☼ META ☼ [ ORP ] The Dragon Awakens

[Thalion]

[ Metaplot ] The War of the Fire Crown [ Chronicle of the Dragon - Chapter o1 ]
Prologue...
Of all the tribes, fire was made the most powerful in both body and in spirit. Their ambition shines through their eyes and leaps like embers from a flaming cauldron from their mouths. The Magi, the patrons of their tribes, embodied these values more than any. The first Magi, a female by the name of Xiao Fan began to feel so burdened by the responsibility placed upon her shoulders that her very sanity crumbled away. There are only whispers of her madness, for she vanished nearly as quickly as she appeared, never to be heard from again. The second Magi and mate to the first, Vulkonus remained for some time- but consumed with grief, he isolated himself. Taking council with only his trusted friend and body-guard, Volga, Vulkonus largely acted and spoke to the tribe through him. One night, without word or warning, the second magus vanished.

The tribe stands leaderless with only a fragile whisper of a culture to live within. The B'alam of the Fire Tribe have been left without guidance, without a culture to govern their ways, without a law, and without a law giver. Some have already taken their chances and fled to the lands beyond, hoping to forge a better life for themselves while others remain, hopeful that the Weaver will answer their collective prayers...

Then one day, he appeared...
A B'alam tah with fire in his eyes and a resolve of steel stepped forward out of no where. He was large as any B'alam could hope to get with a broad chest and shoulders a floofalo would grow envious of. In a voice that challenged the rumbling thunder he proclaimed that every member of the tribe gather at the former throne of the departed emperor....

OOC

Meta Plot ORP Rules
→ Try to keep up! There will be no quotes in this system because there would be far too many to quote.
→ There is no post order.
→ Thalion will continue to post at least once a day to keep the RP rolling!
→ If you are one of the minor FC owners, you are ENCOURAGED to participate and establish your B'alam's loyalty today.
→ Upstarts can and will be punished publicly. Asher (owned by Thalion) is going to get severely wounded and thrown out- this cannot be prevented as the rest of the meta hinges on it.
→ If you want your B'alam to get exiled, detained, or injured- say so and quote Thalion. (Of course, I'll need some loyalists to do this!)

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The throne room... such a waste. It appeared as if the structure had been formed by the Weaver's own hands- and perhaps it was. The empty chamber of obsidian with natural vents in the walls and ceiling lit up in the firelight of a dozen torches like an ebony gem. The throne itself had been forged from iron, crafted likely by the blacksmith that was said to live in these parts. Banners bearing a simple flame hung from the impressive ceiling to nearly brush the floor, moving slightly in the breeze allowed in through the vents that provided fresh air into the otherwise closed off space. The crude foundations of what could, and would, one day become a grand fortress had been left unfinished and unformed- much like the spirit and culture of the tribe. None had the ambition to simply step up- so he had taken on that burden.

Respect would not be won by simple declaration, though the bold statement had been the first of its kind. Certainly more than a few would challenge it but the large B'alam was up to the task. He had been woven large, imposing, and in the weeks following his awakening, he had tested himself in every way he could conceive. He tested his horns against stone, his claws against the strongest bark, and his bulk against every obstacle he had come up against. Now... his greatest trial- a trial of willpower and resolve.

The Weaver, whether he be good or evil, had put him here but it was Shen Lung's belief that all else following their first breath was in the paws of those who drew that breath. If no magus would take command- he would. If no god or weaver or force would act on behalf of the fire tribe- he would. And if anyone questioned his authority...well. They were standing in his way. It had to be done. Claws sometimes broke against the tree bark- but those that did not grew sharp and strong. He saw stars when he struck the stone with his horns- but the next time he did not. Strength came through pain. Those that could endure it would inherit the future.

Minding the creeping Mandafu at his paws, Shen Lung padded onto the raised dais where the iron throne sat. It was ornate, accented with precious metals and gems. The forms of B'alam and flames alike danced across its surface. He stood between the throne and the great hall, lifting his head up and throwing his shoulders back. He would speak when there were ears to hear...  

