[Rhodonth to Suunath and Tyeth] (And any other clutchmates, if I missed one lurking around.)
This demonstration was the very last place on Pern Lilah wanted to be. Oh, sure, she would love for it to work - it would mean she and Rho wouldn't die fighting Thread - but she knew there was no chance that this Ancientcraft business was actually going to work. No, the best case scenario would be that it did nothing at all, and if the worst happened - which it probably would - it would blow up and take out some portion of the crowd with it. It was only a matter of how much of the crowd it would be.
Accordingly, she sat atop Rhodonth at the very back of the crowd of dragons, even though it meant they wouldn't be seeing much of the demonstration. Seeing some of her clutchmates in the crowd, she crooned at them with concern in her tone. Please be careful if you or Yours go close. It is going to go wrong, I just know it, and I love you and I don't want to see you hurt.
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:26 am
[Alianar] - Tag to Careesi and Fick
Alianar took a second good look at the girl as she answered him. He did know her. One of the younger handlers?
Before he could ask, Fick introduced himself and Alianar quickly reached out to clasp his hand. "I'm Alianar, wherhandler of Alianarsk, from Benden. It is a good Gather. You're one of the new handlers, aren't you?" he asked, looking at Careesi. He did know her face, though he didn't think she had been in training with him at all, which implied one of the newer handlers or someone still in training.
Dinah, like most of the wherhandlers - especially the Benden wherhandlers - had high hopes for the Ancientcrafter's device. While she would ordinarily have been skeptical of such technology, the repercussions if the Dragonlight worked would be huge. Dragonriders would no longer be vital to the survival of the Pernese, and as such would no longer have the power they had wielded for so long.
She wasn't so malicious as to hope that the dragons subsequently go extinct or anything like that, she just didn't like that the riders were so sharding powerful, and so sharding arrogant about it. They weren't any better than anyone else, and it was time they learned it!
It was just too bad it was the middle of the day, and too bright for Dinahsk to be out and about with her. She didn't like being apart from her green wher, it made her feel...slightly more vulnerable. But only slightly, mind you!
[Celandine]
Celandine wasn't sure what she thought. She had always admired dragons growing up, wanted one desperately, but that she would never be chosen by one because of her frailty had eventually turned her to bitterness towards the great beasts. The whers were better, Clesk had not snubbed her when he hatched because she wasn't 'perfect,' and neither would her next wher. She would have another, one day...
Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:33 am
Eliza & Velath ((Tag to Ceta & F'itz))
Eliza looked between Ceta and Fitz for a few moments after the introductions were made - the look on her friends face was rather uncommon and in truth Eliza was starting to feel a bit like a third wheel in this particular crowd. Perhaps Ceta wanted to speak with the brown rider alone...well she wouldn't begrudge her friend something like that and thumbing over her shoulder she motioned towards the food tables. "Umm...I'm going to go and check out the food, see if I can heckle anyone into telling me some Weyr gossip or something. I'll catch up with you later Ceta - it was nice meeting you F'itz " She stated politely to the man before heading off towards the food table like she'd mentioned. Not that she was really hungry but you know.
******************************************************************************************** Mercy & Aerith ((Tags to Kleos & Mazamath))
It didn't seem like Kleos was going to let herself relax anytime soon. Oh well - that was just the nature of her friend. "I expect your right - it's always good to keep an eye on things." She finally allowed because really she wasn't going to win an argument of 'lets just have a good time and relax for once' on this particular occasion.
"I guess everyone is just to occupied waiting for the demonstration to bother causing trouble" She added as she looked around "And I don't know what the hold up is..pretty much all the leaders and whatnot look to be here but they're taking their sweet time unveiling this 'device' "
When all had gathered about the stage the Ancientcrafter’s smug smile as impossible to miss. All eyes were on him, right where they should be… it was all going according to plan. It was laughable, really, how smoothly the Weyrleaders and Weyrwomen had fallen into step at the slightest whiff of no more work. Keller was certainly correct in his estimation of the Riders. Indeed, the Masterhandler was nowhere to be seen – he had helped with the initial set up and moved on from there. There were many things to do these days, Archimonde knew, the least of which was this demonstration.
