[i]"How about we give this kitty a cold dousing."[/i] -Maher Adonai, Page 3. --- [b][center]Imperium - Anima Aeternum[/center][/b] --- As Aslo and Raen asked their questions, Florence blinked in slight confusion, uncertainty seemed to reflect in his eyes. [b]"I would ordinarily say there is nothing, however, seeing as how this place is in much better shape than predicted..."[/b] He then looks at Aslo more specifically, the confusion growing with the other half of Aslo's question, though slight irritation could also be seen. [b]"I already told you, either path should take equal amounts of time to reach the treasure chamber, so far as I recall."[/b] Hesitating a few moments, his eyes then wander back to Raen, narrowing slightly at his more draconic features. [b]"Fascinating..."[/b] Glancing at Murderok and Gryff, he surprisingly didn't seem to disapprove of their vote for robbing the dead. [b]"I don't think the currency of a ten thousand year old dead empire will help you a great deal, but I can appreciate the tenacious, if something morally questionable, thinking."[/b] It was at this point that air flowed out from the tomb, his eyes narrowing once more as he tried to look inside. The air smelled of rot, and carried with it the giggling of a small child. One of Florence's young recruits shudders as he looks around at all the foreigners there. He was no older than fourteen. The other no older than sixteen, and was a woman at that: An oddity even in the world of equality being forged by Renalta. Finally, Gremlock spoke as well. Florence shakes his head at the mention of gunpowder. [b]"We have access to it but in such limited qualities that we have focused its uses towards the front line... You make a good point, Doctor."[/b] He seemed a bit uncertain around the goblin, as back in the era of the original Imperium, there were no goblins. At least, none in the Imperium. Though his face lit up with a small delight as the goblin logically thought things through. [b]"Excellent points! However, I see nobody is moving forward on them."[/b] The two imperial soldiers look to each other before looking to Florence, who motions to the entrance. [b]"Nyla, Trom, caute praemoveo."[/b] Nyla, the girl, clears her throat and pulls out a torch at her waist, lighting it aflame with a whispered word. [b]"At least the Mage's Guild spared us everlasting torches huh?"[/b] She whispers to Trom, who merely nods silently. Florence looks around at his allies as his men enter the entrance. [b]"Well, I was hoping you would go first..."[/b] He moves past them. [b]"...But if you feel more comfortable behind me, then my gladius and shield shall lead the way."[/b] He, too, enters the tunnels. Moving through them, it only takes a minute or so to reach the dining hall. There, the tables and chairs had long since been completely eroded away by rot, leaving only a few pieces of wooden scraps on the floor, some large enough to be impromptu weaponized clubs, though if they would hold up after all these centuries was a question left only for those who do not understand the effects of time. Several cobwebs that had remained undisturbed by centuries it seemed as well, though as Florence moves his hand through some of the cobwebs he grimaced. [b]"Not [i]that[/i] old..."[/b] He mutters quietly as he looks up at the ceiling. It was intentionally made dark it seemed, and it was higher than any average ceiling ought to be--at least twenty feet before fading into darkness. [b]"We used to make tall ceilings to position archers to hold back hordes in the event of an assault by powerful creatures who otherwise had a hard time reaching our men in such places..."[/b] A chittering noise erupts from the ceiling as Nyla tries one of the doors, though it was locked. Florence unsheathes his gladius. [b]"... It would not surprise me if those who occupy my dungeon of artifacts now use it for a similar purpose."[/b] --- [b][center]Rheinfeld - Scheideweg[/center][/b] --- As Zin quickly moved to accompany Davian, who moved out of sight and off towards the Republic side of the camp, the cloak wearing woman attempted to follow, only to be stopped by Kasim. Growling in slight annoyance she turns to face him, and it immediately becomes clear now that he was face to face with her that even with her face shadowed by a cloak, her skin tone was reddish in hue. She had demonic ancestry at the very least, possible more. Still, as he tried to tried to shake her hand she instead recoiled her gloved hands behind her back, bowing her head slightly. [b]"Moira Drafitee, Crusader of the Templar Order. Please stay out of my way."[/b] That said, she turns away from him and continues to follow Davian at a distance, though she makes no effort to attempt to escape Kasim should he follow. Still. Just before Kasim could react, he would hear an echo of his own telepathic message to his comrades earlier resound back to him. A strange phenomena to be sure. It meant that something in the local area had received and reflected back telepathic signals... It came from the general direction of the barn. Laenaia on the other hand would find the Crusaders far more approachable as they bow their heads at her approach. [b]"Madam. Fine day isn't it?"