[Thalion]

The bold declarations had reached nearly ever ear of the tribe. Those that did not approach out of fear would do so out of curiosity. Asher counted himself among the later, though his curiosity was lightly brushed by indignation. The Magus had vanished, true. The nan Magus that had been his mate had gone mad- equally true. However, those B'alam had been appointed by the Weaver himself to guide them. How dare a common B'alam step into that role unannounced, uninvited, and completely against the will or knowledge of the kin he hoped to govern?

The pale tah slowly entered the obsidian throne room, suddenly feeling small and almost dirty. This place had been forbidden beforehand, open only to the nobility. Now it was being thrust open to the entire tribe so this....pretender could explain himself. The tah had nerve, he'd have to credit him with that much.

As Ashur took a place near the dias, he glanced upwards to take stock of the newcomer. He was...rather large, there was no question or hesitation in his eyes either. This B'alam believed himself in the right. He bit his tongue, for the moment, and shifted an uncomfortable look to those entering behind him.

"Move it, runt."
Harbringer nearly knocked Asher of his paws as she pushed her way to the front of the chamber, eager to get as close to the heart of the excitement as possible. The pale B'alam regained his balance quickly and shot her a dirty look- a look that held no teeth behind it. He was often by himself, unsure and without direction. He was smaller than most tah and had all the presence of a damp bit of floofalo wool.

Smirking, Harbringer glanced up to the dais. A large B'alam cloaked and adorned in gold and crimson stood in wait. Impressive... he seemed to have some clarity in his eyes. A clarity that many of her kin lacked.

Another nan was eyeing him with approval nearby.  

[CaliWolfe]

Arcelia gazed upon the throne room with a look of mild disappointment in her eyes. The place had once held such promise. Now only contained sad memories of a forgotten time. A time when the tribe had possessed not one but two maguses to lead them. Since they had vanished the green Nan saw the throne room only as a reminder of their Maguses’ failure to lead. Granted she had never actually set foot in it, but the mere reminder of it’s existence was enough to make her sigh. The fact that this newly arrived b’alam had chosen to host an announcement in here struck her as odd. No, perhaps ‘interesting’ was a better word for it. She had a coiling idea of what it was he intended to say to the tribe, which raised her curiosity all the more.

Arcelia padding closer to the front of the room, and nestled herself just behind Asher in the growing crowd. He was short, she could easily look over him without a head blocking her view. His small stature allowed Arcelia to drink in the sight of the Tah for the first time. Just getting a look at him, Arcelia would be lying to say she wasn’t impressed. He was big and bulky, powerful looking. She got the instant impression that he was ambitious and that this ambition would help lead the tribe to a new found glory.

If he intended to lead them, Arcelia would almost definitely follow.

Tailing behind his mother’s paws was Mazin. He walked with a cheerful, happy skip in his step and had a big huge grin on his face. The cub had little to no idea of what this meeting was for. He was simply here because he had been playing with his mother when this big new b’alam had shown up, and his mother hadn’t told him to run home yet.

Not that he wanted to leave mind you. The tribe hadn’t had a meeting in all the time Mazin had been woven to life which made this whatever this announcement was all the more exciting. He just wasn’t sure what they were having a meeting for was all. He hoped it was something cool and fun.  

[Seruta]

Yahui hadn't been in the city very long. She was only just beginning to understand a lot of things here and heard the many whispers of missing Magus. It was a troublesome thing, sure, but having had the unfortunate circumstances of learning how to walk and run on her own left a small twinge of her bitter about the topic.

And then he appeared. A strong and powerful looking Tah that had the will to stand up and start making orders. How interesting! Gears started to shift and whirl in her mind with several different questions and curiosities. Did he plan to take over? That seemed to be the growing rumor within the crowds. He definitely looked like he could play the part without question!

Enthralled and intrigued by his presence, Yahui eagerly sauntered into the throne room after a few others. A small gathering for now, but she heard more following suit not too far behind. Coming close to the front of the growing crowd she stopped and sat, coiling her tail about her form as she flashed her red eyes to the others around her.

