long, ceremonial blade, above several stacks of paperwork and heavy tomes. Otherwise, the room was sparse, but comfortable. Ruse figured that it was used mostly by Jonaht as a trading room.

It was all very exciting.

"Ah, yes, Ruse," she smiled, a little mischievously. "You unlucky bastard.. I don't suppose you know anything regarding our Kingdom of Apath, do you? Can you fight?"

Fran

There were several comfortable leather seats, computer terminals lining up against one wall, and a small line leading before administrator desks. As Fran entered, she was confirmed by one of the scarily great Silver Shamblers. She noted the presence of a black pyramid, probably magical, hanging from the ceiling.

Fran wanders over to the computer terminals and checks them out. "I don't like these things, they're not simple like people are."

Ruse scoped her with his eyes from top to bottom, taking in the details of her physique. However, if he felt anything or not was unknown, for neither his face nor his eyes belayed any emotion beyond the norm. By this point, he had seen far weirder things than busty sharge.

"This is my first experience with Apath, so regrettably I know nothing about it. I was just given this fief recently. I was told to come to you to learn more about it before I send my manifestation through. As for being able to fight, the answer is yes and no. Can I match the physical prowess of a sharge or something similar? Then no. Can I kill something with physical or magical prowess? Most certainly. My might is unorthodox, but highly effective none the less. And I would beat or kill any in my Feif who would dare put a hand on me. First I would start my rule with love, but if that doesn't work then I will do it through fear. Even a sharge or other realm savage inhabitant would think twice about crossing me after seeing one of its fellows get their head twisted off by a mist cloud. But I prefer peaceful solutions if possible, as long as they don't jeopardize my authority or agenda."

Ruse grinned, assessing her reaction. He then said,

"So, my fair lady of the chapel, what can you tell me about the Kingdom of Apath?"

"Woah, big place.." She said, taking heed of the deadly door as well. She walked over to a couch and sat down. "So, you said you'd arm me, SUIT me, train me, and whatever else, right? Well, I'll need several mythcrafting jewels and as high-quality a suit as possible, preferably one that is form-fitting and made for combat. I'll me making a DireSUIT, which should be very useful wherever I am, as well as looking awesome. Then, I'll need a submachine gun. Third, if I'm going to become strong enough to defeat Lictros and Osiris-Ra, I'll need to defeat several lesser evils first.. which shouldn't take long."

She said quietly, her tone only half-serious as if she didn't really believe she'd get anything.

Pitcarn lifted his weight from the supporting soldiers, and clutched his jaw, deperately trying to hold back the bloody drool. He would have spat it out, but he felt that spitting would be a to painful and pathetic affair.

Still holding his jaw, he responded to the Councilman's request, knowing that the comment about was Ruse was rhetorical. "Essth, Counthilmun, I hind it a calmer hhor a hwarrior. I do, howeber, preher hwine ahg hthe hbest of times." Pitcarn was about to chuckle at his own vice, but as soon as his jaw moved, the bone grated and he stopped, pain shooting along his face.

The Food God walked with Lictros, going with the more powerful god, to wherever the concilman was headed.

Pitcarn


"Wine? Huh. We can do wine. Walk with me. Soldiers, give him some room. A God should be able to carry himself."

Councilman Lictros led Pitcarn down through the back of the Hall of the Sun, into the dark, faintly lit halls. They wound and twisted like the greatest of mazes, finally entering into a long, candle-lit dining room. Soldiers sat at mess within the room, eating salads or steaks or soups, and Lictros gave them all a wide berth, sitting at a more particular table at the back of the room, labeled H. COUNCILMAN LICTROS & CO.

"Sit, sit," said Lictros. "At ease, soldiers. Get something to eat. Now, wine, was it, Pitcarn?"

Max

"Before we begin anything, Max, I want you to know that I read the report on the Fierce God. I'm afraid that if we are to continue we are going to have to promote you to Low Lord," said Wyrn, taking up two crystal glasses and a jug of red liquid. "Blood orange juice? The fruit is now extinct, unfortunately. Exotic. But yes - are you against promotion? We will need a Callisti Oath. Otherwise, I'm afraid I will have to kill you right here. Rules are rules."

Ruse

Fierfmaster Jonaht nodded slowly at Ruse's claims. She wasn't impressed, he knew, but would work with him regardless. The man, after all, was entitled.

