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Post by weirdsound on Dec 19, 2016 2:25:02 GMT
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Post by weirdsound on Dec 19, 2016 3:18:19 GMT
For the first time since The Keeper's of Prophecy picked you up and informed you that you would be queen, you are in a place where you feel comfortable. The bandits rush around you getting ready to move; They had been raiding the eastern plateau of Magikarp pass until their leader had been informed that she was to advise one of the land's rulers. You and your advisers take your seats around the leader's bonfire, with you getting the spot traditionally reserved for a Wolf being groomed as an alpha female. The group gathered leans in close to the fire, as the elevation is high enough that it is still quite cold in spite of it being mid spring.
The leader of this camp, Minerva the Buzzard, is a bandit of some repute that you have had dealings with before. Best known for breeding freakishly huge Mandibuzz, and attacking kingoms while they deal with recently deceased monarchs, you know the chieftess is far more dangerous than her non-imposing ladylike sixty year old body lets on. You had requested that your friend Denzin be your representative from the wolves, but the leader of your pack could ill afford to lose both of you at the same time, so instead you wound up with Minerva, his mother.
Across the bandit queen's lap sits a simple staff of blackened wood that you know to be a powerful artifact known as 'The Wicked Gore' which allows her to channel the power of darkness itself in battle to both hinder her foes and conceal her allies, and Denzin tells you she is very proficient in killing with both poison and the sword as well. You count between sixty and sixty five men under her command; It is tough to tell exactly how many there are, as a few of them are her sons and have very similar faces.
To your left sits the massive form of Brother Redondo, a jovial looking man in his mid thirties with the build of a sumo wrestler and the garb of a humble monk. Assigned by the Keepers of Prophecy to watch over you, you know much better than to underestimate him based on his looks; You are told he belongs to the Keepers of Stability, a highly secretly sub-order devoted to hunting those who would change the past or future, and as such he personally wields a Celebi and is authroized to travel in time. His specific jurisdiction is the timeline of the Demongod Heatran, and as such he likely knows more about the beast than anybody else alive.
Your third adviser seems quite uncomfortable, or would, if it wasn't for his guard. Wearing a luxurious cloak studded with gems, the man stays close to the two seven foot tall orcs guarding him. It is tough to see his face as he wears a hood. You can tell 'Bandit Camp' would not have been his first choice of meeting place.
The man hands you a letter of introduction on stationary you are pretty sure is trimmed with actual gold. His name is Wąż, and he is merchant of humble birth who invests heavily in the Caravan. Wąż, as it turns out, is the reagent in charge of Quin's Keep, the largest city and major trading post of your new kingdom. He bought control of the town from Lord Governor Jiang Zhuān, a legendary trainer who would much rather be wandering the world participating in tournaments than running a city. In his letter, Waz boasts to be the richest man in your kingdom, and perhaps the richest commoner in the entire empire. He claims an in depth understanding of Magikarp Pass' economy, and the deep respect of most other major caravan investors.
Minerva follows your eyes, and seems to be able to tell the exact second you are finished reading. "Alright!" She yells to some of her men, "You can bring out the meal! Its time to break bread with new friends, and get our new queen up to speed!"
Lunch is delivered promptly. You can tell Minerva runs her camps with discipline. Each person present around the fire is given a skewer with large chunks of Pinap berry and an entire roasted Tepig. The portly Brother Redondo recieves three, and after eating his first in a matter of seconds, he turns to you. "So, what is it you need to know, my child?"
