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 Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 5:27 pm
Eh? Eyeballs can speak? How fun. But aside from that, there was business to attend to.
Victor Fah, son of Draeger Fah, Ruler of Sorrow's Keep, the man who turned demon for his own dark desires, and would be killed by demons in the end. Victor Fah, son of Draeger Fah, come to claim his...
"Birthright." Decruda muttered aloud. "That is what you are here for, is it not?"
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Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 10:13 pm
If one would call it that.
The voice splintered outwards once more, as the shaded eye moved about the room.
However I think you would benefit more from what is locked within more so than me.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 1:16 am
And so it would be confirmed as to who Decruda was speaking to. The eye could have belonged to anyone, it could have been anyone on the other side acting as a third member of the diplomats, it was a mystery; but now it wasn't anymore. This would question the matter of why the man would not come in person, but rather send messengers, which of course, proved pointless if he was to perform negotiations himself anyway. "So you say, Master Fah." He began drumming on the table slowly with his fingers, watching each person closely for their reactions as to what he would say next. An eye alone would not reveal much of anything, however, the woman and the knight were there. They may show some emotional reactions. An uncomfortable shifting movement? A scoff or scowl? A clench of the jaw to suppress an outburst? All were signs that could be read if they presented themselves. "Let me first ask you; what is the point in sending diplomats if you are to speak directly to me yourself? If you were in my place, do you not find it suspicious that you would not only speak with me indirectly through that device, but also exhibit the presence of two underlings? A rather insincere gesture, is it not?" That was what they were, were they not, people who served the man? "Perhaps they are assassins? The armoured knight and the lovely woman." It was safe to say that an armoured knight was a physically powerful being. And women made the best assassins; they possessed the charms which could lower a man's guard, and in a profession where a single strike was all that was needed, strength was meaningless. one to distract, the other to do the deed? And the man to confirm the completion of the task with his own eyes. "Or is it that you simply do not trust them or have faith in their abilities?" He'd let those words echo breifly in the room, letting the quiet invade and let the two present soak in those words. As if their presence and diplomatic position was being undermined. Or maybe an assassination attempt was the truth, and Decruda was smart enough to realise it with just that tiny bit of information. "Should I believe that what you say is true that whatever this may be is more beneficial to me? And if so, then what do you get out of it?" If there were no great reactions by those words, the robed man would continue after a few seconds pause, "But I digress. You may or may not be Victor Fah, as I am but speaking through a device. The question here is; how would this relationship between us be beneficial to the both of us?" So who would answer the question? the eye? The woman? Or would it be a surprise and the previously silent knight would answer?
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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:32 am
Underlings. Ra'kar bridled at the word. Underling she was not... but this meeting was too important for a display of ego and nit picking. Let Victor correct him... or don't. She knew court politics, and in that you wore a mask of finely controlled self composure. No tell-tale hints, neutral. Relaxed even, she was trained to lie with her body. Decruda would get nothing from her but an impassive smile.
"Now m'lord Decruda, what sense would there be in killing you?"
Folding her hands on the table in front of her, she grinned at him and shook her head.
"No, no. We've not come to kill you but rather offer you a gift in the hopes of a great alliance."
She looked around her, admiring the room as she continued.
"You've picked a magnificent location. The keep is a worthy fortess indeed, a great asset to your power and position. But surely you have become aware of certain..."
She searched for the words and smiled, leaning forward slightly.
"Oddities? There are many secrets locked within Sorrow's Keep that only a blooded heir would be able to access. We're offering you the keys to these secrets."
She leaned back again, her hands falling to rest in her lap.
"To cement the alliance, and in return.... Decruda, we want you to raise an ARMY."
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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 4:10 pm
No reaction? Too bad, things may have become more interesting. However, the man did make a good decision in choosing his diplomat, which was a good sign.
Many oddities in this particular location, very true. And now they were back on track.
"This army," he began, leaning back into his seat, one hand going up to cover his mouth and part of his nose as his elbow pressed upon the armrest as he smiled behind it, "Do you have any requirements for it? Living soldiers? Undead Soldiers? Fiends?" the last one noted for two reasons; first of all, the chasm of Sorrow's Keep seemed like a breeding ground for the creatures here on the prime material, and secondly, it would only be natural for the monsters which followed the father in the past, follow the son in the present.
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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 9:53 pm
"I'm going to be greedy and say ALL of the above."
