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 Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:18 pm
All role play taken place within the main kingdom is done here. -------------------
The kingdom is surrounded by a stone wall that starts from the coast of the ocean to the border of the forest in the north. From the wall's main and only entrance, the castle is at least 50 miles away and can be found by following the rivers and streams. The castle itself we'll base off this(with the castle continuing well underground into the mountain):
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Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:12 pm
It had been a busy week at the castle for Muirne. She'd gone through all the supplies she brought with her..and then some, having to go to the castle gardens several times to gather and create what she needed. There was another attack on the guards at the gate to the kingdom. The deep forest is never letting up. They're getting far more creative too. She had to patch up and heal nearly three dozen mortals. Poor beings...
She walked out of the castle and made her way down the hill to the path that lead to the gate. On her body she wore a simple wrap nearly the same color as her skin that went under her arms and fell just above her knees. Her feat were bare and beneath each step a soft patch of grass grew to cushion her soles. She walked with a feint smile graced over her lips and her right hand slightly out, fingers moving back and forth. Tiny flowers sprouted from the ground in line with her fingertips, all along the side of the hill until she reached the bottom. Muirne stopped to wrap the cloak around her, that she carried in her left hand, before making her way into the forest back toward the gate and then home.
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:32 pm
A long white gown fell perfectly against her body and trailed up the stairs like silk as the angel ascended the tower. Long, wavy brown hair fell past her waist and swayed with each step until she reached the top. Anni casted her eyes out over the tree tops, narrowing them to stare deep into the distance. With a long exhale, her wings unfolded from behind her and out of hiding. They shook and ruffled themselves briskly before settling back down; she smirked. The wings, glowing that of a grey violet, outstretched themselves to lift her into the air. The Queen flew high up over the castle and headed off over the treetops of the kingdom.
As she soared through the night sky aimlessly, she shuffled through her thoughts of the day, of the week, of the month. Traitors, more ignorant than ever, are attacking more often than usual. While their attacks have yet to be deadly on her forces..recently, that is...damage is still being done. A sigh escaped from her lips as she pushed forward, shooting fiercly fast over the mid section of the forest. The wind pierced through her hair, glided perfectly over her wings until she came to a hault. The darkness of the deep forest spread vastly before her eyes. The border of these parts was a place she frequently visited. She could see where the trees grew higher in the middle, hiding Lithlad beneath her. She stood in mid air as if earth were beneath her feet, with her arms at her sides, turning her head from left to right to scan over the width of the forest. Anni never flew passed the border, but there was a feint murmur of excitment beneath those dark treetops and it was beginning to worry her. Whenever the dark forest was thrilled for one reason or another, it meant time of caution and in the past, the beginning of war.
Just as the Queen was about to turn to fly back to her castle, humming came from below. She laid out flat, her wings hovering her body as she peered through the moonlit sky down toward the forest. Just beyond the border, out from the mid forest rose three children spirits. Eager and excited their laughs howled merrily in the night as they wafted their way toward her.
"Hello her Majesty!" a little girl exclaimed as she floated circles around Anni.
"Is something wrong? What's going on over there?" a boy said as he hid behind her wings, peeking out over Anni's shoulder.
The queen smiled and shook her head, "Nothing is wrong, I was just...checking on things. You children shouldn't be wandering this close to the obscure." She held out her arms as the silent, smallest ghost of the three floated up and curled into them.
The boy who spoke before responded, "We're attatched to this place, this is where we last walked."
Anni nodded in understanding, her eyes wincing just barely as she held it back. Spirits or ghosts can't venture far from where they passed, they begin to fade as if the very spot they died was their energy source. It's really because that is where their soul is captured. They can move on but most don't know how, or simply don't want to. By the sounds of their voices and images of their clothing, she was able to conclude these spirits were not new to the supernatural world and have learned how to defend themselves so close to the deep forest. "Just be careful.." She said, tossing the little one in her arms into the night, before quickly flying around them to spin them into a whirlpool...their laughs ringing into the night as she flew off back to the castle.
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:52 pm
Near the edge of the forests that border the castle, a tall man had stopped to take a break before contiuning his journey.