A quite Nan was nearby, seeming to silently watch the Tah. Another Nan stood tall and proud near to the throne. A warrior, perhaps? She seemed tough enough to be one, at least. A meek and small Tah wasn't too far from her, in fact she noticed the small tiff him and the tough Nan seemed to have. He seemed like a pushover sort and she inwardly frowned a bit. Then another pair caught her eye and she couldn't help but smile. A mother and child, as it seemed.

The two definitely looked alike, and the cub was clearly excited to be a part of this moment. Good for him! Yahui was a firm believer that all young ones were impressionable and grew based on their experiences. This was likely going to be a wonderful learning experience for the little one.

She purred softly and returned her red gaze to the Large Tah near the throne, eagerly awaiting what he had to say now that he had gathered their attentions.  

[[ Radical Dreamer ]]

A deep breath of smoke released from the nostrils of a large dark, drawn quietly from the pipe wedged between his lips. The once hidden mass of the large blacksmith approched the Throne Room. The puff release from the maw of Forge, as he was distastefully lured from his chambers at the commotion. Ember eyes has watched as balam entered the throne room. A scared place he had helped design and carved, was now being filled...

Dark ear twitched and shifted back as he watched Asher get shoved.

"...." Another sigh left the dark blacksmith as he too quietly slipped into the chambers of the throne room. Heavy, paws moved Forge silently to the wall of the room, as he still remained near the exit. He was careful and mindful to not attract too much-hopefully-any attention at all...

Smoky, soot covered tailed shifted ever so slightly as Ember eyes studied the situation carefully.

No one had dared to came into this room till now. (Aside from him, the blacksmith-who was just checking on upkeep.) Eyes placed themselves on the Tahtlil closest to the throne. Forge hadn't seen the b'alam until now, he had been woven large it seemed.

It was interesting to see he wasn't the only one to have been...

(Done on my phone. I am at work. But thought Forge should be present.)  

[Ririka]

Near milky white eyes carefully followed the newly woven that currently walked through the abandoned throne room as if he was allowed the take ownership of it. The military commander did not know who the stranger was, or why he had taken it upon himself to throw some kind of show in the fire palace, but for now Oni decided it best to sit quietly in the shadows of the room to see how things would unfold. Though he knew nothing of the tah, something about the stranger's spirit made him uneasy like a floofalo attempting to cross one of the lava rivers.

Yes, the fire tribe was in terrible shape at the moment. They no longer had a leader after being abandoned by their magi without so much as a letter left behind, but that did not give anyone any rights to attempt to take the throne, if that was in fact this stranger's intention. What exactly made this tah so qualified to lead the entire tribe? What exactly put him above everyone else that walked the world?

The other magi, those crafted by the Grand Weaver's own paws with the intention to lead, build and inspire their domain, they failed their own b'alam. They failed at their task and basically left everyone else to clean up after them. The fire tribe was left in ruins with its residents left to crawl in the dirt to suffer.

Tch, at the moment Oni could feel his mouth filling with the taste of disdain. It happened every time he remembered the previous magi. Though time had passed his disdain never grew weaker. It was like a poison that refused to leave his veins. So much so that at one point he contemplated leaving the tribe for good. It was Naraan and his family that changed his mind.

Still, from time to time he found himself contemplating what his own purpose was at this point.
He was molded to take command and to lead those who offered themselves to protect the tribe. But now.... now Oni just spent his days wondering.

With a flick of his tail. the Commander slowly lowered himself to the floor, ghostly eyes still watching the stranger.

'Has the Weaver sent someone who will lead us to glory, or further into ruin?'


[384]  

[Zakiax]

A dark crimson Tah entered the room, claws clicking upon the floor under him as he walked. He was a newly woven balam, but was able to understand what had happened in this tribe due to the murmurs and whispers of those he had passed on the way here.

Orange orbs glanced up at the one upon the throne, so this was Shen Lung, the ones spoken of through these whispers. He was one he could get behind, the stoic and strong composure he held as he was standing there watching as the others trickled into the room to hear his announcement.

The Tah's claws stopped, placing him in a good position to observe. They scrapped upon the stone floor beneath him, the tah was itching for a battle, something he could test his strength with. He had not done so since he had been woven, he hadn't seem to have found the time.