[/b] One of them says as he looks around the series of tents, seemingly still searching for something. [b]"If you happen to find a tiefling masquerading as a crusader, let us know."[/b] He motions around to four other people with him. [b]"We believe she may be a threat to either Taigyn or Davian, and needs to be taken quietly away before she can get the chance to get either of them alone."[/b] Still, examining them further, she felt something odd about them with her mind magic. Specifically, they didn't seem to notice that she had such a potent magical school at her disposal. Even she knew that Templar should have easily detected her. Zayn's attempts to probe the minds of the Templar were reflected back at him. However, it didn't feel necessarily like a maleficent force was doing it, and the Templar seemed entirely unaware. He felt something drawing him towards the barn, that is where it felt like the disruption was coming from, but why did it seemingly selectively choose to stop him from reading the Templar and not receiving Kasim's message? Regardless, just by seeing the lack of a reaction by the Templar to Laenaia's approach, he already knew something was wrong. Meanwhile, Davian and Zin reach the Republican camp, and quickly enough stumble onto a guard in leather armour who led them to her tent. Dismounting and entering the tent, Davian and Zin would see that Alida Spiegel was having her armour strapped on by a squire, a young girl who looked up with awe at Davian and Zin before going back to tightening various straps on the knees and shoulders. Alida looks up at Davian and smiles, pleasantly enough, though it was a hollow smile. [b]"Ah. I see you didn't get lost on the way here. Unfortunate."[/b] Davian snorts and looks her over, with an almost sad look in his eyes. [b]"You made for such a good Templar once. Still... Treachery gets its own reward. Eventually."[/b] Alida glares at him. [b]"What do you want?"[/b] Davian glares back. [b]"I was about to ask the same thing. You are aware of the strange feelings we have of the barn, no? Your detection skills haven't eroded away into nothingness, yes?"[/b] It was at this point that Draza--who had been distracted by meeting several of her previous comrades--finally bumbled in and made her introduction. Davian looks back at her and rolls his eyes. [b]"Apple. As in, a regular, run of the mill, bright red cherry apple. Like in the orchards back at my family estate. I don't suppose you could... Somehow... Bring one of those here?"[/b] He appeared unsettled still by the feelings he had about the barn, and Alida's face finally softened a little seeing it. [b]"Davian, you and I have fought battles together before, so I suppose I can trust you enough to inform you that I am going up to the barn with a small detachment of Republican soldiers. We're going to investigate the barn as a surprise inquisition. Because nobody expects a surprise inquisition."[/b] She manages to have a halfway cocky smile as Davian laughs, seemingly at a memory of times long past, before his face suddenly goes serious, his tone authoritarian with his next words. [b]"Go to the meeting."[/b] Alida blinks in confusion as the squire finishes with her armour. Standing up slowly, she stretches out each limb to make sure it was done correctly. [b]"What are you talking about? Of course I will, as soon as the barn situation is dealt with."[/b] Davian shakes his head as he reaches into his coin purse and gives the squire a small silver coin, then ushers her out of the tent. [b]"No. You will go to the meeting. I will take care of the barn."[/b] Alida growls in annoyance. [b]"Look just because you don't trust me anymore doesn't mean I'm--"[/b] Davian grabs her shoulder and squeezes it, causing her to drop silent as he looks her eye to eye. [b]"You are the leader of a military faction. A military faction of rebels, and vagabonds. I may not respect you, or your cause. I may think these things foolish, or at least naive to the way things are... But you, [i]you[/i], Alida Spiegel, hero of the people, bringer of justice and equality... You're not a Templar anymore. You're a figurehead, a messiah, an artifact of a cause that cannot be lost lest the cause fall to infighting and violence. You no longer have the luxury of risking yourself, you're too important for that, and that is something that the Queens of Renalta, the women you aspire to be like, understand. Intimately. They go to the front only where necessary, not where possible."[/b] With that said, Alida slumps her shoulders, unable to protest. [b]"Besides. You're an old, raggedy woman with delusions of grandeur. Surely [i]I[/i], a meagre Templar, one of many, would be better fit to die pointlessly in a barn."[/b] His grin is smug as Alida rolls her eyes and pats his shoulder. [b]"Don't press your luck."[/b] Davian then looks to Zin and Draza. [b]"Stay with this woman. Ensure she remains safe until she and Taigyn are sitting together, then you may join me at the barn if you wish. Or stay and protect them, in case I fail."