Resting her chin in her hands as she leans against the table, smiling across at Decruda and purring,
"We're asking you to assemble an army, that likes of which haven't been seen since the great wars... the stuff nightmares are made of."
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Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:04 pm
The smile widened into a grin. The grin splitting into a twisted chuckle.
"Oh, I like that. I like that a lot." An army of such caliber could only mean one thing; war on a massive scale. He never would have thought such a thing would come to fruitation so soon, maybe in thirty years or so, but not now. But hey, if something like this was needed in the present, then it was sure to be interesting.
"Then I, Decruda Blackvale, representing The Council, accept your offer. Give us some time and resources, and you will have your army." He stood up, and circled around the table towards the cabinet by the door, "So then let us have a toast to commemorate this moment."
Glasses were filled and handed out. The common wine found in such a place was not like the honey meads of nobles, the faye wine of elves, or even the ice wines of Guldor; in this dark place underground, the wines possessed a slight coppery metallic taste, immitating blood, drink which fit the undead which roamed the corridoors. And what better way to seal the pact, through blood?
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:13 am
"Resources shall be arranged. "
She grinned and rose to her feet in one fluid movement. Reaching out a slender arm, she accepted the glass and the offered wine. One whiff was enough to make her mouth water with appreciation.
"You have most excellent taste in wines m'lord."
An elf who preferred blood wine? Well that was different. But Ra'kar was somewhat of a remarkable creature. There was a good deal 'different' about her.
Raising her glass to Decruda, she grinned brightly.
"You have our undying gratitude, Decruda. On behalf of the Fah empire, We look forward to a promising and much blooded alliance."
The glass clinked as she knocked it against his lightly, then turned and clinked it against her Dark Knight's as well.
She was happier than a fat cat with cream, things were shaping up beautifully. Sipping the wine, she flushed with pleasure, the copper-salty sweetness of blood playing over her tongue and filling her mouth, was positively titillating.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 9:24 pm
Alpha had served his purpose, he was to be seen and not heard. His only job was to ensure that they still left with what they came for even if Ra'Kar had failed. Until then he was simply a bodyguard of a diplomat.
No need to tip this new ally off to the power that sat behind Victor Fah yet. He would be a bodyguard, and leave it to Victor to reveal what army Decruda's would be fighting alongside of. Though perhaps he could eek a little use off of this forsaken place. Negative or not the energy here was still energy, and there seemed to be souls amongst the souless ones.
"Lady Ra'Kar, Master Fah." Even Alpha's voice had changed from the tone of a commander to one of a solider that had proven themselves but still knew their place, "I do not mean to interupt or undermine, but to meet Master Decruda's resource needs perhaps it may be more prudent to send laborers as well as what we can offer."
Representatives of the Cult, perhaps? Alpha's real voice would echo in Victor's head alone.
With any luck Decruda could use the meat, the essences, and what have while Apha rent soul's and converted magical energy. Two armies could grow at the once.
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 4:57 pm
Ding!
The chime of glass was music to his ears. Or tortured screaming of misery and agony maybe, if he was that sick of a b*****d that is, which he was not... yet.
He took a sip of the liquid, listening to the previously silent man speak as he did so.
"There is but two resources needed, both of which are currency; gold, and the most expensive commodity of all, life." Raising an army for the man was a simple matter. Gold would be used to buy the service of mercenaries and the living, while life, whether it be blood, flesh, or the soul, was the resource needed to bind a demon to a task or raise undead.
"Perhaps a tour of the facility would be in order." Of course, he wouldnt show them everything. Just some of the landmarks and whatnot.
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 10:11 pm
The Shaded Eye seemed to have lost all notion of the ability to speak, having fallen deathly mute while Ra'kar played her role.
Make it so...while Ra'kar is to be trusted, the woman is still just that; a woman. I have other business to attend to at the moment... do what is necessary.
Decruda will have the components necessary for his army... I guarantee it.
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:14 pm
Ra'kar regarded her Dark Knight with a grateful smile and a slight nod of the head, a sign that she heard and appreciated the suggestion, before she turned to Decruda for his thoughts on the offer.
"Very well, you shall have no shortage of either m'lord. And as the army grows, so does the number of potential souls, ready and just waiting to be harvested."
She took another sip of her wine, her small pink tongue flicking out over her lips to catch the lingering beads of sweet crimson.