His destination was the castle, as Matthias von Strov was the lead element of the agreement between the Queen's forces and the Guardians, but certainly not the last. Matthias was confused at first as to why his master had sent him alone without some of his brothers-in-arms, but he figured it was so Matthias could travel faster and without detection. While the Guardians had maintained neutrality in the conflict between the Tratiors and the Queen's forces, recently several caravans headed for their Keep have been harassed by supected Tratiors, which lead to the agreement to join the Queen's forces. Unfortunately, for the time, the contract wasn't fully signed, hence Matthias' haste towards the castle.
However, he thought to himself, I have no clue as to whether who I'm meeting. Matthias pulled his water skin from off his belt and took a deep swig from it. All of this happened quickly and without warning, while I know that joining the Queen's forces is the right thing to do, I'm just unsure about how to approach royalty. He smirked at his last thought.
"We, there's no time like the present." He said aloud, trying to break his train of thought. He reattached his waterskin to his belt and contunied towards the castle.
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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:58 am
Back at the castle, the Queen made her way down the tower steps until she reached the bottom and walked into the main hall, nodding sincerly to those who bowed at her presence. At heart, she felt the need to be formal was unnecessary, but deeper within her heart was the affection toward tradition. She walked confidently, yet quietly, through the hall toward the corridor that would lead to her quarters. It would be a busy day tomorrow as she's been told her majesty's interference was needed in Aglar. For what, who knew..that place was so bustling and chaotic, there could be a number of things wrong. "If only someone would come..." she spoke softly, a hopeful tone in her voice as she closed the bedroom door behind her.
Other than Wilwarin, it was as if the other two cities, Kano and Aglar, were losing control. Peace was generally kept, but absentmindedness was on the rise. It lead to mishaps and accidents which only leads to anger and frustration. Leaders were needed; she couldn't do this on her own. While others before her have, there was a permanent absence in her life, in her will, that only her lost children could fill. Until then, until that impossible day, she'll never fully be capable of handling complete power. While her strength and abilities are mighty and sufficient, the want to be in control of an entire world of beings...was just beyond her desires. At least not alone...but strong she'll stand till whenever is necessary..or someone, or even someones, show up to assist.
The beauty walked soft steps to her bed, sitting atop the chest at the foot of said bed. A quick pull of the string tied beneath her breasts and down from her shoulders her gown slipped. The Queen stood, bare and glowing in all her divine beauty before folding her wings back into hiding and moving to the right of her bed to slide under the covers. Her eyes focused on the stars that shown through her window thinking to hersel what a delicate view to rock her weary mind to sleep.
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:53 am
Matthias approached the giant wooden doors, marking the entrance to the castle. Well, it's now or never he thought to himself. He ran his hands through this thick long brown hair, pulling it back from his face. Reaching down to his belt, he made sure his swords were properly secured and peace-knoted, to show to the guards that we ment no harm upon anyone inside the castle. He dustied some of the dirty off his traveling cloak as we walked up to the guards in front of the castle. The guards turned to him and before the said a thing, Matthias announced himself to them.
"My name is Matthias von Strov, Guardian of StarHawks Keep. I travelled long to meet with the Queen or an equal representative on forming a contract to employ our forces against the traitors in the deep forests. I wish to enter to meet with your queen."
The guard nodded and moved aside as the doors to the castle opened up. Matthias, taking off his traveling cloak and folding it over his arms, walked inside, hoping to discuss these matters quickly.
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:58 pm
One of the guards made his way into the Hall of Royal Advisors. Inside was a large rectangular solid wood table, made from the trees of the forest, engraved with nature and creatures alike. Eight very ancient looking men sat gowned in blue and gold threads. The guard bowed, waiting for permission to speak.
"A Matthias von Strov is here and he requesting to see the Queen with hopes of serving her majesty."
They all turned their heads, looking at eachother while saying nothing outloud. The man at the farthest end of the table stood after a few moments and nodded as he spoke out, "Show Mr. von Strov to the main hall, make sure he is comfortable and we'll call for her. Keep an armed eye on him at all times until we know more about this visitor." The man sat as the guard immediately turned on his heels and exited to follow out the orders.
Matthias is shown to the main hall, maids coming to serve him what he wishes as he waits.
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:16 pm
In Aglar, things had gone awry as usual. The queen, dressed in a cream colored gown covered with a dark brown hooded cloak, made her way silently through the city. A dragonet, a small dragon no bigger than a melon, glided through the crowd just in front of her at eye level, guiding her toward the mishap. "T'were almost there, just have to cross over the river.." the dragon hissed out as it moved forward. Anni followed quietly, hiding her face in the shadow of her hood, smiling to those who recognized her and silently bowed in respect.
