Hello? Anybody still around?
Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Bio
Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
Most Recent Posts
"It will be done," Darahil answered immediately.
Vera sniffed and and raised her head to Meesei, facing her fully. "I know of a few in my packs."
Stroking his beard and staring up at the ceiling, Oswall tried to think of a candidate. "I am unsure. There may be one or two. I will have to have a look." He paused his thoughts to continue. "I will ask my alphas. We shall send them to the scholar's loft as soon as we can."
"Will that be all for now, champion?" Darahil asked. He stole a glance at the crowd that had parially dispersed. There were still many people murmuring, doubtless about the future. All of the lieutenants were anxious to make sure that none of that future was painted in blood.
Vera sniffed and and raised her head to Meesei, facing her fully. "I know of a few in my packs."
Stroking his beard and staring up at the ceiling, Oswall tried to think of a candidate. "I am unsure. There may be one or two. I will have to have a look." He paused his thoughts to continue. "I will ask my alphas. We shall send them to the scholar's loft as soon as we can."
"Will that be all for now, champion?" Darahil asked. He stole a glance at the crowd that had parially dispersed. There were still many people murmuring, doubtless about the future. All of the lieutenants were anxious to make sure that none of that future was painted in blood.
Alright Aurus, how's this? If there's anything you want altered, let me know.
Name: Sebastian Mercusa, academic mage.
Race: Human
Appearance:
Equipment:
- An enchanted crossbow*
- A quiver of bolts
- A steel mace
- A dagger
- A backpack and a number of belt pouches full of research notes, fine mechanical tools, and a few camping tools
* Enchanted to disrupt energies sustaining undead creatures upon hitting them with bolts. Drops weak undead in one shot. Strong fresh corpses might take an extra one or two. Several to many are required to destroy anything more powerful. Risen dragons or equivalent enemies hit by Seb's bolts will only succeed in angering them.
Abilities (Physical / Magical):
- A decent shot with a crossbow.
- A deep understanding and control of magic, specialising in unlife and automatons of various forms.
- A mind for the mechanical.
- Rudimentary understanding of alchemy. He knows a few simple recipes.
- Stealthy, quick, and perceptive.
Curse Effects:
Before the curse, Sebastian's talent with magic made him a respected member of the academic community. He could cast a slew of simpler spells for convenience and self-defence, but his true power laid with giving life to constructs, some more ethical than others. Golems and homunculi made up most of his work, but he occasionally delved into reanimation of corpses.
When one night all of his creations collapsed onto the floor in pieces, one by one, he thought that his colleagues had found out about his secret experiments with necromancy and how the field overlapped with his own automatons. He came upon equal surprise, shock, and relief when he found out that it was the curse that was supressing his magic.
The curse has forced him to take up new, more physical skills in lieu of his previous talents.
Affiliation:
The Arcane Eye. Being one of the few minds with an understanding of magic, including necromancy, while still being young enough to fight has placed a responsibility on Sebastian's shoulders to find the source of this necromancer's curse and put an end to it. The Arcane Eye had decided to offer him a pardon for his necromantic experiments if he assisted them well enough.
In previous years, Seb had a collegiate relationship with the majin, Anu'din. With Anu'din's permission, Seb had studied the mechanical man's workings in research to better understand the nature of sentience in artificial beings as well as the complex magicks surrounding the majin themselves. By chance the task of dealing with the curse had been allocated to them both. Even if the curse prevents Anu'din from properly repairing himself, Seb is familiar enough with his body that small repairs may be made with the right equipment.
Personality:
Sebastian is keen-minded, thinks outside the box, is quick enough to duck for cover when needed, graceful as a cat, and probably one of the most knowledgeable sane mages in the arts of false life in its many forms. To experience all of these good points is to put up with him for long enough dealing with the following: Near constant out-loud-thinking when resolving a tricky problem; a certain sensitivity to physical touch, making him very easy to startle; complaints at the expense of even his closest companions; a stuttering lack of confidence when it comes to confronting people bigger than him; and not least, a lack of patience that very quickly results in hair-pulling hysterics on his part, much to the delight of those who would wish to annoy him. All around, if he wasn't so necessary or easily teased, he would probably be kicked out of any adventuring team for being unbearable to work with.
His anxieties come from a combination of having to do everything 'the hard way' now that his magic is gone, and finding himself wanting in resilience in the face of impending doom. He's brave enough to save the world, but that doesn't make him any less terrified about it. However, under it all he does appreciate all the help he gets and wouldn't leave his friends behind for his own skin.
Name: Sebastian Mercusa, academic mage.
