[sub][indent][i][h3][color=d8cfbe]𝕆ff the ℂoast[/color][/h3][/i][/indent][/sub][hr][i]Closer. Closer. Closer…[/i] As the [i]Ironmaw[/i] approached, Tobias could feel his heart rate beginning to rise. His blood tingled in anticipation of the fight ahead. Victory and satisfaction was so close… The [i]Ironmaw[/i] looked just as it had been described- a ship forty meters long, with three decks, plated in metal. He could see stolen railguns mounted below decks, jutting out slightly from the ship’s sides. No matter. The attacking force would come too close for the guns to be of any use. On the main deck, a sizable group of pirates chattered and laughed, jovially discussing their bounty. Sickening. These men who killed for the sake of self-gain brushed off the deaths of innocent people like a servant cleaning a bookshelf with a duster. The [i]Ironmaw[/i] drew closer. They were within twenty meters. Tobias lifted his hands to his mouth and let out a shrill whistle, the harsh sound slicing through the air. The three boats unveiled their illusory disguise and blasted at full steam towards the [i]Ironmaw[/i]. Caught unawares by the facade, the pirate ship took the full ramming force of each. Tobias leapt from [i]Kiana[/i] and onto the [i]Ironmaw[/i], sword ready. He managed to slice the stomach of one scoundrel and engage another in combat before any resistance could be mustered. The navaliers followed him onboard. Several of the pirates still reeling from the ambush were cut down immediately. A few others had their wits about them, and quickly began to retaliate. Soon, the entire deck of the [i]Ironmaw[/i] was swarming with combat. Tobias deflected his opponent’s curved blade, then incapacitated the man with a quick stab through the chest. All around him, pirates were falling. He had instructed his men to take as many prisoners as possible. A tremor ran through Tobias, signaling the use of magic. He spun and noticed a pirate dressed slightly more importantly than everyone else: Byron Halifax, the pirates’ only magic user. He was a powerful one, too. Tobias watched as the man hurled blazing flames towards the navaliers, expertly avoiding his own crew with the deadly embers. In the brief lull of battle, Tobias could almost appreciate the man’s skill with his gate. In another world, the man could have been a celebrated soldier. But not this world. Tobias pointed and whistled at the mageborn, signalling the mages on the boats to target him with their magic. He raised his sword and charged. [color=2E2C2D]hello[/color] [sub][indent][i][h3][color=d8cfbe]ℍouse ℙachel[/color][/h3][/i][/indent][/sub][hr] Jevin Pachel groaned softly as he stretched, throwing off the warm blankets. The beds in Harrow’s were far too soft for his liking. The best resting place was a firm surface and a cool headrest, not the pillow-saturated sheets of a four-poster king-size bed. Still, any bed was better than nothing, especially when Livia was concerned. He looked over at her sleeping form, still wrapped up under the covers. A small pang of guilt tinged his chest, but he pushed it aside. He was in too deep now. Pachel grabbed his clothes off the floor, and hastily smoothed out the folds and creases before dressing himself. Livia wasn’t stirring, so he took the time to inspect the room properly. Earlier, when the two had rushed in for a quick afternoon nap, he hadn’t the time to properly examine the room. Regardless of his opinion of the bed, the rest of the suite was furnished exquisitely. A masterful rendition of Golovan Harrow hung on the far wall. The fluffy carpet between his toes was woven with all the care and skill of a master weaver. Several gemlights rested in their little alcoves, bathing the room in a pleasant glow. Pachel sat down on one of the chairs in the living room and simply took it all in. He heard the shower turn on in the restroom. What a delightful invention, allowing one to clean oneself without all the hassle of drawing up a bath. Pressurized water! Truly wondrous. [i]So many things that the North can teach us. But how much will it cost? Will we fight and bicker about power for another hundred, two hundred years? Who is man to decide the values of another? If only...[/i] Pachel wandered in his thoughts for a little, then shook his head and stood up. He was getting old. Such introspection was the job of scholars and philosophers, not soldiers. And yet, why was a soldier such as he partaking in the talks? The consideration of number figures was hardly his strong suit. In his youth, he spent more time considering lady figures instead. In his youth… [i]Well, we’re seeing the start of a new era, what with all these up-and-coming heirs. Eric, Alexander, Carrey…[/i] Of course, he couldn’t neglect young Ruel. Fourteen! Pachel hadn’t taken up the mantle until he was almost thirty-two, let alone as a teenager! He only hoped that the child would fill his cabinet with capable men. Pachel had made the mistake long ago of giving far too much power to those who cared only about themselves. House Pachel had paid the price for that foolishness. That was all in the past. He needed to focus on the present. The talks were tomorrow, and he had already spent his afternoon on enjoying himself. The other lords would be arriving shortly. [i]I suppose I’ll go and meet with some of them…[/i] [color=2E2C2D]pogchamp[/color] [sub][indent][i][h3][color=d8cfbe]ℍouse 𝕊eler[/color][/h3][/i][/indent][/sub][hr] Unsurprisingly, House Seler was very late. Not only were they the furthest from the tower in terms of location, they also had a last minute addition to their entourage. This addition made its existence very known as the door of the carriage swung open and Verity Seler stepped out. Even with her cool composure, it was clear her patience was being tested. Veer stormed out next, swearing under his breath. In a much better mood, Vector Seler. He looked delighted to be there. [color=d8cfbe]“Stupendous! Our first family outing in years, and it's here! Aren’t you excited, kids?”