As the two crossed the bridge, the Queen stopped halfway, able to hear the commotion clearly. The little dragon flew back to her, "Is there something wrong?"
"No, I'd just like to listen a moment..." She stood with one arm folding in front of her, the other elbow resting on it to put two fingers to her lips as she listened.
"We ALL helped bring that beast down!"
"Yeah!"
"We should spread the bounty equally, amongst all who faught!"
"Over my dead body you'll take the honor that is mine. For it was my loyal sword wielded by my strong hand that took that nasty beast's life. I deserve recognition!"
This fued has been going on two days now and two men have been killed in unnecessary scuffles. The men began to hollar all at the same time, barking like wild wolves, growing louder and clawing at one another's alleged property. Anni pushed the hood back, unveiling her face as she made her way across the bridge and to the riot. Each man stopped his own yelling the moment his eyes fell on the Queen, removing hats, bowing, nodding, all showing their respect. They made way for her to enter into the center of the crowd where a mound of gold lay in chests and sacks behind a man holding his sword in defense. Enough for several people to live off of for months. She waited until all were silent before taking the sword from the man's hands. "And recognition you shall receive my good sir." Before she could figure it out for herself, the dragonet, still faithfully by her side, squealed out in a most agonizing tone, "Sss'Dragons blood!" Fire sprayed from her little mouth toward the man whose sword the Queen held. She was sent to solve a dispute amongst dragon slayer's, great, one of her least favorite professions.
"Forgive me your highness, but I must speak. It was me who did the damage, if it wasn't for me their efforts would be mute," he spoke before taking a step back.
Anni took a moment to consider how to handle this. "And without your efforts, two of my innocents would not have fallen. Their blood may not have been spilled by your blade, but it was the acts of your blade that did. A sword is nothing without its owner. You'll get all the recognition you deserve..." She dropped her cloak to reveal her backless gown, allowing her wings to unfold from hiding. "...in the catacombs for one lunar cycle." The man's face went white, the struggle evident on his face as he fought off fear. She would not tolerate "accidental murders." With a slight cant of her head, she pulled her telekenisis strength around his form to keep him from leaving as she turned her back to the address the people gathered, "I trust proper burials will be done for the men who were killed, twice the compensation to their families, and that the rest of these fortunes will be divided equally among those who worked on such an order, dispicable as it may be. I'd rather enjoy not having to return for something so juvenile again." She looked to her little flying companion and reached out to nuzzle her hand against the creatures face. "Till my next visit lovely..."
No one answered as they watched the queen fly off into the sky, the man still with arms pressed tightly to his sides, floating feet behind her as she still kept a mental lock on her power around him.
Just then...all sound of nature went silent....
Your highness, there is a curious visitor awaiting your aquaintance a voice spoke softly into her mind. It was one of the royal advisors calling her home. She pushed through the twilight sky and headed straight for the castle.
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:15 pm
Matthias steeped through the doors of the castle, taking in the sights. While he had grown up in StarHawks Keep, it was a small, simplist keep. Their Keep was designed for two purposes, trainning and defense. There was no artistic value to the castle what-so-ever. Simple and reinforced stone ment to keep arrows out and recurits inside. He was greatly taken back at the spendid beauity of Queen's castle, for he hadn't imagined such. The polished stones intermixing with white marble was truly a spendid sight for many, if not all travellers. At first, Matthias thought himself to be completely out of place, him covered with the dirt and wears of several hard days of travel, but he chuckled at the thought.
He barely noticed the guard that approached him from one of the side halls, "If you'll follow me, we'll accomdate you while the Queen is out."
Matthias nodded his head towards the guard and extended one hand "Very well, lead the way." The guard turned and started down another hallway, leading towards what Matthias assumed was a main hall. The guard lead him here, bowed quickly then steped off to the side assuming a guard position. Further down the hall, Matthias noticed two other armed guards, eyeing him carefully. Huh, he thought to himself, I don't blame them honeslty. A strange man in woren leathers demanding to see the Queen would be cause for concern for just about anyone. I don't know what's worse though, the fact that they think these three guards are enough to deter me from doing anything, or do they honestly think it'd take only three to stop me. Either way, it's a precaution they must take. He stepped closer towards one of the tables in the hall and took a seat.