(Rping smaug with out his armor as he has yet to get that ic yet o3o)
 

[-Shady Mooo-]

Following the same call that brought the others, also brought Ahavaniya. Her chest was heaving as she slowed herself to a polite trot, she had run here, and before that she had been pushing herself as Shen Lung had done. Not with the same ferocity and drive the great male had expressed, but she was constantly pushing herself, testing her limits and seeing what her body could endure, and then expanding those limits. Ahavaniya had a restless warrior spirit. and that spirit told her things were happening.

Shaking her head lighty of her inner reflections, Ahavaniya scanned the growing crowd. She didn't recognize anyone, but that was due to her always keeping to herself, she made a note to remedy that in the future.

For now however, her full attention shifted to Shen Lung, she had scanned over him earlier when she took note of the crowd and eyed the exits, but now she examined him more closely, taking in his details and his form. He exuded power and confidence, he had a purpose. She was drawn to it, and despite her previous reservations, she found herself waiting for him to speak.
Tan, the Mandafu at her side, kept a constant vigil of the surroundings.  

[Thalion]

Shen took careful account of those gathered, his eyes roaming from one face to another. A colorful arrangement of moods met him. Curiosity, awe, mild interest, and simple, quiet acceptance. Seemed a good a gathering as any had collected. These eyes and ears would observe what their lips would soon tell the rest who hadn't yet arrived.

"My brothers. My sisters." He began, raising his voice to fill the ebony walls of the chamber. "The foundations of this world were laid under us by the same paws that filled us with life. This we cannot deny. However, those same paws put before us the Magi." He jerked his horns back towards the throne behind him. "The ones who were woven to sit upon this throne chose, of their own free will, to leave. To abandon you! It was permitted by The Weaver not out of cruelty- but out of obligation. If he were to step in and fix all our problems- what would that say about us?"

He sneered. "It would say that we are weak. That we must depend on something outside of ourselves. That we cannot handle something as futile as a bad decision made by another. I say no." He nearly roared the last word. "The Weaver is not interested in our struggle. He laid the foundations and has removed his paws from us. From here on, our path is our own! This thing called "fate" is nothing more than a chain around our throats."

"We are born of the fire, kindred! The force that boils deep under the core of the very earth. The bright light that drives away the darkness, the heat that melts away the cold. The wind rises off our backs and the water boils away. Fire- the ultimate giver and the ultimate taker. Fire- the very essence of strength. That force of nature- that force beyond nature was infused into US above all others. We are not being abandoned- we are being tested." He paused, sweeping his gaze across those gathered. "Are we afraid of such a trial? Are we so weak that this will break us?"

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Asher's mouth twisted. Every statement was bitter-sweet. Just enough truth and just enough earnest thought that the poison woven into it went down smooth. Of course the Weaver had given them free will...and of course some made bad choices- that was a part of life, but... the bad choices of their Magi didn't reflect on their maker. If the Weaver had stepped in with every bad choice, they would never actually be free. The way the stranger had worded it was almost believable, but there was a lingering shadow behind every ray of light he spewed out.

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"No...", Harbringer found herself growling.

She wasn't afraid. She wasn't going to be broken...she....she was angry. What a blessing the Magi had been given. So much knowledge, so much power, so much influence for simply drawing a breath. Why had they been chosen? Was the Weaver so blind that he would lay such a mantle upon those who would so quickly throw it off? Did he want to amuse himself by the confusion and suffering of a whole people?  

[CaliWolfe]

Arcelia drank in his words. This Tah certainly had a way with his tongue. However the green b’alam couldn’t shake that most of what he was saying was true. They had been abandoned at the paws of unfit leaders. The flames of their existence had been simmered to ashes at such a loss. Presently they weren’t really a tribe but a collection of lost foofaloo gathered in a single area. It was an embarrassing state to be in, and it was a state her children were growing in. They knew nothing of leaders and community. The fact that they were not already apart of a unique growing nation was… aggravating.

When Arcelia chose to spoke, her voice was harsh. “No. We are stronger than that.”