[/color] [color=d8cfbe]“Why is he here?”[/color] Veer hissed to his sister. [color=d8cfbe]“You are on the seaside. The water is is ankle deep. The sand is between your toes.” “Verity?” “The sand is between your toes. It feels wonderful.” “Useless! Both of you.” “You know, I came here when I was younger. I really hated it - you see, I was very young, like you. A total fish out of water! You’ll come to enjoy it. But now I realise how wonderful the architecture is! This reminds me of my time in Sikesse. Really, this building would fit right in there.” “The waves lap at your shins. You feel calm here. There is nothing wrong with this place. The wind is blowing.” “Shut up, shut up, shut up! Gah, can’t this wait until we get inside!”[/color] The guards looked scared to inspect the Seler carriage. It wasn’t long until they found an entire sword stashed away under the seat. A little more time and they found many more. [color=d8cfbe]“No, leave them. They’re for emotional support,”[/color] Verity said, not even bothering to turn around and look. [color=d8cfbe]“This place has an observatory, doesn’t it? Then, Veer, I’d like you meet me there once you’ve unpacked. We must… strategise. Does that sound good?”[/color] [color=d8cfbe]“Absolute- I’ll be there, Verity. Just make sure this stonge doesn’t come along, yeah?” “I’ll deal with him, don’t you worry. I’m sure what little attention span he has left can be occupied by something.” “Are you two listening? You better be, brats. I haven’t had the time to tell you about my latest trip. I met with Sikesse- him… them… I met with Sikesse. He was so short! Oh, but that doesn’t matter. I saw the most beautiful Akeshan woman. She had these lovely golden eyes, like the evening sun on a calm sea, with hair that was such a beautiful grey…”[/color] [color=2E2C2D]pogchamp[/color] [sub][indent][i][h3][color=d8cfbe]𝕋imeslots[/color][/h3][/i][/indent][/sub][hr][hider=time] [list][*]Gardens (1) - Just outside the Grand Hall. Flora from all around the world is grown here. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]Cedric Immolis [*]Ruel Immolis [*][color=d8cfbe]Drakus Solaris[/color] [*][color=d8cfbe]Rendyl[/color][/list] [*]Evening[list][*]Jevin Pachel [*]Alexander Reason [*][color=d8cfbe]Rhythmia Lapseus[/color][/list][/list] [*]Grand Hall (1) - The entrance hall and main dining hall of Harrow’s. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]Eric Granis [*]Vector Seler [*]Jevin Pachel[/list] [*]Evening[list][*]None[/list][/list] [*]Minor Library (2) - Open to visitors, contains numerous works of Croanian history. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]Alexander Reason [*]Christina Young [*]Reina Young [*][color=d8cfbe]Melodia Lapseus[/color] [*][color=d8cfbe]Abbi Rose Smith[/color][/list] [*]Evening[list][*]Esmeralda Nols [*]Eric Granis[/list][/list] [*]Laboratory (2) - Closed off, contains scientific and alchemical equipment. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]None[/list] [*]Evening[list][*]Reina Young [*][color=d8cfbe]Melodia Lapseus[/color] [*]Arthur Kothlin[/list][/list] [*]Residencies (3) - Each representative has their own room. All the residencies share the same hallway. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]Arthur Kothlin [*][color=d8cfbe]Rhythmia Lapseus[/color][/list] [*]Evening[list][*]Ruel Immolis [*]Cedric Immolis [*][color=d8cfbe]Darius Balaur[/color][/list][/list] [*]Major Library (4) - Closed off, contains records of almost all magical research in Croania. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*][color=d8cfbe]Darius Balaur[/color][/list] [*]Evening[list][*]None, probably[/list][/list] [*]Observatory (5) - Open to visitors, has detailed charts, maps, and the best telescope in the country. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]Veer Seler [*]Verity Seler [*]Esmeralda Nols [*][color=d8cfbe]Aelious Aureolin[/color][/list] [*]Evening[list][*]Vector Seler [*]Verity Seler[/list][/list] [*]In Town - Visit the wonderful town of Harrow’s Keep, with its famed open-air market. [list][*]Afternoon[list][*]Elise Dalris [*][color=d8cfbe]Aster Nols[/color][/list] [*]Evening[list][*]Elise Dalris [*]Veer Seler [*][color=d8cfbe]Aelious Aureolin[/color] [*][color=d8cfbe]Drakus Solaris[/color] [*][color=d8cfbe]Rendyl[/color] [*][color=d8cfbe]Abbi Rose Smith[/color] [*][color=d8cfbe]Aster Nols[/color][/list][/list][/list] [/hider] Each PC gets 2 timeslots to use - collab with a GM to talk with NPCs and explore areas.