To her knight she spoke directly, and as an equal not this feigned role of rank they were putting on for their host.
:: A wise offer Alpha. ::
To Decruda she smiled and curtsied.
"A tour would be lovely Decruda, we would be most honoured."
Outwardly, she was the grateful guest, but inwardly she wished to be moving onto other business. This transaction had been secured, but there were other deals to be made.
One thing at a time however.
She smiled politely and sipped at her wine, drinking the last of her glass as she waited to be shown about keep by it's new Master.
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:40 pm
~Decruda.~
Through the power of Prophetas, Descant spoke to him. If he wasn't currently watching her with his own methods, this would let him see that she was standing near Barton's Town Square. He could likely see the rest of the situation though usual means. She went on to explain, anyway. Her 'voice' wasn't frantic, but she didn't line her speech with more than was necessary. Also, the others couldn't hear.
~Barton's falling. Major points are down, living citizens currently captive. However, I'm seeing resistance-- mechanical. Along with the few strong people assembling for a last stand. The people are dealt with easily enough, but we may not be able to hold the city against a pig tank and air strike, because I left the house without my riot gear. Sorry.~
But she could still crack half a joke. ~Please advise.~
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Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:22 pm
"Right this way then, m'lady." He ushered them out the door, reaching an arm back into the room just before he stepped out as well, pulling the crystal ball through the air and into his hand so that he may bring it along, always watching.
If his guests were so inclined to watch his actions, they would notice that within the ball, there would be the image of Barton town, similar to that of a bird's eye view with a large scope of the area, and its current event, which was the invading force. How anyone could see anything from such a distance was not the problem, the ball could zoom, and show specific locations and people if he so desired to, however, he wanted to watch from a distance in order to assess the entire situation. Besides, his former profession did lend a hand in the matter. His eyesight was like that of a hawk's, which allowed him to easily see further and finer details than normally possible.
If his guests questioned the image within the ball, he would answer that "I'm providing a location for your army to flourish and grow." If not, then he'd remain quiet about it. If they knew this, maybe they'd help expediate the takeover, possibly in good will to this newly formed alliance.
Of course, there was still that voice which he would have to answer. "Let Darshendros' forces deal with the sky." he mumbled in response, leaving two options open, "Regroup at the arena and locate Five. Also, try to contact neutral parties for diplomatic relations." What parties would this be? Large companies like the Deity office in Barton, whose interests were only to themselves. Those who protected their own interests but made no move to help anyone else. Perhaps they'd like to control several sections of the city when it was conquered. You cant just have an entire living city occupied and run by undead you know. Not to mention, if they were a mercenary company for hire, it made things easier for Victor's army to be raised.
Also, was not the arena packed full of those soldiers from the Purge? Garrisoned and fortified in that structure, was it not suicide to regroup in such an area? Maybe it was. Or maybe the man had a reason to do so.
"Ahem, excuse me," he cleared his throat, "This way, please." He put on a smile, a mask over his schemes, stepping through the tunnels deeper into the earth before there was a cavern opening with a soft luminescent blue light flowing out of, "This is what we call the Garden of Eternal Night."
It was one of the prettier places in the underground maze, a large cavern aglow in soft blue light where poisonous plants of all verieties thrive. And with some twisted cross breeding, you even get some sort of vampiric plantlife which survives in artificial moonlight, but dies when exposed to sunlight.
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Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:40 pm
The bauble that Decruda's attention constantly seem captivated by, consequently captivated Ra'kar's attentions as well. She couldn't help but make a curious comment.
"That's an interesting item..."
She didn't ask what it 'did' because that much seemed obvious... it appeared to be some advanced scrying tool, or something of that nature.
"...trouble?"
She asked after a moment watching some of the commotion within the orb.
"I'm providing a location for your army to flourish and grow."
Her eyes practically lit up like a child on christmas morning, although there was nothing childlike or innocent about the demoness, yet it was there. Delight. She replied, schooling her voice... didn't want to seem too eager now.
"Anything we can be of help with m'lord?"
:: Perhaps you have something appropriate for this situation my friend? ::
Her voice would speak directly to Alpha and Alpha alone.
----
As he led them into the garden, Ra'kar's breath caught in her throat. Despite her twisted nature, some things still reached her, still managed to effect her. Natural Beauty such as this was one of those things.
"The Garden of Eternal Night..."
She murmmered softly in awe.
"It's breathtaking Decruda."
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