"The Kingdom of Apath is an unstable, theocratic Shage princedom. It is run by it's namesake, Kaiyaash Apath XVII, though he does a poor job of it - while some areas of the kingdom are quite wealthy and livable, most are ravaged by crime, poverty, small wars and the like. Oh - and meteors. The reason for this instability is the unusually high impact frequency of Apath. Up to four dozen meteorites can strike the kingdom a day. This makes the place a hot-spot for miners and soldiers of fortune - Shage mostly, though Divine and Conclave members are often found their hunting for rare minerals. Living Metal is ridiculously common there - as common as lead. There are also large quantities of Kharm Oil, so watch out for that. Most of the rivers are soaked in the stuff - Shage can drink it, but most Divines would get very sick. Be careful. Ninety percent of the Kingdom is savage jungle, and only thirty percent of the entire place has been mapped successfully. Stranger minerals have been rumoured to exist - hunts for witchstone are not uncommon. The flora's adapted, as has the fauna. They're tough beasts.

"The people there are highly religious. While not many actively support the Kaiyaash, most agree that he is the direct incarnation of their sun deity, Apatheastus, and believe him to be infallible. He has already informed us that the situation is fully under control and that he strongly does not want Conclave interference, but, uh, recent developments have taken things out of his hands. Specifically: we have strong reason to believe that the Cult of Osiris-Ra has a minor House out there, and plans on taking the kingdom and utilizing the minerals for their jihad against the Conclave."

He smiled, breathed deeply.

"Anything else? Questions?"


Fran

The computers were sleek, carved of silver, and reacted to Fran.

Welcome to the HALL OF THE SUN. Telemetries and theoelectromagnetics declare you as AFFILIATE FRAN, GODDESS OF SURGERY. Is this report truthful?

(False information punishable by flaying)

Max nodded. "Actually, I was about to request to take the oath anyway, so that's not a problem. I figured the Conclave already has me on a chokechain, so I might as well be a good dog, you know? Maybe get some treats?"

She accepted the glass and sipped very, very carefully from it, closing her eyes to enjoy the first thing she had ever tasted.

"Yes, I am Fran, Goddess of Surgery." Fran says, a little unnerved that she was talking to something that could hardly be considered alive.

Ruse's mouth cracked a grin, and he replied,

"Ohhh..." Ruse chimed in interest. "The cult of Osiris is trying to set up shop there? I can see why you'd not want them to access those precious resources. Since the kingdom of Apath now belongs to me, I'll not have cultists running around in my own backyard. I have ways of sniffing them out fairly quickly if they do exist, although my first priority is actually ensuring that the local populace submits to my authority without question. I will not tolerate insubordination."

Ruse flicked back his hair a bit, and continued,

"I do have two questions. One is what is witchstone? I've never heard of that precious resource before and it intrigues me. The second is what immediate impediments to my rule would you be able to identify, cultists advise? Basically, do you think I need to kill Kaiyaash, or can he be bent into a puppet servant to enact my will? I'm always on the lookout for good help - it's so hard to find competent, loyal help these days." Ruse said with a Sigh.

"Also, how readily would they take to the religion of a TRUE god? I scoff at their sun religion, but I forgive them as most don't have the privilege of being a real, true god of Yggdrasil. While not absolutely necessary, I would greatly prefer to spread the religion of mist in my new kingdom. I am not racist in this regard, and am willing to take on the souls all who would worship me, be they human, sharge, Mistella...hell I'd even take other gods, if they were so inclined. What are your thoughts on the possibility of religious conversion? What would I have to do to succeed?"

He comes here and approaches the desk if he can. Of course he is completely silent and well behaved thinking only the scientific and logical thoughts that belonged to him. Thoughts of observation his keen eye following and attempting to catch every small detail it could find. He was of course training his observation skills well doing this. Keeping a close eye to trifles and details others would not think important like the look of clothes the state of cuffs and kneecaps the look of repair on the face and of course his keen intellectual eyes kept sharp and apt attention to the eyes.

Pitcarn sat slowly, careful not to jar his jaw. He alloewd some of the tenseness to slip from his body, and his shoulders dropped, just a little as he began to deal with the pain, and attempt to recover, oh so slightly, but keeping the majority of his attention on Lictros.

