Achronum

✧ Adventure Must Continue ✧

Anna

_{Interacting with:@HueMan[@Lunarlord34}

“Careful Baron. Your arrogance is showing.” Anna glanced up at the creature before returning to her book, unphased in the face of his display. “Come down off your high horse for a few seconds and let me ask you something. If I refer you as the steward, outside of context of your position, does that make you my steward? No you, as we all are, are servants of the Masters of the Cathedral and thus “the” is in relation to our positions to the Supremes and which is why I said “the pet” and not “your pet”. And yet you believe I would have the audacity to claim that as ours.” She gestured flippantly towards the errand boy and turned a page with a small tsk as her eyes scanned the page. “No. Unless the Supreme Beings demanded it, I would rather have nothing to do with someone as punctually challenged and disaster prone as that.” She flipped another page.

“And secondly, I hardly find it proper you handing out punishments. Your authority is borrowed Baron. Given to you for a specific purpose or task. In this instance, it seems to find information and since I have hardly done anything to interfere with that, unlike someone trying to intimidate another working Guardian, I see no reason for your temporary authority to allow that.” Another page flipped and she paused with her finger on the page, opening another book to look at something else. “However if you feel the need, perhaps following up with our Lord Volaris may benefit your cause. Yet as I was a direct result of his whim, I find you may have difficulty with that particular path. Or, even better, you can continue with our job and we can move on with our lives, supporting our Lord rather than falling into petty fighting.”

She snapped the second book shut, muttering “And I thought I may have had something.” With a wave of her wand, the scroll unrolled across the table and she set her first book down and pulled the scribbled writing on the scroll closer.

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Volaris

_{interacting with:@Lunarlord34@Ithradine}

'Thank you for making your NPC intelligent because I nearly messed up and we’ve only just begun.’ Volaris barely refrained from face palming as he heard Elizabeth quickly correct herself. He really should have had the foresight to consider that particular issue. He watched as Elizabeth mended the two soldiers’ wounds. It seemed healing magic still had the same effect. That was a relief.

“Helping a soul in need is the responsibility of anyone with the power to do so.” Volaris waved off the thanks. He regarded the pair. The man was useless now, sleeping peacefully now the pain had been washed away with Elizabeth’s magic. The woman now owed him a debt however and he fully planned to exploit that. Volaris sat, making his way slowly to the ground and laying his walking stick at his side. He looked back up at Elizabeth.

“Thank you for healing them Elizabeth.” His voice stayed cheery as he spoke to the girl, “Would you be a dear and take Megu to check the surrounding area for other survivors? I believe there was a fort further on that they could have taken refuge in. I will join you after I have taken care of these two.” Volaris smiled at the two and turned his attention back to the two soldiers, holding out his hands. “Create food and water.” A small loaf of bread, a bit of cheese, and a full waterskin appeared in his hands.

“You must be hungry after your ordeal. Eat up and perhaps you can explain what exactly happened here. Unfortunately, I am rather out of touch with the world. It feels like it's the first time I’m seeing it.” Volaris laughed. “I had secluded myself but with my granddaughter’s father gone, her life is in my hands and the life of a hermit is the life for the old, not the young.”

Of Blood and Magic

Varis Sinnenodel

@Obscene Symphony

Varis arrived just after the gates opened. Lady Sinnenodel thoroughly instilled punctuality into him, reminding him time and time again that being early was on time and on time was late. He watched as the servers made their rounds and a particular aroma caught his attention. He licked his lips and made his way through the rapidly growing crowd,pausing here and there to greet those he had met at other affairs. He plucked a chilled champagne flute off the end of a server’s tray, ignoring the woman’s slight fumble as he unexpectedly unbalanced her tray, and swirled the vicious red liquid. He brought it to his lips and forced back a groan at the flavor. Vitae Felix, a specialty brand of blood that specializes in bottling pure, unadulterated joy a variety of mages or a Life mage in this case. The flavor of bananas and oranges burst across his tongue, leaving a slight tingling sensation in his mouth as he finished the drink. He picked up another and made his way from the dangerous tray. If the Noilas already started that brand, they obviously spared no expense for the event.

He settled down with a few vampires and a curious mage, content with listening while he let his eyes wander the yard. Most mages meshed easily with their new lives, lambs among the wolves. More than a few of them would come out for the worse despite the Princess’s attempts to shorten the gaps between the races. Varis twiddled the key around his neck absently as the volume of the crowd rose.

It went silent as Princess Ryner stood on the fountain and gave her speech. The centuries had refined her silver tongue and at the end Varis dutifully clapped. Such optimism. It was no wonder so many of these mortals wished to believe. With little in the way if rights or protections, many of these mages had to buy into Princess Ryner’s passion for unity. But, it was of no matter to him.

He slipped the photo and name of his mage out from the envelope. The crowd had since burst into a flurry of activity, nerves goading them on. Varis looked over the photo. Aaron Starag. His eyebrows shot up in surprise and a pleased chuckle made it's way past his lips. He had heard rumors but he’d dismissed them as just that. The Noilas giving away their precious Starag keepsakes. He cocked his head thoughtfully, a small smile spreading across his lips.

“So this is the game.” He murmured to himself as he stood and made his way to the fountain, sitting in the exact spot the Princess stood. His mage would find him eventually. He spent the time running have hand through his hair and brushing wrinkles out of his vest and shirt and sipping on another glass of blood.