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Post by weirdsound on Dec 21, 2016 5:38:50 GMT
Here is an attempt to post a transcript of an Intro RP done over Skype to save time: [12/18/2016 7:33:56 PM] Bowyer: It was a pleasant relief to finally be back among a proper bandit crew. Brinn fears, or better knows, that such company was not to be... acceptable in high society. Though perhaps it wouldn't be all bad with one such as Brother Redondo advising her. The man seemed to have had a good humor on the way up here, though he had always turned aside here questions before now. [12/18/2016 7:46:44 PM] Bowyer: Her heart twinges as she sees all the almost familiar faces. Denzin's absence was still a bitter disappointment. She tries to look past them while keeping an eye out with little success. Brinn hardly reads the contents of the letter, too distracted by the Buzzard to focus clearly. When the food is served she sets in as readily as the good Brother, though not matching his speed. She coughs as she tries to clear her throat. "There's plenty I need to know. But let's start with something simple. Why were all of you willing to advise me? Not your Order." It seemed like a simple question but she needed to know more about their motives. [12/18/2016 7:53:10 PM] Weirdsound: Minerva speaks first, leaning forward in her seat to look you over. "Two reasons really. First, I think I may be getting a bit old for this field work. The position as your adviser would allow me to start handing control of my assets off to my sons. Secondly, Denzin asked me to help you, and I'm a sucker for my boys." [12/18/2016 7:53:56 PM] Weirdsound: She pauses for a second, and takes a large bite of her skewer. [12/18/2016 7:55:29 PM] Weirdsound: Waz ventures to speak next. "Nothing so deep or personal to me," he ventures in the sort of thick commoner accent you wouldn't have expected from him, "I like rubbing elbows with powerful people, and kinda think that Heatran's return would be bad for business, ya know?" [12/18/2016 7:56:55 PM] Weirdsound: The sight of food seems to have calmed the hooded man down a bit. He gestures to his Orcs, who take a few steps back. "Also, most of the stuck up highborns at The Crucible hate my guts, so advising you is a great way to stick it to em." [12/18/2016 7:57:41 PM] Weirdsound: Waz pulls back his hood to briefly reveal a toothy grin before digging into his meal. [12/18/2016 8:00:32 PM] Weirdsound: Brother Redondo polishes off his second skewer before answering your question with a hearty laugh. "The Keepers have been good to me, my child. Them asking is reason enough. Plus advising you is likely a safer job than the one I'm giving up for it!" [12/18/2016 8:15:19 PM] Bowyer: Brinn hadn't expected Minerva's answer to be an admission of weakness. And the mention Denzin brings a flush to her cheeks that she tries to bury in her meal. Brother Redondo and Waz's answers were obvious enough and the latter's quip brought a smile to her face. "Next order of business. Waz. Tell me about the shakers and movers of this realm." She almost says her Kingdom but the words stick in her throat. "More importantly, who do we need to keep an eye on? There are sure to be plenty that would hope to seize some power. Present company excluded." She says with a smirk to Minerva. [12/18/2016 8:20:37 PM] Weirdsound: Waz frowns. "You got a lot of stuck up good-fer-nothings at the Crucible, which is where you will be living. Most of them will do terrible things to take various symbolic and bearucratic positions from each other, but mean you no threat. Just look out for that Timeless fecker Crocus. He wants to stir up wars the Kingdom can ill afford." [12/18/2016 8:22:10 PM] Weirdsound: "Me 'an my cronnies keep the important trade port of Quin's Keep safe and stable, but outside of that, the whole kingdom is a mess of Lord Governors, Imperial Generals, and Ranger Officers vying for power. It can be nasty at times." [12/18/2016 8:23:00 PM] Weirdsound: "Look out for the Evander family to the west. The run the local inquisition, and are so corrupt they make me look like a godamn saint." [12/18/2016 8:26:03 PM] Weirdsound: "You got an influential family of Blue Knights that might give you trouble as well. House Rugiabo. Claim to share a bloodline with the King who just bit it, and want the Throne. Their Champion, Lady Posun, is the ugliest sow you'll ever lay eyes on, but she is a damn one woman army." [12/18/2016 8:29:29 PM] Weirdsound: Waz takes another bite of his food, allowing Brother Redondo to jump in. "I'd be wary of some of the less-than-pleasant orders as well. 