[i]Step step step Step Inspect Beast. Analyzing... Beast loyalty is <= 60. Casting bardic taunt. Casting enthrall. Casting dominate beast. [/i] The npc named Kaldorna locked eyes with the hydra before her, its many eyes focused solely on her after a series of attention drawing spells. Both where deep down in the depths of the Beast Pens, a labyrinthine dungeon that sprawled beneath the Chateau, and separated by a series of iron bars that were more a suggestion than an actual form of containment to the hulking serpentine monstrosity. As the two stared one another down various stable thralls went about their business, pathing their way around the immobile mistress of monsters carrying some of the last of the Chateau’s feed down into the depths while others returned to the surface with waste from the beasts and rubble carved out of the rock by the endless digging of dwarven thralls who worked tirelessly to expand the pens ever further and deeper. [i]Beast loyalty is >= 90. Pet beast. Turn. step step step step[/i] Kaldorna took one more step along the corridor and then the clock struck midnight. She stopped, stretched and yawned, before catching herself in the middle of doing this and awkwardly moving a hand to cover her wide open mouth. [color=Crimson]”Oh deary me.”[/color] she spoke to the halls after finishing her first independent action before sighing and adding [color=Crimson]”Well I’m glad nobody saw that unprofessional bit of behavior.”[/color] She shook her head slightly and started walking more quickly than she had been before she was a person. There were only a few more stops on her circuit around the pens. Once she was done she could take a well deserved break. [hr] After checking the last of the numerous beast in the cages Kaldorna entered the aquatic section of the pens and approached the Hunters Lodge. The Lodge itself was a dilapidated [url=https://i.imgur.com/S5fgL0y.jpg]galleon[/url] that floated in a vast subterranean pool housing numerous aquatic beasts, connected to the rest of the pens by a floating catwalk. As she walked across the floating gangway a few creatures surfaced briefly to inspect the one coming so close to their realm before sinking back into the depths of the underground lake. Within she found most of Sun200’s [url=https://i.imgur.com/lKxuyg4.jpg]hunters[/url] and some of his/her subordinate beast tamers/handlers lazing around in the tavern found within, each and every one of which was a vampire that had been sired by Sun200. They were dressed in snappy aristocratic attire adjusted to suit their particular trades, which meant sturdy armor and weapons made to hurt but not necessarily kill beasts of all shapes and sizes. They had all been worked to the bone over the last few days as their master pushed himself to his limit trying to finish his collection during several sleepless nights. Now the vampires sat around the various benches and stools found in the rustic tavern, which looked like it had been ripped straight off of a dockside somewhere and shoved into the ship’s internals, partaking in the house’s special: Monster blood. “Kaldorna! There’s our master’s favorite beastmaster. I take it you’ve finally finished your rounds?” called out one vampires who Kaldorna recognized as [url=https://i.imgur.com/8WznhHs.png]Arthanar[/url], the Hunt’s Captain. [color=Crimson]”I have, no thanks to you all. The pens are quite literally overflowing with new creatures of all shapes and sizes.”[/color] Kaldorna replied, with not a hint of malice in her tone despite the words she had chosen. [color=Crimson]”The hunt that filled them up must have been quite the performance.”[/color] “Aye it was quite the successful hunt we had. The master was dead on his feet by the end of it. Well, more dead than usual. You must be too. Come. Sit. Take a load off and we’ll tell you all about it.” the hunter said, beckoning her over to his table. [color=Crimson]”Your too kind.”[/color] she replied, before joining him and the others vampires seated with him before ordering a drink from a barboy. Abyssal squid blood to be exact, fresh from the tap. Just as she was settling in and her compatriots were getting ready to tell the tale of their grand hunt there came the sound of yelling from outside. “Move! Get out the way you bloodless sack of bones I have a message to deliver!” someone who sounded like they were sprinting down the gangway to the Lodge shouted. [b]”how rude.”[/b] came the response from whoever the first individual was yelling at, followed moments later by a splash. A young vampire burst through the doors and asking frantically “Where’s the master?” “The master is resting and cannot be disturbed” replied the Hunt’s captain replied immediately, which was their understanding of what logging off ment. [color=Crimson]”Why do you need them? Whatever is the matter and...”