Race: Human
Appearance:
Equipment:
- An enchanted crossbow*
- A quiver of bolts
- A steel mace
- A dagger
- A backpack and a number of belt pouches full of research notes, fine mechanical tools, and a few camping tools
* Enchanted to disrupt energies sustaining undead creatures upon hitting them with bolts. Drops weak undead in one shot. Strong fresh corpses might take an extra one or two. Several to many are required to destroy anything more powerful. Risen dragons or equivalent enemies hit by Seb's bolts will only succeed in angering them.
Abilities (Physical / Magical):
- A decent shot with a crossbow.
- A deep understanding and control of magic, specialising in unlife and automatons of various forms.
- A mind for the mechanical.
- Rudimentary understanding of alchemy. He knows a few simple recipes.
- Stealthy, quick, and perceptive.
Curse Effects:
Before the curse, Sebastian's talent with magic made him a respected member of the academic community. He could cast a slew of simpler spells for convenience and self-defence, but his true power laid with giving life to constructs, some more ethical than others. Golems and homunculi made up most of his work, but he occasionally delved into reanimation of corpses.
When one night all of his creations collapsed onto the floor in pieces, one by one, he thought that his colleagues had found out about his secret experiments with necromancy and how the field overlapped with his own automatons. He came upon equal surprise, shock, and relief when he found out that it was the curse that was supressing his magic.
The curse has forced him to take up new, more physical skills in lieu of his previous talents.
Affiliation:
The Arcane Eye. Being one of the few minds with an understanding of magic, including necromancy, while still being young enough to fight has placed a responsibility on Sebastian's shoulders to find the source of this necromancer's curse and put an end to it. The Arcane Eye had decided to offer him a pardon for his necromantic experiments if he assisted them well enough.
In previous years, Seb had a collegiate relationship with the majin, Anu'din. With Anu'din's permission, Seb had studied the mechanical man's workings in research to better understand the nature of sentience in artificial beings as well as the complex magicks surrounding the majin themselves. By chance the task of dealing with the curse had been allocated to them both. Even if the curse prevents Anu'din from properly repairing himself, Seb is familiar enough with his body that small repairs may be made with the right equipment.
Personality:
Sebastian is keen-minded, thinks outside the box, is quick enough to duck for cover when needed, graceful as a cat, and probably one of the most knowledgeable sane mages in the arts of false life in its many forms. To experience all of these good points is to put up with him for long enough dealing with the following: Near constant out-loud-thinking when resolving a tricky problem; a certain sensitivity to physical touch, making him very easy to startle; complaints at the expense of even his closest companions; a stuttering lack of confidence when it comes to confronting people bigger than him; and not least, a lack of patience that very quickly results in hair-pulling hysterics on his part, much to the delight of those who would wish to annoy him. All around, if he wasn't so necessary or easily teased, he would probably be kicked out of any adventuring team for being unbearable to work with.
His anxieties come from a combination of having to do everything 'the hard way' now that his magic is gone, and finding himself wanting in resilience in the face of impending doom. He's brave enough to save the world, but that doesn't make him any less terrified about it. However, under it all he does appreciate all the help he gets and wouldn't leave his friends behind for his own skin.
I think I might be getting more interested than I would prefer to be. Bah! Character is coming!
@xCRAZYxFACEx: I am making a human mage from the Arcane Eye who specialises in knowledge of constructs. Would you mind if our characters knew each other?
@xCRAZYxFACEx: I am making a human mage from the Arcane Eye who specialises in knowledge of constructs. Would you mind if our characters knew each other?
Should we just proceed?
The tail end of Meesei's answer was slowly interrupted by growing murmurings in the crowd from the news. It didn't appear as though there were any more questions, but obviously the new information had everyone talking. As soon as Oswall was satisfied that there was no one else to answer for now, he turned around to the rest of the lieutenants. "I believe that will be all."
Darahil still held Vera to his shoulder in comfort, but added his own opinion. "We should mitigate further concerns from up close. We need to be among them. Vera, will you be alright?"
After another moment, Vera pulled back and started to wipe her puffy eyes. She had clearly bottled up a lot at this point, but somehow she was quickly recovering. She spoke in spite of a blocked nose. "I think...I think I need a short while," She sniffed loudly, "I am sorry. I tried to stay composed..."
"Vera, I hardly think grieving for your husband undermined what you said. In fact, I believe it helped you message," Oswall said bluntly, before turning to Meesei once more, "Darahil is correct, however. Our words would best help our packs face to face. I'm sure you understand."