'Specially the Harem. The Inquisition does a poor job keeping them in line, and I hear the lady you will be ruling with has ties to demonic interests." [12/18/2016 8:48:58 PM] Bowyer: Brinn listens carefully to Waz's assessment. It sounded like the nobles of the crucible were harmless and could easily be brought to heel. A Timeless would be interesting, she'd never seen one of their like before. The petty rulers and perhaps even the Evanders sounded to be little trouble. This House Rugiabo were likely to be problematic, she knew well what a family might do to gain a better footing. She tries to judge how much of Waz's report is personal bias and how much is truth but is interrupted by the weighing by Brother Redondo. Her face doesn't hide any of it's surprise, "The Harem? So there'll be a snake working opposite me." She very much feels like smashing something but reigns it in and hurls the skewer into the fire. "By the Flame. It wouldn't be a worthwhile prophecy if something wasn't wrong from the start. I'll need to hear of her disposition. Hopefully these rumors are just that. We'll need to watch her in any case. Is there any other dismal news or should we move to the Realm's strength? Coins and swords both. " [12/18/2016 8:51:46 PM] Weirdsound: Minerva waits to see if either of the others have 'dismal news' to offer before opening her mouth. "From what I've see, the strength of this land is laughable. I was worried I'd brought too few men when I arrived, but have yet to meet serious resistance." [12/18/2016 8:53:42 PM] Weirdsound: Waz laughs. "Nobody gives a shit about the Eastern lands where we sit, lady. Only thing interesting thing that goes on here is the trade fair at the town of Last Inn in the late summer. West of the sharp peaks, the defense is impenetrable. Both the Crucible and Quin's Keep are ancient places who have survived their entire history without falling once in battle." [12/18/2016 8:55:36 PM] Weirdsound: "The military here is very centralized around defending those two points though," Waz added. "You have no real offensive capability to speak of, and if somebody were to attack Magikarp Pass from the East or West, they could push pretty deep into the realm before meeting real resistance." [12/18/2016 9:01:25 PM] Weirdsound: Waz flashes another grin. "As for Gold - we have a surplus. We make serious bank on taxing goods crossing the Kingdom. We are far richer than any of our neighbors, Even Spade to the North which is home of the Mercenary Black Knights. The Bo Dynasty had some issues collecting taxes on the rich lowborn at Quin's Keep... I may or may not have had something to do with that... but they still made pleanty of money. I'd say you likely have a full royal treasury, but knowing some of the dipshits at the Crucible, most of it could have easily gone to waste." [12/18/2016 9:04:07 PM] Weirdsound: "A strength Mr. Waz forgets to mention," Brother Redondo adds, "is skill and expertise. On your northern border sits a town called Quin's Leap, which is home to important temples and dojos of almost every respectable order, including the Headquarters of the Temple of the Fang. In terns of Pokémon Trainers and Martial Artists, you could argue that this nation produces the empires strongest." [12/18/2016 9:16:14 PM] Bowyer: "If a handful of Wolves can find prime hunting ground, it would be easy for those invasions to wind up on our doorstep without warning. Something will have to be done about the safety of these roads." Being on the other side of the law for once was leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. But she couldn't leave the way open for other bandits. The talk of coin left her in a better mood, "And surely these troubles won't continue now that I have taken the throne? I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for the Caravan to prosper." [12/18/2016 9:17:16 PM] Bowyer: (I'm losing a bit of focus. Think we could pick up sometime tomorrow? I'd be available at 7PM EST till about Midnight again) [12/18/2016 9:17:46 PM] Weirdsound: (Sure. I'll throw the next response for you now though) [12/18/2016 9:18:16 PM] Bowyer: (Yea, I was gonna respond to Bronther Redondo but I couldn't get a response together.) [12/18/2016 9:30:02 PM] Weirdsound: The Buzzard shakes her head. "The few troops I did see flew the banner of the Empire, not the Kingdom. Its likely that the defense of these Eastlands has been delegated to Lugia's Court." [12/18/2016 9:31:40 PM] Weirdsound: Waz nods. "Indeed. Lugia provides two towers full of Blue Knights, which is the entirety of your defenses on the Eastern Plateau... and the two generals in charge are nitwits who would rather hunt undead underground than fight bandits on the surface." [12/18/2016 9:33:33 PM] Weirdsound: He pauses for thought when you mention the taxes, and frowns. "Once you and I are happy with the balance of power at The Crucible, I will deal with any hypothetical tax evasion that may or may not exist. I see no point throwing more money at the Crucible if some blithering bearucrat, or worse, your demon worshiping counterpart, is the one deciding how it is spent." [12/19/2016 5:16:21 PM] Bowyer: The lack of a real military was distressing. She'd hoped to have something to work with once she got here. Even more for her to worry about. "The troops will have to be looked at once I'm in charge," she reiterated. Brinn can't help but agree with the petulant merchant and continues darkly, "There've always been those that try and take more than their due, perhaps a bit of thinning the ranks is in order. And as for my counterpart.... She can't touch every coin that comes in. And we can watch the ones she does." [12/19/2016 5:16:32 PM] Bowyer: (Sorry for being a bit late) [12/19/2016 5:22:29 PM] Bowyer: "So besides the Temple of the Fang and The Blue