Mazin curiously looked up at his mother. He saw she looked angry and tried to mimic her temper. “Yeah!” He shouted in agreement. Who needed maguses anyway? Not him! Maguses were overrated to Mazin. Sure they were apparently had cool powers but for the last little while they had been leaded by some guy locked in a room. Then he left. Well, that’s what his mama told him anyway. Before that his mama said there was a lady magus who had a broken mind. To Mazin it was strange that the tribe had been widespread okay with being lead by a shy-guy and broken-lady. The worst part was everyone was so devastated with the maguses leaving. Well okay, yeah they were the first-born of b'alam. But did that really make them that much extra-important? What was so wrong with regular b'alam leading b'alam anyways, like this guy wanted to do?

Besides this guy was saying that they were part of a test of... of honor or something. Honor was a big part of Mazin's family! Mazin was honorable, he was good at being honorable! If being honorable was the test they were part of then Mazin was certain he would pass.
 

[krusnik05]

Xavier stood far off to the left side of the gathered tribers, silent and stoic. The red, flame blazed Tah had left the safety and comfort of his den to come see what the announcement was all about. While the whispers reached him and his family about the disapperance of the Arch-Magi's it was shocking and left them speechless. But that speechlessness only lasted for a minute as he nodded to himself then moved on. It sounded cold however Xavier did not question their disappearance. There was a reason for their disappearance that he and no one else was privy to. Everything was in the paws of the Grand Weaver and if it was meant to be, or not to be, then there was no question about it.

The large Tah observed the gathered members of the tribe noting the various expressions and energies they were giving off. Some were eager, curious and impressed by the presence of this male. Others were stoic or not so impressed or even resigned to the implications of this moment. Xavier was only here to know what was what so that if it was good then life would go on and if it was bad, as he had the strangest feeling that it was going to be bad, he would have to make preparations for his family, at the very least for his mate Najila as his cubs were already adults and could take care of themselves as he taught them.

Sitting down in his spot to rest his bothered leg, Xavier stared at the male on the throne, listening to him speak. Xavier raised a brow slightly in question at the words that sounded true but didn't resonant in his soul like it did for the others. He also disagreed with everything after the two sentences of his introduction. If it was a test from the Grand Weaver, fine then let everyone show that their gift of life was not wasted but in his opinion the loss of the Magi's was a reminder of how precious the life everyone had and to do something great, which didn't include the whole bit about being weak. One is only as weak as the link in the chain and despite the lack of leadership they still had sustained themselves rather well.

Xavier having been woven at the very beginning of the tribe; stared at this newly woven commoner placing himself above them all.....what has he done to deserve such a right? The only thing that he could do was listen enough then find himself to the exit....

Arriving as soon as a booming voice echoed through the throne room, Cinead stood at the back of the assembled community to watch the unfolding of something new and something that seemed dangerous. But then again the Tah didn't know much about the politics that existed in the Fire Tribe since he had been woven and awoke in the fiery deserts south of here. Since his time here, he has learned that the Arch Magi's disappeared. It was rather sad to hear that the two leaders of the Tribe were gone as quickly as they arrived. That was how life was. It was a circle of life.

As the large Tah on the vacant throne spoke he tilted his head to the side and nodded his head but it wasn't in agreement. More or less it was in understanding what he was saying but he couldn't agree with it. Then again given the circumstances everyone felt differently and maybe it was time to have a leader though without making it seem as though no one thought about it before and that their power was so supreme. Cinead didn't know really how to pinpoint an emotion. Instead of being his old cheerful self in this instance he simply stood there to listen, not watching everyone's reactions but that of the large Tah that stood ahead of them.  

[Teigra]

Emerald eyes narrowed on the massive Tah as he began to speak. His words were stirring, filling one with energy and urge to move...to get up and do...something. Of course, without direction, such movement would be fruitless, leaving one instead only able to fidget without useful purpose.