Darahil still held Vera to his shoulder in comfort, but added his own opinion. "We should mitigate further concerns from up close. We need to be among them. Vera, will you be alright?"
After another moment, Vera pulled back and started to wipe her puffy eyes. She had clearly bottled up a lot at this point, but somehow she was quickly recovering. She spoke in spite of a blocked nose. "I think...I think I need a short while," She sniffed loudly, "I am sorry. I tried to stay composed..."
"Vera, I hardly think grieving for your husband undermined what you said. In fact, I believe it helped you message," Oswall said bluntly, before turning to Meesei once more, "Darahil is correct, however. Our words would best help our packs face to face. I'm sure you understand."
There were a few murmurs from Meesei's answer. Most understood the point behind the secrecy, but some still appeared to be distrustful of Meesei choosing the judges.
Oswall pointed out to another raised hand. This time it was from a human further back. It was difficult to see her features from such a distance, but she had a young voice. "How is the new leader going to be picked?" She asked.
"For those that do not know," Oswall took a breath, "A successor is normally chosen before the death of our leaders, normally by our leaders. As Jerrick was in his prime, death came unexpectedly and he did not officially name a successor. The champion shall assist us in selecting a new leader after the trial as she is Hircine's hand." Oswall turned his head towards Meesei, "Do you have anything to add?"
Oswall pointed out to another raised hand. This time it was from a human further back. It was difficult to see her features from such a distance, but she had a young voice. "How is the new leader going to be picked?" She asked.
"For those that do not know," Oswall took a breath, "A successor is normally chosen before the death of our leaders, normally by our leaders. As Jerrick was in his prime, death came unexpectedly and he did not officially name a successor. The champion shall assist us in selecting a new leader after the trial as she is Hircine's hand." Oswall turned his head towards Meesei, "Do you have anything to add?"
Assignment is due late tomorrow. I'll get a post in the day after tomorrow.
Oswall gave an acknowledging grunt to Meesei before turning to face the crowd. He surveyed the clan gathered in front of him as he slowly pulled his axe from its loop on his belt. For want of a gavel, Oswall struck the stone of the balustrade in front of him with the blunt end of his weapon over and over again, sending deep cracking sounds through the echoing chamber. The clan responded with their attention as their murmurings faded away. Anyone nervous with crowds would have been paralysed at the sight, but not the practiced lieutenants. The only one who seemed to be having trouble was Vera, though her anxiety was not simple stage fright.
"Packs of this home, hear us!" Oswall projected his voice to all, "There have been whispers abound this past two days. Though we have been secretive recently, it has been necessary for the clan's safety. Everyone's collective patience has been appreciated, and as events have progressed it is now time to be forthcoming." The entire chamber was dead silent, save for a crying baby hidden away somewhere. Everyone waited with baited breath. Oswall's voice was authoritative enough to still be heard, but all could tell that his tone was becoming solemn. "Two nights ago, while inspecting the clan ledger, Jerrick was found dead in the meeting room. He was poisoned."
There were a few gasps from the crowd, many looked about in fear. Before Oswall could continue, the murmurings returned. Oswall had to strike his axe on the stone twice more to quiet everyone.
"I know this may seem sudden. Many of us knew Jerrick well. He was respected, wise, and canny. Our community is lesser for his loss. Many of you may still have questions, we will attempt to answer them as best as we can. Darahil?" Oswall turned his head to Darahil and stepped back.
Darahil nodded and stepped up to address the crowd, taking a breath in. "The death of our leader, especially in circumstances as these, brings about several obvious questions. As for the culprit of this crime, the champion Meesei and her pack volunteered to investigate as a neutral group, free from the vested interest of any of us lieutenants. The champion has been gathering evidence and has brought a case against our companion, Harriet. Before we start to-" Darahil was all of a sudden drowned out by a building outrage in the crowd.
Oswall had to step forward to strike the stone again and shout at the top of his lungs, "SILENCE!" The command of Oswall's voice was surprisingly effective.
"...as I was saying," Darahil continued, "Before we start to point fingers, note that at this stage none of Harriet's pack members, or indeed anyone else, have been implicated in the crime. Most crimes are arbitrated by us as leaders, but given the circumstances a public trial will be held. Starting tomorrow, all events in the main chamber will be cancelled for the trial to proceed. The judges will be made up of confidants picked from the entire clan, trusted by all and free from agendas conflicting with justice. There, evidence will be heard for and against the accusation against Harriet. Harriet will be given the opportunity to defend herself. There, the guilty and innocent will be revealed. Other matters, most notably matters of succession and Jerrick's funeral, will be decided later. The reason for this will be explained by Jerrick's wife, Vera, with the most important message of all today." Darahil glided back from the balustrade and looked at Vera expectantly. "Just as we discussed, Vera," Darahil reminded her.