"Essth, hCounthilleman, hwine hwas my preference, bput if tea hwiould be more hap- happropriate to hthe setting." Pitcarn winced in pain at the long words.

Anik goes inside the new hall and goes to make an Appointment to see councilman Roid.

((OOC: Just putting a poke here so you don't forget this thread, Nat.))

Pitcarn

"No, no, no," said Lictros, waving him aside. "Here it is.."

A woman bowed, presented three bottles of wine - red, silver, white - onto the table, as well as three cucumber sandwiches for Lictros. Two glasses, serviettes.

"Want something to eat while you're at it? Conclave's shout, of course. Try some of the silver wine.. Ganabrede blend, imported from the Realm Savage, my own personal bottle."

Max

"Do not be flippant with me, Max. Now, in my hand I hold a Callisti.." It was true: the silver glove thummed in his hand. "It will guide you through this.."

Are you Maxilita, Goddess of Fantasy and Adventure?

Do you harbour psychic abilities?

Do you own allegiance to a cult or sect - Osiris-Ra, Isuban, Metatron, so forth, besides the Conclave?

Do you promise not to betray the Conclave in thought or deed, and to be loyal to its utmost purpose?



Ruse


Jonaht cackled, bent over, laughing at Ruse. It was at once insulting, infuriating, and unnerving.

"I'm.. I'm sorry. True God? Hah! You are a unique self-defense mechanism of Yggdrasil, with certain shifting-area properties and the psychic domination of your people. Your abilities and adaptation skills are impressive, but certainly not.. divine. Sorry, High Lord, but I've studied the texts. I am one of the finest Yggdrasildic Scholars around, and I find the very claim insulting.."

She sobered up.

"Feel free to convert them if you can, but most Shage are highly resist to mind-fuckery of any sort, so be warned on that count. I don't care. If you can get them to think you the next Kaiyaash, all the power - the Kingdom of Apath is yours for all I care. But be cautioned - the reason the Shage people don't run this world, or haven't taken it by force, is their highly individualistic nature. They worship the Kaiyaash, but he does not rule those save the most devout. He will not be happy to see you there. Be careful.. I doubt that he will try direct assault, but the Kaiyaash is a deeply cunning Shage. We haven't yet found the previous Conclave-Lord of Apath.

"Do what you need to do, but try not to harass them - they will rise, and they will kill you, if that is the case. This is a long-term project, Ruse. Get rid of the Cult, secure control. If successful you will become one of the biggest players in the Conclave economy, rich beyond imagining.. but if not, you're as good as dead."

She smiled.

"Haven't heard of witchstone? I'm not surprised - it's an incredibly rare mineral. We believe all of the deposits in this Realm have been depleted. Very little has been found in Apath, but I know - I know - that it exists deeper in the jungles. It begins as simple bladestone, an incredibly sharp, common rock used by many Shage as the core of their weapons.. but it is vaguely sentient. We think. If not, it certainly has a metamorphosis stage - if no mortal eye sets watch upon it, so the theory goes, it eventually changes into witchstone. Witchstone is unique in that it forces a magical initiation upon those who hold it - incredibly dangerous, liberating, valuable stuff. Very few minerals are as coveted.

"Those who hold the witchstone develop, immediately, their own magical tradition - the stone is bound to them. If that stone is given to others, they will - slowly, but just as surely - learn the same magical tradition. Huge shifts in mystical focus are attributed to it. Babilu pays up to three hundred thousand Conclave Stones a kilogram. Rumour has that Msonus used to snort it.."

She shook her head.

"If you find some, keep it to yourself. People will do more than kill for that stuff, believe me.. and I don't think Apath needs the extra publicity at the moment."

Fran

Thank you. Now, what is your REQUEST? Have you come for an ASSOCIATESHIP? A MEETING? An INQUIRY? Something ELSE, perhaps? To set an INTERVIEW? Petition a LOW LORD? To request ACCESS CLEARANCE? To REPORT A CRIMINAL? Something ELSE, perhaps?

The screen shimmered and blinked. As it spoke, tin rattling in its voice, the words came up in several different languages which Fran couldn't read, as well as Script, the instinct-language of the Divines.

Anik

Anik is drawn by the strange computation-machines lining one wall. When he entered a certain range within a spare one, it flickered and greeted him.

Welcome to the HALL OF THE SUN. Telemetries and theoelectromagnetics declare you as LOW LORD ANIK, GOD OF CRAFT. Is this report truthful?