Samantha knew she was still relatively ignorant of matters such as these. She was likely rather newly-woven compared to some of the others in the room. Much of her time had been spent away from the Fire Capital, as she'd been woven into being on the outskirts. Much of her education at this point had focused on learning about herself, her physical capabilities, her strengths and weaknesses, and how far she could push either. She had not been completely alone on her journey before finding herself in the capital a few days before. She wasn't completely ignorant of the City or of the whispers and rumors, as she'd heard plenty of those since she'd arrived. Simply...her knowledge of social structures and political flow was still...rather lacking. And she knew it.

Which is why, though she'd come to see this curiosity for herself, she was also keeping off to the side and holding her tongue and opinions for now. The speech was stirring and it was causing a number of reactions with the crowd. Samantha knew she still had much to learn, but already she'd learned to trust her instincts. She could read other B'alam reasonably well, or so she thought. She saw excitement here...hesitation...anger...

The stirring words spoke of strength, of fires blazing within, of standing up to the test and proving their worth. It all sounded so good...too good...but...she would like to believe...

*****

Liang's pale eyes glittered with excitement. He'd not been sure what to expect when he'd answered the summons, but it hadn't been this. The massive Tah that had taken charge of the meeting practically radiated confidence and authority. Neither his stance nor his tone left any room for doubt in one's mind that every word he uttered would be the absolute truth. The young Liang could not help but note just how impressive and imposing this Tah was.

And Liang was quite young. Newly woven into the capital, Liang Zhou may not have had much time yet to form his own opinions on the Fire Tribe's situation...but he'd certainly heard plenty of other people's opinions. Murmurs throughout the capital, whispering about the missing Magi, what it all meant, how much longer they could function without a proper leader? Though he knew nothing else but what he'd seen here, Liang had heard some say that the situation here was in decline further and that there was potential for things to be so much better. But how? If only the Weaver would show them the way...

But, given what this stranger was saying now, perhaps that had been their problem all along. They were sitting back and waiting to be told what to do when clearly they should be making the decision to act on their own! He gazed upon the speaker, a smoldering fire growing in his belly. Were they afraid of a challenge? Would they just lay down and give up? Never! His claws kneeded at the floor beneath his paws as he started getting worked up. No, they'd be ready for the challenge, right? They'd pass any test that was thrown at them, because they were proud Fire Tribe members! He found that he wasn't the only one raising his voice in answer to the Tah's questions as he growled back, "Never!"
 

[Kyrieko]

Like many others, curiosity had gotten the better of the small Nan, her eyes bright with it and the urge to know what was going on leading her paws to the beautiful ebony chamber. There were already so many here!

"Arlii, look!" Fini's tail swished with animation as she let her pale blue eyes take in everything. The way some of the tribe stood with uncertainty. How some eagerly pushed towards the front. There were even those that stuck to the shadows. But it was the Tah that stood on the dais that drew her attention. He was big. But...why was he up there? Wasn't that reserved for the Magi? Fini felt herself begin to frown. And then be began to speak. His words...they were...almost believable. She could feel herself drawn to what he said, and the power behind his conviction.

But the Magi had made their choices freely. That was not because of the Weaver...right? She glanced at her sister, feeling suddenly uneasy.



"Finulria!" Arlii hissed as her sister padded excitedly before her. She managed to step on the smaller Nan's tail to slow her down. But it did nothing to discourage her sisters curiosity. Not that Arlii could blame her. They all seemed to have come when the call came.

But something about the whole thing had her fur standing on edge. She gazed around with a critical eye when they entered, a brief sweep of those gathered taken in, but her eyes settled on the figure that stood upon the dais. He was a large Tah, full of purpose and pride. Her eyes narrowed. Had the Weaver finally graced them with someone to lead their tribe?

Arlii shouldered her sister off to the side, avoiding the center and front of the chamber. Her movements ceased when he began to speak. Her ears flattened as she sat quietly to listen. Weak? They were not weak! Their faith in the Weaver gave them strength! A test? Possibly. Arlii had considered that herself. But the rest... it just sat wrong. There was some truth to his words, but they felt...twisted. She couldn't help but flex her paws uncomfortably. Too many were nodding in agreement. Too few seemed concerned.

"I don't like this," she whispered into Fini's ear.