It took a few seconds for Vera to muster up the courage to confront the crowd, but she managed a strong posture. Her tone took a moment to get loud enough at first as well. "I...I know that many of you may be angry, or upset, or suspicious in this. Probably all three. It should be known, though, that whoever...killed my husband...this was their plan. We have grown large enough that many of us would sooner divide ourselves in fear than stand united against our enemies, but I must beseech all of you, this is not the time to hate. More than ever, we need to stand together against those who would see us scattered and picked off. Our strength is in our numbers, but also our resolve." Vera had a hard time keeping her voice level at this point, "I know that the last thing Jerrick would have wanted would be to see this clan broken. I knew him better than anyone else. As a person who loved him, who by rights should be the most upset, the most angry - as well as one of your leaders - please," Vera licked her teeth nervously and held back her tears, "I need you all to honour Jerrick's will, even in his death. Stay together. Do not fall for rage and retribution. Justice will be served without our destruction. Thank you." Vera shakily raised a finger to her eye and wiped away a gathering tear before it could fall, but her grief was evident on her face.
In an odd display of empathy, Darahil stepped up beside Vera and gently took her shoulders. His face was still a stony scowl, but Vera hid her face against his shoulder as he silently gave her permission to let loose her emotion. With a couple of steps, he guided her away from the forefront to be replaced by Oswall. Oswall placed both his hands on the balustrade and leaned forward slightly. "Anything administrative can be discussed with us later, but for anything else, are there any further questions?" Oswall asked the audience.
Still with Vera lightly sobbing against him, Darahil turned his head to Meesei. "Was there anything you wish to add?"
The first question posited to Oswall was one from a bearded Nord near the front. "Who are the judges going to be?" Oswall turned his head slowly to Meesei to confirm with her.
"Packs of this home, hear us!" Oswall projected his voice to all, "There have been whispers abound this past two days. Though we have been secretive recently, it has been necessary for the clan's safety. Everyone's collective patience has been appreciated, and as events have progressed it is now time to be forthcoming." The entire chamber was dead silent, save for a crying baby hidden away somewhere. Everyone waited with baited breath. Oswall's voice was authoritative enough to still be heard, but all could tell that his tone was becoming solemn. "Two nights ago, while inspecting the clan ledger, Jerrick was found dead in the meeting room. He was poisoned."
There were a few gasps from the crowd, many looked about in fear. Before Oswall could continue, the murmurings returned. Oswall had to strike his axe on the stone twice more to quiet everyone.
"I know this may seem sudden. Many of us knew Jerrick well. He was respected, wise, and canny. Our community is lesser for his loss. Many of you may still have questions, we will attempt to answer them as best as we can. Darahil?" Oswall turned his head to Darahil and stepped back.
Darahil nodded and stepped up to address the crowd, taking a breath in. "The death of our leader, especially in circumstances as these, brings about several obvious questions. As for the culprit of this crime, the champion Meesei and her pack volunteered to investigate as a neutral group, free from the vested interest of any of us lieutenants. The champion has been gathering evidence and has brought a case against our companion, Harriet. Before we start to-" Darahil was all of a sudden drowned out by a building outrage in the crowd.
Oswall had to step forward to strike the stone again and shout at the top of his lungs, "SILENCE!" The command of Oswall's voice was surprisingly effective.
"...as I was saying," Darahil continued, "Before we start to point fingers, note that at this stage none of Harriet's pack members, or indeed anyone else, have been implicated in the crime. Most crimes are arbitrated by us as leaders, but given the circumstances a public trial will be held. Starting tomorrow, all events in the main chamber will be cancelled for the trial to proceed. The judges will be made up of confidants picked from the entire clan, trusted by all and free from agendas conflicting with justice. There, evidence will be heard for and against the accusation against Harriet. Harriet will be given the opportunity to defend herself. There, the guilty and innocent will be revealed. Other matters, most notably matters of succession and Jerrick's funeral, will be decided later. The reason for this will be explained by Jerrick's wife, Vera, with the most important message of all today." Darahil glided back from the balustrade and looked at Vera expectantly. "Just as we discussed, Vera," Darahil reminded her.