Knights, what other militant orders have power in Magikarp Pass. They'd make useful allies if the other Queen tries anything." They'd also be useful to train the improved army. [12/19/2016 5:25:37 PM] Weirdsound: (Going to be slow for the next hour or so. Doing housework) [12/19/2016 5:25:55 PM] Bowyer: (Gotchya. No big deal) [12/19/2016 6:29:13 PM] Weirdsound: (Alright. Back) [12/19/2016 6:34:04 PM] Weirdsound: Waz scratches his head. "As long as we can be sure the coin is doing more good than harm..." He shakes his head and takes a bite of his skewer before continuing. "In terms of tha militant orders, not much. I wouldn't even call the Temple of the Fang militant... You got several competing groups of blue knights, the Red Inquisition, and although it is not a proper order, the Military Academy at The Crucible is world renowned." [12/19/2016 6:36:15 PM] Weirdsound: Minerva leans back in her seat. "I know for a fact both of the undead orders are active in the lands below this kingdom, and that The Frost Children will usually negotiate with mortals. I also hear that some of the local Drow are some sort of benevolent demon worshipers..." [12/19/2016 6:37:45 PM] Weirdsound: "You hear correctly, bandit," Brother Redondo chimes in. "Heatran killed the greater demons worshiped by the local drow thousands of years ago. You will not find anybody more opposed to Heatran's return than the dark elves living under Magikarp Pass." [12/19/2016 6:56:48 PM] Bowyer: Brinn sours a tad to hear of the lack of true military might but rebounds somewhat. Trying to retain some of the better graduates of the Military Academy would likely be better in the long run. The talk of Drow brings her out of her thoughts, "Are the Drow....friendly with the realm? Are you sure they would be willing to help?" [12/19/2016 7:03:31 PM] Weirdsound: Waz laughs at your other two advisers. "That whole situation is a mess. The Drow they speak of belong to a Queendom called Trapinch Fang, which was at one point a very close ally ta Magikarp Pass. 'Bout five hundred years ago, though, one of them Bo Kings took the looseing side of a Drowish succession crisis, and the relationship has been strained. Nowadays the handful of descendents of the drow backed by Magikarp Pass have their own tiny Queendom, called Yanmega Truth, which is your vassal." [12/19/2016 7:05:34 PM] Weirdsound: The merchant pauses for thought. "There is a neutral underground citystate called Chains, which is a day's journey from Quin's Keep. Although there is no diplomatic relations between Magikarp Pass and Trapinch Fang, trade between the nations still passes through Chains as a third party." [12/19/2016 7:07:50 PM] Weirdsound: Brother Redondo nods. "Chains is also home to The Temple of the Enclosed Heavens, the order that controls much of the slave and mineral trade throughout the entire empire. They depend on traderoutes through Magikarp Pass to conduct their business." [12/19/2016 7:43:14 PM] Bowyer: Brinn stays quiet for a moment. "Bah, the threat of Heatran's return ought to be enough to get them to set aside their differences. Then they'll actually be able to be around to hate each other after Heatran's gone!" She glances towards the rotund Redondo. This audience was all but over but there was still one last question she had to ask the big man. "I think this meeting is over. Thank you for the meal Minerva but I think it is nearly time to retire. A, Queen, must be presentable. Brother Redondo, a moment please." She gestures away from the fire. [12/19/2016 7:50:30 PM] Weirdsound: The Monk shakes his head at your assessment of the Drow situation. "Non-humans do not always value the prophecies as interpreted by my order... There is no guarantee that they will accept Heatran's return as imminent." [12/19/2016 7:50:46 PM] Weirdsound: With a shrug he rises, and follows you from the fire. [12/19/2016 8:16:12 PM] Bowyer: She rounds on him once they've gone far enough that the others are unlikely to overhear. She speaks tersely, "Are you certain there's nothing else relevant to the prophecy. Or that I would somehow be paired with someone who almost certainly try to break it." Anger lights Brinn's eyes. It isn't directed at Brother Redondo but it isn't quite clear why. [12/19/2016 8:20:08 PM] Weirdsound: The Monk places two fingers against his temple and closes his eyes. "Prophecy is fickle, and easier to understand as the fortold events draw closer. If I had more information... when I get more information... I will tell you." [12/19/2016 8:22:02 PM] Weirdsound: He laughs darkly... "The worst thing one can do with a prophecy is worry about the elements one cannot yet understand. For now, focus on being a good leader, and be vigilant." [12/19/2016 8:23:51 PM] Weirdsound: He sighs. "If we are being honest, I think the interpreters might be keeping me dark on a few things, just so we don't worry about them. But I trust my order to share critical information in a timely manner." [12/19/2016 8:58:12 PM] Bowyer: "How can I not worry!" She snaps and takes a moment to stare into the distance. "I can lead but...Fate seems to like to stack things against me. Bah, it'll all come together. I just hate being left in the dark."