Clearing his throat, he tapped a small hammer against a bell to ring for quiet. It didn’t come easily. Two rings later and it was finally quiet enough for the crafter to not have to yell over the crowd. “Good afternoon my fellows! You have been called here for the purpose of viewing my newest invention, an invention we will all surely benefit from. For years the Weyrs and the Holds have shunned the wisdom of the Ancients’ technology but no more for I have found a way to harness the power of their Dragonlights! It burns hotter then any flame and cuts through solid rock, it sears through flesh and leaves no bleeding wound, these Dragonlights are the answer to many of our problems.
The machine I found these remarkable lights in could bend and warp these Dragonlights and it took me some months to puzzle out just how that was done. You see, they use a strange blend of mirrors and machinery to form their glowing nets. That… that was the crucial part.” He laughed and strode across the stage, his boots clicking against the wooden surface, “But I am no simpleton and the Ancientcraft had been my bread and butter. It was I who found the solution for your Mistweed… for your ailing golden queens. And it is I who has found your salvation! No legendary explosions, no ridiculous Betweening and reliance on rogue Riders… a simple, non-dragonman like myself has found the key.
I’m sure all of you are most interested in seeing it, and how my devices will work. Bear with me just a few moments longer my friends. I must explain its concept before I show it – oh and there is a slight chance of danger: dismemberment, death, injury, that sort of thing. Very standard concerns. The concept is this my friends: the dragonlights will form permanent barriers in our skies so that the Thread we all despise and unite against can longer fall past that point. It will be destroyed before it ever touches the ground.” He stopped at the left of the stage and something audibly clicked. The wood planks in the center of the stage shifted and drooped down, pulled back by unseen mechanisms as a dais was raised up. Gesturing with one arm, he smiled, “Of course, there will be no more need for Dragonriders at that point. The Holds will no longer offer tithes for decades on the chance Thread falls, families will no longer sacrifice their children to a life of chance and thin hope. The riders themselves will finally be able to retire permanently, a novelty rather than a necessity. The debate on the validity of the Atypicals will be moot once and for all because the dragons’ strength will no longer be the question. Our world will change, ladies and gentlemen, and it will change for the better.”
W’lin of Benden’s expression was sour as Archimonde’s arrogant tirade continued and he shook his head, face turning red with anger. He had not authorized such slander! What was Archimonde up to? He certainly had the audience’s attention – Rider and Non-Rider alike – but what was the purpose of angering the very people who would fund and support his decisions? Did he think playing his cards like this would further shame the Riders, force them into action? His hands curled into fists as he tried to keep his composure.
The Weyrleader’s expression did not escape Archimonde’s attention and he took a moment to bow before him, a sweeping, almost mocking gesture, before he righted himself and moved over to the dais. The machine was surprisingly small… a snarl of wires and tubes and glass lenses. Two more just like it sat behind the first. Picking up one of the devices, he hefted it high and walked along the front, showing it off. “This! This my friends, is the answer. Watch as I show you your future free of Thread.” He walked to the far side of the stage, set it down and touched a series of panels. The item whirred, coming to life as lights flickered inside. A shaft of light arced into the air and then split by some quirk of the technology into a handful of lines glowing red and angry in the sky. He likewise placed and activated the other two devices in the center and opposite side of the stage until the lines above had meshed to form a glowing grid above their heads. “Excellent isn’t it? Beautiful!”
Regardless of whether they had the fuel or the number of devices required to fulfill his promise, it didn’t matter. He was displaying his prowess, dangling hope before their very eyes and relishing the looks on the riders’ faces.
“And now, to prove to you my work!” A Flit appeared on his arm and he gave it a handful of string from the bowl on the dais and it disappeared once more. The form was visible above the grid only briefly as the ‘thread’ was released and threatened to fall upon the Ancientcrafter’s head. However, it touched the dragonlights and with a hiss disappeared into smoke, leaving nothing at all to trail down. “See? See! It is all so simple. So very elegant!”
Archimonde squared his shoulders and smiled as he returned to his place at the center of the stage, just in front of the dais. By his estimations he had another few minutes of power from the devices… and in less than that his survival would be in the hands of fate.
Around them, flits began appearing among the crowd, their chittering and calls full of panic and confusion. Conflicting mental images flickered through minds as scenes of blood and struggle inundated the attendees. What, and where, was going on was hard to discern but something was very, very wrong.
