Welcome to Gaia! ::

As most of you should be aware the Kingdom of Pearle's Patron God is Lumos, God of the moon, Serenity, Wisdom, and the ocean.


Pearle is normally a peaceful country, but the troube to the north has upset the balance of things, and despite its rulers obvious reluctance, War seems unavoidable with the enraged priests of Lycra, and their followers.
The Shrine of Moon is located in a secluded mountain area far to the south. It is rumoured that anyone that actually makes the climb will see one of the most beautiful and serene sights in the known world.
The priests and priestess' where long white robes and silver circlets. They are trained in the art of spells and such magic things. The children who are tested as adept are taken from their parents young and put into training in the Shrine. Only a select few are accepted, but they are extremely powerful once fully trained.

But even Lumos' warriors are no match for the warriors of the empire, whose war fury is said to burn with the heat of a thousand suns. So, It was decided that, desperate times, call for desperate measures, and messengers were sent out in all directions, searching for assistance of any kind. Imagine their surprise when their messengers returned with news of the 12 interlocking kingdoms of Esperanza, plus a peace offering from the Queen.

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A note from A.L.: I will introduce NPC's or even personal characters that may be developed further at need and most likely without a profile. The queen has a profile and if i find a certain character particularly intriguing in my travels with you; i'll probably make a profile for him/her. Thanks.

Aureae, your all alone here, so I've taken it upon myself to finally reply in your much neglected kingdom. Also, feel free to poke unactive people to attention with a cattleprod, if you can't get them to come here, it can be quite entertaining.... You could borrow my tazer if you'd like...

The small group of Houkan ambassadors shuffled along the hallways chatting amongst themselfs. The Princess Etsu was among them, making small talk with a few of her fathers advisors. inwardly she sighed, Cursed she was, cursed to spend the last few months of a perfectly good season among the crotchety old men, in a foreighn country nonetheless. But duty, was duty, as her father always said, so she straightened her obi, and motioned for the foremost guards to open the doors. Her fathers advisors got to their knees and started groveling, spewing out court flattery. She sniffed distastefully, and tipped her head, with respect towards the monarch. Before allowing her attention to wander, let the men do what they were paid to do. Her father only wanted Etsu there for show anyways...

(bah, I really could do better, but my mind feels boggled, I'll do better on my next post lol.)

A low murmuring filled the small white room. A chill night breeze whispered through a small window designed to never let in the sunlight. The room itself was austere, but in an elegant way. It might have well been a prison cell at first glance, but a closer inspection would show it otherwise. The door was of teak wood, as was the bed and set of shelves. The polished surfaces imparted to the room a sort of simple elegance that spoke of great wealth.

The sound of the wind along with the cold air stirred the room's only occupant. White silken robes rustled softly as their owner sat up on the bed. The fine toothed comb on the shelves was grasped by pale fingers and ran quickly through the long dark hair. The silver circlet on the shelf was pushed into place amongst the smooth locks, and black leather shoes paced their way to the door.

A young man stepped out the room, youth still apparent in his face, but a severe expression was etched into it. The loose alcoyte's robes flowed around him as he strode down the hall, past rows of doors identical to his. His echoing steps halted before a massive door engraved with an image of Lumos. His head bowed, and inside he prayed the evening prayers to the great moon God. Then, raising his dark eyes, he pushed open the door.

The last rays of the sun had faded from the evening sky, and the chill breeze that had woken the young man flowed briskly through the courtyard beyond the large doors. The courtyard itself was dark, no lights adorned the white marble pillars that reached for the sky, unhindered by a ceiling. Tiny stars were begginning to show their faces high above, their glimmering reflection easily visible off of the highly polished black floors. A deep breath left the young man, serenity and power both resonated in this place. His home. Starting down the rows of pillars, dark eyes fixed onto the sky where the moon would rise. This is what Rai lived for.

The moment the moon rose, the stark, contrasting courtyard transformed. The moon's silver rays reflected from the now silvery looking marble floor, and the white marble pillars almost seemed to glow in the reflected light. Even the young man standing at one end of the courtyard seemed different. The glow of the moon gave an ethereal look to his soft white robes, and a smile brightened his face.