(False declarations punishable by public beatings)

Foun

"Mr. Holmes?" said the administrator. She looked up, shook her head, smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, you look like someone I used to know.. younger, of course. Ahem. Forgive me. How can I help, sir?"

"Apologies.."

Are you Maxilita, Goddess of Fantasy and Adventure?
Yes.

Do you harbour psychic abilities?
Unfortunately, no. They'd be quite useful against evil.

Do you own allegiance to a cult or sect - Osiris-Ra, Isuban, Metatron, so forth, besides the Conclave?
I owe allegiance to KoTGR- the Knights of the Golden Realm- as I am their leader. I've yet to start recruiting, though. Balverstus was a honorary member, I suppose. Then again, they aren't a cult or sect but a lawful order, so I suppose to the answer to that question is a definite no.

Do you promise not to betray the Conclave in thought or deed, and to be loyal to its utmost purpose?
I promise! And I don't break promises.

   Armanthor voided into this place and started toward the nearest person that could tell him how to become an associate with the conclave- the nearest one that looked as if they had any authority on the matter of getting him in.

   "Excuse me, " he said, "I'd like to become an associate of the Conclave.  Would you tell me where I need to go to do that? "

"An associate ship would be nice." Fran says, staring hard into the computer.

Picking up hos own glass, Pitcarn fills it with water, before reaching for the silver bottle.  he is beginning to feel he is on solid ground now, doing something he is familiar with.

"hGanabrede, I'm not familiar with Ganabrede. can you tell me more? I won't eat now though, mhy jaw, you sthee."

Placing the bottle down he reached for the red. It was a deep Shiraz, and Pitcarn decided against it, with the absence of food available to him. With one hand Pitcarn returned the bottle to the table and reached for the white. when he had done that, he drained his glass of water and inspected the bottle, waiting for Lictros to tell him about the Realm Savage vintage.

Ruse rolled his eyes and sighed at the Fiefmistress. One thing that annoyed Ruse was how scientific people get when thinking about gods. Instead of divine aura, it's theogenic field. Instead of resurrection from death, it's paradoxical persona refreshment something or the other. There was a term for everything. Yet...YET no one could truly explain the potency od the divines, of how they drew power from souls and manipulated the tree's seeds. Of their domain association affecting physical and metaphysical laws in unscientific ways. Then there was ascension, but that was another can of worms entirely.

With an audible sigh, Ruse said, "Ah...yet another disbeliever in the divine. I keep running into so many people with similar attitudes to yours. All I will say on the matter is that science can not ever know everything about the metaphysical, even if it thinks it does. But I'm not here to debate philosophy with you - I have better things to do."

Ruse flicked his hair back, and grinned. His frown turned upside down. He knew, as a Zealous god, that he was a chosen of Yggdrasil.

"Let's move onto Apath, shall we. I am most curious about witchstone but will look into that later. I agree with you that securing my authority there amongst the people, as well as hunting down the Osiris cultists dogs, should be a primary focus. The conclave will not tolerate cults like theirs, especially with the damage they can potentially do to the tree. Yggdrasil calls to me, and demands their blood be spilled in restitution."

"As for their Kaiyaash, I will make him obey me one way or the other, or just kill him publically. They would be hard pressed to doubt my strength if I topple their supposedly infallible lord. The Conclave doesn't have time to cater to strange practices when Osiris cultists are possibly working to kill us all as we speak."

Ruse motioned for the door, and asked,

"My beautiful Feifmistress, could you please direct me to the methodes portal? I think I have enough of a sense of the situation to determine my first steps. I will come see you if I have other questions."

My name is foun would you mind so kindly to tell me why the conclave requested my presence? I believe to speak of urgent matters it said or something along those lines. He turns his keen eyes upon her observing everything the best he could her fingers and hands, eyebrows, corner of the mouth, edge of the nose, and eyes of course were are all under his keen and sharp eye.

Pitcarn

"The Ganabrede vine is unique in that it is sentient, and actively attacks and devours anyone trying to harvest its delightful grapes," said Lictros. "Just one of the many pleasant curiousities of the Realm Savage. Roughly twenty thousand Conclave Stones a bottle. The taste is unlike anything you'll ever experience."

Lictros smiled.