Of Blood and Magic

In the dark of the night, the open courtyard glowed with light dancing on every surface. Moon and lantern light spilled across the large fountain and the numerous windows, giving the wide space a fairytale feel. A pleasant breeze wound through the murmuring guests and classical music drifted in its wake from somewhere unseen. Servants bearing a variety of refreshments made their way through the crowd, unaffected by the evening’s excitement, and dutily passed mage and vampire alike, even those actively avoiding the main crowd. Many chattered excitedly with acquaintances old and new while others struggled with their new surroundings, clutching the magically sealed envelope they were handed when they entered the Academy’s gate.

Outside the Academy courtyard, the entire town was decorated in festive lighting and colors to welcome the new arrivals. Noila Academy comprised not just the school but the town attached to it as well. The Noila family built the Academy shortly after signing the treaty between humans and vampires as a physical testimony to peace between the races. Known for its extravagance, the royal line funded it directly. Money was of no concern to the Academy and everything provided was of the utmost luxury. Such was the privilege of Noila Academy students.

The Academy’s vast grounds and opportunities provide much in the way of social interaction between students while maintaining nook and crannies for when it got overwhelming. Change was difficult, when you factor in a vampire’s age and human stubbornness, but Princess Reyner hoped the social balance and respite from the stresses of the world were enough to allow bonds grow naturally over time.

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As the night wore on and the newly arrived seemed to all relax, conversation quieting down into a muted hum, and less hovered on the outskirts of the event, two men in black suits took position in front of the fountain. They looked over the crowd and one murmured into a piece on his wrist before standing back at attention.The gesture, harmless as it was, went overlooked by the group as they looked away from the men shortly after their arrival. A few moments later and a lull fell over the assembly as barely audible taps could be heard on the cobblestone. A woman strode across the courtyard with the grace and ease of a person assured in their authority. A man with dark skin and a scar riddled face trailed closely behind her with another woman, blonde hair tied tightly back and eyes darting everywhere as the woman stepped up onto the fountains edge. The pair took their places next to her, just a step down.

For a moment,the woman merely observed the faces that turned her way and watched as confusion and curiosity transformed into shock and wonder. The scarred man made a sharp gesture and the lanterns all dimmed until only the full moon’s light illuminated the space. It glinted off her silver accessories, all set with obsidian stones, and the opulent black silk of her dress highlighted the paleness of her skin. Yet, it all was designed to drag the eye to the rubies set into her silver tiara and the ruby pendant clashed around her neck.

“It is a pleasure to welcome you personally to your first night at the Noila Academy. I am Ryner Noila, eldest daughter of Queen Noila, and the founder of this esteemed university.” A collective gasp ran through the crowd, mainly mages, and the murmuring began. An inevitability that she allowed for a few moments as a familiar breeze slithered through the crowd. Princess Ryner glanced at her female mage and saw the usual far away look as the mage probed the crowd. The Princess clapped her hands together once sharply and the noise died down once again.

“I am well aware many of you have several pressing questions. Many of you never submitted an application to this Academy. And yet here you are. I want to assure each and everyone of you that your invitation was no accident. Every single one of you was meant to attend our Academy. Each and everyone of you are here to learn and to grow. Over the years that you will attend, you will find that you will meet and exceed your wildest expectations. You will discover things both good and bad about yourself, and others, that you could not have fathomed before.” The Princess’s voice carried a certain finalty in the statement. Everyone discovered something about themselves and it was up to them to overcome it. It was the one guarantee about this Academy she had. As they interacted in class and out of it, wills would be tested and boundaries would be pushed. Inevitably they would change and she would see, as she always had, it be for the better. She caught the female mage mutter something into her wrist and other two men slipped away.

“I believe that as society continues to grow, so will we and the peace we’ve created. Every bond created, either of friendship, romance, or the fragile trust between feeders and the fed, reaffirms and strengthens that which we’ve enjoyed for centuries and will continue to enjoy for many more to come.” The Princess spoke decisively and smiled again at the crowd. “However those are thoughts for another time. Now is time to explore our grounds and acquaint yourselves with the individual in the sealed envelopes you were given upon arrival. These people will be your partner for your duration of your stay here. Each pair, one vampire and one mage, have been chosen only by myself and your partner’s name and photo as well as the address of your new home have been provided to you in the envelopes. Please be advised there will be no reconsiderations and swapping partners in expressly forbidden. And so I will hold you no longer. William, Sariel if you would please do the honors.” The mages at her right both spoke under their breath and snapped their fingers. The dimly glowing seal on the back of each envelope vanished.

The lanterns glowed once again as the energetic chatter of earlier returned. Many mages hesitantly pulled their partner’s picture out of the envelope and started glancing around while most vampires homed in on their partners. The Princess stepped down from the fountain and the trio left, pausing at another exit to watch. “Remember, do not interfere tonight unless life may be lost. Once they’ve dispersed, meet me at home. I will likely be out the rest of the evening. I have an unwelcome guest to greet.” With that, she strode off and three other vampires slunk out of the shadows to follow her.

Of Blood and Magic

@Leslie Hall Excellent! Give ahead and move them over!!

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@Jade Blades Go ahead and move your character over.

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@Scribe of Thoth@Crusader Lord

Just to let you know, pairings should be coming out in the next few days and we will start shortly thereafter. Also, it isn't mandatory but if you want to keep up with the rest of the group, we have been pretty active on discord!

Of Blood and Magic

@Hero Good updated. You can move her over.

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@Obscene Symphony Alright,sounds good! Go ahead and move him over!!

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@Scribe of Thoth Your character is good! Move him over :)

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@Crusader Lord

Such an element has yet to be catalogue so yes, you could exist in the world without the vampires making you vanish but you would be very closely watched. The second anyone thought you may have the capacity to control a vampire, you'd be gone.