[/color] Kaldorna took a closer look at the vampire before recognising him as one of the unfortunate saps who had drawn a lot to go right back out into the wilds on meat acquisition duty so soon after ending their last hunt. [color=Crimson]”Why aren’t you out in the forest hunting? The masters collection requires sustenance!”[/color] “We can’t. The forest. Its gone!” the vampire replied, sounding like even he could scarcely believe what he was saying. [color=Crimson]”Gone? Whatever do you mean? How can a forest simply be gone?”[/color] “I. I don’t know! We were getting ready to set out and then the forest just wasn't there anymore. There was just stony ground. I think we were at the top of a mountain? Restlina shut the doors and called the hunt of as soon as we saw something was wrong and sent me here.” the messenger explained hurriedly. Conversion erupted among the vampires, everyone there having something to say or ask and nobody managed to be heard over everyone else. Kaldorna ignored this sound and instead walked towards the door where someone was politely knocking. She pushed the news bringing vampire aside and opened it, revealing a soaking wet skeletal butler. [b]”Greetings”[/b] it said while pulling an octopus with thorns covering its tentacles from its ribcage and tossing it back in the water. [b]”I am here to deliver a message.”[/b] [color=Crimson]”One moment.”[/color] she told the butler who she could barely hear over the uproar within, before turning, reaching into her coat and retrieving her Wand of Commentary. She inhaled and then spoke into the microphone shaped item. [color=Crimson]”SILENCE!”[/color] the woman’s voice echoed through the chamber, bringing an abrupt end to the discussion. [color=Crimson]”Thank you darlings.”[/color] she told the other vampires before turning back to their skeletal guest [color=Crimson]”Now, you were saying?”[/color] [b]”em. Yes. as I was saying, I am here to deliver a message from young master Rodias. He summons all residents of the Chateau with of a level of 40 or higher to a meeting to be held in the Final Hour. Immediately”[/b] “The half-blood?” Arthanar said after the butler was finished “What does that lord want with us do you think?” [color=Crimson]”I believe we already know.”[/color] Kaldorna said before jerking her head towards the messenger vampire. As Arthanar nodded in agreement Kaldorna raised her microphone to her lips once more and addressed the crowd before they could explode back into discussion over this latest bet of news. [color=Crimson]”Ladies and gentlemen. I know that whoever might be going on is strange and possibly frightening, but our Masters are already aware and will surely lead us through this turmoil. Have faith, but also be prepared! Sharpen your swords, load your pistols, prime your traps, saddle your mounts and be ready to set out at a moments notice! For if our masters need sharp eyes and sharper fangs to investigate this curious situation we will be ready to ride into mystery and danger for them. Now go, prepare, and await our return!”[/color] The beast tamers practically jumped out of their seats as they raced to obey while the hunters paused in doing so to glancing at Arthanar. After he nodded blood was downed in a few gulps by many a hunter before they all raced for the door. Kaldorna smiled and nodded to herself as they rushed to obey. [color=Crimson]”Now then, Arthanar, if you’d care to join me?”[/color] she asked the Hunt’s Captain. “Aye of course, let's go find out this malarky is all about.” With that the two vampires stepped out of the door and headed for the Final Hour at a brisk pace. They had quite a few floors to climb to get there after all. [hr] Kaldorna and Athanar arrived in the climax hour after stepping a convenient person sized hole in found at the top of the chateaux that someone had very recently opened up. After commanding the colossal spider they had acquire and ridden up to the hole after spotting the shortcut it back down to an awaiting handler Kaldorna note that [color=Crimson]”The head maid is sure to go ballistic at whoever made this mess”[/color] before the two vampires headed for the throne room. When they entered they stepped around the Chapter Keeper who was enthralled in a discussion with himself about the possibility of making memorabilia for the room and presented themselves before Rodias. Kaldorna gave the Dhampir a Vampiric salute/bow (a slight kneel with her fist held over her heart, her face looking upwards and her head tilted to one side to bare the neck in submission) and was joined in doing so after a few moments of hesitation by Arthanar. [color=Crimson]”Kaldorna and Arthanar of the Beast pens. We are at your eternal service my lord.”[/color] she said, introducing herself and the Hunt’s Captain to Rodias.