He noticed a serving maid approaching as he sat down and simple said to her "Water please, I've put down a long journy which builds a powerful thirst. Simple water will be good enough for me." He leaned back in the chair, finding it to be very confromtable, wondering to himself if he had time enough for a medation before someone would arrive to ask him questions about his arrive and intentions.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:23 pm
Due to the force of traveling at the speed of light, it took longer than usual to fly back to the castle...what with her mortal prisoner in tow. Upon arrival, the two of them standing at the top of the tower, she kept her hold around his arms and allowed the freedom of him to move his feet. "Follow me..." She paused, walking down the stairs and turned to face the man on the step behind her, "..My apologies, I do say I forgot to ask of your name?"
He swallowed and answered weakly, "James Lacorte, your highness."
"Very well, Mr. Lacorte." She took a moment to study his face. His eyes were filled with defeat, his face illuminating of sorrow, hiding his fear of the dark. "I don't always like my job, sir...Kings before I would have done much worse. You should know you're lucky." She briefly touched her hand to the back of his, forgetting she had locked it down and turned to make her way down the stairs. All 8 advisors were in a perfect line waiting for her at the bottom, the speaker of the house in front. She smiled to them, letting go of her telekinetic hold on James as she said, "James Lacorte has been sentenced to one lunar cycle."
"We'll take care of it Miss," the house speaker answered her. "A Mr. Matthias von Strov is in the main hall awaiting your aquaintance. He is still armed but has opposed no threat or need to worry. Still, we ask that you please be cautious m'lady." She smiled again and nodded, watching them turn simaltaneously, James following in line perfectly, now under the mental control of the advisors. They always worried about her, and in their hearts she knew was no faith in her. Anni pressed on anyways.
Anni made her way down the corridor and across the great foyer, smoothing her gown as she did before pausing to enter into the main hall once her arrival was announced. She immediately noticed the calm and serene face of the visitor as she entered and made her way to sit upon her thrown. "I've been told your name is Matthias von Strov. I am Queen Anni AngeliX. Welcome to Arivae..." Her eyes looked him over a minute as she pondered aloud, "Your name, it sounds familiar."
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:28 pm
Matthias, having taken a slip of the water that was served him, stood up almost immediately when the guard annouced the Queen's entrance. He stood completely rigid and at attention, his feet square apart, lined up with his shoulders, hands folded neatly behind his back. As she walked in, it was all Matthias could do to maintain an air calmness and purpose, for in reality he as nearly dumb stuck. Never had he imagined to be addressing royality, much less the radiant, divine beauty that stood before him.
As she sat down upon her throne, Matthias dropped down onto one knee, in humble respect as she spoke to him. Once she had finished, Matthias looked up "My lady AngeliX, it doth be my pleasure. I am indeed Matthias von Strov, Master at Arms of and Guardian of StarHawks Keep. I am glad for the warm reception that I have recieved in both your kingdom and castle. I have heard rumors of your beauty far and wide across the land, but I see that they hardly compare."
Matthias rose breifly, turning to the table where he was just sitting at, and untied his sword belt. He quickly removed it off his waist and put it, and his twin swords, unto the table and walked slightly closer to the throne, kneeing once again. "I am surpized that none of your guards had asked for my weapons, for I would have surrendered them easily without quarl; if this would be opposite with a member of your guard approaching our lord, that would have been the case. But I mean you know harm, for it is our wish to negoiate a contract, employing the Guardians with the Queen's forces against the traitors in the deep forest.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:34 pm
The advisors, in matching steps, lead the temporarily braindead James down the corridor to a rather large and dark spiral staircase. The line stopped at the tops steps, and the house speaker, always at the front, held out his hand palm up. Hovering above his hand a small ball of light form, growing to about the size of a fist. Once around the first turn of the stairs they would be in complete darkness. With his hand remaining out to keep the ball of light in place, they began to descend the stair case.
