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[h1][b]GM Post[/b][/h1]

[h2]Gems: Night 0 (Arrival); Morning 1 (Breakfast)[/h2]
[hider=Picture][img]https://pre00.deviantart.net/2ced/th/pre/f/2016/009/d/d/dark_lords_castle_by_jjcanvas-d9nbc2q.jpg[/img][/hider][/center]

Castle Shadow Worth; a fortress built with its back to the Spine, its only way in or out a bridge connecting the isolated outpost to the main road leading from Gemmenia to Drakka. The large crevice served as a barrier to keep any outsiders from invading, though in more recent history, insiders from wandering away. As the sun began to set, the valley the keep was tucked away in sunk into the shadows, any warmth the day brought vanished along side the dying light. 

Numerous brides had already arrived, their delivery staggered throughout the day, yet the keep remained as cold and silent as ever. Small voices that dared to speak out remained at a weak whisper while their captors’ echoed off the stone halls. 

“[color=gray]The last of the girls will be here shortly.[/color]” The gruff voice of Sek Leon pulled the eldest of the princes from his thoughts. Glancing over his shoulder, Gaelnesh took in the familiar sight of the keep’s master. “[color=gray]Ten more than last year, as requested. We had to clear out the west wing to make room for them all… Sir, if I may ask, will our king be joining us this year?[/color]” Gaelnesh crossed his arms, shaking his head in response.

“[color=0072bc]No. His attention is needed in the capital.[/color]” Just as it had been for the past ten years. Rarely did the king make public appearances any more, his health unbefitting of a Drakkan ruler. His presence was a formality any how, seeing as it was left up to Gaelnesh to oversee the important tasks. And anything that did not require such strict and direct supervision was left up to his younger counterpart Ehkota. 

In that moment, another guard approached and whispered into Sek Leon’s ear. Nodding his understanding, the Keep Master turned back to his prince with the news.

“[color=gray]It seems the last of the girls have arrived, my [i]prince[/i], shall we go see what our thralls have sent us this year?[/color]” The prince allowed the man to lead the way, despite knowing the path by heart by this point. Their destination was a large, barren courtyard lined with guards whose only jobs were to maintain the stock they had just been delivered. Dead trees occupied every corner, the fading light casting eerie claw-like shadows through them.


Waiting off to the side, the prince watched on with satisfaction as Sek Leon addressed his temporary wards. Even he had to resist the urge to jump as the man’s voice barked out a well practiced speech, sharpened eyes quick to note more than a few girls shivering at the sound. 

“[color=gray]There was a time when your people were unable to defend themselves due to your inherent weaknesses. Were it not for our kindness, you all would have been slaughtered at the hands of your foes. And, as it stands, you are the only thing of value to us that your country could provide to repay such kindness. In three days time you will be given to your new lord husbands. You [i]will[/i] bear their children. You [i]will[/i] tend to their every need. And you [i]will[/i] obey them for they hold the right to do with you as they please.[/color]” 

Pausing to allow the message to fully sink in, his well practiced eyes flickered across the crowd. He made sure to note which eyes shone with tears, and which ones did not. Seemed that more than a few would require… extra attention.

“[color=gray]We Drakkan are not kind as you know kindness. Your lords do not care that you have just lost everything, and neither do I. I only have three days to train the lot of you, know… that is not nearly enough time. Learn as much as you can and pray to your heathen gods that it is enough to get you through.[/color]” Turning his head slightly, the keep master nodded his head signalling the wardens to step forward and take position around the Gems.

“[color=gray]You will now be taken to your rooms where you will remain until morning. The doors will be locked to ensure your compliance and your safety. Any attempt at an escape will be seen and dealt with as high treason, so think very carefully. There will be clothing set out for you in your rooms. Try not to get them dirty, it is all you will be given until your arrival in the capital. Sweet dreams little song birds.[/color]” The man’s snickering laughter carried about the courtyard as the group was led away to their rooms. It would be the last sound, aside from their own sniffling tears, that they would hear until morning.


At first light the following morning, the Gems were roused by the hammering fists of their designated guards. Heavy thumps fell against the solid wood, Drakken throwing open doors and barking orders for the girls to dress quickly and head for the dining hall. Additional guards made their rounds about the hallways, stopping Gems that had managed to wander off in the wrong direction; awaiting all too eagerly for a girl who refused to obey. While each and every Drakkan posted at Shadow Worth were under strict orders not to leave visible bruises anywhere it mattered, that still left a lot of the Gem’s body to work with for punishments.