======================= PROMPT: ALL PARTICIPANTS ROLL 1 D100 (must beat the roll in this post to succeed)
IF YOU BEAT THE ROLL
A flit near you or a dragon communicating with the flits realizes that the source of distress is home. There is fighting, bloodshed and sharp-targeted attacks on key locations in the Weyr. A handful had died already, more are wounded… and the bloodstained claws belong to Whers. The dour faces of Wherhandlers, clubs and knives in hand, march through the tunnels forcing their occupants out… asking just one question “The Weyrs are ours. Join us or die.”
IF YOU DO NOT BEAT THE ROLL
All you received is a sense of panic and deep wrong. Something is happening that is world changing and deadly. The best impression you receive is that your Home is vulnerable… that this entire demonstration was a distraction, a misdirect in a greater combat strategy.
Kindra watched the demonstration, her jaw tightly clenched as the machine.... no machines... started up and spread a net above them. "Suunath, stay back" she warned her Gold, who seemed intent on getting a closer look. She didn't miss the fact that the Master Wherhandler had vanished either but she thought nothing much of it, sneaky.. horrible creatures... and their handlers weren't much better.
Suunath raised her head, her eyes whirling red/orange "Kindra!... MINE!.... Patches... there is something wrong back at the Weyr!!" she bugled, standing up straight and sending the images to Kindra that she got from the Brown flit that had suddenly appeared above her head. She snaked her head around a little, waiting for Kindra to work her way through the confused crowd to get to her.
Kindra looked to W'lin, her eyes blazing hatred. "This.... this is YOUR fault W'lin" she snapped, turning on a heel and making her way towards her Dragon without clarifying on the matter. If he didn't know, he soon would. She KNEW That Wherhandlers were no good... she never liked them and this just proved exactly why.
Alianar jumped as firelizards exploded into the air above him and looked about wildly. What--?
"What is it?" he asked, looking back to the wherhandlers with him. He had no firelizard; their behavior was completely bewildering to him, until he had the sudden impression that something was wrong. Something was very wrong at home.
O'thor looked around at the flits beating their wings overhead as Orlina suddenly clutched his hand more tightly than before. O'thor took a moment to get his bearing.
Adamanth.
They are upset. This was a trick! The Silver lifted to his feet as O'thor pulled Orlina closer to him instinctively.
The sense of wrong permeated O'thor as well. This was what he got for leaving the weyr. If they were here as a distraction, someone wanted them away from the weyr. And their weyr was without as many protectors as usual... "We're going home. Now." He began dragging Orlina back towards Adamanth, even as the Silver raised his head above the crowd, eyes following O'thor's progress.
The lights, as they slowly formed their net above the stage, reminded Orlina of the Red Star. Beautiful, yet ominous. A reminder that something dark was coming. The end of the weyrs, if Archimonde's speech was true. She linked her fingers with O'thor's, looking sad and disturbed. What would she do if there was no need for dragonriders anymore?
Orlina's distraction with the future fled as soon as the firelizards began shrieking and appearing overhead. She felt their panic as well as heard it. Morningstar appeared over her, shrieking. Orlina's eyes widened as the panic of her young Gold swamped her, and she watched Star swoop around rather than landing.
"She's frightened," Orlina whispered. Something was wrong. She wouldn't have come here unless something was happening back at Trine. But what could have sent her into--
O'thor words interrupted her thoughts and then they were moving, their path clearly heading toward Adamanth.
She didn't argue as O'thor dragged her, helping him by weaving her own way through the crowd, though without letting go of his hand. She didn't want them to get separated.
Ceta watched Eliza go, feeling confused. Why was she walking off? Eliza could be hungry, but she rarely missed a chance to socialize. Ceta wasn't sure she knew any rider pair that enjoyed gossip and social visits more than Eliza and Velath.
"At least the gathering isn't breaking out into fights. I was concerned the tension from the last cross-weyr gathering would be repeated here," Ceta admitted. "I'm glad I was proven wrong. Your last few letters..." she trailed off, hesitant, then continued, "I've been concerned. Especially when the rumors rose about this." She gestured at the stage just as Archimonde began speaking. She stared, white-lipped, as he made slights against the riders, but took a deep breath and let it flow away until her face was plain again. A glance at F'itz showed he was as-- more-- incensed than she was about Archimonde's ability to turn the riders into a disdainful joke.