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Post by weirdsound on Dec 21, 2016 7:30:33 GMT
As evening draws closer, word arrives that you and your advisers are to travel across the Kingdom to Metal Corpse Keep in the western border town of Heatran's Crater, where the royal champion will officially hand over power to you and your counterpart.
The journey only takes a few hours. You could have done it in a matter of minutes had you transformed, but your advisers wouldn't have been able to keep up. Minerva rides on one of her infamous giant Mandibuzz, which you note is nearly the size of a Regi-Golem. Waz follows on a jet black shiny Charizard decked out in an extravagant bejeweled riding harness; His orc bodyguards ride Charizard of their own, but they are of the normal red coloration, and the jewels on their harnesses are not quite as valuable. Brother Redondo and yourself ride the Monk's Salamence, and lead the procession.
From above, you make a few observations about your new land. Magikarp Pass is made of two plateaus, divided down the middle by a set of high and impassable looking peaks. The Eastern plateau, where Minerva had set up camp, is the sort of typical alpine environment that you'd expect at this elevation, but the western plateau seems to inexplicably possess a much more mild climate in spite of a seemingly higher elevation. North of this western plateau rises the single highest peak you have seen in your life.
Beyond the Western plateau is an even higher plateau, which is separated from your kingdom by a sheer and intimidating cliff. On the edge of this higher plateau you see a massive crater blown into the rock. This depression creates the only obvious land route between the two plateaus. "Heatran's crater." the monk comments as the party descends into the depression and you catch a glimpse of a good sized town of the floor. "The spot where the demon-god chose to self destruct rather than face capture and subjection. Ambient energy from the blast, Heatran's very soul I'd wager, keeps the climate on the western half of your Kingdom mild."
The castle at the center of town, your destination, is unlike any you have seen before. It seems like a massive shapeless sculpture, abstract art, made entirely from scrap metal and hollowed out to form a residence. "This place is called Metal Corpse Keep. Heatran was of the steel type. I wont insult your intelligence by spelling it out for you."
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Oct 25, 2023 14:56:46 GMT
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Post by Bowyer on Jan 11, 2017 3:50:47 GMT
[At the Ending of the Informal Coronation]
Brinn subtly shrugs her shoulders as the future sleeping arrangements are made. She has no true preference where she sleeps, so long as it gets her away from the prying eyes that are likely to be waiting throughout the Crucible. With Ida hoping for separate rooms, she almost bemusedly brushes it off, "Whatever you prepare will be fine, Champion Shi. Don't go through any trouble on our accounts." She expects Shi to stand firm but acquiesces if he insists.
[In Personal Room]
The room was nice enough. It certainly was better than the ground and rough tents she was used to. She turns away from her survey of the room to the problems at hand. Waz would likely need confirmation of her true intentions, the fact that he wasn't already at her door spoke of his doubt. Calling him to see her tonight would only spread rumors... Even though it grates on her to leave it undone, he could wait till tomorrow. There'd surely be a moment during the day to reassure him.
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