The dining hall itself was a long, rectangular room with three fireplaces lining either side and four long tables filling the space. Each table was filled with simple, a mix of dishes familiar and unfamiliar depending on who was looking at them. Clearly, the more colorful foods belonged to the Gemmenia side of the spine, the duller ones belonging to the Drakka side.

Keeping watch over the girls while they gathered to eat were guards that seemed rather content on letting the girls be, giving them plenty of space to grow used to their surroundings so long as they didn’t step out of line. They kept watchful eyes but for the most part made sure to keep their distance, posted in each of the corners and by any of the exits… Including the windows.

[hider=Summary/Important Notes]
You can include anything about the less than comfortable ride to Shadow Worth, so long as by the end, you make it to breakfast. Keep in mind we only have one posting cycle (give or take) to make it through 3 ‘days’ of events. So have fun but be mindful of GM posts moving you guys along.
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[center][h2]Drakken: Morning 1 (Arrival/Festivities)[/h2]
[hider=Picture][img]http://lof.schattenburg.ch/docs/pictures/orte/katapesh/katapesh_tor.jpg[/img][/hider][/center]
In more recent years, Železna Kri had taken on a new air of importance despite its long history as Drakka’s reigning capital. The air was filled to the brim with an excitement and a restlessness that came about each and every year. It was almost as if the streets themselves were alive, lying in wait to be soaked in the blood of fallen challengers. A common occurrence to be sure when it came to the Reaping. Massive bodies pushed past one another, an unusual sight any other time of the year, packing the streets to capacity as Drakken of all standings gathered for the festivities. For many this was a yearly opportunity to prove themselves to one another, and most importantly, to their royal family. Lords from all over the land would be staying within the capital as they awaited the arrival of their prizes, giving some of the lessers an opportunity to gain favor with a more powerful family if they were able to impress.

The streets were not made up of just the Drakkan, however, for the edges were lined with market stall after market stall selling goods of every kind. The scents of various foods, both domestic and foreign, wafted into the air. Bright colors drew in the eyes of wealthier Drakkan, servants in charge of selling beautiful cloth and jewels meant to ornament the very brides being delivered this just a few days. So many people, so many distractions, it would have been easy to miss the occasional glimmer slipping between the darkened forms of the Drakkan population. Previously reaped Gems were dragged through the crowd by their masters, the sunlight reflecting beautifully off of their shimmering skin.

One such creature was a small earthen Gem whose shadow consisted of a rather lanky fellow who looked like he would rather be anywhere else. With each step forward, the girl grew more and more timid, no doubt remember her time spent in the city when she herself was delivered to its jaws. Such a time seemed so long ago by this point; a different time, a different Drakkan. Now she found herself forced to return, led by the scowling force behind her.

“[color=98fb98]I’ve changed my mind.[/color]” The small voice barely carried over the bustling noise of the overcrowded streets. Had it not been for the man’s attentive nature, the words would have been easily missed. “[color=98fb98]This isn’t a good place. I need to go back. I need to… not be here.[/color]” Stopping at an invisible line, the Gem looked into the shifting crowd before her. She kept her voice mellow as if she were stating a  fact rather than her own emotions despite the fact that she bore no power in this realm. “[color=98fb98]I’m sorry. I will take myself back.[/color]” The small earth Gem turned as if to walk away only to find herself running face first into an unmoving torso.

Slowly shifting his eyes downward, the Drakkan raised an unamused eyebrow. “[color=8493ca]And where exactly is it that you think you are seeing yourself back to, missy?[/color]” While Azilon had long since learned the small one’s name, he chose not to call her by it. A creature, once named, often became an attachment and he was not so inclined to keep Rya under his care longer than he had to. He had agreed, after quite a bit of pestering from a certain servant of his, to at least bring her back to the capital in order to have her rehomed. He figured it would have been an easy task considering the influx of Drakkan entering the city for the Reaping and related events. All he had to do was find somebody to sell her to, and he would be free to return home. Or so he thought.