And then he proved he could by showing Pern their future. Cetalese wasn't as blinded by the lights as many, trying to get a better view of the small things creating the lasers. Could they really run indefinitely? What power source ran for so long? And how would they make enough to make the planet safe? There were so many questions Archimonde hadn't answered. Maybe it wasn't the end. With her eyes still on the stage, Cetalese leaned close to F'itz.
"Do you think--"
Her words were interrupted by Veralidaine suddenly shrieking and digging her claws into Ceta's shoulders. Ceta cried out in pain, leaning away from Daine's suddenly flailing wings. She almost asked what was wrong when she realized that Daine was projecting everything she needed to know. Halith, hearing and seeing it as well, sat back and bugled loudly.
Trine. Trine was being attacked. By wherhandlers. Cetalese's eyes went wide in horror as she looked up at F'itz and then whipped her head around to look at the stage. They had been led here so that Trine would be vulnerable, and they had all fallen for it.
"The Weyrs! Trine! The handlers are attacking!" she cried, looking back to F'itz. "We've left them defenseless!"
Something was happening, but what? Flits were everywhere, panicking, and towards the back where the dragons were, there were signs of distress? What was going on? Some in the crowd pushed, and the pale young woman pushed back. Shards, what she wouldn't do to have Celsk.
"Hey!" she shouted, albeit not particularly loudly, and to no one specific. "What's happening?"
Watching the demonstration Eliza was well..confused mostly. How many machines would it take to cover the whole of Pern's sky..and what happens if they stopped working..all in all she thought it was a silly thing to place their trust in when they already had som...
Her thoughts were cut off by the swirling arrival of confused and angry firelizards - her green was among them but the silly creature was far to upset to give more then general impressions. Still something was wrong and she turned to fight through the crowd towards Velath.
Kleos had been about to reply to her friend when the speech started. Falling silent she turned to the man standing above them, speaking down to them, and her fists clenched. "Arrogance!" she hissed. "Does he really think we will let this stand? Does he believe his toy can be staked out across the whole of Pern? Does he-"
And then that didn't matter anymore. Moriath's sudden panic cut into her mind like a knife and she grasped Mercy's shoulder, her eyes wide. "Malvren! They are attacking Malvren! I have to go!" Turning away from her friend the crimson rider began to force her way through the crowds, trying to get back to Moriath.
For her part, the scarred red dragon roared. now!>
N'mol looked on as Archimonde began his demonstration, much as everyone else did, watching the gleaming net form and perform as Archimonde had promised. His jaw tensed, though the rest of his face was clear. It worked. The machines worked. Now what could they do?
Before long, however, a bigger and more important threat appeared-- in the form of firelizard warnings.
The sudden cacaphony of sound threw the entire crowd into disarray, but N'mol sat up on Tyeth's back, looking for some clarity in the situation.
N'mol's newly-hatched Green, Valkyrie, appeared before him, shrieking, her eyes whirling yellow and white in panic. Tyeth turned his attention from between the firelizards and the stage, where Kindra, his beloved Suunath's rider, was, to her.
Calm, little one, he commanded, and the Green swooped down to settle on N'mol outstretched arm. The hide of his riding leathers protected him from her tiny claws as she continued to creel in panic, though more quietly. With Tyeth's help, the whirling mess cleared into sharp images: wherhandlers. Benden in ruins. Blood and death and the wounded.
They had been fooled. His tension, that strange inexplicable sense of wrong...
N'mol's eyes turned to the stage and he quickly tossed his arm, sending Valkyrie shrieking into the air again.
"Tyeth!" he began strapping himself in.
Suunath wishes to return to the weyr as well. She will be in danger, Tyeth informed him, eyes sweeping the crowd.
N'mol continued to strap in. We can't tell them not to. Bespeak Suunath. Suggest she and Kindra stay here to keep the crowds calm and round up the wherhandlers here, if W'lin doesn't think to do the same thing. When they refuse, tell them to between to the edge of the weyr, not the center, and we will meet them. I'll talk to Kindra if I have to. Find the wing, anyone who is here. Have them mount up, tell them we return to Benden now and we will direct them as we go.
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