About every two turns there was a door in the wall that would lead to either another hallway or a cell. They made their way down 6 turns before they stopped at a door, opening it and shuffling their way neatly into a narrow hallway. They walked for nearly 5 minutes, the walls and floor all made of cement, the smell of it in the air, the coolness of the dark a chill against their skin. At the end of the hallway there was a single cell. The door opened and in they coerced James to go. Once the door was locked with him inside, the mental lock was lifted. James screamed out, immediately grasping onto the bars, "Please! I'll serve anywhere, do anything, I'll pay my debt, just some other way!"
The advisors did not respond, they couldn't change the Queen's orders even if they wanted to. The house speaker turned and snaked his way back around to leave, each other following in line, while James' screamed rang out to watching the light dim away to utter darkness.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:36 pm
Anni watched patiently as he introduced himself and addressed her of his concerns. A sweet smile spread across her pale pink lips as he spoke of her beauty, cheeks blushing. Even a Queen could be shy to compliments. She made a movement of her hand to show that he could stand before she spoke, "Matthias, please, call me Anni."
She stood from the thrown and stepped down to move in front of him, extending her hand politely. You know, like "a people's Queen" would. Formality, sometimes it was hard to follow. She took Matthias' hand, shook it nicely and let a grin curl on one side of her lips. "Your weapons were not surrendered because there are plenty of eyes on you. Don't worry about the scarce few you see here, for things in this castle aren't always what they seem..." She lifted both arms as she kept her eyes on him. On each side of the main hall, curtains that fell the length of the wall and stretched the entire width, rose and revealed two lines of men in armor, still as ever. "...they're enchanted to act when necessary...that's what the few are here for. They command the thrown knights..." She peaked to the doorway and whispered, "...we have the advisors to thank for them." A roll of her eyes and a grin, she dropped her arms and the curtains fell.
Casually walking over to the table holding his weapons, Anni continued, "So you wish to negotiate a contract? I have been hearing murmurs for weeks beyond the border of the deep...they've been haunting my sleep...it's almost serendipitis you've come when you did. There is never a way of telling what is a brewing under those branches..." her voice trailed off as her fingers glided just above his swords. "Have you any terms set in mind, mister Von Strov?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:32 pm
Matthias stood when the Queen indicated. Extending his hand to meet hers, he replied "As you wish Anni, though if you don't mind me calling you my'lady in front of your subjects." He shook her hand, and odd feeling it was. Matthias, used to shaking the hands of battle-hardened, rough, and scared hands, found Anni's to be unusually decicate, almost as if he was holding a hand made out of prochine.
Not moving far, keeping his hands folded behind his back, following the Queen's movements, he watched as she explained why it wasn't necessary for the them to remove his weapons. While he wasn't surpized that they had a few tricks up his sleeve, he also showed some surpize at the scale of it.
As she finished up, Matthias was quiet for a second before speaking up. "My Lady Anni, mister Von Strov, is my father, Lord Alexander Strov. He once served under your father and spoke fondly of the experience. Under your father's payroll, Lord Strov created the Guardians and also installed a belief in us that is the main reason I'm here today. " Matthias walked over to the table, carefully, and reached for his water gobet.
After taking a careful sip, he contiuned. "Recently, we've been contacted by the forces in the Deep Forest, attempting to hire us for their side. While normally, we would have considered their contract, they insulted us greatly." Matthias bowed his head and let out a deep sigh. "We, unlike many other mercanery companies, hold ourselves to a high level of honor. Were not petty thieves, mugs, robbers or assassins. We are born to fight on the battlefield, and we die fighting battles to bring us, our families, and our contracts honor. But they would have us, in your own castle, attempt assassinations of your advisors, friends, and even yourself."
Matthias put down the gobet, clearly this topic wasn't a pleasnt one to him. He took another couple of deep breaths, attempting to calm himself down, trying not to vent his anger on anyone who didn't deserve it. "And, as if that wasn't enough. No latter than two days after their inital confrontation, they started amushing caravaans headed for the keep, we lost several weeks supply of food, and a small amount of treasure. These traitors have insulted us, and they still assume that we'll sign their contract to do their dirty deeds." Matthias then turned squarely towards Anni, looking her straight in the eyes. "So, by majority vote, it has been decided that we are throwing our support behind you. The contract is almost a formality; grains, meats, other various food products were in more need of than gold or gems. If you can help supply us with this, then you'll have the full support of us. It'll start of simply, but as things progress and heat up, more Guardians will be dispatched to area's where your forces are weakest or in desperate need of reinforcement."
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