“[color=f4a460]Well, well, well… What do we have here? Is that you Az?[/color]” Azilon didn’t turn to face the voice that had called him out, his eyebrow twitching with his annoyance. Of all the people he would have rather avoided running into, this probably topped the list. “[color=f4a460]It’s been such a long time, I almost forgot what you looked like. If hadn’t known better I would have mistaken you for Sala-[/color]” Before the newcomer could finish uttering his sentence Azilon’s left arm had snapped out, fingers wrapping tightly around their neck to cut off the sound, his body calmly turning to face the youngest of the reigning princes.

“[color=8493ca]A long time indeed if you are mistaking me for that bastard Salazar. I look nothing like him.[/color]” He hissed in response, maintaining a lack of facial expression in response to Ehkota’s devious smirk. The few guards he had about him tensed up at the interaction, prepared to jump forward at a moment’s notice. They were, however, waved off as the young prince effortlessly knocked Azilon’s arm away from his neck.

“[color=f4a460]I see. My mistake.[/color]” He mused, eyes shifting ever so slightly to the Gemmenite standing at the smaller Drakkan’s side. “[color=f4a460]Congratulations on your bride by the way, but I am curious as to where you acquired this particular beauty. After all, she looks quite familiar, I just don’t remember handing her over to you.[/color]” The prince’s words carried the hint of a challenge despite the fact that his eyes had yet to leave Rya’s small form.

“[color=8493ca]I found her.[/color]” Azilon responded shortly.

“[color=f4a460]Found?[/color]” Ehkota questioned, eyes shifting back to the Drakkan warrior.

“[color=8493ca]Found.[/color]” He repeated, not backing down in the slightest. The pair locked eyes for a few brief moments that seemed to stretch on for ages before the prince broke away.

“[color=f4a460]I take it you won’t mind us taking her off your hands then? A ‘found’ Gem must have plenty of stories to tell. I’d be particularly interested in hearing the one about how you ended up so far away from home, my dear.[/color]” The girl looked up at the Drakkan prince alarmed, drawing closer to Azilon as she opened her mouth to respond. Azilon growled internally as the guards drew closer once again, wrapping his right hand around the girl’s mouth to silence her while using his cloak to take a defensive stance over her. The air began shifting around the pair, cycling about them as a silent threat to those seeking to step closer.

“[color=8493ca]The man was an idiot. His death was of his own carelessness.[/color]” The prince’s face fell at these words, seeming to be taking in the information and judging its validity. It looked as if he were going to say something else on the matter when one of his charges stepped forward to whisper something into his ear. Nodding, the Drakkan prince tilted his head in the direction of the messenger.

“[color=f4a460]Good, good. Tell the young Kinner that I will meet him there shortly.[/color]” The messenger bowed his head in understanding before taking off to deliver the message, meanwhile the prince had returned his attention to Azilon. He gave the man a sly smile with a shrug of his shoulders.

“[color=f4a460]Finders keepers I suppose, after all I trust you know how to handle your own affairs. I do, however, recommend you stick around for the festivities. I’ll see to it you finally receive a bride. Don’t want people getting the wrong idea about your motives now do we?[/color]” At this point, Ehkota had talked the man into a corner. While he doubted the full truth was being told, he would have been lying if he said he cared at all about it. What mattered to him was getting Azilon to finally play the same game he was expected to. He did, however, have other matters to attend to and couldn’t afford to spend much more time teasing the lord.

“[color=f4a460]I take it you can see to your own housing arrangements as well, or will your relationship with your father have you seeking secondary settlement with the rest of the unestablished guests? You might get a few wayward looks for choosing not to stay at your estate like a proper lord, but hey, that’s none of my business now is it? We’ll be expecting your presence at the dueling pits later on with the rest of the Drakkan receiving their brides. I suggest you keep your… findings… close to you.[/color]” Without another word, the prince turned his back on the pair and sauntered away to see to more important matters.

[hider=Summary/Important Notes]
Drakkan warlords will already have estates in town. Lesser lords may or may not. Drakkan without a title will not. You can be arriving in from out of town, or have already arrived previously, keep these facts in mind when choosing. Designated rooms are already set aside for the lesser so your character wouldn’t have to pay for anything.

Consider this a few day long festival. Buy some things, enter some tourneys, take some secret meetings. Go be free!
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