bloonewb

Magic RP (Open to new players)

"I think I understand," Ardasa said, looking down at the map on the table. "So, you want to give us plans and materials for an embassy and bathhouse, but we provide the labor?" Such an offer was . . . odd. She could appreciate the sentiment behind it. Obviously, an embassy would go towards dissipating the hate that the Xigylli keep for nearly all dracons. So too would a bathhouse, a luxury that the nascent empire might not be able to afford. However, what would the nobility think? What would the public think? Neither are eager, after so much war, to work under the supervision of dracons.

"Counterproposal," Ardasa began, drawing a shaky breath. "Hekaga may freely move merchandise and military through the Talon Pass, but not past . . . this river," she said, pointing to the one she was indicating. It still made her nervous to use its common name among the peasantry, the River Ardasa. "You give us the plans to the embassy and bathhouse, and we build them ourselves. With our own gold. You may be assured in the ability of our crafts, and need not worry about imperfection. A kobold's hands are as good as their mind, after all."

The Sewer Rats

The steampunk-y setting looks more interesting. If we're doing that, I'm in. If not . . . I'm still in, actually.

Magic RP (Open to new players)

Ardasa took the paper and scanned it in wonder. Within the first day, she had already been given so many concessions. First the legion gets to return home, next she's being offered a gift of gold! "I . . . I'm sorry, I don't have anything for you in return," she said, stammering out her words as if she were unfamiliar with them. "I'm sure the legion is eager to see their families again. It is true, our nation and our military are both quite recent constructs. We have not had the time to train as many soldiers as we'd like."

A lance of doubt joins her other thoughts. The Grand Prince will inevitably want something in return, and what he asks for may not be pleasant for Xigyll. It was silly to be afraid of someone who so far has been nothing but accommodating, but nonetheless, she considered it too likely to dismiss. "You are too generous, Your Majesty of Hekaga. I cannot imagine how we may repay you."

Magic RP (Open to new players)

Ardasa rubbed her snout with a hand, thinking. Suddenly, she felt as if she wasn't quite safe here. Perhaps she should have brought some guards, or at least some advisors familiar with statecraft . . . no no. She shook the thoughts from her mind. She was here now, best make the most of it.

"Xigyll is certainly prospering," she began. Best to start off on the right foot. "Our hold on the Talon Pass is proving to be an incredible source of income." She smiled up at the grand prince. "The land is fertile, and I dare say that there are fewer kobolds starving in our walls than anywhere else in the world where our people live. So . . . that's good news." Then comes the difficult part, the part where difficulties are brought up.

"A city of our size and population requires its army be in peak condition, you'd understand. Especially one such as ours, who claim defense of the entire kobold race. At this moment, a solid quarter of our army is here, defending this city as our treaty specifies. I like it that way. It certainly promotes cultural understanding . . . right?" Her smile waned a bit. "However, that is three thousand kobolds not at home. Our Traeton mercenaries stopped when the gold did, leaving us with not much. That is why I'm here, to renegotiate the alliance under more equal terms."

Magic RP (Open to new players)

Ardasa marveled at the mighty creatures that towered over the road. They were amazing beasts, long-necked and regal, and even as they thrashed against the pull of their handlers, they kept a royal air about them. She reached out with a nervous claw. How wondrous it would be if she could stroke its head! She didn't even hear Ternoc as he spoke, so enraptured was she in the beast. A dracon's hand slapped hers away from the snarling creature, belonging to the sirrush's handler. He shook his head sternly at her, then returned his focus to his work. Ardasa sighed, and went to join the Grand Prince.

Ardasa's entourage was not much indeed. The entirety of it could fit in the carriage, and none of them were very close to her or reach other. The journey was mostly silent, with the occasional spark of conversation. Mostly, they were all content to look out the windows and watch the scenery go by. The entirety of her companions were three. One, a chaplain for the Hekaga legion. Two, a strategist to discuss new tactics with Rebat. Three, a scholar to visit the ancient library and make notes.

At the gate, Ardasa waved them away to their respective duties. She was alone in front of the palace gates. She entered, gazing up at the roof which seemed too far away. Then, she sat herself down at the grand table, in a seat closest to the red-cushioned one. She figured the best place for negotiating was nearest to the negotiators.