[/b] He then leaves the tent, leaving Alida there as she goes to grab her weapons. --- [b][center]Liveria - Heaven's Haven[/center][/b] --- As everyone debates potential options, Ceann would hear the conversation fade away into nothingness for a moment as her body traveled swiftly to the point higher up. In a split second she appears in the shade produced by further cliffs, and would spot a couple of small green figures hiding behind the boulders. Before her vision could focus and the short-term daze from teleportation could end to allow her a better look however her ears pick up on the distinct, haggard gasps of surprise behind her. Turning and then looking up, she would see ten foot tall green juggernauts--orcs. Not like the orcs of the Free Holds, which were more appropriate to human height likely due to a lot of interbreeding with said species. The one in the middle was plainly the leader with the way he stood, covered head to toe in a motley clusterfuck of metal plates, leather and animal hides. The bear skin over his shoulders looked so small in comparison to him. He stood even taller than the other two--at eleven feet in height he dwarfed even the Drow. [b]"KILL!"[/b] He howls in common, though with a thick accent that made it hard to understand. The howl could be heard echoing through the area as his large lungs allowed him enough air to potentially deafen them if he had the chance. He had a staff in his hands, and it too was covered in a motley assortment of animal skins. The two orcs standing beside him appeared to be armed for ranged combat, though, through quick [i]investigative talent[/i], it seemed clear that their bows were all about penetration power and not about accuracy or speed in firing. If they could avoid the first shots, it would take a bit of time before they could fire again, despite their obvious strength advantage. Speaking of, through that same investigative talent, it was clear to Ceann that there was no possible way she was going to win this fight alone and had to think fast if she was going to survive, as shadow stepping again so quickly would leave her in a sickened state for potentially the entire battle. Meanwhile, as the orc howled for the deaths of the group, Mila's horse would suddenly rear up onto his hind legs. Mila falls off as the boulder in front of her explodes, sending stone shrapnel everywhere. A few chunks pierce the horse's chest cavity and shred through his internal organs, killing him nearly instantly as Mila climbs to her feet, shocked and dismayed. The horse had instinctively saved her life knowing he could not escape. Still, the orc that emerged was the greater issue at hand, standing ten feet tall like the others, with thick green skin hidden underneath multiple layers of animal hides, leather, and orcish plate mail. In his hands were a pair of war axes, ordinarily two handed weapons for a human, one handed in his own. Stretching both of his arms out, he howls in an animistic rage, outright shaking the ground beneath their feet as a throwing knife flies out from behind the remaining boulders and rocks. The dagger slips through the formation, hitting the princess as her body slumps off its horse. Notable however, the group was close enough to see that there was no blood from the wound. It was a body double. Those with magical senses could feel the princess still near them, and her flying gecko seemed to remain near to her position, which was still close to her false body. Mila didn't flinch as she prepares her magic for use. She remained silent, realizing that if they had done as she had told them to do, half of them would have died from the exploding boulder instantly. Gabriel on the other hand, extends both of his arms and in one deep breath, a blade and shield made out of a luminescent metal form themselves into his hands. His blue eyes turn to a golden hue as he extends his brilliant, shining wings, flying off of his horse a few feet into the air he points his blade at the two orcs preparing to shoot Ceann before she could truly get her wits about her again. [b]"YOU, WHO HATH INCURRED THE WRATH OF THE HEAVENS! PREPARE TO DIE!"[/b] The orcs flinch at the sound of the holy voice, feeling intimidated under the steeled gaze of the angel. Now it was up to the group to decide what to do, and act quickly--one hesitation would prove fatal in a battle like this. --- [b][center]Free Holds - Devil's Children[/center][/b] --- The various votes for and against the dance moved about Mikan as she sighed softly. They all had valid points, but none seemed to agree, phooey, that meant she had to lead. With a second, overly dramatic sigh, she looks at Mars. Child had remained silent this whole time, and Mars, well, he was decently attractive... Had charisma... If she needed a backup dancer, truly... [b]"Hm..."[/b] She motions for them to follow, as they couldn't just sit around anyway. Stepping into a shop, she looks around at the available options for masks. Pulling out a pair of plain white masks, she hands one to Mars, then keeps one for herself. The merchant hadn't even noticed her stealing them with the way he was paying attention to other slave girls being dressed. [b]"Now we'll get attention simply by being an oddity."[/b] Her eyes then move to Mars. [b]"You can simply make me look good, by being the lecherous fiend you are."[/b] She then looks to Aëyr and Abida. [b]"We'll go in and distract him. When his eyes are on us you can get closer to him and hit him with one of these."