"Tell me, Pitcarn. How would you like to travel to the Realm Savage? I need someone there, uh, running errands for me and whatnot. Someone with a strong military background, which I sense you have. It might also, if you play your cards right, bring about rapid promotion."

Max

"Good. It is done. You are bound. Max, you've been given a position of Low Lordship in the Extraplanar Information and Security Corps. This is important - we feel that Lictros is working against the Conclave abroad, in areas where its influence is weakest. It is important that you have an active duty off-world, too - according to a loophole in current Conclave Law, Lictros is not allowed to kill an off-worlder as you are working towards the further security of the Outer Conclave. So you'll gain a measure of protection.. but accidents happen, Max, and frequently. Be careful.

"There are three posts offered to you. One is in the Realm Savage, and it is the Nation of Karnal. The nation borders the horrible Kingdom of Apath, which your, uh, friend Ruse currently has stewardship of, but is otherwise open to the beautiful emerald oceans of that place. Lictros has established a small Conclave fort there, and that is where you will be staying. The second is in the City of Alkan - ahah, do not get so excited - as an extraplanar guide, soldier, and diplomat of Fort Seal. There is a chance, we think, that Lictros will move to have the Gates of Alkan smashed open - we cannot allow that to happen. The third, and last, is on the Realm Mundane. There is a huge cache of lost Earthborn tech in the continent of, uh.." Wyrn checked his notes. "Ostraylia? Estralia? Ayyoustraleeah? I'll have to double-check on that one. Regardless, we are attempting to set up a fort there, and require as much assistance as we can.. that tech might be vital to our operations."

Wyrn smiled.

"Choose one, Max. But remember that the choice is final."

Ruse

"Once again," said Jonaht, through clenched teeth, "I would advise against killing the Kaiyaash. It would end in rebellion and riots, something we don't have the manpower nor the interest in containing. If you cause such a disruption in the - relatively, at least - stable Apath, it's on your head."

She smiled.

"High Lord Ruse, I can't say that I like you very much, but I admire your courage and bravado. I'll take you to the Gate."

She took Ruse into the main waiting chamber and through one of the numbered doors. Inside the room was sparse, save for a guard who saluted when Jonaht entered. The gate itself was a shimmering, sparkly mess of fire and light.

"Walk through and will your destination. Once in Apath you want to go to Fort Craterborn, the Conclave stronghold in Apath, and inform those few there of your arrival. Do not dally. The faster you are under protection the smoother your transition will go. Be aware that there will not be a Methodes Gate at Craterborn - the strange currents in the Realm Savage mean that most of these beauties fail spectacularly. If you wish to return, you are to inform a certain Warden Noss and he will arrange transport, but it will be long and arduous. You're here for the long haul. Good luck, and Conclave prosper, High Lord."

The Gate waited.

Fran

The computer flickered.

Would you like to take the CALLISTI OATH, which is VOLUNTARY, or the OATHBLADE? Are you interested in FAMILIAR, AGGRESSIVE or ESTRANGED OPERATIONS?

Anik

Anik is drawn by the strange computation-machines lining one wall. When he entered a certain range within a spare one, it flickered and greeted him.

Welcome to the HALL OF THE SUN. Telemetries and theoelectromagnetics declare you as LOW LORD ANIK, GOD OF CRAFT. Is this report truthful?

(False declarations punishable by public beatings)

Foun


"Hmm.." said the administrator. "Foun, God of Magiscience?"

She tapped away at her terminal.

"Yes. Says here that theoelectromagnetic telemtries claim that there is a chance that you are, in fact, a reborn aspect of Leaguesman Foun. They'd like to offer you a Low Lordship. A Callisti Oath is necessary, however."

Armanthor

"Ah, yes," said the agent of the Conclave. "See those terminals there?" He pointed towards a line of mostly-empty, arcane-looking machinery. "Those computers will run you through."

"Yes that is correct." Anik replied, impressed at the speed with which the technological replacement was being implemented.

"What are the differences between the Callisti Oath and the Oathblade? Also, I'd prefer to join the Estranged Operations, though I would settle on Familiar if I can't." Fran says, glad that things where finally getting interesting.

Maxilita considered this carefully- for about two seconds. "I choose Alkan, Lord Wyrn. In additon, I'd like to request access to the Dread City of Tushmuhtut."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Thu 04 Feb 2010.