With measured steps, Rai was soon in the middle of the courtyard, and turned to face the moon. He practiced here, every night after he woke. The smile on his face faded, and his large dark eyes closed for a moment. In the silence of the courtyard, his whisper was almost audible. "Lumos, aid me...". Then, his form fell to the polished floor in worship. After a brief moment of prostration, he stood, and his eyes opened. No longer dark, they were rimmed with light, as if the moon was shining from behind his eyes.

Then he moved. Moved cannot begin to describe it, the flowing motions and sweeping archs he went through. His feet traced a dance through the rows of pillars, and lines of light flowed from his fingertips. The only sound was that of his robes rustling in the wind, his feet were silent as he performed the ancient ritual. Suddenly, he came to a stop, and the quiet of the night was broken by his soft voice raised in prayer.

The beams of light flooding the courtyard rippled, as if seen through a flowing stream. Twisting and turning, they coalesced slowly into shards of pure light. Darting into motion once more, Rai whirled around in a succession of quick sharp moves, hands soaring in graceful curves. The shards lengthened, and moved with him, bending and writhing with the pulse of his movements. Two flows of light arched around him as he prioutted through the courtyard, sending the beams lashing before him.

Just as quickly as he had started, he stopped. The beams straightened from their waving into cold hard edges, and spun around Rai' in a tight circle. The lucent blades raced only inches past his face and robes each revoulution, but his eyes remained fixed on the moon, his body perfectly striaght.

With a deep breath, he released his prayer, and the blades dissapated, the gentle light of the moon touching the marble floor once more. Rai knew that his training was far more martial than that of his fellow alcoytes, and was proud of it. He was to be one of the few, the select, those who carried out the will of lumos against his enemies.

Steps sounded through the courtyard, and it was soon empty. The quiet glow of the pillars and the silvery floors bore no testament to the magic they had witnessed mere minutes earlier, and the night was once again calm.

"Your Excellency", Kaelene continued, "You must understand, our people had nothing to do with these events. We have been a peaceful country for years now, and out two countries have be able to co-exist without interference for a long time. Please, reconsider your views on this. Our people would never do anything so drastic to your shrine, or your High Priest and Priestess! We are not fools; we know the might of the Houkan Empire, and we would not tempt destruction so flagrantly. There must be another explanation for who is responsible! I've had reports of mysterious deaths happening in Espernaza and other areas. I'm begging you to have some patience, put your immense resources and efforts toward discovering the true culprit instead of launching our two countries into a bloody conflict that we may both regret in the time to come...."

Kaelene was doing her best to go about these discussions kindly, with all possible restraint and caution. She had her doubts about the outcome of such visits, but she sent up prayers to her god and their goddess alike for peace. That thought sparked an idea. Maybe, just maybe, she could avoid this war if she made a direct petition to the Goddess.... It was unusual, yes, but this was an unusual and pressing time. She was, after all, Shadow Kissed, blessed by Lumos; such a petition and supplication had to count for something, she hoped.

She silently watched and listened to the responses of the envoy, watching the princess in particular very closely; all the while, her mind racing about how to begin the dubious process of seeking a goddess' attention...

((After reviewing this post now, having not seen it for a day or so; i deem it utter crap.... Just wanted to let you know...))

Corporal Kaleb Vellar stood at attention, admiring the moonlight through the night air. He had received his orders from his superiors: He would be accompanying one of Felar's diplomats to Houka. He was given command of 2 fellow archers, and 2 swordsmen. Should the diplomat and his advisors need an "escape plan," as he was briefed, Kaleb and his men served as said "escape."

He sighed, and waited patiently for Felar's appointed diplomat to reach the convoy. He did not wish to travel to Houka, especially in a time such as this. He wanted to fiddle with his bow, but didn't. He was a respectable officer, and was commanding four good men. He would be their role model, and he wished his diplomat to trust them. First impressions were everything, and if the diplomat trusted his decisions, Kaleb would be able to keep the diplomat alive longer if need be.

Dammit! Stop thinking that! You will all be fine! he yelled at himself inside. Though, he couldn't quite shake that feeling of impending doom... He'd heard of seers forseeing deaths they cannot prevent. He only hoped this was not one such time.

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