It took a few seconds for Vera to muster up the courage to confront the crowd, but she managed a strong posture. Her tone took a moment to get loud enough at first as well. "I...I know that many of you may be angry, or upset, or suspicious in this. Probably all three. It should be known, though, that whoever...killed my husband...this was their plan. We have grown large enough that many of us would sooner divide ourselves in fear than stand united against our enemies, but I must beseech all of you, this is not the time to hate. More than ever, we need to stand together against those who would see us scattered and picked off. Our strength is in our numbers, but also our resolve." Vera had a hard time keeping her voice level at this point, "I know that the last thing Jerrick would have wanted would be to see this clan broken. I knew him better than anyone else. As a person who loved him, who by rights should be the most upset, the most angry - as well as one of your leaders - please," Vera licked her teeth nervously and held back her tears, "I need you all to honour Jerrick's will, even in his death. Stay together. Do not fall for rage and retribution. Justice will be served without our destruction. Thank you." Vera shakily raised a finger to her eye and wiped away a gathering tear before it could fall, but her grief was evident on her face.
In an odd display of empathy, Darahil stepped up beside Vera and gently took her shoulders. His face was still a stony scowl, but Vera hid her face against his shoulder as he silently gave her permission to let loose her emotion. With a couple of steps, he guided her away from the forefront to be replaced by Oswall. Oswall placed both his hands on the balustrade and leaned forward slightly. "Anything administrative can be discussed with us later, but for anything else, are there any further questions?" Oswall asked the audience.
Still with Vera lightly sobbing against him, Darahil turned his head to Meesei. "Was there anything you wish to add?"
The first question posited to Oswall was one from a bearded Nord near the front. "Who are the judges going to be?" Oswall turned his head slowly to Meesei to confirm with her.
Almost the entire remains of the day were spent with Harriet discussing the situation with her alphas. For the most part they were able to build some semblance of a defence that mostly hinged on reasonable doubt. Other opportunities for poisoning Jerrick made themselves available if the test for the poison turned out to be incorrect. Other than that they attempted to put together counter cases for why the other lieutenants or another clan member might have a greater motive for killing Jerrick. Harriet was careful not to advocate any resentment, but she didn't exactly go out of her way to demand that her pack mates stay behaved. There were times where Harriet addressed Meesei to clarify evidence or to inquire about the state of Jerrick's body. She was not involved with the conversation any further than that.
Vera and Kaleeth similarly spent the entire rest of the day asking around to find Caleb. At first Vera did not show any worry, but as the day wore on her anxiety started to seep through. They had no luck with lukewarm leads from Caleb's friends and mentors, wandering around didn't yield anything, and all his usual hiding spots were empty. By the end of the day Vera was exhausted. She went to bed late and reluctantly, trying to trust in Caleb's ability to take care of himself, wherever he was.
Fendros and Janius reported back to Meesei at the end of the day to report Darahil and Oswall's discussion. Thankfully, there didn't appear to be any more suspicious machinations with Oswall now that his trust was mostly rebuilt. It was mostly a back-and-forth discussion about how the clan would react to the next day's announcement. Without either of them to discuss with each other, some mistakes may have been made in delivery.
The next morning, the atmosphere in the clan was palpably tense as it was by the end of yesterday. Meesei and her pack were bombarded with questions pertaining to the announcement whenever they were spotted. At least it had seemed that the clan had patient enough up until now.
After a quick meal, all the lieutenants, save for Harriet, stood on the mezzanine looking over the clan breaking their fast. Eyes glanced up at them from every direction with nervousness. "Any last points, champion?" Oswall asked Meesei quietly in preparation.
Vera and Kaleeth similarly spent the entire rest of the day asking around to find Caleb. At first Vera did not show any worry, but as the day wore on her anxiety started to seep through. They had no luck with lukewarm leads from Caleb's friends and mentors, wandering around didn't yield anything, and all his usual hiding spots were empty. By the end of the day Vera was exhausted. She went to bed late and reluctantly, trying to trust in Caleb's ability to take care of himself, wherever he was.
Fendros and Janius reported back to Meesei at the end of the day to report Darahil and Oswall's discussion. Thankfully, there didn't appear to be any more suspicious machinations with Oswall now that his trust was mostly rebuilt. It was mostly a back-and-forth discussion about how the clan would react to the next day's announcement. Without either of them to discuss with each other, some mistakes may have been made in delivery.
The next morning, the atmosphere in the clan was palpably tense as it was by the end of yesterday. Meesei and her pack were bombarded with questions pertaining to the announcement whenever they were spotted. At least it had seemed that the clan had patient enough up until now.
After a quick meal, all the lieutenants, save for Harriet, stood on the mezzanine looking over the clan breaking their fast. Eyes glanced up at them from every direction with nervousness. "Any last points, champion?" Oswall asked Meesei quietly in preparation.
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