Wych (open and accepting!)

Sigrid squinted, and now she could see the vague outlining of her new acquaintance Mildemaer. Ye Gods, had her eyesight always been this poor? Her face shifted in and out of focus, as did the rest of her vision. Then, the headaches began. Sigrid was about to answer when it struck, and instead of words, all that came out of her was a pathetic mewl. She doubled over, clutching her head. Her broth returned the way it had gone down, spilling across the wooden flooring. "I'm sick . . . I'm . . . " she moaned, afraid that she would spit more bile.

Magic RP (Open to new players)

"Well, we're not going to do the negotiating here, are we?" Ardasa said, turning her head to look back at the crowds. They were rather poor, true, but they at least looked excited to see her. Or, at least, her worg-ridden carriage. "Go on then, Your . . . Might? Is that how you're styled? Lead on to the palace." Rebat approached behind them, and bowed to each of the two autocrats.

"I and my force shall assist in keeping the road clear, Your Mercy," he said. He loosed a worg from the carriage and leapt onto it, and from his perch, began shouting orders at the soldiers that accompanied him. They formed up into neat lines, and went to support their dracon comrades.

Magic RP (Open to new players)

Rebat approached the figure of Ternoc first. He bowed, and looked up at him with a vigor he did not show since his posting here, the vigor of duty. "It is my honor and privilege to announce the arrival of Her Mercy Ardasa of Xigyll, Empress of All Kobold and Daughter of the Dr-"

"I think he knows who I am, Rebat," she said. "That's me, alright. Second in command. Best not cross me, I'm told my bound one is incredibly jealous." She smiled, and bowed to the grand prince, giggling a little at her own joke. She looked up at the faces of each of the Prince's Horns, with a look of amusement. "Wow, all this trouble for little old me? Are you afraid I'm hiding an army in my robes?"

Magic RP (Open to new players)

Ardasa gazed out of the carriage windows, stealing a peek at the walls of Hekaga. They were large and worn, like all dracon walls were. While it lacked the stunning beauty of Traeton's, with their inlaid gold and silver, the walls of Hekaga looked thick and sturdy, built entirely of stone. She took the opportunity to marvel at its magnificent height. Dracon walls were built higher than kobold walls, often twice over. As the carriage pulled toward the gates, she felt a slowly growing sense of amazement wash over her. Perhaps it was good to make the best of this trip.

A pleasant surprise awaited her at the gates. "Commander Rebat!" she exclaimed, waving from the carriage window. The worn kobold instantly dropped to a knee.

"Your Mercy, it is an honor to defend you within these walls," he croaked, smiling back up at her.

"I'm glad," she said, looking up at the slowly opening gates. "Now, take me to the Grand Prince. I was told we had a few things to discuss."
__________________________________
Rughoi felt like an idiot. He was a master of tunnel vision, a king of myopics. When Ardasa had offered to go to Hekaga and negotiate with the ruler there, he had jumped at the opportunity. The very day after she left, he felt the regret well up inside him. The palace felt . . . empty, and far too quiet. It was not a house built for one, and now even he saw it as too large without her dancing through it, arranging the flowers on the sills or making casual conversation with the captains. He paced around the halls, as he always did, doing huge circuits around the entirety of the interior. On his way, he encountered a chair that he felt sorely tempted to smash, but resisted the urge to do so. He needed to take his mind off his loneliness, but did not know how. Ardasa was just . . . gone, and he couldn't get her back anytime soon. The fastest worgs in his cavalry were tied to that carriage, and there was no way a messenger could catch up until she's stayed in the city for a few days. He looked up at the evening sky, watching as the first of the stars came out. He wished on one of them, on Scen and Arda and Hetuis, that she was safe and happy.

Haven: Summer camp for Supernatural Teens

The mention of an activity perked Lukas up. Sitting there was beginning to become a bit dull, and he was already forming a plan in his head to sneak out his games without anyone seeing. Theodora says he's addicted to that thing. Lukas disagreed loudly and on multiple occasions, but is now beginning to consider that she may have a point. Best have something to do to with his hands, and more importantly keep his mind off Fire Emblem. The personalized name tags sounded like fun, especially if the counsellors would let him use Greek letters.