[/b] She slips a couple of throwing knifes out. [b]"They're poisoned. You have good aim, Aëyr. You can do it. Abida... Keep her safe and cover her. When the fighting starts against Deimos' men by our own, we'll slip out of the fighting and dive deeper into the keep. We'll have to move quick to find and kill the succubi second in command before she can hear about this and escape."[/b] Finally, she slips back out of the shop before the shop keep could notice them standing there with his masks. [b]"If nobody has any objections or anything to add to this mix and mash of plans, we'll head to the Inn and get dressed in more appropriate clothing, then slip inside and get to it. I mean after all, who would [i]ever[/i] just walk in looking like this?"[/b] With a giggle, she twirls the mask around her hand. What was the worst that could happen? [b]"Oh, and if you change your mind, and suddenly... Believe that... Maybe the spymaster of Renalta, who has been doing this for a decade, who has trained with top tier assassins and succubi... Might know a thing or two about disguises... Feel free to make that known."[/b] --- [b][center]Amazons - The Greatest Hunt[/center][/b] --- (([b]NOTE:[/b] [i]Tempest[/i] playing the role of [i]Alexandria[/i].)) Without a second word, Alicia received a spear from the older woman, who looked at Alicia warmly. [b]"My if but I was ten years younger."[/b] With a scowling look from Ethlinn, she goes quiet, but keeps the smile on as her wrinkled hands go back to cleaning and assorting various goods in the small home. The spear itself was made out of the surrounding jungle wood, with a high quality metal at the end she didn't recognize. Russel on the other hand didn't quite get the lustful looks that the others did as Ethlinn instead looks at him with a mixture of curiosity and appreciation. [b]"I do not believe it to be intelligent enough to bring them back information in a manner they can use... Unless you mean, the succubi... In which case, well, if we -can- take her alive... I believe your... Queens, would probably like a word with her back in their kingdom."[/b] She looks at Alexandria for confirmation, and with a simple nod, she got it. Without any further words, she motions for them to follow her. Leading them out into the amazonian village once more, she slowly descends downward into the village. Intentionally putting a little extra sway in her hips with some of the steps down, or the occasional 'accidental' soft brush of her hand against Alexandria's hand, her intents were still extraordinarily clear as they reach the clearing with the other amazons. There were at least fifty of them there, though only six were combatants standing side by side, armed with spears and daggers. The fashion of the Amazons, it should be noted, was practical for where they lived. It did show skin, but it was absolutely practical considering the environment when not going into battle. As Esyllt and the others are led to the combatants, she grasps Alexandria's hand and leads her to the front of the amazonian 'crowd', the small group that congregated to watch what they thought was going to be a battle. Slowly leaning herself up against Alex, she whispers into Alex's ear. [b]"Do... You like it here? Do you like the sights?..."[/b] She whispers, curiously, though there was a certain tension to her. Alexandria fidgets, a little uncertain at the proximity of Ethlinn but nods her head. [b]"It is... quite a wondrous culture you have here, though I cannot say I know much about it... Something I wish to change with time. I do think, though, a younger me would have welcomed such a life with glee."[/b] She chuckles, shaking her head. [b]"Maybe."[/b] Ethlinn replies softly as she takes the cue for what it was, and slowly pushes off from Alex, though still easily remaining within Alex's personal space. [b]"I'm just glad you're here."[/b] She glances at Ethlinn, relaxing now that she had a little more space. [b]"Of course... We wouldn't abandon you in your time of need,"[/b] she snorts, placing a reassuring arm about her shoulders. [b]"Now relax a little bit. We'll get this all sorted out, Ethlinn."[/b] The princess grabs the queen's hand, and squeezes it gently, though adds nothing more as she now watches Esyllt be led in first. [b]"Perfect."[/b] She mumbles quietly. Esyllt on the other hand was led first to the line. The other amazons look to the princess at that point and she smiles a little. [b]"Before we begin this trial to show our true natures, Esyllt, Queens Blade, is going to use her powers to see the passion within each of you. Comply, and you may duel with some of the world's finest. Do not, and feel the shame of being removed from such an honour by being afraid of having your true nature revealed."[/b] The amazons looked at one another, and begrudgingly, four complied... Two, however, did not. At the opposite end of Esyllt, two of the amazons remained where they were standing, then turned to face the princess. [b]"We do not recognize your authority yet. You are young and have failed your hunt to prove yourself... Once you do, we will comply with your little... Test, within a test."[/b] The other amazons seemed mixed on who to follow, the one objecting and the one that stood with her, or Princess Ethlinn. [b]"Esyllt... Start with them. Let them have their fears dissuaded through action, not through words."[/b]